Doh, hit the wrong button, clears throat, as I was saying...

Happy-aw, poor kitty, I hope he turns up! Maybe he just heard the weather forcast (sensed the shift in barometric pressure) and is lying low. I totally get you on the fat people thing. My body is a highly effective storage unit, unfortunately I can't seem to get rid of he stock :p :dizzy: Good luck on the bike riding, your poor tushy :^:

PW-Cold is zero :lol3: not 60's that is balmy ;) Done any new paintings? Can I see? Hand made garments are really rare and I think it is beautiful that you took the time to make this outfit for the wee baby. I'm sure it will be kept in their special box after they grow out of it and treasured always.

Ceejay-Zorro?! Antonio?! Where you swept away? Did you have palpitations? :D Hey is purrfect, isn't he? Beaurocrasy, phooey! I hope you get it sorted for good this time, what a headache. Stay safe, hope the storm fades to a bit of wind your way and leaves all the buildings in place.

Shad-how disrespectful to the elderly folks. What goes around comes around, the nasties will get there's.

Holly-now I want to go Christmas shopping and get decorations ;)

Mel-are you painting at all? Is there a craft session planned for Christmas stuff? It is the middle of November now, tick tock :lol:

:wave: Linus, Linda, Teel, Tig, Rose and the rest of the worldly women :wave:

Found some energy. Good morning. Pouring rain! Took 4 kids and ran errands. I got a lot of niggles accomplished. Feeling more in control.I took the kids to the diner for lunch. Then I came home and cleaned the kitchen from last night’s supper and breakfast, LOL!
Moved a shelf from the shed to the basement. Moved some stuff off the table to the shelf. I can see the top of the table. it is a walnut wood. Who knew?
Cleaned the litter boxes. Gathered garbage for tonight.I came here to check my list. I have strayed a bit.
Food is bang on. Does running up and down many stairs many times count as exercise? I was huffing.
I think I will putter at paperwork tonight after kidlets go to bed.
Best go get groceries out of the van, kinda forgot.
Mostly I wanted to HUG my dear friends here. Life is so wonderful because of you!!!

Holy Crap Batman....lots Of Posts To Read!
 

:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:
LOTS OF HUGS FOR EVERYONE!!!
LOVE THE NEW SMILEY! BLOODWORK DONE. NO DOCTOR WAS THERE FOR QUESTIONS SO I LEFT. ARM IS KILLING ME TODAY BUT FOOD SHOPPED ALL THE SAME. STORMY WEATHER COMING SO I WILL DO NOTHING TO MAKE MY MATTERRS WORSE! :rofl: JEN AND I TRIED TO FIX THE COMPUTER CENTER AND IT ENDED UP RESTING ON MY KNEES!! WE CALLED THE MAINT. MAN AND HE CAME RUNNING FROM HIS HOUSE DOWN THE STREET! THANK GOD HE LIVES CLOSE BY!! AM I JUST HAVING A BAD STREAK OF LUCK? OR HAS SOMEONE PUT THE WHAMMY ON ME???? WE ALL LAUGHED BUT SOMETIMES IT'S NOT FUNNY! :yikes: :faint: HARRY POTTER IS ON HBO SO JEN SAID TO SIT THERE AND NOT TOUCH ANYTHING ELSE FOR THE DAY....JIMMY AGREED WITH HER! :lol3: THIS ALL STARTED WHEN I BACKED INTO THE PC TOWER AND THE FRONT POPPED OFF. JEN CAME TO POP IT BACK ON AND THE DESK WAS COCKEYED SO I TRIED TO STRAIGHTEN IT...IT SITS ON 4 BRICKS SO I CAN GET UNDERNEATH IT AND THE WHOLE WORKS STARTED TO SLIP OFF 2 OF THE BRICKS!!! :tantrum: (SIGH)
WELL IT'S THE TV FOR ME FOR THE REST OF THE DAY. NEVER KNEW A TUESDAY COULD BE SO DANGEROUS...AND IT STARTED OUT SO INNOCENTLY TOO! :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:
MEADOW~ I WILL LET YIOU KNOW ABPOUT THE DVDS! THANKS SO MUCH FOR THE OFFER AND I CAN SEND THEM BACK WHEN I AM DONE. YOU JUST MIGHT WANT TO SEE THEM AGAIN!! GOOD LUCK WITH THE PLAYER AND WATP EXERCISING. I GOT JEN'S DVD PLAYER TODAY. GAVE IT TO HER AHEAD OF TIME SO WE CAN RETURN IT IF SOMETHING IS WRONG. LOVE THE NEWS OF THE SNOW. EVEN IF I CAN'T GET OUT AND PLAY IN IT...THERE IS SOMETHING VERY EXCITING ABOUT IT TO ME STILL TO THIS DAY. ALSO CALMS ME TO WATCH IT FALL!

TIG~ WILL THEY LET 3 WHEELERS JOIN IN THE FUN? IF SO I AM ON MY WAY! :rofl: GLAD THE TUSHY MADE IT OK! A LONG RIDE KIDDO!!! GOOD FOR YOU AND SLIM!! NICE $$$$ FOR THE ORGANIZATION TOO!!! A GOOD CAUSE.
CONGRATS! :encore:

PW~ JEN WEIGHS IN THE 90'S AND FINDS ZERO TOLERANCE IN THIS WORLD FOR SKINNY PEOPLE TOO AND FOR ALL THE SAME REASONS. FUNNY HOW IF YOU AREN'T WHAT PEOPLE CONSIDER THE "NORM" IT IS SOMEHOW YOUR OWN FAULT. SAME WITH THE DISABLED. SOMEHOW WE DESERVED IT OR DID SOMETHING WRONG!!! LOL PEOPLE ARE F*CKED UP!!! IGNORE THEM.
PLEASE SENT THE 85 DEGREE WEATHER OVER HERE. I COULD USE A FEW MORE GOOD RIDES BEFORE THE SNOWS FROM MEADOW SET IN!!! :dizzy:

HAPPY~ IT TAKES ME AT LEAST 20 MINUTES TO READ AND ANOTHER 15 OR MORE TO TYPE!!! ;rofl: 10 MINUTES!!! :yikes: YOU AND SHAD ARE BETTER AT THIS THAN ME!! ROFLMAO TORNADOES?!? SAW IT ON THE TV AND PRAYED!!! WE LIVE IN A DANGEROUS WEATHER WORLD THIS YEAR! HOPE THE CAT SHOWS UP AND A BIG :hug: BACK TO YOU FOR THE ACCOMPLISHMENT OF THE CIGGIES!!! WE ROCK GIRL! IT'S BEEN 15 YEARS FOR ME!!

CEEJAY~ WHAT A PAIN INS. COMPANIES ARE! SORRY YOU GOT LOST IN THE ELECTRONICS OF THEIR COMPANY! SURE THEY WILL FIND Y9U EVENTUALLY! ROFLMAO AT LEAST THEY ARE PAYING THE BILLS! :rofl: THERE IS A DUNKIN DONUTS DOWN THE STREET FROM ME. I PRETEND THEY NEVER BUILT IT OR I WOULD BE THERE EVERYDAY FOR A DONUT AND SOME FANCY COFFE DRINK! ROFL

SHAD~ I WAS SHOCKED TO SEE YOUR POST ABOUT BOMBS AND SUCH! JEN SAYS I MUST HAVE BEEN IN ANOTHER WORLD TO HAVE MISSED IT ON THE NEWS! GLAD IT ALL ENDED WELL AND EVERYONE IS SAFE. THAT STORE OWNER WAS A SHNUCK. THE OLDIES NEED A SEAT AND THEY GET SHOVED AROUND HERE AS WELL AT THE MALLS. TOLD THEY CAN'T SIT THERE BUT THESE SAME OWNERS WANT THEIR BUSINESS!!! HOPE THEY GET BOYCOTTED. SERVES THEM RIGHT.

I MUST GO. THE FACE IS FINALLY CLEARING UP AFTER ALL THESE MONTHS BUT I AWOKE TO THE ROSACEA IN ONE EYE A TINY BIT SO I AM NOT GOING TO OVERDO THE POSTING. IF IT AIN'T ONE THING!! LOL MONDAY I HAVE MADE ARRANGEMENTS FOR SOME SHOPPING AT A MALL. MAYBE PICK UP SOME HOLIDAY SPIRIT THERE!!! LOL
TAKE CARE MY FRIENDS AND STAY SAFGE AND WELL :moped:

:hug: SPECIAL HUG FOR HOLLY CAUSE I FORGOT HER POST! HAD TO GO BACK AND READ SOME MORE. SO SORRY ABOUT THE AUNT. I HAVE RELAtives like that and somehow it always seemed to be my fault when things went wrong or they had a change of mind. geez!!! oops caps went off! LOL ANYWAY....I DO HOPE YOUR DINNER PLANS GO WELL AND EVERYONE IS HAPPY AND FESTIVE. WOULD BE A NICE CHANGE HUH?! LOL GLAD THE DH PITCHED IN. LOVE SAMMIES AND SOUP MYSELF. COMFORT FOOS LIKE BUTTERED TOAST AND COCOA! :hug:

Mel-ditch the bricks and get some proper risers for your desk, does it have legs? You can get a set of four for about $15. American at a bed/bath store, tons online if you want to shop that way, probably find cheaper even. They are made of plastic/resin very strong, usually used to raise up beds, saw it on one of the storage/clean up shows because someone needed to store boxes under a bed that was too low. Any way here is a pic of one version, might save yourself from an injury ;)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...bed-risers.jpg

Morning all,

They got 'em yeah, they got 'em, yeah yeah yeah. The bomb hoaxers I mean. Police picked one up yesterday afternoon and another one last night. They are due in court under terrorism, sedition and public nuisance charges today. Probably only get public nuisance but the fine is apparently fairly large and it also carries a jail term depending on severity. Disturbing nearly a million people is fairly severe I would have thought! I'll let you know how it goes.

I'm glad Ceejay didn't find the Krispy Kreme shop. She would have regretted it in a fairly short time. We don't have Krispy Kreme's down here but there are enough other food distractions to not notice the loss!

Painter - the Body Balance classes are good. They are a good workout even though one doesn't feel like one is doing anything at the time. I'm fairly useless on the Balancing bit, can't stand on one leg to save myself. But the rest is great. There is a relaxation class at the end of it as well where one can meditate or lie flat and think of nothing but nice things. I don't stay for it as I went to sleep in one once and haven't lived it down yet.

Non smokers can get burning lungs - a lot of it is the way that we breathe. Ex smokers like us tend to breathe in short gasps when we are stressed. I am trying my best to think about the breathing when I am flying along on the treadmill or other machine - bike especially. If I can get the breathing to slow down and become deeper then I can go for longer and longer. It is now 16years and 3 months since I gave up smoking. I bought Shad the dog with the savings of the first month and a half of no cigarettes. Sometimes I get the whiff of a fresh packet of cigarettes and think - oooooh that does smell good. But I no longer want or wish for one. The smell of a dirty ashtray or the clothes of someone who smokes in confined spaces is a real turn off.
Keep on with that exercise Happy and don't forget to measure, take photos etc as well as weigh.
Sorry to hear Kitty is still missing. She may yet turn up but it is looking a bit more doubtful I guess. How ungrateful and after you had got her a bed and all.

Holly sounds busy as usual. However we have all noticed how much more fulfilled Holly seems to be when she has somewhere to go and organised the days.

Meadow - Snow!!! Well, well. I guess winter is coming to Canada in a hurry. The kids will get sick of the snow in fairly short order, so best to let them enjoy it now.

Mel - what am I going to do with you? Bricks, backing into the tower. Meadow has a great idea there. Will it work for you? Have you gotten the loo fixed up as discussed yet. Do I have to come over there and Mel-proof the apartment?

Gym last night was tough. I do so hate doing the afternoon rush. I'm really much better first up in the morning. So I should get my *** into gear and sort out this one here in the city. Come into town early and then go straight home. Biggest problem is that I will have to have my dirty, smelly gym gear through the day at the office. Ah well let me think about it some more.

Gotta go, duty calls.

Yes, not quite as handy being able to leave the dirty gym bag in the car. I have 2 suggestions - we have this stuff called Febreeze which is a fabric refresher / odor remover. I used to use it in the car on the upholstery. It has a mild scent and may cover the sweat long enough to get your through the day and home to laundry. It must be popular as there are now at least 3 other companies making the stuff. Also you could pop a few dryer sheets in the gym bag. I've done that too keeping blankets and pillows fresh. Again a light scent. Anything beats the after work crowd at the gym. Always found that motivation follows the sun too - as it sets so do I :faint:

Glad to here they got at least one of the train culprits. Give 'em the book as they say here, meaning maximum jail time. How many people will be freaked out for a while due to this - what punishment suits what they took away from the normal going about life regular folks?

Thanks for the tip on the breathing Shad, I will try that on the bike tonight. Oxygen fuels muscles so I have to believe there is something to that. I also need to pop on the music - even if it's for short stints that also helps distract me and give me a little more endurance. I am keeping what you said a while back in mind - when you first started the gym it was a few minutes on each machine, slowly over time you built strength and stamina. That's what I'm shooting for. Ok so I can only handle 6 minutes on the bike right now - but I do have to keep it at a certain pace or it shuts off (it's a very old LifeCycle). So that means no slacking but 6 minutes this week will lead to 20 - 30 minutes by next month.

Kitty did show up this afternoon which I am happy about. We have terrible storms today, temperatures dropping from 80 degrees to the 50's as the storm passes. Supposed to get around freezing tonight. Not a good night for a poor young kitty to be out on her own. She came back with a bloody, tender foot. Looks like she ripped a claw. Whoever had her originally front declawed her (which I hope also means she is neutered). DH thinks she might have torn a nail jumping the fence and then had too sore a foot to get back here last night - the yard's all enclosed and she has to jump 8 foot fences to get in here again. But she is back safe and sound, all curled up in her new bed lined with an extra fluffy blanket to keep her warm tonight. I tried to put her in the garage when it started to rain hard but she would have none of it. So I had to re-arrange the porch to push her table and bed a bit farther back out of the fringes of the rain.

Snow in "Meadow-land"? I always enjoyed the first snowfall. Actually I enjoyed any snowfall as long as I didn't have to drive in it. My favorite was at night when it was very, very cold. The snow would insulate and quiet the outside noises and when it was very cold you could hear the snow falling. It was such a peaceful sound. And then you had to break up the quiet and shovel it :rofl: Haul out the sleds and have a good time. Make a snowman. Taste a snowflake on your tongue. Have some hot chocolate. So you live near the mountains do you? Must have a lovely view like Nae.

Oh my God Mel, my heart is in my throat hearing about that precarious set up with your PC. :eek: :fr: Sweetie you could hurt yourself sooooooo badly. That's the problem with the towers they are meant for under the desk but are so hard to get to. You really need a desktop unit. Please be careful!!!! Wish I was closer, we could have figured something out. DH is quite handy.
Have fun shopping. I must get you a nice Santa hat. Ok, I am officially giving you permission to talk about the holidays now. :rofl:

Holly, I kind of like that idea of grilled cheese and tomato soup for supper. :chin: thanks for the idea! Hope you didn't forget about any frozen groceries in the van. Oh wait, you are in Canada where it's cold anyway. Never mind :lol:

Ok, it's upstairs to try Shad's breathing trick on the bike. Then maybe we'll pop in a Pilates video since it's a no weights night. I'm holding off on the lower body weights - did squats last night but that's about it. The back and knee are still tender.

I will take measurements. IF I can find my measuring tape :s: I have 2 slips of paper from measurements a year and 18 months ago. Funny how what seemed so bad then is now a goal to shoot for.

I've just had the most lovely trip to Japan. Shad, you didn't mention that you had posted your pictures. Just breathtaking. And I see that they had some autumn colors too. That one red tree towards the end of the album is amazing. Loved the Chryssie gardens too. My salva, petunias and begonias don't look anything like that. Wonder why. :chin: :chin:

Anyway I felt as if I was walking along with you, thank you for sharing. And you do look marvelous. There is a substantial differerence in the toning bits between this pic and the one I have. All that hard work is showing! Take a bow...

They are not quite finished yet and that is why I haven't mentioned them. There are a stack of Autumn colours to go through and put in the right places. Glad you enjoyed what is there. The rest will be available in the next couple of days.

I do wish the toning bits would tone away some of the flabby bits. I don't look too bad standing up but sitting down looks like the michelin man came to visit.

Shad... please promise to let us know the url for "Japan" when you have all your pix posted. I'm glad they got the hoaxers... and for that matter that they got the potential bombers last weekend... in Melbourne, I think?

Mel... Meadow's risers sound like a good idea. We don't want to find out youve been spinning your wheels under a bunch of rubble. NO NO NO NO. :p

I am glad for the cooler weather... It managed to arrive without tornadoes here, and also without rain. Dust bowl redux?

It's late... sorry not to respond in detail.... must get more sleep than previously to "face" up to the radiation. Only 2 more of these treatments, then 7 "focused" ones on the area of long-gone tumor. THEN I can try to heal and not look or feel like a braised tenderloin... or would that be pot roast? :carrot:

Drinking water!!!

THIS MORNING I WATCHED THE WEATHER FOR ALL AREAS AND THE PICTURES OF ALL THE DAMAGE WAS HEART BREAKING. THE NEWSMAN WAS RIGHT AND IT DID LOOK LIKE A WAR ZONE. MY HEART GOES OUT TO ALL TOSE PEOPLE WHO WERE ALREADY HIT. SUCH SAD LOSSES OF LIFE.
I AM TAKING THE DAY OFF. NOT SURE WHY BUT JUST PLAIN TIRED. THERE AREN'T ANY LEGS ON MY UNIT SO JIMMY SAID HE WILL TRY TO MAKE SOMETHING MORE SECURE. EVERYONE IS ON VACATION RIGHT NOW SO HE HAS NO TIME TO SPARE. I WILL JUST BE MORE CAREFUL! :rofl: I AM THINKING CINDER BLOCKS....THEY ARE BIGGER AND CANNOT BE SHOVED AROUND BY THE CHAIR. WE'LL SEE. THE PLUMBER IS ON VACATION ALSO SO THE LOO HAS NOT BEEN FIXED EITHER. BESIDES, I AM ALSO LOOKING INTO OTHER COMPANIES THAT SELL HIGHER TOILETS. THE WHEELS OF THE GOVERNMENT MOVE SLOWLY....THAT IS WHO WILL FOOT THE BILL IN THE END. GOTTA GO THROUGH CHANNELS! :tantrum: IN THE MEANTIME THE NEW LEGRESTS ON THE NEWER CHAIR GIVE ME SOMETHING TO GRASP AND IT IS EVER SO EASIER NOW. ALMOST LIKE BEFORE THE BUS. :dance: I HAVE BEE DOING A LOT OF PAPERWORK FOR THE SENIORS. MEDICARE IS CHANGING AND THERE WAS A NOV. 15TH DEADLINE THAT NOW THEY HAVE EXTENDED:tantrum: (SIGH) WELL IT'S DONE AND 98 PEOPLE ARE HAPPY! LOL
HOW DOES THE GOVT. EXPECT 90 YEAR OLD PEOPLE TO KNOW WTF IS GOING ON?!? I HAD TO MAKE CALLS TO HELP ME HELP THEM! :faint: :dizzy: I BETTER NOT GET ON A SOAPBOX TODAY.....IT'S A MELIDAY!!!!

MEADOW~ THAT WAS A GREAT SUGGESTION TILL I LOOKED DOWN AND REALIZED IT HAD NO LEGS! ROFLMAO THANKS FOR THE IDEA CAUSE IT GAVE US A START FOR OTHERS!

SHAD~ MAYBE THEY SHOULD FLY YOU OVER HERE AND YOU CAN FIX THE LOO!!! GLAD THEY GOT ONE OF THE GUYS. HE SHOULD HAVE A BALLECTOMY AT THE VERY LEAST!! HAVE YOU THOUGHT OF PUTTING THE CLOTHES INSIDE A PLASTIC BAG AND TYING IT SUP TILL YOU GET HOME?! :faint: I WILL GO AND LOOK ATY YOUR PICS WHEN YOU'RE READY! LOOKING FORWARD TO A NEW TRIP!!

HAPPY~ I SHOULD TELL YOU OTHER THINGS I HAVE DONE!!! BUT THEN GOD KNOWS WHERE YOUR HEART WOULD GO NEXT!!! I SOMETIMES WONDER HOW I GET MYSELF INTO THESE PREDICAMENTS. I MUST HAVE A VERY WARPED SENSE OF MY STRENGTHS AND ABILITIES! :rofl: JEN SAID SHE'S NOT LISTENING TO ME ANYMORE....BUT THEN SHE HAS SAID THAT FOR YEARS NOW! ROFLMAO GLAD KITTY SHOWED UP! NICE TO KNOW WHERE YOU'RE CHILDREN ARE!!! THOSE STORMS ARE HEADED HERE AND ARE SHOWING SIGNS ALREADY....TODAY WILL BE IN THE 60'S AND THEN DROP INTO THE 40'S WITH WILD AND WOOLY THUNDER AND LIGHTNING! I BEST STAY INDOORS!!! LOL

PW~ DRINK THAT WATER WENCH!!!! I KNOW IT'S REALLY A WASTE OF $$ BUT I BUY BOTTLED WATER AND IT MAKES ME DRINK IT SOMEHOW. LOOKS BETTER THAN JUST A GLASS AND THEN OF COURSE YOU DON'T WANT TO WASTE MORE $$ BY THROWING IT OUT!! :rofl: MAKES GOOD INCENTIVE FOR ME.

I WILL :wave: TO HOLLY CAUSE SHE IS PROBABLY TYPING RIGHT NOW!!! LOL HOPE YOUR DAY WAS A GOOD ONE YESTERDAY.

WELL CHICKS I MUST GET ON WITH MY RELAXING DAY OFF AND NOT WASTE IT. HAVE A GREAT ONE YOURSELVES! :MOPED:
:wave: NAE, TIG, LINUS AND TEEL!!!!

PAINTER~ I CANNOT LEAVE WITHOUT SAYING THAT ALL MY GOOD THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE STILL WITH YOU AND FOLLOW YOU THROUGH ALL THE TREATMENTS..FOCUSED AND OTHERWISE. :hug: FOR YOU AND THE "GIRLS":bubbles:

Happy Made Me Do It........
 

:carrot: Sleigh bells ring
are you listening
in the lane
snow is glistening
A beautiful sight
we're happy tonight
walking in a winter wonderland:dance:
Gone away is the bluebird
here to stay is a new bird
He sings a love song
as we go along
walking in a winter wonderland:encore:
In the meadow we can build a snowman
Then pretend that he is Parson Brown
He'll say: Are you married?
we'll say: No man
But you can do the job
when you're in town:cb:
Later on
we'll conspire
as we dream by the fire
To face unafraid
the plans that we've made
walking in a winter wonderland :dancer:
In the meadow we can build a snowman
and pretend that he's a circus clown
We'll have lots of fun with mister snowman
until the alligators knock him down
When it snows
ain't it thrilling
Though your nose gets a chilling
We'll frolic and play
the Eskimo way
walking in a winter wonderland :cloud9:

Mel--Glad you are in a the Christmas spirit already.

Happy--We were lucky no tornado's here but it sure was windy and rainy. This morning it is cold. Do you think that tom cat had anything to do with the kitten's disappearance? Glad she has returned. She may have been injured during the storm also.

Shad--What a fright you must have had with those bomb threats. Glad they were caught.

Holly--You seem organized. Want to come and help me.

This week end I plan to stay home and get some things done. The main thing is to rest even though I have a meeting to attend tomorrow in Jonesboro and a safety luncheon on Friday. Food, food and more food, why does everything center around food.

It's almost 10 so I'll get the paperwork started for the day. I've been in a cleaning mood this morning at work. I'm not doing anything major cause that was done last week.

By following the simple advice I heard on a Dr. Phil Show, I have finally found inner peace.

Dr. Phil proclaimed the way to achieve inner peace is to finish all the things you have started. So I looked around my house to see things I started and hadn’t finished; and, before leaving the house this morning I finished off a bottle of Merlot, a bottle of Chardonnay, a bottle of Baileys, a bottle of Kahlua, a package of Oreo’s, a pot of coffee, the rest of the Cheesecake, some Saltines and a box of Godiva Chocolates.

You have no idea how freaking good I feel.

Weeeeheeee!!! Life would be so much simpler this way!!!!

Good Morning - and what a beautiful morning it is already. As the Irish would say, Top o' the Mornin' to you.

I'm feeling pretty chipper today. Don't know why. Had a fight with the cat last night and she got put outside for the whole night. Wish I could somehow get through to her that I won't desert her, won't go away, she has a spot for the rest of her days. She just would not stop talking last night and wanted out, then in, then out, then in. Finally I said no you are not going out again and she just got louder and louder, whereby she got put out unceremoniously and told to stay away for a number of hours. :devil:

Okay, I have the photos up and finally ready. They probably need a bit of fine tuning, but they are all there. Two albums - take your pick.

Flowers, Gardens and Autumn colour and

Japan visit

Hope those links work. There were some problems on that website a while back. Grab yourself a coffee, sit back and relax and click the View Slideshow button and wander down the narrow roads with me.

Now let's see what you have all been up to overnight.

Holly - that is definitely not OP for any diet much less South Beach. By the way talking of SB is Ruthxxx in hospital with that knee today?

Ceejay - Actually there was no panic with the bomb threats. The caller stated that there would be a small package left on a bus. Then when he rang back he said on a train. So the powers-that-be stopped the lot - trains, ferries, buses. There has been a lot of agro going on over the stoppage but personally I think that they did the right thing and should they have ignored it and something had happened, they would have been criticized for that too. However I do agree with them that we can not just shut down everything every time another idiot takes it into his head that he is down and out and lonely on his birthday. He is not Islamic, he was just an Aussie who decided that it would liven up his birthday somewhat. Gotta have rocks in his head. Anyway before he goes back before the courts there will be an intensive psych examination. Apparently he rung 4 times and left his fingerprints all over the phone boxes he used. Which begs the next question. How come he can find a flaming phone box which works? And find 4 different ones??

Mel - you're into Christmas singing again. Aaaah well I guess I have to put up with it sometime and you are more melodic than the sugary, crappy muzak we have to put up with in shops - might be a good reason for a bomb hoax!!! Now that's not particularly funny Shadster. Glad to hear that you are keeping busy but not overdoing it. Just make sure you don't back into a seniors coffee table which displays the Meissen or Sevres dinner service.

Painter - URLs as requested. They have 18 in custody in Sydney and Melbourne over terrorist activities etc.etc.etc. I sincerely hope they send them all back to where they came from including the Imam who is denouncing the arrests - they were all good family men - and who has in the past spoken out in support of Jihad and bin Laden. Why we keep these people here I don't know. They don't assimilate, they don't accept any other way of life but their own. I just can't figure out why they wanted to come here. Meantime we are now putting up with a mini version of the French troubles each time the police make another arrest or the men appear in court. Demonstrations, violence, hatred. I'm becoming very intolerant of some groups in the community. And I hear some people say - but they are not all like that! Well excuse me, but I don't hear the Imams or the wives or the elders saying that the violence must be stopped and these men must pay for the trouble they have caused and the intent to cause trouble. That is never denounced. Preserve me from all righteous bigots! (including me)

Happy, so glad the cat came back. It's a worry when you sort of make yourself responsible for the creatures and they disappear for a while. I often wonder what becomes of the wee critturs not shaped for our world.

Anyway duty calls.

Links work just lovely Shad - guess it was a problem with Webshots before? The rest of you enjoy... I swear I felt like I was right there with her. If only we could pipe in some music ... :D And I'm not talking Winter Wonderland Miss Mellie :rofl:

Speaking of which I talked to my sister today, it is snowing quite heartily in Chicago - watch out Mel, it may be blowing your way. And I was downright chilly in 40 degree weather - it was 24 degrees by her. I have become a weather wimp. :o

Cozy morning. -3C/36F; light flurries. Delightful.I LOVE this weather. So fresh.

The Dr. Phil thing was a joke I copied. I should have clarified. I DO think life would be much simpler this way.LOL! I spent 15 year half corked and flying on carbs and was 50 lbs lighter. I should take up drinking again.LOL!
I had a pretty bad afternoon and evening on Tuesday. Spent most of yesterday feeling sad and thinking.Yesterday Hubby was trying very hard to be loving. Nice for a change.
Last night I went to do my Grandma's hair and feet. I stopped to pick up a Christmas gift for my kids from hubby's parents. It lightened up my spirits.
I had a perfect time at grandma's. Didn't really want to leave.I could have curled up and stayed.Her home is where I go back home to.
I also love being outside at night in the winter. I didn't want to come inside here either.
I am very tired of all the mess and getting no help. I woke this morning to DS vacuuming.
Christmas is all planned for Sunday and will be fun!!
We are going to a friends 40th surprise party Sat night. Looking forward to seeing these friends. It's been over a year. I think hubby should be the driver and I will indulge in some wine!
8 kids all day. I will putter around the house. Yesterday I put up a mirror and shelf in the upstairs( unfinished) bathroom so I can wash my face and brush my teeth up there.
Food was good yesterday. I haven't entered it yet but will.
HUGS dear friends.

Ruth's surgery is today at 10:30am.

Cozy morning. -3C/36F; light flurries. Delightful.I LOVE this weather. So fresh.

The Dr. Phil thing was a joke I copied. I should have clarified. I DO think life would be much simpler this way.LOL! I spent 15 year half corked and flying on carbs and was 50 lbs lighter. I should take up drinking again.LOL!
I had a pretty bad afternoon and evening on Tuesday. Spent most of yesterday feeling sad and thinking.Yesterday Hubby was trying very hard to be loving. Nice for a change.
Last night I went to do my Grandma's hair and feet. I stopped to pick up a Christmas gift for my kids from hubby's parents. It lightened up my spirits.
I had a perfect time at grandma's. Didn't really want to leave.I could have curled up and stayed.Her home is where I go back home to.
I also love being outside at night in the winter. I didn't want to come inside here either.
I am very tired of all the mess and getting no help. I woke this morning to DS vacuuming.
Christmas is all planned for Sunday and will be fun!!
We are going to a friends 40th surprise party Sat night. Looking forward to seeing these friends. It's been over a year. I think hubby should be the driver and I will indulge in some wine!
8 kids all day. I will putter around the house. Yesterday I put up a mirror and shelf in the upstairs( unfinished) bathroom so I can wash my face and brush my teeth up there.
Food was good yesterday. I haven't entered it yet but will.
HUGS dear friends.

Oh I knew it was a joke Holly - I'd heard it before. That's why I said it was not op. I hope Ruthxxx is okay. I will drop her an e-mail sometime today as I get time.

We are a quiet bunch in here today/ yesterday. Must all be busy getting on with life instead of being here and chatting.

I have a big bunch of work to do today. Started to prepare for it yesterday and guess what. 3 out of the 4 programs I need to use to carry out the job, I don't have access to. Well isn't that just peachy. More forms to fill out.

Weekend is close - yahoo. It has seemed like a long week. And for some reason I have been so tired. Can't understand why. Anyway last night I went to bed very early for me. Slept all the way through to 4.30 this morning and woke to bright sunshine - oops forgot to set the alarm but it wasn't really that late. Did all the things I am supposed to do before going to work and got here on time. Only to twiddle my thumbs until I can get the programs up and running.

The weekend promises to be busy. I have to catch up on some housework which I was supposed to do last night but went to sleep instead. At least the washing is caught up, dried and folded. No rush on that for the weekend except for the bed linen.

My regular gym is closed for renovations, so for the weekend I have to find another one close by so I can go do my thing again. There is a couple around the place and not too far away, just remains to be seen if they have a body balance class scheduled for the weekend.

Sunday the Cat decided that she would behave last night. No claws digging in to the tush or anywhere else for that matter. Mind you it was quite cool overnight so maybe that helped both of us sleep better. We had the odd cuddle and both were seemingly satisfied with that.

I've start to find us a new home. It's coming along so don't be amazed to find we have up and shifted over the weekend. Not having a good time with the holiday home. Need something warm and fuzzy for Happy's bones - not too mountainous for Mels wheelchair, and big enough so we don't get crammed for space. So stick with the island with the fishbowl coffee table for the time being until I figure out where we can go.

With that I am off. Let's see what some harassment does to improve the service of the help desk.

Hi Chicks,

Hope Miss Ruth is doing fine with the knee. Good wishes out to her.

DH sold his Harley! The only reason I am happy is because he hasn't had the chance to use it much in the last few years and between maintenace, upkeep and insurance it was quite a lot of money for nothing in return. Now we have a nice wad of cash. Half of which will go for some Oracle Database training for him. He was very hesitant about spending household money on it and it is pricey. But it is an investment for his future so I think it was worth it. As long as he sticks with it. The other half will go towards fixing one of the baths - perhaps I will get my soaker / spa tub yet! And maybe we can get rid of this hideous mustard yellow / harvest gold tile.

I know he feels kind of bad about giving it up but he hates helmets - can't find one to fit right and this is a helmet mandatory state. After cleaning him up after his bike accident, I can no longer be comfortable on a motorcycle and a nervous passenger is not a good riding companion.

Mum had decided not to come next week to visit for Thanksgiving. It won't be a long enough trip for her she said. I told her she was breaking my heart - some truth to that but I did understand. Afterwards she thought about it and changed her mind - she is coming after all :carrot: :carrot:

Tomorrow starts 10 glorious days of vacation. Of course several will be spent running errands, cleaning house, getting ready for company and cooking but I will enjoy them. Heck, I might even log in and do a few work things if I have the time.

Leg is bothering me again. Pretty weak after the doc worked on it yesterday. I think I am going to take a week off and reevaluate. The one problem with an orthopedic doc is that they give you pills and I don't want meds unless I can't avoid it. In any event I am tired of dealing with this. My boss gave me a referral to a doctor she likes alot. Might give that a try.

Shad, I really had a giggle over Sunday the cat, especially when she wound up getting put out. I'm not sure once they've been abused that they ever fully trust again.

Sounds like we are all gearing up to do some weekend cleaning around here. Cloths and polish in hand, on your mark, set, GO!

Ruth is home and posted in the forum. All went well. She had a spinal and watched the whole thing on a monitor.Now she is resting.
A couple in the journals thought the joke was a real post.LOL! Shad~ when you commented I thought it was funny and then after them I thought was she serious????Oh no! Too funny.
And Yes ,I am a lot more fulfilled. I am very happy with what I am doing these days. Wish i had a maid but.......cant complain too much.
Hiya Happy. Glad you get to see your Mom. When is the American Thanksgiving?

Today I went to Jonesboro to the water meeting and did fairly well in food. The fish was not good today or I was not in the mood for it one. I told myself no a couple of times. Stopped by super Walmart and bought some groceries and the vhs/dvd player. Came home hooked it up and was ready to settle down to watch Zorro. But sis didn't rewind it and come to find out I've already seen this movie. SIGH. So it's being rewound and and getting put back into it's container. Now what should I do with the rest of the evening!!

I've had some exercise video's that I could not play because of the other player died.
I used one of those tapes today, and believe me I worked up a sweat. I baked some chicken and used a salad recipe from my new cook book that I bought while in Texas. I'll diffinately will be using this cookbook.

Before I left for the meeting this morning I had time to wash and dry the bed sheets. I put the new electric blanket on the bed because it got down to 25 degrees and suppose to get that low again tonight. I'll stay cozy and warm tonight.

Happy--Hope your leg feels better.

Hello to PW , Shad, Mel, Holly and the rest. :wave:

Thanks Ceejay. I dug out the electric blanket last night. Ummm it was really nice : :cloud9: - does make it especially hard to get out of a warm bed into a cool house tho. I'm sure you will like yours.

Holly - American Thanksgiving is next Thursday - same day that the 3FC Forum will be down for the day. Hope you have a good time at your family party this Sunday.

Shad, sometimes your body just needs more rest. So if you went to bed early and slept through until the morning, it just means you needed it. Now that the batteries are recharged you can go looking for another body balance class.

Not sure I'll be posting much the next few days. Will be a whirlwind of getting everything cleaned up and ready for company.

At least I get a one day start on my weekend. Enjoy it and stay warm, I think we're all getting a spell of cool weather.

Well, I'm not planning on much cleaning this weekend :D
but some planting maybe, in order to have bulbs in the spring.

Thanks, Shad for the urls... beautiful photos as much as I've been patient to download!!

Glad the wandering kitty returned.

More later... I need to get to bed!!

Hello this is Jennifer, Mel's daughter. Mom is having some really bad back problems that require bedrest. She won't be typing or using her arms for a few more days. The inflammation had spread up her back. I am sure you all know it was a series of events that led to this and with this cold weather change that was the final straw. Mom's spirits are very high and she is busy with her old movies. She even admitted that she could use a rest. ha ha
It will be sometime next week before Mom can use her arms on an all day basis so she said to take care and she misses each of you and will "talk" to you all soon. If anything changes, I will call Shad and inform her. I have strict instructions! But we are expecting this to end soon if she does stay in bed, uses the ice and takes her Aleve every 4 hours! ha ha
Jennifer

Stay in bed Melly. Enjoy the flicks!!! Love you.

Shad~ I am planning on looking at your pics when i can do them justice. It will be after Sunday's Christmas dinner and after the School council meeting on Monday. I will spend an afternoon with a cup a tea browsing.

Aaaaaaaaahhhhh!!!!!
4 kids on the bus, 2 preschoolers til noon thirty, Eary years play group at 10, pick up Avon display from playschool to use at market tomorrow, stop in wood craft store( having a sale), dont “need” anything but do love it there, bake pumpkin pies this aft, i have 12 boxes of Avon on the back porch(YIKES), gymnastics and Sam’s club tonight.......
I stayed up to midnight last night watching Tv, ER and then the OC, I did Avon books work during and I needed that much time to wind down. I am feeling a bit anxious in general under the surface, no real reason except my load. I am happy tho. I love my winter decoration I have up. I put dozens of window cling snow flakes on all the windows. looks like lace.The fire is roaring. Cold again!!
Must meditate and get focussed. Ohmmmmmmmmmm........

Breathe.

Jeepers, thank you for letting us know Jennifer! Mel you take it easy and allow your body to come back easy :)

Holly-This is the big weekend!! GAH! Christmas :hohoho: ;) Keep positive, know your power and enjoy the sparkles in your kids eyes :D I knew you weren't really downing the alcohol cupboard, but that kahlua sounded good :lol:

Shad-the chrysanthemums were huge and amazing! Somebody was giving them alot of care and booster vitamins ;) Thank you for such a lovely journey through your visit.

PW-plant those bulbs! mini daffodils are my favourite, I planted about 80 :p

Happy-watch out for the wind storms and swirling leaves. I hope your company appreicates your cleaning efforts, remember they are coming to visit you and take a bit of time for yourself so you are in the visiting mood, don't injure yourself :)

Ceejay-congratulations on doing the video! A new cookbook, don't you love cracking open a new recipe that works :)

I want to spend thousands of dollars on Christmas decorations but darn it there isn't any bucks for the musical reindeer and Santa Elvis this year :lol3: Going to have to opt for some lights for bling ;) Still waiting for my exercise DVDs to arrive, they have all been shipped but until they arrive I'm not sweating a lick :p

:carrot: :hug: :turkey:
Ho ho ho ho!!
Its me! I'm home!!!

Just before you moved to the winter residense too!!

I PROMISE to get back to you all soon once I have caught up with my shadow...I got home yesterday evening having spent about 7 weeks at friends who love in a village about 10 minutes drive from home. I only met them at my new church in mid-July and they are such a dear Godly couple. They opened up their home to me and welcomed me and Holly in to their lives as though we were lontime friends. Holly loved Mary particularly and Mary was really soppy with her!! We have both been eating far to much and far too well so I dare not go within a whisper of the scales...

And now I home and its really winter!! :fr: :snow4: I was still wearing summer clothes when I left
I do hope you have all been surviving in my absence!!! //

ta ta for now,
Love from Teel :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:

Now I know I am the original back to front kid. I opened my mail to a cryptic message from Jennifer - Mels Daughter to which I replied asking what was the problem with Mel. Then I come to this site and get all the answers from Jennifer. Mel I am so sorry to hear that you have another problem to deal with. Hope it all comes right very soon for you. Meantime rest, recline and take a walk down the hills of Japan with me when you have time. I'm sure you will enjoy those pics. I still have all the previous pics of Japan which need to go up as well. Jeez I have photgraphic diarherra (now I know that is spelt wrong.

Teel, wonderful to have you back again. We were beginning to get a bit worried about you. Thank heavens for wonderful people like your friends. They are a blessing on this world. I hope you got to music practice on time.

Been for a run this morning. My gym is being renovated and the next nearest is about 10 k away. I have found that they have a body balance class on tomorrow at 10.30 so I will go to that, but decided on an early run here so I could plan the rest of my day properly. So I have done that. About a 30 minute run and I was out for 50 minutes so I think I have done the yards today. The rest of the day will be used up with shopping and cleaning and putting away all the stuff from the holiday. Maybe some sanding and painting if I am lucky. Tomorrow early will be gardening and weeding and getting some water into the pot plants before they kark it. Then back to the painting again. I want to get some of the projects finished by Christmas.

Meadow - those chrysanthemums are a real eyeopener. Some of them look like big hairy cannon balls they are so huge. They de bud the plant as it grows so there is (most of the time) only one stem and one flower. However the ones that look like crinoline skirts are one plant, many stems. The flowers aren't as big but they are eyecatching. The Japanese are big on making the biggest display in the smallest space. The trees are shaped - there is probably some pictures on the site - so that the foliage is supposed to represent clouds. The trees are usually grown on a mound (mountains) and reach up to the clouds (foliage) to give the sensation of space and height.

Holly - have fun in the woodcraft store. I enjoy visiting those sorts of places too. I love to see what people can make out of practically nothing.

Painter - I would have thought it was too warm in Texas to grow much in the way of bulbs or are you like us and have to choose very carefully what bulbs you do plant? I can do most of the Asiatic lilies and some other lily varietys, gladioli, amaryllis and hippeastrum but daffodils, tulips and most jonquils, hyacinth, cyclamen etc just turn up their corms and wither.

Happy - my mentor and advisor. You are right about the body. This morning it surprised me with the run. Just goes to show that sleep and good sleep at that is as vitally important as eating and exercising.

Ceejay - enjoy the warmth of the bed. I want a cooling blanket now, but I don't think anyone has invented it yet. Just have to ensure the house is cool enough for sleep over the coming months.

Okay, it's time. I have had my allotted space on the computer. See you all later. :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: to all who need them. :grouphug: to everyone.

Mel--Feel better soon.

Happy--I love my new electric blanket. It was nice to get into a warm bed.

Shad-A cooling Blanket--You might want to put a patent on that. I'd be one of the first to buy one.

Teel--good to see you back home.

PainterWoman--My sis and I planted pansies while I was in Texas and she was going to plant some fall mums. I like getting my hands dirty.

Not much going on today.

Hi to Meadow and Holly.

Good morning ladies,

The to do list is VERY long today and I am rushing about in a controlled manner but busy none the less.

Got my hair done yesterday. I am pleased with the cut but instead of highlights, I am BLONDE. Very Blonde. Mel Blonde. It's too light for me. I could go back to the salon and have them put "low lights" back in (darker highlights to tone it down) but I don't have time and I'm afraid of overprocessing my already fragile hair. So I guess I'll deal with it because as light as it is, in 4 to 6 weeks I'll have to go back and have the roots touched up anyway.

So far family is still on for the trip down next week. Whoo hoo. It's worth all the fussing here just to see them even if only for a few days. Snow up north but a break in the weather on their travelling days which is good. Low 50's here - wish it could be a little warmer but after all it's autumn AND it ain't snowing here :rofl:

Jen, thank you so much for letting us know about your Mom. We will miss you Mel but please rest up and get yourself better. We're sending healing thoughts out to you :hug: :grouphug: :hug:

Teel, so happy to see you posting again. We were worried about you too. Glad you made some new friends and it sounds like you and Holly had a great visit with them. Don't be so much of a stranger, ok?

Pansies, eh? I think they are the official flower of the south now. Or probably the only one hearty enough to make it through the cooler autumn and winter. That's all you see around here now tho we have some zinnias that are still doing well and show no signs of wilting. The time to plant bulbs has come and gone before I had time to think of it much so I missed that opportunity. I will just have to live vicariously through your beautiful spring gardens. :lol:

Shad, your talk of a cooling blanket reminded me of when we had the waterbed. DH and I were out and both got rather sunburned. I was changing the sheets on the waterbed and laid down on it on just the plastic mattress itself. It was so nice and cool, particularly with the sunburn. We decided to skip the mattress pad and just lay on on the sheet. It felt wonderful as we fell asleep. Woke a few hours later shivering and curled into a ball - was dreaming of being on an ice floe in just my pajamas. Darned mattress was sucking all the heat out of us. It was afterwards that we found out you are NEVER supposed to do that as it can seriously lower your basal body temp :rofl: I've found on the hottest nights a spritz mist or two of cool water nicely cools you as you're drifting to sleep.

We have the most bizarre phenomenon outside. We have these big trees called sweetgums. They produce these seed pods that are nicknamed "gumballs" they are about the size of a golfball. There are millions of the suckers on the tree. At their infant stage they are green and hard and will make you see :stars: if one of them falls and bonks you on the head. At their mature stage they dry out, open up like pine cones and release these tiny seeds that look like cornmeal. I just went outside to check on the cat and I thought it was raining. It sounded like it was raining. Sort of sounded like it was sleeting. I could see what appeared to be "rain" coming down but it wasn't wet. DH told me that it's "raining" pollen from these sweetgums. Sure enough, the ground is covered with what looks like yellow cornmeal. He said when he first saw it, he thought the yard guy came and was pretty sloppy fertilizing, then he realized what this was. Blasted trees grow fast and provide nice shade but they sure are a pain in the :censored:

DH just called, he needs help with the ladder - we're getting a new chandelier light for the foyer and I can't have him falling down 20 feet so got to run now.

Have a good Saturday, will try and be back later.

Home from Market.
I am going to sit here and post and read til 1pm and then I am going to clean likea mad woman unitl suppertime. My hubby and I are going to party woht grown ups for 9pm. DD is goping for a sleepover and we have a sitter coming for DS. Everyone is thrilled. Hubby’s family is coming tomorrow at 1 ;dinner at 3.
Sleep was interrupted ALL night by kids and cats....bah!
Food was poor in content yesterday but good in amounts. LOL!

Happy weekend!!!

I'm popping in to say hello. I've been working on the checkbook which has taken up most of the morning.

Morning all,

And very early it is too. I got up at 3.30 to watch the All Blacks beat the living daylights out of the Poms but find that it is not being broadcast live. Poop. What to do with oneself at that hour of the morning? :tired: Go back to bed and read for an hour of course! :eek:

Ceejay - after the cheque book is done, go out and get some balm for the soul in the garden. It's much nicer out there than in the stuffy old office balancing cheque books. Of course you could always be like my dotty old mother who, rest her soul, said 'of course I have money, I still have cheques in my cheque book!!!!

Happy, I always get amazed at people who complain about a haircut, not that I am saying you are complaining about the cut. The difference between a good cut and a bad cut in my experience is about 2 weeks. I can understand the frustration at being blonde tho'. Use lots of bio organic conditioner on that hair or it will dry and frizz. I guess I am lucky with my thick fast growing thatch. It may get a bit dry once in a while, but it sure grows fast and there are lots of it and I only have to complain about the instant afro once in a while.
Have fun with the family and don't wear yourself out too much preparing for them. Your Mum will want something to do when she gets there anyway.

I'd better buzz and have a go in the garden for an hour or so before it gets too hot out there. Then it's back to the bedroom to cull the wardrobe and clean out the bits and pieces in there, then a bit of folding and ironing. That should take me through to around 9.30 when I go to a Body Balance class at the Springwood gym and maybe some weights as well. Then home to finish up the weekend which has been productive although I haven't achieved as much as I would like to have done.

See ya

Yipes.
You all have been SO busy.
We ate out, went to a book store, the pharmacy and got me new walking shoes... (Hope springs eternal that I will actually do more walking!!)

Bulbs do fine over the winter here in Texas... sometimes they "boil" in the summer though, so they tend to get planted annually rather than being perennials like up east. Some DO come back though... just rather a disappointing percentage. I have some Asian lilies that I planted for Easter several years ago... they don't bloom any more.. just shoot up green at random times. Oh, and my set green onions are doing the same! :D

Mel/Jen... take care. Get lots of good R&R. Watch the movies because TV is already in Xmas merchandising mode... Grrr.

Teel... is your IM name tipperteall? I have that person on my buddy list and don't know who it is any more... maybe the mystery is solved? Hope all is well in Suffolk. Can't wait to hear more about where you've been.

I got photos out that my daughter wanted copies of. MY GOD... Is was slender only 5 years ago. CR*P. Must do something. Stop eating out? Join gym? Stop eating in? Take dance lessons? Obviously aerobic knitting is. not. enough.

Best to all.
PW

HO HO HO!!!!!!
The halls are mostly decked. Turkey ready to go into oven.DD is at a sleepover. I woke and made coffee and heard odd sounds in the basement. It was DS playing by himself. Unheard of but so wonderful!! Hubby is taking DS to church.
I will put on Christmas music and putter away. My pies made from the kid’s pumpkins turned out beautifully.

The 40th party last night was like a big hug. My old highschool crowd has not gotten together in over a year. Several of us are out of the city now. We all have kids. It was a great turn out. It was good to connect. It was at a fishing lodge.
The downside is that people were smoking inside. I feel like my lungs are full today.

I listened to Elvis’ Christmas yesterday. The kids did crafts. What a hoot.

I had a few people tell me last night how good I look. Comments like, you look the same as you did 20 years ago......
Gotta like that.

I am a little bleary this morning but will perk up after coffee and a nice bath.
Our meal will be simple. I have an 18 lb bird. We will have stuffing, mashed potatoes, plain carrots, peas,gravy and a veggie tray. I have some shrimp for appetizer. Dessert will be pumpkin pie, butter tarts and peanut brittle.
We will have 17 for the meal. I love doing this this. 3 of the older nieces and nephews are workng and out of town.
My Sil and I did stocking for Hubby’s folks and they did stockings for each of us. My kids will eacg get a much desired Furby. I have to wrap everything while the gang is at church.
I will put on the BoneyM Christmas today. The King needs a rest. I am such a dork, LOL!
Very Chrismassy around here. HUGS!!!

Holiday Ho Ho
If you are willing to be on my Snail Mail Christmas Card List... (Omigod... that means I've committed to doing them... :p AGAIN!!!) please email your snail mail list to 4dana(at)airmail(dot)com :hug: :hug:
AND, if you are willing for me to make a collected list (probably in Excel format) and distribute it to the respondents, let me know. :dizzy:

I spent an hour or so this morning looking through old photographs. Even when I felt fat (i.e. 6 to 10 years ago) I was thinner than now. Must get back on the program. If I thought I was fat then, WHERE DOES THAT LEAVE ME NOW? :cry: :eek: :ink: :faint:

Morning all

It's another glorious morning in the great South East and going to be a scorcher like yesterday. We got a tropical storm yesterday afternoon with some welcome rain and some not so welcome thunder, lightning and wind. But it is that time of the year.

Tried a new gym in the city this morning. Got everything ready last night and just picked myself up and went this morning. I'm working on the theory that I work better and more during the early part of the day than the later part of the day. Besides there is that feeling of not having to worry about it later - it is already done. The City gym is fully refurbished and is not bad, however I have difficulty figuring out which of the machines I need to use, since they all look different - the cardio stuff is okay, I can get with that. So maybe I might just do cardio at this gym and leave the weights till I get back to the other gym on Saturday and Sunday. So far this new regime of 5 days on and 2 days off seems to agree with me. Not that I am losing weight of course but because I only go Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday during the week. Then I have time off for good behaviour.

Painter, I will PM you with address etc later from home. Thanks for the advance warning. I always leave things until almost too late.
Old photos may be fun, but sometimes it is sad to see yourself as you were. So young, so carefree, so......unafraid I guess.
Bulbs are okay here for one year, but not great. I don't think they are worth the effort anymore so I don't bother. The Hippeastrum do it for me.

Holly - the King! He was always a great favourite of mine, much to Mothers despair. I still love his music - all of it. Have fun at your dinner party. Enjoy the day.

Mel - I hope you are starting to feel better. Was going to ring but decided that you would not want to be disturbed and have to talk during drugs etc. I may try later in the week again.

Teel - Where are you now? Come in once, then disappear again. Get back here woman.

Hello to Tig and Linus, Ceejay and Meadow and Happy - busy polishing the family silver.

Yes I know we are not yet in a new home. Ran out of time over the weekend to do anything. I've been busy getting the wardrobe cleaned out. Chucked out 3 bit bags of clothes and shoes. It's now all sitting in the hall waiting for me to take it to the goodwill bins. But for now I better go do my duty to the State and the Federation and the Commonwealth and the Queen. i.e. work.

Oh... and another thing!!
Would you go to to this map thingy and put a push pin and a hello where you are? Maybe I can get everybody accurately located!! Thanks!!