After a couple of days with the worst sore throat I've ever had (worse even than the tonsilitis I used to fight as a kid before they got yanked out), my body is finally letting up on me.

I'm actually now able to talk on the phone without sounding like a pervert, and walk around the store without wobbling too badly. Hope things are good with all of you with your health.

My in-laws came last night and took our family out to dinner in advance of my wife's birthday. We hit our favourite local restaurant, where I would normally tuck in to a nice slab of prime rib and a piece of cheesecake afterward.

Instead, I had a delicious fillet of sole with scallops and mushrooms, a small baked potato and a little rice pilaf. Not quite as yummy as the prime rib (and little more butter than I would have liked), but still very satisfying. Surprisingly, I couldn't finish the rice -- my tummy must be shrinking.

I did hop off track for a fried dill pickle. I only ordered them because they're unusual in Canada and I wanted some of my family to try them. Reviews were mixed, but how can you poo-poo anything deep fried?

I also abstained from the chocolate mousse cake my mother-in-law brought. Instead, I had a protein shake made with chocolate soy milk and some strawberries, slammed some Nyquil and slept for 12 hours. Anyone know how NyQuil counts against your diet?

Back to the protein shake and banana this morning. Weigh-in in two more days!

Nyquil and the diet... have no clue.  However, I would think that the rest was worth whatever it was.  I hope you're feeling better.

Sounds like you made some great choices when you went out to eat for the wife's b'day.  Tell her I said Happy Birthday.  Okay, you don't really have to!  LOL!

Fried dill pickles...YUM!  Sorry, they probably originated here in the South.  Guess a lot of bad habits are from here.  (I'm in Tennessee)