Honeylioness
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Post by Honeylioness on Mar 14, 2013 20:12:28 GMT -5
Shan - good news on the refund. Rocky - rut row ... not sure you really want to be just like the Dow do you red - yep, time to crack that whip and get Blue to pony up his documents! And speaking of taxes - I was due a refund from my state of $204. I have already filed and received that refund. However the sad news is that for the first time in as long as I can remember I actually OWE the federal government ... boooooooo ... I did not have Fed taxes taken from my Unemployment because as it was the amount just barely kept us in food. C'est la vie - I need to cough up $900 on April 16th. And no, that is not a typo. See, in Massachusetts we celebrate Patriots Day which happens to also be Marathon Monday and April 15th this year. So because officially the state is "closed" we do not have to have our taxes postmarked until the 16th. One of my exchange students said "Wouldn't you rather just pay it now and be done with it?" I am sure I looked at her as if she had three heads.
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redwagon
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Post by redwagon on Mar 15, 2013 9:21:07 GMT -5
I've never filed this late. Usually I file first thing. But I cut Blue some slack because he had a class that was taking up a lot of his time. Well, that's over so he better get on it!
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shanendoah
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Post by shanendoah on Mar 15, 2013 9:24:18 GMT -5
Update: 3NSD/6CSD/5Spend Goals: 13NSD/12CSD/6Spend
Had to run by the vet's office yesterday to get pain killers that Howie can take (limited because of the failing kidneys). Last time we were there, we did not stop by the German Deli, so I did yesterday to get C a pretzel roll, making it a spend. Today should be a controlled spend- grocery shopping. Hopefully I can pick up a couple of NSDs next week and get this month back under control, at least kind of.
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ses
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Post by ses on Mar 15, 2013 21:31:37 GMT -5
I am exhausted. I am starting on the last phase of renovation on my 65 yo house. I have been working on this over the past five years as I saved up the money. I am now repairing and updating the living room and dining room, walls, baseboards, removal of the carpet and returning to the original wood floors. Before anything can officially start, I have to empty a closet containing all of my seasonal and holiday stuff and one I call my "butlers pantry" that holds all of my good china , my holiday china, my crystal (more than anyone needs-most of it inherited) my good cutlery and a large set of Corningware so the carpet can be removed. Next week is emptying the curio cabinet of my collection of miniature decorative boxes taking down wall art, lamps and such. I also had to pack up books from two floor to ceiling bookcases about six feet wide each. I hate to pack books, I get distracted so easily! I think this packing and finding places to stash stuff is worse than actually moving. My shoulders hurt so much I don't think I can lift a pencil.
As well as all this packing, my BFF's husband was diagnosed with a minorly serious medical situation. Not life-threatening at this time, but still eye-opening so I have been waiting with my BFF during his medical appointments, listening and just "being there" when needed. M sent her down to help me pack for a couple of days-I think it was his way of getting her to not hover while he thought about the life changes he was facing.
While she was here we dealt with the "Life of Leo." Leo is a small brown tiger cat that arrived on my neighbor's porch last August when we had wildfires raging just outside town. His fur was singed and his front paws were burned black. Once he found water and food he stayed put. Her cats won't tolerate him in her house, so he lived in a box on her porch while she tried to find out where be belonged--no luck. By December he started to explore the neighborhood and found my back deck and would spend hours looking in and watching my cats, and trying to sneak in. I didn't want him and his cold in my house.l Anyway, Tuesday morning my neighbor caught and put him in a carrier and brought him to me and I took him to the vet for shots and neutering. While we were there I learned that his funny shaped ear was due to frost bite. Poor little man has surely had his share of bad luck. He got to go outside this afternoon, we will see how many days it takes for him to forgive me. Of course, he may be smelling the herd of deer (8) that were grazing in my back yard this morning and staying away for a while. We will have to wait and see.
So I have spent more than I anticipated this month but they were all necessary spends, perhaps the rest of the month will be better.
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Rocky Mtn Saver
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Post by Rocky Mtn Saver on Mar 15, 2013 23:05:52 GMT -5
Lol, Honey, probably not. Today was a slight spend, as we had lunch while out and about. Sadly, we have another wildfire in the nearby mountains. We had a ginormous fire last year in the same area. Hopefully it will rain tomorrow. I guess it's good that some of the combustible material was already burned up last time.
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moneysquirrel
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Post by moneysquirrel on Mar 17, 2013 11:52:38 GMT -5
Update: 12 NS day and 3 CS Days
Another quick drive-by posting. This has been another very busy week. I have been fighting another sinus infection -- taking otc meds that seems to be working. I did have a major problem with the complete lost of my voice for several days. Not the easiest way to teach middle school for those days. Thankfully I had several classes in the midst of major projects and have notes on powerpoint for the others. They needed to get the notes anyway so I just rearranged my plans and gave the notes early to them. My voice is still a llittle shaky so I will see what tomorrow brings -- may be more notes for a few classes.
Finally got to the store to replace my sneakers plus my makeup is on special so I did get those needed items this week. Still need a few other items but will get to them as funds are freed up or the need arises.
Got the taxes finished. Just have to mail them off this week. Federal refund will be applied to next year's taxes. Have been doing this for a few years as I have been doing estimated taxes and paying quarterly. So far it seems to work without any major surprises in April. I will be getting back some from the state. Some will go into my saving categoies but I may keeps a little for spending on something fun. Will get them ready to get to the post office (yes -- I am old school with them) later this week. Then I can pack all of the paperwork away.
Since I have been under the weather recently I do have quite a bit of housework to catch up on. Nothing major but the flat spaces in the bedroom seems to get cluttered the most. I won't take me long once I get to it -- but that is the clinker -- getting started. Which as long as I am sitting here -- is not getting done. I am also working on laundry today -- two loads almost done and one more to get started.
Honey -- glad things are working out for you. Will try to catch up with you one weekend when I have a voice again. I am also glad that this year's students are working out for you especially after the previous year's duo.
SES -- Same message as to call after voice returns. Tell your sister hello for me.
Shen -- glad that things are progressing for you and your future plans with the adoption/foster care.
Sheila -- The Boy is getting so big that we may need to rename him. Glad that he is progressing in school.
Rocky -- are the fires near you? Stay safe.
Red -- the babies must be getting big.
Start -- I am sorry to read about your lost. You have had more then your share in the recent years. How is the business going?
Will check in later as time permits -- laundry needs to be shifted.
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shanendoah
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Post by shanendoah on Mar 18, 2013 9:49:24 GMT -5
Update: 3NSD/8CSD/6Spend Goals: 13NSD/12CSD/6Spend
Thinking I'm not going to make my goals this month. I'm okay with it, because I'm fine with everything we've spent money on, though I would like to be a little more organized. Friday was groceries and ordering Rx food for Howie to mix with the homemade. We can't make anything as low in phosphorous as the prescription kibble, so we need to add that into his diet. Saturday I decided to spoil me. I went and got my hair cut and highlighted and had a mani/pedi while waiting for the color to take. I did use a groupon, so paid about $120 (which is what the cut and color would have cost without the mani/pedi) so I'm fine with that. And I really like the way my hair turned out. Yesterday we had dinner with friends. They cooked, but we brought Irish cider and chocolates (her birthday was last Thursday), so a controlled spend there. C has a final tomorrow, so today should be a whole lot of nothing. We might go out for dinner tomorrow night, not certain about that. We do have medical appts this week, so we'll have some copays to pay. But if I'm going to get a layoff notice next week (which I highly suspect), I want to get his eye exam in and get his glasses ordered while I still get the employee discount. Normally, we wouldn't even be thinking about this, as his current glasses are just fine, but better safe than sorry.
Honey: I am also glad that things seem to be going so well with your girls this year. And that you are really liking your new job. It's so obvious in your posts that you are so much happier and less stressed than last year.
SES: Poor Leo. He'll figure out soon enough that he's become one of the luckiest cats in the world. If you're packing up the crystal anyway, and it's something you never really use, now might be the time to find out if someone else in the family wants it, or to consider the possibility of selling it. I know that can be hard to think of when it's inherited, but this way, you never have to box or move it again. My mom sold Princess House crystal before I was born and has quite a bit. I'm not really a fan of crystal or most china (though I do love some of the old blue and white or turquoise and white), so I'm making sure she knows it's okay if she wants to sell it and use the money herself.
moneysquirrel: I prefer doing taxes on paper all by myself and mailing them in, but in the last couple of years with managing the MIL's rental property we started using turbo tax. And this year, we had to split the rental property, I got royalties from the book I published, we had the prosper payouts, plus we used an education credit... Anyway, it was complicated enough that I was glad to have turbo tax walk me through and make sure I didn't miss anything.
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Rocky Mtn Saver
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Post by Rocky Mtn Saver on Mar 18, 2013 11:53:36 GMT -5
Rocky Mtn Saver: 4 NSD/9 CSD The fire nearby was uncomfortably close to my house, but it's mostly contained already. I also felt better when I realized that there is a pretty large body of water between it and us. Yesterday was a spend day, as I bought some jewelry to go with a dress I bought for a function in a couple weeks. I have to decide which pieces to return, though, as I couldn't make up my mind last night. Sigh, I don't always enjoy being a girl.
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shanendoah
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Post by shanendoah on Mar 19, 2013 10:01:55 GMT -5
Update: 4NSD/8CSD/6Spend Goals: 13NSD/12CSD/6Spend
Yay! An actual NSD! Last week, the only one I got was on Monday. Let's see if I can do better this week.
rocky: Glad you are safe. It can definitely be scary being close to the wildfires. But why do you have to return anything? Isn't one of the joys of being a girl that even though that piece of jewelry isn't right for this occasion, it will be right for another occasion?
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Honeylioness
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Post by Honeylioness on Mar 19, 2013 18:06:17 GMT -5
Man oh man .... the kids stupid school had another snow day. Honestly, these people have become weather wimps. However in the last day and a half I managed to use their being home to my advantage and had a startsmart day:
Kitchen cabinets washed - Check Dining Room Chandelier crystals cleaned and re-hung - Check Pictures in Hallway and Stairway dusted and cleaned - Check Two cat boxes cleaned - Check Items from Amy's put away or found a home for - Check Moved the large cat condo upstairs to the Living Room - Check Re-potted the leggy plants together - Check Did girl's laundry - Check Straighten and vacuumed my office - Check Stove dismantled, scrubbed and cleaned - Check Snow removed from car - Check Easter decorations out - Check Back porch cleaned off and straightened - Check Double batch of Toll House Cookies made - Check Girls are went to the YMCA with a friend to the open swim. The only big thing left to do before the parents arrive is wash the kitchen and bathroom floors, and change the sheets on the girl's beds where mom and dad will sleep.
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grits
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Post by grits on Mar 19, 2013 19:47:10 GMT -5
I have already blown the month of March. I do think that with the death of my dad and all, I shall cut myself some slack. I am not myself right now.
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Honeylioness
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Post by Honeylioness on Mar 19, 2013 19:55:04 GMT -5
Grits - yes, I do think you need to be kind to yourself this month. Especially now as you deal with your father's death.
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sheilaincali
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Post by sheilaincali on Mar 20, 2013 9:27:38 GMT -5
Grits- I agree with Honey. Ease up on yourself and cut yourself plenty of slack. The grieving process is not something you can just fly right through. MoneySquirrel- May have to rename the Boy. But honestly it has stuck. When DH and I are talking about him we call him "the Boy". As in "Did you pick up the Boy from school?" "What time does the Boy need to be..." And DS will sign texts and cards to us as "The Boy". It's almost funny how it started with us calling him The Boy on here and it trickling into our regular everyday life. At our house I am called "MomGoose" and DH is called "D-Man" by the Boy. We're weird. I accept that He is costing me a small fortune though. Braces are $144 a month. Now he wants to go to Germany for an exchange program- that's $250 a month ($2500 total but they have you pay in 10 installments). Plus he needs to take driver's ed so he can get his permit - $375. Oh yeah- and he outgrew his shoes for the 4th time this school year and needed new ones last week. Darn kid.
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redwagon
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Post by redwagon on Mar 20, 2013 10:56:28 GMT -5
moneysquirrel - yup they are growing fast! About 14lbs and 25inches long now. Babbling like crazy, great smilers, and DD just rolled over a few days ago. Time flies.
grits - you definitely get some slack.
I'm doing okay - better at mealplanning and eating leftovers, which helps the budget. I can't wait until I can work from home and don't have to pay for daycare. Man it's expensive!
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Rocky Mtn Saver
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Post by Rocky Mtn Saver on Mar 20, 2013 11:28:42 GMT -5
rocky: Glad you are safe. It can definitely be scary being close to the wildfires. But why do you have to return anything? Isn't one of the joys of being a girl that even though that piece of jewelry isn't right for this occasion, it will be right for another occasion? LOL, perhaps so, but that's not the WIR way! Truthfully, unnecessary items aren't in the budget at the moment. I'm paying off the laptop I bought last month before any interest kicks in, so all my extra moolah goes to that right now. I like the laptop more than jewelry, so I'm cool with it!
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Rocky Mtn Saver
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Post by Rocky Mtn Saver on Mar 20, 2013 11:39:35 GMT -5
Red, I can't imagine how much daycare for 2 costs in your neck of the woods. Yikes!
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redwagon
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Post by redwagon on Mar 20, 2013 11:44:22 GMT -5
It's my whole salary. I'm working for health insurance and to have reportable income on our mortgage application when we start looking for a new house later this year. It bums me out. I'd much rather be watching the kids and freelancing a few projects a month. I'd probably bring more money home lol.
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redwagon
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Post by redwagon on Mar 20, 2013 13:41:49 GMT -5
Well Blue got a decent raise and an okay bonus. I figure I'll let him have 1/4 of the bonus, 1/4 into the kids' 529 plans, and the rest to a credit card. Our tax refund, when we get it, is going to sprucing up the house to put it on the market. Money from my freelancing is going to the house or savings for a down payment on the next house. We'll have to see what his raise looks like in a paycheck before we figure what to do with that. I'm hoping to finally get his 401k started. He's filled out the paperwork in each of the past two years and they never get it started and it's pissing me off to no end. They have a new HR person in charge every week it seems, so it never gets done. I told him I'll be retiring in style and he'll be in a cardboard box unless he is more active about figuring this out.
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shanendoah
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Post by shanendoah on Mar 20, 2013 13:50:54 GMT -5
I'll update numbers tomorrow, as I don't have much time right now (have an appt to donate blood in 10 minutes).
Last night was a spend- we went out to dinner to "celebrate" C being done with class for the quarter. Right before leaving, he was cleaning his classes and they broke. We actually had an appt for an eye exam for him on Friday and we managed to get it moved up to this morning, so we've had the $15 copay and will have the cost for new glasses. I'm calling this a controlled spend because while it wasn't planned for today, it was planned for this week. I also have a MD appt later today- mostly just a check in so I can continue on my chosen method of BC.
redwagon soon you'll be like sheilaincali and telling us how the twins want to go to Germany in an exchange program . I think they all grow up too fast.
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sheilaincali
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Post by sheilaincali on Mar 20, 2013 14:53:05 GMT -5
It's true Red- enjoy them being little now because it goes way too fast. If you all can believe it when I first joined these threads back in the old MSN days I think Stephen was 9 and now he turns 15 next month! I don't know how in the world that happened.
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redwagon
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Post by redwagon on Mar 20, 2013 14:53:52 GMT -5
I remember!! He's like my barometer for how long I've been on here with you all lol
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constanz22
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Post by constanz22 on Mar 20, 2013 17:29:11 GMT -5
Sorry to "budge" in, but I wanted to let 3cats know that I keep getting spam from your email address. Appears you've been hacked so you need to change your password dear. Carry on...lol
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3catslady
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Post by 3catslady on Mar 20, 2013 20:41:32 GMT -5
constanz22: Is that why I keep getting wierd return mail delivery fail notifications? Do I change my hotmail account or what? Do I change all. I have been down with the flu and I don't feel good yet.
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shanendoah
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Post by shanendoah on Mar 21, 2013 9:45:28 GMT -5
Update: 4NSD/9CSD/7Spend Goals: 13NSD/12CSD/6Spend
Besides the two medical appts yesterday, we also got our CostCo shopping for the week done. Today or tomorrow will be a CSD, depending on which day we actually order his new glasses. Otherwise I am hoping for one of the two to be an NSD, and Saturday as well. Sunday I'll be getting gas, so it will be a CSD.
3catslady - You just need to change the password on your hotmail account, nothing else. Hope you start to feel better soon.
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Rocky Mtn Saver
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Post by Rocky Mtn Saver on Mar 21, 2013 11:11:33 GMT -5
Rocky Mtn Saver: 4 NSD/11 CSD
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ses
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Post by ses on Mar 21, 2013 11:46:26 GMT -5
Spring is here. I have proof. Calliegh found her first snake of the season. This one was still alive, just very sluggish from the cold. It is only a small garden snake--but still it is a snake. I will have to start checking her mouth for livestock whenever she comes inside. Leo is starting to come out of hiding and interact. At this point it is to scurry whenever Calleigh hisses and to look at me from under the furniture. Onyx regally lifts her nose and ignores him. Leo comes to the bedroom at night and watches us all take our assigned places on the bed, but has yet to join us. At least he stays in the kitchen at feeding time and claims his dish rather than hide until later. Not bad progress for just one week.
3cats-- I noticed Hotmail is trying to force everyone into Outlook (whatever that is) and eventually close out Hotmail. I may need to setup another email account. I notice many people are using gmail. Anyone have another suggestion?
I have four days left to finish preparing for the living room renovation. I hope I am ready. I should be able to finish most of it today and tomorrow. Once this weather front gets past us this evening my arthritis will ease up and I'll be able to get more done. I hope everyone is ready for this next round of weather.
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3catslady
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Post by 3catslady on Mar 21, 2013 12:23:43 GMT -5
shanen, constanz, ses: I ran AVG this morning and changed passwords on hotmail and my bank accounts. I asked hotmail to remind me to change my password every 72 days. My bank used to ask for a change every 3 or 6 months but they stopped doing that. I do have a gmail account but haven't used it in a long time. I check it once a month. I used to use Outlook years ago when I was at Career Link. They had it but I never used it for anything outside of classwork.
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shanendoah
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Post by shanendoah on Mar 22, 2013 9:30:28 GMT -5
Update: 5NSD/9CSD/7Spend Goals: 13NSD/12CSD/6Spend
Yay! An NSD. I needed that.
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ses
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Post by ses on Mar 22, 2013 11:57:28 GMT -5
I am making progress with Leo, thanks to a mini chunk of cheddar. Yesterday evening he stopped just watching long enough to participate in "evening snacks" a pounce treat for Calleigh, a bite of dried tuna for Onyx and Cheddar for me. That pinch of cheddar turned the tide. He has since been a glutton for attention and petting. Fingers idling with nothing to do are designated scratching devices. When he wakes from a nap he emits a series of loud MEEERROWs until one of us answer him or go find him. He no longer hides from Calleigh, although I am afraid he is going to think her name is "Stop That !" When the "little kids" start tumbling and hissing Onyx just turns her ears back and with a look of total disgust stalks off and makes a nest in the down comforter. I guess this is the look and sound of progress.
I am about 90% ready for the contractor to start on Monday, if he finishes the job he is on now. I should probably give him a call to see if we are on schedule or not. I am really not looking forward to all the disruption. I am afraid to count my NSDs this month. I think I have spent 6 days this month and we still have a week to go.
Everyone have a good weekend.
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3catslady
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Post by 3catslady on Mar 24, 2013 18:23:41 GMT -5
update: 21/25/31 NSD, 3/6/31 eating out days. I am still not feeling as well as I did before I got sick but I am better. I am really tired and all my joints ache. All I want to do is sleep and I really don't feel like eating but I do. I have had enough toast and tea to float a battle ship, so to speak. I'll try to catch up on everybody.
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