My thoughts and prayers are with anyone who is in the path of the hurricane. Please be safe.

Hello ladies--
Another short one as I'm tired once again! Left for the coast this afternoon. It started raining in town as we left and we weren't sure how the weather would be once we got there.....it was BEAUTIFUL!! We spent a few hours at the coast walking along the beach, finding shells and looking at the living creatures on the rocks. Then went to lunch for some clam chowder. Was a very FUN mother/daughter day! So glad we went!

Now, I'm tuckered out! My body is not used to day time activities!!

I'll catch up to all once I'm back to work.

Take Care

Good morning ladies~

I am feeling pretty good this morning, so far. I will probably need a nap later! LOL I don't do mornings! DD and I were up at the crack of dawn, well, almost We left for the park at 7:30 to do a walk. Of course the park we go to is almost 30 mns. away but well worth it. The have the trails mapped out so we know just how far we are walking. Of course I thought that the trail around the whole park was 2 miles but it is only 1.5, which was good enough. Just supposed to be doing a mile so it is all good. It is nice to get it out of the way. I put my pedometer on and am up to 3127 steps so far and it's only 10 a.m. Going to ride my when I get off the computer and do a little weight lifting, plus a zillion times up and down the stairs. Hoping to pass the 4600 or 4800 steps today that I did last Monday. I walked one day and got busy so am starting over today, actually yesterday. Already downed one bottle of water, working on #2 and vitamins have been taken. So I am feeling pretty good about the day. I weighed in today because I forgot to yesterday, and it says I am up two pounds. Not going to change the ticker to reflect that because I know it is from TOM. However, I am changing it to reflect a smaller goal. Looking at my ultimate goal seems overwhelming at times.

Beth~CONGRAT'S on being a GREAT-Aunt! I've just been tired because for some reason I keep waking up at 3 am. Last night, or rather this morning I was able to go back to sleep right away but Sunday night sleep wasn't coming and by the time I dozed off it was time to get up. Top that with TOM hitting me! ICK! I'm having a little cramping today but feel pretty good. I've heard a little about the Dr. Perricone program. I thought someone here mentioned it a while back, can't remember. Sounds like a good program.

Marti~your trip to the coast sounded so nice, such a nice mother/daughter day. That and my friends are the only thing I miss about CA. I so miss just being able to get in the car and drive along the coast. Our favorite drive was from Long Beach to San Pedro. Then from San Pedro to Redondo Beach where we spent the day at the pier. On a clear day you could see Catalina. Once in a while we would head up to Venice beach or Mailbu-there was always sooooo much traffic though. Once in a while we would head the other direction. Anyway, when does Jhanai start school? I know you probably mentioned it before, can't remember.

Katy~glad you and your family had a nice trip camping. I haven't been camping in ages. We've been meaning to go but just get busy with things. You did share the pics of your construction and it is coming along fine. Is everything on schedule as far as it being done in December? It was December wasn't it? Again, I cant remember anything, I swear. I'm losing my mind. Many thoughts and prayers to your family in New Orleans.

Hi to everyone else

I am headed for a short bike ride and do some weights. Then I have vacuuming to do, a little bit of dusting, change the sheets on my bed and a couple of loads of laundry to get done so that should keep me pretty busy today. I'll be on here probably another hour or so. Need to look up a few things and map out a trip to GA. See how far it is and how long of a drive.

Take care ladies and have a terrific Tuesday!

hello ladies.....

sorry it has been some time since my last post. I have been fighting a tooth infection and trying to keep up with Brandon and staying awake when I have to.

my thoughts and prayers are with those in the path of the hurricane. we are suppose to feel some wrath from her sometime this week, but not as much as those in the actual path.

we have come to a conclusion about this little boys name, we are thinking that the name choice that is a must sounds better as a first name as opposed to a middle name. So now, we just need to sit down and agree on which middle name to go along with the first name.

I will be back when I can.....not sure when exactly but I will sneek on here and there. Hopefully we can get into an apartment soon!

Hey -

I am happy you were with Jhanai, Marti. Your little baby growing up Beck just had her first period 2 weeks ago and she is 12 1/2 . I think Rach was 11 or 10. I don't even remember. Anyway, hugs to her as she goes through this stage in her life - she certainly needs her mom!

WOW, Cristi I feel so lazy reading about all you are doing. I don't do anything except walk down to the vending machine and back up the stairs. Keep up the good work!! Very inspiring.

It is really great that you get to meet the other mods Jane. I am sure it will be tons of fun. I am going to paint one wall in my office as an accent wall. I was thinking of a creamy shade of yellow.

Sounds like you are having fun Katy.We are so neighbors !! lol Some day we should meet in the village for coffee Don't worry there is a lot of dysfunction in the world to go around - lol.

hmmm, kind of curious where you live Beth? Sounds so country and peaceful......

yay Mindee. MANY hugs to you - time is going so fast in your pregnancy.

Gaby starts 2 days of preschool at a church - close to her sitter. She will start speech at Kaiser on the 13th. Happy about that.

Just crazed at the moment - ONE day left on this job before I head to greener pasture!! woooo hoooo get my purchase card tomorrow.....lets go buy paint

better get. just pooped and craving beans again

Hi ladies,

Cristi - yay for all the exercise you've been doing! How odd that you wake at 3, because I often wake right at 3:15 and then can't get back to sleep. Must be you turning on the light that wakes me, lol.

Beth - maybe the Discovery seminars will come this way someday. About the mods, lots of them live in the east, so some of them have met before. And I met Sandi when I was in Chicago last March. But as far as I know, this is the first official meet-up for all of us at once. We're mostly in it for fun, but Suzanne and Jennifer may have new instructions, etc, for us; I'm not sure.

Katie - hope your in-laws are all ok. My bil Paul lives close to New Orleans, in Hammond LA, and we haven't heard from him. DH left a message on Paul's cell phone last night, but he didn't call back yet.

Marti - aww, your day with Jhanai sounds like so much fun. I always like special days with just one of my children at a time. No matter how old they get, they seem to like it, too. Probably because it doesn't happen very often with the two oldest anymore. Katie could probably use a little less time with me, lol.

Mindee - sounds like all is going well with your two boys!

Susan - I think a creamy yellow would be very nice for one of the walls in your new office. When we lived in town, I had a spare room for crafts, etc, that I did in yellow, white and a little blue. It was so cheery, and I called it the sunshine room.

Well, I was here earlier, but got interrupted before I could post, lol. We had a good visit with the contractor, and it seems things will move along nicely as long as the foundation guy gives us good news on Thursday.

I've been doing well with the food, exercise and water. My exercise has been all the moving, and truly working up a sweat unpacking, moving things, etc. Even my butt muscles hurt, lol.

Have a good one, and I'll chat at ya' tomorrow.

Was up early again this morning to get my errands done and out of the way. That and get the lawn watered. Luckily I haven't had to water it for 2 weeks-we got so much rain. Going to get my walk in on the treadmill today. I was amazed at the number of steps I took yesterday. Up to 5696 when I took the pedometer off to take a nap and didn't put it back on so there was more. Eventually, I will get up to the 10,000.

Jane~well, I went and messed up because I woke up this morning at 2:30! LOL I honestly don't know what is up with that. I know when DH#1 passed when I finally did start sleeping I would wake up every morning at 4 a.m. It was hard because I normally couldn't get to sleep till about 1 am and did that for months. It was almost a year later when I finally started sleeping through the night. So I am thinking it has to do with Josh being gone, I don't know.

Susan~no, no, no, not inspiring at all. I always start with good intentions and end up quitting after a while, and I'm hoping and praying I don't this time-taking things one day at a time and not focusing on tomorrow or the total weight I want to lose. You are the one who is inspiring. I have my journal (notebook) where I have your newspaper article and a recent picture of you on the third page to inpsire me. You have come such a long way and reading that really helps. I think a light creamy yellow would be nice also-brighten things up in your office.

Mindee~so what conclusion, what did you guys decide on? Inquiring minds want to know. Or I do anyway. LOL The due date is closing in fast. Hope your tooth is better today.

Well, have a change of plans on going to AR next month. I am moving it up to the first of November because will be going to see Josh the end of October. They are having a special weekend thing and he gets an overnight pass to spend with his family. So we are heading there Oct. 26 or 27. Haven't worked out the details yet but we need to be there for him on the 29th. And when I leave GA on th eway back I will stop in to visit family in AR. Don't feel like making the trip and then turing around the next month and taking another trip. Because then we have to turn around the end of November and go again. He will have his graduation on December 2 and then he gets to come home with us for two weeks. So we will have an early Christmas. Then he is off for his Airborne training and home again for 2 weeks and then off to god knows where. Anyway, on with the day. Need to go water the back now.

Take care ladies and have a wonderful day!

Cristi - WTG on the steps! I tried out a pedometer a little while back and my first day was similar to yours. Then I became aware of having it on and looked for all kinds of little ways to add steps, and it got up to 10,000 pretty quickly. I haven't put it back on since I started step class, but I should just out of curiosity. I'm so glad your son gets an overnight pass relatively soon...end of Oct is not that far away, really. You just hang in there.

Jane - so - do you have to put a new foundation under Fern's old house ( or I should say your new house, lol)..if so , that will be quite a job! Certainly a worthwhile one. How are Dale and Mary settling into your old house?

Susan - Judging by the landmarks you mentioned, I would say you are definitely in my neck of the woods now! It must be nice to be so much closer to your older girls. Is Gaby seeing the speech therapist I mentioned? We sure enjoyed her - Leigh's therapy sessions were like big playdates to her...she cried when she couldn't go anymore. Sorry things haven't worked with Rocky, but I think you are doing the right thing. He is just such a nice guy...maybe you two can still be part of each other's lives through your parenting group...who knows.

Well, today we ran a bunch of errands, culminating with a trip to Costco where we bought some Skinny Cows, which just made the whole day perk up On the home front, yesterday the sewer was hooked up, and more progress was made on the roof. Next week we get the rest of the plumbing set up and the electrical box will be moved. We are very pleased! We should definitely have the exterior finished before the weather gets yucky.

My step-dad's family are all safe and in Tennesee, but we are virtually certain that their homes are destroyed. His brother lived only two miles from Lake Ponchatrain. So, we are grateful, yet sad for what it is going to mean for them to put their lives back together.

Hi to anyone I neglected - hope you are all having a great Wednesday

Hello Ladies--

What a weekend, and I go to work and think "my break wasn't long enough!" At least I get another 3 day weekend this weekend too.

I am very sore today. My legs really got a workout walking in the sand on Monday. We did a lot of squatting too while looking for shells. Such a wonderful day it was! I will have to go once more before Fall really hits!

Cristi--Jhanai starts school on the 6th. She's so excited and nervous at the same time. I remember my first time in middle school...actually it was Junior high for us (7th-9th) and I was so scared. I swear I was the shortest girl in the school!! But it was fun and Jhanai is going to have lots of fun too.

Jane--We had a special day together. I wish we had gone more often over the summer but we can plan for next year. I also wish I could have a day w/James. It's been close to 2mos of no days off for him. And it's really getting frustrating for him. I feel so badly. He looks so tired. I miss seeing him through the days too!

Hello Beth, Katie, Susan, Angie, Mindee and the rest of the gals.....I hear some commotion going on outdoors so I'm going to investigate what's going on. I'll check back in later!

Hiya ladies,

Cristi - usually when I can't sleep, it's because I have a lot on my mind, too. Lately it's been because of the house. Not knowing whether it can even be saved is a burden. Glad you're getting your travel plans set up. It will be so good for you to see Josh. Where will he get his airborne training? My 1st DH had his at Ft. Campbell, KY, with the Screaming Eagles of the 101st division, and that's where my son was born.

Katy - well, we'll find out more tomorrow from the expert just what has to be done with the house. And another guy from a different city is coming the 6th. We like the idea of 2 opinions for something so huge. I love Skinny Cows but found out it's best if I don't bring the chocolate ones in the house. The vanilla ones are so good, but not too tempting, if ykwim.

Marti - yikes! No days off in 2 months? How long can that go on? And why is the schedule like that? I feel for James and you both. So what are your plans for Labor Day? You can come here and cook out with us. Actually, I think I have tacos and Spanish rice on the menus for that day.

Went shopping today, with Madison, since the foundation guy will be here tomorrow, which is my regular shopping day. Also had lunch out with her, and Katie. Had a grilled chicken sandwich and a fruit cup at Wendy's.

We got over 4" of rain in about as many hours from the tropical storm. Still haven't heard from Paul. Other than that, not much else is new.

Have a good one!

You are inspiring Cristi

I am just exhausted and don't know whether I am coming or going. Decided to just sit and chat for a minute with you all.

I agree with Jane 2 months with no breaks must be torture for James! I think I worked 2 weeks straight once when I was younger - that was enough for me to go insane.

Actually I am close to pooping out now. Cranky and wanting to settle in with a routine again at work. It was my last day at work as an assistant. I cleaned my desk and my boss kept saying.........."don't take all the office supplies" He was joking, it was a busy day there today. The person who was offered his position was there on a tour with the director. So I just handed him some messages and left. I wrote him this email .......

Sorry we didn't get a proper good bye. Where I could cry and you could say how impossible it will be to run the office without me. Where you would beg me to stay and promise 75 % of all your future earnings.

(jk)

It was great to work with you and much gratitude for the opportunity to learn the job. I know there is so much I still need to learn but thanks for getting me in a place where I was able to get through the door and have a chance as SM.
Thanks for always being patient and for providing a fun place to work. You are a great supervisor and I look forward to taking what I learned from you and applying that in my new position,,,,,,,,,,

Anyway, I always wanted to work for Hallmark Cards.....can you tell

Congrats to you and see you at _______

So, he called and said thanks and he enjoyed working with me and wished me well. Of course he will see me again,,,,,,,,,,lol

Sheesh......I am just so eager to start something new.

I went and picked up my keys and was given a purchase card. I think my allow is $2500 for a month. That is a lot to me. I am going to be real careful and buy what we need - shop around and get good prices. I went and picked up a nice table / along with a 2 door file cabinet. The table is long and narrow, I think someone made it. I have one in my old office and was happy to see another one. Some real nice computer desks but they would be too big for my new office. The office is long and narrow.......going to be a challenge to fit everything in there. Anyway, this was extra furniture that was going up for sale, it was free to me though.

Anyway, I took Gaby with me this morning and she acted up *roll eyes* I feel bad for her - we rush everywhere. I picked her up last night and she fell asleep on the way home. So, we didn't really see each other - hope we can catch up this holiday weekend.

Received a note in the mail from Mike saying where he is living. He also sent his other daughter 3 birthday cards with $5 in each one. That is the least he can do. I can't wait to let him know I am moving again.........lol

ok- I better get back to work.....early to rise! My new hours are 8 to 4:30....

CHOW!

Good morning ladies~

Katy~glad to know your family is safe. That is just horrible for everyone down there. I just could not imagine the horror of it all. My heart goes out to all the people down there, it is going to be a long recovery. I was watching the news the other day and just started crying when the woman was talking with a guy and he said he was holding on to his wife's hand really tight and she told him to take care of the kids and grandkids and then was gone-heart wrenching to say the least. About the pedometer...that's what I seem to be doing now too...trying to find all kinds of things to do to get those steps in. What a great motivator!

Jane~apparently my new time to wake up is 2:30 now, crazy. Totally understand about the house. Just think though, you guys will be preserving a piece of history for your family so to me that would well be worth it. I'm not really sure where the airborne training will be. Josh passed on this letter from the Corporal with the info about basic and the way I read it I just assumed it would be there, but I'm not sure now. I'll have to ask Josh in my next letter. He scribbled something fast at the bottom of that and said he didn't have much time to write but wanted to send that and get his address to me. Hope everything goes well with the expert.

Marti~wow, poor James and you. Him not having a day off for two months is crazy and I bet he is tired. And then you guys not have much time together would be hard. I hope he gets a day off soon. Jhanai is going to be in 7th grade?! Or is it 6th? Jeez, lately I can't keep anything straight.

Susan~nice e-mail,a nd have fun spending that allowance. I know when I shopped for the gift shop a few years ago, it was soooo much fun going on shopping excursions to Tulsa & KC spending other peoples money! We didn't really have a budget and I didn't really go overboard but it was fun. Here's to many years in your new job and I hope you love it! Now when do you get to move into your new place?

Hi to everyone else

Today is an "unstructered" day in the WATP program. Don't have to walk a mile plus all the other steps. She wants you to focus on getting 5000 steps in today. But I will do at least a 1/2 mile walk anyway. I was thinking about mowing the back yard for V since it has cooled off. He has been working so hard and then coming home to mow is just another job. At least he would only have to do the front, and weed eat. I don't handle the weed eater-too much for me! Anyway, I was up early this morning and have my laundry done and dusted and vacuumed so not sure what to do with myself for the rest of the day. I'm only at a little over 1600 steps so have a ways to go so maybe mowing the yard would get me almost there. I think it was about 1800 steps to mow the back. Anyway...

Take care ladies and have a good day!

well.....things really are looking up for us now. My sister Wendy called me and told me that the lady from the apartment place is trying to get ahold of me or Tommy. Tommy went and called her and she told him that he needs to get his work to fill out this paper and then once that goes through, we could be moving in a week!!!!

we also got a new family member. (no, little boy hasn't come yet) I went to go to the bathroom last night and when I opened the door, there was a blur there. I thought it was a cat, so I closed the door and then opened it again to see if it was still there. It was.....and it sure wasn't a cat! It was a dog. A Jack Russell Terrior mixed with something. He looks about 1 to 2 years old. He is really skinny and skiddish. He slept outside the door of our "place" and greeted my mom this morning when she took the kids outside for the bus. She called and had the local sheriff post a bulliten so that if someone calls then they know where to contact. But so far there haven't been any calls, and my mom said that if no one claims him, then Tommy has a new dog. Tommy was calling him Fido this morning, but then changed it to Harley when he was eating breakfast.

Susan~ I can't believe how fast time is going.

Jane~ Things are going well with all the boys.

Cristi~ I know....I can't believe that I can actually say now that I am due next month. I am not sure if the name is 100% official yet....we were just tossing around the name and it seems to be sticking but I am not sure. My tooth is feeling better. It is still sore on one point, but other then that it is almost back to normal.

Hello ladies--

Almost Friday.....and then another short week afterwards! So very cool!

Jane--I'm not sure why they schedule these men like that. I guess they figure that the 12hrs they have for resting before going back to work is enough "time off" for them. Which is absolutely crazy if you ask me! Having to sit around waiting for that phone call...that is not time off! You never know when you go to work, plus you can't plan anything. But....James says it's temporary during this training. I can't wait until it's over!

Cristi--Jhanai will be in the 6th grade. Such a big step forward for her! You are doing such a fabulous job on your walking!! So proud of you and very inspired!! One of the girls I was suppose to work out w/after work, decided to cancel her membership! I couldn't believe it! So now I'm going to have to find someone else to go w/me after work. I hate to have the membership and have no one to workout with!

Susan--What a lovely note you sent! You have a great way w/words and adding humor to it all! Have fun w/the allowance you get! That's going to be fun going out shopping. I'm so glad to hear that things are going your way and things are looking up!

Katie--Sending lots of hugs to your family!! My prayers are with them all. I've been reading the paper about it all and then I go out in my yard and just feel so grateful for what I have. Then it makes me tear up thinking of all that people have lost! Makes me appreciate what I have and to not think that I need more just "because".

Beth--I watched that episode on Oprah before. I'm so not good at following anything on my own that I didn't think of buying the book, even though I wanted to. If you do try it, let us know how it works out for you!

Hello to everyone else out there!!

Got some news at work yesterday. We are getting a bonus on our next paycheck!! I'm excited. This is my first one and I've asked around from people who've been here longer how much it is. One guy got a check for over $1000 last year and he hadn't even been there a year yet!! So I'm thinking "Just in time before Christmas" I'm going to try and get some shopping done early this year!! Very excited. Now, to tell James the news.

Ok, I gotta get going. You all take care!

Good morning, ladies,

Susan - aww, your email to the old boss was very touching, and I bet he had a lump in his throat as he read it. Good luck with your new job. Do you start today, or after the holiday?

Cristi - did you end up mowing? Good way to get those steps in! You're doing so good with that, and as the others have said, you're a good inspiration. Btw, I don't weedeat, either. Seems like the darn string breaks too often when I'm in control, lol.

Mindee - yay for you being so close to getting your own place!! So, was the dog in the bathroom? How did it get there? Jack Russells are so energetic, it would be a good pet for Brandon. Lots of energy to wear each other out, lol.

Marti - yay for the bonus! Hope it's a bundle. You could use some of it to join the mods in Philly. That would be great!! I already started my Christmas shopping. For the 2 littlest ones, Caylin and Macy, I got each a Dora and the twins doll set. It's so cute! What does Jhanai want this year?

Well, yesterday the foundation guy gave us bad news. He said it would cost approx. $47,000.00 just to fix the floors, and even then they would only be about 80% level. The problem is because the house was built so close to the ground, except for the kitchen - there's a root celler under there. So they'd have to go in through the top of the floors, and it would take a crew of 3 about 5-6 weeks to get the job done. Most of the expense would be labor. He said the house is just too far gone, and we could tell he hated to be the one giving us this info. So if you add the near $50,000.00 to the probable $70,000.00 we had planned to use for the other renovations, it's just too much to put in this house. I told Neal I'd do whatever he wants, since it's his family home, but he said it would be almost like throwing the money away, since the house still wouldn't be right. I'm the one who cried like a baby after the guy left. I felt sorry for Neal, and also kept thinking about all the unpacking I just did, knowing I'm going to have to go through it again.

We'll have to have the place torn down, and go on to plan B, which is build a home. But we'll put it on the same piece of land, or very near. The idea of living somewhere else during all that is enough to make me sick. Since it's too late in the year to begin this, at least we can have one last Christmas here. Neal will be sad, I know.

Well, didn't mean to bring you down. Hope all you Yanks have a great Labor Day weekend, and that our Canadian friends have a great weekend, too.