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.

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 ... And I'm not talking Winter Wonderland Miss Mellie

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.

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

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.

Thanks Ceejay. I dug out the electric blanket last night. Ummm it was really nice : - 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
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 Keep positive, know your power and enjoy the sparkles in your kids eyes I knew you weren't really downing the alcohol cupboard, but that kahlua sounded good

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

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 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

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!! 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

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. to all who need them. to everyone.