Morning...

Thank you HAPPY for the MEL/JEN update. I, too, would like to have Jen's apt # please PM me. WOW sounds like you got the once over on the body works. I believe in the flu shot. I have had one every year for about the past 10 years. So far during that time, I have only had a cold maybe 4 or 5 times. Sinuses act up all the time but that is about it. Walking to accommodate for the feet def change your gait, I am noticing it on me. Thank GOD I am going to the specialist next week. We are going to be a funny bunch on that commune with all our walking difficulties, like a bunch of Igors dragging our way around. hahahaha. Now that Nina is feeling better, she will probably be partying down with your DH while you are gone. lol

CHELLE...I sent you more pix to your gmail addy. The dropbox is too much for me to mess with (my little bitty mind can't handle it right now). What did the doc say about your eye? Fun meds to mess with? And yes I am ready to come visit you. You know how I hate cold weather and snow. Bleh. Tonight's low is in the 20s. Burr I say!

CEEG....I think the bees are from the south and have all kinds of inbred family relatives, you might just be out of luck on getting rid of them all. lol I think C cut our grass for the last time, last week. Hopefully.

Hey to the rest of ya's.

Hugs and Loves.

Oh, I almost forgot. I wanted to share a dream I had the night before. It was so beautiful.

It was about 10 pm and a nice warm summer evening. I was outside and all of the sudden there were shooting stars everywhere. Then there were several shooting star showers. I kept running around trying to get everyone to watch them because they were so gorgeous. That is the whole dream, just watching the star showers, almost like fireworks, then wanting everyone else to see them too.

What is your take on that dream? Just curious?

Annie
Loved your dream.

Happy
Thanks for the update on Mel/Jen. I know the feeling with the lower back and hip problems. You've reminded me that I need to make an appointment with the gyn. His office has mailed me a card so it's time for me also.

Michelle
How was your doctor's appointment?

Hi Susie

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I've been out to check on the yellow jackets. It's still cool so they aren't moving around to much. I though I had gotten all the burned pieces of their nest but found a few more. One was trying to go back inside it. These are working bee's for sure.
Friend called last night wanting to go eat today so I relented and said yes. Think she's upset about not going to Hardy. But when she couldn't go when it was scheduled I thought why go at all. I've held my ground. I've enjoyed my time off this week. Think I could get used to retirement.

Annie - Googled your dream: Shooting Star

To see a shooting star in your dream is a sign of self-fulfillment and advancement. A shooting star is also symbolic of a new birth and big changes in your life.

How appropriate!!

Thanks Laura...how cool is that? I love it.

Morning all. Feels like a Friday. Alas, there's one more day to go. Sigh.

Ceejay - Enjoy your lunch today.

Happy - Thanks for the update on Mel from Jen. If you could also PM me Jen's apt # that would be great. I don't want anything I send there to go astray. I imagine Mel's apt will no longer be hers sometime in the near future. I hope the cortisone shot helps your hip and all the other parts that are hurting. A massage sure sounds good to me! I'm sure you, your mom and your sis are all looking forward to having time together. That'll be nice. LOL picturing your dh partying with the kiddies - party hats and all.

Michelle - How's your eye? Hope it heals quickly. YES, a visit with you in sunny CA sure sounds good right about now. It wasn't quite as cold as yesterday morning, but my quick rides on the bike to the train in the AM are not pleasant, even wearing a headband, scarf and gloves. The cold air hits my eyes and makes them water!! Enjoy being where you are!!!

Annie - what a nice dream! So were there a lot of keeper fish from C's fishing day? Yum.

Hellos to Shad and Susie!!
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Lunch with my HS friend was nice yesterday. Always interesting because she's always got something going on in her life.

Last Barre class was last night. Bf arranged a VIP pass for me for his gym that's good for two weeks, so I'll really get a good idea if I like the group fitness classes enough to get myself a membership. I'm hoping so because right now the jacuzzi and sauna they have there sound really good to me.

I'm still under a 12-hour fast before my health evaluation, which is at 11:10 am. Yep, I'm a wee bit hungry and sure would like a nice cup of tea...but nope. Not for another hour and 21 minutes. I'll leave work a bit early today for an appt to get an echocardiogram - the doc wants one done every couple years because I have a heart murmur.

Other than that, nothing going on tonight. I do have to get going on one of my sewing projects - halloween costumes for a party bf and I are going to this Saturday. There really isn't even a need to sew this simple project, but I will. I'll keep it a secret for now until I have a picture to post...

The boss is out of the office today and tomorrow, so that's nice.

Okay, better get this posted. Meeting in a few minutes. TTFN!

Morning all,

Sent you guys some PMs.

I feel a tiny bit better this morning. But just a hair. My neck is not as stiff nor is my upper thigh. The injection site is a bit sore - I'm thinking my neck will probably feel better by the time my physical therapy appointment rolls around. I get my hair done tonight. I just want them to lightly trim the ends - don't like it when it's too short - I can't do anything with it and I feel like I have Mike Ditka hair - except it's 80 percent thinner than his - just his kind of hair style I am mulling over what color to go with also. Usually this time of year I got with reds and start to darken up. I could go with a more funky color which probably would go well with the short hair but everyone is doing purple highlights now and if you know me, I have NEVER been one to follow the crowd! Got some time to think it over. I'm also going to make another batch of fresh apple juice and we are finishing up installing the new shades so we'll be able to put the living room back in order again. Why does my font keep shrinking as I type????? It only happens on this site and really bugs the daylights out of me!!!!!!!

Michelle - hope your eye is better as is Santa. Thanks for the invite - I'll hold off until you move to San Diego to a place on the beach

Cool dream Annie - beats the one where someone is chasing you and trying to kill you. I would just enjoy it for what it is. We actually saw something like that when we were in Las Vegas and rushed out to the desert to see the Leonids Meteor shower. Everywhere we looked the sky was full of fireworks. It was A-Maze-Ing !!!! It's nice that Sissy is experimenting with cooking - she has the best teacher!

Ceejay - I hope you don't have those dreadful bees that bury their nests in the ground. They are so dangerous because you can't always see the nests. Be careful that you don't get stung.

Shad - sounds like you are very busy getting things together for the next leg of your trip.

Laura - I know what you mean about the fasting and being hungry. Hope your exam goes well. Drink enough water so that the blood draw isn't too painful. I was reading a Martha Stewart Living magazine in the doctor's office. Apparently she makes a big deal about Halloween and even devotes an issue to it. They dressed her as a fairy godmother and she had an elegant costume but it was only made of gathered tulle with a unitard underneath. Rather clever when you realized how simple it was to put together. I will remember that if I ever want to look like a giant ball of fluff and don't feel like putting a lot of effort into it. With your love for sewing, I'd love to see the costumes you come up with for you and BF.

Ok my screen keeps shrinking and it's REALLY annoying me so I'm going to get off here and go help DH.

Hi Susie - have a good one everybody.

Morning all,
Sorry if I haven't been around much. I've been reading in between bouts of working in the yard and mulching everything to an inch of it life. DS2 has come up with a person to house sit for me while I am away. I met up with them last night. This guy is like my son. Giving up a good job to take up a vocation. This one is joining the police force. Hope he is prepared for people to hate him. Anyway, he is moving in on Sunday - I am moving out on Sunday. I just have to ensure the house is ready to deal with him. I am so tired. I've been getting up very early to ensure I get the yard work done before the sun gets too hot and the bugs start bugging me. I should really be out there right now but I haven't yet really woken up. Last night was a wipeout as far as sleep goes. Managed to get a bit of sleep but woke up at 2.00am to the sound of a door closing. Haven't worked out that came from yet. Then at 3.00am another door closed. It's so quiet here at night that sounds carry. I don't think it came from anywhere around my place.

Nice to hear a message from Mel. Thanks Happy. I have no objection to anyone writing to Jen and Mel, and may not have much time to be team lead on this one from now on, so go for it. I'll pass on anything I might get when I am able. Mel at least sounds a bit more Mel like. I miss her. I don't have Jen's apartment number either, so maybe someone might like to pass it on so I don't send stuff which may go astray.

Okay, I am off to get dressed and into the garden, I'll try to get back later with personals.

I'm going to have to read your posts later...My eyesight isn't very good yesterday or today and I'm only picking up bits and pieces. My left eye is still very swollen, but I'm using the antibiotic ointment, and applying HOT compresses several times a day to help the infection drain. The doc said it might take a few days to a week for the swelling to go down/infection to go away. Santa seems to be doing a lot better. He barely coughed yesterday and today even after a lot of barking. So I'm optimistic that he'll be able to go to day care by Monday.

Happy - I didn't get a PM from you, but maybe that's because you FB messaged me. The Leonids in the desert outside of Vegas must've been awesome!

Laura - How cool that you're making Halloween costumes for you and BF. You must take pictures so that we can send them to Mel.

Annie - That is a way cool dream!

Ceejay - I hope you're enjoying your time off.

Big to Shad and Susie!

I'm going to sign off for now. The conference call for my online writing workshop starts soon. Luckily, with the conference call it's more listening with only occasional note taking. I think I can do it with 1 good eye. If my eye doesn't get better, maybe I should go as a pirate for Halloween...complete with an eye patch!

Have a good evening everyone!

Much love,

Morning all,

Short post for me as I have to get ready to go to the dentist shortly. NOT looking forward to that - I'd rather get 5 shots all over again. It's because my teeth are very sensitive and no matter what I get a few zingers as they are doing the work so basically I just sit in a chair and wait for the pain to hit which is torture. Not that my dentist is unsympathetic - it's just that I am more sensitive than most and they think they are doing something that should not hurt when bam - feet fly into the air and they are apologizing. After that I am covering for my co-worker buddy at the shop.

Got my hair done yesterday. It's short again - which was my doing as I pointed out a picture. It's also darker than I think I would have liked. A chocolate brown with red highlights to make it look like an auburn. Pretty color in all but I think a bit too dark and harsh for me. Of course I am coming off a blondish color so this is quite a difference. Oh well it will fade and lighten up a bit. I'm seeing a bit of relief from the cortisone shot but not a lot - I think one shot was not enough to take care of the inflammation so I might make another appointment next week if this doesn't ease up over the weekend.

Michelle - you poor thing - that eye sounds horrid. How did you get an infection in it? I hope it clears up quickly - it's hard walking around with one eye - gives quite a strain too. Glad Santa seems to be doing better. I guess you guys both need a good dose of warm sunshine.

Shad - you certainly have a bundle of frustration this week, don't you? Compounded by the fact that you are getting ready to leave. I hope you can get things straightened out. Can't believe you are STILL having problems with that silly power company. Don't let everything get to you - deep breath and one thing at a time.

I should go jump on the shower now so I'll sign off saying hello to the rest of the crew and I will catch up tonight. Have a good day.

Here we are at TGIF again. Life just goes faster and faster. Hard to believe Sissy is at the halfway mark 20 weeks already. Chicken salad sandwiches and watermelon for dinner last night. Very simple and easy. My bro came over for our life coach session. It is pretty helpful, but now I have to write a goal statement. I just hate doing that.

HAPPY...can the dentist numb you before he does any work? Mine always does cause I insist since I have sensitivity to the work also. I know the legs flinging out straight and grabbing the handles on the chair with all your might feeling. Hope all goes well with you this morning. Hugs.

CHELLE...how is your eye coming along and also Santa. Did he go to daycare today? I think I would of let him stay out for one more day to be safe.

SHADDIE...sorry your are in a whirlwind trying to get things done before you leave. Great that you have a house sitter. Eases the mind just a bit. If I heard doors closing in the middle of night, living alone, I would be up out of bed with my shotgun. lol Safe travels sister.

LAURA...can't wait to see your costumes. How did the health evaluation come out? Have you started the next phase of WW at work yet?

HI ya CEEG and Susie..

Have a great Friday, make it a freaky Friday...BOO!

Michelle
Are you a home todaywith your eye? It doesn't seem feesable to go to work like that. Glad Santa is feeling better.

Happy
You will get used to the new hair color. This cool weather is helping either with the bursitis.
Don't envy your trip to the dentist either. Hope all goes well there.

Laura
Don't think I could have handled the Barre class. Are you going to a movie this week end?

Annie
Wow, time is passing quickly. It confuses me now a days with the counting of weeks during a pregnancy. But I'm happy that Sissy is doing well.

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Ah two more day of vacation time left. I've really enjoyed my time off. Makes me yearn for retirement even more. But that will come soon, especially with the time going by so fast.

I'm still having some symptoms of the diverticulitis so the next couple of days I'm going to start over with the diet aspect of it to see if this will help. If not next Thursday I'm going back to the doctor. I may have to stay on this very strict diet for awhile.
I'm uspet with the neighbors. They are young men and will not take their garbage to the curb. I'm going to call the street and sanitation dept Monday. There's at least a month's worth of garbage. It's beginning to smell. and the squirrels and cats are getting into the garbage. I've had to pick up some of there stuff that's come over into my yard. They are good guys, and can I say quiet too. But this garbage issue is getting on my nerves. One thing I can say is they like pizza. Bet there's 10 boxes out there.

Morning all. TGIF and the boss is out another day!

Annie - I'm not into doing that type of goal stuff either. I took home the big career development binder we got at the session last month but haven't done anything with it. I thought it might be a good idea to take some of the other assessments in there. Haven't done that or the career dev plan we're supposed to put together. Good thing the boss is in another world right now and isn't focusing on this stuff. Michelle is the of this kind of stuff. Yes, our first meeting of the session was this past Tuesday. I had a gain of 1.8 pounds - been engaging in self-pity eating because of this bladder thing. Dumb. It seems to have eased up, but it's still hard to get back on track. I'm working on it!!!

Happy - Good luck at the dentist - hope you don't get any zings of pain. I agree - give me all the shots, I don't want to feel anything. Sorry the cortisone shot isn't taking care of the pain/inflammation. Good to just get back in and get another. Your hair color sounds pretty - you're so brave with your hair color! I just keep to the same shade. Sometimes I think it looks a bit too dark and harsh-looking, so I get it a bit lighter, but that's it for me. Have a good shift at the shop today.

Shad - Good to have a house-sitter, and I should hope a police officer candidate would work out nicely for you. Hope you catch up on your sleep!!

Michelle - I hope your eye heals soon - though I do like you pirate eye patch idea, lol.

Hellos to Ceejay & Susie!!
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My health evaluation went well yesterday, but all they did was draw blood and take my blood pressure - no weighing or measuring of height/waist. Bf did his at a local lab and I did mine on site at the office - wonder if that's the reason for the difference?

Left work a bit early for my EKG, bf met me at the metra stop nearby. Afterwards we went out for dinner at a place in the area - very mediocre. Everything was rather salty too. Bf had been there before, but for breakfast. Apparently the breakfasts were better. Anyway, no need to go back there...

Back at home I put together our Halloween costumes. Basically cutting and machine stitching of the easiest sort, and the stitching could have been substituted by glue. I'm setting your expectations here - these are not elaborate by any means! Yes, I'll make sure to get a photo.

My bike was left at the station yesterday, so I walked to the train today. Walking obviously takes longer than cycling, but I do feel like I get more exercise that way. I'll adjust to the cold eventually... I have to get a new battery for my pedometer. I actually wouldn't mind getting one of those Fitbit gadgets. In addition to your physical activity, I hear it tracks your sleep. I generally sleep just fine, so I don't think that's an issue. But I'm curious about how much I move around at night. Sometimes I think I sleep like a log and don't even move!

Tonight bf and I might go to the gym. Tomorrow night is the Halloween party, so sometime before that, I want to make something to bring. They are serving chili, so I thought some cornbread might be nice. Or maybe a dessert. They said they'll have a "graveyard dessert" and that sounds like some awful kiddie thing... Of course I have no business contemplating sweets, so maybe I should be boring and bring veggies.

Okay, better get back to work. Everyone have a great day.

LAURA...I haven't been to a halloween party in 5+ years. I don't really like dressing up for some reason. HPs are not my bag I guess. A couple of girls have fitbits here at work. At first they seemed to have trouble getting them to work, I think mostly hooking up with Humana's vitality site, rather than it working itself. Now they like them. Yeah on the boss not being in and not paying attention to work.

CEEG...I dread coming back to work after the weekend, much less after a week of vacation. I get the Sunday afternoon I don't want to go back to work blues. Plus the piles of crap that needs to be caught up on. THe neighbor guys sound stinky and I would call the sanitation dept on the too. That is just plain gross and disrespectful to the neighbors.

Chat later chickies, have a marvelous weekend if I don't get back.

OH HAPPY...what day are you leaving for your momma's??

Annie - The fitbit appeals to me because I believe the only cost is just the cost to purchase it. WW has some kind of gadget, but you pay $5/mo to see your activity on their website. I like the idea of dressing up for a halloween party, but I like costumes in which I can be comfortable. I don't want to have to wear a box or sandwich board, and I don't want to wear a mask or funky makeup. Forgot to comment about how time flies - your dd is already halfway there!! Wow.

Ceejay - Not planning on seeing a movie this weekend, but we still want to see Gravity at some point. Ick re the neighbors not putting out their trash for collection! But funny that it's so much pizza boxes, LOL. Enjoy the last of your time off.