[Laura705]

Morning all.

Ceejay - You're getting close now - enjoy your 3 days off! I want to watch my Charlie Brown Christmas dvd too, but we have another dvd from the library than we need to watch before it's due. I don't use the car much, but lately when I do, I've got the radio tuned to the station that's playing all holiday music. Love it.

Annie - Glad the pitch-in was great. Oops on overdoing it...are you making up for it today?? Salad and water, LOL. We got some cookies and fudge from one vendor and I ate half a cookie yesterday and it sucked, so I tossed it. Had a tiny bit of fudge - mediocre, so don't need more of that. Glad they didn't send something super yummy. Whew!

I'm happy you got a good night's sleep - you need it to keep your immunity up to par! And maybe you should try a yoga class for the relaxation and muscle-stretching benefits. I do have a smaller tree - 4 feet high, from my first apartment & condo days. I believe I used that one last year. I just put it up on a table of sorts and it's great. I might go that route next year if I don't buy a skinny tree...

Mel - Good idea to opt out of that party if everyone's just going to get drunk and act foolish. Enough of that going around already, right??? Our tree's in good shape re its hinges, but the tips of the branches just get smooshed together or slightly bent and need some adjusting. If it were getting badly mangled, I think the lights would get damaged (it's prelit) and then it would be curtains for that tree. Bf's mum liked the light show - clever and creative and short and sweet!! For some reason they were only showing it through Saturday, so I'm glad we caught it before it ended. Why they wouldn't continue it up through Christmas is beyond me. Glad Jen liked the miniature rooms - they are something else. Another thing I love about them is how they have bits of adjacent rooms or views to the outside and natural-looking light coming into the rooms. I love to peek at the next room or what's "outside".

Hellos to the rest of you. Happy, hope your work day went alright (or is that today?).
---
Went to see "Hitchcock" last night. It was a good movie. I had reservations because I've heard Alfred Hitchcock was kind of a dirty old man/womanizer, but I really enjoyed the movie. Anthony Hopkins and Helen Mirren were really good.

Over the weekend we watched a couple library dvd's - "Thin Ice", sort of recent, with Greg Kinnear and Alan (?) Arkin (the father) That had a lot of twists to it, pretty entertaining. Also an older movie "The Savages" - Laura Linney & Philip Seymor-Hoffman play siblings faced with caring for their estranged elderly father. Not ultra serious - a lot of humor in it along with the drama. I still have the dvd "Home for the Holidays" to watch. That's an older dark comedy with Holly Hunter and Robert Downey Jr. I might have seen it when it first was released, but I want to see it again.

Tonight I should go exercise. Not sure if I will... I also need to get some lists going for what remains to be done. Friday night is a friend's party, Saturday late morning is a hair appointment, Sunday will be my family's gathering at my sis's house. Monday is dinner at our place w/ bf's mum and my friend D and her sis. Have to squeeze a lot of preparations in between all that.

Okay, back to work. Had to do another blasted compliance session online because it was due today. Also had a meeting after that. Hope I can get some real work done this afternoon. Yesterday was a lot of interruptions by the boss, who will be out for two weeks after this Friday - of course she's trying to tie up all the loose ends before that. Bleh.

TTFN!

[happy2bme]

Hi ladies,

I am off today. I got scared when I saw the boss' number on the phone this morning but she just had a question about an order. Today I WILL get to the Christmas cards and the decorating (either up and out or packed back up and taken downstairs ). I'm off tomorrow too but we have a mid afternoon eye doctor appointment so the day will be broken up. Work was very tiring - can't wait until next weekend when the madness is over. DH got a call from the medical office, they are referring him to a heart specialist up in Duluth. This once specializes in electro something or other which I think might be the root of his problem. We won't be going home for Christmas - too risky with DH feeling the way he does. Talked to my sister last night - I think my Mom is starting to lose it. Not sure if it's the medication or just old age. She is starting to say whacky things. And I don't mean that joking around. Worries both me and Sis. She is staying a week with my sister so that will be good.

Last night DH made a pot of the most wonderful pasta fajioli soup. Of course he made the classic mistake of thinking there was not enough pasta in the recipe so he added more. By the time I got home it was pasta faSTEWee The pasta absorbed most of the broth - but we had it with fresh baked bread. Ummmm so good.

Laura - take care - I hear there is a big winter storm warning your way for tomorrow. I hear you on the tree taking up alot of room - been so long since I put my big one up, I'm sure I'd be shocked at the clearance it needed. Not so sure I like the newer "skinny" trees though. Especially with what I consider to be hugely oversized ornaments on them. If you're in the market for a new tree you should shop the after Christmas sales. Each year my boss donates a fully decorated tree for a charity event up here. She said she gets it for a fraction of the cost by going to Hobby Lobby or one of those places right after Christmas. On another note, you are doing so well on the exercise - good for you!

Annie - wow on the good sleep. Whatever you did, do it again. Funny that every person I talked to had difficulty / interrupted sleep Monday night. Maybe there was something in the air??? Hope you feel rested up today. Perhaps that massage loosened things up. Re: the tingy feeling in your arm - could it be tension from your neck pinching things? And what's this trip to the E/R you kinda slipped in under the wire Be careful too when you type on the computer - don't let your arm rest on the edge of the desk which is so easy to do -aggrivates the nerve by the elbow. Sounds like your pitch in dinner was tasty and alot of fun. Glad you had enough to share a bit with a friend. As for the bloating, I think it's the time of year - maybe all that moisture in the air has us puffy. I've lost 13 pounds since September and I don't feel any difference - still feel pudgy and my pants feel tight - although after 30 minutes they loosen up quickly. So I'm blaming it on the humidity

Ceejay - ugh I HATE it when you can't find comfortable shoes. I've had some luck with a brand called Spring Step - they are cushy on the bottom but not a rocking/rolling motion like MBTs or Sketchers. I've also worn Nurse Mates - made for people who are on their feet and walking alot as I'm sure you do. Enjoy your time off - 3 days whoo hoo!!!! That's like a week for you Sounds like you are getting to enjoy a bit of Christmas tho personally I don't know how you can do that without some snow

Mel - glad you got your cards out - and you still beat me. I don't blame you for skipping the party - no fun in watching drunks and if you can't enjoy the food spread, what's the sense??? However, I am blaming you for filling up my cable box - (after you were talking about it) I have been looking at the Hallmark Channel and taping Christmas movies which I have yet to have time to watch - but I think New Year's week will be a nice quiet one so I look forward to a bag of popcorn and some darn good movies - chased with a shot of tissues for those teary awwww moments I look forward to your graphics each day - you've found some really cute ones. I feel a bit more festive when I log on each morning

Michelle - I can understand how you might be feeling a bit down with the recent things that have happened to you. Don't give up the faith - sometimes we have to get through the dark to get to the dawn and better things down the road which I'm sure will happen to you. You're meant to be in a different place (and I don't mean that physically) so you need to tie up the loose ends on what's going on now to move forward. Perhaps there is even some new opportunity that will trigger on your vacation. Until then, look forward to that as a welcome respite and focus your energies on finding some happiness.

Shad - hope you got shifted into the new place with a minimum of effort. If I remember from your FB post, sounds like you got a bit of a chance to relax for a minute. Are you headed back home soon for the holidays and if so, for how long?

Hi Ellen, Patty and Java.

Gosh the morning is already gone. Need to work on my cards and I'm hungry so lunch would be nice too. Hope you all have a good day.

[happy2bme]

Laura - are you planning / interested in seeing that new movie Guilt Trip (I think) with Barbra Steisand? That looked like one I'd want to see with my cousin for girls night out.

[Shad]

Can't stop unfortunately. You will see by the pics uploaded that I am in my new pad and have a much happier view. This was sunrise this morning.

The office has gone berserk and shortly there will be a meltdown and unfortunately I will be caught up in it, but am trying my best to keep my temper and keep out of the way. Somedays it is like Mel's warriors.

Okay - time for face and feet again. One would imagine that the madness will stop on Friday for a week or so. Don't care mainly because I will be either at home or Adelaide.

If you believe in the Mayan calendar it will all be over tomorrow anyway - just when I am flying home.
Have a fun day and stay sane and sober. I will need to be able to reach out shortly.

[happy2bme]

Well Shad - even if your walls are an ugly green/gray neutral - the view from your windows/balcony is quite pretty. Lovely shots of the morning sun.

And yes, Friday is the first day of winter, the end of the world and I have to go to work in the morning I can almost see the boss' face if I call and tell her I can't make it in because the world is supposed to end today and I'd like to stick close to home with DH

[MELODY525]

GOOD MORNING CHICKS.
I REALLY NEED TO GO TO THE OFFICE TODAY.
THIS IS MY BOSS'S LAST DAY. CAN'T MISS THAT.
NOT STAYING LONG AND HOPING I CAN GIVE MY ENVELOPES OUT.
TOMORROW WAS FOOD SHOPPING BUT IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE TERRIBLE.
JEN CANCELLED IT YESTERDAY AFTERNOON.
IF WE NEED SOMETHING I CAN GET IT DOWN THE STREET & DELIVERED.
RICHIE IS PICKING UP THE M\EALS MONDAY AFTERNOON.
SO E ARE ALL SET.....UNLESS THE FAMILY TOSSES IN A WILD CARD.
GOT A MORE FORMAL INVITE TO THE PARTY.
ALSO THE OFFER OF COURSE FOR THE BUS.
SAID THANKS BUT NO THANKS. NOT FEELING WELL.
WAS A GOOD EXCUSE AND HE KNEW IT
THE SOONER I GET DOWNSTAIRS THE SOONER I GET TO LEAVE.
HAVE A GREAT DAY





CEEJAY....HURRAH FOR THE 3 DAYS OFF!!
YOU'LL BE LIVING LIKE A QUEEN
I WATCHED CHARLIE BROWN TOO AND THE CARTOONS AFTERWARDS.
MY FRIENDS THINK I AM NUTS.
ENJOY YOUR TIME OFF AND HAVE A GREAT "WEEKEND."




ANNIE....THE FREE 21 DAYS IS FINISHED NOW.
HE WILL BE HABVING ANOTHER ONE I AM SURE.
WHEN I GET A NOTICE, i'LL LET YOU KNOW.
BUT IF YOU GOOGLE MEDITATIO....THERE ARE TONS ON YOUTUBE.
YOU HAVE TO FIND ONE THAT FEELS RESTFUL TO YOU.
THE VOICE MUST BE CALM AND NOT GRATE ON YOUR NERVES
BUT ON HIS SITE HE HAS A "FREE LIBRARY"
I HAVE NOT LOOKED AT IT YET BUT WILL PUT THE LINK HERE:
http://store.chopra.com/library




LAURA....I HAVE SEEN THE SAVAGES & HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS.
BOTH WERE GOOD MOVIES. HAVEN'T SEEN THIN ICE YET.
I LIKED DYLAN MCDERMOTT IN H FOR THE HOLS. THAT WAS SOME CAST.
GLAD THE MOM LIKED THE HSOW AND YOU CAUGHT IT IN TIME.
HOPE YOU HAVE A GREAT TIME AT THE SISTERS.




HAPPY....GET IN THAT FESTIVE MOOD NOW AND RELAX.
YOU AND DH DON'T HAVE TO BE ANYWHERE, DRIVE ANYWHERE OR ANSWER TO ANYONE.
MAYBE THIS WHOLE THING WORKED OUT FOR THE BEST RIGHT NOW.
STAYING HOME AND JUST HAVING EACH OTHER IS ENOUGH.
HOPE THIS NEW DOCTOR HAS SOME ANSWERS FOR YOUR HUBBY.
SENDING HIM MORE GOOD THOUGHTS AND A HUG FOR BOTH OF YOU
I AM SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT MOM THOUGH.
IT HAS TO BE HARD ON YOU & THE SISTER.
THIS KIND OF THING IS NEVER EASY ON THE RELATIVES.
SIS CAN OBSERVE HER FOR THE TIME SHE'S THERE.
BUT BE ASSURED THAT WHEN ACCUSED OF SAYING SOMETHING WEIRD, THEY COME UP WITH SOME PRETTY GOOD EXCUSES
WE WILL HOPE FOR THE BEST
PS: LOVED THE FASTEWEEEE!!! I DID SOMETHING LIKE THAT A FEW TIMES!! GOTTA LOVE WHEN THE PASTA DRINKS EVERY OUNCE OF THE LIQUID!! ROFLMAO BUT THEY ARE TASTY MEALS NONETHELESS!




SHAD....IF THE APOCALYPSE HITS YOUR FIRST...GIVE US A HEADS UP!!
HYAVE YOU DECIDED TO GO SEE SOPHIA??
YUR CARD WILL BE LUCKY IF IT GETS THERE BY NEXT YEAR
BUT IT'S THE THOUGHT THAT COUNTS RIGHT???
SORRY ABOUT THE DRAMA AT WORK.
THE HOLIDAYS AND THAT JOB MUST BE A TERRIBLE COMBO RIGHT NOW.
IT'S BAD DOWNSTAIRS...SO THE SENIORS TELL ME.
I TRULY BELIEVE ALL THIS PANIC AND FOUL MOODS ARE THE RESULT OF THE TV PROGRAMS & NEWS.
TOO MUCH CRAP & PRESSURE GOING ON.
HOPE YOU GET HOME SAFE AND SOUND AND RELAX A BIT

[MELODY525]

SHAD....loved The Pictures Of The Sunrise.
What A Great View To Begin The Day With.
Hope It Helps To Improve The Job!!!!!

[annie175]

Good Morning My Besties~

HAPPY....you get the prize today for your comment on calling in to your boss about being the last day and wanting to spend it with DH. I literally cracked up and read it to one of my associates. We are both going to use it. The tingly feeling has been around for about a month. I believe it has to do with my left shoulder/pinched nerve/muscle issue or something. The ER trip was about a month ago due to breathing issues. As it turned out it was the shoulder area inflamed and when I would take a breath my lungs would push on the inflamation causing me not to want to breathe. Anyway they did chest xrays, ekg, etc etc...all is good. I know the feeling "just get me through the holidays at work" I went through that 3 years at CVS, working Christmas day all three years. Bless your heart, soul, mind, nerves, feet etc etc...hugs and more hugs.

SHADDIE...gotta love your pictures, especially this time of year for me. I do not like cold weather or snow. Low and behold...raining all day, turning to snow tonight, accumulations up to 3" by morning. Blah. I hope not as I have to take Miss Sassacakes to the vet for her hysterectomy. Poor baby. 3 more months of nonsense...at least the money is good?? Better view too!

MELLIE...the boss's last day?? Due to the end of the world...hahahhaa...get your work done and head back to the shack for comfort and joy!! When I get a free minute I will try to look up the meditation thing. I really just need quiet time to do it. Hope Jen and Richie and doing well and will enjoy the holidays with you~

LAURA...how was "Hitchcock"? I am not sure I want to see that one. Let me know how it went. I am with HAPPY...I would like to see Guilt Trip also...maybe we should all meet halfway and see it together...that would be fun. Good for you on exercising. Do a little for me too!

Hello to the rest of ya's!

My DSIL came up from KY and spent the night at our house~ How fun. We stayed up talking way too late. She got there just in time to have dinner with C, me and C's DD that came by we thought to visit (oh no, she needed money, of course). Seems to be the only time she comes by. Oh well. Anyway I fixed baked seasoned 1" boneless pork chops, garlic mashed potatos and fresh greenbeans....dessert was all the crap I brought home from the pitch-in. Snickerdoodle cookies, sugar cream pie, sugar cookies etc.

Lil man had his picture taken with Santa yesterday. Too cute....did not smile one time, kind of stared at the camera in the first pix, looked down in the 2nd pix and cried like crazy in the 3rd pix. Samantha settled for the first pix. Lil turd. It was still cute. She had him in kakhi's, white shirt, red vest with a red pick up truck on the front with a Christmas tree in the bed of the truck...

That is about it for me, Outlook was down on my puter yesterday afternoon so no email. It is fixed now which means an inbox full of work to do...blah

Loves and hugs

[MELODY525]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ul0jwF7ZJTU

ANNIE...I COULDN'T SEND MY FREE DAY 1 OF THE MIND BODY EXPERIENCE.
I DON'T KNOW HOW TO MAKE A DEFAULT MAILING ADDIE!! ROFLMAO
SO I KEPT GOOGLING TILL I FOUND IT ON YOU TUBE.
HOPE IT HELPS.



OH....I JUST FOUND THE SHORTER ONE TOO.
I LIKE THIS BEFORE BEDTIME ON A BAD DAY.
ESPECIALLY GOOD AFTER A HOT SHOWER.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D56tUOdpgts


OH OH OH.....NOW I FOUND A BUNCH:

http://www.worldofhomoeopathy.co.uk/meditation.htm


I BETTER GET OFF HERE AND CLEAN OR DO SOMETHING!!!!!



PS: I never made it downstairs.
The loo was calling to me. Guess this is not over yet.
They will just have to make do (no pun intended) without me.

[annie175]

Thanks Mellie...I am going to try to do some of these.

[MELODY525]

[Laura705]

Morning all. We're getting the same weather here as Annie is. Fortunately, it had stopped raining by the time I left the house this morning. Temps were mild for my commute, but it's supposed to drop this afternoon.

Mel - Hope you get down to the office sometime today, or maybe just have the envelopes delivered there somehow. Feel better soon - is this ailment all going back to that birthday cake you ate?! I might just have to try out those meditation links you sent. Maybe I could do that on the train. I wanted to read my book on the train this morning but ended up updating the check register instead. I just might be the only person in the universe who still keeps one... I didn't know Dylan McDermott was in that movie - all the more reason to make sure I watch it before I have to return it to the library!!!

Annie - Your evening sounded wonderful - good food and good conversation! LOL, I'm sure next year's li'l guy Santa picture will be cute as a button. I think it'll be fun for you to have the chronological progression of Santa photos over the next several years. I'm glad you don't have any lung/heart issues, but I hope you can get the shoulder/nerve issue straightened out so the pain and tingles stop. IMO, "Hitchcock" was well-done and I found it interesting because I didn't know much at all about AF or his life/career. It was about AH during the time he was making the movie "Psycho" and it dealt with obstacles with funding and the studio, but mostly it was about his relationship with his wife. I hope I'm not giving anything away by saying that I found it interesting how they worked the inspiration for the novel "Psycho" (and the movie version) into this movie as well as intimated some of the demons with which AF struggled. Bits of humor and an occasional creepiness too.

I want to see "Guilt Trip" too. I sort of feel bad that I didn't see several of the movies that will be award nominees (e.g., Lincoln, Argo), and I'll try to see them in the coming months, but it also makes me feel defiant and wanting to go see "fun" movies like Guilt Trip. So I will! It would be so fun to have a girls night movie outing. The logistics would be a bear, but maybe we should try to have a virtual movie night - choose a dvd, sync up our watches and let the e-mails and/or texts fly! Oh, before I forget again, thank you for your card. And if you were responsible for me receiving an out-of-the-blue mailing of a freebie Excedrin Migraine, thanks so much for thinking of me!

Happy - Sorry you won't be visiting with family back in the hometown for the holidays, but it makes sense given the hubby's medical situation. I hope the specialist figures this out!! I'm sorry your mom's behavior is a cause for worry. Good that she'll be with your sister and she can get a better gauge on it. Enjoy your day off today. Yummmy, past fagioli soup. Doesn't bother me when it's more stew than soup. In fact that's the way they make it at a place I used to go to for lunch before I started brown-bagging it. Thick with past and beans, yum. I have to get back there for some - maybe bring one or two containers home. My approach to soups that call for noodles (after the same experience as your dh) is to cook them separately and add them separately when each portion is being reheated. Yeh, I'd definitely try to get a new tree on clearance, but the more I think about it, I might just settle for my old 4-footer next year. You are right about the ornaments. I don't have a lot of very large ones, but even some of the average-sized ones are pretty heavy! Makes for a challenge in hanging them. Yes, as I said to Annie, that movie Guilt Trip sounds like a fun one. I just hope it's not horrible - I just listened to a podcast reviewing "Playing for Keeps" with Gerard Butler and the reviewers just ripped it to shreds.


Shad - Nice sunrise photos - what a view. Good move for you - you need a good start to your days because they seem to go downhill once you arrive at the office. I hope you can avoid the nuttiness going on!

Hellos to the rest of the Worldlies! Ceejay - Thanks for your card!! Michelle, safe travels to you and have a wonderful, well-deserved vacation!! Hope the weather doesn't cause you any snafus.
==
Nothing much to report. I went home after work yesterday and did pretty much nothing. No, wait, I did one load of laundry. Now I have clean workout gear to wear to a class tonight, lucky me.

Dinner was some aging leftover meatloaf and some more youthful leftover sides. The meatloaf was rather yummy until the last 2-3 bites...then it tasted like it was past its prime. Not spoiled or anything, just...old. Anyway, I'm feeling fine today, so I can get on with my day.

Two yuckies have come my way so far today, one via e-mail and the other from the boss. The latter is a plain old PITA, not hard. The other...ick. Why now, when I just want to kick back and do some easy stuff??? Sigh.

Okay, better get to it.

[Laura705]

Mel - Love both graphics today Thanks. I get red x's when I'm on my work computer, but I can see them just fine on my iPhone... Must be a browser setting.

[ceejay52]

Mel
Hadn't thought about YOUTUBE for meditation. You are probably right about the on goings in the office due to the media and the "end of the world". I'm ushering in the new age/era of Aquarius and forgetting about the rest.

Happy
Sure hope that the dh can find out what is causing those palpitations. I know that caffeine will do it for me. Haven 't had one in a long time but I've started back on the caffeine. The other day at the eye doctor's office my pulse was 100 a good sign that I could experience those again.

Annie
We are getting that cold blustery air just before some snow fall. I'm never ready for the snow. Hope your shoulder gets better soon.

Shad
Loved the sun rises. Maybe the room with a view will make up for all the on goings in your office too. How long do you get off for Christmas?

--------------
Sitting here waiting for the Sears repair man to come. My washer has a foul smell to it but I'm thinking it may be a leaking hose. I've seen water on the floor this morning. I'm leaving it till the man gets here.
I could be running some errands.
I pulled out my Easy Spirit's athletic shoes yesterday and wore them to work. No pain to speak of yesterday. My feet swell due to excess fluid and this may have been the reason my feet hurt. These shoes, however, are really comfortable. I looked on line yesterday and ordered another pair. The pair I have on is a medium so I ordered a wide width for those days my feet are swollen.
Been to eat lunch with a friend and then Sears has been here. Seems there's nothing wrong with the washer nor dryer. The smell is coming else where.
I'm going to make a run to walmart for some food.

[annie175]

Hey Girls...just in case it is the last day tomorrow...I DON'T BELIEVE IT IS...