[Hotcupojava]

An Italian, redneck, turtle, hopped up on caffeine, checking in on St Patrick's Day. A waddling contradiction, eh? I just wanted to say hello to everyone. I sat in some glorious sunshine today and tried to burn the relapsing cold/flu out of my system. I may have also succeeded in getting a bit too much sun. Maybe not. This olive oily skin tends to soak up burns and turn them brown, we'll see. I took my turtle, Stinky out for some rays and berries and he/she enjoyed it as well. I hope you're all doing splendid.

Obviously, with a name like Padovini, I'm not Irish, but here's a good luck wish ta ya now.....

May your pockets be heavy and your heart be light. May good luck pursue you each day and each night.

[MELODY525]

LAURA......JUST LOOKING AT ALL THE LAWN & TREES MADE ME FEEL GOOD.
I MISS SEEING GREEN STUFF!! THANKS FOR THE PICS.
CITY DWELLING IS DEPRESSING!!
HAVE FUN SPENDING THE GIFT CARDS!!
BUT WATCH THE HIDDEN CHARGES.....I ONCE LOST $80 ON A $150 CARD AMERICAN EXPRESS. YUCK!





CEEJAY....GOOD OF YOU TO HELP THE UNCLE WITH HIS COMPUTER.
MUCH THAT I LEARNED WAS OVER THE PHONE WITH SHAD LONG DISTANCE!
WAS NICE THAT YOU GOT TO VISIT WITH THE COUSINS TOO.
I FORGOT TO WEAR GREEN!
YOU WILL HAVE SOMETHING NICE TO LOOK FORWARD TO IN JULY.





MICHELLE.......HOPE DH DID OK WHILE YOU GUYS WERE OUTDOORS.
GET SOME REST TODAY FOR THE COMING WEEK




MARY......Hope the sun worked it's wonders on the flu cold.
Sorry to hear you don't feel well. Had a laugh at Stinky....did her get a tan too??
A WISH SENT BACK TO YOU...............

[ceejay52]

Morning

Java Turtle
Good that you are checking in more. Hope you didn't sun/wind burn.

Mel
Love the poem.

[happy2bme]

good morning all,

it's a beautiful day out there. Warm enough to sit on the deck and enjoy coffee. However the house is a mess. I have pulled some boxes in and DH spent all day yesterday trying to install the new dishwasher. Each unit has slightly different parts so he had to go to the store several times picking up things as he went along. Left this morning to go pick up a hose extension - the hose he had was literally just 2 inches too short to hook up. I was trying to work around him doing my thing but clutter is everywhere. He called it quits at 6 last night - we went out in search of a sandwich since I wasn't able to use the sink or kitchen to prepare a decent meal. We don't have too many options in town and the place we were thinking of closed early for some reason. So we got McD's. Big mistake - I woke up a couple of times last night coughing from this Nexium I'm taking and I also noticed my joints were really aching too - that I have figured out is from eating the junk food. Got my blood tests back and my cholesterol is at 252 - way too high for me, although my HDL and triglicerides are in a very good range. I think I'm going to give the WW online program one more try.

Good to hear that everyone is out enjoying the sunshine. It's invigorating, isn't it?

That's quite a big tree you are losing Laura, guess you will have some sun now, won't you. As long as it's not the strong west sun which really heats things up. That's alot of gift cards if you have to catalog them Either that or you are slow to buy stuff. I'd be afraid I'd forget I had them or they'd expire which would really make me upset.

Hope you all had a nice St. Patrick's Day if you are into celebrating it.

Think I'm going to go make me a quick egg and some toast before DH gets back. Happy Sunday all.

[Shad]

Morning all,
MIA again I see. Don't know where the weekend went. A lot of it was in sleep I think. Yesterday an old friend came to visit and we gasbagged for about 3 or 4 hours and drank some wine, ate some cheese and pate and also some Italian biscuits her mother had cooked. My friend is Sicilian or rather of Sicilian descent. She is tiny and vibrant. We always used to joke that Tina didn't carry around the usual violin case. Hers was a Cello case. Poor Tina has just had a kidney removed and she is still coming to terms with the fact that she nearly lost her life.

Java Turtle - good to see you back and out in the sun again

Ceejay - wish we could tell people how important it is to back up the computer regularly. People have lost all their business records by not doing this from time to time.

Laura - big tree for a yard. Does this mean you won't have to rake up as many leaves come next autumn?

Mel - sounds like you are yearning for a bit of countryside time. Some green and some beach stuff. Happy St Paddy day to you as well.

Happy - Sounds like things were happening at your joint this weekend. Hope you get all hooked up and going soon. What breed did you end up getting?

Annie's off on holiday. Hope you have a good time friend.

Michelle - good to hear that the de-clutter and clean went well. You will notice the difference in dust and stuff now. Hope it works for DH and that he (and you) were wearing dust masks at the time.

Back to Blackwater today. I go out just after lunch. They were due to get heavy rains yesterday. I wonder whether that came about and what I need to look out for driving out there - better watch the weather channel for a bit.

Anyway, gotta go. The day will get away on me if I am not careful.

[Laura705]

Hello all.

Happy - Sorry you can't get rid of that throat tickle. And what an unexpected reaction to McD's! I always regret eating it, but still do. I do try to avoid their burgers now - I don't want to know what else in in them besides beef. Well, unfortunately, that tree we removed did protect the house from the western exposure to the sun. It'll be interesting to see how hot it gets in the summer. Been cautious about stretching my neck/back because of the shoulder blade muscle pull. As of today, the shoulder blade feels okay and the soreness in the neck/upper back is only upon awakening and fades as the day goes along and when I do some gentle stretching. Congrats re the dishwasher - saw on fb that it was doing its thing, and quietly.

Ceejay - I almost bought a frozen pot pie at the store today, but I resisted. They are just too unhealthy to eat very often. I'm glad you had a nice visit in Paragould. Ugh, so much maintenance with computers. I'm glad bf takes care of ours. Re St. Paddy's Day - I wore green to dinner on Friday, but not on Sat.

Mel - Glad you didn't have to have the inspection, but I'm sure you would have been okay anyway. Too bad they didn't listen to you about the fixes needed for the building. I hope you find a happy medium for yourself!! It seems the only gift cards that expire or start to lose $$ value are the credit card ones. My SIL tends to give me those. Yes, very flexible, but one has to be careful. And I don't use mine quickly, so I better check mine SOON!

Michelle - I hope DH is feeling okay and did alright on the errand/shopping trip. I'm sure he's thoroughly sick of doing nothing, but hope he was able to use a cart and didn't get overtired. Yay for the decluttering and cleaning!!

Mary - I'm enjoying this warm weather too! I can't believe it's March!!! Thanks for the good luck wish. LOL, Stinky sunbathed too.

Shad - Sounds like you had a good catch-up with your friend. Yeh, hopefully one less tree = less leaves this fall!! I hope the roads aren't flooded in Blackwater! Safe travels.

Annie - Hope you're having a good drive and enjoying your vacation!!!
---
The steak dinner on Friday was delicious (Ruth's Chris, so it was buttery!). Bf, however, believes the ones from the butcher are equally tasty, so our next steak will be DIY on the grill.

Lunch Saturday was corned beef for bf and chicken wings for me, lol, but I did drink a beer (two actually) in honor of St. Paddy's Day. Followed by a DQ cone, and after that was a long dog walk by the creek.

Went to Walmart this morning with a long list. Result: large tab. And we still need some stuff that WM doesn't have - Zesta saltine crackers, for instance. And we'll get the good EVOO (as Rachel Ray would say) at our Italian market.

Today was lunch at the Greek restaurant w/ bf and his mum. Bread, saganaki, egg-lemon soup, and macadamia-crusted tilapia - Yummy.

Took a dog walk around the neighborhood and then spent some time in the backyard reading and enjoying yet another beautiful day. Doggy & I returned from the dog walk to find that bf had set up his hammock, LOL. After 7 pm now and he's still out there!! I think we're breaking another temp record...

E-mailed my friend to ask where she bought her buckwheat pillow. From my reading online, it's important to get one in which the hulls have been properly cleaned/sanitized so they don't cause allergy problems. Also good to have a cover with a zipper, and to have it come overfilled so that some can be removed if needed.

Enough of my rambling. I think I'm going to pull out my personal gift cards and check their balances and expiry dates - thanks Mel for the warning.

Have a good evening/day everyone!!

[ceejay52]

Morning
Just a quick note as I'm at work.
I hope that the storms moving in across Tx doesn't get here until I get home tonight. My co-worker has jury duty this week.

[MELODY525]

"WHO ATE MY BREAKFAST!!!"





MORNING CHICKS
SLOW & QUIET DAY YESTERDAY.
NOT EVEN A SMOKE ALARM.
NO CALLS & NO KNOCKS ON THE DOOR.
IT WAS AN AMAZING & RESTFUL DAY
STAYING UPSTAIRS TODAY AS WELL.
OFFICE WILL BE NUTS THIS WEEK CAUSE THE MEETINGS ARE ON THURSDAY.
WOKE UP LATE & IT'S PAST TIME FOR BREAKFAST.
HOPE YOU ALL HAVE A GREAT DAY.





CEEJAY....HOPE THE WEEKEND WAS A GOOD ONE.




HAPPY.....HOP THE DH CAN GET THE WASHER SORTED OUT.
YOU'LL NEED NEXIUM WITH MxD'S!!!! AS MUCH AS I LOVE THEM TOO!!
GOOD LUCK WITH THE RAISED TEST NUMBERS. GOD KNOWS WHERE MINE ARE.
ENJOY THE NEW WASHER!!





LAURA......WITH THE AMEX CARD, I WENT TO A BOOKSTORE AND BOUGHT ABOUT $150 WORTH OF BOOKS AND SOME GIFTS.
IT WAS NEAR CHRISTMAS. THE LINES WERE HUGE.
THE CASHIER RANG IT UP AND GAVE ME A BIG BALANCE DUE.
I WAS LIKE WHAT?!?!
SHE TOLD ME IT HAD GONE PAST THE DATE & CHARGES WERE TAKEN OFF.
I WAS SO EMBARASSED I USED MY DEBIT CARD FOR THE BALANCE!
NEEDLESS TO SAY WE ATE A LOT OF SPAGHETTI THAT MONTH
BUT I COULD HEAR THE SIGH OF RELIEF FROM THE CROWD BEHIND ME!!!
HOPE THE REST OF THE LANDSCAPOING GOES WELL.
I AM DROOLING OVER THE STEAK DINNER! BUTTERY? YUM!!!




SHAD........SO SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT TINA LOSING A KIDNEY.
THAT MUST HAVE BEEN A SHOCK FOR HER.
TOUGH WHEN YOU FIND OUT YOU'RE VULNERABLE.
I AM GLAD YOU HAD A GOOD VISIT THOUGH AND GOT SOME MUCH NEEDED REST.
HOPE YOUR WEEK AT THE MINE GOES WELL

[MELODY525]

Ceejay.....you Little Sneak!!! Good Luck This Week While The Coworker Is On Jury Duty. Yuck!! Hope The Storms Miss You Too!!

[happy2bme]

Happy Monday ladies,

It's off to the grocery store for me soon. Gotta make a menu and list first. Still nice outside but some rain moving in. I wouldn't mind hearing some thunder.

Cute little chickie there Mel. You find some neat pictures. I guess I missed something but what did the building inspection mean in terms of everyone getting riled up? Stuff that needed to be repaired and no money in the budget? I'm glad you had a quiet evening. Are you shopping this week?

Ceejay - I peeked at the weather by you - doesn't look like the Texas storms will move out your way so maybe you'll be ok.

Michelle - hope DH is feeling better. I can imagine how antsy he must be feeling run down for so long. And the nice weather makes one want to run out and get busy too. At least he got out with you.

Laura - ooh boy - lost a west facing tree? Our kitchen patio faced west in AH and that room would heat up well over 20 degrees with the west sun. It was awful. Get some good drapes Yum on the Ruth Cris dinner. Expensive, yes but so very good. Not so sure I'd agree with the BF about home steaks but at home certainly easier to justify I liked their creamed spinach too. And you had egg lemon soup too????? Oh I'm so jealous. I haven't had a good bowl of that in probably 20 years since I worked on the southwest side of downtown where we had this wonderful Greek restaurant in the middle of nowhere. Best soup in the world! I tried to make it a few times but just doesn't come out right. I guess I have to live vicariously through you

Shad - sorry to hear about your friend - that's quite a health scare to deal with. Glad she doesn't have to be on dialysis. It's nice that you were able to visit and have a few laughs. You needed some down time. The dishwasher brand we got was Bosch - it's a German brand. The racks are a bit different than I am used to - I had a hard time placing the small (1 cup) serving bowls I sometimes use for dipping and such. Have to take another look at the manual (well written I must say) and study the proper way of loading dishes. It does a nice job of cleaning and is whisper quiet. You barely know it's on. My only issue and I know that is true of all washers now, is that it doesn't completely dry the interior out. And that's because being energy efficient, it doesn't heat up to the intensity of the old ones. Guess that is better for the dishes too. They are still hot when finished but my old washer you would burn your hands if you tried to take them out immediately when the cycle completed.

Annie - hope you had a good drive and are having great beach weather and enjoying yourself this week.

JavaTurtle - glad you got some sun. We are all deficient in vitamin D so it's good to get a little dose of it each day and breathe some fresh air into the lungs. Hope you didn't wake up sunburned today.

Well I ain't getting any younger here. Gotta make a menu, shopping list and take a shower before I get out of here. If I don't get a move on soon, I'll be getting back just in time to start dinner. Have a good Monday all.

[ceejay52]

My boss/ friend keeps popping in and out this morning. He does this sometimes. Think he's a bit hyper today.

Mel
Had a good visiti with my cousins on Saturday.

Happy
A well written booklet for a washing machine. Hmmm, wonder if Shad had something to do with that!

-----
I've been seeing Olive Garden advertising chicken parmesean. Makes me hungry. That's one of my favorite meals.

[diyana]

Hi ladies -

I'm really tired. Last night was a rough night for DH, and consequently a rough night for me. He was up from 10 pm until 3:30 am with coughing fits and shortness of breath. I told him over and over to get in the car so I could take him to the hospital, and he was being really stubborn and kept refusing to go.

This morning, we had a follow up appointment with the surgeon. His incision has healed nicely. He's still in a pain and he's not allowed to go back to work for at least another two weeks. The tests for fungus came back inconclusive so far, but the cultures could show more in another week. The one thing that did show up was a resistant strain of pneumonia...which is often best treated with months of steroids. We will know more when we see the pulmonologist next Friday. For now, I just hope we don't get any more nights like last night. I want my DH to be able to breathe. I don't think that's asking too much, is it?

Yesterday, I was still quite sore after cleaning, and a little sore today. I wish I could say I got all the decluttering done...but I didn't. However, the house does look a lot better. I'll keep it up by doing a little each weekend.

If this warm weather stays, I will likely need to fertilize the front lawn this coming weekend. It's supposed to stay in the upper 60s to mid 70s through Monday, and then get cooler by the end of the month.

Dang it, the time has gotten away from me. If DH doesn't need my help tonight, I'll try and do personals when I get home.

Much love and many hugs,

[MELODY525]

[MELODY525]

I LOST MY POST!!!

ANYWAY....I AM GOING FOOD SHOPPING IN THE MORNING & WILL BE MIA.
JEN IS GETTING HER LIST TOGETHER TOO.
THE IRS WAS KIND ENOUGH TO PUT MY REFUND IN THE BANK ON FRIDAY! YIPPEE. I JUST FOUND IT.
WE ARE GOING TO STOCK UP THE CLOSETS FOR THE SUMMER.
IT WILL SOON BE HERE AND JEN & RICHIE WILL BE GONE.
TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE 2 OF THEM UNTIL THEN.

WAS A GREAT DAY TODAY EXCEPT FOR SOC. SEC. AND THE MISSING CALL. Grrrrr GUESS THEY THINK I HAVE NOTHING BETTER THAN TO WAIT INDOORS AT THEIR BECK & CALL....LEFT A MESSAGE FOR HER SAYING...GONE SHOPPING!! ROFLMAO

HOPE YOU ALL HAVE A GREAT DAY TOMORROW.




HAPPY....THE OLD FOLKS JUST GET NERVOUS THAT THE INSPECTORS WON'T LIKE THEIR CLEANING SKILLS OR THE SMELL OF THEIR APT.
PLUS IT THREW THEM OFF THAT WE HAD 2 INSPECTIONS BACK TO BACK. THEY HATE STRANGERS IN THE APARTMENTS.
MAINLY CAUSE THEY CANNOT HEAR OR SEE ALL THAT WELL. SAD.
HOPE YOU HAD A GOOD TIME SHOPPING. I COULD HAVE FAXED YOU MY LIST BUT THE POSTAGE WOULD HAVE BEEN A BIT MUCH FOR THE RETURN! I LOVE A GOOD THUNDERSTORM.





CEEJAY....YUM!! CHICKEN PARMESAN!! I LOVE THAT AND CHICKEN MARSALA COUNT ME IN!!!
NOW I AM HUNGRY FOR FETTUCCINE ALFREDO!!!
GLAD THE WEEKEND VISIT WAS SO NICE.
MAYBE YOUR BOSS IS LONELY TODAY!!



MICHELLE.....SEND THE DH ALL OUR BEST WISHES FOR GOOD TEST RESULTS. HOPING THEY CAN FIGURE THIS OUT WHEN THE CULTURES FINISH GROWING. RIGHT NOW I AM THANKFUL THAT I GOT PAST ALL THIS. HOPING MY MRI NEXT MONTH IS CLEAN AND NO BIOPSY NEEDED. hOPE YOU BOTH GET A GOOD NIGHTS SLEEP. IN OUR STATE VIRUSES AND FLUS ARE RUNNING RAMPANT! BE CAREFUL!!

[Shad]

Evening all,

Another long day almost at an end. I am supposed to be working 12-12 but my day here started at 10 today and I am leaving about 10 tonight. Tomorrow will be an 8.00am start but I doubt that I will finish before 9 or 10 at night. Training classes to be done that weren't budgeted for. Friday/ Saturday will both be 12 to 12 but Sunday will be a half day since I am flying home and having a couple of days off. Must remember to put in time sheets this week too, or I might not get paid next month.

Ceejay - Not one of my manuals. But since the product is German I would expect some fairly good manuals. If it was Chinese, there would be a problem.

Happy - glad you got the new washer in. The new ones are very quiet. It's all good. Hope you got the boxes sorted and put away forever.

Michelle - Poor DH. Hope you can get some answers on Friday and he can start to heal properly.

Oi - where's Patty gone????? Get back in here.

Mel - happy shopping. Hope you get everything on the list. Don't spend all of the refund at once.

Laura - Greek restaurant. Oh yum yum.

Well better go see if I can find a victim or two. Very quiet around here at the moment. It's piddling down again and the mud grows ever deeper. Remember that song - The Hippopotamus song:
Mud, mud, glorious mud
Nothing quite like it for cooling the blood
So follow me follow, down to the hollow
And there let me wallow in glorious mud

Right off to chase the natives