Shad
The roses are beautiful

I'm honestly seeing the light in this long tunnel. Wtih today I have 4 working days left.

Looks like everyone is sleeping in this morning.

Sunday Ceejay - you are up with the sparrows because you are working, I'm here because it is kinder hard to sleep when the x-rated bird chorus starts earlier and earlier. Spring has sprung in my neck of the woods. We are having summer temperatures during the day and it is not even officially spring yet. I might have to go out and get a job so I don't have to run my own a/c.

Not much going on here this morning. It is Monday and the worker bees are all on the way to work and I should be out doing my walk/run/shuffle before it gets too hot. Todays menu calls for painting, cleaning and clearing. The garbo will be busy at my place this week. I also need to de-clutter and work out what is going on with the vacuum cleaners we have around the joint. One doesn't pick up much stuff and the other appears to have a blockage in the tube. I guess I get to take it apart - aargh.

Apart from that, nothing much on the horizon today. A check of the job list doesn't give me much joy and I really need to sit down and figure out what I want to do with myself and work out a financial plan and budget. Such fun.

Hello Ladies,

Had a relaxing weekend, went over to parents yesterday. They were celebrating their 56th Wedding Anniversay. The anniversary is actually today but my brother was in town and was leaving today. Had a good time, ate to much. I'm so blessed my parents are healthy and still movin around.

Shad - sounds like you have a full day ahead of you, I hope you got alot done.

Ceejay - 4 days left....

Hello ladies,

Reluctantly, I am back. Dreading getting back into the "swing of things". Vacation was just FABULOUS The yurt was the most peaceful, relaxing thing I have experienced in a long, long LONG time. When we got out of the car to check in the very first thing I noticed was Quiet. Just the sound of the wind. A very special quiet. The hot tub was wonderful, DH and I had 2 massages which were great. We got two excellent nights of meteor shower viewing. It was a trek getting up the mountain and except for a one day excursion to check out a natural dam, we mostly stayed up on the mountain. I did not miss tv and the wireless internet was not working. DH went to the office to check email, I sat in the hot tub. I told him I could not remember, at least since we moved down here almost 5 years ago, 2 days passing when I wasn't ticked off about something. Instead I was relaxed and refreshed. The only thing to somewhat spoil it was that we are staying afterall in tent like structures (which were incredible BTW) but the walls are made of canvas and sound carries. Wednesday night some people checked into the yurt just uphill of us and as the sun set, many moaning noises started to come out of the yurt. It carried on all night long. Sounded like sexy time for those 2 (it was 2 men) but I told DH HOW many Viagras did they take, was it possible to have sex for THAT LONG? We were sitting out on the deck catching the meteors, it was about 2 am and he said well it sounds like sex noises but... no one could carry on for that many hours straight so maybe they just had an affliction like Tourette's or some thing. He said he continued to hear them throughout the night and was certain one of them had a medical problem. Only thing was, they were quiet as quiet could be all Thursday and even when we left Friday morning. We had debated about staying 2 more days at the yurts (wish we would have). But decided to keep to our plans and headed to Heber Springs. This was over in the foothills of the Ozarks, not too far from where we went to the caverns Shad. In fact we we took a drive out that way but didn't hit the caves again. Instead we spent the day at the Folk Center watching artisans doing things the old fashioned way like make wooden toy tops, quilts, paper printing, dolls, brooms, knifes and such. It was very interesting. This was a fisherman's paradise and since we don't fish, there wasn't much to do at all. Our little room at the lodge was cute and cozy but it was on the second floor up lots of stairs and faced west. They neglected to turn the air conditioning on and the place was an oven when we got there in the late afternoon. It took all night to cool down. Then the hot water unit went out and all we got was lukewarm water. The owner was a wonderful lady who really wanted to make the place a nice romantic getaway place for couples and had spend big bucks on special on demand water heaters which she apparently had nothing but trouble with. One of the selling points of this place was a great big spa bath with a jacuzzi. I took a bath anyway even with barely warm water. DH was a sweetie and boiled water in pots on the stove for me so that I didn't chill out. Packed up this morning and headed home. Picked up the cat who for one actually seemed appreciative of us and was affectionate. Mr. Feral hung around the yard and kept an eye on things tho I was surprised that he didn't come out when he heard us and mooch some canned food after 6 days of nothing but dry food. We knew he was out there because Boo went crusing the yard and when she got to the back azaleas we heard the unmistakeable sound of cats screetching at each other. DH went and looked and Mr. Feral was lounging in one of his hang outs. He did come by and nibble at his canned food throughout the evening but I didn't actually see him.

So we had a most wonderful time. I am not looking forward to getting back out in traffic with the nut cases tomorrow and getting back in the usual rut. I have a slight case of sciatica that started at the yurt and has come and gone but got worse since climbing the stairs back and forth several times at the cabin the last 2 days.

I'm really sleepy now and 6am will come fast so I think I will go find my hair brush and tooth brush and hit the sack. Will catch up on posts tomorrow. Goodnight all.

Hi Shad, I see your "aig" lit up there. So while I'm off to sleep, good afternoon to yah!

Good to have you 'home' happy. I'm so glad you enjoyed yourselves. Interesting noises out in the 'wild' hey!

Oh Poop....the Elevat0or Man Just Arrived And John Is On Vacation....be Back Later
Beautiful Flower Shad!

Monday..Monday....do do do da doo da doo.....

What a busy, fast, overworked weekend it was. Shuweee, glad to get back to the desk job to re-coup!

Weekend went a little different than I had planned. Was gonna go home Friday night and clean, but T called me on my way home and had a deal for me....He came over on his bike Friday night, we ordered pizza and rented a movie..went to bed and actually slept all night long. We got up and went for a 5 hour Harley ride. Stopped in a town that has an awesome restaurant to eat. Mooresville, IN-at Gray Brother's Cafeteria. OMG it was so good. We shared a tenderloin the size of a small breakfast table, then salad, green beans, mashed tatos (with lumps) YUM and gravy. T had coconut cream pie that was a mile high. He had fried tatos. Got home about 2:30..had a little extra activity..hehe...then he left about 3 pm. I cut the grass (not hoe mowed either), tanned came home and died. Sunday I worked 11-7 pm at CVS, went to DD to get hair colored after work, no more got there, T called and had locked his keys in his van, so no hair color, had to go rescue him. Got home at 9pm, cleaned house til 11:00 pm (but got it all done), bed and now here I sit. WOW! Sometimes I even amaze my ownself. Oh stopped at Dunkin Donuts on the way in, had a coupon for a FREE coffee and FREE donut. Like I needed the donut, now I feel fat and guilty for eating it. Why do I put myself through this ****?

Anyway, onto the new week.........

Happy....Glad you are back and had a marvelous vacation. All relaxing except for the "other tent". Isn't Cialas that has the 36 hour pill? You never know what they were up to. The massages were worth the entire vacation, I love massages...and the meteor shower, how cool!

Shad...the flower is a real beauty. I saw it on facebook. Great suggestion on the meeting...standing..however I am positive no one would participate. That staff meeting is only once a month, thank God. Be careful painting the loo, don't get all aerobicized in there and twist your back...hehe.

Patty...wearing stilettos is my love now. When I was so heavy and didn't dare wearing them, I swore, no more flat, ballerina shoes. A little vain, but I think stilettos are hot, and I wanted to TRY to look hot. Happy 50th anniversary to momma/da, what a milestone. It is really something to make it that long this day and age.

Chelle...off exercising I suppose. You are remarkable with the routine. Keep up the good work and I am POSITIVE you will see results at WW this week. Yeah, a 3 hour staff meeting, probably wouldn't be as long if people didn't ramble because they think they are important and like to hear themselves talk.

MEL...what, no shopping on Friday, are you getting the DTs? How was your meli-weekend? My grandma used to have blackish/blueish/purpleish hair. WHen jake was two, he told her, her hair looked like an Easter egg. She said what? as she had hard hearing, and I piped up that he said her hair look pretty. YIKES...she was vain and would of sh*t if she knew what he really said. lol

Ceejay...your sister should of called me. I would of squeezed her into my hectic schedule. Any sis of yours is a sis of mine...Let's see is it 4 days left or 3 days left, you don't count the day your are on.

This Wednesday is my son's 21st birthday, unfortunately I have to work that night at CVS, but we are planning another "night" out. T and I stopped at Ward's Apparell, a Levi jean outlet and country store. I bought DS a 40$ western shirt. Snapps closed with black pearly buttons and a bolo tie...tie was only 15$. He is just a hick from the sticks. God love his heart.

Hey to everyone else....have a terrific Monday All...

Much Love and Many Hugs

Oh and MEL...do not say OH POOP, you know how WE are....hehehe

SHAD~ I HEAR YA ON THE SINUS HEADACHES. I WAS DLEARING OUT A CLOSET YESTERDAY AND GUESS THE DUTS MITES GOT UP MY NOSE HOPE YOU GOT All YOUR PAINTING AND TIMBER BUYING DONE...YOU DID ENOUGH WORK FOR ALL OF US!! THANKS FOR SHARING FIONA'S WISH WITH US. THE FLOWER IS APTLY NAMED!! BEAUTIFUL.

JEANETTE...I AM GLAD YOU TOLD ME ABOUT THE INSERT FOR THE XANAX...I REMINDED MY FRIENDS TO RE-READ THIS!! BOTH OF THEM ARE NOT SLEEPING ENOUGH. THANKS SO MUCH. NOW IT'S 3 MORE DAYS???

LET ME GO TO THE NEXT PAGE....BE RIGHT BACK.....

PATTY~ GLAD THE PARENTS ARE WELL AND HAPPY AND CELEBRATING HAVE A GOOD WEEK.

HOME HAPPY~ WOW THE VACAY SOUNDED WONDERFUL. I AM GLAD YOU HAD SUCH A GREAT TIME. I WOULD HAVE LOVED THE METEORS. NOW HOLD ON TO THIS FEELING AND DON'T LET ANYONE TAKE IT AWAY FROM YOU THIS WEEK. HAPPY...READ ANNIE'S POST...MAYBE SOME OF THAT NOCTURNAL BLISS NOISE WAS COMING FROM HER.

ANNIE~ NOTHING LIKE FREE RIDES, FREE COFFEE, FREE DONUTS AND FREE SEX TO MAKE A GREAT WEEKEND EXCEPT FOR THE TIME AT CVS...THE WEEKEND SOUNDED GREAT!! SPEAKING OF POOP....I'VE BEEN VERY HAPPY IN THAT DEPARTMENT

THE WEATHER IS HEATING UP AND THE AIR IS THE PITS. I RAN OUTSIDE VERY EARLY WHILE THE WASH WAS GOING AND GOT 2 LOADS DONE BEFORE 8:30. MIGHT AS WELL GET THE LAUNDRY DONE WHILE THE MAN WAS HERE FOR THE ELEVATOR. HE LEFT AND GOT SOME KIND OF PART AND CAME BACK. ALL IS WELL NOW. MOTA IS GOING TO LUNCH AT NOON AND I NEED TO GO DOWN FOR THE PHONE. YES I AM RACKING UP THE $$. WORKING ON AN EXTRA CHECK FOR DECEMBER NOW ALREADY ASSURED OF THE SEPTEMBER ONE.
MY PLAN IS TO KEEP DRINKING WATER, TOOK MY SINUS MEDS AND STAY INDOORS!!
HAVE A GREAT DAY

Trying to catch up on past posts. Random comments as I look through the thread...

Michelle - you headbanger you! Doing a little Ozfest on the treddie are you? I'm not a big Sabbath fan but I can bet that some songs just give you the right oomph to push those sprints! I'm sorry that you're at a temporary (and remember it's temporary) bump on the weight loss but just stick with it. Sometimes I swear we pick up weight just because it's raining outside! I understand tho, I have to see continuous results in order to keep up the suffering of the wl program Go and re-read that great poem you posted a few days back. I made a copy for myself to reference. Michelle - regarding the faint feeling - could be blood sugar or are you taking any vitamins or meds before you leave the house? If I take a vitamin on an empty stomach, I will get horridly nauseated and downright sick within 20 minutes. It's an awful feeling.

Ceejay - I certainly HOPE you are not pulling 12 hour shifts on your 10 day work week. I think you need a weekend in the yurts!

Shad - you are growing grapes too? I don't remember you talking about them. Sounds like a yummy breakfast. I'm loving fruit and yoghurt - with a few almonds or walnuts thrown in for crunch and Omega-3. Are you glad to get the loo finished up? Sounds like it's nice. I'm sorry to hear about the hearing aids. The cost more than anything. I was sure that my hearing had gone kaput. DH too. Had my hearing tested and the doc said it was fine. We just lose the ability to filter as we get older and therefore while we don't realize it actively, it's just the background noises interfering with our ability to filter in the tv or conversations and the like. He said he can no longer go to busy restaurants and hope to hear his wife across the table. I've noticed that too to the point I get very shy and quiet when dining out with a group - can barely hear the person next to me. All perfectly normal he said. When I mention this to other people my age, they agree - happens to them too. It's like you say - what good does it do to fret about it? At least you don't have to take meds with side effects and more meds to counter those effects.It's just yikes on the cost! Hope some work comes your way quickly to finance them. The rose is GORGEOUS by the way. Wish there was a way we could smell it too.

I agree with you - I never cared for Healthy Choice dinners but they really have improved the taste and offerings. There's a tortilla crusted fish from Lean Cuisine that is one of my favorites. Big scare in the cafeteria today - they have a special guest chef today and tomorrow. He's cooking Mediteranean food. There was a chicken dish with lots of small dabs of this and that for dipping and tasting. It was a nice meal even if I didn't know half of what I was eating I also know that Mediteranean is very healthful with lots of fresh veggies and whole grains so I knew it was not damaging even if I can't count the points. The scare part was that the southern folks down here are very apprehensive about eating much outside of what they know so they were peering at the counter with a look of fear as if they were roasting a whole yak on the grill The deli section got lots of customers today Too bad as they missed a great meal. Or they could order the veggie plate with steamed cabbage, cooked (not fried) okra with tomatoes and some squash

Annie - hb to the son - 21 at last! are you having pangs that your babies are growing up? You summer harvest sounds divine. I can just imagine how good the bounty tastes. I am amazed that you can cook the sweets and ignore them. I think you are spoiling the T-man. He may lose his taste for cereal yet Thanks for the fried rice recipe. So easy - can add all kinds of stuff in. I might use that for left over grilled chicken. Chocolate covered bacon? Ewwww. I know sometimes sweet and salty go well - as in Kettle popcorn but ick. A big on that one. Don't like the deep fried or chocolate covered stuff at the fairs. The only way I can even remotely imagine what it's like to be 6 feet tall is to climb on top of my credenza at work and take a look around. Boy does the world look different!!!! And the only way I will wear stillettos again - even if I do ever get skinny - is to sit on a chair and look at them with my leg in the air! Arthritis in the toes and the weight have made me part ways with any kind of heels ever again. I do miss my strappy dress shoes tho.

Mel - I know it's no fun to be "surprised" when certain foods react badly with your system but I tend to agree that if you need a "push" I'd rather enjoy a piece of candy over a pill. DH told me years ago that pears - fresh or canned - will help in that dept. He was right. They are good with cinnamon sprinkled on them. that everything goes ok with Jen. I HATE how they make you wait and wait for return calls - from the nurse, government or any service for that matter.

Patty - I know what you mean about it being sad with some of your friends not getting taken along on the re-hire. I hope they can find something quickly.

Laura - hope this is a better work week than last.

And with that, I need to get back to work myself. I was actually able to drive all the way to work today without once cussing, gesturing or getting mad. It will be a real feat if I can maintain that on the trip home!

Monday back at work after a busy weekend and I haven't caught up with all your posts, just skimmed the last page.

Annie - Sounds like a wonderful Friday and Saturday! Beats housecleaning!

Ceejay - Good job finding someone new to mow the lawn - and do the extra yard stuff too. Happy birthday in advance. It's nice to have a vacation to look forward to.

Happy - Welcome back from your vacation! I'm glad you liked the yurt, and glad you were able to enjoy the meteor showers. The peace and quite (well, mostly quiet except for that neighboring yurt) sounds just wonderful. Sorry the lodging your last couple days had some hitches. .

Mel - Yay for $$. I agree when the humidity goes up and the air quality is poor, it's just best to stay indoors with the AC on... until you get stir crazy.

Michelle - Sorry to hear the scale didn't reflect all your hard work. How frustrating! Agree with Shad to also pay attention to how your clothes fit. Hope your sore throat and fever aren't a sign a cold is on the way.

Shad - Beautiful photos of the rose! Hope the painting in the loo goes quickly - how about keeping a fan going to clear the air? We finally bought a small fan for ours to supplement the exhaust fan in the summer. Good for when we get out f the shower and we're still too warm. Hope you enjoyed your trip to the hardware store/heaven.

Patty - Congrats on the job, and to your folks on their 56th anniversary. Whew!

The bf and I attended a 50th bday party on Saturday and a graduation party on Sunday. Not much "me time". I work today and tomorrow and then I'm taking vacation for the rest of this week and all of next. I'm so ready! Not going away anywhere until next week, and just for a few days. And no lodging or other arrangements are made yet, of course!

Happy
So glad that you had a wonderful time on vacation, despite the noises. unfortunately it is 12 hour days. The boss has been good to me, and mainly all Im doing is sitting down.

Annie
I didn't realioze that she was in your home town till she called. It's 3 day's counting today. I'm hibernating this week end.

Mel
At least a couple of good things have come from the xanax. I'm setting myself a routine and am gettin g enough sleep. I'm feeling almost 90% better

Hi to Laura, Patty and Michelle.

I'm at work and the boss popped in to get a fan out of the electrical room. Said something about a man hole. It's a wonder these guy don't pass out from the smell or the heat.
I've been doing some cleaning in spurts today. I've been taking b12 for energy and this seems to help also. I've done a whole lot better this go round.

Happy Monday evening ladies -

Sorry I haven't been around. I caught a summer cold that kicked my arse! I went home from work Friday morning and have slept nearly non-stop through this evening. DH and I were supposed to go to an outdoor concert in Chicago tonight...but between the rainy weather down there tonight and the fact that we both are still kinda sick, we decided not to go. At least the tickets weren't that expensive. We figured it would be cheaper to not go than to get pneumonia from sitting outside in the rain.

Happy - Glad you had a great vacay!

Annie - Hope you're gonna have a relaxing evening after a long working weekend. Happy B'Day to your DS.

A big to everyone...I'm gonna eat some dinner and go back to bed. I'm hoping to have this cold kicked by tomorrow.

Love and big hugs,

ANNIE I AM STILL LAUGHING AT THE EASTER EGG HAIR AND I FORGOT TO SAY TO THE DS!!!

HAPPY~ ARE YOU ALL CAUGHT UP NOW?? HOPE THE FIRST DAY BACK INTO THE RAT RACE WASN'T TOO BAD

LAURA~ A VACATION! YAY FOR YOU!! OPE YOU ENJOY ALL OF THE DAYS AND FINALLY SOME "ME" TIME YOU PARTY GIRL YOU!

JEANETTE!SOUNDS LIKE YOU ARE ON THE RIGHT TRACK. I TOO DON'T KNOW HOW SOME OF THESE MEN CAN STAND THEIR JOBS IN THE HEAT....OR THE SMELLS. THE A/C MAN WAS DRENCHED WITH SWEAT FROM CHANGING ALL OUR FILTERS UP ON THE ROOF.

MICHELLE~ HOPE YOU AND DH GET WELL SOON LAWD THERE IS NOTHING WORSE THAN BEING SICK IN THE SUMMER HEAT.

I AM RUSHING TO GET DOWNSTAIRS, GET THE ANS. MACHINE DONE AND THE MAINT DEPT GOING AND THEN I AM COMING BACK. I WAS JUST DOWN THERE AND THE HEAT IS AWFUL ALREADY. WITH THE HALL A/C DOWN SO LOW, THE LOBBY FLOOR IS JUST TOO MUCH FOR ME WITH THE TEMPS IN THE 90'S. NOW THAT IS THE PRICE THEY PAY...... LOSING ME. YESTERDAY WAS BAD ENOUGH.
HAPPY TUESDAY