Good morning ladies -

Happy Good Friday morning and first day of spring for us Northern Hemisphere chicks. First day of spring?! HA! Wisconsin is getting hit with a big snow storm today. All of southern Wisconsin will have between 8" to 12" of snow by the end of the day. Luckily I only have to work a 1/2 day so hopefully the roads won't be too bad yet for the drive home, although some parts of the drive in to work were like driving on an ice skating rink! DH has a 4-wheel-drive SUV, so he should be okay when he comes home around 4:30 or 5 pm. The snow may throw a monkey wrench into my gym plans, so I will try and dig up a workout DVD.

I've got lots to do this morning, so I'll wait 'till this afternoon or tonight to check in and post personal msgs.

Hugs to you all!

Morning ladies!!!

I made it to the gym yesterday, and I felt like it was a much better workout. I am going to try to get there today, but also want to go to church this afternoon for Good Friday Services. So many devotions right now...but I can only make a few...the kiddies won't sit for all of them.

Shaker~It is so good that DH gets checked regularly. Will keep you both in my prayers that it is benign. Sorry also for your loss.

Shad~Wish I was enjoying my coffee in the sunshine...very dreary today, and supposed to have more snow??? Must have missed us. Good luck with the jobs.

Mel~Hope you feel better!

Rennie~ and as you fly by

Michelle~I know what you mean about the snow...Dh just said that there was already 2 inches on the ground in the city. I am crossing my fingers that we are far enough south to keep the snow away. Although we will have to head in for church

:wave and to everyone I missed!

Well, Dh is home now, and I have to get moving if I want to make it to the gym b4 church this afternoon. To all in this crazy weather...stay safe!

Just home from Church and enjoying sunshine, coffee, a fire in the stove and a cuddle with my Hershey. Donna is supposed to come today but who knows. She is becoming a bit unreliable which I'll have to deal with soon.

I hope everyone has a glorious Easter Weekend despite all the cold and snow. Remember Easter won't be this early next year so should definitely be better.

Busy busy
Just about have everything done around here and then I can relax for a bit. Shopping tomorrow and getting everything prepped at the food kitchen will take most of the day tomorrow. Sunday service breakfast service and then food kitchen from noon till 8 pm. Going to be a very nice weekend.

Pictures of the flood waters in Arkansas and Missouri are overwhelming. A couple of places have lost their water and waste water plants.

Happy
Be careful. I just read that the Mississippi River is near the flood stage

Things are going well so far on my first day of myh 100 day plan. However,
I'm over my limit aready on the cholesterol. Shouldn't have had that egg. I'm okay every where els. Just need to exercise.

I agree with Shad. We taken everything else seriously but not our skin.

Going to church services again tonight so I'd better get busy and get ready.

Everyone thought it was funny when I was a teenager and then a young woman. I stayed out of the sun. I didn't tan. I wore hats and sleeves. I have ran into women that I went to school with. I look 15 to 20 years younger than many of them. One of the women I went to school with and was also one of my best friends stopped by my house one time. I told my daughter we went to school together and were friends. She said I didn't know you were allowed to be friends with teachers Mom. Oh my gosh, she thought my friend was my teacher lol. Most people think I am much much younger than I am, nice lol. First my mother looks very young so that might help. Second I truly think my staying out of the sun has a great deal to do with it too. I never wanted to worry about the problems a lot of sun on the skin can cause.

Morning all, and yes it is still Saturday morning here - just.
Been to gym and done a weights and resistance workout. I upped the weights at the end of last month and at last I think I am coming to grips with some of the new, heavier weights, but there are times when my arms just say enough - can't hold you any more. I hope it gets better soon. Or maybe I have just reached my limits - but no, that can't be so!!!!! I have a long way to go.

Just hang out a line full of washing and guess what - yep, down came the rain. Had to run out and rescue the stuff that had been out there for a while and leave the rest. Of course as soon as I got inside, the rain stopped again.

Yesterday I had a wonderful time bashing up the overhead cupboards. No Happy I have no intention of trying to save them. They are well past their sell by date. Today, I will tackle the rest of them with guidance from DS2 who will offer to do them himself, but I am having too much fun. Sorry son. The floor cupboards will remain until they give me warning that the new kitchen is here. I'm storing some of the everyday food stuff there and the rest of the pantry items are in a cardboard box in the lounge. I have stuff just about everywhere at the moment and I need to get some of it packed up and taken off to the shed. We won't use that before the kitchen goes in.

Carla - nice joke. What???? And yes that part of the anatomy is fairly tender right now thanks to some of the exercises I did today.

Rennie - good job on staying out of the sun. Good genes and that practice probably keep you looking better. I usually get taken for being about 6-9 years younger than I am. It doesn't bother me none.

Ceejay - oh boy, first storms and now floods. Stay safe and dry. I hope it soon passes.

Ruth - that's the problem with having staff!! Hope you are keeping warm and dry and getting on with the quilt that I will need next time I come to visit!! Nothing like putting pressure on people I say.

Ellen - well done on the gym visits. You'll be down to a smaller size again before you know it. Take it easy in the snow and ice.

Michelle - ditto on the above in the snow. Although you are all probably at home now safe and sound and enjoying hot tea or toddy - what ever takes your fancy. Stay warm

Mel - perhaps we should get together and dismember Elle or Claudia or someone like that. Not only would we be taller, some bits of us would be younger as well. So sad that the pedalling is causing you grief. Maybe there is a more gentle way for you to exercise. We'll have to put some thought into it. Happy Easter Sis and for yourself and the young ones.
The job will do what the job will do. I can wait for a while yet. Not down to the bones of the butt quite. Unfortunately I can still afford to eat!!!

Happy - don't they even give you Good Friday off - my word. Now I know that it is true that Victoria is the place with more public holidays than the rest of the world. Followed closely by all States and Territories in the Commonwealth of Australia. Life can get tedious eh?



Right I am off to the demolition zone. Remember to eat eggs not chocolate look-alikes. You'll be better off in the long run and don't forget to sweat.

Day went well, not as much snow as they said, hopefully it will be gone soon. Offto rest will be heading out to the gym early (6ish) then off to church for Tenebrae (Part of the divine office only said at this time). Then home for a break. The kids are staying with my sis, so I am ablt to head out early. Then we will be going to Easter Vigil about 10:30 pm...Kinda like Midnight mass, only for easter. THE girls will hopefully sleep thru it. Then some cooking on Sunday...but Dad and I split the duties, so not too much...do have to get up and put the turkey on. No eggs here...but may stop and get the kids some bunnies...will keep it small because then it keeps me out of it.

Night ladies enjoy your Easter.

...me madly cooking!

MICHELLE...BE CAREFUL OUT THERE WITH THAT NEW DUMPING OF SNOW. NO SKATING ON ICE WITH THE CAR IS ALLOWED!

ELLEN~ I ALWAYS LOVED THIS TIME OF YEAR IN THE CHURCH. HAPPY GYM TIME TOO!! CAREFU8L WITH THAT SNOW YOU GOT TOO NOW!!!

GOOD MORNING RUTH AND HERSHEY....STAY ALL ROASTY AND TOASTY!! WE'RE JUST HAVING A BLAST OF COLD AIR FOR TWO DAYS....WHERE IS MY SNOW??????

RENNIE~ HOPE THE DAY AT THE FOOD KITCHEN IS FULFILLING

CEEJAY~ LAST NIGHT I SAW A HOUSE FLOATING DOWN THE RIVER AND CRASHING INTO A BRIDGE. THE LOSS OF LIFE AND PROPERTY IS HEARTTBREAKING. THE GOVT BETTER DO RIGHT BY THESE FOLKS AND NOT SCREW UP LIKE NEW ORLEANS! YOU GO GIRL ON THE GOOD DAY!

SHAD...YESTERDAY I FORGOT THO ANSWER YOU ON THE PHONE THING. I'LL WATCH THE E-MAIL AND CALL IF I SEE YOU SENT ONE. I FORGET THE TIME NOW WITH OUR CHANGES OVER HERE!!!! LET ME KNOW IF THIS WEEKEND IS GOOD......

LOVING THIS WEEKEND. JEN GOT TOM YESTERDAY AND I THINK THE BEGINNINGS OF MENOPAUSE ARE COMING ON. THE FIBROIDS ARE BACK WITH A VENGENCE...WELL THEY ACTUALLY NEVER LEFT. THE DR JUST HOPES SHE CAN HOLD OUT TILL MENO IS OVER. THEN THERE WOULD BE NO NEED FOR FURTHER SURGERIES. THE LAST ONE A FEW YEARS AGO WAS BEYOND THE PALE. WE'VE DECIDED TO HAVE NO AGENDA AT ALL. A JAMMIES/DVD WEEKEND. I CHOSE A YELLOW 2 PC SET WITH BABY ROSES ON THEM.
WE DID NOT GET THE PREDICTED SNOW....BUT I AM FREEZING MY BUTT OFF DOWNSTAIRS WHEN I HAVE TO GO THERE. 50 MPH WIND GUSTS FOR 2 DAYS NOW. DANG CHILLY!! MY FRIEND IS LEAVING FOR HER CRUISE. NEXT WEEK IN THE OFFICE SHOULD BE INTERESTING. I HAVE MY LIST....EVERYONE ELSE CAN DO THEIR OWN.
THE HIP IS FINE. I PEDALED AGAIN LAST NIGHT WITH NO PROBLEM. I JUST HAVE GOT TO REMEMBER MY TIMING AND ALSO...NO PEDALS ON ACTIVE WORK DAYS. THERE ARE ONLY A FEW HOLIDAYS THAT WE BAG AND HAND OUT STUFF SO IT'S NOT LIKE A GREAT LOSS.
NOTHING NEW HERE. BORING AND QUIET. MY KIND OF WEEKEND. WISHING YOU ALL A VERY HAPPY EASTER TOMORROW!!! HOPE THE BUNNY IS GOOD TO YOU ALL....DON'T OVER DO IT!!!

Happy Easter Everyone, It is going to be a nicer weekend I hope. Yesterday we had a mini blizzard through town but the top of the pass was hit hard. Totally white out and power outages. SPring is here for sure...... The flooding issue is so sad and there could be much more of that as the years plays out in other parts of the country.
The wildlife are finally being able to move a bit up on my hill....saw aherd of elk grazing about a 100 yesterday.... so beautiful and on Thursday while Toby was outside a cute little fox was in the yard..... the fox saw Toby and turned to head back to the hilll and Toby never spotted him but could smell him..... Tiny Teeka was safely in the house....this morning I heard the sound of the killdeer arrival to the resevoir. So today the sun is going to shine and warm up our hearts and souls......
I finally got my little car back..... and it is going to take me a while to recover from that once again....oh well. I am sure enjoying my book I got for a gift....Eat Pray Love...have any of you read this it?
Sending Easter wishes and Blessings to all of you and your families....
Peace,
Nae

Good morning chicks,

I am glad to see this dreadful week come to an end. When things get too frantic, I have a difficult time trying to keep my sanity and this week was a doozer and a drainer. But it's over.

Michelle- saw that your area got 14 inches of snow. Is usually the heavy, wet kind this time of year. You and DH be careful with the cleaning up and getting around town!

Same for you Nae. Your animal scene descriptions remind me of the bison herd that is next to the Humane Society. Really kind of cool looking at them in an open plains setting.

Mel - I'm glad the hip eased up. Your jammies sound perfect for Easter. Poor Jen - she's still got a long way to go with menopause as it hangs around for about 10 years. Hope you both will be ok In the meantime, stay out of those drafty areas.

That's interesting Ellen - didn't realize they did an evening Holy Saturday vigil. Of course it has been a while since I've been a regular church goer Hope you have a good Easter too.

Shad - hanging the clothes out has always been a game if there's anything other than brilliant sunshine. Those darn clouds absorb the moisture from the clothes and then seem to drop it back down again. I remember many a good run hurrying with Mom to beat the rain. As for a Good Friday holiday, many years ago it seems companies opted to give the employees one or two "floating holidays" which were basically 2 days off of your chosing. This way they didn't have to worry about appeasing the Christians on Good Friday, the Jews during their holy days, or the black folks who wished to honor Dr. King on his birthday (although here in Memphis Martin Luther King's birthday is a big holiday with everything closed). Of course these floating holidays were not without direct benefit to the company as it meant 2 more days the business was up and running. Back when I was managing a help desk, we were open for business on Good Friday but you were allowed to take the day off if you observed it as a holy day with religious services. Because it was a "free day off" everyone on the team wanted off save for my one Jewish and one Muslim team member. 3 years in a row I could count on just me and these 2 guys manning the help desk that day as everyone claimed to be so religous that day. The 4th year the company changed policy and gave us 2 floating holidays to use as we saw fit. When Good Friday rolled around that year, several people approached me and said they were taking the day off. I smiled and said, ok - you are using one of your floating holidays. No they said, we are taking it off for religous purpose. I said no, that's why you have a floater. 2 people got really mad. It was amazing how all these gung ho religious zealots lost their interest when they had to use their own days off. So at my company today we only have the big holidays off and MLK day.

Rennie - I think you are right on with the avoiding the tan and missing out on the wrinkles. Even smoking as long as I did, no wrinkles on the face. Just bigger pores.

Ceejay - we are far enough east that if the Mississippi flooded over and got to our house, there would be far bigger problems But thanks for the concern. I'm sure it's an issue with the condos downtown. If you decide to eat eggs, skip a yolk. If you make scrambled eggs use all the whites and toss out a yolk or two. If you make hard boiled eggs, cut them in half and throw out half a yolk. That will help to cut down on the cholesterol substantially while still getting the good benefit from the egg itself.

I am debating about what to do for Easter tomorrow. With just DH and I it doesn't seem worth making a fuss. I like ham - for one meal. Too much salt for me though DH would not mind eating it all week long. Can't think of a place that we would go for Easter dinner. Back up north there were restaurants that would have an Easter special or an Easter buffet but nothing like that near hear I can think of. DH wants to do yard work today so we will probably go to the Humane Society tomorrow. I'm thinking with spring break and the holiday they probably won't get the usual group of volunteers and I might be on clean up duty again. But that's ok, I'm sure the kitties will appreciate the attention.

Guess I'd better get in gear here. Hellos to Shaker, Painter, Ruth, Madcat, Holly and Carla (are you being good )

Hello ladies! I overslept this AM so no gym yet. Will go after we drop my sister off at home. Tenebrae was good this morning...DH and others have finally got it down, and it sounded very good. have to get moving...the kiddies will get a good shower at the gym too...less laundry for me...no toweles. LOL

Happy Easter all!

I went to Walmart super center this morning in Blytheville. On a whim I stopped by the hair salon and got my hair cut again. I couldn't believe it had grown out this much in a month's time.

Walmart's had some nice looking strawberries. I'm going to adlib when my sister and family comes next week.

I didn't go to church last night because I took a nap that afternoon and overslept. I'm planning on going tonight.

It's so pretty outside and the Rav4 really needs a good cleaning. Think I'm going to do this instead of staying inside all day.

Rennie
I don't look my age either. Mine is most diffinately inherited from my mom's side of the family. None of my uncle's look there age and they are above 70 years old.

To the rest have a restful week end.

Just call me Demolition Dan.

Yesterday I took the cupboards off the walls in the kitchen - okay so it's not a big kitchen and there were only three sets of them. The first one I got off fairly easily and then found that the trim was not attached to the wall at all - fillets they call them. So when I got the cabinet part off, and pulled at the fillet, the darned thing came off in two bits, one in my hand and the other fell off onto my foot. Nice one Shad. I decided to leave the smaller cabinet in with the rangehood until I was ready to paint. Never can tell when you need the rangehood hey? So I turned my attention to the second cabinet and took out the screws - there were 6 of them and then started on the nails and then heyho all h*ll broke loose with the range hood and the small cabinet falling off the wall and onto the stove and the microwave. It wasn't attached at all except by the very tips of those screws through the other cabinets and the fillets. Put a nice dent in my new microwave - I was not very pleased, but at least it is at the back and will be hidden when the new kitchen goes in. It also landed on my foot. Thank goodness I wear boots when doing that sort of thing. It may have taken my toes off if not. Oh the joys of renovating a spec house where things are not always what they appear to be or should be. Now I need to wash down the walls, sand, plaster and get them ready for paint. And I have the feeling my time is running out. I will get work soon. I must get this done. A lot of today will be spent on the end of the sanding machine. That will be a great workout I can tell you. Oh well, gotta be done.
I also wrecked a hotplate - when my stove began to give up the ghost several years back, I decided to get a stand alone hotplate gadget. It has two solid hotplates and you just plug it in and cook on it. Well when I went to shift it, I noticed it needed a good clean and those solid hotplates tend to rust as well - so I cleaned the thing. Took all the rusty bits off the plates and got the SS nice and shiny - replugged it in and sparks flew everywhere and blew the circuit. I thought maybe it had water in it, so dried it off best I could and let it sit in the sun to complete the drying, then plugged it in and blew the circuit again. So that is off to the dump as well. That was more or less my day yesterday apart from watching the footy and annoying the DS2 and cat.
Had an e-mail from my friend Chris (Japan) yesterday who is leaving for home next Tuesday. She is being farewelled by lots of her friends and is very sad to be leaving, but says that due to increased activity with packing, clearing and cleaning her health - especially the lungs - seem to have improved. However one foot is getting slowly more numb again so she is not out of the woods yet. Good news is that she feels that she can go touring again so our Italian holiday may yet make the news in a couple of years time. We will both be ancient ruins ourselves by then, so we should fit in nicely.

Happy - thanks for the info on public holidays from the US perspective. I have heard of factories doing something similar here, but since it is still a public holiday in the eyes of the land, then they get paid accordingly for working on the holiday - double time for the first 4 hours and triple time after that.
It's grand exercise dashing out to the line to grab the clothes especially in tropical downpours. Unless they are guaranteed dry, you might as well leave them there.

Ellen - stirring madly away there with the cooking. Have fun at the gym.

Mel - jammies sound pretty. Certainly yellow will brighten up the day. Good weekend for just sitting around. The news pictures were just awful last night. Glad to hear the hip is coming right for you. Talk soon.

Nae - hiya, glad the car is back in one piece. Get that dog away from the wildlife - they will think it is breakfast on legs.

Hiya - to Ceejay, Carla, Ruth, Michelle, Holly, Madcat and all those lurking and viewing. Happy Easter Sunday.

I was hanging out some towels when I noticed that the second lot of buds had opened on the Tenozan Orchid, but....... if you look closely at the attached photo, they don't even look the same and they both came out of the same pot. It seems my orchid has been up to some naughty tricks. I zink I smell ze mischief in ze garden

The ones top left sort of pinky/lilac petals and a bright purple lip should look the same as the purple ones on the bottom of the group. The dark red on the right is Magic Fire.

Anyway - whatever the plants are getting up to, I still love my orchids. Enjoy