Tuesday, January 16

[eustacia]

Greetings, Mods!

I've not been very good at keeping up with things around here so I am late to say Mazel Tov! to Monica on her son's bar mitvah! And, mazel tov also on his big brother's Harvard application! Your patience with so many things going on wows me!

MKR Mary--Your house is starting to sound like my house except that you have prune fingers and I have prune lungs. Flu aside, I'm gradually getting this place together. Hang in there, sweetie! P.S. I'm really thrilled about your stopping smoking. I've never smoked but from all I've heard that is as hard an addiction to chase away as any other.

fSophia--You do have so many wonderful options. I've find Dante to be a very visual poet. I read the Commedia when I was 18 and I still remember my sense of how his inferno must have looked--kind of like an Italian opera house (only with more levels) a la Hieronymous Bosch! I have never been to Siena (or even Florence, for that matter) but I would love to read the Commedia in Siena where (I think) Dante wrote part of it and see the surrounding forests and mountains that he mentioned, as well. Does NEH offer a reasonable stipend? If it doesn't, you can always come to the Big Rotten Apple and see the Inferno in full swing (maybe even Purgatorio if you come to my house ). I think that Soccermom Mary is right though, apply for both one of the NEH and the England programs and then take your choice!

Tumadre, Not Powerless, Soccerman Mary, WeeMelonHead, Beth, Becca, Chyrsa, fSophia and others--Thank you so much for your love and concern. I think that I'm going to be "ok"--at least once I get this flu out of the picture. I just have to learn to be wiser about some of my decisions . . . ugh, wish me luck on that one!

Pebbles--It sounds like you are doing so well and I am very happy for you.

Has anyone heard from Gypsi? Mojo? I've been thinking about both of them.

I'm sure that I'm missing so many people but my brain is foggy and I doubt that what I'm writing is making more than minimal sense.

A joyous Tuesday to everyone!

:heart: :heart: :heart: E

[Allie]

Tuesday, January 16

Good morning to all, and to you Eustacia!

I am so glad to see your spirit back.. we have missed you. At least I have! And I think we all have.

I am in Las Vegas, so you know I am struggling. But I did so well tonight, and I hope it is not just because I am deprived of 24 hours of sleep. (I did get a 3 hour nap on the last flight out).

I was telling some others on chat earlier that we were so exhausted after getting here -- packed till midnight last night and had to get up at 3:30 a.m to shower and get to the airport on time. With layovers, it was a full day. I actually got in "trouble" with a flight attendent for having my legs stretched out in the aisle when they were trying to do drinks and snacks... arggh. We got in a about a two hour nap before a jack-hammer thingy started working on the next room. Not pleasant.

At 11 p.m. my time, I had nothing to drink, and no desire whatsoever. (8 p.m. Las Vegas) So we HAD to do a dinner with the company, and still, I just ordered coffee.

But the evening wore on, and I will say that we had a TON of fun, but I just didnt blow it like I thought I would! We went to Caesars Palace, saw "O"...(sorry.. I was really dissapointed), and then hit the slot machines. I got in a "wee" bit of trouble there. That is my trigger.. free drinks. I dont care how weak they are, they are free. Sick mindset I guess? Anyhow, my husband won after 200 bucks, 1500 dollars. If you win over a thousand, you get a free jacket! Now that seems cheezy to you guys, but what you dont know is that I forgot my jacket, and was even telling Happycamper and Newgrl on chat earlier that I would have to wear my bathrobe to the casinos for warmth! But Alec came up to the room with a new leather jacket.. I was so happy. I dont like being cold and I dont care what I have to wear to be warm! But this was a nice jacket! (as long as my hair covers that deck of cards on the back..LOL)

So all in all, it was a great evening. I asked Alec for a twenty bill to play the "Wheel of Fortune" game right before we came to the room... and I won $540.00 in about 2 minutes. I know that is nuts, but I am not spending a dime of it! I did however indulge a bit too much.I am trying to figure out the line between having a great time and ruining my trip? I did good in that respect. On our way up to our room, I have a cocktail in each hand, because I could not drink this stuff as fast as they fed it to us. But because we had nothing in the room, I felt the need to bring it all up with me? So who did we run into as the elevator door opened? His boss. Lovely. He wanted to hug us... and I said.. . "Can I hug you cocktail style?" What is that? It is with a drink in each hand, now down the toilet. I want to enjoy tomorrow! Fortunately, his boss gave my husband the high five... and now he is asleep! LOL!

So far, so good.
Allie

[tumadre]

Tuesday, January 16

Allie-What an incredibly great balancing act of a story (or story of a great balancing act?). Hope you know what I mean-it sounds like you were doing your bestest. And winning, Vegas style! My daughters go around saying "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas"...they've never even been there...But it is a completely different mindset and lifestyle, and you sound like you did great!
Eustacia-glad to know that you know that we love you, and missed you. How were the hugs with your daughter? I'll bet she is soo happy to have her Mommy back up and around-I'll bet she was worried a bit. Sometimes that's all I have to go on-to be strong for my own daughters.
I've got a full work day planned, and a lot of hustle and bustle-construction out in the garage which is becoming a full bookstore (insulated and humidity controlled) with the foreman (husband) and laborers (oldest daughter and her college mate who is here for a month), and will finally have time to "teach" my other daughter some real school work-she's been working in the Bistro (a local restaurant) so much, I don't have the heart sometimes to make her sit and do regular schoolwork when she gets home. I do consider cooking at the Bistro part of her culinary education, as she does want to continue on to culinary school, so don't feel as guilty as I would if she worked in an unrelated field. However, tomorrow I turn into a mean old teacher (everyone conjure up your most-hated instructor), and will have her writing essays until she can't stand it...And, I am the Queen of editing, so I am much feared! (Ah, what little power I wield in my life...but I'll use it). Now, that does NOT give y'all liberty to trash my posts with editory corrections!! I'm my own worst critic, and have just now, after months of posting here, allowed myself to write then hit "Submit" without a full-on edit and critique.
In the meantime, I'm supposed to be paying attention to myself, and my struggles here. Well, reading and posting on this board is what works for me (time-wise) right now, and I'll have to be satisfied with the time that I can steal away. So, a happy Tuesday to you all, and thank you for being here-
Tumadre

[Guest]

Tuesday, January 16

Good Tuesday morning to all! Eustacia, hope you feel better soon, I've always had a hankering after the "Big Rotten Apple" as you call it, but maybe in reality it's a better place to visit than to live - could be worse you could live where I do - LOL - actually it's not that bad really!! Although my home town is a hundred times better! Allie, Las Vegas - what can I say - crickey it's all so glamorous and "Footballers Wives" here today, eh?

Having a bit of a boring day at work, but my Mods plan is working so far so good - can't get too smug though, eh? Anyway, bored the pants off everyone else now, so I am off!

Orra best
The Terror

PS - On reading back my post I actually put "Footballers WINES" - maybe I do need to concentrate more on my plan!!!:H

[eustacia]

Tuesday, January 16

Allie!

Your trip to Las Vegas sounds so fun! Your story about Alec winning you a leather jacket--now does it REALLY have a card of decks on the back?:H is a riot! I've never been to Las Vegas but I've pictured it to be a kind of Disneyworld for adults. When we took our daughter to Disneyworld last year I thought that I was going to hate it but that it was a rite of responsible parenting. I loved it. I fear what I would do in a place like Las Vegas, though! You, on the otherhand, seem to be doing a wonderful job of moderating:goodjob:. I am so happy to hear that things are working out for you, rather that you are making things work on the Mods front!

Have you gone shoe shopping yet? I understand that there are a lot of designer outlet stores in Las Vegas. That's the way I'd come home broke. The casinos would pose little relative threat.

Whatever you do, I hope that you and Alec continue to have a blast!

:heart: E

[eustacia]

Tuesday, January 16

P.S. Hi to Tumadre and Terror!

Guess we posted at the same time! Hugs to you both! Tumadre, I know what it is like to be the editrix mommy!

:heart: E

[Beaches]

Tuesday, January 16

Good morning everyone!
Allie, sounds like you are doing very well out there in Vegas. Lots of money and a new leather coat. I agree the deck of cards on the back does sound funny. I've never been out there but here it's like nothing else.
E-glad you are getting back on track after the flu. It's really knocking people out this year.
Tumadre and Terror nice to see you this morning too and hello to everyone else to come.
Today I'm back at work. My mother pulled out her back yesterday so I had to take the day off and stay home with the kids. Have to leave work to take them to school, then come back to work and so will be the routine the rest of the week. Wed we take my daugther in for her kindgergarten pre-screening test (still can't believe it's already kindgergarten time). Time flies.
Hope you all have a wonderful Tues.
NP

[Mighty Mouse II]

Tuesday, January 16

Good Morning Everybody!!

E - I am so glad you are back!!! I hope you are ok. If you need anything, don't hesitate to PM me. Thank you also for the congrats on my son's bar mitzvah -- it is also the same son who is doing the Harvard ap. We converteda year ago from Christians to the Christian Jewish religion (Messianic Judaism), so he decided he wanted to undergo the Bar Mitzvah -- it was a beautiful ceremony and he did so well. Thanks for the good wishes!

Allie, it sounds like you are having a great time in Las Vegas, and it sounds like you are handling it well!! Congratulations.

NP, good luck with the pre-screening. Keep us informed of how it is going. You are in my prayers.

Big working day today and my computer is intermittently crashing. Will try to check in as often as possible.

Love to all,
MM

[Guest]

Tuesday, January 16

Just wanted to say good morning to everyone over here today. I missed you guys yesterday. Have been posting on abs because I'm trying to get the mindset of doing many many more AF days. I'll try to not be such a stranger, though!
Eustacia, so glad you are feeling better! You sound great.
Allie, aka "moneybags", I think you should buy 2 plane tix to Ohio with your winnings!! Tell Alec to stop harrassing my husband. Scott said he would NEVER be that obnoxious. (he said he would be WORSE!! LOL) Hope you are feeling well today. Try not to drink til later. My problem in Vegas is that we start the cocktails at the crack of dawn, ya know?
All other muffins, just really big hugs today, and may you meet all your goals and keep moving forward.
Love,

[Accountable for Me]

Tuesday, January 16

Eustacia..... so glad you are here! I was thinking of you the other day and I was hoping all was well with you.

Allie - I lived in Vegas for a year back in 98. You are going to have a BLAST!!! So much to see and do! It has changed so much since I have lived there... with a couple more hotels etc... Your days there won't be dull that is for sure! You might as well scratch sleep off of your list LOL!!

To the rest of you - have a GREAT day!!

[soccermom]

Tuesday, January 16

Just wanted to say a quick good morning too---
E--stay well
MM-things sound like they went great with your son!
Becca--I've been thinking of you most of all, Scarecrow!---please stay well and know that all the support in the world is here for you---don't let anybody scare you off--you know--we're all dealing with our own crap!
Allie--have fun--not too much-
Tumadre-I never edit..can't you tell?
NP..let us know how Kinder goes with the kiddos...
Love to all other muffins..gotta get to work!
sm-mary

[Pebbles]

Tuesday, January 16

Good afternoon to everyone.
Just done my first morning as 'Mummy Helper' at my sons Pre School. Luckily it's way too early for my Wine Time trigger...but by golly if it'd been any later I'd have definately struggled not to crack open a bottle or six. How do they do it everyday? I had a headache 3 minutes into it! Teachers? saints more like it.

Had a good evening last night, lost 2.5lbs at Weightwatchers and remained AF when got home. My friend who I go with said we should go to the pub afterwards for a glass of wine as we always chat for ages in the carpark...Noooooo !!!

have a good day everyone
Pebbles

[InnerStrength]

Tuesday, January 16

Wow it is a busy morning here in modsville!
I am glad people seem to be doing so well!
I don't really have time to address everyone in modsville (sorry!) because I really do have to catch up on some WORK today but quick -
E - SO GLAD to see you darling - you sound like you are better - we missed you so much around here - dont disappear again ok? You are such a valued and important member of our group! I LOVE YOU!
Bec - so glad to see you here too though I understand the need to post in abs for a while. You sound like you are doing awesome. You know you have all of us behind you. Hug!
Allie - sounds like you are doing great, if you ask me. I dont know how I would be in Vegas with free drinks - you just keep your goals in mind and remember why you are here (like it sounds like you are doing) and you will be fine!
Sm Mary - nice to see ya! You seem really busy with work lately - hope things are going well and that you will stop in later to chat!
Pebbles - GOOD JOB on saying no to that glass of wine - that can be so hard can;t it? and congrats on the weight loss! YOU GO!
Tumadre – you sound like you have a lot on your plate – but you’re right – its important that you pay lots of positive attention to yourself and your struggles here. I think you are doing great!
MM – try not to work too hard today and save, save, save as you go along so you don’t lose any of your work if that computer crashes! I know all too well about wonky computers –
Accountable – I don’t know how you lived in Vegas and didn’t go nuts with all there is to do there – I think I would have gotten myself into waaay too much trouble. Nice to see you today! 
NP – I am sorry to hear your mother pulled her back out – sounds like it’s a busy time for you now – well, make sure you take some time out just for you!
Lushy darling - sorry I got cut out of chat last night - my computer shut me out and I couldnt get back on. I suck. But i love ya!
And to all to come - hope you're doing well and I love you too!

Well, I am finding the AF days (weekdays) quite manageable again (thank goodness). I was worried there for a bit after the holidays when I came back to work and was having cravings during the week again (big time) that I had really set myself back again. But I think I am ok. I think this really is an ongoing journey and we have keep our wits about us, that's for sure, but if we really want this, we can do this!

I love you guys -
Love Jen

[Accountable for Me]

Tuesday, January 16

Hey Jenneh.... still AF - just wanted to say hello to E, and of course the rest of you!!

Vegas - well that was a totally diff time in my life. I didn't drink then.... my ex FORBID it!! However, there was always something to do and lots of GREAT shopping!!! (On his Platinum Card.....ahhh the good ol days of spending his money.... why did I divorce him???? LOL!!!)

Have a great day all!!

[Hawk]

Tuesday, January 16

E - So good to hear from you. I hope you get rid of the flu soon and start feeling better. You are sounding better! Continue to take care of yourself!

Allie ? I think you are doing an awesome balancing act in Vegas! Free drinks is my downfall too. When we go to AC I take them whether I want them or not and then I am like ?What the hell am I doing with all these drinks?? Like a squirrel hording them! LOL! I wouldn?t spend the $ either ? when I win I leave. My husband on the other hand?.. Keep up the good work out there. It must be tempting but you sound solid. PS ? My friends rave about the Venetian ? Are you going there?

Tumadre ? You have a lot going on there too! You sound like a good teacher ? not everyone sees the benefit of life experience in education. Glad you are here. Please don?t edit my work ? it?s a disaster ? I know!

NP ? Hope your mom?s back gets better soon. Good luck with kindergarten preparations!

Becca ? Great to hear from you. Hope you are doing ok.

SM-Mary good to see you!

Pebbles ? Good for you!! And super that you passed on the pub. That?s hard sometimes with some people. It feels good in am though, doesn?t it?

Senior member Jennah ? Glad to hear you are feeling back on track from holidays. I think I am almost back on track too. It?s so frustrating to ?derail and try and right the train.? Just trying to make a plan and follow it this week. I think if I can do one week of following my plan and not the evil wine monger who sits on my shoulder, I?ll be good too!

Lush ? are we still on for our 3 day plan? Lets do it!

Accountable, MM, Terror and everyone yet to come, have a super day! Love you guys!