Happy Thursday ladies!

I am so happy it's Thursday, and believe it or not, I'm looking forward to a weekend of doing more decluttering. I got some more stuff out of the upstairs yesterday when I got home from work and took it all down to the curb with the rest of the trash/recycling. I can actually start seeing progress, although I have a long way to go. The upstairs has always been the "catch all" for all kinds of stuff. Once it is cleared out and organized, I plan to have much more room to neatly give some of the downstairs stuff new homes.

I'm hoping today will be much better than yesterday. A co-worker and I implemented some code changes provided to us by our vendor onto our test server, and now our test server is not working correctly. We backed out the code changes, and we're getting the same error. We probably have to restore the code on the test server from a recent backup. Hopefully that will fix things. Then we (or the vendor) has to figure out why the code they sent us caused major errors in the server.

Gotta sign off for a minute or two. I just got the go-ahead from my co-worker to contact the Server team to restore the backup.

Back later,

Morning all.

Michelle - Nice you're getting into the decluttering groove and seeings the fruits of your labor. How's DH feeling?

Mel - Yay for the replacement girl in the office!! Now you can just sit and watch the rain - probably a good meditation helper, especially if you can't see out the window and get distracted, LOL. Glad the doc visit went well and that he'll be keeping an eye on you. Bet you'll have a lot of catching up to do w/ Jen - once she wakes up!

Annie - Sorry you're still feeling crummy, and being uncomfortable on the sofa doesn't help at all! I thought you had a guest room setup... that would be nice. Very sweet of you to give up the bed for C. Feel better soon, and I hope you get a good night's rest tonight.

Shad - How frustrating that the gps sent you astray yesterday! Gps is fine but not perfect, so I still like to see a map...old school. Glad you enjoyed the dinner w/ the other gma, in spite of your differences and her foibles. ROFL about how your pal described the salami he wants you to pick up!!! Abs are less sore, but the calves are sore now...

Happy - What a major PITA with your phone and internet service!!! I don't use my cell phone or land line phone much at all for calls, but I sure as heck want reliable service when I need it!! I hope the pay-as-you go service works out for you - is it Verizon as well? I notice Walmart's hitting it hard with those tv commercials advertising the pay-as-you-go cell service. Good for you cutting your teeth on the tough atv trail - I thought the story would end with you never even getting on the trail the way it started off, LOL.

Ceejay - See what your sister says. I have a feeling she'd stress the cardio over the strength training if you were only going to do one. The BE workouts are strength training, but if you were interested, I do recommend them. You can make them as easy or challenging as you need - even the pushup routines!!

Hellos to Ellen, Patty & Java!!
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Hair appt yesterday was fine. My hair has been annoying me lately, so I asked my gal what I should do for a cut and she suggested layers. I agreed, and I'm glad for the change, even though my hair gets really wild with them. I must have complained a lot the last time we did layers because she's been very cautious about doing it, but she could tell I was ready for them again. She gave me a couple ideas about easy styling - the kind where you twist sections and wrap it up before going to bed so it's curly/wavy in the morning. My kind of styling, since I'm hopeless with the blow dryer!

Rainy day today - it was very overcast when I cycled to the train, but it didn't actually start raining until the train got well into the city. Dang, I forgot to cover my bike seat with a grocery bag. Duh. Not even sure if the rain will stop before I get home. Better make sure I have a wad of napkins ready to wipe down the seat. Of course if it's still raining when I get off the train, I'll walk or have bf pick me up.

It's my Friday Whoohoo!! Plenty to do, including finishing the budget work. Off to my spreadsheet!

Good Morning All.

Not even going to try to catch up on personals. I am at work today, feeling a teensy bit better today. I did get better sleep last night. I took some of that new Nyquil ZZZZZ sleep aid. It helped a lot.

Oh LAURA...I do have a guest room, as a matter of fact I have two guest rooms at the moment. I am such a clean a holic, I don't want to sleep in there cause I would have to wash the sheets again. I think I may make it back to my bed with C tonight.

Will be back just got an urgent request from a broker...sorry.

Hugs

Crazy, insane day today. I don't know if I'll be back to post until tomorrow. Hope everyone is doing well.

Love and hugs,

Morning all,

Whinge for the day - since you lot are my sounding boards at the moment.
Yesterday I went up to Hahndorf. It was fun but freezing cold and I spent a fair amount of money on stuff - including a beautiful tapestry which I now have to figure out how to get home. But I digress.
I was in the German bakery and saw a vegetarian quiche which I thought the DS2 might like for dinner so I rang him. Yep he said, sounds great. We better get some salad stuff. I'll get 'em said I, there is a market down the road from here. So I did. I had afternoon tea with my friend from Brisbane and his offsider and gave him the Bavarian Bum Hummers he requested plus the handmade chocolates for his wife. Then picked up the fixings for dinner and went over to the sons place. Or rather as she painstakingly points out M's house since it is officially her place. Anyway, once she got out of the shower (1 hour) and found out that DS1 hadn't woken up the baby and fed her she packed a wobbly about needing him to help around the house. Now I can't state categorically what happens in that house when I am not there, but so far I have found that DS2 does the cooking in the house, feeds, walks, gives the medicines to and baths the dog, feeds the baby the middle of the night feed and the feed when he gets home from work. He does his own washing and ironing - she doesn't trust him to do hers and the baby's stuff and he does the yardwork where necessary. And he is biking to and from work because he has given me his car to use. He holds down a full time job as well so no wonder he gets tired now and then.
Anyway, DS1 said that previously she had suggested that we get some chips to go with the quiche and salad. Fine by me. I'm not that hungry so I only want a couple of them. DS2 gets the baby out of the crib when she dashes off to the bedroom slamming both doors as she goes. We chat, wake up the baby, feed her, I put the quiche in the oven, DS1 changes the baby and surprise, surprise she doesn't want to go back to sleep again. So i hold her while DS2 goes down to get the chips. But before he goes, he comes back to say that M thinks I am holding the baby all wrong. I should be laying her back and rocking her. He comes to tell me. I put the baby 'the right way' and no surprise she starts to cry. She was very happy while I was holding her upright with her head under my chin. Anyway, while DS2 is away, out she comes and says - won't she settle? So I put the baby back in her arms and state that I will make the salad. I am by this time too angry to say anything. DS2 comes back with the chips, we prepare the salad veges together and then she decides that she only wants the chips after all, which is probably why she suggested them in the first place. This after she does a rant on why she should eat healthy because of her feeding the baby breastmilk. This is our fault that she only got chips??
I didn't hang around for the blueberry cheesecake I had bought for desert. I just thanked them for dinner and left after stacking the dishwasher and clearing up the kitchen. I suppose I had better get over it, because if I am to see anything of Sophia then I need to be able to get into the house.

Okay, rant over, but I have now made myself angry again, so I need to get out and walk it off. I'll be back later for personals.

Shad
Bless you for putting up with this.

Michelle
Pleased that you are getting so much accomplished on the decluttering. You'll work out those problems at work.

Annie
Have you been sick or can you still not sleep at night.

Mel
Did you get to go shopping today? Will you still work some in the office even with the new office help?

Laura
I sure hope we get some rain tonight. Can you order the BE work outs online?

Nothing new here except I'm tired for some reason. Even took a nap this afternoon. I'm hoping I don't have to go to Paragould Saturday. Don't think I will any way. As my aunt said I've spread myself to thin.

Back - personals - yep okay

Annie - hope you are feeling somewhat better. I see you are back at work for the day. That medicine must be good stuff. And really, a good nights sleep does wonders for the wellbeing.

Mel - hope that doctor can keep up with his promises. I guess at some stage or other we are all responsible for our own well being and our own future. Glad to hear that the meditation is helping.
Poor Jen, she does such a lot for Richie and the kids. Are they still hanging in there??
Wish you were here, I would take you shopping. We could have a rip roaring time whinging about the quality of clothing and the stupidity of shoes.
My fridge doesn't have much in it at all. I've only got two more days here. I'm not putting anymore in it. Might make a vege stir fry with whats left tonight or I might just go and annoy M some more. I'll ring the DS1 soon.
Yes that is the very same houseboat. Owned by a guy I worked with in Jakarta, nice bloke 43 going on about 20. Strange for an accountant.

Michelle - yeah, the decluttering is showing results. You won't know yourself soon. Gotta love it when code doesn't go to plan, but at least you did the testing in the test system. Used to be a standing joke and there was a poster as well in SAP implementations that said, I don't always test my work, but when I do, I always test it in Production. There are some real cowboys out there.

Laura - I'm with you, I need something new to happen to my hair at the next trip to the hairdresser. I'd like to grow it a bit, but it is so thick and heavy that I get really mad with it and get it all chopped off again. Maybe I might see if C can do some layers as well and at least leave some length at the back. Hope you don't get a wet butt going home.

Ceejay - thanks for the vote of confidence. I quite frankly know quite what to do at the moment. Murder comes to mind, but that won't help I guess. Hope you don't have to do too much driving during the weekend.

Where's Happy gone. Swear I saw a post from her earlier. Must have been my imagination.

Hi Ellen, Patty and java.

Catch you all around. Only two more sleeps to home. I'll sort out some more pictures soon and put them on here. Spring may have sprumg but the temperatures certainly haven't.

I AM OFF TO FOOD SHOP!
CAN FINALLY GET OUT OF THE HOUSE.
CLEAR SKIES THIS MORNING.
BUT NOT FOR LONG.
SO WE'RE LEAVING EARLY.
WILL BE BACK LATER TO POST.
HAVE A GREAT DAY EVERYONE.....THE WEEKEND IS HERE!

Good morning ladies -

Happy Friday! Dang! TGIF, fo sho! Yesterday, I managed to figure out what was causing the errors to display on the test server. I confirmed my theory with one of my IT co-workers, and implemented the code fix. Now I have to import all the code changes our vendor sent over onto to the test server one by one, and test after each is installed. I'm sure by the end of the day my brain will be quite fried, so I'm glad I'm going to Irish Fest with a friend tonight. I love Irish music and dancing...should be lots of fun...but I'll have to avoid sampling the Irish beer/ales/whiskeys since I'm driving.

DH has to work this Saturday and Sunday. So I'm trying to think of something fun to do with DMIL. I might take her to Irish Fest, or a Maritime festival, or a local town's Fireman's Picnic festival. Or I might suggest we go to her sister's and play cards. It'll be up to how my back is doing after walking around Irish Fest tonight.

DH was up most of the night coughing and choking, which kept me up. Poor guy. I hope he can take a couple days off next week as comp time for working the weekend. He reminded me last night that DH and DMIL's trip to CA to bring back her stuff is rapidly approaching. She flies to CA on the 5th, and he flies to CA after work on the 6th. Then they'll be packing up her stuff, loading up the truck and heading back to WI on the 11th or 12th. While they're gone, I hope/plan to go down to Chicago on Sept. 8th to spend the afternoon with Annie and Laura (hopefully they can both make it). Happy, I totally understand it's a heckuva long drive from where you live now. And I hate driving in Chicago too. And the rest of the time will be taking care of doggies and decluttering.


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Laura - I hope you're enjoying your day off!! Have a wonderful lunch with bf, his mom and the nieces. Thanks for asking about DH. He's doing better than he was earlier in the week, but still has a nagging choking cough. Do we get to see photos of the new hairdo?

Shad - Glad you had a nice time with your friend, and I hope you had success on your quest in Hahndorf! I was a bit surprised at your mention that DS1 gets up for the middle of the night feedings since he has to work the next day...but I guess it's something DS1 and M will have to sort out to figure out what works for them and keeps peace. Glad you had a nice time with M's mom. Probably a good thing that you didn't talk about the kids too much with your opposing viewpoints. Sad that she had the big C, but good that she's in remission. OMG! I just read your post from yesterday where M wants DS1 to help more around the house. I don't even know what to say to that. Un-freakin'-believable! And M is telling you your holding the baby incorrectly? Really? I could understand if you were...well...me...for example, who never had kids. But she should respect your experience and maybe...possibly...learn from it. Sheesh! I give you tons of credit for holding your tongue. You can always rant here to us. I totally, totally understand your frustration and anger. Hang in there, sista. Sending you lots of : I got a great laugh out of your testing in Production joke. I saw a poster like that a few months ago. It's so awesome!!!

Mel - I'm so relieved that there's a replacement girl in the office so you were able to leave! Good on ya' to have a long talk with your doc. I'm so glad to hear he's going to make regular visits to check your bp and to talk/listen. As for stress management and lowering your bp, etc. I've got several meditation CDs, and I'd be happy to send you some if you're interested. They help me A LOT. They've been an absolute necessity as I was dealing with the stress/b.s. of my last job, the stress of DH's illness, etc. I'm not always great about making time during the day to meditate, but I listen to them pretty much every night as I'm falling asleep. Please let me know if you want me to send some your way. Good for you for meditating on your own!! And doing deep breathing and pedaling! I'm so proud of you, girlfriend!! Good to hear that Jen is back home. How is her foot? And I'm so glad that Willy will be taking you shopping...he's such a good guy. Thanks for the good thoughts for DH.

Ceejay - Before you give me too much credit for decluttering, I really don't get much done during the week...but since I've been keeping up with Mount Washmore this week, I hope to spend some time decluttering this weekend (maybe even get the office done) - I'll do this while DMIL is resting. I think skipping the trip to Paragould this weekend and resting instead might be a good idea.

Annie - I so hope you're feeling better today, and that you get to relax at least a little bit online.


Time to get some work done.

Here's to a wonderful day and weekend for all of us!!


Much love and many hugs,

Up to cleaning and doing laundry today. We still haven't had any rain. Need to go to Walmart this afternoon for supplies.

Good morning ladies,

Here's a picture of Wednesday's garden harvest. Had to cover the garden yesterday - temps dipped into the 30's.



We also had to take the 4Runner up north to get it worked on. On the way back even tho it was a cold and gray day, we decided to stop in a State Park just because we were up that way. They have lovely falls - not huge waterfalls but a lovely channel with water flowing nicely. Along the river there are many places to park the car with picnic tables and those rustic metal grills you see in the parks. DH and I took some pictures and of course, as soon as we showed up so did others who insisted on climbing the rocks and getting in the way of our pictures And they wouldn't leave! They came, they intruded, they saw several of us up on the rise trying to take pictures and they just stood there defiantly to ruin the shot. I told DH that the kids will be in school in a week or two and we should plan a day when it's nice and sunny and come back with a picnic lunch or even a bag of charcoal and some hot dogs. They have nice toilets (a rarity in the parks) so we can wash up, I can drink to my hearts content and we can have a nice lunch and walk around the area. Here's some shots from yesterday.

Shot number 1 - this is the main "waterfall". It's actually deeper than it looks, we were up on a ridge and what looks like rocks is a flat area where people were going down and walking up to the water's edge. We had to wait until they all disappeared although there may be a hidden straggler.



A little further along is a beautiful covered bridge that was actually relocated from it's original home and covered once it came into the park. The bridge is very old but also very sturdy.



This shot shows the falls under the bridge. You can go a bit further as the water bears to the left and there is a beautiful trail which we'd love to come back and explore.

Obviously that took most of the day. We were going to go into Duluth to get some lunch but they are working on a main bridge into town and the traffic was at a standstill. Since we no longer are tolerant of traffic jams, we turned around and headed back. I was famished by the time we hit the park at 2 - hadn't had anything to eat since supper the night before except for my morning cuppa. I'm glad we stopped at the park but I could have eaten the dashboard by the time we got back into town at 4pm. I picked up some take out Chinese. Across the street was one of many truck vendors who literally fill up their trucks with produce from their farms and sell it in the parking lots of the stores. I noticed one had a sign "canning tomatoes" and I got all excited. I have learned to appreciate the amazing taste that fresh tomatoes bring to a dish and I have been anticipating my tomato harvest all year long - yummy tomato soups, fresh pasta sauce and all sorts of tomato things for the winter larder. I have tons of green tomatoes on the vine but with the advance of the chilly weather lately (we covered the garden in plastic yesterday), I am afraid I won't get enough to make my sauces. So I bought a big box - 38 pounds to be exact and shortly I will be blanching, chopping and cooking.

Oh and there are definitely patches of red leaves peeking out from the trees - no denying autumn is on it's way even if it's still summer here.

Ceejay - I see some rain down your way. I'll bet it waited until you headed to the store to open up

Michelle - enjoy your outing to Irishfest! Good for you for planning some more quiet things with DMIL tomorrow. I'm sure all the walking - even at a leisurely pace with a friend, will be enough for the back for a while. Sorry to hear that DH is having troubles again. This cooler weather always seems to drum up the coughing, running nose, sinus issues. Poor guy has not been dry for over a year! I hope he gets better by his trip. Was he gently reminding you that there's a need to make some room for DMIL's stuff? Hard enough to find places for your own stuff, much less someone else's. And yet one needs some of their own stuff to feel at home. Good luck finding a happy balance Sorry that it doesn't look like I will be able to make your get together. Things are still up in the air with DH and Mom and their medical issues. I will be there in spirit tho!

Shad - God Bless you for finding the wherewithall to zip your lip with M. Sounds like she is a typical female of her generation. All I can say is each partner has to decide just how much they are willing to put up with the other's idiosynchracies. Pity that you have to keep your mouth shut to keep the peace - which allows her to continue her bad behavior unchecked - but that's the way it is nowadays. When you get to visit here, I think you will like this place the best of the 3 you've visited. No big city, lots of open spaces, green and fresh air to enjoy. There are sea caves on Lake Superior if you're so inclined but you have to kayak through them As for the ATVs, DH talked about getting 2 at the onset but they are a substantial monetary investment and I wasn't sure I'd like them enough to warrant the outlay of money. So the 2-up seemed like a nice compromise for now. They are coming out with what they call UTVs - 2 side by side - like a golf cart of sorts but since they are wider, you can't use them on all the same trails as the ATVs and are probably more paved trails which DH doesn't care for.

Mel - I hope you have a good shopping trip and a bit of sun to warm your bones.

Annie - I was wondering how that Nyquil ZZZZZ worked. DH and I admit to using the regular stuff as a sleep aid. Sorry you had to drag yourself to work when you're not quite up to speed yet. Hope you didn't get C germed up. That's the worse part about starting a new job - no time off when you need it. Weekend's here - hopefully you can get more rest.

Laura - enjoy your 3 day weekend. I love the idea of twisting the hair and getting a bit of wave to it. Effortless and not too formal. Bet it looks good with the layers.

Well DH is probaby giving me the mental stink eye because I am still on the computer and he is out scrubbing turkey poop from the new cement but hey, I didn't invite the birds over. Better get cooking here. Have a good Friday chicks.

Hideee Hoooo. Not too much on the agenda. I am feeling much better today. Not completely well but getting there. Cleaning house and grocery shopping. Sunday we (Curtis, Sis, Chris, Babe and I) are going to my son's new house. They just moved in last weekend. It is his birthday on Sunday, he will be 24. He asked me to bring his birthday cake. Like I wouldn't? He wants the Better than S*x Cake AND a my peanutbutter pie. He is having a cookout. I am also taking a salad. I am excited to see his house, I should say their house. (he and fiance')

WOW HAPPY...great pictures. I sent my friend here at work the pix of your veggies because of the kitty in the picture. She has two cats and is cat silly. Plus I thought it might cheer her up, she just got a phone call that her g-ma may not make it through the weekend. She is older and in a nursing home with ailments of sorts. Love the waterfall pix with the covered bridge. It looks like some of the bridges in Parke County Indiana. Beautiful. Your day in the parks sounds lovely and romantic...kissy kissy...

CHELLE...looking forward to the 8th. I, like Happy do not like driving in or around Chicago, it is just too crazy. Yet, my brother and SIL drove up there one New Years eve 6 years ago and eloped. Go figure. Your mood is so much more spunkier and happy since you left Kohls and started this dream job. I am so happy for you.

SHADDIE...there is NO incorrect way to hold a baby. OMG REALLY? As long as you don't let their head bobble it is all good. New parents are a riot. I am sorry but the baby's momma sounds like a beeeeeaaaaaccchhh. Maybe I should unleash my DD Samantha on her for a couple of days. hahaha.

CEEG....don't work to hard at cleaning and wear yourself out for the weekend.

MELLIE....did you go to TJs? I am heading there after work. I need to get some specialty cheeses.

LAURA...your new do sounds nice. Wish I had enough hair to do more with it. It is very fine...and not groovy fine....we had more rain yesterday. It has been cloudy all day today, with spotty sunshine. Cottenball clouds in the sky.

Hi ya's to Ellen Patty and Java...

Have a great Friday/Saturday all

Loves and hugs

HAPPY...you sneaker inner....the Nyquil Zzzz worked wonders, I don't know if it was because I was also worn out from not sleeping (coughing) or because it worked really good. I will have to test it when this coughing is over. Scrubbing turkey poop off the cement cracked me up, it is goose poo we have to scrub off....always taking somebody's sh*t. Have a great weekend sista!

A fabulous Friday afternoon to all! Less than 4 hours 'till my weekend!!

Happy - I love the photos of the harvest, and also the waterfall/State Park photos! I love the covered bridge photos too. Being from Vermont, I grew up with covered bridges, and I always get very nostalgic when I see them. DH and I have got to get up there. It's absolutely lovely. Good idea for you and your DH to plan a trip there after school is in session. Have fun canning all those tomatoes, and scrubbing off turkey poop. Our doggies keep the turkeys and geese away from our backyard.

Ceejay - I hope you make time for relaxing this weekend.

Annie - I'm glad you're feeling better...but don't overdo it. Have fun at your son's birthday party. I am way more spunky and happy now that I have this great job. I had my 30-day evaluation...which is more about are they doing enough for me so I can be successful...and my manager asked if they represented this position accurately and if it's everything I expected. I told him it's everything I expected and way better! I'm so happy!! I'm really looking forward to meeting up with you and Laura. I'm hopeful we can meet somewhere and take public transportation (like the "El" or is it "L" train) to where we need to go. I'm totally flexible. Heck, even if we just meet up for a yummy lunch and either sightseeing or shopping, I'd be cool with that.

lunch break is over....back to work.

Much love,