Hi Guys! DeeMarie~ WOW! Great progress---that feels so good, doesn't it? Gretchen: Your DEX is a real prize! I'm happy you're able to keep your sense of humor with him! NHSuzanne~ Your lunch sounds fun. I'd love to go to lunch with a couple of friends. Think I'll pick up the phone and do some work on that! QOD: 1st choice: DisneyWorld in Florida 2nd choice: Kauai, HI. 3rd choice: Chicago I wanna go where it's WARM! Had my doc check up today. He said things are progressing normally, but I have to slow down my activities for up to a year. BAH! I really wasn't pleased to hear that-lol. My bady has to rebuild some lymph cells, build some 'cord' (don't ask!) scar tissue, and relearn how to process fluid and purge it without fluid retention in my abs. I haven't mentioned it, but after I do some strenuous exercise, lifting, or just run around a lot, my abs swell to a tight and uncomfortable size. I usually hang back a lot the next day, wear the body strangulator they gave me after surgery, and the pain goes away. But I wanted to know how long this would go on. I ain't used to sittin' in a chair, unless it's the driver's seat! I was planning on getting some good hiking in while in Alaska this summer, but I'll have to take it one hike at a time and see how it goes. Everything looks like it's on track though. Did I mention I am spending the summer in Alaska? I am. We're moving there and 'trying it out' for the summer. I'm searching for rental houses and a way to get my rig up there without haivng a financial meltdown---lol. I love the weather today---sunny, and a little chilly. I'm gonna go move some wood out of my driveway---had a tree removed and the guys stacked the cordwood in front of my garage. Not to worry, though, I bought a hand truck from Lowe's Hardware, so it shouldn't take too much energy to move it, one log at a time---S-L-O-W. The whole project will probably take me till the weekend though, as there is QUITE the stack out there. Here's another CUTE site! Check out the ex-boyfriend pj's. They have photos on them with the ex scribbled out---what a riot! They have some really cute jammies here! Here is a link that might be useful: Ex boyfriend pajamas

Happy birthday, Dee Marie! Hope it's a wonderful birthday. It's finally cold here after weeks of being in the 70's and 80's. The temp is actually dropping this morning. It's now 25 degrees and very windy here in north Texas. But, it's also about time. QOD: I've got lots of picking up, then cleaning, to do, and laundry as always. My last day of work is Monday. I have such mixed feelings about things right now. The parents have been so sweet, but the children are being awful which will actually make it a little easier to go. LOL I have a dr.'s appt. on Tuesday for my pre-op workup, dentist appt. Wed., and helping son move into his first home on Thursday. NHSuzanne, I think it's great that your dh is bonding with the new donkey. Raeanne, I hope the PT works out as you hope. Sounds so ambitious to me. Marci, we had our Valentine party on the Friday before the actual day, sugared them up, then sent them home for the weekend. Tuesday, I brought heart cookies and they each had one. It was a very nice day. Donna, we're going to try to see "Last Holiday" this weekend, too. Hope we all like it. Joanne, sending good thought and ((((hugs))) for you and your dear mom. Zig, being without power is the pits, isn't it? Once we were w/o it during a January ice storm, and I had to finally break down and take a shower and shampoo my dirty hair. It was pure misery, but I had to keep a dentist appt. since the ice had melted, so had no choice. Tikanas, how is your knee now? My knee-replacement surgery may be delayed so that they can attempt some in-office procedure on my other knee so that it's in good shape to see me through. Hi, Maddie, BJ, and Happyto! I miss reading y'all's interesting posts. Happyto, please start posting here. It's such good therapy, and you are such a neat person to read. Take care and stay warm, everyone!

A heartwarming story...thanks for the link. It always amazes me that people can get in - with their kids! -a barely seaworthy vessel and set out on a journey to who-know-where. Courage and bravery come to mind---but also the chance of sacrificing your family. It takes a wild thought process to come to the decision to risk it all and take off. The whole experience for the students must have been mind blowing. It changes one's outlook on life and what's really important. On Saturday, I hope to spend most of the day outside, connecting with nature in the garden. If I get it pruned, weeded, and swept, I may reward myself in the next couple of weeks by buying a cool plant or two at the nursery. Sunday, I'm going to help a teacher build a set for the kindergarten St. Pat's Day play. That should take but a couple of hours, so maybe I'll take the kids to the beach! It's lovely weather here. I decided I'm not freaking out about the chores this weekend...can you tell it's the end of the end of the quarter for me? One more paper due and I'm off for a week on the COLD east coast! *********What's important to YOU this weekend?********** Check in before you check out for the weekend!

You mean a lot to us BJ, so spill away. That is so sad about the 20 year old. My former neighbor, 22 years old, killed herself a few years ago after a breakup with her boyfriend. If only she would have realized that life does go and that one day that ex-boyfriend would have been a mere memory. Now her family is left with painful memories. Her sister is getting married today and I know it is going to be hard without Jamie there. They were a close group of (3) sisters growing up. Raeanne - I hope the service goes well. I have been thinking about you. And I wanted to ask, what part of Pittsburgh did DD get to see? Where does her friend live? Is she downtown or in the suburbs? Besh - I did have yesterday off and I spent it shopping and relaxing. DD's birthday was yesterday (she couldn't come home) and DS's birhtday is 12/5, so we will celebrate them both at Thanksgiving and I wanted to get their shopping done. It was a beautiful day and I was just happy to be out and about. NHSuzanne - How is DH doing? Is he behaving himself? DeeMarie - Did I welcome you back? If not, welcome home. I too immediately checked out the story about the "pirates" to see if it could have been your ship. Aren't we all mother hens! LOL Gretchen - I miss you too and wish you would post and let us know how you are doing. Magic Kitty - Are you there? How's the weather in Florida? DS has been in Iowa the last 3 weeks, so he hasn't been able to enjoy the nice weather. Joanne - Good to see 2 posts from you! It is so nice to have some of our MIA's back on the boards. That was a nice poem, thanks for sharing. Oprah's show on Thursday closed with her asking, "What have you done lately to make yourself proud." She challenged her audience to make every moment count and make themselves proud. Made me stop and think about the little things that can mean a lot. Patti - So glad you are posting again too! What are you reading lately? I went to the half price book store yesterday and added 6 more books to my TBR pile. Like I needed 6 more books, but those bargain prices drew me like a magnet! LOL Give Dave a hug for me. Tikanas - Sounds like you have such a busy schedule lately. Are you taking time for yourself? Jen - I need to shop for a 2 year old for Christmas. What is Tara into these days. My Little Pony? Hello Kitty? What size does she wear? Maddie - Sounds like your long wait for a great job has paid off. Congratulations! Having nice people to work with is a great perk. Our new teaching assistant is working out great and I am so glad we waited for that "one last interview" and hired her. And thanks for organizing the Christmas exchange again. Thursday's menu: B - 2 pieces 100% whole wheat toast with 1 T natural peanut butter and 1/2 banana L - Wrap made with whole grain tortilla, 2 oz. lean turkey, 1/2 oz. Swiss cheese, spinach and cranberry mustard. Mott's SF applesauce S - Last 2 pieces of Halloween candy (DH wouldn't take it into work! Grrr...........) D - Chili with grated cheddar cheese and 1 slice fresh Italian bread Friday's menu: B - 4 oz. yogurt with 1/3 C Kashi Go Lean Crunch, 2 T sliced almonds and 1/2 a banana L - Wrape made with whole grain tortilla, 2 oz. turkey, 1/2 oz. Swiss cheese, spinach and cranberry mustard S - Skinny Cow peanut butter ice cream sandwich D - Barilla whole grain spaghetti with my home made sauce S - Amaretto Sour (It was Friday, what more can I say! lol) Make today count! Marci