We will only stay a week-just enough time to get things done.
I don't think we would move here permanently-we have 3 kids ans 3 grandchildren back home.
It is cold-went to the pool and jacuzzi before the cold front came in.
My foot is so much better. been doing the exercises faithfully-hope for a couple of acupuncture treatments back home.
I intend to wear long underwear at home.
We have a get together in Sanibel tomorrow-someone's kids rentaed a place and now the parents are staying there. It's a pot luck so i will bring chicken.
Art today. Church tonight. It's the best day of the week. We always have teatime at Art, Mima

:(Morning all, I actually called in sick today. With windchill it is -27C. I had no students this morning, and I can do a lot of my paperwork from home. I am very very sensitive to cold..great for a canadian eh? I was only outside going from car to theatre and back last night and that was enough to set me off...joints all swollen and sore, hurts to even walk. I am having my hot oatmeal for breakfast, putting myself in a hot tub, not a hottub(darn..first on my lottery winnings list) and then in bed with my two heating pads. Hope everyone else is keeping warm. I have to weigh in tomorrow:o

Oh BTW we went to see Gran Torino last night..it was excellent. Much funnier than I expected and very touching in parts. I highly recommend it.

Good morning all! Yep, trying to type with frozen fingers is the pits! Hubby home from work today...got called in for 2 am tomorrow! What an outfit he works for! Guess I can't complain though...at least he has a job which is better than some folks right now, right? I'll fix him an early dinner so he can get to bed for 6 pm. Queenie and I had a long but chilly walk this morning so everything feels like it is working in slow motion. Good day to stay under the down comforter....but I need to get stuff done. Mima, hope your trip back north is uneventful. We had thought about keeping our house on Cape Cod and renting it when we first moved here. I had rented our first FL house for two years and it was such a hassle being a lond-distance landlord that we decided against it. Good move on our part as the bottom fell out of the real estate market right after we sold and moved. Too many headaches trying to take care of properties and tenants from a distance. We even tried a property management company here in Florida the second year and got screwed by them too. So, 4 1/2 years ago we moved into the house in Florida, built a new house across the street from the one were living in 2 years later with the money we got from the Cape Cod one. Then we sold the old Florida house after we moved into the new one...confusing, huh?. Hey, worked for me.....and it looks like we will be here for the long term based on what the economy is doing. We'd never get our money back on the new house right now so as long as hubby has his job, we'll hang our hats in Florida.
Okay, off to the store for a few supplies. Hope everyone enjoys their day and stays warm! Kate

Joanne, when I've been in Florida during the summer months, I wonder how you do it!! lol I sure wish I was down there right now!! My classes at the Y this morning and the other bible/weight loss class tonight have been cancelled because of the snow and the cold.

Mima, I love my silk long undies. they aren't bulky, but they do help to keep me warm. I wore those the weekend my friends and I went to the bed and breakfast and we were part of a nativity. I didn't get cold like some of the others did standing outside in the snow like we did. Hope your art class went well.

Mollymom, it is cold here too, but not like you! I don't know what the windchill is. I do know the temp was 8 F earlier this morning. I love oatmeal. Maybe I'll make some later. My first official weigh in at the bible based/weight loss meeting won't be till next week. The leader called about an hour ago and said all activities at their church are cancelled for tonight. I'm seeing lots of cancellations on the TV, so I kind of expected it. I was actually looking forward to weighing! What is Gran Torino?

Kate, my hubby and I had thought about moving south (Georgia probably), but we weren't sure how far we wanted to be away from our son and my brothers and their families. Now with Bob gone, I'm glad that we didn't do it or I would be alone down there. I can still go visit though.

Tim is venturing out to the mailbox. He's taking the neighbor lady hers too. She's 93.

Hey There
 

Tammy- It is supposed to be in the 40's tonight. we will have some more nights and days of cold and cool weather about 5-6.. Summers are not always easy.. That is why we have ac.:D.. Eventually you may do as some of the other retirees. Spend some of the winter down here and some up there..
Molly.. I hurt with this weather. Tonight I will need to use Icy hot on my shoulder with some heat.. O.A doesn't like damp cold weather..
Kate. There is a neighbor across the street that had all her windows open this am. It was 49 degrees.. Now that is taking fresh air too far! I told mu hubby somethings loose upstairs..
Mima- I see it is pretty cold up there where you will be going.. A couple pairs of long underware may be needed..
Hello Candice, Happy Meme.. Joanne

Good evening.

Joanne - It was -12C (+10F) and I had my windows opened this morning, and there was a nice breeze blowing. It felt soooo good to get some nice FRESH air in the house :lol: Nothing wrong with my head, other than my sinuses are a bit plugged!

Tammy - Is Tim at home again? Well, I don't wear undies, but under my scrubs for work, I wear a long sleeved shirt or else I freeze. Cold is all relevant to where you live.

Molly - I guess you are having the deepfreeze that Alberta was in for 3 weeks. You can have it :lol: We are having snow at the moment, but it is supposed to stop and get nice, starting tomorrow +7:carrot: 40F It will be like SPRING!!

Candice - hope you get to feeling better.

Kate - wear gloves, that is the answer to keeping you hands warm :dizzy:

Mima - a quick trip and you will get to see everybody. Rentals and renters are a pain - how is Dennis doing?? Glad you foot is getting better.

I spent yesterday, scrubbing floors and cleaning bathrooms and other rooms. Today, I cleaned out my linen closet as it sure got to be a mess. Got a couple of other drawers cleaned out as well. Also, got my computer cleaned up.

Here are a couple of pictures taken on Saturday at the lake near us. Now, this lake is probabley not what you are used to seeing, but it changes in the Spring

http://photos.imageevent.com/happyca...Lake%20006.jpg
Ice fishing
http://photos.imageevent.com/happyca...%20fishing.jpg

Hockey game
http://photos.imageevent.com/happyca...Lake%20002.jpg

skaters
http://photos.imageevent.com/happyca...%20skaters.jpg

Ice Castle, built between the hockey rink and the skating rink. The town paid $15,000 to have this built + room and board for the two fellows that built it. Tourist attraction, ya know!
http://photos.imageevent.com/happyca...Lake%20007.jpg

Inside the castle, having a rest. Look at how healthy they look, with those rosy cheeks.

http://photos.imageevent.com/happyca...%20resting.jpg

http://photos.imageevent.com/happyca...Lake%20001.jpg

Just some houses along the beach as we were driving on the lake

http://photos.imageevent.com/happyca...the%20lake.jpg

Diamonds in the snow - outside my window

http://photos.imageevent.com/happyca...2008%20002.jpg

That's all folks!

Joanne, when Tim and I were in Georgia I was checking different places about possibilities for next winter. Not sure what I'll do. I've got some time to think about it, that's for sure.

Anne, I've had windows open on some of those cold days too. Feels good just to air things out. Tim moved home this semester. He is commuting 3 days a week to college. I'm going with him in the morning since the roads aren't the best. He said that he wasn't going to go because of the roads, and I don't want him to get started on skipping classes. It's too easy since it's an hour drive. Thanks for sharing the pictures!! Beautiful!!

Mollymom, nice to meet you! I am a Newbie and have been recently diagnosed by TWO docs that I have fibromyalgia, (along with several other ills) like my mom. I am fifty something with 3 married kids and 6 grandchildren. Was born in Canada, raised in Michigan as of age 6, lived in Colorado, Florida, Chicago, and now Oklahoma.

Oklahoma sunshine does me good. Don't think I can ever go back to Michigan, even though most of family is there (excluding son, his wife and my beautiful grandchildren in Anchorage Alaska!).

I'm on lots of meds which have caused weight gain, just getting used to the limitations of fibro, and have just ordered Nutrisystem to try and get my weight down and some normal life back. Any suggestions?

Cindy (wannabefit)

It is so cold.................DS took me to the appt, she (the doc) could not help me so referred me to a nuerologist, which is the reason I saw her, for the referral, DUH.....she said she could send me to two diff migrane clinics...way up north but we do not even know if the eye problem is migrane..so I told her no new meds and let's get another opinion! She is so young..... It will probably get labled "fibro" as all my other ailments are. That is the reason I do not go to docs.....I guess it is reasuring there are not any tumors but I already knew that. I feel fine, just can't see things at times and it only lasts about 30 min a time...weird...do any of you have that? If I am looking at a page I can see all the words but can't read them because I only see half of the word, either the left or the right. )Like "Cl he f mo in ." (I just typed "click here for more info") and that is what I see when this happens.

Mima....hope you tag your aunt so she does not get lost going back. You will have fun..but it's very cold !

Kate.....we thought we would travel more without a dog too. NOT.....and the one we have now needed a home... and all kitties were adopted but they picked us..showed up on our door steps in the country.

Joanne....hubby does not like to sleep alone either...all though I do not go in there much, he still calls it our room.....it is my room, my closet my bathroom, he just sleeps in my room at night and I where ever.....He has a room and a closet and a bathroom on the other side of the house but does not want a bed over there, tells me I can sleep there...makes no sense to me......men, they are so stubborn! The master only has a shower and a whirlpool and he wants a small tub. Warmer in his bathroom too.

Tammy..hope you got rested... so how are the pup and you doing? Nice of Tim to move home for a bit.

Happy...beautiful pics....do you really drive on the lake? I'm not sure I would feel safe or do they know how solid it is?? I guess up there it is different than here. But it is awful cold here now too. How do you stand it..I open windows all the time just for a bit of freshness) and DH yells at me.......

Hey meme, kala and Cindy all :wave:

Happy I really likethe last pic...........never did get my digital camera yet or you would be seeing all kinds of stuff!LOL

welcome new people-we know your pain. It's 60 in here and heat would not go on but we have an electric heater-it's next to me and I have a quilt on my lap.
Last we heard, Dennis had pneumonia. We will go see him when we are home. Almost have the tickets-waiting for the transfer of points.
We are going to a potluck in sanibel-no swimmimg but maybe a walk on the beach. Tomorrow we are meeting friends in Punta Gorda for lunch and tomorrow night Evan gets his yellow belt in Karate.
Brad needs to bring home some tools. Have to check them or they will get suspicious-ha!!!
Love tose pics, Anne. Our ice doesn't freeze that much but they do icefishing and bring snowmobiles on the ice. But people have drowned when it;s not safe.
Bye for now Mima

Hi Cindy! Getting your body moving any way you can will help some with the fibro. Walking is great, and water aerobics is very helpful. I know the water did me alot of good.

Candice, no I haven't had a problem like that. Hope you get things figured out soon!!! Maurice is doing great! Just had him outside a while ago. He doesn't mind the snow which is a good thing. He's hilarious jumping around in it. I planned to go with Tim this morning, but he didn't think it was necessary.

Mima, it's pretty cold up here, so have lots of warm clothes!!!

It is 6 degrees with wind, so the windchill is -10 to -15. Brrrrrrr. I have to go out later to go to the eye doctor to get my new glasses and hopefully the family doctor to get a prescription for one of my meds. For my fam. doc. you just call first thing in the morning to make an appointment for that day. Not sure I like that policy, but that's what he and a few others around here do.

Have a great day everyone!!

Beautiful pics, Anne. Thanks for the memories of past winters....which I am definitely not missing! But it does look clean and peaceful up there in snow country. Very chilly here this morning....down to 43 degrees. Another cold front coming through this afternoon which will keep our temps in the low 60's which is way below normal for this time of year. Oh well, guess we can't have it sunny and warm 24/7 :)
Hi Cindy and welcome to the FM club! We all have some health issues that limit our mobility which I find the most frustrating. It seems I am on the go constantly and don't like it when this FM slows me down. Just try to stay active. I just ordered a new yoga dvd to do some serious stretching at home and I walk my dog about 3 miles a day. I need to get back on my elliptical too to rev up my diet program....the weight is coming off slower now.
Mima, having to bring tools back and forth to work on your rental house seems like another good reason to sell it! That must really be a hassle. Is there a way you can leave the necessary items up there in case you need to work on the house again? When we rented the Florida house, hubby built a small "owner's closet" in the garage where we kept some necessary items like tools, linens, coffee maker, etc and padlocked it so we had those items we needed when we came down to do tenant change overs. Worked out great! Well, off to walk the "Queen"...and it looks like I will be bundling up! It's suppose to stay cloudy all day today too which will make it seem even colder! Hope everyone enjoys their day and stays warm.....Kate

HELLO.....JUST A LAZY COLD DAY! Am eating a meal right now and then will watch some tv.........salad, salmon, and a Sweet pot. I really want to bake to keep warm but do not want to be tempted to test all the batches!

Brad is slowly duplicating his tools. He has a ton of them!!!
Went to sanibel and had potluck. 39 of us.We gave a ride to a lady who is 87. Yikes-you should see how beautiful she is. =her skin has hardly any wrinkles.But she is beautiful within.
We are going to meet our friends at fisherman's Village-not far. Hope my stomache survives-3 Immodium yesterday.
I got our tickets-what an answer to prayer/ Free except for $15. They also said they were sending drink tickets in the mail but we probably won't get them in time.
I already made a hairdresser appt= a massage, rheumo, and then I will make chiro. And meet Auntie for lunch. Now just watch out for storms.
Just have to rent a car.
Bye for now-Mima

Evan
 

last night was better than any comedy movie-Evan is taking tai kwon do and we went to see him and his fellow classmates get their yellow belts. I the middle of everything, 3 of them had to go to the bathroom and then they had to go through their moves, They even kicked a board that broke-the teacher helped that along, I am sure. Hope everyone is getting some good rest, Mima

Wow Mima..and 87 yr old with barely wrinkles...did you ask her how she kept it that way? Sounds cute watching Evan...little ones gotta tinkle!LOL Sounds like ya got your trip back home under control.

I have just been taking it easy, have had no extra energy latley, I think the cold has gotton to me. My son and his girl wanted us to go and eat out with them but I told them it was to cold for me so they picked up pizza and I made a salad. She brought my Christmas gift over (she lives out of town) and it was a WW cookbook, can't wait to try some of the recipes, lots of 5 pts or under. It took me two weeks to show my 1rst pound gone but that is about right for me. Need to get back on the Treadmill but now both feet are hurting, gotta go Monday and get orthoics adjusted.

Now that the last gift has been exchanged I can take down my holiday stuff inside. I wanted her to see it cause it makes the house looked lived in and homey even though there is no furniture. WE are having an ice buil up on the windows along the ledge and when it melts it leaks in. Don't know if this is normal or if it is a problem. I had to take my candles out of the windows that were battery operated since they were wet. Been a wild winter here.

I don't think that it is normal for the ice to leak in but what do I know-we used to have a terrible time with ice but the roof leaked. One time we went home and we couldn't get in the front door. Was not fun.
I guess we are pretty well set. We are going to a concert at church tonight-Annie Moses.Lots of great vilin playing-it reminds you of celtic.
I don't have to pack any clothes because all our winter stuff is at home. I have lots of coats and jackets.Next sat I am going shopping witheveryone-now I remebered that I posted that.
Candice-you probably need foot stretching exercises-did the doc tell you that? I do them every morning. Along with my back exercises.
We wayched The Note dvd-a Hallmark movie-it was great. Course it started with a plane crash but that was not the focus.
Bye for now Mima

Goodmorning all. Sure will be great to get some of this warm weather back again!! Suppose to warm up next few days. Like some of you, the cold wrecks havoc with my FM and have been extra sore and stiff lately. Makes it difficult to feel ambitious, huh? Candice, that ledge issue is definitely not normal. Sounds like the windows were either installed improperly or were sized wrong. It might be an issue that can be dealt with from the exterior of the house. Did you have the house built or did you purchase it from previous residents? Mima, travelling is so much easier when you don't have to haul all that luggage around, isn't it? The advantage of having your own home in both locations! I'm gearing up for the big enslaught of company. I still need to get the living room rug shampooed but I keep putting it off because I haven't been able to open the doors and windows. Hopefully it will warm up enough tomorrow to get it done. All those little things I want to do before company gets here and the pressure is on....:dizzy: Got my new yoga dvds the other day and I am anxious to check them out. While I'm not a huge fan of yoga, I do need serious stretching to get rid of some of these aches and pains. I'll let you know how it goes..:crossed: Enjoy the day everyone.

Hey There
 

It finally warmed up a little. I was able to get Christies bath done.. I guess it is going to cool down again this week. It is time for her shots etc. I didn't want to take her until she was bathed.. She doesn't get real dirty but I can't wash her after I put on her flea med..
I am a warm weather person. Not hot just in between.. I don't like to be cold.. It is hard for me to relate to the snow that some of you are used to.. The pictures Happy sent are a marvel to me. It is something I probably will never see any other way..
My bones ache in the cold and damp. My ancestors who passed this arthritis to me can take it back anytime..
Christie and I are out walking several blocks every day.. Thank the Good Lord I can still do that.. This coming week I hope to get to Sams. I am running out of some things.. I do a good bit of bulk shopping there. It is cheaper in the long run.. I buy most of my meats and some can goods there along with other household items..
Hope everyone is well...Joanne

Mima, you sound like you are keeping busy. I'm sure it was nice seeing Evan and his tai kwan do. Wonder if "The Note" was based on the book by Angela Hunt. It sure sounds like it could be with the plane crash. I enjoy her books.

Candice, I can relate to no energy especially this weekend. My temp has been up over 100 most of the weekend, I've felt queasy, and just want to sleep. So I have! I'm sure that WW cookbook will be great! You'll have to let us know if you run across any super recipes. I am also slow at losing. I just started a Bible Based weight loss plan 1 1 /2 weeks ago. Our first weigh in was supposed to be last Wednesday, but it was cancelled because of the nasty weather. So this Wed. will be the first one. Maybe not eating this weekend will give me a boost. The ice on the windows was something that we had problems with in one of our homes. We never checked into having it fixed, we just put towels in the window ledges during the winter. Not a real good solution, I know.

Kate, let me know about your yoga dvd's. I took a yoga class at the Y, and I enjoyed it. I'm signed up for the one this session, but I haven't been there yet. There was a break week, then we were in Georgia for a couple weeks, then I had something else going on, and last week the teacher cancelled. I hope to be able to make it there tomorrow. I know it is good for me.

Joanne, I know several people who shop at Sams. I've never been there.

Hello to everyone!

We go to BJ's but I like Sam's better but there is none near us back home-just BJ's.
It has actually warmed up a bit back home.Not that it would be warm enough for us.
We ent to see the Annie Moses Band at church-wow. 3 of them play the violin and I mean play!! 8 of them from the same family.
Well, packing the one suitcase. Got another headache.Think it's sinus and it goes away. I have been eating Activia=daughter says it's the best thing for ibs. Of course it's a milk product.
One more day of computer and tv, Direct tv won't put the tv on for a week
Bye for now Mima.

Good morning all. Weather here in Florida is cloudy and getting cooler by the minute. Expecting some rain too. We're suppose to have record low temps next two nights...frost warnings in effect even! I know, I know....nothing like some of you in snow country but cold to us thin-blooded Florida folks anyway!:shocksn:

Tammy, tried my first session of the yoga dvd this morning before walking Queenie. I was hoping it would "loosen" things up so my walk would be more comfortable. Wow! :fr:is all I can say. I had forgotten how flexible one has to be to perform some of those moves! I even had trouble getting my legs to cross and lay flat sideways while in the sitting pose! The dvds are "Kundalini Yoga" with Ravi Singh and Ana Brett. It really focuses on stretching, breathing and alignment. My low back actually feels pretty good after this try and I didn't even get to finish all the warm-ups. I think if I keep at it, I will eventually be able to get through the whole thing. :yoga: I just need to be alone and in a quiet environment and early morning seems to be the best time. Hopefully my soon-to-be-guest house won't interfere....we'll see.

Mima, good luck with your trip back home...I hope everything works out to your advantage, including the weather!;)
Putting off shampooing the living room rug again today...weather is not going to cooperate so the heck with it for now. Hope everyone enjoys their day and stays warm!!

Good morning (it still is here, anyway)

JoAnne - glad that you can get out walking. I agree, my anscestors can have this OA back anytime they want. I think my grandmother had FM as well, as she hurt everywhere, but they called it Rheumatism. All she had was asprin based meds to take for the pain, and something like Absorbine Jr.(could have been that for all I know). She was a short little lady, was born with Perth's Disease(dry hip socket) that was never fixed, so she had to wear a built up shoe as her one leg was a LOT shorter than the other. She would live with us off and on while I was growing up. She lived to be 96 yrs old and I NEVER heard her complain much. You could just look at her and know she was having lots of pain. Getting out of a chair was brutal for her.

I really do like winter. We have to get out in the snow and do things, as it is here for several months. However, the mid US has a LOT more snow than we do, and since it has been up in the high 40's the past couple of days, it is MELTING. It is what we call the January Thaw here. Kids have a great time in the winter.

Kate - hope you get your carpets cleaned. Is your company due THIS week? When we were in Florida last Feb., the first day we were there, it was something like 85F. Got dressed in my summer duds, stood outside for a little while, got a nice burn, because I hadn't got to the store to buy sunscreen YET. I was anticipating nice warm weather, but that afternoon, it rained soooo hard,and then the temps dropped like a rock, and it was COLD, and I started to hurt from the dampness. We made our way up the coast from Ft. Lauderdale - loved the orlando area, and then went into Georgia (we were driving back home). After 10 days, we were almost back home, and here is the funniest part - Alberta was the WARMEST of all the places we had been!!! It was now the 8 of March. Had to laugh at that one!

Good luck with the yoga. Used to do that a lot, but now it is downright impossible.

Candice - It sounds like your windows aren't sealed right. I can't believe that an inspector would have missed all this stuff (that is, if you had it inspected). That is there job, to find these kinds of things. Share some good recipes with us, please. I always find when I go to cook a ww recipe I never have what they ask for and in some cases have never even heard of some of the stuff they ask for.

Tammy - I hope you feel better today. There is some nasty stuff going around out there. The last time I had the stomach flu, I was sick for 3 days, and then had to to to the ER on the 3 night. My heart started into Atrial Fibrillation, because I could not keep my meds down. I had lost 6 pounds; got to the hospital, they hooked me up to an IV, and I spent the night, until my heart got under control again. They let me go home in the morning, and I decided to get on the scale, and I had gained back 6 pounds. It doesn't seem fair. I lose weight so slowly, it will take me 2 years to get rid of these 40-50 pounds I want to shed. I am down just over 10, but it is slow going.

Mima - Have a safe trip. I am sure your time back home will go fast, because you will be busy. Hope you don't have any major storms while you are there. I think you should sell the house and buy a condo, so that while you are gone, you shouldn't have many worries. We don't have a Sam's club here, but we have Costco, so that is where I go.


Well, since the sun is shining and it is warming up nicely (we are having a Chinook here) I need to get ready and go outside for a bit. My foot is still sore (inflammation in the metatorsil bone of my toe) so I can't walk too far, but I will get out. Have a nice day.

Sounds like several of you are having some foot pain ... I can sympathize. I'm also having trouble walking today. And speaking of bad weather ... we are having a really cold snow here so that's not helping the fibro/arthritis situation either. Complain, complain, complain! :p Oh well, thank God for heating pads, darvocet and other pain helps, huh? I keep telling myself I could be in a shelter or out on the street in a cardboard box freezing to death. I'm really quite lucky to be where I am ... very blessed. I guess everything is relative to where you are ... mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter! ;)

I had FIVE whole pages to read to catch up. I didn't realize I had been away that long. I've gotta start checking in more often. It's been a busy week. One thing I remember reading was about the folic acid tabs. Someone said (can't remember who ... sorry) that they thought they only came in 400mcg strength ... they come in 1MG though because I take those, have been for years. 1MG= 1000mcg. Mine are prescription so you may want to ask you doctor about that. They're really cheap that way.

Not much going on here ... just the snow. A guy called and said he was bringing a friend down to see a trailer but never did show up (thank goodness) and with the weather like it is, I hope he doesn't! I'm waiting on the cable man now. (if HE shows up!) My internet service goes off almost every night about 10 or 11. Weird.

I think I told you our pastor left so we are now trying to find a new one. Well, most of you know I was choir director a couple of years ago and then gave it to our pastor's wife ... when they left the church asked me to take it back. I did yesterday ... we met for the first time. I had over 20 people join. She had to stop having a choir because she couldn't get anyone to participate. I really liked her ... I found that so odd. Everyone was so excited last night at practice. I had about 5 or 6 people either call or send word by someone else that they wanted to be in choir but couldn't make it to practice last night so there will be more. I was really surprised. I just can't figure all that out. Also, our Director of Education is leaving (or already left, not sure which) and the Elder board has asked me to take that position back, too. That's a really hard one for me. That is a lot of work ... I mean a LOT of work. I don't always feel like doing all that on Sun. morning. Mornings are hard for me. I struggled with that. I talked with a good friend of mine at church who is a retired teacher. While she won't do it herself she said she would help me with it. I finally told them I would with her backing me up. It's going to be a rough year for me. Just pray God will send us a pastor who has a wife with some background in some of these areas and can take up some of the slack. We have lost three families who were very valuable to our church. We even lost our youth director and as Director of Education I'll have to be working closely with the older youth quite a bit now, too. Not only did the Youth Diector leave but so did the woman who did the youth programs and special events like the Easter Egg hunts, plays and skits, etc. AND, although she didn't leave, the lady who was doing the lessons for children's church quit. So now that will all fall back on me. One of our piano players got upset about something (doesn't take much to upset her) and I'm pretty sure she is leaving so that will put me on the praise team every Sunday now. Like I said, it's going to be a rough year!!!

On the plus side (which in situations like this I HAVE to look at) we are being blessed with new people almost every Sunday. It is thrilling me to death! Even without a pastor and in all this chaos, our church is growing. GOD IS GOOD!

Mima, glad you enjoyed the concert. I tried Activia, and the taste didn't agree with me, so I quit eating it.

Kate, good for you for giving the dvd a try! I went to class today, and I forgot how much better I felt after being there. A few of us were talking after class about how much better we feel and how less sore we are than when we started back in October for the first time. I have a dvd, Just My Size Yoga with Megan Garcia. It is for everyone, but it is geared to larger women. She gives lots of alternative postions for when you are getting started.

Anne, I felt better last night. Even ate some pizza, so I knew I was better. Today I went to my aerobics class, lunch with some other retired teachers, and the yoga class this afternoon. I agree that it doesn't seem fair that you had gained that 6 pounds! Tim's wedding is scheduled for May 2010, so I now have real incentive to try to lose some weight. My goal overall is 50, and I know I'll feel better even if I lose 1/2 that. Hope you were able to get in some walking with your foot pain.

Meme, you know it's funny that you mentioned being blessed. Tim and I were just talking about that earlier this evening. Very weird about your internet going out like that. Will keep you and your church in prayers that things work out for the best for His will. Your church is growing, so that is awesome!!

Had to shovel again but I enjoy it..like the exercise but it was to bright today got a headache. :(

Got the car out and to the doc but our subdivision roads are a mess and the new car DH got me is not good on snow....WEll....the doc trimmed my orthotics to fit better and I am trying a new anti-inflammatory cream (voltaren gel) since I can't take anything oral in that category. The cortisone injection is the next step but will be in a boot for two weeks so did not opt for that at this time. The other foot I had dropped an oak drawer front on and damaged the nail a while back and it was causing a lot of pain when wearing enclosed shoes so he removed it and now I am a lot more pain! LOL It should only last a few days but gotta stay off of it so no shoveling or treadmill for a few days. ...but I did come home and do more scooping and up and down a ladder to put x-mas away and then the numbness wore off....I am getting by with just Tylenol if I keep it elevated. He is not sure the nail will grow right with the bed damage. Always injuring myself.

Stay warm gals :wave:

Meme-be careful about overcommitting-I know you have gifts . pray how God wants you to use them.
Boy-we are a mess but a good mess. My aunt thinks my grandmother had fibro-my cousin has it.
Went for a long walk last night-wanted to sleep well but didn't.
What a historic day this is!!I didn't vote for Obama but we pray he does a good job.
It has warmed up a bit back home. Every one wants us to visit, but I don't want to overdo it.
Bye for now-see you next week. mima

Goodmorning ladies! A very brisk and windy day here but the sun is shining! I finally managed to get that rug shampooed yesterday. Boy, are my arms feeling it today! My shampoo machine isn't that difficult to use but the repetitive movements really kicked me in the butt! At least it is done....Then I cooked a great roast chicken dinner and had some neighbors join us. Finally walked Queenie at 10 pm and went to bed. It was a very busy day yesterday and I am feeling the results of it today.
Anne, does "having a chinook" mean a cold spell? I have never heard that term before. And Tammy, I did see a dvd for women of size and thought about purchasing it but bought the other ones instead. I think perhaps after yesterday's try, I should take another look at the "Just My Size" one. I definitely need some alternantive positions for some of these poses. I use Amazon.com for these purchases because they have a secure site for payments.
Off to the store to pick up some supplies. Making "Bolivian Pork Chops" tonight from SB cookbook. Hubby has been switched back to nights at work which is going to be tough to get used to again.... but at least he is working which is more than some around here right now! Enjoy your day, ladies!

http://photos.imageevent.com/happyca...-MC-735383.jpg

Mima - Will you be gone a week? I think you will be very busy while you are home and will need a BIG rest when you get back to Florida.

Meme - Mima is right - pick and choose what you want to do, but for heaven sakes, don't try to do it all!! God put other people on earth as well, and they can help! Didn't know your pastor had left, hope you find a good replacement.

Tammy - good for you doing two classes in one day. I didn't get out for that walk, as my foot is still sore.

Candice - I think I need to get some Voltaren cream. I used to use that years ago, and it helped a bit. Perhaps that is what my foot needs. I see that you can buy it without a precription now, but it hasn't arrived in Canada as of yet.

Kate - A CHINOOK is a warm, westerly wind and it blows in nice warm air. It has to do with the mountains. We are 100 miles from Calgary, but we always get the tail end of one.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinook_wind

Well, like Mima says, today is history. I hope Obama will be able to do something, but I won't hold my breath waiting for it. I think expectations for this man are HUGE and I hope he can deliver even apart of it.

Have a good day.

Hey There
 

I too hope Obama can do something to help our nation back to something stable..I missed his speech today. Had to take Christie to vet for her annual check up and shots.I didn't vote for him and I still have doubts about him.
Two weeks ago my son lost his job.. Something we/he never expected to happen . He is a Design Architect. Outside of the fact that there isn't much work right now and the new boss of the company was a complete nut in the middle of his wife leaving him , he decided to get rid of the ones who were making the most money .The stress level in that office was over the top. I hope and pray my son will find something soon. Thank God his wife still has her job..She makes good but as always it takes the two of them to be comfortable.His wife said that God must have wanted him out of that office..
My hubby has the bug going around.. Bad cold and conjestion.. So I am playing nurse.. I hope I don't get it.. Everything goes right to my lungs. They aren't very strong .
Meme..Delagate... Don't take on more than you can handle.. You will just make yourself sick..
**** Everybody....Stay Warm...Joanne

Candice, ouch to the foot problems!

Mima, we are also praying for the new president and our country.

Kate, yum to the chicken. That sounds good right now, I'm hungry, but too late to eat. I use Amazon all the time. Always have good luck with them.

Anne, maybe that cream/gel would help your foot. Hope you get some relief.

Joanne, so sorry to hear about your son's job. Try to stay healthy!!

Hello to all!

Happy..the cream I have is prescription, just hope it works so I do not need the shot although Mima says it helps. Cute birdie:)

Stayed off my foot all day and then had to remove the bandage and soak for the 1rst time, that was painful but it feels a bit better now, not throbbing. Don't know when I can get a tie shoe on again and I need that to walk on the treadmill. Those surgical shoes throw your body off.

Kate...what kind of pork is that? HOpe you can adjust to the shift change.

Tammy...hey....yes the president has alot on his shoulders. NOt only large women need modified positions but us Fibromites do too.

Joanne..hope DH gets better soon, nothing like a sick man!

I ordered some of that cream ... hope it helps!

Candice ... foot/toe sounds painful! Stay off it and stay down off ladders. The tredmill can wait awhile.

I think we all need modified versions of normal people's exercises; no matter our size! I know I do ... with surgery on both knees it's hard for me to get in most of those positions. Even the ones for OLD people! (which I'm not, of course) :p

All talk about the nation, the president and the economy depresses me ... so I don't talk about it! I hear enough about it on the news. I think that's a lot of our problem, they talk about it too much!

Joanne, hate to hear about your son losing his job. They are hard to come by now. But who knows, maybe he'll find an even better one. Sometimes God has to move us out of where we are to move us up to where He wants us! Hope you don't get your hubby's bug. You're a lot like me ... catch everything everyone else has and then can't get rid of it!

Has snowed here off and on all day and boy is it ever cold ... feelin' it, too.
I bet Mima is feeling the cold right about now! :p

Well, I'm having another sleepless night in TN. I'm going to try to lay down and get warm ... maybe I'll go to sleep.

Surprise
 

My computer went online=not sure my virus protection is working so I need to be careful/ Cold!!! How about feels like 1.
Good trip-put heat on and went to dinner.
NO WATER=pipes are frozen. Brad has a crazy plan that we will move into Dennis' apt and he is hooking up other water heater and going somewhere to get water. I need to clean a bit but I have no water. massage appt this am-they have bathrooms.
I WANT TO GET RID OF THIS HOUSE. Course, that wouldn't have happened if someone hadn't closed the door in the boiler room. That's why we came back-because other people don't know everything. Well-it's only a week-supposed to be warmer tomorrow.
Gotta discipline myself to do my exercises. Oh our aching feet.
Kate-go slow with the yoga-Don't overstretch. I love yoga but stopped when I tore my rotator cuff.
Going to heat some bottled water to wash up/ It's like camping. Praise God for the computer-I am an addict. Mima

Oh my, is it ever cold here this morning! 28 degrees with the wind chill factor. :coolsnow: Not even suppose to get over 55 today and this is Florida for Pete's sake! Can't remember it ever being this cold since I've been here. But the "Queen" is just loving it of course.
I've been so sore from shampooing the rug I haven't gotten back to the yoga yet. I could barely move my arms from the repetitive back-and-forth of the rug machine. Thankfully, I don't have to do that too often! I will try the yoga again tomorroiw morning as they put hubby back on days starting tomorrow. This company is a real piece of work......but like I have said before...it's a job. My husband seems to just roll with it....but that's because he's got me to pick up the slack when there's a schedule change!:dizzy:
The "Bolivian Pork Chops" came out quite spicy, and I even cut back on the red pepper the recipe called for! :flame:The dish is made with boneless pork loin chops rubbed with spices and lemon zest, pan seared, then finished off in the oven. It's served with a split pea mash that is cooked with onions, carrots, celery, chicken stock and spices. I thought the dish was great but it was a bit much for hubby! Tonight is mediterranean codfish for me and baked cod for hubby. (He's not crazy about cooked tomatoes and onions on his fish). He was raised on meat and potatoes and is happiest when served plain old cheeseburgers! Since I'm the cook..... well, you ladies know the rest, right?
Not planning much today. I hope to get a session on the elliptical in sometime this morning. It's just so darn cold...my body doesn't want to move! :exercise:Hope everyone stays warm today....bye for now.

Hey There
 

It was 36 here on this side of Fl. today. Supposed to be colder tonight.. Hope being close to Gulf will help my plants. I am just not up to taking out the sheets and covering everything.Then I have to wash them all the next day..
Hubby agreed to see a Dr. today. Wouldn't you know no Dr's in office today. Got an appointment for tomorrow.I think it is just a bad cold but with his history of heart dx. and his age (83) we decided to play it safe..
Mima- Hope you get your water back soon.. Stay warm..
Hello Everybody...Joanne

Mima, frozen pipes aren't a good thing.

Kate, I think I'd like the fish with tomatoes and onions.

Joanne, let us know what the doctor tells hubby. Since it's cold down there, I should call my BIL and rub it in. He always calls when it's cold up here and warm down there.

Here we are...another "chilly" morning in Florida! Everyone was out covering their plants last night. Only 23 degrees with the wind chill today so far. There was even a frost on the grass this morning when I walked the "Queen". Suppose to get up to a high of 65 today. One more cold night and we will be warming up again....to the mid 70's by Saturday...Yippee! Definitely don't like this cold!
Made a delicious soup yesterday with chicken, cabbage, onions and tomatoes. Found the recipe online at one of the health sites and it was very tasty. Great for lunch time. Now I have some leftovers to count on for the weekend so I can finally get some time off before company starts arriving. I'm making a shepherd's pie casserole for tonight and we can eat leftovers for at least two days. The recipe for the soup follows if anyone is interested:

1 pound chicken breast (cut into small bite sized pieces)
1 TBL canola oil
1Cup diced onion
1/2 C diced celery
4C chopped cabbage
1 potato (diced)
1-14.5oz can petite diced tomatoes with juice
4C chicken broth (1 large Swansons)
3C water
1 bay leaf
1 tsp thyme leaf
1/4 tsp caraway seed
2 tsp sea salt
pepper to taste
1 TBL chopped parsley
2 tsp Splenda
1 TBL lemon juice

Heat oil in soup pot. Add chicken and saute for a few minutes. Add onions, celery, cabbage and stir well. Add thyme, bay leaf, caraway, salt and pepper. Add tomatoes with juice, water and stock. Cover and bring to boil. Turn down heat to low and simmer about 30-40 minutes until chicken and vegetables are done. Add diced potato, splenda and lemon juice. Simmer another 10 minutes until potato is done. :hun:For a heartier soup, you can add 1 can of drained white beans. This is about 8 servings and is diabetic friendly.

Looking forward to some warmer weather this weekend. Mima, please leave the cold up there when you come back, okay?? Anne, we're not letting anymore cold fronts down this way....we are the sunshine state and we do not need any more cold weather here. :snooty:
Enjoy the rest of the day, folks!