Ah poor Shad. Welcome to the east coast. I'm not saying they are all like the cabbie but let's say that most of them will not be like the southern gentlemen of Arkansas we saw that night - smiling and tipping their hats to us.

I have noticed in Chicago that many of the cabbies have no idea where they are going. Or they try to take you the long route to fluff up the bill. I guess it's not too difficult to get a driver's job and they figure somehow they will figure out where they are going.

Sorry to hear that the sinuses are acting up. I thought it was just here. Don't want you to remember the American leg of your trip as one that was tough on the schnoz. :^:

Hope you chicks have a good time today and you get to see the real statue of liberty. I still think you'll be sorry you didn't snap a shot of the one by us when you had the chance :rofl:

****test****

Oh Shad - it was soooooo good that you decided to fly out yesterday instead of today. Not only did we have thunderstorms and rain that would have delayed you but I see on the internet news that a huge glitch in the air traffic control system had tied up flights on the east coast for hours on end. Nothing coming in or going out including the airport you came in at. They called it one of the worst travel days of the year. And you just scooted by. Makes that nasty cabbie relatively harmless compared to what could have been. Good thing you travelling guardian angel is looking out for you. May she follow you the rest of your journey :angel:

Hope you are having fun with Mel and not making too much of a ruckus. I imagine after a load of tortellini alfredo you are both nearly passed out on the couch.

Good night to you all. Pleasant dreams.

And Suzi if you are lurking hello to you too. You haven't posted in a while and I don't mean to be forgetting you.

[QUOTE= Sens lost :cry: :cry: :cry:
.[/QUOTE]
Not only am I sad that the Dallas Stars were out so soon, I'm sad Ottawa lost (Anaheim players are so MEAN!!) but I'm sorry hockey is over.

Thanks for the lead. I'm collecting recommendations for local yoga studios that don't expect you to already BE bendy all over.

DH is getting louder and noisier about wanting us BOTH to lose weight. It's promising AND scary. I am wanting to put my head in the sand. AGAIN.
A friend recommended Compulsive Overeaters... (not quite OA, but related.) Anybody know anything about that?

CeeJay.. your kind sweet words are most appreciated.
Madcat... sorry you aren't feeling well.

Best to all.

Sens lost :cry: :cry: :cry:
Aw, Holly, I know what you mean!Not only am I sad that the Dallas Stars were out so soon, I'm sad Ottawa lost (Anaheim players are so MEAN!!) but I'm sorry hockey is over.

Thanks for the lead. I'm collecting recommendations for local yoga studios that don't expect you to already BE bendy all over.

DH is getting louder and noisier about wanting us BOTH to lose weight. It's promising AND scary. I am wanting to put my head in the sand. AGAIN.
A friend recommended Compulsive Overeaters... (not quite OA, but related.) Anybody know anything about that?

CeeJay.. your kind sweet words are most appreciated.
Madcat... sorry you aren't feeling well.

Best to all.

GOOD MORNING CHICKLETTES:cofdate:
POOR JOY HAS ARRIVED AND SPENT 2 DAYS IN MELS SELF SERVE HOTEL. JUST LIKE BEING HOME EXCEPT FOR A DIFFERENT DECOR! :rofl:
IF IT WASN'T FOR ANTOINETTE COOKING SHE'D BE EATING OUT OF A CAN OR HAVING TV DINNERS! :yikes:
I WILL BE BACK TO READ POSTS AND COMMENT SOON.
HAVING A GREAT TIME. HER EARS ARE ON FIRE AND I AM GETTING LARYNGITIS! :broc: :blah: :blah: :blah: :blah:
LOVE TO YOU ALL. :moped:

Good morning ladies. One heck of a thunderstorm here last night - they were actually talking about tornadoes at one point. But it blew thru like an express train, and this morning is a bright, cool sunny day, low humidity, lovely fluffy cumulus clouds. (I've decided not to noticed the threatening grey jobs behind said clouds....) I have a feeling Madcat and probably Holly saw a lot more action than we did. The change in the weather had me wake up with a crushing headache, which has delayed my departure for today's walk in the woods, but has also given me the excuse I needed to have a nice cappucino (= caffeine fix) with my morning smoothie. The diet I'm following - sort of - doesn't have any milk in it, and I find black coffee just too bitter, so I had given it up. Today, of course, is the third in a row where I've found a reason to imbibe. Has anyone else noticed how dieting makes us creative in the excuse area? :lol3:

Painter, I don't know much about your eating habits or health, so may be well off the mark, but I've been having tremendous success with the Fat Flush Plan. It seems to work best if you follow it slavishly for at least 2 weeks at a time, and you get good enough results in two weeks that you feel like continuing to eat well. I can PM you the bare bones daily diet I followed if you'd like. Of course it won't work if you don't like veggies, since that's what you fill up on... And it calls for lots of expensive supplements which I really don't think are needed if you take a good multivitamin - they just make the author richer. Let me know. As for the yoga problem, I've tried several times, but am not bendy at all and just get frustrated. I did find an intro to pilates class quite good, but some parts of it were a little too much for someone like me, very stiff and no core strength.

Happy, I love your new little avatar! Very cute. Have you recovered from the recent home invasion? :rofl: It must seem so quiet now. I'm still trying to work out just what activities to choose for Shad's quick stop up here. The weather could change everything I've planned, and then two days ago I read in the paper that the trail I wanted to take her on for a hike is closed for repairs until mid-July, and most of the others are either too long or really do require proper boots... Anyway, I have a feeling it'll all be a last-minute decision. Do enjoy your last weekend of holidays. I hope it'll be a lovely, lazy two days by the pool.

Madcat, do tell us all what delights you and Holly have planned for the 11th (?) with our Shad. I want to enjoy them vicariously. A friend of mine just saw the new Crystal wing of the museum and hated it. I have no idea why, so can't say if he's on the mark or not.
And by the way, don't forget to take care of your own health right now. You're under a lot of constant stress with your sister and friend both falling ill, and you need some TLC too. So besides the :goodvibes: I send to them on a daily basis, I always include a :hug: or two for you...

Mel and Shad - by now Shad has poked around, found the last remaining frappucinos hidden away under the laundry basket, and emptied them out right in front of Mel's pleading, appalled, eyes. :yikes: The horror!
Shad, if you had been flying into JFK, we might have been able to arrang for the limo driver BF of a friend from another thread to meet and deliver you. It would likely have cost more, of course, but at least you wouldn't have gotten the attitude you did. Then again, the cab ride was probably a much more colourful experience...

Ceejay, how's the sinus weather doing down your way? Is it dry where you live, or hot and humid? At least you're enjoying the new tooth! I always find a new crown feels all wrong for a few days, and then suddenly I can't remember which tooth is the one that was worked on.
Has your leg injury healed up completely yet?

Holly, good news on the extra hours at work, and the bank approval! It just goes to show that staying out of debt and living within your means has paid off - not everyone who isn't rich would get such a positive reception from the lenders, but they can see you're good for it. It really is unfair, however, that the township is sticking you and your neighbours with the bill for some developer's project. I guess all you can do is accept it - you could try to fight, but you'd lose anyway, and it would drive you crazy along the way. But that doesn't make it right. :hug: to you too.

Is it possible a dingo ate our Suzi? I haven't seen the bad dingo since it hopped off my avatar - hope he's not had a pretty blonde for lunch!

Nae must be off meditating on the DBF's fate. :wave:

Meadow, we're worried about you - are you bailing out the basement? I'm not sure what town you live in, but do worry that the floods are giving you grief.

And Ruth, what news of Hershey? I do hope she's okay. We must chat once Shad crosses the border - arrangements for transferring the package... :rofl:

Bye for now!

See a bunch of egg light's on this morning. Hello to every one.

Busy getting ready to go for a short visit with the aunt and uncle.

Called one sister last night and will call the other one in a few minutes.

More later.

:wave: WAVING TO ALL THE LIT UP EGGS AND TO CEEJAY WHO IS THE LAST POSTER! :rofl:

CEEJAY~ ENJOY YOUR DAY. GLAD YOU GOT BOTH THE TEETH FIXED AND THE PAYCHECK :dance: HAPPY SATURDAY!!

HAPPY~ SAME THING WAS HERE TOO BEFORE SHAD ARRIVED....SHE MISSED THE RAIN AND THUNDER AND THE SKYS PARTED...IS SHE MOSES-SHAD???? SUNSHINE ABOUNDED IN THE SWELTERING HEAT YESTERDAY!
THE PLANT EXPEDITION SOUNDED LOVELY BUT THE WORK INVOLVED... :faint: GOD BLESS BOTH OF YOU! :lol3:
I LOVE YOUR JUMPING CHICKS!!

PAINTER~ I TRULY HOPE THE PAIN SUBSIDES!! GOOD LUCK WITH THE YOGA!! IF YOU AND DH DO EVERYTHING TOGETHER HOW GREAT WOULD THAT BE!!! SUPPORT ALL DAY LONG!!! GO AHEAD AND DIVE IN!! WHAT HAVE YOU GOT TO LOSE EXCEPT WEIGHT!!! :hug:

MADCAT~ WILL BE THINKING OF YOU THIS WEEK :hug: HOPE YOU HAVE A GREAT TIME WITH THE AIRMAIL PARCEL WHEN IT ARRIVES! DON'T WORRY ABOUT BUYING BATTERIES FOR IT...IT COMES FULLY WOUND!!
:rofl:

CARLA~ I WILL BE MORE THAN READY FOR JULY!! I HAVE CHANGED MY MIND AND WOULD LIKE A COPY OF THE FLUSH BASICS WHEN YOU HAVE TIME! THANKS :hug:
CONGRATS ON THE LOSS!! :cheer: I AM AT PRESENT TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO DELETE YOUR POST! MAYBER SUZANNE WOULD FEEL SORRY FOR ME IF I BEG AND PLEAD FROM THE CHAIR :moped: NOW I AM THINKING I BETTER GET VERY INVENTIVE WITH HIDING PLACES BEFORE SHE COMES BACK TODAY!! :lol3:
THE AVATAR IS TOO CUTE....Jumpin' Jehosethin?:rofl:

HOLLY~ YOU MUST BE RELIKEVED THAT THE LOAN CAME THRU. HOPE ALL GOES WELL WITH THE PAPER WORK TOO!! NO SNAGS. TAKE DEEP BREATHS. JUSTY WHEN YOU THINK ALL IS WELL...SOMEONE GOES AND TOSSES A COG IN THE WHEEL!! :tantrum: HANG IN THERE!

SENDING HUGS OUT TO EVERYONE ELSE. I THOUGHT OF YOU THIS MORNING MEADOW. AFTER EVERYONE LEFT...A WOMAN CAME IN WITH AN ARMFUL OF FLOWERS FOR HER "GRANNIE" SHE WORE A LOVELY COTTON DRESS AND THE WHOLE "PICTURE" REMINDED ME OF YOU EVEN THOUGH I KNOW NOT WHAT YOU LOOK LIKE!! LOL

I HAVE ENTRUSTED JOY TO JEN AND RICHIE. HOPE SHE CAN WEATHER THE EXPERIENCE! :rofl: I AM SURE SHE WILL HAVE TALES TO TELL ABOUT THE TRIP!! THE CHILDREN HAVE YET TO ARRIVE FOR THE SUMMER AND RICHIE'S DILEMMA IS ONGOING. SO WHEN HE SAW US WAITING FOR SHAD'S TAXI TO THE FERRY HE DECIDED TO FORGO THE TRIP TO THE LAWYER AND SPEND THE DAY WITH HER. I JUST HOPE SHAD IS UP TO IT!!! :lol3: :lol3:
POOR SHADDIE! I AM PUTTING MY FEET UP AND WATCHING CARTOONS WITH THE GRANDSON. HE WILL MISS SHAD. EVERTIME SHE SPEAKS HE PEEKS AROUND THE MIRROR AND WATCHES HER. MUST BE THE NEW "LANGUAGE" THAT ATTRACTS HIM! :rofl:
I JUST HAD SAUSAGE AND PEPPERS FOR BREAKFAST. JJULY WILL BE A VERY PAINFUL MO9NTH GETTING OUT OF A LOT OF BAD HABITS!!! WAITING TILL AFTER THE FOURTH THOUGH!!!
HAPPY SATURDAY DEAR FRIENDS AND STAY WELL!!!

Howdy chicks,

A wave to Carla who's on and posting right as we speak :wave:

Well vacation/holiday is over. Back to reality - laundry, meal planning, finishing all the "work" type things I wanted to get done before Shad's arrival but ran out of time. Thank goodness she is too polite to comment on the car so in need of a bath or the piles of papers by the desk. :o I did use my last day of holiday as a sort of a wind down day. Went and got a pedicure - nice pink toes instead of the bright orange ones that I liked for about 1 day and then hated the rest of the time. I didn't think the salon would be busy Friday afternoon but apparently flocks of people were watching my moves and ran in there right before me. So it was a bit of a rush job although I did get to spend a more than average amount of time soaking in the spa footbath and sitting in the vibrating chair. :hyper:

Today's agenda includes laundry, hemming some slacks, finish planting flowers and somehow figuring out how to fill up 5 more pots under DH's stern and watchful eye - you have GOT to stop spending so much :nono: I start the new job on Monday and I am recommitting to the WW diet plan and regular exercise. The diet plan will be easy in theory since the cafeteria is small and yucky outside of their soups. It's a fair drive to go out and get lunch. The worst part for me is that I will have to be at the office earlier than my old job and the commute is 35 minutes instead of 15. Which means getting up way earlier in the morning and y'all remember I am not a morning person. It also means being more organized in order to grab the lunch and stuff it in a bag on my way out. That means planning and chopping veggies and popping things into little grab it bags. Exercise should not be a problem. Got my new Omrion pedometer. It does over measure steps some times - I think all pedometers do but it's not overly inaccurate. I used it several days while Shad was here - particularly the day we trudged all over the zoo, amounted to less than 5,000 steps - half the recommended daily dose. So it's work to get in those extra steps. The new building I'm in is huge - a half mile just to walk the perimeter. After sitting and assembling reports and sifting through help desk tickets, I'm sure I'll go buggy and a quick time out to walk the building will be a welcome diversion. There's a walking track around a pond in the middle of the complex tho as the heat and humidity creep in, I think I'll stick with the cool interior of the building. I will have to head to bed earlier also. Remains to be seen if she can make it to work at her desk ready to start the day at 8am on the dot. Think she can? :dunno:

Carla, I have found that Shad is a pretty easy going lass and is quite up for any activitiy you might have in mind. If one walking path is closed, then chose another. She is also content to sit and chat tho I think she would rather be moving if given the choice. Thanks for noticing the avatar - I was glad to have an opportunity to use the jumping chicks which I think are cute!

Mel - good to hear that you are having a good time and that you have a personal chef helping you out. If she's Italian I'm sure abondanza is the word and you have enough for yourselves and 10 friends. Manja, manja :lol:

Painter - take a walk over to the yoga studio and talk to the instructor or better yet see if you can watch in the back of the class. See what style they have. Generally best to start at the beginning with a basics class, particularly where they can give you alternate poses for the less flexible or like me to accomodate tender wrists or other body parts. I always get a kick out of the occasional super fit people that walk in who have 10 percent or less flexibility. They come in lording it over the chubbies and then find we can do much better than them which frustrates them to no end. :rofl: But whatever you do - just start. Don't analyze, don't sit there - do something more today than you did yesterday.

Ceejay - looks like you got more of the storms than we did yesterday. It was looking nasty up your way. We got a downpour but not for long.

Well it's going on 11am. Coffee is done, first load of laundry is ready to be popped in the dryer. Guess I'd better get a move on here. Have a fun Saturday all...

Doing adequately
 

:D Hi Chicks :grouphug:

No flooding in my little corner... lots of warnings about the river North of us, we shall see how it goes. Even when you fill the sandbags, the river will just make a shift and come in somewhere else. Mother nature is very persistent when she exerts her powers. I've been meditating. Trying not to let negative thoughts taint my way forward. You know how it goes. Summer is bound to be lots of outside and fruit filled so I have hope.

Mel-I have a bouquet of pink and fuschia peonies in the livingroom, a peony bloom in the bathroom and long purple, bearded irises in a vase on the kitchen table. All the peony bushes set bloom like crazy this year so I'm hoping to be surrounded by their lovely scent long into July :D I hope Shad and yourself are giving out lots of real hugs now that you are together. Must be marvellous to see each other smile and get the wink when something is meant in jest that you can't via the phones.

Carla-thanks for you good thoughts, we are at the South end of the Thompson river, so far, so good;) I hope you headache is feeling better. Yep, I have noticed how I justify cream in my coffee, chocolate for my moods, exercise tomorrows. Is it creative or destructive? Personally I think the fat that is hanging around has an agenda :snooty: I won't go and you can't make me. Fat cells are stronger than brain cells:sumo:

Happy-does you home feel empty now that Shad has been and gone? I hope she left you with lots of warm memories. How pretty your toes sound and you get other people to do it too, wow! Such pampering is good before you have to get back to the grind. Good luck with your new job. I'm sure you can get those extra plants in undetected :mag:

Shad-how goes it? Are you enjoying Mel and her space? I bet you both are having a blast just being in each others company. Have your sinuses improved? That taxi ride sounded scary and rather like everything I've ever read about New York :o Oh dear!

Painter-at least in a Yoga class you get the proper alignment instruction. I find doing it by myself, I just do the poses I like and don't really stretch myself. I don't think it is about pushing yourself to do more than your comfortable with, just exploring what your body can do. A teacher will encourage you and it is always fun to be in a group dynamic, doing something for your well being. Personally I think you need to sing more. Zippidido dah, zippidy day, my oh my what a wonderful day... :dancer: It is a great diffuser with grumpy people, just start humming while they rant, often times they walk away or actually crack a smile :goodvibes

Madcat-you feeling better? Good news that the sun will be shining when you get Shad in town. I hope everyone will be on their best behaviour "not!"

Holly-cut loose and have a great time when you get into the big smoke with the ladies. Fingers crossed for lots of happy times and big smiles :corn: Can't wait for the playback ;)

Hugs to Nae and Ruth and Suzi and Tig and Linus and Teel and Linda and Java and.... :wave: :gossip: We are talking about you, better get in here and defend yourselves :yay:

Popping in late! My cleaning person, Donna, was here most of the morning. "We" did windows. (Note the "we".) Somehow, having her here is not quite the break I expected as there is lots of consultation. I must arrange to be out next time she comes. She is getting my house back into shape - I've not told her Shad is coming as she would be doing all the corners with a Q-tip and bleach!

Carla, Hershey is fine. Her bloodwork showed slight hypothyroidism and we now have pills for that. the tummy? Who knows? It coulds till be the cake. Yup, we'll chat once La Shad is in Tranna. Any chance you could come up here for dinner on Thursday night? I have a comfy hide-a-bed - I know that's an oxymoron but my 4" foam slab makes it comfy. No problem if not because I can certainly drive to Ottawa Friday A.M. and so some city stuff.

I still have to bake a rum cake for Church coffee hour tomorrow - replacing the cake Hershey ate last week! The oven is up to temp so I'll just go do it!

Hope Saturday is good for us all.

Ruth, I hope the dog does not eat the cake before the church goers get at it. Please ensure you put it up high on the shelf this time.
You mean the cleaner does not ordinarily do the corners with a qtip and bleach?? :yikes: there's a novel sensation.

Carla - thunderstorms usually wait until I have been not before I arrive. That's a worry. Maybe they think they are now better and bigger than I am. Doesn't compute :nono:
We can do anything you like. I did go to the Parc site and it looks really good. Or we can climb a mountain, scale the flagpole, swing from tree to tree - please just don't ask me to be inteligent inside a static display museum. I can only last for around 10 minutes before I start breaking the furniture. We may be asked to leave. You are warned! :tantrum:
I've not yet found the frappacinos - but she is forever shifting things around, I thought it was to make sure that I would never find the spoons, maybe that's what it is.

Meadow - Mel and I have not yet managed to get on each others nerves, but maybe that is why she got me out of the house this morning. I don't know if she normally keeps late hours, but she is NOW! Yakety yak, blah blah :blah: :blah: :blah: :blah: The taxi ride wasn't so much scarey as wild. That guy has never heard of a change lane signal or staying in one lane for more than 20 feet.

Madcat - tried to ring last night but got your dulcet tones on the answer service. Hope your friend and sister are doing okay now - will try again maybe tonight. I have a transfer voucher to get to my hotel but I'd love to catch up for a drink or something on Sunday arvo or evening if you and the DH have time. At least that way, we will know each other and can find Holly on the Monday. If she is looking out for two short tubby chicks who are making loud clucks it will be easier for her too.

Happy, I had a great time at your house. Thank you so much. I laike ma aigs cooked. Please remember that. How funny that we should meet up with someone in the Ozarks that knows someone in Brisbane. Thanks too to DH for his unfailing patience in times of great stress. He needs a medal.

Went to see the Statue of Liberty today. It's a grand sight. She is very BIG. Her fingers are 8 feet long for heavens sake. She's a bit out of proportion too, and it might be a good idea for her to join 3fat chicks. I'm glad I have seen it and I am glad I had the 'children' with me. I nearly lost my camera. silly me, and they rescued it from the jaws of a lightfingered Hua. Well worth taking them on the trip.

Okay, better get off here. I have to go pack the suitcase AGAIN and find places to fit everything in. Then it is more chitter chatter :gossip: and bed. Canada beckons. Crikey, this is going fast.

I have a sunburnt nose. Great yard sale, good bday party, ran and got groceries during the party and then DS and I went and fed some geese and ducks. Both kids are sequestered in their rooms playing quietly right now. I whipped up some spaghetti and ceasar salad. Tonight is about vegging, puttering and laundry.
Yesterday I went with DD , from 7am- 5pm, on a class trip to the African lion Safari. it was a stellar day.

Madcat- we will have to catch each other on the phone. I am home all evening tonight, tomorrow morning unitl 10am, back at noon, out again for the evening 3ish,home by 9pm.
I arrive on the Greyhound in TO at 12:55pm. I could walk to the Eaton Centre and meet you gals in front of the Bay by 1:30. I need to bus out at 8:30 pm.
Is the Eaton centre still there and is the Bay still there???

HUGS!!!

Hey Holly, You probably wouldn't even recognize the Eatons Centre, for instance, The Bay is now, I believe, the Sears! it might be easier if we come get you at the Bus station - Bay St side, just inside the entrance. We could be the idiots with the sign. :lol: Hey, no one has ever accused me of being afraid of breaking social conventions! But we'll connect tomorrow on the phone.

Shad~ Sorry, I missed your call last night but we ended up going out for beverages. I'd love to meet for a drink (I'll have to check with the DH's social secretary) though I have to do some running around in the early afternoon. I'll give you a call at your hotel or, if you haven't heard from me by late afternoon, ring me on my cell.

Let me post this one first and then I'll go back and read the rest.