Yes Happy, you are right, these are the Spanish Tiles for the Bathroom and I am on the last of the wall tiling. Then comes the floor. At least the floor tiles are square and not rectangular as in the wall tiles. The bathroom will be finished shortly. It's been a long project complete with the leaks etc. I'll not undertake a full bathroom restoration again. I'll be getting help for the difficult bits I think. Hanging upside down over the bath or getting into small places under the bath is not for this old bird. The tiles I found have an upside and a downside. There is a minute white stripe across the top of the tile. Blink and you will miss it. If you don't hang them all the same way you have a problem. There is nothing on the face of the tile to distinguish top from bottom. You have to look. I'll post some pictures once the walls are complete. I'd like to complete the bathroom and the bedroom before I go back to work and also to get one more room done and finished. That way at least I will feel that I have achieved.
Linus - I'm glad to hear that you are thinking about giving up smoking. It is always a sure sign that you are beginning to believe you can do this. I don't know about Scotland too much, but here it is almost antisocial behaviour now. You can't smoke in bars or restaurants, pubs or clubs where food is served and that is to be extended to the entire hospitality industry soon. There are hotels and motels which are entirely smoke free. Most places today, unless you ask for a smoking room you will be given a non-smoking one. You can not smoke on trains, planes, buses or in taxis. You can't smoke in government departments or shopping centres and most work places have also banned it. There is some suggestion that you will no longer be able to smoke on city piazzas and our beaches shortly. It's amazing, when I came to Australia 15 years ago everyone smoked, now you can go to a party or wedding of 100 or more people and either no one will smoke or the few smokers will unite to stand on some cold balcony outside to smoke. They are almost treated as lepers here now. What a turn around.
Nae I know you will be worried about Chad jumping from his helicopter but he has to earn a living and he might as well do it doing something he enjoys. So wish him well and get busy with something else so you do not imagine him doing these things. He will let you know he is safe after it is all over. DS#2 used to worry the life out of me when he was doing the daredevil bits. Generally I only got told about them after it was all over - it was supposed to save me worrying!!
Sunday the cat is not well. She hasn't eaten since Tuesday night. Usually she races off the bed and into the kitchen the minute I get up. But yesterday she stayed in bed and just slept. When the sun warmed up the back garden she went and slept under the buddleia and then shifted to the patio when the sun went there. Didn't want dinner and has slept all night on the end of my bed. Not a purr in sight. So to the vet again today I guess.
DS#1 arrives this afternoon, so I will organise my day to go to the gym on the way to the airport and pick him up. We are supposed to be having dinner in town with a couple of his friends, but I haven't heard back from the friend as to where it will be yet. So maybe it will be a diner quickie somewhere. One thing is for sure it won't be McD or KFC as Brendan is vegetarian and Richie and Mandy are so health concious it aint funny.
Maybe we should put big bumper bars on Mels chair for times like the supermarket? Maybe the 3FC will allow you to advertise the site on the bumpers? Just call her crash!!!
Okay the day is calling. Measure up the last wall for tiling. Get the tiles ready and all up the right way. Washing, making up Brendan's bed, getting the cat to the vet, posting cards at the PO and getting some good fresh veges in for the weekend should give me something to do today. Teel is going to Salzburg - grrrrrrr. I wanna go too!! Chris will be there in August grrrrr. Oh heck it's her birthday this month too! Nearly forgot. Best get more cards today at the store.

Okay, Sunday the cat has been to the vet. She must be feeling sick, she didn't protest too much about getting into the cage. It was only a slight skirmish instead of WW111. She has a bladder infection which fortunately has not spread to the kidneys. So she got poked, prodded, injected and then finally managed to wee all over me. She's been holding that in for a day or so. So she has some tablets to take (that will be fun) and some different food to eat to try to beat this thing. Apparently in cats if it takes hold they will tend to get these infections for the rest of their days. Oh wonderful! So she's likely to piddle at random, hopefully not on the bed! Maybe I'll have to set up a special bed for her for the duration. Such bliss.
Okay on to the next bit of my list

I'm glad Sunday's problems can be taken care of with a pill and change in diet. Was so afraid when you said she was moping about. So now that you have mastered the tile layout (did you come across the white line by accident?) you can now move on to new talents such as getting a pill down a cat's throat. They are excellent spitters and I/we have found it takes 2 people to wrestle with a 10 pound cat. Never a dull moment, eh?

The change against smoking in Australia sounds much like it is happening here. Slowly they cut out more and more places to smoke. You can't smoke indoors anywhere except bars and restaurants and many of them are eliminating even that. It felt odd for me to smoke indoors actually. There is a big uproar started in California spreading east about banning smoking at the beaches because of the proliferance of litter. Many businesses will not only let you not smoke outside the building, but you cannot even smoke in your car on the premises - you have to drive off and down the road. That's part of the many reasons I decided to finally give this quitting a go. It's just getting harder and harder and the more they take it away, the more you want to smoke. You do feel like a criminal tho I must admit there was an instant comraderie when standing out in the cold huddled around the ashtray with others. Even strangers would smile and make a comment - something you don't see often in the city.

I had a dreadful day at the dentist yesterday. My teeth are getting so sensitive that even the cleaning was painful. They gave me some prescription Flouride gel to apply each night. And yet another of my root canals refuses to heal properly - I have yet another abscess. Good thing they gave me an antibiotic as I haven't been chewing on that side much but I put pressure on the tooth today and it's REALLY sore. The antibiotic will prevent it from going as bad as it was on the last tooth but the dentist said once the infection clears this tooth will have to be taken out. That makes 3 teeth on the lower side that will be missing. And you can't do anything about putting permanent teeth in until the jaw heals from the extraction - several months. I am concerned about my teeth shifting and cracking AND walking around like a toothless infant. Can I feel any worse???

Sure I can. I stepped on the scale and officially I now weigh more than I ever have in my life. Ever. I gained back the 10 pounds I keep off from the summer of 2002 and have gained more than that. Almost 16 pounds since I quit smoking. That's it. Enough already. Tommorrow it is back to portion control, lots of water, watch the salt and no bad sugars or carbs. I think some of this is due to not enough water and too much sodium lately so hopefully I can swing the scale in the downward direction very soon. I knew this was going to happen. But I will NOT LIGHT UP again! Crunches, I need crunches not cigarettes... Send me good vibes please... and even a wack on the head or some duct tape would probably be a good idea too.

It's just another hurdle which can be overcome - right???? :(

Morning
 

:coffee: Hello all this fine day!!!! My little Teeka got me up early on my day off but it is raining nicely outside and I will enjoy my coffee and watching the deer graze on the hillside. Hope you are all doing well today! Thanks for the fun and entertaining well wishes for my birthday...we are the birthday group this month! When I left Alaska to come to Idaho I stopped in Montana where I am from and my mom gave me a little party for my 40th bday. It was held in a little park and lots of my older friends and couples of my parents were there....and as we were sitting there a man who appeared to be homeless and searching the garbage cans came over and started to harass us. then he would go away and come back and each time he became more chatty with me and was getting more personall all the time. then he came witha portable tape recorder and said he had a present for my birthday and started stripping for me....OMG I almost died right there but it was so funny and really had us fooled for a long time. He was a son of a lady my mom knew and performed for such occasions...it was a good one on me.....
Happy you should be so proud of your self for the great job in overcoming a gripping addiction.....the weight gain will come when you are ready to face that situation too.... staying on the path is for the long run is the thing i keep telling myself when I get discouraged with the battle.
Shad I hope the cat recovers and has many more years for you to enjoy each other. You sound so busy and seem to accomplish so much in your day I need to take a lesson....sometimes on my days off I have the best intentions of really tackling so many projects but I just don't have the energy sometime to be motivated.....
Mel, how are you doing? What are you up to this week and how are you feeling?
Linus you are doing so great girl you make me so proud and encouraged that maybe I can get some of this weight off too..... :dizzy: I don't know sometimes it is just so frustrating. What are you doing this week and how are you feeling how is the back?
Teel hope you are doing great....can't wait to hear all your news.
Everyone have a good day, looking forward to hearing from everyone!
Nae :) :)

This cat is back to her raucous best. She thinks she is starving. She has food in her bowl but wants something else. What I don't know, probably steak and chips. She did finally eat what I put out for her last night and has not (as far as I can tell) piddled in the house. However she was a pain in the neck last night as she jumped all over me to keep me awake. I can not work out what she is trying to tell me.
Had a nice meal last night at the Q tavern in Stones Corner with Brendan and his friends. Ate very sensibly too. Asked for a Caesar salad with the dressing on the side. Dressing come with the salad. Sent it back for the right order. It was very nice when it came out the second time. So here we are at 6.30am and just about ready to leave to take the kid down to the Gold Coast for his seminar.
Yesterday I measured up for the last of the tiles on the wall. Today I will put them up and then begins the tedious job of cutting tiles for the corners and grouting. The grouting is fine, more or less, the cutting I really don't like much. I am going to have to do much practice - otherwise I will end up with having to buy some more tiles.
Looks like it is going to be a good day but cool out for sometime. Yesterday didn't warm up until about 9.00am. The Queenslanders are complaining about a long cold winter already! Strewth it averages out at about 9C - 24C over 24 hours (48F - 78F) and July/August are definitely the worst months. What will they be like then?
Okay best go get the son down to the coast. Catch up later.

Shad~She is probably thinking you have left the dog somewhere!!! and wants you to go out and look for him. also did the 2 of them get food at the same time? maybe she wants his food down on the floor too. Animals are funny. Hope the tiling doesn't get the best of your humor! :rofl: I could ask 3fc and other places to pay me to ride around and advertise!!! it would bew a whole new job and get me out of the house! LOL
Imagine if I had a tin cup and some pencils and sunglasses! I could make a fortune!!! :rofl: :rofl:

Happy~ So sorry to hear about the tooth stuff. I still have a cavity to get filled and have postponed calling for over a YEAR!!! :lol: Hope you feel better soon. Have you tried the old salt water trick every few hours?! It usually helps under the gums a bit. good luck!

Nae~ I am up to par and hanging in there. filled in at the office today. 2 women out.
there is no news on the chair as yet. guess everyone is looking at it and figuring what to do! :lol: They have no signature of acceptance from me as of yet so I don't care! LOL I can always go with another company. That is what everyone is afraid of. so we will see if the thought of that happening motivates anyone into action! :rofl: How goes the woodpecker?! Still alive or did he bite the dust and your aim got better? :lol:

Well kids......gotta take a shower and lie down. Going for some fruit and rice tomorrow if I get up in time. If not, I have plenty of other choices. not bad today but needed more food and water!. Have a great Friday and hope everyone has a great weekend!

hi all well my baby,s home and ive decieded that tomorrow is STOP SMOKING DAY so wish me luck not got time to chat now just wanted to get that down so i cant back out
speak later
kirsty

Yay LINUS!! GOOD LUCK!GOOD LUCK!!GOOD LUCK!!
You CAN DO IT! We are all right with you in this challenge, especially, I am sure, HAPPY, who I think has done absolutely brilliantly with stopping smoking. :nono: :smoking: :nono: Keep us informed and shout at us all tou need to if it makes it any easier!! :goodvibes :goodvibes :goodvibes :grouphug:
This morning I went swimming with my support worker. I was a bit disappointed with my performance as I only managed to do 6 lengths which is half what I normally do. I suppose though I only finished my course of antibiotics this morning so am probably not my normal self yet. I'll do better next time :^: :yes:
Shad I am glad Sunday is feeling better. I too reckon animals do their own style of greiving for each other. Good luck with administering the tablets!! :D I have to break one in 1/4 bits and almost get my hand down Holly's throat whilst massaging the outside with the other hand to make sure she doesn't spit hers out!! I will be thinking of you :lol: :o
Mel, how you a doin'? Dare I ask about.....? :devil: No! I won't!!!
Happy...poor poor toothy pegs! As for the weight gain...one step at a time..baby baby steps :bb: :bb: and you too will get to your gaol.
Roseblush...I was confused for a moment there! We have not even started celebrating your birthday yet!! :lol:
Right-o...I will be back soon...sorry it is a short post this evening....take care all....

Is no news on the chair front good news?! :rofl: Not a peep out of anyone as yet. so I will wait till Monday and give them a call just to nudge them! :lol: This week and last I have not given my all to the weight loss program of choice. I have decided today to go back to the way I did everything in the beginning before I started "tweaking" the diet plan to suit my tastebuds and everyone elses suggestions. So I'll spend the weekend clearing out the kitchen, re-reading my plan book and setting up my old goals and food journal. I photocopied the journal pages today and got another new binder from the office. Hopefully it will get me back on track where I lost 31 lbs last year. There is no excuse for my deviating from this plan, I just got lazy. I will focus on this thread and all you gals and leave the advice of other websites where it belongs. I need to put on the blinders and go down my road. OK enough of this tripe! :rofl:

Linus~ Congratulations Miss Kirsty!!! Good luck and hang in there! Fasten your seatbelt 9in case this is a bumpy ride! :lol: I know you can do this and think of the kids too! They'd like to have their old Mum around to see them grow and marry etc!
Fingers are crossed and will keep you in my prayers and thoughts. ((((((((((HUGS)))))))

Teel~ When i ever get the chair back I will HANG out the effin' flag!!! :rofl: I wonder where it is right now too? :lol: good on the 6 laps and I think the meds etc might be the prob too. You've been so good too! Hope you stay good for awhile!!!

Well chicks I must shower and watch some mindless Tv in order to get into bedtime mode!! Have a wonderful weekend and take care!!!

Tripe? TRIPE? :?: Are you eating tripe Miss Mel :hungry: I'm sure that's not on plan. I tell you, for the cost of that chair I am totally shocked at how sloppy they are fitting it and getting it customized properly. Sounds like someone has the system totally screwed up. When you say you are going back to basics on your plan are you going back to the 6 week body makeoever plan again? I've thought about that myself, not sure if I can survive on that little food again - would take some strong mental conditioning. But good luck to you.

Kirsty that is fabulous with making the decision to stop smoking. :goodluck: I would send you some of my resolve and determination but I am still on shaky ground taking baby steps myself and not sure I can spare any steely determination but can I definitely can and will send you all my good wishes for strength and determination and days filled with no stress or aggrivation triggers. Remember that a craving only lasts 3 minutes. Yes, it is possible those first few weeks that while they only last 3 minutes, there are times when they come 10 minutes apart and pester you for a good hour or so. Also the quit smoking website I was on tallied how many cigarettes you didn't smoke once you quit along with your savings. Many many many times when I was tempted I would look at those statistics and it would keep me from caving in. 1,559 cigarettes not smoked since I quit. I just imagine that many butts in a trash bag and the visual is a little overwhelming. and don't hate me but I still envy people who smoke sometimes... I just know it can't be for me anymore, want to or not. But be strong woman, you can do this. I shall add a link to the Edinburgh news page to monitor if there is a rush of small children, men, dogs and assorted wildlife running in fear down the streets followed by a mad woman with kitty cats all over her pajamas :rollpin: :rollpin: :rollpin: :rofl: Seriously, I wish you the best. It's not an easy thing. Any way that I can help you, I will - even if it means ringing up the neighbors and telling them to douse you with a water can if they see you :smoking: ;)

Teel, I think the important thing is that you got into the pool. Some days we are stronger than others, even if we are consistently working out. I have always said 20 minutes of something is much better than 20 minutes of nothing. So pat on the back for you for the 6 lengths! :bravo:

Shad, nice to hear that you had a good time with your son who NOTICED (wonderful boy eh????) that you have lost some weight. Had to laugh with you ordering a salad with dressing on the side. Will always remind me of that salad you ordered out on the terrace and the wind came along and swept all but 1 slice of egg or crouton off your plate and into the water. She was eating pretty light that night ladies. :lol3: Can't see the locals complaining about the temps - those are quite lovely and we'd be delighted to have that kind of weather on this side of the pond. Are you affected by typhoon season or are you on the inland side?

Nae, that was a great story about the "homeless man" who surprised you on your birthday. Were you about ready to beat him off :rollpin: :lol: We were born in the same year. Shad says this is a fabulous time of life, I am still waiting for the fabulous part to hit me :lol:

We know of Teel's plans - what do Kirsty and Nae have in mind for their respective celebrations? Mind you, I have not received my party invitation in the mail yet :cry: :mag:

We went out to dinner tonight. I had steak and portobello mushroom fahitas. They were not that great. We also rented a few movies - some dramas, a comedy for me and some guy type of punch 'em up, bang bang, manly movies. Not my type. :snooty: Will be a nice diversion from the housecleaning and laundry. We're supposed to also go help mum with her computer this weekend too - but I haven't told DH yet. :sssh: It will be a surprise and he likes surprises :yes: :no: :nono: :o

With that, I think I'll go watch a movie. Have a good weekend all...

Kirsty, I wish you all the best for stopping smoking. I think all of us - maybe not Teel, have been through what you are about to go through and we have all survived and we are here to help, listen and rant with you. Glad to hear that the son has arrived home safely and hope he has had a good time.
Teel, the number of lengths you can swim, or indeed the distance I can travel on a treadmill depends entirely on how you are feeling. It's true. If you haven't swum for a while, you will be a bit slower, but if you are not feeling well or are stressed out then you can never achieve the same as on a good day.
Miss Sunday is more or less back to normal although she just hates the food that the vet tells me she should be eating to prevent recurrence. So I've tried to mix it with the old food as per instructions, but she just spits out the new bits. I have to go round cleaning up after her. I guess she will just have get used to the new stuff or go hungry. However I don't think that I will be feeding her exclusively on the biscuits either. It's easier to give her the tablets than to get her to eat the new stuff.
Yes it was nice of DS#1 to notice the changes. And it came as soon as he saw me too. So it must be noticable now. Funnily enough I don't get that impression when I look in a mirror. Still we never see ourselves as others see us do we?
Happy, I'm not sure you will ever get away from the feeling of envy for those who still smoke. Very rarely, I get the whiff of a newly opened cigarette packet and I like the smell. Fortunately a little while later (usually while I am still mulling over the fresh packet) I get to sniff a dirty ashtray. Poooooooh! that sure puts you off the thought again. But you are doing so well you don't need those sort of reminders again. The weight you have put on will stablise. I'm not going to be smarmy and say it will go away. It won't without hard work and much effort. Weight for people like you and me never does. However with exercise and the aforesaid effort, you will shift it eventually. It's such a shame that weight goes on so quickly and disappears so slowly.
As to our weather - well we can get cyclones (typhoon, hurricane whatever you want to call them) but it hasn't hit here while we've been here. I went through one in Townsville which was interesting to say the least. Normally the winter is very pleasant, dry and has two seasonal wind times - Late May, early June and mid Aug. Our rains (and cyclones) generally tend to come in the summer.
I've been out this morning with one of DS#2's friends who is about to renovate a bathroom! So I took Kelly along to the plumbing store and introduced her to the showroom lady (a friend of mine) and we confused her with choice. However she has now gone home with a bigger picture as to what she is up against. Her husband is a gadget man and wants things like the touch pad on the spa (another $250 please) etc. Anyway she now has plenty to think about and now that I am home I had best go and sort out my bathroom. It got the majority of tiles up on the last wall. Plenty of cutting to do now. I also have to check up on how many of the feature tiles I have left as it seems I may be a couple short. That was good or bad judgement on my part I suppose.
DS#1 is down the coast. I have to go pick him up tomorrow night. Hopefully he will be brimful of information and enthusiasm. Rather him than me. It's a full on totally hands on seminar. I tend to get tired of them after a day or so. I guess I am not studious enough!
My wee lettuces I planted a while back are ready to eat. I had a salad of them last night. I'll have some more tonight. Yum yum. And the tomato plants have some little tomatoes on them. Not that many but a few - enough to feel enthusiastic about them. Pity you lot are not here, because you could each have a feed off the lettuce to take home now. I may give it another week or so and then plant some more to keep the lettuces coming all through winter. Okay, I'm out of here, time to get cracking.

Goodnight Miss shad and sweet dreams of the prodiagal son's return tomorrow! :rofl: Hope you both have a good visit before he goes. Poor DS2's friend!!! Miss confusion now!? Too many choices. I watch HGTV on cable and never think of the costs of things:( Glad to hear the "fruits' of your labors are edible now and growing. Save some for us!

Happy~ Nice story about the salad!!! Poor Shad!!! I could just see it too! :rofl: OMG how funny. I still like the smell like Shad and crave one every now and then when the stress comes. But the thoughts are few and far between and NOT ever strong enough to ever bo back. PU on the ashtrays and MY HAIR!!!! I could always smell my hair and hated it!!!! :rofl:

Hope you all are having a great weekend and take care. The electric is getting shut off so they can lay new cable. I guess I should be saying HANG new cable! :lol: I want to unplug everything so I have no probs!!! last time I lost the ability to turn off and on one of my old tvs without the channel changing!!! Now it won't answer to the remote! :rofl: Adios my friends and Teel and Nae and Linus......have good weekends too and see ya all tomorrow!:)

Helloooo I have shopped and shopped and shopped....till I dropped! :devil:
I thought I would get a few things I have needed...er...wanted...for a while, and today I was in the mood for spending money!! I bought a stand-free mirror for the bedroom (mine didn't want to stand up any more), some new bathroom scales (well you never know!!) a new ladyshaver, a pair of ear plugs for flying, some new pygamas, 2 new bras...one black and one white...the local newspaper(!) an anniversary card for the parents and a few other bits and pieces!!!! :lol: :D Phew!! And I went to the travel agents and got the tickets ready for Salzburg....yee haa only 16 days to go :love: :cb: :dancer:
The travel pack the travel agents give you is rather brilliant. It has a pair of luggage labels and a quick guide to Salzburg book included. Shame that I have already bought that very book a few weeks ago!! Still, now Teresa and I will have one each. :D
And now I have 3 days left of being 39. OOOOOOOH! :cool:
Has anyone heard from Peacock? I wonder if she is lost in Woburn Safari Park?? :?:
Happy, what movie did you end up watching? I bought a couple of DVD's this week, Love Actually and Schindler's List. I love the music to that film. Friends of mine have seen S.L. at the cinema and found it incredibly moving so I am ready to be very emotional in the privacy of my home. :cry: Continued congratulations on stopping smoking! We'll have Linus up there with you soon. What a funny story about Shad and her salad! :hungry: That'll teach her to eat healthily whilst on holiday.!! :lol3: :lol3:
Shad...good on DS#1!! What a treasure he is. Must be nice to enjoy the fruits of your labouring in the garden. Have you grown any thing other than salad vegetables? Sweet corn? Peas? Every year I pick 1 carrot or 1 raddish! I have never planted any vegetable seeds or plants of any sort...I suppose some kind bird must simply drop a seed whilst flying by! I couldn't believe it the first year I pulled on what I thought was a weed leaf and up came a carrot!! :lol3: :lol3:
Linus I am glad DS is home safe and sound. Hope he took lots of decent photos of Germany and enjoyed himself heaps. I 'spect he has loads of assignments to do now!! :^:
Mel...how long is the electricity to be off for? What a pain. Good job it is not the middle of winter! Hope none of your gadgetry suffers this time! :o
Roseblush, what are you planning for your birthday celebrations? We need to know!!

Oh that reminds me before I go, what time are we having our cyber party? I do hope you can all come, you know you are all very much invited!!:cheers: :cheers: :wizard: :queen: :hat: :gift: Are we allowed birthday cake??? :hb:

Cyber party - well let me see. I have worked out some time differences.
At midnight in England on the 16th of June it is 6.pm in Illinois, 7pm in New Jersey, 5pm in Idaho and 9am on the 17th in Queensland. So to make it easy for all of us and to get it all on the same day is going to be difficult - unless of course the Americans fancy taking wine with their breakfast!! :hat: :hun: So we need to work on that principle. I guess I will need to think some more. :chin: Maybe I need some of Mel's lightbulbs to help me think. Anyway, I'm off to the shops and the gym. I'll think while I am on the treadie and do some calculations in my head. Sorry teel, my best champagne does not taste good with toothpaste! Maybe I'll just celebrate all day for you, that should mean that at least two of us get to raise a glass together at some time.
Gotta go. Be back when the brain kicks in with some bright ideas!
:gift: :cheers: :gift: :cheers: :gift: :cheers: :gift: :cheers: :gift: :cheers: :gift: :cheers: :gift: :cheers: :gift: :cheers: :gift: :cheers:

Teel~ I am starting to get excited just reading your post!!! How I love to shop! :lol: Hope you had a great time. Are you starting to pack yet to see what fits?! :lol: I always think the planning is the best part!!! :D Enjoy every minute.

Shad~ I have some spare bulbs if you need them! LOL I don't mind a bit of wine with my bran cereal! :rofl: Might even pour it in the bowl and top it off with some ground flaxseed!!! :rofl: Nice combo huh? You have created a gif monster. I typed a lesson for ceejay and hope it's right. If you happen to go there and see an error, please correct it! :lol:

Happy~ Yes I am going back to the Michael Thurmond thing. I had a "tweaked' plan with cereal and 3 servings of dairy added by the Dr. He saw no probs with it. But wanted me to eat the MAX allowed. If it said 1 to 2 cups then I chose the 2 cups.
I had great results with my blood sugar. It stopped bouncing around and I felt great.
Christmas came and I lost my momentum after that:( So back I go tomorrow. I already started yesterday.

Nae, Linus and all the lost souls out there in cyber city.....HELLO!!! Kirsty I hope you haven't harmed the neighbors yet but if Shad heard anything on the news I'm sure she would have informed us! :rofl:
Hope you all have a good day and sweet dreams Shad! :D :cb:

At this precise minute in time England are winning their match against France...1-o to England!! :bravo: :cp: :dance: :cheer: :cheer: :cheer: :goodluck:
I am not usually interested in watching footie but I would like England to win..we are usually so useless at all sports!
I have started layng things out for my holiday on the spare bed! :smug: :D :cool: No clothes yet, just toiltries and the paperwork and my passport.:hyper: :hyper: :hyper: We are only allowed 15kg on the plane wich doesn't sound very much to me.I am sure my two bags weigh more than that empty! :devil:
Where is everyone? No word from Happy today...and we seem to have lost Shaker forever, and where is Peacock?
2 days to go..hee hee hee!! ;) :cheers: :sunny: :cheer: :balloons: :wizard: :queen:

Poor England, pipped at the post. I guess the country has gone into mourning with the weekend sports results - Scotland and Ireland included. Oh dear oh dear. The All Blacks beat the English rugby team (the World Champs) fairly comprehensively, the Aussies downed the Scots, the South Africans beat the Irish and now the flaming English Soccer team turned victory into defeat in the last few moments. It's a hard world out there.
Are you staying in hotels or pensiones over in Austria Teel? If it is only for a week, you will not need that much - pyjamas, toothbrush, hairbrush, medication, shampoo, 2 pairs of trousers and 3 shirts, 5 days of undies and socks/stockings and 1 pair of walking shoes, 1 pair of comfortable good shoes and a couple of plastic bags for dirty shoes or washing. Thats it! Should be around 10kg weight. That leaves room for gifts and booze. I went around the world on 21kg including gifts for nearly 6 weeks. Oh and don't forget the small collapsible umbrella. Passport, credit cards and money vouchers in the money belt round the waist.
I didn't quite get around to the time strategy yesterday. I was pounding along on the treadmill, wishing it were all over and talking to the bloke on the next treadie (another Kiwi!) yesterday and didn't quite get to the mathematics. Will put some brain power into it today and see what happens. It's my time that causes the problem. Wouldn't you know it.
Happy is either beavering away in the garden and enjoying the sunshine or she is in pain from teeth. She will be back in time.
Morning to Linus and Nae. We are getting to be a small bunch again aren't we.
Okay, time to clear up and go to the gym. Put DS#1 on plane this morning and sent him back to Aotearoa and the Killer Step Class starts at 9.30 so I have 3/4 of an hour to put the kitchen to rights and clean and dust the lounge. Back later

Hi Everyone,

I spent most of the weekend outside - was bound and determined that I was going to get as much as possible done with the landscaping outside. I just don't have that much time to be going out there each weekend. So we got one side planted and just about finished - now to decide if we're going to put the white decorative stone in like we originally planned. I have more flowers than I thought and I'm not sure the stone will look right. I got my bleeding heart plant, spirea bush and impatiens planted on the shady side of the house and that's all done. Had to dig up under the front of the house - the birds and the seed have made quite the mess - guess the birdies will have to sustain themselves on bugs or go to the far feeder at the back of the property. That was an icky mess to clean, especially as we got alot of rain and it was all wet, mushy and yucky. But it's clean now - talked to DH about some possibilities for that area and he liked my idea. We have a large tree that has blight on it. We get it sprayed but as the leaves die off, they fall and drop to the ground. If just left there they will decay into the ground and re-infect the tree. We have to put something down other than rocks or mulch which will allow us to "pick up" the leaves as they fall if we ever hope to get rid of the blight - which is what we were told by the guy who sprays the tree. I was thinking flagstones, moving our bench under the tree and putting in some large planter pots for a bit of color under the shade of the tree. To do this will take another 2 weekends of work. And finally I did some trimming and clean up work on the back side of the house. Our neighbor has a maple tree and that blasted thing drops thousands of seed pods in the spring that take root ALL over everywhere. I was sitting out and pulling tiny maple saplings out of the rocks while talking to the 3 year old next door. We were talking and laughing and I noticed he was taking great amusement in stomping daddy's carefully planted impatiens and begonias. I kept telling him to stop, daddy was at the far end of the yard and yelled at him a few times but he is 3 and does not care what daddy or I say. I finally told my neighbor that he had to move the kid away as he had stomped every plant in the side garden. Daddy said it was time for the kid to nappy as he was being totally destructive. My neighbors are wonderful, the kindest people but he is from Iran and his use of American slang especially when directed at his child is highly amusing to me. :lol:

Anyway I was so tired out Satuday night that I actually went to bed EARLY - can you believe it? DH and I watched a movie and I found myself starting to dose. I was going to post here but I was actually nodding off at the keyboard so I figured go to bed early and get up early again today. So, sorry for being quiet on the weekend.

Linus, hope you are doing well with staying off the cigs. Mel, hope you got some needed rest. Teel, we are almost at the brink of the birthday - are you ready? Thanks Shad for coordinating time frames for us. I think there's only a few hours when we are all on the same day. It still will be a bit of a challenge to coordinate as most of you folks are early to bed people which will be a tad difficult to accomodate a ... 14 hour? time span. But we are enterprising women - we'll figure something out!

With 3 birthdays this month, I was practicing my singing voice while out in the yard. Did I mention that for some odd reason I saw absolutely NO wildlife while I was out there??? :rofl:

And Teel, I can attest to the amazement of Shad and her fabulous talent for packing luggage lightly. Actually - you saw it too. Was even funnier to see her hauling around that very large hockey bag - of course when you consider all the travelling in and out of trains, carriages and airports, I guess I'd be thinking twice about having to carry much luggage myself.

Well past bedtime now - I have much to do at work tomorrow also so I'd better get cleaned up and in the pajamas. Night'y night all.

:coffee: Good morning!!...er...afternoon! :D
This is a quickie post just to say howdy all. I have got little done this morning, was going through the junk mail pile and just making a new pile! A friend arrived to say her and DH would not be coming to my birthday meal on July 10th, as they had had a bad experience at the restaurant we are going to recently and that had rather put them off. We stood on the doorstep for ages talking :gossip: and I realised I had not offered her a drink so I asked her if she had time to stop, which she did so we spent 1/2 hr sitting in the garden with mango and orange flavoured water.It was just right in the back garden. Not too hot till the sun gets round at about midday then it turns into a real sun trap :hot: :sunny: :sunny: and man and beast retreat indoors!! :cool:
Shame about the France win over England in the last 2 minutes of the game...what more can I say? :^: :rollpin: :sumo: :kickcan: :kickcan: :dunno:
In Austria we are staying in an hotel on a bed and buffet breakfast basis. I imagine there'll be a plethora of eating out places to choose lunch and evening meals from. :hungry: Not long to go now.
Happy the gsarden is sounding absolutely gorgeous. It will be lovely when you and DH can sit in it and relax and enjoy all you hard work. The star magnolia tree that the parents brought me a month or so ago has one flower right at the top. Amzing 'cos mum said it had finished flowering when she bought it from the nursery!! :lol:
Well that is all for now, chicks. Have a lovely day. If anything exciting happens I will come back later and tell you about it!! ;)

LINUS - HELLO, :wave: HELLO Where have you gone??? Up the wall or round the bend??
And for that matter where is MEL??
Right I have come up with the solution to the drink problem! :lol3: Should I tell you? :rofl: :lol3: :rofl: :lol3: :rofl: :lol3: :rofl: :lol3: Yeah why not.
I figured that the only time we could all get together to start drinking Teels health was to start at 12:01am 16th June my time and finish at midnight 16th June Roseblush's time. Now at sometime or other we will all be drunk together!!! Great idea hey! Whaddya reckon? The kiwi bloke and me worked that out on the treadmill today. We put a lot of brainpower into that while treading the mill and wishing it was the wine barrell.
:rofl: :lol3: :rofl: :lol3: :rofl: :lol3: :rofl: :lol3: :rofl: :lol3: :rofl: :lol3: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:
Happy the gardening is sounding wonderful. I presume DH is taking photos so we can see the hard work paying off. Are these people from next door new neighbours from when I was there? Don't remember you talking about Iranians then! :cheers:
Teel - good on Mum for getting you a lovely tree. It should look spectacular in the spring. I do love the Magnolias. They don't grow very well here apart from maybe the Port Wine Magnolia and even then they are temperamental. Magnificent wonderful trees. :cheers:
Okay, I've been to the gym already. I've about finished breakfast and coffee and its time to go backt to cutting tiles again. Sometimes I think I have the hang of it and lo and behold I stuff it all up again and it all goes to **** in the handcart again. I'm almost ready to take a stab at the floor. Simon tells me I am doing it the hard way but as I said I am happier when things match up properly and everything looks like it is planned. Sure takes longer and is tedious and hard on the knees and the temper but it looks better to me. I've taken happy snaps as I go, so you will see it eventually. :cheers:
So it's now time to go get on with it. I'm sure I will finish it sometime.

See you at Midnight my time :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:

Honies I'm Home!!!
 

:wave: Today was my first trip to the mall. Willy let us sty longer than we usually do. It was to his benefit!! he had something else to do. I had a great time but hadn't planned on being out so long. So I had to buy hotdogs for lunch at 1:30. Found some tops @ for $6 and change, LOTR's DVD, watercolor set, paper, and sneaker clogs. Had a gift certif. for the Raf Shop and got the paints there. I want to play with water colors if the heat gets too hot or during the winter.

I want to say that while I was shopping I thought of each of you. It seemed like everytime I turned around I saw something that I either thought you would like or that reminded me of one of you. Funny that we have never met yet I felt like we had while shopping! :rofl:

I will have to read your posts in the morning. Eyes are a wee bit gritty. My own fault. I forgot my drops at home and glasses too. The mall was an outdoor one and I rode across a large parking lot to get to the other side without thinking. I could have bopught a pair of cheap sunglasses in the dept. store! DUH!!!

Well Chicklettes, I have a shower to take and MUST get my buns out of this chair! :lol: Sweet dreams all and good morning Sunshine!!!:D

Oh sure, you really expect me to believe that anyone of you lot except for me will actually be AWAKE at midnight mid week? :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: but Ok, I'm game for it as I will certainly be up. Can I toast with any beverage of my choice? I do have a fondness for amaretto and orange juice or lemonade and I could probably do that at midnight - might even get me a lovely sleep for a change! :hat: :hat: :hat: Must I wake up DH in order to clink glasses or can I be a 2 fisted drinker? At least I know that for 2 of the 3 birthdays I have to face east and for Rose's I turn the other way. The one that completely confuses me is you Shad. Are you southeast or southwest of me? Southwest I imagine if you flew from Los Angeles to Japan on your trip back home. And thank you for working out the logistics of the timing with your treddie partner today. Bet that made the time go just a bit faster - especially if you were running to catch up the more you gave it thought!

ok, I just looked it up. As the crow flies, this is the distance between us -
8914 miles (14346 km) (7746 nautical miles) and you are indeed west of me. Actually that's between me and Brissy as I have to use the larger cities. And I am the farthest apart from you. :( Which makes me all the more honored that you have come nearly halfway around the world to see me. :) :) :)

Between me and Teel - 3963 miles (6378 km) (3444 nautical miles)

me and Linus (dear, I hope she's not lopped off anyone's head by now) 3718 miles (5984 km) (3231 nautical miles) Guess I'm closer to Linus than Teel.

me and Mel are practically neighbors down the road - 684 miles (1100 km) (594 nautical miles)

better pack a light lunch if going to visit Rose - 1449 miles (2332 km) (1259 nautical miles)

and let's not forget Shaker 8187 miles (13176 km) (7115 nautical miles)

Ok, so much for my trivia contribution tonight. And good luck with the tile cutting Shad, I will cross my fingers for you as that is an activity sometimes filled with ... blue words :censored:

Sounds like it would be great fun to go shopping with Mel and Teel. It's good to hear that you ladies have finally treated yourselves to some well deserved things just for you! Mel, what will you do with the watercolors? Are you a painter or something you'd like to try your hand at?

I will try and get DH to take pictures of the yard work - we did not take before pics which we should have. And he is more fond of extreme closeups so we'll see if we can capture the effects. When we first moved into our house 22 years ago, we had a dozen magnolia trees surrounding the house. DH hacked them down the following year. They were pretty but good heavens, the bees that were attracted to them was horrible. It was impossible to stand outside - even just to come in the house you had to run like the wind - so I was not exactly sorry to see them come down. But they are beautiful trees and very lovely smelling. Teel, your garden sounds quite the lovely place to sit and enjoy a cool drink. I will meet you there to toast for your birthday, ok? I am sorry to hear that your friends will not be joining you in the restaurant. Sometimes there might be an off day with the cook or a person's stomach. :( What type of food was that again that you had chosen for dinner? I just remember the Chinese buffet did not work out.

Do you suppose that Linus is away for a bit planning her own big birthday bash? Since she shares her birthday with Sir Paul (McCartney) - at least I think they have the same birthday - perhaps he is reviewing the music for their big bash!

Nae, looking over the fields by your place and watching the wildlife, I think I'll join you for coffee and muffins on the deck. We can sit back and enjoy the sun rise. Since you're 2 hours behind me there's all the reason I will actually be AWAKE for breakfast with you...

Well chickies, Mr. Furnace man is coming to do the summer furnace/air conditioner check and I must be clean, dressed and ready to see him very early so I'd better get snuggly under the covers.

Only 18 more hours by Big Ben's tower until Teel's big day... :hb:

Between Mr Moko and me, we worked out that it was 41 hours of drinking. I think you will entirely tired of your amaretto and orange by that time happy. I should have made large inroads into the wine cellar as well. Best I don't go and do bodystep in the morning huh? Mr Moko however can probably carry 41 hours of drinking - he is no small turkey - must stand at least 6.6

Morning
 

Hey Everyone, I made a nice long post this weekend filled with news and talking to each of you and then it went bye bye before it was posted. I know I know my friend Shad has given me clear instructions on how to avoid this :mad: , but do I listen???????? So I didn't write another one.....sorry but I was here off and on! I ended up having a great weekend and girls I have my deck all tidied up with a new table and pretty cloth and flowers just set for my worldly friends to come and join me for :coffee: and brekkie!
I am so tickled with all the planning for our party...I think it should be on the weekend so you ladies can start on saturday morning and the others of us will be toasting on friday night....Like 7pm my time would make it 11am for Shad and she can have some champagne and orange juice to start her day!!!
It warms my heart to know I have friends all over the world thinking about each others birthdays.....I think you all are the best gift I have given myself in a long time! ;)
Can't wait to hear about all the adventures when everyone returns. Now Linus please come and talk to us...... we want to know you are alright and we just want to read those comical posts of yours.......we care...no pressure to perform for us!
Miss Mel, you are the kindest most giving lady of the land..... thinking about each of us shopping is so sweet..... I am glad you got time away to enjoy yourself and do some people watching too....
I was feeling a little blue because of no contact with my two busy sons this weekend when the phone rang and it was Jesse's girlfriend Morgann and the kids are coming to see methis weekend...so I am very very excited. Our little town is actually quite busy with lots of activities so it should be very fun! It just seems like I don't hear from them except when they need something from me.... but it is the age they are at....... just glad I am there for them!
I am so discouraged about the weight situation but I am still trying and not focus on the impossible but the possible.... Hope this finds all of you well, I so enjoy those posts from all of you...the pics are so great as are all of you!
Take Good Care,
Nae

Start spreading the News, :soap:
She's 40 today :hat: :hat: :hat:
Happy Birthday to you, :hb:
Happy Birthday to you :hb:
Happy Birthday dear Teel, :hb:
:cheer: :cheer: :cheer: :cheer: :cheer: :cheer: :cheer: :cheer: :cheer: :cheer:
Happy Birthday to yoooooooooooooouuuuuuuuuuuu :hb:
:gift: :gift: :gift: :balloons: :balloons: :balloons:
Oh Happy Daze - oooops days

:joker: :cb: :cb: :cp: :cp: :dance: :dancer: :grouphug: :genie: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:

Have a wonderful day. Right first drink coming up in about 40 minutes from now, then I'm off to bed for a well earned sleep. I'm usually there hours ago. See what you make me do?
:cheer: :cheer: :cheer: :cheer: :cheer: :cheer: :cheer: :cheer: :cheer: :cheer:

Hum, Roseblush, 7pm your time would be 8pm for Happy, 9pm for Mel and 2.00am the next day for Teel (not that it would probably worry her) and I am ahead of her. That's why we came up with a marathon drinkathon so that we could all make it for the entire 16th of June right around the world. The statistics are mind boggling trying to get us all on the same wavelength at the same time.

Good night or rather good morning to you all. Happy birthday to the old girl!!!!!!

Kind thanks to Mr. Moko too. 41 hours of drinking????? :D :D :D

How can ANYTHING possibly be wrong with life and the world in general when we're doing 41 hours of drinking :hat: :hat: :cheers: :cheers: I knew there was a wonderful reason we were all attracted to each other :grouphug: Can I start early in case I don't get the proper blend of orange juice and amaretto? :devil:

Nae, your breakfast table sounds delightful. I'll bring the croissants and fruit plate. We can stick a candle in half a cantelope for a fire proof, low calorie birthday "cake". Actually I can probably muster up a pretty unique creation with the fruit sitting in the kitchen right now... think I'll go try that out now.

One... two... three.... at the time of my post, Shad has less than 20 minutes to get ready to "pop the cork" for Teel. Get ready....

:lol3: :lol3: :lol3: :bravo: Well done Shad for working out all those time zones with Mr. Moko..please say thank you to him on your next marathon treadmill! Hopefully, as Happy says, time goes rather faster when you are discussing a 41hr drinking session!! :tread: :rofl: Here it is 18:25hrs...only 5 1/2 hrs to go!! :cheers: :cheers: :cheer: :balloons:
Shad your post had SO many smilies in it! I feel quite upstaged!! :lol: I have never tried amoretto and orange....perhaps the time has come!!
And well done to Happy for getting all those mileages right. A good job cyber-parties transcend all measurements!! :dizzy: :D
I had a friend for lunch today...the one who lost her husband last year. She is off to Italy next week for a 12 day package. And she brought my birthday pressie and I was given permission to open it early....hee hee! It is a beautiful cut glass ornament...a glass violin suspended in a glass box..3D effect and it sits on a miniture base which lights up 3 colours..white, red and blue so it is very pretty. Thats not a good description of it but I know you have all got good imaginations!! ;)
Well thats all for now. I wish Linus would put in an appearance...I am getting a bit worried. Hope she is all right.
Ta ta for now then. I will reurn...ON MY BIRTHDAY!! :cheer: :cheer: :balloons: :sunny: :cheers: :wizard: :queen: :grouphug: :dance: :hat: :dance: :hat: :flow2: :cp: :hb: :cb: :D

Hello Happy....I know you are there!!!! :D :D :D

But I am not 'cos I am off to make some dinner!!! :cool: :lol: :devil:

Happy Birthday Teel
 

HAVE A GOOD ONE!!!!!!!! THE VERY BEST AND ENJOY YOURSELF........
THINKING OF YOU........ A TOAST FOR 41 HOURS...YIKES...... I MIGHT BE TOO OLD FOR THAT ONE...BUT I CAN TRY!!!!!
Nae

im alive im still sane and im here
 

good evening chickies sorry for going awol but been two of those sodding days :?: :^: right ill start with the smoking saga i dutifully got rid of all ciggies and ashtrays and popped on a patch before going to bed on friday evening managed all day saturday without killing anybody but by the time dh got back from the pub on saturday evening i was getting very upset :flame: :censored: :censored: :censored: :yikes: :yikes: so i called the 24 hour quit line and the very nice lady told me that because i smoked more than 40 cigs a day the patches would not stave off the cravings :smoking: :smoking: and recomended just cutting down till i could see my gp and get a prescription for the tablets{possibly the same ones happy used}so after sending dh to the all night garage for cigs i sat down and created a stopping plan which after not being able to get an appointment with my gp till the 21st i had to scrap :mad: ive decieded to cut down until i see gp so since saturday ive smoked nearly 40{38} instead of 160 and i must admit im feeling okaybut as im still to wear the patches i wont say im there yet but i havent killed anyone and my kids just about feel safe to talk to me again :rofl: :rofl: :crazy: TEEL ill pop back into wish you a happy birthday later the pressie sounded lovely maybe just as well youmdidnt tell her to go and boil her head when she was being so inconsiderate towards you ROSE enjoy the weekend with the kids should keep you on your toes just remember exercise is good for you :rofl: HAPPY i cant find the post that you mention the name of the tablets you were on so if you could let my know the lady has sent an e-mail to gp to recommend zyban but to be quite honest if i manage to keep to the small amount im smoking now i might give it another go with the patches this weekend {ill keep some cigs handy just incase} SHAD if you can manage 41 hours of drinking then your a better lady than me id be flat on my back {dont tell hubby that he might take advantage} but i will raise a glass of diet irn-bru at the appropriate times im not planning anything for mine at the moment dh was taking me out but ds is complaining about stying with his aunt so well wait and see mum left another pressie for me today as she was going to the caravan slippers and scotch tablet and no its not the diet kind but i only had 3 out of the box of belgian chocs craig brought me back from brugge so i think im entitled to eat it im going to anyway so :p MEL my eyes are a bit sore at the moment but thats because i forgot to put my specs on as i was cutting nad pinning my new bolsters and cushion covers and cusion pads and recovering dh,s computer chair so i think ill leave sewing them until tomorrowor ill be really sore why do we always remember the things were supposed to do after its too late??? anyway ladies im off for a coffee and ill pop back later to start the celebrations
kirsty

Oh God Linus PLEASE STOP USING THE PATCH IF YOU ARE SMOKING!!! You can get too much nicotine and actually cause yourself to have a stroke. It is very VERY dangerous to smoke while using any sort of nicotine replacement therapy - gum, patches, lozenges. The only reason I stayed off the fags for 7 weeks in '98 was because I was afraid to be smoking with the patch. So I'd decide to smoke and rip the patch off my arm and then I'd have to wait about 3 hours and drink lots of water to flush the nicotine out. By then I got over my craving, would put the patch back on and go through the silly cycle all over again until I finally got fed up and went back to smoking full on.

Having used both methods, I would suggest the Zyban pills. You are right - the patch does absolutely NOTHING to deal with your cravings. Actually the Zyban doesn't either - truth be known. Here's what the Zyban does that will perhaps help you. Zyban interferes with the dopamine - the pleasure/satisfaction that you get from smoking. After the first 24 hours, you will notice that the cigarettes taste funny - cottony is how I would describe it. Much like borrowing someone else's brand. You're smoking but it's not satisfying any more. You still smoke while on the Zyban - in fact you must continue to smoke for at least 1 but no more than 2 weeks while you are on the pills (I think that's to reinforce to your brain that this is unpleasant). If you continue to smoke beyond the 2 week mark, it's more unlikely that you will be able to stop at all.

The honest truth is that you are going to really, truly WANT to stop more than anything in the world. Because no matter what, you will get cravings - the only way you won't get them is if you go into a coma and even then after you woke up, you'd still get them because you are conditioned to the habit of smoking. I admit that when I quit, I had 6 packs left over. I gave 5 to my aunt and kept 1. Still have that one in my purse. And I can't seem to toss it out. I tell myself that I can hang in there - if things should get sooooo horrid, I could open that pack and smoke 1. Since it's 2 months old, the cigs are probably getting a little stale so that would make it taste worse than if I went and bought a fresh pack out of desperation. I don't know if it's a good thing or not that I have them. Sometimes I think I am just "between" smoking bouts and unless I can toss them in the trash, I have not truly quit. Today for some reason, I am having really strong urges to smoke. Not that I'm tense or anything. I still find cigarettes attractive when my neighbor is smoking. The only time I found it nasty was when we were in a pub and there was a huge bar with about 50 people smoking all at once - that was overwhelming. But one on one, that demon still has a grip on me.

I also think I have the right type of addictive personality. I always want to do the worst thing for me. Just BECAUSE I want to, even if I know it's bad for me. Stubborn old goat I am!

Anyhow, nothing will really get rid of the cravings. It's a battle between you and your brain. And each annoyance you come across, your brain will be saying - go have a smoke - that will make it better :devil:

Don't rush it, I know you probably feel that if you don't do it right now you will lose your resolve. I did alot of reading all over the internet the week before I decided to quit just to motivate myself. If you want to get a jump start immediately you can by switching brands right now while you are waiting for your GP appointment. When I had decided, I just called my doctor and over the phone they called the chemist to give me my prescription since I have an appointment for my regular check up next month. Anyway, if you switch brands that will immediately make it less satisfying to smoke. If you smoke menthols, switch to non menthol and if you smoke regulars - go to lights - get as far away from your current brand as possible. Make a promise to yourself that if you're going to continue to smoke - these new horrid tasting fags are all that you'll allow yourself. As soon as you finish this pack, don't go back to your current brand. Good luck girl, I know what you're going through. I wish I could say - yes, 3 days of pain and it's all over with.... Don't be a stranger. Rant if you need to. :fr: And big congratulations to you for having a plan and only smoking a tiny bit of what you'd normally smoke!!!!! Each one you can avoid is a tiny step in the right direction.

In other news.... 40 minutes on the clock of Big Ben before it chimes for Teel.... 40 minutes to still be in your 30's missy - live it up :lol: Do you think at this moment she'd out front on the road dancing in the middle and shooting off the fireworks while singing at the top of her voice????? :chin: :chin: :chin:

48 hours and 40 minutes until the bells ring for Linus....

Morning all.
I'm back again. Yes that drink I had for Teel's birthday sent me off to the land of nod without too much trouble. However I was late getting up this morning. Late for what I ask? Well it does not pay to get too far out of sync with the working world even when you are not working as you end up becoming lazy if you don't take care. :dz: :dz:

Big Ben - now there is a name and a half. In the true tradition of the English ability to confuse, the clock is called Big Ben, the tower it sits in is named St Stephens Tower. Been there, been confused. :dizzy: :dizzy: The English are really good at it - you need to try driving though the country roads looking for a town called Looe - or Polperro - or Lye doesn't matter which. You see a signpost that points you in the right direction. That's the last signpost you see for that town. :?: :?: If you come to a crossroad, in the absence of better directions go straight ahead. If you come to a tee intersection, turn left. Why I don't know. If you stop to ask directions of an old bloke leaning on a fence, you will get the stare - (the 'why don't you know where it is' look) and if you ask why there are no signposts you get the other look - (the 'we had a war on here you know' look) :rolleyes: :rolleyes: Never mind that the war was 60 years ago. Still for all that, I had some of the best driving experiences of my life on those country roads. I begged Chris to get us off the highways and freeways and put us on those country roads. They were so much fun. So narrow that sometimes we thought that we were going up someones driveway. Scotland was even better with 'the Passing Places'. Anyway I digress and that is another story.
Linus, be careful with smoking and patches and zyban stuff. :smoking: :smoking: I think you should take some Happy's advice and just think about it until you can get to the Dr. Planning for the change is always a good idea and you can fit things into the plan as you think of them. We will be standing by to toast you on the 18th as well. Do I have to keep a 41 hour watch for you as well. I know Teels is a really special birthday, but how about yours - a milestone???? :nose: :nose:
Teel that violin sounds lovely and just for you! :gift: So nice of your friend to remember your birthday. :hat: Maybe she is beginning to come out of that grief cycle she was in. So hard for her. Nice to think she is getting herself out and about as well.
Okay, time to go and flip a coin to decide on grout or garden this morning. Think it will be grout. I am so looking forward to seeing that bathroom finished. :censored: :censored:

Counting down to Linus' birthday - and then I have my friend Chris in Japan who on the 20th becomes older than me again, and following that Nae and my sister have a birthday on the same day!!! Woo hoo what a month for celebrating. :cheers: :encore: :encore:

Right I have raised the coffee cup to Teel for breakfast and will get the Champagne out shortly to chill. :coffee: :coffee:

Catch you all later

Happy Birthday Miss Teel!!!!
 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TEEL!!
:wave: :hb: :joker: :cp: :cb: :hat: :gift: :dance: :flow1: :flow2: :dancer: :twirly: :wizard: :balloons: :encore: :cheers: :cheer:
We will lift a glass this day to celebrate our Eastern Friend!!!! I bought Pink lemonade for the occassion and will drink it in the morning!!!! :rofl:
Hope you are having a wonderful start to the birthday and will continue to have a good time till it ends over by Nae's house! LOL

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR TEEL
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!

:cheer: :cheers: :encore: :bubbles: :balloons: :wizard: :queen: :dancer: :flow2: :flow1: :dance: :gift: :hat: :cp: :hb: :joker:

NOW CLICK ON THE CAKE AND MAKE A WISH AND BLOW OUT THE CANDLES!!!!

I think I caught up with everyone! Just speed read the posts! LOl
Teel~ I only have a 10 pack of lemonade so I guess one every 4 hours aught to do it! :rofl: I won't be drunk with alcohol but with sugar overload! :rofl: I hope the 41 hour salute serves you well and they will be happy hours!!! Love the violin present. Hope too that you both will get passed her grief. Friends are hard to come by. Kisses and hugs for the Big day!!!

Shad~ Wish right about now I had the orangejuice and champagne!!! :lol: Maybe I should spike the ade with some vodka! :rofl: :dizzy: :faint; Wonder also how I can dricve drunk now I got so old! :rofl: who the **** is Mr. Moko and where have you been hiding him!?!?!? :rofl:

Happy~ ALL those MILES!! WOW!! I tried to get a map at a bookstore yesterday and at the dept. store but no dice. I was going to exericse my way to everyones house. When I get one you can help me figure out the miles again! :lol:

Nae~ A small parcel is on it's way!! I will be uinterested in your input. Glad you will have some company again. Good to have something to look forward to. I sometimes feel the same way about "when they want something" syndrome! :rofl: Think we all go through a bit of that one! :lol:

Linus~ I hope you are ok and please do not overdose on nicotiene. It's called nicotiene poisoning. I came close to having it and thought I would lose my insides in the loo!!! i became dehydrated and my whole world turned upside down and that was just with too many cigarettes!! No patches!!! :faint; so pleas be careful!! Don't want to lose you now as I just found you!!! Who will help me laugh my fanny off?!?!? :rofl:

Well girls I was out all day. Shopped, came home and put stuff away, went back out and ate salad with the guys and no one wanted to come back inside!! A lovely breeze was blowing today. Hottish but nice all the same. Everyone went home and I spent another 2 hours with Sal(painter) as he had nothing to do today. Just lounged around and rested my weary head. I bought Neutrogena cleanser and moisturizer with SPF30. Used it today for the first time and think I may have a winning combo for the rosacea on the face. Eyes are a bit gritty even with the glasses on. Think I need to use the tears more often than I am......especially when I am outdoors. Must remember to take the vials with me. I had a good food day but deviated from plan with some rocky road ice cream. I felt a treat was called for being it was Teel's BD!!! Good excuse HUH????
Gotta hit the hay kids and hope you all have sweet dreams and Shad has a sweet day!:D

NOW CLOCK ON THE CAKE AND MAKE A WISH AND BLOW OUT THE CANDLES!!!!

Mel you really crack me up. You sound like the English Policeman spy in the British Comedy 'Allo, 'Allo. Did you mean click on the cake??? :rofl: :rofl: :lol3:

OK i edited it!!! LOL Good thing I didn't say CLUCK!!! :rofl: :lol: :rofl:
Now I can go to bed with a clear conscience that my post is all straightened out!!! How come you're not tiling or gardening?!?!? Who or what won the toss??!! :rofl:

Well I am running a bit late here but Happy Birthday Teel, Linus and Nae!!!!! (click on the link please)

Love the link happy, but can't seem to get the fireworks to start must be doing something wrong.
Glad you corrected it Mel. It just had me in fits as does the policeman in the show.