Next time I come over, we can have risotto. Whatever variety you like.

Happy Tuesday ladies -

DH had to get to work really early...so that meant he dropped me off really, really early. I'm sleepy now and drinking a diet Mtn. Dew hoping that will hold me over until the cafeteria opens so I can get some coffee.

Happy - I'm so glad that you and DH have worked out a retirement plan. I haven't gotten to a Zumba Gold class yet...but I'm hoping to next week when I have my own wheels back and I don't get home as late as I do carpooling with DH.

Ceejay - You had a very productive weekend!!! I've got to clean my closets and go through my clothes...a project for when it's too cold to be outside. on the exercising!! Wow, 10 days off in a row!! Good for you!!! Are you going to spend the whole time with your sister?

Shad - Glad you're enjoying DS1's visit. So nice that he is helping with the cooking and laundry. Do you hire him out? And now that DS2 is back, enjoy the moments with the family together. So sorry to hear about your tooth/teeth. Dental work is so dang expensive and painful! Thanks for the encouragement to get walking. I am going to start to increase my walking time. My PT gave me a new brace yesterday that offers MUCH more support than the first one she gave me...but is not as constricting as the one DH bought me awhile back. So now I have 3 offering varying levels of support. I can walk 15 minutes at a time now. Hopefully with the new brace, I'll be able to do 30 minutes at a time, and do that twice a day.

Mel - I sure hope you and Jen are feeling better by now. I'm glad Richie fixed your computer desk so it wouldn't fall over.

Laura - I'm glad we're not the only ones with slow-poke trees. DH and I joke that we're lucky if two of our giant trees drop their leaves before the snow falls. It's supposed to rain next week, so I'm hoping to mulch the leaves with the mower this weekend, and also clean out the gutters - even though they'll need to be done again when the rest of the leaves fall. All the talk about the cigarette/cigar smoke...I am super sensitive to it as well. On the rare occasion where I go somewhere that there is smoking, first thing I do as soon as I get inside is strip down to my undies and toss everything down in the basement to get washed. Then I shower and wash all the smoke stench out of my hair. I nearly forgot to mention...when we were running errands in Milwaukee over the weekend, DH and I stopped in a store so I could try out an inversion machine. I did about 15 degrees of inversion for about 10 minutes (not very steep, but it's where they say beginners should start out) and it was really good. They also gave me a form letter I can give my doc to fill out at my next appointment so I can submit it to Flex Spending (FSA) and get reimbursed. Of course, this store's inversion machine was $800 - way to expensive for me - so I'm going to look into the less expensive $200 or $300) ones. It is recommended to do 10 minutes twice a day to decompress your disks/spine. I have A LOT of FSA dollars to use up before the end of the year, so I'm also going to get new glasses in the next few weeks.
Annie - Sounds like you definitely worked your arse off at CVS. Girlfriend, I don't know how you do it. I get tired just reading about your schedule. As for leaves blowing away...we have a fenced yard so no such luck.

Lots to get done today so I'd better get to it.

Here's to a great day for all of us!

Lots of love and hugs,

Good morning kids,

Up before the birds, are you Michelle? That's rough when you have to get in so early. I'd be dragging the coffee pot from home in with me Hopefully you can stay awake. That inversion machine sounds neat and if you have the Flex Spending dollars - better to spend them - particularly if it's in the use it or lose it account. We did not anticipate the medical and dental costs this year - I should have maxed out the account since I had spent all my dollars by FEBRUARY of this year I'm glad to hear that the inversion seemed to do you some good. You must be in a rough spot if you need a brace to walk - I didn't realize it was quite that bad. But hey, whatever helps. I wonder if going back to pantyhose would have kept my belly smaller with the support Go enjoy your coffee now, we'll catch you later.

Ceejay - 10 whole days off - Wonderful no wonder you're excited. I'll bet you have a great time. It makes me a bit sad and fearful that people are not educated on politics and may get caught in the wave of toss EVERYONE out - even the beneficial ones to the detriment of us all.

Shad - I look forward to the day you can teach me how to make risotto. How nice to have both boys in town together. Hope you have a nice picnic with the family. How much longer do you have to endure this contract? Sounds like it's making you looney. I'm sorry they are making you crazy but such is the world today. When the heck did it get so goofy? And why does it stay that way?

Laura - I didn't think about carrying a gym bag. You're right on top of lap top, lunch bag, purse, bag 'o stuff and gym bag - start to feeling like a pack mule. Not to mention the mile walk up and back to the train station with the sea of humanity.

Annie get your guns - and if you continue to stock 8 pound gallons of milk (the common size here Shad) you will be having some guns to show off to the CVS customers I would just be cold You have boundless energy woman.

Mel - I feel you around me. I think you're the sneaker inner today. Hope you are having a good day

I did ok with the no sugar thing yesterday - I say mostly because I refuse to give up my one cup of a.m. coffee with flavored creamer - can't handle the sugar free stuff. I don't feel any different this morning. Still achy at first rise but we'll see how the week goes. I did long for a Coke a moment or two but it passed And I stayed relatively calm.

And now it's off to the salt mines for me. See yahs later...

GOOD MORNING CHICKS/ HAPPY TUESDAY.
I AM NOT QUITE AWAKE YET. MEDICAL ALARM WENT OFF AT 4:20 THIS MORNING. COULDN'T GET BACK TO SLEEP RIGHT AWAY AND THEN ANOTHER WENT OFF AT 6
KINDA SLEEPY STILL.
I'LL READ AND POST IN A LITTLE WHILE.
HAVE A GREAT DAY

HAPPY...I WAS HOVERINGOVER YOU!!! GOOD LUCK WITH THE SUGAR REDUCTION. I KNOW YOU CAN DO IT. I WILL TRY AND KEEP UP WITH YOU. SUGAR IS MY ENEMY. SOUNDS LIKE THE DAY WAS GOING WELL. I AM STILL JOURNALING AND BELIEVE ME...IT IS AN EYE OPENER AND YOU CAN'T LIE TO YOURSELF....AND GET THOSE TOASTIE IDEAS OUT OF YOUR HEAD TOO!!!
YES THE DESK THING COULD HAVE BEEN A NIGHTMARE...RIGHT ON MY FRIGGING LAP PINNING MY LEGS UNDERNEATH. RICHIE WAS SHOCKED I NEVER CHECK IT BEFORE I GO NEAR IT....NOW I DO!! YES I GOT OUT...IT WAS GORGEOUS. BTW... I AM GOING TO WINTER WITH YOU AND DH....AS SOON AS YOUR COLD SPELL LEAVES!!
PS: LOVED THE FUNNIES! ESPECIALLY THIS ONE:
Ø Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.


MICHELLE...SO GLAD YOU HAD A GOOD WEEKEND BIOTH WEATHER AND RESTING. DOPPLER SOUNDS LIKE HE'S DOING WELL TOO! GLAD THE TRUCK WILL BE READY SOON. THIS WEATHER WILL REALLY BE GOOD FOR DH TO GET IT DONE...HOPE IT LASTS! WISH I COULD SEND YOU A CUPPA JAVA GLAD THE INVERSION IS WORKING. THINKING GOOD THOUGHTS FOR YOUR SUCCESSES!!


CEEJAY...HOPE THA MAYOR GETS RE-ELECTED. GOOD LUCK TO HIM. WOWEE!!! THAT IS A NICE LONG SWEET VACATION FOR YOU! I HOPE YOU ENJOY EVERY MINUTE OF IT!! HAVE A GREAT TIME!!! CONGRATULATIONS ON THE FOOD PLAN TOO!! GOOD JOB!

LAURA...I LOVED THE SOUND OF YOUR ENTIRE WEEKEND. LIFETIME!! I AM CRACKING UP OVER HERE. DURING THE HOLIDAYS, I LOVE THE HALLMARK CHANNEL FOR ALL DAY MOVIE FESTIVALS!! I WAS THINKING OF YOU YESTERDAY WAITING FOR THE CHECK...I GT A CALL FROM THE BANK,,,THEY ARE LOOKJING INTO MY MISSING FUNDS....BUT THIS WOMAN ONCE AGAIN SAID "YOU KNOW MRS. T, THAT THE BANK IS IN THE BUSINESS OF SAVING MONEY NOT GIVING IT AWAY". I ABOUT TOLD HER EXACTLY WHAT SHE COULD DO WITH THAT STATEMENT BUT BIT MY TONGUE!! I MAY NEED TO TALK TO HER ONCE MORE TILL THIS IS OVER ;rofl:


SHAD.....I AM SO SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT THE JOB AND REALIZE THIS SHOULD BE NO SURPRISE NOW...GUESS THEY DIDN'T GET THE LESSON THE FIRST TIME AROUND. JUST KEEP TAKING THE MONEY AND STAY AS CALM AS YOU CAN TILL YOU GET OUT OF THERE. GEEZ....THEY'RE PAYING SO YOU WOULD THINK THEY'D COOPERATE!!!!
I WAS HAPPY TO HEAR DS1 IS COOKING ETC...HOW GREAT IS THAT!! YOU MADE ME LAUGH OUT LOUD WITH BOTH OF YOU FALLING ASLEEP ON EACH OTHER'S CHAT AND THE PINK DOCO!! :rodl: I DO HOPE YOU GET GOOD WEATHER FOR THE BBQ. NICE TO HAVE ALL THE FOLKS TOGETHER.
I LOVE WHEN RICHIE COOKS...BUT JEN SCARES ME...YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT YOU'LL END UP WITH DID I SAY RECENTLY THAT I READ AN ARTICLE ABOUT HOW IN THE USA WE DON'T TREAT OUR PUMPKINS RIGHT?? ADD TOO MUCH SUGAR AND JUNK. THAT WE NEED TO REEVALUATE THE VEGGIE!! IF IT'S NOT FRIED, LOADED WITH SUGAR OR FAST FOOD...AMERICANS TEND NOT TO EAT ANYTHING!

ANNIE...I MUST HAVE SCROLLED TOO FAST AND MISSED YIOUR POST WISHING FOR A HONK SHU!! OMG YOU ARE TOO FUNNY. HOW IS THE NIP?? STILL TENDER??? HOPE IT'S NOT A TOM COMING...GET RID OF HIM!!! LOL CVS MUST BE BURSTING AT THE SEAMS NOW WITH HIOLIDAY SHOPPERS. I HEAR EVERYONE SAYING WHAT THEY BOUGHT AT THE MALL CVS STORES. DON'T RUN TOO MUCH OF YOUR HEINY OFF....DOESN'T LOOK LIKE THERE'S MUCH TO LOSE!!!!

Morning every one

Food was good again yesterday. I'm proud of myself. However, there was no physical exercise. I decided that when I'm working I'll do my weight routine's. I still get plenty of movement through out the day at work. The calves of my legs have bee extremely sore the past two day's.

Got a letter from my health insurance wanting to know about an accident I had on 2-10 10. Can't remember that far back. But the only accident that I can think of is when I fell getting into the bath tub. I'll have to check with the doctor's office on this one.

Michelle
I like diet Mt dew. I feel like 5.30 a.m. is to early for me. Sometimes I feel as though I'm just turning over and it's time to get up.

Mel
I've been watching the Discovery Health and they had a commentary on our children. Some dying with heart disease at 20 from the food that they been eating. It's quite sad that we want a fast way out of everything including food. I'm' been in the same boat. The french fries smelled good last night when my co-worker opened her stash up and usually I will follow suite and stop by mcd on the way home. My goal this week is not to stop by any fast food except SubWay. And I haven't done that yet. Too much sodium.

Laura,Happy, Annie, Shad Have a good day.

Wow what a cool crisp morning....four looking at the fifth trot to the toitie. Must be full of sheet...lol

Got into work this morning and the network was down. Terrific. Since we do not have on site I.T. I had to take my cell phone to the server closet (very small) and crawl around in there checking hook ups and what not. Took about an hour and now the network is up. I guess I can add IT sheet to my resume...NOT.

Ceejay...have a marvelous 10 days off. I don't remember, are you going anywhere or just hanging out?

Shad...yeah I was vegetarian for 10 years, it is a lot of carbs and very hard to lose weight unless you eat all non starchy vegetables, and protein, fruits.

MELLIE...the nip is ok today, don't know what yesterday was about unless too much caffeine?? Yep on the too much sugar and fried stuff. I fixed fried green tomatos Sunday night after work, I was in heaven. I used Whistle Stop coating. OMG...so fattening and so good. YUM

Happy...sounds like you are slowing down on the sugar intake, that is a start to something good. We all have to start somewhere, my problem is finishing...

Chelle..hope DH gets the car situation all under control and you have your wheels back. Even if you decide to rake or cut grass, take it easy. No lifting trash bags of leaves. Get it, got it, GOOD.

Laura...clean house, dirty mind...um it would probably apply to me and MELLIE....we tend to think along the same track.....you know, with all the false alarms Mellie pulls to get the firemen out there...lol

Be back in a bit....conference call to get on...

love and hugs

I am back. I am now the "on-site" head of the remodeling for our office. That was what the conference call was abuot. Great!! At least I will get first dibs on office space since I am the president. lol

My sheeit number is up to 7. I think I ate one too many asparagus last night for dinner. It has slowed down to tolerable now. Working tonight at CVS, at least the truck does not come in til Thursday. I am beginning to rate Thursday's in the same category as Mondays.

Not much else going on here...just wanted to shout back as I said I would. Hope your day is going well for you all.

I think I saw that Cincy was posting to another thread, guess we didn't provide what she needed.

Love and hugs.

Hey everyone! I had my annual CPR training class this morning, so I'm catching up this afternoon.

Shad - Nice that DS1 is doing some of the cooking and chores while he's visiting. Yeh, I think you have to be a very careful vegetarian to stay thin and healthy without eating any meat. He doesn't even eat fish? Sorry your latest work assignment is going the same as when the last one ended. Did you resolve the pink BOM?

Ceejay - Ooh, no work for 10 days sounds wonderful! I'm glad you have a mayor who's served you well. I think Happy guessed my voting strategy - vote all the incumbents out!! (oops, I almost typed indumbents, LOL) But then again, I'm in Illinois, where several of the governors have ended up in jail.

Happy - Glad your reduced sugar challenge went well yesterday. Keep it going girl! I meant to tell you I loved those one liners you posted yesterday. I have to cut and paste those and send them to a few people. One of my favorites is: "If I agreed with you we'd both be wrong." Re carrying all the stuff - yeh, even though I don't take home my laptop regularly, I still get that pack mule feeling too frequently.

Michelle - Yup, our trees are like that - leaves still clinging well into winter. BF hates it. Yesterday he called our trees "weeds". Good use of your FSA money for the inversion machine!

Mel - Maybe you need to get another bank person working to get your funds back to you - that woman doesn't sound like she really wants to do that! I received my new tax escrow analysis over the weekend, which seemed pointless since the escrow essentially will cease to exist, but it did reflect that, so I suppose it told me they at least understood my request. Even better - I was very pleasantly surprised yesterday to have received the check for the balance of the escrow funds! It was quicker than I thought it would be. Now I have to sock it away somewhere until the tax bill finally comes.

Annie - Sounds like your office will be around for a while yet if there are plans to remodel it, no? Hey, you get to order all kinds of primo office furniture for yourself, right?

Well, food's been so-so. I need to keep those OP statements right in my face - I end up doing the same old thing when I don't keep my goals front and center. And I need to track my eating!!! Yesterday I took doggy for a brisk walk and then did one BE workout. Feeling sore.

Tonight's the movie "Life as we Know It" - Katherine Heigl, Josh Duhamel. I like him; her - not so much. The premise sounds cute though (godparents thrown together to care for the orphaned baby). My neighbor friend who brought me into the movie group when I moved next door went into rehab yesterday. I've barely seen her lately, but she's been talking about this for quite a while. She's got an extremely addictive personality and has had trouble with everything - you name it - prescription drugs (for depression and anxiety), alcohol, cigarettes, shopping, internet... I hope the rehab helps her - she's very sweet and doesn't deserve all the tragedy and grief she's already had in her life.

Okay, better get back to it!~

Morning all,
Actually found something to do in the job yesterday. So when I left to go pick up DS2 I had some left over for this morning. It seems that if I need to have work, I have to get nasty and start to push. Well I can do that.

As I said yesterday, I have been doing some work for Mick and last night the boys and I went up to his office (not far from the airport) so I could give him the memory stick with the doco on board. I had to explain what I had done and why and bring him up to date since he will now be doing the training instead of me. Just to be nasty I gave him the pink tinged doco first and said that I thought it could become a trend in mining and maintenance. You should have seen the reaction.
DS2's luggage stayed in Sydney instead of being transhipped to the Brisbane plane so he had to have it couriered out to him last night.
When I got home, I found that DS1 had cleaned the kitchen, put the dishwasher on and swept the floors. Said he didn't have time to clean the bathroom. Y'gads what have I raised. They are both sooooooo different.

Michelle - so glad to hear that you are increasing the walking time and also have a new brace which should help with the back somewhat. I've never used one of those inverter thingys so can't comment. My ex spoke about getting one at one time, but never go around to it. Yikes about the coffee. The wee brew bar downstairs wasn't open either this morning when I got in. I'm off down to see if they are there yet shortly

Happy - I'm not sure how or why the world got so goofy. This job is strange because quite frankly I don't think that the project manager has his finger firmly on the pulse here. He tells me that things are going fine and on track, and all I am hearing is that things are not working the way they should and we haven't got that bit working yet, and uat will be put back because the system isn't ready yet. So somewhere along the line, messages are being mixed. Lucky I like reading.
I don't think a gallon pack of milk would fit in my fridge - oh it must do as I get 2 litres in there occasionally.

Mel - the angel hovering above Happy. I know you guys use pumpkin as a fruit - which technically it is. However so is a tomato, and I don't see that as being dessert flavour of the month. With the pumpkin we had the other night, we cut it into 2 inch cubes, then put some Bush spice into a plastic bag and dropped the pumpkin in. Swished it around and coated it with the spice and then roasted it off in a little oil or oil spray. I've only just found the bush spice in the store. It seems to be a mixture of lemon myrtle, desert lime, and some kind of bush grape or tomato. All dried and ground. You could do the same with cajun spice or morroccan spice and it would no doubt taste as good. Anyway, once cooked and dropped into the risotto which was cooked with a leek, garlic and vege stock, I dropped in some frozen peas and shaved some parmesan over the top. Looked pretty and DS1 said it tasted real good.
That bank lady sounded like she owned the bank. Why did they deduct the money in the first place??? Wasn't it a fee of some sort??? Isn't that theft by legalised fraud or something? Doesn't the bank make enough profit for her?
Hope all of the alarms have subsided today.

Ceejay - 10 days off with the family. Treasure the time. You've worked long and hard to take these days and family is family. Enjoy.
Good for you with the op eating as well.

Pres Annie - in charge of the renos. Look, listen and learn because there is bound to be something that they do in the office which you can use to improve your own place (like how to nail up the closet door so you don't see all the clothes you should get rid of).

Laura - all pink got resolved, however I did keep a pink copy just to blow Mick out of the water. Gotta get your kicks where there is opportunity - right?

Right - better go down and see if the coffee people are there. I NEED coffee - RIGHT BLOODY NOW!!!!

GOOD MORNING AND HAPPY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY

HAVE SOME STUFF TO SEND OUT AND I WANT TO GO DOWN BEFORE ANYONE GETS HERE. NOTHING NEW HERE STILL. WEATHER HAS BEEN GREAT BUT ONLY IN THE NAFTERNOONS. AT LEAST IT'S STILL A BIT OF FRESH AIR. I'LL MISS RIDING DOWN THE STREETS THOUGH.
HOPE YOU ALL HVE A GREAT DAY.



CEEJAY...I HEAR YA ON THE SMELL OF FRIES!! THEY MAKE MY MOUTH WATER BUT I KNOW THEY LAY LIKE LEAD IN MY BELLY. MAYBE IT'S A GOOD THING I CAN'T GET TO ANY FAST FOOD RESTAURANTS ;rofl: KEEP UP THE GOD WORK. I AM SURE WE WILL ALL BE HEALTHIER IN SOME WAY BEFORE YEARS END!! WHAT ACCIDENT?? DID YOU GET HURT AT WORK THIS YEAR? Hmmmm


ANNIE...REMEMBER TO PICK OUT A NICE SPOT FOR YOU WHILE YOU HAVE THE TITLE!! STAKE A CLAIM!!! HOPE YOU ENJOY THE DECORATING!!


LAURA...WISH I COULD GET ANOTHER PERSON BUT SHE IS PART OF THE LEVY DEPARTMENT AND THAT IS WHERE THE MONEY IS SITTING IT'S REALLY UP TO THEM WHETHER THEY GVE ME BACK THE REST OR NOT. THE MONEY WAS "FEES: THE BANK CHARGES FOR DOING THIS LEVY.. SO IT'S A MATTER OF "HEARTz" AND SO FAR I HAVEN'T FOUND ONE YET! CONGRATS ON GETTING THE CHECK!! GREAT NEWS! NOW SAVE IT!!! LOL HOPE YOU LIKED THE MOVIE. SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT YOUR FRIEND AND HOPE TOO THAT SHE WILL GET AND USE GOOD HELP


SHAD....I REMEMBER THE BOYS BEING DIFFERENT. FUNNY HOW THAT HAPPENS. BOTH ARE SUCH GOOD LADS AND LOVE THEIR MUM THOUGH. GLAD YOU HAVE A CLEAN HOUSE AND THE LUGGAGE ARRIVED!! WHEN DS1 IS DONE HE CAN COME HERE AND CLEAN OUT MY SPACE! GOOD NEWS THAT YOU HASD SOME WORK AND I CRACKED UP OVER YOUR MATE MICK. HE MUST HAVE THOUGHT FOR A MOMENT THAT YOU HAD GONE BONKERS!! THE RISOTTO SOUNDED GOOD AND SO DID NTHE PUMPKIN. RIGHT NOW I AM BUYING BUTTERNUT SQUASH ALREADY CUT UP AND USING SOME SPICES AND TOSSING IT IN THE MICROWAVE. NOT BAD. YOURS SOUNDED BETTER.

Hellos to all. Happy Hump Day - don't forget to put out the trash.

Don't know if you are still floating around in cyberspace but A big happy birthday to you Madcat. Hope you have a happy one.

I had to use up some special potato pancakes I was given as a gift. Had them for supper last night with some syrup. This is a throwback to something we ate on meatless Fridays as a kid. It was good but OMG did it spike my bloodsugar something fierce. Glad it was a one time thing - that's how you learn. Most foods don't affect me that adversely - I was beginning to think my meter was off but I guess I just didn't get the right combo.

Mel - I'm hoping you have at least 6 good weeks of riding outside before the cold winds blow in. Are you not shopping at TJ's anymore? You don't talk about Willie either - did something happen?

Shad - I'm glad you found some work to keep you busy. Geez ladies, don't you make coffee at home??? Our coffee at work is horrid - except when C makes some divine hazelnut from his personal collection. So a gallon of milk would barely fit in your refrigerator? Things must be quite different down under unless we Americans need big food storage for our compulsion with eating

I have to admit I am used to pumpkin as a dessert too. I think it is coming into its own as a savory in soups and such but we are used to it as a sweet. It's ok - I guess I am not that fond of the spices that go with it so I'm not a big fan though I do like the cakey pumpkin bars. But just 1. And I like Pumpkin Spice Coffee too

Well girls - I think we have a medic for our commune - the one and only Laura - Good, now we can check that off the list. I hope your neighbor can get some help. I think people poo poo the addictive personality thing but it's very real and makes for some serious struggles in life to deal with it.

Annie - I have seen that Whistle Stop mix at the store. Usually in the fall like around this time of year. They have a cobbler mix that looks fabulous as well as the coating for the tomatoes. Figures it's a billion calories. I hope you have a quiet night at CVS - guess tomorrow will be a marathon for you. Course it feels like every day is that. How is Dad doing - any better?

Ceejay - I am astounded watching Biggest Loser at how very very big these young people are. I guess it's a product of too much sitting at video games and super size fast food. But you are right, things need to get under control. I guess even if you teach nutrition in school, it's no fun to practice it.

Michelle - did you make it through your early day without conking out in a toilet stall? Bet you'll be as glad as DH to get your car back and on a more manageable routine.

Well once again spent too much time here. Gotta get going. Have a good Wednesday.

Happy Wednesday -

I am tired. I did not want to get out of bed today. I just hope I can stay awake for an all day training class today. I have PT and traction after work, but hopefully, I can fall asleep on the table (what I jokingly call the torture rack).

I'm hoping to walk after work today since I'll be getting home too late for Zumba Gold. I should have my car back next week because the correct transmission arrived yesterday!! It was in the driveway when DH and I got home!!! :confetti: He'll be doing the remainder of the prep work this week after work, and then putting it in on Saturday/Sunday. He's going to call a friend of his and hopefully he'll be able to come over and help.

Ceejay - I hope that your Mayor gets re-elected. Good for you for staying on plan, avoiding fast food and doing your exercise!!

Annie - Great job on fixing the network!! You're a regular server admin! No worries about me lifting heavy bags of leaves. I've decided to do a minimal amount of raking the leaves just to get them away from the fence...and then it's mulch time with the mower. I'm now hearing my PT's voice in my head asking me if this movement will squish the jelly donuts (disks) in my spine or leave them happy and full. Yes, he compares disks to jelly donuts and he said we do not want to squish them with overwork. Weird guy, huh? But the visual works. I'm also going to get up on a ladder and clear the leaves out of most of the gutters before the rain starts next week. I can't clear out the gutter over the driveway as I don't want to get leaves all over DH's new transmission and other parts...but I can get most of the house done for now until the rest of the leaves drop. I don't think climbing ladders will squish my donuts. Congrats on being the head of the remodeling project!!

Laura - Good for you on the exercising!! Let me know how you like the movie. I like Katherine Heigl from when she was in Grey's Anatomy and also 27 dresses (or whatever number). Sorry to hear about your neighbor. I hope she gets the help she needs.

Happy - You're rocking the sugar reduction!! Well, except for the syrup on the potato pancakes. I can imagine how that would spike your blood sugar. Potatoes ALWAYS spike my blood sugar, even worse than ice cream. I don't make coffee at home. I just drink the work stuff (mixed with Sugar Free Fat Free cocoa).

Shad - How wonderful that DS1 is helping with the cleaning!!! Do you rent him out? Hope DS2's luggage arrives safely. I haven't increased the walking time much yet...but I'm trying. My hip was bothering me big time last night...so I played with the doggies rather than walked. DH and I do pumpkin as a dessert mostly: pumpkin pie, pumpkin muffins, pumpkin cake. But our cafeteria does occasionally have pumpkin soup, which is WONDERFUL!!

Mel - If the bank lady is in charge of levies...can you escalate the issue to her boss? Surely, she's not the top person in charge at the whole bank. Go up the ladder until you find someone with a heart.


I've gotta get another cup of coffee and finish a few things before the class starts, so I'm off.

Have a great day, ladies!

Love you all,