Morning all.

Michelle - Sorry you didn't feel well-rested this morning. It must be such a challenge changing your diet in response to the diabetes. I admit I'd be resenting it big time! I hope the bronchitis eases up this week and lets you get back to the gym. Nice that the ex will accomodate gym visits when you can get back to it!!

Annie - I hate all that rah-rah stuff we have to do for work. Soon we'll be having our 2013 kick-off - company goals, etc., which will be followed by us creating individual goals. Let me just get through the 2012 performance review first, okay??? Re your dad - I'm glad he's voicing his concerns instead of being stubborn and in denial over his physical limitations. It'll be quite an adjustment for all of you, but a benefit is you'll get to spend more time with your dad. Million $ Quartet is on open run, so we can wait for kinder weather to come...

Mel - Good for you taking the leftover goodies down to the lunchroom instead of leaving them upstairs to inevitably nibble on in spite of not really wanting them anymore. I recorded the Christmas episode of Downton A. yesterday and will record the season 3 #1 show on Tuesday at 2:30 am - we record a lot of shows and our cable system only allows 2 recordings at once, so I try to avoid dvr conflicts. I'm still at position 7 on the hold list for season 2, so it'll be a few weeks yet. I have to avoid any spoilers, LOL. :lol: Based on your and Annie's comments, I guess we're not the only ones to not like those nutcrackers. I felt sort of guilty about giving them away because bf's SIL had them all set up together as a collection and it looked kind of nice...but I'd much rather have a collection of Santas or snowmen or penguins than those, so let someone else enjoy them. We're fine with just the little nutcracker ornament to hang on the tree.

Shad - Stunning sunrises! What I can see of the sunrise is usually blocked by houses and trees, so it was great you made the housing change to get these views. :)
===

Not much to report this morning except I'm not thrilled to be here facing a full 5-day work week. But I'm very happy to have a job, so off I go to do it.

Cheers!
:cheers:

Morning chicks,

$64,000 question - how can a guy get ready in 20 minutes and it takes us so long? :chin: DH knows it takes me over an hour to get dressed and ready - and that's not being fancy 'bout nuttin'. I said I have less to work with so it takes me longer to get presentable. ;) However, let's disect this:

Shaving - a man just has a face to shave. We've got lots more surface area to cover. Plus we have to lather it up. If I shaved my legs as fast as he shaves his face, I'd be covered in nicks.

Washing - men are covered with hair. Hair takes to soap faster. So it's actually faster for them to wash their body because all that hair acts like a bath puff/scrubbie. :lol:

Hair (on the head) - they just wash, rinse, barely comb it and go. We have to wash, rinse, condition, detangle, add styling products, blow dry, style and spray. 'nuff said. And when you have baby fine, skinny hair like mine, it dries fast enough but takes a fair amount of time to coax it to bend a bit with a round brush. If I leave it straight I look like a refugee or Zelda's prison mug shot (but only if I don't constantly smile all day).

Face - they've washed it in the shower, all that's left is to brush the teeth and they're done. I don't wear a lot of makeup - just the basics but I have to moisturize, apply makeup, blend and smooth. Stop and notice my pores getting bigger. Try to cover them up. Go back to make up. See an errant eyebrow that needs plucking. Dig in the drawer for tweezers. By the time I find them I can't find that darn stray eyebrow hair. Got it. Now that I have tweezers out, anything else that needs a touchup? Go back to makeup. Notice that it's time for a dye job on the hair. Spend some time rearranging the hair you just fixed trying to cover up your roots better - the "umber" look that is popular now with dark roots and light ends totally doesn't work when your roots are gray :rofl:

Clothes - men put on underwear, a shirt, pants, socks and shoes and they are done. There is no thought to color, fit of pants, whether they feel bloated and have a muffin top today, if this pair of pants is the one that is waiting on just 5 more pounds to lose or if that pair of pants makes their azzz look fat. They don't wear jewelry so there is no standing in front of the closet for 10 minutes trying to figure out what goes with the necklace/sweater/scarf that you feel like wearing that particular day.

Shoes - men have 2 to 3 pairs of shoes. Work shoes, sneakers and dress shoes. It is never an issue which shoes to wear. We however have to deal with "the look", comfort, these shoes are nice but don't go with the pants we have on - consider changing pants. Some pants are long, requiring a higher sole on the shoe. Change shoes 5 times. Change pants. Change top. Go back to your original outfit...

And this is why it takes them only 20 minutes and us an hour and a half. Sometimes when DH is fussing at me I threaten to go out after only 20 minutes too - no matter how bad I look, but I just can't do that to me or the outside world.

Now I have to go back and read everyone's posts.

Ok, back again.

DH got a call this morning. They have a cancellation at the cardiologist's office. Thing is, I am supposed to work that day and we have a few of the people away so I can't have anyone to substitute although we could probably close the store for the day. I did want to go with him but he said it's just a consultation so I don't really have to go with. I'd rather he see the doctor sooner, he just has not gotten the event monitor to have anything to show the doctor. I'm thinking this thing will drag out for a few months. :(

I went through the freezer yesterday. Tossed some expired stuff and defrosted some cod. It came out terrible. Ick. Had to figure out something else - I had some beef - I thought it was some roast beef that I stupidly did not mark the package. So I tossed it in the microwave - it was a frozen block and tried to cook it quickly. Turned out it was Italian Beef from Portillo's in Chicago. Good stuff and I was actually thinking of making that for dinner one night this week, but it didn't go with the side dishes I had made and more importantly, we didn't have the Italian bread to put it on, just ate it loose. DH was a sport about it. We'll have the rest of it for lunch today. Sometimes dinners just don't work out. :shrug:

I do want to finish putting away the Christmas stuff today and get that all over and done with. Got some laundry to do and clean up the bathrooms. It's also garbage day and I need to check one of my cabinets that I had chips and stuff in - I'm sure there's some old stuff in there that needs to be tossed. That's about it for me. Was debating about going to the grocery store but I think I'm better off just using what I have here. Will start Weight Watchers next week when I can eat clean again.

Laura - boy I sure DON'T miss that kick off the new year, rah rah stuff at work. Call me cynical ;) Especially the first week back like you say when everyone is bummed out that the holidays/time off is over with and it's a LONG way to the next holiday in May. I'm in the camp that doesn't like the nutcrackers either. Those teeth are creepy to me. Maybe I watched too many episodes of Night Gallery when I was younger. They just look like things that would come to life at night and bite your toes off :yikes: :lol: Be careful walking at night - good idea to have a flashlight - we used to use those too when we were taking nightly walks. It's so hard to see the slippery spots on the sidewalks, especially with the shadows. I told DH I was not a fan of walking outside at night. And you can't really get a good walk in at the malls either - especially if one of your reasons is to walk with a furry companion. I think those pinkish street lights make it a bit more difficult to see where you're going.

Annie - yep the hardest thing about having someone living with you is having to work around sex. Helps that Dad's at the other end of the hall. Maybe you can have Friday date nights and someone takes Dad out for the evening. ;) I totally get what you mean about wanting to make his remaining time comfy. Bless you both :hug: you will never regret it. How adorable that Lil Man crawled over to you for a reach out hug. Nothing cuter than a baby reaching for you. I do have a foot spa - use it on a regular basis. The last time my foot was really bad I had a bucket with ice water, would plunge my foot in it for a minute until I couldn't stand it, then put it in the hot spa water. Did that about 20 times - it did help. I actually find the eucalyptus salts work better for me than the epsom salts. Don't know why... Maybe C will get you a dandy new washer soon, although I hope yours holds up for a while yet. Too soon after Christmas to have extra expenses. Watch for sales in January.

Michelle - sorry the lungs are giving you troubles. Do you think you will feel better in CA without the cold we have here? That's nice of the ex to keep Santa while you go to the gym. Has his Mom moved in with him permanently or is she just visiting for a few months? Yes pizza will do a number on the blood sugar. I have no advice for avoiding pizza either other than to ask if they offer whole wheat crusts. I used to like South Beach's frozen individual pizzas but nothing is like a fresh pizza pie. And yes, there is nothing wrong with being guarded about a new relationship. Sometimes I think that's easier. You don't fall for the next one who comes along and get yourself hurt. DH and I were both gun shy when we met each other, I think it really helped as we took time to get to know each other. I also like the suggestion someone made about taking time to get to know yourself and what you want in this next phase of your life. Sometimes we spend alot of time serving others at a cost to ourselves.

Mel - OMG those cookies look soooo good. It's a good thing they are just a picture. Reminds me of these silver bell cookies I used to make a long time ago. A pistol to make as the dough was tough to work with but they were so amazingly delicious. I no longer have the recipe so they are no longer a temptation. I would offer you some of my shelves but I have more than enough stuff to fill them. Not to say I couldn't find you a spot or too but don't expect much :rofl: I'm so glad the seniors liked your Christmas card idea. I'm sure it touched alot of people. The holidays can be very lonely for some. How did your blow dry come out? Do you have a firey mane like the runway models? If so, give me tips. :lol:

Shad - glad the picture tips helped. Loved the pictures. As for the skies on fire, that's not Tasmania, is it? Ok, I know it's not but perhaps some of the soot in the air is contributing to the colorful rises and sets. I always said the best part of waking up early is those gorgeous skies.

Hello Ceejay, Java, Ellen and Patty. :wave:

Time for me to get busy. Later chicks.

Happy - LOL re how long it takes men vs. women to get dressed to go out in public. :lol: And so true! Though I do save some time at home by putting on my makeup in the car or on the train. :D Probably better for dh to take advantage of the cancellation at the doc's and get the ball rolling. Is this the one where he'll get his monitor?

Sorry your dinner didn't work out - it's not as if you didn't try!

Thankfully, our kickoff isn't this week. I don't think I've seen the invitation yet...and luckily we have a holiday on President's Day this year, so I don't have to wait clear until May for a day off. We don't get it every year - depends on how the other holidays fall. This year, the 4th of July is on a Thursday and we don't get Friday off. Christmas is on a Wed. and we only get that one day. In 2012 we didn't get Pres day off, but we got both Christmas Eve & Christmas Day. Anyway, it's not like I can't take a day off - we also get two Floating Holidays on top of the usual ones, and I also have the 3 vacation days I carried over from 2012. I should plan a day off this month. Maybe I'll choose a wacky holiday - see this link, there's some good ones: http://www.gone-ta-pott.com/weird_january_holidays.html

Okay, another non-lover of nutcrackers!! We don't need a reminder of the (nutty) aunt who gives them to us - she's pretty memorable on her own. BTW, we'll be getting together to celebrate her 80th this Saturday!

Yeh, a flashlight is a must when walking in the dark. The one I use is a good bright one with LED bulbs, but it doesn't have a strap - I'd like to let it dangle from my wrist when I'm not using it because I don't want to keep taking it in/out of my pocket. I might have to wear the headlight one, LOL. Coal wears a light too - his is a repurposed lighted bike reflector that blinks many different ways. I call it his "blinkie". ;)

Okay, lunch is just about over. Back to it. Happy Garbage Day and good luck with getting the Christmas decorations put away. :)

http://www.invacare.com/product_file...t_Rec_400_.gif

THE SALES REP JUST SENT ME A PIC OF THE NEW PROPOSED CHAIR.
THEY SENT A CERTIFIED SALES REP RATHER THAN THE REPAIRMAN.
THE SALES REP INTERVENED WHEN HE OVERHEARD A CONVERSTION & FOUND OUT I WAS HAVING SO MANY PROBLEMS. HE ASSURED ME THE CHAIR WILL BE DELIVERED AND WITH ALL MY SPECIFICATIONS. HE WAS VERY THOROUGH AND I AM PLEASED TO SAY THIS GUY KNEW WHAT HE WAS TALKING ABOUT AND UNDERSTOOD MY SPECIAL NEEDS. LET US HOPE HE'S NOT LIKE A "USED CAR" SALESMAN THOUGH....ALL BS!!!:rofl:
I AM FEELING MORE CONFIDENT AND JUST HOPE I DIDN'T PLACE IT IN THE WRONG PERSON. :crossed:

I GOT MT. WASHMORE STARTED AND ONE LOAD IS FINISHED. EVEN SORTED STUFF OUT FOR MY BOSS AND STILL FEEL GREAT. HOPE EVERYONE ELSE HAD A GREAT DAY TOO. MINE WAS NEAR PERFECT. :angel:

WOW Mellie...does that wheel chair stand you up also???

THE DAY JUST KEEPS ON GETTING BETTER & BETTER.
WENT BACK DOWN TO MAIL OUT THE NECESSARY PAPERS FOR SOCIAL SECURITY....THE SAGA OF THE PAY RAISE STILL COINTINUES....LOL....AND I FOUND THIS ALONG THE FROM TO THE MAILBOX!!
https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/i...n42ccaKEIzESnw
IT'S A FRAPPUCCINO KIND OF DAY!!!:D

No It Won't Stand Me Up....does Not Vibrate....or Have A Heated Seat!!! Roflmao

Mel - Wait, you mean you didn't put all those things in your specs??? Why not??? :rofl:

Sure hope the rep makes good on his assurances.

Enjoy your frappuccino. :T

:wave: I'm exhausted for some reason. I'll be back tomorrow.

Think Ceejay needs Mels new chair

Happy Tuesday.....

What a lovely evening C and I had and we didn't do anything special. He didn't get home from work until 6:30, I had a taco layered salad with tortilla chips ready. We ate, I cleaned the kitchen then we just sat and talked for 30 minutes before he went to bed. He kissed me goodnite, and said, "you look especially beautiful tonight and glowing". I said, thank you and I AM NOT PREGGERS NOR ARE WE HAVING BABIES. lol. He came through at just the right time with sweetness as I had kind of a down day yesterday. First days of dieting are always bummers. I feel pretty good today.

Since my son is a plumber for a major company, he is going to put the new higher toitie in for dad within the next few weeks. He is such a good son. He thinks he may be able to get one at a discount somewhere that the company gets their product. Fingers crossed. If not, I found one for about 175.00. Free installation by DS.

MELLIE....the vanilla frappuccinos are the bomb. They are easy to get hooked on and did you know they have a "light" version of it that doesn't taste any different than the regular version? Kind of hard to locate them, but they do. Man, sorry to hear you wheelchair doesn't come with all the frillies. What about Sven to push you around in it and massage your shoulders?

CEEG..get some rest sister, you must need it if you are feeling exhausted. Energy vibes coming your way.......

SHADDIE...how is the J.O.B. coming along. Did they get any smarter over the weekend while you were gone? haha

LAURA...yes our next holiday off is May. We counted yesterday and it is only like 109 days till our next day off...Blah. I have about 61 hours built up, but don't want to waste them...Loved the weird website, I shared it with a co-worker and she got even a bigger kick out of it than I did.

HAPPY...Man these dang doctors, they cancel and change things on us like it is nobody's business, but let us forget an appointment and we get dinged $$. It is all BS. Hope DH gets all straightened out on things. Oh and believe me, I will be calling on the brothers to take dad out or visit with them come summer time. That is my season. lol

CHELLE...I know what you mean on the gun shy thing about relationships and love. My divorce was final in 2004 and I didn't even date until 2007 or later. Just didn't want the headache. My best piece of advice is this...Love and relationships should be easy, if you have to fight for it or make excuses for bad behavior..it is a no go!

Hello's to the rest of ya's.

Gotta get ready for the management visit and the rah rah rah BS.

Loves and hugs.

I have noticed many of us worldlies are quite comedians.

and HAPPY love the man vs. women routine....very good!

http://www.picgifs.com/graphics/s/sl...ing-670900.gif

SOUNDED LIKE CEEJAY NEEDED A NICE COZY NAP YESTERDAY.
WAIT TILL THE NEW RECLINING * TILTING CHAIR COMES.
i'M SURE YOU'LL LIKE IT AND I HAVE A NICE SOFT THROW TO PUT OVER YOU:cloud9:




:cofdate: GOOD MORNING CHICKLETTES.
THE SUN IS SHINING AND THE TEMPS WILL BE RISING.
I AM THINKING OF DOING NOTHING TODAY.
MY RIBCAGE IN THE BACK IS "LOCKING UP" A LITTLE BIT.
I THINK IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH PUTTING THE ORNAMENTS AWAY.
TOO MUCH STRETCHING.
STILL VERY EXCITED ABOUT YESTERDAY :dance:
FEELS LIKE CHRISTMAS ALL OVER AGAIN.
NOTHING ELSE IS NEW.
HOPE YOU ALL HAVE A GREAT DAY :moped:




HAPPY....YOUR CARD WAS ADORABLE WITH ALL THE WOODSTOOCKS,
CHARILEI BROWN & SNOOPY. JEN LOVED IT TOO.
IT'S ON THE WORLLDLY WALL OF FAME. :hohoho:
I LAUGHED ABOUT THE FIERY MANE....MINE IS THIN & BLOND/WHITE.
LUCKY I HAVE ENOUGH TO COVER MOST OF MY SCALP:rofl: :rofl:
I THINK OF DH OFTEN HOPING HE FINDS AN ANSWER.
I REMEMBER THOSE DAYS WELL....STILL HAVE THEM :lol3:
I TOLD JEN ONE DAY I WILL DROP DEAD & THEY CAN OPEN ME UP TO SEE WTF IT WAS:lol3:
MANY DRS HAVE TOLD ME IT'S COMMON AND HAS TO DO WITH
THE "ELECTICAL WIRING" OF THE HEART.
GUESS THAT'S THE LAYMAN'S TERMS.
WE LIVE IN A WORLD FILLED WITH STRESS THAT IS FAST PACED.
EVERY SHOW YOU SEE ON TV ALMOST MAGNIFIES THAT SPEEDY PACE.
SO IT'S HARD TO "COME DOWN" FROM THE HEIGHTS OF LIFE.
THAT'S WHY THE DR SAID MEDITATE.
WHEN I DO IT ....IT REALLY DOES HELP.
SENDING HIM A BIG OLE HUG :hug:
SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT DINNER.
SOME DAYS ARE BETTER FOR TAKE OUT:lol3: :lol3:




LAURA....A WOMAN TOLD ME YESTERDAY THAT SEASON 2 WAS ON ALL WEEKEND.
WISH I WOUOLPD HAVE KNOWN THAT. I'D HAVE LIKED TO WATCH IT ALL OVER AGAIN.
I PROMISE NO SPOILERS FROM ME!!!
IT'S A LOVELY RELAXING TIME FOR ME AND I CAN'T GET ENOUGH.
BTW....JEN FEELS THE SAME ABOUT CLOWNS AND SOME NUTCRACKERS.
SHE SAID THEY HAVE EVIL FACES:rofl: :rofl:
I'LL HAVE TO CHECK OUT YOUR LINK LATER.
I SAW JUST YESTERDAY THAT WE HAVE THAT MOINDAY OFF THIS MONTH TOO.:dance:




ANNIE...I HOPE ONCE DAD COMES THAT ALL OF YOU CAN SETTLE DOWN.
I GUESS DAD IS JUST AS NERVOUS & SCARED LIKE THE SENIORS WHEN THEY FIRST COME HERE.
SORRY YOU AND C WON'T BE SCREWING ALL OVER THE HOUSE.
MAYBE WE CAN CHIP IN AND SEND DAD TO A MOVIE ONCE A WEEK!!:rofl: :rofl:
I KNOW IT'S NOT REALLY FUNNY:hug:
AND IT DOES TAKE SOME OF THE SPONTANEITY OUT OF IT.
IF HE HEARS A "SQUEAL" YOU CAN ALWAYS SAY YOU ROLLED OVER ON SASSY!!




MICHELLE...HAPPY IS RIGHT.
TAKE THE TIME TO GET TO KNOW YOURSELF AND WHO YOU ARE NOW.
NOT JUST PICK SOMEONE TO FILL THE EMTY HOLES IN YOUR LIFE.
THAT'S WHAT I DID AND LIVE TO REGRET IT TO THIS DAY.
SOME NOT VERY NICE MEMORIES AND MORE PAIN.
TAKE TIME TO BREATHE!!
\HOPE THE LUNGS FEEL BETTER SOON.

Simple Marinara Sauce

2 T Olive Oil
3 Garlic Cloves, Minced
1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatos
1 (28 ox) can tomato puree or sauce
2 ½ T dried oregano
2 ½ T dried parsley
¼ Cup Grated Romano cheese
1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
2 bay leaves
1 t. onion powder

Heat oil in pan. Saute garlic until aromatic and tender. Stir in crushed tomatos, tomato puree/sauce, oregano, parsley, cheeses, bay leaves and onion powder. Reduce heat to low and simmer for at least 40 minutes.

(I also added mushrooms)