Meowee, dear me! :eek: I have clients who refuse to pay in advance also... but the penalties usually convince them otherwise after a couple years...

Now Laurie, when I was a child my parents got me boxing gloves and a punching bag one year for Xmas because I wanted them. The punching bag was one of those that had an upside-down bag on the end of a flexible bar, affixed to a platform that you stood on while you punched--and the "gloves" were pretty hokey--but I enjoyed them! The Wii boxing sounds like lots more fun!

flowingair, my partner tried one of those nasal rinses, and she says it's great. I have always been leery of them, but after he experience, maybe I'll try it sometime.

Where are the rest of our active folks? Can they all be off at the gym? ;)

:wave:
Jay

No penalties involved -- if they ask me for quarterly payments I make them. It's just that they usually want too much and then the next year they owe me and then they stop the quarterly payments and then the same cycle begins all over again. What I will not do is ask my payors to withhold more than is legally required from my monthly payments. Trust me, I don't break tax laws. Definitely not worth it.

Oh, I would never in a million years think that you would break any tax laws! :yikes:

You're just not that kinda gal!

Jay

Hi all - just a quick post. Still swamped with work and volunteer activities!

Jay, I'm still trying to figure out whether I need to file a new W4 because of the "stimulus" money. We got a warning note from payrolll saying that most double income families would end up owing at the end of the year. Unlike Linda, I usually try to break even so I don't have to write that check.

The whole stimulus thing is driving me nuts.
Vendors are bombarding me with email, snail mail and phone calls hoping to get a slice of the pie - yet the state says that they are gonna use most of the stimulus money to offset the deficit in the school aid fund. Grrrr...

OK, gotta get some sleep - I am definitely in need of some R&R!

Hope you had a great POP day!

Laurie

Hi everyone, I'm slowing down a bit. I have tomorrow and all next week off. YaHoo. DD 's wedding dress came in yesterday. She looked absolutely gorgeous in her size 8 dress. I hope to some day be a size 8 too, heck I'll take a size 10 olr 12 right at the moment. It was a lot of fun, so much yet to do for the wedding, but it's coming together.
I think the antibiotic I was on made me crave carbs. I'm finally back under control, but it's been a struggle. I hope to be able to get back into my exercise routine, I just couldn't do it with my headache.


:bunny: I hope everyone has a great OP weekend.:easter::easter2::egg:

Hey! That's great about the wedding dress, flo! I know what you mean about the sizes. Heck, I'd be happy to fit a 14 (petite). I hope you drop in more often now!

CD (and other U.S. folks), the IRS has an online calculator that can help figure out withholding for the fed taxes:

http://www.irs.gov/individuals/artic...=96196,00.html

You can also download Publication 919 if you're subject to self-employment tax, alternative minimum tax, and other taxes.

Check it out!

I have a couple more extensions to file and then I'm done for awhile. :cheer2:

Jay

:wave:

Busy day ahead and luckily the sun is shining nicely. Pretty glad to be doing Easter-like things today because Sunday is not going to be nearly as nice in the weather department.

Hope you all have a wonderful day. :carrot:

Just a fly-by post. I finally finished the presentation for tonight with an hour to spare :D

I was still waiting on permissions to use a couple Internet resources.

My new comforter came today (the pets had ravaged the old one) and I'm in a quandry. With the extra thick mattress on our bed, it is too short. I could have ordered a larger size, but then I would need to alter the bedskirt and shams. I'm thinking of adding a ruffle or something to the edge to extend it, but I'm not sure.

I like comforters vs. bedspreads because I am lazy and hate to spend a lot of time making the bed. The comforter is also a lot more forgiving regarding the pets.

Anyone have any creative ideas for making this work? Finding a giraffe print comforter wasn't terribly easy to start with, and I really do like the fabric and the set in general and would like to keep it.

Well, gotta fly - time to get ready for church.

Jay - glad that you are almost done with tax season!

Linda - trying to send you good weather, REALLY!

Lori - Fantastic news about the dress! And - you WILL be in a size 8 one of these days! You might even blow right by it down to a 6 ;)

Laurie :scooter:

Weather is deteriorating in spite of your efforts Laurie, but thanks for trying. :lol:

The good news is that both my scale numbers and my blood sugar numbers seem to have recovered from the Thursday Chinses food debacle.

I'm with you on the comforter vs spread on the bed. I'm not a ruffle person but how about a little tailored flange type of treatment picking up one of the colours in the fabric?? Some of those newer mattresses are getting so thick that my short legs have difficulty climbing into bed. :lol:

Have a great Saturday gang . . . try to stay out of the bunny patch. :yes:

Linda - good thought! I found the perfect fabric to do it too :D

Our mattress is one of the super, duper thick ones - we had to build a platform and forego the box springs because I COULDN'T get into bed without a step ladder :lol:

Glad you are back on track with minimal damage!

Gotta get back at it. Once service down, and one to go. I think I've spent over 20 hours on PowerPoint this week. And, I have a presentation due on Tuesday at work that I haven't started on. I'm be doing slide animations in my sleep if I'm not careful :lol:

Hope you all have a great day tomorrow! And for those celebrating Easter, hope you have a blessed and ON PLAN day!

Hey everybody! Quiet Easter weekend around 3FC--hope everyone is having a good one.

I've managed to start catching up on a few chores that got put aside during tax season. So that should keep me busy--We don't have much yardwork here, but there is some I need to do, and I'd better get it done before it gets much hotter!

We had our driveway refinished! It looks really wonderful now. Here's the site of the place that did it:

www.concretebeauty.com

Jay

Good Morning . . . :egg:

Jay - that looks like a really nice process to have done to the driveway! I'm thankful that ours is out back on the alley and isn't visible from the street. We did re-do the sidewalks out front a couple years ago, however. Helped the curb appeal quite a bit :)

Well, I did put a "flange" on the bedspread. It worked GREAT! It felt good to spend some time with my sewing machine again. I hemmed a couple pair of pants for DS2 while I was at it. I have a couple skirts that I cut out last summer that I never got to. I might have to put those on my weekend "to do" list. What a blessing to know that they will still fit. :D

Gotta fly - lots of calls to make to the family today. With the time difference in CA, we always call in the evening.

Hope you all have a great start to the week!

Laurie

:halfempty -- it's snowing -- but scale is being kind.

meowee, I can't believe it! :yikes: Ever thought of... moving... :s:

I've had a really good day today! Everything that needs to be done for tax season is DONE, and I can concentrate on the textbooks once again. :book2: I can write out a schedule and follow it! Amazing!

I bought some new downspout extenders so that the rain (or even the dew overnight) won't just dump onto the newly painted driveway. That will be helpful because in Florida, anything that stays damp for very long turns black.

Where did everyone go? I hope you all didn't go into sugar shock from the Easter candy. It was not a problem here--I've never liked Easter candy anyway, to tell the truth. :p

Jay

Not permanently, JAY . . . but I'm beginning to see why so many Canadians are snowbirds who flock to Florida in the Winter.

Linda - no new snow, but it was cold here today. I rode the scooter to work, and my fingers are still feeling it! I'm with ya girl - I laughed at snowbirds most of my life - now I want to join them!

Jay :congrat: on making it through tax season! Good thinking on the extenders. I bet that they will help preserve that beautiful new driveway!

I could go overboard on chocolate and jelly beans if I'm not careful - thus - I just don't buy the stuff. I keep dark chocolate around the house and plan for it - in small, controlled quantities.

Good day here - except for becoming a popsicle. Got a lot done at work. I got in a pilates workout this morning, and a shape boxing workout after work :)

Hello to all of our MIAs - we miss you!

Laurie :scooter:

Pretty little coating of white dust is covering the dirty brown grass this morning. At least the tips of grass still poking out looks greenish. :shrug:

Hi to Everyone,
would it be ok to jump on board this thread. I qualify, I am 52 and am working at dropping more than a few pounds.
I hope you all have a lovely day. It certainly is a beautiful day here in KS. Too bad it is horribly muddy out. I live on a small farm where muddy matters. ;)
Candy

:welcome: CANDY . . . glad to have you joining us . . . :hug:

Hi everyone! I have been MIA. Missed everyone :hug: Welcome Candy!!:hat:

I have had a busy week. We have had good weather and I have been down to the beach walking.:cool:
Been to the gym several times. Went shopping in the states one day and got some material for another quilt. Prices so good I could not resist. That one is in holding pattern for now. It is quite a mindless project but requires your attention. Sort of a meditation kind of hobby. :yoga: Works for me. Mind you a few times as I was cutting fabric with the rotary cutter I could see me running into a finger if I did not watch out. :D

Weight has not budged. Had too many meals out. Though it is nice it does throw me. :cofdate:
Thanks for the ideas Laurie. I have all my squares cut out and they are lying on the spare room bed. Going with the diamond shape for the square and it has come out to a pretty good size. I am going to put a black border around it and I found a nice piece for the back in a cotton in the states. I have moved the colors around till I think they are ok. Now I just have to pick it up and start sewing. I hesitate as this may be the downfall. :crossed:
But will start sewing the strips maybe next weekend and if that goes well it will be nothing to sew the strips together. It looks fabulous laying there now. But we will see.
Laurie not sure what kind of quilt you got. I know I bought a down duvet and it is a king on a queen bed. The shams sold separate so I just bought regular as did the skirt. So it worked ok. But the bed kits are out as the shams etc are always a king.
Jay your driveway place looks great. I am sure your driveway looks fabulous.
Linda I can not believe you are in the snow. Try the west coast. I have a friend in Winnipeg and she has water up to the wall of the underground parking from the Red River backing up into the Assiniboine River. :swim:

I was working in the garden yesterday. A neighbor had dirt delivered for the garden and offered me some so I hauled several pailfuls over to the back garden. I can not grow anything so maybe this will help. I need to add some plants. Going to get lots of flowers this year. The secret is to water them that is my downfall. I think it rains enough but it does not. I have some Hosta's just starting to come up and those I love. They take care of themselves.
I am back at work today. OMG I am exhausted already. We are knee deep in chocolate Easter eggs. No word of a lie. And they had a cake decorating contest while I was gone. Jeez. :censored:
So hope everyone is well and spring is almost here and for Jay....summer.
There were people down at the beach working on their tans already. Made me wish I had brought my blanket.
Gotta go cheers....jude :callme:

Candy :welcome: We LOVE new folk! I will be 52 this year :) Please send that warm weather east to us in MI! It is still cold and windy here.

Jude :hug: Eating out is hard for me too! I can do it once a week and maintain. Any more than that and I have to make a concerted effort to cut back somewhere or else :yikes: Thus, maintaining is GOOD!

Stick to your plan, otherwise all tha chocolate could be a problem :yes: We missed you, girl! Glad you are back!

Jay - Happy Tax Day! I know you must be thrilled that you are back to editing and the tax work is done for a while!

Good day here - way too busy. Usual work day, then I did a presentation at the business college in town regarding PDAs - how I use them, and how we use them in the school district. From there - straight to church for an administrative council meeting, and finally home at 9:30.

On the bright side, no opportunity to overeat. And - I did slide in a shape boxing workout with DH for 45 minutes :D

I brought home potted tulips from church (parishioners can purchase them in memory of someone for the Easter services and then bring them home afterward to plant in their gardens). The cat is very excited to have potted plants in the house. I can't wait to see what morning brings ...

Have a great day all!

Jude--good to see you back! :hug:

I have to say, you quilters are a lot more ambitious and skilled than I can claim to be. Sewing was just never my thing, although the times I did make something it turned out OK.

Hey Candy, glad to see you! Jump on in! What kind of farm do you have?

Thanks for the happy tax day wishes, CD. All my clients have been taken care of--either filed on time or filed extensions. :D

I have an interesting proofreading project. It's about the role of food in politics in Morocco. Yeah, kind of a specialized work. This is for a university press--I get to read a lot of scholarly works for them. A nice diversion from editing biology, but there's some of that, too.

Food has been OK--but I did have a couple days where I went over my limit, and that stalled my loss. I'm happy to say it was not Easter candy that was the culprit, though--just because I think that is such a waste of calories. :p Instead it was too much of usually weight-loss-friendly foods. Stress eating. :stress: But, things are getting evened out again. I'm starting another 4-week goal today.

And here it is, the middle of the week!

:wave:
Jay

Thanks
 

Thank you for the kind welcomes, I feel so special. :)
I have decided that this is my year for finally getting my weight under control. I have been a member of 3 chicks for a while, reading the boards and posting occasionally. I always hate to just jump in, kind of like interrupting a conversation. But I decided that it would be nice to get to know some of the nice people on these boards. So I interrupted you. :)
I have gained a lot of weight through the years, starting after I had my first child, I have four children so I really packed the pounds on.
Two years ago my husband left and quite honestly this improved my life. Even though he did this in a crummy way, no warning and taking all our money, I feel like I have been given a new life. My children are grown, ages 18-24. They still live at home with me. My two daughters and I are now in college. I decided I was going to need a way to support myself so two years ago I began taking online classes from a KS college. I now have two years left and then I will have my degree in education. My daughter Josey is going to school to get her bachelors degree in nursing and daughter Tobey will have her degree in education in two years too. We live very frugally. My son's are keeping everything else going while we go to school. Before my husband left I had a little homestead here on our 5 acres. I had huge gardens, milk goats, milk cow, poultry, bees, and I also homeschooled the kids. So the boys do most of the chores, plus cut wood for our heat, and are starting a woodworking shop. We are all lacto-ovo vegetarian so no butchering going on here. Cannot handle that.
Sorry I went on so long. I hope everyone has a great day. I have some studying to do, tonight I am going with the kids to an Arlo Guthrie concert. It doesn't get much better than that.

Take care
Candy

:wave:

I'm here, just not feeling all that great today.

Jay, Glad to hear you have a new goal set, and that you get to do some unusual editing. Sounds like a fun project, actually! I know that - with your determination, you will be right back in loss mode!

Linda - sorry you aren't feeling well - hope it is short-lived! Spring is coming :D

Candy :woohoo: another vegetarian ;) I've been an ovo-lacto vegetarian for 27 years. Our kids have remained vegetarians as well :)
You picked a good field - we really need good teachers right now. I work for a school district as a techie, and I'm hoping to retire in the relatively near future (4-7 years).
So glad you jumped in. And - for the record - this is a great forum with a lot of very nice and very smart and very supportive chickies. You couldn't have landed in a better spot.
The concert sounds great! I've never seen Arlo in person, but we have some of his music - I bet his concerts are VERY entertaining!

Whew - good day here. Work was productive and the weather is glorious. I was able to ride the scooter (it was a balmy 33F when I left for work). It was so nice that DH and I started raking the gardens when we got home. So, my exercise was 3 hours of raking and garden clean-up. I am absolutely dog-tired!
Yet, I am ecstatically happy because I painfully remember being able to work only 30 minutes or so in the not so distant past. What a blessing to be able to be so physical again!

Hope you are having a good evening!

Hi there. Working tonight. Food is lousy this week. Grrr. :mad: Really feeling like I am never going to break out of this cycle. Not sure what my problem is. Did not make it to the gym today as I slept in. But will get there tomorrow.
Actually feel like I am getting a cold. I never get sick so not sure what that is. :(
Weather is lovely though. Glad this is a short week. Feeling very frustrated with myself.
Wow you have quite the story to tell Candy. Sounds like quite the family you have there. Good for you on going back to school. :congrat: And wonderful that the kids are there to keep things running. Good luck in all of what you do.
Great that CD has a vegan ally!!! :cheer3:
Not much to say today so will start again tomorrow. Trying not to be to hard on myself but I am getting tired of the struggle. Not sure who I think I am kidding...:rollpin:
It is stress eating. Maybe everyone can share on what they do rather than stress eat???
have a great evening......Jude :running:

Hey jude!

I find that skipping the workout or at least a walk when I'm under stress is a recipe for stress eating. Sometimes I end up doing some stress eating anyway, but at least if I've been physically active, the "damage" isn't too bad.

Planning is always a help: A list of snacks I can have that will work with my program. It can be dangerous to be in a state where you're just looking in the cupboards or the fridge for the unspecified "it" that will make you feel better.

We have another concert on Sunday. This one is classical music.

By the way, folks, here is a rather wonderful YouTube video from the British version of American Idol, Britain's Got Talent, featuring a woman named Susan Boyle. You have to hear the sound, so if you're at work, use headphones?

www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY&NR=1

Jay

Hi there . . . :wave:

Busy day today -- spent the morning at the hospital with a friend -- have to go back this evening for my own chest x-ray -- as usual, the place was a zoo. :lol: At least it is sunny, but windy and barely above the freezing mark. To top it off, I`m still not feeling too great. Oh well.

Oh yes, JAY . . . I saw her on the news last night . . . she has the most fantastic voice. Apparently she even made Simon smile happily.

Well got to get moving and shaking -- things to do and places to go. Ruthxxx (one of the other mods) is coming here for the weekend. I picked up theatre tickets (local amateur production of the Vagina Monologues) for Saturday night and now I`m off to another neighbouring town to get tickets for a local dog show on Sunday.

See you all later. :carrot:

Jude - stress eating:
1. exercise regularly - it is a must
2. keep low cal, low damage foods ready to go. It is hard to do too much damage with baby carrots and broccoli slaw ;)
3. Hot tea, I make a cup of hot tea and drink it first. It usually takes the edge off the stress and often keeps me from eating at all.
4. Relaxation, prayer, meditation - whatever works for you.
5. Take a bath - by the time you are done, you will feel better, the urge will have passed.
6. Stick some gum in your mouth, and head outside - away from the food.


Jay - thanks for posting the link - I saw her this morning, but just a snippet. Watching the whole clip was priceless! I don't follow Idol, but I've seen enough clips to enjoy seeing Simon's face :lol:

Linda - let us know how you like the theater production. It is on my short list of things to see.

A good day overall, but I had a flat on my scooter :( I don't have the strength to get the tire off the rim (or the right tools) so DH is gonna have to change it for me. Thankfully DS2 was home when I called and he came and picked me up. He even went back later and got the scooter for me. It IS a blessing to have him home with us right now :D

Gotta fly - still some daylight out there - more gardents to clean :yes:

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone. I am sick today with a cold. I never get sick but someone here has been hacking and coughing all week. :rolleyes:
Great.
Feel tired and sore. Looking forward to a peaceful weekend.
Did not make it to the gym this morning. Tried to sleep but the phone rang twice.
Drinking lots of water and running to the bathroom...:carrot:
Talk tomorrow.....Jude

Good Morning.

Think I'll be a little scarce around here for the rest of this month. My cousin, Jamie (we've been as close as brother and sister all our lives) finally lost a long battle with cancer yesterday.

Now, as I mentioned before, Ruthxxx is arriving today to spend the weekend with me. Guess I'll try to get on the same flight as she is on for the trip to Ontario on Monday morning. This should time out okay because his oldest son told me last night that there will be an autopsy to verify cause of death (something to do with the fact that he was a fireman). He will then be cremated and then there will be a memporial service. Liam didn't think anything much would be happening before next week anyway.

So, if you need assistance and can't find me, just scream for another Mod and someone will show up -- probably Ruthxxx.

See you soon . . . :grouphug:

Hi to all and Welcome Candy,
I really messed up over Easter and regained a couple of pounds. I liked the stress suggestions, something I really need right now.

Jay you're right I need to post more often. I'm going to make that a goal this month. Listening to everyone's ideas always give me a boost in the right directions.

I've been cleaning out the yard and it's been wonderful getting out in the spring weather. I'll be back soon. Lori

Linda - our prayers go with you! We will miss you, but I hope you have a good visit with Ruth and with family!

Lori - I hope you do post more - we DO miss you when you are gone! Isnt' this weather glorious? I got more yard work done today as well :)
Don't fret over the stress eating or the Easter lbs. Just get back at it, surround yourself with healthy things and keep moving. You will be OK!

DH fixed my flat tire today, so I am back scooting :) I put the patio back together after work, so we had our first fire in the firepit tonight. It really does feel like spring has finally sprung around here :)

I'm going to try to get some more spring cleaning done this week - and pack for the trip of course :)

I'm looking forward to getting out of town for a while!

Hope you are all having a good start to the weekend!

Laurie :scooter:

Hi Everyone,
Meowee, I am very sorry to hear of your loss. I have lost too many people to cancer.
I hope that you have a safe trip. You are in my thoughts.
Take care of yourself
Candy

Hi all - hope you are having a good Saturday. Just a fly-by today. Spring cleaning is still on my weekend agenda. And, switching out my woolens for my spring attire :)

Hey everybody,

I spent the morning trimming all the bushes... Then of course raking everything up. I may or may not get to pressure washing a side of the house tomorrow, but I think my hard work is all done for today. :faint:

Anyone catch Susan Boyle on Larry King Live? If not, you can find plenty of videos of it on youtube. She sang a different song--and did it well, even without accompaniment!

I have a massage scheduled for this afternoon. heh heh heh... Lovely... I highly recommend massage for stress reduction (jude, take note!). I often just fall asleep on the table I get so relaxed.

Enjoy the weekend! :broc:

Jay

Sunday Morning
It is a lovely morning in Kansas today. Feels like spring. When I took the dogs out I noticed the apple trees in our orchard are about to bloom. The pear trees have a nice showing of flowers already. Such a nice time of year.

Jay, I will have to check out YouTube because I did not see Susan Boyle on Larry King. She is incredible.

Yesterday I had a great day with exercise and eating. Today I plan to do the same.
For now I am off to write a paper for a class. Only a few more weeks and this semester will be over. I am taking summer classes but at least will be something different.
Have a great day
Candy

Jay - LOL, your post was perfectly timed. I've never had a massage, though my friends RAVE about their benefits. There is a special through one of the B&Bs on our trip, to add on a massage at the spa next door. I may just have to take advantage of it while DH is at his training session ;)
So - thanks for posting when you did - you pushed me over the fence :)

Candy :woohoo: You stick to that plan! Consistency makes so much difference! In some ways, the first few lbs are the hardest, and you have those behind you. I found that I kind of got into a rhythm of eating and exercise as the journey progressed. Now, it is just routine - and my old style of eating seems foreign. It is great that you are in the next decade (270s) :D

Well, gotta get packed for the trip. I'm looking forward to it, even if they have SNOW in the forecast - even down-state. :brr:
I'm altering my packing somewhat. DS2 wants the Rendezvous so he can help one of his friends move home from college. Thus, we are taking my Tracker - a SIGNIFICANTLY smaller vehicle. We will be taking advantage of our city destinations by stocking up on staples at Trader Joe's and Sam's Club - so there won't be a lot of room for much else.

I'm hoping for sporadic Internet access this week, and I will check in when I can. I will be thinking of all of you this week - and I hope that each of you has a fun, POP week, that is balanced with work, play, and renewal!

Hi to all, I did a lot of cleaning and yard work this weekend. It was great getting out in the warm weather. I love spring in MI. I'm watching my flowers peek through the soil, everyday getting a little bigger. I can't wait to see the flowers bloom and the trees to show off their blossoms. I really ache from all the yard work. I think it's a good thing to get different muscles moving.

Meowee, Sorry about your cousin, it's so tough to lose family and friends.

have a great Monday.