Hi ladies -

Happy New Year to all of you!! I had a quiet NYE, just relaxed and watched TV with Santa. Yesterday, I went over to the house and brought a load of stuff from the basement back to my place. I don't know what I'm going to do if I end up living in a studio apartment or cottage in CA. :yikes: Oh well, I've got months to go through stuff before the move out west. After bringing stuff over yesterday, I was exhausted and coughing a lot from the lingering bronchitis, so my ex suggested I leave Santa with him for the night so that I could sleep a lot...which I did.

Sorry I'm so far behind on personals. I hope you're all doing well and that this new year brings us all good health, happiness and prosperity. :)

Morning all.

Mel - Loved the squirrel/nuts graphic! Feels like a Monday, so thanks for mentioning your Thursday Trader Joe's shopping trip tomorrow - ah yes, it'll be Thursday already!! Whoohoo!! Have a good shopping trip. We're starting to run out of everything, so a shopping trip is in order for us too.

Ceejay - Yeh, I hope they don't "move the cheese" on us the closer we get to retirement age. Pizza sounded like a good way to ring in the new year.

Annie - Brrr, that's cold!! And all that snow - but not 15.5 FEET, right?? 15.5 inches is (more than) enough, no need to exaggerate, heehee. Glad the vicodin helped. Looks like many of you Worldlies had personal experiences with baby chicks. Not me - this city girl had to go to the museum to see them up close and personal, haha. And I suppose the farm in the zoo probably had exhibits like that too...:moo::ink::chicken:

Shad - Sorry you lost part of your post! How irritating. Speaking of...at least that irritating co-worker isn't in the office. Count your blessings, no matter how small! I'll have to check out my Chinese horoscope. I was born in the year of the dragon. Stay dry! :rain:

Happy - I though Love Actually was a nice movie, though part of it was sort of sad - the woman who felt she couldn't have a relationship because she had to take care of her brother... I watched a few minutes of the Dick Clark NYE thing, but it was just too obnoxious - McCarthy, the music, etc. I do agree we all need the structure in our lives or we get caught up in the minutiae - tv, internet, etc. But it seems like another type of job is in order - all that time on your feet is a killer.

Hellos to the rest of the Worldlies!! :wave:
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Nothing much to report. Yesterday was ho-hum. Did a couple loads of laundry, took a dog walk. Watched the rest of season 1 of Downton Abbey. I put in a hold request for season 2 and I'm in position 10 and it looks like the library has 3 copies, so methinks it'll be a few weeks yet. Season 3 starts this Sunday on our local PBS station, but I've put a hold request in at the library for that too (I'm position 4 on that one). It's still on order, so hopefully I'll finish season 2 before I season 3 is ready for me. I might just dvr season 3 on PBS and let the episodes sit there until I finish season 2.

The scale showed me up a pound this morning, so that's not too bad. Back to the routine of tracking and bringing brown bag lunches and snacks to work. I have two more exercise classes on my punch card to finish by the 6th, so that'll be a class tonight or tomorrow night and one on Saturday.

That's about it for me. Everyone have a great day!

Michelle - You must have snuck in on me! I'm glad you slept a lot yesterday - I'm sure you need it after being on the go since you got back home. Re all the stuff - after bf and I got home from a party on Saturday night, he rambled on at length about getting our basement and home office cleaned up. I'm not sure what sparked the rant - wanting a nice "man cave" sort of room like the family room at the house where the party was at, or seeing our friends who have a condo totally overloaded with way too much stuff (bordering on hoarderdome). Of course he's right that we need to get it all cleaned up, so I will see if he's still enthused about it come this weekend... c'mon we can do it!! Shall we make it a resolution? :D

Hi kids,

It's snowing like the dickens outside but of course the weather channel talks nothing of accumulation, only that "some nearby locations are reporting snow". This means we could get a bit, could get alot. Wait and see :shrug: Today I have things to prepare for the post office - will take them tomorrow as well as stopping at the laundromat and using their big washers to freshen up some fluffy bedding. Other than that, it's a quiet day here. Was reading your posts today and you guys are particularly witty this morning :lol:

Laura - I totally understand the BF rant - been there myself. I suspect it has much to do with what he's seen the last few days. And probably alot to do with coveting his own man cave ;) DH goes into frenzy mode like that some times, I just hold my breath, lay low and pray for it to pass quickly. :crossed: I saw the ads for I suppose season 3 of Downtown Abbey - looks like it has a great cast in it. Hope you get season 2 before the new one starts so you can catch up. You did quite well to get through all the parties and holiday with only a tiny gain. That one pound can be easily erased by some clean eating, a bottle of water and 2 days worth of walks back and forth to the train. Have you seen the movie New Year's Eve? That's the one I wanted to watch but apparently they have not released it for rental yet and if I'm going to buy the movie, I'd prefer to have the DVD although I suppose keeping it "on the cloud" is a less clutter approach.

Michelle - glad you got some rest. I guess I tend to agree with the others, maybe it is best if you just cut the ties with the ex, get your stuff out and move forward. And since you are planning on moving cross country, your current apt is a good gauge of max capacity of stuff to take with in a small truck or a U-haul. I'm thinking of what they do on some of the tv shows when they renovate a house or room. Everything goes in the yard so to say. They mark off an area - or lay a blanket and the people only get to keep what fits on the blanket. Makes you think about what you really want to keep. Is there any way you can move to CA earlier, even if it means rooming with someone until you can get settled in? Sometimes it's hard to let go and I imagine when the new/old GF moves in next month, things will shift a bit anyway.

Ceejay - plan to retire at 65 and also make plans if something happens that you have to do things earlier. Think carefully about where you want to settle as once you retire, not so easy to pick up and move again, especially when finances may be diminished. And give some thought about the people you want to be around - if you and your sister may drive each other nuts, maybe you'd be better off in an area you like more with other friends or family.

Annie - 15 FEET of snow???? I had to read that 3 times. I'm sure it feels that way if you keep reshoveling drifts that return over and over. Glad you got some of the aches and pains to go away. But the intense cold just makes it worse - we tense up when we're cold. At least I do - hunched shoulders and that brrrrrrrrrrrr - just go hand in hand :lol: If I woke DH at midnight, he'd be crabbing that I woke him and he would not be able to go back to sleep. I am getting to the point that I wonder if I should just let the poor guy go to sleep but then I think, shoot - if he wins that battle who knows what doors I'll be opening to other things he will think he can get away with? :s: :lol3: Seeing the baby chicks at the store - especially the weak ones that you know won't make it to adulthood, makes me glad that they have given up on the idea of giving kids baby bunnies and chicks at Easter. Especially us city kids who didn't know what to do besides kid handle and scare the poor things. I am a bleeding heart when it comes to animals. DH just came in with the mail and there is a special package for me. Thank you SO MUCH - can't wait to try them :hug:

Mel - I didn't know for sure but I suspected (and you confirmed) that your affair with Starbucks continues. :lol: Just a fleeting kiss - enough to cherish but not enough to do great harm :lol3: Have a good time shopping - get some good stuff. Don't spend that $1.29 all in one place - spread it around to several gumball machines. :^:

Shad - hope you ran through the rain, and there's nothing like a tropical downpour and got that drink you well deserved. Enjoy the relative quiet at the office before the crazies return.

:wave: to the rest of the Worldies.

Just got a call from the boss. I return to work on Friday but at a much reduced schedule more suited to my needs. That's a relief. After just a week at home, still trying to figure out what I want to do. Isn't that crazy? Sounds like she does want to keep me on for a bit and I still think it's good to get out of the house a few days, even though it's going to be very quiet at the store and the time will no doubt drag by. Will give me time to think.

Anyway, not getting anything done by sitting here so off to get productive. Have a good one ladies.

Shad
I'm lost when it comes to the chinese calendar. I do think it's fascinating.
Did you go for the drink in the rain?

Michelle
You deserved the rest. I have a big box of stuff that I need to go through that was mom's. I may do that this week end. If I had that container out of the shed I would have a lot more room in there. One box at a time- don't over do. Feel better soon.

Laura
One of these day's I'm gonna learn how to record a show on t.v. You have been doing well with exercise.

Hahahaha everyone...I did mean 15.5 INCHES of snow, and yes it feels like 15 FEET of snow. SOme drifts in the front are 2-3 FEET or higher as some of the shoveled snow got thrown on top of them....

HAPPY....glad you got your package, I do hope it works. If not, it is a good try. I saw another foot relief item in the as seen on TV section that I thought of you also, but didn't get it and I really cannot remember what it was at this point...boy am I getting old. I agree with you on making DH stay up...give him an inch he will take a mile....lol The work schedule sounds more doable than the prior one.

LAURA...ok you all have me intrigued on this Downtown Abbey thing. I will google it and see what it is all about. Do let BF get started on the basement project first, just to see how serious he is about it.

Ok gotta get busy around here.

Happy - You're right...it will be nice when I am finally able to cut ties with the ex. Unfortunately, I signed a lease on my place. The lease doesn't expire until August. So if I move to CA before then I am responsible for paying the rent until they find someone to rent the place (no easy task in the winter). I'm hoping to give them notice in April, and hopefully by May or so, they'll have a renter lined up. We'll see. The ex has talked to gf, and she is okay with Santa continuing to go there during the weekdays. And I promised that I would not say or do anything to cause trouble. I will be civil and nice. Of course, I'm sure that my weekend laundry privileges will end when she moves in at the end of Feb, so I'd better start saving my quarters for the laundromat. :rofl:

I have a counseling appointment tonight...so I'm sure we'll talk about these things and other stuff. I'm really glad I'm doing counseling. It's helping a lot. Hopefully, my employee assistance program will continue to pay for it for a few more months. :crossed:

Much love and many hugs to all,

CHELLE....all of this is a slow process....one day...down the long road...you will look back and think what a great thing this is for you! It is very hard to see at this time, but you will see it. My brother used to tell me this when I went through similar times...I thought he was nuts...but you know what...danged if he was right! I pray for peace and understanding for you. Good things come to those who wait....hugs sister! Happy Freakin' 2013 to you! Great things will happen for you this year!

After a day of phone calls and a boss who threw her back out....I am ready to kill someone.

I thought all this time that the wheelchair people were doing all the paperwork. It can all take up to or over 6 months to process everything with an order this size. It's not a cheap chair. No one called the MD doctor, the state doctor or started getting the prescriptions needed for permission to spend this kind of money.

Today the wife calls and tells me her hubby found my newish-old chair in the wharehouse, it's ready to be returned and no one started the paper work! WTF!!! I laid a guit trip on her and said FOR CHRIST SAKE THESE CHAIRS ARE MY FOOKING LEGS. WHAT IS EVERYONE THINKING??
I went on a small rant while she kept apologizing. I almost felt sorry for her when I hung up....NOT. And I told her hubbys company is chit now and WTF happened to him and his great service. Then threatened to take my big insurance business elsewhere and they better do right by me or I am going to refuse delivery of the new chair when it comes if EVFERYTHING is not 100% RIGHT.
And I do have that right. So someone is coming here on Monday to spend time observing me while transfering because my needs have changed due to my further regressions. And I have more specific needs now.
I need to begin my end of the phone work with the MD Association so I can get new batteries for my newer-old chair. I hate this frassing phone work but chit could go on & on untill the fooking summertime before it's all overwith. And I need those batteries now.
Their loaner chair is falling apart and leaking hydraulic fluid on my old carpeting today. WTF!!!
I am sitting her laughing. It can't get much worse unlesstheir chit chair t throws me on the floor before the end of the night. Lord help me please.
Jen is furious but I wanted to be mad all by myself and sent her home. LOL Not in the mood to hear her anger....IT SHOULD BE ALL ABOUT ME TONITE!!!:rofl: :rofl:

OK done with the rant. I have a lot to do tomorrow so I am posting tonite. I'll catch up with posts tomorrow. Jen & Richie are going to go to Trader Joe's over the weekend. I canceled my ride. Just cannot let another week go by wothout beginning the process and it takes hours and hours on hold and transfer calls. Cause now I have to beg for immediate (so called) help. I'll have to lie and say I got weaker overnight. They can't disprove it. So we'll see if any of these agencies have a heart tomorrow and Friday.
The best part is.....this too shall pass.
I AM WOMAN.....HEAR ME ROAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WOWSER Go MELLIE..............I think your cup finally flowed over and you let them have it...Good for you! May the force be with you. Bring home the bacon and fry it up in a pan, cause YOU ARE WOMAN!!

http://www.leehansen.com/clipart/Scr...enquins200.gif

GOOD MORNING CHICKS.
SLEPT WELL AND READY FOR TODAY'S CALLS.
HAVE A GREAT DAY.




HAPPY.....I WILL HAVE TO WAIT TO SPEND MY $1.29 IN THE GUMBALL MACHINES.
I THINK THEY MIGHT HAVE GONE UP TOO? I REMEMBER SEEING SOME FOR 5O CENTS!! :rofl:
gLAD THE NEW SCHEDULE AT WORK SUITS YOU BETTER.
WHEN WE OPEN THE COMMUNE, REMIND ME TO ORDER A POPCORN MACHINE!!
NOW WE HAVE A PRO IN THE "FAMILY" WE CAN PUT YOU TO WORK.
THE PAY IS $1.29/HR.
YOU MIGHT STILL WANT TO SUPPLEMENT THAT. ROFLMAO



ANNIE.....OMG I CANNOT BELEIVE THE SNOWFALL & TEMPS IN YOUR AREA.
IT'S UNREAL. LIKE OUR RAIN RECORD HERE BUT SO MUCH WORSE.
I CAN ONLY HOPE YOUR WEATHER CALMS DOWN & SHOVELING STOPS FOR AWHILE.
WE'LL SEND AS MANY SUNNY THOUGHTS AS POSSIBLE OUT TO YOU.
GLAD THE VICODIN WORKED. THAT SHOVELING MUST BE KILLING YOU!!
PART 2: I THOUGHT THAT WAS A LOT OF SNOW!!
BUT WTF DO I KNOW???? ROFL MY AZZ OFF!!!!!!!!!




CEEJAY...I HEAR YA ON FEELING YOUR AGE.
DEFINITELY FEELING THAT AND MORE THIS WINTER.
HOPE THEY DO KEEP THE AGE WHEN YOU GET THERE.


LAURA.....THERE IS A CHRISTMAS EPISODE FOR SEASON 2'S ENDING.
NOT SURE IF THAT IS A SEPARATE DVD OR IS INCLUDED IN THAT SET.
USING THE DVR FOR #3 SOUNDS LIKE A GOOD IDEA.
THIS WAY YOU'LL KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON!!! LOL



MICHELLE....WATCH THOSE LUNGS. ESPECIALLY AFTER TRAVELING.
ANYTHING CAN SET THEM OFF AGAIN./ STAY WELL.

:wave: ANNIE YOU SNEAKER INNER! THANKS AND HUGS:hug:
YOU SHOULD BE SMELLING THE BACON FRYING SOON! :lol:

Mellie - Sorry about all the crazy chair hassles! I'm glad you told them off. I hope your phone calls go well today. :crossed:

Annie - Thanks for the kind words. I know that down the road, I will see that this is one of the best things that could've happened. Right now, I'm sad that my 23 year relationship will be legally and officially over in 6 weeks. I regret that I/we didn't work harder to make it work before it was too late. And I'm frustrated and angry that I feel like I'm starting over at age 50. It's like my life is some child's board game and I got sent back to the START and I need to roll a 1 or 6 to get started again. :tantrum: Oh well...I will get through this and come out the other side stronger and with a clearer sense of who I am and what I want. :) My counselor said that right now...no matter how much I want to tie up all the loose ends of my life with a bright shiny bow, the fact is I'm still in the muck. To which I replied, "Yes, I know. And this f****** muck sucks!" :rofl: But I'm not gonna let myself get stuck in this muck...I know I'll get through this and that makes me smile. :)

Oh and MELLIE...I sent you a package of magazines for you, Jen and/or seniors. SHould have it this weekend or so.

Morning all. Another day, another dollar.

Happy - So how much snow did you end up getting in your little winter wonderland? Downtown here it looked like it was trying to do something for precipitation, but I don't think there will be any. Just another cloudy, gloomy day. I never saw the movie "New Year's Eve" because I heard it was awful (film critics). I'd say just don't pay a lot to see it, I'm sure you won't like it as much as "Love, Actually", however much that was. I'm glad your work schedule has been reduced to the "something that will keep me out of trouble" level. Just make sure that you have a wheely chair for the slow times. :D

Ceejay - Wonder what you'll find in that box of your mom's things?? Good to make way in the shed. I'm sort of looking forward to going through things in the basement to get rid of stuff. I wish I'd gotten a donation bag out "last year" but who knows what will happen this year with taxes - the new Congress may come in and undo what the old one just did - so it may be good that I make my donations in 2013 (and get a tax deduction). You should definitely learn to record tv shows! You will enjoy fast forwarding through the commercials, LOL! Sometimes I do miss commercials because I used to exercise during them. :shrug:

Michelle - I'm glad the counseling appointments are helping. How nice it would be to just wake up and be on the other side of all this - settled into your new life. Soon though! :hug:


Mel - Oh brother, what a freakin' mess with the new chair paperwork and the old chair battery/repairs. It's a sad thing that we have to make it our job to follow up and follow up some more to make sure what needs to happen actually gets done when it's already someone else's job and responsibility to do so. Good luck with all your phone calls today!!! Everyone better watch out today!! Yes, this too shall pass. :) PS - Cute penguins!!

Hi Annie!!!
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Nothing much to report. Didn't exercise last night, just returned some DVD's to the library. Ho hum. Tonight will be a circuit class. I will skip the movie, which they had switched to tonight this week. The selection was "This is Forty" and I'm interested in seeing it, but I can wait until it comes out on dvd. And I heard it's kind of long. Why does a comedy need to be over 2 hours long??


Okay, I'll get this posted and get back to work. Ho hum.