Good morning. Jazz decided we should all get up at 4:15! I just can't go back to sleep when I hear puppy crying. My mothering instincts kick in.

Bad news yesterday when my car had an "exploratory" by my car guru. Looks like I need a new transmission , have two shocks going and the brakes need work. Oy! I was not able to drive it home from the service station and wondered how I would get along without a car - small town stations don't have loaners. Luckily, Dave the owner is going to Florida so he lent me his old clunker. Gotta love it! It's a 1990 Oldsmobile station wagon aka "whale". I feel really tiny in it! Good thing because I'd never get a rental with Easter weekend happening.

Today I will do the 7:30 gym thing, ice my cake and take it to the luncheon with the dogs for pet therapy. Then I will deal with the car situation. I plan to ask a friend to find me a car - Keith is a retired Ford dealer whom I've known for years and have bought all my cars from him since 1985. (His wife is one of my quilting friends and says he needs something to do.) It's not that I'm not capable of buying a car but some help and reassurance will be good.

Discovered last night that my reaction to stress can be not good. I munched my way through some SF candies and the Malitol is doing its number on me this morning. TMI, I know and I certainly know better. We get too soon old and too late smart.

Sorry to dump this but we share the good and the bad about life and this is just a temporary bump on the road. Next week I'll probably have a new car and will be insufferably "up".

Let me make you a mug of Italian roast with SF French Vanilla creamer while you gripe or celebrate about your life.

Oh Ruthie, you crack me up! So sorry to hear about your car, but it's great that you have a friend that can help you find a new one! That's a little bit exciting though, isn't it? And I'm pretty impressed you only binged on SF candies instead of that carrot cake!

Hopefully today will be easier than yesterday. I love Wednesdays, since it's pizza day at school, and I never have to make lunches for the kids! WOO HOO, isn't it the little things in life? If I'm lucky I'll have time for a run (or a nap...) and then back to the regularly scheduled Wednesday...martial arts for the kids, and flight class for the DH.

Did phase I yesterday (without having proper groceries..shame on me...) which went surprisingly easy....now for day 2...

That's a shame about your car, Ruth. It's gotten you through many fun adventures, and I'll miss it along with you. But on the other hand, you've been considering a new car for a while now, and there's nothing like the smell of a brand new car. Plus, it comes with a warranty. Look on the bright side.

My girls are off on their camping trip to Assateague/Chicoteague this morning, and I want to leave in time to see them off. Then I'll spend the morning at Susie's, polishing the silver and getting the house ready for Easter dinner. Last count, there were at least 24 guests coming and still counting. My DD is wanting me to drive over and spend the night when I get home, but I haven't decided whether I want to go tonight or wait til tomorrow.

Ack! My coffee mug is empty! I have to fix that. SF vanilla creamer sounds good. Yes please, Ruthie.

Tammy! When are your kidlets on Spring break?

Good morning.

Ruth - Bummer about the car. Ours are 11 and 12 years old and I'm hoping they hang on. Ah, yes - I usually do okay with ONE serving of such candy. SF gum gets me too.

Twynn - Hope you get time for yourself today.

Linda - I have some silver earrings in desperate need of some polishing if only I could slip them in with your lot!

I work again today. This is three in a row and my back is screaming!! But it really is so good for my diet Of course it took me 3 days to lose what I gained in one meal Saturday night and this weekend is a major foodfest.

I'm having trouble getting back to sleep at night once I get up to pee and am tired today. Wish I could shut my brain off at that hour.

My teen finally got smart and privatized his twitter. Maybe because when I sent him a job application in the mail I suggested he google himself! I'm glad he did it but will miss cybersnooping.

Off for more tea. Might need to actually breakdown and get some caffeine in me today...

cottage - my kids had break March 5th or something like that...we follow the penn state schedule, so it's really early. Unfortunately, I had to work!

Karen - are you enjoying the job, aside from a sore back?

Good morning! I have off today so I can post at my leisure.

Ruth, sorry to hear about the car prognosis..but that is very nice that the mechanic lent his car to you. And best wishes on a new one. Oh..yesterday when you were having coffee and said 'Paul is dead' I did not catch on to that, and thought maybe Paul was your deceased husband...cracked me up when I realized which Paul you were referring to

I once had some SF candies, TOO many of them, and I'm guessing the unpleasant side effect I had, were what everyone here is mentioning? Never...again.

Twynn - yay to one less routine thing to have to do I bet the kids like Pizza Day also. Congrats on a completely-Phase 1 day, even without proper groceries!

cottage - wow, at least 24 guests for Easter dinner! Are you making SB friendly fare to share?

Karen - so sorry your back is hurting!! definitely a side effect from standing all day. You probably know this, but the stronger our abs are, they help so much with supporting our backs. Guess that's why I have always forced myself to do ab work, it helps with my on-my-feet occupation.

well I have no energetic plans for today, if it was warmer I'd be outside but we're still stuck in the high 30's / low 40's and that's not quite nice enough for me.

have a great day everyone!

Morning! It's so nice to see the sunshine this morning - hoping it sticks around!

Ruth - sorry to hear about the car. I hope the search for a new one is fun for you.
Twynn - we love pizza day at school here too. One of these days I'll get smart and start making lunch at night. I so hate dealing with it in the morning!
Holly - enjoy your day off!
Hello Cottage & Karen and those who will follow!

Busy day at work here then home just in time to take Sid the cat to the vet for shots & a check up. Will have to take the time to check out the recipe threads today to pick something to make to bring to Easter dinner. The kids had a great time at my MIL's and hopefully will have a great time with their dad today. Because of his work schedule he usually doesn't get to spend much time with them during the week. I think these two days will be wonderful for all of them. And as a bonus because he's home he's cooking dinner tonight so I don't even need to think about it!

Good morning,

I took the day off since dd2 is on spring break this week going to take her to magic house a wonderful place for children to play and explore and learn. I slept in tip almost 7. Did my workout dance 3 since its raining today.

Ruth sorry to hear about your car, hopefully you will find a great new car

Karen sorry to hear about the back hurting when I did a part time job at the mall it was the same way for me. Don't know how those ladies can. Work in high heels on their feet all day

Hope everyone has a great day

Good morning DW is off to work and I've got a few hours before I have to go grocery shop and pick her up. You know what that means, To Do list and spring cleaning! Can you imagine more excitement

Ruth - Sorry you have to buy a new car under pressure, but nice to have an "expert" do the leg work. I hate car shopping but love having a new car.

Twynn - It is absolutely the little things that add up Hope you enjoyed your run or nap

Cottage - Wow, that's a crowd. What is your family doing for Easter?

Karen- Hope work doesn't give you any problems today. Years ago a PT recommended shoe inserts for runners (just the regular off the shelf type). They seem to help with back problems.

Holly- It's supposed to hit the 60s here this afternoon. I'm dragging my bicycle out, I hope. When does the resort close for the season?

Kelly -

Okay, no time to lose. The dust rhinos wait for no one. Happy Hump Day friends

Good morning and happy Wednesday!

So ready for the weekend. Fun parties to attend and it's my son's 15th birthday. He's requested a Mountain Dew flavored cake. Oh dear.

Twynn - I am Thanks for asking.

Holly - Yep, I knew that, and wish I was more motivated to do some planks.

Kelly - We are going to dinner with my in-laws, although not Easter in theory, and I'm bringing a spinach salad with almonds and strawberries, and this bean salad. I've brought both to events before and they've gone over well.

Rose - Thank goodness I get to wear sneakers! At least my feet don't hurt.

Cyndi - I have inserts that I've been using since diagnosed with neuroma almost a decade ago. But I think maybe I'll go to the specialty shoe store to see what they say. Thanks for the idea.

mancy - LOL - sounds very teen boy like.

Karen - that salad looks good - thanks!