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Apples, thanks for the pics of the farm...it's interesting and a lot of work. I bet the "tiling" is left over from the tile duct that was used in the past. We have MTD (multi tile ducts) in the ground between manholes....and yes, it's concrete and fits end to end. That was the conduit technology of the day. Julie, those little girls are cute. Do they get along? It should be interesting watching those two grow up together. Arlene, yeah on the pound! Janet, no worries on the drive....it is a long one. Lori, glad your test went well. You are pretty amazing with the bargains. I'm still not in shopping mode but will probably have to buy some short pants as I don't have too many that fit anymore. No I'm not losing weight, but hopefully I am building some muscle which is sadly non-existent. Phyl....interesting book collection. Do you do book trading at your RV park? Too bad you aren't in the neighborhood this weekend, you might like the purse party I'm having. Very interesting purses. Laura, so sorry you are feeling bad....I haven't had those issues in almost 3 years now. You might want to think about having that problem fixed...is it worth going through what you do every time? My girlfriend (who is 57) is still going through really hard crampy periods too. She can't wait to go through menopause. It's just starting for her. Okay, I'm going from memory and it's not so good tonight. Hi to all of you that I missed. Have another long day tomorrow, but I'm taking another 1/2 day off Friday (getting younger...and boy do I need it) and getting ready for the party. Have a great night everyone.

Evening ladies, Got my concrete poured, a bougainvillea planted, started the hole of the plum tree and started the beef jerky. Then I went to work and fielded a couple of jobs. Work is so busy, it's not going to get better either for a while. So my purse party is this weekend and I don't even have a menu together yet. I think I'll do tea eggs (Chinese recipe) and the normal chips and dig with veggies and dip. It's an afternoon affair so I don't need to do lunch. My sister from Phoenix is supposed to be here too for the weekend. Should be interesting. Cheri...it's too bad people can't see what you mean instead of taking you literally. I've had a couple of moments like you described too. You mean no harm, but it just doesn't come out that way. We all use this form to vent, cry, and share joy. You are welcome too. Apples, busy driving day...it is fun when it's that busy some days....but not every day. Okay, it's late....we had date night tonight and went to the sushi bar. It is the sushi chef's birthday today and we took him a card. Some other people brought him a pinata...it was pretty funny. Talk to you all tomorrow. Eva

Janet, I don't have that much energy and if I'd stop eating crap, then maybe the weight would come off. You, my friend, have the determination and stick-to-it-tiveness that I envy and have never been able to find. My "don't put that in your mouth" switch is broken and although the band has helped and I'm very grateful for it...it's still up to me and me don't do so well sometimes. I also only do the yard work when I get a bug up my backside...and it doesn't last for long either. Laura K, congratualtions....where in Nevada? Let me know when, might be able to swing a trip that way while you are up there....maybe a quickie trip. Maybe Great can meet us there too depending on where she is then....maybe even Janet? Do a little southwest gather? Wow Lori, if you do make it to Phoenix, once again, let me know. I might be able to swing up there. It's only 2 hours from here. Julie, you talk about me being busy....your schedule sounds totally overwhelming. I'm so sorry your shoulder is still giving you grief...my sister gets several shots at a time...I can't believe the insurance only approved 1. It's really hard to concentrate of everything when you are in pain and not sleeping. Apples, so you are not so pleasant when you don't sleep? I hate it when that happens. The whole world is better after a good sleep. I can even put up with the stuff from work then. You are lucky your DH loves his job...now that I know he & I share the same bd, I understand about his commitment to the land. Can you get a satellite internet connection like Hugesnet? Joyce, good for you with going back to the gym. My fill doctor swears by the eliptical. I'm going to have to do something by summer...it will be too hot to walk so I think I'll check into a little women's workout center that's close to home. Accountability is important. Hi Jessica! I'll have to try and post again later. I took 1/2 day off to do another concrete pour but need to get some other stuff done before I go back to work. CBL Eva

Happy Sunday everyone, We went out for breakfast then to Home Despot and bought a plum tree...dwarf one that hopefully will do well in this area. I also bought a pot of petunias, geraniums, and lavender. Also another golden lantana for the front yard. So I've been working in the yard today....transplanted a couple herbs and I'm working on cleaning out the future mesquite tree hole....got some of the rocks out and pulled more eucalyptus roots and branches out of it. We stopped by our very local nursery and talked about water reclamation tanks and I asked him about the eucalyptus hole and he said once all the leaves and stuff are cleaned out, fill it with manure and good acidic soil and it should be good to go. Yehaw....... We also bought a couple more bags of cement, but I'm not going to get that done today...I might take off one morning this week and get another pour done. I also me our new neighbor today finally. He moved in maybe two or three months ago and I had never met him but he came over and introduced himself today. That was good. Oh and his last name is Good...LOL. Just taking a water break...back to the yard. Be chatting with you later. Eva

Joyce, I'm on prescription anti-inflammatory and vicodin for pain....I go off of them when not in pain to help the stomach. I keep a pretty close eye on how my stomach is reacting and so far all is well. I also don't take any of the meds on an empty stomach. I think that may help.

Janet, your point about the memories when we are in our 50's is so true...the problem being...is the CRS syndrome and I can't remember all the stuff I did back then. I can't say I've had a boring life but I'm not sure I can remember all of it either LOL. I was fat all through my life....not as fat as I am now, but still always overweight to the point people would say things, but I was always determined not to let it get in my way. I did everything I wanted and then some and I still do. Life is good. Okay, back to weeding and laundry.

Morning everyone...hope everyone is having a wonderful Saturday. Laura, Nels is going to be so embarrased when he gets older and finds out you posted him in his skivies. You'll have to save that and embarrass him with his first girlfriend...LOL. Janet...those music festivals are really fun, but I'm getting to the point that I don't enjoy dealing with 10,000 people. It's too bad they didn't sell single day tickets. The last big festival we went to was the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Fest last year. Thursday was okay, but Friday it started getting really crowded and by Saturday, it was just too hard to maneuver. You had to bring your own chair and set up at which ever stage you wanted to see hours in advance otherwise you couldn't even get close. We did see Tony Bennett but Aretha Franklin canceled. Great, I am so envious...I want to go on the cruise with you. I've never been to Spain or the Mediterranean. Waaaa, I want to go. I've been to Red Rocks too. Leon Russel in the late 70's and Billy Idol (this was after I moved to AZ and I was visiting Colorado). I love Red Rocks. I've also been to Mile High...they used to have Super Sundays or something like that...we saw Heart, Marshall Tucker, and maybe 6 other bands that I can't remember...it was lots of fun. Of course I was in my very early 20's then. Linda...we must have been sharing dreams because I slept until 8....slept about 9 hours. Glad to hear your concert was really good. Thanks for the recipe book suggestion...might have to try that one out. So your birthday is soon? There are 3 other people at work with April BD's and my sushi chef, sister-in-law and another friend have birthday's next week. April seems to be a good BD month. Jodi, it's pretty hard sometimes to go on line when our daily lives are so filled. I really understand about fitting the exercise in too. Maybe your daughter can "exercise" with you? You maybe could find something fun for her to do while you sweat. I have a hard time with exercise because when I'm exercising my arthritis really lets me know it's still there. But I'm slowly working on that and it's getting better sort of. Sometimes a change in jobs is better for other than monetary reasons...some days I seriously think about it. My biggest problem is letting go of the vacation time. I don't think I could handle two weeks vacation. eeks LauraK..the story about your DD's therapist is truly inspiring. I'm so glad you were able to let her know what a difference she made in your DD's life. Julie, wow...sounds like you actually might get some relief from your next stuff...yeah! Once the inflammation goes away and everything settles down, you might actually feel normal again. Wouldn't that be great! Glad Mimi seems to be doing well in day care. I'm also glad you still get to see her a lot. How's DD doing with DF? Joyce, we might be in KC sometime this year. My god-mother lives there and I need to visit her. Just don't know exactly when. You've jumped right in with this thread and become an active and interesting part of it. It's really cool. 1 day...good for you and the walking. Any movement is helpful and it's great you have someone to walk with. I know I'd be more consistent if someone was there to walk with me. There's a lady that walks at work, but it's early....before 8am...I may have to bite the bullet and try and walk with her so I can be more consistent. I'm reading a book called "Protein Power" by Michael R., and Mary Dan Eades, MD's. I'll email you and let you know what it says. Charlene, I'm so proud of you sticking to your shake diet. You are doing so well it's inspiring. In fact, I did a shake yesterday morning and I think I'll do one a couple times a week. It sure is easier than eating in the morning especially when I have to be in the field. Going to go work in the yard...CBL Eva

Evening ladies....had an 11 hour day today and I'm beat. Too tired to think and post, sorry. Julie, I so glad you had a pain free day...it's about time! Okay, I'm off to bed...will try and catch up this weekend. Eva

Janet, funny about taxing dead people....they'd do it too if they could. I get my dead parents mail still...why not their tax bill. Cheri....sorry about the troubles with GS....too much bureaucracy sometimes....not always in the best interest of the kids. Apples, cute shoes. I bought CROCS thongs when in FL and have tried wearing them, but they bother me. I haven't worn thongs in many years (used to wear them all the time). I'm going to keep trying and see if my feet won't adjust. Oh, I could just see my summer home out in the field with my garden right outside the patio/porch. Lovely trees and maybe even a water feature...wow, you got me dreaming. Arlene, good going on the 2 pounds....see, you are doing it. Sounds like a good idea on preventing the bloating, etc. Whey protein is milk based...I'm just not sure what chemical changes happen when they make it just whey as opposed to milk. As a little aside to the whey protein thing...back in 2005 I went to a personal trainer/diet guy (spent lots of money there) and he would bad mouth milk and milk products constantly, but, he swore by ISOPUR which is a whey product. Whey from milk....cow's milk.....so I mentioned that one day and he hemmed and hawed and kind of blew me off with a "that's different" statement. That was sort of the beginning of the end with him. He would make things fit his perspective rather than admit to the facts. Laura, great pictures. Guess mom didn't want to clean the pool neked with Nels sitting right there. It's a nice little pool. I could handle that especially if it was heated and had jets to swim against. Julie, glad to see you back at the computer....hopefully you'll be feeling better soon. I like Laura's description of how it will help the nerve endings. Hope you get good sleep tonight. LauraK...great job on the run/walk. When I walk there have been days when I wish I could run...I'm still too heavy and afraid to blow out a joint, but maybe one day I'll be jogging too. Garden envy. Joyce, so I really like your Volvo. That's what I want too but probably the XC. But since they are planning on selling Volvo to China, I'm a little afraid to leap there. I just don't trust their manufacturing practices enough to trust a pricey car to them. I had a 70's vintage sedan and I loved that car, but it fell apart (previous owner kept it together with chewing gum and bailing wire). I couldn't afford to keep it anymore. Phyl, sounds like you are having a great trip back to WA. It's nice to be able to travel slowly and do what you want. Hey Jodi...I see you lurking there. Hope your day is going well. Linda, your DH will get that swing set built eventually, especially if GD starts bugging him. I had a particularly busy day at work. In the field before 8am, 2nd meeting at 11am, 3rd meeting at 1pm, then a drive by to see how to feed a potential job. Then I get back to the office and I'm not back for more than 30 minutes and my planner needs to go look at another job that's in trouble so we both went out and it's going to be a major pain to take field notes for tomorrow. I have an 8:30 am meeting a block from where I was today...and if he had called my cell phone (number given on my voice mail) I could have done that meeting today. I have to stop by another place and do a conduit inspection, then go take the field notes. All this stuff I knew was going to come up is....plus added stuff. I've done as much prep work as I can, but I can't issue jobs until the developers are ready...they are all going to be ready at once. Aaarggg. Maybe I'll do another concrete pour this weekend, that work out some frustration. Okay, I need to sleep...hi to anyone I've missed. Hope everyone has a great night! Eva

Morning, just another fly by. Thanks for the update on Julie...keeping my fingers crossed for her. I love my dentist and the staff, hate going to the dentist too....it's not pain free no matter what and I hate that drill. However, I want to keep my teeth as long as possible so it's off to the dentist I go 3 times a year for cleaning and rarely for anything else. Okay, gotta meet a customer this morning. CBL Eva

I think Janet is just working a lot isn't she? LauraK...nothing fancy with the plantings....the javalina eat everything including some cactus. They don't eat the rosemary which are the big plants up front by the porch..then there is the octopus agave which has the big yellow stalk..it's blooming and then will die. There is a golden barrel cactus next to it and a trumpet vine on the other side. Desert plants. Julie, I'll be thinking of you tomorrow. It will probably take a day or two for those shots to work (I think that's what my sister says). Or it may be immediate. I really hope they help. Melissa, its really hard to stop that kind of eating. I have that problem too sometimes. I just have to force myself to stop and it isn't easy...sometimes I can't do it. You might just have to ask DH not to bring it into the house at least for a while so you can break the cycle. I end up throwing stuff away...lots of good food in the garbage. You can do it...I know you can.

Apples, wow, you do a great job on furniture refinishing. I have some pieces I want to work on too, but they are waiting for me to retire. I have a solid wood headboard that I really like, but it needs to be refinished and some end tables too....I'll have more time than money one of these days and will be able to do them then. I think I'm going to go look for a tree. Check back in later. Eva

No...it's just painted....the house is made of burnt adobe and it's very soft...I'd almost be afraid to sand blast it. I just took a paint brush with an off white paint and slopped it over it and it came out looking white washed. I actually painted the entire block part of it in 2 days. So when you ask what my hobbies are....they are working on the house and cooking.

House/concrete pics. The first two are from 1999 when we bought the house. The rest are from this weekend. The last pic is the concrete I did Saturday. It has a bit of a problem, but over time, the color will fade and you won't be able to tell. Eventually, when I get the sidewalk done all the way down the south side, I will face the edge with brick so you won't see the outside edge, but that's a ways off. I broke up the old sidewwalk into it's individual blocks and reset them staggered. Now I'm building it out to the driveway and long the south side of the house. You can see I need to do a little weeding and we need to have the driveway sealed again, but one step at a time. You can also see that my house is set up from the street so every time I walk...it's up hill coming home.

Since we are sharing old dog photos...here's my old girl Glimmer. She just had her 11th birthday. Then there is the before and after picture of my back yard...before tree and after tree....yes, it's a mess, but that will change over time. I will plant a new (different tree) and hopefully put some sod in, rearrange my planters and have things growing....I'm too excited.

Apples,....tell you DH HAPPY BIRTHDAY....no wonder I like you....you have good taste in birthday's. Thanks for the cake too....glad it's just a virtual one for me. Thanks to the rest of you too for the birthday wishes. I'm doing just what I want to today....piddling. I've watered (and fed) some plants and finishing laundry....played on the computer.....think I'll go tree shopping this afternoon. It seemed that we had things to do all weekend and all I wanted to do is hang out, so that's what I'm doing today. I don't mind watering and playing with my plants, when I can do it on my schedule, then it's relaxing. Julie, no plans for dinner...maybe a BBQ....hamburgers....like I said before, I just want a little down time. I'm still sore from all the activity this weekend. Laura...good thing on the lab tests...it's nice not being lectured isn't it? Hang in there with the eating. You've been under a little stress lately so you'll get back on track soon...as I am. Weening off the sugar isn't easy. It's some chemical addiction and some mental. I've been afraid to get on the scale, but will do so tomorrow. I really don't think I'm doing too bad, but I know I'm not losing right now. Okay, I'm going to post pictures next...I'll do it in another post.

2plus4...isn't that always the way it is...never the tourist in your own location. I loved Scotland and would love to go back again, but there so many other places to see. Julie, it's probably a good decision to let Mimi go to daycare for a while. It's good for the kids to socialize I think (how would I know) but it may be just enough of a break for you to heal. You can always change your mind too and keep her later when you aren't in constant pain. My sister (the one in Phoenix) gets shots 3 to 4 times a year for her back and it makes a lot of difference to her. She'll never completely heal, but at least she feels better. Apples, sounds like you had a good time with your friend anyway, even if you didn't make it up to the lake. My friend's son grew up too when he went to the Navy. He truly came back a man. I never thought about freezing egg foo young. That is a very interesting idea. It was also interesting to hear about your sewing. You are truly a woman with many talents. How's the youngest? Janet, your weekend (minus the fighting with Andrew) sounds wonderful, relaxing, and just the ticket. Hope you can a good one. Melissa, great picture. You look like you were having fun. Deb, I'm jealous, I want to go to NYC too. Sounds like you have a very fun time planned. Hey, are you going to try and meet Jodi while you are there? I'd like to try that bra shop too...I'm so picky about those things. Lori, glad you like the new to you car. I really don't mind buying used cars, they certainly are easier on the pocketbook. Sounds like you have a very nice day planned too. I bet the weather was wonderful there. A perfect day. When are you meeting with the realtors? Does the company hire people to move you? Charlene, sorry about the fibro day....hope you feel better. At least I know what is causing my issues and it's mostly out of shape muscles. DH let me sleep in this morning...if fact I slept so hard I didn't even hear him make coffee. We did go to breakfast on the motorpickle. It's only 2 miles...so it's not like its a really long ride. I haven't been on a motorcycle with him in 20 years. We did figure out that the seat-saddlebag arrangement doesn't work too well for me. The bars hit my calves in a not so comfortable way so either the seat has to change or something. Besides that, it was a wonderful ride. After we got back from breakfast, I went to my sister's house to water plants and stuff. She went to Florida for an indefinite time and I have to do her plants. I pulled weeds and oh my, those muscles are talking to me. Then I went grocery shopping and came home a piddled around. I took a nap and now we are going to go do something else.... I'll post pictures of the concrete and the back yard later...guess I have to go get dressed again. Later, Eva

Good middle of the night to you all. I was in Scotland in 1987. Wonderful trip...actually rented a car and drove...on the left side. That was weird. Stayed one night in the Balfour castle on the island of Shapinsay (spelling?). Saw Loch Ness and stayed in B&B's. We were there for the Edinburg festival and got to see some great theater and music too. Friday night we went bowling...haven't done that in more than 20 years. It was fun, but painful...there are some muscles you use to bowl that you don't normally use. Then today I mixed and poured 320 pounds of cement. Then we went out tonight. So I'm up because my foot is bothering me and I can't get to sleep. Linda, great pictures...your tops are cute and so is that GD. Cheri, yes ibuphrophen is an anti-inflammatory, however, I have to take so much of it when my arthritis is bothering me, that I feel horrible. I have a perscription anti-inflammatory (feldene) which is a once a day pill instead of 8-10 of the ibuphrophens. The prescription pill is not a pain reliever either which is why I have vicodin. So if I can only take a couple of ibuphrophens now and then instead of the daily stuff, that's where I'd rather be. Doesn't always work that way though. I have a mouth full of crowns and fillings, root canals, etc. I've invested a fortune in my teeth but find it completely worth it. I want to keep these teeth as long as possible. Was told by a dentist when I was young that I'd have dentures by the time I was 30. Guess he was wrong. Jodi, that pretty cool that you get your pick of the donated clothes first. Especially while you are losing weight. It can save you a ton of money. Okay, guess I'll go wander around some more and see if I can get to sleep. DH is going to take me to breakfast later today via the motor cycle. He put the double seat back on it and wants to see if I will actually ride with him. I haven't done that for years. Should be fun. I'll try and check in later. Hope everyone has a really nice Sunday. Eva

You can always visit Janet and me you know...we live in the warm desert....... Arlene, Congrats on the WL....I'm so proud of you!! I don't wear perfume. DH doesn't care and there just isn't any scent I've found that I have to wear. I have some, just don't wear it. Julie, keeping my fingers crossed for you DD and Mimi today. Hope everything works out well. DD is going to have to learn how to deal with the X. It's not easy and she may have to grow tough skin. My DH has a crazy X (girl friend...mom to DH's boy) but I've learned to deal with it....years later. Great...welcome back! Jet lag...no fun especially travelling backwards....sleep well tonight! Did you get a nice tan? Where did you stay? I guess I should ask, what island? Jessica, oh what a mess. You stay away from all the upheaval....you have enough stuff in your life, you don't need to worry about the rest of your crazy family.....but apparently they aren't related any more. I'm really sorry to hear about the child....so sad. Joyce, yep it's months of learning and then months more. I wish for the newness of it again, then maybe I could focus more. Sorry the pills didn't agree with you, but this too shall pass. 1 day...good for you. You need to stick up for yourself and not let anyone make you feel less. People that treat other people badly do it to make themselves feel superior when they actually are not. Hope that made sense. You deserve the best and I admire the fact you don't bad mouth the X in front of your son. When Robbie (DH's son) was younger, as much as I couldn't stand his mother, I would never say negative thing about her around him. Now I do, because he's old enough to realize they're true!! Actually, I still watch it. She's his mother and he loves her. Your X is your sons father and you still have to deal with that. Your son probably loves him...he's still his father. Janet, I don't do windows either, but my cleaning lady does. Yipee. I have these weird leaves...they are sort of iridescent stuck on the sliding glass door to help keep the birds from committing suicide on them, but I noticed they are missing today and the windows were cleaned. They won't stay that way long because of the birds. Oh well. Apples, thanks for the recipies...they looks good. I love cilantro and may try that one. I have tons of money invested in my teeth too. Haven't made the leap to doing veneers or anything yet. I hope you find something that will make you happy with them. You do have a great smile you know. Phyl, enjoy your trip home. It's going to heat up here in the desert pretty soon...you may really enjoy getting out of the furnace. I'm going to be in Portland the first weekend of May, but I don't think I'll have enough time to travel up to your area....it's just a weekend trip. Cheri...hope you are enjoying your vacation!! Laura, sorry your Dad was grumpy...he just doesn't feel good and they seem to take it out on the people closest to them. My Dad did the same thing to my Mom...it was very hard to see. Glad you had a good trip home and are in the arms of your DH. My electric is moved and the tree is down!!!! He'll finish removing all the wood tomorrow and then we have a clean slate so to speak. We also passed all the inspections so that part is over. I'm glad. We are going to have the guy dig our hole for the new tree too because our dirt isn't....it's rock and pretty wicked to dig by hand. I walked for an hour last night after work...felt good, but I still didn't sleep all that well. I went off the anti-inflammatory again and I'm achy at night. I'm going to stay off of it for a while and just do ibuphrphen for a while, but I sure can tell the difference. I'm working my way off the sugar AGAIN! I gave away or threw away all the candy and sweets from Easter. I'm so more aware of my sweet tooth now than I was before. I know once I break that cycle, I'll be fine, but geeze my brain is fighting it. Okay, I have to finish up a few more of the purse invites so I can take them to work tomorrow. Hope everyone has a great night and HI to anyone I missed. Eva

Guess I'll have to take a trip to CA too if you show up Apples. Fly by...have to meet a customer this morning. Lots of stuff going on as usual. Maybe electric gets cut over today...we'll see. Talk to you all later. EVa

Laura...sorry about the rough day. Hang in there....you can do it. I used to cry every time I left my parents too. Janet you and Andrew look lovely. That's a great color for spring. Went for a walk after work...DH and dog went too. We went for the longest walk we've done so far and I kicked both the DH and the dog's butt. Felt good. So on that note, I'm off to an early night. Hope you all have a good evening. Eva

I make cream cheese type cheese balls, or depending on the occasion other thing....the first picture is a cheese egg from a previous Easter...then there is the cheese "cake" it was a birthday cake made completely of different flavored cream cheese, then this years Easter "egg" (it has a curried flavored center to make it look like an egg) and then last Halloween I made "eyeballs". No real cakes for me.

Afternoon all, Julie, wow that is rather quick for DD, but they have 6 months and you'll be able to tell how it goes from now until then. You never know...they could be perfect for each other and blossom together. You are certainly busy the next couple of days. Enjoy your Easter festivities and take care of yourself for the funeral tomorrow. Janet...Angle and Ryder are so cute. Were those flower pictures from your yard? I've packed up all the sweets from today's party and I'm taking them to work for others to snack on. My sister made coconut macaroons and she made a ton of them...they are going away. Apples, are you in GA now? You are your son are in my thoughts!! Great....bet you are running around like crazy getting ready for Hawaii...have loads of fun and take lots of pictures. Can't wait to hear and see about it when you get back!! Jewel....40 pounds, that is amazing. Congratulations for all your hard work. Have a really good trip and enjoy your visit with your brother. Your posts are sounding so positive and your life seems to be falling into a place where you are going to blossom. (Must be spring with all these flower metaphors) Jodi...hope you are doing well during passover. All that cooking has got what I do beat. Enjoy your family!! Charlene...good going with the diet. Happy Easter to you and your family!! Phyl, how'd your dinner go last night? You are getting close to heading out aren't you? The weather is turning warmer. Laura...glad you are able to help your parents out. I bet they feel better and I know you do. Pretty cool about Nels getting out to a vehicle museum. The sunrise pic was beautiful. Hope you had a really nice Easter. LauraK...Happy Easter to you too! Okay, I know I've missed people...hello everyone...hope you are enjoying your weekend. My allergies are horrible. My eyes are itching and I'm going through too many tissues. I just took another allergy pill because I just can't stand it any more. We had the FNSC over today for a little brunch and Easter egg coloring party. Dyed 3 dozen eggs and got rid of all but 2. It was actually a lot of fun and Rex (a friend) was quite into it and made some very interesting eggs. Now the kitchen is cleaned up and everything put away and I have some time to read and write. Guess I'll go piddle around or just get into another book...maybe I'll see what's on TV. That would be different. Have a good night everyone. Eva

HAPPY EASTER Hope everyone has a really wonderful day! eva

Quickie this morning too. Jodi, great questions for Julie's daughter's new beau. It will take time to ascertain some of those things, but the questions are really on the spot. Valley fever is a fungal infection that dogs (cats) and people sometimes get in their lungs. The fungus lives in the soil and when it is disturbed the spores can be inhaled. They built a few houses behind my house and that is when my dog was infected. She's had VF for several years now and she just doesn't seem to fight it very well. They measure the amount of infection with a blood test and the results come back in the form of a tighter ....titer? Not sure of the spelling or the meaning, but when she started she had a titer of 1/32 it dropped to 1/16 after about 6 months of meds and then stayed there for a couple of years. Last year it dropped to 1/8 and yesterday I got the last blood test results and shes down to 1/4. She is still on meds, but at least the number is dropping. You can't tell she is sick, but if I don't treat it, she will get worse...coughing and sometime lesions. See more info than you wanted to know. Janet...I loved that letter to food. I'm going to do that this weekend. You all are wonderful in the support area. Melissa...I am in the same boat...I do really good for a couple of days and then just don't pay attention anymore. Don't know what my brain needs to make me stick to a program. I lose focus pretty quickly sometimes. PM me if you want....maybe we can chat. Okay...gotta go...work is calling. Eva