Morning guys,

I'm not sure about doggie gratitude, perhaps to keep things in balance we have kitty woes. The little cat keeps pestering the older cat - she is vying for DH's attention and is a jealous little thing. That causes it's own problems. Older cat is not eating much and is hiding alot. Little cat is still sick - off to the vet she goes. Is making a mess in the litter box, I am feeding her rice and boiled chicken to calm the stomach (not working) she is trying to pick the rice out and is knocking it all over the floor. Then she wolfs her food down and up chucks it. As DH said this morning with a sigh - not a good day to be a cat in this house. I'm sitting here thinking as one of my friends so famously said after she got married for the second time "oh why oh why do I have to go and MESS UP A GOOD THING???? Life was fine, life was settled but oh no, I HAVE to go and introduce complication She's still married by the way but I thought it was just funny the way she deadpanned said that. She and her 3 kids were stay up kind of people and her new hubby was one of those early early to bed kind of people who didn't like noise of any sort once he hit the pillow so it really kind of disrupted their whole household Anyway, today I am feeling like I inadvertently introduced chaos with these cats. Careful what you ask for But we would never return them, we just have to learn to adjust.

I stopped at the shop yesterday to drop off doggie biscuits (yes Ceejay I bake them for donation purposes to the Humane Society). Several emails went out over the last 4 days asking people to bake and yet as of yesterday only one other lady besides me made anything. Oh well, I did my part. I will bake once a week and if they run out of biscuits, I can't do it all myself. And no, I'd never consider selling them on line. Too much work actually. It's about a 4 hour time commitment to make what amounts to about 10 bags with about 36 biscuits each.

Today they are having the annual used book sale from the Friends of the Library. I wanted to go an see if they had any videos or music CDs but I keep telling myself I have 2 boxes of books to read - and I'm not reading any of them right now. I need to stay home and away from there We finally got some rain overnight - a good soaking we sorely need. First time we've gotten some substantial rain in probably 2 months. I noticed that the fire danger rose from low to moderate so the rain will help that situation too. Don't need any wildfires here - especially with the cool weather and inclination of people to start to use firepits again.

Annie - I was thinking of you as I struggled on tip toes to get to the bottom of my washer - sometimes I actually need to grab tongs to get out a stubborn piece that lays flat Sounds like you have much bigger capacity ones but I guess it will be hard to break the habit of near daily washing if that's what you are used to. DH always suggested over the years to do a load a day - I said I never had enough to do that - would rather spend the day washing everything. Although here I do have to break it up over a few days as not to overwhelm the septic system. Isn't it crazy that you have to spend so much in insurance premiums and then have to spend so much out of pocket that you don't want to go to the doctor? I'm sorry to hear that your leg is STILL bothering you. I wonder if you have adjusted your gait because of the pain and it is causing other issues? I find that to be the case sometimes. Hope Sissy gets a green light at the doctor's today.

Mel - how sweet about Pete and his little doggie. I could see the way my Mom lit up watching the kitten's antics that sometimes a pet is good company. And a little dog is just the right speed for someone to walk. Yikes, sounds like the police have their hands full with the senior population in town. But still a better swap than chasing criminals, right? Maybe we have to put chips in those who tend to wander - would make it easier to track them down. Especially if they get disoriented and can't help anyone get them back to where they belong. Do you think autumn will be coming early to your part of town this year also? How are your aches and pains doing?

Shad - I certainly hope you did not get stuck in the attic With as hot as it gets down your way - do you find that you have to replace the wires periodically from extensive drying or does the excessive humidity take care of that? I say that because down south where I was, the attics got intensely hot - so much so that you could not really store anything in them - it would literally bake and get ruined. One would have to install drywall and a good vent fan if you actually wanted useful storage. I imagine it might be the same by you.

It's pouring outside - God's way of saying I don't need to go to the Friends of the Library sale.

Ceejay - I wanted to say how nice it is of you to go visit your uncles the way that you do. My Mom and I were talking the other night and we both commented on how the older set doesn't hear much from the nieces and grandchildren the way that we were brought up to do. The old excuse "oh they are busy and have their own lives" is just a poor excuse in my mind. I wrote to DH's aunts on a regular basis and called my Mom's sisters too. She said it was really nice to hear from people so I'm sure your uncles appreciate you.

Hello Laura (who is probably typing now) and Chelle getting ready for a new work week. Will catch up with you later.

Morning all. Kind of gray out there today, and why I took my umbrella out of my backpack - no idea.

Weekend recap:

Saturday: Jazzercise, thrift store (scored a decent pair of jeans for $1 - whoo!!), bakery (rye bread), laundry, researched irons online (ours bit the dust last week), lunch at the fabulous grinder place, bagel bakery (2 doz. Mini bialys), returned some online ordered items to the Eddie Bauer outlet store; dogwalk, freezer-wrapped the bialys, tacos for dinner, watched part of “Despicable Me”.

Sunday: Newspaper/tea/bialys, weeding in front, more laundry, bought a new iron (BBB 20% off coupon), walmart for various & sundry items, dogwalk, had grilled ear corn & burgers for dinner, watched the rest of the movie. It was very cute. The blueray also had 3 mini-movies (4 min. each) and I had to watch those too. Bf and I will have to borrow all the other kiddie movies we’ve been missing all these years!

I’m grateful for the beautiful weather this weekend. It was nice spending a bit of time on the patio and in the 3-season room with all the windows open (on 3 sides).

Annie – I’m probably a bit less enthused to use my new iron than you are to try out your new washer/dryer, haha. But I will be using it all too soon. Good luck to Sissy at her appointment.

Mel – Every birthday at Pete’s age is a milestone, LOL. That dog and those walks together are what's keeping him up and going! Good for him. Sorry there’s a lot to report today – hope the rest of your day is quiet. And the boss returns tomorrow??? Whew!!

Shad – Glad all went well with Romeo - no blood shed and he didn’t go missing. Hope the attic visit went well. You’ve reminded I need to get some attic items on the list - -finally insulate the skylight framing, and add insulation all over for that matter. We’ve slacked on the upkeep lately and now the list will surely be a mile long. My sweet potato plant is actually in a hanging planter, so that will keep it from setting roots elsewhere. But there won’t be much room for a potato to grow in that pot!!! Maybe I can transplant it into the veg garden…

Ceejay – Glad you had a nice time at the uncle’s bday party. So nice you saw some cousins you hadn’t seen in a while. The retirement talk is making it all real now, huh?? How exciting for you!! But hang in there in the meantime. Good luck with the new mower.

Happy – Good thing you’ve got cool weather to allow you to bake up those dog biscuits in comfort! That’s so nice of you, sure would be nice if others joined in. I’m glad the mosquitos are not so numerous at the moment. Beef & broccoli sounds good to me! Sorry your hip/knee/ankle are still giving you trouble. Is it easing up? Good to keep on moving. The stiffness after sitting just makes it feel worse. Good news re your dh’s heart monitor results! Sounds like the latest fish fry/pizza place will be on the list for a return visit. You’re right re the pedestals for the front load machines – they cost a lot more than you’d think they would for what’s essentially a box/drawer… Thanks for the warning re the rubbed bronze finish – I like that too, but we’ve got a more contemporary look going, so the brushed nickel will be it. I’m going it alone in the squat challenge as of about a week ago – bf claimed his knees were sore, but he never picked it back up. On the plus side, he thinks he’s now feeling better about getting back to the gym, and he went Friday night with a friend of his. Re the squats - only 4 more days to go, and one of those is a rest day. Today I have to do 230!!! I’ll definitely be fitting in some sets during the workday – can’t do all of them at night, and certainly not after my Jazzercise workout.

Hey Michelle!! Hope you had a great weekend out in sunny CA!!

Okay, before any more interruptions, I'm signing off and getting this posted. Have a great day everyone!

Good News all....got to see the lil peanut squirming around on the sonogram and also hear it's itty bitty heartbeat. Too tiny yet to tell the sex. Very excited. I had the due date correct 3/18/14. However since she will be going C-section again it may be a week earlier than that. Baby daddy Chris' birthday is 3/12. I don't know if I would want them for them or not, after going through this last one my dad and I shared, without him.

Yeah!!

Happy Monday ladies,

I had a very nice weekend. On Friday night, D and I went out for dinner and then we came back to the house and watched TV. On Saturday evening, I had friends over for tacos and then we played poker until nearly midnight. Sunday, I got up early to take Santa to the dog park and then came home and helped my step-mom get things ready for a luncheon she's hosting today for several of her lady friends. I'm working from home today. The ladies are about to arrive, so it will be my job to keep Santa from being a pest. I offered to put Santa in day care today, but my step-mom said a couple of the ladies were looking forward to seeing him again.

I was kind of overwhelmed with emotion and gratitude yesterday. When I think of how bad my life was just 11 months ago, and how happy I am now with being back in CA, being close to family and friends, and dating a really nice guy. If someone had told me last autumn that I'd be this happy in less than a year, I would've said they were crazy. Yesterday I took a moment and expressed my tremendous gratitude to my step-mom for letting Santa and me stay with her while I got back on my feet.

I entered a contest of sorts to be among a group to go on a hike in the mountains of New Hampshire with my favorite author and his dog. I really wanted the opportunity to meet this author (and the dog), but I was unsure if I'd be able to do the 5 mile hike with my back being as bad as it's been lately. Turns out, I did not win...and it's probably for the best as I can't walk to the end of the street without pain, and last night just a walk around the block had me in agony. I need to keep walking and do better with the healthy eating...and once my insurance gets straightened out...get to a specialist to see what can be done.

As for work...I had first and second interviews last week for a job that has a MUCH better chance of going permanent than my current job. And I just found out about an hour ago that I GOT THE JOB!!! The learning curve won't be as steep, which will be very nice. It's a longer commute, but it also pays much better, which will help me pay off my credit cards sooner. I may not get to work from home on Mondays AND Fridays anymore, but I'm hopeful that I'll be able to talk my manager into letting me work from home one day per week. I'll either start my new job on 8/19 or sooner if my agency releases me early. It's tough leaving my current position because the people are so nice. But this learning curve has been insanely steep, which is why I haven't produced much actual work in the 3 months I've been there. As a result, even though they haven't said anything, I thought my chances of going permanent were getting slimmer and slimmer. With this new position, I'll essentially have nearly full power of the entire website and I can really use my skills and experience to improve it dramatically! It's very exciting!

================
Happy - I'm so glad to hear your DH passed his monitor test!! I hope the little kitty feels better very soon. Did you take her to the vet? What did she suggest? As for the older cat, can you distract/play with the little one so that the older one can have your DH's attention? Or does this rivalry tend to happen when you're volunteering at the store? Can you please post or email or facebook me the recipe for the dog biscuits? Now that I have a working oven (courtesy of my step-mom, as opposed to my apartment in Wisconsin that did NOT have a working oven), I could actually make some of these for Santa.

Annie - So nice that you have a new washer/dryer! Too funny that you have to wait longer between washes to have enough clothes to fill it. How is Samantha feeling?

Shad - Glad everything went ok with Romeo. Do he and Sunday get along? Or just avoid each other? Do you have any work assignments coming up?

Mel - So cool that the 96 year young man still walks his dog. Sorry you had a busy weekend with alarms. I hope you're able to relax today.

Ceejay - It's nice you were able to spend time with your cousins. I'm looking forward to seeing mine too. Maybe I can get down to Southern CA this fall.

Laura - Your status as the exercise remains safe. 230 squats? That's insane!! But good for you!!! I really like the brushed nickel finish.

I've got to get back to work and try and accomplish something.

Much love and many hugs,

Annie
It must be exciting to get to be grandma again. I shared my mom's birthday and one of my uncle's birthday is the day after mine. A bunch of August babies in our family.
I have to use my tip toes to get the clothes out of the washer.

Mel
Wow a 96 year old man still walking his dog!. I hope that I will be able to do that.

Happy,
I'd been saving my clothes for the week end. I hadn't thought about using a pair of tongs.

Laura
We got the rain on Saturday and today. It was much needed. I like children's movies as they are light hearted. Sounds like you had a busy week end.

----------------
I've had a good couple of day's at work.
July's paper work has been balanced.
I've been wrestling with the lime machine the past couple of weeks. They finally got some one to come fix it today. The chemical truck also came today. Let's just say I've been a busy person.
I'm grateful for the rain.

Annie - Glad the dr appt went well for sissy and the peanut.

Michelle - Big CONGRATS on the new job! More money and it sounds like it suits your current skills better than your current gig - that's just great! Whoo!!

Ceejay - My mom mentioned all the rain she'd gotten - threw a wrench into her gardening plans for yesterday... Aaargh, when you mentioned your paperwork, you reminded me I still have to submit my input for the monthly report for July. I better get down to it and get it out of my hair for another month.

Today I give thanks for having incredible strength and health. It took all the energy that I had to shift 2 cubic metres of soil today in less than 2.5 hours. It was tough, back breaking stuff and I am glad that it is finished. Not that the garden bed is finished by any means. It's going to be a big garden. But that bit is crossed off the list.
I'm also grateful for where I live. We are at peace - well as much as an Aussie gets to be at peace anyway, we have separation of church and state, so don't have the 'holy' cr*p to put up with, and we have more than enough to eat, clean water to drink and freedom to choose whatever. That doesn't mean I am coming to grips with the politicians and their posturing and taunts. I'd just love it if we could have an election with a modicum of common sense and politeness. Guess that is impossible in this day and age.

Mel - not stuck in the roof space. Our winter temps have reverted to normal this week. cool nights, warm days. Hope you get some relief from these alarms soon.

Annie - glad the washer is going well and you don't have to wash as often as you used to. Be pleased about that, it may reflect on the power bill and also the water bill. When C has finished in your attic, send him over. I have plenty to keep the dear man busy.

Happy - Sunday and Romeo used to do the hiss spit thing. Luckily Romeo is not a lap hogger. This time they got together they just sniffed each other out and went on their separate ways. Only time I heard a bit of hissing and spitting was when Romeo thought he should sleep in Sunday's outdoor hideaway. Maybe try feeding the kitten little and often for the time being. But I guess the vet will sort it.
Never noticed that the wiring gets dried out. Occasionally there can be damage due to vermin, but I have never had the problem. I'm more likely to trip over the spaghetti junction up there and damage me, the ceiling and the wiring. Which is what I am trying to fix by getting up there and putting in some new insulation and a bit of flooring.

Laura - have fun sorting the attic. Maintenance is always ongoing in a house and you can't let the bugs get a hold round here. Hence the need for bugless insulation - or as bugless and I can get it.

Michelle - congratulations on the new job. I gather this is another contract? since you are talking about the possibilities of going permanent. I am so pleased to know that you are having a much better time of it now.

Ceejay - good that you have had some good days at work. It always makes life better.

And so it's time for dinner. I was going to have some chicken and salad, but feel more like just veges now. So I may chuck a potato in the oven and have that instead. Don't really feel like eating right at this moment.

SHOULD BE AN INTERESTING DAY.
BOSS IS BACK & I WILL BE HIDING FROM MY INDIAN FRIEND.
NOT UP TO ANOTHER CHAT WITH HIM SO SOON.
THE BOSS & I CAN SPEAK BY PHONE TILL HE LEAVES
I AM GOING TO RELISH STAYING HOIME AND NOT ANSWERING THE DOOR.
I COPULD USE A TOTALLY SILENT DAY. TOLD JEN WE CAN CHAT WEDNESDAY

HAVE A GREAT DAY EVERYONE






ANNIE.....SUCH A WORKAHOLIC YOU ARE.
CAN'T KEEP YOU STILL FOR 5 MINUTES
I WILL SEND YOU MY MT. WASHMORE...AND YOU CAN GET A GOOD START.
I AM SURE THE NEW MACHINES CAN DO THE JOB
SO HAPPY TO READ NOW ABOUT THE SONOGRAM!!
I'M SO EXCITED FOR YOU BOTH



HAPPY.......SORRY TO SAY I HAD THE SAME THOUGHT WHEN YOU FIRST GOT THE CATS...WHY??
SINCE MY BIRD DIED I HAVE BEEN TEMPTED TO REPLACE HIM BUT THANK GOD I DIDIN'T.
I LIKE NOT SHARING MY SPACE WITH ANYONE....OTHER THAN THE KIDS.
SORRY THE LITTLE ONE IS STILL SICK AND THE OLDER ONE HIDES.
WONDER WHAT'S GOING ON??? HOPE THE VET FINDS THE REASON.
I SHOULD HAVE SENT MY BOX OF STUFF TO YOUR HOUSE.
I JUST GAVE MY MAINT MAN BOOKS, CDS AND DVDS.
HE WAS THRILLED!!




LAURA....JEN & RICHIE WATCH ALL THISE TYPE OF MOVIES.
MADAGASCAR, CARS, SHREK, AND ALL THE REST OF THEM.
EVEN KUNG FU PANDA THERE IS A LOT OF ADULT HUMOR IN THEM.
I THINK I CAN SMELL THE BIALYS!!! YUM!





MICHELLE....CONGRATS ON THE NEW JOB.
GLAD THE CURVE IS LESS STEEP & HOPE YOU WILL BE VERY HAPPY THERE.
SO GLAD FOR YOU TOO THAT THIS MOVE HAS BEEN SUCH A BENEFIT TO YOUR FUTURE HAPPINESS.




CEEJAY......GLAD YOU WRESTLED THE PAPERWORK AND WON!!
HOPE THE LIME MACHINE STAYS FIXED NOW.
HAS TO BE HARD HANDLING THOSE CHEMICALS WITH BROKEN MACHINES.
I HOPE BOTH OF US GET SOME SUNSHINE THIS SUMMER.
SEEMS LIKE AN AWFUL AMOUNT OF RAIN THIS YEAR.




SHAD....AGAIN I FORGOT TO TELL THE KIDS ....GET POTATOES!!
I AM DYING TO BAKE SOME.
I WAS READING WHERE THE AUSSIE WIKILEAKS GUY WANTS TO RUN.
JULIAN ASSANGE...HAD TO LOOK UP HIS NAME....I FORGOT!!
SOON WE WILL HAVE ED SNOWDON RUNNING FOR OUR SENATE...OR MAYBE HE WILL RUN AGAINST PUTIN!!
THE WORLD IS GOING INSANE.
HOPE YOUR BODY FEELS OK AFTER ALL THAT SOIL SHIFTING

Good Tuesday morning/evening all....................

Last night I kept lil man while Sam went to Chris softball game. He had us in stitches. What a character! I literally laughed so hard at him, he started laughing me laughing at him. Dinner was homemade chicken salad with grapes, celery and pecans. YUM with leftover roasted veggies. I brought the rest of the veggies for lunch today but must say they are so good I am having them for breakfast.

SHADDIE...how are you feeling today, needing Hot and Icy on that back? Yikes that is a lot of dirt moving. You know C would probably help you out with the attic, he is so kind hearted.

CHELLE...wow Huge CONGRATS on the new job. WOWSER...see you just gotta believe good things will come and they certainly have for you. Sometimes I actually pinch myself so I know I am not dreaming this wonderful life with Curtis. I am so happy that you are happy!!

CEEG....so tell me...who won the wrestling match between you and the lime machine? lol.

LAURA, I mean BUFFY...how was your evening, busy as usual with exercise, doggie and life in general?

HAPPY...I had a thought this morning, maybe if we put what good parts each of us have left we could make one person with no pain. We are a mess....lol Yes, my gait (I feel like a horse saying that) is much different. It went from Igor dragging my foot behind me to limping to barely limping at all.

MELLIE...probably typing over my head? Hope your night was peaceful after the crazy weekend.

Not much else going on...all take care and have a terrific Tuesday/nite.

Hugs.

PS...today is Sassy's first day back to Sissy's house. She couldn't run fast enough into the house, down the hallway and jump in bed with Sam and Chris. I think she missed them.

MELLIE...I have been to a place that looks much like that picture. Ahhhh to go there again other than in my mind.

Looks like we might get some more rain this morning.
Two good day's equals one bad night. Stomach pains last night for some unknown reason. Still feel out of sorts this morning.

Mel
Think I'm going to hide out this week end.

Michelle
I can personally tell that you are more happy in CA. Will you have to move or is this job in the same area. Can't blame you for taking something that is more in your area of expertise.

Hello to the rest. I'll read more later.

Good morning ladies,

Going into town shortly - another work day at the shop. I work Tuesday and Thursday this week. Yesterday I did go through some things in the basement and put together a box of stuff to donate. That along with some costume jewelry I used to wear a lot for work outfits and have no real use for any more. I am patting myself on the back for self control - yesterday was the Friends of the Library used book sale and though I really wanted to go, I didn't. Told myself that there was no need to spend money buying books since I can borrow for free pretty much anything I want from the library itself. And no clutter afterwards to clean up. Also there are 5 thrift stores in town if I just can't fight the desire to browse

Our poor kitten had to spend the night at the vets. They need a stool sample so they can run tests and diagnose her problem. They said she is eating hearty, loving and affectionate but not producing her "get out of jail" card Hope she is able to comply and come home today. We all miss her. As much as DH might complain at times, he does enjoy both cats and I think it's been good for his mental health. Expensive buggers tho - the money we spend on these animals We have another momma deer who brought her baby to the yard for the first time. The little fawns are soooo cute. Especially when they frolic and dance in the yard. Only 4 baby turkeys this year it seems - better than fifteen I suppose. They are growing quickly too.

Ceejay - hope you feel better later on. I suspect it might be some residual side effects of recent stress.

Annie - Lil Man is at the age that I most start to enjoy them - they can communicate, I LOVE their unfiltered view of the world and it's just so much darn fun to play with them. Glad he brought a big smile to your face. I laughed at your comment about taking all our parts and building one FrancesStein Problem is, I'm sure we'd all fight about who gets to be the one with all the good parts I'm thinking we all have to get our backs and legs back in shape before winter comes and makes them all cramped up and hurting again. I guess Sassy knows how to give a proper welcome home too

Mel - you must really want a quiet day if you kicked Jen out too I hope you get your peace and quiet - I know what you mean about just needing a bit of you and you alone time. Sometimes it's nice to have people to talk to but one also needs balance and some quiet time too. Glad you were able to make the maintenance man's day with a box of goodies. As long as they appreciate them and you can recycle them - that's the important part. Do you ever hear from the maintenance man who reluctantly retired?

Shad - you certainly know how to get things done. Good on yah shifting all that dirt! Is this for a veggie garden or flowers or both? I hope the elections go well and you don't run into the awful divide we have in this country. I fear for the future, I really do. It's good that Romeo and Miss Sunday get along - sometimes it's hard to get 2 cats from 2 different places to accept each other. I'm glad both of ours were in a community environment - makes some things easier - like sharing litter boxes and communal spaces. Do you have a nice bed of rocket in the garden now that it's cooler?

Michelle - congrats on the new job!!!! Hope it's interesting and fun and not so stressful trying to learn and produce at the same time. Yes, I am sure there was a time when your world was so black that it was hard to imagine you'd ever feel happy again but it's like going from a ravaging black destructive tornado to spring and rebirth again. So happy to hear that you are shining again During the bad times it sure is hard to hold on, but enough of us have experienced them to say with confidence - things will get better. And they do. Which sometimes of course leads to another set of issues but that's life Hope the happy times continue - just proves you are where you were meant to be. I DID post the dog biscuit recipe here just a few days ago and I don't seem to see it. I remember looking at it once it got posted to make sure it came out correctly since I did a cut and paste. Wonder how (and why) it's missing Will email it to you...

Laura - congratulations on your new iron. Put it to good use You and Annie can open a laundry service. I understand Shad was pretty good with an iron too - I'll help by vacumning out the lint screen in the dryer and I have several boxes of that Tide washing machine cleaner I will donate to the cause. 230 squats????? my knees are screaming for you. Holy Guacamole - that's a lot of squats. You'll have legs like Popeye But you gotta admire a woman who sticks with a plan

Guess I'll get off the computer for now. I want to take some photos of the stuff I am donating for record keeping purposes but mostly so that in the future I don't tear apart the house looking for something I forgot I gave away

Have a good Tuesday all.

Good morning ladies -

Today I am grateful for my step-mom letting me stay with her for awhile. I'm grateful for all my family and friends being so kind, caring and fun. I'm grateful for Santa brightening my day. I am definitely grateful for my new job, and for my current job - as they gave me a job so I could move out to CA and get on with my life.

=================

Shad - Politicians with common sense and politeness...not bloody likely. Good for you to move all that soil! Yes, this new job is a contract job (like my current job), but since my experience much more closely matches the skills needed for this new job, the learning curve won't be nearly as steep as it has been for my current job, and I'll be able to truly hit the ground running and be productive and successful from day 1. Because of this, I think my chances of going "permanent" are much greater with the new job.

Mel - I hope that you get the silent day that you want. I loved baked potatoes...but unfortunately potatoes are among the worst foods for a diabetic, so I rarely eat them.

Laura - When you mentioned kid movies, I saw "Brave" (http://movies.disney.com/brave) in the theatres when it came out. And I recently saw "How to Train Your Dragon" on DVD. Both are very, very good for all ages.

Annie - Glad you had a great evening with the lil man. So funny that you got him laughing at you because you were laughing at him. Speaking of laughing, my stepbrother mentioned to me that he had never seen me so happy or laugh so much as I did Saturday evening during the card party. He said it was great to see. Laughter, fun, love...that's what life is all about, right? Speaking of chicken salad, my stepmom bought some at Costco (do you have Costco there?). She added a bit more celery and some craisins (dried cranberries), and it was so delicious (and easy). Thanks for the congrats...yes, sweet sista, good things have come for me. And I am so grateful for all the blessings in my life. I agree about putting all the good parts of all of us together. I can throw in my feet, ankles and legs up to the knees...and my arms and hands are pretty good too. I think we'd best use someone else back though...maybe Laura's or Shad's?

Ceejay - Sorry you're not feeling good. I hope you feel better soon. You're right...I am happier here than I've been in a long time. No, I don't have to move for this job. But it kind of changes where I might eventually look for a place of my own. I'm not worrying about that yet.

Happy - I hope you have a good day at the shop. Good on ya' for getting stuff together to donate. Good for you for not going to the book sale. There's one this weekend, and I will be going. Last time I went, I got 6 books in perfect condition (3 for my stepbrother and 3 for me) for $2 or $3. I only bought books that I knew my stepbrother and I would want in our permanent collections. One was the 3fatchicks book. (http://www.amazon.com/Fat-Chicks-Die...icks+on+a+diet). I'm so sorry that the little kitten had to spend the night at the vets. I hope they figure out the issue and get her home to you soon. So cute about the fawns and baby turkeys. Please take more photos! FrancesStein! What a perfect name for our cobbled together body! You are right about my shining rebirth. That's what it feels like! And people (including you lot) told me it would get better but I was so stuck up to my eyeballs in that ravaging destructive tornado and muck that I just couldn't see it. But you all were right. Thanks so much to all of you for everything! Sorry that I missed the biscuit recipe.

Gotta sign off and get some work done!

Lots of love, gratitude and many hugs to all,

HAPPY...have a good day at the thrift store. We could have a zapping thing along with the good body. Switch off every other day or so, that way it is fair to everyone. lol Sorry to hear about lil meower, hope she is doing better today and gets to come home. Yes laughed so hard and long at the lil man, I thought I was high for a minute there...

CHELLE...funny thing, we just go along in life and don't even know that we are not happy, then bam, happy hits us right in the face when we least expect it. Have a marvy day sista!

Later gaters.

Morning all.

Shad – Hard work moving all that soil! Hope your back isn’t complaining too much in the morning. We don’t have troubles with bugs in our area thanks to our hard winter freezes, so that’s not an attic worry of mine. Sounds like our attics are similar otherwise – we have no flooring up there except a few pieces of plywood laid out here and there and have to be careful walking around. Good thing we have very little stored up there and almost all of it is reachable while perched at the top of the attic stairs.

Mel – Love that beach photo! Isn’t it amazing that the water can be such a beautiful blue?! I like your new avatar too!! Yeh, I’ve heard there’s a lot of adult humor in those movies, not just enjoyable for kiddies. Hope you get a lot of peace & quiet today.

Annie – Your evening sounded so fun! Too cute that Sassy is so happy to be back with Sis & Co. My evening was alright – I almost talked myself out of going to Jazzercise, but ultimately got myself dressed and out the door. As usual, I was glad I went.

Happy – Sorry your younger kitty was kept at the vet overnight. I hope they find out what the deal is with her. Congrats on staying away from the book sale. When I go to the thrift store I usually end up taking advantage of their 5/$1 paperbacks. Problem is, a lot of the books I read are part of a series and I try to read them in order, but I often buy the ones that come further along than where I’m currently at in the series…so they sit on my bookshelf for a while til I get to them. The fact that I buy them at all is sort of silly because, like you, I can get pretty much any book I want at the library when I want it. Perhaps someday I will learn not to do that. Good for you filling a donation box. This summer I realized that I have a closet full of warm weather tops and not many that I like all that much. I should get rid of them, but the hitch is then I’d have to shop for more. Bleh. Not up for that at the moment. Not sure about the laundry service, though I did have the job of ironing my dad’s handkerchiefs when I was little. No starch, LOL. Yup, back then at least one person I knew still used hankies, LOL. I also spent many hours ironing all my white cotton uniform blouses for school – grade school & HS. So I’m pretty darn good at ironing and don’t actually mind it if I have the time to take my time and can do it in front of the telly. But trying touch up a pair of slacks when I’m trying to get ready for work in the morning is a PITA.

Ceejay – Sorry you’re having tummy troubles. I hope you feel better soon.

Michelle – I’ll have to add those to my “movies to watch” list. So many movies, so little time... Hmmm, have to think which of my parts are good for making that one-pain-free Worldly – I’d say hands, wrists, left arm/shoulder, knees, ankles, feet (for the time being). Back…for the most part, some twinges now and then. Speaking of backs – I’m sorry to hear you’re having bad pain. I hope you get your insurance sorted soon and can get some relief! The fact that you’re so happy right now in spite of the back pain is a sign of how far you’ve come in almost a year, and I’m so glad to write that!!

==
So I did Jazzercise last night and did my 230 squats in various sets throughout the evening. Thankfully I have a rest day today! Only two more days after that. Whoo!

Weight watchers meeting today. The scale has been up at home the past three days and I was thinking I might skip the weigh-in today. But no, I won’t. I will see a gain, and will have to deal with it. I will try to blame it on TOM, and will try to pass part of the gain off as muscle gain from all those !@#$% squats, but I’ve been tracking my food consistently – including the weekends! – and I know I’ve been eating the wrong things, snacking too much, and going out to eat too frequently. A meeting and “officially” facing up to the gain will hopefully help get me back on track.

I’m not going to the movies tonight - the one they picked is one I think will be entertaining (White House Down), but it starts too late and is at the theater that's far from home (guess it's leaving the theaters now and that's the only place in the general area to see it).

Okay, off to my WW meeting.