Good Monday morning everyone!

Santa and I went to the dog park on Saturday. (Attached is a picture.) We met up with a group of people who all have Westies. There were probably 15 or 20 Westies. And there were also more than a dozen French bulldogs, including one that was just 12 weeks old...what a cutie! Several pugs. A few Boston Terriers and a few Schnauzers. And lots of other breeds. All in all nearly 50 dogs 20 lbs and under! There was much barking, chasing and frollicking! Of course there were big dogs in the big dog section of the dog park...but there was so much going on in the little dog section that I really didn't notice. LOL We were at the park roughly 4 hours! When we got home, we both took a nap! I also learned that the last Sunday of each month is Schnauzer meetup at the park...so that's on my calendar! And after talking with some of the Schnauzer parents there, I got the recommendation for a good groomer in the area...and also learned that most of them groom their own, so I will probably invest in a good clipper and give that a try.

I'll post more later...gotta get some more work done.

Much love,

Afternoon all.

Michelle – Sounds like a great day for you and Santa at the dog park. So great they have a separate area for little dogs, and a special meet-up for Schnauzers! Nice. Love the photo of you and Santa! How did the obedience class go??

Ceejay – Hope this is the last tank inspection for a while.

Mel – You are getting out and about – is your back feeling better now? Or did the doc give you some meds to knock out the pain? What ages are Richie’s kids now? I’m not surprised at least one isn’t visiting right now, as they get older they just want to be with their friends. Enjoy your TJ's trip. My Mon./Thurs. jazzercise class is very close to a Trader Joe’s store, so I will probably start going there after class every so often because it’ll be convenient from the perspective that I won’t have to make a special trip to the other location. The one negative about going after class is that I’m usually totally wet with sweat and I’m not all that comfortable & presentable at that point…but I’ll get over it. Congrats on the weight loss! Just continue to keep away from the fridge!

Shad – Congrats on your new car! Enjoy that new car smell! Less than a week until your trip – you must be looking forward to going home. Re the ladder - bf and I have never bought anything more than a 6-foot ladder for our ranch home, but we have occasionally talked about getting an extension ladder. And then we start saying we should get one of those that can be used like a scaffold as well…and we never get any further than that. Not sure why we don’t just borrow from a neighbor for the rare occasion when we need to get on the roof. The gutter cover system we’ve had since ’08 or ‘09 is working out nicely (no gutter cleaning!), and we probably won’t hang anymore strings of lights on the gutters for the holidays since we decided last year to use colored flood lights to light up the façade. Good thing – the less that needs to go in the garage, the better.

Annie – I’m sure your first Father’s Day without your dad was so difficult for you, and it's awful it ended with a medical emergency!! Sorry to hear Sis ended up in the ER, but thank goodness she’s okay - a tubal pregnancy would be very serious. Awww, poor Sassy with her tear duct. Well, finally the vet figures it out…but at least he did. I hope that resolves it all.

Happy – Sounds like you had a good day doing the volunteer thing (except for the skeeters). I understand the need for privacy and some peace and solitude, but you sure went a long ways to get it! I’d like that too, but I think I’m just too citified to want to worry about the wild critters. And being out of cell phone and cable tv range, hahaha. I’m sure you know by now that the Stanley Cup Hawks-Bruins series is tied at 1-all. Tonight’s game 3. I’m not sure I’m up to watching these games – very nerve-wracking for me.

Re jerky – I think that’s one of those things that a food dehydrator is used for. I’ve thought about buying one of those relatively inexpensive ones, but I don’t think I like dried fruit enough to bother. And jerky is probably something I should limit just because it has so much sodium. Bf has been using mesquite wood chips the last couple times he’s grilled – for pork chops and for burgers – yum. Do naturally smoked foods cause the reflux, or just the artificial smoke flavors? Thanks for shopping for the replacement of my Budweiser beach towel - or rather, my DS’s towel. I’ll have to post a photo of the Bud beach towel I have because it’s different than the one you found – it’s got flowers on it too – it’s pretty cool. And I might as well post a photo of my cute “new to me” beach towel. I like the colors.

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The rest of my weekend was alright. Yesterday I lazed around in the morning and then got outside to pull weeds in the front shrub border that desperately needs to have its mulch replenished. I Preened it afterwards - hope that helps. Bf and I met my friend D at Panera for lunch. She’s been so busy going back and forth to spend time w/ a seriously ill aunt in the hospital that we haven’t had time to get together and catch up.

Bf grilled burgers for dinner. I did the usual dog walks Sat. & Sunday and some laundry. I’m just about halfway through the book club book (Where’d You Go, Bernadette: A Novel by Maria Semple). It’s a bit similar to another one we read for book club (What Alice Forgot) in that the mother character is the target of the other moms active in the fancy school her daughter attends.

The boss and sr. mgr will be out the rest of the week, so it'll be nice and quiet around here. That made my Monday more pleasant.

Tonight will be Jazzercise class. It’s pretty hot today…it will be a good sweaty workout even if I don’t give it my all!

Mel - Friday your time should be okay with me. I can't think of anything else I will be doing. Sometime on the Saturday Miss Puss will go to the DS1's but that will be probably late in the day. I don't pick up my new car until early next month. It has to come through customs, be prepared and cleaned from riding on a ship and then tested out. I will be kept in the loop as to where it is from time to time. The date being bandied around was the 8th July. Right in the middle of the Royal visit from Sophia.

Ceejay - I bought the Audi A3. Its a little gem. I'll find a photo soon and you can see for yourself.

Laura - seems like it might be one of those days for you.

Michelle - glad you had such a good day at the dog park.

Annie - poor Samantha. Hope she feels much better soon. It would have been hard for you on Fathers day. The 'first times' are always hard. Hang in there.

Happy - must be having a good time driving the tracks and going bush. Have fun. Watch out for the bears.

My finger is finally healing up. It is still a bit tender but no longer needs band aids. I do protect it with rubber gloves when working in water or outside and it still reminds me it is not completely healed when I knock it but slowly it is coming right.
Not sure what the workload will be today. I need to do some outside work but won't make a start on the shed until this finger is completely healed. I also need to make a trip to the dump with some rubbish as well. I might just go up and give the DS2 a bit of a hand. I haven't been around to help him much lately. He doesn't complain, just drops hints from time to time.

And that is about it. Miss Puss is making cute outside the door. How did she get out there - she went out the bedroom door which is open. So how come she can't come back in the same way? Beats me.

And there is Laura typing above my head. Happy exercising Laura

Less than an hour to go with work for today. I really need a nap. I'm not feeling well at all. very dizzy. I wonder if I'm losing weight and my meds need to be adjusted...I've been too afraid of the scale to check my weight. And I think my blood sugar meter thing is packed away too. ooops.

UPDATE:
A little over an hour later, and I'm feeling MUCH better.

HI girls...I am officially restricted from the at work. Like it is a threat. ok...so will be posting from home which will be less than every day. Unless I can get a minute.

I don't even know what all everyone posted. Will try to figure that out in a minute.

C and I are trying to decide to do with his kids. Both are going to try to visit in the next couple of days...We will see. Poor c, he gets so excited, then they cancel.

Will post more tomorrow...loves and hugs.

Shad - Congrats on the new car!! How exciting! Audi's are really, really good cars. Well done! Bummer that you have to 'till next month to get it. How long are you going home for? I'm glad to hear that the finger is healing. Wrap it in bubble wrap before you start banging around with it.

Laura - Good job on all the exercising. I'm going to visit a 24 hour Fitness tomorrow and quite probably sign up. I'm hoping they have a recumbent stepper cardio machine like my gym in WI had so that I have options when my back is too sore for Zumba.

Ceejay - What bratty neighbor kids. That would drive me crazy. I hate it when kids (and adults) don't have any respect or care for anyone but themselves. I hope the inspection goes well.

Annie - Sending many hugs and prayers your way for you and Samantha. You two have been through so much. Shad is right...the 'first times' after a loved one passes are always so hard...and so close to your dad's b'day. I'm so sorry, sweet sista. Sending you much love. Also sending prayers for Sassy's tear duct procedure. Poor little sweetie. I hope that C's kids visit C. It's awful to get C's hopes up and then cancel.

Mel - I'm glad to hear you're not pushing yourself this week. Steer clear of any office or kid drama.

Happy - So glad you had a nice time volunteering at the craft fair. Are your feet doing okay with all the hours you're putting in? I hope so.

Well, time to figure out what I want for dinner.

Much love,

Hi Girls....

Well, Humana has finally pissed me off and blocked 3fC completely. Really they are so gunhoe on getting healthy and excersizing, you would think they would allow this website, eventho we rearly talk about weight. I am so tired this evening, forgive my misspelled word and talk.

nite post tomorrow

MORNING CHICKLETES

I JUST CANNOT SEEM TO GET A BREAK THIS MONTH. LOL
STILL WITH THE GOVT, RICHIE'S DAUGHTER ARRIVED AND ALARMS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT. UNREAL.
I CAN'T WAIT TILL EVERYONE LEAVES FOR THE TRAILER.
I HOPE THEY HAVE A GOOD TIME UP THERE.
NOTHING NEW HERE. HAVE TO RUN AND GET A PKG MAILED TO THE GOVT.
IT MUST BE ALMOST 2 INCHES THICK.
DR HAD TO CANCEL THE VISIT.
HE HAS EMERGENCIES IN THE NURSING HOMES.
I SDAID IT WAS OK I AM PAST THE NEED FOR NARCOTICS..
WE CAN RESCHEDULE NEXT WEEK.
OK...O FF TO GET SOME STA,PS!!! LOL
HAVE A GREAT DAY.



CEEJAY....HOPE THE INSPECTION WENT WELL.
OUR BUILDING'S SHOULD BE THIS SUMMER SOMETIME. YUCK!!
I SEE YOUR RAIN IS HEADING THIS WAY FOR THE AFTERNOON.
HOPE YOU STAYED DRY!!




LAURA....CHANGED MY MIND ABOUT TJ'S..
NOT READY TO BOUNCE AROUND ON THE BUS JUST YET.
WHAT WAS I THINKING????? LOL
SORRY YOU MISSED THE TRAIN.
I HEAR YA ON THE SWEATING AND SHOPPING.
NOTHING IS EVER EASY
RNJOY YOUR QUIET WEEK AT WORK!!




SHAD....OK....FRIDAY MY TIME IT IS.
MAYBE BY THEN WE CAN CHAT AND FIX ALL THE WRONG CRAP IN THE WORLD.
SEEMS TO BE A LOT IN OURS TOO!!
DON'T THE CAR EXECS KNOW THE DATE OF THE ROYAL VISIT CANNOT BE BANDIED ABOUT!!
I AM CRACKING UP OVER HERE BUT SUCH A DILEMMA!!
CAR?? SOPHIA??? CAR??? SOPHIA???
LET ME KNOW WHO WINS OUT!!




MICHELLE....CHECK THAT SUGAR!!!
WITH ALL THE CHANGES IN YOUR LIFE IT'S IMPORTANT.
GLAD YOU FEEL BETTER NOW BUT BE CAREFUL.
REMEMBER A PEANUT BUTTER ON WHITE BREAD IS A GREAT LOW BLOOD SUGAR TRICK.
FAST CARBS & SLOW CARBS ALL IN ONE.
WITH SOME HONEY ON IT,,,IT'S EVEN BETTER.




ANNIE...SENDING MORE HUGS AND HOPE C DOESN'T GET CANCELLED ON AGAIN.
POOR GUY....SOUNDS LIKE OUR RICHIE.
SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT WORK BUT IT IS MORE IMPORTANT!!!!

Just a quick post for me. The light office is having trouble switching the phone back over and I've been getting a lot of phone calls.

I probably stayed on FB to long yesterday. I was chatting with a male high school friend.

Can I say, hallelujah. B just called and told me the phones were switched.

I'm having to keep the water towers filled to brim this morning. When and if the inspectors get through with the tank I'll have to start refilling the tank. ugh.

More later.

Quick post for me as I have a lot to get done today amidst a morning full of meetings. With everyone here working from home on Fridays and Mondays, Tuesdays are hectic because people try to schedule all the meetings on that day.

Mel - Thanks for the tip about the Peanut Butter on white bread. Good to know. I usually keep trail mix on hand (the kind with peanuts, almonds, cashews, raisins and M&Ms. M&Ms and raisins provide the fast sugar...and the nuts the slow carbs.

Ceejay - I'm glad the phones finally got switched over for you. I hope the rest of the day goes better.

Shad - I hope you and Mel are able to chat on Friday...I think the world needs being set right in a big way, and you two ladies do such a good job when you get together.

Gotta fly! Have a great day everyone!

Love and hugs,

Morning all. Chilly, foggy & drizzily right now. Yesterday was hot and sunny until I drove to Jazzercise, then a cold front came through and cooled things off.

Ceejay - Glad the phones got switched over, you've got other things to do!

Mellie - Glad to hear the pain has eased up. Yeh, good idea to be gentle with the back and not subject it to a rough ride! Two inches of paper - that package is gonna need a lot of stamps!! It's ww today, so I skipped breakfast, but now you have me jonesing for a piece of toast (preferably cinnamon-raisin) with some peanut butter!! Maybe tomorrow morning - instead of cinn-raisin bread, I bought some cinn-raisin english muffins because they have fewer calories.

Annie - Sorry they've blocked 3fc at work. That stinks. Hope the kids don't cancel on C and you get to do something fun.

Michelle - Hope you're not having any more dizzyness. Does 24 hour fitness have Zumba classes, or would you go elsewhere for those? I hope they have the stepper machine you want. I feel like I've lost some flexibility, and my back gets stiff after sitting all day. I really should try to do a yoga class, or at a minimum do some stretches/exercises at home for that. Besides the bridge, what other exercises have doctors recommended you do for your back?

Shad - Too bad you have to wait a few weeks for the new wheels. I bet you'll have a lot of fun tooling around in it with little S. in the back in her car seat, LOL. Glad the finger is healing. You have a valid excuse not to get hands-on with work at DS2's place, but you could go over there and supervise and inspect. Too funny about Miss Sunday going out one door but having to get you to let her in through another.

Hi Happy!

===
Nothing much to report. Considered skipping Jazzercise, but decided to go to sweat off some weight before my ww weigh-in today.

No movie tonight, but I do have an eye doctor appt to follow up on the new brand contact lenses I'm trying out. They feel pretty good, but get uncomfortable like the other ones when I've worn them all day. The eye doc recommended I use rewetting drops throughout the day and that makes a difference. But wouldn't it be the same with my usual brand of lenses? As for the vision...there's something "off" in the rx of the left lens, so I'm not sure I'll stick with this brand. I don't think my rx changed, so I don't know if this specific lens is an issue or what. I do know that the office ordered a pair of my usual lenses and I hope they give them to me tonight to see if there's the same issue. I'm kind of tired of traipsing back and forth to this office because the route has a lot of long traffic lights. On the other hand, our Middle Eastern food joint is right on the way and it's an opportunity to stop there for dinner...

Okay, enough rambling. Back to work.

Laura - 24 hour fitness does offer Zumba classes at fairly convenient times. Stretching your back is very important. I've also found that stretching my hamstrings and calves are equally important because when those tighten up, they pull my back out of alignment. Below are some links for back stretches and exercises...obviously don't do any of these if they cause you pain. (Thanks for asking me about these exercises...I've saved the URLs because I really need to make time to do stretches.)

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/back-pain/LB00001_D
http://www.spine-health.com/wellness...ck-pain-relief
http://www.spine-health.com/wellness...ck-pain-relief
http://www.spine-health.com/wellness...ning-exercises

As for your lenses, way back when I used to wear contacts, I used rewetting drops as it got later in the day. Good for you on doing Jazzercise!! Let us know how the weigh in goes.

Hi all,

Sorry I didn't get here yesterday. Was starting to post and DH was going into town so I went with him. Wanted to check out the farmer's market (the Mennonite ladies make fabulous bread) and had some errands of my own. Got back, made lunch and then went outside to work on the garden. FINALLY finished planting everything. Then my cousin called and said they were predicting perhaps a light frost. Since I am now finally getting baby buds - green beans, sugar snap peas, tomatoes, squash and cucumbers - opted to err on the side of caution and we tarped the garden and I had to bring everything from the deck (flowers and patio pots) into the greenhouse or cover them on the deck. I was outside all day long and we didn't eat dinner until 7:30 - very late for us. I think I zoned out afterwards because outside of a chat with Mom, don't know where the evening went.

Got up early today, uncovered and moved back everything (it only got down to 38 degrees but glad I covered stuff over anyway). Took me almost 2 hours to move and completely water everything in the yard. My cousin stopped by because we discovered some wild Morel mushrooms in the yard but he said they were old and had gone bad So we visited for a bit. Then DH said he needed some lightweight long sleeved t-shirts because he keeps getting poison ivy when he mows and trims. That was an internet search that took a while but that's done now. I was supposed to get a pork roast in the crock pot, I think it might be too late for that. Now I need to hurry and eat something before I jump in the shower and off to the thrift store for the afternoon.

So I'm sorry - will do personals tomorrow. to the chicks.

Hi ladies...this place is freaky. Yesterday Humana blocked 3FC due to malicious content, whatever. Today I got on with no problem. Strange I tell you.

Vet called and said Miss Sass a cakes did perfect with her surgery and should be ok after this. Only 145.00 for that surgery. Yikes. I must be out of my head spending $$ like that on a doggie....haha

My BF, Tari from St. Louis called me at 4am yesterday to tell me her doggie, Bailey, passed away. She was just bawling, so therefore I was too. C was just about to leave for work and stood there waiting to see what was going on. I told him Boo Bailey had just passed away, he was relieved it wasn't something else but also sad. Bailey was 14.

Made a new meatloaf recipe that is quite tasty, lots of work however you grill it out on the grill. It turned out quite yummy. Made steamed broccoli to go with it last night and that was it. Delish!

HAPPY...I don't blame DH for wanting long sleeve shirts for the ivy. Man if I get that it spreads everywhere. I think next year put all your plants on rollers, then just roll them in and out. lol.

CHELLE...I love crazy busy days, they go by a lot quicker. We are in our slow time of year and I am not liking it one bit. Makes for a long boring day.

LAURA...kudos to you for wearing contacts. I tried them a couple of times but I just don't like stuff in my eyes. Plus I like rubbing my eyes.

CEEG...glad the phones got switched. THey did not do a D&C on Sam because the ultrasound show a clean, clear miscarriage. Nothing to scrape out. Which is good. Yes they still do D&Cs if they need to.

MELLIE...Sorry you missed out on TJs. It can wait. wink wink.

SHADDIE...congrats on the new car!! An Audi..wowser, you must be one of those rich people. lol.

That is about it for me. Everyone have a terrific Tuesday/nite.

Hugs