Back to work this morning and so far so good. Praying it stay's this way.
I switched from Allegra to ClaritinD yesterday as the Allergra wasn't doing any thing for me. I'm much better though last night. I felt like I didn't sleep well. It could have been that the a.c. wasn't coming on as much to keep the house cooled down.
My neighbor came over yesterday, the one that has been cleaning my house. I've been waiting for a good time to tell her that I didn't want/need her. She claims she went to the ER yesterday with a stiff neck and hurting back, claiming it to be a ruptured disc. The doctor wanted to do an MRI to make sure but she doesn't have the money to do it. Was thinking to myself that I surely don't want her in my house and claim an injury, so I told her that I've been working on my finances and was cutting it short each month. She noticed that I'd cleaned the house. I'm thanking the good Lord above for this intervention.

Happy
That was a wise choice on renting a truck and letting the dh fly back home.
Is he takinig his cpap machine with him?

Mel
I kept having a similar problem concerning a company call a wo-worker about an overdue bill. It was every 8 hours. I got to where I recognized the people on the other end. It was very annoying.

Michelle
Glad you are on the mend, but please don't push yourself.

Annie
I was going to help Mel in sending a search party for you. My lawn is brown too. As mom used to say I need to get the crow's feet off and that's about it. We got some rain yesterday but I don't think it will be enough to bring the lawn back to life.

Laura
Hope you are feeling better. I've also noticed that when i take any of the allergy med's with a d in them that my bp goes up.

Shad
Are you back to work today? Hope you enjoyed your week end.

http://img.foodnetwork.com/FOOD/2011...a_s4x3_med.jpg

Cajun Jambalaya

Recipe courtesy of Emeril Lagasse
Serves:4 servings.

Ingredients
12 medium shrimp, peeled, deveined and chopped
4 ounces chicken, diced
1 tablespoon Creole seasoning, recipe follows
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup chopped green bell pepper
1/4 cup chopped celery
2 tablespoons chopped garlic
1/2 cup chopped tomatoes
3 bay leaves
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon hot sauce
3/4 cup rice
3 cups chicken stock
5 ounces Andouille sausage, sliced
Salt and pepper

Directions
In a bowl combine shrimp, chicken and Creole seasoning, and work in seasoning well. In a large saucepan heat oil over high heat with onion, pepper and celery, 3 minutes. Add garlic, tomatoes, bay leaves, Worcestershire and hot sauces. Stir in rice and slowly add broth. Reduce heat to medium and cook until rice absorbs liquid and becomes tender, stirring occasionally, about 15 minutes. When rice is just tender add shrimp and chicken mixture and sausage. Cook until meat is done, about 10 minutes more. Season to taste with salt, pepper and Creole seasoning.

Emeril's ESSENCE Creole Seasoning (also referred to as Bayou Blast):
2 1/2 tablespoons paprika
2 tablespoons salt
2 tablespoons garlic powder
1 tablespoon black pepper
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon dried thyme
Combine all ingredients thoroughly.
Yield: 2/3 cup:store in air-tight container.

:hun: I JUST MAD A HUGE POT OF THIS JAMBALAYA.....BUT A LOT LESS SEASONINGS:flame:
NONE OF US NEEDS TO COOK FOR 2 DAYS AT LEAST.
I'LL GET THE RICE STEAMED AND CALL THE KIDS.
JEN IS SLEEPING IN TODAY AND A GOOD RAINY DAY FOR IT TOO.
LOTS OF RAIN AND THUNDER AND SUNSHINE.
VERY CONFUSING WEATHER.
I KEEP LOOKING OUT THE WINDOW IN HOPES OF SEEING A RAINBOW:dance:




CEEJAY.....WOW THAT WAS A STROKE OF GOOD LUCK YOU HAD!!
SO GLAD IT WORKED OUT SO WELL AND ALSO WITHOUT A LOT OF DRAMA.
GOOD THING SHE DIDN'T GET HURT IN YOUR HOME!!
THIS WAS PERFECT TIMING!!!:dancer:
ENJOY YOUR OWN SPACE AND MAKING IT COZY & CLEAN YOURSELF.

Morning chicks,

I see your light on Miss Mel :idea: Looks like that jumbalaya is more up Annie's alley than mine. But add a bottle of hot sauce instead of 3 drops :lol: Isn't it funny how the kids give Jen a hard time until they have to leave? Crocodile tears? I'm sure she will appreciate the rest - here - let me HELP YOU get on the plane - pronto :lol: I think you need a special hotline number for the batteries that goes right to voicemail in the office. :rolleyes:

Michelle- sorry you are so down and out with the bronchitis. It really is knocking the stuffing out of you. All you can do is rest and get it over with. Allergy season is starting early it seems, not helping your case any. Sending you some healing love in a cup :coffee: Just be a good girl and take your rest. Hope you and DH can get back to a bit of more normal life come Monday. :hug:

Ceejay - whoa - I think you were wise to send the neighbor with the bad back packing. I'd be suspicious too. Bummer on the girls pestering you also. I think you need to move :lol: Looks like the heat and humidity are back again. Be cool. And give the lawn a little water.

Laura - how were the tomatoes? I didn't realize until you mentioned it that you were bigger on the strength stuff than the cardio - you are right about exercising the heart. Got to find something you like doing - seems like you enjoy the step classes alot. Do you go biking in the Busse Woods trails? Guess they get kind of busy. We used to love walking the paths in the fall - there's a spot by the Elk herd that have the most beautiful Golden Apple colored leaves - it literally glowed. Makes me sort of homesick for the fall colors.

Annie - glad to see you back again and sorry work was so bad next week. Hopefully this week will be better for you. :hug: How's the garden doing? Did it peter out along with the lawn? :( Sounds like you are more busy than when you were working 2 jobs. Did you make a nice supper for Dad?

Shad - seems like your weekend is flying by. Did you get to enjoy the "glorious day" after the rain moved on? At least you won't have to water the garden.

Half the day is gone already better get to the laundry and cleaning. I hope I have enough food not to have to go to the grocery store this week. Have a good rest of your Sunday chicks.

Happy - So sorry to hear that you and your DH are under so much stress and arguing. It'll all be worth it when you finally move. That's awful about those black flies, but glad you were able to research/solve the problem.

Mel - The jambalaya sounds yummy. I hope you and the kids enjoy it and can relax.

Ceejay - I hope the allergies improve with the claritin. if your neighbor has injuries...I'm glad you're not letting her do ANYTHING in your house. You don't want her getting hurt (or hurt worse) at your place and insisting you pay for the medical bills. Steer clear of that one, Ceejay.

I might try and get a bit of website work done today. For now, I'm going to rest. there's lots of yard work and house work that is on the to do list....but nothing is MANDATORY except resting and getting better.

Love and hugs,

Morning all,
Rush job as I am back at work and in the thick of things trying to get it all done before we head south next week for training. For the next couple of days I will be working from home. Well probably Wednesday and Thursday anyway. I need to get my ducks in a row for training next week. Maybe, just maybe I will be prepared.

Get wells to Michelle and her DH.
Stay calm to Happy and her DH
Mel - don't know what to say about the phone calls in the middle of the night - maybe forward them on to those who care??? Oh that's right, that appears to be ......... You!
Ceejay - Glad you didn't answer the door for those chicks. I thought they were leaving town. Are they still waiting for their ride?
Annie - Hope you are okay and still hanging in there. Somewhere in the universe there must be an answer to slappy happy and cr*ppy bosses
Laura - did you get the bike ride in? Maybe that's what I need to motivate me into exercise again - a bike. Yeah well maybe.

Okay - outa here and back into the fray. Have a good Sunday or what's left of it.

Evening all. Quick one.

Michelle - Glad you're making rest & recovery the priority!

Shad- yes, got the bike ride in. I'm feeling cycling is thisclose to being to techy for me- the gear (it's maint & adjustment) getting the bike in& out of
the rack, shifting, etc. But it was a nice ride once we got going. Hope you get sufficiently ready for your trip& that you are productive working at home( no remote access glitches!)

Happy - Sounds horribly stressful in the Happy household right now. Boo. I think getting the house sold and renting sounds like a great way to ease into retirement- at least you retire from home maintenance! :D. Hang in there & def get the BP taken care of. BTW, we rode a trail in Palatine today. We like Busse, but it's really busy on the weekend.

Ceejay- glad u ended the house cleaning thing - not when she's claiming injuries already. Risky. Hope you allergies are in check now.

Annie- Did you visit dad & get back in his good graces??

Mel - Hope Jen is resting up & happy to be home and child-free for a while! I like Shad's idea of forwarding those low battery calls to someone else!!

Ok posting before my battery dies!!

http://www.isanam.com/scraps/hi-hello/hi-hello-62.gif GOOD MORNING CHICKS.


NOTHING NEW SINCE YESTERDAY.
I NEED TO GO TO THE OFFICE FOR OBVIOUS REASONS.
HOPE I CAN KEEP MY TEMPER. ALREADY SPOKE TO THE BOSSLADY.
SO MANY CALLS CAME IN THAT I HAD TO PUT THOSE ALARMS ON TEST.
THUS I HAD TO CALL HER AND APPRAISE HER OF THE SITUATION BECAUSE OF THE TENANTS INVOLVED.
I JUST COULDN'T TAKE ANOTHER NIGHT OF BEING WOKEN UP.
I HAVE ABOUT ONE INCH LEFT ON THE ROPE I AM HOLDING ON TO
BEFORE I HAND IN MY RESIGNATION AND THEY CAN SCREW THEMSELVES.
I SAID I AM SORRY BUT THIS IS NOT MY JOB AND I AM NOT TAKING ON ANOTHER FREEBIE.
OF COURSE SHE AGREED BUT WE WILL SEE HOW FAST THEY CHANGE THIS.

JEN AND I HAD A SMALL CHAT. SHE REALLY JUST NEEDS TO MELLOW OUT AND RELAX FOR AWHILE.
SHE SAID THE SUMMER WENT PRETTY WELL. EXCEPT THE OCCASIONAL DRAMA WHEN MOMMY DEAREST CALLED HER KIDDOS.
NOW I SEE WHAT THE TROUBLE WAS WITH THE KIDS.:faint:
THE AIRPORT WAS AN EVEN BIGGER DRAMA.
PLANE DELAYED 2 HRS DUE TO IMPENDING HURRICANES
AND THEN DD REFUSING TO BOARD TO GO HOME.
ADD ON TIRADE WHICH INCLUDED MANY TEARS, PLEAS........ETC.
RICHIE IS AN ABSOLUTE MESS.
NOW WE CAN GO THRU THIS ALL OVER AGAIN IN DECEMBER.
GEE I CAN'T WAIT!!!
FUNNY.....I THOUGHT I WOULD BE LUCKY HAVING AN ONLY CHIKD.....
WHERE DID I GO WRING IN MY THINKING.:rofl: :rofl:

TIME TO GET DRESSED AND HAVE SOME BREAKFAST.
MAYBE BY THAT TIME I WILL BE CALMER :angel:
HAVE A GREAT WEEK!!!:encore:





HAPPY........MUST BE HARD NOT TO TAKE THE STTRESS OUT ON EACH OTHER AND BE SNIPPY.
WE DO THAT HERE TOO. :lol3: lol3:
SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT THE BLACK FLIES AND GLAD YOU CAN SOLVE THE PROBLEM.
THANK GOD FOR INTERNET INFO....I AGREE IT'S A BIG HELP!!
HOPING YOUR WEEK GOES BETTER AND THINGS GO RIGHT!!!:hug:




MICHELLE...GLAD YOU CAN REST AND HOPE THIS WEEK GOES OK FOR BOTH YOU AND DH. SENDING MORE GET WELL HUGS:hug:




SHAD.....HOPE YOUR WEEK GOES WELL TOO!!
GETTING THE DUCKS IN A ROW CAN BE TRICKY. WATCH OUT FOR THOSE STRAGGLERS!!
YOU MADE ME LAUGH ABOUT THE ALARMS. :rofl: :rofl: SEE....I'M ALREADY IN A BETTER MOOD. :D




LAURA.......YOU CAN HAVE YO0UR LAPTOP CALL ME IF IT NEEDS RECHARGING!!!:lol3: :lol3:

Good morning ladies,

I don't have enough time to do a proper post. Opted for getting a little bit of sleep over pulling an all nighter and trying to finish things up so now I have a couple more things to get done to tidy up before I turn it over to DH for the day. Does it ever get done? I'm thinking no. I'd like to leave a bit earlier and get home a bit earlier than 20 minutes before the paint lady and realtor show up. So let me just say hiyah and be on my way and hopefully catch up at lunch time.

Michelle - I hope you and hubby are feeling well enough to go back to work although I'm sure you will peter out quickly in the afternoon. Don't push it if you aren't ready. :hug:

Mel - we both know they are not paying you to take calls in the middle of the night. And you can't afford not to get a decent rest yourself. They need to send those non emergency calls to someone else. You might as well be in IT (computers) for all the grief you take over night :lol:

Laura - give me an old fashioned 3 speed bike any day. I get confused with all the shifts and gears. My sister said the weather up there is lovely - perfect for being outside until dusk sets in and the monster mosquitoes come out.

Gotta run - catch up with the rest of you later. :wave:

Good Morning Chicklets of the Worldlie Type.....

Nice weekend, got both my toities fixed over the weekend. I can actually flush without taking the tank top off to do it manually. Yahoo!!

Ok here it is.......so the breadman, Curtis, and I have been talking for the past two years at CVS and when he caught wind that I was quitting CVS, he finally asked for my digits and we have been dating for the past 3 or 4 weeks. It is going extremely well. It's just crazy the things we have in common and how well he treats me. I am taking it slow, very slow, however he is falling hard, really hard. It is true...when a relationship is supposed to be, you don't have to work real hard at it.

CHELLE.....glad to hear you and DH are on the mend...do not push yourself with work and have a set back. Now, for Pete's sake, no more illnesses you have had your quota for the next 10 years.

HAPPY...sending peaceful, stress relieved hugs your way sister and hope that zap your brain immediately. Those d*mn flies and the p*ss ants, as my g-pa used to call them, drive me up a tree too. Remember the Shell no-pest strips? Think we need some! My garden is flourishing, but only because I water the heck out of it. I got another great harvest out it over the weekend Tomatos, banana peppers, zucchini, green onions, cucumbers and lettuce and made a salad fit for a king with it too!

SHADDIE...I just knew you were gandering up the ducks cause they were quacking like crazy this morning out on the pond when I let Hella B out. I think there are some big a$$ed turtles in the pond that are snapping and drowning the duck and geese. Goodluck gathering the troops and don't work too awful hard.

MELLIE...I feel for Jen....when I was married, we got custody of my x's 13 year old daughter. She was the biggest troublemaker on earth. Running away from home, smoking, yadda yadda. It is so hard on the step parent cause we cannot beat them and get away with it. lol Hugs to you and Jen, and Richie too, cause I know it is hard on him.

LAURA...what is on the agenda this week...movie? bike purchases/sell? What book are you reading for club this time? Hopefully not anything from the "friend" author! What is the funniest thing that you have seen/experience on the train rides to and from home?

CEEJAY...I will come clean your house for free. I just love cleaning. I got mine done and the grass around the edges cut on Saturday. I need to learn to cut grass first then clean cause I tend to drag in bits of grass and have to vacuum again. We finally got a good pour down yesterday, then it was so cool outside and nice. Back to hot and humid today tho.

Made a new chocolate/peanutbutter fudgey brownie yesterday..so easy. Curtis said it was awesome. I didn't taste it cause I don't like chocolate. I brought it into work today to share with the office.

Must get busy...have a wonderful Monday/Tuesday..

Much love and many hugs.

Annie
I am happy for you and new beau. He sounds like a keeper. I tend to clean the house then mow the lawn.

----
Nothing new this morning.

Mel
Good for you in telling the boss lady it's not your job. They most difinitely need a night maintenance man

Happy Monday -

Feels weird, but oddly good, to be back at work. Funny how when you're off work for a week or two on vacation...it doesn't feel nearly as good to be back at work as when you're out sick for a week or two. My energy/stamina is already pretty low...and I haven't even been here for two hours yet. I know that once I get home at 4, I'm just going to collapse...and that's assuming I can last the entire day at work.

DH was having trouble with dizziness last night. He couldn't sit up for more than 5 or 10 minutes without feeling like he was going to pass out...so he stayed at home today. Hopefully, he'll feel better tomorrow.

We got some good news...DMIL may be coming back for a visit as early sometime in October. We thought she'd stay in CA until after her granddaughter (our niece) has her baby in November, but she's bored and wants to come back to visit us (and stay through the holidays).

******************
Shad - I hope you're able to have a productive week and get things in order for your training.

Laura - The bike ride sounds nice. I agree about bikes being super techy, and getting them in and out of the rack can be a challenge too. I'd like to do some bike rides with DH before winter. :crossed:

Mel - So sorry to hear about all the alarms...and lack of sleep. Happy's right...with all the sleepless night's you're having, you'd think you had a computer job except that computer jobs pay better. Hang in there. I'm glad you went to the office and laid down the law. So sorry to hear about the drama with the kids, especially the tantrums and tirades at the airport. And they'll be back in December for another round of stress? Oh no!

Happy - I'm really glad to hear that you got a proper night's sleep. Good for you! I hope you get to leave a bit earlier today so that you have a few minutes at home before the decorator and realtor show up. Sending you lots of :goodvibes: and :hug: :hug: Your sister is right...the weather up here is absolutely lovely. Unfortunately, neither DH nor I have been able to be outside enjoying it, which is really frustrating. Both of us are on antibiotics that have side effects if we have prolonged sun exposure. :( The grass definitely needs mowing...and I'll probably do that later on this week...after DH and I are feeling a bit better.

Annie - Glad both toities got fixed! I'm so glad you've got a new beau who treats you well. :love: :love: And I'm glad you're taking it slowly. Your garden harvest sounds so yummy!! I haven't had a chance to harvest any of my tomatoes yet...haven't had the energy to even walk out to the garden. Hopefully, I'll have enough energy today.

:wave: to Ceejay and Ellen!

Lots of love and hugs to all,

Morning all.

Mel - Sorry the alarm situation has become your he11. I hope the office keeps their word on doing something about that. When did that all start?? Too bad about all the drama when the kids left town. Hope it's all a faded memory by the time they arrive for the holidays...

Happy - Yesterday when I said it would be nice to at least retire from house maintenance - I meant on a temporary basis, of course, since it'll still be there in the house up north. :) Hope the paint lady has good colors for you! Yup, the fewer speeds the simpler bikes are. This is one of the perfect sports for the gadget guys, that's for sure.

Annie - Glad C. spoke up before you left CVS! So night you're enjoying time w/ him. :) Nice you've gotten a good harvest from the veg patch. My tomatoes have gone nuts, but the peppers have been blocked out of the sun, so no more of them; I didn't see it actually flower, but the cilantro is overgrown. I think that's a crop that is very quick to "bolt" as the experts say, so I'd be better off just planting more seeds throughout the season. The boss gave me a nice organic cuke from her dh's garden.

Michelle - Nice you're happy to be back at work...for now. Hope you can get through the day alright, but don't overdo it. Poor dh w/ the dizzies. Awful. :( Nice that your dmil is returning!! :) :) I know you wanted that.

Hellos to Shad, Ceejay & Ellen.

Gorgeous weather yesterday. :sunny: I lazed around a bit in the AM and then went to the front bed of shrubs and weeded it. We're about 2 years overdue on mulching it and so the weeds took advantage. Looks so much better, but my lower back got really tired from all the bending and reaching.

Finally got on the road with our bikes around 3 pm yesterday. The first trail turned out to be crushed limestone - not anything bf and I wanted to cycle on w/ our skinny tires. Not thrilled that wasn't clear in the trail guide I bought. :mad: We were going to head to the Busse Woods trail, but instead decided to go on a trail close by the one we abandoned - once I'd confirmed it was paved! :D It was a very nice trail and we'll probably go back. It didn't seem crowded, but that might have been because it was late afternoon by the time we rode on it. We went about 10 miles. We both are enjoying our new bikes, but I have to refresh my shifting skills and we both have to learn how to use our new bike computers. Neither of us could really tell how far we went by looking at our computers, lol. I was, however, able to find the cadence reading on mine, which I like to use. It's good to keep a cadence of approx. 80 rpms - revolutions per minute.

My arse is a bit sore today from the cycling, and my back was a bit tight upon first waking (from the weeding), but otherwise I'm good. Tonight I will go to an exercise class.

Annie - in response to your questions - no movie this week. Our group leader has a conflict and so she and one other are going to an 8:30 show after her conflict. Too late for me, plus I can use that time to go to an exercise class instead. I have only two weeks left on my passport and still have 8 classes to use!

Our next book club book is "The Doctor's Wife" by Elizabeth Brundage, published in 1996 I think. Haven't really started it yet, except for a bit of the prologue. Seems readable, so it's way ahead of our last selection. :lol:

As for funny train experiences - a couple that come to mind involve drunk passengers late at night when bf and & were taking the train home after work parties. :cheers: One drunk girl was on her cell phone having a rather loud and oblivious conversation/argument w/ what sounded like a boyfriend. Everyone in the car couldn't help but hear (and be entertained by) this gal. Another time, a drunk guy got himself ejected from the train at the same stop bf and I got off at. After stumbling off the train, there he was sitting on the ground on the platform not at all sure where he was. Actually, it was a bitter cold December night, so I was sort of worried about him.... bu what do they say about God protecting fools and children?? Nothing really hilarious comes to mind. Recently I was on the "quiet car" and grandma and a couple grandkids ended up finding seats nearby. Grandma was clueless about the quiet car concept and kept talking loudly, while the grandkids kept shushing her. Sometimes people fall asleep and snore loudly... Oh yeah, just a regular laugh riot on the train. Happy, maybe you have a funny train memory from your Metra days??

Okay, better post and earn my pay.

On the run again. Need to get data sorted for next weeks training. Then we are stacked and ready to go.

Mel - you need to take some of your own advice. Breathe, in and out, in and out. DD only wants to get her own way. She would no doubt turn back into super b*tch if she did manage to stay.
Hope you get those alarms sorted. What a pain. It's bad enough being woken up to go to the loo in the night.

Happy - breathe in and out, just like Mel. Personally, I would not do too much to the house because of the expense. You will not get the money back in todays market. Just make it liveable. Last time I saw it, I would have been happy to move in and redecorate as I saw fit, but GenY wants it all done for them, I guess.

Annie - well you are the sneaky one are you not. I'm happy for you. Your garden sounds really good.

Laura - know how you feel about the tush, bicycles never seem to have a comfortable seat. Maybe there is a message in that - as in get off your butt and move!!!!

Ceejay - are you going to find another cleaner?

Michelle - did you last the day or did you give in and go home when you ran out of steam?

Gotta go and get the data sorted for the Planners. My best mate Scottie (grovel, grovel) is back at the desk now.

http://www.isanam.com/scraps/hi-hello/hi-hello-95.gif

HAPPY TUESDAY/WEDNESDAY!


LOVELY SUN OUTSIDE. GOING OUT IN A FEW MINUTES.
JOHN IS STILL OUT. HE HAS A KIDNEY STONE NOW. :cry:
NOT SURE WHO TO CRY MORE FOR....HIM OF ME!
TAKING THE TODAY OFF I HOPE. TOMORROW WILL BE EVEN BUSIER AND
WE ALSO HAVE THE 2 MEETINGS SCHEDULED.
THE ALARM COMPANY IS COMING HERE ON 9/7 TO INVESTIGATE THE BATTERY PROBLEM.
THERE IS STILL NO DECISION ON WHO TO CALL OR NOT CALL.:faint:
NOTHING MUCH NEW HERE JUST VERY BUSY AND HAD A CHAT WITH JEN.
HOPE YOU ALL HAVE A GREAT DAY :moped:




HAPPY......YES TOO BAD I DIDN'T GET RE-TRAINED AND GET A REAL PAYING JOB :lol3: :lol3: GOOD LUCK THIS WEEK!!:hug:




ANNIE......I AM VERY HAPPY FOR YOU AND HOPE YOU BOTH CONTINUE TO FIND OUT GOOD THINGS ABOUT EACH OTHER.
YES....IT SHOULD BE EASY AND NOT SO MUCH WORK HAVING A RELATIONSHIP.
SENDING HUGS YOUR WAY :hug:





CEEJAY.....DO YOU HAVE ANY PLANS FOR YOUR :hb: BIRTHDAY ON SATURDAY?:gift:
WAS WONDERING IF YOU'RE GOING TO PARAGOULD TO BE WITH THE AUNT & UNCLES.
WE ARE HAVING GREAT WEATHER HERE AND HOPE YOU ARE TOO.:sunny:




MICHELLE.....GOOD THING THE DMIL IS COMING BACK.
SOUNDS LIKE SOMEONE NEEDS TO TAKE CARE OF YOU AND DH!!!
HOPE BOTH OF YOU WILL BE EVEN BETTER TOMORROW.
SORRY TO HEAR DH IS DIZZY STILL. HE SURE IS HAVING A TOUGH TIME NOW. :hug:




LAURA.....GLAD YOU FINALLY FOUND A TRAIL TO RIDE. YOUR POOR FANNY!!
I CAN JUST SEE YOUR TRAIN RIDE SCENARIOS!:rofl: ESPECIALLY GRANDMA!!!
HOPE THE BOOK IS A GOOD ONE AND NO ONE KNOWS THE AUTHOR THIS TIME ROUND:lol3:lol3: HAPPY READING!




SHAD.....HOPE SCOTTY DIDN'T GROVEL TOO MUCH! :rofl:
HAPPY DATA SORTING AND GOOD LUCK!!
I AM CONSIDERING MOVING TO THE BOON DOCKS AND DISCONNECTING ALL PHONES.
SOMETHING LIKE CAMPING IS STARTING TO SOUND GOOD TO ME. :flame:

Terrific Tuesday to you all.....

Had a great evening. Curtis came over for dinner, well I just fixed leftover meatloaf into sandwiches..haha. He loved it and was happy about it. Then we went on a 45 minute walk, taking Hella B with us. Toward the end of the walk Hella was not wanting any part of it. She held out tho. I am very excited that Curtis loves to walk. He has hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon twice...7 miles in..7 miles out. I guess he and his brother go, then camp over night at the bottom. Don't believe I will be taking my fat arse on that trip! lol.

Sissy is coming over tonight to color my hair, of course I have to fix us dinner. So it is chicken fetticini alfredo, ghetto garlic bread, and fresh salad out of the garden. I love doing cooking for repayment of coloring. It is a deal to me!!

Death toll for the Indiana Fair stage crash is up to 7 now. The last one died yesterday. She was an organ donor and helped to save 8 lives. That is the only good I can see coming from such a tragedy. My heart breaks for the loved ones and their families.

Brother's band plays this Saturday nite...we are all going. My SIL is going to go pick up my dad as he wants to see the band "before he dies"..whatever...I went over there on my way home from work yesterday and dad was telling me all about going. He was so excited. He also said, his first two beers he would probably slam down cause there was nothing like a beer on tap..... I cracked up. My oldest brother and his wife are going also. Oh and get this Curtis likes to dance and not too bad at it.

MELLIE....love the Hello Friend pix, so darn cute. Poor John, he just gets past one thing then something else goes wrong...prayers. Don't over do the work stuff, be sure to put our MELLIE first and foremost. Rest when you need to...got it?

SHADDIE...hope all is going great at the worksite and training goes smoothly. I sense some bitterness with your mate Scottie..haha

LAURA...I used to strap a folded up beach towel to my bike seat, I couldn't handle it otherwise. I am a wimp. I don't mind trimming shrubs and bushes, what I hate is cleaning up the mess. Even when I put something down to catch the trimmings, it still got in the rock bed and made a mess.

CHELLE...how are you and DH feeling today? Did DH get past the dizzyness, might be the BP pills also. Hope your energy level is gaining force. Hugs dear sister, feel better.

Hey ya CEEJAY...hope your day is great!

HAPPY......Take her easy dearheart. Remember to breathe. Slowly. Let the mind go blank, kind of like mine...lol. Hugs

Hello Ellen.

Gotta get busy..have the bestest day ever all!! Hugs,

Happy Tuesday ladies -

I'm back at work again today. I made it roughly 6 hours yesterday, then went home and rested for the remainder of the day. Today, I have a work book club meeting at 1 pm, so the earliest I could leave is 2...which might happen. I brought the nebulizer with me today as John doesn't like the way it makes him feel. No one likes the way nebulizers make them feel...other than they help you to breathe. For me, my heart races and feels like it will jump out of my chest after I nebulize...and my hands shake. But I guess that's the price for breathing (and it does help me do that). The steroids I'm on have finally decided to kick in big time in terms of monster appetite. I've had a good breakfast, and a couple healthy snacks, and I'm still famished!! At least I only have 3 days left on the steroid medicine.

DH is home again today, which I'm glad about. He says he's feeling a little better, but still not breathing well. I'd rather he rest and get over this than push himself to far too fast and have a relapse. He hasn't had pneumonia since he was a child...so he needs to realize that it's nothing to mess around with and can take weeks to get over. He's still having occasional dizziness...but I think that's due to being exhausted and also not getting enough air into the lungs (so says my voice of experience).

For now, when DMIL comes back in October, it will be for a visit. She hasn't decided about moving here permanently...and we don't want to put any pressure on her to make that decision. She knows she is always welcome in our home whether for months or the rest of her life.

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

Laura - Sounds like you had a very nice weekend...relaxing, mixed with productive yard work, and good exercise. I got a great laugh at your funny train stories. DH and I ride the trains in Chicago when we're down there visiting...definitely makes for some interesting people watching! :rofl:

Happy - I hope the decorator has some good suggestions that don't break the bank. I agree with Shad...don't invest a lot into getting your house sold. I just know you will find a buyer who will be happy and eager to do what's necessary to make the house theirs. Please try not to worry/stress. It does no good, and is so bad for your overall health. :hug:

Shad - Hope you got all the data sorted and are all set to go. Are you working from home Wednesday and Thursday as planned? Are you off on Friday or is that a travel day?

Mel - So sorry to hear about John being out again. Kidney stones are no fun (from what I've heard). I hope you were able to take today off since tomorrow will be busy for you. They'd better get the alarm contacts squared away so you can get some sleep at nights.

Annie - I love meatloaf AND leftover meatloaf sammys. Also really like chicken fettucini alfredo. You're making my mouth water, sista! How fun it will be that the whole gang is going to hear your brother's band on Saturday! I'm sure your dad will have a great time! So nice that Curtis loves to dance! DH isn't on BP medicine...his BP is really good...so that's not causing his dizziness. I think it's just the pneumonia. My energy level is up from yesterday...still nowhere near normal, but improving. After work today, I have to run two errands - library and grocery store - then it will be home and straight to bed.

Ceejay - So nice that you're spending your birthday in Paragould with the family!! So are you going to Springfield this Monday or for Labor Day weekend? I'm so glad to hear you're feeling better with the b12 and new thyroid meds! :yay:

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

Love and hugs,

Morning all. Quick hello only - running behind on planned tasks because I had to support boss on her budget work. We both hate it.

Went to the Step 101 class yesterday. Yawn. Boooring. But I did sweat. It was also good to get in the pushups and ab crunches we do at the end of class.

Personals later - if I catch up. :wave:

Sissy and I just took a walk around the pond. I am not sure how far it is but it takes about 25-30 minutes to get all the way around it. Quite a jaunt. Didn't realize it was as hot as it is outside, now I have swamp a$$. Shuuuuuweeeeeee. The turtles were not out on the banks as usual. We did see several in the pond tho. The nasty geese were out around pooing everywhere. THose things kind of frighten me as sometimes for no reason they take off chasing you. lol

Gotta get busy, hope to leave a little early today....

Stupid prednisone has had me eating all day...at least I've made healthy choices - lots of veggies, string cheese, and 2 cartons of yogurt. And my hunger has FINALLY diminished. I just nebulized for the second time today...so I'm a bit wired and spacey. I'll be better in about 1/2 hour. I'm debating whether to call it an early day...or push myself to try and last the entire day. I'm leaning toward leaving early.

Laura - Bummer that the Step class was boring...but at least you got a good workout. I hope you were able to get caught up so your afternoon isn't too horrible. Are you going to exercise class tonight?

Annie - So nice that you and DD went for a walk! Too funny about swamp butt. The turtles were probably enjoying the cool water as a break from the hot day.

Love and hugs to all,

Okay, made it back here for personals:

Shad – Did you get the data sorted and ready? Re the bike seat – guess my behind is only acclimated to 6-block rides to the train and not 10 mile rides, LOL.

Mel – Enjoy that weather while you’ve got it! Sorry to hear John’s got kidney stones. I hear they’re painful!! Did you get to take today off?? Just finished another book, now I’ll start this book club book. HEY MEL– DID YOU FEEL THE EARTHQUAKE??!!! :yikes:

Annie – Last night’s dinner and tonight’s sounds yummy. Good barter system there between you and sissy. :D Very sad about the deaths from that stage collapse. At least something positive came out of it with those organ donations. I hope your dad enjoys seeing your brother’s band play. My (widowed) friend’s dad came along with us to karaoke after her graduation party and I thought it was great that he came along. Nothing my folks would have done... You obviously didn’t have the rain we had up here at lunchtime if you and sissy were out walking in the sun. I didn’t feel like bringing my umbrella to lunch, so I just ran across the street for a sandwich.

Ceejay – Sounds like you have fun plans for your b-day. Bummer you had power outages while cooking and showering – I wouldn’t like that at all. I wouldn’t mind it happening at work though, LOL. Glad you’ve got the energy back to do your own cleaning. I guess I have the energy, it’s just the will to do it that I’m lacking, LOL.

Michelle – Sounds like the cures are almost as bad as the illness, lol. Glad you're almost off the steroids. At least you’re able to work, or you’d also be stressing out about falling too far behind! Good for dh taking the extra day to recover. Did you end up leaving work early?

Hellos to Happy & Ellen. :wave:
***
I’ve gotten several things done today after the budget stuff was finally taken care of, but I’m still waiting for some support re some reports that aren’t running properly for me. That’s holding up something that’s high on the priority list. It’s always something, isn’t it?? :yes:

I’m on the fence about going to an exercise class tonight. I’m leaning towards skipping tonight and going Wed & Thurs. I like the class options for Wed & Thurs better too. I do need some stuff from Walmart, so I think I’ll go there instead. Been out of calcium supplements for a couple weeks now…

Well, that’s about it. If you can't be good, be careful! :flow2:

Have had an email from Mel who says that they have felt 2 aftershocks only a few minutes apart. She is dealing with frightened seniors who think they should go outside - they also are thinking about 9/11. Mel is fine but can't get to the site for one reason or another. No doubt she will be back to tell us all the gory details soon.

Scotty and I have a good working relationship. I was grovelling because I needed to put some data into the training client and we discussed what we needed and wrote it on the whiteboard. I fully expected to put the data in myself except for the tricky bits that demanded access to the bowels of the system. While I was still doing the first bit, Scotty sent me a list of everything he had put in and done - I didn't need to do any more. Gotta love clear thinking people who just DO their job!!!! I've worked with Scotty before and he is another Kiwi - actually a Jaffa from Auckland, he can be overbearing and arrogant from time to time, but on the whole I like working with him.

Michelle - glad to hear that you are on the improve and taking life easy right now. Hope you both get better soon.

Annie - good news on your front as well. Liked the sound of dinner. We are eating out the pantry and freezer right now. I didn't do any shopping since I am away next week and most of the weekdays for the next 5 weeks or so.

Ceejay - Hope you have a happy birthday on Saturday in case I am not around to wish it then. Have a good time with the family.

Laura - did you skip class in favour of calcium supplements? I know exactly how you feel about someone not doing their job, so that interferes with yours, which in turn interferes with some one futher up the food chain. Good luck with that.

Right, I am at work. Doubt that I will actually get to work from home this week although Friday might be good. I fly to Mudgee at a horrible hour on Monday morning, and I have to try to work out how to get my computer, my steel cap boots and my clothes and personal gear into a case and weighing less than 15 kilograms - that's about 30lbs. That's all that Air Pelican allow and that includes hand luggage. Since I will be there for a while, I may try to find out if I can hire a locker or something to keep my gear in when I come home for the weekends.

Gotta buzz. Catch you all later and if I hear from Mel, I will send a message.

News update. Mel still can't get on site but is okay. Somewhat shaken and a bit stirred up. Someone give her a martini :lol3:

MORNING CHICKS.

AS SHAD HAD POSTED FOR ME.......I CAN REAFFIRM IT WAS A FREAKY TUESDAY.
I WAS SO SCARED THAT I TRIED TO GET ON 3FC RIGHT AWAY :rofl: :rofl:
I DON'T THINK I WAS THINKING CLEARLY AT THE TIME.
COULDN'T GET ON AND WAS CALLING JEN AT THE SAME TIME.
I WAS ON THE COMPUTER WHEN IT HAPPENED AND IT SHOOK THE WHOLE ROOM. :faint: SCARY CHIT SKIPPY!

THE AFTER SHOCKS LEFT ME FEELING HEAVY IN THE HEAD WITH PRESSURE AND INSTANTLY NAUSEOUS.
AND THAT WAS EVEN BEFORE I KNEW WHAT THE HADES WAS GOING ON.
I HAVEN'T FELT ANY SHOCKS SINCE THEN AND THE NAUSEA WENT AWAY WHILE I SLEPT.
MOST OF THE SENIORS DIDN'T FEEL IT AND THE ONES THAT DID ARE A LITTLE SHAKY.
THE FUNNY THING IS THAT THE NON-FEELERS THINK THE REST OF US ARE CRAZY.:rofl: :rofl:
THE OFFICE WENT HOME AT THE USUAL TIME SO I WENT BACK DOWN AND SAT WITH A FEW SENIORS OUTSIDE.
SOME OF THEM DIDN'T WANT TO COME BACK INTO THE BUILDING RIGHT AWAY.
CAN'T SAY AS I BLAMED THEM :yikes:
UP UNTIL THEN I WAS HAVING SUCH A LOVELY & QUIET DAY.:beach:
WINDOWS WERE OPENED AND A BIG OL' BREEZE WAS FLOWING IN.
I GUESS IT'S TRUE THAT ALL GOOD THINGS MUST COME TO AN END!!!!!!!!!!
HOPE EVERYONE HAS A GREAT DAY. I HAVE THOSE MEETINGS TONITE:cry:




SHAD...THANKS FOR POSTING. FOR SOME RIDICULOUS REASON IT SEEMED VERY IMPORTANT TO ME AT THE TIME:crazy:
MAYBE JUST TO REACH OUT TO YOU & THE CHICKS IN A SCARY TIME:hug:
30 LBS OF LUGGAGE?? JEN NEEDS THAT FOR JUST AN OVERNIGHTER!!:rofl: :rofl:
HOPE YOU GET TO REST UP A BIT BEFORE THIS EARLY BIRD FLIGHT ON MONDAY:cloud9:




LAURA........STEP 101! GO GIRL!! HAVE FUN ON THE OTHER CHOICES TOO.
YES I DID FEEL THE QUAKE :cry: I AM LAUGHING NOW BUT IT WAS NOT FUNNY YESTERDAY! :lol3: GLAD THE WORK WITH THE BOSS WENT OK.
HOPE THE REST OF THE NON-WORKING STUFF GETS FIXED SOON AND WITHOUT A LOT OF HOOPLA!!!




ANNIE......THIS GUY SOUNDS LIKE A KEEPER TO ME.
E WALKS, HE TALKS, HE EATS AND CAN EVEN DANCE??
BUT CAN HE DO THE HOOCHIE COOCHIE?? :belly:
GLAD TO HEAR DAD IS GETTING OUT AND CRACKED UP ABOUT SLAMMING THE FIRST 2 BEERS DOWN!!:rofl:
I WOULD COLOR YOUR HAIR & TAKE CARE OF BELLA FOR THAT DINNER!!:hun:
I JUST HEARD LAST NIGHT THAT THE DEATH TOLL FOR THE CRASH HAD RISEN.
HELPING 8 OTHER PEOPLE WILL BE A WONDERFUL LEGACY FOR HER DEATH. BUT SO SAD.


CEEJAY....I'M HAPPY TO HEAR YOU'RE CELEBRATING TOGETHER. I HAD FORGOTTEN ABOUT THE OTHER UNCLE'S BD:hb: :gift:
HOW NICE IT WILL BE TO SEE THE BABY AGAIN :bb: GIVE A HUG FOR AUNT MELLIE TOO:hug:
THE POWER WENT OUT WHEN YOU IN THE SHOWER????
OMG!! I WOULD FREAK OUT IF THE POWER WENT OFF IN THERE:lol3: :lol3:




MICHELLE........MY NEIGHBORS HATE THE NEBULIZER. BUT THE DRUGS ARE NECESSARY AND I TELL THEM THEY GOTTA DO IT.
HOPE YOU CONTINUE TO FEEL BETTER. DID YOU MAKE THE CLUB MEETING?
JEN HAD PROBLS LIKE THE DH WHEN SHE HAD PNEUMONIA MANY YEARS AGO.
HOPE HIS DIZZINESS GOES AWAY. I HATE THAT FEELING!!:dizzy:

Hi there ladies,

Let me see if I can get a proper post in. Paint lady came yesterday. Very blah bland colors. I know you don't want crazy colors but this is taupe, white and a very lightened up muted forest type gray green. Throughout the whole house. I think it will sap all personality out of this place. She recommended the colors for the house across the street. Basically same colors. :p :p :p Looks ugly there too. DH and I will probably pick slightly different colors. DH has decided that the painters quote is not that bad and I am glad he is deciding on the help - he needs it. I did go to the doctor yesterday. BP was only slightly higher than usual - it figures. They did an EKG. It was normal. She gave me some B/P meds and said to come back in 2 weeks for a follow up. Also gave me some antidepressants. I don't think I am depressed - mostly just angry. But I guess the happy pills like Valium or Xanax are rather addictive so I guess she took the safer route. I guess the pills are working - my b/p at the nurse today was 114/68 and I was actually kinda miffed at the time. Took it again when I got home trying out the new wrist type b/p machine and it was low again. B/P pills make me tired - I went to bed before 10 yesterday, fell asleep in 20 minutes and then snap - woke up at 3:51am. Laid in bed for over an hour tossing and then went into the other bedroom. Was about to get up after tossing again when I guess I finally fell asleep and got another hour in.

Poor Mel - I can only imagine the chaos with the seniors. :yikes: We heard about the quake but a few people checked with friends and such in Virginia, NY and the east coast. Didn't seem like it was that crazy although they said they felt it in NY. With everyone on edge over the 10th anniversary of the World Trade Center bombings I can certainly understand people's reaction thinking "oh no, here it goes again". I don't think you get over that too easily. I'm glad that you are ok Mel - hope this is the end of the shocks - I imagine that is the worst never knowing when it will end and how bad it is. Glad you are back online again. :hug:

Shad - you say Scotty is a Jaffa. Is that orange coated chocolately goodness in a guy? :rofl: I'm glad you have someone you can work with easily - sure does help especially when you are on a tight time line. I can't imagine how you will get your gear into such a small pack and have a few precious ounces for essentials like clean undies, toothbrush and soap - even for a master traveller like yourself. I guess being in a mine town, not like you can ship yourself a care package. Might arrive after you've come and gone. Will be curious to find out how you made out. Did you have to invest in your own sturdy pants and steel toes boots?

Laura - I wonder why that never put in a Walmart downtown? Would be handy to run errands and with all the apartments down there, you'd think it would work out. Then you wouldn't have to skimp on your classes, especially with the pass about to expire. Where will you take it from there? I forgot - is this a park district thing? Glad you had a nice bike ride with the BF. Do you like the paved trails or the natural ones?

Yes, I have many Metra commuter ride stories. Alot of us riding the train had our preferred seats. Mine was the second car on what I would call the cheap seats - I'd sit in the stairwell leading to the upstairs car. I'd be one of the last on the train so I'd always let people move freely and would step aside so as not to be rude. Sitting on the stairs I was next to a set of double doors that slid open to the vestibule of the train car. Was sitting there on the stairs minding my own business one night and was on a later (7pm) train on a Friday night (lots of people would stop for a cocktail before boarding the train on Fridays). Apparently this drunk got on the train just as they shut the doors. He stood in the vestibule but had a hard time staying upright as the train slowly left the station and made some rather strong turns on the tracks as we headed to the first station (Clyborn). The train would go slow and rock and sometimes the interior doors would open and close on their own. They were doing so that night. Drunk is on the floor of the vestibule, I'm just inside the car on the other side of the doors reading or something.
Train is moving slowly, doors open.
Drunk looks at me and says "Hey you..."
Doors close. I look up at him.
Doors open, drunk looks at me and says to me "I'm gonna kill you beyotch".
Doors close. I roll my eyes.
Doors open again, drunk slurs "didyah hear me beyotch, I said I'm gonna kill you".
Doors close. I start laughing. He is literally laying on the floor, sliding against the hand rails. I figure someone who cannot stand upright is not that much of a threat.
Doors open again. He says to me "I'm gonna kill you dead beyotch". At this point I look at him and say "not if I kick your a$$$$$ first dumbchit". Everyone standing around me in the car starts laughing and clapping. At this point the conductor came through, noticed the commotion and promptly pitched the drunk at the next train stop. 22 years of taking Metra (public transit) - I've got lots of stories. My sister and I said we should pool our heads and write a book together - trouble is, by now I forgot most of the stories :lol:

Annie - I am sooooo happy that you and Curtis have found each other. My good friend is married to a bread man - for a long time too - they are good people - salt of the earth as my grandma would say. And how impressive is it that he climbed the canyon? That is seriously no feat for wimpies. I'm impressed. Shucks, I was going to offer to take those yum yum meat loaf sandwiches off your hands. :hungry: I hope this is the start of something good for both of you. You are overdue for some fun and good companionship. That's great that you got Sissy out walking. We have a pond and geese, ducks and swans too. The geese are scary and their poop is major nasty. Especially when they are laying eggs. That is really sad about the people who perished at the concert. Guess we all need a reminder that life is precious and it's not a guarantee that you will live a long one, so enjoy it rather than frittering the time away.

So Ceejay - did you have to finish your shower in a dark bathroom? That's kind of creepy - maybe I just saw Psycho too many times :lol: I usually turn a flashlight on in the room if the power is flickering. I hope getting supplies did not mean that you had to roll those heavy duty drums into place across the floor. :eek: I'm glad you are feeling better with the B12 shots. Fly lady is annoying but you can't beat her system ;) unless of course you have Annie living nearby :lol: I appreciate cleaning but have yet to understand the thrill it gives some people :rofl:

Michelle - I'm so sorry you have the medical munchies :( Does protein or anything in particular help or is it just major cravings of any sort? Wish I had a better suggestion for you. Have to look up Susan Powter I think her name was - the chick with the crazy hair who lost a ton of weight. She was looking for the most volume for the least amount of calories - but then again - she ate stuff like wallboard and insulation :yikes: Just kidding. Probably tasted like it tho. The vertigo / dizziness is just an awful feeling - I think it has to do with the fluid in the ears. You both are sure having a hard time. Hope it clears up right this morning - I'm sure you are both tired of it and some.

Well it's trash day - time to get the bags out. See you later... Glad you are ok Mel. Save travels Shad.

A quick fly by as I'm watching the radar. Storms!

Mel
I feel for you on the earthquakes. We have had at least one that registered 5.2 years ago from the New Madrid fault line and it was creepy. I didn't realize that there were fault line out that way.

Happy Hump Day ladies -

I'm starting to feel a little better. Breathing is a bit easier, thank goodness! :) My boss told me to work from home today so that I wouldn't have to do as much walking (to get coffee, water, go to the bathroom), plus it's easier to use my nebulizer at home. I have to attend a department meeting tomorrow morning, but will probably work from home in the afternoon and also on Friday. It's really nice to have the option to work from home occasionally.

DH was feeling well enough to go to work today...but I hope he doesn't overdo it.

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

Laura - Too bad you don't live closer or I would've had you pick up a couple things at WalMart for me. :lol:

Shad - Thanks for updating us about Mel. Earthquakes can be so scary if you're not used to them. And they come on so suddenly. So nice of Scotty to get the data in there for you. It's so nice to work with good people. Air Pelican? Is that the name of a real airline? 30 lbs of personal gear, including steel toe boots and a computer? Good luck with that. Can you ship stuff there? Maybe have your DS can ship things to you relatively inexpensively. That's what my DMIL does when she travels. She ships items here ahead of her arrival, and ships them home when she leaves. I hope the rest of your week goes well and that you get to relax a bit this weekend before your early morning flight.

Mel - Sorry you had such a freaky day yesterday. Earthquakes are really scary, and the rockin' and rollin' can make you nauseous. Hopefully you won't have any more aftershocks. Sending you hugs, my sweet sista. :hug: :hug: :hug: Good luck with the meetings tonight.

Happy - Bummer about the bland paint colors, but I'm glad that the painters quote isn't too bad. I'm relieved that you went to the doc and that the EKG came out good and the BP wasn't too bad. The antidepressants may help take the edge off the anxiety and anger you feel. I've been on a low dose for seveal years now. I'm glad that the BP meds are helping you sleep...even if you did wake up. Got a laugh at your drunk guy on the Metra story. When I have the Prednisone munchies...I can usually resist if it's just wanting to munch on something/anything. But yesterday, I was STARVING all morning...complete with what felt like low blood sugar dizziness. I ate lots of good protein, and some healthy high fiber carbs and finally got the hunger/dizziness under control around 1 pm. Today, the Prednisone munchies aren't too bad. I used to have Susan Powter's "Stop the Insanity" book. I really like the idea of eating a lot of volume of veggies, etc. for not a lot of calories.

Ceejay - I hope the storms don't cause you any problems today. :crossed:

Well, gotta get back to work. Lots to get done.

Love and hugs to all,

Morning all.

Shad - Nice that you have a colleague that's on the same wavelength as you, it sure helps. Just had a conversation w/ the vendor contact in which each conversation is twice as long because we just don't seem to "speak the same language". Hope you figure out how to make that luggage weight limit for that flight! Bf and I have to start thinking how we'll deal with our luggage, since all checked bags have a fee now. Wonder if that applies to frequent flyer tickets?? Probably double, hahaha.

Mel - I can only imagine how alarmed (sorry to use that word, LOL) everyone must have been when the quake/aftershocks hit. Glad everyone's alright and you're able to post and tell us! I'm sure the meetings will go long tonight w/ discussion about the quake!!

Happy - Sorry the colors are too bland for your taste. The HGTV shows are all showing a shade of gray these days as the new neutral. Honestly I've never lived in a space that had so much natural light that I'd want to paint it gray. It's just not for me. Maybe a very very light dove gray... Sorry the BP drugs make you tired. Maybe you'll adjust. :crossed: Love that Metra story. :D Yup, when you're riding during off-peak times, anything can happen. I'm sure when they had the bar cars, the rush hours were more entertaining too, LOL. Ha, the Walmarts have been slow to come to the City until more recently - issues with unions, etc. Now it seems they will be coming. A few mini-versions are coming to the north side I think. Nothing right downtown though, but a Target is coming to the former Carson Pirie Scott building. Re biking - we prefer the paved trails. I've never forgotten wiping out on a gravelly area of alley 20+ years ago and skinning my knee and elbow. No thanks.

Ceejay - Hope the storms don't make more work for you!!

Michelle - Glad you're feeling better. So nice your boss let's you work from home. My boss claimed she was fine with employees having to occasionally leave work or work at home to deal with kid issues (the former mgr and the admin asst), but when it happens she seems to get a bit bent out of shape about it...

Hello Annie!!
***
Nothing much to report. Yesterday was a dog walk, and then off to Costco for a gas fillup and a rotisserie chicken ($5.51, including tax :chicken: ) and then to Walmart. Sheesh, didn't expect a $140 tab there, but there were several $5 items, a couple $10 items, and even a $15 item, so it all sure adds up.

Tonight I will go to either A Step Above or a Body Blast class. Happy - after this passport period ends, I will likely sign up for another passport. I like the flexibility. I've checked out the other options, which are specific classes not included in the passport and none of the cardio classes appealed to me. So the only decision is really if I'm going to buy enough passport classes to take one class a week or two classes a week. This last passport I bought for 2 a week thinking it was easily doable, then I slacked off at the beginning of the session and I've been trying to make up for it ever since. I actually miss doing my Body Electric and Margaret Richards workouts in the basement, so I might go with just a 1 class/wk and go back to the BE & MR workouts, along with the occasional cardio dvd.

Okay, back to work. TTFN.

Laura - Within the past year, my company has expanded their work from home policy. It used to be very limited...now pretty much all salaried employees are allowed to work from home 1 day per week. My boss is just very flexible about allowing our team to occasionally work from home more often for family or medical reasons. As long as we get our work done, and we can either call into meetings or come in for meetings. I hate going into a store for a few items...and spending over $100. So frustrating! Good for you for renewing your fitness passport! :bravo:

what???? no bar car anymore???? Geez I figured they got rid of the smoker cars (so nasty even I would not sit in them) but now the bar cars? My how things have changed.

Ok, earthquake on the east coast yesterday. Small rumbler up in the San Fran area today. I am getting nervous here. That's 2 too many earthquakes for me. I just KNOW once I get this house ready to sell something is going to happen!!!! :eek: :yikes: Personally I think God is p.o. ' d and nuff's enough already.

Michelle - we are not allowed to work from home. I think they are afraid someone will trip on a rug and sue or something stupid. These people ruin it for all of us!

Back to the salt mine...

Didn't hear about the earthquake in SanFran. That's getting a little un-nerving for me to, Happy. I agree that God is p.o.'d.

Laura
There's nothing wrong in doing the exercise dvd's. I hate going to our gym-mainly because it's grimey and smelly. Plus the so called weight lifter's tear up most of the machines. Hand weights are about the only thing available now. I have more than a few and may drag one of those out and take it with me to my sister's next week.
We got a couple of strong lightening bolts but very little rain. The most beautiful rainbow which looked like it covered the whole city of O.

Michelle
I'm glad that your boss will allow you to work from home. Also glad that you are feeling better.

Shad
I thought about you the other night while watching HGTV. House Hunters' International was in Jakarta. House nice that your co-worker helped ou out.

Happy - Small earthquakes (like last night's 3.6 quake) happen in the San Francisco Bay Area nearly every day. They basically feel like a truck driving by. I can understand how the folks on the east coast and those in Colorado were shaken (no pun intended) by their quakes...but I'll bet most Californians didn't notice the 3.6 quake there. When I lived there, I don't remember feeling anything unless it was over 5.0.

Ceejay - That's a bummer that your gym is so nasty. The two Y's that I go to are clean and very nice. In fact, one of them is for adults only, which is nice as there are no screaming kids running around. It's very serene and actually a very pleasant place to work out. So nice that you're going to spend time with your sister and her family. I really miss my sister and wish she lived closer.

Morning all,

Jaffa has another meaning in Kiwiland - Just Another F**king Aucklander. Yep, the crap runs high between those north of the Bombay Hills (Aucklanders) and the rest of the country. I call Scotty a Jaffa and he tells everyone that I am built on a lean and have one leg shorter than the other just so I can walk up Wellingtons hills against the wind. "Actually",I say, "I am a Mainlander" and he comes back with "Yep cheesy and full of gas just like the product itself" Mainland is a cheese brand made in the South of NZ and freely available over here.

Can't stop right now, but glad to see that you are all on deck, some wobbly but getting there. I'll be back later when I see what today brings and what time I have. I have put out all the stuff I think I need to take away with me next week, now is the time to start culling it.

GOOD MORNING CHICKS.

SORRY THIS WILL LIKELY BE A QUICKIE FOR BOTH TODAY AND TOMORROW.
BECAUSE IRENE IS GOING TO BARREL UP OUR COASTLINE AND THRU OUR HUDSON RIVER, WE HAVE A LOT TO TAKE CARE OF HERE FOR READINESS.
DURING THE MEETINGS THE TWSP. MANAGER TOLD US WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE AND THAT JOHN WILL NOT BE HERE.(i have the manager's cell # now if i need help)
NOT ONLY THAT BUT MY BOSSLADY FELL OFF A CURB AND GOD ONLY KNOWS WHAT SHE DID TO HER ANKLE.
SHE LEFT HER LAST NIGHT ON CRUTCHES AND ACE BANDAGED UP.
I HAVE TO RUN. GOT A DIESEL FUEL OIL DELIVERY COMING IN ABOUT 20 MINUTES. GOTTA KEEP THE GENERATOR HAPPY OR I WON'T BE ABLE TO USE THE ELEVATORS IF OR WHEN THE LIGHTS GO OUT.:yikes:
SO MUCH TO DO AND SO LITTLE MANPOWER!! EVERYONE IS LEAVING ON FRIDAY AT 4PM!!!

HAVE A GOOD DAY, HUGS TO ALL :hug: AND :getwell: WISHES TO THE INFIRMED!!!

Good morning chicks,

Busy morning I see.

Mel :crossed: that Irene takes a right turn and heads out to sea. Good thing that you are preparing. Hope this doesn't take it's toll on you, seems everything falls to your shoulders. Just remember - you are there to manage the masses - keep them organized and let them do the heavy labor. Will be watching the weather and hoping the storm is just some heavy rains.

Shad - what a delightful banter between you two. It sounds like the friendly rivalry between Bears and Packers footy fans, right Michelle ;) I hope you have managed to cram the essentials into your pack for the trip to the mining camp.

Michelle - yes I realize that a 3 pointer doesn't even count as a rumbler on the west coast, just seems to be alot of discontent in Mother Earth lately. I wonder if we are ignoring the signs because we are too busy involved in our own lives, especially those who drive obliviously and chat on their cell phones :blah: Glad to see you are feeling a little better. Now don't go pushing it because I'm sure you are eager to get back to the regular stuff again! I'm sure the tiredness though will keep you in check. You can look at a ball and say the word Zumba BUT that's about the closest you get to connect those 2 things for the moment :lol: :hug: to you GF.

Ceejay - the conditions you describe at the gym are why I liked women's gyms in the early 90's. Guess it's not profitable to separate them any more. Tough too when you don't have many choices. How cool on the big rainbow. I don't think I will ever not appreciate seeing one.

Laura - a Target on State Street? That seems sooo odd. Probably will be handy to run in and pick up stuff tho. I really missed Woolworth's when they closed down too. We had a small Osco in the first floor of our building - some people said it made it TOO convienient to run down and get snacks :lol: Probably a good thing to put a bit of thought into the next fitness pass. As the seasons change I was more or less motivated. When it gets gray and cold I am less enthused about running to the train and then running to the gym. Maybe the once a week class will be a nice change of pace between your regular fitness routine. And speaking of gray - I was actually surprised how nice gray looks. We painted one room 1/3 red and 2/3 cream with a nice wallpaper border separating the two. (DH has since had to repaint it all cream since the realtors found that TOO WILD :lol: ) Anyway - when painting red you need to use a gray primer. DH painted the entire room a medium gray primer and we were both rather surprised at how nice it looked. We have an off white carpet and white trim and crown molding and the gray accented the trim quite nicely. The bedroom faces east and gets lots of light - had we not already bought the other paint we would have considered keeping it gray. I'm sure that would be too strong a color for the realtors tastes.

Good morning Annie - I'm sure you are picking up Sissy and driving into work right now. :moped: which is exactly what I need to do. Have a good one chicks.

Michelle - I loved your quote on FB today about leaving negative people alone. I emailed it to my work account. Words to live by today - very appropriate - thanks! :hug:

Super Happy It's Thursday!

Came into work for the morning because of a department meeting, but I'll be going home by lunchtime and working from home in the afternoon and then again tomorrow. Yesterday after work, DH and I went to the grocery store but hopefully no errands need to be done this afternoon so after work I can rest a bit. This weekend, if we're feeling up to it, we have lots of yard work to catch up on. The grass is ridiculously long since we haven't felt well enough to mow it for over 2 weeks, and sometime before it gets too cold, DH needs to build the planter ring around our large maple tree in the front yard. I also have website work that needs to be done...and since autumn will be upon us too quickly, I'd like to do some fun stuff...maybe go to a festival or two...before summer is over. All of that depends on how well he and I are feeling...we will NOT push ourselves too hard as we can't afford to relapse.

****************
Shad - I find the term Jaffa so funny! When I lived in CA, I worked with a Kiwi from Christchurch (so not a Jaffa). I got a laugh out of Scotty telling people that you're built on a lean so you can walk on the Wellington hills. Too funny also that he says you're just like the Mainland cheese! :lol: It's great to have colleagues you can joke around with. :) I have several terrific co-workers...and the joking eases the stress/tension of the work.

Mel - Sending you and your building prayers and a big bubble of :goodvibes: that Irene leaves you alone and lets you have a peaceful, uneventful weekend. I'm SO glad you now have the manager's cell # in case you need help. :hug: :hug: Like Happy said, let others do the heavy labor...you just supervise (using the cattle prod if necessary).

Happy - No worries on be going back to the gym or ball Zumba anytime soon. I scheduled a PT appointment for Monday and Thursday next week...but if I'm not 100% on Monday, I will skip it. As for the gym...the classes are on break next week, so if I'm up to it, I'll walk in the lazy river, and if not, I'll skip that too. DH and I cannot afford to get sick again...so we're going to be extra cautious and not push it. Heck, even just a quick grocery shopping trip yesterday left us both feeling worn out by the time we got home. Glad you liked the FB quote.

Work's a-waiting...so I'd better get to it.

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

Love and hugs,

Good Thursday Morning Chicklets of the Wordlie Type....

At the last minute on Tuesday, I decided to take yesterday off work. Got a lot accomplished at home. Packed the remaining stuff out of sissy's room and delivered it. Gave the twin bed in Tater's room to the neighbor so I could move the full bed and dresser out of sissy's room in to Tater's room. I have a friend here at work that is needing a place to live, she asked me about moving in with me, I pondered it for a week or so then decided to give it a try. She is going to pay rent which will make up for quitting CVS somewhat. She is moving in labor day weekend. She does drink every night 3 or 5 vodka and tonics, but doesn't seem to get drunk. That is the only thing that might not work, we will have to see.

HAPPY...antidepressants are not always for depression. Altho depression can take on other forms...example...Sissy has been on an antidepressant since she was 15, for anger. When she is not on them, she gets a wicked tongue and is mad at the world. Depression can also come in the form of unexplainable joint pain (my momma). So being on an antidpressant is not such a bad idea sometimes. You might just try it to see if it helps any. Hugs to you my sister, I know you are going through a lot. ONE DAY AT A TIME.

CHELLE...so glad you are feeling better and working from home...don't push yourself too much...no relapses. How is DH feeling? Hey how is Doppler doing?

SHADDIE...I love the meaning of Jaffa. Pretty much sums that place up! hahaha. The cheesy gas I can so relate.

CEEJAY....birthday weekend coming up for you...Happy happy birthday in case I either don't make it back or I forget...keep in mind I am blonde.

LAURA...you rock on the exercising. Which ever way you choose to go with the passport or class, it is all good. At least you are moving, which is more than I can say for myself. Good for you.

MELLIE...holy crap woman. Earthquake then I heard you had like 5.6 or something aftershock. When I first heard it on the news, I thought they were confused and all that shaking and rumbling was our MELLIE snagging her a fireman...lol. Grounded hugs sister, stay safe. xoxo

Hi ya Ellen...

THe piles is not getting any shorter from yesterday on this desk...might as well dig in. Blah!

Love and Hugs