Morning all,
I've come home for the 4 day break and I meant to get an awful done, however as always the plans of mice and men etc. I didn't post yesterday due to a headache of massive proportions. I don't get migraine as such but once in a while certain factors stack up (overwork, stress, tiredness, bad food choices and lack of water) and along comes a real doosey of a headache. Woke up with one as such yesterday and after hunting around for drugs (finally found some in the DS2's car - heaven knows where they have been and what condition they were in) went back to bed and was there comatose until around 4pm, apart from a short period of time where DS2 arrived home, fussed over more drugs and told me off - so much for Good Friday. It wasn't particularly good at all. Miss Puss and I floundered around for part of the evening and she (disgusted at my lack of lovin') went out for the night and I went back to bed. Food was a disgrace what there was of it and the massive amount of water that I drunk has gone straight to the ankles. So it's the gym for me this morning to try to put myself back on the straight and narrow. The scales are being very unkind as well.

I have quite a lot to do today - considering that I didn't do anything yesterday. Miss Puss is condescendingly approved the fact that I let her in and fed her. So I had better get to checking the posts and getting off the computer.

Nita, good to hear the moving plans are going along quite well. Please check everything very carefully before you sign up to buy. There are often some strange convenants hidden in the back of contracts when buying in shared estates, condominiums and retirement places. I'm not implying you are dumb or thick at all. But it really pays to have independent advice and not just what the brochures or Body Corporates (not sure what you people call them - these are the groups that decide on maintenance, ground rules and general laws governing the estate or village) say. I've known many people who have come to grief over things stated in the small print of Body Corp rules and regulations but which were not pointed out at sale stage.
I have no trouble with e-mail notification but then I turned it on in both the posts and the User CP. Sometimes I get two for the same entry!!!!

Patty - what a wonderful weight loss. Congratulations. Long may it last.

Hi Cat - how's it going? :wave:

Mooz - my thoughts are with you, even it I am not posting as often as I was. The job is stressful and mostly enjoyable, but I don't get much time on here and it shows in the lack of weight loss and exercise.
I hope you are beginning to see the way through the maze of grief. It will take time - time really is the great healer. Sometimes it takes years. There were times when I picked up the phone to ring my folks and tell them a funny story and then I realise it doesn't matter. They are no longer around to be interested in it. Then I think well maybe they know anyway, so I just stand in the middle of the floor and say it aloud. It gives me a laugh anyway and the moment passes. Sometimes I think I feel them close by and other times it is like it never was.

Hal - The weather sounds frightful up your way. Seems Mother Nature is truly ticked off about something - the weather seems to have been bad in a lot of places just now. It looks like a fine sunny day here. Time to get out and enjoy it I think.

Right - that is about it. Hope I haven't missed anyone.

Enjoy your Easter time, whatever or whichever way you believe. It's a time for family, friends and a bit of retrospection and inspiration.

Happy Holidays.

Got the EFT DVDs--this is the alternative to hypnosis my therapist has been using. Seems to help a lot of people with emotional eating. Let's see how it works. Of course you have to open and USE it.

Hello Ladies,

Haven't done to well these last two days. Today spent the morning cleaning house, getting ready for company. I have easter candy in the house and some how that has made it's way to my mouth.

Nita - I have to agree with Shad. Be sure and have some one else look over the fine print. I definitely agree with finding a new house before putting yours on the market. Maybe you can put a clause in the new one stating that this is dependent upon selling your current one. I'm sure your agent can advise you.

Shad - sorry to hear about your migraine. I think I have only had one and that was many years ago. Glad your feeling better.

Mooz and Hal - hope to hear from you all soon.

Morning all,
Lovely breakfast yesterday if not anything like diet friendly. We had potato waffles, scrambled egg and fried eggs, bacon, stuffed tomatoes (these were yummy, stuffed with dukkah and parmesan cheese YUMMO ) a choice of sauces, champagne and orange juice, tea or coffee. I was completely stuffed at the end of it. Lucky I had those couple of hours in the garden first I think.

Rest of the day was spent in and around the house, clearing up after ants (bloody things) sorting out the cat and sorting out my new camera. Yes I have a new digital camera. My old one was getting very shaky and the one on the phone is pretty useless. All those photos I took the other day from my jaunt up into the hills are not clear or even halfway good. DS2 has the big digital, which commutes between him and me depending on who is where or going where in the Universe. But I wanted one for when the biggie was not available, one to carry in the purse. So I have a Canon Powershot A610. It's a little doosey - hey it has a swivel screen so I can even take pics of me with the scenery behind me. Good heavens does this mean Shad will have pics with PEOPLE in them!!!!!
So now there will be no excuse for not going places down in NSW. I might even stay there for a couple of weekends!!! You may yet get to see Wollongong! Bet you are all just dying to see that!!!

The head is perfectly fine thank you. I don't think they are migraines as such. They are not triggered by atmosphere, food, dust, etc. It's a combination of tension, stress and tiredness that gets me. Biggest bug is that I can usually tell when they are coming. I eat badly, crave the wrong foods, am bad tempered or just plain dopey. I know they are coming. I can't seem to do anything about them. It happens. Sometimes on projects I wonder why I don't get them more often!!

Last night on the TV, they took the cameras back to Innisfail to see how things are going after Cyclone Larry. There is still a lot of water lying around (they have had yet more rain) and about a third of the (still standing) houses are without electricity, but they are returning to a sort of normality. Remember the little girl I spoke about who said ' the fence is broke.... everything is broke'. Well they went back to her place. Mum has since delivered a new baby and the little girl spoke again thanking the nation for the gifts of toys and Easter eggs and clothing that they had received and a lot of which has been passed on to the relief efforts. Mum also thanked the world for the help. Quite an amazing family. Dad (the great fixer according to his daughter) also appeared. It seems that a lot of folk opened their hearts and wallets after seeing that little girl iliving through the hurricane.

Okay, better go and do something. The day is dawning bright and clear. A bit more gardening this morning. Trip to the gym no doubt. Some cleaning in the bathroom and loo. And some more dark thoughts on what to do with the #$%#@ persistant ants.

Happy Easter Monday.

RE: To a group of Eggstra special chicks...!!!
 

On my way back to the'Gong.

Hal, it seems easy to use especially for the point and shoot bits and it has this swivel screen. My old digital was a Kodak. It has lasted 6 years. It was absolutely simple to use, took videos, only problem was that you had to have the stand/pad thing to connect into the computer. It made carrying it overseas somewhat of a trial. The batteries were also one off, needed a special container for recharging - more stuff, more cords to hump around. This one connects to a computer with a USB cord and you can buy the batteries off the shelf. Still reading the book of instructions.

Gotta go.

Hi, everyone. Nothing seriously wrong in my life now, just feel I'm being nibbled to death by ducks. I can't get the FMLA straughtened out, the house and yard are a mess, and we are having problms with the storytelling group and the Peace and Justice group, I can't get anywhere with my weight and there's not time to exercise . . . OK, Cat, remember that there are people who have real problems.

We had a great poetry reading last night--I had three poems published.

Better sign off before I kvetch any more.

Hello ladies,

Had a wonderful weekend, everyone was at my parent's house. We have a tradition of cracking cascones (egg shells, painted and stuff with confitee) on easter day. So there we were all running after each other, trying to crack eggs on each other. Talk about memories, and I have it on film. Ate way to much, but got back on track monday. Tonight is my weight in so we'll see.

Hal - I think my favorite is the lemon and chocholate cake. Ok, I know, that's dessert, but it's good the next item is the chicken fett. The rest of the food is ok, but the portions are small. I have to remind myself, that it's enough food.

oops needs to run, be back later

Shad--there are some very good simple yoga postures for headache in Yoga Journal on line.

Now our crisis in the Coalition for Peace and Justice is deepening. I think we need to work hard just to survive.

I had a caller today who wanted some written information on the prescription drug plans. I said I'd be glad to send it, but it often takes 3 weeks, and the deadline to sign up is May 15. She said, "Well, it's the 20th, I think we'll get it in time." I tried to stress that we'd be real busy the last days, but she still wanted the written material. So I went all through entering the meds in the computer, putting together the packet, said, "Now, you'll get that in about 3 weeks." "Three weeks! Why, that's too late." So we started almost over, and finally enrolled the old gentleman in a plan. Sigh.

Another group of people are going to be auto-enrolled May 1. If it's a lousy plan for them, they probably won't realize it in time to switch by May 15.

And a good night to all of you who have reasonable health care systems.

Hi All,

Sorry I haven't posted for several days--I believe I am having some bad days because we cannot find the "perfect" house back in PA. I know I have to be patient but it seems most of the houses are more than one story. Because of Gene's disability, it most important that this house be a ranch and it could have a basement but it also has to be easy for him to get in and out of. In the meantime I have interviewed two different real estate persons and I believe the one we should go with is an older woman with RE/MAX, the same real estate in PA where my real estate person works.

Diet-wise I was doing very well until this past week and it is amazing how fast you can put on 3 to 4 lbs. I bought one of those Woman's World magazines yesterday featuring a young woman who lost over 100 lbs. with the WW program. She does have a few tips in the article. One of the most important things she states is that she never missed a meeting and stayed for the entire meeting, and this is something I just need to make up my mind to do. When it does come to packing, I will need all the energy I can muster up. Since these moving companies want $1800 to pack all your boxes, I decided it would be wise to pay a couple of my friends to help me instead. With the price of gas going up each day, I am sure they could use a little extra cash.

We have not changed our mind about leaving AZ, however, if we cannot come up with a home as good as this one or at least as nice, we may have just stay in AZ. Gene fell again yesterday when I was not at home and our neighbor just happened to come and visit him and helped him up and tended to his wound. He was very lucky because he went down slowly and only banked a place near his elbow. So when I think of what happened, I just know we need to be near family.

Thanks for all your advice when it comes to buying a house, I really appreciate it.

Have a great weekend!
Anita

Hello Ladies,

Nita - I"m so glad Gene is allright. I'm sure a relator can find you a place. Just be patient. I think that's a great idea of getting your friends to help out with your packing. You know with them doing it, it will be packed more carefully. Make sure you have all the packing items you need. You might want to start saving newspapers to help with packing. I'm sure a U Haul store will have everything else you need.

Cat - I will have to ask my parents about their program. I know they enrolled prior to Christmas, but I haven't asked him how it's working out.

I have some sad news. One of my cousins passed away friday night. She was 37 years old. She also had downs syndrom. It was very quick, she was feeling ill friday morning, then she fainted and was rushed to hospital. By late afternoon she had a heart attack. Please keep her family in your prayers. She was very special to us.

Hi Ladies,

Patty -- sorry about your loss. The good thing is that she didn't suffer. You are correct when you say I need to have patience and the realtor and/or my daughter back in PA will find our "perfect" home. I told the realtor today it's too bad I love my home as much I do. Also, the weather here has been absolutely wonderful.

If any of you watched Entertainment Tonight yesterday, there was a chef on there who had been grossly overweight and on the advice of his physician he was told to lose weight or he would die, he suddenly did a turnaround and it was amazing to see all of his family--I believe there were two boys and also his wife who were also overweight. Well the bottom line is they all lost weight and look fantastic. I didn't catch his name but he is now helping other people lose weight as well. One of the things he stressed was fresh fruits and veggies and also drinking water. Since he is a chef by trade you can well imagine he came up with some tasty dishes. I am sure he has a website and I will try to find out his name.

Take care ladies,
Anita

RE: For OneDay...
 

Puff, puff. Just running in and out. Patty so sorry to hear of the loss in your family. Blessings on you all.

Nita, it will all come together when it is meant to. Don't sweat the stuff and be very fussy about what you want. Don't let anyone talk you into something that is not quite right. Hang in there.

Cat - thanks for the tips on yoga for headaches. I think there will be a few more before I am finished here.

Keep going - keep thinking about what you eat, what you drink, when you exercise. Only by plugging along can we achieve our goals.

Hello Ladies,

Came back in town wednesday, but came home sick. My allergies have me all stuffed up. Stayed home today. I have 2 prescriptions to take.

Today will be short. Hope everyone is doing ok. Will check back later.