well, hello there, frouf. sounds like you had a wonderful time at the recital. i'm glad dd had so many supporters there watching even though her df didn't show up.

thank you for giving me some insight into little girls. it's been years since i taught elementary age. i'm not sure i really understood everything going on even then.

Frouf, sounds like a very exciting day! I'm sure Emily is glad it's nearly over for a while -- I'll bet she could use a break even though she might not realize it. Perhaps her moods will improve this summer if she's able to get a lot more rest? And the tribute to her friend's mom sounds beautiful.

I'm ready to get on with my day tomorrow! Judd's playing golf in the morning but should be back by noon so we can finally go to Home Depot to get those flowers! I suppose that while he's gone I should rip out the old stuff. It depends on how I feel in the morning.

We're starting to plan our backyard for the pool. I think we should go ahead and try to build one this year but he wants to wait until maybe next summer at the earliest. Spring of 2008 was when he had decided to do it, then we thought maybe we should move over to the country club instead and buy a house that already has one, and THEN we decided nah, let's just stay here. I'm actually in no mood to do all it would take to sell this one. All kids should be gone by then and upstairs should be sealed off unless Judd makes a study out of a bedroom. Who knows? This is something like the one he wants.

http://pic14.picturetrail.com/VOL564.../150726662.jpg

It would fit up in the corner of our yard, which is very large because we're on a cul-de-sac. The yard is actually about twice the size of an average yard (I think we have a little under 1/3 acre) so there would be lots of yard left. Who knows what we'll end up doing though.

Okay, medicine is starting to work so I should try to rest for a little while. Night, all!

Good morning Chicks! I'm just here slurping my morning coffee. I slept until almost 8:30 after going to bed at 11:00 so I got quite a bit of sleep. It feels good. I don't have long to sit around this morning, though, because we're going to the Niece's for a BBQ which will be fun. I'm bringing a strawberry torte and lo eclair cake.

Jim is watching season one of 24. We found it at the library and I guess that's how we are going to watch it since he wouldn't let me buy it for him as a recuperation present. It costs $1 a disc to rent as compared to $3 a disc at Blockbuster. I already saw season one so I won't start watching with him until he gets to Season 2.

What's up with all of you? I'm going to go read and fill out my menu more if I can.

Kathy, that pool is MAGNIFICIENT! Makes my little above ground one look small. Our pool and deck take up a large portion of our yard. The lot isn't quite as big as yours but we also have a ranch house which takes up alot of room on the lot. This would be great recreation for you. Would it make Judd stress about money more? If it were up to me, I'd find one with the pool already done. And, if I could, I'd buy a new house every time it needed to be remodeled. Jim and I absolutely hate the stress of doing this type of stuff. You put the pool in and then Jim and I will come and buy it! Good Luck on your fresh Core start today. I'm starting over too since it is the new challenge. I just met my goals so I'm going to try to exceed them this time.

Sandra, it sounds like Curtis' Mom is toxic for him. I don't spend my time with toxic people anymore but I don't know what I'd do if it was my Mother! Stress can cause chest pains. I had stress so bad one time I went to the ER thinking that I was having a heart attack. I hope he's feeling better this morning and that he doesn't have to see his Mom any more for a while. She isn't staying with you, is she? I need a Core spinach dip recipe! What do you dunk? I like one from Dominick's that has water chestnuts in it. It's not sweet though so I'm not sure that I'd like the Core version. FF mayo and FF cool whip are SO sweet. Can I just come over and try yours?

Frouf, what a great thing the girls did to honor their friend's Mom! I would have been bawling just at the introduction. It must make you feel happy to see Emily happy while she's dancing. It seems like the one of the few things that give her joy at the moment. You are a great Mom to make all those sacrifices for her so that she can continue to dance. My Niece has the 5 year old in tap/ballet combo but in a year or so she'll have to pick one. Niece says she's not going to let her do them all. I've been telling her how expensive it all is based on your experience. She didn't like all the stories about searching for certain barrettes, etc. Too bad you can't sell those costumes to the little ones coming behind her. Bummer that you are at work today. But then I feel sorry for any of you who have to work ANY day! :D

Now for my menu!

Melissa, Aaron mowed in that heat? Dear Lord, tell him to drink alot of water and rest. It's great exercise but deadly. I vote you put a gas mower on your Christmas list.

Yes - anyone who has girls who want to dance let them talk to me FIRST! I can give them the real lowdown! :D Honestly tho I"m glad she enjoys the dancing and would do everything in my power to make sure she can continue - it's just her 'entitlement attitude' that wears me down of course. The busier she is with dancing the less time to get into trouble in my opinion, and it's good exercise too!

To be quite honest I always wanted to dance (did jazz for a few years when I was younger) - I think I was influenced by all those old Shirley Temple movies I watched with my Mom when I was little - just LOVE that tap dancing. So as soon as I had a girl I knew I would 'vicariously' enjoy the tap thru her. Bad news was at first Emily just sat in the corner - NOT GOOD. But after a 'chat' she started trying tap and the rest is history. It is so much fun to watch the recital videos - of her at age 5 tapping to "lollipop" and then seeing somewhere around age 10 or 11 - the feet start flying- and the choreography gets complicated - and the curls are bouncing - so much fun (for me anyways! ha ha ha).

I do need to clean out the cupboard - I know many of the dance schools have dance camps in the summer and put on these mini-shows for the parents - and they use whatever costumes they can find - otherwise need to find girls that like to play dressup (assuming dd will part with the costumes even tho most of them no longer fit!).

Kathy - that pool looks amazing (kinda like my sil's) and would love to have something like that - altho we have a corner lot I would not say we have the space (altho they advertise it as a pool sized lot), and the maintenance would probably kill dh! I vote for putting it in as soon as possible and having us all over for a pool party!

Vickie - enjoy the bbq! and I sure wish I had the day off (despite the long four day weekend I had last week!).

Sandra - I agree that Curtis should stay FAR AWAY from his mom if she causes him such stress - no need for that at this stage in his life! Just sit on the porch and enjoy those hummingbirds!

I am at work today - and it is the longest day - for goodness sake! Just dragging and dragging (and of course it's nice and sunny outside).

I can't believe there is no dance class tonight! Whatever will I do with myself? lol. Actually only have a week off - 2 rehearsals next week (june 6/8) and then performance on the 9th - then off for the summer - YIPPEE

My garden is almost ready for planting - hopefully next weekend I can visit some nurseries and see what they have and what I like - I am just taking notes right now (unless I see something absolutely fabulous) and planning where I will put stuff!

Lunchtime!

Hey, all! Good grief, I just now got here!!! I woke up around 8:00 and Judd was nowhere in sight. The dogs were wanting to go out so I let them out of the bedroom and then heard the back door open (he put them in the yard) ... so I went to check on the situation and he is sick, sick, SICK. He thinks he has food poisoning or something! I went to the store and got him some Pepto and Gatorade, then went and got some groceries, came home and put them up, then went to do my "fairy" delivery, and went to Home Depot by myself to get flowers. I came home and planted a few in pots, but haven't gotten into the front flowerbeds to dig out pansies and replant with new stuff. It can wait a minute. Meanwhile, Judd is still in bed with his closed eyes and ashen skin. He looks bad.

Suppose after while I'll go outside and grill though. We still have to eat. I'll make potato salad and baked beans for the others, and I'll stick to the grilled portabellos and steamed squash, onion, peppers and broccoli. My eating is messed up for today so it looks like tomorrow is my "start over" day. After I found out he was sick, I didn't stick around long enough to eat breakfast but just left. Now it's lunchtime but I'm tired and hot from being outside so I think I'll just drink a big glass of water.

I hope everybody has a good day today! I'll be back later on.

I just wish I could find that Marzetti's FF dill dip, Vickie. I have been to every store in the area and nobody has it. I would eat it with carrots for every snack because I love it so much ... but didn't at all like when I tried to make it myself.

I just checked on Judd and he's sacked out. I feel really bad for him because he's hardly ever sick and so I know this much be something, especially for him to miss golf this morning. I just put the baked beans in the oven and will boil potatoes in a while for potato salad. I have 93/7 hamburger patties to grill, plus chicken breasts and hot dogs. Hopefully that'll hold us for the next few days ... especially since I won't be eating it and Judd will be back on his SlimFast plan with a shake for breakfast, Simply PB sandwich for lunch, and lean protein plus veggies for dinner.

My scale was 145 this morning so I feel a little better, but it should actually be around 142. However, I will not get upset about it now. Current maintenance is a bit more difficult than it was for the other weights where I took a six month plateau to "settle into it" ... my usual plan is to lose 5-10, maintain for several months, then lose more, maintain, etc. That's why it has taken me 3 years to lose 30 pounds but at least I haven't regained.

Quiet day today, huh?

kathy, the pool looks very inviting. we had a kidney shaped pool in my other life. you and judd are going to have many happy years with yours.

vickie, let me know how that works watching 24 on dvd. i rented it at hollywood but didn't watch it. (got it on mvp so i didn't have to pay) the word "toxic" is perfect. goodness no, she's not staying with us. she lives on the other side of town close to curtis' sister. i had a long phone conversation with my sil last night. mil is being toxic to her, too. something about a walmart scene the other day. we'll all be together this afternoon for a burgerfest and "dip"ity doo. speaking of which. my recipe is simple.

frozen pkg cut spinac nuked for 4 min then cooled and drained well
1 cup ff sour cream
1 cup ff mayo
1 pkg dry soup mix
refrigerate at least 2 hours. i am putting mine in a bread bowl but am taking carrots for dipping, too.

frouf, i'm living vicariously through your dd, too. i love reading about her dancing.

we're in for another mil venture this afternoon. hope our hummingbird is ready to give us a good dose of aerial sites when we get home.

kathy, i hope judd gets to feeling better.

Sandra, what sort of dry soup mix? Like Lipton Onion Soup? That sounds very good and also sounds like something I should make and take for our next potluck birthday party. There are so many people at work who are watching their intake ... I know it would be a huge hit.

this time i used "herb and garlic" cuz that's what i had. the recipe suggests knorr's veggie and then for you to add garlic.

Alrighty then. I'm writing it down for an idea of what to take next time. I never can think of anything good (or at least, good for me!).

Goodness, I just looked in on Judd and he's still asleep and looking bad. I just can't imagine what happened to him!

poor judd. give him a hug for me.

i hope this dip is good. we'll see. i'll post about it later.

The dip sounds good to me.:)

For lunch today, I mixed ff yogurt with ff cottage cheese and added chopped tomatoes with chopped yellow and green peppers. I added a shake of La Grill vegetable seasoning, and it was very good.

Kathy, I love the pool. I could use a dip right about now. I hope that Judd feels better soon. What did he eat that you didn't? Is Kate okay?

Sandra, I don't have mil problems but have a sil that makes up for it. Lucky for me, she's in Toronto and we maybe see her once a year. I'm close with her daughter, and even she has lots of problems with her mother.

Vickie, hope you have a good dinner. I checked out your fried chicken recipe and am going to give it a try. Aren't "special" nieces great? It makes us feel so good when we are loved!:hug:

Yesterday didn't turn out as planned as there were huge lineups and it was very hot. We went to a shopping mall fair instead, and Natan went on a few rides there. We came home, he had a nap and then we sat outside and blew bubbles. It was so much fun. Dil made a lovely dinner after that. Life is good. (What would I do without you, Sandra?);)

Frouf, sounds like yesterday was fun. I can understand why you'll be happy to see the season come to an end. It does keep you on the go. I wish that there was a nice "club" around here with a pool. I'd be willing to pay for the convenience of a quick dip.

I tried to read outside, but I wound up snoozing. When we're away, there's an ocean to get some relief! I shouldn't compain, at least it's nice and cool in here.

saundra, i wind up snoozing sometimes, too, when i'm reading. i don't think that's so bad.

well, girls, it's almost time for us to go to the bbq. i need to work on my attitude. i don't like having a lot of negative thoughts.

i think we should all get together and have a group hug. doesn't that sound good?

Glad you got some fresh air Saundra - even if you dozed off a bit - yes I agree nicer to do so by the beach or pool so you can take a dip (a la Kathy) when required to cool off.

I bet Natan loved the fair - we found one of those a couple of weeks ago in a Bells corners parking lot and of course little ds was just going nuts to go on the rides - he had a blast - but it turned out to be 2 for 1 ticket day so at least it was not super expensive!

I also like the cottage cheese thing- I mix ff cottage cheese with a bit of ff sour cream - then add finely chopped up tomato, shallot, radishes, cucumber and peppers (very colorful) and mix w/spices - very nice for a lunch dish.

Kathy - what the @#$#@ did Judd eat anyways? Poor thing - sounds pretty bad but sleeping it off is a good idea. Hopefully he will feel a bit better when he wakes up?

Sandra - that dip sounds really good and I for one would be willing to try it - await your taste test results.

So cancelled dd's orthodontist appt today (yes I told them she was not feeling well!) - as last night she tells me she was planning to go work on a project at gf's house right after school - like a little too late - so here we are at 11 pm having a 'spat' about who should have told whom about their plans! Told her to call me after school when she gets there to see if I was able to cancel (was afraid of being charged). So yes she calls me - but from HOME - turns out 2 of the other girls couldn't make it! - so I cancelled for nothing - no I am not happy about it!

And then of course gave her a list of 'things to do" - like clean up her bedroom floor so we could walk on it? and empty dishwasher (this is about when the whining began) or she would not get her Avon goodies! (I know I'm so mean!)

Also get a call from big ds all excited - seems he got a call from high school teacher re last year's school paper - which has won all these awards!!! (he was co-editor) and picture awards, anyhow he has been asked to go to Toronto on thursday to pick up the awards - and is very excited! (I think they are only going for the day which concerns me as it's like 4.5 hours each way??? need more info).

I am now feeling sluggish and can't wait to get home - what a long day! Wish I had a hot tub or pool or even a deck/patio to sit on! Dh going out drumming tonight so I am home w/2 kiddies - if I feel like getting outside I shall take ds to the park - I know he will love to do that!

LO chicken, potatoes and broccoli for supper!