Have a safe trip home Shad:D

Mel take deep breathes and enjoy the tranquillity.

Ruth be sure that everyone is wearing sunblock...did you arrange for people to walk around with sunscreen sprayers? :p I hope the music is fabulous and full of smiles.

Happy tell your mom you need a pool checker and get her into the water for a paddle or better yet put her on a chair in the garden and ask her to taste test you latest beverage, don't forget the little parasol :D

Nae-did you survive the water rafting? Did you get lots of hugs for your birthday?

I'm typing at you from a new computer. Our old one got fried in a thunderstorm. I suspect our powerbar didn't surge protect. Need to get a new one for this one or it will be a goner. It has a huge screen, 22 inches! Says it can be used as a tv but I don't know how that works. It took me long enough just to get it all connected and link my email to this computer. Got it all functioning just in time to tease my sisters with it so they will get online so I can bug them digitally as well as verbally via the phone :lol3:

Happy weekend :wave: Fireworks and parades for us tomorrow for Canada Day!

:tired: :faint: A quick hello from home-at-last-Carla. Plans went awry - the attempt to get home a day early on standby was a farce, and used up much of the day as well. Then delayed flights all the way along the line on the 28th. The travel gods were with me, as my luggage made it both times, but there was no chance to pick up food for dinner in Toronto so I was pretty hungry by the time I finally got home in the wee hours. For some reason the airport in TO is set up as stupidly as possible: arrive 45 min late at Gate 136, run like a madwoman to pick up suitcase and clear customs, then find yourself outside the secure area, line up and clear security again, then run like a madwoman back to.... you guessed it, gate 135. If a kind agent in SF had not put a priority tag on my suitcase I never would have made it to my flight, although they had given my seat away and looked quite surprised to see me. Not that it would have made much difference, as the plane had to taxi back to the gate because some idiot's luggage was on board and he was not. A meaner crowd of passengers would have drawn and quartered the (probably intoxicated) little schmuck when he crawled on board, but we were just so glad they didn't have to remove all the luggage to look for the offending article that we just muttered and cast evil eyes his way.

Yesterday was a late sleep-in, litter clean-up (the very spoiled furbabies were alone for a day and not too pleased), groceries, laundry sorting, unpacking, catching up on 3 days of emails since I was last able to get on-line, doing necessary banking and bookkeeping - sheesh, no wonder I'm tired!

Shad is probably still at SFO trying to explain away the three pairs of large men's sneakers and the 35lb overage on her luggage limit... As for keeping me awake, I really should have known better than to travel without earplugs, so it's my own fault. (Actually I assumed it was revenge for my large grey cat's bladder-jumping extravaganza when she stayed here...) Anyway, Big Sur was beautiful, the Aquarium was terrific, and the outlet stores at Gilroy were a huge hit - if only there'd been more time to do them all! Overall, a successful and very full couple of days.

Meadow, you've finally got the pool open! What fun. When I had a house I used to open my little pool mid-May and close it early October, even tho I couldn't swim in it the whole time. It just looked so pretty and blue and inviting it was worth keeping it clean just to see it out there. It wasn't heated, so I think it would have been too chilly for Happy.
You should pay the extra for a really good surge protector, worth it now that you've got the nice new computer. I found out the hard way that the cheaper versions don't really do much except have a pretty red light to show they're on. Hmmm. Maybe I should take my own advice and get a better one for the plasma tv...

Happy, more company coming? I hadn't realized that your mother was just spearheading the invasion, so to speak. What an incredibly busy month for you - first the arrival of Joy in your life, then Mom and the new job, now more guests... and you're talking about moving again too. Yikes! I expect you'll collapse into a little puddle after the exodus next Friday. Your DH will have to bring you umbrella drinkies by the pool until you recover.

Mel, it sounds like you're really enjoying your deconstruction-free weekend. If you're getting the same weather as us, it should be cool and clear and humidity-free, with occasional showers to keep the pollen and dust down.
It seems to me you've done a lot of tossing and clearing in the past few months. Is there anything left? Or had you been saving a lifetime's worth of stuff that was just too good to throw away? I remember the shock a few years ago when I dieted down to a size where I fit into some favourites I had kept to wear again. Forgot that shoulder pads and tapered legs might be gone forever. Now I just keep very plain or very classic pieces, albeit in many sizes. (I lie. My closets are full of stuff. But not as full as they once were...)

Ruth, if that had been wine you were in charge of instead of beer I might have rented a truck to come and check for "spillage". It sounds like you've got a few busy days ahead of you!
Did your dog that was under the weather (Lucy? - sorry, bad with names) recover all right? I think Shad told me she was a bit of a bad girl, running off and eating what she shouldn't. Hey, maybe she should join 3fc and try to stop that self-destructive behaviour... :rofl:

Ceejay, we'll keep an eye out for the day you decide to return. Take care and drop in from time to time to say hello.

Madcat, thanks for the update on DS and DF. Very good news that they're coping so well. :hug: to you. Many, many :goodvibes: are constantly winging their way to you and yours.

Rose, apologies for missing the birthday greetings. It sounds like you had a pretty good time. I envy you the white water rafting, and may just try it myself one of these days.

Holly, I hope all is well. It seems to me you've joined the MIA gang, unless I've missed your posts. Take care and enjoy the cooler weather!

Now that life is back to "normal" I'll try to post more regularly. I think I'll save the tale of the neti-pot :eek: for tomorrow's instalment...

Hiya, I am okay-ish. Came down with a terrible cold and the last week of school was busy for my kids and me for prom hair dos and grade 8 grad hair dos. I am doing hair for a wedding tomorrow on Canada Day too.
I made a naughty dessert for my Dad's 65th bday tomorrow. We had a funeral visitation this aft. Otherwise I did housework. I am feeling quite wonky. Rented Eragon to watch with the kids in a few min.
After church hubby and kids are going to the lake. I will head up after. Big dinner for Dad and then fireworks. Kids and I are tenting out back for the night.
My sis invited me to drink wine and go skinny dipping. I replied that I haven't been able to skinny dip in about 10 years but would be happy to go fatty dipping.

HUGS!!!

Sheeeeee's back.
Worn out and ready for bed but the family (such as it is) is going out to dinner soon and I have to pack for Groote Eylandt tonight. If I can I will also pack for Perth but I'm pretty sure that I will come back here before I go over there. The place is looking pretty good. DS2 (the one with the new shoes) has put in the fans and the lights (the living room ceiling now needs a bit of repair. Drat and Darn but there wasn't much in the way of mail to deal with and few bills thank heavens.

Carla - sounds like you had fun going home! Gotta love the airlines.

Oh and before I forget it

HAPPY CANADA DAY to all the Canadian chicks.

http://s18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...t=canflag3.gif

Think I am getting the sniffles. Itchy, scratchy throat all the way home. Now the nose is running. Excuse me I had better run after it.

Well I guess this is a fitting way to put an end to Jumping for Joy in June.

Good to hear you got home safe and sound Shad. Doesn't sound like you get any time to acclimate before you're on the run living out of a suitcase again. Hope you don't get too run down. Take care of those sniffles.

Fatty Dipping - good one Holly :rofl:

Ah yes, happy Canada day to our friends up North. :celebrate:

Carla, thanks for reinforcing that taking a job where you have to travel alot is not at all as glamorous as it seems. Yes, your pool would have been too cool for me I'm afraid but I can totally relate to looking at the soothing blue waters. We close ours the end of September once the onslaught of leaves start to fall but in reality we can't use it much past the first of September as the warming days get shorter. Actually it's the cooler nights that really chill it I think. Yes, I have had a busy month - very kind of you to notice. I do wish I could afford to take a month off to go through the closets and garage and attic and trim back the "collective". I realized my first day back at work after vacation I have a doctor's appt with the dreaded doc where I wait 3 hours past my appt to finally see him. The entire morning will be shot. Guess I will be working catch up duty on Friday after the company leaves.

Meadow - enjoy the pool AND the new computer. Sorry it got fried. But wowza - what a big screen! No more squinting at the fine print :lol:

Hope you are liking the cooler weather Mel. Send me a refreshing breeze or two will you? It's stuffy here.

Ruth - you have a most interesting week ahead of you. Get all those slackers in line, will you?

Hellos to the rest of the chicks. I'm going to set up the new thread now - you guys will have to make it happen as I'm not sure what Jumanji means.

Happy July!

HAPPY I LOVE THE NEW AVATAR!! :rofl: I'LL BE RIGHT OUT AND PLAY AS SOON AS I POST!!! GUESS I WILL HAVE TO GOOGLE JUMANJI!! I DO RECALL A LOT OF FEROCIOUS ANIMALS!! :yikes: I WOULD MUCH RATHER :beach: BESIDE YOUR POOL!!!! WE SHOULD HAVE MADE IT JULY AT JAPPY'S :lol3: :lol3: I AM SURE MOM WOULD HAVE LOVED THE COMPANY!!

HOLLY~ HOPE YOU FEEL BETTER SOON!

CARLA~ GLAD YOU GOT BACK HOME SAFE AND SOUND. A LOT OF SECURITY IS VERY TIGHT NOW WITH THE LONDON/GLASGOW CRAP. OUR WORLD WILL NEVER BE THE SAME. YOU AND SHAD LEFT AT A PERFECT TIME....BEFORE ANY MORE SH*T HITS THE FAN!!!
ENJOY THE REST OF THE WEEKEND AND GLAD BIG SUR WENT SO WELL.

SHAD~ WELCOME HOME TO YOU ALSO! VERY HAPPY TO HEAR YOUR TRIP WAS UNEVENTFUL. CRAZY THINGS HAPPENING OUTSIDE IN THE REAL WORLD. I AM THINKING M ORE AND MORE OF BECOMING A HERMIT FOR REAL!!! :dance: ENJOY THE NEW LIGHTING AND SAFE TRIP TO GROOTE!!

MEADOW~ SORRY ABOUT THE OLD PC BUT WHAT A GREAT EXCUSE TO GET SUCH A FABULOUS NEW ONE!! 27" SCREEN!!! WOW!!! VERY NICE!! GOOD LUCK WITH IT AND YOU BEST GET A NEW SURGE PROTECTOR!!! :tantrum: :rollpin: ALTHOUGH I SOMETIMES WONDER IF THEY REALLY WORK OR ARE WE ALL BEING FOOLED!! :rofl: ANYWAY....HAVE FUN PESTERING THE SISTERS!!! I ALSO LOVE THE SUMMERTIME GRAPHIC EVERY TIME I SEE IT! :sunny:

RUTHIE~ I WILL FACE NORTH TONITE AND LOOK FOR YOUR COLORFUL DISPLAY!! THANKS FOR THE INVITE!! GOOD LUCK AND IF WE DON'T SEE YOU MONDAY THEN WE KNOW YOU BECAME A ROADIE/GROUPIE!!! SEX ON THE ROAD....CAN'T GET MUCH BETTER THAN THAT!!!

THINKING OF CEEJAY AND PAINTER AND MADCAT :hug:

:sunny: ANOTHER LOVELY DAY. I ONLY USE THE A/C AT NIGHT. TOMORROW IT WILL HAVE TO GO BACK ON REGUARDLESS OF THE WEATHER. 8AM THE MEN ARRIVE. TOO BAD CAUSE THE WHOLE WEEK LOOKS GREAT. WE ARE ENJOYING THE LOVELY WEATHER FROM CANADA! THANKS GALS! :cheer: THE NEWS WAS SCARING THE CRAP OUT OF ME SO I AM WATCHING NANCY DREW B&W MYSTERIES INSTEAD. THE GRANSON AND I LOVE HER!! :lol3: :lol3:
HAPPY SUNDAY/MONDAY TO ALL!! FEEL FUNNY NOW WITH SHADDIE BACK ON HER OWN TIME!!! :moped: