happy
My darling beloved son knows how afraid I am of spiders it doesn't matter if they are the size of a dot or huge I am terrified of them. He gave me that piece of information just as I was dropping off to sleep one night. I have thought seriously about dropping him off in the middle of the woods with duct tape over his mouth so he couldn't yell for help but I know my luck. Someone would find him and since I sewed his name into all his under ware years ago lol they would just bring him back home. I grew up out in the country; worst thing we had to worry about was waking up with a darn skunk sleeping beside you. Don't laugh, that happened to my sister and she stunk for days and days lol. Ok, I laughed then and I am laughing now just thinking about it hehehe.

Rennie - :rofl: :rofl::rofl: :rofl::rofl: :rofl::rofl: :rofl::rofl: :rofl::rofl: :rofl:

Shad
Oh ya I see you laughing. You are every bit as sick as I am hehehe.

Good morning ladies -

It's snowing a little...nothing sticking to the ground yet. Yay! And despite the continued wintry weather, I'm in a great mood. I had a wonderful workout last night 45 minutes of cardio and 30 minutes of resistance exercises including abs. Then I came home to vegetarian veggie soup and a Smart Ones dinner, with grapes and choc milk for an evening snack.

Holly - Glad you found something that resonates with you. Good luck!! I haven't checked out the link yet, but I will.

Rennie - You've now solved my problem of how to use my CPAP machine while camping! Thanks!! But why did you have to mention about creepy crawlies crawling on me as I'm sleeping in my bed. Well, hopefully my dogs will eat any bug that comes on "their" bed at night. Okay, waking up with a skunk would be very bad. When my dogs have bad gas, it often smells like a skunk is sleeping next to me. :faint: But a real one? :yikes:

Happy - 70 degrees! Door open! I'm so envious! today is another 30-something day here, with a snow, rain, sleet mix. You definitely had me :rofl: at the AB-STEM! Too funny! Thanks for the suggestion about the almonds. I'll definitely pick some up. I got out of I.T. in December. I was putting in between 65 to 70 hours a week being the only person supporting the company e-commerce site because other members of my team quit (due to long hours). I was woken up at all hours of the night. And spent much of my weekends working. It really took a toll on my health and marriage. And while I didn't want to leave the company I work for, I needed to find something else. Someone told me last fall that if you don't like long hours, get out of I.T. So that's what I did. Now I build reports for our Buying and Planning teams, as well as Executives. It's a lot of fun. I still get to use my database and SQL query knowledge. But I'm only working 40 to 45 hours per week, which gives me time and energy to work out, spend time with DH and the pups, and enjoy life!! I still do freelance website jobs occasionally. But I don't let it take away all my precious free time! :dance:

Shad - Abstemious is a perfect word. Temperance is exactly what I need to remember! Active and Abstemious in Athens! I'm definitely there! Can we amble by the Acropolis?


We also have to make sure 1Day comes along with us to Athens.

Well, ladies, I gotta start whittling away at my work to do list for the day. A big happy hello :wave: to those I didn't mention!

A Terrific Thursday to All! Getting closer and closer to the wonderful weekend!

Hugs,

RENNIE~ FOR LAUGHING AT YOUR STINKY SISTER YOU HAVE TO GIVE UP ONE OF YOUR PEEPS! :encore2: NOW WHICH ONE WILL IT BE?? I HAD A LAUGH AT THE A/C IN THE CAMPER FOR AN OUTDOOR ADVENTURE! :rofl: :rofl:

RUTH~ GLAD YOU AND HERSHEY WILL BE GETTING OUT AND ABOUT WITH THE THERAPAWS STUFF. GET HER BRANDY KEG READY FOR ME JUST IN CASE I NEED THERAPY :cheers:

MICHELLE~ I THINK YOUR SNACK CHOICES WEREN'T THAT BAD. 2 PROTEINS, I CARB AND THE JUICE IS A VEGGIE. THE OLD RULE ABOUT CARBS IS NEVER EAT ONE WITHOUT A PROTEIN. THUS THE CHOICE OF APPLE AND CHEESE, MEAT AND POTATOES.....I HAVE BEEN USING THAT FOR 5 YEARS NOW AND HAVE BEEN ABLE TO MAINTAIN MY WEIGHT WHEN I SCREW UP!!

SHAD~ DID YOU REMEMBER TO TAKE THE WATER TABLETS??? I DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO COME THERE WITH A PIN AND POP YOU BACK TO SIZE! SUNDAY IS PROBABLY THE MOST PAMPERED PET AROUND YOUR COUNTY!! :belly:

CARLA~ HOPE THE TRIP IS GOING WELL!!!

HAPPY~ 70'S???? I'LL BE RIGHT DOWN :beach: JEN AND I TRY NOT TO THINK OF ALL THAT ROAMS AROUND IN THE DARK WHILE WE SINUS SUFFERERS SLEEP WITH OUR MOUTHS WIDE OPEN!! OTHERWISE WE WOULD HAVE TO STAND WATCH OVER EACH OTHER AND SLEEP IN SHIFTS!!! :lol3: :lol3: MY IDEA OF SLEEPING IN THE WOODS WOULD BE A LUXURIOUS SPA WITH A POOL AND A BAR IN OREGON!!!!!!!! :swimming: :beach: :cheers:
BELLY BUTTON OUTTY :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

ANNIE~ HOPE YOU AND THE KIDS ARE DOING OK. HAVE YOU HEARD ANYTHING ELSE ABOUT YOUR DAUGHTER? SENDING A GOOD THOUGHT AND A :hug:

HOLLY~ GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR NEW PROGRAM.

THERE WAS SOMETHING I WANTED TO SAY BUT YOU GALS ARE LUCKY CAUSE I FORGOT! OR MAYBE IT'S A PERSON I AM FORGETTING? I DON'T KNOW.
I ALREADY MADE MY REPORTS AND LEFT NOTES FOR PEOPLE BEFORE 7AM!! GOT UP EARLY AND BEGAN THE DAY BEFORE THE TROOPS ARRIVED WITH THEIR COMPLAINING BUTTS INTO THE BUILDING. JUST NOT IN THE MOOD TO LISTEN THIS MORNING. SINUSES ARE PUTTING ME TO SLEEP. :faint:
WITH THE CONSTRUCTION MEN SO CLOSE NOW, I GUESS I'LL HAVE TO BEGIN WEARING REAL CLOTHES INSTEAD OF MY SUPER LARGE PANTS PULLED UP TO MY ARMPITS LIKE AN OLD-TIME ROMPER. :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:
I KEPT SOME BIG COTTON KNIT PANTS FOR JUST THAT REASON. I LIKE CLEANING AND TYPING WITH MY SHOULDERS FREE. FIRST THEY DON'T OVER HEAT AND SECOND THERE IS NO RESTRAINT.....OR MAYBE BUY NEW CURTAINS!!! SOME "LET THE LIGHT IN SHEERS" :sunny:
I BETTER GET OFF HERE AND GET SOME OATMEAL!
HAPPY THURSDAY! :moped:

110 DAYS QUESTION: WHAT DO YOU THINK THE PURPOSE OF THE DAILY WEIGHING IS? DID I MISS SOMETHING? I WAS JUST WONDERING CAUSE MY DR SUGGESTED IT A LOOOONG TIME AGO AS A MOTIVATOR/ALARM COMBO. WONDERED IF SHE WAS USING IT FOR THAT ALSO.

MICHELLE~ I NEED TO VISIT YOU.....I HAD A CRAVING FOR CHOCOLATE MILK JUST LAST NIGHT!!!!! I ALSO HAD A SMART ONES 3 CHEESE ZITI DINNER!! :hun:
GOOD WORKOUT!! I CAN'T BELIEVE IT'S STIL FLURRYING UP YOUR WAY. WE'LL HAVE TO GET HAPPY AND CEEJAY AND PAINTER TO SEND YOU SOME BALMY BREEZES.
STAY HAPPY! :dance:

Mel - Great to hear from you and good for you for getting all your stuff done right away this a.m.! There are two "chocolates" I allow myself (and hopefully my dietician will be okay with them when I see her next week). I add FF/SF cocoa to my coffee in the a.m. to make a mock-mocha. :coffee: Yummmm. And then I have a small glass of 1% choc milk at night just before bed. It gives me a dairy source, it's yummy, and it seems to help me sleep! :yawn:

Good morning, all. If anyone wants snow, I still have lots to share. Today we have sunshine and temps a bit above freezing and I'm hoping more will melt. The sap will be running in the woods and the lads will be happy. No maple syrup production as yet. We're talking $45 a gallon this year.

Rennie, I love the skunk story. Early one morning my Dad stood at the cottage screen door and watched a skunk on the step eating chicken bones. Being my crazy Dad, he barked at the skunk. The whole family got up early that morning.

Diyana, sounds like a good workout and a decent supper. I'm a Type II diabetic too and have things in control. My doc wants me to run a nutrition class for diabetics in his practice which may happen in the fall. PM me if you want any hints.

MEL Darling, spare me the visuals of your working outfit. Too funny! I have not got in to the book yet but have always weighed daily. It keeps me aware of my body and thinking of keeping on track. Been doing it for 55 years which is why I'm so slim and trim now. :rofl:

Carla, I absolutely adore ju-jubes and have never met another nutcase who liked them. I prefer the red and black - just thought I'd establish that. I was in Ottawa last week and was appalled at the amount of snow still on the side streets. Want me to send you 50 bucks? It'll probably be gone when you get home. I love Victoria.

Aw Happy! Your " Work is just bleeding the life out of me." makes me want to come and get you and bring you here to sit by the woodstove, drink tea and do absolutely nothing. I hope you can get some relief and relaxation soon.

Nae, is your company there yet? I hope all goes well during the visit. Dad used to say "Fish and company! After three days, throw them out!"

Shad, abstemious is one of my favourite words. Now to apply it. I love Athens and everything Greek - including the men!

Annie, I hope things are easing off for you. You need a break.

Big wave to all those I've missed.

The snow is off the BBQ cover but the base is still in 18" of drift. Hershey has taken to eating snow when she's out - I must get her to focus on that particular spot! I have a chicken in the freezer, beer on hand - I'm ready!

Today my PT Dude comes to give me heck about not doing the exercises regularly. (The luck bugger's been in FL for the past three weeks and took my motivation with him.) I hope he doesn't want me to do too much as my body is pretty sore from doing the "Seniors Exercise" class with the clients at the Clinic yesterday. I obviously have many more out of shape muscles than the ones in my leg!

Methinks I missed the garbage pick-up today as I slept in a bit and didn't get it out to the road in time. Oh well - a trip to the dump is always fun!

Have a great day!

P.S. I added extra snowdrops to my avatar - wishful thinking as they are still under a foot of snow.

Ruth, who is this sap of whom you speak, and why is he running through your woods? Don't you just hate it when they do that?? Unless, of course, they're wearing fireman suits.... :rofl: :rofl: Seriously though, if you have syrup made from your trees, I'd love you to sign me up for a quart. It would give me an excuse to drop in for tea and a chat on my way back from the evil SM one of these times.

Mel, I haven't done today's workbook yet, so don't know what Linda has to say about weighing in daily, but I've found that when I don't weigh in daily it's usually because of a subconscious desire to avoid the truth, and I really do much better when I keep close track of what I'm doing.
Is there any reason you've extended the program to 110 Days? Are we being competitive here??? :dizzy: :dizzy:
Instead of changing curtains or wearing real clothes, Maybe it's time for some hot shoulder tattoos? :D

Shad, I had no idea your kitty was spoiled! Don't you use the cattle prod on her like you do on us? :coach: She's going to be a quiet girl after her dental appointment. My poor boy couldn't make his hind legs work properly for several hours after his teeth were done last year, but his breath was soooo much sweeter... Speaking of which, it's being getting a bit rank again. Maybe he needs another scaling. Eek! Between Ruth's runinouly expensive maple syrup, the $50 snow removal surtax, and now kitty dentistry, I'll just have to take out a second mortgage - or keep working. :no: I really do think we should be able to claim our pet's medical expenses on our taxes. People get to claim their kids, don,t they? Maybe I'll check with the accountant on that when I do my taxes. She can always use a good laugh this time of year.

Happy, what are we gonna do with you??? :hug: :hug: There has to be some way out of or around that job, the stress is just not healthy. And now they're mocking you by offering you ham right after Easter. :) "Here you go dearie, a nice plate of fluid retention for you to keep in your dungeon". At least you've got some nice weather going on, although I'm not sure when you get to enjoy it between the commute and the many hours of servitude. Sure wish there was some way we could help! :grouphug:

Just a word on the great personals debate: I agree that the personal attention is what makes the thread so appealing and supportive. At the same time, however, I know that sometimes I don't post at all because I don't have enough time for personals. And I'm beginning to think that's a mistake. I like to read what everyone is up to, not the routine daily journal stuff (Got up at 7. Brushed my teeth. Had jam on toast for breakfast. Good BM.) but the adventures and misadventures and gripes and glee. And I don't always have something to say to everyone. So if it's okay with everyone, including the boss :coach:, I'll do personals when I have time and something to contribute, and for the rest try to post more often even if it's just a fly-by.
As for long posts, I think they're great, unless they're just a shopping list.

And with that, I have no time left to babble on about me me me. Gotta get washed and dressed and fed and ready for work. And of course, as always, I'm hoping for a good BM.... :lol3: :lol3:

Well yah hey dere peoples, that was my point about personals. You don't have to do them each and every time and I most certainly would not EVER want anyone to avoid us because they didn't have the time/ability/witty comment moment to do personals - it's just once in a while let's recognize each other's existance.

Like I said before - it's bad enough we get ignored by the cats and the men in out lives :rofl: Ok, nuff said.

$35C for real maple syrup? Now I understand why it's so expensive but it's so good. I get the real stuff, DH prefers Mrs. Butterworth's :barf::barf::barf:

Ruth - I would so love to come visit and sit by the stove, crack open a bottle with you and yak ourselves silly. If I come in the winter or even now, we could have a contest to count who has more aching parts on their bodies. :lol: Think I might prefer summer as long as Carla does not try and coax me into a swim in a sub freezing Canadian lake - But it's sOOOOOOO refreshing!!!! ;)

Guys, I am more than willing to send some balmy breezes your way - it truly is gorgeous out here - but I will also have to send some of the prerequisite thunderstorms your way too. When I come to the office in the morning I park at the far end of the parking lot. At lunch I go and move my car and snarf one of the near to the door primo spots (just because I get out late and don't like being too remote by myself - this way I can run back into the building quick if I spot the muggers and thieves). Anyway, this practice ensures that I get out and get at least some walking about each day. I wish you could hear the mockingbirds sing. Those are truly amazing birds. I have yet to hear one imitating a train whistle or a car horn but their repetoire (sp?) of "songs" is pretty cool. And they only sing like that for a few weeks in the spring.

Oh gosh Rennie - I forgot about your dreaded fear of the sp leggy thingees. So do you sleep with the mask not for air but to keep the critters out? :rofl: I'm surprised you don't swing from a hammock instead - man, probably should nto get the ladies rolling on that one :lol3:

Michelle - I have heard so much about the mocha coffee that I'm afraid to try it because I might like it too much! :D

Mel - if you and Jen are having sinus issues - might want to wait to come down here until everything is done blooming. It's a sinus paradise (NOT) here right now.

Good one on the underwear tag and the son Rennie - thanks for the morning laugh! :rofl:

Shad, ok, ok, ok. I liked my abstem definitiion better. If you insist... :lol:

Gotta run...

Wow...gone for a few days and you ladies type up a storm. Will finish reading and do indies later. HAve to get running and get moving. DH and I have errands to run, and HAVE to make it to the gym today. Sorry so short.

:grouphug:

OMG Carla, a good BM, for some reason set me laughing in my cubicle. Everyone wanting to know what is up with that, couldn't go there. and BTW...I have monumental BMs most every day and it takes my energy away for about an hour. Thank you weightloss surgery....

Rennie...you and my 6'3" 275 lb son. He is paranoid of spiders but can skin a coon, gut a deer and shoot critters. I just don't get than in him. Too funny.

Ruthie. The 100 days book, is that the 100 days about weightloss or something like that?

MEL...DD has to wait 4 mos for another biopsy pap to see what is going on with her cervix. She is in better spirits today tho. Thank you for asking.

Diyana..you are the exercise Goddess and my inspiration. You ROCK girl.

Holly..the new program sound interesting, good luck my dear friend.

Happy..yes beware of muggers and thieves. That all just scares the bejeebers out of me.

Well, tis almost time to go home from work. YeeHaaaaa!!

Have a wonderful, happy evening.

Love and Hugs

This place has gone nuts, someone just announced over the top of their cubicle that May 2nd is world scurvy day.

aihhhhhh maties

Good morning everyone.
It's a grand morning out there - well I think it is, the birds are singing (Mel would be getting the shotgun ready about now) and the sky is lightening up. It has rained overnight so things will be fresh and clean this morning. It is definitely cooling down overnight and we will be starting to see a 10C degree difference between night and day in the next couple of weeks. That apparently makes winter official here in the land of Aus. Anyplace between 18C (night time) and 28C today apparently and the rain is still falling.

Miss Puss is home with sparkly pearly-whites. She also has a small problem at the back of the throat - it's infected - something like human laryngitis they said. Well excuse me, but the noise around here does not indicate any form of laryngitis. This cat is the equivalent of the nagging wife!!!!!!!!

Undercoated the dining room and kitchen ceiling yesterday afternoon. My shoulders ache as does my neck. No matter how good your roller is or how fit you are or how long the extension pole, the posture required for painting the ceiling is guaranteed to give you a pain in the neck. I have it today so work today will consist of plastering, tile removal and sanding walls. Also a stint at stripping out lino will be on the cards. Since it appears to be going to be a damp and drizzly day, there will be little done outside, although I might need to go to the shops to get the staples - veges, fruit and some meat.

Happy - I still have the wee tin of Maple syrup that Holly so kindly gave me in Toronto. I will have to work out what to do with it. DS2 is not very interested - he, like me is not really a sweet stuff person. I made some pancakes for the nephew who said he was a Maple Syrup fan but he didn't think it was the 'real stuff' - he's only known the garbage dished out here by MacDonalds. I may have to make a cake or something. Maybe I will wait until I get the new stove in and christen it with a maple cake - or maybe some maple ice cream (even better idea) - home made of course.
Yes you should go and sit by Ruth's fire. You are safe from Carla's lake at the moment, it's too cold even for her. Actually it was refreshing. Just what was needed after the long hike and the bears in the woods! I've been spoilt by the bath like temps on the Barrier Reef where the worst thing that can happen is being bitten by a clam!
Stick with your ab-stem definition. It's good!!

Carla - I agree, pets should be tax deductible. The better care you take over your pet the more tax deductions you should get. That should take care of some of the stupidity of humans towards animals.
A snow removal surtax???!!! Geez I hope you don't have to pay that in the summer as well!!

Ruth - they are so crazy about BBQ's here that they even have them in the rain. Don't have to sit out to eat you know. Quick dash out into the rain - place the bbq under the eaves, get the fire going, come in shower and dry yourself off, dash out into the rain - plonk on the snags, steaks, chops and chicken, come in shower and dry yourself off, dash out and turn the food over and drop on the onions, come in dry yourself off (you've just run out of dry clothes at this point), dash out, turn once more, drop on the fish and the prawns. Come in and grab the plate you forgot to take out last time, dash out, grab the food, come in and sit in front of the telly and eat! Aren't you glad you are not an Aussie bloke with a reputation to keep up as far as barbequing goes? You'd think after this time, they would think to put a rain jacket on would you not??? And I forgot to mention the beer and bundy!!!
So whats wrong with a Canadian BBQ in the snow???

Mel - get yourself over here and tell Sunday that she is pampered - and then get ready to duck. I'm sure she will explain to you why she is NOT pampered or even looked after very well at all.
Love the look. Shoulder tats should impress I would think.

Michelle - sounds like you are on top of it for the time being. Good stuff. Yes we must send Patty (1Day) and invite :frypan: :stars:. She must be busy or maybe she is worried about her brother. She hasn't been in for a while has she??

Morning Rennie, Madcat, Painter, Annie, Holly, Patty and all lurking in the wings. I must away to make arrangements for our removal to Athens. Being abstemious in Athens must be the Greek equivalent of on a diet in Paris!! Things are larger than life there.

Okay - off to attack the walls and floors. Better see to some washing as well I think and maybe a bit of dusting and sweeping. Today will be fairly busy I think. At least it is cool right now.

Shad - if you eat oatmeal, I have a great recipe that uses real maple syrup, raisins and some other stuff and makes the oatmeal taste like a delicious oatmeal cookie. Not on the icky sweet side at all. Although the maple ice cream is sounding very interesting. Clams BITE??? REALLY? Bring 'em on, I will make chow-duh out of them. :lol: And what are snags and how do you bbq them?

I must remember to eat an orange on May 2 to celebrate World Survy Day - or I suppose it would be more appropriate to NOT eat citrus products that day,eh? Thanks Annie - I have just fogged up my glasses from laughing so hard. That's what comes of them working us too hard in the office. :lol: Although I think we should seek out and celebrate the more "unusual" holidays with the Worldly Chicks.

It is peaceful, it is lovely today at work. The cause of the big scurrying is over with. Life will be quiet for a day or two. I'm loving it! :cloud9:

Ok, I just had to look it up on the Internet. Found a website with Bizarre and Unusual holidays. To prep us for April...


1 April Fool's Day

1 International Tatting Day

2 Children's Book Day

2 National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day

2 Reconciliation Day

3 Don't Go to Work Unless it's Fun Day - :carrot::carrot: we know your decision

3 Tweed Day

4 Hug a Newsman Day - or a Fireman/men if your name is Mel

4 National Walk to Work Day - first Friday of month

4 Walk Around Things Day - that would be WALK ABOUT for Shad

4 School Librarian Day

4 Tell a Lie Day

5 Go for Broke Day

6 Plan Your Epitaph Day - a little morbid if you ask me

6 Sorry Charlie Day

7 Caramel Popcorn Day - Most likely created by a popocorn maker, or an Ecard company.

7 No Housework Day - isn't this EVERY day (except for Rennie the crazed cleaning woman :D )

7 World Health Day

8 All is Ours Day

8 Draw a Picture of a Bird Day

9 Name Yourself Day

9 Winston Churchill Day

10 Golfer's Day

10 National Siblings Day

11 Eight Track Tape Day - do you remember those? (I still have 2 of them and a working 8 track player!)

11 Barbershop Quartet Day

12 Big Wind Day - this day blows me away!

12 Russian Cosmonaut Day

13 Blame Someone Else Day

13 Scrabble Day

14 Ex Spouse Day

14 International Moment of Laughter Day - at some given point when we are all awake, the Worldlies will all have to stand up and laugh at the same moment).

14 Look up at the Sky Day - don't you have anything better to do? (Just keep your mouth closed)

14 National Pecan Day

14 Reach as High as You Can Day

15 Rubber Eraser Day

15 Titanic Remembrance Day - go hang over the bow of a ship with a cute guy

16 National Eggs Benedict Day

16 National Librarian Day

16 National Stress Awareness Day - we have it EVERY day, can only recognize it once a year

17 Blah, Blah, Blah Day - this is when we get the big motivational speeches at work :blah::blah::blah:

17 National Cheeseball Day

18 International Juggler's Day - also applies to multi tasking office workers

18 Newspaper Columnists Day

18 Pet Owners Independence Day

19 National Garlic Day

20 Look Alike Day

20 Volunteer Recognition Day

21 Kindergarten Day

21 Patriot's Day - third Monday of the month

22 Girl Scout Leader Day

22 National Jelly Bean Day

23 Lover's Day

23 National Zucchini Bread Day - they hold this at a time when you are not sick of all that zucchini.

23 Take a Chance Day - I have so MANY comments for this

23 World Laboratory Day

12 Astronomy Day - date varies - Wait - shouldn't it be Astronomy NIGHT? Who can see stars during the day? :dizzy:

24 Pig in a Blanket Day

25 East meets West Day (Shad's :hb: too)

25 World Penguin Day

26 Executive Admin's Day (Secretary's Day)

26 Hug an Australian Day - Does this count for you Shad or do we have to wait for Hug a Kiwi day? :hug:

26 National Pretzel Day

26 Richter Scale Day

27 Babe Ruth Day (or to have a bit of fun, let's do RUTH IS A BABE DAY!!!!)

27 National Prime Rib Day

27 Tell a Story Day

28 Great Poetry Reading Day

28 Kiss Your Mate Day - guys, do not forget this one. Kiss her, then read her some poetry. (Myself I'd rather have cash as you would not believe the ditties my DH will come up with :rolleyes:

29 Greenery Day

29 National Shrimp Scampi Day

30 Hairstyle Appreciation Day

30 National Honesty Day (guess this means you can't lie about someone's bad hair day above)

feel free to read and comment - this was fun. Either that or I have gone over the edge...

OMG - they have a hug an Aussie Day?????? OOOOh AAAAH. Sorry you are going to have to wait for the hug the Kiwi day. I'll never make an Aussie as long as my butt points southwards. Dream the impossible dream!

Snags are variously known as: -
Fatbags,
Mystery bags
Bangers
Little boys
Chipolata or (wait for it)
Sausages. Beef or pork, long and skinny, short and fat, take your pick.

I take it that the International Tatting Day is all about lacemaking and not tattooing??? Shades of Miami Ink??

The 14th should be a good day. I do all of those things thinking about the ex. And a specific day for Eggs Benedict. OMG The things I have missed out on all these years. I'm all for a Babe Ruth day. Sounds like a good idea. She could bbq the beer can chicken and we can run in and out to check the doneness of the thing - just like an Ausse bbq - and that way we only have to think about hugging an Aussie, not actually doing it.

Oh and I don't really want to be around on Richter scale day. Could be dangerous.

Okay - a-shopping I will go to get the meat and veg for the next few days or so.

happy
Oh that sounds good can I have the recipe? Those are some crazy days lol. It is a real problem for me. I didn't sleep much last night. Anytime I even think about the darn things I can't sleep. Makes the hubby so darn mad when my son brings that stuff up lol.

Shad
Cats are just spoiled that is all there is to it. You mean you don't find priming a ceiling the most fun thing in the world to do lol.

di
The kids came home from school one day and I was there with my head under the couch, behind the tv all over the place going sniff sniff. They are laughing and asked what on earth I was doing. I said oh my gosh smell that, what is that. Something has died. They are laughing and laughing oh mom the dog has gas again is all. Oh my gosh, what crawled into that dog and died lol.
Annie
Stay away from that person lol.

Ruth
That is just to funny. I remember one time the hubby was out in the garage ( where we use to live the garage wasn't attached ) and it was about 10 pm. I am walking out there with a cup of coffee for him, not a care in the world. I heard a sound, it was an urgent sound. I looked toward the garage. He was whispering as loud as he could STOP STOP STOP, YOU ARE ARE TO STEP ON THE SKUNK. Oh my gosh, it was sleeping on the step I was about to step down on to the drive.

Good morning chicks,

Quick howdy for me today. It's supposed to rain which for some reason is making my head achy and my nose sneezy. Wish I could go back to bed. At least tomorrow I can sleep in a bit...

Rennie, I posted the cookie recipe here on site before but can't find it with the search so I will go through my recipes this weekend and post it again for you.

Shad - you are right on with the tatting - it's lace not tatoos. I'm all for taking pens and drawing on each other's arms but no needles for me please :lol:

Time to hit the road - told you it would be a quick drive through. Happy Friday and have a good one! :wave:

HAPPY~ "13 Blame Someone Else Day"...I THINK THEY USE THAT ONE 365 FDAYS A YEAR IN THE OFFICE! :rofl: I CRACKED UP WITH THIS CALENDAR. WHAT HAPPENED TO ANNIE'S SCURVY DAY :lol3: I'M WITH THE DH...MRS. BUTTERWORTH ROCKS!! MY CANADIAN EX WAS APPALLED THAT I DIDN'T LIKE THE STUFF HIM AUNT WOULD SEND US. :rofl: GOOD IDEA ABOUT THE PARKING LOT SAFETY :hug:

SHAD~THE POOR KITTY AND YOUR POOR NECK. IS THERE NOT A "SIT WITH A BOOK IN THE SUN" DAY DOWN THERE? :beach: NOW THAT IT'S WINTER IS IT SNOW SHOE TIME YET? :brr: YOUR DAY FULL OF ACTIVITY MADE ME TIRED ALREADY :faint:

RENNIE~ NOW IF YOU HAD STEPPED ON THAT SKINK, YOUR SISTER WOULD HAVE HAD THE LAST LAUGH :rofl: :rofl:

RUTH~ I WILL KEEP WEIGHING EVERY DAY THEN....CAUSE I WANT TO BE SLIM AND TRIM JUST LIKE YOU!! WE CAN BE TWINS! :belly: LOVE YOUR AVATAR! I AM JUST HAPPY TO SEE GREEN IN OUR GRASS! :dance: I AM READY FOR YOUR BBQ :hun: BRING IT ON!!!

MICHELLE~ I WOULD LOVE TO TRY THAT IDEA OF A BEDTIME DRINK BUT I'D BE IN THE LOO ALL NIGHT :rofl: LONG AGO I USED HOT COCOA. AND IT WORKED VERY WELL.

CARLA~ 110 DAYS....LIKE 100 AREN'T ENOUGH ALREADY? WHAT AM I THINKING??? MUST BE A FREUDIAN SLIP....MAYBE I THINK I WILL NEED THE EXTRA 10 DAYS TO POLISH UP MY PERFECTION!! :cb: NOW IF THE MEN OUTSIDE WERE CUTE, I'D BE TAKING ALL THE CURTAINS DOWN!! HOPE THE BM WAS SUCCESSFUL AND AN ENJOYABLE EXPERIENCE! :lol3:

ANNIE~ WHAT I WOULDN'T GOVE FOR MONUMENTAL POOPS! I AM SO TIRED OF USING DYNAMITE!! :rofl: I CAN JUST SEE YOUR CO-WORKERS STANDING AND READING OVER YOUR SHOULDER EVERY DAY NOW TRYING TO FIND WHAT IS CAUSING THE GIGGLES!! WILL KEEP YOUR DD IN MY THOUGHTS.

WHERE HAS CEEJAY GONE? THE SISTER STILL THERE I WONDER? Hmmmmm :dunno:

WHEN WE GO LOOKING FOR DAY1 WE BETTER LEAVE A TRAIL OF CRUMBS OUT FOR MADCAT AS WELL. SINCE WE LOST MEADOW, TEEL AND LINUS, OUR NUMBERS ARE SHRINKING. I MISS THE OLD DAYS :cry:

THE BOSS WILL BE HOME MONDAY.:encore: I FOUND IT FUNNY THAT THE WOMAN GIVING ME THE TROUBLE WITH MY EXTRA CHECKS DID NOT CALL ME WHEN THE HEAD HONCHO WAS HERE SO I COULD STRAIGHTEN IT OUT. INSTEAD SHE TOLD ME OF HIS VISIT THE NEXT DAY :rofl:
I WILL CALL HIM NEXT WEEK MYSELF. WHICH REMINDS ME.....THE EYE DR IS MONDAY AND I AM HAVING A LOT OF TESTS DONE THAT DAY. SO I MORE THAN LIKELY WON'T BE POSTING WHEN I GET HOME. I CAN HARDLY WAIT TO GET THE CHAIR BACK ON THE SKINNY RAMP AND BACK INTO AND OUT OF THE VAN!! I LOVE DRIVING IN REVERSE 5" OFF THE GROUND WITH SUPER DIALATED EYES. :dizzy: SOMETHI9NG TO LOOK FORWARD TO THIS WEEKEND :scooter: JEN IS TAKING THE SORTED LINENS I DID LAST WEEK UP TO THE SUMMER TRAILER FOR THE KIDS. IT'S ALMOST THAT TIME OF YEAR. WHERE HAS THE TIME GONE? I'M STARTING TO FEEL LIKE HAPPY NOW....ON THE HAMSTER WHEEL OF LIVE! :rofl:
HAPPY FRIDAY!!! :cheer2: HOPE WE ALL HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!!!!!! :moped:

Happy Friday ladies --

I'm so glad the weekend is just a few hours (okay, well maybe 9 hours) away! I've got much to do around the house and after work and the gym, I just don't feel like doing much cleaning or organizing.

Ruth - your talk of sugaring made me smile as I remembered a very fond memory of when I was a little girl trudging through the snow in the woods in Northern Vermont with my grandfather as we collected the sap and went to the sugaring house to make syrup! As a child I loved a sticky, gooey, sweet bowlful of "sugar on snow". That is SO cool that your doc wants you to run a nutrition class for diabetes! Wow! I'm sure I could learn a lot from you. I'll probably start PMing you with questions, if you don't mind. BTW, how did your PT go?

Carla - I totally agree that we should be able to deduct our pet medical expenses from taxes. And we should be able to claim them as dependents too.

Happy - I hope you feel better soon. Please send the warm weather up this way. You can keep the thunderstorms though. We'll have bad thunderstorms and severe weather soon enough, thanks! Thanks for the suggestion of almonds. Even though they are 4 points for 23 nuts, they are a really good protein source and a "good" fat source. Please, please send me the oatmeal, raisins, maple syrup recipe! That sounds wonderful! I'm so glad your work has quieted down for a couple days. The list of obscure holidays you sent is GREAT. Thanks for looking that up. Mrs. Butterworths is really good syrup...when I don't have the real stuff around. But the stuff McD's and other places pass off as syrup is really gross.

Ellen - Good for you for getting to the gym.

Annie - Thank you for calling me the exercise Goddess. If someone told me 6 months ago that I'd be called an exercise Goddess, I wouldn't have believed them. For nearly all my life (up until the last couple months), I've hated exercising. It was always a chore that I would avoid/put off. But the more I'm reading about Diabetes and how exercise really does wonderful things for blood sugar, and I even notice the results occasionally when I test my blood sugar, the more it motivates me to keep moving and keep sweating! I went to the gym last night and did 40 minutes of cardio. I'm going to go to the gym tonight for 45 minutes of cardio and 30 minutes of weights and abs. I try to exercise 5 days a week, but that doesn't always happen.

Shad - I hope your neck feels better. And all your aches and hard work will be rewarded with a gorgeous kitchen! All your energy and all that you do around the house is such an inspiration! I have so much to get done around the house before my DMIL gets here in 3.5 weeks! I won't "tap into" your energy, since you need it for your kitchen, but I will hold you up as my example of how much can get done!! Glad Sunday's teeth cleaning went well. I hope she gets over her infection soon, so she'll have energy for to nag! :rofl: Maple cake or maple ice cream sound wonderful! Mmmmmm. When you mentioned the Barrier Reef, it reminded me of how much I want to go to Australia some day and snorkel around the Barrier Reef. Can you snorkel there? or is it just scuba diving? What is bundy (as in "beer and bundy")?

Rennie - Hilarious gassy dog and sleeping skunk stories!! My co-workers were wondering what I was laughing at! That's the only thing I don't like about spring...just when the weather gets nice enough to open the windows, the skunks come around and try to attract mates with their scent! When the weather is warmer, I have to look around the whole yard at night before I put the dogs out at night. I don't have to worry too much about critters when it's 5 or 10 below! :lol:

Mel - Right now I way a few times a week, but I'll try and get in the every day habit too. I do recognize that weight can fluctuate from day to day though, so even if I'm up a little, if I'm doing the right stuff...I don't get too discouraged. I use it as motivation to work harder. Starting to take stuff up to the summer trailer? Ahhhh, summer is getting closer, even though it may not even get into the 40s today. Tomorrow I may be going to a baseball game (exhibition game - Opening Day is Monday). The Boys of Summer are back in town! JJ Hardy of the Milwaukee Brewers is such a cutie! :drool: Maybe not as cute as your firemen, but pretty darn cute in his own right.

Here's to a fabulous Friday! Just a few more hours 'till the weekend! :woohoo: Hope we all have a great weekend and have fun doing what we want to do!!

A big :wave: to the lurkers and big hugs to all of you!

Mel...I used to have to use dynomite for the poops but not anymore. Just popped an immodium too slow the works down. Shuuuu Weeee....literally.

BREAKING NEWS....THEY CAUGHT THE MUGGERS!!!! In a Walmart trying to use Ts credit cards. WaaaWhooo

Have a FABU Friday.

Love and Hugs

Annie - I'm SO glad they caught the muggers! That's wonderful. I'll bet that makes everyone at your work breathe a sigh of relief. :)

Found the recipe - hope you enjoy it.

The Perfect Oatmeal

If you're using REGULAR quick cooking oatmeal - 1/2 cup oats, 1/2 cup milk, 1/2 cup water

If you're using STEEL CUT OATS - 1/2 cup oats, 1 cup milk, 1 cup water

Put the liquids in the pot and bring to a gentle boil. Don't let it come to a fast boil or you'll scald the milk

Add the oatmeal

Turn the heat down low to a simmer

Toss in:

- a heaping tablespoon of crystalized ginger, diced (I'm not a huge ginger fan, so I reduced the amount of this to a half teaspoon the next time I made it).
- tablespoon of vanilla extract
- healthy sprinkling of cinnamon
- small splash of real maple syrup
- a handful of raisins

Simmer this mixture for as long as you'd cook the oatmeal itself - - check the instructions on the box - ie. 5 minutes for quick cooking oats, 30 minutes for steel cut oats. Stir often as this cooks thicker then using just water and you don't want it to stick to the bottom of the pot.

Makes 2, one cup servings.

Since I was making steel cut oats and cooking them for 30 minutes, I added the raisins in 5 minutes before the oatmeal was done. You can toss them in earlier if you like them plumped up.

Once cooked you can add other chopped, fresh fruit to you liking. I tossed in some chopped walnuts one time, chopped pecans another.

Annie - I'm glad they caught the muggers too. Hope they "throw the book at 'em" for unneccessary roughness on the co-worker.

We have to get Rennie a spring avatar so the snow will know to go away for your guys up north :lol:

Michelle - do you ever see Jolly or did you move to a different part of town? Good going on the gym. You and Shad are exercise MACHINES!!!! :sumo: :lol:
I am still waiting to fall in love with exercise. :o

Mel - please be careful "driving" with the fuzzy eyes. Would think someone could help you get situated there. Hope the tests come out ok.

I am tired and feeling under the weather today. Good thing it's Friday. Ever want to crawl under your desk for 30 minutes of a power nap? :yes: :yes: :yes: Trouble is, the snoring would give me away! The day won't get over fast enough for me today.

Hello to all the chicks - present and on their way over :wave:

Happy - I hope you feel better. A nice relaxing weekend is what you need. I don't see Jolly anymore. I moved north of Milwaukee to West Bend, and she moved way west of Milwaukee to either Dodge or Jefferson County. I haven't heard from her in years. I don't even have her current email address. I have her former work email address and former home email address. If you have her current email address, can you pls PM it to me? I've also searched for her on 3FC, but haven't found any recent posts. I hope she's okay.

I also hope Patty checks in soon. I know she's going through a lot though. I just miss her. She's such a terrific chick. :)

Gone a couple of days and it takes an hour to catch up with you chicks.

My sister hubby and daughter left this morning. I hated to see them go. I'll be going to Missouri in May so that will not be to long. We had an enjoyable visit. My sister and I had a long talk about the past.

Pay check arrived this morning at the door so I need to get out and do some errands. Found a mistake on bank statement which was the banks fault. They credited my account so I'm pleased. This has happened once before.

There is still a bunch of flood waters around in certain area's. Mainly along the ditches and small rivers. It was awesome to look at.

Every one have a good day. I'll be back later to finish reading.

Cee
Sorry the family has left. It can be very hard to be apart from those we love. Do you ever wonder how much money the banks make a year because of their mistakes that people don't pay attention to.

Happy
The girl that made my winter avatar is making me a spring one. Heaven only knows that it will have in it. Come on, this one has a rat in it lol. I sure hope you feel better.

Melody
When my husband told that story to the family she yelled at him and told him to shut up the next time and then told him her skunk story lol.

COOKIES COOKIES COOKIES I LOVEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE COOKIES

Annie
So glad to hear it.

Di
I live out in the country. I live about 10 min from the house I grew up in. I have had to live in the city. I had to live in New York city for a short time ( the nice expensive part lol ). I will take the manure and the skunks over the smells of the city any old day of the week. Oh my gosh city's smell and the noise I have no idea how people sleep and all the lights. Oh my gosh it is never dark enough or quiet enough to sleep in the city's.

Have a marvelous weekend ladies.........supposed to 55 and sunny tomorrow, going to pick up trash in the yard that the neighbors let trash cans blow.

Love and Hugs

Saturday once more.
 

I've bandaged up my hands and taken the pain killers. Guess I will need to do it again this morning after I feed the cat her antibiotic tablet. I'll be well pleased when those are finished and done with.

Ceejay - so glad that you have had a good visit with the sister and family. It's always hard to see them go. Bet you got to spoil a few of them while they were there. Aren't you going out to California sometime this year as well? Was that family to?

Rennie - I don't think I have ever smelled a skunk, but that's okay, no need to lay one on for my next visit. I'm sure I can let the imagine take flight. Priming the ceiling is a riveting task. So much so that I'm sure my neck and upper back are craving for the next round, which will be today after Body Balance class. Only two more coats and then it is done for this part of the house at least. Only 3 more bits of the original ceiling left now. Yeehaa. I'll get that cr*p painter out of my house yet.

Hey Mel - the birds are back - don't let the grandson hear. It's grey and raining again so they are having a whinge at the weather today. Hope the eye bloke goes okay on Monday.

Happy - thanks for the recipe. I will give it a go. Mine will be instant oats since I never have the time or inclination to watch a bubbling pot. :stir::stir::stir::stir: Double, double, toil and trouble, cauldron burn and cauldron bubble. I don't have enough pots left to burn the bottoms of!!!!
Just for the record - and I'm not speaking for any of the others, I DO NOT like going to the gym and getting in my daily sweat. I don't hate it either. It is just something that has to be done during my day. Diet alone won't shift the fat. Exercise alone does not shift my weight - I've lost little since I have been going to the gym. What I have lost there is inches. So I eat well and carefully (most of the time) and exercise 5 days a week and have gone from a size 18 to a size 14 and sometimes a 12. It's hard graft and there are days where I look on it as a burden but I go anyway. I am fine once I get there, but you ought to hear my mind talking to itself all the way there. You'd think a 3 year old was on the loose.
The giant clams on the reef by the way are a beautiful cobalt blue and you are not allowed to catch them and eat them. Catch - well that's the wrong word really since they cement themselves onto the reef.

Michelle - you can do anything on the Great Barrier Reef, but you may have to do it soon, pollution, climate change, agricultural run off is all taking its toll. I went out there on an organised tour and the part of the reef we went to has a glass bottomed boat for those who want to look but not get wet, snorkelling for those who like to look but not all that closely and scuba for those who want to get up close and personal with some of the biggest fish you have ever seen. Then you can go on a helcopter flight over the reef and see the coral and the turtles and rays swimming around. It's magic. I've attached a picture of the reef on a really low tide day - you can't actually pick the sea creatures from the photo, but they were there.
Bundy is Bundaberg rum - a fairly potent spirit made here in Queensland and known to have a kick if over applied (which is frequently the case). I don't like it much - too sweet as it is made from sugar cane.
I too hope Patty checks in soon. I don't have an email for her, but I do have a phone number (somewhere) if anyone wants to ring her and see how she is doing.

Annie - so pleased they caught the mugger. One up to the police force and Walmart. Restores my faith.

Was watching the Biggest Loser (Aus style) last night and in the last couple of episodes they have brought back some of the biggest losers from past years. It is good to see so many of them still looking so damned good. (Especially Mel's Fireman Big Wal) Last nights challenge paired up a past loser with a present contestant and they had to pull a bus (9 tonne) along the road for a set distance. Seems that getting the bus actually rolling is the key not the pulling of the moving bus. Some of them actually ran it up the road. Had to laugh at the first Biggest Loser Winner (Adro Sarnelli) - the present contestants were picking their partner - opposite sex and poor Adro is not a big person any more and not that tall - he got picked last. He whinged because he used to get picked last because he was the fattest kid, now he gets picked last because he is the skinniest kid. And he looks like he has lost about 10 years off his face as well.

Okay better go get ready for body balance class and see if I can fit in a bit of dusting and sweeping before I go. I'm tired of seeing this mess around me!

Sorry, Worldlies. I've spent the day Super-MODing and have not had a chance to get in here. All is well but I need to get dinner and then organize "stuff" for tomorrow's quilting class. See you in the afternoon.

RUTH~ AFTER BEING ON THE PC FOR SUCH A LONG TIME, THE LAST THING I WOULD WANT TO DO IS PERSONALS :rofl:

SHAD~ I WAS WATCHING RUDY MAXA ON SMART TRAVEL IN AUS AND FALLING ASLEEP. I HEARD HIM SAY SOMETHING ABOUT "SALTIES" EATING PEOPLE AND OPENED AN EYE TO SEE A BIG CROC :yikes: NICE PIC!

HAPPY~HAVE A GOOD REST UP THIS WEEKEND. DON'T DO ANYTHING THAT REQUIRES ANY THINKING :beach: BREAK OUT THE VINO AND JUMP ON THE OLD MAN :belly:

CEEJAY~ SOUNDED LIKE A GREAT VISIT. LAYING THE PAST TO REST CAN BE SUCH A REWARDING THING. WJEN MY BROTHER AND I REUNITED, WE DID A LONG TALK TOO. :hug: NRE TRIP IN MAY?? HOW GREAT!!

MICHELLE~ YES....BASEBALL GUYS ARE HOTTIES TOO! I'LL HAVE TO CHECK OUT YOUR BREWERS! :cheer2: HAVE A GOOD TIME AT THE GAME WHEN YOU GO!:dance:

ANNIE~ GREAT NEWS ABOUT THE MUGGERS!! BET A LOT OF WOMEN SLEPT BETTER! LAUGHING AT THE IMMODIUM :lol3: :lol3: BEEN MANY YEARS SINCE I NEEDED THAT!!

I AM SITTING HERE THINKING OF WHAT TO SAY. BETTER JUST GO AND GET BREAKFAST. BRAIN DEAD THIS MORNING. :faint:
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND AND HAPPY SATURDAY/SUNDAY! :moped:

Finally finished reading. took me way longer than expected...esp with the kiddies coming n and asking if I was done yet???? HAve to go get ready for a friends baptism...will try to get on tonight and post indies...I do seem to miss so much when DH is on vacation. Have a lovely weekend all!!! :grouphug:

Good morning chickees,

Continuing on the roller coaster weather pattern, it's chilly and a bit damp this weekend. Guess I will focus on the inside of the house instead. Took a walk around the yard the other day, SOOOOO much work to be done out there.

Shad - a skunk is a smell unto itself. No way to describe it unless you "smelt it". :lol: Just stinks. Bad. And the closer you are to the stink, the worse it is to the point that if you're right where it sprayed, your eye will burn and tear worse than any onion. I'm sure you have an equivalent in that land of varied and interesting creatures that you live in.

Ceejay - I know it's been raining more up your way but didn't realize that you are so close to the floor waters. Hope the waters recede before the mosquitos invade the town again.

Michelle - Jolly was posting in Red's challenge thread. I would lurk occasionally. Heard she sold her horse and was looking to apply to law school. I just checked and she's been gone since November of last year. I have no contact info for her either.

Like Mel, I don't have too much to say either. Trying to recover from marathon phone calls with my mom and sister. Our new front door is in, going to go look at it today - DH thinks the color is too light. Well what's the sense in having samples at the store if they are way off from the actual results? :dunno: The couple we hired to do the floor are supposed to come out on Monday to tear the existing floor out so things will get started in that direction. We are also going to the eye doctor later this afternoon - time for new glasses again. There goes the bankroll :lol:

Coffee is finished and DH wants to head over to the store to have me check that door before they deliver it this week so I'd better get dressed and presentable. Have a good weekend ladies :wave:

Morning all,

Happy - can't say that we have something that stinks deliberately that much as the skunks. We have stinkbugs which surely do smell if you squash 'em, and some of the wild life smells none too sweet in their natural habitats, but nothing that seems comparable to that.
The biggest problems with paint swabs are that they are concentrated in a much smaller area and the result on a finished product is often vastly different. It can be very annoying. Hope that all goes well with the tiles during the week. One good thing about working from home is that you are already there and don't have to leave work for contractors who are not on time.

Mel - you do get to watch some grim travel docos don't you. The big difference between 'salties' and most other animals or fish is that sharks for example eat when they are hungry and stop when they are full. Crocs don't. They are killing machines. Unfortunately since we stopped hunting them and their numbers are on the rise, their natural food source is disappearing hence they now eat us.

Well another busy day here, I goofed off for most of yesterday. Not that I didn't work, I did some prep on the kitchen ceiling and plastered some holes in the walls. I also washed and vacuumed but I didn't do anywhere near as much as I should have. Then DB2 came over at dinner time with a bad dose of the usual problem so I now have all his credit and eftpos cards yet again. I wish I could wave a magic wand and fix all this. For sure I don't need it right now. Neither of course does he, but he is the only one who has the power to stop himself.

On the brighter side, I made contact yesterday with an old friend I used to go to high school with. We were close in school, but lost touch after that when she went to a life in the country and I went to the city for work. Surprisingly she too is in Aus - down in the Hunter Valley where they grow not bad wines! She has an organic farm and is involved with animal liberation etc. One of these days we may visit each other.

So on to today, more plastering, painting etc., and with a little bit of luck some progress. Preparation is everything in painting but it takes so darn long!!! Gym first then into it. DS2 went out with friends last night and didn't get in until I was just getting up so he won't be much help for most of the day I guess. It looks like a nice day out there too. I think I will go and ruin it by giving the cat her tablet. Then I will spend the next hour mopping up the blood and sticking band aids on the body.

See you later

Whew! This has been a whirlwind in here lately but all problems seem to have been resolved. I took today as a complete "ME" day, something we all should do more often. My quilting class was loads of fun and I got a lot done - more is on the go right now while dinner slow cooks. (My machine and fabric made it as far as the kitchen table!)

Hey! It's Earth Day over here and our lights are to go out from 8 to 9. (NZ and Australia have already done it yesterday.) I plan to copy Christchurch and ring the bell at the Church at eight - then it'll be home for a candle lit dinner. Now the questions are: do I use my car lights driving to the Church AND will the Villagers freak when they hear the bell and think there's a fire or that the Americans are attacking us? That hasn't happened since 1812 but memories are long in shallow brain pans.

No personals as I need to get another set of blocks together for my quilt before I turn off the power.

Hey Ruth,

If it's dark outside at 8pm, I certainly hope you will turn the car lights on - don't put too much stock into being visible - even IF you do have a red car :lol: What is the significance of ringing the bell on earth day?

I think ours in the states is April 22th.

Shad - aren't the Tasmanian Devils quite stinky? Didn't realize that crocs kill just to kill. Thought the did it when hungry or antagonized. Darn croc brains... Sounds like your friend there has quite the interesting hippie lifestyle. We need to go back there again I think. Too selfish, too greedy. I do think Mother Nature is getting ticked off.

Ruth - don't know about Canada but we only turned off unnecessary lights. Gosh darn it, I do think the car lights might be necessary. It was amazing to see how many lights got turned off - particularly in Sydney where they are huge wasters of energy and resources.
Do you realise that by following Christchurch and ringing the bells, you were following in my forefathers footprints. My mothers family came out to NZ in 1852 and created the cathedral and university in the city of Christchurch. Their name is inscribed on one of the bells in the Cathedral and also listed on the 1st ships list in the Square outside the cathedral. My father also used to be a bellboy in the Anglican Church in Kaiapoi (also in Canterbury). So ring away merrily my friend, you have some big shoes to fill.

Happy - I don't know about hippie lifestyle, but organic is certainly getting to be big around here. I'll have to ask for tips on growing things which will survive in our drought.

Victoria was lovely, the job was a breeze, my tiny room in the hotel (the Empress, as Shad guessed) enormously comfy with perfect pillows. The weather included sun, rain, hail, and snow - almost but not quite all at the same time. Too much of the wrong foods, not enough reviewing of the 100 Days principles. Flight delays both ways, but connections made by the skin of our teeth. Home now, and totally discombobulated as after every trip. :dizzy: :faint: :stars:

Shad, skunks have a very musky, almost sexy scent. I've never had the misfortune to meet one up very close, but have smelled the lingering aroma on summer mornings. (There's even a song that goes: 'Dead skunk in the middle of the road, stinkin' to high heavens...') Maybe I'm crazy, but I rather like a faint whiff of eau de skunk.
I have to ask: how did you get the holes in the walls to be repaired? Has the poor cat been trying to escape the pill sessions, or perhaps one of the sons burrowing a tunnel? :rofl:

Mel and Happy, I've been a rather bad girl, but have not yet abandoned Linda and her daily worksheets, I am, however, a day or so behind - spending a little too much time writing down most of what I'm eating as filler instead of food - not quite the point of the exercise, I fear. :o I'll be in touch soon. :hug:

:wave: to all the other worldlies. At the rate I'm going, we may be in Athens by the time I get back. Shall I save you all a place to sit at the local taverna, and order us some ouzo and mezethes while we wait for the whole crew to arrive and unpack? :D :D :D

HAPPY~ I DO HOPE THE DOOR IS ALRIGHT AND NOT A COMPLETE LETDOWN. IT DOES MAKE YOU WONDER WHY THEY HAVE SAMPLES:rofl: GOOD LUCK WITH THE FLOORING TOO! I GUESS EVERYTHING IS GROWNING NOW DOWN YOUR WAY. BUT O HOPE YOU GET TO HAVE SOME DOWN TIME TODAY!

SHAD~ WE NOT ONLY HAVE SKINKS BUT SKUNK CABBAGE AS WELL!! BOTH SMELL BAD!! I AM GLAD I DON'T HAVE TO RUN AWAY FROM SALTIES OVER HERE! THEY MIGHT JUST RUN FASTER THAN I CAN! HOW NICE TO HAVE FOUND AN OLD FRIEND! AND WHAT A GREAT STORY ABOUT THE BELLS! :dance:

CARLA~ JUST ORDER ME UP A DARK HAIRED GREEK AND I WILL TURN A BLIND EYE TO YOUR "WORK WEEK". :belly:
AND I THOUGHT OUR WEATHER WAS BAD :rofl:

RUTH~ I KNEW NOTHING OF EARTH DAY. I WATCHED MOVIES ALL DAY, WENT TO BED AND WOKE TO FIND THAT A LOT OF BIG CITIES PARTICIPATED IN IT!

APRIL SHOWERS ARE GETTING A HEAD START AROUND HERE ALSO. :rain: I HAVE BEEN KEEPING UP WITH ONE OF MY BOOKS BUT STOPPED READING AT NIGHT WITH THE OTHER TILL AFTER THE EYE DR TOMORROW. TRYING NOT TO IRRITATE THEM/ TOOK A GOOD LOOK IN THE IRROR SANS THE MAKEUP AND IT'S LOOKING SO SO. WE'LL SEE WHAT SHE SAYS MANANA. I WILL BE BACK EITHER TUESDAY AFTERNOON-ISH OR WEDS. TUESDAY IS FOOD SHOPPING. HAVE A GOOD WEEK! :moped: