CAUTION! CAUTION!

The weeping willow root system will agressively seek water -- especially in dry climates. This includes seeking out your septic or sewer system. If you do decide to plant one, do it way way far away from any plumbing lines......... guess how I know!

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Judy
highest = 180, goal = 138-140
Every single time I put food in my mouth, it matters. No more fooling myself!

Heather, before I even read Judy's post, I was thinking, NOT. Weeping willows are messy trees. They shed stuff all over. They are only pretty when they are leaning over some wild creek. There are lots of good trees for shade and/or blossoms. Research what will grow well in your area, without too much fussing. Just more stuff to learn and have fun with.

I've had a quiet day reading and feeding my Muse. Now it's time to get my pencil going.

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Barb L.
Atkins since Jan 2003
Maintenance as of 4/05


My Fitday Journal

I couldn't agree more with Judy...I've had to call more than one plumber when a willow trees roots clogged up my toilet (when we had company coming!!) I'd much rather have a fruit tree.

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Donna
238.5/168.2/150
I will see my goal weight again!

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flying by...
letting you know I appreciate each and every one of you more than you will ever know!

I am working tomorrow...I know...don't faint!!! I'll also work on Friday.
Gee...hope I remember what to do!! LOL!

Today we signed the contract for the new heating and AC and they will do that next Monday, the 28th. Also on that day, our little Kassie girl will have her little kitty hysterectomy! Poor lil girl! I picked the same day so Kassie would be away from the house and not have to endure the noise and hub-bub of it all; for some reason, she is definitely skiddish and a bit sound sensitive.

Heather...just a thought...but one of the pine species that thrive in Montana would be a lovely tree(s). Plant one for each of your children. Then over the years, they will always feel *rooted* to home...not to mention how amazing it will be to see how much the tree has grown in comparison to the kids!

Sorry to fly, but some chores await me.
zoom-zoom...
(((hugs to all)))
s

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Shelley
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Visit Kassie's Korner



Life deserves a treat now and again, but life also deserves being healthy[with required disipline] to make it worth living!

Girl friends of mine, following along with nothing new to add at the moment. Enjoy reading and learning about each your day to day happenings.

Heather, I think weeping willows are a beautiful, peaceful tree. So graceful.

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Ozzie's Place

Must be a feline impersonator of Lexi.

A teacher at school had an Australian Shepherd/Golden Shepherd mix that is about 2 year old. They are moving and the dog can't go. He is trained, fixed and has all his shots. DH is really interested in seeing him. Lexi could potentially get a brother. There are a couple of other people that are interested and in line before us. We'll see how he "interviews" with them and possibly with Lexi.

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Judy
highest = 180, goal = 138-140
Every single time I put food in my mouth, it matters. No more fooling myself!

Good morning!

Heather, heed the Weeping Willow advice! I am so enjoying your excitement. We will all be building this house along with you.

And speaking of invasive ... Donna ... what was the name of that climbing plant that takes over the back yard? I want to avoid it. I remember we were talking about that a while back. I was at a garden store just checking things out. The side of my house has several section that are very plain with no windows. I was thinking a few trellis with climbing flowering plants that will take south sun would look nice. Any ideas?

Donna, LOL. I watched Snow Buddies a few months ago. Cute movie! It sounds like things are going very well with you and your son. Hooray! I am also in awe of your walking program. Your energy is amazing!

Peg, I am so sorry to hear of the family squabbles, but you seem to have a handle on it. Did you mention your trip to Washington (?) BC (?) before? Sounds fantastic if the family can come to an agreement!

Barb, looks like a warm rainy week this week. I should have planted some grass seed over the weekend. But I am trying to kill all the weeds first. For some reason, the weeds are really bad this year. They have taken over major portions of my lawn. Aren't you glad you do not have to worry about this stuff any more?!

Judy, another chance at another dog? LOL. Face it, one day you will have two dogs!

Shelley, do you mind telling me what brand of A/C & furnace you are going with? That is one of our projects this year, too. Someone told Bob about Heat Pumps so we are going to get a quote for that, too. And no -- never did get those Dockers ordered. This weekend, for sure!

Poor Kassie. Your heart always goes out to them because you can't tell them that everything is going to be OK! Good idea to have the operation done during the furnace install.

Brenda, Berta, Susie, Mary Kay --

Hope I didn't miss anyone. Have a great week! XXOO

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Alida
5'1" ~ 59 years old
Highest weight: 165
Atkins 7/10/2004
160/126/125
RE-DO, January 2008:
167/162/135

Hey Gang!

Ok, I've got to agree that willows can be a nuisance, but I adore them. I miss my willow enormously. It was huge, about 10 feet from my bedroom window and was like living in a tree house to look outside. Can't tell you how much I cried when we had to take it down. The bedroom is about 15 degrees hotter in the summer, too. :(

Alida, catching up here....when my parents moved here initially they camped out in the family room while we built the other half of the lower level for them. We used those plastic, bamboo-look roll up blinds as room dividers, the kind some people use on porch windows. Not exactly the decorator look, but they're cheap and can offer privacy or be rolled up to open up the area. We have a regular ceiling and hung each one on a couple of screwed in hooks. Maybe if the grids for your ceiling tile are sturdy enough, you could attach them with tie wraps? Something like that, anyway.

Peg, I'm sorry to hear about the family issues. I guess it's true that you never know when they're going to rear their heads, but it's a d*mn shame after all these years. Family drama plus alcoholism? Ack. However, I'm SO glad you found the boat story! It was priceless and I know your group will enjoy it. As far as the trip to MA? DO go. Do it for yourself even though the thought may be a bit much right now.

Shelley, aw, that little Kassie is growing up! It's a kindness on your part to schedule her surgery while your house will be chaotic.

Donna, so pleased to hear you had such a nice visit with the grand kids! Those little smiles and hugs mean a lot.

Judy, Miss O is still the cutest kid in Texas. Was anything determined about the gluten intolerance? Oh a big brother for Lexie That's an interesting possibility.

Everyone else, big waves. Today brings a bartered massage, dance party aerobics class, and supper after with dance party buds. My calendar has been delightfully full with enjoyable activities and good people. I'm a lucky gal.

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BC
LC Since 1998
Highest Weight 172
Current 104-108

Following along and enjoying all your company. DH will come home at around noon. He split up his 3 days bereavement around his busy times. M's mama thinks she can watch little one Thursday so DH and I may have a few hours to ourselves. It's very rare for us to have kid free time so we won't know how to behave. It's our errand day and to shop without little ones.....weird!

Two more days until we get to pick out our house plans!

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Brrr...it's cold here today. I had a good look at my forsythia last night and the flowers are all turning black...way too cold for it. Word is the fruit crop won't be very good this year....no bees due to the cold.

I went to bed last night with a scratchy throat and this morning woke up with a sore throat. Hope it's not a spring cold!

Alida: Darned if I can remember the name of that vine. Brenda was the one that spent the summer pulling one out of her yard maybe she can remember. Brenda? I love clemantis vines or a hummingbird vine would be nice or honeysuckle will grow just about anywhere.

Shelley: I knew you would get miss Kassie fixed. Responsible pet owners are wonderful! A neighbour woke me up a couple of days ago wanting to know if I had a big black cat. No, not mine. But, it had been hit by a car and didn't make it. Turned out it was a "she" and left behind 4 babies. They did find the babies and found homes for them, but it could very easily have gone the other way and it would be the start of another wave of hundreds of strays again. I bet Kassie will calm down after her surgery.

Heather: Have they let you peek at the house plans so you can think about it for the next couple of days or do you have to make up your mind right away? I've never had a brand new house...I'm envious for sure.

Brenda: How did the hospice volunteering go? Any more job offers? You keep so busy I can't see how you have time to work!lol

Judy: I agree with Alida. You definitely will end up with another dog. Maybe not right now, but the signs are there. lol It might keep Lexi busy and out of trouble. Does she still dig? I love to watch my two running around and playing. If there was just one I know she would just sleep 24 hours a day...lazy breed.

Barb: Did you sleep in? Not like you to have already visited her by the time I arrive.

Last night I did 2.5 km on the treadmill. When I turned the page on my walking program I found it had failed to print what I was supposed to do so I just made up my own for the night. Started out with a 5 minute warmup and then went to 1 minute of running and back to 5 minutes walking etc. Took 46 minutes and I was definitely sweating when I was finished. Can't wait to get back at it tonight...except dh has a ballgame. Maybe I won't go with him...sitting in the cold isn't my idea of fun.

Okay...off to work...doesn't look like anyone else is going to do it for me.

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Donna
238.5/168.2/150
I will see my goal weight again!

Hmm. I coulda sworn I posted here this morning. CRS for sure! I went from Bible study straight to the park for a walk, with my light wrist weights. Had lunch with an old friend, who also moved on from Hallmark. Then--gorgeous day--a little cruising in the Miata. It's hard to excuse driving around with gas prices what they are, but I made up some "errands." An emergency run to the Russell Stover chocolate store is considered an errand, right?

I went to the Half-Price bookstore as well, and bought a couple more books by A. S. Byatt, who wrote Possession, and a couple of CDs.
I'm listening to Renee Fleming sing Handel. Sublime.

I'll be interested in the dog adoption, Judy. Best wishes.

Heather, REALLY best wishes!

I think I'll go crack one of those books now. See you tomorrow everybody.

__________________
Barb L.
Atkins since Jan 2003
Maintenance as of 4/05


My Fitday Journal

hey gang,
It's kinda overcast and a bit cool here today to! Also some intermittent drizzle, so I think today will be an exercise day off.
Not to mention the fact I've been awake since 0215 this morning!
I guess the anxiety induced insomnia is never going to go away ...blah! I don't get it. I don't feel that anxious now that I've cut way back on work, but there it is, each and every time I have to work, I wake up between 0100 and 0200-ish with my brain racing about work stuff, and I don't go back to sleep. Well...guess I'll crash land pretty early tonight! har!!!

Alida...I think you might be talking about the trumpet vine? It can get out of control and spread like crazy, plus it's a booger to get rid of. I think Bren found a product that did the trick last year when she was doing her landscaping...Bren???
Also, we are getting a Lennox system; increasing our AC by 1/2 ton and upgrading to a variable speed furnace, and also we are having a central humidifer installed. The energy efficiency rating is way up there for this system, and it's on the gov't list to qualify for tax purposes...yay! Finally a home improvement that will help with a tax break. I'm sad to say that the new roof and new attic ventilation we had installed last fall, did NOT!!!...grrr!!!
So, you might want to get a spec sheet from your tax person to see if the system you are looking at is on the list. Just a thought.

Bren...I think Kassie would just be miserable if she were here on the day of the install. Any noise that's the least little bit louder than our daily level, and she's under the bed in a flash and won't come out! When the teenagers from heJJ that live across the street come home with their boom box type car stereo turned up as loud as it will go, she's gone in a flash! I don't blame her on that one, though! I will truly be glad when those kids go off to college! hehe!

Donna...I was about to tear up reading about those baby kittens who lost their mama! Thank goodness they were found and got good homes. There is too much sadness in the world where animals are concerned. I have been considering perhaps working for our vet one or two days a week. The pay is crummy of course, but lots of play time with furry babies; probably some sadness as well, so I don't know if I could take it or not.
I think Kassie will settle down some after her *surgery*. I don't mind her playfulness one little bit...it's that darn biting that she keeps doing. Chalk it up to being a *bratty teenager*, eh?

Judy... LOL...I had forgotten that Lexi is skiddish and runs and hides at the sound of loud noises...and thunder as well, right?
Well maybe if Lexi gets a sibbling, she'll give up her *skiddish ways*...or not! Animals...always keep us guessing...LOL!

Peg... on the step-son scenario! Dang...I don't think you should have to apologize for something you DID NOT do, but that's the way a woman's fences have to be mended sometimes. It totally stinks the BIG ONE though!

SistaSue...Hope work went well for you today!!! How's the car shopping going? I love a new car, just hate the *dance* ya gotta do to get one! LOL! Drive a hard deal, sista; lots of car dealers are beginning to get desperate to make a deal and move their inventory, so now is actually a good time to buy, they say.

Heather...2 more days!!! Talk about losing sleep...I'd definitely be sleepless with that kind of excitement!!! I know you will probably get *tons* of advice, but be sure you are happy with the amount of CLOSET SPACE in the house plan you choose. Often times a smaller room WILL work if the closet space is great.
NOT good if it's a small room with a small closet, yanno?
Have fun!!! We are ALL excited for you, sweetie!!!

Hi to anyone I missed...my brain is just about to leave me...I think I need a diet coke!!!

OK...guess I'll go tidy up the kitchen and get something out of the freezer for dinner. I may get lazy and do carry out broccoli beef from our little neighborhood Chinese place. Yeah...I think I just might have to do that!

later, chickadees!
(((hugs to all)))
s

__________________
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Shelley
~~~~

Visit Kassie's Korner



Life deserves a treat now and again, but life also deserves being healthy[with required disipline] to make it worth living!

__________________

Good morning all!
Just stopped in with my coffee, but can't stay.
A fitness walk awaits me before the rain moves in...so gotta hurry on down the road....

back later, most likely; if not, SAVE my spot by the pool...I hear the pool boy is really a cutie! hehe!

(((hugs)))
s

__________________
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Shelley
~~~~

Visit Kassie's Korner



Life deserves a treat now and again, but life also deserves being healthy[with required disipline] to make it worth living!