Tig~ your palns sound fabulous!!!! Enjoy every second!!!!

Tig it does sound like a wonderful family weekend. Hope you thoroughly enjoy it. The 'Thugs' sound wonderful. It also sounds like you are not really having a good time on the project you are working on. Some are not as good as others I have to admit. So just get right on your goat and yet others swim along happily if sometimes a bit haphazardly.

Teel - Glad to hear that the work is finally being done in the house. You won't know yourself once that is done. How about keeping in touch a bit more often too. We like to know what you are up to!!!!

Meadow - no purple suits for this little black duck. A) because they don't make things like that to suit me, and B) I wouldn't look great dashing round town in a flash suit and flat shoes. I like to walk as fast as possible, so I take the heels to work in a bag and wear the flat navy loafers around the streets, also some of the pavement is shiny tiles - look good however they are death to the heels and shoes of some people. I've seen so many slip and/ or go over because of those floors. You'd think the designers would learn after the law suits they've had, but apparently it is cheaper to settle out of court than to change the flooring or pavements. Go figure.

Had a busy, busy day today. I didn't get up too early - obviously I was tired from a long and busy week - 35 hours in 4 days plus travel. Anyway I went to gym at 8.00 and did an 50 minutes on weights, strength and resistance, then another ten on the treadmill, followed by 55 mins of Body Balance class. Stuffed is a good word for how I felt when I stumbled out of there. Tomorrow is another hour on cardio circuit.
Then I went to get the fruit and veg, and the big grocery shop of the month or more. I only go down to get the groceries and meat about every 6 - 8 weeks, fill up the freezer and the pantry and eat my way through it. So I ended up with chicken breast fillets, chicken thighs, chicken tenderloins, pork steaks, lamb chops, beef scotch fillet, salmon fillets, tuna steaks and swordfish steaks. I also got a few groceries like balsamic vinegar, bread, cleaning stuff and a couple of presents for a pregnant friend (She's due in June). I'm getting in early so I can see what to get for Linus later in the year. The whole shebang came to $269 - you what!!!! I'm not buying the flaming store you know.
So I came home to clean the kitchen, sweep and wash the floor, dust and sweep the dining room and lounge (since the sanding dust is still landing) and put the laundry on - still not hung out, but that will do as tomorrow mornings early job. After gym tomorrow, wash the walls down again, and then in the afternoon paint the walls and windows. At least one coat of primer/ undercoat - I think that is all I will have time to do. More cleaning tomorrow in the bathroom and bedroom as well and then the housework will just about be up to date. Weekends are just not long enough.

Okay time to go and drop Mel a line. I'll send all you best wishes shall I?

Good morning chickies, I am back from near death. This cold was far more than I ever expected it to be. Have been really, really REALLY sick this week. Good thing I went to the doctor's on Tuesday, I can only imagine the state I would be in had I not. Still not up to par but at least I can breathe - somewhat. The chest congestion is the worst of it. I thought I would not have to deal with this since I quit smoking but I guess when the little buggers invade, they take over. And I have barely eaten anything in the past week, drank rivers of water to stay hydrated and move the gunk out and have dealt with antibiotic induced stomach upset. Do you think I would have lost a pound, ounce or gram? Sooooo frustrating! Oh well, all we can do is to carry on, eh? It's supposed to be a sunny warm weekend, I hope to get outside and catch some healing rays of the sun.

Teel, it is good to hear from you again. I know the feeling - that you feel you have nothing to say so you lurk - please just know that we'd rather hear babbling than deal with wondering where the lurkers are That is so wonderful about your niece and nephew! They must be thrilled to bits and what a proud Aunty Teel beaming on them :

Shad, please send my love to Miss Mel. I hope she is able to join us soon. I can't seem to find my box of greeting cards so I need to go stock up this weekend. As for you, it sounds like you've really intensified the workouts. Congrats on the loss for the week. A hard fought loss I might add. As for the job, it seems to be the nature of SAP - reminds me of a bunch of ants marching marching marching - all busy - very busy but are we achieving any results? The sort of thing at times that makes you contemplate a career change - or is it just that the state of the work place has changed so much? I know my job beckons me to work long, long hours. So far I have resisted but I think I won't be able to hold out for much longer. Thing is, we have one chatterbox at work. Drives me nuts as he chats all day long to any and everyone. The sort of bloke who yaks just to make noise. I am sorely tempted to remind him of my favorite Chinese proverb - "Empty cans make the loudest noises" But he wouldn't get it. Anyway they just love him at work - think he is the best. Sometimes I feel I just don't fit into today's workplace anymore...

Tig, enjoy your company - hope you had a good trip down the coast. Meadown, thank you for the jazzy flower. After that, how can you NOT get up and dance? Holly hope all goes well for DH and work for the summer. Ohhhh is there nothing so sweet (aside from a little baby) of the smell of clothes dried in the outside air? Can't do that at my house. Too many blasted birds. They sing sweetly but they also dive bomb the cars and chairs and anything else left outside. I told DH we're not going to feed them if they are going to use our cars as latrines. He said it's only the mocking bird that's doing it. We have a new bird that appeared this week - an indigo bunting - a beautiful shade of blue.

Linus, hope you are feeling better - these have not been an easy few months for you, have they? I'd say you are overdue for a little sunshine in your life

Ok, I'd better get moving here. DH went to the store a while ago, don't want him to return to find me still sitting here drinking coffee at the computer.

Hello's to Nae and Suzi who we seem to have lost and virtual love to the fabulous Miss Mel

For those Mums of the thread and for those non-Mums, soon to be Mums, surrogate Mums, single Mums, Mum's of pets, houses, horses or gardens, these early bloomers from under the Poinciana tree are for you

are those YOUR orchids? Breathtaking and gorgeous! Happy Mum's day to all you fine ladies.

yep all mine. Tennozan on the left and Blue Boy on the right. Blue Boy is just new, which is why he is flowering at this time. Tennozan I have had for 6 - 8 months or so and this is it's second flowering. Must like it there.

Beautiful Shad. We can only grow orchids in pots inside here.hard to imagine them outside in nature.

HUGS and HI!!! to everyone!!!

The sunlight is streaming through the trees and the dew on the grass is twinkling.Yellow tulips are smiling at me.Kitty is rubbing against my legs.All is quiet and peaceful and my coffee tastes delish!!!!

It has been an emotional few days for a few reasons. I am doing okay tho!!
I have decided that the time without the boys has been a gift and I need to to receive it. DH was gone over night and Ds was out all aft and eve.
DH left mad as heck but I called him a couple of hours later and he was chatty and calm and then he called me at 9pm to tell me where he was at. He is in a better place and was hanging out with an old roomie we haven’t seen in a couple of years.I chatted with him too.
DS went 4 wheeling and hung out at the crick and tried to catch minnows and crayfish. Happy little man.
I have the house tidied and well sorted ,dusting and vacuuming today. DD seems better.
Church this morning. Then hopefully some gardening!! Raking at least. It is exercise too!!
I loved sleeping alone with kitty, just like the old days. I wonder if kitty was thinking wow this used to be so cool! LOL!
I set my alarm for 6:30 to be up and alone.Kids will sleep til 7:30.
I ate most of a frozen pizza for supper last night. It was enjoyable but too much. The rest of the day was okay.
Because DD was sick, it was the first time in 9 years I only cooked for myself.
For the 15 years before that I only ever cooked for myself and the 5 years before that I cooked all the family meals at my parents house. I just did the math. I have been cooking dinner for 29 years. Yikes. I love doing it. I actually dont remeber ever feeling like I didn’t want to do it.

I cant wait to see the cards the kids made at school. Much sneaking and hiding has been going on.
I sent my Mom an e card. I will call later, I suppose.

Have a wonderful day dear chicks!!!!!

Holly, I think no matter how much we love (or sometimes tolerate) the people around us, it's always nice to once in a while have an evening to yourself. Sounds like you enjoyed it to the hilt!

Shad, if and when you have time, you have to take some shots of the yard and post to webshots or here. It sounds like your yard is just fabulous. Haven't seen much of it since it was mostly under construction. I am in awe of the wide variety of enchanting things you can grow there.

There is not a lot of colour in the garden right now. The roses will be coming back to bloom again soon, the bushes mostly have a lot of buds on them. The bigger ones have been through a flush and are mostly finished. The orchids will flower on and off for the next 6 months or so. There are some nice ones there and they survive on vast amounts of neglect followed by a bit of cossetting when one comes into flower. I miss not having daffodils, jonquils and tulips. You can get them to grow but very weedy and only last one day at the most.

Feeling a bit worn at the moment. Work doesn't give up - I'm also mediating between two strong (male) personalities and only ended up with more work. I guess I will survive.

So I'm off to bed pretty soon. Had gym again tonight. Getting slowly stronger in the upper body, but it is not a painless exercise. Just hope it delivers the promise of less inches and less weight! Jason is confident.

Can't think anymore. Will dream up a lovely long post while snoring! Manana amigos

Mother’s day was nice. Kids were happy. No squabbles.DH was happy. I was happy. Church was nice. I raked,weeded and seeded 1/2 of the front lawn from 10:30-4. It is looking lovely.
The work felt good. I am sun kissed and glowing.

Quiet evening.
I just heard a kiddie coming down the stairs. Now the work starts.

My monthly morning weigh in was 228.....still up 3 from Feb but down 1 form last week. The right direction!!!!


Called my Mom yesterday. She was all cheery, telling me about her perfect little weekend,after a half hour I asked if she got my email. she said hesitantly ,"well, yes.
I,I,I, I dont want to be involved. It has been this way for 5 years.There is nothing I can do to change it.” My Aunt did call her accusing that she had told my parents 3 years ago about some work that was needed to be done. Never asked for help tho........ My Dad apparently asked my Mom what he should do and she told him to just forget bout it. I may call my Dad. It is his Mom after all.He does care.

Anyhow I have a philosophical discussion going on in my head about the intent and energy something is done with. My grandma is very well cared for. If the care is done with negativity and bitterness is it a good as if it is done with love and affection?
My feeling is no but the rest of my family disagrees.

hello my very good freinds
how are we all?? good i hope ,were all fine -well so so i had to get anti sickness tablets from the docs sometimes they work ,still has not brought my appetite back yet =but the doc has said not to worry about it the baby is growing well and is very active so not to worry about it so i wont Craig sat his chemistry exam today said it wasnt to bad so connnre is just fine just his usul cheery self ,we got his report card on saturday morning ,very plaesant kid pleasure to teach would be even better if he stayed awake so im not looking forward to parents evening .andrew has a very strange skin compl;aint at the moment very very itchy and covered from head to toe in spots docs arent sure what it is maybe an allergic reaction so the whole house has had to be cleaned beds changed towels,cushion covers,shower curtains you name it if it can be washed its washed and if not its been anti bacterial wiped im now knackered so im off for a well deserved shower and bed
peace and reat to all
kirsty+bump

Reat??!!! Must be a Scottish word?

?Reat? thee merry chicks of the world and nothing to dismay for there is chocolate everywhere and one peice will not with pounds pay... I think I added a beat there

Hugs Shad, icky male energy swirling around you making you volunteer to do more than your fair share to keep momentum and peace... you can't keep that up! Tell the winey buggers to pull themselves together and get the work done and their traps shut. Should put the temperature up a few degrees in the office My snowball tree is in full bloom right now, it survived the infestation of the vebernum caterpillars that devoured it last year and is shoving all its energy now into putting out the pompoms

Holly-good that your mother's day was pleasant. My sisters gave me two boxes of peanut butter daises and a 12 pack of peanutbutter fingers from Purdy's chocolates. Will I eat them all in one sitting "NO" will I eat them all eventually? "YES" I will have to share a bit with the kids so as not to make myself too guilty for the indulgence Hugs for your family merry go round of accountability and distance, it isn't something you can force, people either want to help or they don't. You can only do what you feel is right and allow them to do the same.

Linus-good news that your little passenger is active and lively and growing well! Sorry you haven't gotten an appetite. It should happen to me and an overwhelming urge to exercise like a champion gymnast My daughter had a reaction with spots all over her body to an antibiotic. Has Andrew been taking anything new? Have you switched fabric softeners? I know some of that stuff can really cause a reaction too, coats the clothes with something. Vinegar is much better to get all the soap out and make the clothes smell fresh. Congratualtions that your kids are doing so well in school. Which class did Conner sleep through? If it was history I wouldn't worry, I daydreamed through most of that stuff myself, all those dates

Cloudy and sunny here. My daugher opened a tin of kippers and the entire house smells like a cannery so I have opened the windows to try and get it back to its normal dusty, stale, general skanky smell