Shad nothing beats that big hockey bag you dragged from Canada all through the United States. That had wheels, was expensive and bigger than you needed. So did you get another? :s:

I'm off to make supper, be back later.

Oh no, it is nowhere near that big. Heck I could fit into that hockey bag. This one is smaller than the big purple that you saw.

Whoops:

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...White_Sox3.gif

Go Sox :cheer: Go Sox :cheer: Go Sox :cheer:

Well thank you very much Shad, that's a mighty fine booster there :D and yes, you and all your belongings could have fit into that hockey bag. Hope you found a suitable travel bag for your journey. Since we're singing here (as a tribute to Painter's pictures)

In my little town
I grew up believ--ing
God keeps his eye on us all
And he used to lean upon me
As I pledged allegiance to the wall
Lord I recall
My little town

Coming home after school
Flying my bike past the gates
Of the factories
My mom doing the laundry
Hanging our shirts
In the dirty breeze

And as for Shad's remark about her new travel bag with the Hidey Holes, reminds me of a Blood Sweat and Tears song from long ago...

Hi De Ho (kinda sounds like hidey holes don't you think? :rofl: )
Hi De Hi
Gonna Get me
A piece of the pie
Gonna get me
Some of that Old Sweet Roll
Singin' Hi de hi de hi de hi de Hooooo

Just in a good mood singing I guess. Probably will be crying tomorrow ;)

And it wasn't that I was so clever about phoning around the world. You ladies have done it for a while checking up on each other. I just happened to know an extra link to Japan and an opportunity to expand our little world and maybe get your mind at ease. Reminds me of the truth in that poem - Friends for a season, friends for a reason, friends for a lifetime ... Some people pop into our lives quickly just to serve an immediate need, some stay around for a bit longer until their purpose is served and some are with us the better part of our lives. So that being said, give Chris a big hug from all of us.

Good to hear from you Linus. I realized now what you were talking about breastfeeding means no meds for you. And you probably have to watch what you eat too. Yesterday one of our "fancy men" as I call them - men on the fast track to the executive suite was giving a new dad tips on what breastfeeding women should and should not eat. Pfftttt. :p Like he knows. Wanted to just pop him right over the cubicle. :rollpin: You just hang in there missy.

Ceejay, I must say the part I don't look forward to as far as winter here is all the gray rainy weather. I don't miss the cold and it's nice wearing a warm sweater in the car instead of a bulky coat, but I was going stir crazy by April missing the sun. Up north it gets cold but there are those crisp days with the blue blue skies and the blazing suns. I did notice that sunsets are especially pretty down here and the moon rises feature a huge moon far more often then I saw them up north. Just wish there weren't so many trees in the way. Give me tips on Christmas presents, will you? I hate that shopping and like you am thinking I HAVE to be done before Thanksgiving here as there is not that many places to shop at and they must get beastly crowded the end of November.

Meadow, the reason you're not Salma Hyakk with AB is because if you were you'd be so blissfully delightful that we would not be able to stand you :rofl: But you can dream away a winter's afternoon. :cloud9:

Painter, face that harsh reality that we have achieved a point in our lives where eating a piece of toast is enough to crack a well filled but old molar. I have learned to be especially careful chewing when I encounter something crunchy and I was only eating soft foods. It hurts to give up peanut brittle and all things super crunchy. But as you say, who can afford the after effects?

Holly, I admire your tenacity in that if you didn't wear it in a year, out it goes. I could take a lesson from you and Mel.

All my life I have cooked with a gas stove. I had to relearn how to use an electric stove that doesn't have a "simmer" setting. Tonight I decided to try out that thing called a self cleaning oven. I knew it got super hot, I knew it locked itself, I heard it reduced the "dirt" to a fine ash. What I didn't realize was that 1) it stinks, 2) you should only do this when you can open all the windows with a stiff breeze and 3) it does sort of burn the eyes a bit - but just a bit. And the oven wasn't really that dirty - I was more curious than anything. I was amazed at how well it cleans up and will put it on the list of autumn cleaning tasks to do this while I can still keep the windows open.

I wish the BBQ grill cleaned up that easy. It should as it heats to some unworldly heat that sears the meat. If you can fully cook a pork chop in 7 minutes, it should clean itself, don't you think?

Hellos and a good night to Tig and Teel and Holly and Rose and Mel and Linda T and all of you fine ladies.

I wish it WERE the Red Sox playing... I got excited about them becuse of Bean-Town daughter.... DH is rooting for his hometown team, the Cardinals... I usually think sports are silly... but the way politics and world news is going, there is plenty of "sillines" to go around.

Linus--glad that DS is finding adequate sutenance to give you a break! Smart kid to keep his mom around.

CeeJay... when are you coming to Dallas? Can I give you any pointers? Take you to lunch? Whatever? Are you coming for Thanksgiving...? I think DH and I are going to go with my DD to Kerrville just for a day or two out of town... but I'd be glad to try to rendez-vous. (The shopping in Dallas IS pretty amazing. You might want to bring several empty suitcases.... or just ship stuff home.

The Dentist visit was a no-pain and no brainer... Some tooth enamal had "broken off" where a filling was... so I've been sanded, glued and re-varnished.

That's it for now. I read in a magazine that you get stupid if you don't have enough sleep. That might explain a lot.

Oh, and Happy... BST is just about my all time favorate group... I never thought it was "get a piece of the pie".. I always thought it was "piece of the SKY". Must re-check liner notes!! What do you suppose has happened to David Clayton Thomas. I wish HE were still touring like the Stones!

Had a productive day. I love productive days!!!

I started using a Daily Journal model to organize my thoughts and see my habits more clearly. I am lovin it. I am itching to chat with everyone. i will try to at nap time this aft.

Daily Journal
1.My renewal statement for the day.
2. Weekly weight.
3. Exercise-type, how long, what level.
4. % fat, carbs, protein.
5. # meals and snacks.
6.# fruits, # of veg.
7. How many glasses of water.
8. Time of last food intake, time I went to bed.
9. Why and when I ate due to stress or emotions.
10.General feelings about food, exercise, life.
11. Any really good events or feelings today.
12. Overall, how did the day go.
13. How can I improve for tomorrow.


Daily Journal
1.My renewal statement for the day.~ I will honouor my body.
2. Weekly weight.~230
3. Exercise-type, how long, what level.~ 2 hours cleaning, low level
4. % fat, carbs, protein.
5. # meals and snacks.~2 meals, 2 snacks
6.# fruits, # of veg.~0 fruit, 3 veg-not enough
7. How many glasses of water.8
8. Time of last food intake, time I went to bed.~Supper 6pm, 10 almonds at 11pm, to sleep 12am.
9. Why and when I ate due to stress or emotions.~didn’t, woohoo....hubby even ate a huge bowl of chips in front of me and I didn’t want a single one.!!
10.General feelings about food, exercise, life.~ I love food, I love shopping for groceries, I love finding new recipes, I love cooking/baking, I adore all the sensations of eating, I eat healthy whole foods regularily....I dont have an off button.
I dont get enough vigorous exercise, period.
I love my life in every concievable way.
11. Any really good events or feelings today.~Dozens- I got up earlier and didn’t feel rushed to journal. Hubby worked on the bathroom reno. I had 2 cleaners come to wash down walls, ceilings,light fixtures and clean in general.They worked for 4 hours, 8 hours collectively. When the heck do I have 8 straight hours to clean. Never. AND this was the only the main floor. What about the 5 rooms upstairs or the basement?HUH! Hubby was supportive about the cleaners!!! I set up a pretty Avon display at the playschool. I got the new Christmas brochures out to them.
Took my toddlers to the park. As the cleaners pulled things apart I sorted out the summer shoes,toys, coats etc and boxed them up!!. I have a large bag to give to the thrift shop.Then I fed the kiddies lunch at noon. 2 more toddlers arrived. Much hilarity ensued.I cleaned the kitchen, put away dishes, hubby washed pots( bliss). He asked jokingly, what? wash the pots again. He did them on Saturday. I would like him to do them every day. I had a tea and and watched the last half of AMC and then had a lunchish meal.At 2 I swept and washed the kitchen floor.The cleaners did the kitchen 2 weeks ago.5 hour job. Hubby worked on my rims for snow tires for the van.3:30 got busy. 3 parents and 7 kids here. DD’s class had a field trip, everyone gathered here after. Yikes. When I went to bed I realized there were 14 people here coming and going all day and at any given time there were at least 7.
I baked some ribs, hubby peeled his precious potatoes, boiled beans ,frozen from our garden. YUM. I took a 20 min nap, then took the kids to the school for a Literacy Fair til 8pm. It was fabulous. Home, into jammies,read with kids and then I curled up on the couch and read some in the SB book. At 10 I watch Gilmore Girls. Hello? Is this my life on TV. I so am Lorelai, hubby is Luke, her parents are my parents....the town people Crack me up. It was a particularily good one. Went to bed intending to sleep but Hubby was particularily sweet and well..... went to sleep about 12.
Up today at 6:30, briefly saw hubby is passing. Not long enough for him to bug me,lol. I have 2 kids off today and both of mine are still sleeping. the cat is being finicky about food. Arg!
House is still clean and SMELLS clean, even looks clean in most rooms.
12. Overall, how did the day go. Well,just peachy, I think. I had a parent say to me last night, “you know you do too much.” Been thinking on that. Yes,I do a lot. Is it too much? Everything I do is very important to me and my family. The volunteer stuff helps our community in a huge way and it uses skills I have that wouldn’t get used otherwise. When I wasn’t doing this stuff I became clinically depressed.
13. How can I improve for tomorrow. I will be more mindful of meals and eat all my veggies.

Funny but the 2nd and 3rd stanza lyrics have the "piece of the sky" yet consistently on all the lyrics pages the first verse is "piece of the pie". :dunno:

Apparently David Clayton Thomas is alive and well and touring - in Canada. Appears he broke up with BST over creative differences and has continued his musical career. You can catch his tour schedule on http://www.davidclaytonthomas.com/ He of course has an amazing distinctive voice, not sure what a culture shock that will be without that strong brass section backing him up. While you're up that way be sure to give a wave to Holly and Meadow. :wave:

I'm still singing, this morning my personal favorite happy happy get the blood circulating morning song -

Good morning starshine
The earth says hello
You twinkle above us
We twinkle below

Good morning starshine
You lead us along
My love and me as we sing
Our early morning singing song

Gliddy glub gloopy
Nibby nabby noopy
La la la lo lo
Sabba sibby sabba
Nooby abba nabba
Le le lo lo
Tooby ooby walla
Nooby abba naba
Early morning singing song

Holly and Happy seem positive today.

Holly I like that journal idea. I may have to start one of those.

Happy--Good morning sunshine--I have not heard that in years. I'll be singing it all day.

Don't have much to say cause it's to early in the morning. The one thing is that the air conditioner is on the blink. but Tim fixed the fan so I'm good for now.

More later.

PW--I just read your post. I'm coming to Dallas the week end of 11/10/05 through 11/14/05 to visit my sister. If you feel like it we might meet for lunch one day. They live in Carrolton. That doesn't look like it's spelled right.

my god you ladies have chatted up a storm here! there is no way i can catch up except to say i feel a bit giddy glub gloopy! :rofl:
maybe tomorrow i will feel more nibby nabby noopy:faint:
i can only hope it's not contagious and there is a cure.
i spent a lot of time outside and thus never got here. but i figure we are blessed with this good weather and i am making the most of it(even with the sinus..lol) when i get home, i am bushed and too tired to read and the eyes are scratchy no matter what i do right now.
now for challenges....there will be no more for me right now. i am finished with them but only because there are just too many things that are interfering, healthwise. so i am just going to focus on getting better. that's the short explanation. :rofl: i am in no way giving up but there are a lot of changes going on right now and none of them good. it's taking all the energy i have to forge ahead. so the focus "today" will be on just continuing to move forward. failing challenges is only adding to my stress which is borderlining depression ( and i use the word borderline loosly).....and we can't allow that. more soinging is needed.
speaking of singing.....i am glad to see everyone doing it cause i have been singing songs for the movie Love Actually. played it so many times they are becoming a daily ritual! :rofl:
I have just looked up and see all lowercase letters!!! LOL Not re-typing it all over so it will have to do.
Today is wash day and I better get going. Late start today. had a lot to think about and I need to get all my ducks back in a row. Even the house is out of sorts! :lol3:
I am :wave: a hand to everyone. pardon the generality of the post please and have a great day. Happy Hump Day!

Linus~ you have me all nostalgic for nursing babies. it was the one true pure joy of my life. I was devastated when each kidlet quit. They were just under a year but it was the most beautiful thing I have ever done. I held a 4 monther last night. bliss.

Re:Baseball: we have the Toronto Bluejays here.LOL!

Mel~ quack, quack ,quack

Shad~ 7 days!!!

Happy/PW~ we sure are a bunch of flower children. I LOVE this music too.I did a hard core heavy metal blip in the late 80's but always come back to then tried, tested and true.
I live between a hamlet and a village that are 5 miles apart. the village has 900 people and a booming main street woiht grocery, quilting, antique, thrift,hardware, tackshop stores and a post office,museum, about 5 churches, hairdresser,dentist,restaurant...
The hamlet has a diner and pop of 300. The village is considered quite a metropolis out here. We live on a rural road.It is quite pretty. The bush across the road is getting to it's peak of pretty. I will take a pic and post.

Meadow~ why am I not surprised your kids like a latin beat, LOL!!!

HUGS dear chicks!!!!

Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent."
-- Victor Hugo

Good morning Starshiney people.

Mel, you don't sound happy. I'm sorry to hear that things are not going well. Will you be home over the weekend. I will ring you if you are.
I think it is definitely contagious - don't think there is a cure (you're either giddy glub gloopy or nibby nabby noopy or either dead or asleep).

Holly - looking forward to the Autumn colour pictures. Here we don't get autumn colours - it goes from glossy dark green to paler gooey slime green, the leaves fall off - no they are actually pushed by the new dark glossy green. Things get a bit straggly looking for a while and that is it, winter over.

Ceejay - sounds like you and PW are going to meet up. It's such fun - no one ever looks like what you think they will. Best one of you sends a photo otherwise you will be standing next to each other waiting for the imagined image to appear. Have fun.

Happy - our happy little songbird of the time. Are you dancing along to the lyrics??? I'm a child of the 60's myself. They say if you can remember the 60's you really weren't there, but I can remember a lot about the growing up in the 60's most of it fun and freedom, but there were some awful bits as well. It was a time when we started to have choices about what we were going to do and where we were going to go and how we could get there. It was a time of lots of new ideas, music, and gadgets. Not all was good for us, but mostly it was fun.

PW - glad the dentist was no worse than that. Always a bother to break teeth. Last one I broke has ended up costing me a fortune and is still not finished - owing to Shad's dithering on what to do with it. It got broken by me eating chocolate straight from the fridge. Moral of the story.............well I'll leave that to you to finish.
Red Sox - White Sox - no wonder I am confused.

I spoke to my niece last weekend, said that NPC finals were on in NZ this weekend. It would be between Canterbury and Auckland - did she and nephew want to come over and watch. Yep, yep oh good Danny Carter (new hearthrob in the footy scene) is playing for Canterbury. I got home only to find that Canterbury (my team) who should have won everything in sight got beaten by Otago. So I had to let her know that the beloved Danny would not be filling the screen on Saturday. Never mind, they are still coming and bringing a friend. Not sure whether friend is a he or a she.
So I hear you all saying - what the heck is NPC. National Provincial Championship and the sport is Rugby Union. We don't have States in NZ, we have Provinces and they all have their own Rugby, Netball, League teams etc etc. I support Canterbury and Wellington but on Saturday will be wearing Blue and Gold for Otago since no one likes the Aucklanders except the Aucklanders. How do you tell an Aucklander they have a problem?? Well no-one can tell the Aucklanders anything - that's why they have a problem.

Since I am going on holiday soon and just because they can, they have loaded me up with work to do. Here I've sat for weeks begging for things to do and now I've got too much. Isn't life fun. Well I better go and make a dent in the stuff.

Have a fun day.

7days to go

Meant to add the following.

Had a terrible time at the gym yesterday. I really didn't want to go at all, however I pushed myself into it, got there and there were young people all over the place - they seem to use it as a useful meeting place. My hassle with that is that they lounge all over the machines I want to use and talk or meditate or psyche themselves into whatever they want to do and it takes so much time and the rest of us are forced to work around them. I'm afraid I lost it when two of them decided to leave their towels, water bottles and keys on the machine they were doing their reps on and go for a wander around the gym talking on THEIR BL**DY CELL PHONES while the rest of us waited and waited for the equipment. I don't think they do it deliberately. If you ask them politely they will shift for you, but it is just so annoying. Eventually I just gave up and had a few words to the manager and left. I will now try to use the city gym first thing in the morning before coming to work. At least those who go to gym at that hour of the day have only one purpose in mind - get in, get sweaty, get showered, get out.

SHAD YES I WILL BE HOME...ARE WE ONLY 2 HOURS APART NOW? I JUST LOOKED AT THE ZONE THING? I WILL CALL YOU SO TELL ME WHEN!!! LOL I'LL EXPLAIN WHEN I CALL. SORRY ABOUT THE GYM AND CEL PHONES SHOULD BE BANNED!!!! :rofl: :rollpin:
I am posting this ahead of time cause I'll leave early in the AM:
Good Morning everyone! :cofdate:
and a gorgeous morning it is too. I am going to catch the bus and go for a ride to the food store. Browse around the veggie aisle. I found a recipe for WW 1-point chili that includes veggies more than anything. It sounded good though.
The new products I am trying on my face seem to be working. I don't know if I told you Willy took me so I could get them cheaper at a different store. The girl behind the counter was so impressed with both of us she gave me $6 in coupons.....or she felt sorry for me! :dance: They are called EUCERIN for redness and rosacea.
He also helped me to locate flu shots that will be given in November when I really need it most. Good boy is our Willy.
After yesterday's confession and looking into the mirror this morning, I am feeling a bit better. Saw my old dr (since 70's)
in the lobby and gave him a brief update. Told me he'd be depressed too with all that has gone on this year and the meds. Told me to give it some more time and call him! He is only here on Weds for housecalls. He knows me well and we are on a first name basis. (sigh)
He's sooo cute and was very encouraging about a lot of stuff so yesterday was good. He also pointed out that I really need to keep at least one promise to myself....and that is to eat the 5-6 mini meals. Haven't been doing that and he suspects the sugar is too low again. Ergo the wide mood swings and confusion. OK Mel will be good.
Happy Thursday!!! I'll say a collective hello for now! :moped

4pm your time is 6am my time. That's fine by me.

Mel-- so glad you got to see sympathetic/cute MD and that he was supportive. Nobody should be glibby gloop gloppy for too long.

In today's batch of emails I got an odd wmv file about why mother's can't do yoga... Linus, especially, if you want me to forward it, email me at 4dana (at) airmail (dot) net. I wish I could stand on my head.

I got to radiation and a client today... but otherwise spent almost all day at home playing with Corel Painter Essentials. (there's an odd new landscape on my blog) Boy, was I in "flow". I looked at the clock on the monitor and had 10 minutes to get re-dressed for a "public appearance" and client. I wish it paid! (the playing with art, part.... )

Tomorrow will be similar..having to be at the radiologist means i get out of bed earlier... so my days are seeming longer....

If the temperature decreases, I'll also be out there killing weeds and digging holes for bulbs.

Yeah yeah yeah. All talk and not much action. Hope the cattle prod isn't plugged in....

TTYL.

A somewhat restful day.I had a good early morning and then got wicked vertigo. I had to lay down. It passed.I took it as a warning to relax a bit. I didn’t do any mad puttering just watched the tube and fed kids and stopped a few battles all morning.

Daily Journal
1.My renewal statement for the day. ~I will honour my body.
2. Weekly weight.~230
3. Exercise-type, how long, what level.~zippo
4. % fat, carbs, protein.
5. # meals and snacks.~3 meals ,2 snacks
6.# fruits, # of veg.~2 fruit, 3 veg
7. How many glasses of water. ~8, 12 oz
8. Time of last food intake, time I went to bed.~supper at 6, low cal fudgesicle at 7:30,rice cakes at 9, bed at 10, asleep 11:30
9. Why and when I ate due to stress or emotions.~I ate because I felt wonky. I had some cheese and bread. I think I ate the rice cakes to nurture myself.
10.General feelings about food, exercise, life.~I need to see food as fuel for my body. Need to exercise.I love my life.
11. Any really good events or feelings today.~ My Mom keeps ordering Avon and doing it wrong and then getting whiny when it doesn’t come in right. I explained how to order in an email and she was receptive. She can be so waif-like. I have been a hairdresser for 22 years. I stopped doing her hair 20 years ago because she wants to be catered to so much. Very needy. Any how the positive is that it went well. It turns out my Dad bought a new fancy TV and wants to give us the “old” one. Woohoo. I was saving to buy one cause hockey season is coming. My boys hog the TV.It is a 34 inch TV.Holy cow. I feel I did honour my body and rested. I had a quick chat with a dear friend and made plans to go over for a glass of wine Friday night. I really miss her. I went to bed by 10, had trouble falling asleep but woke up for 6:30 , 3rd day in a row. Hubby is here but I am staying clear.It feels good to have this time before the kids are up. I read some more in the SB book and feel like it was sinking in.
12. Overall, how did the day go.~ it was a nice day.
13. How can I improve for tomorrow. Eat less bread.

I just have 3 kids in the morning and then 1 this aft. Our school is receiving an international flag of peace this aft at 2. The students are having a parade thru town! I am giving a friend a perm at 10. 5 kids in school. This week seems loooong. I need to deliver some Avon and get some books out. Maybe go for a walk in town tonight after the kids go to bed. No plans tonight.
I will do some yoga.

HUGS!!

SHAD THE TIME IS FINE! JUST TELL ME WHAT MORNING YOU WANT YOUR ARSE IN BED BS'ING! :rofl: WILL SUNDAY LET YOU STAY IN BED THAT LONG? PLEASE PUT THE COFFEE ON OR SHOULD I PICK UP FRAPPUCCINOS?! LATTES?! :COFDATE:

PW~ WOULD YOU RATHER BE CALLED DANA? OR ANY COMBO OR PAINTER WOMAN?! :shrug: I BOOKMARKED YOUR BLOG AGAIN AND WILL CHECK IT OUT OVER THE WEEKEND. WHETHER IT PAYS OR NOT IT SOUNDS LIKR THE ART WAS GOOD FOR THE SOUL! :dance: FUNNY HOW 10 MINUTES IN THE LOBBY HAS MADE A DIFFERENCE IN THIS MORNING AND GETTING OUT OF BED. HE IS A GOOD MAN AND YOU'RE RIGHT....I AM LUCKY TO HAVE CONTACT WITH HIM STILL.:cb:

HOLLY~ GLAD THE JOURNALING IS WORKING OUT SO WELL FOR YOU AND THE MOM/AVON THING TOO! :rofl: THERE ARE MANY TENANTS HERE LIKE THAT!!! HAVE FUN WITH THE YOGA

LINUS~ HUGS FOR YOU AND CJ:bb: HOPE YOU BOTH SETTLE DOWN SOON. JEN WAS COLICKY FOR ALMOST A YEAR. DROVE ME NUTS WITH NO SCHEDULE!!! :crazy: I TOOK CJ'S PICS DOWN TO SHOW WILLY AND THE GIRLS. AFTER ALL IT WAS WILLY'S WIFE WHO WORKS IN THE POST OFFICE! :lol3: THOUGHT THEY SHOUD MEET CJ:bb: TAKE CARE MY FRIEND AND REST WELL WHEN YOU HAVE THE CHANCE CAUSE SOON YOU'LL BE RUNNING AFTER HIM!!! :rofl:

THE BUS IN IN THE INSPECTION PLACE AND I FORGOT. WENT DOWN AND THEY SAID "WHERE ARE YOU GOING? IT'S COLD OUTSIDE?" SO TOMORROW I'LL GET VEGGIES AND MAKE THAT
WEIGHT WATCHER'S CHILI. CAUSE I FORGOT ONE OF THEM.
GIRLS IN THE OFFICE ARE GOING TO TRY IT FOR LUNCH THIS WINTER ALONG WITH THE ONE POINT SOUP(?) I LEFT THE RECIPE DOWNSTAIRS FOR THAT. PROBABLY JUST VEGGIES AND BROTH.
OK STARTING TO RAMBLE ALONG HERE SO I'LL CLOSE AND WISH YOU ALL A SUNSHINEY DAY. :flow2: :moped:

Mel, enjoy that chili but keep the spices to a minimum. Don't need any rosacea flare ups, ok? I think it's quicker round to Shad's if you head west instead of east so as you're crusing by can you drop me off a grande vanilla skim cappacino please? :T I tip well :lol:

Holly sounds like you live in a nice peaceful if not very quite part of the world. Bet you get to hear the soothing sounds of nature instead of cars honking, train whistles blowing and the squeeling of tires. How nice it must be. A better environment to enjoy the sunsets. Do you see the Northern Lights up your way?

PW - what kind of bulbs DID you plant today? *nudge, nudge* I agree it's so easy to lose yourself in the crafty fun of a paint set - even if it's on the computer. So we'll allow you 90 minutes on the computer for every 30 minutes you spend taking care of a to do item, ok?

Shad, I hear you on the gym rant. Seems like the trollers are a bigger problem in a co-ed gym. The best gym I ever belonged to was a women's only place. I loved it. You did the best thing you could in talking to the manager. We had a problem with girls hogging the shower stalls or changing rooms. They would drop their stuff in there instead of using the lockers, shut the curtains and then go off to their class or for their workout. In the meantime we're stuck with the cruddy shower stalls and no place to get dressed. I got tired it it quickly and complained. They put up signs which the biggest offenders ignored. It got so I started dumping people's stuff out of the room and left the sign on top of their clothes. Problem is you get in trouble for touching someone's personal items - that bugged me even more - you can't touch their stuff but they are free to be ignorant and inconsiderate. Got to the point I would complain to the manager every morning. Once she actually started removing things from the changing rooms, then the bimbos finally got the message. So are you saying that when it comes to the footy get togethers that you not only gather and cheer but you wear the colors too? What good vibes to send to your favorite teams! :cheer:

Last night I stayed up way too late listening to music. It's amazing how the memory works. So many good songs and we tend to remember only the good times. There were many, many less than stellar moments - horribly painful TOM, hangovers :cheers: , fights with the DH as we both tried to change each other before we learned to accept and appreciate what we had, struggles to carry my own in a male dominated field on the work front, sadness and awe at world events, the pain of watching loved ones suffer through illnesses and die. But I don't remember that. I remember halter tops and not having the boobs to fill them out, platform shoes, disco dancing on a lighted floor when I had consumed an awful lot of rum and cokes or vodka gimlets, patriotic pride during the Gulf war (to make up for my guilt over protesting the Vietnam war), promotions at work that made me proud (forgetting the line staff that sometimes made my life a living @#$%). I've seen alot, seen things I never thought I would and I now feel like my grandmother - fretting over what is coming to the world. So many deaths through natural disasters. Are there signs we aren't heeding? I came into adulthood as ecology was forefront - we need to bring that back again - overfishing, destruction of the forests, pollution and a general disregard of this planet over the making of a buck.

Anyway, I stayed up way too late. But I did enjoy the music.

I also need to settle on recommitting to a challenge. Lots of ideas in my head, will decide for sure by the weekend. Looks like lunch is over. Back to the salt mine for now...

Mel - ring me at 4pm Friday your time. I and Sunday will be waiting for the call. Back later. I am just reading and having coffee.
Heck on your way over, forget popping in to Happy's to drop off the latte. Put her on the running boards and bring her too!

If I can stand and pace on the running boards instead of strapped to an uncomfortable airline seat for 17 hours - I'm THERE! :cloud9:

Thank you Shad for the sanity check :grouphug:

Hi Lovely Global Gals. Just wanted to gate crash the forum and give a heartfelt thank you for the lovely b-day wishes in the journals. I really, really appreciated it. Here I sit, glass of champagne in my hand, and a warm fuzzy feeling in my heart (and it's not just heartburn from the champagne). Thanks guys. I needed that.

Just another year older and none the wiser, it seems! :lol: But that is a story for another day. Take care my friends.

Morning all,

Madcat - how delightful to see you here in our wee corner(s) of the world. Hope you had a delightful day and that you have now exercised off the champagne - either that or you've got enough for all of us to descend on you for a birthday drink. :cheers: I miss seeing your cheerful posts in the journals and I have lost your e-mail addy so can't catch up.

Happy - sanity checks are free, unbiased and given with love and understanding. Don't all queue up at once! Feeling a bit introspective myself this morning. Not sure whether it is the dying gasp of another year or change of season or what. Maybe because of the gray skies.

Holly - doing well on your journal. May I suggest that you put the affirmations (the to-do list and the mantras) in a different colour, in bold, and in large print. That way you can really see what it is that you have achieved and have yet to achieve for the day. Also not a bad idea to print and stick it on the fridge and the bread bin. Aaaaah bread - the staff of life - and one of natures comfort foods.

Mel - hang on to that doctor, see him every Wednesday as often as necessary. A Doctor that does housecalls!!!! :eek: :faint: WHAT???!!! Nice of you to share CJ with Willy and the ladies. I'm sure that Linus would be happy for you to share the real thing if you were closer. That way she would be able to get some well earned zzzzzzzz's

Painter - A client is a client. You are on your way back. Like happy says - 90 minutes on the art for every 30 minutes on the business or the house or the garden. You go get them. And who says you can make money out of the art. Set up a website - prevent downloads - and see who would like to buy. There is sometimes a market out there we haven't thought of yet. Dig that ground, mix in some good compost, gypsum to breakup the clay and water crystals to hold the water. Then plant the bulbs. Come spring you can paint the flowers!
And yes Linda's cattle prod is always plugged in. My persuader is ready to travel as well.

Ceejay - are you working hard? Usually see you in here around this time. Have a good day friend.

Hello to Tig, Teel, Linus, Meadow et al.

Well it is Friday, the weekend stretches ahead. Yummy. What's on the menu? A call from Mel - always a welcome diversion, Gym, laundry and ironing, housework, football Saturday afternoon and the kids for dinner - no I am not eating them - maybe the brother will put in an appearance (he rang me yesterday), deciding on what to put in the bag, making the list, putting it in the bag. Figuring that I need some new clothes, buying the clothes, putting them in the bag. Clean the car, pull out some weeds and tidy the yard. Lots of other things.

You know I was sitting here earlier and thinking about all of us - both individually and collectively. There are times when no doubt we hack each other off big time and yet we have not yet had a major row, tossed our heads and retreated in high dugeon to opposit corners of the ring, stormed out and sworn never to darken the thread again. Indeed, although we have had people (good people) who came and went, they went because they figured there was nothing here for them I guess, not because we treated them badly.
There have been times when no doubt I have really annoyed people with my lists, organising, whinging about work, db's, ds's or the cat. Yet no one has ever said anything to me about pulling my woolly head in (great forebearance that). Maybe someone just put a block on my userid until I got over it.
Despite all the cultural differences, personal differences, circumstances distances, time zones and weather we have made it through several years of conversation and constructive criticism, help, opinions and dictatorial statements, pregnancy and pain. It's got to be an achievement. And long may it last, amen.
I sometimes wonder if the friendship, kinship and good old fashioned love between friends is the reason. When you face it, there are on this thread - those with a physical disability (although most would not realise it was there), those who have been through the mill with medical procedures and those who are taking drugs to alleviate pain or diseases, some with children, some who are not married or in relationships, differences in ages, different races, those living in their own countries and those who are 'displaced', some are well educated and some like me are self taught and maybe some who struggle, those with cats and those with dogs.
Some of us have calm personalities, some go through highs and lows with equal enthusiasm and ease, although it must get wearing on those with a calm karma. We have peaceful souls and passive souls, energetic and frenetic souls, worriers and warriors, battlers for the underdog and champions of democracy. So how come we don't have the problems I have seen on other threads and in the journals?

When you get the answer to all of the above - let me know. I'm through with philosophising (sp) for the day. I don't know the answers to life's questions and dang it if I did, the buzzards would probably change the questions.

6 days to go

Whew - good thing I ran by to check in! Only 6 days!! :cheer: Very exciting!

Hurricane Wilma is being very unforecast-able. I suspect we will get some rain and wind around Monday or Tuesday, but we are on the east coast of Florida so we won't see as much as the west coast. We were planning to go to Daytona for Biketoberfest on Saturday and still may. It's only 90 or so miles away so we can decide at the last minute. We get our hurricane supplies in June so we're all set. And Slim got me a rain suit so I'm feeling brave. If it's not too windy we'll give it a go!

I enjoyed all the singing. And in reply to your question, Shad... is I don't think I've read one mean-spirited word on this thread. My opinion. Not humble.

Mean-spirited words, no I guess not. We have free spirits and those who march to different drums, but not mean spirits. That may be the answer.

Shad~ I agree with your thoughts and I actually dont think that we do bug each other very much no matter the differences. I love and appeciate when others take the time to set me straight or offer other opinions. The bottom line for us, as I see it, is a genuine respect and probably love. I adore each person here for many different reason, I would gladly open my home, share my family with all of you without a second thought. I would give of myself any way I could to offer support and know it would be valued. In the important ways we are alike. We honour family, life, our world, we seek to grow as individuals and move forward...... pretty amazing really.
I do know it is what my life was missing in a huge way and I was asking for it on a deeper level. Some prayers are answered. I feel a true sisterhood with all of you. Sometimes it is a mom/daughter thing, a sis thing, a best friend thing...what ever shape it takes, I am thankful and I do hope that I give a little something back to each of you in some small way.
In the well planned chaos of my life the moments that make me take a deep breath and smile are when I come here to read what everyone has shared that day.
I love the global connection. Keeps life in perspective.

Holly - maybe you are just too nice. There are times when you should hear me swear when somebody bugs me. I left the journals for that very reason and although it doesn't happen so much here, occasionally I dig around in the drawer and bring out the sticky tape dispenser and say things like - here you go Holly - stick this on your mouth and then you wont eat that sugar/ bread/ cheese/ icecream (strike out that which is not applicable) whatever that you have moaned about eating all week.

By the way, I only picked you because you don't think we bug each other. :rofl: :rofl: :lol3: :lol3: so don't take offence okay.

Can't speak for anyone else, I often talk to you all both nicely and at pitch while I am reading the posts.

But you put forward some very valid points. We need to value these - respect - now there is a word I have a lot of time for. Good one Holly

Has anyone twigged yet that I don't have a lot to do today??? Of all the work on my desk to do, I have to see 6 people about 9 things and 3 of them are on leave, 2 are in meetings and one is sick, the other has gone awol. Gotta love life in the Ministry!!!

It is with deep pleasure that I read and share with everyone. Don't know where I would be without all the support and rolling eyeballs I find here ;) Everybody put on a tune that makes you want to move, shake your groove thing, shake your bling, bling!

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Shad~ now I am laughing out loud at the computer. I wish you were here with that tape. I coulda used a nudge an hour ago. I ate a handful of crackers. I even went for a brisk walk and drank lots of water first. I was feeling bone weary and emotionally tapped.Not a valid excuse but it is what happened. Maybe next time I will hear your voice and visualize sticky tape and not beautiful grainy, nutty, bread or crackers. LOL!!! See how good you are for me!!!

Gotta love those dancing chicks Meadow. You are another wonder of this world with your graphics. Hey they have legs like my next door neighbours dh - no wonder he is useless (her words not mine) - insufficient visible means of support.

Greetings... Here I am, late again. I like checking in with all of you at the end of my day.
Madcat--- Sorry I missed your birthday. Hope you have a wonderful year! So you're a libra, too. Sometimes it seems as if I'm well-balanced, and other times as though I go from one extreme to the other. Cant' decide!

Well, I didn't work in the yard to day... it was back up to the mid80's. I did have more energy than all of last week though... so I am encouraged. I also made arrangements for boarding the cat in November for Thanksgiving. DD is coming from the East coast and we're going on a jaunt to Kerrville, TX. (Quaint... and they have hills there. Bliss.)

Shad-- I don't know why this thread does so well... I know that one of the other ones has had individuals who were easily offended. I think this group either has thicker skin, doesn't take itself all that seriously, or is confident that what other people say doesn't actually define them. I also noticed (before I got STUCK in last week's slough of despond) that there was a guick consensus that all of us would do will to count our blessings. What a help that was. Other groups sometimes have impromptu competitions to see who can sing the bluest Blues.

Meadow... awesome chicks, indeed!

Hockey has started, but the Stars have now lost 2 in a row. :-(

Mel-- On the lists, I prefer to be Paint, Painter, Painty, PW, or PainterWoman.
I'd rather not have any of my paying clients run into me and my neuroses. Things work better if they don't worry about their "helper." you know?

Shad-- I heard tonight at a Halloween program about gross facts about the human body that the human mouth has more bacteria in it than there are people in Australia and Canada COMBINED. I guess Madcat might want to know that, too. I won't share the other grosser stuff!

Hope you are all sleeping well... and that your TGIF is optimistic ALL DAY!

Lovin' the chicks Meadow!

And I see your little egg light shining Shad. Hard to believe that for you, Friday night is wrapping up right now. Best get off the computer and get busy packing and getting ready for your trip. It's coming up soon in case you forgot. :lol:

Madcat, lovely to see you pop your head in if for nothing more than an all too short visit. Wish you'd at least post how you're doing as we are all nosy chicks. :o

Shad you pose an interesting question as to why we all get along. I'm sure we don't always agree with what the others say all the time. I certainly do not hold back when I feel the need to get it out. For me there are some who certainly carry a large sack of troubles on their shoulders. It keeps it in perspective about my own whining. I don't know that we're so entirely focused on dieting exclusively so no competiton there. Just a bunch of chicks from many corners who genuinely care about each other.

2 things that bother me... the first is when people get down in the dumps and pull away and get quiet because they feel that they only have to come here and post happy thoughts all the time. Do not turn away from the much needed support that is here for you. I always feel a sense of loss :( when people pull back, even if it's for a short time. ***hint, hint to some of you *** ;) We are here for each other in good times and bad. :grouphug:

The second is that I think that sometimes support can be well intentioned but a bit misdirected. This whole diet, exercise, healthy living, way of eating whatever you call it is no doubt a difficult task. For some it's a matter of simply apply themselves and boom, they get results. For others it's hard to give up the immediate desire for the long term goals - I suffer from this extensively. I expect a hug when I'm down but also when I fall into a familiar pattern of no results just extensive excuses, I look to you to rally round and set me on a straight road. :rollpin: :drill: :nono: It is done with love so no offense taken but I think it does a person more harm than good to constantly support bad behaviors simply because we are afraid to offend. ;)

I think my next challenge should be getting to work by 8am. :yikes: I sure do fritter away the morning even if I do get up a bit earlier. The race is on, thank goodness it's the last leg of the week. See yah!

See Happy~ your whole post makes me feel thankful. I LOVE that you say what you feel and aren't afraid to challenge someones words( mine). It makes me stop and re think and make positve changes. Maybe this all works because we are willing to receive the comments with the loving intent they were given.

Maybe we simply are all incredibly mature, wise, brilliant, caring, spectacular, gifted, fabulous individuals. weeeheeee

Meadow--love all the graphics.

Shad--You are always a cheer leader. I know what you mean about the journals. That's why I like it here because it's more positive. I didn't post yesterday. I needed that entry in the journal for private thoughts.

Happy-- I agree with Shad. We all need sanity checks.

Tig--I hope the hurrricane slows down to a tropical storm. The states have had it's share of those things.

Mel Hope everything is okay.

It's almost cold outside today and it's not suppose to be above the 60's temperature wise. This is my kind of weather. It finally seems like fall. I'll have the window's open most of the day.
Yesterday I had to go to Paragould to a district water meeting that was suppose to meet at 1 p.m. They were serving fried catfish but I just didn't want to eat anything fried and the last time it wasn't any good. When I got there at 12.30 p.m., the meeting was already in progress, and was finished by 1 p.m. I got to sign the sheet so I'll recieve 2 hours credit for it anyway. I was within a stone's throw of my uncle's but he was still gone on vacation. Stopped by Super Walmart to look for an electric blanket but didn't find any and then came home.
Spent yesterday afternoon working on the finances. I am in so much credit card debt that I think I've been worrying about it to much and been getting sick over it. I have been weighing the pro's and con's to take a financial hardship on my retirement from work, and have discovered a way to not pay the penalty before the age of 59 and 1/2 because I don't own any property and I'm 55. My retirement plan will with hold the federal taxes but I will pay the state taxes. I should come out even by doing this. I have enough money to pay the state taxes. My mind is finally at peace. I didn't want to take the bankruptcy way out of this situation and by doing it this way I'll be debt free by the first of the year. This is a big sigh of relief. :dance:

Weighed in this morning at 184, but because I ate a half a bag of potato chip's yesterday on the way home I' ve retained some fluid pounds from the sodium. ugh.

I need to get dressed for the day. Later this afternoon I will need to go pay the light bill and stop by Arlene's office to have her change my address on the pay check.

Have a good day.

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My song for the day is "Bare Necessities" ;)

Look for the bare necessities
The simple bare necessities
Forget about your worries and your strife
I mean the bare necessities
Old Mother Nature's recipes
That brings the bare necessities of life

Wherever I wander, wherever I roam
I couldn't be fonder of my big home
The bees are buzzin' in the tree
To make some honey just for me
When you look under the rocks and plants
And take a glance at the fancy ants
Then maybe try a few

The bare necessities of life will come to you
They'll come to you!

Look for the bare necessities
The simple bare necessities
Forget about your worries and your strife
I mean the bare necessities
That's why a bear can rest at ease
With just the bare necessities of life

Now when you pick a pawpaw
Or a prickly pear
And you prick a raw paw
Next time beware
Don't pick the prickly pear by the paw
When you pick a pear
Try to use the claw
But you don't need to use the claw
When you pick a pear of the big pawpaw
Have I given you a clue ?

The bare necessities of life will come to you
They'll come to you!

So just try and relax, yeah cool it
Fall apart in my backyard
'Cause let me tell you something little britches
If you act like that bee acts, uh uh
You're working too hard

And don't spend your time lookin' around
For something you want that can't be found
When you find out you can live without it
And go along not thinkin' about it
I'll tell you something true

The bare necessities of life will come to you

Morning all,
I have about 20 minutes before I have to get ready for gym so I thought I had better get here and at least achieve the daily post. Although thinking back I have achieved more than this today already. I have spoken to our Mel and not had to say eh what pardon more than a couple of times. I have done and hung out the washing. I have cleaned (more or less) the kitchen - still have the floor to go.

Think I might just have to go out and cut the grass this weekend as well as all the other things I need to do. The rain plus the sunshine plus the warmth have combined to bring on the grass growth and the weeds I see.

Meadow, thank you for that song. I haven't heard it in years. Back to basics is not a bad way to go. The exercising bear is hilarious.

Ceejay, I am so sorry to hear about the credit card debt. It is a nasty vicious circle and although the card is a great convenience, the majority of people do not seem to be able to control themselves with it. It's almost as if they think they have an unlimited amount of money and will never have to pay it back. I have heard of people over here who have so much debt that if one of them loses their job then the whole thing will collapse they will lose their house, car, everything they have. I live off mine, but pay it off entirely each month and therefore incur no interest. I hope this puddling with the retirement fund doesn't mean that you won't have enough to live on when you do retire.

Happy - I totally agree with the indefensive bad behaviour thing. If you stuff up, there really are no excuses, you have stuffed up. End of story. One can whinge and carry on but the fact is that it was our choice to stuff up. I'm well aware that some of us are not as disciplined as others. Some are going through a growing up stage, some are growing aware. Sometimes it is hard to not just sit here and mentally shake the sh*t out of someone who is constantly on a roller coaster - hence the tape I was mentioning to Holly earlier. We are a good bunch because of our differences and not in spite of them. I would love someday to get us all together to laugh and chat and really get to know the real 'us' but I know it is unlikely to happen.

Painter - now I am going to have to look up that town just to see where you are going. I'm dead nosey like that. It's good to hear that you are slowly getting some energy back. Those bulbs will get done eventiually I am sure of it. I have to ask this, please don't take offence - if you are happy to be called Painter or whatever to divert attention away from what you do - which is fair enough - why did you put your e-mail addy up here the other day. Just not thinking about it????? Don't wish to be rude, but I hope you don't get some nasties coming in on the ethernet! Please PM the person with personal things like that. You just never know who is out there.

Okay, my times up - gotta get ready and go to gym. Otherwise I'll be halfway through the workout when the Body Balance class is due to start.

Back later.

5 days to go

:cofdate: HAD A LOVELY CHAT WITH MY SISTER SHAD. I DON'T THINK I SAID "WHAT?" TOO MANY TIMES! IF I DID SHE WAS TOO POLITE TO SAY SO!!:rofl: SHAD HAS REACHED THROUGH THE TELEPHONE WIRE AND GIVEN ME A GOOD SMACK ALONG SIDE THE HEAD, SET ME ON TRACK AGAIN AND GIVEN ME A BIG HUG TO GET ME STARTED AGAIN,. CAN YOU TELL IT'S ALREADY WORKING! SHAD HAS ALSO SOLVED MY LOO PROBLEM AND I RUSHED OUT THE DOOR TO FILL IN THE PAINTER/TILER BEFORE HE LEFT FOR THE WEEKEND. AS SOON AS THE PAINTING IN THE BUILDING IS DONE, HE WILL MAKE A PLATFORM AND TURN MY TOILET BOWL INTO A PROPER THRONE!! AND WILL EVEN PUT TILE ALL AROUND THE BASE OF IT! HE LOVES ME TOO. AN ENTIRE MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT COULDN'T SOLVE MY PROBLEM SO I TOOK IT TO "SHAD THE BUILDER". SHE OF COURSE KNEW THE ANSWER RIGHT AWAY. THANK GOD FOR TELEPHONES AND COMPUTERS!!! YOU ARE GOOD FOR WHAT AILS PORANGI!! :love:

MISS HAPPY~ YOU ALSO REMINDED ME TO SLACK OFF THE SPICES AND I HAD FORGOTTEN THAT!!! :faint: I AM MAKING THE CHILI TOMORROW BUT WILL USE OREGANO AND SUCH...MAYBE A BIT OF CUMIN. GOOD THING I YOUR POST TONITE BEFORE THE COOKING BEGAN!!! THE FACE IS COMING AROUND AND THE NOSE NO LONGER LOOKS LIKE KARL MALDEN/WC FIELDS. I WILL KEEP YOUR GRANDE VANILLA SKIM CAPPUCCINO(SP) HOT TILL I PICK YOU UP......YOU MIGHT NOT HAVE BEEN ON THE PHONE HAPPY BUT YOU WERE THERE IN SPIRIT! :love:

PW~ I ASKED ABOUT THE NAME CAUSE YOU DROPPED THE ADDIE IN A POST THE OTHER DAY! LOL (incognito is a good thing!) I ALSO HAD A GREAT LAUGH AT THE PHRASE "BLUEST BLUES"!!!!!! AND I AGREE! :rofl: :lol3:

TIG~ HOPE IT DOESN'T RAIN:rain: ON YOUR BIKE PARADE!!:scooter: BATTEN DOWN THE HATCHES CAUSE HERE COMES THE WIND!!!

MEADOW~ LOVED THE CHICKS IN THE BASKET. REMINDED ME OF OLD EASTER CARDS I HAVE SEEN AND ONE IN A CATALOG.
THE DANCERS WERE ADORABLE!! MAYBE THEY CAN GET TOGETHER WITH MY DANCING TURKEYS!!:dance:

CJ~ PARAGOULD AND NO ONE HOME?!? HOPE THEIR VACATION IS GOING WELL. JEN AND I ARE THINKING OF ELECTRIC BLANKETS TO HEAT THE BED BEFORE WE GET INTO THEM THIS WINTER!! RICHIE AGREES TOO! LOL SO GLAD TO HEAR ABOUT YOUR BEING DEBT FREE NEXT YEAR. CONGRATS CAUSE I KNOW IT'S BEEN BOTHERING YOU. GOOD LUCK!!!:encore:

HOLLY~ I SEE YOU ARE MERRILY ROLLING ALONG WITH FAMILY AND WORK AND ALL THE LITTLE KITTLES SURROUNDING YOU!

WELL KIDS, IT'S THAT TIME OF NIGHT AND I AM READY FOR A GOOD LIE DOWN AND SOME READING. HOPE THE WEEKEND IS GREAT FOR ALL OF YOU! OURS LOOKS RAINY AND COOL SO LOTS OF INDOOR SPORTS ARE ON MY AGENDA. ADIOS :moped:

MISS MADCAT~ I AM HONORED TO SEE YOU HERE AND WISH YOU WOULD COME AND SAY HELLO ONCE AND AWHILE!!! I MISS YOUR POSTS!!! I JUST HAVEN'T GOT IT IN ME THIS YEAR FOR THE JOURNALS. SAVING ENERGY FOR MYSELF! :rofl: GLAD YOU WERE SURPRISED AND HOPE IT WAS A GREAT DAY! AGAIN...CONGRATS ON THE IMPENDING NUPTUALS!!! (sp) :love:

Hi ladies,

I am grateful it is Friday. No office for 2 days. It's very cool outside - nice to cuddle in the soft warm blanket and when I wake up around 5am tomorrow morning, I can snuggle the covers, roll over and go back to sleep :cloud9: Life is good... I live for Saturday mornings :D

I'm glad that Mel and Shad had such a nice conversation. I'm afraid I would have been doing alot of what, excuse me, say agains???? Good on yah Shad for redesigning Mel's loo. I would have guessed you as the extreme makeover expert in the group - and your suggestion probably wouldn't have broken the bank either. Enjoy your chili Mel. As for you Shad, hope you had a good workout and have fun trimming the lawn.

Ceejay - have you tried Kohl's for the electric blanket? We got ours at JC Penney. They are difficult to find - but worth it. I hear you on the credit card debt. I suppose you can't borrow against your plan and pay yourself back? I agree with Shad and would be hesitant to use my retirement money outright - that's so hard to build back up again. However I do understand the worry and the sleepless nights. I was in that situation myself a few years back. It got especially fretful as the job situation became more uncertain. We called the banks, renegotiated lower rates on the cards or transferred them to other accounts with lower interest rates. Then we destroyed the cards so that we could not charge more and paid extra on the cards until we paid them off one by one - as we'd pay off one we'd add the extra payment to another. It took us 2 years to get debt free and I swore never again. Had to do some soul searching for why I spent so much but that was part of the healing process. Now we pay off the cards each month and I don't spend more than we have available. I discuss big purchases with DH and we agree ahead of time. I had to buy dressier clothes for work and we agreed that was ok - particularly since we weren't talking about a cheap expense here. It is a big relief to have the credit paid off. So many people live on the edge today - many feel like if something happens - let them come and cart it off but they have to find me first. I could never live like that :no: I'm sure you've thought hard about this and come up with the best answer for you. Good luck. I also hear that they recently changed the bankruptcy laws and it's now tougher to file for bankruptcy than it used to be.

Good one Meadow to remind us that it's the simpler things we should strive for. When you add up all the factors the cost of our "stuff" is rather steep.

Tig, stay dry and safe. Hope Wilma keeps her distance.

Enjoy your trip this weekend PW and creative use of listing your email but I wouldn't be giving mine out in other than a private message too. However if like me you have friends who insist on routing you thousands of jokes, they are passing your email address all over kingdom come anyway.

Holly - did you do right by yourself and stay away from the bread products today? I think Linda T is right when she says to go to bed earlier - more sleep is good and it keeps us out of the refrigerator. I often think, man that girl is disciplined. But when you get right down to it, that's how you lose 86 pounds.

I was horrified to find that I'd gained 2 pounds this week. Horrified because for a change I was really good on the food - types of food and portions. Water was better than usual too. However, one look at my swollen ankle and I can see the culprit was salt. If I may be allowed one small :tantrum: for a minute. It just bugs me to watch the fats and sugars and then be taken down by salt. Perhaps I should just drink water and eat the box the foods come in. Ok, rant over, tomorrow is a new day.

My challenge for the week will be to write down each and everything that goes into my mouth and all the different ways I move this body. I am still having a bit of trouble with the leg. Skipped the doc this week to let it heal up which it is, tho I am about 40% right now. It's a catch 22 - in some ways my spine and back feel good - no pain or pressure but my leg does not feel good and that is very troublesome. What road to pick? :dunno: I intend this week to eat better and exercise. I can still do abs and uppper body weights even if I'm not quite up to treadmilling or steppering this week.

And at this point I am longing to crawl into bed. So I will leave now with cheery thoughts of eating well and exercising all week long. If not I will give you all ten dollars - caught your attention, didn't I? :rofl:

Hellos to Teel (come back), Tig, Linus and lurkers around the world as well as occasional guests like LindaT and Madcat. I certainly hope I didn't forget anyone. Night all, sleep tight run like the winds Shad...

Ceejay~ We had a lean year last year financially and have debt.Things are better lately buit we are working hard at getting it pasid off. It is always in the back of my mind. We were still careful but it IS a stress. HUGS.
Happy~I idn't get to bed earlier but I am aimingm for it today. I did stay clear of the bread. a victory. HUGS!!
Shad/Mel~ A good talk with a good friend eases the soul!!!!
Meadow~ our songstess and spirit lifter, hugs!!
Tig, Teel, Linus,PW,Miss Mad, LindaT I adore you ladies!!!!!! HUGS!

YAAAAWWWNNNNNN.........
Short nights sleep. Had trouble disconnecting last night and then DD was up at 2 not feeling well. Probably hungry. Didn’t eat her supper,playing games. DH yelled. sigh. I got about 5 hours. I am doing the farmers market this morning. Going to get the TV and then DS has hockey. I think I may stay home.

Daily Journal
1.My renewal statement for the day.- I will honour my body
2. Weekly weight.- 230
3. Exercise-type, how long, what level. none
4. % fat, carbs, protein.
5. # meals and snacks.3 meals, 1 snack
6.# fruits, # of veg. -3 veg
7. How many glasses of water.- 10
8. Time of last food intake, time I went to bed. - low carb wrap and tzaziki at 8:30, 2 glasses of wine, bed at 12am
9. Why and when I ate due to stress or emotions.- I didn’t
10.General feelings about food, exercise, life.- I went shopping and spent $168 on Mediteranian/south beach food choices.There is quite a bit of prep involved. I want to make some things ahead for my breaky/lunches.Supper is usually a meat,potato, veg. I dont really like potato so I skip it.
11. Any really good events or feelings today.- it was aloooong trying day and I survived. I had a great visit with my good friend last night.
12. Overall, how did the day go.-It was chaotic and stressful. The kids were wild, angry, aggressive,loud. A l9t of redirection, couselling,discipline, tough love...it was hard. I am exhausted.
13. How can I improve for tomorrow.- Allow/find more time for me to be alone and recharge.Breathe. Food was really quite good. I am happy about that. HUGS to me this morning.