LOL! MEL!! It WAS a good anniversary!! Just not very romantic. We make up for that ..um... in private LOL!!

It feels like it has been a long week, but I'll bet the weekend goes fast enough. Lots to do, looking for the golden rose, sanding, gym, paint, garden, pussycat time etc. etc. Pussy cat time because the little she devil is grumpy. She will be groomed and clipped and have those #$*&% claws clipped this weekend. There is fur from one end of the house to the other. She is shedding the fur coat. Spring must be coming. Yeeeeeyabbadabbadooooooooo

Went to see SIL last night. She is looking pretty perky considering, but not moving too much I notice. She says that she won't be overdoing it when she comes home as it is so painful to move. Gotta get the blood right first though and that seems to be taking its time. Yep you are right MEL - heparin. One good thing about her being off the heparin is that she doesn't look like she has done 5 rounds with Mike Tyson anymore - you talk about a pale Yank Mel, she's a pale German Australian. It's probably air quality that is affecting you so badly. Nice clean air, that's what this world needs. We're not too bad over here although there are days and days. Bris is not as bad as Sydney - but then nothing is as bad as Sydney. Nothing compares to Sydney as the ad goes - well no, who wants to be that bad?

Last night seemed to be my night on the phone. DS1 rang to test out his new bluetooth earpiece wireless gizmo which is adapted so he can talk on the computer. What a schemozzle. He sounded like a 93 year old on speed. When he did his walkabout thing the darn thing kept cutting out and I had to wait for him to get back in range. Apparently the radio waves or whatever don't like concrete block walls - or ancient sandstone block walls for that matter either. All technological advances are not good. Come to that they are not all advances either. Then I had a call from the lady who taught me all I know about training, documenting, teaching etc. Was great to hear from her too. She is presently working at the Olympic Dam in outback South Australia and really looking forward to coming home tonight for a break. Then I tried to get hold of the niece for Saturday night football attendance numbers (ie does she want to come and watch the gameor is she celebrating her brithday which is the following day - sweet sixteen). Following that I tried to ring Chris in Japan. For the second night in a row I got the answerphone. This is a bit worrying although she may be away with speech competition or something. I don't want to book this week to Japan without consultation in case she has to go somewhere or do something while I am there. Cowardly Shad - can't speak the language, worried about getting lost ha ha. Silly Shad, it's a hilly country, you can't get lost, you either go up or you go down. If you go up, then you must then come down again - ergo how can you get lost? Shad logic =

Right, class in half an hour. Better go sort out the trainer (new trainer - from the business. I'm only observing).

Hi chicks
Mel --- This is my rest day also, but I did drive up to Blytheville to their new Lowe's store and bought myself one of those ionic breezes which is suppose to clean the air. It's supposed to help with the allergies. Tomorrow is errand day which is mainly for car tags, bank and another trip to the doctor. I know the thyroid test was lower than last time (his Nurse called to find out which drug store I used) but need to find out the results of the cholesterol test. Allergies are alot better but I want to see if he will give me an rx for Singulair. That's probably spelled wrong.

Holly--Happy belated anniversary. Have you done those 25 crunches for today?

Weighed in this morning at 180 pounds. Think I finally have hit on something that is working for me. Birthday number 55 is Saturday so I'm starting at that point to loose 50 pounds by this time next year. I will then be where I function the best.

I can already tell a difference in this ionic breeze. The bed room smells fresh.

Have a good day.

Oh boy - yawn, stretch - one more work day to get through and then it's the WEEKEND! Sure could have slept in one more hour today. Stayed up a little too late listening to music.

My house is pretty clean so I think I will spend the weekend going through some packing boxes in the garage. Before I know it, the fall rains will come and our garage has open brick "lattice" work on one wall so it can get kind of damp in there. Not the ideal place for storing things other than those things that are metal with wheels on them. There's enough to keep me occupied. Should swap out with the new computer too - DH is pestering me...

Good going on the weight loss Ceejay. Happy early birthday for Saturday, will give you a proper greeting tomorrow. Shad if you are going to Tokyo will have to hook you up with Red Balloon on the forums - she lives in Tokyo and would help you with the language but being with Chris would be no doubt better.

Oh oh, can't page back to respond to others. Just as well, time to get rolling on the day, the sooner I get to work, the sooner I can leave. Will be back later to properly post. Have a good one today.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CEEJAY!!!

I HOPE YOU HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND BIRTHDAY! ENJOY!!!





I'll have to catch up with everyone over the weekend. Been pretty hectic here this week but I should get another check next month! Have a great weekend:MOPED:

Treat yourself to something special Ceejay!!
Happy Birthday!!!


Yesterday was chaotic ALL day! I had 8 kids and my son and another boy were just wild.
I spent about 2 hours on the computer doing church stuff.
I got a call from a friend who wanted me to take on her son for babysitting. I agreed. I know I said no more kids BUT he is in the same class as DD and the other 2 5 year olds and my biggest concern with back to school is that DS wont have anyone to play with here after school. This little guy and DS play well. I like his parents. If it doesn’t work, it doesn’t work. 2 of my boys dont come all winter when there is no farming to do.
DH was home today. LOL. Um, like, finish the bathroom!!!! Nope.
We had a BBQ for the Gala days committee last night. It was enjoyable. There were pony rides for the kids. I ate a bunch of desserts. I love country folk and home baked goodies. Back on the saddle today.
Tomorrow ...friends are camping at the lake all weekend and the kids and I are going for the day as a last summer fling.

AND!!! I received a $100 bonus for high sales on my leadership team!!!!
Woohoo.

The kids and I went dollar store and walmart shopping for craft stuff.I picked up odds and ends for the house.

Sam's club also gave me a 6 month free member ship to try them out.

Hugs you everyone. I might have more time to chat on Sunday. You really brighten my days!!

I know where in the world have I been keeping myself. Lots of catching up to do with this chatty lot. I can't believe how the summer is almost gone.

Since my bday in June I have been MIA..... I had severe car problems on my vacation and am still dealing with some of it. My sweet neice threw us all for a loop witha secret life that surfaced....thank the good Lord she has been found out! Still not sure how to deal with all of that yet!

I got a new puppy in my life.... a darling male yorkie maltese mix that is so adorable you would all just love.

When is the great day of arrival for our Linus and Bump! I hope you are feeling well and rested for the big event.

Mel so glad to hear your insurance and hospital bills will be taken care of. Hope you are able to get some good well deserved rest now.

Shad off to Italy is that right? Oh geez take us all with you!

Ceejay a Happy Belated Birthday to you..... I hope the allergies are subsiding with the new air cleaner.

Tig running a race with a cane and unable to see???? You are amazing.

Teel.... so glad you found a new place to worship closer to you. I have been going to an Episcopal Church with a female minister who is fabulous....though my brother is sure that will damn me for sure!!!!!!

Happy I am so jealous you have a pool in your yard although I do have my own pond to swim in tooo. Your yard sounds like it is coming together.

Holly, you sound busier than ever. I am so glad you are there to take care of those children. You seem exactly like the perfect mom to be a child caregiver. I so appreciated the lady who watched my boys. I am thrilled you are also having a whole new career for yourself congrats!

Have I missed anyone..... if I have I apologize and please forgive my long absence this summer. I am even trying to get back on the weight loss wagon..... I have to be a bridesmaid next weekend for my girlfriend in MT. I finally found a dress to wear...ugh what a job! Also my friend that I went to Australia to see twice passed away on Saturday....so hard to believe he is gone from this world so soon! At least he is at Peace.

You ladies are just the best and thanks for always being here is comfort and cheer for each other. I will be back again sooner than before......
Many Blessings,
Nae

Nae!!!! Never a dull moment for you it seems. I am very, very, very ,very HAPPY that you popped in. You have been on my mind a great deal.
Hugs and love to you. Ps, I love yorkies!!! and thanks for your kind words.

Happy Birthday Ceejay!!! Hope you have a DELIGHTFUL day.

Sure hope it doesn't rain on your day as we are finally getting a good soaking here and hurricane Katrina will be making her way to visit by Tuesday. You might see some of that too.

Nae, so good to hear from your again tho your life certainly has been not the sunniest. Sorry to hear of the loss of your friend.

Congrats on the bonus Holly! Sounds like you are the financial whiz.

Howdy Mel, don't go over extending yourself this weekend. A bit of work, a bit of rest, ok?

Shad, hope you survive Sunday's grooming. Have you caught up with Chris yet? Enjoy the footy games this weekend.

Meadow, have you recovered from the move yet? I can understand the pack rat mentality. We didn't have enough time to properly sort things and weren't sure what kind of house we'd have once we got here so we took everything with us. Not it's time to pitch and sort. Extra books to the library, spare furniture has already gone to charity. We are having a clothing drive at work, will be a good excuse for me to go through the closets which I think about every time I open them. I say pitch the roomy dress - it only gives unneeded room to grow. Some days I'm sorry I ever met up with knit clothing

Hugs to Linus and Teel and Tig.

Like I said it's a rainy one here. House cleaning won't be that bad after my marathon last weekend. Doing laundry I have down to a rythym. Guess I should squeeze in some extras - cleaning closets, unpacking boxes, setting the new computer up. I need to clean the refrigerator out and make an organized list too. I haven't been planning the meals out and that's not a good way to stay in control.

So... best get moving before the day escapes me. Enjoy your day where ever it takes you.

OK MISS HAPPY! A BIT OF EACH!!!! YES MAAAAM!(SNAPPY SALUTE HERE) I AM COOKING AND PLANNING SINCE 8AM AND GETTING MYSELF BACK ON TRACK. THE FRIDGE IS NEXT....LOOKS LIKE WE WILL HAVE SIMILAR WEEKENDS....INCLUDING THE RAIN!!!

NAE I AM SO VERY SORRY ABOUT YOUR FRIEND AND SAY THE SAME....HE IS AT PEACE NOW. (((((HUGS))))))) FOR YOU AND ALL THE OTHER STUFF TOO. I THINK OF YOU OFTEN!! I LOVE THOSE LITTLE DOGS AND HOPE THE 2 OF YOU WILL BE VERY HAPPY. PLEASE DON'T BE A STRANGER!!! I MISSED YOU TOO!!

HOLLY~ YOU ARE THE BUSYIEST PERSON I KNOW NEXT TO SHAD! ROFLMAO A BIT CONGRATS FOR THE EXTRA CASH. I KNOW YOU WELL EARNED IT!!! HOPE YOU FIND SOME MISS HOLLY TIME THIS WEEKEND OR AT THE VERY LEAST...NEXT WEEK!!!

I AM COOKING UP A STORM, PRE-PACKING IT AND CLEARING OUT ALL THE FOOD I SHOULD HAVE EATEN AND LET SIT AND ROT! BAD MELLIE!! LOL I AM FEELING MUCH MORE LIKE MY OLD SELF AND I HAVE A THEORY....THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF PAIN AND NOW IT IS SUBSIDING AND FEELS KINDA ITCHY AND WEIRD IN THE PELVIC AREA ON THE LEFT. I AM THINKING THERE WAS A HAIRLINE FRACTURE AND EVERYONE MISSED IT. SO I CALLED THE "OLD" DR AND ASKED FOR A CALL BACK. HE CALLED THIS AM AND SAID IT WAS VERY POSSIBLE CAUSE NO ONE WAS CONCENTRATING IN THAT AREA. TAKE IT SLOW AND LET EVERYTHING HEAL BEFOR I GO NUTS EXERCISING. ALSO TO USE MY FOOT RESTS AND NOT LET THAT LEG IN PARTICULAR HANG DOW....I HAVE ALREADY STARTED THAT LAST WEEK. AND TO KEEP THE LEG ELEVATED IN BETWEEN "JOBS".
SO NOW I WILL SEE IF THE PROGRESS CONTINUES. HE WAS PLEASED TO HEAR FROM ME, SHOCKED AT THE DATA I GAVE HIM AND GLAD OF SUCH A RECOVERY "DESPITE ALL THEY HAVE DONE OR NOT DONE" hE COMES ON WEDS TO SEE SOME PATIENTS HERE AND I WILL MEET HIM IN THE LOBBY. I LOVE THIS GUY BUT HE IS TOO EXPENSIVE!
WELL CHICKIES....THE STEAMER DINGED AND IT'S TIME TO GET THE RICE OUT AND THE VEGGIES IN. HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND AND 'EAT AN APPLE EVERY DAY, GET TO BED BY THREE, TAKE GOOD CARE OF YOURSELVES, YOU BELONG TO ME.....LA LA LA

Get to bed by 3? Would that be 3am?
Because I'm certainly not going to bed for the night at 3 in the afternoon. Although an afternoon nap sounds good.

Linus, I FINALLY got to the post office and sent a package out to you. It will probably take a full week to get there as the boys in the back were no doubt discussing HOW to get a package to Scotland Hope Bump likes it. I'm wondering if I should have also sent some antiseptic to Shad after dealing with the cat...

Ok, so Mel is cleaning her refrigerator. That sounds like a good task for me too. Already made the steel cut oats for the week. But I think the next on the list is hemming those new pants that have been piling up - guess I've given up on Ceejay and her surger showing up at my door I think I have a good 5 pairs that need shortening.

Will check in later.

HAPPY I COULD USE A SEWER TOO!! SOME BUTTONS NEED PUTTING BACK ON. MAYBE WE'LL HAVE A SEWING BEE THIS AFTERNOON!

THE FRIDGE IS SEMI-CLEANED. I GAVE IT A SORTING OUT, REARRANGING AND A QUICK WIPE! NOW THE CHILI, RICE, VEGGIES AND OATMEAL I COOKED ARE ALL MEASURED, CONTAINERIZED (IS THAT A WORD?) AND IN THEIR PROPER PLACES. I ALSO FOUND A GREAT USE FOR THE BIG PLASTIC CONTAINERS MY SALAD COME IN....I PUT THEM ON THE SHELVES AND TOSSED IN ALL THE SMALLER ONES!
THINK IT'S TIME TO WATCH THE REST OF "SHIRLEY VALENTINE" ON HBO. HAVE A GREAT AFTERNOON!

Cor, what a chatty lot.

Roseblush - wonderfult to see you back. And with a new walking companion (isn't that what the British Aristocracy called the fancy men that the women used when they couldn't get a date any other way (or they had nefarious inclinations) - a walker?). Anyway he sounds cute. Sorry to hear of the friend's passing. No matter how long since we have seen or talked to our friends, it leaves a gap in our lives. Where in Aus did the friend live? I'm equally sure you won't be damned for going to the church (kirk as Linus would put it) with a women minister. Even my chauvinistic father was happy with women priests - he used to say that women were the nuturers and sharers and givers in the community and that they were perfect for that type of job.

Happy Birthday to Ceejay.


Hope you had a very happy day with lots of fun and laughter. I'm sorry I am running late. Blame Sunday the cat. I do - I blame her for lots of things.

Happy, glad to hear you are getting some rain. That Hurricane sounds pretty bad. I see it has already killed a couple. We could do with the rain here - but our normal deluges would see us in a flood situation. The ground is just too hard to absorb the water. It would all just run off and go back out to sea again or something. We are facing some harsh water restrictions next month and the powers that be are discussing tapping the great artesian basins far under the surface - however there is a huge amount of environmental work to be done before that happens. We could be and probably would be causing more problems in the future. The don't even seem to know where the water comes from and what it feeds. IE the levels remain static so if they are feed by rain, they are obviously feeding something else like the rivers for example. There is huge water filled caves under parts of the continent but no one has investigated them much or decided how/ why they are there. There are some tourist adventures into some of the caves of South Australia and they are beautiful. I doubt they would stay that way if the population got their hands on them.

Holly - don't know how you deal with all those kids. Hope you get the helpers to come in on the days of 8 or more. I think that the adaption of the Serenity Prayer would be necessary if I was to do that type of thing (as in Lord help me to have the courage to change things that need to be changed, to accept that which cannot be changed and the wisdom to know where to bury the bodies of those I had to kill because they really p*ssed me off)

Teel - I tried to ring you and have left a message. I though about it this morning as well. Even got as far as dialling the number before I worked out the time differences and decided it was either 9 or 10 at night. Too late to chat.

Linus, I hope your silence means you are resting up. Not long to go now, what 4 weeks or so?

Tig - I so hope that the side effects of this medication abate or desist or something. You must be highly brassed off with it right now. We just recently had the Bridge to Brisbane run here and I though of you. If you had been here we could have done it together. Slim could have joined the big boys and done the whole 12 k including up and down the bridge (kilometre up and kilometre down)

Okay, Sunday the cat is still intact, she had a brushing but decided against the manicure (pedicure???) and obviously picked up the vibes that this was going to happen. She disappeared for the entire day yesterday, emerging only when I was outside and digging weeds (and observing the new neighbours moving in - geez I am nosey) Today may well be the day.

Had nephew over for the footy last night. The niece was living it up at a party. Our team won although it was a nail biting finish and only 4 points in it at the end. We had a fair amount to say about the ref - who I suspect has a degree in knock on rules but not in offside rules or some of the other rules of the game. Added to that he was French, excitable, and had a good set of lungs. The whistle was the main feature of the game. That annoys me when they won't let the game flow. I wonder what the new neighbours thought about the noise from next door. Wait till we get a few more in for dinner and game for the final finish next weekend.

My weight is still static - anywhere from 73.5 to 71.5 depending on the day, and it is weigh in day on Wednesday/ Thursday. And for now it is time for a gym appearance (scarce last week because of holding up the db's spirits and visiting the dsil (who is now home by the way - thank you for all your good wishes) We will have to tie her down to stop her from trying to do things too soon. DB is on leave for another couple of weeks - his employers gave him 4 weeks leave and all his sick days to use as necessary while she was in hospital and recuperating and they sent her a huge bunch of flowers. Nice folks where he works.

So I'm off to get changed, go to the gym, come back to sort the cat, sand some more and do some more weeding out front. Oh and I had better attach the photos of the orchids for Happy. There is the Canadian one - Pastoral - and a new one I picked up yesterday called Tropical Fantasy. See if you can pick which is which.

Thank you for all the birthday wishes. Birthday number 55 was great. A dinner was planned with all 3 of my uncles present. One uncle will have his 78th birthday tomorrow. After dinner my uncle that I visit had planned a family get together with a cake. That was a suprise. The best part of it all was that my cousin's baby actually came and wanted to sit on my lap and read a book with her. She is very picky that made my day.

Shad--Whew you make me tired just reading your posts. Slow down some and enjoy.

Happy-- We did get some much needed rain on my birthday but I celebrated last night.
I still haven't figured out how to completely thread that serger yet.

Mel---Would you come to clean my house. I didn't have time this week end.

Hi to all the rest.

My uncle gave me some okra and it's to much for me to eat all at one time. I'm going to freeze it to use this winter.

Patience and tenacity Yep, that is what this journey is about... I'm living in a fog of fat Maybe I need a psychiatrist to tell me what this stuff hanging around represents, must have some purpose in my life because it certainly isn't slinking off anywhere to hide. It just is so present and squishy and heavy. I watched the Catwoman movie tonight, jeepers I would like to do flip without knocking myself unconscious. I think I will use my kids VCR and start doing my Kathy Smith weight tape. I was going to wait till the kids were back in school but I think I need to get something happening for myself now... I'm very tired of this version of me, my body needs to lighten up.

((((NAE))) beautiful to have you back amongst us. Tickle your puppy behind the ear for me

Mel-Do you eat the chili with the rice or was that some extra cooking destined for the freezer? Sounded like a nice combo to me How clean is your fridge? Did you find any fermenting fruit? Mine is always trying to make wine We had a big clean up here today too. Only ours was the entire house, as my husband's parents and his sister and her husband were coming over to visit and have a good nose around the new house. They stayed for a hour, it took us four hours to clean I even tidied up my books so the shelf didn't look like a dumping ground for every stray item, like usual

Shad-is the white one the Canadian? You may be doing Sunday's nails one at a time by the sounds of it How was the gym? Do you get sore muscles? All sweat is good for you

Happy-yes, I have decided the moomoo isn't a good item for me to keep around. I threw out most of my elastic waste trousers last year but a couple came back They are so sneaky. So you are on an organizing kick? Planning meals, however do you wrap your head around what you will want to eat, every day for the entire week?

Holly-Who is a little Avon star? I bet your neighbours just love you. Most of the makeup I've been using lately is Avon, I really like the convenience and the new packaging is very slick. How was the weekend? Did you roast marshmallows and have a sing-a-long? Come on, details.

Linus-Who's looking after you? Are your feet up? Are the kids being good and using their helping hands to make mommy comfortable and stress free? There will be alot of angry chicks in the world if not, fair warning

Teel-come out, come out wherever you are! What are you doing? Playing supervisor? Painting? Don't tell me, you are organizing now too How come everyone seems to be scheduling themselves and I can't? Huh? Do I need a personality transplant or something? Don't answer that

Tig-Run on! What does your cane look like? Did you get something stylish? Does it have one of those metal tops on it? Is the hurricane in your area? Stay inside and batten down the hatches!

Ceejay-Many happy returns of the day! Nice to hear you had a good one! Birthdays with family are always some of the nicest moments.