how about drinking?

Good Morning, Loungettes! Happy Hump Day! I was looking forward to a nice sleep in this ayem but Sadie decided that it was time for her to play alarm clock again. So I got a whole 20 minutes more sleep than usual! Oh, well, not like it hurts me to get up at 6:30 on my day off, right? Going to a Succulent Plant and Sip event at a local shop tonight--wine and munchies while planting a small succulent garden to take home, and an hour of discount shopping at the store. A couple of friends are going too, so it should be a really fun time. Got an e-mail from my Kaplan manager, have another class tentatively set up for middle of May, this one is local, things are starting to pick up there, which makes me very happy.

Goldie--It is nice to have more seasonable temperatures to work with. I need to get out and do some shoveling before the rain that's predicted to come on Friday. Not looking forward to that. There certainly were a lot of flashing lights for a one car accident, weren't there?

Jazzy--Yes, the weather has eased up, temps are in the teens where they are expected to be this time of year. The January thaw is coming at the end of the week, temps predicted to get into the 40's so the storm that is also coming will be rain and not snow. And hopefully not too much iciness, but will have to wait and see about that part.

Chi--Sounds to me like Eric and Amy are pretty skilled at making money by doing internet reviews, and not such good cooks. I certainly wouldn't give them much credence if I were looking for a food processor or anything else.

Joy McSparkles DOTD:

Appetizer l'Italienne
This cocktail has a dark, almost cola-like quality that makes it perfect for a cold day. Between Fernet Branca, absinthe, and a vermouth that dates from the 1800s, you'll earn some serious trendy-cocktail cred with this one.

Oh every time I come here I miss more and more. I'm so used to writing a lot here and now I can hardly catch up. I miss all the daily talks.

Cyn I work for a company that does heating/ac, plumbing and electrical--residential and commercial from my bedroom. I started 5 yrs ago with maybe 20 calls a week, now it's exploded especially with crappy weather all times of the day and thru the nite. I do have great guys I work with nd for, but my work load has expanded to do more than just answering the phones now cuz they're so busy, I schedule more nd mke follow-up calls more, alot of the customers and I are on first name basis and all the new ones for the most part are very nice, but I do get the asses too.

Well Leslie operation and recon will be Tuesday, she talked to the PS and now she feels good about the whole thing, well I'm just keeping my mouth shut. So he'l put foobs in and not take from other places for now. He will in fact take some from her stomach to fill in when it's time. One of my cousins offered to come and help as long s we need her, LOL that's indefinitely around here, so we'll see. Since I never had recon I don't have a clue if the other surgery has pain or not, cuz I know being boobless has no pain, so I'll see now.

I just wanted to let u gals know what's going on here, I'll try to come back latah to read but I do hope all are doing well no matter what's going on===U know I might have told u all this I really don't remember at this time---Jeez I'm loosing it.

LUBS U ALL

,

Kinda foggy, drizzly, and warm (almost 50) here today. Since I'll be nuking petrale sole & herbs in parchment when I get back from my BC supp. group meeting, I'll drink whatever Vernacchia is left in the fridge. Right now, my DOTD is a cappuccino, sipping as I type before I head out--had to use up the last of the milk and the no-longer-fresh espresso beans (the new ones won't be drinkable till tomorrow--takes 3 days to out-gas). Oh, and the delicious ice water in the car cup-holder en route (the bottle half thawed out).

NM - maybe go see your PCP about what happened ?

Just looked up "pulk" and "pulka," and found that they are also called "spark" or simply "kicksleds." No platform (dunno why I seemed to remember seeing one), just runners and a seat in front of the handles for carrying a passenger or parcels. Confirmed my suspicions that they're pretty much useless in the city except before streets have been plowed and sidewalks cleared. Oh, well. Maybe I'll get one for recreation to replace X-C skis (which I'm afraid to use now for fear of falling).

Back into the deep freeze again: 21F, low tonight of 6. Snowing on & off all day. Only saving grace thus far was very little sticking, because the ground had warmed up. Still getting lake-effect snow showers through tom'w morning.

Morning' Ladies,

Ill that did call for a super sized drink, I get upset too when I've seen an accident that I've been close to.

Wow Kim u really slept. Sometimes our bodies call for lots of rest even when somethings not wrong, just needs to recharge, maybe that's what u needed. Every so often I need a day kind of like that, I just can't wake up, then I'm OK. Well ur getting the weather there, ours broke up a little like Sandy said but I think she got lake effect snow when we got rain so right now all the snow has washed away. But u always get it worse then we do, naturally cuz of location---but ours isn't great that's for sure. What was poor Sadie doing all that time, I hope she was cuddling with you or wondering why u were still sleeping.

Jazzy it's so good that ur GF has u to talk to, it has t o mean so much to her, well especially for all the crabby women she runs into. Wow I never did, oh once in a while but they did get out of it and start talking and LOLing with the rest of us. So that was good for them But to sit in a room with that down feeling has to make u feel worse. Ur a very up person so she really needs u now.

I think I told u my BFF called the other nite, the first time I talked to her since her DD died. I still am thinking about it---no heart attack, nostroke she died of a raging UTI going into sepsis nd was not treated for it and her organs just down. How could that happen, doesn't seem possible for now a days. I just let her talk for as long s she wanted, I really couldn't comfort her, there is nothing to say, but like I said I keep on thinking about it, such a waste that didn't need to happen. They just sent her home that's it. My BFF is still in that shock of WTF stage. Oh I don't even want to imagine, but it's hard not to think about it.

Sandy that would be a great idea to have a walker with a seat and somehow hve sled feet, turning it off and on when needed with ur feet on the longer sled part. of course it has to have the weight on it or it will go wild---Jeez I sound like a real stunod or a genius---u know the fine line, ok I crossed the line again. Like I've said many times <as u know> u need a lazy person for designing things so it will be the easiest way to do things, not smartest but the laziest--we always find the less we do the better some things are. How are Gordy and his GF doing, I hope good.

I kind of didn't sleep tonite, I had 3 emergency calls for plumbing and furnace o I'm going to be bitchy today to everyone.I'm so happy I have that Keurig, what a difference for me, it's so easy and I can make it anytime I want. So far I've found K cups on sale every week, so that helps too.

I think Lori is gone this weekend nd hope she's doing well.

Just peeking around the corner to say Hey everyone---hs anyone heard from SusyQ???

Oh Jodie is taking a couple of days off, but not when Leslie's in the hospital---when she comes home so I'm glad for that, cuz she really can't do much for her in the hospital so she'll just come here and if I need my cousin she can come after. So we're pretty much set for Leslie. I hope.

OK see u all latah .

LUBS U ALL

Good Morning, Loungettes!Happy Saturday! We got over 2 inches of rain yesterday and overnight and it's still coming down. The 5' snowdrifts are now down to a foot or two, the 2' to 3' snow cover is showing grass in some places. Temps still above freezing but drifting down, sleet and freezing rain predicted for the peeyem. Sadie was not happy with getting her feet wet this ayem. Lots of water ponding on the roadways yesterday. Glad I don't have to go out today. Had a nice little chat with the new Clinical Manager yesterday ayem. She is as unhappy with the new staff orientation process as I have been right along, and has some of the same ideas about how it can be done better. She would like to see me and one other per diem RN designated as mentors to new staff and more attention paid to the entire process and not just up to the point of getting the person out making routine visits. It will be kind of interesting to see how this plays out.

Chi--looks like I'll be joining you in the cold, but it doesn't look like deep freeze for Maine right off. Good thing, getting tired of that level of coldness!

Illi--I know how the fear from being in one accident can carry over to seeing a crash. Freaking out is par for the course in that situation. Love your way of coping!

Cammy--I think my body needed the extra rest for some reason. I have felt so good since that little episode. I think I may have been trying to do too much and had started getting overtired again. I'm going to back off and work only 2 days a week for a couple of weeks and see how things go. And with it having been so much colder than usual, that always drains me. And now I remember having a scratchy throat off and on for the couple of days before that. Sadie was supervising the neighborhood, I remember hearing her barking occasionally, but mostly she was napping on the ottoman keeping my feet warm. Oh, yeah, she dumped over the trash can and rearranged the contents all over the kitchen floor. Your BFF is going through such a hard time. Letting her talk as long as she wanted was far more comfort that I think you realize. Nothing anyone can say can make the situation better, but letting someone talk without judgement can be a huge help. Sepsis kills people all the time, it's a deadly condition that isn't well known to the general public. Even with state of the art medical treatment, once sepsis starts it may not be reversible. And that's actually the real reason that infections are treated, besides making people feel better, to prevent sepsis and death. The Keurig is a great invention, for individuals and for offices. I love the variety of hot drinks available in my office, coffee, flavored coffee, teas, even cocoa. And the speed is nice.

Teka--tis the season for miserable weather.

Joy McSparkles DOTD:

42's Hot Kahlua White Milk Chocolate

2 ounces Kalhua

2 cups heavy cream

3 ounces white chocolate

1 ounce vodka, per serving

Bring chocolate, Kahlua, and cream to simmer, until the chocolate melts. Blend with a handheld mixer, foaming the top. Spike each serving with vodka and serve.

Good Morning, Loungettes! Happy Sunday Funday! Boy, it's quiet here in the Lounge this weekend! Cold again, though, only 7 degrees right now. Didn't tihnk it was going to get this cold again this quickly. Sigh. Not much that can be done about it but cope. Sadie was really burrowed under the bed covers and was slow to get out, can't say as I blame her! At least the power is on, it did blink once yesterday. Not planning to do much today, just some puttering. Doneed to do some laundry, but that won't take much time or effort. Hope everyone is staying warm and cozy today!

Joy McSparkles DOTD:

Candle in the Window Ingredients

• 2 tsp Bourbon
• 2 oz Light Rum
• 1 tsp Cherry Brandy
• 1 tsp Dark Creme de Cacao
• 4 oz (hot) Coffee
• 2 oz Heavy Cream

Directions

Pour the rum, bourbon whiskey, creme de cacao, cherry brandy and coffee into an Irish coffee cup or glass. Pour the cream carefully over the back of a teaspoon so that it floats on top, and serve.

Best served in a Irish Coffee Cup.

;o)

Hot springs in Jemez NM that I visited on Saturday. Maybe the better question is when is jazzy NOT at the hot springs?

Good Morning, Loungettes! Happy Monday Monkey Day! Well, back in the deep freeze for us. Temp at the donut, wind chill at 16 below the donut. Roads still closed due to flooding from last Friday's rain and warm weather. Some places are still flooded and freezing over. Fortunately all those places are known and advertised so it's pretty easy to stay away from them. Two weeks from today I'll be teaching my first review class for Kaplan, I am getting so excited! Poor Sadie is getting so tired of listening to me practice, but she is so good at letting me prattle on and on. She's also very, very good at keeping the bed warm in the cold at night!

Dara--Good luck with the new job! Not working from home will be a change for you, won't it? Good to not be paying so much for the insurance, though. Learning new systems can be a challenge, but keep in mind you know what you are doing, it's just learning different places to plug in the info. Let us know how it goes!

Morning, Teka!

Jazzy--Isn't it funny how broken things come in waves? Glad you had the yoga retreat to decompress. Sounds like things are going well for getting the antique ring fixed, that's a great thing. I am feeling better, thanks! I had been having a sore throat right before that episode, so I think I wasfighting off a bug, probably a respiratory one. I do indeed remember how sick I got last year, and am taking steps to prevent that from happening again.I am cutting back to 2 days a week at Hospice for the next couple of weeks for one thing, getting crazy careful to keep up with the inhaler, running the humidifier at night, wearing a mask while I'm in nursing homes, staying out of the office as much as possible. Sadie is the best to have around, keeps my feet warm when I take a nap in the recliner in the afternoons, and keeping me moving enough to stay healthy.

Oh, that spa looks WONDERFUL!

Chi--sorry the Chinese disappointed.

Joy McSparkles's DOTD

Hi friends- been busy doing ketchup since I got back from my weekend trip. Busy professional week ahead so good to have some time to get organized today. I am unpacked and back in the saddle with things again!

I started my diet today, South Beach Phase 1, to jump start some more weight loss to get the remaining 20 lbs I need to shed before this is all said and done. I have done SB before and the two week Phase 1 diet is meant to be a cleansing diet but also helps to kick start weight loss. Totally low carb and focused on lean meats, veggies and low fat dairy. I actually like the meals and able to sustain this and have lost anywhere between 7-10 lbs in the past. Of course, that was during a previous era (meaning pre-menopausal and before the A1 drugs). So I will be curious to see what happens now in the "new normal."

I have been stuck with the weight I loss from last year (which I am so grateful for) since last summer, loosing a few more lbs through the fall but need to push to get the rest off. My fitness plan is good and solid, but now doing lean proteins, veggies and low fat cheeses for the next two weeks. The biggest part I miss is fruit, but only short term. I also am getting re-acquainted with some healthy snacks I like from their plan too. So away we go and will keep you posted on how I do. I see my MO CNP a week from Friday and would like to see maybe at least a few more lbs off since my summer visit last year. I am a woman on a mission!

Goldie- nice to hear you had a good weekend. Have you gotten any moisture yet? Only a tad here last week, some up in northern NM tonight. Still super dry here but know the Midwest and east coast are getting plenty. Send it back over here please!

NM- so excited for you about the Kaplan course. I like that Sadie is your audience. When I have to rehearse presentations, I have no audience here. Sounds cold there. I know you are taking super good care of yourself. I am worried about getting the flu but being careful (and yes, I did get the shot).

MemaSue- yes friend, how are you doing? I seem to think your surgery was a bit later than January, maybe some other things before then. I hope you are okay and if lurking is all you need to do, then do that too.

Karen- how are you doing with treatment? Sounds like this round of chemo not as harsh.

Ill- how are things in Houston?

Anyone keep in touch with Hsant? I know we have not heard from her in awhile.

Cami-prayers for Leslie tomorrow. Will be lighting a candle for her and my BFF that starts rads on Tuesday too.

Hope everyone had a good MLK day off today if you were in that place.

Yikes, Ilona--Houston's getting snow too? Oy. On & off here all last night, today, a little more tonight, and more lake effect through the morning rush. Afraid to see the invoice from my snow guy, since he's salted & shoveled 3X already!