[MELODY525]

GOOD THING SUZI'S WEBSITE DIDN'T WANT TO LOAD. I CRY ENOUGH ALREADY

HAPPY JEN AND I WERE THINKING OF A MOCKINGBIRD. I HAVE ALSO SEEN CARDINALS. HE JUST SHUT UP A LITTLE WHILE AGO!!! I WAS GOING TO SEE IF ANY OF THE NEIGHBORS HAD A BB GUN ENJOY THE RED & HIGHLIGHTED HAIR!!! GOOD COLOR TO PUT A SPRING IN YOUR STEP! HOPE THE DINNER WAS LOVELY AS WELL.

TO MISS MADCAT AND HOLLY!

CARLA~ NOW YOU WON'T BE MISSING OUT ON ALL OUR EXCITING AND CAREFREE LIVES THIS WEEK!n

CEEJAY~ THE KIDS AND I WERE JUST DISCUSSING THE GAS PRICES FOR THE SUMMER MONTHS. WITH THE TRAILER FAR ENOUGH FROM HER TO MAKE A BIG GAS BILL THIS SUMMER, THEY MIGHT HAVE TO STAY THERE AND NOT COME HOME AS OFTEN. I WILL REMIND YOU AND MYSELF TOO THAT I HAVE ENOUGH CLOTHES FOR NOW UNLESS I TOO LOSE WEIGHT!!!

OK OFF TO BED AND SOME TV WATCHING.
HELLO MISS SHAD!!!

I AM GOING TO THE MALL TOMORROW SO I THOUGHT I WOULD BID YOU ALL ADIEU TONITE. HAVE A GREAT MONDAY!!!

[Shad]

Afternoon all,
Just had a wonderfully sh*tty day training a series of people on a system that doesn't want to co-operate. We had problems on Friday and it seems that it doesn't yet want to get fixed. At least we did it, unlike Friday.

Not much to report here. Went out for dinner on Friday night - didn't overeat but didn't exactly stay within the confines of the meal plans either.
Saturday, did a yoga tape, then I went shopping and then went to a Craft and Quilting exhibition. Some beautiful quilts in that lot. Evening was spent horizontal on the couch.
Sunday, long walk followed by a swim and then down to a friends place to help them strip out carpet, remove lino and patch up walls. Shades of home.
Naturally enough that was the weekend and now I am back to work. Only 3 weeks to go home time which means about 5 weeks to go US/Canada time.
Holly I am in New Jersey from 7th to 10th June. Catching an Air Canada flight that gets me into Toronto at around 12.50pm - 13.00pm. There are a few things I want to see eventualy in NY, but will confine this trip to the Statue of Liberty which I believe is not that far from Mel's Place (as opposed to Melrose Place)

Nothing else much new here. System is a pain in the butt so I am not even attempting Suzi's tearjerker today. My house is closer than CJ's Suzi, can you come and air it and make it smell nice please.

Happy - hope the hair stays red until I get there. I probably won't recognise you and we will be doomed to wandering around the airport wondering where each other has got to!

Okay, we are have some more flickers, some more 'not responding' messages so I am out of here. Back tomorrow.

[suzi in auz]

Awww mel...I wouldn't want to make you although I was blubbering at 6am this morning when my hubby showed me this. Very inspirational!

I am so excited I have my internet access back! It seems like a century since I was able to just check things online, I have had to be awfully old fashioned and resort to juust the telephone and letters!
Actually it has put me back in the mood to do some letter writing which is a good thing.
The kids are almost backa t school, they have been on vacation here in NSW for 2 weeks and there is a teachers only day on today, I still have to work. I am hoping they have done all their homework etc but really it's up to them. With working 3 days a week now I am trying to be available to them but also letting them step up and show come responsibility. i think i realised that they would let me do things until the cows come home.

We had a lovely weekend although it went very quickly. I have been wanting to go down to this lovely place down the coast called Berry. It is filled with quaint little shops and cafes. I managed to convince DH to go with me while the boys stayed at home.
We found a gorgeous candle shop where I couldn't help myself to get a candle or two. I bought one that is in the shape of a beehive and it smells like vanilaa and honey! It's beautiful.
I also bought another one that smelled so lovely and fresh and was aptly called kiwi melon....very nice. I do love the house smelling sweet esp as we come into winter, it makes it feel warm.
The ride home was long but peaceful. I do love these times with DH, they are getting more frequent now.

Ok must post. This has been sitting here for a while
Have lovely days

Suz

[carla49]

Just a quick drive-by post this morning. I realized late last night (thanks to some comments from the AV tech) that I might be able to pick up the wireless internet from the hotel lobby, which is actually very close to my room. D'oh! as Homer Simpson would say... I wonder how much my adventures in dial-up will have cost me, when all along I had wireless in my room. This morning is a big work time for me - I'll be on about 75% of the time - so I should be getting mentally prepared instead of chatting with you lot...
Diet problems on this end: as often happens at resorts, the meals are included, big buffets at brekkie and lunch, 5-course dinners... I haven't been too bad, but really didn't need the desserts I fell into yesterday. Tonight the group has an interesting event - they have a policeman come to their hospitality suite with his breathalyzer to see how quickly they're affected by alcohol. It's fun, especially for those who never drink and drive. (There's a reason I don't drive too often ) I think I may go along with a colleague for a max of one glass of wine, just to see. Any more and I'll be a sorry girl tomorrow.
Yikes. Just saw the time. Later!

[ceejay52]

I've been on he computer way to long here at work. Need to be doing something else.

Watched a couple of shows on TLC last night. One concerned binge eating which I'dseen before and the other was on the world's heaviest man--weighed 1000 pounds. This made me realize that this could be me in the future. He started the ZoneDiet and this diet has changed some and is very similar to the Sonoma diet.

I've completed 10 whole minutes of toning exercise this morning. I'm hoping the doctor will let me start exercising again Thursday.

It's time for lunch.

[Shad]

Morning all,
Quickie as a class is due to start in 20min's in the prison area. That's what I call this building since one has to have a pass to get in and out and they won't give me one so I have to wait and wait for someone to let both me and my students in and out. Anyone would think they have a nuclear reactor in here or something.

First pupil has arrived. He has his own card. Lucky him. Others are probably waiting and waiting in the hot sun at the gate. I've requested that I have no more training in this area. I absolutely hate being here. The training room is badly set up and ineffective. I'm talking mostly to a screen and half the pupils are behind me. etc. etc. etc. One desk is so close to the screen that the poor participant gets blinded by glare.

Gotta go, the class is about to start and I am getting grumpier.

[suzi in auz]

Hi all! I have a day to myself this morning and promise to redeem it. I didn't go to the gym this morning ...early but promised hubby I would go later...i must, It's just a mind thing at the moment. I have to go to the area our Gym is in as I am getting new runners for DH, perhaps that will inspire me.

I should really be ing today.
The weather outside looks very wintery but doesn't feel it. We have a holiday tomorrow as it's ANZAC day
this link might explain it a little
http://www.rochedalss.qld.edu.au/anzac.htm

ok little girl wants to get to school.
Love to all.
Suz

[happy2bme]

not to take away from the solemn remembrance of Anzac Day (may those brave souls rest in peace)

[Shad]

Well said Suzi. That's not a bad piece actually. At least it mentions the New Zealanders were there and that some of them actually passed away at Gallipoli and other arenas. Many stories about Anzacs do not over here.

Tomorrow is as Suzi says Anzac day. I shall be attending Dawn Service at 5.40 down on the Strand. It is such a moving ceremony. One day I will get to attend at Gallipoli itself. I really want to do that.
I normally run past Anzac Park here in Tville on my daily run. There is a huge amount of history in that park.

Just finished my first class and now my lunch. Got a few minutes to think about other things. I'm starting to pack my bags for going home. It's a nice thought to know that in just under three weeks I will be heading out again for Brisbane. And then it will only be a couple of weeks before I get on a plane for the US. Look out world - here she comes.

Suzi, I loved Berry when I was there. Also you might find a place called Kangaroo Valley interesting as well. Similar type of shops and goods. Kangaroo Valley is not far from Berry (as the crow flies) and if you take the loop road on the way back you can go through some interesting countryside and the is the Fitzroy falls and another National Park (name escapes me but it starts with M and is not that far from Wollongong) Nice day trip. The wine shop in Berry also stocks a heap of NZ wines and spirits. Nice bloke too!

Ceejay, there is always benefit is seeing these tremendously obese people on a show.
1. You are just so glad it is not you that your motivation returns.
2. You exercise like a demon just so it does not get to be you.

Carla - I am wounded. Chatting with us is far more beneficial than getting ready to translate for some dreary diplomat or business exec.

I've now put my itinerary together and have only to organise the last of the accommodation. I think the Calgary one is already organised with the train trip but I better remember to ask S at the Travel agency since I can't quite work it out from the brochure. It may be because I am doing it back to front I get a night at the Vancouver hotel and not Calgary. I need to get that straightened out. Don't know if they have bridges (for sleeping under) at Calgary.

Apart from that, not much else is happening. I'm having a farewell dinner at my place tomorrow night for those finishing this project on Friday. There will be no one much left to farewell the 3 of us left in two weeks time. We might as well annoy the neighbours - since they annoy me fairly regularly. We have a new tenant in the flat below who has a laugh like a braying donkey. Unfortunately he laughs often. It drives me crazy and off the balcony where I was reading and into the house itself. Nuts.

Anyway - have fun everyone. I'm off to teach another training class in prison.

[happy2bme]

Geez, took me forever to get this posted - I see I missed Shad...

However we do have a happy occasion to celebrate on the 25th!


secret spacers




Wishing you a wonderful day - no teaching assignments, no obnoxious training facilities and may everyone who sees you slip you a fiver

A very happy birthday to you Shad... tried to get it in on YOUR actual birthday - not on April 25th here across the pond.

[suzi in auz]

Oh Shad, I didn't know. Wishing you many happy returns for your special day!


I hope it is a truly happy one. What you have planned sounds so nice.

I was really impressed with Berry and yes the guy at the wine shop was a hoot. I am hoping to visit more places south, it really is just so lovely. The country side reminded me very much of the Middle of the North Island. Not quite as green but almost!

I have had a silly day...am looking forward to a day off.
Need to do ironing and such so it willb e good to get into it.
I have become less and less organised. I seem to enjoy shopping daily for dinner and when we have a holiday like tomorrow it throws me! I don't have a clue what to cook.
Oh well, I am sure I will get some inspiration somewhere.

Redeem your days better than me!

[carla49]

What??? Shady Shaddy the Bull is turning 39 again???

Here's hoping it'll be spent far, far away from the prison classroom, with a nice glass (or two) of red and a scrumptious dinner cooked by someone else.

In honour of this Joy-ful event, have skipped the breathalyzer game and gone to bed for a 'fun' night of hotel insomnia. But will celebrate tomorrow (along with a colleague's belated birthday celebration) by consuming a glass or two of bubbly along with a plate of what I hope will be healthy nibblies.

Have a happy one!

[carla49]

Nice graphic, Happy!

[Shad]

Aaaah, thank you Chickolettes. I will print out this page and put it in pride of place in my house tomorrow.

You rock

[happy2bme]

Morning Chicks -

By my calculations - even though I'm just starting my day - it looks like it's 3 minutes to midnight in Shad-land so it's still

Happy Birthday Shad time Made you a nice strawberry shortcake with fresh juicy berries, and light spongecake and whipped topping. Tastes decadent without all the fat and calories.