tapshoes

For a number of non-band related reasons, I have been absent for a few months. Now I’m back, and have stored a lot of rants inside; ‘tis time to vent…stand back. Red lights. At what point did the rules of driving change, and a red traffic light is no longer synonymous with ‘stop’? Apparently now a red stop light is discretionary – stop if you wish. Perhaps in my temporary absence, car manufacturers have developed shielding which permits cars to zip through red lights without harm. If so, where do I get this magical shielding? Maybe red lights have been deemed a street decoration. Or is it only certain drivers who are required to stop? If this is the case, please tell me where the exemption list is, so that I can brush up on the new rules before I become a death statistic (and BTW, I’m a pedestrian who takes my life in my hands walking to/from work daily. I have dodged more than one car that has sped through a red light and either come close to hitting me, or causing traffic in the cross direction to swerve onto the sidewalk close to me). Indicators. Here is a little known fact. On the steering column of most cars is a little lever or stick. This is used to indicate a change in direction of your vehicle and is manipulated up/down for right/left. This can be used to tell other drivers that you are going to change the lane in which you are driving (handy on a multiple lane highway), AND it can be used to advise other drivers that you are going to be turning right or left onto another road, or driveway or even pulling off on to the side of the road. To be truly effective, it is to be used BEFORE you attempt your maneuver. You will not wear out the indicator; there is no pay-for-use penalty for using it, and is simple to learn and with practice will become second nature. Next lesson – rear-view mirrors are not for makeup application! Grow up! I work in a profession that mandates certification before an individual who has successfully completed their university course of study can ‘practice’. Each year after the exam, there is a flurry of calls to my office from those candidates who were unsuccessful and I never cease to be amazed/annoyed by the parents calling on behalf of their children. I hold my temper (oh but the temptation…)! Here is my open letter to those : Dear irate/demanding/obnoxious Parent: Your ‘child’ has completed a minimum of 4 years of university study plus post graduate training yet apparently they are unable to master a telephone or deal with failure. This raises some significant concerns for your child’s ability to live independently as an adult. Their exam failure pales by comparison to this significant limitation of being a world citizen and begs the question: what was your role as a parent? Instead of pondering this question, you phone and yell at me because apparently of the many hundreds of candidates that write the exam (marked by computer), I personally have selected your child to fail because I am prejudiced against whites/blacks/females/males/ city/rural/ young/old/religious/humanist or any other variable that you imagine. Yes indeed, that’s what this nation needs, professionals dealing with the public after their mommy (more often) has berated, badgered, harassed, and insulted the licensing body to force them to grant a license to a ‘professional’ who can’t pass the exam! Ain’t gonna happen on my watch!! Rant over. You may now resume normal operations.

No, I don't believe it. One of my closest friends is a man that I have known for decades. I stay with him and his wife when I travel to their side of the country, we have holidayed together, he and I have stayed close for over 30 years...no sex, no interest in having sex. We are two people who like each other, indeed, love each other as close friends. Another good friend is male, lives several thousands of miles away, but we talk every week for hours about everything under the sun, if business brings me to his part of the country we spend days together, and with or without his wife of 40 years, we travel together, party together etc. In both cases, we have talked about every being something other than close friends; in both cases we have (mutually) said no. DH knows both of them, and in no way feels at all threatened by them. I've known and loved them longer than I have DH. We are friends...a rare and valuable commodity.

Just maybe...depends on where the fat was!

What can I say? I'm just a happy happy gal...or it takes SO little to make me happy...

Yes indeedy!

Welcome Gloucester! We are a friendly group, so sure, join in. The once-a-week club is now formed.

Yesterday's menu: B: 2 oz marble cheese; ff yogurt L: 1 cup turkey veggie soup D: 2 cups turkey veggie soup (can you tell DH made a BIG batch of soup??) S: ff pudding

I haven't had any problems eating any kinds of meat or seafood. Small bites, chew the living daylights out of it.

Had surgery on a Friday morning, was back to work on the following Monday...I have an office job, so there no issue. Even managed the 40 minute walk to work.

OK Ezma, we are on. A once a week allowance of nuts for me it is. Guess I will have to dig out some of bazillion craft projects I have 'in process' and keep my hands otherwise occupied for the last hour before I go to bed...that's my dangerous time. Hey fellow VV's, anyone else in on this???

Excellent timing - as I spent last weekend purging my closet, I do need some inexpensive clothes to get me through the next 10-20 pounds. thanks for the tip; a K-mart excursion is on the weekend to-do list...

It is best for me not to even think of these things ... :tongue2:

At 14, I can do the cross quite comfortably/effortlessly, and the foot is notsticking out. However, I cannot yet do the 'hook' - maybe in another 1 or 2 sizes.

It is Friday - Yeah!!! The sun is trying to make another impressive sunrise; my coffee is hot and the music is good...all in all it's enough to make me a very happy gal!

OK - once a week it is. If I have some tonight is that last weeks allotment, and some tomorrow is this weeks???? I'M JOKING!!! (mostly)

Emza, you and I are metaphysical twins! Your post is JUST what I needed, and at the exact moment it was needed most. I HAVE to give up my munching on nuts every freakin' day. I had them gone/finished/out of the house last week, and then somehow mysteriously they appeared in my cart at costco, and you know how heavy your cart is by the time you get to checkout, I just couldn't go back to the nuts aisle...... My nut consumption/obsession MUST stop, or at least slow down, so count me in! I will picket the pecans and peanuts, ban the brazils, and say adios to the almonds. Will we do a complete ban? or a once-a-week allowance?

Am I the only one reading this thread with my arms crossed protectively across my chest??? As an old broad, I just can't imagine it - but hey, that's what makes life interesting! Ang1982 - you do whatever makes you happy

Yeah Leslie!

Sloopy pottysniffer??? (although it seems to be the right thread for that name)

Another new (to me) use for it...I spooned it over a salmon steak - added colour to the presentation, and a different taste (pumped up with lemon juice)

Some good ideas here, thanks.

It is unfortunate that the restaurant didn't respect the request, but as other posters have said, frequently the food isn't as healthy. I would be inclined to order the regular size and have them box what I don't eat. DH has been benefitting from this approach - he gets an already prepared lunch or dinner for the next day.

Yesterday B: 1 cup skim milk, 1 banana S: ff yogurt L: bowl of homemade turkey soup ff yogurt D: 1/2 skinless chicken breast ff pudding S: 1/2 cup soynuts

EXACTLY!!! Or when the litter pans are scooped and cleaned, the car is shovelled out in the winter, the groceries are already bought and put away when I come home from work etc.

OUCH!!!!! Double OUCH!!!!