Thread Drift

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Yes, the Kim story is incredibly sad. :(


Well, for the past 2 weeks DH has had a terrible cold and HUGE cough. HIs cough has been keeping both of us up every night. I've been making him tea, sympathy, etc, all the while counting my blessings for not getting it.
Well, I got it. After my freezing ride this morning, I got slammed with sore throat, cough, fever, shivering, headache, earache- the works.
DH put me to bed and put lots of blankets on. Later, I got up and had a LONG shower as hot as I could stand it. That really helped, along with some aspirin.
Back to bed, then later still had some of the fresh veggie stew I made yesterday, plus some tea. Now DH is out getting some "emergency" rice pudding for us both. He's still sick, and he had a powerful craving for rice pudding today. Comfort food...yum! I told him to get FOUR tubs so we could each "own" two and eat freely with no fighting over it. :rolleyes: :p
I feel AWFUL, but the rice will definitely help.

[mimitabby]

tubs of rice pudding? Bath tubs?
that sounds kind of an exotic way to feed your cold. you know? or is it feed your fever?
I hope you and Jennifer get better soon.
all these people getting sick! ak. don't you love the internet? We can talk to each other and be perfectly miserable and all the others can see is our nice avatars.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

tubs of rice pudding? Bath tubs?
that sounds kind of an exotic way to feed your cold. you know? or is it feed your fever?

Yes, it's Tub Therapy. As long as I stay away from bathtub gin I'll be ok.
Happy to report that the aspirin and rice pudding treatment appears to be helping...
When DH showed up with the 4 tubs of rice pudding, I promptly marked them with magic marker- 2 for each of us with our initials. Don't want any vicious survival struggles over who got more than their share! :eek: DH pointed out that once one of us had eaten their share they could possibly switch the lids and then illegally dig into the other one's tub. I showed him that I was already one step ahead of him- I had marked both the lids AND tubs with initials! (mature, aren't we?)

[crazycanuck]

Thanks for posting the story.

What a brave man for leaving his family to seek help! The image of him leaving pieces of clothing behind has stuck with me. My thoughts are with his wife & family.

I just want to remind all you ladies up in snowy north america to NEVER leave your car if you get stranded. Please. Also, don't forget to pack a blanket, candles, energy snacks and water in your boot.

Be safe up there kids

c

[Trek420]

crazycanuck "I just want to remind all you ladies up in snowy north america to NEVER leave your car if you get stranded."

Yeah, isn't that taught in boy scouts? If you're lost...stay put and let someone know when you take a trip.

His wife was so brave, nursed the kids!

Discussing this in our buildings safety crew today seems that kids who get lost fare better, they instinctively head for high ground so they can see around, find a road and sometimes be found.

Where adults often take the "I'll follow this stream to the river to the ocean" route which may have been his thought.

Very sad. But what a brave man to set out to save his family.

[kelownagirl]

Where is everyone tonight? That snowbound story is so sad. And scary. That poor woman... :(

Lisa - hope you're feeling better soon. I have managed to avoid a cold all year. In September I started to get one and started taking the ColdFX and it disappeared. Then two days ago, I was sneezing and all stuffed up. Took the ColdFX again for 3 days and it just fizzled out again. I am beginning to think that maybe there's something to that stuff...

BMOs - get rid of that fever right away. Concerts are important! We have ours on the 19th. From a teacher's point of view, it's just another stressor. :eek: But as a parent, I love 'em! My little guy is singing in the choir at the mall tomorrow. I managed to get someone to cover my class so I can run down there and watch. :)

OTG - glad the orthotics thing worked. Nice when it happens like that.

I showed my ring for "show and tell" at school today. The kids were very excited that I am getting married, expecially since it's to Mr. D! They all wanted to come to the wedding but I told them it would just be a small ceremony with my family. They said, "but we're just like your kids!". :D

[Trek420]

kelonagirl,

could you do a reception.....in class? what grade or the kids?

[kelownagirl]

trek - hmm, it could almost be done. In the staff musical we're working on, dh has to actually get down on one knee and propose to me. He thought for awhile that he might do it for real during the show. Aack. Not sure how I would have reacted to that. Anyway, knowing the moms in my class, I have no doubt they'll have something up their sleeve before the end of the year. They are just like that. Last year, they gave me a $250 GC to the LBS. I kept the room mom's son in my class this year. :D

The other reason why it would be nice to do something like you mentioned is because Dh and I have our classes as buddies and we have PE together twice a week, plus one other activity so our kids see us together a lot. It might be kind of cool to have some sort of joint celebration before the end of the school year. We'll have to think about that. :)

Oh, and I have grade 3, he has grade 6.

[crazycanuck]

BTW...What's the area like where the gentleman was found???

Trek-I think it's taught in Girl Guides & Scouts around the world.

In Australia there are tons of stories each year about folks who wander off the 4WD tracks and don't return.

There was an incident late last year here in Western Australia-Three folks decided to drive up to work in one of the mines & took a wrong turn. They found thier bodies three days later.

When we drove to Melbourne we had two large petrol holders( i know what they look like but can't remember the exact term for them) full of water just on the odd chance we broke down. Not something you want to do in +45c..

Anywho..KG it's nice to hear you & your dearie are getting married!!

Tomorrow is "get everything ready for the 12hr"day-I have it off just to ensure all our "stuff" is put aside in one area so Ian doesn't have to stress too much. Ian's doing the 12hr solo and anything i can do to make him less stressed is good..:)

c

[crazycanuck]

Poor penguins..Stupid humans!!!!
:(

http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,20882778-5007132,00.html

Odd human story :eek: :o flatulent person here

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6213644.stm

c

[Nanci]

Wow, I don't know how many of Mr. Kim's pieces I've seen on Cnet...It's sad. Stranded for almost two weeks- I don't know if I could stay with the car that long...

Nanci

[mimitabby]

BTW...What's the area like where the gentleman was found???

Trek-I think it's taught in Girl Guides & Scouts around the world.

c

The area where Mr Kim was found is near the california oregon border, very rugged terrain and high altitudes. The roads he took are closed every winter but they used a map that didn't give that information. Then they took a wrong
turn and ended up on i think a forest service road! his biggest mistake was to get off the road he started following streams in country so severe that you
had to walk IN the stream to continue. This made him quite wet and probably
wore him down fast.
Some of the roads in this part of the country are still snow covered (and closed) in June.

[mtbdarby]

That is a very sad story about the Kims. Just imagine if the mom couldn't have nursed the kids - I don't even like to think about it. My winter stuff stays in my car year round. I don't even want to take it out to go get my vehicle tomorrow.

KG - so cute your kiddies want to be there for you guys. I hope you're able to work out a little something with them.

CC - GOOD LUCK AND HAVE FUN! I hope you and Ian have a blast. Pix! Lots of pix and a full ride report when you're back.

Lisa - hope you and dh are feeling better. You treat each other so lovely:p

Not much new here. My sick boss is in today - he better not share all his germs. Off to get some java...

[KnottedYet]

When I drove through there last month I was ridiculously over-prepared. And I wasn't even leaving I-5!

Now I'm thinking the extra winter clothes, sleeping bag, food, candles, heater-packs, water, blanket and such really weren't ridiculous. And on my way home through there it had snowed, which completely changed everything. I was reassured by my extra supplies then.

That area is pretty intense in the snow.

I can understand him leaving his family to get help, that's a natural reaction. Did they think he already had hypothermia when he left the road? I had hypothermia once (on Mt. Shuksan) and never want to experience that again. My intellectual processes are iffy at best, but with hypothermia decision-making gets really weird.

[mimitabby]

Apparently, it is believed by a lot of people that if you follow a stream down hill that will take you to civilization. That is not always true, particularly in rugged mountains. I have a friend who did this (20 years ago) they walked for 5 days
following a riverbed. Helicopters found him and his friends... They were lucky
but they had a long ways to go yet to find civilization when they were found.

so they are saying stay near your car and make your car seem as brilliant and as big as possible (put shiny things around the car, like hub caps)

[Kitsune06]

rough morning... rough night. DGF has the stomach flu, and I'm feeling it, too. stomach feels like it's crammed up into my chest somewhere. Ugh. staying home today to take care of the both of us...
you ladies have any good ginger tea recipes? I've got a little chunk'o'ginger in the kitchen, sure hope it'll help. later on I'll go out and buy Reed's ginger beer...

[Offthegrid]

Ladies, I have to admit I'm feeling really discouraged and defeated this morning. I was reading another forum, and a man who was 6'3" and 250 pounds posted that he was started training and asked if others had lost weight through tris to share their experiences.

Well, these were men saying they weighed "more than 200 pounds!!!!" like that is a lot. When you're a man, that's maybe 20-30 pounds too much unless you're really short. Losing 30 pounds is one thing. Losing 100? That's just so far ... like 10 Ironman races far.

Oh, and my trainer said, no, I cannot start jogging until Christmas Day. I have a lot of anxiety about this because I feel like if I can jog 3 miles, then I *know* I'm going to make it, but until then it's a lot of anxiety.

Sorry to be such a downer. *sigh* Just feeling really defeated and sad today.

Kit, oh no! I hate that. I do hope you two feel better soon. Don't know any recipes, but I'm sending lots of warm hugs.

[spokewench]

BMO3 - I can just hear Z giving it to you about the coffee and the hammer! It is incredible what the little ones can come up with when you don't think they would even have a clue about something like coffee!

BMO3, Kit, Lisa: Everybody please get well soon. It is just that time of the year when everyone is sick. I've got my fingers crossed!

Lisa: Rice pudding sounds really good for curing a cold. Whenever my husband is sick, he always wants a 7 up float - works like a charm every time!

OTG - Do Not Get Discouraged! and, DO NOT compare yourself with guys. They are just different in oh so many ways. You are on the right track , you just need to stay on track! You're doing great. I know you want to run, but the worst thing you can do is get hurt and then you will set yourself back too far. Hang in there, it will happen for you.

My new bathroom tile floor should be done this weekend and I've got my christmas tree set up - just need to decorate it this weekend! I've got my new granite vanity top ordered and the new lights (they should be in next week) Oh boy a brand new remodeled bathroom for Christmas - what a treat!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

OTG,
there will ALWAYS be lots of people thinner and stronger than ourselves, and lots of people heavier and more out out of shape than ourselves. Why compare yourself only to the former group? Besides, we are just so LUCKY to have our health, to have arms, have legs, and to have bikes! :)

I am really sick and feel just awful. Stayed in bed too weak to get up until 11am. Just schlepping around today in my pj's, alternating between tea, naps, and getting some work done on my computer. Fever, sore throat, cough, headache, earaches, sore all over, weak and shivery. :( :( :(
Dh had all the cat boxes clean this morning so I wouldn't have to do them (that's one of "my" chores), and brought me tea in bed. :o
Back to bed again soon...

[Kitsune06]

Got Miz Cakes home from the shop. $256, all told, but so, so worth it (from what I can see now, just wheeling her about, looking her over etc) I'm tempted to take her out for a ride, but I've accidentally puked on her once (a long time ago) and do *not* want to repeat that. We did have to replace the BB. Jesse (of the Bike Gallery) saved my old BB to show me the 'damage'. It grated horribly. The new one is "like buttah"... the hubs are silent and smooth... new brake pads, new cables and housings... mmmmm... *drool*
There's great satisfaction in being able to do it yourself in a pinch, but also satisfaction in being able to afford to take it in, and know it'll be done *right*.

poor dgf is still "rolfing". made a 7up/recharge/juice/reed's run... I hope she feels better soon... I'm doing ok, sipping ginger beer. Almost tempted to eat something... stomach bugs rarely hit me as hard (now. When I was a kid, it was a nightmare)

[mimitabby]

Offthegrid
if my DH weighed 250 lbs, he'd have 100 lbs to lose. Please do not blur your thinking that all men "should be" around 200 pounds!! My DH is 1/2" below the normal height for men his age, so it's not like he's an anomaly.
But like Lisa said, you just can't compare yourself to others. We all have our own roads. Some of us are doing this to lose weight, others, to have better blood, others are recovering from awful accidents... How can you judge which is worse, just compare yourself to yourself. It sounds like you are raring to go.
that's a good sign. Remember, only 2 more weeks and then the days get longer again!

[Lise]

Dear Sick Friends: Hope you're all feeling better soon. ((((Lisa, Jen, Kit))))

Reed's Ginger Brew is the best. Well, no, Reed's Extra Ginger Brew is the best. Didn't even occur to me when I was so sick with the pukes for two days this summer. My sister brought me some anemic ginger ale, and I gratefully drank it. A cold ginger beer (yep, it's non-alcohol) on a hot day in Jamaica is the best. When I was there, I stayed in a guest house about a mile from "town" where the grocery store was. It was a dusty hot walk, and I'd refuel with a cold ginger beer before heading back with my shopping bags. Reed's is the closest I've ever found to Jamaican ginger beer.

I'm knuckling down and ordering Christmas presents for the kidlets (niece and nephew) online today. Somehow I think that looking at them in a catalog will make them magically appear in the mail! :rolleyes:

Duck! Great to see you here on TD! :D

[Kitsune06]

knudsen's 'recharge' is good, too. real juice, sea salt, and a few different flavors (mmmm orange) never fails to settle my stomach and seem like a good idea even when I'm losing my guts.
good stuff.

[Offthegrid]

It's not so much comparing myself to others, but being sad at how far I have to go yet. It gets very overwhelming sometimes. And I still get afraid that I'll go back to the way I was. It's really only been two months.

(Mimi, these guys were complaining about 200 lbs.; so your hubby would have 50 lbs. to lose then.)

[Bikingmomof3]

Forgive me for skipping the last few pages. I just wanted to let you know I am off to hospital as soon as my husband gets here. I am not certain if it is an atypical migraine, TIA, or a stroke. I am hoping it is just a migraine, but it is cycling and I must go. :(

Anyway, I just wanted to let eveyone know why I may or may not be around for a few days.

Someone take notes for me-I do miss some of the best posts.

I hope all is well with everyone and as soon as I am able I shall be back and pestering all of you again.

See you all soon. Oh, I almost forgot to mention, it is snowing, not much, but it is a bright spot to cling to.

One more thing-if you pray-please do. Good thoughts, wishes, thoughts, etc., please. I need as much positive energy as possible.

I have spent almost 10 minutes fixing typos and I have lost feeling in my left side. Gotta go, I hope DH is home soon.

[Lise]

Go, Jen, now. Call 911 if DH isn't there SOON. I know saying this via TE/TD doesn't really help you, but it's what I'd say if I were right there with you.

My loving thoughts and prayers are with you. Hope to hear back soon because you're OK.

love, Lise

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Jennifer, we will be thinking of you and pulling for you!!!!

[Offthegrid]

Jennifer, {{{{ hugs }}}}} I hope you feel better soon. We're all pulling for you.

[mtbdarby]

Jen, GO GIRL! Sending prayers and healing thoughts your way. I know you will, but please keep us posted when you can. ((hugs)) girl.

OTG - I'm sending something your way to help retrain your thoughts. We girls gots ta stick together:D

Kit - hope you're feeling better girl. The flu bug stinks. I hope my boss keeps it to himself here.

Work stinks this time of year. This place is so backwards and my coworkers, well, most are ready to quit. Ugh. Just a few more hours then I don't care until Monday!

[KnottedYet]

Jennifer, honey, I'm pulling for you! Along with the rest of TD.

I'm sure you've gone to the hospital by now, but I add my voice to the "call 911 if DH isn't there soon!"

[snapdragen]

OK - I'm in bad shape. BMO3's post has me in tears again.

Hugs and blessings all!

[kelownagirl]

Ugh, that was two hours ago. If anyone hears anything, let us know! I am so worried for her... :(

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

They will likely at least keep her overnight to watch her, if not for longer. I guess her husband will have his hands more than full between being at the hospital and the kids needing taking care of. I doubt we will hear anything for at least a day or two. We can only be patient and hope it's not a major event, that she is resting, under watchful supervision and getting more tests.

[kelownagirl]

Plus her sons have a concert tonight.... :(

[bcipam]

Oh my gosh Jennifer - I hope and PRAY everything is OK. Please report back when you can cause we are all worried for you. Take care and God bless to keep you safe.

[crazycanuck]

Jennifer-my tim tam eating friend! Oh dear, I do hope you're going to be ok. Big hugs & good thoughts coming your way from Perth.

I'll send more tim tams!

c

[annie]

Jennifer (aka BMO3),

I've been out of contact for a couple of days............ and now this!!! Please, please take care of yourself. You are a very special person in many ways. On this board or not. I am SO WORRIED 'bout you, honey. Let us know, please, so we aren't scared for you.

I don't do a lot of praying, but I will try, for your sake. Be well as you can be. Keep us informed.

Much love and prayers and hope,

annie

[crazycanuck]

Am i correct? When jen said her symptoms were cycling..it meant they were getting worse yeah?

Man i hope she's doing ok. Thoughts are with her hubby(strong guy hey!!) and the boys.

c

[Trek420]

Jen,

I heard that you were ill and since I don't have a "normal" job I'm just now getting to TD. Go NOW, I know now's later....:( seconds count.

Then I'm sure your husband told you that.

I'm not well practiced on the prayer thang either but....I'm giving it a whirl.

[KnottedYet]

Plus her sons have a concert tonight.... :(

Oh, dear! Her missing their concert (and them missing playing in it) just stabs me in the heart.

BMo3 - hang in there, honey!

[mimitabby]

Wow, hope she's okay!

[salsabike]

One more thing-if you pray-please do. Good thoughts, wishes, thoughts, etc., please. I need as much positive energy as possible.




YOU GOT IT.

[Xrayted]

Jen - Sadness is upon me over your current situation and I find myself without words this evening, so I shall rely on a quote from someone who was much more eloquent than I could ever hope to be...

One word frees us of all the weight and pain of life: That word is love. -Sophocles

Much love to you and your family. Take good care of yourself hon and get better quickly. I'll call ya later.

~mick

[DebW]

Jennifer, thinking of you and your family tonight. Hoping fervently that you will get through this and move on to brighter days. We're going to be a somber bunch until we hear from you again. ((((BMo3))))

[DirtDiva]

{{{BMO3}}}

[Trek420]

(((((( group hug including b'momo'3)))))))

[spokewench]

Jennifer hoping you are doing okay and this is just a small bump in your life! Sending all my good wishes your way -

BCIPam - is hurting again too - has to have back surgery now -

Im just wishing everyone gets better quickly!

[KnottedYet]

If anyone hears anything, please please please post it here on TD.

I'll try calling her if we haven't heard from her by Sunday or Monday.

We know as soon as she is able (and probably a bit before that!:rolleyes: ) she will be posting to us.

Hang in there, babe! (((((BMo3)))))

[Xrayted]

(((((Jennifer and family)))))

Knot and everyone - Hang in there. Ya know how stubborn she is so I'm sure she's giving them all h*ll right now. ;) I'll let ya know ASAP if/when I get through.

[Xrayted]

Ok, how's that for timing? While I was writing that last post, she emailed me. She's pretty much ok. She had a TIA, not a stroke. *phew* She missed the concert but she's home so that's good. I'm gonna call her soon and let her know all of you are pulling for her and love her.

I doubt that she will be online today so I'll let ya all know more when I can.

take care everyone and have a better day!

cindy

[mimitabby]

Ok, how's that for timing? While I was writing that last post, she emailed me. She's pretty much ok. She had a TIA, not a stroke. *phew* She missed the concert but she's home so that's good. I'm gonna call her soon and let her know all of you are pulling for her and love her.

I doubt that she will be online today so I'll let ya all know more when I can.

take care everyone and have a better day!

cindy

what's a TIA?
Thanks so much X for letting us know.

[kelownagirl]

Thank you, thank you X! So glad to hear it.

Mimi -

What is a TIA or transient ischemic attack?

A TIA is a "warning stroke" or "mini-stroke" that produces stroke-like symptoms but no lasting damage. Recognizing and treating TIAs can reduce your risk of a major stroke.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I think it is the best possible outcome concerning Jennifer's trip to the hospital- no lasting damage, not a stroke, back home again resting. My heart is glad for that. Get well Jennifer.

[kelownagirl]

Keeping you in my thoughts Jennifer! Hope your family is taking good care of you. :)

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

It's Jennifer who is showing us all just how powerful positive energy can be.
Jennifer, you are amazing!

[Xrayted]

Hi there ladies! I'm trying to get this out to you from work cuz I know you're concerned.

I called Jennifer at home and she sounded pretty good considering everything. She stayed in the hospital overnight and came home this a.m. after being subjected to a hospital breakfast. She's still not sure what it was she ate. Blech.
It definitely was a TIA, not a stroke. Not great but not horrible either. NO massive permanent damage with those, more of a warning.
She's gonna be offline for a few days cuz it's hard to stare at a bright screen or read very much right now. But she wanted me to tell you all how thankful she is for all your prayers and well wishes. She wanted me to put out a special thankyou to MP. The med i.d. info came in handy as she was unable to tell them about her meds and such herself. Saved a lot of precious time.
I'll be calling her again this evening so if there are any messages you want sent, PM me and I'll read them off to her. Gonna try to keep the personal calls to a minimum until at least Sunday. I'm also gonna read the TE and TD posts to her. Gotta keep her up to date on all the news ya know. :p
The rest of the story will not go on TD unless she puts it here herself so if ya really can't wait, PM, IM or email me and I'll tell ya what I feel I can. She said to feel free to send her a note but just know that she won't be reading anything for a bit. When she is finally able to logon, I think it sure would be great to have all those notes to read.

Have a terrific day ladies, take care and be safe.

-X.

[Lise]

Thanks so much for the news, X. Please send love and hugs from me. I printed out her little avatar picture yesterday and put it in front of my picture of the Virgen of Guadalupe for some extra loving help. It'll stay there until we hear from her.

[Trek420]

Tell her I'm burning candles for her and all that cool stuff. You'll pull through Jen!

[Nanci]

Thinking of you, Jen...

Nanci

[Nanci]

Dear SS,

You are on TD. You probably already know I am hellishly late with my November gift. My finances are so screwed, it isn't even funny. I haven't forgotten you, though. I just tonight closed down the oldest credit card I have rather than pay 32% interest. I have never had shi*ty credit in my life. I don't know how I got like this. However, I am trying to keep my head above water, and managed to pay off two tiny credit cards today. It's just, with the big one, the last payment was $935, which I couldn't get out of that check, so then I paid it today, but it was late, so some girl called me today and told me that the payment due now was $2000- right! I'm like, I'm inches away from consolidating them all- so I got on this "payment plan"...It all happened because of overspending at IM Florida. So anyway, I'm trying to catch up, and I will be sending you a spectacular gift as soon as I can pay cash for it- please be patient.

Nanci

[Nanci]

I hate my life.

[kelownagirl]

((((Nanci)))) Money troubles suck. But we've all been there at one point or another. Happy to say mine are behind me but I certainly hadmy fair share of gut-wrenching worry over finances. Even had to sell my house to pay of debt and buy waaay down. Hope you get things under control really soon. It will get better. I always try to remember that in the grand scheme of life, my money problems pale in comparison to the national debt. More (((hugs))) Consolidating debt certainly helped for me, as did creating a clear budget and sticking to it. (Ugh, I hate that word 'budget"...)

Of course, this is all assuming that money, or the lack thereof, is the root of your unhappiness... :(

[Nanci]

Pretty much. That and the 30 pounds I've managed to pack on...

Nanci

[Nanci]

But some days I wonder if I'm ever going to see my grandson before he's old enough to drive down here himself.

Nanci

[bambu101]

Glad to hear that Jennifer's back home again, and it was not a stroke.

Rest up and let your family spoil you rotten!!

[kelownagirl]

Pretty much. That and the 30 pounds I've managed to pack on...

Nanci

Don't you just hate that aspect of being female and forty? You can just LOOK at food and gain weight....

Why do you think you may not see your grandson? :confused: And where does he live? How old is he? Do you ever get to see him?

[Nanci]

I saw him once! He's way up in Minnesota. 24 hour drive. Possibly I wouldn't be gaining weight if I was sticking to my diet and riding my bike more than once a month...Oh, he's 2.5. His mother has the bird that is eating it's own leg, remember? I thought, instead of me traveling up there on the money from my big OT check from today, which wasn't that big after all, after they took out $942 in taxes/bullsh*t, I would just send her some cash to help with the thousands of dollars vet bills, but I guess that isn't happening...50, not 40.

[mimitabby]

Nanci
YOU are 50??? you look like you're 28 years old. NO KIDDING!

[kelownagirl]

50 - I was rounding down.... :rolleyes: :D (maybe way down, but hey...)

24 hours, that IS a long way away. And it's tough to stick to a diet when you're feeling down - I guess the weather down there isn't as much of an issue, but I sure am finding it hard to get interested in biking right now. I'm hoping my back is feeling up to trying out the trainer again this weekend. If I don't diet ADN exercise, I can't lose weight at all...

Have you always lived in Florida?

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Hey Nanci,
I grew up really ...really... poor. I know the feeling.
I have a Secret Sister Dilemma suggestion for you if you want... instead of waiting for enough money to buy your SS a big gift, why don't you give her something heartfelt and simpler instead? Listen, i have read right here on TE the evidence of your wonderful writing talents (tarbaby rat fetus, anyone?). No use denying it. Why don't you MAKE a little handwritten mini-book for her? YOu could probably make something up in an hour or maybe two. Perhaps just a few pages of some of your wonderful prose, or just random thoughts about biking, or if you draw a blank or writers block- how about just making a booklet story from your tarbaby story? Some pasted in cut-outs or rough sketches scattered about on the pages, some ribbon, glitter....have fun with it and don't worry if it is "good" or "bad"- it will be an absolute treasure regardless. Remember, the theme for November SS was "Fun things".
I'm sure she would love it to pieces (I know I would!!), and she'd be totally the luckiest SS there EVER was.

[kelownagirl]

That is an awesome idea Lisa. :)

[Nanci]

I think I'm 48.

I lived in MN for my whole life, except for the year I went psycho and ran away to California and got pregnant and hated it out there and moved home, UNtil my ex that we were having problems so he thought it would be better to file on me before I could file on him filed for divorce the day after we got home from a family vacation in Cozumel. Then I moved to Florida to pursue my cave diving dreams, only I didn't know my heart and lungs were so effed up that eventually it would kill me unless I quit. My high school daughter was supposed to come here with me, but she hated it/missed her friends, so I paid out $25k in child support rather than buying myself a home. I am such a dumb aZZ.

[kelownagirl]

Have you considered moving back to MN?

[Nanci]

HELL NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm dying down here, and it's only 37! Supposed to get down to 28. I have to leave a faucet running all night so the uninsulated (like everyone's down here) pipes don't freeze up. I have covered my flowers, in DECEMBER, in hopes of keeping them alive. I _can_ ride my bike any time I want. Like if I felt like it, instead of hibernating. My whole life, I hated the cold. I always wanted to live in the 30% less-salary-paying South. I love it here. I have 7 or 8 years in at my job. My sisters both have bought homes in Arizona and Colorado and Puerto Rico (so they did better than me...) to retire in, so they're not going to be there, anyway. So what's there, a bunch of snow, and my best friend of my whole life, and my kid- but now I am old and I like it HERE where it is warm and I don't have to warm up my truck and I can sit outside on my patio with my tortoises that I couldn't even HAVE in MN 11 months of the year. Plus- BF misses the snow- but he misses his Indiana snow, not my MN snow. If we moved- it'd be there. Please, don't make me have to go back to snow...

Rat Baby Tar Fetus is due to be published in this month's club newsletter. No one will probably get it. They'll just be like- that chick is weird! But I'm glad you appreciated it, Lisa.

[Nanci]

So, I suppose all you wine lovers have heard of Red Bicyclette, which I have until recently disdained for A. Being a trite name and B. Being from France, home of ex. I can tell you that the rose rocks- I think it is mostly Grenache- and the Syrah may have replaced Columbia Crest as my favorite reliable under $10 Syrah...

[salsabike]

Nanci, you'll trudge through the stupid bill thing and get it done. You'll get through this, and it'll be better. You're such a very cool lady. Try not to forget that it won't always be this frustrating. And then you'll get your *** up here for a visit and the PNW TE/TD group will take you on the wineries tour by bike. And you'll see your grandson. I swear. You will get there.

[Nanci]

Yeah, Salsa, at least I have my snakes! My Choco non-eating snakes! (But I managed to stuff another meal down Addy tonight, and the little piglet Zee took two servings! He kind of makes me nervous now around feeding time, after the biting incident of last Sunday. I saw this report of a hognose bite on line, and it is nothing to laugh at...I am the best handwasher in the world now!)

Nanci

[Nanci]

Koko and Mr. Toad:

[salsabike]

Absolutely, and those snakes are the coolest. Is Choco not eating because he's getting ready to shed? But at least Addy is now eating. And Zee sounds pretty indomitable. How's Maizey?

You're an original, girl. Stick around.

My best friend is 3000 miles away in Albany NY. Thank God for email. Our phone bills used to be pretty big.

My sister-in-law's sister-in-law, with whom I play constant online Scrabble, emailed me a screechy complaint about her contractor. Ha. Given my recent and ongoing experience (now they've invaded our crappy little basement dungeon living space and it's all draped with visqueen so they don't totally trash our stuff and it looks like The Andromeda Strain), I just emailed her back and said, "I recommend a flamethrower."

[salsabike]

Great picture! Mr. Toad, who has a very important job. And is cute to boot. And Koko's shell is so gorgeous. It looks like banded agate.

[Nanci]

Choco just shed, so I don't know what his problem is...Maize is fine. This little "cuddling" incident actually made me a little nervous tonight- it almost looked like Koko was going to take a bite out of Mr. Toad. But he didn't. Buttercup, who has been a reluctant eater all summer, has turned into a little porker now that she is stuck eating "bad" grocery store produce rather than healthy weeds that she grazes for herself (due to the weather). Fagalo woke up a couple days ago, and I fed him a couple nightcrawlers and soaked him, and weighed him (gained four grams in brumation!) and sent him back to sleep in his hibernaculum...

The coolest thing is how Zee takes the mice and bites them in the center- envenomating them, and finally when he is sure they are dead (they already were!!!) he swallows them head first. He's so cool.

[salsabike]

Ah, tortoise junk food junkie. It's the winter hibernating thing. We're all gaining pounds in brumation! I gained back 10 pounds in the last two months, and still had plenty to lose before I did that. I figure, I'm doing the damn best I can given the circumstances, and I'll just get up and try again. Trudge trudge. So Zee is acting like a snake in the wild, the way he's eating his mice. I wonder why he's doing that. It's like seeing kittens who were trained to hunt by a mother cat versus those who weren't. Our two cats are in the latter category and they have the instinct to hunt and catch mice but then can never quite figure out what to do with them. Think I mentioned once before that they once got themselves shut into a very small bathroom with a mouse they'd caught, who then hid in between the magazines in the bathroom magazine rack and drove them crazy because they couldn't figure out how to catch it. But when they do catch 'em, they just sort of play with them. We once found Nina the Abby cat sitting side by side with a mouse she's caught. Just sitting and hanging out.

[Nanci]

Kind of like when Maizey was letting the rat pup ride around on her back...

I had a cat who skinned a rabbit once. How do you even deal with that???

Nanci

[salsabike]

Exactly like the Maizey thing.

Eeewww. You feel bad and try to remember the cat's doing her job. And then try to distract yourself, or return to your original theory that if all creatures ate warm chocolate pudding, we WOULD achieve world peace. Failing to achieve that, you have a glass of wine and watch Grey's Anatomy, or, as we are now doing in the basement dungeon, The Bourne Identity, for the millionth time. Now THERE'S a real mystery. I have really odd random movie tastes. All time favorite movies, much to my own surprise: Tombstone. The Abyss. All That Jazz. The Bourne movies. No coherent tastes there at all.

[Nanci]

I wouldn't say it's my favorite movie, but something I can watch over and over is When Harry Met Sally. Or Bridget Jone's Diary. Favorites would be Magnolia, Clerks, Silent Bob can't think of the right name...A Walk in the Clouds, 25th Hour, - I'm too cold to think- going to bed now...Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back- not a favorite- but easy to watch a million times. What's that one about the guy who can't remember anything- Memento.

[mimitabby]

I wouldn't say it's my favorite movie, but something I can watch over and over is When Harry Met Sally. Or Bridget Jone's Diary. Favorites would be Magnolia, Clerks, Silent Bob can't think of the right name...A Walk in the Clouds, 25th Hour, - I'm too cold to think- going to bed now...Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back- not a favorite- but easy to watch a million times. What's that one about the guy who can't remember anything- Memento.

Nanci how come YOU are cold? In balmy florida? Shall we send you some wool stuff? Up here in Seattle, we all have lots of wool. I always have an extra sweater or two :D

[Xrayted]

I talked with Jen for about 2 hours tonight. She's in great spirits. I sent along all of your well wishes. She had a great day of napping and was full of pep. I couldn't get a word in edgewise. If you know me at all, you know that's quite an accomplishment. :D She sounded so much better and will be back in a few days. She sends her love and thanks to you all. :)

Nanci - I agree with Lisa... you should do something original that comes from you. How about a wine list/journal for someone who is wine challenged. And I liked the tar baby rat fetus story. You are a great writer dear. I think homemade gifts are by far better than store bought. Get creative. Those are the gifts that are really worth something.
I know what you mean about being cold. I grew up in St. Pete on the Gulf Coast. I've been in PA since I was 9 and I still can't handle the cold well.

(((CWR))) - glad your having enough fun for all of us. You certainly deserve it hon!

Kit - missed ya today. Sorry. We'll talk tomorrow. ;) BTW, I finally got to see the sketch you sent. WOW!!

Had a guy patient today come walking out of the dressing booth wearing nothing but a smile. *Ahem* Right into the hallway. :eek: He knew exactly what he was doing. Just trying to get a reaction I think. Didn't work. (Luckily we were slow and no other people were around.) I just looked at him, shook my head, pointed back to the dressing booth. He got the message. Idiot.

Just hanging out tonight baking some more cookies and listening to some Stevie Ray Vaughn, Mr. Big, Grand Funk Railroad, Doobie Brothers, Bob Marley, ELO, EWF... mmmm... mood music and choc chip cookies! I can't even imagine a world without music or cookies. *shudder*
Hangin' out with my Mom, Aunt and cousins tomorrow for a major xmas cookie baking day. I've already made a bunch. But I was really needing some choc. chip cookies tonight. (Jeez, they are so good in milk.) *where's the eyes rolled back in my head smilie?*

See ya around TD!

-X.

[kelownagirl]

Yay, Jen! :D :D :D

Thanks for posting this X.

[Kitsune06]

OMG. You, X, couldn't get a word in edgewise?! VERY impressive! Ladies, if you've never spoken to this woman on the phone, you don't know... so I'll tell you... that's an amazing feat. Jen must be doing pretty well... :D
I'll talk to ya later, Mick... :D

[mimitabby]

Nanci
I agree with Lisa on the SS thing. If your SS is who i think she is, she has an uncommon amount of stuff and would probably be thrilled to have something original instead of stuff that costs money.

Glad to hear that Jen feels good enough to talk for 2 hours! x- thanks for letting us know.

Nanci,
I never heard of that wine, but it shouldn't surprise anyone, I am a long time teetotaler.

Well, brother in law stayed overnight. He's a smoker and coughed all night and he wheezes. Ack. My DH used to smoke. He'd be the same way today if he hadn't stopped some 20 odd years ago!

[Nanci]

Well, my flowers made it through the night! (They stayed covered all night Thursday and all day Friday and then last night.) It got down to 31, I think. I haven't gone to bed with socks and PJ bottoms on in I don't know how long- probably on the MTB camping trip with Dillbird to North Carolina where it got that cold in October and I had to sleep with Dill in the hood of my sleeping bag- which was not good because I was afraid to move...

I really, really need to find my fuzzy slippers that have been gone for two days now. How can hot pink slippers go into hiding??

Nanci

[Xrayted]

Taking a break from the cookies before I gain all the weight back in one sitting... phew! These ladies are a riot when they get together. You should see all the flour and stuff all over my Mom. I think everyone has patted her on the back with a handful today. :p

Kit - Oooooh, no you didn't! :eek: You just wait 'til I see ya. I may not have any sisters of my own, but I've been one my whole life. I know only too well of all the torture that can be inflicted on a little sister. And as I recall, that 4 hour talk we had last week was mostly from your end girl! (yeah, I love you too... ya punk. ;))

As for Chatty Cathy last night, I was smiling from ear to ear the entire conversation. Made my heart feel good to talk to her. It's so rewarding to just sit there and absorb her enthusiasm for life even after everything she goes through daily. I had forgotten that emotion a bit lately. Thank you Jen for the wonderful talk. I know your hubby was sitting there just shaking his head at us girls last night. :D

Well, time to come in from the deck. Freezing my bits off out here today. There are cookies just waiting to be eaten. Not by me though. :rolleyes: Nah, I wouldnt do that.

-X.

[snapdragen]

Well, the emotional basket case that is me seems to have calmed down. I have no idea why I was/am so on edge these days. Maybe holiday stress? Although I don't really feel stressed.....yet!

X - thanks for the update on Jen, so good to know she's home.

Nanci - the Maizey story with the rat pup is still my favorite.

Chloe went into a mad rampage through the house last night. She went outside in the rain, so I had a wet dog flying up and down the hallway. Finally caught her and got her somewhat dried off, and she grabs her loofah dog. I swear she was dancing! Flipping the toy all over, prancing and bouncing. I wish I'd had a video of it.

I bought Yusef Islam's (Cat Stevens) new cd. I like it, very similar to his old work. I've always loved his voice.

Got to get moving, it's cookie baking weekend for me.

[KnottedYet]

Thank you for the update, X!

Not making cookies or cooking anything today. Just bills and errands.

Pooey.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

So wonderful to hear that Jennifer is doing so well!! :p :p

[Trek420]

Whew. go Jen!

I still say we start a fictitious thread or some kinda event here so when she gets back online there's really something going on in TE TD. :cool: :rolleyes: ;)

Maybe I'll take up raising snakes and turtles or...

Well, Ironman Kona is on TV, gotta go be inspired now. Hopefully not enough that I wanna tri that.

I'm gonna sit here watching it with my pet iguana, Precious. Yeah, that's the ticket.

[KnottedYet]

Seattle Danskin, August 17 and 18.

[Trek420]

It's two days? And what if I can't get iguana care?

[Xrayted]

Oh, the cookies are staring at me. Hellllllp!! :p We're heading out to the local comedy club tonight for a friend's b-day. I haven't been there in forever. Can't wait.

heh. Trek, BMo3 has been asking if there are any good stories she's missing. Like Nanci getting a new snake or anyone in any big events this w/e. I've had nothing major from TD to report to her. I have updated her on the humor thread though. (That's a good one going on over there. ;)) So, I say go for it. Give her something worthy to read when she gets back. I'm sure with this group of ladies, we won't even have to make something up. :cool: :D (I wonder if I have any more interesting pics I can post... :eek:)

Although, I have a feeling we will be hearing from her very soon... :D :D

[Trek420]

then we've better work fast and get all our stories straight.

I just took the iguana out for a walk (yes, she walks well on a leash!! :) ) and we encountered an unleashed chihauhua. Although I'm always nervous when I see an unleashed dog I figured, chihuahua....how bad can it be?

Precious and the tiny dog got along!!! Good lizzard. :)

[Fredwina]

Trek:
I had a chihuahua when I was young - it went both to kindergarten show N tell and to my bachelor's degree graduation.
I remember one it I was walking her through the cemetery next door. There a cattle farm and she ran up to the fence where the cattle where grazing and went "yip!". The cows promptly stampeded to other side of the field. she would also chase the neighbor's Afghan Hound around.
Jen/BM03 - Get well soon
I am crazy for thinking about doing the Circumnavigation of the Salton sea next weekend

[kelownagirl]

Hi guys, thread drift - I need some lyrics. You're all such fabulous wordsmiths, maybe you can help me out? Remember Adam Sandler in that Wedding movie? He sang that song, "I wanna grow old with you". Well we're using it in our musical and we're adding an extra verse. (It's about an 80 year old couple looking back on their life.)

We added this part.

We’ve been together, for sixty years,
With laughter, and love, and sometimes tears
It’s been, so nice, growing old with you

I want you by my side, for as long as we live
Sharing these moments, we have so much to give
I’ve been so happy, growin’ old with you


And now I need one more set of the last part that follows this pattern (- this next part below are the actual lyrics - I just want you to see the pattern).

I’ll miss you
Kiss you
Give you my coat when you are cold

Need you
Feed you
Even let ya hold the remote control

I'm trying to find rhyming verbs that fit the song, as well as the 3rd sentence which sort of has to rhyme with the first 3 line set. (Does that make sense?)

I have the one below but I'm not happy with it. Maybe you have an idea of how to fix it, or a different idea altogether? (Remember, this is a family show. )

I’ll squeeze you
Tease you
Remind you, when you, forget your keys

I’ll swoon you
Spoon you
blah blah blah maybe - "open your door when we're out on a date" ? (but it doesn't rhyme with keys...)


Help!

[Trek420]

I’ll squeeze you
Tease you
Tell you where you left your keys (or teeth, whichever you wish) :D

I’ll swoon you
Spoon you
Put the seat down after I pee? ;)

Fredwina, the doggie who went both to kindergarten show N tell and your bachelor's degree graduation, that was either a very old dog or you graduated when you were 10?

[kelownagirl]

Well, I like it, and I'll bet it would give all the 8 yo boys a giggle. :)

[Bikingmomof3]

I am alive and well. If it had been truly serious or worse, DH would have let everyone on TD know. I did miss the concert. :( The boys and DH did not. :) The prayers and well wishes meant a lot to me. Lise, you placed my avatar pic next to the Virgin of Guadalupe for some extra loving help? Thank You! ((((HUGS to all of you!))))

Knot-Fried Chicken Queen-oh what did I miss?

Duck- welcome. :D

Lisa- I hope you and your husband are both over your colds.

KG- How was your son's choral concert? My oldest will be at a not so local mall this coming week.

CC-I hope you and Ian have a wonderful time. Did you take lots of pictures?

Kit- I hope you never got the flu and DGF is recovered. Glad to hear Miz Cakes is home and lovely as ever.

OTG- you are being too hard on yourself. You are doing well and will succeed. Slow and steady may not be what you desire right now, but it will be the best in the long run. happiness is not a weight or pant size. Happiness comes from within happiness is not a weight or pant size. Happiness comes from within. Remember, there are a lot of sad, skinny people (who have no muscle tone). And skinny does not equal happy. What is an idea weight? The one you are happy at that is healthy! And happiness comes from loving yourself, not who you think you will become.

Pam-Welcome to TD. :D

DD- I love your sig line! " Drink coffee and do stupid things faster with more energy."

(((Nanci))))-money trouble sucks. My loan repayment schedule that began when I graduated and will follow me to my grave. Being a responsible grown-up sucks. I hope you get to see your grandson!! My boys will adopt you. They love your snakes already. :) Forget about the weight. It will come back off. Trust me, life is too short. Think about all the positive things. Focus only on those things that truly bring you happiness.
Oh, you do not look 50-wait you are not quite 50! I hope I look that good when I am 48! And Lisa's SS gift idea, is awesome. SS, in my opinion is wonderful, but one should not stress over it. It is supposed to be fun. :)
I never plan to go back to MN. Maybe you daughter could save up and find an inexpensive ticket to FL?

Mr. Toad is too cute and look at that beautiful shell on Koko!!

Salsa-any idea when the contractors will be finished with your home?

X-A huge thank you for posting for me and being able to put up with me talking a thousand miles and hour on the phone. :D Loved the patient wearing only a smile. ;)

Snap=I am glad to hear your spirits are improved, and that Cloe had a good run. :) What kind of cookies are you making this weekend? I need to do that, but I am a terrible baker.

Trek-love the iguana story. :) Awesome song lyrics. :D

[Trek420]

*&^%, she's back and before we could get our story lines together *&^%. Everybody look casual.

we have to plan this better next time anyone's away.

Just kidding, whew, Bmomof3, don't do that to us again, ok?

We were skeered :mad:

[Bikingmomof3]

LOL! I shall try to do better and not have another one.

[kelownagirl]

Welcome back!! And who else but BMO3 would be able to get out of the hospital and STILL manage to reply to everybody on TD! Makes us all look bad :p :D Glad to hear your voice... :)

[Bikingmomof3]

It is good to be back KG! I missed everyone and went through TD withdrawal.

[kelownagirl]

The choir was wonderful, I actually cried during one of the songs - when they went into two parts. Something about all those little soprano voices and harmony, what a huge suck I am. :rolleyes: :D Sadly, my pictures didn't turn out. I used the digital zoom by mistake and they're all grainy. Maybe I'll post one anyway. I took a couple of videos on my digital camera and they are good though.

[kelownagirl]

The choir boy. My son is the long-haired blondie in the middle of these two shots. In these pics, it's so hard for me to believe he is a hyper, rambunctious boy who never stops talking...

[snapdragen]

Well, I like it, and I'll bet it would give all the 8 yo boys a giggle. :)

Maybe it should be

Put the seat down after I peez....

(just to make it rhyme, and sound sillier.....)

[snapdragen]

I was going to make Cinnamon Buttons - they use Hershey's Cinnamon Drops. But the stupid Safeway by me doesn't carry Hershey's Cinnamon Drops. (#&$^*@#%*!!!!!! :mad:

I'll try Lunardi's tomorrow - they usually carry much more than freakin' Safeway.

It's raining right now, I love the sound of raindrops. My silly dog wants to go outside and sit in the rain. Chloe is not the brightest crayon in the box at times...:rolleyes:

[Bikingmomof3]

Snap says I need to rest, so I am checking in here then going to rest like a good girl. (does not mean I must like it).

KG-your son looks angelic. :) My oldest is singing at a mall near DH's work this upcoming week and he will go to see him. There is a concert for us family members will be Tuesday night. DH said the twins played beautifully (okay as well as anyone new to an instrument can). One plays the Oboe, the other the Basson.

Okay Snap, I am going now. Geesh. :p

Have a wonderful Friday night everyone. I missed all of you!!!!

[KnottedYet]

BMo3!!!!! YOU'RE BAAAAAAACK!!!!!

Oh, I'm so happy! Welcome back, dear! We were all so worried and scared for you! Phone calls and PMs flashing up and down and across the continent with concern for you!

Glad you are back!

Edit: SKnot plays bassoon, and I used to play oboe.

[Nanci]

BMO3, glad your boys have adopted me, when are they coming to visit???

Snap, I had to buy a bag of crickets for the toad. In the car, hopping around in their bag, they sounded like rain. you could get some for the dry times!

I am watching Transamerica again. It is very good. I found something in the fridge tonight that made me laugh so hard I cried and almost peed.

[Nanci]

Even people on the snake forum needed an explanation- can't imagine why...

[Nanci]

BF went to bed in disgust.

[KnottedYet]

perhaps he just didn't want to get "fresh" with you, lest he befall the same fate... ;)

[Nanci]

Choco, bad Choco, came out for about an hour of Jackass tonight. As he was running through my fingers I detected a lump about two inches down from his head. Crap! What could it be? Tumor? Stuck mouse from last time, and that's why he didn't eat last night?? A quick check at the snake anatomy diagram showed that his heart is in that location! What if I could FEEL it???

Creepy.

Nanci

[Nanci]

Knot, it's his sausage, not mine...

He did ask if I wanted him to make cheesy eggs for breakfast!

Nanci

Remember that whole Loraina Bobbit thing? The local radio station, at the time, had a contest where people would drive by in their cars and throw a hotdog out the window to win a prize. I thought that was excellently creative. We all know what happened to him, I wonder whatever happened to her?

[mimitabby]

Hello, I am feeling sad because Jennifer forgot me.
I am glad that you are feeling better, and I'm not that sad
because I know I am just someone far away typing things
that you read occasionally.

We just got a letter from an old man in a town far far away
who says he wrote to us 3x since last Christmas and is sad because
we are not writing back. He might have written 3 times, but we didn't
get any of those letters, so how sad is that! Anyway, we hadn't gotten a christmas card out yet (okay, he's in Italy) and we realize that we MUST
send him something this weekend or he won't get it in time. he's like 92 years old now. My husband wrote a travelogue in english about our time there
and this old guy sent us a newspaper with Dh's travelogue beautifully translated into italian complete with the photos we took. DH was very touched.

went to a cookie party tonight, the first we've ever been to. It was our sons' circle of friends. They invited us, so we each dutifully cooked 7 dozen cookies and went. The other people showed up, all lovely young folk in their 20's and we all divvied up all the cookies. Then we all got on the floor and played with these magnetic sticks and made things with them.
what a riot.

Nanci
i do remember Lorena Bobbit. (such a name) that story just blew me away...

Kelownagirl, your son is beautiful. I can believe he's hyper, i had two of them. I promise, it will get better some day!

[Fredwina]

Fredwina, the doggie who went both to kindergarten show N tell and your bachelor's degree graduation, that was either a very old dog or you graduated when you were 10?
Tutti lived to a quiet old age(I was 22,and she was a puppy when she went kindergarten with moi). my understanding is that's common for small dogs. We finally had to put her to sleep.

[Xrayted]

Hey there Mimi! Jen is a bit beat tonight. Catching up and writing her posts kinda took it out of her. But believe me, she did want to include you in her thoughts tonight. Along with Snap, I also told her to go rest. But only after assuring her I would write you a nice little poem to ease your pain. So here's a post just for you from Jen...
*ducking* Please don't kill me. :o

...........................................................
There once was a Mimi from Seattle
Who rode her bike so fast it rattled
Whenever she trained
The pace was strained
And now her brains are a bit addled.
...........................................................

Sorry, it's the best I could do on short notice and without getting crazy and graphic. The other version included some dude from Nantucket... (that was Jen's idea :eek:) See Mimi, it could have been much worse! :rolleyes: :D

She'll see y'all tomorrow.

-X.

[mimitabby]

gee, X, i am honored. I don't think anyone has written a poem about me since i was 16! :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

I feel better now.

[salsabike]

We went to the annual Bellevue Botanical Garden D'Lights tonight (right after the contractor presented us with a bill that included a heretofore unknown $15,000 overrun, so we needed to do something to improve things). This is a garden done entirely with lights in classes the Botanical Garden teaches every year. The best part is actually a slug done in lights, with a little slime trail of lights, but we didn't get a good picture of him. It is the most fabulous sight and they do an incredible job with both plants and animals. Wanted to share with you guys,

2265

2266

2267

2268

2269

[salsabike]

2270

2271

[kelownagirl]

Kelownagirl, your son is beautiful. I can believe he's hyper, i had two of them. I promise, it will get better some day!

Mimi - two of my three kids have adhd. My daughter is 21 now and although she gave me a few grey hairs, she is an absolutely wonderful young woman who lights up a room whenever she enters. She's still as scatterbrained as ever but I wouldn't change her for anything. I'm sure Jesse will grow up to be just as wonderful (if I don't kill him first. :) ) Both of them are very musical and artistic - I wonder if there's any connection?

[crazycanuck]

Slug here...Hey kids..

Jen-so good to hear you're at home resting & recovering. We was scareeeeeed for you.. as trek said!

The 12hr was so much fun except now my eyes hurt..not because of riding at night but staying awake pretty much the whole time. I felt guilty doing any sleep and had a 2hr nap at 1am...then went and did a lap at 4am..!

A before photo of Ian & I then one of me this morning..man my eyes hurt...

Yes, those lights on the handlebars are home made & are awesome. I use them along with my cat eye double shots..I have a hard time seeing at night esp with depth !

I have tomorrow off!!! Can't sleep in though..dr appt then pilates then interview..

c

[Kitsune06]

Woo CC! yeah, you look *tired* in that 2nd pic- Glad you had a good time :D
I don't think I could do a 12 hour... You've got some guts! :D

[mimitabby]

Mimi - two of my three kids have adhd. My daughter is 21 now and although she gave me a few grey hairs, she is an absolutely wonderful young woman who lights up a room whenever she enters. She's still as scatterbrained as ever but I wouldn't change her for anything. I'm sure Jesse will grow up to be just as wonderful (if I don't kill him first. :) ) Both of them are very musical and artistic - I wonder if there's any connection?

Kelownagirl, both of my sons qualified as having ADD and one ADHD but I did not believe there was anything wrong with my sons. It was clear to me that my active curious sons were victims of a crazy school system where active healthy young children were expected to sit all day at desks when their bodies wanted to run, jump, yell and climb trees. Then after having to sit all day in school, where they fidgeted and drove the teachers crazy, they came home and were expected to sit and do homework. I still have incredible feelings of remorse or guilt when I compare my own childhood, where I was sent outside to play everyday and I had NO homework, to theirs. I did try to get them outside to play, but too many of their young hours were wasted on homework. My "ADHD" son is now getting close to a 4. gpa in one of the hardest majors at the University; applied math. My other son is a grad student. oops, sorry i am ranting. I am passionate about my children, and when they were children, they drove me nuts. In a setting similar to the one with your son's picture, my older son was in a Suzuki violin performance. And he started acting silly. One little boy in an ocean of 50 tiny violinists, and he's getting goofy in there. We nearly died of embarrasment. Of course everyone else was watching their own pint-sized performer, but that memory of helplessness prevails. that boy knew we couldn't tell him to knock it off.
Today he performs on stage for a living playing the French Horn.

[mimitabby]

cc, you are a cutie. you did 12 hours on a MTB!!!!! wow! that is phenomenal!

[KnottedYet]

Today's Knotland theme music is brought to us by Queen:
"Under Pressure" and "I'm Going Slightly Mad"

Inpirational music also provided by Queen: "One Vision" (with the fabulous, Knot-like, deeply philosophical last line of "fried chicken")

Today I must write a first draft of my personal statement (hey, I can make a lot of personal statements! Oh, you mean about *myself*?!?!) for grad school. I also need to track down 2 more folks to write references. And it would be best if I could get into the library to use a PC (ick) to start the general app and print a couple things.

Can't use Mac for the online app for a school running with $$$$$ donated by Bill Gates. Says so right there: Mac use cannot be supported. (I'm talking actual computer systems here, kids)

All that AND I gotta go for a run (or my brain will explode) in my Chaco sandals (cuz I have no running shoes at the moment) AND I gotta go to church AND I'd better go get some groceries (can you believe CPS expects you to feed your kid EVERY day?)

The deadline for the whole she-bang is Jan 15. But I'm leaving town for a week and a half the day after tomorrow so I gotta BUST MY BUNS by Tuesday!

"I'm going slighty maaaaad, I'm going slightleeeeeee mad, it finally happened, I'm slightly mad, just veeeery slightly mad..."

[DebW]

BMo3, great to have you back!

Went into the city last night with dh to have dinner with our daughter and attend a performance of a women's choral group (www.voicesrising.org) which a co-worker sings in. Ended up almost late for the performance and jogged the last 7 blocks (so I got the directions wrong and we went 2 blocks past the place and had to turn around). Similar to Salsa's light show pictures, there was a decorated sailboat moored on the Charles River by the Longfellow Bridge as we walked across last night. Very nice with the mast and sails and all lit up. There was something made of lights on the back of the boat which looked to me like a chicken. DH said he thought it was supposed to be Rudolf. :rolleyes:

The performance was all devoted to songs of wisdom and world peace, with songs like "Wage Peace", "Women's Peace Prayer", "1000 Grandmothers", "World Citizen". Too bad our leaders in Washington weren't listening. The culminating work was a 30 minute performance of "Song of Widsom from Old Turtle", based on the children's book "Old Turtle" by Douglas Wood. This piece contained violin, piano, percussion, and a didgeriedoo, dramatic spoken naration, and chorus. Very impressive.

The other thing I'm doing these days that always makes me happy is taking my 3 year old nephew Nolan to his Tae Kwon Do class every Wednesday afternoon. He earned his first stripe last week and was so happy. Tae Kwon Do is going to be so good for him in improving his balance and coordination and concentration (Trek will vouch for all this). And it's so cute to watch. I think I grin from ear to ear through the whole class.

[Xrayted]

Wow salsa, great pics! Thanks for sharing that. We don't have anything like that around here. Hershey sets up a drive through light display that starts by HersheyPark and winds out through the woods, past houses, along fields and takes about 1/2 hour to get through by car. But the detail is no where near what you've posted because you'd never be able to appreciate it from a car. Very, very cool.

mimi - It's refreshing to hear a parent stick up for their kids regarding ADD. I have 4 brothers who were "very active" but were dealt with through creative activities. They were given time to run off the energy and get it out of their systems. They all had kids who acted just like they did in adolescence. (Mom's curse really did come back to haunt them. ;)) Right away the suggestions were made to put the rambunctious ones on medication, no other alternatives were even suggested. Well, two of the boys were given the meds and they promptly turned into little zombies who never slept, never ate and couldn't think straight, but yes they were quiet and still in school. :mad: I talked myself blue in the face for months to get them to stop giving them that junk. Eventually, they both were weened off and we worked on having them understanding when they were getting nutsy and how to deal with it. Also, a change in diet really helped. It was definitely harder work that way, but oh so worth it. Most of them are grown up and out on their own now, some with kids of their own. My 11 nieces and nephews range from 27-7 y.o. I know they will go through the same things with their kids (7 so far that range from 8 y.o. to 3 mths with 2 more on the way this holiday season) and I hope they remember what two of them endured and make the right decision when the time comes.
BTW, without your son acting like that at the recital, would you ever have remembered that one night aside from any of the other ones? Probably not. If he'd been anyone other than who he was, you may have lost that precious memory of that night. That would have been a shame.

CrazyC- check you out! You biker babe you! I think a 12 hour would kill me girl. Jeez, I'm going to have to really train before I come down to visit you.

Knot - If your in a Queen mood, how about Seaside Rendezvous, Crazy Little Thing Called Love, Somebody To Love or We Will Rock You... maybe Bicycle Race? Might calm you down a bit and get ya in the mood for upcoming events. Good luck with getting it written before you leave. Sorry you have to go "PC" for a while. I know how hard that must be on you. Good thing it's just a computer we're talking about. :eek: ;)

Well, off to see the wizard (my bro) to put my new hitch on. Then I get to test out the new custom bike/kayak rack we designed. It's gonna need modified I'm sure. I'm also gonna try to find time to head out and check on a 4 bike rack to snap into it for when the kids wanna come along.

[Bikingmomof3]

Hello, I am feeling sad because Jennifer forgot me.
I am glad that you are feeling better, and I'm not that sad
because I know I am just someone far away typing things
that you read occasionally.

Oh Mimi, I never forget you! Well, I did in my long rambling post :o , and for that I am so unbelievably sorry. :( :(

You are not someone very far away who occassionally types thing, not to me anyway. Yoou are one of my sisters. :)

I always worry when I write long posts that I will accidently leave out important people and events, and this time it was you. :(

Honestly it was not done on purpose. I am so very, very sorry. Please forgive me. You give me such wonderful support and are so thoughtful, I am a dolt for forgetting you in my post. :o :( :o

For the record, X's poem was far superiour to the one I came up with. :p

[Bikingmomof3]

BMo3!!!!! YOU'RE BAAAAAAACK!!!!!

Oh, I'm so happy! Welcome back, dear! We were all so worried and scared for you! Phone calls and PMs flashing up and down and across the continent with concern for you!

Glad you are back!

Edit: SKnot plays bassoon, and I used to play oboe.

Knot I am glad to be back. :) I overdid it last night and kinda got sick, but I am okay today.

I think it very cool that Sknot plays the bassoon and you played the oboe. :D

[KnottedYet]

I am glad to be back. :) I overdid it last night and kinda got sick, but I am okay today.


Next time Snap and X and half the rest of TD are telling you to rest, we're all gonna stop posting until you DO go rest!:D

Don't overdo! We care about you too much!

[mimitabby]

now, Jen, you know you don't need to apologize OR feel bad.
HEY you wrote a poem about me too? sheesh, all this attention is too much!

i have to share this with you guys;
meet my plumber! (http://www.raddykeplumber.com/)

We got to know her through a friend. I ran into her the other day which is what made me think of her. And then i found her website.

[salsabike]

Rant away, Mimi and X. I have a soapbox I carry with me (metaphorically speaking, anyway) for a long, grumpy speech about how schools emphasize verbal, seat skills over visual-spatial, movement skills that are valued just as much in society, and how it's a sin that active boys don't have the opportunity to see that their skills are really valuable, and how that attitude "creates" disabilities when there really aren't any....see what I mean? I'll stop now. It does, however, drive me crazy in my profession.

Knot, it'll be nice to get that app done before you go, only in the sense that it's a pain in the *** AND you'll have a much better time knowing most of it's behind you.

BMof3, the heating/plumbing/electrical work is supposed to be done this week and inspected. Then they can do insulation and dry wall. After that there's lots of bits and pieces left---putting in hard wood floors, building various shelves, installing all the bathroom stuff, etc. I am not sure when they'll finish because I think I will be killing the contractor first, possibly even this afternoon. Please consider visiting me in jail and maybe getting Snap's recipe for cinnamon buttons so you could bring me some if you're feeling kindly.

The contractor is coming over this afternoon to discuss the bill and the totally unexpected $15,000 overrun. We are expecting a call from an architect friend in Paris whom we've used as a sort of consultant on contractor stuff. Mr. Salsa leaves tomorrow for a 12-day boat trip (work) and I leave a week from today for another week in Albany to help my mother move to assisted living. We are still definitely in la vida loca territory. But after we went to the Bellevue Botanical Garden D'Lights show, we went to the local Ethiopian restaurant, which was great. We'll go for a tandem ride sometime today, although maybe only 30 miles. So things could be worse...

CC, congrats on the 12-hour! I'd be bonkers, I expect. How fun to finally see pics of you and Ian--now I know who I'm talking to when I babble about football and Lake Taupo.

Fine limerick, X. Team Addled. I think I'll add it to my profile with Mimi's permission.

Any future business I do with contractors will have to include a materials clause that provides steady valium. Or something like that. Or, maybe just the flamethrower. I may like the latter better, come to think of it.

[mimitabby]

X your family history is interesting. My husband was considered a "bad" boy
and was always in trouble in school. It was obvious to me where my kids got THAT from. No wonder to this day he has enough energy to think riding a bike 140 miles in one day is fun! These guys are descended from farmers who worked hard to stay alive. They're not made to sit in cubicles!!

and you're right, If Jo wasn't being a brat on the stage that day, it wouldn't stand out in my memory.

[Bikingmomof3]

I am going to attempt another long post and I hope I do not leave anyone out. Without getting too mushy, I think of all of you as sisters and cannot imagine life without all of you! ((((((((everyone))))))))))

Snap-I do hope you find the ingredients! I was hoping to make cookies today, but last night I learned I am not quite up to full strength. Apparently I am human. *sigh*

Nanci-my boys would love to come anytime. They are animal lovers and they could even bring their bikes. I am 16 hours from Ft. Myer's , which direction are you from there?.
The sausages look very interesting. You could feel Choco's heart??

Mimi-Again, I am sorry. :( It saddens me as well to hear the older man thinks he has been forgotten. Having your husband's travelogue translated and printed sounds beautiful! What a splendid gift from him and for both of you to treasure forever. :D Maybe a wee care package sent his way for Christmas will lift his spirits? My box made it to Norway in 3 days , a new record. :)

In 37 years I have never been to a cookie party. :( I have been telling anyone who will listen, even in the hospital about your biscotti. I have heard it is difficult to make properly. I inquired yesterday about it, my SIL works in a café, and she confirmed my suspicions, it takes a special person to properly make biscotti. I imagine your cookies were the hit of the party! :)

Your children sound quite accomplished, you should be proud and never apologize for talking about them. Proud mommy moments are meant to be shared. :D

Fredwina-Tutti lived a very long, happy life. :)

(((((X)))))) Thank You for helping cheer our Mimi up. :D The hitch is being installed today? Whooo Hooo! I overdid it last night :o and had to take medicine, ick! :( Thank you for helping me and forgiving me for leaving in the middle of a chat.

(((((((CWR)))))))-enjoy, be safe, and the offer still stands.

Salsa-$15,000 over??? Is this there way of a holiday gift? Does it mean they are cleaned up and finally out of your home and you can come up from the basement? The light display is spectacular. :cool: The turtle scene reminds me on Nanci. ;)

KG-maybe there is a connection and music helps them get the focus needed to be excellent musicians? Obviously I am guessing here. Again, your son looked quite angelic.

CC-you and Ian look so adorable! I am impressed with your stamina. I could not ride 12 hours. You do look tired inn the second picture, yet you made it and I bow to you. :D

Kit-have you been working on your inner slug? ;)

Knot-what on earth is the fried chicken thing about? *slaps hand to forehead" it is from Queen. I kept reading it as you were a fried chicken queen. :rolleyes: *sigh* You application will wow the entire grad school and you will be greeted with open arms. I agree about the feeding kiddos everyday thing. :)

Deb-wow your evening sounded wonderful! :D I was allowed to play a little on TE/TD and then watched A White Christmas. I luuuuve Danny Kaye, but I digress. I have always wanted to learn Tae Kwon Do. Maybe there is a remedial class of older people??

[Kitsune06]

BMo3- My inner slug is coming along quite well, thank you. :D

You and X... geez. If I tried to post a little note to *absolutely everyone* I'd be here hours. My inner slug will just not allow for that. ;)

spending this morning reading about how to make a bike light for super-cheap because mine isn't quite enough...

http://www.instructables.com/id/E6A06CCIGMEP286N92/

...and a little tired. Gotta rest up for tomorrow... another commute in, but after not having done it for a week, I'm probably back out of the groove. =P

[mimitabby]

me too, Kit. it's hard enough to remember one thread, not 20!
eeek!

Did you guys follow my link to Zan the Rad **** Plumber's website (http://www.raddykeplumber.com/)? Do you think i would promise you a good time and not mean it?

Jennifer, we are afraid to send anything (other than small flat envelopes like letters and cards) to our Italian friends and families via the mail because we hear that over there they are having to pay FEES to receive our packages!

[kelownagirl]

Mimi's plumber :eek:

[Bikingmomof3]

Did you guys follow my link to Zan the Rad **** Plumber's website (http://www.raddykeplumber.com/)? Do you think i would promise you a good time and not mean it?

I love the site. :)


Jennifer, we are afraid to send anything (other than small flat envelopes like letters and cards) to our Italian friends and families via the mail because we hear that over there they are having to pay FEES to receive our packages!

It is the same when I send to other European countries. Ask your family. Usually if you declare under a certain $ amount, they are not taxed. Each country is different on the $ amount they allow in without fees. The US is very tolerant. Norway not as tolerant as Germany. Britian is fairly cool and much more tolerant than Spain. Norway is by far the strictest I have come across in Europe. I cannot speak about Italy. Good Luck!

[Bikingmomof3]

BMof3, the heating/plumbing/electrical work is supposed to be done this week and inspected. Then they can do insulation and dry wall. After that there's lots of bits and pieces left---putting in hard wood floors, building various shelves, installing all the bathroom stuff, etc. I am not sure when they'll finish because I think I will be killing the contractor first, possibly even this afternoon.

We could probably post bail. ;)


Please consider visiting me in jail and maybe getting Snap's recipe for cinnamon buttons so you could bring me some if you're feeling kindly.

If we failed to bail you out I would visit, maybe even stay with you. :cool:


The contractor is coming over this afternoon to discuss the bill and the totally unexpected $15,000 overrun.

Do nothurt him too badly. ;)


Mr. Salsa leaves tomorrow for a 12-day boat trip (work) and I leave a week from today for another week in Albany to help my mother move to assisted living.

I am sorry to hear Mr. Salsa will be away so long. :(
I am however thrilled you found an assisted living facility for your mom. :)


Any future business I do with contractors will have to include a materials clause that provides steady valium. Or something like that. Or, maybe just the flamethrower. I may like the latter better, come to think of it.

Why not both? :D

[Bikingmomof3]

BMo3- My inner slug is coming along quite well, thank you. :D

That is a relief. :D

[mimitabby]

We could probably post bail. ;)



If we failed to bail you out I would visit, maybe even stay with you. :cool:



Do nothurt him too badly. ;)



I am sorry to hear Mr. Salsa will be away so long. :(
I am however thrilled you found an assisted living facility for your mom. :)



Why not both? :D

this is hilarious! Salsa, I really feel for you. Because of your and other experiences we are strongly NOT considering adding on to our dorky little house.
our housepayments are just right. if we add on to the house, we'll have more room for gracious living and less $$$ for BICYCLING.. and we're just not that gracious.

[salsabike]

Yeah, we're not that gracious either. This all started because I wanted a front porch in memory of my dad. Then I needed a weaving studio. And then we thought it would be good to have the living room bigger because we really can't get many people in there. And then. Arghh.

Mimi, our contractor is a pretty good one, too. The work quality is very good. His communication skills and planning are not so good. I think our experience is quite typical, and frighteningly enough, better than many. I will miss our very low house payments when we refinance, but we really did need more space to be comfortable here, just ourselves. And we do love the neighborhood/neighbors and the double corner wooded lot, so...from all the other stories from friends going through this, it could be going much worse. I'm sure we'll love it when it's done. Hahahahahahaha. That's what all our friends keep telling us who've been through it.

My guess is we'll be in the basement at least 5 or 6 more weeks.

I think having both valium and flamethrower is the best idea, really.

The assisted living place for my mom is very, very good---full of cultural activities, beautiful, best rep in town. I'd go there myself. Maybe tomorrow.

[Trek420]

salsa,

yes it's pretty typical. I've been through a few home remodels and I'd say they all either took twice as long or cost twice as much....or both.

The most extensive started as a bathroom remodel only on a 3 story, 2b, 3 B house in Berkeley. At one point we were down to one room, everything else was being worked on.

It can also be very hard on a relationship so the fact yours & your sense of humor is intact...that's a good thing.

I vowed all I'd do is paint my condo but the floors and kitchen are abysmal so I don't think I can get away with not doing something whether I stay here and enjoy them or turn the joint.

oooh, I found out that a guy in my dojo is a triathlete, a burnt out triathlete, one who says he will never swim, run or......bike again....and he's 5'1".

He actually offered me his bikes; a Felt, Trek and a Cervelo and they are my size. I said "why don'tcha think about it, you may want to go again". Do I really need 6 bikes? I'd have to add another room :D

[snapdragen]

All right. I am throwing a scavenger hunt. First person that finds me Hershey's Cinnamon Chips wins. Can't find 'em in the local grocery stores, and online all I can find is large quantities, I just need a bag or two.

[DirtDiva]

Maybe X could get some factory-fresh ones for you..? ;)

[DirtDiva]

Harking back to the ADD/ADHD/actually normal kids coversation... Bright, active little boys who misbehave with no agenda other than their genuine desire to be out exploring and playing rather than sitting still are absolutely some of my favourite kids to teach - they always seem to have an individual and slightly zany perspective that is great fun.

[mimitabby]

oh DirtDiva
my sons were zany irrepressible individuals, that's for sure!

now they're a little more laid back.
snort

[Xrayted]

All right. I am throwing a scavenger hunt. First person that finds me Hershey's Cinnamon Chips wins. Can't find 'em in the local grocery stores, and online all I can find is large quantities, I just need a bag or two.


Maybe X could get some factory-fresh ones for you..?

Gimme a day, I'll see what I can do. :D When I find you some do you want me to mail them out?

[DirtDiva]

You shouldn't have mentioned the Hershey Christmas lights - I would probably forgotten that you lived in PA if you hadn't. :p

[snapdragen]

Gimme a day, I'll see what I can do. :D When I find you some do you want me to mail them out?

X - if you can find them I will love you forever! And I will send you cookies!

[Xrayted]

You got it. PM me what you want and where to. They are great to drop in your hot chocolate too. :cool:

S.O.'s bro used to work for Hershey as an engineer and then as an exec. Now he is a CEO of a company that supplies cocoa to them. I have connections for some serious chocolate... I get tons for xmas every year. I love that guy!

How about some Wilbur Buds? Ask BMo3 how she likes them... Mmmmm. (so much better than Hershey) We also have an M&M Mars factory around here too and tons of independents. You have no idea how hard it is to live in this area when you're a chocoholic like myself. :eek: Honestly, I don't know why I'm not at least 800lbs right now...

-X.

[Xrayted]

Happy Birthday MP!!!!

[withm]

mmm Wilbur Buds..... in my former life I spent many many weekends in Myerstown over about a 7 yr period. Each trip usually included an afternoon excursion to Littitz & to visit the Wilbur chocloate factory. I half expected to see Lucy and Ethel in the back room there where they demonstrated chocolate dipping. :)

Martha



You got it. PM me what you want and where to. They are great to drop in your hot chocolate too. :cool:

S.O.'s bro used to work for Hershey as an engineer and then as an exec. Now he is a CEO of a company that supplies cocoa to them. I have connections for some serious chocolate... I get tons for xmas every year. I love that guy!

How about some Wilbur Buds? Ask BMo3 how she likes them... Mmmmm. (so much better than Hershey) We also have an M&M Mars factory around here too and tons of independents. You have no idea how hard it is to live in this area when you're a chocoholic like myself. :eek: Honestly, I don't know why I'm not at least 800lbs right now...

-X.

[Bikingmomof3]

How about some Wilbur Buds? Ask BMo3 how she likes them... Mmmmm.
-X.

Oh Wilbur Buds how I love them! (insert smilie drooling chocolate) Next time (see I assume I will get more-can I buy them online?), I refuse to share them, I will hide them from my chocolate eating family!

[Bikingmomof3]

Wow, do you know just how many pounds of Wilbur Buds I need to order to justify the S/H? I gues I shall just need to eat them morning, noon, and night. :D

[crazycanuck]

WHOA...Guys..I didn't ride for a whole 12hrs..I'm a slug..not a machine!!! Do you think i'm that fit??? HAHAHAHAH:eek: :(

I was on a 3 person team & we each did 3 laps....I managed to disorient myself about 1km to the end of the course on my second lap..:confused:

I need to just about kill myself while training now..i'm not going hard enough...:(

Ian on the other hand did the event solo :eek: and did 10laps (130km) !!! I'll post the pic of him after the event later.

The march flies were really bad on Saturday afternoon but they disappeared later on...!!!!!

c

[KnottedYet]

On Knot's iTunes this evening:
RuPaul's Christmas album "Ho Ho Ho" (pun, I'm sure, intentional)

No, I haven't even STARTED my essay for grad school. But I got a cute little purple thumb drive... does that count? And I figured out another person to beg to write me a reference letter.

And I went for a run and ate a lot of chocolate. Writer's prep, eh?:D

[mimitabby]

happy birthday MP



but what is a Wilbur Bud?? I don't remember them from when i lived in New Jersey Nevada , California, Idaho or Washington.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Wow, do you know just how many pounds of Wilbur Buds I need to order to justify the S/H? I gues I shall just need to eat them morning, noon, and night. :D

Hey Jennifer, I think you may be onto something here. If you Google: [chocolate +stroke +prevent] you will find some great new findings about the benefits of eating chocolate!!! Talk about an enjoyable health habit!
We always keep a couple of bars of good quality dark chocolate on the counter- we take nips from it regularly, calling it our "medicinal chocolate". :D

I dutifully read all the latest pages of TD, but it's impossible to respond to all of it- too much stuff! :eek:
My news is that DH got his beautiful bike, and I put up a few photos on the webpage in my signature below (you have to first scroll through the dopey pix of me posing- note to self- get some action shots soon!). He's so HAPPY!!! I am so happy for him- he deserves all that and so much more.
He's almost over his cold/cough, and I am still working on it but feelinga bit better each day (not fast enough). But we still wake up every night about 4am for a mutual mucilage-laden cough-a-thon. So gross even the cats abandon the bed in disgust! :( Well it can't last forever...at least I can read TD for twisted entertainment.

Ugh, here it is only 10:30 and I'm totaly shot for the night- gotta take some cough med and go to bed....

[Xrayted]

BMo3 - Ok woman, that's it!!! No more messing around. I've got a 3 day w/e coming up on the 16-18th. I'm coming out to see ya in Ohio and I'm packin' some chocolate. No arguments! You need a fun time with a TE'er and I'm gonna show it to you. And I'm stuffin' yer piehole with some Buds and yer gonna like it or else. So there!
And this time, lock 'em up will ya? Find a good hiding spot and keep those boys outta them.

So, all I need now is a hotel nearby... hint, hint. *tapping my foot impatiently*

-X.

[Bikingmomof3]

X-you are not wasting a lovely 3 day vacation coming out to see me! You said you were going to the ocean. I am very flattered and I already told you, you never need an invite to visit. :)

[crazycanuck]

Hey X..how long will it take to drive from your house to jen;s in Ohio?

Wheré's my map of the US?? off to look...

I have an interview this afternoon..wish me luck..It's just an admin position with Cycling WA...

c

[Bikingmomof3]

CC,

It is over a 7 hour drive from her home to mine.

Best of luck on your interview today! Keep us posted. :)

[salsabike]

What are Wilbur Buds?

What are march flies? Do they bite?

Knot has done critical pre-application work; that is plain to see.

Trek420, thanks. You always make me laugh, except for the many times you say wonderfully mensch-like stuff, and then you make me smile anyway. I did not kill the contractor during our meeting tonight. We docked him $6000 of his profit, though, according to an agreement we made that if he didn't make his deadline and didn't call beforehand to explain why he couldn't, he'd only get half his profit margin. You'd think that for $6000 he'd manage to just make the call to explain, but no, so he got docked. It helped. The $15,000 overrun was sort of typical project stuff, like the electricians having to rewire parts of the house they thought they wouldn't have to, etc. I WILL BE VERY VERY GLAD WHEN THIS IS OVER. WHICH BY MY GUESS WON'T BE FOR SEVERAL MORE MONTHS. AUGHH. But enough about this for now...

Wishing TD a very nice week ahead.

[Bikingmomof3]

What are Wilbur Buds?

They are delicious chocolates. Here is the link.

http://www.wilburbuds.com/docs/category/wilburbuds.html

[Trek420]

salsa, no no no, don't kill the contractor. The contractor drives you crazy and you end up divorcing or abandoning your family.

I had a contractor so finicky (how picky was he?) he'd check the drywall at night, dimming lights and shining a flashlight on the wall at an angle, marking anywhere the slightest indication of a nail could be seen and making his guys do it over.

So his two best guys quit in the middle of the job....and I said something like:

I don't care about the nail blips, I can't see them, finish the d*&^ kitchen

more politey of course :o

Even the best remodels don't feel like something you do...it feels like something that's being done to you.

[kelownagirl]

Salsa - renovating. Ugh big time. I've always been married to the DIY-type so rarely have to deal with that sorta crap but I don't think I've ever heard a good remo story...

Lisa - Checked out dh's new bike - nice! He reminds me of my hubby - beard-wise I guess. Yours is longer (well Brian's is. :p ) I always think of sheep when I see your bike. That's not a bad thing. I used have some ramboulliet cross on the farm... :)

CC - GOOD LUCK!

Knot - Hope all your prep is effective. I think the chocolate will help immensely. Just be sure to wipe your fingers before you touch the paper.

DD and Mimi - I love the boys in my class for that very reason. They are a bunch of rolly-polly puppies even if they do drive me nuts sometimes.
And Mimi - I have seen kids who go glassy-eyed from ritalin and I have told parents it wasn't worth it. And I've seen others who have no side effects and benefit immensely. Mine included. Sadly my DD wasn't diagnosed until she was in grade 7 (partly due to my resistance to the diagnosis) and she had suffered terribly through school up until that time, lots of tears, even though she was a bright girl. She started on ritalin in the last term and went from a C or C- average to A's and B's in all her academic subjects. She took the meds on and off during highschool but finally realized she needed it like a diabetic needs insulin. In university, she took it during her academic courses, but not during her studio art courses.

My DS was clearly adhd in kindergarten but I resisted starting him on ritalin until he began to show signs of frustration near the end of grade 2. In particular, he was beginning to have peer problems because he was such a pita to be around (bugging kids, impulsivity etc). He started on slow release ritalin, had no problems with appetite or sleep and changed his attitude toward school when he began to feel success. This is his first year with letter grades (grade 4) and he's an A/B student now. He has become proud and confident. More importantly, he has positive interactions with other children and adults so we managed to nip the potential social problems in the bud.

I so agree that school isn't made for these kinds of kids, actually, not for any active kid, adhd or not. I am a teacher and I don't know how to change it though. When you have 24 8 yo's in one room, it's hard to let them be as "active" as they need to be. Think a 5 hour birthday party, 5 days a week... :eek: I wish "school" was different...

[KnottedYet]

nervous breakdown time at the Knot household.

SKnot lost his phone, sometime last week, he thought it was here, it's not.
I stepped on the dog.
No application work has been done.
I need to sleep, but am too upset to do so.
Poor Trek listened to me rant on the phone, and now she secretly hates me. (I just know it)
I have done NOTHING for Christmas yet, and ain't no-one getting Christmas cards from me this year.


I have to get EVERYTHING done by tomorrow night, because I'm leaving immediately after work for SF on Tuesday. (I haven't packed my stuff, or packed up stuff for the dog for the dogsitter, either)

I still don't know how to use my thumb drive.

AAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And my phone is still shocking me and the battery only lasts about 10 hrs but Verizon is gonna make me pay for a new phone and battery. Phone is still under warrantee. I don't get it.

[Xrayted]

CC - She's right, only about 7-8 hours or so one way. We are basically on the same latitude line with each other. Good luck on the interview. Kick shin woman!

BMo3 - I can't believe you think I'd be wasting my time coming to see you. :confused: While it's true that I love the ocean, it's only a place not a person. Not nearly the same value dear. Besides, do you know how many Buds I can pack in my Jeep? :eek: :D
(Wilbur Buds not Bud Lights. Well, actually either way is good. :rolleyes:)

Salsa - Sorry the remodel is such a pain in the azz. I did my own on a house while I lived in it but I didn't have to go through all of that. Wow! No major building, just semi-gutting and restoring a farmhouse. Although there were times I would have been more comfy in the garage/barn. I loved that place. Wish I still had it sometimes. *sigh*

KG - I'm glad you had a good outcome with the kids on meds. If the meds hadn't made the boys into zombies, I may have felt differently. Thing is, they got better grades and participated in life so much more without them. They weren't out of control in school, more of the class clown kind of stuff. They responded very well to "personal control lessons" for lack of a better term and were great kids without the meds. It was a total knee-jerk reaction. Unwarranted. The easy road for everyone but the kids. I can't keep my trap shut when it comes to stiffling kids and their potential. So I spoke up and pushed the issue. I was treated badly for a while but it was worth it. I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

AG - welcome back!! How was the vacation??

Hey ladies, I need advice on an airport near the Cinderella ride. I'll be flying SW if that helps. I'm looking at riding Napa and/or SF area in the days preceding so out of San Jose, Sacramento or Oakland, which is my best bet? I'll be flying out for another destination maybe the day after Cindy. Any thoughts from you CA girls are appreciated. Thanks.

[salsabike]

salsa, no no no, don't kill the contractor. The contractor drives you crazy and you end up divorcing or abandoning your family.

I had a contractor so finicky (how picky was he?) he'd check the drywall at night, dimming lights and shining a flashlight on the wall at an angle, marking anywhere the slightest indication of a nail could be seen and making his guys do it over.

So his two best guys quit in the middle of the job....and I said something like:

I don't care about the nail blips, I can't see them, finish the d*&^ kitchen

more politey of course :o

Even the best remodels don't feel like something you do...it feels like something that's being done to you.

But I WANT to ki..okay. I'll try to get this part right next time. Don't kill contractor, instead blow up marriage...okay. And re the finicky/quitting thing, the carpenter told me this week that he got about 20 calls one day this summer from the contractor, and ended up throwing his cell phone in the lake.

I know it will be very cool when it's done. Is this purgatory?

Knot, you'll be okay. X, are you really going to Ohio? How great.

Okay, just to make myself shut up about this remodel thing, two more Garden D'Lights pictures--pampas grass and my favorite, the wisteria arbor (that's me in there, btw). For you PNWers, it's open through Dec. 31.

2285

2286

[kelownagirl]

CC
KG - I'm glad you had a good outcome with the kids on meds. If the meds hadn't made the boys into zombies, I may have felt differently. Thing is, they got better grades and participated in life so much more without them. They weren't out of control in school, more of the class clown kind of stuff. They responded very well to "personal control lessons" for lack of a better term and were great kids without the meds. It was a total knee-jerk reaction. Unwarranted. The easy road for everyone but the kids. I can't keep my trap shut when it comes to stiffling kids and their potential. So I spoke up and pushed the issue. I was treated badly for a while but it was worth it. I'd do it again in a heartbeat.


X - I totally understand what you mean. I've seen kids who turn into total zombies from the meds too. In fact, even different meds work differently on different kids (did I use the word "different enough in that sentence?) My little guy has been doing great on his current med but this fall the doctor thought he might benefit from a new one that is supposed to be more even release. My little guy hated it. He said it didn't work. He couldn't concentrate, it made him dizzy and spaced out, and it affected his appetite. We gave it a good two week try and then I said forget it, and went back to his regular meds. The doctor said every kid is different and what is effective with one wouldn't help another.

[crazycanuck]

March flies-They're more freakin annoying more than anything else..and they're huge!!!!

OOOOHHH...a pic of me in action...YOu'll have to do a search though...sorry kids..

http://www.picturegraph.com.au/Home.htm

Go to events-Perth mtb 12hr.. & i'm on index page 15 second row...I'm the one with the AV jersey!!!

If you're really interested...Page 17-second guy to the left (362) was my team mate Graeme..& the lady on the end is Linda & is part of our riding gang too-
If you've looked through all the photos..don't stop at page 10..My team mate ellie's in the second row..rider # 360

Page 22 -Ian is guy with rider plate 6..

Page 24-Ya gotta see this guy!! Amazing chap! He had the heaviest & oldest bike you could imagine with no suspension at all, it was his first mtn bike event and did the event solo!!!! He won a new bike at the awards ceremony...Awesome..

Then there was the dude who towed a trailer with a christmas tree on the back..!!!! http://www.perthmtb.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=2100

Anywho..

The interview went well thanks. Am not holding my breath & won't find out until later in the week if i was successful or not.

[crazycanuck]

Whoops..I forgot to give you my good news..I went to the doc today to get my TSH test results & it's at a nice & reasonable level. My tsh level is .04 which is leaning towards hyper thyroidism so the thyroxin dose can go down to 150microgrms.

My dear dr is going to have a chat with an endo friend of his about my tsh levels going from dangerous to almost normal in 8 weeks..:)


c

[Lise]

I am alive and well. If it had been truly serious or worse, DH would have let everyone on TD know. I did miss the concert. :( The boys and DH did not. :) The prayers and well wishes meant a lot to me. Lise, you placed my avatar pic next to the Virgin of Guadalupe for some extra loving help? Thank You! ((((HUGS to all of you!))))
HEY! I'm finally getting in a bit of catching up on TD. I have pages and pages to go yet, but I am so happy to see Jennifer back on TD!!! You'd better believe that your avatar pic is right there next to la Virgen. And it will go right back up there anytime you scare us like that again! ;) I'm at work right now--a decent night shift, got about 3 hr sleep. Going to examine a pt now, then home in 1.5 hr. Someday I'll get caught up on TD!:rolleyes:

Had a lovely, lovely weekend with J. Went through some difficult feelings for both of us, talked about it, feel closer than ever. This is a new and wonderful experience for me.

Trek--I love the Chloe-wet-and-dancing-with-loofah-dog image!

Nanci--remember when you offered to make PR come down and hug me when I was stressing out over money? I send the same sentiment to you, except maybe it would be...Chris Noth? Salsa's right, you're one of a kind, and we're lucky to know you.

OK! OK! I'm getting back to work! :p

[KnottedYet]

CC - good news about the TSH!

Not so grumpy and frantic this morning. (sorry for venting before...:o )

No minutes have been used on SKnot's phone, so it's probably lost in my house or his dad's house. If he'd charged the battery once in a while we could just call it and listen for the ring, but nooooo.

Got some of my grad app essay written at midnight: scribbled into a notebook in bed cuz I woke up with my brain full. Went back to sleep, but I think I wrote enough to get me going.

Made 2 less than one minute phone calls this morning, and my battery instantly drained. May have to go buy a new phone and battery (still don't understand why I have to *buy* it) before I leave tomorrow.

Decided I really won't send out xmas cards this year.

Sigh.

[mimitabby]

Knot your phone troubles are too much! what jerks! it doesn't work, it's no good, and you just bought the thing! i don't get it.

Sorry your son lost his phone, sounds like a typical kid problem. when my kids were that age, they didn't even KNOW they wanted a cellphone. THings HAVE changed a little since then.

hey Lise, how cool is it that you are talking about feelings with a GUY :rolleyes:
that's why mine is a keeper.

March flies - they sound gross.
http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/entomology/extension/KIN/KIN_2004/kin-6/March%20Flies.jpg
March flies

[mimitabby]

I've never had nor heard of a wilbur bud.. is this something you guys ate as penny candy? or what?

[Xrayted]

Ok quick note as I head out to get Snap her chips... I'll buy a couple of pounds of Buds so if any TD'ers want some, let me know. First come, first served. PM me an address and I'll send ya a sample. You've got until Friday to let me know cuz I'm going away for the weekend. You should get them before the holiday. Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah!!! Now, I've gotta go...

Have a fantastic day and be safe

-X.

[Duck on Wheels]

Found 'em. http://www.wilburbuds.com/docs/category/wilburbuds.html
Not a California thing, I guess. I lived there for 20 years and never heard of 'em before, but apparently they've been on the market for over a century (well, not the same packet, of course. I'm sure they don't outsit their shelf life.) The things one can learn on TE!:D

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Just a note- These Wilbur buds look yummy, but i don't think they are the type of chocolate that does all the wonderful medical benefits for you. Too much milk and lecethin and added wax and sugar. Got to look for the dark chocolate with at least 50% cacao- up to 80%!- I get mine in my local health food store- they have lOTS of great brands nowadays! Also- you can't eat more than 2 or 3 pieces of it, it's that strong. It really is medicinal, and it satisfies choc. cravings in the first couple of bites. (This coming from someone who used to have to eat an entire BAG of Hershey's Kisses to get my choc. craving satisfied!) :eek:

[mimitabby]

Lisa,
shall we start a chocolate thread? I have that kind of chocolate at my house.
But I need to try ALL kinds of chocolate, not just the good kinds.!

[Offthegrid]

I'm afraid I'm hopelessly behind on TD, so just a drive-by hello, how are ya', see ya' later wave.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Lisa,
shall we start a chocolate thread? I have that kind of chocolate at my house.
But I need to try ALL kinds of chocolate, not just the good kinds.!

Yeah! If you start the thread somewhere, I'll post in it too.

[AllezGirl]

Did ya miss me? Thanks for the birthday wishes.

The trip was amazing. So much to tell, I wouldn't know where to start. I did meet a cyclist down there that owned a cigar shop. That was pretty cool, we smoked cigars and swapped stories for a couple of hours. Went deep sea fishing for the first time and caught a big f***ing fish, that was a blast. But the majority of the time was spent soaking up the sun and drinking Mojitos.

I'll post some pictures as soon as I can figure out how....

[mtbdarby]

**huffing*** I think I finally finished reading TD...

Man, I have to get my 'puter up and running at home. This takes more than my lunch hour to catch up on Monday.

BMO3 - good to have you home girl! Take care of you. With X coming you way, take care of her too. Unless you both end up in the pokey, then we must have details. And lots of pictures:p

I can't even begin to catch up here so I'm jumping in feet first. The talk on add and adhd. They have hinted at it with my son who's 4. I personally think he just likes the attention he gets from bugging kids (read happy to have other kids to play with) because he's fine at home. If they could get him outside more that would help, but if 1 kid doesn't come with full winter gear then none of them get to go outside. Heck, I had him outside at the park swinging in the dark last night. It was fun:D What has me most concerned is his recent talk that he's dumb, stupid, a loser, and he doesn't love himself. Where does he get this? We've had some serious talks about loving himself and I spoke with a teacher this morning. There is one kid that he has a love/hate relationship with that calls him names. I think that has something to do with it. I think Pokemon has something to do with it too:mad:

I got my vehicle on Friday and I love it! What a smooth ride and I can fit lots of bikes in it!

CC - love the pix and glad your race went well. Can I have rider #327 for Christmas (hope I got the number right, first rider up on your last link)?! Very nice eye candy.

Salsa - sounds like you have your hands full with the contractor. Good luck and we'll be looking for pix of the new pad when it's all done.

OK, gots to get some work done. Hi to all!

[Trek420]

x "Hey ladies, I need advice on an airport near the Cinderella ride. I'll be flying SW if that helps."

SW only flies into Oakland

"I'm looking at riding Napa and/or SF area in the days preceding so out of San Jose, Sacramento or Oakland, which is my best bet? I'll be flying out for another destination maybe the day after Cindy. Any thoughts from you CA girls are appreciated. Thanks."

check here for the pre-Cindy planning thread would be good to post since not everyone reads TE TD :D
http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=10326

[Bikingmomof3]

Knot-I like your pre-writing rituals. :) Oh dear, crazy night in your house. I hope Sknot recalls the location of the phone. You should not need to pay for a new phone, that is crazy! So your essay will be done and everything completed before you leave? I hope so.

Mimi-Did you find the Wilbur Bud link? They are really good. Incase you did not see the link: http://www.wilburbuds.com/docs/category/wilburbuds.html
Those are some big flies, ick.

Lisa-yes, I do believe your googling is correct. :D Congrats on your DH's new bike. :) I do so hope you both get to feeling better soon! WB may not be a dark, dark chocolate, but they are delicious and a wonderful treat. :)

Salsa-sorry to hear you will be living in a construction zone for awhile longer. I am pleased the contractor was docked. :D Is that a pic of you in the lights photos? No smile for us?

Trek-useful tips about construction. :eek: Remind me never to have major work done on the house. ;)

KG-I am glad you listened to your instincts and your child and chose the path best for both of you.

X-I just wanted to be certain you were aware you would be visiting a semi-invalid. I did not want you driving out here, being bored to tears and hating me for life. :eek: Pack that Jeep to the brim with WBs. :D Oh, you can choose any hotel, that one was closest. Just type in my city and zip. I am in the land of hotels and shopping centers. Oh, I will still love you if you change your mind and choose something more fun. *hugs*

CC-thanks for the links. :) You know, you should have let us think you went the entire 12 hours. :D The flies sound nasty! I am keeping my fingers crossed for good news of the interview. Great news on your lowered TSH levels. :)

Lise-I just smile reading your posts, especially seeing how happy you are with J. I am so glad you both were able to have a good heart to heart. :D

OTG-Waving as you pass. :)

AG-Welcome Back. It sounds as though you had a wicked good time. :D

Dar-Have a talk with your son's teacher. Something is going on. He is too young to be thinking so badly about himself. :( You are doing a great job by talking to him about his feelings. Congrats on your new wheels!

Whew-I think I managed all the major topics. Hopefully I did not forget too much. My neighbours just brought by fudge. YUM! :D

[melissam]

x "Hey ladies, I need advice on an airport near the Cinderella ride. I'll be flying SW if that helps."

SW only flies into Oakland

"I'm looking at riding Napa and/or SF area in the days preceding so out of San Jose, Sacramento or Oakland, which is my best bet? I'll be flying out for another destination maybe the day after Cindy. Any thoughts from you CA girls are appreciated. Thanks."

check here for the pre-Cindy planning thread would be good to post since not everyone reads TE TD :D
http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=10326

Set lurk=OFF

Actually, Southwest also flies into San Jose. It does not fly into San Francisco, though.

Based on X's desire to do things around Napa and/or SF, I would recommend flying into/out of Oakland.

OK, back to lurk mode.

Set lurk=ON

[mtbdarby]

BMo3 - I talked to one of his teachers this morning about it. I told her that I have instructed my son to tell one of the teachers if this kid starts calling him names and that he is to walk away from him and go play with someone else. I hope it helps him. I also talked to his dad about it but being the knob that he is, he thought I was blaming him for it. Someday I hope he figures out it's not always about him, sigh. He has his Christmas program on Wednesday - I can't wait!

Snap - I got the glucosamine tablets today. My dog got sick on me this weekend and he's just not himself. We'll try that and see if he perks up at all. His hind quarters are bothering him. I had both dogs jump into the back on my suv this weekend and he didn't make it. Couldn't get the back end up so I had to help him.

Lisa - dark medicinal chocolate sounds good right now. What's your favorite?

I baked a batch of Christmas cutout cookies with my 4 yo last night. Boy, was I tired afterwards! Tonight we get to decorate.....

[Nanci]

Lise, are you smoking crack????????

Just because I said that guy was cute that sort of looked like him doesn't mean I like Chris Noth!!!!!

Maybe Mark Ruffalo _and_ Johnny Knoxville. That would cheer me up.

Addy has gained two grams back- half of what she lost!

Nanci

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Lisa - dark medicinal chocolate sounds good right now. What's your favorite?


I tend to like lots of the different kinds and flavored ones offered by Green & Black:
http://www.chocosphere.com/Html/Products/green-and-blacks.html
(Notice how they list the cocoa content of each type.)

[Nanci]

Dar, have you tried the Choxie chocolate that they have at Target??? OMG, it is very, very good. They have these "regional" bars, now too, which are very dark and excellent.

Nanci

[Nanci]

Knot, are you sure your charger's working? They always seem to go bad.

[KnottedYet]

dark chocolate: Trader Joes, Lindt, Scharffen Berger, Blanxart, etc and etc.

I don't turn down any chocolate!

Just tried a Hershey's Nibby Bar yesterday. Ok, but not spectacular.

[snapdragen]

Ohhh, Scharfen-Berger Nibby bars are the best! I just picked a couple up at Beverages and More, where I bought no beverages.

Round three of the application/resume has made it's way downstairs to the analyst in HR. God, I hope it passes. I don't think I can do any more revisions.

I signed up for Cooking Light's cookie a day. They send a different cookie recipe each day, today's is Amaretti. They sound yummy, I'll add them to the baking list.

Shhhhh. I think I'm finished with my Christmas shopping. How'd I do that? Truly a first for me!

Nanci - I'm glad Addy is gaining weight. If I ever get to Florida, I want to meet all your critters.

[mimitabby]

dark chocolate: Trader Joes, Lindt, Scharffen Berger, Blanxart, etc and etc.

I don't turn down any chocolate!

Just tried a Hershey's Nibby Bar yesterday. Ok, but not spectacular.

where did you get a hershey's (HERSHEY's?) nibby bar?


I like the scharffenberger nibby bars the best too.

and some of the endanged species bars are delicious.

Right now we're having a high wind warning!
hope no trees fall down around here!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/entomology/extension/KIN/KIN_2004/kin-6/March%20Flies.jpg

I want some chocolate nibby crunch March Fly bars! MMMMM!!!
(I'm way to PC to eat "endangered species bars"!)

[Nanci]

Snap, I and all my critters would be so happy if you ever made it to Florida!

Choco and I invented a new game tonight. We had this old game- "Bicycle," where I'd hold him on the index fingers of both hands and "pedal" my fingers, and he would stay in place. Tonight we discovered if I reversed the direction of pedaling, we would be playing "Toilet Paper Roll!" I thought it was pretty funny, but BF went to bed at 7:30, not amused...

It's a wine leftover night featuring an Oregon Pinot Gris that was disappointing, an old standby Sutter Home Sauvignon Blanc, and a very sweet Florida native Island Red.

Choco and BF and I watched part of Hamburger Hill. All I can think of the whole time is, what's the point. And then BF went to bed and we switched to Transamerica, which is very, very good. BF can tell by the title that he hates Transamerica _and_ Thank You For Smoking. His loss... I bet Mark Ruffalo enjoys both films.

Oh, and I cut out the words "Choxie" from a chocolate bar and taped it on Choco's viv. And am working on eating the chocolate bar now. A bottle of wine, a bar of chocolate, and thou (Choco.)

Nanci

[Bikingmomof3]

Choco and I invented a new game tonight. We had this old game- "Bicycle," where I'd hold him on the index fingers of both hands and "pedal" my fingers, and he would stay in place. Tonight we discovered if I reversed the direction of pedaling, we would be playing "Toilet Paper Roll!" I thought it was pretty funny

Very clever. :)



Thank You For Smoking.

That movie was wonderful! Your BF is missing out!

I am glad to hear addy has gained weight. Yay Addy!!

[Bikingmomof3]

I have no chocolate in the house and everyone is talking about wonderfully, rich, delicious chocolates. Augh. Maybe DH will go buy some? He is a great guy that way. :)

[Nanci]

BMO3, if anyone deserves chocolate lately, it's you!

Nanci

[KnottedYet]

where did you get a hershey's (HERSHEY's?) nibby bar?

At the Target near Alderwood mall. $1 for a little square bar, that probably weighed about the same as your usual Hershey bar, but in a square shape instead of a long bar shape.

[kelownagirl]

Cool! Meatloaf is coming to our little town. Tickets go on sale this Friday. Venue only seats about 5000. I love those small concerts. :)

I had a crappy day. Some of the teachers in our musical haven't been able to make rehearsals lately so we had a meeting to discuss everything and they voted to cancel it. Frick. Everyone sucks! :mad: :( :mad: :(

[Trek420]

Bikingmomof3 "Trek-useful tips about construction. :eek: Remind me never to have major work done on the house. ;)"

right, let's vow to fix nothing, we will let our houses crumble around us! :D Just say no to contractors.

I should soon be taking what's called the DSTAT, a test at big-mega-phone company that would qualify me for testing technician, FACS admin or Comtech. This to add to the four applications I've already got.

"Help me Mr. Wizzard, I don't wanna do my job anymore."

I don't know why I didn't study for thise years ago, I've had the books, stuff just never made sense. If I don't pass I can always try again in 6 mo we shall see.

[crazycanuck]

Hey X..if you send those chocolate bud things to me do ya think they'd last the trip?

Lisa where did you find those march flies? Blech...

Right..Anyone know who wants to buy a historic pub in the middle of freakin nowhere in Australia..That's not saying much either...
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=2&ObjectID=10415014

Beautiful day in Perth..too hot though & no sea breeze at the moment..I believe it's around 35c..:eek:

I have a tri this weekend & i have a swim angel floating along with me..It's just an enticer tri...cuz i'm a tri weenie..:D

off to lurk..have a good day/evening/afternoon ya'll
c

[KnottedYet]

my brain has melted.

[Bikingmomof3]

my brain has melted.


Does this mean everything is finished before your trip?

[Trek420]

I don't think so. :rolleyes:

[AllezGirl]

Well, I missed my company Christmmas party, they had it while I was gone...but I got a digital camera and a whole bag of ecofriendly dark chocolate I'd be glad to share.

[KnottedYet]

Your company gave out digital cameras and chocolate?

Mine gave me a gift certificate which will cover almost half the cost of a pair of Brooks Beasts! yay! cuz i really really really need some running shoes.

[snapdragen]

We get dessert. In the hospital cafeteria. :rolleyes:

[kelownagirl]

Our bonus is the stress of directing a primary Christmas concert, with 24 higher-than-a-kite 8 yo's.

[Trek420]

We usually do not get a Christmas bonus.

But last year the co gave out cordless keyboard and mouse so all employees. That's a lot of mice. :) Of course they are not Mac compatible and...when I tried to give nobody wanted it, the required software was on a floppy, a floppy! Not even a CD, who uses that?

In 2004 we got Christmas ornaments, still have mine somewhere. Nice, pewter engraved with a "Thanks for a wonderful Y2K" from a past president of mega telco....for fun we tried to look up this corporate mucky muck. He's either left the co on a golden parachute or fired for sendng G*d only knows how many Y2K ornaments out.

Wonder what we'll get this year?

[Xrayted]

mmm Wilbur Buds..... in my former life I spent many many weekends in Myerstown over about a 7 yr period. Each trip usually included an afternoon excursion to Littitz & to visit the Wilbur chocloate factory. I half expected to see Lucy and Ethel in the back room there where they demonstrated chocolate dipping. :)

Martha

withm - Let me guess, were you diving at Willow Springs Park? I love that place. It's my nearby get-away-from-it-all place. I mean really where else around here can ya go and dive for a train, airplane, trucks, a school bus, even an outhouse! The little beach area is nice too. Just swim/float around and then lay out on the floating docks... aaaaahh. The water is crystal clear spring water too. Here's a link if anyone is interested... http://www.willowspringspark.com/
I know what you mean about Lucy and Ethel. I get that same thought everytime I go in there.

KG - sorry about the play. That sucks. Cool though about Meatloaf. He's great in concert. Have fun.

Lisa - I guess that means you don't want any Buds? In my world, all chocolate is equally beautiful... :p

Knot - Melt down is not good. Good thing your about to get a total recharge... just in time. :D I know you don't need us to tell you to have a blast, it's guaranteed.

CC - Well, we could try and if they melt, you can just stiffen them up in the freezer and have a big slab to eat later. I have your addy so I'll send ya some. Hope you like them.

Trek - I'm predicting you get a phenominally better bonus this year.

AG - digital cameras? Jeez, I've never gotten anything, not even a company party. Very cool. My hospital is giving gift certs this year for some local places. I took mine for a free massage at our women's center. No brainer to me.

Thanks CA ladies for your input on my trip. Very much appreciated. I'll probably go with Oakland. Hey AG - wanna ride Cindy? (oh, c'mon - you knew that was coming... :eek: :rolleyes:) So didja call that dude that took you to the show yet? Watcha waitin' for? Go on, you know you wanna!

BMo3 - I'll be leaving here early Sat morning and should be there around noon. Work for you? :) Oh, the hitch is on and it's correctly installed too thanks to my bro. Yup, gotta love him. :cool: :D Good guy and most importantly, knows how to roll his bill correctly...

Edit: took out the pics. Sorry but I respect his privacy so they are gone.

'night TD.

[DirtDiva]

...If they could get him outside more that would help, but if 1 kid doesn't come with full winter gear then none of them get to go outside....
:eek:, just :eek:. Punishing a whole class because of the forgettfulness of one, most likely harried, parent? :eek:


Set lurk=ON
Noooo! Stay and play! X will send you chocky... :D


I tend to like lots of the different kinds and flavored ones offered by Green & Black:
http://www.chocosphere.com/Html/Products/green-and-blacks.html
(Notice how they list the cocoa content of each type.)
Can you get your mitts on G&B icecream where you are? *wipes up copious drool*



Only 16 days until I see my mtb again! Dear, sweet Tass, I love thee so!

[crazycanuck]

Hey X..is that your house? Funky!!!
So you've decided & doing the cinderella ride? I'll let you plan your trip & stop asking questions.
NO WARM SOCKS X...


Our work just gives us movie vouchers...I work for the investment/superannuation arm for a major Australian bank and that's all they can give us..:mad:
When i worked for the National bank in NZ..they gave us fudge & wine...I most of my fudge away...being a nice person...

blech it's still hot...Hey BM03..here's another weather link for you. www.bom.gov.au

c

[KnottedYet]

SKnot fixed our printer. Kids a jeeenious, I tell ya! Whew! So happy!

Got my work loaded up on my brand new thumbdrive. (never used one before) Got my paper copies to wrestle with on the airplane. Working on vacation, but hopefully I can get most of it done on the plane and only need a couple hours to finish stuff up later.

There is something wonderfully joyful about RuPaul singing "all I want for Christmas is my breast implants... liposuction... face lifted, I want my face *snatched*... ribs removed" Guess I'm just twisted.

NObody NOBODY can sing "Santa Baby" like Eartha Kitt. Sorry, RuPaul, it just isn't your song.

I've only seen him once when he wasn't in drag. He looked pretty handsome. I just wanna know how he ends up with more cleavage than I've got. (I know, electrical tape... but I don't wanna do that!:eek: )

Have a good week, y'all! See ya later!

[AllezGirl]

So didja call that dude that took you to the show yet? Watcha waitin' for? Go on, you know you wanna!


I did the next best thing...I sent him an email, and he emailed me back :)

[Veronica]

Wow companies that you give you presents.

Actually my principal does give us a little something at the holidays. But it comes out of her own pocket I think.

And then there are the very intersting student gifts. :)

V.

[Xrayted]

To clarify, after I took those pics, I crawled up under there next to him and helped put the hitch on. I've got skills - and no one would ever mistake me for a lazy person.
CC - Nah, my house is a contemporary rancher. I just love the architecture here. High cathedral ceilings, large windows looking out into the woods... yet very small and cozy. Just the way I like it. That's the back side of his A-frame. The other side is all windows and a huge deck he built himself overlooking a wonderful pond that I've boated/fished in more than once. He's got tons of ducks who live there and a few swans too. I almost bought that place when it was for sale but the commute was too long. I didn't even know he was looking at it until he showed me a pic of the house he just bought. We really do have the same tastes on so many things. I'm not sure about the green stain he did though.

Have a great vacation Knot!! Glad you got everything to a manageable level. Great kid there, you must be so proud!

AG - Very cool...

BMo3 - I have a few details I need to iron out with your help. Like what Chinese dish is your favorite and what kind of cookies we're gonna bake. Ya know, just the important stuff. :D

Any more takers on the Buds? PM me if you want some. Well, too much to do again before work. I always manage to run out of time.

later!

-X.

[mimitabby]

Our bonus is the stress of directing a primary Christmas concert, with 24 higher-than-a-kite 8 yo's.

sorry your chorale thing was cancelled!

so X, that's the new car, right?

I work for one of the largest companies in the pacific northwest and sometimes they give me a cookie. what we do get are the days between christmas and new year's off. unfortunately they are dark wet short days where you can't do much.. but it's better than a kick in the pants.

I guess i have to go to Target and see if i can find the hershey's nibby bars. thanks Knot, have a good trip. Did your son teach you how to use the thumb drive too? aren't they cute? I have a purple one too!.

a little news. Remember Alfonsini Morini? I read the book and wrote an article and it will be published in the Bicycle Quarterly (http://www.bikequarterly.com) this summer.
How exciting is that!

[DebW]

a little news. Remember Alfonsini Morini? I read the book and wrote an article and it will be published in the Bicycle Quarterly (http://www.bikequarterly.com) this summer.
How exciting is that!

That's very cool, Mimi! I'll look forward to reading it.

[Lise]

I woke up in the middle of the night in J's bed freezing cold, then burning up. My throat's so sore I can barely swallow, and my whole body aches. I really hope I didn't get him sick, cuz I sure was kissing on him last night. argh. I feel like crap. can't concentrate to read TD. love to you all. Getting in hot bath now. L.

[mimitabby]

I woke up in the middle of the night in J's bed freezing cold, then burning up. My throat's so sore I can barely swallow, and my whole body aches. I really hope I didn't get him sick, cuz I sure was kissing on him last night. argh. I feel like crap. can't concentrate to read TD. love to you all. Getting in hot bath now. L.

Lise, maybe you got it from him and his immune system was strong enough that he didn't get sick. I hope you feel better soon!

[Xrayted]

Sorry to hear you're sick Lise. Hope you didn't pass it to J. Of course, if you did, then there is no excuse why you can't continue kissin' on him. :D

[mtbdarby]

I woke up in the middle of the night in J's bed freezing cold, then burning up. My throat's so sore I can barely swallow, and my whole body aches. I really hope I didn't get him sick, cuz I sure was kissing on him last night. argh. I feel like crap. can't concentrate to read TD. love to you all. Getting in hot bath now. L.

**gasp** what were you doing in his bed!:eek: lol, you go girl. Hope you're feeling better soon Hon.

What's with all this chocolate talk? I just had an Atkins Endulge bar. Not much of an endulgence....

Mimi, congrats on the article!! Put that in the ole scrap book, 'k?

KG, sorry to hear the concert got cancelled:( I love listening to kids sing - absolutely adorable.

I had some of the Target choxie bars but had the restraint to actually send them to my SS. She said they were yummy!

Knot, have a great vacation!

AG, so are you guys gonna go out again? I've been emailing with a guy from my hometown (1/2 hour away). He's 13 years older than me but doesn't look it. And an avid cyclist who knows how to wear a baseball hat. I asked for his phone number today so I'll keep ya posted.....

This is my first Xmas with this company but I highly doubt there will be anything for Christmas. But they do throw a party in February because this is our busy time of the year.

I started my oldest dog on the glucosamine last night. He ate it! My other "pill" who is getting over her bladder infection is too smart. I hid a cranberry tablet in a piece of braunswegger and she was able to eat the meat and spit out the pill. Darn dog, lol! So she got to swallow the old fashioned way:p

[kelownagirl]

Just to clarify, our kiddo's christmas concert is still on. It's our staff musical that we've been working on since Sept, that has been cancelled.

[Xrayted]

Hmmmm... there are no birthdays today. :( So I'll just assign one I think. Who's it gonna be???? Ah, I got it.

Happy Birthday Nanci!! (c'mon, it's not like you're not used to me getting it mixed up ;))

Cool. Now I can go eat that piece of cake I've been eyeing up all day.

[DrBee]

Hi Ladies! I'm still here. I've been missing y'all and wondering how everyone has been. Mr. Fish and (and the kids) have been trying to get used to our new schedules and life here in BR. We love it! there sure isn't much of an opportunity to just hop on the bike and ride, though. Around the LSU campus there are some places and in nearby towns-so there is hope. I will definitely have to hone my (or develop some) group riding skills in the Spring.

Right now/ have what seems to some sort of stomach Ifevery thing. Mr. Fish likely has diverticulosis (will know this afternoon). And. tightly is home sick with us today because he had belly issues. Fun times!

Roux is Still on chemo-getting ready to start the last possible treatment option on Friday. He feels good, the lymphoma is apparently pretty aggressive.

so-I'll try to catch up... as usual.

[mimitabby]

welcome back FishDr a million (almost ) pages of thread drift have gone by since I last saw you here. I am very sorry to hear that you are having health issues,
you your DH and your dog?
We've been chatting at such great speed that you had better not try to catch up.
is BR Baton Rouge?

Mimi who forgot

[Bikingmomof3]

Wow am I behind! I have my oldest son's Christmas Vocal Ensemble tonight. Any bets on the severity the migraine I will have this evening? Oh, I will have one, it is a given, due to the lights. It will be worth it to see my son sing.
Company bonuses. I never get one. :rolleyes: and neither does DH. :(

Dar- I am glad you were able to talk with his teacher. Enjoy his Christmas program tomorrow night. I hope your dog is feeling better.

Lisa- Great chocolate link, thanks. :)

Nanci-I have never tried Choxie, I shall need t6o have Dh pick some up, I must try all forms of chocolate. :D

Knot-Have a wonderful trip and safe travels. :D

Snap- I hope your application does not need another revision.

Mimi- I have never tried the Scharffen Berger nibby bars. Did you have any wind damage? CONGRATS on being published. :D

KG- I am so sorry about the staff musical being canceled! You are planning to get tickets to see Meatloaf, right?

Trek- You will kick butt on the tests. Do let us know what your company bonus is this year.

CC-the pub sounded good until I read about all the rooms. Too much work. :p Thanks for the weather link!

X-either you are leaving at O'Dark-thirty or you are speeding, to be here by noon. :cool: Hunan Chicken, Kung Pao Chicken, too many to list. Cookies, why I want to back all of them. :eek: Russion Tea Cakes, must have those.

AG-will you be seeing him soon?

Lise-feel better soon. There is a lot of that going around here. Take care of yourself. Better yet, let J take care of you. ;)

Fishdr-WELCOME BACK!! I am sorry to hear everyone is feeling puny. Hug Roux for me. I hope everyone begins to feel better soon.

[DrBee]

yes Mimi-BR is Baton Rouge :)

I had chicken and stars soup for lunch. what am I? Four??? I think I'm on the road to recovery.

No Xmas bonus working for the gov't.

Lise-I'm so happy to see you and J are still having fun:D

[Trek420]

Bikingmomof3 "Trek- You will kick butt on the tests. Do let us know what your company bonus is this year."

My company bonus is "you have a job". :cool:

I tend to "test well", and I tend to not take them till I'm not only prepared but over prepared. I will take this one sometime after the 20th, maybe even on the 21st and it's 3 hours long. :eek:

I have the attitude that I won't pass on this round but it will give me a better idea of what I need and when I take it 6 months later I will do better.

If I do it's just gravy, or icing on the cake, or gravy on the cake or...

Also after I've passed this....still does not mean there are openings in those titles but I can put in for them.

[crazycanuck]

FISH!!!! YAYAYAYAYAYAYAAYAYYAYYAYAY...:D :) :D :)

I missed you..:(

Good to see you're back with us!!

c:D

[Bikingmomof3]

My company bonus is "you have a job". :cool:

Same one DH got. :D


I tend to "test well", and I tend to not take them till I'm not only prepared but over prepared. I will take this one sometime after the 20th, maybe even on the 21st and it's 3 hours long. :eek:

I shall be cheering for you.



If I do it's just gravy, or icing on the cake, or gravy on the cake or...

I am a frosting sort of person. ;)


Also after I've passed this....still does not mean there are openings in those titles but I can put in for them.

Maybe, maybe not, but you will be in line for them. :)

[mimitabby]

does the loss of a garbage can lid (AGAIN) count as wind damage?
(sigh)
I had a can of chicken soup for lunch too. it beats eating cafeteria food
here.

oh, the STAFF musical! I am still thinking about how kids can make it to school without their winter coats.. in the Pacific NW (Kelowna counts as PNW, right?)
in the winter.

On the other hand, if they go to school without a jacket, will it kill them to go out and play without it? (devil's advocate here)
ps is the lost and found in your school as big as some of the ones I've seen?

[crazycanuck]

ARGHHGRGHGHGH...Growl..ARGHHGHGHGH

ahhhhhhhhhhhh..Thank you i needed that..ahhhhhh...

c

[Bikingmomof3]

ARGHHGRGHGHGH...Growl..ARGHHGHGHGH

ahhhhhhhhhhhh..Thank you i needed that..ahhhhhh...

c


Oh dear, what is wrong?

[mimitabby]

ARGHHGRGHGHGH...Growl..ARGHHGHGHGH

ahhhhhhhhhhhh..Thank you i needed that..ahhhhhh...

c

CC, did your clipless pedals fail to unclip?

[crazycanuck]

No kids...it's the church thread that's got to me....Why i even bothered reading it in the first place i'll never know...

Remind me not to visit the thread again...I am too nice to say exactly how i feel as I'll lose too many friends..:(

Nice bike ride in today..in the dark..!

c

[mimitabby]

yeah me too. just when i was so thrilled that it wasn't going down that road, it went down that road!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Lisa where did you find those march flies? Blech...

They were Mimi's! Blame HER! :rolleyes: