Julie, I hope the massage helped. I've seen some parts of AR, but I've only been there on business.

lala, hooray on the mammo. I know you had some concerns last year. That's great that you're volunteering for the study. What is it for exactly? I have two coworkers who went through breast cancer last year--what trials. They are both doing well, thank God. Vacation will be in the mountains of North Carolina (I've not been to NC except for business). Come sta Ernesto?

Melissa, Hmmm, your thyroid level was lower. Yes, it could be stress. Have you been pushing yourself really hard? I think sometimes our bodies just say take a break for a while and then they gear up again.

My weekend is starting to get busy. On Friday, DH and I are going to rent a sod cutter and cut up some bad grass that came over from our neighbor's yard (Grrr). A couple years ago we paid thousands of dollars to have a new front yard put in and now we have to dig up part of it. Neighbors are so wonderful (not!)

I hope to play some golf. On Saturday morning, we're going on a 10K walk with some Volksmarsch people. I also may catch a play.

Here's a crummy story. The other woman in my musical group is 82 years old and she informed me yesterday that Social Security notified her that they had overpaid her for the past few years and now they want her to fork over $8K!!! She is in shock. She said she has the money, but it will really deplete what money she has. That is just wrong. She said how was she to know that they sent her too much $?

Hi everyone,
Quick typeby.

Lisa -- Neighbors. Hah. Are you going to replace the lawn or just plant something else?

Ugh, on the overpayment.

I'm in my size 6P Eddie Bauer skirt from last summer, so we're seeing progress here.

Yipee.

Must dash and deal with small work crisis and check on Ernest the wonder basset who was very good at doggie bootcamp yesterday.

Hi to everyone,

I'll be back!

Good morning ladies!

The weather here has been great! Sunny skies and enjoyable temps. A cold front is supposed to pass through later today and then the temps will drop into the 60's for the weekend.

Lisa: I have been working a lot of extra hours with WW and work here at the university is getting crazier so it's probably a combination of both. I'm feeling better each day and I think that's because I'm making headway on some projects.

Lala: Woohoo on getting into last year's clothes!!! That's a great feeling

I was down 2.4# from last week so that's a good thing--just not the 5# that I was up last week but I'm not surprised since TOM is due to arrive Saturday/Sunday. I'm just trying to keep focused and not worry about the number but rather on doing what I need to do.

Catch up with you later!

Hello all - my massage helped some but my neck muslces are very tense. I went to my family physician yesterday and she wasn't sure why my muscles in the next/shoulders are tense (feels like a vice grip on my neck right now)
She gave me some muscle relaxers - if it is no better by the time I get back from vacation - I will have to go to Physical Therapy
Lala - great news on getting in smaller clothes
Melissa - with the cold front coming to Ohio/PA - I am glad I am heading south for vacation
Take care to all - and I will update when I return from vacation (6/19-20)

Melissa I'm glad you're feeling better and congrats on the loss. The remaing 2 1/2 pounds is surely due to TOMS arrival. When I read your posts I'm always surprised by the similarities in our lives. We're the same age, our kids are very close in age and then when I read that you worked for the same school for 18 years and you sometimes feel complacent with your work I thought wow that's exactly the way I feel. I've been with the same company for 20 years and there are so many times I feel like I've done it all one too many times!

Lala Yeah on the good mammo results! Congrats on fitting into last summers 6P. That's the size I'm busting out of right now . Hope you were able to deal with your small crisis' yesterday. How is the Ernesto the wonder basset doing?

Lisa I hope the weather is nice for you on Saturday for your 10k walk.
Cutting up the sod is not a fun job, I'm with you GRRRRR neighbors! Enjoy golfing we're going to try and get some in on Sunday (weather permitting ).

Hi to Susan and Julie!

Well this weekend looks like we'll still be experiencing some rain. On Saturday we'll be going to Lauren's dance recital, on Friday we're going to a balloon parade and outdoor concert that will most likely be rained out.

It's a little cloudy here today with a very slight chance of rain. Pam, send your rain our way. We need it.

We'll be working in the yard and then hopefully some golf. I also have a rehearsal on Friday night. I'm in a show called Canterbury Tales. I'll be singing some and then telling a tale (dressed as a nun).

DH and I decided to have a cookout on Saturday. We've invited two friends and are considering more, but I have to think about personalities. I'm not sure some of my other friends would mesh with these folks.

Anyone have great ideas for a cookout? I was planning on BBQ ribs, a salad, some dessert, and perhaps baked potatoes or baked sweet potatoes. It all sounds so boring to me.

Melissa, congrats on the loss. Temps in the 60's? What's that?

Julie, have a nice vacation. Have you gone to a chiropractor for the neck?

lala, yes, woohoo on fitting into last year's clothes and Eddie Bauer runs small. : )

Hi to Susan.

Hi everyone.

Melissa and Pam, other than the kiddos, we're all in the same boat. I've been in the same organization for the last 19 years. I was such a baby when i started...


Melissa - yeah for the loss and Tom's just a pain in the keester these days. Keep away from the tortilla chips and drink that water and he'll be out of your hair soon enough.

Julie - Have a great vacation. Take pics and have great experiences and stay dry and warm.

Lisa -- I'm a big fan of crowds, not too big, but at least eight (four couples). We bbqued on Memorial day -- white king salmon, grilled new baby potatoes, fresh grilled asparagus and spinach salad. Grill the sweet potatoes with some baby potatoes. That would be great.

Boring is good. Its all recognizable foods. I appreciate that. Can you try a new marinade? Incorporating new greens in your salad? New dressing?

As for dessert. I'm a big cobbler or crisp fan. We freeze tons of berries every year and it makes for a yummy dessert that I'm more than happy to eat later without ice cream or you could make a simple fruit tart with a shortbread hazelnut crust, a layer of bittersweet choc on the bottom and then sliced fresh fruits on top.

Hmm. That sounds good.


Hi Susan! How are things going in the running world? You are gearing me up to start running again.

Ernesto is fine. He met Doc, my high school chums parent's basset hound last night. They came over for a visit. Doc used to seem so tiny compared to Jacques and now Ernest is tiny compared to Doc.

Oy, he's going to be a bruiser.

Well, just got off a very contentious conference call and happy to say that I'm not the cause of it.

I'm going to splurge today and run up to TJ's at lunch. My mom is coming into town this weekend and I need to stock her fridge and buy ernesto some more apples and carrots.

Yes, folks, my dog eats more fruits and vegetables than the average american.

He rocks.


lala

lala, thanks for the great suggestions. We'll have four guests. Spinach salad sounds good. The dessert sounds good, too. I'm a cobbler fan, too. In fact, I'm making a blueberry crumble dessert tonight--very high fiber.

Ernest likes apples? He does rock! Some of my birds won't eat what's good for them.

Lisa/Pam: I've been working in this department 18 years and a total of 24 years here at the university. January will be 25 years. I started here when I was 20.

Pam: I know there are a lot of similarities between us--I'll be celebrating my 44th in a few weeks! Where has the time gone??? DS #1 went to Canada with his GF on a bus to the casino--he was looking forward to it.

Lala: My dog likes lettuce and hears when I'm in the kitchen making salads. He jumps on the back of my legs until I give him some. My sheltie loved veggies and the vet encouraged us to give them to him.

Lisa: I'm not complaining on the cooler temps because they don't have my ac unit in my office yet so at least it's comfortable in here.

Julie: Have a great vacation! My neck/shoulder gets stiff when I'm stressed because I tend to tense up and then my muscles ache. I had that last night when I left the office--too much to do and not enough time!

Susan: Have you heard any more on your Australia exchange? Were they able to get things worked out?

Well ladies, TOM decided to arrive 5 days early! That would explain the tiredness and headaches I've been having. Must be the change in season or something (stress maybe?). Anyway, I've been doing pretty good although I'll admit this morning I succumbed to a jelly doughnut. I haven't had one in a long time and we had a program this morning and my coordinator was kind enough to bring them back to the office--I just couldn't resist. I admit it tasted good but I know I don't want another one anytime soon!

I have a busy weekend--work tonight, meeting tomorrow (WW) and then graduation party, Sunday WW and back to work on Monday. It's cloudy here this morning and it's only 61 which is nice. At least it's not raining

Hi everyone!

Cool Friday here. Missed the gym, Ernesto had a run in yesterday with a rawhide that did not sit well with him. We took him to the vet to rule out other things, but the boy will only be getting nylabones from now on.

Made for an exhausted lala and DP and a very hungry basset.

Lisa -- Menu sounds great. I hope you have fun. Please post the crumble recipe as I have about 12 ziplock bags of frozen blues to finish off before July.

Melissa- 5 days early? Yikes. Seasonal changes as well. Sounds like you do have a busy weekend.

Pam - sending drying vibes your way. Good luck to Lauren!

Susan - Have a good weekend.

Julie - I hope you are on your way to a restful vacation.

Weekend plans? Dog class, farmer's market, a bit of decluttering, mom and her BF are here for weekend, cousin's high school graduation, 18th bd dinner, working, getting ready for NY, getting garden beaten back etc.

Fun!

lala