Eileen: Yep everyone does want a quick fix. When I was working for WW I was quite shocked at what some people will do. Had a lady that used diertics (?) One week and lost 20 pounds. The next week she couldnt understand why she gained 10# back when she ate within her points. She kept gaining after that to and then just said it doesnt work and quit. Well it works if you work the program and not your own way. Hopefully some day it will sink into some people.

Rainy icky day here. Im so sick of rain. I want Spring now!

You are so right. In working for them for 16-1/2 years, I think I saw it all. One lady would remove her dentures. Another wore the original breast prosthesis (sandbag like items on a string around the neck) and she would fling them on the floor, and one memorable day a lady showed up absolutely totally nude. Then threw a fit when I refused to weigh her until she dressed. Insisted all other ldrs weighed her like that. My reply 'believe me, considering the speed and accuracy of the WW grapevine, I definitely would have known that!'
We are threatened with more snow tonight. Oh whoopie. Not!

G'day all,

Definitly no snow at this end of the world! Though it has been quite cool but is supposedly heating up again tomorrow and then for the rest of the week.

Not much happening here other than dh went for a few drinks after work on Friday and found out more there than the last 2 months we have been here!!!
It looks fairly certain that we will return home in May/June , they really cannot afford to keep hime here. He says he could have easily done the majority of the work from home but they insisted that we come here.
DH says not to count on it too much as it all could change again...regardless I will be going home early May, after that who knows!

Wednesday my SIL and her girlfriend will be here, both leaving their husbands at home!
My SIL is very much like the people Eileen and Lily speak of, she is one of those people who just loose weight very slowly even when sticking rigidly to the points....so she says.
I couldn't understand it and I asked her how many points is she allowed...her answer was 26 points (I am allowed 22 and I am about 4 inches taller), told her that would not be right but she insisted that is what she was told by her leader. I then pointed it out in some of the literature she had and even then she still said 'oh well I am just a slow looser'.
I have now given up and just don't discuss weight anymore, it just makes me mad when someone can kid themselves to the extend that they now believe it to be true

Lily nice to see you but sorry you may be loosing most of your internet access at work.
Glad you liked the photos, I loved the Blue Mountain ones, the scenery is quite spectacular there. Eileen I sent an email to everyone to let them know that I have uploaded some photos however I did not have your email address but if you would like to see them this is the address http://www.users.bigpond.com/amscholz/
Have you ever been 'down under'? If not, the photos of the Blue Mountains may entice you!

We had a bit of history here last night; our television networks and its 'stars' came together to put on a variety type show to raise money to help the Tsumani victims. It was a 'live' telecast on all 'free to air' channels and the incredible amount of over $A15 million was pledged in the 2 hours.
It makes me proud to be Australian to see not only our government promising aid of $5 billion (over a 10 year period) but also the many 'ordinary' people digging deep to help our neighbours.

Hi to everyone else, hope you all had an enjoyable weekend.

Cheers
Maria

In that memorable meeting wherein the lady was nude, were no adult men. But there were a few little boys. I told her she HAD to put on clothing, or I would not weigh her. She stomped off and returned wearing a completely see through leotard type outfit. Again, I told her 'no go'. She stomped off, dressed decently and got weighed. I, during all this, was on the phone to the territory manager. By the end of the day the city health department was involved. Too much exposed skin in a public place is how we got around her problem.
Oddly enough, once she realized I would NOT back down, we became friends.
I will look at the photos once I get off the board, I am looking forward to them.
Nope, never been 'down under' Been to Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, Ireland (just long enough to refuel), Torrejon, Spain, and a memorable 18 months in Tripoli, Libya. NOT!!!! Even at that time (prior to Ghadaffi) Americans were not really welcomed and women never went anywhere unescorted, or wearing a chador (Burka).
Which are actually a whole lot cooler than they look. Did you know that once you put that on, you become completely invisible to the locals. As if you do not exist.
Hubby was in the AF and I had a job of 'observing' people. I am darn good at reading body language and that was my job. A living and breathing lie detector.
I loved the pictures. The Blue Mountains are quite ecologically diverse aren't they. What is the elevation of the area? I see that fire is necessary to stimulate new growth. We have that with some of our western trees.
Thank you for sharing them with us.

G'day all,

Eileen pleased you liked the photos of the Blue Mountains, the average elevation is 3300 feet, some areas as high as 5500 feet.
I have to say you missed out the best part of Sout East Asia..Australia! Not that I am biased or anything.
I guess the countries you mentioned are all fine for a short visit but I just hate coping with the humid tropical climates.
Jakarta (a possibility for our next project if contracts get signed etc.) is perhaps not as bad as Tripoli
I would find it very hard to be in a country like Libiya, Indonesia etc for as long as 18 months.
A lot of dh's colleagues have spent considerable time in Saudi Arabia. The women hated it, cannot drive, work etc. etc. but the men did not find it too difficult to cope and of course they earned good money to set themselves up for when they returned home.
At this stage of my life I can really do without those sort of challenges.

Sunny warm day here today, off to the gym and then get a haircut.

Cheers
Maria

Hi everyone: I am finally ready for the first chorus rehearsal tomorrow. Just have to have music ready for everyone, and because we are a unique group, most printed music doesn't suit, so I have to re-arrange most of it.

We belong to a concert series, and this afternoon we went to a matinee. It was one of the best we have seen. Called Club Swing- an 8 piece band, and 5 singers. They played a lot of music that we all grew up with. The singing group sang in very close harmony. Made me think of the Modernaires. I know there was another group that sang with the big bands, but neither DH nor I could think of what they were called.

Then came home and went out to dinner, since we only had a sandwich after church. I am now beginning the struggle anew, to keep off the weight that I lost from my hospital stay and recuperation. Sadly my appetite has mostly come back, but I am trying my best to remember how it felt when I just couldn't eat any more, and am trying to stop. I know portion control is so important.

I often thought I'd like to go to WW weigh-in in my bathing suit, but never did. What I do is wear the same clothes each time I go. Then I know I'm not gaining or losing because of the change in the weight of the clothing.

Eileen: I'm not envious of all the snow you have had to remove. Did that alot before we moved to Fl.

Maria: Loved your pictures. You take such good photos, and your composition is always good. A friend downloaded a photography program for me, then he up and died, and I don't know the first thing about all the stuff I could probably do with it. I did enlarge a pic of my gr.granddaughter and was quite happy with the results. I'd like to be able to get out the 'red-eye'. I am assuming that is possible.

Lily: Sorry you won't have such easy access to us, but understand, as my DD cannot use her 'puter' at work for personal stuff any more either. Guess there was too much 'junk' coming in on the system. We'll just look for your posts when you are able.

Trudy: Your little sounds so precious. I do wish we were closer to our little ones, but it is not to be. I am so glad that you are close by to give Slavika and her DH support.

Glenda: Hope your work situation doesn't cut out your ability to post and email. We are not great followers of most sports any more. I guess we never really were, except for the big championship games. When I was teaching, of course then I always followed our teams. but then that all changed. And I guess there is something in me that says that the professional teams are just not worth all the money they get. I will say, tho' that I have read recently, that more of them are starting foundations to help people. So that is good.

Slavika: Hope that this week will bring results and treatment plans for your DH. Your 'airings' sound like fun and I would like some new furniture. Maybe I should take my DH out for some 'airings' too. : But sadly, I don't think he would co-operate. By now I imagine the cousin is there and trust you are having a pleasant time together.

Karen: I am sorry that your DS is shipping out. It surely is not a happy thought, but I know that you are putting him in God's hands and protection.
Hope all is well with you, DH, SIL and Sprout.

Peggy: Are you snowed in? Haven't heard from you in a while. Hope all is well and that no one has the flu or any such thing as that.

DH's brother is in the hospital up north, with a pulmonary embolism and possible congestive heart failure. This has not been a good year for them as he is still recuperating from the fall he had early last summer, and the brain surgery he had. We are praying that we won't have to make an emergency trip up there. They were supposed to be in Fl now, but the day before they were to fly down, the Dr. said so they had to cancel flight plans, etc. SIL is feeling that now they will probably not get down here at all, and they will lose all the money they put into the condo, unless it can be rented to someone else.

Sometimes it is hard to remember that 'God is in control'. Hope all is well with y'all this week. Ann

Ann Thank you for your kind words about my photos. I must say that I do enhance most of the photos ie. lighten, darken, sharpen, crop etc. etc.
It is something I just enjoy doing and have been doing this for 5 years or so now and continue to learn more and more.
I am more then happy to remove the red eye from the photo you talked of, just email it to me. It is probably a large file but I have a broadband connection which will cut the downloading time considerably.

Cheers
Maria

Just wanted to check in with all of you it will be a busy week as my friend is here from Minnesota. Talking about snow I do not miss any part of it. Have to go pick orange's
Karen

Hi Maria,

What kind of program do you use to enhance/improve your photos? I'm thinking of a digital camera, but would like to improve my photos. Any help you can give will be appreciated!

Australia is one of the places I would love to visit!

Joanne

Hi,

Just went back and read what I have been missing and now can't remember what I read. Just retained a little.

Trudy hard to believe that the little angel is 2 already. How time flies.

Slavika your "airings" sound like a fun way to help dh. Have you heard anything yet?

Lily sorry about the internet. They are taking all your fun away.

I had to laugh at the nude weigh in lady. That is a picture I just can't imagine. I remember a girl who used to take her earrings off. Like they weighed anything.

Maria what is new with you? You are always up to something.

Karen my nephew's son is being shipped over to Iraq. He could be there already. He in only 19. I hope they all stay safe.


I went bowling yesterday for the first time in about 10 years. It was fun but today my leg hurts like heck. It will probably be another 10 years before I try it again.

Yesterday was the first day in January that we had sun. It has disappeared again today. It is so gloomy and gray and more rain is coming at the end of the week. Nothing exciting is going on here at all.

G'day all,

Joanne Nice to 'see' you! The program that I use is Adobe Photoshop CS. It is quite expensive software however to me it is worth every cent!
The program has quite a steep learning curve but once you start to explore and learn more (there are literally 1000's of free tutorials on line) it is very addictive!
Adobe Photoshop Elements is a scaled down version of Photoshop CS. Quite a few cameras and scanners offer this software as part of their package. It is an excellent starting point for beginners.
I am not sure what camera you have in mind but for it is worth, I would suggest you stick to the brands that have long photographic history ie. Canon (my favourite) Nikon, Olympus etc. etc.
Feel free to email me if you have any more questions.

Ann nice to read your long post, always makes for interesting reading. You are getting well that you are back focusing on maintaining your new weight!! Good luck, I am sure you won't allow those pounds to creep back on.

Karen hope you enjoyed your friends stay with you.

It is a hot day here today and I had better give this apartment a bit of a 'spring' clean for when my visitors arrive tomorrow.
Thank goodness for airconditioning, I will remain cool

Cheers
Maria

ps we do this so often Peggy posting at the same time!!! Good to see you. What's up, well weekend after next we are off to the Tamworth Country and Music Festival (http://www.ccimage.com.au/festival/) We are not really die hard country music fans but do like a lot of it, so we are looking forward to it. The pityful, teary country songs I find hard to like

G'day everyone,

From a very hot Sydney, so hot that I even had a swim this morning I was up very early and the pool looked so inviting from my balcony that I literally took the plunge!

I am now putting the finishing touches to a newsletter for the cricket club, it was supposed to ready for print next week but now they want it this week Not quite sure how I am going to manage with my visitors arriving this afternoon as well.

What prompted me to post this morning was Slavika and Trudy I got the latest CD from K.D. Lang, Hymns of the 49th parallel. I have played it a number of times and really love it. Of course as you probably know, some of her songs are about Canada and every time I hear it, I picture you two in your homes, cosy and warm, snowstorms outside, Slavika with her dishes of treats around the place on her new couch in her TV room fussing over her dh, Trudy's place I imagine to be very neat and tidy (not quite like mine , a box of toys for her little and a general homely feel!!
So there you have that is what I have in my head about you two when I should get on with this newsletter!!!!

I am off to do just that......

Cheers
Maria

49th parallel?!! Wowie, small world. I grew up FIVE FEET south of it outside of Oroville, WA. My late father was the US Customs inspector and the house we lived in was right 'on the line' or border. I could 'almost' stick my hand over the border out of the back bedroom window (obviously before the fence went up). All of my friends until I entered school were Canadian. To this day, if I am tired or nervous I have a very strong Canadian accent. eh? As it is, I use Canadian phrases. e.g. in grade one of school instead of 'first grade'. etc.
When I hear K.D. Lang I always think Calgary.
No snow today, but temps are dropping and a wind is coming out of the north. Wind chill of -30 predicted in the next few days.
But, we would never move south. Don't care for extreme heat, humidity, or insects. E. WA is the north end of the great American desert and our summers get warm enough. It is western WA which gets all of the rains.

Hi Everybody
DH sees a new oncologist (recommended by his doctor) this Friday and I will post more on that after the appointment.
I had a lot of reading to do on our board to catch up and although I remember what I read, I don't remember who wrote what.
Looks like we might be in for another storm tomorrow. Yikes...just what we need more snow. We picked up DH cousin from the airport yesterday and were out with him for several hours today. DH was tired when we got home and had a nap but I think the "airing" did him good, and I didn't buy anything except some steaks from Costco for a dinner we will have for DH cousin and our family.
Maria it is so cold here that when we picked up our guest (he lives in Seattle and also has a home in Palm Springs) he said that our weather was just like the 3 weeks he spent in Siberia a couple of years ago. LOL LOL You talk about how hot it is and taking a swim in the pool and we have to put on layers of clothing before we can go out.
I am going to go and have a drink with the "menfolk" and see if they are talking about anything interesting.
Bye for now.