[happy2bme]

Awww Linus. 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 ... 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. 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. 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.

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

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.

[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.

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.

[happy2bme]

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

"...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.

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?

[PainterWoman]

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.

[MELODY525]

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!
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!!

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! 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!

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! 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. 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.

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!!!

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!

KIRSTY~ WISH WE LIVED NEARER TOO. CJ AND I COULD GO FOR RIDES TOGETHER! I'LL PROMISE NOT TO SPEED!!!
moped: 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! MAYBE YOU NEED A SHED OUTSIDE FOR YOUR OFFICE AND A GET-AWAY RETREAT!!!

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!!! 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!!

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

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! 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
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

[Shad]

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.

[happy2bme]

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 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

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.

[ceejay52]

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.

[Hollyhock]

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.

[happy2bme]

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?

[linus]

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

[Hollyhock]

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!!

[PainterWoman]

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.

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

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.

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!!
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!

[Shad]

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!

[Meadow]

You knew it was coming



*I have made larger version too