Good Morning All, After trying ALL WEEK I was able to log on using my own name! I am so miffed that I can barely speak about it. I am just so frustrated at the process and not knowing what to do. I even tried to set up a new account to no avail!! Not much new for me. Been busy sending resumes and actually have an interview next week. I am SO ready to go back to work now that DH is doing well. Although, he went to see the surgeon this week and his graft site is doing well but he has an enlarged lymph node in his groin. The node that she took the biopsy from. She told him if it's still enlarged ten days from now it's coming right out and biposied. I am trying really hard not to worry. I know that worry changes nothing, except for adding more lines to my face! LOL The weather has been so nice and mild. In the low 30's everyday. We have had two small storms that have laid about 6" of light fluffy snow which makes it safe to ride my horse once again as it's covered the ice. So that has been my sanctuary this week. Riding. I love it. Sounds like everyone has plenty of resolve to stay on track right now. I have been doing a detox diet to rid myself of all the toxins I dumped into my body over the holidays. I am starting to feel better but still craving some sugar. It's so evil that sugar; it's everywhere. I will pick a day next week to fast which makes me feel much, much better. I am thinking of joining a local gym who has a six week weight loss and exercise program. I am not doing so hot on my own and maybe this will get me going in the right direction. I get alot of exercise doing barn chores and riding but there is alot to be said for group exercise like step aerobics which I love. I want to try pilates too. Okay, who's doing laundry today?? I am not. I am trying hard to get my office squared away and decluttered. I am failing miserably! This is an important baqua for me too as it is helpful people and travel. I almost feel like I am smothering in all the books here so a big lot of them has to go. I have three floor to ceiling bookshelves full of books I haven't touched in years!! Dust collectors now. I am going to box them up and bring them anywhere that wants them. I hope you all have a great day.

Good Thursday all, It is a beautiful crystal clear day. AND it's warmer than it's been in a while. 21 degrees for morning chores which feels so warm. We too are supposed to get a touch of January thaw here today and tomorrow. I am watching Mr. & Mrs. Cardinal at the bird feeder outside my office window...love is definitely in the air. I have two male turkeys in the flock that visits me in the winter and they are both fanning and talking. The grey squirrels are cavorting outside now and will be mating soon. I love this confirmation that spring is truly around the corner even when it's snowy, icy and freezing! The days are noticeably a little longer at at both ends now too. Tikanis you definitely need to schedule a just me day every week! I am leaving tomorrow morning for Augusta, Maine for a horseman's conference for the weekend. I will be getting a major horse fix AND I have scheduled a massage for myself at the terrific spa that is at my hotel. I want to try to rid my body of the toxins from the pneumonia. I can't wait. I am going with two girlfriends so we should have a good time. I have a feeling there is a lobster or two in my future! When in Maine one simply must indulge in all of the lobster they can possibly eat! It's a well known fact that it is better in Maine than anywhere else! Dee, why is the fox at your window? Is someone feeding him? Does your fox look like my fox?? What a gift for you. I hope you enjoy watching him/her. QOD: Did anyone who made the mug cakes for gifts get reviews yet?? I have gotten a rave from each niece/nephew that received them! It was a good one and a keeper to give again.

I thought I would check in before leaving for the weekend. Yesterday was a day from hell. I am asking you again for prayers and support for my family. What I am going to tell you is almost impossible to believe. It concerns two of my nephews. One is ninth grade, the other away at college, finishing up his senior year. Last week my brother and his wife received a call from the ninth grader's school, saying that he had suffered an "episode" and recommended taking him to the doctor. To make a long story short, he had gotten extremely stressed out at school (he is always on the honors list) and just cracked. They described it as a manic episode. He is seeing several doctors and has gotten better, went back to school yesterday. When talking to my mother yesterday morning, she said she had started receiving some very bizarre emails from our other nephew, who is away at college. She didn't want to bother my brother, because of everything they had been going through with the younger son. I asked her to forward them to me, and gosh almighty, they were more than bizarre, really out of it, almost suicidal. So I told her I was going to track down my brother and/or his wife at their work and let them know. To make a long story short, this nephew has also suffered some sort of manic breakdown - they tested him and did not find drugs or alcohol in his system and will be committing him to a mental hospital for evaluation. My brother is with him, as my sister-in-law had to stay home with the other son. I was hesitant to post this on a forum, but I believe in prayer and that it can help heal, and my poor brother and his family need it in the worst way. They are just stunned and in shock. They are the last family you would think something like this would happen to. Very stable environment, very supportive of their children. Thank you for letting me share.

Happy Thursday! Got part of my plant order picked up from the post office today. I was panicking thinking they shipped everything - too early for the whole order. I've ordered the oldest type of roses that deer don't like (hopefully same with rabbits). Got 4 Salet Moss Roses (pink) and 2 Apothecary (dark pink) roses. These are the old prickly stemmed roses that smell like heaven. At least today and tomorrow until late afternoon the rain is taking a break. I have to plant these now. When I'm not ready in the garden of course. It's okay because they are foundation plants - pink roses along the east side of our house where we're having our sitting area built up and terracing the sloped side a wee bit. The last pink rose bush and the 2 dark pink I'm thinking of planting down in the vegetable garden area where I've started my herbal garden while in the trailer. I want to build that up into a sitting garden over time. Just taking a break for the moment. Just washed out and reinstalled all the batteries on my outdoor solar lights (new last year for the trailer life). I'm glad I had the sense to bring them in and tidy them up in the fall. Things are not cheap anymore - these are those newer white light ones. For the moment many are in use to mark off the terracing for the east side garden. It's just dirt, small rocks, lots of roots from ripped out old growth lilac gone wild, sumac and weeds starting. I feel so sleepy hearing the billion frogs in the wet areas calling for mates, song birds fighting over nest areas and signing at the top of their lungs. But the sun is sheer delight. I'm taking photos of my progress on the gardens. Eventually I'll get them posted in a blog that I'm hoping to do for my garden adventure around here. I've picked up rhubarb that is growing and current bushes/vines?. Grapes too but not sure where to plant them. They are supposed to be planted now - judging by the speed of light they are growing at in the hall. They'll hate me when I plant them outside - I know. Wow, I can see the golden eagles over the fields outside - guess they're sizing up dinner. The trees still appear barren. A couple more weeks I expect to see buds. I'm glad to read the posts. I guess it's slow because everyone seems to have so much to attend to right now. I'm still working on drinking my water and desperately fighting the urge to nap. I'll take that as a sign to fill my water bucket now and get those roses in the ground. Enjoy your day...I need light and fresh air. No a/c here - still wearing a light winter coat outside...the wind bites. Chat later, All my hugs to everyone, Peggy