Good morning, ladies! I just realized that, aside from yesterday, I haven't checked in here since my visit to see/meet Jaime. I saw several of you ask about me here and there...makes a girl feel loved! I feel bad that I don't check in more often...I really need to work on that!!!

For those of you who asked, we met online and it was our first time actually meeting in person. Things went very VERY well. So well, in fact, that I am going back in October and he will be traveling to Georgia with me to meet my mother. I asked him if he was sure he was ready for that and he said "Of course! Are YOU?" LOL

I have a picture of us that I *love* but it's fairly obvious that we are laying in bed together, so it has been saved for my eyes only. It's the only one that I took myself and like the way I look in it, LOL But I attached one he took of us outside the Hard Rock Casino. Yes...he IS the reason for that big goofy grin on my face.

So what have I missed? Everybody is doing well, I hope? I went off the SBD bandwagon BIG TIME the past few weeks while vacationing with my friendzin (she's my cousin but more my friend, so we call each other "friendzin") and paid for it. My feet started swelling again and I gained weight. I've been eating right for a week and a half now and have dropped 7 pounds and my feet stopped swelling. Amazing how simple it is, huh??? LOL

Alright, so what's going on in everybody's lives!? I'm going to go back through the daily threads and see if I find anything, but I doubt I'll read ALL of them. Have a great day, chicks!

While I'm here...anybody got any ideas for a fruit slushie with mango and strawberries? I bought some frozen fruit the other day (I checked, no added sugar, just fruit) and wanted to make something nice and light for these nice Summer days. I do NOT like smoothies...I'm looking for more of a slushie. I found a recipe that had orange juice and lemonade in it, but I'm not a big orange juice fan, either. The strawberry lemonade vodka in my freezer sounds like it would be DELICIOUS with it, but that's not exactly SBD appropriate, now, is it? LOL

Any ideas?

Thanks for starting us up, Natasha, and it's good to hear you are so perky and happy - although you never have been a Debbie Downer.

Miss Millie had a good night sleeping in the back room with her brother Jazz. I wish people got along as well as dogs do! They have had their morning wrestling match and are now both sleeping on the couch. I'm hoping all the extra activity will help Jazz lose a bit of weight - he is loosing his waist.

Millie and I are off to the vet for an intro visit at 8:20 and then I am going to chain myself to my desk to get the Fair Prizelist ready for posting. We open tomorrow morning! Getting Miss M sort of distracted me. I also need to prep a big pork stew in the crockpot which I promised for Friday morning. The Board members all work during the Fair and really appreciate a change from the usual midway fast food junk.

Just checked the weather and we may get some rain but are heading into more normal July weather. It has been way too hot and humid lately. Of course we will have a day of rain during the fair - "It always rains for Delta Fair" is the tradition.

May your Wednesday be wonderful.

Good morning.

Linda - Glad you liked it. I bought more zucchini yesterday! My current fav recipe.

Natasha - the big grin says it all.

Ruth - Hope you get great weather.

I'm working today. My boss has been great about scheduling me even less than my already light schedule, to see if it helps my hip. Funny thing - the less I work, the more inclined I am to not work at all. Hmmm. I'll do a quick Trader Joe's run after since it is nearby.

Eating is still good. Weather is hot. That's about it.

Good morning and good to see you back, Natasha! Sounds like things are going well for you.

Ruth, I am glad your newest family member is settling in so well. Hope you get your prizelist done and the whole fair goes smoothly.

It appears there may be a line of t-storms coming our way this morning; I might have to spend time reading my novel instead of going outside. This is the time of summer I tend to shuffle perennials from one spot to another. I've almost eradicated my spiderwort; I will just turn and rake the spot a couple more times.

I picked and shredded a couple zucchini yesterday; I could make the zucchini hash browns but I think I will also make 1 non-SB chocolate cake. I think I will try to modify my recipe a bit.

Have a great day, chicks!

Good morning y'all!

Natasha - so good to see you dropping in, and SO HAPPY you're happy! I agree with Karen, the big grin says it all!

Ruth - I bet the vet visit will go great. Sweet of you to make a yummy crock pot dish for folks.

Karen - Hope your hip is feeling better.

Beth - sounds like a great summer day to me!

Yesterday went well (with the boss!), and today is a jam packed day at work, which means the boss will see me in action. My problem with my new job is I like it way too much, the staff is FANTASTIC, and I'm supposed to move back up to the other clinic (only 10 min away) next year. I'm not sure I want to!

My brother did text back that it was a wake up call for him, we'll see if he really does change things.

Gratefully, I made some apple and zucchini salad yesterday, everyone said it tastes better marinated - I'll let you know!

GOOD Morning, Chickies!

It's good to see you again, Natasha, and glad things are working out for you.

We have a bit of shopping for camp planned for this morning, and then spending the rest of the day in the pool. The hot, humid, summer weather is back with a vengeance! It's great for the garden, though, and we're enjoying a bumper crop of tomatoes right now.

to the rest of you! I'm off to refill my coffee!

Good morning early risers. I got up at 6:30 and you girls are already attacking the day

Natasha so happy things are going well for you. Kudos on the new man Glad you are not working two jobs anymore. I did it years ago and know first hand how draining it can be.

Tammy hope DB follows through. My DB was transferred to Albany where they put 4 stents in. They sent him home the next day. I am going to check in and make sure he is behaving or he will be cuffed to the bed lol.

Ruth my two guys are I joined at the hip. So glad Jazz and Millie are bionding. The crockpot is still my favorite cooking friend.

Try and find respite from the heat and humidity today. AC is cranking and so is the washing machine. I rode yesterday and was uncomfortable from the injection. I may just pedal around the neighborhood today and then go for a walk. We have a few short hills by my house. The rest of the day will be dedicated to lists for college. I still need to catch up on his tool requirements. Also, make my first tuition payment. Thanks to retro pay and his 529 plan I do not need a loan. If I sell the truck that will be the second semester payment.

OK time to get cracking, have a wonderful day

Good Morning

I was supposed to be off at the restaurant today but it was sooooo busy yesterday the boss decided if I was willing he would pull the newest girl off today. It works for me-Kirk is still over picking raspberries (up to 25 pounds) and we could really use the money, post boiler. I've been puttering around the house and now it's time to get ready to go.

Natasha, thanks for starting us up and updating us. I know I've been patiently waiting on your report since you went down to meet Jaime. Glad that it is working out so well for you both.

Ruth, I am so touched (and very envious) of the joy of your new rescue! I am so happy when another sad pup is given that second chance, especially when going to a super ultra fantastic home! I gave Bing an extra kiss this morning. Hope your day goes as planned.

Karen, glad the boss is supportive....hmmm....maybe you don't want to work now?

Beth, I wish I was better at moving the perennials around.

Linda, happy pool time!

Twynn, glad your boss-meeting went well....maybe you won't have to move to the other clinic...or maybe it will be better!

Jennifer, I like riding around the neighborhood! Enjoy your day!

I'm going out to pick sour cherries for my smoothie. We aren't going to have much of a crop as we had a big snow when flowers were on the tree....refill the hummingbird feeder, enjoy another cup of coffee then hit the road.

Have a great day everyone!

Nice to see everyone checking in.

We are back from the vet visit where Millie demonstrated that I am the most important person in her life. She has a rabies shot and some bloodwork done. We go back in a month to see if she has gained a bit of weight. She's 10 pounds and a tad scrawny.

It's not really hot at 74 but sure is muggy. I'm definitely hoping for those t-storms to clear the air. Send them north, Neighbour Beth!

Evening, ladies.

Ruth - I looked back through most of the July threads...is there a picture of Miss Millie somewhere? Sounds like she's got a little way to come, but she's in good hands now!

WaistingTime - It's so funny b/c he is a typical male and doesn't smile in pictures...but you should see the goofy grin when we Skype. I love it! I hope your hip feels better soon!

Beth - Reading a novel and sipping a coffee is my idea of Heaven...you have put that idea in my head for this Sunday when I'm off. Thank you for that!

Twynn - Thank you! He keeps a smile on my face quite often. A girl could get used to that...umm, well, a girl kinda already has, LOL I'm glad your brother is okay now...I read what you had written and it sounds terrifying! Thank God someone found him! Apple and zucchini salad??? DO TELL!!!

cottage - Thank you. I need to look up some water aerobics around here...I miss being in the water. I've gone to the beach several times, but WOWZA is that water cold!!! 58 degrees when I was in the Cape a few weeks ago.

jekel - LOL I'm on midnights, so I'm going to do my best to start us up while I'm at work. You are right, working two jobs was VERY draining. Aside from my trip to Georgia and Florida, I had maybe 3 or 4 days off in those 3 1/2 months. BUT my car is fixed and I actually have money in savings now! Hope your brother is doing well! Goodness, it seems we have several members here whose lives are mirroring each other!

Lexxiss - I'm glad you're patient...I can't believe it's already been 2 months since I went to visit him! LOL Thank you! Good to see coffee is still always on the agenda around here!

Speaking of coffee...about to put a pot on. I've been up a full 2 hours and haven't had a single cup yet!