[Shad]

Weight - 75/75/75/74.5/74/73/ 74/ 72 Down 2K or 4.5lbs
Upper Chest 40/39.5/39/39.5/39 /39.5/ 39.5/ 39 Down .5 inch
Bust 44/43.5/42.5/43.5/43.25/42.5/ 42.5/ 41 Down 1.5 incches
Lower Chest 36/35.75/35.5/36/35/34/ 35.5/ 34 Down 1.5inches
Waist 36/36.5/35.5/35.75/35.5/34/ 34 5/ 33.25 Down 1.25inches
Upper Hips 42/41.5/41/42.25/41/40.5/ 40/ 39.75 Down .25 inch
Lower Hips 41/40.5/40/40.5/40/40/ 39.75/ 39 Down .75 inch
Top of Leg 22.5/22/21.5/22/21.75/21.75/ 21.75/ 21.25 Down .5
Top of Arm 12.5/12.5/12.5/12.5/12.5/12.5/ 12.25/ 12.25 Same

Well, well, well. I'm pretty pleased with that. Yesterday the scales actually said 71.5 but I guess that was too good to last. Anyway, I didn't eat too well yesterday and didn't take the water tablet either so guess it wasn't going to stay that way for long. I'll take what I've got.

So back to Melbourne today - I haven't got an awful lot done that I wanted to get done, but next time I come home I will be better organised. I'm on an early plane today because it was cheaper, but the next time I come home, it will be late flights both ways, which means I will have two full days to get things done. Everything takes planning, but hey, we're women, we are the master organisers on getting things done. It will happen.

Last night was the Riverfire festival in Brisbane. Remember last year I went out on a boat down the river and watched the fireworks. Well I obviously picked the right year to go on the river as last night there was a fairly vicious storm which didn't do a lot for those out watching the fireworks and jets doing the old dump and burn. The jets flew over the house twice, so I got to see them anyway. Didn't see the fireworks. The garden did enjoy the rain tho'.

Friends and family have obviously been looking after the garden okay because there are tomatoes and lettuces ready to eat, and the rose garden looks good. The mail box wasn't full of junk mail and the rubbish bin had been put out - I'm going owe a few people a few favours at the end of this job!

Okay so Teel is off and living it up in London - on the Eye and at the Palace. Linus is coming right after a fall and is on the way back to being her old self. Quasimodo indeed. Nae is out feeding the animals - is she our own Dr Doolittle or what. Meadow is dancing and sweating up a storm. Happy is busy sorting out her future - always a daunting prospect and Mel is seizing the sunny day. Life is good and it is time for me to get off here and seize my own day. Yesterday's tile cutting was not very successful so maybe another go at it today before I leave for the next stint. More about Melbourne next time I get to an internet cafe.

See ya all. Look after yourselves.

[MELODY525]

Linus~ Your gargoyles comment cracked me up! LOL I used to fall all the time before I couldn't walk anymore. People would be talking to me and turn around when I wouldn't answer and find me on the ground After they knew me for awhile theuy got used to it! What exciting lives we lead huh?

Shad~ A Bon Voyage to you!!! You must be asleep and dreaming about adventurous Melbourne! Still tile cutting on weekends!!! What a woman!!! Congratulations on all the great numbers!!! Nice going!!! I was thinking work has something to do with mental stimulation and effects metabolism? I must look into this. Have a great week.

Since I started retiring in January the scale hasn't moved except to bounce back and forth about 6 lbs. I wonder now I see Shads changes if mind over matter works. Better find something to stimulate the old brain and get a move on. Today is cooking and movies. Decided on a rest. Was up late giving out advice to the love lorn...a friend. So I'm feeling kinda draggy today. Hope you all have a calm Sunday and a great week this week too!

[linus]

will pop back later and give my measurements when the kids are in bed and they cant laugh at me
kirsty

[Shad]

Jeez, you've been a quiet lot since Sunday. I guess it's me that makes the noise then??? I'm wondering where happy has gotten too. Maybe she is talking to us in her head and not on the machine. I suppose she has a lot of thinking to do at this time.
Not a lot to report down here. Weather has been pretty lousy. Cold, real cold yesterday. We were supposed to have been able to see a rare blue moon last night but it was raining in Melbourne. I can see the moon now but it definitely ain't blue. Not much one can say about the job. It goes. I've now had 5 people ring me about work coming up in Brisbane. #$%^&%$# Always happens now that I have taken a job somewhere else. Got to the new abode on Sunday night. They have upgraded me to a 2 bedroom apartment. So now DS1 will have a bed when he comes to visit in a couple of weekends. That's nice. DS2 may come down for the footy finals but he's a bit short on the readies at the moment so that's a bit up in the air.
Went for a walk this morning. Speedy one along the banks of the Yarra. Nice views - no camera. The walk had to be speedy as it was too darn cold to hang about. Found a gym yesterday not too far from the apartment. So I will go down there and have a look see tonight as well. That should get the exercise underway again.
Good to see Nae back again and feeding the critturs. Only critturs around here are the vagrant two legged variety and they are a PIA.
Better get moving along and check out the journals before my time runs out. Hope Teel is having a good time on the Eye and the nose and the mouth.

[MELODY525]

So good to see you and what do you mean NO CAMERA???????
OK it's winter so I'll let you slide! I am glad too that you picked the right year for the fireworks. cause all those pictures of the works and the bridges were gorgeous!
Maybe the whole family will be in Melbourne by the end of the month!
If you read the journal you will already know.....

WEIGHT IS 175-THAT IS UP 1.5 LBS
INCHES ARE THE SAME BUT THE WAIST IS UP 1".
I have a new NOPE goals and will concentrate a lot on inner strength and mental well being so to speak while eating on time and on-plan foods. I will also be journalling at home EVERYTHING!

Linus~ I hope you're OK and the kids and DH are well and you haven't locked them up in a closet or basement or somewhere! Not over doing it are we?! ? LOL

I had a good day and went for an early "walkies" and shocked the store owner around the corner. He has been delivering things to me since 1987!! I told him I am on a diet which he noticed right away and cannot eat his wares!!! Now he wants a copy of the diet too. He has a heart condition. I will give it to him but he will take my advice and see the dr first. I told myself I could have a coffee drink if I keep this up. I also have been sleeping much more soundly at night. I think baby steps will get me more results and also changing routines. Me thinks I was a bit bored besides feeling sorry for myself and a few other assorted emotions. I won't bore you with all the details but on and off I have to deal with an alcoholic, drug using, abusive bus driver and no one seems to listen! I can hardly wait for my Willy Boy to come back from vacation!! When you are at other peoples mercies they sometimes step on you so they can feel good. Most of the time I ignore it but when it rains or Winter comes, I am forced to deal with it. This week I am taking MYSELF out and missed the Mall today. But what a wonderful day it was. I keep running into more people!

OK I better get out of the sandbox and let someone else build a castle now!!! Have a great night and Good Morning Miss Sunshine!!!

[MELODY525]

Shad~ I have finally thrown off the bowlines and am EXPLORING, DREAMING AND DISCOVERING!!! THANKS FOR THE PUSH!!

[happy2bme]

Hey Chickies,
I am raising my tea glass to you. I must say Shad, after 2 years of your presence, it does seem a bit odd not to see you here on a regular basis. I think the most you were gone was when you were on holiday last year and even then, you seemed to find the Internet cafes on a more regular basis. It sounds like you are "settling" in the strictest sense of the word with your new job. So sorry to hear that now FINALLY TOO LATE other things are popping about. But this was a short term contract, wasn't it?

I feel badly that I was not able to wish Teel a bon voyage. Sending her good wishes anyway. I also feel bad reading about your occasional bouts with gravity when the muscles don't do what the brain says for Linus and Mel. Hope you are of good cheer lately. And I see Nae uttered that terrible word - SNOW. Sorry lady, even if you are in the great white north, you cannot say that word in August around here And Shad, I am wondering just what is the "cold temperatures" that you refer to? I should look it up but I'm trying to get a post out.

As for me it has been quite the busy week. Hurry up and wait. Each day seems to bring new things to think about, just when I think I'm leaning towards a decision, something else comes along to give me something else to ponder. Only thing I know for sure at this point is that my life will change quite a bit come the end of September which isn't too far away. First interview went well at one place, will take several more weeks until the next step can happen as they handle the bureaucratic red tape stuff. They are finishing round 2 interviews this week at the other place, I should here by the end of the week I hope, whether I am still being considered. And in the mean time there are other things clammoring for my attention as of late - more than ever and not to be ignored. So I am sorry that I have not been around and I probably will be on the quite side for the balance of September until I have a better idea of what direction my life will take. I'm just glad I didn't start school this semester on top of all of this.

It is really crucial to get back on the diet wagon again. The aches from the excess weight become more apparent as the cooler weather sets in. I am slightly depressed to see the leaves starting to change color already. Last week was a diet disaster eating wise since I didn't get a chance to go to the store and we pretty much ate what was in the cabinets and freezer. Not exactly fresh and wholesome. It was a joy to go to the store this weekend - well not really as I spent a horrid amount of money, but the house is stocked with fresh meat and fish, vegetables and fruits of all kinds. We had the most delightful meal tonight of grilled shrimp and pineapple, sugar snap peas, a tiny bit of lemon butter rice and some cut up raw veggies. DH kept smacking his lips and saying how good dinner was. And one of the wonderful ladies in my office gave me a whole box of fresh garden tomatoes today. I am in HEAVEN!!!! I will be eating at least 2 whole tomatoes a day until they are all gone. DH is not as fond of them as me so I can be selfish with them I do regret not planting at least tomato plants this year. DH though is thrilled that he has seen some butterflies in our butterfly garden - not worth doing without fresh garden tomatoes if you ask me but...

I have also been trying to get to sleep at midnight - a more reasonable hour which also cuts into the PC time.

I am thinking of you my friends - have had tea and lovely conversations with you all in my head as I rush about other tasks. Be well and I will try to be back more regularly but bear with me if I am spotty for a bit, ok?

[linus]

good evening chickies this will have to be a super quick post as im on a deadline i had a bad fall in the bahtroom on monday morning and now look like ive done 10 rounds with tyson{but hey the ears are intact}so very quickly i did my measurements but as i havent logged them sinse may they are ever so slightly out of sync so ill log them anyway and im back on the diet tomorrow with a vengence the exercising will have to wait cause im reduced to using my walking stick for the time being anyway kids and dh are good so are my doggys had to buy a new ultraviolet tube for the fish tank and it was bloody £9.46 my god it was only 18 inches long but supposidly it mimics natural sunlight perfectly and is exceptionally good for the fish and plants anyway these measurements and ill speak to you all later
may 1st upper arm 14 inch/13.5 -0.5
bust 47 /45 -2
waist 39.5 /41 +0.5
hips 49.5 /49 -0.5
upper thigh 24.5 /25 +0.5
weight 16.3/15.7 -11lbs
thats all for me i have been down to 15.1 so my weight is on the way back up but as i eat like a pig when im sore to try and counteract the painkillers its not all that much of a shock
kirsty
ps will get in when i can stay happy and tell me EVERYTHING

[MELODY525]

Happy!!! What a pleasure to see you friend!! I know the feeling of topsy-turvy life decisions and do not envy you at all! take as much time as you need and we will all understand I am sure.
YUM on the tomatoes. this year's store bought aren't too bad. Tasted almost home grown! glad the garden is attracting the butterflies. I would love to do one here next year. We'll see. Good luck on the deciding and the interviews! Come to NEW JERSEY!!!

I did a food shop and while I was there I had a gift card to spend. I got myself a new spa bar soap, liquid soap and lotion. Has apples and soy and I smell almost edible!! I used them already! This afternoon we set up for the BBQ tomorrow. We are all decorated and spruced up. I am not going to be here though. The eyeglass guy and the Dr can both see me tomorrow at noon and this is more important. Each one postponed Mon. and thenTues. I laughingly said I would make the appt. for Wed so I couldn't have junk food and now for real I won't be here!
The weather has been humid but gorgeous and I have been out every day. I got my rear tires filled up. Guess the hot sidewalks use the air up?!?! I don't know. Have a great night/morning and above all....ENJOY!!!

[MELODY525]

Linus~ woke up and logged on and like magic.....there you were ahead of me!! We posted close together. We will have to send a lot of bubble wrap for you too. People are taking a collection for me so now we better be sending some of it your way so you can bounce off floors and walls. Hope you feel better soon! The neighbors will be thinking the DH must be a brute! Had to read your post twice as I thought the doggy bought the light bulb for the fish!
Your measurements are coming down! How nice. I do the same thing when on meds. Without food in the belly the pills kill me! Sounds funny to some but I know the feeling too. Good luck with the eating this week. I am struggling but forging ahead!

I'm off to get the glasses soon so HAVE A GREAT DAY!!

[Shad]

Good very early morning everyone. I say very early morning because it is not yet 6.00am and I am up and about at the internet cafe. Actually I went to go out for a walk but the weather is drizzly out there and there is a cold wind blowing and I just don't feel like getting wet, so I came down to the cafe under the verandah shelter and here I be talking to you for 45 mins $3.50 thanks.
When I mean cold Happy, it is comparative. Its around 5 degrees out there and there is a wind chill factor as well. Now compare that with the normal 15 or so in Brisbane and you wonder why I am cold. It hasn't got above 17 all week and talk about 4 seasons in one day!!!!
Yesterday I went down to the gym after work and signed on for a 10 trip ticket. The idea is that I go there for the weight stuff as well as pilates/yoga and do the run/walk stuff on the riverbanks in the morning. However mornings are proving too cold for the type of clothing I have, so may have to switch to evenings after work when I can see what I am tripping over, it's not so cold, and there are other idiots out there besides me!!!!
Hope Teel is enjoying life in switched on London town. No doubt she will be back with all the news over the weekend.
Job is going okay I suppose. Finished (almost) one of the courses - mind you I did persuade them that two of the topics were almost identical and could be rolled into one. And that if they weren't rolling out the third topic on this deployment then was there a purpose in creating those parts of the course? Wonder if I can do the same for the other three courses on my list. Some idiot cut the fibre optic cable yesterday in Melbourne which put out all telephone communications and therefore no computer access either. So we stayed at work and yakked for an hour or so, found out the system wouldn't be back for some hours and hiked off home for the afternoon. One of the people who started with me can't stand the job much longer and is off for a couple of interviews this morning. She's not a tech writer/trainer person so no wonder she is having problems. Most of the others have a problem with the team leads as well - probably because they have few people skills, and quite frankly the rest of us could run rings around them as far as skills and work practices go. It's what you get for putting teenagers in to manage a bunch of highly motivated intelligent people who have been doing their same jobs for years.

I've been in contact with some friends from years gone by and my social life is looking up this weekend. I have dinner and drinks with a friend ex Townsville days on Friday and a trip to the Werribee Zoo, Rose Gardens and historic house on Sunday. Brendan comes next weekend and I go home the following weekend. Then I have to sort out some more entertainment for when I come back. That will be four weeks of my 9 week contract gone.
Happy, I hope things come to pass quickly for you. It's not pretty sitting around waiting for employers to make up their minds. Sad about the tomato garden, but maybe next year you will find another spot for your fresh salad vege garden. Tomatoes don't like growing in the same spot every year anyway so try somewhere else next year. I hope the birds, neighbours, sons, brothers and friends are enjoying my tomatoes. They were looking a treat last time I was there.
Mel and Linus, you just look after yourselves now. Now more falling about in great heaps. Mel don't tell me you have punctured those tyres already??? Linus just take it easy hey. I hate to think of you flat on your face under Scotts statue or somewhere. Someone may think you are drunk!!
I best go sort out the journals, at least half of my time is now gone. Have a good one. Back Saturday sometime

[MELODY525]

MISS SHAD!! You bring so many smiles to my face!!
Glad the job is OK and We always knew you could run rings around just about anyone!!! LOL Next time you go home get out the flannel jammies and long johns! Hope the gym turns out ok and you won't be shivering out in the streets at 6AM!!!
No flat tires from holes just needing some air!

Well Kids I got my glasses and I am a wee bit disappointed. The Dr said they are the best I can expect with eyes so different from each other. The left bifocal is a bit blurry too but the cataract is worse in that one and it is the weakest eye. Thank God Shad taught me how to change fonts cause these glasses are no good on the PC!!! I can read it better but cannot see to type!! I'll have to start getting used to the microphone thing instead. I got home in time for the BBQ and am embarassed to say I ate like a pig and had a great time doing it too! Many politicos were there and I loved the attention! Seems like I have been getting more than my fair share of that lately!!! If my head fits on the pillow I am tired and ready for a bit of reading and sleep!
Hope you all have a great day tomorrow....Shad is already in work I guess!!! Enjoy your Thursdays!!!

[Meadow]

Ah, summer is fading away and the start of school routines loom. I will no longer be able to lounge in my bed till 9:30am I will have to be up at 7am to get the kids dressed, combed and fed and walked to school. SIGH, don't you dislike the end of a good thing

I have let the exercising slide, was taken captive for two days by some pineapple dream bars We just got back from three days in the mountains and my mother-in-law made them and as it turns out can't digest all that creamcheese and whipped cream so she send the lot home with us! Oh, yes, once the turmoil of school starts and I am back into a steady routine I will begin again. I made it for an entire week this time, so hope springs eternal.

MEL- I'm sorry your new glasses aren't as useful as you would have hoped. Will the blurry side give you headaches? I hope they can make an adjustment and help you further with this. I'm sure you can still enjoy your sightseeing tours of your neighbourhood



Shad-Great that you are going to be getting more space to kick around in while you sort out this new job situation. Good to hear you are so in demand now, have you told them when you will be available, do they still want you to come in for the interviews?


Linus-Kisses for your bruises, I hope you are being tender with yourself. Steady as you go and don't let vanity stop you from utilizing what you need really some walking sticks are quite stylish. You never know what you might see out there!


Happy-Autumn is beautiful! When all the leaves change colours and the wind dances in them around the sidewalks, it is nature playing! Good luck with the changes coming your way, I hope whatever the next few weeks brings to you is charged with happiness and great, fun learning.


Teel-Are you having fun yet? Give her Majesty a big wave for me



Rose-How busy are you? Hope you are managing some moments of tranquil energy and a soft comfy chair

[linus]

hi all well things are looking up a bit actually got out today for a whole half hour thats how long it took me to get to the shops and back craig went with me and i had the shopping trolley to hold on to so didnt fall got really knacked on the way back and craig said "why dont you sit on this fence and ill go home and get you a tent and a torch cause i cant carry you"aint he a sweet kid but i am sore now but at least we have juice of which we had none dh cant shop for toffee i sent him to the shops yesterday for a paper fags and bread and guess what no bread well his heads full of comp specs but definantly no shopping MEADOW the problem is not vanity with the sticks but vulnerability our shopping area is habitated with alcoholics and junkies all day everyday and i choose not to walk past them with a walking stick talk about a slow moving target MEL our kids bike tyres deflate quicker in the summer so maybe the same might be said for wheelchair tyres you dont want to get a puncture with the luck you have with that chair they will probably have to take the thing away for 5 weeks to mend it!!!! ROSE i was lying in bed this afternoon and heard some annoying tapping and thought of you and your pesky peckers are they still there??? maybe you should set up a sanctuary for distressed and depossesed wood peckers and maybe youd get funding to help repair the damage TEEL are you enjoying your trip?? we all hope so and have managed to at least get some of the sight seeing done and not had to pass on too many things SHAD only you would have the energy to run at 6 am i sometimes think you must run on duracel batteries do you ever stop? somehow i dont think so or would be able to cope if you did enjoy yourself this weekend and please tell me about the zoo my greatest wish is too visit tiger island i adore tigers and dh will tell you my bed is full of the stuffed varieties HAPPYhope you are getting the answers you desire and always know no matter what happens as long as you and dh are together you can cope with whatever changes you have to make right fols im off to do some online shopping as i need some new undies and ill speak to you all later
kirsty

[teel]

HELLO and GOOD MORNING TO Y'ALL!!!!
I am returned! and as we speak.All things considered the holiday scores 9/10. Some bits scored way over 10 and a few bits were not really worth the money. The weather was brilliant all apart from when we were on the I (hee hee!!!) when we did have a shower and we could see the rain descending over outer London in the distance, but it had stopped by the time we got out. The veiws would have been phenomenal had the sun been shining. However, yesterday we went to Buckingham Palace and stood on the front row by the monument to see The Changing Of The Guard which was spectacular to say the least! The weather couldn't have been better and we got the wheelchair right in the front..cannot wait to see the photos!!
The Palace itself was beautiful....
We had one disaster with the wheelchair. I was suddenly tipped backwards and found myself lying backwards in it, on the pavement, having given my head a great clout. Ouch...ouch ouch ouch! So everything hurt like blazes even more than usual and I am still feeling the effects of it this morning. Still I guess it was only Tuesday late evening that this happened.
I am fairly pleased to report that I weighed this morning and am still exactly the same weight that I was when I left last Saturday.
I am sorry that this is a shorty post this morning as I have to go and get Holly from my friend today as she is going to be out for the day tomorrow so today is collection day...and no. I couldn't wait till Sunday!!!!
So I shall be back later!! Meanwhile for goodness sake everyone try keep feet on the floor and keep safe until I get round to a longer postie!!