Hi ladies,

Angie - hiya Hope you're staying warm.

Katiecat - so glad the new surgeon will be the one to do the procedure on you. Your story reminded me that a person nearby had a knee replacement that wouldn't quit hurting, after a few weeks postop. So they finally did some exrays and saw that the joint was put in backwards. Ouch!!

Jules - would you be a real sweetie and include your name in your signature since there's another Julie/Jewel? Thanks a bunch, hon. The soup was good. I think I started something since I read where Cristi had it too. That's normal for the JLs and chili, lol. I have to shop early, or I'd be a basket case. I like to spend the month of December going to parties and just enjoying myself.

Katy - lol, I didn't really think that you were talking about me, personally. Glad you feel the way you do about kids. Mary and I were talking recently about how kids need a certain amount of silliness each day. Actually, it would be good for grownups, too.

Cristi - thanks for the beautiful Christmas card! Neal even commented what a pretty manger scene it was. Yay for the fixed furnace!!! You wouldn't believe how cold this house is, and the furnace is running just fine. Neal has covered most of the windows with plastic, but it's still extremely drafty. We have a fireplace in the bedroom, which helps.

Marti - yep, we got snow. Lots of it, and drifts, too. Is tomorrow your short day?

I made it to town to run a few more errands and got those done in time to have lunch with my buddy as I mentioned yesterday. It had just begun to sleet and snow when I met her, but I knew I could make it home before it got really bad. Acually, it was very slippery, but I did ok.

Got Neal's birthday cake made. Angel Food with a chocolate glaze. Since him birthday is Saturday, and the big family Christmas party is the same day, we're having the kids and grandkids in tomorrow night instead for cake and ice cream.

Katie and I have been watching the Disney shows that the Travel Channel's had on. Really interesting! She's looking at things in a different perspective since she's now a "cast member".

Gonna surf for a bit... see you later.

Good evening all,,,
Jane,,,hmmm cake...with choc. Ok enough,,,IVe been so bad this past couple of days...need to be more diligent. Didn't do my WI last night cause Tanner had an audition for a commerical so I missed,,,then I had an hour today but I missed the WI by 5 minutes...grrr so Im going tonight after dropping Tan off for rehearsal. Tell Neil HAPPY Birthday for me

Marti,,,keep all those mementos...seriously they grow up way to fast...I feel so sad some days when I see the boys and they are grown up so much. I should of had more kids...

Cristi,,,smart chick that you are! You made good use of all your appliances to keep the house warm. I do that when its really cold out Ill bake something then once its done Ill keep the oven door ajar as it cools down.

Katy...they did tests on Brandon in grade 1,,,said his reading level was at a 1.1,,,it should of been at a1.9 or 2.1...like me he has an attention span of a fly. But during the summer I bought about a dozen different books that would interest him,,,even comic books. We spent a lil time every other day reading. He loved the goose bump books so much I went and bought more. By the time summer ended and he was in grade 2,,,I asked them to test him again,,,he was at a level 3.5 a grade and half higher. I guess Im a bit like Leigh,,,there are times when Im in a huge crowd,,,and I just close everyone out around me...too over stimulated. And there are times when I am acting the total goof...I think its about comfort zone.
had a bad day at work...call centre junk. Customer had a big complaint that I knew I could handle so I did but there was more to it and so when I called the warehouse to ask for assistance,,,I thought the call went well. But an hour later I got an email from my boss saying that the warehouse person (manager) had sent a complaint about me to her boss that I had wasted her time. That I had accused her of not doing her job...which I hadn't. She admited to swearing at me... which I overlooked. Thinking the girl is under alot of stress. But **** if she takes the time to send off an email like that...well baby the gloves come off!
I sent off an email to my boss about what was said,,,yes I admited I did chat too much with her...to me I was thinking I was being sympathic to her stress.
I know this woman doesn't like me...I had made a mistake in a date back in June,,,I owned up to it,,,apologized numerus times. She sent me a nasty email in response saying if I could get my act together. I forwarded it home,,,Monte was shocked by what she sent me. I didn't tell anyone about that. Then last month she accused me of changing a date on an order I had taken,,,I hadn't. OVer the phone she made this horrible comment that it was just like me to change the date and make her job hard to do. Again I didn't tell anyone,,,except Monte.
thing is I didn't know she was still ticked off at me,,,before last month. I had talked with her a couple of times and had her laughing,,,but *shrug I guess Im the scape goat for her stress now? Im feeling kinda all stressed over this...on top of the huge book of date changes for deliveries. And making outbound calls to inform customers of when to order and to increase orders. Least favorite thing to have to do.
I got my flu shot on top of everythign else today so I feel off,,,my arm hurts. I have a headache from the Chinook... ok Im done my whine...need to get to rehearsal.

Hi Everyone!
Jane: That sounds like a yummy birthday cake. Wish him an extra happy birthday from us Jaded Ladies. I recieved your Christmas card in the mail today! It was very lovely and made my day. Thanks so much for sending it!
Angie: I hope you feel better, I hear flu shots make you feel extra icky. Do you have Emergen-C in Canada? Can you access www.1800homeopathy.com ? I buy their Luyties Severe Cold & Flu homeopathic, its like $8 for 500, and I haven't been sick with those two combined. Plus, I put garlic in EVERYTHING!
That being said, the two babies and my husband is now sick. I've been doing the euculyptis oil in the bath, and vapo rub, and garlic muellin oil in the ears to stave off ear infections (preventative from the snot running into the ear canal) but ugh. Its just that time of year I guess.
As far as the warehouse wench...I wouldn't have any advice never working that kind of work, but it sounds like she is being very unfair and very witchy. Just try to relax, or else you will get sick!

As far as dieting, I've been on Atkins to a "T". But all I've managed to excercise is 20 minutes a day. I did 400 kegals today so that must count, just not in a way you can see I suppose. lol
I haven't weighed myself. In fact, I moved the scale into the laundry room. That thing will make you nuts. So, maybe I'll weigh next month. I went 23 years without a scale, whats a month?
On the upside, I got these size 20 Lane Bryant khakis I bought two years ago that were snug then, to fit me! They are pretty darn snug (tight actually) but I bet in a month they will fit me the way they did 2 years ago. I hadn't realized I gained so much weight having babies.

I should head off. Love to all you ladies and try and have a wonderful day!

EM

Em,,,
I use an oil called Obla Oil...with my oldest son being Asthmatic we were told when first diagnosed to not use cold suppresents. So I used alot of vapo rubs,,and then our chiropractic told us of this oil. Great stuff. One thing I miss about Sylvan Lake is that it has a steam bath. Really cool place...all these lil private rooms. And you can get them to give you any scented oil...to give you medical or well *wink mood setting. I always had the medical...lol I remember once my mom and I were both sick,,,so there we were in bathing suits,,in a bathroom size room. They had used a few drops on the pipes and when the steam came ...ahhh can you say relief? I believe it was eucalips(sp)
I know the thing about babies,,,ear infections,,,and watch their eyes...cause well as you mentioned snot does travel.
well Im off to work...feet dragging.

Hello ladies and a very Happy Friday!

It's still a cold one today! Supposed to get up to a whopping 32! Woohoo...actually that is a lot better than yesterday so it is warm!

MARTI~sorry you weren't able to get pictures of Jhanai at her program, bummer. You need to get a camera like V has, it has those big stinking lens and with the right film and the flash you can take pictures in the dark. He took it with us to GA but didn't take the super big lens' but the one he did take we still managed to get close enough. Wouldn't have been able to with my little camera and it does have a zoom for close-ups. The thing is super heavy though. Anyway, glad you enjoyed her program. And the furnace is fixed, I was a little worried though when they said they were swamped!

JANE~glad you made it home safely. We did get the snow but it wasn't bad. It was powdery and was blowing everywhere. They keep the main roads pretty clear but still ice forms in certain places. I can deal with the snow it's after tha makes me nervous, when it starts melting and then it freezes, and melts then freezes. My parents hit black ice once and came so very close to going over a cliff so this icy conditions really scare me. So be careful out there. that old (125 yr. old) house we moved from was cold also. V put plastic on some of the windows (there were so many!) it helped a little but it was still cold. And that furnace was running all the time! Neals BD cake sounds De-lic-ous! Hope he has a wonderful day and tell him HAPPY BIRTHDAY! When does Katie go to Disney World? Can't remember if you mentioned it or not.

ANGIE~2 of my brothers also were in the Army, my niece's DH is in the reserves and just got back from Iraq about a month ago. Also, a cousin is in the Army, him and his wife, that's where they met. He was over in Iraq for a while, both for the war and then working. They are both in Hawaii now and lovin' it! I have an Uncle who retired from the Airforce and then a nephew who was in the Airforce also. I don't mind Josh being in the Army and totally understand where he's coming from but I do worry more with him being there, especially that he might actually have to go to war. Hey, that's exactly what I did with the oven! When I got out of bed yesterday it was freezing so I was doing all kinds of stuff to stay warm. How did Tanner's audition go? Hope he gets it Sorry about the girl at work and I hope your headache is better.

KATY~I think most kids have quirks. Both Josh & Carrie had to see a speech therapist, until about 3rd or 4th grade. Funny, they both had the same little quirks-guess it was because they spent so much time together. But I know it comforting knowing that Leigh is fine medically and that is a big relief. I never sweated the big stuff with the kids but others seemed to try and make a mountain out of a moehill. They grew up just fine, or I think they did anyway. Did you get your house cleaned and the kids winter clothing worked out? How's the construction coming? Are you seeing a light at the end of the tunnel?

JULES~sometimes the inches (looser clothes) are a better indicator than the pounds. I know I haven't lost much in the way of pounds but what I have lost feels good and I notice a big difference in the way my clothes fit and that's big thing for me. I have to feel like I am losing so that I don't give up and quit-I get frustrated too easily when I don't at least feel the results. December/the holidays are hard! I am mainly focusing on maintaining until after they are over and done with! And believe me...maintaining is about as hard as losing! See my post to Angie...we have quite a few family members who is/was in the service. I too have the neck problems and my doc seems to think my neck may be the problem to my arms hurting. I was supposed to have extensive x-rays taken of my neck and spine this past Tuesday but they were cancelled for some reason so now I have to wait until January. I will just be happy to ge tto the bottom of all this pain once and for all. When I did go to the chiro it really helped though, not so much with the arm pain but with my neck and headaches. Plus it felt good being popped and massaged!

MARYKATE~ask and ye shall receive! I saw a thread at the top of the page that asked for more Christmas smilies, came back the next day and viola-new smilies! They are cute aren't they? Glad you decided to go to another doc. I think him telling you it was the other arm was a BIG red flag! I too would have gone to someone else. My dad had surgery on his wrist years ago. Can't remember what exactly, it was work related and then did operate on the wrong arm! Anyway, glad you went elsewhere and will be having the surgery and your wrists will be better after.

EM~I think I would die if I didn't/couldn't weigh myself at least once a week! Sometimes I get on the scales too much but that is to ensure that I don't start going back up again. I did try not weighing for a month before and I was having withdrawals!

Hi to everyone else

Not much on the agenda for today. Sticking around the house straightening and on the 'puter for a while. I missed not being on here yesterday. Isn't that terrible? When we firs tbought one a few years ago the kids were the only ones on it. They talked me into trying it out and now I can't stay away! Anyway, take care ladies, stay warm and have a GREAT day!

Hi Girls!!

Just a quick post for the moment as I have to get some things done before work. I have a meeting w/the Reference department tonight and we're suppose to have pizza during the meeting........we just had pizza in the dept a day or so ago......too much of a good thing. But I"m sure I'll eat some just the same!

It's Friday and I'm so happy about that!! I've got some plans for Christmas Shopping this weekend!! I'm hoping to get most of it done this weekend and wrapped by the next time Jhanai is over! (hehheh...yeah right, I should be so lucky)

I will catch up on individuals after work if I'm not too tired!!

Hugs!

Good Evening -

La la

Trust me, I wrote notes as I read over the past week. I am single minded though and will revert back to just chatting about myself.

Me,Me,Me

Connie- LOVE about the children hammering, can just imagine how cute that was. I don't think 21/28 is a huge gap. My ex and I were 30 years apart / we did have some good years. Though not many - lol

Wow Angie I have known you for 5 years and have never heard that you played the clarinet???? The lady co worker sounds horrid and I hope you don't get suckered in to her crap. She sounds stupid - maybe my assistant and her are related??? lol who btw is still working on her stress claim.......

Jhanai sounds cute in her program at school Marti. I remember when I went to the Catholic school in Astoria to watch Rach & Beck in their school programs, always sooooooooo cute.

Hi Ma Jane!!! Thanks for the XMAS card and a VERY Happy Birthday to Neal.

Hi Sis Cristi!!! Thank you sooooooo much for the postcards and XMAS card, very sweet of you.

Hi Jules, Julie and Jewels.......btw Jewel I am in Portland too!! Scary huh?? lol I live in the SW area. Welcome!!

My co worker was taken to the hospital w/ a brain aneurysm. He had brain surgery today. I haven't seen him but he seems to be doing ok. His sister has come from Montana and has kept me updated - like a girlfriend - lol. Feel kind of funny on that but he is a very nice man and has a lovely smile. Even before his surgery he smiled and joked.

Better get Gaby home. I have been FREEZING!!!! Our company had its holiday dinner/awards today and the food was GREAT - at a Double Tree hotel. It was so yummy- did I say it was good?? Did I say I had 2 desserts??? Remember Ma Jane OP is overated!!

k- chow!

Hiya ladies,

Angie - ok, no more of this "rhymes with witchy" stuff. That woman at your work is a total *****, and I got mad just reading what all she's done to you. Hope you're documenting everything she's done/doing against policy and maybe sooner or later she'll trip herself up. Thing is, women like that are wily and tend to land on their feet. On a different note, sorry your arm hurts, but I'm glad you had your flu shot.

EM - I try to do kegals when I think about it. Tend to loose a little when I sneeze, lol. YAY for the khakis you can now get on, even if they are a little snug. Before you know it, they'll be too loose.

Cristi - we miss you when you aren't here, too. Katie's check-in date at WDW is 1/9/06. Neal and I will be flying down with her the day before and plan to spend some time at Downtown Disney. The next day, we'll help her move into her apartment as soon as it's assigned, then we'll leave her to her meetings, etc. Neal and I plan to go to our favorite theme park, Disney MGM studios, then head home the next day. Without our baby, boo hoo.

Marti - I've been craving pizza like crazy so I hope you had a slice in my name, lol.

Neal says THANK YOU for the birthday wishes. The kids and DGDs came for cake and ice cream earlier this evening, and we had a lot of fun. Tomorrow is his actual birthday, so we'll be having his b/d dinner at noon. Just him, Katie and me.

Tomorrow evening is my family Christmas party with my sisters, etc. I hope to at least maintain my weight over the holidays. Where oh where is the resolve I had last Christmas??

Anyway, have a good weekend, and I'll see you later.

Not sure I'll be able to check in tomorrow, so I'll say it now:

Happy Birthday, Michelle!!

Hope you have a marvelous day.

Susan - I lost my whole post and had to start over, and in the meantime, you posted. So sorry about your coworker, but actually he is so lucky they caught it in time. Yes, my dear, "OP" sounds so boring right now, but will we be in tears in January, lol. Take care, and go warm up.

Thankyou for the birthday wishes......my feet are rejecting me and i'am going to go lay down.....I hurt all over ......yeah its the weekend!!!1 god bless you all.........Merry christmas happy holidays......etc...

Good evening ladies,

Jane,,,you and the others know just how to make me feel better...I came home talked with Monte,,,close to tears then came here and well posted my problems had a couple of tears then felt so much better,,I swear I don't know what I would without all you guys.
I hope to one day go to WDW.
Cristi,,,On my fathers side there has been a person enlisted each generation. My dad was disappointed that my brother Arden didn't join. Funny thing was he didn't like that I was a cadet..worried I would join,,,which I had intended.
Anyways,,there's documentation of a family member in most of the wars.
Michelle,,,sweetie,,,I feel for you. The one thing I learned about sore feet,,,soak,,,soak and soak. Trick is to go back and forth between hot and cold.
Susan,,,yikes hope your co worker is ok. Is he the one that brings you sandwiches all the time...the one I think has a crush on you?
Yes Susan I played clarinet from grade 5-9 then played drums till half way through grade 11. Ive always wanted to learn to play violin,,,guitar and piano. Ive done alot of things in my life,,pretty much anything I could to stay away from home....ask me and Ive probably tried to or have done it...lol

Marti,,,Im with you girl! Weekend WAHOOOO!
Work was great today,,,my boss, teased me alot about what a hag the other woman is...so I know she knows that shes well a hag.
Took Brandon for a dental checkup..he had his teeth cleaned last week but had to actually see the dentist tonight...hes from our hometown and owns part of a office here and spends every second weekend working. Hence the late Friday night checkup. Love this dentist....and I better next Sunday I go for a rootcanal. Im getting stressed,,,which he knows..he gave me a prescription for something,,,said to take only 1,,possibly 2. hmmm Ill take 2. It dissolves under my tongue. I asked him how I would be,,,he said like I drank a 6 pk of beer...hmmm nope don't think I want it then if Im going to be on my knees sick in the bathroom...lol he laughed said Id be all looped out...cool I like looping...lol
Nothing on the commerical...so I would say he didn't get it.

I love the Christmas cards Cristi and Jane...thank you! Mine will be sent out this weekend.
Im avoiding the tv..Tanner is watching Return to Salem's Lot,,,says its a comedy..not likely. nothing is funny about it but the acting.
night all

Michelle,,,Happy Birthday!

Good morning ladies!

First of all, HAPPY BIRTHDAY MICHELLE!!!

Also to Jewell! Hope you like it here.

Our weather is horrible right now. Thurs. nite I had to work late and our snowstorm started about 4 pm. I was able to go 10mph all the way home (aboutr 14 mi.) If I got up to 15 mph I started to swerve and slip. I should have stayed in town at my Mom's house but by the time I realized how bad it was I couldn't find a place to turn around! You couldn't see where any driveways were plus they were drifted over so I would have gotten stuck. So I just kept going forward. The wind was bad and the windshield kept icing over. On Fri. our driveway was so drifted and our road hadn't been cleared so I called into work and took a vacation day. No way was I getting back out! I've driven in some bad weather before but that was the worst! Since Chloe's pre-school was closed I took care of her all day. We are supposed to get more snow either tonight or tomorrow. We got 10 in. plus the drifting.

DS & girlfriend will be here this evening until Mon. afternoon. So I'm cleaning, finishing the decorating and trying to figure out meals. Don't know if I will get any cookies baked or not. He says the relationship is starting to get serious. He was married for 5 years and hurt so bad, I hope this girl is nice. (He's been divorced for almost 2 years.) Keep your fingers crossed!

The breakfast for my office was really nice. The boss really loosens up and has a good sense of humor. Had nice gifts for everyone and since it was my work anniversary I received a nice gift certificate for our local mall.

Back to cleaning.

Connie

Michelle --Happy Birthday!! Hope there is something special planned for you

Angie--Had a similar situation--I am the supervisor of our small entry/call center area and there was a director above all--He had a reputation for favoritism to the cute, skinny, damsel in distress, bat your eyes so you can get away with not doing your job type. As supervisor it was my job to train and correct, I have been in supervision for over 15 years and I have never had a situation like this one. The director also has close ties with the family that she married into. This girl slammed things around after getting off phone calls with those who didn't accept her answer to their questions and even got rude on the phone a few times & we would all have to pitch in to help finish her work. I tried to address it but things didn't change, she even went as far to tell me that her last supervisor addressed the same problems with her and that she felt the supervisor was picking on her due to her religious beliefs. Finally got a meeting with the director, this girl and myself to address the problems on a Monday morning, he was willing to talk to her and was on my side. Imagine my surprise when over the weekend she shot an email to him that she felt that I was being unfair to her and that she was going to quit. The meeting was a disaster and after she was excused I was told that I needed to be nicer to her because she was "fragile"!! Two people quit because of the situation and a temper tantrum where she was very rude on the phone with a customer and then made some very derogatory statements about people who can't speak English was ignored by the director, I finally asked to be transferred. There was some big changes in the company due to downsizing and a few VP being changed. The director has another position where he isn't over anyone--the girl was moved to a different position in another area where she is not on the phone. She has another boss that likes the bat your eyes so you can get away with murder worker, but I don't have to deal with her. There are people working with her that have made the same comments that I did in the beginning about her shortcomings and have come to me with the same concerns that I had, but are told that her new boss thinks that it will just take some time since she is in "training"

Marti--we used to give the kids disposable cameras at their concerts/programs and had them take candid shots of themselves and all the friends in the back getting ready and at the socials afterwards.

EM-awesome about the khakis, my first goal is a pair of Levis that I wore before the weight gain after my motrcycle accident and then the next is a long jean skirt that I have kept for some reason through many Goodwill giveaways of clothes that don't fit anymore

Cristi--yea for heat and warranties--you got my mouth watering at the thought of how great your house must have smelled with all that baking going on

Jane--added my signature per your request. I think empty nesters go through the opposite of the nesting you get during pregnancy. I find myself downsizing and really evaluating any new purchases

Katy--my chiro is wonderful, he is kind of seems backwoods at first but he is very intelligent and does a lot of reserch into homopathic remedies -- ask your chiro about that arm muscle-mine worked on it with the same procedures that he did when he works on my neck and shoulders with the exception of an actual manipulation

Susan-I hope your coworker is okay, seems like a really nice guy

Connie - Hope everything works out for your DS--my DS has been dating a girl on and off since high school with a few real "winners" in between, his sister and I have always thought she would eventually be the one he would settle down with, she is so good for him--he told me a few weeks ago that they are "officially" back together and he wants to get her a piece of jewelry for Christmas, but not a ring--he is still a little young and commitment phobic but this is a big step for him--my DD is spending her first Christmas without her boyfriend of two years who just became her husband, they took the step of going to the courthouse and getting married a week after she turned eighteen this past summer against her fathers wishes, I liked the guy and he had always treated her good though I had my reservations on the marriage--then three months after they got married, he decided that he didn't love her and wanted out. She just started college and was devasted to say the least--he moved back to the Phildelphia area with his Dad and they are supposed to be sending the divorce papers for her to sign any week now.

On to happier stuff:
DS wanted a record player of all things for Xmas-- I got it for him and have ordered a few LPs, he has a quirky sense of humor so I think I will hunt up my old 45's and give him Ray Stevens old "the Streak"--he loves flea markets and has run across many LP from the past, I am waiting for him to ask for my Led Zeppelin, Lynyrd Skynyrd and CCR collections. He also loves Jim Croce
DD just wants a mom/daughter day like we do for her birthday every year--manicure/pedicure/massage and lunch at a nice restaurant --she needs to be pampered right now.

One of my weaknesses is cookies--I hope I can control myself while baking this season!!

Hello to anyone I missed...still new at this...