Morning all,

I made it back here, all the way from home. I can tell you that it is 1071km from my place to here - give or take a couple of detours here and there. It's a long drive and went well until about 100k out of Sydney when a thunder storm hit and torrential rain fell and I had to drive through it with all the idiots under the sun. Then it took 2 hours to get through the last 72k what with the storm and the traffic through Sydney. Got stuck in these godawful narrow streets with buses and trucks either side. Felt like I was being hatched at times. Once under the harbour bridge and through the tunnels I was fine. I picked up my colleague from the airport and we drove on to Wollongong and the fog came down THICK. It was a case of 'where's that bl**dy car that was in front' Good grief. Let's go a little slower. Hope nothing comes belting up from behind!!!

Meadow the dog looks sweet. Love collies, but they do need exercise. Maybe you need to teach him how to use the treadmill! They will find things to destroy if you don't keep their minds occupied. But he looks great.

Haven't got alot of time to add to this now. I'll try to get back later. Meantime I'd better go round up my flock and get some info out of them. Have fun today.

Hey, everyone. Hope everyone had a busy but happy weekend. Mine was very nice. It's been bitter cold all weekend, but we still managed to wander out yesterday to go for lunch. Hey, made it to the gym this morning… it was not the most athletic workout I have ever had but some days all we can ask of ourselves is to at least show up.

And I had an unfortunate hair colouring accident this weekend… tried to go too blonde and now I look like a calico cat. It's really quite horrific and I'm afraid to do anything to fix it. Friends suggest I just learn to live with it for now and then get if professionally corrected closer to the wedding – which is probably the best thing to do. Funny that all my male friends (and TB) think I look cute – I suspect it is some sort of bleach blonde fantasy that we shouldn't spend a lot of time thinking about.

Linus ~ hope you feel better. Germ factories. If you got it from ceejay would that make it an internet virus?? Storage space is everything…

Mel~ let us know how the nutri system food works. Everyone has to have a starting point. And I hear you on the getting hungry and having "things happen".

Rosebush~ So lovely to see you back on line. I am very sorry about your friend. Not a good way to start any year.

Ceejay~ Whoo hoo on the credit cards!!! Take it easy, will ya?

Shad~ Where have you not gone that you have always wanted to go? Where have you not been in ages? So I hear there is this really nice country called Canada… You might have heard of it. There is this really neat cross country train trip that winds through the mountains… that wouldn't involve a lot of walking. Venice will still be there (unless it sinks).

Happy ~ How great that you were recognized for your good work! That is so good. Whoo hoo!!!

Holly~ Enjoy those days off you have planned. It sounds as if you could use them sooner rather than later. Take care.

Meadow ~ oh he is beautiful if he is even close to the picture!! Collies are such smart dogs. Congrats on your new addition.

Ok, I think that is for me… It's time to tuck myself in bed and start a whole new week.

I went back to work today and was snowed under from a mound of paper work but it's all caught up now.

Since my sick spell I really don't want much food. My appetite left and I really don't care if I find it again. The smell of food still makes me sick. I can still handle chicken noodle soup though.

Meadow--The puppy is cute. MY neighbors behind me have what I call a minature collie. It's one of my favorite dogs so far, the small poodle being number one.

I need to go to bed. I'll finish this later.

I came back. I'm not feeling like work today so I'm making a nuisance of myself elsewhere.

Madcat - I've heard of that country. I've heard about the wee train trip. I believe it winds up in a village called Toronto. Actually I passed that place on my way to Sydney yesterday. It is about 100K north of Sydney. Someone said that it is a blink and you miss it place - ours not yours!

I don't mind the walking. It's me pal up there. She can't walk too far anymore. Bit of a pain really. More for her than me too. Anyway I am thinking, thinking, thinking about it and will let you all know in a couple of weeks time.

Oh oh time to move along again. I'll be back.

Hey everybody,

Busy weekend for me and whoosh before you know it, it's Monday again. Time to climb back on the hamster wheel. Sorry I didn't post. Will try to get back here tonight.

Have a good one ...

i FORGOT THIS MONTH, fEBRUARY< IS TIME FOR SOME UNDERINCOME SENIORS TO RENEW THEIR ELECTRIC COST HELP. SO i WILL JUST MAKE SHORT POSTS AND NOT INDIVIDUAL ONES. sORRY BUT THE ARMS WON'T TAKE IT. NOTHING IS NEW HERE. i READ THE POSTS AND AM SORRY FOR MADCAT'S HAIR AND SHAD'S CHANGE OF PLANS AND CJ'S LACK OF APPETITE....OR WAS THAT A GOOD THING?!! LOL
MANY PEOPLE CAME TO ME TODAY AND I GAVE THEM DATES THIS WEEK AND NEXT TO MEET ME DOWNSTAIRS. BY DOING ONLY A FEW A DAY, I SHOULD BE OK BUT IT'S WRITING AND PHOTOCOPYING TOO AND THEIR MACHINE'S TOP IS HEAVY FOR ME. LOTS OF ARM WORK.
LOVE TO ALL OF YOU AND HAVE A GREAT WEEK. I WILL KEEP YOU POSTED ON THE NUTRISYSTEM MISS MAD!!!
Hello Miss Happy! you busy bee...........

Seem's like we are all taking quick steps to stay in touch.
Everyone stay healthy.

End of February - darn it. The year is already two months old. I took weight and measurement when I was home last weekend since I don't have access to a scale here. Down 1/2 kilo (miracles do happen) but the measurements were mostly the same. A bit off here, a bit on there. Not really worth mentioning.

Sounds like everyone is quite busy or recovering from whatever ailed them. I'm having fun (yeah right) trying to organise the required access for myself and get paid. Things just trundle along and if you don't make a fuss, then nothing happens. I had a grumble yesterday about having to do things twice because I didn't have access to a shared drive or two. That got fixed, now I must complain about something else (just to keep my hand in). Beats me how these companies can't just do everything on the list in one go. Mind you it may well be that different people get to do different bits of my list. Gotta love outsourcing. Nothing happens unless you complain.

Madcat, love the sound of the hair colouring. You make it sound like Sunday the cat's colouring. Good onya for making it to the gym.

Happy - why is it that weekends just whoosh by and the weeks don't (well not quite so much anyway). I'm always flat stack these days it seems. Which reminds me I had better go organise a car for the weekend at home. More expense. And I had better sort out the Easter break as well since if I don't, there won't be a flight available soon.

Gotta run down 3 flights of stairs to get to the ladies these days. One doesn't leave it too late. Speaking of which, I had better go there NOW.

Back again,

Went for a run along the shoreline this morning. I didn't feel like doing the Pilates and crunches, so I guess they will be waiting for me when I get home. It was quite pleasant running along in the (almost) dark and only the starlight, a few street lights and the phosphorescence from the sea. It stays dark a lot longer now. Anyway back to the peace mile run. There are a couple of markers on the beachfront which are the boundaries for the Peace mile. This was put in place a couple of years back apparently. One gets to think peaceful thoughts while running along. There are quotes from various world leaders (JFK and Mikhail Gorbachev) and saints (like Frances of Assisi) etc. around the run. I've discovered I am not as fit as I was since I had to stop a couple of times on the outward journey and once on the inward journey. (Some not so peaceful thoughts on that) I'll have to keep trying I guess. My hip has now gone out in sympathy with Mel and I will have to just work through it I guess. Don't know what caused that.

Weather has been good since that violent storm on Sunday. Somewhat cooler than before and I think I may have to find my winter wardrobe soon if I am to stick around. Such is life I suppose.

Ceejay - hope you perk up a bit soon from that illness and get your appetite back.

Linus - hope all is well there as well and you are all over the dreaded lurgy.

Mel - take it easy. I'll be home for the weekend again. Maybe we ought to try for a phone call then????

Shad-I love reading about when you are whipping a new job into shape. I know it is probably very stressful in reality but I always invision you in your dominatrix gear shouting "what is this?" and them all scrambling to do your bidding What colour did you settle on for the door? Be careful running so late at night, I hope you can find a running partner who is sympatico with your schedule. I like the sounds of your running place with the quotes, must be energizing to have those great thoughts in your head as you sweat out the bad energy from your body

Mel-Take care of yourself. Allow all the support you can find. No need to be all things to all people. Use your voice when your body is telling you to slow down. I just put a hold on some tapes at the library "No Honestly" it was a series way back that I used to watch in reruns as a kid. It is Pauline Collins and John Alderton as a newly married couple in the early 70's England. I remembered it as being hilarious. I wonder if I will still

Ceejay-How are you feeling? Sounds like one doozey of a virus you picked up from somewhere. Give the bugs that are holding onto you permission to vacate your body now and get better

Happy-Hamster wheel?! what a terrific image, I hope you are making more progress than that! They don't give pats on the back and thumbs up to people who run around in circles. You are a star

PainterWoman-check the library for dance/exercise tapes, I have a Latin one on hold for me. Must be popular, I have to wait for everything I want from the library these days. I have been reading a few Joy Fielding novels, fast easy women books, I read two in as many days. Needless to say the exercising is a bit no existent for me of late. The puppy would just chew me up if I tried I'm eating more vegetables (subway sandwich) and opting for the olive oil rather than the margarine. I have also been incorporating some nuts into my diet to stave off cravings. Good luck with your changes... You Can Do It!

Madcat-hmm, need some low lights to go with those highlights huh? I quite like the look of calico cats Maybe you should change hairdressers. So you have the guys drooling with fantasy thoughts of you now? I hope you boyfriend isn't the jealous type. Don't want him poking anyone in the nose.

Holly-so when is your spa day? Who are you trying to kid with the "she cleaned just for me?" line. You are the cleaningest person going. You would have dusted, moved furniture, vacuumed, opened windows and done the paper dash cleanup before she came over to "your" house. I hope your "me" time is peaceful and envigorating. Remember you are worth it.

Rose-glad you are back and posting again. We were wondering where you had disappeared to. Better days ahead, be well

Linus- How are you? Are you managing to get out and breathe? I hope CJ and his little teeth are growing well and strong. Is he allowed to stay now that he has calmed down?

I am on slow motion days, doing lots of reading, drinking tea and not alot else. Tons of laundry done and piled up in baskets waiting for distribution to the appropriate rooms... maybe I'll just let them dig for it End of February already! crumb, doesn't time just click by?

Waving hi to all!!!!!

DS had school, 6 other kids here ALL day. Hubby home today. He works tomorrow.
We had our last storytime til spring.
I enjoyed Dancing with the Stars last night. Glad Drew won.
At 10pm I picked up the toyroom and then went to sleep.

Clyde seems sicker today.

Saturday I was tired and bummed out all day. After a good sleep I felt better. Yesterday was very nice. I got up alone!! and enjoyed my coffee and then cleaned the kitchen well. we all went to church and then came home for lunch.
The kids and i took off for a relaxed trip to the city. Did the bank, bulk store, dollar store, business depot, grocery store and then!! the pet store!!! we were Hamster shopping. It was a BLAST!! Then we picked up Swiss Chalet and went to my Grandma’s for supper and then I did her hair and toes.
Delightful!

Food has been okay. Exercise has been 0.

I am thinking on tackling the books shelves in the “library"/ computer room. This is where i will put the piano when it arrives. I have culled books recently but still have 5 shelves full.I will move then up to the spare room now that the stack of drywall is not there and screwed to the bathroom walls!! :wink:
This all good as i have been using this room as my Avon office as well and it is messy but organized.I was thinking of making changes anyhow.
First I will spring clean the spare room. It hads a bed, invertor board for hubby’s back exercises and 2 playpens for toddler naps. I will pull everything out but the bed give a good dust and wipe.
I LOVE spring cleaning!!
Have I mentioned the piano. My Sis called on Sat( a little tipsy, it was funny) saying they weren’t going to keep the piano that came with their house and were giving to me. This is all good as DD is quite musical and I wanted both kids to take piano lessons but have no way to ever afford the instrument.

HUGSSSS!!!

Still catching up.....

Whew, just did the darn dishes. my hands are all itchy. My head is fuzzy too from all the dust today!

I culled 4 bags of books . Still have about 5 laundry baskets full. Before we moved here I culled about 10 boxes and then last year 2 boxes.sigh. These books were my best friends for most of my life.

Have had the measuring tape out and things will fit perfectly in here for the piano and business stuff(and futon for my naps).Just like it was meant to be.
Moved 3 wooden shelves upstairs and unloaded 3 baskets of books onto them.

Off to move 2 more baskets.

More hugs!!

Puff, puff, huff, huff

Crikey Holly - you are getting a run on there.

Up and at em again!!! Off to shower and try to clear my sinuses. More dusting/book moving today.Working at our pancake supper at 4pm and then going to an Avon meeting.

Love to the chickies.

Today is food shopping. Not much to buy as the food is already here! roflmao Still cold and I am feeling it. Reading Shad's post I just remembered that the sun is lasting longer in my livingroom mand that is where I was reading and relaxing these last 2 weekends. Feels good and gives me hope for Spring!!! Off to shop and a few Seniors when I get home. Love to all
PS~ shad this weekend sounds good so far because next weekend isn't. A senior party and lots of confusion and someone moving in too.
Hello Meadow, Holly and Ceejay who is also on the run!!