How fabulous that PainterWoman and Ceejay met, face to face and got along!! I have always wondered how that would go. My husband has forbidden me to meet any people I talk to on line. I suspect he thinks I'm going to have a rendezvous with Antonio or something

PW-you can put a pic up here by making an account at Photobucket.com like I have which is free, then you can upload pics from your computer there and have a hyper link url like this: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...purplehaze.jpg

or you can put the link to the pic on here by clicking on the pic image icon in the box above the message area and it will put them in for you. They look like this [img] xxx [/img] if you can remember you can just put them in yourself Try it a couple of times, it really is quite easy. *extremely large images posted here are frowned upon because they stretch the message boxes so I just post the link and allow people to travel to my photobucket site to view my HUGE AB ART ATTACKS

CEEJAY~ SO GOOD TO HEAR THE VISIT IS GOING SO WELL. DON'T YOU LOVE SHOPPING IN A NEW PLACE?! HAVE FUN. GLAD YOU GOT TO MEET PW AND HAD LUNCH....BRING BACK SOME KK'S FOR ME TOO IF YOU FIND THE PLACE?!

PW~ SORRY ABOUT THELMA...TRY PUTTING A VERY SOFT PAPER TOWEL UNDER HER AND SEE IF THAT HELPS. A FRIEND OF MINE GETS RASHES EVERY SUMMER AND I GAVE HER A ROLL OF BOUNTY! NOW SHE USES THEM! THE STORY OF THE EX BIL WAS TOO FUNNY BUT GUESS IT WASN'T TO HIM WHEN IT WAS HAPPENING. THE JOYS OF POLITICS. I MYSELF AM A DEMOCRAT BUT HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO SWITCH PARTIES AT VOTING DAY.....BUT WE ALWAYS GET GOOD FUNDING FOR SENIORS WITH THE DEMS SO THE ELECTION WAS OK BY ME. I WASN'T THRILLED WITH EITHER OF THEM ANYWAY. HOPE YOU FEEL BETTER SOON AND GLAD YOU GOT TO MEET CEEJAY.

SHAD~ THE A/C SOUNDS GREAT AND I WILL SLEEP IN THAT ROOM WHEN I VISIT! WHAT A GREAT TREAT!! GOOD FOR DS! SITTING HERE WITH THE HEAT ON AND HEARING YOUR STORY WAS FUNNY YESTERDAY. I AM SURE THE ROSES WILL DO MUCH BETTER NOW YOU CAN TEND TO THEIR NEEDS! HAS SUNDAY FORGIVEN YOU YET?! I DID TELL ONE OF THE REPAIRMEN ABVOUT THE CHAIR. HE ASKED ME TO COPY THE PIC FOR HIM WHEN HE RETURNS MINE....WHENEVER THAT WILL BE!

MEADOW~ MY DD HAS A FIT EVERYTIME I GET A PIECE OF MAIL FROM INTERNET FRIENDS. THERE HAVE BEEN SUCH HORROR STORIES HERE IN THE STATES. SO SINCE THEN, YOU GALS AND 2 OTHERS ARE ALL I CORRESPOND WITH. CAN'T SAY AS I BLAME THE DH....SCARY WORLD WE LIVE IN AT TIMES.
THANKS FOR THE PARADE STORY...FELT LIKE I WAS THERE! COULD ALMOST HEAR THE APPLAUSE.

HOLLY~ SOUNDED LIKE A "LIGHT" DAY!
NICE TO GET THE HAIR DONE AND SOME QUIET TIME WITH YOUR OWN TV! AS FOR MAKING MONEY...I THINK I WOULD RATHER SELL MY BODY THEN TAKE ON A HOUSE FULL OF KIDS! YOU ARE A GOOD WOMAN!! LOL THE CAT IS ADORABLE!

HOPE I HAVEN'T FORGOTTEN ANYONE. DIDN'T TAKE NOTES. NEVER GOT TO THE SOUP CAUSE EVERYTHING WAS STILL IN THE FREEZER! SO COOKING TODAY IS ON THE AGENDA. PRETTY COLD YET SO INDOOR SPORTS FOR TODAY I THINK. ONE MAINT. MAN IS ON VACATION FOR 3 WEEKS. THE ONE FILLING IN SEEMS TO THINK THAT ON HOLIDAYS/WEEKENDS, NO ONE WILL NOTICE IF HE SLACKS OFF...WRONG! WASHERS BREAKING AND GARBAGE PILED UP TO THE SECOND FLOOR INSIDE THE GARBAGE CHUTE. GAVE HIM A FAST WAKE-UP CALL DID OUR MELLIE MEL. I AM SURE I MADE HIS DAY A BIT BRIGHTER! OTHER THAN THAT ALL IS WELL ON MELIDAY ISLAND.
HAPPY SATURDAY/SUNDAY AND HOPE THE DAY IS A GREAT ONE!

HAPPY~ THANKS!!! foot is good! but WHERE IS THE REST OF YOUR POST!

Sunny Saturday!!
Been to market. Took lots of orders and handed out books. Brought home a homemade lamb stew, YUM!!!
I think I will go out with hubby and do some more raking and yard work and then in for some tidying.Hockey at 7pm.
Food was good for half of yesterday, sigh. I really do like to nibble at things.
Time for a tea and some raking. Happy Fall Saturday ladies!

I can relate to the nibble bit Holly. Sometimes it is all too much. I really need some of LindaT's discipline. I'll be good during the week. Then at the weekend when I do the shopping I have to nibble at all the things I buy. I can't just stick them all in the freezer straight off, and it seems I can't just put them away either. *sigh*. Sounds like you did well at the market. Good on ya!

Painter - do you have any aloe vera growing in your garden? It is magnificent for burns of any description. I just cut a leaf off, skin one side of it and take the thorny bits off the edges and lay it on the sore spots. It clears them up in hours not days. In places like chaffing on the legs or under the boobs I simply wrap it in a piece of muslin cloth (sp) and tuck it in the bra, then adjust to fit. Every so often you gently rub it around to move the juicy gel. I swear it is better than any prescribed goo and doesn't stain either.

I'm so glad to hear that the visit went so well. Always a bit of a risk meeting people you have never seen before, but hey we know each other fairly well on this thread. I'd be happy to meet up with everyone of us. Indeed I have met two! So what did you say about all of us - well Holly we know about - you relocated her back to her beloved Ontario, Canada! Inquiring minds need to know these things. Talking about Canada - I have to admit that I didn't know all the States/ Provinces of Canada either until I stumbled across an interactive map on the internet one day. Then when the computer told me I was completely dumb about where everything was, I had to learn. Same with the States. I am not good on where the midwestern states are located. Find a map and learn 'em. Everyone knows Texas but where is Wyoming??

Meadow on the rendezvous with Antonio. Would the DH forbid you meeting up with women as well???

Mel - The aircon is big enough that if I shut off all the unnecessary rooms (laundry, bath etc) then it will cool the entire house. I've used it twice and it has dropped the temp inside by 5 degrees in a matter of minutes. Just don't sit under it or you will be iced over! I've not yet worked out how to set the timer - if all else fails I may read the destruction - sorry instruction - manual.

Where is that Teel??? Do I have to ring her again? Just looked at my watch and it is too late now.

Yesterday was busy - I went out in the garden very early. Weeded and dug and weeded some more. Dug up a couple of onions for my salads this week. The strawberries are going well and putting out runners. However the ants and birds are getting to the fruit before I do - something will have to be done about that. Then I went to the gym to do my Body Balance class only it has been cancelled this week and next week because of training and renovations to the club. So I did weights and resistance. Felt a bit stiff this morning, only to be expected as I have done any for nearly two weeks. Did umpteen loads of laundry while the weather was good. Still have another two or three to go which I must go and get on to shortly. Then did the shopping and rung my DB1 back after the message on the answer machine. Might have known he wanted some computer help. I have promised to go there today after gym. Then I took a siesta on the couch at lunch time and watched a bit of tv. Later I went back to the garden and weeded some more. Cooked a scrummy salmon fillet for dinner and ate it with a spinach salad. Very nice.

This morning I woke up with a very sore nose and ear. Got up and got some water and wandered over to the couch and watched the All Blacks play footy against Ireland. Felt sorry for the Irish, there was nothing they could do to stop the onslaught. By the time that finished it was daylight again so I got changed and went outside and did some more weeding, pruning and digging. This type of weather makes everything grow fast. I still have to finish pruning the roses, clip the lavendar right back and weed the last of the vege patch before I move around to the front and side yards to start there. However, it is too hot to do much more at the moment (and it is only 7.30am) so I will get ready and go to the gym, come home, shower and go to the DB1's house. Then come back and finish the housework. Only a couple of rooms to go there. If the rain holds off long enough I may get to finish the washing off and hang it out. Otherwise it will wait for later in the week.

Puss cat is doing an impression of the Sphinx here. I am getting the message that she wants something! However she is feed, watered and on my bed, what the heck else does she need? Very demanding cat this one.

Okay, I've rambled long enough. Time to move along.

I'm taking another break. Didn't sleep well last night so I took a nap while sis and bil watched the foot ball games. This morning my sis and I did some gardening by the swimming pool. We got a lot accomplished. My bil was impressed that I could use a saw. I laughed to myself when he was struggling. We cut off some branches that was beginning to come out over the pool. It's supposed to rain tonight. This part of Texas really needs it.

Painterwoman--Sorry to hear that you are in discomfort. Is there anything I can do while I'm here? I'll vouch for you that it was not your idea that we go to Krispy Kreme.

It's just sis and I tonight and right now she is talking to her son that lives in Houston.
Bil has a meeting.

Mel-I think I missed you post as to what happened to you foot.

Meadow--I hear about internet friends meeting all the time. But the ones that go wrong are men verses women from the dating rooms.

Shad I think it would be fun to meet.

Holly and Meadow Hello

Thelma thanks you for your concern. I haven't tried "organic" or from-the-yard aloe, but the gel in a bottle didn't make much of a dent. The suladiazine (or something) seems to be helping. Extra water seems to help too!

Off to see if I can maintain a planned eating day.

I have waaay too much news, but for quick news....

We are going on a Bikers for Babies March of Dimes ride tomorrow. I am very excited. It is a long ride, at least for me. 74 miles, police escorted. Yes, Mellie. UNIFORMED motorcycle police officers. Someone check her pulse.

I had a good run this morning. The best time I've had in a long time. The dropping temps and humidity are really helping my speed!

Tig-- that is a LOT of miles. I hope you'll have something SOFT to sit on when you are through! Are any of the Police Escorts going to be bicycling, too?

Something soft to sit on when she is through!!!! Dang it all, what about something soft to sit on for 74 miles.

End of a good weekend here. I've been busy but have had plenty of time to rest as well which is good. After waking up early this morning and staying up, I've lasted quite well I think. Been to the brother's place. Fixed his computer and his phone. Went around his garden and he gave me a couple of orchids which I very carefully left there! Silly me. Anyway then I went shopping for some Australiana trype Christmas cards for a lady in Japan and then came home and watched a couple of tv programs and read the paper. Early bed tonight I think.

So that's my weekend done and dusted. I have a pile of washing to fold and some to iron. I really need to sort out my wardrobe some more. No room for anything in there.

But I'd better go sort out something easy for tea.

See ya. Happy, time to pop in for a

It's not a bicycle - it's a motorcycle. And it's not really about the tushy being comfy, depending on the style of "bike" it's all about the legs. DH's current bike is a touring bike (an Ultra Classic), is so comfy for the passenger that you can actually fall asleep in the seat. His last bike (a Softail Classic) you were crouched into a position that after a while your knees and legs would start screaming - kind of like riding a horse where they adjust the leg straps too short. And you are resting on the "butt bones" come to think of it so maybe that could be a bit painful. I don't remember what kind of bike Slim has.

I had a ephiphany this week and I will probably join the ranks of the weekend posters going forward. I've been in alot of pain recently. All the time. So much so that I can truly understand how people who are in pain get despondent. Just when I start to feel better, something else goes out. There's no denying that carrying all this extra weight is contributing to it.

As for my ephiphany moment. Earlier this week I was woken up at 5am by the sound of cats screeching. There is a big ole cat that comes roaming around and torments little bitty adopted kitty of ours who sleeps on the porch. I got up to shoo the bully away. It wasn't worth going back to bed for less than an hour so I was thinking what should I do - first thought in my head was - you can EXERCISE deary. Second thought - you can get an early start on your day - get to work early for a change instead of running in at that last minute. Did I do either of those? I made a coffee and sat down in front of the computer as I usually do. It was kind of quiet here so I looked through the journals and a bunch of other threads. Next thing I know it's 6:40 and I accomplished nothing now I'm late getting ready for work. And it became very apparent that I had a perfect chance to start early - no promises of I'll get up early tomorrow - I WAS up early and I wasted it. So I realized I just have to give up this computer habit (and the sitting in front of the TV) to focus on what's important.

One of my friends at work asked me if I wanted to join a gym with her - she's really into fitness and was looking for a workout buddy. The gym turned out to be more than she could afford and I have a treadmill, stepper, LifeCycle (bike), assorted free weights, stretchy bands, mini trampoline. Health Rider and ab roller. Pool is closed for the season but looks like I have my own gym in the comforts of my home. So we decided that we're going to work out here and head over to work early. That means getting up at 5am now which I would rather do than work out after work. 3 times a week. We started on Wednesday. I discovered my treadmill is broken but that's getting repaired tomorrow. There were plenty of other things to do. P is a good trainer - she makes you do weight reps until you get the scrunchy face and then she makes you do 5 more until you can't lift your arm anymore. Getting up this early makes me tired and off to bed by 10pm which is another good thing and also cuts out the evening computer time.

This was probably the kicker I needed as I got on the scale and was down THREE pounds this week. I could have said 4 but that would be stretching it and we have to allow for a bit of fluctuations. Needless to say I was thrilled and motivated and it solidified my committment.

Yesterday was 5 hours of heavy yard work, sweeping, raking, bending, stretching, toting. My knee is a bit sore today and it's rainy today so a good day to stay in and catch up on house cleaning and laundry. The conditions down here give me a brutal sinus headache just about every day. I hate taking meds but I have no choice - it just doesn't do any good to try and tough it out because the headache doesn't go away by itself.

My BIL got his vacation time approved which means sister, family and my mom are driving down for the Thanksgiving holiday. I am thrilled. That also means I get to take a week's vacation. And my vacation will start this Friday since I get 2 "free" days off for the holiday on Thursday and Friday. I have a tiny refrigerator - it's one of those compact space ones that isn't supposed to jut past the counter but I hate it with a passion. It's too small / shallow and it's in the stainless steel high maintenance impossible to clean who invented this stupid finish anyway? It's only 2 years old so I'm not about to replace it. However if I put the turkey in there for Thanksgiving dinner there's not room for much of anything else. I begged DH to get another small refrigerator that we can put out in the garage - with no basement there's no other place to put it unless I start knocking the pantry out of the laundry room and that's not going to happen.

We worked hard all day yesterday, got cleaned up, had a nice dinner and went refrigerator shopping. Lo and behold the salesman tells us that they don't recommend putting refrigerators in garages - the extremes in temperatures are hard on the compressors that try to keep the inside temperature even, particularly with the freezer section. Sad face on me BUT he says, they make an all refrigerator unit (no freezer) that IS suitable for garage use. Even says so on the card. A bit more than I wanted to pay but it does use less electricity because there is no freezer so in the long run it's cheaper. Also cheaper if it doesn't blow itself up over the summer sitting in a hot garage So now come Tuesday I will have an extra refrigerator. Happy dance. When I had visitors in the summer, we had to use 2 extra coolers to store drinks and stuff. For one week's time that actually cost alot more in ice than you would have thought. DH has the dining room all freshly painted and we will use our dining room furniture for the first time since we bought it almost a year ago. Can you tell I'm REALLY excited about this?

I'm sure by now I wrote a book, it probably won't load when I hit submit. So I'd better cut this short. Laundry awaits me. Love to all the chicks...

Not much news here. Sis and bil are watching foot ball games--He keeps switching from one to the other and that literally gets on my nerves.

Vacation is drawing to an end. sigh!!! I'll be flying home in the mornin, but Thanksgiving week end I'll be headed to Missouri. Yeah. Another week end to look forward to.

I wasn't going to count the gardening that I did yesterday as exercise. I'm sore in area's that haven't been used as much.

eVERYONE IS SO BUSY AND DOING THEIR THING. GOOD TO HEAR ALL IS WELL IN ALL OUR NECK OF THE WOODS AND WAS THRILLED TO HEAR THELMA IS IMPROVING WITH THE SULFER CREAM.....AT LEAST NOT GETTING WORSE!!!
TIG GAVE ME HEART PALPITATIONS WITH THE UNIFORM TALK AND SHAD HAD BEST BE THINKING WHERE I CAN PARK MY "RIDE" AT NIGHT WHILST I SLEEP DIRECTLY UNDER HER NEW A/C!! ROFL GOOD THING HOLLY LIVES UP NORTH OR ALL MY HARD EARNED MONEY WOULD BE GOING TO AVON AND PROBABLY JEN'S TOO! LOL CEEJAY I AM SO SORRY THE DAYS HAVE GONE BY SO QUICKLY AND ENJOY THE REST OF THE VISIT. AN HAPPY ...I KNOW EXACTLY HOW YOU FEEL AND THE EPHIPHANY STUFF TOO. ONCE IT GET'S INTO THE MIND AND BODY YOU WILL DO SOMETHING FOR YOURSELF AND SAVE THE KNEES ETC. IT TOOK ME 56 YEARS TO GIVE A DAMN ABOUT MINE. DON'T FORGET YOU DID THE CIGGIES ALREADY TND THAT WAS A FABULOUS START!!! GLAD TO HEAR ABOUT THE HOLIDAY VISIT. EVER SO CHEERFUL NEWS!
NOW FOR MEADOW.....I HAVE SPENT THE BETTER PART OF THE ENTIRE DAY WATCHING THE FIRST 8 EPISODES OF UPSTAIRS, DOWNSTAIRS!!! ROFLMAO I WAS GLUED TO THE TV AND JUST COULDN'T STOP. I JUST FINISHED ORDERING FROM A LENDING LIBRARY THE NEXT 8!!! THAT WILL BE THE END OF SEASON ONE.....I ALSO SAW AN ADVERT FOR SEASON 5!!!!! WOW!!!!

LOTS OF DVD ACTION FOR THE WINTER TO KEEP ME BUSY!! HOW IS IT I MISSED ALL THIS?!? WELL IT WILL COME IN HANDY NOW. IT'S BEEN TOO COLD FOR RIDES SO CLEANING AND SORTING AND DVDS WILL BE COMPANY ENOUGH. GOING TO RECOMMEND IT TO JEN TOO. IMAGINE OWNING ALL OF THESE! THE COLLECTION WOULD BE HUGE! ROFLMAO
I MUST GO AND GET STUFF READY FOR TOMORROW. GOTTA GET THE BLOODWORK DONE OUT AT THE HOSPITAL AND MAKE SURE MY MEDS ARE CURING ME WHILE NOT KILLING MY LIVER! LOL
SO I WILL SEE YOU ALL ON TUES AFTER FOOD SHOPPING!
BETTER GET STARTED. LOTS TO DO AND CHAIRS TO CLEAN AND CHARGE UP!!!

CEEJAY....I WAS OVERTIRED AND RAN INTO THE WALL IN MY APARTMENT. THE CHAIR WENT TO THE LEFT AND MY FOOT WENT TO THE RIGHT!! I DON'T RECOMMEND THIS TO ANYONE OTHER THAN A STUNTWOMAN!

Almost time for a new home again. My word we are a chatty lot are we not?

Happy, I can relate to your tale of woe and wasted time. I now put the egg timer on the desk and allow myself 15 minutes of reading in the morning. I can look at the threads during working hours so that is quite fortunate. At night I have 30 minutes to update and chat on the threads. I usually do that as my dinner is cooking - I get good exercise going from one end of the house to the other. Good going on the 3 pounds down. That is amazing. Keep it going. I really hear you on the early workouts. So much better than trying to fit in around 5ish when you are tired of work and have to put up with the $#@^$ twits as well. Sounds like P is a relation to Jason the torturer and the long lost Sam the sadist. I need someone like that to boot my booty from time to time too. We probably all do. Won't it be great to have the family around for Thanksgiving. Plan it carefully and enjoy every moment of it. Umm for the stainless steel, I got a beautiful, bright shiny (and matt bits) stainless steel shower mixer in the bathroom. To my disgust the left on water drops caused marks (just what does the stainless bit in stainless steel mean anyway?) However I spoke to a lady at the plumbing shop and she recommended a sort of liquid paste for cleaning baths and sinks etc. I found something at half the price in the grocery store and used that and it is really good. Only need to use it about once a month and it wipes off all the marks. The first time you have to rub a bit, but it is easy after that. I think mine is called Stainless Power Clean or something similar. There were lots of varieties available. Maybe try one of those on the fridge.

Ceejay - aaah the joys of the man and his remote control. It's a worldwide phenomonem apparently and drives just about every woman crazy - except when she is doing it herself no doubt. Glad you have had a good holiday. Breaks like that are really invigorating. Hope there is not too much to do when you go back to work.

Mel - Upstairs/ Downstairs, Are you being Served, Monarch of the Glen, Keeping up Appearances and all those wonderful old Brit programs. What a bunch of laughs I have had out of many of those from time to time. Did you ever see any of the 'Thin Blue Line' with Rowan Atkinson? I didn't like Mr Bean, but Thin Blue Line was hilarious. Then of course there was Yes Minister - who could forget that.
Your place in the house is ready - You just have to fall out of the chair and into the sofa bed. Aircon will have to stay on for you cool chicks.

Well I had best go get ready for my class. Yes I have something to do today. Yeehaa, almost made it worth getting out of bed this morning.