Good morning from sunny and warmish Delta. At last there is some spring weather. It was so nice to sleep with my window open last night.

I am off to the gym for 7:30 with only one gym buddy, Doreen, as Donna is away baby-sitting the grans. Doreen is the world's biggest moaner and "enjoys poor health" as my Dad would say. However, I do give her credit for coming to the gym. She said her doctor would not allow her to exercise but Donna went to an appointment with her and got cleared that up! She has stuck with it pretty well since then although she gets tired easily and does very easy routines with lots of complaining which drives me batty!

We have mice in the mill who have damaged the milling equipment so that is the panic of the week. (We open May 21st.) Anyone care to lend us a cat? I when I did some student interviews yesterday, I was tempted to ask if they were afraid of mice but held myself back.

After gym this morning, I'm planning to start the digging and potting of perennials for the May 21 plant sale at the Church. We have the sale in the morning and then the Mill's Mad Hatter's Tea Party in the afternoon. That should make for an interesting day. I must start resting!

I always thought retired people played bridge and golfed but I was wrong.

Happy Hump Day to us all. Take a moment to chat and sip your coffee.

We get a really, really big full moon this week, I hear. Shall we howl?

Good morning Ruth! I could loan you my almost 16 year old mouser, Merlin. He's the cat we have to lock all the bedrooms up at all times, otherwise he'll hunt socks, underwear (any clothes) and stuffed animals. I posted a pic the one time on facebook, we were gone 1/2 hour and came back to about 20 'killed' stuffed animals on the floor. Please, give him a job!

As well - I had a client that "retired", but still works every day (but more flexibility!). I told her she failed retirement!

Yesterday was CA-RAZY busy both at home and at work. Hopefully, today won't be as bad!! I haven't even checked the weather, so I haven't made plans for the afternoon, if I get one.

Mmmmm, that strong coffee with you ladies is starting the day off well!

Good morning All my yard work is being postponed, lots of rain the last couple of days. I'm making a dent in preparation for the exhibit. I've always been the more methodical one and I now have an Excel spreadsheet of all the prints actually in hand. That will also be useful when someone orders one online, I won't need to reorder something I already have in the house.

I've got lists and my coffee is getting me ready for the day.

I guess I'd better start practicing now for my retirement, thanks to Ruth, who never slows down. I'm surprised, but happy, that Doreen is hanging in there and still going to the gym. You and Donna are really doing her a huge favor. Sorry, but I don't have any cats to send up there. Cindy is down to only 1 barn cat and is looking for more, herself. What about that cat that hangs out on your front porch, looking for Carley? Maybe you could relocate him to the Mill?

Tammy, I just poured myself a mug of the strong brew, and if you hurry, I'll save some for you. That's hilarious about your Merlin!

Our weather is looking 50/50 right now, but at least the girls have their riding lessons at an indoor ring, so they won't be canceled if it decides to rain I want to leave my house a little early this morning so I'll have time to stop in and have coffee with Mom and Dad before heading to the farm.

We're almost over the Hump!

Good morning! It's going to be HOT here this week. Last I saw they were forecasting above 90!

I have errands to run. Tonight's dinner is a successful compromise between DH's vegetarian kick and my SB eating plans. Yummy but requires I go to several different stores for ingredients. Vegan barley and lentil pilaf with mushrooms and spinach.

Tonight my mom and I are going to see Jersey Boys. Before that, I'm going to see if DH and I can find time to watch last nights BL season finale before I hear who one. Don't tell me!

Have a great day.

Good morning ladies

Ruth is certainly busier than I, and I 'work' full time! I think it's great. that is wonderful that you got to sleep with bedroom window open! Spring is coming here, just s-l-o-w-l-y. And if I'm given permission to howl, I will. Ow-wooooo!

Twynn, that is so funny about your cat

Cottage I hope your 50/50 weather turns to be more sunny

CyndiM Yes, too damp to do yard things isn't it. I am sorry that I don't remember, do you show photos, is that your work?

Karen - wow, 90 and above is HOT! your dinner tonight sounds fabulous.

Hello to everyone else Yesterday jekel asked about my comment about 'struggling'. Thanks it's because it is soooo easy for me to fall off the SB wagon. I know I can't blame anyone but myself but it sure would be easier if DH did not bring cartons of ice cream, sugary cereals into the house..and ask me constantly if I brought home cookies, pie, chips, etc. Very difficult.

Good morning! I better keep up with my work outs if I ever hope to retire. Busy, busy ladies here!

Coffee is long gone. Since starting SB I do feel more energetic and can survive on one large cup for the day.

Planted gerber daisies yesterday, hope they will be OK as it is still early. They are such happy flowers I could not resist them at Home Depot.

Long work week, 5 12 hour tours in a row. I am going to try to sneak in a little spinning every day. I am certain by Sunday I will be a barracuda lol.

Have a great day

Holly, I remember when I was married my husband would constantly bring home "forbidden" foods. He is a diabetic too. My son begrudgingly is getting used to my new shopping. I still buy him chips, just ones I HATE. I cannot keep ice cream in the house because I cannot control myself. Instead I will go out for the occasional cone. It costs more, but in actuality I am saving thousands of calories lol.

you could designate a place for your DH to store foods that you struggle with. Maybe not having to see them, they won't tempt you so much. I keep my son's snacks on the top shelf out of my direct line of sight.

Hang in there, you've got us for support

Good morning! Same old, same old here this morning. Got everyone up and where they needed to be, now work, then back home for more kid stuff.

Ruth - you're not giving me any hope that life will ever slow down!
Twynn - that is too funny about your cat. Mine collects the kids' Lego people. We've found up to 6 of then tucked away in his bed
Holly - My DH is on SBD with me this time so it helps, but in the past we've made home a "SBD safe" place. He could eat whatever he wanted to when out but he wasn't allowed junk at home. Don't know if that would work or not? I have a hard time with having to feed growing little kids - they still require carbs at meals and it's hard not to just have a taste of the potatoes, mac n cheese, etc.

Hi Cyndi, Karen, Linda & all that follow!

Edited: Hi Jekel! You snuck in while I was typing

Holly - Julie was the photographer/musician and it's a show she had scheduled.
I am currently unemployed and looking. I took a few months off to get her through what we thought would be a brief period of recovery.

Good morning all! By way of introduction - My name is Cate, and I was on these boards 2 years ago. I'm back this week, restarting. I'm trying to get into the habit of swing by the check in board in the morning to keep me excited.
*Cottage - I remember you from the last time I was here. It's inspiring to see someone sticking with this. Actually, it looks like there are a lot of long timers! I guess it's a combination of the screen name (Which I LOVE) and the fact that it looks like we're probably not more than a half hour away from each other.

Anyway - next time, I'll post life stuff, but wanted to say HI first. Hope everyone has a good day!

Good morning all-
I am enjoying my day off today! Having my very own home made Latte this morning.

Today's agenda includes kids to the doctor and some house cleaning. I have a date with my 7yr old after school today to snuggle up and read our books, she is so excited.

We got our garden in last evening so I feel like I have accomplished quite a bit this week.

Boy did it ever rain last night. I was up at 2am to shut windows because the rain blew in and landed on me about 10feet from the window!! YIKES. Its going to be in the 80's here in Des Moines this week and I love it.

Hope everyone's day is wonderful.

Good Morning

I've been up getting stuff done. A week from today we'll be on the runway at this very moment. Bing gets groomed very soon and I have lots of details for our trip and a sizable project for mom/business.

Food yesterday was out of control, so fortunately my accountability here reminds me to write down a plan for today and stick with it. Done.

to the daily, CatMat!

SunshineCA! Congrats on your marriage and a DH who is interested in WL and healthy living!

Have a great day everyone!