Kate: Somehow I guess I had forgotten that you were moving. If I ever knew that. downsizing is good. That is what we did, but now I have found lots of ways to put in all the stuff, and once again it is time to start tossing the stuff I haven't used in a year. You are right - no more frigid winters for us, unless it is some sort of family emergency. We do plan to come north this summer and do our tour like we have done before. Some of this travel is going to depend on how our doggie is doing. Right now she is okay, but it is a waiting game, with her old age.

Went to Curves today. I try to go 3 times a week. There are 5 of us from our park who go and we try to ride together as much as we can. Because it is about a 15 minute drive. I have been looking up Curves in the places we will be going this summer, and know that there will be an opportunity to go in a couple of the towns.

Siwa: Gee, March 10 is not that far away. We are doing our chorus show on the 15th and I am now in the pulling out hair stage, thinking it isn't going to come together. Hope you don't run into any spring snow on your way home.

Maybe they will make Mama Mia into a movie. What do you think of all the controversy over the 'The Passion of Jesus Christ' I read so many conflicting arguments. I don't remember any of this stuff, when they made the movie 'The Greatest Story Ever Told.' I sort of think there are some personal axes to grind and the press just eats up any sort of controversy.

Alice: Isn't there some way that you can give a little push to the 'hold up the works guy'? It is criminal that one person can be so irresponsible, and hold up everyone.

Candice: What is going on with you?

Have a good day, all. Ann

Good morning,

I finally have some good news. The surveyor called Sunday evening and said that the paperwork was done and he brought the maps over yesterday afternoon. His brother, who does the septic, had been down to the cottage to do a perc test for the buyers, but the ground is too frozen and he can't do anything until the frost comes out of the ground. At least things have started moving. How this all came about is, my girlfriend, who is also the RE agent in all of this, knows a lawyer who represents the bank the buyers are financing through. She asked the lawyer to give the surveyor a call. I assume the lawyer did because everything started happening. I would KILL to know what the lawyer said to him.

Ann, that would be nice if they made Mama Mia into a movie. Last week I heard through the grapevine that a Curves will be opening up in the town next to our's sometime this spring. I'm kinda excited about it. The closest one now is 10 miles one way. Glad that your doggie is doing better.

Kate, how is your cold? Hopefully you're starting to feel better. I find that if I'm really busy I don't think about food at all. Hope things will settle down soon for you at work as you get used to your new place. We still have some pretty cold mornings, but it warms up into the high 30's during the day. It's nice as long as we don't have any wind. I have managed a couple of walks outside with Lacee, so we don't go very far. She's very happy to get out of the house too. Did you read Cold Mountain? My MIL sent it to me, but I thought it was awfully boring. It probably didn't help that I saw the movie before I read the book. I was glad when I finished it.

Siwa, are you still having nice weather?

Hi Candice, Barb, hope everything is well with you.

Have a good day everyone.
Alice

The warm sunny days left with my parents yesterday. Rained really hard and there were flood watches for nearby areas. It was so windy that the condo complex had problems w/automatic doors closing, including the elevator doors. After several tries we made it up to the 10th floor. It's too difficult to explain how the elevators are outside--sorry.

ALICE--Hooray! Finally some progress.

KATE--Glad to see you've returned but not happy to hear about your cold. I too have escaped having one for several yrs. My parents often go to Las Vegas for a few wks in the winter. My dad's sister lives there. I'd been watching the temps there cuz I was feeling bad we had cold temps but then I saw that LV had pretty much the same temps. Cold all over the US this winter.

Hi all,
Didn't make it to Curves today. I don't want to go and spread my cold germs all around so I'll wait another day and see how I feel. My back is doing better. I've been putting Ben Gay on it at night and Vicks on my chest and under my nose. I smell great

Ann: Just our work department is moving. Heavens, I can't imagine having to unload this house. A couple years ago I got on a tangent that we had to get things cleaned out because I don't want our kids to have to do it. My DH and I are both collectors. We did get rid of some things, but there's still a lot to do. I remember how bad it was with his mother. What music are you doing for your show? I've been reading a lot about Mel Gibson's movie. I'm not sure if I want to see it or not....just because of the explicitness of it. It sounds like it's quite graphic. I don't have a problem with the content.

Alice: Glad that things are finally moving on your cottage. Sometimes it just takes a little prod from the right people! I meant to tell you that I like the picture of you and Lacee. Very nice...now I'd know you if we passed on the street Abby hasn't been as lucky as Lacee, no walks outside yet although DH did take her to the park once. The snow has been so deep and crusty that she had a hard time walking and was pooped when she got back. Haven't read Cold Mountain or seen the movie. Did you like the movie?

Siwa: The weather sure isn't cooperating for you. Hope that the rain and wind have stopped by now. I'm guessing that your aunt must live in the outskirts of LV. We flew in at night and it seems to stretch endlessly. It was a pretty sight. It was sweater weather, but that's considerable lighter than what I've been wearing here this winter! Is your DS taking care of your house while you're away?

The kitchen calls....time to think about getting dinner ready. Hi Candice and Barb. What's new?

Take care,
Kate

KATE--Yes, DS is watching the house with the exception of the next few days. DS just arrived VERY late. We're still up late talking. While he's here a friend of mine is staying w/the cats and fish. We're so lucky to have someone to always stay at our house.

Kate, Cold Mountain was a very good movie, rather gruesome in some parts, but other than that my girlfriend and I really enjoyed it. Usually people read a book first before they see the movie and say "It didn't happen that way in the book". I kept saying to myself, "That's not how they did it in the movie" I would recommend the movie. Hope you're mostly or all unpacked from your move. Thank you for the compliment.

Siwa, glad that you have someone staying at your house while you're away.

Ann, I don't think I will be seeing Passion Of Christ because it's too violent for me. I'm rather squeamish when it comes to things like that. I do know it happened that way, but I just cannot watch it. Let us know what you think of it if you do see it.

Hi Candice, hope you're doing ok.

Later this morning I am off to lunch and a movie with a friend. We're going to see Along Came Polly.

Take care and enjoy your day.
Alice

Good evening,
I've decided to give up sweets (all) and pasta for Lent. I always like to do something and this should help me with weight loss too. They're my 2 favorite comfort foods.

Siwa: It's nice that your DS can visit you for a few days. Enjoy your time together. It's good that you have someone to watch your house. I'm always a little leery when we're away. Since our DS is living here again, I feel better when we're gone.

Alice: The unpacking is done and now it's just getting used to the new layout. I figured out part of what's bothering my back....it's very hard moving the chairs around on the carpeting and I'm straining. We're going to get mats for the floor. It's supposed to be edging to the 50s and sunny by the end of the week Hope you get the same!

Hi to Candice, Barb and Ann! Take care all.

Kate

Hi all: another cool and rainy day here. Glad I didn't live in the area that was hit with a tornado of sorts. a lot of damage.

This has been a busy week and will continue that way, I guess. Curves this a.m. and then tomorrow we will be taking an AARP 55 alive driving class. It is two mornings, but then you get a reduction in your auto insurance premiums. It is good to have the driving review. Our Norwegian family are arriving on Sat. but we don't know what time. They fly standby as the father flies as Captain on SAS airlines, so he gets free passage and the family gets reduced fares. But the bad part is that there is no time schedule or particular airline. We just wait. And then Saturday night we have a Strawberry Festival and Gospel night in the park. Never a dull moment.

Alice: glad things are finally moving for you. Againn that is one of those cases where a man will take direction from another man in authority.

Siwa: HOpe your last days of vacation before you have to go north will be pleasant, and that the sun will come out and it will warm up.

Kate: we are singing a lot of songs with the moon in the titles. We are having a couple who is celebrating their 50th anniversary, reminisce about their years together, and how often the moon was a part of their best times together. Sort of a fun show.

I sort of feel like a friend of mine who said, "I don't want to go and see the Passion, but I have to'. There is something compelling about the whole thing. What Mel Gibson is trying to do, out of some sort of compulsion he felt to make the movie. And I think for me, I want to make up my own mind, rather than let the media reporters tell me what I should think. Call me an independent thinker, I guess. I'll let you know what I think.

Hi Candice - Barb: Hope things are going well for you. Ann

Hi: Well, finished the first day of our drivng course. We have done this before, but it does give an insurance discount. Went shopping and then got tickets for the Passion for tomorrow at 4:00p.m. I have been reading a lot of reviews, and it is like everything else, it depends on the perspective of the reviewer. Hope you have all had a good day. Have a great weekend. I'll let you know what we think, tomorrow. Ann

TGIF!

Yesterday was our anniv. DH & I have been married 32 yrs. We went out to lunch at a place called Macaroni Grille. It was sooo good. Last year we went to one in FL and found there was one in Massachusetts. I was able to get whole wheat pasta which I was happy about. We also had dessert, chocolate cake, which was enough for 4 people. The cake was so good that I wanted to lick the plate!

Ann, please let us know how you liked The Passion of Christ. Just about everyday there is a review in the USA Today about it. A lot of people are speechless as they walk out of the theater, and some walk out during the violent parts.

Kate, how did you hurt your back, and how is it doing? After doing all that unpacking I hope that you're taking it easy when you get home. We're supposed to get some of that 50 deg. weather, or possibly close to it, by Monday. Can't wait for it to get here!!!

Hi Barb, Siwa, Candice,

Take care and enjoy your weekend.
Alice

We've been having a good time since DS arrived. Time is going fast. It is a nice change from having my parents here. I love my parents and I realize how lucky I am to still have both of them alive but..............my mom was getting on my nerves and I could see that she was often irritated w/me too. With DS here it almost feels like being home. I guess the feeling of home for me is having my family around. Still having crappy weather--rainy and cool (only 50 yesterday). My sister lives in NC and they had bunches of snow there. Took her 3 hrs to drive home from work. We were thinking of maybe going there on our way home but my little nieces and nephew are having a b'day party on Mar 20 that I don't want to miss. We'll see.

ALICE--Congratulations on a long marriage. I've eaten at a Macaroni Grill and I enjoyed it too. I'm not a chocolate person but I do like a good key lime pie so I know how you feel about licking the plate.

ANN--Remind me again how you know the Norwegian family. I love having international guests. It's a little like traveling. Don't think I'm interested in seeing "Passion". I like fun, happy movies and musicals. I can't believe all the stupid stuff people are saying about this movie---"didn't know it would be violent, anti-semetic" etc---it's not like they didn't ever hear the story before. People!!

Hi everyone:
Siwa: When my youngest daughter was a senior in HS Mona came as an AFS excange student and lived with us for a year. this was in 1974. We have kept in touch all these years, my DD was her maid of honor at her wedding, I sang, they have visited us many times and we have been to their home and to her parents home. We went when their oldest son had his confirmation.
Mona has come with her each of her sons, just the two of them, but hadn't come with their daughter Oda. so this year is her turn, but her Dad is coming too. Mona has MS, and some things are not easy for her, but she has been in remission for a long time, and knows how to care for herself. Terje, her husband flies Captain for SAS Airlines, so they fly standby, and so we don't know exactly when they will get here. We will have a lot of catching up to do, and of course I know they will want to take Oda to Disney.

We went to see 'The Passion' this afternoon. My feeling is that there is a lot of Christian symbolism used, that probably some of the reviewers didn't get. It is a powerful film, and when the scourging gets too intense, there is a flashback which is a relief, and also ties in much of Jesus teaching and prophecies. The actress who plays Mary is wonderful. As is Jim Caviezel, as Jesus. I have been reading a lot about the film in my online issue of Christainity Today and today was really interesting. They were talking about strange things happening on the set, healings and such. I am glad that I saw it, and have found that it has given me a greater appreciation of what Jesus sacrifice really means. There is no hint of anti-semitism, and I believe that all of that press was because of certain agendas that those people had.
Iwasn't sure I wanted to see it, but felt compelled to do so. and am glad I did. Hope that is helpful in some way to you.

Finished our driving class today. it was good, and was a great review for all drivers. . Company tomorrow. Sometime. I'll be back. Ann

Lizzie..how was it reading the sub titles in the movie not sure I would like that..gives me a headache!

Made a new fudge WW recipe last night..really good, it is for some friends of mine for their BD's if I don't eat it all before then!

Off to bed now if I can sleep with the bright sun out today!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy weekend everyone!
It's a beautiful sunny, springlike day here I had some errands to do this morning and saw all sorts of people out walking and bicycling. I intend to get out for a walk too. It's too nice a day to be inside.

Ann: Thank you for sharing your impression of Passion of Christ with us. I've read others comments from those who have seen it and they agree with what you felt. I took the AARP 55 Alive class in the fall. It's worth doing it. We can all use a refresher and the insurance break is good too. Enjoy your company from Norway. It's nice that you've kept in touch all these years.

Siwa: Glad that you're enjoying the time with your DS. It's fun to spend time with young people. Keeps us thinking young. I know how much I enjoy having our youngest at home. Hope the weather situation is improving. NC probably doesn't know what to do with snow. It would be nice if you could stop there for the birthday party. You probably don't get a chance to be around often for those.

Alice: A belated Happy Anniversary! 32 years is a wonderful accomplishment in this day and age. It will be 31 for us in August. We have a Macaroni Grill here and it's one of our favorite places to eat. (Unfortunately I won't be able to go there til after Easter because I gave up pasta for Lent.) We love their bread with the olive oil yummy! I didn't realize that they had whole wheat pasta. I'll have to try that the next time. My cold and back are much improved. I went back to Curves, but took it a little easy. You'll have to check out the Curves near you when it opens. How are you doing with exercise and eating?

I lost 2# this week That's the first time in a while that I've seen the scale go in that direction.

Take care,
Kate