Rain + Stupid Drivers = Yucky Wednesday Morning...HeHe

Good Rainy Wednesday Morning Everybody! How is everyone? I'm doing pretty good except for having to go around Robin Hood's barn to get to work today due to backed up traffic due to the weather and accidents. If that's the worst thing that happens to me today, I've got it made How goes the eating, fluids, supplements, protein and exercise? I'm doing A-OK on all counts. I'm not sure I'll make it to the gym tonight because I've got hair appointment (gotta get pretty). Mo, I hope Poncho is okay Nothing much else to report today....have a wonderful day everybody! Take Care, Terry

Morning! Yep, instant idiots - just add water!!! Actually, my drive to work was fairly normal, in spite of the rain. When you went around Robin Hood's barn, did you see any men in tights? Mo, I hope Poncho's okay, too - keep us posted when you can. A blessed State holiday yesterday for Election Day - one of the few perks of working for the State. Mom, KB and I went to the big Wally World in Aberdeen, where I scarfed up every box of apple flavored Crystal Light that they had. Actually, not CL, but Wally's brand, Great Value. I LOVE the apple flavor - tastes just like apple cider to me, and I'm thinking about heating it to try it that way. They also have cran-apple, which is good, too. Bought lots of other stuff, too, for a grand total of over $100!!! YIKES! Then we went to lunch at Cracker Barrel, dropped Mom off so she could pass out and took KB bowling - they tied one game and K won the second game. After that, met Gary at home and took B for the first of his 23 weekly allergy shots - 23 weeks of trying to tame a baby tiger! Actually, he did well, I anticipated much worse. Then we all went to dinner at Five Guys - well, Gary & B got burgers, K & I went next door to Qdoba Mexican Grill. All day long, K had been complaining that her stomach hurt, and I was thinking, okay, menstrual, gas, appendix, etc. But it steadily got worse until I couldn't even lay my hand on her tummy without her crying. I gave her some Gas-X, and some Children's Tylenol, but finally, at 7:30, I told Gary to take her to the hospital. So, for the rest of the evening, until about 11, it was B & Tia. The bottom line for K is, after they drew blood, (think trying to get blood from a full-grown tiger), and a urine sample, the diagnosis was - severe abdominal cramps! From who knows what!! She was fine by the time they got home and was fine this morning. She went to school, so we'll see! I'm just glad it wasn't anything serious, but I'm still thinking horrendous gas pains. Now, this is a child who can expel gas on command, in fact, her Daddy's nickname for her is, "Fartlyn," if that tells you anything! But she just couldn't expel either way! My poor baby! B & I had fun - we played two rousing games of Barnyard Bingo - he cheats, then got a bath, two more games - he cheats, then Stitch - The Movie (he and I were both shocked that I could figure out Gary's hi-def tv/dvd, etc.), popcorn, half a Crunch bar for him, and he was ready for bed! While we were watching the movie, he went out to the kitchen and got his little "baby" pumpkin and brought it out, saying, "The pumpkin wants to watch with us!" OKAY! So he sits the pumpkin on a separate sofa cushion, and says, "The pumpkin wants some space." OKAY!! I swear, I just laugh, I don't know where he comes up with this stuff!!! He did tell me he was so proud of me for figuring out how to get the DVD to play! KIDS!! He also told me that I'm just like a Mom. Considering his Mom, I'm not sure if that's a compliment or not, but I'll take it as one!!! My Dad said B made sure to tell K how much fun we had last night while she was at the hospital! Oh boy!!! So, finally, when I got home and to bed about midnight, Ehrlich was winning. I woke at 5:40 to learn that although Ehrlich hadn't conceded, O'Malley was being projected as the winner. I feel really sad for the Colonel, although he's not conceding anything either, and just said something about the absentee ballots not being counted yet. But I think we know what's going to happen. The Colonel's life certainly isn't going to end, but all the same, I feel bad for him. He's the first Col. we've had in a long time who has put MSP first, and I always hate the transition period of a new one. I know he'll go on to bigger and better things, but.... So it's a weird day here today. And Tia's tired, so I may end up leaving early - we'll see. Trying to push a little extra protein to see if that will help. I brought lunch meat, cheese, almonds, protein bars, apple w/pb, so I've got plenty of good choices. So how come I keep hearing the candy corn? Kind of like Terry did with the whoopie pie! I'm off on Friday for Veteran's Day, and Mom & I were going to go out, but I'm thinking I need a pj day. We'll see!! I am SOOOOOO looking forward to Saturday - I need some adult time, but, of course, being a Tia, can't wait to meet any kids/Moms, etc., that come along. Start thinking about a December gathering, too - I wish my house was big enough that we could do a pot-luck, but that ain't gonna happen. I know $$$ is tight for everyone, but I was thinking maybe a dinner theater for a Christmas show. Think about it! Have a great day - wring out any drippy letter carriers you see! Tia

Hi Terry & Tia I managed to miss the idjits on 50 this a.m. I heard there was yet another mishap on westbound 50 right before the Severn River bridge (right where I get on 50) so I just continued down Rt 2 to 450 and over the Naval Academy Bridge. Of course I had choice words for a guy driving a HUGE 84 Lumber delivery truck who was in front of me in the left lane on Rt 2 who pushed his way into the right lane to get on 50 right at the last opportunity. He KNEW he needed to be in the right lane back where it backed up yet figured he could be a freakin' bully and push his way on. Poor little Poncho is still feeling icky. He's just moping about. I got his two pills into him this morning and tried to get him to drink and eat, but nothing doing I am really worried, but unfortunately these next couple of days I can't stay home with him. I've got a COOP project meeting this afternoon in Glen Burnie. The good news is that I may be out of there earlier than if I was in Annapolis all day, so I might be home earlier to check on the little guy. Tomorrow I have a satellite video conference that I arranged at AACC, so I'll be there until 5 p.m. and have a hair appointment at 6. Mr Mo will be in charge of checking on Poncho. Unless something changes dramatically between now and Saturday I won't be making it on Saturday (and I REALLY wanted to see Valley View Farms). We are actually doing the migration to the new server this weekend. The OIT guys are doing the move on Friday and we will be testing the server on Saturday. This is FINALLY a step forward if we can get to the new server. We still have the software upgrade to do (and we have now pushed that to January 13th ... arghhhhh) but we are making progress. I've got to get my COOP stuff organized for the meeting this afternoon. Trying to coordinate all the stuff from each functional area is a trip. I'm hoping that there will be a little more guidance this afternoon on the project so I can be prepared with the final draft of the first 3 worksheets for the December project meeting. I also have to find a meeting room for 35-40 people for next Thursday morning. The room that I had scheduled will be being used by the new exec's transition team . It NEVER occurred to me that the transition team would have an impact on my November meeting ... arghhhhh!!!!! My Thursday afternoon group is a little smaller but I've got to find a place for them as well. Tia, I can sympathize with you and the situation with the Col. My situation is not quite the same but close. We will have a new controller and I am only one level removed so a new exec here can/will have major reprecussions on the way we operate. Hugs for a great day! Mo

Hi Terry. Yeah, traffic was pretty ugly this morning. Stupid drivers drive me nuts!! I am pretty tired today. I didn't get out of bed for exercises this morning but I have saved time at 12 to work out here. We have meeting rooms and one isn't being used so I booked it for myself and will go in close the door and do my strength training. Should be pretty good. I'll have to improvise for the things I usually do with the ball but at least I'll get most of my workout in today. No walking outside for the rain so I guess its the exercise bike tonight. I did walk 2 miles yeseterday though. The family is back in routine with the girls going back to school today. They really enjoyed this long weekend. I am having a snack of cheese with pretzels today. I hope that the pretzels aren't too many carbs. The combo of the two tastes really good. Something different than my usual yogurt or cottage cheese. Tia, I am glad that K is feeling better. Meghan gets sever stomach cramps all the time. She has had them since infantcy. They have done ultrasounds and all kinds of other tests, finding nothing. I think the next time it happens I will take her to get checked for a gluten allergy. She has similar symptoms to that. I should research it more just to educate myself though. I am sure the B's comment about you being like a mom was a compliment. I am sure he knows that he gets great care from you and not so great (grossly understated?) from his Mom. I was thinking it might be fun to go to Kenny Roger's Christmas concert but I just looked and the tickets for upper balcony are $43! Point of Grace is doing a concert too, their tickets range from $20-38. That date is Saturday Dec 16th. Might be an option? Mo, I hope Poncho feels better soon. It's hard to not be able to take care of them when they are feeling bad. I will miss you on Saturday. I'm glad that some things are getting done for your server and that progress is coming for the new software. Well, I should get back to work. I have a pretty good handle on things right now and I want it to stay that way. Have a great day y'all! Hugs, Robin

Im starting my three days a week at the gym tonight. i plan to be there at 530! i hope i do ok. smiles.