Hey, where did everybody go? I just got caught up reading everything, sounds like everything is going well, Krissy having an awesome NYE, Novia is better, Kath is great, LE doesn't have thigh cancer (sort of a morbid joke) and her fishies are back...As for me, husband got the bonus, we were able to pay our property taxes, went to CA for the holiday and had a great time, for the most part. It actually didn't rain until the last day we were there (this is Northern CA, so winter is the rainy season) and we actually had SNOW on Dec 27! We did two mtn bike rides along the American River, which was just so gorgeous as the sun threw diamonds across the water. It was chilly, but worth the chill to see the river. Then we came back to Dallas before NYE and just had a low key night at home for that. Then back to the office on the 2nd and boy, the fun just hasn't stopped. I've been very busy at work and that's why I haven't been on the boards. But things have calmed down now, although they will probably be crazy next week. Things are going well, we won a big account last week that I helped work on, so I am pleased. Hopefully will be $8mil/year in revenue. Woot! The Year of the Rat has begun.

Come back y'all! I miss ya!

Things go thinck and fast for a while Neeka and then life catchs up and flings you in other directions.  I know this is what has been happening for me anyway.  But so glad to hear about the bonus etc for you, things sound like they have turned about.

My life has been busy for the start of this year.  Children with social lives.  A wonderful ex husband that I discovered after five years is still using my name on financial stuff and bank accounts.  This threw a spanner in the works for a few minutes, but delt with it will I would say.  I ever politely told him he had 24 hours to rectify the situation or I would go and close the accounts and take the money, what would you know all fixed.  Besides this we have already had one funneral this year and have both fathers now very ill.  Waiting for some results for both of them and have fingers crossed all will be sorted in that department.  

It may seem a rocky start for us for the year, but other things have been going really well.  And the illness is out of our hands and the other persons paths really, so can only say a prayer they will be ok.  This is going to be a great year for us in many ways.

Still around as well, just life gets in our way now and again, damn life, lol.

Just went back to the YMCA and got signed up again so I can start gettng my ass back in shape beofe the late summer vacation to Oregon again.  Going back up to the Imnaha river.

That and I am back out of shape and not happy about it.

Glad the family is ok with the passing Kath, sometimes it is a good thing.

Yipeee Neeka!!! Knew you'd get it!

To all the rest of the family............hallllloooo out there!!!!

Shape, I am with you on that one Novia.  Have been doing some of the old exercise myself of late, not only to regain the shape but to help keep some health issues in check as well.  

Well my dad got back his health results, and doesn't want to hear that he needs to change aspects of his life in order to succeed with an improvement.  He is hoping the tablets will be all he needs.  He has a really unstable blood pressure along with some other things, heart attack levels, with a history of family heart disease ( his mother died at a reasonable young age from it) his brother has had by - pass done.  But he goes to a doc that has been his friend for over thirty years and I think he is past it as well as very lacking.  I have been suggesting that dad try to loose some weight as this would help, he is carrying alot of extra weight ( at least 40 - 60 kilos too much) he has problems with his hips, knees etc as well. While at the doc yesterday he asked him if he should loose some weight and the docs reply was " when you figure out how to do it let me know so then I'll know".  I have asked if he would consider going for a second opinion, and this seems to be out of the question.  So last night I threw my hands up.  I know it is his life and he needs to to his own thing, he is an adult ( my man was full of this last night) but I would like to see my dad around for many more years and the road he is on he won't be.

Well did the wonderful job of covering the kids school books, this is a job I do not enjoy as me and contact is just well there is no other way to put this, I suck at it.  I end up with it stuck to the table, on my arms, huge bubbles on the books, creases, stuck together.  I turn into a mad woman with contact everywhere, and my beautiful nine years old son puts his arm around me and said " at least you tried mum".  God I love that boy.  My oldest girl ( who thank god doesn't need any covered) was telling me how in primary school she use to sit in class and pop the bubbles and feel all the lines when bored.  Good for something I suppose.

I am  off to look around at all the wonderful things Lady E has been up to.

Kath

Kath-We're going through the SAME thing with my father-in-law. The woman he married after he divorced has led him in a lifestyle that caused him to have a massive heart attack in Sept 07 and a quadruple bypass. Everything they eat is fried and has too much salt. We have TRIED to talk to him about good eating and he lost about 20 lbs in the hospital, but now it's creeping back. He has had at least 10 steaks since he's been out of the hospital, the sister-in-law called him once and he was eating at a buffet restaurant and eating a lot of apple pie, because hey, it's apples, they're good for you, and the stepmother has been making sausage casseroles for the holidays. This is frustrating us to no end and they just won't listen to us. We're the kids and we don't know s&it. For Xmas, we gave them an American Heart Association cookbook, the book You: the Owners Manual, and a free week at the YMCA. I doubt the spines on those books will ever be cracked. They are just ignorant about health and nutrition and it drives us crazy. We want him around for a few more years, but it doesn't look good at this rate. It's so sad. It makes my husband so angry and I hate seeing him like that. I could go ON and ON about the stepmother, who, I swear, has Munchausen Syndrome. Enough. I do have to mention that I did some healing spells for him when he was in the hospital, and girlz, it was NOT a good prognosis, and he survived. I like to think I helped.

Ugh. Anyway. Novia, get that bod moving! I am trying too. I'm going to Weight Watchers today, even though the scale hasn't moved this week. My high school 20th reunion is this summer and I'd like to drop 20. That's quite ambitious, but it's possible if I try hard. I've done it before in college.

Things are progressing even better! 2008 will be GREAT. A very toxic person at my work was FINALLY fired yesterday!! I hate to rejoice at someone losing their job, but she has made at least 7 of her direct reports absolutely miserable over the past few years, many of them transferred or she got them fired, or they just left. This was long coming.

Morning All,

Taking my time getting my lazy ass moving today. And yes, ladies I would loe to drop some poundage as well....I am doing the long-walk the dog thing every morning and trying to cut our white flour, fried and processed foods...dangf, that is almost everything I love!

I am allowing one meakl a week where I can indulge tho. I think you do need to treat yourself for following the guidelines of a diet...I got this way from all the knee problems, and dang it, I hate being overweight. I am literally uncomfortable!

Gallbladder still beeds to be rectified as well, so by eating better it doesn't flare up as much. But it still needs to be addressed...argh.

Kath, be strong dear, I know how hard it is with parents.....both my parents smoked like chimneys...and both have passed way before their time (Mom at 68, Dad at 72)...I tried and tried to get them to quit, but hey, as you said, they are adults!

Neeka, its wonderful to hear that there is less "toxicity" at work...your life will benefit from it, as well as others I am sure! The American Heart Association cookbook sounds interesting, I might have to check that one out today online, it may be my next book purchase...I am collecting cookbooks it seems, and all of them are healthy cook books at that! (Like I don't already have enough recipes)

Anyway, I still need to do some "Dailies" around here, the "Born On",  "Daily Spell", and the "Esbat Magick"....and yes, I will get to them...it will be just a bit later today. I am still fighting with the scanner/printer trying to get some fabulous new Sundown wands into the Shopping Emporium. Sundown dropped off some incredible new wands, and my scaner (which transfers the photos from the card to my computer) is being a pain in the ASS....so that has priority this a.m. Also, the Encyclopedias are growing everyday, and that is where you wil find the most recent info added.....enjoy, and stay tuned!


Peace be with ya'll!

Blessings Bright and Dark,

Hello Everyone.  Not sure who everyone is, but I wanted to say hello.  I too have started walking.  I have the most sedentary job, I do medical transcription at home, sitting in a chair up to 12 hours a day.  Geesh does my azz show it too.  Just taking it easy and slow as to not burn myself out quickly.  I am looking at it as a gift to myself instead of torture.  Thanks for such a fabulous place to share and to be a part of.  Keep on Keeping on sisters.  

All you people and your jobs...*sigh* I wish I had one of those.

As it were, I just started back to school. Yay. I have two philosophy classes though, and an upper-division writing course, so really I haven't any complaints. I don't have any history classes though, which is a little sad, seeing as how that's my major...^^;

Actually, I'm in my photography class right now, killing time while the professor gets everything in order. Looks like he's about ready, at that. Gotta bail.

Sorry for being so brief ^^;

He everyone.  Neeka I do know what you mean.  I was talking with my dad just yesterday and he told me drinking so much water was a falicy ( know I spelt it wrong).  When I asked who said he told me my mum.  I tried to tell him if he was properly hydrated his joints wouln't hurt so much and a great many other things would also improve. Now I just send healing love energy.  I don't balme my mum 100%, she does do the cooking or should I say frying etc.  But if dad wanted to change things he is capable of taking over his own meals.  Anyway.

Lady E You do so much around here, I ofte wonder where you find all the time.

To everyone trying to drop some weight, good luck.  I am myself as I have said before.  I want to fit back into some of my other clothes, and I have some medical reasons to try to keep it in check.  And it seems that you get to a time in your life where you wake up one day and think " where the #@*& did that come from".  Things seem to go south as well.  So good luck, I must say though I am not on a diet.  I have changed my meal sizes, changed my look at some foods I didn't like and I do some exercise.  I do agree with Lady E though, you need to treat yourself sometimes, mine is some chokie and one take away every second weekend.

Well off for a look around.

Kath

OK who turned up the ho hum meter!!!?????

Kinda poopy droopy today took a loverly hot soak in my smell pretties LE!!! Worked wonders.

A bad day at work, along with three others lol.

Am going to go curl up under the fuffers and grab a book.

Ear stuffy. Trying to catch a cold me thinks!

Why do we say this? I don't know of any sane person who would even consider chasing a damn cold to catch it!!

Shouldn't we say a cold is trying to catch up to us?

Kath-Oh yes, I agree with LE too! You'll have to pry the Mexican food out of cold, dead hands. But just once a week. Maybe twice, if I get a salad. I have tried to switch my cheese habit (real cheese, not the heroin kind!) to low-fat and non-fat types and to Wasa bread from watertable crackers. Little steps. And be more mindful about eating. I don�t eat in front of the TV, so that�s not a habit, which is good. If you do have that habit, I recommend taking up a hobby that you have to use your hands, such as scrap booking or making jewelry. Just my tips. I get so wrapped up in making jewelry that I forget to even drink the water I put on the worktable! And Weight Watchers is a great organization for support and healthy recipes if y�all are interested. I go to a great group Wednesday at lunch and really look forward to it. Our leader is fantastic. I have lost 10 lbs since last year. Slow, but in the right direction. I want to lose weight for health reasons as well as for the reunion. I have high BP and cholesterol, plus psoriatic arthritis (similar to rheumatoid�it�s a genetic, auto-immune thing that causes inflammation of the connective tissues around the joints. It sucks.) I would love to get off the meds and maybe even (gasp!) have a baby. I don�t know why, but the clock has started ticking and I�m 37. The window will close very soon�

LE-the Amer Heart Assoc cookbook I got was the No Fad Diet. The recipes are very low-sodium and low-fat, and pretty tasty! To make a case for the book to my father-in-law, I made a potato salad and a Greek stuffed chicken from it for our holiday dinner. My husband liked it so much he begged me to go get the book!

Krissy-enjoy the college life while you can!! It was seriously some of the best times of my life. Work is lame, especially working in an Office-like place. The toxic person I write about that just got canned was like a female Michael Scott (from the sit-com), but not at all nice. There are people out there that are really like that, and sometimes they end up being your boss. Thank gods she was never my boss, but a lot of my friends here reported to her. Actually, I want to do the LBR in her office before my colleague moves in there. I think I will stay late tomorrow�.Thanks for that post LE. That�s a keeper.

Talaria-Nice to meet you! Good luck on the walking.

Merry Meet Everyone!

Just wanted you to know that I haven't fallen off the face of the earth!  I work in accounting and January is very, very busy....lots of deadlines.....(you who live is the US all want your W-2's and 1099's!!).....once January is done, we go right into tax season, but it is a lot less stressful on my end....I just have to prepare all the financial statements and the tax department does the returns....so, just a couple more weeks and I will be chatty as ever!!

Hugs to all.....

Many blessings,
DesertMist

Well its Friday.  I have just seen the kids off to their fathers house for the weekend and have a couple of hours before my man gets home from work.

Another week draws to an end and it was a busy one at that.  Somewhere in there I managed to ride my bike 25klms and do some other weight work etc.  It all helps, I must admitt I feel better for it.  I have decided that one thing this year I am doing is stop procrastinating with my time for the exercise, meditating and my other things.  I am just making the time in amongst everything else for it.

Everything on the home front is good.  The weather is really hot and humid still.

We have one more week of holidays and then the kids are back to school, my littlest along with them this year.

Big changes this year, I feel it in the air.  Last few days its like the air is crackling around me.

Have a safe and wonderful weekend everyone.

Kath

Hi Kath,

I know what you mean about the air crackling....very good description. Even with the cooler air, there is an "energy" out there. I don't bel;eive it is a negative energy, but one of transformation and spiritual growth. I do think that some folks will not feel this way tho, and they will have a harder time assimilating the energies and get rather confuzzled....that is where all of us "witchy-types" come in....we can assist them in this new energy, but first we need to welcome it and adjust to the rythyms....it is so exciting!!

Exercise...yep, I am with ya....I feel better after I walk the dog....I love the crisp cold mornings here...no snow, and all the birds are amazing. One of the beautiful things about Louisiana is the wildlife...simply awesome! I am also noticing the birds that come and go with the seasons here now. After being here almost 3 years, it seems I am adapting. I defintely am moving back to Colorado, hopefully later this year (around October is what I am shooting for) but for now, I am going to enjoy all the richness that this "state"  offers....and walking the dog is a great way...

DesertMist, take it easy on yourself, girl. This time of year can bring havoc to one's health with the stress and hours of tax-season....just remember to drinklots of water, and try to make sleep a qualitiy rather than quantity experience.....my thoughts are with you!!

Neeka, thanks for the name of the book....I will defintely give it a try. Anything to help me and my health! I appreciate all the info! You're never too late to begin a family....I had my first at 29, and finished at 32. Many women are beginning families later in life...and since we are living longer and better, no reason to worry. I  look forward to the announcement of your bun in the oven! I feel for ya when it comes ot the psoriatic arthritis,my rheumatoid version is very painful at times....esepcially when the weather changes and some morning I can't walk very well...but hey, you do what you can! Stay strong!!

Today will be one of playing catch-up...the site needs some tweaking, and I am also working on the Herbal Tarot for the Divination Suite. The Dream Dictionary is coming along nicely in the encyclopedia section, I am up to the letter "G" (yeah, me) it's going to be very in-depth when I am done, if I ever am....I am so obessed with our castle!!

May you all be well, wherever you dwell!!

Blessings Bright and Dark,

OK, now I have talked about having a baby with some of co-workers. Of course they are very encouraging and said they couldn't wait to plan a shower. Well, I still have to talk to the other person required in this deal. Ya know, the guy. He was very excited at the birth of our nephew in August and said, "I wish he was mine." So I think I will say something tonight over dinner...I'll let you know...I'm still puzzled at why all of the sudden this is happening NOW. I'm going to go with it though. Happy Friday to you all, have a good weekend...