Well, here we are Sunday again and since no one has started it today, guess I will. We had a couple of inches of really pretty snow last night. It was all stuck to the trees etc. this morning when the sun came up. Seems like when ever it warms up around here it means more snow. I do believe it is nicer to look at than the dark grey landscape we have this time of year.

My daughter was finally released from the hospital and is now on total bedrest for the next three weeks so I will be traveling up there to help out here and there. She keeps going into labor way too early for the safe delivery of this new grandchild. The meds she is on leave her rather wired, but seem to be doing the trick this time.

Gary brought my "grow shelf" in for me. It is an old industrial steel shelving unit, six shelves, that we have rigged up with 10 shop lights with growlite bulbs. I can fit 15 flats on it with them crowded, but usually only do 12 and various other containers. I am starting a box of greens today and some celery soon. It is hard not to go crazy and start things too soon.

Hope everyone is having a nice day and has a great week. hugs

-- Anonymous, January 06, 2002

Answers

Yeah! It's snowing! Yah diane, it is real sticky stuff! We made a fort and we made five snowmen and the pine trees are BEAUtiful! with the snow all over em! Lea is as happy as a little Japanese Beetle on a Raspberry bush, and even Bre drug her teenage self out there and is now all smiles. I'm in now, getten ready to fry up some chicken to feed these hungry bellies. Yeah! Snow! Love ya all, Tren

-- Anonymous, January 06, 2002

We had a hint of drizzle here. Richard built me a ladder to the hay loft. Let's just say he should stick to the insurance industry rather than ladder creation. The "rungs" are about 2 or more feet apart so there are only maybe 3 of them and I have very stumpy legs. It also goes straight up so in scaling this thing I feel like a rock climber/Spiderman/someone climbing to a horrible death from falling off a really dorky ladder. sigh....... On the brightside...maybe the stretching and contortions etc it takes for me to get up and down will help the diet attain some results. The diet is still going...its day 5 of the 7 day menu and I haven't killed anyone yet but I am coming close..snuck a cookie today when the guys were gone to return a video. I'd kill for a Twix. My hair turned out ok. The highlights at my left temple are a bit obvious to me but maybe noone else notices. I'm still getting used to looking in the mirror first thing in the AM and seeing a blonde instead of a brunette...its a bit of a startle sometimes..LOL. Richard seems to like it though. Nothing else much has happened this week.

-- Anonymous, January 06, 2002

I just got home from church and am still stinging from the zinging I got from somebody who doesn't happen to like how I'm chairing a certain committee! Yikes! For those who don't appreciate how much fun it is to "direct" a bunch of (strongly) opinionated and (very) busy committee members, I daresay that I challenge you to try it sometime (NOT!) Anyway, no rest for the wicked, my mom tells me. I keep trying to behave just so I can get some sleep!

I *did* stop at St. Vinnies on the way home and found a cute wooden table with little spindle legs. That will hopefully get some paint and maybe some urethane and end up in my garden this year. I also found a nice blue and yellow checked tablecloth (of course everything in/out of my house is red and green!) However, I have a set of wonderful wicker chairs that are blue and white so maybe I'll be able to set up a little vignette in blue...

Went to another movie last night (that's 3 in 8 days! More than I've seen in 8 years, probably!!!) It's a fabulous movie and I highly recommend it, although it's pretty rare to be found (art houses and film festivals, I guess??) It's called "Waking Life" and it's super interesting animation (although I think they did some pixel thing with original film to get it started!) It's got lotsa stuff about dreaming, philosophy, music, and art, and WILD characterizations. Heady stuff, though. I was tired when I left. We went out for Thai food afterward and I'm finishing Phad Thai at my desk now, for a nice reprise. Yum!

Raining and rather dreary here. I would think snow would be lovely!

Diane, sure hope everything is going ok with your daughter.

Take care, all!

-- Anonymous, January 06, 2002

I measured for a dogrun off my lab door at the back of my house to make it easier to let the girls out in the middle of the night. Maxed the Phoenix out, container started my tomato plants and jalepenos. Returned to "No Mans' Land" (actually started hanging out with some of my high school/ college crew that are out there too). Its amazing how we all changed in 20 years. One of the women from my graduating class still has snaps of me in cap and gown with a feather cut to the middle of my back "beast style". Now if I have hair in the middle of my back its because its rooted there......growing old really slurps :>)

Diane, hope everything goes o.k.

Sheepish, sorry about the meeting. Don't worry, their opinions will get correct before all is over. I want to see that movie too.

-- Anonymous, January 06, 2002

Oh, forgot, yesterday at a local flea market I bought an antique whiskey crock that came from a pre prohibition tavern that was in a town north of where I live for $10 and before I could exit the building another dealer offered me $40 for it, but I added it to my brown jug collection anyway.

-- Anonymous, January 06, 2002

The diet bit the biscuit at supper time last night when I just about burst into tears while cooking for the family. Its not that I was hungry..it was the depression factor at how fat I have become along with the resulting self disgust at my appearance and the health risks etc etc etc. Of course husband thought I was just being mopey and got irritable so that just made everything SOOOO much better (NOT). Anyways, emotional need won out and I had a regular supper and dessert intead of a non satisfying diet supper and no dessert. I am so weak!!! Argh!

-- Anonymous, January 07, 2002

"the diet bit the biscuit". I LIKE that descriptive. Don't worry. I have always said " people without eyes have the advantage of sight that isn't blinded by the vanity of surface appearances." Instead of trying a "diet", use meditation instead to look within yourself, buy a pair of "dream jeans" the size you want to fit into, whenever you feel an urge to intake more caloric content then neccesary, do a project. The only diet factor you have is planning meal calories and eventually weight is lost by behavioral modification, not starvation of the body and you will have material creations as evidence of the process also.

-- Anonymous, January 07, 2002

Well, the "nor'easter" that our Maine weather forecasters promised fizzled out! Here on the coast of Penobscot Bay there was very little snow. Got mostly rain all last night then a dusting of snow early this morn. Guess the interior got more, but I was really disappointed!! Right now it's 43 degrees. Where the heck IS winter anyways??!!

Diane...sure hope everything is okay with your daughter and your future grandchild!! I really like your "grow shelf" idea. I'd like to try setting up a small one for myself...if I can talk hubby into helping (ya, right!).

Hubby has hauled home another restoration project. Along with the '37 Chrysler he's working on and the '48 Chevy that's waiting to be worked on...he now has added a '52 Lincoln to the group!! And I keep asking him "what about my '64 Dodge??" He just sold an '85 Volvo on eBay. Sure glad to get THAT out of the front yard :-)!!

Alison...I think that strict dieting just makes you miserable! If you're healthy and comfortable with yourself...who cares what other people think!!! I'm no expert, but I think the best way to diet is to eat whatever you want, but in smaller quantities, and of course, be a little more active. Then you don't "deprive" yourself psycologically.

You know...I think I'm the only one here who never goes to the movies! I'm cheap, I guess. We just wait for them to come on pay-per-view. Then we're lucky if we can stay awake to see the whole movie :-)!! Like you said, Jay, "growing old really slurps"!!!!

Have a good week, everyone!

-- Anonymous, January 07, 2002

Hey Alison, I understand what you are talking about! This time of year is tough! I finally gave up the diet game about 2 years ago (and I'm nearing 50!) because no matter how great the diet (Weight Watchers, even) the constant REMINDER that you are changing your behavior is really hard...plus it's not like smoking or drinking or something that you don't *need*. I ended up getting more benefit from deciding that since eating was so important, that I'd treat myself to healthy, interesting-looking, and sometime even exotic meals. That doesn't always happen when I'm busy (to wit the extra poundage I've put on since Thanksgiving!!) but that attitude, along with some extra exercise (sneaky, too...I don't make a big deal of that much anymore), has helped me get some of the weight stuff under "control." It's funny, b/c I'm tall, and most folks don't have a clue how uncomfortable I am in my jeans! I found myself unbuttoning the top button at the Thai restaurant the other night.

Good luck to you! At least you have cool hair to enjoy right now!

-- Anonymous, January 07, 2002

Actually, come to think of it, it was last summer that I decided to stop dieting, once and for all! I had tried W.W. again, and it was boring and stupid. Plus, sheesh, everyone there was on a diet and was crabby! LOL!!

-- Anonymous, January 07, 2002

Speaking of dieting and all...where is Wildman?? Hasn't he been AWOL for awhile or did I miss something?!!

-- Anonymous, January 07, 2002

A foot of snow here for our first snowfall. The ATV's blade couldn't go over it so I had to use the dreaded snowblower that hates me first. Not to mention, shoveling paths to all the animals. It suppose to go back up to the 40's again next week. Strange weather.

The basement ceiling is almost done. Coming out well, I might add. DH only shocked himself a few times putting in the new lights. But he fried out furnace something and it needs to be replaced. Good thing for this woodburner.

-- Anonymous, January 07, 2002

Mutter, mutter, grumble, grumble.....

Forcast called for it to warm up here in Illinois today - 45 to 50 it said. So, I get up this morning and pull all the sheets off the beds thinking how nice it will be to dry them on the line. Went out the door to feed the cats in my nightshirt and darn near froze my fanny!! 18 degrees!! Wind chill of 12! Grumble, growl... I wanted to nap this afternoon before Jes gets home from school since I have to finish fitting her dance uniform before I go in to work tonight. Mutter, grouse, whine.... Oh well, I guess I'll just throw the laundry in the car and head to town anyway; I can always hold off on hanging the sheets until right before my nap, and if it doesn't warm up, I guess there's always the dryer. Whaa, whaa -what a baby I am!

I think maybe I need to check the calendar and haul out the chocolate. I've been mean this morning!! Growled at Pop because he changed the toaster setting and it burnt my toast; grumped at Sis for not putting her bowl in the dishwasher after breakfast; and then snarled at Hubs for buying me a coffee maker with an automatic shut- off. 'Course, if I didn't get up at 4 am and make coffee, I wouldn't have to worry about that 2 hour shut off!! Then a friend called (at 0730!) and was complaining about a piece of ground he bought - said the guy that owned the land that his easement crosses was giving him trouble about his access. We talked for a bit and it turned out that he actually does have another way in to the property; but he would have to put in a culvert and a bit longer driveway. (He also has teen age boys who drive like maniacs! I already had nailed their butts to the wall for peeling out and throwing rocks in the yard out here.) I asked why he didn't just go in the other way so as not to HAVE to cross the other guy and he told me it was the principal of the thing. I said "Oh. The principal. Okay. Or, in other words; you're being a jackass because you legally can be one." So we talked a bit more and he agreed to think of the advantages of not crossing someone else instead of just the fact that he had the right to. Perked him up when I mentioned that it would probably increase the resale value of the place.

So I've been mean and evil all morning, and I'm going to do laundry which probably isn't going to help, and then I'm going to alter a dance uniform that the coach should have ordered in the right size to begin with. (5'2" and 105# DOES NOT = size L!) And then I have to go into work on the wacky ward and be approachable. Chocolate can only go so far - I need HELP!! Quick, somebody - count my blessings for me; I seem to be having trouble doing it myself!!

I guess at least I don't have Dee's foot of snow to contend with! - Ooohh! That's one!! I do have chocolate in the house if I need it - that's two! Ummmmm (smell smoke?) I'm thinking......

Diane, your daughter has my complete sympathy! I was confined to bed/recliner with Jessie from Feb until she was born the 4th of June. I was allowed to walk outside to the mailbox once a day; and allowed to go out to eat after my doctor's appointments - if everything was going okay. I 'bout went NUTS!! Jes's dad went to the library 3 times a week to get me books, Mama brought me yarn and magazines and played a zillion games of Scrabble with me, Pop brought me 2 different papers every day for the crossword puzzels and I was STILL bored! I lived for 5 pm when the A-Team came on TV. For some reason, watching things get blown up relieved a lot of my tension!! Maybe a couple of nice Bruce Willis videos?? Got my fingers and toes crossed for her!

Sheepish, Wal-Mart has decent jeans for $16 - that's how I solved that problem with that top button being too tight, since I, like Ali, am no advocate of deprivation!!

Marcia, I swear - someday I am going to stand on the Maine coast in the winter and look out at the Atlantic - can you send me a baggie of that fresh salt air!?

Jay, I don't even want to talk to you since you posted that about getting your seedlings started already! Hmmmph! If I didn't know you lived in Alabama, I'd be REALLY jealous!

I think I'll go throw the seed catalogs in the car with the laundry - I can finalize my orders instead of watching the clothes slosh round and round. Then maybe I can call in my orders when I get home; and go down for my nap with visions of little green sprouts....

Have a great week all!!

-- Anonymous, January 08, 2002

Hmmm. Sit-ups or Wal-Mart? Sit-ups or Wal-Mart? That is the question! !!!

Flooding here folks. Yesterday some places got 5" of rain. Plus it was 57F when I drove home from work yesterday. Nah, no global warming..nope...not at all...Fitting my sheep with wellies this weekend (keep their feet dry!!)

-- Anonymous, January 08, 2002

Well, I just checked the thermometer here and the temp is 56F! I guess this is what they call "January thaw". We didn't have a lot of snow to begin with and now what's left is really going fast. I'm glad I'm at home today so I can enjoy the nice weather.

-- Anonymous, January 08, 2002

I am SOOOOOOOO sore!!! I did mention that we got a foot of snow yesterday, didn't I?

-- Anonymous, January 08, 2002

We got up to 64 degrees yesterday and their forcasting the same plus rain for today. Just hope we don't see any twisters here in "Tornado Alley" of the Tennessee Valley. I'm just grateful my ittle chunk of paradise has a 900 foot tall mountain range foothill about 1/4 mile southwest of here. When twisters come throgh they are usually airborne. Its sorta like being the first bus in line at Ceasars Palace with Kneivel gunning for the ramp..... you just hope the ground speed stays up.

-- Anonymous, January 10, 2002

Wow, 57*, Jim? We only got 53 -- which tied the record high set back in 1939 or some year like that. Today, it's 'only' in the 30's -- still warmer than it was. Our snow is gone except for occasional patches where someone piled some snow up. My dog is bummed -- she was enjoying eating the snow on our walks.

Even if it starts snowing this weekend, and gets 'seasonal' for the rest of the season, it is still one of the more bizarre winters in MY memory!

-- Anonymous, January 10, 2002

Thanks for all the diet support all. And I am lucky to have my funky new hair. Its gotten me some manly hugs at Tai Chi class and compliments from friends. Thats always fun!!!!!!!!! :O)

-- Anonymous, January 10, 2002

Joy, this weather is bizarre to be sure. We also are setting records two days in a row. I am still thinking of the winter of 1967. I still remember the actual date, January 27th. We had more snow than I have ever seen in my lifetime in less than 24 hours. Very heavy and very wet. Two full weeks before our farm got plowed out. They had to bring those great big V plows down from the UP. Please let's not have that again!!!

-- Anonymous, January 10, 2002

Well, today is much cooler than the previous two days (darn-it) - but it *still* got up to near 40F (I think the average for around here is in the low 20's). It's overcast, gray and blustery today but 95% of the snow is gone so I guess I shouldn't complain too much.

This nice(er) weather sure makes me want to work in the garden! I made mention of this fact to a co-worker and she said I *could* be out cutting the grass, too. I told her to shush her mouth... :-)

-- Anonymous, January 10, 2002

Well, since we're all talking "weather", I'll check in again from supposedly cold and snowy Maine...today it was a balmy 49 degrees and sunny!!! 'Course I'm on the coast, don't know about what's going on at the ski resorts. But I think the state, on the average, is lots warmer. We've had several snowfalls of a few inches or so, but it just melts down within a few days. This type of weather makes me really nervous about our environment!!!!!

-- Anonymous, January 10, 2002

Okay, I did it! I cut 12+ inches off my head (actually I had it cut by my hairdresser!) I like it. Mr. S. likes it. My office mates like it. I hope whoever ends up with the hair prosthesis likes my "old" hair, too!

Just thought I'd share this "big" news with y'all!

If anyone remembers Cilla Black (from the old Liverpool days, circa early '60s), my new 'do is like hers (except not black!)...and no bangs. Longer in front than in back, and not quite to my shoulders.

Now, for the body work...ugh. Less calories and more free weights. It's fun to reinvent myself this year. (I think!)

-- Anonymous, January 11, 2002

So Sheepish...if you cut 12" off your head, how short are you now :-)!!?? Sorry, couldn't resist!

-- Anonymous, January 11, 2002

Marcia,

Yeah, I thought about that after I posted!! But I can think so much more clearly now, having an open mind and all....

-- Anonymous, January 11, 2002

LOL! Good come-back, sheepish! :-D

-- Anonymous, January 11, 2002

Sheepish...just got back here and LOVE your response!! Perked up my day, fer sure :-)!

-- Anonymous, January 12, 2002