Good morning ladies,

We have to go take my car in early for it's $1,000 fix so I don't have much time here. Yesterday we closed the pool. It was something we should have hired out as it's a very heavy, spring tension cover and I just don't have the strength in my hands for what was required. We got it done (barely). A little sore today but not too bad, just tired from getting up early and sore so not one of those bounding out of bed days.

Patty - sorry to hear you have been so sick. My boss caught the same sort of bug and it really nailed her down, just like you. I've had bronchitis before, it does knock the stuffing out of you. I am extra leery now of treating a cold when I first get symptoms lest it turn into bronchitis. Just remember that it will still leave you weak for a while, go into the world but don't push it too hard quite yet.

Shad - that's an interesting observation about time flying and fun tho I'm sure we both think NOT! I suppose you are in for a couple of rolls of dust now? Wow, it reminds me of a classic American novel - the Grapes of Wrath during the dust bowl drought.

We have 7 butterfly crysalis so we might get to see at least one butterfly emerge. The last caterpillar did not like any of the sticks in the jar where they were so DH relocated him to the azalea bush where he immediately went into cocoon stage. Still have hummingbirds around, though their numbers are diminishing.

Laura - hope you used all those 20% coupons at Bed Bath and Beyond. The ones they send in the mail never expire AND you can use up to 5 of them at a time in a single shopping trip. BBY does not really adverstise it but it's true. The check out girl told me the coupons you get in the mail never expire but the ones you get emailed do. Always good to have a bone density test. It can turn on your quickly once you hit menopause. I think I've lost a half in height and I don't have much to spare

Mel - for knocking off some weights.

Gotta run - be back later.

SUNNY AND MILD TODAY. I BETTER MAKE HAY WHILE THE SUN STILL SHINES AND I CAN'T SEE MY BREATH!! YESTERDAY WAS CALM AND QUIET. ABSOLUTELY NOTHING IS NEW HERE. GOING TO TRADER JOE'S THURSDAY. TODAY IS LAUNDRY DAY. UGH.
HAPPY MONDAY/TUESDAY

LAURA~ STILL RIDING TO THE TRAIN STATION? GOOD FOR YOU. NOW THE BATHROOM IS ALL READY FOR THE HOLIDAYS. YOU MADE ME LAUGH WITH THE SLOOOOOW RENNOS!! WHEN I SEE NEW MOVIES COMING OUT, NONE OF THEM SEEM TO MAKE ME WANT TO SEE THEM. MUST BE GETTING OLD .LOL

HAPPY~ HOPE YOU GOT THRU THE CLOSETS IN TIME FOR TV!! IS THAT PROJECT OVER WITH NOW AND RUNNING ALONG?

SHAD~ YES THE YEAR IS FLYING BY....BUT ARE WE HAVING FUN YET??? BITING BUGS? GET THOSE SUCKERS!! HOW IS THE DS'S HOME COMING ALONG? DID HE GET IT YET? HOW IS THE "OTHER" CHRIS DOING? GEE I AM JUST FULL OF QUESTIONS TODAY. HAVE A GREAT ONE.

PATTY~ BRONCHITIS IS NOTHING TO FOOL AROUND WITH SO JUST TAKE GOOD CARE OF YOURSELF AND REST WHEN YOU CAN HOPE YOU FEEL STRONGER SOON.

HAPPY~ HOPE YOU AND DH DO GET TO SEE SOME BUTTERFLIES EMERGE. HOW DID THEY LIKE THEIR NEW HOME? GOOD LUCK WITH THE CAR. I WAS SAD TO READ THE POOL IS CLOSED. DID YOU REMEMBER TO TAKE MY FROG OUT BEFORE YOU PUT THE COVER ON?? NOW PUT MY LITTLE UMBRELLAS IN A SAFE PLACE FOR NEXT YEAR

Hello Worldies, It has been a very long time since I checked in.......since I signed up for the 3Day/60mile Walk for Breast Cancer research my schedule was all consuming. I completed the walk Sept. 11-13th and am now getting my feet back in order.....it will take some time. I lost about 10 lbs. with training and just feel good and energized by the whole event. What a powerful community of people, I did the Seattle walk with a friend. This is her 3rd walk.
2200 walkers, 400 volunteer crew, raised 5.5 million dollars and still rising.

This morning I sat down and thought about all of you and how you are all doing. Checked my mail box and had a couple of messages. Thank you for the wishes and thoughts.....you gals are the best. It may take me a while to catch up....hope there is still room for me in the Worldly Group?
Blessings to All,
ROse

Happy Monday Morning.....

What a weekend. T and I had broke up Friday night, I cried all night into Saturday morning around 9:30. We are back together now, but holy cow. He said he didn't think he could give me, emotionally what I wanted in a relationship and that he didn't know if what we have was ever going to be any more or change. So I pointed out who the h*ll knows what they are going to feel down the road. I wasn't pressuring him for anything. He said, well we have been together for a year now. (Sept 25) and I said is something magical supposed to happen at a year???? Well no. I said I have never mentioned marriage, living together or anything cause I don't want that. It took me 21 years to break up with my *ssh*le ex. T thought he was holding me back from a relationship that could offer me what I needed and didn't want to waste my time. Like in 2, 3, or 4 years one of us says we are not getting out of this relationship what we need and walk away. I said what would be the difference if we got married and divorced in 4 years. I think he is a boob, and was just getting scared. Geez does any of this paragraph make sense?? Anyway we are going forward as we are, what will be will be....

So I have been sleep deprived all weekend. Up ALL night on Friday night, slept awful Sat and Sun night. Dang it.

My computer at home took a complete sh*t. Therefore I can only post from work. My bro in Illinois has an extra computer he is going to give me, however he won't be over here till Thanksgiving.

MEL...hope Jen and Richie are doing better and you stay the heck away from them. Speaking of "loo" issues....I ate a HUGE spinach salad Sat night and yesterday didn't quite make it to the loo, yikes, what a mess that was. Congrats on the wt loss. Rock on sista.

SHAD...I saw the pix of Aus on CNN site. OMG it is just awful. Colorful, but awful. and yes, time does fly when in your case you tile the loo...lol

PATTY...hope you are feeling better. I agree with you, work makes me sick too. Congrats on the 5 lbs down. Rock on.

LAURA...Um the good sleeping streak is broken. Maybe will start back up tonight.

ROSEBLUSH...Hey girl, welcome back, don't be such a stranger.

CHELLE..Hope you had a great weekend. It was nice here on Sat and some on Sunday.

That is about it. Everyone have a marvy day.

Love and hugs.

Annie
Hugs. My computer took a dive this week end also. I'm going to buy a new modem this week end. I'll be posting from work also.

Laura
I've not been as big of a shopper as my mom or sister are but Saturday my aunt and I went to the Mall and to Shoe Carnival. I bought a Pair of those Sketchers shape up's.

I was interupted while ago and it looks like I need to edit my last post.

I have to tell this. The person who made the announcements yesterday in church was reading the sick list and when he came to a woman named Whintey he said and Whitney Houston is in the hospital recovering from a car accident. Every one laughed.
Have a good day.

Happy Monday -

I fell out of the zone over the weekend. Don't know what was wrong with me. Just didn't feel like doing anything. I was in a blue funk and I have no idea why. Doppler is doing better but will remain on meds for the next couple weeks. He is now much, much perkier than he has been the past couple weeks. I didn't journal or exercise on Friday or Saturday. On Sunday, I got my 10,000 steps in just moving about the house and running errands - I don't really count that as exercise. I did get A LOT of cooking done yesterday. Some stuff that DH likes, as well as a big pot of zero point veggie soup for me.

I dragged DH to a craft fair yesterday. There was lots of cool stuff, and it made me want to get back into crafting. I've got to practice better time management skills for my personal life, so that I can work in exercise, website work, crafts and watching my fave TV programs. We had a big rain/wind storm last night, with more wind and rain today. Winds could get up to 40-50 mph! I'm glad I didn't decorate my lawn for Halloween yet. And Autumn is DEFINITELY here..."high" temps this week are supposed to be in the mid to upper 50s/low 60s.

I'm planning on going to the gym tonight for Zumba or 1/2 hour of cardio or both, plus weights. DH is going to get his flu shot tonight, and hopefully going to join me at the gym tomorrow.

I'm so far behind on what y'all are doing. I'll try and catch up later. It's been a crazy day already and I've got meetings and probably more fires to put out later.

Love and hugs to all,

Chelle...Big hugs honey....it will all come back to you and work out.....

Seems I've written a novel.

Annie – Sorry for your bad weekend and that your computer crapped out on you. Is it a bad time to wish you and T a belated happy anniversary? Hope everything calms down with you two, and that you can survive all that stress you both have in your lives right now. Oh, yeh, a spinach salad apparently is too much fiber for me all at once. Same with those Fiber One bars.

Ceejay, not your computer too! Hope the fix is not too expensive. LOL re the slip of the tongue in the church announcements.

Happy – Good for you for tackling the closet cleaning, in spite of the fact that it creates a mess in the process. I have piles - some small, some large - developing everywhere in the house, including closets, and I need to attack them before the house becomes a candidate for any of those HGTV organizing shows! I'm trying to think if I ever had a "bounding out of bed" day in my adult life, lol. Yeh, we used a couple 20% off coupons at BBB. We probably should have tried to use more!

Mel – Yes, still cycling to the train. Well, not today – the wind is something fierce today and I just didn't want to deal with it. Bf dropped me off. And soon it'll be too dark after work for me to ride. Bad drivers in daylight don't get any better after dark! With the movies, you're right. When you have other options - wait until the dvd comes out, see it on cable or free tv, etc. – a lot of movies don't make the cut for an actual movie theater visit. I go mostly as a social thing, and we buy discounted tickets (about $6), so it's not horribly expensive, especially if I smuggle in water and a snack. I've also decided I don't need to go every single week. I just sent our organizer an e-mail that I'm skipping this week. Ugh, laundry. My undie drawer is getting close to empty, so it'll be laundry day (night) for me too.

Michelle – I'm glad Doppler is perkier now. I'm sure you'll get back in the zone this week! I did some raking yesterday - all those clumps of still-green leaves the squirrels have chewed off to get at the acorns – and I did count that as exercise! My upper body's feeling that today. Too bad between the squirrels and that strong wind, there's more on the lawn today.

Patty – I hope you aren't totally swamped your first day back at work! My train station is only about 6 blocks from home (about 0.7 miles according to my www.gmap-pedometer.com route), so it's a very quick ride from home – about 3-4 minutes. When it gets too dark at night (this time of year, coming soon), I put the bike away until spring and start walking. When we were house shopping, I wanted to be walking distance to the train station. Sometimes I do get sweaty pedaling to the station, but I chalk that up to always being in a hurry. I need to leave early enough to allow for some coasting! I was riding a single speed bike to the train for many years and just bought a 7 speed this year, which I have determined I hate. It's a cruiser style bike with wide handle bars, and you ride it in a very upright position and it seems like I can't get enough power when I pedal that way. Also the tires are sort of big and that seems to make riding more difficult too. Okay, I'll stop whining now. In the spring, it goes on craigslist.

Shad – Yeh, seems like more medical tests get added each year. And to think I used to laugh at jokes that poked fun at how seniors only talk about their medical conditions. When you spend all that time visiting this doc and getting that test, what else do you have to talk about?? Glad the ac unit is getting through these dust storms without problems. Knock wood.


Yesterday was okay. Snacking was under control. Finally made the tomato basil soup - yum. Did some raking, brought home my bike that I'd left at the train station Friday. Didn't take it today though - very windy today. Okay, better post and get past this Mondayitis.

Laura...I love, love, love tomato basil soup, it is my favorite soup. YUM!! Tony and I will most likely be fine. Men just have a hard time dealing with their emotions. Ca-razy Stupid.

I just went to Marsh grocery at lunch and bought a Honeycrisp apple. Man o Man are they delish. Crispy with a little tang and just sweet enough. Try em. A little on the expensive side however I only bought one. Yep, just for me. I cut it up and have shared a few slabs around the office tho.

Okay...here I am trying to get caught up.

Laura - Once I'm sure Doppler's teeth/gums are healed, I'll start back in with brushing his teeth, as well as the other 2 dogs. None of them enjoy it, but they tolerate it in a squirmy sort of way. Glad to hear your pedometer works. So you had some big time wind too? It was crazy windy up here, and still windy today. I'm glad the boob squish went okay. I didn't know you had Hobby Lobby down there. I thought they were just a Wisconsin thing. We have one near my house, but I don't go in very often as I tend to want to buy much more than I can afford.

Ceejay - Thanks for the compliment about me being a good mommie to my doggies. If I were a better mommie, I would've kept up with the teeth brushing. Of course, DH says this most recent issue wasn't really a teeth/gum issue...but a reduction in platelets. I'm just glad he's getting better. So sorry to hear about the linemen and one of the bosses being burned. Scary stuff. How do you like the Sketchers Shape Ups?

Mel - Congrats on the weight loss! I'm glad Jen and Richie are feeling better.

Patty - You poor thing. I hope you are feeling better. I hate bronchitis! But it always seems to find me at least once a year. Lots of rest is the best medicine (well, that and antibiotics). If you do go to work this week, don't plan on doing much after work. Just come home, eat and rest until you get your strength back, which can take a week or two.

Shad - I hope you got in touch with the builder to fix the verandah posts.

Happy - Good for you for sorting through your closet clutter. I'm with Patty, I think I'll make decluttering my house a winter project. $1,000 fix? Is that for your headlight? Or for other repairs as well? 7 butterfly crysalis? How cool! Looking forward to butterfly photos if you can catch them. I didn't know that the BBY coupons didn't expire and that you can use multiple in a single trip!

Rose - It's great to hear from you! You did the 3 Day/60 mile walk!! That's wonderful! Good for you!!

Annie - I'm so sorry to hear that you and Tony broke up, even for a little while. Why did he assume you wanted more? If he's happy and you're happy....enjoy the happiness. Anyway, I'm glad you are back together. Sorry to hear about the computer issues - I hope they aren't contagious! The Honeycrisp apple sounds yummy. Now I wish I hadn't just bought a whole bag of Gala apples.

Today has been crazy busy at work...so I'd better get back to it.

Love and hugs,

Ok ladies, I'm back. DH was rushing me out the door this morning - I WAS ready on time thank you very much. You'd a thunk they would have charged us double for being late. Oh wait, they charge us double anyway

Mel, yes one bad project over, another distracting one in to take it's place. At least I am busy and employed. No frogs left under the pool cover although last night I saw the cat bouncing and skipping on the patio looking like a goof nuts. She was playing with something - DH went out to see if it was a hummer he said it might have been a grasshopper or a tree frog. I did not want to know. I was hoping it was just a leaf as she chases those too. DH relocated one of the catepillars that did not want to cocoon on the stick in the jar. We looked at it last night and it was still a caterpillar. This morning he checked and itls fully cocoon'd. He sent me pics at work but I cannot post them here so I will try when I get home tonight. Just incredible how nature works. I have your umbrellas stored in a safe place Mel. Trying to get DH to buy me / us a hammock so we can sit outside, look at the stars, swing and laugh and trade the smoothies for hot chocolate or jasmine tea. I will let you know when I succeed.

Welcome back Rose - that's great news that you did the Breast Cancer walk - a very noble cause. Of course we will let you back into the group - you never left, just look a "long trip".

Ceejay - sorry about your computer. I thought you had gotten a new one a while back. Your Whitney story made me laugh at loud.

Annie - I'm sorry to hear about you and T. You know how men are - sounds like he is just trying to say that he wants no committment and wants you to know that too. Guess you need to bust into that old song "We'll Sing In the Sunshine" next time he comes over. Isn't this another flavor of the "it's not you, it's me speech?"

Michelle - you've been working hard, worried about Doppler, pushing yourself exercising -I think the balloon has deflated a bit and maybe you just are on the bottom side of a down cycle. And things come in cycles, so no worries there. And I know myself that if you planned menus, shopped, and then cooked up a batch full of meals - THAT'S ALOT OF WORK!!!!! so you did get alot accomplished. Don't sell yourself short. That's great that DH is coming to the gym with you - how is his knee holding up?

Laura - I have a bike like yours sitting in the garage. A very nice, kinda expensive bike that I ABSOLUTELY HATE!!!!! :P I can't seem to switch the gears tho DH doesn't have a problem with it. I think I would prefer a 3 speed or even a single speed bike. I feel badly that we wasted money on them, we should probably sell them. It's very hilly here and it would take considerable training to get back to riding again. So I can empathise with you completely. I saw that the weather is supposed to hit the mid 40's up your way. Brrrr. October is around the corner and say goodbye to those last great days of Indian Summer. Now that you mention it, I'm not sure the last time I bounded out of bed. I think it might have been when we took a trip and stayed in a fabulous hotel that overlooked the San Francisco Bay. We could leave the terrace doors wide open and woke to the sounds of the surf. That was probably 12 years ago. I'm more the "oh Maannnnnnn - is it morning ALREADY???? kinda people. Today I had to get up at 5:30 in the dark. I don't know how you morning people do it. Mondayitis That's a GOOD ONE!!!!

today appears to be "set your cell phone to an annoying ring tone and then leave your desk and have all your friends call" kinda day. The reason people are not at their desk is because it's also "bring your stinky leftovers to work for lunch day". Someone warmed something up that smelled so badly of grease that I had to take an antacid just smelling it. Someone had something else nasty smelling and someone just burnt a batch of popcorn.

I am ok though. Chicken pot pie for lunch - mmmmmm. I had milk instead of Coke. Bought a brownie that looked good, was overpriced and was so bad that I ate 2 bites (the second was necessary to confirm the first was as bad as I thought ) and threw it away. I'll bet she used lard or something like that - it was dry and tasteless.

I think I'll go take a walk now. Got 2 walking squares colored already today.

Happy..you are a hoot!

I read your hammock comment but read the smoothie as smootches and got cornfuzed for a minute...lol

Our breakroom smell like burnt chinese food. It was the grossest thing ever. I had Greek yogurt and an apple for lunch. My belly is just a growlin' I have veggie soup in the crockpot. Made an apple pie and Reece's pieces/choc chip cookies yesterday. Going to make cornbread when I get home to go with. T and his boys are coming over for dinner and to watch the snake eat a live mouse for its dinner. Then I am off to work at CVS and T is off to his work. Wow, where did all this babble come from???

It is one windy day out there. Bout blew me off the sidewalk at lunch time when I went to get my apple. Yikes.

Later chickies.

Morning all,

The gods were not with me yesterday. Shopping was a pain the butt, couldn't get half of what I wanted and/or I had to hunt hi and low for it and that took too much time. But there you go. And then I went to get my photos printed and the machine came back and told me they weren't printable quality. Can't understand why. They look perfectly acceptable on screen and I came home and printed them out from my colour printer on plain paper and they look perfectly acceptable to me - just not enough colour and depth with plain paper. I think I might go and either get some photographic paper and try again from here or try a different shop to print out my pictures. Bah humbug.

Patty - good to have you feeling better again. Hope you got through the first day back at work okay.

Laura - It's great to get that snacking under control. Like the sound of tomato and basil soup. I made a tomato and capsicum soup which is very tasty as well. Love good thick hearty soups. Glad your bike was still there and still in one piece. Red Balloon on another thread has had hers go missing from the station recently.

Rosebud - nice to have you back again. Good walking that. And for a good cause. No we won't chuck you out of the wagon simply because you haven't been in in a while. No contracts here.

Michelle - Hope the dog is getting better and that the weather settles down. Too much wind and you might drag our dust storm up there. It's currently going over New Guinea.

Happy - been through my closets too and chucked out a few bits and pieces. It was hard to part with some of them, but I don't think I will wear them again so it is time for them to go. At least your cat manages to catch something from time to time. Mine stalks around in circles talking to it until it makes it escape.

Annie - Most men seem to think we can't live with out having some form of commitment and paperwork. Many of us probably never wish to marry again, we just want to have someone to talk to and eat with and go out with etc. The only way I ever want to be married again is when the bloke has his own house, goes home to it each night, doesn't drop his clothes, shoes, tools all over the house and cleans up after himself. Not going to happen.

Mel - Sounds like you are having a quiet time. Good for you. Hope nothing breaks for a while . Enjoy the weather while you can.

Ceejay - Amazing how wrong we can get things is'nt it? Funny story.

Okay - my DB1 said he MIGHT come over today. Do not hold your breath. It is highly likely that he wont, but just in case I had better go look at the cupboard for some lunch. Lucky I did those turkey drumsticks yesterday.

See ya