Friends around the world #9
 

To go back to check up on the old place click here .

In our quest for a new home, I have forsaken the castles of Europe and bought us a village. We have moved to the beautiful island of Santorini. Welcome to our new home.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...santorini1.jpg

This village offers lots of advantages. Own swimming pool as you can see, close proximity to all the beaches, schools and shopping. At the present time there is some work going on to make it compatible for our wheelchair and incapacitated people and easier for them to get around. Golf buggies will be here by the end of the week. And there is plenty of room for extras and new people as well. Come visit for a short time or a long while. You'd be welcome.

There is a quiet area at the other end of the pool. You need to be able to swim to get there. Here it is.

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

For our holiday home this time. We are off to Japan. Photo will be coming later - I have to resize it.

Have fun in the sun all you worldly chicks.

Okay - Holiday home sorted
 

This one is strictly for the kids and for the young at heart. Enjoy

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

And I said to myself, it's wonderful, WONDERFUL, oh so wonderful ...

You have done it again Shad. What a fabulous place. I just love it - from the sparkling pools to the treetops. Warm and beautiful at night and a place to swim all the time. Will be hard to get me out of the pool and off to my job to pay for my share of the village purchase.

Thanks very much for the cool place. I'm off for a nice swim to the quiet place before I set the turkey on the grill and start the cooking madness for the day.

:happ3: to all the chicks. Will check back in when the forum reopens.

Shad, what lovely new digs. I like the lit pool for nighttime swims. Have you found an adequate number of Teverna owners so we can ALL have Shirley Valentine experiences? How impressive that you can ALSO organize the birds. I'll have to look up Grevilla Bushes... My grandmother used to live on a street named Grevalia... but I doubt it's the same. We have multitudinous grackles, starlings and cowbirds, but they are NOT organized. The Cardinals and Juncos do better. :thanks1: :thanks2:

I'd rather chat with you all than play housekeeper in preparation for DD's arrival tomorrow. I'll do this indulgence, then turn radio on and clear the decks... You must all know by know that ANY horizontal surface is likely to become an "area for filing" at my house. I can see a keepsake box of photographs, about 2 dozen bookc, 3 dozen magazines, some knitting "stuff'" and assorted stacks of mail. I hope it doesn't take more than an hour.... :^:

Holly: I am so pleased to know someone who keeps her cool when a 4 year old goes at it full throttle. I spend many hours of my work week trying to help parents NOT TAKE IT PERSONALLY when their kids are angry. Way to go.. especially with weather stresses etc. I hope you aren't in the 2 feet of lake effect snow!

Happy: I'll try the cucumber stuff as soon as the peeling stops. The Radiation machine was apparently taking a vacation day early, so they canceled today's treatment. I'm hoping that 5 days off will appease Thelma. Who knew that wearing a bra caused so much friction? :cool:

Ceejay: wishing you safe travels to MO... I don't remember whether you were heading towards St. Louis or where.... I hope you are far enough south that you miss the snow! Congratulations on your bonus... and to your company for giving it to you when it's SO EASY TO SPEND!!

Meadow: I'd love to get to the BC gardens, I hear they are spectacular. We've been to Shaw gardens in St. Louis... there are formal ones in the city proper, and a sort of experimental number of acres outside of town. The Chicago Botanical Gardens in Evanston were amazing... I never knew how many towns had such beauty that was eclipsed by advertising for shopping malls, motor speedways or amusement parks. Sheesh. If you get to Northern California, near San Jose, be sure to go to Filoli I should have known it was used for lots of Television shows... but mostly it was gorgeous... And like the great gardensk it really doesn't much matter what season you visit.

Teel... I didn't realize YOU were having rough weather.... I hope there are nice cozy fires and pubs you can pop into for tea/ale and conversation. I've just come across a writer I really like who's from Edinborough if I remember right: Kate Atkinson. Slyly humorous with very creative plots. I'm reading her newest, Case Histories and got an earlier one too.
You can find more about her and read two short stories here

I'm off to the detritus heap. Wish me well... with no ADD attacks!

Hoping you are happy and have much for which to give Thanks!

WOOT! Greece!! Shirley Valentine moment... we get a hunky Greek to kiss our stretch marks and then hop into the Mediterranean naked :lol3:

Oh Shad, I LOVE this home. So peaceful. And I will be hanging out it the tree house too!!!!!!!!

PW~ how do you know about lake effect snow, LOL!! I am under 2 feet of it right now. Snowed in , School closed!! Weehee. I enjoy this very much!!!!

Happy Thanksgiving you glorious south of the border angels!!!!

Happy Thankgiving to all the American Friends
 

Mooz from Ireland sent me a message about thanksgiving. Unfortunately I can't access it from the office, so I will post that tonight.

Happy - so glad you like the new place. Enjoy the swimming. I will see you in the quiet place from time to time although probably it won't be quiet when we get together. Enjoy the family, the turkey and the time off work.

Painter - love those gardens you put in the link. The house looks pretty good as well. Maybe we will have to think about buying it up for the gang here when we move again.
I had a word with the Real Estate agent and ordered some Taverna and the owners for those wanting the Shirley Valentine experiences now and then. All you have to do is to order the variety required and note the time and date. It shall be done.
Grevillia (sp?)bushes are more or less Australian natives. Have flowers like bottle brushes or toothbrushes. Picture below;

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...o1/grevrob.jpg

Good luck with the tidying. Just move everything from one place to another - at least it will look like you have done something! :blush:

For some reason, most of my toolbars do not seem to be working. I have to type in the commands. Maybe it is something to do with yesterdays upgrade.

Hi, Meadow and Holly - good to see you have moved in and made yourself comfortable. Gotta go do some work and I need a coffee badly, I've just seen something of what I have to do today.

Shad ~ the new place is gorgeous! I love the thought of swimming through the soothing waters...ahhhh.... of course, there could be some of us that might be lurking with water balloons waiting for the unsuspecting to come strolling or rolling underneath a particular tree. :devil: :rofl: You know that most people would complain about a two hour train ride... our Shad looks for and enjoys the adventure! ;)

Meadow ~ I'm very impressed that you are doing the ABdominal WATP! Of course, with your dedication to AB, it isn't a surprise, but that particular WATP is hard!

Ceejay ~ That's great that you got your Christmas bonus this early so that you could plan on it for your Christmas shopping. Wishing safe travels for you and a wonderful visit. Some of the stores here are advertising that are going to be open tomorrow at 5:00 AM! I'm not a Black Friday shopper, as they call the day after Thanksgiving, here. You are very brave!

Happy ~ sounds like you are having a great visit with the family. Did you make the Christmas cookies? When we get the crowd together we never get have the things done we'd like to do. What do they think about your house in TN?

Holly ~ I am really amazed by your organizational skills - I think I would have lost track of a kid or two by now or at least an Avon order! No, the Avon orders don't move from place to place, they are probably easier to keep track of! :dizzy:

teel ~ thanks for the news of Linus. I hope your computer is fixed and you are staying in snug and warm with the bad weather. Ick. :p

PW ~ tender hugs for your tender peeling skin. It is annoying to spend a fortune at the grocery store and then realize there is nothing to prepare for the next meal. We've got turkey mignon steaks on our grill and potatoes baking in the oven. We're going light with just the two of us this year.

Nae ~ your craft room sounds wonderful. I owe some costumes to the grandkids. The youngest granddaughter has just learned that all the boy cousins have super capes!

Melly ~ miss you! The uniformed ones are more than likely searching the hallways of the new abode looking for you....

Have I missed anyone?? It was forgetfulness, not intentional.

For thanksgiving, Slim and I went for a bike ride then went to the movies to see I Walk the Line. We enjoyed the movie. Not necessarily the traditional Thanksgiving holiday, but with all the kids out of town or out of the country, we decided to do the things that we wouldn't ordinarily do. We did some landscaping planning and trimming today. Tomorrow we may begin some work on laying some flagstone. We're planning to extend the patio.

Hi Tig~ your thanksgiving sounds delightful!!!

Shad~ I must say I dont miss the daily commute. You are brave, LOL!

Pw~ sending soothing cyber compresses for the girls! Hope your Thanksgiving was glorious.

Meadow~ still LMAO over your last post. You are so interpretive.

HUGS to all the other chicks!!!!!!!!!
Snowed in again. Makes for a 4 day weekend!!!!!! It is beautiful out today. Not storming. Big fluffy flakes falling.
The playschool auction was great. I got some much in demand local hockey tickets. had to hip check( seriously) and threaten a couple of guys to get them.
My body is sore from hours of shovelling and then standing all evening. It feels good. I have several hours of shovlelling today once it stops snowing.
DS has 3 hockey games this weekend. I have the farmers market all weekend. there is a Christmas tour coming out from the city.
Much tidying to do again.

Food was better but not great yesterday. Aiming for great today.

The suitcases under my eyes have carry on luggage today.

Thursdays post~
Major reality check!!! So, yesterday I just kinda of ate when hungry, didn’t stress about content. Technically nothing was “bad” but the craving and hunger was insane. I was lethargic and my body has been achey. For a while I have been limiting my carbs and roughly following South Beach. As with other ideas and plans I am not really losing weight. I was not gaining tho. I had all the turkey fixins on Sunday and then left over stuffing, pie etc....yesterday I had a turkey sandwich for breakfast. I was ravenous by 10 and had another sandwich. I had a salad for lunch but was starving an hour later. For supper I made turkey tetrazini with whole wheat pasta and salad. I ate well. I went for a haircut at a neighbours and came home and ate all the leftovers that were enough for another dinner for 4.
This is how I ate all the time for a couple of years prior to trying to get healthier( 2 years ago). I felt like crap.
It would appear that although my weight loss stinks, how I feel physically is massively improved. Nice wake up call.

Today I will follow south beach phase 1.I will not eat bread.

We are snowed in. All the schools are closed. Most of my extra kids are home. One crazy Mom brought her kids but I assume she will be back soon.

There is a silent auction at the playschool and I have an Avon basket in it and I wanted to take up brochures and network.I hope it is still going. A friend is taking books to another town and stuffing mailboxes for me in exchange for my discount off her products. This is my big holiday push time. I have til Dec 4 to to make the most of this. My dear hubby was kinda sweet and thoughtful last night. So unusual that I was looking for an ulterior motive and there wasn’t one. LOL!

Today i want to house clean and do laundry. I will do my yoga tape. I have a few hours of shovelling to do outside!

I did a “gossip” test last week. I had become friends in town here with a family. it seemed there was always drama. I took a big step back when it involved my kids.They denied everythign and had lots of excuses and blamed others. The Dad had confronted me in Sept. Stupid drama. At storytime last week the woman told me something about someone. I saw the someone the next day and congratulated them. It was not true. So the someone called the woman, the woman called me yesterday to tell me I had misunderstood her. LOL!!! NOT! So these people who have been telling me they are not involved in hurtful gossip and drama with others are full of crap. I was beginning to doubt my gut feelings.

Okey dokey. Coffee is done. Healthy, protein breaky coming up!!!

Ggod Thing There Was A Forwarding Addie!!
 

:cofdate: Good Morning My Friends!
I haven't read all the back pages as yet and hope all is well. I want to thank you though for the good thoughts cause I could feel them. they were much needed and well used! :dance: I am not 100% but well on the way. :bubbles:
I am also terribly bored! If all goes well, I will go shopping on Monday and do some late Xmas buying. It is definiter now that Richie's kids are coming for about 2 weeks so we need to get a few things. Thank God they will all be staying at his parents!
Thanksgiving started off on the wrong foot the night before with a huge blow-up between the big kids. Momma smacked the appropriate people in their appropriate heads and all is well again. Holiday stress....who needs it! :faint:
the Mayor dropped off three complete turkey dinners from the local diner when he heard we weren't cooking and I was housebound. "anything for you baby" was his answer. Gotta love the man. :love:
I also love the new house!!! Ahhhhh to be in the sun again and feel it's healing warmth. Great choice Shad. And at a perfect time too!! It was 21* last night!!! But the snow passed us by. I was thinking of Shad and my other Aussie friend......she was recently complaining of having to use the A/C so much already!!! :rofl:
Well, I guess that's all for now. I have a lot of catching up to do and a whole weekend to do it in! :rofl: I do so love these long holiday weekends. Have a great weekend too and take good care of yourselves. :moped:

Good Morning, Glorious morning
 

The sky is blue fro the first time in a week and I have better rush to get the washing out and drying for the prediction is more showers and storms for the afternoon and evening. We've had a lot of shower and storm activity over the past week. Prediction is that is will last through to next Tuesday. So the idea is to get the chores done while it is fine.

I bought my tickets for Adelaide yesterday. Rung the son who said - so don't you want to visit me for long then. I explained that I have to go back to work to finish up some jobs before my contract finishes in January. What I haven't told him yet is that my next job may be in South Australia and I may be back for 3 months to work close by - well close by Australian standards - about 500k away. I really am not sure I want this one, but it may mean the difference between a new kitchen this year and the Italian trip or just one of the above. I finished paying the car off yesterday. So my debt now is one small mortgage, about $1000 on my credit card which gets paid off come December and $31.95 on my internet connection. Feels good to be almost debt free again. The extra from the car payment will now go to the house. I'd like the mortgage to be gone by this time next year as well. This will be the third time I have paid off a house - twice for this house. At least if the worst happens now, I shall have a roof over my head which no one can do me out of and I can retain independence on my own.

Strewth that was a bit of a ramble was it not. Must be feeling introspective this morning.

Mel - good to see you back and posting. Was trying to ring you, but as usual your phone is stuck on the engaged signal. So the kids are fighting again? Aaahhh well some healthy discussion is to be expected from time to time, but why do you have to become involved?? Hope the weather becomes fine for the little ones. Kids indoors + wet weather equals total boredom, squabbles etc.etc. Gotta love your Mayor. The Mayor here would not even know I was alive, unless of course I didn't pay the rates. He only appears come election time and to tell the truth because I am a resident and not a citizen and therefore don't have to vote, he couldn't careless whether I was here or not.

Holly - have fun in the snow. What is 'lake effect' snow anyway. Sounds like you are in your element with the weather up there. Keep pushing those Avon orders. As you say, you have to make the hay while you can. Too late to say I should have done more after the closing date. I presume there is a lull in buying the products after the Christmas rush is over?

Tig - good to see you in and posting with us. Water balloons in the tree house? No there is a naughty thought. Are you sure the Thugs didn't get their outlook from you??? The tree house looks a fun place does it not? As for the train ride, well since one is stuck on a train and there is no other place to go, one simply has to make the best of it. A laugh or two to while away the time is far better than people swinging fists or abusing the train driver - although come to think of it, there was a bit of verbal abuse floating around every time he made an announcement. However one thing about the Australian psyche is that he/ she (usually he) is never lost for a word to say about any given situation. The blokes are usually quite laid back and laconic and mostly amusing, the 'sheilas' can get loud and antsy. But it really amuses me to find each and every one of them prepared to organise everyone except themselves.
Way to go on planning and landscaping and doing it yourself. Only way to get things done to your satisfaction.

Oh I forgot about Mooz's blessing yesterday. Here we go then

I am thankful....

For the partner who snores all night, because he is at home asleep
with me and not with someone else.

For the taxes that I pay, because it means that I am employed.

For the clothes that fit a little too snug, because it means I have
enough to eat.

For my shadow that watches me work, because it means I am out in the
sunshine.

For a floor that needs mopping, and windows that need cleaning,
because it means I have a home.

For all the complaining I hear about the government, because it
means that we have freedom of speech.

For the parking spot I find at the far end of the parking lot,
because it means I am capable of walking and that have been blessed
with transportation.

For the pile of laundry and ironing, because it means I have clothes
to wear.

For weariness and aching muscles at the end of the
day, because it means I have been capable of working hard.

For the alarm that goes off in the early morning hours, because it
means that I am alive.

AND FINALLY...

For too much e-mail, because it means I have friends who are
thinking of me.

THINK POSITIVE!!

And with that, I have gone far past my allotted time on the computer. It's time for action around the house and yard. See ya

Fall pics
 

Now that it is snowing, LOL! I am having a quiet play on the puter afternoon.

Shad~ Nice post. I DREAM of being where you are at.
Nice to see you up Mel.

These are my fall pics.

Our neighbours lane to their farm,a Blanket flower( my fav after hollyhocks),our bush( you can see our house thru the trees in the bottom right of pic),

nice pics but can you resize them a bit so I can see them properly. They've gone up as very small. Can't really see the house.

Aw man...first they were too big ,then too small and server keeps bumping me off....LOL! I wil try again.

More pics. Our house in 1999 when we bought it and this fall 2005.

That's better Holly. Like the new deck.

Saturday afternoon here and I am getting ready to go to a friends place for their Christmas dinner with friends. I understand we are barbequing. But what we are barbequing I have no idea. I need to get some wine and some flowers for the hostess. No the wine is for me and since I am driving a bunch of small bottles will do the trick. What I don't drink I bring home.

It's been a warm day, busy mostly as well. House is cleaned (again) - really don't know where all the washing and cleaning comes from. I blame the cat!! Couldn't possibly be me creating all the mess.

Food has been sparse owing to the upcoming, aforementioned barbecue. I can afford to eat a good plateful tonight.
Water has been a bit sparse, but I am getting through it. I will be taking some with me tonight as well and alternating with the wine.
Exercise - well I went to Body Balance and have done the abs/ crunches.
All in all I'm calling it a wrap.

Catch you all tomorrow.

Hi Everyone,
Sorry I haven't posted. My guests left early yesterday morning and arrived home safely - said the trip was a breeze with light traffic. I started on one of my promised projects which was to transfer over stuff from my current computer to my new one. I thought it would take one evening - silly me. 5 years with this computer and I have amassed a whole load of things. It's its own project just cleaning, arranging and transfering. I worked on it all yesterday and today and I'm only about half done. I am taking up DH's desk space and network connection for his computer and he's getting rather antsy about getting his computer back. I had hoped to get this finished, my Christmas letter and cards done, do the laundry, a bit of groceries and get the tree up by the end of the day tomorrow. Don't think that's all going to happen. And I am overdue for exercising too. :o

The only good thing about sitting here is that it's giving my leg a chance to rest up. I will be calling a regular doctor on Monday for an appointment.

You have all been quite the chatty bunch. Will be hard catching up with all of you. I'm sorry but I have to cut this short - it's after midnight and I'm back in the mode of getting to bed way too late and getting up too late in the mornings and wasting the day away. It's a very breezy night - the weather is warming up again - 47 one day 70 two days later, no wonder we are sick. We're supposed to get storms tomorrow. Even poor kitty is nervous outside. She is crying to come in the house and the best I could do was to spend 10 minutes outside petting her and trying to get her to calm down. She has been sitting on the chair ever watchful to the yard for the last 45 minutes. I feel bad leaving her there but if she were to cry out, DH would be at her side in a minute.

Anyway, I hope to get back on tomorrow evening and catch up with you all...

3fc what is going on????
 

I am not getting any e-mails and my smileys don't work! boo hoo!!!
Shad~ I couldn't be more happy for you and your debt free plan!!! Congratulations to you!!! I might be debt free by 30000! :rofl: Loved Mooz's letter. Have read it before. It's very much how I live my life ....when I'm in a good mood that is:lol3:Hope the BBQ was good....I could smell it over here! We can make a date to call any weekend you want. The kids tie up the line a lot with games. We joined Pogo.com's club and earn badges etc. It's been a lot of fun and good time spent together.

Happy~ Poor kitty! At least someone loves her though. Good luck with the PC. I love your avatar!! I was cracking up for a few minutes. Lovely way to start my day! Now I will go find something for me!Sorry about the leg and wish you luck with a new dr. :hug: I hope you get some relief with him and good advice.

Holly~ thanks for the pictures! I love the deck and it was nice to have a peek into your life! How goes the Xmas Avon-ing? Hope you make tons of $$$$$$$!!!!!
No snow here yet....the big storm passed us by!!!

Yesterday I got the Xmas spirit from Hotcupojava and got out my ornaments. The little tree is up and decorated. I even did a wee bit of Flylady in the closet and tossed old/unused stuff out. Xmas carols on the pc, Xmas cartoons on the dvd, tinsel going on the 3' tree......it just doesn't get any better than that. But....It was a toss up between the pc and Xmas and the Xmas Spirit won out.
I am learning moderation. Can't use the arms for everything all day long. I think I am feeling good enough to go shopping. I will do next to nothing today and see what the Monday morning brings. Jen left a message under my door that she wants me to spend the day with them. Popcorn and more dvds! :rofl:
Well Chickies I must go and eat breakfast and get dressed and fed. Have a great day. :moped:

I can use one of their animated avatars but it won't let me upload one of mine. Maybe a new rule?! I also checked and I am subscribed......I'll give them some time to get all the kinks out from this last transformation. TTFN

Mel~ maybe when I grow up I will learn moderation too.

I slept til 8:45. I laid down in bed a watched the tube last night from 8-11. I was toompooped to move. Kinda enjoyable really.
Curch at 10. The kids are doing the whole service for the first advent sunday and singing in Latin. The kids are ages 3-9. Pretty amazing! I am going back to the market. if it is slow. I will leave my stuff and come home and putter and then go back and pack up later.
2nd coffee done. Time to go get beautiful.

I'll swear I posted yesterday morning giving all the details of the bbq on Saturday night. However, I can't find it. I did have problems with the smilies and buttons on the first day after the upgrade but they fixed themselves by the following day. Suzanne put a note on the forum help to explain one way to solve the problem - it's to do with old cookies and new cookies. Yeah right.

Saturday's bbq went well. Lots of food. Bit of a fall down on the sweet chili cream cheese dip but I had a small piece of steak, a chicken tenderloin on a skewer (satay style) huge plate full of salad and veges - passed on the dessert and refused the chocolate. The chocolate was a close run thing as I love the Belgian Guylian choc truffles. I took along a piccolo bottle of Lindauer champers which was very dry so there was no difficulty sticking to one glass. I came home around 11pm and watched the footy from Scotland which finished at 3.00am. Woke up yesterday feeling extremely blah and sore in the gut - obviously too much food and too little sleep. Went to the gym and woke myself up, didn't feel like eating until around 3.oopm then ate everything in sight. Luckily I hadn't shopped and keep a boring refrigerator so there wasn't a lot of damage I could do. I worked in the yard until a storm sent me inside and the cat ran under the bed and wouldn't come out. It was a real doosey this one. Lots of rain, thunder, lightning etc. Some damage done north of the city, but none down our way. I gave up trying to do anything thing and went to bed for siesta.

Poor little kitty Happy. Could you not have put her in the garage with some newspaper etc just to help her out of the weather. I know she has a basket on the terrace. Hope that knee comes right soon. What a pain. Glad to hear the visitors got home safe and well. I didn't realise they were driving. I just figured they were flying. Never presume Shad. It wumps you everytime.

Hiya Mel, glad to hear that things are coming right slowly. And very pleased to hear that you are not overdoing it at this stage. Nice thing that the kids are coming to visit and to make sure you are okay and then they get to play on the computer.

Holly - church sounds nice with the kids. Happy puttering.

I'm trying to sort out the Christmas dinner for this year. I think it is going to have to be the week before Christmas because of my going to Adelaide for Christmas itself. Therefore I will have to start organising the brothers by this week. The bossy sister effect comes back into being.

Better go do something. Hard to believe it is nearly the end of November and weigh and measure is just around the corner AGAIN.

I managed two goes at the WATP four mile and two of the 3mile ABs so altogether, which is astounding given my track record, I have gone 14 miles this week:carrot: :D :cool:

Mel-good to have you back! Glad to hear you are pacing yourself and not allowing the duties to overwhelm you. Christmas at the malls is so much fun even when you aren't shopping, everything is so bright and beautiful.

Shad-Cool barbecue menu. Steak and chicken, your friends know how to please. Of course I want some Chili dip now:p I send little Sunday a dose of catnip to help her through the aftershock of the storm, brutal on their emotions all the noise.

Happy-how many dozens of cookies are in your freezer now? Did your sister take them all with her? Did your mom and you do some prowling of decorating stores and plot the next colour advance on whatever area isn't sorted yet? ;) I'm so sad for your little kitty, it is just going to get colder and I suppose those raccoons are going to start coming around and making mischief.

Holly-How many snow bunnies did you help build. Any snow Tiggers? Any snow bears? I had an entire zoo last year:smug: Our snow was only here long enough to tease the kids, the higher points north and south of us still have a foot. They are bummed. Good luck with the Avon sales, you must be scrambling to get all the orders in and together before Christmas. Your home looks terrific, I bet you spend tons of time on the patio this summer didn't you?

Tig-How wonderful, landscaping! I want to do that too only thing stopping me is money :p Flagstones will look great, will we get to see a picture after you finish? I really enjoy seeing the gardens and planning other people do. Nice to have you posting.

:wave: Hello readers!:coffee2: Are you gearing up for Christmas? Got your tree yet?

Hiya Meadow! We have rain today. The snow is now slush.
Shad, your BBQ sounds lovely.

Good morning ladies,
A cool and rainy day here. Didn't sleep well last night, only about 3 hours total which will make for a very long and tiring day back to work after vacation. :( Strong winds last night and the threat of tornadoes coming out of Ceejay's direction. (Hope you're ok ;) ) Guess down here spring AND autumn brings the threat of bad weather. I can't believe vacation is over already. Wanted to put the tree up yesterday but I can't find the most important thing - the stand. Went through all the boxes marked Christmas in the house, more to search in the garage I'm told by DH. Guess I have TOO MUCH Christmas stuff. Of course the guys did a lousy job packing and it's not unusual to find a large box marked Christmas with only 1 actual Christmas item in it. Chances are my tree stand is in a box marked something else. :dizzy: I will give it one day's look tonight and if I can't find it, I'll buy another - don't have the time to go through 20 boxes on a wild goose chase.

As for Kitty, she is on a covered porch out of the wind and rain. She has her soft cat bed in which we've put 2 - 3 warm blankets and we also cover her at night. My mom said she didn't cover her own kids that well and HEY - isn't that my blue blanket that you have on the cat bed :rollpin: Laughed at mum and told her we got her a new, softer, warmer blanket - kitty gets the old stuff. :lol: I did try putting her just inside the garage door one night when it was storming but she'd have none of it. I think she wants a quick escape route in case she doesn't like one of the roaming critters. DH wants to let her "just inside the house" into the kitchen but I told him that we can't - if we do go back north for the holiday I think it would be more cruel to let her in now and then leave her locked out when we go away. She is quite warm and dry, trust me.

Meadow, 14 MILES this week! Awesome lady!!!! :cp: :carrot: :cp: :carrot: And I didn't make any more Christmas cookies and probably won't. Half of the leftovers from last week went with my sister and I ate the other half which was about 12 or so which is why I can't have any more cookies around here tempting me. :nono:

Shad, my family drove rather than fly as $200 or so in gasoline was much cheaper than $1200 in air fare. The rates always go up during the holidays. I didn't realize that you were up all hours of the day and night following the footy. What a fan you are! :cheer: What's with going to Adelaide this year, I thought the family was mostly around you now? I hear you on the end of the month drawing near, geez it was just Halloween last week, wasn't it????

Mel, your house is sounding quite festive. Are you singing along with the carols yet? Glad the snow has passed you by. Stay warm and cozy my friend.

Painter, hope you are having fun with the DD's visit. Has she gone back now and into the hum drum routine again?

Tig, my family loves my house here. I wish I could convince them to come down this way where you can get more house for the dollar, but it's hard to pry people away from their roots -- heaven knows it took me long enough. Hope you had fun in the garden - be careful, that flagstone is pretty and heavy too. Don't strain yourself. You Thanksgiving sounded very cozy.

Ceejay, hope you have enjoyed your Thanksgiving trip.

Holly, that pic of the lane to your friend's farm is gorgeous. Love the autumn colors.

Well, it's past time for me to be in the shower and off to the office again. Back to remembering all the things I put off before vacation and said I'd do today. But first I have to remember my passwords - always a danger after some time off :rofl: Have a good day ladies...

:hug: for all and a hello to Teel, Linus, Nae and all the rest of the chicks.

Thank God it Monday!!
 

and a school day for all the big kids!! Just 2 preschoolers today til noon. Huuby is at work. He wasn't sure he would go because of the rain. I am letting the fire go out because it is +6C(42F) and feeling muggy in here.
I am in desperate need of a shower but will wait til after the bus.
I did a fair bit of tidying yesterday evening. I should be able to vacuum today.
4th day of hockey in a row with a practise at 4:30. The kids played 3 fab games over the weekend. Much improved. DS was quite the star.
Food has been willy nilly but not horrifc in content or amounts. Just not in the forefront of thought. I haven't weighed in a few weeks. I was getting disappointed by the same number while really trying to lose.
I sent a friendly email and pics to an old friend last week and haven't heard back. Every couple of months I try. It makes me feel sad.

Storytime this morning. I need some ideas for myslef for reading. Entertaining yet with a little substance and thought provocation. The Mark Twain Letters for book club is interesting but quite heavy.Getting thru it bit by bit.

Happy~ i love your avatar, i smile a squinty kitty smile right back at it.We have shop cats and they they are mostly outdoors in the summer but do sleep inside in cooler temps. We have a kitty hole in the shed door.We have insulation stored upstair and that is where they sleep. Cats are very resourceful. Try not to worry too much.

Hi girls....how are you all enjoying our new home? I LOVE the swimming pool...it looks absolutely gorgeous! Well done Shad...you have done us proud again!! Thank you!!!

Well I am sorry to say I have sad news about Bob the builder...he spent the last 5 days of his life in the local hospice where he died on Friday evening at 20:30hrs. I feel quite stunned which is potty because I knew death was on it's way sooner rather than later. I will miss him, and so will Holly. She loved him to bits...

Hmmmn my smilie link is not working today so you will just have to imagibne lots of little emoticons running around all over the post!!

The weather has calmed down a lot here in Suffolk although it is still bad with sleet and snow and ice over in the west of the country around Devon and Cornwall. Here it is just grey and miserable.

I think I have given up with trying to lose weight this side of Christmas... I have not dared getting on the scales since I got back home....I am being fairly sensible though.

At the end of the week I have a wedding to play for...in a very small cold Suffolk church...I must remember to take a flask with hot water and a sachet of cup-a-soup!!! Before that I have hairdresser appointment tomorrow , someone from church is coming for coffee on Wednesday and on Thursday I have a blood test appointment followed by Holly's hair cut in the afternnoon...Friday is music practice for the wedding and then Saturday is the actual occassion!! Busy week!!

How is everyone's Christmas preperations coming along??I cannot believe there are just 4 weeks to go till the big day...I had better get those cards written!!!

Teel~ I am deeply sorry for the passing of Bob. He was good friend for you and Holly. My thoughts are with you.

I am happy to see you posting.Take time for yourself in this busy week.


My thoughts are a bit melancholy today. Might be the rain! LOL!
I have been journalling a bit about mixed feelings about my family. I saw my Dad briefly on Sat when he stopped into the market to pick up mom's Avon order. I was struck by how handsome and fit and happy he is.
These are this morning's thoughts....
I hate that the fam takes up energy. It is worse than it has been for a long time as my kids get older and I have memories of my own childhood. I get so conflicted because my folks are decent people. The are narcisstic , small minded in many ways ,but good people.
I get tired of being misunderstood and disliked.
I think I am pretty wonderful.
The whole convo at the dinner table last year at christmas was about how it was impossible for any online relationships to be real.Every blog/group etc was a scam and everyone online was some deviant trying to get something from you. I came home and read journal/forum posts all night. I know it is their loss to be so fearful and jaded but it hurts that once again I was the family freak who actually believed I had an online friend or even friendS( egads more than one person who likes me).
Sad.

The preschoolers just wanted to stay home and watch cartoons. kinda nice. I am off to putter.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...ndow-light.jpg

((((HUGS)))) Don't allow anyone to take away your spirit or energy :D

Originally Posted by Hollyhock:
The whole convo at the dinner table last year at christmas was about how it was impossible for any online relationships to be real.Every blog/group etc was a scam and everyone online was some deviant trying to get something from you.

I suppose if I step back and imagine myself in someone else's shoes - someone who is not as computer comfortable as we are...

What do you see on the news? Stories of perverts and child molesters starting conversations with kids in chat rooms to lure them to prey on them.
In fact, there has been alot of bad press in general about chat rooms and people's behavior and ability to be anything they want to conjure up in cyberspace. So given that, if I was not computer savy, I might just feel that people online are creepy and out for something. But like you, I know better now. ;)

I still find it hard to fathom that some people have met and dated via chat rooms on the Internet, but it happens alot. When the main office of my last job relocated from New York to Chicago, one of the girls searched online and sight unseen, agreed to room with a GUY she'd only met from a want ad on the Internet. :yikes: that one BLEW ME AWAY. I said T, you're from NEW YORK for cryin' out loud - what if he was Chester the Molester? How could you be so trusting (and she was a tough NY Italian that you wouldn't mess with). Guess she felt she could hold her own. It did work out, but I would have argued against her sanity. :dunno:

I do believe you can develop friendships and a support network through the right kinds of online mediums - much the same as you could with old fashioned "pen pals" that your folks might be more comfortable with.

One thing I've learned - don't try to argue or reason or sometimes even discuss with parents and grandparents or people 20 years older than you - particularly if they feel strongly about something. They don't listen and you just feel deflated yourself. I guess that's where the "pick your battles" comes in - not to fight but how much will you try to defend your position.

I've had to diffuse several of these heated family conversations - just easier to steer clear of hot topics with the family and stick to safe ones like oooh that jello mold is so pretty. :D

These are the same people who boycott bottled water because they assume people on the assembly line spit in it.The cup is definitley 1/2 empty.
LOL!

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.