Come on in gals, sit on down and tell me about yourself! Yeah, you like the diet do ya now, yeah we think it's something else! I have coffee and water available with snacks.

I have a vet appointment this morning for both Jade and Cody... will hurt the pocket book something fierce and a bill or two will have to wait. Cody needs shots and Jade needs one of her boosters, Cody also needs a stool sample, you know, the entire puppy work up. Just to walk in is 35 each! Why they can't just charge me one $35 instead of two is beyond me!

So the management of the park I live in is saying I owe two months rent... what? I pay (and have showed them my payment advice) every month! I would like to know where they are crediting my money too! I'm ready to pull my home out of here!

Work is awesome. The boss is strict, but she's good. the group of people working there seem nice, and most of them work their tail ends off.... She said if I "blow her away" the first three months she'll work hard at getting me a raise at my 90 day review.... she's also going to try to get me the holiday pay that I'm not suppose to get for six months (never heard of that one before).

JENSKI.... I hope your son does not have diabetes! Poor boy! Please keep us up to d ate on what you find! Poor lad!

What do you all have planned for the weekend? After the visit to the vet I plan to go shopping, so I need to go make my weekly menu.

Good morning, Lori, and the rest of you to come.

Lori, I hope you get everything straightened out with your park rent. As long as you have the receipts, you should be OK. I hope the pups have a good visit at the vet's!

I had a very nice birthday yesterday, and thank you all for the well wishes! Jake took me out for a casual supper last night, and we're going to have the big celebration this evening.
Today is a day of shopping, we have to look for a new cordless phone, and Jake needs a new winter jacket. We're working in a trip to Trader Joe's, too, and a visit to my parent's. I'm going to need a nice glass of wine and a good dinner at the end of the day!

Jenski, how is your DS doing today?

Ruth, how was the doggy sleepover?

Ugh, you remind me. My Chihuahua is due for her annual check up. Lovely.

Working this entire weekend and not looking forward to it. I'm orienting the new girl. Should be loads of fun.

Enjoy your weekend, everyone!

Happy belated birthday, Cottage!!!!!!!!!!!


Morning all...sounds like everyone has a busy day planned. We are going to New Orleans for a memorial mass. A friend of my parent's died (her son was the priest that did my Dad's funeral) and since my Mom is no longer here, we kind of have to go to represent the family. Wish we had time to go do something fun, but LSU plays around 2:30, so we have to bee-line it back so DH can catch the game.

Nothing much happened exiting this week...just school and more school. Still hitting the gym at 5 every work morning and still loving it. Oh, yeah and a friend that has an art studio asked me to gather about 8 photos I did from the cemetery and the French Quarter cause she wants to do an exhibit with them..that was pretty exiting! And I had to get a new pair of jeans for "jean day" at school yesterday. Got an 8 that fit comfortably when I tried them on but by the end of the first hour at school they were baggie. Nice, but they would not take them back at the store since I had worn them. I'm not going to complain though, a couple of years ago I would not believe that I could fit in an 8! The were Liz Claibornes and kind of pricey so I guess I have a new pair of "around the house" jeans.

Oh, yeah, we were off of school for election day, so I got to go out in the marsh and got some pretty good shots. ( (Except for the pelican...I was zooming in on it and the boat was moving and my hands were moving so I didn't get his tail!) A friend was scouting out the marsh for the best place to put "used" Christmas trees to stop the wetland erosion. Found a great spot for the trees and for pictures. I got sunburned, but it was worth it.

Good morning chicks!

Lori - Glad you're enjoying your new job. Good luck at the vets...I would bet they charge for two exams because the look at both dogs . Hope it goes well!

Noemi - Hope you get a break in there somewhere!

Me - On day 2 of my three day weekend. Yesterday was okay - went on a 4.25 mi run, and it kicked my butt!! But, probably b/c I pace 30 seconds/mile faster than normal. I'm actually excited...we finally got a rental unit, so we're going to take all this extra stuff out...maybe I can enjoy this rental home a bit more. It's SO cluttered! Plus, DH and I hired a sitter starting at 1 pm...so we get 1/2 day together! WooOOOOoo!

Have a good one!

Cat - good morning! Good to hear from you!

Jenski - hope it's all good news! Wouldn't the doctor have already seen sugar in the urine on the first test?! Hope so!

Good morning from rainy and Novemberish Delta. We did have a week of lovely weather and I appreciated it.

Lori, does your vet do a multi-animal discount. Mine does - not much but it helped when I had two critters. I'm sure the rent thing will get straightened out fast.

Cottage, I'm so glad you had a nice quiet evening before the big bash tonight. You sound like you have a busy day so try to grab a quiet space before tonight.

Ohana, "should be fun"??? I hope it is and the weekend goes quickly for you.

Cat, you sure can pack it in on the weekends. Congrats on the tiny jeans! Sounds like you'll have some very classy duds for housework.

TwynnB, sounds like you are getting settled. Renting storage space is a great idea - I use my barn.

The Hyper Pypers arrived to pick up Baily at 3:10 this morning. Everyone was extra-wired. They stayed for about an hour and had a snack of popcorn and about two gallons of milk. What a family! Disney and I crawled back to bed when they left.

I was looking at another rescue dog online yesterday and even filled out the application form. However, after sleeping on it, I think Disney and I will just be a family of two until after Christmas. Maybe in the Spring?

Not sure what I'll be doing today besides thank-you notes and quilting. I may do a roast chicken or make some soup - it's that kind of cozy day.

Enjoy!

Linda, glad you enjoyed your Birthday, it sounds like a nice time!

Ohana, while you may be working the weekend I'm sure you get days off through the week where the rest of us are working! Hope it goes by quickly for ya.

Femme, You give me hope that perhaps someday I'll see single digit jean sizes! But even a 12 or 10 I would love! I'm still stuck between 14 and 16... 14 are too snug in the waist where 16 are way to baggy (especailly in the legs!)

Twynn, enjoy some hubby time this afternoon!

Ruth, I wish it would get straightened out, it's been three weeks that I've shown them my proof yet they sent another statement telling me to recheck my check numbers! IDIOTS! Sounds like the winter is just going to be a bit much for you to try and train a puppy... hhmmm, perhaps I should of waited! LOL, I'm dealing with mud from HUGE paws diggin! I swear I should of named him Digger instead of Cody!

I decided on Chicken Divan and stuffed peppers as my two make ahead dishes this week. Hopefully with those and salads, and planning I'll stay on track this week now that week one is out of the way at work...... just got to get into a new schedule. . OK< off to walk doggies before our apptmnt.

Have fun all.

Hi everyone! It's sunny here!!!! I haven't seen the sun in at least a month, so this is wonderful. Kadyn is at a birthday party, Avery is napping, and Connor is spending some contempletive time in his bed. He was also invited to the birthday party but hasn't had stellar behavior at school this week so his party priveleges were revoked. Instead, he wrote a list of ten things he can do to be a better listener at school and now he's in his room. I really hate being the bad guy but I'm hoping it's for the best. We have to go get Kadyn in a bit and then there's a backyard full of leaves to rake so I'm going to take advantage of the nice weather and get out there.

My eating has been fantastic lately (except for the slight slip with some homemade caramel corn last night - oops). I'm trying to be good and get back on track. I've gotten at least 4.5 cups of veggies all week and I've got a fridge stocked full after a shopping trip yesterday so I should be good.

Does anyone have a crockpot butternut squash soup recipe? I feel like it should work but I haven't seen anything around. I should Google it.

Lori, good luck at the vet! Hope the pups are A-OK.

Linda, glad you had a good birthday. Enjoy your family dinner tonight!

Noemi, hope work turns out to be as good as it could. Maybe you'll get along well with the new girl and have some fun!

Cat, congrats on the photo recognition. I've heard that eating tomatoes helps reduce the effects of sunburn. Worth a shot!

Twynn, good job on your run and best of luck with the new home!

Ruth, enjoy your quilting! Are you working on a project for yourself this time?

Okie dokey, it's about time to go get the big girl from her party. Have a great weekend everyone!

Kara

Lori - Vets are ultra expensive...that reminds me, we need to get kitty in for his boosters. Hope everything works out with management - can you get cancelled checks from the bank to show that you've paid?

Cottage - glad you had a good birthday. Have fun shopping! I don't know what kind of jacket that Jake is looking for, but Old Navy is having a 50% off outerwear sale this weekend. There should be some pretty good deals.

Ohana - I'm sorry you have to work this weekend...I hope everything goes smoothly.

Cat - I've missed you and my other Louisiana girls! Glad that life is treating you well.

Twynn - have fun with your free day! Also, it is amazing what a little de-cluttering can do for your feelings of a home.

Ruth - Enjoy your day, dear.

Kara - I don't have a specifically crockpot butternut stew recipe, but I've adapted a few to the crockpot. One that I really like is this:
2T. butter or olive oil
1 onion, diced
1/2 c. white wine
4 c. chicken broth
1 3# butternut squash, peeled and cubed
1 apple, peeled and chopped
1 pinch nutmeg
1 pinch cinnamon
1 pinch ground ginger
1 pound cheese filled ravioli (I use the Bertolli ww 4-cheese fresh ravioli)
3/4 c. light cream cheese
salt and pepper
3/4 c. fat free or regular half and half

For the crockpot, I throw everything in but the ravioli, cream cheese, salt and pepper and half and half. Let it cook on low for 5-6 hours. Puree with the cream cheese either in a blender in batches or with an immersion blender. Cook the ravioli as directed on package and add along with the half and half. Salt and pepper to taste.

It is VERY filling and autumn-y.

-

Today we're meeting MIL for lunch and then going to Old Navy for their outerwear sale. DS needs a new coat for this fall/winter and some footie jammies. I also need to run to a maternity shop and get some new bras...these boobs seem to have a mind of their own!

Other than that, the floors could use a good mopping and there are a few dishes that need to get washed as well as a load of laundry.

Good morning Chicks

The longer my To Do list is the more time I waste trying to figure it out I am just not a naturally organized person!

I'm off to run errands but will be back to do personals later.

Cat - it's GREAT to see you

Morning girls! I feel 50 times better today. Still have a little bit of a cough, but am going to try to stay away from the codeine cough syrup today.

I've got a bug up my butt to start eating organic. I don't know what's gotten into me, but I'm totally on a health kick now. Tom's 11 days smoke-free and almost over the grumpies. He's worked out every day this week, and I would have too if I hadn't been so sick. I think I'm going to rest up and get back at it Monday. I still had a fever last night, and still have a productive cough, so I want to make sure I don't infect the entire Y.

Well, I'm going to have some tea and get a move on. Hope everyone has a lovely day!

Lisa

good morning,
Lori - enjoy your weekend, you deserve a rest.

cottage - enjoy and keep on celebrating.

Noemi - enjoy training someone new. They are usually so eager to learn.

femmecreole - you are such a morning person, exercising at 5 a.m.

ruth - rain here also, I love it just to skip yard work for awhile.

kara - you are doing great, 4lbs lost.

tywnn - its a great feeling to declutter.

zeff - have a nice lunch with MIL and good shopping.

Cyndi - busy as ever with a list.

Weezle - just rest, rest, rest. and plenty of fluids.

me - I am relaxing after driving home yesterday and being stuck in traffic for 4 1/2 hrs. What is usually and 1 1/2 trip. I know you won't believe me that the highway we have here called 401 is the busiest in North America (just google). About 10 years ago when DH was in research on alternative energy, there was a survey done and at that time there were 7,000 tractor trailers a DAY between the Toronto/Windsor corridor. I try to avoid it as much as possible but sometimes it just can't be done.

sophie

The popcorn Brian sold will be delivered shortly. It's only about 80 items but I have the labels ready to go and then we will start delivering. I took out the bushes in front of the house and sprayed the poison ivy but I'm going out in a few minutes to cut it all out and bag it up.

Robert and I were emailing back and forth last night. He was being pretty mean on some of the stuff he said so I ended up forwarding the emails to my lawyer. I told him I don't see any chance of an agreement so I asked if he could get a court date as soon as possible and we'll just let the judge decide how it all gets split up.

I'm taking Brian to see him on Monday since there is no school or work (and I'm on-call until then). He was insistant that I bring my book or crochet so he can have a longer visit without me hanging around his room in the nursing home. I talked to Brian and he wants to try a 3 hour visit so I'll just drop him off and come back. I hate to drive that far twice but I can't spend 3 hours sitting in the lobby of a nursing home. There's just too many things to do.

Hey all! Happy Saturday! Thanks for asking about DS. He is doing great. (Fighting with his sister as we speak.) Slept all night, no accidents. No accidents yesterday too, although he is going A LOT and drinking A LOT. Not being in school, he could go whenever he wanted, which could explain the lack of accidents. His appetitie is incredible! I cannot give him enough food!! He has hardly been eating lately, which explains the weight loss. Back in September I think I told you he was really sick, my old ped thought it was the stomach flu, I pushed for an XRay because something was wrong and it turns out the kid's colon was blocked to his stomach. Did I tell you that? I can't rememeber... anyway, we think this is all related. I got a new ped right away and this is who we are dealing with now. The XRay yesterday proved that his colon is no longer blocked. The doctor ran the blood work and the urine test because he said he is showing all the signs of diabetes. But the blood work and the urine test didn't show that. WHEW. But the doctor is still very worried because he feels something is here and we are missing it. This "unknown" is what we are worried about. To be honest I have no idea what results we are waiting on, but he tested for more things and those results will be available Monday. I think our next step is a specialist, according to the ped anyway. We might need to look into bladder related issues. He mentioned nerve disorders, etc.

Thanks again for the concern. Your well wishes brought us a full night's rest!

We are off to Soccer Awards, then to see Barbie in person, and then out to dinner and an adult movie! I am seeing a movie two nights in a row... back to the old days, when DH and I used to go to the movies all the time! Sometimes several days in a row!! (Yeah, we are geeks!!)

Morning ladies....off to a BB tournament for school!

Hope your days are great!