OH DRATS!!! Looks like the one lady I "could" switch with has made plans on the 7th as well so I am left to just ask for the day off...being prime time its going to be a hit or miss kinda thing. I am very bummed as this lady has asked for favors from me many time and I always oblige...time to start saying no to her!! I will know for sure once the date nears...perhaps I can work early and just come to the get together a little late? Susie

Good Friday all, Lynn, good to see you post. I think the actions of your co-worker are juvenile and I think you should tell her when you are calm and unemotional that you really appreciate her being in the "spirit" but we are at work and it's inappropriate to hide under a desk......geesh, I am trying to visualize this whole scene in an adult setting. Don't bring in crickets.....sorry, BJ, but why should the poor little crickets suffer. Let us know how you choose to deal with it. You should not be embarrassed!! What adult is going to think someone in the office is going to jump out from under a desk???? Hello?? BTW, I love letting my freak flag fly................I love the song that expression originated from too! IN my case however, I really do let my chickens out and it helps me let my hair down!! LOL Maddie, good for you coming to NY! I hope you guys have a blast. I am trying to figure out how I can join you but the time frame is so small for the miles I have to go. Still, it could happen! Besh, GO SOX!! I know your part of the universe is coming to life......or is it death? LOL BJ, thanks for the menu idea. That sounds delish and totally fattening! I will let you know how it comes out. The weekends are the hardest for me too. One of my strategies for staying on track it to have my meals planned ahead and stick with it. I am sure it's hard to avoid having fattening stuff in the house with kids around. I can only suggest that you make a designated area ( a cabinet) for the snacks and goodies for the kids and don't go in it. I have heard that works - out of sight - out of mind - usually! The temptations are everywhere and you have to just make up your mind to avoid them. Since you want to post your menus how about posting tomorrows menu today and stick to it??? That's what I do even though I don't post it here - it helps. Raeanne, when do you leave for your wine trip? I hope the fires are under control soon. I too am thinking of Tikanis and hope she is okay. Maybe she will check in with us soon. DH is heading to some part of CA in his truck...on the road again.........I don't know the name of the town, I forgot to ask last night! Tomorrow I am heading out to Woodstock, VT for the weekend and will be home Monday afternoon. I cannot wait. This is one of my favorite places to ride. There are hundreds of miles of horse trails. It's a very horse friendly place to visit, not to mention stunningly beautiful. The link below has some nice photos. I hope we hear from everyone today. Here is a link that might be useful: Woodstock, VT

My allergen cycle gets to at least 154F and thats measuring temp of clothing after a 25-30 second drain. I do like this for kitchen towels and vintage sheets/pillowcases which is all we use here. The older cotton sheets can handle this higher temp which is my main reason for needing a 150+ cycle. A true allergen cycle needs to reach at least 131F for 3 minutes. Sanitizing temp is 150 something can't remember the exact I think its 158F. If allergen or sanitize is important to you make sure the cycles are NSF certified. I personally don't really care so much about the sanitizing as I do the cleaning...but you should be advised that these sanitizing temps are not recommended on normal fabrics, they will shorten the lifespan of the garment. For instance don't wash a cotton/poly blend sheet this hot or most modern day sheets for that matter. Steam...I think it might be helpful breaking up some stains..least that's what I heard, I never use it. Seems I get a shorter actual wash time if I do. Now steam in a dryer is an expensive gimmick. Lol.

I am going to have to cancel as well - daughter is still sick, in fact, I think she may have added either a sinus infection or a bad reaction to one of the medicines to her list of issues, because she has a super bad headache and says the room won't stop spinning. So it looks like I'm going to be spending my afternoon at the pediatrician's office (again!). But definitely next time - anywhere in King of Prussia works for me -- has anyone been to the new mall extension part yet? We could make it a group mall tour! Thanks for organizing this and I hope we'll try again even though life got in the way for some of us this time.