Happy Tuesday! Belated happy, joyous birthday wishes to Patti! It's sure strange here - all of us facing tough battles. I'm sending positive energy to everyone in need, including your friends and family who are toughing it through some tremendous hardships. May God bless them all, and you too. It's been crazy busy for me. Lots of planting up my plants into bigger pots, still starting seeds on my wire greenhouse stand that I have inside my craft room against a patio door. Been potting up tomato plants that are now blooming and have started forming tomatoes. They are indoor plants - I'm stealing big window space in the hall to grow them on. I'm starting new tomato seedlings over the next month for the outdoor garden - 3rd week in May for me - zone 5a Ontario. Sunday had one hell of a scare. Had to call 911 for DH. I can't recall if I spoke of this or not last Sunday - he had severe dizziness, nausea, vision blacking out and had to lie down. They ruled everything out at the hospital and concluded it must have been a severe bout of vertigo. The only thing they could not explain was the fact that for the first 1 1/2 hours his blood pressure was all over the map into dangerously high levels. A few hours later it calmed right back down to his normal range of 117/65. His family doctor has experienced him having bouts of very weird blood pressure to the point of having dangerous levels and then back down to his normal low. No one can explain that. They did find from the cat scan the beginning of plaque in his neck arteries. Family doc has had his legs scanned at the heart clinic - again the nurse was baffled because of his low blood pressure and he did not seem to be a high risk - but we are waiting for that assessment from last week to get to his doc. Abnormal seems to be our normal - not fitting the textbook standards is the same for both of us. So I have to admit to a few days of horrid eating - carbs, cookies and just plain ol' hungry. Not looking back I started damage control yesterday and have dropped 2 of the 4 pounds I put on. It will come off as it was just my tummy showing those few pounds - plus that stuff I ate probably had salt in it (don't normally use much salt). Spring is here - it's a cool one as forecasted. Fine for me because I have lots of garden beds to put in. I prefer the cool weather when flipped, busting up and raking new beds. I don't over heat that way. I'm still here, just really busy right now. Hang in there everyone. My heart is with you. Don't forget your needs while supporting family and friends. If you can think ahead and prepare some grab'n'go foods/snacks and water you won't be stuck at vending machines or canteen stops. LOL to everyone, Peggy

Tikanis - I know now why my back used to hurt so much (thinking about carrying the six 10-lb sacks of potatoes!) Here's a question for all of you re: our 2010 Census. Have you received yours yet? If so, how was it delivered? Even though I was home all day yesterday, no one bothered to knock on the door or ring the doorbell. It was not delivered by the postal service. I accidentally found the envelope on our driveway floor by the garage doors. Fortunately, the rain had ended, or it would have been reduced to confetti. Our whole street was done this way. I would not have noticed it if I hadn't been taking the trash can out to the curb. And yet the government stress how important it is to participate in completing the form. Foolish me - I just assumed it would be mailed to us, but just throwing it on the driveway like the daily newspaper is the last way I would think such an important document would be delivered. Is it just down here in the boonies this is happening?

Good morning from drizzly, cooler SE Texas! I just finished my oatmeal and having the last few sips of coffee before getting ready to go work out. This makes 8 days of doing it, with only Sunday off. I've already lost a few 10ths of my BMI! They have this little gizmo there that measures it, and I tried it yesterday, a week after the first time, and was pleased to see that 7 days of exercise made some difference. Suzanne, I never did try the polenta last weekend because I have 3 rolls of it in the fridge and didn't want to waste it yet. But, I'm definitely going to try it in a few weeks. I'm just not eating that much of it anymore, which is probably good. I'm no good at naming rides today, but I think that my favorite one I read from y'all has to be BJ's: The Kharma Carousel: what comes around, goes around. :) Patti, I've never heard of, much less been to a Rosa's. Are y'all going there while you're in Texas? I miss freely dining at a Mexican restaurant now - I always order fajita salads without sour cream and cheese. No chips. :( I'm not shopping anymore for at least a month because I'm just not losing enough to make a huge difference in what I still have to wear to places other than the fitness center. I am wearing t-shirts I couldn't wear before. When I go to Dallas at the end of May, I will break down and buy a few nicer things, but that's it. It's nice seeing so many posting these days. I was so tired and a little sore yesterday, so I just rested and didn't do anything else. Some days I just don't have anything to say. I'm always glad that y'all do though! LOL

Wodka - I lost my sister when she was 42 and I was 40, she also had a hard life, but had totally gotten her act together when she was hit with pancreatic cancer. I do understand what you are saying and want you to know that I keep you and your sister in my thoughts and prayers. Make the most of the time you spend with her and leave the regrets behind. Marci - yes work is still extremely busy still. You must be so excited to be seeing DD soon. I have my fingers crossed for the right assistant to come your way. I know how hard that process is. I went through 4 before finding the perfect one. Besh - glad you had a good birthday, still waiting for details LOL. QOD - tonight our friends picked us up at our dock and took us to an island for a fantastic picnic and lots of laughs. The evening was perfect, warm and no humidity and the lake was as flat as it gets. Tomorrow I have yet another darn art show LOL, as well as Sunday morning. I don't have any firm plans but they will definitely involve more lake time. Suzanne - did you ever read "Soul of the Horse - Life's lessons" or something close to that. I just ordered for my DD's birthday. I should've asked you first LOL. I hope SP, Casey and all the critters are doing well. Milkdud - I had eggplant parmesan last night and had it again for breakfasts and lunch today - I love love love eggplant. Dee - your director got it right! I am so happy that they appreciate you and recognize your importance. Doing a happy happy dance for you and all the money you will be rolling in come this fall LOL. Milkdud - I never heard of Slap Yo Mama seasoning but I know it has to be good if it's anything like the steak rub you sent me LOL. I know your DDIL is a gem, but she is mighty lucky to have you as a MIL. McPeg - I feel for you and your sleepless nights - it is so hard to function like that. I hope that pattern ends soon. It is hard being a woman - I don't know too many men with that problem. Jen - it doesn't seem possible that our little nieces are that old. WOW Patti - I will check out the eggplant pizza recipe. I have been busy at work and play. Our friends from FL just left yesterday and my DD from San Diego will be coming home next weekend. We just can't seem to get any down time lately. It is sad when I actually enjoy being normal and cooking and cleaning LOL. Love to all, I do miss you when I am not here.