Morning all,

This site is amazing for those who need help in one form or another. One of the ladies on my other thread knows someone from another thread who lives in Japan and presumably speaks Japanese. I have emailed Red Balloon this morning for help on my inability to contact my friend in Japan. Last night I tried the hospital again. This time I managed to get a bit further than previously however still no Chris on the phone. I think the man was telling me he was putting me on hold and would I wait because she was on the phone. However I'm not exactly sure that that was right. It's easier face to face with a language problem since you can wave arms around or draw little pictures or see by expression or gesture what you or they don't understand. Me, I just plain don't understand, blank vacant looks all over that's me.

Hope everyone is hanging in there with weight, weather and all the other factors of daily life which manage to give us a headache.

Patty - what a wonderful gesture to help those poor souls from New Orleans and other areas devastated by Katrina. You rock girl. Keep up the good work. I'm sure there will be plenty of others willing to help, donate and work with you if you can just get the message to them.

Righto worldly chicks. I'm off to write some more bullsh*t about BW reporting. I am only writing the planning doco for the time being as I am working on the powers that be to reduce the number of reports I have to document since they all work the same way more or less. This is means that should for some reason the visual reports change, there will not be so much work to do to change the doco regarding how to run, read and interpret these reports. I think I am winning. I hope I am winning. I'd better be winning. Something needs to go right this week!!!

Hello Ladies,

This is my friday at work. I've taken two days vacation days, so I don't have to be back at work untill Wednesday Not sure what all I am doing, but I know i'm taking my niece to the zoo tomorrow evening, there having some type of opening of area, and I need to empty out flower pots and clean and put up for winter. I know we still have a month or two of warm weather, but this 100degree heat has pretty much burned several of my plants. Other than give dog a bath, going to try and catch a movie and just relax.

Shad - so sorry to hear about your friend. Will keep her in my prayers. I hope your able to get through on the phone to her. I know it must be frustrating with the language barrier.

Cat - I think I would stick with the drugstore scale.

Nita - I'm never in the diet mode. I just have to remember to make the best choice that I can. I know you have been busy with taking care of Gene. Do the best you can. Keep up with your bowling. That's giving you some form of exercise. How's that new ball doing?

Hal - did you all get rains?
Thin - how are you doing?
Mooz - hope your Mother is doing ok. Hope your able to get some rest.
Mitchellez - Would love to hear from you!

We are getting effects from Katrina even here. KU has said they will take students displaced by the hurricane who meet the basic requirements, charge them no late fees, and help them find a place to stay. A small gesture, but a nice one.

Looks like we'll be doing a storytelling concert as a fundraiser, too. The Chamber of Commerce of the city of Gladstone (just north of KC) has tentatively offered to do all the publicity, finding a venue etc. (which is hard for us, as we aren't a very big group), and we'd just donate the entertainment--stories of hope and healing. Sounds exciting.

National Storytelling network is trying to start a program of grants. These would give work to the storytellers whose living (schools, libraries) has been wiped out, as well as provide a wonderful experience for those in the awful life in the shelters.

Hello Ladies,

Went to the zoo last night we sister,niece and mom. I can now see how my sister has lost weight running after her 2 year old. She is very active and just pulling her wagon, I was getting so tired. Had lots of fun.

Cat - I'm might be a small gesture from the KC university, but to those it will be helping, it will be a wonderful gift. That is great that the National Storytelling is trying to get grants set up. Looking at the devistation they need everything.

Today is clean up day, will spend afternoon cleaning up. This morning slept in last, just had breakfast, and not to start cleaning.

Wishing eveyone a safe holiday!

Evening ladies.
Just a short note as I am very tired - I've been in the garden all day and dug, weeded, fertilised, watered and planted. I've put in soil conditioner as well, the place is so very dry with no rain at all.

I did get in touch with my friend. Red Balloon from one of the other threads lives in Tokyo and I e-mailed her my friends details and she rang and spoke to my friend. It really restores your faith in human nature when someone whom you don't know and will probably never meet goes to the trouble to help someone out. Anyway, I have since had a couple of e-mails from my friend who now has her laptop in hospital and she writes the letters and sends the laptop home with one of the other teachers who then hooks it up to the internet and sends the mails then returns the computer the next day. My friend still isn't too good. She has numbness in the hands and feet and can't walk or pick up anything at the moment. She is desperately hoping for some improvement soon. I've sent up a box of books for her as it is not easy to get good reading material in English amd will send up more if she requires later.

Bless you ladies who are doing things for the evacuees from Florida. Such a terrible blow to all those people. And all that lawlessness, shooting and looting etc. What are we coming to? And I guess it shows how thin the veneer of civilisation really is. The more we rely on others to do things for us and the more we rely on the 'mod cons' to deliver us from having to do things by hand the more problems we have with coping when things go wrong as they inevitably will.

Enough, I am off to bed to rest the weary bones. Have a good day - all of you. Enjoy your long weekend.

Hi Ladies,

I am still not getting e-mail alerts--is there anything I need to do? It is still way too hot here in Phoenix to do any yard work. Shad you are really an ambitious lady--keep up the good work! Gene is still coming along--but he has to use the walker 100% of the time--however, that is better than falling. I am very proud of him though because he can shower and dress himself all alone. I am just hoping the surgery on the 15th is successful. He had the CT done for his lungs but we haven't heard back from the PCP. I think that is a good sign.

Yes, I am still bowling and trying to get used to my new fingertip ball. It still is not comfortable but I am sure one day it will just happen all of a sudden. I decided not to check out Contours because they really don't give you a trial period and pretty soon I will be able to do my treadmill in the garage. I also have all these wonderful DVD's that I haven't even tried. Today after bowling I have been in my sewing room since about 1:30. I am really lucky to have such a "wonderful" hobby. It really does take my mind off of food.

To you ladies who are helping with the disaster in New Orleans, my hat goes off to you! God does work in strange ways and perhaps something needed change here!

Well I had better get moving, it's almost time to make dinner.

Take care all,
Anita

Hello Ladies,

Shad - I think there is alot of goodness in the whole and like you said here you have a friend of friend helping you get in touch with your friend. I truly believe in Karma. I'm sure your friend will appreciate any reading material you send her. Keeping her in my prayers.

Nita - I don't get any type of notice either. I guess I just log on every day. I know somedays it's just me, or other days it one of you chicks. I guess I type something one way or another. So keep checking in as often as you can.

Today was a lazy day. After church went to Walmart and they had the outdoor furniture on sale. Got a outdoor set for 1/2 price. It was the last one so I was excited. It's still in the back of the SUV, waiting on a friend to help me unload tomorrow.

Hope everyone is having a good day!

Maybe you haven't got the subscription to thread ticked anymore. I know that happened to me a couple of times - go to the top of the page, click the thread tools button and check that you are subscribed. If it says subscribe to the thread then you are not currently subscribed. If it says unsubscribe to the thread then you are currently subscribed and the problem lies elsewhere. Thread Tools, in case you can't find it is under the page numbers. Sometimes the buttons are hard to find.

Good going on getting a bargain with the outdoor furniture, Patty. Always fun when you get a good deal.

My friend in Japan has been my friend for 30 years. We were neighbours when our children were small and later e-mail buddies as I shifted to Australia and she moved to Japan to teach. We are both now single and for the past 5 years or so have travelled the world together laughing and giggling our way round castles, caves, cities and countryside. We've looked up family trees and played rounds of golf. We don't always agree on things but mostly we can agree to differ. I was hoping to go up and see her at the end of October. However depending on how she gets on, it may be to help her pack up her stuff to return to NZ if she can't or doesn't improve. We were planning on a trip to Italy and Switzerland next year but that is now hanging in the balance as well.

Nita, I'm sorry that Gene is having such a hard time of it. Here's hoping the surgery will improve his lot. It's good that he is trying so hard himself and that he can do somethings for himself. I'm sure that helps you as well.

It rained overnight and this morning which was wonderful, however not nearly enough to give us any relief from this terrible drought. We desperately need more gentle, steady rain. Hopefully we will get some more this week. The forecasters are telling us it is possible - which generally means that it will not happen.

Okay, best go back to work and fight with this system some more. I'll see if I can find some pics of my garden to upload tonight. Have a good day all.

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for all our best wishes! I really feel blessed that I do have Eugene. We will be married 15 years come December 15th and we have known each other for 16 years. As far as my weight is concerned, he always gives me positive feedback and I am very thankful for that.

Today is another day and I am really thinking positive when it comes to being in control. I had two soft-boiled eggs, 1 piece of toast with a small amount of peanut butter, a ripe plum, a small piece of watermelon and my coffee. I am a breakfast person and I feel great afterwards. I am having a problem, however, when it comes to dinner. No matter what I eat, even a small portion, afterwards I have been getting very bad indigestion. As a result, I am quite uncomfortable during the evening and even at bedtime. So today I have decided to just have a bowl of cereal at dinner time and just feed Eugene something else. Hopefully this will work.

Yesterday I made the most beautiful flower design on a shirt I bought from the second-hand store for $2.00. I will take a picture of it, as well as a couple of other designs I have made. I find creating designs on the sewing machine very relaxing. I buy these cheap shirts, but I make sure they are in good condition, so I can try a design for the first time. That way if it messes up, I haven't wasted a whole lot of money.

Well I need to do some errands so I can come home and sew again.

It's so great to see so many of you posting--we certainly have been friends for a very long time!

Have a "super" day and week!
Anita

Good Morning Ladies,

I had taken today as a scheduled vacation day and I"m sure glad I did. I'm sure tomorrow I will be swamped at work, but at least I will be relaxed.

Hal - [SIZE=2]HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY[/COLOR]
Sounds like you had a wonderful day getting calls from your nephews.
I agree with you on the term "refugees" . Their not from another country, there from the USA.

Shad - I guess only time will tell with your friend. You never know, maybe you trip will just be postponed for a while.

Nita - You definitely have to post some pictures of your sewing.

Hope everyone is having a great day!

bringing us to the top!

Good morning - on a beautiful spring morning in downtown Brisbane. This IS the time of year I love best. It's cool enough for sleeping, the temps during the day are around 24-25C and the air is clean and crisp. Humidity is not yet with us - nor are the bugs, although they are coming back! The rain washed the dust away yesterday, but we still need more.

Shall I tell you the story of my morning - which is why I am in such a good mood I guess?

I got up at 4.00am and made the coffee, fed the cat, had a quick peep on the computer, put the washing away and got dressed in my gym gear - left home at 5.00 to drive to the gym 25 mins away. Put in a good workout - 45 mins of cardio equipment - rower, stepper, free runner and bike for a total of around 10km and 450 calories, showered, dressed and drove to the ferry terminal. That was all pretty normal wasn't it?
Then at the ferry terminal I had about 7 minutes to wait for the city cat (ferry) and the morning is sparkling down on the river. There is just the slightest breeze to rattle the palm tree fronds, the river is sparkling in the sunlight, the buildings, boats and bridges are reflecting in the water - barely a ripple to be seen. Then along comes Mr Pelican who is gliding along in great grace and beauty and under the water you can see the legs going at great speed just to keep this great big bird moving along. What did I just say??? Under the water you can see........ Yeehaa, all efforts to clean up the river are working. Not so many years ago you wouldn't have been able to see you hand in the water it was so awful. It wasn't known as the open sewer for nothing.

Now the birds are back and obviously the fish as well. Anyway Mr Pelican glides along pecking away at the water when all of a sudden he is dive bombed by a butcher bird (smaller version of the magpie). Mr Pelican is not amused. So the butcher bird lines up for the next attack and Mr Pelican waits until the bird is only inches from him and he rears up his beak and give the butcher bird a swat across the tail feathers. Butcher bird is now making loud squawking noises like he has been shot and lines up for the third attempt. Mr Pelican is not amused. He waits for the butcher bird to get in range and opens his beak and give the bird a broadside and a bite at the same time. Butcher bird is not seen again at the ferry terminal. Talk about David and Goliath - except that ended the other way around.
That ends todays nature watch. Tune in tomorrow for the next big adventure.

I've had a message or two from Chris who is just beginning to realise the enormity of her situation. She's had a bad couple of days but is coming to terms with it. There will be more tears and anger before she is through. She still wants me to go up there. I will organise the flights today and if the worst comes to the worst I can always borrow her car and go touring for myself. However by that time she should have read up on the syndrome and figured out where she can go, do and be. I have great faith in her rising to meet the challenge.

Halgal happy belated birthday. Sorry I didn't know it on the day but anyway here is a belated birthday wish
and some flowers for you.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...colateDrop.jpg

I'm not an adventurous music person. I likes what I likes. There is a country music station that I listen too in the car, I don't mind a bit of country - but I guess I'm sort of stuck in the 60's and 70's and light popular stuff. I don't mind a bit of classical but not opera too much and I'm not a big jazz fan either especially the discordant stuff. Keith Urban I thought was a Kiwi - and when I go to the fan club site I see he is. The other site told me he is a native Australian! It seems he lives about an hours drive away from me - and I heard some rumour about him going out with Nicole Kidman???!!! If that fan club http://www.keithurbanfans.com/funfacts.html is the one your friend has, please tell her that the name of the town where he is from (Whangarei) is pronounced Fong-a-ray and not Wong-a-ray. Wh is an F sound more or less. It's not a big problem with me, I'm part Maori, but some of the diehards would give you a big raspberry if they saw that.

Nita, I would love to see some pics of your sewing. I have a friend up in Chino Valley Az who does crafty things to tee shirts and jeans and things. Lovely stuff. She sells some of her stuff at markets and things.

Gotta go - work calls, why on earth wasn't I born rich instead of beautiful?????

Hi Ladies,

Shad -- I really enjoyed your post. You are an excellent writer. I wish it would get cooler here in Phoenix--it was 106 today.

Well tomorrow is "D" day. Hopefully the WW series will go forward. They only have 10 members and we need 20. I am going to take a chance and go down there and perhaps we will get our 20! A lot of people just show up. I believe I shared the price with you $59 for 10 weeks. Today I just ate All Bran cereal for dinner. I will see if I get indigestion again.

HalGal -- I also forgot to Wish you a Belated Happy Birthday! Hopefully your day was filled with a lot of fun!

I made those Blueberry All Bran Muffins today and they came out quite good! When I eat home cooked bakery, I never have a problem. If only I didn't have to make breakfast, lunch and dinner for my husband, it would be very easy to stick to my program.

Well I will close for now.
Take care all,
Anita

Good Evening Ladies,

Shad - I have to agree with Nita you are a wonderful writer. Your words make me believe i was right there with you. I know Chris will be going throught some tough times ahead, but it good she has friends like you. Is her daughter close by?

Nita - It's starting to cool down here. I believe our high today was 92. Once it's get cooler I plan to start walking in the evening with the dog. I hope you all get your 20 to start the Ww program. $ 59 is a good deal. The best deal I found for 10 weeks was $ 100.00.

Today was a busy day and that was to be expected with taking off 2 work days. This evening planning on getting on treadmill and watching the rerun of today's Oprah show. I believe they were filming in MS.

Hope everyone is having a good evening!