Good morning chickies!

It is definitely warming up here! (as I sit by the bedroom window) and I am afraid we will have to turn the air on by tomorrow as we are expecting a high of 29 (close to 90!). Dh says he will clean the filter today before turning it on!

Saundra - hope you get 'published' - will look for your letter!

Kathy - hope you get all your errands done!

Vickie - hope you have a fun party - sounds like you did okay w/the pizza and I bet your cleaning activity points counteracted any problems. You can definitely get grilled shrimp at Red Lobster - I think they have these grilled shrimp skewers which are pretty 'safe' - if you check their website they have the nutritional information on all their dishes so you can check it out!

DD has decided NOT to go to the pool party for her competitive dance team? I am surprised (everyone else in the family has offered to go in her place! ha ha ha). We do need to go shopping return the 'bad' capris and get the right ones - but it's such a nice day out I don't really want to be inside? I was hoping to visit some nurseries today to check out some plants/shrubs and make some notes on what I might want.

Little ds showering now and we definitely need to take him for a haircult so that is next on the agenda- along with some grocery shopping as our fridge is looking pretty sparse!

Dh has some freebie tickets to see some hard metal band tonight downtown (like at 11:30 pm!!!) - a contact he made at some music store when discussing his amp design - I did say I would go with him - but frankly I am now changing my mind???

Now time for breakfast? lunch?

Wow! The day is flying by. It's time for lunch and then I have to go get showered and dressed. Yipeeeeeee!!!! Time to party.

Frouf, have a great time today. Niece says she gets migraines when she doesn't have the air on? Go outside and do something YOU enjoy. You are always keeping your family happy.

Hi to you all. Just got back from the Recital (Dance) Froufie I had no idea so much goes into the recital. It was wonderful. We were so fortunate. The lady that runs the dance studio felt sorry for our son and gave him front row seats. How was that?? She said, " why did your ex not get you tickets", he just smiled and she said, "Oh, I understand" I have 3 seats front row that had been saved for a friend that is not able to come. They are yours since you are coming all the way from Ottawa. Talk about nice eh? The recital was 4 1/2 hours long. They do the same tonight and then again tomorrow.
The girls and boys did a wonderful job, how old is your daughter froufie?

Kathy what a kind thing you are doing for one of your friends. It is very thoughtful of you and I am sure she will be pleased.

Melissa, glad to hear you meal was good and you had a good night. We have to build memories for ourselves.

Vicki I love that éclair cake also, I had forgotten about it, I think I will make it this summer when I have friends over at the lake.

Talking about friends, last night it was a wonderful evening but I did not want the raisin pie and she cut a piece for me anyway. I could not get it through her head that it looks nice but I am trying not to eat it. Actually, raisin pie would not be high on my list. Most people I can say, "No thanks" but she did not pay any attention. They are the kindest people but she does not understand. (she is the one that is skinny and eats all the time)

Sandra does your foot hurt all the time, or is it just in spells? Seems to me there were three of you people with a problem with the feet. Sandra, Saundra, and Kathy.

Did I ever mention when I went to school in Tucson they decided to pick out the nicest looking girl. (actually, I wonder now if it was a good thing to do)
Anyway I was up for legs and feet. I was so mad, I wanted to win for legs, and I got feet. lol Oh well.

The Ottawa chicks are having warm weather. I almost think it is warmer there then here. It is suppose to warm up lots this week.

I got a new Magic Bullet with the juicer for $30.00 at the auction. My friend was mad as she had just paid $59.00 a week before.

I am trying to eat core foods with counting the points also. I am afraid I will eat too much. I need to lose 35 lbs. and I will be happy.

Well good folks, I am in the pink and I hope you are also.
Blue Skies,
Rose

Hey, girlies! I'm home from work finally and resting before doing a few chores. I stopped by JoAnns and got a little yard wrought-iron hangy thing (actually two of them; one for me and one for the secret fairy project), and some tablecloths for the patio table. I'm draining the pool to refill and must remember to cover it from now on. The tablecloth is on, and I took a ceramic clock and thermometer set from my gift stash. It's very cute with a light green finish and yellow bumblebees all over it. Hopefully Judd will hang it outside for me later. I have a big closet that has lots of stuff I buy on sale to either put up for selling on ebay, or giving, or keeping.

Speaking of that, did I ever show you all this sign? I've had it for a year or two but today it's going up. I have a skinny piece of wall over the kitchen but below the room over it. The family room is open two stories and you can see some of the upstairs ... oh never freakin' mind. It's too hard to explain. Maybe I'll post a picture after I hang up this sign. Anyway, I love it.

Now I can continue!

Tonight I'm making meatballs but don't think I'll make spaghetti with them. Instead, maybe I'll get some sub buns and make meatball sandwiches. That sounds better for some reason than spaghetti. I guess I'll see what the masses vote on, but for now I'm leaning toward the sandwiches.

Tomorrow we're grilling hamburgers and hotdogs for them, and I'm going to grill portabello mushrooms for me, and then for everyone there will be potato salad, baked beans, and grilled squash, onions and peppers. Monday I'll grill chicken and we'll have LO of all above. I told Judd that starting at midnight Monday, the par-tay is OVER! He has to get back on his plan and so do I. I'm creeping back up and this morning was at 146 naked. That will not be tolerated! Lordy, this is SO hard!

Why is the creep up so much easier than the crawl back down? Kathy, your food plans sound marvelous! I still have no idea what we are having the next couple of days. Cola chicken and chicken fried rice are possibilities. I'm also liking the idea of a steak on the grill. I'm hoping my steak tonight will cure my cravings for red meat for a while. I like your cute little sign. I see that stuff and then never hang it up. I'm clueless when it comes to decorating. I wish someone would just come in and do it for me.

Rose, congratulations on avoiding the pie. Some people are just enablers or maybe she secretly doesn't want you to be thin? I'm glad you got front row seats. That was VERY classy of the Teacher.

I'm all dressed and ready to go. We'll be meeting everyone there at 4:00 so I need to leave in about 20 minutes.

I'm SO upset with AOL. I get my free virus protection/firewall from them. I've tried the last couple of days to download an update and it kept telling me that one of the files was corrupted. So I called them and got a tech. We uninstalled all virus protection, even old stuff I had on the computer and the stuff I had through SBC. I have SBC broadband but kept my AOL account. Anyway, when we tried to redownload the whole security package it keeps telling me the the installer file needed is corrupted. Isn't that AOL's problem? Couldn't get the tech to agree with me so now I have to wait until Wednesay or Thursday to get a disc from them. Now I feel like I can't sit on the internet too long for fear I'll get a virus (or the computer will!). I'm running adaware in the meantime every day just to be as safe as I can. I've never had any trouble with AOL, but today was NOT good.

Kathy, I have seen that sign so many times in catalogs and just love it. I always wanted to get it but had no idea where to put it.

Vickie, I hope that you are having a fabulous time!! Party hard!

Rose, it sounds like you had a really nice time with your family.

Frouf, DH is ordering an amp from a guy in Vancouver. He is really excited about it. I don't really understand how all that works.

We had a great time with our friends. They are the ones with the baby that was born on my birthday. She makes me want one so much! She is a cutie, even if she threw up on me at lunch. Just a little.
We've been working on the house and are just taking a break. We should probably get back to it soon. I could get lazy really quickly!!

A quick hi before we head out again. The day has been beautiful. We went down to the market and walked for more than two hours. The flowers are absolutely gorgeous down there. There was even a place to get gardening advice. I didn't stop cause it was so crowded. There were so many people today. All of the outdoor restaurants were just packed. I wound up getting some fresh fruit and ate a peach while Bernie had his ice cream cone.

I think we'll go out for fish tonight. We've got to decide where to go and then make sure that we can get in. Ottawa is becoming a booming place.

Frouf, you're right, tomorrow the a/c goes on. A pool party would be great!

We're trying to plan for a couple of weekend getaways for July. Bernie has to clear the time and then I'll book them. Again, we've been disappointed when we wait till the last minute. I might as well be organized. Kids are moving at the beginning of August, so that will be a busy time.

Okay, enough blabbing, time to get ready,

Kathy - love the sign and await pic once it's hung up! Hope you get to enjoy the pool some more this weekend! I have actually just completed cooking a VAT of spaghetti sauce (lean ground beef on sale) so I shall freeze some and some in fridge for future consumption.

Vickie - sorry about the security issues - as you know I have had corrupted files on my computer and we had to clear/clean it all up! what an ordeal! Have fun at the party and save a piece of cake for me!

Melissa - glad you had fun last night - and today with your 'baby' friend! They are so cute when they're little!

Saundra - I believe the marathon was on today so downtown must have been packed! We just love the warm weather here when it happens so I am not surprised that all the sidewalk cafes were busy. So where are you off to for dinner?

Rose - how empathetic of the teacher to let your son have those seats - I can't imagine how he would have felt otherwise....and yes those recitals are SUPER LONG! Ours is tomorrow and I envision we shall be there for at least 4 hrs (altho I know dh and ds won't last that long - so we shall go in two cars so they can 'escape' when required). My sil and her 2 daughters (dh's nieces) are also coming - as are 4 of dd's friends and her dad as well.

My dd is 14 (altho lately showing signs of acting more like 5 or 6!) - and has been dancing since the age of 4 (started w/tap and now does ballet, tap, jazz and hip-hop). And she now talks of taking even MORE classes next year and doing a solo or duet/trio! (ya I need to start that printing press in the basement- this is where I print up all the money I need for her dance stuff!). Well at least she really enjoys it - it is good for her - and I know where she is and what's she's doing!

Bad news is she has been LIMPING around the house all day. Yesterday she was find but today complaining of leg pain - back of right leg - sounds like a pull??? I am frantic of course as she has to DANCE tomorrow - she is staying off of it - put some muscle rub on it - and I will encourage a bath maybe later?

Went to farmboy and got some good stuff - then to another grocery store while dh took ds for his haircut! Home to put it all away! (did I mention how much I hate my side-by-side fridge?) - thank goodness for the 2nd fridge downstairs!

Roasted a chicken and potatoes when I got home and as mentioned the huge pot of spaghetti sauce - this should keep us going for a while. Also went out quickly to return library books and found those wide legged capris (do you remember gaucho pants of years gone by?) - last pair! and a white tank top for her last dance event (jun 9)

Again feeling pretty blue today - had a nice 'chat' w/dh about how I am supporting the family and feel like I'm sacrificing a lot and it's really wearing me down - after he told me how he felt I wasn't encouraging him enuf in his amp business - Yes I went rank on him - how dare he criticize me when i am the one keeping the family afloat? How dare he ask for a $500 set of drums when I am trying to sell my tickets to "Chicago"? I think he is getting the picture and did not realize how stressed I am (and you know what? I don't think I realize it either!). I just feel so unhappy these days!

Dh still planning to go out late tonight to see hard metal band - I think I shall pass? Rather stay home and read or watch tv.

At least it was a beautiful warm sunshiney day which helps! dh about to wash the filter for a/c which we need to turn on!

Later,

hi, girls. i just got back from taking the grands home. we went bowling on the way. i bowled 2 games. my feet held up well. i don't know why they were so sore yesterday. oh, well. the recliner was nice yesterday but i had fun bowling today.

kathy, did you figure out how to sneak the goodies to your friend? we had homemade biscuits and sausage gravy this am. you and i are on the same wavelength right now, aren't we?

vickie, i don't care if you are slow and grumpy, feel free to come clean any time. your eclair cake sounds yummy. i have to confess. i collapsed today. no lapse. a full blown collapse. no excuses. just did it.

frouf, i'm not going to go into detail but i will say that i am on my 2nd wine cooler. we had the "lunch from ****" today with relatives from ****. actually, i think we're all headed there. lol

melissa, your anniversary dinner sounds delicious. 5 years! makes me smile. okay, it's about time to make me a cyber aunt. i haven't hounded you lately so it's time for me to start in again.

saundra, you go, girl!!! i am proud of you for telling those critics what you think.

rose, what a wonderful gesture. that lady was very kind to give ya'll those front row tickets. i'm glad you got to see the recital. makes me smile. should i be calling you "twinkle toes"? congratulations on your goodlooking feet. my feet? they don't hurt all the time but when they hurt--they hurt. today's been a good foot day for me. i'm going to start back on core after this weekend. also, i'll be counting my pts. i am currently on a "hiatus."

kathy, i like your little sign. good message. meatball sandwiches sound good. we had quesadillas for dinner (again!) we've had them about 4 times this week. lol

frouf, i thought i was having stress till i read your post. how would you like for us to get together and just go running, screaming, nekkid in the woods? i heard that's a great de-stressor. (just kidding)

Sandra you are a hoot of course I have known that for a long time. You sure can make me smile. Brush yourself off girl and away you go. Maybe you should go to Ottawa and you and Froufie could run naked through the woods.
I think I would come and join you. I really feel awful, 35 extra lbs makes me feel lumpy. I marvel at the girls Kathy and Saundra that are so slim.
Glad to hear your foot is better today. Sounds like you had fun with the kids.

Vicki, you are a sweet woman, I think everyone knows that though. You are one of the people in the world that brings sunshine every where you go.
Sandra and I try to be that way but rain comes our way some days.

Froufie, after watching the girls dancing that were teens I can just picture your daughter dancing. The costumes are something again, just dazzling.
It was so cute, some start at 2 1/2 years old. Two little gals started to cry in the line. We had the best seats in the house. The lady that owns the Dance Studio made sure we got wonderful seats.

Melisa, you must be the gal that just bought a house. Seems to me I read that. Sounds like you are trying to nest. Good luck.

Saundra, Ottawa sure is a boom town now, it was real busy downtown on Wed. eve. but so nice. I just said to dh I would like to come back and just take a tour around the City. Have not done that for a long time.

Well must go spend time with the company.
Blue Skies,
Rose

rose, you are so cute. i am lumpy, too. i went out back for a bit and sat in the swing watching the hummer. it was very peaceful as it was drizzling. our swing is on our downstairs porch under the upper deck. i love it out there.

Not much time to stay right now but I will be back in a while. We went to Chilis with Judd's friend Jon and are about to go up to the corner bar because Jon wants to do karaoke. We will watch ... and laugh, I'm sure.

I took this last night of Bindy. We were in here in the family room watching the Mavericks game, Judd in the recliner and me on the sofa. Each of us had one of the little dogs but Bindy had something else in mind. I snuck into the bedroom to grab the camera and fortunately she stayed in place.

So funny! Murphy has taken this position many times too. Dogs are so hilarious.

Rose, yes, I am "nesting." And loving it, too!

Sandra, can I come on that run too? I would love to see your home, it sounds like you all are in such a peaceful spot. I am really loving my backyard, and while it isn't the country by any means it is very peaceful for this city.

Frouf, you always have so much going on. I'm glad that you feel like DH listened to you tonight. It's about time he started realizing how much stress/burden you have on you. Hope DD's leg is feeling better!

Vickie, how's the party?!

I don't know how much more work I can do tonight. I've almost got our master closet done. I have way too many clothes, most of which I can't wear. It is motivating to stay op though! That's for sure. I decided about 1.5 hours ago that I would not eat any more tonight and I'm sticking to it.

A college friend who lives in another city is coming to visit tomorrow. I'm glad to see her, though it means more eating out. I could cook, but I doubt it. Then memorial day we are grilling out with parents, so that should be okay, as long as I can avoid the inevitable brownies or pie.

My baby Kate just called and is on her way to the ER. She can't find an urgent care center open this late on Saturday night and has a raging UTI complete with blood in her urine and fever. Poor girl. She is more upset about having to spend $75 on the copay so I told her I would help her out with it.

I'll tell you tomorrow because I don't have time now, but Judd told me tonight that he thinks he's becoming depressed and might need medicine. I was blown away.

Okay, we'll talk tomorrow. Have a great night, and Melissa, take it easy. You need to rest.