Teel, good to see you back again. Sorry to hear that you are having problems with the arthritis. Swimming or aquarobics in a nice warm pool may help. Think about it. They actually prescribe walking up and down a nice warm pool downunder. The pressure comes off the joints and the body gets a bit of exercise and a bit of relief. However you may not want to come out!!!! We may have to come over there to get you out!

Still snowing Mel?? Yikes hasn't the winter given up over there yet. Spring must be arriving soon surely. We are well into autumn now, although I have to admit the last couple of nights haven't been all that cool.

Rose good to hear from you. Refresh my memory, where are you going on this trip? Saving money for the fuel??? Emptying the money box. Yikes, I know LindaT said that fuel is dear in California, but what is it in Idaho? Mind you I still don't think it is that dear in USA - we pay over $4 for a gallon here. Hiking in the snow could be fun. Just watch yourself and don't slip and slide.

Mel, take the mind out of the thinking mode. I took him to dinner to give DS a break and allow him to go to the footy which he loves. I took DB to give me a hand as well. It was hard work. And now he is thinking of coming round to give me a hand with my list of tasks over the weekend. How soon does Thursday get here??? DS is looking a little haunted - but has organised some work on the cars in his back yard and has decided his dad can give him a hand, then got some friends in to give moral support. I think they are barbequing tonight and having a few drinks. Maybe that will lighten up their lives. I am not going around. DB1 is taking him out on Sunday, I have to get the ex to DB's place in the afternoon and then DB wants to have a family dinner somewhere - that should make him happy. Something has to.

Today I have sorted the paperwork at last. Now it is a matter of filing it and getting rid of some of the old stuff no longer required and putting the old tax stuff into boxes and filing them back in the cupboard for another year.
I have mowed lawns and pulled a few weeds and picked all the ripe tomatoes. They really are starting to move along now. I've also shortened the hems on a new pair of trousers which were supposed to be short in length anyway - have I shrunk? or is short becoming relative - as in not as long as some!! I also put some more silicone in the bathroom and with a bit of luck will be able to get the screen up this weekend. They will be a giant step forward. There was a bit of time for siesta too. 1 whole hour.

We seem to be looking at a brilliant sunset coming up tonight. The sky is turning some very pretty colours at the moment. Miss Sunday the cat is out there harrassing the bugs and trying to catch something without getting wet from the gardening watering going on. The bugs are not taking a lot of notice - they are more worried about the big gecko on the fence than her. Tomorrow I must plant those poor little pentas that have been sitting out there in their pots and calling me for the past week. Lots else to do in the garden as well.

Dinner is almost ready, I am roasting some spuds, parsnip, pumpkin and onion and have some other veges steaming on the top. These will be served with a red wine sauce. I'm looking forward to my dinner. Haven't had a huge amount to eat today but have had a fair amount to drink. So the water is up there at last.

Time to move along. That's Good Friday almost over. Tomorrow the gym is open again but no Body Balance class, so I will go down and do the treadmill that I would normally have done today. Sunday will be the weights I would normally have done on Monday when the gym will be closed again. Tuesday we are back to normal at the gym. Dinner, some tv, a phone call or two and bed. I could get to like this life.

Hiya,
Had a post and lost everything and can't seem to get it back from the copy, so will try again. It may well be that the backup is happening back there in the States - that seems to be the trouble most times I have a problem posting here.

Teel, good to see you back with us. Sorry to hear that the arthritis is playing up again. Maybe you need to try swimming or walking up and down that nice warm pool. Apparently that is what the drs are prescribing for a lot of knee problems, arthritic problems, and general aches and pains. Hot tubs and hot pools. You need to take a trip out to the brothers place and sit in the hot pools.

Mel, take the thought out of the mind RIGHT BL**DY NOW. Leave it in the garbage. It won't happen. We went to dinner last night, took the DB, had a nice meal and left it at that. There is nothing left on my side of the fence. I just found him hard work. DS and ex appeared at the house today. Ex has offered to give me a hand with the stuff round the house. Yep, right. Couldn't do anything when he lived here, so it will be a case of I'll just wait for you to tell me what to do and then tell you I can't do that. Forget it. Or I might just have him around for an hour or so to fetch and carry the junk (his junk) to the curb so the hard waste pick up can take it away next week.

Rose, good for you hiking in the snow. And for the treadmill exercise. You are getting back on track again. I'm still doing weights and treadmill and the Body Balance classes, but I don't seem to be losing anything. I'm not going to get excited about it though as I am not gaining and am losing the odd inch or two. Remind me again, where are you going on your holiday. Yikes - raiding the money boxes for the petrol money!!! We still think you have it pretty good, if you do the maths we are paying near enough $4 for a gallon of petrol. LindaT was mentioning $2.69 in California.

I've had a reasonably productive day. It's not been too hot - round 86F most of the day. I've mowed lawns, done the laundry and even better finally sorted some of the receipts and filing that has been annoying me for a while. Now all I have to do is to empty the filing cabinet of all the old stuff and file that which I must keep in the bottom of the wardrobe in the spare room. I can get rid of the rest of it. More stuff out of the house.
I also shortened the hems of a new pair of trousers. I bought ones that said Shorter length but either I have shrunk or shorter has become relative - as in not as long as some!!! I've done some siliconing in the bathroom and will soon be ready to put the screen back up. Now that will really be a step forward. I need to fold the washing and pack my bag for the gym tomorrow and that will be it for today. Tomorrow is another day.

The gym was closed today for Good Friday. So today's treadmill session is postponed to tomorrow as the Body Balance class is cancelled. Sunday I will do the normal Monday weights as Monday the gym will also be closed. I have some shopping to do and fruit to get, so it will be reasonably busy as well. My list is not that long but I can always find things to put on it.

Oh and I also found time for siesta. That was really good.

So that was today. I've just had a roast vegetable dinner with a red wine sauce and some steamed carrot and broccoli as well. It was really nice. I wanted something really easy and not heavy after last nights Thai which was a bit of a salt and spice dose. The dishes are done and I am about to watch a bit of television and then bed. Tomorrow is another day.

Nice Post Shad, I always get good energy from reading your posts which helps to keep me motivated in the right direction. My little tomato plants are looking so good they will really be screaming to get transplanted by the time I get back from the trip. You are so right about the whining americans do about the price of fuel. I was so shocked how much you pay there when I was visiting down under.
My walk yesterday was so good. I saw about 100 snow geese flying low over the fields. We hiked back into a geological site and it was so cool Lost my glove>>>>>> oh well! then my friend made me lunch.... homemade wrap fresh before my eyes..... chicken type salad on it with homemade salsa.... and for a taste of dessert she had made homemade mango ice cream....yum yum. It was a good day yesterday! she is a potter too so I bought a few items from your shelves for gifts..... might just keep them though.
I am driving out to the coast of Washington for my trip to see my exsisterinlaws and another girlfriend. Trying to arrange places to stay on the way outthere but haven't gotten that done yet.
My mom and her new husband will be here on tuesday for a couple of days and they are taking Teeka home with them while I am away. It will be good to see them. My mom is so anxious to get back home.
I am still trying to get my 10,000 steps in a day and struggling but I hope to do some more walking and maybe even some fishing this weekend.....
Hope everyone is well.... Have a Blessed Easter......
Love,
Nae

The sun is shining,
the snow is receding. Birds and squirrels are flitting about. I smelled a skunk last night. It is going up to +8C tomorrow. I cant wait to open all the windows!!!!!

I have been sick and busy and I haven’t had time to comment much. I have been reading. May times I have been touched and think i will get back and dont. I wanted to give a BIG collective HUG and HELLO and send LOVE to all.

Yesterday was GREAT!!!! 3 little guys here. DH and I had lots of laughs.My kids came home from school happy.
I researched and wrote a lot of the handbook. I am feeling soooo empowered by this.
I feel like Hollyhock!! Remember her?I couldn’t sleep last night so I got up and did more research til 2:30. Slept til 9ish. DH made a nice breaky. Kids are happy, healthy and rested.
There was a beautiful full moon last night. I enjoy being up really late. Darn kids have really changed how often that happens.
A friend is stopping by today to get her hair done. We have a hockey party and skating from 4-6 today. Pizza. Be nice not to cook.
The usual bomb has gone off here but I have til Sunday at 1 to tidy and clean before the dear fam comes for festivites.
I am going to make Irish Cream Fudge and a frozen maple syrup mouse for the dessert. Roasted leg o lamb, herbed roasted potatoes, steamed asparagus and salad are on for the main course.
The Easter bunny hides treats all over the yard. This is our 6th Easter here. The first one DS and my nephew were just 1. I was preggers with DD.It is soooo much fun to watch their excitment as the gallop about. This is the first year there is a ton of snow on the ground.
I went to Walmart and Grandma’s last night. I frittered away 2 hours at the store.
The bunny picked up jeans for DS and a pink frilly dress for DD, new sneakers for both and more hanging files for me!! Why do I get so excited about cleaning and organizing???
Grandma was in a great mood. It was a good visit. Gave her a trim and set.I did put the panty liners in with her laundry. I will ask about them next week. I may just keep buying them and put them in with her laundry.

DH and I had a glass o wine and watched a bad movie from the 70’s. It was delightful. He just made bacon and eggs for breaky.
I want to clean the bathrooms and work on the handbook today!!
I will OPEN windows!!!!!

Have a glorious day!!

Teel~ so sorry to hear about the meds reduction! don't know what I would do without mine!!! Sending good thoughts and prayers your way for a speedier recoveery! Just good to see you hear and fill us in Have a great weekend Miss Teel!

Shad~ No more snow...now it's rain for the next few days with a bit of sun for Easter Sunday! A very busy woman you are!!! See what dinner has led to? Now it's invited himself for a visit! What's next? Of course I would NOT find this as funny if it was happening to ME!!! You certainly are getting a lot in and the siesta sounded grand too. When my cats used to chase bugs all they did later was vomit!!! The veggies sounded nice too. I have never roasted pumpkin! which reminds me....there was a recipe in your xmas card to me for Pumpkin Scones. I cannot find it as I packed it up with the xmas stuff! so next Xmas I will try making them for the first time! Have a wonderful weekend Sis!

Nae~ Hope the walk was refreshing. Glad the tomatoe plants didn't get snow on them Gas is much higher outside the USA as I have heard from the TV. Thank God I run on batteries! But I do know what it's like to live within a budget! Piggy banks come in handy!!! I also forget if you said where you are going. Or when! LOL The mind is not what it used to be and it didn't have a great start to begin with!
Have a wonderful weekend.

I baked a frozen lasagna and portioned it out. Sending most to the kids. Richie will probably eat most of it as Jen had chicken-take-out and hasn't felt right for 2 days now. We are beginning to find that take-out food doesn't seem to agree with us. i was told by a dr that this kind of food is kept at a certain temperature which allows some bacteria to grow. The majority of people are'nt affected by it but some people are. Guess we three are amongst them. (sigh) Any way we aren't having a big meal on Sunday and will pick from the foods I have already made and frozen. A visit from them to his Mom in the hospital is on their agenda too.
So I will use this weekend for the much needed R&R and clean and tidy in between!
Have a great day!

Hi girls,
Just wanted to pop in to wish you all a Happy Easter - get your hands off those chocolate bunnies

Sunday will be the second time in my life that I have missed a holiday with the family. (First was when DH had a back surgery at Thanksgiving). It will be a bit sad for me. Doesn't make much sense to cook up a ham dinner for just 2 of us - particularly when I'm not a big favorite of ham in the first place. But I might do it for DH's sake. We're supposed to have a cool and rainy weekend - the last 2 weekends have been spectacular weather wise, I feel sorry for the people dressed in their Easter finery with an umbrella. I remember as a child, the big things for Easter were 1) getting our hair frizzed with a permanent wave so we looked like "pretty" fuzzballs (Toni home perm for those of you in the States who remember those things). 2) Getting a pastel colored Easter coat and dress 3) Getting a new Easter hat (my favorite - especially trying to cram the hat on to the fuzzy head of hair). 4) trying to find where Mom hid our Easter baskets and last but not least screaming at my brother who would always bite the ears off my chocolate Easter bunny. That was our family tradition carried out year after year after year - Gosh I miss that.

The azalea bushes are loaded with buds and are about to bloom any minute. We have bushes of reds and pinks and whites. It will be amazing when it hits - I will be sure to post a picture.

Other than that we are just continuing to unpack and settle in. I'm waiting for the spring flowers to hit the stores so I can plant more - we've already planted some butterfly and hummingbird attracting flowers in baskets that hang from the wrought iron fence surrounding the pool. It looks really pretty. We are going to have someone come in an pull out the rotting railroad ties and replace them with flagstone. They will also rip out part of the grass so that I can have a real honest to goodness vegetable garden of my very own. I'm so excited about that! But it better happen soon before all the plants are gone - not sure I want to start this year's garden from seeds. I would hope this hot weather they tell me is coming in 2 months would be ideal for garden tomatoes.

Got to run now, Easter blessings to all of you...

I just noticed that somewhere along the line our "posts" counter got reset. Not that it much matters, I know I was on my way to 2,000 posts and Shad I'm sure that you were way past that yourself.

By the way, congrats on the next assignment Shad - glad you were able to transition so quick. And I LOVE the kickname "bump" for the baby Linus!

Mel, if you get the opportunity, rent the movie - The Notebook. I think it's your kind of movie and that you would really enjoy it!

Greetings to the rest of you, enjoy your weekend.

Thought some more cyber chocolate might be something you could appreciate. Better you lot eat it than me.

Time to write in here before the journals go down. I figure it is probably late Friday night over there. We’re into Saturday afternoon.

So what’s been happening today.
I went to the gym, did my treadmill and then went shopping. Now that was a big mistake. I though if I went to the local shopping centre, it wouldn’t be so busy. It took 20 minutes to get my stuff and 1 hour 20 mins to get through the checkout. You’d think the shops had been closed for 2 weeks the way they were pouring in there. Anyway, got home, got a message on the phone, come round for coffee. (DS and ex) In the interest of world peace at Easter I went. Ex is p*ssed because son is watching reruns of MASH - and DS is p*ssed because his dad wants to eat lunch. He was always a sucker for meals on time and proper stuff too! none of your fancy stuff here. DS only eats bad stuff. Stalemate. I took around hot cross buns and we ate them. I then ignored the pleas in the eyes to come to my place for the afternoon. Told him to read his book and relax in the sun.

Tomorrow I will give him lunch and take him to my brothers place and leave him there for the afternoon. We are all going to a club for dinner tomorrow night. Then I will host a dinner at my place on Tuesday as younger DB is not fussy about going out for dinner tomorrow night and bringing the kids - think he is broke again. I think I have then done my bit for the holiday. Jeez but he is hard work. Why didn’t I work that out many years ago. Actually I did, but didn’t do much about it for a long time.

Apart from all of the above I have managed to do some work around the house and am starting to clear out the files. Thats going to be a long boring job. I hate filing.

Tomorrow is weights day. I’ve packed the bag ready. The gym has some new equipment including some new treadmills. I’ll be checking out the new weights stuff tomorrow.

Weather doesn’t know whether to storm or not. The thunder rolls in the distance, it is actually spitting with rain and the sun shines brightly. I have some laundry to hang out, but I think I might wait for the weather to make up its mind.

I actually managed to do a LindaT this week and have a menu plan worked out for the week. I’m not cooking it like she does tho’ I’ll come home and make up my mind which meal I will have on the night.

Rose - good to here about the walk. The snow geese must be good to watch. Enjoy the walks. It's good to get into that habit.

Happy, so good to hear about the garden and I look forward to the photos of your lovely spring garden. I must get around to sending the butterfly garden plan to you. Can you send me your address too, I have some stuff to post over to you. Thanks.

Hello to Holly and Mel and Teel and Linus and Tig and Meadow. Who have I missed? Have a great weekend.

Well that is about it for this day. The forum and the journals will not be around for the next couple of days as the sisters are about to make life easier for us again. So have a happy rest of Easter. Take care. Catch up soon.

Okay, it says some things may not be working as well as they might, but we are on the new server, and it now longer says we are closed. Does this mean it works??

If so, good morning world, good afternoon to those on 'the other side' and hello. I'm off out to do some more gardening and digging of weeds and taking my frustration out on the soil.

How's it going with you all?

One of my posts is missing! LOL I'll start again....
Happy~ So lovely to see you and read about your memories of Easters past. Brought back a few of my own.
I have perfectly straight hair and remember my Gram giving me many a toni and wondering why they never really took!!!
Happy unpacking and hope Easter wasn't too sad without the family!! I hate cooking for ONE!!!

Shad~ I posted a journal and it's in my private part of the journals but never went into the public one! I'll try it tomorrow. Again....congrats on the new job. Hope it really does pay you much more than you work!!!! good luck!! Hope also the rest of the "visit" will go smoothly for YOU and DS!! Good luck there also!

Today was quiet and we had a Spanish meal instead of the lasagna. It tasted funny so we threw it out! Kind of like it was in the freezer too long. The exp. date wasn't until September but who knows! Anyway we all ate ourselves silly and it was good.
The kids went back up early and I have been cleaning and resting and getting ready for tomorrow! Monday's are a great restart day!
I joined a Challenge on my old diet website for the next 6 weeks and will give it my best shot. I would love to go back to the Doctor's for my check up this year thinner and prove them wrong. Been sitting here in "idle" position for a year now and listening to their negative talk. so I will walk the walk and talk the talk of a dedicated "dieter" for 35 days!
Pray for me!

Where is everyone else?!?!? Linus has the box gotten there yet? I think it's on a slow boat to China first!!! Hello to all our Worldly Chicks!!! Have a great week!!!

I orgot something!!! My end of the month weights and measures.

Weight is 173 and that is UP one pound!
Measurements are up 9" from last month! ( I do 13 measurements) Even after all this sickness somehow this does not seem fair! This is what motivated me to go back to the original web and diet.

I am full of chocolate and coffee Happy Easter!

Tomorrow I will bake a ham and all the rest and groan about eating too much of that.

not dedicated am I?

Easter was perfect!!!
Nice, nice ,nice!!!
The same thing happened with my journal.

Saturday was relaxing, sorta. DS played hockey but DD and I stayed home. At 11am I took the kids to town for an Easter egg hunt put on by Optomist. There were at least 200 kids. Fun!
Then we went for groceries. It was social hour at the store. We saw about 10 people we knew. That was fun too. Came home and fine tuned the Parent Handbook. I need two blurbs from other sources and it will be mostly complete. It is coming along well. I have put about 20 hours into it. My hip are sore from sitting. I have been doing lots of stretches. I have no idea how people with desk jobs do it.
I made my desserts for Sunday. The fudge is yummy, needs to be room temp to get the full Irish Cream flovour. I made a frozen Maple Syrup Mousse. It is probably the very best tasting, looking, feeling foods I have ever made. This was my second time making it for Easter. It may become a tradition. If it ain’t broke, dont fix it.It is nice and cool and light and mapley. I may post the recipe if there is interest. It is NOT diet friendly.
Sunday was the LAST day of hockey. The kids played the parents. My 2 boys went. DD and I went to church. The kids sang Do Lord and Jesus Loves Me.
At home. DH cleaned up the back yard and I power cleaned the house. Zip, zip. I set a pretty table. I made personal CD’s for each person as a place card/gift.
My 2 angels and DN hunted for treats out in the yard( snow). There are 11 of us all together( my family). Much wine, laughter and chat all afternoon.
Dinner was a roasted leg of lamb, lemon&herb roasted new potatoes, blanched asparagus and my aunt made a stunning marinated salad with thinnly sliced: red onion, beets, oranges,celery tossed with pecans. YUM!!!
More wine and laughter & chat to follow. Both 6 year old boys had mini melt downs and everyone went home at 8pm. Kids went straight to bed. I watched Desperate Housewives and soon followed!!
Had a deep sleep. Just enjoying a coffee at the moment.
That it!
How are all you other wonderful chicks doing?

I am wondering if we are all having trouble or what!!!
Anyway......I have no time to waste trying all day. going to reorganize the kitchen with Jen's help. Last night she took the rest of the goody bags from neighbors up to her house. god bless these people that think I need all this candy etc. what they don't want they will give to the office or toss out. a lot of it is junk candy.
Today is day one for me on my plan and I am rather excited like I was the first time! Sounds silly but I am.

Have a wonderful day!!

Meadow~ Happy Late Easter!!! so good to see you even with the candy!!! I was the same way for a week. Frappuccinos and candy!!!

Holly~ Seems we posted together again! I am soooo glad your day went so well and was thinking of you. good luck finishing the book and do something this week JUST FOR YOU! Your desserts sounded great but now I am really going to give it my best shot so I think I'll pass!
Have a great day!