Happy Thursday ladies -

Yesterday, I got out of work late due to a long-running meeting, but thankfully, DMIL is still visiting us so I didn't have to right home to let the dogs out. I had my swimsuit and a change of clothes in the car and went straight to the gym to walk against the current in the lazy river. The water is 3.5 feet deep, and since I'm short, it comes up to just below "the girls" on me. The current is pretty strong, so walking against it is a good workout especially when it comes to dodging the 15 or 20 kids (ages 8-14) that were swimming, walking, and playing in the direction of the current. Can't complain though...it is open to everyone and the kids were well behaved...even if they didn't always watch where they were going! It was also nice because there was a woman about my age walking against the current too. So we walked and talked together, which made the time pass very quickly. She had back problems and back surgeries...so she was doing this to get a low impact workout. I tell ya', it didn't take long for my leg, core and back muscles to feel the workout. Good stuff. I walked for roughly 45 minutes, with the last 5 minutes being a cool down where I turned around and walked with the current. I will definitely do this workout again.

Today at lunch, I have to pick up Doppler's eye drops at the vet, then after work it's PT, then pick up a new medicine for Mischief since her blood test last Friday didn't come out great. After all the errands, I hope to get to Zumba tonight.

***************************

Shad - I'm so glad to hear you're done! Enjoy your break. Does Mick have something lined up for you yet? So cool that you got a good look at the constellations while driving into town...just don't get too distracted by their beautiful display. The back is improving...and I look forward to the days when I can walk more (on dry land) and when I can do "real" Zumba. Maybe in 15 or 20 lbs. I'm trying to be patient.

Ceejay - Glad your sis and bil got there safely. Enjoy the time with the family in Paragould.

Mel - Sheesh! You really did get up early today. DH and I call it the "butt" crack of dawn, since it's usually not pleasant to be up THAT early. I'm glad the big winds calmed down and cooled down the temps. I hope you continue to feel better. Take it easy, girlfriend...don't overdo it on activity, stress or food just because you're feeling a little better. My DMIL is still here...she doesn't leave until 8/4. Next weekend, DH and I are having a surprise 80th b'day party for her at her sister's house, and we're trying to cram as much fun into the next 3 weeks as we can.

Happy - I'd like to find a happy medium in the temps...somehere between the teens and the 90s....right around the upper 60s to upper 70s and not too muggy and no mosquitos. Is that possible? Oh yeah, it's called San Diego! Your dinner last night sounds yummy! Enjoy lunch with your friend.

Annie - Glad to hear your garden is doing well. So far, I've harvested two cukes and some green beans, lettuces and radishes. I have lots of flowers on my tomato plants, but I haven't seen any tomatoes. Sunflower seed/hummus pack sounds yummy. Bummer that you didn't sleep well last night. I am feeling better...but still trying to be smart and not push too hard.

A big to Laura and Ellen!

Lots of love and hugs to all,

Morning all.

Happy - Yeh, you're right, the obesity rates are going up, so I wouldn't be alone showing a lot of excess flesh in my swimsuit. But it's more than just the excess, it's the pasty, veiny, cellulite-ridden nature of it that's also making me reluctant. Seriously though, the number of overweight children is getting to be alarming. Anyway, I brought up the idea of the lazy-river to BF yesterday and he just started to rant that for the money we pay to these park districts from our taxes, there should be dedicated adult times in the pools - hours, not minutes, yada yada yada. So methinks he's not extremely keen on the idea because with the expected heat this weekend (so you've only got about 1 more day to be jealous of us), the pool will certainly be packed with kids. (When your last pool days are looming, don't be surprised if the three of us (me, bf and Coal) show up for some swimmin, LOL) I love your idea about showing up with a scooter to give bf a bit of a shock (and envy). Even if it's just a borrowed one, as Annie suggested.

Shad - Well, your day 0 is done, so just enjoy however much freedom you have until the next assignment begins - hope it's a good couple weeks that you get so you can reenergize yourself. Haha, thank you for making me realize that painting those windows wouldn't be too bad - compared with insulating an attic!! Ugh, that sounds just awful - about a million times worse than when I undertook the rather small job of wrapping the hot water heater in an insulated blanket. Major itchy, lung-irritating PITA that I don't think has made a lick of difference. Sorry, no trade there. Said it before, say it again - I so envy those with a night sky to enjoy, such as you and Happy. And do you also have the kind of quiet that doesn't involve background air and road traffic, yard equipment and children at play? PS - please send me a couple bottles of Downunder Dew - walking in the train station to my preferred railcar has begun to include the stench of perhaps the dumping/leaking of the train commodes onto the tracks (?). And the heat makes it that much more revolting.

Mel - C'mon down - we're considering a sleepable sofa for the 3-seas. room - but you might have to fight bf for it because he's said he'd like to sleep out there with all the windows open and the ceiling fan going. If you want a light Tom Hanks movie, then Larry Crowne will certainly do. And his 'do, by the way, is better in this one than the code/devil-chasing movies.

Ceejay - Enjoy your day with your sis/bil. Glad the futon is comfy. Want something to replace our too-small rattan loveseat in the 3-seas. room that'll seat at least 2 people comfortably and can double as a bed - wonder if a futon is the answer...

Michelle - Ugh, sounds like a big project. Good luck.

Annie - I have peppers to harvest, but tomatoes are nowhere near ready. LOL re expecting yellow squash and getting zucchini! Hope you get to catch up on the missed sleep - but how, with a 7 am meeting???!!! Who schedules those??? Hummus and sunflower seeds - yum, I'd give that a try. Oh wait, I'm trying to watch my sodium intake and everything has it - and too much of it, so I'm probably going to give up salty snacks completely and just stick w/ sweets, lol. Right.

Well, thanks for all your support re exercising. Yesterday, however, I made a point of leaving work early but by the time I got home I'd totally lost my motivation. I accredit it to noticing my upper back/shoulders feeling tight on the train home, and general fatigue duet to TOM. And a desire to be outside in the nice weather too... But it's not like I just sat on my butt all evening. Bf and I took doggy for a walk.

Also, BF wanted to get my bike adjusted to me and that's when I discovered that the straight handlebars would just NOT DO. So he researched other types, made a call and then we went to REI, where the bike was originally purchased, and discussed it with a bike mechanic and I made sure a switch of handlebar types would do the job as far as my comfort. Yes, they will, so we ordered a new one. Of course we will need new grips, and might just need to redo the brake & gear cables depending on the placement on the new handlebars - aaargh! Can you say $$, or rather $$$? But it will still have cost less than a comparable quality new bike.

Tonight I will go to an exercise class. Also considering another at-work workout tomorrow. Yeh, it's a PITA, but I agree w/ Shad - better to keep moving. When I don't exercise my muscles feel tight and in need of a good stretch.

Okay, better scoot. The desk is a mess.

Michelle - you're the sneaker-inner! Your walk in the lazy river actually sounded quite pleasant - a lot nicer to be outside and walking a path (of sorts) than indoors walking the pool laps. Good for you!! Oh, it's so nice you'll be able to celebrate dmil's 80th b-day with a party!!!

Laura - I hope you're feeling better with TOM and all. Glad to hear you're doing an exercise class tonight...and working out at lunchtime tomorrow. Bummer about the extra bike expense...but if it gives you comfort and is still cheaper than a new bike...go for it. The Y's waterpark/lazy river is indoors....kind of a bummer on the days when it's gorgeous outside, but when I'm still using it when it 10 degrees outside, I'll be grateful for it. It does wind around...and there are waterfalls on the edges, so it's not as boring as walking laps of the pool.

GOOD MORNING & HAPPY FRIDAY.

KIND OF CLOUDY HERE AND I DON'T REMEMBER THE WEATHERMAN SAYING THAT
SO THIS IS SHORT AND SWEET. I WANT TO GO OUTSIUDE FOR A FEW MINUTES. HOPE YOU ALL HAVE A GREAT DAY



HAPPY....SWIMMING IN BATHWATER? IT WOULD HAVE TO RAIN A LOT TO COOL THAT OFF??
HOPE THE DH DRIES OUT SOMETIME SOON. BET HE SLEEPS LIKE A LOG AND HOPE HE IS WATCHING HIS BACK!!
I WOULDN'T WANT TO SEE YOU GUYS MOVE AND NOT BE ABLE TO MOVE!!!




CEEJAY....HAVE FUN WITH THE LUNCH VISIT WITH AUNT & UNCLES. HOW IS THE FUTON WORKING OUT.
WHEN JEN HAD ONE SHE LOVED IT!! HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND.




ANNIE.......POOR BELLA IS STILL CATCHING UP ON HER SLEEP FROM YOUR VACATION
HEARING ABOUT YOUR GARDEN REMINDS ME....THE SENIORS (WELL ABOUT 6 OF THEM) DECIDED TO TRY
THEIR HAND AT SOME TOMATOES AND LETTUCES AGAIN. THE TOMATOES ARE DOING OK
BUT EVERYTHING ELSE DIED SO THEY PLANTED FLOWERS AGAIN!!



MICHELLE........GOOD THAT YOU HAVE A PLACE TO WALK IN THE WATER. HOPE IT REALLY HELPS.
HOW NICE TO GIVE THE DMIL A PARTY HOPE SHE HAS A GREAT TIME BEFORE SHE LEAVES.
EDIT: JOHN JUST CALLED IN SICK SO THE PACKAGE WILL HAVE TO WAIT TILL MONDAY. SORRY.




LAURA.......SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT THE BIKE AND THE $$$ BUT AT LEAST YOU HAVE A GOOD SOLID BIKE
AND WILL BE READY TO ROLL SOON. GUESS I'LL HAVE TO BRING A TWO-HEADED COIN WHEN I VISIT
AND THEM MAKE SURE YOUR BF CALLS TAILS FOR THE SLEEP SOFA!

Good morning ladies. I have an early morning doctor appointment so quick post for me. Nothing going on - just a check up so they can get some money and I can get my medicine renewed. I probably should not have had a ham and cheese sandwich for dinner last night - I'm sure the weight and other numbers are higher than either of us would like them to be. My blood sugar was in the low 80's up at the new house. Not so much on this side of town. I am trying to quickly sip some cinnamon tea - no coffee this morning as I am sure they will do a blood draw for cholesteral and all that fun stuff.

I should be able to get a lunch later today - will try and post then. Happy Friday to all. Enjoying your time to yourself Shad?

Happy Friday ladies -

TGIF! Had a great PT session yesterday. I can tell my strength is improving. Then after PT, I stopped at the pharmacy across town to get a new medicine for Mischief, and then went to Zumba class. Today, I've got a little yard work to do, I'm hoping to go to the gym and walk in the lazy river.

This weekend, we're supposed to have heat indexes over 100 degrees...so we may have to rethink our weekend fun plans. DMIL is going to go to her sister's next week since she goes back to CA in 3 weeks. I still have to finalize the party details with her sister.

*******************

Mel - I hope you got a chance to get outside for a bit. I don't mind clouds as long as nasty storms don't come with. No worries about the package not getting mailed 'till Monday. Thanks.

Happy - How is DH's back holding up with all this physical work? I hope the doc apppointment goes well and that the blood tests come out good.


I've got to dive into the big project. Hopefully I can come up for air and check in later...but no guarantees.

A big lots of love and hugs to all,

Happy Friday...no personals this morning, maybe tonight...got to put out fires here at work and also in my personal life...shu weeee...tired, woke with a severe headache last night, turned AC back on, took some ibuprofen and finally went back to sleep. Dragging today....hugs and loves

Annie - I sure hope the fires (both personal and professional) are just little campfires and not raging infernos. I'm worried about you, my sweet sista. Please call me or text me if you want to talk/vent. Luvya. FWIW, I'm dragging today too and have a bad sinus headache.

Morning every one

My sis and bil left about 20 minutes ago. and I already miss them. I asked their opinion on the battery verses new computer and they both said new battery. So new battery it is. I'm trying something a little different with the mouse. Bil did get the vcr/dvd player up and running. We watched the movie Secretariat last night. We had a good visit with the uncles yesterday. My sis also wanted to go to the cemetery so we put flowers on mom's and dad's grave sight and on our grandparents grave sight. We then drove to a different cemetary to put flowers on bil's dad's grave sight. We had light rain then heavy rain by the time we got back to my house. I let bil drive my car. The back seat has a lot more leg room than my other RAV4.
My sis reviewed my blood work and told me she had never seen a TSH level that high before. She basically told me my thyroid was dead. I'm beginning to get my strength back from both my thyroid and b12.
Get this--While I was enjoying my lunch yesterday, my cell phone rings. It was my co-worker wanting to take off the 2nd and 3rd of Septermber which is cutting into my vacation week. I told her I'd call her back. After I looked at the calendar I knew that she was trying to cut me short again on vacation. I called her back and told her that I'd be in on September 4th. I'm tired of her doing me this way.

Mouse trick hasn't worked. pooh
-------
Happy
Good luck with your physical this morning.

Annie
I hadn't thought about giving my own b12. Sorry you didn't sleep well. Don't get burned in putting out those fires at work.

I'll be back later this afternoon. My friend called yesterday and wanted to go eat lunch. If she's free today I am.

Ceejay - My DMIL's thyroid "died" many years. She's on two different thyroid meds and they help her a lot. I hope the doc can get you on a med/vitamin balance that works well for you. It's hard saying goodbye to family members, but I'm glad you had a nice visit. Good for you for standing up for your vacation. Your co-worker no doubt wanted those days because it's labor day weekend. She shouldn't ask you to give up/reschedule your vacation days just to accommodate her.

Good afternoon all. Friday and payday today for me, so TGIF!!!

Michelle - Oops, somehow missed that the lazy river is indoors - but it still sounds very nice, and of course, that's smart in WI - allow it to be used 4 times as much as an outdoor one. Glad the PT went well. I take it you had outdoor plans for the weekend? Yeh, nothing outdoors is sounding that good to me now that the heat and humidity are supposed to crank up. And I still have to get to trimming some shrubs in the front of the house. Sigh.


Happy - hope the doc appt was quick and painless.

Mel - Did you get outside to enjoy the clouds? It's not a bad change of pace.

Annie - Sorry you didn't sleep well and have been putting out fires - and you had that 7 am meeting too, right? Ugh. Hope you can have a restful evening and a good night's sleep.

Ceejay - glad you had a nice time w/ your sis and bil. Nice he got the tv/vcr hooked up correctly. Too bad the mouse trick didn't work. At least there are meds to do what your thyroid used to do... Sucky that your co-worker wanted the time off that you already put in for - is it me or is that always happening? She needs to deal with the fact that you have seniority and/or put in for it before her.

Hellos to Ellen and Shad!

So I went to the FreeMotion Circuit class last night and had a good, sweaty workout. I didn't do a workout at the building fitness center today - I not only had an appt w/ an advisor who hosted the retirement sessions, but I also had to do an errand at lunchtime.

I handed off a bunch of financial info to the advisor - we'll see what he tries to sell me when we meet again in a week, LOL. Actually, I did ask about long term care insurance, so we'll see what he comes up with. I've been focused on saving for retirement, but he actually made some sense saying that forgoing some retirement fund contributions to pay LTC ins premiums could bring some peace of mind in terms of covering the costs of in-home care/assisted living/nursing home. Hmmm.

Other than game night on Saturday night, I have no other plans for the weekend. Have some laundry to do, yardwork...the usual neverending list of things that should or need to be done for which I have no desire or inclination to do.

Okay, meeting in 30 min. Will clean up my desk and prep before that.

Have a good weekend everyone!
TTFN!!

Morning all,
Sorry, I went AWOL yesterday, freedom must have gone to my head Anyway, after I got up late, I went up to see Mick and went through a Project Management preparation on line course and then went to lunch with the other girls who were on their last day of the last project. The project team presented me with a nano iPod - apparently the parting gift from the project and company and a letter of thanks and one of the girls gave me a big bunch of poppies and daffodils. Very nice. I did a couple of errands on the way home and then went to the garden store and bought new plants for the garden. Today it rains - so my new plants will need to be put in quickly and bask in the moisture. I'll have to fish my raincoat out of storage.
And one other thing comes of yesterday. I now have a new job. I have a week off before I start at another place in the city. I refused to start next week even tho' they offered more money for an immediate start. It's neither of the jobs that Mick had lined up for me, but they weren't answering calls so tough - they missed out.

Michelle - hope your project goes smoothly and you don't get drowned in the process. I completely understand that feeling.

Annie - whatever the personal or professional fires are, stand tall, think about what might be best in the long term for Annie and go for it.

Ceejay - not too much you can do with mouses' check in your control panel options to see whether you have some settings wrong or something. Mouses are cheap enough. Except for the built in ones of course - painful as they are.

Happy - hope everything goes okay at the medicos place. I really do not like going down there - all those sick people!

Laura - our superannuation is supposed to carry us all through those things like LTC and so forth. Mine will not but then I have a house to sell and I can always seek revenge and move in with the kids. I started mine too late to do too much as I have oft repeated - I can't retire before 70 and must be dead by 74. It's not the joke it used to be.

Mel - It's so nice to see you getting better and better. Hope this blockage comes to nothing and it moves and keeps moving although I'm not sure I envy you the eventual evacuation. Do you want that discussion some time this week while I am off work?

Better go and get on with the housework. There is much to do and not much I can do outside except for planting in this weather. I've just put all the houseplants outside to enjoy it as well. At least it is not too cold.

Couldn't resist this attachment - comes from a NZ Forest & Bird website called Freshwater NZ. Love the look on the seals face.

She works hard for the money
So hard for it, honey
She works hard for the money
So you better treat her right




THIS ABOUT SUMMED UP MY ENTIRE DAY. I WENT DOWN FOR TYPICAL FRIDAY STUFF TO SET UP THE WEEKEND
AND ENDED UP ALMOST PUTTING IN A FULL DAY. BUT NOW I HAVE A LOT OF TIME PUT IN FOR SEPTEMBER'S EXTRA CHECK.
MIGHT BE A GOOD THING TOO INCASE ANYTHING ELSE HAPPENS TO ME THIS YEAR
THERE WAS JUST SO MUCH CRAP LEFT UNDONE AND JUST PLAIN "WRONG" THAT I COULDN'T JUST WALK AWAY.
I HAD A GOOD DAY TODAY PAIN WISE AND HOPING MAYBE I WILL BE "TURNING A CORNER" ON THAT ISSUE AS WELL.
I'LL SEE HOW THE NEXT FEW DAYS GO. I MIGHT END UP PAYING FOR IT TOMORROW
THEN YOU CAN ALL TAKE TURNS KICKING ME IN THE BUTT.
I HAVE TO ADMIT THOUGH THAT IT FELT GOOD TO WEILD SOME AUTHORITY, GET THE TO-DO LIST FINISHED AND NOW EVERYONE IS HAPPY.
SOMETIME YA JUST NEED TO DO SOMETHING TO MAKE YOURSELF FEEL ALIVE!! TIRED OF PAIN & ILLNESS ALREADY. WTF!!!!
AT LEAST WHEN I WAS DOWN THERE WORKING I DIDN'T FEEL THE 50 ODD DAILY PAINS

I ORDERED FOOD DOWN THE STREET. ALL MUSHY AND SOFT STUFF. HIS PRICES ARE SKYROCKETING. THE BILL WAS ALMOST $60!!!
I ABOUT FAINTED BUT HE GAVE ME FOREWARNING SO I CAN'T COMPLAIN I GUESS.
MADE ARRANGEMENTS AND SPOKE TO THE PLUMBER FOR A MONDAY INSTALLATION OF THE NEW WATER HEATER. IT AND HE ARRIVED TODAY.
THAT'S ONE JOB I DIDN'T WANT DONE OVER THE WEEKEND INCASE IT ALL GOES WRONG AND SOMETIME CHIT HAPPENS.
ESPECIALLY WHEN YOUR HAVE TO REMOVE ONE OF THE 2 OLD TANKS TO MAKE ROOM FOR THE NEW ONE AND THEN REINSTALL THE OLD ONE....
ALWAYS ROOM FOR TROUBLE THERE.

NOW IT'S TIME FOR A GOOD REST & SHOWER. I NEED IT!! PU!!!! HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.



SHAD....NAME THE DAY.......AND THE TIME..... IT'S ALL GOOD HERE I THINK.
ARE YOU SURE YOU WANT TO DISCUSS EVACUATIONS??? KIND OF A S H I T T Y SUBJECT
BUT WHATEVER TRIPS YOUR TRIGGER




CEEJAY....I AM SO SORRY THEY LEFT ALREADY BUT GLAD YOU HAD SUCH A GREAT VISIT.
FOR SOME REASON I THOUGHT THEY WERE STAYING AWHILE.
GOOD FOR YOU STICKING UP FOR YOURSELF AND KEEPING YOUR VACATION DAYS!!! PROUD OF YOU!!!




ANNIE....TOO BAD WE CAN'T HAVE A 3 WAY CONVO WITH SHADDIE...SHE WANTS TO TALK CRAP!!! ROFLMYAZZOFFF!!!
I AM SURE WE WOULD ALL 3 BE HOWLING ON THE PHONE WITH TEARS STREAMING DOWN OUR FACES!!!!
I JUST READ ABOUT YOUR FIRES AT WORK....SEEMS LIKE WE HAD IDENTICAL DAYS...WE MUST HAVE BEEN SEPARATED AT BIRTH




MICHELLE.........WATCH OUT FOR THE HHEAT THIS WEEKEND. I WAS JUST WATCHING THE WEATHER CHANNEL. STAY COOL.
HOPE THE PARTY FOR THE DMIL GOES OFF WITHOUT A HITCH WHEN IT'S TIME....SAVE ME SOME CAKE
SO HAPPY TO HEAR YOU ARE FEELING STRONGER. MAYBE WE CAN BOTH CELBRATE AND HAVE JUBILATION THIS MONTH!!




LAURA..........HOPE YOU GET SOME EVEN BETTER IDEAQS FROM THE ADVISOR. LONG TERM CARE IS SOOOO IMPORTANT NOWADAYS WITH DRS KEEPING US ALIVE LONGER!! LOL YES I DID GET OUTSIDE BUT I HAVE A FUNNY STORY TO TELL YOU.......WHEN I GOT UP I THOUGHT IT WAS AFTER 6.
IT LOOKED DARK AND I DIDN'T OPEN THE DRAPES. WHEN I GOT OFF THE COMPUTER LATER ON....I REALIZED I WOKE UP AROUND OR BEFORE 5AM!!!
IT'S ALWAYS A BIT DARK ON MY SIDE OF THE BUILDING AT THAT HOUR!! SO NEEDLESS TO SAY WHEN THE DRAPES WERE OPEN AND I SAW THE SUN,
I FLEW OUT THE DOOR!!
PS: DON'T TELL ANY OF THE OTHER CHICKS LEST THEY THINK I AM GOING OVER THE EDGE!!

Shad.....i Just Printed Out The Picture Of The Seal's Face Peeking Out!! Too Funny!! Jen Will Love It!!