HI Everyone,

Again, no email that anyone had posted. I will just have to check in daily.
We are working like mad on DD's house, trying to finish it up before she moves in. It's going well, but I'm seriously tired of doing it everyday. DH and I think if we ever did flip a house, it would be like this, but we won't be on such a close time line. This was fun, but it's turning into a job:lol:
Lucyee, when are you leaving again? How long will you be gone? Hope you have a safe trip and yours sister is getting better everyday.

Anne, speaking of sisters, best wishes to your sister this week. I know it's going to stressful for her, your mom and you.

Ali, yesterday, gas had gone down to 2.77 a gallon. I wonder if anyone will get into trouble for price gouging when this is over with. Oil companies are reporting record profits (that is only what they are reporting, I tend to think they might not report everything:nose: ). Gas is still available everywhere here so far. I am sorry you can't make your trip home. At least you will be safe. I would be worried about making that trip too.

Hi Kate, what is your job that you do? Working with children is a very noble profession, I admire you for doing that.

Barb, I hope your taking care of yourself. I know it's hard to eat and resting is hard to do too when your going through this. Hugs to you:grouphug: .

I better get going, I have to lay some carpet that I'm having some trouble cutting. Take care everyone, Nikki

Hi Everyone! Happy labor day! Where has the Summer gone??

Nikki, Boy, it sounds like you are really working full time, on your DD's house. I ca imagine how hard it is to be at it, everyday, but I know the rewards will be great for you, when you and DH complete all your work. I return to my Sister's on Friday and if she continues to improve the way she has been, I am sure that things will fall into place and then, I will be going back to visiting every couple of months, as I usually do. Otherwise, it is too hard for me, to keep up the pace, anymore. Thanks for your good wishes.
Big waves to Ann, Ali, Kate. Hope you are enjoying the day.
Barb, You are in my thoughts, I know how hard each day is for you. Prayers for all of you.

Take care and I'll TTYL. Lucyee

This is the first day of the rest of my life. How many times have I heard that said, and said it myself, but today it takes on new meaning. I have to start realizing my mom is no longer around. She was not only my mom, but my best friend. We did almost everything together, we live only a couple of blocks apart, and I either saw her or talked to her every day.

The funeral is over, and everyone is back to their own homes and lives. My sister Val & I went over to her house yesterday and cleaned out the refridgerator and freezer and locked up the house. My brother is the executiter of the will and the "estate" such as it is, so I'm leaving all those detail to him.

So other than laundry (which I've put off much too long) I plan to get my act together, plan my meals for the week, and get back to the exercise mode

HI Everyone,

I have been working on DD's house (bet that's news, :lol: ). It's getting there. I'm wishing it was my house, I love that place.
Barb, it is so difficult to face the day to day things when your feeling this way. I've always thought that if you stick to a routine, then the routines seems to carry you along, if that makes any sense.

Lucyee, I never did know, what problems is your sister dealing with? You are a very good sister for helping her out. Bless your heart:)

Hi everyone else. It's getting to be fall around here. I find leaves in my water fountain everyday now. The tomatoes are starting to look like kind of leggy and the impatients are too. Hope your all doing well. I have to get back on track with my diet plan and exercise. I have moved back into the next size of pants, It is uncomforable being this large and trying to work.

I better finish this up and get going. Take care all, Nikki

Hi! Nikki, I was glad to get your post, before I head off to my Sisters tomorrow. Nice to hear that you are enjoying your DD's house. It does feel strange, when Fall starts to come our way. Watching the things of Summer, fade away. However, when the leaves start changing and all those beautiful colors are here, they are wonderful to look at. My Sister has been ill, for some time. She was suffering from Depression, after she lost her two Dear Sons, 38 and 32 yrs. old, one had Brain Cancer and the other, an accident. They were like my sons, as well. I was never blessed with children of my own, but I am a second Mom, to all my Nieces and Nephews and I have quite a few. Anyway, even though, it was 10yrs ago, she has had a difficult time of it. On top of that, she lost her Daughter In Law, 42 yrs., 3 yrs. ago. Besides that she has a Bladder problem, which the urologists say they can't fix. She is 10 yrs. older than I am, but she has been a great Sister to me, so I am glad to help. The good part is that we finally found the right Dr., for her and he has given her new medication, which is really helping her, with her Depression. Also, a good physical therapist, to help her, with her walking and back problems. A lot going on, at once. It is looking good, though, finally.

Thinking of you, Barbara. I found out myself, that what Nikki mentioned about Routine worked a lot for me. It still does not take away our pain, but it helps us get through each day. You are in my prayers.

Hi, Annie, Ali and Kate. Hope you all have a good day. I am going away tomorrow, so I won't be able to post to you all, until I return. Until then, take care and you'll be in my thoughts. Lucyee

Good afternoon,

Thankfully we won't be seeing much of anything of Ophelia in our neck of the woods. It's a good thing we cancelled our trip because we'd have probably run right smack dab into her along the way.

Lucy, sorry about all that your sister has gone through these past years. How awful losing both your children and a DIL. It's good that you're there for her. Like you, I don't have any children either. I hope you have a safe trip and have a good visit. I'm glad that things seem to be working out for her.

Nikki, I bet you're DD's house is shaping up nicely. Why don't you ask your DD if she'll switch houses. :lol: Pretty soon you'll be raking leaves. That was one chore I didn't mind doing in the yard.

Barb, what Nikki and Lucy said about keeping a routine to help you through is good advice. I've been where you are now. A routine kept me going plus leaning on my friends and family. :grouphug:

Anne, your sister has her surgery this week, I'll be thinking about her. Please let us know how she's doing.

Kate, are you busy now that school has started? I'm sure the first week of school things will be in a turmoil.

The weather has gotten a bit less humid. It's still hot, but doesn't feel as bad. We also have a pretty nice breeze. It won't be long now before I'm able to open up the house and let in some fresh air. :sunny:

Hope you all have a wonderful day.
Ali

Hi all,

I agree that a routine helps keep things going, but somehow I can't seem to get it together yet. I intended to go work out everyday this week, but couldn't seem to make my self actually do it. I'm sure that part of it has to do with the fact that that was me and Mom's special time together. We would meet at the health club and walk or do water aerobics and sit and visit for a while before I'd go to work, and she'd go home. There zre a lot of ladies who have been very supportive of me there, and I'm just having a hard time going back. I think that I know that they will all be sympathic to me and my usual way of handling thing is to ignore them. If I go back I will not be able to ignore the feeling I've been trying to ignore. Does that make any sense?

This has been a very long week for me, but at least I've had a job to go to. We got word yesterday that one of our doc's son was killed in a car wreck Thursday. We dod not get any details.

Then there was all the stuff trying to get mother's estate settled. My brother is taking care of all the legal stuff, but my sister and I have had to do a lot of the "house-keeping" aspects and I got the job to handling all the insurance stuff.

Well thanks to all of you for letting me vent and get some things out in the open. Maybe now I can deal with them


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Hi Everyone,

We're still working on DD's house. I'm enjoying it to no end, DH hates it passionately and never lets a moment go by without letting me know that. Later, he apologizes for being such a whiner. Today was a good day, he went to visit his son, so I worked alone most of the day. DD came over and helped too, but she is no problem, and can't wait to move in. Tomorrow, he is suppose to help some with the cabinets, so maybe I'll be busy in another room and only have to hear the complaining from a distance:lol:

Ali, I'm glad that the last Ophelia missed you. Isn't that the same one that is still going by the east coast now? Sure seems to have hung around for a long time.

Lucyee, have a safe trip and can't wait till you come back. Thanks for sharing that about your sis.

Barb, your going through a really hard time right now. I lost my parents about 15 years ago. Dad died of cancer and mom of alzheimers. Not at the same time, but fairly close to each other. It takes a long time to work through your feelings and you have every right not to rush it.
Sorting out possessions is especially difficult. My folks lived through the depression, so their house was filled with stuff from the past 50 years of their lives, if not longer. It took me a good year to get through it all. Finally, there was basically garbage (probably priceless antiques these days). I couldn't stand it anymore, so I hired some people that came and hauled everything away for $50. I never did miss any of it. I found that if I made lists of things to do it helped. If you can only do 15 minutes of sorting a day, you will make progress.
As far as exercise goes, maybe you should think about trying something else for a change. Walking outdoors or join Curves. Personally, I really enjoy doing Leslie Sansones walking tapes. Exercise of any kind is great for helping with stress. I find I can walk in there (exercise room former known as DD's bedroom:lol: ) with my teeth clenched together and by the time I'm done, I'm more relaxed than I've been all day. Well, I'm a great one to talk, I haven't exercised all month. I have been working my behind off at DD's house, unfortunately, my behind is not listening and is not getting any smaller. I will have to get back on track myself and soon. BIG HUGS to you Barb:grouphug:

Anne, hope your sister is doing well and you too. I know your really busy with eveything, take care.

Kate, how's the school season going? Bet your hopping.

I better run, DH just got home, take care all, Nikki

Hi everyone,

It's a beautiful morning, cooler than it has been. We're still in the 90's during the day though.

DH & I took a ride to Sanibel Is. yesterday. Just about everything was closed. I'm sure it's because it's the off season.

Nikki, glad you're enjoying yourself working on your DD's house. I like working alone, then I don't have to listen to what I'm doing wrong and how it should be done. :rolleyes: I just hear it the next day after it's done. :lol: I'm glad Ophelia missed us too. It's just spinning around out in the Atlantic. It's supposed to hit in someplace in the Carolinas.

Barb, I know what a difficult time you're going through now. I lost my Mom 26 yrs. ago this month from cancer and I lost my Dad 4 yrs. ago. I know it's hard to go places where you used to go with your mother or where you would see her every day. The first time you go back to the health club will be the hardest. But, it will get better with time. Is there someplace else that offers water aerobics? If so, then I would go there for a while until you are ready to go back to the health club. Nikki had a good suggestion to join Curves or get some exercise videos. Let us know how things go.

Kate, I just picked up The Da Vinci Code to read. I haven't started it yet. I'll let you know how I like it.

Lucyee, hope you had a good trip to your sister's. Hope everything goes well.

Anne, how is your sister doing? I wish her a speedy recovery.

Well they say the first time for everything is the hardest. I made it to the health club today, and it was hard. Most of the people knew about Mom, but some didn't and asked about her. But I got through it, and I do feel better having exercised, so I guess things will even out now.

Nothing else it going on around here. I'm still selling off stuff on ebay, but it has slowed down a good bit. But every little bit helps.

Today was a big mail day at work, so I was busy all afternoon. Nothing else much to say.

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Hi,
Barb, I'm so sorry about your mother. It's difficult no matter how old you are. I lost my mother when I was 11 and even now there are times when I get sad. You were so close to your mother that it will be especially hard. I'm glad that you got that first trip to the health club over with. This will be a year of a lot of firsts. I'm keeping you in my prayers. Take care.

I don't have much going on except work. This has been the worst opening of school that I can remember. We still have people coming in to register. There have been over 200 since the 1st of August:eek: We've gotten a few from Louisiana and Mississippi who are staying with relatives.

Ali: Hope you enjoy the DaVinci Code. To me it was a story, not factual. I'm reading the Peach Shortcake Murder....it's fluff:D Glad that you're getting some good weather. I'm sorry that you weren't able to make the trip north. Gas prices were terrible around here, $3.49 a gallon! This week they're coming down some.

Nikki: You've sure been busy! Your DD must love how it's coming along. What a nice gift to her! I think my DH and I are the original packrats:o I hate to part with my things and he's the same. Maybe I should clean his stuff out and he should do mine!! I don't want my kids to have to do it.

Anne: How are things going? Is your sister doing okay? Did you make it to the Elton John concert? The weather has been just beautiful. We've had weekend after weekend of sunny skies...a rarity for us.

Lucyee: Your sister has had many ordeals in her life. It's good that you're there to help out and able to spend time together. Have a safe trip and let us know when you get back.

We had friends from PA for the weekend. It's always fun, but I was exhausted and haven't accomplished much since. Time to get a move on and do something before bedtime.

Take care,
Kate

Hello everyone,

When DH went into work Mon. he asked if he could get his 2 weeks off again. He was able to get the last week in Sept. & 1st week in Oct. off. So, we're heading north on the 24th. :cb: :dance: As soon as we had hung up I ran to the garage and got our suitcase out. :D

Barb, I'm glad you got your first visit to the health club over with. Also, it gave the people there who knew you and your Mom a chance to talk about her. It will get easier as time goes on.

Kate, it sounds like a mad house at work. :dizzy: I've read that some victims from Katrina are going to a few of the northern states. MA took some of them in. I read that they've housed some of them on the Cape. I am so sorry that you lost your mother at such a young age. It must've been very hard on you, especially during your teen years. I was 31 when I lost my mother and remember how hard it was. I can't imagine what it would be like to lose her at 11. I still haven't started The Da Vinci Code yet, :o But, I'm viewing it as fiction rather than non. I should get crackin' on it so that I can give it to either my cousin or MIL when we get to MA. I enjoy reading fluff after a book I have to concentrate on.

Anne, how are things with you? Hope everything is ok.

Nikki, how are things progressing on your DD's house? When does she move in?

Lucyee, hope you're enjoying your visit.

Have a great day!
Ali

Just checking in to say hello.

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HI everyone,

Wow, it's getting cooler here. It was 45 last night and we had to wear a jacket. DH was kidding me that in a few months, we would think that was warm and run around in shorts and short sleeves when it gets to 45. We are still working on DD's house, but it's starting to get finished up, finally. She moves in next Thursday or Friday.

Kate, gas is back down to 2.50 a gallon around here now. How's it doing up where you are?

Ali, Iowa has taken in around 500-600 survivors from Katrina so far. When they were loading buses, some of them were told they could stay where they were, or come to Iowa and they chose to stay there. I couldn't figure that out, I guess they were waiting for something better. The ones that have come here have been given housing, clothing and jobs. I don't know if they will all stay, but several of them that were interviewed said they will.

Anne, hope things are ok with you, think about you often.

Barb, Hi back at you. That is great that you went to the health club. Hope work is getting better for you.

Shoot, I got to run, take care everyone, Nikki

Hi everybody!
Anne: Did you get those torrential rains yesterday? We had 3" or more. There was lots of flooding. A picture in the paper today showed one section of an expressway that looked like a lake. Lots of people were stranded in their cars around the city. It just came so fast that the drainage systems couldn't handle it. I hope everything is going okay for you and your sister.

Ali: I'm so glad that you're going to be able to come north!! You must be so excited. Is your suitcase packed?;) Have you started The DaVinci Code yet? I couldn't get into The Peach Cobbler Murder....it was a little too much fluff:lol:

Nikki: Your daughter must be getting so excited about moving into her new home. You really accomplished a lot so quickly. Our gas prices are down to $2.89 and we're jubilant! There's something a little out of whack about that!

Barb: Keeping you close in thought. Hope that things are settling down a bit and you've been able to get back into some sort of routine.

Lucyee: Hope you're enjoying your time away.

Went to a wedding last night. It was a girl (early 30s) from work that I've known since she started in the school district. She did some really different things that I thought were nice touches. On each table she had the name of a city and a computerized list of interesting facts connected with her and her husband related to the city. It was fun to switch them between tables and got people talking.

Tonight we're getting together with friends and Monday I'm REALLY going to get serious about choosing an eating plan to stick to. Work has been nuts so I haven't even gone to Curves much either.

Have a good weekend everyone!

Take care,
Kate

Good morning everyone,

Hope you all enjoyed your weekend. DH had to work Sat., but he had yesterday off. It was so nice here Sun. morning that we got to open up the sliding doors and a few windows. It won't be long now before we'll be able to keep them open.

It doesn't look like we're going to get much of anything out of Rita. They're talking about showers and thunder showers for tomorrow.

Anne, we miss hearing from you. Hope everything is ok and that you're just busy.

Kate, hope you had a good time with your friends over the weekend. Glad you enjoyed yourself at the wedding. My suitcase is already packed and standing by the front door as we "speak". :lol: It sounds like you had a lot of rain. Did you get any flooding? Yes, I have started The Da Vinci Code. It's really good. I know it's just a story, but where these organizations really do exist, it makes you pause and think a bit. :chin: It has a lot of twists and turns that keep me on the edge of my seat. Have you decided on what eating program you're going to follow? I saw an ad in the paper for Curves and they have an eating plan that you can follow. I don't know if the plan is something new, or if it's the same 2 they've always had.

Nikki, how are things coming on DD's house? I bet she's all excited about moving in. I am so happy for her. I saw gas yesterday at around $2.74, which is about what it was before Katrina. I read in the paper that most of the people from Katrina are opting to stay where they relocated because they know they have nothing to return home to, or they don't have any insurance. That is odd that some chose to stay put rather than go to Iowa.

Hi to you too Barb, :wave: Hope things are getting better for you.

Lucyee, hope you're having a good time. By the time you get back I'll be gone for 2 weeks.

Enjoy your Monday everyone!
Ali

HI Everyone,

We are almost done with DD's house. My other DD stopped by this morning and was amazed at how much better the kitchen looks. She said we should go into business remodeling kitchens. I told her I'd never survive that:lol: .

Ali, our gas prices as of today were 2.43. I keep wondering why anyone would think staying in the Astrodome was better than coming to Iowa. Does Iowa have that bad of a reputation? It's really not that bad here. I know most people think it's only corn fields, but there is so much more. There's soy bean fields, hog lots and cattle farms:lol: . Honestly though, there really is a lot more here and many places are actually beautiful.

Kate, have you chosen an eating plan yet? I am just eating more healthy and I've lost some weight (nothing to get excited about, I've lost these same pounds many times before).

Hi to everyone else, hope your all ok.

Better get off the computer, Stripe has officially sat on my arms and that limits my typing ability, kind of like typing with a straight jacket on. Take care, Nikki

Good Morning Ladies!~
Hope everyone is doing great. Kate, I didn't go to the concert. I sent my
son in my place. Too much going on..... but on a happier note, My DH and
I are going to see Dame Edna at the end of October which is our 27th
Anniversary. That will make up for missing Elton John.

Nikki, our gas prices are a disgrace. I don't know what gives :dizzy: Its
getting to the point where everyone will need a second job to fill the tank.
I bet you are glad your daughters place is nearly ready :) She must be
thrilled.
Ali, I am so glad to hear you won't be in harms way with Rita. I heard a
couple of guys on the radio yesterday saying these warm temperatures are
here to stay climate change and all that stuff.

Hope you all have a great day!
Anne.

Hello everyone,

It looks like Rita will be hitting the Texas coast. Barb, I hope you're out of harms way. What are they saying for your area? There are tropical storm watches/warnings out south of us. One of the cities (towns) is borders our city. They're saying we'll probably see some showers and tunder showers throughout today.

Anne, it is so nice to hear from you. Sorry you didn't get to go to the concert. You'll enjoy Dame Edna. Are you back to work now?

Nikki, that's wonderful that DD#2 noticed how much better the kitchen looked. I bet you felt like....:cb: :dance: :dancer: I think Iowa would be a great place to live. I'd prefer Iowa to the Astrodome, that's for sure. With your gas prices, I may move there myself. ;) Our gas prices haven't changed very much, if at all.
Congratulations on your weight loss. Even if you've lost these same lbs. before, you're heading in the right direction.:high:

Hi Kate, Lucyee, Barb hope things are going ok with you.

Have a good one.
Ali

Good evening! It's been another beautiful day. I just love fall. The cool nights are great for sleeping and the air is so crisp. Hectic week at work and I haven't felt too good because I have a bladder infection. Probably will have to see a urologist because I've had so many this year. I don't like taking antibiotics so much.

Anne: I'm sorry that you didn't get to the concert. Did your son enjoy it? I think I've heard the name Dame Edna, but I can't remember anything about her. Fill me in please. How is your sister doing? I hope that she made out okay.

Nikki: This week I'm doing WW, counting points. It's going pretty well! Of course I'm only 2 days into it:D Congrats on your weight loss! It's okay if you've lost those same pounds before...you're back on track. How exciting that you're almost done with DD's house. Did you take before and after pictures? I never remember to do that:o

Ali: Your trip is getting close! Are you going to be able to post at all while you're gone? I hope you can...I'll miss you. How much rain have you gotten from Rita? I didn't see the news tonight so I'm not sure exactly where it is right now.

Barb: Hope that you're doing okay. Will you be affected by the hurricane? What a terrible thing to have another one. Makes you wonder what's happening to the atmosphere.

Lucyee: Hope you're enjoying your trip!

Has anybody else gotten hooked on Lost? I can't wait for the season opener tonight.

Take care,
Kate

Good morning everyone,

Had an interesting day yesterday. Tues. afternoon some guy let a cat loose at our next door neighbor's house, and they're up north. We have a chain link fence that surrounds our property. On the other side of our house is an empty lot with scrub brush. While we were eating supper out on the lanai I heard the cat crying in the scrub brush. I went to investigate and the cat was rubbing its head on my hand through the chain link, and licked my finger. The poor little thing looked so lost and kept crying. The cat woke me up at 5:00 am crying yesterday morning. I managed to get the cat in my back yard through the gate out back. I gave it some milk and called the animal control people. The officer came out and the cat was scared to death of him, so he left the carrier with me since the cat seemed to trust me. I fed it some tuna fish and while the cat was eating I grabbed it and put it in the pet carrier, then called animal control again and he came back and got the cat. It was a very young cat and someone had it declawed, so it had been a house cat. No wonder the poor thing was confused. I told him that some guy dropped it off, and the animal control officer said that it was probably some sort of domestic dispute. Now the cat is in their facility quarantined for "X" amount of days then will be transfered to the Humane Soc. for adoption. How inhumane to leave a defenseless cat out on its own. It makes me boiling mad everytime I think of it. :censored: :censored: I would've taken it in but, DH is allergic to cats and I don't think Lacee would be very happy with a sister or brother. I really missed the cat after the officer took it away.

Those poor, poor people in Texas. Some of the people are evacuees of Katrina. My heart goes out to them. DH says we're still heading north on Sat. no matter what the gas situation is. :crossed:

Kate, glad that counting points is going well for you so far. Just take it one day at a time. We're just getting some feeder bands off of Rita. It's been cloudy and every once in a while we get some torrential rain that only lasts a few minutes. My ILs have a lap-top that we check our e mails from, so I will be able to check in.

Hi Anne, Nikki, Barb, Lucyee :wave:

Hope you all have a good day.
Ali

Barb: Stay safe. This is unbelievable.

Take care,
Kate

Hi Everyone,
Today is the big day, we will be moving most of DD's stuff into her house. I am beyond being ready to stop going over there everyday. DH says we will still have to go over more than we expect. I'm hoping that since everything is fixed and really in move in condition now, that she will not need anything fixed, worked on or replaced any time soon.

Barb, stay safe and be careful. This has to be really scarey for you.

Ali, as I sit here, Mr. Stripe is on my lap. Not really on my lap, the spoiled baby doesn't like sitting on my lap, he is use to me holding him up on my chest. If I try to have him just sit on my lap, he keeps nuzzling me and trying to sit on my boobs, slips down and then tries to sit back on them again. I don't know how anyone could be so heartless as to let a cat out like that. I'm glad you were able to get it to safety and hopefully, it will have a good home to look forward to and someone to spoil her too. Have a good time on your trip and take care.

Anne, I can hardly believe that your having your 27th anniversary. Doesn't seem like that long ago you were having your 25th and a big party. Congratulations to you both.
Talk about warm, it's still in the 90's here and humid. It feels more like the middle of August, instead of the end of Sept. This weather has been weird all year.

Kate, bladder infections are so annoying and can be very painful. I hope you get some relief soon.
Yes, I did take before and after pictures of DD's house. If you would like to be bored beyond words, send me a PM with your email address and I will send them to you or anyone that would like to see them. Don't worry though if you want to pass:D , I won't blame you a bit.:lol:

Lucyee, hope your trip is going well. Can't wait to have you back.
Better go get a shower and get going, be careful everyone, Nikki

Good morning everyone,

Just wanted to pop in to say good-bye for now. We're leaving early tomorrow morning. I'll be checking in once we get to my IL's house.

DH has a cousin who lives in Houston. His MIL just passed away a few days ago, so he and his wife flew to NH yesterday. They'll stay up there until they can go back to Houston. They're just hoping they'll have a house to go back to. I also have a cousin who lives there and he's opted to stay put. Stubbornness is a family trait. :lol:

Barb, I've been thinking about you and hope you stay safe.

Nikki, how did the moving go? Smoothly, I hope. ;) Your DD must've been so happy to finally move into her new house. Hope she had a good first night sleeping there. I honestly don't know how anyone could be so heartless and let a poor defenseless kitty on its own that had probably never been outside before. The cat will make a nice house pet for someone.

Kate, how are you feeling? Bladder infections aren't any fun. Hope you're starting to feel better. I'm still reading The Da Vinci Code. I'm finding that it's getting rather boring. But, I'm determined to finish it.

Anne, how are things going so far for you this week? How is your sister coming along? I see Fall started yesterday. It still feels like summer here, I'm still in shorts.

Lucyee, hope you have a safe trip back home.

Bye, :wave:

Take care,
Ali

Hi Ali,
Just wanted you to know that I'll be thinking of you as you travel north. Be safe and have a great trip!

Take care,
Kate

Hi Everyone,

Ali, hope you have a safe trip and enjoy your time up home. Looks like most of Houston had minimal damage so far. Hope your DH's cousin's place is ok and they are able to return soon. I am afraid that since there was such a mess with this evacuation, that a lot of people will not leave next time. It would be a really difficult decision to make.

Hey Barb, how are things in Dallas? Hope your doing ok. Are there gas shortages there too? I have seen a lot of news about the coast of Texas, but not so much about how it's affecting the rest of the state.
How's your exercise been? I'm not doing anything that is routine yet. I will start this week though, since DD's house is for the most part, done.

Kate, I decided to start eating frozen dinners a couple of times a day with a salad and then cereal for breakfast with fruit, popcorn, a snack bar or something like that for snacks. I wanted to try Nutrisystem, but it turns out to be beyond my budget. Besides, not all the food is that great on their plan and I'd hate to eat things that maked me gag and pay a lot for it. Say, I tried Special K's new Vanilla Almond cereal the other day and it is good. I don't like the regular Special K. Another thing I tried that is new to me is a new non stick spray made by Mazola. It's called Mazola Pure, I purchased the butter flavor, there are two others, olive oil and some other. It says pure aroma, pure taste, no silicone, no alcohol. It has no calories and is fat free (if you don't over spray it of course). I was really surprised, it does smell and taste like butter and there is no funky smell with it when you spray it. I used it to bake some fish with and it worked very well. Can't say there was much of a butter flavor when I was eating it though.

Lucyee, are you home yet girlfriend? Just hope your trip was/is a safe one and that your doing ok.

Anne, I've never seen Dame Edna, just caught bits and pieces of an interview on BBC America. Hope you have a great time. How's the new fur baby? Bet he's growing more all the time.

Better get a shower and get myself in gear. Have lots of fish tanks to clean. Poor things, they have been needing attention for some time now and I've been too busy to do much but feed them and watch the algae grow in their tanks.
Take care all, Nikki

OH I forgot to mention this. If you have a cell phone or know anyone that does, in the next two weeks, they will be releasing all cell phone numbers to telemarketers. If they call you and you answer, you will have to pay for the minutes. If you see a message and don't know who it's from, it's probably a telemarketer.

To stop getting any phone calls you can either call this number or visit this website and put all you numbers on a do not call list. I copied the info from cheapskate.com a website that sends me some useful stuff sometimes. Nikki


You must call (888) 392-1222 from your cell phone or the number you want to have blocked. Better yet, save your airtime and register all of your numbers at www.DoNotCall.gov

I'm ready for fall!!! These 100+ days are getting old, especially now that it's almost October!!! I got several pretty pot plants when mother died, and I have them out on my patio, but it's getting really hard to keep them alive in this heat!!!

I'm not sure excatly what I've told all of you, but it is offical. Our business is closed. We let the final employee go last Friday and we are taking the final inventories today. So my DH is unemployed. At 59 years old that is very scary!!! He's too young for SS an too old from a lot of jobs... Keep us in your prayers, that he will be able to find something soon.

Unfortunately the diet scene has gone by the wayside. Nervous eating has been the big thing this past few weeks. Hopefully, I'll get my act and my head together soon, before too much damage is done.

That's just about all I have to say, I hope all of you are doing well...Keep in touch!!

http://host.picturewizard.com/2004-1...ept5/barb2.jpg

Hi all,
I'm still crazed at work. Hopefully by this time next week things will settle to a more normal pace. Went to the doctor today because I had such a backache yesterday that I felt queasy. I thought it might have something to do with all the bladder infections that I've had because the last few I've gotten I've had a backache. She's sending me for a renal ultrasound and a lower back xray next week.

Barb: So glad that you got through the hurricane okay. I don't envy your 100 degree heat. I don't think I could take that. I'm sorry to hear about your business. It's a lot of time and energy that goes into running your own business. I hope your DH finds something quickly. Is your job going any better?

Nikki: So what are you doing with all your free time now that DD's house is done???? I'm sure you've found some other projects to keep you going. How has your eating been? I haven't weighed myself since I started back on WW. Last week the eating went real well. This week I've slacked off on writing things down, but I don't think I've done too bad. I'm going to wait a couple weeks before I face the scale.

Lucyee: We're waiting to hear from you!

Ali: You must be at your destination by now. Hope that your drive was okay. How are the fall colors? Hasn't turned much yet around here.

Anne: The weather is getting cooler. I've worn a jacket to work the last couple mornings. Hope things are going well for you. How's Toby?

Take care,
Kate

Morning everyone,

Our temps got down to mid 30's last night, no frost, but you could see your breathe this morning. Now they say it will warm up into the 70's again, which is fine with me, I still have lots of yard work to finish before winter gets here and I'm not ready to take off my gardening gloves yet;) .

Barb, glad your ok. I'm sorry to hear about your business though, that must be a real worry for you and your DH. I will keep you in my prayers.

Kate, I decided to eat around 1500 calories a day and not beat myself up if I go a little over. I thought I was doing great at that, but, after writing it down for a few days, I realized I'm eating around 2000 cals a day and I still feel hungry all the time. So, I looked at what I was eating and had to make a few changes. More vegetables, fewer puddings (even ff/sf have 70 calories) or snack bars, a lower calorie dressing on my salads, with no or fewer croutons on top (which I just love). You know, this is hard. I already feel deprived from not eating what I really want, now I have to eat less of the stuff that is ok, but not exactly what I want to eat. What I want to eat is a bag of potato chips and a container of dip, instead, I have a small bag of popcorn and a Crystal light. I've heard it's not will power, it's changing your behavior that makes the difference. Keep doing the same things, keep getting the same results. So. I'm trying to do that, change my behavior that is. I know this weekend will be especially difficult, as DH is off and we always have a big binge fest on his days off. He is not worrying about his weight (although, he should, I've never seen him at this weight before.) I'm going to have to figure out how to change that behavior, but it's going to be hard as he looks forward all week to his days off, drinking beer and eating too much.
As far as filling my time, I'm still helping DD with her yard. It looked like a jungle. I spend a few hours a day over there and then tackle my yard too, getting it ready for winter. Still, I'm not working nearly as hard as I was before, so I've no excuse for not exercising. I need to get our camper ready for winter too. The mice have already moved in there, which is early for them. I have some major cleaning to do to in there.

Ali, hope your having a great time and doing lots of shopping.
Anne, hope things are ok with you:) .
Lucyee, same to you sweetie:)

Better close, DH will be home soon, Nikki

Hello everyone,

I'm on my IL's computer and I just lost a long post. :tantrum: :censored: :censored:

We made it to NH on Mon. and got to MA on Tues. We've been running around ever since. I met my girlfriend yesterday and we had a nice lunch and did some shopping.

Barb, glad that you made out ok with Rita. I am so sorry about your business. It's very hard, DH & I went through it last year. I will keep you in my prayers.

Kate, sorry that you're not feeling well. Does your Dr. think you may have a kidney infection? When I had my very first bladder infection that same thing happened to me, the back pain and being queasy. Luckily it was only the bladder infection. Good luck with your ultra-sound.

Nikki, how is the yard work going at your DD's house? It's awfully cold here in MA and where I'm so used to warmer temps., I can really feel it. But, I find it more invigorating than the steamy temps in FL.

Anne, how are things going with you? Hope everything is going well with you.

Lucyee, it won't be long before you're back. Hope you have a safe trip.

Have a good evening.
Ali

HI Everyone,

Barb, I sure hope your DH can find a job quickly. I know what a worry that is, my thoughts are with you.

Ali, you have a safe trip home. It's still hot here, we are running the ac today. They say tonight, it will go the other way and we will have to have the furnace on tomorrow. They are predicting frost tonight and tomorrow night. I've been hauling plants in all day and DH is not too happy about the plants in the house. It's a small house and they overwhelm some of the rooms. The DD's have offered to take some of the big ones, so that will help.

Kate, how did the tests turn out? Hope your feeling better:)

Anne, I think of you often and really miss you alot. Hope things are better for you now.

Hi Lucyee, how's it going? Are you back yet from your sis's?

I'm still hanging in there with the diet thing. I've lost a little more weight. Today, I add back exercise. I did the Walkblaster with Leslie Sansone, which was hard, especially since my ankle is like it is. But the hardest thing was, I did Core Secrets (it's video tapes that use the exercise ball and handweights). Wow, are my abs really out of shape. Last year this time, I was doing 300 crunches a day. Now 10 feel like 300. I really need to lose this weight though. This year, I've gained back 30 lbs that I had lost last year. Altogether, I need to lose 67 lbs. I think I can do it by my next birthday, but I really want to make sure I've done it by my 50th birthday, in two years. So, think I'll find a new ticker to put at the bottom of my posts and start from here.

Hope to hear from you all soon, take care, Nikki

Good morning,

We're home!!! :D We couldn't have asked for better weather while we were staying at my IL's in MA. The temp was in the 70's & 80's most days. We had pretty good traveling weather heading home until we hit the southern end of SC, where we ran into TS Tammy. I was driving and it wasn't fun driving in torrential rain. Luckily we had made our reservations in Savannah, GA so we didn't have very far to go in all the rain. Unfortunately Savannah got the brunt of the storm, but we were glad to be off the road. It's pouring out here as we "speak".

Kate, how is your bladder infection coming along and how did your tests go? Hope everything is ok and that you're feeling better. Can you believe it? I'm still reading The Da Vinci Code. I'm in an awfully boring part, but I'm still determined to finish it. :sumo:

Anne, haven't heard from you in a while. Hope everything is going ok with you. I miss your posts.

Nikki, I like your new tracker. Did it cool down any? It's cooled down here in FL since we left. It's now in the 80's and you can really feel the difference. I was able to help unload the car without breaking out in a sweat! :lol: Congratulations on your weight loss. :high: I've decided to start on a diet Mon. and start walking again.

Lucy, how are things going with you? Hope everything is fine. Looking forward to you posting again.

Barb, hope everything is going ok with you. I saw on the Weather Channel that you were having some nice temps for a change. Has it warmed back up?

Have a great day everyone.
Ali

Rats, I just lost a long post:mad: I've not had a good couple weeks. My bloodwork and ultrasound of my kidneys and bladder came back good. The xray of my back showed lots of arthritis which I guess is giving me the backache that I've had. I'm going to go to physical therapy to see if strengthening my back muscles will help. Of course I was told that I need to lose weight. I just haven't been able to stick with anything, but I'm going to have to if I don't want to be crippled.

Ali: Glad that you had a good trip and that you got back safely. How did Lacee do? Are you still reading the DaVinci Code? I've just started Trace by Patricia Cornwell. Haven't read any of her books in quite a while.

Barb: Hope things are settling down for you. How is work going?

Nikki: Have you started a new project yet?

Anne: Hope things are okay.

Lucyee: Are you back yet?

WHERE IS EVERYONE?????

Take care,
Kate

HI Everyone,

Kate, I'm glad to hear from you. I am sorry to hear about your back. I do know that exercise and weight loss will help, but I also know how hard it is. While it wasn't exactly great news, it was still good to hear that your bladder and kidneys are ok.
We haven't started any new projects. I'm just starting to feel like a human again:) . I do have a long list of things to get done before winter and I'm slowly making my way through them. They aren't much fun though, so I have no real motivation, other than knowing that winter is right around the corner, so I have to get moving on them. I am not a fall or winter person, so this time of year always gets to me.
I'm getting into exercise again. My diet hasn't been so great the last few days. I plan on getting back on track tomorrow.
Ali, glad your back home and that you had a good trip. Sounds like your trip home was a wet one. Have you finished the DaVinci Code?
Hi to everyone else, hope your doing ok and that we hear from you soon. Take care all, Nikki

Hello everyone,

I went to the dentist this morning for a cleaning. I had initially gone to him last month due to a bothersome tooth. He said that the tooth could be sensitive, or that it's dying and will need a root canal and a crown. He told me to start using sensitive toothpaste to see if that was the cause. Well, since we've been back from vacation, the tooth seems to have gotten a little worse. So, while I was there I made an appt. to have the root canal done. I go Mon. morning to have that done. :( :headache:

Kate, glad that the tests on your kidneys and bladder came out ok. Sorry to hear about your back. An achy back is very uncomfortable. When do you start physical therapy? My FIL went for arthritus in his knees and it did wonders for him. Are you on any pain meds? Hope you're feeling better soon. Did you get any of the rain that New England got this week? Parts of NH were hit pretty hard with flooding and roads being washed away. I finally did finish the Da Vinci Code, and I got through it by skimming the pages and reading what I thought was interesting. Anyway, I got the gist of the story. :D I've started a Murder She Wrote book, I love those books, they're easy reading.

Nikki, has fall started in your area yet? It's still in the 80's here and awfully humid. We had some torrential rain come through yesterday late afternoon/early evening with a few rumbles of thunder in the mix. We've had a few showers come through today too. It did feel good not to be riding in the car anymore. Poor Lacee was out of sorts the last day. Finally she settled down. She does like to ride, but only for short trips.

Hi Anne, Barb, Lucyee, :wave: hope things are going well with all of you.

Take care and have a good afternoon.
Ali