Morning chicks,

Quickee post for me this am. We seem to have another cat (female) that is trying to adopt us. She's been coming around and we fed her. Last night DH petted her head, she plopped down on the blanket and (DH said) she waited for us to let her in the house. She gave up the blanket and walked away, 5 minutes later, Mr. Feral was all snuggled into the new set of blankets I laid out on the porch. Such is life at a cat flop house - move fast or you lose your bed. Mr. Feral had a nice comfy sleep, he's still curled up this morning.

Brrrr. Mel. I am so ready to be done with the cold too. One more day for us. I heard on the news that it's been 40 years since they had that much snow here. I'm surprised the city has not come to a grinding halt though I hear the highways were backed up for 9 hours the day of the snows. Sorry you had to cancel shopping - what's for breakfast? I have pancakes, english muffins, eggs, yogurt and berries - take your pick.

Madcat for you and your sweet sis.

Shad - did you find your Danes? Maybe you need to set out a trail of Danish biscuits to snare them Glad you got an apartment. Are you near the fires?

Nice to see you Ruth. and good thoughts for Shirleyanne.

I made the Sweet Onion Chicken Teryaki sauce yesterday. Not too bad. Not exactly like the sandwich shoppe but still with the sweet/sour sugar/vinegar thing. It was 1 point per tablespoon full and it actually did make a good sandwich. I will post the recipe later.

Gotta run now, early morning meeting. to the chicks I didn't get to. Will try and catch up at lunch. to all - stay warm and cozy.

Happy Cold Tuesday...

MEL...We were much warmer than you this morning...a high of 14 degrees. I am so ready for cold weather to be gone.

Happy...I guess what you are saying is you run a cat house. hahaha

Ruth...hope your March is a little more mellow for you.

Shad...how's the new joint working out for you?

Michelle....did the exercising get you down?

Not much going on here either. I put together pizza noodle casserole last night to throw in the oven tonight when Tony comes over. Thinking about a salad and maybe garlic toast to go with it. Probably ghetto garlic toast.

We leave for St. Louis Friday night. Will get to see little Miss Olivia. She is already 6 mos old. Time sure flies. Samantha, her BF, Tony and I are all going out. This should be interesting. We have never gone away together. Hard to believe T and I will be together 6 months in a week or so. Amazing.

Tony is still teetering on the job front. They will know more come April 1. His company is offering a buy out of 60K per person in hopes not to lay anyone off. He is thinking of taking it and going back to school full time. He will have enough with the buy out, 401K, and savings to live about 3 years. The only thing he will not have is health benefits, which could get scarey as he still is responsible for his two sons that are 17. Big decisions on his part. I am staying out of it. Don't want to be responsible for any mishaps.

Better get to work. Got lots on my plate today. Also eating like a horse for some reason. MOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! Oh that would be a cow.

Hello to all.

Love and hugs.

Hi everyone -

I'm doing great! I had fun at the gym last night doing a killer strength training class which really worked the entire body. Then I did 1/2 hour on the recumbent stepper. Afterward, I went home, ate dinner, showered and relaxed. Tonight, I'm hoping to do an Abs class followed by a Yoga class.

I'm crazy busy at work today...but I'm not complaining...it keeps me out of trouble (yeah, right!). Anyway, I'd better get back to work. I'll be back later to do personals.

Love and hugs to all,

A TURKEY MEATLOAF IS IN THE OVEN. SOME SALAD IS ALL CUT UP AND I ALREADY EXERCISED. CAN YOU TELL THE DAY IS GOING WELL? THE PHONE IS TURNED OFF AND I AM GETTING A LOT MORE DONE THAT WAY. I AM FEELING EMPOWERED THIS WEEK. IT ALL STARTED WITH THE SPRING-LIKE DAY LAST WEEK AND THEN THE SNOWSTORM BOOSTED IT UP TO A HIGHER LEVEL. WEIRD HUH? BUT THEN I HAVE NEVER BEEN NORMAL AT ANYTHING!!
A FRIEND AND I, AT HER SUGGESTION, HAVE BEEN DRESSING UP RATHER THAN DOWN ON FRIDAYS SINCE LAST MONTH..NOTHING FANCY BUT NO JEANS OR SWEATS. I HAVE TO ADMIT THAT I HAVE BEEN FEELING BETTER...EVEN WHEN I DON'T GO OUTSIDE!! GO FIGURE. NOW I AM GOING TO LOOK AT THE WEATHER CHANNEL AND THEN PICK AN OUTFIT FOR FRIDAY!



A NO SALT-ADDED TURKEY MEATLOAF
1 egg white (beaten, not frothy)

¼ cup ground oats (grind in a coffee grinder...i also use flavored breadcrumbs instead)

½ teaspoon onion powder

1/8 cup finely chopped onion

1 tablespoon fresh snipped parsley (I use dried)

1 teaspoon Mrs. Dash Table Blend (I use my own mix)

¼ - ½ teaspoon oregano

¼ teaspoon sweet basil

1 lb ground turkey breast

TOPPING
¼ cup ketchup

2 tablespoons Splenda (I use a dash of real sugar)

1 teaspoon dry mustard

1/8 teaspoon black pepper

Pre-heat oven to 350º

Mix together the egg white, ground oats, onion, onion powder, parsley, Mrs. Dash, basil and oregano. Add in ground turkey mixing it well. Put mixture into the loaf pan and pat it down. Bake in oven until you meatloaf reaches an internal temperature of 165º (about 45 - 60 minutes- the leaner your turkey is, the faster it will cook.)

Meanwhile, Mix together the ketchup, dry mustard, Splenda and pepper. When the meatloaf is finished add the ketchup mixture to the top and cook an additional 10 minutes. (I usually put it on right from the beginning)

I CANNOT "SEE" MADCAT MISS HAPPY! BUT MAYBE SHE IS IN OUR HEADS & HEARTS...OF SO I SEND SOME GOOD THOUGHTS AN HUGS ALONG WITH YOURS

APPY~ TELL MR FERAL TO MOVE OVER OR SAVE ME A SPACE CAUSE IF IT WARMS UP FASTER IN YOUR NECK OF THE WOODS...I AM COMING DOWN MOMMA!!! I AM SO READY FOR SUN AND HEAT!! THE SAUCE SOUNDED NICE. DO YOU JUST SPRINKLE IT ON??? WONDER IF WILL WOORK ON MEAT W/O ANY BREAD?
LOOKING FORWARD TO THE RECIPE...MOT FOR NOW BUT WHEN I AM FINALLY SKIN-MESS FREE

ANNIE~ WOW!! 6 MONTHS ALREADY???I AM SURELY GETTING OLD AND SENILE!! I AGREE WITH YOU AND AM READY FOR HOT HOT HOT BUT REMIND ME I SAID THAT WHEN I BIOTCH AbOUT THE HEAT THIS SUMMER! HAVE A GREAT TIME WITH EVERYONE ON THE TRIP!! TAKE NOTES..WE ARE NOOSEY...I MEAN INTERESTED!!

MICHELLE~ FWOW THAT WAS SOME WORKOUT YOU DID!! WAY TO GO. HAD I KNOW YOU WERE DOING SO MUCH I WOULD HAVE PASSED ON MY PEDALING AND LET YOU DO IT !!!

Hello Ladies,

Still battling this cold/sinus. At night is when it's worse with the coughing. I have NOT worked out at all this week. I'm planning on taking a day or two vacation this week and next. Maybe i can just rest and recoup.

Mitchellez - Glad to hear the PT is working. I know you in a hurry to get back to your old routine, but take it easy. You'll get there.

Mel - thanks for the receipe. Glad you having a wonderful day.

Annie - 14degrees. that is cold. Our temp have been up and down, that's probably why i have this cold/sinsus. Sounds like an exciting trip this weekend. First trips with boyfriends always make me nervous. I"ll keep Tony in my prayers. He has some big decisions to make.

Shad - hope you had a good walk this morning. I hope you were able to get things settled for your move in.

Happy - your breakfast selection sounded good. Do you think the new cat might try and go at Mr Feral.?

Ruth - Let's both March out of a crappie month... March on... I too am looking forward to doing some planting. Do you have a full garden? I just plant in big garden pots.

PATTY...HOPE YOU WILL BE FEELING MUCH BETTER WHEN YOU REST UP AND RECOUP YOUR STRENGTH!

Just popping into say hello. I'm still busy at work.

Mel
I like your routine. Sounds like mine.

Geez Mel - I went to Google to look up Union Suit. It's a bit much for this hour of the morning - Puhlllllleeeeeeezzzzze.

I entered 'Union Long Johns' and clicked on images and there were a stack of drawings of union suits and long johns. At the end of the first page of pictures something caught my eye and yes HE was wearing a red union suit but it was not done up and three guesses as to what he had in his hand. Eeeeeuuuuuuuu - this is not a regular sight at 8.30am. in Melbourne or anyplace else I have visited for that matter.
Turkey meatloaf sounds nice.

Happy - do you have one of those invisible signs outside the gate. "Strays Pet Motel". All welcome but please one at a time. You will spend your super on cat food!!!
Teriyaki stuff sounds good as well. I might try some of these things when I get into the apartment - which will be next Tuesday.

Annie - 6 months with T. I hope he finds some relief on the workfront soon. Maybe if he does decide on school, he can do some maths on the health benefits. If he and the kids don't use it that often, he might be better off funding it himself. I do this. I refuse to take out health insurance but I put away a lump sum and then something smaller every month. It's there earning interest if I need it and if I don't well it makes a great holiday package!! I've been round the world twice on my medical benefits. Good reward for staying well, eating well, and looking after yourself. It is a bit of a gamble, but in my case it is worth it.

Michelle - were all those activities PT recommended???? take it easy woman.

Patty - hope they come up with something to tame this sinus infection shortly. Seems you have had this forever.

I shift into my Apartment on Tuesday. I am going for a walk at lunch time - provided it is not too hot to find out how long it will take to walk to and from work. According to the map it is 1.2k and will take 24 mins. But I don't know whether the map is just making assumptions because it can or because someone 6'6" actually walked it. Anyway, that's what I will do. This weekend is a long weekend in Victoria. R and I are going to Philip Island to watch the penguins come ashore. I will take the camera and take photos as I can. I have seen the penguins before but not the nightly show where the whole bunch waddle out of the sea and make their way to their burrows. It should be fun. It is about 2 hours drive from Melbourne and not near the fires. And I'm not near the fires either. They are around 11/2 to 2 hours drive to the north east of here. My apartment is about a block from the Southbank promenade and river.
Better get on with it. I'll try to get back in here later.

And I forgot to mention I lost another 1kg this week.

Happy March Worldly Chickies!!!!! Madly waving HI!!!

SHAD~ LET ME GUESS....IT WASN'T A TURKEY MEATLOAF????? I SHOULD TRY GOOGLOMG MORE OFTEN!!! CONGRATULATIONS ON THE 1K!!!! YOU'RE ON A ROLL. MUST BE ALL THE PLANTING AND WALKING!! CONGRATS ON THE APARTMENT IF I FORGOT TO SAY THAT BEFORE AND ENJOY THE PENGUINS! WHAT A GREAT SIGHT THAT MUST BE.


I THOUGHT THERE WAS ANOTHER PAGE BUT I GUESS I AM NOT AWAKE YET. THIS IS A QUICK FLYBY...I NEED TO GET OFF SO THE PHONE CAN RING. THE GOVT THINKS I CAN FOLLOW THEM AROUND FROM OFFICE TO OFFICE AND I NEED PHONE INTERVIEWS THIS SAGA MAY NEVER END. IN THE MEANTIME THE LADY LIED AND THEY DID TAKE MONEY OUT OF MY CHECK I AM REALLY SO SICK OF ALL THIS AND THEIR UNCARING ATTITUDE. SIGH.
OK I AM OFF TO FIGHT THE FORCES OF EVIL
ALSO.... TOMORROW IS TRADER JOES SO I WON'T BE BACK TILL LATE AFTERNOON.
HAVE A GREAT DAY.

Good morning chicks - it's supposed to be 60 degrees today. Last of the snow should melt. Buh-bye. Looking forward to the warmer weather even if it will bring the rains with it.

Mel - good luck with the g-men. I'm really sorry you have to suffer so much and explain again, and again, and AGAIN. They really need to spend their time on the real cheaters and leave those doing the right thing alone. I hope you connect with the right people and get your money back. Loved your routine - I can relate

Right back at you Holly! How are you doing?

Shad on the pounds down I'll bet that makes you happy. I'm thinking it's the cold weather that did it

Patty - when I was battling the schumutz in the lungs (and it's on temporary hiatus now as it's always around) - the nurse practicioner suggested a cough medicine with a suppresant at bedtime to get some rest and plain old Mucinex (not Mucinex D or any additives) during the day with lots of water to clear the lungs out. Not sure if that helps with seasonal allergies where the environment is making all the mucus but it's worth a try. I take the Actifed at night when I'm wet and wheezy and that dries me up a bit. Some nights it's just a lost cause tho. Feel better.

Michelle - you are an exercise MACHINE - wow - keep up the great work. The woman is back in dah house

Annie - pizza noodle casserole, ghetto garlic toast? Sounds interesting but not WW points friendly so maybe I'm better off not knowing. 6 months with Tony already! Congrats to you both...

Good morning Ceejay, Ruth and the rest of the crew.

Gotta run, I swore I'd get to work earlier today.

Good Morning Worldlies..........

Shad...congrats on the loss...you go girl. I would love to see the penguins. Do take some pix if possible.

MEL...the turkey meatloaf sounds scrumptious...send some my way. YUM. You are like me, sick to death of fighting for everything due you in life. Right now I am fighting the insurance company for a new roof that got half blown away.

Michelle...you impress the socks right off of me with your exercising. Exercise Goddess, you.

Happy...Hidee Ho!!

Hollybelle...Howdie to you too, my friend. Miss you bunches.

Patty.. you poor thing, you have had one long battle with the sinuses, etc. Do feel better.

Ceejay...Hey to you...you busy little beaver.

Not much going on here. Mr. T came over last night for dinner. We had an enjoyable evening. I think Hella Bella is in love with T. She tends to bark at us when he kisses or hugs me. LOL

Hello to all the Worldly Girlies...

Much Love and Many Hugs

Heeellllooooo from the wilderness of ID, Hope all is well with everyone! Nice to see a few of our good friends stopping by to wave!!! Come again soon!

I have just today to put in and then Toby and I are off on a little trip over the mountains to see a former neighbor and friend. It should be lots of fun....I will try to walk as much as I eat and drink>>>>>is that possible????? If laughter could take off the pounds I should come back home skinny!!!!

I am down 7lbs. since the beginning of the year....ugh that was tougher than I thought it might be but there is more to conquer. My yoga class is kicking my behind!!!!

Happy the house looks so wintery dressed in its white garment. Hope all the plants survive the little nip of winter. You have so many great plants to enjoy in that part of the world.

I went into the basement and found my tulips were growing despite absolutely no attention whatsoever...so I brought them up and plopped a few bulbs throughout some pots in the house....oh joy I may have blossoms someday soon!
Joy, the pics are so unique of those plants. What fun! Hope you get settled soon and it turns out to be a good thing. Maybe a handsome neighbor or two!!!! Do tell>

Mel, you sound great! Hope you are able to get out and about soon. It was so fun to show my patient the chair she can't take it home til next week but the sense of relief and calm was very cool to see in her.

I do hope everyone else is doing well and getting healthy and leaving those colds and flus behind. SPring is almost here sooner for some than other of us in the North. Loved the comment Ruth from the minister....it is a great comment. What would we do without humor in our worlds.

Family stuff going on in my little clan..... I am just remaining calm in the midst of it and sending good thoughts good vibes to my little tribe.

Peace to all the Worldlies,
Rose