Hello ladies! Feeling like I Have been playing catch up with my whole life! Will try to get back later. Luv and hugs!

Morning all. I did come back although there were times there when I wished I was dead. I guess it all had to be something I ate and presumably that may have been the yoghurt for dessert the previous night. It was out of date by a day, and normally that doesn't matter but obviously this one did. So we will chalk it up to experience, purge the fridge and start over.
Yesterday was a bit of a washout, but I did get up to finish most of the plastring yesterday afternoon. So one thing got achieved I suppose, now it is time for sanding, another not so favourite job. I hate all the cleaning up afterwards. That sanding dust gets everywhere despite having the fans on to push it outside and all the furniture and bits covered with paint sheets.
The new kitchen comes on April 22nd. I'm getting excited! Only 12 days away now.

Mel - please take care with all that activity over there. I do not want to take another mercy dash to see a good friend who has overdone things. Ruth was right, instead of nagging you to let up on the frenetic yank syndrome, we need to teach you to ask for help without you feeling like you have to beg! Thanks go to Willie for his acumen. Did I meet Willie when I was there? No I don't think so, I met himself and the dog! And the mayor!!
Sit back and enjoy your visitors. Let them run after you for a change.

Carla - if Zen is so happy out there in the cold and snow, how can you not consider giving him to the family that has a backyard. I know it is not an easy decision to let go of a loved pet, but we do have to consider the pets needs as well. Some cats just do not like to be inside all the time.
Good idea about the combo dvd/vcr. I have some tapes that I don't want to lose, I could get them converted I guess but having a combo machine might just solve the problem, although I will have to read through all the Japlish to try and get the tv to accept videos again. It took me long enough last time.

Ruth - good to hear you sounding a bit more chipper. Nice neighbours to come and trim your trees. I suppose like Carla, you are getting ready to go swim in the lakes again? :D
And yes you are right about Mel learning to ask for help once in a while.

Diyana - seems to be a French thing about the lightening speed, swallowing consonants and generally speaking through the back of the nose. I took French at school and must confess to only understanding one word here and there when spoken by a French person. Of course outside France the French speakers have different dialects and this makes for interesting conversations at times. Not that it is much different between English speakers. Believe me when I first came to Australia it wasn't like we were even speaking the same language. My first trip to the States was renowned for the words - Pardon, what, and huh?? My second trip up there went okay until we got to the Ozarks!!! Happy and Happy DH became interpreters then. It took me a while to work out porch aigs and o'eraisy. To top it all off, the waitress who looked like Daisy Mae, had a boyfriend who was currently in Australia. He was in a place starting with T which is close to Brisbane (where I live). Did I know his friend who was an Aussie. Well no I didn't.
I have a series of Michael Palin books about his travels. I really wasn't into Monty Python in the old days, but it all becomes clear as I age! :rofl:

Morning Rennie - enjoy the zoo.

I had better go and get a workout in - the one I missed yesterday and get on with my day. Still don't feel exactly brilliant, but the workout will help. See you.

Rennie
Wow, Id like to go to the Memphis zoo again one day. Have fun.

Shad
Hope you are feelng better today. Enjoy your trip.

Mel
Enjoy the time with your visitor's and as Shad recommended let them wait on you for a change.

To every one else, hope the day is a good one.

It's been another good day and yes less stressful. I did have another co-worker from the water-sewer department "training" today. I wasn't sure what the boss wanted me to do with him so each hour when I do my montoring I had him follow along. He's really wanting to learn which makes a big difference. I had the plant in hand operation and asked him to watch the guage while I went downstairs to refill a chemical drum. He turned the plant off when the ground storage tank reached 31.00 feet like he was suppose to. I can trust him this early in the game unlike the other party--but I think it's her lies is the reason I don't trust her.

I am not a happy camper. Weather is showing we aren't going to get to do the zoo this weekend. Going to have to wait a couple of weeks I guess. Hubby said he would take me to the mall to walk my 5k lol. He really is supportive isn't he :).

Cee
You just make sure that other person doesn't cause trouble for you.

Shad
Glad to see you are feeling a bit better.

My red car is covered with white polka dots! Did I mention that the geese are flying? I guess it's the season to put it in the barn.

Busy, busy day and another tomorrow. On Friday, Hershey and I are off to Ottawa for a girly weekend with my dear old friend Shirleyanne and her two dogs. We've been friends since 1958 and still haven't run out of things to talk about! It's her birthday and we're both going to celebrate making it this far. :lol: Back in 1975 she was told she was dying but she sure fooled them!

I'll pop in when I get back.

Ruth
Have fun this week end and celebrate life. eww, on those white polka dot spots but my rav4 has them too and not from the geese. Can I say pigeon's?

Rennie
I've just caught on what the boss was doing. He wanted to make it rough on L cause she's thought all this time that day shift would be easy. She knows now it is not. He wanted her to tell him that she did not want to go to day shift. She simply can not do it.

I sure did want to get the yard mowed today. The radar is not looking good at the moment.

Can you believe that I was awake at 5.30 this morning. I may have to take a nap later on.

I'll be back a little later if weather permits.

Good morning ladies --

Had a wonderful workout last night - 45 minutes of cardio. I'm hoping to go to the gym tonight, but if we get the big thunderstorms and wind that we're supposed to, I might workout at home.

Rennie - Sounds like we're not the only ones getting bad weather this weekend. That's too bad you won't get to the zoo. I really enjoy going to the zoo too. We usually go to the Milwaukee Zoo a couple times a year. And we've made the trek to Chicago's Brookfield Zoo, which is phenomenal. I've always wanted to go to the Columbus Zoo - is that the Zoo you would go to (I'm not sure where in Ohio you live)? This is going to sound weird, but if I could meet two famous people...the first would be Brett Favre of course and the second would be Jack Hanna, Director Emeritus of the Columbus Zoo. We watch his shows and every time he is on David Letterman.

Shad - I hope you're feeling better. I, too, always seem to pay for it when I eat food that's even 1 day past it's marked date - so I don't do that anymore. I'm amazed that you were able to get the plastering done when you were feeling so bad. Even though you need to get the sanding done, don't do more than you feel up to, especially since you've got a trip to take tomorrow to see your friend. I hope you have a good trip and enjoy your time with your dear friend.

CeeJay - That's good that you've got a trainee that actually works hard and is trustworthy.

Ruth - I hope you and Hershey have a wonderful weekend away with your friend and her dogs!

Happy - I hope you have a great and less stressful day at work.

:wave: to Carla, Ellen, Madcat, Patty, and everyone else I may have missed.

Hugs to all,

Good morning ladies,

I have had limited access to the internet the last couple of days so I haven't been able to get around.

They laid the new floor yesterday and it is beautiful, gorgeous, lovely!!!!! They were able to butt the tiles together because of the size of them and the tile layout pattern we chose so there is minimal grout used - good thing because it is very light grout. The sun streams through the cuts in the glass on the door and the floor is a gorgeous color of white, tan and a rosy brown. I will try and take a pic this weekend. I told DH this looks so nice I am motivated to do more renovations - the rest of which we should be able to handle ourselves save for painting the foyer.

Anyway I'm at work and don't like to stay on here long so just wanted to wave hello and take care for those of us in the storm paths today.

I might not get back until tomorrow night for personals... :wave:

I'm having trouble sleeping, and when I got up to go to the loo, I saw that the computer was still on and I sat down here to see what you are all up to.

Yesterday, Bev's medics withdrew all medications as they are failing to make any headway at all against this rare bug that she has. She has no further hope of recovery. So please spare some peaceful thoughts for my friend as she prepares for her transistion to the next world. Today will be very emotional for all of us I am sure. There is no time frame given, they could not even hazard a guess at it.

It seems so strange that two of my friends are struck down with very rare diseases. One got lucky but not the other.

Can't think of much else right now and in a couple of hours time I have to get ready to go to the airport anyway. I'll be back later tonight to see what gives in the world of the Chicks of the Greek Taverna.

Good Afternoon Lovlies.............

The weather is getting crappy here. Gray, rain, and much cooler. Bleck!

My tummy was giving me fits this morning and made my way to the toitie 6 times. Feeling better now tho. Just a little tired and weak. Took a half of a tylenol pm last night and it is still working on me. Just want to lie down and snooze a bit.

Rennie...So sorry you cannot make it to the zoo. You would have seen many of my relatives. hehe

Shad..Glad you are feeling better. It just slows us down so much to deal with illness. Good thoughts and prayers to you and your friend.

Ceejay...sounds like you might have a winner with this new employee. Takes a bit of the stress off.

Hope everyone has a peachy evening.

Love and Hugs

Afternoon all! I have been very lazy the last few days. I really need a kick in the behind. I have been neglecting the gym, and most housework. I really need to catch up on laundry so I won't make it to the gym today...Have to go tomorrow, will be doing the same 5k that rennie is doing. Unfortunately it will be raining here all weekend, so I have to do it on the treadmill. Trying desperately to get some semblance of order back.

Shad~how did you manage to plaster while ill??? So sorry about your friend, hope you get a good visit in today. ((hugs))

Ceejay~so good to have someone who wants to learn! sounds like things will be easier this time around! Yay!

Rennie~I too will be doing the 5k inside...has been raining for 3 days and is supposed to continue thru the weekend! at least you will get to window shop while you go!

Ruth~LOL at the polka dots! My kiddies have been complaining about ours...usually the car is kept in the garage, but because I am redoing the cabinets, the garage has become a workshop...and no room for the van! Enjoy your trip this weekend!

Michelle~I really need to take your lead and go exercise more regularly! YOu are doing so great!!! I love going to the zoo. Mom and I take all the kids to Brook field, usually overspring break, but was too chilly this year...will have to go in the summer. Oh, all the kids are 2 DB's (13 and 10) one DS(8) and my three (7,6 and 4) are we crazy or what???

Happy~ the floor sounds lovely! Isn't it weird how doing just a bit of renovation causes you to want to do more???? still plugging away here with the cabinets.

Annie~take care of yourself. hope you feel better soon! At least it will be a good stay in and recoup weekend! (hugs)

:wave: and :grouphug: to all I missed!

Well, lunch is over, adn I really need to get the mountain moving!!!! See you all tomorrow!

Quickies...

Ellen - gentle nudge and a big c'mon get on the wagon wave out to you. Grab the hand and we'll pull you in the conga line back to sanity :dancer: :dancer: :dancer:

Annie - sure do wish we'd have a room with alarm clocks and some comfy chairs to grab a quick power nap when we needed one. The rainy weather moving in doesn't help with the sleepies. Hope your tummy settles down soon.

Shad - good thoughts for your and your friend - I'm so sorry about the prognosis. You are a good person to be at her side. :hug: Have a safe trip and a celebration of sorts of your friendship - can't quite find the right words to say it but I mean the coming together of 2 souls in support if you know what I mean...

Mel - I hope they don't have you inundated with work. I did the senior tax filing for the rebate check for my mom and had to "discuss" with her over and over that the government only required 3 fields to be filled out and submitted and heartily promised that I would DOUBLE her rebate out of my own pocket if by some change the government instructions that I followed to the letter were somehow wrong and caused her to miss out on her check. Not making fun of my mom, just dealing with an 81 year old here and remembering that some day I will be wearing those shoes too.

Michelle - was that you screaming and yelling earlier reading the news that your beloved Brett Favre might not retire after all :lol:

Ceejay - be careful - I see alot of the bad storms headed your way. Leave the Rav4 out - the pounding rains might wash away the pidgeon stuff. Do you have the yellow pollen dust covering everything too? Spring in the south - we pay for those pretty flowers :) I was looking at the weather map and see you are not that far from Nutbush - home town of Miss Tina Turner.

Ruth - I remember your stories of you and Shirleyanne - partners in crime and more fun that 2 wild women deserve to have :rofl: Have a WONDERFUL visit!

Rennie - sorry you won't get to the zoo - a place that's always good for a good long walk without realizing it. Save it for another time.

I'm doing the 5K too but might have to break it into 2 days due to scheduling. I had hoped to be able to go out to the walking trails by us but it looks like they might have closed them off due to flooding. And if those storms in Arkansas continue our way, I'd be doing the 5k by swimming.

Lunch is over - back to work. :grouphug: to the rest of the chicks.

Ok, you can all yell at me after I post lol. I went to a friends house for dinner last night. She measured everything out for me. Knew exactly what I was eating and had everything written down. Now that is really supportive don't you think lol. This was all great. I went home and put it all into fit day. She didn't think about sodium. WOW my sodium for the day was 6000. Can you believe that 6000. I just did a weigh in yesterday and was down to 144 Yeaaaaa me. I had to go today and pick up some paper work so did another weight in ( hey why not ). OH MY GOSH I am up 2 pounds. Now I know that can't be real gain but I changed my ticker anyway. My ticker is how I am honest with myself. It changes when I do a weigh in at the docs office no matter what. I am sure that will come back down at my next weigh in but it sure taught me a lesson. I am going to have to be even more careful when I go to someones house to eat. She called today and laughed and asked how my second weigh in went ( she knows me lol ). When I told her ( and now I feel bad ) I thought she was going to cry. I said oh forget it, it will go back down. At least she sees how much sodium they take in all the time. Something good came from it. She said she is going to start watching the sodium intake of her family. I feel like crap today, wonder if it is all the sodium? I feel bloated and pudgy and just not feeling to great all around. Have a terrible headache too. I usually keep my sodium around 2400 to 2700

Happy
We have it planned again in a couple of weeks. I am going to get my miles in for the 5k and then I think we are going to go play euchre lol. I am so glad the floor came out fantastic. You should take some pics of it with the sun shinning in for us.

upswife
Ok you can pick up that exercise by taking one piece of clothing at a time up the stairs after it has been laundered lol. That will give you some exercise and get the housework done too lol. I told everyone I am doing to do my kicks and knee lifts and arm raises all Thur the mall while I do my walking. Oh my gosh they all laughed. Lets see how much they laugh when I do it. They think I am nuts anyway hehehe. Hey, I do my walking/aerobic videos when we are at the campgrounds. Just take the tv outside and put it on the pick nik table. You wouldn't believe how many people now come to the site and join in with me. I bet some of the people going to the mall with us ( we have a group since the zoo is zipped ) will join in and laugh right along with me. The hubby of course will tell people how they only let me out for a few hours a week and not to worry I am not dangerous lol. Wouldn't you know it. We are having lovely weather until this weekend lol.

cee
We have such a great time at the zoos. We have a few here in Ohio and love the Cleveland zoo and the Columbus zoo and the Cincinnati zoo. We go to all of them each year. We all have a ball together, usually there are 10 or 15 of us that go at the same time. The first time we go in the year is " no children time " we go with a group of adults ranging in ages of 30 to 70 and we don't have to worry about keeping an eye on the kiddies. At least the boss knows what is what. Some people just don't understand how much difference there is in different shifts. I always liked night shift myself but got stuck with day shift most of the time.

Annie
I sure hope you feel better soon. My gosh I take one of those pills and I feel it the whole next day. To bad you all don't live closer. The zoo would be a great place for us all to get together.

di
I love the Columbus zoo because they have my wolfs there lol. It is my favorite. That is the first zoo we hit for the year then the Cleveland zoo then the one is lower southern Ohio last.

Shad
I am so sorry. Will keep everyone in my prayers. This is such a hard time for you and I wish I could be there to give a kind shoulder and support.

Ruth
I hope you have a wonderful time. Getting together with friends can make a person feel terrific.

MADCAT AND SHAD~ I SENT YOU BOTH PM'S. SENDING LOVE AND MANY :hug: TO BOTH OF YOU! I AM SORRY I WASN'T HERE WHEN YOU BOTH POSTED. :cry:

HAPPY~ GLAD THE GLASSES ARE GETTING FIXED AND THE DOOR AND FLOOR ARE DONE! HAPPY RENNO TIME!! NEXT TIME JUST INVITE THEM AS OVERNIGHT GUESTS!!

ANNIE~ ENJOY THE PEACE AT HOME. AND CONGRATS ON THE NEW BIKE! WHAT A BARGAIN!!

RUTH~ ARE YOU THE OFFICIAL WELCOME WAGON DOG CATCHER NOW?? HAVE FUN WITH THE NEW POLKA DOTTED CAR....MAYBE YOU CAN START A NEW TREMD!!

ELLEN~ YOU GO YOU DANCING SALSA MAMA YOU! :belly:

SHAD~ JOHN CLEESE FOR US PRESIDENT CAN'T BE ANY WORSE THAN ALL THAT ARE RUNNING NOW!! :rofl:

MICHELLE~ GET THOSE BUNS OUT TO THE GYM!! I CAN'T SAY ANYTHING ABOUT YOUR LAUNDRY CAUSE MINE LOOKS LIKE MT. FUJI!!!

CARLA~
NEST TIME I WANT SEX AND GRAB THE 1ST MAN WHO GOES PAST ME, I'LL JUST TELL HUM TO KLUGE ME!!
I DID THINK OF THE DVD,VHS COMBO BUT THEY GAVE ME 30 DOLLARS AND TOLD ME NOT TO SPEND IT ALL IN ONE PLACE.:faint: GOOD TO SEE YOU HERE! ENJOY YOUR WEEKEND!

CEEJAY~ HOPE THE NEW GUY#2 WORKS OUT WELL. HE SOUNDS LIKE AN IMPROVEMENT OVER GAL#1!!!!

I CAN SAY THAT ALL ENVELOPES ARE ADDRESSED, I STOLE STAMPS FROM THE STAMP MACHINE, RELATIVES COOPERATED AND SO DID ANOTHER WOMAN WHO IS A BOOKKEEPER. SHE DID THE FIGURES TODAY FOR ANYONE WHO WANTED HELP. I PHOTOSTATED EVERYTHING I DID AND GAVE THEM COPIES. SO IT'S FINISHED. :dance:
IT WAS A TOUGH FEW DAYS AND I EVEN GOT TO THE FOOD STORES TWICE! :cb: AND OUT FOR A FEW SHORT RIDES AND SOME SUN IN BETWEEN. NOT A BAD WEEK BUT I'M A BIT TIRED...BRAIN TIRED THOUGH.
JEN AND RICH ARE STILL AT THE FIL AND THE FIL IS IN FLORIDA. SO ALL IS QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT.
LIKE ANNIE, I AM ENJOYING THE "LESS DRAMA" WEEK!!
I TOOK THIS TIME OFF THE PC AND ALSO FROM MY 100 DAYS AND WILL BEGIN AGAIN THIS WEEKEND. THE EYE CLINIC SAYS I MUST KEEP THE APPT ON THE 21ST CAUSE THEY AREN'T ALL "CLEARED UP" YET.... BUT THEY FEEL MUCH BETTER. EVERYTHING ELSE IS OK AND I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO A RAINY WEEKEND AND SOME QUIET!! :rain: :beach: BUT I WILL MKJISS THE SUN WHILE IT'S GONE!!
HAPPY THURSDAY/FRIDAY :moped:

RENNIE~ HOLY CRAP!! THAT'S SOME SODIUM COUNT! :rofl: NO WONDER YOU FEEL FUNNY!! JUST FLUSH IT OUT OR EAT SOME CRANBERRIES OR DRINK THE JUICE. IT WILL ALL LEAVE VERY SOON ONE WAY OR THE OTHER :hug: HOPE YOU FEEL BETTER!

Melody
That is what I have been doing today. Drinking cranberry juice, which I love and really watching the sodium. Going to keep an eye on it until it is back to normal. Everything else is fine. Numbers are right where they should be. I am feeling a little better but still feel yucky. Hope the eyes get to where they should be. Nice to have everything done. Maybe you can find a few days to relax and have some quiet time.

THERE ARE DAYS WHEN I WONDER WHAT LIFE IS ALL ABOUT. I AM BEGINNING TO FEEL A LITTLE PUNCHY FROM IT ALL. NO SOONER DID I GET OFF HERE FEELING HAPPY WITH MY WORK DONE AND A FREE WEEKEND COMING UP WHEN MY FRIEND & MALL BUS DRIVER MARK CALLED TO SAY HIS DAD PASSED AWAY. WE HAVE ALL KNOWN EACH OTHER OVER 30 YEARS. JEN WAS JUST 7 WHEN WE MET. HIS MOM LIVES IN HERE TOO. I STUCK A SIGN SAYING I AM UNWELL ON THE DOOR AND LEFT A NOTE FOR JOHN TO FIND SOMEONE ELSE TO HANDLE THE WEEKEND.
TALKED TO JEN AND MARK LAST NIGHT AND I AM DOING ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TODAY :tantrum: OF ALL THE MEDS I HAVE HAD IN THIS HOUSE....I COULD USE A FEW TRANQUILIZERS RIGHT NOW! :rofl: OR MAYBE A GOOD STIFF DRINK...WE ARE IN ATHENS...SHOULD IT BE OUZO?
A TOAST TO ALL OUR DEPARTED FRIENDS AND THOSE THAT ARE UNWELL :cheers:

WISHING MY WORLDLY FRIENDS A GREAT DAY.
WISHING CARLA A GREAT TRIP.
HAPPY FRIDAY :moped:

Good morning chicks,

Mel - so sorry about your buddy's dad. So many losses sustained here recently. We need to choose to celebrate the lives of these loved ones and the specialness that touched our lives. I believe we are all here for a reason and when that reason has been fufilled, we move on to the next great thing. It is sad that some moments are more brief than others and on the other end of the spectrum, some people refuse to go away no matter how much we mumble :^: Hope you can have a quiet and reflective day :hug:

Rennie - sounds like your task for the day is to hit the water - by the gallonful. The good thing about sodium is that at least you can flush it away. Oh my gosh - aren't you the little Denise Austin leading the exercise at the campground lol.

It's Friday :dance: We got some heavy rains yesterday. There's a nice pond out back on the patio. I'm betting that some of the tree schmutz/pods are clogging up the drain. We need a good week of steady sun to dry things out. A lot of clay in the soil here so things are quite soggy. So much so that DH can't even mow without sinking in the ground. Even walking across the grass leaves a trail of footprints.

I have to get ready for work. Have a happy Friday ladies. :wave:

Morning ladies! I have found the reason for being out of it. I am PG!!!! I am excited, but also a tad afraid, after 4 very early misc, I am not sure what to do. Will call the dr's office and see what they say. Will probably still go to the gym for the 5k, but will take it easy, and break it up if I need to. Will post after I talk to the dr.

Have a great weekend!!!

Evening all,
I've been and come back. It was quite distressing to see Bev looking like a Biafran refugee and gasping for breath. I felt like saying, just lay back and let me do it for you - I've enough for two. And the coughing - yuk. But at least the coughing is doing something. If she stops coughing, the lungs will seal up like cement and she will drown. So it may sound awful, but it is keeping her going for a while. She is so weak and pale though. Her hands are very cold and her feet are sometimes blue. There's not much oxygen going to the extremities at all. All efforts are going into keeping the vital organs awake and alive.
Still we had a few laughs, and I took my computer up and showed her some of the photos of my tour - I've been writing these one page stories about my trip to the States and Canada and putting in some pictures here and there and then emailing them to her. She enjoys them and loved the story of Gracelands. So I took my computer and showed her the Gracelands photos and also the Butchart Gardens. Bev is/was a keen gardener and I think she enjoyed the slideshows.
Even worse news today was that her carer has been diagnosed with rapid onset breast cancer. On Tuesday she will know what has to happen with her. There will be an operation and she may or may not lose a breast and lymph nodes. So even if she was well enough, Bev can't go home at the moment. She will be in hospital indefinitely. I think we can number her life span in weeks rather than months, but who is to say? Her brain is as active as ever and she keeps saying that she is not going yet.

Thanks to Mel and Madcat and indeed all of you, for those lovely messages. I appreciate the thoughts.

I think I will try for the personals tomorrow. At the moment I am feeling a bit drained. It's been a long day.

Shad
(((hugs))) and more ((hugs))What a good friend you are!

upswife
did i read correctly--you're pg. my sister sadi that her body was low on progesterone when she had her miscarriages. She has three now and one to be married in May. Wow how time flies.

Rennie and Mel
I've learned something new today. Cranberry juice relieves sodium!

Happy
Yes, the pollen is here. To bad I don't have a garage!!! I was going to raise the windows today but decided not to until I get the water hose after the screens. They were covered in yellow. Did you get the storms?

Today has been a restful day. Nothing on the agenda and this is what I've needed for a long time.

Cee
Yes it does lol. I have went through a whole bottle of the stuff lol.

Shad
I am so sorry about your bad news. We never understand why some people live long healthy lives while others have such a tough time. Will keep you and yours in my prayers.

Ellen
Hope things go well. Listen to what the doc says to do. Ask about exercise and so forth. I know miscarriages can be horrible. I had many. I was blessed with my two children


Happy
Glasses and glasses of cranberry juice. Good thing I love the stuff. lol at first everyone at our site laughed. They stopped laughing when woman asked if they could join in. To bad those at our own camp site don't join in.

Melody
I am so sorry for you also. So many loses lately. Please remember the good times and be glad for them.

I feel a ton better today. Figure it will take a few days to get all that sodium out of me. I really have no idea. I have gone throught a bottle of cranberry juice and have two more in there. Going to work on my hook rug tonight :)

Hello fine women of the world,

:congrat: Ellen - that is wonderful news. :hug: I hope all goes well for you and that the doc has some good tips. Yay for you for continuing on the exercise.

Shad - that is so sad about your friend Bev - makes you wonder why some people have to suffer so. I think it's a great idea to give her a mini travelogue with your pictures and adventures travelling. I too have travelled vicariously through you as have others. How neat that she loves gardens and you were able to share your Butchart pictures too! It's good that you were able to spend some personal time with her. I will keep you both in my thoughts and prayers :hug:

Ceejay - we had some storms roll through here but not as bad as it could have been. Enough to soak things through. With the clay soil, the lawn in parts looks like a bald man's head with a bad "comb over". All the azaleas and the dogwood trees are in bloom and it's so pretty out here. The sweet gum trees just dropped their pollen clusters - oh joy :lol: Have things been busy at the plant for your with all this rain?

Rennie - glad you're feeling better today. Just watch the sugar in the juice if you're drinking that much of it. Maybe a shot of juice and a water chaser :lol: I tried to eat a fresh cranberry this Thanksgiving after one of the girls said she liked to snack on them. Interesting texture but oh so SOUR :P I'll stick with the juice, the dried berries in stuff or a small dab of the cranberry sauce. Good stuff those cranberries, isn't it?

Mel - I got your card today. Thank you so much - it brightened my day! :hug: Give Mark a hug from the chicks of the world who pass along their sympathies on the loss of his dad. :grouphug:

Thinking about you too Madcat :hug:

Carla - are you being a good girl? Or a fun girl? :rofl: I hope you are back on the bike again. :ebike: Or maybe just taking a walk around town admiring the place. :D

Ruth - have a good trip and fun on your girly weekend.

Michelle - hope the weather breaks for you but heard it's going to be cold and windy again. Cheer up, spring is coming, it's just hanging around down here and refuses to go north :lol:

Annie - hope you're feeling better. Sending you a bit of sunshine. :sunny: I think it's going to be on the cooler side for most of the country.

Hellos to Patty, Painter, Holly, Rose. I guess we lost Shaker again. :( Hope I didn't miss anyone - if so, not intentional as at the moment I am in search of a drink of water - horrid sinus coughing fit - my personal favorite.

'night ladies...

HAPPY~ SORRY YOU ARE GETTING SOGGY IN THE BACKFIELD!!! SQUISH, SQUISH! WILL SEND SOME SUNNY WEATHER DOWN TO YOU AS SOON AS WE GET SOME! :rain: STAY DRY AND THANKS FOR ALL THE GOOD THOUGHTS :hug:

ELLEN~ CONGRATULATIONS BUT DON'T DO ANYTHING TILL YOU GET THE OK'S FROM THE DR! :rollpin:

SHAD~ STAY STRONG AND I AM GLAD YOU GOT TO SEE BEV AND SPEND SUCH GOOD TIME WITH HER. I AM FEELING DRAINED MYSELF. HAVE A "SHAD" WEEKEND AND BE GENTLE TO YOURSELF AS WELL :hug:

CEEJAY~ DANDELION LEAF SALAD, CRANBERRY JUICE OR BERRIES(DRIED), ASPARAGUS AND A FEW OTHER ASSORTED THINGS HELP YOU PE MORE IF YOU DRINK WATER WITH THEM. THUS ELIMINATING THE SODIUM.
HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND!

RENNIE~ HAPPY HOOKING :belly: :rofl:

I AM THE WORLD'S BIGGEST CHICK-EN. I HAVE YET TO GO UP TO THE 6TH FLOOR, FACE THE CROWD THAT ARE MARCHING IN AND OUT OF THAT APARTMENT, AND EXPRESS MY CONDOLENCES. I DID PUT A CARD ON THE DOOR WITH A PERSONAL LETTER TO MOM. HOPEFULLY BEFORE THE WEEKEND IS OVER, I WILL HAVE GOTTEN TO THE ELEVATOR WITHOUT FALLING APART. :faint:
OTHER THAN THAT...ALL IS WELL IN MY CORNER OF THE WORLD. NEPHEW IS DUE THIS MORNING. HE GOT OFF TO A LATE START. I AM READY!
HAPPY SATURDAY AND HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND :beach:

Good morning ladies --

Sorry for not checking in yesterday. Since I had the day off, I got up and did about 1.25 hours of cardio at the gym in the morning then came home and organized many, many cupboards and did some cleaning. By then it was late afternoon and I was exhausted. Today I'm going for my fasting blood test which will test, among other things, my cholesterol, blood sugar and a value called Hemoglobin A1C - Which essentially tells how your blood sugar has been over the last 2 or 3 months. That's the value that was a little elevated last time, along with my triglycerides and cholesterol. So I'm really hoping that my blood test results will be better. I will know for sure on Friday when I see the doc again. After the blood test, it'll be off to the gym for cardio and weights and then back home to do some cleaning.

Happy - I couldn't agree more with your words about cherishing loved ones and that we're all here for a reason. And I certainly couldn't have articulated it as nicely as you. Thank you for expressing what my heart wanted to say. I'm so glad that the floor turned out lovely! New door illuminating your new floor! Gorgeous! While I'd love seeing Brett Favre play football again, he needs to make up his mind, one way or another. And I sure hope he doesn't play for any other team. Judging by what he said when he called in quits, that he doesn't have any more to give mentally, emotionally or physically other than for 3 hours on Sundays, I'm not sure coming back would good for him.

Shad - I'm so sorry there's no more that can be done for your friend. My thoughts are with you and with her. I'm glad you were able to spend the day with her. :hug: It is rough to see a loved one whose health is declining. I flew to California and saw my DF just a couple weeks before he passed. He, too, was just skin and bones - weak and pale. It's good you were able to share some laughs and pleasant conversation. I'm sure she greatly appreciated your visit.

Madcat - :hug: Hang in there.

Annie - I hope you are feeling better.

Ellen - Congratulations! I'm so happy for you! Good for you on continuing the exercise. I'm sure your doctor will have good advice/suggestions for you.

Rennie - Those two pounds must be sodium, especially if you feel bloated. You'll go back down in no time. YGG! That's cool that you have 3 great zoos in Ohio. We've been to the Milwaukee Zoo of course, the Green Bay zoo, and the Brookfield Zoo in Chicago. When we lived in California, we went to the San Francisco Zoo quite often and a couple times to the San Diego Zoo. I got a great :lol: out of you doing workout videos while camping! That's wonderful!! Have TV, will workout!

Mel - I'm so sorry about your friend's dad. :hug: I'm glad you've asked for someone else to handle the weekend, so you can take the rainy weekend to relax.

Ruth - I hope you're having a great weekend with your friend!


:wave: to Carla, Patty, Holly, Rose, Painter, Shaker and anyone I may have missed!

Thank you all for the encouragement. I am going to continue my exercise, tho in a limited form. I am also going to eat clean, the problem is I am so tired!!!! YOU ladies are the only ones besides DH that know...I had to tell someone. I know my hormones are screwed up...but I have taken the progesterone, and it has not helped, in fact it made the misc far worse than the others. (pain wise) Trying to keep my head together,as I keep thinking of the possibilities , and still waiting for Morning sickness. Will keep you wonderful ladies posted on what is happening. Have to get ready to take the kiddies swimming.

:grouphug: and thanks again for all the encouragement!

:hun:Perdue's French Country Chicken:hun:

Ingredients
4 PERDUE® Fresh Chicken Thighs
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
4 slices bacon
1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
1 package fresh shiitake mushrooms, sliced (3.2 ounces)
1 cup chicken broth
1 tablespoon sun dried tomato paste
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
2 sprigs fresh thyme for garnish



Instructions
Pat chicken dry; season with salt and pepper and set aside.
In a large nonstick skillet, over low heat, cook bacon. When crisp, transfer bacon to paper towels to drain, leaving drippings in skillet.
Increase heat to medium high. Add onion and mushrooms to skillet and sauté 2 minutes, until onion is slightly softened and mushrooms are golden. Remove onion and mushrooms and reserve with bacon.
Add chicken to pan and brown in remaining drippings. Stir in chicken broth and tomato paste. Return bacon, onion and mushrooms to pan. Add thyme, cover and simmer over medium low heat for 30 to 40 minutes, until chicken is fork-tender.
Garnish with fresh thyme sprigs, if desired, and serve with garlic mashed potatoes.

Nutrition FactsServings Per Recipe 4
Amount Per Serving (* % of Daily Value)
Calories 417 (21%)
Total Fat 31g (48%)
Saturated Fat 10g (50%)
Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol 180mg (60%)
Sodium 457mg (19%)
Total Carbohydrate 5g (2%)
Fiber 1g
Sugars 0g
Protein 30g

** I COULDN'T FIND SUNDRIED TOMATO PASTE SO I CUT UP SUNDRIED TOMATOES AND ADDED THEM TO THE BROTH TO REHYDRATE AND ADDED A TBS OF REGULAR TOMATO PASTE. NOT A GREAT DIET DISH BUT A NICE WEEKEND CHANGE

Morning all,
I wasn't in yesterday, just didn't feel up to it. In fact I did so little yesterday I should have stayed in bed. Thanks for all the thoughts and wishes for Bev and me and I dare say Pam since she is now undergoing the pain and problems of breast cancer. She is quite amazing though (Pam) and her main concern is that she and her home are not going to be available for Bev when she needs them most.

Ellen - congratulations on the pregnancy. I hope all goes well for you and while I think you are great going on with the exercise, please ensure you take Doctors orders and don't overdo things.

Rennie - thank you for your kind words. I have to admit that I got a laugh out of the camp tv work outs. Surprising how many people will do a workout if they see others doing it, but can't or won't do it by themselves.

Happy - glad to hear that the door is finally finished and that the floor looks great. At least the floor seems to have gone in with a minimum of fuss and is done. What colours are you going to paint the walls??
Sounds like you are well into the rainy season now. Chris (Japan) used to make me laugh when she said that the officials had declared the rainy season open or finished. How can they define Mother Nature like that. Wonder how they felt when she decided to teach them a lesson and the rainy season wasn't finished!!!

Mel - please pass on my condolences to Mark and his family. I hope he doesn't fall back into depression and drugs after this! Keep smiling old friend. If nothing else, it makes the b*stards wonder what you've been up to!
Thanks for the recipe too. Since we are in a state of siege here now, there is no oven or hotplates and everything cooked is either on the BBQ or in the microwave. Hopefully, no cooking may mean weight loss???? :rofl: on second thoughts probably not!
Have fun with the nephew.

Michelle - hope the blood tests go okay and that you have improved the levels with all the exercise and wise eating you have been committing to over the past months.

Carla - WHERE ARE YOU?

Ceejay - Hi, come on over and wash my car while you are at it will you?

I'm determined to do better today than yesterday. So shortly I am off to the gym and then on with finishing the sanding, doing some painting and clearing up the mess which always seems to follow me around. Then I should get out in the garden again, where the weeds are making themselves known around the roses once more. The shed needs to be cleared out too, but that's a big job and really suited for a time when I am in a bad temper since that's when I can fling some of the junk a long way.
Somewhere along the line I also need to fit in a manicure. My nails, never a strong point are starting to show signs of neglect and imminent breakage. So I will be busy today and that may well mean that I achieve something and will feel better about the world and its inhabitants.

Hi - to all the others - Madcat, Shaker (I hope the news over Easter wasn't too bad, maybe she is caught up in school holidays as well), Holly, Ruth, Patty (must be time for another check in) Painter. So who have I missed? Gotta be someone who slipped through my unmeshed cogs.

MICHELLE~ GOOD LUCK WITH THE TESTS AND HOPE THE A1C COMES OUT WELL. FRIENDS OF MINE GET THEM. GREAT CARDIO EXERCISE WITH THE CUPBOARDS!! :rofl:

ELLEN~ JUST DO WHATEVER IT TAKES TO STAY WELL :hug: AND CAREFUL! :rollpin: MOTHER MEL WILL BE WATCHING YOU!

SHAD~ I WELL UNDERSTAND THE FEELING OF NOT WANTING TO BE ANYWHERE! POOR PAM AS WELL. SENDING HER AS MANY GOOD THOUGHTS AS I CAN MUSTER UP. WHAT IS YOUR DEPARTURE DATE? I JUST MIGHT GET A LONG TOW ROPE AND TIE IT TO YOUR PLANE'S AXLE!! :lol3: STAY STRONG :hug:

THE SUN IS OUT BUT THE STRANGEST LOOKING CLOUDS ARE OUT THERE. KIND OF LIKE THOSE WEIRD TREES THAT GROW IN AFRICA. LONGINSH, FLAT AND VERY BLACKISH ON THE BOTTOM WITH THE SUN MAKING THEM BEAUTIFUL ON THE TOP. :faint: HAD TO CLOSE THE WINDOWS AND PUT THE HEAT BACK ON. I SEE SNOW PREDICTIONS FOR OUR WESTERN NEIGHBORS. WINTER SEEMS TO BE HOLDING ON WITH A VENGENCE.:rofl:
WELL....OLD MAN WINTER STAY AWAY FROM MY DOOR.
UESTERDAY WAS GORGEOUS. TOOK A RIDE AND WAS LUCKY TO AVOID EVERYONE WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ONE. WEDS I WENT TO THE STORE AND GOT THE SENIORS THEIR DVD PLAYER. WELL IT'S A CHEAP ONE AND WON'T PLAY EVERY DVD THE RIGHT WAY. PLAYERS ARE LIKE THAT. NOW HERE COME THE COMPLAINTS 4 DAYS LATER :rofl: ;rofl: TOLD THEM IF THEY WANT A GOOD ONE THEN THEY MUST ALL CHIP IN AND I WILL INSTALL IT! :tantrum: NOT SURE IF THAT WENT OVER TOO WELL OR NOT. I'LL FIND OUT ON MONDAY.
I FILLED UP A BOX WITH ASSORTED JUNK AND THERE IS STILL ROOM AT THE TOP. TODAY WILL BE FINDING THINGS TO TOP IT OFF AND SHREDDING LAST YEAR'S PAPER TRAILS!
HAPPY SUNDAY/MONDAY :moped:

AOL HAS ANOTHER "AMERICA TAKES IT OFF FOR THE SUMMER" CHALLENGE. THIS IS THE LINK ..... IT HAS A MEAL IDEA LINK IN THE BOTTOM RIGHT HAND SIDE FOR BREAKFASTS, LUNCHES AND DINNERS ETC. AND LOTS OF OTHER INFO FOR EXERCISE. SPRINGTIME MOTIVATION!

http://body.aol.com/diet/americatakesitoff/flat-ab-tips

I HAVE SOME TIME TO MYSELF...THE VISITORS HAVE BEEN IN NYC (WONDER IF THEY RAN INTO CARLA) AND WALKING AROUND TOWN MORE THAN HERE :rofl: THEY NEVER SIT STILL AND APOLOGIZED THIS MORNING FOR THEIR ABSENCE. I TOLD THEM IT WAS FINE WITH ME. :dance: THE NIECE-IN-LAW IS WONDERFUL AND VERY EASY TO TALK TO. CLARISSA IS A LOVELY GIRL. MATT IS A VERY LUCKY GUY. UNCLE JOHN IS COMING TO GET THEM TONITE OR IN THE MORNING. AS YET UNDECIDED. THEN I WILL SPEND TIME WITH "MOM" AND CONSOLE HER. HER FAMILY IS ALL GOING BACK TO WORK IN THE MORNING AND THEY TOLD ME SHE IS ALREADY CRYING. GLAD I SAVED MY VISIT TO HER FOR LAST.
SO.....EVERYTHING SEEMS TO BE FALLING INTO PLACE. JUST VERY CRAMPED!!! NOT SURE IF THE KIDS ARE COMING BACK AFTER UNCLE JOHN'S. I TOLD THEM I AM HERE IF THEY NEED/WANT TO COME BACK. OTHER RELATIVES HAVE VOICED THE DESIRE TO SEE THEM ALSO. SO MUCH TO DO AND SO LITTLE TIME!!!
EATING SOME TAKE OUT AND I COOKED THAT CHICKEN FOR EVERYONE. IT REALLY WAS A BIG HIT. BOTH ARE AMAZED AT THE WAY I DO STUFF AND DRIVE AROUND.
AT LEAST I HAVE BEEN FEELING OK. POOR SHAD GOT THE WORST OF ME WITH EYES, SKIN AND SUMMER HEAT LAST YEAR. :faint:
MY FRIEND FROM OZ IS DUE ON 5/9. HOPE THAT VISIT GOES WELL TOO! :beach: SHE HAS ASKED FOR A STOCK OF SPANISH GALLETAS THAT SHE CALLS BISCUITS TO BE BOUGHT. SHE FELL IN LOVE WITH THEM LAST TIME. VERY PLAIN. JUST FLOUR AND WATER.
http://www.elcolmadito.com/Arte/MasP...nal10onz_1.jpg
WELL I BETTER GET GOING. GONNA SHOWER BEFORE THEY GET HOME SO THEY CAN HAVE THE BATHROOM.
BTW....NOT ONCE HAVE EITHER OF THEM GONE AFTER ME ABOUT JEHOVAH LIKE MY BROTHER! MATT IS NOT STUPID!! :rofl: :rofl:

Afternoon every one. It's cold outside.


Have been to Paragould for a visit with the aunt and uncle. She had planned a birthday dinner last night for April which included her grand daughter, my uncle, and her son and a daughter in law. It was relaxing.

More later. I need to get things ready for work and finish some laundry.

Afternoon ladies! Taking it slow today, just church, then home for dinner. DH barbecued some pork, and we made taco's. MS hit this morning, but I seem to have it under control, I just have to keep from feeling empty. Dh is having a fire, and a heart to heart with my brother. Would like to join in, but the smoke has been bothering me. Well, not plans for this week, will just try to keep up with the housework, and hit the gym for some walking on the treadmill. enjoy your day ladies...I am off to read while the boys are outside!

Morning all,
'm feeling a lot more chipper this morning so maybe something will get accomplished today. I really should remember that the day after a long aeroplane ride is not the best day of my life. Anyway, this morning I've been to the gym, had breakfast/ lunch and am finishing off my cup of tea (Russian Caravan flavour for any that are interested) and then will get up the ladder and paint.
At sometime this week I guess I had better think about what I need to take to Jakarta, find out what the weather will be like, look up the Hotel website and see if they have a gym etc. etc. etc. all those things one needs to do.
Speaking of gyms, it may be time to up the levels or weights again. I'm beginning to notice that some of them are no longer challening me, so it's time to up the effort. When there isn't time to increase the number of reps or the time on the treadie, you have to increase the intensity. I really do not want to spend more than an hour per day in there, so I have to go faster or heavier or smarter.

Mel - glad to hear you are having a great time with the family. Is Carla in NY for the weekend? I knew she was thinking of it, but since we haven't heard from her for some time I thought maybe it was postponed or something. Wonder which of those bridges she has commandeered.

Ellen - hate that morning sickness. Slow rising seemed to do it for me. Mind you I didn't suffer very much anyway, just a couple of bouts with the first baby. Probably the same with the second. I don't really remember back 32 years for things like that.

Ceejay - Glad you enjoyed the weekend at Paragould, although you sound like you could cheerfully gag the Aunt at times from your journal posts. Hope the weather improves up your way shortly.

We have beautiful sunshine here. It's around 75-78 beautiful degrees F. and there is scarcely a cloud in the sky. Lovely day to take a tramp in the bush or to wander along a beach and watch the dolphins play. But I must paint. If I get cracking, I can get the ceiling done by 10 and the walls done by midday. Well the first coat anyway. It will need another too after that, plus time out for the bumps and lumps that I missed the first time around. DS2 took out my old stove yesterday. Today the last of the floor cupboards will go and we will have a bare, barely painted place. Oh such fun. I need to go down the road and invest in a whole range of Lean Cuisine dinners and other stuff we can do in the microwave.

So there you have it. I'll be back later to see how your Sunday is going. Here we are into Monday and it is quiet and peaceful around the place - only the crows are making a noise this morning.

Hello Ladies.....

Not too much going on here at the homestead.

Congrats to you Ellen. I had 1 miscarriage before Samantha and two before Jake. Had prog. suppositories with Jake. They are 22 and 20 now.

Heartstrings, they are.

Shad..hope you are feeling much better by now.

Rennie..sodium can make you feel really sluggish, glad you are feeling better.

Mel...sorry about your friend's dad.

Happy...I have had enough rain, how about you. I am ready for a great sunshiny month.

Ceejay...glad you finally got a restful day.

Diyana.. I see you are still rockin' the exercise world. You go girl.

Saw the movie "21". It is really great. Me DS and his buddy went to see it. Took a nap yesterday and today, and feeling much better. May go back to bed in a few for the night.

Hello to all I may have missed.

Love and Hugs

Evenin' ladies,

Sorry I didn't post but I came here this morning and got tripped up on Mel's website. Thank you very much for posting this link Mel. I picked up some great ideas for breakfast items - always the most challenging meal for me to put together. I then had to roll the ideas into a meal plan and grocery list. DH is sanding the hall closets prepping them to paint (just like you Shad) and a few times my hand was needed to prop up or steady something. In between I was trying to get laundry done and find something reasonable to eat because I don't go to the grocery store hungry. Had to shower up and get dressed and out the door and before you know it, the day is gone. There was a women's market fair with all sorts of crafty things I wanted to go to today, but that didn't happen. I missed the other one last month too. Besides having too much to do, I also consoled myself that I really have more than enough things here - don't need to be spending the money or bringing more things in the house at the moment. :rolleyes: And I entered the 3FC 5K rally this weekend and had to get my 5K of walking in today anyway.

Yesterday DH put a sealer on the floor and it smelled something horrid (think airplane model glue or something like that). So we cracked open the windows and went out to breakfast. Afterwards we headed to the Humane Society. I think the cats are starting to recognize us - lots of furry little arms reaching out of the cages - pick me, pick me!! Every one of them gets some loving before we leave. DH is falling in love with a couple of them who clearly prefer him over me. That's ok, I have my favorites too. I take over the counter allergy medicine as I am allergic to bunches of cats. The stuff I used for the last 20 years was reformulated because the druggies decided it had just the right ingredients for making crystal meth. :rant: The new stuff works but not as well as the old stuff. Generally I can handle about 2 hours at the Humane Society before the wheezing and coughing kick in. Unless I take 2 tablets which work well but put me to sleep :lol: Yesterday I didn't realize we were going to the kitties after breakfast so I had not taken a pill until we drove up to the shelter. I dug in my purse and found one of the few old tablets I had of the original formula. We put in our usual 2 hours of work and I wasn't even sniffling as we left. Darn druggies ruin everything! :censored: anyway I will hang on to the last few pills just for when we go to the shelter.

My azaleas have come in half heartedly. The ones that did come in are quite nice but other bushes right next to them barely bloomed if at all. Others in the neighborhood are doing the same so I know it's not like we under/overfed them or trimmed them too late in the season. The locals tell me there are lots of things that affect them. The dogwood trees are blooming with their delicate white flowers and look so fragile against the colorful azaleas.

It's gotten quite cold out here too. They are predicting light rain and snow flurries tonight and tomorrow. A widespread frost warning is forecast for tomorrow night. I was worried about our Japanese Maple that only shoots out leaves once a season and just popped out last week as well as 2 trees we have that seem to be water based. Last year's frost caused the maples delicate leaves to shrivel up and turn yellow and the 2 trees green leaves looked like yucky rotten spinach leaves. And they only shoot out new growth now so if they sustain damage it stays that way until the fall when they lose their leaves completely. So DH and I covered the 3 most fragile bushes with sheets tonight. Looks like Halloween ghosts at our house :lol: I'm sure the neighbors will walk by and talk. Hope it scares the dogs of those who like to walk late at night and don't carry a doggie bag with them. :mad:

Mel - I noticed that Igor seems to have run off with your top :o :lol: I'm glad you seem to be having a good visit with the family and that they are not expecting too much of you. Thank you again for posting that website full of great ideas :hug:

Annie - like you I am ready for nice weather and sunshine. The yard needs lots of work and I'm eager to start planting. Glad you're feeling better. Getting a bit more extra sleep may be just what you need to beat off the bugs.

Shad - tearing things down to the rafters just allows you to build them back up nicely again and with work done right. Painting has to be easier too even if the cooking is not. Do you find that you don't use the stove much UNTIL you can't get at it? :lol: Hope the painting went quickly. I haven't decided on colors for the foyer yet. I want to do a neutral beige in the office adjacent to the foyer and am somewhat limited on colors due to the intense blue of the dining room off the foyer. I will have to spend some time staring at paint samples at the home improvement store :lol: When do you leave for Jakarta?

Ellen - probably better if you stay away from the firepit smoke right now. Don't worry - we will keep your news a secret here until you are ready to tell the world ;)

Ceejay - glad you had a good time at the birthday party.

Hope the blood tests came out ok Michelle.

Ok, I've rambled more than I should have. Time to get the load out of the dryer that just ended, put the last of the produce away and hit the sack for the night. Good night all... pleasant dreams and a productive tomorrow.

What the back yard looks like when ALL of the azaleas decide to bloom

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e6...ardInBloom.jpg

The large trees on the left and right are the dad gummed sweet gum trees - bane of our existance as they are always dropping something that needs to be picked up. And the dogwood tree is in the middle between them. When this picture was taken it was mostly past it's spring bloom and the green leaves were popping out. The pool is behind the wrought iron fence.

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e6.../Backyard2.jpg

OH HAPPY I LOVE THE PICTURES!!! SPRING HAS DEFINITELY SPRUNG IN YOUR YARD!! :dance: ENJOY THE VIEW!!! VERY BEAUTIFUL. THIS CRAZY WEATHER IS GIVING ALL THE GROWING THINGS A HARD TIME. I HAVE NOTICED THAT TREES ARE LOOKING A LITTLE LESS FULLER AND PLANTS ARE NOT AS BUSY EITHER. SAD. TOO BAD ABOUT THE SEALER SMELL AND THE SINUS MEDS. I KNOW THE FEELING FOR BOTH! :rofl: TODAY I WILL GO BACK AND LOOK AT THE MEAL IDEAS. I WOULD LIKE THE BREAKFAST BURRITOS FOR THE WEEKEND!

SHAD~ AT LAST E-MAIL THE TRIP WAS STILL ON. BUT I HAVEN'T HEARD FROM CARLA IN AWHILE. WILL SEND OUT THE MOUNTIES VERY SHORTLY! :tantrum: WE CAN HAVE OUR LC'S TOGETHER. JUST BOUGHT A BUNCH OF THEM AND WW TO FILL THE FREEZER. HOPE THE KITCHEN GOES WELL.....AND QUICKLY!!

CEEJAY~ PARAGOULD AND A BIRTHDAY DINNER! VERY NICE. HAVE A GOOD WORK WEEK!

ANNIE~ HAD A BIT OF A CHUCKLE AT "HEART STRINGS". A GOOD DEFINITION!!

ELLEN~ HAVEN'T HAD BBQ PORK IN MANY YEARS!! DROOLING OVER HERE NOW!!

THE HOUSE IS QUIET. MATT AND BRIDE ARE AT THE UNCLE'S NOW. LEFT EARLY THIS MORNING. THEY FOLLOWED EACH OTHER. NOT SURE WHY THE UNCLE EVEN CAME DOWN HERE. HIS HEART ISN'T IN IT. DISAPPOINTING REUNION. I CAN SEE THERE IS UNACCEPTANCE OF MATT'S BLACK AND WHITE MARRIAGE. VERY SAD. I FELT BAD FOR CLARISSA. I FEEL LIKE GOING BACK TO BED!! MATT HAS ALREADY CALLED ON THE CELL AND ASKED TO COME BACK HERE ABOUT MID-WEEK. I CAN "HEAR" IN HIS VOICE A PROBLEM. SO I TOLD HIM TO SAY I CALLED HIM CRYING OR SOMETHING SO HE HAS AN EXCUSE. HE SAYS I HAVE ESP BUT DIDN'T EXPLAIN. I WAS AFRAID OF THIS. GUESS MATT WAS HOPING FOR THE BEST. THEY'RE LEAVING THE 19 OR 20TH. I THINK THEY WILL BE HAPPIER HERE. THERE WERE THINGS THEY STILL WANTED TO DO AND SEE.
BETTER GO USE THE DULCOLAX BEFORE THEY COME BACK!! :rofl:
HAPPY MONDAY! :moped:

Good morning chicks,

WAKE UP EVERYBODY :coach: :lol: That's ok, kind of gray and cool out - the sort of day where you roll over, moan and then pull the covers over your head for 10 more minutes of shut eye. :yawn:

Except for Mel who's up bright and early. So sorry to hear about the nephew - they sound like a nice couple who deserves better than that. I think the uncle needs a bit of :rollpin: - what's that they used to say - a good box about the ears? Guess you can't pick your family but you can pick your friends and you will always have us Mel :grouphug: Glad you like the yard Mel - I think you'd enjoy sitting out and watching the birds at the feeder. I think the peaceful back yard is the nicest feature of this house.

I went to bed far too late and I think it's going to be a very wild and crazy day. I will try to stay away and pay attention :lol:

Hope you all have a good Monday too! :wave:

Happy Monday all! I was planning a trip to the gym, but DS had a tummy ache...DD2 had one Saturday, and I think part of what I has yesterday was not MS, as I am feeling better. Must be a tummy bug, hopefully it will be over soon. If DS is feeling better this afternoon, I will go then. Trying to eat small healthy meals, and fight off this tiredness. If I feel up to it laundry needs to be done, and the kitchen needs to be cleaned up. Have to shove off and get the day started!