Since it is your birthday here today, let me wish you:
A VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HAPPY.

And lots more of them as well.

Dinner last night was interesting. I met up with the projects new training manager and we went down to the restaurant at the Motel. Dinner wasn't bad, but there wasn't an awful lot of it and very little choice from the menu. And my main wasn't hot, merely warm. As some of you may know, according to the food gospel of the martyr Joy, food comes in two categories - hot or cold. Not warm. Warm doesn't cut it. Still the conversation was interesting if somewhat stilted as if we both had something to say and didn't know whether to say it or not. Today should get over that shyness.

Annie - poor soul. Hope you are feeling better today.

Michelle - hope the meeting goes well. I have no doubt you can provide proof of your doings for reporting etc. Personal appraisals should be abolished (IMO)

Mel - talk to you tomorrow.

Laura - more projects coming up. Good luck with that. Hope you get a nice long weekend.

Happy - are you regressing back to childhood with the banging pots and spoons etc. Hope your birthday is a good one and you get or got a nice dinner. Karma eh. Gota love it.

Ceejay - thanks for the birthday wishes. Sometimes not much going on here is good stuff.

Hi to Mary and Patti - wherever they may be

Forgot to tell you. I took myself out to the Hunter Valley Gardens on my birthday. It was very nice. 60 acres of gardens based on styles from around the world and some interesting topiary as well. Will try to post some pictures when I get home tonight. I've just been asked to come back again next week.
Now have to go do travel bookings. The Big T must be sweating the small stuff. He rung me at 7.15am. He's not usually out of bed and thinking about work before 7 and he was already on the train at 7.15

Mel
That's weird that the tenants are having problems with the hot water in certain areas of the building. Does each apartment have their own hot water heater or does the boiler do it all?

Happy
So the bear loves to come and visit! Are you taking some time off for your birthday to do something special?

Annie
Hope there is only a fold in your colon, and ouch on the hemorrhoid.

Michelle
Your coach sounds like a fun and helpful thing to do. I've been thinking I'll get a health coach. Our insurance offers this for free. I need some one to be accountable to. Sounds like you are getting more planned for your next meeting.

Laura
Since we didn't get our sell back for vacations etc, I decided that I'd take all my vacation days this year. Glad you are taking some time to do some fun things this week end.


Shad
The garden sounds amazing. Did you walk the whole thing.

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Went to the doctor today to find out I really was sick. After last night's bout of a deep cough I glad I went. It turns out I have bronchitis. I've coughed so deep last night that I've made myself sore. Told him that I was taking the b12 vitamin, he did my lab work today also. Yes, my doctor here is a lot more close but I really like this one better besides he's still over seas.

A QUICKIE NOTE

WHEN I LOOKED OUT THE WINDOW THIS MORNINGI IMMEDIATELY SAW A DUCK SHAPED CLOUD....
THEN LOOKED LEFT AND SAW THE MOTHER LEADING HIM!!!
THIS IS NOT A PIC OF MY CLOUDS BUT A VERY CLOSE GOOGLED ONE.
VERY CUTE WAY TO BEGIN THE DAY!!



SHAD.....LAST NIGHT MY BOSS CALLED AND THERE IS ONLY ONE PERSON LEFT BOTH OFFICES.
2 ARE IN "SCHOOL" AND ONE CALLED IN SICK LAST NIGHT AT 9:30..
I WILL TRY MY BEST TO BE HERE WHEN YOU CALL BUT THE PLUMBER IS ALSO SCHEDULED FOR
TODAY AND SATURDAY (MY TIME) BETWEEN 3 & 3:30. IF I MISS YOUR CALL, I'LL TRY CALLING YOU AND IF YOU'RE HOME YOU'RE HOME.
I'M SO SORRY BUT WEIRD THINGS ARE GOING ON WITH THE HOT WATER AND THE TENANTS ARE FURIOUS.
LAST NIGHTS MEETING SAID IT BETTER BE FIXCED AND FIXED LONG BEFORE MONDAY & TUESDAY
WHICH WAS THE SCHEDULED "SEEK & REPAIR" APPOINTMENT. NO ONE EVEN KNOWS WHERE TO LOOK IN THE FIRST PLACE
I WILL RUSH EVERYONE AND TRY MY BEST TO BE HERE I JUST CANNOT PROMISE.
PS....ARE YOU HOME 2 DAYS????





GOOD MORNING & SORRY GALS ABOUT NO PERSONAL FOR THE NEXT MAYBE 2 DAYS. HOPE EVERYONE HAS A GREAT FRIDAY AND WEEKEND TOO.





AGAIN MISS HAPPY......HAVE A WONDERFUL BIRTHDAY!!

Happy Friday ladies and Happy Birthday, Happy!!!

A day full of meetings ahead, including the "big" one with the two directors. I'm going to do a bit more preparation for that one, and I'm fairly confident it will go well. Oh, and the meeting with the coach was SO helpful and positive. And conversations I've had with people lately have really helped diffuse my negative feelings and made me see this all in a positive light. And I am sure I can go into that meeting and convince the Directors and HR that I WANT to stay here, and am willing to grow by leaps and bounds to succeed.

Happy - Wishing you a wonderful birthday!! I hope the bear doesn't eat your cake!

Laura - Good for you for deciding to use your vacation time! I'm taking Monday off to clean (fun, huh?). DMIL arrives on Wednesday.

Annie - So sorry to hear about your 'roids. I hope the pain eases up soon. And I really hope it's just a fold and nothing worse. Sending you much love and hugs.

Shad - I'm looking forward to seeing photos of the gardens. This book I'm reading "Following Atticus" is making me want to walk and hike out in nature more...but there's a part of me that's so worried that I won't be able to due to my back. I might just have to go for it...nature's beauty is so good for the soul/spirit.

Mel - Wishing you a great day and a hopefully relaxing weekend.

Tonight, I have to do report implementations, but it shouldn't take that long. Then I'll either go grocery shopping or start back in on cleaning DMIL's room. Tomorrow, I'm meeting a friend or two at a holistic health and nutrition expo at the fairgrounds near my house (5 min. away). It will be good to see my friends, and maybe I'll learn a thing or two. Tomorrow night, DH and I are going to downtown Milwaukee to see a performance. Sunday and Monday will be more cleaning/decluttering. The cleaning lady is coming at 9:30 (hopefully for no more than 2 or 3 hours), then a friend is coming over to help me with decluttering. I've taken Monday off to either (1) do more cleaning/decluttering; or (2) recover from the cleaning.

I haven't been on here much, so there is some news...it's pretty much decided...DMIL is moving in with us. Things have gotten REALLY bad with John's sister (mainly with her a**hole husband), and there's just too much drama. DMIL is nearly 81, she wants to enjoy whatever years she has left and not deal with that B.S. So we told her that her room at our house is always available. She's bringing two suitcases when she flies out here on Wednesday. And then in the late summer/early fall, DH will go back to CA to pick up the rest of her stuff. It's sad that things got so bad with DH's brother in law, but I'm really thrilled she's finally decided to move in with us. She just loves being at our house...where DH and I actually like each other (as opposed to DH's sister and brother in law), and there's not much drama, etc. And it will work out great because if we ever need a few days' break from each other (as can sometimes happen), she can just go stay with her sister (who lives 30 min away) for a few days. It'll be good that they'll have more time together during their last years. And since we pay to fly her from CA to WI once or twice a year, we can pay to fly her to CA when she wants to see her grandkids and great-grandkids.

So Annie, DMIL is getting here on Wednesday for good, so keep the books coming!

Anyway, gotta prep for meetings.

Much love and many hugs to all,

Mellie - You snuck in!! I don't care HOW many people are missing in the office....don't you DARE overdo it! You take care of YOU!!!

Goodluck today Chelle even tho you don't need it, YOU ROCK!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HAPPY!!!

Biopsy came back positive for cancerous causing, NOT CANCER YET, polyp. Didn't know there were some that cause cancer and some that don't till yesterday when Dr. Rogers called me....Anyway, I have to go back to have it removed in a few weeks. I am NOT looking forward to the prep part again. Let's just say I didn't make it to the toitie more than several times and God bless Curtis, he was a trooper and took care of me....he has to love me after that. Speaking of Curtis, he is painting the ceiling in the house (not bedrooms yet, will tackle that on separate occasion). Then we (he) will paint the walls. Firepit is done soon as I get a pix of it, I will post.

Need to get busy around here, kind of feel guilty chatting with you all while Curtis works....I have lil man from noon Saturday til noon Sunday....Sam and Chris are in a wedding then there is a h*llish reception afterward. So I am keeping monkey man....just kills me...haha.

Have a marvelous Friday/Saturday all.

Love, hugs, and prayers...luck to Chelle....Fun to Happy on her bd.

Morning all. TGIF!

Happy - Hope you're having a fun birthday and taking a break from the volunteer data entry for the day. Three weeks until your family visits - not long now. What sort of activities do you have planned??

Shad - The gardens sounded wonderful. Looking forward to photos when you get a chance. Sorry your dinner out wasn't the best. I'm one of those who likes hot food to arrive on my plate piping hot - if I need to let it cool down a bit to eat, so be it.

Ceejay - Sorry to hear you're sick with bronchitis. I can't imagine how my allergies would be without my flonase. Well, sometimes I can. The other night I was exercising and I bent over and I guess I had some excess fluid in my nasal passages and it was just like when you get water up your nose when swimming and suddenly you get this pain in your head - ouch. That took me by surprise. Anyway, I hope you've got some good meds and are feeling better soon!

Mel - Well, I don't know how the office doesn't know about at least some of those absences ahead of time (sick days excluded) and doesn't come up with a better plan than giving Mel the warning that she's filling in for 3 employees!! That's ridiculous. Simply do not overdo it and compromise your health for the sake of the office chaos! I hope the plumbing issue gets resolved - what a disaster! Take care m'dear. Oh, love the duck cloud!!

Michelle - Good luck in your big meeting today!! Glad the coaching session was helpful and positive. A "don't overdo it" warning for you too Missy!! Glad you've got help coming to give you a hand this weekend. Enjoy the expo and the performance this weekend - you and dh really need to do something fun for yourselves. So nice for your DMIL to stay with you permanently and leave the bad situation in CA. Who needs all that drama and tension??

Hellos to Annie, Mary & Patty!
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Not doing much right now except willing the day to go more quickly. Ready for the weekend, even if I have no big plans. Except I think we might be going over to a bday celebration Saturday afternoon, nothing big. The house definitely needs some cleaning that's for sure. I dropped an earring on the bedroom floor yesterday morning and didn't find it then, but noticed way too much dust and dustbunnies under the dresser and bed. Not sure what the dust ruffle is supposed to do if it's not keeping the dust out of there. Very tempted to rip that ill-fitting thing off the bed and jam it in the garbage!

I also want to make some soup this weekend. And I'm like a broken record - my wardrobe is appalling and needs to be improved. Of my entire stock of dress slacks, I have come to hate at least 4 pairs of them and the rest need to be replaced due to age. And the tops are just as bad. Very disappointed in the quality of the cotton sweaters I've purchased over the past couple years - lots of pilling. And I just don't know what to get for replacements - hard to find basic stretchy tops that can be worn under cardigans that aren't t-shirt fabric. A lot of the others are garish weird-sleeved things. Frustrating, but I have to force myself to really look. Maybe Sunday.

Okay, meeting in about 10 min, so off I go. Have a great weekend everyone!

Annie - Sorry you have to go through that again, but thankfully the test did it's job to detect that! Have a great weekend and enjoy your time w/ lil man!

Hi ladies,

Thank you for the birthday wishes. We are going out to dinner tonight to a nice steak place that should have decent white zinfandel so I'm looking forward to not only a nice dinner but a glass or two as well I'm going to try and finish up the data entry for at least one of the two sites today because I need to focus on getting ready for my family to visit in 2 weeks. DH went out and brought back sub sandwiches for lunch so I won't have to do any cooking today which is nice.

Laura - I really understand what you mean about the clothing. I used to like Coldwater Creek but they have outsourced their manufacturing and the materials are sooooo thin and cheap now. Also they have cute prints on their shirts but they do this cheap color blocking that creates white streaks where the fabric had folds in it - they call it "unique" and I call it tacky. I have already expressed my disappointment with Kohl's (sorry Michelle) - the fabric sizing or something makes them smell badly. I just bought some cotton blend pjs, washed them and they still smell bad so they are going back. At least Laura you have the malls accessible to you so you can try and find some place that might have clothes to your liking and price points. I did like Macy's but ONLY when they had a particullary good sale and I found their dress pants to be so freakingly expensive that I don't think I ever bought pants from there. Also with the dust ruffle - I'm not sure they prevent dust (which naturally drops from your bed and box spring) as much as just hides the dust from under the bed I think they used to fit better also. I just got 2 of them to cover the box spring on the new beds and they are the fitted box pleat type. When I put them on I noticed there was a bar at the end of the bed that stabilized the mattresses from sliding. I had to remove it until I have time to cut and refit the dust ruffles. I did notice now that not only do the dust ruffles slide about, but the mattresses do too. I will have to secure the dust ruffles with T pins and make slits in the front so I can put those bars back in place. What a hassle!

Annie - sorry they found a polyp but so glad they found them early. I don't think people understand how those little buggers are innocent when they first sprout but can and quickly turn into trouble if left unattended. That's really a bummer you have to go through the clean out again. The pharmacist told me to reverse the stuff - do the liquid first and then take the pill. I think the pill is the one that gives the horrid cramping and such. Also eat light the day before the clean out - no spicy peppers for you Seriously, hope it's not too bad for you

Michelle- that is great news about the DMIL. It's too bad that the family is having problems in CA but I know how much you enjoy having her and it's so great that she has a home with you! And it's nice too that she can go visit her sister periodically so that you can all get a break once in a while. Particularly since you and DH don't do the get away vacation thing. I'm glad you got some help with the house too. Breathe deep, what needs to get done will. I am wishing and hoping and praying that your meeting with the directors goes well. Keep it positive sister!

Shad - thanks for the birthday wishes. Sorry your dinner was mediocre as was the conversation. At least your salad didn't blow into the sea I hope this stint goes well for you. Hunter Valley Gardens sound lovely - that's plenty of space to roam around in and admire the plantings. Can't wait for pictures.

Mel - I'm ready to put on my "Don't mess with Mel or I'll mess with you T-shirt" and join the rest of the Worldies in doing battle with your goofy office people. Be on your guard and don't let them take advantage of you! I loved, loved, loved the ducky cloud!!!!!!!!! That was a great day brightener. I hope your day goes smoothly.

Ceejay - bronchitis on top of all that schmutz in the air down there is NOT good for you. Please take care of yourself and make sure you get your rest. Avoid going out as much as you can and feel better lady

I've got to go finish a few things before I go get ready for dinner. DH is outside mowing for the first time this season. Newly cut grass smells so good. I just hope he's not cutting too much - we can't feed the critters while the bear is out so all they have is the grasses and whatever bugs or such are in them. But he is frustrated with our naturally yellow lawn of dandelions and I fear he's mowing like there's no tomorrow

Hi everyone -

My meeting with the directors went "ok"...not great...just ok. Nothing's changed. I said my piece and tried to make it positive...but it still sounds like they think I'm completely underperforming. I'll probably get my improvement plan next week, which I will work hard to complete to perfection and beyond. And also keep other options open.

Anyway, I've gotta get to a project meeting. Have a great weekend everyone!

Much love,
Michelle

Happy
Happy Birthday

Michelle
I was hoping the meeting would be more in your favor.

Annie
I've had a few polyps in the past. Nothing has become of them yet. Sorry your having to go through this again.

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I've had a good day, except for locking myself out of the house.

Good morning ladies,

Quiet day here I see. I had a nice birthday. We went to a nice steakhouse restaurant and both of us struggled with the menu. It's been a while since we were at a "nice" place so many things looked good. We figured we should eat steak at a steakhouse but I am totally a fish girl - we make great grilled steaks at home. They also had some nice looking pasta dishes too. I finally decided on the crab stuff walleye fish fillet with a lemon dill sauce - delicious. DH tried the Friday fish fry which was a broiled haddock fillet and setting this restaurant apart from the usual Friday Fish Fries, this one also came with a delicious piece of baked chicken. We enjoyed our dinner and left stuffed. I wanted to go to the casino as is usually the tradition on my birthday. I spent a few dollars and had a good time. DH had some luck on the craps table which covered his initial investment and left us enough for our weekly allowance and a few bucks extra. We finished off the evening picking up a Dairy Queen ice cream "cake" - chocolate and vanilla ice cream with a thin layer of chocolate cookie crumble separating them. It was yummy but I sure do wish they'd make smaller cakes. Good thing I have a big freezer to store it in.

Today is odds and ends day. Still working on the museum stuff, have laundry and house cleaning to do. I also picked up the Atticus book which I have to put in a more prominent spot so I remember to start reading it at night.

I'm sorry your meeting did not go as well as you liked Michelle. I was watching the news show 20/20 and they were interviewing an ex-HR person who wrote a book - Corporate Confidential which details the things companies do to employees when they make decisions to "do stuff". Kind of eye opening. Since they insist you must improve your performance, I think you would be best to dust off the resume and start looking in earnest. I'm so sorry you have to deal with this right now, you have my support and sympathies.

Oh no Ceejay - how'd you get back into your house? I've done that before and I'm so anal about it I either pin a key to my clothes or wear one of those stretchy wristbands with a key on it if DH is out of town.

Hope the rest of you are having a good weekend. Talk to you later...