Hello all!

Yes, I can agree wholeheartedly, the full moon/ tilt of the earth/ barometic pressure/Social Security crisis/ blue M&M's vs Yellow..... is making for lots of drama. For the first time in a long time, actually wondered what I like so much about my job.... but its this gosh darn time change too....
Everyone seems on edge. Me included. Actually came out of a meeting with my hands shaking.... Someone I thought I was becoming very friendly has obviously decided I am not her cup of tea ... I approached her about it but she claims other things are stressing her... but its obvious in her tone and actions w/ others she is lighthearted and gay and then with me, she is strained, on edge, and even in the meeting today... interrupting me on two occasions... as though just can't bear to hear me talk....


Arabella-- Big rub on the shoulders coming to you virtually.... Your situation is so similiar to what we are experiencing here... DH has had the arguement w/ DS that "Yes, it is a problem if you can't get hired because you can't pass a drug test, NO MATTER If you think the law is wrong or not"....
Very soon, we will have proof if there indeed has been nearly 2 mos clean but we know for a fact the last meeting was more than 2 weeks ago.... and that we also know very well is NOT a good thing. The only positive thing is that both partime jobs are being worked but its a "just barely" getting there on time, etc.


Punkin- How wonderful to discover a talent ! I can see you on the tractor hauling a big flatbed of original sculptures.... Its a vision I tell you!

Cerise-- now you've gone and done it... I have always been envious of a good singing voice... and I know how exacting the Cirque is ..... You must have an amazing voice ! I am awestruck!

Anargram-- The cherry trees and etc are opening wider now that its warming up! I saw some tulip leaves in my garden but not much else.

But DH did get a yard clean up job finished today ....and they want him back to mow during his lunch hour once a week .... so he is on his way... getting paid to push a lawnmower... its a twist on paying the gym to use their equipment....He did call all of last years customers but so far, no one has called him back....so...he may have to call them again... I imagine some were hoping to wait as long as possible for the "lawn mowing season" to begin.....


Empress- OH MY!!!! Its finally happened!!! You have reached the place where folks don't understand why you "need" to work out, eat well, etc, etc....
HEE HEE!! YOU DID IT! You have become an oxymoron! ( well not really but..!)
You are a living example of how we just don't get it....
We know why most of us are overweight..., when you see someone or even yourself in the mirror, the first thought is : "Eats too much".....
why is it when we see someone fit and trim we don't think "Eats well, must excercise too".
Instead we just assume " They can eat whatever they want.."

BUT never mind all that ! That's the Mother of all NSV"s if you ask me!
VERY VERY KEWL!

Sounds like DH"s back home, the dogs are baying .... and if not's DH who is it?

KETTLE IS ON!

Kaylets, wait a minute before you struck your awe too much. ANYONE can AUDITION for Cirque. If I actually MAKE it in (thereby turning not only MY life but Ramon's as well upside-down and inside-out), then you can start up the Cerise fan club. Not before.

Having said that, your support overwhelms me. I do think I have a chance...christ, I'm nuts. I'm really out there.

Cerise, yes, you have thrown "yourself out there"...now, as you say, its time to prepare.. Do you have a song chosen? What to wear? And now you have another reason to get to the gym... you know the better you feel the better you will feel.....

This will work. I know it.

Wood Nymph, so glad your ds was in an optimistic frame of mind for his birthday. It is a day of fresh renewal and it sounds like he felt that way as well.

Kaylets, I feel your sadness at coworker's cool aura. Be not quick to search your soul for ways to feel blame. Sometimes it isn't us but flaws within the other. But the sense of rejection we feel is hurtful nonetheless. Yesterday was so gorgeous and, yes, much more blooming here after that warmth. I have a few hyacinths and daffodils blooming but the tulips that are usually blooming at this point are way behind.

Empress, I have such a neat visual of you in your trim workout clothes and isn't it wonderful to hear such praise. We're going to have to get that old flirtometer tuned up so that you'll have a chance to respond should you be so inclined. It's nice to recognize flirting "later" but more fun if you catch it when it's coming at you. Wait - I can think of some situations where it might not be but none of those would be aimed at you.

Yes, Cerise, it's most important to "mother" ouselves. Glad you recognize that so young. I did not and it is one of my slight regrets. And I'm still not as good at it as I should be. Yay on searching out a women's group and on looking into auditioning and just every other way you're "putting yourself out there". A worthy goal for us all (and I sure haven't done any of that recently).

wsw, hope you're able to lurk occasionally and can feel how much concern we have for you and how much support and hugs we send your way.

Wildfire, hope you're relaxing and enjoying.

Eydie, how was the big city trip?

Ceara, Frogger, hope all's well.

Weekend plans? Well, mine are all up in the air. We have reservations here and near daughter's. She was going to come up but med tests, etc. have us unsure yet so her dh made some there. ds wasn't able to come up here but maybe able join us if we go there. I love to have them come "home" for holidays but also don't think it's fair to plunk kids in the car for such a long time (back and forth) on what is a chocolate fuelled high intensity day. And I didn't want dd to have us all at her home because it's such an intense month for her. Last weekend their anniversary (plans didn't work out real well unfortunately). Then Easter, then 8's b.d. party and the following weekend, 8 will make her First Communion (another party). Anyway, my plans are to be with family but all else is ???????????????

Getting hungry. I think it's an oatmeal day

Hello all!

Thanks Anagram... I'm trying to see that point of view but it is pretty evident...
I am just hoping time will make things easier

but thanks !

****


We're past midweek, we're making it around the bend, WE ARE DOING IT!!!!
*******

Thought of the day :


"Everything you need, you've got. It's there, perfect, complete--maybe not yet realized--but perfect and complete."
(Beah Richards 1920-2000)


Question of the day :

"Can you remember your first kiss?"


*********


This is a hard week for so many of us.... Lets make a deal, to just DO THE BEST WE CAN... that's all...What else would you expect from your kids?

Keep smiling all! You are very special!

KETTLE IS ON!

Fly by,
Trial next week. Bad, Bad, Bad. At least no weight gain.
later

Happy Friday eve!!!!

Extreeeeemely tired this morning.... Some (probably drunk) #@%*Y&@ called me at 1:08am this morning. My phone in my room is turned off, but my answering machine woke me up! Of course by the time I got my heart rate back down and back to sleep it was near 4am - I have to get up at 5am....

Cerise, whaddya mean we have to wait to start the Cerise Fan Club?????? We've had the local chapter open for months now!!! I'm excited for your Cirque and group adventures to come!
Shall see if my surrogate Granny's digital camera is still lurking around mom's house for a pic of my "art"... (egads! Is it art???? Am I an artist??? I need a smiley with a barret!)

Kaylets, Funny you mention the tractor. Mums and stepfather are heading to CA next week to pick up the red beastie! I just bought 2 pounds of Sculpey and a few fun colored Sculpey III so I just might *need* that tractor!

Arabella, Glad to hear son had a good birthday. Loved the card you sent the link for. Some things are just universal aren't they?

Anagram, I hope your weekend plans work out for the best! Tests went ok I assume? Try not to worry, you've got SO many good thoughts coming your way how could it be something bad????

Zadie, Esq., I swear sometimes I forget we have an attorney on board! Trial?? I bet you're busy!!!! Don't forget to breathe occasionally and come see us when you can! (oh, and good luck!)

Q o' the day ~ I have a picture of my first kiss. I was 18 months old and our neighbor's son, who was just a month or two older than me had crawled up the side of my playpen, was standing on the bottom and holding on to the bars (back when they were dangerous and had bars instead of nets) and I was standing on the other side - in the picture he's smooching my cheek and I'm looking at the camera with a big ol' cheesy grin. Apparently I liked boys from the get-go.

Well, must away. Time to attempt some work before tomorrow. A lot of people (except me) have tomorrow off or 1/2 day so I better get it done while I can!

ToodleLooooo.....

Terri

This thread is beckoning me with so many interesting items to respond to ... but I have to work as I'm sinking further and further behind!!!! Just scanning for a second and doing a drive-by to say hi ... fascinated by the art o' Punkin and the fan club o' Cerise and everybody else's items as well ... will return, although I don't have anything of interest to report on my end.

Umm, unfortunately, I do remember my first kiss!

Empress, I loved hearing about your conversations---made me smile all day yesterday when I thought of them!

Arabella, how goes it with your program? I miss reading your progress on the food/exercise thread. [shameless hint!]

Cerise, cirque du Soleil? How exciting!!!!

Kaylets, sorry to hear about the coolness of your co-worker. Try not to take it all in and figure it out----and I should take my own advice there. I have to say though that personally I think she's nuts! Who wouldn't want to hang out with you? I'd be clinging to you like a spider monkey!!!

Weekend plans? Hopefully we'll stir ourselves to till the garden before weeds overtake it completely. Punkin, can you come over with your tractor? Speaking of Punkinseed, I'm all a quiver about seeing your sculptures--they sound wonderful!

My first kiss---ugh, don't ask. That's a wretched story. Don't worry though--apparently I wasn't truamatized too badly!

Urgh. Torturous work day! I'll be back in the morning to read up and post! Happy Fake Friday night!

Ok, blah here. Enjoyed reading all the posts today as usual.

Got word today on the xrays done two days ago. No word yet on yesterday's MRI but I get to go for another one tomorrow. The xrays showed some narrowing in my cervical spine which is apparently causing the pain in my left arm. Drs. person said if she doesn't get MRI results in the morning she'll call for them. I'd like to know before the weekend but also won't get results of tomorrow's MRI until next week sometime. I think I've set some kind of recrod - tomorrow's will be my fourth medical appt in five days. I need a new hobby.

Ate reasonably well considering the stress of the day. But this afternoon dh and I baked nut roll (which we usually make for all holidays) Since he's no longer allowed any nuts at all, we make one out of four using the meringue before adding the nuts for him. Lots of walnuts to spare. So I had some. I know they're good for you but I had a few more than I should have. Not going to beat me up. Could have been worse.

We probably won't even cut any but his at the moment. But it's always nice to have some in the freezer. Make good gifts and most company appreciate a slice or two. May take some to F.C. party on the 24th. (I suspect that's a good hint as to my religious affiliation there)

Feeling a bit ragged tonight. I swear this nut roll recipe uses up most bowls in the house to make. Worth it though.

Got a haircut today. I think the wisps are right this time. For a day or so anyway.

Have my fingers crossed for thee, Anagramatic!!!! Hopefully, they'll be able to sort you out soon and you can quit going to the doctor!!!

Does the nut roll without nuts come out kind of like a fudge? I was thinking after I read your post that maybe I could make a sort of BFL-friendly fondant or fudgelike candy using protein powder and sf pudding.

I'm just going to go back to trying to be as BFL as possible but not do a strict program right now. I'm still not ready ... couldn't believe I was arguing with a rude stranger in Walmart (see food thread for more details if interested, although it's not that interesting). I was far too aggressive with her and it had to be because I was climbing the walls craving sugar.

Feel great tonight, though!

Arabella, sorry about the torture work ... I only have one story to go and intend to finish it Friday. Next week is going to be brutal, though, so I need to be back on the right eating and exercise track to stay steady.

Eydie, it always makes me smile in a friendly way to think about thy progress through the days as well. You always seem to have interesting experiences and I'd love to have thy job ... how can I get one of those?

To all, mentioned or unmentioned, sorry about the brevity ... or happy about the brevity depending on your POV ... anyway, I seem to be braindead again.

My huge dilemma is whether t'would be nobler in the mind to go to the trouble of changing my computer clock back an hour because the computer thinks I'm on DST, although I'm not. In a few months, the rest of the country will change back to the real time and I'd have to do it again, when in reality, my time does not change.

I'm confused and need a life.

It puts it in perspective (overposting) when you google your user name and you find yourself indexed.

Since I write for a living, publication is a good thing under my real name, but somehow I feel bothered about what's basically a conversation to us turning up on Google.

Oh, did I say good-night halfway up the page because I said I was too tired to post?

Hmmm. The donut sugar is eating my brain cells. Must sleep.

Hello all!

Anagram- You're right, no one wants to be spending that much time w/ tests and in doctor's waiting rooms...
Here's to hoping the doctor figures something out quickly for you!
Glad you're able to do some things... I 'm almost afraid of asking for more details about the nut roll....although we have
a locking freezer, I have a key!

Just this am picked up a 2002 book by Bob Greene which we found last weekend... I was very suprised to see how he advises that many of his clients lose at least a pound a week ( an average) by DOING more only and NOT revamping their food programs..... although as I write this, it makes you wonder if folks would be more concious of what they were eating because they were more aware of their bodies by increasing their daily physical activity.
I've only read a few chapters so I don't know if he mentions this but I guess the point is---Bob Greene feels, if you have not been doing much, if you begin to increase your activity you will lose weight w/o having to make any dietary changes.....

And he also points out that when you begin a new acitivity, it is very natural to gain water weight the first couple weeks of new activity and then have it will drop off... In fact, his patients gain and lose all the time... up 3, down two, up 1, down 2, etc,etc.....

Anyway....

Dh is suggesting breakfast out so....

***
Thought of the day :

"Each of us has something to contribute, and no matter how small or how insignificant it may seem, it can be for the benefit of all."
--Lauritz Melchior

Question of the day :

"What would you miss seeing the most if you became blind?"
-- Table Topics from the Pampered Chef
****

I'll stop by later!

Kaylets, about your question of the day---when I considered it, a barrage of images came to mind. I'd miss so much! Oddly, the first thing that came to mind was the color and texture of my dog Jubal's fur.
Ha! Garry just came in and asked what the question was and when i told him my answer I think he was a little disappointed--of course I'd miss seeing him!

Two days ago we had 80 first graders at work for a field trip. They were doing an Easter egg hunt and then we were giving them tours. I was watching them and it was interesting to see that most of the kids really went for it [the eggs!], and some of them kinda hung back and let the others have them. It was poignant moment for me--had me wondering about the times I hold back and why.