September work schedule is now out and I have to work dispatch every Monday and Friday, don't mind except that's 2 days out of the office that 'my' work doesn't get done, also means I'll be working Labor Day, and Fridays are with a girl who won't speak to me so those days are gonna be tough (& long!)

Haven't walked any since early last week, only have 11.42 miles for August, which is awful, perhaps I can get myself motivated and get on the treadmill tonight.

Prayers for all involved with Katrina, the pictures are amazing and it's hard to believe so much water, so much power, and still going. We're suppose to get her rains tomorrow and Thursday, flood warning already posted and some schools let out early today (??), hope they don't need them snow days this year or they'll be giving up their spring break.

Michele - prayers for your cousin, - what a sad situation. A suicide affects so many people and so difficult to understand.

Hope your housing situation is working out. . . let us know.

Still working at the Yarn Cafe? Haven't mentioned anything in a while, I was just wondering. . .


wilma - glad to hear you had a good break and that coming back to work wasn't so bad. . . hope you got your cushions done! Great news on the 2 lb. How far are you from your goal?

mom2fivesweeties - sorry you can't be in church, - hopefully next week, just take it slow & easy. Ortho says 5-6 days in hospital?? Better start planning, you will need the R&R. I'm sure you'll find some help on the littles. . . how old are your kids? All in school?

'CHEF' EZ - So sorry for the West, was rootin' for them all the way, still 3rd is great!!!! Look at the experience and all the memories they now have for a lifetime! By the way, HI was 'northwest'??? NORTHWEST to what?? Who makes up these divisions anyway?

Had 5 of my 7 players for tennis practice on Saturday, everyone seemed to enjoy it and anxious to get started although one girl has told me she wants to quit but then again she has never joined any team, group, cheered, nothing so I'm not real surprised. Her mom's a friend of mine, maybe I'll give her a call and see if we can't keep her on the team, she needs something to keep her out of trouble!

Saw Fat Man Walking on the news a few weeks back, quite a story, you gotta love this guys determination.

Also saw Monster-in-law, as you said, very predictable, cute but rent, don't buy. And for SunnyD, probably a 7 on a 10 scale.

I presume Costco is what we used to call a box warehouse? Sorta like Sam's Club. We obviously don't have Costco here and only one Sam's which I don't go to - can't afford all that bulk, do much better with my coupons at the grocery and don't have to pay to 'belong' to the grocery store! Does Costco have a membership fee also? Guess that's okay when you're buying for so many people.

Man, it's been so quiet. . . where is everyone? Not even Sunny around to pick on. . . on well, I'll check back in tomorrow. Have a great evening, prayers & hugs to all - Margie

HI GALS

Just got home from work....had an e-mail from my daughter...she said AIR FORCE ONE just flew over her building and shuck the daylights out of it! G.W. Bush was in San Diego last night and today...she was going to stay last night to see him fly in...but as you may or may not know...when he flies...several planes do...so as not to know which one is him.

WILMA~ Prayers for the kids...not the best way to start out...but with such great parents and MONSTER-IN-LAW they will be fine! Glad work went well for you...bet they sure missed you.... for feeling healthy ...keep it up LOOOOOOSER!!!

MICHELE~ WELCOME HOME!! Ya know...as crowded as it is getting here in California...it still has it's greatness! Weather...things to do...opportunity....hope it all works out for you. when is the big move?

MARGIE~ Thanks for rooting for the WEST The kids got into town last night about 9:30 and had over 500 hundred people show up to welcome them at the high school parking lot...I wasn't one of them...beauty rest ya know I'm with you on NORTHWEST? Hawaii?...I think it is because the west has California, Arizona and Nevada...a ton of teams/population...the Northwest has Oregon, Washington and Idaho...plus Hawaii...not a lot of
teams/population.

Sorry about your work situation...if I was working in close quarters with someone that wouldn't speak to me...I WOULD ANNOY THE HE~~ out of them by being soooooo nice and friendly! Just talking and acting like they were my very best~EST friend

Did the gal say why she wanted to quit tennis? or is she just "hard to get along with"! you know, just a flat pain in the rear! I try to encourage kids...but...as I got older...I quit "kissing their little tusshys"...some kids HAVE troubles...but then there are some kids that ARE trouble!!

Angie gave Monster-In-Law a 6...me...a 4....and that's only for J-LO!!

Costco is similar to Sam's club...it used to be called Price Club....we had them in Calif. before Sam's clubs....we do pay a fee...but it is under $75 for 5 card holders...well, worth it! plus we have the executive card...so we get a % of our purchases back...it is usually more than our fees for the cards are each year...so actually our mrembership is free.

You mentioned...um...SUNNYD? ...hummm...oh yea! I vaguely remember her

Well, Angie has dinner ready....................prayers to all! Gary

GOOD MORNING EVERYONE!!

I'm getting out of the house today! The first time in over 2 weeks except for the ortho appt.!!

The knee is getting better and I'm meeting a friend for lunch!

Michelle: Congrats on moving home. I'm a big homebody and could never move away from the St. Louis/southwestern IL area. For awhile I tried talking my hubby into moving to MN - I LOVE cold and cooler weather and the summers here just about kill me. I think MN would be beautiful as far as all the trees and lakes and that. But he just thinks I'm nuts! He hates the cold like I hate the heat!!

Margie: My kids are 19 (work and college); 9, 9, 8 and 7 - so yes, they are all in school so that helps. My knee is getting so much better I just may get to put off that surgery while I lose this weight!!

Wilma: Will be praying for your kids financial situation. With 7 of us we are always struggling that way - it's the #1 stressor in this house. Prayers are going their way.

SUNNY D WHERE ARE YOU???????????????????????????????????

Have a GREAT day everyone!!

Where in the world is everybody? This line has been way-y-y too slow-w-w lately. Hope everyone's into something good and ready to share when they come back ! !

michele - good luck on your move, you seem really excited - what brought you to MN in the first place if I may ask?? Do you have any plans as yet as when the move may take place?

EZ - have tennis practice again today, calling the one girl's mom to remind her of practice because she doesn't want her daughter to quit. The girl told me she 'just couldn't play' and that it wasn't 'any fun' - she does like people to beg and make her feel wanted which I'm not going to do, either she's there today or she's not. . . yeah, like Whatever!

Lori - It's great to get out, especially after being homebound for so long. Hope you enjoyed the lunch, that's always fun. With the kids all in school/work it will be easier if/when you do the surgery - we'll still keep you in our prayers but keep us posted to okay? How much weight are you wanting to lose? I have set my goal this month for 10 lb., I figure that's attainable and yet not overwhelming, I'm going to start my walking again, regularly, too!

wilma - prayers for your kids' financial situation, it seems it never gets any easier, and then gas prices rose here 50 cents on the gallon yesterday (3.09 reg) and they're talking about more raises and possible rationing, don't know where this is going or how it's going to be 'fixed'. We've cut out all 'extra' driving, now just work, school and church. If we need to go to the grocery, etc., we do it while we're already out or we just don't do it.

Here's a really cute little recipe I came across, hope all you cat lovers enjoy!!:

"Baking Cookies With Your Cat"
1. Look in cookbook for cookie recipe
2. Get cup of coffee
3. Get cat off cookbook
4. Find that special recipe
5. Get cat's nose out of coffee mug
6. Go to fridge and get eggs
7. Get dry ingredients from cupboard
8. Break eggs in small bowl
9. Sift dry ingredients in large bowl
10. Answer the phone
11. Cat ate eggs; get more from fridge
12. Get cat out of flour bowl and dust cat off
13. Get band-aids for scratches on hands
14. Throw flour out and get more
15. Preheat oven for cookies
16. Glare at cat with desire to bake cat now
17. Watch cat run for cover into bathroom
18. Flour the counter to roll out cookie dough
19. Run to bathroom to investigate loud crashing sound
20. Cat has toilet paper all over floor and your personal bathroom things knocked over on top of the counter
21. Yell at cat. Cat falls in toilet bowl
22. Take cat out of toilet to dry cat off
23. Get bandages to cover more scratches on arms and legs
24. Clean up bathroom
25. Run to kitchen to see what cat is doing now
26. Get cat off floured counter in kitchen
27. Try to pick cat hairs out of flour
28. Step on cat's tail and get bitten
29. Get coat, car keys and go to store to buy cookies
30. Squeeze cat through partially open window into a stranger's car at the store parking lot
31. Eat most cookies on the way home
32. Give the last cookie to the cat waiting at the front door

Hey, hope you enjoy this recipe and let me know how yours turn out! Gotta work dispatch tomorrow and Monday so won't be back on until Tuesday, - hopefully some of the MIA's will make an appearance by then!!! Have a great & safe holiday weekend and remember you're in my thoughts and prayers - Margie
Total walked since 4.4.5 = 196.12

It's a beautiful sunny morning. But, we're already starting to feel the cooler air of fall. I guess it's bound to come eventually!

I was so excited yesterday when I tried on my new uniform for work. (It's a really nice business suit) I went down another size!!!!! I'm now into size 12 which I didn't believe I would ever fit into. What a feeling!! I have about 12 lbs to go before I reach my goal and now it's feeling attainable.

Michele: I'm so happy for you in your decision to move home. I now also live closer to some family and it makes such a difference. God bless you in your new home and in finding new jobs.

Margie: I hear you about finances. Our kids will be fine. They're young and can live on love right now. Our gas prices here skyrocketed to $1.17 a litre. Unreal!! We don't drive very far these days.

momto5sweeties: I hope you enjoyed your day out. I remember needing those and enjoying just getting out and doing something for myself.


Gotta get to work. Talk more later!

E.Z.- Look forward to seein you there Wow, dinner sounds yummy! Hey uncle gonna post a couple pics of the baby she is cutie! Neat story about the guy, Thanks!
Wilma congrats on loosing 2 lbs way cool beiong so close to goal, exciting to get new uniform and have it be size smaller,
Momto5- glad you were able to get out, sorry about church, but I understand I go to a small country church and wouldn't change it for the world.
Mitchy- glad to hear your going to be closer to family. I just love mine and am so happy to be able tyo buzz home whenever I want, these gas prices though are making me think a little more, as I live an hour away, but pray all goes well with moving plans.

HI GALS

AUNT SUE~ She is sooooooooooooooo cute! Looks just like her Auntie Sue We are at $3.00 a gallon here today for regular...going up. However, compared to what is happening to those in the Katrina destruction areas...well, let's just say I feel so rotten to complain. How close does Kaylee Rose live to you? My nephew is going camping with his mom this week-end, he should have fun.

WILMA~ Great work on the dress size! Glad the weather is cooling down for you, it has been really nice here the last two days. Hope the kids find the work they are seeking.

MARGIE~ Don't work too hard this week-end! I have an extra day off, today...just didn't have a job to go to...lucky for me..but a bummer for my bill collectors I hope it works out OK for that girl and the tennis....some kids just need EXTRA help.

LORI~ Has the weather been humid with Katrina? I have to call my mom in Bloomington today and wish her Happy Birthday!

MICHELE~ Enjoy your last Minn. Labor Day week-end!

TO ALL THE M.I.A.'S...Hope you are all safe and well!

HAVE A GREAT LABOR DAY WEEK-END EVERYONE

HI EVERYONE!!!

I got out again today!! Met 2 more friends for lunch and my one friend has MS plus bad knees - she had her cane and I had my crutches and the 3rd friend said that she doesn't have a clue why she hangs out with these OLD women! Always one smart one isn't there?

GARY: Happy Birthday to your mom today! The humidity is pretty high right now - the temp is just mid-80's which is COOL for here - but it feels hot!
I agree with the feeling guilty about any complaining at all - omigosh those news stories of those poor people down in New Orleans - I cannot even imagine going for 3 days or more without water, food, sanitary conditions, etc. - God help them.

SUE: The baby is absolutely adorable. I'll try to post some of my Indian beauties one of these days. My boys are pretty cute too!

WILMA: CONGRATS on being so close to your goal! Size 12! WOW! Last time I saw a size 12 I was in 8th grade I think!!!

MICHELLE: How are things coming along with the move? When do you actually go?

MARGIE: I HAVE to lose around 100 pounds at least. I need to just take 10 at a time though because the big picture is just too overwhelming. With my knees getting better I think with Bob walking with me, I can at least go slowly at first to start moving.

Have a great holiday weekend everyone!!

I think she is pretty special and she is starting to play and giggle and coo like a baby and not be so reserved. I have a big prayer request one of my weekend staff her name is carole was having headaches and thought it might be sinuses or allergies and didn't get it checked. Thurs. night she collapsed and couldn't move, or communicate. She was rushed to Albany Medical Center. She had an an aneurysm (probably not spelled right) blow in her brain. She had surgery yesterday morning, she came through the surgery, however has a big clot on the back of head. which they are working on, she has tubes in her head to assist with drainage, She was on a vent and they were just waiting to see how she was when she came too. The good news is she woke up today, they pulled the ventilator, she is able to communicate with yes and no answers, but she has a very long road ahead of her and no idea what will be permanently effected. I am sure she will be out along time and maybe never come back. But would appreciate prayers for her and her family. She is a Christian woman who does so much for everyone else. Works the food pantry ect. Thanks!
E.Z, happy b-day to mom . I hear ya about complaining it is such a big overwhelming disaster there it will be a long time before that area returns to normal I am sure. My baby girl lives about one hour away. But so far I see her most of the time at least twice a week. I go home for prayer meeting/youth group on Wed. nights and every Sunday for sunday school and church.
Mom2five- I would love to see your precious babies. That will be a good bonding time with hubby walking with you,
Margie - loved your recipe, and so true we have two cats at work and one of them is always in your face. She gets up and lays on the paperwork, or trys to help doing laundry when it comes out of the dryer ect.
Hi to all other mia's pray all is well.

HI LOOOOOOOOOOOOOSERS

I hope you are all having a great start to this Labor day week-end!

Angie and I just got back from the dog wash...Reba and Rylee were starting to stink up the house They are never too thrilled about getting in the tubs...but they sure do love the bully sticks we give them as a treat for being good (?)

Angie and I went for Mexican food last night, two Fridays in a row!, good for me...next it will be Italian for her. Nephew was camping with mom, daughter and her boyfriend/friends were off to San Francisco, son was at the football game, of the school he teaches at with friends and step-d stayed home and watched TV. We came home and watched 3 CSI reruns on Spike TV, two we had never seen...although we do have the DVD's of them in our collection...after we were done watching Angie says.."Why didn't we just watch the DVD's the kids got us without the commercials?"...I dunno

Haging out today waiting for USC to play Hawaii this afternoon in football!!

AUNT SUE Big prayers for your friend Carole! Boy, you just never know what will happen in life do you...thank goodness she is a believer in Christ! Thanks for the birthday wishes for my mom, she turned 69 yesterday. Glad to hear the little one lives close enough to visit often! Have a great week-end.

LORI Happy to see you getting around a little better. thanks for the birthday wishes for my mom. She said the weather was very nice in Bloomington yesterday, not too hot and humid for a change. She was very happy about that, being a long time smoker, it is hard for her to breath with the heavy air.

Well,...........it sure is easy catching up on posts these days...humm...

Have a great day ladies!

Wow! This is the quietist it's been around here in forever. Where is everyone? I trust you're all doing well and are just busy.

I had an interesting weekend. We thought we'd be able to relax and get caught up on things around the house. Instead, our washer died and now we have to try to get it fixed or replaced. I went to the laundromat yesterday and washed all my clothes, then dried them at home. At least it got done quickly that way.

I did a bit of baking yesterday and then read a book. Total relaxation.

Today, it's back to work and the routine. I'm finding I need the routine to keep myself from eating poorly. If I was at home all day I would snack all day like I did this weekend. I'm glad I have the structure of work to keep me eating properly. I pack my lunch and that is what I have to eat all day.

Have a great day!

WHERE IS EVERYONE???

Well, we had a pretty un-eventful Labor Day week-end here...pretty much sat around resting watching football games and movies. We finally saw Million Dollar Baby...good movie...but not what I expected for the ending. Angie saw Sideways while I watched USC beat Hawaii...she liked it...said it was very quirky.

Made chili colorado burritos last night. New recipe for hamburgers on Sunday night that were good...1.5 tablespoons worcestershire sauce, half cup minced onion, quarter cup bread crumbs, salt, pepper, one egg and 2-3 garlic cloves minced with 1.5 pounds of hamburger....sauce mix half cup ketchup or chili sauce or sweet and spicy sauce and with a half cup mayo...red onion, iceberg lettuce and cheddar cheese. This made six burgers that were pretty filling and moist. Have chicken and sauce in crock-pot, almost ready to take out chicken breasts and place next to fettuccine with the sauce from crock-pot. Salad and garlic bread. Didn't work today...I BETTER HAVE DINNER READY WHEN ANGIE GETS HOME!

Sure feel sorry for the KATRINA victims. One thing though, a few (!) are headed to a better life in other locations it appears...at least a few I saw interviewed were excited about it. I have never been, or had the desire to go, to New Orleans...wonder what will happen to it? Think they will rebuild? WHY would they? why do people keep building in hurricane paths? Guess the same reason we keep building here on earthquake faults in California....dumb

WILMA ~ Sorry about your washing machine. I though ours was out yesterday...son calls up from the garage saying it won't work...I go down and sure enough it won't turn on..no power...humm...I check the dryer...no power..go out and check breaker box...everything looks OK...Angie flips the one for them anyway...washer and dryer work fine now. I have lived here since 1979 and that has never happened. We are always losing power in the kitchen if we turn on the microwave with too many lights and TV's on in the livingroom, dining and kitchen...all on the same breaker.

Nice that you were able to relax...sorry about the snacking

WELL GALS, HOPE ALL IS WELL AND YOU ALL COME BY AND VISIT SOMETIME

Prayers for all your concerns...Gary

It's Friday!! I always look forward to the weekends!! I don't have any big plans except some cleaning and maybe baking DH some brownies. We've spent too much money on the wedding and need to recover some. We still have our washer to fix too so who knows what that'll cost.

Oldest DS has a job interview today. Please pray that he finds work. He's in school part time but desperately needs a job. He needs to pay his rent.

Not much happening around here. It's kind of boring after having so many people here for the wedding. DH and I are going out for dinner tonight so I'll get out of the house one evening this week. Maybe do some shopping afterwards.

My winter project is going to be making a quilt for my son and his new wife. She wants it to be navy. I'll take her shopping to pick out fabrics for it. I love to quilt and find it so relaxing on those cold winter nights and we have so many of them here.

Here I am thinking about winter and it's gorgeous outside. I do hope it stays for a while. The trees are starting to change colour. It's so beautiful and yet so sad that summer's almost over.

Enough rambling. It's time to get to work. Have a super day!