:hugs: thanks Rosebud

The interview was this afternoon. It didnt go so well A- they had be sit and wait in the lobby of city hall (it's a fish bowl situation.. all glass windows) and since I work for the city's development corporation there's a lot of political stuff -- if any of my board members had seen me... *sigh*

B- by the time they actually called me in I was super nervous. C - turns out the 'communications officer' position I applied for is actually a coordinator position responsible for all public relations for all city councillors as well as internal city hall communication. They are basically doing the ' let's create this position and it will fix all our image problems' deal. So now just PR, internal comm, but local commnity briefings and being the connection to all city funded organizations *rolls eyes*

and I would still love to have it. It's a huge challenge. But I'm under qualified. I'll officially know by the end of the week... but based on the interview I'm gonna go with it's a no. It's a highly political job.. one of those ones where you eventually screw up so bad that you have to resign because of the media coverage. BUT it's union! *sigh*

I'm gonna drive to the lake and walk up and down some hills for a very long time.

Oh wowee Val . . . you just might become famous (or infamous ) . . . then we can all say "we knew her when" she was young and sweet and not politically controversial,

Okay, I really came by to RANT . . .

For the better part of a year now, I've been using one of those big exercise balls as my computer chair. It's great and makes you work your abs a bit just to stay upright on it.

So, I got home from my little shopping run and decided to see what was new around 3FC -- sat on my ball and it collapsed and rolled me off backwards and I hit my head on the closet door -- and took a good inch of skin off my elbow -- and then it took me a good 15 minutes to get back on my feet -- and then I tried adding air to the ball and it doesn't work out -- and then I had to get the rug mat out from under the bed so I could use my steno chair again, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera.

Ball looks fine, but I think 'some furry little people' have been playing around it a little too agressively and even though I cannot see any puncture wounds, imagine they are there. They all just sat around looking innocent while I was rolling around on the floor in pain. Guess I'd need to call in the CSI's to find and measure all the holes and then take casts of all claws on all 6 cats to find the culprit or culprits.

And they keep telling us how having all these wonderful pets is lowering our blood pressure. Hey, I don't know about the BP but my BGL was a nice 6.2 / 112 at lunchtime, HOWEVER I wouldn't want to check it right now.

So guess I'll be buying a new ball later this week . . . or maybe I'll just use my chair for a while . . . I'd forgotten how comfy it was.

MY GOODNESS, GRACIOUS ~ you two have had quite a day! I had a bit of a minor problem myself, but it seems so trivial compared to yours, that I didn't even bother to mention it ... lol!

HEY VAL ~ I'm sorry that you had such a let-down; what a disappointment to find out the position wasn't what you thought it was, BUT you still thought you'd like it, then only to get the feeling that they are looking for someone else.

You know, sometimes when a door closes, a window opens somewhere else: and that window turns out to be the right place and time for you. Don't lose heart; there is something out there for you: keep seeking until you fine it!!!

OH, MEOWEE ~ sorry, you had such a bad fall; ouch .... I hope you are feeling better soon, esp with those scrapes. I thought to myself, how brave you were using that ball as a chair; and I could just picture you sitting there in front of your PC on that ball ~ lol! And, no-one would have ever known about it hadn't that mishap occurred. I could see that as a captioned cartoon ~ "Now, that's determination" ... lol!

Hope you all have a nice evening; maybe a nice soak in the tub is in order for the both of you tonight ...

Take good care ... ROSEBUD

Good Morning, Girls . . .

Weather is very cool (predicted high of about 18C/65F) and only partly sunny today. It is still humid, but really not bad since it is so cool. This has been such a strange summer.

Guess I just had the misfortune of jumping on the ball not long after it had its little mishap and still looked fine -- this morning, it is only about 1/3 to 1/4 of its former size. I think it was probably Sandy that caused it. He is still only a kitten and consequently not as sure-footed as the adults. He likely jumped onto the ball, felt it start to move and just dug in with all four feet to try to keep himself from falling off.

So what exciting things have you got planned for today? I really must get back to working on those aprons or I'll never get them finished -- the urge to start a new quilt is becoming overwhelming.

Have a good one . . .

HI LADIES ~ well, we had nice weather for most of the day; but around 3 pm, it started to get very, very hot: too hot! We went out to the lot early today, so DH got the foundation supporting wall finished. Next time, we go out, we are just going to do some more landscaping work: there's lots of reeds in a trench on the south side of the property that we want to hack away ~ LOL!

I really love going out there; there's nothing like having your own little oasis away from the crowds and some very bored little munchkins. Our oasis is still in the 'dream' stage and the 'start-up' stages, but we'll get there eventually. I managed to walk around our makeshift track loop 3 x times today; I'm gonna see if I can keep that up for awhile and work my way up from there ...

GEE WHIZ, VAL ~ I was looking at your new profile pics and boy, can you see the difference between those two pictures. I noticed what you listed for your eating plan: that you don't eat any meat, dairy, or fats ... so, what are you eating then? Are you a vegan or a vegetarian? Are you just trying to give up trans-fatty foods or all fats? What is the 'Swank' diet? I have never heard of it ...

When I was younger and working all the time, it was much easier to stick to stricter eating plans, but as I got older and wasn't working anymore ... I found it much harder to stick to. And invariably, bad eating habits would return and slowly, I would regain the lost weight with interest. I have lost weight dozens of times over my life, starting from my mid-teens. After a while, I didn't even realize I was gaining so much, as I didn't own any scales; hence, I was shocked to learn I weighed so much.

As we age, physical challenges, illness, and old injuries start to play havoc with our bodies; and we start to slow down, just because that's how our bodies are made. If younger people, like VALDINE can master these issues sooner, that would help them later on. The key is to find or create a new lifestyle plan that we can stick to long term.

I am learning just how much our socialization has been ingrained in us: like eating out and the addictions to pop and other junk foods. When we get upset or disappointed, we often just eat something to comfort ourselves. I'm glad you decided to go for a walk the other night VAL, instead of turning to food; as that could have happened very easily.

HI MEOWEE ~ I always like to do small projects; that way I can get them finished and use them right away. I like to crochet things like small throws, pot holders, and hats & scarves, becuz I know they don't take too long ~ LOL! I did a few baby sets once and donated them, but they are more difficult to do. Last year, I made DH and I winter hats which I use a lot.

HI PURPLE ~ I hope your DAD is feeling better real soon, and the doctors find out what it is for sure. They are treating with meds, so he won't have to have surgery, I guess. I don't know much about that condition myself. Will continue to keep him in my prayers ...

We had leftover chicken and veggies for dinner; and it was so yummy. Nice to be able to just throw it in the oven when we got home. It's time for me to go have my tea and put my tootsies up and do my nightly crossword puzzle ~ gotta keep those brain cells workin' hard ... LOL!

Take good care, your friend ROSEBUD

HELLO EVERYONE ~ seems everyone is very busy today. We had a sunny day today with a lovely breeze; it did get hot later in the day, but it was still very nice.

We spent the morning in the garden picking more beans: picked about a 3 or 4 gallon bucket. That's way more than we expected, but there will be enuff for the entire winter for soups and stews and for side dishes. A small pound bag goes for about $3.50 here, so that's why I try to grow lots myself. We also grow carrots for the same reason. I'm very happy with how this new garden turned out.

This afternoon, I also did a little mending; and baked some low-fat bran & fruit muffins for myself for my breakfasts. All-in-all, it was a very good day; I have half the beans done (bagged up for the freezer); and decided to take a wee break. Guess I'd better get back at it, if I want to get them finished tonight; I'll be seeing snap beans in my sleep, I think ~ LOL ...

well, I hope everyone is feeling OK and having a great week. Take good care of yourselves ~ your friend ROSEBUD

Hi Gang . . .

Still mostly rainy and cool around here and the humidity is definitely not helping all these silly aches and pains. also having a little tummy upset to go along with it -- hey, all this will pass -- hopefully soon.

I GOT THE JOB!!!!

So it turns out. I dont have enough faith in myself because my references must have given me awesome reviews. I was offered the position this morning... it's making a substaintal amount more than I do currently but it's not union. It's categorized 'executive administration' at city hall... so I'm thinking I was right about the viotile nature of the position.

Rosebud Thanks for the encouagement about my loss this far. I have to take progress pictures pretty often now to feel like I'm making progress. As for the diet... I guess I should update that. I avoid red meat the most but I cant say I"m vegan or vegetarian per se (there was a whole thread on another forum here involving a lot of people who are vegan/vegetarian freaking out when the term is 'used loosely' so I dont even say it anymore)

I have to eat meat some times because I get sick without it. so turkey, chicken. beef once in awhile is usually enough. I dont avoid all fat. just trans and saturated. The swank diet found that consuming less saturated fat patients ate on a regular basis had a positive impact on disease progression.

I have to admit that rather than go for a walk immediatly I moped around the house for several houses until I went out and bought a pack of monster cookies and ate 2. I should have gotten out of the house BEFORE the fact bu I've been doing extra work outs on my elliptical to balance out the stress of this week

Purple thank u for the flying updates.

meowee hope u feel better soon!


take care all,
valdine

HI GALS ~ We had lovely sunshine with a nice breeze for most of the day; by late afternoon, it got pretty hot again, but just when we decided to come home, some nice clouds with cool temps came rolling in ... lol!

CONGRATULATIONS VAL ~ I take it that means you are going to go for it; too bad it isn't union. Do you get health benefits and other perks in administration? Many towns and cities have someone in this kind of position now; so maybe you could do some research to get some ideas on how you could develop yourself in this new position even futher, esp since it's so new. Every town and mayor and council wants to make a good impression on the public and often, they do need someone who can help them do that: being a good public relations officer, liason go-between, and image consultant, and so on. You've already been working on how to make your city look good; it's just changing the focus to people now too. Best of luck and

HI MEOWEE ~ hope you had a good day ...

HI PURPLE ~ prayers continue for your Dad and family; take good care of each other!

We went to the lot today so DH could finish up a few things he wanted to do (specifically, corner foundation blocks for extra support); and he also did a bit more yard work for a bit. We finally came home as the heat makes you so tired, but we had a pleasant drive home in the cooler temps.

Made a nice dinner and I have been writing letters tonight; now, I am gonna head off to bed as I am really tired. Will chat some more tomorrow. So take good care ladies, your friend ROSEBUD

VAL . . . and HI everybody else

Still feeling a little under par and our forecast is for a rainy Labour Day weekend anyway . . . :

HI LADIES ~ just a short note tonight; we went to town to pay bills and do a bit of shopping ... and our Landlord dropped a bomb on us. She is closing down the apartment complex we live in and we all have only two months to find a place to live and move everything. She claims that she is going into the hole and hasn't been able to sell it. No doubt the place will be sold for land after we all leave ...

So we will be busy the next 8 weeks trying to find a place to live in an low occupancy area; so fun ... not!!! Say a prayer and send good thoughts and vibes for us cuz we're gonna need them.

Will post more tomorrow; take good care ROSEBUD

Good Morning . . .

Finally, the tummy is feeling quite a bit better, but the aches and pains are still a disaster -- of course, if it would ever stop raining, I'm sure that would help. Got a new pain today -- slept in this morning and although that felt great, I seem to have pinched a little nerve in the sacro-area. Okay sitting, but I can hardly walk -- hopefully this will soon pass. Wanted to do a bit of shopping but guess that's going to fall by the wayside. Maybe tomorrow will be better.

Hope the rest of you are having a great start to the long weekend and that your weather is more cooperative than ours. See you later . . .