Morning all,

Brrrr Annie and Michelle - and probably Mel too - stay warm and huddled. Not envying you at all. We all said we had lucked out with mild winters for at least the last 10 years but the last 2 have come back with a vengence.

DH and I were watching the weather channel last night to catch the local weather and they showed record heat in Los Angeles of 80+ degrees and something like -40F up in International Falls, MN probably one of the coldest places in the U.S. Such crazy extremes tell you that Momma Nature is getting P.O.'d and things are more than a bit screwy.

As for you Canadian chickies - you are indeed a hearty lot!

Annie - I don't know what it is with guys and hootch but for some it's like catnip - they just have to rub around in it and get crazy until they are rolling on the floor! I've seen DH do it too when he gets with buddies - the longer he's stayed away from it, the worse he gets when he gets an opportunity. Of course he never sees it the way I do and we just fight about it. Although I have to say when he went out on Christmas week, he kept it to 2 beers or so and I was really happy about that. Anyway, guess you just have to look aside. Sounds like he had some steam to blow off any way. Guys have different ways of venting than we do... It's hardly ever personal but generally makes us cock our heads to the side and go whuuuuuuhh???

Shad - thank you for your perspective on the job. Interesting example how things are not what they seem, eh? I figured something had to be odd about that - either it was a publicity stunt or a job doomed to failure. That story is making its rounds across the U.S., no doubt more heavily in places like Annie's where if you stand still long enough, your foot will freeze to the pavement

Not much going on today and I have to get moving along. Take care all and have a good day...

Ceejay - thank you for the insight on the diamond mine. I feel better about it now. Might just wait and see with the weather and decide to go on a whim instead of planning something out way ahead of time.

I guess I'd better start practicing touching my toes so I can bend down for long periods of time

SORRY I CANNOT COMMENT TODAY. FEELING A LITTLE TIRED. THINK I DID A BIT TOO MUCH WITH EVERYTHING. I COULDN'T EVEN HELP ANYONE YESTERDAY. I STARTED AND CAME RIGHT BACK. THIS FRIGID WEATHER IS NOT HELPING AT ALL. THE LOBBY FLOOR IS FREEZING. GUESS I WILL HAVE TO STAY UP HERE
HAVE A GREAT DAY. HAPPY WEDNESDAY

Hey ladies -

So glad the week is half over. It's cold here and I wish I could just stay at home. Tomorrow will be even colder with a high temp of around -5 (without the wind chill). The wind chill tomorrow will make it -30 or -40. Yuck.

I'm super, super busy today, and I know that by the time I get home, I'll be really tired. I feel okay in terms of energy during the day, but by evening, all I want to do is relax. And since it will be so cold...I think that's just what I'll do when I get home.

Shad - I actually heard about that job on the news last night. It sure sounds great....but I'm sure they'll pick some hottie (male or female). Thanks for your perspective on island living. Goanas as big as crocs! No thank you!

Mel - You stay inside and stay warm and REST!

Annie - Like Happy says, sometimes guys do that. Don't take it personally. He should've called that's true. But as sick as he was, he probably didn't think about that. And I agree with Shad's advice. Ultimatums rarely ever work. Just talk with Tony, work it out and reach a compromise.

Happy - You're right....since we've lived in Wisconsin (almost 8 years now), the winters have been comparatively mild up until last year. Then last year and this have been rough! Whatever Momma Nature is PO'd about, we have to beg forgiveness and soon!

Patty - If it's warm by you, can you send some heat up north, please?

Here's to a great rest of the day for all of us! I hope the calculations in my report start balancing! Arrrgh. I know the afternoon will be better. Because I'll be getting closer and closer to time to go home!

Love and hugs to all,

Would you believe I'm still in my robe and slippers? This feels really decadent. I was going to soak in the tub for a while this morning but spent two hours on phone calls. Right not it's time to do the bath thing and then get dressed. I'm a real slug today but it is my birthday so......!

A very, very Happy Birthday to you Ruth! Stay warm and enjoy the day!!!

Ruth...Party like a rock star, it's your birthday!!!

Finally we got the day right

Happy Birthday RuthXXX

I think big birthdays should be celebrated for at least one day per decade so a week is about right.
Jazz's littermate is here for a playdate. Puppies at play are way too funny! Disney is a bit disgusted with their nonsense but is being tolerant.

Pressed the wrong button there and instead of preview, I posted. Well that is the second silly thing I have done today and it is only 5.35pm. I think I am losing it.

Ruth - I love the thought of puppies playing. Specially goofy big puppies.

Happy - I think the job is a hoax I don't see that the QLD Tourist Board would go outside Australia to advertise a job that they could do perfectly well themselves, and probably have done if it exists. I can hear the outcry from here if they got someone foreign to do it.
Not to put too fine a point on it. Hamilton Island, as are many of the other islands out on the reef, is privately owned and while the administrators might get together to advertise the area, I can't see the owners allowing someone to hop over to Daydream or Palm Islands and advertise their charms and amenities. Hamilton, by the way, is the big island and has the most expensive hotel and marina on the reef. They hold the culinary and wine tasting competitions on it with chefs competing from around the world.
You wont be the only one taken in by that ad. It is probably a tourism ploy anyway. Since Hamilton is one of the more outlying islands in the Whitsundays group, it will take the entire 12 hours to just boat around all the other inner islands and the mainland town of Airlie much less try to get to the other outlying islands of the reef - which by the way is 1700kms long!
Sorry to burst the bubble but I don't think any of us should apply!

Michelle - Brrr that is cold, I think if I do decide to come over for a white Christmas, I should only stay a few days. I'm old and woosie when it is cold for long periods of time. I might whinge about the heat, but you should hear me when I am cold.

Mel - stay indoors and keep warm. That bug that you had is twice as vicious if it comes back for the second time. Take care.

Today will see the end of the massive cleanup of the back yard. Thank heavens for that. I'm going to have to work out some system of keeping the place in order while I am away. I am not getting much else done in the fight to keep the jungle down. We now have a mile of stuff to take to the dump.

Oh for heavens sake, I'm just keeping an eye on the Sunrise Morning Show on TV and they are talking about banning the clothing on dogs. I guess that will start some debate. The vets will be out there stating that dogs need sunnies and hats and if they are white - sunscreen. They will also say that some dogs - particularly the (revolting) hairless variety need coats in the winter - all of which I don't mind. I don't like dogs being dressed up with little dresses and bows etc., but banning it - is this all we have to worry about?? We have to remember that for some of us out there, the dog or cat is the only companionship they get since their families rarely visit or completely forget about them.

I'm off to dig up the garden - before I throw things at the telly!!!

Shad....not to mention all the people out of work and need clothed, food, roofs over their heads. Why not work on that instead of clothing dogs? Dogs have it made (mostly) at least my dog does.

[BLINK]Just a dash in to wish Ruth ~

A Happy Birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!![/BLINK]

Now my sinus infection and I are going to go lay down...

Happy Birthday Ruth

At minimum 2 days a year a lady should feel special - Mother's Day and her birthday. So if you want to celebrate all week - go right ahead! Hope you had a great day in frozen tootsie land.

My cat is circling - she wants to go out. But it's late, I'm about to head to bed and the frigid winds are headed our way. She will just have to deal with it and be glad she is warm inside.

I have an early morning class so I won't be posting until maybe lunch time so just wanted to pop in and say hello.

Stay warm Ceejay.

With all of us with sinus problems (myself included) a hot tea helps the drippy throat and the warm cup on the temple feels kind of good too.

Good on yah for getting that yard clean Shad. If you're getting rains, then someone should figure out how to keep the yard up. I'm sure tho while DS takes care of the inside, no one probably cares about outside as much as you I'm sure it looks pretty though.

Wind chill of minus 40 Michelle. Oh good heavens! I can't even imagine the car wanting to start in that. You could probably drive all the way to work before it warmed up. Nothing like frosty breath on the inside of the car icing up your windshield from the inside out. Stay warm and wrap up your mouth - those poor lungs don't need a flash freeze! Hope those calculations netted out ok for you

Mel - I think you did the right thing staying put in your apartment. The cold is not good on the muscles or the bones and joints. Just pretend you are taking care of Mel today, ok?

Hi Patty, Madcat and Carla the Lurker

I think it's time to hit my snuggly bed and cool pillows for some serious snoozing time. See yah!