She must be the long lost sister to my cat Shad. I feel your pain...

Maybe she is your long lost cat - want her back????

Better go and get ready to go out to dinner. Been invited to my friend Chris down the road (as opposed to nzchris. Now these two are foodies and she has been diagnosed with diverticulitis! Interesting to see what we have for dinner tonight!!

:wave: HAVE A GOOD TIME IN PARAGOULD CEEJAY :wave:

HAPPY...POOR DH AND THE PHONE. THE LONG TRIP WASN'T BAD ENOUGH AND THEN TO SEE SUSPICIOUS PEOPLE...HE WAS PROBABLY RIGHT TOO. SAD. WHAT HAPPENED TO GOOD "NEIGHBORS"? THE ONLY GOOD NEIGHBOR WE HAVE IS STATE FARM...ACCORDING TO THE COMMERCIALS....AND I HEAR THEY'RE NOT SO GREAT EITHER :rofl::rofl: GLAD YOU GOT GLASSES. I KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT GO TO SEARS NOW FOR THEIR GLASSES. LESS PROBLEMS THEY SAID. I USED REGULAR BLACK OLIVES INSTEAD OF THE KALAMATA. THEY ALWAYS SMELL "FUNNY" TO ME!

SHAD...SORRY YOU ARE MISSING CHRIS'S BIRTHDAY PARTY. PRICES ARE JUST UNREAL ALL OVER THE PLACE. I FIGURED YOUR DAY JUST DOESN'T HAVE ENOUGH HOURS IN IT FOR ALL YOU WANT TO DO! HOPE DINNER WITH THE OTHER CHRIS PROVED TO BE A GOOD ONE! POOR HER WITH THE DIVERTICULITIS! :yikes: SENDING GOOD THOUGHTS HER WAY.
ONE OF MY CATS WOULD PRACTICALLY KILL YOU FOR ANY KIND OF DAIRY. HE WOULD STEAL IT IF YOU LEFT IT OUT...THAT AND ANY KIND OF MEAT AND SPAGHETTI. WE NEVER TABLE FED HIM BUT THE MINUTE YOUR BACK WAS TURNED...HE WOULD HELP HIMSELF. AND...BE QUICK AND NASTY ABOUT IT TOO...LIKE YOU WERE TORTURING HIM NOT TO LET HIM HAVE IT. WONDER IF THEY ARE LIKE CRAVINGS? SOMETHING IN THE STUFF THAT THEY "NEED". AHHHHH....THE MYSTERIES OF THE ANIMAL KINGDOM.

:cofdate: GOOD SUNDAY MORNING CHICKLETTES. DID I SAY BALA NEVER SHOWED. JUST AS HE WAS TO BE HERE, I GOT THE CALL CANCELLING. LATER THAT DAY HIS BOSS CALLED AND ASKED ME TO GIVE HIM A MESSAGE...SURPRISE!!! HE'S NOT HERE!!!
HE WAS NOT AMUSED AND I LET HIM KNOW I WAS NOT AMUSED EITHER AS I GOT DRESSES JUST FOR THE OCCASSION. I WANT 24 HOUR NOTICE WHENEVGER POSSIBLE. THE ONLY THING KEEPING THEM FROM COMING SHOULD BE AN EMERGENCY OR WEATHER. I MISS ISHMAEL. HE NEVER DID THIS BUT ONCE WHEN HIS WIFE HAD CANCER. I WISH HE WOULD LEAVE CALIF AND COME BACK. SO DOES HER I HEAR! :rofl: :rofl:
I AM OFF TO GET MY OTAMEAL STARTED. HAVE A GREAT DAY. ENJOY THE DREGS OF THE WEEKEND!!
HAPPY SUNDAY/MONDAY :moped:

JEN IS MAKING THIS FOR HER LITTLE FAMILY.
I E-MAILED IT OUT TO HER YESTERDAY.
BY THE WAY...THE DAUGHTER, 13 YRS OLD NOW, ASKED IF SHE COULD ADD ME TO HER IM "BUDDY LIST"...JEN FEELS JUST LIKE A "MOM" NOW....I FEEL JUST LIKE A P.I.T.A IS COMING ON! :lol3:

http://www.perdue.com/files/Pic_MMC_85x69.jpg

COOKING INSTRUCTIONS:
Prep/Cook Time: 20 minutes
Serving Size: 6
Monterey Mac & Cheese

INGREDIENTS
1 package PERDUE® Fresh Ground Turkey (alternate: PERDUE® Fresh Ground Chicken)
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 package (1 ounce) taco seasoning mix
1 can (11 ounces) Mexican-style corn, drained (regular canned corn may also be used)
1 can (14 1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes, drained
1/4 cup sliced or chopped black olives
1/2 pound macaroni or other shaped pasta
1 cup cubed Monterey Jack cheese 

In large skillet, heat vegetable oil over medium heat. Add ground turkey or chicken and stir, breaking into small pieces. Cook for 5-7 minutes or until no longer pink and juices run clear.
Add taco seasoning and stir to distribute evenly. Add corn, tomatoes and olives. Stir to heat through. Keep warm.
Prepare pasta according to package directions. When pasta is ready, remove 1/2 cup of the cooking water, set aside and drain pasta.
In large bowl, toss hot pasta with turkey or chicken mixture and the reserved cooking water. Add cheese, stirring until soft.
Serve in bowls with tortilla chips on the side.
Another great recipe from Perdue Farms.

Good morning ladies,

Happy Sunday to you.

I saw an a new post here that says that they believe there is a relationship to obesity and Alzheimer's. Great, just what I needed to hear. If I was benefiting from your vigorous exercise, that has come to a crashing halt. I get to a point and just can't get below it unless I stop eating which is only a temporary thing until my metabolism sets to a new low point :( Frustrating.

Shad, my mom has diverticulitis - no nuts, seeds, anything with little tiny bits that can get caught in the pockets of the intestines and get inflamed. At first it was daunting - SO many things she can't eat from broccoli florettes (but she can eat the stems), tomatoes (has to dig out the inner core and all the pulp and seeds), watermelon - the seedless kind with those tiny white seeds are terrible to her and worst of all - she had to give up her beloved popcorn. It seemed a struggle to figure out how to feed her but this time around it was rather easy. Particularly since I am big on having lots of veggies with my meals and her vegetables are somewhat limited. Had to be careful with spices too - nothing that had hard bits of pod in it like cracked pepper. So if they are "foodies" as you say, it's just opens up a whole new adventure for them. The doctor (whom I don't trust at all) who did my colonoscopy said I had diverticulitus. I don't have any problems at all, unlike my mom so I tend not to believe him. I was talking to my friend who is a nurse who's area is lower G.I. and she said pfffftt - as you age EVERYONE gets little bits of inflammation from the food we eat. She said to be mindful of what I'm eating, try to eat fiber and things that push and cleanse the innards but unless I'm doubled over in pain, don't worry about the seeds thing. Good thing because I like my seeds and bits :lol: Hope you have a nice time with your friends.

I wonder where the airlines are headed. I hear they are going to start charging for drinks now. Since security doesn't allow you to bring anything liquid past the security checkpoint, this will make for the concession stands to inflate their ridiculous prices even more. $4 for a bottle of water :rolleyes: I have to say in general, I was a person who would pay for convienience but it's gotten to the point that it's actually becoming too much of a hassle to fly. I know the airlines are just trying to recoup some of their losses and they are doing it creatively - they should just raise the airfares and be done with it. I can't believe they are getting that many bookings with offering a few bargain fares. It's very sad to see actually.

We watched the Will Smith movie - I Am Legend yesterday. It was disappointing. He's a good actor and usually his movies are pretty good. I made some fancy shrimp dish too from a new magazine. That was disappointing too - particularly since it took alot of prep time. I'm blaming DH - he selected the dish :lol: Surprisingly, we have never had a recipe from the Kraft Foods website or magazine that we didn't care for - everything there has been tasty. The recipe we tried last night was from Cuisine magazine - guess we have simpler tastes :lol:

Sorry Bala blew you off Mel - it didn't seem like he was that kind of guy. Hassle that you had to get up and dressed earlier for nuttin. I say you give him the old :rollpin: next time you see him and set him straight. Hopefully you can still recoupe this afternoon for some Mel time.

Here I sit all raggity and I have to get showered and dressed, get groceries, go pick out a new cell phone with DH, go pet the shelter kitties for a while and I have a hot date at 4/5pm today. Which I might be just a little late for ;)

So I'd better get a move on. Make the most of your day everyone.

Morning all,
Been to gym, done the 7k run an worn my body out. I had an interesting conversation with the receptionist there yesterday about the state of my membership. Now according to me it should run out about the 25th July. According to her it ran out on 25th May. Excuse me, then why does my card still work? It seems that few people pay for a year up front now and she doesn't seem to realise that type of membership is what I have. Apparently most people pay by the month or arrange a direct debit with the bank to have the membership paid. Even if you want to leave you are supposed to give a months notice. Well there ain't much like that in my contract. Not that the contract is worth the paper it is written on. She told me I had paid for a months freeze after I had signed up for the new year and I also said that I had applied for and paid for a three month freeze while I was overseas and at Groote Island. But there appears to be no record of this. I haven't had a letter or a call that my membership has ceased and so I will just continue until things don't work any more or I go back to Jakarta, which ever comes first.

Rennie - sorry to hear you are flat on your back again. Get better soon.

Pattie - good news for Blackie. Get back into the swing of exercise with bootcamp - ouch. Good to hear from you.

Mel - geez that chicken/ turkey recipe looks good. I must have a go at that.

Ceejay - perhaps you need to take the fluid tablets for a period of time. I find that one won't do it. I need to take them very regularly. Otherwise I might be 5k heavier than I am now.

Happy - you are not have the greatest year are you? Cars, phones, pools, glasses, cats to vet, job woes. Hope things improve soon.
As for the claim of Alzheimer link to obesity. Well it seems to me that they can claim whatever they feel like claiming. There doesn't seem to have to be any scientific proof with some of the claims. Someone just has an idea and runs with it. My Mum was Alzheimer, she wasn't skinny but she weighed a lot less than me. It's about as much good as saying that you shouldn't cross your eyes because if the wind changes, they will stay that way. Bulls***.

Had a nice dinner last night. Tim cooked up pork in plum sauce which we had with rice. We also had mini pizza to start and that had sundried tomato, garlic, eggplant, mushrooms and parmesan cheese on it. Desert was something else, I forget, but it had berries soaked in something, crushed gingernuts, cream and shaved chocolate. It was forgetable unfortunately, but then I am not a dessert person anyway.

Now I guess I better go get going on the day. See ya

afternoon ladies
Back from a short trip to Paragould. Back to the grind tomorrow, Ugh.

Shad
I do take a bp med that has a fluid med in this but I'm not sure the dosing is correct.

Happy
I'm not sure of the correlation between obesity and Al's disease. At one tiime Al's disease was due to aluminum cans. I'm still thinking that most of our diseases are heriditary.

Mel
Another good recipe. Shame on Bala for not calling.

Reenie
Hope your back is feeling better.

Hello to the rest. :wave:

SHAD....DESSERT SOUNDED GOOD NO MATTER WHAT IT WAS. :rofl: THE GYM CARD IS TOO FUNNY. IT WILL PROBABLY RUN OUT IN JULY LIKE YOU SAID NO MATTER WHAT THE GIRL KNOWS! DID THEY REPLACE THE TRAINER? I WAS THINKING OF YOU WHEN I SAW A PROGRAM ON TV CALLED WORKOUT....ABOUT A GYM FILLED WITH IDIOT TRAINERS. LOTS OF DRAMA OF COURSE FOR A "REAL LIFE" TV PROGRAM. WONDER WITH ALL THEIR EGOS DID THEY REALIZE WHAT DOPES THEY LOOKED LIKE WHEN THE PROGRAM WAS AIRED! YOU WOULD HAVE THEM STRAIGHTENED OUT IN NO TIME.

CEEJAY.... :welcome: HOME!! HOPE THE WEEKEND TRIP WENT WELL.


HAPPY~ I HAD A LAUGH NOW I READ YOUR POST...WHEN I WOKE YESTERDAY, I TURNED ON THE TV TO SEE WHAT TIME IT WAS AND GET THE WEATHER. FIRST THING I HEAR IS OBESITY AND ALZHEIMERS!!! I SAID WTF AND TURNED IT OFF AND ROLLED OVER FOR 1/2 HOUR!!!
I DIDN'T WANT TO HEAR IT EITHER!! :tantrum:
AND BESIDES...I THOUGHT I REMEMBER HEARING IT WAS BAD WITH SKINNY PEOPLE NOT THAT LONG AGO!!!!
TOO BAD ABOUT THE MOVIE AND DINNER!! THANKS FOR THE CALL. I WAS SURPRISED NO ALARMS OR DOORBELLS WENT OFF WHILE WE CHATTED. NOW WE ARE GOOD TO GO FOR ANOTHER FEW MONTHS :rofl: TELL DH NEXT TIME HE GETS TO EAT A PROPER DINNER BEFORE THE CALL:lol3:

FUNNY BUT AFTER HAPPY AND I HUNG UP, I WAS GOING TO TAKE A SHOWER AND THE DOORBELL RANG. IT WAS THE MAYOR...MELODY WILL YOU COME DOWN WITH THE KEY OR SHOULD I COME UP...THE A/C IS NOT WORKING IN THE COMMUNITY ROOM! SOMEONE FROM MAINTENANCE HAD RESET IT TO 82 DEGREES AND OF COURSE IT WASN'T COMING ON. :faint: SO THE SENIORS GOT THE A/C TO WATCH THEIR MOVIE "CHARADE" AND HE GOT AN EARFULL FROM ME!! TIRED OF THE GAME PLAYING GOING ON. AND I LEFT A SCATHING MESSAGE ON THE OFFICE ANS. SYSTEM. OF COURSE WHETHER OR NOT ANYTHING GETS DONE ABOUT IT IS ANOTHER STORY.
SINCE 5:30 I HAVE BEEN CHECKING THE A/C AND ENDED UP RESETTING IT. I THINK IT'S OK NOW. LEFT ANOTHER MESSAGE "HANDS OFF THE CONTROL BOX" AND HERE I SIT. THE SYSTEM IS 25 YRS OLD, BELT-DRIVEN, AND HAS A NEWISH COMPUTER CONTROL PANEL/THERMOSTAT.
IT USUALLY WORKS FINE WHEN EVERYONE LEAVES IT ALONE! :rollpin: SO ALL THIS TOOK FROM 8 TO 10 LAST NIGHT BECAUSE HE DECIDED TO CHAT AND SEE SOME OF THE MOVIE TOO! I FORGOT I DIDN'T EAT DINNER, CAME UP STARVING, ATE AND WENT TO BED. I THINK DINNER IS JUST NOW GETTING DIGESTED! :rofl:
GOING TO BE A SLUGGISH DAY. DREARY OUTSIDE, I AM TIRED AND MAYBE I'LL JUST WATCH OLD MOVIES TOO!!
HAPPY MONDAY :moped:

Hi ladies -

I was feeling a bit under the weather this weekend. Nothing specific...just worn out and exhausted. So I rested as much as I could. I'm doing a little better today and have a busy day ahead. I'll check in later to do personals.

Love and hugs to all,

Good morning chicks,

Enjoyed chatting with you yesterday Mel. We both decided there's a whole lotta crap going on in the world :rofl: Cripes woman - living in a building with all those seniors, I'm hot, I'm not, turn that up, turn that down - no wonder the darn thing doesn't work :lol: Guess you have to put one of those locked plexiglass boxes on the thermostat like we have at work.

Ceejay - as far as the Alzheimer's goes - or at least this latest study, they tested people's brains and those who were obese had way less of some substance than people of normal weight. Then again, if I think about it, if they were able to test their brains, that meant they were dead so they probably had bigger issues to worry about, wouldn't you think? :lol:

Shad - I had the same issue with the gym membership. It does get confusing when you put a freeze on months or get a few bonus months when you sign up. You don't realize you need an accounting degree to keep track of all of that when you sign up and then when you need it, you can't remember what went on :dizzy: - all you know is that you feel you got cheated out of something you paid for.

Yes, we have had a bumpy year this time. Trying hard not to dwell on it - sort of chalking it up to the old - things happen - scenario. At this point I tell myself things could be much worse and not to fret over it. :^:

Better get a move on here and go make my 50 centavos for the day - it sure does feel like it's going to be a sluggish day. Still looking for that magic potion that will have me bounding out of bed all cheery and full of energy :dance:

Happy Monday everybody... :wave:

Rest up Michelle - hope you feel better as the day wears on :hug:

Happy Monday Ladies........

The weekend was much fun. Had several margaritas, but maintained throughout the day. The couple received really nice gifts.

My windshield wipers quit on me about 50 miles from home. That was a real journey in the rain. Thank God I had Rainex on my windshield. Once again, thank you Jesus, amen.

MEL...you must be a saint to work with all the seniors. So much complaining you put up with. Take a hot bubbly bath with candles lit.

Rennie....Ouch, hope your shoulder feels better.

Ceejay...it's all water weight...

Happy...I do not miss my swimming pool. May the water Gods be with you.

Shad...loved the cat story. You are so entertaining.

Michelle...Feel better, Oh Exercise Goddess.

Hello 1-day

Hi to everyone.

Love and Hugs

Hello ladies! Been feeling out of it for a little while. Was pretty stressed over money issues, but have come around to just dealing with it. I am going to tell you all the price of gas is killing us...esp with DH having to drive 70mi round trip to work. But there are things I can't change, then there are things I CAN. So that is what we are working on.

Not sure what to do for today...went out Saturday to watch DH's softball game, then felt like I had to recover all weekend. Went to church yesterday, but ended up in the basement because I was feeling light headed...just need to drink more water before hand. Came home and DH let me nap all afternoon, but then had a rough night and felt like i barely slept. Not up for much, may try taking the kiddies to the pool, but I have to get a few loads of laundry done.

After Dh gets home we will be pulling out the camping gear and making sure it is all good to go for next week. Well, need to be going, have to make some lemonaide...tastes better than water. LOL

Annie
Shoulder is feeling better, thanks.

Cee
I am feeling back to normal now, thanks

Had a nice weekend. We went to the camp grounds and played euchre. Then, we did a 14 hour day at the soup kitchen. Had tons of fun. Back to the normal of scrubbing ceilings and walls lol.

Happy Monday afternoon (or evening or Tuesday morning)...

Patty - I'm so glad to hear that Blackie is doing better. I think I can learn from him to eat smaller meals throughout the day and eat S-L-O-W-L-Y. I hope the bootcamp is going well. I wish my gym would offer something like that. Even a 1 day or 1/2 day long bootcamp would be awesome!

Mel - you must have the patience of a saint to take care of all that you do. :hug:

Rennie - Back injuries are AWFUL. I hope you're doing better today.

CeeJay - You're having back pain too? I hope it's not contagious! :lol: Hang in there. I hope you had a good time in Paragould.

Happy - I hope things work out with your pool liner replacement. Good for you for getting a bargain on your glasses! I think I will try Costco the next time I need glasses. Your kitty may be mad at you now, but she'll feel much better for all this work. We did have a nice weekend with DMIL. It was a fairly quiet weekend though...lots of rest and relaxation, which is what both she and I needed. DMIL is here until mid to late July.

Shad - Sorry that you had to miss your friend Chris' b'day party. I hope your dinner at the other Chris' house was nice. That's too bad that your body balance class is no more. We pay good $$ for gym memberships and they should offer classes when we can attend them. Since summer attendance is down at my gym, they have revised their class schedule to put some classes on hiatus until fall and to move others to 5:15 pm. 5:15? I work 30 minutes away - there's no way I can get there for a 5:15 class. From what I've heard not many people are able to show up for the 5:15 classes. Oh well, it's only for a couple more months, then my favorite classes will return at their normal time. Yay! It is good that you can find solace from your demanding kitty at the gym. :rofl: Sounds like your gym is hassling you from all angles. But at least you're still getting your work outs in. I totally agree....keep going until the card doesn't work anymore.

Annie - I'm glad you had a fun weekend!

Ellen - I, too, am stressed out about finances and wondering if I or my DH should take a second job. Not fun. Oh well, I can't worry about it...too much work to think about.

I'm feeling better as the day goes on. Still a big project looming over me that's due tomorrow. I've got a meeting in 15 minutes to clarify some of the requirements that weren't clear - everyone was on vacation last week. No pressure though, just due tomorrow by end of day. :yikes:

Take care, ladies!

Grilled Tarragon Dijon Chicken


Grill this flavorful chicken for a fabulous summer main dish.

Serving: 4
Prep Time: 45 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 65 minutes





1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup Dijon mustard
3 tablespoons lemon juice
3 tablespoons lime juice
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoons dried tarragon
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
8 chicken thighs, skinned

garnish: lime slices





1. Combine olive oil, mustard, lemon juice, lime juice, garlic, tarragon and pepper in shallow dish. Add chicken. Cover and chill for 30 minutes, turning occasionally.

2. Remove chicken from marinade. Grill chicken, covered with grill lid, over medium-high heat for 8 to 10 minutes on each side or until cooked through. Top with lime slices, if desired.




Based on individual serving.
Calories: 260
Total Fat: 14 g
Carbohydrates: 4 g
Protein: 28 g

COURTESY IF IVILLAGE E-MAIL

Morning all,

Slept in this morning - forgot to set the alarm and being a creature of the light, never woke until dawn arrived. Not to worry we have now passed the longest night and life will get lighter from now on. We are having a very cold spell at the moment. Yesterday morning temp was only 7 and today is predicted to be even less, however the sun makes up for it when it finally arrives and the days are just delightful.
Surprise, surprise - the man from the gym rang yesterday to apologise for the mix up in the gym on Saturday and what could the club do to make up for it. No surprise that I had a few whinges to regale him with including some of the lack of professionalism associated with the club. He sounded like he was 16 years old, but if he is in charge, as far as I am concerned he is well old enough to hear and deal with the truth. He tells me it is hard to recruit and keep body balance trainers for some reason at the club. Not suprising at all really since body balance is the first class to be put off if you can find something else to put in there - like a train the trainer session, a Lions club breakfast and/ or a problem with the lighting despite the fact that the Body Combat class earlier went ahead.
If we were not able to source a Body Balance trainer would you be interested in a pilates class? Prefer a Yoga class, don't know that I would appreciate a full hour of pilates. Anyway, I thanked him for ringing and then called the floor man and spent a small fortune agreeing to have a new floor. Part of the new floor goes down in 3 weeks time and then the next part in August and the final bit will not be until after Christmas at least since I still have to figure whether I want to extend those two bedrooms or not and whether or night I can get a builder to do it.
Cat is slowly coming round to the theory that cats eat meat and biscuits and humans eat icecream and fish soup but it is a long haul job. Right now she is deciding that it is all to cold to go outside and what she can do to prevent that happening. She also thinks she is a camel who doesn't have to go.

Ceejay - if you are retaining fluid constantly then that tablet is not doing it's job. Maybe you need to take the other tablet a little more frequently. Getting old ain't for sissies is it?

Rennie - good to hear you are back and doing okay. Sounds like a fun weekend.

Mel - I think the one thing that annoys me about the gym, more than any other thing is the fact that you go to these classes and they TURN this horrid music up. (Actually body balance has some quite nice music) and then the instructor must scream over the top of this noise and can scarcely speak at the end of the class. To someone who is partially deaf anyway, this is a big problem. I try to stand in front of the speakers so I don't get the worst of it, but it is still hard. Anyway, I am going to try out a pump class this morning at 9.30 so think of me about then.

Michelle - sorry to hear you haven't been feeling too bright this weekend. Hope it passes soon. I fully agree about these 5.15 classes. What the h*ll! Don't they realise that most people work until 5 or 5.30 and not everyone works next door to the gym. Good luck with the project

Annie - glad you have had a good weekend. Does one good to let steam off once in a while.

Ellen - sounds like you are on the up again. How far along are you now?

Happy - So you and Mel have been setting the world to rights again. Okay - but I'll have you know that you haven't done much for the price of petrol over here. Still horribly high and it was interesting to not that things were extremely quiet over the weekend at the local service stations (now there is an oxymoron - there is no service) because of the high price of petrol over the weekend. The roads were quiet as well and even the hoons were not in evidence. I guess one can be thankful for some small mercies.

Okay I'm off. If I am to check out the pump class, I had better do some work now. I have a huge amount of work to do if I want this floor laid in 3 weeks and again in a couple of months.

Shad
I am making up for my wonderful weekend lol. I had to do all the work around here today that I didn't get done because I wasn't home this weekend.

di
I was lucky this time. It was gone by morning. Sometimes it can last for weeks. Still have no idea why it happened, I have done this kind of thing all my life. Guess sometimes it just happens.

MICHELLE...HOPE YOU FEEL MUCH BETTER BY NOW :hug:
GOOD LUCK WITH THE PROJECT. I HAVE PATIENCE BUT AM A FAR CRY AWAY FROM A SAINT :rofl: :rofl:

HAPPY....WHEN YOU FIND THAT MAGIC POTION...SAVE ME SOME. YOU COULD MAKE A FORTUNE OFF OF IT!! IN FACE, EARLY RETIREMENT :dance: AND....WE ALREADY HAVE A BOX OVER THE THERMOSTAT :rofl: :rofl:

ANNIE.... :yikes: NO WIPERS?!?!?! GOOD TO KNOW YOU ARE HOME SAFE AND SOUND!! I CAN'T DO BUBBLE BATHS ANYMORE BUT TOOK A LONG SHOWER WITH LEMON BODY WASH AND GOT INTO SNUGGLY PJ'S!! COULD HAVE USED ONE OF YOUR DRINKS THO!!

RENNIE...GOOD TO HEAR YOU ARE UP AND ABOUT.

SHAD.....HOPE THE PUMP CLASS WENT WELL. IT'S A SHAME ABOUT THE TRAINERS REALLY. I NEVER UNDERTOOD JUST WHY THE MUSIC HAS TO BE SO LOUD ANYWAY. IT'S ONE THING TO GET PEOPLE PSYCHED AND ANOTHER THING TO DEAFEN THEM!! :tantrum: STAY WARM MY SOUTHERN FRIEND!! AND KITTY TOO!! :rofl:

:cofdate: I CANCELLED THE FOOD SHOPPING. THE DULCOLAX HAS DECIDED TO WORK MUCH BETTER THE DAY AFTER I TOOK IT :faint:
YESTERDAY I SPENT TIME SORTING THRU MY WINTER CLOTHES. TOO MANY PANTS LOOKED RAGGEDY SO OUT THEY WENT. I HAVE TO REMEMBER TO BUY ONE OR TWO MORE. O LOOKED LAST YEAR BUT LANDSEND TOLD ME THEY STOPPED CARRYING THEM. OF COURSE THEY DID...THEY WERE MY FAVORITES!!!:tantrum: I HAVE TOLD JEN THAT IF WE FIND SOMETHING THAT FEELS GOOD ON THE SKIN AND EASY TO WEAR, WE MUST GO BACK AND BUY A DOZEN!!!!
THE ACCT HAS BECOME VERY UNRELIABLE OF LATE. TELLS ME SATURDAY THEN CANCELS AND TELLS ME MONDAY. THEN MONDAY TELLS ME TUESDAY. THEN CALLS BACK AND SAYS OK FOR MONDAY TILL 7:30. THEN CALLS AND SAYS OK IT'S ALMOST 6:30 AND I AM LEAVING NOW :faint: THEN SAYS SEE YOU AGAIN TOMORROW. I SAY NOK I'LL BE RIGHT BACK GOING TO GET MY MAIL. I GO BACK AND HE LEFT ALREADY!!! WAS HE AFRAID I WAS GOING TO READ THE RIOT ACT TO HIM OR IS HE JUST IN ANOTHER WORLD RIGHT NOW? WTF!!!
GOING TO TELL HIM THE LITTLE STORY ABOUT HOW MEL'S LIFE HAS TO HAVE SOME ROUTINE IN IT AND ESPECIALLY IN THE BATHROOM!!! WE HAD ANOTHE MAN AND ONCE I HINTED AT SOME SMALL BITS OF MY LIFE, HE NEVER DID IT AGAIN! :rofl: THIS GUY IS NICE AND VERY POLITE BUT A WEE BIT ARROGANT. I WILL RENEDY ALL THAT TOOT SWEET!!! :rollpin:
OFF I GO NOW TO BEGIN THE DAY!
HAPPY TUESDAY/WEDNESDAY!!! :moped:
I AM OFF TO BREAKFAST....BUT FEELING LIKE I COULD USE A NAP?!?!?

Spicy Baked Sweet Potato "Fries"

Serves: 4

A healthy alternative to an American favorite.

INGREDIENTS
2 medium sweet potatoes, washed and cut (lengthwise) into strips (1/3 inch on each side)
1-1/2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon onion powder

DIRECTIONS
1. Line cookie sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper.
2. Preheat oven to 450 F.
3. In a small mixing bowl, combine all ingredients. Mix to evenly coat potato strips.
4. Place potato strips on lined cookie sheet (allow space between individual strips for even cooking).
5. Bake for 15 minutes (or until potatoes become crispy) turning strips every 5 to 7 minutes (or as needed).

NUTRITION INFO
Calories: 117.6
Fat: 5.5 g
Carbohydrates: 16.4 g
Protein: 1.2 g

Sweet Potato Wedges with Rosemary


Ingredients
2 lbs. sweet potatoes

1 teaspoon olive oil

sprinkle of lemon juice and rosemary


Nutritional Info
Fat: 0.9g
Carbohydrates: 36.7g
Calories:162.5
Protein: 2.6g

1. Wash and cut sweet potatoes into sticks or wedges.

2. Place potatoes in a bowl and toss with oil, then spread out onto a baking sheet and sprinkle with rosemary.

3. Bake about 30 minutes at 375° F, or until browned and tender. You may want to turn potatoes over half way through baking time.

4. Sprinkle with lemon juice, if desired.

Serves 6.

Good morning everyone -

I'm feeling a lot better. Thanks for all the well wishes. I'm hoping for a very productive day today. I've got some big projects coming due in a hurry. I'm still riding the blissful wave of endorphins from last night's cardio and circuit training class. Definitely got a good workout in!

Shad - I'm glad that you were able to air your grievances to the gym management. I did that a few weeks ago about my gym's summer schedule. From what you wrote of your conversation, it almost sounds like they are going to phase Body Balance out. It's a shame when gyms eliminate a well attended class to allow for...what? A Lions club breakfast or other nonsense! Ridiculous! I hope you enjoy the Pump class. As for gym music, I've told you my gym has two locations, right. One is adults only and is more serene - that's the location I prefer. No music in the workout areas - if you want music bring your own MP3 or walkman. And in the classes, there is music but not too loud, which is nice. At the other gym....it's the usual loud music everywhere. If I'm going to crank up the tunes really loud...I want to be able to choose the "tunes"! :rofl: I'm glad to hear Sunday is understanding what she is supposed to eat. I don't think any animals like going outside in the cold. It's amazing how long they can hold "it" when there is inclement weather. :lol:

Mel - The accountant sure sounds like a P.I.T.A. You need to teach him some manners, Mel! Thanks for the sweet potato fries/wedges recipes. I LOVE sweet potatoes, though I hope they don't have the same effect on my blood sugar as regular potatoes. It was a total shock to me when from testing my blood sugar I realized that potatoes increase my blood sugar more than ice cream! :dunno:

Happy - Since I'm posting earlier than normal, I'm sure I'll be reading your posts later. I hope you have a wonderful morning to start off a terrific day.

Patty, Rennie, Annie, Ellen and everyone else - Have a great day!

Love and hugs,

Good Morning Ladies....

Started the day thinking it was Wednesday, sheesh what a let down, it is only Tuesday...

Ellen...hope you are feeling better by now, being pregnant can be rough.

Michelle..glad you r feeling better. Sometimes other's vacations make more work for us. Don't cha just love it.

MEL...Yummy recipes. I know what you mean about finding favorites in items. My make up is the same way. When I go back to buy more, they don't make it anymore. Same with hair products.

Taking car to the shop tomorrow to see about the wipers that took a crap. Thank God no rain in the forecast till after that.

Thursday night I am having a Silpada Jewelry party. It is all sterling silver jewelry and very beautiful. A little on the expensive side, but very nice.

Looks like a great day to walk on breaks and lunch. It is so nice outside today, no humidity. Tomorrow brings back the hot yuck stuff.

Update on old BF, Dave. Two issues I am not thrilled with therefore I am not seeing him anymore....He is moving too fast for me...like the I LOVE YOU already...and the major reason is he drinks way too much for my liking. I would say he could be an alcoholic. Over indulgence with alcohol scares me away, it play a part in my divorce. I now have certain qualities that I won't just "settle" for anymore. I may be single the rest of my life, however at least I am in a happy place with no bad stuff. Does that make any sense? Or am I too hard on people?

Hello to everyone.

Love and hugs

Annie - You are NOT being too hard on Dave (IMHO anyway). You've got to find someone you're comfortable with, and I can totally understand why you would be uncomfortable with his drinking if it played a part in your divorce. It is better to be single and happy than in an unhappy relationship. I'm sorry it didn't work out for you, but applaud and congratulate you for recognizing his qualities that make you uncomfortable and doing what is best for you! You Go, Girlfriend!

Hi ladies
Just a quick fly by--nothing new.

Annie
Your concerns with Dave's drinking would be of my concerns also.

Michelle
Glad you are feeling better.

Hi chicks,

Sorry I didn't have time to post this morning - seems like no matter what, I am always running behind lately...

Annie - as far as Dave goes... When we are young, just starting out and naive we are eternally hopeful and we don't realize the consequences of some things. I can't stop getting old, but one of the definite perks about it is that you get comfortable with who you are and stop feeling pressured by others to make decisions that you're just not ok with. I don't blame you a bit for backing off. Even if he wasn't overly eager or he didn't drink so much, if you only felt that hey, there's no spark there - why feel compelled to continue things? Would be more wrong to lead him on. So no, I don't think you're being hard on him. Let's just say your radar has kicked in and you've learned to follow your instincts. Good for you! Sorry it didn't work out - have fun with your other friends in the mean time. I'd hang out with you, but I don't drive the expressway :rofl:

Michelle - I just had to check on the sweet potato. It's on the low glycemic index list - way better than a baked white potato or new potatoes. I have learned to like sweet potatoes too - with a dash of cinnamon. I'm amazed at your statement of potatos and ice cream on the blood sugar. I guess you've been opened to a whole new world of eating with the diabetes. No wonder it's tough to control unless you get educated. Glad to hear you made a quick recovery from not feeling well. Those endorphins must be something special :lol:

Thank you for the yummy recipes Mel. You forgot to tell us what time to show up for dinner though :hungry: :lol3: What you said about buying the pants is actually true. I have been known to pick up 2 pairs of shoes, 4 pairs of pants, etc. Seems like I am having a harder time finding stuff I like and it's not just a size thing.

I also suspect that the grocery stores carefully review my purchases using the frequent shoppers card and hone in on the items I like the most to stop carrying. I am not a cereal person but there was this stuff called Country Inn that used recipes from actual Bed and Breakfasts around the country. They had one version with cranberries and walnuts that was fabulous. The stuff was expensive - over $5 for a 10 oz box but DH and I both loved it. Sure enough as I started buying it on a regular basis, they started to run out of it. When they'd restock I'd buy 5 boxes at a time. I was their best customer!!!! It wasn't going stale on the shelf!!!! One day I went to the store only to find that the spot where the Country Inn cereal was had been replaced by 5 kinds of :barf: :barf: :barf: :barf: BRAN cereal. Why do stores carry 27 kinds of bran cereal. Does anyone eat it? I don't think so. :no: The way people act so goofy I think they are all walking around constipated as my Mom would say. :o

Good heavens, I am turning into a crabby old bat. :rolleyes: Thank you for not saying anything.

Shad, you have me on the floor with the idea of inducting that caller from the gym into man hood. :lol: But I understand completely. We had similar issues at our gym. And it was for classes that we were paying EXTRA for! Kept switching the nights. I thought it was the trainer and it turned out I was grumbling at the wrong person. Gee you must be frosty and freezing! I didn't think it got that cold down your way. Brisk! I suggested replacing the carpets with wood flooring but DH said what will we do with the furniture. We could rent one of those PODS (portable storage bins that they put on the driveway) but the issue is getting the furniture out of the house. So I will envy you your nice kitchen and pretty floors but not the work you'll have to do to get there :lol:

Lunch is over. Hellos to those I didn't get to :wave:

Good afternoon/morning ladies!!! Been somewhat productive this morning...if you can call sitting in front of the computer productive. I looked thru the job ads, e-mailed a checklist to my dad and sis, and got our server (extra hard drive) re connected to the network. The kids have had lunch, and the laundry is on. Much better than sleeping all morning...being tired I can deal with, but I Have been getting allergy/hormone headaches that have been lasting all day esp since I can't take anything for them...will have to talk to the dr about an allergy med I can take while preg...fall is my worst time. I think I can take plain Claritin but will double check first.

Annie~Go with your gut...whats left anyways. :) I think you did the right thing...I would say tho, if you are still on the prowl, look for new guys...and ex is always an ex for a reason.

Happy~My uncle eats those bran cereals...but he is much closer to shad than he is to us. I too buy things in multiples...I loved my wedding shoes so much that I bought a pair in black too! Too bad that as I got bigger they stopped fitting.

Hello and hugs to everyone else...my comp is making funky noises...will have to check to make sure the kiddo's didn't set sticky keys on me.

Later chicas!

Morena

Happy - as far as shifting the furnitue out goes, there is little to shift out. We took most of it to the shed and there is a 3 piece lounge suite and the tv unit and a table left.
The tv unit is on wheels, it will be shifted to the bedroom for the day. The lounge suite will be there too. My entire house footprint would fit into your living areas and you would still have room to put the groceries. My house is not bit, and I like minimal furniture around me. Oh yes there is a glass and wrought iron coffee table and side table but I plan to take them out and respray them the day that the wood goes down. Because I am getting it done in stages I can use the other rooms to store the stuff for the time being. And since I insist on having most furniture pieces on wheels these days (because I like to rearrange things a lot), its not so hard to shift things. Those not on wheels get shifted with the little slider thingy I made in a hurry one morning - I'm constantly amazed at how much that thing can carry.

Ellen - money worries are beginning to affect a great many people. It is not an easy time right now. I was observing the lack of traffic and the lack of cars on service station forecourts over the weekend. My niece tells me that sales are well down in her store and my brother says that he is not earning any bonus commissions because he is not selling enough in his vending job. One thing I am thankful for is that my kids are grown and independent and my own finances are easy enough. There was a time when they weren't.
Because your uncle is closer to me than to Happy - does that mean it is normal for us lot to eat Bran??? :rofl: Where is he anyway.

Mel - The pump class went okay. I was cautious and didn't put much weight on the bar and regretted that later when it took most of the lesson to work up any sort of sweat. However the lunges got me and the legs are feeling it today. I will go back next week if I can. Meantime I will toddle off this morning and lift some more weights.
The sweet potato chips and wedges sound lovely. I'll have to print those ones out.
Sort out that accountant smartly. Having had to put up with flaming financials and accountants for the past few weeks, you have my support and love and bail money if you decide to kill him.

Michelle - glad to hear you are feeling better. Hope you get all those projects sorted and away on time.

Annie - we must all do what we feel is necessary to protect ourselves from our fears and frustrations. If you have been too hasty and misunderstanding then at some stage no doubt everything will work itself out as it should. One thing about getting older is the lack of necessity to make up your mind in a hurry - there is always time to sort it out.

I've been making my own bread for the last couple of weeks. DS2 seems to like it because the poor loaf gets attacked as soon as we can get it out of the tin. I've also started to make my own muesli - mainly due to the reasons outlined by all of you (hey someone likes it, let's get it off the shelf fast and replace it with this cr*p). (Norganic make a nice organic muesli and it has been taken away and replaced with a revolting clumped cardboard mixture called crunchola). Because I can make small batches I can put the changes of fruit and add or delete bran bits or oat bits or lecithin or whatever as I please. It takes about 10 minutes to make a 2 day batch unless I decide to toast it, in which case it takes about 30 minutes.

Okay - better dash off. DS2 wants to start to eat better and lose a bit of the weight. Time is catching up with his bad eating habits. So I have said we will make lunches together - suits me because then I am accountable for what goes in both our mouths. So I will go shopping today for ingredients for bakes and quiches that are filling but not high calorie. So I am off to the gym, shopping and then back for some more work. One more push and I am just about done with financial - halle-bloody-lujah.

Shad my uncle is in Perth...but I was making fun of the fact that he has always eaten that stuff...even when he was not "old" LOL And, not knowing exactly where you are, I could not say he was close to you...just closer than he is to me!

Morning ladies --

Just a quick check in for me today. I went for a brisk 2 mile walk at lunch yesterday, which I really needed. Yesterday was crazy stressful at work, and today will probably be the same.

Oh and I am back in ONE-derland (198.5). Hopefully this time I'm in ONE-derland for good. :crossed:

Happy - Thanks for checking on the sweet potato for me! Awesome! I LOVE sweet potatoes. Mmmm.

Ellen - you really were a busy chick yesterday! I hope you and your computer are both feeling good today. :lol:

Shad - You are smart to do your wood floors in stages so you can move furniture around. My gosh, you think of everything don't you. No wonder you're so good at your job - you're so organized and methodical. I wish I could be like you. I totally am with you about lunges getting to you. In the classes where we do lunges, we do them the length of the room for several laps! And I always complain (jokingly) how I (at 5'2") have to do WAY more lunges than another person in class who is 5'10". :rofl: When I do a weights class, I usually grab a couple different sizes of weights (if there are enough available) so that I can switch them up depending on the exercise. It's good that you enjoyed the pump class enough to go back. :) Can you please post a recipe for your Muesli ? And any recipes you use for your healthy bakes and quiches ? Filling and low calorie is what I want!

Have a great day ladies!

Love and hugs,

Good morning ladies,

Quick check in for me too. Off to a day full of meetings where I will be assigned more work but can't get it done because I'M SITTING IN MEETINGS :dizzy:

:congrats: Michelle - ONEDERLAND that's fantastic. Your super efforts are paying off well. I'm very happy for you. You had to be dancing today :yay:

Shad - we have those things you put on the floor to shift the furniture too but that still means you have to find a place to put it. The problem is that if we were to do the floors, we'd have someone do them and we'd do 3 rooms at once which would cause most of the problem. DH wants to do the upstairs, I want to do the downstairs. Doing the upstairs would be easier. We'll see. The muesli sounds very good. Geez, you must have HATED the food on this side of the pond :lol: So different than what you eat.

Ellen - don't toss those shoes. I hear your feet can get smaller when you lose weight. Of course I'm not sure how much toddling in heels you'll be doing in the near future but... I really feel for you having to suffer through allergies with no relief. The headaches alone can be brutal.

Tonight they have a tv show I have been waiting anxiously to see - The Baby Borrowers. It takes a teenage couple who think they are ready to have a baby and gives them a baby to deal with. Not just a baby, but then they swap out a toddler, perhaps a sullen teenager and they wrap it up with a couple of senior citizens just to simulate what a committment a child is and you might just perhaps have to take care of elderly parents too. Looks to be rather entertaining. With these crazy kids and how they have glamorized pregnacy, this is a show they need. Actually they have to take real kids and do this in person.

I swear people have lost their minds - there's just no personal responsibility anymore. Anyway, I need to get off to work before I jump on the soapbox.

Hello Ceejay, Shy, Patty, Mel, Carla, Madcat, Annie and the rest of you lot. :wave:

Happy Hump Day Everyone....

Took car to shop to get wipers fixed. Good thing too, we are to have a storm come through today.

Michelle...Thank you for supporting my BF issue. CONGRATS on getting back to onederland!! (to stay)

Happy...Thank you also for your support with BF. I do feel I made the right choice. I am too happy in my singlehood life to ruin it with unhappiness. I would love for you to come hang out with me. We would have so much fun.

Ceejay...your support is appreciated too. Thank you.

UPS...my oh my, you are a busy girl. No wonder you are tired. ;^)

Shad...Bread making...yum..we, too, eat the entire loaf the minute it is out of the bread machine, therefore I rarely make it.

I still have 3 containers of salsa from last year in my freezer. And very exciting news...I have 3 little tomatos on my vine. About the size of quarters right now. My garden is doing marvelous, green and growing like crazy.

Hello to everyone I missed.

Love and hugs.

MICHELLE...WOW! CONGRATULATIONS ON THE RE-ENTRANCE TO ONEDERLAND :cheer: :cheer2: :cheer3:
ALSO...I NEVER KNEW THAT ABOUT POTATOES AND SOME PEOPLE'S SUGAR LEVELS. WHO WOULD HAVE THUNK IT!! i USUALLY USE THE LITTLE RED ONES OR THE LITTLE "NEW" POTATOES...YUKON GOLD. SMALL SERVINGS ALL BY THEMSELVES! LOL gLAD YOU ARE FEELING BETTER AND AGAIN GOOD LUCK WITH THE PROJECTS!

ANNIE...WHEN IT COMES TO PIR OWN PERSONAL HAPPINESS AND SAFETY OF NOT ONLY OURSELVES BUT OUR FAMILIES...NONE OF US CAN AFFORD NOT TO BE TOUGH AND STICK TO OUR GUNS. SETTLING IS HOW WE ENDED UP GETTING OUR DIVORCES AND HAVING TO WORK SO HARD ON OURSELVES JUST TO FIND THE PERSON WE USED TO BE. SO WHILE I AM LAUGHJING HERE...I AM RIGHT BEHIND YOU ON THE DECISION YOU MADE. THE OLD SAYIN.."TOO MUCH TOO SOON...TOO LITTLE TOO LATE" DIDN'T CPOME ABOUT FOR NO GOOD REASON!! SO i SEND A :hug: AND A :rofl:
GOOD FOR YOU! :cheer3:

HAPPY~ I KNOW SOME CONSTIPATED PEOPLE OVE HERE THAT COULD USE A GOOD FLUSHING OUT...SO SEND THE 5 BRANDS TO ME AND MAYBE YOUR STORE WILL CARRY COUNTRY INN ONCE MORE :dance: IF YOU EVER BUY A NEW HOME...GET ONE WITH A BIG OL' PORCCH ON A BUSY STREET AND WE CAN SIT AND GROUCH TOGETHER AS THE WORLD WALKS BY!! :lol3: :lol3:

ELLEN...GALD YOU WERE GETTING UP AND ABOUT BUT SO SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT THE HEADACHES. SINUSES AREN'T ANY FUN EVEN WHEN NOT PREGNANT SO I CAN IMAGINE HOW YOU MUST BE FEELING. SENDING GOOD THOUGHTS YOUR WAY :hug:

KAURANGI :queen: SHAD...MORENA TO YOU ALSO FROM PORANGI!:crazy: HOPEFULLY I WON'T BE NEEDING THE BAIL MONEY AS THE ACCOUNTANT STILL LIVES AND BREATHES. SOMETHING STRANGE IS GOING ON WITH HIM, HIS BOSS AND THIS PLACE. SOONER OR LATER I'LL FIND OUT WHAT GIVES. LET'S HAVE THE RECIPE FOR YOUR MUESLI. i LOVED ONE BUT THE SAME THING HAPPENED HERE. GOT BUMPED OFF THE SHELF FOR ONE WITH LOADS OF SUGAR IN IT. :faint: THE DS IS GOING TO KEEP GAINING WEIGHT WITH ALL THE BREAD! :rofl: :rofl: FUNNY HOW SOONER OR LATER AGE CATCHES UP WITH WEIGHT ISSUES. DOING THE HAPPY DANCE FOR YOU AND THE FINANCIAL ENDING :cb: :carrot:

:cofdate: I AM IN A ZYRTEC FOG. A FRIEND AND I SAT OUTSIDE LAST EVENING WAITING FOR THE ACCOUNTANT TO LEAVE AT 8. THERE WAS A STIFF BREEZE THAT HAD GUSTS THAT WERE ALMOST KNOCKING SOME SENIORS OVER. :yikes: IT FELT WONDERFUL BUT THE HEAD AND EYES WERE NOT HAPPY FOR LONG! :rofl: BUT SOMETIMES YOU JUST HAVE TO THROW CAUTION TO THE WIND:dance:
WE HAD A NJICE CHAT AND THEN I LOCKED UP. LOOKS LIKE TONITE WILL BE ANOTHER LATE NIGHT FOR BOOKKEEPING DEPT. LATELY IT SEEMS THAT I GIVE UP ONE "JOB" AND ANOTHER COMES TO LIGHT OR ONE THAT ALREADY EXISTS EXPANDS :rollpin: YESTERDAY I REMINDED THEN THAT THE BIG ELECTION IN NOVEMBER WILL KEEP ME BUSY AND THEY BEST GET SOME ADDED HELP. IT'S A FEW MONTHS AWAY BUT THEY NEED AN EARLY WARNING.....NOTHING EVER GETS DONE FAST AROUND HERE! IT WAS BUSIER YESTERDAY THAN I HAD PLANNED IT TO BE SO I AM RESTING TODAY FOR SHOPPING AND WHATEVER COMES ALONG TOMORROW AND FRIDAY! HAVE A GREAT DAY.
HAPPY WEDNESDAY!
http://off1.picsrc.net/images/girly/...ednesday18.gif

LOOKS LIKE WE ALL POSTED TOGETHER...WAVING TO HAPPY AND ANNIE AGAIN :wave:

quick lunch time check in -

Happy -- actually I'm so stressed out for all these projects I'm trying to complete by the end of the week, that I haven't had time to be on :cloud9: for One-derland. I am happy though....but I just can't bask in the One-derfulness! :lol: As I was reading your opinion about personal responsibility, I was right there just about to get on the soapbox with ya!

Annie - glad you got your wipers fixed. Do you have a great salsa recipe? I've got several tomato plants...no tomatoes yet though...but I've had flowers...so tomatoes are on the way.

Mel - you make sure they get you some help for all you do. I don't want our Mel to be overworked and underappreciated. :rollpin:

Back to work for me.

Michelle....my salsa recipe...

Roma Tomatos
Green Onion
Cliantro
Garlic Salt to taste
Sugar to taste
jalepenos (optional)
1 jar of medium salsa (Chi Chi's or Pace chunky)

Place salsa and tomatos in blender together...blend. Pour in bowl and save.

Place green onion and cilantro in blender together...blend. Pour in with tomatos.

Mix all together; add garlic salt and sugar to taste. (I leave sugar out and add splenda or sweetner when serving).

If you want to freeze this add 1 Tablespoon of bacon grease to mix. (This acts as a preservative)


I don't know the number of tomatos or other ingredients I use, I just throw them in the blender til I think it looks good. Do not blend till mushy or watery. Only blend till chunky.

If you want it hotter, you can blend in a few jalapenos.

Most everyone LOVES this salsa.

Morning all - Morena Porangi
Tena koutou katoa

Okay - Muesli. Michelle I will give you the original recipe and then talk about my variations. It's an old recipe.

Basic Muesli:
6 cups rolled oats
2 cups wheatgerm
1-11/2 cups brown sugar
1/2 cup sultanas

Mix all ingredients except the sultanas in a large dry roasting pan. Bake at 350F (180C) for 30 minutes stirring every 5/10 minutes so the mixture does not brown too much on the sides and bottom of the pan. Remove from oven, add sultanas, cool and store in airtight tins or jars.

Interesting muesli
Add to the basic mix (minus the sultanas)
1 cup skim milk powder
1/2 cup coconut
1/2 cup soy flour
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1-2 tablespoons chopped almonds
1-2 tablespoons chopped brazil nuts
1/2 cup dried apricots chopped
1/2 cup dried apples chopped
1/2 cup sultanas
Mix all ingredients except fruit and bake as above. Add the fruit to the warm mixture

Okay - so I never use that amount of sugar. Sometimes I forgot about it all together. And I don't make that huge amount either. Try cutting the recipe in half or quarter. I also often add lecithin from the health food stores. And or bran sometimes as well. Depends on what is in the cupboard. And it doesn't have to be toasted. Leave out the flour if you are going to eat it raw.

Bircher Muesli. Now this is something I really love
To one cup of muesli add another cup of rolled oats
1 cup of wheatbran if not added already
2 cups hot water
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/4 cup almonds if not already there
200g low fat flavoured yoghurt
1 green apple grated
150g seasonal fruit per serve
2 tablespoons honey (preferably the Bee Vital or Active X or Manuka Honey - you may be able to get this from the health food store or the health food section of the supermarket. Beware it is not cheap)
Put oats, meusli and bran in a large ceramic bowl and pour over lemon juice and hot water. Soak for 30 minutes
Add almonds, yoghurt, and apple and stir to combine. Cover and refridgerate overnight.
Serve with fruit and a drizzle of honey plus extra yoghurt.
Serves 8 - so you could cut it down if you don't want so much. Keeps and improves over 4 days. This recipe is from the CSIRO dietbook.

I'll think up some bakes and frittatas later today.

Michelle - me ??? organised and methodical. :rofl: :lol3: :rofl: :lol3: :rofl: :lol3: :rofl: :lol3: :rofl: :lol3: :rofl: :lol3:
Your talking to someone who has their best ideas in the middle of the night. Sit up straight in bed - mutter Eureka that's what I'll do and settle down again. At least that's what the ex said I did. When I got the rest of the house moving, I would be back to sound asleep apparently.

Gotta go. Work calls. I'll be back to finish this shortly. For those of you having trouble in the throne room, try a Fuji apple and melted balsamic onions during the day. Works wonderfully for me.

Back later

Michelle
Congrats

Just a quick fly by. Didn't stop tonight until after 12:30 so I am a bit tired. Only have one side of a sheet of paper from a steno book left to do then I am done :). Taking me a bit longer to do things because I am watching out for the shoulders and back. Sorry I haven't had time to chat with everyone.

ANNIE...WITH ALL THE PROBLEMS OF TOMATOES AND SALMONELLA...GOOD THING YOU STILL HAVE YOUR OWN SALSA!! :yikes:

MICHELLE..."ONDERFULLNESS" :rofl: :rofl: HOPE YOU DO FIND THE TIME TO BASK IN THE JOY OF IT!

HAPPY...HOPE THE MEETINGS WENT WELL! HAPPY DAY!

SHAD....WELCOME AND GOOD MORNING TO YOU ALSO! THANKS FOR THE RECIPES. IF I FEEL ENERGIZED ONE DAY I MIGHT JUST TRY ONE! :lol3: A FUJI APPLE AND MELTED BALSAMIC ONIONS??? :faint: DID YOU FIND THIS CONCOCTION OUT BY ACCIDENT??
rofl: :rofl:

RENNIE...HAPPY STENO-ING!!!

:cofdate: DARK AND GLOOMY TODAY. I WANT TO GET INTO THE BEDROOM AND FINISH THE CLOTHES MESS I HAVE MADE. I WAS GOING THRU SOME WINTER THINGS THAT I HAVEN'T WORN AT ALL. STILL DECIDING!
JEN WILL BE HERE TODAY. THE GIRL IS WITH HER UNCLE AND JEN HAS THE DAY "OFF" FROM MOTHERHOOD.
I AM OFF TO SHOWER AND EAT. FEELING DECIDEDLY SWEATY THIS MORNING. VERY HUMID OUTSIDE.
HAPPY THURSDAY/FRIDAY! :moped:

Happy Thursday ladies --

Wishing it was Friday, but today will be much better for me than yesterday. I've got one of my big projects done, and the other one looks to be nearly done. Phew. Last night, some friends of mine and I volunteered to sort donated new clothes (department store samples and discontinued clothes) for an organization that donates to low-income families and right now to flood victims. Tonight, I plan to go to the gym for cardio and strength training. :strong:

Annie - Thanks for the salsa recipe! and for the tip about adding bacon grease as a preservative to freeze it!

Shad - Thanks for the muesli recipes. I, too, get my best ideas in the middle of the night. Usually about 3 am. I wake up and write it down, and go back to sleep. Sultanas - never heard of them so I looked it up...a type of grape or raisin. I'm guessing for muesli you use raisins, right?

Rennie - On the go until 12:30? My gosh, girlfriend, don't overdo it, okay?

Mel - We're having a very muggy day here too. Here's to staying cool and dry today, huh? Have fun going through your clothes. I'm looking forward to going through my clothes again soon and donating all my Size 16s and up!

Happy - Hope your meetings went well and that you have a great day today.

Well, better get to it....still have a project that needs to get done.