A short one today. I'm getting ready too go to Jonesboro to run errands for the bff. We are supposed to get rain today. I reminded bff last night that I can't lift anything over 10 pounds and that she will have to help get in the groceries because I'm still healing from surgery. I refuse to hurt myself.

Good morning peeps,

I am sunburned but we had a very nice maiden voyage on the pontoon boat. I - well we both - will have to learn and practice getting the boat in and out of the water. DH did well, I have to learn how to tie nautical knots. The sun was shining, the weather was perfect. We had a great time. Looking forward to more fun times.

I went for my B12 shot yesterday and told the nurse about my other knee. I can barely walk on it. So she spoke to the doctor and I am going for another cortisone shot this afternoon.

This weekend is a big summer festival in town. I will be working at the shop tomorrow morning and then I will be working the evening at our summer fundraiser for the shelter. I hope my knees are cooperative. It's perfect weather for a summer festival.

Annie - our hearts are with you at M's memorial tomorrow. Be strong and share the love

Ceejay - have a good trip - good for you for thinking about your own recovery while you are visiting your friend. Right now you are moral support!

Gail - feel free to join us if you like, we always welcome new folks. I am on the other side of WI - on the far northwest side. We are about 90 minutes south of Duluth, MN. I love it up here in the woods. Thank you for sharing your journey. I think we will all be dealing with weight issues forever, in the mean time we concentrate on friendship. We have been together a long time. Shad and I met back in 2002 when we happened upon the same thread. She brought along her good buddy Mel who became our anchor. Sadly we lost Mel to cancer a few years ago but she was a real hoot. We became The Worldly Chicks because as our group expanded we were sort of a global community - we had representation from New Zealand, Australia, Scotland, England, Japan and the United States. Like anything over time things come and go and our group has kind of whittled down to mostly US based folks with Shad (a Kiwi living in Australia) who represents the "worldly faction" but the name has stuck with us. I'm 62 originally from Chicago, moved to Memphis for 8 years for a job transfer and we retired up here in 2011 where we live most happily. I met Laura here after we moved out of Chicago but was surprised to find that she and I lived about a mile away from each other when I lived up her way. All that time we must have crossed paths at least at the grocery store and I finally meet her online! Congratulations on your weightloss so far and continued success to you. As I said, you are welcome to join as a regular.

Shad, I had to laugh at the ODDU's antics. What a smart puppy! Also laughed at your phrase of DS breaking the land speed barrier to get home before ODDU recruited a gang for "Dogs Gone Wild" So you had a wasted trip for training? Sounds like people of all walks of corporate life are universally unprepared for go live and training. Ugh.

Laura - I hope Coal gets to feeling better quickly. I'm sure he must be enjoying his gourmet cooked meals much better than standard canned stuff. I hear you are in for some hot weather - stay cool! I don't remember - did you put a vegetable garden in or just plant flowers this year? I hope the yoga pants fit well after waiting all this time.

DH is researching depth finders and GPS for the boat. What a confusing task that is. Since I have to go to the doctor's this afternoon we decided to stay off the water today which is good because I need some time to catch up on laundry and house cleaning. And give my sunburn a chance to settle down

Hope you all have a good weekend. I'll check back later.

Morning all. Happy Friday.

Annie – I know tomorrow will be difficult for you. I’ve been and will be thinking of you - hope it’s comforting to memorialize and say goodbye to M in the presence of family and friends.

Ceejay – I’m glad the follow-up dr appointment went well. Is your new schedule made up of 12-hour workdays? (I think you mentioned it, but I don’t recall.) That’s a long day - thank goodness it’ll be a short-term thing for you! You’re very kind to run errands for your bff. Smart to mind your post-op restrictions and be safe!! I hope she researches her options for getting outside help.

Gail – Big congrats to you for your weight loss! Keep up the great work!

Happy – There you are all busy again. The pontoon boat cruise sounded wonderful. Nothing like being on the water on a beautiful summer day! Just remember to slather on that sunscreen. Or buy some of those clothes with the SPF & cover yourself up! I’m sure you’ll get the hang of getting the boat in and out of the water in no time. Sooo…has she been christened with a name yet? Is your purpose for the depth finder just for safer/easier navigation, or is it also to help find the fish?? My father was a fisherman and had one for his boat. Re the veg garden – yes, I put one in and it's doing well. I have 3 tomato plants (Better Boy, grape, and Sweet 100), 2 serrano pepper plants and one Thai Basil plant. All doing very well. Haven’t gotten around to planting any of my basil seeds, and I don’t recall if I have any leftover cilantro seeds hanging around.

Susie – Okay - time to post! You can thank Ceejay – her comment to you reminded me! Hope your week has gone well and that you're making you a priority!

Hellos to the rest of you.

==

The admin left work mid-day Wed. feeling sick and upset about being sick – she’s going through a very rough period right now. She had a dr appointment yesterday, so decided to take the day off. I thought she’d be back today, but nope. I hope she’s getting rest and feeling better.

I did a workout this morning - a BE workout. I extended my checkout for the library’s kettlebell workout dvd, so I’ve got it for a bit longer. I look forward to doing the workouts, but not the muscle soreness that will follow!

Tomorrow, six of us are going on a lunch cruise that sails from Navy Pier. I thought it would be fun when my friend D suggested it, but now I’m sort of “meh” about it. Expensive, touristy, the pier will be crowded, and the weather is forecast to be hot… I hope I enjoy it more than I think I will.

Nothing planned for Sunday, thank goodness. I have a lot to do around the house. The hibiscus will be dug out!!! It will be planted elsewhere!! I will lay down weed cloth and spread mulch!!

My next project after that would have been to finally dig out the hosta and non-blooming daylilies (too much shade) from the bed that runs alongside the east-facing 3-season room windows and spread grass seed there…BUT…doggy has recently taken to walking through that bed as some kind of ritual before he comes back into the house, so now I think I’ll leave it there for him. He’s always loved walking through tall foliage. There’s plenty of other yard tasks to tackle anyway. I'll instead dig out the gigantic hosta I planted at the base of my lilac bushes out front to keep weeds away. They're just too large. I’ll cover the soil with mulch instead. I think I have some leftover edging to help keep the mulch contained.

Okay, enough rambling. Have a good weekend everyone.

Happy
Sorry you are sunburned. Glad you had fun. Does the pontoon have a roof? Have you seen the bear cub any more. Hope it found its mother.
Laura
Enjoy your day cruise. Sounds like fun.
Took bFF to get her rx then to t h e grocery store. Took me three trips from my vehicle to the apt using a small grocery cart. She unloaded the groceries while I rested.
This will b another short post. Using my phone.

Good morning ladies,

Crazy busy day today. I got up at 6:30 even though I got to be close to 2am. Did a bunch of small chores this morning. About to finish the last slurps of coffee before I head into the shower. DH is going to drop me off at the Thrift Shop. This is day 2 of the big summer festival in town and parking is limited so I'm reserving my employee parking spot for him when he comes back to pick me up after my shift so we can take an hour to walk up and down Main Street and check out the booths. Won't be able to see everything but my knee is very sore and can snap out at any second so I don't want to push it. Then I need to come home and clean up again, will be working our Art for Animals fund raiser this evening. I will collect tickets, keep the lines moving, help with the silent auction, take photos with DH so we have nice promotional and memory pictures and then help with collecting payments. Tomorrow evening after the thrift shop closes for the day I will go in (hopefully after we had a nice day of boating) and process all the credit card transactions. It's supposed to be overcast which I hope will keep the temperatures moderate. You know when you get used to living in cold weather, anything over 80 degrees (F) is sweltering here Seriously too I swear we are closer to the sun up here because our days are about an hour longer than in Chicago and when that sun hits, it's really hot even if the air temperatures are cooler.

Annie - you have our love and comfort today as you bring closure to your sweet brother.

Ceejay - that was a long ordeal for groceries! Glad you were wise to pace yourself. And yes, the pontoon has a 9 foot canopy you can raise. It gives a fair amount of shade to the middle part of the boat so you can easily move in and out of the sun as you care too.

Laura - we have not named the boat yet, still kicking around names. You betcha I will be stopping for some sunscreen tomorrow before we head out. My sister said that stuff loses it's potency so the old stuff I have at home is no good anymore. Time to refresh but thanks for the reminder. I hope you enjoy that lunch cruise. I can relate to the last minute second guessing about it once you factor in the heat and crowds. I assure you lunch cruises at the commune will be delightful! You - get outta here, invited guests only. I hope you have a good time in spite of your misgivings. Sounds like you have a nice small garden - just enough to enjoy some fresh bounty. Too funny about Coal liking to walk through the "corn maze" before he heads into the house. Please send me some gigantic hosta - I think the deer ate most of what DH planted last year...

Love to the rest of the chicks. I am about 5 minutes past on schedule, heading to being late so gotta run. Have a good weekend kids.

I'm hoping this will be the last time I have to take bff for her grocery shopping. She's physically and mentally breaking me. I think she is expecting me to take her to an 8 o'clock appointment. That would put me getting up at 5.30 leaving home at 6.30 and driving for an hour to get her there. I'm thinking long and hard about this one. Plus mileage on my vehicle. She should be looking into a personal shopper and or home health. But I suppose that is what I am for the moment. She will have to do something different when I go to Missouri. I'm not supposed to be sick! She slept till noon yesterday and I was freezing in a 62 degree room. She said the vent was off in that room but I could feel that cold air coming down on top of me. I will not be around after August. I can endure that much longer. hopefully.
Got a call from the police department that one of the traffic lights has malfunction. Can I say we have some impatient police officer's. It was working fine when I came through this morning.
I'm laughing to myself. L. has made an appointment with my gyn. That's okay. She wants to do what ever I do. I'm wondering if she will start using my pcp too. She's had a hysterectomy. Don't really know why she would need to go to a gyn. A regular doctor can take care of that. oh well
Back to work this morning. Haven't started my new shift yet. That's next week.

Every one stay cool and have a good day.

I wrote a long post and just lost it!

I will have to rewrite it later. I just wanted to check in and catch up with everyone.

I promise I'll be back tomorrow.

Hey Good Morning!

Ms service was a beautiful celebration of his life. Two of his 4 children spoke as did his step-daughter and a couple of good friends. His youngest son, George was the tear jerker of the lot. He is taking this really hard. As a matter of fact he went on a 5 day drunk after M passed. My sponsor from AA came as did many of my friends. Our neighbors we grew up with and friends to my parents, who now live in Texas actually flew in and surprised us. WOW is all I can say to that. 5 people M worked with when he lived in California flew in also. The place was packed and actually standing room only, and we actually had the entire facility for this.

I need to get to work, I will come back for personals later today, hopefully.

Thank you girls for EVERYTHING.

Susie
I understand out losing the long post. Have a good day.

Annie
Glad things turned out well for Ms celebration of life.

------
It's officially summer time and the heat is here to prove it. However, yesterday would have been a good day to sit outside. There was a nice breeze. We had air from the north which made things pleasant.
One of my bosses called to get some information and I had made myself notes yesterday that I needed those sheets. Also need to talk to my other boss about the chlorine.
For some unknown reason my stomach is tied up in knots. I am anxious over a couple of things.
Dumb me left my phone at home. Sigh.

Morning all. Happy Monday.

Annie – I’m glad the memorial service went well. It'll be difficult dealing with the loss of someone who obviously spent his time on earth in a good way (as evidenced by all the loved ones in attendance at the service).

Ceejay – So good of you to help out your bff, but she certainly needs to start arranging help for herself. It was hot yesterday here as well, but I’m glad the humidity wasn’t bad. Drives me nuts when I leave home without my phone! I hope the anxiety fades – deep breaths!

Susie – Sorry you lost your post! I hope all is well in your world.

Happy – How was the festival and the fundraiser? Yeh, I need to buy some new sunscreen also as mine might be a couple years old by now. I’m ready for a cruise up by you – I’m sure it would be peaceful and delightful. One of my giant hosta could be divided into a dozen separate plants, and if not eaten by the deer, they’ll each be giant within a year or two!

Hellos to the rest of you! Have a great day.

==

I had a nice weekend overall.

The lunch cruise on Saturday was pleasant enough. Traffic to and from was awful, though, and we were running late to boot. But we got a reasonably priced parking spot and got there with a scant 15 minutes to spare before sailing time. Navy Pier was jam packed, as I expected. The cruise was only two hours – it went by so quickly! I could’ve done with just some appetizer-type food instead of the full buffet (food was mostly mediocre) and more time spent on deck. They had games on deck and bf and I played a few rounds of shuffleboard.

Sunday I got out in the yard fairly early and dug a relocated hole for the hibiscus. Then I dug up the hibiscus and ended up with several sets of roots/plants, which had just recently (finally) started sending up shoots of new growth. I planted only one of the plants. The rest I put out front by the curb with a sign offering them for free. I also dug up some daffodil bulbs I had planted in that same area and put those out to the curb as well. All were gone by this morning - yay. I hope everything grows well for the takers. I filled the hole, sprayed the weeds, laid down weed cloth and covered it with mulch. I actually need a few more bags of mulch to coer that area.

Now that I did that, bf has decided what he wants to put in that spot. Not a fountain, not a statue, but a fire pit. I thought that was a bad idea because our neighbors have two bedroom windows that overlook our patio (not ideal for either of us). He said he meant a gas firepit, and that we could run a gas line to that spot. Much too elaborate of a project IMO, so I suggested one that runs off of a propane gas tank. I got online and found a wide variety and range of prices for these things. They generally have a box/cabinet on the bottom where the propane tank goes. The top is the bowl, and they usually have lava rock in them, though you could have colored fire glass in them too, though it reduces the flame size. I’m warming (no pun intended) to this idea because wood fires cause my asthma to flare up.

Okay, I’ve rambled enough and I want to get this posted before my 10 am meeting. TTFN!

Hi ladies,

My internet connection is slow as frozen sludge today. First of all I am sharing a link to a nice article in the Chicago newspaper about losing your Dad. I thought it was very touching. Chicago Tribune Columnist article

It was a crazy weekend. Saturday I worked at the shop in the morning and then worked the evening at the fundraiser. It was far too long of a day standing and by the end of the night my knees were both screaming. All day Sunday I was hobbling around. I was glad DH decided we both needed a rest day and we decided against a boat ride. Things were busy anyway. The chamber of commerce changed the date of our Musky Festiveal up one week (should have been next week). With father's day weekend, lots of things going on, the crowds were down substantially. It also affected our fundraiser. It was downright sad how little people were bidding on the silent auction items. Most stuff went for about 1/4 it's retail value. There were also alot of people who bought tickets only to sit and eat the appetizers and drink the champagne - they did not participate in the auctions, raffles or the progressive auction and some had the nerve to complain about the value of the items on the auctions. We did ok but not as well as we have in the past and there's a TON of work that goes into it. I got a gorgeous stained glass "window" which we will hang on our upper level. I also bought a wine bottle holder - ie. a cat laying down guzzling the wine bottle and DH thought I was crazy but I bid on and won a necklace that I had purchased from a local jewelry store and donated to the event. It was not getting enough of a value on the bids so I bid it up and paid twice for it. I was put to work all night long so I did not have much time at all to sample the food or do much in the way of bidding on items. I was glad when the night was over. Yesterday I went to the shop to process all the credit card payments. We got some storms rolling in last night - most of the activity was north and south of us so we didn't get much rain but got alot of lightning which kept me from going in the hot tub.

Today I have laundry to finish and housework and some shelter business/paperwork.

I also switched out my Weight Watchers plan from meetings to just online. I will try that for a while to see how it goes although I could log food for free using MFP. I might be more dilligent if I'm paying for it though... WW online site IS AWFUL to navigate. I had such a hard time finding what I needed even trying to get the price of plans. So I called once I spent 15 minutes trying to find a phone number and the person answering the phone was probably located in India based on her name. Her accent was so thick I asked her to talk slowly because I could not understand her. She was very pleasant but they follow a script and add alot of comments that aren't necessary so the conversation took 3 times longer than it needed to but in the end I got things switched and a refund for the upcoming month's price difference. I didn't want to pay $45 for something I can't use.

We are still waiting to hear from the contractor who was supposed to start working on our deck and house siding a month ago. DH has left several messages. No one ever answers the phone and we cannot get a return call. However they took a deposit last October - you have to give them money ahead of time to "get on the list". I think they are supposed to come and work on the front door (again) tomorrow. We have had to call them and threaten to sue just to get them to respond. This is SOOOOOOOO annoying I can't even tell you. And EVERYONE is like this. DH noticed yesterday at the gas station that the 4Runner's back windshield wiper is now scratching the glass on the back window. It's a horrible, terrible design flaw. And I noticed my Avalon is terribly dinged from ignorant people who park crooked and slam their car door into the car. I have a huge dent and deep scratch that must have happened this week. People are so ignorant. I hate people more and more. I guess I will have to move to the Canadian border to get away from them. We moved out of the city to escape these ignorant jerks and now they come on vacation and bring their ignorant ways with them. Ugh. End of rant.

Annie - I'm glad you had a such a beautiful and touching service for a man who was obviously loved by many.

Laura - glad the cruise was better than you feared it might be. I'm sure the deer would love a nice salad of hosta They are starting to appear again - one momma brought her tiny fawn into the yard but I missed it last week as I was out. We should be seeing turkey chicks in a few weeks too. That firepit set up sounds interesting. When you said firepit I was thinking you might have asthma issues. We have a wood firepit but have barely used it - mostly because it's so dry up here and we get wind gusts so most times you can't use it anyway. But that set up you described sounds lovely.

Ceejay - ugh - I hear the summer intense heat is down your way. Stay cool. Are you making X's on the calendar marking off your days?

Susie - sorry you lost your post. That's so frustrating.

Well I got up at 7:30 and it's now 11:30 and I swear I don't know where 4 hours went so quickly. Need to get moving. Have a good Monday chicks. Hello to the rest of the crew.

Well that was the quickest, quietest training course I have ever done in my life. No-one turned up. Easy money. Now I have to think of something else to do. Could be a boring day.

Susie - losing a long post is a right pain. I've done it enough. I now copy my posts every so often and then I can just paste when it disappears as it so often does.

Annie - what a lovely way to be remembered - all those people from around the country who loved M enough to travel long distances. That should have lifted you heart for a while.

Ceejay - I love my friends, but I might draw the line at all that driving and all that shopping when they could get themselves a personal shopper. Hope you included some petrol money in the bill! But I guess you didn't. It's not so bad if they live next door or somewhere close.

Happy - sorry to hear that both knees are playing up. Those shots sound painful. Glad to hear that you are enjoying the boat and getting the hang of floating and winching onto the trailer. Long may the fun times last.
What a pity all that hard work didn't pay off big time for the Humane Society. But even though you paid twice for the jewellery - at least you got something you like since you bought it yourself. Might have to threaten the siding and deck guy with legal as well. That is truly stupid. No wonder Mike Holmes used to go on and on and on about getting contracts paying for this and that etc. Crikey, I am a babe in the woods with tradies. Probably because I don't have to deal much with them and when I do, I pin them down, haggle, ask for discounts, refuse to pay deposits until I have a firm and final start date and then pay in instalments if it is a big job. Generally I use the DS2 to do most of the work around the house. He doesn't get paid either until he sorts the sh*t and starts the work and we agree a design and price. Generally I offer to buy the supplies needed. That usually gets the contractors going because they like to buy them on mates rates and then charge me for the full retail price. Oh dear I am really not a nice person.

Laura - glad you enjoyed the cruise on the lake. Always something you can take away from the experience.
Giant hostas - hope that they don't take you hostage. I quite liked them when I saw them in Singapore - however I haven't tried to grow them here. Too hot and dry probably - although I understand it hasn't been dry lately. Nice that you might see your hibiscus and your daffodils in someone elses yard next year.

Well that's about it from me. I'm back to Brisbane next weekend. Just for the weekend. Have dinner with the landlady next Wednesday (apparently with an air stewie from Air France and her husband and the lady likes to 'dress' for dinner and is a vegetarian). I'll give you the lowdown after Wednesday. I'm now here until August 12th. So when I worked that out, I will have done 5 1/2 months work. So I can take a break for a while and enjoy life again. I think my living away from home allowance comes in this week and the food allowance, so I might start making some money on this job.

Catch you later.

Hi Everyone! I am posting from my phone. Hopefully I won't lose the post.

Anne: I know it warmed your heart to see how loved and respected your brother was by so many. I will keep you in my prayers.

Happy: I saw the posts on Facebook and it is very nice!

That is too bad about the auction and attendance being down.

Ceejay: I am glad to hear you are starting to feel better from the surgery. Just don't overdue. Are you counting the days to retirement yet? In one of your posts you mentioned you were thinking about hair extensions. Did you look into it?

Laura: It sounds like you did a lot or yard work! I bet things look nice. Are your muscles sore from the yard work?

Your trip on the dinner cruise sounds very nice.

Shad: no one showed up for the training?! Am I correct that you are doing this work at a company who has contracked your company to train then on something new?

I finally got my rear and gear and got on the bike for 25 min. Once I got going I was glad I did it.

Some big changes coming at work. I will have a new Director in 4 weeks. And the word on the street is I won't support my AD anymore because I have to much work on my work plan and the new Director said he needs my time to help him with many things. He is a new Director. This is his first Director role.

We shall see how things shake out.

I plan to see you all tomorrow.

Good Morning...feeling much better mentally about things. Physically I am tired. Could be because I had a 2 year old, a 4 year old, a mini-daschund and a hubby with a C-Pap machine in my bed last night. All but the hubby slept right next to me in a bunch in a 1 1/2 foot space on my side, dog included. Then once I decided to get up for work, Jacob curls up next to me with his head on my shoulder. Needless to say once I did get up I had to hustle to get ready for work and out the door. Too sweet and cute not to lay there snuggling with him. Sam is about at her wits end with Chris. Yes, most of this is her fault however Chris is being rediculous. I really don't see them together in the end. They are SUPPOSED to start counseling on Thursday evening. Prayers please.

HAPPY....sad to hear the auction did not go well. You put so much time and effort into the shop. You are amazing. Yes, I do believe the animals would be much easier to deal with than kids, other people and just the world in general. I am going to try to read the article about losing your dad today when I get more time...ha. My word it will be winter again before that front door gets fixed. What is wrong with companies not wanting/doing quality work? I guess most people would of just settled for the work done and they did not expect you to balk at the craftsmenship. Any results on the deck/siding work? How are your knees doing after the shots? Any relief? Standing all day is not helping missy. Hugs

SUSIE...a new boss, eeek that could be good or bad. Not working for the AD should help?? hinder?? your workload. Just depends on how busy the D keeps you going. Great you got back on your bike.

LAURA...the lunch cruise sounded wonderful and I agree 2 hours is not long enough. I love being on/near the water. I am surprised there was a buffet with that short of a ride. Hmmm, a propane fire pit, don't think I have seen one of those. Just don't get it too close to the house.

SHADDIE...bright side of training an empty classroom, everyone passes, pay is easily earned and no smart mouthed students. lol. Are you home for good after August 12?

That is about it for me, make it a great Tuesday/night. Hugs.

Morning
Going to be another hot one. It is summer after all.
I sent a text to bff last night stating that I couldn't take her to her appointment on the 22nd. I'm working that day. And her appointment for the 29th is up in the air. I told her I was coming to get my b12 on the 24th and if she could get that appointment rescheduled on that day after 10 a.m. I could take her. She's going to have todo things for herself and do with out me. I'm leaving Arkansas in early September. She texted me back around 10.30 but I didn't respond. I will text that late on my day's off but not work days.

--------
Happy
So sad that the auction didn't do well. Sorry your knees are giving problems but I understand. I've never had the cortisone injections in my knees. That sounds painful.

Susie
I am definitely feeling better and I have to keep tell myself my body is still healing. I can start moderate exercise this week end. and I may go to the community center's gym to walk on the tread mill. It's to hot to walk outside. I forgot my phone yesterday or I would have posted my food in MFP. Keep up the good work. Hope the changes at work go in your favor.

Annie
I can see why you didn't sleep well with 2 little ones and a dog in the bed with you. Praying things will work out for S and C.

Shad
My friend definitely needs a personal shopper. I'm giving up part of my chores that I've been doing for her. It's to hot for one thing.
Anxious to hear about the dinner party.