[Hollyhock]

My post got lost yesterday when the site timed out. HUGS!!!!!

[Ruthxxx]

to the Worldly Chicks from beautiful lilac-scented Delta.

I nearly have a functioning kitchen! I told the guys if they had it functioning over the weekend, I'd make a Bacardi rum cake for next week when they do the finishing touches. The last guy left at 8:30 last night and Mike the ADD Electrician will be here this morning to wire my pot lights and also connect dishwasher, etc. There are lots of finishing touches needed but it should be in a usable state by tonight! I may throw a kitchen-warming party when the tiled backsplash goes in next week.

Enjoy your Memorial Day weekend and PLEASE drive safely! It's wild out there these days.

[Shad]

Morning to all the worldly chicks,
Another nice day in Arizona, mind you I think the sinus wish they were someplace else. It's so dry here. I spent much of yesterday sneezing and wheezing but it seems okay today.
Yesterday went into Prescott - town as N calls it. It's a busy little town, lots of people around. Didn't buy anything except a packet of low dose aspirin and some batteries for the camera. Went back to the Black Arrow gift shop to look at jewellery but couldn't see anything that knocked my socks off this time. We wandered around the shops - had a nice mushroom and brie crepe for lunch and went to a photo gallery which has the most stunning photo of a sunlit butte and a stormy sky printed on a canvas frame. Nice but at $1325 it stayed in the shop. The smaller versions just didn't do it for me. Who says I have expensive tastes.

Today we are going to Yarmel (? sp) somewhere a bit south of here. Then to an Indian Pow Wow at 1.00pm and by that time we will have had enough of the sun and be ready for a long cool drink.
Having said that, I'd better go get breakfast, and get sorted for my day.

PS I haven't had to drive since I got here, don't know whether N is scared to sit with me or she feels sorry for me.

[Shad]

It seems we are back on air again. Yesterday was closed for server upgrade.
How's everyone doing?

[Madcat]

Thank goodness we are back. I was starting to go into withdrawal. It has been a busy weekend. We went furniture shopping yesterday and put in an order for a new couch. It won’t be ready for 2 to 3 months. So much for immediate gratification. Today we have already done grocery shopping, had the car washed, and I’m completely cleaned and organized the front closet. I was so tired of never being able to find anything and having things fall on my head from the top shelf. I ended up bagging up two garbage bags of old shoes to be tossed. It’s amazing how they accumulate. It’s silly but it was sort of sad throwing out some of my old running shoes. They carried me a lot of miles.

Oh yeah, and I am an unemployed bum for the next 2 days. New contract starts on Wednesday. Tomorrow I have to take the car in for maintenance, and run some errands. Tuesday I’m having lunch with a friend. I’m hoping to get a couple of long bike rides in but also manage some serious movie watching on the couch. I should have taken more than 2 days, but it’s too late now.

Shad ~ I love your roving updates. Make sure you stay hydrated in the desert weather.

Ruth~ Good on pushing that reno through. Your electrician has ADD? That could be, ahem, interesting. Hopefully he remembers green is the ground. Nothing wrong with letting Shad rub shoulders with a hoser or two. I am more than sure she can hold her own.

Holly~ Got your message. I’ll give you a call shortly. We’ll just play tag until we connect. I wonder if you got caught in part of the server upgrade?

Happy~ Hope you got all those needles cleaned up. I hear you on the grackles. They are evil. I didn’t realize they were a type of blackbird as well. Do you find you go blonde in the summer and red in the winter?

Mel~ So sorry about the passing of your bookkeeper. So sad. Good for you insisting the big strong firemen listen to the poor flimsy minded woman. I find it hard to believe that that kind of attitude does still exist – until another instance slaps us in the face.

Ok, I have other things I need to get done. Later chicks.

[Shad]

Yesterday we went to Yarnell - it's a very small town about 40 miles from Prescott. It's not so much the town we went to see but the scenery on the way there and there is also a big hill to drive up and down. Real NZ road that one.
We had a coffee at the little bakery which smelt gloriously of fresh bread. It's a bottomless cup of coffee as well. Empty your mug and they come along and fill it up again.
Then we wandered back to the Indian Pow-Wow. It was interesting! The costumes were good too.

Had a local frybread for lunch (when we finally got served - everything is done on Indian time) It's okay too. Mine was Indian Taco and was served with beans and ground beef, cheese and a whole raft of stuff mostly unidentifiable. A moment on the lips - a lifetime on the hips.

Today we went to Arcosanti. It is one man's dream of or for society. Personally I think it is a hangout for old hippies and a new sensation for dreamers. I wonder if it will ever get finished.

Tomorrow is Memorial day - I believe N and I are going out to lunch with the girls after morning service. Not sure what is happening after that. Will be an interesting lunch as no one will be able to understand me unless I talk real slow. They have enough trouble understanding N - she's only been in the US 26 years after all. So it should be fun.

Madcat - new furniture sounds good. Pity it won't be there for Holly and I to jump on. Hope it arrives before you forget what you ordered.

Mel - thanks for the e-mail. We're doing okay over here, although I am having trouble getting in touch with the New Mexico mob again. I'm about to try again in a minute.

And so I had better move on. The dog needs the ball chucking some more.

[MELODY525]

SHAD I AM GLAD ALL IS GOING SO WELL! I AM LIVING VICARIOUSLY THRU YOUR POSTS! IT ALL SOUNDS WONDERFUL AND HOPE YOU ARE HAVING AS GOOD A TIME AS I AM!!! TAKING LOTS OF PICS I HOPE!!!

MADCAT~ I TRIED SO MANY TIMES TO POST BUT IT KEPT SAYING IT WAS STILL CHANGING OVER EVEN AFTER SHAD HAD POSTED. SO I WENT TO BED! GOOD LUCK ON YOUR NEW CONTRACT AND ALL THE BEST WISHES I CAN SEND. YES....MACHOISM STILL EXISTS WTF SOUNDS LIKE YOU HAVE BEEN A BUSY GAL. HAVE A GOOD TIME WITH THE LUNCH AND HOPE SIS AND FRIEND ARE HOLDING THEIR OWN ALSO!

HAPPY~ HOW GOES YOUR NEW JOB? HOPE THE POOL IS READY CAUSE I GOT THE UMBRELLAS OUT!!! AND SOME COLORFUL DISPOSABLE CUPS! WE DON'T NEED TO BE DOING ANY DISHES!!!

TO ALL THE OTHER CHICKS

DAY 3 OF DO NOTHING WEEKEND. GOING WELL. DOORBELL RANG AT MIDNIGHT LAST NIGHT BUT NO ONE WAITED FOR ME TO ANSWER. GOT OUT OF BED FOR NOTHING BUT I THINK I HEARD A POLICE CAR LEAVING. MUST HAVE BEEN A SILENT ALARM. PROBABLY THE WIND FROM THE STORM. BEEN A GREAT JOHN WAYNE WEEKEND ON SOME CABLE CHANNELS. NOTHING TO REPORT!
HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY!
THINKING OF ALL OUR VETERANS. TROOPS OVERSEAS AND THEIR FAMILIES THAT ARE MISSING THEM. THE USA IS FINALLY SITTING DOWN WITH IRAN TO TALK AGAIN SO LET US PRAY THIS WILL ALL BE OVER SOON AND OUR BOYS HOME.
HAVE A GREAT DAY

[happy2bme]

Morning chicks,

I see Shad's egg on which means she's up at 7 prowling the Internet waiting for N to wake up

[Ruthxxx]

We live in exciting times - vicariously through Shad!

Gorgeous weather here and my kitchen is functional and nearly finished. I guess Mike really doesn't have ADD as he got the wiring done and set the back-splash tiles over the weekend. Hyperactive might have been a better description. He's back tonight to grout! It will be wonderful to have a day with nobody here except the Girls and me! Maybe tomorrow? Nope - Amy the kitchen designer is coming to check.

I hope everyone can get back into the Forum soon. It's fairly quiet but that could be because of the Memorial Day Weekend. The population of Delta is half American at the moment!

Have a lovely day.

[happy2bme]

Oops.. realized I was out of coffee. Had to get more. Ok now

Hmmm lesseee. Where was I?

Mel - what a pain - getting out of bed when you're all cozy sleeping and there's no one there. What if someone was getting mugged and they couldn't get to the door? Sometimes I think the police are too quick to go away. Get your bikini out woman - pool opens in about 30 minutes - will take 24 hours to get the water in swimmable condition but it should be ready by Shad's arrival at the end of the week. I'm thinking it's a little on the cool side tho. They keep changing their minds with the forecast - I've seen it change drastically 3 times over as many days. Hope you're enjoying "The Duke" festival of movies. Hey little lady...

Shad - sounds like you are having fun and seeing lots of things. Is N frustrated at the influx of Californians who fled the high home prices and came and messed up Arizona? No one wants the Californians I hear At least the ones from Los Angeles.

Madcat - know what you mean about the instant gratification. We ordered a table for the front hall that I saw in the store, looked at on 3 different occasions to be sure I was in love with it and then ordered it. I know they said it was hand painted but I didn't realize it was hand painted as each order was placed. We too wound up waiting about 3 months for the piece. It was worth it in the end. I guess as long as you have a couch now to sit on, it won't be so bad. Is it because you chose the fabric yourselves?

It does seem encouraging that those of you doing contract work seem to find steady employment. DH is hanging by a thread with his job - just waiting for them to make the cut and offer the severance package. He said once that happens he's going to contract also. Hope the new job is enjoyable Madcat. Guess it would have been nice to have a week off - particularly since you have to fund your own "vacations". Just remember to take some time off between the next gig.

Hellos to Ruth and Holly and Meadow and Carla and Nae. - whoa outta breath there

Ceejay - I owe you some directions - will email you tonight.

Things are going well around here and moving along. The house is shaping up nice. I am closing doors and telling DH to stay out of the clean rooms Rinse off your coffee cup, don't leave empty water bottles on the counters Yep, the housefrau is back

Still have a couple of rooms to do. Have some new slacks to hem. Went a mission yesterday to find curtains. I wanted curtains on the window of the back door off the kitchen. I think DH put the rod up too high although he aligned it with some prior holes that were in the door. The 36 inch curtains I bought are about 2 inches too short so you can peek under them and see in the house which defeat the purpose of curtains. Once upon a time it was not that hard to find 45 inch cafe curtains. No such luck. I've been everywhere. Yesterday I was ready to stop at a fabric store and just sew my own. Of course when I did spot a fabric shop - also difficult to find I might add - it was 30 minutes AFTER they closed.

DH just gave me the 5 minute warning that he will need my help to pull the tarp off the pool. Yippee. Pool season opens. Gotta run.

Happy Memorial Day - thank a serviceman and and pause for a moment of honor and silence for those who have gone before us serving us and our country *salute*

[ceejay52]

The journals are still closed. I wonder if there is a new format to go with them.

It's been a fairly quite morning. Think all the excitement happened over the weekend from the looks of the call out sheets. A few scattered phone calls about garbage pic ups.

Madcat--Enjoy your time off. Hope the new job is better than the last one. What kind of couch did you get?

Shad--I'm going to have to remember a "moment on the hips =a life time on the hips" . Stay hydrated.

Mel--Ah-- A police officer at the door. Didn't even get a chance to invite him in.

Just heard a noise downstairs. Better go check it out. Back later. People are dumping stuff in the dumpsters.

[Shad]

Afternoon from Chino
Today we went out to lunch (don't need dinner ). Then we went to a shopping mall and just wandered around looking at the sights and trying out the lotions and potions in the body shop. Lot of time in a book shop too. Now we are debating whether we want supper or not and shortly I will take the dog out for a game of tennis - I hit, she runs. It may give me some appetite or then again maybe not. I sure am missing exercise.

Mel - Policeman at midnight. Crikey, this should be an interesting stay.

No Happy, I wasn't waiting for N to get up - she and DH were already up and had read their messages and about to get started on the day when I got on the computer.
Frustrations at the Californian invasion and the Mexican invasion is the main topic of conversation in this town.
I'm sure the DH will do well in contracting, we will have to chat about it when I get there. Still on track for the June 1 invasion. That's if I get back from New Mexico in time.

Ruth - darn, I was looking forward to the Long Horn too and you had to go get your kitchen back.

Ceejay - I am doing my best to drink Arizona dry. It's nearly working.

Okay, time to go wear out the dog.

[happy2bme]

Good morning ladies,

I spent my morning computer time today sending CeeJay an email with directions to my house so I don't have time for more than a hello here. Long day of training today as we wind down one job and get in gear for the new one. I'll be happy to start vacation on Friday.

So hello chicks. Be back tonight

[Hollyhock]

Oh happy sigh, I spoke wiht Madcat and then Ruth on Sunday. Made my whole year!!!
Looks like i will be in TO with Shad and Miss Mad on Monday June 11. YIPPEE!!!

[Meadow]

The flower seeds I planted have all sprouted!! I just love it when they take and grow. The bachelor buttons I planted last year, only one came up and this year those seeds sprouted and they are growing in the garden. I guess they needed a year to think about it

Shad-sounds like you are having a good get together. I'm sorry folks are making you talk slowly. When I was in North Carolina once they didn't understand me there and I had to repeat myself four times just to order an iced tea I understood myself fine It isn't as if I was the one with the accent I bet you are surrounded by people asking you questions. Are you seeing many new things that intrigue you? Have fun!

Mel-golly, you have to answer your door in the middle of the night? I don't even answer my door in the day if I'm not expecting someone. I hope your memorial day weekend was relaxing. My husband was thrilled that the American programming had a Soprano's marathon

Happy-so the pool opened this weekend? did you take a dip? or spend most of the time cleaning and preparing for the big plunge when Shad arrives? Promise you will not drink and paddle Why couldn't you sew a contrasting trim onto the curtains you have? They do that on the decorating shows all the time. I suggest cherries I love fruit in the kitchen

Holly-so cool you all will get to hook up! Make sure Shad gets a Tim Horton's coffee while she is visiting, total Canadian experience. Keep her away from the poutine though, she might keel over

Ruth-congratulations on your new kitchen Hopefully everthing is in now and functioning beautiful. Do you just sit with a cup in your hands at the table and look around and sigh? Finally done. My neighbour has a lilac tree in bloom right now and the fragrance is sublime. Big inhale.

Madcat-is the fabric for the couch you've chosen cat friendly? I haven't found any they will not shred but my cats are mischief makers good relaxing and I hope Wednesday is a good day at the new position

Ceejay-so you are going to Happy's house? Shad's visit is really pulling everyone together, this is so fabulous!

Hi worldly chicks