Good Afternoon Guurrlllzzzz...

Have not heard anything about the interview nor has anyone else. We had one person resign on Friday when I was out of the office. I will miss him. Such a nice person.

We got the stone laid in front of the shed and it looks very nice. It took C all day yesterday to get it finished. Now he has a sunburnt back. I got the stone done by the firepit. THis way when you are sitting out there in your lawnchair you can sit your drink glass on the stone. Pretty cool. Grass cut. Not only did I babysit Thur/Fri/Sat. They brought the lil man back over on Sunday when they went to the race. Chris' parents backed out of babysitting. So mostly I babysat all weekend.

CHELLE....hope all your interviews go well. I am certainly in your corner and praying my head off. Good luck.

MELLIE....good giggly wiggly...I hope your are feeling much better and taking care of yourself. Sending prayers and hugs your way and get well wishes.

ELLEN...sick kids are no fun but worse than that are sick men. They are the biggest babies ever. Great job on the loss....proud of you sista!

HAPPY...so glad you had a great time with your family last week. It is fun to see visiters come but also good to see them go. Phooey on the electricity. Our's blinked on and off a few times last night and this morning. We had some real boomers come through.

SHADDIE...at least you had a little time at home. How long does this job last? Seems to take you away from us too much. lol

LAURA...sheesh woman...would you please get healthy and stay that way....I think all you sickly worldlies are just passing it around to each other. Hugs

CEEG...It is hotter than 3 kinds of H#LL here. Muggy too. Humidity is very high. One of the hottest Indy 500 races ran here this past weekend. Dario Franchitti won. His wife is Ashley Judd.

PATTY...Sad about your friend's friend and divorce. It is never much fun to go through. I certainly choose never to do it again.

BTW...my nerdy nephew got me a new laptop for 400 bucks. He is bringing it over one evening this week. I can hardly wait. I am going coo coo without a puter at home.

Have a marvy evening/morning everyone.

Love Hugs and Prayers...

Happy - Thanks for the review of Dark Shadows. I definitely want to go see it. We have two sump pumps - one for the foundation, and the other for everything else (which runs into the septic) but neither on battery. Our soil has excellent drainage so we don't have to worry about rainwater flooding. In fact, one of our neighbors doesn't even have a sump pump for their foundation, and the other neighbor's foundation sump pump has never turned on in over 30 years since the house was built! We've thought about getting a generator...and it's on our "list of stuff to buy"...but it will have to wait. So far, my interviews are phone screenings...but they're definitely going well. I'm hoping to get in person meetings with companies soon.

Ceejay - The jobs I'm applying for are all programming jobs. Keep your fingers crossed for me, please! I hope the lawn mowers didn't hassle you too much. Keep up the great work with logging what you eat.

Annie - So nice that you'll have a new laptop! And how wonderful that you got to babysit Tater Tot for the weekend!! Watching the little guy AND laying stone around the firepit?! Girlfriend, I don't know how you do it! DH and I watched the Indy 500 on TV. I like Dario Franchitti. I love his Scottish accent...and he's definitely easy on the eyes too! Thanks for all the prayers and good wishes!

Well back in the pits for the next round today. It's not the users and the trainees I blame here it is the lack of communication around the project and what it is to achieve. Mind you, you might have to have cement in your ears to not be able to know that there is a project going on. It's probably a 50/50 blame split, but I do know that our communications - change management people have not been on the ball.

Happy - good that you had a good visit with Mum and that she liked your new house. Porcupines are interesting critturs. They are herbivores and feed on leaves, herbs, twigs and green plants like skunk cabbage and clover and in the winter it may eat bark. So no doubt they are going to be around your area in large families.
It's not just your place and supermarket that is loaded with rude people. We have more than enough of them here. I was thinking of transporting them to the States for you lot to enjoy.

Patty - garden art sounds interesting. Like to see some pictures of your garden sometime.

Ellen - hope the kids are feeling better now.

Ceejay - Got the aircon all sorted now? Personally I try to stay away from it and deal with the heat. Less exposure to colds and flu that way. Mind you I don't like the cold so tend to wrap up for those and don't mind the reverse cycle air con at all then.

Anne - good that you have a new computer. Hope it does everything you want it to do. Nice to have a couple of handy nerds around the place.

Michelle - good luck with the job interviews. Hope it turns out fine and you no longer have to stress over people who don't want you in the office. So much for the years of loyal service. Ha Ha, loyalty, something that once was.

Better get finally prepared for my new chickens in the training room. They will be here soon.

Posting from my new computer....it is definitely different. The no mouse thing and using the little movie things to get where you need to be is making my life miserable. I am sure to get used to it eventually, don't expect too awful much from me till I get orientated. lol.

SHADDIE...don't try to understand the clientale...just go with you are working with a bunch of idiots and go back to anything 101. That way if you do not expect much anything you get will be a plus.

CHELLE...how is DH? Wishing you the very best of the best!!

Getting off of here before I lose what I have cause this laptop is so different.

Nite everyone...and morning SHad!!

Good evening to all of you.

Annie - Congrats on the new laptop. I"m sure you'll get the hang of it quickly. But if it were me, I'd spring for a real mouse - those other thingies are a PITA.

Shad - You sounded very disheartened yesterday, so I hope this session today has gone well. Chin up!!

Michelle - How does one neighbor know that pump is even working after 30 years, LOL. Just kidding. He probably tests it occasionally. Don't want to jinx myself, but we have been fortunate to not have any extensive outages, and so a generator isn't high on my priority list. I'm so sorry you lost a day of your weekend due to the migraine. Still, it sounds like you had a productive weekend.

Annie - I bet you enjoyed babysitting all weekend. Okay, I know you've got to figure out the new laptop, but let's seem some photos of the new firepit and shed!! The stone sounds great! I like to think that in spite of my allergies, various passing aches and pains, and my high blood pressure, that I'm one of the healthier people I know, but then this cold comes and whips my butt... surely intend to get well ASAP and stay that way!!

Ceejay - I might have to try the Robitussin - the coughing is driving me nuts. I tried a cough suppressant - Delsym, no help. Mucinex is alright, but I don't have all that much congestion/mucus so I don't see huge difference. Just that tickly cough. Frustrating. I will probably rot out my teeth with all the cough drops I'm taking all day. Brrr, yeh, I've gone outside just to de-chill my toes because the AC gets to be too much. Sounds like your sis must have had a good weekend if she's going home exhausted from the reunion. Was her visit fun for you too??

Happy - Glad you and the family enjoyed Dark Shadows, and your private showing to boot!! So...the rain stopped - and the power came back on?? A battery backup sounds good for the sump pump...we considered one, but haven't gotten on that project yet... I suppose you'll get accustomed to the summer folks, but you're right, some common courtesy would be nice. Too funny about the porcupine slowing your ATV ride the other day, LOL.

Patty - Enjoy your lawn art - never too much, just rotate it around!

Ellen - Hope the kids are better. Yeh, bf has the proper part for the bike now, but has yet to install it. Good idea to borrow your mom's bike and get back to pedaling. Do you have a bike trail you like to ride in your area?

Mel - You might not be on the computer, but still, just know I'm praying you'll feel better soon!

TTFN!!

My training is done for the day. Another lot tomorrow. This lot were funny. They had been 'briefed' by the crew from the day before - talk about Chinese whispers and don't tell me men don't gossip!

Annie - I got a mouse with my new laptop because I really, really hate those screen thingy's and the little button thingy that some have in the keyboard. I got a semi wireless mouse. Didn't cost much and it has a small usb stick that fits into the computer to make it go - no cords for this little black duck. The mouse needs a battery so I got the most expensive AAAA battery I could find and so far, touch wood it works just fine. No I just have to work out how to get rid of the power pack and not have the battery go flat quickly and I am completely cordless.

Laura - I was determined that today would be better than yesterday. Only get one chance to rile up the Shaddie.

Catch you all tomorrow, mind you if I find something interesting to report, then you'll get to hear about it tonight. Otherwise it is sleepy time for me.

Good Morning Everyone....

Lovin' the new puter at home, yep yep. Now I worry about a break in as I finally have something worth taking...lol...I wear all my Curtis jewelry so they cannot get that. haha. Actually our neighborhood is pretty quiet, it is the surrounding apartment complexes that are so bad.

I was reading in the "Onion" newspaper that scientists have found thousands of undiscovered species cowering in the Amazon Rainforest. (mammals, reptiles, birds) all cowering for dear life under rocks and assorted foilage. Pretty interesting 2300 varieties of lemurs, trantulas and porcupines. Also an unknown species of striped jaguar locked in the fetal position under a pile of leaves. I think the neatest piece was the pygmy pink dolphin on the bank of the river. The article goes on about more too.

Gotta go potty...posting this and will be back.

SHADDIE...thanks..I think I will invest in a wireless mouse. I used to have one at my old place of employment but have not had one since. I love them. I just have mine plugged into the wall right now.

CHELLE...still rooting for you....

LAURA...I will definitely try to get some pix to post of all the new stuff. I just get so busy in the evening trying to get things done that I forget to take pix till I sit down to post.

Hey to all the rest of you lovely ladies....Get wells to Ellen's kiddos, Laura, Ceeg and MELLIE...Chelle's DH and anyone else that could just use a get well..

Loves hugs and prayers.

Annie
You've done a bunch of work in your yard the past few weeks. It's an acomplishment and will be rewarding of those afternoon retreats.
Ah, got to babysit with the lit man.

Shad
Think I'll keep my ac going. And yes all men gossip. I know that from my work experience.

Michelle
Will keep sending good vibes your way concerning the job interview.

Laura,
Hope you are feeling better.

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Yesterday went well. I did log all my food. Good grief I love bread and it showed big time yesterday. But I wrote down every slice. Food is a bit more planned today.

Good Morning Worldlies!!
Things are progressing here. DD3 is better, must have been something she ate or a bug we all have had before she was the only one with tummy issues. Thankfully it was very short lived, she was getting back to herself when I was leaving for work on Saturday. DS and DD1 both have a slight cough, but they are pushing thru to finish school this week.
I have been tracking my calories and been making good choices, just need to get my butt up and start exercising. I think it may be the new meds I am on, definitely helping me sleep at night, but it takes me forever to wake up and I am sleepy thru the day. Will talk to the Dr next week when I go in to see her.

Annie~Yay!! New computer. I have a lap top too and it does take some time to get used to the touch pad. I do have a wireless mouse ($20) that I use when I need to, it can save your sanity, especially if you are always at a desk or table!

Shad~sorry your trainees had you so frustrated. Sometimes the only thing you can do is take some time for yourself and start fresh the next day. Hoping that the rest of this week goes much better for you!!

Laura~I have the Rock Run trail very close. I would love to ride it one of these days. DH and I have talked about getting nice new bikes, but at this point I’m ok riding one of Mom’s old schwinns.

Michelle~hoping your phone interviews turn into in person interviews soon. The last company DH interviewed with took so long between. We thought they filled the position.

Ceejay~I understand the allergies! Things have been bad for me this year, but they are still manageable. I know so many who are worse off. ((hugs)) I hate the hot, but also hate when the AC is set so low you are getting frost bite. Last week, I kept getting up and stepping outside just to warm up a bit!
Happy~OMG! Bailing out the sump pump. SO glad you didn’t have any damage from it overflowing. A good battery backup is a great first step to prevent any accidental damage. And it is less than getting the generator, but both are super investments!!

Mel~take care of yourself!!! Gastroenteritis is no fun!! Prayers for a quick recovery!
Patty~I love lawn art! Always so fun to see it all. DH would Kill me tho if he had to mow around it all, so I have to settle for my 2 little geese by the door!

OK, I gotta get moving it has taken me too long to type this out with all my interruptions and DD3 sitting behind my head. Also need to go eat breakfast. Have a lovely day everyone!!

CEEG....that is one of the first things we are told to do when trying to lose weight....log your food...so good for you...then drink tons of water...and of course the thing I cannot get into...exercise...blah...good for you!!

ELLEN....probably never a dull moment in your house. All the kid stuff going on. You too, have a lovely day, my friend.

Later chicklets.

Morning all - barely!!

Nothing much to report. Yesterday’s seminar was alright. I found the speaker more interesting than the seminar material, honestly. Yes, “Assertive Communication Skills for Women” is certainly something I could use. But I think the heart of me progressing in my work life is to be doing something that I truly find enjoyable and interesting. It’s probably much too early to consider downshifting to a more fulfilling but lower-paying career, but I do need to find something that’ll make me happier. There’s 6 years and a few months left on the mortgage and then we’ll be free of that, but it wouldn’t be wise to ease off the gas pedal with the way things are in the economy. So many uncertainties exist. But that sure doesn’t preclude doing the exploration and work to enter a new field. Yesterday I sat next to a woman who was a hairdresser for many years and had entered a male-dominated field in which dealing with sprinkler systems. Very interesting.

So after that day, I’m happy I don’t have to commute via car, at least the route I drove yesterday. Not all that far – less than 20 miles, but I just don’t like the area. There wouldn’t be much going out to lunch there because it involves getting in the car and sitting through the long traffic lights to get anywhere!
The seminar ended around 4 pm and when I got home, bf promptly found he had lost the dentist invoice for his crown, which we need to submit to get the flex spending account unsuspended. Grrr. He is having it resent, but it made him very grouchy. Perfect mood for him to attack his mail pile, lol. And the vet’s invoice doesn’t get into much detail re the diagnosis of doggy’s arthritis, so bf obtained the vet’s notes - we’ll see how the insurance claim goes for the office visit and all the Adequan injections.

That put me in a grumpy mood, so I took doggy for a walk. It was fine, we went by the creek. I ended up straining my left knee – a misstep on the uneven ground. I thought it would be less sore after a night’s sleep, but nope, still sore. The good news is that bf installed the special gear shift part/cable and my bike was ready to ride. Very smooth ride now and the brakes work better. I will test the shifting on tonight’s ride home. I was in a hurry this morning (as usual) and didn’t want to screw up and lose the chain! Anyway, it was nice to not have to walk at least part of the commute. Any bets on if I’ll forget about the bike after work and walk home, LOL? I might just put a reminder in my phone, or I should think my knee won’t let me forget!

Off to lunch, somewhere close so I don’t have to walk far.

TTFN!

Hi ladies -

Things are going well here. I'm talking to lots of people, most conversations are going well. And I'm actually going to meet some of these people face to face starting next week. I'm trying to light a fire under one company to get them to act quicker...because that's where I'd REALLY like to be...and other companies seem to be acting faster. All the places have really positive things going for them. And I really appreciate all the prayers and good vibes from my Worldly sistas!

======================

Shad - I totally understand your frustration around lack of communication. I'm glad that at least this bunch was funny. I hope things get better. We have communication (or lack thereof) issues here too. And then there are managers who make the decisions, but want the worker bees to relay those decisions to other teams. Yeah, right...like people in another division will do anything on the say-so of a nobody. Luckily, my director agrees with me that the direction needs to be communicated from the top down.

Annie - I dislike the laptop mouses (whether it's the little button or the touchpad), so I always hook up a regular mouse. DH is doing okay. He's back at work, but comes home tired. It'll take a little longer to get him back to 100%. And he has to not overdo it as much as he has been. I'm not sure how reliable "The Onion" is as a news source. A lot of the articles they publish are "jokes"/hoaxes. But it's always an entertaining read.

Laura - I'm with you...laptop or no...give me a real mouse anyday. Sounds like a good seminar. Is there any way you can combine what you love with what you're skilled at? Bummer about the dentist and vet invoices. And especially about your injuring your knee. I hope it feels better soon. So nice of bf to get your bike ready. Is biking okay with your sore knee or at least better than walking?

Ellen - I'm glad the kids are feeling better and pushing through to finish their last week of school.

Mel - Sending you much love, healing hugs and lots of prayers.

Gotta go get ready for a class in the "Agile Software Development Life Cycle". Fun stuff.

Have a great day, ladies!

Ok Miss Laura...I have taken pix of all the new stuff but cannot upload them as my Kodak Easy Share is not working yet on this laptop. Sent my nerdie nephew a help message....have not heard back from him yet. It may be a while as I am leaving for St. Louis on Friday to attend my Godbabies baby shower. It may be next week before NN gets here to fix Easyshare. (NN = Nerdie Nephew).

Curtis went fishing with his weirdo brother and bf Chuck. He brought home a HUGE catfish and another pretty big catfish, then several very nice sized Bluegill. He cleaned them and tomorrow night is the fish fry...come one come all....,YUM. He even got enough that I am dropping some by dad's house on my way to work in the morning. I called dad, and he was like....are you bringing them over tonite? No dad, C just got home and hasn't even started cleaning them yet. You have to wait til tomorrow. He was so excited on the phone you would of thought I told him he hit the lottery...lol. Too cute. I will also take over some of my fabulous cowboy baked beans that he loves. So he will have a wonderful meal. I am letting dad fry his own fish to give him something to do. Sounds fair. C caught and cleaned it...dad can fry his own. He is thrilled with that. I am so happy that it makes him happy.

Gotta clean up the kitchen. Dinner is over and things need to be done....kitchen duty and laundry.


Great night. Good Morning...Feel betters to all that are ailing.

Love hugs and prayers.

Good morning ladies -

I was feeling kind of "off" yesterday...it started as dizzy/lightheaded, then turned into full blown nausea...and no, I'm NOT preggers. It was worse by the time I got home from work. I don't know if it's all the job stress or something going around. I'm still not feeling all that great, but can't be calling in sick...so I'll muddle through. Last night, I felt like I should do something productive...so I sent out a dozen or so more resumes. I have a phone interview today, and two tomorrow, and then a face to face interview on Monday. Wish me luck!

Tonight is the first session of a four-session class that I'm taking on enhancing your self-esteem/self-confidence during times of transition. Perfect timing for me, right?

It's cooled off A LOT since the weekend. Sheesh! We had a nice soaking rain last night and we may get off and on showers today as well. It's fine with me...it saves me the trouble of watering the veggies and flowers.

==============================

Annie - Congrats to C on the great catch! And congrats to you on "catching" C! I can imagine how thrilled Dad is to get some fresh fish to fry! Good stuff!

A big and to all! And to everyone feeling under the weather.

Here's to a great day for all of us!

Love,