Hey Angela , I knoe how you feel, my ds's first day of Kindergarten, dh & I followed the school bus to the school and watched ds get of the bus and walk to his class with all the other children :o , they were so little. Now he is a pro and will be going into 1st grade but I will still meet him at school on his first day. DD still has 2 years to go and I will probably follow her bus too!

Angela! :hug: It'll be okay and she'll have a blast, I'm sure! It's funny how we get more traumatized by these things than they do!

Vickie, "the other place" ... :lol: Judd actually had the nerve to say the name out loud! We'll just call it WF so that we don't have to stoop that low. And yes, he wants to go there as well as Comiskey. I have not gone into Shaun's room but Kate did and said it was remarkably improved from when he was in there. As long as all trash, food, dishes, etc. are out of there, I can deal with whatever else he left. I'm going to wait until Thanksgiving weekend and hopefully get it all re-done then ... painting and carpet cleaning and furniture placement. As long as it's done by Christmas when all of Judd's family is in town, we'll be fine.

Rose, my parents had their 52nd anniversary this year. Times sure flies, doesn't it? I always tease them that they've been married longer than I've even been ALIVE ... and they say, um ... yeah, well of course we have! :lol: My mom was 22 and my dad was 20 when they got married so I guess I just told their age!

I did pretty well last night and only woke up once. Of course, I had to cry after watching Everybody Loves Raymond because it was the one where Ally and Ray went to a father/daughter dance. Ray was remembering when she was born, and then after the "memory" scenes, they showed them back at the dance. "You are the sunshine of my life" came on, and that was the song that Ray and Debra had used during the childbirth and then Ally said something about her dad not liking to dance to the slow songs, and Ray said "it's going fast enough" -- of course talking about how quickly the years were passing and then I was like a big ol' mess!

SO ANYWAY ... I started a letter to him this morning but am going to write it in a blank journal and write a little every day, then will give it to him at graduation. It'll just be about the little day-to-day happenings around the house, the dogs did this or that, so-and-so asked about him, yada yada yada. It'll probably bore his socks off but it'll make me feel like I'm keeping in touch. Stupid, I'm sure, but oh well!

And my eating got off to a horrible start when I woke up having an ugly day, then didn't want to get out of bed, then didn't want to make my breakfast before leaving, then didn't stop for anything, so I had a coke. So much for the challenge, huh? I'm not giving up, though! I was 143 this morning so I guess I'm still sorta on track. I just have to remember to drink all my water today and not hoover thru the kitchen when I get home.

On with the day...

Oh gosh, I have been married longer then the age of most of you. Do you know at first I was afraid as I thought you guys would think what a old lady. :) Thanks Sandra, I do not feel 70, in fact when I hear that someone is 70 I right away think of a old person, then I think, oh my gosh, that is me. I remember going to a group and the ladies were all my age but I thought (JUST FOR A SECOND) what am I doing here with all my Mothers friends. :o It hit me then gosh, this is my age group. :rollpin:
I must say though two of my best friends are 20 years younger then I am.

Kathy how are you today, it gets easier but it is hard when there is change even if it is for the good.

As far as sending them off to kindergarten that is a funny feeling also. I feel for you also. I remember my son going to kindergarten I was so sad (it quickly left me though):) :smug:

Well we are leaving tomorrow for a few days so I will bid you goodbye.
Saundra should be back from her trip to Picton. Picton is a nice place with the Sand Banks. I would guess they would have a good time.

Waving to you all, and will love you and leave you.
Rose

Angela - good luck with the kindergarten drop off - I remember being worried about dd cuz she was so tiny and born late (e.g. November) so she was just 3 in september when she started junior kindergarten (for 4 yr olds) - she was so small she couldn't reach the bottom step of the school bus - dh had to lift her up! ( I was practically crying already) - then god forbid she leaned backwards - with that backpack on her back (probably heavier than her?) she would have fallen right out of the bus!

Kathy - I think the journal/letter is a great and lovely idea - and I know Shaun will appreciate it and all you've done for him. Good luck w/the redecorating - and I don't think one coke will make all that much difference!

Rose - have fun at the cottage!!!

Vickie - sounds like you are in Core prep mode which is great - I know if we are prepared that is half - actually more than half - the battle! I was tired last night - but forced myself to make a salad, then a big 'vat' of tuna salad and I prepared some fresh strawberries to take to work - I know if I'm not prepared I will reach for that which I should not reach for!

Need more sleep - woke up a bit at 5 am (potty break) but I think I fell back asleep on and off til 7 am! Dh gone to meeting this am - so I was official chauffeur for kiddies!

Got to work at 9 am - and yes a message on my phone from Mr. Winnipeg - DECLINING the deployment - I am so depressed and upset - and after I had everyone bending over backwards to make this happen (even the admin officer stayed late last night to do the language approval forms) - says he can't leave cuz his manager is leaving - reorganization, etc. So now I have NO ONE - NO PROSPECTS - NOTHING - NADA - ALL ALONE (and still don't know what I"m doing:D)

Muddling thru as best I can - I sent an email to my ex-employee (she is just in the next tower) asking if she could spare 30 mins to walk me thru the financial committment system again (the most NON USER friendly software ever invented!) - I did take notes when she showed it to me - but basically I don't know what I"m doing!!! Also doing all contract prep, security statuses, vendor codes - all by my lonesome - I am feeling the pressure (yes I shall think cruise, cruise, cruise).

I do intend to exercise after work - well after I drive dd to dance camp at 6 pm....then need a calm, relaxing evening, right???

Frouf

P.S Did I mention the big contract we have worked on for OVER A YEAR which has fallen thru? Seems there was a glitch/problem with the interpretation of one of the mandatory requirements so the whole thing has to be redone - and now I have a meeting with my 'client' (bureau director and associate director) to explain how that happened - boy I can't wait! NOT :(

I just finished my 35 minutes on the treadmill. I'm off to shower and start my errands. Hang in there everyone!

Dd did very well, and I'm happy to say, I didn't cry, at least not in her presence. :) She was nervous, but we had role-played the whole thing yesterday with Grandma, and I really think that helped. I'm looking forward to picking them up today at noon (it's a half-day) and hearing all about the day's events.

I got a bit of a shock though, when the school nurse called this morning! I was thinking, "OK, WHO threw up??!" but then she said big dd has an immune-suppressed classmate, so the nurse just wanted the details of little dd's illness, I guess to protect him. I'm pretty sure it's the boy who has leukemia... he was going through his 3rd round of chemo last school year, poor kid. I'm thrilled that he's in school now. He's technically been dd's classmate for 3 years now. Anyway, I was really glad it wasn't about one of my kiddos.

Little dd is begging for food, and so far has kept down ice chips, a popsicle, and some dry rice krispies - oh yes, and some Tylenol. So I think if I can keep her fever down and keep her resting today, maybe I can pronounce her on the mend tomorrow?? We'll see.

I've been starvingly hungry the last day or two...trying not to eat the house down. :D

Later,
Angela

Hey everyone,

I can't believe it so late and this is my first post. I've been so busy since I got to work at 8:15. Anyway.

Rose - Congrats on the Anniversary. My mom and dad would have been married 53 years this past June. Dad turned 76 last week and he's just a big kid. I told him he can get old but never act it.

Niki - I lived on Ocean Parkway near Kings Highway. I lived in the same building my whole life even after I married. Even though we've only been in the house for a year it seems like forever. Whenever we go back to Brooklyn it just seems foreign to me.

Froufy - :hug: Just hang in there. Keep venting to us and we'll keep making you feel better. The exercise is a great idea. Listen to your favorite music. I'm a Barry Manilow geek and his music has gotten me through the worst of times including almost dying when my older daughter was 7 months old and then when she had open heart surgery at 2. Just keep thinking CRUISE!

Vicki - The recipe I found was actually here under core recipes. It's so yummy. Dad is having some tonight for dinner and I'll probably bring it again for lunch tomorrow with fresh guacamole.

Angela - It seems just yesterday I was taking Nikki to 1st grade with Briana 2 months old in her stroller. Now Nikki is going into 10th grade and is trying to start a modeling career and Briana is going into 4th.

Kathy - I think the journal is an awesome idea. It helps get your feelings out and gives your son a chance to catch up on the little things he may have missed.

Guess I should finish my day at work. Nikki has guitar at 6, pick up the dh at 6:40, cook dinner at 7 and collapse after playing with briana at 8. Then start all over again tomorrow. I'll stop by later.
Stacey

hi there, chickiepoos. it's a great day to be alive and be op. curtis and i just got home from running errands and visiting with some folks. now we're readying to do chores around the house. i have my 2nd load of laundry washing already.

vickie, you sound much much happier today--more like your old self. last night after i got home from w a and after company left, curtis and i watched tv then hot tubbed. that's about it for us.

niki, i got me some sports bras today. i'm going to try to cover the girls in them under my suit. hope it works. that's cute about ds reading to dd--a hallmark moment for sure.

vickie, some of the ladies wear t-shirts and shorts over their swimsuits. i thought of doing that myself.

angela, i'm sure dd #2 is doing fantastic. i remember those first day blues, though. ds went to k right down the hall from my 4th grade class. that made it easier for us.

kathy, what a wonderful idea writing in a journal for shaun. he'll love it. i'm not surprised you had your cry last night. we moms can hold those tears in only so long. i hope your day is better now than it was this am.

rose, i guess i got here too late to say, "good-bye." i know you and dh will have a great time.

frouf, how much longer till you can retire? i can't imagine having that much pressure at work.

a girlfriend is going to w a with me tonight. we're going to have a blast. i'm off here now to fold towels and see what else needs doing. have a great day, all.

Hi: No, it is not too late Sandra, gosh it looks like our plans may be changed. It is not the cottage we are going it is to Ottawa for a couple of days. Our son sold his house and we have to get some of the things out. He got what he asked for but they want him out in two weeks. He has Grandma's dishes etc. and we want to go and get them. The cottage is on hold now.
I am just waiting for our son to call us and see what is what. So---I may be here tomorrow and I may not. lol

Stacey and you other gals that still have your parents on this earth are so lucky. I had a hard time when I lost mine. My Mother died in "86" Dad died in 2002, he was 90 years young. I had the most amazing parents, the nurses in the hospital said that Dad prayed lots and he brought some to know the Lord.
He volunteered in the hospital until his late 80's and was loved by all. He walked 8 miles a day for exercise until he was in his middle 80's and then he would go about 3 miles.
Well must run, don't take any wooden nickels girls and frouf hope you get more sleep. It is hard when things keep running through your mind.
Rose

rose, i'm glad you and dh are able to help ds. i'm also glad you may be posting here tomorrow. (i'm selfish.)

Hey gals! Found out today they are cracking down on all internet usage at work, so I'm trying to avoid getting in trouble. Had a busy day and tonight was busy too. I'm sorry to be short but I'm so tired. And so hungry! I'll talk to you all tomorrow.

Rose, I know it's going to be hard when I lose my parents. :hug: We just went thru losing my sister four years ago and it was hard on all three of us. We were with her when she passed over, and my mom wouldn't even consider it any other way. She said, "I was there when she took her first breath and I'm going to be there when she takes the last one." Now when I lose the two of them, I'll be thinking of the bond we formed when we held hands around my sister's bed. Makes me want to cry even now.

But hey, what DOESN'T make me want to cry? I've cried for the whole day and at the stupidest things. Judd and I went out with the Air Force guys tonight -- to a movie tavern -- and on the way I was telling him about yesterday and the things that Shaun and I did, and I think I cried throughout the whole time I was telling him. He was very patient with me though, and let me talk. I needed that.

The Chief called me at work today to say that Shaun left on time and the swearing-in ceremony went off well; said Shaun would be calling either late tonight or tomorrow at work, depending on when they let him. He gets 2-3 minutes to call and let me know how he's doing.

Melissa, we recently had some people fired for excessive internet usage; although one of them was doing day-trading while using company resources and charging to the program. That IS excessive. Other than that, they let us have our little breaks and whatnot, and read the newspaper, etc. I really shouldn't be online during the day either; most of the time I feel really bad about it. I think if you can break the habit and watch the usage, then so can I. I'd rather not lose my job over something like that!

I'm really tired so I'm going to go to bed now. I'll be back ... hmm, I guess it'll be tomorrow after work! Nah, I'll check in at least once or twice during the day, but it probably won't be much.

Well here I am - exhausted - and cranky!

Kathy - you need to vent too - and it is sad that Shaun is away from home - so I'm glad you were able to talk to Judd about it.

Vickie - congrats on getting your exercise in today - good for you!

Sandra - hey just jump in with the sports bra on - how about a little excitement at the pool? :D

Rose - have fun in the 'big city' - hope you are able to retrieve what you need!

Angela - sounds like drop off went well - await report of 1st day at school!

Stacey - hope you are having a well deserved quiet evening!

I had a major meltdown on the way home - to be expected I guess? dh came by and took me out for lunch which was nice (indian food which wasn't that 'nice' for me! but yummy). I tried to do that financial stuff but couldn't even log onto the system - so now I am freaked about getting the paperwork completed so contract can start on Friday - guess now I will be begging tomorrow to get someone/anyone to help me out??? This is pathetic.

....I feel a bit behind in my work too - so on the way home now I am feeling so bad, depressed and just want to cry and scream. Get home and unfortunately dd ended up getting the 'brunt' of my anger. I came home to find dishes on the counter (left by her and her brother) and can't understand why it is so hard to put them INSIDE the dishwasher??? So when she comes downstairs (driving her to dance class) I ask if any of these plates are hers? Of course (and the can of pepsi by the couch) and I start shrieking at her like a madwoman about putting our dishes in the dishwasher and not leaving a mess - etc....I continue this rant in the car - she of course starts crying and I pull over saying I cannot take her to dance class if she is whining (she is crying cuz someone took her bathroom cup out of her washroom - and she doesn't know where it is? ) ya try the kitchen cupboard (duh?) it was in the dishwasher to be cleaned?

Anyway you can see how the evening is progressing (and she is now asking for this pair of sunglasses she wants for tomorrow's camp trip to the waterpark - ya like i have nothing better to do tonight). Drop her off -head home - now crying in the car - come home (dh gone to get ds) so I can continue my pity party on my own for a while.

Decide to make pancakes for dinner? (and I'm not even hungry) - dh comes home takes one look at me and sees the meltdown in progress! So I have been in a foul mood all night - I can't believe how much work is affecting me? I feel so useless and I don't want to go to work - or even go on a trip anymore - what's the point? Just come back to more work and pressure! Everything is bad, bad, bad - no good news in sight? (is it my bad karma causing all of this???)

Went to pick dd up (and did manage to find the sunglasses for her) - needs to clean her room and bathroom first tho - I really need to sleep - but can't imagine falling asleep? I sure hope I DON'T wake up - cuz it will be all over and I will be up for a while.

Tomorrow is birthday lunch day - going out with work team - chinese food place - I'm driving (ya that's what happens when you have a van) - don't want to drive - don't want to go - don't want to act happy - feeling crappy!

And my director is back so I am meeting with him tomorrow to debrief him on all that has been going on (he was gone for a month) - my mgr off til sept.

i don't know what's wrong with me - I am so pathetic - I am usually such a 'go-getter', action type person and this is really dragging me down!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Frouf:(

Hmmm ... sounds like a trip to the doctor is in order for our Frouf. What do you think, girl? Do you think you need something -- maybe temporarily -- to get you over this hump? You're right though; this is SO not like you.

Well, good morning! Do I win the prize for first and last post? :lol:

Today's GOT to be a better day for me and the challenge. I'm losing ground -- weighed 144.2 this morning which isn't good.

Anyway, I thought I'd check and see if anyone was here. I'd better get to work now...