Hey...we got a few more stragglers...good! The more, the merrier! It sure has been quiet around here!

Malia! Your picture is too cute! Love the haircut, too! You've inspired me to go to the flea market...Just what I need...to go buy more junk to clutter this place up! But I want to get some old frames...and maybe a few more plants. Those solar lamps sound neat!

Lucky...I knew I liked you for a reason...I'M a witch daughter too! Good for you for having the guts to say no. I'm starting to think that the stupid people FAR outrank the rest of us! I'm not sure how hard the courses will be, but having worked in a hospital for 26+ years, I think I've got the terminology down pat... I think each course shouldn't last more than a semester...4 months? They say the medical field is W*I*D*E open...If you want to change careers, there will always be something available in this field. Especially nursing...but also nurses aides, home health aides, clerical positions, diagnostic technicians...ie: cardiac services, radiology, etc. Check your local hospital. Postions like unit secretary (me) , switchboard operator, central supply tech, pharmacy tech have no pre-requisites and are trained for on the job. For me, it's just looking for something where I can use what skills I have. I'm supposed to hear from the junior college next month, I'll keep you posted.

2cute...have a nice visit with Mom and Dad. I had to laugh when you said you'd watch the grandkids so that your kids could have a life...I feel that way sometimes...I'm just here, on call, to drive and shell out money so that my kids can have a life...I sure don't! DH has been doing some serious overtime lately, which is great, come paycheck time, but it's lonely when I'm off and he's working... We're both off tomorrow, so we're thinking of driving up to a state park for a picnic and some hiking. Or depending on the weather, we may go to the beach...we'll see.

Mary...Have fun at the Memorial Day picnic...I just realized that for the past 5 years we have marched in the Memorial Day Parade with the Cub Scouts, and THIS year, we can just go and watch...that will be nice...I love parades!

Well...I must go be productive...It is absolutely HEAVENLY outside...bright blue skies, temp in the 70's...I've got to get my butt out there...and OFF the computer!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Don't know much to post - but wanted to post something ..... don't want to be a party pooper....

I cleaned up the house and washed clothes. I want to rake (yes, I know) and plant my last flowers but company will be here around noon so I have been watching shows I taped during the week while putsing around.

2Cute I don't want to "make" you accident prone by saying you are BUT since I have been here you have had many "accidents" and pretty serious ones, I might add. "Be careful out there".

Thanks for the advise, Kat, I was thinking of talking to some of the people at the hospital I know. One of the people who hire there is a cousins, cousin so I think I will mention it to her Mother...she would have to listen then!!!!!

Because it is a small town I have found if they don't know you they won't even interview you. They think you will just be there a short time.

Malia So why do you have light on your ferns at night? Kinda cruel not to let them get some sleep!!!
I have ferns everywhere here. In fact I mow right over some of them because they keep spreading, and spreading and spreading. I do love them however.

Mary We don't even have a parade here anymore. No one will be in it. They have a program at the cemetary that I will take my Dad too. He is a WWII veteran.

Well, off to iron a shirt...later, Friends....

Hi everyone! I'm sorry to not be here lately. It's been very hectic here.

My Aunt in WI (Wisconsin, not weigh-in) passed away on Thursday morning. The funeral is Tuesday.

I spent the day Thursday working my scheduled jobs as well as trying to move all of my Tuesday and Wednesday jobs so that I can get out of town for the funeral.

I'm working yesterday, today and tomorrow at the movie theatre. Yesterday we saw Insomnia with Al Pacino and Robin Williams. Very strange to see Robin Williams without a sense of humor. Wheeeew! We're leaving in a minute to go back and I think we'll see Star Wars.

I hope you all are well. I haven't even had time to read. I will catch up with you all when I can. We'll be gone from late Monday until late Wednesday. Maybe I can get on here sometime Monday before we go and try to catch up. Until then......love to all!

Hi everyone,

Happy Saturday to you all. It's the good ole summertime. The sky is blue with puffy white clouds. I love this time of year. My passport took all of 5 minutes at the post office. I beginning to feel butterflies thinking about the trip. We still have to go to the memorial park for my dad. I planted some shasta daisies in large pots w/ blue lobellia hanging from the pots too. My drawstring bags are almost complete just need to sew some buttons on them.

Thin, was insomnia thumbs up or down? I want to see it this weekend. I'm not sure about Enough, wish I could go to star wars again but am not patient enough to brave the crowds after the first time.

Katrina, enjoy your parade. I wish we had one here, but have to be content with watching tv. The ocean must be beautiful today. Maybe Mikey and I can go tomorrow afternoon. I don't know about swimming. He's shedding quite a bit.

Enjoy,
Malia

I was so excited to see a post other than my own!

Hi Malia!

DH and I were thinking about seeing Insomnia tonight...we are still in the decision making phase...not sure what were gonna do, so he's sitting there watching TV...typical male solution! My sister is on her way over...her hubby and boys are in Orlando for the weekend...some school thing...I told her to come on down and we'll sit on the patio and have a few beers...

I spent a good portion of the day weeding, raking, and cutting back my chrysanthemums...I transplanted some Sweet William, and planned out what and where to plant next...I'm going to buy some hardy perennials...coneflowers and black eyed Susan...I need stuff that thrives on neglect! Once summer comes and it's hot and humid, I'm not as into gardening as I am on these lovely spring days!

OK...Seinfeld is on...gotta go...hope everyone is having fun!

Thin, sorry about your aunt - I am thinking about you.

Malia, It must so heavenly at your home.

Kat, come on over to my house!!!!!

I worked outside from 10AM to 745PM ...lost track of time. I hurt so bad I can barely move.

I do love it outside but keep forgetting I have fibro and am 51!!!!

Better hit the heating pad.

Hello everyone.... here I am again... the drama Queen. LOL
Yes... I have short changed death... once again.

This morning my husband told me NOT to get on that darn computer because he did not want to wait an hour before heading out of town. LOL

Welllllll .... you know me and my addictions. I snuck in here to just post a quick friendly hello before we left. I was ever soooo quiet so he would not know. I turned off the volume and made sure he was watching tv. I even told him I needed to go to the bathroom before we left so it would give me a little time to sneak in here.

WELL...... I had your posts up on the screen (listening ever so closely for any movement from him) ... I hit reply ever so gently.....
THEN it happened.!!!!! I heard his footsteps down the hallway coming my way.!!!!!
I quickly hit the off button and RAN to the bathroom in an attempt to save my life !!!!!! He would kill me if he caught me on this computer. LOL LOL

Huffing and puffing I pulled my pants down and acted ever soooo innocent as he walked into the room and asked if I were ready to go.
I smiled my sweetest little angel smile ... And said "Whenever you are dear." (It was a close one ladies.) Whew !!!
Anyway... that is why I haven't been here all day. We did go to Missouri to see my parents and my husband got to see most of his siblings too.

My son asked me to babysit all 3 kids Sunday "night".
I happily agreed.
Then tonight he called to check and see if I was still on for babysitting.... I said "Sure".
Then he said..." Okay... we will bring the kids over after church and pick them up sometime Monday afternoon"
It is not that I mind babysitting... but this is not the first time they have s t r e t c h e d my genoristy. I think it is time to set some boundaries here.
I have the HARDEST time telling my kids NO... but ... there is a first time for everything.

It was nice to see so many posters tonight.
I do not feel so bad leaving without checking in first now.
But... I do not have time to reply now. Hopefully tomorrow
See you all tomorrow.

Ever wonder why ABCDEF are used to define bra sizes?

A - Almost Boobs
B - Barely there
C - Can Do
D - Damn good
E - Enormous
F - Fake

Ok ladies I'm here

I am going to the nursing home to see my mother today it's a 45 minute drive one way.

Not much else going on I am cooking a roast for dinner DH misses good dinners since I've been working . He bought subways last night they have a special here 3 foot longs after 4 for 11.99. He tried the tereaki chickin and I got the red wine vinagrette club then we halfed them so we could try both they were ok.

well I better go I'm holding at 203. see all of you later

You are quick, 2Cute

My nephew called about 9:30 last night and said they were having fireworks. Two of my sister-in-law's sisters were visiting and had brought them. So, I slowly, painfully got off my heating pad and walked over there. They live across the road. They really had some nice ones. The night was calm and my brother had made a bonfire, too.

It was cloudy at first but then the clouds opened up and there was a huge moon and twinkeling stars. All that with the bonfire made it perfect for sitting outside (and no bugs) and visiting.

I have gotten way off on drinking my water. I will have to work on that this coming week.

I will be heading back to the heating pad so I can move this afternoon when I have to go to the graduations.

How's it going? I'm chilling here with my coffee and *finally* a few posts to read! We sure have quite a few missing in action, but I'm sure once the weekend is over, they'll be back in full force!

2cute...a narrow escape, for sure! Sounds like something I'd do...of course I'd add the attitude, "I'm just waiting for you! " Sounds like you DO need to set some boundaries with your kids! Maybe they figure you LOVE having the kids around (which, of course you do, in measured doses!) and don't mind these open ended invitations! Just tell them.

I wouldn't dream of unloading my kids on my parents...of course they're not the cuddly kind of grandparents...they have 16 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren...I don't think my kids have ever received a birthday present, let alone a card, unless there was an actual party given, that they attended. Until recently, they lived only 10 minutes away. Dh's parents are all the way across the country and have spent more quality time with my kids, on visits, than my parents ever have. But then they want to put on this great show of what a great, big happy family we are...geez...Oh well, their loss...

(gee, my weight issues wouldn't happen to be tied up with parental rejection, would they?)

Whoa, that brought me down...sorry to digress down that crooked little path!

Back to the here and now...

Last night we went to dinner at the Outback,,,dh had gift certificates from a client... I had Alaskan king crab legs....mmmm, salad and garlic mashed potatoes...not to mention the "bloomin' onion" for an appetizer...it was good, but it's back to square one for me...too much eating out lately...I'll be happy to just stay the same...

You guys all talk about Subway...I wish we had one around here...

I think I'll grill some chicken today, maybe with some baked beans and a salad for dinner...watermelon for dessert. Good, dinner is planned!

I'm off to the flea market, it's kind of drizzly, maybe it will keep the crowds home.

See you all later...

My niece just sent me this...I thought it would be nice to share...I'm sure most of us are old enough to recall most of these...

Close your eyes..... And go back....

Before the Internet or the MAC;

Before semi automatics and crack;

Before SEGA or Nintendo 64...

Way back........

I'm talking about hide and go seek at dusk. Sitting on the porch, sharing a double-stick popsicle with a friend. Playing Red light, Green light.

Chocolate milk, lunch tickets. Penny candy in a brown paper bag. Hopscotch, jump rope, jacks, kickball, dodge ball. Mother May I? Red Rover, Hula Hoops and Sunflower Seeds. Jolly Ranchers, Banana Splits, and Wax Lips.

Running through the sprinkler.Watching Saturday morning cartoons: Fat Albert, Road Runner, Sylvester, Tweety, and Bugs. Catching lightening bugs in a jar. Swinging so high your stomach tickles. When around the corner seemed far away, and going downtown seemed like going somewhere.

Climbing trees. Eating homemade ice cream on a warm summer day.

A million mosquito bites, sticky fingers, and pillow fights. Playing Cops and Robbers" and "Cowboys and Indians." Jumping on the bed. Running till you were out of breath.

Laughing so hard that your stomach hurt. Being tired from playing.

Remember any of that?

Remember when nearly everyone's mom was at home when the kids got there.

When two dollars was a decent allowance. When you'd reach into a muddy gutter for a penny. When a penny would actually buy something. When you got your windshield cleaned, oil checked, and gas pumped, without asking, for free, every time. And, you didn't have to pay for air.

Saving Green Stamps in those little paper booklets was exciting. When teachers threatened to keep kids back a grade if they didn't study harder...and they actually would, if we didn't. When being sent to the principal's office was nothing compared to the fate that awaited us when we got home.

Basically, we were in fear for our lives, but it wasn't because of drive-by shootings, drugs, or gangs. Our parents and grandparents were a much bigger threat! And some of us are still afraid of them.

Now, didn't that feel good...just to go back and say, "Yeah, I remember that!"

I want to go back to the time when.....

Decisions were made by going "eeny-meeny-miney-mo."

Mistakes were corrected by simply exclaiming, "do over!"

Money issues were handled by whoever was the banker in "Monopoly."

Being old, referred to anyone over 20.

When the net on a tennis court was the perfect height to play volleyball and rules could change or didn't matter.

The worst thing you could catch from the opposite sex was cooties.

Scrapes and bruises were kissed and made better.

It was a big deal to finally be tall enough to ride the "big people" rides at Six Flags.

Getting a few inches of snow was a dream come true.

Abilities were discovered because of a "double-dog-dare."

Saturday morning cartoons weren't 30-minute ads for action figures.

"Oly-oly-oxen-free" made perfect sense.

The most embarrassing moment you'd have to endure was being picked last for a team.

War was a card game. Water balloons were the ultimate weapon. Taking drugs meant orange-flavored chewable aspirin. Ice cream was considered a basic food group. Older siblings were the worst tormentors, but also the fiercest protectors.

Pass this on to anyone who may need a 5 minute break from their "grown up" life...

I DOUBLE - DOG DARE YA!!

good morning friends.

Kat... I loved your little story. I remember it all... but I am even older than Fat Albert cartoons. LOL I really think iiit is sad that kids of today wont get all of thosee wonderful experiences.
But then again.. my parennts had some I never experienced too.

My parents never keppt my kids either. Maybe that is one reason I try so hard to be a more involved grandparent.
They did show lots of love... but not very involved.

Mary... 7 footlongs for 11.99.. WOW !!! LOL
Weird how they make you buy 4 and then 3.
Just kidding.

Lucky... yes it was a quick trip. My husband went with so that shorten it considerably. LOL
Your evening sounded so nice. I hope your back gets better.

Okay.... I hope everyone is sitting down.
I am going to post some recipes for this Super Soup and Salad Sunday.
I have not tried any of these... but I found them on a thread that the person said she did not want any recipes that have not been tried and liked. It is up to you to adapt to low fat. Here you go.

FRESH SALMON RECIPES....

1ST
Oil salmon with olive oil and grill it. Make a sauce of butter and capers with a tablespoon of heavy cream to go in the sauce. Grill it with lemon slices and rosemary and tyme. I like it with wilted spinach in butter with garlic.
You can also get cajun spices and take the skin side off and rub the spices into the fish heavely on both sides. Place olive oil in pan on high heat just when the oil starts to smoke put salmon down and sear for about 2-3 3 minutes per side to blacken and pop in an oven for another 10 minutes at 350.These are just two of my favorites.

2nd
buy some thinly sliced bacon, kind of stretch it out a bit by gently pulling on the ends. Then wrap it around salmon slices and secure with tooth picks. Grill the salmon and after taking it off the grill sprinkle with fresh lemon juice. Let it sit for a few minutes and enjoy.


3rd
1-2 Salmon Steaks
1 cup vodka
1-2 lemons
¼ teaspoon celery seed
½ teaspoon fish seasoning
¼ teaspoon pepper
Put salmon in pan, sprinkle with seasonings. Slice lemon into thin slices and place over entire salmon steak. Leave no piece uncovered!! Then pour vodka over entire thing. Let marinade for at least 2 hours if not over night. Bake at 375 for 45-55 minutes or until flakey. The lemon makes it AMAZING!! Is also great cold for leftovers.

4th
Lately I have been baking it. I put the fillet in a 9x13 pan, sprinkle capers on it and then spread mayo on it. I use the wasabi mayo from Trader Joe's, regular is good too. Then bake at 325 x 35-45 min, check for doneness by using a fork to flake it. If it separates into flakes, it's done.
_____________________

Hope you enjoy.

Well good to see so many here today

I went to see my mother finally. I stayed all of 10 minutes and she was ready for me to leave. I went to a mall and spent some money. Got me a navy blue tee shirt with a heart shaped flag on it that says America the Beautiful. I will wear it tomorrow. I got a jumper dress with a tee attached.. I bought 2 braclets the new stretch kind and a pin to pin a split skirt. I also bought an ice cream maker.

I have my roast in the oven and my potatoes for salad on.

better go be back later