[happy2bme]

'Mornin peeps...

Weather was beautiful yesterday, today it's going to be 25 degrees cooler. Brrr. Make up your mind! I worked for an hour after work in the yard cleaning up sticks and picking up dead leaves. Just barely made a dent in things. The azaleas are peeking their little heads out. A few flowers here and there, by next week it should be looking mighty pretty out there. The birds are out singing, particularly the mockingbirds and robins. I put a plate out with some sliced grapes, the mockingbirds were having a feast. DH got them hooked on granola bars. I guess everyone likes sweet!

I've got a busy day ahead. Last day to finish up all my projects at work. Monday I start intensive training for 6 weeks on my report tools on the job. Gotta hit the books to refresh my memory on all I forgot in the last year while I was off doing other project work.

Oh and Happy St. Patrick's Day to all who are Irish or honorary Irish today. Not too much green beer and corned beef, you hear?

Gotta run. Have a good day and to those already looking at the weekend, enjoy!

And at 36 pages long, we should probably reconsider setting up a new home, don't you think? What about touring Canada this next time around?

[ceejay52]

Just to let you know I'll be lurking but since I've been having trouble with the forum part of 3fc I'm going to journal. That part is okay.

Happy-- this is typical weather in the south.

[Madcat]

Didn’t get to the WW meeting on Wednesday since I got caught up in a document, finally got the SME I needed to talk to in a corner and wasn’t going to let him go until I had wrung all available info out of his head. Sometimes you have to pounce on opportunities when they present themselves.Might try again next week. Maybe I have some sort of WW mental block? I lost all the weight on it and then couldn’t keep it off. Maybe I don’t believe it will work? Dunno. This requires mmor ethought.

Ceejay ~ If you can, post now and again. Maybe they’ll solve whatever issue is causing your problems?

Happy~ Yeah, it might be time to reset. If we have Canada locations we should have at least one trendy downtown loft apartment among the locations.

Mel ~ How’d the arts and crafts go?

Shad ~ Just keep saying “who will die if it doesn’t all get done?” It helps me keep it in perspective. I swear the hardest part of contracting is having to hit the ground running. Good thing you are a quick study – and you must be or you wouldn’t still be in demand for the work you do. The head will get wrapped around things in no time. Funny, for a minute I pictured “Plant Maintenance” to do with watering and dusting leaves

Holly~ Don't worry. I think your farmer friend might not be right. The economy is still going fine and I just heard Bank of Canada doesn't plan any big interest hikes for a bit. Unless something odd happens to the dollar or to the American economy, we should be fine.

Frankly the idea of green beer and corned beef turns my stomach - probably due to bad childhood memories of canned corned beef (you had to open the can with a key). It was this catfood like mess that my Mom would mix with mayo and serve on white bread. Ew. Regular corned beef from a deli is fine (especially if that Deli is the Carnegie Deli in New York City) – but too fatty to be anything except a very occasional treat. BTW, I have Irish friends who refer to people who go out drinking on St. Paddy’s day as “amateurs”.

On an up note, the wedding invitations are DONE! And they look nice. Not bad consider that they were the first real artistic collaborative venture between TB and I. We did have our creative differences, but lived to still be talking to each other. I just have to address those that need to be mailed and then start handing out the ones being hand delivered. Last count the guest list was around 50 (given that a few won’t show probably). It will be a nice size. One less thing to worry about.

I better go back to pretending to do some work. Had vegetarian Indian food at lunch and I’m soooo sleepy. I’ll have to walk home tonight.

[Shad]

Yep, it is time for a new home, but...........

I appear to have had my wallet stolen from the end of my bed. Stupid me, let the cat out of the sliding door in my bedroom and left the security screen open enough for her to get back in while I went to the kitchen, loo and bathroom. Came back to bed, didn't shut the security, slept till 5am and now can't find the wallet. Have managed to find a few coins on the driveway and path. I can only guess that some lowlife was already in the back yard when I got up. Talk about cheeky. So far in the last 2 hours I have cancelled the credit card, the debit card, the mobile phone )attacjed to the organiser wallet. called the police, and am trying to figure out how to cancel my drivers licence given that the transport department doesn't seem to have an after hours phone number. So how I am supposed to get any money from my account between now and the replacement time I don't know since I won't be able to get to the bank this weekend. Nobody cashes cheques anymore.

So, I guess I might as well get on with some yard work while I wait for the cops to arrive if they ever do.

I don't feel much like sorting out a new thread right now - maybe someone else would like to do it. That might also sort out a few problems for those with smaller or older PC's

[Tig]

Shad, that is awful. Sorry.

[Madcat]

Shad~ How awful, indeed. At least it is just stuff. I'd be happy to figure out the thread...

Ummm if I can - and if people can hold on until tomorrow. If someone feels ambitious before that please go ahead.

OHoh. I think there were hidden mangos in my Indian food. I'm itchy and my mouth is starting to tingle. This is not too good.

[suzi in auz]

I just popped in to say hello and saw the news from you SHAD!
That's lame! I am so sorry. It stinks that someone was in your house.
I am so glad that you are safe.

Hopefully not too much dosh was in there and you can sort the cards out quickly...I'm so sorry.
- Suz

[happy2bme]

Shad, so sorry to hear about the wallet and phone. Imagine the devils to brazenly come right into the house. Just goes to show you, it's a crappy world full of scumbag lowlifes.

Of all the travelling you do, you would think the last place you would have problems would be at home.

Hope the police showed up in a reasonable amount of time. If they catch the and you need a little help teaching him a lesson, just tie him to the portico and give us a ring.



I'll set up the new thread later tonight - found us a nice Victorian to rent in Toronto - can't really tell if it's in the "trendy" part of town but it looks and sounds lovely. But first I have to call mum...

Madcat - do you need an antihistamine? Hope you're not getting too bad of an allergic reaction. Those food allergies are scary.

Night, night Miss Mel - sweet dreams my friend. Diving for granola bars, eh? you crack me up!!!!

[MELODY525]

SHAD THANK GOD HE TOOK THE WALLET AND LEFT!!! PAPERS AND CARDS ALTHOUGH A PAIN IN THE BUTT TO REPLACE IS NOTHING COMPARED TO WHAT COULD HAVE TRANSPIRED!! JESUS IS NOTHING SAFE ANYMORE?
i CAN'T BELIEVE IT!! AND WHERE WAS SUNDAY THE ATTACK CAT????

HAPPY~ I LOVE THE AZALEAS WHEN THEY FIRST GET READY TO BLOOM AND YOU CAN WATCH ALL THE LOVELY COLORS COME TO LIFE. ENJOY! I'LL SIT BY THE POOL AND DH CAN TOSS GRANOLA BARS AT ME TOO!!

MADCAT~HOPE YOU ARE OK AND IT WASN'T MANGOES IF I GET ANY FIRE ALARMS THIS WEEKEND I'M GONNA POUNCE ON MY FIRST OPPORTUNITY TOO!!

CEEJAY~ I HEAR YA ON 3fc POSTING PROBLEMS. ME TOO. NOT SURE WHY EITHER!! PLEASE DON'T WANDER TOO FAR. YOU KNOW HOW I FRET WHEN PEOPLE DISAPPEAR!!

I CANNOT GET TO SOME PAGES LIKE #35. BUT I GOT TO THIS ONE. SO I JUST POSTED WHAT I WAS ABLE TO READ HERE.
I DON'T THINK IT'S THE SIZE OF THE THREAD. I THINK THEY ARE HAVING 'TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES' LIKE THE TV!!! I HAVE A THREAD ON ANOTHER SITE THAT IS SO LONG IT COULD WRAP THE WORLD AND MY DIAL UP CAN HANDLE IT AND THE PICS. HMMMMMM
I WANT TO TAKE A PIC OVER THE WEEKEND OF THE EASTER HAT THEY MADE. WONDERFUL JOB THEY DID ON ALL OF THEM AND THEY WERE SOOO PROUD. IT REALLY BROUGHT TEARS TO MY EYES WHEN THEY CAME TO THANK ME AT THE END OF DAY 2. i COULD BARELY CONTAIN MYSELF WITH THE GUSHING OF THANKS THAT WAS GOING ON AND THE HUGS FROM PEOPLE WHO DON'T ORDINARILY TOUCH ANYONE. THESE PEOPLE ARE NOT "TOUCHY FEELY" PEOPLE. IT WAS WORTH ALL THE PAIN AND AGGRAVATION!! GOD MY BACK IS KILLING ME THOUGH!!!
DID FOOD SHOPPING, WASH AND WE PACKED ST. PATTY'S TREATS AND DELIVERED 100 OF THEM. I EVEN GOT THE SIGGIES NEEDED FOR THE MAYOR. AND NOW NO ONE IS EVEN RUNNING AGAINST HIM!!!! GEEZ!!!
I AM DOING ABSOLUTELY NOTHING THIS WEEKEND WITH THESE ARMS, PUTTING LIDODERM PATCHES ON everything (well almost everything ) AND WATCHING DVDS!!! BUT THE EXTRA CHECK FOR $150 WAS WONDERFUL! THANK GOD I DON'T HAVE TO COOK. LOVING THE EASE OF NUTRISYSTEM!!! NO LOSS SINCE MONDAY IN THE WEIGHT DEPT. STILL 178 AND HOLDING! LOL I THINK I WILL SAVE THE NEW $$ AND BUY MY 3RD MONTH OF FOOD. WE'LL SEE HOW THINGS GO IN THE NEXT 5 WEEKS. I AM ON DAY 23 AND 4.5 LBS. ANCE: I HAVE ANOTHER MONTHS WORTH ALREADY HERE.
I MAM LISTENING TO BRIAN ADAM'S SONG "SOMEONE EXACTLY LIKE YOU AND SWOONING! GOTTA LOVE THAT MAN'S VOICE!! GRAVELLY LIKE.
HOPE YOU ALL HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND!!!
LOVE AND HUGS TO YOU ALL.

[MELODY525]

HELLO SWEET HAPPY!! GOODNIGHT AND SWEET DREAMS. I SEE THE EGG AND AM NOW SIGNING OFF!!!
TTFN MY FRIEND!!

[carla49]

Shad, I hope you found your cards and all and blew the miscreant up real good. What a bummer.

I wouldn't dare to push for a Canadian home, but would love to suggest Montebello as a summer home... it's in Quebec, close to Ontario, and is the biggest log cabin structure in the world (or in Canada - who knows).

Gotta go - battery almost dead.

[Shad]

Well I am back,
I have a new phone and am still trying to figure out how to use it. Thank heavens I still have the same number. I'd hate to have to tell everyone of a new one having had the old for so long. Of course I have lost my list of contacts numbers, fax numbers and home numbers and it will take a while to get them all back again, but there you go.

Police man was very understanding. He arrived while I was out and then later took a statement over the phone. He is sending out the fingerprint people but the message is not to hold my breath. I'm having a problem with the drivers licence - I need it for driving funnily enough. I've found sites on the web where I can start the new job in motion from the 'Gong. Same with my Medicare card. The one thing that is interesting me now is the Airport Parking card in Sydney. I don't know whether it is in the wallet or in the car as I remember chucking it on the dash while I did a couple of things and I don't remember picking it up. I have to find the number of the bloke I took up to Sydney so he can back me up about the time we arrived there on Friday night. I may have to get the Police Crime sheet number as well if the card is not in the car. It's a pain.

DB2 came to the rescue and has given me some money to carry on with. I think I can manage on what he gave me. He has been very good in the last week. All his pay was still in the bank when I checked this morning and paid his credit card for him. He tells me that he is glad to be able to give something back. I hope the attitude lasts.

Happy or Madcat is dealing with our new home, so I'll leave it with them. Canada sounds divine to me - especially if they promise to have Spring springing by the time I get there.

I had the DB2 and the kids around for the footy today. Niece is having a revival of the Glandular fever she suffered a couple of years back. Always seems to come back once in a while. Nephew was being very chatty today. Life is still good. I have family, I have friends, I have the policeman's assurance that he will look the other way if I can find the lowlife. He tells me he is good at that. My footy teams both won. The cat still cares. I've got work to do and should be doing it at this moment, not sitting here chatting to you. I've brought home some prepared material to check. So I will watch the tv and do that as I can.

Better get out of here and do something.

See ya tomorrow.

[Hollyhock]

(((((((SHAD))))))) Just terrible.

I may need a shot of Bailey's in my coffee today!!!

Both my darling kidlets were put back to bed to start their days over. Very grumpy.

Still in holiday mode. Kids go back to school on Monday.

No plan for today yet but the house is tidy and i want to clean it thoroughly.

Mel~ enjoy your day.
Miss Mad~ They are putting in a sewer system right past our house that will cause our property taxes to double but it is for the next village and we cannot hook into it.
Our hydro is slated to jump a minimum of 12%. It went up 50% 3 years ago.
Groceries are creeping up steadily.Fuel is a 'bargain" at $ .92 a litre.
The problem for us is that our income has not changed in 5 years and our basic cost of living has gone up $1000/month. It is all beyond our control.
To increase our income would mean me working out in the work force or hubby going to Toronto or Windsor and only being home on the weekends and then we would not be here for our kids.It is a hard decision.
So, when we made the choices to live where we do and as we do, it was based on not using credit or having debt and our family values. It was well with in our means.Circumstances beyond out control may force us to compromise our family values just to live and not lose everything we have worked to build as a family.
We do not care about material things.We do want to eat fresh, whole grain and lean food.The cost to do so is outrageous. I buy in bulk hen thingsa re in season and can and freeze.We buy our meat by the 1/4 pig or cow or bulk.
I honestly dont know how to cut costs without compromising our wellbeing.Our vehicles are paid for.
Our ONLY extravagance is to have satelite to watch TV.It is $30/month.
Internet is necessary for my Avon and the kids school work.

Frankly it is depressing.

HUGS!!!

[Ruthxxx]

Whew! I am ovewhelmed! I need to pop in here more often.

Shad, that's awful about the intruder. When are you comeing to Canada? I would definitely travel to Toronto aka The Big Smoke to have a cuppa with you and The Mad Feline. I might even get as far as Hollyhicks estate.

So sorry I can't post to everyone. MEL - I owe you a letter. Happy, you are moving to TO? CArla, the Chateau Montebello certainly is a BIG log cabin.

Doggage are woofing - friend Doug is here to take some crud to the dump.

[MELODY525]

Well Miss Ruth!! Glad you pulled up a chaior and sat down for a spell. Always good to see you too!! We are only moving our thread to a new home as we always do. No one is moving anywhere! Stay well and kiss the dogs!!

Shad~ Told Jen and we were both still shocked. Hope the pass is in the car and everything gets sorted. Good that you are efficient and can also take on that b*stard should you see him!! I mlove the copper's attitude!! I have big tires!! Have wheels, will travel!

Carla~ I saw a program long ago on montabello. It was beautiful. I love log cabins and always have. Big or small.

Holly~ Jen and I were just talking about the prices of EVERYTHING!! Geez it's so hard to raise a family without having insanity attacks over finances. I think that is really what is pushing us to go back to basics here. Lack of income!! LOL


Look what I found!!! Hapopy St. Patty's Day all over again!! These weren't working for me last night. More toys!! Thanks 3FC it's these little things that make my day!!

Well I was just here last night and nothing transpired during my long sleep other than I feel rested and better having taken some Aleve before bedtime!
Happy Weekend!!!