[carla49]

Aargh! I'm being punished for lurking in silence - the dreaded Lamasil monster has started popping up here in Canada too. VERY annoying - I didn't really know what you all were complaining about - didn't realize the little bu***r jumps all over the text instead of staying on the sidelines.

But it's VERY late, and I must get to sleep, so this is another cop-out post. I'll try to do better...

Meanwhile,

Mel, look after those poor eyes. Was it you who was lamenting the disappearance of Actifed from US pharmacy shelves? It's still available here, Sudafed too, and I could certainly send some to any non-meth-heads suffering from allergies. Just PM me and we can work it out.

G'night all.

[Shad]

Aaagh,
Thought I had posted yesterday but must have dreamed it!!!

I've been pretty busy over the last couple of days. Had to take Miss Puss to the Vet for her annual check up. She is healthy and within a good weight range (lucky for her, she doesn't seem to put on much weight. Wish I could say the same). Chased her round the house to put her in her cage. She yelled loudly all the way out to the car. The neighbours popped out to see who was being murdered. Got her into the boot where she quietened down for a while then started up again. I put the Elvis CD on and sang LOUDLY along. She gave up for a while until I got her to the Vet who got a speech about the treatment received. She was quiet all the way home. Maybe it was Elvis exerting his charm????

I've also been painting and cleaning and gardening as well as going to the gym and doing a couple of favours for some friends. Last night I went to the Lone Star Steakhouse with DS2, G/F and her family for her birthday celebration. Ate too much but it doesn't seem to have affected the scales too much today. Thank goodness. Gym is not taking this extra off very quickly I'm afraid. I can only hope the inches are melting, but fear they are not. The roll around the gut is not pretty and is not moving.

I still haven't seen this lamasil monster ad. Maybe my firewall is blocking it. Thank heavens for small mercies.

Suzi must now be winging her way across the ocean. Los Angeles watch out. Hope she has lots of fun and gets to meet up with Tig as arranged. Morning Tig.

Tomorrow I go for the dreaded boob squish again. It's that rotten time again. I will have to miss gym and therefore Body Balance class in the morning but I think I can still get to the gym after the squish.

I just have so much that I want to achieve before going back to work on Monday. It has taken me all week to get the information to know where I am going and who I am supposed to connect with. Grrrrrr. I was a bit short with the agent today. He promised me the info by Thursday and I had to ring him for it. Grrrr.

Anyway, time to move along. Teel goes on holiday in a couple of weeks. My friend Chris is going on holiday next week. She will be spending Saturday 22nd with me before going home to NZ to stay with the family. Holidays all around. Time for me to plan mine I think otherwise I won't be going anyway next year either.

See ya.

[teel]

Hi to all
Mel I hope your eyes are getting better by the minute...I am sure the sunshine doesn't help matters but hang on in there!!!

Shad how did "the boob squish" go? Not too painful and uncomfortable I hope. How is life at home coming along? All cosy and tucked up with a hot cuppa and a roaring fire!!! Are chestnuts fattening??? I have not been visited by the Lamasil advert monster yet, either...perhaps its only visiting over the pond!! Oh well done with the weight loss!!

Happy I hope your favourite day goes well! Enjoy your weekend, my friend...don't work too hard!!!

Ceejay well done to you too for your weightloss...

Well I'd better get on...got to go to town to collect a prescription and pop in to the supermarket...and must ring my friends in Derby to wish Luke a happy 11th birthday...coo how times fly. I first met him the day he came home from hospital! Collective "Ahhhhhh" here!!!!

[MELODY525]

Don't you just love the weekends? There is something about them that makes me feel so very calm. Some new tenant is moving in this Saturday and let us hope it goes off without a hitch! The eyes are improved by not using them. So I went outside instead. Even the sinus are almost back to normal. I have NOT stepped on a scale. Don't want to know the numbers before I do better eating!!
Happy Friday everyone and have a terrific weekend

Shad~ Congrats on the weight loss and all the exercising.
Hope the house renno is going well and Sunday has let go of you for part of the day at least!

Ceejay~ Congrats on the loss also and hope the trip is a great one!!! Have lots of fun and enjoy every minute

Carla~ It wasn't me with the Sudafed..... I think it was Happy. I used to use Dimetapp Extentabs but they took them off the market. I miss them but good thing they are gone because they made me feel like I ingested Mexican Jumping Beans Thanks so much for the offer anyway! Sending you lots of while you lurk.

Happy~ Loved the Coca Cola Condo!! Too funny. Not all bird eggs hatch as I found out with the Finches I had. And if the bird is weak, they "kill" it but usually not before they try their best to feed it and encourage it. Sad things to watch..our Mother Nature. You made a great baby sitter though!! Don't volunteer!! I agree with your theory of taking on new jobs to avoid the old or more important ones. Shades of procrastination!!.....been there and done that!!! Good luck and find some HAPPY time!!

Teel~ Wish you would pop in more often. Inquiring minds need to keep updated with the goings on across the big lake!! Sending many Vacation time will be upon you soon! Happy Birthday Luke!!!

Suzi & Tig~ Hope you both get to meet but if not, it was the thought that counted!!!

Hope I didn't forget anyone!! Sending a to all the rest. I think it's aboput time Nae came out of hiding along with PW!!!! PEEKABOO!!! WE SEE YOU!!!
OK girls of all ages, I am off and running

[Shad]

And your little light is all aglow. Morning Mel.

[Shad]

Here we go again. Boob squish day. Almost wished I hadn't woken up this morning. This thing is so uncomfortable. I know it is for my own good, however it doesn't help when you get reports of how 9000 squishes in Cairns last year had to be re examined because of faulty readings not picked up at the time. It doesn't help when report of another virulent nasty form of breast cancer is becoming more common and is not often picked up on screenings. I'm just being negative here and really don't want to go. I'd rather go to the Body Balance class! What am I saying!!!

Mel - good to see you back posting. Don't overdo it and keep enjoying the sun and wind in your hair.

We've got a bit of rain today. Not a lot but it has drizzled overnight and it is cooler this morning. Good to see at long last. DB2 and I are going to the footy tonight so I hope it will keep fine for us during the match. It's a South African v Australia game so I really don't care too much who wins - couldn't get tickets to the All Black match next week. These are costing us a fortune anyway - the 'Blacks would be even more.

Once I get back from the boob squish, it will be back to the cleaning and more painting. I'm on a roll and really don't want to stop. Although it is necessary to stop and clean up the mess from time to time, get the dishes done and all that sort of thing. It would be nice to have a couple more weeks off, but I don't think it is an option. Although I must admit that this new project seems somewhat off target from some of the things I have heard. Maybe I will get so more downtime from time to time! Monday will reveal all no doubt.

Shower time, coffee time, then get ready to go out. See ya.

[MELODY525]

Hello Miss Shad!! I guess my egg was lit up while I was looking to see if there were other wheelchair members and posting to a woman with MS who was just diagnosed in April. She is looking for more people with the same disorder but I posted there anyway.
for the footie teams. Enjoy the game. I knew you would be there working your buns off!! Probably why the weight is coming off!! SWEAT!! your p[ost reminded me I forgot to tell you and the girls this story:
I went for my mammo the day with the sinus dr. The nurse puts my left boob in the machine and traps it in the jaws of death....then by accident she hits my sheelchair control and the chair starts to pull away leaving my boob still caught in the machine!!! Thank God I still have good reactions (mainly out of fear :yikes) and I hit her with my right arm and pushed her away. Let me tell you how fast my heart was punping!!!!!!
Scared the carap out of me and I am surprised I didn't pee in my pants. Geez I hate those squisher machines.They are spawn of the !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Today's activities:
How many times have I cleaned the fridge and cabinets of "junk" food
How does it manage to get into my house
Well whatever the number of times is, today is the next one! I am going to give it all to Jimmy for his family. Not all junk really but stuff with too much sugar or not fat-free. Fruit in syrup etc. Stuff like that. Then a big shop on Tuesday and off I will go trying to catch up to Shad and CJ
The Maint. Dept is going to handle the move in today So I have another free weekend of "extra" work! I had better get started cleaning. House is a shambles after all the toe business!
HAPPY SATURDAY/SUNDAY.
GOOD MORNING SUNSHINE

[happy2bme]

Good morning ladies,

It's going to be a real hot one today and tomorrow. I'm going to do a bit of cleaning here and then it's into the pool for me. This evening I have to work on the neighborhood newsletter since they want it mailed out next week. The arthritis or something is acting up. Everything hurts - even to the extent of the knuckles on my hands. I'll be going to see the rheumatologist in 2 weeks so we'll see what's up with that. I haven't been taking any medicine other than over the counter glucosamine and occasionally some aspirin when the pain and stiffness get really bad and I look like Frankenstein walking.

Been eating cleaner this week with light exercise. Need to focus on more plain straight water. In the afternoon it's been getting downright freezing in the office. To the extent that I'm sitting with a short sleeved jacket AND a sweater sipping hot tea. I think there's a blower right over my desk. Good news is that I've been drinking more tea and I also found the dastardly thermostat that's been causing all the trouble. Yesterday I turned the temp up and at least it stopped blowing a blast of cold air right on me. My hands were like ice cubes. Then you walk outside into 98 degree weather at the end of the day and you almost black out from the temperature differences.

Big weekend plans for me include cleaning, laundry, swimming, meal planning and shopping, working on the newsletter and I'd like to go through a few boxes in the garage and maybe some closets. I did sign up for that "free" push TV video which took well over a week to show up. Got to look at that this weekend too and call them and cancel the subscription so the don't charge me $25 for next month's CD. I hate it when there's a set up like that - we'll automatically charge you - it almost made me not order it in the first place. We'll see.

Mel, that's the worst story I've ever heard about a squish. Talk about tug and jerk I'm with you on how this junk food sneaks into the house. I do admire you that when someone gives you a gift of things you shouldn't have, you turn around and give it away right away. Although I suppose once it makes you sick, reluctant to do it again, huh? Happy cleaning once again, hope you find a stack of forgotten cash in one of those cabinets

Shad, I share your concern on the inaccurate test readings. With us it's Pap smears. Catching whether someone might have cancer by relying on people manually eyeballing a slide makes me very nervous. I know myself how easy it is to get distracted. Sometimes all we can do is and do what they tell us we need to. So the new job starts on Monday? That went by fast. Is the house all fresh looking and nicely painted? I'm sure you didn't get near what you would have liked to have done. Perhaps as you say, if you can get a few days of downtime here and there on this contract it would be perfect.

Hello Teel, how is the card business going? Are the creative juices still flowing?

Hey lurker Carla, how are you doing? That stupid Lamisil ad is all over the place - it's even on my email account I'm the one who uses Actifed. Thank you very kindly for your shipping offer but the way they are cracking down on it here (no pun intended) I'd be afraid to have you ship it across international lines less the FDA, FBI, ABCDEFG come after both of us

Hello Ceejay - hope you had a great time in Dallas. I was supposed to go there next week to visit with friends but had to opt out. An 8 hour car drive on Friday just to turn around and drive 8 hours back on Sunday didn't really work out for me. So much better to fly as you did.

Hi Tig, must be whiney time of the year - actually we both know the season runs all year long I'm sure you won't let it get to you. How's the new Harley? Have you been taking longer trips?

Suzi, less than a week to go now - you must be so excited. Did your cold clear up? Have a safe trip over this way, we'll leave the welcome lights on for you

Finally a hello to Madcat, Meadow, Holly and all other friends and lurkers alike. Time for me to swap loads in the washer, finish those dishes and wait for DH to bring our low fat Subway sandwiches. I'm hungry. I opted for "better for you" over "tastes great".

Have a good weekend...

[Shad]

Morning all,

We seem to have turned into a thread of lurkers. Where's Holly and Meadow and Painter and Raven. Carla admits to lurking and not posting. And what has happened to Roseblush??? Come on girls, let us know how the summer is going.

Suzi is on leave. I think she left last Friday so she will already be enjoying the Florida sun. It will be interesting to see how the meet with Tig goes. I do hope they get to meet up on the 22nd. It is so interesting to meet up with any of you people. Most times you don't have a picture, just the mental picture in your head of what you think they look like. In Suzi's case it was a little easier since she has her picture as her avatar. Nobody ever looks like what you think they will.

Mel - you poor thing. That boob will probably droop down to the waist now. You'll have to have a specially designed bra. Mine was not so traumatic, but uncomfortable just the same. It helps when the attendant is the same height as you since they then have an idea of where to place the bottom tray. She was Chinese - 'prease Ms Crowerrrrrrr stand stlaigght on to machine and turn dis, push dat, hold on to dat, just light, hold bleath. Do not bleathe prease. Turning blue - okay bleathe now. Zank you. Wait in loom and I tell you when all is okay - okay? Ms Clowerrrrrrrr - prease to come in again - chlistmas tlees on xlay prate. What - chlistmas tlees - caused by static in dewelop. Prease to undless and do reft bleast one more time. No bleathing - okay, okay, okay bleathe now. Get dlessed wait in loom. Okay, Okay, Okay all light now. You go home. Unless they find something strange I am now okay for the next 2 years.

As for junk food in the house. I think the cat goes out and buys the stuff. I did go into the NZ sweet shop while down the coast on Monday. I bought a Pinky bar, a K bar and some Ginger bears. When I went to the DB2/s G/F birthday on Thursday, I gave them all to them. No more junk in this house.
It's always difficult to tell if a person is actually on the thread when an egg is alight since the egg lights doesn't matter where you are on the site. A bit misleading that one.

Happy - so sorry to hear of the rheumatics recurrence. I can only suggest gentle exercise. You seem to be doing the best you can for yourself with glucosamine - I have heard of sharks fin tablets also doing good but ...... I hope this doesn't sound mean..... the killing of sharks simply for the fins is not humane, not good news and really no one is exactly sure how it works or if it even works. We had a documentary here the other night showing the Indonesian fisherman coming down into Australian waters catching shark and cutting off the fins and throwing back the shark. What ever we may think of the shark, it does a great job in cleaning the sea of weak, damaged and possibly diseased underwater creatures. One of natures vacuum cleaners. Because we as humans are denuding the sea and due to some of the horror films we have had foisted on us from time to time the shark has a fairly bad press and will bcome endangered if we don't watch. I'm on the side of the sharks as you can see.
Anyway to get back to the rheumatics. I hope there is some cure or at least relief for you soon. And I'm glad to hear you found the thermostat for the A/C. No fun having the blower doing it's think down your neck. Beats me why it has to be so cold in offices and shops.
I'm interested to hear what you think about the push cd. We've heard a lot about it but so far it hasn't made it across the pond. Although Bob Harper (is that the right name) and Jillian Michaels have. They were the trainers on our first biggest loser. I would have loved to punch her in the nose and put him on an anti - nice diet. Blah.

Carla - when are you coming out of lurker mode. You've been there far too long already. I thought you must have gotten tired of us and moved on to greener pastures. I am in fits at the thought of both you and Happy being done over by the ABCDEFG and the FDA, CIA, FBI and assorted "defenders of the faith". Now there is the ever present lurker, the unseen checking our spelling and putting the thread through the most up to date cryptic code cracker (CCC). Must be time to go to the gym. I'm getting nutty.

With that I will pack up, go to the gym, call into Hardware Heaven and pick up some more throwaway paint rollers (oil paint on the doors. It's just too hard to clean so I get these little paint sample rollers and trays. Just the right size for getting into door panels and nooks) Then after the doors get a coat of paint, I need to resand one wall in the lounge about 1 - 11/2 foot from the skirting. It would appear the furry monster decided to use her tail to HELP and ended up with lots of furry bits on the wall and buttery yellow on the tail. Grrrrrrr.
Today I want to paint those pesky doors. Another coat on two walls, shift the furniture to the other end of the room and do the last of the ceiling in the lounge. Doesn't look great but I am past caring and anyway, he/she who comes into my house and stares at the ceiling, then points out the defects will be carried out feet first. After that I have the skirting boards to finish off - last coat of semi gloss for them as well and I will feel that I have achieved something this break. So busy, busy, busy.

[Madcat]

Ok, just a tad painful to be up this early but there is no point in going back to sleep when certain, ehem, felines insist I get up. Probably just as well anyway. It is only 6:30 and it is already hot here.

Yes, I have been lurking on the list for the past week or so. Things have heated up at work so I haven't had a chance to read/ comment during the day and at night, really, the last thing I want to do is have to put fingers to keyboard. Been playing a lot of Addiction Solitaire – which shows the level of remaining brain I have.

I've been experimenting with the food thing and I had an interesting week. Someone I know suggested that I might benefit from taking flaxseed as a supplement so I have been taking that this week and my knee actually feels a bit better. I also made it through the week eating salads for lunch – hasn't killed me yet, but I do find myself yearning for hot food some days. The weird thing is I actually feel better. I actually bounded up a set of stairs this week and I haven't felt that good in a long time – so maybe it is working?? I was down 3 lbs before last night's run-in with the cow.

Don't feel that great today though. It's going to be a bad allergy day… and we went out for steak last night. I did have the steamed veggies as my side, but the red meat is sitting like a lump in my stomach. Not really worth the pain, is it? Well almost…

Enough about me. How are you all doing?

Holly~ How is your no food after 7 thing working? For me, I need a no food between 2:30 and 5 rule. Afternoons are my downfall.

Suzi ~ Enjoy your trip (though you are probably already on your way). Post a picture of yourself in the mouse ears!

Happy ~ I love the picture of the coke case condo. So glad that they have flown the nest, though. As you said, though, I can imagine it would be a tad unnerving. Excellent work on NOT volunteering for more work. It's hard to fight the impulse to do something that you know you could do but you are right, who would really benefit? I know what you mean by using stuff like that to avoid other things. Honestly, prioritization has to be one of the hardest things in life to do. You've had a small victory. BTW, it is stinkin' hot here. Do few laps in the pool for me, will you? And I have to keep a sweater at my desk too. Some days it is like working in an ice box. How environmentally friendly can THAT be?

Ceejay ~ Have you looked at some of the other fitness websites such as Fitness magazine's site? There are tools there for calculating your daily calorie requirements. That might help you in fine-tuning how many calories you need. You know burning 3500 calories a week sounds like a good idea for a challenge…

Shad~ Yeah, I get the same feeling from Dr. Gillian. I have no real desire to become a full fledge veggie – not that I have anything against the lifestyle. In fact, I tried it for a while in my 20s, but I ended up living on bread and pasta and getting anemic. To do it right you have to put way too much effort in for my taste. I really like how in the show they put everything the person eats out on a table. That kind of visualization is very helpful. Re your cat – you know it is funny but my cats do exactly the same thing – scream all the way to the vet's and are silent all the way home. Do you think it is just relief at not being left there? Good luck on getting your last bits of work done. I hope your "Day before you start a new school" feeling isn't too bad.

Tig ~ Hope the work whininess doesn't get worse. Busy and whiney often go together – ever notice that?

Carla ~ You know I have never seen the lamasil add – but then I also run the Google toolbar and it seems to block most pop-ups on this site. Nice to see you non-lurk… look me too!

Mel ~ Ohhh horrifying boob squish story. Yikes! And I am glad not using them seems to be helping your eyes. Stay outside and play. I suspect junk food has legs and a mind of its own. I know it can't be cleaning living us who bring it into the house

Ok, I should go get this day started. I should spend part of it cleaning but it is already hot. Must do the bathroom though. Sigh. I need a maid!! the plan is to get a bike ride in but that will either have to be this morning or late afternoon because I don't want to have to fight for space on the bike path. Why do some people think they are all alone in an under populated universe? Or at least that must be what they think if they insist on standing in the middle of a busy path…

[MELODY525]

Where to begin......Jen has been having some female trouble once again and I think the fibroids might have returned. They had "scraped" them out because they are inoperable as they're imbedded. Only a hysterectomy would do the trick and no one wants to do it....she's 38 and cannot take hormones due to our condition. A catch-22. She's been fairly lucky in that it took almost 10 years for the tumors to return. So it's back to all the Drs and some tests. I'll keep you posted.
We went through some stuff while she was here and she said "toss it" More stuff for the junk man.
Richie has also decided that I should give away ALL food that gets hung on my door now and NOT TO HIM!! He is really trying to keep up with healthy eating now.
Nothing new here. A heatwave is heading here soon so I am getting out as much as I can before it arrives!
HAPPY SUNDAY

Happy~ If I am not mistaken....arthritis does better when some kind of anti-inflammatory is used on a regular basis. Be it something natural or an OTC drug. NSAIDS are a "build up" drug in the body....something that needs constant replenishing. But I could be wrong.....bad memory
Let us know about the push.tv thing. Inquiring minds are nosy! At least mine is! Hope you feel better soon my Transplanted Southern Belle Sister

Shad~ CHRISTMAS TREES ON YOUR MAMMO!
Whatever will be next!!! My bruises from that last one are almost gone! You know they tell you not to bruise your breasts and then they kill mine and send me home with bruises all over them
Maybe Sunday has a secret desire to be an abstract painter Instead of sanding the area, you should put a frame around the hairy bits!!! Hope she doesn't get door paint on her now!!!!

Madcat~ Now that you mention it...the gent down in the office got hooked on flaxseed when I began using it to lower my chloresterol. He was having knee problems and said it helped him a lot. I thought it was a fluke but there must be something to this. He also said his moods were happier. Who'd a thunk it. ! But in my case....the number went higher Happy riding

[Hollyhock]

Busy week with Avon, babysitting, my kids and a broken down van....all is well and normal.

If I say TURLTE RACES, will Jave come out and play. It is our Annual Gala Days and Turtle Races!!! It is stinkin hot here but I am surviving.
Saturday-
A good time had by all. A looooooooooooooooong day in the sun. I am a little crispy.
The kids did great and rode( bikes decorated with balloons and turtles) the whole parade route all the way thru town and back!! They won first place in the family/community category. $40 and a trophy. I drove a gator and gave out popsicles!! Fun!!
Our turtle went in circles and never did cross the finish line. DH and DS each won first place trophies in the spike driving contest(in their categories). DS7 beat out a bunch of 10 year olds.DH45 beat a bunch of 30 somethings . I came in 3rd and got a ribbon and a twoonie in the Adult Spelling Bee.DD had her face painted and her pic taken for the paper.
We ate hotdogs, bacon burgers,cotton candy, ice cream and all is well!!!! Very happy to be home and out of the sun!! Back again tomorrow for live entertainment and childrens entertainment .
I have an Avon table set up with a draw for bath stuff.

I am looking very forward to some R&R. The house is clean, Im just need to un and re load the DW some time tonight.

Sunday-
And a good morning it is. We all slept in til 8!!!!! Hubby is making turkey sausage and eggs for breaky. I am having my coffee.

A "no plans" morning. Sorta. Hubby is going to take the trailer to his parents so I will vacuum it out. At 11:30 we will head up to the park for more festivities.Aiming to be home by 5pm.

I have some niggling things on my mind but they will have to wait til Monday.

HUGS to the worldly chicks!!!!!!!!!

[Hollyhock]

I have done okay with the not eating after 7pm. Didn't eat 4 evenings, did eat 3 but controlled it at least. Better than eating every evening til I feel like I will burst.

No extra walking worked into the schedule yet.
I DO have the Walk Away the Pounds DVD. Again, I get interupted constantly when I am doing it. Even ther 20 min one.

[carla49]

Wow, coming out of lurker mode is downright dangerous - I should learn not to draw attention to myself... But now I'm out, I had better catch up a little. Right now I'm ensconced in my lovely old hotel on the east coast. It's a cool, foggy morning, such a nice change from the oppressive humidity and heat back home. And of course a great escape from the last weekend of bluesfest blasting outside my windows. I expect the people answering the noise complaints phone and the by-law officers will miss me...

I do have a partial excuse for lurking: my wrist problem is still hanging around, and too much computer is not good. It's just tendinitis with a fancy name, and the physio said to avoid anything that hurts (duh!). It has improved a lot, and I only mention it in lurker self-defence.

Happy, I have a step-cousin-in-law who has been told to cut out everything acidic to help her arthritis. So no tomatoes, citrus... it might be worth a try if the pain is excessive, although it would be a bummer to miss tomato season. She didn't really know if it was working or not. As for the "stuff" I do go to the US occasionally, and when that next happens I'll try to remember to check with you first to see if you'd like me to mail some from a US address which should be non-problematic. Of course I'm assuming you're not a meth manufacturer on the side... I remember some Canadian guy getting into terrible trouble a few years ago selling hi-volume (12 litre) toilets to Americans after they'd been banned down there. Wouldn't want to end up on a chain gang for trying to provide allergy relief!

Mel, all I can say is "ouch!!" I've always been lucky with my mammos, no incidents or clistmas tlees. Although it was rather humiliating when I first gained weight and they had to switch to a larger film than on my previous visit. Poor Jen. If she does have to have a hysterectomy, I think it helps with the hormonal effect if they leave the ovaries in. I don't have too much trouble with bad foods creeping into the house, but find I get VERY creative with what I do have. I can always find a way to be excessive, it's a gift.

Madcat, while I am addicted to her show, Dr. Gillian is a little much, and I'd really like to see her put just a bit of meat on that bony frame of hers. She is, however, quite right about the link between eating "clean" and looking and feeling better. I guess I'm always a little shocked at how uninformed some of the people on those shows are. How can they not know it's bad to go through two bottles of cooking oil a week??? Or that there's something wrong with a sandwich made of white bread, tinned spaghetti, and french fries? (Now those who've never seen the show will have a scary mental image of what we're talking about.) If you want to be even more grossed out, watch "How Clean is Your House?" which is on just beforehand. It is truly scary to see the filth some people live in - it makes me feel quite clean.

Shad, I love the image of Sunday with a yellow tail, which I imagine is quite flattering to her colouring... Mine really don't mind going to the vet, although my little Lily is getting harder to catch these days. Zen leaps hopefully into the carrier every time I go near the front door - he just loves going out to the back yard for a "walk". Putting the harness on is a struggle, but once outdoors he deals well with the leash and is quite happy to sit and watch the world go by. I've taken Lily out too, but won't in future as I think it just made her more of a scaredycat. Such an odd little thing. When I dropped them off at their sitter's house yesterday it was a real battle shoving her into the carrier. I finally stood it on its end (with big Zen inside) and shoved her in backside first. Another traumatic experience she can relate to the cat psychologist if it ever comes to that... Maybe if I got a bigger carrier so she wouldn't be squished by Zen... although they seem to be less nervous in the car if they're in the same carrier. I'm babbling and will stop...

Holly, please send me some of the yummy treats from your fair... all I have to eat in my little hotel room is a bit of fruit... ***** Yumm! Thanks - that was delish! (Imaginary food is better than bruised bananas.)

Shad, good luck with the new job. If they get out of hand just remember the gratifying feedback on the last job, and squash them like bugs. What is push.tv???

It's time to get dressed and go forage for food. I'm in the land of lobster rolls, and expect to return home a much plumper but happier woman. Yikes, I need to get in my little run too, and at 5pm work starts...

[Meadow]

I somehow must have deleted my post last week during one of my frequent edits for spelling mistakes... or I had too many pictures in it and the site managers gave me the push I'll include them again and see what happens

I've been busy painting my arbour purple It was the first time the mixing lady at the store had ever tinted outdoor stain that colour. There was a consultation about it with the other worker It looks plum perfect Can't wait till my pink climbing roses clammer over it

Chopped off more of my hair, I have a curly mullet-esque style now. Played with some tinting stuff too. Looks different, not great, but I like a change

Carla-hmm, lobster Are you in Main? Kittery has some of the best seafood, plus an L.L. Bean store that I could live in Have fun wherever you are Glad you popped out of the electronic void and sent us some energy on the fake fruit

Mel-okay, I'm never getting my boobs squished. Your poor girls!! How come they squeeze them so hard that you are left with bruises? and the touching your wheelchair story, OMG! Horror moment I think you should give a little speech before the next person tries to do you, let them know that you haven't had a good experience and they had better do better than the last time Give them what for I hope Jen gets some relief I'm sorry she has this going on. Don't forget to wear your sunglasses when you are out and about

Holly-congratulations, well done on the spelling! What you going to spend your tooney on? downpayment towards a new book? Aren't you the clever one setting up an Avon table with a prize to be won Hope you make some good sales on sunscreen, stock up

Madcat-I get my flaxseed from the bread I buy. Plus I get an oatmeal with flaxseed in it, which I use to make cookies for the kids I sneak healthy stuff in all the time. Red meat tastes good to me Especially done on the barbecue with a nice Montreal steak spice marinade I hope the allergy day wasn't as bad as you thought and you have a pleasant bound up some stairs again

Suzi- soak it up, enjoy Florida!

Shad- your kitty is such a hoot! I had my dog doing much the same thing while I was painting outside. He kept licking the oil stain, not good, so he had to be put indoors which traumatized him totally I hope your paint was waterbased and came off Sunday with a wet cloth Did you have fun at the hardware store? Did you just buy paintrollers or did you get seduced by a new doorknob or light fixture? Those place are almost as bad as drugstores for me, never leave with just what I went in for I've been toying with the idea of painting my ceiling light blue. I think it will trick the eyes into thinking their is sky up there and be more relaxing. I may do the office first and see how I like it.

Happy-air conditioning is great but it can get chilly when it is on you for too long. Glad you found the controls Be careful in that heat down there! Drink water to hydrate and stay upright I have found this new Fresca in the store called Cherry/citrus, just in case the water gets too bland you can stay sugar free I hope you get some help with the arthritis pain... I hope it isn't the weather making things worse. Take it easy doing the box clearing and enjoy your swim

Teel-Is it hot in England? I hope you are having a peaceful summer. Tickle Holly for me

Ceejay-did you get back from Dallas? Did you buy a cowboy hat? boots? jewellry? They like their food spicey down their, I hope you didn't burn your tastebuds to a cinder via a stray jalepeño

PainterWoman, put down your knitting and visit with us awhile

Rose-how is the family? Did your son give you any more exciting news? I hope things are going well

Here are the pics I posted last time, which vaporized into the 3FC vaults somewhere


Our dog as a puppy in March.


Our doggy as he is now, chasing his shadow in the wading pool.


This is a card by Diane English which I slightly enhanced... she has a great website with lots of funny cards.http://www.greatcosmichappyass.com/c...irational.html


My mini-daffodils which make me smile, finally got the film developed

*you will have to suffer my spelling mistakes, I shall not edit and risk losing this post too

**okay I lied, I did edit once