hee hee hee

Rosebud - I get it now. ya go walking with the help of ski poles I need to try that! I'd like to buy snowshoes next winter -- for when it's warm.. we've got a huge snow covered field near my house (when I was really young the snow was too deep to walk through) but it would be a good work out with snowshoes and ski poles to keep me upright.

Purple I'm glad you were able to meet some of your peers and have a shared experience with other MSers. I remember what it's like to sit at the MS clinic and feel a bond with everyone in the waiting room -- it's also good to hear other people are finding relief with the oxygen tank.

I got my refill of drug this week but my pharmacy didnt have the reformulation yet.... which is frustrating because it's been out for over a month.. but I'm not suprised that the drug supplier is still clearing the 'old stuff' out... so it'll be another 2 months on this stuff... maybe by spring I'll get it

CR I hope you're doing well despite the tornados I heard about on the news in the south.



I received a notice from my MS clinic this week about joining something called 'telehealth' basically offering me the option of teleconferencing with my ms neurologist instead of driving 700+ kilometres one way. I think I'm going to take them up on the offer to save myself the grief -- but it depends how desperate I am to go on a trip 'to the city down south'.

Winterfest in my town is this weekend. There will be jigging competitions (part of Metis culture) as well as traditional survival competitions -- bannock baking, tea making, log throwing etc and some local artists will be making chain shaw carvings out of local logs. Last year I went but got sick from spending the day in -30 degree weather. I'm going this year but I'll be more careful.

Have a great weekend ladies

VAL ~ YAH, you got it; I think others didn't understand what I meant either, but it is becoming so popular now you will soon see people doing it on tv and such. Yes, the poles give you balance and more strength, so you can walk longer in snow, sand, gravel, hills, paths, and so on. I saw pictures of it on a site about 'WALKING' (walking.com???); there was an article about this activity and how popular it is in Europe and how it's spreading over here.

You only have to buy the ski poles; and believe me, it is so easy you will be amazed. If you love the outdoors like I do, you will love it too. Yes, the poles would really help you with your snowshoes. I bought DH a pair of snowshoes several years ago for Christmas; he needs new bindings as his broke. I bought him a pair of poles too, so he could try that out.

It was very cold today, so we just stayed home and did indoor stuff. Our winterfest is on this week and everything seems to be going well from what I can tell. The temps came up a bit tonight, so that should be good and we had lovely sunshine the last few days too which is nice as well.

CR ~ yes, we heard about the storms on the news too; prayers you and yours are OK; and that your son's day wasn't too bad for him.

PURPLE ~ HELLO, hope you are well today. That science show does sound interesting (about the natural medicines).

Well, it's getting late; time for bed, so take good care ladies ~ your friend ROSEBUD

HELLO CHICKIES ~ We went into town today; and then the sun came out for us the whole time. Had a good time chatting with folks in town and picked up a few books too at the second-hand shop; nice place to meet lots of people. The only thing going on was the hockey game for the little guys today.

On the weekend, they will have all the special ceremonies, a torch-light parade; rides and games; and competitions and then the dinners. Tonight there was a talent show; last week they had the princess pageant and karokee nights. This weekend has more fun stuff planned with games at our new hockey center and then a smash-up derby to top it all off (which DH and his friends just love to go see).

So I got some walking in again today and ate pretty well too; we had a homemade sub-type sandwich for supper. We use less meat and I added lots of lettuce and tomato to mine; haven't had that in a long time.

Well, that's all for now; gonna go get ready for bed, so take good care ladies; your friend ROSEBUD

HELLO CHICKIES ~ just took it easy today; DH has been very sick with the flu the last couple of days. He says he feels better now and still wants to go to the smash-up car derby tomorrow. He's hoping the weather will be good; but it would have to take a lot to cancel that, becuz it is the most popular part of the carnival.

When I was younger (in my teens), we used to go to the smash-up derbies all the time; a bunch of us would go together at least once a month (it was out of town).

I spent a lot of time reading my books and doing puzzles today; had a nap in the aft and just made the meals and such. We had fish tonight; very easy. We are having roast chicken with veggies for Sunday (we usually have chicken or turkey on Sundays; one of our faves).

I did some indoor walking and upper body exercises; everything helps. I didn't feel like going outdoors; it snowed later in the day. Wrote some letters today as well. So, that's all for now; can't believe how fast the days are going by; and it's staying light out longer now too! Take good care of yourselves, your friend ROSEBUD

WELL, HELLO THERE, CHICKIES ~ everyone seems to be very busy this week. Our temps have dropped here quite a bit. DH and his friends did go to the smashup derby, but I didn't becuz it was brutally cold out there. DH even had his big PARKA on and he was still cold: he forgot to put a big sweater on underneath like he did in the past.

Anyways, he says there were well over 1000 folks there to see it, and I'm sure if the weather had been warmer many more would have went too. I just stayed home and hybernated this year; though we did go into town at the end of the week.

We had roast chicken for dinner Sunday with lots of veggies and Spagettini with meatballs tonight. Put lots of veggies in my sauce to make it healthier and use xtra-lean meat for the meatballs too. We try to vary our meals as much as possible so we don't get bored, and I measure the cooked pasta out well too (to watch the portion sizes).

That's all for tonight; hope all our friends are feeling well. Take good care, your friend ROSEBUD

HELLO MY FRIENDS ~ I so look forward to coming here and visiting with you all. Our temps are lower right now (-27Cish), but we had a gorgeous sun all day. Had to stay in all day though as I was very sick with a bad flu. I woke up in the middle of the night with fever and had to take a hot beverage that's just right for cold and flu symptoms (it's a hot lemon and honey drink with aspirin and stuff; works great for us).

PURPLE ~ you've been having lots of sun lately too; and how nice that you are able to glean up your garden in February. We're the same about the meals; I realized a long time ago that if I wanted to eat healthy for life, that the best way for me was to take our most favorite recipes and modify them so that they are healthier. I just couldn't live on carrot sticks and salad for the rest of my life ~ LOL!

Does your Dad like yogurt? That can replace those good bacteria in the stomach and while enjoying a healthy treat. I like the SOURCE brand here (no fat; no sugar), but the Astro-Cremes are divine, esp their strawberry and cherry (but they are so hard to find here). I eat 2 or 3 fruits a day as well: apples, bananas, peaches, oranges, or pears; and I switch them up each day.

In order to keep a good supply of fresh veggies and fruits, we have to go to the store more often; we go 1-2times a week, but in the winter, I try to supplement the fresh stuff with frozen, or canned if that's all that is available.

Well, it's getting late; hope everyone has a great week. Take good care, your friend ROSEBUD

HELLO CHICKIES ~ we had another nice day with sunshine for the morning, but then a mini snow storm for the afternoon, so that was a good time for a rest (nap). I just had to have one anyways, so I can try to get rid of this nasty flu; boy I hope this one doesn't come around again.

PURPLE ~ you're a nurse; once you have a cold or more specifically, a flu bug, isn't it supposed to hit you lighter, if it comes around again. I heard this theory is what is behind the vaccines as well. Do you think that there is any truth to it?

I don't think I could drink coffee without something in it; I use a sweetener and a tiny spoon of coffeemate (a whitener), as it's a lot less than cream, but I only have one cup of coffee most days (two at the most on occasion). Yes, it is very handy to have your shops so close to home. One of our two groceries is closing up mid-March.

After all the big lay-offs here last fall, they just can't get enough business. Only one plant called the workers back to work in January. That means we will only have one full grocery store in our town to shop at. Before, if one had no bananas, then the other one might; so it was nice to have both. Change is taking place all over these days.

I agree about the fruits and veggies; the fresh are best and the frozen are next. But in a pinch, I will eat green cut beans from a can. In the winter, we may only go to market once a week. I prefer to go on a sunny day and take a longer drive just for the fun of it.

We finally got our car on the road for good this week; you have to have it inspected and certified before you can transfer it. We had to fix three things for the pass; so we are so glad that is done. It's nice to have a car with a fabulous heater and an air conditioner to boot. DH was so nervous about buying this car; I had to keep telling him to stop worrying so much.

ANYWAYS, that's all for now; take good care all, your friend ROSEBUD

I'm stumbling in after one of the craziest work weeks yet - yeah it's only Wednesday... the stress started middle of last week.

A high profile tour group from France came through town today and the new manager started on Monday. The France group's itinerary has been like trying to nail jello to a wall - plus the fact that as a young professional I've had many other more experienced work acquintances bullying me into doing what see best for my organization to do. By Monday I had stopped stewing/stressing about the situation and confronted somebody (it made me kind of angry actually the entire situation had me so stressed that MS symptoms ruined my weekend). Part of me believes I was confident enough to confront the person because I've successfully lost 75 pounds and I feel/act like myself again.

End of the story. tour is done. group left safe and sound and on time despite a train usually 2 hours late and weather colder than -50.

hello Purple and Rosbud I hope your week is going well.

February 18th is Manitoba's first Louis Riel provinicial holiday Long weekend woo hoo!!!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY LADIES

VAL ~ ON THE 75 LBS! Glad you found the courage to settle that internal work problem; hope things will be better for you in the future. And maybe once your new manager gets familiar with his/her position, there will be less interference from outside sources. It's nice that everything went smoothly for your guests and things will be back to normal for you again.

Gee you can keep those temps ~lol! It's colder here, but we have been blessed with more sunshine. I am babying myself right now; boy, this is a tough flu. My throat is raw and hoarse. Maybe I'll have a wee bit of ice cream to soothe it; just fruit nappy though. My SIL says that she had a bad flu for five months; I hope this one doesn't last that long: I'm looking for 5 days or less ~ lol!

I guess the new holiday for RIEL means you will have a long weekend coming up; that's makes for more time to rejuvenate yourself.

PURPLE ~ Hope you are having a good week too; and getting lots of rest from your busy schedule.

Well that's all for now; take good care, your friend ROSEBUD

HI LADIES ~ we have had a busy weekend; but we had lots of beautiful sunshine; it's snowing outside right now though. I have been very, very sick; lots of coughing and being stuff up, fever, and such. I have been taking my aspirin, hot lemon drink, and cough drops to ease the symptoms. It's been awhile since I had a flu quite as bad as this; and hope it doesn't come by again.

Between this flu and helping our little SWEETIE with her health problems and doing my work and house duties like cooking, I have been busy. I have been making things that are simple and quick until I am over the worst of it; it's day five today. I am just starting to be able to smell and taste my food again, but it's not back to normal yet.

PURPLE ~ you have done very well only having one flu in that many years. I haven't been that lucky; we usually get at least one bad one each year or every other year. We've also had some colds in between for measure I guess. Hope they can get to the bottom of that infection for your DAD. Thanx for explaining about those flu vaccines.

HELLO VAL, and I do hope MO and CR are OK too. We haven't heard from MO for so long it makes you wonder why. I guess she had become very busy, but we wish her the very best and hope she is well. Well it's getting late; just came in to check in; take good care, your friend ROSEBUD