Hello I am still fabulous and fifty and still celebrating!
 

How is everyone doing???? I got home yesterday so tired from my 3 day weekend that I took a little nap then got up to catch up with all the posts!
Happy 4th to everyone! I was out in the woods so far that we didn't even hear one firecracker...I couldn't believe it....and after we hosted the family get together on Sunday my cuz and I were tooooo tired to drive down and watch the fireworks...we went to bed!!!!!BORING that is what happens whne you get old :dizzy:
WE had a good turn out and it was fun to see everyone. I didn't even go all the way into town where my mom lives because there wasn't enough time so next weekend I will go to town and treat her to a day of fun and adventure it is her 76th bday and she still works out does water execise and walks everyday....she is my hero! My sis and I will probably take her up to Glacier park to cruise around...it is so beautiful up there!
I went swimming in a lake where the loons were swimming around and there wasn't anyone else in the water it was so wonderful....we did get some rain on and off but during our party and barbq it was just fine!!!!
Went and peaked at the new journals....nice look to them.....barely could operate the old way....but like Shad said we can all learn something new!!! Or just have our friends help us out!!!!!
Hope everyone is well....... take care!
Peace,
Nae

well ladies i have been avoiding going on the scales and posting my stats because my eating has been TERRIBLE and i have done no exercise but i bit the bullet and jumped on the scales and guess what :goodscale :goodscale :goodscale :goodscale :cheer: :cheer: :rofl: :hungry: :crazy: :encore: :encore: :encore: :grouphug: :grouphug: :dancer: :dancer: 15.3 :flow2: :flow2: :dancer: :grouphug: :grouphug: :goodvibes :goodvibes :goodvibes :dance: :bravo: :bravo: :bravo: :love: :love: oh god i think i might actually get to 14 stone i cant beleive it i want to cry actually i think i am back later
kirsty

Well done Linus. But considering all the work you have been doing around the house and the walking, I'm not surprised you have shrunk!!!

Morning all,

Roseblush, so good to hear that you are still celebrating. I think Mel is too. Sounds like you had a good weekend and hey I think your mum might be my hero too. Good on her for continuing to exercise and staying strong.
I need to think about NOPE again too. Weight has risen again with all this weight training. Not a lot but enough to be infuriating - when will it go away? Yes I know I have shrunk - there's not a lot left in the wardrobe that really fits anymore, but it would be nice to have a scale victory once in a while.
Yesterday I partly sanded down a room at Simon's place, but silly me, I forgot to take an extension cord so didn't get all the way round. So then I took up the carpet tack strips in the next bedroom. Today I will finish the sanding, fill the dents and cracks, wash down the second room, and maybe take up the carpet tack strips in the third bedroom. Then I will come back here and have a go at the sides of the bath - I finished as much tiling as I could do yesterday. I have to put in the bend for the waste pipe this week and we will have a go at getting the vanity in over the weekend. That will be a real achievement. Photos coming to the website soon.

Last night I put up some new albums - just a couple of photos in each as yet. Some of the older albums will have to come down shortly as I shall run out of the alloted number of albums I am allowed. Most of the new photos are off the digital camera - they don't take so long to upload, but the better ones are from the other camera. They will come some time this week maybe.

Happy, those fireworks photos from the DH were amazing. He has such patience to set up and take a few, then try a new way etc. That is one good thing about the digital I guess. I'm cross that the local big camera store (well nearly local) had a pavement sale last weekend of digital cameras and peripherals. The camera that DS and I have coveted for so long was there at half price - I forgot to go!!!! So did DS!!!!! :mad: :mad: :mad: Really can't afford it, but hey we could at least have gone halves in it.

So today, I am about to embark on the sides of the bath. This is something new. I have to have a think about how to approach the cutting of this fibro cement board. I may have to get a new sawblade for the saw. Don't think the normal ones will cut through it. Ah well, I'll just go down to the local hardware heaven and through myself on the mercy of the tradesmen down there. They all know me - they think I am nuts most of the time. Who cares!!!

Teel will be home in the next couple of days. Let's hope she has had a great time. I would love to go to Salzburg one day. Aaah well, one day, one day.

Aaah coffee is ready. :coffee: :coffee: :coffee: :coffee: :coffee: :coffee:

someone will have to tell me where happys photos are im just going to have a peek at shads
kirsty

What a day I had!
 

CONGRATULATIONS LINUS!!!!! maybe I better start working in the house more!!! :rofl: You must be so very HAPPY!!!! Enjoy the success!! Furniture moving diet! :lol:

Nae~ Good to have you back with us!! WOW we can celebrate Mom's BD next week TOO!! :Lol: sounded like a nice time you had. I could almost hear the loons. Reminded me of the On Golden Pond Movie! :) Hope you and Mom have a great time together. She'd be my hero too. I love to see them stay active. Too many seniors just sit down and give up. Welcome Home!:D

Shad~ When you ever get to the good old USA You can come and paint my apt!!! It's only got 3 1/2 rooms!! Should be a walk in the park for you now that you're becoming a pro! I know what you mean about the DS> There are some things I do for Jen cause I know she won't do them the "right" way! :lol: I have a very hard time with that bit! :rofl: Don't wear yourself out!

I had an "accident" with a shopping cart and the cart won. Bruises, lumps and small cuts. Happeneed so fast I'm not even sure how it began. Was doing some people a favor and WHAM!!
Cart hit the wall and I hit the cart. One codeine pill later the pain is tolerable. Hope it doesn't feel worse tomorrow. :( This too shall pass. I am hoping these accidents are a result of the eyes and not a coordination problem. Guess I will have to check it out sometime with a neurologist. But this all began around the same time as the eyes started and seems to get worse as the eyes get worse. OH well.............
Other than this the day was good. Someone asked me if I was losing weight and how I was doing it. One of my "boyfriends" at the supermarket gave me 4 bags of candy! :faint: I passed them off in the office when I came home. Got 2 tuna steaks. I love them when marinaded and broiled in the convection oven!! I think I may have said this a few times! :lol: Took my shower while Jen was here. The knee is a little weak today and the pill is working it's magic. I'm all powdered and smelling pretty and ready for bed and it's not even 6PM! Tomorrow I get to go to the waterfront if the weather is good. But I just heard rain all day. I was going to take my snack and my lunch. I could have stayed 3-4 hours! We'll see. Now that I have changed my font size, I actually feel like going on-line. For awhile now I haven't been happy with the PC. Very frustrating when everything is so blurry. My glasses now are no help at all really. Especially at night. I have tried all kinds of light bulbs and lamps. My maint. men keep coming up with new ideas so Mel can see! :rofl: Can you just see me with the white cane and trying to steer the chair at the same time!!?? :lol: I have some more bad news......the rosacea came out on the bridge of my nose and couldn't be any closer to my eye if it tried. It came back again without warning and the first day I thought it was a plain blemish. By the end of the day I knew what it was and started the antibiotics. I have a dr appt for the 12th so he can see what's what. There seem to be a few too many bumps in my road!!! :mad: Grrrrr! Why I am still laughing is even beyond MY imagination! :rofl: Guess that's how I deal with everything now. A few tears and then laughter. Well I must go and bid Jen and Richie goodbye. They are leaving for Florida tomorrow instead of Thurs. He has poison ivy on his chest and the Dr gave him a note to stay out of work and away from the chemicals there till next week. They have decided to leave early with the kids and grandparents to see a bit of Disney World or wherever they end up before giving the kids back to the Ex. Have a great night and will see all your bright and shining faces tomorrow. Except for Shad's sunshiny face tonite!!! :flow1:

Linus - try this link http://community.webshots.com/user/g3forme-date for Happy's DH photos.

Morning Mel. Watch those carts. they have a nasty habit of leaping out and getting you when you are not watching.

Hey! While I think of it, there was an article on the TV the other day about Macular degeneration. Apparently it becoming epidemic here. The boffins have come up with the news that vegetable oil, including Canola oil, but not including Olive oil is responsible for the rash of eye stuff. It seems that we are overdosing on the stuff - its in margarine ( which we are told to use instead of butter), crackers, ready prepared meals etc etc etc. Maybe they are talking about hydrogenated oils. It seems that whatever ails us stems from something the doctors and scientists have told us we have to have instead of something natural.
Moderation I say, everything in moderation is good. Good for you, good for the environment, good for the animals.
I should get on my soapbox and rave about going back to basics - yes????? :soap: :censored:

Thanks for posting DH's webshots address Shad. I just gave him a good pounding for not uploading more pictures :rollpin:

Interesting concept on the macular degeneration. I was not aware of the influence of diet although I have done some research on this subject as my grandmother, mother and aunt all suffer from it. I just looked up an article and thought this was worth posting:

What can you or your loved one do if diagnosed with macular degeneration?

First it is important to modify those environmental risk factors that we know about.

You should:

1. Detail a low-fat, low cholesterol diet.

2. If you are post menopausal, you should consult with your physician concerning estrogen replacement therapy. This may have a favorable impact upon cholesterol lipid levels that play a role in worsening the disease.

3. Wear sunglasses with UV protection.

4. Try to consume at least two servings of leafy dark green vegetables per day.

5. Do not smoke and avoid exposure to secondhand smoke.

6. Eat food and or supplements rich in vitamin E,C and Lutein. Lutein is a plant antioxidant found in high quantities in spinach, kale and other dark green, leafy vegetables


Some emerging theories about what may play a role in causing or worsening macular degeneration are as follows:

1. The macular contains many highly active and sensitive photoreceptors that require and consume a great deal of energy. Generating this energy requires a constant, rich supply of oxygen, nutrients and ions. Consequently, the macula has one of the highest rate of blood flow through its supply vessels. Anything that interferes with this necessary rich blood supply can cause the macula to malfunction and possibly become diseased.

2. Smoking can reduce this vital blood supply by contributing to narrowing of the blood vessels and thickening of the blood, as it does in the heart and brain where this process contributes to heart attacks and strokes.

3. A high-fat, high cholesterol diet can lead to fatty plaque deposition in the macular vessels hampering blood flow.

4. A shortage of antioxidants may also increase the tendency for fatty deposits to stick to blood vessel walls.

This is also a good website for more information including what things look like if you have the disease.

http://www.eyesight.org/Pictorials/pictorials.html

I have to run now and go to the grocery store - afraid that I did alot of goofing off over the weekend. I'll be back later tonight for a quick post.

Flowers
 

Just thought I would upload the Orchid pics and the Flame Vine pics I took this morning. Remember - you saw it here first.

Catching up...
Shad what gorgeous pictures. Where are they from? After I've shamed him, DH added a few more butterfly pictures to the Webshots site. I think he just added them to the back of the existing butterfly album. Just checked and yes he did do just that. Funny how I can see a big difference between the earlier shots and the later ones. Guess some things improve with practice. I will have to go check out your new albums tomorrow. Good luck with the bath. Somehow the idea of you sitting on the floor with a saw and tiles is rather amusing to me :lol: Poor tiles never saw it coming! I think you have quite the talent in renovating homes for budget conscious people. Perhaps that can be your new line of work - why train when you can have your own TV show? Renovations are quite popular here. Good luck to you tho...

Geez :rollpin: it's almost midnight and can you believe that there are fools outside who are STILL shooting firecrackers off 2 days past the holiday???? :headache: They have been shooting them off consistently for well over a week now. IDIOTS.

Mel, I'm sorry to hear that you've been in another accident. Metal things seem to be trying to make your acquaintance as of late, don't they? I think you just need those big coiled spring curb feelers all over your chair. We can stick some styrofoam balls on the ends and make deelie bobbers out of them and decorate your chair for every major holiday! Hope you enjoyed your tuna steaks. DH likes them too but I will stick to my salmon - good for the cholesterol but having fish on the menu several times a week is good for you so yay for you for making good choices. Is your rosacea in any way influenced by your diet? Can't remember if you were saying earlier that some foods aggrivated it.

I see that Austria's president has taken ill and passed away. Hope that will not create chaos for Teel on her trip. I really hope she is having a good time - she can well use a bit of fun in her life.

So Nae are you still celebrating? It is hard to believe that you are so remote that you wouldn't hear any firecrackers. Especially since I'm sure sound travels a greater distance out by you. Sounds though like you are getting out to enjoy a bit of the summer while it's still here. Can't believe how the time is flying by...

Good going Linus for the weight loss you've seen. It does appear that you have been quite busy lately, can that account for some of it? You must have been quite the good girl or maybe those recent drinks at the pub have just turned into a calorie burning furnace for you. Bravo woman!!!

Not to offend anyone but I was wondering... as DH and I walk about taking our photos, we obviously hear lots of tourists as we live in a tourist town. I quite frequently catch the clip of a British or Australian accent. However unless they use certain phrases unique to their country (hardly ever) - I can't tell if they are from over the pond or down under. Sometimes they assist by wearing a Tshirt that gives them away but I was wondering - any way to tell the difference between dialects/accents? I am more the shy type so instead of appointing myself good will ambassador and greeting them warmly, I am more the stalker type, prone to walking behind them just to hear them talk, that is until I find DH has gone way off in the opposite direction and is yelling for me to catch up!

Had this big long reply all typed out and was about to copy it when the screen suddenly wiped out to the - this page is not available - screen. Grrrr. Been having quite a few problems like this lately. Not sure what is causing the problem.

Happy to reply to your post regarding accents etc, but first the flowers - the orchid is called Cattelya Pastoral White, but I call it Lemon and Lime. I bought it with some of the money the Canadians gave me for carting them around the other day. I call it the Canadian Orchid.
As to accents - well no one really minds when they are on holiday if someone comes bouncing up to them and asks them where they are from, but I'll try my best to sort out the differences for you.
First I have no accent - get it!!!! :rofl: Since I am here and I speak both Aus and Kiwi and very few can pick me these days - I don't have an accent!!! :lol3:
The English are (mainly) much more precise in their speech. They tend to pronounce things with t's & d's on the end much better than we do. Having said that, I can't understand the Liverpool accent very well. They tend to speak through the nose and say some very interesting things (I think!!!!) The English have so many accents in one small country, it's amazing. Linus will sound much different from Teel. The Edinburgh accent is soft and delightful as opposed to the Glasgow one (now linus is going to say that she is originally from Glasgow. The Irish sound different again.
Australian - sometimes known as strine - is very colloquial. The Aussie will state with total enthusiasm - He's a f****** stubby short of a f****** six pack, mate, whereas the Kiwi will say laconically - he's nucking futs! The English would probably say something like - I have some extreme doubts about the sanity of that gentleman.
The Australian tends to use the letter i as an e, the Kiwi as a u - for example six in Australian is closer to sex, whereas the kiwi is closer to sux.
The English can't often tell the difference either, except that if one is polite and says please and thank you they generally tend to ask if you are a New Zealander. However their usual question goes something like: I don't wish to be insulting, but are you a Kiwi or an Australian? They tend to look at a lot of the Australians as being loud mouthed and obnoxious, and therein lies the differences. No insult intended here, but the Australians tend to lean towards America, whereas the Kiwis tend to look back to Britain with nostalgia. I think it has something to do with the convict mentality.
I suppose we are in the same boat here as we can hardly tell the difference between the Canadians and Americans apart from the odd words which tell them apart. And then of course you have the South Africans whose accents are probably closer to Kiwi than Aus with a Dutch gutteral overlay.
Better go see if I can get this going again.

shad edinburgh born and bred andthe way youve tapped the whole world in just a few shart sentences had me in fits !!!! my best mates mum {the big biker} is over from your part of the world just now and as her grandson stayed here last night when she comes to pick him up ill ask what bit well as i had to chase the kids to bed at 1.45 am and they bounced out of bed at 7.45 this morning except craig who is out for thee count on the setee id better go and start organising breakfast not used to anyone except me up at this time in the morning they are disturbing my peace and quiet !!!!
kirsty

Linus - when the big bikers mum comes, just stand there and say tena koe ehoa (pronounce it ten a qway e (as in elephant) whore) Now if the Mum is Maori, she will immediately declare war on the Scots and bop you one. If she is just plain ol' Kiwi, she'll say - and good morning to you too my friend. And if she is Australia, she will stand there looking at you and finally say - huhhhhhhhh? Bet you wont say it!!

Now I am off to put some more photos on the web.

shell just look at me really weird as she only moved out there three years ago shes originally from edinburgh her eldest son married a lady from down under nd when she went to visit met and married a really lovely guy who thinks were all mad
kirsty
ps the patio is gorge luv the warriors have three or four japanese warrior figurenes in my house {not sure what the fourth is supposed to be as hes a wee bit weird

Oh okay, don't say that to her then. Not worth the explanation!
Glad you liked the patio and my Chinese gentlemen (two of the few blokes in my life) One day they will get a coat of paint and so will the pillars. Just when is another story.
Bet it looks a bit different these days. I must update the garden photos. It's grown a lot in 2 years.

Morning
 

Yipppeeee! Just finish this day at work and I am off again for 5 days..... I have waited all winter and spring to get some time off to enjoy the summer months. It isn't a very warm or hot summer yet but I will try to relax a bit more on this trip. My sis and I are taking my mom for a day to ourselves on friday to pamper my mom. She is a twin and I think my cuz's are taking their mom on a little touring trip in Montana. These twins married brother back in the day so I am very close to my cousins.
I had two mule deer in my yard one doe the other a little buck and I must have looked and talked to them for about 10 minutes it was so cool. Their behavior made me think that they could see their reflections in the windows below the deck where I was standing and they were more interested in the other deer they were seeing than me. It was so fun!
Mel, I do hope you are feeling better and not having much discomfort from your collision...... how are you doing? Why does that rosecea persist itself on you??????? Enough is enough...... What are you plans for the week and the coming weekend?
Linus, you are so awesome! You have done so great with your weight and staying active. Bravo!!!!!! What are you up too for the week?
Shad, I have loaded your webshots to my favorites to view at my leisure. Thanks so much for sharing with us! You help us out on this site so much and are so constant in your attention to all of us.....What a great gal you are, so happy you are here!!!!!! Love the pics.
Happy how are you doing....thanks to you also for sharing the DH's pic they are so fun to view. I have saved that to the favorites also. You have done so fabulous with your smoking I do hope that you are able to have less cravings. Are you going on any trips this summer? The grand canyon is so amazing.... have you toured the other parks like Zion or Brice yet?
Hope Teel is having a smashing time!!! Can;t wait to hear about her trip. My coworker left for europe today...... what a great trip that would be!!!
Who are we missing here that we need to prod to come out and join us here?
Well, I can safely say that my attention to weight loss have been waylaid for the time being with all of my parties and traveling...I am not going crazy well maybe a little but I am going to several functions again this weekend!!! So I am not the best encourager am I for being steady...forgive ladies!!! You won't kick me out of here will you????? :dizzy:
Everyone have a great day....shad you are such a worker...... your son is very lucky to have you for a mum!!!!! Take Good Care everyone...make someone smile today!!!!!!!
See Ya,
Nae

WOW it's taken a lot to catch up with you Gals!! :lol:
i cancelled the waterfront trip. Staying home with leg elevated. Pain is tolerable and not as bad as I thought it would be. I was going to eat out in the back but there is blacktop paving and concrete pouring going on outside as I type. Best to stay indoors while the smells and debirs are flying around.

Shad~thanks for the eye info. I am trying my best to help Clara.
But the Dr said it is too late and just for her to take the vitamins and eye drops. So many of them have it in this bldg. My ex MIL too. I agree about the moderation thing. It's something I am trying very hard to learn in all aspects of my life. I think at times I need a sledge hammer for myself! :lol: The hotos were beautiful and this time I am going to the site and exercise for real. I did the pedals and never went there! Thanks for the photos they make my day.

Happy~ thanks too for the web addie. I bookmarked it and will read after pedalling:D I knew diet and eyes are related as is almost everything else. "We are what we eat." wherever that came from. Food does play a big role in rosacea but this time I think it was more the stress than food or both.??? I looked at my rosacea journal and saw too many stress days last week with the retirement thing and to be quite frank, when I go down to get on the bus there is still some unrest and unhappiness. I know it will end soon but one of them just got back from vacation and she is taking the burden of the mess now. It won't be easy for her to handle alone. Why am I writing a book about this?!?!?! Sorry, I am rambling now.
If we see in the papers that a woman in Illinois was arrested for stalking we'll know it's our Happy! :rofl: I can just see her scurrying behind the tourists with her head tilted and listening!:rofl: Now I wonder how many people were watching her watching them! :lol: :lol:

I got lost with Shad's eloquent description but they ALL SOUND ENGLISH TO ME!!! Now Canadians(the ex was one) have those words like boot for car trunk etc. I can usually pick them out.
Shad does not have an accent where she lives. But strangely develops one while on the telephone with me! :rofl: :rofl: I of course have no accent whatsoever! :rofl: Most people think I'm from New York anyway. Even the Jerseyites!! I am a woman without a state!! :rofl:
Linus has an accent even when she types! :rofl: Must be the keyboard!! :rofl:

I better get out of here before I get my head handed to me! :rofl:
Hope you have a great day! I am off to webshots to visit butterflies and touristy photos, gardens and who knows what else!! Adios my friends and take care. Where is Nae too?

I started that post over an hour ago and went to Clara's. Now I see you here NAE!!! You are just going to **** in a hand cart with all this partying!! :rofl: I want to come and join you too!!!
Loved the deer story. Jen's bird found another mirror in my bedroom and now when I go in there he flies on my head just to take another peek at the "bird" in that room too. I get a good laugh from him. I have no plans for this week other than learn moderation( I am taking lessons from Shad), how to slow down a wee bit and keep the leg up! Also trying to avoid any whiplash accidents!:rofl: There are times when I feel like the world is out of control and I want to get off! :lol: This is ALMOST one of them. I am presently fighting to turn the tide away and seem to be succeeding! :rofl: Hope you all have a wonderful Mom's BD time!! And enjoy all the happy summer days while you can. I am squeezing the most out of this summer too! Have a great day also and take care.
PS when the new wheelchair comes or should I say IF... The footrests are pre-attached so maybe my knees won't be getting so banged up anymore. I took them off this chair cause it makes the chair shorter and I can get into spaces easier. :D

Shad - also re accents - Aussies (and maybe Kiwis too) tends to speak with a upward lilt at the end - like they are asking a question! I have certainly noticed this. I remember a kiwi who would say sux for six and "iggs" for eggs too. My Aussie mate Jools was with me in a pub and heard a rather raucous Aussie male and went into "Strine". Priceless!

hi all how are we all ? good i hope well before i go any further i must thank shad and happy and happy,s dh for the wonderful world tour ive had today somehow when viewing it through the eyes of freinds it seems as if ive been to strange cause when i look at pictures on the web or tv or in a book they are lovely but not real somehow but with it being you pair it seems so real and so wonderfull so thankyou very much :angel: :grouphug: :cheer: :thanks: MEL its my spelling that gives me the accent i type how i speak my english proffesser would be horrified but i am who i am and its no point changing now hope the legs better soon my kids cant wait till i have to use a chair cause they are going to take me to one of our many thousand hills and let me go one very good reason for me to fight to stay out of one also i think id be a terrible driver as i tend to stop mid acction and go into a wee trance as when things pop into my head i tend to examine straight away otherwise id forget all about it :rofl: :rofl: ROSE you are living in party central at the moment enjoy it and go to everything my mum says when you get to 50 you can get away with so much more and beleive you me for someone who was a navy diver a nurse and a chef on a seizemographic boat {the ones that survey the oil pipes in the north sea} theres not much she hasnt already done so that leaves you so much scope :rofl: :crazy: my husbands gran was a twin and her and her sister married twins so his family are all really close and we all live within 30 mins of each other :gossip: :grouphug: SHAD freinds mum comes from great ponsonbury ??? aukland she says they are westies hope that makes sense as she had me lost the minute she said aukland shamefully i thought that was in austrailia but as my son will tell you i can produce a 14 course meal for 10 people but dont ask me directions on how to do it as my geography sucks!!! :dizzy: :eek: :shrug: :censored: HAPPY your dh must really love his butterflys as it really shows in his photos they are really beautiful and so detailed i loved them and your grand canyon pics were amazing i had such a wonderfull time looking through them so ive bookmarked both yours and shads pages so i can escape more often the only travel programs i ever watched were the ones with billy connolly ,s world tours he goes into places and meets people that your ordinary travel programs would edit out and it makes you feel like your really seeing the real place and your photos were the same thanks again well ladies ive done the housework and the cooking benjy and cleo have been brushed teeth cleaned and nails cut and now benjy is not talking to me as he hates getting his teeth done but my god talk about doggy breath the dog will not chew so he waits until cleo chews the nyla bone till its soggy and then pinches it hes so lazy the goldfish have been cleaned and the topical fish have had there partial water change so im now going to go and plat settlers for a while the kids bounced out of their beds at 7.45 this morning well conner and jd did but craig was bodily dragged from his at 1.55 so they are being very qiuet and relaxed so hopefully early to bed for them and ME
speak later
kirsty :devil:

Oh goodo Linus, so she's from Ponsonby in Auckland, near the top of the North Island. Not sure about the Westies bit tho! I'm from further south and to me a Westie would be someone who comes from the West Coast of the South Island. generally called a Coaster and therefore is a living being not to be confused with any other form of New Zealander. They are a wild lot on the West Coast. I have a friend who was a Policeman and he got sent down there to the Coast. Seems the only use for a copper down there is to bring on the oranges at half time in a fight in the pub. The Coasters tend to sort themselves out!!!!!
Mel, we definitely do not all sound English - even half the English do not sound English. You may well start WW111 if you lump us all into the same sound box!! Linus' lot have spent countless years trying to get away from the English, so have Mooz's mob. We managed it by coming 13000 miles around the globe. We also use words like car boot and bonnet rather than trunk or hood so the Canadians are not alone.
Peacock, the raucous Aussie male was probably raucous because no one could understand what he was saying - so he said it louder. The implication being that the listener is both deaf and daft - not the Aussie. Yes many of the Aussies have that upward inflection at the end of the sentence, particularly in North Queensland. It can be amusing and confusing. I've also noticed it in some Americans. The New Zealanders tend not to have it - instead they put eh on the end of everything. 'Just off to the boozer for an hour or two eh.' You have no idea at times whether they are asking or telling! They also use the words Bro or cuz in the sentence - particularly those who live within the Maori tradition. Hey bro, just off to the boozer eh. You wanna come and bring all the cuzzies and bros. (or maybe the cuzzy-bros) Bro tends to be inside the family or tribe, cuz is anyone.
You lot are my bro's - or in this case broesses.
Enough of this. The day is moving along. I have weights at the gym today. :workout::strong: :workout:::strong::workout:I'm off there shortly.:workout:::strong:
DS place is moving along and the first coat of paint will go on the bedroom today. Need to make a list of stuff to take over there. Son is dutifully impressed with my progress. DS friend will probably be able to move in some of her stuff this weekend. Although they will need to move the pile of carpet currently residing in the middle of the living room.
Then I am about to tackle something I have not done before and that is to mark up and cut the fibro cement board for around the bath. So wish me luck! I picked up a couple of new tools yesterday - the fibro cutter and a mitre box and saw. Jeez I'll have a well stocked tool kit shortly. Can you see me clanking around the house with one of those tool bags on my hips.

Roseblush you seem to be having such a good time. Long may it last. The time will come when you are ready to knuckle down and get serious about your weight loss. In the meantime, just try to keep it in check and keep coming back here. We love the stories of the deer and the woodpeckers and the birds and bees etc.

Peacock it is good to hear from you again. Where have you been?

Mel, shame about the waterfront, but there will be other times, I'm sure. Just look after yourself, you hear. We can't have a bruised and battered person around. I'm sure the people in the office will miss you. It's probably a bit sad that you had to give it away, however if it was the sort of situation where you had a small job that took up maybe one or two part days of your time, then I would have said hang on to it. But like most places, the more you do, the more you get to do and you just can not keep up the pace anymore. Maybe in the future, you might like to volunteer for something like Linda does, where you can strictly control the time given and the work done. It's too much to ask you to retire from life. We all need some stimulation and purpose in this world. :love:

Linus I'm glad you liked the photos on my webshots site. I must admit that I have a lot of pleasure putting them there. Sometimes it's almost like going back to the holiday and I think of the people I met and the places I went and the fun I had.

Teel I think should be home tomorrow. I'm waiting, waiting, waiting to hear how things went.

Time I was off here and off to the gym. Weights - errrrrr yes and maybe a time on the rowing machine. Okay, thats a plan.

You may well ask what I did wioth myself all day with the leg up in the air! :lol: Well I spent 2 hours on webshots looking at butterflies again and Toronto, Tour guide Far Northj Queensland, Grand Canyon(again), Niagra falls, Undurra sunsets(my fav) and castles and teahouses. Then I spent another almost 2 hours trying to NAME THAT BUTTERFLY!!! Happy's DH had a pic there and I went in search of one to match it. No luck but I found tons of butterfly sites! :rofl: I am exhaustred and feel hjungry so it's off to dinner for me. A wee bit late but I had a great day in webshots! :lol: Do we have any butterfly smilies?!?! :rofl:
Peacock~ Nice of you to drop by!!! Hope you are well and happy.

OK girls, take care and have a great night. Shad will be busy with her new toys while I am in dreamland. Wonder if I'll hear the saws!! Have fun and be careful!!!!

butterfly smilies you say? You have to look really really close but they are smiling :D :D :D :D

Hello To You Too!
 

i FOUND THIS WHEN i WAS BROWSING! i TRIED SOOOOO HARD TO NAME THAT FLY!!! :rofl:

Neat butterflies. Mel is getting so good at butterflies and the internet, we may have to set her up in research on the web.

:D :D :D :D :D :D
HELLOOOOOOO! I AM BACK!!!! :dance: :dance: :dance: :sunny: It was such a wonderful holiday and I walked further than I have walked for years! I am exhausted today though, but missing Holly as she is at the coast with the parents... :cool: The weather was very changeable but miraculously on the days when it was important for it to be dry, the sun was out :sunny: We only had to resort to wearing a pac-a-mac and using the umberella once, and by the evening it was a lovely dry time again.
The flight over was fine...I was amazed at how many people were arriving at the airport at 04:30 or trying to sleep on the terminal floor. We arrived in Salzburg 15 minutes earlier than expected and it was a perfect day. As we alighted one of the airport staff said we were very lucky, that was the first lovely day they had had for a week!
We went on three organised tours...two of the city, one which included a boat trip down the Salzer. and one into Salzammergut...the lake district of Austria.St. Wolfgang and St. Gilgen are SO beautiful and the lake trip drop gorgeous.
More later...got to go to town and put the photos in.....bye bye!

You're back - hey welcome home. Glad to hear that you had a good time. Hope the photos turn out.

Morning
 

The travelling girl is back! Welcome home! We look forward to hearing your tell us about your adventure. I love it when the weather does cooperate a little bit when you are vacationing. I am hoping for better weather this weekend on my little get away! The forecast has improved in the last 24 hours so fingers crossed!!!!!
I forgot to tell mention that in the true tradition of the old west I got up on my birthday and shot my gun.....I was going to get that flicker if at all possible.....well he is still flapping his wings..... I shot at him 3 times and then he had the nerve to land right above me on the roof of the house while I was
standing there with my gun in my hand...... he is not scared of me one littel bit.........target practice may be needed!!!! :dizzy:
I hope everyone is well and I will try to check in if I get access to a computer this weekend....
Peace,
Nae

Very nice to hear that your trip turned out so well Teel. It sounds as if everything just came together at once - what a nice birthday present. Look forward to your pictures and hearing more.

Thanks Shad for your very enlightening and entertaining :lol: explanation of accents here and afar. I will have to listen a bit more closely and will engage in playing "what's that tourist from" throughout the rest of the summer. You have bolstered my courage to perhaps even ask a few of the more friendly ones.

Peacock, nice of you to pop your head in for a bit. Guess I must come up with occasional questions to keep the discussions going strong. Will not be a problem as I never seem to run out of questions.

Thank you for the kind comments on DH's pictures. I have passed along your comments and he is smiling broadly as he is quite pleased with his hobby. Now that we have seen the Grand Canyon, we would someday (soon) like to see some of the other national parks - Yellowstone probably being tops on our list. We would also some day like to do a cruise to Alaska. But those take planning and money. Right now we are more looking down the path to belt tightening if I am out of work for a while. It does appear from browsing the help wanted ads that things are picking up ever so slightly.

I guess I have experienced once of those crushing moments you had a few weeks ago Shad - one where everything down seems to hit you at once. All those things you don't really want to face and keep pushing off to the side come bubbling up to the top and hit all at once. I have learned from past experience that although when it hits it makes for a rather devistating evening that 1) it's necessary and must happen and 2) afterwards it's always the start of getting back on track again and gaining forward momentum. After a good night's sleep I do feel a bit better about the road forward today.

And so I shall climb it as you all do yours knowing it will be accompanied by the sounds of Shad's clanging tools, the smells of Tee's English garden, the soft sounds of the great outdoors of Nae's country living, fits of laughter and amazement as Mel finds new pictures and sites on the Internet and finally some conversation that no doubt has me in stitches over the daily adventures of Linus and her family :rofl:

Sieze the day as they say, I'm going to fill up the coffee cup. :coffee:

Welcome Home Teel!!
 

Glad you had such a wonderful time and the weather cooperated!!! Good for you and all that walking!!! I was wondering how you would handle the sightseeing bits. Congratulations! Cannot wait to see the photos!!!:D

Nae~ Hope you have good weather too for the 5 day getaway!!! Have a great time. Enjoy. Guns on the BD??? :rofl: Good thing you're not in charge of getting the Holiday "meat" on the table!!! The family would starve on Thanksgiving if you can't hit the bird!!! :rofl: Better luck next time. Is he on an endangered species list? Or only from YOU? :rofl:

Shad~ gotta love the Google!! :lol: I can go anywhere now. Find any song. But no dice on Name That Butterfly! :rofl: How goes the contracting job?!? :lol: Guess we will get a full report soon! Did I mention how beautiful all your waterfall pics were. Not just the Niagra ones but all over the world. You have captured some lovely shots. The sunset in Undurra(sp) was to die for. Lovely shot. I liked the low hanging look to the clouds. Nice.

Happy~ His pictures of the little buggers are so crisp and clean. I never saw them look so good. Even to these blurry eyes. I have always loved pics of birds and butterflies too. But then I love pictures of ANYTHING!!! :rofl: I recently am going through a case of "drowning" in unsettled feelings. I think it comes from my taking the Scarlett O'Hara approach. If I dealt with it when it happens and not push it away, maybe I wouldn't get these anxious times.
I know it's tough on you and Shad too with the job situations so unstable or in her case, nonexistant. I think of both of you all the time and pray :crossed: something comes along.(((((((((((((hugs)))))))))))))) to you both.

Well Chicks I gotta go and find something constructive to do and not waste an entire day!!! Maybe exercise now while I am so full of energy :workout: Hope you all have a great one and maybe by now shad is snoozing. So I will tiptoe out of here! :sssh:

A quick question??? If we have had over 2,000 views on our thread then how come we don't have 80 chicks yet??? :?:

:rofl: lol: :rofl: :lol: :rofl: :lol: :rofl: :lol: :rofl:

i think we scare them off mel maybe if i promise to behave myself some might stop and say hello i know the first time i came on i felt very wary as you all seemed to know each other so well i felt like i was intruding but if they only knew how nice you all are and how welcome you make people feel maybe theyd stop for a chat some time
"HONEST WERE REALLY NICE AND LOVE A GOOD CHAT AND MEETING NEW PEOPLE" either that or they just log on to see what the nutters are up to today go figure
kirsty

Come say hi
 

I agree even if the lurkers just said a quick hello and tell us where they live or their favorite vacation spot in the world it would be so fun!!!!!!!
We do keep this thread pretty busy.....I have learned so much from all of you and had some great laughs and good support......I haven't left for my trip yet I got busy in the yard and have just about done myself in before my 5 hour drive..... oh well..... no hurry!
Take Care everyone...........
Peace,
Nae

Linus, IF you even remotely consider toning yourself down and behaving yourself, then I'm afraid I WILL be leaving. I really look forward to your antics and I agree with the part about others peeking in to see what the nutters are up to today...

I know when I first came here, I too was very hesitant to join in with a group that seemed to know each other well. However after 2 years I can say without a doubt that some stick around for a long time (me and Shad are elders here - you can tell by our fancy hats with the boobly balls and our ermine capes). Many poke their faces in for a while and then circumstances and life happens and they go away - some for a while, some forever. And there have been a few times when I've almost felt like I'm the last one standing (mostly when Shad was travelling) but there were times it was downright quiet here. It's always good to meet new friends from all walks of life like Mel and Linus and Nae.

I think the biggest thing is that because this is a "diet" forum of sorts people sometimes think if they are not focused on diets or are slipping or have no intention of talking about diets, that they can not / should not / will not post.

I have learned lots of marvelous things being here and I hope it continues.

Linus please NEVER change or I will have to leave with Happy! :rofl: maybe with all our boo boos, accidents and the rest, they're afraid it might be catching! :rofl:

When I saw the amount of views I was surprised. I realize that some belong to us but WOW!!

Nae~ You better stop stalling and get into your vehicle and be on your way!!! Have a safe trip!

I have not gotten a whole lot done today. I am presently getting rid of junk and think that part may be finished. Sorted through magazines and books and made a bag up for the community room. Found some recipes on-line for summer drinks using Splenda and might give them a try. They sounded good! YUM!!

Jen is on her way to the sunshiny state of Florida. Left lastnight. Not for all the Hagan Daz in the world would I have gotten into that van with THOSE kids! :devil: :devil: :rofl:

Well I better tthink what is for dinner. Maybe salad and flaked tuna from yesterday!:D Have a Great Night and Good Morning Miss Shad!

Oh Oh, that word (the D... word) has crept into the thread again. :stress: :yikes: :faint: Who ever said that a lifestyle change is solely restricted to food? Yes we all came here because we need to lose weight, restrict intake and exercise, but heck is there some law that we can't have some fun on the way? :rofl: :lol3: Laughter is after all (well according to Readers Digest anyway) the best medicine.
As well as educating ourselves on the way our bodies digest and hold on to vitamins, minerals, protein, fat, carbs etc we are educating ourselves on how the 'other half' lives. It's a continuing education at least for me anyway. We just need someone in Asia, the Middle East and Europe and we will have covered all bases. Anyone out there from India, Korea, Dubai, Cairo, Greece, Itally or Sweden reading this ?
Having said that - Linus, I'm with Happy, don't dare change. I look forward to the doings of the Scots doggy household every day. If we seem to be close friends, then maybe it is because we are, but there is room for more. This place reminds me of one of those circle of friends - where all the little figures are holding each other up in a circle - only we are flexible and can always fit in some more people.
Mel, I am glad you enjoyed Undara sunset. That day was one of the best trips I have taken. Undara is huge, remote and so amazing. It took me nearly 8 hours to drive there from Townsville. I had booked a ticket on the bus to do a sunset and evening tour of part of the park. Yes it is a National Park. You can't drive on it, the only way to get about once you get there is to take the bus tours. Anyway, there was only me and the guide on this tour in a bus for 35 people. We toured around the old huts and water holes and saw playpus, wallabies and water fowl, then trekked up a small hill for the sunset. The guide had brought a champagne, cheese and fruit supper for my comsumption while we watched the sunset. :cheers: :hat: :hun:A glorious way to see this I might add. I had champagne, he didn't. Then we went on to see a lava tube which housed creatures of the night - bats, snakes, all that sort of thing. The tiny little bats were amazing, didn't see any snakes, apparently they are tree snakes and catch the unwary little bat. On the way back, we stopped to check on the stars - since there is not a street lamp within a couple of hundred kilometres, the view is pretty darn good, I have to say. Accommodation at the lodge is cute - they have three different varieties - camping, cabin, or the old Railway Carriages - didn't put the photo up because I thought I'd run out of space - I took a railway carriage sleeper. Dinner was at the station! and breakfast as you saw was out in the bush. Billy tea, barbecue bacon and eggs, cook your own toast over the fire on a handmade wire fork/prong thing. One day I will go back again. Anyone joining me??

Nae, I laughed and laughed about the shotgun episode. I hope you haven't shot holes in your roof trying to get the little bugger! :rofl: Reminds me of the time I tried to shoot a hare many, many years ago. My one and only appearance with a rifle I might add. I took aim, fired, fell over backwards, and the hare fell over sideways. When we checked him out, there were no bullet holes, no blood, no marks anywhere. We figured he died of a heart attack. The males in the group nearly gave themselves one laughing. Actually we are all pretty lucky really because I can not aim at anything and hit it. A barn door at 40 paces is quite safe from me. I'm suprised I did not shoot one of them instead. :lol3:

Teel, so good to have you back. I look forward to the entertaining tales of Hofnung - or in this case Teel - in Austria. Hope they had some good music playing - oh hang on that is Vienna - and that the photos come out well so we can all see your happy face in the mountains. When does Holly come home?

Yesterday was fun (well sort of) - I went and did my weights and Jason the torturer came to check on me. So I went around again and did another set of reps just to shut him up. A warm up on the treadie and two goes on the rowing machine completed my hour. Then off to the DS house to mask up and finish sanding and clean up ready for painting. Took me so long that I didn't get to paint, instead cleaned the other two bedrooms ready for sanding today. Came home and had an hour sitting in the sun, eating lunch and reading a book. Then started on my lot. Well the fibro cutter proves to be easy to use after all and that didn't cause the problem, however I find that DS has made a slight boo boo creating the cradle for the bath and what I wanted to do just wont work. So I have to get my engineering brain out of the cupboard, dust it off and do the work around today. Glad the tool proved so easy, but then again it was invented for a bloke to use, so maybe that's why :censored: :nono: Ohhh that was low and nasty Shad! :lol:
No gym today, just some physical stuff on the house/s. And I best zoom off and do it. It's too cold at the moment to sit around here and talk.

Ah-ha, I caught myself. Thought I had posted for the day, went back and checked and I didn't. I suspected I've been losing my mind but now I have proof :lol:

Had to laugh at the hare story Shad. I'm the same way with a gun. At one point DH had a rifle here - for "protection" he said that I didn't have to worry about aiming because if I shot it in the house I'd nail whomever I was shooting at. Considering it was so heavy that I couldn't hold it upright for more than 15 seconds I think my own feet were in more danger than anything else. Fortunately he sold it and we've never had another in the house again. Somehow Nae I can't picture you with a gun but I suppose coming from where you've lived it's a natural part of life, isn't it. Do you fish also?

I have been checking out the Internet and things for job leads. It appears that things are indeed picking up again. Not that anyone will have me, but at least there's more places to send my resume to so I can get all excited only to get ignored or rejected again. And amongst all that rejection lies the next exciting thing in my life. I am in some serious need of enthusiam and deciding where to go with live again here... but it will come, I know it.

Well it's Friday, I will be making a trip to the office again - always good to get out of the house for a while. Catch up with you later, have a good one...

just a quick poke in i was reading the posts when i read the bit about freinds in the circle holding each other up and for some strange reason i suddenly thought of us all as hyrogliphics{dont know why i told you im nuts}i can just imagine shad would be the one with the tool box mel with the halo and the wheelchair nae with the gun happy the camera and teel with her violin on a scooter with the dog and me with bagpipes and a straight jacket that would give the egyptions something to talk about theyd probably think we where aliens well i told you im not normal
kirsty
ps back later if you all havent decieded im tooo nuts

You're never too nuts Linus - ditch the straight jacket and bring the dogs. You can probably add tools to your list as well. And I don't care if you're nuts or not, it was a good day when you came busting into this thread. Nut's I can live with. Well there is a whole bunch of them just up the road a bit (peanut farm).

Happy I know where you are coming from. I'm having a fairly hard job keeping up enthusiasm for job searching. I think it maybe time for a change, I just don't have enough cash to set up in business again, and I really don't know what I want to do. A spell in tourism sounds good, but what in tourism I just don't know. But why are you saying that no one will have you? I know the message is for young, youth, and energy, and I don't know what goes on in the States, but here youth and energy is not always the answer, knowledge still goes a fair way. Although I have noticed in training that it's beginning to be a case of sex rules. The younger and more female the trainer the better they like it - even if the class learns little. The logic beats me, but there you go.

Put some more photos on the web last night - this time Chicago. If you look carefully, you may just see the back of someone we all know and love striding off up a path. No names, no pack drill!

Weight is bouncing up and down, but not that far down. I really am getting tired of this. Probably the fact that I am not drinking my water has something to do with it. Food is not too bad, exercise is constant - 4 times a week - plus home stuff, so it has to be water. More planning, more vigilance, more boring stuff. Why can't it all just go away and leave me alone.

Today I am doing the Pilates class. It is at 9.30. This is a reminder to Shad to be there at 9.30 and not at 1030 as she was last week. Thought it was Friday and not Saturday you see! Minds going here too Happy.

Then I am joining DS and the Womble in the new house to paint and sand and clean. This weekend will probably see the end of the need for me to spend time there. I said I would help out with the bedrooms and then they were on their own. They will need to spend time planning the rest - kitchens, bathrooms, etc. I refuse to be an interfering mother, but I knew if I didn't start DS off, he would be living in with that crappy caramel and brown for years. If you wonder what the womble looks like, there is a photo of the back of her head along with DS and a blonde on the Riverfire album. The blonde is considering whether to board here with me for a couple of months after the DS goes although we haven't actually discussed it much yet. She is a psych nurse. Maybe she can sort me out!!!
Anyway, heaps of housework to do here today before gym and paint and all that stuff. I'll be back to see what you are all up to on this bright and sunny Saturday or in some cases Friday. Have a good one. :grouphug:

**** Shad put her on the thread and she can sort all of us out!!!:rofl: I could use some sorting out!! I'm ready!! Maybe I should move to Australia and give you my check each month for room and board!!:rofl: You can start a B & B business.

Happy~ This too shall pass?? Or are you both tired of hearing that? I keep hoping someone special will see yours and shad's potential and snatch you up.

((((((((((((((((((((HAPPY & SHAD))))))))))))))))))
What is there left to say?! Still keeping good thoughts for you both and fingers and toes are crossed too!

Linus how ever could you think you're the only fruitcake in the bunch?! :rofl: I may sound different on here but let me assure you am just as effin' crazy as you! :rofl: I am not working on all cylinders, a few cents short of a dollar and an original Froot Loop.:lol: As they said in Brigitte Jones' diary....I like you just the way you are! :D

Nae~ Hope the weekend is off to a great start. Happy holidaying!!! :Lol:

Teel~ Have you adjusted to being home?? You little jetsetter you?? Are all your celebrations over with now or should we all just continue right through this weekend as well!! Seems like Nae is still celebrating. :rofl:

I was going to post what I posted in my journal. But the radio went off and I found out the Maint. boss had left for the weekend and no one could reach him..... so in the end I had to go downstairs and make plumbing decisions BUT I was assured before I left my apartment that there will be an extra check this month. Possibly even next week!!! YAY. It won't be huge but any $$ is gratefully received. I think he may get yelled at too on Monday. We'll see. I won't be here cause I'm going to the Mall.:D

I hope you all have a great weekend. I may spent it itching!!! Bob the plumber was working on fiberglass and neglected to tell me it flies in the air!!! I took a shower, flushed my skin and scrubbed like he said but alas I still itch a bit. Hope the check will make this all worthwhile! :rofl:

Have a wonderful weekend everyone and take care of yourselves.