Morning all,
Might be my last post for a while since I have no idea of the living arrangements for the next 8 days. All going well I am back in Australia on 1st July around 6.00pm.
Hoping to take some good photos, but it is winter over here and in NZ that doesn't always mean blue skies, cool temps and sunshine. It could be snowing.

Speaking of snowing, I went shopping for some warm clothes yesterday. Now I have put on a little weight, but still fit my size 16's here at home. Off I went to Target and I found a couple of jackets that I liked so picked up a 16 and an 18 and some jeans - same story. Not one of the 5 items would even do up. I see they have devalued our sizing again. I spoke to the salesperson in the store and said that I didn't believe the labelling was right. Her reply was (and I quote) that 'that particular label was a small fit because it was aimed at the young people but this should be okay'. Excuse me - a 16 is still a 16 is it not? It might be tight because the young like to have tight fitting stuff that shows all the lumps and rolls but it should still fit, not be 2 sizes to small. And if that is the case, why doesn't the 18 fit a size 16 body. Bloody made in China!

Anyway with that rant, I'm off before the DS2 gets here to cart me away from all this. I'll try to get back if I end up staying at my sisters place. Who knows what form of technology the niece and geeky husband will have. Be good or be careful. Annie, knees are meant to lock the legs in place. Give up trying to ruin them will ya.

Evening Worldlies.

Shaddie- Safe travels home. Enjoy the visit with family and the sis's bday celebration. The sizing is crazy - very inconsistent between brands. Interesting that you found the sizes fitting smaller. I thought with vanity sizing the size stayed the same but the fit got larger. Anyway, with my dislike of shopping, it makes it harder to shop online. Better to carry armfuls of clothes to the fitting room and see right away what fits.

Happy - Hope you got to the bbq at the casino. You're absolutely right about having company/guests - great time to get the deep cleaning done. It was rainy this morning and muggy this afternoon. I pulled some weeds in the veg garden and adjacent flower bed and that was it. Not very motivated at the moment.

Mel - Sorry there's been so much trouble in the building w/ plumbing and alarms. I hope things are quieter tonight and you get some rest.

Michelle - Hope you're having a good weekend with Santa and your friends. How did obedience class go?? It's so great you'll get Schnauzer-grooming lessons from that woman you met!

Ceejay - Good for you not giving the neighbor girls rides. I'm hot, sweaty and tired just reading about you mowing the lawn in the heat!! But it's good exercise!!! Sorry about the cholesterol results - have to find a type of exercise you don't mind doing, not an easy thing. Do you have the bike set up in front of the tv??

Annie - Glad you knees are healing. Good luck on the Advocare plan. I should have planted some lettuces earlier in the season - we sure had enough cool weather. Now we've got this hot muggy crap that I can't stand. But maybe my tomatoes will get going now!
==

So I skipped Jazzercise this morning because I didn't have any clean bottoms to wear (yoga pants, etc.). I ended up mostly lazing the morning away except for the weeding out back. Also did some laundry (yes, clean exercise bottoms now!). Puttered around mostly. Finally hemmed my slacks - they don't look so hot. We'll see how they look when I press the hems. I did them by machine, but I might have to re-do them by hand. We'll see. Who really gets a close look at them, all the way down by the ground, hahaha.

Took the "before" photos of my towel/car seat cover. Prolly gonna work on the re-do tonight.

We're going to get an ice cream cone and perhaps go to the cruise night at the train station, so I better get my photos posted and skedaddle.

Re the photos, shots of front and back. The back shows the elastic, which I didn't have a problem with until recently. Now I have a heck of a time putting it on and taking it off, hence the redo for something that's hopefully easier to deal with. Took measurements today, ready to get busy on this.

Pic of my new beach towel, each side. Love it! Other photo is my sis's really old Budweiser beach towel - love the flowers decorating it!!

ENJOY THE REST OF YOUR WEEKEND.


PLUMBING WAS DONE EARLY BUT ALARMS CONTINUED.
ONE WOMAN HAD TERRIBLE PAIN & A PACE MAKER.
I FELT SO SORRY FOR HER.
THEN THE DAY QUIETED DOWN IN THE AFTERNOON
.
I WENT OUTSIDE FOR A FEW BUT THE HUMIDITY WAS ROUGH.
REMINDED THE SENIORS OUT THERE TO COME IN EARLY.

NOTHING ELSE NEW WITH ME.
MAYBE IT'S THIS SUPER MOON MAKING THINGS CRAZY
HAVE A GREAT DAY.



SHAD...HOPE THE FLIGHT WAS UNEVENTFUL.
HAVE A GREAT TIME WITH EVERYONE.




LAURA....LOVE THE COLORFUL SEAT AND BEACH TOWEL.
HOPE YOU FIND AN EASIER WAY FOR THE SEAT COVER TO FIT.
YOU ARE A HANDY GAL TO HAVE AROUND THE HOUSE.
NO WONDER BF LOVES YOU

Morning girls,

By now the "bus" has left southern WI and is headed north. I hope they don't run into bad weather on the trip up - doesn't look that great out there. I am still in cleaning frenzy but I think I'll manage to get as much as I "need" to done. Never enough time no matter how well you plan.

Love the graphic Mel - take care of those seniors. You could use a little cooling breeze it sounds like. How was the shepards pie?

What a great Budweiser towel Laura! No wonder you took it for your own. Seat covers look great. I am amazed at your skills!

Safe travels Shad - have a great trip. As for Target I have always found their clothes to run small - really small. Seems like their clothing is sized to fit tall, slim Asian women. Walmart used to be like that but got more realistic.

Ceejay - you are right, the insulation will help a lot with the heating and cooling. I think that's wise to retire the Do Not Disturb sign - just keep saying no and the girls will get the message.

Hi's to the rest of the Worldlies - time to get cracking again. I probably won't post much either for the next week. Will be on the quieter side here. Have a good one everybody.

Morning
Didn't get a lot done yesterday. Mainly I piddled around. Fixed chicken in the crock pot and it smelled like chicken and dumplings so I made some dumplings. First time I've cooked in a long, long time.
Got up thinking about the baby's birthday this morning. He turned one yesterday but they are having his party this afternoon. Wish I could be there.
I was outside cleaning out my truck when my neighbor came walking down the street which is kind of unusual for her especially in the heat. She had locked her keys in the car. So I told her I would take her back to her truck. Low and behold I grab my purse, sunglasses and as soon as I locked and closed the door I realized I had locked the keys in the house. Her son came to try to break in for me but the couldn't, which I'm glad in a way. At least I know that my lock works. A professional thief might be able to break in. They had the latch out but the door would not budge. He asked me if someone was on the other side holding the door. I said no-but thought about possible an angel being there. My neighbor had the landlords personal cell phone so I called and told him. He said someone would be there shortly. He was in Jonesboro. Before they got out of the driveway to go get her truck some one was there to unlock the door.
Had a notice in my box this morning that some revisions has been made in the hand book policy concerning retirement. Since I'm 62+ I have to give a written notice 3 months in advance. I'm supposing so they can have time to pull out our retirement funds.

---------------------
Mel
Hope things settle down for you today. There is a full moon this week so you are probably right about the seniors.

Annie
Glad your knees are healing. Don't know why the knees are so sensitive but the are. Almost like the elbow. I don't blame you for not hiring a maid. I could have used someone to mow the lawn but it's good exercise. And evidently I'm melting off some fat. I'm waiting next week end to mow around 6.30 p.m. Most of my yard is shaded by then. Do you have a riding mower?

Not much else is going on.

POSTING NOW FOR TOMORROW.
I HAVE SOME WORK IN THE MORNING AND ALSO TENANTS NEED HELP.
THE GOVT IS TAKING BACK THE SENIOR CELL PHONES.
NOW THE SENIORS HAVE TO MAKE A CALL TO KEEP THEIR HOUSE PHONE.
SO THE GOVT GIVETH AND NOW TAKETH AWAY.
WHAT A FRASSING MESS THIS IS.
IT WAS A FOOL IDEA IN THE FIRST PLACE.
A WASTE OF GOVT MONEY.
MOST OF THEM DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO USE IT ANYWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

TODAY WAS RELATIVELY QUIET AND I FEEL A LOT BETTER.
STORMS ARE COMING THIS WEEK & MY SINUSES KNOW IT ALREADY

OFF TO WATCH HARRY POTTER2.
HOPE YOU ALL HAVE A GREAT MONDAY





HAPPY....I HOPE YOU ALL HAVE A GREAT VISIT.
ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF IT.
THE SHEPHERD'S PIE WAS GREAT.
ANOTHER TJ HEAT & EAT MIRACLE!
HAVE LOADS OF FUN THIS WEEK






CEEJAY.......THEY HAVE THE SAME 3 MOMNTH RULE DOWN IN THE OFFICE.
BET YOU CAN'T WAIT TO WRITE THAT LETTER
SORRY TO HEAR YOU GOT LOCKED OUT.
THAT WAS GOOD IN A WAY THAT YOU FOUND OUT THE PLACE IS SAFE!!
YOU CAN REST EASY ABOUT BREAK INS.
HOPE YOUR 3 DAYS WERE GOOD AND SAVE ME SOME DUMPLINGS!
BEEN A VERY LONG TIME SINCE I MADE ANYTHING LIKE THAT!!

Evening all,
Not stopping for long since I am on the nieces computer. It's cold, but the days have been quite pleasant and not bad at all. Pleased.

Trying to get some times fixed up so I can see all the people I want to see.

Back later

Shad
Glad you arrived safely.

Mel
That's horrible about the gov taking away the cell phones. Don't work to hard.

Happy
Enjoy the time with family.

------
My niece posted pictures of the birthday party for our one year old. He was really enjoying that cake. I'm missing out on a lot of things.
Nothing new here. I did ride the bike for 20 minutes. Not sure what good it did after eating 3 slices of pizza. But I did it. Going to try and stay on plan today. So far so good.

Morning all.

Mel - Glad things quieted down. Hope this phone thing isn't too much hassle. Were the phones for emergencies only? I've heard about programs to give old cell phones to people who don't have any phone service at all. Apparently cell phones that don't even have service can be used to make a 911 call. Sounds good...but only if the person would use it!!

Happy - Hope your guests arrived safe and sound and are enjoying the north woods. Have fun.

Mel - Mmmm, chicken & dumplings sounds good. Sorry you locked yourself out, but good to know your place isn't that easy to get into! I'm sure you will be quite ready three months in advance to submit notice of your retirement!!!

Shad - Enjoy your time in NZ. Hope you get to visit with all the peeps you want to see.

Hellos to Michelle & Annie.

===
Nothing much to report. I went to the farmers market Sunday morning and bought some strawberries, peaches and corn. Stopped at the bakery for a couple pastries - my Sunday morning weakness. Have to limit that! Did some laundry, weed pulling, ironing, and reading. I got about halfway through my car seat cover project. On my walk with doggy I was skirting around someone's sidewalk covered with what I'm guessing are mulberries that had dropped from his tree. Must not have skirted far enough - I managed to get a mulberry in my sandal. Squished my heel into it - what a mess! Wiped off my sandal and my foot, but of course my foot was stained with it, LOL.

Didn't sleep very soundly yesterday. I'm still not happy with my pillow situation. The buckwheat hull pillow isn't working out - I though it would hold whatever shape I molded it into, but no. The fiberfill pillows are too puffy for me. The memory foam pillow gets way too warm, and it compresses too much. The closest to what I like is my foam rubber pillow, but it's too puffy. I think I thinner/low profile one would be perfect. They're not all that easy to find, and it seems too hard to buy something like that online, but I'll try.

Tonight will be Jazzercise.

Boss isn't here yet - wonder if she's just late today or taking another day off work. Whatever, another quiet day is welcome.

Morning Lovely Chicklets.....

Yesterday was a busy day. Cleaned the entire house, all laundry done, garden weeded. Even cleaned out the refrigerator. Lemon oiled my kitchen cubbords. Made roast in the crocker, a huge salad and kidney beans..toot toot!! <---in honor of HAPPYs new kitty.

LAURA...I have issues with my pillows also. I have never found one that I like my entire life. I just fight with it all night long and I have tried a million of them. Strawberries and peaches sound delish!! Corn gives me gut troubles so I steer clear of it.

HAPPY.....my kids always tell me, "mom you should clean after your guest instead of before" Kind of makes sense. I am too OCD about cleaning before guests to do that.

SHADDIE...glad you arrived at your destination safely.

MELLIE..are you going to TJs this week? Poor Jen and Richie on the kid thing, Xs can be such a PIA then it kind of rubs off onto the kids, like a carry over. Bleh on that.

CEEG...bad enough to get locked out of your house, but when you are trying to help someone else who is locked out is like getting a double whammy. Glad it all work out ok.

Hey Michelle...you must be enjoying CA way too much. lol.

Better post and do something, even if it is wrong.

Hugs

Good morning ladies -

I'm really tired today...not sure why as I slept well. Saturday was fun! A woman who is a member of my Schnauzer meetup group (which doesn't really meet up all that often - LOL) came over to my house to teach me how to groom Santa. She breeds and shows champion Miniature Schnauzer so she grooms her dogs very often and has for years. She actually brought over a portable grooming table and all her clippers and scissors and we set up shop in the driveway (easier than doing it in the house and getting hair all over everything). She would groom a section and then have me do the other half. Santa was very good and held quite still. Santa looks positively gorgeous after his cut. It wasn't that difficult to groom Santa, though he may not look nearly as good next time when I'm doing it myself.

Saturday night, I invited D (the guy I've been going out with) and a couple of our mutual friends over for dinner and to play cards. To refresh your memory, D is someone I used to date before I met my ex. He's a sweet guy. I'm not sure where this will go or even where I want it to go, but it's nice to go out with him. D and I have known the other couple for probably 30 years. It was a lot of fun for us all to get together! It was nearly 11:30 when they left.

Yesterday, I slept in, and awoke with a headache. The biggest thing I did yesterday was take Santa to the dog park for an hour or so, then I came home and helped my step-mom with some yard work. After that, I didn't feel well, so I took a nap.

I just learned that my friend who drove out from Wisconsin with me is in San Francisco on business and has time to see me this afternoon/evening, so I'll head up there after work. Hopefully, I can find her hotel and some place good to eat without getting lost.

======================
Annie - I'm so sorry to hear about your knees and your wobbliness. That sucks. I didn't know that wobbliness is a side effect. I've been trying to follow a more "diabetes-friendly" way of eating, but I have trouble sticking to it. Sounds like your Saturday was super busy. I hope Sassy can stop rolling in poo. Santa likes to roll on the grass, but thankfully there's no poo there. Could Sam pick up Sassy's poo after she goes? Of course there'd still be rabbit poo to roll in. Dang, girlfriend, I got tired just reading about all you got done yesterday!

Happy - Glad to hear the kitties are liking their new home. Funny you should ask about the appeal of the midwest for me...my ex took me there for a vacation, and I loved the rural countryside. And there were jobs, when there weren't any in Silicon Valley. I am glad to be back home though. Hope you are having a wonderful visit with your family!

Ceejay - It would really be a bummer if your landlord increased the rent because of the added insulation. Hopefully he won't. In any case, your utility bill should go down. As for the healthy eating and exercise, it sounds like the summer is gearing all of us up for that. The chicken and dumplings sound delicious! Bummer that you were locked out of your place for awhile..but good thing it's difficult to break into!

Mel - Too bad about all the alarms. I can only imagine how exhausting that must be. Glad the kids got to the trailer ok. I hope it turns out to be enjoyable for them even though they weren't looking forward to it. I hope today goes better than the weekend was.

Shad - I hope you're enjoying your stay in NZ. I agree with you about the made in China sizes. And the sizes at Target do tend to run very small. I hope the sister has a great b'day celebration! Have a wonderful time with family and friends in NZ!

Laura - The obedience class is going fairly well, but Santa is taking awhile to learn certain things...like not to pull on the leash when walking. I feel the same way about hems for pants...who really looks at them. Those are great beach towels, Laura! I love the flowers on the Budweiser towel. Bummer that you're having such trouble finding a good pillow. I use a memory foam one and it doesn't get too warm, which is nice.

I gotta get back to work...lots to get done.

Love and hugs,

Michelle
I bet Santa will learn quickly. And that in no time you will be as good a groomer as the rest. Hope you can find your mom a hotel/motel room that's easy for you to get to.

Laura
I have trouble with my neck if I sleep on a regular pillow. I have one of those angled pillows that fit under my neck. It sure has helped. Can't remember now what they are called.
I like the low carb thing. I need to watch my cholesterol also.

Annie
The roast sounds good. I may have to do that this week end. I'm liking my crock pot. Do you brown your roast before you put it in the crock pot? Just curious. Is Sassy doing better as Sissy's?

-----
It's hot outside today.
I've looked both last night and the night before for the super moon. Couldn't tell much difference except that it lit up the night ski. Reminded me of the October moon.
Rode the bike for 20 minutes last night.
I'll be looking forward to May 2015 which is when I turn in my notice. Will be retiring 9-1-2015.

Hi Ceejay - Thanks for the kind words about Santa's learning ability and my grooming ability. We'll get there. It's not my mom that needs a hotel room. I'm meeting a friend at her hotel in San Francisco, and I dislike driving in San Francisco...too many one way streets...too many hills....too much traffic...and too little parking. Oh well, we'll have a fun time anyway. I'm leaving in 1/2 hour to hopefully beat the traffic. I know you asked Annie, but when I make a roast in the crock-pot, I always brown it first. Good for you for bike riding, and for setting your retirement date!

IF I TOLD YOU WHAT KIND OF DAY IT WAS YOU WOULDN'T BELIEVE ME.
IT'S LIKE THE ENTIRE WORLD HAS GONE NUTS.
JUST FINISHED WITH THE FRASSING FIRE DEPARTMENT.
TENANTS BURNING THE BUILDING DOWN AGAIN
TENANTS PASSING OUT. OVERHEATED, DEHYDRATED. WTF!!
I TOLD THEM THE NEXT ONE IS GETTING RIDDEN OVER BY ME!!
JUST GOT OFF THE PHONE WITH MY POOR BOSS WHO IS ALSO WRUNG OUT.
SHE CALLED SOME PEOPLE AND I CALLED THE OTHERS.
AT LEAST WE CAN WORK TOGETHER AND GIVE EACH OTHER A BREAK.
THE HOUSING'S FINANCES ALL OVER THE COUNTRY ARE GOING DOWN THE CHITTER.
CUTBACKS ALL OVER THE PLACE.
I WILL PROBABLY BE NEXT.
I WISH!!! I SHOULD BE SO LUCKY TO GET FIRED.

I DID NOT GO OUTSIDE CAUSE THE AIR IS AWFUL.
OK....I AM DONE WITH MY RANT...LET ME READ POSTS AND DO PERSONALS. I'LL TRY TO BE KIND!





SHAD....I HOPE YOU GET TO SEE EVERYONE AND EVERYTHING.
STAY WARM. ITS AFRICA HOT OVER HERE
MAYBE I SHOULD JUST FLY OVER THERE.
WE CAN VISIT IN PERSON AND SCREW THE PHONE!!




CEEJAY....YOU WILL HAVE MANY PArties to go to when you retire.
then you can enjoy the family.
doing a great job exercisinG. keep it up!!
PIZZA....




LAURA....THE PHONES WERE 25O MINUTES FREE EACH MONTH FOR WHATEVER YOU WANTED THEM FOR.
BUT THEY SHOULD HAVE REALIZED THE GOVT ALREADY GAVE THE WENIORS A PRICE BREAK YEARS AGO
THAT'S WHY THEY'RE CALLING FOR THEM BACK OR YOU MAKE A CHOICE WHIICH YOU WANT. I CHOSE THE LANDLINE.
CELLS WERE NO USE WHEN 911 HAPPENED!!!
I WOULD LOVE TO GO TO THE FARMERS MARKET WITH YOU!!
PILLOWS ARE A PITA! I USE A NECKROLL THAT MUST BE ABOUT 25 YEARS OLD

ANNIE....I LOVED THE SMELL OF LEMON OIL.
REMINDS ME OF MY NANA. SHE ALWAYS USED IT.
THANKS FOR THE MEMORY. I NEEDED IT TONITE
I WAS SUCH A CRANKY F_CK TONITE!!
NEXT WEEK IS TRADERS AND I CAN HARDLY WAIT!!!



MICHELLE.....SO GLAD SANTA GOT THE SPA TREATMENT. HOW CUTE.
ALSO GLAD YOU HAD GOOD TIMES WITH D AND YOUR FRIENDS.
YOU NEED GOOD TIMES
WHO CARES WHERE IT IS GOING...YOU ARE HAPPY RIGHT NOW.