Two days ago DD and I met another DD for lunch...on our way home later I handed DD #1 my cell phone to call Papa Murphy's Pizza so we could pick one up on the way home...I then sat the cell phone on my lap. Apparently when I got out of the car it fell out!

I just discovered it missing last night after church...DD called my number to see if I misplaced it in the house...BUT, a young man's voice answered the answering part of it...laughing and making fun. So I immediately called Cingular and cancelled the phone. I was very lucky it was just a kid and not a real informed person whom could have used my phone to call all over the world!!!

Now I have to wait three more months (because of my contract) before I can have them issue me a new phone...or pay $200 for a new one...I will wait!

Between that experience and the Credit Card woes I am ready to throw in the towel girls! I find myself falling into old habits of eating under stress. So far I am lucky to not gain weight but I know if I am not more careful one morning I will get on the scale and will have gained all the last 12lbs back. Ruth, I know how you felt!!!

Why do we allow minor situations throw punches at us that sabatage our hard efforts! Since I acknowledge I am falling into the old pattern...I shall kick myself in the rear (now that's a real talent!) and get serious!

Here's a kick for the rest of you who are going down that same road.

I want to go back on the SHIP!

I love you sis!

Adia, now there's a thought! Maybe Ruth's weight is up due to "water on the knee?" It's something to think about. Your prizes for the wedding shower are great! The winners are going to be thrilled with their gifts! When is the shower, and what are you serving? I need to get to work planning a baby shower for my DIL, so maybe I can use a few of your ideas?

Ruth, that's a shame about your knee. Is it the same one you had the surgery on? I do hope it starts feeling better and the swelling goes down soon. You should probably have your doctor take a look at it, though. My guess is that between the swelling of your knee and the Indian food, your gain is just a temporary one. Drink lots of water today to whoosh it all away!

mamjok, oh my, you've sure had a run of bad luck since your cruise, I don't blame you for wanting to go back! Chin up, love, just keep looking on the bright side. As you said, it could have been worse.

Another fairly lazy day is on tap here again. My DIL and Amber are picking me up around noon to go to Audrey's birthday party. It's going to be at her dance academy, so all the little girls will probably be pestering their mothers to sign them up for dance lessons. I expect DS will be hanging out with Jake while we're at the party, and will stay for dinner, so I'm just making a simple meal of spagetti with Italian sausage for them. I plan to have a grilled chicken breast with sauteed spinach.
Another thing I must do today is call Andrea's mother to see if she's thought about having a baby shower for her. I hate talking to her mother, (she's nice enough, but a little weird), but I have to do my duty as a MIL. It's almost 7 years since Amber was born, so I feel she's entitled to another baby shower.

Cottage - I'm in charge of food, and it's definitely not OP. Here's the menu anyway!

Crab Stuffed Mushrooms
Spinach and Artichoke Dip with Tortilla Chips
Basic Cheese and Cracker Tray
Tomato Bruschetta & Goat Cheese on Baguette
Fresh Veggie Pizza Squares

Chocolate Covered Strawberries
Mini Tortes with Fresh Fruit & Cream
Fruit Salsa with Cinnamon Chips

The shower is Friday, the 23rd at 7 pm. It was supposed to be in May, but she changed it 2 weeks ago and we've been rushing around to get it ready.

Mamajok, what a drag! I hope the kid who found your phone didn't run up your bill. The credit card thing is a real hassle, I'm sure. I've been there. You know, sometimes Life gets pretty darn discouraging and we have to force ourselves to look on the bright side. Let's be really careful this month!

AdiaFaith, you are absolutely right. I Googled and got "After an injury anywhere in the body, lymph fluid will rush to the injured site to carry away bacteria and any foreign substances. " I think I'm smart enough to know lymph fluid has water in it and probably grabbed all I drank yesterday and Friday! Great list of gifts! I may copy it into my Idea File for future reference.

The sun is shining and I am going to put on my knee brace, take my Aleve and go out into the yard. My huge pine tree lost some branches in the ice a week ago and made a mess in the Dog Yard. I thought it was still frozen into the snow but Lucy (who else?) just dragged in a big branch. It's a white pine with those long needles that the vacuum can't handle. Action is required. l'll reward myself with a cup of herb tea once I'm back indoors.

We now resume normal life.

Afternoon all!

Well, I was up early...but have spent the morning (and now early afternoon) post-processing and uploading pictures from yesterday! I had an odd cleaning urge about an hour ago and scrubbed the stove top and microwave. I have three dishes to cook for the week and I need to wash laundry if I expect to wear pants to work tomorrow.

The weather here today is beautiful again today. Hopefully, the trend will continue.

Has anyone heard from Schatzi?

Have a great day everyone

Home sweet home!! I am SO happy to be home - it was a crazy ride home! We were driving home from Seattle to Coquitlam, it started raining about 45 minutes from home - wow did it ever! The highway we were taking was flooded, 10 inches of water, and our little mazda made it thru! They didn't close the road, go figure! It was pretty scary, top 4 scary moments in the car!

Ruth - Seattle can be fun, there is lots to see, lots of shopping to be had! My brother has lived in Seattle for about 4-5 years now (working for Amazon and now Google), so we've been going there and exploring the city. They have some great jewels!

mamajok - wowsers, thats some crazy stuff happening! My thoughts are things happen in 3's, so you just need 1 more thing to happen and you will be done with! One time Josh and I were driving to Seattle and when we were taking out the money we got a parking ticket, and then we got flagged at the border, and the 3rd thing was on our way home we got pulled over by the cops (I talked my way out of a ticket). Soon it'll all be over and things will get back to normal! And don't let the guilt of bad eating get to you, just move on and do better.

-Aimee