HOPE YOU ARE ALL HAVING A GREAT WEEKEND. THE SUN IS SHINING OUTSIDE BUT WITH A COOL WIND/BREEZE. SUPPOSED TO WARM UP. I AM GOING TO STAY INDOORS. THE CYST'S SWELLING HAS GONE DOWN CONSIDERABLY THAT'S WHY I'M HERE. I CAN FINALLY SEE SOMETHING!! NOT MUCH IS NEW. JEN & RICHIE CALLED TO SAY THEY LANDED AND IT'S HOT THERE. THEY ALREADY WENT SWIMMING AND TO THE BEACH. HOPEFULLY THE REST OF THE WEEKEND GOES WELL FOR THEM. I AM JUST WATCHING TV AND CLEARING OFF THE COMPUTER DESK. NOTHING GLAMOROUS....NOT EVEN MY PJ'S.

I HAVE A QUESTION....ALL THE "MEN IN MY LIFE" (MAINT. MEN & VENDORS) SEEM TO BE BUTTING HEADS WHEN ONE IS TALKING TO ME....INCLUDING A FEW YOUNGER MALE TENANTS. IS THIS SOME KIND OF ATTENTION THING? OR PROTECTION THING? AND HOW THE FOOK CAN I STOP IT?? THEY ARE ALL BEGINNING TO ACT LIKE MOUNTAIN GOATS AND IT'S PISSING ME OFF TO NO END. NOW THAT I THINK OF IT...THIS STARTED AGFTER THESE YOUNGER MEN MOVED IN. FOR NOW I AM AVOIDING ALL OF THEM!! PUTTING IT IN SUPER DRIVE AND LEAVING THE SCENE NONE OF THEM CAN RUN FAST ENOUGH TO CATCH ME

CEEJAY...SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT THE SINUS OPERATION COMING UP. KEEP US POSTED. I TOLD MY ENT....NO WAY JOSE'. I'LL KEEP MY DEVIATED SCEPTUM & CAVITIES THAT NEED REBUILDING & REPAIRING.,..THANK YOU VERY MUCH BUT
I EXPECT A DETAILED REPORT FROM YOU IN CASE I EVER CHANGE MY MIND!!!


MICHELLE....HOPE THE TIME WITH MIL IS GOING WELL AND YOU LET HER WIN THE BOWLING ONCE AND AWHILE!! I ALSO HOPE THE PICS COME OUT OK FROM THE CAMERA THAT WASN'T WORKING RIGHT FOR DH. KEEPING FINGERS CROSSED.


ANNIE....I AM GLAD TO HEAR THE DSIL HELPED WITH THE CLEARING OUT OF MOM'S STUFF. JEN & I THOUGHT ABOUT YOU THAT WEEKEND. SOMETIMES MY YOUNGER BROTHER COMES TO ME IN DREAMS....AND SO DO A FEW TENANTS. BTW.... IF YOU EVER FIND OUT WHO DOES THE "HANDLE" PART OF WHAT WE CAN BEAR...I HAVE A FEW CHOICE WORDS FOR HIM. ....AND THERE SHOULD ONLY BE ONE DISABILITY PER PERSON TOO!!! HOPE DINNER WITH DAD WENT WELL AND WE'RE CHEERING YOU ON FOR THE BB'S ARRIVAL HOME!! MR. SKINNY!!


LAURA....CONGRATS TO YOUR AREA FOR THE AMERICAN IDOL LASTING SO LONG!! WOW!! THE PEOPLE SHOULD BE REJOICING INSTEAD OF BIOTCHING ABOUT TRAFFIC JAMS!! GOOD SHOW!! I DIDN'T KNOW THAT BE WAS ON TV AND COULD BE TAPED. LEARN SOMETHING NEW EVERY DAY! I KEEP FALLING ASLEEP WHILE THE BL IS ON AND DON'T REMEMBER TO SET MY VCR I THINK I MISSED 3 WEEKS OR MORE NOW. WHAT IS THE SEWING PROJECT FOR THE NEW MATERIAL??


SHAD....GLAD THE JOB IS DOING OK AND YOU ACTUALLY GET BREAKS!! I AM EVEN HAPPIER THEY LET THE DS2 LEAVE EARLIER THAN HE PLANNED. THAT WAS A STROKE OF LUCK AND SAFER!!!!!! HOPE HE ENJOYS THE BREAK AND FINDS SOMETHINGHE DOESN'T HAVE TO RISK HIS LIFE FOR EVERY DAY. SENDING GOOD THOUGHTS FOR THAT. I HAD TO LOOK UP THE KOH-I-NOOR THE NAME RANG A BELL BUT I FORGOT TILL I READ A BIT OF THE HISTORY AND HOW IT TRAVELED FROM INDIA TO ENGLAND. AFTER LOOKING AT THE STONE, IT'S A GOOD THING WE DON'T HAVE IT...THE CROWN WOULD PROBABLY BREAK OUR NECKS WITH THE WEIGHT!!

Good Afternoon My Dear Worldly Ladies.

Just got home from CVS. Yikes, 7 hour shift, no lunch, no breaks...my choice. I mean if I have to be there 7 hours, then I want 7 hours pay, not 6 1/2 for taking a 30 minute lunch. It really is a fun job, a lot of regulars, you would think it was a bar or something. Good to see them. I am not right.

I am baking peanut butter chocolate chip cookies to take back to CVS for my buddies. They have been more than supportive and sweet to me. Besides I love to bake and hate chocolate so it works out for all concerned.

MELLIE....men are stupid. End of story. Don't try to figure out the ignorate. Take them with a grain of salt. Glad the eyes are doing better.

Laura....I like garage saling, but haven't done it in soooooo long. I never have enough time or have to be at CVS about the same time the sales are going on.

Hey Ceejay...hope all is well with you.

Hellos to all.

Love and hugs..

Morning all,

Seems I didn't post yesterday and this one will be short. I'll have to come back to do personals. The staff have arrived and are weeding - very quietly, I need to go out and have a look. DS2 went around to the house very early to mark out lines for the trench with his laser light and then showered there only to find out the shower leaks. He now has to dry off the carpet and figure out the leak. I thought he had tested it before he sealed the walls up but apparently not! Another lesson learned. The language was a bit off for early Sunday morning.

Meantime, I have a fair amount of stuff to do around here, plus finishing emptying the shed around there so I had better go sort myself out. Shoes first, then work. was good. I'd like another one!

MORNING CHICKS. KIND OF DARK OUT THIS MORNING AND I FEEL SOOOO SLEEPY STILL. MAYBE A 15 MINUTE NAP. NOTHING NEW HERE AT ALL. JUST THE USUAL ALARMS AND I AM DABBLING WITH CLEANING. NOTHING MAJOR. HOPE YOUR WEEKEND IS GOING WELL


ANNIE....I AM GLAD YOU HAD SOME REAL SUPPORT AT THE JOB AND THAT YOU HAVE BUDDIES TO HAVE FUN WITH. OUR OFFICE USED TO BE LIKE THAT ONCE DON'T TELL THE OTHERS BUT....I BOUGHT PEANUT BUTTER CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES AT TRADER JOE'S ON THURSDAY IT WILL JUST BE OUR LITTLE SECRET.



SHAD...SHAME THE DS HAD TO LEARN THE HARD WAY. IS THAT WHY OUR SKIES WERE SO "BLUE" YESTERDAY??? OUR PLUMBER HAS BEEN TRYING TO TEACH THAT LESSON TO OUR GUYS! HAPPY MONDAY TO YOU.

Hi all,

We are back - safe and sound. Had a rather rainy drive home but got back ok. There are terrible storms out that way this morning so we go out just in time. I didn't want to post much when I was away - I'm aware more than ever that people can figure out who you are and where you live and know that you aren't home. When we go on vacation we alert the police and the neighbors but still - I don't like to advertise that we are away.

We had a nice time. The weather was quite warm although there are strong winds blowing off the water so it seemed like it was 72 degrees and comfortable when really it was in the upper 80s and 90s. Got a burn after being out in the sun only for a few hours - and that was using tanning spray. I even got a bit of a burn on my legs sitting on the deck in a lounge chair with only my legs in the sun - and my legs never tan.

I would have preferred to spend most of my time sitting on the beach or on the deck staring at the water and relaxing. My SIL is a go go go kind of person - she absolutely needs to be doing something all the time. Her quietest activity is reading the papers trying to find new places to visit So we spent a fair amount of time shopping. Did go see one fancy house with nice gardens, went to a small but nice zoo - I wanted to take a picture holding a baby kangaroo but when we went to buy the ticket we were ready to leave and the keeper had just gone to lunch. DH got some very nice sunset pictures which I will publish after he cleans them up.

Got a few shots of us in the water but I will not be publishing those. Let's just say that the sight of them has me completely committed to restarting the WW program and the gym in earnest. It's the last time I am going on vacation and missing some nice photo opportunities because I'm so big.

I did go into the Gulf with my clothes on. The surf was rather rough and at one point it did knock me down. Although I have been in both coastal oceans - albeit knee deep - I have never tasted salt water before - and boy - is that SALTY!

I am very grateful to my SIL for bringing my Mom down. She had a nice time and enjoyed herself. My SIL was fantastic - drove all over, arranged and took care of things because she loves to plan and was willing to go anywhere, do anything. It was nice that DH did not have to do all the driving himself although some of the roads were less busy and I would drive too if we went there again.

The house was nice but in sad need of alot of repairs. The screens were torn, you could not open most of the windows and those you could you had a hard time closing again. Neither set of patio doors would open and because the salt air is so caustic, everything that was metal had rust on it - the door jams, the windows, even the toaster and the refrigerator and the furniture lamps! It didn't stop us from having a good time but we all felt if you are going to rent a place out as a vacation home, you are obligated to keep it up a bit better than it was.

The house was 200 steps from the water so that was nice. We did however have the best spot on the beach apparently and since it's a shared beach by anyone living within the area, we often had other people sitting on "our beach" right in front of the house.

There weren't many people in town or renting the houses. We thought it was because we were there ahead of the Memorial Day holiday which is the real start of summer or that the kids were still in school and people had not yet started to vacation. But we were told by several locals that it was dead there because of the oil spillage in the Gulf. People are scared to come down there. It was really sad. So many people depend on the tourism and fishing industries. That has the potential of wiping out many along the coast. It's kind of hard to figure out what's going on. On one hand we didn't see any problems outselves and the tourism places are accusing the media of blowing the situation out of proportion. Yet even the local papers are reporting problems with them containing the oil. We could see the orange booms (Floating containment rings) down the way from our beach house as it was reported that they found tar balls on the island just west of us. Not sure that area will ever be the same again. We might be one of the last to enjoy the beach that way for years to come.

Anyway - I need to go plan out my meals and unpack. Just wanted to say hi. Will catch up with personals if I have time later tonight.

to all

Mel - just to get back to your query about men. Now I am not saying that I know or understand anything much about them, they are a different species after all but.........

As far as the young bull/ old bull syndrome goes, the youngsters probably don't even notice or care that you are in a wheelchair. The maintenance blokes have seen you in all stages of wellness and sickness and they are going to be somewhat more protective.

As for stopping it..... You can't stop all stupidity on this planet. And basically all you can do is to ask them to stop speaking about you as if you weren't there. Or go back to when Jen was little and start the whole manners thing over. As in - Excuse me, Jo, but I am talking to Fred. We will be done in a minute and I will then have the time to listen to you properly. Please wait!!!! (preferably over THERE)

If that doesn't work, the disappearing trick will work for a while or you can just butt in and tell them that they are D*ckheads and need examination of the neurological kind.

Oh to be fought over by men!!!! Gotta run. Work to do. It's Bl**dy Monday again.

GOOD MORNING CHICKS. THE WEEKEND SEEMED TO FLY BY BUT I AM MUCH RESTED AND ALREADY HAVE 2 LOADS OF WASH IN THE MACHINES. NOW I AM OFF TO MAKE WEEKEND REPORTS AND FINISH IN THE LAUNDRY ROOM. JEN & RICHIE CALLED LAST NIGHT AND WILL BE HOME BEFORE NOON. THEY HAD A GREAT TIME AND SEEMS THAT FOR THE TIME BEING THE FAM,ILY DRAMA IS OVER.
HOPE YOU ALL HAVE A GREAT DAY


HOME MISS HAPPY!!! I AM GLAD EVERYONE GOT ALONG AND YOU ALL HAD A GREAT TIME. WHAT DO YOU MEAN NO BATHING BEAUTY PICS?? I WAS SITTING HERE WAITING FOR THEM TOO!! HOPE YOU HAVE A GREAT VISIT WITH MOM AND KEEP THE VACATION MODE GING IN YOUR HEAD.


SHAD...I WAS HOPING THERE WAS A WAY TO "CALM" THE MALE WATERS. SIGH. IT'S REALLY BECOMING A PAIN. MAYBE IT'S A PHASE THEY ARE GOING THRU. HOPEFULLY THEY WILL GROW UP SOMETIME SOON. I AM LIKING THE D*CKHEADS THING THOUGH!!!! I CAN SEE MYSELF DOING THAT. I'LL LET YOU KNOW IF I HAD TO USE IT!

Good morning ladies,

Back to the old routine again. Yesterday was very busy - still didn't get everything put away - unpacking is not as much fun as packing Will finish the rest tonight. I'm ready for a productive week.

Mel - if anyone knows how to control the boys, it's you Maybe they are just seeking approval. Tell them to take off their shirts and you will decide Did Jen drive all the way to FL just to come back today or did I read that wrong?

Guess I'd better get rolling here. I told myself I'd try and get in earlier this week and that won't happen sitting here.

Michelle I hope you don't have quite so busy a weekend. Catch you ladies at lunch time

Hello Ladies.

Hey Mel - Shad has some good advice on dealing w/ the boys - hope it works for you. My sewing project is just a pajama top to match pajama bottoms I sewed last year.

Shad - Sorry about that shower leak! I think bf's tap project might finally be done. We've had a bucket under the sink for about a week now, but I haven't heard any dripping.

Happy - Welcome back! Sounds like you had a nice vacation - too bad the tourism in that area is taking such a hit due to the spill. Glad you got to spend time w/ your mom & SIL. Looking forward to the sunset pics! I have a tendency towards tilted horizons in my photos!

Annie - It's nice you enjoy your work atmosphere at CVS. Sounds like a nice group of people you work with.

My weekend was nice. Friday's half day of work was pleasant - nice weather too. We took a dog walk and hit a few garage sales that had advertised bicycles, but we didn't find one for my needs. Bf also inquired at each one about a gas-powered lawn edger - the next thing on his guy tool wish list. The AI parade - well it was just the HS band, cheerleader and dance squads and then the convertible w/ our contestant - not really a parade, so if you blinked you missed it! But we saw it. The people-watching was a lot of fun - huge crowd. Can't imagine how it must have felt to this guy who came from working as a clerk in a paint store for years to being in the (inter?) national spotlight.

Fri. evening was a spaghetti dinner, at our friend's church, so we got to see their baby - little cutiepie. Saturday I spent several hours on paperwork organizing and purging. Ugh. Made me quite crabby. We also hit a few more garage sales. Saturday night bf went to a b-day party, which I took a pass on. Sunday I went to Kohl's and used my 30% discount coupon. I'm not done with that coupon yet! Bought socks, undies, a sweater, a t-shirt w/ elbow length sleeves that nicely cover my upper arms and a couple pairs of skimmers. Skimmers - they hit right at my knee, so they're shorter than capris or cropped slacks - more like very long shorts (not sure where claim diggers and pedal pushers fit in to this comparison). I like the length a lot because they hide multiple sins - spider veins, cellulite, flab, pasty skin...

Speaking of pasty - has anyone ever had a spray tan - how do they work and how long do they last?

Back to Sunday - another dog walk, lunch out (tortas), and then grocery shopping. We made a batch of ceviche for dinner w/ tilapia. It turned out really well, but I've decided I prefer it as an appetizer rather than as a main course.

Rainy Monday, the admin is out, so it's a bit quiet here today. That's about it, so I'll quit rambling now!

Hellos to Ceejay & Michelle!!

Cheers!

Good Morning all yall....My work computer laptop took a major sh*t this morning. No fixing it. They are overnighting me a new laptop should have it tomorrow. I am at another desk trying to get some work done. With everyone stopping by asking, "why are you in this office". Can't get a thing done so decided to post.

I think I must of slept wrong or something. My neck and shoulder are absolutely killing me. Cramping with slight bleeding. I tell you, JUST SHOOT ME.

Baby boy got to call home twice yesterday. What a great day! My brother called and invited me over for dinner at 3 yesterday. My SIL made this yummy boiled fish, mashed tats and peas. For free, I ate it. Was quite tasty.

Shad....leaky shower, I hate plumbing issues. Water leaks are the worst. Dang it.

Happy...welcome back to reality. Glad the vacay was so relaxing.

Laura...mmmm spaghetti, one of my favs. That is the meal my son has requested when he returns, funny it was the same meal he requested before he left too! lol

MEL...don't you feel so special when men fight over you? You dang sexy woman you.

Hey Chelle...back to zumba-ing this week...YGG!!

Heys to the rest of yas

Love and hugs,

Ah well here I sit on day 1 of the diet plan. The morning just sort of drifted past me so I didn't eat my planned meal of yogurt and a WW breakfast sandwich. Lunch was a Healthy Choice tortellini with mixed vegetables in marinara sauce. It was just ok - had to feel good that it was healthy (and they are now putting WW points on the Healthy Choice meals) only 4 points but dang - not as good as a cheeseburger I had a mixed cucumber and tomato salad as a side and a sweet tea - working my way off the Cokes.

Got my certificate - finally - for the health club membership so I will be off to join it this week.

They just came by and announced that there is leftover BBQ in the breakroom. I'm just going to sit here. Some pigs will actually be packing themselves a big ole plate with a couple of sandwiches on it (for my dinner)

Annie - sounds like you had a good conversation with your son. Can you ever get tired of spaghetti? I don't think so I think today is just one of those days of computer woes. We all are having them here on different levels. Boiled fish, huh? I will have to try that.

Laura - I think some people have tried spray tans when they are getting married and going to a beach place for their honeymoon and didn't want to look all pasty. I think it lasts for about a week. Check out some of the clients if you can just to make sure they're not blotchy. I think a one time tan is good - if you do it continuously I think you can get fake or orangey looking. Sounds like you got some great stuff at Kohl's. We hit an outlet mall on vacation and they had 40% off at Coldwater Creek. I was in heaven but did hold back from going totally overboard. I like the longer short/capri/pedal pushers too for the same reasons you do. Except I am short so finding something that hits the right length can be hard. How nice that they had a parade for Lee - look forward to seeing it this week. I'd look for you on AI but don't know what you look like - maybe you're the one waving?

Going to try and sneak in a short walk around the building before lunch is over. See yahs

Crazy busy day today....OMG! Had flu-like symptoms this weekend....exhausted and achey. So I didn't exercise and my eating wasn't always OP. Feeling much better today and going to Zumba tonight. I'll try and catch up with y'all tomorrow.

Evening all. So busy at work today I didn't have time to even think about this site.

Mel - being serious about the male syndrome for a minute, pull one of the maintenance men aside and tell him you are not happy with what is going down and ask him to explain what is going on. Then ask them what it would take to fix the problem. Then out of sight of that lot, talk to one of the other side and explain that it is becoming very annoying and that you want them to suggest how to fix it.
If they come up with the suggestions then they are more likely to fix the problem than you going in there and beating them up.
Oh by the way, I have been bad and haven't posted your envelope yet.

Happy - nice to see you home safe and sound. So glad that the oil slick didn't spoil your holiday. Such a shame that good holidays always seem to come to an end. And we don't get to see the bathing belles!!! bah humbug
Get that walking in.

Annie - sounds like a bit of a social time for you. I hope the DS gets home and gives you a big hug soon. Nice of him to call.

Hey Laura, make me some pyjama bottoms too please. My last pair is about to bite the dust. I'll have to get some more next weekend.

Michelle - sorry you are feeling under the weather although it is no surprise given the hours you've been working. Get better soon.

Ceejay?????????

Gotta go. One of sons friends wee boy has run away from home. We need to go give chase. Little B*gger.

GOOD MORNING CHICKS
NOT A GOD DAY FOR RIDING OUTSIDE SO I BETTER FIND SOMETHING TO DO. MAYBE A GOOD CHIN WAG WITH JEN AND GET THE SCOOP ON THE FLORIDA DRAMA. GOT 3 LOADS OF WASH DONE YESTERDAY SO MAYBE SOME COOKING TODAY. WITH OUR NEW DOORS AND SOON TO BE NEW DOORBELL SYSTEM, THE COPS AND EMERGENCY PERSONNEL ARE HAVIONG PROBLEMS GETTING INTO THE BUILDING WITHOUT ME 100% OF THE TIME. I AM TRYING TO RECTIFY THIS BUT COOPERATION IS HARD TO COME BY. IF IT'S NOT AGREED UPON BY THE MEETING NEXT WEEK I AM BRINGING IT UP. THEN FOR SURE WE CAN GET IT DONE
HAVE A GREAT DAY


LAURA...YOUR WEEKEND SOUNDED GOOD. LOTS OF DIFFERENT THINGS GOING ON. HAD A LAUGH AT THE BUCKET "TESTING" UNDER THE SINK. FOR SURE THE BF COULD COME AND WORK HERE. GOOD TO HEAR THE PJ BOTTOMS WILL HAVE A TOP THE SHORTS SOUND ALOST LIKE THE "BERMUDA SHORTS" OF YEARS AGO AND THERE IS ANOTHER NAME THAT ESCAPES ME. PEDAL PUSHERS WERE NEARER THE CALVES. WHEN DOES THE 30% EXPIRE?? THAT IS A GREAT CARD!!!


ANNIE...SENDING A HUG FOR ALL THE BOO BOOS HOPE THE ARM AND SHOULDER PAIN GOES AWAY. WE WILL NEED TO WRAP YOU UP IN BUBBLE WRAP. FREE FISH DINNER?? I STILL MIGHT HAVE PASSED I WISH IT WAS SEXY ME THEY WERE FIGHTING OVER...BUT I THINK IT'S MORE UNDER THE TITLE OF "I NEED A MOM".


HAPPY...DON'TCHA LOVE ME ANYMORE?? AND THERE I WAS WAITING FOR YOU BTW...HAVE YOU TRIED SOME OF THE NEWER LEAN CUISINE DINNERS? I FORGET WHO WAS TALKING ABOUT THEM AT THE ELECTION THE OTHER DAY BUT THEY SAID IT'S AN IMPROVEMENT OVER THE OTHERS. I THINK SHE SAID THEY HAD POINTS ON THEM TOO...BUT NOT SURE. GOOD LUCK THIS WEEK.


SHAD....NOT TO FEAR ABOUT THE ENVELOPE! I AM A PATIENT PERSON I READ YOUR POST YESTERDAY AND DID SPEAK TO ONE OF THE GUYS. IT SEEMS THEY THINK THE YOUNGER MALE TENANTS ARE "IMPOSING" THEMSELVES ON ME AND SEE IT AS AN INSULT OF SORTS. BECAUSE "OF COURSE I DON'T WANT ATTENTION LIKE THAT". SO I THINK IT'S A CASE THE MAINT. MEN WERE HERE FIRST AND THIS IS THEIR TERRITORY.....ME INCLUDED. I HAD A GOOD LAUGH WHEN THEIR BOSS CALLED IT A "P I SSING CONTEST". THESE GUYS AREN'T GETTING ENOUGH ATTENTION AT HOME!!!!!!!! AND THE 2 PROBLEM MEN, MY MAINT "BROTHERS", ARE ITALIAN AND SPANISH. REAL HOT BLOODED AND HOT HEADED. I THINK MAYBE THE WORST IS OVER. HOW GOES THE DS'S HOME? GET THE LEAK DONE?