Howdy, Suzi! Great job on your progress. That is so terrific. Yes, please feel free to share if it seems to work out for you. Hey, you could always do a girly night in for your b-day. Wouldn't that be neat? Have friends over, crack open a bottle or two and just cook as a group.

Happy~ I am still astounded that we can call anywhere around the world too. I was talking to a guy from our Singapore office the other day and I got better reception than I get on my cell phone. And I agree, there are a lot of tourist things that are much better seen from a distance. I doubt I'll ever make it to Mardi Gras - I just don't like people that much any more.

Hi Rose ~ Welcome back to the wagon. We saved you a seat!

Mel ~ I really like that Emerson quote. What is the Michael Thurmond plan like? I'm curious. And on second thought maybe I shouldn't take that offer of motorized transport. Motorized vehicles and I don't get along too well. I could show you the scars on my thumb and my right leg. It had to do with a moped and a concrete curb and Cuba. I read the dog story to DH and he laughed and laughed…

Ceejay~ Congrats on the purchase. It's good to buy a nice sparkly every once in a while.

Shad~ I did the Canadian census on-line too back in May. Funny thing is that week they used as a sample was the week we were in England on our Honeymoon. Gee, the fact that we spent 0 hours doing housework are probably gonna skew the results a tad. Good for you getting all that annoying paperwork done. Don't you feel all virtuous now?

Mel~ Revisited! Congratulations on the loss!!!!

Holly~ Omigawd you would rather clean out a fridge??? Heck, you should have suggested it to your DH as foreplay.

I have had a VERY lazy day today. Mostly just slugged around. Did move some stuff on some bookshelves, packed up some magazines to go to recycling but didn't take them out, but I was feeling sort of low energy. Took a nap in the breeze in the bedroom – but really was not particularly productive. I really need to do a major clean, recycle and toss, but it is still too hot during the day to take up such a project.

Back to normal tomorrow. And back to the gym. And back to eating veggies and drinking more tea. And work. Ick. I did actually manage to drink adequate amounts of water this weekend – and that is a victory of sorts. I was a bit crabby too, I'm sure my sweetheart will be happy to see the tail end of me.

OOh my poor feet

I got to work this morning early - maybe I will not do that again - and the team lead came roaring up and fell to crying across my shoulders and told me that the regular train the trainer is sick and not coming in. Could I possibly help her out (certainly, which way did she come in) by taking up the reins and delivering content for her. I thought this bird was a trainer herself!!!! I'm apparently mug enough - I said yes, spent 2 hours doing a crash course in Maintenance strategy, maintenance plans, forecasting and gantt chats and then went and delivered it. I've on my feet all day. Life is not good at the moment. It went okay. Wouldn't say it was my best effort, but hey not only did I have to deliver content I don't really know, I also had to deal with a system failure, hardware failure and just when I thought nothing else was left to be thrown at me, my copy of the manual had blank sections where the printer had run out of memory and so I really didn't know where I was either. It was an interesting session after lunch. I deserve the glass of red I now have in my hand.

Back later to comment. Just had to vent about my sore feet.

Good mornin' Shad - or evening I suppose I should say. I see your little eggie lit up.

I'm still reading and catching up.

Ok, all caught up.

Oooh on the sore feet Shad. A glad of red would go perfect with a nice foot soak. Are you still at home? If so, hope you can manage a nice foot bath, otherwise you'll have to put all of you in the tub. I am in awe that you could train all day on a subject you are unfamiliar with AND having a manual with blank pages. Hope tomorrow is better for you. Best thing to say about today is that it's over with.

Madcat, loved your pictures. You're way up high there, aren't you? But it makes for a nice "captain's nest" to keep an eye on what's going on with the world.

Suzi, sounds like you had a wonderful day of pampering and shopping. Good for you! The new outfit sounds very pretty.

Congrats to Mel and Suzi on dropping the pounds!

Mel, that was such a great dog story - I just had to pass that along to people - but only some people - some of the people here in the south would just look at me with the same kind of shocked look as if I ripped open my blouse at the punch line - guess that makes it even funnier when you think about it. I was thinking... I know how much you like the Frappachinos but Starbucks is well known for their intensely strong coffees. Have you thought about other means to get your treat? General Foods International Coffees makes a powdered Cappacino drink. Into the blender with the powder, some crushed ice and some water (I myself would prefer lowfat milk) and whirl away until properly blended. They have several different flavors - I used to like Amarretto but since every company is determined to find out what I like and stop making it, we do the French Vanilla now. Just a thought...

Holly, if the idea of cleaning the refrigerator and toaster make you smile so, come on over to my house after Madcat's

Ceejay, the new necklace sounds gorgeous. Nice that you treated yourself to something for a change!

Hello to the others I've missed How are you doing Tig?

Ok, I've got to find some brekky. Day one under my belt with clean eating, exercising and imbibing in water. Not feeling very great today but I'm not going to let it get me down. A hot shower and a long stretch are in order, then it's off to face the day and conquer the IT demons of the world (ie. one of my co-workers )

Roseblush, welcome back. With gasoline as high as it is, you got your scooter just in time.

WOW! Pictures!!! Thanks Madcat!! That is some size bldg! Must have been a beaut to watch going up. guess a lot was done while you weren't home! I got height sick just looking from your balcony!! ......And I bet your sweetie is ALWAYS happy to see your TAIL! Hope the energy level rises.

Shad the Trainer to the Trainer~ things like this could only happen to YOU! Well at least it made the day "different" than what you expected. Gotta love those curve balls!!! the bit about "which way did you come in" had me laughing my fool head off. It reminded me of some ads Geico(an car ins. company) uses with a talking geccko as their adman. Maybe your calling is teaching classes!!! Training the Trainers!

Suzi~I love reading your posts. They appeal to the "Victorian" who lives somewhere inside of me.
The outfit sounded great. Red is a good color for one's self image. Good for you. Hope when the day comes, your birthday with the girls will be a very happy one.

Happy~ I bet we are both typing together!!! I will have to come back just to see what you said! I certainly hope you are feeling better.

Nae~ the sight of you and the pups ridind down the street must be a sight to behold for sure. I hope your mechanical problems come to a screeching halt this year!!! I have the same trouble but with "other people's problems". It seems to be our destiny.

Holly~ I would help with the baseboards if I was there. I used to be good at stuff like that. Hope the weather cools a bit for all of us. worst summer yet in all my life.
Feel better

Ceejay~ I was wondering if you danced around naked in the moonlight with all your new jewels on???

I am in quick reply and cannot go back a page. Hope I didn't forget someone.

PS MADCAT:
Let's see....Michael Thurmond is on www.provida.com
He is of TV fame here as "the" body makeover specialist.
Incorporating a diet plan with exercise. Not the first and he won't be the last
It was a diet plan my DD and BF bought me. It's basically a whole foods, no sugar, no white stuff, small portions, no dairy, no grains diet. You fill out a questionairre and it "blueprints" a "body type" that you are. I must admit I was sceptical but the description fit me to a T. I lost about 31 lbs in less than a year and have basically kept it off till recently when I seem to have gone crazy and began eating everything in sight both in the house, office or store!!!
Unlike the new popular opinion, I do NOT lose weight eating dairy. It makes me fat or stops the process. Always has. Maybe I am strange.
The plan alsocalls for you to eat 5-6 times a day. The last meal is after dinner and you can pass on it.
The sight provides support, recipes, and ideas. It's rather huge. I have yet in 3 years to read it all
Kinda like here but with just one plan in mind. I forever felt I didn't fit in there for some reason. always felt like I was never taken seriously. Wandered around and found 3FC. Started journaling and voila! Here I am
But I think I said all this in my journal. No one really wanted to hear about my chairs, my travels or my adventures till I came here. I always felt like 1/2 a person over there. Kind of like a "fake". (with the exception of 1-2 women) Funny thing was...a man who was on it and I got along fine. He even asked questions!!! Must have been interested like all "car" men are
Change of subject~ They say becareful what you wish for. I just wished for the construction to begin in the back right? Well this morning promptly at 8 they began demolition of some of the old bldg. There is a huge saw and it is whining and killing my ears!!! Remind me to keep my effing mouth shut next time!!
OK this post is long enough. Happy Tuesday

OH Happy I was hoping you felt better I was also thinking of changing the variety of coffee. The Dr said caffeine was caffeine. didn't believe him so I tried a few including International. Swiss Mocha was one. I even tried decaf stuff. It's really the "addiction" part that kills me when it's gone. Worse than giving up cigarettes. My choice of poison used to be Pepsi!!! I could down almost 3
2 liter bottles a day with no problem. Talk about "wired".
I am a hypoglycemic, caffeine sensitive idiot with rosacea to boot. An almost unbeatable triple play!
Send in the WILLPOWER men with white coats on!!!

Way to go Shad, you sure know how to lock and load! Congratulations of going full tilt into the fray. You are a true Woman Warrior

Mel-don't allow the caffiene feind to ride on your back. You will overcome! I've always found that a good dose of loud music can drown out any noise. Smile at the construction guys and wave, maybe they will start a fire and give you some uniforms to enjoy

Ceejay-bling and sparkle! Wear it in good health.

Madcat-Everytime I plan to sort magazines, I end up looking and re-reading them and of course they are too precious to throw out Good job on drinking your water, your skin thanks you

Happy-I hope the coworker stayed out of your way Feel better soon, don't let work get to you. Have a nice paddle in the pool when you get home.

Holly-that gardening stuff sure takes it out of you doesn't it, but it feels so good to be pawing through the dirt and getting the water sucking weeds away from the plants. I hope you are having an easier week and get a bigger sun hat

Suzi-wow, the woman in red! shoes and all Sounded like a great day and a pleasant bonding time with your dear daughter. Put on some Chris DeBurgh and enjoy

hello Rose nice to have you sharing with us again

I've been doing not much, reading still. A Jackie Collins (Hollywood wives, new generation), Isabel Allende (Aphrodite), Barbara Delinski (More than friends), Alan Titchmarsh (Animal Instincts) *who knew Mr. Titchmarsh wrote fiction? I have read two others by him, hardly a garden referrence in the lot

A little Mary Engelbreit for everyone, don't you just adore her?

Afternoon everyone,
Thought I was going to have a good day and boom the lights blinked twice and were out for about 30 minutes. The plant was in operation, so, I had to do some jumping to get it shut down before the filters drained. Remind me not to brag!!!! A utility pole caught on fire.

Wore the "sparkle" to work this morning to show L. TeeHee her name was pulled to take the routine monthly drug test this morning.

Making plans to go to the Ringling, Barnum and Baily Circus in a couple of weeks in Jonesboro at the University. I looked on line for available seating and if I don't get the tickets in the next couple of days we might not get to go. This is a special event to me cause I've never been to one of their ciruses. I'd like to take my cousins children.

Suzi-I've been reading that our body needs a certain amount of carbs. Let us know. Is your birthday in August or September?

Madcat--That's a tall building. Why are they tearing it down? Also a great view.

Shad--I agree with Happy, you should also have a special day with a foot message.

Meadow--She is adorable. Always love your graphics.

Mel-- Stay away from the caffiene.

Holly--Stay out of the heat of the day. Garden early in the morning.

Madcat~ Oh I Thought They Were Building It!!!
I Just Came Back To Look And See It's Going Down Not Up! Roflmao

Mel!!! (laughing with not at you) Yep, this is the bulding they are taking down... and they have left part of it standing because they are using it as the model suite area for the condos that will be going in to replace it. Oh, that is funny.

Tiny bit of Toronto trivia - the building being ripped down is the old Molson Brewery, one-time home of "fine" Canadian beverages such as Export and Canadian. It hasn't been a working brewery for a long time and has stood empty for probably the last decade or so.

Hey Shaddie, back in my bartending days I used to find lying on the floor and propping my feet up on a wall really helped aching footies.

Back later. Have to jet for now.

You are a chatty lot today or yesterday...
I thought I would share something with you from a book I have been reading

Happiness....

I passed a few hours in October that might look like nothing to the average observer, but which I will always count amongst the happiest of my life. I found a market near my apartment, only streets over from me, which I had somehow never noticed before. There I approached a tiny vegetable stall with one Italian woman and her son selling a choice assortment of their produce – such as rich, almost algae-green leaves of spinach, tomatoes so red and bloody they looked like cow’s organs, and champagne-coloured grapes with skins as tight as a showgirls leotard.

I selected a bunch of thin, bright asparagus. I was able to ask the woman, in comfortable Italian, if I could possibly just take half this asparagus home? There was only one of me, I explained to her – I didn’t need much. She promptly took the asparagus from my hands and halved it. I asked her if I could find this market here ever day in the same place, and she said yes, she was here every day from 7.00am. Then her son, who was very cute, gave me a sly look and said, “Well , she tries to be here at seven…” We all laughed. This whole conversation was conducted in Italian – a language I could not speak a word of only a few months ….earlier…..

I walked home to my apartment and soft-boiled a pair of fresh brown eggs for my lunch. I peeled the eggs and arranged them on a plate beside the seven stalks of the asparagus ( which were so slim and snappy they didn’t even need to be cooked at all). I put some olives on the plate, too, and the four knobs of goats cheese I’d picked up at the formaggeria down the street, two slices of pink, oily salmon. For dessert – a lovely peach, warm from the Roman sunlight. For the longest time I couldn’t even touch this food because it was such a masterpiece of a lunch, a true expression of the art of making something out of nothing, Finally when I had fully absorbed the prettiness of my meal, I went and sat in a patch of sunbeam on my clean wooden floor and ate every bite of it, with my fingers, while reading my daily newspaper article in Italian. Happiness inhabited my every molecule!!!!......................

I am sure I was meant to be born in Europe somewhere!!!!
I am loving this book, she is surely a woman after my own heart.

On the me front, the scales didn't lie they are still reading the same, even seem to be going down but I will check later in the week as I know hopping on and off them will only sabotage things for me.
Yesterday was a good one, I loved the food I ate, so that is a good thing as in my world alot depends on the food . I am on my "carb day today so it was cereal for breaky. i must say I am full. I will go for my walk soon.
I went to the bank yesterday and got utterly confused by the financial planner who saw me. I hate all the mumbo jumbo, although he did say it's his job to understand it and my job to let him do it. I guess it's jut a matter of trust. He was suggesting Managed Funds vs term deposits and I kept thinking that the kids savings might disappear. Oh well. I will think about it. I makes the mind boogle.

I fetched DD from school a little early yesterday. She was unwell. When she got home she told me her BESTIE friend had been cruel to her....she was devastated. I know it's a 10 yr old thing but I so want to incase her in cotton wool, poor thing, we hugged and I said it won't always be like this, she is having all these mini dramas all the time and i just want school to be a happy place for her,
She's home today and we are just gonna do some girly stuff, mixed with disguised school work.
I will be back to comment later ...must exercise

ok back to comment...
Ceejay...ohhh blackouts, it all adds to the excitement, at least your sparkly bling would have lead fellow workers to safety
Yes, I do think that carbs are important for the lifestyle, I have never been sold out on atkins, just try what works for me, we all have different bodies and I know we drop or hold onto weight in different ways and places. I used to do the "hip and thigh" diet. I lost heaps on that and was the smallest I have been, but then Pregnancy #3 stopped all that, I really didn't see if it was good long term. It's a matter of just cutting back on fats and dairy, cooking "dry" etc. There's apparently a website for me to take a look at about this new thing so when I do I will review. I love the circus...have fun!

Mel....we are so glad that you found us here, it's interesting where the weight loss journey leads. I found 3 FC 2 years ago simply by accident and found the daily journal entries such a lifeline, I think too I was new to this country and so it was also company. The journals now are not the same as they were and I much prefer our thread, The girls here are interested in each other...genuinely. I love it. Thank you for your comment about my entries, I would like to imagine myself somewhere in "Europe " somewhere....and if I can't be there I will live my life like this anyway...i do like the finer things...uh oh...but also the simple, I sure there is a mad french woman locked inside me dying to evolve!

Shad...wow, you are so versatile! I couldn't imagine myself doing the same, yaaay you. I hope the footsies recover, I know a good foot spa! It really did wonders. I think it might be a monthly treat. I did the census online last night for the family...it took ages and i was getting sick of the repetitiveness of it all. It's done now.

Meadow, lovely pic and so true. I actually love Chris De Burgh...and often think of a friend of mine when I hear that song.

Happy your suggestions on the ice coffee sound so yummy! I wonder if I can squeeze them in somewhere. I have always been a sweet tooth, that's not good thinking food now when there is still 1 1/2 hours until lunch. I will keep busy.

Madcat I hope you feel nice and refreshed after your long weekend, just think 1 more day closer to the weekend. I had a little giggle and your mis understandings with Mel...i knew what you meant

Holly I hope your day is fabulous. i know you will redeem the time...you always do, sorry to hear DH didn't get the job. The library job sounds good. I would love to be surrounded by books. Every time I see an Avon advertisement, I think of you.





Tig hello there I know you are lurking and we are thinking of you
carla linus "wave: and to you little one. Painter woman
Raven Teel hope you are not melting in the heat. I have heard it has been very hot there.


to all

Good heavens what is wrong with this world? One of my offices (I work out of 2 locations) is across the street from a huge Coors brewry which they are also shutting down.

Guess I should've imbibed in brew-ski's instead of wine.

WELL CHICKS OF THE WORLD, IT'S LAUNDRY DAY!!
TIME FOR MEL TO MAKE THAT DENT ONCE AGAIN IN HER MOUNTAIN
OF WASH. I CAN HANDWASH THE UNDIES BUT SHEETS AND BLANKETS
ARE A BIT TOUGH ON THE HANDS!!
NOTHING TO REPORT AND I NEED TO GET THERE EARLY.
WILL CHECK IN LATER ON.
HAPPY HUMP DAY!!!

Morning chicks,
It's going to be another hot one. Just like yesterday, just like the day before. We haven't had a good rain since the end of June and it shows.

Can't post much today. We've got to take my car in for an overdue maintenance check up. And get the air conditioner checked.

I'll try and get back later tonight. Stay cool...