Morning

Popping in to say hello:wave: back later.

Good Tuesday morning kids,

We have a mostly cloudy day here with a few holes in the clouds and bright sunshine popping through and snow flurries in the air. It's gotten quite chilly - probably appropriate for what it should be at this time of year but we got so spoiled (even DH) with that unseasonal bout of warm air a few weeks back. DH wants it warm so he can go out in the yard and start clearing and cleaning and building. I want it warm because I'm tired of my hands being cold :lol: We cannot seem to come to an agreement as to where to put the garden - thought we found a good spot but it doesn't get enough morning sun so we will have to look again. My doctor's appointment went well. I was having second thoughts about her but it turned out that the problem was with her nurse (who has since moved on). The doctor and I had a good talk. I am off the blood pressure medicine for good :dance: :yay: It was a struggle to get off the Nexium after all these years and I still have issues (Pepcid is my new friend). I don't have bad reflux but I do get a stirring in the stomach several times a week. She gave me a new medication for that to try but said the Pepcid was good too. That annoying choking cough I had constantly has all but disappeared since being off the Nexium and blood pressure meds. I might get a cough once or twice a week but it's allergy related which is more what I'm used to and I can deal with that. She said to work on getting my cholesterol down - DH and I found some nice walking and bike paths through town which I will try when it warms up a little more. They are paved paths which I'd rather do than tromping through the woods with the ticks. My A1C blood sugar is only a tenth of a point into the prediabetic range which I'm thrilled about. I'm hoping with some exercise, weight loss and working harder on saying goodbye to my friend white sugar, perhaps I can get rid of the expensive metformin meds too. A lot to be said for getting away from a horridly stressful place in my life. :D :D :D

Ceejay - I did find the story about your nephew on Fox News Atlanta but I'm not sure 3FC will allow me to post the link. He looks very talented. I see that there is a rush of people running to buy Kinkade painting now that he died - I have a couple I'd love to sell if I could - they don't really fit into our decor now. Not that I want a house full of moose, bear and deer although every wall in here has a wallpaper border and more than half of them have big, furry animals on them :lol:

Annie - I'm kind of with you on the politics. It's gotten so goofy I am disappointed in everyone - almost to the point of supporting the let's vote everyone out and start all over again with kids who can play together! Thanks for the offer of the fried rice recipe - I think you posted it once before and I'm thinking it was perhaps a bit too spicy for me - you like fire more than my tummy does :) Glad you had a nice Easter sounds like a nice array of foods. I wouldn't worry about the gym - you are such a busy girl that you have many ways to be active, especially if you and Curtis like to walk alot. Stick with that.

Geez Mel at this point I'm thinking you'd be better off if you just got your own water heater in your place. If only it were for that little glitch called plumbing :lol: I'm so glad to hear that you are feeling back to your old self again. And kudos to you for staying on guard and not letting the office suck you into yet another thing that is THEIR responsibility not yours to deal with. Maybe you need to send them a box of big girl pants. I will be happy to donate them if you need them. :lol: I have been meaning to ask you - isn't the Spanish food you get from the bakery have more spice or acid than agrees with you? Your Easter dinner sounded delicious - especially the flourless chocolate cake :hungry: :T How is Jen's foot doing?

Laura - you could be right with your neck and back issues complaining about not being jostled around in a sturdy cardio session :lol: Did your new pillow seem to make any sort of a difference? Is it loud and crunchy sounding? It's kind of funny with the whole gym thing. A few years ago they were building the mega resort super gym from Lifetime Fitness which was like a city in itself. They put a new one in the next town over from us - just a short car ride but I didn't care for those as they seemed to appeal to the body beautiful young folks and families who flocked to the pools there with all the little kids which killed any ability to do laps or a water workout. And you paid for all that fancy equipment too in high monthly fees. Then they went to the no frills concept for those who wanted to get in, do their work out and get out. A few treadmills, some elipticals, weight racks and a few machines - nothing fancy and they were generally open 24 hours a day so you could come and do your thing whenever it suited you. We still have a Curves up here but all the ones down south close to us shut down - never seemed to have anyone in them. I think there is a niche group of people who use the clubs but like so many industries lately, alot of places have just lost revenue and customers. Since you are a bigger fan of the classes, hopefully you can find something that works with your needs and budget. If this new gym is just do your own thing I think for what you seem to enjoy you might be better off investing in another fitness pass for classes. Just my opinion which isn't worth much since my "gym" is still full of cardboard boxes and bits and pieces of my equipment strewn about the various garage bays :lol:

Shad - hey - no talk of a funeral there although I know that sometimes when the cold is that bad you'd just like to pass out for a good long time until it's over. Sounds like this was a sneak attack as in - who the heck was I around that got me this sick? Hope you are feeling better but if you have it that bad you can just write off the first 4 days. If you could spend the day in a sauna you'd probably feel good but that would require DS finishing the castle, wouldn't it? I tend to agree with you about keeping the sex of the baby a surprise. I'm sure people want to be able to plan ahead (and are not fans of green or yellow sex neutral colored clothes :lol: ) but on the other hand, as a society we have gotten too much into the instant gratification thing - some things are worth waiting for.

Michelle - thanks for the book recommendation - I just put a hold on a copy at the library - should come in the end of the month. I think that both DH and I will enjoy it. I'm sorry to hear that DH is still having no luck feeling better. This whatever it is sure knocked the stuffing out of the poor guy. It really is quite scary when you think about it. As for you young lady, can you get that lady to help you clean up in prep for DMIL's arrival? YOu are putting in such long and crazy hours at work, don't know how you will find time for everything and you certainly don't need the stress at this point. Just be sure to take care of yourself there girlie :hug:

Hi to Mary and Patty :wave:

The outside flurries look somewhat like ash flying in the air - helps me to deny that it's really SNOW. :lol:

I need to get off my duff here - have some housework, laundry and a chicken and wild rice soup I want to try. Later chicks...

http://img1.funscrape.com/en/goodafternoon/2.gif



LAST NIGHT'S SLEEP WAS A BUST. TOO MUCH ON MY MIND.
THE MEETING WITH THE BOSS WENT WELL. SHE DIDN'T STOP TILL EVERY ANGLE WAS COVERED, ALL CALLS WERE MADE AND THE NECESSARY PARTS WE'RE LOW ON WERE RE-ORDERED.
AND I DIDN'T LEAVE THERE TILL IT WAS ALL TAKEN CARE OF :rofl: :rofl:
SHE AND THE PLUMBER TOUCHED BASE ALSO AND NOW WE AWAIT THE WATER SAMPLE'S TEST RESULTS. THEY SAY IT TAKES "TIME". :dunno:
I AM INCREDIBLY SLEEPY AND FILLED WITH SINUS MEDS.
JEN'S FOOT IS MUCH IMPROVED AND SHE IS FINE TO WALK NOW.
I LUCKED OUT WITH THE TJ GIFT CARDS...THEY TOTALED $200.
SO I JUST SENDT THAT MUCH MORE OUT ON BILLS. 2012 IS GOING WELL SO FAR. :dancer

HOPE YOU ALL HAVE A GREAT AFTERNOON & EVENING.
GOOD MORNING MIS SUNSHINE:sunny:





CEEJAY....VERY SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT THE AUNT AND EASTER.
HOLIDAYS CAN BE A BUMMER WHEN ONE IN THE FAMILY ISN'T HAPPY!
HOPE YOUR HEAD FEELS BETTER AND YOUR SINUSES ARE BEHAVING.
THIS REALLY IS A BAD YEAR FOR SINUSES & EARS!! YIKES!
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE NEPHEW!! FAME & FORTUNE HERE HE COMES!!




ANNIE....EASTER SOUNDED GREAT AND JAKE'S BASKET SOUNDED EVEN BETTER....AND HIS OUTFIT!! TIME IS FLYING AWAY WHILE HE IS HAVING FUN WITH BEING PASSED AROUND./ HIS FIRST LITTLE EASTER:bb: LOVE IT.



MICHELLE....THE BOOK SOUNDS NICE AND I'LL CHECK OUT THE SITES OVER THE WEEKEND. THANKS FOR THE LINKS. MAYBE I CAN BORROW IT FROM THE LIBRARY. :hug:



SHAD.....LET ME KNOW THE DATE AND TIME YOU DECIDE ON:rofl:
HOPE YOUR HEAD IS FEELING A BIT BETTER TODAY. JUST WHAT YOU NEEDED....A BLODDY COLD!!!:getwell: HANG IN THERE LIL' SIS:hug:
PLEASE REMIND ME TO WRITE DOWN THE NAME OF THE KIDDIE STORES OVER THRE. I THINK I LOST THE E-MAIL!!!:faint: I AM HOPELESS!!!
DON'T WORRY ABOUT YOU AND DS NOT EATING YOUR SHARE OF CHOCOLATE.
I MORE THAN MADE UP FOR YOUR LACK OF INTEREST:rofl:




LAURA......DECIDE ON THE GY MEMBERSHIP YET> AT LEAST IT'S CLOSE TO HOM,E AND NOT A BIG COMMITMENT (SP). monday monday can't end soon enough for me right about now!!!!!!!!!!!!!
oops....LOST MY CAPS.....I WAS THINKINGOF YOUR BIKE TODAY WHEN A WOMAN CAME HERE ON ONE AND PAID HER GRANDMOTHER'S RENT!!:roffl:





HELLO HAPPY & PATTY...:wave:

HAPPY.....WE WERE TYPING AT THE SAME TIME....BUT I AM SLOWER!! ROFLMAO
CONGRATS ON THE BP MEDS!! YAY YOU!! BEST NEWS I HEARD TODAY:hug: ONE OF THE MAINT MEN USES LIBRAX FOR THE OCCASIONAL BELLY/BOWEL PROBS. HE LOVES IT. I USED TO USE THEM YEARS AGO. LIKE A SEDATIVE...SIMILAR TO LIBRIUM(TRANQ).
HOPE THE TUMMY PROBBS ARE FEW AND FAR BETWEEN. MAYBE THE LONGER YOU LIVE AWAY FROM STRESS CITY, THE BETTER EVERYTHING WILL BE!!! I WOULD LIKE HIGHER TEMPS TOO. TIRED OF FEELING "CHIKLKED" ON AND OFF. STAY WARM MY SOUTHERN BLOODED NEW NORTHERN FRIEND! :flame:

Happy Tuesday -

Such a crazy busy morning...both projects I'm on want/need me full time for the next two weeks. I am NOT complaining though....not with my review tomorrow (unless it gets postponed again).

We dropped DH's SUV off to get the issue causing the Check Engine light fixed so that we can register it. My car also has a check engine light issue...we'll drop it off later this week. Luckily, we had a reimbursement from our house escrow that will more than cover these repairs.

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

Laura - Here's my thoughts on you joining a Planet Fitness. You're not a big cardio fan anyway from what I remember. You like the cardio classes, but not really the machines...and you prefer Pilates and strength training (like Margaret Richard). Maybe I'm wrong, but I don't see you as a treadmill or eliptical fan. And it doesn't sound like bf would want to go as often as you would. Is it that much more $ than the fitness passports you get for classes? Or just more convenient since it's close to home? I've thought about switching gyms before to a bare bones gym with a lower monthly fee...but I'm a class junkie. I think I'd prefer to do exercise videos than go to a bare bones gym...that's just me of course. If you decide to, as you mentioned, try it for a few months and then cancel, would they refund part of your start up fee or annual fee? I'm 100% behind you if you do decide to try it...but you've got to know that you would use the cardio machines...even if they aren't your fave type of cardio. Personally, I'm looking forward to my DH feeling better so he can tune up my bicycle and then for warmer weather to ride it. :)

Mel - Glad you have hot water! We had our presidential primary last week. And we have a recall election for our governor coming up (not sure if it's May or June). I'm so glad to hear Jen's foot is getting better and that you had so much in TJ's gift cards to help you stock up.

Shad - I hope you can get some good rest and that you feel much better very soon.

Ceejay - I hate headaches...I hope yours has eased up. Here's the link for the story about your nephew: http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/dpp/news...er-20120407-tm

Annie - Wow! You do have a lot of landscaping work coming up! Thanks again for the supplements and the Humana care package. :hug:

Happy - We aren't having snow flurries (knock on wood), but we are missing the warm weather of a few weeks ago. Congrats on kicking the bp meds to the curb!! :woohoo: I hope your new reflux med helps. I'm so glad that the choking cough has gone away, and great job on getting the A1C down!! :cp: :cp: You're right...I probably should bring in the cleaning lady to help prep for DMIL's arrival. The problem now is mostly clutter - DMIL's room is a cluttered mess. :faint: I need to be cloned a few times...one clone to earn money, one to do the cooking and cleaning, and that would leave me to just have fun! :dancer:


Since I don't have clones to do my work for me, it's time to get back to earning money.

Much love,

Just a quick fly-by right now. A couple meetings ate up a major part of the day and now I have to submit my input for our monthly report. This is just the stuff each of us in our department worked on last month. I go through my calendar and my e-mail for the past month. The report goes to my boss's boss, and he doesn't want the minutiae (sp??), so bullet points are fine, thankfully.

Tomorrow is training on the new software all day for me and a couple other users, and a 2-hour session for 2 other users. I won't be able to get here 'til late afternoon, if at all.

TTFN!

Michelle
Thanks for inserting the link. I'm proud of him. When is your dmil expected to come.

Happy
wow, great results on the doc's visit. We haven't had any flurries but a bit of frost this past week end. It was and is still cool enough for a sweater or light jacket in the mornings. I'm loving it.

Laura
I hate training sessions/meetings. It's scheduled for us to have class room hours next week. I have free access to the Community Center which has a gym but have not been going. I don't have the stamina after work and to busy during my time off.

Mel
I hate sleepless nights. I don't think I've made up for the one I had on Thursday night. Keep dozing at work which is not good.




Annie

Hello all...

Sounds like everyone is busy with cr*p.

So tonite...I English oiled our cherry wood kitchen cabinets since I have not done it since around January. They needed it badly....also did our entertainment cabinet that Curtis built...it needed a LOT of oil and help...it has NEVER had any attention until me. Also did the antique panio stool that I inherited from my grandparents...it was in desparate need. Curtis has a cherry wood grandfather clock that I also oil and looks beautiful, it is on our living room wall. They all look brand new now....so beautiful!!! Me tired, no more work for me tonite....pooped.

CEEG....you have someone to be so proud of...your nephew...that is awesome...and such recognition.....too cool!!

LAURA....you are working too dang hard cause I am tired from all your work posts. Time to take a break and maybe take ANOTHER MELLIDAY!!! Wow, so deserved.

CHELLE...you sound so busy at work...please do not forget to take time for you. Get your rest and take care of you. You have control of you...no one else..and don't forget that!..love ya sista.

MELLIE...sounds like the boss covered all aspects of the problems....but really...YOU SHOULD NOT be doing as much as you do. Sorry you had so much on your mind and couldn't sleep...Maybe a tylonel PM is in store for you....do it and get the extra sleep you need. Don't let it all get to you and get you sick....IT IS NOT WORTH IT!...hugs sweet sista.

HAPPY...so glad your reports from the doc went so well....off all the meds and living the life of a retired worldlie chick. You have enough to keep you busy too!

CEEJ...Hi ya right back to you..Hope your aches of the head are gone and you are enjoying life again.

SHADDIE...working from home is probably the best choice for now....traveling does nothing but cause extra pressure and aches of the head. No need to pass it along to co-workers, unless of course, you would like tooo!!!! LOL...

Not much else going on in my world...didn't feel like cooking or going out to dinner tonite so I picked up TACO BELL for dinner...I just love their chicken taco salads....Curtis was a bit of a pig and wanted a mexican pizza, two soft tacos, and a potato burrito....he ate it all....then a couple of hours later he ate TWO bowls of Frosted Flakes with rice milk. He AIN'T right.

Well best I get off of here and wrap up the cleaning.

Love, hugs, and prayers...

Hello Ladies,

I hope everyone had a Happy Easter. Went to my parents and enjoyed the day. I'm trying to stop and smell the roses... Work has been so busy, it's stress I put on myself. On saturday I had a massage. It was one of those hurt so bad as she was massaging then all of a sudden it felt good. I don't know if you all saw the tornadoes we have here in Texas. They hit about 20 miles from here. So scary, they were just poping up everywhere. I think they confirmed 15 in one day.

Michellez - so sorry to hear your hubby not feeling better. Please take care of you too. When is your MIL coming in town?

Annie - I have never tried Taco Bell's salad, I just might have to. Curtis has a good appetite, but I know he is on his feet all day. He better watch out, or you just might oil him up :o

Laura - did you joing the gym? As far as time, If it's important to you you will find the time. We'll that's what people always tell me...What are the hours? Would you be able to go after work, or before?

Shad - I hope your feeling better.

Mel - I hate those sleepless nights. I've had a few of those lately. I have a CD that is suppose to help me relax at night... every so often I have to get up and play it again. My mind is still running..

Happy - Snow flurries... The temp today was 78.. What are you going to plant in your garden? I haven't even started on mine. Luckily I can buy some plants that are already growing.

Ceejay - I will have to go read the article about your nephew.

Hello to anyone I have missed.. I promise to post more often.

Evening all

Patty - good to see you calling in. Glad you didn't get hit by the tornados.

Annie - there's the odd person I would like to strangle in the office, but I try hard not to pass on bugs. That cold was a weapon of mass destruction.

Ceejay - must go and check out that link. Didn't know Kincaide had passed away. Must pass that bit of news onto my sister. She is very fond of his village sculptures. I think she has most of the village.

Yes, I am feeling much better. Still coughing but it comes in fits and starts now and isn't constant - which is good because my stomach muscles are very tender and my nose is sore and gummed up still. Time for some more drugs I guess. I'm still working from home and probably will for the rest of the week.
The house needs a good clean. Guess I might need to spend some time on it this weekend. Where's Annie when you need her??

Anyway, think it is time for a drink and some mindless tv before bed. Catch you all tomorrow

Laura - too many meetings ruin a day.

Michelle - hope work settles down for you somewhat in the next week or so. I second the thought that you should get a cleaner in. It would probably do a lot of goods for both of your lungs. Then you can send her (or him) over here and I will make good use of them.

Mel - I'll get back to you re the phone call. It's a holiday over here so it will be that weekend sometime. We'll talk about the stores then

Happy - good to hear that you are off some of the meds. That will be a relief for the wallet I am sure.

Ceejay -

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MORNING ALL.

GT A CALL LAST NIGHT FROM THE DR AND HE ASKED TO SEE ME TODAY.
HE'S SQUWWZING ME IN. DOESN'T WANT MORE THAN A MONTH TO GO BY.
GOTTA SHOWER AND DRESS. NEVER KNOW THE TIME HE'S COMING.
HE DOESN'T GO BY THE CLOCK. STAYS WITH A PATIENT FOR HOWEVER LONG THEY NEED HIM. SIG. IT'S A GOOD THING BUT HARD ON THE NEXT PATIENT!! LOL

HOPE YOU ALL HAVE A GREAT DAY :moped:




LAURA.....GOOD LUCK WITH THE NEW SOFTWARE CLASSES AND THE REPORT. SENDING A GOOD THOUGHT YOUR WAY.




CEEJAY......HOPE LAST NIGHT WAS A BETTER SLEEP FOR YOU.
I WENT TO THE LINK AND YOU MUST BE VERY PROUD OF HIM.
I ALSO WENT TO HIS WEBSITE THAT THEY SHOWED THERE...
HIS ART WORK IS BEAUTIFUL. ANOTHER NICE THING TO BE PROUD OF!



PATTY.......I WAS THINKING YOU MIGHT HAVDE LOST YOUR INTERNET.
THOSE TORNADOES WERE AWFUL. HUGE TRACTOR TRAILERS LOADED WITH GOODS WERE FLYING AROUND.
MUST HAVE BEEN A TERRIBLE TIME AND VERY SCARY.
THEY WERE JUST TOUCHING DOWN ALL OVER THE PLACE.
I WAS GLUED TO THE TV ON & OFF. STAY SAFE MY SOUTHERN FRIEND:hug:




MICHELLE.....GOOD LUCK WITH THE REVIEW.
WE WILL BE ROOTING FOR YOU!!:cheer3:




SHAD....IF YOU ARE GOING SOMEWHERE FOR THE HOLIDAY....LIKE AN OUTING....THEN PICK WHATEVER WEEKEND IS GOOD FOR YOU.
HOPE THE COLD IS LEAVING YOU AND YOU FEEL BETTER:hug:

Good morning ladies -

I definitely need some caffeine this morning. Up at 3:45, at work by 5 am. I'll be working 'till 3, and then we have a "strongly encouraged" department "go green" volunteer event from 3 'till 6:30 where we are all pitching in to help with landscaping duties. I just hope there's something I can do without compromising my back.

I'm nervous about my review...but I'm trying to stay positive. Despite my director getting input from some of the teams I've worked with this year, he has said that since my former manager who is no longer with the company gave everyone on the team high praise, the director doesn't believe my former manager's comments are credible. Therefore, my review will be predominantly based on two people's opinions...both of whom have only known me for a few months. Sigh. Please send good vibes my way.

DH had a rough day yesterday...he was very congested. Hopefully, he'll do better today.


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

Laura - I hope your training goes well today. :crossed:

Ceejay - My DMIL will probably be arriving on May 5. Her ticket hasn't been purchased, but that's the date we're looking at; and she'll be staying with us until end of August or first week in September. Your nephew is SO talented! I think I like his art even more than Kincaid's.

Annie - Wow! I'll bet all the wood looks beautiful after all your excellent care! :) I am really busy at work...and I usually get home too tired to get much done other than the absolute minimum. I am making sure I get at least 7 hours sleep a night...8 is better for me, but not always possible. I don't want to wish for relaxation or rest...certainly not before my review at least...because they say "Be careful what you wish for", right? Dang, Curtis put away some serious food! :rofl:

Patty - I'm so glad you weren't hit by the tornados...that was really scary to watch..and I'm sure much scarier to live through. Good for you for having a massage! You and I both need to remember to smell those roses. :)

Shad - So glad to hear you're feeling better. You're wise to work from home all week. I think I'll schedule the housecleaner for the last weekend in April...or if I'm able to work from home on Friday 5/4, then maybe that day.

Mel - I'm actually glad the doc is coming to see you. I hope the visit brings only good news! :crossed:


Time to tackle some of the items on my to do list.

Much love to all,

Afternoon all. The training day is done. Long day, but helpful, even to us users (or at least me) who've already been in the system doing stuff for months.

Shad - I'm glad you're feeling better. I think I hate the coughing part of the cold most of all because it seems to linger the longest. Yes, too many meetings ruin a day, that's for sure! It's so hard to get back in the groove after being in a series of meetings all day.

Patty - A massage sounds heavenly - I'm overdue! Glad you enjoyed yours. The gym I'm considering is 24 hours, so that's one thing I'm not worried about.

Annie - The furniture must look lovely all oiled up - makes it look rich and new and hides scratches. Reminds me of something that happened years ago that caused me to have glass tops made for my wooden Shaker-style bedroom set. The at-home dry cleaning kits had just come out and I used one to launder some dress slacks. I folded a pair of the cleaned slacks and put them on top of the dresser. A couple days later I removed them and discovered the dresser top was stained! Perhaps the slacks were still damp from the "dry cleaning" and the chemical caused the stain. Lesson learned. By then I also think there was a scratch or two from doggy jumping up to see what was on top of the dresser (curious puppy stage), so I decided on the glass tops. Yeh, I sure could use another Meliday!! Taco Bell - makes me want some tacos!! We just had some soft tacos at the local taqueria last Friday, but I sure could go for some homemade crispy shell tacos!

Ceejay - It's difficult to be in a classroom setting when we're accustomed to our workday being more active! I don't think I'd be in the mood to exercise after a 10-hour day - or do you work twelves?

Michelle - I hope your review went well today. Not fair of the new supv to pass judgment on the old one's evaluations. :mad: Furthermore, you're likely being reviewed on an entire year - feedback based on a few months from those who've had limited contact with you isn't fair either. Good thoughts/questions re the gym. I think the circuit class I took throught the fitness passport was my favorite, but still, it got to be sort of dull because the stations don't change. Some of the other classes, like Tighter Assets, get changed up each time by the instructor and are always different. However, sometimes they feel more advanced than I want. Guess I need to deal with not trying to "keep up" beyond my ability level, yet not going too far in the other direction. Up to a certain point, it's not really a matter of the cost, but if I'm paying a good amount for classes I really want to like them - including the instructors. It must all come down to being spoiled by my original Jazzercise instructor way back when I lived in the city. She was fantastic. I'll have to ask if the start-up or annual fee are partially refundable if I stop my membership within a few months. Methinks no. Really good idea to get the cleaning help back in to help you out. :)

Mel - How did the doc appt go? Good I hope. I'm so glad you're feeling better these days!! I like your new avatar. :)

Happy - Yay for getting off the bp meds!!! Retirement must be agreeing with you, especially in the stress department. :D I'm trying to pinpoint what's changed to be causing my regular upper back/neck aches, and it seems to consistently be there upon morning wake-up, so it's got to be bed and/or pillow. I upped the level on my Sleep Number bed a couple nights ago and the extra firmness helped. The upper back feels better, but still starts to get sore later in the day. Neck still sore. I like my new pillow, but I have to put back some of the buckwheat hulls I took out - might have removed too much. There's a bit of a crunching sound, but it doesn't bother me (or BF), so I'm happy. I do think lack of adequate strength training could also be an issue... My friend just joined a nice Lifetime Fitness out by her, and it sounds great, but fancy and hence, expensive. But she and her sister are going and both have seen fitness improvements, so I'm glad for her. She likes doing the recumbent bike (also has arm movement too) because she has a view of the front desk area and can see all the folks coming and going, including the buff guys, lol. I have to get her to bring me in as a guest next time I visit out by her. ;)

It'll be nice for you to explore your area on the bike and walking paths. I took doggy on a new route on yesterday's walk around the neighborhood and enjoyed the change of scenery. I thought we might end up walking further than I wanted due to streets dead ending at the creek that runs through our area, but thanks to my iPhone's map app, I found a foot bridge I hadn't been aware of.

Hi Mary!! :wave:
---
Well, I'm glad this day is done. Spoke too soon - I have Pilates class tonight. I'm not quite in the mood for it, but 99% of the time, I feel better having exercised.

I received my foam roller yesterday. I gave my hams and glutes a quick roll last night, but nothing more. It came with a dvd, so I'll have to check that out. It also came with a catalog (the company is Perform Better) and I love looking at catalogs. I'm particularly curious about this one because when I took a quick look at a few pages, it seemed to have a lot of interesting fitness equipment - not the usual stuff you see at a gym or in the sporting goods store.

My Market Spice order shipped yesterday and I think it'll arrive tomorrow. Looking forward to trying out some new tea.Timing is good too because I'm just about out of my tea bags at work. :)

Okay, time to get this posted and shut down the computer. Toodles.

Good Morning and no time to do personals....MI Prez is on her way here for a two day torture. My work is cut out for me. Have a marvelous day all, I will try to get back tonite or tomorrow.

Love, Hugs and Prayers.

Hi ladies -

Another busy day ahead...so no time for personals.

I'd rather not discuss my review...it didn't go well. I've got a lot of work to do to "improve" over the next couple months. And, rather than get defensive...I'm going to go above and beyond just doing the improvements outlined...and also keep my resume updated and keep my eye out for opportunities outside of my current company.

Today will be a better day...as wiill tomorrow...and then it's the weekend! :woohoo:

Much love and many hugs,

http://i.riga24.lv/upload/images/mod...8ceaf3012a.jpg

GOOD MORNING CHICKS

HAVE I SAID THAT TUESDAY IS A LOCAL ELECTION?
I SIT HERE MAKING A DECISION AND IT HAS TO BE DONE TODAY.
ACTUALLY I GUESS I HAVE ALREADY MADE IT.
I HAVE DECIDED NOT TO VOLUNTEER THAT DAY.
SHOULD I GET SICK AGAIN THE DR SAID THE NODES COULD CAUSE A SECONDARY INFECTION.
UNTIL WE KNOW IF THEY'RE STILL IN THERE HE CAN'T MAKE AN ASSESSMENT.
HE SAID IF THEY ARE THERE AND GOT BIGGER, HE WANTS A BIOPSY.
IF THEY ARE THE SAME SIZE, HE'LL WAIT ANOTHER 3 MONTHS FOR ANOTHER LOOK SEE.
OF COURSE I AM HOPING THEY HAVE JUST DISAPPEARED. :yoga:
IN THE MEANTIME I AM AWAITING AN APPT FOR ANOTHER CSCAN.
I BETTER MAKE THE PHONE CALL TODAY AND TELL THE POWERS THAT BE I WON'T BE THERE TUESDAY. DONE!
DR SAID EVERYTHING SOUNDS GOOD. I LOOK GREAT.
SHAKES HIS HEAD & STILL CALLING IT A MIRACLE RECOVERY.
BP IS A LITTLE HIGH BUT NOT TO WORRY JUST YET.
LOTS OF SINUS MEDS AND NOT REALLY" CLEAN EATING".
I HAD MY JOURNAL OUT AND WE WERE DISCUSSING SOME OF IT.
MC DONALDS HAS TO GO:rofl: :rofl:
HE FEELS AT THIS AGE AND STAGE OF MY LIFE THAT THE BODY JUST ISN'T GOING TO HANDLE OUTSIDE STRESS VERY WEKLL WITHOUT SOME KIND OF MEDICATION AND HE IS RELUCTANT TO START ANY. SO........
LIFE MUST CHANGE EVEN A BIT MORE.
I REALLY KNOW MY LIFE IS FINISHED WITH THE VOLUNTEERING BUT I JUST HAVEN'T ACCEPTED IT YET. HE UNDERSTANDS BUT GAVE ME THE "SENIOR CITIZEN" TALK (AS I CALL IT) BUT STRESSING TO LOOK AT THE DYSTROPHY CONDITION AND NOT THE AGE NUMBER. :nono:
65 FOR A NORMAL PERSON IS YOUNG YET. BIG SIGH.
I TOLD HIM OLD HABITS DIE HARD. :lol3:

TOMORROW JEN & I ARE MAKING A QUICK TRIP TO THE STORE.
CHEAPER THAN THE LITTLE STORE & WITH THE WEATHER BEING WARMER, I HAVE NO EXCUSE NOT TO GO!! LOL
GUESS I BETTER GET THE DAY MOVING ALONG. :moped:




MICHELLE....I WAS ROOTING FOR YOU AND STILL AM!:cheer3: :cheer2: :cheer:
HOPE EVERYTHING WORKS OUT TO YOUR ADVANTAGE.:hug:
ALSO HOPE THE DH HAS A BETTER DAY TODAY:hug:




LAURA....FOAM ROLLERS AND NEW TEAS. GOTTA LOVE THIS WEEK!!
I WANT TO LIKE TEA AND WISH I DID. BUT THEY ALL TASTE BITTER TO ME.
EVEN THE HERBAL TEAS. I BETTER STICK WITH MY SELTZER. LOL
IT'SA THE ONLY THING I REALLY LIKE TO DRINK.
MY MOUTH FEELS THE BUBBLES AND THE BRAIN THINKS WE'RE HAVING PEPSI!!:lol3:
HOPE THE PILATES WAS GOOD.

ANNIE & MICHELLE....SNEAKER INNERS.



MICHELLE...I AM SO VERY SORRY TO HEAR THE NEWS.
RISING ABOVE IT IS THE BEST CHOICE YOU COULD HAVE MADE.
STAY STRONG AND HANG TOUGH KIDDO:hug:
YOU'VE BEEN UNDER A LOT OF PRESSURE WITH DH & YOUR OWN ILLNESSES.
WITH THE WAY YOU WORK YOU WILLGET PAST ALL THIS!!!!




ANNIE.....GOOD LUCK WITH THE PREZ. FOR A MINUTE I THOUGHT OBAMA WAS VISITING! :rofl: :rofl:
WAS TELLING JEN ABOUT JAKE'S EASTER. Awwwwww:bunny:

It seems all the chicks are busy this week. Woke up to a cool 39 degree's. The house was cold so I've turned on the heat. I've put on a sweat shirt too.
And by the way, I'm calling this black berry winter as they were in bloom last week at my uncle's.

Michelle
:hug: Sorry the review didn't go well. But I'm like Mel rising above it is the best policy.

Laura
I do work 12 hours days instead of 10 hours. How did your Pilates class go?

Mel
I don't blame you for not volunteering for the next election. Do as the doctor says.

Happy, Mary and Patty hello :wave:

Good morning ladies,

Sorry I didn't get here yesterday. I went out to look at the morning sun - still scoping out a garden spot - and once I get out of my routine, I tend to forget what I was doing :dizzy: Going to be a nice day today - we might go for an ATV ride, supposed to snow again by the weekend though. :dunno:

Michelle - It sure does sound like you are getting railroaded my friend :hug: It's so sad because there is probably little you can do but move on. I commend you for taking the high road - I know how difficult it can be - sometimes I wonder if they do stuff like this to you to bait you so that then they can dump you for having a bad attitude. Best to stay neutral and positive while you get your resume beefed up. Will be pulling for something better to come your way.

Ceejay - I hear you on not being a fan of after work workouts - I think most people are better starting the day with their exercise, even if they are partially sleepy through the first 30 minutes or so :lol: If the blackberry bushes are in bloom I will have to check our wild berry bushes although I have to believe the deer will get to them first. But thanks for the heads up.

Mel - I would rather give up McD's than a pork roast :rofl: Seriously - it's rare for us to have it but even I notice a few hours afterwards that whatever stuff is in there - my body does not like it. And I don't feel that way from eating burgers so I know it's specific to them. You need to find some substitutes in your life - one for treat food, another for something to do to replace being the "real" office manager. I tend to agree with the doctor - being subjected to the stress of having lots dumped on you as well as being exposed to whatever is floating around that day just isn't in your best interest. You don't have to hide in your apartment, just find a new path to follow. Maybe you can teach reading to the illiterate, teach Spanish to the seniors? Too bad you have no money because you seemed to be good at the arts and crafts classes and they enjoyed them too. I liked today's chicks - look just like the ones in the store down the road.

Annie - good luck with the presidential visit. :rolleyes: Good thing you have the weekend to recover. Your meatloaf yesterday sounded sooooo good. Taters too. Geez woman - you don't need a gym with all that arm power that went into oiling up the furniture - I know what a job that is but it's soooo satisfying because afterwards things look so pretty!

Laura - I had to smile when I read you are trying to recreate that favorite exercise environment with the Jazzercise instructor. I understand completely as I felt the same was with a WW leader we once had when I was doing sessions at the old Marshall Fields store. He was very down to earth and motivating (some of the people since are kind of fake or play favorites I think). Anyway it was the perfect environment in which one felt really gung ho to get with the program which of course gave good results. It does seem like you enjoy a challenge so perhaps you have to do the classes, accept that it will take time before you master them (and since you get bored when you master them do you want to do that anyway? ;) :lol: ) They say when it comes to exercise just do what you like - a simple statement but when you get right down to it, it's not so simple after all. I checked out your tea and spice shop - oh my - sooooo tempting. I see my favorite jasmine tea pearls are $99.95 a pound - just like Teavana :yikes: I have 2 ounces of them left - will have to savor them.

Shad - glad to hear you are on the down side of the cold hump. Just make sure you rest enough not to send yourself into a relapse. I'm sure the house needs nothing more than a quick surface cleaning so don't worry about it. Not like you have wadded up tissues and dirty tea glasses and soup bowls strewn about the place, eh? :rofl:

Patty - glad to hear you had a nice Easter with the family. I have friends in TX - it's quite scary the storms that they get out that way. Big like things there seem to run. The last set of tornadoes touched down 3 streets away from the kids school. Dad had a really difficult time navigating the debris to go get them. So I don't envy your weather. Stay safe. I have to admit I have not yet really given alot of thought to what will go in the garden. We will have 2 raised beds - tomatoes for sure, probably some green bell peppers, DH wants radishes and peas. Maybe some cucumbers too. My co-worker planted lettuces 2 years and gave me some - they were a bit bitter for my tastes so I'm not sure if I'm wanting to do lettuces. I might try some baby spinach if that's an option. Herbs for sure - dill, parsley, sweet Italian basil, cilantro and mint although I want DH to built me a separate "herb table" I can put up on the deck for that. I saw one at the store I wanted to buy and he said he could make one for way less so lets see how that goes :lol:

I'm hungry now and better go get something in my stomach before the hungry headache kicks in. Enjoy your day everyone... :wave:

:?:

Don't mind me, just confused.

Afternoon all. Nice to get a breather after a busy beginning of the week.

Annie - Hope the prez's visit goes smoothly without too much torture.

Michelle - I'm sorry your review didn't go well. :( :hug: That's a good attitude moving forward as you described. Better than I'd probably have...

Mel - Love the little chickies you posted! :) Glad you're not going to volunteer to help with the election - you need to stay well!! Your health comes first ya know. I'm trying to avoid McDonald's myself, especially the burgers. Just not sure what's in them these days... Hope you can get the scan scheduled soon so you can see if the nodes are still around. Unfortunately age not being just a number can also work against you, especially when you've got medical conditions to consider. But that spirit and strength of yours definitely count for something - you tell that to your doc next time!!! :yes: I put off ordering my roller and tea for quite a while, but I do enjoy looking forward to it being delivered. The roller came with a catalog that was fascinating to me - all the types of equipment that gyms and personal trainers would order for their facilities. Naturally, I found something in there that I want to buy - a rack for all my dumbbells! :crossed: that my tea order arrives today! So you don't like tea, but do you like coffee? I don't like it at all. I love seltzer too, big glass over ice with a splash of lemon. Ah, refreshing!

Ceejay - Yeh, we've had our heat back on too. It sure was nice turning it off in March, but we've got our typical chilly spring weather at the moment, so it's back to bundling up. Been wearing headband, scarf and gloves to work the past couple days. Have your headaches gone away?? Sure hope so!! Twelve hours days - that's a long day, but at least you get longer weekends!

Happy - At least for me there's a few factors involved in doing "what I like" for exercise, so no, it's not simple. And you know I have this tendency to overthink... Yes, I would imagine that the same thing applies to a ww leader as to an exercise instructor - they both need that "special something" to motivate - and that "special something" so often varies amongst the students. Anyway, at the moment I've determined I want a change and will more than likely join the no frills gym, though I will make bf take me as his guest for at least one or two workouts before I finally pay my startup fee and join. Yes, the "by the pound" pricing can be shocking, but then again, a pound of something like tea or spices can be quite a bit more than you would ever need for a reasonable period of time. I was going to buy some oo long tea on top of the other items I'd ordered, but changed my mind because their varieties were a bit pricey and I actually liked the kind bf bought for me just fine. He bought it from the chinese restaurant near the house - the owner sold him a carry out soup container full of the loose tea from his own stock of what he serves in the restaurant. :D We don't go there very often anymore, but I'll have to buy some the next time we're in there.

Hi Patty. :wave: Hey Mary!! Don't be a strangers!
---
Nuttin' much to report. Pilates was fine last night. Two more classes next week and that's it.

I'm feeling tired. I've been waking up before the alarm lately and I think it's catching up with me. Looking forward to the weekend! However...gonna take home my laptop this weekend and try to catch up on cleaning up my e-mail. Also, I'm getting a new laptop next week, so I will probably see about removing the personal docs from the hard drive before I hand over this old one for imaging/cloning whatever they call it for copying over to the new one.

Enough rambling, back to work.

Good Evening/Morning Everyone!!

Well, my MI prez did NOT arrive today and will be in the first thing in the morning. She got tied up in MI and didn't head this way by car until noon, which got her in Indy around 5ish....so only one day of torture. Tomorrow!! I was more than ready for her today tho,,,so tomorrow should be good. We shall see, she is kind of anal about things...so who knows.

CHELLE...I am so sorry your review went so aweful...bright side...it can go no where but up...I have been in your shoes since I started at Humana....I have had a different boss all three years I have worked there...This year is no different. This year's review is the same...it hasn't been delivered yet, but I expect nothing too great...whatever. I know and you know how great we are, so therefore who cares what others think. They do NOT know us and do NOT know our work....let them live without us for a brief period of time and all H will break loose. I rate you AAAA++++++, and most of all GOD rewards our great efforts. You will be fine and come out fine....what goes around comes around....Hugs.

LAURA....sometimes when I have too many nights of waking before the witching hour, I eventually take an Advil PM. Losing too much sleep puts me in a coma at work which is not good, especially when the big shots are in town. I have been having trouble with getting up in the mornings cause I spend most nights awake on the couch watching TV. It sucks!

HAPPY....well really???? You are retired and doing what makes you happy. When you post is when you post. No need for explainations....do what you WANNA do. If you wanna watch the sun come up or sleep in...you do it. No need to worry about us Chicks....we totally understand.....xoxo

CEEG...it has been mighty cold here this past week also....below freezing in the mornings with warnings for all who planted flowers and such too early....Not me..only because I have not had time to do it....I probably will not have time for several weeks to plant. Too much going on with family and yard work besides planting.

MELLIE...I hate to say it...but you need to take the attitude F everyone else...with your health...IT IS ALL ABOUT YOU...I am serious..you have to quit thinking about all the volunteer and charity stuff...if you want to keep posting and being a Worldlie Chick...think about you first...plus who else would keep our commune straight? Dang it chick...quit it...it is all about YOU YOU YOU YOU YOU YOU YOU YOU YOU YOU...and YOU

SHADDIE....hoping you are taking good care of you. That is most important, heck with everything else. Rest and work little. hugs...

Dinner was soooooooooooooo good. Chicken Breasts in Phyllo Pastry...very delish..then fixed Edamame and a salad...Curtis was not too excited about the Edamame. lol. But all in all, dinner was fab...I enjoyed it all.

Not much else going on....not exercising as usual. No surprises there. lol

Love, hugs and prayers...

Hello Ladies,

Annie - Lucky for you, you only have to deal with the Prez for 1 day. Don't let her ruin your day...

Happy - your garden sounds wonderful. I thought I was going to put a raised garden in this year, but didn't find the time. Have you looked at earth boxes.. I currently have 4 of them and will go that route this year.

oops phone just rang... I need to take this call...

be back..

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2QWhZnHvGk...ever+print.jpg



UP & AT 'EM!!
GOING TO GET DRESSED AND GET ON THE BUS.
SHOPPING FOR PRODUCE TODAY.
YESTERDAY WAS CALM & PEACEFUL.

NOT MUCH NEW.......HAVE A GREAT DAY:moped:




CEEJAY.....HAD A LAUGH AT THE BLACKBERRY WINTER!
WE'RE HAVING COLD MORNINGS TOO. SUPPOSED TO WARM UP THOUGH.
HOPE YOU GET HIGHER TEMPS TODAY. YESTERDAY I HAD MY FUZZY PJ BOTTOMS ON ALL DAY!




HAPPY......DO THE DEER GET THE BEST OF THE BERRIES???
DID YOU TASTE THEM LAST YEAR WHEN LOOKING AT THE HOUSE??
THE SENIORS WOULD LOVE ARTS & CRAFTS BUT THE BUDGET IS WAY TOO SMALL RIGHT NOW.
MAYBE THAT'S A GOOD THING CAUSE THE WHOLE THING WOULD FALL IN MY LAP AGAIN! :rofl:
I HAVE PLENTY TO KEEP ME BUSY....ALL MY FRIENDS LIVE IN MY PC:hug:
PRETTY SOON WE'LL ALL BE OUTSIDE.
I WILL PROBABLY BE THE FIRST ONE COMPLAINING OF THE HEAT & HUMIDITY:faint:






LAURA....A NEW LAPTOP! GOOD FOR THE EMPLOYER.
HOW DO THEY KNOW WHEN IT'S TIME FOR A NEW ONE....OR IS IT AUTOMATICALLY DONE ON A REGULAR BASIS?
GLAD TO SEE YOU GOT A MINUTE TO YOURSELF.
IT HAS REALLY BEEN A BUSY WEEK....MINE JUST FLEW BY!
HOPE THE TEA COMES IN TIME FOR THE WEEKEND.
THE ONLY COFFEE I LIKE IS THE ICED FRAPPE THAT STARBUCKS PUTS IN A BOTTLE.
IT'S FUNNY BUT I AM NOT REALLY A COFFEE FAN EITHER. MAINLY JUST A SUGAR JUNKIE!!!:dizzy:





ANNIE.......I WILL BEHAVE FROM NOW ON. PROMISE. ME ME ME ME ME & ME.
THE CHICKEN IN PHYLLO SOUNDED GOOD. ONE OF MY SENIORS LOVES EDAMAME.
I GET THEM FOR HER AT TRADER JOE'S.
GOOD LUCK WITH THE PREZ TODAY:hug: :crossed:




PATTY......NOW I WILL HAVE TO GOOGLE EARTH BOXES.
SOUNDED INTERESTING & WILL KEEP ME BUSY OVER THE WEEKEND :rofl:

Morning all.:yawn: TGIF!!

Annie - Well, only one day of torture, but it still was probably not a great day yesterday if you were waiting around all day for the Prez to show up... I very rarely have trouble falling asleep, and when I said I was waking up before the alarm it's usually around an hour or less. So I'm not being shorted on as much sleep as you, so I generally don't feel it until the end of the day, thankfully. No meds needed!!

Patty - Now I've got to look up earth boxes!! And Happy's "herb table" sounds interesting too. :)

Mel - Have a good produce-shopping trip today. :carrot::cb::broc: I think I shocked my body last night with the salad I made for dinner. :D I washed everything well before prepping it and yet it somehow didn't agree with me and that never happens to me with salads. No tummy ache - let's just say it was "digestive upset". Re the laptop - our IT department must track the model/ages of what equipment we have and has staggered rollouts of new equipment deployment before it breaks down or is obsolescent. And we know that doesn't take long. I asked an IT guy if the projector in the conference room could be calibrated because the colors weren't accurate and he told me it's not a matter of adjusting something, it's just "old" - 4 years old!! Doesn't sound that old to me!! Anyway, right now, just the admin and I are getting new equipment in our department. The other manager just started here last fall, so he already has a newer model. For whatever reason, the boss isn't on the list right now. She must be in a different group. Our tea/spice order arrived yesterday, so I'm having a mug of Northwest Breakfast tea. It's better than the Tetley bags I've been using, but I'm sort of underwhelmed. I'll try it again this weekend. I think it'll be tasty with some real sugar (vs. Splenda) and perhaps some milk.

Hellos to the rest of the Worldlies!! Shad, Hope you're getting over that cold by now. The past couple days allergies have been kicking my arse. Well, my eyes actually - watery and irritated. I have rx eyedrops, but if I want to wear my contact lenses I have to apply the drops and wait 10 minutes. That goofs up my morning routine, because no creams or lotions can be applied until after all that. Don't want to muck up my lenses by handling them with residue on them, and it already feels like I spend a half lifetime doing hand-washing.
---
Feeling achey and out of sorts today. I really wish I could have stayed home. Another strange ache today - front neck/collarbone on the left side, which had already started before bedtime last night. I'm so thoroughly tired of this! And while the additional firmness of the bed (since I adjusted it) has now helped with the upper back soreness, I get numbness in my shoulders and arms from it when I sleep on my side. Sigh. :dunno:

Anyway, sorry for the whining. Small potatoes in the realm of "problems people have". Hope today goes quickly. I have to get my 2012 performance goals entered in the software system (replaced the forms). Having lunch with a work buddy. Nothing super pressing today.

Tomorrow morning I'm having breakfast with a friend I used to work with. That's all that has been planned for the weekend. It's supposed to rain/storm this weekend. Bf never got the mulch spread on the bed we weeded last weekend, but he did sprinkle Preen on it. I might spread the mulch myself if the weather permits.

That's about it. Everyone have a great weekend!
:flow1::flow1::flow1::flow1::flow1:

Howdy chicks,

Yesterday we went for a 2 hour ATV ride. It was 60 degrees and sunny but I could have done with it being a few degrees warmer since you loose some heat with the wind and driving through the tree covered paths. But it was fun, I enjoyed looking at all the trees budding, the rivers and lakes and the blue sky. We drove to the next town and stopped and got a burger for lunch. Will be better when all the local places on the lake start opening up at lunch time once tourist season starts after Labor Day. We weren't super hungry last night so I just scrambled up some eggs, cooked up some leftover baked potato wedges with onion and bell peppers for breakfast potatoes and served it with canteloupe and sliced strawberries. Washed it down with orange juice. A nice, light balanced meal. I sort of have a taste for pizza now - wondering if I can talk DH into it seeing as how we used our eat out money on burgers yesterday. He is out sawing down the forest trying to find the last property marker so he can stake out the property lines and post signs to keep hunters off our property. Looks like the rains are moving in soon so he'd better hurry :lol:

Patty - were you around that area that got all that hail the other day? The pictures almost look like they are a hoax - 4 feet of hail????? :yikes: Amazing. I will have to check out those earth boxes. We looked at water / rain barrels too but they want so much money for plastic stuff. :rolleyes:

Laura - the herb grow table is kind of neat. Think of something along the concept of a fooseball table made out of all wood planks. Of course you can make it any size you want - I'm thinking 3 feet by 2 feet is all I need for the herbs. Better get a move on with the mulch bed before the weeds take hold again. Nothing worse than cleaning out the beds and having to do them all over again. I'm wondering too if your aches and pains can just be temporary as the weather is changing. Like growing pains as the new buds shoot out for the spring - except we ain't new buds :rofl: Anyway, hope you feel better. Some nice sun and warmth would make us all feel good.

Mel - deer are munching on anything that is growing right now. We have serviceberry trees with hard little berries on them - they are munched clean from bottom to as far as the deer can reach upwards. I think they are eating the new shoots too. We can see that some deer are preferring the new grass to the corn - I told DH he will have to mow the grass a bit higher so they can graze. We don't need a city lawn anymore :lol: I hope you find some nice produce on your shopping trip today. Beware of imports - I got a nice looking mango the other day and it tasted horrid. Also picked up some peaches from Peru I think - they smelled delicious but when they ripened they were tough and not watered enough when growing I think - probably rushed to market to make that long trip up north. The strawberries are good too but they seem to mold within 2 days so I have to use them quickly. I did save an article about something you are supposed to do to them to make them last longer - gotta go find that. I like your spring tree graphic - I saved it to my idea folder.

Annie - I hope you don't have too crazy a day with the big wigs in town. Maybe they will leave early to get to the airport before the big rush home :lol: You are right that God rewards our efforts but sometimes I wish he would rap the knuckles of the evil doers a little more frequently so they'd learn how to behave like human beings ;) :rofl: Dinner sounded good except I would go for Sugar Snap peas over Edamame any day :lol: Curtis sounds very open to trying different foods for a guy.

Shad - hope you are feeling better today and can spend the weekend relaxing instead of trying to catch up.

Hi Ceejay and Java :wave:

Time to go find me some lunch. Happy Friday the 13th ladies - may your day be lucky.

Afternoon
I'm working for L today. She said her niece was having surgery. Not sure what kind. Don't mind as it will make a little extra spending money for vacation time.
I should be writing down these menu's for next week. They all sound good.

Annie
I'm not sure what a phyllo pastry is but it sounds great. Hope the MI prez had good things to say.

Happy
I like eggs for dinner. It's light but yet filling. Hadn't thought about the potatoes to go with it. Yum. Pizza does sound good.

Laura
Ugh on bringing the laptop home to do e-mails. Not a bad idea to go with bf a couple of times to the gym to see what they offer. Happy may be right about those aches and pains due to the weather. As my doctor in Jonesboro has told me many times--You are getting a bit older each year. Different things are going to happen.

Shad
Are you okay?

Patty and Mary :wave: hello and have a good day.

My aunt called yesterday and told me that the uncles were eating together tomorrow. I guess I'll go but don't really need to. I can't stay as I work on Sunday.

Hi y'all,
sorry I didn't get here yesterday. I was kept busy with work and then made a start on the housework which I haven't felt like doing for some time. It shows and the dust is horrendous. I really must figure out where it is coming from and block up the holes or change the insulation. I think it is causing both DS2 and myself a lot of unnecessary sinus problems. I used to think it was caused by the bush being cleared down in the industrial estate but the fact is that the estate is mostly built out now and the dust is worse than ever. I'm suspecting the insulation.
My cold is going away slowly. I woke up this morning feeling good, but now that I am up and about the nose is running yet again. Slight headache on waking but that's okay. I can live with that. Hopefully the sun today will help to dry out the nose. I am intending to spend some time outside
The time has come to decide whether to keep donating to the penguins or not as well. Should we keep on Worldly or look for another endangered species to spend some time and money on? Have a think about it. What's on in the US - guess something needs to be saved over there as well.

Guess it is time for Breakfast. Back later with personals as I can. Just needed to let everyone know I was still alive and, for the moment, kicking.

http://media.nj.com/star-ledger/phot...5880-large.jpg

THE MEADOWLANDS ARE ON FIRE THAT RUN NORTH & SOUTH ALONG THE TURNPIKE. OVER 2000 ACRES BURNT FROM THE 165 FIRES REPORTED IN 11 DAYS. WE NEED RAIN :rain: I KNOW THIS IS SMALL POTATOES COMPARED TO OTHERS BUT.....
THE FIRES MUST BE NEAR SECAUCUS FOR THIS AREA TO BE SMELLING SO BADLY. IT WOKE ME UP A LITTLE AFTER 5 AM. OF COURSE MY WINDOW WAS OPENED. I HAD FORGOTTEN ALL ABOUT THE FIRES. NOW MY NOSE AND CHEST ARE ON FIRE:flame: YUCK!!
THERE WON'T BE ANY SITTING OUTSIDE FOR ME THIS WEEKEND:cry:

THE MEDICAL ALARMS ARE BEING REPLACED ON MY FLOOR FOR A TEST DRIVE ON TUESDAY. THE SUPPLIER THAT MAKES OUR MEDICAL ALARMS DISCONTINUED THIS MODEL... WE NEED REPLACEMENTS FROM TIME TO TIME...AND NOW THE ALARM COMPANY IS FRANTICALLY TRYING TO COME UP WITH AN ANSWER. SIGH.
I WILL BE SITTING HERE MINDING MY OWN BUSINESS NEXT WEEK :beach:

THE KIDS & I ARE GOING TO HAVE A MOVIE MARATHON. JEN IS NOT UP TO RUNNING AROUND THIS WEEKEND AND THEY OPTED TO CANCEL VISITS TO FRIENDS & RELATIVES. GOOD THINKING.
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE.





LAURA....HEY.....WHINE AWAY ANYTIME!! MAKES ME FEEL LESS OF A PRO AT WHINING THIS YEAR :rofl: I WAS WONDERING IF YOU READ IN BED AND ARE LYING DOWN AT THE SAME TIME?? I KNOW WHEN I DO THAT FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME IT BEGINS TO AFFECT MY UPPER TORSO AND SHOULDERS ETC. WE NEED YOUR REPLACEMENTS HERE IN THE OFFICE! THEIR COMPUTERS ARE RUNNING LIKE MOLASSES!!:lol3:
HAVE A NICE BREAKFAST WITH THE FRIEND:hug:




HAPPY...I LOVED THAT TREE GRAPHIC TOO. FOUND IT GOOGLING SPRING ALONG WITH THAT YELLOW CAT PIC THE OTHER DAY. THE ATV RIDE SOUNDED GREAT...ESPECIALLY THE BURGERS:drool: HOW NICE IT WILL BE WHEN IT'S A TAD WARMER. RIDING MAKES MY FACE COLD!!! NOW YOU KNOW WHY I HATE RIDING IN THE COOLER TEMPS:brr: DID YOU GET THE PIZZA??? YOU NEED TO PLAY THE "BIRTHDAY GIRL" CARD THIS MONTH TO GET YOUR TREATS:rofl: :rofl:
SPEAKING OF WHICH....I GOT THE CARD YESTERDAY AND IT IS HANGING ON MY "CARD WALL" WHERE THE SENIORS LOOK NOW TO SEE WHAT I GET:lol3: THANK YOU.




CEEJAY....SAFE TRAVELS IF YOU GO TO EAT WITH THE UNCLES.
EXTRA CASH IS A GOOD THING. WHEN IS VACATION?? I FORGET NOW. DUH!!!:dizzy:
HOPE SUNDAY'S WORK IS A QUIET ONE!!




SHAD......GLAD YOU ARE ALIVE AND WELL!!:hug: IS THERE SOME KIND OF COMPANY THAT CAN FIGURE OUT HOW THE DUST IS GETTING IN THE HOUSE? OR DO YOU JUST GUESS? MAYBE IT'S THE WINDOW CASINGS? WE HAD PROBLEMS WITH OURS FEW YEARS BACK.
THEY REPLACED THEM AND CAULKED THEM UP. BETTER NOW. GLAD YOU FEEL BETTER AND HOPE IT CONTINUES.
NOT SURE WHAT TO SAY ABOUT WORLDLY. MAYBE YOU SHOULD SPEND THE MONEY ON YOUR GRANDCHILD INSTEAD. :bb:
CHILDREN ARE AN ENDANGERED SPECIES TOO WITH SO MANY COUPLES OPTING NOT TO HAVE THEM:rofl:




PATTY......LIKE OUR MISS HAPPY, WHEN I SAW THE PICTURE OF 4 FEET OF HAILAND A COP STANDING CHEST HIGH IN IT....I THOUGHT OF YOU!!! THE WEATHER IN YOUR STATE IS HORRENDOUS. I NEAR FAINTED LAST NIGHT LOOKING AT THE WALL OF TORNADO WEATHER CROSSONG YOUR STATE ON AN ANGLE. MY GOD!!:yikes: WE WERE WATCHING THE WEATHER CHANNEL AND I HAD TO TURN IT OFF!!!
HOPE YOU ARE SAFE AND THIS SCARY STUFF WAS MILES AWAY FROM YOU:hug:

Hi all,

It's a gorgeous warm and sunny day today. Cousin came over with a metal detector to help DH find the last (iron stake) property marker which has been eluding DH. (Could be under a fallen tree for all we know). When they are done we are going for another ATV ride so I don't have time to get to personals here. I'm eager to get out because this is the last nice day for a bit as the cooler, wetter weather moves in. Like Mel, we are super dry here - you're not even supposed to smoke cigs outside much less burn anything. Last night it was so gusty and windy I thought the house would blow over! :yikes:

Mel - that's terrible about the fires - it's one of the worst things for you. Hope you can seal up the apartment and minimize the troubles.

Love to the rest of the chicks - I need to get ready to go when they say they are ready. Talk later - happy Friday oh wait - it's Saturday isn't it? :lol: Ok then, enjoy your weekend!

Nothing to report been busy with grocery shopping and now laundry and house cleaning. Went to Verizon to looks around for a new I phone but that will not be until May 30th, just in time for vacation.

I've downloaded the new internet10. It's change everything that I'm used to, ugh.
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Mel
Those wild fires can be devastating. Decided not to go to Paragould was to tired. Called my uncle and told him.

Happy
Enjoy the ATV ride. Do you wear helmet's? Think I would just to keep the bugs away.

Hey ladies,

DH and I went for a nice drive today scoping out ATV trails looking for a place we can park the car and trailer with access to the trails. We went out for a nice BBQ dinner and when we came back home around 5pm, look what was waiting for us in the yard...

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e6...rintheyard.jpg

At first we thought it was a bear cub - perhaps about a year old as it did not look big enough to be a full grown adult. We were in the car trying wildly to take pictures but I guess we made enough commotion to scare it back into the woods. We parked the car and DH got his camera and his gun. The bear came back shortly and was grazing on the corn we had set out for the deer. We were both surprised to actually see a bear - kinda neat but he was careful and I hid in the house! He came back 3 times and I was able to sneak a peak at him from around the garage - we were about 20 feet away from him but in close proximity to dash into the garage if need be. Then DH went and made enough noise to scare the bear away for good. We hope. It's neat to see but we really can't have a bear hanging around here. DH went next door to warn the neighbor. So much for today's excitement.

Laura - a while ago you asked how to attach pictures to your post. You can attach files from your PC through your 3FC post but that only gives you a thumbnail which needs to be opened to view the large picture.

In order to imbed the full size picture in your post you need an html link from an online website or from a web based photo album of your like photobucket or flicker. When you upload a picture to your album it gives you the html code in various ways - html link, img (image) link, etc. I copy the img code and paste it in my post - this imbeds the picture into my post. I hope that's not too complicated - I will help you further if you need it.

Ceejay - we should switch to Verizon also but we keep putting it off. What phone style are you looking at? Free or one of the upgrades? We don't wear helmets on the ATVs because you don't really go that fast - maximum is about 25mph. The helmets actually block your peripheral vision. Also I don't like the "rough" trails that DH and my cousin like - the ones with dips and mud and water and going over tree trunks. I'll stick to the paved and gravel or sand based ATV trails. We will however need to get some sort of Frito Bandito face kerchief or a mask of some sort because it's not bad if you are the only one on the trails but they can get dusty which can make riding through a dust cloud very unpleasant - particularly if you are trailing behind some one. So you are not liking Internet 10 so much? I'm nervous about downloading it - sometimes it breaks other websites.

Mel - have the wildfires calmed down by now? Thank you for your little drawing - I got such a kick out of it - how did you know it really does look like that? :lol: Now that I know you have a card wall I'll have to send you something to get their eyebrows all jumpy :dizzy: And yes, we got pizza yesterday - I brought some home for you. I also have some walleye fish left over from dinner tonight if you'd like some of that. Biggest fillet I've ever seen in my life. DH and I should have split one dinner. What's on the big screen for the movie marathon? We watched We Bought A Zoo last week. What a cute movie - I highly recommend it.

Shad - I hope the sun came out to dry you up today and that you were feeling up to tackling the house. Hope you can find the source of the dust devils. As for Worldly - much as I like penguins, I have to admit I am more into the animal rescue organizations - especially as I see more articles on the Internet and see stories on the television. God bless these remarkable volunteers who take the calls to rescue these poor animals left to die in deplorable conditions. I really think if DH and I leave this earth with more than ten dollars left to our name, a rescue organization will benefit. The people we know can take care of themselves just fine. That's just my 2 cents on the topic...

Hello to the rest of the chicks - I hope you are all enjoying your weekend. I'm going to go and read my recipe book from the library...

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MikxAAuNbr...s320/hujan.jpg

A NICE RAINY DAY IS PREDICTED SO LETS SEE IF THE WEATHER MAN IS RIGHT.
I THOUGHT THE FIRE WAS BAD BUT THE SMELL OF THE FIRE OUT WAS WORSE.
THEY SAY THEY'RE SMOULDERING AND WE NEED A GOOID RAIN.
YESTERDAY IT WAS A GORGEOUS DAY AND OUR WINDOWS ALL SHUT WITH THE A/C ON. :cry: LOTS OF SINUS MEDS.
SO I CLEANED THE BATHROOM & BEDROOM.
THEN FRIED UP SOME CHICKEN CUTLETS IN ONIONS.
FUNNY..... I SET OFF MY OWN SMOKE ALARM:rofl:
THEN A BIG CHEESE POLITICIAN RANG MY BELL AND ASKED TO SPEAK WITH ME.
SO I WENT DOWN TO MEET HIM AND MY ANSWER WAS............
SORRY PAL...I'M NOT WORKING TUESDAY.
THE LOOK ON HIS FACE WAS PRICELESS.
HE WAS ACTUALLY STUNNED INTO SILENCE.
TOLD HIM MY LUNGS HAVE SOME PROBLEMS OF THEIR OWN STILL.
HE TRIED TO GET AROUND IT EVERY WHICH WAY:lol3:
TOO BAD. :dancer:
I FELT SO GOOD IN THE ELEVATOR COMING BACK UP I LAUGHED OUTLOUD!
IT DOES FEEL GOOD AT TIMES TO SAY NO!!
I AM TIRED AND NEED SOME BREAKFAST TO WAKE UP!!
HAVE A SUPER SUNDAY/MONDAY:moped:





HAPPY.....OMG!!! AN NEW TENANT!!!! DON'T LET HIM TAKE MY SHED!!!
I DON'T WANT ANY PETS!!:yikes:
ALL KIDDING ASIDE....I WOULD HAVE POOPED MY PANTS COMING HOME AND FINDING THAT GUY AS A LAWN ORNAMENT!!
THANK GOD YOU HAVE BIG GAME HUNTER DH THERE TO PROTECT YOU!!
I'LL TAKE THE PIZZA AND YOU CAN HVE THE FISHY.
I SAW A TRAILER FOR THE MOVIE AND IT DID LOOK CUTE.
MAYBE YOU TO CAN START A ZOO OF YOUR OWN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
PS: NO MARATHON MOVIE DAY.
THE KIDS WENT TO THE RIVER TO SEE SOME INTERNATIONAL SHIPS COME INTO THE NY PORT.
JUST AS GOOD....I GOT READY FOR THE ALARM MAN TUES AND HAVE TODAY TO MYSELF:beach:



CEEJAY.....I AM NOT SURPRISED YOU CALLED THE LUNCH OFF.
WITH OVERTIME WORKING FOR THE OTHER WOMAN, IT MUST HAVE BEEN A LONG WEEK FOR YOU. HPOPE YOU GET SOME REST TIME IN THERE FOR YOURSELF:hug:

Whoa Happy, I couldn't imagine coming home to a bear in the yard. Awesome picture. I hope to get to see one when we go to the Smokey Mts this summer.

Mel
I'm proud of you for saying no.
I like to go out to the Mississippi River to watch for tug boats. It would be neat to see a big ship.
The uncles understand if I have to work and they realize that I have to drive a bout 75 minutes to ge there.

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Getting excited about going to MO this week end. I hope I get to see both nephews and niece and of course the little one. Going to try to up on Thursday. Sis has to work till noon on Friday. She'd mentioned going to a show. But that doesn't really matter. I would like to try and buy some dvd's of a couple of shows that my aunt and uncle like to go see.
Dreading the thunderstorms that are supposed to happen this afternoon or tonight. Hope they wait till I get home.
Have a good day.

High noon here & I've spent the morning w/ the papers. Been windy & now it's starting to look like more rain is on the way. Last night (overnight) was a storm w/ a good amount if rain. Good thIng, the soil was hard and dry. Yesterday we spread the bags of mulch sitting in the garage on the bed we weeded last weekend. Bf cleaned up the other bed's border w a shovel, but I decided to wait until the rain came to make the weeding job easier. Think I'll get out there now before the rain comes.

Be back later, but first: Happy, be careful outdoors given the visiting wildlife!! :yikes: And Mel, take care if those lungs w/ all the smoke from the fire & smoldering!!! Seems like a neighbor's firepit blaze is enough to get my lungs unhappy.

Happy Sunday!

Great weekend. I went to watch my 9 year old niece play fast pitch softball. Her team lost but it's so much fun to watch. I use to play softball and it just brings back memories. The earthboxes are great, I know they can be handmade but they have a special watering system. The plants grown really big. It's raining here today, it's a slow rain, the lakes are filling up.

Happy - What a beautiful bear! He looks so huggable, yet we know he's not. I would of been freaked out to see that in my yard. I know you've always talked about deer and other wild life but was not expecting this. Take care..

Mel - The weather was actually nice here. We are getting some rains today, but nice and steady. No, I was not near the big hail. So glad to hear the fires are out. The smell can be so overwhelming. Take care of your lungs.

Laura - I spent my morning like you, with the paper & watching the OWN Channel. On sunday's they have Super Soul Sunday. Love to watch the morning programs.

Ceejay - I hope the rains coming your way are not severe. The storms this spring have been unbelievable. Are you making a trip anytime soon to see your sister here in Plano?/Richardson? I don't quite remember where she lived but I know it was somewhat close.

Shad - I can totally relate about the housework. Do you have filters on your ac/heating unit? I'm glad to hear your getting over your cold.

Michellez, Annie, - Hope your are having a relaxing weekend...

Morning all,
Back in the office, boring Monday. Not much to do here, could have stayed at home and done nothing.

Yesterday we had a bit of a wine tasting and friends stayed over for dinner. It was nice. We had a pork loin roast with lots of roast vegetables and some salads, washed down with a rose wine. There were some :nono: dips and cheese as well, but I resisted potato chips and went for French Stick bread and baked not fried crackers. We had plenty to eat. And there will be plenty of left overs for lunches for a couple of days as well.

I need to get back into a fitness routine. I've put it off for long enough. No excuses anymore. Please :kickbutt: if you see me slipping once more.

Happy - nice bear. Looks so cute, but I guess they are to be discouraged around the house. Shame, since people took over his territory in the first place.
I'm running IE9 and don't have much problem with it. I just wish they would leave the terminology the same and put things in the same place. Now I have to search for things.

Patty - We don't have aircon/ heating systems like I see in the programs from the States and Canada. We generally tend to have individual reverse cycle aircons here. We don't generally require heating, only cooling. In fact my aircon goes on only about 4 or 5 times a year when the humidity is at its worst. And yes it does have a filter and I clean it out regularly. Doors and windows are open most of the time round here.

Laura - fancy coming over to my place and pulling weeds and spreading mulch over here. Better bring sunscreen.

Ceejay - hope you have a great time with the family this week. Get lotsa cuddles and take lotsa pictures. They grow up so fast.

Mel - you get an A for achievement today with learning and sticking to the word NO. Like what part of no doesn't he understand? Sometimes people take volunteering too far. It's no wonder they don't get too many folk doing it any more. Would it actually hurt too much to pay $5 or $10 bucks an hour? In the scheme of things, how much is being paid out to run this campaign? Would $100 make much difference to the budget?
Hope you have had some respite from the fires. They sure do make the lungs tight and tired. I hate it when they fire the bush down the road to get rid of the undergrowth and dead wood. Hate to think how anyone with asthma feels. Personally I would take some of the unemployed and arm them with slashers and send them in to cleanup. It would be easier on the wildlife in the bush. But I suppose someone would stupidly step on a snake or get bitten by something and then all **** would break loose and we would be paying for litigation or something.

Guess I better go and see if anyone need help. Otherwise I will read the on line newspaper, sort out the sudoku and the crossword, then go home.

Back again. I weeded the other front garden bed, and bf sprinkled Preen on it. We need to buy some mulch for that side now, as well as a few more bags for the other side - we ran short. Then it was lunch, some errands, then a dog walk. A load of laundry or two is on tonight's agenda. I just watched the CD -ROM that came w/ my foam roller. It shows stretches and exercises.

Shad - Sorry your workday has been boring. Your wine tasting and dinner sounded wonderful.

Patty - I played the slowpitch softball as a kid - Chicago style, with the larger softball and no glove. Strangely, my bf likes to watch the college fastpitch softball on TV.

Ceejay - Hope you don't have to drive home in a bad storm! Bet you're looking forward to seeing family in MO this week.

Mel - The chicken cutlets sound tasty. LOL re the smoke alarm. Actually, I was wondering if the smokey air from the fire would set off the alarms!! When you reported the Meadowlands on fire, I initially thought of the stadium! Goes to show my ignorance of the NY/NJ area...Good for you saying no (again) to the volunteering. For now focus on keeping your lungs clean in the poor air quality that's going on - or is the rain gonna help that some?? Oh, btw, I read in bed with an extra pillow to prop me up, but not for long enough to cause the soreness. Some nights I'm lucky to even get through a few pages before falling asleep!

Happy - Too scary about the bear on your property - great photo! So will you stop putting out food for the birds and deer now? What about wearing a cycling helment when you go out on the atv - would that allow better visibility than a full helmet like those for motorcycles? Thanks for the instructions re posting a photo in a post. Too bad I've never used flicker or photobucket, LOL!

Hellos to Mary, Michelle and Annie!
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Starting to rain and storm. :rain: We just bought a Thundershirt for Coal this afternoon, so we may be using it shortly.

TTFN!
:cheers: