Around the World again with the friendly Chicks # 6
 

Welcome to version six of the worldly chicks house. Time to change as it was getting a bit crowded and sometimes we have have computer problems if there gets to be a large number of pages.

Here's the old thread if you want to go backwards and see what we get up to. Old Home

New house is a moated 650 year old Manor house - Ightam Mote. This was a house I fell in love with while in England in 2003.

Evening all. Welcome to the new home. You've been a busy lot over on the old thread today (which is good) but sometimes the more pages there are, the more trouble people seem to have.

Holly that basement sounds very vibrant and busy. What a clever painter you are measuring up all those colours and stripes and getting them straight. Me, I roll, brush, rag or sponge but don't measure.

All these new hairdo's. Will I recognise any of you when I get over there? Glad that you got the electricity or lack of all organised Mel. You can use my hammock - just get pedalling. Give me 5 minutes notice because then I can get the coffee pot on and the hammock slung and a few biscuits on the side. 2lbs down is a good victory ol buddy. Well done.

Rose, nice to have you back. Hope the son gets himself together again. Later he will work out that it wasn't worth it, but it is so hard to tell them so at this time.
The walking sounds good. Nothing like a bit of physical exercise to clear the mind. But :yikes: on the beer parties into the night. How many people does he room with?

Thanks for the kind thoughts on the job Happy, all is well, I shall enlarge shortly. Those hornets must have been big if DH reached for the bug spray and not the camera.

Hurrah, one more chick for the thread Linus. A bald kid, well mine tend to go to the barber, get a number 1 and wait for it to grow out. DS2 was looking a bit gollywoggish last week. Must be due for the shearing shed again. His hair is so thick that it has to stand up straight, there is too much of it to lie down. DS1 is not quite as thick however is curly and he hates the ringlet look, hence the short back and sides. Tell DS the difference between a good haircut and a bad haircut is about 2 weeks and because it is self inflicted we have no sympathy. Teel never said anything about going away - maybe she is doing it in case I ring again at midnight. Anyway, it will do her the world of good to get out and about and talking to people instead of driving herself crazy!!! Do you hear me Teel???

Suzi would you mind sending the rain this way. We are getting desperate - there is only 21/2 years supply left in the dams and the veges are going up and meat is skyhigh again. Maybe I need a cow in the backyard to give milk and fertiliser?

Meadow, it really is awful when one gets those blues. I wish there was something I could do or say to help you snap out of it. Just don't go leaving us here to wonder where you went. I love the exercise bloke. Keep looking at it, it may bring motivation.

I've joined Madcat's challenge for June 1st. I've pledged to lose 3Kilo. It will be hard going - you know how slowly I lose. Hey Suzi, we need some more from downunder to even up the weights. Go see Madcat's entry. If we are to keep the hemispheres on an even keel, we need more Kiwis and Aussies. Maybe we should point the Aussie thread in that direction.

The job - aahhh yes the job. This morning, just as I was building up a head of steam, the woman from the agency rung me to see if I had got the papers. Now that was stupid because I told her to send them to the management company in Sydney. Yes that's what she meant. Told her I had heard nothing, seen no one and was beginning to wonder if the job was actually there! Oh yes it is. Okay M. I then rung the managment company who had scanned and signed the papers and sent them back last Wednesday or Thursday, but lo and behold had got some more, different ones today which they need to send on to me for signing. Later I get an e-mail from M telling me what, when, where, how and who to see next Monday. Such is life. I have a job.

Today has been successful. Gym early and then I did a lot of preparatory work for painting and put the glass screen back up in the bathroom. After all the sanding I had to clean the house from top to bottom - next time I sand, remind me to put drop sheets down will you! Idiot. Anyway the house did need the clean. I've done some laundry, done the planting of stock, pansies, petunias and lobelia, watered all the pots as well. The last lot of plants I put around the potted frangipani tree are starting to show colour. There should be masses of blooms around the patio shortly. Annuals create work but they are pretty. So today was productive, active and enjoyable. A bit more rubbish went out as well. Apart from the shed and the roof space, there isn't much more I can chuck out. At last the place begins to feel like me.

Thats about it for today. Time to think about tomorrow - which is treadmill at the gym, more sanding, some grout in the bathroom, fertilise the gardenias and find out how I can get the screen in the bathroom secured properly. What I thought I could do, doesn't seem to want to work in fact. #$%^&** See you tomorrow. Enjoy the new house.

i am on my way to the Mall. BUT I fear that no one has read that I lost 2 POUNDS in my last post!!!! Pay attention here cause this may be the last 2 lbs I lose! :rofl: AND there is going to be a quiz at the end of the week!!! :lol3:
Shad~ I didn't read yet as I have no time this morning but thanks for the new home and I love the moat. Brought my long johns is case it's chilly!

Have a great day and take care!! Happy NEW week!

Yahoo MEL!!!!!!!!
Nice new digs Shad!!!! A moat even!!!!!

When I see the basement colours upstairs in proper daylight they are REALLY loud. Down in the dungeon they are perfect!
I will piant the new Manor dungeon in dayglow colours!! A little lime green and yellow!! Just incase any naughty men show up and need a place to sleep.

Congratulations MEL!! Two pounds, you are right, I totally forgot that part of your post I was so shocked about the residents thinking you had fairydust that could put the electrics back on:rofl: Hope the mall was a blast :cool:

Shad-Excellent new home :D Totally liking the white manor house vibe. It needs a dose of Antonio of course which I will post at the end of my message, I'm sure I have an appropriate pic that will look stunning in the entrance hall :s: Glad the information about your position came through and you can relax now that the details are semi-clear :p

Holly-you know you have been Debbie-ized if you are taping off sections and putting up blocks of colour, come on admit it, she has taken over your headspace and you are just itching to put colour on every wall :lol: That woman is the reason our front entrance is butterscotch ;)

The exercise motivation caught me and wrestled me into 2miles of walk away the pounds video last night and I even did 12 knee bends before bed just because I can :devil: Funny how venting and writing out how you are feeling can stimulate the old muscles to get moving :^:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...b-bluerain.jpg

eeewwww ,all theses bright colours please ladies im scottish :faint: :yikes: :rofl: ,love the new home ill have to get a view
MEL WELL DONE TO YOU sorry i missed that bit , :bravo: :strong: :wave: ,well things just started to settle down and ive now been reliably informed that 2 new houses are soon going to be available and sa im top of the list hopefully :goodvibes :crossed: :crossed: :crossed: :crossed: :crossed: :crossed: :crossed: :crossed: :crossed: :crossed: :crossed: :crossed: :crossed: :crossed: :crossed: :crossed: :crossed: :crossed: :crossed: :crossed: :crossed: :crossed: :crossed: :crossed: :crossed: one of them will be mine ,im feeling a lot better still snotty and bunged up but no temp and no pain , i still have till next tuesday till the kids go back to school but hey they sleep all day and comp all night so why am i worried ,i am going to endevour to show craig how to iron this week he tried to put the ironing board up for me to iron his jeans and broke it :censored: :censored: :censored: and i think its way time he learned
well im off for a nice hot shower am gonna miss a call from teel at our usual time {8pm} so ill have a showwer and coffee instead speak to you all later
kirsty

TEEL WENT ON VACATION AND DIDN'T TAKE ANY OF US!! THE NERVE!!! :rofl: Hope she's having a good time but I thought she had said she was going to visit someone a LONG time ago though!! :rollpin:

Linus~ Boys will be boys!! Hope it groews quickly! :faint:
Glad to see you here and take care. maybe this week you'll actually be able to feel like a human being!! ((((HUGS)))))

Nae~ Sorry for the son's pain. Something we all go through and wish as Mothers that we could protect them from it. ((((HUGS)))) for both of you too! glad to see you back and walking!!! good for you!!!

Holly~ My bright eyed child!!! Love the color scheme and all the activity in your house!!! Getting ready to pick out colors for when you come to my house next! :rofl:

Meadow~ Real exercise?!?!? Congratulations!!! I am very proud of you too!!! No one was more shocked than I when I got on the scale. Hope we both exercise the week away!!! Thanks for Antonio....love the pensive look in this one!!! He will look lovely in the entrance hall!

Shad~ Thank the stars that the papers are done and everyone is happy?!?!? I hope????? :faint: I bet you will be glad when you actually get one foot in the door next week!!! :rofl: Hope the week now gives you time for all your busy stuff and happy sanding! Are all the mice bald now?!?!?:rofl: :lol3: :lol3: :rofl:

The Mall was fine and I took clara's money and a gift card and bought some more summer/spring clothes. I wasn't going to get any mor and wait to see if the weight goes down but I need some more fashionable things to go riding about town and wanted to look more modern. a friend says the wardrobe is too dowdy so I bought all sherbet colors to wear. kind of like Holly's basement!!!:rofl: Clara needed help for almost 3 hours! :yikes: and the checkbook was a disaster area!! But then I haven't been there in 2 weeks! Well, gonna shower and get into bed and read! have a great night.

How much damage can a 90 year old do in 2 weeks??? :faint: :stress: Don't answer that, my mother couldn't work out why she didn't have any money in her account when she still had cheques in her cheque book. :faint: :faint::faint::faint::faint::faint:

All mice sanded and balls replaced!!!!
 

Not so busy today, mainly because I didn't pull up from the gym so well and it took an hour or so to get the *** moving up and down the ladders etc. I even went for an early siesta in the hope that things might improve. So my list got started this afternoon and apart from the sewing of hems on the legs of my trousers the list is done. The new shower screen works a treat - no more water on the floor other than that which I spilt myself. So now I can get on with the grouting and move along.

Dear oh dear the wedding of the year has had to be postponed because of the Popes funeral. Wonder if HM asked for the funeral to be on the same date??? Oooh that was nasty, Shad.

The news tonight is depressing, what with the funeral of the year and the homecoming of the military personnel who died in Nais in Indonesia after flying in supplies to the earthquake victims. Poor souls.

Linus I have my fingers crossed for the house for you. You will need something when the bump jumps. I might tell you, keeping the fingers crossed makes typing very difficult. Good luck with teaching Craig to iron. Although if he likes to look good, he probably will be quite happy to learn.

Meadow, delighted that the venting produced some action for you. Could be the beginning of a wonderful relationship with the scale!!

The attached picture is the garden at Ightam Mote. If we are to have AB in the entrance hall, and the dungeon full of fruit salad colours, what do you want to do with the secret chapel and the priest hole?

See ya

Don't you think that the priest should worry about his own hole! :rofl: :rofl: Sorry Shad.....I am glad you list is finished and does that mean you have some time to just lounge around?!?!?!?
That would be a nice treat before the new one starts:dance:
Loved the pic and I am glad I brought the warmer undies. It was a bit chilly last night!! but I love all the fireplaces!!!

I have been a bit down since coming home from the Mall. We lost the 2 tenants who were in the hospital and the bldg is in shock. first the Pope and they died on the same day. I worked today to fill in the gaps while they took turns going to see some tenants and services too. Sad time.
Today was absolutely gorgeous and I started it with a quick trip to the market and bought tuna steaks. I'll marinade it tomorrow. There just wasn't any time today. I also spent my lunch and breaks outside in the sun warming up this old body and loving every minute of it! Hope everyone is OK and wondering where they all are!!! It's only you and Porangi, Shad! :rofl:

Think they all did their dash yesterday. The gardens in the new house are nice, but a bit hilly in places, don't let the wheelchair roll into the pond will you!!!

A wee bit of humour to little the blahs :)

USEFUL PHRASES AT WORK:
I like you. You remind me of when I was young and stupid.
I'm not being rude. You're just insignificant.
I'm already visualizing the duct tape over your mouth.
It might look like I'm doing nothing, but at the cellular level I'm really quite busy.
Thank you. We're all refreshed and challenged by your unique point of view.
The fact that no one understands you doesn't mean you're an artist
Any connection between your reality and mine is purely coincidental
I have plenty of talent and vision. I just don't care.
I will always cherish the initial misconceptions I had about you.
It's a thankless job, but I've got a lot of Karma to burn off.
Yes, I am an agent of Satan, but my duties are largely ceremonial.
No, my powers can only be used for good.
How about never? Is never good for you?
I'm really easy to get along with once you people learn to worship me
You sound reasonable...Time to up my medication
I'll try being nicer if you'll try being smarter.
I don't work here. I'm a consultant.
Who me? I just wander from room to room.
My toys! My toys! I can't do this job without my toys!
At least I have a positive attitude about my destructive habits.
You are validating my inherent mistrust of strangers.
I see you've set aside this special time to humiliate yourself in public.
Someday, we'll look back on this, laugh nervously and change the subject.

Shad I promise to wear my water wings just in case I forget!!!
Splish Splash I was taking a bath!!!! :rofl:

Meadow tomorrow I am going to use the one.....I don't work here I'm just a consultant! :rofl: I love these and will use them often downstairs!!! :lol3: :lol3:

Really going to bed and rest this time!! LOL Have great days tomorrow!

Evening chicks. It's been a LONG one for me again.
Mel~ thanks for you input in my journal. It is a huge possibility my kid sare a little jealous of the kids who get to stay home with me! You are brilliant.


5 toddlers ages 3 and under all day and the 4 big kids from 3:30 to 5 too. Gorgeous day here!!! My fav temp 17C. Woohoooooo. Light breeze and sunshine. Spent all aft outside. Pulled the mulch back from a few perennials and taadaa things are growing!!!!
Worked on the handbook some more.I was at the church from 6-now for photo viewing for the directory. The pic of my 2 kids is STUNNING. The fam pic is alright.
I ate well ALL day ,no indescretions and I did the WATP for the first time in a Looooong time.

Meadow~ you are sounding less down. Glad to hear your chipper self!!! I LOVE painting shows!! Can you tell?? LOL!
Shad~ you sound good too. Get some relaxing in!
Linus~ all is crossed for a great new house!

I am too wound for sleep just yet. i will watch Idol and gather trash for the morning.

HUGS!!!

Hi ladies,

Shad, I love the new home. You should give up training and go into real estate. Trouble is, none of us poor souls can afford the digs :lol: I am glad to hear that they have straightened out all the proper papers for your job. Also... a while back I mentioned there was a person at work that I had difficulty understanding and I though she might be an Aussie? Turns out she's from South Africa. It's easier understanding her face to face than on the telephone.

Meadow, I like the latest AB pic - particularly some of the sayings you've added along - nice job!

Yay MEL!!!! Yay, yay, YAY on the 2 pound loss for the week. :cp: Just keep doing it, however you get there lady. If you were in the mood for sherbet wardrobe colors, this was the spring to get them. Lots of aquas, pinks and purples this year, with a bit of lime green thrown in.

Linus, I have my fingers crossed and sending you a few prayers that one of those new houses comes your way and that DH approves this time around. I think your new fluffy chickie needs a new home. We all offer our services as redecorators you know.

Gosh, I have to decide between sleep and posting. I'm yawning so much my eyes are tearing. Quickly then, I have joined Madcat's ECO challenge on the journals. Stuck to my 2 liters of water - which doesn't seem like much but it is for me, I have to take 8 gulps at a time to get that water bottle line to move. Exercise - DH and I have been taking walks around the neighborhood at night. Got to meet some new neighbors and check out some lovely homes and gardens. Food could be better - not awful but not quite as perfect as it can be. Lots of temptations at the candy machine avoided tho I can say that.

I really need to get to sleep now, sorry to be short. Hellos to the rest of the bunch - Tig, Suzi, Nae, Holly and the vacationing Teel

I leave you with a picture of the yard in bloom. The reds and pinks have come out but the whites and purples are lagging behind which is alright with me - means we have better than a month of color. This is what I see right out my window. There's a bench for sitting in the middle of the azaleas and the black fence up top is actually the pool area. I will take a pic up there when the pool cover comes off next week. The picture is kind of dark - DH can't seem to capture the picture I see when I look at that yard with my eyes. Tho perhaps my vision is not what it seems? :dizzy:

Have a good night chickies...

Evening all,
Yikes what a busy day. The fence man is here, I've renewed my drivers licence, sanded, plastered, lugged tree bits, mulched and watered.

The fence man is interesting - he's Japanese (I think), owner next door is from the Philipines, and me well I'm a New Zealander. None of us speak English that well. We have been communicating through slow speech, lots of waving hands and pointing and repeating ourselves at least 15 times. We will get there eventually. Down the side of the houses looks like a battlefield with the old sleepers and fence bits all over the place. I chopped some of the hedge back from next door to allow the fence man down the side yard to get at the fence. He got the message and chainsawed a whole lot of plants to get himself a lot of access. Big grin on his face all the time. I was hoping that he was going to leave at least some of the palms intact, especially the more expensive ones. Finally persuaded him that the local bus could drive the length and breadth of the yard and he stopped. Tomorrow he is pouring concrete and putting in the posts and reckons that the whole thing should be finished Flidy (Friday).

The pestman is coming tomorrow to check for white ants and termites. I figure that they are here and hopefully he will get rid of them from around the yard for me. I see them in the pot plants out front and today saw some round the side. Just hope they haven't got into the house as well.

The rose garden is now fertilised, dead headed, weeded and mulched. Another job off the list for the winter season. I bought some new baby beets today and will plant them up tomorrow morning as well. I forgot about them today what with all the other stuff that happened.

It was a day off exercise today, but I reckon I must have walked a couple of k's and lifted weights on and off for several hours. Tomorrow I am back to the gym for weights again. Friday I get to see Jason for an assessment and some new torture treatments to get the weight moving again.

Speaking of food, that's been pretty good today. Actually I only had two meals. Sort of brunch and a biggish dinner. I really didn't feel hungry, but I have drunk a fair amount I must say.

So Wednesday is about to bite the dust, again I have done all on my list except for washing the car and doing the mending (again). Tomorrow is another day.

Mooz, good to see you back again. The key points you listed sound so sensible. It's something I am trying to work towards just now. Eat when hungry, drink when dry. I'll be interested to see how you go with it.

Happy, aaaah the sound of the incomprehensible South African! They are sometimes a little difficult to understand. Since there is a lot of them over here, we get used to the accent, however some of the Dutch South Africans seem to be a lot more gutteral than others and you find yourself saying huh or what fairly frequently. Actually, while I think about it, one of the people who I worked with in Townsville (an Indian lady from Intelligroup) went to work on a project in Memphis - I wonder if it was your place! I seem to remember her telling me it was okay, but wasn't as good as the Townsville job and Memphis wasn't as much fun (but then she didn't have me to order around and drive her to see the sights!) Sujani was into FICO stuff. By the way I love the way the garden is looking. All those wonderful Azaleas, mmmmm I feel jealous.

Meadow, I have read that list before. I can honestly say I don't work here, I am a consultant. Except that I tend to be always there and always working. Wouldn't it be nice to win the lotto. The one that constantly raises a giggle is:- You sound reasonable, time to up my medication. How true with some of the people I work with.

Mel I might have known that you and the priest hole would be incompatible. You really are incorrigible. Funny but incorrigible. Indeed they should be able too, but with the Pope dead, they are running around like chooks without heads, maybe they don't know what to do with it.

Okay, gotta run. I need my second shower for the day - I'm covered in sugarcane mulch and incredibly itchy and also sanding dust everywhere, time to tidy up, do the dishes and watch a bit of tv before settling down for a good sleep. See you all tomorrow.

Holly~ Kids love their Moms and get a little pissy when other kids get her attention! I ussed to tell Jen I can't wait till you get home and we can do______. "I love you best" worked well too. But then I only had one!!! It finally worked and she didn't mind that my friends son was at the house when she left. good luck!

Happy~ The pic of course is lovely and I cannot get over how "neat" everything is!!! I also love all the trees on the property!! How was the raking?!?!?!? Funny you should say the colors as I decided today was a great day for the pink and orange set!!! :rofl: Good for you and the Eco challenge and also the walks with DH. Gotta love the weather. Let us know how hot it gets there!! I'll need to figure out the best months to visit:rofl: :lol3: Happy unpacking!

today is laundry day and then a long ride I hope. Had some probs with the loaner chair and someone is supposed to call back! :lol: I will NOT hold my breath! OK kids....gotta get going and not waste the sun. Rain is coming back again for 2 days!
Have a wonderful day:D

hi folks, how are we? all sounding good and nice and productive ,ive had another bad couple of days ,{i know again bet your all sick of me bye now} i had another large bleed yesterday ,but baby is fine and so am i cant find the source of the bleed but its not the baby or the placenta so everythnigs good ,but im supposed to be relaxing so im off and ill speak to you all tomorrow ,
ps MEL got another scan done ,so ill send you the updated version as soon as mum brings it back on monday
kirsty

I need a Worry Wart emoticon. :fr: yep, that'll do. While I'm worrying, I'll also say a prayer for healing (and the ability to take it easy) for you, dear Linus.

'Mellie ~ those 2 pounds was very exciting news. Congratulations! And I was very proud of you for shopping for new clothes, although it does sound like you, Holly, and I are the IceCream Trio. Sorbet, anyone? :rofl:

Shad ~ love the new digs. May I please have a heated pool out back? I really REALLY want a pool but it doesn't quite seem to float high enough on the budget here so to speak. So maybe I can have one there. If I can't have a heated pool, may I please have a winning lottery ticket - since I'm in the asking mode - and then I'll build my pool here and everybody can come HERE for a swim.

Holly ~ I love the bright colors. I'm a trifle color blind so the only colors I really enjoy are the bright neons. I'm not allowed to shop for my own clothes because I pick outlandish colors that look stunning to me but shocking to others. Not bad for a day at the beach, but not quite work-able for a manager. I always have to ask the opinion of The Fashion Police. Maybe you and I will be in charge of decorating with 'Mellie supervising. Of course, after we get some nice sunglasses for linus. :rofl:

Mooz ~ I've observed the skinny people eating:
#5. Wave your fork around. Don't put it in your mouth - use it to punctuate your sentences. :lol:

Meadow ~ I love the Cookie Monster standard! I can use that right about now. Just DO Exercise!

Happy ~ loved the pic of your yard. How beautiful! I can't wait to see a picture of the pool. HEY EVERYBODY - if I don't win the lottery we'll go to Happy's pool!

Slim has asked for a motorcycle and how can I deprive the dear man. He's picked out his Harley-Davidson and we've sold stock to buy it. Now he just has to be patient until the check comes in. This is as much fun as watching a four year old wait for Christmas! :D He's registered for a safety class - that wasn't optional. He tells everybody he knows that he's getting a Harley. I'm sure I'll look quite fine in leather.

Now that I've planted THAT vision in your poor young minds I'll see you later! :cool:

Egads, page 2!!! Everyone sounds so wonderful. Well, except dear Linus.Honey ,do get well? You better be resting. Prayers and good thoughts coming your way!

It was a GORGEOUS day here. 17C sunny, breezy. I was outisde with kids ALL day then I sat through a 3 hour church meeting that went in circles and circles...I am dizzy. Just tossed in a load of wash so DS can have clean pants tommorrow.I will toss it in the dryer and head to bed shortly.I unloaded more stuff at the thrift shop and then found a bedskirt and curtains for DD $2.She wanted something grown up, she's 4 ,hello??? I think I am trouble, the little Diva.Pale mauve with daisies on it. Cute. Got a plain blue bed spread for DS too.
Looooong days for me this week. Holy cats, 16 hours non stop.Time for sleep!
You are all in my thoughts. HUGS!!!!!

LOL! When I put DS's clothes in the dryer, bits of something were falling off. I can honestly say this the first time I ever washed a pinecone!

All grown up at 4? Oh Holly :lol: are you in for it! It's a lot cheaper to have a tom boy than a girly girl. But more fun on the girly girl! But it sounds like you are a master bargain hunter and really, that's all that's needed - a bit of ingenuity and an eye for a good deal. Sleep well...

Tig, I wish I knew Slim was looking for a Harley. My DH has a 95th Anniversary Edition Ultra Classic that I've been pestering him to sell. I can understand the appeal but my riding days are over. Good luck, I'm sure he's just like a 3 year old the week before Christmas. Good thinking on the safety course - you may get a discount on your insurance. All I can say is that he practice a bit before he heads to take his driving test with the bike. They might have him do some manuevers that he will do better at if he's used to the bike. Guess you'll be running and he'll be riding. 's ok - we'll swim while they ride ;) When we moved here, the deal was that if we have to tolerate these tropical summers, we wouldn't attempt it without a pool. So the houses we looked at had to either have a pool or have room for a pool. We turned down several houses in fact because the yards were up on a hill or there were so many trees to clear that it would have been cost prohibitive to put one in. Our pool isn't all that big - 30 feet by 18 feet, but it's enough to stay cool in and do some laps. The house next door which is for sale has a large rectangular pool - perfect for exercising. Too bad they let the house go to pot including the pool. I hope whomever buys the house sees the shingles popping out the side of the house and realizes that a pool that's only half full means the liner is dry and cracked and will need replacing. Anyway, everyone's invited over for smoothies by the pool. I even have a smoothie cart and I'm having DH run an electric line up there for a blender - smoothies are better blended not shaken. :rofl: Shad will look just the queen with her sarong on the chaise lounge. Perhaps she has extras for us to borrow.

Tig, you didn't tell us why you needed a worry wart emoticon. :stress: :hyper: Hope all is well with you.

Linus, you put your feet up, rest easy and stop fussing over everyone and take care of you and bump! Of course I just KNOW you won't be listening to us, will you now? Do we have to come over there and give you a nice prenatal massage ourselves? Actually I don't know how to give a prenatal massage - how about just a nice foot massage instead :o Anyway, rest up before we send the troops after you.

Mel, the raking was not fun. But it is fun when you have a bunch of friends helping so next fall you can come out and help, ok? I have all kinds of rakes, put the chair in reverse and you can back hoe or something. That is, IF you can get a chair to work for a week. Sorry to hear you're having problems.

Shad I got a big kick out of your description of all the neighbors speaking in tongues around you. I can just picture everyone trying to get their point across in broken English. And as usual, you put me to shame with all that you have accomplished for the day. The power of just putting your mind and a bit of the elbows into it, eh? What does deadheading roses mean? We have several rosebushes on the side of the house and one bloom. We have to learn to take care of them. My DH/pool boy/yard man/Mr. Outdoors fed both the azaleas and the roses this weekend. Please tell me we don't have to fertilize with manure ***holds nose and does not anticipate the smell of manure with summer heat. Swears that Miracle Grow plant food works just as well *** :lol3:

Good tips Mooz, thanks for sharing. On point number 3, thin people apply the 3 bite rule to desserts. Eat 3 bites but savor each and every one of them. I've thought of that lately when I got something, it was too much and I should have stopped at 3 bites. DH and I are starting to get into the habit of sharing a dessert with a coffee on the few times we do get one. Dessert at home is quite often yogurt and fresh fruit or berries.

Well girls :dance: :dance: :dance:
I am pleased to say that DH announced he did one last rummage through the boxes in the garage and he found the last missing bits of our office furniture - including the missing doors and bag of screws to hold it together. This means that WE FOUND ALL OF OUR IMPORTANT STUFF!!! After months of cursing the movers, it did all make it to our house. Just not an easy task of finding it. And I'm in no hurry to move ever again. But at least we can get the last remaining room organized on the first floor and we will be ready for company. At least on the first floor, don't look up the stairs :lol:

Day 3 of the Eco challenge - not too good. They brought in lunch for a work through lunch training session. I ordered a salad, the order got lost, we had sandwiches instead. I had tuna tho looking at all the mayonaisse in the tuna, perhaps I would have been better off with the turkey. *** hangs head in shame, yes she ate the bag of BBQ potato chips and 1/2 the chocolate chip cookie - but only the crispy ends around the perimeter of the cookie. Didn't exercise tonight - we had horrid, horrid storms, must have gotten over 2 inches of rain just today. I was prepared to build an ark when I got home. The evening flew past, DH showed me the drive to the doctor's office for my appointment on Friday - it's in a part of town I've never been too so he helped me not get lost. Back home after that and it's the end of the night already. I am looking through papers for my blood tests as I'm sure my other doctors office will not rush to fax my medical records to the new doctor as requested. I knew I should have requested copies before I left home but there just wasn't enough time to get everything done...

Ok,if I hurry I can get to bed before 11:30. Last one in bed doesn't get the comfy blanket :cloud9: Boy is it just me or is this website SUPER SLOW the last 2 days? ooof duh

There is a swordfish steak on the grill and a plate full of such veges as mushrooms, tomatoes, marinated artichoke and avocado and the odd olive waiting for me for when I am finished here so I had better type fast.
Not such a busy day today, I had a meltdown of the brain I think and the body said that it didn't want to do much at all.
Anway the pestman came this morning. The good news is that I don't have any termites in the house. The bad news is that they are in the yard and getting closer to the house. The even worse news is that I will need to put a barrier around the house - approx $1700.00. :yikes: :faint:
The fenceman was back, complete with chainsaw. He had to cut another palm stalk (big one) down because it interfered with the fence rail. I mentioned that because it was very tall he should take it down in stages - here, here and then here - hokay. Down she came from the roots. Just missed the rose garden and Mels favourite Just Joey and DS favourite Hot Chocolate by millimetres. Phewwwww. Don't know if the little Japanese legs can run faster than MELS cart. Anyway it is down, the fence posts and railings are up and tomorrow he will finish.
No sanding done today, nor did the mowing get done - oh well tough.

Linus, please rest up. Bleeding doesn't just occur for nothing. Glad the bump is fine and you are too.

Tig, you can have a hot tub and a pool and a running track and whatever you wish on this property. Slim can have a bike track out the back if you wish - but it will have to be far enough away that the bump doesn't get woken up. Pools are fine, they can be hard work tho'. The Tig in leather - well I can hardly wait for a photo of that!!!!

Holly, what a bargain hunter you are. Geez the house is getting a good makeover - both yours and mine I guess. Glad to hear the weather is warming up for you all and long may it stay that way. I think I am glad I don't have daughters!!!

Plenty of Sarongs to spare here Happy. One size fits all as well so Linus and bump is also catered for. Roses are maximum care stuff happy, deadheading means to cut off all the blooms which are past their best or dead. If you let them go to rose hips (these are good for the baby but not much chop for the rest of us) it takes a lot of strength from the plant. Pruning takes a bit of time as well.
I don't use full manure on mine - eeeeewwwwwwww - but while the Dynamic Lifter I use does pong a bit, by the time I cover all the bits with newspaper, spread mulch on it and water, the smell is sort of covered up. I also throw lots of rose fertiliser pellets on the ground as well - that doesn't pong at all. And the roses love it. So do the worms and ground insects. So glad to hear that all the stuff has finally been located and that the movers didn't make off with it as suspected. Puts a bit of faith back in the company hey.

Okay, gotta go. Dinners done, the phone is ringing, and Mr Philipines is at the door. Doesn't rain but it pours around here.

Linus~ Hope you are resting and listening to what the Doctor orders! Please take care of you and Baby bump!!! i will send the only chair that is working right over to you!!! You can ride around for the next few months! Iwill be thinking of you both!

Holly~ hope the 16 hr days aren't going to be for long!! YIKES!!!
Get some rest in between or someone will be taking care of YOU!!!
Nice TS buys! Loved the diva thing! :rofl:

Tig~ If I hit the lottery, I'll bring down the winning ticket and my bathing suit! :lol: We'll find a mansion that has anykind of pool you want and the DH can ride to his hearts content while we all sip on Happy's smoothies. Sarongs for everyone!

Shad~ Maybe we should build a moat around YOUR house and let the ants and such try to build rafts:rofl: That little man comes near my Joey and he better be able to run damn fast!! He won't know what hit him!!! I'll get the Tonka toy out and he won't have any toes left!!!
Get the sarongs out. Happy seems to have found all the IMPORTANT PARTS and I'd like to go there and find out just what they are! :rofl: Bring the Hammock and Sunday.....we may be there awhile!! Dinner sounded good even if it was fish!!! Sometimes a rest is a good thing you know Miss Shad!!! :rollpin:

Happy~ I am glad all the parts were found. did you find the stereo stuff....or am I getting you mixed up with someone else!!! LOL I will get shad and the sarongs together and we can investigat the pool!!! It seems mighty big to me!!! But then in the city we are used to blow up swimming pools so you can keep ypur feet cool! :rofl: Hope I can get me a rake for the back of my rig. Maybe I could start my own landscaping business! and Shad could do all the dead heading!!:dance: :cb: Enjoy!

I feel tired today but that's cause 3 days were so busy. I ran out of energy in the afternoon so I feigned an excuse from Clara's.
There are a lot of small things and cooking to do today so I better get on with it before I decide a morning nap is a better idea! :lol:
Happy Thursday!!

Mooz~ I can never figure out how I miss the top posts! :yikes: :wave: Glad you stopped by and gave us something new to think about.
Hope you will like your new digs too!!!Enjoy!

Happy~ I meant to say I was having a terrible time these last 2 nights myself trying to get speedy posts!!! Slow like molasses!

now now ladies im gonna stop telling you stuff if your gonna get upset :mad: everything is fine and the doc says carry on regardless my little highland dancer is not in any danger at all :cool: :love: :angel: hubby and boys are already making sure i dont do anything drastic so deep breaths and relaaaaaxxxxxxxx,
i had an e amil from teel she was in the internet cafe while her freind and son were swimming she read the posts but couldnt get logged in to post so the messages are SHAD must have been the late hour that made me forget to tell you of the trip :faint: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: and a big hi to everyone else ,she was visiting a big stately home with the duchess in situ :yikes: :twirly: and she really seems to be enjoying herself
MEL ,hope your looking after yourself ,and trying to take things easy {yeah right lol}
SHAD i still have my sarongs from when i went to tunisia so im good ,thank god he missed mel and tonka trucks what A COMBO
HAPPY thanxs ever so much for the offer but i wouldnt inflict my poor tootsies on my worst enemy way too many hours in nurses shoes :yikes: :censored: but i will take you up on the pool and smoothies
HOLLY you are so busy ,but yet so cheerful i need lessons ,email them please
MEADOW are you okay hunny ??last post got me kinda worried and im not allowed to be worried hope your okay
TIG love the picture of the leathers i can lend you a jacket and helmet but your on your own with the trews ,my butt and leather trousers just dont mix {tell hubby ill get a go when i visit }
MOOZ lovely bright hello
ROSE how goes things my wilderness buddy?? calm and peaceful i hope
right ladies chicken and pickles calling ill be back tomorrow
have a good one girls
kirsty and bump

Happy~ I keep telling my DH he can get a Harley when the kids are grown and gone ,he will be well into his 60's. His misses his hotrods! Boys never really grow up.

Shad~ your meal sounds devine!!!

Miss Mel~naps and small things sound great. I had quiet day( for me). Puttered a bit. Made banana bread. Trying to clear off the dingroom table.Hope you are feeling rested.

Linus~ very glad to hear you are well.I dont know about lesson. I keep my cup half full. i always think if this is as bed as it gets I am blessed.

Shad commented that we are doing lots of shifting things about and sprucing up,which we are. We have lived here for 5 years. The house had a nice kitchen and fireplace and a big property, surrounded by bush and a work shop. It met our criteria. The rest was really ugly and needed structural work. We paid next to nothing for it and have a really low mortgage which was also part of the plan.DH and I are both very handy. For 5 years we have worked on the BIG stuff. Like roof, siding, drainage, insulation, 1/2 the windows,jacking up the centre of the house, tearing up and regrading the WHOLE property, putting in a new drive.....
DH and I each lived alone for more than 15 year before marriage so we had 2 of everything and then wedding gifts. We kept everyth ing to see what we would actually use. So, now I am in the process of unloading what we dont use and reorganizing what is left. Reusing space more efficiently etc.
I am feeling very liberated and like I am acheiving a dream. 5 years is along time to wait to see the results of a humungous amount of back breaking labour.

I am stunned at the "stuff" I have let go. "Things" I have had for 30 years. Just dont feel I need them anymore. Kept a few special treasures!!

I am enjoying an evening at home. Everyone else is sound asleep. I have tunes on and I am cleaning and posting too apparently, LOL!

We go to DH's family on Sunday for a late easter. I am making coleslaw, relish dish and dessert. I think I will make a pumpkin cake.

Peaceful wishes to all!!

Got a small bunch of roses for you all
 

Don’t know the name of this rose. It is one I rescued from a neighbours garden a few years back.

Here is another bunch of them. Take a long sniff - its a delicate scent - sort of clean rainwashed rose scent, not a sweet or spicy scent by any means but nice - sort of lemonadish.

Too much clogging food today, not enough exercise, not enough fluid, not enough of anything really. It’s raining and cool and just nice. You can see the raindrops on the roses.

Jason and I got our times muddled, so I will go and see him tomorrow instead. We are going to talk goals first and then sort out a new program. After that half hour, I will do the Body Balance class.

I took a banana cake to my boys at the refinery today before I went into town. I guess they enjoyed it because I got several emails from them today. They tell me they are missing me. Altogether now - Ooooohhhhh, Aaaaaah.

Anyway, there is not much else to report today. Haven’t done much at all around the house and took off to a shopping mall today after going to the recruiting place to sign my life away until August. Now the weekend is here. I will be working long and hard tomorrow to catch up - although I’m supposed to go to the facial tomorrow afternoon, I may well put it off until the following weekend. I’ll make the decision tomorrow.

**** to all - I've had a lazy day. Think I will go and laze some more in front of the telly.

I have painted my toenails silver. I have been doing squats while I brush my teeth. Not a lot of continuous exercise but I have it in my head so you never know when it will travel down and effect the rest of me :)

Linus-I'm glad you bleeding isn't affecting the baby and you are being nurtured by your family, please remember you are cooking a little person down there and be kind to yourself and don't overdo, allow them to fumble around and HELP YOU! I'm alright really, just a bit unwell mentally, not depressed just scattered. Focusing and applying my goals is just beyond me these days it seems.

Shad-I love banana cake. :slurp: I'm sorry Jason messed up with the time, I'm sure it wasn't you :) Fingers crossed he is able to jump start your routine and get things happening for you. Would be nice if you felt invigorated before tackling this new job with the government guys, paperwork galore ;) Beautiful pink, tight rose, I want one too :D

Mel-Did you get out and about? Did the chair guy come and fix the glitch? I'm glad you are taking care and noticing when you need some downtime, it is really hard to say No sometimes but you have to look at the bigger picture, you aren't doing anyone any good when your grumpy and overtired. Ginger honey on toast always gives me a lift, not diet but not too bad if you have it for breakfast. Ginger is very good for you too, try and incorporate it into your meals somehow. Sorry, mommy coming out.

Happy-How did the doctor's appointment go? Is this new person someone you can connect with? Glad all the boxes showed up and all your stuff is there waiting to be discovered again. Enjoy the spring and all your sprouting flowers, serendipity awaits you, it will be fabulous to witness what comes up :D

Holly-Did you know Debbie is doing a paintline at Canadian Tire stores? You may have to find something else to paint :) She has separated the colour palettes into moods. I saw her on the Vicki Gabereau show talking all about it. Hilarious, they are like old girlfriends telling stories about each other. I loved reading that you are feeling liberated, just so positive! Congratulations on everything coming together, your home sounds terrific:D

Meadow...I don't have silver toenails or fingernails but I did get out and about in my silver mobile!!! good for you with the squats! Every little bit helps!

Holly~ can hardly wait to see what you are up to this weekend and the latest project.

Linus~ I promise not to yell if you keep doing things the right way!! Love and hello to Miss Teel!!

Shad~ OOOOOHHHHH AAAAAAHHHHHHH Bet you miss them just as much as they~ YOU! Have a great weekend!!!! The rose looks just like some my step~GGM used to grow. she owned a nursery. they were absolutely gorgeous like these and pale and lightly scented and I loved them. thanks for the pic and the memory!

I am really too tired to type and the fingers aren't listening to my brain. I made extra $$ this week in and out of the office this week. Just got the extra today!!! YAY!! ME!!! I might have some company over the weekend so if I am absent I will see you all on Tuesday. Monday is the Mall and I am going. Clara and a few others need some things from JCPenneys. I had a lovely ride for lunch and another one when break time came.
Vincente did NOT find the w.chair's glitch and of course it wouldn't act up while he was here. Today I decided to take it out while Willy(driver) was still around and see for myself. Nothing happened. If I didn't do it today...I would soon be too afraid to go out at all again. Been there, done that. I don't want to go back there again either. So I said screw it and went. Feeling much more in control of the chair rather than the chair of me. Hope you all have a great weekend just in case I don't come back. Love and hugs and smiles!!

Mel's having company. Woo Hoo, should we be going nudge, nudge, wink, wink??? Should we, should we? Sorry to hear that you are so tired Mel. A nice drink and a bit of mindless tv and off to bed all relaxed and easy over. See you when you get back.

Meadow, the toenails sound quite grand and well done on the squats. Before you know it, you will be getting some extra muscle around the thighs and firming up the flab. Jason was saying this morning that squats are really good - and lunges - but more on that later.
We used to have Debbie Travis' Painted House on here on pay tv. There was another Canadian lady on too - ummm Lynette?!?? I think. Some stuff wasn't bad, but I couldn't believe anyone could work and stay so clean as Debbie did. I certainly can't.

Went to see Jason this morning before going on to my Body Balance class. He tells me that the probable reason why nothing is happening is because the body is bored and knows what it has to do and therefore just does what it has to without stress and strain. He is happy that I am doing 5 days a week, and he is happy that I am doing 40K on the upper body, but wants me to do more on the legs. I've explained that when I got to 80k the body went into pain in the back and knees. Now that I've got used to it, it is not so bad but will take a long time to work up to the next round which is 85K and he thinks I should be doing more than 90K. :yikes:
Anyway he has gone away to have a 'glass of red' and work out a new plan and will get back to me next Saturday when we will start out the new and alternate it with the old and change days etc. etc. Anything to wake up this stupid metabolic rate moron of a body. He asked if I wanted to go down a number of dress sizes - interesting concept, but no. Clothes these days are not a good judge of size since one can try on a 16, 14, 12 and a 20 all in the same store and they may all fit very well . On the other hand the 16 and the 14 may be too small but the 12 fits and the 20 falls off. Fashion aint what it used to be.

The rest of the day has been flat out. I've been assisting the fenceman and he is now finished and tidied up, got his money and gone. I've cleaned out the shed and there is a mountain of stuff like old pots, old garden chemicals, old, broken or rusted tools and stuff which the ex or the DS was going to do something about!!! I've chipped old tiles off the floor in the foyer so I can paint the walls and skirting properly and I have done some washing which will be hung out tomorrow. I feel fully entitled to sit and watch Monarch of the Glen, the Bill, and some of the 'royal wedding' tonight. Not that the wedding excites me that much. I like to watch the parade of outfits and guess who will be wearing what. What's the betting the Queen is in blue??
And who will get into some place which they are not supposed to be?

The pope is at last buried and this non-catholic is really pleased about that. It's about time we thought about something else. He was a good man, but he is dead, he was old, he was suffering. Goodbye pope. I find it amazing that a person who has absolutely no worldly assets can leave a lengthy will!.

So my dinner is ready. I'm having some oven baked wedges sprayed with olive oil and garlic spray and sprinkled with Szechuan seasoning and brother it is hot. Hoping the chilis will kick start the metabolism again. I'm also having some bbq'd salmon and a salad of baby lettuce leaves, tomatoes (home grown), olives, nmarinated artichoke and dressed with a lemon, lime and pepper fat free dressing. It's yummy. I'm off to eat - see you tomorrow.

I have been watching a l;ot of PBS Tv myself. I cannot go over and over and over again with the news events that the networks contionue to bombard us with. I agree.
Glad the day was sooo productive and you got rid of so much from the shed. Makes me want to go back into my closets!!! :rofl:
good luck with jason the torturer and hope he finds new and ingenious ways of twisting and pulling the body! :rofl:
Hope Sunday is a lovely one and good luck on Monday with the new job! :dance:

I realize now that I never said it was my SIL but she is still in florida till May now. So I guess I will clean this pigpen of an apartment. working and cleaning never go hand in hand with me now. have learned to put priorities ahead and leave the rest. Can't do it all in one day anymore so why kill myself over it!!!
Shad....could it be that your teachings have finally gotten into this Yank?!?!?! :cb: Well I better get on with the day cause it's already after 9!!!! Have a gloriously happy weekend/Sunday!!!

Morning chicks!
A glorious sunny morning!!! Supposed to go up to 18C today.

Shad~ you days have been sounding fantastic!! Your workouts to come frightening!
Mel~Gotta love extra$$$$$. Company is fun too!!! Enjoy this nice weather.

Yesterday was looooong. What’s new, eh?

Hauled 6 kids all over yesterday. Etertained and tidied. DD had her gymnastics class last night.It was GREAT. She went last spring too. it is an AWESOME program. I put her in dance in the fall to let her see what that was like but it doesn’t compare. 2 girls I babysit are going too. It was sooooo enjoyable.I popped over to walmart to get bulletin boards for the kids rooms for their treasures.
Then we drove into town for groceries. the kids were a little rammy and I was tired but we survived.Got home at 9:30. Late. DD was asleep, just carried her up to bed. DS needed some wind down time( gawd he is like me). Backrub, foot massage and chat.
DH went to see a buddy and play video games. I called at 10 to tell him if he was drinking to stay over night. His friend commented ( laughing his *** off) that the other “wife” had called screaming at her hubby to get home now. I am the GREATEST.ROFLMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!

SO, for today. I slept til 9, wooohoooooo, having coffee. Trying to plan my day in my head as I type. To do: bake a pumpkin dump cake, make coleslaw for tommorrow; clean and sort out kids rooms, PAINT!..........I am avoiding thoughts of yard work cause my heart is already out there. I want to finish the house completely first before I get into the yard. i keep telling myself that is is just the first of April. BUT i could plant peas and lettuce and onions ....stop it already.
tidy up the kids and paint, baking tonight. I will make pizza for supper.
I woke to DH teaching DS how to play chess.DD is playing and singing to to herself. OH giant happy sigh.
At the library the other day DS played a grade 3 boy in checkers and won 3 games in a row. The grade 3er said ,wow he’s tough. It was so cute. My boy is sweet and clever when he is not being a FREAK!
Okey dokey, coffee is done. Gonna put on grubbies and tidy upstairs.
Love to all!

hi folks just a wee quicky im good babys brill and hubby and bopys are being sweeties got flu again so am in bed {well normally }so ill speak later had text from teel will try and catch her later
bye for now kirtsy

My week off is over - boo hoooooo. I have enjoyed this week even though it has been fairly busy and strenuous.

Today I have been helping a friend with a cv, lifting tiles from the foyer floor - not a fun job and sanding the ceiling also not a fun job but totally necessary. The original painter of this place did not do a proper job and unless I get all the old paint off, the new paint will bubble and lift. So off it comes. Takes time, but necessary as I said.

After I cleaned up from that mess, I decided that patio time was a necessity. So I took a book and a glass of wine and spent an hour out there in the sun sipping and reading and smelling the roses and the heliotrope. It was nice. Must schedule some more of that time.

Tomorrow is weights time at the gym and the start of a new job. Should be an interesting day. Wish me luck.

Holly, DD's gym class sounds so good. I love to watch the littlies strutting their stuff on the aparatus. They are so cute.

Mel quote 'Shad....could it be that your teachings have finally gotten into this Yank?!?!?! ' end quote - one can only hope Mel. There is always another day - well 99 times out of 100 anyway. Why waste the day sweating the small stuff, when you can take it easy one day at a time. The $$ are handy but no need to kill yourself to get them. Can't spend them if you do that.

Well I am tired. I've had a nice dinner of pasta with red onion, tomatoes, chicken, basil and rocket. It was tasty and yummy and little or no fat. I've now made my salad for tomorrows lunch - think bed calls.

Shad~ I did think of that while I was working....the killing yourself part. It's the first time I think that I ever said it to MYSELF!!! So that;s why I ate my own food, took 2 rides and came upstairs on the non-working days! I think I am getting the picture!! I tried to get Ringo here on the thread but must be doing something wrong! It's too big they say. Tried to edit it and it still won't come here:rofl: Have a great NEW DAY!!! Safe travels my friend.

Linus~ I am so sorry to hear you're not well again. Wish we could help somehow! Take care and glad Bump is doing well too.
Rest up....cause here comes the midnight feedings!!!:lol3:

Holly~ You have been so busy but the fruits of your labors must be very rewarding!!! And god knows you have been painting fruity colors!!! :dance: Hope you will all enjoy that cherry red floor I saw in the journal this morning!! :rofl: Happy SS today too!

I had my "official" weigh-in today :scale: and I have lost 1 more pound and 4.5". Most of them from the bloating in the bust/stomach area. I am happy cause that make a total of 30 lbs gone and I only need one more to be back where I was a year ago. Keep your fingers crossed that I can get passed that plateau. It's where it stops every time!!
I need to get off here and cook my food. Tomorrow is the Mall just in case I get lost! My SIL never left Florida so she really is staying till May. So no company this weekend for me!

HIya chicks. I do have acherry red floor in the basement. 1 coat done, another to go. SS was good. it is beautiful and sunny. I am feeling festive for the Easter dinner this aft with the in laws. DS has a headache, poor kid. Just gave him some meds. We have an hour to relax. Went to the first bonfire of the season last night for a hour.
My weight is up. I have been eating to many breads. That is my goal for this weeks. Curb the carbs a bit!!
Have a peachy day!!!

Ok, I have to admit it. I was offended at what some people said in the journals about the pope. Perhaps you are not Catholic and he meant nothing to you. That's ok. However he was the head of the church for over 26 years. And while I did not agree with many of his rather old fashioned ideas, I did think he was a person who embodied a lot of good in human nature. A refreshing change from the pomp and circumstance in the male dominated Catholic religion. And.. it's the monks and nuns who take a vow of poverty - not the priests - which I will admit is one of my sore spots about the religion but I digress... No doubt the man came into many gifts in his lifetime, hence the will. I am more of a practicing Christian than a practicing Catholic but I do remember a time many many years ago when I got up in the wee hours of a very cold Chicago winter's morning to stand in line at 2am for 7 hours, protecting a spot streetside so that my friend's elderly mom could catch a glimpse of the pope when he visited our local church. As I said, I did not always agree with the man, but I did admire him. There is a reason the lines at the basilica were 45 people wide and miles deep. In his long tenure he influenced many, many people. So what if a he made the news for a few days? I'm sure he wouldn't have wanted the fuss but there are others who didn't mind recounting his life - he deserved more than 10 minutes squeezed in between the latest accounts of greed, cheating and murders. You can always shut the TV off, and choose not to look at the internet or the newspapers if you're tired of hearing about something. As for the absurd journal comment about complaining about lowering the flag for a "foreign ruler" well... that's the comment that really angered me as a supposed well educated person should know that lowering the flag is a sign of respect - and it is in deference to the fact that there are millions of Catholics in this country.

I need to go walk off my frustration...

Happy, I am so sorry that I have offended you with my comments about the Pope. I have/ had nothing against the man, in fact I think I expressed admiration for him. I'm not Catholic but that didn't stop me from admiring Mother Teresa either. I am genuinely sorry this Pope passed away, however I can't help but think it was a blessed release for him. He was a man with a brain and who in the end could not express himself. Did he really want to live any longer anyway?
The comment about the foreign ruler was not me but the one about the will was. I said that because that is the information we were given over here. Later I found out that the 'will' was not so much of a will as a diary of events, including the fact that he had considered giving up the Papacy. According to Australian sources, he died without any assets at all - all gifts and donations went to the church not him.
I did not watch the entire mass, that was my choice. There were other things I preferred to do, just as I did not watch the Chuck and Cammy show the following night apart from a brief glimpse to see who was wearing what and what the Queens expression was (stern as per normal).
Both the Pope and the Queen have exerted a lot of influence on this world - must of it for the greater good. Wouldn't it be nice to be able to say the same of all our leaders. I can understand the people going to Plaza San Piero to see and farewell their spiritual leader, I just choose not to follow. However, one thing about that funeral that I will never forget - well two actually - first the Pope exerting influence from beyond the grave in that the Israeli and Arab leaders actually sat together and the world did not fall down! and the look on the face of that lady at the end of the funeral. That wishful and wondering expression will stay with me for many a day.

Again, I apologise for upsetting you as I have. Religion and politics are two subjects that should be left well alone on these threads and journals. Yes you are right, we should rejoice that the man lived and made his mark. Yes we should respect him for what he was and what he did, and yes he is worth much, much more than 10 minutes sandwiched between doom and gloom. That's it, I say no more.

First day at the new job today. Can't say that I enjoyed it that much. Hate first days anyway and this one consisted of being given two massive folders to read and a quick lesson on how to access and move around a computer desktop with Lotus Notes?!!! Yep right. One meeting and then left alone to sort my pens and pencils out. Just as I finished the 2nd missive, the guy coming running in to tell me not to read too fast as they are doing a rethink about what I am going to do, what the project is going to deliver and how much of it we can get done before go live date (1st July). Tomorrow will not be much better either from what I can see. Wednesday and Thursday I'm off on a training course for a product called OnDemand. That's cool - two days out of the office already. Took forever to get home tonight. I guess that when you leave the house at 5.30 in the dark and get home at 6.30 in the dark it will seem to take forever. This implementation covers the Finance sector put together in a module for the Public Service and Business Warehouse. Most of my stuff will be done through the SAP Internet Portal and while I did something similar in Townsville, this is new in that I've never had to go out to the unsuspecting public about this sort of stuff before. Could be interesting.

Not much else interesting. Food today only so so. Get to the office and find that they provide a $30,000 kitchen with everything, but they don't supply tea or coffee. Bring your own and bring a cup to put it in as well. So I am reneging on my list tonight. I'll watch a bit of tv and go to bed.

Shad,
Thank you for what you said... I know you didn't mean anything by your remarks - it's not your way. Perhaps I was being too sensitive, perhaps lesson learned (for me) that it's best to avoid even the most remote references to religion and politics.

Ugh, new job doesn't sound the best already. Are you on the rollout team for implementation or training - wait they did say they are rethinking what you are to do... :dunno: Hope it gets better as the weeks roll on. Can't believe they don't supply coffee or tea - never heard of that - perhaps the kitchen is not finished being renovated quite yet :lol: I've worked in places before that don't supply coffee cups - ok, so it's a good environmental thing, but what about visitors? Some had a supply of ceramic odds and ends cups that came from who knows where - I never felt comfortable drinking out of them, even if they did get a good rinse in the dishwasher.

As for the weekend... a scene replayed often throughout the past 2 days. DH and Happy in the home improvement store. DH goes off to buy tooly things and leaves Happy in the garden center. The cart groans under the weight and the wheels cave. DH says to Happy - Do we REALLY NEED all that stuff? Happy says :yes: Can't have enough color. DH says :nono: there is such a thing as TOO MUCH. Happy says I agree but we haven't gotten to that point yet. I found some lovely multicolored primroses that now adorn the corner of the front lot. And we have 2 new rose bushes - a pink one and a gorgeous orange with a yellow trim. The orange one is a climber - neither of us noticed at first so it can't go where we planned on filling in the 2 gaping holes in the "rose garden" on the side of the house. Well pink one is there and happy at least. We have an ugly storage shed on the side of the house. I suggested to DH to cover it with lattice work. We'll have 2 climbing clematis on one side and the new rose can creep happily up the other side. Did alot of work outside this weekend. The hot weather is right around the corner. Just reminded me that I have to get serious getting the weight off. Was mighty uncomfortable on the knees planting and trying to stand up. We also wound up with fast food quite frequently - all that salt is making me feel like a stuffed sausage in my skin. I am back to plan today - fruits, veggies and lean proteins. Started the day with an apple, pear and cinnamon protein smoothie - extra fiber in the fruits and the yogurt. ummm... good.

We're supposed to get severe storms again this afternoon and they aren't kidding when they say severe. Lord don't let the power go out when I'm in the elevator on the 10th floor. :hyper: :hyper: Today's morning email was a reminder of safety practices in the event of a tornado. Like I'm really going to hide in the ladies room on the top floor if I see a tornado coming at me :yikes: :no: I was also struck by the reminder that an approaching tornado sounds like an oncoming locomotive - how do we tell the difference since there are very active train tracks just across the street - trains pass more than once an hour. I think I'll go by that gut feeling of seeing the sky an ungodly shade of green that is not at all natural... At least the rains will wash the yellow pollen off everything. There is a price to pay for all these colorful blooms I suppose...

Well it's time to buckle down and get to work. Have a good one everybody...