Good morning ladies,

Thank goodness for Celebrex, double dose! My body hurts so much from three solid days of working like a maniac. But the house is on the market as of late last night. And it looks awesome in the pics. Makes me a little sad that it didn't look that way before. And I believe that is a testament to too much time doing "other" things and not really paying attention to keeping the house organized. Maybe too much time on the computer!

I did get something cool yesterday. DH brought home a plaque from the local horse club that has my name and my two boys for placing in yearling halter classes. I had forgotten that we were eligible for a plaque because we had shown in at least five shows and were members of the club. How cool is that??!! I'm ready to get working for this years plaque and MORE RIBBONS!

I don't think I'll be exercising for a day or two. I do need to get back to taking Bear for a walk at night. Seems like days since we walked and he'd probably agree. But he's been such a good dog lately. It was funny yesterday because apparently he and DH have gotten such a bond now that DH is home with him all the time. DH left for a couple of hours and didn't take Bear with him and Bear was pissed the whole time. He laid at the top of the stairs waiting. DH has been taking him on all these rides while DH was out looking for properties and now Bear thinks he gets to go all the time. Spoiled!

Leanne - It is great to see you checking in. I hope you'll come back more often. I'm sorry for all the life struggles you have been facing. How did the situation with your teaching position work out? How are the girls?

Lilion - Today is the day! No excuse for no exercise now!

2Cute - Good job for getting back on plan. You're right, weekends seem to become license to blow all the good work of the week or just to make a bad week worse.

I need to get myself together for going back to work. I have to admit that I enjoyed not having to go in but can't play hookie again. Besides, when we finally get a place out in the country, I'll want more days off then.

Have a great OP day!

A good morning to each and everyone of you.

Terri, yep, the love of computer can =not doing everything you should do. LOL! I could stay on here all day just browsing. Evil machine! I pride myself on having a clean house? I have a rattan dining set in the kitchen, with cane backs, this morning I ran my dish cloth over the cane between the rattan and oooh! My next chore this morning will be to get a bucket of warm soapy water and get to scrubbing. It is a tight place so I am not sure how much I can do, but I will be trying! I am keeping my fingers crossed for you on the sale of your house and purchase of the other....good luck.

to everyone else. See you later. Ruth

Good morning my lovelies! Nice to see you so bright and early! And if anyone makes a comment about after 9:00 not being early, I'll send the dogs after ya! "If God had wanted me to see the sunrise, he'd have made it later in the day!"

Yesterday I went for a long overdue Podiatrist date. A shot in each foot later and a casting for new orthodics and I might be good to go! Guess these 300+ pounds have done their damage. Now if I can just be relieved of some of the pain I'll be a happy camper.

Terri: I'm glad you were able to finally get the house where you wanted it to list it. BIG chore. I can't imagine trying to get this one ready. Heck, at the rate I'm going, I'll die in this house! Or the steps will kill me.

Lilion: I'm glad you enjoyed your day off. That must have felt good to have a long weekend. I really miss getting mail on those days. I know, weird!

BarbG: My aunt's youngest sister did a family cook book a few years ago. She gave me one for Christmas and it has some of the best recipes in it. I love those kind of recipe books where it's REAL people you know that are recommending them. Kinda why I like to use the recipes everyone posts on our recipe thread here.

2cute: I'm glad you've been getting alot accomplished. That's a good feeling. I've been keeping the dirty dishes out of the sink, does that count??? I sure love it when you're back to posting.

Valerie: I'm glad to see you found a way to keep up with us while you're on the road. I'm sorry that you hate your truck so much. I would have to think that I wouldn't like it much either. It's fun to take a cross country trip once in awhile, but to be on the road all the time would really get to me. I hope you guys can find a happy medium.

Leanne: So good to see you! Sorry to hear about your life crisis'. How are the kids? Your holiday sounds perfectly lovely. Hope you'll be back with us on a regular basis again soon. *As far as the dietician, just bite the bullet and go. Get it over with so you can start fresh again. This journey that we're on if FULL of fresh starts.

Ruth: It's so nice to be able to count on you to be here first thing in the morning. Between you and Terri I think you have a race to see who can say 'good morning' first. Sorry to hear your sis isn't able to give you a little break from your mom before May. Oh well, we gotta do what we gotta do.

Well girls, my BIG news of the day is.............dah dah dah dah ta da...........I bought a new truck. Well, not really a "truck", but I like to call my vehicles "trucks". It makes me feel more like a country girl. I wanted to get rid of my mini van, just too big, no need anymore. So we went and got a Saturn Vue. It's Pacific Blue, the same color as the "baby's" Subaru, which is a new color for us. We've had grey or tan vehicles for what seems like forever. It has the chrome package with fog lights and chrome roof rails so it looks a bit sporty. I'm going to get it pin-striped by the guy that has done our last few mini vans. He does it all by hand and is VERY good. Once I get it striped I'll post a picture.

The dealership finally came to grips with what we wanted for a trade-in, after hours and hours at the dealership yesterday. But nonetheless, we stuck to our guns and they finally came up with the extra $300 in trade-in money that we wanted.

We decided to lease, which surprised me. And the term is only 2 YEARS so I get a new vehicle in ONLY 2 years! WooHoo. (sorry, I had to use the obscene carrot there ) AND my payments are $200 less a month than they are currently so maybe we can afford to actually DO something this year.

Oh girls, I'm supposed to be working. Guess I better start. See ya later. Love ya bunches!

Good Morning Ladies!

Hope all are well today. Personally, I thought about calling in sick today. Not that I'm sick...but they don't let you call in tired. I'm just not able to wake up today, even on my second cup of coffee! I think I may go home after my 10:30 hearing. Even though I'll be taking sick leave AND taking work home with me, I'd rather type at home in my bathrobe and sweats than here! There are never enough days off!

Leanne! I'm so glad to see you! Welcome back! I'm sorry for the crisises too, but glad to see they haven't gotten you down and out! I do hope you start posting often!

Thin: A shot in your foot? OWIE! I can't even imagine.... Congrats on the new vehicle! Don't you just love new cars? I've never leased...but I'm so cheap I own a car for 10 years if they keep running so leasing isn't the best option for me. My brother used to lease and really liked that option.

Terri: Hope the home sale goes quickly and smoothly. You deserve it after all the work you've put in.

Ruth: I HATE housework. I actually noticed that some dust on one of my plant stands has a date on it...January 15th. I noticed it...didn't clean it.

Well, must run, as always. Later ladies!

Good morning ... good morning ... good morning. !!!
I have 10 minutes so this will be short.

Terri... Thanks for starting the new thread. I almost did it last night... but decided to go to bed instead. I am really trying to keep to my schedule of in bed by midnight. Not asleep.. but in bed. I love doing those stupid Suduko puzzles lying in bed.
Congratulations for getting your house done and on the market. I would love to see the pics on the web... where would I find them ???
Isn't it funny how we fix up and clean up for others... but did not do it for ourselves. LOL I think that is why I am so determined to clean up and OUT now. I don't want to gather up CLUTTER again. I enjoy a clutter free home.... never had one before moving here .... and now I am willing to declutter again before it piles up like it was before moving.
Congratulations on your plaque too. I know you will have many more to come. You might as well make your WALL of FAME immediately when you move into your new home.

Ruth... Yes... the computer has become the new One Eyed Monster. It used to be the television... but now it is the computer. And for some of us..... it is BOTH !!!
Last summer and Fall I never watched TV. But now....
Sunday is Desperate Housewives, then Grey's Anatomy...
Tues and Wed are American Idol,
Thursday is The Office
I am sure there are more but can't remember them off the top of my head. LOL

Thin.. CONGRATULATIONS on your new "truck". LOL I can't wait to see the pics.
I knew you would wear them down. LOL Way to go !!!!
Read that fine print on mileage. I know you do a lot of driving and some leases penalize you for high mileage.
I am glad you are getting some relief on your feet. Were your shots in your foot Cortisone ??? Those hurt like **** !!! Those are HUGE needles and go in really s l o w. Hopefully your shot was different.

Leanne... Good to see you back. I sent you a Private message.

Lilion.. oh how good that sounds.... "bathrobe and sweats". Ahhhhh.
I have a plaque that says "You can admire my dust.. but please don't write in it." LOL
I am NOT a domestic goddess. LOL I have the same problem with cleaning as I do food.
I love a clean house.... I just don't want to do the work to keep it clean.
I'd love to have a skinny body.... I just don't want to do the work to keep it skinny.

Okay ladies. Obviously this wasn't all that short. LOL
I am off the finish my first liter of water. Hope all of you are downing your water too. IT DOES HELP !!

Hmmmm... was shocked to see that no one posted since mine.

Just came in to brag a bit. LOL
Last night the granddaughters were here and left a handful of candy sitting on the coffee table. You know how just a handful of someone elses candy does not count if you eat them don't you ?? LOL Well ....
I THREW THEM AWAY !!!!!

Hi all Its a lovely day here and I'm off to the pool in 1/2 hour ... first time since mid January (not counting the pools while I was away) ... so I am going to be sore tonight!

Terri, congrats on the plaque ... how cool!
The teaching situation hasn't really worked itself out yet. I start teaching casually on Friday but its hardly any hours per week, and I don't know how long it will last. I have been doing bits and pieces of private contract work over the last 3 months, but I really need a regular income. I did get a phonecall from my immediate boss the other night and he said that apparently 'the powers that be' are trying to put a package together for me that will be 3 days a week work + studying for PhD parttime on the other two days ... but that will be pushing it financially so they are trying to swing some sort of part scholarship as well, after all. After everything that has happened, I won't believe it until the ink is dry on the contract!! I have a meeting on Friday about it so I will know more after that (hopefully!).

Ruth, you inspire me! I need to get to my house and give it a good spring clean. We have builders behind us at the moment and there is dust everywhere.

Thin, thanks for the welcome back About the family cookbook ... you will have to post some of the recipes on the recipe thread and share them with all of us Sounds like you got a great deal on the truck too ... can't wait to see the pictures! Thanks for asking about the kids - they are wonderful. We had such fun on our holiday. Josiah said on the way home "I'm going to miss this holiday - it was the best holiday EVER" ... it made all the organisation/work/driving worthwhile!

Lilion, thanks for the welcome back Yeah it hasn't been an easy time, but lifes like that!

2Cute, I sent you the weblink to the photos Thanks for the welcome back

Well I better go get into my new swimmers (I bought them while I was away) and head out to the pool.

{hugs} to all,

Hi ladies,

Its 8:30 and I'm ready for bed! Except I have to walk the dog as soon as American Idol is over. Dang, those ladies singing tonight are awesome. He keeps bringing his ball up to the patio door so he needs some play time badly!

We worked on cleaning out the garage tonight. The weather was nice today so no rest for the wicked until its all done.

Lilion - Get the elliptical? Huh? Try it yet? Did you go home to work? I seriously was sorry about being at work today. I had to work with my boss and then she told me that my job is at risk due to integration. Made me want to go home and put sweats on too!

Leanne - Okay, what are swimmers? Must be an Aussie thing! That sounds like a good deal about the teaching and getting your PhD. DH tried to get me to go for a PhD and I said, not in this lifetime. Good for you for heading to the pool.

2Cute - for you and the candy! What is the Suduko? Never heard of it.

Thin - Congrats on the truck. I'm a truck gal too. So do you have heel spurs? Plantar fascitis? I had cortisone shots to help with the pain I had from PF when the tendon attached to a heel spur. Talk about going stiff as a board from pain from first that freezing stuff and then the shot.

Ruth - Scrub a dub!

Time to get off here, DH is bugging the crap out of me.

Well ... it is nearly 1 am.... I wanted to come here before heading to bed and share that I had another ON PROGRAM evening.
Every night I swear I want to EAT something.... ANYTHING. LOL
When I was younger I could drink a lot of water and that took care of those cravings. But now that I am OLD and my bladder is worn out.... I don't have the luxury of drinking anything after dinner. It makes it really hard to not eat.
BUT ... I didn't. YEA !!!!

Hello ladies, Time to rise and shine! Grab that cup and lets talk.

First of all...2cute and Lilion loved your dust stories. Lilion, you should buy one of those plaques like 2 cute has. LOL! When I still worked I didn't worry so much about the house, but now that I am at home I have no excuses You just never know who will come to your door. If I should let things go someone always shows up for a visit. Or the other thing that brings somebody to my door is to wash my hair and not blow dry and fix it! Oyi!

Thin, I want a new truck! I have been wanting to go and take a look at the Saturn vues. I like the way thay look and the gas milage they are supposed to have, but are they comfy? In other words do you have enough room! LOL! This big old backside and stomach needs some move room. I can't stand to be squeezed in. I have a smaller caddy right now and I can't stand the thing. It is tight and has blind spots. I am short and the head rest is in my side view. Tell me about yours. How is the foot? The shots usually help within a short period of time.

Leanne It was good to see your post. I hope everything works out well for you.

2cute, You are doing wonderfully! Good for you that you could throw away the candy instead of eating it...Ummm, I am not sure which way it would have gone with me, according to what kind of candy it was, anything other than chocolate..in the garbage, chocolate in my mouth! I agree I want to be skinny, well smaller, I just don't LIKE doing what I have to do to get there!

Lilion, I am not so crazy about housework myself. I lied yesterday...not on purpose... I just couldn't seem to get to the washing of the chairs. (read that didn't want to). Maybe today!

Terri, Good morning! Maybe you are typing as I am or you are so tired from all of that work that you are stretched out somewhere exhausted? I know you will be glad when all of this is over. Moving is just as hard though. Gad, I dread the time when I have to try get all of this stuff sorted out. Sooner or later that will be done. This house is way too big for just hubby and myself. Who needs all of that extra room? It is just more to clean. There we are back to cleaning, UGH!

I think I have talked enough for now. MY coffee is cold, so I will go and heat that up and see you girls back here later??? Ruth

Morining Ladies,
Just poping end to say good morning.

Valerie, My youngest son drove a t ruck all through Europe when he was in the Army. He loved it and got to see so many different countries and so many good experiences. He couldn't wait to get back to the US and drive a truck here and "get to see all of the USA" That lasted about 3 months until he got stranded in Inndalopolis on New Year's Eve in an ice storm one year. He say's never again.

Leanne, glad you're back with us. Hope things work out for your teaching situation.

Thin: Congrats on the new "Truck" We are truckless for the first time in over 20 years. Alvin's always had a pickup or SUV of some type, but since the last ones were bought and being paid for by the company, they too are gone. He bought a Chevrolet Impala, and it still seems funny seeing hime in a car! As for t he shots in you feet, I've been there done that before, and they do help. Monday I had an appointment with my Rheumy and I got a shot in my HIP. It didn't hurt too much, but the verdict is still out on whether it's going to help the pain.

Terri and Ruth: Will you two ladies please come to Dallas and whip my house in shape for me?

2Cute: Congrats on throwing out the candy. A couple of our drug dealers, or reps (DH said to quit calling them dealers!!) took Pam and I out for lunch for my birthday yesterday, even though it's not until Thursday. We went to Benihaina (sp) and it was pretty healthy food, and the only dessert they had was Fried Bananas, so that was easy to pass up.

Lillion, if I could call in Tired I'd never make it to work. Of course If I could still get paid doing that, that would be great.

Well , my swimsuit is dry so I c an pack my bag for exercise after work, so I'd better get busy.

Have a great day everyone.

Me again. Just had to post a quick thought.

You know the saying.. "A penny saved is a penny earned" ???
Well many people don't really believe in the power of a penny.
If they can't save DOLLARS then why save at all ???

Well that is often my mind set of pounds lost or non scale victories.
What good does losing "one" pound do when I need to lose 200??
What good does giving up candy found on a coffee table if I ate a pizza for lunch. ???

WELL .... I am giving up that way of thinking.
I did not eat a pizza for lunch... but I did accomplish another mini VICTORY !!!!
I wasn't going to post about it because it is so simple.... so anti-climatic.

I had to take my dog to the groomer this afternoon. I was driving home and decided that a SUPER SONIC Diet Dr. Pepper sounded soooo good.
If you have never had a Dr.Pepper at a Sonic you don't know what you are missing. They have the BEST CRUSHED ICE in town.

Okay... so what is so wrong with getting a DIET Dr.Pepper???
Nothing really. BUT ... I knew if I got that I would never drink my water that is healthy and good for my body. And the main point is.... It was an act of "desire". I had no plan to buy a diet drink when I left the house. It was an act of COMPULSION. Once I thought of it... it CONSUMED my thoughts.

I WANT sanity ... not just weight loss.
Don't get me wrong... I WANT weight loss too.... BAD !!!!
And I could have it even with getting that Diet Dr.Pepper.
BUT what I would not have is SANE Behavior. I CRAVED that drink. I became obcessed with it. I need to break those habits. Giving into CRAVINGS.

Okay... I have rambled on long enough. I hope some of this made some sense to some of you. It is not a huge victory.... BUT IT IS A VICTORY and if I add up those mini victories they can and WILL eventually add up to a LONG TERM BIG victory. Thus.... the saying.... "a penny saved is a penny earned"

Okay... I am off to go finish my liter of water sitting here in front of me.

Oh wow 2Cute - I so needed to hear that today!
This morning I made the kids some muffins to take to school. They are 97% fat free, and lower in calories, so a little healthier than the normal muffins for the kids, and I -could- fit one in my calories for today. But do I want it? No, not really. I would be just having it because I can! Breaking the habits is really the key isn't it!
And wow - you are so right about the pennies and dollars too. We can let ourselves be defeated before we start (I have been for the last 2 months!) by thinking of the end goal which is such a long long way away, instead of the tiny baby steps we need to get there. So I've sat down with my first litre of water too! Thanks for the inspiration!

Barb ...HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!! (Its Thursday here already) And good on you for having healthy food on your birthday! I find special occasions are a time that it's had to resist eating unhealthy food.

Ruth, I know what you mean about comfy cars. I had an old Mitsubishi Nimbus up until December, and while it did fit me it with some room, it wasn't very comfortable. I didn't really know what I was missing until I bought a Magna a couple of months ago ... pure luxury for this old hen!! I feel like the seat actually fits my big butt!

Terri, we haven't seen the new season of American Idol yet - we get it a couple of months after you do. Not good news about your job! I hope it all works out for you ... maybe they can move you around to a different position? Swimmers are a swimsuit (thanks Barb!) ... must be an aussie-ism!!

Last night we had a spider experience. My daughter saw two big legs poking out from behind her wall clock and we couldn't believe how big they were. None of us wanted to deal with it so we asked our next door neighbour to come over. His wife said "I'll deal with it" but when she saw the size she said "I'll just go get Brad!" hehehe
He came over and said "wow what a big spider" and then caught it in a bugcatcher. His little boy, who is 3, was fascinated by it - he wanted to hold it (without the bugcatcher!) but it was a wolf spider, and they bite, even though they are not poisonous. It made me shudder. I took a picture of it ... so you can see how big it was!



Well I better go have a shower and get dressed! And then head out to do some contract work. Have a wonderful day chickies!

Leanne.. WOW what a spider.

We once found a HUGE SPIDER and caught it in a Coke cup with a lid. I was TERRIFIED it would get loose. My kids thought it was so cool and wanted to take it to school. I certainly did not want them handling it. Sooooo.....

WE FROZE IT !!!!
I was still terrified it would defrost and come attack me in retaliation.
We put it in a cleaned, clear, plastic, peanut butter jar for the kids to take it to school.
Thanks for sharing your spider with us. I forgot about that spider we found.