Hi Everyone,

Sorry I haven't been in touch for a few days. In fact, I stopped getting e-mail alerts that someone had posted. It is probably because I was absent so many days.

It is extremely hot here in Phoenix and as a result I am not in the diet mode and haven't been for several weeks. However, I agree with what Oprah said about being ready to do it! I thought the WW meeting was going to start this Wed. but they have put it off untl next week. I have been really out of control and this morning I just threw out a couple of items I had been binging on because I know if they are not in the house, I won't be tempted to indulge. My DH got his surgery date--it will take place on Sept. 15th. Today we had to take him for a CT of his lungs because the chest x-ray had showed some abnormality. Between my DH's medical condition and the heat, I am not a happy camper. However, when I see what those people are going through in NO, it makes me very sad and seeing all that destruction in such a short period of time is very scary. I told my DH how lucky we are to be living where we do--far away from water.

I received a coupon in a mailer today regarding Contours Express--similar to Curves--and they are offering a "free trial workout." It is less than 3 miles from where I live so I definitely am going to check it out.

You ladies are sure encouraging and hopefully you will not give up on me.

Take care,
Anita

Our mission is not to give up on anyone Nita. So you are definitely not on a hit list.

My thoughts are with the people on these threads who live in New Orlean, near or anywhere in the path of Katrina who may be suffering from the weather. It is not pretty to see the news and the destruction and loss of live and living arrangements. Having lived through a couple of cyclones and very bad storms I can sympathise with these people and I gape in awe at the power of Mother Nature. It seems she is in a very bad mood these days with drought, floods, fire, cyclones and hurricanes all around the world.

Glad to hear you liked the new Dr., Cat. That always helps. Sometimes the receptionists are a bit on the harsh side at medical centres these days. However I think it works both ways. Our surgery has a notice about not harrassing the nursing staff - what the **** have we come to that we have to put notices up about the behaviour of patients and staff in these sort of places?

We've had a spot of rain over the past couple of nights. Certainly not enough to fix the drought but it was nice not to have to go out and water the pots when I got home from work or gym. And the plants just love rainwater. They much prefer it to tap stuff. So some of the petunias and pansies are on the move again.

Weigh in day today. Always at the end of the month. Yes although I am 'resting from my regime' at the moment, I still weigh in and measure at the end of the month. Still sitting on 73, measurements more or less the same. I will document these when I get home tonight. No gym tonight - Wednesday is rest day for this old body so I will be able to answer some of my email letters then - and about time I can hear some of my friends mutter.

Anyway I had better go. I have 46 reports to finish, 2 more training classes to go. The reports come in three parts. I had 52, I did all three parts of 6 of them, I have now done one part of 23 more, so I am moving along even if dead slow.

Have a good day and stay out of the rain if possible - in Nita's case maybe started a rain dance to cool off the place a bit.

Hello Ladies,

Still doing good on my eating. Have to work hard on the water... same old story.

This morning they stated that Dallas had opened two shelters for the hurricane survivors. We're about 10 hours away from New Orleans but there driving this far north. Didn't know what I could do... kept thinking, called a girlfriend who has been waiting and praying to hear news from her cousins and grandmother(90) who live in Hattisburg MS. I said what can we do, we brainstormed and decided to put our past volunteer efforts to work. She called several vendors and I called several to get food donations for the local shelter. She was able to get a local dairy to delivery milk and juice today and not only that they were willing to donate for a week and I was able to get Whole Foods to donate 10 cs of fruit, that I will be picking up this evening. It's not much but it helps, meanwhile as we're making calls she received a phone call from her cousin, they were ok, shaken but ok. I told my friend Deb, see Gods works in mysterious way, you stopped to help someone else and he answered your prayers. Just my thinking.

will post more later

Well spring has sprung, today being the first day of spring, however I don't feel too overjoyed about it all.

I feel for those people in New Orleans and would love to line up the looters against the wall and give them a dose of lead poisoning. They deserve shooting. I just hope that the damage to the heritage areas is not such that they must be destroyed and rebuilt. Such a lot of history there, not to mention the one of the city's few chances to recoup with tourism and sport etc. It's not only the initial devastation that is so bad, its the aftermath as well, the realisation that some folk are not coming home, that those precious remnants of past life are lost forever. My thoughts are with them. For those of you close enough and able to hold out a helping hand, then do so, it maybe all they have to keep them sane.

Also in the bad news brigade last night, you all know that I said my friend Chris (the friend I travel the world with every couple of years) who lives in Japan was to go for MRI scans etc., well I haven't been able to get in touch with her despite leaving messages on her answer machine, sending emails etc.etc. Last night I rang her ex-husband to get their daughters number in NZ as I only had her address and not phone number. I left a message on Jenny's phone and she rang me back some time later. It appears Chris is in hospital and has been diagnosed with Churg-Strauss disease. Never heard of it??? well neither had I until I looked it up on the net last night. It is no longer fatal but only just. The only cure appears to be varying doses of steroids namely prednizone and to bring it back to remission, large doses of the stuff, some folk can't take the dosage. It apparently strikes mainly females, not usually more than one in the same family, and is often preceded by asthma in mild or chronic form. Now Chris has been having lung troubles for years although she swore it was not asthma. The doc over in Japan had prescribed Prednizone for the ailment and I think the dosage has masked the Churg-Strauss for years maybe for the good, maybe not. Anyway, before she came down to see me and go to NZ in July, the doc thought she was well enough to come off the prednizone and take aspirin or a derivative of aspirin. She came down with a lurgy and was not completely well when she left here. So, 3 weeks without the drug and she gets back to Japan with numbness and tingling and is now in hospital. Ummm what more can I say without disolving into floods of tears again. I tried to ring the hospital last night to talk to her. Jenny gave me the hospital number and her room number, but my Japanese is too limited to understand what the man was trying to tell me and I could only repeat the number and name. Come to that I don't even know if I got the hospital, it could have been the drainage department for all I know. I'd better see if we have a Japanese speaker in the building and see if I can get some more direction. Other than that I'll just have to get back to Jenny and get information that way.

Sorry to be a doom and gloom merchant today. I'll try to cheer up and come back tonight a brighter soul.

Patty--
I think what you did is great! I know it doesn't seem like much compared to the devastation, but still it's a real contribution.

How sad that these people who are in the Superdome have nothing better to look forward to than the Astrodome.

Meanwhile a minor note on the importance of using the same scale--at my old dr's, I was 196, at the new dr's 198, on the scale at the drugstore 191. I think I should stick to measuring!

And Nita--of course we're not giving up on you. We know you're going through a rough time--our prayers are with you. Maybe going out to Contours Express might help you to deal with the stress. Hope it works!

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 :cb: 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.

RE: The big one, as in 50!
 

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
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...thballoons.gif 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????? :lol3: :lol3:

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!

Just a quick note--I am really excited about the EAT program. So far it's eliminated the cravings, the out-of-control feelings and I feel lighter. I wonder if they have training for counselors. Guess I'd better finish it first!

You just gotta laugh
 

This is a picture of my piggy bank after filling up with fuel this morning.

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

Hello Ladies,

Just bringing us to the top.
Will post later.

Shad--that's funny!

A little busier at work. They've taken some of us off the phone to work on helping health care professionals who want to help with Katrina relief. Still, sometimes it's 17 minutes between calls.

Hello Ladies,

Shad - I feel your piggy's bank's pain. We had several stations here who not even posting the amount per gallon, they were putting up the words " arm and then leg".

Cat -I think I need to look into this EAT Program.

I had planned to get on treadmill tonight, but was tired when I got home. I think i'm going to try and get on in the morning.

Hope everyone is having a good day!

Kickin' us up to the top before I take my walk.

Morning all,
Haven't yet gone south for the weekend. Will be doing that in a couple of hours. Meantime better get some work done around here. I'm only staying away one night because of the puss cat. I had originally thought of the entire weekend and asking DS2 to come and stay while I was away, but he is busy on other things. So I will toddle off down there, rage on into the night (well to 9.00pm anyway, we'll think of other things later) and come home around lunch time tomorrow. The plant is repotted, I just have to festoon it with golden ribbons since it hasn't obliged with a golden flower! I've done the eggplant rounds for the antipasto dish as requested. I've got my outfit sorted and just need to pack some underwear and shoes and do a bit of housework so that the house is not full of ants when I return. They are bad here at the moment. Can't leave anything around. I'm trying to think of what I might do to keep the cat's food safe overnight.


New acronym for the BW module (that is the part of SAP I am working on at the moment. Learning how to create, change and read reports. It should be BBW - Business Bl**dy Warehouse - since I am sick of the sound of my own voice telling the OSR population that they can get all the information they require simply by changing the order of the columns to show the info in a new and different light. Now they are getting the hang of Lies, damned Lies and Statistics I hope!!! You want the Minister to see ???? Then change these figures to read this way, delete this characteristic and whammo you see just what the population is not doing with their payrolls - or rather what some of the population is not doing since we left out the high earners and added in those on the widows pension to foul up the figures so they look really bad!!! I'll probably see some of my sins come back to haunt me on television one night!!!! Don't worry if you didn't understand that rant. I get stroppy about my job once in a while.

Hello to all. Hope Thin and Mooz are okay. Haven't seen them around for a while. I don't even get jokes from Mooz at the moment either. Things are obviously not funny where she is. Love to hear from you Mooz!

Right better go and get started on the kitchen, followed by the pots on the patio, followed by hosing and cleaning the pavers, followed by sweeping the floor, followed by........... (fill in the blanks as required). Back tomorrow afternoon. See you then.
__________________
Joy

RE: So much saddness, so much suffering...
 

"Taking us off the phone" is just doing something other than sitting in our little cubicles asking Medicare questions.

EAT requires you to forget every "diet" rule you've ever learned, and listen to what your body wants.

This a.m. DBiL asked if someone could watch DMiL tomorrow morning, so they could have some free time together (BiL and SiL). They really deserve because of working so hard as care givers--but guess who was the only one available? Not that I mind staying with DMiL, who is delightful, but it was such a busy weekend already.

So I'd better get back to work tho kitten wants more attention. Choices, choices.

Good Morning Ladies,

Shad - Hope your having a wonderful trip. I forgot where you were going or for what event, but hope your having a good time. On your ant problem with the cat food. I know a friend of mine uses a tin plate, or pie pan fills with water then set a smaller bowl inside with the food. Ants won't swim to the food. Your right didn't quite understand your work jargon, but that's what were hear for anytime you need to rant about work, we're hear to listen and We won't tell them.

Hal - The fish recipe sounds good. How does it taste as leftovers? If i made it I would only use 1 packet. I've been following the doggie rescues on the different news sites. Maybe next time something like this happens they'll let the people take the pets with them, when their getting rescued. WTG for eating healthy. And yes your right dark chocolate is good for you.

Nita - Keep us informed about the surgery. I'm thinking its the 15th. Keeping you all in my prayers.

Cat - I think that might be a good idea to forget about all the rules of eating and dieting. I get so confused on what I am suppose to eat. I don't have time for reading right now, working on another book but that might be my next choice.

As for me, work was really busy taking off 2 days. Went into the office for a few hours yesterday to get a few things caught up. The heat is not as hot as it's been we're in the high 90's. Looking forward to some 80 degree days. Went to chuch last night, so today is my cleanhouse day and going to a 48th B-day party for a friend. Need to eat before I go, so i won't be tempted to eat chips,dips and cake.

Thin and Mooz - hope to hear from you all soon.

RE: Good Sunday Morning!
 

Mooz--
Good to hear from you again. Nice photo of your mom. Are you anywhere near the riots we read about? (Naturally they are tucked inside the paper, because everything is Katrina and then Ophelia here).

Hal--that fruit sounds delicious. Will try to fix it.

Poets against the War reading this afternoon--must try to do a few more things before I leave.

Yes I am back - had a nice time. It was a very pleasant evening and apart from half a can of bourbon and coke and a glass of very dry champagne I stuck to coke all night. Not that we went into the night too far. I called quits and went to bed around 11.00 because I had had enough of the day - 5.00am to 11.00pm makes a long day. I did watch a bit of an old Rambo movie on TV and some news from CNN when Rambo got too much to take. Not sure that the news was much better. I saw some starving dogs rescued in New Orleans. And some old men who didn't want to be rescued but were starving, scared and ornery!

Went for a run along the Terranora Inlet on Sunday morning. Photo's are on Webshots - here's the addy [url]http://community.webshots.com/myphotos?action=viewAllPhotos&albumID=446868323

Got back around 10.00am on Sunday and Miss Puss missed me so much she ignored me. She's back on speaking terms now. No ants either - I found an old feeding bowl that had a moat around the outside of it. Ants don't swim so the cat's biscuits were fine. I then cooked me a huge breakfast and slept the rest of the morning away in front of the television and went out into the garden for the rest of the afternoon. I turned the sprinklers on late afternoon and gave the garden 2 hours watering and lo and behold what happened?? We had a storm and rain overnight to really get the garden wet.

I'm waiting on Shane the travel agent to get back to me re the flights to Japan for the end of October. I seem to be going up on the 27th and back on the 8th November but am wait listed for the 6th November. I tried to get the trip on my frequent flyers card but it is just so pathetically painful to try and find a date - I could get up but not back. Why can't that website simply list what days there are frequent flyers available. Grrrrrrrrr. Chris is progressing. She was allowed home for Saturday night but had to go back for Sunday so they can do more tests. She is walking with a cane. Hope they sort out the origin of the allergy soon. Yep that is what caused it. It's not any of the usual allergies either - not plant, food, flower - that they can find. Still searching.

So onward to another week. Wonder what joys await me.

Mooz - good to hear from you. Your Mum looks so comfy in that chair. Say hello to her from me. Not that she will remember me, but that's okay.
Glad to hear that although you are not losing anything, you are keeping off the biscuits and not adding to the total like I am.

Hal, that fish sounds good. Since I love fish, I might give it a try myself. Packets for the freezer are a good idea too. No I don't work for an automotive manufacturer. I do contract work, I actually work for myself. I've been in coal mines, iron ore mines, diamond mines (no I didn't see any), Nickel and gold refineries - again no I didn't get paid in gold, power stations, fertiliser manufacturers, plumbers, oil companies and at the moment I'm working for the Queensland State Government. SAP is in many places and doing many things. I prefer the private sector, but government is fine as long as they pay the fees.

Cat - hoping you are coping with the weekend and the MIL.

One Day - I like the service stations sense of humour. Arm and Leg - well that's what we are paying at the moment. Day by day, sometimes hour by hour it rises. Yesterday I saw it over the $1.30 per litre - there are just over 4 litres to the gallon - thats over $5 per gallon ye gods!!!!!!! I filled my car before I left for the coast on Saturday, put the trip meter on and did 96.4Km to the motel. Did 96.7 back and the car wasn't even down to the 3/4 mark so if that is reasonably accurate, my car would be doing 800Km (500 miles) to the tankful on the open road. Not too bad and a lot better than the 4WD's around the place. Apparently since the price hikes, the sales of 4WD - SUV's - has dropped nearly 40%. Good, then they won't be around to terrorise us on the roads anymore! Don't know what it is like in the States but over here I'm positive that the 4WD drivers think they are immortal and that they own the roads!!!!.

Better go and strike a blow for the working week. My two cohorts are not coming in today so I shall be on my own in the office. Oh well could be worse. At least no one will know what I am up to! See ya

Hi Ladies,

Just a quick note to let you all know I have read your posts and I find them very motivating. Yes, we did get our 20 members so the WW program will start this Wed. Since Gene's surgery is on Thurs. I will be going to work on Wed. and that way I may be able to attend the WW meeting before I go bowling. Yesterday Gene walked from his bedroom into the living room to get the telephone without his walker or cane. His TV wasn't working and he just didn't take the time to use the walker. I am very optimistic that sooner than later he will be walking again as he used to. Yes, his surgery is Thursday morning at 9:00 o'clock. Thanks a whole lot for your concern and prayers.

My very good friend's surgery to remove one of her kidneys that had cancer came out wonderful. She is doing fine and the surgeon believes they got all the cancer. We just never know what we may have to face in the future.

I am still having bad indigestion and no matter what I eat in the evening, I end up being very uncomfortable. I took some medication this morning and I will see if it helps. I do believe I can start the treadmill tomorrow morning. It has finally cooled off enough to open the doors in the morning, at least for a couple of hours.

Take care, and I will write soon again.
Anita

Just going to try the link again since it didn't work on my other thread.

Work this time???

Kickin" us up to the top!

Mooz--
We did get a little better news after the original, so I knew it was limited to Belfast. Hadn't realized, though, that a couple of your kids were there.

I don't know either why people act that way, but I know it happens all over. I suppose people who have nothing much to be proud of about themselves then like to be part of the "superior" group. At least that's what it seems to me with the racists in my country.

Morning all,

Mooz - good to here from you and thanks for the joke. How true. Hope that weight watchers does its thing for you and you finally break through that barrier. I hope that Belfast settles down soon. Such a stupid act. How can people be sooo narrow minded and silly. Good grief. Hasn't there been enough trouble in Ireland already.

Nita - I'm thinking of you and DH as you go forward towards his surgery. Good luck with weight watchers too. That must have been really good to see the DH walk without the aids again. Cheers to you both.

Hello to all the Cat, Oneday and Halgal as well. How are you all doing?

I finished that course of multi vitamins today. Finally!!!!!!! I'm not taking anymore, I really don't think I need them. They certainly didn't make me feel any livelier and I suspect that I am getting enough from the good solid meals and fruit that I already eat.

DS2 is going camping on Fraser Island for a week today. He rang a couple of days ago to tell me this and put in a request for some Hedgehog. For those of you who are shaking their heads at this point, hedgehog is a confection of dark chocolate, butter, sugar, egg, cocoa and broken biscuits all flavoured with a liqueur - in this case Bailey's Irish cream - and it is not one of those prickly little animals that live in the bush. Take a bow Shad, not only did you make the stuff but you did not even eat any of it - not a crumb. And I packed up the left over chocolate and biscuits and gave it all to the DS2 last night. Actually it wasn't all that difficult not to eat any - not enough alcohol in it for me!! Then he cadged my camera bag to hold his new Canon digital camera. Yes he bought one and we gave it a workout last night. He tells me I can borrow it to take to Japan with me. He also left with one of my camera lens which has a bigger macro than his new one. Kids - doesn't matter how old they get, you still have to organise them.

Well not much more to be said from this end. I'm off to do some more reporting doco and should just about finish that today. Then it will be refining it and having it QA'd. How I hate that bit. So without further ado, I will be off to do some work, pack my stuff (I'm being shifted to the 13th floor) and go get some coffee. Back later.