Hello Mel so good to hear from you again.

Shad- I also like our new place. I'll be in the "tree house" or relaxing by the pool. Can't swim.

Holly--I'm glad you like that much snow. As for me, no thank you.

Hello to Pw, Meadow, Teel and the rest.

I got back from Springfield, Mo last night around 7.00 p.m. I stayed behind the rain and was thankful for that but I kept the radio blaring for weather reports. The southern half of Missouri and most of Arkansas was under a tornado watch until 10 last night.

I really had a good time while in Missouri. my sister and I met my her son's (my nephew's) and ate lunch with them then went shopping. The funny thing was that my bil drove his mother back home to Arkansas and came back before we got home. The next day we returned shopping and met one of my nephew's and his fiance' for lunch. She is just adorable. I also got to see my nephew's house that he has just recently bought. I love it. This young man has a brain for business. He's majoring in English. Not for sure what he'll do when he's through college. At the moment he's working for his future father in law in the insurance business and like's it. My other nephew is in a band and got to hear him play on Saturday night. Church service was on Sunday morning with the "hanging of the greens". The sanctuary was beautiful.

I'm at work and have used my alotted time.

Morning all,
 

We're at the end of November already!!!!! Tomorrow is weigh in and measure time. I didn't do it at the end of last month owing to the fact I was in Japan. Well that's my excuse anyway and I am sticking to it.

Ceejay - good to see you back. Glad you had a good time with the family. Sounds like the family is growing around you.

Meadow - nice graphics. I like the quotation too.

Holly - arrrghh yes the folks! There is an old saying about 'God gave us our relatives, thank God we can chose our friends'. Not wholly true as I love my family - from the youngest to the oldest and all in between. There are some 'characters' in there for sure. And some I am glad that there is 1200 miles between us.
I can only add this to Happy's wisdom. The population that was born between the two WW's and into the '40s and '50s have seen and witnessed some amazing scientific and physical things. They have adapted, sort of, to a world which is completely different in every way. The old values are gone and they have to come to terms with the new regime. They don't always understand the concepts of time and space - nor of changes to behavioural standards. There are of course exceptions to the rules. Country folk are in general slower to adapt to new ways - although the technological age is flourishing on our farms and businesses. They often see the 'net as another time wasting thing - television used to be the culprit years ago.
I find it is easier to either not mention the fact that they may be out of date! or to agree to differ and change the subject. There are benefits to both sides of the internet argument. Just sit quietly one day and see how many pros and cons you can come up with. I'll bet you can find equal amounts on both sides.
Spend time with the folks this Christmas - 3 hours is fine. Make the effort to be sociable and get along even with the ratty tatty aunt. Who knows how much longer you will have them for - and when they are gone...... well the silence is eternal. If you get what I mean.

Teel - So sorry to hear about Bob. We knew that time was limited, but that never lessens the shock of the finality. My thoughts and sympathies go out to his family.
The smilies link is a bit iffy since the upgrade, go and read Suzannes note at the top of the forum for help on getting the smilies back.
Wow, you are too busy to eat anyway. So maybe some may come off - if you refuse the afternoon teas and suppers which are bound to come your way at weddings and rehearsals etc.

Happy - DS1 is in Adelaide. Last year he surprised me with a visit. This year I am going to him. It's not a surprise, he knows I am coming. I told him mainly because he has a new ladyfriend and I wanted to ensure he would be home. I thought I would be in for a vegetarian Christmas dinner - however I now learned that his ladyfriend is of Greek/ Italian descent and we are going to the family home for dinner. Yikes. :yikes:

I'd better go do some work. It's getting later and later. Mel, Tig, Rose, et al :wave: I'll be back.

I would agree Shad, Happy except that my father was one of the first people to use a computer in 1960 in Canada. He is in the top of the cumputer industries on an international level. People have payed millions for his services. Excluding my mom ,the family is all University educated and have always lived in metropltitan centres. The most open minded is my 95 YO grandmother.
I suppose this is what baffles me ;but then being brilliant about some things does not necesarily make someone wise about their own emotioal life or personal relationships. My parents and aunt have travelled all over the world for the last 30 years. Maybe I am unfair about their "weaknesses" and "small mindedness" about others "lesser" than them in their eyes, and expect oo much.
HUGS.I thank you for your thoughts and feed back.
I will also take along a pretty jello mold!!!

:o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o

Ah my smilies are working this morning without my having to kick them into touch!!

Good morning to everyone...I am just having my morning coffee before I go off to the hairdressers....:D

It's cold here today but there wasn't any frost or fog to contend with. The gardener turned up as usual and is doing a good tidy up...I have been watching him raking the leaves from the lawn...snail pace!! Any slower and there'll be a load more to sweep up!!!:devil: :devil: :devil: Ah well....slow is thorough I suppose!!!

Anyway I'll be off now....t.t.f.n.
Be safe. Be careful. Be good!!!!:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:

Good Morning Teel~ Are you feeling wonderful with your new hairdo?

Just when you are feeling a little down something great happens to boost you up.
At least I think it is great. I am honestly still getting my head around it. I have been invited as a guest speaker to talk about my part in our school peace project at the Annual Canadian National Day of Rememberance&Action on Violence Against Women. It is in Memory of the 14 women killed in Montreal on this date( Dec 6).It is in a small city 15 min from here hosting for all the rural centres in the area.
I am beyond overwhelmed and when asked it was just assumed I would do it. I think I will but it is a lot to take in. I am having trouble thinking I have anything to offer to this. It is a meaningful event. I am honoured.The motto of the event is “First mourn.Then work for change.” I am speaking on the “work for change” and talking about our project at school and how our goal is to have a community trained in peaceful ways of communication and the potential for the adults these children could become.

Food yesterday was all about pasta.sigh. Today is a fresh start and I will focus better.

I am going to take my hubby up to the diner for dinner with a gift certificate I got at the auction last week. I will have my helper here for the aft and will ask her to stay wiht our 2. He has stopped pestering for sex. So that means he is getting bummed out. We need to connect. He had been busy with hockey too.

HUGS Ladies.

Morning Everyone
 

Just love the new digs, Shad you are so good about showing us the world and giving us someplace special to explore. Thanks for all you do for us here on the thread!
Thanksgiving was great and so fun to have Jesse and his girlfriend there to introduce to the family. Those two got up every time and did the dishes it was wonderful. How did those kids grow so tall and so handsome. I even got a call from DS1 and it was a good conversation, wish he would connect more often but I will take what he gives.
Glad to read about everyone and what has been happening who are we missing..... painter, tig, Linus who else hasn't checked in lately. Now Christmas is fast approaching and our lives become so busy. MEl so glad to hear from you and do hope you are recovering and able to post. It is just not the same when you are not here.
Teel I am so sorry for your loss and that he suffered at the end. Life is just so difficult and losing those we care about has to be the hardest. Hope all goes well for the wedding, would love to hear you play.
I have a few decorations up to cheer up the house and the thick frost was gone when I got home. It was already hurting my new trees hope they survive the winter.
Everyone take good care of you and yours.
Peace,
Nae

I WILL BE BACK ON THURSDAY AND WILL READ YOUR COMINGS AND GOINGS THEN. HOPE YOU ARE ALL WELL.
XMAS SHOPPING WAS GRAND AND TODAY WAS FOOD SHOP AND STARTING THE LAUNDRY. TOMORROW IS SENIOR ARTS AND CRAFTS AND I WILL TEACH THEM HOW TO GLUE FOAM BOARD TOGETHER TO MAKE SMALL ANGES FOR THEIR XMAS TREE IN THE COMMUNITY ROOM. NEXT WEE WE'LL SHOW THEM HOW TO MAKE WOODEN SNOWFLAKE ORNAMENTS TO ADD TO THE TREE. GLITTER WILL BE HAPPILY FLYING ALL AROUND US I AM SURE.
REALLY BUSHED AND SORRY THIS ISN'T MOR PERSONAL.
LOVE & :hug:'s too all! :moped:
PS I FOUND THE PROBLEM WITH 3FC WAS AOL!!! WHEN 3FC CHANGED, AOL DIDN'T RECOGNIZE THEM ANY LONGER. SO ON A WHIM, I WENT TO MY ADDRESSBOOK AND ERASED THE OLD ONE, EMPTIED THE FAVORITES AND DUMPED THE OLD COOKIES. THEN I OPENED A NEW NOTIFICATION I FOUND IN MY SPAM FOLDER AND RE-ENTERED 3FC WITH THAT E-MAIL AND WHAMMO!!! ALL IS WELL AND MY SMILIES WORK TOO!:scooter:
AOL HAS FILTERED OUT SO MUCH THAT EVERYTIME A WEBSITE CHANGES, I NEED TO FIND NEW WAYS OF LOGGING BACK ON!!! ROFLMAO

Poor me, pity party coming up.
 

Weight and measurements!!!! Yes well.
For some reason I had this thought that things were getting better - if not weight wise then size wise anyway. However a trip around the tape measure this morning is not good news. Not only am I 1/2k up from my last weigh in and 1kg up from when I got home from Japan, I am up in just about all the measurements as well.

I'm so tired of all this. So fed up with getting up early and exercising, with being diligent with food, with being GOOD. I think I will be BAD for a while.

Mel, you are getting to be a real technical expert. Maybe we can use you on the no-help desk. Then again maybe not. You and I are alike in that we have problems with stupidity.

Rose - Glad to hear that Thanksgiving went well and the folks enjoyed themselves. Also very glad to hear that the DS1 made contact. Kids hey. Can't live with or without 'em and you never get shot of them and that's just the way I like it.

Holly - congratulations. I'm sure you will do well in this speech. How long do you have to prepare - aah Dec 6th. Well that gives you time to write at least three versions of what you want to say. Enjoy it.

Teel - hope the gardener doesn't get paid by the hour!!! He would be even slower in that case! Have fun at the hairdresser and come back even more beautiful.

Okay, time to go sort out my day. I am teaching a fellow worker how to use the OnDemand tool. We should have a chatty day.

shad ~ I always put on extra inches and pounds post travel. I am convinced that it is directly sodium and off-schedule related. You'll be pleasantly surprised next time. I promise.

I had an MRI today - we'll get the results next week. I've had some new annoying symptoms lately that the doc is convinced aren't related to my current diagnosis. He's a good doc - not willing to ignore new symptoms. I'm pretty claustrophobic and they were nice enough to treat it appropriately. The dogs and I enjoyed the treat of a nice nap this afternoon as an after effect.

I feel compelled to say that these postings can be read by anyone, you know. A reader doesn't even need to be registered. What would you think about hearing what you have posted here being read by your gossipy neighbor out loud in the line at the grocery store? Edit is an Excellent Function. :cool:

Shad my buddy, my pal - PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE get those spirits back up again. Don't go to the dark side. I feel your frustration at working so hard (and you ARE the grand queen of dilligence here) and not seeing just a tad of motivating results. All I can say is that you have resculpted yourself since I last saw you. So there ARE things happening even if it doesn't seem like it. You are stronger and healthier by far and you'll just feel crabby and icky if you do bad stuff. Besides, if you are going to DS1 and someone of Greek AND Italian heritage is cooking - you will have AMPLE opportunity to sin. I can't think of another nationality that is more prone to setting a groaning table.

Tig, hope all turns out well with the tests. You are a brave woman going into that MRI tube. I did an open MRI and they STILL had to give me a valium. Eeek.

I got the tree finished today. It's pretty but it sure takes a long time to assemble. Now it's way past my bedtime again. I am falling back to bad habits again. News from the doctor today was not encouraging. She x-rayed my knees. I have lost alot of cartilage - almost to the point of bone rubbing bone, hence the pain and problems. Arthritis acting up too. Both of which are massively stressed by all this extra weight. She gave me a diet, exercises, some anti-inflamatories and lots of good reading materials and a bit of a run down on the importance of calorie and carb counting along with weights and measures. I am to report back in 2 weeks 4 pounds lighter. Treadmill is good, walking outside on hard pavement is not. Swimming and water aerobics would be better but I'm not sure I want to invest in a gym just for the pool. The doc is wonderful, I really like her alot - not judgemental, just concerned for your health. I decided to opt for a more healthy meal tonight instead of what I had originally planned. I can do this. I have to.

Now to bed. Catch up later tomorrow with the rest of you.

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