Oh yeah the Scandanavians sure know how to eat.

My salad sandwiches are much more sedate that that. Mine look more like the one below.

Talking pictures - here you go Annie

I'll be back tomorrow to do personals. At the moment I am in the middle of doing a document about the impending changes to Moolarbens SAP system after the second implementation. Rivetting stuff. I.m just waiting for Scotty to get back to me to tell me I am right - as I will (better) be

Ones I looked at were in American (rather than English) :P

One is even called Panini Happy

Shad
The sandwich looks good. Maybe I should try those. I eat very little veggies.
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I took the garbage to the curb this morning and it's cold out there. I'm not used to the North wind. I did get outside for about thrity minutes to clean the drive way of the bird drippings.
Also drove up to Blytheville yesterday just to get out of the house and check their gas prices and to clear my head. The gas prices are about the same as ours at $3.40 for unleaded.
I'm totally done with my neighbor. She called yesterday morning hinting to see if B and I were going out to eat at lunch. I did not say one thing because B and I had not talked about it. And then she started in on something else. I'm so glad I had another phone call coming in. Yes, it was B but I did not call my neighbor back to invite her. I'm tired of paying for her friend ship. That's what I feel like I'm doing any way. Enough cj they've heard it all before.
I didn't ride the bike last night. I'm a bit sore. But l'Il start back today. I like both of my new exercise dvd's for seniors.
I'm going to Walmart early this morning to pick up a few more supplies and then to the grocery store to pick up a few things. But first it's time for breakfast.

Morning all. TGIF. Another trying week. I am such a whiner. Pretty much been wallowing in self-pity the past few days.

Michelle – Hope you got the self-appraisal done without too much angst. We did ours last month, but will discuss the boss’s review of us w/ her next week. Any word on dh’s test results?

Annie – I hope you were able to get back to sleep and that the breakfast meeting w/ the boss was bearable. At least he's gone now. I hope that any changes in the company structure make things better for you!!! I give way too much thought to my e-mails to make sure they say what they need to say and also come across properly – just too insecure I guess. So I’m sure you accomplish much more than me in a shorter amount of time!! But for your boss to berate you about it – do you get complaints, or is it just him??

Happy – Wow, those sandwich cakes look amazing! Yum. What an idea. Oh, and thanks for starting our new thread.

Ceejay – I hope the city budget cuts aren’t too drastic. Best to distance yourself from that neighbor if she’s not a true friend.

Shad - Fantastic photos – the butterfly wings are so delicate!

Hi Mel – Get well wishes!!
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Nothing much to report. Well, nothing good. I never received the electric bill in the mail, but I noticed the automatic payment deducted from my checking account was about 3 times what it usually is!!! Okay, this is the one that would have included the Christmas lights, but I highly doubt they would hike the bill up that much. I think it’s bf running two space heaters in the basement when he plays his keyboard (recently purchased) at night. Anyway, I need that bill to see if the meter reading was actual or estimated or what. I don’t trust ComEd!!!

I also received the property tax bill (1st installment). Ugh. Everything is hitting early in the year. Boo. And finally, the wallet I ordered last weekend is not available – the e-mail I received said that their inventory was incorrect and they didn’t have it. Lame! Oh, and did I mention that I neglected to use the rest of that Visa debit card by 1/31, and so on 2/1 it was expired (when I belatedly tried to use it up by purchasing two gift cards). So I phoned customer service and they are issuing a new one, but minus a $10 fee. Grrr. But better to lose $10 than the entire $47 and some cents.

After work last night I went out and bought a snack for book club (lemon poppy pound cake slices) and some Nyquil. Also caught a good sale on Puffs at CVS and one box I bought was plus the lotion so my poor nose could have a break.

Tonight’s book club. I wasn’t thrilled with the book, so it should make for an interesting discussion. The Lovely Bones is about a girl who dies, and the story is told from her perspective. I wanted more about heaven, and a better heaven, lol. I also didn't really think her narration of the story was all that interesting. I just think it could have been so much more.

The rest of the weekend is the usual stuff. Okay, so much to do, better get this puppy posted and back to work. Everyone have a good weekend.

Happy Friday ladies -

TGIF for sure! Although today will be a busy one with work, then errands, then meeting with a website client, then coming home for more work in the evening (implementing new reports). This weekend will consist of website work, and then report work on Sunday. Hopefully both will go smoothly.

We should hear from DH's pulmonologist today with the results of the blood test and hopefully a diagnosis/treatment suggestions. He was coughing all through the night last night.

The Pet Expo, which we usually go to, is tomorrow. We're not sure we'll be going though. It's going to depend on how DH is feeling and how my back is doing.

Dang it all....I'm trying to finish this....and I keep getting interrupted by work.

I'll post more and hopefully do personals later.

Much love,

Hi kids,

I slept in this morning. Not so much sleepy as I couldn't seem to wake up. I think it was a little bit of the Nyquil cold medicine I took last night to help me sleep and maybe a bit or two of sleeping off a bug that seems to be going around. I have found that I need more sleep when I am getting sick so if I give in to it, I can generally ward off coming down with a total cold. Even though I wasn't really feeling up to it yesterday, we did take a ride to one of the towns north of us. It sits on the bay of Lake Superior. I'm sure it must be nicer looking during the summer when the water is not frozen but in the dead of winter it was rather dreary looking. Particularly since it's a very old town - although those do have some very interesting architecture, particularly the old frame homes right in town. We stopped for lunch, drove around and then headed back home. Stopped at a Visitors Center which happened to be a Natural History Museum that was interesting to see. Talked about logging and fishing in the area in the late 1800's and what the white man did to the native Indians. White man bad!

It's supposed to be in the low 40's the next few days which is downright balmy here. However we still have at least a 6 inch snow base so that makes for lots of drippyness and although the ground is sandy and absorbs it, it's not exactly ideal conditions for treking around. However, DH is itching to get outside. Don't know what he's doing out there but it will probably involve some level of interruption to my planned activities

We were going to have the cousins over on Sunday for Superbowl - just a reason to get together actually - although my one cousin came down with a really bad cold and I don't know if he will be feeling up to par by the weekend. I was planning on serving my precious delicious Portillos Italian Beef and Sausage we brought back from Chicago over Christmas. The beef alone is a 2-1/2 pound package which is alot of beef sandwiches. Not to be wasted so I will touch base with them tomorrow - if they don't think they will make it, I won't defrost the stuff. Was also going to have a small cake for DH's birthday which is Monday.

Michelle - I hope DH gets some resolution from the pulmonologist. I think sometimes a specialist is warranted - especially when the condition keeps lingering. I'm sure it must be frustrating to him to cough all night - it really disrupts the sleep. Did you get your evaluation done? I never did appreciate those for "the valuable tools that they are in employee development" Smoke and mirrors... Will be a shame if you have to miss the pet expo - I know how much you guys enjoy that show. Hopefully if you both get a good rest tonight you can go for a little while tomorrow.

Laura - I can tell you that those heaters really make the electric meter spin round and round I always noticed the bill bumps up a little bit around Christmas time but I believe it's the outside landscape lights that add quite a bit to the bill too. Good luck having that discussion with the BF. Glad you were able to salvage the gift card - guess you make a good point to use them as soon as you get them and maybe not go with the Mastercard / Visa type and instead go with a store brand. As for the property taxes - I was looking at the old house in AH and was shocked at how much the taxes have increased That's just crazy. Did not live in a McMansion but was taxed like one. I can only imagine what the fancier houses down the road pay. Need a second job just to pay taxes and utilities Although I think our gas and electric has been pretty comparable no matter which house we are in.

OH BOY They just delivered our propane so that means we have plenty of gas for me to run the fireplace! Now that it's warmed up a bit (and believe me 42 IS warm) and we wont' need it so much. But I'm not complaining...

Shad - that sandwich looked mighty good. I am a big fan of the grilled veggie sandwich myself. What was the brown crispy bits on the bottom? Reminded me of falafel but I know it wasn't that. I scanned through all of the recipes for the cakes - about half are in Scandanavian - can't even guess to what the contents were, but I think all are a fairly basic recipe with some twists. Butterfly is quite pretty too. What a lovely sight to see a flock of them outside the window. Beats looking at the concrete and hustle bustle on the streets. Good luck on the doco - perhaps you should send me a copy and I can substitute it instead of the cold medicine at night Have the rains let up any?

Ceejay - glad you like the new DVDs - they say any activity is good - find something you like. It's nice to be able to mix up the routine. Unless of course, you are a person who is more comfortable with routine. I like variety. I think it's time to move and get away from those pesky neighbors of yours Thanks for the tip on the cholesterol. My good one is pretty good but could be better and DH needs to improve his. I'm hoping all that snow shovelling he is doing helps. Bummer on the deficit news for the city. I think all are struggling now - hope it doesn't affect you negatively. I'm sure it helps to have seniority.

Annie - I hope you got some solid sleep. That insomnia seems to really plague you. And it's not like you are laying awake nights worrying about things - it seems like life is sort of calm (relatively) for you. Wish I could suggest something. Hope Curtis is feeling better - sounds like he still should be resting but ... the man on the job don't understand that. Did you get through your appraisal ok? I had a military type boss once - pain in the patooty times 10. Especially since we aren't used to that environment and those kinds consider anything less that 100 percent complance as mutiny. Stay under that radar is all I can say and THANK YOU for making me so glad I got out from under it.

I did see 2 jobs in the paper yesterday. One was an IT job at the casino which smacks of not a good idea for me The other was a very low paying full time job not too far from my house. I am missing about a third of the qualifications but not sure what the candidate pool is up this way so I'd say I might have a 50/50 chance to get an interview. I am torn between should I work and get some benefits to save our money a bit more or heck, I've been waiting for this forever, let me enjoy life for a year. I wouldn't mind part time work - 2 or 3 days a week. Things are slow now over the winter - we'll see what comes up in the spring when things pick up.

I'm hungry - going to make me some lunch. Later ladies

The latest from Mel...

NO CALL YET FROM THE DR BUT THE NURSE COMES EVERY DAY STILL.
I CAN TALK & MOVE MY ARMS MORE WITHOUT CHOKING!! LOL
THE COUGH IS SUBSIDING SLOWLY BUT SURELY.
I AM WEAK STILL BUT GETTING STRENGTH BACK IN MY LEGS.
TRANSFERING OUT OF THE CHAIR IS ALMOST BACK TO NORMAL.
IT WAS SCARY TO BE SO WEAK & DIZZY. GEEZ!!!
SENSE OF HUMOR IS RETURNING TOO. HA!
JEN IS A DRILL SARGENT WHEN IT COMES TO NURSING.
WONDER WHERE SHE GETS THAT FROM?!?!
RICHIE IS SO USED TO TAKING CARE OF HIS MOM FOR SO MANY YEARS BEFORE SHE DIED THAT HE SHOULD HAVE GONE INTO THE PROFESSION.
WHEN I GET A BIT STRONGER, I'LL RETURN TO THE CLAN.
DR SAID IT WOULD TAKE A FEW MORE WEEKS AND TO BE PATIENT. YEAH RIGHT!
HOPE TO GET NEWS SOON ABOUT ALL THE TESTS AND EXRAYS THIS WEEK.
LIKE PINS & NEEDLES. YUCK!!
LOVE TO ALL, MEL

Happy
Thanks for the post from Mel. Sounds like she is getting a bit stronger.
Your body isn't used to all that cold. Hope you can knock our the symptoms before they get to bad. and Yeah for the propane. 40 degree's is still cool enough for heat.
I'm thinking I'll be okay at work. I'll just tough it out till I know for sure.

Laura
I'm sure the space heaters are running up the electric bill but I'm like you I want to see the bill. Didn't realize that the bf played keyboard. I'm getting one when my federal income tax comes in. Got my state refund yesterday.

Michelle
Sending good healing vibes for your dh.

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News on the neighbor is that she texted me this morning stating that she was taking me out to lunch. I was litterally shocked. Think that was her way of apologizing. I'm still done with her as I can't trust her.

Good news is that my sister from Missouri texted me today at lunch and told me that her her son and his wife are expecting a boy. I'm doing a happy

So guess what I found in my garden when I woke up this morning.



Don't know what it is called since the last time the orchids were repotted, the guy who was doing them took all the labels out and didn't keep them separate for each pot. This could be one of three or four different labels.

Hot and sticky here today. Started off without a cloud in the sky but soon clouded over and became humid. We are picking a late storm, but maybe not.

Ceejay - you should be eating veges. As often as possible. We have billboards here urging us to eat our five and two. That's five veges and two fruits per day. Some of the time I manage it well. Other days are a write off.

Happy - thanks for putting up Mel's letter - it's good to hear that she is getting better.
I think that pink stuff on the bottom of the sandwich is poached salmon, the white stuff is probably cottage cheese. or cream cheese. Don't know why yours came out in a foreign language, my version of your link is solidly English.

Michelle - hope you got some good results back from the DH's tests. Sorry to hear you may miss the pet expo. Pity my niece is not over there. You'd never have got her out of it.

Laura - power bills yuk. Mine have come down since I installed the solar water heater. I'm hoping to get the solar power done this year, but it will need to wait for the winter period. Not fair to the guys on the roof to have to work in that heat.

Okay - back to helping the DS2 out in the castle. Nearly watertight now. He is putting a roller door on the front as we speak. Better get out there before he drops it on his toes.

Shad
The orchids are beautiful. That would have made my day to find these as well. Some of my flowers are coming up but the may get frost bit before Sping finally arrives.
I love fruit so that's not a problem, but I have to work on getting in my veggies.

Happy
Go for the jobs.

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I slept late this morning. I thought I heard rumbles of thunder but I rolled over and went back to sleep. I must of been in a deep, deep sleep cause I'm a bit groggy this morning.
I need to run some errands a little later and then make some meals for the following work week which starts tomorrow.

Good morning ladies,

Gee those orchids are pretty Shad. I can't imagine living in a tropical place with such gorgeous flowers all about. I will miss the spring blossoms down south but not the sinus problems that come with them. It's good to hear that progress is being made on the castle. With all that rain, you most certainly need a door to close up the place.

Ceejay - with this be your first great-nephew? Now you and Annie will be able to do all the baby cuddling for the group

It's bright and sunny out there and relatively mild for the next 2 days. With alot of the snow melting I'm thinking it's not a good idea to take a ride on the ATV - especially with 2 of us on one - might increase the chances of getting stuck. I will have to do something outside, even if it's just sitting on the deck watching the birds feed. We decided to cancel and reschedule our Superbowl party - my one cousin is still sick but on the mend and now his son is coming down with it. I woke up this morning not feeling too great myself - the same way DH felt yesterday. Hoping it's just a 24 hour thing and will pass quickly.

Nothing else going on so I'll sign off and get productive. Have a good weekend chicks...

Today's offering


Just popped open this morning and there are two spikes each with about 7 flowers on them. So this one will be around for a while.

Can't hang about sorry. Getting ready for a week at Yarrabee from tomorrow which means a 3am start again.

Back for inspiration tomorrow no doubt.

Shad
I love orchids. Thanks for sharing.

Happy
Yes, this will be my first great nephew. I can't wait till he gets here in June.
Sorry you have to cancel the Superbowl party.

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Back to work today and I'm hoping that the power stays on and that I get no phone calls.
Had a small bout with nerves this week end causing the tummy to get upset but that's better today.
Guess I'd better get on with my day.

Morning all.

Shad - Lovely flowers. Thanks for the pics. So nice to see the colors during our gray season.

Ceejay- so the baby will be a grand-neph. How exciting for you. Hope all is quiet at work.

Happy- sorry you had to cancel the SB party, but who needs the germs?! Sounds like there are already enough to go around between you & dh. Same for bf & I at the moment. I figured it was those ?!&@$ space heaters burning up the electric meter!! Yeh I'm thinking how nice it will be to get the mortgage paid off someday, but by then it won't matter- the property taxes will be the size of the P&I!!!

Michelle- did you get to go to the pet expo yesterday? Never been to one, but many hrs ago, bf & I went to the AKC shows here. So interesting & fun.

Hellos to Mel & Annie. . And Mary, are you lurking? Hope you're feeling better.
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Yesterday was the usual. Was planning to work this morning while bf slept away the morning, but wouldn't ya know it he was up shortly after me. We've both got congestion from our colds. His is worse however due to the "bubble" in his one nostril. Swears he's getting it removed soon...

We're finally getting out for our malnati's pan pizza today w/ bf's mum - yum. After that bf will go by a friend's to watch the SB, and then I will do some work.

Book club was fine in Friday. Sat. Bf& i watched the movie "Ides of March". It was good, though you might not care for the ending... I borrowed "The Lovely Bones" DVD from the library yesterday. Hope I have time to kick back w/ it after getting some work done this evening.

Have some laundry going at the moment so it doesn't pile up like it did for last week. Bf is pulling out two of our cable boxes & replacing them w/ digital adapters. Even though they are digital tvs already, the adapters will allow a decent number of cable channels w/o paying for the boxes, and that's all we really need for those tv's. Or so we say at the moment...

Okay, back to my reading, nose-blowing & aimless puttering.

Happy Sunday everyone -

Finally, I have a minute (maybe even two). The report implementations Friday night went well. Yesterday, DH and I went to the Pet Expo, which was a lot of fun. We were both sore when we left, but seeing all those adorable dogs, kitties, horses, bunnies and reptiles made it worth it. Today we did the grocery shopping, and still need to do the laundry, a bit of website work, and getting things sorted out for a true start to healthy eating tomorrow. I picked up lots of good veggies healthy foods at the store.

I can't remember if I mentioned...but I went to the library last week and the items I had reserved (a Zumba DVDs and a Zumba video game for the Wii) had come in. They're lots of fun and great workouts! I've been using them as much as my back allows (about 20 minutes once or twice a day) because I have to return them on 2/8, and there's such a waiting list for both that I almost positive I won't be able to renew them. I'll just have to either purchase them or get back on the waiting list.

I've been thinking about trying meal replacement shakes for one or two meals per day to give me a jumpstart. My niece is a professional registered dietician, specializing in diabetics, obesity and bariatrics. She gave me several great suggestions, and I was able to find one of the shakes she recommends online and for 50% off, so I ordered some.

DH and I will watch the Super Bowl later. Not sure who we'll be cheering for.

Still no definitive answer on DH's lungs. The test results we have so far came back perfect. Hopefully, we'll know more tomorrow when further test results come in.

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

Annie - Thanks for the tip on the Yoplait Greek yogurt. I hope Curtis is feeling better. Glad your brother fixed your computer/printer issue.

Shad - Sorry to hear that Yarrabee was so flooded. And I hope this week at Yarrabee is better and with much less whinging. I loved the gorgeous butterfly photos! And what gorgeous orchids in your garden!! Your salad sandwich does look yummy! It is a shame that your niece wasn't here to go to the Pet Expo with us. She would've loved it.

Happy - Is your cousin feeling any better? Have you tried our your fireplace yet? Bummer that your Superbowl Party got cancelled. I hope you, DH and your cousin's family all feel better soon. And I'm wishing your DH a Happy Early Birthday! I can understand your being torn about working to get benefits or just relaxing and enjoying retirement for a little bit. Thanks for sharing Mel's update on Friday.

Laura - Are you over your cold? I hope you're having a good weekend. Our December electric and heating bill was MUCH higher than normal, but we chalked it up to the Christmas outdoor lights and DMIL using more electricity and heat than we would if she had not been visiting. In your case though, it really sounds like those space heaters...they use SO MUCH electricity. Sucks about the $10 fee to extend the gift card, but better than losing $47. DH and I occasionally go to the AKC shows...but since those dogs have to look 100% perfect, you're almost never allowed to pet them. I'm not sure what you mean by your bf having a "bubble" in his nostril, and if it's gross, I prolly don't want to know. But he should have it removed. Years ago, I had a nasal septoplasty (for a deviated septum) and they trimmed some of the tissues on the inside of the nose so I could breathe better, and it helped a lot. Lou Malnati's today? Wish I could meet up with you. I just LOVE Lou's pizza. Glad you had a nice time at Book Club. "Ides of March" rings a bell...but don't know much about it. Sounds like your afternoon of laundry and work will be a lot like mine...though we're going to have an early dinner and then watch the Super Bowl.

Ceejay - Our bosses have the ultimate say in our reviews...but we have to do a self-review first to provide them with justification as to how we met our pre-defined goals and show specific examples of how awesome we are. Then they come back and tell us whether or not we deserve a raise. I'm glad you like your new exercise DVDs. If you do them regularly, you should definitely raise your good cholesterol. I hope the city's deficit doesn't affect your job at all. Congrats on the new great-nephew on the way!! I'm not that great about eating my veggies, especially in the winter...but I did get some this week and will definitely strive for 5 and 2, as Shad says.

Mel - I'm glad to hear that your able to talk and move your arms a bit more, and that the cough is subsiding. Definitely listen to the doctor and continue to rest as much as possible, even though you're starting to get a little energy back. You definitely don't want a relapse. Sending you lots of get well hugs.

I hope everyone is having a great Sunday! And wishing Shad safe travels to Yarrabee!

Time to switch the laundry and get to the website work.

Much love and get well hugs to all,