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

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????? 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.

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 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 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 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 Dinner sounded good except I would go for Sugar Snap peas over Edamame any day 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

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 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.

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 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 YUCK!!
THERE WON'T BE ANY SITTING OUTSIDE FOR ME THIS WEEKEND

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

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 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!!
HAVE A NICE BREAKFAST WITH THE FRIEND




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 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 DID YOU GET THE PIZZA??? YOU NEED TO PLAY THE "BIRTHDAY GIRL" CARD THIS MONTH TO GET YOUR TREATS
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 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!!!
HOPE SUNDAY'S WORK IS A QUIET ONE!!




SHAD......GLAD YOU ARE ALIVE AND WELL!! 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.
CHILDREN ARE AN ENDANGERED SPECIES TOO WITH SO MANY COUPLES OPTING NOT TO HAVE THEM




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!! 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

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!

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? 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...

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? Now that I know you have a card wall I'll have to send you something to get their eyebrows all jumpy 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...

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. 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
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
TOO BAD.
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





HAPPY.....OMG!!! AN NEW TENANT!!!! DON'T LET HIM TAKE MY SHED!!!
I DON'T WANT ANY PETS!!
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



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

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!! 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 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 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. We just bought a Thundershirt for Coal this afternoon, so we may be using it shortly.

TTFN!