Well here we are another Month , so far this thread is moving along nicely with lots of members participating..I have not been around too often the past few days , first up weekend and I have to share my computer with daughter Anita , second up the server was playing up all weekend Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr both Anita and I were really unhappy abou that ... :angry:and once again its the end of the Month madness with accountants /bookwork etc etc .......
The weekend was nice and hot , a bit windy though which was a pain wind seems to give me a headache and make the boys scatty , but we survived.. Saturday I located on ebay a good set of outdoor pool side chairs with a coffee table and as my swing seat had fallen to bits I needed something to replace it ..I managed to win Yeah !! so Saturday afternoon we (Joe and I) went for a dribe (30mins) to collect them ..Had a nice morning coffee outside Sunday morning in them enjoying some sun..Then in the afternoon we called over to my sons place he had taken the girls to the beach in the morning then they had lunch and a sleep we got there just as they woke and had afternoon tea with then , took a few piccys and a video clip to share ..I can`t believe how fast they are growing up..

Well that was my weekend and its late now just finished doing a siggy , my ironing day tomorrow and for sure the boys will be all over me helping .. and its suppose to be very hot so the air con will be on for sure ...

Hope you all continue to post and keep this thread moving its great to get to know everyone...Till next time ..Have a wonderful Monday I am glad mine is over .





Genivieve and Grandpa Joe..





The girls waiting for Daddy to finish the dishes...




Madelyn sharing Genevieves Ice Block..

new month , still sick!! woke up this morn with a sore throat and cold sore to go along with every thing else *sigh* i just wanna get well..........

will have to look at the pics when i get home, DOD blocks alot of external images grrrrrr

Someday when I'm rich, I'm going to spend the winter in Australia, because that's when you have summer.

I'm with ya on the "still sick" thing. This is the start of the fourth week I've had this junk and frankly, I'm bored with it! Let's move ON, already! I have to get up early so I have time to cough for half an hour before I can start getting ready for work.

Other than that ... My new hamster has hauled his wad of toilet paper into his plastic igloo and has so much of it in there that you can only see his little head above it. Both he and my mouse were up very early last night because the time change confused them. The birds wanted to go to bed early but complained anyway, when I tucked them in.

My father grows steadily more feeble and more confused and it's harder and harder for my mother to take care of him, yet she continues to refuse help, while simultaneously complaining constantly. Sigh.

However, my father-in-law seems to be adjusting to life without my mother-in-law, and my husband's sister has amazed even her doctors with her rapid recovery from an experimental and very invasive spinal surgery in September. So THAT side of the family is mostly okay.

Gigi seems to be handling heartworm treatments like a trouper and you wouldn't know she had any problems at all.

ARG!!!!! I'm currently trying to transfer all my services over to my new place (moving soon). So far I spent 45 minutes on the phone with the phone company....now it's the cable company (been on hold for 20 minutes). This is the part of moving I hate!!!

November? Already? Ahh! That means Thanksgiving is close. And then Christmas...and then New Years. Oh my. Well, today has been a typically unproductive day. Monday is my day off so I don't have ANYTHING to do....except get ahead on coursework, Early Childhood Education Masters Program isn't as easy as most think it is, do laundry, clean the house, change the sheets, empty the litter box, do the dishes, clean the bird cage out, pay bills, go to Wal-Mart, go to the bank, spend time with the fids (both furry and feathered), do a little personaly grooming, and cooking a lovely meal to have waiting on Bryan when he gets home (a special only on Monday's deal). AHH!!

The problem with me doing all of this is I don't ever do it! I usually manage to spend some time with all the fids and get a shower, mostly have the meal waiting. But everything else just gets put off for me to scramble to get done tonight. And I blame YOU! That's right, every one of you! For writing such interesting things and making it so fun to catch up on everything and read tips and tricks and just personal updates. It's waaaay too tempting to just sit on the couch with the cats and read for what seems like HOURS. I have to learn to tear myself away from the forum. Or maybe just not check it until all my other chores and errands are done. But the computer just sits there looking at me. Or I get an e-mail on my phone notifying me of a topic subcription notification. So I guess it's really my fault, by the interesting members on here do NOT help my situation. lol.

I hope everyone else is having a wonderful start to the month. It's sunny and warm here today. Which is strange because for the past two months it's RAINED. Everything is flooded with water all week ande then all of a suden the sun comes up and it dries out. And then the next day it starts all over again.

Majj, those werer precious pictures. I do so love the little ones. And I'm with Siobhan, some day I'm spending my winter in Aulstralia too! It's not really that bad winter-wise here compared to some. I live in Arkansas. Two flakes of snow fall and I feel like I'm trapped at home for the winter.

Hope you get to feeling better Jeepingchick, it seems like everyone is sick this time of year.

Anyhow, I guess I really should thinking about starting the laundry and dishes and changing the sheets. I shouldn't complain. Thanks to the modern marvels that are the washer, drier, and dish-washer I can do all of those things at the same time. I just have my typical lazy Monday syndrome.

Maaj-love the pics! Jeeping Chick and Siobhan-hope you feel better soon. Carrie Ann-moving is a pain but it can be fun to get a fresh start in a new place. Good luck. Brandieleigh I got exhausted just reading everything you doing today!

I haven't been around much because my husband lost his job after 37 years at the same company. He's getting alot of leads but looks like we may have to move out west - we're just taking one day at a time.

I was going to attach a couple pics of grandson dressed for Halloween but for some reason I was having trouble. I'll send them later.

Vianne had her 6th birthday this Halloween. Thought I'd share her picture in her costume She's a bumble bee!



Reallllly loving this new computer!

Cute Kitty...lol

Christi looking forward to those piccys , we don`t celebrate Halloween downunder and it always amazes me how much you guys are into the dressing up....

Finished ironing will put it away after a cuppa and play with the boys who have been hanging out on me (sunny chewing a new batch of holes in my t/shirt)

Its so darn HOT over 100deg F. I HATE it thank goodness for air conditioning .....

M.xx

That is precious. What I want to know is how you get your kitty to wear a costume?! Mine don't even like to wear their collars.

Gosh.. November already. October flew by didn't it.

So I was really hoping November was going to see a healthy Deb, but yet again I'm wrong lol. My throat was sore yesterday, and during the night it felt like there was a fire going on in my mouth and throat

Got up this morning to a whole lot of swelling in my mouth and throat .. yuck!

Off to the doctor AGAIN for cryin out loud.. sigh.

Well it seems the steroid medication to clear up all the issues with my lungs have left behind a nasty thrush infection in my mouth.. yeah does it get any worse lmao.

Feels like I'm swallowing broken glass with each swallow <pout>. So along with a new antibiotic (apparently there is still some congestion in my lungs) for the lungs, I'm on an anti-fungal to help clear up the thrush.. geez.

So feeling pretty cranky and not wanting to do much but pout.. whining hurts too much. I headed home and was greeted by a very pleasant surprise in the mailbox.

Bless you Andrea.. you made my day with the surprise in the mailbox <hugssssssssssss>.

The fiddo's are still giving the toys the hairy eyeball lol, but I know they will be overjoyed with them AFTER they've been deemed trustworthy and won't attack them

I am headed off to soak in a nice hot bubble bath

Siobhan and Jeepingchick.. take heart.. after a month of solid coughing, that is the one thing that I'm finally over with. Now I'm patiently awaiting the return of my own voice.. although this deep husky one does have a somewhat come-hither sound to it

Here is a picture of the lovely care package from Andrea (Cacaphony) for which myself and the fiddo's (eventually) are very thankful

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There are 2 toys for hanging, and 2 treasure boxes with foot toys in them. I know the boys are going to go pretty crazy when they know the toys won't fight back lol. There is also a wonderful bottle of Vanilla Noir bubble bath for me.. MMMMMMMmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.. smells heavenly!

Have a lovely day Everyone and a huge <<<<<<<<<<HUG>>>>>>>>>>> for you Andrea for brightening up a pretty painful day
Deb

I cant believe its November already!! Cant wait for turkey day! Boring day today nothing new really. Fids have been munching down non stop on pumpkin seeds and birdie bread since Saturday FINALLY a way to get them to eat their fruits! I will hvae to keep some around to give them 1 daily. Ive been coughing a lot lately with runny nose and soar throat here and there. I REALLY dont want to get sick
Hope everyone else stays healthy and those that are sick get well soon!

Deb what a great surprise from Andrea!!

Bye all for now

Deb: I'm glad everything go there in one piece AND I somehow accidentally managed to almost hit your birthday! Those shoelace/bead/straw things are Kiko's absolute favourites and easy to make while you're sitting down watching TV on a lazy evening.

I'm behind catching up - it's been a nasty week. The four year old I babysit was diagnosed with H1N1, my ex-husband has decided one month before the end of our one year seperated date that he's going to be a jerk, I'm chewing on a sinus cold, I just found out one of my regular clients was diagnosed with aggressive intestinal cancer and they're taking out the whole kit'an'kaboodle (she's NOT impressed with the concept of having a bag instead of intestines), and my 15 year old is currently on an "I hate you because you're ruining my life" bent.

Anyone want him? *chuckles* Honestly, he's a good kid.... but if the hormones hit him any harder I'm going to sell him. Cheap. He's got more testosterone than brains right now and I'm getting really tired of arguing with him constantly while he tries to establish his own version of "acceptable guildlines".

Kiko, on the other hand, is being an absolute doll. She's officially switched over to pellets and just gets a slight dash of seed with her birdie bread for the variety - so I feel like I'm doing SOMETHING right. My poor boyfriend is completely lost as to how to help with anything and he's being a suck which makes things entertaining when I'm trying to do something functional like cook dinner.

It never rains, it pours right? I can't say I'm necessarily in a bad mood right now either... just kind of a "head down and bull through" mentallity. The days are kind of blending together and I'm really looking forward to Christmas. Which reminds me... I should get back downstairs and get my rear to work. I have a puppy getting picked up in an hour that still needs the full spa treatment.

Anyone here watched "Finding Nemo"? (If you haven't, it's a renter... even if you don't have kids. The turtles crack me up every time.)

...... Just keep swimming! Just keep swimming! *winks*

Finding Nemo is probably my favorite movie! Who cares if Im 15 almost 16

Got home from school and lazed around with the fids for awhile...Then went to PetSmart to pick up more pellets. Went and played with my conure friends there for a bit (They have 2 green cheeks and 1 sun conure there that will never get sold due to their EXTREMELY high prices ) Mr Sunny (I gave him that name.. creative right? ) came running over when I stuck my finger in and when he got to me I noticed he was COVERED in pin feathes!So I spent about 20 minutes standing at his cage getting rid of those buggers for him Boy did I ever get some strange looks lol... Including many from their own employees! I want to get a job there cause I feel I know more about the birds there then half the employees!
Other then that nothing exciting has happened today. Oh we did get 2 new salt water fish! A Maroon Clown Fish and a Lion Fish.

I LOVE Finding Nemo. It's a precious movie that I would recommend anyone to watch.
As for the 15 year old boy...nope...no takers here. I didn't even like 15 year old boys when I was a 14 year old girl! But it gets better. As soon as he realizes two chest hairs and a voice change doesn't mean he can cop an attitude with his mom you'll be ok. I am inspired every time I read about you and Kiko. You are doing such a wonderful job with her. I admire you for taking in a precious little birdie even though she may not have been the cutest or most fully feathered fid available. You are truely being that little Cinderella's fairy godmother. A true ugly duckling into a swan story. (Too many fairy tail references, sorry?)


I myself have been going through kitty crisis with my boy Beau. He is the only cat the emergency vet had ever seen eat anything like he did and the only animal that she couldn't get to throw up with the hydrogen peroxide. So he's just being an extrodinarily unusual cat right now. Not in the good way either. He does seem to be feeling better but not quite back to himself yet. But we're working on it. It's just me and the animals this weekend because Bryan went to visit his parents. I was going to join him but I couldn't leave Beau under these circumstances, and we usually just put enough food and water to last the weekend.

I hope everyone is doing well. I put the Christmas tree up at work Wednesday getting ready for this weekend's open house, and now I can really say its beginning to look a lot like Christmas! EVERYWHERE I go.....

Hope everyone is having a fun Saturday
Have to go work on a school project. (yuck!) then bonfire tonight! The rest of the day will be spent with the fids Nothing new really except our lion fish died that was discouraging since he wasnt cheap!
Talk to yall later!

well im feeling LOADS better, still got a bit of a cough and a small wheeze at times but ill take that over what i was going though!!

we cleaned the study last night kitchen today. made some Musette wine that ws easy to start 4 weeks from now ill bottle it 8 weeks from now ill be able to taste.
i also did a cranberry wine with a dash of orange and cinamon for body, now that will take a year and a half bf i can taste it!!!!!!!!!!! hope it was worth all the chopping and squashing and mincing and boiling LMAO! the pech wine i did over the spring is almost ready to bottle its looking and smelling nice and i cant wait till summer when i can try it!!! i love the wine kits cuz they are ready in no time flat these fresh fruit wines from scratch are def a labor of love LOL!

Hi All Goodmorning to all my Up Over friends I hope you have a wonderful Sunday , feel better wishes for those unwell , its Sunday evening here , we have had a nice weekend my son and the girls dropped by on Saturday morning , we all then went to see my Mum/Nan and great Nan (all the one person ) for her 83rd Birthday had a nice afternoon tea and yummy Orange and poppy seed cake..
Today was rather overcast and wet of and on , but I got a lot of end of month book work done , sold on ebay my ferret/rat cage and have listed my Big wrought iron bird cage so will have a few $$`s to spend , first things I have have sold and its fun ... especially getting some money ..I`ll be on the look out now so anything not being used will be sold..lol I warned Joe he better tie anything down he wants ...

Its my bed time I am off to read for a while so I`ll leave you with a couple of piccys taken on the weekend and Chat later...
Madelyn and Genevieve


Shirley (Mum) 83yrs..

Well my weekend has been nice. Friday, one of the gals from work came over, did my few dishes for me, picked up my laundry and took me out to a dinner with a group from work!! Went to a restaurant called the Wild Bull where, YES, they have a mechanical bull that ppl can ride! NO! I DID NOT RIDE IT!!! But one of the Rec Theapists from our group braved the mechanical monster! She did pretty well, but I told her once you are hanging off the side, you are pretty much guaranteed to FALL OFF!! That's what happened to me on the horse! hehehe She had a nice soft foam rubber pit to fall into, unlike ME, and was not hurt at all. Of course we all cheered for her!! It was GREAT to get out of the house.

Yesterday, another gal from work picked me up early in the morning and we went to her church where there was a arts/crafts type bazaar and I had a booth to sell Usborne Books. (Another friend set the booth up for me) So I got to get out and see PEOPLE for the day. Sold just over $100 worth of books (wish it could have been more!) and had a good time.

The friend who helped me at the bazaar did my wash for me at her house, so I now have clean clothes again! YAY! And when she brought me home, she also brought a container of stew that she had made while we were at the church. (She lives only a couple blocks from the church so was back and forth during the day). Boy was THAT yummy for supper when I got home.

Last nite ANOTHER friend (yes I have a few! ) called and said she'd come a pick me up some time this week and take me out to her place to see the horses (yes the one whose house I was at and the horse I fell off of to break my leg!). I may call her today and see if it can be today as today is supposed to be the last nice day we have in a while (at least as warm)! Supposed to be about 66 degrees and sunny so would be a good day to be able to sit outside. I don't think I can get INTO her house as she has three steps up to her porch and I don't think I can manage that. But it would be nice to sit outside.

Tuesday my youngest daughter will be coming down to take me to the ortho Dr again. Hopefully then he'll tell me I can go back to work on Thursday. I have to ask him if I can go to Phoenix next month (flying), when I can drive, (WHEN I get my car back and can manage it myself), and HOPEFULLY we'll see some bone growth in this knee on the xrays! (Please pray for that!!!)

So, at least this weekend I've been out and about again.

The hardest part for me is the forced isolation, I think. I am definitely a people person and not being able to be out with people is very difficult for me. The injury makes it hard for me to do things for myself and that is frustrating too, but the 'no people' thing gets me in my head!!

So pray I can go back to work! I REALLY need to work again! Need to be out among the living again!!

SUNDAY! I have my kids this weekend and Sundays are our designated "family day". As soon as I can drag the 15 year old out of his room we're going to head to the local YMCA for some swimming, go out for lunch with just the kids for the bi-monthly check in with life and stuff, start Christmas lists so family can get shopping, and I'm going to start Secret Santa Shopping!!!

(By the way, Joanne... THANK YOU for taking this on again. I don't know what it is about trying to think of something for someone who you really don't know very well, but it's different then buying gifts for close friends and family. And I think that sometimes having a borderline complete stranger going out of their way even a tiny bit is so unnatural in today's society that the impact it can have on someone's day doesn't compare at all to people who EXPECT you to be nice even if they don't necessarily expect you to spend a lot of money... I think I'm a care package addict. *wicked grin* Deb's my first victem on this forum... *bwahahahahaha*)

Jobo... it's nice to see that your friends are doing everything they can to keep you from feeling house-bound. I've been lucky enough never to break a limb, but I remember very well how it felt when I'd just had my daughter and didn't set food out my door for the first two weeks as we adjusted schedules.

To everyone with colds... get better already! *grins* Christmas is coming! You don't have TIME to be sick and you're not allowed to feel bleh during the holidays! I know they're kind of a mixed bag for most people but I'll take any excuse to spend extra time with my family even if it's under the umbrella of a regular holiday. The year goes by so FAST most of the time that if it weren't for things like Christmas and my mother calling ever Sunday evening I'd forget to check in and see how everyone was! Today is going to be a good day - I think I've finally gotten over the funk of getting kicked in the shins by life in general on Friday.

Stay safe everyone!!!

Some pictures of my daughter trying to show me she was 2 while we were at our Mom's group the morning before her birthday...
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YAY my wine is bubbling away (great thing) and today has been a wonderful day! so sad to go back to work this week LOL!

ARRRRGGGGHHHHHH if its not one thing its another!!! dang front door lock broke this morn! so i was able to set it from inside and go out the garge, but it still worries me that its not secure! so i get to figure out how to instl a new bolt tonight YAY ME!

So Sorry Jeepingchick
Nothing new goin on here, but MAN is November ever FLYING by! Christmas is coming up so fast! Cant wait for Christmas break
Hope everyone had a great monday

got the door all fixed! upgraded to a keyless systme, and boy those aint cheap! i think that was my chrissy pressie oh well at least it works and i feel safe n secure again!

Friend brought me supper and cleaned my cages for me tonite. She did good, considering she's not a bird person. Only one that wouldn't let us do it was Timber, and I'll be able to clean inside his cage tomorrow. With someone else in the house, he is doing the hunchy sneaky bird thing and did a dive bomb into/past his food dish trying to attack me when I opened his cage and tried to remove the paper from the bottom. I knew he was mad so didn't try to continue until he settles down and I can do at least that much tomorrow.

Dr appt tomorrow morning and will find out if I can back to work and if there is any bone growth in this knee.

Gorgeous weekend just past. Went out Friday night, Saturday all day, and even got to go to church on Sunday when friends from church came and picked me up So I've been whooped this weekend! Geez, what's gonna happen when I try to go back to work?? Gonna be tired tired tired!!!

Just back from having lunch out with sister and the folks ..nice ...now off to play with the boys ....enjoying my Friday....

Finally went back to work yesterday! Whew what a LONG day it was for me!! But I made it thru! and ready for more today. I AM glad I didn't start back on a Monday where I'd have to go 5 days in a row, tho. I got home last nite and was just EXHAUSTED!! Didn't get to hit the bed till 11, as usual, but was a NICE tired feeling.

So, ready for another day today. Gonna be a busy one, it's a payday Friday which gives me EXTRA work to do, not that trying to catch up 6 weeks' worth of some stuff isn't work enough

Actually, they farmed out a lot of my work to others while I was gone so I'm not too much behind. Just some filing to do, a little bit of typing (staff meetings, boss doesn't trust anyone else with that! ) and back into the swing of everyday things.

I am VERY glad to be back, tho. I got to see PEOPLE!!! Isolation is NOT fun for me!!! I wouldn't do well in solitary confinement!

Supposed to be a nice day today, mid 50s and dry.

My grandson turns 1 year old today, as a matter of fact, he was one at 3:31 am!!! Gee, I wonder if THAT'S why I was up just about that time time morning!! His family birthday party is tomorrow so my middle daughter will be picking me up to drag me up to Holland tomorrow and my youngest will be bringing me back on Sunday after church. PPPAAAAARRRRRTTTTTYYYY!!! WOOO HOOO!

Have a good day people Go Secret Santa shopping and have fun!! Mine's done so just need to wrap and send off. Woo hooo ... someone's geting some !@#$%^&*()poiujy$%^&jk!!!!!!

Goodnight all, just popping in to wish you all a great Friday mine is over Yeah !! for the weekend.....

Going to read....Night all..

glad u were able to get back to work!!! thats awsome! take it easy tho and dont over do it!!

Hi All Our weekend is over I hope you all enjoy your Sunday ...
Today we visited the grandkids after they had been to the beach ..
What little characters they are we sat outside where they painted thenselves then had a tub each to get clean ..Grandpa Joe wasn`t too keen on kissing Genevieve , but look at that face how could he resist...
Madelyn and Genevieve..


Kiss for Grandpa Joe..


after all clean..




Got a couple of snaps of the boys too before we left ..
Sitting near the door watching the lorikeets on the verandah..
and sitting on the Big Jolly Ball ..they play in it when I am cooking and they watch me through the window from their room ....Its open here..




Caught Buddy as he few to me ..Missed Sunny he is the jet fligher ..Buddy is a little Helicopter...


Nighty Night chat later ...I am sleepy....

Goodmorning all..well my Monday is over and I am glad it has been sooooooooooooooo Hot and not even summer yet ..
My sister and I put off our walk till 6pm (from 5pm) but I don`t think it was any cooler ..I hate the heat and I hate trying to walk get fit and loose weight ..with all the smart people in the world you think someone could come up with a pill to make you slim with out all the effort ...not to mention to old knees/ hips and ankles screaming at me PAINNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN..

Goodnight from me chat later...

P.S I am off to the dentist tomorrow ...NOT HAPPY ..will be glad when its over ....

totally agree there should def be a pill!! at least on to help me keep my mouth shut in the presence of food!! sorry it was so hot for ya!

Goodnight all Glad Hump day is over here..Have a good Wednesday to you all..

Some of you on my F.B probably know My Mum is in hospital , her heart is very weak , they can`t do anything but try new drugs..
she is doing as well as can be expected..
They put her on some new drugs and she is breathing better, unfortunately she has a leaky valve and Renal Artery Stenosis also and there is nothing that can be done about that due to her frail health..

I have been busy with visits my sister and I do morning or afternoon shifts taking Dad in..tomorrow I get the afternoon , I`ll be home having fun doing house work in the morning ... We walked again tonight at 6pm wasn`t so hot but my old body is aching .

Joe is away for a 2 week trip tomorrow , I hope to have a relaxing weekend I feel pretty tired..

I pop in and read everyday , leave the odd answer here and there and check for siggy requests ...Hopefully I will get a bit more time soon...

Goodnight for now..



P.S Guess whats getting closer.....

majj im sorry to hear about you mom, ill keep yall in my thaoughts and send healing vibes yalls way!

Sending prayers across the miles for your Mum

YAY such a better day than yesterday just got the last of hubbys chrissy gifts!!! i had already purchased him a IR thermomoter, and wind deflectors for his car. today i got him the old timey double edged safty razor he has been wanting! he already uses a straight razor but its hard for him to get his head done with that so i found him a really pretty horn handled safety razor that he is gonna love!!

my daughter collects snow globes and has been wanting a LARGE one for awhile now, so instead of the yearly small simple one i got her a HUGH Disney one with Ariel and the gang its freaking hugh it came a few days ago and she is going to SPAZ when she opens it. i feel she deserves it since she hasnt broken a single globe ever!

we decided that Ky cant have the American girl untill she stops sucking her thumb, she is disapointed but is ok !