I have been trying to avoid butter/marg and have taken to putting some olive oil and balsamic vinegar with a bit of pepper onto a plate and dipping. Was working fine until my husband's mom baked him a box of bread, about 10 loaves. Do you know how good homemade bread dipped in olive oil and vinegar tastes? OMG! I might have eaten less with butter:devil:

Shad-Oh behave!:p You know you are beautifully toned with all the exercise/weights you have been doing. The measurement flux is just water bloat or something :hug:

Tig-goodness I hope you don't get any news that will mess up your running. I send you good energy till you can rest at ease :)

Mel-High five for figuring out the AOL glitch, who's a clever lady? The snowflake craft sounds like a great time, I adore glitter:carrot: Sorry your energy is flagging, I recommend a good dose of Christmas Carols, Diana Krall has a new CD I was checking out at Amazon, maybe you need a treat ;)

Happy-How glorious, you have your tree up in November! I guess you are planning on a few parties or something, getting the house all spruced up for the coming season? Yikes about your knee:^: Take it easy with the treadmill, alot of pressure pounding down there, do you wrap your knee before you exercise? Wish I had a nice, unjudgemental doctor, female one would be excellent.

Rose-Wasn't your Thanksgiving a true blessing to have contact with both your kids and enjoy a visit with the lady in one of their lives. Glad you are back posting :smug:

Holly-congratulations on being tapped to speak at this women's violence/rememberance gathering. I certainly still shudder when I think about all those poor young ladies. Best of luck, are you working on your speech? I hope you aren't speaking after any of the family members, you will not be able to get the words out when choking on tears.

Teel-did you have some lovely biscuits with your coffee? I hope it was a nice chat. You should get the cattle prod for the gardener :lol3: I hope you are keeping warm ;)

Ceejay-goodness do you mean to say you were driving during a Tornado watch? Visions of the cow flying by in twister just flashed before my eyes, scary stuff. Glad you got home safely and had a decent visit.

:wave: PW, where are you? Linus (I know you are sleeping) A very merry hello to all our readers out there :dancer:

Morning
 

Nice to hear from everyone. Shad you are entitled to feel put out when you don't see changes but you have changed so many things to be more than an inpiration to all of us here. Have a tantrum then get back to the path you are on once again...... you are fabulous!
Tig, testing? Hope all turns out well, let's us know.
Happy is getting us all in the spirit. I decorated the artwork hanging in the office like presents on the wall. Looks great and festive! Stopped by my favorite florist and got a quick lesson on how to make good bows again....I forget from year to year.
Would love to do some crafting with MEl in the rec room with the people there. What fun! You take care Miss Mel we can't go on without you here!
Hope everyone else is doing well and try not to stress out over this holiday.... so many things attached to it. Thanksgiving is just so relaxing and less pressure. Woke up to lots of snow on the ground should be a fun drive down the hill this morning. My little Teeka has pulled out of her upset.... she is so little that I can't allow her to go many days without a vet....but she is once again come good.
Heard from old friends from Alaska last night so nice to reconnect with people. I am trying to send out cards more often to people letting them know I am thinking about them and people love to get mail.
Hope everyone is well..... take good care.
Peace,
Nae

Happy--I agree with the statement I can do this, I have to do this. Health is an issue with me right now also. If I had to report to the doctor's office every week I'd be more disciplined. Hmmmm May ask about that.

Shad--Don't you dare give up or I'm going to send LindaT with her cattle prod.

Tig-- Glad you also have a good doctor that doesn't dismiss any symptoms.

PW-- Where are you?

Mel--Yeah for you. Wish I knew more about the computer than I do. I know enough to get myself into trouble at times.

Hello to Holly and Nae.:wave:

They are digging up the old gas under ground storage tanks across the street. This is a God send in my opinion, because I can't walk across the street anymore for those afternoon snack attacks. They've relocated the convinence store. Right now it looks like they have dug a mote around a castle. That hole is deep.

I've been lurking on the 21 day challenge thread and decided that I could do this. To make it simple and doable I'm going to do 25 crunches per day.

Morning all
 

Tig - I do hope that the scan comes up with some good pictures and a satisfactory diagnosis. The nap sounded so peaceful and nice. Yes I think most of us realise that this is a public place. Ultimately we need to take responsibility for our own stuff. But I agree, sometimes we could be a little more careful.

Okay Ceejay - the fear of the prod did it. I'll be good, well goodish, I'm so far out of the loop of eating garbage and drinking too much these days that I simply can't do it anymore anyway. Go over to the 21 day challenge. It can't hurt and may even help if you commit to something for the run up to Christmas.

Rose - thanks for the kind words. I don't see myself as an inspiration tho', I just keep on, keeping on. Nice to hear from someone in Alaska. I'm always amazed at some of the places in this world that folk live. Friends are precious and you are right, we need to keep in touch more.

Oooh Meadow - dipping bread like a good Italian or Greek. That's how they taste the new harvest. Not sure about the balsamic, but it's yummy anyway. Moderation in all things - not sure I could handle the olive oil, balsamic and NEW bread. What bliss.

Happy - oooooh that leg. Well it may be the wake up call you required. You don't want to have to have a cartilage or knee replacement operation. This doc sounds caring and open and good for you. Take heed. 4lbs in 2 weeks. Go girl. Treadmilling is certainly easier on the legs, hips and ankles. Otherwise find a park and run on the grass. But NOW is the time to start.

Mel - big buddy, I hope you are feeling better and rested and okay. If you are agreeable, I will ring you 6am my time SUNDAY, which is 3pm or thereabouts your time SATURDAY. That should get me up and moving for the day. The seniors stuff sounds good. You are such a nice lady to do all that you do for those folks. It always amazes me that strangers tend to do more for them than family at this end of their lives. When really all they want and need is to feel wanted.

Where the heck is Painterwoman?? Did she go away for Thanksgiving and has yet to return home. Maybe I better go back and see where she was going for the holiday.

Okay - well we have had a night of heavy rain and thunder storms. On Tuesday we had heavy rain and some places got such a dose of hail that roofs, pergolas, and carports collapsed under the weight. It looked like a mid winter scene in Canada. Around 7000 homes were affected in one way or the other and 1000 are damaged enough to be unliveable. People are without power because the weight of the ice and water in the ceilings is collapsing the ceiling and pouring out through the light fittings.
I might add, that a lot of the places damaged have been newly built in an area where there were protests about the developers. It all used to be forest which was bulldozed willy nilly and houses put in to fill just about every square inch of the ravaged soil. Such is greed. Up round my way which is by every piece of information I have ever read, situated in a storm belt, there is no damage at all. We live under the convenant that for every 5 acres developed, there must be one acre of parkland or the existing forest must stay. Therefore we always had large trees around the place. I think that has helped. Not to say it can't happen. Anyway, it made for an interesting night last night. Haven't seen rain like that for ages.

Gotta go. Strike a blow for the workforce. See you

hi ladies oh god i miss you all so much my little munchkin has just gone to sleep after being up since 6 am all barring 2 hours in total mind you at least today he has a reason ,he had his toungue tie cut this morning :( :( :( im very quickly getting to the stge where im not coping at all {must be too old }and spend half my life in tears ,which for me is very unusual im normally well "s**t hapens " sorta gal then get on and do some ironing but just cant at the moment must be the survivng on 4 hours of sleep {if im lucky}every night ,xmas cards have been purchased and are ready to send ,ceejay,meadow,holly,painter i dont have your home addresses so if you dont mind and i wont be offended if you dont want to give them out could you pm them to me and ill post yours aswell unfortunatly all cards come with baby pictures :carrot: :dizzy: :^: :o :o :o right have to go and pop off to bed have been up since 5.45 am and its now 1.09 am so bye to you all and miss you all so much
kirsty
ps added me to the map
pps mel im gonna call you soon i miss your voice

Awww Linus. :hug: I sure do wish we all lived closer to one another - sounds like you could use some get away time. I would love to take Connor out for a walk - I'd leave him in the carriage and promise him that he wouldn't have to get cuddled by a stranger (me) unless he wanted to. We could start a walking club amonst the girls. And when we're done walking we could get together at Mel's for crafty bits.

I used to get by on 4 hours of sleep and that is NOT a good thing, particularly when you can't just roll up and catch a nap when you need one. That horrible fog when you wake up and the brain says sleeeeeeeep but you can't. I'm glad you are sending out baby pictures, was hoping you or Shad or Mel or Teel or someone would post more soon.

Good heavens Shad. Those storms sound horrid. I did not think you got frozen precipation of any sort EVER. I agree with you on the over development of land. They are building ever bigger houses on too small lots, not enough open ground to absorb the moisture. And soil erosion with no trees. I longed to live in an area that had tall mature trees - those new developments make me feel like I'm living in a fishbowl. No thanks. Is this like a late spring storm for you? How did your garden fare?

Painterwoman where are you? Out shopping with the DD?

Ceejay, I will join you in your challenge of 25 crunches a day if you like. Anything to help motivate each other.

Nae, I LOVE the idea of decorating the artwork to look like gifts. What a creative idea!!!! We have some really UGLY artwork in the office that could stand a bit of decorating. Hmmm. this calls for an episode of when elves attack um I mean decorate ... :devil: :snowball1 Do you have alot of fir trees up you way? Does it smell like balsam and Christmas? Ahhhhhhh....

Meadow - speaking of lovely smells - the smell (and taste) of fresh baked bread. Ummmmm. :love: Before I got my breadmaker, I would set the dough in pans and crank up the waterbed heater to let it rise. That night when we got into bed, our covers smelled like fresh bread. :lol: I have to believe the olive oil dip is way better than butter or margarine - in moderation of course.

Mel, I hope you had fun with the crafts and kept the glitter out of your peepers and your clothes and the rugs and the chair and anything else you came in contact with. :lol:

Holly, congrats on your speaking invitation. As long as you have passion in your voice, people will listen. And it helps it you can give them tips on how to do something that will benefit themselves too ;)

Teel, my condolences on the loss of Bob the Builder. I hope he left you with something that will make you smile and think of him fondly. How does the new haircut look?

And a hello to Tig too. She can organize our walk-a-thons tho don't be surprise if between her and Shad they have us trotting :rofl:

I did pretty well today. Water was good. Food was good. I did go for a treadmill walk after I got home from work. DH went for a walk outside to check out the Christmas decorations. I will have to join him for an easy stroll one night. I did want to push it on the treadmill but I told myself start out easy, no need hurting something and getting a set back. I kept a pace of 2.5 mph which allowed me to walk and not have to hold on to the treadmil rails. I was singing along on the Walkman just at a pace where a bit more and I'd be out of breath. By the way, the Beatles Good Day Sunshine is an excellent walking song!

and with that I'd better call it a night. :wave:

Aw come on Happy - Connor is capable of taking himself for a walk, it's Christopher that needs us to give Linus a break.

This is the rainy season in the tropics or sub-tropics as we are here. It's nasty and sticky and the mossies are coming out in force. We haven't had a rainy season like this for years and years. Today, Noosa copped a bucketing. They got nearly 400 mls of rain - that's nearly 16 inches of rain in a 4 hour period. The main street is underwater and the rains haven't finished yet. The biggest problem is that with all this water tumbling down, not much of it is finding its way into our dams and water storage areas. We are believe it or not still in drought conditions.

I'm glad to hear that you are starting small with the exercise. Keep it going. 20 mins on the 'mill and 10 doing crunches and side stretches and you will be moving it in no time. Then you can be like me - a lean mean muscle machine all encased in flab!

Oh oh thunder is back, I'm gone.

Originally Posted by Shad:
Aw come on Happy - Connor is capable of taking himself for a walk, it's Christopher that needs us to give Linus a break.

Oops... I know I'm losing my mind, I just hate it when I prove it to the world :o :o :o :rofl:

"...Then you can be like me - a lean mean muscle machine all encased in flab!..." and stop that - you're starting to sound like someone I know. :nono: :no: :nono: :no:

Gee whiz, with all that rain, kind of makes you wonder what's going on in the world - is Mother Nature finally saying she's had enough?

Many hugs, especially to those of you who noticed I was gone.... DH and DD and I went out of town for Turkey Day... it was lovely to have a change of scene. I am vowing to turn the tide away from lazy, lumpy and lethargis asap. Only have 2 (TWO!!) more radiation treatments.... today and tomorrow... then I'm free!... well, except for follow up visits ad infinitum.

My computer was excruciatingly slow... thanks to all the firewalls and security. DH helped me disable those, so it is no longer SO discouraging to be online. See you later today, OK?

Best to all. HAPPY DECEMBER, Y'all.

I SAW MEADOW'S PIC OF "A SMILE IS THE LIGHT IN THE WINDOW THAT LET'S PEOPLE KNOW YOU'RE AT HOME".
I AM THINKING THIS MORNING OF DOUSING THAT DAMN LIGHT AND PUTTING UP A SIGN IN THE WINDOW THAT SAYS GOING OUT OF BUSINESS! :rofl:
IT HAS BEEN A GOOD BUT HORRIBLE WEEK AND I WILL TAKE TIG'S ADVICE ON THIS AND NOT SAY WHY. JUST THAT THERE ARE WAY TOO MANY NEEDY PEOPLE STILL IN MY LIFE. THE ANGELS THAT THE SENIORS MADE ARE ADORABLE AND THEY WERE THANKING ME PROFUSELY FOR HAVING THEM. NOW THEY ARE EVEN MORE EXCITED ABOUT NEXT WEEKS SNOWFLAKE CLASS. I AM TIRED AND SPENDING TIME WITH MYSELF TODAY AND TOMORROW AND THE WEEKEND TOO! THAT IS MY STORY AND I INTEND TO STICK TO IT!! :dance:

SHAD~ SATURDAY/SUNDAY CALL IS FINE. THOSE STORMS SOUNDED TERRIBLE AND THOSE POOR PEOPLE. PROGRESS....NOT ALWAYS SUCH A GOOD THING. ESPECIALLY IN HOUSE BUILDING. I AM SICK AND TIRED OF THE WEIGHT THING TOO BUT WENT ON A BINGE OF OFF OLAN FOODS AND LOOK LIKE CRAP NOW! :lol3: SO I DON'T RECOMMEND TRYING THAT EITHER!!! STILL AFRAID TO WEIGH IN! OUR ALTERNATIVE IS FAT AND UNHEALTHY SO IS THERE REALLY A CHOICE! :tantrum:

TIG~ VERY GOOD ADVICE ABOUT THE NEIGHBORS AND I DO TRY TO KEEP THAT IN MIND AFTER I HAVE SEEN OTHERS GET "CAUGHT"! SORRY TO HEAR YOU NEEDED THE MRI AND AM PRAYING HARD FOR YOU!! JUST WHAT YOU NEED....SOMETHING NEW! :tantrum: GOOD LUCK MY FRIEND. YOU CAN COME AND LANDSCAPE HERE!! WE COULD USE IT!!!

TEEL~ I AM VERY SORRY ABOUT YOUR FRIEND BOB. I KNOW YOU AND HOLLY WILL MISS HIM. :hug: TO YOU BOTH. HOPE THE HAIR-DO LOOKS GREAT AND YOU ENJOY YOURSELF AT THE WEEDING TOO WHILE PLAYING AWAY!!
I WAS ALSO GLAD TO HEAR THAT YOU HAVE SUCH WONDERFUL FRIENDS. I THOUGHT OF THAT POST ALL WEEK. :dance:

CEEJAY~ YOUR TRIP SOUNDED SO NICE AND I'M GLAD YOU GOT TO SEE EVERYONE AND DO SO MUCH TOO. GREAT NEWS. GOOD LUCK WITH THE CHALLENGE AND I COULD FEEL A TWINGE OF MOTIVATION READING YIOUR POST.....I BETTER GET MY OWN BUNS GOING!! LOL

NAE~ IT WAS NICE TO HEAR ABOUT YOUR TG DAY!! SO NICE TOO THAT YOU HAD CONTACT WITH THE BOYS.:BUBBLES: HAPPY DAY! GLAD TEEKA IS DOING WELL TOO. I COULD USE SOME SNOW DOWN HERE TO LOOK AT AND CHEER ME UP! YOU'RE COZY CORNER WITH THE HEATER SOUNDED NICE TOO. I WOULD BE IN THERE 24/7!!! :rofl:

HAPPY~ VERY HAPPY FOR YOU THAT YOU LIKE THE NEW DOC!!! YOU SOUNDED UPBEAT AND READY TO GET GOING ON HEALTHY HAPPY 2006!!! GOOD TO GET AN EARLY START AND A SLOW ONE!!! THIS WAY NOTHING WILL STOP YOU!! NO INJURIES FROM RUSHING IT MY FRIEND!!!
SEEMS WE KEEP GIVEING EACH OTHER SIMILAR ADVICE! :rofl:

KIRSTY~ WISH WE LIVED NEARER TOO. CJ AND I COULD GO FOR RIDES TOGETHER! I'LL PROMISE NOT TO SPEED!!!
moped: :bb: LACK OF SLEEP CAN CAUSE ALL KINDS OF TEARS SO ASK SOMEONE FOR HELP AND USE A BREAST PUMP!!!!THAT'S MY BEST ADVICE. JEN ALMOST KILLED ME FOR THE FIRST 9-10 MONTHS!!!! GOOD LUCK AND SWEET DREAMS!

HOLLY~ A BOGH CONGRATULATIONS ON THE SPEAKER INVITATION. GOOD LUCK AND I KNOW YOU WILL DO FINE. WHAT AN HONOR!!! HOPE THE DINER DINNER WAS GOOD AND A FEW HOURS OUT OF THE HOUSE WITH NO KIDS! :rofl: MAYBE YOU NEED A SHED OUTSIDE FOR YOUR OFFICE AND A GET-AWAY RETREAT!!! :rofl:

MEADOW~ I LOVED THE ADVICE AVOUT NOT LETTING PEOPLE STEAL YOUR ENERGY. I KEEP NEEDING REMINDERS OF THAT ALSO!! LOL YOUR EXERCISING IS WONDERFUL AND IC OULD HARDLY BELIEVE IT!! A SWEATY MEADOW?!? AB WOULD LOVE IT!!! :rofl: THE HOMEMADE BREAD SOUNDED GREAT!!! I HAVE BEEN DYING TO TRY THE BREAD DIPPING THING ALONE. I USED TO DO IT WITH THE LEFTOVER DRESSING AFTER I EAT MY SALAD BUT I CUT OUT THE BREAD AND STOPPED!!
WAS A TASTY MORSEL FOR SURE!! :dance:

PW~ IF I HAD BEEN HERE I HOPE I WOULD HAVE NOTICED YOUR DISAPPEARANCE. GLAD TO HEAR YOU AND HUBBY GOT AWAY FOR THE HOLIDAY. NICE TRIP. ANY BOOKSTORES? I CANNOT EVEN GO INTO ONE NOW WITHOUT THINKING OF YOU AND WONDERING WHAT YOU WOULD BE LOOKING AT. HOPE THELMA AND LOUISE ARE DOING WELL TOO:hug:

I HOPE I HAVEN'T FORGOTTEN ANYONE. I TOOK NOTES THIS TIME. I BROKE SO MANY PROMISES TO MYSELF THIS WEEK THAT I SHOULD BE BEATEN WITH A WET NOODLE. GUESS SHAD CAN DO THAT OVER THE PHONE! :rofl: TO STARTY MY DAY THE TV HAS A WHOLE DAY OF B&W MICKEY ROONEY'S ANDY HARDY SERIES FOLLOWED BY ALL THE B&W NANCY DREW MYSTERIES!!!
SO FEET UP, EYE COMPRESSES, A SMALL COFFEE AND I FEEL A LOT OF SIGHING COMING ON:bubbles:
A WEE BIT OF FOOD SHOPPING TOMORROW AND THAT'S ALL TILL MONDAY AND ANOTHER MALL. NOT REALLY GOING TO SHOP, JUST GET AWAY FROM HERE AND OUT!!!
HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY :scooter:

Aaaaaaah Friday already.
 

This weekend, I must get my Christmas Letter done and those few cards that I will send out. Most get e-mails from me with all my doings. However if I don't get those few cards done, then they won't get to where they are going by time the Fatmans Day rolls around.

The thunder last night didn't come to anything so I could have carried on with my internetting, but not to worry, I guess it is better to be safe than sorry.

Mel, PW - great to see you both back and posting.

Mel - just watch the time you spend racing around doing things. Moderation in all things is good. I'll speak to you on Saturday your time.

PW - where did you go to for the Thanksgiving Holiday? More small towns in Texas? or did you head for the hills - always a favourite place of mine - and stay in the fresh mountain air?

Happy, I am beginning to think Mother Nature is totally p*ssed off with us all. She is beginning to get her own back on some of the dreadful things we have done with her marvellous creation. Lord help us if she ever loses it completely - '**** has no fury as a woman scorned' so they say. Who did say that?

Has Holly gone away to write her speech? Haven't heard from her in a day or so. Most unusual.

Linus, what are we going to do with you. Maybe we should send you and CJ down to visit with Teel and let the other 3 cope by themselves for a time. Meantime, when the baby goes down, so should you. Even together if that is what it takes. Oh dear. Babies are never just sweetness and light.

Right - time to move on. It's Friday and I may just take a half day here. It would be good to get the shopping out of the way today and stay clear of the heaving throngs over the weekend. And I better see if I can get hold of DB's 1 & 2 and see if they can come to Christmas Dinner on the 18th and the kids, and the friends and......... oh yes I better get the Weber back from it's long holiday as well. And maybe the breadmaker. See you.

Mel, sounds like you and Linus badly need some R&R time. Too bad we can't figure out some way of a worldly chicks face to face get together. We will have to figure something out here :chin: How's the weather out your way?

I can't believe it's DECEMBER already, can you???? A year is nearly gone by. Whoa. We also still have some trees in full autumn brilliant color - reds and oranges. Seems so strange to be putting up Christmas decorations with trees with leaves on them still.

I got home tonight and DH gave me a message from the doctor's office - call right away. It was 4:45. Of course I get the message that the office closed at 4:30. Nurse had called to say that my bloodwork came back and they want me to see a specialist. Specialist for what???? They would not give DH any info. Poor man tried to ring me but I had already left the office (have to leave by sunset so I'm not driving in the dark night). He also tried my cell phone but I didn't hear it - not that I'd really answer it driving anyway. So I guess I will have to wait until tomorrow morning IF I can get through. Now when I tried to make an appointment I had to try for 4 hours to get through because I kept getting a busy signal. Doctor's offices sure operate funny out here, not like what I'm used to at all. The doctors office is just down the road from my house, the more I think about it, the more I might just stop by the office on my way to work - might be faster to get the info. I suspect that it might be related to the arthritis or something like that. Or maybe my BMI is so off the charts that they will set to hacking bits off me immediately :D

I'm not going to worry about it until I have something definitive to worry over. Time to pop dinner in the over and go do my treadmill thing.

Happy--Glad to have the company. Doing crunches is not my favorit thing to do.

Mel--I almost rented a Nancy Drew mystery at Movie Gallery last week. I'm still thinking about gett Elf for some Christmas spirit.

Linus, Hope Christopher will soon get his routine . I just pm'd my snail mail address.

PW--I know that you will be excited when that last radiation treatment is through. Glad you had a nice visit.

Shad--That's a lot of water to deal with. I hope you are not in an area that has flash floods.

Holly-I'm anxious to find out about your speech.

Hi to Meadow

Made the trip to the doc's office this afternoon and the scales are showing that bag of potato chips. uggh. Think most of it is fluid from the sodium in the chips. I also have a bruised ligament in my thumb from all the typing I've been doing at work. It ouches when I try to lift anything.

I'm off to fix something to eat.

HUGS Ladies. I have been regrouping and regenerizing a bit. Thinking lots.Getting lots done. Ds performrd at an assembly at school. A song his class wrote to the tune of Walk the Line by Johnny Cash about peaceful language and then they did a square dance. it was adorable.
This Vigil is quite important and very emotional. I worry about doing it justice.
Ruth XXX is involved in one in her village.
It is always a pleasure to come a read the worldly doings.

Shad, sounds like you are gearing up for a busy month yourself. Perhaps you had better take that half day off after all.

Did my crunches Ceejay - did you? :workout:

hi gals fingers crossed he slept 5 hours last night maybe it was worh the whole day of screaming after he got his toungue tie done as hes now taking nearly the proper amount of formula most feeds and he was much more settled yesterday and he actually smiled at the tescos delivery man lol back later
kirsty

Both cats are climbing on me. I have already done an hour of shovelling. Kids are home, PA day, teachers interviews. I really want to go but the roads are BAD. Yesterday was quite peaceful. I got niggles done. Hubby is grumpy. sigh.
I have been drifting back to my sandwich for breaky, sandwich for lunch, sandwich for snack routine. I started better yesterday but had a mini frozen pizza for lunch topped with olives, arrtichoke and swiss cheese.Tomato sauce on WW pasta with fresh veg for supper and then a cookie. Not great at all.

Linus~ HUGSSSS!!

Catching up on posts all at once is an eye opener. Good grief we are a busy bunch!
Shad- Yes, we were in what passes for Texas Hill Country (elevation probably about 200 feet! But still hillier than the flat plains around Dallas.) I posted some photls here if anybody wants to look. I was amazed that you had even a brief pity party. Thanks for reminding me that even smart, strong women are vulnerable. :hug:

Happy - Baking? Get thee behind me. Good thing you are miles away or I'd be there!! Hope your test results are useful and non-threatening. I'm scheduled for a bone scan in February because the post-cancer meds apparently have a bad habit of leeching calcium from the bones. At least bone density tests don't hurt! Don't let them hack anything off if you can help it:D

Linus - Well, congratulations on a few continuous hours of sleep! I am not familiar with the tongue tie procedure... What was involved? Apparently Sweet Pea is now eating better? That should help. PM or email me any time... I would love to be an active part of your support system.. since grandchildren seem to be in the VERY distant future.:dizzy:

Teel - I hope your grieving about Bob the Builder has softer edges now. Losing good friends, even when anticipated, can leave a huge gap. I found photos of "adopted" parents recently and it was poignant all over again. How was the wedding? Do you play organ? piano? Kazoo?!

Meadow-- stay warm!

Tig -- best wishes on your tests, too.

Mel - hang in there, girl!! Sorry you had a rough week... but I know what you mean about not always wanting to go over the details... again...

Thelma was radiated for the last time yesterday. Hoo rah!!:carrot: :carrot:
All the things that were being put off til "after treatment" are now sitting on my agenda and prodding conscience. However, one thing I don't think I'll add back to my way of being is pressure or rushing around. Simplification will be required... (i.e., maybe less than 150 cards to address (in calligraphy) and mail....) Might get cards out by Valentine's Day!

Except DD and DS have decided that they won't be coming here for Christmas... DD, of course, was just here for Thanksgiving and we had a great time and have confidence that everything is good with us... so it's not like I have worry about it... (Funny that that's what Christmas travel seems to have meant in the past: proving to myself or others that we were "still" family...) DS is relatively broke and infatuated with his GF's family... large, extended, goofy and very welcoming.... He is being subsidized to visit his Dad and step mom but that's fine...
So far, the big advantage to NOT having them come is NOT baking the tons of "treats" that I would mostly end up eating!
Land o' Lakes will have to count on someone else to maintain their profit margin this year.

That's all the news from here for now... Must get my walking shoes on!

Saturday 3rd December 2005
 

Had to put that there - it's to remind me that life is moving along at an ever faster pace and I am in danger of getting left behind - yet again!

Ummm had a look through my address book this morning. I have the following addresses:
Mel
Happy
Teel
Linus

Now I know I had both PW's and Roseblush's and I think I had Tig's but they have disappeared into the wide blue yonder along with a few other things I am missing. And I don't know that I ever had Holly's or Meadow's (and anyway Meadow's is new) so if you lovely people think of it, please pm the addy's so I can get to the Post Office before the queue in the PO comes out to meet me. Oh I do love being so organised (NOT)

PW I will pm mine to you this morning right after I finish here. I forgot about it the other night.

Now to see what the rest of you have been up to overnight:

Happy - I hope by now that you have sorted out why the doc wanted you to see a specialist. Let us know the details tonight please. Could it be the thyroid business again? So glad to hear the treadmill is working again and you are getting this exercise in. We'll be able to run together next time I get over!!!

Ceejay - where I live (Brisbane) we are prone to flooding. In days gone by they used to build to suit the climate - ie houses were set on poles to allow air movement and to allow the water to pass by. Houses were built (they are called Queenslanders) with big verandahs to shelter from the sun and be outside without having to actually be in the sun or rain. They were built for the climate. In todays world - where we have gone Mediterranean mad, house are built flat on the ground, using as much ground as possible on the block and are generally of a couple of levels to get the space. Since the rainy season consists of heavy periods of rain (surprising that) the water has nowhere to go except through the houses. I'm fine where I live because I am on top of a ridge - it's not high but I can look down on the roofs of houses at the bottom of the ridge. So if I get flooded out, there are a lot of others in some very serious trouble. Flash flooding is a way of life here in certain areas - one would think that the powers that be would have stopped developers building on those known areas, but greed is a many splendoured thing.

Holly - I'm sure you will do the speech and the vigil justice. Most important thing is to keep to the point, say it loud and proud and mean it, and if you feel you are getting emotional slow the whole thing down until you get yourself back under control and don't make it too long. People will remember a short sharp interesting piece of prose. They grow tired and restless with repeated and meaningless mumbo jumbo.
It will bring a sort of justification for those poor women senselessly mown down, if you can give this speech with power and meaning. Consult with Ruthxxx if necessary. I'm certain she will be willing to help. And let us know what you said!

PW - I went back and had a look at the photos. Interesting places you visit. That ole hen was great.
And yes I get down and depressed from time to time. I have my moments. However I set a time limit on the doldrums. I can have it from now to now and then it is time to set to and find out what I can do to fix it. The brain is a powerful thing. Between the power of the brain and personal discipline we can achieve just about anything we set our minds to do. Well that's my philosophy and I am sticking to it.
You know it is funny - having to prove we are still family I mean - we all do it, no matter how old the child is. The child of course is fully convinced that the family unit is well and truly 'over there' - until they want something!!! I try very hard not to push myself on the family. Sometimes to the extent that they say something like - Hey Mum, we are still your sons remember! But I well remember having opinions pushed on to me about what I did and how I should have done it. Every generation has different visions of the world. Some good, some bad. I do not wish to push my opinions of how I think things should be done onto the 'boys'. They have their father to do that. Now if they should ask - that is a completely different story.

Okay - just because it is Saturday doesn't mean I can slack. There is work to be done. Bye you all.

Happy - don't forget to let me know what is happening!

You knew it was coming ;)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...a/161b75bb.jpg

*I have made larger version too :p

Meadow!!! I am shocked, AB in a Santa hat. LOL!!!!! Nice pic and I love the background.
Shad~i think feeling the doldrums, voicing it or venting it somehow and letting it go quickens the process.

Maybe over Christmas I will have time to looks everyone's pics.

Everyone could PM me their addies too.

The boys are at hockey. Us girls are off to gymnastics.
Maybe some cuddle time with hubby is in order tonight.

SEND ME ADDIES TOO! I HAVE EVERYONE'S BUT CEEJAY, MEADOW AND I ALSO CANNOT FIND HAPPY'S AND NAE'S!!!! SORRY GIRLS.

OF COURSE IF SOMEONE DOESN'T WANT TO SEND IT I WILL UNDERSTAND TOO.

THE DAY GOT AWAY FORM ME BUT I INTEND TO GET STUFF DONE OVER THE WEEKEND. MAINLY RESTING AND COOKING AND SHAD TALKING!! I PROMISE NOT TO SAY WHAT TOO MANY TIMES :rofl:
GLAD TO HEAR PW IS FINISHED AND CAN RELAX AND GET WELL NOW. GOOD LUCK!!! ALSO GOOD TO HEAR CJ IS SLEEPING AN LINUS GOT A BIT OF A BREAK.
SHAD WILL BE ON THE PHONE. HOLLY IS SPEECH WRITING!! LOL CEEJAY IS DOING HER CRUNCHES AND I AM SENDING :hug: 'S TO HAPPY FOR THE BLOODWORK FOR WHAT EVER THE REASON IS!
I AM HAPPY WE ARE ALL SAFE AND WELL AND THAT IS THE MAIN THING.
OUR XMAS BONUS WILL BE LATE ( AFTER XMAS ).
IT PUT A WEE DENT IN THE XMAS BUDGET BUT IT CANNOT BE HELPED. I'LL USE IT TO PAY THE BILLS IN JANUARY AND CUT BACK FOR XMAS INSTEAD! LOL
I AM VERY TIRED AND WILL TRY AND BE A BETTER WORLDLY CHICK OVER THE WEEKEND. FOR SOMEONE WHO WAS WAY AHEAD FOR THE HOLIDAYS, I HAVE FALLEN SADLY BEHIND:rofl: TAKE CARE AND WILL CHAT AGAIN. LOVE TO YOU ALL FOR A WONDERFUL WEEKEND. :moped:

I Found Nae's Address.....never Mind Nae!!!

Oh and heck, how could I forget, I don't have Ceejays either. My apologies ceejay. I didn't really forget you, I just forgot to write it down.

Test results
 

After many frustrating attempts, I finally crossed paths with a nurse and found out what the doctor's office was trying to tell me.

Upon hearing my symptoms and looking at the results of my knee x-rays, the good doctor ordered an extra blood test. Apparently they can test for antibodies in the blood or some little swimmers than indicate arthritis. Nurse said my levels were really high and so they took the liberty of making me an appointment with a rhumatologist on December 13. Now I don't know much about arthritis except that I have it in my feet and thumb and it's pretty painful at times. And you tend to get buildup on the bones that looks like jagged "teeth" - saw that on my spinal x-ray. So I went looking on that great reference library - the Internet. There are over 200 kinds of arthritis with the 2 most common being osteoarthritis which is a gradual wearing away of the joints due to aging or intense stress or overuse. And there is rhumatoid arthritis which is actually a disease of the auto immune system in which it goes haywire and starts to attack the joints in the body creating swelling and inflamation. As I started to read up on RA, I was amazed that this is just what I was feeling, same places, same issues. It was a bit of a relief actually to know that I'm not crazy or just massively falling apart all at once. If this is RA then it is important to get treatment quickly because all things I have read say this is a fast moving disease and can quickly do serious damage in under 24 months. There are many treatments available, best to discuss with your doctor. So I am hoping this rhumatologist is as grand as the doctor who referered me to her. It's a pistol getting old I tell you.

And if I may take a minute to speak to Miss Shad. I hear your frustration on working so hard and not seeing any reward via the tale of the tape or the movement of the scale. However, you are in remarkable physical shape. You are active enough for 3 to 5 people and I never hear you complain of aches or pains or even as much as a cold - well ok, you did have one recent cold :lol: ALL THAT ASIDE, I think you are a marvelous example of what taking care of one's self can do for a body. So while you may never quite be what you were in your 20's and 30's - the fact that you are at the top of your game now is a direct result of what you've put into it. So pack up the gym bag and continue to fight the good fight, ok? :hug: And while I will never be a runner - an I do mean NEVER - I might engage you in a good powerwalk, ok? :rofl:

PM addies, eh? Hmmm that means I have to clean out my 3FC mailbox as I am dangerously close to being full. DH was wonderful enough to go to the post office and get me stamps today. He even braved his comfort zone to ask for stamps to mail cards overseas. So all I have to do is get the Christmas letter prepped and I'm ready to go. Would you settle for a neighborhood newletter instead? :rofl: Ok, if I promise no letter will you still PM me your addresses anyway? Linus, will it take a card 3 months to get to your house too?

DH and I in a fit of togetherness are going to take a weekend hand gun training and safety course. Now my eyes are crooked - I see kind of like this :dizzy: so I'm really REALLY not comfortable with a firearm in my hands. But I promised I'd give it a try. Apparently they have these ones that shoot out a beam of red laser light for the scope to make aiming easier. That still doesn't make me comfortable. And it takes up an entire weekend - 2 days, 4 and 1/2 hours on a precious weekend in December when there are so many other things that need doing. :( But I will be a trooper :drill:

Meadow, I sooooo had to laugh at your remark about "you knew it was coming..." just picturing you with an innocent but devilish grin on your face. AB looks good in red.

Mel, I hope you get to bed early and get a very good night's rest so that you can be up and chipper in the morning. Enjoy your chat with Shad. Say hello to each other for me :D :D :D

PW - the tongue clipping procedure. My poor little baby sister had it done - I cried for her when I found out what they had to do to a poor little baby. To illustrate, go look in the mirror. Open your mouth. Touch the tip of your tongue to the roof of your mouth. See that flap of skin that attaches your tongue to the bottom of your palate? Sometimes that skin is too short and they have to clip it. Try talking holding your tongue to the bottom of your mouth- that's what tongue tied is. You can't make sounds like TH clearly and it also impedes the eating process due to the restriction of the tongue. I hope you got out for that walk today. Take a pair of hand weights with you to build those poor bones up again.

Good advice to Holly on the speech Shad. Best to just lay thoughts out on a paper and then organize them into some bit of order. The hardest part is getting started. However if you do have a time limit, then you have to plan and rehearse - do not wing it lest you want to see the big hook coming after you :rofl:

Holly sounds like you like carbs alot. Maybe you need the carb lovers diet and when you find it clue me in on it too ok, because I love bread better than chocolate. :T

Ceejay - ow on the bruised thumb! Hope you feel better and rest it over the weekend - no typing :comp: Just enjoy a trip to the aunt and uncle. In fact keep icing it and don't even wave it about excitedly when you talk! Just kidding but do hope you feel better.

I think I've babbled long enough. I would like to get to bed soon so I can get something accomplished in the morning. Night now and hellos to the rest of the chicks...

Quick note here - Happy, RA - well it's not the end of the world but it can be exceedingly painful so take up that appointment and good luck. I hope they can find the right mix of exercise and drugs to alleviate the symptons. Bah humbug - just what you don't need.

Back in the morning with the rest of todays news.

CEEJAY I FORGOT YOUR THUMB. HOPE IT FEELS BETTER SOON. WHAT A LITTLE TYPIST YOU'VE BECOME TO HURT THAT THUMB!! :yikes:

HAPPY~ I AM SORRY TO HEAR THIS NEWS BUT KNOW YOU WILL DEAL WITH IT IN THE BEST WAY POSSIBLE. GOOD LUCK WITH THE NEWER NEW DOCTOR!! NICE TO KNOW THEY ARE ACTING FAST AND RESPONSIBLY!!!
SHALL WE ASK SANTA FOR SOME NEW KNEES? MAYBE A MODEL THAT WILL LIKE TO RUN AND BICYCLE? :hug:

SHAD~ I HAVE NOTHING TO SAY FOR THE WEIGH IN EXCEPT THAT I AM UP TO 175.5 AS OF THIS MORNING.
I KNOW YOU REALLY DO HAVE ACHES AND PAINS BUT DON'T TALK ABOUT THEM......THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN WORSE HAD YOU NOT TAKEN YOU LIFE IN YOUR CAPABLE HANDS AND DONE SOMETHING ABOUT THE WEIGHT LEST YOU GAIN EVEN MORE. I THINK YOU'VE DONE A GREAT JOB AND WE JUST HAVE THE SHOR/FAT GENE IN OUR ANCESTRY. I THINK WE EVEN LOOK A BIT ALIKE TOO! :rofl: HANG IN THERE IS ALL I CAN SAY.

I MADE MY OATMEAL AND DIVIDED IT UP FOPR THE WEEK. A GROUND TURKEY SOUP/STEW IS ON THE STOVE WITH MANY VEGGIES :carrot: AND BEANS AND THE LAST 5 OF THE TINY RED POTATOES. I CUT BACK ON THE SPICES BECAUSE THE EYES JUST AREN'T FINISHED BEING A PAIN. GOD DOES IT EVER END? :lol3:
I MUST HAVE HAD A BUG YESTERDAY CAUSE I SPENT 6 HOURS IN AND OUT OF THE LOO. TOO BAD I DIDN'T LOSE ANY WEIGHT! :rofl: WONDER WHY THAT IS? LOL
FEELING MUCH BETTER TODAY AND WILL JUST PUTTER AROUND THE HOUSE AND WATCH DVDS.
I HAVE SOME E-MAIL TO ANSWER AND THEN TURN OFF THE PC AND KEEP THE PHONE LINE CLEAR! :DANCE:
HAPPY SATURDAY TO YOU ALL AND TAKE CARE. :moped:

I am okay about ther speech part. Public speaking is not hard for me. Mostly I wa sover whlemed by being asked at all and then the menaingfulness of the event.And then hubby was not suppostive at all but I have gotten over that too.
Market was good today. A quietish aft. Cleaning to do.I have a friends daughter coming ofr a sleep over and then clearing tables at the rec centre for awedding uor church is catering. It is a local boy,LOL. I am itching to see the dresses etc.

HUGS

I'm in on the PM me yours and I'll PM you mine. :cool: Mel and Shad ~ your cards are already addressed so unless you've moved since last December LIKE LINUS WHICH I JUST REALIZED!!! when I wrote the first number of the first line... whew...

:gossip: Now I think I read that Mel thinks that she and Shad look alike so I think I'm going to schedule an eye doctor appointment but I'm not saying for WHOM. ACTUALLY I think the three of us look alike if short is the criteria. :rofl:

We ran this morning and it was 45*. I ran in my sweatpants and a long-sleeved shirt. I only ran 3 miles. Sissy Florida blood. Tomorrow is a biker Christmas toy run. We bought a Care Bear and a My First Eeyore to ride with us. We'll go to early church and then join up with the local Harley Owners Group to line up together. The weather will be perfect for a ride. :cheer:

I'll know to make notes the next time I post and then go back to read what someone had written on a previous page. ughh, just lost the whole post.

Mel-- The thumb is better. No typing until now.

Happy--Are you still doing the crunches? I haven't completed a one. Hope the rhumatolgist has some good news for you. I know arthritis is painful.

Tig-- Some of the bikers usually do toys for tots during the Christmas season. It has not been announced yet.

Meadow--Does this Santa have an older brother???????????

Holly--glad you don't mind giving speeches.

Linus--Good to hear that Christopher is sleeping a little longer.

Shad -i've pm'd you the snail mail.

PainterWoman-- Just talked to my Texan sister. She told me that she and her husband will be going to see the largest Christmas tree in Dallas. Sigh wish I could go. This week they are in California visiting with their daughter, grand daughter and son in law.

I've been reading and hearing about the new food pyramid. I really need to get healthy so I'm trying this for a couple of weeks. It doesn't look to overwhelming either. It has grains, veggies, fruits, milk and meat and beans. You can also get a plan based on your age. I may need to be adjust the calories but I'm starting with 1800. For those interested go to My Pyramid.gov.

Originally Posted by Shad:
This one is strictly for the kids and for the young at heart. Enjoy

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...Japanhouse.jpg

I know this place! It's located in the Naha prefecture of Okinawa.

Oh Shad! If the tree is in the Naha prefecture that is where the Thugs are! How magnificent! When I go visit the summer of '07 I will definitely have to go find our tree! Thank you, thank you, Honey-dipped! :hug:

I just think that it's really cool that people who have never met each other before can create a common bond that brings them together!

Evening all,
Since the television is full of CHRISTMAS stuff until 7.30, I decided it was time to get back in here.

Honey-dipped - thankyou for dropping in and telling us about our tree house. It looks so wonderful. I've been to Japan but not to Okinawa so may have to put that on the list for the next time. I have a wonderful friend in Gifu Prefecture. Please drop in again and tell us about yourself.

Tig - you may actually get to visit one of our cyber homes. Isn't that fascinating? Arrrrh Tig - sure we all look alike - 2 eyes, a nose, a mouth, 2 ears and hair etc. Short - well join the club - Happy belongs in it too as does Teel who is even shorter than me. She'd give my sister a run for her money. Enjoy the ride with eeyore and the care bear.

Ceejay - thanks for the pm and to all the others as well. I can now get too and send you notes on Christmas cards and put stamps on the envelopes and be like a normal person with friends around the world.

Umm Holly - have you been on the turps today? Took me a while to sort out the message. First I thought you were testing my early morning brain lines, but it didn't look much better mid morning and now that I've been back again, I've got it sorted. Do you have Ceejays sore thumb? It's a bit like trying to sort out the emails I have been getting from my wee Japanese friend that I met on the plane. She wrote me last week that:
I am saddened to report that I can't meet with you this weekend. And,
i have a presentation on dec 1st and have to finish lots of essay until monday.
It's so cute.
My friend Chris has met a man friend in the city!!!! She sent me a copy of an e-mail from this person which I will not reproduce. It took a combined effort to work it out and we still haven't figured out if we got it completely right. She says that she understands the majority of what he writes (in English) but there are some bits which are beyond her. Definitely beyond me. Sometimes we (read she) translates it back into Japanese and then reproduces it in English to see if that helps. Reminds me of the time we met a Japanese gentleman on a train - he was a Professor of French at one of the Universities. At that time her Japanese was not so good, mine was non existent. His English was lousy and my French not much better. However we had a triangular conversation in English, Japanese and French. Highly delightful but I sometimes wonder if we understood much of each others conversation at all.

Had our usual delightful conversation with Mel this morning. Oh and the maintenance man who butted in from time to time. We put the world to rights. She's cold and I'm hot. At least I wasn't then but I sure am now. I have the air conditioning going because the house was so hot when I got home from my massive lunch. It is 20 past 7 in the evening and still around 34 degrees C. 98F. Clear skies so no storm tonight to cool anything. I don't need dinner as I am finding it difficult to move around with all the lunch. Lucky I went to the gym early this morning and did all my sets and a few more as well and the crunches.

Happy - while I think of it - no I don't have a great deal of aches and pains except when I change the exercise routine. The biggest problem I have is in the ankles - both of them. They have been sort of painful for as long as I can remember. However I have taken them to x-rays, doctors, physio etc but nothing seems to fix them. I think it is a hereditary condition and probably something to do with circulation (my opinion only - not the docs). However I must point out that exercise has given them a lot more mobility. I won't say that they don't still ache, but they are nowhere near as bad as they were. But they certainly don't look pretty - they often look badly bruised and lots of small veins around them. Won't win a beauty contest with these legs anymore!
But - yes you are right. I don't have anything much to complain about in the health department. I'm very lucky. I count those blessings when I read and see and hear about some of the problems around and even on this site! So thank you for reminding me that I get one cold a year and that is the extent so far of my 'advanced age'.

Right - my ramble has come to an end. I'm off to see a few other threads and then fold the laundry and maybe if it is cool enough iron the one skirt and 2 pairs of trousers that need it.

See you.

LOL, Shad. I was thinking... HUH!!! and went back to read. I have issues with the kitten laying on top of the computer and swatting at the cursor and then falling onto the keying and then hanging off of me, quite often these days. Add that in with a house full of kids climbing on me and typos occur. I forgot to proof. LOL!!

I broke out in hives yesterday morning and took a bendryl and then I napped in the aft but DD kept climbing all over me. I asked her to leave about a hundred times. She then told she just loved me to much to go......brat>>>conned me and it worked. I did the farmers market til noon. I had a friends daughter for the night. She is a single mom with no family/friends to give her a break. I take her daughter once a year for a weekend. Good kid.
Sunday School christmas lunch today and then Avon follow up calls. Mega orders to put in online.
I cleared tables a wedding in town at 6:30, our church catered.
Sometimes I think I am a 70 year old trapped n a 40 year old body. I LOVE these type of events and working at them. I have all my life. When I was younger I lived like a rock star. Partied very hard. I would be out dancing on tables til the sun came up, go home and shower and go to the nursing home with my Grandma and do crafts with the old folks.
I LOVE serving tables.Who the heck likes serving tables. The catering crew from our church are all in their 70’s& 80’s, there are a few in their 60’s and then ME.
I relate better to this age group and up better then any other.

We have a potluck after church and then I really must tidy up this house.

Food has been random. It is the least of my worries this week. No binging but content is not great.

Great big :wave: :wave: :wave: WAVES to pals around the world. We have glorious snow here this morning and it's well below freezing - 23º or -5ºC. My Damned Knee (DK) and I skipped Church this morning and are going to take a nice soak in the tub and contemplate our future.

Have a lovely Sinday! Whoops! I mean SUNday, of course....I think! :devil:

MISS RUTH!!! SO NICE OF YOU TO DROP IN WITH THE DK AND ALL! ROFLMAO HAVE A GREAT SINDAY YOURSELF!!! AND SOME :hug: FOR YOU TOO!!

HONEY-DIPPED~ SO NICE OF YOU ALSO TO STOP IN AND SAY HI. HOPE YOU COME BACK AGAIN. WE WOULD LOVE TO CHAT WITH YOU. GLAD YOU KNOW WHERE OUR TREEHOUSE IS!! COME AND TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF.

SHAD~ AT LEAST SOMEONE KNOWS WHERE WE ARE! ROFLMAO LOVED OUR TALK AND IT ALWAYS LEAVES ME FEELING EVER SO MUCH LIGHTER. WHEN I GOT BACK TO JIMMY HE SAID HE KEPT CALLING CAUSE HE WASN'T GETTING ANY REACTION FROM THE OTHERS! LOL
GOOD NEWS ABOUT CHRIS!! SENDING HER POSITIVE VIBES!!!:hug:

HOLLY~ YOUR POST HAD ME GOING THER FOR AWHILE AND LIKE SHAD, I HAD TO RE-READ IT!! ROFLMAO I COULD JUST SEE YOU WITH EVERYONE HANGING ALL OVER YOU AND CRAWLING AROUND ON THE FLOOR AT YOUR FEET!!! LOL HOPE YOU FEEL BETTER. TAKE SOME HOLLY TIME CAUSE YOU KNOW THAT THE HIVES ARE GIVING YOU A WARNING!!! :rollpin:

CEEJAY~ GLAD THE THUMB IS BETTER. I HATE TOES AND FINGERS TO GET HURT. YOU NEVER REALIZE HOW IMPORTANT THEY ARE TILL THEY DO!! ROFL

TEEL~ I THINK I HAVE THE NUMBERS WRONG ON YOUR ADDRESS. THE ONES THAT ARE LIKE OUR ZIP CODES BUT YOU HAVE LETTERS AMONGST THEM. COULD YOU OR SOMEONE SEND ME THEM? THANKS. HOPE THE WEDDING WENT WELL AND YOU HAD A GOOD TIME YOURSELF TOO!

TIG~ I LOVE EEYORE TOO AND THINK ANY CHILD WOULD. NICE RUN!!! HAVE A GREAT TIME AT THE CYCLE RIDE AND HOLD ON TIGHT TO SLIM!!!

I WOKE TO A WINTER WONDERLAND AND EVERYTHING LOOKS SO CLEAN AND BRIGHT!!! VERY DARK OUTSIDE THOUGH. GAVE ME EVEN MORE XMAS SPIRIT! THINK A FEW MORE DECORATIONS ARE IN ORDER. JEN PAINTED THE WINDOWS AGAIN FOR XMAS IN THE LOBBY. I MUST GO DOWN AND LOOK. SHE DOES IT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT WHEN NO ONE IS AROUND. JUST HER AND RICHIE. I HAVE SOME COOKING TO DO. MAYBE A QUICHE WITH SPINACH AND MUSHROOMS. SO I BETTER GET STARTED. HAPPY SUNDAY AND GOOD MORNING SUNSHINE:flow2: :moped:

PS~ TIG....WE LOOK ALIKE BUT SHAD IS THE BETTER LOOKING ONE! :rofl: WE NEED TO GET A PICTURE OF THE THUGS STANDING IN FRONT OF THE HOUSE!!! :lol3:

HAPPY~ IT WAS NICE TO SEE HONEY-DIPPED WASN'T IT!! I LOVE WHEN SOMEONE COMES BY!! :hug:

I'm a goofy goober yeah!
 

Okay then what does it say about me that I read Holly's post and found it perfectly readable? The spelling whoopsies just added a bit of flare. :p

I made shortbread cookies with candied cherries in the middle as a defense against a botched batch of cherry/walnut cookies I made from a magazine recipe that were dreadful. They weren't even sweet! So I had to make some GOOD cookies and they look pretty too:D Yes I ate about five of them with tea last night while watching the Elecktra movie and brooding about why I've never been able to do full body pull ups with one arm or even two arms. Drove me to butter and sugar, my only solace was knowing that Jennifer Garner just had a baby and wasn't doing anything resembling martial arts these days :^:


Mel-quiche how yummy. What kind of scene has Jen done? Penguins? You must tell me, I'm envisioning hills and slidding animal friends. Where did her creativity take her? We decorated our tree last night. White twinkle lights and red silk thread balls. It is about seven feet and with the star just about touches the ceiling :yes: Enjoy the snow, December snow is Christmas snow and it is magic. Watch Frosty the Snowman when it comes on if you don't believe me :D

Holly-Ah, using "the love" to manipulate you will never grow old, got to adore the little dears ;) Yikes, Hives! Must be stress getting you, are your breathing deeply? Looking out the window and just gazing? Taking time to just "Be" in the world and not productive? I'm a master at that stuff:devil: :twirly: :queen:

Shad-Stay cool:cool: :sunny: Good to hear you managed to break through the busy signal at Mel's and have a nice natter about stuff. So is this fellow Cris has met a gentleman caller type of guy or just a new acquaintance? I'm sorry the heat is making you feel draggy, not eating dinner will mess with your metabolism. Eat some fruit at least so you will not have a boomerang affect tomorrow or have your blood sugar drop and feel even worse. You are worth taking care of:hug:

Happy-I'm glad to hear that whatever is messing with your bones is going to be looked at sharpish and dealt with. So frustrating to have to wait for weeks before appointments, just causes a lot of needless worries. You have a good team on your side down there by all accounts I've read. They will have you dancing in front of Graceland with the tourists in no time.

Tig-hope the ride is wonderful! Cool toy picks, my kids adore anything Winnie the Pooh gang and the Care bears. I'm sure they will be much loved when they find their new owners. Amazing when you look at it and say "I only did three miles", doesn't sound sissy to me :) :carrot:

Ceejay-good luck with eating all your vegetables and fruit. Using the food pyramid is supposed to be one of the healthiest ways to approach things, got to get creative with the combining things in salads and stews though. Eating it all raw is tough.

PW-are you busy knitting or something? Where are you and how big is your Christmas tree? Are you celebrating the last chemo visit? Are you buying yourself new lingerie to pamper yourself? Come on, tell me;) :corn: I thought of you the other day when one of the teachers at my daughter's school asked who had knitted her sweater and could she get the pattern. My sister had made it from a little pull over bathinsuit sweater pattern and just lengthened it. Boy is this teacher going to be surprised when she gets the pattern and sees where the original idea came from:p :rofl:

Linus-are you awake? Is CJ? Did you get some relief in and do your own thing for a few hours? Start the new year right now and pass the baby to trusted relatives and get back to good again. Baby drain must be plugged ;) :beach:

:wave:Teel- what are you doing? How did the playing go in the church? Did you have mittens to keep your hands warm in between songs?

Hi Honey-dipped and Ruth :wave:
Ho, Ho, Ho to Rose and Linda lurking about somewhere :D

my god my son can actually sleep more than 4 hours lol
my little sister is in labour so ill come back tomorrow and tell you what time my neice makes her apperance
kirsty