:chef: I JUST MADE THIS AND IT WAS DELICIOUS AND SIMPLE. BUT I USED 1/2 CARTON OF BROTH AND SERVED IT ALL OVER SOME BROILED CHICKEN I CUT UP. YUM!!!
:stir: COME ON OVER AND HAVE A BITE! :hun:

Ribolitta-- Italian Soup
1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 small thin slice pancetta (italian bacon) or substitute 3 slices regular bacon
1 cup onion, chopped
1/2 cup chopped celery, chopped
1 red pepper, chopped
1 yellow bell pepper, chopped
1-2 cloves garlic, chopped
salt and pepper to taste
1 can diced or crushed tomatoes
1 carton fat free chicken broth
1 can Cannellini beans (or white kidney beans)
1 box frozen chopped spinach
Fresh basil
Parmesan cheese

Saute pancetta in extra virgin olive oil until crisp.

Add onion, celery, peppers and saute until translucent.

Add garlic and saute-- do not burn the garlic.

Salt and pepper to taste.

Add tomatoes, cannellini beans and chicken broth. Simmer 30 mins. Add spinach. Simmer 10-15 min longer.

Just before serving, add chopped fresh basil. Serve with day old crusty bread if desired. Top soup with fresh parmesan or romano cheese to taste.
Number of Servings: 8

Happy Mother's Day
 

AND BEFORE I FORGET................

:encore: WISHING EVERYONE A WONDERFUL MOTHER'S DAY
WE ARE ALL A "MOTHER" OF ONE FORM OR ANOTHER!:rofl:
:celebrate: :hb: :celebrate:

HAPPY~I LIKE YOU TOO :hug: HOPE YOU'RE HAVING FUN CLEANING WHILE THE DH IS SERENADING YOU!!! :belly:

CEEJAY~WE'RE ALL CLEANING!! HAVE A GOOD TIME WITH AUNT AND UNCLE! I'VE HAD NIGHTS LIKE THAT BUT NEVER GOT UP AND DUSTED....MAYBE I SHOULD TRY THAT! :rofl:


:cofdate: GOOD MORNING ALL YOU MOTHERS :rofl:
FOR MOTHER'S DAY MORNING THE GRANDSON AND I ARE WATCHING CLIFFORD THE BIG RED DOG. THE SUN IS SHINING AND NO ALARMS ARE GOING OFF! :dance:
CAN'T ASK FOR MORE. THE KIDS AND I HAVE FINALLY DECIDED TO CELEBRATE BOTH MOTHER'S AND FATHER'S DAY NEXT WEEKEND. I THINK THEY SHOULD SEE IF RICHIE CAN PATCH THINGS UP ONE LAST TIME THIS WEEKEND. WE'LL SEE IF I WAS RIGHT. RICHIE WON'T BE HERE FOR FATHER'S DAY AS THE KIDS ARE DUE JUNE 1ST. SO WE MIGHT AS WELL HAVE A DOUBLE HEADER.
OOPS....I SPOKE TOO SOON. A SMOKE ALARM IS RINGING. SOMEONE IS BURNING THE TOAST:flame: :lol3:
HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY! :moped:

Good morning chicks,

Happy Mothers Day to all.

Thanks for the story Mel - enjoyed it :lol: and for the soup recipe. I was looking to make something today - I have all the ingredients on hand. It sounds delish - thanks for making the menu plan easier. :hug: Hope you have a nice celebration with your family.

Ceejay - I just noticed your goal on your signature. A 34 in waist is certainly something to strive for. Keep up with that exercising and ignore the fussy co-workers.

I just ordered a new pedometer from Amazon.com - it was highly recommended by several of the people here. I have another that I got as a promotional thing but it's kind of off and doesn't measure steps as well as it should. I'm looking forward to getting my walking in at the new office location. There's a small pond with a walking track around it and when it gets too hot for that - it's a 1/2 mile around the perimeter of the building. And I can walk indoors when it's too hot out. Probably more steps to do it indoors as the building is not perfectly rectangular.

Carla - I love your nuttin but a houndfrog thingie by your avatar. Too funny :rofl:

Kind of quiet here - everyone must be off doing things instead of sitting at the computer. As it should be.

I chipped a front tooth - really badly - as in about a 1/4 of a tooth off. It was fractured anyway because it had been hitting another tooth for years. I'm supposed to get my permanent crown in on Tuesday. I'm sure the dentist will be delighted to have another probably expensive procedure walking into his office that morning. :rolleyes: Always something, eh?

Ok - I'm off to clean and menu plan and make a pot of Mel's soup. Happy Sunday. Enjoy your holiday.

Hard to believe that Shad will be here in 3 weeks. Geez I''d better get BUSY. :yikes:

Sheeee's back!!!!!!

Had a good 'commute' home. Because I left early in the morning on both days, there was little traffic on the road and I made good time. Had breakfast with Irish friends in Mackay on the first day, and was so early getting down the coast on the second day that I had breakfast by the sea (along with around 10 thousand other mothers) at Hervey Bay - famous for the whale sightings and the fact that Mimi McPherson (sister of Elle, the model) runs a boat on the tour. There is a whole tourist industry run on meet the whales every winter. I stopped and had a beer at the Ettamogah pub (couldn't drink it all) and did some souvenir shopping there and got into Brisbane in plenty of time to pick up the accident prone kid otherwise known as a walking disaster area or sometimes DS2. I unpacked the car last night and all the stuff is now sitting in the lounge - guess what today's job might be?

Mel - good to see you back. Take care of those eyes. Strewth - if I come all that way to see you, the least you can do is see me!!!!!
Ribollita - well, well. Do you know what it actually means in English. Sounds real fancy in Italian, but ribollita simply means reboiled. Nasty name for a nice soup huh?

Ceejay, hang in there. Life will get back to normal. Since the brat knows everything you might just let her hang herself once in a while - mind you not when the water is affected since that affects a lot more people. I work on the theory of 3 strikes and you're out. Did that with the roosters. Warned em once about their punctuality, warned them twice and let them take the consequences on the third time. They have to learn and sometimes they choose the hard way.

Madcat - hope the bike fix lasted long enough to get to the shop. Would hate to picture you being tipped off a bike .

Happy - off you go and clean. You know I will run my white gloves over the top of the doors and down behind the loo just to check that you have been doing things properly. I'll be checking out the pool as well so just get on with it. :rofl: yeah right.

Morning Carla, Holly, Ruth (snooping around) Meadow and Suzi. Where is Painter, Linus and all the others that I miss? :?: Did we do something wrong?

Behind the loo?? You mean you're supposed to clean behind the d***ed thing too? Will the madness never end?? Just as well Shad won't be here to check out Carla's cleaning... :yikes:

I'll be back later (maybe much later) for a nice chat. Meanwhile, must continue the search for my missing oomph. (Probably hiding out in the same spot as my healthy diet resolve. I knew it was a mistake to adjust the ticker downwards.)

:wave: to all.

Carla--Do you need one of LindaT's prodding or just taking a day off?

Shad-- Glad you enjoyed the trip home. Thanks for the advice. May have to try that.

Happy--sorry to hear about the chipped tooth. I'll be getting a crown on Thursday.

Mel--Ah shucks--No need for the firemen! I'm going to try your recipe.

Hope every one had a good Mother's day. I enjoyed my visit with my aunt and uncle and their grandchildren. Had to much cake though. You know it was to sweet. I hope this means that my taste buds are changing,

I'm off to make a smoothie. Yum.

For some reason my sinuses are giving me fits today. Arg.

Back at last
 

HELLO Ladies!

I found you all, You have been galavanting around. How lovely to be in memphis in the warmth. I am very happy to be here! I have always wanted to walk down Beal st and sing "walking in Memphis".

You all sound wonderful. I hope you have had a great couple of week. I must come for a catch up later.

I just wanted yu all to know that I was still with you.

Had a wonderful Mother's day yesterday. I was woken up with tea and toast and pressies, choccies, PJ's and a book on Paris! I loved them all.
For lunch we booked a place called Hurricanes which is famous for it's RIBS! they were yummy! I was so full though and promised I wasn't going to eat too much. i don't think my body is used to that much meat.
Hubby surprised me with a lovely glass of Moet at the table....very special.
I think this was the first Mother's day that I really felt my kids were growing up. They have grown so much in themselves this past year, it is so noticeable. It's hard to believe that it was such a short time ago they were all still my 3 babies, I guess they always will be.

I hope you all had wonderful days whatever you did. I was thinking of you all around the globe.

I have been really busy at work lately, thus why I haven't been online, I have just kept my head above the water. I found out on Friday that I won;t be working here after July. It will be up to me to decide what's next. I am really not sure at this stage. The kids have been really keen for me to stop of course, but I would go crazy if it was just home. I don't want to go back to volunteers work after this, hopefully something else will come my way.
I always knew that this was an interim job but I guess the reality sinks in, I have become quite attached.

Ok, must get back to the grind.

Many happy thoughts for all

Suz

HAPPY~ SO SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT THE CHIPPED TOOTH!!
GOOD LUCK WITH THE DENTIST....HE'S GONNA LOVE YOU! $$$$$$ IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW MANY STEPS OR MILES YOU WALK! :running:

SHAD~ :welcome: HOME! GLAD THE TRIP HOME WAS UNEVENTFUL!! I WILL DO BETTER WITH THE EYES....ALL THE BETTER TO SEE YOU DEAR SISTER!! ENJOY BEING HOME AND HOPE TOO THE DS2 IS FEELING OK WITH ALL THE BOO BOOS!! :faint: IS SUNDAY ACTING AS A WRAP AROUND SHAWL??? :rofl:

CARLA~HOLY CRAP!!!!!!!!! I HAVE TO CLEAN BEHIND THE LOO TOO!! WILL THIS WORK NEVER END??? GUESS I BETTER VACCUUM TOO!! AND DUST!!! I'M GONNA SEND SHAD TO YOU TOO!!! :lol3:

CEEJAY~ I THINK EVERYONES SINUSES ARE GIVING THEM FITS!! TOO MUCH SMOKE WITH ALL THE FIRES EVERYWHERE AND TOO MANY BLOOMING TREES AND WIND!!! GLAD YOU HAD A GOOD TIME. SOME THINGS ARE TASTING TOO SWEET TO ME ALSO....THOUGHT THAT WOULD NEVER HAPPEN! :rofl:

SUZI~ GLAD YOU FINALLY FOUND US. SO SORRY THE JOB IS COMING TO AN END. MAYBE SOMEONE WILL RECOGNIZE YOUR TALENTS AND HIRE YOU! :hug: GOOD LUCK SEARCHING!

I AM OFF TO THE LAUNDRY ROOM. 2 LOADS ARE ALREADY IN AND I NEED TO RECYCLE. COULDN'T SLEEP FOR SOME REASON. NOTHING NEW. AN UNEVENTFUL WEEKEND THANK GOD. JUST THE USUAL ALARMS. BUSY WEEK AHEAD GETTING READY FOR THE ELECTION. LOTS OF DOORS TO KNOCK ON!!
HAPPY MONDAY AND LET'S ALL HAVE A GREAT WEEK!!
:wave: TO MADCAT AND HER BIKE!!! AND A HELLO TO ALL THE MISSING CHICKS!!

I'll make you a deal Shad - anything you find back there you can keep :rofl: I know what you're saying. It's just a good excuse and good motivation to get everything in good shape before company comes. (I told DH that's why I invite people over :lol:

Darn Mel - if I knew you were doing laundry today I would have left mine for you :lol: - or combined our loads together. Are these your drawers or mine? :rofl: Have a good time. Heard it was cooler up your way. Hope it's pleasantly cool and not OMG it's freezing cool.

Hello Suzi - good to see you back. Was wondering where you'd gone off to. I'm sorry to hear about the job - did not realize this is a temporary thing. Hope something else comes along quickly.

Ceejay - I think you're on the right track. When you eat sugar all the time you don't notice it but since you've been switching the foods out - things like cake frosting start to taste yucky sweet. I had brocolli for dinner last night and while the entire dinner was tasty, that brocolli was especially good.

Carla - when you find that oomph - get me a little too, ok? Last week at bookclub we were standing outside saying our goodbyes and the host's 4 year son was running at full speed over and over around us. I looked at him as I often do at kids and wish we could bottle some of their excess energy - after all it generally gets them in trouble and heaven knows we could sure use it :lol:

So how's the DS2 healing up Shad? Sounds like you had a nice weekend. I see alot of packing/unpacking/repacking in your future :rofl:

Another weekend zoomed by. I need a personal shopper. Darn grocery shopping takes such a big chunk out of the weekend. Amazing since I only had a small list. But I had to go to several stores for different things. I sure can spend money I tell you :rolleyes:

Back on the WW with a vengence too. I've let myself slip with sodas and cheese and salty stuff and erased the losses I've seen to date. It's virtually a given that when I stop journalling the food, the weight creeps back with a friendly pound or two. Was looking at People magazine this week. It features 6 people who lost 100 pounds or better. Well 5 of the 6 are in their 20's. I found that disappointing. Not saying it's easier for them but I think their bodies have an easier time of bouncing back. There was one lady in her mid 40's just so the entire article wasn't too depressing. It all comes down to the old fashioned eating and moving. Speaking of which it's time to do both so on with the day. Enjoy yourselves...

It is always a joy to come and catch up with everyone. HUGS!
A good weekend.Nice sunshine, a great hockey party on Sat night, kids are loving Sat morning soccer. i worked all day doing the Avon thing at an event yesterday, made over $200.00 sitting out in the sun talking to people I really like.
It is raining today and hubby is home. I have tons of house work and laundry and Avon stuff to do. I would rather be alone but am sucking it up.

I was hoping to do yard work too. For motivation I invited 50 people here for a campfire next Sunday. I need to weed.

I will go for a walk this morning. It is just sprinkling. It is supposed to pour later.
Time to face the day.

Happy-I agree that journaling food is a must. I've started that today myself.

Not much is happening today. It's been quite at work so far. I've kept myself busy though and it's almost 11 a.m.

To everyone else a big hug and hello.

Morning all,
Another cool morning heating up to around the 27C mark today. I see I have 2 orchids out and flowering beautifully. Time for repotting some of the others I see too. Hope I can get some of the chores I can see done before I leave here for over there.

I'm now down 5.9K from my January weight. From 79.9K to 74.1 this morning. This is part of my New Year resolution to lose 10% of my body weight. I'm over halfway now. On track hopefully for the rest. Don't really see a huge difference and it doesn't help buying clothes as in one shop you will fit a 14 happily, next shop it is down to a 12, third shop you are back into a sixteen and that doesn't fit in the bust. I've even fitted a 10 but it wasn't particularly comfortable. Mainly I judge the changes on what happens with the old clothes. I have two pairs of capri pants that I can pull off without undoing the zip or buttons - ergo the hips have shrunk. Pity I can't say the same about the top half.

Today I need to clean the bathroom and chuck out some of the old stuff in there - there is sunscreen which is over 5 years out of date. It's all going today. Then I need to get out in the garden. DS2 will no doubt need some chauffering for something although he determinedly rides his bicycle to and fro - says he needs the exercise.

Holly - life seems just as busy as ever in your neck of the woods. Please turn off the rain before I get to Canada. We actually need it here and not there while I am on holiday.

Ceejay - a quiet day at work is always a good one.

Happy - if anything is left behind the loo, it can stay there. I have no intention of looking or counting the cobwebs or anything else remotely to do with cleaning or tidying. My own place doesn't bear too much scrutiny as it is.
Actually I was having a moan about the last Biggest Loser program that we had. It was won by a 23 year old with few social graces. Now this guy did work hard, but I'm almost willing to bet my bank account it was done for the money and not the weight loss. His rivals were all in the 30's with the oldest at around 38. Mind you the 38 year old came in second, but it just goes to prove the men drop it faster than women who have to work twice as hard to get where they want to be. But this young man was dropping 7 or 8 kilos in a week where most of the others were getting around 4 or 5. Even the really big guy 216K and 34 years old wasn't managing as much although he did do a 10.5 very early in the program. So I can understand you frustration regarding the magazine article.

Mel - Sunday is not being a scarf - more like a foghorn, always there and always vocal. Not always seen. She will be most unhappy again next week.

Hiya Suzi - sorry to hear the job is not going to last, but that's the way of things. You need to find a part time job or a job share position - it'll happen, just keep looking and keep the options open.

Carla - maybe you out to try checking out behind the loo for your missing oomph and the weight loss resolve. I've been checking out the SF part of my trip this morning. Oooooooh I am getting excited.

And hello to Madcat, Meadow and the others. Better get off here before the day slips away from me. Hi ho, hi ho it's off to the bathroom I go, to clean actually - so there.

Oomph still missing in action, but I did somehow find the energy to get out the hiking duds and go for a good hike in the woods. About 2 1/2 hours, and it seemed to be all uphill. Saw a moose having lunch in a bog, but no bears or beavers. I was more than shocked when stripping for my bath later to see the same old rolls and bulges... how did they survive the day??? Also busy spending time with my bereaved neighbour, who's doing well, all things considered. I can only imagine how lonely she must feel. Working the next three days, so no more walks in the woods for now.

Shad, there are never any weather guarantees around here. You do want to bring a sweater (or fleece) and a rain jacket just in case. Besides, you'll probably need them on the west coast.

Once again I'm pooping out without chatting with you all individually. Please except my apoplogies - I'll be back on track soon. Right now I'm so tired I'm considering going to bed at 9:30, unheard of for me. Hello to Mel, Happy, Ceejay, Madcat, Suzi, and whoever I'm too exhausted to remember. :wave:

Shad~ Wow, congratulations on your progress! Halfway there and not even halfway through the year yet. That’s great. I hear you on the weird sizing. Good for you for keeping those “benchmark” capris.

Hooly~ How nice that you can make money at something you really enjoy. Enjoy the walk before the rain hits.

Ceejay~ Pity you have to deal spend your energy breaking in this new coworker. I believe you will get her kicked into shape in no time.

Mel~ Yep, we are slackers. Can I tsk at you about the coffee? There, consider yourself tsk’ed. Don’t let the election silliness suck you in. There are some good lessons in that leopard story. And it made me laugh. I think it is more a matter of the power of quick thinking rather than baffling them. Would you do my laundry? It is threatening to take over the floor of the closet.

Happy~ Hope your PC is on the mend. I have a pedometer that really doesn’t seem to work right either so I’d be interested to hear if your new one works. It really is a good way to judge how much daily exercise we are getting. Just a simple thing. Geez, sorry about your tooth issue. Ow! And journalling does seem to be the only way to stay honest. Here’s a question, do you journal foods you intend to eat or just write it down as they are eaten? I’m curious how other people approach this. I’ll be right beside you writing down mine too. I’ve slipped up the last couple of days, but that won’t help anyone, least of all myself, now will it?

Carla~ way to go on the hiking. You saw a moose? That is so neat. All I ever see is homeless people and empty beer cans.

Suzi~ So lovely to see you. You’ve been missed. Sorry about your job situation, but at least you have a fair amount of warning. How would you feel about contracting maybe? It’s not a terrible life.

Waves to all the other chicks lurking and posting.

To tell the truth, I have had a couple of very bad days. My friend who was admitted to the hospital is still there as they run more tests. The words “breast cancer” have been mentioned but they still don’t know for sure. All we can do is try to stay positive and hope for the best. If anyone was so inclined, a few prayers or positive thoughts would be appreciated. It couldn’t hurt.

I need a hug. Think I'll go bug the DH.

MADCAT~ I AM STARTING TO ENJOY THE LAUNDRY ROOM SO SEND YOURS RIGHT OVER. :dance: I CAN EVEN SQUEEZE IN HAPPY'S. I AM SENDING GOOD THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS TO YOUR FRIEND. I HOPE SHE GETS AN ANSWER AND IT'S A GOOD ONE. FINGERS CROSSED.
AND :hug: for you too.

CARLA~ I MUST HAVE MISSED THE POST ABOUT THE NEIGHBOR AND HER BEREAVMENT! :faint: I AM SO SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT IT. SENDING :hug: TO HER AND YES IT MUST BE LONELY. DEATH AND DIVORCE RATE NUMBER ONE ON THE STRESS SCALE TOO. HOPE SHE IS GENTLE WITH HERSELF. WHAT DO YOU MEAN...ALL THAT HIKING AND STILL HAVE ROLLS? I KNOW HOW YOU FEEL. I WENT OUT THE OTHER DAY AND MUST HAVE PUT AT LEAST 2 MILES ON THE ODOMETER :scooter: AND WHEN I GOT ON THE SCALE....NOT AN OUNCE WAS LOST. VERY SAD :rofl: :rofl:

SHAD~ I THINK WHEN YOU GO AWAY TO WORK, YOU SHOULD JUST WRAP THE HOUSE IN SARAN WRAP TILL YOU GET BACK. THIS WAY THERE IS NO CLEANING TO DO UPON YOUR RETURN! :dance: POOR SUNDAY. WAIT TILL THE END OF THE MONTH!!! :yikes: UNLESS YOU INTEND TO SMUGGLE HER IN A CARRY-ON BAG!

CEEJAY~ A BIG :hug: AND :wave: BACK TO YOU!
HOPE WORKS IS QUIETLY ROLLING ALONG FOR YOU!

HAPPY~ YES IT GOT COLD IN NJ AGAIN AND ONE NIGHT WAS IN THE 30's. I GOT BACK OUT OF BED AND PUT THE RADIATOR BACK ON FOR THE GRANDSON! :rofl: HE WAS FREEZING. THESE MUST BE YOUR THONGS MIXED UP WITH MY WASH CAUSE I DON'T WEAR THEM. THEY LOOK LIKE A FRIGGING SLINGSHOT! I'LL SEND THEM OUT STRAIGHT AWAY!! :cb: I DIDN'T GET TO THE BACK OF THE LOO YET BUT IT'S ON MY TO DO LIST NOW :rofl: :rofl: GOOD LUCK WITH WW :cheer:

MORE WASH DONE AND FOLDED. MORE STUFF STORED AND SOME GIVEN AWAY. I AM ON A ROLL. BLANKETS AND QUILTS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN USED IN YEARS ARE ALL READY FOR THE NEXT COLD SNAP :rofl: THE OTHER DAY IT WAS JUST A TAD OVER 80 AND RATHER HUMID. AS THE DAY PROGRESSED THE TEMPS KEPT DROPPING TILL THEY HIT A LOW OF ABOUT 33. I WAS SO COLD I WENT TO BED TO WATCH TV. THE GOOD NEWS HERE IS THAT SINCE I WEIGHED IN ON SUNDAY AT 184.5......THE SCALE DID NOT BOUNCE BACK TO 187 LIKE IT'S BEEN DOING. I JUST HAD TO GET ON AGAIN TODAY TO TEST IT. :lol3:
JUST WASN'T UP TO FOOD SHOPPING TODAY SO I'LL PICK UP SOME STUFF ON FRIDAY. SUPPOSED TO BE
85* BY NOON TODAY!! :sunny: :beach: :cheers:

A SPOOKY STORY: I WAS IN THE OFFICE WHEN THE PHONE RANG. A WOMAN HAD BEEN TAKING CARE OF HER EX AND HE PASSED AWAY. SHE HAD STUFF SHE WANTED TO DONATE. WE CHATTED WHEN SHE CAME. AS SHE WAS LEAVING WE SPOKE ABOUT OTHER DONATIONS INCLUDING THE CHAIR I COULDN'T KEEP. SHE LEFT. I COME UPSTAIRS ONLY TO BE CALLED BACK DOWN TO THE OFFICE. SHE CAME BACK WITH SOME MORE DONATIONS. AS WE CHATTED AND WALKED TO THE DOOR, SOMETHING SHE SAID MADE THE CONNECTION IN MY HEAD AS TO WHO SHE WAS. AND I SAID HER EX'S LAST NAME... SHE WAS SURPRISED......IT WAS HER EX'S CHAIR THAT IS STILL SITTING WAITING FOR THE FAMILY TO PICK IT UP. I TOOK HER TO THE ELECTRIC ROOM, WHERE IT SITS, TO CONFIRM IT. TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT....SHE IS GOING TO SEE IF THE FAMILY HAS FORGOTTEN ALL ABOUT TAKING IT BACK AND THEN I CAN HAVE IT. AS SHE WAS LEAVING, SHE TURNED AND SAID "LOOK WHERE I AM PUTTING YOU"..SH PUT MY POST-IT WITH MY TELLY NUMBER ON HER CHEST OVER HER HEART. SHE SAID MARK WOULD WANT ME TO HAVE THE CHAIR AND THAT'S WHY SHE MUST HAVE FELT COMPELLED TO RETURN. THE HAIR WAS STICKING UP ON MY ARMS AND I SAID HE SENT HER BACK THE SECOND TIME CAUSE WE DIDN'T GET IT "RIGHT" THE FIRST TRIP!! :rofl: :rofl: THE OFFICE WAS STANDING THERE WITH THEIR MOUTHS HANGING OPEN. NO ONE KNEW WHAT TO SAY. THE ONLY BAD NEWS IS THAT I HAVE NOT HEARD FROM HER AND THINK SHE MIGHT BE AFRAID TO CALL AND SAY THEY WANT THE CHAIR BACK. :lol3: :lol3:
BUT EERIE STORY NONETHELESS!!
OK GOTTA GO. RAMBLED ON HERE LONG ENOUGH. SOMETIMES I FORGET YOU GUYS ACTUALLY WORK FOR A LIVING!!
HAPPY TUESDAY! :moped:

Good morning ladies,

I am running a bit behind this morning so all I had time for was to enjoy your newest posts with my coffee. Lots of "oh wow" moments this morning. I will catch up with you all tonight - off to pop in the shower, off to the dentist (hope he gives me that gas again :lol: ) and then off for a spin on the hamster wheel of work and life for the afternoon. New washing machine gets delivered today. Spent the last 2 days washing pillows and heavy thumpy things I don't want to wash in the "good" washer. Gotta run - be good.

The problem with not posting for a while is the mountain of posts to respond to. But here goes:

Madcat, I've got my fingers crossed and am sending :goodvibes: that your friend will not get bad news. Very scary and upsetting for her and for thoe that love her. :grouphug:
And by the way, I'm not the guilty party with the "real" Ontario line. That was Ruth(??) suggesting Shad visit her in Westport (??). The details are gone forever from my mind, but all I did was quote her. Besides, everyone knows the "real" Ontario is Ottawa. Not. :rofl:

Happy, when you broke your tooth, were you perhaps biting off more than you could chew? biting your tongue? nibbling on DH's ear? ;) My theory is that dentists insert tiny time bombs in the weak spots in our mouth, and they go off right around the time we think we're all caught up on dental care. Boom! Another ten years of work to pay for ever more crowns...
If you need some extra laundry to try out that new machine, I have a rather extensive selection I'd be delighted to share with you. :lol:
Are you still working both jobs, or are you firmly into the new one? Enjoying the change, I hope.

Suzi, so sorry that the job will end, as you seemed to be quite enjoying it. I'm sure you'll find something else, and my fingers are crossed it'll be even better.

Mel, you're sounding quite chipper these days. I hope those eyes are much better. Maybe the rain helped with the allergies and their side effects? Since you're enjoying the laundry room so much, and since I have a feeling Happy will be too ga-ga from happy gas to help out, can I send mine on to you?? I'll happily grocery shop for you, bringing only healthy, delicious foods.
I had mentioned last week that my neighbour's husband had had a bad fall, spent the afternoon in ER, was discharged and died of a heart attack 4 hours later. She often looks after my cats when I'm gone for just a few days, and we've gotten to be quite friendly. A lovely person, she's bearing up quite well, but I'm trying to make sure she doesn't feel any more alone than necessary.

Shad, is DS2 accident prone, or just so active that these things are inevitable? If he were a lot younger - or a spouse - one might suspect that it was an attempt to make you stop going away, but not from an adult child. Maybe it's Sunday tripping him up so you'll have to come home.

Holly, what a great way to earn a pile of money! That's one of the nice things about Avon - people actually like the product, it's not overpriced, so it almost sells itself. Your life has really changed since you wound up the day care - it sounds like you're enjoying getting out and about more.

Ceejay, was that you operating the cattle prod that got me started yesterday? Thanks - maybe.

I'm pretty achy and slow today after the big hike. I can't believe how out of shape I am. But I know it won't take long to improve as long as I don't give up. It's always so hard to get back into any fitness program - everything seems so very hard and painful that it's hard to get going. But I have to remember that I once went from 0 to running a marathon in two years. I'm older now, but no matter how impossible it seems, I know can get a good level of fitnes back.
The diet is a little harder - self-indulgence is a bad habit to break. (Mel!!! Put down that frappucino!!!) :lol3: I really do think WW will be the option that does the trick in the end. It has worked before, and with summer coming this is the pefect time to get back on board. I always tried to plan out my points the night before, but wrote them in as I ate them. Madcat, are you doing the on-line version like Happy, or do you go to meetings?

Well, I'D better eat so I can get back to work on time. Salad again.

Just a brief note before the computer is shut down. Storms are in he area.
The water plant has been shut down and awaiting the worse.

Happy--Baton down the hatches. The squall line is coming your way.

More later.

Puff, puff - morning all - puff

Just running in to say hello. Will try to get back later to chat but today is busy. Haircut and colour this morning 10.30, DS2 to hospital for check up at 2.00pm, wine man is coming to give me a gift at 3.30 - hope he doesn't expect me to buy anything!!! He's stiff outa luck if he does. Need to check with Recruiting agent about dates sometime as well and get in touch with Tracey from Groote to confirm details for the week after I get back. I'd like to have all that squared away before I go - mainly so I can get organised for that. Got my foreign currency yesterday. Now have to stash it until I go (and not forget it) Think I need a very long to do list.

I've already cleaned half the house this morning and put things away and thrown things out etc. Haven't exercised yet, but that may have to be tonight, which reminds me I need to talk to the gym about renewal as well. If I am going to Perth for my next job, I can use the gym membership.

Okay - outa here. Time for a quick clean in the dinging room and a cuppa before going to the hairdreser. Hope she doesn't take too long today. I may just have to hurry her up.

See ya

HAPPY~ THE "GOOD" WASHER"????:rofl: HOPE YOU DON'T HAVE THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY!!!

CEEJAY~ GUESS THESE ARE THE STORMS THEY WARNED US ABOUT LAST NIGHT HEADING OUR WAY. TEMPS ARE DROPPING YET AGAIN HERE AFTER TODAY. HOPE YOU'RE WEATHERING OUT THE STORM:rain:

CARLA~ SOMETIMES WHEN THE EYES ARE BURNING, I MUST ADMIT THAT I SKIM THE POSTS. I REMEMBER THE PART ABOUT THE FALL AND ER BUT PROBABLY SKIPPED THE END RESULT. POOR MAN....NOW POOR WOMAN. BEEN A VERY STRANGE YEAR. GOOD OF YOU TO LET HER KNOW SHE ISN'T FORGOTTEN...WHICH OFTEN HAPPENS. SEEMS LIKE THE MATE THAT IS LEFT BEHIND BECOMES INVISIBLE TO OLD FRIENDS AND RELATIVES. THE GREAT AMERICAN WAY IS TO IGNORE THE REMAINING SPOUSE AND ALL BAD THINGS WILL JUST GO AWAY. :faint:
FYI, NO FRAPPUCCINO'S TO PUT DOWN!! I DRANK THE LAST ONE THE OTHER DAY :lol3: GOD THIS IS A HARD HABIT TO BREAK. WW WILL BE YOUR ROAD TO SUCCESS.....YOU AND HAPPY CAN COMMISERATE (SP) ABOUT YOUR POINTS!!! GOOD LUCK AND KEEP THOSE BUNS ON THE TRAIL!! :dance:

SHAD~ GROOTE AGAIN?? :rofl: IS THE TFG GOING AS WELL? I WILL DEFINITELY FALL OUT OF THIS WHEELCHAIR IF HE DOES! :lol3: :lol3: WHAT A THING TO HAVE TO COME HOME TO!! :rofl: OF COURSE I CAN AFFORD TO LAUGH...I DON'T HAVE TO WORK WITH HIM!!
HOPE THE HAIR DATE WENT WELL AND DS IS ON THE MEND!! DON'T WASTE ANY TIME CLEANING YOUR HOUSE.....YOU CAN COME HERE TO THE STATES AND CLEAN...SEEMS LIKE HAPPY AND I HAVE PLENTY OF THINGS ON OUR TO DO LISTS TO KEEP YOU BUSY FOR YOUR ENTIRE STAY! :rofl:

I AM SITTING HERE 1/2 DRESSED AND MY NOSE IS RUNNING. I SHOULD BE GRATEFUL ABOUT THE NOSE AS IT WAS CLOGGED UP YESTERDAY! I ENDED UP DOING ABSOLUTELY NOTHING EXCEPT SPEND SOME TIME WITH JEN. WE PUT SOME OF THE "TALL STUFF" AWAY....THINGS I LIKE TO STORE ON THE UPPER SHELVES. AND WHEN SHE LEFT, I WENT BACK TO DOING NOTHING :rofl:
TODAY IS FRAN'S LAST DAY. WE BOUGHT HER AN HERBAL LAVENDER BATH SET. I WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU FOR ALL HER HELP WITH ARTS & CRAFTS.
WE'RE HAVING A SMALL LUNCHEON AS WELL. SAD DAY.
I AM GOING TO LEAVE A MESSAGE ON THE NEW BOSS OF ARTS & CRAFT'S ANSWERING MACHINE OVER THE WEEKEND. I WILL GIVE FULL CONTROL OVER THE CHOICE FOR THE NEXT PROJECT. THERE IS NO ONE TO SHOP FOR ME AND I AM NOT RECRUITING JEN FOR YET ANOTHER UNPAID JOB. I WILL BE AS DIPLOMATIC AS POSSIBLE.
WHATEVER I SAY SHE WILL TWIST AROUND ANYWAY!
I AM ALSO GOING TO TELL HER THAT NOT ONLY DID I LOSE MY SHOPPER BUT MY ASSISTANT AS WELL. SHE CAN PUT THAT IN HER PIPE AND SMOKE IT TOO. FROM NOW ON WHEN I NEED HELP, I AM GOING TO ASK FOR IT. THEY DO. :dance: THIS IS A GOOD LESSON FOR ME BECAUSE I SPENT MOST OF MY LIFE WORRYING ABOUT WHAT PEOPLE THOUGHT OR WERE SAYING ABOUT ME. VERY SAD.
IMAGE WAS EVERYTHING. :rofl:
OFF TO WASH MY HAIR AND GET ALL GUSSIED UP FOR THE PARTY.:moped:
HAPPY WEDNESDAY!! HAPPY HUMPING!

Good morning Mel! I see your little egg light shining. Glad to hear the frapps are all gone, and that you're making things very clear to the new arts and crafts person. It's cold and rainy here this morn, and I'd rather stay in bed than go to work, but... :(
I've got my fingers crossed for you getting the wheelchair that got left behind, it would be silly for them to leave it there doing nothing when you can always use an upgrade in wheels.
No trails for me today, maybe Friday if the weather improves. Meanwhile, I've procrastinated all I can - gotta hit the bathtub, whip up a smoothie, and skedaddle.
:wave: to all.

Good Morning Wonderful Worldly Chicks
 

So fun to read all your posts and catch up on the events. The trips coming up are going to be so exciting and we can enjoy them too right here...... hope all the arrangements go well.

I had a different Mother's Day. I did hear from the boys they seem to be doing quite well. I had a disagreement with my BF and I think I broke up him. That sounds wishy washy doesn't it......for now I am taking a long break from the relationship..... perspective for both of us.

Well, my van Brownie is gone and I have a used '98 subaru forrester sitting in my drive way now....I just got it on Monday....I was so emotional when I took my stuff out of Brownie the guy told me I could come back and visit my car any time.... pathetic. That van has been with me for so many changes and people coming and going.....many adventures.....

I hope that this finds everyone well.... the weight watching has been holding its own for me since my visit to the heart hospital..... I haven't been on a scale but am wearing new clothes that have been in my closet I couldn't fit into last year.....my mom is now home and recovering nicely.

I will try to get back here sooner to visit with ya'all have a great day and be good to yourselves.....
Peace,
Nae

Just in to say hello

Morning all
Rose good to hear from you again. Sorry if you have split with the b/f, but it may just need a cooling off period and a rethink and will be back again. Life takes some strange turns at times.
Well done on the new car. I was like that when I sold my first brand new car and bought the second. The second wasn't as good for a very long time. Now I am on the brink of selling it to get another - well after I get back from the US anyway and get some money together again.

Mel - don't even mention the tfg. I sincerely hope that I don't have to work with the git again for another 13 years. No they got in touch to ask me to do some remedial work with them - only a week but that's good for me. It also means that I can keep in touch and that they may think of me when further work comes along. Groote will be very pleasant at that time of year.

For the Canadians among us - my time in Ontario has been extended. I was advised by the travel agents assistant that staying in Calgary for more than a day is a no no. She has been there. So I now get to Toronto on the 10th June and will leave early on 16th and not the 14th. It will give me a chance to check out the 'real' place and maybe do a tour or two. Go to Ottawa or somewhere strange.

All this talk of laundries - I have a fair amount of washing to do but not enough of each variety to make a full load. We are only expected to use 140litres of water per person per day on the current restrictions. It is pointless doing half loads although it may come to that if I can't fill up the machine.
When you calculate out how much 140L comes to, (try dividing it by 6 for gallons) and then work out that you use 6litres every time you flush the loo, shower will take some more particularly if you like a long one - and don't even think about the bath since that could be your entire daily allowance. A bucket full to mop the floor is another 9 litres. Then consider things like cleaning teath, washing hands, cooking Etc etc. And we haven't even got onto the 2 litres we are supposed to drink per day. We are told we will be going to level 6 in Spring. Hallelujah - pray for rain.
Mind you I have to admit that the average daily rate hasn't hit 140L yet. Best we can do is 155L - a long long way from the politicians target - who we must add have contributed greatly to the problem over the years.

Ahhh well with that moan done, I had better hike myself down to the gym and do a work out - I STILL need to talk to them about renewal.

Shad, why not head up to Otty after TO, then fly to Cowtown from here? You could even share my cab to the airport on the 16th if we have flights around the same time! I'm available to play from the evening of the 13th to the 16th, and would be delighted to show you around. (You're welcome to arrive sooner, but I'll be nose to the grindstone 10-13 June.) Bring your hiking boots (I have 2 pairs of size 11's, but have a feeling they'd be too big for you... no shoebox jokes, thanks anyway...). We could go for a lovely hike/picnic in the park, which would go a long way towards burning off the Toronto excesses... I can lend you poles and any other hiking gear - I have stuff in many different sizes... And of course I've already started inflating the Aerobed. You could also do a stop at the "real" Ontario en route - I think your hostess from there would have to pick you up from the train in Brockville, and I might be able to come and collect you from wherever the town was. Maybe Westport??
Anyway, think seriously about it. The Ottawa area is gorgeous in summer (assuming good weather, of course), and I've got lots of ideas for things to do. Of course if you do come here, I'll have to accelerate my diet to meet my goal a week early... :yikes: :rofl:

I CAN'T TAKE THE CREDIT FOR THIS BUT LAUGHED MY HEAD OFF TONITE...........

Subject: Good filler for staff meetings

The boss of a Madison Avenue advertising agency called a spontaneous
staff meeting in the middle of a particularly stressful week. (This is
one pretty sharp boss!) When everyone gathered, the boss, who
understood the benefits of having fun, told the burnt out staff the
purpose of the meeting was to have a quick contest. The theme: Viagra
advertising slogans.

The only rule was they had to use past ad slogans, originally written
for other product s that captured the essence of Viagra. Slight
variations were acceptable.

About 7 minutes later, they turned in their suggestions and created a
Top 10 List. With all the laughter and camaraderie, the rest of the
week went very well for everyone!

The top 10 were:

10. Viagra, Whaazzzz up!
9. Viagra, The quicker pecker picker upper.
8. Viagra, like a rock!
7. Viagra, When it absolutely, positively has to be there overnight.
6. Viagra, Be all that you can be.
5. Viagra, Reach out and touch someone.
4. Viagra, Strong enough for a man, but made for a woman.
3. Viagra, Home of the whopper!
2. Viagra, We bring good things to Life!

And the unanimous number one slogan:

1. This is your peepee. This is your peepee on drugs.


SHAD~ THANK GOD HE WON'T BE THERE LOL GLAD YOU CAN SPEND MORE TIME IN CANADA. GREAT TIME FOR A VISIT TOO. NEITHER TOO HOT OR COLD!!
DOING THE RAIN DANCE OVER HERE FOR YOU :belly: :dance: :cb: :carrot:
HOPE THEY ALL WORK!!! WE'LL BE SENDING CASES OF WATER OVER TO YOU IF IT DOESN'T RAIN SOON!!
FIRES ALL OVER THE USA TOO :flame: ON EVEN IN NJ STARTED YESTERDAY. SAD REALLY. ALL THOSE TREES AND WILDLIFE.
HAVE A GREAT DAY! :hug:

:wave: TO CEEJAY FOR DROPPING IN!!

ROSEBLUSH~ SORRY TO HEAR THE NEWS BUT WHAT'S RIGHT FOR YOU IS IMPROTANT. HAD A STRANGE M'S DAY HERE TOO. CHANGED ALL THE PLANS FOR OTHERS AND THEN THEIR PLANS WENT SOUTH ALSO:rofl:
SORRY ABOUT THE VAN. I KNOW THE FEELING. WHEN ONE OF THE CHAIRS LEAVE I AM SO DEPRESSED. IF ONE HAD TO GO PERMANENTLY I WOULD CRY MY HEART OUT. I GET ATTACHED TO EVERYTHING AND EVERYBODY....WE ARE BOTH SAD!! :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: SENDING HUGS :hug:

I'M GOING FOOD SHOPPING TOMORROW IF IT DOESN'T BEGIN TO RAIN AGAIN. WE HAD A BEAUT OF A THUNDERSTORM. WILL TRY AND SEND IT OVER SHADDIE'S WAY!! HAVE A WONDERFUL NIGHT AND THURSDAY! :moped:
PS~ Fran's party was great but I found her in the office bathroom crying by herself. How pitiful was that? Then we both cried. I felt so bad for her but her new job will get her more money and better experience in the real world. It's nothing but BS here and you learn nothing but hatred and gossip. She is well rid of the place. I'll see her Friday when she comes to pick up her last check. More tears I am sure :rofl: She loved the lavender stuff. :dance: Talked to Fran and this weekend I am definitely making that phone call to dump the Arts & Craft's responsibility. I'll still teach the seniors but that's all. Feeling good about this already!!!MORE DANCING!! :dance:

Oh Mel, thanks that was so funny I loved it.... wish it would rain here too....take care. You are so sweet. Shad thank for the kind words..... he is hoping to take another shot at it but I need more time......am having a house full of company I don't know this weekend just offering my floor to a friends rafting buddies. Will be fun I am sure.
Take Care all,
Nae

Do not get pushed into something you can't handle Rose. It will only make things harder the next time around. Talk, talk and more talk. He may get tired of it, but it does help mostly (sometimes there is too much of it and not enough action)
Enjoy the company - hope they leave the wet rafts outside.

Fun Mel - sorry that the friend is leaving, but she will find that life is totally different in another place - maybe even better.

Gotta go, talk to the travel agent.

Just checking in to let you nutcases know I'm still around. I'm in the middle of kitchen renovation which is behind schedule. It's a damned good thing Norm is cute! He's here every day but his so-called boss, Mike, seems to have bailed.

I have blocked off Shad week in June. I agree that there is more to Ontario than cities and think I may just grab Shad for an overnight and then drive her to Ottawa and pass her over to Carla.

Big Hi and hugs to everyone. I pop in to read but seldom have time to post (snoop) because the darned South Beach Forum and another website keep me too damned busy.

Argh. :mad: :mad: :mad: Well I did have a long post and lost it. Been having trouble with this site hanging A LOT lately. Don't have time to rewrite things so I'll just say hello. Off to work I go.

HELLO MISS RUTHIE!! SO GOOD TO HAVE YOU POP IN.
GOOD LUCK WITH THE RENNO AND NORM!!! IS HER THE SAME NORM ON THE TV PBS CHANNEL....CARPENTER NORM ABRAHMS, :rofl: :rofl:

SHAD~ HOPE THE CHAT IS FRUITFUL WITH THE TRAVEL AGENT!

HAPPY~ :hug: FOR THE LOST POST! DONTCHA JUST HATE THAT???:tantrum:

CARLA~ I NEED MORE FUNNY MATERIAL. :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

OK I ADMIT THAT I OVERSLEPT THIS MORNING. SO I GUESS I'LL HAVE TO GO ON TOMORROW'S BUS OR TAKE A ROLL DOWN THE STREET TO THE MOM & POP STORE. THAT'S IF THE SUN IS SHINING!! DAMN CHILLY OUT TODAY AGAIN AND A STIFF BREEZE. MAYBE MOTHER NATURE TOOK THE VIAGRA!! FIESTY WEATHER! :lol3: :lol3: NOTHING IS NEW. SAME OL' SAME OL'
HAPPY THURSDAY! :moped:

Morning all,

It's RAINING out there this morning and is meant to last all day. Amazing! Not that it will do much good for our dams and water situation, but the garden will just love it. I can see all the plants stretching out their leaves to grab as much as possible. Wunnerful, wunnerful

Ruth - good to see you. It's so wonderful that so many of you are willing to give your time to see me when I am there.
I have spoken to S the Travelman. I have cancelled the hotel for the nights of the 14th and 15th of June. Holly has indicated that she is free on the Monday and Tuesday 11th and 12th so I'll be in TO for that. That gives me time to see and say hello to Madcat as well. Then we can disappear into the wilderness - did you say train? I love trains. And eventually end up in Carla's neck of the woods. S is still debated the great airplane issue. I'll just tell him to book a flight to connect with the other flight. Thank you all so much.
Love those spring flowers you posted on the SB forum Ruth. Are they from your garden?

By the way, talking about Canada in general and Ontario in particular - does anyone know where Brampton is? I have to drop off a parcel from a friend to somewhere who lives there and I can't find it on my map! At least I have a telephone number.

Happy - what a shame that you lost your post. It's so annoying. That's why we copy everthing before we post - right?!! Yes there are some strange things happening from time to time on the site. I just hope the problems are not expensive ones for the 3fc to solve. It's beginning to sound a bit server-like to me!

Mel - I doubt whether Ruth's Norm is the same Norm as in This Old House. For one thing she used the word cute! No one would call Norm cute would they? Talented, yes. Smart, yes. Rich, probably. Cute????!!!!
I like fiesty weather. I'm strange in that I like the wind and I like the rain. Just not together. I have to admit that the weather in the tropics gets very boring in the winter - blue skies, trade breezes once in a while, warm temps, no rain. Boring, Boring, Boring.

Okay, better go let the cat in. She's feeling miserable out there - I think her tail got wet! and it is no use telling her that she wanted to go out there in the first place. She just gets louder and louder. Sometimes our conversations remind me of that reporter from the BBC and the Scientology director who had a bit of a barney on the telly the other day. What a farce.

Holy Cannoli!!! Less than a month to get the backs of my toilets cleaned!!!
Shad, Ruth can tell you your best option for getting to her place. She may have a better solution than the train, but I doubt it. And it's terrific that she's up for delivering you to Otty - or I could meet the two of you half way and bring you here from wherever that might be. I hope she'll bring along one of those Portugese Water dogs of hers - they are so fluffy and cute. (Please don't tell the cats I said that.)
I looked on the Internet, and it seems you can get to Brampton easily from TO's Union Stn by GO train (commuter train). Maybe Madcat can confirm that I'm right. I've never GOne on a GO train myself.
There won't be a lot of time to see the Ottawa area, I'll try to put together a good plan with lots of choices depending on weather and your preferences.

Mel, how perfect that you were demanding a funny at the exact time I was sending you one!

Rose, so sorry that things have gone awry with the BF. I hope the final outcome is what you truly want. Maybe a little time apart will make it all clear. Meanwhile, :hug:

Gotta feed those cats - and that Carla - before we all start gnawing on the furniture. Ta ta!

Ruthie. Here is a thought... I could take Shad as far as Kingston maybe... and we could meet up there... and then you could wisk away. Again, depending on what she wants.... I have to admit to a certain love of trains as well.

Shad, Brampton is a suburb just to the NW of Toronto (and the place where my sister lives). You can GO train there but transit inside Brampton sucks. I am sure we could arrange something.

We will talk.

BTW Shad check out Westjet for cheap flights from Ottawa to Toronto....

POST 2: I have had better weeks. I got a call from my SIL this morning telling me my sister had had a seizure and collapsed last night. She's in a hospital here in Toronto now and resting comfortably - but they are saying they have found evidence of some sort of brain tumor. They won't know the details for sure until the biopsy on Tuesday. She is 58 and just completed her first 42K marathon Sunday.

Sorry if I’m not really up to being much use here today.

Madcat, so sorry to hear about your bad news. Very scary indeed. I'm sending all the :goodvibes: I can find, and am pleased to find the more :goodvibes: I share, the more there seem to be. On a positive note, a friend of mine had a grapefruit-sized brain tumour removed about 10 years ago and is 100%, or even better than before. So there can be a positive outcome. And the fact that she's a distance runner should stand her in good stead if she does need surgery. But it really is a bummer. I think it's time we voted to abolish the month of May. Too many awful things happen. :grouphug:

Madcat--What horrible news! Prayers for your sister and hugs for you.

Hi Miss Ruth.

Yard work is great therapy for me. I'm much more relaxed today. I had a bad week at work. Tried my new hedge trimmer but I'm not sure its going to be strong enough for what I need. However, it hasn't been of the charger very long. I'd hope that it would have a place to where I could plug into it.

Driving to Jonesboro tomorrow to pick up samples at the doctor's office for the different osteoporsis med. I can't take the Actonel.

Shad- be safe on your travels.

Madcat, so sorry to hear about the sister. My thoughts are with you at this time. Thanks for the information regarding Brampton. I will have the phone number of the person involved and they may just come to meet me in Toronto if it is not too far, otherwise I can post it probably. Anyway something will sort itself out I'm sure. Meantime concentrate on your needs and those of your family.
Righty ho, I'm off to pick up tickets, hotel vouchers, insurance etc etc etc. Carla, I have cancelled the hotel bookings, but according to the travelman to get to Toronto from Ottawa by Aur Canada will cost me another $300. So I will need to get from Ottawa to Toronto on the 16th early since my flight to Calgary is 9am. I'll go check out Westjet as Madcat says.

Shad, when I looked at the AC website yesterday, there was a 7 am flight Ott-TO for $79 plus tax, which should come to about $120 (I'll check again later to be sure.) That would get you to TO in time for a 9 am flight. Is there no way he can turn in your TO-Cal flight and use the credit for Ott-Cal direct? I'll see what I can see - I think you were having trouble booking on the Internet, but I could do it for you if necessary. Back later!