evening all or actually good morning this will be real short as its conners birthday tomorrow /today and ive just spent the last half an hour wrappping presents and it must be the wrapping paper from **** as its shreeded me and to think ive got to do this all again in 18 days for craigs birthday not to mention a nephew 2 days ago aneice in 9 days a sisterin law 1n 11 days a sister in 13 days and another nephew in 17 days and then craig god i hate july i save from january to june for july and then start in august for xmas my mum has banned us from having sex in october so she doesnt have any more wee visitors in july dh isnt pleased his birthday is the 26th of october how does she think we ended up with craig and conner anyway must go conn will bounce out of bed real early
kirsty

god i just lost my whole post so here goes take two
evening all well good morning this will be real short{again} as ive just spent the last half hour wrapping conners birthday presents and i must have used the wrapping paper from **** as its shredded me and to think ive got to go through this all again in 18 days for craigs birthday not to mention a nephew 2 days ago and a neice in 9 days and a sisiter in law in 11 days and a sister in 13 days and a nephew in 17 days and then craig god i hate july i start saving in january for july and then start in august for xmas my mum has banned us from having sex in october as she doesnt want any more wee visitors in july dh isnt pleased his birthday is the 26th of october thats how we got craig and conner
speak later
kirsty

thats it that post was not there 5 minutes ago im leaving it
kirsty

linus~ So many birthdays!!! LOL You just reminded me that Jen and I want to get the man in the office something nice. He has been very generous to us on the holidays and we'd like to get him some dvd's of the Marx Brothers. His fav!! Hope your hands are healed up and you carry on!! Between you and shad, I get motivated! LOL

Clara came to get me at 6:30 this morning. Her dr wants her blood tested 1 hour BEFORE breakfast and dinner! I told her I will help her for as long as I can. But 6-6:30 is not exactly my shining hour.I had to tell her that when MY routine is interrupted I have loo problems!!! So we'll have to try this and see what happens. He wants it done for 3 months! After that I may have to tell her to find someone else.

I have my meats defrosted and am ready to cook and pre-package mys stuff. This is a SERIOUS week of staying on plan coming up! I mean it this time! Seriously!

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend and guess Shad's is filled with paint, brushes and rags!!! I think we need some labor intensive smilies for her and Linus!!! The are always so busy!!
Think Shad is sleeping so I will whisper a good bye!!!

Mel, I second you on the time to get SERIOUS about being on plan this week. Yesterday DH and I went to dinner and stopped at the bookstore afterwards. I picked up Dr. Phil's book. Sometimes reading gives you a fresh perspective and gets you in the proper mindset. I've been drifting too long.

Sunday we have a family party - BIRTHDAYS! Linus is right, October must be a busy month for some Saturday will be spent on housework, chores and laundry.

Loved your pictures Shad, you have an incredible memory for detail. It's been almost a year already and the fact that you still remembered all the little things amazes me. Where did the Japan pictures come from? Was that the first leg of your trip?

Well I am off to get busy for the day. Hope you all have a fun and productive weekend. I'll check back later...

Hello Miss Happy! Glad to see you this bright cheery saturday. A friend is reading Dr Phil next week to on another website. We were just talking about it. I read it and was going to go over it again too next week! Small World!
I am feeling more motivated with each passing hour. Hope it's the real McCoy this time Have fun at the party!! We will get serious together next week! LOL Come and join in on the fun of N.O.P.E.
Besides giving blood tests, I have fixed someones electrical problem, answered a smoke alarm, and comforted a woman whose sister also lived here and passed on last night. It has been a very busy day.
I made grilled chicken and a meatloaf and Jasmine rice. I nixed on the chili. I figured the skin is having enough problems without the spices. The nose is GREATLY improved. Thank God cause I was sick of so many people pointing it out! I felt like the Wicked Witch of OZ! Didn't their Mothers teach them that if you have nothing nice to say then keep your effing mouth shut?!

Well I still have salad to make, a watermelon 1/4 to cut up, spinach quiche to bake and a frappuccino SF/ FF recipe to try.
And it can be decaf too!

See ya later. Just dropped in to be a pest Seems I am a Chatty Cathy today!

Morning Chatty Cathy!!
Morning Happy,
Morning Linus, :thumb:
Morning Teel
Morning Roseblush

Well it was a busy day yesterday, we hammered, sanded, sealed/undercoated, top coated and put together a wardrobe system for one bedroom. Then we washed, sanded and sealed/undercoated another. Wendy has chosen a Mediterranean Blue Suede effect for her room. A little dark for me, but both she and DS like it. Complete with white trim it should look very fresh and new. I'm down to do the trim stuff tomorrow. DS has chosen (unusual for this kid) a creamy yellow paint called Butter Whip for 3/4 of the room and a tan/orange suede effect for the other wall. Trims will be in yellow/tan and the ceiling will be white. It all looks quite interesting. I say unusual because normally he goes for things like Red and dark Blue or crackle or bright colours. This is unusually subdued.
Came home last night and showered and cleaned off all the paint the I seemed to have got stuck on me, put a Moroccan beef stew on to bubble and had a glass of wine. All very civilised. Little bro was supposed to come over for the football, however some better offer must have come up as he didn't arrive. DS came home and promptly went to sleep in his chair. Woke him up for dinner and sent him to bed. Sunday the Cat and I had some ice cream (lo fat of course) and watched a bit of mindless tv and went to bed ourselves.
Happy, those Japanese photos are mostly from Chris. Mine are still waiting to be uploaded and put on the website. You are going to love some of those. Japan is quite beautiful and steeped in tradition. I didn't come home from your place via Japan, I came from LA to Auckland and to Brisbane from there. Anyway they (the photos) will be there in the next week or so. The reasons I remember so many of the details is because a: I had such a good time, good friends and good memories; and b: because I put the photos in an album and in pencil wrote bits I could remember against each photo. The digitals are not so easy. However I have forgotten the name of that building with the chair outside - think you said it had been owned by the Kennedy's at some stage or the building at the beginning of the cruise which had all the wedding cake bits at the top, close to the Chicago Tribune building. Silly me forgot to write it all down. Did you like the photo of the lady striding up the path?

Linus, what sort of wrapping paper shreds you fingers? Remind me to stay away from that one. Heck, one of the joys of a huge, close family is the birthdays and celebrations. I don't have a large close family and sometimes things slip past. It's a bit of a shame, but I suppose when the close relationships start to go as in all my mothers brothers and sisters have now moved to a higher place, then the cousins start to drift apart. A lot of family history gets lost that way too.

Teel, time to come back and tell us what happened on that holiday. Get back here and spell it out woman. Inquiring minds need to know.

Roseblush, hope your weekend away is great and lacks the birds on the roof bits. Don't forget to let us know how it went when you come back.

Mel, what an angel you are doing all that for the dear old lady. Given that 6.30 is not always your hour, I think you did so well. Don't you just love it when the doctor issues orders, which I might add are taken very seriously and strictly by the older generation, and which are almost impossible for many of them to carry out without help, and where does an old person summon help at 6.30 in the morning? If it wasn't for our Mel, she would probably have given herself a heart attack trying to do it herself or pay some ungodly amount to have people come in to do it for her. Sometimes I wonder if the doctors ever think about the consequences of their edicts!!! Now there's a word for a Sunday morning.

Okay, best go get ready for the day. DS and I will go down to his place and get another coat of paint on Wombles room, the first top coat on his and maybe a sealer coat on the third bedroom. Don't expect to see the Womble - she doesn't do mornings. DS is going to the football this afternoon so it will be a quick flick of the paint brush. In fact if he doesn't get up soon, there won't be a flick of the brush at all.
Catch you all later

Evening chickies

Shad, my my. How did you get a pic of me mum walking down a garden path? DH did ask me afterwards why I had been walking way ahead of you guys several times. Well, the answer was not to be antisocial but instead, particularly if we were going uphill, I needed to keep the forward momemtum going so I didn't keel over

The building with the chair that used to be owned by the Kennedy's is called the Merchandise Mart. You captured a wide shot in photo 5 and a close up in photo 6. Here's a bit of trivia about it:

The Merchandise Mart is the world’s largest commercial building, largest wholesale design center and one of Chicago’s premier international business locations. Encompassing 4.2 million sq. ft., The Mart spans two entire city blocks and rises 25 stories and has it's own postal code. The Mart remains the largest trade center in the world and welcomes more than three million visitors each year. Sixty percent of the building’s area is devoted to wholesale showrooms that represent Commercial, Residential, Kitchen & Bath, Decorative Accessories and Gift industries. As a design center, The Merchandise Mart hosts 16 major trade shows, co-produces 15 more and also houses more than 300 conferences, seminars and special events a year.

Photo number 4 - the beginning of the cruise - the building with the fancy, lacy type scroll work at the top is the Tribune Tower - for the Chicago Tribune Newspaper. It was built in 1925 and the building walls hold a collection of stones from famous monuments and sites around the world (and the moon), including the Arc de Triomphe, Parthenon, Berlin Wall, Alamo, Great Wall of China, Forbidden City, White House, Taj Mahal, Great Pyramid of Cheops, Petrified Forest, Badlands, St. Peter's, Notre-Dame, Hagia Sophia, Antarctica, Omaha Beach, and Mammoth Cave. The offices in the top of the tower are linked by secret passageways.

Photo number 3 was taken from the Ferris Wheel you captured in photo number 11. In picture #8 you have a nice closeup skyline shot. The building in the middle with the lights up top was originally called the Standard Oil Building later changed to Amoco when the oil company changed their name. Amoco sold the building and it's now officially called the Aon Building but most of us in the city will call it the Amoco Building forever. It's the second tallest building in Chicago (the Sears Tower being the tallest of course). When it was initially constructed the outer skin was made of marble. After several years of exposure to the elements, the marble started to deteriorate and randomly fall off the building in large chunks, much to the surprise of people walking on the street below. It became so dangerous that the company spent millions literally peeling the marble skin away and replacing it with granite. An interesting fact about this building is that it has no corner offices with windows on 2 sides of the office. Strike a blow for the commoner! Everyone gets the same view!

Photo number 10 is our skyline at night which I think is quite pretty. It contains 6 of the 30 tallest buildings in the world. I am glad I don't work downtown anymore. I don't like elevators in skyscrapers. Of course I suppose I shouldn't speak too soon looking for work again as I am.

I can't wait to see your pictures of Japan. I have been talking to a person on another thread who is from Tokyo and it will be interesting to see pictures of that land. My only vision of Japan is crowded housing and elegant gardens. Sorry, I thought that as you started the first leg of your trip last year you flew Brisbane to Hong Kong (which I know is not Japan) or somewhere near there to pick up Chris - or did you two just meet in London?

Shad, you sound like you are going like the cartoon Tasmanian Devil *** whooosh, whirl **** when it comes to the renovations around the houses - both of them. (hope you don't take offense as I know in reality they are smelly, vile creatures but the cartoon character I thinking of is quite the speedy one) - Is the suede look for the one bedroom a special finish? I've seen some of these faux finishes and they are quite lovely. I've seen the suede in browns and a sort of purple color but not deep blue. I suppose as long as you have a bright white trim and lots of natural light, it would be quite nice.

Mel, I think it's so sweet of you to help out but I'm not sure I'd be feeling quite helpful at 6:30! Many blessings will fall on your head. Just don't go putting your own health at risk being everyone else's watchdog, ok? You are just cooking up a storm lately, aren't you? Sounded so good that if you weren't 1,000 miles away maybe I would have been knocking at your door, ringing your cell phone and yelling up the window - yo' MEL!!! Canya come out 'n play a bit? An' bringa sanwhich wit ya, I'm hungry...

One of the girls at our office is just 10 kinds of major upset over our office closing. She cries nearly all day long and said she feels like she is losing her family. She is a sweet person with a heart of gold and no family of her own here. I told her she should look into volunteering. There are so many lonely people or folks who could use a "big sister" or a kindly "niece" to help them through life. I'm sure there's at least one person out there who needs her as much as she needs to feel needed in someone's life. I hope they find each other.

Last load of towels is ready to be popped in the dryer so I'd better get rolling here. Happy Sunday. Don't work too hard.

shad as long as one member of any family is still alive the whole family is still here
kirsty

Oh Happy, I have LOADS of wash to do. I dod none for almost 2 weeks!!! lol This week laundry is at the head of my to-do list! That poor woman. I know the feeling. When I moved here I felt the same way. We had been in the other bldg 12 years and it was the longest we had ever stayed anywhere. I cried even after the move!!! Poor Jen thought I would never stop! Loved the descriptions and will pedal in an few minutes to Shad's pics. I saved them for today.I'll get the sammies ready in case you show up with the butterfly net in hand and are hungry.

Shad~ Words fail me when I think of all the work you're doing! I think og the Buddha (?) that has all those arms going at once! I have
seen the suede on TV in an almost navy color and it was grand! But they had to put a few coats on to make it even. but the end result was well worth it. They used white and those red hankies that men tie around their necks. They even put "pockets' on the blue with paint so it looked like Jeans material. Really cute. Good luck! LOL

Miss Linus~ that was a short post!

Today I woke at 5:45 in anticipation of the phone call. I was afraid this would happen. I hope I get used to this damned quick and stop this. I have gotten a lot done but I see I will more than likely have to nap in the afternoon. I don't think I can make it through the day without one. I am NOT a napper. I wake feeling shaky and "not well" in the stomach. Oh well we'll see.

Tomorrow is my NOPE start again! Getting off to a good start already for the last 2 days. my maint. man gave me a pannetone. Italian bread-like thing. I cut it up and handed it out to the neighbors. Tomorrow is the eye doctor. I wanted to cancell as I am sick of going there but figured I better go cause of the skin acting up. They might be very happy as it's not in the eyes this time!
Well I better move it before I lose it! Going to webshots with the pedals and exercise through Japan and any place Shad decides to take me!!! Even to Happy"s house!!!
Have a great sunday and sweet dreams Miss Shad.

I will never make splenda frappucinos again! I am sick as a doggie and spent the last 6 hors in the loo.(on and off) I already cancelled Clara for the morning. I need to sleep in tomorrow and then leave for the eye guy. So tonite I will turn anything that is capable of ringing OFF!!! Sleep in a bit. shower, dress and take my lunch and go. I will paint my toenails to make me feel better. I trhink the PC needs to take a break too so....Have a great night and good morning Sunshine!

Last night Japan turned into the Emerald Isle. So if you were thinking of goofing off, start by pedalling in Irish instead of Japanese Mel.
Happy, thank you for the information on those buildings. I have updated the webshots to read more accurately. I too was fairly impressed with the night shot of the city skyline. Because I don't have a tripod I have to try for a steady hand. Not always the case and as in the ferris wheel shot, the film was at the very edge of it's range for night time work. I need to think about different films and things as well. DS#1 is always telling me off for sticking with Kodak, but I have generally had good results with it. He uses a Hi Definition something which has to live in the fridge and has a short shelf life. Since I use film in bursts and on spec that is not much good to me. I'd be wasting more than I was taking.
Okay, I'm off to the gym early. Have plenty to do today again. Tomorrow I am having off and going to lunch with a friend who lives across the other side of town. Should get rid of my cabin fever a bit. I'll be back later with the tales of my day.

sorry ladies but my poor cleo has gone into heat and i have spent the whole day running after her wiping up blood and washing the things that arent wipe clean {the beds all three of them and thee throws and the cushion covers and poor mum }and to think that this goes on for three weeks pedigree or not she has to get dressed i cant take this twice a year longer post tomorrow and ill catch up with the new pics too enjoy your rest mel everybody needs me time
kirsty

Shad, I keep forgetting to tell you that I just love the pictures of Whitsunday sunrises and the Palm Bay Evening. They always bring a sense of peacefulness to me and you know you can never get enough of that these days! You're quite welcome for the extra information on the pictures. I learned some things myself. Your picture of the tall ship came out quite nice also. One good thing about the digital camera is not lugging around all that film and finishing off the rolls to get it in for processing. I think in fact, we have 2 rolls of unused film in the refrigerator shelf. I should go and check the expiration date - thanks for the reminder!

Linus, sounds like you will be running in circles cleaning up the next few days or did I understand you to say for 3 WEEKS running? Oh my...

Rest up Mel. Got to be careful with those sugar substitutes - they can play heck with the system. I really like the Frappachinos but you can seem to get better results with the fruit smoothies and use more natural ingredients.

I looked in one of my diet cookbooks and found a recipe for a cappuccino protein shake you might want to try instead.

12 ounces cold water
1 packet vanilla protein powder (or sometimes I use a small container of FF vanilla yogurt)

2 teaspoons instant coffee
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
6 ice cubes

Set aside a bit of the cinnamon to top the drink. Add all other ingredients into blender and blend thoroughly. Top with the remaining cinnamon.

To be perfectly honest Happy, most of those pictures were from my regular cameras. I love the Canon EOS300 and will not part with it for any digital. I have some successes with the digital and do enjoy it, but not with the same passion as the EOS. It is handy, ready to go and now I have all the necessary travel bits in place (ie. I now have an adaptor that gives me five continents in one go and apparently has a built in voltage doovey thingy I can travel to all the far flung places (provided of course that they have electricity). The digital is not good with night shots. It seems to lose something in the translation. Although I have to admit that there are times I've thought 'well that was pretty useless' but when I have them up on screen they are okay. Also the digital is not single lens reflex which the Canons are. (I have 2, an EOS300 and an EOS500. Looks impressive but really isn't!)
Went to gym this morning and spent 50 minutes on the treadmill. Running for 30 of them. Was a real work out. Monday is usually the killer step, but I'm leaving that alone for a while. I thought long and hard about it and it's not the class that gets me, it is the loud music and my lack of coordination. I'm concentrating on trying to hear what the trainer says or rather yells, and not concentrating on what I am doing and therefore I'm doing something different from the rest of the class. So I think I may buy a dvd or tape and get a workout board and do it at home when I can have the noise at my level. I must be getting old.
After the gym I went down to DS's house and sanded, plastered and cleaned up in there. I was going to paint but run out of energy. Go home said my brain, so I masked off the floor and windows and A/C and fan and took the brains advice. The postie arrived at the same time as me with a bank statement. So I have had to go down to the bank and transfer some money from my dwindling savings account to keep me going a bit longer. Such is life.
The sun is shining, I have done my bit for the computer challenged (in the journals, I mean) and those who just can't get it (no reflection on them, this is a fairly large change) and typed up two ways of finding other peoples previous posts without having to go through the pages. Maybe a tip a day??? Anyway because the sun is shining, I'm about to take my coffee out to the patio and read a book for an hour or so. I've got plenty to do. Just can't be bothered doing it.

Teel GET IN HERE and tell us all about your trip. We are getting impatient waiting!!!!!

Linus, poor little Cleo. I'd have taken her to the vet by now. Can't be bothered putting up with that unless I figured on breeding and that's too much effort as well. I had a friend who bred Rough Coated Collies and the heartbreak in that was too much for me I'm afraid.

Mel, get back to natural. Put away the Splenda and the make believe and just use the stuff the good lord put in gardens to grow!!!! That shake of Happy's doesn't sound too bad and that's coming from someone who hates milk in coffee!!!!

Book is calling..........calling.............calling...... ...GET HERE! Oops I think it is feeling stroppy now. Gotta run.