[Shad]

Arghhh it's the turns that get me in the towns when I drive on the wrong side of the road. Highways are fine once I get on to them. It's a nasty surprise when one does a normal (for me) left turn and end up facing an angry mob all going the other way. Good thing I can reverse at speed!!! Still I have to say that the Arizonians were remarkably civil - to their credit.

Nice Valentines pic Painterwoman. I have something in my list you might like to paint. I'll see if I can attach a picture.
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...enziebasin.jpg
Now I would love to see a painting of that. It's actually not too far from the old home town.

The roosters gave their little spiels yesterday. One of them used a joke I have used in training. It got the usual laugh. One says he didn't do too well, the other was quite happy about it. They are being much better today.
We all get to go home at 3.00pm and I had better get myself out of here since I have to go to the gym and then out to dinner.

Mel good to hear from you. Hope that eye gets better soon.

Back on Sunday

[PainterWoman]

Mel-- I'm tired of the floater by now. At least it isn't getting worse. I find I'm worrying about it because the MD wants to see me again next week. Must be litigation (or greed) that'[s making the doctors want to do more and more and more follow up. Pity the BF's family is so imperfect. I wonder what I'll discover about DS's future inlaws as the wedding gets closer! Do you really need nails in your tires, or could you make do with a mace?

Happy -- The pre-migrain floaters are the ones that flash. (For those of you who haven't had one, just think of Las Vegas INSIDE your eyeball.) What I have is a thin waving loop of "ribbon" sort of like the short lived gymnastics competition a few cycles back. We were promised snow yesterday and the only flake in the vicinity was me.

Shad - that photograph is amazing. Looks as if it were taken through a kaleidoscope! I bet it was breathtaking to be there in person. Glad your class shaped itself up.

Greetings to all the rest of you!

[happy2bme]

Good morning chicks,

Shad, that picture is amazing. Wow. I've heard of people doing paintings from scenery or a picture and it never clicked until I looked at that one. I can so see that being turned into oils on a canvas. Not by me of course - unless you're into abstracts! So the roosters are taking their turn at the helm of the trainer's wheel? Always a nerve wracking thing until you get a few under your belt.

Ugh Painter - are you saying the floater is there all the time? How annoying. I thought it was an occasional thing.

Ceejay - I will join those in complaining about the cold. This house is so drafty - when it gets cold like now there are cold spots all over the house. I turn the heat up and then I (or more than likely DH) seem to be sitting in the one hot spot and then we play bounce the thermostat again. I swear there is no insulation in this house which I do not understand as the house is not that old and it does get cold down here. No insulation means we also lose the air conditioning in the summer. But there's only so much money I'm willing to put into this house since I don't intend to stay here forever.

Went to the doctor yesterday for the overdue "ladies" check up. I think the new doctor is great. It was a hassle getting in to see her but I'm glad I persisted. She's much better than the first doctor that was recommended to me. Stepped on the scale and granted I had heavy shoes on and a full set of winter clothes but I keep hitting a new scale record. I've been doing good on the food this week - doing very badly on the water - sometimes only a bottle a day and I have definitely been slacking on the exercise. That's in the process of changing.

Time to hop in the shower and get my day going. I applied for another position within my company and I have an interview this morning. Wish me luck. Bye now.

[MELODY525]

PAINTER~ THE ONLY FLAKE WAS YOU!!
I WILL SEND SOME FLAKES OF THE WHITE, FROZEN, FLYING VARIETY YOUR WAY. YOUR FLOATER IS DIFFERENT FROM MINE. I HAVE FLASHING MISSHAPEN DOT KIND OF THINGS AND BLACK SPECKS I'VE HAD FOR YEARS. I ALSO GET A FLASH OF LIGHT IN THE OUTSIDE CORNER OF ONE EYE BUT ONLY WHEN IT'S DARK AND NOT ALL THE TIME. I FORGET NOW BUT I WAS BEING WATCHED FOR A TEAR IN THE RETINA AND DETACHED CORNEA. NOTHING EVERY CAME OF IT AND I STILL HAVE THEM ALL! SOME OF THIS ALL HAPPENED DURING MY PREGNANCY AND 20 HR DELIVERY OF JENNIFER. OTHERS HAPPENED AFTER I HAD MY TUBAL LIGATION. I'VE GOTTEN SO USED TO THEM I DON'T EVEN REALLY SEE THEM ANYMORE. I NEED THE STUDDED TIRES FOR THE ICE

CEEJAY~ YOU HAD YOUR HANDS FULL FOR SURE!! CEEJAY TO THE RESCUE. I THINK TOGETHER WE WOULD MAKE QUITE A "WATER" TEAM!!! GLAD IT DIDN'T GET OUT OF HAND.

HAPPY~ I HAVE BEEN GOOD ON THE EXERCISE BUT BAD ON THE WATER. MAYBE WE SHOULD SWITCH THIS WEEK!
COULDN'T BE WORSE! SEND ME SOME BALMY BREEZES AS SOON AS THE GET THERE. WE'RE A BUNCH OF ICICLES WALKING AROUND HERE SLIPPING AND SLIDING. I AM NOT LEAVING THE HOUSE UNTIL THE SPRING THAW!!!

SHAD~ I CAN HARDLY BELIEVE IT'S TIME TO GO HOME IN A WEEK+.......THE TIME IS FLYING. FOR ME THAT IS.
GLAD THE ROOSTERS ARE DOING SO WELL. MOST OF THE ROOSTERS HERE ARE JUST PLAIN C*CKS.


GOOD CHAT WITH JEN AND RICHIE. NOT MUCH CAN CHANGE BUT WE DON'T HAVE TO BE AT EACH OTHER'S THROATS BECAUSE OF "THEM". LOOKING FORWARD TO THE WEEKEND AND OFFICE SILENCE!
I CAN DEAL WITH THE SENIORS BETTER!!
HERE IS A MORBIDLY FUNNY STORY....
THE RENTS WERE COLLECTED ON THE FIRST AS USUAL. A WOMAN PASSED AWAY LAST WEEKEND. THE WOMAN CARING FOR HER NOT ONLY HAS AN APT IN OUR BLDG BUT SLEPT THERE AS WELL. BECAUSE THE RENT WAS PAID, SHE AND THE FAMILY DECIDED NOT TO TELL ANYOMNE THE WOMAN DIED FOR AWHILE. BUT THERE WAS A FLAW IN THEIR PLAN...2 WITNESSES SAW THE BODY IN THE BAG WHEELED OUT BY UNDERTAKERS. IT WAS REPORTED TO ME. IT TOOK THE OFFICE 2 DAYS TO FIND OUT WHO IT WAS AND THE CAREGIVER WAS TOSSED OUT AND A PADLOCK PUT ON THE DOOR.
DON'T ASK WHAT SHE AND THE FAMILY WERE THINKING. I HAVE NO EFFING IDEA NOW THE OFFICE IS INVESTIGATING THE INCIDENT TO MAKE SURE NOTHING IS AMISS. EVEN FUNNIER TO ME IS THE FACT THAT I FORGOT TO TELL THE OFFICE!!!! THESE 2 WITNESSES TOLD ME ABOUT IT IN THE MIDDLE OF A FIRE ALARM. BY THE TIME IT WAS OVER I COMPLETELY FORGOT UNTIL THE NEXT DAY WHEN I HEARD ONE OF THEM TELLING THE SECRETARY!! SO NOW THE JOKE IS THAT MEL LOST A BODY ON HER SHIFT!!!!
NO ONE CAN BELIEVE I FORGOT IT. SHOCK IS REIGNING SUPREMELY AROUND HERE.
JOKES ABOUT MR PEACOCK, IN THE LIBRARY WITH THE BODY AND THE WRENCH ARE GOING AROUND.
SIGH. I THINK MY MIND IS GOING. IN ALMOST 20 YEARS I HAVE NEVER MADE A BIG MISTAKE. IT'S SHOCKING TO ME ALSO BUT I KEEP LAUGHING ABOUT IT. IN MY DEFENSE, I SAID SHE'S ALREADY DEAD SO I DIDN'T THINK THERE WAS ANY RUSH ABOUT IT. GOD HELP ME....AND MY SLACKING BRAIN WAVE ACTIVITY.



I AM OFF TO GET THE DAY GOING.
HAPPY FRIDAY/SATURDAY!!!
TO MEADOW, CARLA, NAE, TEEL, LINUS, HOLLY, SUZI, MR & MRS MADCAT......AND ALL THE OTHER WORLDLY CHICKS LURKING!!

[ceejay52]

I'm not sure this will take either.

Mel--I have senior moments also.

It's extremely cold today. 14 degrees outside when I got up. Not much else to say.

I'm going to Paragould today. Will be back Sunday

[Hollyhock]

Thanks for the well wishes. Things went down hill yesterday. High fever, spent the day in bed. Woke up this mornig muchly improved. More than I thought i would. Went to the shop, worked, took Dd to gym, went shopping after. Tired now.
Nice to see every here posting!!!!

Mel- i have never done an organized diet thing ever. Maybe it IS what I need.

[MELODY525]

CEEJAY...SAFE TRIP TO THE HOME TOWN!!! YAY PARAGOULD!!

HOLLY...GET WELL SOON. SEEMS LIKE WE'RE BOTH HAVING A TOUGH START TO THE YEAR HEALTHWISE.

GETTING AN EARLY START. NEED TO DO SOME BILLS ETC AND LIKE TO GET THEM OVER WITH. I HAVE ALWAYS HAD A HATRED FOR THIS AND THE SIGHT OF A CHECKBOOK MAKES ME BREAK OUT IN A COLD SWEAT
HAPPY SATURDAY AND WONDERFUL WEEKENDS TO ALL OF US!!!

[happy2bme]

Cute new avatar Mel.

Yesterday I interviewed with the hiring manager. A way different interview than the "screening" interview I had last week. The two of us are similar personalities and we hit it off well. She called me at the end of the day, I did not get the job but she said I was a very, VERY VERY close number 2. She said she wanted to keep me in mind for some other stuff coming down the road later this year. I went into this with the attitude that if it was meant to be, it would be. While I'm just a tiny bit dissapointed about not getting picked, I look at it as I did make a great new contact (which is SO important for moving around in this company) and the ego massage of the nice things she said about me and to my boss about me made me feel very good.

DH and I went out to dinner as we usually do on Friday nights. He picked a steak place that we had never been to. We sat down and boy was this place pricey - we figured that it was on the higher end but nowhere near what it turned out to be - however, once we ordered drinks were were sort of committed. I had a glass of wine which was very good, probably because it was in a big, fancy wine glass. The waitress brought a huge wine glass with about 2 sips of wine in it. I'm thinking 8 bucks for this??????? And then I saw the carraffe behind my water glass and realized that they were following protocol whereby you sip the wine to approve it before they pour the entire glass. (Which begs the question - what if you don't like it or refuse it - it's one thing if it's turned bad but if it's just that you don't like the taste - do they pour the rest of it back in the bottle and recork it? ) I can understand this procedure when you are buying a whole bottle of wine but it seems a bit out of place if you are ordering by the glass as I did. Not used to such fanciness in my life. It was my usual Berringer White Zin but I swear it tasted so much better than usual. I had a caesear salad, grilled scallops with some wonderful grilled vegetables. The food was very pricey but delicious. For dessert DH and I split a creme brulee (which was mediocre at best) and I had a fancy coffee with a shot of amaretto, some chocolate sauce and a dash of whipped cream on top. (also way over priced and mediocre - should have stuck with a cappachino like DH).

Later that evening DH went to bed. I am trying to read "The Wedding" by Dorothy West for book club next week. One of the main characters is a male no-good hound dawg. The kind who beds down everything that can't run away from him. He has 3 kids by 3 different women, was mean and abusive to all 3 wives including having a hand in killing one of them indirectly. All 3 daughters live with him and he adores them (the range in age from about 2 to 7 years old). He rents a home on Martha's Vineyard for the summer and is trying to woo the main character away from her fiance who is about to be married in 2 weeks. I was totally disgusted by this character - so much so that I could not continue reading this book. If I wanted to see this kind of behavior, I'd watch the Maury Povich show. Honestly, I could not continue with this book. Put it down, picked it up a few times but they go into great depth about this character in the begginning and he is central to the story so you can't even skip around him in the book. This was an Oprah's book club selection a few years ago. They made it into a movie with Hallie Berry as the main character and I taped it yesterday morning. I was really leaning to skipping the book club next week but I decided to watch the movie. Of course they glossed over what a dog this guy was and made him look like he was a nice guy just pining over Hallie Berry. In the end when something tragic happens and she sees him for what he really is, it doesn't make sense in the movie because they omitted what a creep he was. It was a mess of contradictions and I really didn't care for it at all. Long movie too - 3 and a half hours tho I was able to zip through the commercials because I recorded it. I didn't get to bed until 3am. So kinda sleepy this morning.

Obviously I sat on the couch for a long time. When I got up to go to bed I was all stiff and everything hurt. I felt like I was poisoned. Then I realized. It was the sugar from the meal I had eaten. My body does not like sugar any more. I can take it in small doses but between the wine, the dessert and the coffee - it was too much and it truly does evoke a reaction like poison.

It's still cold here but supposed to warm up next week. I'm tired of winter already. Today is cleaning house and doing laundry - DH is going to paint my mom's room. Tomorrow we have errands to run all over the place so that will kill the day. Hope you all have a nice weekend...

[Hollyhock]

Thanks Mel. The first bit for me was more stress related angst. This is a rotten cold but I am MUCH better today again.

Busy puttering today.

-clean upstairs bathroom-done
-get hubby to pull fridge out from wall so I can pull all the drawers/shelves out and clean it. It is disgusting!!!!!!-done
-1pm take DD to party-done
-go to hardware store. -done
-pick up meat for pancake supper from grocery store-done
-clean diningroom/DUST!!
-wash kitchen floor

Adding on:
-Must remember to pick up DD at 4
-litter boxes

Hubby and DS took the big branches off a dead tree. Will cut down the rest another day.
Hubby is moving fridge back . It is FAB to have this done!!! Maybe I will do the oven next weekend.
I dont want to cook today.

First I will put the kitchen back together and wash the floor.

HUGS!!!

[Shad]

Happy, I am really sorry you didn't get the job, however there is always a reason as you say and things that are coming up later in the year may suit you better. Meantime stay positive, stay in touch with the contact and do the very best that you can do - which in your case is very good indeed.
Looks like I will be leaving here in the last week in May which makes arrival in TN about the second week in June. If you want to put in for leave during that time, I will make it a mandatory in my itinerary. Leave some housework or yardwork for me to do, by that time I will be in dire need of physical exercise.

I have floaters in both eyes, sometimes worse than others - at first I put it down to something on a contact lens, but it's not that since they are there when I am wearing glasses or not as case may be. Sometimes they are a pain in the proverbial and sometimes not - but then I also get tinnitus of the ear frequently as well and I'm learning to live with that. Bette Davis was right when she said 'gettin' old ain't for sissies'

Mel, if I am going to be at Happy's place 2nd week in June, I'll be around your area sometime later in that week or early the next. That will leave a week and a bit for the Canadian stretch which means I won't get as much done as I would like, but I will tick a few boxes on the 'wish list'. Just means I have to come back again sometime!!! I'll be down as a terrorist in the Homeland Security database because I spend a lot of time at borders. All this means allowing more extra time at airports. I guess I can cope. I'll wear the burkah and dark glasses and read Mein Kampf. That should get me through faster!!!!

It's Chinese New Year tonight - Haven't seen much about celebrations here. In Brisbane they really go to town with it for at least two weeks. It's fun. Then we are into the year of the pig. Which is supposed to be enjoyable, comfortable, friendship, eating and companionship making. Good time to be coming over???

Better go do some work and check out the roosters. I'll be back.

[PainterWoman]

Happy: Abstract paintings have a long and honorable history! Shad's photo inspiration is SO symmetrical, you could probably just fold the paper and squieeze the paint around from the fold. Might look like a Rorshach test. Yes… the floater is always there… but is supposed to dissolve in a week or so. glad you like your new MD. It makes SUCH a difference to have somebody who is knowledgeable AND ON YOUR SIDE. I'll make a pact with you to have 'no new 'highs' when it comes to weigh-ins!! Congratulations on the positive feedback from your interview. Having a good contact and possible mentor can make a huge difference, indeed. I hope she has something else for you soon. I think splurges, caloric and cash, are valuable comparisons. there must people willing to pay the high prices if La Restaurant is still in business! "The Wedding" sounds kind of odd. What point do you suppose Ms. West was trying to make? Men are creeps? women are dupes? Sh*t happens? Sometimes novels make non-fiction look good! There was an advice column in the local paper that was about a man with 15 (!) children by 8 women. The complainant was the man's sister who was tired of listening to his wife complain that he liked the outside-of-marriage kids better than hers. Good grief. Seems like she'd be the last of that clan to complain.

Mel: Re flakes… I suppose it takes one to know one. My SIL is still trying to get the refund for my MIL's assisted living place. sSe was only there 2 days before she died and had pre-paid the whole month. I don't think there was a Colonel Mustard OR a library….

Ceejay: I hope you get the warm weather we are having to day soon. It is up to the mid fifties AND SUNNY. although it is really windy. Too much grit for my eyes. What's the goal of your day trip? There are lots of places I've never heard of, that's for sure.

Holly-- glad you are feeling better… but should you really be taking all those risks with germies, viruses and who knows what to move the fridge and do all that cleaning? You must be a very brave woman. Hope you don't have any set backs.

Shad-- Can't imagine you'd want to come to Texas… but Dallas is a pretty big airline hub…and I can be hospitable. If you have a layover let me know, I'll drive over and buy you a drink. June should be in the 90's or 100's.

DH and I slept late as we do as often as possible. We had breakfast out, then went to Home Depot. I am very embarrassed to say I broke my toilet seat. I need a smaller and lighter bum. DH was non-shaming, (one of the things I love about him most. Everytime he overlooks one of my foibles, eccentricities or just plain mistakes, it seems miraculous to me). He encouraged me a lot to buy LOTS of bulbs. I know it's late to plant some stuff, but the wrappers say I have til the end of March to do these. I got some iris and day lilies and he said he'd help me scalp the dead stuff from before AND plant the new ones. Tomorrow, I hope, if the wind dies down… (If it is windy, I'll need to find some goggles. Dust AND floaters AND contacts is too much for my fragile blue eyes. )

Time for a nap, I think. Or some tea. My fingers are chilly and being cozy is at the top of my list. (Like Holly, maybe I'm having post-sugar ingestion issues… Hersheys put out truffle kisses for Easter… and I made the erroneous decision of buying AND eating too many.)

[MELODY525]

HAPPY~ SOMEHOW WHEN YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT THE DINNERE I COULD FEEL THERE WAS SOMETHING COMING. NEVER GUESSED THE SUGAR! I WAS THINKJING HERE COMES FOOD POISONING! SORRY YOU HAD SUCH A MORNING AFTER EFFECT. MY MIL GETS THAT. HOPE IT DIDN'T LAST TOO LONG AND YOU ARE FEELING BETTER. BY YOUR DESCRIPTION, I HATE THE MAIN HOUND DOWG TOO NOW! SORRY ABOUT THE JOB BUT I AM GLAD YOU HAVE A NEW CONTACT. EGO MASSAFES ARE GOOD THINGS.....YOU DESERVED ONE!

HOLLY~ GLAD YOU FEEL BETTER ENOUGH TO BE BUSY AND PUTTERING AROUND AGAIN. STRESS AND ANGST ARE THE ENEMIES!!

SHAD~ I KNOW THAT WE HAVE TALKED BEFORE ABOUT THIS BUT I WILL SAY IT HERE AS WELL....WITH THE HOMELAND STUFF AND SO MANY PLACES TO GO.....IF YOU NEED TO GIVE ME A MISS THIS TIME AROUND, I WOULD NEVER TAKE IT PERSONALLY. I REALIZE THIS IS A BIG COUNTRY AND I WOULDN'T WANT TO SEE YOU RUSHING AROUND AND NOT HAVING ANY TIME TO JUST REST AND SIGHTSEE ETC. JUST SAYNING. HOPE THE ROOSTERS AND KONG AND I FORGET THE OTHER NEW CHARACTER ARE ALL DOING THE "RIGHT" THING!!

PAINTER~I'M GLAD THE DH "SUGGESTED" THE BULBS. PLANTING AND GROWING ARE SO VERY GOOD FOR THE SOUL. YOU'LL REAP THE BENEFITS WHEN THEY BLOOM.
YOU KNOW THAT "CARPET" STUFF THAT HAS SEEDS IN IT AND YOU JUST ROLL IT OUT AND WATER TO GET A GARDEN? I WAS THINKING OF GETTING IT AND HAVING THE MAINT MAN LAY IT DOWN. I CAN WATER IT AND CLAIM THE PRIZE! YOUR FLOWER AVATAR IS BEAUTIFUL TOO.

I AM HAPPY TO SAY THAT THE CYST IS BROKEN AND I AM FEELING MUCH BETTER. PAINFUL AFFAIR IT WAS TOO. I HAVE NOT BEEN A PLEASANT PERSON EVEN TO MYSELF. POOR JEN MADE A SAD MISTAKE OF CROSSING ME WHILE THIS WAS GOING ON. I REALLY DO TRY TO TREAT HER AS AN ADULT! HONEST I DO
TEMPS ARE RISING NOW AND THEY SAY WE WILL BE NEAR 50 IN A FEW DAYS! THIS WEATHER IS STRANGE. MAYBE I JUNE WE CAN HAVE A BLIZZARD TO CELEBRATE SHAD'S ARRIVAL! THE PREDICTION NOW IS EARLY SPRING AND HOT SUMMER. I ALWAYS THOUGHT THE SUMMER WAS ALREADY HOT!
THE SENIORS ATTENDED A PANCAKE BREAKFAST. THEY HAD A WONDERFUL TIME. OF COURSE THE MAINT. DEPT BLOCKED THE BUS IN THAT WAS TAKING THEM AND WILLY HAD TO COME AND GET ME. HE DOESN'T HAVE KEYS AND ALARM CODES. SIGH.
WE'RE JUST SO ORGANIZED OVER HERE. NOT.
AND THEY ALL USE THEIR GOD GIVEN BRAINS SO WELL. NOT. WEIGH-IN WAS TODAY AND I GAINED 2 LBS. JUST WONDERFUL.
MUST BE SOMETHING I ATE. ;lol3:
HAPPY SUNDAY/MONDAY!

[Shad]

You lot are nuts
What brought that on? Dunno! just felt like it.
Mel, I am not coming to the States to miss out on meeting you. I will be going through New York to get to Toronto, so there is no excuse. Actually Carla said something about going to New York at some time this year. Wonder when she meant as we could travel the highways and by-ways together if she's thinking the same time zone as me - grammatically I think that should be I!! If she comes back (prod, prod) we will ask the question.

Painter - look forward to the photos of the bulbs. I just love spring bulbs but we can't grow very many here.

Holly - get better soon. I should have some dates for us to meet up with Madcat and if possible Ruth soon.

Ceejay - my senior moments seem to come thick and fast these days.

Better go and struggle with the joys of reliability maintenance. They don't have a clue what they want - they gave the process ten minutes thought and then said that'll do. I'm thinking of going into business as an analyst consultant on processes. I'm sure a jazzy title will mean $$$$$ per day!

[ceejay52]

I'm back from Paragould after a nice visit. Had a nice visit with their grandchildren last night. Today after church we ate lunch with the other cousin and family. His daughter was home for a brief week end visit from college.

Happy--New contacts are very good. You may want to ask her want she was looking for in that position.

PainterWoman--Thanks for sending the warmer air. Yesterday was freezing cold but today is much warmer--No heavy coat just a sweater. It even snowed Friday night but I was asleep and didn't get to see it.

Holly--You still are to busy. You need to rest while you are sick.

Shad--If it meant more dollars I change my title also. However they know me to well here. Only my boss can change my title, sigh. Be careful in your travels.

Mel--Speaking of dollars on health care I just recieved the statment from the doctor's office. I'm going to call Monday to see if I can pay it out by the month. The procedure was considered surgery and went towards my deductible. That's going to be an ouch on the money situation. I may have to transfer from my savings to checking account.

Hello to all the rest.

[happy2bme]

Hi peeps,
Very busy weekend. Tomorrow morning I have a rooster of my own showing up at the office. I hope he's smart. I have neither the time nor the interest to baby him. Consequently, not much time to post today. I'll try and get back tomorrow night.

Shad - I wish I had the vacation time to spare, if I did I'd be more than happy to travel to NY with you and meet Mel. Just not possible this year.

Got to run and hit the sack now - have to get up early and beat Mr. Rooster into the office tomorrow morning. Can't have him hanging around the lobby doing nothing, can we.

Happy Monday.