So what if they do not speak English Mel. Neither do the Americans :rofl:
I've decided that Canadians are much like NZers. :rofl: :lol3:

1. The Canadians and NZers say eh! a lot. I heard a bunch of Canadians trying to talk to a bunch of Aussies yesterday. One Aussie was overheard to say that it was worse than trying to talk to a Kiwi! I offered to translate.

2. We both have bigger, noisier more powerful neighbours. Notice I did not say they were good neighbours!

3. We both have beautiful countries - real chocolate box stuff. Not saying there is no beauty in US or Aus. There is - It's harder to find that's all.

4. The Canadian sense of humour is aligned with the Brits as is ours. In fact sometimes the Canucks seem to be more British than the Brits - just like us. Every hotel seems to have a British style bar or Restaurant.

There's more but it is only 7am and I am about to move out into the cool morning and walk off some excess food.
I catch the plane back to Vancouver today to begin the last part of the US trip. I'd better get busy and get packed. I'm not sure the seaplane receptionist understood how much luggage I have. I will be paying excess so I have to take it down early.

This is just a quick hello - don't really have an opportunity to post properly at the moment, but wanted to check in.

Mel, so sorry about the sad event. You've earned your Meliday, that's for sure. :hug: I think you see more than your share of endings, and far too much of the nastier side of human nature. Communing with the squirrels may be just the ticket.

Shad, good choice to fly back to Van, especially since the weather gods are no longer with you... It'll be an early start tomorrow too. If we don't see each other at check-in, I'll be the one with the hollow eyes clutching an extra-large Tim Horton's... :lol:

Happy, keep enjoying the time with your mom, and the healthy eating. This last week I've been a little sloppy with my diet, and am paying the price with a sore mouth and, erm, a little sluggishness. Am now knocking back regular doses of ground flaxseed to compensate, hoping the bag doesn't get confiscated at Customs tomorrow... :eek:

Ruth, was the mixup about the fair actually sabotage? Time to call in Miss Marple - small-town intrigue strikes again! ;)

Gotta go before the battery on this baby dies on me.

:wave: to all the chicks I've missed.

Happy, I see your egg is lit. I once met some people from Tennessee, and was delighted to hear them say "boy howdy!" as a exclamation... Has that one crept into your speech patterns yet? Did you sit there like a stunned mullet first time you heard it? :lol:

I'll be sitting on my case, muttering hail mary's and a couple of novenas and cursing the hour.

What's wrong with the weather. Sunny and nice where I am

:sunny: SUNNY AND LOVELY HERE TOO :dance:
GLAD THE WEATHER IS HOLDING UP FOR YOU SHAD. SEEMS LIKE YOU HAD PERFECT WEATHER THROUGHOUT!
THE NZ/CAMADA THING WAS TOO FUNNY!!MAKES ME GLAD I'M A YANK :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

CARLA~ NICE TO SEE YOU PEEK IN. HOPE THE JOB IS GOING WELL!

I GOT UP EARLY AND PUT A LOAD OF WASH IN. ALREADY STARTED THE DAY OFF. NOW FOR BREAKFAST AND THE HAIRDRYER. IT WILL BEGIN TO WARM UP THIS WEEK OR SO THEY SAY. NO SQUIRRELS WERE VISIBLE AT THE RESEVOIR BUT THEY WERE IN THE PARK. NOTHING NEW TO REPORT. QUIET WEEKEND.
HAPPY MONDAY :moped:

Good morning chicks,

Where did the weekend go? :dunno: Mom and I did a marathon of shopping this weekend it seems. Of course I bought way more than she did. Some times stores are as bad for me as chocolate :lol: Needless to say, we have LOTS of food here this week. I also took her to chuch yesterday. The priest gave a very funny sermon - had the whole church laughing several times. Then at the end of mass he announced that it was his last Sunday mass and that he'd be leaving (reassigned) on Tuesday. Too bad - he might have sparked an interest in me to attend more regularly :( Mom of course had to comment at the people who continuously came in late. I'd say at least a 3rd of the attendees came in AFTER the services started. Shame shame :nono: The weekend whizzed by too quickly and here it is again Monday. Off to the salt mines again so soon...

I'm delighted Shad that you liked the Gardens. Would have felt bad if you didn't considering I practically pushed them on you. I thought they would be of interest to you considering your love of flowers. I overheard DH telling Mom about the Rocky Mountaineer - perhaps we'll do that soon. I can see where the travelling would wear thin by now. Wouldn't be bad I think if you spent an entire week in one place but these short term pack, unpack, repack up move here there in short bursts would get to me too. I remember one of the few times we took a 2 week vacation though the western states. By the end of it I was sitting in a restaurant and I couldn't even make up my mind what to order - was desperately ready to get back to the hum drum but still orderly pattern of regular life. You still have a few more sights to see. Have a good time. See if you can take a bus tour to see the forests of giant California redwoods just north of San Francisco.

Mel - enjoy the sun. Looks like we'll get rain on and off all week here - we need it. So sorry to hear about your friend Karl. :hug: Families can be so shallow. :mad:

Carla - never heard of "boy, howdy" but I have lots to learn here. :lol: I was giving Mom a running monolog (sp?) in the car while driving the other day. All sorts of Southern excuses for driving poorly. She was cracking up. Have a good time with Shad exploring California.

Meadow - we never made it to the library. Somehow time got away from us. I had heard that Sue Grafton writes well. Will have to try her out before she runs out of alphabet :lol:

Ruth - you comment on the bronzed balls was a classic :rofl: - still laughing over that. :D

Well I am overdue my computer time this morning - I swore I was going to get into work earlier although unless you go in way way early (just after dawn) you get stuck in traffic. So leaving 1 hour earlier takes you 50 minutes instead of 30 and you're much more peeved when you arrive because you are contending with the worst of the lot. :mad: I long for the day I can be done with this mess and be a stay at home wife. :cloud9:

Happy Monday ladies - use it well :D

Quickie this morning as I have some bronzed balls hardening in a 250ºF oven! I need to get the job finished as there may be more to do later.

I'm back from the gym and refereeing a big drama down at the Long Horn. Why me? I seem to be a sort of MEL - everyone's mother. Hey, MEL, move here and take over - OK? I may do a drama dump in my journal but for now I intend to have a nice lunch on the cool wicker on the front porch and practice being an island of calm in a sea of chaos!

Shad, I'm glad you got to Butchart Gardens - one of my favourite places in Victoria. I hope you are not yet jaded by all the travel because you've got a bit more to go!

Carla49, did you meet up OK with SHad or am I confused?

Happy, sounds like you had a great visit with your mother. I hate it when people come late to Church too and am very adept at giving them a dirty look. One couple is consistently late!

Meadow, Sue Grafton? How did I miss reading her books? I'll let you know next time I fly over on teh way to Nanaimo so you can do the chicken waving routine. I wish I could have seen that!

Hotter than heck is the forecast for this afternoon - and that's just the weather! :rofl:

Just popping in to say hello. :wave:

I AM POSTING TONITE FOR TOMORROW. FOOD SHOPPING IS FIRST THEN A WEE STINT IN THE OFFICE. LUNCH WITH A FRIEND IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM AND JEN & COMPANY IN THE AFTERNOON. BY THE TIME I AM ALONE IT WILL BE A HOT SHOWER AND JAMMIES! LOL
THE COPS AND THE OFFICE TOO ALMOST 3 HOURS. TALK,TALK,TALK. AND NOTHING BEING SAID. I FINALLY LEFT MY REPORT AND TOOK OFF. AT LEAST I GOT ONE LOAD OF WASH DONE. :rofl: JEN AND I SPENT SOME QUIET TIME ALONE WITH THE GRANDSON. HE WAS HAPPY TO SEE HER BUT SHOWED NO SIGNS OF WANTING TO LEAVE :lol3: :lol3: NOT SURE IF JEN IS SAD OR RELIEVED! LOL ALL IS WELL HERE IN THIS CORNER OF THE UNIVERSE. HAVE A GREAT DAY TOMORROW. SEE YA WEDNESDAY:moped:
SHAD & CARLA~ HOPE YOU BOTH HAVE A GREAT TIME!!

RUTH~ TAKE A PIC OF THE BALLS AND MAKE A XMAS CARD OUT OF THEM!! :rofl: :rofl:

HAPPY~ WE WOULD LOVE TO SHOP TOGETHER....BOTH OF US ARE OUT OF CONTROL :rofl: :dance: HAPPY WORK WEEK!! :hug:

CEEJAY~ HELLO TO YOU TOO :wave:

MADCAT~ :hug:

:hug: TO ALL OUR MISSING CHICKLETTES: NAE, TIG, TEEL, PAINTER, LINUS, MEADOW, HOLLY, AND ANYONE ELSE I FORGOT OR WHO IS LURKING! JUMP RIGHT ON IN....THE WATER IS FINE :swim:

Busy, busy, happy bee. School out for the kids on Wed. Getting ready for the new sitter and such. Worte 2 hours of school council notyes up today. Did 5 loads of wash....... the usual fun stuff. Been eating lots of fresh strawberries!!

I must say I agree with Shad about Canadians but I am biased.

HUGS!!!

Morning chicks,

I sure am tired this morning. Would have given anything to be able to go back to sleep for an extra hour or two but it's not to be. Don't know why - got to bed at a decent hour and the rain hasn't hit here yet. Perhaps I danced the night away in my dreams just like that old fairy tale. :^:

So I don't have much to say other than I need more coffee :coffee: Have a good one.

Dragging my butt a bit today too, Happy, so pass over the coffee.

My BGL was way too low when I woke up. It's back to normal now but I'm still feeling crappy. Part of it is worry of my little Lucy who was sick last night and is very lethargic today. I wish animals could talk! Shad will tell you that she is very vocal but only speaks canine - and Portuguese canine at that!

Today is predicted to be hot and humid with 104ºF predicted when you factor in the humidex! I'm going out now to set up the garden watering and plan to spend the rest of the day inside.

Seems like the worldly chicks are busy. Woke up this morning with a sinus headache. WishI could go back to bed.

Ruth--Take care of yourself and Lucy today.

Mel-Sounds like a day of shopping would be fun.

Happy-Don't work to hard.

Morning all,
This is Shad masquerading as Carla once more. We are in sunny California. Yesterday Carla drove the Big Sur road with me yelling stop, stop ever couple of minutes. It was very beautiful down there. Similar to the Great Ocean Road in Victoria and the coastline of Ireland, but different - if you know what I mean. We had lunch at a place called Nepenthe which was nice and overlooking a stupendous view.

Now we are back in Monterey sitting up in bed and drinking some foul coffee. Carla says her's is not bad - maybe milk helps. Today we are off to the Aquarium and then slowly making our way back up the coast. Oh yes I think we are going to do a little window gazing in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Maybe Clint will invite us to lunch? Or maybe not.

Tonight we are back in SF and I have a few days to see the city before going home. This holiday has gone fast. Then I am off to Groote - minus the twit of course. I had an assurance from Tracey at Groote that he would not be there while I was. She is offering to fly me from Groote straight to Perth which would mean that I would have a few days of leisure between the two jobs. I think I might need that. I'll have to have a chat with DS2 before that and see how he is faring.

Happy - sorry that you didn't sleep well. Life loves to throw these curved balls our way from time to time. Say hello to Mum for me please.

Ruth - tell Lucy that I'll be back to see her if she doesn't buck up. She's probably pinched something from the table or fruitbowl or maybe someone gave her some of my awful coffee!

Ceejay - Hope the sinus' disappear quickly. Have a good day

Madcat - Hope that things are going okay for you and your sister and friend. It's a tough time for you so take it easy and look after yourself d'ya hear.

Holly - have fun with the kids and the job etc. How did the DH do with his job offer?

Mel - shop wisely today and have a good one.

:yikes: Carla has gone back for another cup of coffee. :faint: :eek: :dizzy:

Bye y'all.

This time it's really me. Don't listen to Shad - it's not sunny and the coffee isn't all that bad... :lol3:
Well, you've heard it all from the joyous one, not much to add from the peanut gallery. Our hotel is what one might charitably refer to as a budget choice. But it does have free wireless, and complimentary entertainment from the room upstairs. Not yet sure if it's a team of bowlers practicing for the club championship or clumsy weightlifters dropping their dumbbells on the floor every few minutes...
Shad did her weather magic again yesterday, a good thing as the coast drive would be decidedly dreary in rainy or grey weather, and even scarier in the fog :fr: We're hoping the magic will kick in around the time we leave for the aquarium.
:grouphug: to all the worldlies.

OMG, I can't even imagine the magnificent shades of blue and turquoise of Big Sur obliterated by gray and cloudy skies. I thought as the song goes - It never rains in California ... And even scarier than that is the idea of doing that ride in the SF fog. :yikes: Glad the weather held for you. Enjoy the Aquarium. Do they still have some of those overgrown weeded lots on Cannery Row? Think you two should rent one of those 2 person pedal bikes with the foofy canopy and do the strip right. :D Carmel is nice but pricy. Why didn't you do 17 Mile Drive at Pebble Beach?

I've seen some of those budget hotels. I forced DH (and boy did he yell) to stay at the pricy hotels along the waterfront as I just love the sound of the surf. Didn't plan on listening to squawking sea gulls keeping us up all night either. The Monterey Plaza Hotel was just FABULOUS. Had my last cigarette listening to the surf at the Monterey Bay Inn 3 years ago. As you leave the hotel, turn away from the water and to the left slightly and give a wave to DH's Aunt Jean, will you? She's a sweetie. :hug:

Afraid you'll be home before you know it Shad. Hope you can squeeze a few days in before you have to jump into the caldron of work again. Just enough time to change gears. Hope Carla is a good tour guide and if she isn't, well at least I hope you guys have fun.

I am still sleepy and it appears that I have set the tone for the thread today. Sorry :yawn: Guess it's something in the air. Just finished a tossed greens & veggie salad for lunch and even that's sitting heavy. I hope there's at least a lot of arguing in my next meeting so we all stay awake.

Shad--You'll love the aquarium. I can understand about the drive also. I asked my nephew to go back and pick up my stomach several times. SF is a beautiful place.

The genuine article here - Carla reporting in person. The package has been delivered safely to her San Fran hotel, and yours truly is at her airport hotel ready for bed and the joy of trying to get home a day early on standby tomorrow.

Today was exhausting. Started with an early awakening after a night listening to someone snore. No names, no pack drill... but shoulda packed the ear plugs! Then the aquarium from top to bottom, very nice, otters galore, then a particularly tasty lunch at the aquarium restaurant. Yum. Into the car, and off to ritzy, pricey Carmel. Changing gears (downwards), a short visit to Gilroy and the oulet stores... Then traffic, traffic, traffic all the way to Shad's hotel. Then more lefts and rights to go pick up my local friend before the move to my hotel... Gloomy weather in San Fran, like today in Monterey and much of the way back to the city. Hoping Shad will have good weather and sunshine for the time she has left here.

When my ex and I did the Big Sur trip it was slightly foggy and grey - he was not impressed. Glad I could arrange for perfect weather this time for Shad!

Ceejay, you're right about the drive and ther aquarium. I'm a wuss about winding mountain roads, but sucked it up and did okay. (Shad will be too kind to contrdict..._)

Anyway, I'll be a bit short again tonight - my friend is glaring at me - wants the lights out to get to sleep and/or chat. Hoping to make a quick run to Trader Joe's before it's time to try for the flight tomorrow... love that store.

Good night all.

Hmmm. I'm a little concerned - left Shad in the parking lot of her hotel, but am now wondering if she made it in to her room since she hasn't posted. Probably just a lack of internet, but I'm having a guilty moment here. I'll have a dozen worldly chicks out for my hide if I've been careless with the parcel. :eek:

Quick :wave: and :coffee: as I launch myself into another Ruthie RoadrunnerDay! One of these days I'm going to retire! I'm seriously thinking of taking a mini-vacance during the chaos of Delta Fair! All my stuff will be done before it opens so.....
Sorry I can't spend more time in here but South Beach is a hopping board and taking too much of my time.
Hugs to all the "Worldlies"!

WE'LL HAVE TO SEND THE MOUNTIES OUT TO LOOK FOR SHAD....LOST IN THE PARKING LOT!:tantrum:

CARLA~ PROBABLY NO INTERNET IS RIGHT. HOPE YOU HAVE A SAFE TRIP AS WELL WITH YOUR FRIEND. I NEVER HEARD THE SNORING....MY ROOM HAD THE A/C RUNNING AND YOU CAN'T HEAR A THING! :rofl: NO WONDER MY GRANDSON SLEPT FOR A WEEK AFTER SHE LEFT! :lol3: :lol3: HAVE FUN!!

RUTH~ :cofdate: I'LL SIT WITH YOU AND HAPPY THIS MORNING WITH THE COFFEE! SMART DOGS YOU HAVE....I CAN'T SPEAK PORTUGUESE ANYTHING! :rofl:

CEEJAY~ I THINK I AM JOINING YOU WITH THE SINUS HEADACHE!! I USED TO COUNT THE DAYS I HAD ONE....NOW I PRAY FOR A DAY WITHOUT ONE! :yikes: :faint: :dizzy:

HAPPY~ NOW I AM VERY SLEEPY THIS MORNING....MUST BE ALL THIS CRAZY WEATHER WE'RE HAVING. THE WEEKEND WILL SOON BE HERE MY FRIEND AND YOU CAN ENTERTAIN MOM WITH FEET UP BY THE POOL!:beach:

MADCAT :hug:

SHAD~ I CAN'T BELIEVE IT'S GROOTE TIME SO SOON. JUST UNREAL HOW THE DAYS ARE FLYING BY. GLAD THE SUN WAS OUT IN SF AND YOU STOPPED CARLA FOR PICS!! THIS TRIP WILL REALLY BE SOMETHING TO SEE.
HAVE A GOOD TIME IN CALI!

YESTERDAY WAS ONE CANCELLATION AFTER ANOTHER....BUT IT ENDED UP A GREAT DAY. I GOT MORE DONE IN THE LIVINGROOM. EMPTIED SOME DRAWERS AND PUT MORE STUFF AWAY AND TOSSED THE REST. MY COMPUTER NOW SITS ON AN ENDTABLE AND I CAN REACH ALL THE PLUGS NOW.....JUST I CASE IT SHOULD CRASH AGAIN:faint: TODAY IS A LAZY DAY AND I DESERVE IT AFTER MOVING FURNITURE AROUND.
HAPPY WEDNESDAY! :moped:

Good morning chicks,

I forgot to set the alarm and overslept :yikes: Quick peek in here while gulping down the necessary coffee. Will have to catch up later. Love to the chicks!

So glad the parcel is having such a great tour.

Hubby called back on the specified date and they were still doing internal, lateral changes. He needs to call again. He scored 10/12 on math skills and 8/12 on language skills. Not terrible scores. He did better on language than I thought he would. He is still hopeful.

We really need rain. Crops are dying. Hot and humid again. Last day of school for the kidlets. Mad dash to make gifts this morning. "Cookies In a Jar".
I worked til 7pm last night and then went to a townhall meeting. I am all fired up about the community organizing to take a stand against the township!!!!

Work from 12-8 today. I have 2.5 hours to do " something". New sitter starts tommorrow. I am thinking I will try and clean so we have a fresh start. I have Avon to do as well. I really must shower too.

Hey Darlings! Just a quickie to let you know things are going ok here. I've been enjoying reading the continuing adventures of the worldly chicks and I will try to come back and comment later. Things are going well with my sis. She's on week two of the chemo/radiation and seems to be ok now that she has the timing of the anti-nausea drugs down. We managed a roadtrip to Stratford to see To Kill a Mockingbird (highly recommended!!!) on the weekend and she still sounds cheerful on the phone. Doing the treatments has turned into a full time job, since the treatments are at noonish and the Cancer society ride generally picks her up by 10. My friend is also doing well though she has an infection and they have postponed her next chemo round until it clears up. She is very upbeat. I really do appreciate the concern. This thread has taken me away everywhere from the wilds of the west and the beautiful coastline to Ruthie's backyard:lol:, and that's a good thing.

I'm having some wicked allergies and I think I need some more water. I'll come back this evening if it isn't too hot in the office at home. We're in the midst of a stinkin' heatwave.

(((Madcat))) Nice to see you posting and fairly perky despite the stinking heat!

Morning all,
I did come in last night but didn't post due to a round of e-mail from the agent fella. Sign this, fax that, do the other. Here's some accommodation in Perth. Get cracking.

So sorry I kept you awake Carla. You should have thrown something at me. The sinus' are coming down with another bout of whatever again and are quite painful this morning. I'm doing fine in a rather strange hotel. Personality hotel is what they call it and indeed it has a quirk or two. (Do you want a quiet room or one at the front?) Braved the streets of San Fran last night for a bite to eat and a whip around the block. I'm now about to take to the streets and see if I can get lost looking for the information kiosk. Supposed to be around here somewhere. You can't miss it??? Bet you life I can.

Good to see all the others posting. Take it easy all of you. You'll be complaining of cold before too long.

Gotta go. Hills to climb. Cable cars to ride.

I've decided to stay put in the journals for a while. I'll be lurking. There's just not enough time for everything.

Madcat--So good to hear that your sister and friend are doing so well.

Holly--It's been hot here also until the past couple of days. We've had some much appreciated rain.

Where's Suzi?

Afternoon all,
Carla - we forgot to tell the chickies about the Condor we saw hovering above the sea. When I first saw it I thought it was a hang glider but it just sat there working the thermals and every so often it flapped wings. It looked huge. We had no idea what it was until we saw the picture of one in a free paper at the lunch place.

Ceejay - we understand the pressures of time around here. Post as and when you can, but don't stay away too long.

Today I have walked up and down hills, through Chinatown, up Filbert Street - man that is steep, gone up the Coit Tower and seen the town and the bridges. Then I walked down Filbert Street, up Columbus to Lombard and then trudged up the 'Most crooked street in the World'. I was going to trudge down the steps again but a cable car stopped right in the middle of my photograph, so I hopped on and went down to Powell and Market and spent the afternoon browsing the ? floors of the San Francisco Pacific Shopping Centre. Bought one tee shirt but will be going back tomorrow to pick up some shoes for DS2. He wants Nikes but will get what he gets. I may even buy two pair if they are cheap enough. Now I just have to sort out the DS1 and G/F and I am finished shopping. Mind you I am going to Union Square shopping tomorrow. I'll need a credit card in each hand there!
Tomorrows agenda is Fishermans Wharf and the surrounding area and hopefully Golden Gate Park, harbour cruise and shopping later. Let's see how the feet hold out.

Don't let Carla fool anyone. She drove very well and the room was fine (apart from the absence of ear plugs apparently). I did just what we wanted it to - ie sleep - well I did anyway.
Carla - did you get home okay?

So I will now go and see if I can find a news channel and catch up with the world. It seems to be raining somewhere Georgia I think. Weather is great over here. Warm, Sunny, bit of a breeze.

See you all.

Hey kids,

Figured I'd drop a line or two. Very earlly start tomorrow, probably won't have time to post.

Sorry to see you go Ceejay. Understandable about the time committment. I have to scale back myself because as you say, other things to be done. Guess it will get rather quiet around here very soon.

Think I will pass it to our good neighbors up north to pick up the slack in July. I'm going to be spending some well deserved pool time (still haven't been in it yet).

Good to hear you are having fun in SF Shad. You trudged UP Lombardi street? :faint: I am not worthy to huff and puff in your shadow :lol: I can't wait to see your vacation pics tho it seems like it will be a while before they get posted :(

Madcat - good to hear that your sis and friend are holding their own for the moment. We will keep those good vibes coming at you. Take some time for yourself too, 'k?

Holly if we ever get any rain (tho not next week when I have a house full of company) I will send some extra up your way. ;)

So Ruth, I have always wondered - what do you have to do moderating a board? Answer questions? Keep the cat fights to a minimum?

Carla - sounds like your tour of SF was quite on the run. I will have to keep you in mind as a tour guide since my hatred of driving is well known. You drive and I will keep you supplied with laughs and cool water :lol: I can navigate too!

Mel - I made you some grilled chicken legs, fresh green beans and Mom made up a salad but you didn't show up. Good thing I didn't pop open the bottle of TGI Friday's orange dream boozy knock you on your keester after one drink Orange Dreamsicle special. We'll leave the light on for you - but hurry, last one here has to sleep outside under the mombasa net and since both airbeds are accounted for and DH never did buy me that hammock :censored: - if you wait too long who knows what you'll get - a floating bed in the pool I think. :lol: You can help me clean out closets once the Mongolian Hoarde leaves here. We can play dress up - remember when we actually WORE clothes like this? :lol: Hope you enjoyed a quiet day to yourself.

Ok Chicks. Time for bed. Sweet dreams ladies.

BAD EYE DAY AND COULDN'T FINISH READING. SORRY EVERYONE.
MADCAT I DID READ YOURS TO CATCH UP WITH YOU. SO GLAD TO HEAR THAT EVERYTHING IS AS GOOD AS CAN BE EXPECTED RIGHT NOW. SENDING MUCH LOVE AND GOOD THOUGHTS Y=TO ALL OF YOU.

HAPPY THURSDAY AND I'LL TRY AND READ TONITE.:moped:

Happy Birthday Roseblush!!
 

:hug: :carrot: :wave: :joker: :cb: :flow1: :dance: :queen: :wizard: :lucky::bubbles::encore::cheer2::congrat::broc: :celebrate: :bday2::hb: :woo: :gift: :balloons: :flow2:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NAE!!! HOPE IT'S A WONDERFUL ONE TOO! ENJOY YOUR SPECIAL DAY TOMORROW!!


***TOMORROW IS NAE'S BIRTHDAY BUT JIC MY EYE GETS WORSE I AM SAYING IT TODAY!! :rofl:

Thanks for keeping us up to speed on the calendar Mel

Happy Birthday Nae :hb: :cheers: Hope it's a nice one for you!

Hey everyone, thanks for the warm wishes..... my life has been too crazy to even come here to read..... so Glad the trip is going well for Shad.... working two jobs is going to kill this ole lady..... going white water rafting today for the whole day.... taking a friend of mine Maria who does everything so welll cooking gardening pottery.... we will have a blast.... some big water in places.
My Love to all of you...
Nae

Narf!
 

We have lift off on the pool! The kids are officially peguins... they couldn't wait to get in. My sisters are coming up this weekend. The kids last day of school today.

Mel-be tender to yourself:hug: Is the construction dust drifting up to your window? I hope the A/C doesn't get clogged, summer heat needs cool air:dizzy:

Nae-Have a glorious birthday! White water rafting? My stomach lurched at the thought:o Hang on and wear your life jacket and scream loudly and with gusto :lol:

Shad-I bet SF is really good fun! Will you have fish and chips at Fisherman's Wharf? I've been reading Delia Smith's summer cookbook and have a craving for gooseberries, which I've never tasted but jeepers they look succulent and she uses elderberry cordial with them?! Never had that either, have you? Linus and Teel need to pop in and enlighten us.

Happy-my kids beat you into the pool :p I bet your water is about 30 degrees warmer :lol3: How is the job? You haven't said much, is it old hat yet?

Madcat-Good to hear from you. I'm sure it is very stressful. Has your sister found a support group? Half of recovery is being able to dump all these emotions that bubble up. :hug: Good energy and healing thoughts :goodvibes: I hope the allergies lighten up:^:

Ceejay-I understand. I don't get in here as often as I would like. I hope the journals give you what you need.

Holly-The town will not know what hit them, Go, go! So the kids are loose? Mine are as of today. I suspect they will not be up too early tomorrow and will be spending alot of time in their pjs until noon. Ah, the life!

Ruth-yes, please dish :yes: What is happening behind the scenes? Have you banned anyone for something? How many warnings? Do you correct spelling? :judge::queen::wizard:

Carla-are you in the air? or still in CA? I've heard it is some sweltering back East just lately. Do you have A/C at your place? I suspect this summer is going to be a doozy.

Afternoon all,
I've just got back from walking and shopping. I now have two pairs of nikes to put in the case and the other DS wants some Adidas. Much easier to find. Niketown is up in Union Square and it is packed with shoppers.
Today I left here early (well just before 8am) and caught the cable car up to Hyde Street and walked around the marina there. Then I went down to the Fishermans wharf area and booked tickets on a harbour cruise and discovered how cool it was on land - the man selling the tickets said it will be much cooler on the water. I bought a fleecy jacket and man was I glad that I had it. It was still cold with it on out there. Thick fog early this morning but it shifted as we went out to sea and we got some quite good views of the BRIDGE even though the tops were still shrouded in mist.
Back on land I warmed up with a clam chowder in a bread roll and boy was it good. Love that chowder.
I then walked down the Embarcadero to the Embarcadero Centre and went to the Liz Claiborne factory outlet where I bought five tops. Then I walked down Market Street to Stockton Street where the Niketown was. From there I walked back to the hotel. Up hills and down dales - although I have to admit that it was not as hilly as yesterdays effort.

Happy Birthday Nae. You are on the same day as my sister. You must be a nice person!

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...yBirthday1.jpg

Need coffee - such as it is and I'd better go get these shoes so I can pack my bags for home tonight. Tomorrow I would like to go to the Golden Gate Park for a while. It's a bit of a hike unless I can find a train or bus that will take me there.

See you

Morning ladies - at least to those of you still left. This will be my last regular post for a bit. Last day of work and the family descends upon the house tomorrow. I took mom on a Pee Wee's big adventure to find replacement sunglasses last night - that was a marathon run in which we didn't get home and eat until 9pm. :yawn: But that's ok. She got a new purse, some toiletries she needed and the precious new sunglasses (she needs to protect her eyes from a medical condition) so all is well. There's not much to do around the house except for some minor tidying up. DH is supposed to shampoo the downstairs rugs tonight and mom said she'd dust - not that I want her to but she said she needs SOMETHING to do and if I don't give her something, she will get herself in trouble - you know how 80 year olds are :devil: :lol:

I have so much to do at work today. And it won't all get done and I can't stay late. Things are finally starting to sink in - at least a little bit. And then I will go on vacation and forget it all and come back dazed and confused next Monday to the extent that I have to write my password down or I'll forget that too :rofl: The whole crew (including Mom) will be leaving early next Friday morning - I will probably log on from home just to try and catch up. I could use the extra vacation day back any way - still hoping DH and I can get a few days away for ourselves this year - even a long weekend. Time for us to start looking around at the next place to move too. Both of us are getting tired of Memphis. A few of the surrounding states are definite "no way" would we consider them - but there's some other places that deserve to be checked out including eastern Tennessee. Rhode Island is not out of the question tho we hate to get back to winters again. Too hard on the joints and bones.

But I babble here as I should be getting into the shower. Maybe that's why I'm so behind all the time :o

Shad, sounds like you're having a good time exploring the shopping options in SF. Can't believe it's time to pack one last time. Hope your bags aren't too overweight and that you had a good holiday here and about. Safe trip back home. You'll be back in the swing of things before you know it.

Madcat - still sending hugs and good thoughts to you, friends and family :grouphug:

Meadow - have fun around the pool. How nice to have the sisters to visit. No getting in trouble now :devil:

Hope you had a nice birthday Nae.

Rest those eyes Mel. Perhaps it's good we are quieting down for a bit - will give you're eyes a much needed rest. No temptations to peek in here. I promise to write boring posts so you won't have to read them :rofl:

I need to get out of here now. Hellos to the lurking chicks.

This'll be the lost post for a couple of days. I want to thank all of you for making my holiday so enjoyable.
Happy it was great to see you and DH again. I did enjoy the Ozarks, the caves and the porched aigs.
And to Mel who must have gone through a lot because I took up a lot of her personal space, hijacked her computer and snaffled her daughter for the day. Not to mention my perfume which caused her some sniffles. Thank you so much
It was great to meet up with Holly and Madcat. Thank you for taking the time to come and spend a day with me. Really made Toronto come alive for me.
Many thanks also to Ruth and the doggage for their great 'real Ontario' style hospitality. Thanks for dinner also when 'handing over the parcel'.
And to Carla - you really put yourself out for me and I appreciate it so much. Sorry that I kept you awake and that you must now be worn out because you haven't posted since you got back. Thank you also for doing all that driving especially when you had to face those hills and cliffs.
I'm glad I managed to speak to Meadow as well. At least I can put a voice and a sort of a face to her now.

Next time I decide to come on holiday, we had better try to get all of us together in a place that is not to far to travel for most of us. Don't know where that mythical place might be, but we can work on it.

So now I am off to the great land of Oz. Well later tonight actually. I'm not sure what to do with myself today. It's a matter of timing. I'd like to go to the Golden Gate Park but it is a fair way off and I have to catch a bus I think. Not that that bothers me. It's the times of buses coming back in case I get caught up in a jam or no buses or whatever. I'm still mulling it over.

See you all

Oh my! Shad's great North American Tour is drawing to an end! Wasn't it fun following her along? I am very envious and need to assuage my travel urge soon.

Not this weekend, however, as I am very involved in getting the big Delta "Woodstock" off the ground. I've never seen so many panicky "organizers" in one place and am trying hard to remain an island of calm in the sea of chaos! This morning I tallied $65K's worth of beer as it got moved from the beer truck into the refrigerated trailer! How exciting is that? I also got to supervise the placement of the port-a-potties and hand washing stations. :shrug:

The big news in the village today is that the Rideau Canal Waterway has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO! This will be a great economic boon to the area as it will bring in even more tourists. It's a good thing Shad got to see part of it before the roads get too crowded.

Next week when I get a breather, I'll dish on what the heck a MOD does. In the meantime, I need to go for the mail and throw together some healthy meals for the next three days!

OH I AM SO SADDENED THE TRIP IS COMING TO AN END.
IT WILL FEEL FUNNY NOT TELLING JEN ON THE PHONE WHAT SHAD IS UP TO!! IT'S LIKE A TRAVELING SOAP OPERA!!! MY ONLY REGRET WAS THAT I COULDN'T TAKE YOU SIGHTSEEING THE PROPER WAY. WE COULD HAVE DONE NYC BIG TIME. SIGH. IN ANOTHER LIFETIME WE WILL MEET AGAIN I AM SURE :yoga: SAFE TRAVELS KAURANGI!! LOVE, PORANGI

HELLO TO EVERYONE ELSE. I AM GLAD HAPPY WILL BE SURROUNDED BY HER FAMILY ONCE AGAIN. MEADOW HAS HER PENGUINS BACK AGAIN. I WOULD BE ONE TOO IF I WERE THERE!! :swim:
RUTH WILL BECOME A TOUR GUIDE AND SEEL TICKETS!!
CEEJAY IS TAKING A BREAK. :hug:
NAE IS CELEBRATING A LOVELY BD WITH HER FRIEND!!

I WENT FOOD SHOPPING, HAD LUNCH WITH THE MAINT. MEN AND THEN WORKED A FEW HOURS. ALL IN ALL A GREAT DAY. EYES ARE SO SO. THE STORY OF MY LIFE. RAN OUT OF DROPS AND THE DR REFUSES TO REFILL TILL I SEE HIM NEXT. IT'S BEEN ALMOST 2 YRS SINCE I LAST SAW THIS ONE..HE'S THE HEAD. I'LL SEE WHAT NEXT WEEK BRINGS. LOL HOPE YOU ALL HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND. SHAD HAS A SAFE TRIP HOME AND WE ALL HAVE SMILES ON FOR NEXT WEEKS YANKEE HOLIDAY!!
TAKE CARE FRIENDS :moped:

:cofdate: HAPPY SATURDAY MORNING CHICKLETTES:sunny:
IT'S A COOL 63 DEGREES IN NORTHERN NJ TODAY AND I HAVE THROWN OPEN THE WINDOWS WHILE THE DECONSTRUCTORS AREN'T HERE ON WEEKENDS!! LOVING TH COOLER AIR. WISHING FOR YOU ALL A VERY PEACEFUL WEEKEND. MINE WILL BE QUIET....I HOPE! :moped:

We're cool too at 58ºF but it sure is great to have all the windows open. This is Delta's Woodstock weekend. If I'm not back on Monday, you'll know I've become a Roadie or is it a Groupie? This is either going to be a wonderful and successful weekend or a complete disaster. Wish me luck.

MEL, rest and relax this weekend. Don't let the noise from up here bother you but be sure to look north Sunday night for the fireworks display for Canada Day!