TROPICAL TUESDAY

[Sunny]

Ah yes, dark and dreary here today, and has been raining most of the day. Temp is 67* and the sky seems to be getting a bit lighter now that the rain has stopped. Today is a good day to cuddle in a blanket and read a good book and have a catnap.

Speaking of cats...our kitty liked paper shopping bags, especially if he had one of his toys in it with him; a nice hideaway!

Dh had a Dr. appt this morning. I was planning on going with him, but we decided that I would stay here with ddogs, since lately they have been more sensitive when T-storms are near. DBlondie had a meltdown the last time we had a bad storm. Anyway, his visit was good and he doesn't go back for one year!

Daily routine is done and I don't feel very energetic at the moment so I think I will read for a while.

[Kathryn-in-Canada]

Harmony: no suggestions re computer. It was my Win7 laptop slowly degrading that caused me to buy a new one although I'll replace the laptop on the treadmill with the degraded computer. Neither have working batteries but, when I can get the wireless to work, the newer computer is much faster than the XP computer due to more disk space and more memory. The current treadmill computer will be restored to factory new and given away (along with a second one I had for parts.)

Dh's exercise bike computer, the kitchen computer and his virtual box on his Mac are all XP and he doesn't know what to do. Kitchen computer isn't coming with us so that is being restored to factory condition and given away. The laptop on the bike will continue to be used as long as possible, since dh uses it just to watch Netflix. As for his virtual box, he is waiting to see what his customers ask for. He uses this for development and they are all using XP so he doesn't dare update until they tell him to.

I've just spent an hour and am still only half way through installing updates. I have started of list of things to remove and to add to the computer. I consider all Adobe software a virus so all is removed and another pdf reader will be installed.

I'm currently boycotting Firefox so am looking into Opera but will have to install Thunderbird for email since that's what I'm using now.

I need to leave in a few minutes. I have a splitting headache again. Sigh. And dinner out will not make sticking to WW easy. I pay $10 for my dinner at presbytery and take my chances with whatever they serve. The pie is often the only bit I truly enjoy!

[helia]

We don't have highland games here either, but they sound like a lot of fun! We do have an annual tulip festival on the other (more "Dutch") side of the state in Holland, MI. I don't know what it includes beyond clog dancing and tulips and windmills. However, we have our own local exhibition of Dutch culture here whenever dh debates how culturally authentic the festival is - not that's he's ever been to one. We've just heard about the festival. . .. And that gives you an inkling of the immigrant history of the state. There were a lot of German settlements too, but it is the Dutch names that are quite ubiquitous. Still, most people can't pronounce our name correctly.

Swamp cabbage trees and making things - sounds interesting, Harmony!

Our cat likes bags and boxes too, Sunny.

We are having sunshine and temps are at 57 right now.

Groceries have been bought and put away. I've sent out a couple more emails - one re: who is hosting Sunday lunch which we're having with skiing friends and a second to my tutee I meet with on Fridays. I need to be done in time to go pick up dd15 from the airport. He may have gone on a family trip to DC anyway. . .

I'm procrastinating getting the a.m. routine done. I really need to do that. Kitchen is a mess and the laundry is piled up. Still, it's hard to think about these things when it is so bright and sunny outside. ..

[Sadie]

Hello Dear Ladies,

We've been having weird weather here. Yesterday started out cold and wet so DH got the heat going, and then by evening the house was so hot, we had to run the A/C for a while to cool it off.

Still baby steppin with my arm. I always put my hair back when cooking or cleaning. I couldn't reach the back of my head so I put all my hair to the left side and put the hair band on it. This morning I could reach the back of my head so I put it the band in the back. It was slightly off to one side but that's ok.

I try 10 times each day to tie up my apron in the back, haven't been able to do that yet.

Going to start PT again on April 15th.

Got DH's and my taxes done. Owe one place and refund from another. Need to finish up DSon-24's and Dson-37 always waits to the very last minute to give me his info.

There are so many changes going on at work and I feel saddened by them. Our former manager went to another store, it is a new store and so they have positions opened and many of our workers are going over there. We have such a good group to work with, it is sad to see so many go, and I wonder what their replacements will be like. There have been so many people that have come and gone in my years at WM. I don't think I will ever get used to the constant parade of people coming and going through my life. Some have remained friends with me and continue to contact me even years after they leave.

Yesterday you all were talking about weight gain and clothes. I gained weight after the shoulder surgery. I know it came from not being able to do much. I had to buy bigger pants for work after two weeks of just being in a recliner. After I started back to work, I could go back to my old pants, the new ones were too big. I still have more weight to lose, lots more but it goes on so easily and it is so hard to get off.

Great day to all!

[Nancy]

I have been working on reclaiming the sewing/laundry room after moving the chicks outside. And doing laundry too. Dgd & babyn are both here.

Sadie can you tie it in the front and then turn it around?

[Ivy]

Sadie, If you're talking about a butcher apron, you can lay the strings over each other in back, bring them around to the front, and knot it in front.

With all my might,
I find losing weight a fight.
It's so hard to lose.
I find thoughts in my head go to boo's.
It's sometimes an upward battle,
but at least I'm not up a creek without a paddle.
I try everyday, when my day's journey goes about
and I try to keep positive and not shout nor pout.
All I can say is, it's nice when there are other friends
in the same boat and each of us sends
out encouragement and good thoughts
as our walking turns into happy trots.
We can win this fight
and make our days turn bright.

[Twins' Mom]

I think Sadie is trying to tie things behind her back as a way of stretching and working her shoulder?

There were only two of us to get mailing ready. I wrote a note on a lot of them to encourage them to attend/support the fundraiser - actually illegal for bulk mail but I did it anyway. Other lady added insert and folded in middle, I wrote notes and added labels and together we added the stickers to hold it together for proper mailing. (This was the annual meeting notice with a fundraiser insert.)

I already wrote over in H&F that I stopped for a walk on the way home and got to > 10K steps already.

I'd like to just take the rest of the day off at this point, but have some things that probably must be done....a break to sit down for a bit first....

[Sadie]

yes Twins, that's right. I give myself challenges.

Have cooked dinner. Cooked two different casserole types as while each is a favorite for some, each is hated by others, so should have a happy group tonight, and lots of leftovers for tomorrow. DH and I like both so we'll be happy.

[Nancy]

I have 2 dgks here now.
Home work is a challenge.
Laundry is going.
Liv. Rm. Was one giant hot spot tackled that.
Dinner, a roast and veggies is in the crock pot.
Had to separate the grand "darlings" bc the were picking on each other.

[Harriet]

What a nice way to be kind to everyone at the table, Sadie!

Nancy, I hope the chicks are doing well outside. I remember when Fay got her name because she and "sisters" were still new to the outdoors and Tropical Storm Fay forced us to bring them all back inside for a night!

That's so interesting about your state's Tulip Festival, helia. Oh, dh should attend and compliment the things he sees that ARE accurate to Dutch culture. He would probably have fun. Things can't always be accurate. For instance, only so many people are really going to want to eat mutton pies or haggis at a Highland Games, so you are bound to have the booths for pizza, too!