Mel
So glad to see you back. You were truly missed. I think I'm in spring cleaning mode.

Annie
lull la bye and good night. Bless you.

I MISSED YOU TOO CEEJAY

Morning all,
Better get on here and then get cracking with my day. I have a bit of housework to do, then off down to KMart for a passport photo and then down to the Gold Coast to have lunch with friends from Melbourne who are celebrating their 28th wedding anniversary at the Palazzo Versace (posh hotel in Surfers Paradise) after that I better get on with paying some bills and getting one with getting ready to go back to Blackwater and Yarrabee.

Speaking of Yarrabee, I saw these Galahs on the power lines above my room the other day. It was just on daylight but I have tried to lighten them up a bit.





Enjoy.

Annie - yep, I'd love to slow down somewhat but the 200K max that I have saved up for retirement will not keep me in the style to which I would like to be accustomed for the amount of time I have left and it doesn't look like the kids will do that for me either. Work it is until I have doubled the superannuation or won the lotto whichever comes first.

Sounds like a couple of wonderful meals at your place. I wouldn't mind the taters either. If you want to be posh, then the recipe is Aligot and is completely yum if somewhat errrrrr fragrant on the breath.

Laura - hope the snow, wind and cold is staying away from your weekend and you get to the exercise classes you have planned. Enjoy the book. I might download a sample on the Kindle and see what you are reading this time. If it's good I can download the complete book.

Mel - what is to eat this weekend? Mostly fruit - I have missed my fruit and veges - Blackwater is a mining town and this hotel caters for blokes - white bread, huge steaks, lots meat and hold the green stuff, and maybe the orange stuff and we want chips with everything. I have taken to buying a loaf of rye or wholegrain and putting it in the freezer at work. Now I can make my own sandwiches - last week was smoked salmon and cream cheese on rye. This week I have cooked a turkey roast and will slice it up and take that up for some turkey and cranberry sandwiches.
As for scratchy - I think it must be downunder speak for a little temperamental - as in ' GET OUT OF MY FRIGGING TROLLEY SPACE OR I WILL RUN INTO THE BACK OF YOU!!! at the supermarket, or the sarcastic 'WOULDN'T IT BE NICE TO KNOW WHY WE ARE STILL WAITING AT THE AIRPORT FOR A PLACE TO TAKE US HOME'.

Anyway, I had better get off here and get started on my day. to all the others. I will check in later in the day.

Shad
The birds are beautiful.

--------
It's Sunday and I'm back to work. I've come in to some things having labels on them. Wondering what is up with this!
Co-worker was upset cause her son --early thirties, and gf, is in jail again. This time in TN or MS. They'd been to Tunica. To be honest it would serve him right if he stayed there from what she told me.

GOOD MORNING CHICKS

LOVING THE SUN AND THE THOUGHT OF SPRING FLOWERS.
I REMEMBER MY GREAT GRANDMOTHER AND HER TULIPS.
SHE WOULD SEND ME OUTSIDE IN THE SNOW TO SEE IF THE CROCUS AND LILY OF THE VALLEY WERE POKING THEIR HEADS OUT YET.
THEN TELL ME THE TULIPS CAN'T BE FAR BEHIND. THOSE WERE THE GOOD OLD DAYS.

YESTERDAY I WATCHED HARRY POTTER AND FUTZED AROUND THE HOUSE A BIT.
WE HAD ALARM PROBLEMS ON THE 4TH FLOOR LAST NIGHT THAT JEN DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO ABOUT.
MADE SOME CALLS AND TRIED TO FOIST THE JOB ONTO THE RIGHT PEOPLE.
POOR JEN WAS WORRIED....ONE FLOOR HAS NO ALARMS NOW AND HERE IT IS A HOLIDAY WEEKEND. SIGH.
SOUNDS ALL TOO FAMILIAR RIGHT?!?!?!

JEN WAS TRYING TO DEVISE A WAY FOR ME TO DUMP THE JOB & THE KEYS BUT........THERE IS A LOT INVOLVED IN THAT.
IT GIVES ME SOME LEVERAGE WHEN IT COMES TO HER LIVING ARRANGEMENTS, PARKING AND OUR EXTRA CASH.
NOT READY TO RETIRE YET ANYWAY. WHATEVER WOULD I DO WITH ALL THOSE EMPTY DAYS & NIGHTS HERE? I WOULD GO NUTS.
I'M TOO BOSSY & STUBBORN YET FOR FULL RETIREMENT. WHOEVER WOULD I YELL AT AND VENT ON?

OK....OFF TO BREKKIE AND ANOTHER LOVELY, SUNNY & FUNFILLED DAY. SARCASM INTENTIONAL HERE.





SHAD.....THE BIRDS ARE ADORABLE. ESPECIALLY THE ONES EITHER CUDDLING OR CLEANING EACH OTHER. JEN & I WOULD GO NUTS SEEING ALL THESE BIRDS FLYING FREE. WE ALWAYS FELT A LITTLE SAD FOR THE GRANDSON. HE WOULD LOOK OUTSODE WITH THOSE EYES AND YOU JUST WANTED TO OPEN THE WINDOW AND SET HIM FREE. I DO HOPE YOU GET SOME TIME FOR YOURSELF SOON. NOT JUST ALL THIS RUNNING AROUND. AS FOR THE FOOD....I AM A MEAT AND POTATOES KIND OF GAL SO I WOULD LOVE TO EAT WITH THE MEN!! WE CAN LET YOU HAVE OUR SHARE OF VEGGIES & FRUITS!!
I HEAR YA ON THE SCRATCHY FEELING NOW THAT I UNDERSTAND IT. I AM HAVING A BIT OF A PROB WITH THIS TOO. LAST NIGHT I ALMOST WENT OFF ON JEN ABOUT SOMETHING STUPID AND IT WAS OFFICE ORIENTED. THEY DESERVE THE "SCRATCHIES" NOT MY POOR JEN. SOMETIMES I AM NOT SURE WHY SHE JUST DOESN'T DISOWN ME!!
HOPE YOUR WEEK AT THE MINES GOES WELL




CEEJAY......NEW LABELS??? ARE THEY GETTING ORGANIZED??
I SEE THE COWORKER HAS DRAMA GOIING ON TOO. JUST SO LONG AS IT'S NOT HAPPENING TO ANYONE WE CARE ABOUT!!! LOL

I WANTED TO ADD SOMETHING HERE....REMEMBER JOHN THAT RETIRED?
WELL HE HAS BEEN THE BEST FRIEND THAT I ACTUALLY HAVE. HE AND THE WIFE ARE IN CONSTANT TOUCH. HE HAS BEEN HERE A THOUSAND TIMES EVEN WHEN HE COULDN'T GET TO SEE ME. HE'S BEEN IN TOUCH WITH JEN & THE OFFICE ALL THESE WEEKS AND EVEN THEY SAID THEY WERE SURPRISED. HE SHOWED UP LAST WEEK WHEN HE FOUND I HAD GOTTEN A BAD REPORT. HE HUNG AROUND TILL THE NURSE LEFT.
THEY EVEN SEND ME EMAILS.
FUNNY WITH ALL THE WOMEN I KNOW IN TOWN THAT HE WAS THE ONLY FRIEND THAT ROSE TO THE TOP.
WOULD YOU BELIEVE THAT NOT ONE POLITICO HAS SENT A CARD, CALLED OR SHOWN UP?? NICE HUH?? AND NOT EVEN A GET WELL CARD FROM THE 2 BOARDS OR FROM HOUSING. JUST SAYING.

GUESS "WHEN THE CHIPS ARE DOWN" YOU REALLY DO FIND OUT WHO YOUR FRIENDS ARE. I AM NOT SURPRISED BUT IT HURTS ALL THE SAME.
THIS WAS NO ORDINARY ILLNESS AND THEY KNEW IT. 2 OF THE MEN ARE ON THE HOSP BOARD AND KNEW ALL ABOUT HOW SERIOUS THIS WAS.

JOHN ASKED ME WHERE ALL THE CARDS ON THE WALL CAME FROM. I SAID FROM HIM, MY REAL FRIENDS ON THE PC AND THE TENANTS. EVEN HE WAS SURPRISED.

REMIND ME OF THIS WHEN I GET "BACK ON MY FEET" AND START OVER DOING IT!!

Hi all,

I am having a bit of a problem with the pc. Fata Java errors as well as our internet keeps cutting out - not sure if the new router is being fussy. DH is going to work on it so I will be out of commission for a bit. I hope I can get back on later. Love the new pictures. So glad you are back with us again Mel.

Happy Sunday ladies -

Sorry for being away for a couple days. Friday I was busy with work...by the way, I'm going back on developing reports for a month or so. There are lots of reports that need to be built, and the other projects won't be ready for me to jump onboard for a month. I'm okay with that. Back to doing productive work. I like it. Saturday, DH and I went to a produce market owned by a man that goes to Chicago every day and gets the freshest best quality produce as soon as it arrives at the docks or in trucks or wherever. Then he brings it up to his store in Milwaukee and sells it cheap! The quality is SO much better than in the chain grocery stores, and the price can't be beat! Only problem is the store is on the south side of Milwaukee...so it's not worth the drive or the gas to get down there every week. After running all our errands Saturday morning, and doing the laundry in the afternoon, I was exhausted. I felt really run down. So I relaxed the rest of the day, listening to good audiobooks. By last night, I had a sore throat coming on and swollen glands in my throat. I've been taking lots of vitamins, zinc and am planning on resting all day to try and nip this in the bud. Luckily all the critically important website work is done for the day.

DH is at a car parts swap meet this morning with our friend whose wife just passed away. Even though DH wouldn't have gone on his own - he would've rather rested...he wanted to spend time with his friend. Poor guy, he's just trying to find anything to keep him out of the empty house.


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

Laura - Are you having the same gorgeous sunny weather that we are? I'm so loving it! Congrats on doing over 10,000 steps!! I have to start wearing my pedometer each day and work toward 7500 or 10000.

Happy - I love the "fun size" height too! Very cute! I have never understood how women wear high heels. I can't even do chunky high heels or wedge, and so many of the women at work wear the stilettos. We are all getting tired of winter, my friend. But at least this has been a very mild one! I hope they're able to get the races in, and I hope your PC/router issues get cleared up.

Annie - I wish I could live with you and enjoy all your yummy cooking. Mmmm - chicken and garlic cheddar mashed potatoes! I'm sure we'd have some great laughs too. Does Curtis like to fish or just watch it on TV? If he likes to fish, you two should come up here and he and DH could go fishing (or the 4 of us could go). Have a nice linner today with C's friend and his wife. I'm glad that you like your new surroundings at work! Too funny about Hella B being a demanding brat. Mine are too sometimes!

Mellie - WELCOME BACK!! It's so good to see you back online. We all missed you lots!! As the doc says, don't overdo it!! So nice that Richie is doing the cooking this weekend. I love homemade spaghetti sauce. Stay away from all the negativity and complaining. You don't need the stress. I thought you weren't supposed to go out. Maybe Richie can take out the trash. I loved the tulips photo! So beautiful!! Our crocuses aren't up yet. And I'm worried that if our plants think it's spring too soon...then they bud...what'll happen if we get a late snow/freeze. I'm so glad to hear that John and his wife are staying in touch and checking in on you. So nice!

Shad - Thanks for the lovely bird photos. Such beautiful plummage! I had to do a double take while reading your post. I had no idea you had KMart!! I had another good laugh at the definition of "scratchy"!

Ceejay - What's with all the labels? Bummer about the co-worker's son and gf...but if they did bad stuff, then they deserve it. You're doing great on your exercise minutes! So proud of you!

It's back to relaxing for me. I'm going to grab some juice and a blanket and lay down to watch some good TV.


Much love and many hugs,

Mel
I love you thought of Spring and the tulips. I'm with you on retirement. I'd have to do something. Good for John in keeping tabs on you.

Happy
Hope the dh can revive the computer. Good for you in being in a happy mode. Send it down this way please.

Michelle
So you are back to doing the reports. At least it's something to do.

I'm so ready to go home. Didn't really want to get up this morning either. I'm not sick--just tired of staying inside. But a couple of more weeks and I'll be on vacation. Going to MO to see my little sister and family.

Hello all. Hope you had or are still having a pleaseant weekend.

Ceejay - Yes, I'm tired of the indoors in spite of some walking/dog walking. I'm in the mood for a bike ride... Might go to the annual flower and garden show too. I know, every year I say I'm gonna skip it next year, but I'm always ready for a dose of spring by the time it rolls around.

Shad - Hope you had your fill of fruits before heading back to the mining towns. For scratchy I guess that's sort of like snarky or even cranky... Love the bird photos.

Happy - I hope your dh gets the computer/internet sorted out. Did you get all your supplies purchased before the racing folks come to town??

Michelle - Sorry you're feeling under the weather - I hope you can hold off whatever's trying to invade! I'm feeling a bit tired out myself. A couple stores yesterday and a couple today. Couple dogwalks, a Zumba class, 3 loads laundry...weary. My friend that was widowed 1.5 yrs. ago is the same way as dh's pal - never wants to be at home. Last weekend it was Madison, then on Thurs. she went to Nashville for a long weekend. Now she's got here sis living with her and that's another reason to want to be out of the house. I hope they work it out, and I hope she begins to feel more comfortable in her own company as well.

Mel - So good to see you back here! Missed your posts and the graphics. Just don't overdo m'dear. And I think you should stay in your apartment for a while longer or wear a mask and tell everyone you're still contagious, LOL. Nice John was keeping tabs and concerned for you - very sweet. Yeh, keep in mind the lack of support when it comes time to going that extra mile, especially when your health is at stake!!

Hi Annie - Hope all's well with you. I'd be surprise if those yummy taters weren't a fave at dinner the other night!! Hope Hella's stopped expecting the treats every time she comes in. Will she do her biz outside if you stop doing the treats? She might not know why the morning and night are different than the other times she goes out and therefore expects the same every time.
--
Kept myself busy this weekend. I didn't go to exercise class on Sat., but I did this morning - Zumba. Didn't care for the instructor. She kept switching from facing front to facing back - I'm okay w/ either, but when she faced back, she'd be in the first row of students instead of in front of the entire class. I was in the 2nd row, to the side, so I had to look to the side to follow. Yeh, I could've followed by looking in the mirror, but sometimes it just doesn't work for me.

I allso went through the sales flyers and hit 4 different stores for various sale items and used coupons when I could. I think I'm going to try and get back to checking out the ads more diligently and making lists - a good train time activity. It's annoying to not be able to stick with one or two stores, but the big chains are definitely more expensive for deli and produce, and one of them is overpriced on just about everything..and of course that's the store closest to home. What a shame. Bf has a couple stops to make tomorrow - one for a "Monday Mania" sale item and then Trader Joe's.

That's about it for me. Back to the Sunday paper and/or my book.

I started this at 6.30 this morning. Got a few personals done and lost it. So will be back tonight to carry on - on my way to Emerald again.

Meantime - the following is my excuse for not finishing the housework this weekend.



Who is sleeping in the towel shelf of the vanity?



Had to leave the pile of towels on the vanity top.

MORNING EVERYONE

LOVING THE HOLIDAY AND THE OFFICE CLOSED.
HAPPY PRESIDENT'S DAY. ANOTHER MADE UP HOLIDAY.
THE BOSS CALLED LAST NIGHT. ROUGH CONVERSATION. LOTTSA PRESSURE.
BUT NOT TO WORRY....I STOOD MY GROUND.
NOT ATTENDING THURSDAY'S MEETING AND NOT GOING DOWN TOMORROW EITHER.
I SEEM TO HAVE LOST SOME OF MY DRIVE....THAT'S GOTTA BE A GOOD THING.

JEN & I HAD A NICE VISIT LAST NIGHT.
ALL IS WELL IN OUR NECK OF THE WOODS.
NOT MUCH TO DO TODAY. BETTER GO FIND SOMETHING TO OCCUPY THE DAY.
HAPPY MONDAY/TUESDAY.



HAPPY.......MY PAGES STILL HANG UP. JEN HAD TRIED THE SITE WHEN I FIRST CAME HOME.
SHE HAD THE SAME NON-LOADING PROBLEM THAT I HAD BEFORE I LEFT.
I CAN LOAD THE FIRST PAGE BUT WHEN YOU HIT POST REPLY, IT WON'T POERFORM THE SECOND TASK. WEIRD. SO SOMETIMES I HAVE TO COPY MY POST, HIT REFRESH AND TRY AGAIN:raint: OTHER TIMES IT WORKS FINE.





MICHELLE.....HOPE YOU DON'T GET SICK. REST UP SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT THE FRIEND'S WIFE. GOOD OF DH TO GO AND TAKE HIM OUT. HOPE DH IS FEELING BETTER TOO. STAY WELL!!!!


CEEJAY...GLAD TO HAR ABOUT ANOTHER VACATION ON A FEW WEEKS.
SOMETHING GREAT TO LOOK FORWARD TO.
I'M SICK OF LOOKING AT 4 WALLS TOO!! WINTER BEGONE!!!





LAURA......I HAVE GOOD INTENTIONS ON BEING GOOD AND HAVE A FUNNY FEELING JOHN AND HIS WIFE AREN'T GOING TO LET ME FORGET!!
MIRRORS CONFUSE ME. SHOULDN'T SHE HAVE MOVED TO THE FRONT??
I WANT TO GO TO TRADER'S WITH THE BF...WHAT TIME IS HE PICKING ME UP??




SHAD......SUNDAY LOOKS TOO CUTE FOR WORDS. CATS FIND THE CRAZIEST PLACES TO SLEEP. SHE LOOKS SO COMFORTABLE THAT I JUST WANT TO CURL UP AND JOIN HER. YOU'RE GOING TO EMERALD??? ASK THE WIZARD OF OZ FOR A NEW BRAIN FOR ME!!!

So glad to see Melly Mel posting again. Does my turtle heart good. Another doctor's appointment today. But no worries, just a check-up. Just popped in to say hello to all the Worldly Ladies and wish you all a happy Monday.

Good Monday Morning.....

Got my coffee, had my cottage cheese and brought grilled chicken for lunch. Once again, starting my healthy eating plan..this is day 3, so far so good. We had a great visit with Curtis's friend and wife. She is so quiet. I can hardly stand it. She only said about 4 sentences the entire 7 hours we were together. We went to Patriot's Table for linner. It was fabulous. I had buy one get 1/2 off the second entree' coupon that I printed off the internet. Printed two so we all saved. I had baked Alaskan Walleye with mango sauce, wild rice, salad and green beans...it was delish! I would recommend that place to everyone...sooooo good.

Due to president's day the drive in to work was wonderful. School, banks, post offices, govt bldgs all closed. I just cruised on in....so pleasant. The sun is shining today, but a lil nippy for my likings. We are to warm up to 50's by Wednesday..YEAH! The Annie predicter says only two more weeks of cold/mild weather then spring is surely as close as can be..and only 29 days til the first day of spring and only 26 days til vacation!!

CHELLE...Curtis and I both LOVE fishing....I talked to Curtis about it and he was very interested in visiting with you and DH...just hope you were serious about it. We shall talk and maybe pencil something in....I am excited, plus I will cook for you all. HEALTHY!

LAURA....the whole treat thing with Hella B didn't get too bad until Curtis moved in. He is such a softie. She is beginning to control him with the cookies...lol. I had to finally say something to him..cause he was giving her treats all throughout the day. I told him that she gets two cookies a day...one in the morning and one in the evening, not necessarily when she comes in from outside. Then maybe one special treat during the day...a small chew stick, doggy jerky or something like that. Curtis is doing better with it but having withdrawals...hahahha.

MELLIE...I am with you on the spaghetti sauce...I LOVE IT and could eat is with a spoon...no noodles needed. I even dip fresh veggies in it and eat it. I am addicted to it. I love me some good marianara sauce...tomatos too. I am so happy to see you posting again...I missed you my sweet, ornery sister. Don't worry about things...tell Jen not to worry either...remember, what doesn't get done today..there is always tomorrow..it is only pastry<---that from the Hostess Cake man..Curtis..lol.

SHADDIE....the Galahs are gorgeous. I would be so in awe of the land and have no time for anything else WHEN I come to visit. Sunday is too cute for words...I wish I weren't as allergic to cats as I am....they can be so sweet and cute, but mostly I love to watch their antics and orneriness side also.

CEEJAY...I think we are all in need of a warm, healthy vacation right now...I can hardly wait til March 17 when we head for Florida to visit with Curtis's parents then off to Cedar Keys to stay in the haunted Bed and Breakfast. Hope your day went quickly and you are home and resting.

HAPPY.....Hope you got your puter probs taken care of...don't like it when can't keep the convo flowing with my sista's. I would blame it on a satellite somewhere...lol Kick back with some coffee and enjoy the view. Hugs.

Not much else happening....gots to get my bunz busy....learning a new program on denists today. Yeah!!

Have a marvelous day/night/morning! Put your worries in God's inbox, let him handle them for you today. He is getting low on requests is what I hear...lol.

Much love and many hugs...

Shad
So cute to see Sunday all curled up and snoozing away her time. Was she waiting for you to return with those towels for some attention?

Annie
I wish I were going to Florida where it's warm but I'm going to Missouri.
Glad you had a good visit.

Turtle
Glad you posted again this morning. Are you on the path to getting well?

Mel
Shame on that boss. You do not need that stress. If you have to get a doctor's excuse. They know he's making house call's.

------
I'm in a don't care attitude today and probably will be for the next 4 years, if I make it that long. My supervisor brought a write up over for me to sign today. I told him that I'd sign it. And then asked him if he was after my job. He reassured me that he wasn't but I don't believe it. With the economy like it is I wouldn't be at all suprised that I'd get another one. I do have the most senority. I told him it's okay I can retire soon any way. He looked at me kinda funny. I had back washed number one filter but put the information in #3 place.