hi all ,just about to start emptying the kitchen bathroom and hall so i thought id pop on here first,the kitchen and floors get done tomorrow so two more things out of the way its also the day for the old house inspection and then im done with there aswell ,had teel on the phone her ankle is really playing her up!! im getting very worried about how shes gonna cope up here i mean we are built on the side of a volcano ,so lots of steep hills not very wheelchair freindly
HAPPY if you were over here id say your strange animals sounded like foxes,cause thats exactly what ours sound like children crying ,glad hubbys found some feline outside company {i wont tell cleo}
SHAD your always so energetic and busy dont you ever just want to stay in bed???? im knackered just listening to you honest im looking forward to my parcel arriving thankyou very much
MEL aww hunny those peepers arent half giving you jip hun ,you take more you time you deserve and need it
HOLLY aww hunny is your legs multi coloured yet???? id have hung him up,my hubby trying to help painted the kitchen ceiling ,unfortunatly apart from missing all the edges he didnt cover anything not even the dog bowls or take the clean dishes out the rack !!! so now i have a speckled cooker and micro and toaster wouldnt mind but they started silver
NAE any plans for the birthday????? hope everything is okay with you
MEADOW ill send my conner over to you he eats anything with sugar in it before youd even get a sniff best diet ive ever had
TIG well done on the running thing you do so well
to everyone else enjoy your day/night and ill speal soon
love kirsty +bump

Morning, afternoon or evening all - strike out that which is not applicable.

Looks like it is going to be another superb winters day here and I shall be stuck inside looking outwards. I shall have to get me a job on a building site or something. Anyway it is very cool out there. When I left home this morning the thermometer in the car read 7.0c and by the time I got out onto the main road it was down to 4.5c. That's very cool for here. It was absolutely freezing standing on the station - wind chill might have had something to do with that I guess. The natives are freezing their buns off and complaining like mad - as if that will do any good. I keep saying that the temps are good during the day when the sun is up, count your blessings, but they don't seem to understand that there are places in this world that rarely get above 7.0c for the ENTIRE day during the winter. And the other blessing is that the bugs are gone - gone, gone, gone. Scarcely a fly left standing. It is sooooooo nice. Heat dust and flies will come back far too soon. Actually I have to admit to feeling like LindaT does in the journals. She is feeling the cold since she has lost so much weight. Muscle may be fine and good, but the fat was insulating. My almost non existent butt is continually cold. So are my legs for that matter. The places with the least amount of fat seem to be complaining this winter. Wouldn't it be nice if when losing this fat, it redistributed itself so there was a thin layer (thin fat layer?????!!!!) all over just to keep us toasty.

Silly me, I am losing my mind somewhere. I got to the station this morning and as per normal rearranged the bag - took out all the gym gear and left it in the car and put in the good shoes, book, water bottle, food - errrrrr where's my lunch, breakfast, morning tea and snack???? Yep okay it is on the bench at home. What a dope.

What I find I am also having since these muscles come to pass is the need for hot food in the winter. Salads just aren't cutting it so much at the moment, so I am going to have to think of other ways to get the nutrition without the fat. Interesting thoughts go through my head at times like these. Soup is one of them. However I make a big pot of the stuff and then waste it. Like I'm bored with it after a couple of times. I can freeze it, but once frozen I tend to forget it is there. Besides which my fridge has only a smallish freezer now and I tend not to be able to put a lot of stuff in it. I do like variety. Not sure that I could do the LindaT thing and have alternating fish or chicken for a whole week. I need to work on my food I think.

Linus - please make sure you do not get in the way of fumes and paint stuff - it won't do you or the baby any good. I'm sorry Teel is still having problems with that ankle. It won't be easy going up and down the hills of Edinburgh. I well remember my walk up the Royal Mile. Yes UP - I'm from downunder, I caught the bus down and walked up. I think I need counselling. But I know she has a couple of tours booked, walking around Urquhart Castle might be a bit of a challenge too, even though there have been some work done to allow people easier access, but I think she can rise to the occasion. Act helpless, find a bloke! Shad advice. Two fat ladies, a bump and a wheelchair. Could be interesting?

Okay best go find out if the powers that be have made up their minds about things yet. What things I hear you ask? Well I don't know, when I left here last night, they were still making their minds up.

Nothing much to say... we are having pizza for dinner tonight... "7 days without pizza makes one weak"... The perfect lover is a man who turns into a pizza at 4am"



Shad-I hope you kick start your metabolism and get satisfaction from all your efforts. You sound great to me but if you aren't content, onward! Can I feel your muscles? I'm cold even with all the insulation. My body, sheesh!

Mel-I want to give you a hug : you have had such a raw deal with all the health stuff, may healing come quickly and you see brighter days soon. Meadow kicks the huge pile of laundry and screams wash yourself!!

Holly-get a new ladder! With all the painting you do, you should have proper tools. I hope you get some free time to indulge yourself and forget about those poor bruises.

Happy-My husband says we are going to put our pool in the garage at the new house I might be swimming laps along with you if I had all that privacy.

Linus-I'm going to be joining you in the box packing business soon. Our house got its final inspection and passed so we can start moving in. I'm glad your kitchen has come together, ick on the paint speckles everywhere... What was he thinking? That the roller doesn't splatter? MEN! I guess you will be spending much of your time in the new place using your fingernails to scrape off the little blobs.

Tig-run on! Do you take water with you? Running in Florida must be sweat central, I bet you lose pounds of fluid that you need to replenish or you would get really dizzy. I would be talking myself out of it, good job on dedicating to improve your time.

Teel-your poor ankle! I hope you are taking it easy and will be fully functional for when you visit Linus. Fun motivation, be kind to yourself so you can really go at it in Scotland!

You girls give me a giggle and make me feel soooo much better!
The trials and tribulations of Pauline-Mel continue! Getting into a routine with all the meds, washes and soaks. maybe some day I will learn that to keep things at bay, one must be "vigilant with the regimen' or so Dr. Clogs has told me on several occassions! I can never remember his italian name so nicknamed him Clogs......he wears them all the time. I will not see him anymore as he is graduating into a "real" doctor as I told him.
The crafts day went well yesterday. We finished the july 4th wreath now. On to painting birdhouses in September. I got the ok to have it every 3 months and a $100 budget to boot!
N ot much new here. Jen is improved very much and driving now regularly. all is well in my corner of the world.....trying not to brag and thus invoke the jealousy of the Gods!

Happy~ Glad the raccoon is one now and cat survived the bird attack. Poor Kitty! I have seen a bird attack the cats here. He sits all day on the highest chimney and mimics everything he hears. looked on the internet and think he is a mocking bird...surprised to find them in the city though. He's brown and white with a long tail that stands up most of the time. Calls to the cats and then attacks them when they get close! Sadistic little thing! Better your kitty is a visitor....no poop, hair or furballs to clean up!

Shad~ good thing you didn't kick the guy in the privates!!! I near cracked up when I read that!!! Surprised you didn't hear the guffaws all the way in OZ!!!!
Goon on ya for the hanging exercise!!! LOL I have lots of hanging bits but they don't get much exercise! Just kind of hang and look unattractive!!! Good luck with work and the 'blokes'!!!
Patience dear Sister! LOLOLOLOLNow there is a real oxymoron!!!!

Meadow~ Wash 0, Mel 3!!! About 5 more to go!!! LOL
Hope the pizza was good cause it looked and smelled great!
Thanks for kicking the wash....when they move on their own they're so much easier to handle!

Holly~ Hope the week and stretching twists are going well and the little rugrats too.

Linus~ Give Teel my love and hugs. Hope she gets better soon with the ankle. Hope also that you pass the muster of the inspection and you guys can settle in soon as the work is all done. Men love to butt heads so be careful you and Bump don't get in the way!!!! Stay well my friend.

Nae~ Hope everything is OK and sending good strong vibes your way also!!! This too shall pass.....or so I keep telling myself!


Well Ladies(and I use that term looooosly) Hope the day is bright and sunny and cheerful!!! I am clearing and airing the house out. Gonna get ready for the hot and steamy weather that is predicted to start today! YIKES!!! CLOSE THE WINDOWS MEL AND BATTEN DOWN THE HATCHES!

HUGS Mel!!!!! You are sounding like your usual funny ,happy self!!!!
HIYA CHICKS!!!!

ill make this short and sweet as im in a lousy mood i have a kitchen but the very stinky floors still remain ,i even told a joiner to f**k off today i am at the end of a verrrrrrrryyyyyyyyy long tether and it aint nice so im off for a nice hot bath {when i take the contentss of the bathroom out of said bath}and enjoy my nervous breakdown in peace
love to you all
kirsty+bump

Following on from yesterday mornings weather report, the following occurred during the day and overnight. It’s only interesting because I live in the Sub-Tropics on the east coast of Australia.



Yesterday, on the plaza at the bottom of the building that I work in, the powers that be had a morning tea and seminar on the joys of State Government superannuation. They put out tables with bunches of balloons and edible goodies like sandwiches and buns etc etc.

Yesterday the wind blew, and blew and blew and blew. Don’t anyone ever tell me about NZ’s windy Wellington anymore.

As a result of this cold wind blowing, the seminar shifted indoors, but not before the wind picked up enough strength to blow the sandwiches clear off the plates and into the air. We were watching bits of lettuce and other unknown foodstuffs floating through the air and past our windows. The wind was so strong that it picked up one of the bunches of balloons - which were weighted down with little brick thingies and they too floated past the office windows.

Of course winter here in the subtropics means cool nights and mild to warm days - but yesterday it didn’t get passed 18C (if you need a quick formula for conversion to fahrenheit - double the temp and add 30.) And that wind was just the pits. Once the sun left the sky, the temps plummetted again. Somewhere in the inland sub-tropics snow fell yesterday. First snow that far north in 46 years. Mind you the Canadians would have called it dandruff not snow, but the kids were having a wonderful time of it sliding down the slopes on their skateboards minus the wheels.

Last night got very cold and the drive to the station this morning was more than a tad chilly. In fact the little information screen on the dash started a 7c and went down as far as 2.5c. After 3.5c little snowflake diagrams started to appear on the screen warning me of ice outside. ICE - we only use that in our drinks!!

I remembered my lunch and breakfast today. So yesterdays bad eating is now a thing of the past - ha ha. And although I was bitterly cold and missed my usual train home last night due to a meeting running overtime, I talked myself into going to the gym for the cardio circuit (15 mins ea on Treadmill, bike and stepper last night) and felt better for it - or is that my conscience taking a well earned break?

Tonight I am going out to dinner with the brother and the niece and nephew and then home to start preparations for the weekend. I have a rowdy bunch of footy fanatics coming over to cheer on the All Blacks against the British & Irish Lions tomorrow. I have decided to serve comfort food (for the British of course) such as lamb shanks and mashed potato and carrot. The kids love them slow cooked in wine and stock. There’s some NZ beer for the boys (the Brits will just have to make do) and a nice Spanish red for me and the niece. Following the footy we will spill out on to the patio and toast some marshmallows etc over the barbecue and I will put a good old favourite of rhubarb crumble in the weber for comsumption. By that time we probably won’t feel the cold. Later is the Australia v Italy test and we will all have to watch that as well no doubt. It should be fun.

Meanwhile back in the office, I have to prepare for 3 training sessions of 1.5hrs each. Kate - our administrator is hoping to make the 3 into two so we can all go home early. Good onya Kate.

Back later to read the posts and comment. Looks like linus is having a small tantrum there.

Good morning ladies,

Sorry I don't have time to sit and chat. It's getting down to the wire now. Family shows up tomorrow afternoon. Lots to be done between now and then. I hope to get out of work a bit early to get a jump start on things.

While Shad's freezing, it's supposed to be sunny and hot here - upper 90's for temps. Good pool weather. I hope so, not much else to do here.

Hope you all have a great week, I will try to stop by sometime later.

Linus~ it must feel good to get all that frustration out!!!! I hope it all settles down for you!!!
Happy~ you must be getting very excited!!!! Wishing you a happy, lighthearted time wiht your family!!
Shad~Sounds like you are getting some Ontario spring weather. It keeps you active to stay warm, LOL!! Wear some heavy boots so you dont blow away!!!!

I have been busy. Last week of school stuff. A lovely retirement party for our principal. I adore him!!

The downstairs is a MESS cause i have been cleaning out stuff upstairs. It's bugging me!!! 2 more piles to the thrift shop. Yowza!!! I have been unloading stuff all spring!!! Tons of stuff. Now it is getting a bit more personal. Unloading memories. Very freeing for my spirit.
I called my Mom yesterday to get permission to give away the bassinet she bought when my angels were babes. We ended up having a natural and normal conversation. It was heartening.
I still have the christmas stuff to go through and then ALL the closets and storage spaces will be completely sorted and minimized!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I will dust, vacuum and wash the windows tomorrow!!!!!!!!!
No plans all weekend. I really want to relax around the house and putter in the gardens!!!!!
Gymnastics tonight.
School council meeting last night was GREAT!!!! We are a wonderful team!!!!! I LOVE IT!!!!!!

Onward with my day!!! It’s gonna get hot again, 32C.

Have a carefree day!!!!!!

HOLY CRAP I LOST MY POST!!! WELL THE LONG AND SHORT WAS....4 INSURANCE COMPANIES SAID IF I HAD A LAWYER AND WAS SUING THEN THEY WOULD PAY THE MED BILLS FOR THE BUS THING. AFTER CALLS, FAXES, ARGUING AND MEL'S TEARS....I LEFT THEM ALL TO SORT IT OUT. MONDAY IS ANOTHER DAY! LOL MONDAY IS ALSO MALL DAY FOR MEL TOO AND SHE WON'T BE HERE!!! IF IT GETS ANY WORSE THEN I'LL CALL A LAWYER AND GET THEM UPSET TOO! LOL
HOPE YOUR DAY WAS BETTER THAN THIS! POOR SHAD IS TURNING INTO AN ICE POP, LINUS IS HAVING A FIT, HAPPY IS FALLING ASLEEP AND HOLLY IS DELIRIOUS WITH HAPPINESS!!!
LOVE TO YOU ALL AND HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND. OURS IS SUPPOSED TO BE VERY HOT AND HUMID AND I AM STAYING IN AN TAKING CARE OF THE EYES SO I CAN SEE SOMETHING AT THE STORES ON MONDAY!!!!

Hi Everyone, I just got my computer back and caught up with everyone...... wow..... I missed hearing from you all...isn't is weird.... some of you have had the pleasure of meeting each other. But for most of us this is our contact and connection and during the day at different times I thought about each of you and wondering how life was going in your neck of the world!!!! Friendship and care comes in so many different forms.... you know girls... if anything serious every happened to any of us, we should have someone in our immediate circle know how to access our corner of the world on this medium and let us know....... just a thought.
Well, so much has been happening but the difficulty with my oldest is now out of my hands in a way.... about time.. but the sadness in all of that is he has not once contacted me...... I think mostly out of shame..... so he is going to face many things without me.... good.... I have started a letter writing to my sons... only telling them of my weekend excursions... the nature I see and my thoughts on all kinds of stuff..... no questions in the letters at all... not even a how are you..... a chance for them if they care to see a part of me as a person and how I experience life for myself.
My little dog Teeka is not quite up to par.... I won't go camping in the wilderness tonight because she isn't up to it... but I will go down river and join the group for the hike along the ridge and to the hot springs......
Planting tress and flowers but don't know if the water will hold up to keep them going.... wish you all could join me on my deck.... with a bar b q and drink and a float on the pond...... just taking in this spectacular scenery.......
Miss you all.... wish you all the very best..... and to your loved ones..... Many blessings and will write more later...
Take good care,
Nae

Oh Nae, you have inspired the most beautiful pictures in my mind. I can feel the calmness of the pond. Enjoy your hike!!! Peaceful thoughts for your woes with your son.

Nae~ I should be ashamed of myself for not sending a note sooner to find out WHER you were! I have been so wrapped up in my own dilemmas. Hope the letter writing make YOU feel good and they can learn who Mom really is.....a real person. Good luck.
Sorry to hear about Teeka. I know she means so much to you.
Sending healing thoughts her way. I have given Jen a phone book with Joy's number in it. I just didn't want to fall of the face of the earth without someone knowing about it. I had the same thought as you did about our little 'family'. ((((HUGS)))) to you too cause you sound like you could use them!

I am feeling better about yesterday and of course much better having had an ice cream sandwich!! But today is back to plan and getting this house organized. It's beginning to look like the insude of my MIND! Jen and the kids were here. They went to the $1 store and the kids bought me Coca Cola plate, bowl and cup. makes me want SODA NOW!!! The kids were so loud playing on Pogo.com that Jen had to take them back! I forgot that kids cannot do anything quietly except SLEEP! Part of me was glad to see them leave. The birds and I enjoy our quiet time more and more every day.....we're getting old and set in our ways together! ;lol3: Well.......Best get the day going and get out before the heat comes. Already cleaned the birds and bathroom so it's time to go for a ride. ;dance:
Have a great day!!!

Hello everyone, I've been really naughty and not got round to posting on here for ages.

Anyway, I'm still losing and getting a lot fitter. Would you believe I ran 10k on Tuesday and 5k on Thursday and this morning? I can't! The scale and tape measure are both looking much better almost daily so that's good.

Anyway, I'm off travelling again so I won't be about for a week or two. I'm off to visit my parents in Gran Canaria, and popping over for a couple of days in La Palma while I'm over there. The hotel has a gym and everything so I'm even taking my gym stuff if I can fit it in my case. This dedication is scaring me!

I just wonder what my mother will say if she sees me eating salad. I think she'll die of shock!

Hello all...I am returning like the prodigal!!
I have had so much trouble getting internet access just lately....DOH!!
Anyway I shall write without looking back to your posts so I can do the update-ing later!
Only 3 days till I leave for Scotland...nearly time to start the packing....yipee!
Hopefully the sun will shine and I will have some spare time to write to you whilst I am either at chez Linus or when I find an internet cafe...
Its been a bit of an hectic week...hairdressers one day, psychiatrist's the next and the usual blood test the next...and shopping today!! Tomorrow I will meet a freind for coffee so I can give her an early birthday present as she celebrates her big day whilst I am away...gosh I have been so organised!!Well I thought I was until I was just talking to mum on the phone and she wanted the address where I would be staying...and I couldn't remember and I couldn't find where I had written the details!!DOH!!!!again!! I thought I was going to have to ring all the guest houses in the street (the name of which I could recall....)and ask them all if they had a booking for Ms Monk! And then I found the bit of brochure I had cut out with the details on it.. So all is well with the world although there is definately NO HOPE for the bit of brain matter that I thought I had left!
Anyway, as I said, this is a very quick postie so I will now go read pages and pages of news from your good selves....
I hope to get back on site before I go but if not, I will be in touch from Scotland...och aye!!!!