LOL, I am not as flakey as my typing suggests. I went for the massage at 8:30 pm, although I did wear my flannels. Some days the difference between daywear and night wear in that I wear my bra during the day!!

I just has the most enjoyable read thru of everyones chat!!!

-7C/23F here today, beautiful, sunny crisp and clear.

aaaahhhh some peace......................................
I actually ONLY babysat yesterday. It was amazing. I had time to tidy up after the kids and do the dishes. No phonecalls or emails of a pressing nature, no deadlines........
I spoke at the vigil last night.

It was touching and beautifully done. I spoke off the cuff. I figured there was no point in planning until I was there to get a feel for the tone, the content and where I fit into it. I talked about how scary it was to send my 4 year old son off to school,into the big bad world and to experience the compassion and caring of the staff at our school and the peace program and then my part in participating in the workshops and school council and how my/our goal was to raise a generation of young people who will have skills in resolving conflicts and commincation and be able to avoid violence in there lives.
We walked through the downtown with candles. There were over 60 there.
I ended up with a flat tire. Got a ride home with someone else we’ll go back after supper and fix my tire.
I was going to get groceries but didn’t. I have just finished the last speck of coffee. There is no bread and milk.I do have apples and some celery and a freezer full of meat. I will be creative.
3 little guys all day. 4 in school. More puttering and laundry. I am feeling like cleaning out stuff again. My kids are pack rats. I will see what I can toss.
HUGS chickies!!

Don't know what happened but i just lost my post. and I've used up my time limit on the computer. I'll write more when I get home.

Mel--you went to all the trouble to pm me the addresses but forgot to include yours.

Rush job today. I've blown the abs challenge and the exercise bit. Too hot, too weary, too busy, etc. Those are my excuses and I am sticking with those.

Since I handed in my notice they are coming out of the woodwork with things for me to do - "MUST BE DONE BEFORE YOU GO!!!!" Don't you just love it.
So today will be busy with the pile of work on my desk and it will be done by tommorrow afternoon. Then I can spend the next two weeks fixing the MUST BE DONE stuff.

Okay - now for the interesting stuff:

Mel - I have sent myself a reminder email to get Teels postcode to you tonight. Sorry I forgot it last night - it's hard to remember things when the brain is heat damaged. If you wish some of this heat, start pedalling. I just want it to rain. I have a job interview by phone next Tuesday to work at Roxby Downs. My agent is confident that provided I don't make a complete idiot of myself, I will get the job. It will probably lead to other things so I can't really turn it down if offered. Just means a heap of organisation and reorganisation thats all.

Painter - good to see you back again. Why does it feel egotistical to give a painting for a gift. Personally I would love it because I would feel that you had gone to some lengths to think about who I am, what I like, shapes, colours etc. It's all too easy to go to a shop, pick out something, get it wrapped and give it. Not much effort required there.

Happy & Painter - Hope I wasn't being narky about the gun issue. I just wish it wasn't necessary for you to have to go to these lengths. When we can no longer rely on the law to help us, then there is not much hope for freedom IMHO. It then becomes anarchy. I'm pleased that you have got the responsibility, determination and sense to go for the course. I would never do it, because I would never own a gun. In my experience with weapons (not much but the odd rabbit shoot in my youth) I am more of a liability than an asset. I hear you with the gangs etc. I hear the reasons, I don't have to like 'em.

Happy - I'm with you about the chatting with friends. Nothing better in this world than to pick up the phone and say hello - amongst other things.
I still haven't done my Christmas cards and letters yet. And I have some Japanese Christmas cards to send out. But I'll let Honey-dipped tell you about Christmas in Japan.
And yes I did get some things done. As you know I am better in the mornings, but last night I raced home, got some washing out, cooked my pork steak for dinner and some chicken tenderloins for my rice paper wraps (todays lunch) and boiled some eggs for protein snacks. Then I cleaned up the dishes and the bench tops, raced out and got the washing which was baked to a crisp within about 30 minutes and hung a load of towels out. I then watched Rick Stein floating and cooking his way up the Garonne River in France, made my lunch, folded the washing and started to prepare the Christmas letter. A game of Sudoki on the computer and bed. This morning, I ironed a skirt and 2 pair of trousers and put them away. So I am getting to things, but slowly - its a pain to do all this washing and ruin the lot by dripping sweat all over them.
I thought I was daring doing the watering in bra and knickers, but the lady over the side fence is doing better, I caught a glance of her clad only in the knickers. Not the greatest sight in the world. It's out with the sarongs again for another round I guess.

Honey - I'm in South East Queensland, close to the State capital of Brisbane. I'm about 1/2 way between Brisbane and the Gold Coast but inland somewhat. What happens when you leave the military? Will you still consider living in Japan. You seem to have been there for a long time if you went to High School there. I guess your folks are also military?? I love the country and most of the culture although I think I would find constant Japanese life somewhat confining (not sure that is the right word but it will do). It all seems to depend on getting in with a group and being accepted into that group. My friend copes with it very well and I greatly admire her ability to get on with life there. There is another New Zealander living close by and he is married to a Japanese lady. He doesn't get on so well but then he is a totally different type of person to my friend.

Meadow - stop looking at the cookies and start putting a picture of AB on the front of the treadmill or wherever. That way you can walk to him. I'll bet you go for miles and fast too! GET OUT OF THE COOKIE JAR.

Holly - your place sounds like mine. No milk, no bread, precious little fruit left. I need to do some shopping.
I think your speech sounded fine. Good for you. A pox on all tyres!!!!

Ceejay - poor you, lost posts. They are a pain in the proverbial.

Okay, I better run and do something. I just pointed out that the person I have been training is away for today and tomorrow and it would be better if I went and worked with this other person for these two days so I can concentrate on M when she gets back. Aaaah never thought about that, I'll see what I can do. Organisation???!!!!! - get back in your box.

Hi friends I see have some catching up to do. I am calling on my friends and sisters here to give a prayer for mom. She fell a the pool and caught herself with her left wrist shattering it into about 20 fractures.... surgery tomorrow afternoon about 4. Give you some good vibes.... you all have such wonderful energy and I would be so grateful. My mom is in very good health otherwise so that is in her favor, she is 78 years young.
I wil check back in later.... Blessings to all of you.
Nae

I think EVERYONE has gotten into the shortbread cookies that might have been laced with a bit of a nip! Whew.... just reading the posts and I felt the need of a bike ride just to settle my nerves... Actually, you folks are the entertaining lot - just a bit hyper sometimes. FLANNEL to go to the massagerperson, Holly? I'd wear silk. Or leather. Or feathers.

Honey ~ so glad you've decided to join us! Welcome, welcome! My DDIL and two lovely grandsons aka the Thugs are in Okinawa. My DS is Military. I'm planning to visit the summer of 2007. I've got the money saved up. Can't wait!

MRI results - perfect spine...no nothing. That's good news. Annoying. But good news. I got to see the perfect spine. Go back in three months unless any more unexplained symptoms like I can't stand up for 20 minutes again. Meanwhile I can still keep on doing whatever I want to because I said so.

Hello to all and mucho hugs!!

I gotta get ready for bed so I can be really crabby at work tomorrow. Have to stay in rare form.

Nae ~ I just saw your post. I will definitely add a prayer for your Mom, her medical team, her surgery tomorrow, and for healing.

A note to 'Nae's Mum.

So sorry to hear that you fell and have badly damaged the wrist. I'm sending some warm Aussie sunshine and some good ol' Kiwi caring your way to ease the pain and start the healing.

Nae says you have broken some bones. Well this is a grand excuse to get others to do a few things for you at least until around Christmas. Put the feet up, grab the remote and do your own thing.

Keep the arm still for a while and then get back to gentle exercising with the fingers to keep those muscles in trim.

Wishing you blessings for a speedy recovery and no lasting problems. Have a safe and happy Christmas. Good luck.

Mel, Teel and all you smiley junkies - didja see did you see DID YOU SEE!!!!



Now I need to go back and catch up on posts.

Nae, so sorry to hear about your Mom. Sending healing prayers and wishes for a speedy recovery out your way.

Mel, I think you need one of those air horn in a can's in one hand and some pepper spray in the other. Shame that we can't go out in the early morning and enjoy a nice outing, isn't it?

Tig that's good news on the spine. Just what do you do to ensure you get to work crabby enough? For me the commute alone will do it.

Shad, you are never "narky" - I just had something to say and in true fashion, I said it. And you certainly had me beat in the "let's get something done around the house" contest. When you say you can't afford to turn this new job down, is it because eventually it will lead to other things for you? I hope it all works out. I can imagine that some people hear that you are leaving and go Always hard to lose the good ones.

I am bringing a consultant in next week to do some documentation and fix some broken things. There is a bit of a language barrier. And he's in one office and I will be toggling between 2 offices and 2 doctor appointments. This should be fun. NOT. Guess I will earn my Christmas vacation in spades. My "dance card" is filling up with visits with all kinds of friends and family for our upcoming visit. Good thing about moving away is that when you come back to town you really mean it about getting together instead of just doing lip service. I got the nicest letter from my Aunt today. She's my favorite one. We are cut from the same cloth personality wise. I wish she wasn't so leary of travelling - she and my mom would have a grand time visiting here and I'd gladly pay for their train tickets. (She hates cars and won't fly). I'm sure the bus trip is too long for her too.

Geez, I was petting the cat earlier which is stupid, stupid, stupid. Now my chest is tight and I'm all sneezy. Where did I put those allergy pills

Nae~ adding my prayers and healing thougths


I woke up really sick. Raging sore throat, headache, dizzy, hot and cold flashes. 4 kids here. I managed to get DS on the bus.
Last night, all 4 of us went in hubby’s car with the newly inflated spare tire to put it on my van. We desperately needed groceries. kids wanted to come. I just assumed hubby would go back home. He stayed until we were done so he could follow me home. Sometimes he acts like he might give a sh*t, LOL! Shocking .
There are downsides to being capable and independant. 1) I dont need help with very much. 2) I assume I have to do everything myself. 3) I automatically do everything myself.

I was laughing about the women chatting( in the journals) about hubbies not wrapping Christmas gifts yesterday. My hubby has never bought a gift.... he has still to propose marriage......... It is not the end of the world.
It was -17 C this morning going up to -6( 24F). I feel bad for my guy working outside in this weather.
Last night before bed I felt monumentally fat and incredibly ugly. I am now assuming it was this bug.
There is a lot I want to do but today will involve laying on the couch and feeding kids. Best go do that now.
HUGS!

Nae-- Prayers will be sent for your mom. Hope she does well in the surgery.

Tig--glad the MRI went well. Sometimes our symptoms make no sense at all.

Holly-- Hope your sore throat gets better soon.

Happy--Will pm you in a bit with address. Were you disappointed that we didn't get any of the white stuff. I was.

Mel--Glad the seniors were excited about putting up the tree.

Hello- to Honey, Linus and Teel.

I'm going to try and stay on the food pyramid plan today. According to this I've been eating way to much red meat. We live and learn. I have my lunch cooking and now eaten.

Time to run some errands.

Last night we had the biggest scariest thunderstorm yet. I feel like a pincushion from the cat's claws. But it has at least cooled down the place somewhat and a better sleep was had by all (including the cat). I left work early, did the weekly shop. Didn't buy much except fruit and veg and the odd bit of meat. The sky went green and black and the thunder starting rumbling and the lightning started to flash, so I hightailed it out of there and got home just in time to get saturated in the downpour. And most of the walkway is covered from the carport to the verandah!!!! Then it was continuous booms and flashes. We lost power intermittently and I finally just turned everything off and we sat in the dark accompanied by booms and flashes and squeals from the mother as the cat dug claws into me.

I left work early on account of the fact that they had gone out to lunch to farewell a colleague consultant. And they didn't come back. What am I supposed to do?? Well can't say just now. Just hang around they will be back soon (or later as the case maybe) I left at 3.10 and they still weren't back. So here I am back at the office ready and waiting to try again. Geez you don't have to come from a different country to have a language barrier around here.

Ceejay - hope you have an on plan day today. Too much red meat is not good for anyone. I guess these days I eat it about once or twice a month. Sometimes lamb, sometimes beef.

Holly - hope you feel better soon. Lemon juice drinks and panadol. Does it for me.

Happy - I can't turn down this job (if I get it) for just those reasons. I turned this company down once before and the person who got the job travelled the world for nearly a year - from the frozen wastes of Canada's oil joints to the diamond mines of Africa. So be it. She didn't have to work for a year after that. She did but she said she could pick and chose the jobs she wanted.

Nae - let us know how the Mom gets on. We will be awaiting results.

Tig - Glad to hear the spine is okay. That must be a relief off your mind.

Now - I have all personnel lined up and ready to go. I'd better go and do what I have to do before they get away again.

I'll be back to check on the others I haven't mentioned shortly.

TIG did you promise the mailman your first born?????? i got my lovely xmas card this morning happy mel and i demand to know how you managed it in just three days
NAE hope mums okay and had passed saifly through surgery send her my love
well im now the proud aunt of a neice finally after 7 nephews ,my mother now has 8 grandsons and 1 grand daughter she bounced into the world at 2.15am wednesday morning and she weighed 6lb 14 and is called georgina,louise,abigail,catherine
such a big name for such a wee lassie but myself and her other aunties are calling her georgie
this house is chaos my hubbys being a pig and my craig has ahd a wee bit of bother with the law ,i have done virtually no xmas shopping ,and my dogs desperatly need baths but hey i have only one pair of hands and at the moment christopher is always in them as you can probably tell im on a major pity trip so just ignore me right im off to do some ironing or conners going to school in his jammies lol and its minus 4 here
SHAD did you get TEELS postcode as i have it if you need it
bye for now ladies and the xmas cards are on there way
kirsty

oh there are no pics in the cards as hubby and i aent talking and he has