OK, Payroll is out of the way.... now for some down time. :-)

Noelle.... you like that Fender stratocaster table? Hahaha.. yeah, he is a music freak! When he was looking for a coffee table... we found that and it was the PERFECT piece for his place. We did have a fun time.. lots of work getting ready for it, but it turned out exactly how he wanted it too....

The salsa is something else.. I think I told you the story before about how after he and I first met, we found this salsa that we both fell in love with.... Senor Z's Salsa. It was the best stuff... when he moved to CA, I would ship him jars of it. Well, it got to the point that we couldn't find it anywhere, so I looked up the maker off the label in the yellow pages (it was made out of Oklahoma City) and there was an email address. I email them and got a nice reply back from the owner, Dallas Richardson, that he no longer made it, but that maybe someone out of Texas might start producing it in the next year or two. Well, I told Alan about that, and he started an email campaign. The guy never replied to him.... but he kept asking about it, wanting the recipe, telling him it would just be for private use, etc... finally, he replied, and asked Alan exactly what did he want. Alan told him he wanted to buy the recipe. This was over the course of a year because right after Alan moved home, we were out furniture shopping (probably looking for his coffee table) and he said he had a surprise for me. He just told me to remind him to make a phone call at 2:00 PM. Well, I reminded him.. and he called.. and I couldn't tell from my end what was going on.. but this was the first time they had talked on the phone. Seems they had a tenitive meeting set up for that afternoon, and we were supposed to meet him at the warehouse. They kept talking and realized they actually knew each other from about 15 to 20 years ago when Alan was in a band called The Fury and Dallas was their sound guy... small world.. anyway.. they had to postpone the meeting til later in the week, and Alan got off the phone. He asked me if I figured out what what going on, and at that point I didn't. Then he mentioned who he called and that he was trying to buy a recipe... once he said Dallas' name... it finally clicked... So.. we got a paired down recipe for the salsa.. and he bought a couple of cases of the original that was left. So that was his surprise for me. Since then, we have been tweaking it, we've made about 10 batches and this past set was the best. It just has tons of peppers, of all sorts, seasonings, crushed tomatoes... I don't have the recipe with me.. or I would share... but I am thinking about making a batch close to Christmas and send that to everyone here!

Julie... I have helped him out with almost everything that is in his house right now... all his kitchen stuff, helped him pick out his furniture, and he even has one of my pictures framed on his wall.. I'm not making it to where I want to live there.. I am staying fully aware of his tastes and trying not to impose mine. He has the perfect bachelor pad. Oh.. and thanks both of you.. I think he's pretty handsome myself. I love his green eyes and his smile... he is great... yeah, I'm beaming...

Weight wise.. I just feel blah... I really need to step it up on my exercise. I have been such a slacker lately. I am stuck and even though my diet is pretty good... I am not losing weight. So, exercise is the key. I really would like to feel comfortable in a bathing suit this summer.. so I need to get my butt in gear.

The bachelor... it's like a bad train wreak... hard to quit watching. Tonight, Amazing Race is on... go Rob and Amba! :-)

Oh, and congrats to your son! What was his project! Kids are the best!

OK.. well, I need to finish up a few things here.... Oh, I emailed Kempy at her yahoo address.... I got some forwards from her yesterday, so she is still alive... Hopefully she will pop in here soon....I told her we really are missing her here.

OK.. back to work here....

Hey everybody!!!

Cherie, I love the pics. You look great by the way. You are not fat. I would love to be as tiny as you are right now. I loved the cabinets in the kitchen. Beautiful!! Your salsa sounds great. You guys should market it and make some moolah!!

Julie, How are you? I have missed talking with you guys soi much. I am supposed to be glazing so I had to make a quick note to you all.

Noelle, Did you guys go scuba diving? We had a nice day here on Sunday(it snowed all day today) I got to put my patio furniture out and take the puppers for a short walk. My legs are still sore by the way. I cant believe I used to walk 4-6 miles every single day. I couldnt do that now. This weekend is supposed to be warm and sunny too. I cant wait.

I got some jokes from Kempy too so at least she is okay. I have to find 5 minutes and write her an email to see how she is doing. I miss her.

Today was so digustingly slow at the bakery. I had to make a cake for a woman. I hope she likes it. And then we pretty much sat at the table and played UNO all day.

Well, I gotta go help Jay

Angie I am doing pretty good thanks for asking. I miss you too honey!! I know you are busy as a bee though. I am glad you took a break from glazing and came and popped in. I am sure the lady will love the cake. I miss my dh during the day. I wish he and I could be together during the day with the kids. Can you imagine if your kids were little like mine and were not in school full time yet?? Yikes!!!! You would have to put them to work . I got a couple of e-mails from Kempy too. I am glad to know she is still around.
Kempy miss ya girl. I like hearing whats going on with you. Your life is much more exciting than mine LOL. Come back when you can.

Cherie, I hear you on the blah weight loss thing. I thought I would be at least five pounds lighter. I got a little bit of excercise in today. And for dinner we had bean enchiladas and usually I top mine with at least a cup of full fat cheese but I only had a fourth of a cup and no tortilla chips. So I guess baby steps. My problem is I have been feeling really snack like at night. Just trying to drink water. I want popcorn and brownies!!!! Bad Me.

Noelle, how are you? Are you going to watch AI? I hope they have a good theme tonight. Hope you are having a good week at work. I bet you miss your little niece helping out.

Bye for now girls, will check back later!!

Hey girls, I had a pretty full day, still didn't get my payroll complete but I did get everyone's time cards in so I'm good to go tomorrow. I ran to Blockbuster video on my lunch break and picked up HOtel Rwanada and Finding Neverland. I saw Rwanda a few months back at the theater but it was such a powerful movie that i had to make my sister watch it. I'm looking forward to watching Johnny Depp tonight.

Julie, yes I hope to catch AI since they're whittling away all the contestants and I haven't really been watching much. Wow, your boy's growing up and I know how it feels--like kinda painful, but yet you still feel proud? It's amazing how much they learn to do while in school isn't it? I just got Michael's spring school pictures today, my gosh he looks like such a big boy! I will try and scan one in when I get a minute.

Cherie, why yes I like that Fender strat table. I also love Gibson guitars...I had a major crush on my guitar teach back in the mid-eighties, I took lesson just so I could be alone in a small, confined space with him for 1/2 an hour . I did learn how to play but mostly I just lusted after him That's a good salsa story, talk about 6 degrees of separation. I must say you have quite a knack for decorating, it is the ultimate bachelor pad for sure. I'm sure he appreciates and loves you very much for helping him get it just so.

Angie, hey girl, we did go snorkeling on Sunday. It was a beautiful sunny day. We got to the beach really early, like 7 a.m. so we didn't even have to pay for parking. Since the last time we went to Hanauma Bay (on the east side of Oahu), the park has since been designated a Nature Preserve so it is now illegal to feed the fish or any animals there. No fishing is allowed or jet skis or anything like that, just recreational swimming. If anyone visits Hawaii you have got to go to Hanauma Bay, it's beautiful. I actually hate snorkeling, but did enjoy the water. Rick taught Michael how to snorkel so I'm so proud of him for getting the hang of it on his first couple of tries. I can't stand the sound of the water and that heavy breathing that's in my head--it makes me panic--like I feel claustrophobic. But I did get in the water a few times, but mostly layed on the beach, getting a tan, really. **Sorry you guys are slow right now, how's that wish for a laptop coming along? You could chat w/us or at least play computer games while you wait. I'm sure your lady customer will love the cake you make for her.

Well, gotta run for now. Hi to Cal, Gina, Summer, Kempy and everyone else lurking. Have a good evening.

OK, enough poking around. I need to get myself back onto the site. I mean afterall I am one of the first of us still here right? I have just been very busy. The yard is done for right now. I still have some ferns to split but that is nothing. I might do that today. We have had things to do every weekend and we still do for the rest of the month. Honestly I wish we could just stay home. I want to be with my husband and only him for a little while. My clients have slowed but that is my fualt. They are going to every two weeks as a schedule and I need to be working on new clients so they can fill those voids. I got a little lazy and now I am paying for it. That is ok though. I will be able to pull myself up again.

I don't have the time today to read all of the past posts but I am going to leave the computer on so that I have no reason not to check in. I am going to head to the gym for a little bit but I wanted you guys to know that I am still breathing.

WOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOO Kempy's BACK!!!!!!! We missed ya girl.... So glad to see you again. And you do sound extremely busy.. Wow... Don't be such a stranger anymore!! (((((HUGS)))))

Noelle, let me know how those two movies are. I haven't seen either one of them, and this looks like its going to be my movie weekend again. I've got the girls, and Alan has his boys, so I won't be seeing him any. Oh, your weekend snorkeling and swimming sounded like a blast!!!!!!! I think I am with you about the head under water thing... laying out in the sun is more my style!

Oh.. I had a crush on my Phys Ed Teacher.... he was so cute.... He is now the principal of my old high school.. and from the picture, he is still a cutie... just has grey hair now.

Julie.. your dinners always sound so great. YUM. I have decided for the time being, I am going to quit cooking at night. I always seem to take the trouble to make something good... and I will end up eating WAY TOO MUCH, and they girls won't eat at all.... and I waste food. So, I am going to go back to having cereal for dinner... (it will help me lose weight too, and save me time). Girls got tator tots, chicken nuggets, peaches and milk last night. Not too bad, not too good, but they ate it, and there was no waste. Maybe I can cut my grocery bill a little now. Noelle, I think you are the one I heard about the Kashi cereal from, the Go Lean. Well I bought a box of that yesterday and had it for dinner, and it's pretty good. Lots of fiber. I read up and realized I need about 25-30 grams a fiber a day, and yesterday I only got 13.5 grams.. and that is much more than what I have been getting. So I need to figure out something to reach my fiber goal.. and hopefully that will help my, hmmm.... bathroom problem. Eating healthy always makes me constipated.. ICK!

Angie..... Thanks.... I guess everyone has a self image of themselves.... and this is one of my highest weights... I just want to feel good about myself again, and right now, I am not. I bet your cake turned out wonderful..... You need to get your treadmill/bike and put it in the back room so you can do that during the day when you get bored! Oh... and I'm asking with Noelle.. how is that wish for a laptop coming?

OK.. well, I did a good job yesterday. I did one hour of treadmill work while watching the Amazing Race. I stayed OP all day long, and I got my water in. Here's hoping for a repeat today!

Well, Fed Ex is here.. which means payroll is back so I need to go check it. Talk to you all soon!

Cherie

Hi Everyone

I took yesterday off from work. My oldest son was home "sick". He went to the Red Sox/Yankees game the day before in Boston, MA, ate too much junk food, came home late, etc. My mom had gone to New York City with some of her friends, so I had no one babysit. But, it was so nice out, and I got a lot of yard work done. We have a dock in the back yard, and it was covered for a week or so with all the water, but now we can finally see it! At least all that water is gone!

Cherie: Your boyfriend's house is decorated so nice. I love the color scheme. You can tell that it has a "woman's touch", and by the way, he is a real cutie. Love that shirt.

Noelle: I can't do snorkeling. I feel clautrophobic. My kids do it, along with my hubbie. They love it. I wish I could get over it, but I've tried it a few times, and it just doesn't work for me.

I love Johnny Depp. Can't wait until his new movie Willie Wonka's Chocolate Factory comes out this summer.

Julie: Yes, children do grow up so fast. My oldest is 10 (11 in August), and the others just seem to be growing up too fast. I would love to have another, as well as my hubbie. We both come from huge families, so we need to keep up the tradition.

I have to get busy here at work. Need to draw up some divorce papers that have to be done today. Have a great day everyone. Enjoy the beautiful weather.

Gina

Good Morning Girls

Busy busy, ugh, kids, they never stop !! But I did manage to get my work out in bright and early. I have not had anything to eat yet.

Kempy I agree with Cherie, Don't be a stranger. Post more often.

Gina sorry your ds got sick. Yum I love stadium food. All high in fat but soooo good. Hope he feels well soon. Glad you got some yard work done though. So you would like to have another baby? I think big families are great. What I have heard about your families so far is that they sound so nice.

Cherie, I totally know what you mean about cooking and no one eating it. Last night the kids would not touch dinner. So it was healthy leftovers I found for them and made a small batch of mashed potatoes. And then there is dh he comes from a family that had a huge meal every night. I hate throwing food out. My dad would make me finish my entire plate of food when I was little. About the fiber thing. It is so true. Every time I try and lose weight I can't get the 25-30 grams of fiber in. My stomach is so messed up right now. I am trying low carb but there is no way I can get 30 grams of fiber in without eating high fiber cereal and a whole grain sandwich and fruit at lunch. I am always you know "what", lol. I hope to talk to my doctor about that. I might just scratch the whole low carb thing and just think about eating healthy and good whole grain foods. Great job staying OP yesterday and excercising. Go girl.

Angie thats funny what Cherie said get that treadmill or bike in the back of the shop. May be a good idea?? Heck get a pair of rollerskates and roll around that bakery?? That would be the talk of the town, huh ?? It will pick up before you know it. Hang in there.

Noelle glad you had a nice day at the beach. It sounds like beautiful. I would love to check out that beach someday if I got to go to HI. I hope you are not to busy at work. I bet your ds's pictures are adorable. He is a cutie pie. Hope you enjoyed your movies!!

Cal how are you feeling?? Thinking of you.

Check back soon. Have a great day everyone.

Happy Wednesday girls, how's everyone's week coming along? Sounds like we're all in good spirits AND our girl Kempy's popped back in. I'd love to visit LA during this time of year, it must be beautiful if it's keeping Kempy outdoors and planting. Good to hear from ya girlfriend! Yeah, don't be a stranger!!!

Well I just scanned my baby's newest school photo, ain't he a cutie?

I've got some errands to run but I'll be back later this afternoon w/more personal replies. Have a good one, love ya.

Oh, Noelle, you son is such a cutie. He looks like such a happy child. Does he look more like you or your hubby?

By the way Cherie I forgot to tell you how great you look. You don't look as if you need to loose much weight at all girl. You know, I have a hard time planning dinners every night. Most of what I make my children like, and if they don't too bad. It's too time consuming by the time I finish dinner, cleaning up and getting organized for the next day to make each one a special dinner. My hubby has been eating large lunches lately, so he's not too hungry for dinner, which helps me out. I guess it's always something!

Hi Cal ~~ how are you doing?

Gina

Hey!

Kempy, I am so glad you checked in. We were worried about you. I dont have your number so I couldnt call you. Are you guys getting nice weather? We got snow yesterday and Sunday is supposed to be 65. Weird huh? How are the puppers and Joe?

Noelle, Michael is such a sweetie. I love his pictures. I am glad you guys had a nice family day. I was telling Jay and he said that if we can ever swing a way to go to Hawaii for vacation we have to go visit you guys because you know all the tricks that the tourists dont.

Cherie, A movie weekend sounds like fun. I should do that on Saturday night. That is if I can stay up past 9. I am like you, when I cook something good I always eat too much but I dont feel like I had supper unless I cook. If that makes any sense? I am a glutton though.

Julie, My dad made me clean my plate growing up too. I still do it to my kids to an extent until I catch myself that is. Believe me I have thought about putting my bike in there but there isnt enough room. Next winter we will be taking 2 days off per week so maybe I can make it a point to move some. I am having such a hard time being around the food all day. I am eating so much more than I need and I dont know how to force myself not to. It is really scaring me because my weight is steadily climbing and I am so stumped on how to trun it around. I know I should just do it but it is so hard to stop it. I am scared of what is going to happen. What if I get so fat again and I get diabetes or die? I mean I know it is a reality(a very real reality) and yet I dont stop. Sorry to get so serious there but I have been really thinking about this lately. I keep thinking that I wont be able to stop until it is too late.

Gina, I bet your son had a blast. Oh, I loved the Willie Wonka movie. I used to tell Jay all the time that it would be great to have them remake it now with all the technology today. I hope it is just as good as the original.

Well today was a good day at work. We more than doubled yesterdays totals. Isnt it strange how the days can be so different? It takes some getting used to.

Okay, I have a rant so bear with me. How can people not make their kids mind in public. I mean Geesh!!! These two girls came into the bakery today with their little boys and they let them run totally wild the entire time they were there. They broke one of my flower vases that was on the tables and they let them crawl in and out of my hutch cabinets and slam the doors on them then they were in and out the front door. One told her kid to do a somersalt.!!!!! I thought I would go crazy before they left with all the screaming and stuff. It was so far beyond rediculous that me and Jay just kept looking at each other like this cant be happening. I have never let my kids act like that in public. I mean....should I have to babysit other peoples kids in my bakery? What if they got hurt there because their Moms are total idiots.??!!!! Okay I am done now. But I hope they never come back. haha

Hey girls, I'm back again, pondering what I should have for lunch Always thinking about food I am...

Angie, for sure, if anyone comes out my way I will gladly show you around--I can't guarantee that you'll ever catch me in a bathing suit at the beach though, but I will show you which beaches are nice and what spots to visit. If I catch someone else's kids running wild in public, first I thank God that they're not mine , then if their parents do nothing to stop them, I sidle up to them and real mean like tell then to knock it off, like stop running, or quit yelling, or whatever it is they're doing. I do a great mean face to little kids that are rotten I don't know if I ever told you guys the story about my sister in the grocery store. She was shopping for dinner stuff and this 7 or 8 y.o. boy was throwing a tennis ball around while his mother was shopping. They were in a different aisle from my sis but somehow the ball hit my sis in the side of the head--she was pissed! She saw the kid go toward the ball, then she grabbed the ball and snarled at him, 'who threw this ball?!?!!!!!' Well, he was scared out of his wits and ran back to his mother. My sis followed them through the grocery store and gave the kid the evil eye the whole time. He was clinging to his mom like a monkey and she didn't know why, just kept asking him, what's wrong, what do you want? She didn't see my evil, menacing sister following them . She kept the ball and gave it to the dog when she got home. Re: the weight thing, girl you will get that groove back, one day it will just click. I think about similar things, diabetes and dying early, etc. My left knee is acting up and I know it's due to my weight. I can't seem to keep it together for more than a week at a time so you're not alone. I think I need to go back to WW and have that threat of a weekly weigh in in front of a stranger

Gina, I love Johnny Depp too, he's so versatile. Sorry to hear your boy was feeling ill, at least he had a blast doing it and you got some time to tend your garden. Hmmm, I like to think my son is a perfect combination of my husband and I. I for sure think he's got my eyes and definitely my nose, but he's got the dad's lips, chin, coloring and personality. I wish I could have more but we're not having much luck. I know we're really thankful we have this one. I come from a family of 7 girls so we're all pretty close. I think if you can afford the kids and want them, have all you want. There's no shortage of love for babies, ever.

So Julie, what did you think of AI last night? I thought everyone did pretty well, save for Nadia picking that obscure song. I didn't think Scott was that great either but he seems to be surviving out there. I liked Simon's comment to the "it" girl Carrie, 'a kitten pretending to be a tiger...' or something along those lines I can't wait to see who's booted. If you get a chance, to come back and post the results for me

Good Evening Girls

Angie you will get back to losing again. I agree with Noelle. Just look at all the changes you have made in your life. Don't get down or think bad, think positive babe and you will do it , either way we will always be friends no matter what we weigh . I can't believe those kids. People these days !!

Noelle, first of all Michael is a total doll. You are going to have girls calling all the time when he gets older. He looks so much older now, I remember the picture of him in the pumpkin patch and he looks like he has really grown since then. What a cutie. Hahahaha....that is funny about your sis. I thought Constitine(sp?) did great last night. Even though I like Bo better. Not into the girls at all!! I think Scott will go tonight.

Well hello everyone else. Sorry so short but I want to go watch the Simple Life then AI. Have a great night everyone.

Hi Girls~~

Angie: My mom is very overweight. She developed diabetes last year and she also has high blood pressure, along with too high cholestral. She doesn't do anything about it, but I am trying to get her to Weight Watchers. You know, maybe if you tried baby steps. Don't worry about the exercising right now. Just try to eat a good breakfast ~~ maybe some oatmeal and a piece of toast for breakfast, a small lunch -- salad or half a sandwich and then a light dinner. If I get hungry in the evening, I grab a hard candy and that satisfies my hunger. On the weekends, I slip a little, but during the week I cut back. I know it is so hard to do, especially when you are baking or around goodies all day. It doesn't help You know, if you put your mind to it, you can do it, and once you start losing, you will feel so much better and you will want to keep going.

Those children sound like such brats. What is the matter with their parents? You guys must have been so glad when they left!

Julie: Did you watch the Simple Life -- those girls are so funny. My daughter thinks Paris is awesome. She wishes she could look like her! - No way will she ever look like her - my daughter has black hair, and I think she will be on the short side, and she is definitely not fair skinned, as is Paris. But, didn't you think those moneys were cute. Then my hubbie wanted to watch "Stacked", a new show with Pam Anderson, so I went to the bedroom to watch Alias. One of the girls at work said the Nadia got eliminated, and that Bo (my fav) was in the bottom 3. I usually watch AI on Tuesday, but miss it on Wed. because I like to watch Alias.

Noelle: I agree with Julie ~~ girls will be all over your son. My kids get their pictures taken as soon as they start school in the fall (September). I have 2 in school, but next year I will have 3 in school and 1 still at home. My 10-year old thinks girls are still yucky -- wait until a couple of years from now, and my 7-year old is too busy with her own little girly things to even think of boys. Hopefully, it will stay that way for a long time! I can picture her father now ~~ interrogating her boyfriends.

That is a funny story about your sister and that little kid.

Okay, so my husband brings up the prospect of maybe moving to Florida for a couple of years. His cousin is a builder, and he offered my hubbie a good job working with him. We use to live in Florida when we first got married, and I liked it. The summers are soooo hot though. It would be only for a year or so. So, we have to discuss it over the weekend.

So, I have to go. Gotta get busy instead of "playing". Have a good day everyone. Maybe if I get a chance I will check in later.

Hi to everyone else.

Gina