The Worldly Chicks Are Demented in December
 

The title can be changed in case I missed something.

We have loads of snow already and more is on the way. This will not be like last year when we got just a skiff until mid-January. It's darn pretty out there and darn cold with a windchill of -27ºC or -14ºF!!!!! Time for the woolies. Does anybody know where I stored the winter mittens? Hershey was very fast with potty this morning - Lucy the Brat used to just pee on the deck when the weather was this cold.

Lots of at home stuff to do today but I do hope to get out to decorate Mr Pouty's room at the nursing home. He won't appreciate it but it will make things more cheery.

Good Morning Ruth, I like your avatar....I should change mine for the season but not smart enough to do it. We finally have snow on the ground here also it is the first snow in two years.....going to slap on the skiis this morning and take off right from my front door......the pups are getting groomed to today and I need to round up some christmas stuff for the house and office.
Ruth what club do you have your secret pal with? I always thought that would be so fun to do. I am trying to get projects done and things in the mail also.....my boys even though they are young men love to get their chocolate advent calendars so I have a couple to mail off to them and their girlfriends. My son Chad has a 2 yr old now in his life with his gf so I am going to go down and meet her this Christmas and spend some time in Boise. I went to Moscow and had an early Thanksgiving with Jesse and his gf and watched him play hockey again it was a blast.
My travels are many these days ..... putting on lots of miles on my little Forester..... that is the price I pay living in the Wilderness. I almost took out a large buck on my own road last night...... geez..... I have been so lucky a few times this fall already. I didn't want the hunters to bag him this year and here I almost succeeded with my car!!!
It is so great to come here and catch up with everyone...I hope all is well and we hear from chicks who have not said HEY for a long time..... where is suzi from Aust. and Teel and KRisty and some of the others..... drop by for some eggnog and a natter sometime.
Blessings & Peace to all,
Nae

Oh my gosh I changed my avatar all by myself.....yipppeee!Maybe this old brain is capable of learning something new.....

Morning chickies and welcome to that month of Holiday Cheer. Ruth, thank you for setting up the new thread for December. And yes, we may want to rename it since it was suggested in a moment of madness :lol: But still, it might be appropriate.

I've got to wander off to get ready to go back to work. Yay Holiday season! I'll be back later for commenting and reading and general merriment.

Good morning chicks,

Can you believe it's DECEMBER already? :yikes: This year sure flew by.

Thanks for setting up the new thread Ruth. Demented captures my state of mind as I approach some of the activities for this month.

Brrrrrr - :brr: I'm cold just READING about your weather. Hope you find your gachees or at least some nice fleece stuff. I have the feeling you have lots of nice Christmas sweaters too.

Ceejay- before I forget you were asking about joining the Biggest Loser challenge on 3FC here. They are starting one up right around the new year. Go to the main page at 3FC, scroll down the page to the Exercise Group and you'll see a sub-forum for The Biggest Loser Winning by Losing or something like that. Click on it. There's a sticky on the top of the page that talks about the upcoming challenge and gives details about it. I'm not going to participate again. I did record the Oprah show about the huge weight loss successes and found it very inspiring. I've always liked Bob Greene tho I think he's become a bit too commercial -- which seems to happen alot when Oprah endorses you. I downloaded and signed the contract too.

Shad - I hope you enjoy your weekend driving around. Sounds like you sure have earned a nice, relaxing weekend and then some...

Rennie- what's going on with you? Your last post on the old thread sounded very sad :( :hug:

Mel - I'm glad you're back with us. The lights in the house here run a little dimmer when you're not with us. Rest up, hoard your toilet paper from the Charmin snatchers in the building :rofl: and get bright eyed and bushy tailed for us! It's December now so I'll tolerate your :hohoho: stuff :lol:

What I wouldn't give for an evening with Carla, Madcat and Ruthie :cheers: :hat: Actually I don't mean to exclude anyone - would be fun to meet up with all - I just see a few of us getting into more :devil: antics. Maybe someday. I would love to tour the Butchart gardens with Shad sometime and after seeing the pics from her train trip, that's on my list of someday dream vacations.

On Thursday when they were drawing blood, somehow the phlebotomist hit the nerve in my arm that REALLY aggivated the carpal tunnel in my dominant hand so I am in alot of pain and it also means back to using the cumbersome brace which I detest. I went for my stress test yesterday. You can't have anything by mouth for 4 hours before the test and since it's first thing in the morning I was dehydrated in the morning. I have little veins that like to run away from needles and it's way worse when I'm dried out. They have to put an IV type thing in your arm in order to inject the radioactive dye for the pictures and I refused to let her come near my left arm. She had a difficult time getting the IV in, so I have nerve pain on the left side and lumps and bruises on the right side. The pistol is that she called yesterday afternoon and I have to come back for a second procedure and more pictures Monday morning. More pictures means another injection and NO COFFE in the morning :cry: I'm not sure what I'm dreading more - the needle stick, the lack of the morning's little pick me ups, or... I know, I know - it's RIDING IN THE ELEVATOR BY MYSELF!!!! :yikes: :eek: I am claustrophobic. I hate elevators. I particularly hate small hydraulic elevators with metal walls. The kind that go VERY slow, make noises and are jerky - the kind you find in parking garages or at the airport :lol: I'm ok riding with people but I get very panicky riding by myself as I have this mortal fear of being stuck in an elevator. The fear started and grew when I got stuck in an elevator by myself several times in 2 different jobs - so my fears are not unfounded. What I usually do is take the stairs if I possibly can or else I hang around and just wait for someone else to come along so I can ride with them. But Monday I have to go back for the second test at 7am so it's very unlikely that other people will be around at that time. If I absolutely HAVE to get in an elevator myself, I will but I shut my eyes tight, take 3 deep breaths and then either count in Spanish or sing I'm Henery The Eighth I Am - by Herman's Hermits just so I can't panic. Oh and I also hate metal elevators because you're cell phone doesn't get a signal in them furthering the fear that I will be trapped and alone. See--- we all have our troubles. :lol:

Ok, enough rambling for me. There's lots to do today even if I am on the gimpy side. I am debating about just how much or little Christmas decorating I will do, the content of my annual Christmas letter that I send out with the cards as well as the usual stuff.

Hello to Nae and Patty - time for the missing chicks to pop back again - Meadow, Holly, Linus, Painter - ok who else am I missing - well if you came around more I wouldn't forget, right?

Happy Saturday :wreath::rudolph:

Happy
Thanks for reminding me about the BL. I'm thinking of just doing Bob Greene's phase 1 for 6 weeks at least. I've measured this morning but will weigh in on Monday morning. I'm using the commercial scales at work. I also signed the contract this morning.

Ruth
Thanks for starting the new thread.


I'll be adding no caffiene, which include's chocolate, in addition to the list that Bob Greene has.

If I'm never seen again, it'll be because of the snowstorm. We are under a rather scary weather watch for tomorrow afternoon and may lose power. I am going to be sure to locate the key to the generator cabinet. The woodstove can keep me warm but I sure need running water.

Ruth
You take it easy. That is something I did years ago, invested in a generator. It will run a few lights, the sump pumps, the furnace,the well and fridge. What more can you want, lights, water, heat and food lol.

Happy
I am ok. Thank you for asking. Oh I understand about elevators and needles. Not two of my favorite things lol. Darn sorry about all you are going thru. Sounds like a real pain in the bum to me. When I was expecting my son I was stuck in an elevator at the hospital while I was there for an ultra sound. I am VERY claustrophobic. That wasn't bad enough. I wasn't lucky enough to be stuck alone. The MAN in there with me was more claustrophobic than I was. I thought I was going to go crazy before we got out of there 2 hours later. He was making me nuts. I was trying to keep it together and he was yelling and stuff lol. You know, they make these wonderful things called steps. I use them lol.

I finaly put all my size 18's in the give away pile and now am into all my 16's. This morning the bit of muffin top I have kind of got to me. I still have a long way to go and I am just expecting to much of myself to fast. On top of that to have people telling me, ya you might lose it all but it will come back just kind of hit me hard.

I generally just don't let that happen, I don't tend to let things get me down. I tend to let stuff roll off me like water off a ducks back. Once I slapped myself a few time I was ok lol. Sometimes you have to consider the source lol. It is one thing for someone who has lost weight and then not kept it off and is trying again to say something. It is another thing for people who can't keep big macs out of their mouth to say something.

I started to really think about what they said.

THEM You can't do without everything forever. You will start eating what
you ate before.
ME Since I am not doing without a thing what is there to go back to.

THEM You will get tired of how you are eating and want stuff you don't have
ME I have anything I want. There is nothing there to have I don't have.

THEM Your going to go to someones house or out to eat and blow it
ME I would rather NEVER go out to eat yuck someone touching my food
I would rather cook myself. Those that care about me will fix food
they know I like to eat not things I don't want in my body.

THEM Holidays make it hard you want all the goodies very one has
ME Darn I never wanted them before why would I start now lol

Ok, maybe I have it a bit different than some people. Most of the weight came on because of meds. The bad eating habits came way later. I eat what I want. I make sure everyday I have something I really like and plan everything else I eat around that. I haven't found ( so far ) losing weight to be hard. The only hard thing has been getting my lazy bum out of the chair to exercise. Now that is pretty easy too. Just something I do everyday.

http://www.heathersanimations.com/xm...riving_car.gif
THANKS RUTH FOR THE NEW HOME AND I AM JUST DEMENTED ENOUGH IN DECEMBER TO LIKE THE TITLE! :rofl: HOPE THE STORM ISN'T TOO BAD. KEEP US POSTED IF YOU CAN. SENDING GOOD THOUGHTS UP NORTH! :hug:

MADCAT~ MAYBE YOU AND CARLA AND RUTH SHOULD HAVE MET UP AND GOTTEN STUCK IN A BAR/RESTAURANT WITH THIS STORM :lol3: :lol3:

RENNIE~ CONGRATS ON THE SIZE 16!! :cheer:

CEEJAY~ GOOD LUCK WITH THE BOB GREENE START!!! :encore:

NAE~ I SENT A PM TO YOU. DID YOU GET IT? hAVE A GREAT TIME WITH THE SON AND HIS FAMILY. gLAD YOU GOT TO SEE THE OTHER ONE AND HAPPY TRAVELING!:hohoho:

HAPPY~ I AM SO SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT THE MISHAPS AT THE DR OR SHOULD I SAY FIASCO :faint: HOPE ALL YOUR BRUISED AND PAINFUL PARTS HEAL SOON AND FEEL BETTER QUICKLY. :hug: YOU DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT CEL PHONES IN OUR ELEVATORS....IT HAS A PHONE OF IT'S OWN AND IS LINKED DIRECTLY TO THE POLICE STATION....AND THEY SEND SOME OF THOSE GOOD LOOKING FIRMEN TO RESCUE YOU :belly:

I CAME BACK EARLY CAUSE MY EYES FEEL BETTER. NOT SURE IF IT'S THE BAKING SODA/WATER RINSE OR NOT OR JUST TIME HEALING OLD WOUNDS. THE CYST IS STILL THERE AND PROBABLY WILL BE FOR SOME TIME YET.
IT SNOWED THIS MORNING AND MOTHER NATURE IS DRESSID IN HER WINTER WHITES. LOOKING STUNNING IF I DO SAY SO MYSELF. IF THEY DON'T CANCEL THE MALL TOMORROW I HOPE TO GO WITH JEN. IT'S THE WINTRY MIX WE'RE EXPECTING WITH THE COLD TEMPS THAT COULD RUIN OUR PLANS. HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE.
TURNED ON MY LITTLE TREE AND I AM BATHED IN CHRISTMAS SPIRIT!! :hohoho: I AM HO HO HOING ALL OVER THE HOUSE! :rofl:
LIKE ROSEBLUSH, I HOPE A FEW STRAY CHICKS COME AND SAY HELLO FOR THE HOLIDAYS. :wave:

HAPPY SUNDAY AND A PEACEFUL DAY FOR ALL :moped:

PS~ I LOVE ALL THE NEW AVATARS!!! WE ALL LOOKS SO FESTIVE. CONGRATULATIONS NAE ON GETTING YOURS ON THERE TOO!! :cheer:

Morning chicks
I haven't had any stamina for a couple of days. This morning I took my blood pressure and it was down to 110/64 pulse was 117. I had no caffiene yesterday. I am also very nervous. I'm going to the doctor Thursday. I had another episode similar to this last Sunday.

Ruth
You may have snow for Christmas It's looking like we'll have some bad weather later on today in the form of thunderstorms. You could always melt snow for water. I've done that in the past.

Mel
Glad you are feeling better.

Reenie
Don't let others get you down. Yeah for the size 16's.

Hey kids,

Cool and rainy day today. Should have put the Christmas decorations outside yesterday. Now they will have to wait until next weekend and we don't have many weekends left until Christmas.

Ceejay - hope you feel better. Getting checked out at the doctor's sounds like a good plan. Your pulse seems rather high tho your pressure is down.
Might be the nervousness though.

Rennie - like you say, you just have to ignore what people say. Were these overweight people saying these things to you? Sometimes people get jealous when you are losing weight and they are not and they said dumb things. Just keep to your plan.

Mel - good to have you back. Thanks for the email - that was so sweet :hug: I am blowing the wintry mix away from you and diverting it up north. There's too much shopping to be done to worry about icy weather.

Ruth - hope you don't get snowed in and left powerless. Stay warm, safe and snuggly.

I like your dressed up kitty avatar Madcat.

Got my dining room decorated yesterday because that was pretty easy to do. Now to move on to the other rooms. As Ceejay said - we have some rain and thunderboomers moving into the area later today. I need to hurry and make my shopping list and get in and out before they hit.

Have a good Sunday - will try and stop by again tonight.

ceejay
What is your blood pressure normally? Mine is 118 over 63 all the time. Doc says not to worry, I am just dead lol. Every time I go to a new doc they see this and go and get a different thing to check my blood pressure, think there is something wrong with the equipment.

Melody
Take care of those eyes. They are the only set you get. Started to do a big of Christmas decorating yesterday. Will take the next couple of days and get the lights on the tree. Darn it takes forever go get all those strands of lights on lol.

Good Morning Ladies,

Trying to decide how much Christmas decorations i'm going to put out. Since we're not coming to my house I know i'm not going all out.

Update: the new guy I met didn't work out... apparently their was no chemistry between us. But i'm talking with a new one, so we'll see where this ones goes.

Ruth - thanks for new forum. Keep warm and hopefully the storm won't be as bad as they say.

Ceejay - take it easy the next few days..Hope the doctor can give you some direction on what's going on.

Shy - WTG on getting rid of the 18's. You know those people who say something are just jealous that you're doing something about it. I would of said you know it's hard enough to do this on my own... i don't need to hear all your negativity about it.. I know what you mean about the muffin, I have got a dozen cookies in my refrigerator that need to be baked...leftover from thanksgiving and I keep saying just one... just one...it's a everyday struggle for me...

Happy - hope you get your indoor decorating done.

Hello to everyone else.. Hope your having a great day.

Well, Happy, at least now I know who to thank for the howling, icy winds and snow and sleet up here! :brr: But heck, if it's to help out our Mel, I'll take all the winter you want to send my way. ;)
I also have to go for a bunch of (routine) bloodwork pretty soon. I've been putting it off because of the fasting after midnight , but enough is enough. I can't imagine how annoyed you must have been, ending up with both arms mangled like that! Also, according to my GP, up here instead of a baseline colonoscopy at 50, they have you collect poop smears several day in a row for them to analyse. I'll get the details and the equipment (?) when I go for the other tests. Maybe a few pairs of rubber gloves while I'm at it... Hmmm. Maybe that falls into the category of TMI? :D

When I left Toronto on Friday, a few gentle snowflakes were gently wafting their way down out of a lovely blue sky. In Ottawa we landed in snow and wind - a little unnerving when we touched down as I thought the white stuff out the windows was a cloud, and I wasn't quite ready for the bump. Yesterday was very cold but dry, and this morning real winter settled in. They say it's going to be one of the long, cold, snowy winters we used to have, and me without my winter tires on yet!

Plans were almost in place to go visit Igor next February in Mexico at Rio Caliente, but it turns out there's no room at the inn. So I'm frantically looking for another option, preferably not too $$$. Or I could stay home and use the money for something else - I had accepted exactly the number of days (net) it would take to pay for my holiday, and I can't get rid of the extra work at this point. Rats! So much for my intention of having December off - instead I'll be racing around for the next two weeks working and trying to do all the Christmas stuff too.

Mel, it's great to see you back, and great to know you've improved so quickly. :hug: Do be careful with shopping tomorrow, as I think you've kept some of the extreme weather Happy sent up here. I think in your honour I'll try to get thru a week or two of proper eating and no wine - if you can't have caffeine, it's only right that I should do without the junk I've been wallowing in for the last month or so. The damage doesn't seem too extensive - I'm probably up about 6 pounds from my lowest, only 2 up from my ticker. I haven't decided yet whether the spree was worth it. It sure would have been nice to fit into the expensive black pants I bought and can't wear yet!:shrug:
I looked at the pharmacy yesterday and didn'ts ee any Mucinex on the shelves, so maybe it's on prescription here. I really would like to do something about the sinus blockage and related problems!

Rennie, congrats on the move into smaller clothes, and don't let people get you down. Some are probably jealous, others totally unaware of the effect their ramblings might have, others afraid they'll lose the co-dependant they overeat with. Of course you know that it's hard to keep weight off, but you seem to have things totally under control. Don't let anyone sabotage your effort or 'harsh your vibe' (I love that expression!).

Shad has thrown up her computers in disgust and run off for a weekend of R&R. I'm trying to imagine that I'm sitting in her passenger seat, enjoying the view and the hot weather. Ohm.... Come back to us with recharged batteries and plenty of energy to see the project through until you get sprung!

Ceejay, good luck with the doctor this week. Always alarming when things just don't seem right.

I'm surprised Madcat found time to drop in and even change her avatar! I happen to know some naughty visitor from Fat City as they call it kept her out til all hours, and she's probably been chained to her computer ever since. Sorry about that, but it really was a fun evening.

Ruth, I imagine you're hunkered down by the fire with a warm dog, your wall hanging and maybe a nice scotch in hand. (I know, it's early, but the first blizzard of the year gives you special dispensation...) Enjoy!
By the way, this week in the Ottawa paper there's been an ad in the pet section for two shepherd mix pups that look absolutely adorable. The photo isn't clear, but the one in the back appears to have some big black curls on his head. Just thought I'd mention it in case you're still actively looking. And yes, they are shelter dogs.

Hey, with the change in the weather, I don't need to change my avatar - a cat knee-deep in snow is just right for this deranged chick.

Hello and :wave: to all the missing chicks.

Cala
I am not going to let anyone " harsh my vibe " lol. I love that. Hubby and I talked a lot about this yesterday. He was very very mad at his sisters, I was over it he wasn't lol. He finaly said they are jealous but then they have always been jealous of you. I said why on earth would anyone be jealous of me lol. He said ( I have to smile, made me feel pretty good ) people who can not make lemonade out of lemon days don't like people who can and sure don't understand them. For years they would make comments about you really can't be how you seem. You never noticed, but I did. You are upbeat and always ready with a smile or a joke, most people just aren't like this outside of movies. They are also down and think the world owes them something. You are totally different people and they just don't understand you.

Ok, I should write a book of one liners. I think there are days the only thing to do is give someone a wedgie lol. From time to time when the hubby is bent over, I take his tee shirt from behind and pull it over his head lol. I can be a pest and my kids love it. When my sons girlfriend is over, from time to time and she laughs and laughs, I go to my son and say " Ohhhh let me touch your prettyyyyyy blonde hair, let me see your prettttty blue eyes " He says MOTHER STOP THAT and then kisses me all over my face until I say UNCLE. As long as you laugh more than you cry in life, life is good.

There was a time in my life I was depressed all the time. Always down. Now, that does happen from time to time since I just can't take the meds to stop it but I fill the rest of my life with laugher and silliness.

Quickie as the lights just flickered. Hersh and I definitely are cuddling by the woodstove but no Scotch as yet. I am going to nap for 20 minutes and then get back to quilting on hanging #2. My brain is already in gear for #3 - I need to shift down. I am demented!

Melt snow for water? You need a whole bucket of snow to get a cup of water. :yikes: I always have a stock of water on hand for these emergencies, both drinking and flushing water. The power may not go out but, if it does, the generator keeps the furnace, kitchen and well going, not the computer which is in the front of the house.

Ruth
Same here. That generator will only power so much and my computer isn't one of of the things I have it work. Guess heat is more important lol.

Morning all,
I'm back but I must run because I'm due in training shortly.
Lovely weekend. I've been caving and climbing - stairs mostly. So the legs got a really good workout this weekend.

Margaret River is all about indulgence - chocolate, wines, venison, cheese and other morsels to trap the unwary. All I bought back were chocolate for the co-workers and a bottle of mango sauce for me - no sugar, no preservatives, few calories.
Anyway, that said, I'm back on the exercise and eating well bandwagon. Starting today. We will see how we go.

Love to you all. Catch up later

Seems like many are busy today. Hope everyone had a wonderful day. I am still getting lights on the tree. lol

Okay - first bite at the comments.

Carla - I must have known that you were sitting beside me. The thought of our walk through the woods was very strong yesterday as I was charging this the bush in south western Australia. I have now been to the most South Western point of the Continent, I've also been to the Southernmost mainland point and the most Easterly and Northerly point of this vast continent. Karratha was close to the most westerly point but not quite there. I'll get there one day.
I'll have to see if I can attach some pictures shortly - not sure that this computer has the wherewithall to reduce the size. I might try downloading Picassa and see if I can do it there.

Happy - was with me as I went through the cave systems. I know she would have loved the Lake cave. It has a stream running through it and myriads of reflects of the crystals and mites and tites and huge great calcium carbonate structures. She wouldn't however have loved the 300 odd steps down and up. I wasn't that keen on them myself.

Ruth - Title fits this lot. Actually I thought we were demented in Delta. Hope you are not to cold up there. Big hug for the Hershey and a nice warming one for yourself. Temps here haven't been over warm either although a darn sight better than you lot are having. Temps in Perth over the weekend were around 29C. Cooler in Margaret River and on Saturday night it turned to winter again and I froze solid - well it was around 10 or 11 or maybe 13C. Yesterday was just nice - around 25 or 26C.

Talking of touring. Thoughts turn to the next OE maybe in 2009 or 2010 - the good lord willing and I will still have the use of arms, legs and brain. Carla did say that she thought she might be down my way in a couple of years too, but ........... Butchart Gardens with Happy and DH - yep, I can do that. The train, well I'm not sure I would want to do it again, but I would like to do the cruise up through Canada and Alaska. It might be worth looking at on my way to or from somewhere else. Or then again, the long delayed Italian job might be on the menu as well. I really ought to win lotto then I can go anywhere at anytime.

Right - back to work. More later maybe

Greetings from the midst of Project Purgatory! :wave: I did go into work for 5 hours yesterday, but the project manager insisted we all take today off. So it has been a no documentation day for me. We’ve been hit by an icky snow/ sleet storm so the DH stayed home from school. It was nice. I put up the Xmas decorations which consist of an above-cat-height string of LED lights wrapped in garland with red and gold balls dangling from it. We also managed to climb and conquer Mount Laundry.

Carla~ I loved meeting up with you and, in spite of the hour, a night out with good company was just what the Dr. ordered. The funny thing is when I left you I decided I might as well just grab a cab home and who should call while I am in the cab but the Darling Boy. Apparently he had been wondering where I was and I couldn’t hear the phone in the restaurant since I had somehow turned the ringer off. I could only tell he was calling in the cab because my purse started to vibrate! :lol: His only suggestion was that I might want to think about wearing a watch.

Ruth~ I’m sure that your weather is probably more fun than ours. You know what we Torontonians are like. I’m amazed we don’t have the army on speed dial. :lol: Your mittens are probably in a box at the top of the hall closet. Good luck with the decorating. It will make it better. Stay warm and dry. Hope the storm isn’t all that bad.

Rose~ Be careful with those deer on the road. Enjoy your winter wonderland.

Mel~ Lovely to see you here. It’s nice that you have managed to conjure the holiday spirit. Hope the weather holds out for you.

Happy~ Anytime you want to make the long trip north we will arrange a get together. Sorry that you have such struggles with blood tests and such. I have really tiny deep veins and the last time I had blood drawn they made me go away, drink some water and put on a sweater. Apparently if you veins are warmer they are plumper. I didn’t know you were claustrophobic. Elevators are one of those modern unavoidable evils. I have this image of you singing ‘enery the Eight and it makes me smile. Your version of whistling in the dark.

Ceejay~ Good for you for starting a new challenge. I’ll have to take a look at it myself. Good luck at the doctor’s.

Rennie~ I was once on an airplane during a rather turbulent flight next to a woman who was absolutely terrified of flying. Her fear was a terrible thing to see. I was a nervous wreck by the time we landed and I’m never afraid to fly. Congrats on your progress so far. Good work.

Patty~ Sorry I missed your birthday last week. I hope it was a good one.

Shad~ Hope you are enjoying your jaunt away and that you return relaxed and rejuvenated. It sounds like a nice trip.

I should probably get to bed soon. It’s going to be a busy week. If all goes well, the application goes live on Saturday. If we can only survive the 6 days until then it will be good. An lot to do and not much time to get it done. Ah, the joys of seat of yoru pants project management. If you don’t see me around much this week, that will be why. Later darlings!

Hi to anyone I didn’t get to. Take care!

CEEJAY I HOPE YOU FEEL BETTER AFTER THE DR VISIT. :hug:

HAPPY~ DECORATE AWAY MY SOUTHERN FRIEND!!

CARLA~ FUNNY YOU COULDN'T FIND THE MUCINEX. THEY COULDN'T WAIT TO SEND IT OVER THE COUNTER DOWN HERE :rofl: SELLING LIKE HOTCAKES TOO. SO SORRY YOU CAN'T GO AND SEE IGOR!

PATTY~ SORRY THE NEW GUY DIDN'T WORK OUT. KEEPING MY FINGERS CROSSED FOR THE NEXT ONE!! :love:

RENNIE~ LAUGH THE DAYS AWAY :dance:

RUTH~ HANG IN THERE AND I HOPE THE POWER STAYS ON :hug:

SHAD~ THE WEEKEND SOUNDED RELAXING AND YOUR POST SHOWS IT. GLAD YOU WENT. SOUNDS TOO LIKE A GOOD PLACE TO TAKE CARLA!! CHOCOLATES AND WINE!!! :cheers:

MADCAT~ WISHING YOU WELL FOR THE NEXT 6 DAYS AND HOPING THE PROJECT HAS GREAT LIFT-OFF AT THE END!! GOOD LUCK! :encore:

OK I AM OFF FOR THE DAY UNLESS THE DRIVER SAYS DIFFERENTLY WHEN WE GET DOWN THERE. RICHIE IS OFF TODAY AND GETS THE COMPUTER ALL TO HIMSELF! :rofl: HAVE A GREAT DAY. I WILL TRY NOT TO BURN OUT MY LAST CREDIT CARD :lol3: :lol3:
HAPPY MONDAY :moped:

Good Blustery Morning!!!

We are getting some kind of nasty weather. No snow yet. It poured rain all night( +6C) and now temps have dropped to -2C and the winds are 45km an hour. Buses are delayed. I assume they will be cancelled. Hubby is home. It is my day "off".
I am just coming off of a whole month of non stop events, payroll type work, hockey, skating and other stuff. All went quite well. I still have Avon orders to place and some to pack but it is looking doable. My BIG event was this past Thurs where I MC and was a guest speak.I placed most of my Christmas shopping thru Sears and picked up fabric on Sat evening to have matching flannel nighties and pj pants made for the whole family from Santa.
Much catching up to do around the house too.
Happy December to all. It was nice to catch up with everyone!!!

Holly
Sounds like you have been a busy little Elf lol. Make sure you take time for a bubble bath and a trashy novel lol.


Still working on this darn tree here. Only have 15 sets of light left to put on I think lol.

Nothing to report--feeling better today.

Just shovelled snow for an hour and I'm pooped. It sure is good exercise! I had to shovel off the deck because Madame Hershey decided it was OK to pee out there as it was snow just like the yard. Brat!

Not much happening in town except for the crazy snowmobilers. A new lad ploughed my lane - the old "lad" decided he wasn't going to plough this winter. Nice of him to let me know!

Right now it's time for tea and a stab at finishing wall hanging #3.

Oh I do like that wall hanging Ruth - got the same starry background as your avatar snowman.
Perhaps Lucy is giving advice to Hersh from above about the piddle on the porch. We have problems getting people to plough here too :rofl: but it is for a different reason entirely. The ploughing not the people.

Rennie - how big is that tree? lots of lights on it. I don't have a tree anymore, nor do we really do Christmas as such. No young ones to bring out the family mat for anymore and everyone is spread too wide. When we all do get together then the mat comes out but that doesn't happen often.

Holly - you almost sound sorry there is no snow!!! But it is certainly cold enough around your neck of the woods anyway. Keeping busy is good cos it keeps the body moving and warm and there's always the possibility you might burn more calories than you eat.

Mel - it is great to see you back in action. Hope the eyes continue their improvement and the cyst just disappears :genie: back to wherever it came from. Mucinex - well excuse me but I thought you were talking about the other end so to speak and I think I was thinking Metamucil but it (mucinex) is over the counter here too.
Have a fun time shopping and don't melt the plastic fantastic will you.

Madcat - such fun having dinner with Carla and being late home. Sorry the DH had a bit of a worrying time - I don't answer my phone all the time either. It drives the family wild. I really don't like phones all that much anyway.
Projects going live - always the excitement - will it work??? - won't it work?? - did we do good or not. Time will tell hey?

Ceejay - glad you are feeling better today

Where did Happy go. Must have got a better offer.

And I guess it is time for me to get out of here too. Lots to do today. I seem to be pushed and pulled in all sorts of directions at the moment. Working for Finance, working for PS (Projects), working for SCM (Supply Chain) and trying to hold the three chickens in place for another couple of weeks.
It's all fun - isn't it????

Ruth
Looks very pretty. Yes that is great exercise. I stopped having my 200 foot drive plowed when they started wanting over 20 dollars to do it lol. It will keep me busy and when it comes down to hard to do alone I have the kids. Hubby doesn't let me do it when he is home.

Shad
It is only 6 foot but way over my head lol. I had a tree and decorated the house long before I had children. Am sure I will do it long after they are gone.

:no: Didn't get a better offer Shad. Remember a while back when you got super busy and somehow it travelled around the world and came back to my lap? :dizzy: Happened again :crazy:

I am buried in stuff. I am trying not to stress out over this. One person can only do so much - priorities. And this time of year I HAVE to have some personal time too or else Christmas will get short changed.

I am sitting here with both arms covered in large bruises from all the times they had to stick me over 2 days worth of tests and veins that would not cooperate. And the carpal tunnel is in a major flare which is not helped by extra time on the old keyboard. And I have a major headache from constantly gritting my teeth.

The good news is that I rode the elevator by myself both up to the test lab and back down again and I didn't panic. Good thing because I'll have to do it again on Thursday most probably ;)

I'll try and get here as I can but I think this is going to be a very busy week. I find out my test results on Thursday and if I won't make it to Christmas, I'll let you all know so you don't have to waste a stamp :lol:

Thinking of all of you :grouphug:

I put some of my weekend photos up on Webshots. Click on the link and go to the Western Australia album if you are interested. The new ones are on page 5.
http://community.webshots.com/user/joy_clover

Morning!!
Kids went to school. It was clear here until about 8:30. By the time the bus got here at 9am there was no visibility and snow covered roads. We are getting dumped on. The bus driver/ my neighbour told me not to try and go to work. I have called my clients and I am home for now. Hopefully it will die down by 3pm for the kids to come home.

Hubby went to work so I am blissfully alone!!! May be he will go to a friends in the city for the day :D So much to do!!!!! I had enough running commentary from the couch yesterday , while documentary were blasting, to last me all winter. He even corrected me for how i was helping the kids with piano. Um.... I have 7 years of lessons under my belt , he has never even looked at the piano. Minor vent done. :lol:I am thankful he wasn't all crusty and mean.

Cant wait to get out and shovel but will wait til these flurries stop!!

Gonna make myself a little omlet.

Still in my robe, sipping coffee and listening to Christmas music. Need to clean up this crack house a bit - tidying not vacuuming and dusting. I seem to have become very messy since getting back from out West. I guess I was used to being looked after by my DD and hotel staff!

This afternoon I'll wrap and mail the final gifts and then take Hershey for pet therapy at five. I may change that time for the winter as I detest night driving!

My legs are still cold from shoveling yesterday! Guess I shouldn't have shaved them! :lol:

Ruth
I wish I were in my robe sitting in my favorite spot in the living room with hot chocolate. But alas I'm at work. Shoveling snow is good exercise. Stay warm.

Holly
Put your Christmas music on and let the day begin. Enjoy the peaceand quiet.

Happy
Hope the carpal tunel is better. I feel for you. I ended up having surgery for mine years ago.

Reenie
I see from your ticker that you have lost another couple of pounds. Good for you. You have been inspiring to me.

Nothing new here.

Cee
I am plugging away lol. I have a weigh in Thursday, since this is the day they rescheduled my sons appointment to. Want the darn thing to be over with lol, I get nervous about weigh in day just like everyone else.

Ruth
Get busy girl lol. What is pet therapy and do not shave the legs. That extra hair protects from the cold lol.

Holly
Nice when the kids get off to school and the hubby is at work. I love the house empty lol. Take it easy on the shoveling. Take lots of breaks. The body doesn't like getting cold and being worked.

Thought I would share some wintry bliss!! I have shoveled for over 3 hours already today and it is still coming down.
Out back.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f1...s/DSCF1600.jpg

Out front.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f1...s/DSCF1601.jpg

Facing the road.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f1...s/DSCF1602.jpg

Morning all from the moderate to warm south. Sun is shining, threat of rain this arvo and it is around 21C or 72F if you like it that way.

It's work, work and more work over here. I can't see me ever getting finished by the due date (31.12.07) and I have no intention of being here over Christmas to get things up to date.

Holly, that snow looks darned cold. I think I will just stick to my air con office and tee shirts. I don't own anything that would keep me warm in those temps.

Ruth - since your into cleaning - can you come and do mine. It's mostly tidying with a bit of dusting and sweeping. Is that what shaving the legs does for you?? Keeps you cold?? Well, who'd a thunk it.

Rennie - Happy weigh in day. Hope it's a good one.

Time to make a phone call and get on with it I guess. See ya later.

I didn't get to do the weight in. They changed my sons appointment to Thursday. Oh I hate the weight or is that wait lol.


Holly
It is beautiful, thank you for the pics, I love your home. I don't mind the snow. Don't even mind to shovel this year since I now know how good of exercise it is lol.

WARNING WILL ROBINSON...THE RAMBLINGS OF A DEMENTED DECEMBER DUCK FOLLOWS:
I HAVE TO SAY I HAD A WONDERFUL DAY TODAY. WENT FOOD SHOPPING WITH JEN. PUT EVERYTHING AWAY AND HELPED OPUT IN THE OFFICE. ONE OF THE GIRLS HAS HURT HER BACK AND WILL BE OUT TILL THURS OR FRI.
JEN AND I NEED TO MAKE ABOUT 2 MORE TRIPS TO THE STORE FOR THE REST OF THE WINTER SUPPLIES. I LIKE TO GET A LOT OF BIRD STUFF, NON-PERISHABLES AND PAPER GOODS. THEN THE LITTLE STORE DOWN THE STREET CAN DELIVER THE MILK AND BREAD STUFF WHEN THE BAD WEATHER COMES. SO WE ARE ON OUR WAY.
THIS YEAR I SAW TO IT THE SENIORS GOT TO DECORATE THEIR OWN TREE....I MAY HAVE SAID THIS ALREADY....WO WHEN I WAS DOWN TODAY THEY ARE ALL SO EXCITED AND EACH ONE TOOK ME INTO THE COMMUNITY ROOM TO SEE THE TREE...I MUST HAVE REPEATED THIS ABOUT 50 X'S TODAY!! I THINK MY TIRES WORE A BLOODY HOLE OUT IN THE CARPET!! :lol3: AND THEY ARE JUST SOOOO PROUD OF HOW IT LOOKS TOO! I WAS VERY SENTIMENTAL TODAY AND REALLY HAD A TOUGH TIME NOT CRYING WITH EACH ONE OF THEM.
THERE HAS BEEN ANOTHER DEATH IN THE HOUSE AND MANY OF THEM HAVE BEEN SICK, IN & OUT OF THE HOSPITAL THESE PAST 2 MONTHS. MORE THIS YEAR THAN THE 20 YEARS I HAVE BEEN HERE. PNEUMONIA IS RUNNING RAMPANT AMONGST THEM AND UPPER RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS. BEEN A TOUGH SEASON.
SO WE MADE JOKES...OR RATHER I DID....THEY LAUGHED A LOT. THEY STILL LOVE WHEN I SAY WTF AND GO HYSTERICAL OVER IT. I THINK THEY LIKE THE SHOCK OF THE F WORD. :rofl: JEN FINISHED(ALMOST) PAINTING THE 2 SETS OF FRONT DOORS, INSIDE AND OUTSIDE. THEY HAVE GONE BANANAS OVER THE WINDOWS AND SOME SAT QUIETLY WHILE SHE PAINTED. JEN HAS QUITE A FOLLOWING. SHE USED TO WORK FOR SENIOR CITIZEN AFFAIRS AND THEY STILL MISS HER. I WAS SO PROUD OF JEN. SHE HAS SUCH A NATURAL GIFT WITH THESE SENIORS AND THEY JUST LOVE HER SO. EVEN THE ONES THAT HAVE A HARD TIME SHOWING ANY LOVE ARE BEING DEMONSTRATIVE. IT AMAZES ME WHAT A LITTLE KINDNESS CAN BRING OUT IN PEOPLE AND EVEN AFTER 20 YEARS IT STILL AMAZES ME. SO I WAS HAPPY ALL DAY BUT TEARFUL TOO.
I MADE A GIANT DISCOVERY TODAY. IT MAY SOUND SAD BUT ACTUALLY IT WAS A REAL EYE OPENER. I AM ALWAYS TALKING ABOPUT HOW THE SENIORS FAMILIES COULDN'T WAIT TO BE SHOT OF THEM AND STUCK THEM ALL IN A BLDG LIKE THIS AND THEN YOU NEVER SEE THEM. WELL RECENTLY....LIKE TODAY....I REALIZED ONE REASON I CRY SO MUCH AFTER THEY TELL ME THEIR STORY OR I WITNESS IT WITH MY OWN EYES IS BECAUSE MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY DID IT TO ME TOO. FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE I TRULY FELT IT. WONDER WHY I NEVER REALIZED IT BEFORE. GOD KNOWS MY OLD "FRIENDS" SAID OFTEN ENOUGH THAT I WAS FINALLY IN THE "PLACE WHERE I BELONGED"... AND THAT IS A DIRECT QUOTE.
I WONDERED THEN WHAT JEN THINKS OR HAS BEEN THINKING. MAYBE THATS'S WHERE SOME OF ANGER COMES FROM. I ALWAYS GET THE FEELING FROM HER OF ABANDONMENT AND ASSUMED IT WAS FROM HER DAD BUT TODAY I AM THINKING DIFFERENTLY. AFTER THE HOLIDAYS I THINK WE SHOULD HAVE A LITTLE TALK. I DON'T WANT HER TO EVER THINK LIKE WE "DESERVED" TO BE HERE LIKE OTHERS HAVE SAID IN THE PAST.
IT'S FUNNY HOW SUCH A GREAT DAY CAN OPEN THE DOOR TO THE TRUTH OF WHAT AILS US IF WE JUST TAKE A MOMENT TO LISTEN TO SOMEONE ELSE. I AM GLAD I HAD THIS DAY AND EVEN MORE GRATEFUL THAT ONE OF MY PIECES TO MY PUZZLE OF LIFE HAS FINALLY FIT.
HOPE THIS NOVELETTE MADE SENSE!! THE RAMBLINGS OF THE ENLIGHTENED ARE USUALLY ONLY INTERESTING TO THOSE RECENTLY ENLIGHTENED! EOFLMAO
LOVE TO YOU ALL. TIRED AND READY FOR BED. STAYED WITH THE MEN TILL 6PM. MY "BROTHER" SAL WAS COMPLAINING THAT I NEVER SPEND ANY TIME WITH THEM AND SO WAS WILLY. HE EVEN CAME BACK TO BS WITH US TILL 4!! I CANNOT SAY IT OFTEN ENOUGH. THESE GUYS ARE THE LOVE OF MY LIFE.
I HAVE TO GET SOME BATTERIES AND TAKE PICS OF THE WINDOWS AND TREE. I SAY THIS EVERY YEAR!!! LOL
I ALSO DELETED WEBSHOTS FROM HY HARD DRIVE AND WILL TRY TO DOWNLOAD IT AGAIN. IT WAS CLOGGING UP THE WORKS. I KNOW I AM MISSING SOME PROGRAM FROM DELL SINCE THE LAST CRASH. I JUST DON'T KNOW WHICH OR WHERE IT IS. BUT IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH PICTURES. ONE DAY I MIGHT JUST FIGURE IT OUT.
HAPPY TUESDAY!!! SWEET DREAMS :cloud9: AND GOOD MORNING SUNSHINE! :sunny:

Melody
My daughter and I go to the local nursing home twice a week and read, do puzzles and just chat with some of the old dears. Is very sad to see some of them there that have no one to visit them. Is even more sad to see some of them there that have family and because they were such hateful nasty people they have no one that cares about them.

The tree is done, and if I say so myself lol, it looks lovely. Was well worth all the work.