Paula, can you pit the cherries and freeze them? I bet they would be good that way mixed with ff yogurt and Splenda in th processor. Actually that sounds very good.

Rose, have a wonderful time up north. Hope to keep in touch.

Okay Niki, enough is enough. It's really lousy and cold out there.

Yes Sandra, we're mere mortals, but sweet ones.

Time to see what's on TV, have a good night all!

Saundra, thanks, I actually have a cherry pitter from when I was in baking and pastry arts school. I guess I will be busy for a little while tonight pitting cherries since I bought a gallon of them!

cherries,,,,yum!! happy pitting Paula!
mmm I was invited out for supper tonight,,just got home. We had the raclette again...so tomorrows wiegh in should still be good. I helped my friend fix up her deck...I love doing yard work. I could putter outside for hours...wish I could say the same for housecleaning...haha.
Bought the dvd..Walking away the pounds and tried it this morning..I even got up at 7 am to do it...felt good the rest of the day too. Hips are alittle sore and achy but thats to be expected. I even talked my friend to buyiing a copy too. We can keep each other accountable.
Have a great summer Rose!! Hope you can check in once in a while.
Saundra I used to love getting my mothers *leftovers* too..I didnt mind at all.
Vickie,,any more discomfort..I sure hope you dont go thru what you did last fall. (hugs)
Kathy was today the day you revealed yourself? haha in a good way of course
Sandra did you convince Curtis to go..sure hope so..I still cant believe by your picture your a senior.
Melissa have you tried the weed recipe yet?? Ive gone thru a few batches now. Love that stuff.
waving to everyone else..and welcome to newbies...sorry I dont get here as often as Id like in the summer months. Ours is way to short ....
have a great weekend everyone
ttyl

I forgot to tell you all about the reveal! I did it yesterday morning and she wandered out (wasn't supposed to though) to the porch "just to check" ... She said she had considered camping out by the front window to see if she could catch the fairy! Anyway, she called me yesterday and loved all the stuff, and couldn't thank me enough. She was really surprised it was me.

We're watching Mavericks tonight but I will be back tomorrow for sure. Hope everyone's doing okay.

OK, it took 2 hours to pit 1 gallon of cherries! They look and smell wonderful but boy are they sour! I will definitely need some splenda when I use them. I am off to bed. I may not be able to get back on again until Monday afternoon since I work all weekend. I hope you all have a great weekend.

Well I see I have gotten quite behind! I hope that you are all doing well.

Rose, I hope that you enjoy your summer and can check in occasionally.

Paula, have a good weekend at work. And congrats on getting all of that cooking done, what a job!

Kathy, I know that she must have been thrilled with all of her "fairy" gifts. You are so sweet.

Vickie, are you doing okay? I see you didn't post last night. I hope that everything is well for you.

Sandra, have a great time "playing" outside this weekend!

Well we have decided to paint our great room (LR/DR/Kitchen combo room!) tomorrow. IL's are coming to help. I have no desire whatsoever to paint but it looks awful. I think we are going with a brown or reddish brown. There's about 20 paint chips on the wall right now.

This morning I am really stressed about my dad for some reason. To make a long story short we have never really had a good relationship, or much of a relationship at all. He's a pretty big baby and expects me to do all of the work in our relationship. He hasn't seen our house and doesn't know where it is. Before we moved he told me to call and tell him when he could come see it. Well, we got busy (you know with the whole moving thing) and I never called him. He never offered to help us. Now I know that he is mad about that and is refusing to call. My step-mother even sent a card with some pictures to the church where Aaron works (as a point that they don't know our address). Anyway, with father's day next weekend I'm not sure how to handle this. It's been this way my whole life. I haven't had to invite any of our other parents over, they ask what we need done and when they can come help. Anyway I could ramble about this all day but I won't. Sorry to spill all that out it's just really on my mind this morning. I know that either way there will be a big guilt trip played on me, and I'm sick of it.
Sorry to ramble. If anyone has any thoughts or suggestions I would love to hear them. I've been dealing with this since my parents divorced when I was 7 (I was the one who had to contact my dad after that too). Sorry! I'm really stopping now. Thanks for "listening."

I hope that you all have great OP days!

Hello ladies! Kathy, I'm so glad your coworker loved your fairy surprises.

I also love puttering around outside. In fact, I have a date with a huge pile of dirt this very morning!

I went and got my hair done last night...it was fun. She cut it quite a bit shorter (about shoulder length?) and in layers, like many of you suggested. Then I had her teach me how to style it...I think I got it. We'll see. It sure looked good after she got done with it. I was so happy, I kept it down all night, and it didn't frizz! Yay, styling products! I'm going to attach a picture, even though it's a really weird one of my face. (It was dark, and the flash was REALLY bright.)

I was happy, because the stylist loved the color of my hair, and she said I had "the perfect curls." That's all natural that you see in the picture. As the night went on, it actually started looking better, because it wasn't wet. Anyway, I'm going on and on about my own hair but I'm just so excited that I have a style that I like and feel comfortable with.

We had a girls' movie night afterwards, and my sister and new SIL (from Colombia) watched Ever After, one of my favorite movies.

Time to get things going here,
Angela

Angela, you look great! I agree with your stylist, your colour is gorgeous, lots of gals go to salons just to get your colour. I love the cut and style. Now you're ready for the performance!

Melissa, it must be difficult for you. Do you have a decent relationship with your step mother? You could give a quick call and invite them over for an evening. Leave the ball in dad's court. With Father's Day coming up, I would at least send him a card. It shows that you are a "lady". Hope this helped a bit.
My dad was a tyrant in many ways, which was sort of how it was in the 50's and 60's, but really loved his girls. He spent almost ever Saturday taking one of us to Detroit for the day. At the end, very fond memories.

Kathy, so glad that you're gal loved the gifts and was happy to see you. I know you, and you have as much fun as the recipient. Wonder who your next target will be.

Paula, hope your weekend goes well. Glad you finished your chores.

Patti, glad to hear that you're doing well. You really sound chipper, which makes me smile.

Sandra, have a fun weekend. You and Curtis are "The Team".

Vickie and Frouf, good morning!

Off to the shower,

Angela, I love it! It really, really becomes you! Now that's one less thing to worry about with the upcoming performance, and you can concentrate on your dress and practices. Enjoy the dirt!

I sat down in front of the flowerbeds last night for oh, maybe 5 minutes to pull out some grass that was creeping in, and then said nah ... maybe later! I still have flowers to plant but so far they're living in their little pots and not dead yet. I was thinking about going to Tyler to see my parents tomorrow, and then Sunday is a baby shower but I can probably work it in. A two-hour baby shower (with a one-hour drive) shouldn't block out the WHOLE day, for goodness sakes.

Judd and his friend went to our corner bar to watch the Mavs play, but it was so crowded they left. They went somewhere else, and it was even more crowded, so they went back to the first place and sat on the restaurant side to eat, then came home and watched it from the spaciousness and comfort of our family room. No crowds, no smoke, nobody sloshing anything on them (except what they sloshed on each other). They also brought me something home for lunch today -- grilled chicken and a salad.

Melissa, that's quite a situation you've got, but I wouldn't play into his scheme. They can pout all they want (and stepmom's 'picture' jab was very transparent, I agree). I say they can jolly well start stepping up and actively being a part of your life instead of sitting back and waiting for that proverbial engraved invitation. My two cents' worth ... and easier said than done, I'm sure. People (parents or otherwise) can be real stinkers sometimes, can't they?

I'm glad it's Friday but I sure didn't sleep well. I was determined last night that I was calling the regular doctor today and seeing if I can get an appointment, but I have nothing to tell him except I don't feel well! I can't expect him to start guessing if I absolutely have no more to go on than that. Perhaps bloodwork would show something, but meanwhile I sure could use some sleep. I'm having a hard time getting comfortable and staying still at night. I'm sure Judd is about to throw me out the window.

I suppose I should do a few minutes' worth of work but I'll be back in a bit. TGIF!

Angela - love the new 'do'! I bet with some good anti-frizz styling products you will be able to maintain it nicely.

Speaking of which: Hair product trial #2: Well as you all know I gave up on the l'oreal hot pink volumizing mousse - and went out and got the La Coupe Volume body boosting mousse (don't get excited it's only for hair! ha ha ha). It was on sale - this is my 2nd day using is and it is EVEN WORSE THAN THE OTHER PRODUCT! Can you believe this? Another one bites the dust. This ones makes your hair so stiff (unlike the other one which was too 'soft') you can barely style and dry it - literally get a good upper arm workout just trying to blowdry your hair. I feel like Goldilocks in the 3 bears - this is too hard - this is too soft - so I am now due for a 'this is just right!!!' Not sure what to try now - but I am very cranky cuz my hair looks awful and all the added humidity due to the rain sure doesn't help! I shall have to abandon this product too!

Kathy - I bet your pg lady was overcome with gratitude for all the goodies you provided - any baby news yet? How are you feeling? Maybe a visit to dr is in order?

Saundra - yup looks like Niki is sending us more rain - what a dismal weekend forecast! I am already freaking out about tonight and dd's dancing in the rain - not looking forward to it and wondering how all those people camping out are going to handle it!

I also think the weather is depressing me - I feel very out of sorts and cranky. And the bad news is I am really and truly LACTOSE INTOLERANT! I had some tzaziki dip (yogurt) with flatbread crackers when I got home last night and a couple hours later my stomach was arumbling like crazy! Dh and I ended up going to a movie last night (the breakup) and I was so afraid everyone would hear my grumbly tumbly. Lots of gas pains - ended up taking this gas-x tablet before bed so I could sleep. I shall have to invest in some lactaid tablets or something so I can take them if I will be eating dairy products! What a bummer.

Rose- have a wonderful time at the cottage - how relaxing that must be! Do try and stay in touch if you can!

Patti - come putter around in my garden anytime you like! I sure wish we had nice weather this weekend as I still have not done any buying or planting of garden stuff! If it is not raining hard I can go look I guess? Best news is one of the neighbours is wanting our leftover topsoil (like half of our driveway still has a HUGE mound of topsoil sitting there) and is willing to buy it off of us (dh paid $400 for too many cubic yards!). Hopefully it will 'disappear' this weekend.

Melissa - that is a very sad situation with your dad - but I agree he is being somewhat passive/agressive - waiting for an invite and getting angry when you are too busy too call and 'invite' him. Maybe let him know he has an 'open invitation' to come by whenever he likes? Leave a message inviting them to father's day dinner or bbq or something and see what happens? You can always just drop by w/card and treat if you feel it is warranted - but frankly I think the ball is in his court.

And no lunch for me today - I did pack up some LO (broiled lean burger, peas, mashed potatoes) and when I went to get it ready for work I noticed it had become a 'vegetarian' lunch - yes 'someone' snitched the burger out (Joel?) and left the rest. So that made me even crankier - dh suggests I go out for lunch - not in the mood and such crappy weather - will see how I feel later.

And big ds now featured in some other local papers - so funny reading the paper, turning the page and there is a picture of your child! ha ha ha. Little ds had a hoot with this! (so do you recognize anyone on this page? his little eyes just popped out!).

And very good comments/report for little ds at parent/teacher interview - he is doing amazing math stuff - way advanced (he is in a montessori private school) however I think his reading still needs improvement and we are looking into a summer reading program or tutoring for him (he is such a slacker and we don't want to lose progress over the summer!).

You know if if wasn't going to rain I would hop over to my hairdresser's at lunchtime (the place is just blocks away from my office) and get my hair washed and blow dried properly!

Frouf

Frouf, you REALLY need to stop talking about rain! I'm about to melt into the floor here -- it's going above 100 today -- and so I'm about to hop a plane and come up there for the weekend!

I made an appointment for the doctor this afternoon. All I know to tell him is that I feel bad, and he'll have to take it from there. I got three teabags of something called Calli tea from a man at work and am drinking the first, then will drink the other two on Saturday and Sunday and by Monday, he is bringing me my own supply. (He is a distributor for it.) Whatever it is, he drinks it and so I'm sure it works. This guy is 70 and has more energy than any other 10 people put together, is in great shape and it's not from being at the gym all the time. He's a former helicopter pilot who was in Vietnam and was exposed to Agent Orange. He had a lot of issues from it about 20 years ago and started this tea then, and was able to get off of all the medicines that the military doctors had put him on. Anyway, enough about that. I'm drinking the tea.

I'm also going to concentrate on fresh fruits and vegetables over the weekend, so that means a trip to the farmer's market either today or tomorrow morning. If I go to Tyler, I am going to talk my mom into going to the blueberry fields so we can pick. We used to do that every year when my sister was alive and had fresh blueberries for weeks, then frozen berries for the rest of the year.

Gotta work for a few more minutes, then will leave. I'll be back after the dr.

Good luck at dr's office - we await your report.

And what is cami tea anyways? What is in it and where does one get it? (I could sure use some energy!).

Come on over if you want a whole weekend of rain - we can certainly keep you damp! ha ha ha

One of those busy rushing kind of days - meetings running late - but dh showed up around lunchtime (well parked outside on his way home from dr appt) and called me to invite me to lunch (I was stuck in an 11 am meeting which only started at 11:20!) - but we did hook up and went out for lunch (altho I did have to hurry back for 1:30 meeting). Went down the street to a thai place (Saundra: Anna's thai bistro) - was yummy and spicy and we shared a lovely mango ice cream for dessert!

It is drizzling still (sorry Kathy) and I have given up on my hair (esp since gong out for lunch w/no umbrella) - guess dd will be dancing in the rain?

Hey Chicks! I haven't posted since Wednesday night partially because I've been really busy but mostly because I was thought I was babbling too much.

Angela, you look beautiful! I had no idea that was your natural color. I'm one of the girlies paying for that color. It looks shiny and SO healthy. Great job.

Sandra, I agree that meetings are essential. I'm going back on Monday come **** or high scale. I hope you're having a great time at the Olympics!

Saundra/Niki, I didn't see the Dateline episode but I'm sure it would have sickened me. Makes it scarey to "trust" sometimes.

Saundra, I hope it stopped raining. It's cold here and will be for the next few days.

Frouf, that's so awful to learn that you are lactose intolerant. I would be truly sad without my dairy. You know that I AM the daughter of a milkman. Insert joke here! I'm glad both DS are making you so proud. You watch, though, you and Emily will be thick as thieves one day!

Rose, have fun at the lake! We'll miss your positive spirit.

Paula, I hope you and Craig find a meeting that you can both attend. It does make such a difference for me. You made me crave cherries. I can't wait to get some!

Patti, I still have the discomfort but it's not constant like it was before. I think stress has a bit do do with it. It was kind of you to ask.

Kathy, I was dying to hear aboutt the reveal! I'm so glad that they enjoyed it. It was a beautiful and kind thing to do. It's horrible that you don't feel well. There is nothing more important than our health be it physical or mental.

Melissa, I've been reading, just not posting. I'm sad to hear about your step Dad. I don't have any great advice beyond maybe your making the first step and ignoring all their passive aggresive behavior. Life is just too darned short. So invite them when it is convenient for you and if they come, they come. I don't know them but I do "know" you. It would be their loss if they didn't make time to be in your lives.

Well, Pool Guy is here so I gotta run. Vision filter is broken and Jim and I need to go buy a new one to the tune of $170. Harumpf.

Vickie, you never babble too much. We're really good listeners here.

Frouf, I don't know what your girls are going to do tonight. I can hear the rain coming down pretty hard.

Got my vacuum fixed ($25.00). It works like a charm. Why didn't I do that before buying another one? Oh well, people have made worse mistakes.

Guess I'll look and see what I can have for dinner. BBL

Good evening! Here's my report:

Left work at 2:30 and went straight to the doctor. I got out about 3:30.
Paid house payment at local bank (found the envelope in my purse -- yikes!)
Got my oil changed and state inspection
Went to Walmart and got trailmixes for my dad, a card, and a WM gift card
Went to the farmer's market and got green beans, squash, purple hull peas, plums, blueberries, and onions

Then came home. The doctor says I absolutely have to reduce my stress or else. Now what does that mean? He gave me another Rx for Wellbutrin and said this time, take it! Last time I was prescribed, I took it for a month and didn't do the refills because it was the mail-in Rx and I didn't want to bother. He said don't do that.

We are going to Tyler in the morning for the day, and so tonight is hopefully low-key. I wanted to go tonight and stay in a hotel, but this little crappy place near them is $180 for one night and doesn't take pets. (We can't go unless we take Zuki.) So it looks like we'll just leave early in the morning.

Vickie, I was starting to worry about you. Enjoy that pool opening!