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.

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.