Few words here and there - that's me.

We are getting very close to go live and there are so many things that haven't been done. Yours truly is very unpopular at this time since I asked a question yesterday and suddenly there was silence! Oh dear - he thought that the other bloke was doing it, and the other bloke thought he was doing it so no one has done it, and I am supposed to document it. I can bedazzle you with my brilliance, and I can bewilder you with my bullsh*t, but for the life of me, I can not document what is not there! Even I am not that good. As I keep reminding them, the urgent and important I can do straight away. Miracles take a little longer. The other little bombshell that was dropped at that time was that they have not documented their config of the system very well if at all. This will be interesting when they come to upgrade.
Today I am off to the land of Oz. Leaving here around 13.45 and flying at 16.15. Trying to figure out what I left behind. Sure there is something.

Laura - April Fools day, black Friday, any of those strange days only last until midday both here in NZ and in Aus. Not sure exactly where the thought came from, but I have an idea that back in the good ol' days, the pubs didn't open until 1.00pm and shut at 6.00pm. One did not play tricks on a mates drinks - terribly passe. It may also be that it is a British thing as well since we were both colonised (moderately successfully) by the Brits. They sent the crims to Aus and the colonials to NZ - which is why the Kiwis are more civilised than the Aussies. Whoops - might be an avalanche of Aussies in here now.

Anyway, time being what it is, I had better get on with my day. I will try to get personals done at the airport this afternoon. We will see how that goes.

Nothing new today. I'm so ready for my three day week end. Thursday I'll be going to the doctor in Jonesboro and afterwards will be meeting up with some cousins in Paragould, one cousin from Lubbock, Texas is in town.


Laura
Think all this walking and going up and down the stairs is causing the back pain. Or it could be the weather. Today it's not to bad.
Not sure how long my guest is going to stay. But that's okay. She's had some minor plastic surgery done. and some cyst's removed from her ear lobes. Hate to tell her this but those wrinkles will come back. But it's her money.

Shad
Hugs, Don't know how you deal with all this.

Michelle
I'll look at those web sights.

Annie
Did the debit card make it?

More later. Almost going home time

Happy ~ Im sorry to hear scary movies scare you espeically when you go to bed and its quite and you hear all those creepy house noises. I know what you mean. Thanks for commenting on my walking. Thanks for joining me in spirit.

I walked once today and I'll walk again tomorrow but Friday,Saturday and Sunday I'll do better though cause I'll be home all day those days so I have time to walk more then just once.

Morning all. Quiet here - the admin's on vacation today, tomorrow and Monday. Then the boss is out starting Monday. Looking forward to it.

Michelle – So sorry to hear about the colleague passing away. So young. What a tragedy. Yes, it really makes you realize anything can happen and that we shouldn’t waste the time we have. Sorry it’s been too uncomfortably hot for you to sleep. Was last night any better??

Terra – You said in your post you’re “trying to walk off those pounds” and it made me think of a workout video called “Walk Away the Pounds”. I don’t have it, but I believe it’s pretty popular – a walking workout in front of your tv. Can anyone else here tell Terra about it? It might be another exercise alternative when the weather is bad.

Happy – Glad the PT addressed the vertigo. Don’t like the idea of a random piece of cartilage interfering with your knee and causing such pain! I was told I have some sort of tissue in my right knee joint that gets hung up in there sometimes. Thankfully it’s not painful and only happens when I’m in a very specific position – when my knees are completely bent underneath me, such as in child’s pose, but more when I’m upright in the knees bent underneath position when more weight is on it. Re walks – the idea of the bear is certainly more frightful than the possible knee issue. Of course in combination it’s the worst scenario possible!!! How’s that for a horror story!! How was your yoga class? Yeh, you’ll have to be smart when scheduling those pool days - a crowded pool would not be the ideal. Re dogs – they’re always doing something cute. Bf and I joke that Coal has his cutie poses perfected.

Shad – I love your comment “miracles take a little longer”. I’m sorry your travels (as per FB) have been so frustrating as well. I sure hope you have some time left of your weekend at home by the time you finally get there!!! Whatever’s left, hope you can enjoy it. I knew Oz started as a criminal colony, didn’t know NZ was a colonial settlement. Well, I guess I know next to nothing about NZ except that it’s stunningly beautiful. Anyway – interesting theories re things ending midday.

Ceejay – Enjoy that 3-day weekend and your time w/ the cousins. As usual I'm jealous.

Annie – Good luck on the interview today!! What did you learn about the debit card?? Hope it’s in your hands now!!

Hi Susie!!

==

Well, I’m more sore than I was yesterday this time. Ugh. Doing the Frankenstein walk. I think if I don’t figure out a way to do that class without days of soreness afterwards, I just can’t do it anymore. I skipped another day of my challenges, so now I’m two days behind. I’m not going to try and catch up, I’m just going to pick up where I left off.

Funny story (now) is that I did try to do a 2 min. plank last night and I had the timer on my smartphone all set, got it going, and then in plank position I went to FB on my phone to distract myself during the 2 min. So I’m a good ways through it and decide to look back at the timer and it turns out I hadn’t started it!!! I had no idea how long I’d gone! Very frustrated at the time, and I just gave up.

Spent most of the evening in the bedroom flipping tv channels and reading. Oh, and I had a crappy frozen lasagna entree for dinner in which the microwave instructions were just plain wrong. I made two trips back to the microwave to heat it up some more. So not worth the trouble. Bleh.

Anyway, back to that body works class (feel free to skip my thought process)– I don’t know if I need to not use the weights while doing the moves, or just do a lot fewer reps of the squat, lunge and plié moves. I don’t think not using weights will work because the moves quickly flow right from lower body to upper body, and both upper and lower body are done at the same time as well at times, so it would be impossible to keep putting down & picking up weights. In fact, I was using the lowest weight dumbbells (2.5 pounds each) and it wasn’t really enough weight for the upper body moves. Huh. So I guess that leaves me with cutting back drastically on the lower body reps.

I think that’s it for me today. Mild day today. I brought my lunch from home, but I’ll try to get out to run an errand this afternoon just to get outside again. I went for a short walk yesterday. Nice to be out in a sweater and not risking frostbite!!

Good morning ladies,

I slept well last night but I'm still tired. The Nutrition for Weight Management class was good, and I actually learned a few things. I'm hoping to review/type up my notes in the next couple days and I'll share the key points with you all.

==========================
Ceejay - I hope your doctor appointment goes well. Enjoy the time with your cousins. I'm glad your back pain has eased up a bit. Here is the link to the Oprah & Deepak 21 Day Meditation Experience. It's free to sign up and it starts on Monday. https://chopracentermeditation.com/?...gn=recruit-4-9

Happy - I kinda figured you'd probably have spotty cell phone service. I had forgotten about the bears you might encounter. So good that your PT took care of your vertigo. And your PT gave you some good advice about the walking stick. My PTs suggested that for me as well to ease some of the weight-bearingness of walking. It's been my experience that most PTs aren't fond of braces (either back or knee)...because as you said, it's more important to build up the surrounding muscles, and yoga is a great way to do that! I'm glad that the Thrift Shop is moving forward with the new location. Any idea when it will be opening up? I loved what you said about dogs bringing all sorts of smiles to people. It's so true. Cats do too, especially when they are kittens.

Shad - Wow, this close to go live and there was a misunderstanding about who was doing what? That is stressful! I hope you're able to relax in Oz this weekend.

Terra - The workout DVD that Laura is referring to is "Walk Away the Pounds" by Leslie Sansone. She has several DVDs out in a variety of "distances", but they're all done in front of your TV. I haven't used them, but I've heard good things about them.

Laura - A little quiet in the workplace is a good thing. I find I can get so much done. To answer your question, while last night was still warm, it was cooler and I slept better. I woke up still feeling like I wanted to sleep for a few more hours. Thankfully, our temps are getting cooler for the rest of the week with highs in the mid to upper 70s, right where I like 'em. I'm going to purchase a fan or possibly a one room air conditioner this weekend. You're right about dogs always doing something cute. And your Coal certainly is a cutie. I'm sorry, but I got a laugh out of your 2 min. plank last night. I hadn't thought about logging in to FB as a distraction. Bummer that you're so sore from Body works class. Enjoy your walk today. I'll probably go for a short walk at lunchtime since it's cooler today.

Annie - Sending you lots of luck, strength, confidence, good vibes and prayers for your interview today.

to Susie

So I've got most of my company's webinars on the new website finally. Now I have to create a couple more forms for the website and then get all the forms integrated into SalesForce, which is a Customer (or contact) Relationship Management software.

Lots to do, but I'm getting there.

Much love,

Hi Ladies,

You probably heard yesterday about a nasty computer bug/virus. It's called the Heartbleed Bug, and it's a flaw in the way some websites encrypt your login information.

I would recommend changing your passwords on any of the affected websites that are listed in this article.

I know it's a pain in the a**, especially if you FINALLY have set yourself up with passwords you can remember (like I have). But it's better to be safe than sorry.

Hugs,
Michelle

Michelle - Glad you got a better night's sleep. Hope you get all caught up tonight. Yes, a fan would be nice, and an AC unit would be even better (especially if allergies are an issue at times). I like our ceiling fan.

I'm thinking I'll tag along w/ bf to the gym tonight - I'm going to sit in the jacuzzi.

Thanks for letting us know about that bug!! But oh what a PITA to change all those passwords!!! I just tried to change my pw in fb and when I finally found where to do it, it wouldn't let me use two of new pw's ones I tried. I give up for now. I have work to do!!

Laura - Good idea to treat your sore muscles to a soak in the jacuzzi!


I just got back from a 15 minute walk, and my back didn't start yelling at me until about minute 14. After work, my plan is to do 20-30 minutes on the recumbent bike. Tomorrow is Yoga after work. Not sure what my plans are for Saturday.

I'm going to the SF Zoo with a friend on Sunday, and I warned her that I need to sit or lean against something every 15-20 minutes. She is a volunteer docent at the zoo, so she didn't mind that at all. I'm looking forward to spending a few hours with her and getting a guided tour of the zoo by an experienced docent!

TGIF

CHELLE...so sorry to hear of your friend's passing. Hugs sister. Glad you finally got some sleep. Have fun at the zoo and say hello to all my relatives. haha

LAURA...I like to take Epsom salt baths when my body is aching. You might try that too. Altho the Jacuzzi sounds like a better time.

CEEG...enjoy your 3 day weekend, try to relax a bit too.

TERRA...good job on your walking.

SHADDIE...way to call the blokes out on not getting their job done. You are my hero!

HAPPY...I will try to post the recipe in the next couple of days. Hope the vertigo stays away. That must be awful, heck you can't do anything when you have that. Floating cartilage in your knee, just great and what we need, body parts floating around in our body. Bleh

HI SUSIE..hope things are good in your world.

The debit card....yes, finally got it yesterday and low and behold it is under my old last name. I still have my drivers license from the old name so I am going to go with it. I do not want to wait another two weeks for a new card.

The interview yesterday was good. I have a third interview on Monday. They called me yesterday afternoon to set it up. It is a sales job, but no cold calling or supplying your own calls. They are all given to you. I think I am going to try it. I need a change. It may involve evenings and weekends, but what the heck. It is insurance specialty benefits. The company is American Income Life. Google it to get a better understanding.

Today is babysitting Jacob while Sissy takes Royce for his one month check up, can you believe it, a month old already. Yikes, I want him to stay little cause Sissy is not having anymore and DS is not having much luck with it.

Ainsley's first communion is May 3rd at their church. She doesn't act very excited about it, but hey I don't remember being excited about it either when I had mine. lol

Guess I better make some coffee and jump in the shower.

Make it a great day everyone.

Hugs

Annie
My niece's dad worked with that company for years. Glad the debit card finally made it. Wish my insurance cards would arrive

Happy
Glad that HS decided on a new location. I know you will be anxious to get back to volunteering.

Michele
This time of the year I don't know whether or not to have the air or heat on. I did turn the air on yesterday afternoon to cool things down. It didn't come on last night that I heard. and I use my ceiling fan.
Thanks for the information on the meditation information.

Laura
I like it when there are no bosses around but they usually don't bother me unless I need them. I agree with the cute dog poses. I actually think of them as little people. They can make you understand what they want but can't speak the way we do.

Hello's to all the others.
__________
Dr. visit went well. I went for the allergy and back. And actually my ear drum was infection, so he gave me an injection and antibiotics plus pain meds for the back.
Visit with the cousins was very good. No uncles or aunts around to interfere.
Would you believe she drove all the way from Midland,Texas to Arkansas by her herself. But I drove to Pigeon Forge last year by myself.
Nothing else is new. Didn't exercise yesterday. Told my cousin's it was a free day.

Morning all. TGIF!!

Michelle – Good for you getting the walk in yesterday. The zoo sounds wonderful, especially having a docent show you around. I bet you’ll learn a lot! I love the zoo. We have two very nice zoos here, but this year I want to get to the one in Chicago proper since it's been a long time since I was there. It's also right next to a conservatory, so it's always fun to stop there and see the plants and flowers.

Annie – I do have some Epsom salts at home, I suppose I should try a soak. I honestly don't use our tub much for soaking - not enough room to straighten my legs out all the way. Yay for finally getting the debit card. As long as it works in your old name, you’re good to go. I’m glad the interview went well, and they must be quite interested in you if you’re in for a 3rd one. Fingers Wow the month went fast – happy one month birthday to Royce!! No, I don’t recall being excited about making my first communion. But then again, my family never threw parties for that kind of stuff, LOL.

Ceejay – Yup, dogs certainly have a way of communicating with us. They definitely respond to our emotions/tone of speaking, etc. I agree with you about running the furnace at this time of year. It’s still rather chilly overnight by us (30’s), but the daytime temps have gotten in the 60’s. We’ve had the windows open during the day, but boy it doesn’t take long for it to get too cool once the sun goes down, and then we close most of them. We're not turning off the furnace just yet.

Hellos to the rest of the Worldlies. Hope all is well in your corners of the world. Have a great day and a great weekend.

==

I didn’t go to the gym to soak in the Jacuzzi last night. Bf was meeting his friend earlier than I thought, so I really had no time to get myself swimsuit ready – i.e., shave my legs, LOL. But I’m still sore today, and now I am ready for the pool & jacuzzi, so I’ll try to get over there tonight.

I sure hope I feel up for Jazzercise tomorrow. This soreness is nuts. And the scale went up several pounds because my leg muscles are holding a lot of water because of that soreness. It’s really getting old by now.

I have Jazzercise tomorrow morning, as well as a hair appointment. I also have a brow wax appointment that I need to reschedule, since I made it before I went back to Jazzercise and now there's a conflict. I have book club Saturday night. Have no idea what I want to bring for a snack. Something salty I think. Last time I brought brownies.

Nothing much else planned. I do want to repot a houseplant this weekend. I bought it last summer in a tiny pot and put that pot into a ceramic pot, but the inner pot is so small, it really dries out quickly. I might plant it directly in the ceramic pot, except that pot has no drainage hole...oy, no wonder I've been putting it off.

Then there are still leaves all over the yard and the front of the house too, so weather permitting, I should get out and rake some more. There's never nothing to do around the house, that's for sure.

TTFN!

Happy Friday ladies,

I went to the gym last night and did 30 minutes on the bike and 5 minutes on the elliptical. For some reason, I can do 15 minutes on the elliptical at PT, but I was pooped after 5 minutes at the gym.

Today is yoga class after work, followed by getting together with some girlfriends. Not sure if I mentioned this but D is out of town this weekend to ref at a volleyball tournament in Reno. Tomorrow, I'm going to drive B around on some errands, and then we'll get a bite to eat.

I'm looking forward to Sunday at the Zoo. It should be cool in San Francisco, but perfect weather for walking around.

================
Shad - I hope you the land of Oz. I used to love traveling...but it has gotten a lot less fun to travel by plane. I'm looking forward to my road-trip through Oregon and to Washington State in September.

Annie - I think you will do well in sales because you're a naturally outgoing and friendly person with a wonderful personality. I will definitely say hi to your relatives at the zoo, and I'll try and take their pictures! Have a wonderful time babysitting...I know you will. Glad you finally got your debit card, and that you still have ID in your old last name. I keep my old driver's license around just in case I ever need proof of my former last name, and I have needed such proof occasionally.

Ceejay - I wish we had a ceiling fan in the bedroom. Perhaps D and I can add that to the list of things to purchase for the house. I'm glad your doctor visit went well, and that you had a nice visit with your cousins. I miss my cousins, most of them live either in San Diego or on the East Coast, at least I can keep in touch with them by Facebook. I looked on Google Maps and Midland, TX to Arkansas is a long drive. That's impressive she drove that distance by herself.


Lots to get done today so I don't have to work on the website over the weekend.

Much love and many hugs to all,

Laura - You were typing over my head. I've never been to the Lincoln Park Zoo, but the Brookfield Zoo is absolutely gorgeous! I'd love to go back there someday. I'm considering making a trip to the midwest in a couple years to see some friends in WI (and IL and IN). I hope you're able to get to the jacuzzi tonight. Can you do some gentle stretching of your sore muscles. I hope you're feeling better so you can do Jazzercise. You've got a busy day tomorrow! I really need to schedule a hair appointment - the gray hairs are coming in with a vengeance. I'm just putting it off because I got so sunburn last weekend on the whale watching trip, that my forehead and scalp have been peeling all week...and I don't like the though of hair coloring chemicals on my freshly exposed skin. I need to repot a houseplant too. And I'd like to get some plants for the front porch.

Good morning ladies,

Ahhhh it's soooo wonderful out here - we still have 4 foot snowbanks and there are tiny lakes everywhere but the sun is shining bright and it's close to 60 degrees and it's just INVIGORATING!!!!

Got an email to check out another location for the new Thrift Shop - this one would be better than the one we are considering and is within budget.

I thought they fixed the vertigo but yesterday I was folding laundry - sitting on a vanity bench with the laundry basket on the floor and I reached down and whoooooop - got so dizzy - it lasted for a while. Boy this is frustrating. Always something. Not much I can do about it but deal with it. Rocky seas ahead matey

Laura - if you do get to LP, please check out the Peggy Notebart Nature Museum - it's right across the street from the zoo and conservatory. They have a live butterfly room / exhibit which is fabulous. A bit humid, but one of our most favorite places. DH has taken some spectacular close ups. Not sure if we took Shaddie there on her first visit. I so had to laugh about you getting "swimsuit ready" - I was going to head over to take a swim and stopped and realized that I was not fit to appear in public quite yet. I also had to check and see if the swimsuit elastic had dry rotted which happens from the chlorine. But just the idea of doing some "landscaping" had me giggling at your comment. As for your bookclub snack - if you want salty - Rotel Tomatoes and some Velveeta cheese cubes with Tostitos Scoops chips. You can bring the cubes in a microwave crock, dump the tomatoes in when you get to the meeting - zap it and stir. Easy peasy. I also like adding a can of no bean chili too sometimes to switch it up. And for your soreness after class - have you considered a bath soak that evening using Epsom salts? The magnesium helps with aches and pains. Also the next morning I do about 10 minutes of gentle stretches to pull things out. I find that for some reason after my favorite yoga class I am kinda sore the next day or two which I don't understand because we do the gentlest of movements. But those 2 things help get the kinks out.

Ceejay - I'm sorry to hear your allergies are bothering you but with everything in bloom it's no surprise. I found it more difficult each year to find something that actually brought relief. Kudos to brave souls like you who drive long distances - and it's a long ride to the Smokies from your place. I'd be too nervous although with our new car we have OnStar and that at least gives me a bit of comfort in case something happened. I guess some people are fearless

Annie - I'm glad you finally got the debit card straightened out. What a mess anything to do with the government becomes. It was eye rolling what I saw doing the Census - a wonder anything gets done at all. Our fire sign (address plaque) out front by our mailbox has completely peeled off so we have no address. If we have a substitute mail person, we don't get mail. Fortunately most delivery people are regulars and know our place. We went for the second time to the county office to ask about a replacement. The dude there Mr. Steppenfetchit was not very motivated to help even though he checked and saw our work request from the last time. We explained the problem including a potential safety hazard for emergency services not finding our house - and hopefully another guy persuaded him to put in an order already. They periodically have job listings there and I told DH as we walked out that I'm sure there was a good reason that I didn't hear back the 2 times I applied for jobs there - I'd be sooooooo angry working with worthless guys like the dude. I hope you have better luck landing a nice job with good benefits and most importantly - PEOPLE who are a good team since that's a huge part of the fun or aggravation on the job. I'm glad you are getting further interviews - that's a good sign. As for the sales job, if you enjoy that sort of thing and it's salary and not commission, you can make some really good money at it. I hope whatever is the best option comes to be I KNOW what you mean about babies staying little. Wish that was an option - can't believe Royce is a month old aready. Wow. Did you kiss all the red hair off that precious baby yet? Take a big sniff of clean baby for me. Ahhhhhh.

Michelle - good for you on the movement. Your zoo trip sounds like so much fun. And a personal guided tour too! Are you feeling any better with your back now that you are in better weather? Or are you like me and just have tender spots that you need to work out but treat kindly? I'm glad you are not in cane needing crippling pain like you were before. Thank you VERY much for the article you linked in about the virus. That was very informative. Darn, now I have to change those passwords.

Shad - I see on FB that your heck week has followed you back home in your travels. Hope once you got out of Sydney (which sounds like an awfully clogged airport) that you at least got some R&R time.

Hi Terra and Susie

I gotta get ready to head out. Have a good weekend.

Michelle - EXCELLENT idea about avoiding the hair dye until your skin heals up. That stuff is really harsh and you don't need a chemical burn.

A suggestion about the ceiling fan. One of the things DH and I have noticed as we got older (and more achey) is that having the fan directly above the bed blowing on us (even at a slow rate), made us both hurt more. So now in our new house, we have a big circular fan we keep on the floor and point up to the ceiling to circulate the air and keep us cool in the summer. It's not blowing directly on us and seems to work out better. Just a suggestion...