Ahhh, good morning, eh, afternoon, my friends....

Love the Dancing Queen, MEL. Happy Happy.....

Went shopping with DD instead of the movie. Bought a Tankini. Looks ok. Will I ever feel like I look good in a bathing suit, I doubt it. Weigh one thing, see myself as a fatty. Oh well. Got two new purses. It was buy one at reg price get the second one for 88 cents at JC Penney. I love love love bags and purses. Starting to like shoes too. Bought a new pair of stiletto, black, part shiney part dull black, very cute. IF a size 10 foot can look good in shoes, hahahahahaha. Got two new shirts too, for work. Very cute. Spent 150 bucks I didn't need to, as I have to get my license plates for car by Tuesday at 170 bucks. I have gone completely bonkers.

The pooper is partly because of procedure the other part because I have always has pooper and tummy issues.

Oh and I bought the cutest little 0-3 month size pink bathing suit with butterfly appliques for my Goddaughter who is due in August. The little one, who is a girl to be named OLIVIA ANNE...will not get to wear it much, but could not resist.

Best get lunch on the table. Made a new cheesey spinach potato casserole...yum.

Have a marvy Sunday.

Love and Hugs

Morning all,
Salam I should say. Arrived here last night and stood in queues for a couple of hours until I got the visa, the passport stamps, the instructions and finally the suitcase and yet another xray. Took three hours from leaving the plane until I saw the hotel room. Anyway, I bummed about for a bit and then went to bed with a book and woke up this morning.
It's an interesting place. The restaurant this morning seemed to have more staff than patrons, but the menu was interesting. You could have cereal stuff, fruit stuff, toast stuff, Japanese style breakfast or what looked like dinner. Interesting way to get around the no pork rule - beef bacon!!!! Reminds me of Happy's deep south where you cook it and then deep fry it. There doesn't appear to be much in the low fat variety, but I'll just have to try to find a way around it. You'd have laughed yourself silly with the chefs hats. First thing that sprung to mind was Bart Simpson! They looked like they had a fancy paper bag on their heads. And they are so short that all I could see at one stage was a moving paper bag behind a pyramid of Oranges and Apples.
The hotel room is nice - very Art Deco design and clap your hands and hey presto, whatever you desire is presented - well not quite but nearly. You do have to use the telephone to order it. And if they don't quite understand what you require, then they bring everything they can think of that you might like!!!
Changed some money this morning. $100 Aud = 841,700 Indonesian Rupiahs. Considering that a steak costs around 300 Rupiah, I could do quite a lot of eating here. Even the Wagyu beef steak (very expensive in Aus) is only double the price (about $6.00 Aus) I'm sure I will find something to eat.
They are building a new skyscraper right opposite my room in the hotel. I'm not too sure about their building standards! and remind me never to stand anywhere underneath a building under construction. On the floor opposite my room there has been a delivery of parts and stuff. It is hanging out over the edge of the dock. A good puff of wind would probably send it over the edge and down onto anyone having a puff of a ciggie down below.

It's warm here too. Around 28C and very hazy. I'll try to get some photos in the next couple of days and show them off when I get home. Traffic is AWFUL and you don't walk on the pavements - no wonder everything is underground (shopping malls etc.) Only thing is when moving from one building to another there is metal detectors and security checking your bag and stuff - no blown up Shaddie allowed apparently. They just try to kill you with uneven pavements instead.

So better go and see what gives in the Corporate world and get some water into me. Oh yes and the room has a scale in the bathroom. According to it, I weigh 5K less than the scale at home. How I WISH!!!

Shad
Enjoy yourself all you can, relax a bit and eat something you have never tried before

Annie
I did a bit of shopping over the weekend too. Hubby insisted. I hate shopping lol. Found 2 pairs of pants that fit great size 10. Two pairs of Capri's that fit like Capri's instead of high water pants size 10 and 8 shirts. Total cost less than 30 dollars at 3 different good wills. The two pairs of pants still had the tags on them lol. I got one pair for 3 dollars tag said 60 and the other pair for 2 dollars tag said 169 dollars. Oh vanity sizing don't we love it. They can call them size 10 all they like. They are 12's lol.

Happy
Sounds like you had a very busy happy weekend.

Cee
I thought they were put in the yard for us to sharpen our blades on lol

Melody
I fond all kinds of stuff. Spent twice as much money on my daughter 4 new tops than I did on everything I bought for myself lol. Glad you had a good nites sleep. I love to hear rain when I am going to sleep.


Annie
Glad to know it goes away. I don't have a lot of extra skin but I do have a bit. I worry less about the little muffin top I have than I do about the bat wings lol. Because of my IBS I am the one that can't stop going, usually 20 times a day. Oh but not for the last 2 days. I don't go soon I am going to explode lol. My chest feels heavy too. I don't feel better tomorrow I will call the doc Tuesday. I never let things go more than a couple of days if they hit my lungs.

Mad
Hope things worked out and people got to come.

HAPPY~ DID YOU WAIT FOR THE RESTAURANT? THE POSTCARD (LETTER) PICTURE WAS FOR SHAD BECAUSE I TOLD HER TO WRITE SOON! TOO BAD THE WALKING CLUB HAS WHINERS. I BET A LOT OF THEM DO. GLAD YOU BOTH GOT GOING BEFORE THEY CAME!!!

ANNIE~ SOMETIME SHOPPING IS GOOD FOR THE SOUL THE CHOICES AND SALES SOUNDED VERY NICE!

SHAD~ BUY OR STEAL THAT SCALE AND BRING IT HOME!! FINALLY A SCALE A GAL CAN LOVE YES PLEASE DO NOT STAND NEAR ANY CONSTRUCTION SITES!! WE DON'T WANT YOU COVERED IN CEMENT EITHER! I CANNOT IMAGINE WHAT IT MUST BE LIKE TO WAKE UP AND KNOW THAT THIS IS "HOME" FOR THE NEXT FEW WEEKS. HOPE YOU FIND SOME FOOD YOU LIKE. ENJOY YOUR INVESTIGATING OF THE AREA!!

RENNIE~ AIN'T THAT ALWAYS THE WAY? I ALWAYS SPEND MORE ON THE KIDS THEN I DO FOR MYSELF!

AND MORE EVEN THE GRANDSON IS QUIETLY WATCHING TV AND DOZING. ONCE AND AWHILE YOU HEAR A LITTLE "CHEEP" CAUSE THE KEYBOARD IS KEEPING HIM AWAKE! I CANCELLED THE MALL TRIP. I WOULD JUST BE SHOPPING & SITTING FOR ALMOST 5 HOURS IN DAMP CLOTHES AND IT'S NOT ALL THAT HOT OUT WITH THE WIND. I ALSO HAVE TO MEET WITH THE OFFICE AND FILL OUT A REPORT FOR THE CONCRETE POURING. BETTER GET SOME BREAKFAST AND NOT FACE THEM ON AN EMPTY STOMACH.
HAPPY MONDAY AND HOPE WE ALL HAVE A GREAT WEEK!

Good morning ladies -

First off, a very Happy Belated Birthday to Happy! I'm so sorry I didn't get to check in this weekend to wish you an on-time Happy Birthday!

Busy weekend with MIL. Went clothes and food shopping on Saturday and literally shopped 'till we dropped. Didn't buy too much though. And I didn't get my size 14 capris, since I couldn't squeeze myself into them in the store. The good news is that when I got home from work on Friday (prior to shopping on Saturday), I went through all my "too small" clothes that I just packed away in a box in the basement and found several pairs of size 16 work pants that fit. Yay! And a pair of size 14 shorts that I was able to squeeze myself into - they weren't comfortable, but they did close - so hopefully not too much longer for the size 14s.

Yesterday was supposed to be cold and rainy/snowy. But since it was sunny, we took a drive out to the country, which was nice. I missed the gym both days due to sharp pains I was having in my stomach...they were really bad on Friday night, better but still bad on Saturday and still bothersome on Sunday. But I'm feeling much better today. I'm thinking the sharp stomach pains might've been from eating a bit of greasy food for dinner on Friday (I had 2 onion rings and about 5 french fries for the first time in 3 months) and then zipping up shorts that were really tight.

Rennie - Thanks for the song suggestions! Those are great! YGG for your new attitude! I've got a new attitude same as you. And it's wonderful. I'm loving how I'm feeling, I'm lowing how in control I am over food rather than the other way 'round. You definitely found some great bargains! Good for you!

Shad - Sorry to hear about your trainer at the gym quitting. I hope your new gym provides the classes you want at convenient times with good instructors and less turmoil! Not too much to ask for considering what gym memberships cost. I hope your time in Jakarta is enjoyable. I cracked up at your Bart Simpson chefs hats moving about on their own behind the fruit! Too Funny! Do be careful walking around, okay?

Mel - you really had some excitement on Friday! I can see the humor in it, but what a mess! And being sick besides! I sure hope you're feeling a lot better now. I agree with Happy - gently decline and say you have food allergies.

Happy - I hear ya about the loose skin. I'm really hoping that mine shrinks back. I hope you enjoyed your walk. Is your Mom coming for a short visit or a long visit? where does she live? Wow you really did have a great workout on Saturday with all the walking and the yard work! You cracked me up with the "coming archie" comment! It sounds like you had a very nice birthday shopping, visiting kitties and dinner.

Madcat - I hope your sushi and sake gathering was fun. Bummer about the public transit strike.

Annie - I'm so sorry that your feeling lousy. I hope the antibiotic helps. Thanks for the song suggestion! And you're not a "dork" for dancing around to that song. It's a great song!

CeeJay - a snake in your yard....That would definitely startle me! I normally don't mind snakes, but not if they "sneak" up on me like laying around in the yard.

Ellen - Glad that your DH is helping you take good care of yourself.


Well, ladies, I'd better get to work.

to those I missed and big hugs to everyone,

morning ladies! Just checking in...I may not post, but I am reading. Feeling so tired, and pukey. Taking it one day at a time...but it looks like going to the gym is off the table for a little while, as being in the car makes it worse.

Luv and hugs to all!!!

Hello Ladies,

Have been sick lately. This weather is hot one day and cold the next. My alleriges are driving me crazy. On the good not I have been trying to "Declutter" my house as Mooz to use say. I have throw away 1boxe of trash and have about 2 boxes for charity.

Happy Belated B-DAY to Shad and to Happy. Hope you all had a great day.

Ellen - hope you get to felling better.

Diyana - WTG on that smaller size. You are doing great...YOU GO GIRL...

Shad - I think I would probably lose weight If I went to Jakarta. I'm not much for trying new foods.

Shy - sounds like you found some good shopping deals too.

Hello to everyone else...

Hey Patty - It's great to hear from you! Sorry to hear you've been sick. In my house, decluttering raises lots of dust that wreaks havoc on my allergies/sinuses. But good for you for clearing out the clutter! I hope you feel better soon.

di
I was so mad. We were suppose to go to the zoo this weekend. In the morning it was raining. Forecast rain alllllllllllllll day. We called off the plans for the zoo that we had with a bunch of people. Wouldn't you know it. Was beautiful the whole darn day lol. ATTITUDE really does make a difference. Even when the weight loss doesn't go our way. We just have to stand up tall and move on.

ups
All you can do is take it one day at a time. I sure hope this all passes very quickly for you.

Patty
I am the biggest cheap skate in the world. lol if I won the lottery and had millions of dollars, I would still shop at good will Sorry you haven't been feeling well. This is really bad allergy time for me it seems. Just think this too shall pass. I was surprised I was able to wear some 10's some 11's. Vanity sizing lol, we all know those 10s and 11s are at least 12s in disguise lol.

Melody
I grew up so darn poor we never had anything. I really try to make sure she has different things to wear. The kid never asks for a thing.

Hey everyone,

Rennie - that's a bummer about the zoo. We started our walking program on Saturday and earlier in the week they had been predicting strong storms. Fortunately the weather held out enough so that it was sunny during the afternoon. Goes to show you, sometimes you can't trust the weather but when you have to make plans in advance, what can you do? Maybe the next trip will be the charm.

Thanks Patty - I think the weather is conspiring to make us all sick too. I don't remember it being so rollercoast warm and cold, up and down. Hope you feel better.

Same to you too Ellen. My niece just had a baby 2 weeks ago - was plagued by MS all through the pregnancy - but had a quick and easy delivery - so maybe there's a trade off somewhere?

Ruthie - how are you doing with that knee?

Michelle - I do believe that some pants are really good at crunching the innards (do I sound southern ) and making for some icky gas and tummy pains. Good that you could recycle some pants back into circulation. You'll be in those capris in no time!

Mel - yes, we did hold out for the nice restaurant tonight. At first I wasn't sure when I looked at the menu - it's quite foofy - but the flavors were incredible. I'm not much of a meat person but had the filet of beef only because there were items on the fish dishes that even I had never heard of. The beef was fabulous with some complimentary sauces and DH gave me his baby asparagus so I had a double serving. We split a creme brulee and because it was my birthday, he let me have more of the carmelized crunchy sugar topping. The waiter even gave us the dessert free and put a candle in the dish - so sweet. It was a good meal that I enjoyed. And of course a glass of wine to toast the chicks As for you young lady - sorry you cancelled your mall trip but you know what's best for you. Good heavens, does the grandson go to sleep with the sunset? Now you can't type either - just meditate and yell at cute guys out your window

Shad - I enjoyed your commentary. Sounds like you will be able to eat rather cheaply. Hope you can find things that suit your palate and the diet. It is safe to walk around the area? Please be careful with the construction

Annie - I envy the fact that you can wear stillettos and a tankini. I tried the tankini after my sister raved about them but they seem to roll up on me and I have a boob-kini - think shade rolling up the window, flapping away. I'm sure you look fabulous. Isn't it something how the brain distorts the body image? I guess you have to believe not what you see, but what good friends tell you to be the truth! 170 bucks for plates for ONE car? I'm not complaining anymore.

Let's see, gas is going up, groceries are climbing, taxes are being raised and our paychecks are shrinking because they say there's no money for raises. Do you all feel the squeeze too? I dragged DH to the grocery store after dinner - much to his disgust but he went along with it. I was trying to hurry through the aisles and only get the most basic essentials - like furry mice for the homeless kitties to play with At one point he said we will have to start eating more rice if things go up any more. I said to myself (how would you know what things cost because you don't grocery shop) and I said out loud - I hear that people are stock piling rice because the price is rising rapidly so if you want us to save money we have to pick something cheaper to eat like the wild green onions that keep growing out front in our hosta plants.

Oh buggers - look at the time - I should have been in bed an hour ago. That's what happens when I get to babbling. Good night ladies. Sleep well.

Hello all,

Another smoggy day in old Jakarta town. Not that I get to go out in it much but we did go out last night to the next door mall and get an Italian dinner. Funny money over here. I changed $100AUD and got 842700 rupiah as I think I told you but the dinner cost 230000 each so I guess all is relevant. Have you ever seen a restaurant bill that comes to 1,444,230? It's getting close to lunch time here. Yesterday we went to a place called the Boiling Pot. It was okay but not great. I think the Chicken gave itself up instead of waiting to be caught. It was a really scrawny leg. Soup was nice even if I don't know what was in it apart from some green leafy stuff. I gave my chillies to the SA bloke on the team who loves them dearly, but even he had a surfiet of them yesterday lunch time I think.

This morning I went down to breakfast and looked in the hot pots and there were some beef and vege hash, fillet steak and mushrooms, chicken and onions, herbed tomatoes and scrambled egg along with a mush that I had no idea about. It looks like warm wallpaper paste and about as sticky. So I had the vege hash, tomato and a bit of egg. Well forget the egg, the hash was nice, the tomatoes had chilli as well as the herb and cheese. I don't think I have eaten chilli for breakfast before. I could of course have gone Japanese and had Miso soup, rice and cod on the hibachi. Yesterday I was awfully hungry all day, but really couldn't eat all my dinner last night. Today I think I'm back to normal as far as the appetite goes. I might go see if I can find a muffin or sandwich for my lunch. There has to be some place around here that makes them. I feel a bit like the mole that lives underground searching all these places in the basement.

Happy - give DH the list and let him decide on what you are going to eat! That should stifle the groans somewhat.

And with that, I had better go search out the sandwiches. I'll be back.

MICHELLE~ YAY ON THE SHOPPING! THE 14'S WILL BE HERE IN NO TIME! LOVE THE LITTLE POEM IN YOUR SIGNATURE TAKE CARE OF THAT TUMMY!

TO ELLEN, FEEL BETTER

PATTY~ I'VE BEEN DOING THE SAME DECLUTTERING THING. FEELS GOOD TO GET RID OF STUFF. HOPE YOU FEEL BETTER TOO.

RENNIE~ WE WEREN'T RICH EITHER AND MY GRAM USED TO REMAKE NEW CLOTHES OUT OF OLD ONES. SHE ALSO LEARNED THE WORDS LAY-A-WAY AND ON CREDIT

HAPPY~THE DINNER AND THE BRULEE SOUNDED WONDERFUL. I HAVE NEVER HAD ONE....CREME BRULEE THAT IS. HOW NICE WITH THE CANDLE TOO!! VERY CUTE. HAD A LAUGH AT YOUR LITTLE FROGGIE HATTED KITTEN. THAT PIC STILL MAKES ME SMILE. I TOLD JEN THAT RICHIE'S FAMILY BETTER GET SOME RICE NOW BEFORE IT GETS MUCH HIGHER....THEY EAT IT EVERY DAY!
WE'LL ALL BE GROWING VICTORY GARDENS SOON! CAN'T AFFORD THE STORE BOUGHT STUFF!!

SHAD~OMG! WALLPAPER PASTE??? RIGHT ABOUT NOW I WOULD BE BOOKING MY PASSAGE HOME! BUT I KNOW YOU WILL FIND A PLACE THAT HAS SOME FOOD TO YOUR LIKING. THANK GOD YOU'RE SUCH AN EXPLORER AND TRY NEW THINGS. HOPE YOU FOUND THE NEAREST SANDWICH SHOPPE!

RAIN, RAIN, GO AWAY
LITTLE MELLIE WANTS TO PLAY
I WAS ALSO JUST THINKING OF THAT OLD SONG THE MONSTER MASH....REMEMBER IT WITH "BORIS KARLOF" IMITATION? IT MUST BE ALL THIS DARK AND DREARY WEATHER HAD A GOOD CHIN WAG WITH JEN ON THE PHONE LAST NIGHT. SAME OLD OVER THERE AS WELL. THE 2 "CONCRETED" CARS GOT A SPECIAL WAXING AND ARE ALL SHINY. THINK THE OWNERS ARE HAPPY. THE MAN TOLD THE OFFICE HOW I CLEANED HIS TRUNKDOORS WITH SAL. HE CAME TO SAY THANK YOU AND TOLD ME HE IS 90 YRS OLD! GOD BLESS....AND STILL DRIVING I TOLD HIM WHEN I TURN 70 THEY'LL BE TAKING MY DRIVING LICENSE AWAY AND SHACKLING MY TIRES! HE CRACKED UP. ALLS WELL THAT ENDS WELL.
WISHING YOU ALL A FAB TUESDAY!

Good morning ladies -

I feel great! I had an awesome step class workout last night followed by a fabulous strength training class. And MIL made a scrumptious spaghetti with meatballs for our dinner - which was ready when I got home from the gym. Yummm!

Rennie - That's really a shame about the zoo. Hopefully you'll get a nice day to go soon. I shop at Goodwill too, but I can never seem to find anything. Maybe now that I'm getting into slightly smaller sizes there will be more options for me at Goodwill. I agree....attitude is everything. When the numbers don't show on the scale, I know that I'm doing well based on how I great I'm feeling!

Happy - Your new avatar is adorable! I think the size 14 shorts did a number on my innards because I had to lay on the bed and stop breathing in order to zip them up and then I kept them on for about 15 minutes. Probably made my innards feel like they were in a vice. Combine that with the greasy food and the fact that I did A LOT of isometric ab tightening exercises during the day. Probably a combination of all three. I will definitely think twice about having super greasy food though. I'm so glad you have a wonderful dinner at the restaurant you wanted to go to. Filet, asparagus, creme brulee -- yummy! Good for you! And I heartily believe that as we get older, 1 day is just not enough time to celebrate our birthdays - I believe in birthday months! Or at least birthday weeks! I totally cracked up at the boob-kini comment! That's what happens to me too! I can't believe how much gas and groceries are going up. My MIL says we're still way cheaper than California where they pay well over $4.00/gallon for gas and for milk! Even the produce is a little cheaper here (rather than in the state where it is grown! ) DH and I are definitely feeling the squeeze. Luckily I have found a couple women who work in the same building and live close to me to carpool with. It may only be 2 or 3 days a week at first, but every little bit helps. I thought I got an okay raise this year, of course inflation is nearly double what my raise was. And my freelance website creation work has really decreased. Oh well, hopefully it will be better when it gets warmer and I can grow some veggies.

Shad - Jakarta is smoggy? Yuck! I hate smog. I do not for one minute miss the smoggy polluted skies of Silicon Valley California. My asthma is so, so much better since we moved to wisconsin where the skies are blue and not brown. The currency there is wild! A million and a half rubiah restaurant tab! Good luck finding sandwiches, muffins and food without chili.

Mel - I hope the rain goes away for you so you can go play in the sunshine!

Gotta get to work - Hi to everyone I missed!

Let's all have a terrific Tuesday!

Hugs,

Good morning ladies,

Great workout Michelle. Isn't it just a little bit of heaven to come home to dinner already cooked for you? My mom does that too tho she doesn't cook much any more but it is nice coming home and having her there. Can't wait - a few more weeks for me. Arnold Schwarzengegger was talking the other night about the early days of LA when the dark cloud of all the exhaust and pollution would hang over the sky. I remember visiting and seeing that - a far cry from the surfer beach boy persona. And those crazy Santa Anna winds too. You are probably in one of the best places for your breathing issues.

Mel - I did the froggie for you and Carla and Madcat too I think. Hope you get some sunshine up your way. I'd send you some but we're not having much here too. It's trying to rain again so we're overcast. DH said they are talking about an extra nasty mosquito season soon. Had to laugh about your comments of them taking your wheels and license away from you. Stay warm and dry buddy - glad you didn't press your handprints into the cement - Mel's own plaque on the walk of fame

Shad - ohhhh you are pointing out all the reasons I don't like to travel. Sounds like the food would be giving me a horrid time with an achy stomach. The cement stuff sounds like grits tho grits are rather grainy and runny - but if you don't like the stuff in the first place... Hope you can find some down home cooking somewhere. Isn't it funny how you can't find just basic grains, fruits and vegetables.

And with that I have to be on with the day. to the rest of the worldly chicks. Happy day!

Happy!!!


Happy Belated B-day. Hope it was great!
(Sorry I missed it. Hangs Head in Shame)

And you are right, I love the Froggie Cat!