Response to Elisa

1. FIRST NAME. Linda

2. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? My Grandfather, Lynn

3. WHEN DID YOU LAST CRY? Watching Greys Anatomy last week

4. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? sometimes

5. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCHMEAT? Turkey

6. KIDS? 2

7. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? Sure, I’m fun and loyal

8. DO YOU HAVE A JOURNAL? I have a blog

9. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? Yep I do

10. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Nope

11. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? nope

12. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Capt’n Crunch w/Crunch Berries

13. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Not usually

14. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? yep

15. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? Strawberry

16. SHOE SIZE? 9.5

17. RED OR PINK? Red

18. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? My roscacea

19. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? My girlfriends growing up

20. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU? No, but feel free to answer yourself

21. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Black jeans and black clogs

22.WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? Honey Nut Cherrios and Skim Milk

23. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? Eddie Money – Two Tickets to Paradise

24. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Blue

25. What is your FAVORITE SMELL? Warm cinamony smells

26. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? Tony

27. THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE YOU ARE ATTRACTED TO? Their demeaner

28. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? yes, lots

29. Favorite drink? Diet pepsi

30. FAVORITE SPORT? tennis

31. EYE COLOR? Blue

32 DO YOU EMBRACE THE NEW TECHNOLOGY? yes

33. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? Not lately, but I’m going back

34. FAVORITE FOOD? Carrot Cake

35. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDING? happy

36. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? The Devil wears Prada

37. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? purple

38. SUMMER OR WINTER? summer

39. HUGS OR KISSES? depends on who it is, i really don't like being touched (I’m with you and this one Elisa)

40. FAVORITE DESSERT? Carrot Cake

41. WHO IS MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? We shall see

42. Least LIKELY TO RESPOND? Laura

43. WHAT BOOKS ARE YOU READING? Just read Sue Grafton’s S is for Silence

44. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? nothing

45. WHAT DID YOU WATCH LAST NIGHT ON TV? Some home improvement show

46. FAVORITE SOUNDS? Waterfalls or ocean waves

47. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Rolling Stones

48. THE FURTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? Let’s see, I’m from Michigan (that’s home too) and I’ve been everywhere in between. The farthest west I’ve been is Mississippi

49. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? I can jiggle my eyes and I am great in number

50. WHEN AND WHERE WERE YOU BORN? October 12, 1964 – Muskegon, MI

Testing Puzzles

Back to the Land of the Living

Well, after weeks of being around sick people, it finally settled on me. Saturday I came down with a horrendous cold. Me, who usually never takes medicine, was convinced by my dear sweet husband to take some cold medicine. I would accuse him of drugging me, but I selected the night-time generic cold stuff. I immediately fell into a semi-concious state. I drifted in and out of sleep the rest of the evening into the next morning. Needless to say, I'm toughing this cold out the old fashioned way. I am much better this morning, with just a stuffy nose to show for my battle with the cold.

Not much else to talk about, except we are supposed to have freezing temperatures tonight. Brrrrr, I thought I was in Florida!!!

My Poor Kitty

We took Chloe to be fixed on Tuesday. She did really well. But, she still had milk in her from nursing the kittens. So, know she's engorged. Poor kitty. Her nipples are all swollen and rock hard. We have to take warm compresses and massage her to help get rid of the milk. She got infected too, so there are antibiotics to give also. Poor Chloe.

Tony is doing much better. I hope its over. I think he had a reaction to the antibiotics he is taking though. But, overall major improvements.

Rebecca my baby doll has learned to undress herself. I checked on her the other night before going to bed. I found her with only a pullup in a ball asleep with no blankets. It was cold that night too. I got her redress and put her back to bed. I asked her the next morning why she undress. She never really gave me an answer but was very proud that she undresses in the dark!!

Crazy Week!!!

Sorry I haven't been around. My week has been crazy. Between Tony who has bronchitis, a cat that's been fixed, a 2 year old on a potty rampage and a 20 year old roaming in at all hours of the night, my plate is full.

Doesn't help that my immediate supervisor is out for a few days and I'm covering her position. Yesterday, I went from meeting to meeting to meeting. Its also a food fest this week. 1 retiree luncheon, 1 resigning breakfast, 1 volunteer committee luncheon, 1 Workplace Giving Victory breakfast and a 40th birthday party bagel celebration, I'm fooded out. Although, I've been good. But, I am on the set-up committee for most of them.

Next week will be a better week. I promise!!!

PS - I lost 2 lbs this week for a total of 8.2!!!

Busch Gardens!!

Africam

Here's a link to a cool webcam. Its on a private game reserve in Africa. Best viewing times are early morning or late evening. Lots of animal sightings.

Africam

On the Horizon

Things are looking good on the horizon. One way or another its all going to be good. Won't happen for a while. But, when it does, it will be sweet. Can't go into details. Nothing is definate yet. But, I'm excited!!

Yawn!!!

Those American Idol shows are keeping me up at night!!! I need some sleep.

Its a wet, drizzly day here in Orlando. Definetly not tourist weather. I'm dreaming of warm, balmy days on the beach with a tropical drink in my hand and my toes in the sand. Sigh . . . . . not too much longer till dreary weather clears.

We're camping on the beach in a couple weeks. I hope the freakish warm weather returns. I can't wait to wander around old St. Augustine. It really is a pretty city filled with mystery and romance. I can't wait!!

Resolution Revelations

Well, lets see ... . . .

I loss 4.4 lbs this week for a total of 6.2!!! I'm happy with that :)

I still haven't got off my butt and exercised.

I love my diet pepsi. Hence, very little water passes the lips.

I pulled out the material and patterns this weekend and sorted through them. Took Rebecca's measurements and discovered some of the patterns I picked are a little too big. I did cut out one pattern for a dress and going to cut the material tonight. Also, planning a roadtrip to Joanne's tommorrow at lunch to get a couple Simplicity patterns. They are on sale for 1.99 this week.

I've been pretty good with the spending. Although, my blowdryer emitted a large cloud of black smoke and died this weekend. So, I just had to get a new one. Its pretty cool though. Its a ceramic one with ions that do something. I'm not sure of the technicality of it, but hair feels softer.

I think that's it.

A Day At The Farm & Our New Kittens

A few pictures from the Farm playdate and a few of our new kittens:

The kittens, excuse the bad hair day

Attack of The Cows

We really had a good time!!

What a Great Weekend!!

Let's see. This weekend just flew by. Especially today. Last night I had dinner at the Cheesecake Factory with my mother. It was very nice and we made it there before the crowds gathered.

After, we went to see "The Good Sheppard". It was a good movie. Although, the first hour was all background footage with nothing up-to-date. Once you get past that it was a good movie. Just watch it carefully. If you miss something pertinent, you might now get a second chance.

Today was so beautiful. I was a fraid that it would br raining. But, it cleared up to 10:00 a.m. I met some nice mommies at a playgroup of one of the memebersd. I have pictures for later. The playdate was on a cattle ranch. Those stupid cows surrounded our pick-up truck and would't budge. Finally had one of the Dads came and shoo'd them away.

After the playdate, we headed to my nephews house for his birthday cake. I think he had a good time!!

Ropa Vieja!!

Yummmmm, that's what I got to say about that. My favorite meal from my Mother-in-Law. Too bad, she's not in a place were family and friends can visit more often.

The Circus was a blast. Rebecca stayed awake for the whole thing. We really had a good time. My favorites were the tigers, elephants, tightrope walkers and acrobats.

Dance is going great. She is still loving it. Rebecca really pays attention and tries to minic the moves of the teacher. I can't wait for the recital.

Hmmmm, long weekend upon us. I have plans. I'm having some fun. I'm getting stuff done. Enough said.

My Brother Mark

My brother, Mark, is visiting from Baltimore this week. I took Rebecca over to see him. Mark, who had throat cancer at one point, had a larenjectomy (sp?). So, he uses a device to speak with. I don't think she was scared of him, more puzzled. She warmed up to him. And finally she told him, "Speak to me, don't speak spanish." I know she understood a lot, but it just sounds funny. He seems to being doing fine. But, you know, he's the type that no matter what he's served up he always bounces back.

We're going to see the Barnum & Bailey Circus tonight. Rebecca is excited. I hope she stays awake. Its doesn't start till 7:30, her bedtime.

Ho Hummmm

Its Wednesday. Middle of the week. Half way through. Enough said.

I finished putting my house back together last night. Doesn't feel good to put all that Christmas stuff away and have your house all organized. Before Christmas, in a rush to dejunk my house, I brought home a box and just went through the upstairs and put everything that didn't really belong into the box. Filled a whole box!! Well, last night, I sorted the box. Most of it went in the trash. Some survived and found a home. The rest, I started my garage sale box.

Long weekend ahead. Tony is going away and I'm not sure what I'm doing. I do believe it will involve a chick flick on Saturday night though. There is also a big farm playdate planned for Sunday with the Mommy's group in Orlando I belong to. Maybe breakfast in Daytona on Monday. I should probably work on sewing. Maybe I will pull it out.

Happy Monday!!

Happy?? Is it?? Everyone called in sick today. I'm alone at the office. Oh, Joy.

Not much happened in our household this weekend. Tony has been sick for four days now. Gosh, did you know that the world stops when men are sick. He's been holding down his computer chair for four days now.

I did manage to put away most of the Christmas decorations. The tree is still standing. That's a Tony job. But, everything else is put away for next year.

I also harvested most of our oranges. We had no grapefruit or tangerines this year. But, our banana tree is producing!!! I'll have to check out the pineapples.

Sewing, you ask. Well, I didn't do anything. I thought about it. But, I never got inspired to do it. I did clean my sock drawer and I'm proud to say it closes easily now.

We were pretty much in a vegetative state this weekend. That's ok, next weekend is pretty hopping. So, we probably needed it.

Finally Friday!!!

Boy this week sure seemed long. I'm glad its here.

Tony is not feeling well at all. So, I think we'll be staying in most of the weekend. That's good. I can work on some of my resolutions. Like sewing projects. I have Easter material from last year I can turn into a outfit for Rebecca.

I have to de-Christmas-fy the house too.

I've been so good with my eating though. I got a journal from WW and have been tracking my food. I think that makes a big difference. Makes you really concious of what you are eating and how much.

Here's to a successful week so far in the resolution department.

Reservations Made

Ok, now I'm excited. We have reservations for the Keys. This is going to be so cool. We're taking the jetski's and our own snorkeling gear. I love, love Key West. I can't wait to party.

Want to join us? Give me an email and I'll give you the details. Here's were we are camping - Bahia Honda State Park. Reservations fill up fast, so you need to plan now.

First Day of Resolution

I was so good yesterday. I need to be good everyday. We're walking at lunch hour. That's a good thing too.

Rebecca was cute last night. She got a dress up trunk for Christmas. She loves the shoes, princess dress and wand. She likes to be the fairy godmother. She'll raise her wand and utter "Bippity Boppity Boo" and turn you into a princess or a prince. I'm Cinderella. Tony had to go to a meeting last night. So, she asked were her prince was. I said daddy went to a meeting. She replied, "Poor Daddy Prince. He had to go to a meeting". It was so adorable. My little princess.

Back to the Grind!!!

Can't believe it all went so quickly. I have exactly 8 years to the day when I can retire with full benefits. I think I could really get used to being home all the time. My house was cleaner, I was more rested and my mood was wonderful.

My goals for this year:

1. Lose weight. Yep, its been creeping back on. Have a trip planned for the Keys this summer. Camping, snorkeling and jetskiing. I want a better bathing suit body. I want to look decent in pictures. I can do it.

2. Exercise more. That csection really did a number on my body. I'm not really enthused about exercise. But, I know I should at least do some walking and some tummy exercise. Bike riding would be good too.

3. Stop spending. We've been working on this for awhile. But, there is lots of room for improvement.

4. Take time to enjoy my life. I get wrapped too much into all that needs to be done I forget to appreciate all that I have. I really do have a great life, husband, children. I couldn't ask for more. So, I'm not going to this year.

5. Drink more water. I really feel much better when I drink water. I just need to stop reaching for the diet pepse.

6. Finish my sewing projects. I have a bunch to do. I'm going to have a few summer dresses done for Rebecca real soon. Watty - your're going to love the one material I found (leapord). When I bought it I though of you.

Happy New Year Everyone!!!