Good morning everyone,
How nice to see honey-dipped back with us. One slice of pie is not a disaster unless of course it was the largest slice of the largest pie imaginable, just readjust things today and get back on track. I would imagine it will be a bit cold for running or outdoor exercise at the moment.

Lisa, I am not as bad as Missy Mel makes out. I actually don't approve of fighting in the sporting arena. Should one wish to knock out the brains of another, go to the boxing gym and have a real go. Over here we have had some real thugs playing rugby league over the last couple of years. Too much money paid to young people who just can not handle the power and adoration. Still they are trying to clean up the act I think, I hope. Better get off the now.
You will notice the loss of inches long before you notice the weight change. For some of us there is very little weight change. However my charts tell me I have lost 4" all over (apart from legs and arms) since I started at the gym. I'm now wearing a size 12, can fit into some 10's but that is not a good criteria since clothing sizes are so ludicrous now.

Meadow - love the Bridal Veil Falls. Seems every country has one named that. Somewhere I was reading about the His and Hers falls. I think it might have been Japan. Interesting concept. Male and female waterfalls???
The butter tarts don't do a lot for me I'm afraid, now if they were egg, cheese and bacon, the plate would be absolutely cleaned out.

I haven't gotten all my cards away. It has just been impossible this year. I've sent out lots of letters by e-mail and most of the overseas ones have gone, but the NZ'ers haven't, I can see me on the phone a lot over the period between Christmas and New Year.

Better buzz - as there is work to be done, too little time to do it since I am pushing as much of it onto my star pupil and sitting close to her to be able to help where necessary. Lunch time is coming up as well. 4 minutes to the magical midday.

See ya

Step away from the butter tarts m'am

Thank you for the recipe Meadow. Sounds sinfully delicious.

And such lovely pictures of waterfalls. I can close my eyes and almost hear the water rushing by. How lovely and peaceful. Then again there are many beautiful places in British Columbia. And Toronto's pretty nice too though I haven't been there in many, many years.

Shad, I think you are in good company with the lot of us who have decided that there is more Christmas to do's than Christmas times. I'm calling an end to it officially tomorrow. They get's what they gets. Are you happy to be wrapping up things on the current job? Looking forward to a bit of time off? I would be. You'll find the money somewhere but you can't make up lost time.

Hey Miss Mel, what's this asking about snow? You have to visit our Canadian friends if you want to see some of that stuff!

Good heavens CJ's got teeth already? I don't think Linus will EVER get any rest. Perhaps she can crawl behind the Christmas tree and catch a snooze under the wrapping papers.

I am glad I'm getting out of the office tomorrow. For as empty as the office is - many on vacation - there sure are alot of food items to be found. Everywhere. I received a few boxes of chocolates as gifts which are soon to become someone else's stocking stuffer gifts. That's a first for me. They just didn't look good enough to spend the calories on. I do have my eye on a nice Italian hunk (of bread) Feeling a bit stiff tonight - not sure if it was my workout yesterday or just the weather. A few good stretches are in order.

Honey-dipped, one small piece of pie won't do you in, as long as you stop at one. I am trying to master the art of the 3 bite dessert.

Enjoy your Christmas Morrilli - it is nice to share it with a child.

My house is a mess and it's bugging me. Time to go clean things up.

Catch you on the sunny side of tomorrow...

A funny story for you... (this is not me telling it by the way)

I Love Mustard. (This is a true story. If you have children you will probably relate to this father.)

As ham sandwiches go, it was perfection: a thick slab of ham on a fresh bun with crisp lettuce and plenty of expensive, light brown, gourmet mustard. The corners of my jaw aching in anticipation, I carried it to the table in our backyard, picked it up with both hands but was stopped by my wife suddenly at my side.

"Here, hold Johnny (our six-week-old son) while I get my sandwich," she said.

I had him balanced between my left elbow and shoulder and was reaching again for the ham sandwich when I noticed a streak of mustard on my fingers.

I love mustard.

I had no napkin.

I licked it off.

It was not mustard.

No man ever put a baby down faster. It was the first and only time I have sprinted with my tongue protruding. With a washcloth in each hand, I did the sort of routine shoeshine boys do; only I did it on my tongue.

Later, after she stopped crying from laughing so hard, my wife said, "Now you know why they call that fancy mustard . . "Poupon."

OH HAPPY THAT WAS TOO FUNNY!! POUPON!!! GLAD I DON'T EAT MUSTARD ANYMORE...HEARTBURN. BUT ISN'T YOUR DH A MUSTARD FANATIC?! ROFLMAO HOPE THE DAYS OFF HELP YOU GET BACK ON TRACK...KNEE WILLING!!

SHAD~ GOOD IDEA WITH THE BOXING RING. MAYBE HEADS OF STATE CAN GO IN THERE TOO. WONDER IF OUR GOVT HAS LOOKED AT MY E-MAILS! ROFLMAO SOME WERE REAL CORKERS! ROFL I MUST GET TO WORK ON YOUR GUARDIAN ANGEL....WHEN THIS JOB IS OVER, WE CAN'T HAVE YOU JUST LYING AROUND THE HOUSE DOING NOTHING! ROFL

TODAY'S CHORE IS TO FINISH UP THE GIFT SORTING, CLEAN UP THE SORTER'S MESSES LEFT BEHIND AND MAKE MORE FLOOR ROOM. JEN SHOULD BE HERE TODAY TO MOVE THE KIDS STUFF UP TO HER APT. THE OFFICE PARTY IS TOMORROW. I WILL SPEND AS LITTLE TIME THERE AS POSSIBLE. PROBABLY BE TOO MUCH PERFUME THERE! YIKES!! FEELING SO-SO TODAY. NOT 100% YET.
SOMETIME THURS OR FRI I HAD BETTER GET MILK AND SUCH FOR THE 3 DAY WEEKEND. THEY HAVE MONDAY OFF. TONITE I WILL PLAY ELF AND GET THIS CANDY OUT OF THE HOUSE AND ON TO SOMEONE ELSE'S DOOR KNOB!! I CHANGED ALL THE BAGS AND TAGS AND OUT IT GOES. THIS HAS TO BE THE WORST I HAVE EVER BEEN SINCE 3/03 WITH MY EATING. GET THE CATTLE PROD READY!!! I MAY HAVE BEEN AWAY FROM LINDAT TOO LONG! ROFLMAO INSTEAD OF FINDING OTHER CANDIDATES FOR HER TO PROD IN THE JOURNALS....MAYBE I SHOULD JUST GO AND SURRENDER MYSELF! LOL
HAPPY WEDNESDAY/THURSDAY TO ALL OF YOU!

Mornin Ladies.
HUGS Linus!!
Mel~ wish you were feeling 100%. Great regifting!!
Shad~how goes the last few days of work?

Chuckling with the witty ,wise wordly chicks. I tries to scan a pic of this perfect redwood at the base of Bridal Veil Falls but it was too blurry. You'll just have to imagine natures perfection.

Today I will.......
hmmmmmmmmmm. Bake cookies in the morning, take tray of goodies to staffroom at school( keep them lovin us),tidy house,clean bathrooms,put away the laundry i finally folded(lol),listen to music,call a friend and chat,wrap, DH’s gifts( we do the kids together christmas eve with a cocktail or 2), be thankful..........

Yesterday I........

delivered Avon, kids were so good I took them to BK to eat and play, I did not order a meal for myself. I ate a few fries and 1/2 a burger and then came home and had some yellow pepper. Kids were complete dears all day!!!
After I tucked the kids in I went to the city to colour copy scrap book pages and left them there to be laminated to pick up tomorrow.Got home late, had a snack and went to bed and pretended to read but nodded immediately.

Good morning so far. 3 kids off to school. 2 kids on hols already. 1 coming( I think). Majorly low key for this crazy household.

Groovin’ along!!!!!!!!!!

Be jolly chicks!

4 more days and counting

Hello to all the chicks.

Not much going on right now. I'm waiting for the chemical sales rep/checmist.

I'll need to call my nephew tonight and fill him in on my not coming but I think he'll understand once he here's my voice. (cough, cough, snort and blow nose) all of this is because of perfume. I dont want to give the babies anything. Mine and Rudolf's nose are the same color this morning. At least I have a good excuse now.

more later.

Ceejay, what's this about the stuffiness? Having an allergy reaction?

Mel, what's this with the bad holiday eating? Do I have to get hold of DH's nephew who probably is not that far from you since he moved to NJ from Manhattan to wave that cattle prod under you window? Nah - he's too nice to do it. Maybe I should make a detour (albeit a long one) on my way to Chicago. Next year you have to drop hints at those who'd like to do something for you with things you like that would make more sense - mint mocha Starbucks and lavendar lotions? I wanted to get our admin assistant something nice as she is so helpful. She's done so well on WW that I didn't dare do the easy food thing. Instead got her a pretty Christmas floral arrangement. It's just that those things are so expensive. Wish I could have afforded what I would really have liked to give her. Anyway you should go to the Christmas party with a tissue in each hand and beg off early due to an imagined cold - so many are sick this time of year - think it has to do with us seeing more of one another. Anyway take care of yourself.

Holly's list reminded me that I should do the same. I have about 20 PostIt's all over the place with things to do and get done before we pack up. Maybe it's good that the PostIt's are scattered because if I saw them all in one place, it would be rather overwheming. Trying to concentrate on getting the most important things done - like cleaning the refrigerator out this morning in time for trash pick up. Now I HAVE to eat that broccoli tonight since it won the keep or toss contest

1/2 day more of work. Can't wait to get out of here tonight. Have to leave myself a note on what to pick back up when I get back because I have learned to COMPLETELY clear my head of all work related items when I go on vacation. I come back a clean, rested slate including forgetting my logins and passwords

Hope all the worldly chicks are doing well and busy with the tick tick last minute countdown to the Santa man visit.

Hi everyone,

Shad - I don't believe you're as bad as she makes you out to be. LOL! I knew she was just playing!

I went to see Tai Shan in the Washington National Zoo today. OMG! That little ball of fur is the cutest thing I've ever seen. It was so worth taking a long lunch to go see him. I'll have to get pictures and post them on this site. He is so cute. I want to keep him for a pet!! LOL!

Cute mustard story - but a little gross, too!! I think I've heard that one before.

Have a good holiday happy2beme. You sound like me, I am the Post-it note queen! I have them everywhere. Enjoy your break.

I have off work Friday and Monday, so I'm looking forward to a nice four day Christmas weekend!!

Talk to everyone later.

Lisa

Have a lovely holiday Happy.

Ceejay ,take good care of yourself.

What is Tai Shan?? Waiting for a pic.

I was kidless til noon today. It was beyond peaceful. Listening to a The Elvis Gospel CD at the mo and the kids are watching a Christmas special.

HUGS!

The following is a link to my latest album on webshots with the birds, bees and beasts from Tamborine and Currumbin. http://community.webshots.com/album/526442762KjOrFi

Now this link works on my machine at work, however let me know if it doesn't work for you. As usual ooohs and aaaaah are appreciated.

Lordy but it is hot and it is only just before 8.00am. We are apparently looking at 35C today. I would so like not to be here. Meadow and Holly's cool climate Canada would be so nice today. It's hard to sleep, and hard to stay awake, one is sort of hanging about in a trancelike state. Unless of course one runs the aircon for long periods of time. Then the cat decides it is cold and snuggles in for a long snooze and she gives out plenty of heat.
Aaah well, wouldn't be Queensland without a long hot summer.

I suppose you have all heard on the news of our disgraceful race riots on the beaches of Sydney. Nitwits. And it is not all one sided either, not that you will hear about that bit. Sydney is not a place to be right now. How it will end is one of life's mysteries. Personally I would like to see the banning of the gangs, force integration in society and not have enclaves of muslims, vietnamese, chinese, lebanese etc etc etc. I'd love to see just a few deported back to where they came from - it may well calm a completely out of hand situation.

Happy, you must be ready to depart on holiday very soon. Hope you have a wonderful time, full of fun with friends and family. Stay safe and warm.

Morrili - I presume that Tai Shan is a Panda??? So cute. I love those things. I used to have a giant Panda stuffed toy many years ago. I wonder what happened to him??
A four day weekend? This lot here finish work on Friday and don't have to go back until Wednesday. They then work 3 days and have Monday off as well. Enjoy your time off. You deserve it.

Poor Ceejay - Red nose and probably sore as well. Hope you feel better soon.

Holly - you sound happy and busy. Not long to go now until the fat man sings. Elvis/ gospel/ cd - ooooh aaaaaah

Yeah Mel, present yourself at LindaT's door and be prepared to be prodded - and no doubt fed, watered and experimented on. Exercise will be compulsory. OR ELSE.

Sweets and Choc floating around the office willy nilly these days - and I have no trouble refusing it - pity same could not be said for the cheese and crackers!

Well only 2 days to go including this one. Better go and strike a blow and try to finish up a couple of things, not that anyone will notice or care. But there is me and I like to know I haven't left a mess for anyone.

See ya

Oh darn, only 2 pages of pics? (link works just fine). I see you were immersing Mika in all things Australian touristy. None the less I thought they were divine. What is it that the lorikeets are feeding on? I expected they would have been eating seeds and nuts. Really nice pictures. Mark that down as a place to see when we come visit you. I'm not sure what I liked better - the colorful birds, the gorgeous waterfall or those mischevious eyes of yours

Yes, I did hear about the riots. Very sad. Much of the state of the world is sad today. That's why we need to run it.

I did look up Tai Shan after you mentioned it Morrilli. Oh man - what an adorable Panda! I'm in He kinda was an ugly newborn but now that his ears are growing in, he's a real cutie. Thanks for mentioning him. How lucky you were to see him.

Kidless Holly? Gee whiz, what did that feel like? Flashback to the olden days

Off to the store now...

So how many people were eating ice-cream during the bird feeding? Did any of them see a drip on their hands, go to lick it and get a surprise? Those are beautiful pictures, I especially liked the Joey in the pouch, that looks so funny. Good thing humans don't have a pouch or there would be more back problems

I adore the look of Pandas! I have lots of little stuffed ones and one biggy that the kids dress in their clothes and prop up during play as another buddy. (His name is Barney) I would be scared of the real thing though, I am very adverse to bears. The pic Shad showed of the guy feeding the Crocodile just about had me fainting with the thought of his reflexes not being quite fast enough and pulling up a bloody stump.

I guess Happy has wiped her brain clean by now and is heading off for her Christmas fun. I have a book of passwords to various sites around the net, I can never remember any of them. I am frantic occasionally when I clear the cache of cookies and have to actually log in again. Takes some time to find the right one. I suppose I could just use the same words for each one but where is the secret agent fun in that?

Will Mel be decorating herself for the Christmas party? I see sparkle. Earrings, necklace, broach maybe a crown with twinkly lights. No maybe that would be over the top. I hear singing too Have a great time but leave before you feel that drain coming on. I think an hour and a half anywhere is sufficient.

I am being held captive by sugar laden Christmas goodies. The ransom is hours of exercise done on a regular basis in the new year. Sigh, I guess I will have to pay it.

The stuff they feed the birds with is a mixture of honey, water and condensed milk (sweetened variety no doubt) Apparently it is very very sweet. They also get some nuts and seeds later in the feed session, after they have done the tourist bit and let everyone ooooh and aaaah over them. The park has a 'feedometer' which sort of gives the number of birds. Theres 4 categories. Full house - means more birds than the people can cope with, then there is full flock, which means the birds extended family group and flock (immediate family). Now immediate family might mean 1000 or more birds. I can't remember the category that meant the least number of birds. Feel free to download them to your desktop if you wish. Actually that single close up of the bird drinking is better than the one I posted the other day.

The croc feeding was not very dramatic. That was as close as they got together. The man dropped the meat from there into the open jaws. You will notice the photo of the kids holding the baby croc - did you see the crocs mouth is taped shut! Apparently the croc has tremendous closing power in the jaw and very little opening power. So if you have a problem with the croc, sit on his head and hold the jaw shut until help arrives. Aaarch I should hide that one from Mel, she will want to have a go for sure.

Wow, so much to read. What a chatty bunch.

Happy- good luck with the various medical types. Baby steps is a really good way of looking at it. If we think about it took us X numbers of decades to get where we are now, we can't expect perfection over night. Shad's suggestion about using the calendar is a good one. Might as well make Microsoft products do something useful!!! I really like you idea of drawing a line in the sand re the Christmas cards. That's the only way to manage it.

Meadow - Funny, I've been given to understand that butter tarts are a distinctly Canadian thing. I know my Grandmother used to make them and I often get into pro-raisin vs. anti-raisin debates. I have an acquaintance that moved to the US South and he says it is one of the things he really misses. Where is Bridal falls? Did I just miss that? Good going on the mileage. Luckily butter tarts are good but not swift!

MEL – hope this doesn't mean you are overdoing it. Do we have to get LT's prod again? Nothing wrong with the occasional nap. Naps are highly underrated! I could loan you some snow… we have a bit extra (though at least it hasn't been that cold). I could wrap it in a package… though it probably wouldn't get to you before Xmas. And it might be a bit soggy once it got there...

Lisa – Hope your Christmas is wonderful. Good job on the spinning class. Remember, the clothes are probably a much better measure of how you are doing than the stupid scale anyway.

Ceejay – only 3 more sleeps! Sorry to hear the 'puter gawds are not being kind. Oops, I go to the next page and You're back!! Feel better! At least you won't get lost in a snow storm if your nose is red

Honey-dipped. Life is too short for guilt over one small piece of pie. Sometimes pie happens… as long as it doesn't happen often.

Linus – hang in there. The hairdresser's chair is a great place to nap. Take it where you can get it!!

Holly – you sound so peaceful. How great that you are sucking all the joy out of the season that you can.

Shad – Almost done! You must be looking forward to some relaxation. And I never thought for a moment you would be in the middle of that fight at the arena… though I suspect you would knock some sense into their heads and then engineer a diplomatic resolution to the problem.

Happy – Mustard!! I just got it!!! EEEEWWWWWW…

Yay!! Semi-final draft of job#2 was zipped and sent at 9:30 last night. It ain't brilliant, but it might be useful. You want brilliance, read Shakespeare. Now on to all the Christmas stuff I have left to do... oh and they called me and asked me if I would be available to re-write the other two sections of the manual. I told them I was NOT AVAILABLE UNTIL JANUARY!!

Later kids!

Hi everyone,

Holly - this site is for you. It's a link to the Giant Panda site, it also has panda cam (shows the new baby panda). He's sleeping right now.

http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/GiantPandas/

I loved visiting that little panda yesterday. Definitely the highlight of my day! I even bought a cute panda purse (I know, a bit childish, but I couldn't resist).

I'm sitting here at work, when I would much rather be at home. I have so much shopping, cleaning and wrapping of presents to do!!! Thankfully I'll get as much as I can get done tomorrow.

Thanks for all of the kind words about my spinning and working out. I'm really trying. My problem is that I get hungry every 2 hours (like clockwork!). No matter how much I eat, I still get hungry like I haven't eaten for days. I just don't get it!!!! Very frustrating.

I hope all of us do well over the holidays. I can already feel a bit of weight loss and my boyfriend commented on it this morning. Now, if only I could get rid of my double chins!!!!!! Scary!!

I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday with their families. I'll be online today, then not until the 27th. I will be enjoying my four-day weekend. Can't wait!! Don't think I'll be gone forever! I'll be back (like the Terminator!!). LOL!

I'm going to do my spinning class today at lunch. That class is addictive now to me! I have to go!!!

Merry Christmas!!!!!!

Lisa