Hi, everyone!

I've missed so many threads in just over a week, and I don't have a whole lot of 'Net time here, so I thought I'd just pop a note in here.

Hubby and I arrived at my sister's house in Orkney at midnight last Tuesday. That was a 36 hour journey on 2 buses, 3 planes, and a ferry. I was totally exhausted--I had no sleep the entire time, and barely any for the two nights before we left because of my chest and stomach pains. (If Jilly is reading this: I did go to the doctor before we left for Scotland, and he thinks it's probably a gallbladder problem. I had an ECG which was normal, and he wants me to go for an ultrasound when we get back, but in the meantime he gave me some pills for acid reflux. They haven't helped, so I'm pretty sure it isn't that. )

Orkney is every bit as beautiful as I remembered it, and it's just fantastic being able to spend time with my sister.

The weather is... interesting! Talk about four seasons in a day! So far, it's been rainy and windy every day, and that's been interspersed with bright sunshine and hailstones.

I've been on a few good long hikes. When I get around to putting the photos on the iBook, I'll post some piccies.

I'm thinking of starting a sweep here for people to guess how much weight I'll gain over the next 6 weeks. I'm eating very healthily through the day, but I'm afraid I've given in to the temptations of too much wine, proper fish 'n' chips, and other Orkney delicacies on an evening.

As for what I currently weigh? Sis has an old analogue scale that I've hopped on. It reads as a maintain, but I have no idea how accurate it is.

Gotta go. We're off to The Ring of Brodgar stone circle and Maeshowe chambered cairn. Toodle pip!

Ali, good to hear that you're having a great time. Wish I was there to enjoy the fish and chips with you. I don't live near my sister either and it's always a great treat to be able to combine a holiday and spend time with family too. I'm looking forward to seeing your pictures!

The weather is shaping up quite nicely around here, really makes me want to stay home an do some work around the yard.

Does anyone around here have a garlic intolerance/allergy? I've been noticing that when I eat anything with garlic I get severe gas and asthma like symptoms. Very strange. It's a shame because I LOVE garlic. Curious to see if anyone else has/is experiencing this.

~Dee

Hi folks,

I had such a great holiday weekend! It was the best Easter I remeber in a while, even topping last yesr which was also my birthday. The night before went with DF to a great baseball game, hometown team won in the bottom of the ninth. Easter brunch and church with DF and dinner and goofing off with good friends. Very satisfying. Anyways...

Ali

My old cardioligist told me that people who lose a lot of weight often have trouble with their gall bladders (I think it has something to do with releasing all that fat into the bloodstream) Hope you get to the bottom of this soon and that it doesn't mess up your Holiday too much.

Dee

My ex had digestive difficulties after eating raw garlic that went away when he swithched to cooked but asthma like symptoms doesn't sound like anything to mess with. Do you have or can you go see an allergist? and lay off the garlic in the meantime?

Hope all is well with the rest of you.

Denise

Howdy everyone! I can not believe it is Wednesday already. Pretty quiet Easter weekend, and I did not do too much except a hike on Saturday. The knee held up pretty well, and I am glad it was an easy hike. Pain has won over stubborness, because I did go to the doctor today to see why my knee is not healing as fast as it should. There is no water on the knee, and he is pretty sure I just strained it a little. So he gave me some anti-inflammatorys to help the healing along. I do not have another hike until May, so hopefully it will be healed at that point. Other than that, quiet on the home front.

Ali, LOVE those links. I love reading about standing stones and I have never had the opportunity to visit Orkney. I have only seen Stonehenge, and I guess due to vandalism you are not allowed to walk among the stones anymore. Post pictures when you can.