I just now stopped screaming long enough to stop in and say SOUL PATROL! WOOHOO!!!!

I'm glad he won, though I'm not surprised!

finally american idol got it right!!!!!!!!! I think I heard you screaming from here in Canada Kathy.....

Way to go, Taylor! He seems like a really, really, nice guy! And, Toni Braxton seemed high. I couldn't understand a word she was saying. Sheesh, and Simon told Bucky to enunciate!

I'm very tired today. It was a big day. I think I'll be heading off to bed in a short while. I want to get up early and get cleaning so I can go shopping without feeling guilty.

Hey, Kath, how is Shaun feeling? Last time you mentioned him, he was sick.

He has two more days of antibiotics but he says he's feeling better. Hopefully he's eating more too. Thanks for asking!

Here I am - yes I ACTUALLY got home by 8:30 - an unusal thing for a dress rehearsal! Could hardly believe it when the finale number came on - checked my watch a few times cuz I thought it must have stopped!

Came home early - had a bagel and cold cuts and tomato before leaving - and brought a bag of lf poppoed microwave popcorn with me and a diet pepsi for snacking just in case! Parking was a bit of an issue but I am blessed with great parallel parking skills even with my big van so I found a spot to squeeze into. Show was fun - but they kept fooling around with the lights which was very annoying - and I did munch on some of the popcorn.

Also got some FABULOUS pics of dd from picture day - got a shot of each group she's in (four of them) and some singles as well - so very very cute - one of her in her black velvet outfit w/her rhinestone covered bowler hat tipped diagonally on her head and she's blowing a kiss!

Bad news is she broke her barette tonight!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Which means having to shell out another $15 for a new one (which I have to get asap assuming there are any left!) - for her recital.

Feeling a teeny bit of a headache but trying not to take notice of it. I was hungry just now so had a bowl of cereal as I could find nothing else that appealed to me! Yes I have been decaffeinated for a while now - but I do know that caffeine helps headaches so I 'use' it as a remedy if required.

Melissa - I think the goal is reasonable if you stay focused - what fun to shop for a new 'goal' dress - and good idea to lose the weight before babymaking!

Kathy - we all knew your man Taylor would win - I did catch the last part of the finale - loved seeing burt bacharach and dionne (altho her singing was a big flat) - she looks amazing! How old is she? Not a wrinkle on her!

Vickie - hope your windows are all sparkling clean and you found something yummy to eat for dinner. We had our windows done last summer - I don't think we have as many as you - and I think it cost around $80 or so?

Patti - are you getting sunshine too? We had a gorgeous day today - finally! Altho I think rain is again expected by the end of the week! Hopefully weekend will be sunny and warm! We actually have our windows open tonight which is a rarity given the recent cold weather.

Did not have my planned lunch as I wanted to get out of the office and enjoy the sunshine - and as I was out of my favorite decaf coffee I drove to the nearby Starbucks and got a turkey sandwich there, some iced coffee and decaf for the office. Funniest was this woman in line who said I looked so familiar - so while we stood there waiting for our drinks we tried to figure out any possible connection (called 'jewish geography') finally she told me her name which I recognized (she was principal of local jewish day school - altho my kids did not go there - she was aware of them!). Small world! Had a nice lunch at my table out in the sunshine with my library book!

Tomorrow we have an 'open house' party at work (2-4 pm) as we recently 'moved' so inviting our 'directorate' to come visit our new digs. I signed up to bring some goodies so must remember to stop by store on way to work. I have to leave at 2:45 tho to take dd to therapist appt - altho she is refusing to go - says she doesn't like her anymore.

Of course I had to threaten to disconnect her computer if she wasn't going - I'm hoping this will change her mind!

Time to get ready for bed so I can try to meet my deadline - this is getting hard to do! Not enuf time for a frouf to fool around!

Frouf, I hope you find the replacement barrette to avoid any drama with DD. Any chance with could see the cute bowler hat picture? I'd enjoy it for sure. I hope the headache stays away and that you actually get to sleep at a decent hour. Everything is harder to take/deal with when one is tired.

Kathy, I'm glad Shaun is feeling better. Poor guy.

kathy, i thought you were talking about the tv show lost tonight. we taped it while watching ai.

melissa, the oven fried shrimp are coconut shrimp. i get them in the frozen foods at albertson's. i melted a little apricot spreadable fruit with water for dipping. sure was good. we had a 3 pt pork egg roll, too.

kathy, we thought toni braxton looked like she was drunk and was lip sincing. weird, eh? we got excited about clay. he's looking very different, isn't he? put on some weight, too.

melissa, i am going to check out your reunion goal. i don't think there's any such thing as an "unrealistic" goal. what's that saying about aim at the stars?

vickie, i feel like we were all together watching ai tonight. i was like kathy hollering when taylor won. i was sooooooo afraid for him. and yes, he makes me proud.

patti, curtis and i were screaming, too. life is good.

frouf, sounds like you had good day. i hope you can get the barrette tomorrow. your meals always sound tastier than mine. i need to eat with you.

lucy moment alert!!!!!

i was looking everywhere for melissa's post about her reunion goal--even went to her profile and pulled up her threads for the past couple of days.

(then i found it on her signature tracker. my face is red.)

however, melissa, you can do this!!!! get that dress ready.

Sandra you are so hilarious. Sounds like something I would do! Thanks for the encouragement. I'm hoping to get somewhere sometime soon!!!

I'm feeling quite determined this morning really. Tried on some capris last night that were too small. I have probably already told you all this, but about two years ago I bought (well I should say my mom bought) SEVERAL pairs of capris. I'm talking about a lot. It must have been the first year I got into wearing them or something. Anyway, right after I bought them I gained a lot of weight--some of them have never been worn at all. I am determined to wear at least some of them this summer. It's ridiculous to have all of those clothes just wasting away in my closet!! I'm putting my foot down.

Vickie, I hope that you got some good rest last night.

Frouf, it sounds like you had a good time last night, and I'm glad! And a relaxing lunch too. I think that if I could take a nice stress-free lunch everyday that work would be easier, don't you?

Well I am teaching a parenting group this morning so I need to go prepare. Just had to get my 3fc fix.

Good Morning Chicks! I just got up and am having my first cup of coffee made for me by Honey Lamb. He makes the best coffee which is pretty amazing since all he drinks is Tab!

I slept ok Sandra. It was warm and humid here and we didn't want to turn on the air since it was only in the low 70's. Humidity and I do NOT get along. It always seems to make my sinuses and my allergies worse.

Melissa, it's funny that you mentioned your capris. My Sister was just telling me yesterday that she'll probably be in jeans all summer because she doesn't think that anything from last year will fit her. I felt bad for her but, really until we are ready to be on program there's not much someone else can do to motivate another. I hear some heavy duty determination in your voice. You can do it. Try to make some of the dishes that I make that will get you another dinner serving or maybe even two to freeze. That way, you cook once but have a meal that just has to be defrosted on another night. I know it's hard when you are working. My sirloin meat sauce freezes fabulous and then I just make fresh pasta and veggies to go with it. You and Aaron would probably get 3 dinners out of it (we only get two since Jim is a bigger eater). My chicken chili, smothered barley chicken, and my beef sirloin chili also freeze great. I make fresh corncakes to go with the leftover chicken chili. But, with the beef sirloin chili, I freeze the leftover cornbread and don't have to make anything fresh on that night. The smothered barley chicken just needs veggies. Just a couple of ideas to help you on those nights that you know you will be too busy and tired to cook. Wow! I guess your enthusiasm got me going too!

BTW, Frouf, I almost flunked driver's education because I was NOT good at parking. I prefer the suburban type of spots to pull into. If I know parallel parking is required, I make someone else drive! I hope you slept well and that the headache is gone.

I have to devise my plan today and figure out how late I can clean and still meet my Sister after lunch. I'll go make a menu thread.

Aaagh! We didn't realize Lost was a 2 hour special last night, so we only got the first hour on DVR. We'll have to find someone who taped it or something.

We're thinking of trying something new in the garden this year...square foot gardening. I don't know if anyone has heard of it, but it seems really cool. They have a website, just google Square Foot Gardening. Anyway, seems very space efficient, and good for us, because the soil in our garden isn't very good yet. Somehow, building a house right next to it, and turning everything upside down a few years ago didn't help it.

I am about ready to cry "uncle," and go to my doctor for prescription allergy medicine. This year is about do do me in. I am just so itchy everywhere, especially when I spend time outdoors. The insides of my elbows are all scaly and red from scratching, and I get a rash on my lower arms whenever I go out. Not fun!

Time to get the 2nd kid bus going...later all.
Angela

Poor you Angela - definitely get yourself to a dr and get something for your allergies - they sound very nasty and I'm sure it's making you cranky and uncomfortable (at least it would do that to me!).

I have actually heard of and looked into the square foot gardening - looks very intriguing and seems to work. Not sure if I will do that this year tho as I need to do the whole front yard landscape thing - I do have some earth along side of the house (sunny all day long) and I"m thinking of planting some tomato plants and peppers to see how it goes!

Vickie - I think someone has absconded with the dance pics! (namely dd?). Had them near my 'work bag' last night to bring to work and show off - and when I got here I noticed the were NOT in my bag....hmmmmm.....I will see if I can get someone to scan a pic for me. (as if I actually know how to post or attach it? ha ha ha).

Melissa - we all know you can do it! I agree w/Vickie - and I will take her advice to heart as well - need to plan ahead - we all know that's one of the keys to weight loss success! Bet you can't wait to get into those capris!

As for relaxing lunches - I agree - will try to work more of those into my schedule!

Kathy - so how is your throat today after all that yelling? ha ha ha

I am at work and procrastinating - have to complete all these nominations forms (yes me and my bright ideas - trying to win a gov hi tech award for our new database). Seemed like a good idea at the time - now I have reams of papers to complete and documents to find and attach - deadline is Friday at midnight! Wish me luck.

Today's challenge - open house party (2-4 pm) with MEGA GOODIES (I hear we are even having a chocolate fountain w/fresh fruit for dipping!) Luckily I have to leave early (3 pm) to take dd to therapist appt (assuming my threats worked!). I intend to eat a very good/filling lunch - so at least I won't be hungry.

My strategies include: sipping on diet soda, eating fruit (and staying away from the chips, cookies, muffins, cake, etc), and if all else fails chewing on a piece of gum to avoid eating!

Tonight dd has dance class yet again - extra long (6-9:30) as they have a LOT of work to do on their tap number (as they all wandered around the stage at some point wondering what they should be doing!). Might go to movie w/dh if big ds home to babysit. Dh has been hankering to see the Poseidon adventure - now of course I really don't want to see it - don't want to be turned off of cruising for any reason - but he really has his heart set on it (and I agree it will be much more powerful on the big screen than at home on our tv) so will see if we can make it.

Lights out late of course (11:28) mostly because dh was yapping too much!

Okay, I'm back.

Niagara was great! The weather didn't cooperate, but we had a wonderful time. B&B was a challenge, I missed my oatmeal. I gained 2 pounds, and have lost 1.5 since being back.
We saw Hight Society, which we really liked. The critics have panned it, but I guess our tastes are low-ball.

My sister's surprise birthday was wonderful. It was in London, and my best friend from Windsor came, as well as kid sister from Toronto. It was so wonderful having all the "special" people at one place. The party was on Sunday, which was down right cold (7 degrees C). I put socks on with my new sandals for the car ride from Kitchener, as well as a heavy jacket. When we got there, everything came off and I wore a pair of capris and jewel trimmed T. Did you know that brown is the new black? Fashion tip from those in the know.

So, it's back to normal for me. I worked at WW yesterday and again tonight. I still am not comfortable with all of it, but will hang in for a while.

Missed you guys, and am glad to be back home.