Memphis in May for the Worldly Chicks
 

Ok ladies - say goodbye to Australia :wave: - it was a lovely visit. Pack a book, get comfy - we're traveling "across the pond" and spending the month of May in Memphis, TN - U.S.A.

Trying not to complicate the thread with lots of graphics so I'll give you a visual tour as you touch down.

Not that big of an airport, is it? At least you don't have to lug your luggage far - hey - is that the definition of luggage - stuff you lug? :rofl: Ok, as we cruise out of the airport, notice the huge airfield off to the left. That's the home base of FedEx formerly known as Federal Express - when it absolutely, positively, HAS to be there overnight - or in a day or two. :D Let's swing by downtown on our way out of the airport (can you tell DH is driving). Memphis is rich in music history - some say Memphis is the birth place of modern rock and roll. There's Sun Records which was known for giving notable musicians such as Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Roy Orbison, and Johnny Cash their first recording contracts and helping to launch their careers. There's also the Stax Records which created the popular Memphis Blues and Southern Soul sounds. We'll take a walk down Beale Street and listen to the music one night later on in the month. Over on your left is the Peabody Hotel. Every morning a family of mallard ducks makes the trip from their rooftop home, down the elevator several floors and marches through the lobby in a grand parade to spend the day in the hotel lobby fountain. Then again at 5 they make the return trip back up to the roof to their home for the night. It's cute to see and the Grand Master assures that the little children always get the best front row seats. Ok, we'll come back again for a better look but out the window you can catch a look at the Mighty Mississippi river. Pretty huge, isn't it? The Mississippi flows from the northern tip of the country all the way down to the Port of New Orleans in the south. They say the sunsets are quite spectacular down by the river and I'd have to agree.

Weather wise, it's pretty nice here right now. In the low 80's (F) during the day, around 58 to 60 (F) at night. Just for Carla - the magnolia trees are blooming. Giant white pods - longer than your hand from finger tip to wrist. They gently unfold like crepe paper to expose the blossom and if you get up close they have the most delightful fragrance of lemon. The blooms have faded from the azaleas and spring trees and have been replaced by the flowers and bulbs. The irises are a little past peak but still pretty. The purple and yellow and white pansies are loving the cooler weather and here and there you see peeks of hibiscus and other flowers poking about.

There's birdies everywhere - watch overhead :lol: :rain: If you listen carefully you'll hear the teletale high pitched peep peep of baby birds all about. The parents are still weaning their young so you'll see pairs of red bellied and downy woodpeckers, thrashers, cardinals and all sorts of sparrows and wrens. We have been feeding the mocking birds their favorite grapes and it appears that they also have a penchant for Kit and Kaboodle dry cat food which they steal up to the porch and sneak off with a piece or two throughout the day. Personally I think they picked that up from the blue jays who can empty a dish faster than any cat I know :lol: And just in time for your arrival - the ruby throated hummingbirds are back in town. I noticed one yesterday buzzing the empty hanging pots and we quickly made up some hummer juice. Today I noticed that there are 2 of them in the whole town and they both landed in my yard and are already trying to run each other off and claim the feeder for their own. (Extra feeders are being sanitized and prepared now). We have one baby robin who is a riot. He sees the other birds on the feeder and says "I'm gonna get me sum mah dat stuff". He sits on the top of the bench and flys at the feeder. Not sure how to quite land on it and he quickly flops off but as DH noticed, not before he awkwardly popped his head in a feed hole and grabbed a seed for himself.

Let me go rinse off the last of the pollen from the patio furniture so we can sit and chat. Make yourselves at home and welcome to Memphis... and say hello to the neighborhood cats. The gray and white one is ours.

A big southern hello to y'all :wave: :wave: :wave: oh and a mint julep for Meadow :hat:

Meadow - before I forget :rofl: absolutely LOVED the "I'm FINE" graphic. You're outdone yourself again. Alright - better get these sleepy eyes off to bed. Catch up in the morning. 'Night all and a Good Afternoon for those of you boarding the flight at Sydney.

Happy May Day
 

Dear Happy, that was an enchanting entrance into Memphis. Thank you for the sweet welcome and the tour I enjoyed it very much this early morning with my coffee. It gave me the lazy laid back feelin' of just wanting to sit in the yard and sip and chat with ya all! Hope the month gives us more tours of your great state.

It is a beautiful morning here with the deer all over the hills. Teeka is feeling much better and back to her old self. Toby is busy looking out the window at the wildlife. I am about to do some more house work to be ready for my houe guest. I am so excited to have my friend Gail come for a few days.

Spring is such a grand time and it seems to fly by because we wait so long for it to arrive during our winter months. I do hope everyone is well and we enjoy our time in Happy's back yard.....
Peace,
Nae

Good Morning Chicks,

The sun is shining, the birds are singing - the start of a new day **yawn, stretch**

Nae - glad you enjoyed the touch down here. I think you would enjoy many of the things here tho you would probably miss the big skies of your home state. The camping trip sounded wonderful - except for the ticks :yikes: but that is a hazard this time of year. Have a great time visiting with your friend today. Always nice to have some company around.

Carla, good going on getting into those smaller jeans! :broc: Nothing says success as much as getting into smaller pants. Keep up the good work. Oh and you wanted to know about wildlife. The other day I was driving down the road and there was a dead armadillo - yes an armadillo laying in the road. Apparently they have made their way east from Painterwoman's Texas as predicted. We have a gazillion squirrels because apparently it's illegal here to shoot them and no bunnies to be seen (we've only seen 1 in the over 2 years we've been here) because as I'm told it's NOT illegal to shoot them. Can you imagine?????? :(

Meadow - my SIL puts almond butter in smoothies and all sorts of things for the healthy protein boost. You're right about the pampas grass having knife like edges. Between the holly and the pampas grass I'm glad the DH does the trimming. :lol:

Shad - hope things have calmed down. Is this the big push to the finish?

Mel - looking forward to what kind of avatar you're going to pull up for this month. Memphis is known for blues, BBQ and Elvis. Take it from there. :lol:

Suzi - lunch is over, come back here :lol:

Wow Ceejay - you have to mop the floors at work? Cripes - that's as bad as being at home :lol:

Ok, got to get on with my day and thanks for the belated birthday wishes ladies.

This chick is about an hours drive from Memphis. Are we going to the Pink Palace as well as Elvis's estate?

Not much to do today. I'll change out the chemicals around 10 a.m. or so.

Happy--We are a jack of all trades where I work.

Hello to the rest.

DEAREST HAPPY YOU HAVE OUTDONE YOURSELF!! THE VISUAL IS OUTSTANDING AND I AM ALREADY IN LOVE WITH MEMPHIS. I AM ALSO LAUGHING BECAUSE THERE IS AN ADVERT ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE OF THIS PAGE FOR A DEBBIE MACOMBER BOOK CALLED "BACK ON BLOSSOM STREET". :rofl: :rofl: IS THIS AN OMEN???:yoga:
I AM NOT SURE IT WAS EVERYONE ELSES PICS....I THINK IT MAY HAVE BEEN MY OWN!!! :lol3: THANK THE DH FOR PICKING US UP AT THE AIRPORT. SORRY HE HAD A TOUGH TIME GETTING MY CHAIR INTO THE TRUNK :scooter: LET'S GO OUT ON THE PATIO AND CHAT AWAY MY SOUTHERN SISTER. :cofdate:
I BROUGHT THE STARBUCKS!!! :dance:

NAE~ GOOD TO SEE YOU HERE AND THERE! HAVE A GREAT TIME WITH YOUR FRIEND. I WOULD BE INTERESTED TO SEE HER TAKE ON THE BF THING TOO:rofl: HOPE ALL THE DOGGIES ARE OK BY NOW. AGE IS A TOUGH THING FOR ALL OF US!! :faint: BUT I THINK DOGS HANDLE IT BETTER THAN THEIR HUMAN FRIENDS :lol3:

MEADOW~ I LOVED THE FEELING FINE PIC. EVEN WHILE :dizzy: IT MADE ME LAUGH AND FEEL BETTER YESTERDAY. HAD TO READ IT TWICE TO GET IT THOUGH!!! ROFL

CEEJAY~ WISH WE COULD HAVE SENT YOU BACK TO BED ALSO!!! MAYBE NEXT TIME!! :rofl: GOOD LUCK WITH THE ACTONEL!!! STAY UPRIGHT!!

CARLA~ WISHING YOU STRENGTH FOR THE CONTINUING OF "THE PLAN". STAY STRONG!!! I KNOW IN MY HEART OF HEARTS THAT YOUARE HERE. :hug:

WHERE FOR ART THE REST OF US???

HAPPY MAY DAY TO YOU ALL. I AM MUCH BETTER. BUT I'LL FOOD SHOP AT THE END OF THE WEEK. A WEE BIT GROGGY FROM ALL THE SINUS MEDS. NOTHING IS NEW OR ON THE AGENDA. HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY AND STOP AND SMELL THE ROSES.....OR IN THIS CASE THE MAGNOLIA TREES!!! :moped:

Let us all go forth and be LUSTY in May
 

The month of May was come, when every lusty heart beginneth
to blossom, and to bring forth fruit; for like as herbs and trees
bring forth fruit and flourish in May, in likewise every lusty heart
that is in any manner a lover, springeth and flourisheth in lusty
deeds. For it giveth unto all lovers courage,
that lusty month of May.
- Sir Thomas Malory, Le Morte d'Arthur, 1485

Don't forget, we have a lovely zoo here too! I think this is the lineup for our Memphis in May Beale Street festival so be sure and bring your boots as the last few years it has always rained! :D
FRIDAY:
The Allman Brothers Band

Iggy & The Stooges
Three 6 Mafia
Koko Taylor

Sum 41
Gov't Mule
Social Distortion
Richard Johnston

Sharde Thomas and The Rising

Star Fife and Drum Band

Robert "Wolfman" Belfour
The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus
Jerry Lee Lewis
Chevelle
Hubert Sumlin & Willie Big Eyes Smith
Plain White T's
The Derek Trucks Band
North Mississippi Allstars
Popa Chubby


SATURDAY:
Steely Dan
Godsmack
George Thorogood
Bobby "Blue" Bland
The Bar-Kays
Wolfmother
The Ohio Players
Walter Trout &The Radicals
Kenny Wayne Shephard
Taking Back Sunday
Taj Mahal
Ryan Shaw
Kelley Hunt
Old Crow Medicine Show
Jack's Mannequin
The John Butler Trio

Keller Williams

SUNDAY:
Alvin Youngblood Hart
Eddie Floyd
One Less Reason
The Duhks

Companyia Electrica Dharma -

(from Spain)
Daddy Mack Blues Band
Hawthorne Heights
David Honeyboy Edwards
Keller Williams




Counting Crows
John Legend
Hinder
Elvin Bishop
Barenaked Ladies
Corinne Bailey Rae
DAUGHTRY
Tab Benoit
Guster
Edwin McCain
Project Pat
Backdoor Slam
Umphrey's McGee
Ann Peebles
Papa Roach

Companyia Electrica Dharma -

(from Spain)
Watermelon Slim
Billy Lee Riley
Egypt Central
The Lee Boys
James "Super chikan" Johnson

GMA~ OMG!! BARE NAKED LADIES.....THAT WOULD REALLY MAKE HOTCUPOJAVA HAPPY!!! SHE IS ONE OF THEIR BIGGEST FANS!!:dance:

Wow Mel - a Magnolia AND a flying Elvis :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

I have tears in my eyes! Love 'em! And Mel - I've been working on an email to you for the last 3 days - sorry I'm such a slowpoke!

And thanks for the info Gma2one - I think we have one of the best zoos in the country. Got Pandas too. Get a load of the names of some of those bands, eh? Steeley Dan, Wolfmother, the Ohio Players and George Thorogood? What a mix - something for everyone right? http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e6...7/waltzing.gif

The Memphis in May event, the zoo, Graceland, the Gibson Guitar factory tour, the Pink Palace and Blanchard Caverns if we take a ride out of state. Enough to fill up a month here and more.

Don't forget I'm putting you all to work in the garden :s:

DON'T WORRY HAPPY I AM A PATIENT LADY :beach:
JUST KEEP THE LITTLE UMBRELLA DRINKS COMING AND I'LL EVEN DIG IN YOUR GARDEN!!! PROVIDING I CAN TAKE A COOLING DIP IN YOUR FROG POOL AFTERWARDS.

I THOUGHT YOU'D APPRECIATE THE "MEMPHIS TOUCH".
:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

Ooh, I am so jealous that Mel beat me to that avatar! I did find another version of the same thing, but still... Now we know what she was doing all day yesterday while she was "resting". Ha! Anyway, decided instead to pay tribute to the King and Happy's pool frogs in one fell swoop...

Today I worked and now I'm tired but soon to be less broke. Time for a nice nap in that lovely warm weather, enjoying Happy's drinkies, hummingbirds, and collection of cats. Wake me when the BBQ is ready...

I did post yesterday- I did, I did. Strange things are happening with the computer system here and obviously out there. I posted before Happy took us to this magical place.

Nice to see you gma2one, soon to be 2. Thanks for the info. Pity I am not going to be in Memphis in May isn't it. Well not physically anyways.

Mel, Carla. Love the avatars, you are both funny girls for the avatars. Can't wait to see what happens in June (we've been to Japan - how about Jersey?)
Anyway that remains in the future.

I'm sorting out jobs which appear to be coming out of my ears here. Trying to get out of Groote because of the 4 day stint and near enough 4 days of travel as well. Did the interview for the Perth job yesterday but don't really know whether I want that either. Someone rang me for work in Melbourne yesterday as well. Why can't someone suggest some work in Brisbane?

Started to pack up the house last night. Mostly clothes that I'll not wear again up here and a few foodstuffs which I will give to my fellow trainer as well as my big potplant which would not survive well in drought ridden Brisbane. She can have those on Monday. I'm going to go to Cairns for the weekend just because I can. Not sure what I will do there yet. Maybe spend some more money - Cairns can do that to you.

Anyway, I had better go get on with the day. I've wasted enough time on problems which should not be my business but if I don't solve them, who else cares?

Howdy folks! The madcat has landed in Memphis, ready to sit and listen to some music, eat some Q and soak in the ambiance. Did I ever mention I love George Thorogood?
Actually I have a massive sinus headache as a wet weather system storms in and then back out of our area. It’s not the rain, it’s the rapid change that is making my vision blurry. ‘Fraid I'm not going to be able to write much more than this. But I'll be back once the high pressure zone reasserts itself.

Think I'll have to find an Elvis cat avatar...

HI, nice new digs.

I am bleary, been going strong since 8am. Bon Jovi was on Idol. ***heart a fluttering*** Made me smile. Just placed a $1500.00 order. That's a lot of $ .99 lip balm.

Gas here has jumped again. It equals $5.50 US a gallon. sigh.

HUGS and LOVE!!

:wave: TO HAPPY WHO HAS HER LITTLE FINGERS BUSY ON THE KEYBOARD ABOVE ME I AM SURE :wave:

IT'S SO DARK OUT THAT IT LOOKS LIKE JUDY GARLAND'S KANSAS FARM!! EERIE LOOKING SKIES AND A WHOPPER OF A THUNDERSTORM LAST NIGHT. IN THE MICCLE OF THE STORM I WENT TO BED. AS I LIE THERE SHIVERING UNDER THE BLANKETS, ONE OF THOSE SUCTION HOOKS THAT WAS HOLDING A LIGHT SHAWL FELL OFF THE DOOR AND SCARED THE CRAP OUT OF ME. THERE I WAS TO TERRIFIED TO GET ME ARSE UP AND LOOK. THE STORM WAS A COMBO OF REGULAR THUNDER AND SOMETHING THAT SOUNDED LIKE ALIEN TRAINS WERE LANDING ON THE PLANET. VERY WEIRD NOISES. IF A DANCE OF COLORED LIGHTS HAD BEGUN I WOULD HAVE GONE UNDER THE BED!!! THINKING OF LITTLE GREEN MEN. :lucky:
SHADES OF ENCOUNTERS OF THE CLOSEST KIND!:yikes:
STILL RESTING TODAY. THIS EYE/EAR/NECK/HOULDER THING IS ALMOST A SINUS INFECTION BUT HASN'T QUITE MADE IT THERE...
SO I AM KEEPING TO THE REST AND MEDS PLAN IN HOPES OF WARDING IT OFF. PRAYING A LOT NOW. :yoga: WONDER IF GOD SEES A PATTERN HERE....:rofl:

CARLA~ YOU WERE THE ONE SENT ME LOOKING FOR AN AVATAR WITH YOU POST. :lol3: THE FROG IS CRACKING ME UP. WE MUST NEVER LOSE SIGHT OF HAPPY ENTERTAINING THE LITTLE GREEN CRITTERS IN HER POOL. HOPEFULLY SHE HAS FISHED THEM OUT SO WE CAN TAKE A DIP. :swim:
FOOD :hun: AND MORE DRINKS :cheers: WILL BE SERVED POOLSIDE TODAY AS WELL. DON'T BOTHER GETTING DRESSED UP!

SHAD~ GETTING READY FOR THE OLD HOMESTEAD MUST BE COMFORTING AFTER ALL THIS TIME. SEEMS LIKE YOU HAVE BEEN I TV FOR A LONG TIME!! I WAS WATCHING A TRAVEL PROGRAM ABOUT KATOOMBA'S BLUE MOUNTAINS(SP) WHAT A PLACE!! WATERFALLS AND ALL AND A TREE THEY FOUND WHOSE SPECIES IS MILLIONS OF HEARS OLD...OR WAS IT THOUSANDS. WELL IT WAS DAMNED OLD. HOPE THE TRIP HOME IS UNEVENTFUL AND YOU FIND A JOB IN BRISBANE. I WILL DO MY BRISBANE DANCE FOR YOU THIS MORNING :belly: OR MAYBE NOT AS IS MIGHTHAVE THE OPPOSITE EFFECT WE ARE LOOKING FOR :rofl:

MADCAT~ HELLO MISS KITTY!! AND HOW ARE YOU AND MR TOMCAT??? :hug: SENDING HUGS YOUR WAY!! YOPU AND I SEEM TO BE IN THE SAME SINUS BOAT. GOOD WEATHER IS COMING SO WE MUST HOLD ON! :lol3: THEN WE CAN GO OUT, ARMED WITH OUR ANTIHISTAMINES, AND DO A SPRIN/SUMMER DANCE AND CELEBRATE :dance::encore:

I REALL MUST GET OUT OF HERE. THE TOP HALF OF ME WEIGHS LIKE A 1/2 TON THIS MORNING. SOME HEAVY GOING I CAN TELL YOU!!
HAPPY WEDNESDAY AND DON'T FORGET TO DO THE OLD LINDAT HUMP!! :moped:

Haaaappppyyyyyy!!!!!!!!!
 

:( WHAT??? NO POST FROM HAPPY???:shrug:
I MUST KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR HER.:mag:
I KNOW....I'LL MAKE HER A CUP O'JOE TO GET HER DAY STARTED:coffee:

Morning folks,

I'm going to have to search for a Memphis themed avatar later. Love the frog Carla - guitar AND pompadour - :rofl: Enjoy your snooze - it's the perfect time for it.

Sure as Gma2one predicted, here comes the rain. Just in time for the BBQ championship cook off and the music festival this weekend. :(

Yes Mel, I held back today. Thanks for the coffee :coffee2: Nice and fresh :T
Glad the spooky storms didn't do you in last night. Had to laugh about the flashing lights and you popping under the bed :lol: Hope you are feeling better my friend. Ix-snay on the inus-say rap-kay. :D

Holy :moo: Holly that's horrid for gas. I haven't been paying attention to ours. Just fill it up and leave them my arm - haven't had to leave the leg yet. :lol: I enjoyed Bon Jovi yesterday on Idol too. First show I've liked in weeks - was ready to write it off for good but I am curious as to who will win.

Madcat - you sound like you will fit right in down here. Take your pick from the tray of sinus meds on the tea cart over there. Seems like we are all walking around with pounding heads. You're right about the pressure changes. The incoming rain has my head complaining too. Hope you find that Elvis cat avatar - if anyone can, you will. Even if you have to dress up your babies :rofl:

Shad, I'm glad to hear that you have some job offers coming your way. As you say, why can't they be closer to home. Will be nice to go off on holiday knowing that you have something lined up for your return. Hope you find a good one :crossed:

Ok, off to another day at the salt mine for me. Got my WW lunch packed. Have been getting away from the fruits and veggies and the scale is warning me - finicky thing that it is. Lord help me and tell me that my future is not one of extremes with low carb ketchup and pickle relish made with Splenda. Saw that on another thread for hot dog fixings. Some times I see (what I consider) the extreme measures that people have to take to maintain their weight loss and it doesn't make me excited. I can surely understand having to limit the high calorie items to an occasional treat but to have to live a live where everything is sugar free, fat free and chemically enhanced to replace all the flavor they sucked out. Well - then I guess I'll never get to goal. Just something that roams around nagging me in the head. Of to work now, happy Wednesday. Less than 30 days to Shad's trip...

HOLLY~ IT WASN'T UNTIL HAPPY'S POST THAT I REALIZED I MISSED YOURS. NOT SURE WHAT GAS IS HERE BUT IF YOU HAVE A LONG EXTENSION CORD, I CAN LEND YOU ONE OF MY HOTWHEELS!! :scooter:

HAPPY~ LET US PLEASE REMEMBER THAT WE DO NOT WANT TO DO JERSEY IN ANY MONTH BE IT A "J" OR AN "N"!!! I AM LOOKING TO GET OUT OF JERSEY AND NOT VACATION HERE :rofl: THE PEOPLE WHO GO TO EXTREMES ARE SOMETIMES THE ONES WHO EAT CHEESECAKE AND THEN WASH IT DOWN WITH A DECAF COFFEE FILLED WITH SPLENDA!!! :faint: :rofl: I LIVED WITH A GUY NAMED JOHN. WE WOULD GO OUT TOFANCY RESTAURANTS AND HE'D ORDER VERY RICH FOOD. THEN HAVE AN IRISH COFFEE-TYPE DRINK AND ASK THE WAITER TO MAKE SURE THEY USED EQUAL!!!! :rofl: :rofl:
I LAUGHED AT HIM EVERY TIME!! HE'D GET MAD AND SAY IT WAS EASY FOR ME CAUSE I ONLY WEIGHED IN AT 104 WITH ALL MY CLOTES AND SHOES ON. NOW I'M NOT LAUGHING ANYMORE :lol3: :lol3: :lol3: ENJOY YOUR DAY!!

Happy, don't let dieting get you down. Not that I've had great success th last few years, but I'll never believe it's necessary to replace real food with fake stuff to maintain a good weight. I think it's more a matter of choosing what's important to us and cutting hi-cal stuff we don't care that much about. For instance, I won't eat lo-cal cheese. It's awful. So i just eat less of it, or none at all when I'm in weight-loss mode. Yes, we do do have to restrict our choices while we're trying to lose. But I know that a lot of my gain was from comfort eating, from mindless eating, and from "opportunity" eating when there's a plate of squares out at work (and no one to see me) or when I'm bored or cold and drink several cups of very bad coffee with cream and sugar. And from what I remember of WW, they don't really encourage too many "fake" foods, more wise choices.
Thus endeth today's lecture from the chick who ate a slab of old cheddar (and other stuff) last night. Today, back on track! Smoothie for brekkie, yumm.
More later, take care of yourself Mel, and others too. Gotta go.

Carla--Smoothie's for breakfast. I've been eating them for a light dinner since I get home so late. My sister in Texas made them while I was there and they are so easy to make.

Mel-Elvis is doing his thing. I miss him.

Happy--Doesn't it always rain on an important weekend.

grandma2one-welcome

madcat--know what you mean by the sinuses.

Hollyhock--yikes that's a bunch of money to shell out for gas. Ours jumped ten cents lastweek end. It's $2.89 now but I'm expecting it to be $3.25 by mothers day week end. For a small town in Arkansas that is too much, but I have to drive to work

I did finish the yard last night before the rain started early this morning.
I need to get up and do inventory.

Hi Carla see your egg light glowing.

Morning all,
Not sure what our gas was this week. Around $1.20pl up here in the tropics. I'm like happy, I take little notice, just do what has to be done and am exceedingly thankful to have a car that does a big kilometreage (is there such a word) to the tankful.

Mel - you poor thing, frightened by bad thunderstorms. How I laughed at you leaping out of bed and rolling underneath it. What wouldn't I give for those thunderstorms to be around my place for at least a week. Might give the garden and trees some hope. Some of them are starting to fall over in the city. All those glorious old trees dying of thirst.

Got another job offer this morning - still Perth but only for 3 months and with expenses and accommodation. Now that sounds better. Won't get too many flights home in that time but at least it is not for long.

Happy, I can so relate to the movements on the scale. It just seems so unfair. I know that overall I have lost around 4kg since the beginning of the year, but it is such a slow process and seems to have more backward steps than forward ones. However I refuse to eat the cardboard stuff or the chemicals and make my diet as organic as I can. It means a lot to me to not eat the chemicals.

Well dang me days. I have just been selected for a drug and alcohol test. So I'll be back later.

Shad- I am thankful for my new fuel efficient car too.

Idol was good. Sorry to see the guys go.They are both adorable and good but I do believe others are better. Bon Jovi was dreamy.

A perfect gardening day. 18C and clear.

I am off til noon. The house is a disaster. I putter a bit each night but it hasn't been vacuumed in 2 weeks and other such stuff. Sigh.

Debating gardening for an hour or doing housework this morning.
Huge Avon order comes tomorrow. Working Fri and Sat at the shop, teaching sunday school.
Off on Monday, a networking event on Tues.

DS cried every moment he was with me yesterday. So far no tears today. Track and field today. He is probably worrying about winning/doing his best.
Coffee is yummy.
Food, water , exercise all good yesterday. Better than in a while.

HUGS!!

HAPPY~ I TOO EAT "REAL" FOODS. I TRIED THE FAKE STUFF AND JUST COULDN'T EAT IT. THEN SPOKE TO A HEART DR AND HE SAID US ALL WHOLE FOODS AND JUST CUT BACK. THEY DON'T LIKE THE ARTIFICIAL STUFF EITHER. HE EVEN TOLD ME TO STOP USING MARGARINE OF ANY KIND. I THINK WE KNOW EXACTLY HOW YOU FEEL AND THAT'S WHY WE'RE ALLHERE! :rofl:

CARLA~ HOPE THE SLAB OF OLD CHEDDAR WAS GOOD. I AM DROOLING OVER HERE. ENJOY THE SMOOTHIE!! I LOVE THEM TOO. SO EASY TO TOSS, BLEND AND SWALLOW! :dance: AND IF YOU DRINK IT OUT OF THE BLENDER....NO DISHES!! :rofl: :rofl:

CEEJAY~ I KNEW A WOMAN MANY YEARS AGO HAD ELVIS STUFF ALL OVER HER HOUSE. SHE ADORED HIM AND HUNG THOSE PAINTINGS DONE ON BLACK VELVET IN EVERY ROOM! IT WAS TRULY A SIGHT TO BEHOLD. :rofl:

HOLLY~ HOPE THE DS HAS A MUCH BETTER DAY! WISHING HIM GOOD LUCK ON A WIN.

SHAD~ WISH WE COULD SEND THE RAIN YOUR WAY. SAD TO HEAR ABOUT ALL THE TREES. FUNNY HOW ALL OF A SUDDEN GLOBAL WARMING IS CATCHIN EVERYONE'S ATTENTION AND IT SEEMS THAT COUNTRIES ARE PAYING MUCH MORE ATTENTION. WE'LL SEE HOW LONG THEIR INTERESTS LAST. SOUNDS LIKE YOU ARE GETTING READY TO MAKE THE DECISION ON THE 3 MONTH JOB?!?!
DOES IT START THE DAY AFTER YOU GET BACK FROM THE STATES?????? :lol3:

:beach: WONDERFUL WEATHER IS HERE TO STAY FOR AWHILE. NO RAIN IN SIGHT. I TRIED TO GET THOSE STORMS HEADED TOWARDS SHAD BUT NO LUCK!
I FEEL A BIT BETTER TODAY BUT NOT READY TO FACE ALL THE "SCENTED LADIES" OF THE OFFICE AND WANDERING TENANTS. SPEAKING OF WHICH...THERE WAS A FIRE IN TOWN RECENTLY. SOME PEOPLE ARE DISPLACED AS A RESULT. ONE IS A SENIOR WHO NEVER BATHES OR WASHES HIS CLOTHES. HE NOW RESIDES ON MY FLOOR. ONE OF MY NEIGHBORS CAME TO ME TO TELL ME THE BLDG IS IN AN UPROAR AND HE SHOULD BE GIVEN THE BOOT.....I ASKED "TO WHERE". WELL IF HE CANNOT TAKE CARE OF HIMSELF THEN HE SHOULD GO TO A NURSING HOME.. WAS THE ANSWER. I RAN INTO SEVERAL OTHERS AND ALL HAD THE SAME THOUGHTS. MY ANSWER TO THEM...HEY HEY HEY.,..THIS IS NOT EXACTLY A CHRISTIAN WAY OF THINKING. GEE I CAN;T WAIT TO SEE HOW FAST YOU "GUYS" SEND ME TO ONE WHEN IT'S MY TIME. :rofl: :rofl: YOU SEE, MOST OF THE COMPLAINERS ARE AVID CHURCH GOERS AND ALSO ATTEND A SHOR MASS THE CHURCH GIVES ONCE A MONTH IN THE COMMUNITY ROOM. I AM WONDERING WHAT THEY SAY TO GOD & PRIEST WHEN THEY DO CONFESSION. SORRY FATHER FOR I HAVE SINNED, I TRIED TO GET A SICK OLD MAN EVICTED SO MY OLFACTORY SENSES WOULDN'T BE OFFENDED. :lol3: :lol3: EVERY DAY THEY SEEM TO SURPRISE ME WITH SOMETHING NEW. I AM SITTING HERE WONDERING IF I WILL BECOME THE SAME WAY. THERE ARE DAYS I CAN SEE SOMETHING OF MYSELF IN SOME OF THEM! :yikes: :rofl:
MOVING RIGHT ALONG......I DECIDED LAST NIGHT THAT I AM NOT DOING ANYTHING TIRING UNTIL NEXT WEEK. MY HEAD ETC NEEDS MY ATTENTION AND NOW THAT IT HAS IT, IT;S IMPROVING. SO THAT'S THE DEAL.
OMG!!! I ALMOST FORGOT!! FRAN IN THE OFFICE HAS GIVEN HER 2 WEEKS NOTICE AND IS LEAVING US!!
SHE'S THE YOUNG GIRL WHIO HELPS WITH ARTS & CRAFTS. I WAS SHOCKED BUT NOT AT THE SAME TIME.
SHE IS FROM "OUT OF TOWN" AND YOU CAN IMAGINME THE BS THAT WENT ON. THEY NEVER LET HER "FIT IN".
EVEN WENT SO FAR AS TO TRY AND GET HER FIRED. LONG STORY BUT I HAD TO WRITE AND SPEAK TO A POLITICO TO KEEP HER HERETHESE 5 YEARS. I AM SO GLAD SHE HAS FOUND A REAL JOB IN A REAL WORLD WITH REAL PEOPLE. I JUST WILL MISS HER TERRIBLY. THE SENIORS LOVED HER TOO.
HAPPY THURSDAY/FRIDAY! :moped:

Morning chicks,

DH got a letter the other day - The Athenian Secret Society has found him. :chin: Hmmm - didn't know anyone was looking for him besides me :rofl: Not sure if they are the guys with the pointy triangular pointed foil hats but I'm keeping a close eye on him for any sudden disappearances or strange behavior. :mag:

I bought some fancy schmancy geraniums that have pretty leaves of green and yellow with a touch of red and have a red orange flower. Was going to plant them under the maple tree but found that the soil is all full of roots. Not good for planting. Need a shallow rooted flower there if anything. Guess I'll be getting some planter pots. :sssh: don't tell DH I'm spending more money. :lol:

Memphis in May - the event - is this weekend. Surprisingly it looks like it's going to be sunny and in the mid 80's. Means that 1/2 the population of Tennessee and the 3 nearby states will be here. I'll have to find a quieter place for us to visit.

And with that I'm off to go earn some smoothie money so I can feed y'all... Have a good one :wave:

That Mellie - she's always just around the corner sneakin' up on me ;)

Youpi! That's French for yippee... :goodscale: Today was a total of 10.5 down on my mini-goal, which is halfway to where I'm hoping to be by Shad's arrival! I think I'll leave the tracker where it is for now - that cheese fest may yet come back and bite me in the you-know-what. I'm not hung up on the number, by the way, which is far from where I really need to be, but I need a concrete goal or I start justifying silly behaviour, like celebrating the loss of half a pound by eating 8000 extra calories...

Mel, you're sounding much, much better. Sorry to hear you've lost the office person you liked, even though she's off to a better job. As for the smelly new tenant, that's a tough one. It's so hard to talk to people about their hygiene, and yet the lives of the smelly would be so much fuller if we didn't have to avoid them. It may not be nice of me, but I'd rather be shut in a tiny box with a smoker than be around someone with ferocious BO. Is there a family member who could be approached about it? Maybe the offer to have all his clothes washed to get out the smell of smoke from the fire?
We also have wonderfully sunny skies here, and for the next few days. I may get my bike out.. but that would require an effort: cleaning, pumping tires, actually pedaling. :eek: Just have to remember how good I always feel once I've been out doing something physical. It's like eating properly - food is soooo much tastier when it's prepared simply with lots of veg. My lunch salads are so easy and quick, and yet they're to die for. The smoothies are a little more complicated because of the consistency issue - I changed to a new whey powder which made them almost too thick and too sweet (too much sucralose - hard to find any with no fake sweeteners, grrr)). Now I've mixed the two brands and get a slightly different result every day. (Yes, my life really is exciting...) And while I don't drink them out of the big blender jar, I do have a smoothie cup attachment I can blend them in. Easy to clean too.

Happy, how much money did the secret society ask for? Was the request in Greek?? :lol:
Even when I had a garden I hated the work of gardening. But I'm still jealous of yours, it must look wonderful. And think of all the bbq you're burning off while you work out there!
By the way, I like mango in my smoothies, since you're going to the shops anyway...

Holly, you sound pretty darned busy these days!! But a little less vacuuming won't hurt anyone. Is DS finding it tough to not have you home all the time?

Shad, so many work offers! And of course if you wait too long, hoping to get something in Brisbane, they'll all dry up and you'll wish you had accepted even the worst of them. But I have a feeling you're enough in demand to pick and choose a little, although maybe not when you're in a hurry to refill the bank accounts after the odyssey...

All this talk of "real" food - let's not forget that fiber is also our friend. :rofl: And the silliest thing is that buying better food while cutting the junk is actually cheaper!!! And only slightly more time consuming (shopping and prep).
I saw a woman on Oprah yesterday who had lostsxc (<---- sorry, the cat decded to put in his two cents worth...)... as I was saying, she had lost about 400 lbs with surgery, and ended up writing a book about Winning after Losing which I think might be worth the read: it's about the fact that the really tough part is keeping the weight off once it's lost, which has certainly been a big problem for me. I think I'll buy it - there's room for one more diet book on the shelf since I decided to recycle the Sonoma Diet. :lol2: (Can do without bread and taters, can't do without fruit.)

Gotta go, all that fiber has done its work, and it's time to go sit somewhere else. ;)

Ok, I want to at least post this one entry in case I get sidetracked (yet again). The DH and I are off for our first anniversary jaunt to New York City where hopefully the amount of walking we will do will at least partially offset the amount of eating we also have planned. :lol: After all, what is a trip to NYC without a stop at the Carnegie Deli for some cheesecake?

I'll try to skip back in a bit for some commentary (if packing allows). If not, everyone take care and have lovely weekends all around. :wave:

Oh, and during the daylight hours you should check out the following link: http://www.torontozoo.com/SpecialEvents/AGFTigerCam.asp

It's a live feed of the twin tiger cubs at the toronto Zoo. They are beautiful.

Yowza, Madcat! Did you morph two pictures into one avatar, or did you find that somewhere?? I'm so impressed!!!

Adobe PhotoShop is my friend. :lol: It helps that it is small and just looks impressive...

Howdy Madcat, Howdy Carla
See the little lights shining here.

Not much to report here. I'm about to finish for the day (and it is only midday) and we have a long weekend coming up. I've decided to go to Cairns for Saturday and Sunday and will be back Sunday night - we are having an end of project dinner on Monday night. Monday I will pack a few more things and put some of them into the car all ready for blast off on Saturday 12th May.

Madcat what a shame the anniversary is not a couple of weeks later - we could have met up in New York and cheesecaked together! Aaah well. Enjoy the trip. Have a great time and happy anniversary.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...versary001.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...niversary3.jpg

Is it really a year since we all got excited about our wedding?

Okay, time to pack up and get out of here before they shift me out (still typing) The area that I am in is being shifted to another place. I might just go out on the back of a truck!

If I am not around over the weekend, it's because I can't get access or something equally stupid. I'll try to get back in and tell you all about Cairns and my shopping spree (or lack thereof if I can't find anything I want to buy)

Have a great weekend.

:congrat: and a very Happy Anniversary Mr & Mrs Madcat. Is it REALLY a year already? I can't believe it. Wow. Hope you have a wonderful trip to the big apple - eat more apples than cheesecake, 'k ? The new avatar is pretty amazing. If it was a siamese it would almost be Egyptian like. Once you have Photoshop can you believe anything you see any more?

:congrat: on making through another week Shad. Have fun shopping. Pick up something for the trip this month. It's almost here - aren't you excited?????

:congrat: Carla on 10 plus pounds down. I am jealous but you worked so hard for it that you really deserve it. Since you asked I will pick up a mango or two for you and Shad but let it be known that I don't know anything about mangoes including being able to tell if they are ripe and certainly nothing about slicing the buggers up :rofl:

Sorry to hear that you are losing Fran Mel. That's the second one (at least) that you lost as a buddy/friend and helper isn't it? Bummer. :( Don't know what to say about Mr. Smelly Guy - yes people should not be mean (and believe me, some of the biggest church goers are the least Christian of all). However, I have been around people who stop bathing and OMG umm what do you do? And why is this more a guy thing tho I have seen some ripe street ladies too. I hope someone can help him at least reach a happy medium for all concerned.

I have news. I have accepted another position within the company. It's with a different group at a different office. It's very analytical which is right up my alley, goodbye BW and SAP. It's also a promotion which means I can probably now afford that mango to go into the smoothies ;) - but not much more than that :lol: after all it is 2007 and things are not as they used to be. I picked up the phone today and was surprised to get an offer. I had interviewed a while back and had not heard anything so I thought they selected someone else. I'm excited. I always thought that one of the good things about you ladies who do contract work is that you can start somewhere new and feel refreshed again which is how I feel at the moment. And the sheer exhilarence of being able to pitch my files and dump my email - at least 80 percent of them because I am moving from a business to a services group and am starting afresh.

The new office is twice as far away but has a nice pond and walking track. The building while on the dingy side used to be a warehouse so it's massive - strap on the pedometer and no problem getting at least 10K steps a day. Plus I realize that for the better part of the last 3 years I have been in some state of agitated stress so I'm hoping that this is a new fresh start for me. We will test that theory of stress induced belly fat once and for all :rofl:

And with that, I'm headed off to bed to get a few extra winks in. Night all... and safe travels for those of you venturing out this weekend.

Hello Hello Hello Hello Hello

Happy drizzly Friday morning. At least it's Friday :yay: :trampo: :yay: Guess it's going to be a rather quiet weekend here with just a few of us. That's ok. I should be doing all sorts of other things instead of sitting on the computer. I have a half day off due me from working one of the company holidays. Haven't had a day off - like we truly ever get a day "off" since New Year's day. Might take this afternoon off. We'll see how the day goes.

Off to the showers. Have fun chicks...

:encore: :cheer2: :congrat: :cheers: :cheer: :celebrate: :woo:
WHERE HAS ANTHER YEAR GONE TO?? SEEMS JUST LIKE YESTERDAY WE WERE ALL PICKING AND CHOOSING DRESSES AND HAIR COLORS :rofl: HOPE YOU BOTH HAVE A WONDERFUL TIME! :hug: THE AVATAR IS HILARIOUS.

SHAD~ HOPE YOU WEEKEND IS GREAT AND HAVE A GOOD TIME.NICE WAY TO END A CONTRACT.....:beach:
WE'LL SEE YOU MONDAY!!

CARLA~ WOW!!! :congrat: ON THE 10.5 LB LOSS!!! YOU ARE DEFINITELY ON A GOOD ROLL!! BTW...YOUR IDEA ABOUT THE SMOKEY CLOTHES IS NA GOOD ON AND I WILL PASS IT ON. :lol3: YOUR CAT TYPES BETTER THAN MY BIRD!! :p THE WHEY IM USE IS SPIRUTEIN (SP) I DON'T FIND IT TOO SWEET AND MAKES A PERFECT SMOOTHIE EVERY TIME. BUT LIKE YOU, I WOULD LIKE TO FIND ONE WITHOUT ALL THE CHEMICALS!!! I MAY HAVE TO GET AWAY FROM THE WHEY BECAUSE IT SEEMS TO INTERFERE WITH MY DAILY LAXATIVE-TYPE STUFF :rofl: IT'S ALWAYS SOMETHING!!! :lol3:

HAPPY~ :congrat: ON THE NEW POSITION!! I AM SO HAPPY FOR YOU TOO. BUT AT LEAST I WON'T BE LOSING YOU WITH YOUR CHANGE OF JOBS!! :lol3: I AM PLEASED THAT YOU FOUND SOMETHING MORE TO YOUR TASTE. GETTING RID OF SOME STRESS IS A GOOD THING :cheers:
ENJOY YOUR WEEKEND TOO. TAKE A WEEKEND OFF THE PC AND JUST ENJOY!

MAYBE THAT'S WHAT WE ALL SHOULD DO. NO COMPUTER FOR A WEEKEND. EVERYONE IS DOING SOMETHING OR GOING SOMEWHERE. GOOD TIME FOR A 3FC BREAK!:carrot:
THE PHONE HAS STOPPED RINGING FROM CANADA. THEY ARE BUSY REVISING PLANS AND FAMILY NUMBERS :faint:
DID MUM THINK WE WERE ALL MOVING BEFORE SHE GOT HERE? I GOT THE FEELING SHE WAS MAKING SURE WE WOULD ACTUALLY BE HERE. :lol3:
WEATHER IS GOOD AND I DON'T WANT TO MISS IT SO I'M OUT OF HERE!! :moped:

WHERE IS CEEJAY AND SUZI NOW? BRING IN THE CLOWNS....I MEAN SEND OUT THE MOUNTIES :rofl:
HAPPY FRIDAY!!

Madcat--Happy Annivversary. The new avatar is so cute. I always knew that Elvis was a "cool cat".

Happy--Your new job sounds like it has some good benefits to take advantage of. Stress does promote belly fat. I've proved it a long time ago.

Mel--Glad to hear you are feeling better. I was thinking about the whole foods also.

Holly--Hope DS is doing better. I would second the idea of gardening opposed to house work.

Yesterday's trip to the dentist reveal nothing by the way of exrays. There is a space between a couple of teeth that he thinks food is being impacted. He's suggested a crown to help fill in that space. I'll go in for that on the 24th of May. He asked where I'd been at the gym.

Yesterday's work out included 20 minute bike ride, 10 minute treadmill and 10 minute eliptical plus a 40 minute weight work out. I hope I don't burn out on this exercising because it sure does get rid of some of the stress. Wish I had my cousin's punching bag.

I have a bunch of things to do so I need to get started.

Bumping us up as we are sliding off the page. Looking at this forum page it occured to me that almost half the page is sub forums. You have to scroll down quite a bit to get to the posts which means when it gets a little quiet, we're apt to slide down to page 3 or so.

Cute one Ceejay on the "Cool Cat" :lol: That sort of says it all ;) So if you've proven the relationship between stress and belly fat, does that mean that there is hope that if you reduce one you can reduce the other? :crossed:

Thanks for the good words Mel :hug: I agree that we should declare a PC-free weekend soon. How about the weekend of June 1 as I think I will be otherwise occupied? :rofl: When I saved my old journals from here, the earliest entries were of Shad's last visit. So we have lots to catch up on. I hope all the family members can get themselves sorted out and you escape with the least amount of damage. Just read 'em the rules as they walk in the door :rollpin: :lol: I had perfume on today that smells like Coppertone tanning lotion. Any wonder it's called "Beach". Would you turn me away if I just smell like tanning oil and not Emmeraude?

Well I am full scale into time to get prepped for company time. The yard is a mess. The garden is overgrown with weeds. I have a huge oregano plant left from last year. Was sorry to see that the dill did not reseed itself. No vegetable garden this year - we're going to do flowers instead an perhaps a small patch of herbs. I love the sweet basil. Even my sister liked it and she's not a heavy Italian herb user.

Supposed to rain on Sunday and all throughout the week so I will have to set the alarm early to get up tomorrow and clean up by the pool. The last of the tree schmutz has fallen so we can clean up there. DH said we'll open the pool in a week or two. That came fast. Lots to clean and trim. We have some flowers for the lower flower garden but I think we need more. I want the yard to look like the Butchart gardens, DH said it's a little "much". Bah men! My goal is to go through a room every 3 days or so and get it set just right. Dejunk too. Then I can just Fly Lady maintain and not stress about leaving everything for the last minute. Then have to train DH not to leave a trail of water bottles, junk mail, t-shirts and assorted flotsam and jetsam in his wake.

Ok I can feel a babble coming on here and I really should sneak off and read some of my book for book club next Tuesday. I'm on page 26 of 403 pages - think I'll make it? :dunno: Have a good weekend ladies. Enjoy it while you can... :beach:

BABBLE AWAY DEAR HAPPY....WE'LL LISTEN. :lol3: HAPPY GARDENING AND POOL CLEANING. I SEE NO RAIN ANYWHERE ON OUR MAP. SENDING SUNSHINE YOUR WAY!

CEEJAY~ COOL CAT MADE ME BELLY LAUGH!! GOOD THING I HAD NOTHING IN MY MOUTH!

HERE'S TO A GREAT WEEKEND. I WOKE EARLY BUT AM STILL SLEEPY FOR SOME REASON. NOTHING NEW AND NO WORDS OF WISDOM TO IMPART SO..............
HAPPY SATURDAY :moped:

:joker:HAPPY CINCO DE MAYO :encore:

Hi chicks,

I'm super mad :mad: :mad: :mad: when we moved here - a little over 2 years ago - we needed to get a new washer and dryer. DH said Maytag was good. So we put out alot of money on a fancy Maytag washer and dryer. About a year ago I started noticing a mildew / mold smell from the washer. We had to have the thing repaired a few months ago and when they opened the washer, there was mold on the inside drum. I had not been diluting the softener and always using the high efficiency soap as recommended. So it was my fault. The repair guy said if I adhered to the rules, the mold would dry up and get washed away. It did for about 2 months. Then it started with a vengence and I was doing everything I was supposed to be doing. So yesterday I googled Maytag Neptune Mold and was horrified to find that there is a long standing issue (going back to 1999) with mold in these washers. No matter what you do - you get mold - it's an inherent problem. WTH????? They settled a class action lawsuit in 2005 for washers bought between 1999 and 2004 (we bought ours in Jan 2005 so missed out on that). Bottom line there is nothing we can do about this except to junk a 2 year old expensive washer and start again. Maytag won't do anything about it. :mad: :mad: :mad: So basically I blew away this morning (which I had intended to use cleaning) instead doing lots of reseach on a new washer. Sears is having a sale today which will save us $100. So I'm off to work in the garden for an hour or two (right now we are both taking a smoothie break) and then we'll get cleaned up and go pick out a washer. DH owes me an ice cream cone from my birthday wish and he swears he will make good by me today. Can probably get him to spring for dinner too ;) Off to work - maybe I'll pull weeds harder being angry. Always something, huh?