Thanks ladies, I can feel the . So now I'll do my part and babble on, briefly but merrily.

Madcat, I didn't mention it before, but a year and a half ago I took my virgin hair and had streaks put in. Things didn't go quite as planned, I ended up having half of it redone, and ended up with tortoiseshell hair. I thought it looked dreadful and wanted to hide, but it was an enormous hit with my adoring public, even my despicable ex who I was still on speaking terms with. And since it was sort of patchy, it grew out really well, lasting many months. If that's what yours is like you may grow to love it by the wedding. Of course I haven't gone back for new colour since then, just learning to love my dark hair with silver (natural) highlights. It was a great relief when the post-trauma dullness finally went away and some of the shine and warmth came back, so I may jsut let it stay natural. Which of course lets me gloat about having very little grey (oops - silver, I meant silver) for my age.

Now for the umpteenth instalment of the cat saga. Dosing Zen with his anti-depressants has actually been easy: it comes in a liquid form, chicken flavour no less, and I jsut mix it into some canned food. So far it hasn't stopped the excessive grooming at all. He seems in fact to lick the bald spots even more, just more slowly. He looks absolutely dreadful. But the meds do seem to have reduced his food obsession, and I occasionally find a few crumbs he's actually forgotten about in his dish! And yes, I have considered nipping into his meds to see if it cuts my appetite too.... Meanwhile Lily still has the mucky eyes from the blocked tear ducts. I've given up on that one for now, just give her face a good wash from time to time when she lets me. Neither cat has yet to get over its reluctance to sit on my lap, so I remain an unloved, uncuddled, adoring food and vet provider. (Hmm - sounds suspiciously like my marriage... those who don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it, right?)

Gotta go, will visit from time to time. Off to San Fran tomorrow for 2 weeks.

Just in to say hello. It's a busy day at work.

There is a birthday person amongst us. Being very quiet today by the sound of it. Although it is only the 6th March in the States and Canada, the rest of us are already on to the 7th March. Sooooooooo............................





Happy Birthday MEL

Day has gotten progressively better. I did all the work stuff i needed to do and no dishes etc.

HUGS!!!!!!!!!!

Right on with the rest of the worldly things. (cyber cake is fine)
Happy birthday MEL

Madcat - I would be extremely surprised if you get through this without some sort of argument or two. You've done very well to only argue over the design of the invites. You must be good friends!
We always tend to get blahs over seasonal changes. It's like we are waking up from or going into hibernation or something. Motivation is so hard to keep going for ever and ever.

Ceejay - I am not sure that you should have mentioned the firefighters. Mel seems to have swooned. Glad you enjoyed the visit to the rellies and that you enjoyed the orchids.

Holly - just do the best you can. We all solve our problems in different ways. Put the kids toys in a big trash bag and put it in their rooms. Same with DH's stuff regardless of whether it needs washing or not. If they can't be bothered putting things in the right place, why should you? I used to shut the doors on the kids mess and just get on with life. If they couldn't find anything I referred them to the heap of junk in their bedrooms and the big blue plastic trash bags. As I said you have to sort it out your way and if they won't co-operate, then you simply don't do for them. Tell them to fix it themselves, you are busy earning some much needed money.

Happy - glad you had a nice night out with the DH. I envy the ice cream cone. I just love the stuff, but these days I simply have to earn it!
Orchids are among the easiest of plants to grow. They are not delicate and only demand a shady spot, a bit of water now and again and some food. I don't spray mine or do anything special at all.
Hope the pool tips help!

Carla - enjoy SF. Wish it was me going there! But I am in downtown glamourous Wollongong. Could one ask for more? Come back and chat soon.

Went for my run this morning. It was nice out there. The surf was crashing on the rocks and the tide running well. I walked up the peace mile and up to the lighthouse, then turned around and ran all the way back. Good stuff. Felt great after it. All that sea air really gets the lungs going. I've booked flights to home for the next three weekends and for Easter. Life is looking okay for the moment.

Better go and get some work done. Apparently we are going for a trip to the coal terminal at the harbour today. Not sure why, but it is fun to get out of the office.

Shaddie~ are you just getting up??? WTF time is it in the land of OZ????? Hugs little sister!!!
thanks for the early wishes! I celebrated myself at the mall!!! lol Hope your week is a great one!!! Be nice and make new friends. Don't forget to share also....be nice while playing in the sandbox!!

Carla~ <------hugs for you AND the cat!!! It those drops work well I mught get some and dose my Nutrisystem dinners! I had a bery blah time of it myself and didn't feel much like posting anywhere for months!!! Hope the "sun shines" for you soon too!

Miss Mad~ <----for you and TB!! Did you hurt him too much??? Must be all the stress of the plans for the big day!!!
Stay clam my Northern Friend and don't draw blood!!!
Cannot have a maimed bridegroom waiting at the alter with claw marks all over him now can we?!?!?

Ceejay~ Hope you are feeling more like your old self by now?!?! When is your next trip Paragould???
this time I am going in case there is another fire. All those firemen and you didn't come and pick me up!?!?! What is wrong with you!!!! Did you at least take pictures of them?? I AM sorry it burned to the ground though.

Happy~ hello my southern Friend with a pool and raccoons and cats and assorted wild creatures. Hopw is your week progressing. While at the mall I thought of you and DH....butterflies were painted and glued on to everything. From t-shirts to mugs to shower curtains!! They seemed to be following me from store to store Hope the ear feels better.

Holly~ "life in the fast lane"...... When I read your posts, that line from an old song comes to mind We are all going to visit you and take turns in the tub. We promise not to leave a ring!!! and we'll even bring our own bubble bath!!! Hollt Spa here we come

I had a great day at one mall and finished in Walmarts. 2 men at the beauty salon had a great discussion over the pics I brought to show them what I wanted. After THEY decided(in a foreign tongue) they told me what they thought would look best Why is it that wherever I go men seem to think me weak and needy??? It's not the chair cause I have had this problem all my life. Well it is shortish on top and longish in back just like the old razor cut shags of the 60's. I have always ;loved this cut and it looks the best on me and is VERY easy to blowdry with fingers!!! I bought some old-time dvds, sugar-free candy. 2 t-shirt nighties and lots of sinus stuff for myself. I got Jen a SS necklace called a Prayer Box, lots of stomach meds and candy $ tablecloth for Easter for them both.
No driver would come and give me a ride from one mall to the other one down the street so I :drive: by myself!! I made only one mistake and listened to an old security guard....went out the wrong exit from the 1st mall and ended up on a 4 lane, 2 way mini highway!!! thank god no one was coming and I shot down the road in high gear and found a cut in the curb where I could get on the sidewalk. Sand and gravel from the plow trucks was all over the walk and made steering tough but I got there in one piece without flipping off the flipping curb!! PHEW!!! I might not attempt this again anytime soon
but sometimes a girls just gotta do what a girls gotta do!!
Well I best get showered and warmed up. It was a bit nippy out to be riding around just yet. To early in the Season!!! have a great night/morning. TTFN

OHHHHH MORE BIRTHDAYS!!!!! THANKS SHAD!! I WENT FOR A RUN TOO BUT ON BLACKTOP!!!! I'LL TRADE?????
I AM GLAD LIFE IS GOOD FOR THE MOMENT AND YOU WILL BE GETTING HOME SO MANY WEEKENDS!! ENJOY THE BEACH. I COULD ALMOST HEAR THOSE WAVES.....I WOULD LOVE TO LIVE NEAR A BEACH!!! MAYBE MY NEXT LIFETIME???? Have a great day!

March 7 is Mel's birthday, everybody wave

THANKS MEADOW!!! YOU GIVE ME HAPPINESS EVERY DAY!!!

Sheesh Mel, the things some people will do to get to a WalMart Glad you survived the dodgy directions that guy gave you and got to shop.

Shad-the spotted orchid was my favourite. I can see Wollongong is growing on you Did Sunday give you a booboo look when you left? Did your son arrive in good spirits and smile hugely when you showed him your list of possible things he "could" do around the house? Breathe deep, you have so much new things coming your way... great to be challenged, keeps you sparky.

Madcat-oh dear! The wedding invitations caused a harangue? Was it a font issue? I know I have a grand time playing with them in Paintshop. You know lots of people keep invitations, simple and elegant is often best. No wild colours. I'm sorry the stress is rising, remember you are the bride. You Rule!

Carla-ah girl, don't you worry about your motivation. I have found that it comes and goes for me too. I keep trying though, once my head gets back to good and I'm able to concentrate on me and my needs. It is all about what you choose to make important. Lately, I go from being the ultimate priority to somewhere along the lines of taking out the garbage. Have a wonderful time in San Francisco, I've heard they have marvellous shops there.

Happy-ah Spring, wish it would hurry up and arrive here. I want to hear the little birds and see the flowers blooming Ah well, I'm living vicariously through you. Lots of lovely details please, what made you smile today? Slurp, ice-cream is a terrific celebration food.

Ceejay-Busy, busy. Interesting that you had the time to count the firefighters, was that for you or Mel's benefit I hope it was only the building that suffered and no humans were harmed.

Holly-I wish you had a helper. You do make me tired thinking of all you do in a day. I'm sure you have systems in place that the kids know about, you need to get your nanny 911 voice working and have them actually clean up. Clean up, clean up, nows the time to pick it up You are doing good, pat on the back. It all comes together eventually.

Rose-Hi, good to see you. Glad all the animals are still milling about. I miss your stories of your views and vistors from the wild side.

Mellie-Mel!!!!
Happy Day - you deserve it!

Sending Mel scads of cyber Avon Bubble Bath!!!!!

The new Arizona Hots Sands is devine!!!

HAPPY, HAPPY DAY TO YOU DEAR GIRL!!!!!

The Volunteers

One dark night outside a small town, a fire started inside the local chemical plant. Before long it exploded into flames and an alarm went out to fire departments from miles around. After fighting the fire for over an hour, the chemical company president approached the fire chief and said, "All of our secret formulas are in the vault in the center of the plant. They must be saved! I will give $50,000 to the engine company that brings them out safely!"

As soon as the chief heard this, he ordered the firemen to strengthen their attack on the blaze. After two more hours of attacking the fire, the president of the company offered $100,000 to the engine company that could bring out the company's secret files.

From the distance a long siren was heard and another fire truck came into sight. It was a local volunteer fire company composed entirely of men over 65. To everyone's amazement the little fire engine raced through the Chemical plant gates and drove straight into the middle of the inferno. In the distance the other firemen watched as the old timers hopped off of their rig and began to fight the fire with an effort that they had never seen before.

After an hour of intense fighting the volunteer company had extinguished the fire and saved the secret formulas. Joyous, the chemical company president announced that he would double the reward to $200,000 and walked over to personally thank each of the volunteers. After thanking each of the old men individually, the president asked the group what they intended to do with the reward money.

The fire truck driver looked him right in the eye and said, "The first thing we're going to do is fix the dang brakes on that truck!"

Noticie - he said DANG - must be from my part of town

Good morning ladies,

I think in general, we've lost alot of people on 3FC. Seems pretty quiet in general 'round these parts.

First off Happy Birthday Mel hope you have the very best day today.

Meadow - what made me smile today? There's lots of gorgeous yellow daffodils smiling in the sun. The Bradford Pear trees are blooming white delicate flowers and there are breathtaking pink trees here - I don't think they are flowering crabs or cherries - a deep lucious PINK. The birds are all singing every which way you turn. Tweedle dee, tah rah, tar rah. And the sunrise was pink and champagne against a bluish gray sky. The little wrens were perched on the patio furniture sending off what I call the "cat alarm" as kitty was sitting by the door waiting for her breakfast. I got her away from the general vacinity and they went back to next building, bunches of moss and pine needles in their beaks. DH was reading up on these wrens, the pair builds a nest, she lays eggs, he sits on them and she goes off to mate and build a nest with someone else. What a hussy! Sure seems like alot of work to go around building nests all spring long. You did say wave for Mel - yes m'am and one for you too

Mel as far as the hair goes - short on top, long in the back - are you sure you didn't get a mullet? Just kidding. I can see you with a shag cut, that would look great on you and frame your face well. Geez woman, you had my heart in my mouth with your little "trip" to the next mall. Please be careful!

Shad, not only do you get beachfront but also surf crashing and a lighthouse too? Gosh, I'd take up running with you just to be there too. What a great way to start or end the day. That's great that you can get home each weekend, even if just for a bit. Will you get extra time for Easter holiday? So you say that orchids are easy to grow? You said that about roses too. Maybe for you Miss Magic Gardener

I did enjoy that ice cream cone. A plain vanilla soft serve is my most favorite dessert. Well that and creme brulee But I figure that the cone is the least damaging.

Ceejay - hope you have a less busy day today

Enjoy San Fran Carla - I love that town. Say hello to LindaT !

Madcat, there is bound to be some fussin' and hollerin' over the wedding plans - good thing it's something minor like the invitations. Glad you and TB were able to work it out!

Holly - perhaps you have to do what I've seen moms do on TV. Gather all the clutter into the big box. One desperate mom went so far as to sell all of it on Ebay. Most moms would hold the things hostage and the kids would have to "earn" it back. You'll have to turn a deaf ear to the moans and groans but they get the picture pretty quick.

to the rest of the crew. Have a good one everybody.