[mooz49]

Just bringing us to the top

[Shad]

A quick post and then I’m off to the gym, do a bit of shopping and then home to catch up on the chores here. I’m having today off work. It means I won’t get paid for it, but hey it feels so worth it.

Slept in to 6.30 this morning and woke to a delightful dawn and clear sunrise. There is a bit of a breeze blowing which will dry the washing - that’s if I ever get it out there!

Today I intend to take the computer and fax/phone down to the bedroom so I can sand some more in the lounge/ dining room and do the necessary painting as time permits. I want to do some more plastering on the ceiling as well. The lawn needs a mow and there is some more weeding to be done in the garden. I will keep myself busy I think. Oh yes and the two roses which passed into the hereafter immediately after planting have been despatched and I will need to find something to replace these. A nursery up the road is advertising the best selection of roses in town. I may go and check that claim out after gym today.

Speaking of gym and diet/ food related topics, it is the end of the month coming up this weekend. That means measure and weigh in. Oh boy AGAIN!??? Well I guess we shall see what we shall see.

My trip plan is slowly starting to gel. Chris has left me in charge of the planning while she is off visiting grandkids and family. This old hen is busily researching the net and the travel guides. Today I shall have to see if I can find some stuff on Switzerland. This could be interesting, bearing in mind she doesn’t like heights and I’m not big on buses. Training it seems to be the case in Italy. More revelations as they come to hand.

Righto then, at 8.16am I’ll be wasting time if I stay here longer. Have a good one.

I'll be back later to catch up on the doings of the 'movers & losers'

[Catlover777]

Mooz--my what a sweet poem.

Glad you got some sleep. Does you mom nap during the day? If she does, you should try to nap then too--just like with a new baby. You know you need to protect your health. Glad you made the effort to go out--and good that Orla could help.

Really boring at work--they started offering unpaid time off very early. I did that Friday, but really I can't afford to do it much. However, I used the time to work on some story-marketing material. I took a free course from the company on leadership which wasn't anything really new, but now I've signed up for an introduction to web design. I don't know if a 3-hour class is enough to give any practical skill, but I might understand the process better.

I met with the therapist again today, and worked on getting to bed and avoiding late night snacking. Will see how it will work.

Noticing there are a lot of really severely obese people where I work. This is not to criticize, which I am in no place to, but I wonder if it is because our jobs are so extremely sedentary.

Must not let this happen to me!

Oh, my b-day is August 9/ David's is Aug. 4, and my mom's was August 11. So I would be happy with any time in there.

August 6 we will have a specially big vigil for Hiroshima Day.

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Hello Ladies,

Sorry I haven't posted in a few days. Been very busy at work. The heat has been hot here but not as hot as Phonix. Trying to keep my tomato plants from burning up. Had to move things around the patio.

Shad - I'm sure it will be exciting to start planning your next trip. When do you all plan on going?

Mooz - I'm glad you had a relaxing day yesterday. That was very nice of Orla to stay home and watch your mum while you went out. I too like going to comedy clubs.

Hal - How was the weekend with the boys? I guess your back at school.

Cat - when's your birthday?

Thin - glad you could drop by.

Nita - any decisions on moving?

Mitchellez - how are you doing? drop us a line!

Wishing everyone a wonderful tomorrow!

[HalGal]

Hey Everyone...!

Wow, it is wonderful to read so many postings! Everyone sounds good, and inspired. Me too!

First off, Happy Birthday to MOOZ, Happy Be-lated Birthday to Mooz! I hope it was a great one!

The weekend with my nephews was awesome. They arrived last Thursday, and I drove them 300 miles to northern Indiana on Sunday. I returned to Kentucky the next day, Monday. Today I had to trek back to Louisville for a conference (120 miles round trip). So... try Jeeping in the hot weather we have had. The best of air conditioning helps, but gosh, it was really hot.

We had a really great time together. I think my favorite time was Friday night laying on my deck chairs watching the stars. My youngest nephew fell fast asleep and the older nephew carried him into his bed. I took them to the new Willy Wonka movie (Johnny Depp is really good here!) and they both loved it. I cooked with them (the older one wants to learn to cook as my sister does not and they are on their own in this area - sad but true). I remember the younger one pulling on his cheek as he tasted the sour from the balsamic vingerette dressing - it was funny. He laughed and puckered! I gave them low fat soy chocolate milk, and it was a hit. I bought chips for them and they sat on the counter all 5 days. Humm... I made a bacon, lettuct tomato dip, and we used the whole wheat crackers to dip with. I miss them very much. They have been through so much, they did make comments about coming back, and staying. I just let them know they were welcome here, anytime.

I turned my washing machine on to wash the bed linens when I got in this evening and out of the blue it sounds like a truck on a bad road. It is only 4 years old and is made by the manufacturer that advertises the repair men get lonely. Go figure. Anyway, I put a call in for the repair service to contact me to arrange a time to service it. Last week I serviced the Jeep for routine maintenance. I guess the saying 'When it rains it pours' may have some truth to it.

Rocky LOVED they boys. I can tell this evening, he is wanting to play more than nomal. You should have seen the youngest one follow him around. Rocky jumped up on the back of the sofa behind me and down the other side of me. Masen jumped up on the top of the sofa and down the other side right behind him. I think Rocky knew he had met his match. As the boys said frequently 'sweet'.

Tomorrow, I have students meeting me in the AM to help me inventory my 10 new double sets of text books for the new school year! They will remove the old ones, inventory the new ones and put them on the shelves. Thank goodness for loyality from a few cherished students. I have been blessed in so many ways, I need to stop and remember this as I tend to sweep through my days simply being thankful I have gotten through them.

I think I am feeling better, emotionally. I cannot describe the emotional roller coaster I've had this last year. It will be a year the 29th I lost my Mother. It all began a year ago, and it truly feels as if it has been 10. Anyway...

I spent the night in Indiana at one of my brothers. His daughter is starting high school this year. They just remodeled her bedroom, which is where they put me. I am very impressed. My brother made a bookshelf, and dresser for her. He is very talented. Her colors are a dark mauvey pink, with navy and purples. Her new curtains and quilt are a soft silk type fabric, very neat. She gave me a picture of her from a honors graduation she was in at the end of school. She is really something else. My brother went out and brought us 'girls' ice cream back. It was so hot, it was soft and melty, but we all appreciated him. My sister in law and niece count each and every calorie they consume, and I am not kidding. You should see their refrigerator, all cleaned fruits and vegggies - lots of strawberries and blueberries in containers. I was impressed.

I need to get ready for bed now. I'll post more and individually tomorrow. Again, great to hear from everyone.

[mooz49]

Mornin chickies .......... just to let you know that I do take it easy sometimes in fact quite a lot ........................ here is a picture of me doing just that and here is a picture of the conservatory without me ........ it looks better without me I think...................... just look at that big tummy ......... I really must lose it!

[mooz49]

Tis a beautiful day here today so I thought I would take some photographs of our garden for you to see. Thank goodness DH does all the gardening otherwise it would not look like this!

[mooz49]

and some more ......

[Catlover777]

Mooz--how lovely. Thanks for the pictures.

Have been trying to eat more mindfully, and it seems to help.

Mostly just a quick note to kick us back up.

Oh--my birthday is 8/9, for those who asked.

[Shad]

Today, it is so laid back here, one could almost state that it is laid out! One of the business analysts is leaving tomorrow. We are all going to a trattoria or a cafe or somewhere for a 2 hour lunch break. Well some of them are going for a long break. I only get paid for the time I am here so I will be coming back early.

Had a lovely day off yesterday - only problem is that today feels like Monday for some reason. Oh po*p thats not fair!!!
I went to the gym and did my 45 minutes and then felt drained at the end of it - ummm you idiot, you forgot to eat before you went. Duuuummmmmyyyyyy!!! After gym I went and got the meat and fish for the month and then went to the nursery and went stir crazy on the roses - they weren't wrong when they said they had a good selection. Anyway I finally picked up two - Fionas Wish and Aotearoa.
Fiona's Wish is named after the youngest heart transplant in Australia. It's described as having Red upper and creamy Almond underside petals with an deep fruity fragrance. Sounds almost good enough to eat AND some of the buyers price goes toward the Victor Chang Cardiac Centre - a heart/ lung hospital. Mr Chang - brilliant man that he was got shot in a hit and run accident shortly after the charity dinner which starred the late Princess Diana. She was dead not long after that as well. Anyway, Fiona has survived, she was 13 or 14 when she got a transplant and is now in her thirties I think and does volunteer work for the hospital among her other commitments.
Aotearoa is New Zealands gift to the world (according to the label) It is a deep pink (I really wanted a yellow but hey) and has a fragrance described as intense. I can only hope it is not intense in the Rotorua style (sulphur, rotten eggs perfume and very intense) According to the label it should never be planted on its own but in groups and hedges. Sorry but no room for more.
There was one other rose I was very interested in - a bright deep yellow/ gold rose called Golden Girls (it reminded me of us lot) however it had no perfume. That's why it got left behind. I can't see the point of a scentless rose!

Then I went home and had some lunch, watched a bit of daytime tv, packed away the months meat in the freezer and hung out the laundry. Lots of different bits of work called my name but I resisted them all and had an hour in the hammock. Such a lovely day out there.

Mooz - lovely photos. Your garden always looks so pretty. It looked just as pretty when I was there - do you plant the garden or is that DH's problem?

Cat - Quote <August 6 we will have a specially big vigil for Hiroshima Day> Unquote.
I was in Hiroshima some years back on August the 6th. It is an amazing place. The museum dedicated to the Hiroshima explosion is a mindblowing place. Very emotional, very sombre. Talking to the survivors (now old people) is a priviledge and an experience. They are amazing. The Peace Gardens are well worth a visit. I will try to search out some of my photos of Hiroshima and post them on the site for you to see. It is a very moving experience.

Anyway, better go find some work to do. The 'boys' around here are playing practical jokes on one another. I have stated loudly that none of this is my fault ever!!!!! (even if I did put the tape over the phone button - which he hasn't found yet)

[Shad]

Just got back from the Public Services Club where we all went for lunch to farewell Glen to Brighton, England and the SAP Real Estate sector. Had a very nice lunch (huge plate which I couldn’t fully eat) for 6.50 and a small bottle of white burgundy for a couple of bucks (enough for 1 1/2 glasses). Won’t need dinner tonight.

Which is good in a way because I can then get the laundry done, the sweeping done, the floors washed and the house generally tidied before the couple of tv programs I like to watch on Friday night. That way I can go to the eye man on Saturday, do a gym workout and come home to a clean place on Saturday - Sunday will be spent painting and plastering some more. All good plans as long as the hammock stays out of sight and mind!

Sunday is of course weigh in and measure day. That should be interesting all I don’t think all that much has changed. Yes I have moved inches I think in the hip area. I’m beginning to wonder if these trousers that I bought yesterday should have been a size smaller. They just feel a little loose, particularly in the crotch area and all (since they are stretch) maybe a smaller size would have been better. I have no grumbles with loosing the butt, hips, gut area but it would be nice to match the top bit up. I’m still a 16 up there. If I moved to a smaller size in the hip I will be a 12. That is a bit too much out of proportion. One thing is for sure, I won't fall flat on my nose if I trip up!!!!!

Last night was gym with weights. I did actually manage 5 reps of the hip/ chin/ dip thingy waving the legs around madly 20 times on each. It doesn’t seem so long ago that I couldn’t even support myself on it much less move anything around. I just get so tired at the end of it all, I wish the stamina would build up somewhat. It is a pain to come home, sit down and then wake up just after the end of the program I wanted to see. Tonight is cardio circuit. I’m getting better at that too, but the rowing machine stills really gets me going. I do 5 minutes on whichever is the warm up machine and then 10 on 4 others. That gives me 45 minutes. The rowing machine is the one which really taxes this body. The bike is in second place. The rest I actually quite enjoy. In fact last night after weights, I had ten minutes left of my time at the gym so went onto the treadmill to do a short program there. I must be mad.

Right, need to ring the vet to book Sunday the cat in for a dental check, tartar removal etc. Oh joy!!!! Another trip in the car for the little she-devil.

[HalGal]

Good Friday Morning Movers and Losers!

Shad: Wow, I am so appreciative of the motivation you provide our thread. I need to work on my hip area, and would love to know about the exercises you are doing for this area. It is 'way' cool to hear about your progress. I know what you are talking about getting tired. Me tooo! You go girl!

Mooz: Oh my gosh, your flowers are stunning. You are so lucky to have a husband that enjoys them, and works on them also.

CatLover: August will be full of cake for you, huh? What is your favorite? Unpaid time off is only fun on a limited basis. When the lower paycheck arrives it takes on new less important meaning. Time off is a good thing tho.

OneDay: We just took about a 20 degree temperature drop, and 50% drop in humidity. It is really nice outside now, and this weekend. I have a friend going to an outdoor concert tomorrow evening, it will be great.

My 4 year old top of the line washing machine from the company with the lonely repairmen had a bad pump. I had it fixed to the tune of $141.00. I mentioned this machine did not even have normal wear and tear as I am single and only do a few loads of laundry a week. He suggested I write in to the company. The pump has been redesigned, from problems with the one they took our of my machine. It took him all of 25 minutes to diagnose and repair the machine.

Here is a recipe for a summer favorite!

Frozen Lemonade Squares

18 squares graham crackers, finely crushed (about 1-1/4 cups crumbs)
1/3 cup margarine or butter, melted
1 qt. frozen vanilla yogurt, softened
1 can (6 oz.) frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed
1/2 cup thawed whipped topping
Mint sprigs and lemon slices (optional)


MIX crumbs and margarine. Press firmly onto bottom of 9-inch square pan.

BEAT yogurt and lemonade concentrate in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Spread over crust.

FREEZE 4 hours or until firm. Cut into squares. Serve each square topped with a dollop of whipped topping, mint sprigs and lemon slices, if desired.


I just finished watching a movie I rented for the boys last weekend, Shark Tale. Cute flick.

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Hello Ladies,

Took the day off to get some errans done and tidy up the house for another party that i'm having at my house. Tomorrow's party is for my niece's graduation who lives in Austin. I'm just loaning my brother my house. He's doing the shopping, grilling etc. Either way still have a list of chores to do. Yesterday evening had a little scare with Blackie. I noticed he wasn't really walking around to much, when I went to pet him he somewhat backed his head away. We'll he let me pet him and I started to check him over. Noticed he was getting tense when I got to his mid back. (Remember he had surgery two years ago, problem with his disc) Anyway this morning he was back to his usual self running around, playing, but I still took him into the vet. The vet did noticed he was more tense and a little twitchy when he got to a certain point. Doc gave me a prescription and some other pills for him. I have got to keep him from jumping on the bed. I guess i'm going to have to lock him up in his kennel house for the night. I don't want to have to go through another surgery. (pocketbook can't afford it).

Hal - it's hot here. Yesterday it was a little cooler, maybe 85 but today back up in the 90's. I'm so glad your nephews got to visit you.

Shad - can't wait to hear what she devil does this time. I too need to get back to the gym. I have a membership but just never seem to find the time.

Mooz - oh, what a beautiful garden. Your so lucky to have a hubby who enjoys gardening. I love your sun room too.

Hoping everyone is having a great day.

[Nita]

Hi Ladies,

WEll it is still way too hot in Phoenix--you can hardly stand to go from your car into the store. However, I am managing to get my bowling in. I, too, need to get back to the gym. My insurance company pays for my membership and I just need to get in the groove.

We are still looking into moving back with family, however, there are a lot of financial things to look at, especially the fact we would both lose our good health insurance. Gene is doing a lot better and hopefully he will be strong enough to walk with a cane and not have to use the walker all the time.

Shad -- I agree with HalGal, you sure have a lot of energy and put it to good use! Perhaps your energy will rub off on the rest of us ladies. I know we all have good intentions but somehow other things get in the way.

Well, my dinner is almost finished so I will close for now. Wishing everyone a very "happy" weekend!

Anita

[Shad]

Went to the eyeman today. He was pleased with the way the eyes have improved since a couple of weeks ago. I can now carry on wearing contacts. So I have ordered a 3 month supply and also a new pair of glasses. The cost may prove prohibitive later on but for now I am happy. Because I don't carry medical insurance I have to pay full price. If I had insurance I would be paying 10 dollars less each time (40 dollars a year). However the insurance would cost me around $500 per year so I think I am still winning. Such a gambler I am with my health.

So I wandered around the shopping centre. Couldn't find anything to spend my money on. Came home via a furniture shop and purchased a chest of drawers for the DS2 - it's his birthday, Christmas, next Christmas and birthday present all rolled into one. I like it. Whether he will or not remains to be seen.

Two of my orchids are in flower. Here you go - There's Chocolate drop x Red Fire and Lemon Tree x Golden Magic.



The Chocolate Drop one is brilliant as a full size photo even if I do say so myself. If any of you want it for your wallpaper let me know, I'll mail it on or maybe put it onto webshots for you to download.

Thank you for your kind comments on my energy levels. Sometimes they are really high and sometimes like now, they seem to be quite low and I feel constantly tired. I do gym because I know it is good for me to keep the joints moving and the muscles alive etc. Most of the time I quite enjoy it while I am there and work up a good sweat which shows that I am working well. I don't do any particular exercises for particular areas HalGal, I do the sessions that my trainer (aka Jason the torturer) sorted out for me. He tends to push me harder and harder to make me achieve. His theory is that the long muscles (thighs, upper arms, calf, abdomen and stomach) have to be strong to make the metabolism speed up which burns calories faster. He maintains that the more you move the better you get. So I have a series of machines I use to build those muscles - I do that 3 times a week, and a set of cardio circuit - rower, bike, treadmill, eliptical and stepper that I do twice a week. I also go to a Body Balance class one day a week (generally after a muscle workout) mainly because I enjoy it but also because it gives me a good workout without too much sweat. It's a mixture of Tai Chi, Pilates and Yoga, last around an hour and leaves me feeling good.

Time to get off here and go watch The Bill - my Saturday night goof off into TV land.