First day on the job today. Went off alright although I thought I was about to go to sleep at the end. Got hotter and hotter and then this bloke (he must have been all of 12 1/2 by the look of him took a segment of which I still have little idea if he was speaking English or not. Interesting bunch at the induction - almost a case of spot the Aussie. Nzers, an American from SoCal, a Dutchman and a German and the token Indian. The other two girls were Australian I think. Neither of them spoke much so I didn't get to work it out. Then off to the office to do yet another induction, this time on the computer. Then a wander around the floor (level 24) and told I will probably be working downstairs!!!! do I have to do this all over again tomorrow???? Anyway I may just go back tomorrow since they don't have a seat for me or a computer - even tho I do have a logon. But they told me not to come back before 9.00. It's hilarious. I gather tomorrow is going to be reading the documents, more reading and then if I get through that some more reading. Such fun.

And that is about it really. I think I need to have an early night. I'll catch up tomorrow again - although I will probably be singing the Pink Sports Coat in my sleep. Thanks Mel.

Good morning,
I had a terrible night's sleep. Didn't get to bed until very late and then I couldn't fall asleep. Don't know if I even got 4 hours in. I will pay for it today.

Thank you all for the help "ru-ma-tiz" suggestions. You may be right on the acids thing - I slipped back into guzzling Coca Cola when I was on vacation and what's more acidic than that? I would hate to give up my tomatoes tho. I don't eat alot of them - perhaps the equivalent of about 2 a week. I love tomatoes. As for flax seed, I suppose I will have to pick some up at the health food store - couldn't find any in the regular grocery store yesterday. Picked up some flax seed oil - not sure that's the same thing.

Shad - all I can assume from your post is that perhaps this new place will not be like the last - in a rush, way behind and demanding 18 hours days of you. Not sure if that's a blessing or a curse to someone who just wants to jump in and get the job done.

Mel, thank you for that song that rattled round my head and wouldn't leave. Indeed it was a very old song, I didn't know the words or the melody actually - only that infernal chorus which even now I am trying hard not to let back into my brain. I am very sorry to hear of Jen's latest troubles That's even worse if she has the surgery, goes into instant menopause and can't take anything for it. I dunno, we sure pay dearly for the apple Eve ate, don't we? You must be so worried for her. I will keep her in the good healing thoughts mode.

Meadow, your puppy is just one fluffy hunk of adorableness. Since you're in the hair experimenting mode you could do a Cruela-Da-Vil (101 Dalmations) and go for the puppy / mommy look I agree with you completely tho - mixing it up and changing our looks keeps things interesting.

Hey Carla, enjoy one of those lobster rolls for me. I haven't had one in years - don't get out that way much anymore. Take care of those wrists too.

Madcat, hope you got that bike ride in. I hear you on the people who believe their are the center of the universe. I'd love to be an asteroid and just bump them out of their orbit Isn't it funny, even if it's warm outside, eating salads all the time makes you yearn for something hot. I just bought some soup for this week and we are in the midst of a heatwave. Supposed to be kissing the triple digit temps all week.

Time for me to get my act together and take the show on the road. I've got to get to the office to fight the good fight yet another day. Must work on the neighborhood newsletter tonight. I went shopping yesterday which took forever, then started chopping fruits and veggies after I cleaned and put everything away. Boy that's time consuming but at least I am in good shape to eat right and light this week. Will not be a problem getting my exercise in swimming.

Stay cool...

Oh and I will try and go through the Push.tv video today. Will let you know what I think...

jen is off to Dr #1. I am going to wait up here as the heat has begun in NJ aleady Gonna be a real of a day! Postman Pat is on TV and keeping the "grandson" quiet Even Jen is amazed at how he watches this.
Today is day #1 for me also. Starting the Sonoma Diet :eat2: and yesterday I began exercising again with the pedals I posted on both of those threads but will NOT be joining any challenges. They seem to make me sad because I cannot lose like the others. So it's just healthy eating and moving for me. I am off to change sheets and bag up laundry for the day I might actually get some done!!

Holly~ congrats on the award!! The weekend sounded very nice in the outdoors and family fun stuff. No food after 7 is a good thing! Keep up the good work.

Carla~ My eyes have "tendonitis" I know the feeling though in my shoulders. PC's can be a very dangerous thing! Before you know it, the body is throwing a fit. so it all sounded like a good excuse for lurking to me I cannot even imagine a Bluesfest outside one of my windows!!! Hope the cops aren't too sad at your leaving and aren't feeling too lonesome without you
Take care my overseas friend

Meadow~ The dog really grew up!!! How cute too. Ours once loved the wading pool also. Arbor painting and hair coloring......good thing the hair isn't Plum Perfect! Loved the pics and bookmarked the card lady. It reminded me that I spent 2 days on the Chatelaine website awhile back. Thanks for the reminder....i wear my "shades" everywhere. Even on overcast days. Cataracts and sun do not go together but I need remindinf.....senior moments are beginning early

Shad~ I forgot this was the beginning of the new job. My head isn't screwed on right. Is this an auspicious beginning? Sounds also like a good mix of people. let's hope they know their "stuff". Good luck Poor Sunday too!! Just when she thought she had a good grip on you too.

Happy~ You'll be falling asleep at your desk!!!Maybe tonite will be a good night's sleep. Zzzzzzzzzzzz
Eat right and light....good motto for the week and my stomach could use a break too. I thought caffeine was the enemy of the rumatiz????? Because of things I read about coffee and cola but it must have been the "acids" . Carla does good homework!!! You and I could be sisters......the carbo twins!!!
Thinking about your bad night is making me yawn!!!

Okey dokey here I am again!...Gosh I am almost becoming regular!!!!
Well after the humiliating jump on the scales and a whopping kick up the you-know-where and getting back on a sensible eating plan as soon as I got off the darn things, here are some figures for you to browse over. On the scales on 06.07.06 ( wearing light clothes but no shoes) I saw 87kg on the scale down at my feet. This morning (wearing nowt!) my digital scale said 84.2kg So I am pleased to think of that as something as a result. Allowing 1kg for clothes I have still managed a loss. and i will, will, will keep it off!! and more!!!!

It is hot in England, Meadow. I London it is reportedly 33 degrees!!!! I am so pleased I don't live in the city!!

Shad thank you for your elegant recount of you and your mammogram! I simply cannot wait till it comes time for me to enjoy such a treat!!!

I have a busy week planned. Tomorrow I have an appointment with my psychologist and a blood test Wednesday I take Holly for her hir-cut...(she should be a lot cooler after that!) and Thursday ...what's happening Thursday????Oh yes...I'm off to my hairdressers to have highlights put in and a cut as well...then Friday I am going out to lunch with a few of the ladies from church who all celebrate their birthday at about the same time as me....thank goodness next week I have nothing except an appointment to go to and then it's pack the dog's bag, food and toys and then, pack me!!!

Ouch ! I moved and it hurt. I have managed to strain my thigh muscle in the back of my left leg and it really hurts when I move. Don't know how or what I did to it but I am feeling the result!!!

Take care all. Don't forget the factor 30!!!

Surely there has to be some song we can sing this to...

For years and years they told me,
Be careful of your breasts.
Don't ever squeeze or bruise them.
And give them monthly tests.
So I heeded all their warnings,
And protected them by law.
Guarded them very carefully,
And I always wore my bra.
After 30 years of astute care,
My gyno, Dr Pruitt,
Said I should get a Mammogram
"Stand up here real close" she said,
"And tell me when it hurts," she said,
"Ah yes! Right there, that's fine."
She stepped upon a pedal,
I could not believe my eyes!
A plastic plate came slamming down,
My hooters in a vise!
My skin was stretched and mangled,
From underneath my chin.
My poor boob was being squashed,
To Swedish Pancake thin.
Excruciating pain I felt,
Within it's viselike grip.
A prisoner in this vicious thing,
My poor defenseless t*t!
"Take a deep breath, she said to me,
Who does she think she's kidding?!?
My chest is mashed in her machine,
And woozy I am getting.
"There, that's good," I heard her say,
(The room was slowly swaying.)
"Now, let's have a go at the other one."
Have mercy, I was praying.
It squeezed me from both up and down,
It squeezed me from both sides.
I'll bet SHE'S never had this done,
To HER tender little hide.
Next time that they make me do this,
I will request a blindfold.
I have no wish to see again,
My knockers getting steam rolled.
If I had no problem when I came in,
I surely have one now.
If there had been a cyst in there,
It would have gone "ker-pow!"
This machine was created by a man,
Of this, I have no doubt.
I'd like to stick his "jewels" in there,
And, see how THEY come out!

Hey guys! Hot one here in the Big Smoke – hot and sticky. It makes me almost happy to be at work since it is at least air conditioned here. I think I spoke too soon yesterday when I said I was feeling better – stomach is screwy again today. Ick. Probably lack of sleep. Hard to sleep in the heat. Of course it could be stress. Had the dreaded annual checkup today. My blood pressure is up slightly (higher end of normal) which is very unusual for me. The big thing the Doc and I talked about was my weight. He really wants me to lose at least 20 lbs and went on and on about my family history and how, once I developed Type II, I would regret not doing something now etc. etc. He’s a new doc for me and this is my first check up with him. I think he and I will get along fine. He was nice about what he was saying but he was also laying it on the line. He’s right. I know he is right – I just have to do something to make it happen.

Just so I wouldn’t feel left out, boob squish is tomorrow. And blood work. And I have to go back for a pap smear; there is something virtuous in looking after your own health. Wish I felt like this all the time!

Mel ~ darn I have that song stuck in my head. Wish Jen the best of luck. I hope they are able to find a solution.

Shad ~ good news you survived your first day. You lack of desk reminds me of a funny story a friend told me about a job she had with a major computer company. She arrived at the job to find she had a desk, a beautiful computer with a big screen and every thing… problem is they hadn’t given here a power bar to plug it all in. So she trots off to the admin to see how she gets one. Seems that in order to order ANY equipment, you had to order it on-line from the purchasing intranet site using the machine the new equipment was being ordered for – which she couldn’t do because she didn’t have a power bar and couldn’t turn her machine on! Eventually, after two full days of trying to find a way around the rule, she ended up going out and buying her own darn power bar. When she left she made sure to take it with her. What are you up to in this contract? Anything new and exciting?

Happy ~ Hope you don’t feel too bad today. I feel your pain. I couldn’t sleep either. The stuff I buy is flaxseed oil in capsules. From what I understand you can use real flaxseed as well but you have to crack them and they are harder to digest and, frankly, I think they taste funny. But that’s just me.

Meadow ~ I agree with Happy. That is one sweet, sweet doggie!

Teel ~ Congrats on the loss. That definitely counts! Sorry to hear it’s still so warm there. Ouch. Take care of your leg.

Happy ~ The song is tooooooo funny. It kind of scans to the verse part of “Heartbreak Hotel”. We may have to add a chorus. Did you write this, if not where did it come from?? It’s brilliant!!

Ok, I have to go and do some work. Smile and wave . Smile and wave

A frigging hot one here too Mrs Madcat!! Wooooeeeey a real scorcher. Hope you feel much better soon

I came back to thank everyone for their good thoughts for Jen..... although the Dr sees the fibroids, she thinks the erratic bleeding is from early onset menopause like I had. She took my history into account and the disability and has ordered an appt for another specialist for early August. All the bloodwork is good but she has added an iron supplement because of her weight-less self!!
And they will do another ultrasound at the same time to check on the fibroids progress or lack there of. This Dr was very nice, thorough and sent her home telling her not to worry till or if they actually find something. But she understood Jen was also worried because I had the displasia and it tends to run in families.
So all is well and we are happily breathing once again.
See ya tomorrow

ps~ Happy you gave me a laugh with your post!! I know a few I'd like to torture! I have read this before many times but it always gives me a laugh!! I also got a compliment on my wheels of fire on another thread. Told them who did it!!! or I should say bragged!!!

Hello every one,
I'm back from Texas, but now I have to go back to work in the morning.:sigh:

My nephews really impressed me because they did most of the cooking which mainly was grilling, and it was all healthy. I even did my weight routine.
I usually end up doing the dishes, but once again I was impressed because my brother in law cleared the table and put the dishes in the dishwasher.

The fun part of the trip was visiting with everyone especially my sister's grand daughter who had mre than enough attention. My other sister called Sunday and they are on vacation in Florida. Of all things wanting to see an alligator.

It was to hot to go swimming in my sis's pool but last night it got cool enough to get in both the hot tub and pool. It felt good. Even thought I don't swim I do get in and splash around.

The flight back today was extremely smooth and on time.

I've tried to put in a weight tracker so let's hope it works.




Old habits are hard to break, but I'm trying.

I'm doing a LindaT here and I have some meals on the stove ready for the days when I come home and I could eat anything I can lay my hands on. So I am filling up a drawer in the freezer with LindaT's pumpkin chili soup, a new recipe for beef stroganoff - low fat too! and some lamb casserole - 4 of each. I should be painting but I can't be bothered. I'll cook instead. Tuesday is one of the better TV nights for me.

Job is going okay but it is boring at the moment. I have to familiarise myself with the doings - unfortunately someone forgot to give me access to SAP and I have to be content with the online stuff - which is good. So good that no one will use it after a couple of goes, unless of course the powers that be add the courses into the troops KPI's - things you have to do to get a good report at the end of the year!!!! Anyway I am soldiering along and managing to fill in 2/3 of the day. I get in late and come home early. Won't last but let's make the most of it while I can. Still have no idea what they are going to do with me and what I should be looking at to study up. A so-called SME came in today to talk about Plant Maintenance to a co-worker but couldn't answer too many of my questions about his methods. I was a little perplexed to say the least. But later I managed to find out most of the answers to my questions (read the online manuals) and the bits that he couldn't answer were mostly answered there. I am now helping the co-worker to create some work orders according to the books.

Ceejay - welcome home. Glad to hear things went okay on your trip. Always a pleasant surprise when the family pitch in to help.

Teel - Hello!!!!! You came back. Getting all excited about the holiday yet??? Oh and big congratulations on your weight loss.

Gotta go. Stir the pot some more.

I will return.

I started a post last night but I was very tired and yawning so much that I abandoned it for the morning. Here goes...

Geez Louise -- is it just me or does it seem like we have to scroll down to middle earth to get to the part where our thread is? 12 sub groups and 3 stickies. Guess that's why they invented the scroll wheel on the mouse.

Ok, so I'm cranky. Haven't had any Coca Cola today. Trying to avoid the acid stuff. Had green tea with citrus at lunch, had Plum flavored Green (iced) Tea for dinner. I had a Pomegranate sp?? tea last week which was pretty good but I can't remember where I got it. Only got one bottle because I wasn't sure of the flavor, that's probably why I liked it. Now the Starbuck's tea lemonade that my sister raved about - I got 3 bottles of that cuz sis is usually right on the money but I really didn't like that at all. :

I stuck with my quiche and fresh fruit cup instead of going out to lunch (trying to control the spending). Came home, popped dinner in the oven and went in the pool for a while. I swam and exercised. Then while talking to hubby I decided to climb into this big donut type of floating ring thing. Of course I am stupid so it was great fun to twirl while talking to DH. Twirl, twirl, twirl - kept it up for a minute or two. OMG - I thought I was going to barf. It was worse than when 3 of my biggest friends all got on the tilt-a-whirl ride and we had that car spinning the entire ride. Now here comes the stupid part. I stopped spinning in the pool and the dizziness and nausea subsided. THEN 5 minutes later, I DID IT AGAIN. What??? like just to prove that yes, I can spin fast enough and long enough to make myself sick? Just goes to show you that you're never too old to be a bimbo. What a doofus. We had a nice dinner - flank steak and the most incredible corn on the cob. Watched TV for an hour and I'm hoping to get to bed as soon as I finish this post and clean up the dishes.

Mel, will keep pulling for Jen. Sounds like the doctors are at least listening, not just pushing her on her way. So the heat has finally come up your way. I think most of the country is baking. It got to 100 degrees today, supposed to be more of the same for the next 2 days. I feel bad for people who have breathing problems. The air is "dirty". Someday lady we have to update your avatar. Right now I'm out of ideas so another day. I could make one where you are peeking behind the shoulder of one of your hunky firemen Would be better if you were winking

Madcat, thank you for mentioning about the flaxseed oil tablets. I actually did pick up a bottle on the weekend as they were on sale but I was wondering if the seed itself would have been a better choice. Would have had to go to the health food store for that and I just didn't have enough time. I did get some Uncle Sam's cereal that is made with flaxseed. I like to put it on top of my yogurt and berries - gives it some nice crunch. But now I know the pills are ok too. Thank you for clarifying that. And no, I didn't write that ditty tho if I didn't have to work for a living, could sit around the pool with boozy drinks and while away the day, I probably could come up with something like that. You are the brilliant one - that really does work to Heartbreak Hotel I'm still trying to get "tan shoes with pink shoelaces..." out of my head. It popped right in my head as I pulled out of the parking lot yesterday and followed me all the way home.

Hello Teel - it's nice to have you back as a regular again. on the weight loss efforts thusfar. Keep up the clean eating. Sorry to hear about the leg - some good linament and stretches will get your right again. Must be well for your holiday.

No doubt you have already posted Shad while I left this post suspended for the night. I will catch up with you later as it's time to pop in the shower and get on with another very hot day.

Happy~ Now I read your post I am singing tan shoes again!!! Geez will that song never leave us? I could not stop laughing at the twirling experiences you gave yourself!!! Every now and then I do it in the wchair. I am so glad I am not the only BIMBO
Our sinus will not allow silly things like that!! lol But you gave me a great laugh this morning....always nice to start the day off that way. BTW< I take flax capsules every day and never thought to tell you!!! Now who is the bigger bimbo!?!? I also grind my own seeds in a small coffee grinder and use it in cereal and yogurt. YUM!
Jen's BF Richie lowered his cholesterol that way when the drug wasn't working well. I told him about it and in just 2 weeks it started to go down. Hope the body feels better

Teel~ Hope the thigh feels better soon. No more boo boos before your trip Enjoy tha new do and the lunch! Good luck with the Dr and B test!!!

HOME CJ! the trip was great and nice to see real men doing housework!!! A real vacation for the ladies. too bad it was right to work! Love the ticker. Take good care of your baby chicks!

Madcat~ What is up with the BP????? Take good care...I know you know what needs to be done. We all do But sending anyway to cheer you on
I am so glad we are all getting squished together!! I would hate to think I was the only one of us gettin g physically abused!! And to think I got a divorce for the exact same thing

Shad~ Does anyone know anything there? (not that I even know what you said ) Good thing they have you!
Make enough food for all of us. If it get's too hot here we can visit you to cool off a bit and have pumpkin chili!! YUM!

Jen already called and is trying to feel relieved. She REALLY wants to think the Dr is right and no more operations are needed for the tumors. Maybe they will shrink now and go away! I went outside this morning. Air is "dirty" like Happy said. Not good breathing weather and it wasn't even 7AM!! City living....gotta love it. NOT!!!
I am not going food shopping today. Too hot and they won't be back till after lunch. the end of the week looks better. Lots of food here so no problems there either.
Happy Tuesday and enjoy!

No wonder I like you so much