Hello, all. Sorry I've been MIA - it always takes me a few days to recover after a visit home to the egregious SM, and now I'm on day 2 of a monster headache. :headache: We are not amused. On the plus side, this morning was a happy time at weigh-in; :goodscale no change to the ticker until I believe it's for real

Mel, I agree with those that have already confirmed that you are one sexy lady. And I think the gent in question is one of those who see beyond wheelchairs and sore eyes through to the jewel you are. I sense some major jealousy from the killjoy woman who made the comment. Maybe her name starts with "B", and doesn't end in "arbara"? :rofl:

Meadow, I'd never heard of hanging deodorant soap to protect plants etc from the deer! I'll have to pass that on to a country friend who gets tired of feeding the local wildlife with everything she plants.
As for Dr.Oz's nose bidet (neti pot), where the heck do they sell them?? I'm certain they'd help me a lot with the nose problems my septum surgery failed to fix. It would be so nice to just breathe freely!

Ceejay, good for you getting in all that mileage while at work! It all counts. Isn't it fantastic when the clothes start to fit!

Happy, have you received your pedometer yet? Is it one of the ones that works even if it's not in the exact position on your waist that they prescribe? I have two, neither of which I have much faith in. I haven't bothered measuring stride length so I never know my mileage, just the number of steps, which is good enough for me. On Friday when I went for a hike my total was only about 6000, but since much of it was straight up, scrambling over rocks and dodging black flies, it still took two hours. For the non-Canadians out there, black flies are tiny carnivorous demons that swarm around hikers' heads in search of blood. They make no warning noise on approach, but take a tiny chunk out of your flesh, leaving an incredibly itchy goose egg and a dribble of blood... They're no bigger than a small mosquito, and seem to be about 90% jaw... There aren't any in the city, but they swarm on golf courses and in the woods every spring.

Madcat, do let us know what news about the friend and the sister. Talk about a double whammy! We're all thinking good thoughts and hoping for the best. :goodvibes:

Holly, it sounds like life is treating you well these days. And I don't blame you for not following the news, sometimes it's lovely to spend some time in a little cocoon. I do read the paper, but tend to skim the non-local stuff and zip thru to the puzzle page. I too used to be a lot more informed.

Shad should be landing in LA in a few hours. Let's hope they let her in! I was sorry I didn't share the benefit of my little-plastic-bag-when-flying experience with Shad before it was too late. I bought a series of little plastic Nalgene (camping) bottles I decant various liquids into in order to get thru security, which has been acceptable so far. I almost lost my toothpaste once, even tho the tube was almost empty, because the rules say the size of the container is what matters, not the amount in it. :tantrum: The whole thing is ridiculous anyway, as is the business of having shoes xrayed. Of course I never say that while at security, as I have no desire to be jailed with all civil liberties suspended... Oops. This is becoming a rant. Travelling used to be so much easier!

I had a good laugh last night when I realized that shad fly season has started at the precise moment Shad is flying in. (My ex was a fly fisherman, and was always checking the screen door for evidence of a hatch...) They're harmless and don't stay around long. Can we say the same about our Shad? only time will tell, but maybe after this year they'll re-name them Joy-flies. ;)

Had a lovely chat with Ruthxxx in preparation for Shad's visit, discovered we're both champion talkers, :gossip: , and even learned that hummingbirds drop to the ground to mate... We're both looking forward to her arrival here, and trying to convince her to leave TO one night earlier... Of course we'll take what we can get, and will cram as much as possible into our allotted time. Too bad neither of us could make it to TO for a party down there with Madcat and Holly!

Well, the big pill I took seems to have helped the head, :dancer: unless it was the peppermint Migra-stick I rolled on my forehead or the extra-strong cappucino :coffee2:. The weather is glorious today, and I'm going down to our bbq pit with my neighbour and my cat for a burger :burger:. should be a pleasant time, although I must get back up before Lost starts. It's getting a bit violent for my taste, but I still don't want to miss the season final.

Rose, I just realized I forgot to say hi to you. Your last post was a little cryptic - did you mean the relationship was back on, or that the time apart had confirmed your decision to end it? :?: Maybe you don't need to make any definite decisions just yet, and can take the time it takes to know your heart. Meanwhile, you seem to have had a terrific time with the rafting crew!

Suzy, have you found a replacement job yet? If not, enjoy the time off - you'll be back at work before long.

By all! This turned out to be a long one after all, but then I've been awol for almost a week. Take care! :wave:

Hi Guys - just a quick drop by to update on what is happening. My sister had her biopsy yesterday and she was feeling well enough to call me to let me know how it went. I'm not 100% sure but I think they may have even sent her home today, or rather to my nephew's place. It will take a week to get the results and the results will determine what the next steps will be. So we wait and hope. My friend is slated to start her first round of chemo tomorrow - though given the way her treatment has gone so far, I'd be surprised if it does happen. She will be shipped to the Big Cancer Hospital for treatment and then returned to the hospital where she is now for recovery. Not sure when she will get to go home. The biggest problem patients seem to face is the complete lack of certainty. It sucks.

Holly~ My allergies are wicked bad right now too. Stupid air quality alerts. Hey, do you have any preferences/ thoughts about meeting with the Shad woman? I was thinking could go on a road trip. Or do some sort of crazy urban activity? Any thoughts? I can do either the 11th or 12th too.

Happy~ Don’t get rid of the blackbirds. They are nice. I think I may have been a red-winged blackbird in another life. Wow, a month off would be pretty amazing. Heck I’m looking forward to my two days off next week.

Mel~ When a man says you are sexy you are supposed to say “Yes, thank you, I know”. :lol: Tell that killjoy with the chair comments to get stuffed. Watch your shoulder, honey. See, too much dairy is bad for you!!

Ceejay~ Wow, your mileage is pretty impressive. How many steps is 2 miles?

Madow~ I am glad to see another not so secret Corrie St fan. Maria & Charlie are very ewwww. He is a creepy man. My sister actually has the number of days since she last ran written on the whiteboard on the wall of her hospital room. That and the number of days since her last cigarette. So some good is coming out of this.

Carla~ Are the blackflies out? Carnivorous demons! I love your description. Ah, you also get to hang out with Ruth when Shad is here? Wish there was a way to manage a bigger gathering – but timing doesn’t seem to be working in our favour.

Ok, I better get a move on. Most of this night was spent in a co op committee meeting. Oh joy. The weather is warming up and, of course, the air quality is going down the toilet. Tomorrow promises to be the first hot, muggy day of the season and they are already issuing the “try not to do anything other than stand quietly outside” warnings. This is such a weird place to live sometimes.

I'm incoherent and it's time for bed.

Quickie just to keep my worldly status. Is Delta still part of the world?

I am starting to see the end of my kitchen renovation mess. The cabinets are to be delivered today - that's encouraging, right? There is a remote possibility that I will have a usable kitchen this weekend. Cross your fingers for me because I'm getting very low on patience and easily irritated - you could even say bytchy!

Have a shiny day.

Morning chicks,

Nice to see you stop by Ruth. :wave: Tough to be without a kitchen - hope it gets put together quick.

Madcat - glad your sister is doing better. I agree with you that when you face a devastating illness - stability is kind of like hope - something good to hang on to. As for the blackbirds - they are not the sweet little red winged blackbirds of which we have one occasionally show up - no, these are the sons of devils grackles. The kind that are so black they shine bluish. The kind that travel in gangs, are aggressive, run all the other birds off, squack in the trees making a big ruckus and calling their friends and can clean out a huge bird feeder in 24 hours. The fact that they run the other birds out is what mostly marks them for elimination in my book. :mad:

Carla - I think you can get neti pots in lots of places online. My sister was talking about them - supposed to be very good if you are plagued with sinus problems. I'm still trying to deal with the concept tho :yikes: Those blackflies sound horrid. :eek: I am very proud of you for taking that hike in spite of them.

Meadow - good to hear from you again. The garden sounds lovely with all the blooming flowers! The pool is not open yet but will be this weekend.

Ceejay - we will have to make some plans to get together for Shads visit, I'll send you something this weekend. Not sure if I have your telephone number.

Nice to hear things have settled down with the DH Holly.

Must be getting to that time of year when you have delightful mornings Rose - birds singing, sun shining and it's not -2 degrees outside :lol:

Sexie Sadie - um I mean Miss Mel. :lol: There is something very attractive about a fiesty woman, a take charge, no :censored: Sam kinda gal. So nod your head just ever so slightly, give 'em a wink and a "yeah baby" and go laughing as you truck on down the hall. Goes to show you that you can still be cute even if you do have to back away from the Starbucks :lol:

I peeked at the advance weather for next week. Tho not 100% reliable it appears that Shad is bringing the hot weather along with her. It's going to get hotter as the week wears on with the sunny and the mid 90's, just about kissing 100 on 2 days. We will have to plan for morning or evening jaunts and spend the afternoons at the pool. I will be melting and she will be in her element. What heat? :dunno: :lol:

Time is running out on finishing up the old job - trying not to get completely sucked into the new one until after I get back from vacation. Tomorrow is Friday - a welcome 3 day weekend and the unofficial start of summer. And they are closing the office early at 3pm to boot. :dance: :dance:

I'm off to work on Crystal Reports. Got a tricky problem figured out yesterday. 6 hours of constant grumbling and frustration wiped out in 10 minutes when I finally figured out how to select just exactly the data I needed. Kinda like giving birth - forget the pain once you achieve success :D - happy Thursday chicks.

Happy--Thanks for mentioning the "gas" for the dentist appointment. Didn't realize he had it to use. This visit went much easier. The temporary crown is in place the real one comes June 7. I know what you mean by the black birds.
I'll p.m. you with the information.

Ruth--Good to see you this morning.

Hope Shad doesn't have any trouble traveling. I heard on the news that there may be some delays at the air ports this week end.

The gas here has gone up to $3.06. My travel plans will be short distances, within an hour or two drives this summer. My longer trips that I have planned may have to wait till fall.

To every one else hello.

CEEJAY~ SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT BUD'S MOM. WOW 93!!
SHE CAN COME HERE WITH US!! IF ALL THE CHICKS WENT TO TENN THEN SHOO THEM HOME WHEN THEY GO PAST YOUR PLACE. :rofl:

MEADOW~ HOW NICE TO HAVE THE SISTERS AND CORONATION STREET! BET IT WAS GOOD FUN. THIS WEATHER IS HEALING ALL THAT AILS ME....MAINLY INSIDE ME. LOL WERE YOU LOOKING IN YOUR CRYSTAL BALL? THE HEDGE SOUND NICE. WE HAVE JUNIPER TREES THAT WERE TINY ONCE UPON A TIME.....LOL
HOPE ALL THE OUTDOORSY PLANTING IS GIVING YOU A CLEANSING TIME TOO!!

CARLA...BIOTCH!!! IS THAT THE RIGHT WORD???:rofl: I AM CONSIDERING THE SOURCE WHERE THE COMMENTS CAME FROM. VERY SAD...YES IT WAS JEALOUSY. BUT TOO BAD THEY COULD NOT HAVE LET ME HAVE MY 5 MINUTES OF GLORY. :cb: HOPE YOUR NEIGHBOR IS OK....AND ALSO THAT YOU ARE FEELING MUCH BETTER..SCREW THE SM. YOU'RE A GOOD PERSON EVEN TO BOTHER WITH HER!!! LOL BUT THEN YOU MUST KNOW THAT...RIGHT? :hug:
JOY FLIES:lol3: :lol3: :lol3:

MADCAT~ TOO MUCH DAIRY IS BAD FOR ME :rofl:
YOU CRACKED ME UP. ON A SERIOUS NOTE: I AM THINKING GOOD THOUGHTS BY THE DOZEN FOR THE SISTER AND THE FRIEND. PRAYING FOR GOOD NEWS AND RECOVERIES. THE WAITING AND UNCERTAINTY ARE THE WORST PARTS. HOPE THEY BOTH STAY POSITIVE. :hug:
THINKING GOOD THOUGHTS FOR YOU ALSO SO YOU CAN STAY STRONG FOR THEM TOO!! :hug:

HELLO BYTCH!! OOPS....I MEAN RUTH!!! :rofl: GLAD TO HEAR THE KITCHEN IS COMING ALONG. GOOD LUCK AND ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO SEE YOUR FRIENDLY FACE HERE!!
LOVE TO YOU AND THE DOGGIES!!

:wave: FOR HOLLY AND HER BROOD.

HAPPY~ HOPE YOU HAVE GIVEN BIRTH TO THE PROJECT AND ARE RESTING PEACEFULLY NOW!!! :dance: ALSO GLAD THE WEEKEND IS STARTING A WEE BIT EARLY....ALL THE BETTER TO TACKLE THE TO DO LIST :rofl: YOUR POST HAS ME GIGGLING OVER HERE........

THIS MORNING I WENT TO DO 2 LOADS OF WASH, THEN WAS ASKED IF I WAS GOING FOOD SHOPPING AND I SHOULD GO JUST TO GET OUT. MORE JEALOUSY AROSE. SO I CAME UP, CHANGED AND BEFORE I LEFT WITH WILLY, I WAS SINGING "I'M TOO SEXY FOR MY SHIRT, TOO SEXY FOR MY CHAIR" AND I'VE SUNG IT ALL DAY!! :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:
IT'S BEEN A VERY GOOD DAY. HAD LUNCH WITH THE "BOYS" AND A WALK WITH A FRIEND AND NOW I AM IN THE A/C. THE TEMPS ARE HEATING UP RAPIDLY JUST IN TIME FOR MISS SHAD BUT THE A/C IS ON FOR ME!! LOL HOPE I DON'T FREEZE HER OUT!! I HAVE LOADS OF WASH AND FEW GROCERIES TO PUT AWAY SO I BETTER SKEEDADDLE. :moped:
HAVE A GREAT NIGHT AND HAPPY THURSDAY!

Hi Everyone, I just looked at Shad's trip....wow..... she is going to be in that canyon I drove through and had my one of my frightening experiences in March..... it seems to funny to think of our Oz girl tripping around on this soil. I hope she has a great time.... looking at when she is going to be over on the coast in BC...geez I wish I could see her too!!!!

I am tired today and not getting very ready to leave tomorrow for my trip. Larry showed up with a rose and his heart on his sleeve today..... but I just have to be strong and remain clear about our future. It is tough in any relationship to know for sure...but your gut is a better indicator than your heart sometimes...right?

Cold here today and Teeka finally snapped out of her little sick spell. SHe is so tiny and fragile it shows immediately when she has a tummy ache. but she is fiesty again and ready to take on the deer.... We have both mule deer and white tail deer here in ID.

Hope this finds everyone well. I am working again tonight for my private patient so I better keep working to be ready for my trip tomorrow...
Love to all,
Peace,
nae

Hi folks. I'm tired :tired: and hot :hot: and cranky :tantrum:. No reason why, :dunno: , some days are just like that. :kickcan: I'll be back when I get over myself. :(

Don't know if Shad is in the building; maybe she doesn't need to know it snowed in Calgary today... Hope she brought her boots and mitts. ;)

Evening all,
I did post last night but for some reason or other the hotel computer wouldn't put it into the forum. Since others were waiting to use it, I just shut the site down and left in a huff.
Got here safely, uneventful trip, meals were quite good. AND the American Immigration service were surly and rude but otherwise relatively speedy. The customs people were great - are you carrying ?????????? or ??? or ???? Um let me have a look at the list and I'll tell you. No, no, no and no. Okay have a good trip! Isn't it nice when we can work together. Then down to terminal one to catch the Phoenix flight. Would you like to forgo your seat because we are overbooked. No. Oh! Tough lady, I've been travelling for 24 hours, I've done enough waiting around dreary airports, I want out and I think you should want me out before I get grumpy. Ohhh okay.
Picked up the rental car, made two right turns instead of left turns and had to turn around and try again. Found the right way, got on the I10 and then got into the wrong line (left instead of right) okay, maybe I'll just do a bit of speed driving here and get over there. Okay, heres the hotel. So that was okay. Rung one of the ladies on another thread, but she was not home and her husband couldn't understand a word. So I will ring her again later in the week.
Drove up here to Prescott/ Chino Valley perfectly, then got lost (turned left instead of right) okay, so chucked a 'u' turn and got back to where I should have been and found the place - so here I am tucked into a nice house, nice food and nice company. It's all good so far. Tomorrow we are going into Prescott for the day. N has some business there, my business is shopping and looking and photography, then we have a Fish Fry at night and on Saturday an Indian Pow Wow. Not been to one of those before. Then we have Memorial day, lunch with the girls and a trip to someplace in the hills planned as well as Oak Canyon and Sedona. N tells me I don't have time for New Mexico or Memphis as she has lots more things we can do.

And that's about it from me.
Ruth, I'm pleased you are getting your kitchen back.
Madcat - hope the news is okay with the sister and the friend.
Happy - get out there and chase them blackbirds. Good exercise up and down trees. :lol3:
Mel - do you think NJ is ready for me yet?

gotta go. Back maybe tomorrow.

Prescott? You're in Prescott? Holy cow - we fell in LOVE with Prescott. (pres-KIT not pres-scott) Just can't afford to live there. No industry (jobs) at all. :( Happy, no jobs and a large casino in town is not a good mix :D

Have a wonderful time. I am so in awe of you driving by yourself. Tell N that 1)she has to share :rofl: and 2) stay AWAY from my Jaffas :lol3: :lol3: :lol3:

Hello Curlylocks - I remember you from another thread. Was that Red's 21 day challenge thread? Carla were you there? Man oh manashevitz - a mind is a terrible thing to lose :lol:

Carla - you can't be serious. Snow? Now? :faint:

No usable kitchen this weekend but I am keeping my cool. It sure takes lots of planning to eat properly without a kitchen or sink! My sister is away and has offered me her house at the Farm for a while but that just won't work out for the Girls. There is no fenced yard and my darlings are absolutely insulted if they are tied up! I'd let them roam but there are too many wild "critters" at the farm - skunks, bears and foxes plus some coyotes that look like wolves to me! So we'll just carry on here at home.

So nice to read that Shad is en route. I wonder if I'll have a kitchen when she gets here. If not, we'll just eat out at the Long Horn and she'll get a good slice of Canadian redneck culture from the good old boys!

My kitchen workies are to be here for 7:30 so I should get out of my robe. On the other hand.........

:cheer: THE SHAD HAS LANDED!!! GLAD TO HEAR THAT ALL WENT WELL AND YOU ARE PLEASANTLY ON YOUR ROAD TO R&R!! SO GLAD YOU FINALLY MADE ALL THE RIGHT TURNS IN THE END!! :rofl: STAY WELL!
ENJOY THE TIME WITH EVERYONE! :hug:

CARLA~ MY INNER SELF IS FEELING A BIT LIKE YOU BUT MY OUTER SELF IS COVERING IT UP!! :dance:
SENDING MORE :hug:

HAPPY~ DID YA CLEAN THE DANG LOO YET???? THE INSPECTOR GENERAL IS ON HER WAY!!! :scooter:
I THINK THAT 21 DAY THREAD IS WHERE I FIRST READ CARLA'S POSTS....WHEN I WAS CALLING HER CLARA :rofl:

RUTH~ USE THE CATTLE PROD ON THE KITCHEN BOYS!!! THAT'LL GET THEIR BUTTS MOVING FAST!! WISH I WAS GOING TO THE LONGHORN WITH YOU BOTH!!

HELLO TO CURLYLOCKS :wave: NICE OF YOU TO DROP IN.

NAE~ VERY HAPPY TO HEAR TEEKA IS FEELING BETTER. PORR LITTLE THING. HOPE YOUR RESOLVE HOLDS UP AND THAT YOU WILL BE HAPPY. SENDING :hug: AND GOOD THOUGHTS YOUR WAY. ENJOY THE TRIP!!!

I WOKE AT 5 AM THIS MORNING. NOT SURE WHAT THAT WAS ALL ABOUT. COULDN'T SLEEP THEN BUT I FEEL TIRED NOW :rofl: AIN'T THAT ALWAYS THE WAY??
GOING TO BE A SCORCHER THEY SAID ON THE NEWS. 93 DEGREES. THIS IS RIDICULOUS. NOT 3 WEEKS AGO IT WAS ONLY 33 ONE NIGHT :faint: THEY'RE CALLING IT UNSEASONABLE WEATHER....MUST HAVE HITCHED A RIDE WITH SHAD'S PLANE :lol3: :lol3:
SOME SAD NEWS IS THAT OUR BOOKKEEPER,SILVIS, LOST HER BATTLE WITH CONGESTIVE HEART PROBLEMS FOLLOWING A SURGERY LAST YEAR. THE MEMORIAL SERVICE WAS YESTERDAY. THEY SAID IT WAS NICE. I CHOSE NOT TO GO. I DON'T "DO" FUNERALS VERY WELL.
THE BLDG IS VERY QUIET AS A RESULT. I AM GOING DOWN THERE IN A FEW TO START GETTING THEM OUT OF THEIR FUNK. ROUND THEM UP AND GET THEM OUTSIDE FOR SOME SUN AND FUN :beach: OTHER THAN THAT,
NOTHING IS PLANNED FOR THE NEXT FEW DAYS. JUST IN THE HOLIDAY MODE. HOPE YOU ALL HAVE A HAPPY FRIDAY!! :moped:

Good morning ladies,

All I have time for this morning is a quick read. Will have to catch up with you tonight. We should all be in a good mood today - at least those of us in the states - 3 day holiday weekend. Of course that mood will sour considerably when we get in the fiasco of the goofs on the road all in a bigger hurry than usual to go no where, where we will mumble and speed and waste gasoline which just so happens to have accelerated in price as we get to a holiday weekend. I will try to stay calm. :yoga: How about you? :lol:

Catch y'all later... :wave:

Morning all,
And a beautiful morning it is too in downtown Chino Valley. The garden is watered (tomato and strawberries coming along a treat) but there is an infestation of grasshoppers and N is swearing loudly about the mess they have made to the corn.
Got a bit cool last night but was okay inside the house so I won't complain. Had a fairly restless sleep - probably trying to determine left from right - it's giving me a headache! I feel dyslexic much of the time, but there you go. We had a good old chinwag about old times and old friends last night and decided we have been friends for 42 years. Ye gods! That's a lifetime for some of us.
Today we are going to Presscott which is about 15 miles south of here. This will be good. I need to get some new batteries for my camera which have mysteriously flattened over the last week. I really ought to get a camera case for it to stop this happening. Might see if I can find one today.

Carla - I really didn't need to know about the snow in Calgary - however it will be good if there is still snow on the Rockies when I go through. Hope you are less grumpy today.

Happy - your jaffas are safe, N has her pineapple lumps. She's more partial to them and she also has her malt biscuits and her toffee pops and Anzac biscuits as well. Oh and her vegemite. She's content at this time. Mind you if the lumps keep disappearing at this speed, she may not be content for long.

Mel - your sleep pattern is in sync with mine. I was awake on the hour for most of the early am as well. Go have a nanna nap. We'll catch up again soon.

Okay - time to go - I hear the RSM making Prescott type noises, so I better go get my driving hat on and see if I can get around the town. It's not that big so I'm sure I can do this thing.

When you lot see me, the fingernails will be chewed to the knuckles.

Have fun.

:wave: TO HAPPY!!! HELLO!!!! HOPE THE DAY WENT WELL.

SHAD~ LEAVE SOME NAILS ON SO THE DS DOESN'T THINK WE GAVE YOU TORTURE TREATMENTS WHILE YOU WHERE HERE....I OF COURSE WILL DENY EVERYTHING! :rofl: STAY ON THE RIGHT SIDE AND AND YOU CAN'T GO WRONG :faint: GOOD LUCK!! FUNNY TO THINK OF YOU HERE ALREADY!!

THE FIREMEN HAVE BEEN HERE TWICE. NO ONE WANTED TO LISTEN TO ME BUT IN THE END ONE OF THEM DID. I WAS RIGHT AND THE ALARM WAS BEING TRIGGERED OFF BY ANOTHER VENT DUCT OTHER THAN THE ONE THEY THOUGHT. ONE WOMAN AGAINST MANY MEN....:rofl: :rofl: I SHOULD HAVE KEPT QUIET AND THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN HERE LONGER!!! GOD SOME OF THEM WERE REAL HANDSOME DEVILS!!! :dance: SOME OF THEM EVEN HAD THE GRACE TO SAY THANK YOU!! LOL IT'S GOOD TO BE THE QUEEN ONCE AND AWHILE!! OUT OF SHEER DESPERATION I GOT A LITTLE HEATED UP AND SAID I HAVEN'T LIVED AND WORKED ION THIS BLDG NOT TO HAVE LEARNED SOMETHING. THEN THEY NWENT TRAIPSING BACK TO THE ROOF AND LOW AND BEHOLD THEY FOUND ANOTHER DUCT WITH FAULTY BURNED OUT SMOKE ALARMS. ALL IS WELL NOW AND THEY HAVE GONE AFTER SCREWING AROUND SINCE 3:30!!! 3 HRS AND 15 MINUTES! OK GOING TO EAT AND PRAY SHAD IS KEEPING TO HER SIDE OF THE STREET!!! :moped:

Mel-So sad to hear about your book keeper. Good for you that you stood your ground with the fireman. I have to do that with Tim, the boss too. I think it's a woman knowing more than the man type thing that gets them the most. There has been a problem at work for a while and Tim will not give in. He's worked his way through every thing else.

Shad--You are lot braver than I would be driving in a different country.

I've been outside playing with the neighbor's children. They are so sweet.

I need to clean up the kitchen and get ready for bed. I should sleep good tonight.

CEEJAY.... IS PROBABLY STILL TUCKED IN HER BED DREAMING OF SANDBOXES :cloud9: KIDS CAN TAKE US BACK IN OUR MINDS TO WHEN CHOOSING A FLAVOR OF ICE CREAM WAS THE TOUGHEST PART OF THE DAY!
AND THANK YOU. IT' BEEN A TOUGH WEEK WITH HER PASSING AND HER DAD LIVES IN THE BLDG TOO.
I AGREE WITH YOU ABOUT THE "MAN" ATTITUDE. GUESS TIM IS NO EXCEPTION!!! :lol3:

well ladies....TODAY STARTS MY 3 DAYS OF DO NOTHING. MAYBE I SHOULDN'T SAY THAT....:flame: FEELS FUNNY TO BE AWAKE BEFORE SHAD NOW!! :rofl: :rofl:
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE!! :moped:

Morning chicks,

Got up early and going to try and get 1 hour of clean up around the pool in before I have to go get my hair done. Hello summer blonde :carrot: Such a mess by the pool. The neighbor's pine trees not only shade the pool too much but they drop these big long (like 6 inch) pine needles ALL OVER. I filled up 4 huge trash bags yesterday and barely made a dent. DH is suffering from a migraine so I'm trying to help him out. We hope to open the pool this weekend.

Lots to do before zero hour on Friday. :lol:

Mel - sorry to hear about your bookkeeper. Glad the firemen finally listened to you. Enjoy the "view" - hope the rest of the weekend is quiet for you, just doing fun things to amuse yourself :lol:

Hope you got your kitchen back Ruth - they say that's the hardest room to lose. I know - been there and I agree.

Ceejay - did you sleep well? Playing with kids is fun - especially the ones that eventually go home. :D I will contact you this weekend. Probably by email - although mind you I've been forgetful lately. Forgot to call mom TWICE in the last 2 days.

Shad - you'll get a break when you come here - no driving - unless of course you want to. :s: I don't advise it. People don't know how to drive any more. Hope you are enjoying Arizona. See you soon.

Feeling better Carla?

Hope things are calmer (and warmer) on your side of the U.S. Rose.

I must get going - hate to waste getting up at 6 on sitting in front of the computer. Hellos to Madcat, Meadow and Holly and anyone else I might have forgotten. Enjoy your Saturday.

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

:wave: 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! :cb: 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.

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.

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

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. :lol: 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.

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.

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

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! :lol3: GOOD LUCK ON YOUR NEW CONTRACT AND ALL THE BEST WISHES I CAN SEND. :hug: YES....MACHOISM STILL EXISTS :faint: WTF :tantrum: 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!!! :beach:

:wave: TO ALL THE OTHER CHICKS :wave:

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. :love: 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 :moped:

Morning chicks,

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

:wave: 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.

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

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 :D - 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 :sssh: 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. :wave: :wave: :wave: :wave: :wave: - whoa outta breath there :lol:

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 :rofl: Rinse off your coffee cup, don't leave empty water bottles on the counters :rollpin: Yep, the housefrau is back :snooty:

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*

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.

Afternoon from Chino
Today we went out to lunch (don't need dinner :nono: ). 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. :rofl:

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.

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 :wave:

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!!!

The flower seeds I planted have all sprouted!! :carrot: 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 :p :lol:

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 :lol3: I bet you are surrounded by people asking you questions. Are you seeing many new things that intrigue you? :hug: 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 :dizzy:

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 :nono: 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 :D I love fruit in the kitchen :twirly:

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 :coffee: :faint:

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 :goodvibes

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

:wave: Hi worldly chicks

Quickie again! The Journals are back up, by the way - we lost the avatars but found them again!

My kitchen is progressing - Mike comes to work here 5 to 8 after his other jobs and did the grouting last night. What a messy job. He's back tonight to set the pot lights. Amy the Kitchen Guru was in this morning for an inspection and my dear friend Claire, who works on Habitat projects, came in and installed my dish towel rack and garbage rack thingie. Since I can't kneel, it's almost impossible for me to get under the sink. It's certainly much better than last week!

Big waves and hugs to everyone. this is quite a group!

Meadow, if I get a chance to go out West to Nanaimo, we may meet. Where are you? I need to go visit Mel one of these days too and Hollyhock is on the list for a summer road trip! I wish I had a personal jet!

Garden chores are calling!

MEADOW....I FORGOT ABOUT THE SOPRANOS MARATHON TILL IT WAS ALMOST OVER!!! GLAD SOMEONE GOT TO SEE IT! LOL HAPPY SUMMER:beach:

HAPPY...GET THAT POOL GOING...I AM ON MY WAY! SHALL I BRING A COP OR TWO?? MAYBE SOME FIRIES FOR THE BBQ???? :rofl: I JUST WAS LOOKING SOMEWHERE AND SAW 54" CURTAINS!! LOL

SHAD~ YA SHOULDA BEEN HERE FRIDAY NIGHT WITH THE FIREMEN!!! DAMNATIONS SOME WERE HUNKY!!!
COPS ARE CUTIES TOO! TAKE YOUR PICK! LOL

HOLLY IS GETTING REAdy for the grand meeting of the year!!!

CEEJAY~ GLAD THE EXCITEMENT HAPPENED WHILE YOU WERE OFF!!! :rofl: OR WAS IT GOOD STUFF?!?! LOL

I BEGAN THIS POST ABOUT 6 HRS AGO I THINK. GOT CALLED AWAY AND JUST GOT IN. THE USUAL BS CAUSE THE BOSS LADY TOOK A DAY OFF SO CLOSE TO THE ELECTION. GOD SAVE US FROM OURSELVES! :lol3: TOO TIRED NOW AND VERY HUNGRY!! AND I NEED A SHOWER AND STILL HAVE GROCERIES TO PUT AWAY. ;faint:
HAVE A GREAT NIGHT! :moped:

Afternoon all,
It's been a fairly quiet day here. I took the dog out for some exercise this morning. She's only young and not trained yet, so that was fun. Nice dog.

Then we went and gassed up the car and then went shopping for groceries. I have bought myself some dried and fresh fruit and some biscuits to nibble on while I am driving. It should take me around 6 hours, provided of course I don't get lost. I have minute instructions from mapquest but I still have to stop to think about left and right etc. I'm getting there.

Fresh stone fruit and cherries in the store today. Yummo. I saw some mango and thought of Happy, but they are not suitable for eating while driving.

Anyway, better go help get dinner on the table. See you all soon.

Goodness, so much happens while the server is out!

I'm very jealous - really wish I could join Holly and Madcat and the Shadfly on the 11th in TO, but will be not only working but working late.

Happy, I'm so jealous of your pool. When I owned a little house before condodom, I had a backyard pool and I miss it so much. I do think it's funny that I used to open it the second week of May up here in the frozen north, and Happy has only just opened hers end May in the tropics... How great that Ceejay will be able to join in for a Shad visit!! I'm so amazed at how all this is coming together!

Mel, we've chit-chatted via email - I can't believe they wake you up in the middle of the night and then don't wait until you get to the door! don't they realize you live for the boys in uniform?? Shame on them.

Meadow, will you be able to spend an evening with Shad, or just wave as she chugs by? If it's the chug option, you should find out ahead of time what her seat assignment is so you can be on the right side of the train. Or left, of course, if that's where she's sitting...

Ruth, it's lovely to see you here so much. Another Shad miracle! I'm seriously contemplating hopping into my car after work on the 14th and landing in on you and Shad and the doggage for dinner, unless of course we can convince Shad to leave TO on the 13th. Of course if I did invade you I'd bring along the inflatable and sleeping bag... Don't know the address, but Delta's pretty small, so there's no escape.

Yikes, sorry to those I"ve missed, but I just spent over an hour on the phone with a friend in mid-post, and now I'm tired... Will chat soon.
:wave: to all.

RUTH SORRY I MISSED YOUR POST. GLAD THE KITCHEN IS GETTING THERE. BET YOU LONG FOR THE DAY IT IS FINISHED ALTOGETHER!! OR WILL YOU MISS THE "BOYS"?
LOL

SHAD~ TOO BAD THE DOG CAN'T KEEP YOU COMPANY ON THE DRIVE. MAYBE HE KNOWS HIS LEFT FROM RIGHT! :rofl: DON'T BE SPITTING CHERRY PITS OUT THE WINDOWS AT PASSER BYS!!! YOU MIGHT GET A TICKET :lol3: ENJOY!

CARLA~ YOU MADE ME LAUGH WHEN YOU SAID "REAL TIME" IN THE EMAIL. I WAS THINKING THE SAME THING WHEN I SENT IT. WAS OUT ON A CALL WHEN IT CAME IN OTHERWISE YOU'D HAVE HAD ANOTHER REAL TIME ANSWER :rofl:

IN THE LAUNDRY ROOM AGAIN. WASHING THE CLOTHES THAT ARE GOING TO A GOOD HOME. THE WOMAN HASN'T MUCH MONEY AND NEITHER DOES HER SISTER. I FOUND A BAG OF CURTAINS IN THE CLOSET. MUST HAVE HIDDEN THEM THERE LAST YEAR:rofl: WONDERED WHERE THEY WENT....NOW IN THE WASHER TOO!
I AM OFF TO EAT A BREAKFAST BAR OUT IN THE BACKYARD. NICE AND COOL!
HAPPY WEDNESDAY :moped:

:wave: TO MISS HAPPY WHO MIGHT BE BREATHING DOWN MY NECK!! :wave: