[suzi in auz]

hi all,
as always I got caught up reading andmy session timed out. It always seems to happen.
A quiet day at work today which I am quite glad about...I'm a little tired. i think it's all the extra stuff.

happy valentines day to everyone. I hope it is filled with spending time with someone or doing something you LOVE!

I specifially told my DH this year not to get me flowers as they are so expensive and it's silly...he ignored me and did. Sweet thing he is. The only problem being is they looked old. They were beautiful colours and the arrangement was nice but I used to work in a florist as a part time job and they smelled and looked old. I asked him how much he paid for them...he said the usual. I only asked him as I thought perhaps they were discounted and he didn't know ...hmmm. This is a florist we use all the time so he is off to day to complain. They will be happy with him ...complaints on Valentines day! ...Oh well. I hate being ripped off. I was conscious of hurting his feelings but he wasn't hurt. I said it's like me buying you a CD or DVD and it's scratched. He got it.
soo... I popped into the chocolatiers yesterday and bought our favourite chocolates, passionfruit creams, the fellow there is so nice, at least chocolates don't go up on Valentines day! Not like flowers!
Tonight I am planning a nice romantic dinner at home, we even have champagne which we have been saving Moet! I thought I would do a dish we both love, it's chicken breasts stuffed with orange flavoured prunes and wrapped in bacon - a lovely tandori sauce and cous cous with fresh asparagus! ...oh the mouth is watering. I popped into the New York pattisserie just down the road and my DH is rather partial to chocolate tarts, I bought one for him plus a chocolate mud cake for the kids...I might just have a little bite!
I know my menu doesn't sound particularly diet friendly but it's a day off with a visit to the Gym in the morning. I have been 3 times this week but couldn't manage this morning. I am trying to get my head around going and then getting organised for work as we go in the morning. I am a little weary I think from all the extra stuff I am doing but I will get there.
ok...

Meadow ...i would love to be saving for Paris. I found out today that it probably won't happen. the meeting has now been scheduled for New York. i may just end up going on my own with DH which would be really nice, we thought about the kids going to NZ for the vacation. It would mean just one big air fare to save up for and of course spending money. I still have Paris on my "dream" list. Your cookies sounded lovely BTW! You are very creative.

Mel...Yes I needed your little 'stick" I've got a little phobia about snakes that i really try and hide from the kids ... so I was freaking out quietly
I hope your neck improves. So sad that about the empty apartments and the lonely oldies, I hope they are filled soon.
I know I feel cleansed when i have a big clear out! Good on you. I have so much to sort through after only 3 years. i seem to accumulate TOPS! I have to throw some away so i can buy new ones, maybe this weekend.
and...I love that song "walking on sunshine" it is one of my favourites and I don't mind having it in my head all day!

Ceejay we had rain too It rained and rained and flooded everything, there doesn't seem to be a happy medium.

Shad Nice to see you back safe and sound. how lovely planning your trip away. it sounds like so much fun.
When i started this you were online so hi there
Caves are fun ...but not with crawly things in them...no Wetas please!

Happy ..How wonderful that you are able to plan your time with Shad. You will ahve a ball. Is mel coming down too. i am jealous. Your sitr fry sounded YUM. Don't you feel healthy eating all those yummy veges!?
!

I must away!
Love to all
Suzi

[Meadow]

Have a wonderful Valentine's day!

Here is the recipe with my changes

Hermit cookies

3/4 cup butter/marg(175 ml)
1 cup brown sugar, packed(250 ml)
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla(5 ml)

1 cup all purpose white flour(250 ml)
1 cup whole wheat flour(250 ml)
1 cup oatmeal(250 ml)
1 tsp. baking powder (5 ml)
1 tsp. baking soda (5 ml)
1 tsp. cinnamon (5 ml)
1/2 tsp. nutmeg (2 ml)
1/2 tsp. cloves (2 ml)
1 cup sultana raisins (250 ml)
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (125 ml)

Combine butter and sugar together till creamy.
Beat in eggs one at a time. Add vanilla.
Measure in remaining ingredients. Mix well.
Drop onto greased baking sheet by heaping tablespoonfuls.
*I just rolled them into ping pong ball size and plopped them on
Bake in 375 F (190c)degree oven for 6 to 8 minutes.
*mine took 15 minutes at the larger size.

[happy2bme]

Nice to pop in and see some of your visiting here. Was rather quiet during the day.

Yes Shad, that is the place with the caverns. I did notice that they recommend reservations as I suspect that is a very popular spot. Could it be that there is not much to do around here? I'm sure we will find some other fun stuff. Looks like we will miss the Strawberry festival in May. As for your question about the weather ... it depends on where you will be going. End of May, beginning of June is the best time of year up north in Chicago and out Mel's way. Temps in the low 70's F, gorgeous days before the heat sets in. If you'll be coming in via San Francisco - it's a very moderate temperature city - days in the 70's, nights in the 60's - LindaT could elaborate more. As can your friend in Arizona. Now as you head down south here - June might have us kissing the 90's temperature wise. Early June and the humidity has not quite set in yet but the mossies are moving in. Summer tops during the day with a light jacket for the evening. I have several fleece jackets that I can lend you for the cave trip. I do understand what you are saying about firming up the timing - at this point I realize it is not firm yet but knowing June over May and a general time within 3 weeks does help me.

I hear you on measuring out the seasoning. That's why we studied fractions, isn't it? At the levels you're talking to - pitch the cup and get adventurous with a pinch of this, a pinch of that! Hope the lamb came out nicely. And yes, I understood most of your fretting about BOMs - Bill of Materials. Sorry that all that time was wasted.

Carla - geez louise - bad enough she stinks but got you sick too? She probably is not even aware of the BO. Here's some chicken soup and a nice glass of lemon honey tea (with a shot of some "medicinal stuff" ) to see you through the next few days. Hope you get some rest and feel better soon. Have you tried that Cold-eze zinc stuff that's supposed to help cut the time of the cold? Do you have to work now or can you take a few days sleep in and rest?

Suzi - I know what you mean about the flowers. I don't blame you for complaining - particularly when the prices are running a bit higher during the "holiday". Your dinner sounds quite delicious. How do you make the tandori sauce? Enjoy your meal. That's a bummer about the Paris trip. I do hope that you can get there - even if it is on your own ticket. Looks to be quite a lovely city. Can you get by if you don't speak French?

Well it is a sad day. It appears that my trusty avocado green original Oster brand Osterizer blender has died after zillions of years of trusty service. For those of you who remember when THE color for appliances was Harvest Gold or Avocado Green, then you will know how old this blender really was. It was quite advanced for it's time - had about 12 speeds on it. Hard to believe that we bought it only to mix up foamy alchoholic drinks ala Harvey Wallbangers and Tequila Sunrises Then as the 70's rolled out and I switched to wine in the 80's it sat in the back of the basement for many years. It got pulled out occasionally in the 90's - usually at Christmas or Thanksgiving if I was making a batch of pina coladas. The last few years it made a really big comeback as I discovered the joys of fruity protein shakes and smoothies. I was making a lovely peach shake for DH and I this morning when it just stopped. The motor didn't seize - it just stopped. Was polite enough to stop after everything was crushed a well blended. So goodbye dear friend. It pains me to spend a whole wad of money on something that is probably made of cheap plastic and aluminum instead of thick glass and sturdy metal blades. I don't mind spending the money - it's just that everything is made so cheap today. I also spent quite a bit on fresh fruit this week - one third of that earmarked for breakfast smoothies for several days. Guess I'll be eating alot of fruit salad unless I convince DH to take me to the store one night after work.

Oops look at the time - I've apparently pandered away an hour here not even realizing it. Good night ladies. Happy Valentines Day to those of you where the sun in shining at the moment

[happy2bme]

Thank you for the cookie recipe Meadow - and it has both measures too - your are so fabulous!!!!

I will have to try these this weekend. They sound wonderful. Probably makes the house smell great too, don't they?

[happy2bme]

Mel,

This is for you. Hope you can see it because it's kind of small.

[Madcat]

Morning lovely ladies! Just wanted to pop by to let everyone know I am still alive - just a tad tied up in activities at the moment. I'll hopefully be able to come back later to catch up.

In the mean time....



Happy VD!!! (From your favourite bitter cynic).

[Hollyhock]

Nice read thru catching up!!

a monents slience for Happy's blender has been had. I grew up with one of those blenders.

Happy Valentines Day.
Me thinks Mel is getting pounded by freezing rain and snow. The radar was very colourful over her area.
School here is cancelled. We didn’t get a lot of snow but high winds, cold temps and lots of drifting.Roads are not good. Hubby is home too.
I am sooo sick, sore throat, like the kids had. Headache....ARG!! No time for this.

Still thinking about the personal trainer/diet coach thingy. I sure ain’t doing it on my own.Not for lack of knowledge.Lots on my plate tho.

Much phone calling stuff to do today and email stuff for church and then some Avon to do. i am hoping some warm tea and meds will perk me up for a few hours.

HUGS!!!

[MELODY525]

THIS WILL BE SHORT AND SWEET. I HAVE A CYST IN MY RIGHT EYE. WHAT'S NEXT? MEL, BEST NOT TO ASK THAT QUESTION!!!!!! I AM JUST WEARY AND GOING TO LIE DOWN AND "WATCH" TV. NO THINKING INVOLVED!! JEN AND I EXCHANGED VALENTINE BEANIE BABIES. I GAVE THEM BOTH SWEETS AND ASKED THEM NOT TO GIVE THEM TO ME. SPENT ALL DAY YESTERDAY WITH THE FRIEND IN THE OFFICE. SHE'S OUT SICK SO I WILL TAKE A "SICK" DAY ALSO! SNOW AND COLD. NOT MUCH ACCUMULATION. RAIN AND SLEET AND EVEN COLDER DAYS TO COME. I GOT ALL I NEEDED YESTERDAY AND WILLY HELPED ME BAG IT ALL UP AND GOT ME OUT OF THE STORE AND HOME QUICK BEFORE I FROZE TO DEATH IN THE 17 DEGREE WINDCHILL. DAMN IT WAS COOL!
HOPING CARLA FEELS BETTER SOON. THE WORKER BEES DON'T MAKE SHAD ANY ANGRIER THAN SHE ALREADY IS. CEEJAY HAD NO LEAK I HOPE!! MADCAT HANGS IN THERE. MEADOW'S RECIPE IS GOING TO JEN'S HOUSE. MAYBE SHE WILL TOSS ME SOME CRUMBS. HAPPY IS GETTING OUT THE DRINKS TROLLEY AND THE LITTLE UMBRELLAS!! THANKS FOR THE FROGGIES!!
MY FIRST LAUGH FOR THE DAY SUZI IS STILL PEEKING OUT THE WINDOW TO MAKE SURE MR.S SNAKE HASN'T RETURNED!
WISHING ALL MY FRIENDS A WONDERFUl AND A VERY
HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

[ceejay52]

Happy--You asked about the bat caves. The only bat cave I've been to is the one in Carlsbad, New Mexico. That one was neat but you had to make a few tricky turns going down into the cave We saw the bats fly out at dusk also. The cave at Blanchard Springs does have pretty high ceilings but in some places it's a little dark. It's awesome on the inside. You take the elevator down. Are you coming to see me also. I'm only an hour away from Memphis, or I could come there.

Mel--How painful, a cyst on your eye. Take it easy.

Meadow- I'm glad you posted the recipe for the cookies. I was thinking about them yesterday. They sound yummy.

Carla-- Some people don't realize how contagious they are. Feel better soon.

Holly--You feel better soon also.

Hi to Madcat and Suzi--I've ran out of time.

I'm at work and for some reason I run out of time to get my work done.

We're having snow flurries today. Wow it's really coming down right now.

[Shad]

Morning all,
Ceejay - would love to meet up with you all, but I know it is going to be impossible to have everything. I'd either be spending hours in a plane looking out the window and wishing I was down there looking at things from a closer perspective or I'd be driving and not getting very far in a big country. However if we can get together and you are only an hour or so away, I'm sure Happy can find somewhere to meet up for a chat.
I've just sent a message to Shane telling him to hurry up too. With the flights and tickets I mean. Of course it all depends on leaving here in a reasonable amount of time to get home.

Happy, sorry if I sounded somewhat p*ssed off yesterday. It was one of those days when absolutely nuttin' goes right. I think you know what I mean. Love those froggies I'm going to steal a couple from Mel. I know she won't mind and even if she does it will be prods at 100 paces and I think I can outrun the machine!!!!

Carla - good to hear from you. How's Mt Vesuvius? Sorry to hear you are sick, although looking at the temps in Canada right now, one place I can think of that would be good to be would be in bed with the cats.

Holly - sorry to hear that you are also sick. Get better soon.

Meadow - I'll have a go at those biscuits soon and try them out on the Roosters. If they go down well there, I'll make some more. Mind you the pair of them are MGDU's (Mobile Garbage Disposal Units) and sadly don't seem to put on much weight either. I hate them both!!

Madcat - nice to have you pop in. Know the feeling about being snowed under (not literally mind you)

Painter - nice surprise to see you as well. Hope things are moving along for you.

Linus - here today and gone today. Are you okay??

Now all we need is Teel and Tig back to comment. Wonder how they are going?

Better run and make the most of this day. The roosters have gone to site on a Trainer the Trainer course. Good stuff, we have not been seeing eye to eye very much lately. Their time keeping leaves alot to be desired. They now know it all about SAP !!!!!???? (even I don't know that much) anyway so they don't need me!!!! and if that is the case, may I ask why I got questioned about how to present the different transactions that they have all been given to stand up and demonstrate this morning? What traps are there, how do I do it, why do I do it, what happens after it, Hang on I thought you knew it all!!!!

[PainterWoman]

Glad you are all surviving wind, wet and weather. It is 29 here (7 pm) which feels cold. Yesterday I got in and out of the dentist's office to repair a pulled out filling (shouldn't have been eating Werther's anyway. Bad Girl! ) Today was a day at the Opthamologist... floater and time for new RX. New eye doctor, too. I liked her, even if she said that floaters are unavoidable with age... that EVERYONE will have at least one per eye. Didna know that. Well, now I've had the one in the left eye! I don't think they'll have to do anything about it (no torn retina, or anything), but I go back in a week.

Has anybody been to the bat bridge in Austin, Texas? A really big "whoosh" with lots of squeaking at dusk when they go off looking for whatever little foolish bugs are out at that time. We went to Merrimac Springs in Mo, but not the caves. I'd rather go in summer when I can appreciate the extgra coolness.

Mel, your watermain break made it onto the national news on line! Glad all the poop is gone. And congrats on your weight loss.

Holly -- I like the photos. Pick YOUR favorite.

Carla-- like your avatar. Are you a sheep fan? Knitter? or just generally sheepish?

[MELODY525]

CARLA SHEEPISH? THANKS FOR THE MORNING LAUGH MISS PAINTERWOMAN!! SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT THE TAFFY TOOTH DILEMMA. I HAVE A MILLION FLOATERS. MAKES FOR A VERY INTERESTING LIFE. FOREVER SWATTING AT "FLIES".

CEEJAY~ TIME FLIES WHEN YOU ARE HAVING FUN..... SO WERE YOU?

SHAD~ "KNOW IT ALLS". DON'T YA JUST LOVE 'EM? NOT!!!
THINGS SEEM TO CHANGE SO FAST IN THE COMPUTER WORLD IT'S A WONDER ALL OF YOU CAN KEEP UP WITH IT. NOW EVERYONE IS TALKING ABOUT "VISTA"!!!

BAD DAY YESTERDAY. JUST ALL AROUND AGGRAVATION AND I NEVER LEFT THE APARTMENT! I WOULD HAVE LIKED TO CRAWL INTO A MANHOLE AND PULL THE HEAVY LID OVER MY HEAD SO NO ONE COULD FIND ME INCLUDING MY OWN DAUGHTER, HER BF AND HIS ASSH*LE FAMILY. MAYBE I SHOULD LEARN TO PLAY THE CRIPPLE AND THEN THE WOULD ACTUALLY "SEE" I AM THE ONE IN THE WHEELCHAIR!!! ALL MY FAULT ANYWAY....THEY'RE ALL SPOILED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
RANT IS OVER. NOT GOING OUT FOR A FEW DAYS. TEMPS IN THE TEENS AND SINGLE DIGITS. ICE ALL OVER THE PLACE. SIGH. OK...GOTTA SOAK THE EYE. WHAT A SIGHT THIS IS TOO! AND EAT BREAKFAST.
HAPPY THURSDAY!!!

HI HAPPY....I KNOW YOU ARE HERE SOMEWHERE!!

[MELODY525]

HOLLY~ I JUST SAY YOUR POST.....I NEED ICE TIRES NOW. THE KIND WITH THE NAILS STICKING OUT OF THEM CAN'T GET ANY TRACTION WITHOUT THEM!!
STAY WARM YOURSELF! THE TRAINER THING SOUNDS GOOD. WILL YOU ACTUALLY LISTEN TO SOMEONE ELSE? I WOULD IF I WAS PAYING THEM $$$$

[happy2bme]

Howdy,

It was 60 degrees on Monday and yesterday it was snowing big, fluffy flakes for about a half hour. Thank goodness nothing stuck to the ground. Very crazy weather - no wonder everyone is sick. But at least we don't have to deal with the snow and cold up north.

Holly - your moment of silence has apparently revived my blender because last night when DH tried it, darn if the silly thing wasn't working just fine! Thanks for the magic Hope you feel better with your cold. Take some of the hot tea I sent over to Carla's

Painter - good to see you again. I had to smile at the Werther's comment (sticky caramel candy for those of you who don't know it). Amazing how as your teeth age you look at foods completely differently - peanut brittle now falls into the category of "do I want to eat this and risk it costing $900 for a crown for the broken tooth?" I think one of the doctors was telling my DH that floaters are also sometimes a sign of a migraine coming on.

Shad - no offense taken. We're all allowed to blow off some steam once in a while. If not here, well then when can you? Help yourself to some froggies, I have plenty to spare.

Ceejay - we had big fluffy snowflakes here too yesterday morning. Started as tiny flurries but then a big cloud settled over the town and it was snowing like the dickens for about 30 minutes. Was pretty and I'm glad it didn't stick. If you don't mind driving down this way, it would be great to get together. I don't drive the highways, Shad thinks we drive on the wrong side of the road and I'm not so sure I can convince the DH to drive us up your way just for a chick chat We will have to make firmer plans as the time gets nearer.

Mel, argh - a cyst in the eye? Oh that does not sound very good at all. Need me to get you some hot compresses? Take care of yourself and don't be going out in that nasty weather. I see a big storm was headed your way although it looked like a lot of ice around your parts. No slip, sliding away on us, ok?

And Linus - what happened to you girl? The boys holding you captive again?

I have a doctor's appointment this morning - hope the doctor's visit is no where near the ordeal of actually getting the appointment in the first place (another long story that I don't have time to type). So I'd best get my rear in gear. Talk to you all later...

Hi to Madcat, Meadow, Carla, Suzi and anyone else I missed.

[ceejay52]

Why is it at the end of the shift something weird happens! Yesterday things were going as usual and two big power surges came through. I didn't loose power but I ended up turning the wells for safety measure. I didn't want the floor down stairs to flood. The filters lost their run time and the clock that counts our back wash gallons no longer worked. T. will replace that this morning I'm sure. There was a wire burned down. I had to answer the phone for nearly 20 minutes, Everyone was complaining about being cold.

I'm using my "fat scales" once again cause they are closer to the doctor's office scales. I weighed 191.2 pounds which is a half pound lost from last week. I'm going with the whole foods life style last week and really like it. I'll try this week also.

Painterwoman--Ouch on tooth. I've not had floaters yet. My sister has been to Austin to see the Bats. I'd like to go. Maybe on my next visit to Dallas I'll get to go.

Happy and Shad--Name the place--I'd love to meet both of you. I may bring a friend. She knows more about Memphis than I do. I have some relatives that also live in Memphis may look them up while I'm there.

Mel--Stay warm and rest.

Holly-Hope you are feeling better also.

It's time for me to get dressed.
My sister from Dallas is coming in April.

Hello to Meadow, Suzi, Carla and the rest