Back again. I have been so good today..OP. AND I got lots and lots of exercise. I helped DH on the barn for 4 hours. Unloaded and carried lumber, climbed up and down a ladder, lifted and held wood over my head for DH to nail. I imagine ever muscle in my body will ache tomorrow. I came home and walked 2.5 miles.
I made homemade chicken salad for lunch and ate it on wheat bread. For dinner I cooked a pork roast, potatoes and cabbage. I ate one piece of meat and some cabbage. I had watermelon for lunch and for a snack in the afternoon. Kept up with my liquids and feel pretty good.
I am already looking forward to Fri. That is going to be my day for dessert...strawberry shortcake. I can use the low fat Cool Whip and a small piece of angel food cake and it won't be too bad. I just know me...I need something to look forward to.

Robin- Even though I am close to MI I have never been up to Mackinaw. I would love to though. When I was young I would go to MI with my grandpa/grandma to fish.

Michelle- I can't believe you are getting such hot weather and we are unseasonably cool. I don't care for the 90's. That is the reason we don't stay in Las Vegas in the summer. 119 degrees, no thank you! It did clear up today and we finally had a little sunshine.

Cristina- Hello, good to see you. I'm glad you like the vanities. That walnut was actually from a neighbor's tree and we had it kiln dried 3 years ago. It is the most beautiful wood, but it is almost gone. DH has done several projects from that tree.

Jane- Thank you! A bit about my DDs. One is 5'8" and one barely 5'2". Of course one blond, one reddish brown. No one ever picks them out as sisters...untill you get to know them. They are alot alike and like me and we are all like Mom The three of us can almost finish each others sentences. We seem to know what the other is thinking. One DD, myself and my Mom all ended up with identical reading glasses last year when we went for new ones...and none of us had seen the others. (key the Twilight Zone music please)

Katie- Hope you get to go back to work soon. Glad you like the furniture. Yes, with DH giving pieces to most of the family I think it will be things that get handed down. He even brands his name on the pieces so years from now people will know where they came from.

Marti- Today DH did great with his eating also. It is nice to have him eating like I am trying to. He has a "gravy" habit though so I wonder how long he can stay away from it. Ummm..and he loves ice cream. I just hope I can think of enough good things to fix to keep him interested. Do I remember right that you have a Chrysler 300? I was thinking that anyway. DD's new husband just bought her one and she loves it. Her first big car in many years.

Jules- Think you will have to get in line with your furniture order...haha. DD was on the phone tonight telling me that she wants some more homemade furniture. I had to laugh because she is in CA and hard to get anything to. I agree with you about David Caruso...he just creeps me out too.

Angie- I am glad you could see the pictures. I don't know where I came up with that link that didn't work. Add me to the list of people enjoying your blog. I wish I had started one with pictures and the saga of our house building. My DD in CA has a blog and posts pictures of my DGS. Keeps us in touch. It is just a great idea.

I know there are more ladies here and I am sory if I miss any. Kathy, Katy, "hi" and to anyone else I might have missed.

I am off to bed..pooped out tonight.

Morning everyone!

Sue -- that is funny! My DDs are blond & red headed as well! Oh are they opposites! little stinkpots! My Grandpa has a wood work shop too and also brands his name on his works. It is truly amazing how talented he is. I have many things that he has made special for me that I will pass on to my girls someday (if I can ever part with them).

Marti -- 91!!!! I wish! we can't get past 60 here with this darn rain - we are pretty excited right now, the sun is actually out. Almost forgot what that looked like. We have to enjoy it now, we get storms again tonight.

Oh -- Mackinaw City & Mackinac Island are fabulous places! If you camp, I recommend the Straits St. Park.

Here are some links (these are for the trip next week with the 4th graders):

http://www.mackinawcity.com/
http://www.mackinacisland.org/
http://www.soolocks.com/index.phtml

I have been to these many times but we travel and camp alot.

Katie -- how are you feeling? That is awesome you still get paid for being home, not too many employers do that. I am lucky that way too, working for the University has a lot of nice perks to it.

Cristina -- what is the name of the touchless carwash you went too? I tried one at a Shell station before and maybe it was just them, but it missed a lot of spots. Of course maybe it was because my truck is huge?

Have a fabulous day!

Good morning, ladies!

This has to be quick - I've got so much to do today!

Cristi - my van is still messy, but I just haven't had time to clean it out yet. Neal washes it, but I clean it inside. There's just so much to do!

Robin - I've seen pictures of Mackinaw Island - we have vacation/visitor info for the states nearby. I'd love to visit there! Neal used to go fishing at Houghton Lake every year, and we will go next June, he says. Is that near you?

Kim - I miss you.... hope all is ok.

Michelle - aww, thanks for the kind words.

Sue - are you sore today? I just unloaded 15 16x16 stepping stones from Neal's truck to the ground. Another 15 are still on the truck, lol. They weight about 15 pounds each! We have fresh strawberries here, too. YUM! The DGDs eat them right out of the patch. So do I, lol.

Katie - how are you doing today?

Marti - we have touchless car washes here, too. Yep, it feels good to be back in control. We can do this! Well, at least James cooks. The only thing Neal makes is pancakes, and that's not something I want around here, lol. He used to make chili, so maybe I can talk him into making a pot of that before the weather gets too hot.

Angie - good morning!

It's rainy this morning, so I'm going to go get the bathrooms cleaned and dust the house. It's supposed to be nice outside, later, and I've got more flowers to plant when it is.

I'll be back later if I have time.

Quickie for me too!!

Jane--Moving Greys Anatomy in Fall at the time slot against CSI-Vegas. I only watch three shows on a regular basis- those two and Cold Case. I think Meredith will eventually end up with Derrick but like most shows the reason people watch is the chase and once they are together interest sometimes is lost. Living in the woods and having two large dogs I can relate to the dust & dirt!!

Marti--send some of that warmth & sun here. Though I kind of like having spring temps--these last few years we have gone straight from snowy cold winters to hot humid stick summer with one week of spring in between.

Kimberly--I am going to be signing up for a kitting course at Y2Knit in Funkstown in June. For everyone else their website is www.y2knit.net if you want to check it out.

Sue--what state do you live in--I am thinking it's AZ--we are suppossed to eventually make our way to Phoenix to see hubby's cousins (maybe this fall-nothing definite yet)

Robin--my most memorable trip was with DD's group in 4th grade to the Baltimore Aquarium--two of the little girls had a crush on a little boy in another group and it was interesting to try and keep them all together. TheQuickie for me too!!

Jane--Moving Greys Anatomy in Fall at the time slot against CSI-Vegas. I only watch three shows on a regular basis- those two and Cold Case. I think Meredith will eventually end up with Derrick but like most shows the reason people watch is the chase and once they are together interest sometimes is lost. Living in the woods and having two large dogs I can relate to the dust & dirt!!

Marti--send some of that warmth & sun here. Though I kind of like having spring temps--these last few years we have gone straight from snowy cold winters to hot humid stick summer with one week of spring in between.

Kimberly--I am going to be signing up for a kitting course at Y2Knit in Funkstown in June. For everyone else their website is www.y2knit.net if you want to check it out.

Sue--what state do you live in--I am thinking it's AZ--we are suppossed to eventually make our way to Phoenix to see hubby's cousins (maybe this fall-nothing definite yet) group was my DD, two other girls and two boys (with one of the boys being terrified of escalators!) DH went one year with DD to Baltimore Harbor and he had four rowdy boys and DD and her best friends. The teacher couldn't believe how well they behaved with him and wanted him to come back for every trip. DH is 6'2' and has tattoos what more could a rowdy boy want!!

Katie--hope your arm gets well soon. I would think they would find stuff for you to do too...Do they have the arm rest that attach to the desk--they help one of the workers here with painful tendonitis.

Angelia--come out,come out whereever you are!! I need to hear more about you BFL modifications when you don't have all the equipment.

Michelle ma belle-- morning to you!!

Hi Cristina--and to anyone else!

Back before I run to lunch


Jane - Houghton Lake is up north from me by about 1.5 hours. I live in Holt.

Jules -- I used to live in BALTIMORE!! I love that aquarium.

Don't you hate it when you find something you want and you cannot for the life of you find it anywhere? I mean I have looked EVERYWHERE, totally exhausted online & the phones at all Disneys LOL. I want this backpack & I can't find it It is driving me

Just in case you have seen one LOL: http://disneyshopping.go.com/DSSecti...776_PRVRV1_IMG

Ok back in a bit

Mine will be a quicky also! I have to post in the Pointer Sistas.... And get myself going this morning.

Robin--The place you're going to looks fabulous! Now is this trip for the 4th graders something they're doing for the end of the school year thing? They're going to have so much fun.

Jane--I suppose I shouldn't complain too much about the splatter of food all over my kitchen. He does make great food. I need to go shopping before work so I can get some kind of lunch for work! In control......hoping it will stay that way!

Jules--I'd prefer Spring weather over this. Since I go to work at noon, I spend my day in A/C rooms. But coming home to a hot and stuffy home!! Ugh! I'll do my best to send some of this heat your way!

Ok....I need more info here as I'm confused. Is a touchless car wash a drive through?? Where you just sit in the car and drive through this thing that washes it?? If so.....we have that around here.

Gotta get moving. Kitchen cleaned first, then gazelle and then I need to plan my meals.

Have a great day ladies!

Good Morning Jules and Jane! Hope you're both having a good day. It's quite cool here this morning to the point that I've been cold. It's supposed to get up to 87F today. Have a great Wednesday and try to relax a little and have some time for yourselves! You're both doing so good being OP!

Robin--DS wants to go to the Edgar Allen Poe house. DD's new friend that she just met this school year at Shepherd only lives two blocks from it so one weekend they are all going down and DD's friend will take them to all kinds of neat places--the joke is that DS and DD's friend (art major) will hit the museums while DD & DS's girlfriend go shopping...DS says they are eating lunch at Hooters with him sitting with the three girls!!

marti-I like Spring weather too--we could just use some sun!! It's been upper 60's and low 70's but mostly cloudy even on the days it hasn't rained.

michelle ma belle--I think I'm following you......

Hi All -- back from WI -- drats nothing lost (today anyhow phooey)

Marti -- Yep it is the 4th grade annual trip they go there every year as part of their Michigan history course. Should be fun really (except for the lime green hats and the fact they are calling for rain UGH!) Apparently I will be in charge of 5 kids, so I won't be bored!

Jules -- LMAO -- ok when I was 18, I was a Hooter girl in Ft. Myers. Mind you that was 18 years ago and I have since been married, pigged out & had 2 kids - here I am. My girlfriend and I thought it would be fun to open up a After Hooter's restaurant so the men that drool all over the floor can see what we look like about 20 years later LOL.


I wonder if I am exercising too much - granted gaining muscle is good but with not loosing like I want. It is a toss up -- toning is good I was just hoping to see it on the scale is all. (if you wonder: I do my bowflex & tummy tape one morning followed by 18 flights of stairs and a 1 mile brisk walk -- I spread this throughout the day due to time restraints. On the opposite day, I do weights & the tape (dang tummy is STILL there! after 2 months straight workouts) stairs and the walk - if it rains I do more stairs.)
I see it coming off everywhere but that tummy & I just don't ever see me doing the tuck thing 1. because it is surgery with lots of healing time and 2. the $$$ and 3. the $$$. Did I mention the $$$ ?

Hello ladies...

Sorry I don;t have time to do individuals, so much to do and already had a busy day. Josh is coming home Friday night and trying to get things ready. That and we painted our bderoom over mother's day and still haven't gotten that put back in order. Had to get a different comforter set because the one was UGLY to say the least!

ROBIN...think you asked what the car wash is called. For th elife of me I can't think of it. It's just around the corner and next time I go that way I will look. This one works GREAT! I used to go to the car wash that you get out an dod yourself and the funny thing...it worked and always got my mini-van clean. The first time I went to do my Santa Fe I left with a dirty car. It was the weirdest thing. So I was a little hesitant to try the touchless because I just knew it wouldn't work. Well, it did and have been going there since.

MARTI...the touchless car wash...I drive through and stop in the middle of it. The water just goes around the whole car, there's no brushes or anything touching it. Just the water spraying on it. There are four different washes and prices. I usually get the $7.50 one because it has the wax rinse and the dryer. Of course at that price I don't do it often, sometimes twice a month depending on the weather.

JANE...I just cleaned mine Saturday morning, inside and out. I've been cleaning the inside more since V bought me this hand held vac. Doesn't work as good as the big vac but it does work and is a lot easier to use.

Again, HI to everyone else. Will try to post more tomorrow. Won't be as busy tomorrow as today. Take care and have a good day ladies!

Hi ladies,

Julie - so what day are they moving Grey's Anatomy to? I like it just fine on
Sunday's, but they didn't ask me, lol.

Robin - wow, that's a nice backpack. I've seen a lot of Disney merchandise in the past few months, but didn't notice that. Katie can talk like Mickey, and she's been cracking me up with it. About your tummy, just give it time, and it will go down, hon.

Marti - I'm hoping Katie will do some of the cooking now that she's back, depending on what her hours are when she gets a job. She hasn't applied anywhere yet, but wants full time this summer.

Michelle - hope you warmed up today. It's been sort of cool here, and breezy. Before long we'll be complaining of the heat, lol.

Cristina - YAY for Josh coming home. How long is his leave?

Angie - where oh where art thou?

Yikes, I've worked hard today and am ready to hit the tub for a good soak. We got a lot done in the yard, though, and it's looking better all the time. At least we have some grass now, lol.

Have a good evening, and I'll chat with you tomorrow.

Jane ~ I heard on tv today that Grey's Anatomy is moving to Thursday nights; I've never watched this show before. It sure did warm up her today; too warm again! It's supposed to start cooling down tomorrow, YES! Have a good evening!

Jane --they didn't ask me either--the unfairness of it all--Thursday nights the same time as CSI-Vegas...how am I suppossed to watch two of the three shows at the same time--DH likes CSI but not Grey's--I guess I will have to be recorded it to watch as soon as it is over--but some nights I do watch Without a Trace but not every week.

Robin--I have to go back to the mall tomoorrow and pick up another ticket at ticketmaster for the kids so I will take the picture and ask at the Disney store for you..--Kids are going to see DC101's Chilli Cookoff--several bands they like in the lineup this year.

Cristina--what color did you end up painting the bedroom?

Michelle ma belle--your ever changing avatar is always the cutest!!

Good night ladies!!

Good morning ladies, it is 12:01 by my clock so that technically is morning, lol!

Was up waiting for Jason to get home but took a benedryl for a sinus headache and it is starting to work...never used to knock me out but now.

JANE...Josh will be home for 2 short weeks. Funny, the guy three houses down is over in Iraq and just went back last Saturday. He was home for two weeks too, two very short weeks. He didn't want to go back. Bet Katie is lving being home.

JULES...okay, what station/network is Grey's Anatomy on? And if it is going to be on Thursday what the heck show is it going to take it's place? They changed schedules before and I used to watch My Name is Earl and The Office on Tuesday and then they switched it to Thursday. Which was the time that I watched The OC, at 7 on Fox. Then I watched CSI (the vegas one) at 8 on Thursday. Now...My Name is Earl & The Office took precendence (sp? it's late) over the others. I HATE, HATE, HATE when they go changing the days and times of shows! The bedroom is a sage green. I like it but it has a totally different feel from the blue stripes. Once it's all together I will share before and after pics.

Well, ladies guess I'll get going. Feeling really sleepy. Good night!