Hi everyone, I finally made it back. I've been sick with the worse case of flu I've ever had. Next year I'm getting a flu shot as soon as it's available. I thought I'd be "safe" what with eating tons of veggies and all the green tea I drink, but it seems nothing can stop this particular strain. I still have a nagging cough and my voice is hoarse, but I have my energy back. The good thing about it is I managed to lose several lbs, probably from all the vegetable soup I was surviving on! A big "hello and welcome" to the new chicks! I hope everyone else is doing well, too.
I'm catching up on laundry right now, and I baked a cake since DD is coming with the GDs. I'm going to make stuffed peppers using brown rice, ricotta, mozzarella and topped with tomato sauce for supper, just need to think of what to serve with it. Jake has been hungry for a turkey dinner with all the trimmings, so that's what we're having tomorrow. He said he'll help make it and do the cleaning up, thank goodness. I guess DS and his family will be joining us for that, as they always come for supper on Sunday. Geez ~ I must have my appetite back, all this talk of food!

Cottage..Glad to see you back with us. Been wonderin about ya!

Me too, Bamie. I was about to send out the cabana boys to search.

Cottage, you certainly sound as if you've made a complete recovery from that crud. Mmmmm - turkey with the trimmings. I think I'll do that one of these weekends. I love turkey and one meal of it at Christmas is not enough. Remember to get the flu shot next year!

Well, I made a good start at the plant "room" downstairs. I dumped out old earth - to go into the garden - and even used the shop vac. Our cellar is a house of horrors. Do you have any idea how many cobwebs can collect between 1929 and 2005? Some of it's a lot better but there's a passel of cleaning still to be done!

Anyhow, I'm a real grub right now so am going to put dinner (roast pork) into the oven, set the automatic timer and hit the bathtub.

What a fun, busy day! I managed to get 4 hours of sleep after work last night. Brian and I carpooled with another family to Camp Wisdom to plant trees. It was so fun to be able to talk with other adults while the kids were glued to a Scooby Doo tape on the DVD player in their SUV. We planted close to 40 pecan trees after walking for probably 30 minutes - some of the walk was through water and deep mud. Yuck! After we ate lunch (I stayed OP and resisted the Doritos and Girl Scout cookies), we went over to an outdoor labrynth and set up games for the kids for hours (even in the rain). The last timed race was moms against dads. We won by 1 second!

I'm going to try to get to bed soon. I have to be up at 4AM to work. I want to make it to the gym but I've got to see if my back is okay after all the digging. Maybe if it is sore, I'll go to the gym that is a little farther away and swim (and soak in the hot tub).

cottage - you have my upmost sympathy. The flu is really severe this year. I wish I could have gotten a flu shot but I just didn't fit any of the risk categories. I'm getting it next year if I have to get the Flumist instead.

Good early and cold morning. Would someone please crank up the woodstove and start the coffee? I am feeling stuffed up this morning - probably from breathing old cobwebs and mouldy earth during my clean-up marathon yesterday! An antihistamine and a coffee should cure me.

After Church this morning, we are having cake because it's Wendy's 40th birthday. I am going to do my best to resist! Store bought cake is easy to turn down but I suspect Perfect Claire has baked one of her extravaganzas! Alas! I'll have to be very careful.

More exercises and treadmill is on the schedule for today plus some pre-Gail tidying. It's a good thing she comes or I'd be up to my armpits in clutter! I also plan to make a batch of chile to have for dinner tonight and for another meal during the week.

What's happening in your part of the world?

Yeah, there's nothin' like having a cleaning woman coming to keep you on-track with your cleaning.
Ruth, I'm with you on the breathing problems. That stuff I'm using on the upper cabinets is melamine paint, and the smell is enough to kill you. I laid in bed last night (as you know, our bedrooms are in the attic), and my sinuses were on fire. I finally wrenched open a window, and slept with it open all night.
I've still got two more coats to put on those cabinets. crap!

Cottage, I'm so sorry you've been sick, sweetie. We've missed you... I'm glad you're on the mend... that flu sounds dreadful!!
You know, one of the things I love about you Americans is that you'll just have a turkey dinner any old time you feel like it. It sounds so care-free.

Happy belated Birthday, sweet Silvia!!
I'm so sorry I missed it... I know that last year was the absolute pits for you... sending you love and hugs...

A broad, congratulations on the 10k, girl!! Wow, I'm not surprised your butt is hurting!!

Bamie, I haven't seen any of those movies, although I did read Vanity Fair years ago, and loved it.

Is anyone watching the Oscars tonight? DD and I are going to put our tiaras on and cozy up to the tv. I'm embarrassed to admit, it's one of the few times a year I watch tv. Talk about quality!

Ellis~~Thank you Actually, today is my B-day (51): hard to believe that I'm this old already Yes, I will be watching the Oscars tonight. I even like to watch the Red Carpet to see what all the ladies are wearing.

Good Mornin lil chickies! Nuttin much planned here today. Still watchin movies! We went and got more lastnight! We are watchin Paparazzi right now. It's pretty good so far. Y'all have a great day and stay out of trouble! lol

Happy Birthday Silvia! You are only as old as you feel!

Ruth - My old house had an earthy basement too! I hated going down there during tornado warnings. I used to turn on the shop vac, vacie up the spiders and pray they didn't crawl back out. Until I met the biggest spider I ever saw in my entire life - then d*mn the tornados - I never went back down there again.

Ellis - With the onslaught of extreme makeover shows everyone always speculates on what they would have done if they ever had plastic surgery. Mine has always been my upper arms. I hate them even when I'm not so heavy. Now I really hate them. How come we love the clothes we don't look good in? I always wondered where they came from because DM is 5'8" and I'm barely 5'5", she is long and tall and I'm short and fat. Then I saw a old collage of home movies shot when DM was a child. My Grandmother has the same arms.

Bami - now you know not to poke the bear right? Becareful what you wish for because mother nature is ready to dump on us northerners again this Monday/Tuesday. The east coast is bracing for a Noreaster (according to DM who is not a weather person ) COME ON SPRING!!!!! I just love Reese Witherspoon. I haven't seen any of the movies that listed. I'm behind on my movie watching.

Cottage by the Sea - You poor thing. That flu is bugger. I work with post high school students every day and they bring all their germs with them. I didn't qualify for a flu shot this year and by the time I did it was too late (in my opinion if you don't get them before December is over you don't have the time to build up the immunity) I hope you are ok! You are getting your appetite back so that is good.

Barb - What a fun day you had. Good job on avoiding the crap food. I need you to send me good vibes on avoiding bad food because I've been bad lately.

OK - I'm going back into SBD boot camp. Starting Monday - I'm going to do a full two weeks of Phase I - because my eating is so far gonel I lost NOTHING during the month of February! That is the first time since Sept 20 that I haven't lost a pound. Time to pull up the boot straps and get serious. I would start today but I don't have the food necessary to do Phase I (see that is a bad sign right there) so I'm going to the grocery store today. So expect some whining in the next two weeks. Yes, more than usual! I also have to go to work today because I'm a little behind and I have new classes starting Monday. I love to watch the Oscars because I love the clothes!!!!!

Have a good one!

HI BAMI - we posted at the same time!

Hey, Ruth, I'd have stayed MIA a little longer if I had known you were sending the cabana boys out for me, LOL! I don't fit into any of the risk catagories for the flu shot, but next year I'm getting one early before they run out, or I'm going to Canada to get it!
Yesterday was busy but fun. We ended up having a houseful of relatives stop in to see the baby and spoil her. The stuffed peppers were a big hit, I used orzo instead of brown rice, and served them with steamed broccoli and a salad, and had hot Italian sausage for those who wanted it. I caved in and had a small piece of cake (it was homemade!) and some ice cream for dessert. The ice cream felt sooooo good on my raw throat!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SIL!!!!!!!!!! Enjoy every minute of it, and remember you're only as old as you feel ~ I've discovered the older I get, the younger I feel. Celebrate!

Well, it's about time to get the bird in the oven. I'm not sure just how many people I'll end up feeding today. Jake has been inviting everyone, and here I was looking forward to having leftovers for the week! Maybe some kind soul will bring a bottle of wine?

Hello to all the chicks,
I have been busy, church today and then off for brunch with youngest sister, (her and her hubby are going to try to make a go of it???) wish her well.
Then off to a baby shower.
Seems like everyone is sick, thank God not Lucy or I. Lucy is sitting on my desk waiting for me to pet her. Love that cat
Amy, just a thought, HOW DO YOU THINK THAT POOR SPIDER FELT WHEN SHE SEEN YOU COMMING WITH THAT VACUUMN? Bet she was happy when you ran away
Chicks I must give up the beer if I am going to be searious about this way of eating. I do not like the taste of the water here so I am drinking beer
Really i have to get on this way of eating but it is no fun to cook for one.
It will be 8 weeks tomorrow since Ken died, I really don't believe it.
Anyway, I have so many things to do to this house, I don't know where to start. I think I will get contractors in to do them as I want it done right.

well all for now,
Love tazcat

Well I am back home and so tired. I am ready for bed right now! DH is watchin the Dukes of Hazzard marathon on CMT. He loves that show so he is in "Hog" heaven! lol I'll peck y'all chicks in the mornin. Night all!