I know, I'm cheating since it is still over 2 hours until Friday here, but I figured it is Friday somewhere, so I could start the new thread. I have been so busy all week at work (and have been sick) that I haven't had any time to even lurk. Tomorrow I have an all-day orientation at one of the law schools I applied to (and got in ) so I won't be at work. I thought I would stop by and say hi so no one forgot about me!!

Anyone have exciting weekend plans? I am getting a makeover on Saturday at some big spring makeup show at Marshall Fields, then heading out in the afternoon to start celebrating St. Patricks Day. It will be a long, crazy weekend!

Kim - I have a Honda Civic so I would be no help in the SUV conversation, but have fun test driving and good luck with the search!

Stacey - My team is Illinois (NOT Illinois-Chicago, who your team plays tomorrow!) Of course, they play smack in the middle of the day on Friday so I won't be able to watch. However, should they win (and they should!), I am going to try to scalp tickets for Sunday's game, since they are playing in Chicago. Needless to say, I will be up late tonight because the last round of games has just begun and it is 10 pm. Oh well... I love this time of year!

Rina - Congrats on joining the health club! That is so great, especially given how apprehensive you were about it. You should be so proud of yourself!

Hi to Jen, Becky, Tonya, Ali, Kay, Jess, Lisa, Erin (welcome!), Belle, Kirsty, Lolly (where are you?) and everyone else I missed... and I'm sure I missed plenty!

Where is everyone? Come out, come out, wherever you are!

I know, it's Friday, but some people have to be around. I'm in a really good mood today. It's been a good news week, my editor is going to give me an extension on a feature story, and I get to dress up for a fancy awards banquet tomorrow night. And, Sunday is St. Patty's day, which is always fun. (My last name is O'Brien, by the way.)

Think I'll skip out for lunch and test drive another car. The Suzuki Vitara is next on my list. I basically have until next Saturday to find something. Argghhh!

Top O' The Mornin' To Ye!

How is everyone today? Or is the question more like WHERE is everyone today? I'm doing great I just got home from my massage -ahh its like heaven My one leg was pretty sore from working out yesterday but now it feels a million times better! I'm hoping to be able to go to the gym this afternoon but I don't know if it will happen or not because I have some relatives passing through that are suppoed to drop in for a visit. THe problem is I don't know what time they'll be coming through so I can't go workout until they've been & gone. I'll have to see what the time is like once they leave.

Big news in my life. My Dad phoned me last night just before I was supposed to fall asleep & dropped a bomb on me. Apparently I'm getting a new sibling!! His wife is pregnant and due in November! They already have one together, my brother Dalyn He's six & he is the sweetest little brother! I just can't believe I'm 24 & my 49 year old father is having another child! Crazy! I mean its nice & I love my little brother to death but it is just weird. People think it weird enough when I tell them I have a six year old brother. People always mistake him to be my child. I'm happy for my Dad but I also feel a little ripped off. I know this is going to sound like the selfish petty rant of a child of divorce but anyway-when my 22 yr old brother (Ian) & I were growing up my Dad couldn't be bothered to pay attention to us. Even after our parents split up if we went to stay at his house he would rent us a movie & leave for hours at a time. He'd only show up when we had him paged a million times to bring us something to eat. Not the best father figure. He's definitely grown up since Dalyn came along. He actually spends time with him. I'm happy for my little brother but I can't help but feel that it isn't fair that we didn't get the same treatment. Even now its like my Dad hardly knows how to communicate with us. I mean at least now he half tries but still. The other thing I feel ripped off about is I will miss out on so much of this baby's life. I already feel I miss out so much on Dalyn's life but at least for Dalyn I was there for his first three years. We live 2.5 hours away from them now & I'm lucky if I see them three months & then its only for the weekend. It kind of makes me want to move home but at the same time our life here is finally getting settled. Plus I don't really enjoy it there-I just enjoy my family. Ian just moved back there so he's going to get to spend lots of time with this new sibling. That's good for him but it makes me sad for me. Anyway so sorry for going on & on about my bittersweet news!

Kim, I love St. Patty's Day too. My Mom's side of the family is Irish so its a pretty big thing with us. On Sunday we're going to this cute little Irish pub that's having it grand opening this week-just in time to serve us some green beer!

Jen, hope your orientation was fun! Have a great time getting a make over! Sounds like you must be feeling better

Hi to everyone who's MIA! Hopefully we'll hear from you soon

-Rina

I am here and starving. I ate an orange and a bagel and I am famished!!! Need to find something to tide me over so I can go to the gym at lunch!!!

We had freezinf rain last night, but it wasn't as bad as they expected. Today it is sunny and should get to 40 degrees.... yet they called off all schools. The ice is melted already. When I was in school, we always had to go.

Last night we had baby swim class, then we booked home, ate, and left for the theatre. G-parents babysat while we say the Buddy Holly Story. FABULOUS show. The tickets were well worth the price!

OK, gotta run.. back later. Hope everyone else is too!

Hi everyone. It is a super slow day today! I guess ppl are out and about for spring break maybe (man I miss spring break). OK, so the ckicken recipe came out awesome yesterday. The only tip I have is to drain off some of the chicken fat before adding the yogurt to the onions. I also forgot to get cukes so I used celery instead. Not bad, but cukes would have been better.

Hi Jen, JenK, Rina and Kim!

Kim~ I saw an escape on my way to work and it was so cute! It was in this dark green color and looked really good. I hadn't seen one before, but I really like it. How did the test drive go?

Jen ~ I am the same way during the day. I am always snacking so don't feel bad. My new thing are those cheese and pretzel stick packages that we used to eat as kids. I think they are 2 points and they tide me over for a bit.

Rina ~ What news! I don't have any words of advice, but I wish you the best with it all. Dh and I both live far from our families and a lot of friends. It was tough at first, but now I'm glad because we have branched out on our own and made friends here. Good Luck!

Well have a good weekend all!
Kay