What Did You Do Today?

[judy]

The kids are coming to sleep over, so I have to make a food run. It was so muggy last night that I took a cold bath before I went to sleep, and need one now!

We are getting rain, so I cannot complain about the weather though. I also have a pool to sit at. If I had a/c at home, it would be perfect!

[gja1000]

Oh my Judy, I didn't know you didn't have air conditioning. How warm does it get?

[judy]

My house was 90 a couple of days ago! I don't have trees shading my house, so it gets hot. I am trying keeping the windows closed during the day and opening them after dark. It used to be that the mountains cooled down at night, and were sunny, but not muggy during the day. Now, with global warming, it has warmed up all over, and we are part of that. I guess I'll need to think about a/c soon.

At least we are getting rain! How are the rest of you doing without rain?

I have the kids today. We're going swimming and then I may make them dinner. They slept over, and we went swimming yesterday.

[Janet]

Oh my Judy...I wouldn't be able to survice without AC. I don't know how you do it even with a pool.

Well ladies....it didn't work out with the lady who took Brenna....so....she's home. She seems so happy and all the other dogs were going crazy to have her back. Not sure what I'm going to do, but I couldn't let her end up in the shelter.

Since Ricky is putting buying a house on hold, he decided he needed a vehicle that uses less gas. His S10 truck gets 18 to the gallon so he bought a wrecked Cavalier that will get between 26 and 31 mpg. This will take his expenses down quite a bit since he works in Lafayette. Once it's fixed he'll start saving up for a house, unless something else comes along...who knows.

[DianaB]

Everyone has been soooo busy!!

Gayle, it's good to have you back home!! It sounded like you had a good trip.

Janet, I'm not worried about Rick. He was there last time I was there so it's no problem. Sorry that your auction didn't work out. It is too hot to stand outside for one.

Betsi, your trip to Houston sounds like fun!! My kind of trip.....pizza and a swimming pool!! LOL

Judy, don't make your party expensive. Instead of steak go for grilled chicken breast. You can marinate it in so many different things and it always turns out yummy!! Make your food ahead of time......and make plenty......you've already asked people to bring side dishes so Yay!!!! Buy paper plates, cups, and silverware (Sam's is the best place to buy silverware) so clean-up is easy!! Wish I lived close enough that I could come and help out......It sounds like fun!!!

The woman who is selling Dae Lynn her house had a garage sale on Saturday. Damon and Dae Lynn went over on Friday to help her get things all set out and she let them buy some things.....but she didn't charge them much and they felt like they were taking advantage of her so they didn't pick up any more stuff. It turned out that she charged EVERYONE too cheap!! Dae Lynn was upset at the prices that some of the things went for......but oh well, it was her stuff.

It was soooo hot outside on Saturday. I went to some other garage sales and bought some clothes. I've been putting some in the flea market with school about to start and may sell some on e-Bay.

I made some applesauce from some apples that we have by the garden. Mostly I've just been cleaning and doing laundry. Dae Lynn's starting to pack things up to move and so things are a little crazy here right now!!

[gja1000]

Diana, you are a busy woman!

I had a busy day. I drove home from Houston, then proceeded to run MANY MANY errands. I've been gone 10 days and I sure had a lot of things to do! I've been putting things away and paying bills all evening. I need to go to bed, I have a full day at school tomorrow but for some reason I'm not very tired. I sure will be tomorrow though, I'm sure.

[Lindsey]

I have been BUSY!!!! I just read through everyone's posts but I'm running short on time to comment on them all!

Last week was so hectic at work. Wednesday we had a deadline and I was taking over the project that same day and ended up working until 11 at night!!! Luckily, Scott was able to catch a ride home with a woman on his ball team from our town. I drove home in the dark, following a black truck with no working rear lights :mad: I couldn't pass because the highway was so busy. I slept very little that night because I had to be at work bright and early in the morning again!

The next day I had to leave work early because a guy was coming out to quote us for installing a new sprinkler system. He was supposed to be at our house at 3. I took my work home with me so I wouldn't lose hours. By 3:15 he wasn't there, so Scott called the company and got voicemail. He tried probably 10 times between then and 5:00 and he left messages and never heard back. The guy never showed up. The next morning he called the company and got the receptionist. She said she couldn't say why he wasn't there, he was supposed to be. She said maybe something came up. She doesn't know why he didn't call. She doesn't know why Scott's calls didn't go through to her, because she's there until 4 pm. Yes, she did get his voicemail. Then she says "So do you even want anything to do with us now? You sound pretty upset" Well, duh.... She said the guy would come out Monday and do the quote without us around, and he would call Scott to discuss it while he's there. Yesterday was a holiday, and we didn't hear anything from him. Oh well.

We went to visit Scott's parents on the weekend. We spent some time at the lake, and some time in the city. I am looking forward to this weekend just staying home. I am going to have a very hectic week at work :(

[DianaB]

We had our primaries today so I went in and voted. I'll be glad when elections are over......I'm so tired of getting calls and things in the mail.

I have to go in to the swimming pool tonight and help pass out cotton candy to the kids. It's National Night Out tonight and the police are sponsoring a free swim at the pool and other things will be going on as well. We'll also be telling the kids about the Alley starting back up again. I believe that they have things planned for tomorrow too but I'm going to be packing that day to go to Janet's.

I'm so ready for the rest at Janet's!! The kids have been awful!! Dean is so whiny when Dae Lynn's around and Karlie doesn't help things. He's learned to scream whenever Karlie is around him. I won't miss that part when they leave......which is less than 2 weeks away!!

I am looking really forward to getting my house cleaned up and having it stay that way for awhile!! My living room needs to be shampood again......and I just did it! Oh well.......

[Janet]

Today I cleaned carpets and did some laundry. Also did some other odds and ends around the house in preparation for my special guest. I'm so excited!!!!!

[gja1000]

Diana, will you be keeping Dean when school starts? I think I remember that Dae Lynn will be working at the school?

[DianaB]

Yes, I'll be babysitting Dean! I think that babysitting until the end of my life is what I'll be doing.....bummer!! It's my fault for having my kids spread out so far!! LOL It will be alright when I just have Dean. It's when I have BOTH kids that things are hard!

Well....we did the National Night Out.....and it was fun!! We made cotton candy for the kids. The police had their cars there......the fire department was there.......and the ambulances were there as well as a helicopter. It was one like Dean rode in when he was ran over last summer.

The kids got to swim at the pool.....eat free hot dogs, chips, and drinks.....had cotton candy....got to see all the vehicles.....and then there was a drawing!! One of the prizes was a Kindle Fire!! I would have sure loved to have gotten that one but it was alright that I didn't since I already have a Kindle Touch.

[2tiredmom]

Gayle I hope you had a good vacation. I loved the pics. Diana you make me tired just reading about the kids. Hope you and Janet have a great visit. I am sure you will. Have a safe trip. Everyone is just so busy. I just tried hoeing the garden. I just gave up. The ground is so hard. My tomatoe plants are dying too.
I have 4 and have only gotten 10 tomatoes so far off of them. Need to figure out
what is wrong with my soil. Can't seem to grow much except weeds. Then when my plants do grow either deer or groundhogs come in and eat them all up.
I can only hope next year will be better. :

[DianaB]

I'm planning on leaving early in the morning. It takes about 11 to 12 hours to get there. Linda, I'm hoping that we can catch up with you somewhere. I may be there until Monday or Tuesday.

Today's been hard.....the kids were awful. I'm so ready for some time away. I've done pretty good until lately and I think that I'm ready for some time to myself again. Plus.....Dean's well into his Terrible Two's!! He's becoming so independent and into sooooo much. Everyday it's a struggle!!

[judy]

Keep us posted on your visit, Janet and Diana! Have a safe trip, Diana! This is so nice!!!

I am going to get my hair done, and then I'm free for the day. I just called my massage person. My neck is killing me! I went 2 weeks ago, and have to have another treatment. I think it's a sleeping position thing because it's worse when I wake up in the morning. I laid down again with the heating pad this morning, and it feels better. I am sleeping on the couch because Max is crated downstairs. I will have to figure out a different sleeping position, or carry the crate upstairs, which is not making me happy! It's too heavy to carry up and down!

I am hoping she will do just a half hour massage to save me some money!

[Janet]

Wish you could come too Judy...and everyone else too. We would have so much fun together.

[Lindsey]

I hope you are having so much fun Janet and Diana!

Scott is almost an hour away playing ball this weekend with his office team, so he decided to just take our tent and camp there last night instead of driving home late and being there again early. So it's just me and the pups until tonight!

I am really energetic for some reason lol. Last night I cleaned the kitchen and prepped veggies for cooking today with my new food processor we got as a wedding gift. I LOVE it!!! Best invention ever.

Overnight, we had a huge storm. Kash woke me up at 2 am because he is scared of storms and he was trying to snuggle right between my neck and my head and he kept stepping on my throat lol. So I got him all wrapped up in my arms and then I thought of Scott out in his tent! So I texted him and said I hope this storm isn't heading his way. He said he could see lightning in the distance so he packed up the tent and went to sleep in the car! I felt a little better knowing he was at least safe in the car. The wind was so strong I could feel the house moving on the second floor. I even checked my phone for any wind or tornado warnings! But there weren't any and I fell asleep again. Kash woke me up again at 4 and the storm was still going! Poor little guy is so scared of storms but it makes me feel so good when he wants me to protect him :)

I finally got out of bed around 9 this morning and so far I have homemade chili in one slow cooker to be put in the freezer for meals, spaghetti sauce in another slow cooker to also be put in the freezer, AND three dozen homemade burgers ready to be frozen. Look at me be a good little wife :D I think I'm going to start on laundry and tidying up the house again. It's kind of nice not having Scott around sometimes lol!

[DianaB]

Enjoy having the house to yourself, Lindsey!! You won't get to enjoy that very often....especially after you have kids!! You're just becoming Miss Suzy Homemaker!!!

Janet and I are having a good time......lots of laughing and chatting!! I tell you.....I have to keep putting Janet in her place!! Ha!! Ha!! Ha....Janet!!!

The weather has been so nice here!! Such beautiful days! When I first got in the area there were tornado warnings and storms all around!! UGH.....Then my Garmin didn't take me to the right house so here I was driving around in pouring rain with tornoado warnings all around......and all Janet could do was laugh!! It ended up that I actually wasn't that far and found my way......stinkin' Garmin!! I finally named my Garmin.....his name is "Idiot"!! Ask Janet.....it fits him!!! LOL

We've been to flea markets and garage sales and have just been having fun! We've talked about how much we would enjoy it if we were all to get together!! What fun we'd all have!!!

I'm going to head back home on Monday morning. Dae Lynn starts work on Wednesday so I need to be home to take care of the kids. Then school starts the following Tuesday or Wednesday. It's so hard to believe that it's that time already.

BTW....Janet and went to the school and she got to drive her bus home!! She does Ok driving the bus and she's really looking forward to the little brats that she....OOPS did I just say that?.....has to drive around!! LOL

[Janet]

Diana made me go to flea markets and garage sales yesterday and today. You all know how I hate that! She even made me scramble her two eggs for breakfast and fix her chicken breasts for supper....now come on, you all know I don't like cooking either. I was really trying to be helpful on our way home today and since she was kind enough to drive, I pointed out the cheapest gas we had seen for two days. Well, she filled up and then when we drove another block and it was a penny cheaper and BOY!!! did she give me a hard time over the 19 cents she could have saved.

I didn't sleep well last night and she drug me around everywhere today.....now guess what she's making me do tomorrow........GO TO CHURCH!! Geez.....I just want to rest!

[DianaB]

:sidesplit::sidesplit::sidesplit::sidesplit:


You know....on the gas price.....I could have saved a WHOLE 19 cents!!!! It was a penny cheaper!!!!!

[Blueyes]

Janet, I think you owe Diana 19 cents!! You girls are having too much fun:D Be sure to take some pictures!

Yesterday I went to the Lake with my brother Jim, sil Teresa, and their kids and grandkids. They have a pontoon barge that we spent the afternoon on. We swam and they took turns riding the tube. Mike didn't want to go, so I just left him at home, lol! We has so much fun laughing, singing with the radio, and just acting dumb in general!

Mike has a sleep study done tomorrow night, so we can see if he has sleep apnea. His cardio doc ordered it, so hopefully if he gets a cpap, he will have more energy during the day.

[Janet]

I'll have to post something later....I'm just reading now because I'm way too tired to post.

[DianaB]

We are having fun, Betsi, but we haven't even thought about taking pictures yet!!

We got up this morning and went to church. I really liked Janet's church. It was a lot like the one I attend. The people were pretty friendly too and Janet ran into several people that she knew.

After church we ate Chinese food and then went to Wal-mart to walk some of it off. Chinese food bothers me so I made several trips to the bathroom! I hate that! I bought some cans of spray paint to paint some shelves and things for Dean and Karlie's rooms. I'm really excited about getting things ready for them! I have some great ideas!!

Right now we've just been on the computers while watching TV and taking naps once in a while! A nice relaxing afternoon! Rick and Ricky have been mowing the yard and straightening up outside!!

I'm heading home in the morning. Janet has some things to get done before she goes back to work on Wednesday and I'll have time to relax before I have Dean and Karlie on my own on Wednesday. It's so hard to believe that it's time for school to start already!

[Blueyes]

I'm so glad you're having a nice, relaxing day! Don't forget to snap a few pictures before you leave, and have a safe trip home:)

[judy]

You have been so busy, Janet and Diana! I think this was a wonderful way to begin the fall! I can just picture you, laughing about the 19 cents, and rummaging around the flea markets. What a fun time!!!

I hope Mike's sleep test goes well Betsi.

I hate to sat this, but I am bored!!! I love when my friends are here, and I sure love summer, and the pool, but doing the same thing every day is getting to me! I really need to take a day or so every week to do my own things! I feel like a slug, spending my days lounging on beach chairs, and gossiping at the pool! The heat wave really made me feel like a slug too. Glad that's over!

Also, my group of friends are drinkers, and it seems to have evolved into drinks being brought to the pool, and drinking beginning at around 3 or 4 PM. I get there late, so I'm not sure that they don't start earlier! The older kids are also allowed a little booze when they are here. That's usually on the weekends. I don't like all of this drinking, and I sure don't like giving kids alcohol! My Mackenzie comes, and is dying to become part of this group too! So far, she hasn't bonded with them, and I can't imagine that she will if they drink! She is so innocent. She has just been allowed to drink coffee, and has never been kissed by a boy yet! (Not for lack of wanting to).

I hate for the summer to end, but it is going to end soon, and I will have some time for myself. I do love these people. I just don't connect with their drinking, and I feel bad for Mackenzie when she comes over.

My party is this weekend, so that will keep me busy. Now one of the group has been arguing with another friend, so I hope she will be coming!

Jessie came over to the pool with the kids on Saturday, and it was lots of fun!

[Janet]

Oh Judy, I love having a beer when I go out to eat now and then, but to be around people who always seem to want to drink is not for me either. Living with an alcoholic really turns me away from people who drink alot.

Diana left this morning around 10. She did take a couple of pictures of us right before she left, but I won't be able to see them until you all do. I'm sure after she gets home and Dae Lynn moved she'll post them.

We hit so many little shops and garage sales that it wore me out...lol. I ate like crazy while she was here and didn't watch at all what I was eating. Got on the scales and lost a pound. I was so surprised.

After Diana left I had to go to the school to have my picture taken for a badge they like us to wear while driving the bus especially on trips. Once I got home I started laundry, made out my weekly deposit for tomorrow and paid bills. I also put the wastebaskets in the bus and did assign seats by grade. I like for the young ones to sit up front and the older ones to sit in the back. I called my students to see if they were still riding and needing picked up. Some have their driver's license now and some were not riding the first day, but riding on Wednesday. There were quite a few not home so I left a message. I bet my phone will be ringing off the hook this evening.

I'm really not ready to go back to driving, but there's not a lot I can to about it. The sleeping in was so nice...lol, now it's back to rising at 5:40. I hope my bed doesn't miss me too much in the morning...ha!

[DianaB]

I made it home about 9:30. It wa s looooonnnnnngggggg day of driving.....12 hours. When I did make it home the only one here was Damon....the rest were at a swim party. When Karlie and Dean got home they both made running leaps into my lap and showered me with hugs and kisses!!

This morning I gave them a little wooden train set that I bought at one of the flea markets. It's was a huge hit......with both of them fussing over it most of the day!! It's a good thing that there were 2 little trains in the box!!

Karlie said to let Janet know that she liked the little yorkie purse!!

While I was gone we had some friends from church that had a stillborn baby so this morning we went to the funeral. So sad. The baby was due in just 4 days before it died.

Then I went to help Amy at a movie for the kids. We made popcorn and gave out a can for free pop as well. She usually likes for me to be there because I get onto the kids for being out of their seat. I'm a pretty good bouncer!!! Bossy!!!

I'm so tired. I think that the weekend is starting to catch up with me!!

[judy]

That is a long trip, Diana! Rest well!

I found out why my friend Debbie is drinking so much. They were quite wealthy until her husband lost his job a couple of years ago. Then, they had to catch up on their taxes, and have no savings. Her hubby is a big spender, and was waiting to make a big commission to pay the back taxes. Bad idea! She told me yesterday that they have to be out of their (rented) house in 3 weeks. She is looking for another right now. I feel so bad for them!

It was a dreary day. I went party shopping, came home and fell asleep.

[Janet]

Yesterday was our first day of school. Can't say I was looking forward to it..lol..I really enjoyed sleeping in just a tad later. Those days are gone now so I have to make sure the alarm is set and that I have a back up..just in case.

It was good to see the kids, I have quite a few new ones. The two brothers I wanted to move did...lol...to Canada! I'm glad I won't have to deal with them this year. Now if I can get just one more to move.

It was great seeing most of the other drivers too. I've missed them. Seems like the school year is starting off in a bad light. There have been articles in the paper and people moving their kids out to other schools. I had no idea all this stuff was going on. I will be continuing my pursuit of another job. Hope one comes along soon.

[DianaB]

Dae Lynn's first day of school is today so I have the kids home with me. The train set is still a big hit but they're fussing a lot more over it today so I may just put it up and make them go outside for awhile! I'm getting really tired of the fussing.

The teachers start a week earlier than the kids so they can get ready. So I have Dean AND Karlie for a week then Karlie will go to school too.

Dae Lynn and Damon are signing papers on Friday.....Nancy is moving on Saturday.....and Dae Lynn will be moving on Sunday, I believe. She's taking off Monday and Tuesday so she can get things settled since she's not actually a teacher that has to get things ready. Dae Lynn has been busy while I was gone packing up things and getting ready to move. I don't think that the actual moving will take too long. I'll probably be in there with her the two days she has off to help get things in place.

Tonight we're having ice cream sundaes at the church. This has been "Slammin' Jammin' Kids' Week"......we do different activities with the kids before we start the Alley again. Monday was swimming......Tuesday was a movie.....Wednesday is ice cream.....and Thursday is making a craft.....Busy....Busy!!! Plus Dae Lynn's move......Really Busy!!

[gja1000]

Hi All, busier week than I anticipated. I had a couple of hard days, in addition to being busy. I received a reminder letter from the VA saying that Gary had a dental appt on Tuesday. They ask that you call of you won't be at the appt since they can give it to another patient and the waits are usually pretty long. So I called on Monday to cancel the appt and they said that I needed to bring a copy of the death certificate to the clinic. Of course everything is already settled with the general VA, so I was surprised that the regional office needed his death certificate. But I took it out to the clinic before I went to work because I didn't want it hanging over my head as a task to be done. When I got to the VA clinic, I didn't expect the emotional response of walking in to where I have been with Gary so many many times in the last 10 years. I had to sit in the parking lot a while and cry before I could drive.

Then on Tuesday the daughter of one of Gary's closest friends had a baby. She called Gary "Grandpa Gary" and he had been at the hospital when her other 2 babies were born. She came to visit Gary in the hospital and they made plans for him to be at the hospital for this baby too. She was scheduled for a C section so I knew that Tuesday was the day Gary would have been with her. And, there is a really BIG AND, she named her baby girl Garynn (like Karen with a G) and she named her that in honor of Gary. So when she texted me that she was at the hospital and she knew Grandpa Gary was there looking over her, well then I just lost it again, and then once again when she sent me pictures of baby Garynn.

So, it's been a hard week.

[DianaB]

BIG HUG, Gayle. What a hard week you are having. I know that you never know when things will hit you. You've been in the hospital soooo many times with Gary that it's understandable that it hit you........but how special that the baby was named after Gary!! It just shows how special he was to this girl!!

I was cleaning things out of the basement a while back when the girls were helping me.....I came across a Avon silver set.....salt dish and a few other pieces. I never use them and really don't even care for them.....but my Dad gave them to Glen and I for our 25th wedding anniversary. I started to put them in the garage sale box but then I just started crying so I ended up keeping them. Of course, Amy had no idea why I started crying but she understood when I told her. I never thought that it would hit me like that so I'm sure you're going to have moments like that.

I'm here.....give me a call!!! Hugs!!!!!

[Lindsey]

I am so sorry you had such a hard time Gayle. I wish I could give you hugs in person!

I am just feeling awful. I have been stressed to the max with work. I really love my job but I hate all the crap that comes with it. Last-minute projects suck and the managers don't understand how much stress it puts on me and my coworkers.

Tuesday night I was just feeling very weird and very off. I had a stressful day at work, and then when I came home I was exhausted and I started getting these awful stomach pains. It was like a big cramp that just wouldn't go away in my left side. I ended up staying awake all night and I don't know if it was the cramps or the tiredness but I couldn't stop feeling nauseous. I finally fell asleep just before the alarm went off and decided I am taking a sick day and sleeping it off and relaxing. I fell asleep for a couple of hours and when I woke up, my throat was swollen and painful! By mid afternoon my head was getting stuffy, and by bedtime I was sneezing and coughing like crazy. I drank some sleepytime tea and took a Gravol to make myself go to sleep last night. I did go to work today but it has just gotten worse and worse! I had a nosebleed this afternoon in the office, and again tonight. Because the day was so stressful and there's another deadline tomorrow, I brought my laptop home and here I am, working the night away again. All I want to do is lay in bed and not get out until I'm feeling better!

[gja1000]

Yuck Lindsey, it's no fun at all feeling sick and having to work so hard. I sure hope you get to feeling better soon. You've been under such stress for a long time now (albeit good stress - getting married!) so your body is bound to demand some down time, it's just bad when it comes at a time like this! I hope you feel better soon!

I was awakened by two dogs under my chin at 5:30 this morning. When I got up to go to the bathroom, neither of them got up which is highly unusual. They are always so eager to eat that whenever I get out of bed in the morning, they jump up and are at my side. So I knew something was wrong. Then I heard the "smoke alarm" chirp, but the chirp was followed by a voice. I had to go stand in the living room and listen for it to happen again (and no I was NOT accompanied by two little dogs - great protectors I have, huh). Since we have only lived in this house a year and a half, I'd never heard the low battery warning on the smoke alarm - which of course what this was since the voice said, "low battery". So I changed the battery and all is well but the dogs still seem to be very cautious!

I'm glad it's Friday, this has been a busy week. I have a meeting today with some of our community partners (hospitals, clinics, etc) and I always enjoy that. Plus it is a lunch meeting :D Then I may take my mom lazy boy chair shopping. She wants a new chair, I'm not sure she really needs a new chair, but oh well, she will enjoy it.

I'm not sure what I'll do over the weekend. I don't have any definite plans. There is a home and garden show in town I could go to and there is a festival in a little town not too far away - but it is so hot I'm not sure how long I could stand to walk around. I enjoy the farmer's markets on Saturday mornings and many of them have arts and crafts booths too so I might just do that. It's too hot to work outside and I'm still itching a bit from all my skin rash stuff from last week. I might do a little cooking to have some lunch/dinners for next week or to freeze. IDK, this might just be a lazy weekend!

[Janet]

Gayle I'm so sorry you had such a bad day. They come when you least expect them to sometimes. I know I'll be fine and then a picture, a song, something...will throw me for a loop. This month is a bad month for me because both of my parents died in the month of August. Dad...13th in 1973 and Mom..29th..one year already, can't believe it. I need her so much. I know Diane probably got sick of me mentioning Mom all the time, but I miss her.

Sounds like you are really safe with your two guard dogs huh? LOL Our alarm just beeps, it doesn't talk. It would probably freak me out.

Your weekend sounds like my kind of weekend. Being able to do whatever I decide to do. Home and Garden shows are so nice. We just have to go to Indianapolis when there is one and usually there is no one to go with. Most of the time I would rather go alone or with a friend, but Indy is so big and I'm not use to driving in big cities...makes this old girl a little nervous.

Ricky has to work and wanna be cowboy is going on a shoot Saturday so I'm planning on going to an auction. I haven't seen this auctioneer in quite some time so I'm hoping to get to visit with him for a few minutes. There haven't been any auctions advertised for him so I'm hoping he is in good health. There is suppose to be a lot of everything and a lot of things in oak. Don't have anything else planned so that will most likely take up most of the day.

Finally called the Vet this morning. I can get the cats in next Thursday to get them spay/neutered and declawed. Also, Skeeter will need his shots and Kitty...well, we think she's pregnant again so they will terminate the pregancy. Next thing is to get Joey his shots, I may just take him with me and hope they can work him in. I'm changing Vets because the one I went to when I was breeding is just too darn expensive. For the two cats the cost will only be $276 compared to over $375 at my former Vet. Good move I think.

[DianaB]

It sounds like you girls have a nice relaxing weekend ahead of you.....not me! Dae Lynn and Damon are signing papers on the house this morning and Nancy will be moving tomorrow.....and Dae Lynn and Damon are moving on Sunday. They have several guys lined up to help with both moves so things should go quickly. Nancy has a lot of things but she's been working hard and I'm sure she'll have everything boxed and ready to go. And Dae Lynn's been working on stuff here as well. Of course, her furniture and most things are still boxed from the last move.

The kids are about to drive me crazy again this mornng......especially Karlie. I don't know what's going on with that girl but she's been annoying for the last couple of days.....more than usual. Maybe it's the move and everything that's going on.

Last night for our kid's night at church we did a craft and it was so cool that I made one for myself!! It's a tic-tac-toe game made from a piece of wood.....the game pieces are marbles and there are little holes that they sit in on the wood. Then on the side there's a little door that is screwed in the middle......there's two holes drilled in the side to hold the marbles and the door covers them. So cool!! Everyone's turned out so neat!! I was in charge of spray painting....with Jaci....and we both ended up with painted fingers. UGH!!

I need to go to the grocery store today. Dae Lynn's stopped getting groceries, I guess, and we're low on several things. I'm not used to shopping because she's been taking care of all of that!! And cooking!!!

[DianaB]

Plans have changed!!! Nancy had so much help moving out that they were done by noon!! So....Dae Lynn and Damon are moving today! When they came home and we started packing up I got teary. It's hard having them leave. Dae Lynn is so easy to talk to so it's like losing a girlfriend. At least it's not that far away.....it's just the empty nest syndrome AGAIN!! I'll survive!!

[Janet]

Yes you will survive and will remember how much you enjoyed having the house to yourself.......and Dean...lol. So glad they get to move sooner, Dae Lynn must be thrilled.

[DIANE W]

I am so happy for them, and you, though it is a little sad letting her go, you will get used to being quiet at home again. I think you will settle into a great pattern, having the kids lots - then waving them off again.

[gja1000]

For whatever reason I had a lot of energy today and got several things accomplished. I had soooo many errands to run and I was able to get everything done. I picked up around the house and cleaned out my closet floor and vacuumed. It had gotten cluttered and dusty. I baked a veggie lasagna to eat on for a few days.

I have a friend coming to town next weekend to attend a wedding in a town just north of Austin. She wanted to meet for dinner before the wedding and I didn't know any restaurants in the area so I ran up there and found a quiet little Japanese place.

I have a charity donation truck coming on Wednesday and I need to go through some things to donate. Maybe I'll get that done tomorrow.

Diana, I know it is bittersweet for Dae Lynn to move out. I felt the same thing when the girls were here a year ago. I was glad to have my house back, but it was sad to see them go.

I hope everyone had a good weekend!

[DianaB]

So quiet today!! I was going to go back over to Dae Lynn's today but naptime called my name!! She's off of work the next couple of days so I'll go over then and help. Mom and Art are here waiting for church this evening. Art's watching tv and Mom's crashed out on the couch. The house is a mess but, oh well.....it will eventually get cleaned back up!!

Wow, Gayle!! You do have a lot of energy!! Doesn't it make you feel so good when you can see that you've got a lot accomplished?

What a nice act to donate things to charity!! I'm sure that there are people who can really use some of Gary's things. We have a thrift store run by one of the church's in town. They mostly take clothes and sell cheaply. The money goes to missions so I don't feel bad donating to them. Then we have a man who will take your things off of your hands after a garage sale.....then he has a garage sale and the money goes toward something.....I just don't remember what. Both are really handy.

We have a wedding next weekend too. One of the girls from church (who hasn't been there for some time.....but is very sweet) is getting married to a neighbor boy that Glen knows. We weren't planning on going but the Mom asked me specifically to come next weekend so we will probably go. Things will have slowed down by then and maybe it will be fun.

[Janet]

I've had a really good weekend. Yesterday I went to an auction. There was so much beautiful glassware and since I love it so much, I bought alot and only spent $24. I just love the cut glass, I think that's what it is called. They had 3 rings going most of the day...that's how much stuff there was. Never been to one that huge before, but it was fun. The auction started at 9:30 and didn't finish till late afternoon. I left around 2:30 I think it was. So many nice things but they hurried the auction because of the size so everything went really cheap. Spent the rest of the day at home cleaning the items I bought and put them in my hutch and china cabinet.

This morning I went to the first service at church. I think I like the second service best because there are many more people, but I do like going early and having the rest of the day to do whatever. I guess I'm just not really sure which one I like best...lol. The preacher is young and really good, holds my attention. After church I was able to go get some groceries. We just haven't had the extra, but this week I decided I just didn't care. Tired of seeing an empty fridge and freezer.

This afternoon I am doing laundry and I mopped the kitchen floor. This week I have to take the cats to the Vet to get spayed, neutered and declawed...at Ricky's expense. He wants them, he pays..lol. They'll have to stay overnight and I'll pick them up on Friday. She sure looks pregnant again, so I hope it won't hurt her to have them aborted.

[gja1000]

Hi Guys,
I just wanted to say that I have felt more like myself this weekend than any weekend since I lost Gary. I've been busy, productive, and felt good. It just seems the past weekends here at the house by myself have been boring, sad, or just strange. But this weekend, I felt like I had purpose and I felt good. I hope I am beginning to find my way. I really don't mind being by myself, at all, but since losing Gary I guess I didn't quite know what to do with myself. It feels good!

Janet, I wish I could have gone to the auction with you! I would have loved looking at all the stuff.

Diana, I know you must be ready to get everything straightened out from all the hustle and bustle of moving and then getting everything settled again. I know you will enjoy some quieter time.

This week at school will be some meetings and some orientations, both new students and new faculty. It will be busy but not crazy (at least I hope it won't be). School starts next week on the 29th, and my first class is on the 30th. I'm ready! :)

[Lindsey]

Gayle, I'm glad you are feeling more like yourself again!

I have been feeling robotic. My sickness is starting to lift a bit - I can breathe through my nose again finally, but the cough has gone to my chest and I feel like I can't stop coughing at all. I'm just kind of forcing myself to get up and get through each day. I haven't had time to rest and try to get over it because of my job...

I don't get riled up very often but I feel like I have to hold back from telling off one guy at work. I had issues with him before with his last project which was pushed on me at the very last minute. It is the same this time. It has basically had to be taken over by another guy because our department head has been getting so angry about everything being submitted late, because the two of us there who make the plans and drawings are never given enough time to get done what needs to get done. It is such poor time management on his part and it reflects badly on us. Anyways, I was asked to come in on Saturday, but my coworker needed my work to be done before he could work on his part on Saturday as well, so I ended up working on it all night Friday (until midnight) and then going back Saturday morning, and then bringing it home to work more on Saturday night. I took today off, because I think I need it before I burn out. I just get so angry even thinking about him though, and I think I might ask my manager to not be put on any of his jobs anymore. Not only does he not know how to manage time, he doesn't even know what he's doing to begin with. Just shows, I guess, that even if you have a master's degree from Harvard, you can still be a dumb*ss :rolleyes: It just sounds good on paper!

[DianaB]

Janet, your auction sounds like it was so much fun!! I love it when things go cheap and you're so happy to buy things!! I wish that you would have gotten a picture of your new things!!

Gayle, I can hear in your posts that you're doing better. I'm so happy for you. It's been so stressful but you're getting all that needed to get done behind you and you're ready to move on. I'm glad that you have a little longer to get rested up before you have to be back to teaching again. Hugs!!!

Lindsey, I think that it's a good idea to talk to a supervisor just like you mentioned. There's no sense in working for someone who doesn't know what they're doing and dragging your work down with them and making everyone else look bad. Stand up for yourself!!!

It's quiet here......I'm hating it. Glen and I were talking this morning and I started crying. I know that it's that empty next syndrome......but I miss having the kids here making noise in the morning. That's what feels like home......all the noise not the quiet. Oh well....it's just getting used to it!!

I stopped by Dae Lynn's a couple of times yesterday and each time the kids came running...."Grandma" and I got big hugs! I think they are missing me too!! I've got some things to clean up here then I'm going in and helping Dae Lynn get things in order. Plus I've got to go by the hardware store....hopefully see Jaci there......and get some things for a light fixture we're putting up. We bought a new fan to go over our bar in the kitchen and I bought a separate light fixture on e-bay that was suppose to be NEW.....but it's not. I'm going to get some of my money back....it's fixable but I shouldn't have to pay as much as I did for it.

[Janet]

I wish you could have come with me too Gayle. I also wish the the auction was held when Diana was here. Diana you could have bought soooo much for $1.00 to sell in your flea market booth.

It's good to read that you're feeling better Gayle. Sounds like this week will be good too, you'll be busy.

Lindsey...I sure hope you can get something to boost your immune system this winter. You were ill so much last year. Maybe check with your Dr. and see if he can help you someway. Gotta keep our newlywed healthy!!

[DianaB]

I went over to Dae Lynn's yesterday and straighten up each of the kids' rooms. I'm not ready to decorate yet (I need to stay home to get things done so it's going to take awhile.) But the rooms are arranged and look nice. I helped to fold some laundry and put some groceries away. Jaci came by and Dae Lynn and Damon decided to go to Wal-mart but told Jaci and I that we were welcome to stay and visit. After Jaci left I cleaned up the living room and put out some throw pillows. Then they had two little end tables that they really didn't have rooms for so I put them together in front of the couch like a coffee table. I also arranged some things on a shelf that was in the living room. I took everything out that didn't belong and place it in Dae Lynn's room and a hallway to get it out of sight. It looked so nice. She called me when she got home and told me how much they liked what I did! It made me feel good!!

I have Karlie and Dean today. It's already been a challenge. I don't know what's going on with Karlie.....it must be the move, I suppose. It's a good thing that school starts tomorrow. I think that the structure of school is good for her and that she enjoys the challenge of it so that means I'll just have Dean. Dean by himself isn't a problem.

Today I'm working on my house while watching the kids. It's such a mess and I really need to get things organized and cleaned up. Glen and I have decided to turn the bedroom that the kids were in into a multi-purpose room. I have a nice roll top desk that's in his office but it's just buried under stuff. Whenever Glen cleans his desk it all goes right over to mine so it's unusable. Then we have a hide a bed in the basement that we're going to move up. We very seldom need both bedrooms when guests come but we'll still be able to use it as such with the hide a bed in there. I'd also like to put a small tv in there and the kids could watch movies in there. And I could do my crafts or whatever in there.....so the room could be a lot more usuable. It's going to take awhile because I need to paint it and Dae Lynn still has some things to get out. In time.....in time........

[Janet]

Wow Diana...you've really been busy. Wish Rick (not Ricky) would move out so we could have an extra room...lolol. I would love to have one for crafts and sewing that way I wouldn't have to get stuff out all the time. When you're done painting there, could you come back and paint here? If the guys would just keep there hands off the walls it would look so much better.

Today I made a basket so that it would hold artificial flowers. When I was at an auction a few weeks back I bought 3 big boxes of silk flowers to use on the gravesites. Today I was cutting the stems down to the urn size so they wouldn't stick out so tall. When I was done I was carrying them back out to the garage and promptly FELL OUT THE BACK DOOR! Not sure how I did it but ended up scrapping the skin off my left knee, hurt my little toe, hit my hip on the thing that holds the door open and somehow scrapped the inside of my right thigh.

When it first happened, I just layed there and cried. I was so afraid I had broken something and I was here by myself of course. It was so scary. I came in and cleaned it up a little and couldn't stop shaking so I called Diane. After she helped get me calmed down, I cleaned it up better and bandaged my knee up. It was so gross with skin hanging off, almost made me sick and things like that usually don't bother me at all.

One of my friends from work said she would check in to getting me one of those alert buttons...lol. I ran my afternoon route and wasn't hurting too bad, but now the pain is starting to set in so I guess it's time for some Tylenol or Ibuprophen. Just one thing after another. :)

[gja1000]

Well dang it Janet! You had a close call. I know that knee is going to hurt and the rest of you is too. I'd take more tylenol than ibuprofen - tylenol won't contribute to bruising, but ibuprofen might. However, the ibuprofen will work better. Maybe in a day or two take ibuprofen.

A concept that I use a lot is called vigilance. When we are distracted, we are not as vigilant regarding our surroundings. We just walk or move and don't thnk about what we are doing, where we are going, and what obstacles might be in our path. I think its really important to bring vigilance to the forefront of our mind, really consciously try to remember to think about what we are doing, especially when moving. It's so easy to just mindlessly move through our day, but vigilance can be our friend!

[Janet]

That will be a hard one fore sure Gayle. We are so use to just doing what we need to do and not really thinking about it unless there is a big danger to us. Just walking or going down steps does not seem like something we need to think about but as we age...you're right we to bring vigilance to the forefront of our mind.

I'm a little more sore and my knee has swollen just a bit where the skin was torn off. I'm sure it will be okay. I cleaned it real good and put an antibiotic cream on it with a bandage. Getting older just plain sucks...lol.

[DianaB]

I'm glad that you're alright! I know that falling for some people is really hard on them. Just take a little something for the soreness and you'll be fine.

We had an interesting evening last night.....we had Kera's boyfriend, Jordan, call and ask if he could stay with us. He's been having problems with his Mom and spent the summer with his grandparents in another town. He came back yesterday and his Mother didn't want him to stay at her house. I had told him awhile back when he was visiting that he was welcome to stay with us if he needed to. After he called and called Glen and told him. He wasn't too happy about it but said that he could stay temporarily. So I went in and had to clean up everything that Dae Lynn had left behind and underneath the bed and change the bedding. I imagine that the last few things I'll have to pack up and take to her. That's how she usually does it.

Anyway.....Jordan spent the night. He seems like a nice boy but from what I understand he's had some problems in the past but is doing better now. School started today and so Amy came and picked him up and took him. He has the money to pay for his school fees and supplies because he worked for his Grandfather during the summer. He said that he's also going to go and look for a job this afternoon. He took all of his stuff with him so I don't know if he'll be back or not. He's going to try and talk to his Mom again and see what she says.

Amy lives really close to us and with Jordan and Kera dating it makes them nervous having them so close together all the time. I can understand because Kera isn't the most trust worthy. Anyway....we'll see what happens next.

[DianaB]

Jordan had an incident with his mother, the police were called, and he's back with his grandparents in another town. I'm not sure what's going to happen with the situation.

Today Dae Lynn had a guy coming to put in a phone jack so I had to run in and let him in. I loaded the Tahoe with some more of her things. I know that if I don't just take them in they'll just sit and sit here. I put them in the garage where she can go through them when she's ready. Now I just have a couple more big boxes of books and toys and a fan. Then she'll be pretty much out.

Other than that not much is going on. I guess I better get off the computer and get my own house cleaned!!

[Janet]

Not much going on here either Diana. Took the cats in this morning for spay/neuter and declawing, have to pick them up tomorrow after 10. Did some cleaning and then shredded newspaper for the litter box. Guess they can't use regular litter because it can get in where their claws were. I'm learning so much more about cats than I ever wanted to...lol.

So glad tomorrow is Friday and the weekend is around the corner. Temps are going back up into the 90's so that won't be fun, but it's better than snow....I guess.

[DianaB]

Surely you have to just use the paper while their paws are healing and then go back to the kitty litter......don't you?

[Janet]

Yes.....they said just for a couple of weeks. I'm really angry, the Vet didn't send any pain meds home and I can tell Kitty is hurting. I'm going tomorrow and get her some pain pills. Don't understand why they didn't send some home with us.

[gja1000]

One of my good friends was in the hospital this week with heart problems. She thought she was having a heart attack, but nothing showed up at the hospital. They kept her overnight and sent her home on a heart monitor. PLEASE everyone, stop falling out of doors and getting sick. I need you all to be well.

[Janet]

Guess we're just trying to keep you on your toes...lol. Hope it's nothing serious with your friend and that she's feeling better.

My friend Diane....the one who just joined but hasn't posted yet is going through something that is hard to figure out. Not sure if it's stress, anxiety, mental, we just don't know. They've done a few tests on her, but nothing really decided on what's wrong. Please keep her in our prayers also, I would appreciate it.


This morning Kitty was still sitting on her haunches with her front feet in the air, which tells me she's in pain. So Ricky headed over to the Vet to get some meds for her. They gave enough for 3 days...and it better be enough or I'm headed right back over there. She's not crying much, but I know she's hurting. Skeeter seems to be doing really well, but since they sent him meds too, we gave him one. If he doesn't need the rest then I will be giving them to Kitty. It just breaks my heart for her to be in pain.

Ricky and I went to Lafayette to a Best Buy store there. Since his laptop computer died, he has been wanting another one. He still has his first laptop, but it runs so slow. We just use it as a back up. Anyway, I had some money put back from my inheritance to give him for all the help he gave me with Mom and afterwards. They are really busy with back to school, so it will be tomorrow before he can pick it up. They are going to get it all ready for him and get rid of all the nonsense stuff and create a backup disc for him too. He's really anxious to get it home. I think he's going to be amazed at how much faster it will be and how much better the graphics are on it.

On our way back home we stopped at the Rossville Summer's End Festival. They had a lot of booths and a lot of people. We did a walk through and then came on home. That's been my day so far. Don't plan on doing much else, it's so hot outside today and I just feel like being lazy now.

[gja1000]

I made a quick trip to Houston this weekend. Brooke called on Thursday and wanted me to come down. We've had a lot of fun today, shopping, baking and just being together.

They say the hurricane coming into the gulf may hit closer to New Orleans and there was a message from the hurricane center tonight that after it makes landfall, it may drift west at full strength to HOUSTON! :eek: We just saw that a few minutes ago on the tracking models, so I guess the kids will get things ready tomorrow. They already have all their emergency packs and three generators, but will need to get some gasoline, water and food that doesn't needvpreparation, in case they are without power. The trackers won't really know till Monday where it will make landfall or what it will do afterwards, but I the kids are going to get ready anyway. Bryan has been through a hurricane when he lived in FL, but it's been a long time.

[Lindsey]

Janet, I hope Kitty is feeling better! I can't believe the vet didn't send pain meds to begin with!

Gayle, hurricanes must be awful! It's a good idea to be prepared ahead of time.

Yesterday we did a lot of shopping! Scott had a doctors appointment at our new doctor in the mall, so I shopped while he was in there :) One of his fingers for months has been just scaley and dry and the whole front of the finger looks like the skin has just been eaten away. He didn't want to go but finally went. It turns out it's contact eczema and he now has some cream to put on it every day. Hopefully it gets better!

And he actually brought up his heart issues to this doctor too, which I didn't think he'd do because he keeps saying he's fine. I didn't even push him this time! Every once in awhile, his heart will just start beating really hard and fast, and he feels like he's out of breath. It happens almost every time he eats, and then other random times too. It has happened his whole life. He went to a doctor when he was younger and living at home, but it didn't happen when he was at the doctor so the doctor said he was fine.... I made him go again to our old doctor here in the city and he did some bloodwork but it ended there. This new doctor is making Scott go for bloodwork on Monday and when she gets the results she will refer him to a specialist. I think he really needs to have his heart monitored for a day or two so they can track when it happens!

Anyways, while we were out I bought a few new shirts, Scott bought some tools I know nothing about, we bought a wheelbarrow for yard work, and we got groceries. We also found time to go to the bank and change him over to my account and close his old one. Our bank was having a customer appreciation day with free drinks, sno kones, cupcakes, and TACO IN A BAG!!! Ohhhh taco in a bag is my favourite food ever. I don't know if it's popular where you guys are, but you just crunch up a small bag of Doritos, cut it down the side, add some ground beef (with taco seasoning), lettuce, tomato, sour cream, salsa, and catalina salad dressing, and enjoy! I just spent $7.50 a couple of weeks ago on one at the fair, so when it's free, I'm all over that lol!

Today my plan is to highlight my hair and make cabbage rolls! Scott just left to play a round of golf, so it's pretty quiet around here.

Oh yeah and we got all of our wedding photos on Friday and I put a bunch of them on Facebook yesterday, so go check them out if you haven't seen them :)

[Janet]

Did check them out and I love them. All the wedding photos I've seen have been beautiful!

[gja1000]

Lindsey, your wedding pix are so wonderful. I don't know how I would ever decide!

Yes, I do know about taco in a bag. My sister-in-law made them a few weeks ago. They are really good!

[DianaB]

Gayle and Lindsey, I hope your friend and Scott finds out what is wrong. Heart problems can be such a worry. I have MVP and at first it was scary to me but I don't worry about it much any more.

Gayle, I'm glad that your daughter and her family are getting prepared for the hurricane. It never hurts to be prepared and ready for what MIGHT happen.

We had some rain over the weekend!! YAY!! Not much but we'll take what ever we can get. Glen's hoping that it will help the beans put pods on the beans......now the worry is that we don't have an early frost!! There's always something to worry about!! It's been such a bad year for farming!!

I didn't do much over the weekend. I went to a garage sale on Friday and got a few thngs. It was close by and there were a lot of tools so I ran Glen by too and he got a few things as well. Saturday I was going to go to garage sales but it was rainy so I decided to stay home and clean things up a little. It was so nice to straighten up and actually have it stay that way!!! I haven't had that for a long time!!

Yesterday we had a special speaker at church and he was so interesting. When Haiti had their earthquake we bought a whole water system to be sent there and he was in charge of getting bought and there and he told us how helpful it was and is still going. We ended up going out to eat for lunch and again for supper with them and some other friends! (His wife was also here.) He started Hope Internation Ministries which works in the Dominican Republic. It was so interesting to hear of what they do there and what God has been doing. They take doctors, nurses, and others there and do clinics and surgeries on people. To hear about the miracles was just so awesome!! I'm thinking that maybe I might be interested in going next year!! We'll see!!!

This morning it's just Dean and me!! I think that Dae Lynn and I are having a garage sale next weekend so I'm going to be busy getting things priced. We have a LOT of stuff to get rid of and I know that Glen will be happy to have that pile of stuff out of the basement!!

[Janet]

Woke up to heavy rain this morning. Rained the whole bus route and after. Looks like it has stopped now, but I loved hearing the heavy rain. When I first walked out this morning it was like getting it in the face with a wet towel. So humid.

I have some kindergarten students on the bus that I'm having a hard time dealing with. They will not listen, so here in a bit, I'm calling their parents. They'll need to work with me to get these kids to sit still and speak quietly without screaming and yelling and trying to stand in their seats. Next step will be writing them up and sending them to the office. I'm just getting too old to put up with other parents lack of parenting.

This morning after I got back from town, a place in Kokomo (about 25 minutes east of me) are offering Home Health Care classes. I had inquired about them last spring. Well, they called to tell me that WorkForce One is offering to pay for the classes to those who qualify. Not sure what the qualifications are, but know that it doesn't matter if you are working or not.

The Mulberry Retirement Home is also offering CNA classes next month. I just don't know if those two opportunities are for me or not. Need to really think about this. I had inquired about them late last year or early this year, can't remember for sure. All I know at this point is I want to do something different than driving the bus, just not sure this is it. I would still need insurance and I'm not sure if either of those offer it. Boy...aging not only sucks for health, but for the workforce...lol.

Looks like it's going to start pouring rain again, so I think I'm going to go sit in it for awhile...I know....crazy, but it feels so good.

[gja1000]

Diana, I just know you would love going on the medical mission trips. I have a couple of great friends who have been going to Honduras on medical missions for over 15 years! They say it is an incredible experience.

Janet, I don't know how you do it, driving the bus, with rowdy kids! LOL! Being a CNA in a nursing home is very hard work. I'm thinking being a home health aid might be somewhat easier, I'm not sure because I've never known anyone who worked as an aid in home health. But I do know that working as an aid in a nursing is very very hard work. That said, nursing home residents really NEED someone who cares about them!

[Blueyes]

Hi everybody! I'm here, and I'm fine, and it sure is nice to be missed :)

What a week! I was in the hospital from Monday until Wednesday evening, then I was home Thursday, then I went to Dallas with my sil Teresa on Friday! We had a girls weekend planned for a long time, and I didn't want to mess it up. We usually go in the summer and near Christmas, and have for a few years. It's Teresa and her sister, her sisters daughter, and Teresa's daughter..my precious niece, Casey. We spent the time getting a facial, a pedicure, and an hour massage:D We had a hotel suite with 2 bedrooms, a kitchenette, and a den so we just stayed around there and talked and talked! Their pool and hot tub were beautiful and we enjoyed that, too. Of course we shopped some..Dillard's was having a great sale..and only went out to dinner once!

It's sooo nice to be home! I hope I don't have to go anywhere for awhile. We should get lots of rain from the hurricane, and I really hope we don't lose power. It just depends on the wind:rolleyes:

[2tiredmom]

I owe I owe so off to work I go. Will check back in tonight when I gethome. Everyone have a good day. Would LOVE TO STAY HOME!!!!! :)

[DianaB]

Betsi, I'm so glad that you checked in. We were worried knowing that you had been in the hospital!! Are you feeling all right? Are you having to watch your diet?

I'm so glad that you're getting rain, Janet!! I sure wish that we would get a little more. We've had about an inch or so.

Janet, I don't know what to tell you about your classes. I do think that nursing is a good choice but I really don't know much about it. We have a man that's paralyzed and he gets to have someone help him out. It pays $17 an hour. I'm not sure what it entails.....the problem is that he's difficult to deal with and he only keeps them for awhile then fires them. I'm sure that you could find something like that.....only with much nicer people if you ask around.....after you take the classes. Who knows......maybe you would still be able to drive the bus and keep your insurance......at least until you find something that has insurance.

Glen and I went out last night and went through a trailer of stuff that was left from Nancy's garage sale. Some we threw away, some we kept, and some we're putting in our garage sale. There was also some things.....like ceiling tile.....that needs to go back to Dae Lynn's house.

Afterwards Glen and I went for a short 4-wheeler ride. It was so nice to get out and not have to worry about what was going on at home. However.....I'm having a really hard time getting into the fixing supper thing!! And going to the grocery store......Both are things that Dae Lynn did!!

Well I need to get off of here and go work on garage sale stuff!! YUCK!!

[Lindsey]

Betsi, I'm glad you got to do a girls weekend! Sounds like fun!

What a day I've had! Well, starting last night I guess.. I thought I had some sort of stomach bug. I was having stomach troubles all night, until I took some medicine for it before bed. I fell asleep okay. I woke up at about 3 in the morning feeling really nauseous. I was so tired and didn't want to get up and go throw up so I kind of just made myself lay there and deal with it. It took at least an hour before I fell asleep again, but I know I woke up at least one more time with nausea.

I kept getting waves of nausea on the way to work. When I got to work it happened a couple more times while I was sitting at my desk. All I could do was look away from my computer, stare at my desk, and breathe through it. At around lunch time, my stomach started cramping up really bad. I told my cousin about it and she said she was convinced I was pregnant!!! :eek: I said no way... but the more she talked about it the more I kind of thought it COULD be.... So she told me I had to go get a test after work. So I did. And I'm not lol.

I'm kind of relieved because Scott and I are planning a trip this spring that I am really really excited for! It's a once in a lifetime kind of trip and we had just decided that we actually CAN do it and are getting ready to put the wheels in motion lol... of course I would be thrilled too if we were to start a family now but it's not in the plan at the moment!

[DianaB]

LOL.....that's the same thing I was thinking!! Sometimes you don't get to plan these things! You just have to go with the flow when it happens......later you're always glad that it happened.

Well, the garage sale has been put off until November. That works better for me. I kept asking Dae Lynn if she was ready for this weekend because that's what we had planned a couple of weeks ago.....but it ends up that neither one of us will be ready by then. Dae Lynn's stressed with moving, work at school, cleaning the church, and moving back with Damon. She was almost in tears yesterday when she came to get Dean so we decided that it would be best if we did it later. We've found that garage sales do better at the beginning of the month because that's when people have money......October is out because we have Homecoming and people spend all their money there......so it's November.

I'm going to clean Dae Lynn's bathroom today and work on some of the kids room decorations. I'm anxious to get it all together and in their rooms. The ideas just keep coming and coming!! Getting the right color of spray paint is hard when you live in a small town.

[Janet]

Do you have many people show up at garage sales in November? They are pretty much done here by then and don't start up again until spring. They take so much work, but are worth it, especially getting to visit with people, and of course the money.. :)

I hope things can settle down a bit for Dae Lynn. Does Damon try to help her out some? Some are lucky to have men that help, others... just make for more work.

Today at 4:55 PM will be one year that Mom passed. I've done pretty good so far today, but then I cried Monday and most the day yesterday. After my bus route I went to the cemetary and put new flowers in Mom's favorite color on the site. I really miss her....as much as she drove me nuts...I miss her. I don't think anyone loves you more than your mother.

After visiting the cemetary, I picked up a friend and we went to McDonald's for breakfast. Not a very healthy meal, but it was good and so was the company. Saw a few others there that I knew so that was nice too.

Not sure what else I'll do today, probably not much...just not in the mood. I have quite a bit I would like to get accomplished within the next week or so, so I'm glad we have a 3 day weekend coming up. Think I'm going to start with the garage again, so when I start in on the house, I have a place to put the things I no longer want.

[gja1000]

Diana, a garage sale in November sounds heavenly to me! It's still pretty warm the first of October here. I bet it will work out just fine.

Janet, glad you had a nice breakfast/visit. It's always nice to see and talk with good friends.

I'm going to the lake (in southern Oklahoma) for Labor Day weekend. It will be hot though, unfortunately, the hurricane has pushed HOT dry air over Texas and Oklahoma. It's supposed to be 100 almost every day. Oh well, the humidity is supposed to be low, so it won't be too bad (hopefully).

[DianaB]

A garage sale in November can be iffy here. You never know what the weather will be like but Dae Lynn has a barn that we can always move into. People here are always ready to find a good deal so I don't think that will be a problem. I may take some things down to Marva's for a garage sale. They have a craft weekend down there where people also set up garage sales and last year I happened to be there and I couldn't believe all the people who showed up. It's the last weekend in September. I have bought a lot of nice school clothes to go in the flea market but a new owner has taken over and they don't want clothes so this will be a good way to sell them.

Janet, Damon's not being very good at helping Dae Lynn. The move has been hard on both of us, I think, because we're so used to working together on meals, cleaning, and taking care of the kids. We're both doing a lot of readjusting in our . Of course, it's a lot easier for me than it is for her. I think that as time goes by Damon will help out more. He's used to living on his own and not helping much with anything. She did say that they are getting along pretty good though. That was good to hear. Dae Lynn's just overwhelmed by all of the changes going on right now.

Jaci and Nate stopped by the house the other evening......with a brand spanking new car!! We knew that they were looking and were ready to buy. They got a 2013 Ford Explorer!! I have NEVER had a new car!! Nate's family is different in a lot of ways than ours is. They always buy new vehicles (Actually this is Nate's second NEW vehicle. He also bought a new truck when he graduated.) and trade them off in five years. HA HA!! That's usually when we buy them!! They also farm with new tractors and equipment.......so different than the way we do it. I'm happy for them. Jaci will be well taken care of by Nate and his family.

[2tiredmom]

You all are so Busy. Hope you all have a great weekend. I just did the normal today. Worked at work. Dr tomorrow. Garage Sale here Saturday. November is way to late here to have a sale. This will be my last Sale. Seeing as how we have been up her 10 years and all other sales were bombs. will see what happens. Have a Safe weekend everyone.

[Janet]

Good luck with your sale Linda. I always found that living in the country...my sales did best in early spring before too many others were advertised. People are so anxious to get out to sales they'll drive clear out here. One time...we had between 25-35 people outside of our garage waiting for me to open the door. Then it was a steady stream all day and I made over $350 from mostly small stuff. Hopefully you'll have a great sale, if not...wait till early spring.

Have a great time Gayle....it sounds so nice to be able to be near a lake. Enjoy and relax.

Diana.....I doubt very seriously I ever will be able to have a brand new vehicle. Mom even had to wait until she was 87....lol. I would love to have a Honda CRV, but it will never happen. So...I'll drive my van till it dies I guess.

Anyone doing anything over this 3 day weekend besides Gayle? Looks like I'll be home for the most part. The guys will be working on Ricky's car and I think I'm planning on cleaning out the garage again. Seems like things keep getting piled in my garage and I'm tired of it. Gonna get my wagon, load it up and dump it in Rick's garage. Maybe he'll get the hint!!! LOL! Not sure what else I'll do besides church on Sunday.

We are suppose to get so much rain from Hurricane Isaac. It said on the news this morning that central Indiana (including me) can expect anywhere from 6 - 10 inches of rain depending on which way it actually goes. So...whatever I end up doing, I'm sure I'll have to have an unbrella... :) Supposedly it's moving in this evening and I believe it will. Even though it's beautiful out right now, the wind has picked up.

Whatever you all do, stay safe and have a great time. Also...don't forget to check in here once and a while....this place has really been sssslllloooowwww......

[DianaB]

Gayle, Have fun this weekend!! Drive carefully!! We don't have any plans for the weekend.......remember I'm married to a farmer!!! Labor Day is like any other day! The only thing is that I won't have to watch Dean on Monday.

Janet, I hope you don't get as much rain as they're predicting. That's a LOT of rain! We're on the western edge and we've got out fingers crossed that we get a fair amount. They're predicting rain but not much so we're holding our breath!!!

I finally got Dae Lynn's bathroom cleaned. I took everything out and washed curtains, shower curtain, and rugs. She had gotten foundation in one of the drawers and it was really hard to get out but I did finally get it. She is not the most careful or the cleanest person. Out of all four of my kids Dae Lynn is the messiest. Oh well.....her room and the bathroom are now clean. Now I just need to get the kids' room cleaned. I think that I'm going to wait a while on that because I need to paint it. I really don't want to leave it purple with stars!!

Glen's sister, Brenda, has been here for a day or two and last night we went to Burke's (Glen's other brother) and ate hamburgers and visited. It was so beautiful outside and the moon was so bright! Oh.....and tonight is the Blue Moon!!

Today I'm hoping to get my Cricut out and start making pictures for Dean's room.......oh, and I'll be spray painting too. I'm not ready to do Karlie's room yet. I'm still working on ideas for her's. I can't wait to put it all together!!

[Blueyes]

Well, we only got a tiny bit of rain from the hurricane. I think it turned toward Janet!

I haven't done much this week. Yesterday I cleaned out and organized my pots and pans. They were to the point that there was a crash every time I tried to get one out, lol!

Tomorrow we are having a surprise retirement party for my brother, Jim. He taught high school Biology forever, and he used to coach, too. Everybody is meeting at our favorite catfish restaurant in Shreveport, then Jim, Teresa, Mike and I will go over there by ourselves like we usually do. He better be surprised when we walk in and all our family is there, lol!

Diana, I can't believe you're going to paint over your purple with stars room, lol!!
Janet, don't drown in all that rain!

[Lindsey]

Diana, I love the new Explorer!! I have never owned a new vehicle either, other than my motocrycle, which was brand new but the previous year's model and priced to sell :)

Scott bought his Camry new in 2008 and said he wouldn't buy new again. He got everything he wanted, but he said the depreciation as soon as you drive off the lot and it is now a "used" car is just not worth the price in the beginning! So we bought our SUV used too.

There are some end of summer garage sales around here now, but most happen in early spring. Most years, snow is flying by October so they can't go too late :)

Good luck with the party Betsi!

I am heading to my parents' house for the long weekend! One of my closest friends is getting married on Saturday, and the weather might be iffy! There is a 40% chance of showers on Saturday and they are planning to get married outside in the park. If it does rain, they will move it inside the rink.

I am excited to see lots of people I haven't seen in ages! This friend lived two doors down from me and I was basically a part of her family growing up. I even went on family vacations with them! When I was 14, we went on a camping trip with her cousin's family. Her cousin also brought a friend, and it turned out they both had a crush on me lol. I had to choose between the two of them, and I chose his friend. He was 16 and he could drive :thumbup: but he ultimately broke my heart lol. I saw her cousin a lot of times back in those days but haven't seen him now in years! He is now married with children so it will be great to be able to catch up!

The rest of the weekend will probably be spent at the lake. Hopefully we can get some fishing in!

[DianaB]

Lindsey, it sounds like a fun weekend!!

We didn't get any rain from the hurricane. I think that part of our county did but we're on the western side and it missed us completely.......we were so close!!

I hope that you're not drowning up there, Janet!! At least you'll have a couple of days so the water can drain away before you have to drive the school bus.

I'm having an awful time with heartburn. I can't seem to find anything that helps so I may have to go to the doctor. I've just been miserable.

Betsi, I hope that your surprise party really surprises your brother!! Have fun!!

[Blueyes]

Diana, go to the doctor! Heartburn can be a symptom of many things in women.

Lindsey, I hope you have a great weekend. It sounds like lots of fun!

Mike and I went to see a movie yesterday. It's so hot here, there's not much else to do:rolleyes: I'm still watching my diet pretty close. My goal was to keep off the 10 pounds I lost in the hospital, and I did that. Now maybe I can lose a pound or 2 in the next week. Same old story of my life, lol!

[DianaB]

Good luck with the weight loss!!! You're doing really good!!

Betsi, I think that I have acid reflux. I had some medicine that irritates my stomach because it's suppose to be taken with food and I don't always do that. It's not a med that I have to have so I've cut it out.....hoping that it will get better but that's not happening. I've been miserable so if it's not better soon than I will be heading to the doctor. I just know that once she gets me in there she's going to run all kinds of tests to check other things as well and it gets expensive.

[Marilyn]

Just trying to catch up with everyone!! Y'all have been busy!!! We all went to Schlitterbahn Waterpark in New Braunfels yesterday and had a blast!!! We had been trying to go all summer, but couldn't get everyone together at the same time. With a nurse and a fire fighter in the family, plus other conflicts it wasn't easy! We took turns playing with one year old Emma so her parents could have some fun. We all declared it a wonderful day, definitely a "do over"!!

Rex and I had to hurry home after lunch today. I'm coaching a group of young people to participate in a Bible competition in November, so we had to get back. There are several adult helpers, but I'm the leader and this was only our second practice session.

Tomorrow will be labor day for me... Laboring on laundry, mopping and such. We had Emma's birthday party here a couple of weeks ago and some of the decorations are still up. I think we've had enough of Minnie Mouse for a while. Lol

I want to hit a couple of furniture stores tomorrow, too,just to get ideas. Karen took her bedroom furniture with her since they bought a house. She had a really nice queen bedroom set we had bought her for graduation, and Melissa & Garrett are moving out to an apartment (finally!!!) in two weeks, so we have a couple of bedrooms to furnish. We have good queen mattress and box springs in both rooms, so think I'll just get bed frames for now and take my time redecorating. :)

[Janet]

On Saturday, I had planned to clean out the garage again but my friend Diane was on her way to see her Mother and wanted me to go with them to Lafayette. She still is having anxiety issues, so I was glad to go. I usually don't like shopping, it's not even on my list of 1000 favorite things to do..lol, but I had a really good time. It was raining most of the time, but we didn't let it stop us.

Yesterday, I went to the first service at church. Still not sure which time I like best. :) I do love the music. After church I went to Wal Mart and picked up a few items and then headed home. Ricky was gone most of the day and didn't return until 9:30 last night. With the rain and wind, I still worry when he's out on the roads somewhere.

Today, not sure what I'll do. Have a bit of an upset stomach, so I may just lounge around unless I start feeling better.

This Isaac storm has really brought high humidity. It has been horrible to deal with. I will sure be glad when cool fall weather arrives.

[gja1000]

I made it home from Oklahoma about 1:00 today. I had a nice trip, it was very quiet and relaxing with only a few family in for the holiday weekend. We just ate good food, visited, and did a bit of shopping. I bought some exercise clothes and some athletic shoes. I'm starting a "Get Fit" class at the university next week and really didn't have any workout clothes. I'm looking forward to it! I think I may take a nap this afternoon! :eek:

[Janet]

Glad you're home safe and sound Gayle. I gotta ask....what do you do with the doggies when you're gone? Do you have someone come stay with them? I'm sure you'll like your exercise class.

I just saw where the YMCA here in Frankfort are starting line dancing classes on Tuesday so I'm considering doing this. I'm sure there will be people I know, but would like someone to go with me. The other thing....I sweat sooooo bad, it's embarassing. I haven't line danced in years and not even sure I remember any of the steps.

I did get the garage cleaned out today. I'm so glad it's done and there is room on both sides of my van now. Someone keeps dumping stuff in the garage I use instead of taking it to the shed or the garage they use. From now on....if I find anything out there that wasn't out there when I finished today, it's going on the wood/burn pile out back.

Not feeling too bad now, I don't think I was sick to my stomach, I think it was more nerves than anything. Anyway...I worked hard in the garage, got soaked from perspiring and now I feel much better.

Tomorrow I hope to have time to take the cat in to get her stitches out. I need to run to the bank first so if I don't have as much time as I would like, I'll wait until Wednesday.

The 3 day weekend sure didn't last long... :)

[Blueyes]

Gayle and Janet, those both sound like good exercise programs! What a great idea. I sure wish we were closer so we could go exercise together. Wouldn't that be fun?:D

Jim's retirement party went well. He was really surprised, and there were 27 people there! Today was my brother Ronny's birthday. We took a cake and presents out to his house, and he was so surprised. My brothers are great!

Tomorrow Mike has to go to the dermatologist, then pick up his sleep apnea machine. I hope it helps him feel more rested when he wakes up. I'm anxious to find out how many times his sleep was interrupted during his test.

It's SO hot here. I'm ready for WINTER!!

[gja1000]

Yes Betsi and Janet, it would be so much fun to exercise together! That would really motivate me!

Janet, I take the dogs with me everywhere, unless I'm flying or going on a trip where they can't go, but that is not very often. When I can't take them, I have a lady who comes stay at the house with them, or I take them to Houston to stay with my daughter (or I meet her half way). Gary's family absolutely adores them and would be really upset if I didn't bring them when I go to OK.

[Lindsey]

My weekend was pretty good! I had so much fun at my friend's wedding, even though it was rained out. The ceremony was moved indoors and it was still beautiful! I caught up with the bride's cousin and he told me I look the same as I did when I was 15!!! I don't know if that's a compliment or not :confused: lol. I caught up with another friend I haven't seen in probably 10 years, and we danced all night! Scott and I walked home in the rain at 2:30 in the morning :)

We spent the rest of the weekend at the lake. It rained Sunday but was nice enough on Monday to be outside. Scott was in a bad mood most of the weekend but I'm not even going to talk about that here. It's just exhausting to think about it and how we had to leave. I was not happy about it!

Anyways, work is super busy as usual so I am going to be keeping myself busy for the next few months with lots of overtime.

[gja1000]

Lindsey, it sounds like you had a good weekend despite the rain and Scott's bad mood. It's always fun to catch up with old friends, isn't it!

Betsi, the retirement party sounds like fun. How is Mike doing with the C-Pap machine. Gary was supposed to use one, but he hated it. He used it off and on (more off than on) for years. It definitely helps them to sleep better and it also takes a strain off the heart which is caused by stopping all the apenic episodes. The heart has to speed up and slow down all night when you are having apnea episodes and that puts a strain on the heart. I don't think Gary ever believed that, but it is true. I think Gary's heart failure would have been improved if he'd used the C-Pap consistently, but he just wouldn't. I hope Mike uses it!

[Blueyes]

I hope he does too, Gayle! Tonight will be his first time to try it, and I think he'll use it.

I'm off to get my hair cut and colored. I never know what color I will be, lol!

[DianaB]

Marilyn, it sounds so nice to go shopping for furniture! I have Jaci's room empty now but instead of putting a bed in there we've decided to put a hide-a-bed that we have and move my desk in there. I'd like to put a little tv too so the kids can watch in there or play video games......which I'd have to buy a video game as well. I can do my crafts and projects in there and it will be a lot more usuable to us like that than a bedroom......but the hide-a-bed will still make it a bedroom when we need it.

Betsi, I'm so glad that you have family close by since your boys live so far away!! Your parties sound like fun!!

Lindsey, How nice that you got to visit with old friends!! It sounds like you had a good weekend......well......except for Scott's bad mood.

Janet, you are so busy!! Cleaning out the garage!! You should hire yourself out to organize other people's stuff!!

Exercising together would be so much fun!! I could use some good motivation!! My scales are broken so I'm not sure where I'm at but I don't think that it's good :(

We didn't do much over the weekend. Glen worked......I was home. I did work on pictures for Dean's room and they've turned out soooo cute! He has a nursey set that I'm copying off of and using my Cricut to help cut out designs. I'll get some pictures when I get the room all done. Today I'm spray painting picture frames and a little cubby shelf that I bought.

Dean's been sick......actually their whole family has been.....but Dean's is hanging on. Yesterday you could tell he was miserable unless you gave him ibuprophen. Today he's better.....a little......still croupy. I just hope that I don't get it.

Glen's going to Mermot Springs this weekend with his dive buddy, Logan. There's a 100 mile garage sale south of here that I went to last year and had a blast.......so I think that Jaci and I are going on Friday........I just realized that I need to have Dae Lynn find another sitter.....OOPS!!! Jaci's excited about going and wants to take her new car. It makes me a little nervous taking a brand new car!!! Oh well.....I guess it has to get broke in sometime!!

[Janet]

So much going on with everyone WOW! Sure wish I was at your place to go with you and Jaci to all the garage sales!!! I had heard about a town flea market near here, but have never been. My friend Diane asked if I had ever been and if I would like to go. I think she said it was the 22 and 23, so as it stands, unless something comes up, we are going to plan on going. She said it was mostly crafts that people make and I just love love love those kinds of things.

Diana....since you been here I keep shopping for rings...lol. I absolutely loved yours! I did buy one from Avon, not nearly as nice of course, but it's pretty. It came today. Looks a little cheaper than I had hoped, but for $19.99...I can't expect much...lolol

We've been having quite a bit of rain here lately. Don't think it's got us caught up to what we should have, but every bit helps. I posted pics of a storm that came through today and I guess tonight we are suppose to have some really bad ones. I'm so ready for a good storm, we haven't really had any for quite some time.

Yesterday was my older brother's 66th birthday. I had posted on his FB page and sent him a card. For some reason I was afraid to call him like I always do. Hadn't spoke with him for awhile so I wasn't sure what to expect. Anyway...I called and glad I did. He was very nice so I felt comfortable. The only thing I don't care for is everytime I call, whether it's his home phone or cell (which is what I called) it's always on speaker. I never get to speak with just him. His wife listens to everything and when I ask him something....she answers. Very disturbing. But...hey...I'm really not complaining, it was a good conversation.

[Marilyn]

Monday ended up being a laundry and cleaning day. I didn't get to the furniture store as planned. We really dont want to buy furniture right now anyway. We're planning on selling our house soon and building again. There are a couple of features we really want, and our next home will be a one story. Our taxes are too high where we are, so also want to build outside of the city. We plan to find a place to rent, if possible for a while, or may start building and then sell. With all the eagle Ford Shale activity combined with industrial expansion, rentals are expensive and difficult to find. We plan to add another bedroom before selling, so our house will be 4 bedrooms with 3.5 baths, but y'all probably don't want to hear all the details on that. We should be able to sell easily with the demand for houses so high.

Rex and I went to a diabetes education class today. It was very informative. He's really committed to doing what he needs to do to get and stay healthy. If I'd known all the symptoms of diabetes, I could have told him about 6 months ago that he needed to get to the doctor, but live and learn.

I got the results of my fasting blood test today and my total cholesterol was 211 and LDL was 166. My cardiac risk factor is 6.2 and they said should never be more than 5.0. They are giving me 6 weeks to try to get it down with diet and exercise. If I fail they want me on medication. I do not want to take statin drugs. So I have to get busy. I may go vegetarian and see if that helps. I'm already eating pretty healthy and taking krill oil. So plan to exercise like crazy and cut out meats completely for a while. I will still eat some fish. Sorry this is all about me. Next time I'll try to comment more on all your activity.

Betsi, I do hope your husband uses the c-pap. I believe it's very important and will help. Rex should use one but says he just can't tolerate it.

[DianaB]

You always sound so busy, Marilyn!! Maybe you should put off buying 2 sets of furniture and just buy one so you have a place for company to stay. I'm sure when you finally move you'll want an extra set for a guest room anyway. Then I'd just leave the other room empty.....or make it a play room for when Emma is there.

Adding on sounds like a lot of work but I'm sure it helps that your husband does construction!! Must be nice!! Maybe we could trade our husband's work.......Glen could plow up your yard and yours could remodel my basement.......sounds like a good trade to me!!!

Marilyn, I know that Glen's diabetes was way out of control before we found out. His eyes were even showing the effects of diabetes......so much that it scared him. He was losing weight, it was so bad. Just make sure you watch carbs as well as sugars because carbs convert to sugar in your body. With Splenda it's so much easier to stay on the diet because you can still have sweets......just not with sugar. And good luck with your next tests!!

Betsi, I'm anxious to hear about how your hair appointment went!! What color are you now?

Janet.....Cool!! You bought you a new ring!! Bling is in......so you go, Girl Friend!! Next thing you know we'll have you in a sparkly shirt and jeans!!!

We got a little bit of rain this morning.....not much again. We have some good chances the next day or two......probably while Jaci and I are at garage sales!!

Janet, I'm glad that you went ahead and called your brother. It's good for you to stay connected. Jerry probably feels comfortable about letting his wife listen in on your conversations. No big deal. I'm sure that if you needed to talk to him privately then you just need to ask.

Glen's got his stuff out to go diving. He's so excited to go! Jaci's excited about the garage sales too......so am I. We'd love to have you go, Janet. I do hope you have a good time with Diane!! I texted Marva and I'm going down there the end of this month and adding some of my stuff to her garage sale. You wouldn't believe the people that showed up at her house last year!! I'm hoping to do pretty good. I think that I'll take some things out of my flea market booth that haven't been selling and take them too. Then I can change things around that I'm selling and add some new stuff.

Well.....Dean's asleep and I have things to get done. I spray painted some things to go in his room.......and I have the blue fingers to prove it!! I have a few more things to paint and make on the Cricut. I ordered a new cartridge that's princess stuff to make some things for Karlie's room......which has changed with a different bedspread. It's a good thing that I hadn't started buying much or making things for her room or I might have been upset. The colors on this will be much easier to match and do things with. Hope everyone has a great day!!

Oh....and Janet, how did you like your new can opener?

[2tiredmom]

Boy do I feel guilty....You all are so busy...I have just been sitting on my back side crocheting and watching TV in the evenings when I get home from work. Trying to get Headbands done for Craft show in November. If they don't sell will donate to Project Help here in Angola.
I need to go on a diet. I have gained 10 lbs and I do not like it. I hate getting old. I am not big by any means but 10 lbs for me is alot to gain. Nothing fits.
So tonight I am crocheting again and watching TV. :(

[Janet]

I think you're right Diana about staying connected. It just made me uncomfortable on speaker because I would ask Jerry something and Betty would answer. I didn't call her...I called to wish my brother a "Happy Birthday". I would never mention it to her or him, so I will just deal with it.

We are all doing great with the new can opener Diana....:sidesplit: Works really well, quieter and doesn't take up space on the counter...what a deal!!! :coolsmiley:

Linda....I sure wouldn't feel guilty about crocheting and TV, if I could cook like you I wouldn't feel guilty about anything. I saw these things for sale and thought of you. They were on a site for $5.00, aren't they cute? 7169 Didn't know if you had seen these before or not.

If they don't sell at your craft show, you should stop in at All Aboard in Frankfort, unless you all have a place like that there. She's wanting more things that people make to sell.

Not sure what I'm doing over the weekend yet....I'm just so glad it's almost here.

[gja1000]

I'm home this weekend, for once! Lol! I'm going to a small town arts and crafts show tomorrow. I just love small town festivals.

I have a list of things to get for my mom and I have shopping to do for myself too, so that will take some time.

I'm starting exercises classes on Monday. They are MWF 7-8AM. The classes are at the University and so I will need to shower in the locker room after the class and then go to work. I will have a locker to keep my things in so I want to get a second set of makeup and hair products so that I don't have to drag everything back and forth everyday. All those things will add to my shopping list. Whew!

THEN, I am having my mom's 90th birthday party at my house on Oct. 6th. There is plenty of time to get ready for it, but I do want to start thinking about it and keeping my eye open for things I will need.

I'm hoping to have a restful, fun and productive weekend!

[Janet]

Today I got a call from my dear friend Linda (the one I've been friends with for over 35 years), well really her daughter Lori. Linda's Yorkie Lizzy had it coming out both ends and has some hot spots on her back. No one was able to get her to the vet so they asked me and of course I took her in. She had a reaction to some flea/heartworm medicine and has an allergy to fleas. We found 2 on her at the vet. Lizzy was sent home with 3 different meds and some medicated conditioner to leave in. So after I got her back home and got Linda calmed down, I gave Lizzy a bath for her. Linda just isn't able to do that right now because of her health and her daughter and her family weren't going to be home to do it.

Came home and was starved....ate about 8 of the little Chewy Chips Ahoy cookies and a glass of milk.....but that's all I had so it was my breakfast and lunch too. I'll do better tomorrow.

It's been one of those days.....kind of got that blah feeling, so looking forward to tomorrow...hopefully I will feel better.

[Blueyes]

Janet, you are a good friend. That was really sweet of you!

Gayle, I'm so glad you are taking care of yourself. I bet your mom is excited about her party. Sounds like fun.

Mike left for the ranch yesterday and will be home Monday. I'm leaving Monday to ride to Dallas with Teresa, my sil. She sees a knee surgeon on Tuesday, to talk about knee replacement. Both of hers are bone on bone, and hurt so much. My knees are tolerable right now, so she needs to go first so I can see how much it hurts, lol!

[DianaB]

Wow!! What a weekend I had!! So busy!!

Jaci and I went to the 100 mile garage sale on Friday. She hadn't been feeling well so I wasn't sure if she was going to go or not. She sounded bad but said that she felt fine. We found quite a bit of "stuff". We knew that there was a chance of rain so we kept checking her weather on the car (it's pretty fancy) and sure enough a bad storm came up. We were at a garage sale when the rain started and Jaci and I ended up helping a woman take her stuff into her garage. Personally......I was worried about Jaci's car because there was talk of hail. The woman ended up offering to let Jaci park in her car port but Jaci turned her down.....I didn't hear that or I'd have made her put it in there anyway. As we drove away the wind picked up really bad and limbs were coming out of the trees. We parked by a building and waited the storm out.....thank heavens it's didn't hail. Jaci's MIL bought a brand new vehicle this week and was at the garage sales too so we were all worried about their new cars. The rain pretty much ended the garage sales for that day so we came home.....after a trip to Wal-mart.

On Saturday Jaci and I had talked about going back to the 100 mile garage sale but I decided that I was too tired and needed to get some things done at home. I ran into the few garage sales that we had in town. Jaci had seen an antique hoosier cabinet the day before and had kicked herself for not buying it all day long......well....it ended up that it was still there so I called her and we ended up buying it. She was excited!! I went to the other garage sales and I hit a great one!! I bought a lot of stuff to resell!! I got two really nice king sized bedspreads, two leather jackets, a really nice leather ottoman, a bag that goes on the back of a 4-wheeler (that we've been wanting to buy and just hadn't because they're so expensive), and a whole lot of other things!!! When I got home I had garage sale stuff everywhere so I started pricing things and worked at that all day.

On Sunday I got up and went to church. I had two new little boys in my class so it was a hard morning. You could tell that they weren't used to sitting still for very long but they loved the craft that we did so it ended up being a good morning. After chuch Jaci and I went out to eat since Nate wasn't with her and Glen was out of town. Then I found another garage sale......we don't ususally have them here on Sunday. After that I went to Dae Lynn's and watched the kids while they painted the inside of their trailer house. The renter left them in a huge mess so they're trying to get it back in shape to get it rented out.

Mom and Art stopped by Dae Lynn's to talk to me about their will. I had asked some questions a while back about what they want done and it made them realize that getting a will was something that needed to be done. I've made it clear what I want that's Mom's because my Mom came with a lot to their marriage and I want some of it to come back to us. They had a quiestionaire to fill out to help the lawyer know what they're wanting to do. My Mom will have everything in order so it probably won't be to hard to take care of when the time comes.

Glen got home late last night. He and Logan had a good time scuba diving. I was so busy that I hardly noticed that he was gone. One of his good friends is in town this morning so we're going in for a late breakfast and visit with him and his wife.

[2tiredmom]

Where do the weekends go. Glad you could help your friend Janet. Gayle have fun planning your moms party. That sounds like a good time. Betsi knee surgery. Ouch.
Diana Garage sales 100 miles. No way.
Hubby and I headed to Frankfort Saturday morning and Jennifer called us to let us know her car was broke down along the side of the road. So we went to where she was only took 2 hours to get there but she was going same place we were going.
So Gary put water in radiator and they took off to Frankfort with me behind them.
It must have been a stuck thermostat. ANy way made it to frankfort. Our oldest daughter had a Pampered Chef party only 3 guest there. Me Jennifer and a neighbor. BUt got to see the Grandsons. They were so busy. Then Jen and I went to see my dad in nursing home. He needed a shave so I gave him one. He does not
know what day it is. So depressing. Then went to Gary's mom where he was checking out Jen's car. Didn't find a thing wrong with it thank goodness.
She went back to Muncie and Gary and I went to Red Lobster in Kokomo to eat for our 23rd wedding anniversary. Whirlwind trip as always but no one can make the trip up to see us. Go figure. Oh well. Sorry. Mowed on Sunday and Gary left for Wisconsin. Never enough hours in the day. Everyone have a great week.
I also made more headbands and sold 4 of them at work today. YAYYYY>>>>

[gja1000]

You are really busy too, Linda! It sounds like everyone had a good weekend.

Diana, I don't know how you do it. 100 miles of garage sales. Sounds like it got cut a bit short with the storm. Thank goodness there was no hail!!!

I went to an arts/crafts festival in a small town near where I live. I bought some earrings, the kind where you can change out the little dangle things. It was called earrings in a jar. The earrings and dangles were in this little jar with a cork in the top. So cute! BUT, when I got home all the dangles were there, but the earring part that goes through the ear wasn't in there. I called the lady (thank goodness she had given me her card) but she didn't answer. She had an email address on the card, so I sent her an email. She emailed me back and we were going to meet Sunday (she doesn't live far from me) so I could get the earrings, but our schedules weren't compatible, so she's going to mail them to me.

I had lunch Sunday with a couple of friends. We ate at a little restaurant out in the country. It is owned by neighbors of the friends I ate with. They were plowing a field right next to the restaurant so I posted on FB how much I love living in the country.

The husband of the friends I ate with is going to buy Gary's boat, so they came home with me to look at it. David has been fishing with Gary, just last March, so he was familiar with the boat, he just wanted to look it over again. He is so excited and so am I. It is nice knowing that a friend will have Gary's boat.

i started my exercise class today. WHEW! It was hard - I don't think the actual class will be as hard as it was today, because we got fitness tested today. We had to do various exercises until we couldn't do them anymore, e.g., pushups and jogging/walking a mile, and record our times and repetitions. That was really hard and I'm sore now. We will take the test at the end of November when the class is over to see if we have improved. There are about 20 people in my class of all ages and genders. I am VERY out of shape, so it will be good for me!

[Janet]

Nothing really going on here. I am getting ready to rearrange my bedroom. I dusted and swept this morning and will do a few other odds and ends and then I'm hoping to start rearranging tomorrow.

Rick is leaving on Thursday or Friday, don't know which, for the weekend for the state Cowboy shoot...."rolling eyes here". I don't care what it is or where, just as long as he is gone. Ricky and I both are looking forward to it.

Sometime this week or next I'll be going into the rental house where Mom lived and trim the bushes. They are getting a little wild looking and take some concrete mix in to repair a corner of the porch. I imagine where a lawnmower has hit it a few times has made it come lose so I will fix that while I'm there. They are taking great care of Mom's place and for that I am so thankful.

[DianaB]

Ha Ha!! I didn't go the whole 100 miles of the garage sales!! There is a designated 100 miles that garage sales are along the highways. There's no way I could do the whole thing!! This weekend there is a highway all across Kansas, from one end to the other, that has garage sales. I would love to go but I have too much going on...plus I'd have to find a place to stay because it's too far from me.

Janet, you are so sweet to help take care of your friend's yorkie!!

Gayle, It sounds like you had a good time!! I'm glad that you were able to get the earring situation figured out. Thank goodness you picked up her card!

[Janet]

I really haven't done a lot today. I ate some Romaine lettuce for lunch and I think it's causing me to have stomach pains. Not liking this at all, but the salad was good.

[DianaB]

I worked on a shelf for Dean's room yesterday. It has cubby holes and I took it apart and spray painted each of the boards different colors. I had trouble with some of the paint bubbling on me so the last board isn't screwed on yet but I'll get it this morning. I'm so excited for Dae Lynn to see it but I want to wait so she can see everything together. Glen's working on a night light/ sign for Dean's room. It's going to be made out of an old rusty thing that looks like a lid! Going to be sooo cute!!

Jaci came over yesterday. Nate was out of town and she was missing us. Nate showed up later and we went in and ate at a local steak house and then we came home and played cards. Glen and I went set right off the bat.....thanks to me......so it took us awhile to catch up. They ended up beating us but only by three points!!! So close!! Oh....and we were playing Spades!! We love that game!!

My Aunt Marva, her husband, and another Uncle is coming up this weekend so I'll be at Mom's tomorrow. Mom lives on a small lake (actually a large pond) and my Uncle like to fish so we'll be having a fish fry!! Should be a fun weekend!!!

Glen also has a friend that's here still for his brother-in-laws funeral so we may do something with them tonight. We don't get to see them very often but always enjoy having them here.

[Janet]

Had a really good weekend. With Rick gone from early Friday morning till Sunday afternoon, Ricky and I got a lot done, plus had fun.

Saturday morning Ricky decided to haul all the junk behind the garage to the recycle place. I was so glad he did this and whenever he does, I let him keep all the money for the junk. Right now prices are low so he only got $45, but it pays for gas for a week.

I went to town also and trimmed a couple of shrubs at Mom's house. Well, I started to and the young man I rent to came out and did most of it. They are such great people and I really am blessed to have them taking such great care of Mom's house. Probably next weekend I'll go back and powerwash the siding. It doesn't look bad, but Mom would have wanted it cleaned before it gets worse so that's what I'll do.

Ricky stopped by to see if I needed any help after he hauled the junk, but we were pretty much done, so we both headed home. We both came back and got on our computers for a bit and I also did laundry. Then we decided to go to Lafayette to eat supper at Red Lobster. They built a new one and we were really wanting to see the place. Well, Ricky went in and there was going to be 1.5 hour wait and since we both were really hungry, we went to a place called Logan's Roadhouse. The food there is soooo good and we both left stuffed..lol

Sunday I paid our bills and gave the dogs a bath and Ricky mowed the yard. He is such a great young man and helps me in so many ways.

We both could sure tell the difference in the air when Rick got home...it's a shame that it's that way.

[Marilyn]

So glad you had such a nice weekend, Janet. Logans Roadhouse is really good!!! We have a Texas Roadhouse here that is very similar. There is a Logan's in Corpus Christi I've been to a couple of times.

This weekend I went to a shrimp boil Friday evening. It was so good!!! I brought some home for the family to sample. Saturday I fished a bay fishing tournament and caught a couple of very nice redfish. We got 6th place. There was a big fish fry after the tournament. There is nothing like eating fish so fresh. It was really good. I brought a plate home for everyone to sample.

Karen, Carlton & Emma were here helping Melissa & Garrett move into an apartment. It will take a while to get all their stuff out of our house, but at least they got part of it done. They hope to sleep there tonight.

Sunday I got to spend a little time with Emma. She's growing so fast!!!

Tomorrow I head to Corpus for a trade show. I'll be back home Thursday evening.

[gja1000]

I'm really really tired today. I had a hectic weekend in Houston this weekend. I was so tired when I got home yesterday and then i'm tired again today. I was busy all day. I missed my morning exercise class because I had previously scheduled a mammogram this morning at 8:00, forgetting I would be in evercise class at 8:00. Since I was 3 months overdue for the mammo, I decided to do that instead of reschedule. My exercise partner was pretty busy this morning too, so we decided to go to the 4:30PM class. I'm not very good at that time of the afternoon, i usually feel very tired and sluggish, but I didn't want to miss class today. It was really hard and I'm really tired, but I'm glad I went.

Then I had to stop by mom's on my way home. She said her phone was not working, but I think she just didn't get it on the charger correctly because it seemed fine to me.

I finally made it home at 7:30 - long day!

[DianaB]

Gayle, you sound tired. I hope you can find some time to rest up and pamper yourself.

I went to garage sales on Sat with Dae Lynn. We didn't find much but it was nice to get out. Then I went to Chanute and caught up with Mom and Marva at the flea market. I found a really cool desk and bought it. We shopped at a consignment store......Mom's buying clothes for one of my niece's babies. Then we went to eat.....after we had ordered Marva got a text saying that her grandson had gotten snake bit while fishing with the guys so we got our food to go and headed to the hospital. It ended up that it was a really small rattlesnake. He wasn't sure if he was bit or not but it didn't take long for his hand to start swelling. He was out of the hospital by evening and by Sunday morning was still sore and swollen. I'm sure that he's better by now. What a scare!! After that we went to a few garage sales and then went back to Mom's for a fish fry. I was pretty tired and left early to head home.

Sunday after church we went out to eat with family then I had a baby shower to go to for Tammy. She got some really nice things! My girls are having a shower for her but it's the weekend that I'm going to Marva's for the garage sale. I feel really bad about not being there but at least I made it to this one. After evening church Glen and I went out for ice cream with our pastor and his wife. Yummm........I love Dairy Queen ice cream!!!

Yesterday I went to a volleyball game that Karley was in. It's always a joy to watch the girls in their sports!!

Today I priced garage sale stuff and then I went to a Pampered Chef party. I didn't buy much but I did get a part to fix my chopper......that I absolutely love!!

[gja1000]

I feel a little better today. My day was not nearly as hectic as yesterday. I went to our University Credit Union. I have been thinking of changing from my bank to the University credit union for a long time, but just never did. So, I went today and opened a checking account for me and then a second checking account for our rental property. Someone told me I should have a separate checking account for the rental property with only deposits and withdrawls related to the rental property. It was a free account so I thought, what the heck. We have a savings account at a government employee credit union (Gary was a government employee) so I'm going to close that account and move the money to the credit union. I'm going to use my old checking account at the bank as an emergency fund account for when I need extra money for something. For some reason I just like to keep my emergency money in a separate account. That way I always know how much extra money I have. THEN, I have another account that has mom's money in it so that I can pay her bills and buy her incidentals. WHEW! and I'm the one that hates all this financial stuff!!!

I have a big project going on at work that is due Friday. So, after the credit union, I went to school and met with the staff person who is working on the project. I had some things to do for it, so I got that done and gave my work to the staff person to collate with what she is doing.

I went out to lunch with a good friend whom I haven't seen since I lost Gary so that was nice. I also visited with another friend who lost her husband just a few months before I lost Gary. That was very nice to talk with someone who just recently went through the same thing as me.

Tomorrow will be a pretty busy day from start to finish. :thumbdwn:

[DianaB]

Gayle, you sound soooo busy!! I'm sure that it was nice to talk to someone going through the same thing that you are......the loss of your husbands. I'm sure you both had lots to talk about. I'm glad to hear that you're getting out with friends and having a good time!! You are such a special woman!!

[Janet]

It's great that you have so many friends to spend time with and share thoughts and experiences with Gayle.

I haven't done a lot at all for the last few days. Still haven't rearranged my bedroom yet. Today I was going to baby myself and give myself a manicure and pedicure, but so far haven't done that yet either. Just not in the mood to do much of anything except for loafing...lol and since I'm good at it...that's what I'm doing.

[Blueyes]

I'm flying to Seattle tomorrow to see Dustin. I'll be there for a week, and Mike is staying home with the dogs. Don't miss me too much:wavecry::bighug::plane::plane:

[Janet]

Safe travels Betsi!

[Marilyn]

Gayle, sounds like you have lots to keep you busy, and some good friends for support!

Betsi, have a safe and fun trip to Seattle!!!

I'm in Corpus Christi doing the Oilfield Expo. Was on my feet all day, but we met lots of very promising contacts, so hopefully it will be a profitable trip.

This evening the guys I'm with wanted to go out on the town "partying", so since it was Wednesday night, I visited a congregation of the Lord's people and heard a really nice sermon. A gold friend of ours has mover to Corpus and I got to reconnect with her. At the end of the service two people went forward to put on the Lord in baptism, so it has been a pretty incredible eveving!! Right now I'm having a late supper at Olive Garden.

Not sure what to expect when I get back to the hotel. When I left the diner across the street had just caught fire and the fire department was just getting setup. I managed to manouver through a smoky parking garage and make my escape. I'm sure it's all over by now..

What a day!!

[DianaB]

Betsi, you are becoming quite the traveler!!! Have fun visiting your son!!

Marilyn, it sounds like you had a really good evening!! Nothing better than people getting closer to God!!

I spent the afternoon pricing things for the garage sale which will be the last weekend in Sept. at Marva's. This evening we had the Alley and I was in the nursery. I'm really not enjoying the Alley like I have in the past. I'm just so tired and the kids are really bothering me. I wonder if I just need a break from kids.....except Dean. He's so good for me during the day and has been taking a really good nap.

Glen bought some ladders on the internet so tomorrow we're going out to Wichita to pick them up. I really have things to do but some time away from the house sounds really nice. I do need to get a few things at Sam's. Hopefully we won't be gone all day.....we'll see.

Next week I'll be working either on things for the kids' rooms or garage sale items.....so when you think of me that's what I'll be doing!!! Hugs to all of you!!!

[Janet]

You all sound so busy and I've just been loafing the last few days. I need to get busy or I'll regret not getting things done.

[gja1000]

I took our trailer to a consignment lot about 60 miles away today. A friend came over yesterday and helped me get it ready to move, helped me hook it up, and watched me so I didn't hit the corner of the roof when I pulled it out. :D then i drove it down to the lot today by myself. I always did all the driving, but Gary was always with me, so i was a little nervous today. I am very glad to have it on the lot to be sold. Hopefully it won't take too long to sell it. The lady who took it in just raved about how nice it was.

She was a really nice gray haired lady, about my age. She was into organic food and health, so we spent a lot of time just visiting. She made the whole process better. Although I am glad to have it where it can be sold, it is sad. It's the first time since 1998 that we (I) havent had a trailer (or won't have one when it sells).

I sold Gary's boat on Friday, to a really good friend who went fishing with Gary several times. He hasn't picked the boat up yet so it's still here. It will be really hard when it is gone. We've had a boat since 1993. I'm really glad David will have the boat though. He is a good friend and I know Gary would be happy he has it.

[gja1000]

David and his wife, my good friend Cindy, came over yesterday to pick up the boat and it wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be to let it go. It's sad, but I'm really glad that David will be enjoying Gary's boat.

I worked out really hard this morning in my exercise class, maybe a little bit too hard because I was just really tired the rest of the day! I even came home a little early so I could take a nap, I was so tired.

Today is my mom's 90th birthday. I cooked dinner for her yesterday and we had a good visit. Today I went over and took her a little present and spent some time with her. They had a little party for her at her retirement center. We are having a family party for her October 6th. There will be about 15 of us here. :eek: It will be fun and I have plenty of time to get ready for it.

Our weather has warmed up a bit, but I notice that it is supposed to cool down and maybe rain this weekend. I'm so ready for cooler weather. It is still in the low 90's during the day and that is nice, but I'm ready for 70-80's!!!

[Blueyes]

Happy Birthday to your mom, Gayle! Nothing better than several birthday celebrations, lol! I can't even imagine how much you must miss Gary. I think about you so much. He would have been proud of how you're carrying on with him:o

I got a new iPhone 5 when they came out on Friday. I had a 3gs, so this is really a change for me. The phone is longer and thinner and sooo light. The screen is really clear, and I just love it.

Coming home from Seattle Thursday. Teresa (my sil) is picking me up at the airport since she will be in Dallas anyway. We'll spend the night there at her sister's house, then drive home Friday. I miss my dog, lol!!

[Janet]

Happy Birthday to your Mom Gayle, 90 years old, how wonderful is that! Glad you're enjoying your exercise class. I really should get involved with a class. After walking most the day at the festival, my feet clear up to my hips hurt so bad. Doing fine now, but just goes to show I'm not up at at it like I should be everyday.

Oh Betsi...how cool to get the iPhone 5.....I'm getting one too!!!!! Only I didn't get it on Friday so now I have to wait about 2-3 weeks. I'm so excited I can hardly stand it. You all know I've been wanting internet on my phone for a couple years now....finally! Sure is hard waiting and I only ordered it yesterday...lol.

[judy]

I think of you so often, Gayle. It is so hard what you are going through, I can't even imagine it! You are in my prayers, and always in my heart.

I have been busy catching up on things I left undone over the summer. My friends left Labor Day weekend, some came up last weekend, and will be back on October 6th. I'm enjoying getting things done, hanging out with the dogs, and just being by myself. I love my friends, but I also love my time alone.

Some of the things I left to do are a pain in the butt! My Internet Explorer is messed up, and that can take hours to figure out. I think I'll call their support number tomorrow. Maybe they can help me. I bought a refurbished TV for the bedroom, so that needs to be set up. I got a new Kindle Touch, so I gave Mackenzie my old one, which promptly froze. I spent so much time on the phone with Amazon! I just did not want to pay for a new one since I buy so much from Amazon. I even called their corporate office, but only got $10 off. Then, it got lost in the mail. After more hours on the phone, I got a replacement on Monday. Then, guess what was waiting for me at the Post Office on Tuesday? The other Kindle. I am keeping it until I hear from Amazon. Then, I will return it. I'm kind of hoping they let it go. Then, somebody got into my credit card account and ordered $395 worth of stuff from Abercrombie and Fitch!! More phone calls. I don't have to pay for it, which is wonderful! I can't even remember the other phone calls, etc that I have been busy with, but I feel like I am really getting things done.

My land line phones are also dying off one by one. I'll have to get another set of 3 phones, but I just do not want to look at another electronic device for a while!

I have been chatting with Jessie a lot on the phone too. She leaves me to my friends and the pool in the summer. She is also very busy with the kids. She loves to talk to me though! I do not like to spend so much time on the phone, but I have to give her at least an hour, if not an hour and a half. I also do not love hearing all of the little problems the kids are having, but there is just no way around it! Being her Mom involves listening to her worries, and being a Grandma means worrying about the children.

Enough complaining! Actually, life is pretty darned good!

[Blueyes]

I'm so excited that you are getting a new phone, Janet!! You will just love it, I'm sure!!

[Janet]

Wow Judy....what a time you've had!!! No wonder we've missed you so much, you've been so busy. Our landline phones are dying out too. Cheaper to buy new phones than to buy batteries for them. Not even sure I want to keep the landlines. We all three have cell phones so not sure if we should keep them or not.

Betsi...I do have to say I'm so excited about getting the iPhone 5 that I can hardly contain myself...lolol. I've been wanting a phone with internet for so long...at least 3 years and I've wanted the iPhone, even moreso that I have the iPad. It's gonna be a long 2-3 weeks for sure.

[judy]

A new phone is so exciting! You are lucky that you are getting it! If you get cell phone service in the house, it might be a good idea to let go of the landline. Why pay for the landline?

The only thing is, if the electricity goes out, a landline still works in an emergency.

[Lindsey]

For some reason I am not getting email updates anymore from 4WT so I don't have that reminder to come back whenever there's a new post! It is still set to receive email notifications... weird.

I have been really busy! Work has been stressful for the past week or so, just trying to deal with new people I'm working with in another office. I get the feeling that one of the guys does not like me because when I ask him a question his email replies are pretty short and rude and he comes off as condescending a lot. But I was cc'd their meeting minutes and the project manager seems to be quite happy with my work, and instead of just half the drawings being ready by the November deadline (and the rest by December), he thinks I might have them all done for the first deadline! So that's good to know that I'm so far ahead of schedule. After feeling dumb every day this week it was nice to get that and feel like I'm actually doing a good job.

On top of that, Scott and I just booked a trip to AFRICAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can not contain my excitement for this. We are leaving in March for a safari in Kenya and Tanzania. So there goes all of our extra savings lol.... we have been torn between wanting to travel more or start a family. We don't want to regret not traveling while we have the chance so we might as well do it now. We decided to do one last "dream" vacation and our options were Africa or Australia/New Zealand. It turns out, Africa was much more affordable!!!

We will be doing another mini vacation later next year to New Orleans for my cousin's wedding. They are getting married in November but can't set a date yet until her fiance finds out the NFL schedule so they can plan it around him going to a Saints game lol. As far as I could tell on Google, the schedule comes out sometime in April. I can't exactly miss the wedding because Scott and I make up the whole wedding party, and the whole guest list lol!!! It will be just the four of us. I think it will be a really good time!

So there is all the excitement in my life lately!

[gja1000]

I've always wanted to go to Africa and Australia too Lindsey. I agree going to Australia is very expensive. My next big trip will be to Europe. I want to go to Switzerland and Germany with a side trip to France.

[judy]

OMG Linds! That is fantastic! A safari is one of my dreams! Imagine...you'll be seeing giraffes, lions, elephants, in their own environment! Wait....I have to express my excitememnt for you....


HURRAY!!!
:coolsmiley::coolsmiley::coolsmiley:
:cheer::cheer:

I bet the pix will be amazing!!! Keep us posted about the details!

[gja1000]

Hello Everyone,
I had a busy weekend. It seemed I was running around chasing my tail all weekend. Plus I was tired. My exercise class M/W/F requires that I get up at 5:30 on those days, which is out of my routine. Plus, the exercise class is pretty intense. I try to reduce my intensity, but it still seems I feel like a wet noodle afterwards. I know it will get better, but pushing through these first few weeks is no fun.

I'm getting ready for my mom's 90th birthday party on Saturday. My sister in law couldn't come so she sent me money to get a present for mom :rolleyes:. Thus, I spent a good amount of time on Sunday trying to find something for her. What do you get a 90 year old with not much living space!!! I ended up getting a velour lounging pants, jacket and top. She'll love it but WHEW!

I will have about 15 people in on Saturday for the party, plus house guests Friday/Saturday/Sunday nights. Thankfully, my house keeper is coming tomorrow to get the house cleaned up - one less thing I have to do. It has been really busy at work, so that is also part of my anxiety. I'll enjoy seeing everyone this weekend, but will be glad when it is over.

[judy]

Happy 90th Birthday to your Mom Gayle! That is a lot to do when you are working as well! I am sure it will go well, and she will love it!

I took Max and Annie for haircuts today. Max has lost about 3 pounds! I had to put him on a strict diet because his weight would affect his knees. He looks so cute! She shaved him down because he was one big knot. I left his coat alone while he was recuperating, and it was a mess. Annie is going on the same diet as of today. She has chubbed out a lot! Each dog has to be fed in a different place or they will eat each others food. Sophie stays in the kitchen with her healthy puppy food, Annie goes into the bathroom with her diet food, and Max goes into his crate with his diet food.

It was beautiful today, but not sunny. I miss the sun! It does get gloomy up here!

[Janet]

I've been trying to get a few loose ends done around here. This Saturday we're having a new front door and screen door put on. I like having my front door open so a screen/storm door is a must. Need to seal around some windows too before winter.

It is one dreary day today. Rain, drizzle and just dark.

[judy]

Nothing much doing here. I have to go over to town for a few things. I'm supposed to go to an exercise class with Jessie and Mackenzie later. I don't want to, but I will if they are going.

I'm still trying to fix my computer. I think I will have to use the restore disc.
This means wiping out a lot of stuff, but I will make a list of what I need and then put back the programs I want. I have been wanting to take a lot of things off of the computer anyway, so I think this is the time! I ordered 3 memory cards, and will start storing pix, documents and music on these. I don't really want them on my hard drive anymore. Too much trouble when it crashes!

I also have to send my new credit card # to those online stores where I have an account (like iTunes and Amazon).

I'm going to call Jessie now and see if she is going tonight. Have a great day!

[DianaB]

Wow!! Everyone is soooo busy!!

Janet, enjoy your new front door!! I wish that I had a screen door in the front so I could keep the door open and let fresh air in.

Judy, good luck on getting your computer fixed. Nothing is more aggravating!

Gayle, how sad it must be to sell the camper and boat. I'm sure that you have great memories associated with them which makes it really hard. Hugs!! Your exercise class sounds hard!! I'm sure that it will be worth it once you get a little more used to it. Wish I lived close enough to go with you. I need exercise so badly!!

Lindsey, your trip sounds amazing!! You are quite the traveler!!! I would love to travel but I don't know if it will ever happen. We talked about going on a cruise with Marva and her husband and their church today and are getting more information about it. That's a start anyway!! You'll have to keep us posted on all of your planning!!

A new phone, Betsi!!! And Janet too!!! I still have my old original Razor!! Glen would croak if he had to pay the extra $30 a month for the iphone package!!! We're just still living in the dark ages!!! LOL Enjoy your new phones!!

[gja1000]

Hi Everyone,
Janet, I wish I had a screen door on my front door too. Gary and I talked about getting one but we never did.

Diana, you should think about going on that cruise. I think you would like it. Cruises are fun.

Judy, I'm not going to my exercise class in the morning either! I have a meeting at the same time, but truthfully, I'm grateful to NOT be going. Yesterday I joined the community activity center in my little town. They have an indoor walking track and an exercise room with equipment. I don't like getting up so early and getting to my class at the university, having to take my work clothes with me, showering, fixing my hair and all that trouble for the class 3 times a week. It feels like a big hassle. But I think I will go to the center to exercise when I can do it on my own schedule, come home to shower and get ready for work. I can also go after work to exercise. I'm hoping that will work better because I sure am NOT liking this scheduled exercise class 3 times a week.

[DianaB]

Your activity center sounds like a better choice for you, Gayle. You'll be able to work your own schedule out......plus showering at home sounds better than at a gym.

I forgot to say......Happy Birthday to your Mom!! I hope she has a very nice birthday!!

I made some cookies yesterday afternoon. They turned out really good but I'm going to have to make a lot of dough. I made a double batch and got 3 dozen cookies!!

Jaci called and she was running in a bed race last night and invited us to go. I've never gone to the bed races!! It's where the hospital has special beds with large wheels that are raced down the street. There are four people who run and one in the bed. It was fun to watch!! Jaci's team got 15th out of 20!! Not too good but they had fun! Some of the teams were pretty tall guys with long legs.....compared to Jaci's team with shorter legs!! It's part of the Homecoming celebration. We have different activities going on all week.

Today I'm making more cookies!! Then we have the Alley tonight. Plus I'm trying to price some things for the flea market because a lot of people will be in there this weekend. Busy.....busy!! Next week things should be a little slower!!........I hope!!

[Janet]

Yesterday and the day before I cleaned out my desk. Still had a few of Mom's monthly bills and decided to go ahead and burn them. I kept the important stuff but things like her light bill, etc., I think it's okay to let go. It's been over a year now. Still can't believe it.

Cleaned out a small file cabinet and still have the large one yet to clean out. It's still dark and drizzly here so as soon as the temps go up just a bit, I'm going to shampoo the carpet in the van. I want to get it good and cleaned out before winter sets in.

Today so far I've washed all the doggie bedding. I more I could be doing, but just not in the mood right now. Maybe later.....maybe not.

[DianaB]

Yay!! :cheer: I'm done with all 10 dozen cookies!!!! Now to get that stuff priced for the flea market!!!

[Janet]

I can smell those cookies here in Indiana.....I'm hungry.

[judy]

Got my computer fixed!! Found a tech, who fixed it for $35. Well worth the money! Now I am going to clean it out...or not.

Gayle, the other classes sound much better. Less pressure, and who wants to shower and dress at work swo early in the morning?

I may go down to Kingston to Home Goods today. Or, I may just take my camera and take pix., The Catskills are just beautiful!

[DianaB]

Judy, I'm glad that you got your computer fixed at a good price!! I hope that it's working good for you now. I should take mine in too because it's running slow.

The cookies turned out soooo good! I made some extra for ourselves but ended up giving them away to who ever showed up at the house! Neither Glen nor I needed them but I was sure wishing that I had a couple yesterday!!

Yesterday Jaci and I went to a neighboring town and watched Kiley run cross country. It was one of her closer races so we decided to go. She got 14th out of probably 40 to 50 other runners. Pretty good!!! She was in first place for Fredonia.

After Jaci and I left we went and got a hamburger and ate it then we went to the Homecoming Queen Pageant. Jaci had a friend that was running that she wanted to see. The girls were really good talent wise this year. Her friend did a dance routine to a song in the 70's, 80's, 90's, and 00's!! It was very good and she had the audience clapping along with her. It ended up that she won!! We were so excited for her!

Today I finally got things ready to go into the flea market so after Karlie gets here after school and I get Dean up I'll be taking things in. Dae Lynn's cleaning at the church so I'll have the kids a little longer today.

Tomorrow is Homecoming but it's pretty chilly outside. We're suppose to get in the lower 30's tonight and Glen's worried about the beans. That's pretty cold for them when they're still developing. I turned the heater on today.....it's just chilly. I'm not ready for it to be that cold!!

Well.....our weekends have filled up with hayrack rides and hot dog roasts all this month and part of next. Well.....except for next weekend the men have a camp-out. Busy....busy....busy!!!

Dean and I went to take some clothes for the baby over to Tammy yesterday. Feyn's been building on a new room for the baby and it is turning out soooo cute!! He's almost got the inside finished. I sure wish that Glen would do things like that!! Anyway.....Feyn had some puppies that were following Dean around. After we got in the Tahoe Dean says "I got a puppy!" It was a pretend puppy!! He named it Tahoe!! So he and I have been pretending that he has a puppy named Tahoe. It's just so cute!! It's worked out really good because he gets along with Jazzi and Reuger and doesn't pee or poop on the carpet.......anyway I haven't found any yet!!! LOL

[Janet]

Judy you got a great price on the repair....good for you. Hard to find quality work at a decent price.

Yesterday Rick and a childhood friend who lives around the corner installed the new front door and screen door. It looks so nice. It really 'looks' better without the screen door, but if we don't have one, when we answer the door it opens the house to whoever and I don't like that especially if I'm here alone. It still looks good.

Picked up our phones and Ricky and I love love love ours. Rick...it's taking him awhile, so he may go back to a button instead of the iPhone 4S. He has trouble with his computer still, so it may be best he has something a bit easier.

We went to a fish fry just a couple miles from us. We've gone before and it's sooooo good. All you can eat fish, fries, slaw and drink. I love fish so came home stuffed.

[Blueyes]

Janet, I'm glad you love your phone. I got Mike a new phone, but it's just a simple flip phone. He barely uses his phone to talk, so there is no way I would pay data charges for him, lol! He takes the iPad if he goes somewhere that he thinks he'll need it.

Diana, I got such a kick out of Dean's puppy! Sounds like the perfect pet:p

Mike has been at the ranch since Thursday, and will probably come back Tuesday. He is bow hunting...some. I think he just enjoys being out in the Hill Country, it's so pretty there. I'll be glad when he get's home, it's getting too quiet around here.

[DianaB]

I'm glad that you finally got your new phone, Janet. I guess the phone company is complaining about my old Razr!! They're going to be changing something and it's not going to work as well......sounds like a way to get more money to me!!

Homecoming was COLD!! We stayed for the parade and I looked around at the booths......ate, visited with some old friends, then came home!! It was just too chilly out. The grandkids were all in the parade in different places......except for Dean. It's so good to see the kids involved in different areas!!

Glen left yesterday morning for his sister's house in Nebraska with his two brothers. His sister, Dana, was suppose to go to but her son fell and broke his wrist so she stayed home with him (BTW......Daya broke her wrist last week too.) They are going up to hopefully get some things decided about what needs to get done on their Mom's house.....plus Brenda has a barn that needs some work on. I'm not sure exactly what they're doing on it but they're all good at stuff like that. I think that he'll probably be home on Wednesday sometime.

I don't have Dean today so I'm trying to get some much needed cleaning done. Things have really been stacking up and I'm tired of it. We have some really busy weekends coming up and I'd like to start now getting things in order and cleaned up. I also think that this week I'll get Dean's room done and start on getting things painted for Karlie's.

We froze last night......got down in the upper 20's. I'm not sure what that will do to our beans. Farming is always a worry.

Oh.....and we're going on the cruise!! I need to get a check in the mail. I'm excited!!! We have to get a passport too!! Glen's going to do some scuba diving so he's happy!!

[Lindsey]

Diana, I would love to go on a cruise! Where will you be going?

This past weekend was Thanksgiving up here. We went to visit my mom since she was all alone (my dad was out moose hunting). It was a good visit but we really didn't do ANYTHING. It's very weird for me now because I feel like I'm always so busy! Scott and I played some pool in the basement, and we visited with a friend and her family one night. On Sunday, my dad called and said it was supposed to rain and snow for the next three days in the bush (they were about 5 hours north of home) and they already had three moose and just one tag left, so he was coming home! So that was a nice suprirse that I got to visit with him too!

Last night after work I stopped at my brother's house to pick up an SD card with our wedding slideshow, and a cord for his video camera that should have the wedding speeches on it. While I was there, his two girls called me auntie for the first time. They have always just called us "Lindsey and Scott" but when Morgann told me about her day, she said "Auntie, guess what?!" and then when she showed me the craft they were working on, she called me "Auntie Lindsey" :) It was just little, but it really made me feel special.

Oh, and the video camera did not have the speeches on it. In fact, you can't record at all without a card - it has no internal memory. My brother was sure that it did. I had a little cry at home, thinking they weren't actually recorded at all, and that was the one thing I really wanted. But he said he found a card at home that it might be on, so we'll get that today.

Last night, we were up almost all night. Every two hours we had to get up, clean Layla's diarrhea off the floor, put her in the shower and spray off her butt, and put the towels she was laying on in the laundry. We had a pretty good system going by about 4 am. She hasn't had diarrhea in about 4 hours now, so my fingers are crossed. I am working from home today. I wonder if it might be from the vaccinations she had on Tuesday evening.

[gja1000]

Lindsey, I know what you mean about it feeling weird to have nothing to do, especially when you've been so busy. You need to learn to relax and enjoy those times. I always forget that Canada celebrates Thanksgiving in October instead of November like the U.S. I know your mom enjoyed seeing you and Scott and I'm glad your dad got some moose and got home in time to see you! What a treat!

I've been so busy for the past week that I've been reading the forum but not posting. We had my mom's birthday party on Saturday and it was really nice. Family started arriving on Friday and I had company until Tuesday. I was so busy, but it was all a lot of fun. Most of the family in for the party had never been to our new house so that was fun showing everyone the new digs. We had great fun. It was pretty cool outside so we were able to build a fire and the kids got to roast weenies and marshmallows. My mom was so happy to see everyone and so glad that everyone came to see her.

I've been very busy at work, it just seems that we have more and more to do. I want things to slow down but they never seem to do that! I'm going to try to have a relaxing weekend!

I have an exterminator coming tomorrow. I have acrobat ants in my shop. It's a metal building but it has foam insulation inside and the ants are excavating the foam to make a nest between the foam and the metal. At first I thought they were termites because I saw all these flakes everywhere on the floor. But the lady at the exterminator place asked me to describe them and she said they were acrobat ants. They have heart shaped butts! LOL! They have shorted out the light switches in the front of the shop, supposedly they are attracted to electricity. After the exterminator gets rid of them, then I have to get an electrician out to fix the light switches. I have lights in the back of the building so there's no hurry on that.

Also, over the weekend someone (probably me!) left the spotlight in the backyard on and I didn't notice it till yesterday. I noticed it because I went to turn it on last night and it was already on, but there was no light :(. It wouldn't be so bad but it is at the top of the chimney - waaaaaaaaaaay up high - tooooooo high for me to scale the ladder to change the bulb. So I'm going to ask the neighbor this weekend. He put the light up when Gary and I first moved in. I have a ladder tall enough to get up there, it's just not gonna be me going up that ladder.

[Janet]

No wonder no one has been here....you're all so busy. Diana I so love my iPhone. If I'd known how much I would love it I would have gotten it a long time ago and figured out a way to afford it. The carrier we went with since our old one didn't have the iPhone is Sprint. We can all talk on our phones in the house now with no problems. The old one....not good at all. Plus most everything is unlimited so we are very happy with the change.

Diana...where are you going on your cruise? How exciting! When will you get to take it?

Lindsey I sure hope you can get the recordings you wanted. I know I would be so disappointed if I couldn't.

I know what you mean Gayle, I've been here reading more than posting too. I posted quite a bit a while back, but then just kind of ran out of steam..lol. I'm glad your Mom and family had such a wonderful time together. I would be exhausted.

I've gotten a few odds and ends done around the house. Still need to trim the shrubs if it was just a tad warmer or if the wind would quit blowing. Still have quite a bit outside to do before winter gets here, like put lawn items away in the garage. I'll get it done...I hope.

[judy]

It has been busy here too! Today is rainy and chilly...yuck! I'm taking the dogs to the vet later. Annie needs her rabies, Max has goop in his eyes, and Sophie is just coming along for the ride, although I want the vet to check her out and make sure she is okay. She is still very small, and weighs so little!

How exciting about the cruise, Diana! When is it, and where are you cruising off to? Linds, I hope you find the speeches! How sweet that you are now "Auntie!"

Gayle, it is good that you found these ants before they ate all of the foam and really nested in! I wouldn't go up on that ladder either!

Janet, you have become an electronics geek! I have new land line phones to set up. Wanna come over here and do it for me? i used to enjoy all this, but it's just one thing after another lately!

Betsi, how are you lately?

I'm going to take in the fuscias today. It's going to be 35 degrees tonight, so this is probably my last chance to get them inside. I still have miniature roses blooming! I guess that will stop soon enough.

[DianaB]

Sorry I've been MIA. Dean's been sick with a cold and I haven't gotten hardly anything done this week. Today he was finally better. It was so good to see him playing and being his old self again!!

I got the deposit sent for the cruise so we're for sure going!! It's from April 14th to the 20th.....right when Glen's busy planting but he said that he's alright with going. We'll spend a couple of days at sea......then Montego Bay, Jamaica.......Grand Cayman.......Cozumel.......then another day at sea. We leave and return to New Orleans. Glen's inviting his dive buddy and his wife to go with us since it's where they've been wanting to scuba dive at. We'll see if they go or not. They have two daughters getting married in the next few months!! Marva says that they still have a few more spots open for others to go. I'm trying to talk Jaci and Nate into going too!!

Glen was suppose to have a men's campout tonight but it's rainy so it's been canceled and they're just having a picnic. Glen had invited some boys to go with him so he's going to just take them camping. They'll just be in the back yard.....in case it rains.

Lindsey, I hope you find all of your wedding stuff. Also, how sweet that your nieces have called you "Auntie"!! I hope that Layla's better soon too!! Poor girl!!

Judy, I hope the dogs are all alright. I really need to take Jazzi and Reuger too. You might have the vet treat Sophie for worms. Sometimes that can affect their weight.

Gayle, I'm glad that you're going to relax this weekend. You deserve it. After having company and a party last weekend especially!! I know that you enjoyed it but not you need to rest up!!

I've never heard of acrobat ants!! I imagined them turning somersaults and back flips!!! I hope that they're easy to get rid of. Oh.....and you definitely need to ask the neighbor about changing your light bulb!!

Janet, I'm sure that you're busy playing with your new phone!! I know that Jaci's does so much!! I would love to have one.......just don't want to pay for it!!

I need to get the yard ready for winter too. It's hard to be outside because the chickens have just ruined the yard. There is absolutely NO grass now......Ok.....a little but not much!! It makes me mad everytime I look at it!! I do want to get the outside windows washed before it gets too cold.

[gja1000]

Hi All! I got my acrobat ants treated but sadly now I have to trim my trees because they were also living at the base of the tree and going up the tree and down the limb that is just barely touching the roof of the shop. Oh well, I was getting ready to have all the trees trimmed anyway! Then, I'll have to get the electrician out to fix the lights. Sigh. These are the kinds of things Gary took care of - he would have done all of them himself before he got sick, and then afterwards he would have called and arranged them and been here for the workers to do the work. Now, I have to be here for everything, it is a pain sometimes!!! I haven't seen my neighbor yet, but I will sometime over the weekend, I'm sure.

I worked from home today because by the time the exterminator got finished, I didn't have time to make it to school for my conference call. So, I made arrangements for them to call me at home. I got quite a bit of work done today, surprisingly. Usually I find all sorts of things to do around the house when I'm supposed to be working, but today I really got a few things done.

I am REALLY sore from my exercise class. Mondays workout was very intense and then I think I overdid it on Wednesday for weightlifting. I'm still REALLY sore today. I was supposed to go to class this morning, but couldn't go because of the exterminator coming. My workout partner was out of town too. But I don't think I would have gone anyway because I was just too sore. I'm going to do a home workout tomorrow and will probalby take it easy. I don't like feeling all sore and creaky all the time!

Diana, I think you will enjoy the cruise. Gary and I have been on 3 and he went one other time with his sisters. It's fun and the food is usually GREAT!

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

[DianaB]

I'm sorry to hear that taking care of the ants is going to be harder than you thought. I can imagine that you're missing Gary because of all of this. Glen always takes care of that kind of stuff too. Hugs.

Sounds like you got a lot done from home. Maybe you should work from there more often.......it's probably more relaxing as well.

As for the soreness.......take it easy for the weekend and enjoy just "chilling" for awhile!!!

We have rain, rain, and more rain!! Glen and the boys.....5 in all......showed up this morning before the rain started. They had made pancakes and bacon over an open fire......the boys had cooked it. They did a great job!! Now they're all going to go fishing!! Glen thinks there's a pause in the rain so they're going to venture out. This afternoon we're suppose to have some more bad weather.

[Lindsey]

Gayle, I'm glad you won't have ants to worry about anymore!

Diana, that cruise sounds like so much fun!!!

Judy, how are Max's eyes? I just took Layla to an ophthalmologist because her eyes are gooping so badly. Turns out, everything is normal. We just have to clean her face every day because there are chunks of black dried goop in the corners and black streaks down her face. But nothing is blocked, and her tear production and quality is normal, and her eyes are not irritated. So I guess we just deal with it, like everything else lol!

Speaking of Layla, she was also quite sick on Wednesday night. On Tuesday we took them all for vaccinations, and on Wednesday evening, Layla started having diarrhea. Overnight, we were up every 2 hours to shower her off and clean up trails of runny watery poop between our bedroom and the bathroom (she always seems to run there). So I started putting towels under her to sleep, and I did three loads of laundry overnight, washing those poopy towels! Anyways, in the morning I went to the office, grabbed my laptop, and worked from home. She seemed to be better after I fed her some pumpkin. Through YT I found out that she is way over-vaccinated. The only reason we were still coming to our local vet was for vaccinations - we have lost trust for everything else. Apparently the vaccinations are a money-grab too :(

Today, I got my new passport in the mail, and the safari company sent us a couple of safari journals, with spaces for entries and color pictures and information about all the African wildlife we might see :D It is getting a little more exciting, but I feel like I should be more excited than I am! I think I'm just so busy that I'm not really thinking about it yet. I'll get more excited for it after Christmas :D

[Janet]

Lindsey, my dogs don't go anywhere, so I haven't gotten them their shots for over a year. I think it's a waste too. If they were out running the yard or someplace other than home then I'd think about it more. We spray the area we have fenced in for them. Besides...it just costs us way too much money for all 6 dogs and the two cats. The cats are all up to date on their vaccines so I won't be taking them again for at least two years...at the earliest. My Vet keeps sending us reminder cards

It just makes me so angry that the rabie vaccine is the same for one year as it is for three. The only reason our county vaccinated every year is because its law and because of the farm animals.

[Lindsey]

Janet, our dogs are getting 3-year rabies vaccinations, but yearly boosters for everything else. Apparently yearly boosters are not recommended anymore. It is still effective long after one year. A person on YT told me that the vet buys the vaccine for about 61 cents, and then way overprices to give the vaccine.

Our vet is having Layla get DHPP + CV at the same time every year. Apparently CV only affects pups under 8 weeks of age, and DHPP should not be given with any other vaccine. The other two dogs both got DHPP +CV and Rabies vaccines. It was an expensive evening, and apparently needless! My dogs are rarely outside of our house and yard. Our neighbors have no pets either, so the yard is pretty safe. Even if we do go out for walks, we rarely encounter other animals. I think they have a pretty low risk for getting anything.

I guess it goes to show you just can't trust those you think you can trust! Obviously our vet has more training than we have, but I still have to find out online that she is doing things wrong.

[gja1000]

My neighbor came over and changed the lightbulb on the spotlight. Of course, I had gotten the wrong bulb and had to make a flying trip to Home Depot. But he also needed to caulk a crack in the chimney, so he did that while I flew to Home Depot. I'm really glad to get all that done. He knows an electrician who is supposed to call me this week to change the light boxes the ants shorted out.

Speaking of ants, you should see all the dead ants in the shop :eek:. I had to get out the shop vac to vacuum them all up. Wow! there were a lot of dead ants.

I went to a farmers market this morning and bought a delicious carmelized red onion and blue cheese mini quiche. It was soooo good, but very rich so I only ate 1/2 of it. it was only 6 inches, but half of it was all I wanted at one meal. So I have dinner for tomorrow night too! :D I also bought some homemade soap for Christmas gifts and some great smelling organic kitchen counter cleaner for my daughter. I had to make a Walmart run so I got that done and then went by my mom's to take her a few things.

Then I veged out, watched TV, cooked a little bit and here it is after 9:00PM. I don't know where the day went!!!

[gja1000]

My days just seem to get busier and busier. I exercised at home this morning and tried to take it a little easier than my instructor. I felt sore and stiff, but it was much better and this evening I feel pretty good. I guess I was just overdoing it in class. I'm old and creaky! LOL!

I had a nice lunch out with good friends, and it was good to see them. Then I have faculty meetings all afternoon. Those can be exceedingly boring and these today WERE boring! My butt was tired from sitting all afternoon too.

Then when I got home I had a letter from my mortgage company wanting more documentation about taking Gary off the mortgage papers. I called my attorney because I'm not sure what I'm supposed to send them, but she didn't call me back. I have a conference all day tomorrow and I know she'll call when I can't answer. I just love playing telephone tag for days!!!

[2tiredmom]

Every one is so busy.... I am now in Janesville Wisconsin on Vacation. But my Hubby is still working but he is a Happy man considering he gets to come home to me at night now and has me to hug instead of his pillow at night. lol. I know not what you wanted to hear. Its a 5 hour drive from our house in Northeast indiana.
Long but very pretty drive. Gary took me down LakeShore drive in Chicago. It was very pretty. Lots of big waves on the lake. Got a few pics. Got here and unloaded the vehicle and then we went to the store for supplies. Today I am going shopping alone. Thats okay. I don't mind. Just to get things I need and to do some christmas shopping. Then will come back and start back up on my hats and headbands. Everyone have a great week.

[Janet]

Everyone seems to be getting so much accomplished. Lindsey, I don't think all the boosters are need either. Sometimes I think it's just a racket with such high prices, so I've decided to just go every two to three years.

Gayle....I think you have been just about the busiest...lol. Wow! It's so nice your neighbor was able to help you out.

Linda, I'm glad you get to spend more time with Gary and someplace other than Indiana. Hope you can post some of your pictures soon.

I've been getting little odds and ends done here. We have the new front doors in and they look really nice. They fit so well and there are no air leaks. Finally..lol Still have some window caulking to do before winter, but it will get done.

This morning after the route I cleaned my bathroom cabinets. I thought I had cleaned them recently, but there were still a few meds of Mom's in there. I threw out all the old meds and other things that I just didn't need or use anymore. Even threw away some old perfume that I think I've had for years. It may still be good, but it's gone now. I sure have room in my cabinets now!

[DianaB]

Sorry that I've been missing again but I've been so busy!! We have a Chi-Alpha group coming from Wichita this weekend for a hot dog roast and hayrack ride. They'll mostly be outside but still I'm cleaning and straightening the inside. This is a group that we love to have! There will some international students and they are always interesting. We have every weekend filled with hot dog roasts and hayrack rides until the second weekend in November!

I shampooed the living room carpet on Saturday. I did it not too long ago but while Dae Lynn and the kids lived here it got really bad again. It looks so much better now!

Gayle, what a sweet neighbor you have!! You should bake some cookies or something and take over to him!!! Or pick up a pie from the farmer's market!! I'm so glad that your ants are taken care of. Yuck!!

Linda, how nice that you get to spend some time with your husband!! I'm sure he really misses having you to come home to! Enjoy your time together!!!

Lindsey, I hope that Layla's better. It always breaks my heart to hear that she's having any problems. She's just been through soooo much. Give her a sweet hug from me!!

I don't keep up with our dog's vaccinations.......mostly because I forget. They ARE expensive!

Janet.......you are soooo organized!!! I don't have that gene!!! Well.....I just have a lazier version of it I suppose!! I could use your help in getting rid of outdated stuff in my cabinets!! LOL I took some Hamburger Helpers to church for our food pantry.......and when I looked at the dates I was ashamed of myself!! I did tell the woman in charget that they were "very" outdated and she was still going to put them out and let people decide if they still wanted them or not. I will say.....that I have bought new food to go there and don't just give them my outdated food!!

Dean's just not getting the hang of potty training so this morning I set him in the bathtub and took his diaper off and let him clean himself.......Mean, I know. The funny part is that he told me I was not a nice Grandma!! Maybe he'll start getting the idea of using the toilet now!! I wasn't mean about it. I just wanted him to know how yucky it is!!! We'll see tomorrow how it goes!!

[Janet]

Throw some cheerios in the toilet and let him play bomber...lolol or giant putting out the fire!!!

[judy]

He said that you are not a nice Grandma! That's too cute! At least he knows it's yucky to clean up! Boys can be difficult to train. I like the cheerio thing. There is something people do with M & M's too. You can be sure that he will not be wearing diapers to his wedding!

I have food in my cabinets and my pantry that are older than yours Diana!! I am waiting for really bad weather to do the kitchen cabinets, pantry and closets. The drawers need doing too. All this means is getting out the garbage bags, and making a trip to the thrift shop! I am a bit afraid to clean out the food....I'll have empty cabinets! My silverware drawer is chaos! I have things in their that were my mothers, or that I have from when I first got married, 40 years ago. I don't even cook! Food storage containers are so cheap these days, I have a good mind to dump all of those odd covers, and stained containers, and just buy a new set. They are so hateful to store, especially the tops! I use baggies whenever possible! Thank goodness we have a good dollar store!

As for the dogs, I do the rabies every 3 years, even though I have read that the vaccine does last for 7 years. Living in the country with all these critters running around all summer, I don't take a chance. I had a lot of bunnies living under my walk this year. There are squirrels, chipmunks, moles, and who knows what else around all summer. I do forget to frontline them though, and that's a big mistake! Ticks are still around.

Max has to go back in 2 weeks for his eyes, but they are much better with the drops I am using. My vet is reasonable, and I have the money at this moment, so I took them all for checkups, etc. Otherwise, aside from Max's eye thing and Annie's rabies, I would not have gone.

Today is manicure day. I am stopping at the farm stand on the way home. I want some zucchini, onions, and tomatoes, and apples. I'm making quinoa, and I want to throw some veggies sauteed in oil in there. I make it with chicken broth, and I'm going to add turkey sausage. That should feed me for 2 or 3 days. I have gained over 2o pounds, and, if I have food already made for dinner, I find it easier to eat right.

How is Layla doing, Linds? How are the other dogs? Do they all get along now?

[DianaB]

Judy.....I think that we are sisters!! Your drawers and cabinets sound like mine!!! Trust me......Janet is NOT a sister in that way! She has everything so very organized that she should help other people with organizing.......namely ME!!!

Dae Lynn and I are having a garage sale the first weekend in Nov. and I have things in the cabinet that need to be added but I have so much already in the basement so they'll just have to wait until next year or maybe the next year.....etc!! LOL

I've never had quinoa so I'm going to have to look up that recipe. I'm sure it's good!! Our farmer's markets are pretty well done. We had a pretty good freeze the other day that took care of the gardens around here. Bummer!!

I got Dean's sign painted last night. It didn't turn out quite like I wanted so I need to do some more work and take some sandpaper to it. I think that it will turn out pretty nice in the end. If I get that done then tomorrow I'm going to take everything over to Dae Lynn's house and get it all put in Dean's room. I'm so excited about getting it all put together. Then I think that before I start on Karlie's room I'm going to get Jaci's bedroom painted so I can get my furniture set up in there before I get it all junked up!! I can't wait to get it done!! The bad part is that there is a border at the top of the room. Hopefully it will be easy to take down.

[DianaB]

I forgot to add that our new baby, Jed, is due any time now. The doctor was wanting to induce Tammy today but decided that she's not ready. She hasn't dropped yet so I think that it will be a week or more yet. I guess that we'll see!!

I got to see some sonogram pictures of him the other day and he has a little round face just like Elijah did and he has Feyn's mouth. It's so funny that you can see things like that already. The sonograms were amazing to look at!!

[gja1000]

My day was not quite as busy as the previous ones, so I feel better tonight. I'm packing to go to Houston this weekend to see my babies. I'm also taking my car in for it's first service. It's free at Toyota and if I take it to Houston, I don't have to wait on it or find a ride to and from the dealership, cuz my sweet daughter will pick me up and take me back. That's nice. I need to take the pickup in for an oil change too, but I have to take it to the Toyota place here in Austin because it's only free if I take it to where we bought it. Ugh. I'll have to wait on it.

Oh! I sold the travel trailer today. Well, not actually me, but the consignment place sold it for me. They got a much better price than I expected, so I am happy. I had to pay the 10% of the selling price, but I feel OK about that since they got more for it than I expected.

Well, I'd best get off and finish getting ready for school and Houston! :)

[Lindsey]

Judy, Layla is doing very well :) They sort of get along now. Lucy will go sleep right beside Layla, but after Layla is already sleeping and can't feel that she's there lol! Layla still gets all riled up when Kash wants to play or wants attention from me. But there is not drama all the time like there used to be! They can all fall asleep in the same room together lol.

Diana, a new baby! That is so exciting!

Gayle, that is great that you got one more thing out of the way, and got more for it than you thought you would!

I am just really really emotional and snappy lately :( I am just overwhelmed with work and trying to keep up with housework and trying to keep up with this diet and exercise thing (taking up half of my free time every night, while not losing any weight anyway). I had a bath and a little cry tonight. Last night I slept almost the whole night and the three nights before that I didn't sleep more than a few hours. I don't know why, I'm just feeling wide awake at 2 or 3 in the morning. So that is probably taking a toll too!

This weekend we are watching my nieces for an evening on Saturday. Actually, we are picking them up in the afternoon while we do some shopping for our halloween costumes (my brother is giving them $20 each to buy something for themselves) and then we are taking them out to eat, and then my brother is buying us tickets to a hockey game so we will take them there! Hopefully it's a good game! He texted me today and said they are really excited to "hang" with us :D And I am happy to spend some time with them too! I honestly don't think I've seen them for more than a couple of minutes since our wedding!

[gja1000]

Yes Lindsey, you've got so much going on and that is certainly part of the reason for you feeling bad and not sleeping well. I hope things get better! Did you have a good weekend with the girls? I hope you got to rest just a little bit!

I made it home from Houston and have had a nice productive day today. I did some cooking for the week and cleaned up a little bit. I broke a dish on the tile floor in the kitchen and it went everywhere!!! I had to sweep then get out the vacuum to be sure that I got up all the little slivers!

I'm taking my mom out to breakfast in the morning to Cracker Barrel. She got a gift card for CB and it must be burning a hole in her pocket because she called to see if we could go over the weekend. So I'm taking her tomorrow and then we need to go to the back and do some business. It should be a good day.

I have two dinners out after work this week. One is to meet some researchers from the University of Texas Medical Branch and the other is a fancy smanchy dinner with doners to the School of Nursing. The dinner with the researchers will be OK, but the other one makes me uncomfortable. I never quite know what to say.

[Lindsey]

Gayle, I hope you can just smile and get through it! That's what I do when I'm uncomfortable lol.

I hope you enjoyed your breakfast with your mom!

I have actually been sick since yesterday. On Saturday when we watched the girls, Morgann had not been feeling well. During the hockey game she spent most of the time just laying against my shoulder, and we gave her a children's Tylenol for her fever. When we got back to their house, they went straight to bed. So yesterday afternoon I started to feel unwell, and I had a fever too! I felt groggy and feverish at work all day, but I had a 2 hour nap after work and woke up feeling quite a bit better.

I found out today that my brother has changed his wedding date again... but not only the date, also the location. Apparently the rest of the family has known for weeks! The girls just mentioned this weekend "Mom and Dad are getting married on a beach in Mexico!" so I asked him about it this morning... and yup, it's true. They were supposed to get married here next summer. Now they are getting married in Mexico next November.... sounds great, but Scott and I are attending my cousin's wedding next November in New Orleans! We are the only people going to their wedding... we are their wedding party and their only guests! This cousin has been my best friend my whole life and was my bridesmaid too. My fingers and toes are crossed that they do not pick the same weekend :( Neither of them have a date set yet... my brother is going to set one soon, but my cousin is waiting for next year's NFL schedule to come out :rolleyes: lol. Her fiance is a huge Saints fan and wants to go to a game while they are there. So there's my newest dilemma lol! I told them both each others' plans though, so hopefully when one picks a date I can let the other know to work around it.

I also don't have that kind of holiday time available next year.. thinking my brother's wedding would just be a weekend in the city, I have all of my holidays next year spoken for! We booked our trip to Africa and had planned on going to New Orleans (and maybe a few days of travelling down there if we had extra time!) So it looks like I will have another year chalk-full of overtime, if I can get it! Maybe after that, I can relax a little!

[Janet]

It's so nice reading about everyone's plans and how busy you all are. I don't have a whole lot going on here. I did spend some time on the phone and watching the rain out the front door. It's in the 70's so it's very nice out.

My friend Diane's mother turned 95 this past Sunday so I went to the party at the nursing home. She made me feel that she was so glad I was there and it made my day. Guess that's about all there is in my exciting life...lol.

[gja1000]

Man, this is turning out to be a busy busy week!!! Plus, I have 40 papers to grade from last week!!! They are interesting to read, but they are about 8-10 pages, so it takes some time. I'm tired in the evenings, but that is about the only time I have to grade them!!!

My mom fell in her apartment over the weekend. She actually just slid off a folding chair, so it wasn't a bad fall, but she did hit her ribs on the way down so now they are painful. They started her on some Aleve so I'm hoping that will help. She's OK when she's not trying to reach or pull with her arm on that side. I afraid I scolded her to be more vigilant. At her age, a fall is the most devastating thing that can happen, but thankfully she was not hurt badly.

Well, my sweet Abigail has a broken foot and it is a really bad break. She hurt it last month in a volleyball game. Her mom took her for a xray and they said it wasn't broken, that it was strained ligaments. They gave her steroids and it got better, but not well. This month it started hurting more, so Brooke made an appt with an orthopedic doc, but of course it took 2 weeks to get in. The ortho doc immediately saw the break, it's called a lisfranc break and is very serious, especially if it is unstable. She had an MRI today and another appt with the doc in the morning. If it is unstable, then she has to have surgery to put in a plate, screws and pins. She will be no weight bearing for 6-8 weeks, then after 3 months they'll take out the pins and she'll be partial weight bearing for a few more weeks. :( Poor baby. They will know tomorrow what needs to be done, but of course we are thinking it may have to be surgery since she has walked on it and played volleyball for 2 months.

[DianaB]

Poor Abigail. It seems like we've been having a lot of broken bones around here. I hope that Abigail gets good news on her foot. What an awful time to have it broken.

On Saturday one of our Internation students fell and broke her pinky. She was from India and had never been to a hospital or had a shot before. She was really nervous but she had a friend go with her and of course, I went too. The people at our hospital are extremely nice and her doctor was especially nice and after a couple x-rays, a pain shot, and a splint, she was sent home. She still had a good time the rest of the afternoon but her friends were really taking care of her!!

I've been busy with Dean but not much else. I'm so ready to hold the new baby but we've got The Alley tonight. He's suppose to be home tomorrow. I can't wait!!

[Blueyes]

Wow, everybody has a lot going on!

My niece Casey has her wedding Saturday at 6pm. It's an outside wedding, and it was forecast to rain but now it's not supposed to. BUT the temperature is supposed to drop A LOT!!! She's gonna freeze in her strapless gown, lol! Today she brought me a blank canvas, a can of spray paint, lots of scrapbook paper, and a big wooden letter F, the initial for their last name. Then she said "do something with this, it needs to go over the food table"!! Her colors are eggplant and silver/gray. I'll be sure to take pictures.

[gja1000]

How fun Betsi! Can't wait it see the pix!

[Janet]

Today is our Fall Break day so I have a 3 day weekend. It's so nice to have the whole day to myself. I woke up really late for me, like around 9:00. Of course I did wake up to make sure Ricky was up for work then I went right back to bed. I love just laying in my bed and slowly waking up.

It's cold here today. Went from the 80's yesterday to only high in the 40's and with the wind blowing it really feels cold. I was going to give the dogs a bath today, but decided not to. I'll wait until Days Of Our Lives is over and then I'm planning on going to town and get a few groceries. I love having a shopping list on my phone...so convenient.

Still coughing my head off so I may change my mind and stay home altogether...lol. Not sure what I'm going to do with the rest of the weekend. Decisions decisions...I may have to go lie down and think about it....lolol

[DianaB]

The kids had a day off from school here too so I haven't had Dean today. I slept in too and all day long I've had trouble getting anything done. I did finally make it over to see our new baby!! He's soooo CUTE!! He looks so much like Feyn did when he was born. I'm going to have to get some pictures out and prove it!! Tammy's still really sore from her incision. Kiley was getting ready to leave for her cross country run at State. Feyn's going too so Tammy will be home with Karley taking care of her. I told them that if they need me I can be right over. The baby didn't sleep well last night and Tammy needs her rest.

We have our women's group from church coming out tomorrow for Rough N Rugged!! We'll be riding 4-wheelers, shooting guns, cooking hot dogs, and having a hayrack ride!! It will be a lot of fun......but like you, Janet, we're kinda' cool. I hope that it's not too bad though. I have a jewelry party to go to in the morning so it will be a pretty busy day.

Last night we went to Jaci and Nate's for supper and to play cards. Her cooking is definitely improving!! We had a lot of fun playing cards. Jaci and Nate finally beat Glen and I......and I think that it was probably a good thing. I don't think that Nate likes to lose!!

I was going to work on getting garage sale stuff priced but I'm just not feeling like it. I'll do it next week......the pressure will be on to get it done!! Our garage sale is next weekend at Dae Lynn's house. I hope the weather is nice!!

[gja1000]

Yesterday I went to the HogEye festival at Elgin, TX. Lots of fun! Food, crafts, music and games for the kids. I went looking for a woman from whom I bought earrings a few weeks back. I really like the earrings and wanted some more, but sadly she wasn't there! :( Oh well, I bought some nicely scented homemade soap for stocking stuffers and a necklace/bracelet/earrings set for a friend's birthday. I had a fun time. I've attached some pics. One is just a view of a side street at the festival, the other is the Hogettes on stage. They all rode in on the Harley motorcycles you see in front of the stage. The guy in the middle with the ball cap is a Texas state senator and the man on the far right is the mayor of Elgin. They were singing a made up song, "it's OK to be a hog". :D

[Janet]

Love small town festivals!! Looks like they had quite a few booths too. Even if they had a festival here...it would be just too cold to get out in plus the wind. Okay now....I'm ready for spring....LOLOLOL

[gja1000]

It was really chilly and windy at the festival yesterday, especially for us warm-blooded Texans, but everyone was just bundled up and since the sun was out, if you got out of the wind, it was OK. It's about 58 here right now, but there is no wind and the sun is out, so it feels good. I just weeded my garden (YES! I wore gloves) and it felt so good!

[judy]

Waiting to see what this hurricane is going to bring us, and praying that we do not get any flooding in the area! I'll be fine since I'm on top of a mountain, and don't expect my house to blow away. Our electric lines are underground, so if we do lose it, it will only be for a short time. Our staff cut down the trees that would have come down.

Gina, stay safe!!!

Who else is in the hurricane's path?

[Lindsey]

We went out to a Halloween dance on Friday with two couples we have become friends with here in town. It was a lot of fun! Scott went as Al Borland and I went as Heidi from Home Improvement. It was a little chilly walking home at 2 am through the snow in jean shorts, but I'm Canadian so I can deal with it lol!! :D But really, I used to figure skate and our little small town rinks were never heated, so the cold doesn't bother my legs too much.

Saturday we headed into the city and did some shopping. I think we picked out new flooring for the back of our house! We brought home a sample and we both think it looks good :) And because we had a long night on Friday, we both fell asleep on the couch in the evening and went to bed at 10.

This afternoon we headed to a craft and trade show for the skating club here in town. We bought Christmas presents for the niece and nephews on Scott's side (wooden puzzles and toys) and some homemade potato and dill perogies and some Epicure dip mixes. Then we had to go home because we were out of money lol! After we got home, a friend we haven't seen in awhile stopped by on his way home from the city... he had another 4 hours to drive. But we had a nice little chat for an hour or so. During that time, I got a call that I won a door prize at the craft show! So I went to pick up the box and I will probably not use any of it other than a nice scarf! Oh well, it's nice to win something every once in awhile!

[DianaB]

Lindsey, it sounds like you had a nice weekend!! Now exciting that you won something!! Maybe you can add the stuff that you don't want to other Christmas gifts.

Gayle, the festival looks like it was a lot of fun too!! I'm glad that you're getting out and enjoying yourself!!

Judy, you and Gina are both in my prayers during this storm. The weather people are predicting it to be so bad that I would feel so much better if you all just got in your cars and came to Kansas!! I'll make room for all of you and your families!!! We'll have a great time here while you wait out the storm!! Just stay safe!!

We had our women's Rough and Rugged on Saturday. We had lots of fun!! Some did target shooting with the guns.....and then Glen pulled out some explosives and blew up a little camping trailer that wasn't any good. I missed it......I was at the fire warming up!!

They also had a type of scavenger hunt where you had to find things in the junk yard and take pictures of it but then they never really found out who won that......I think that maybe it was just something to do if you weren't shooting. Then they cooked hot dogs and we ate then the women had a hayrack ride. I don't go because it's really hard on my joints and I don't enjoy having hay stuck under my clothes so I sat by the fire and enjoyed it. I ended up coming up to the house and giving Jazzi a bath because I spilled my hot cocoa on her and she was all sticky and then decided to roll in the leaves (the hot cocoa wasn't hot!).

Last night after church we went to our Pastor's house for soup and dessert. He had remodeled his kitchen and invited the board over to see it. It turned out really nice! Our pastor's wife is quite the decorator and has the house looking really nice! We had a nice visit with everyone who was there.

Today I've GOT to start working on garage sale stuff!! I'm just really having trouble getting motivated!! What I really want to do is paint Jaci's room! I got a sofa cover for the hide-a-bed that we have. It's like brand new but I don't like the color of the fabric on it. I bought it at an auction for not much and I don't think that the bed has ever been slept on because it still has the plastic on it. Anyway the cover I bought is a dark red. I'm excited to get the room all put together!!

Dean's a mess today. I've been wondering what he did over the weekend because he's been sassy and ornery!! Into everything!!! Even now I can hear him in the kitchen getting into something that he's not suppose to!! Oh well......that's life with Dean!!!

[judy]

It sounds like everybody has been busy and having fun! I went to a Steampunk Festival Saturday at the Communty Center. It was okay...lots of nice people. I want to be on their Board of Directors, so I have to show up at events, etc. I really like the people who are involved in the activities. There are a couple of other places that have activities, but they are too hoity toity for me. Like cocktail party people. One place charges $75 for their fund raising dinner! Not my style at all!

This place, The Pine Hill Community Center, has a very diverse membership. There is a local group of Indians who are affiliated, and I did some drumming with them, and they showed me some dances. I love this kind of thing. There are lots of people who are into various things - artists, organic food, there's a Wednesday afternoon social club (you just hang out and chit char), zumba, pottery, etc.

Today, I got some batteries, and then hung out. It's getting pretty windy and it's raining. As long as it doesn't flood down in the towns, we will all be fine.

Janet, I pay a monthly charge for the DVR, which is how I get my cable. You can buy a Tivo, which might do the same thing. I'm not sure though.

[gja1000]

Lindsey, I know what you mean about running out of money at the festival. I saw your Halloween costume on FB, cute! My legs would freeze and fall off at the hip if I were walking in the cold like you! Lol!

Diana, your day sounds like so much fun! You all have the most interesting gatherings at your place. I wouldn't like hay in my shorts either. Lol! I can't stand sand in my cracks either!!

Judy I hope everything turns out OK for you in the storm. Oh I would love the Indian dancing and drumming. Gary loved Indian powwows, we attended many many throughout the years. I DO NOT like hoity toity groups either. Pretentious people just turn me off. I would really enjoy living in your area with all the things you described, if it weren't so darned cold with so much snow!

Same ole, same ole here. Worked, home, etc etc. I did spend 45 minutes on the phone with Wells Fargo mortgage. I received an escrow overage check made out to Gary and I. Oops, can't deposit it with Gary's name on it. It has darned near taken an act of congress to show that I own the house. We did not probate Gary's will because we have a trust which meant that everything goes to me, but I had to send them the whole SIXTY-THREE page document to them to show the house was mine. The warranty deed should have been sufficient, but noooooooo. NOW, I have to make a request IN WRITING requesting they send the check to ME. Oh no, I COULDN'T make that request on the phone. :rolleyes: sigh.

[Lindsey]

Diana, your Saturday sounded like a lot of fun!

Judy, I hope the storm doesn't affect you too much and you don't lose power.

Gayle, that must be so frustrating!!!

I didn't go to work today... I could not fall asleep last night. I had some sleepytime tea before bed, did a word search with Scott, and then did some reading... it was about 12:30 and I still wasn't tired but thought I need to try to sleep. At 1:30 I got up to take an Advil nighttime, which has a little bit of sleeping aid. I had a bit of a headache, which was probably just from not being able to sleep. By 2:30 I still hadn't slept a wink, so I turned on my lamp and started reading again. At 4:30 I closed the book and tried to go back to sleep. I think I fell asleep somewhere around 5, and my alarm went off at 6. I was exhausted, my head ached, and I just didn't feel safe driving on an hour of sleep.

This insomnia just seems to keep getting worse. It will affect me for 3 or 4 days in a row, and then I am fine for a month or so, and then it happens again. On Friday night, one of our friends we were out with says she takes sleeping pills every single night or she just won't sleep. Scott made a joke about her being dependent on them, and she said "Yeah, I don't care" and that's what I DON'T want. I worry if I go to the doctor and get prescribed something for it, I will start to NEED them to sleep.

It is 9:30 pm right now, and I don't feel tired. I just made a whole teapot full of sleepytime tea, so hopefully a few cups will knock me out tonight. Here's to hoping!

[DianaB]

Lindsey, make sure that you're not getting caffeine in your tea. Caffeine is one of the major things that keeps me awake. Also.....make sure that you're not exercising before you go to bed. I find that if I take a Tylenol PM....just one.....that it helps me fall asleep when I'm having trouble......which is more and more lately. I've also found that if I sleep with a bar of soap.....any kind......I sleep better. It sounds silly but it does work. I have restless legs and the soap helps but it also helps at other times too. I hope that you can find some relief.....insomnia is not fun.

Gayle, we do have a good time and Glen does an awesome hayrack ride!! It gets pretty wild.....so wild that it concerns me that someone may get hurt sometime. That's what draws the kids to want to come out here!!

We have a group coming again on Saturday. It's my son's youth group from church. We talked to their youth pastor and he's expecting around 70 kids!! That will probably be our largest group. They'll just be here for the evening.....not most of the day. I'll probably stay in the house because we'll have kids in and out all evening to use the bathroom and I like for someone to be inside. I worry about things getting stolen. I have some expensive jewelry that I would hate to lose. (I just bought a safe at a garage sale but I haven't got it put in yet so I won't have to worry about it. I do hide my jewelry but that still makes me nervous.)

I hope that everyone that's involved with Sandy is safe and sound. I know that Gina was worried about some trees in her yard. The winds are suppose to be so bad......I sure hope the trees are ok. I'd hate to hear that one fell on her house. There's also Brenda.....I'm not real sure where she's located but I hope she's alright......And Judy.......I'm not as worried about you knowing that you're on a mountain......but it would not be fun to be without electricity. How is your daughter and her family doing during the storm?

I'm not feeling the best today. I think that I've caught whatever Dean had a while back. Stuffy nose mostly and a bit of a sore throat. I've taken some meds so hopefully they'll kick in soon. I've GOT to get garage sale stuff ready. I didn't get much done yesterday because that was when all of this started and I just felt too cold to go down in the basement to work. It's a little bit cooler down there than it is up here. We have a Pastor/Board something or other this evening.......maybe I can stay home from it......we'll see.

I've got to get some Halloween candy. We don't have a lot of kids that come but the grandkids will probably show up.....or maybe I'll just bake some cookies and have hot cocoa!!

I think that Dae Lynn and I have figured out what Dean.....and Karlie's problem was yesterday.........it was a FULL MOON!!! Karlie got into so much trouble yesterday......it's almost funny what that girl does to get into trouble and Dean was just awful yesterday too. He's a lot better this morning. That's good since I'm not feeling good. Ornery little guy!!!!

[Lindsey]

Well, it took until midnight but I DID fall asleep last night and slept until 6 this morning :)

Diana, caffiene really affects me too. If I have any caffiene after about 7:00, I am awake all night. So in the evenings I only drink Sleepytime tea - it has no caffiene and has herbs that are supposed to make you fall asleep. It actually does work almost every time!

That is weird about the bar of soap! I haven't heard that one before!

I would be nervous too about things being stolen. It bothers me when people wander around my house, especially if I don't know them well.

I hope everyone on the East coast is staying safe!

[DianaB]

I thought of another thing to help you fall asleep when I was laying in bed with the song "Hi-ho....Hi-ho....it's off to work I go......." going through my head!! Does this show that I too am having trouble falling asleep? LOL Think of a beautiful serene place then with each breath count backwards from 100. I rarely make it to 75 before falling asleep.

I use the bar of soap quite a bit for my restless legs. I have NO idea how it works but it does. They say that the feet are one of the most absorbant areas of your body.......but I have no idea what they absorb from a bar of soap!!

I'm feeling slightly better, I think, than yesterday......or it could be that I started out taking meds first thing this morning!! Either way I'm headed to the basement soon to work on garage sale stuff. The ad is coming out in the paper tomorrow so we're committed!! Wish I could snap my fingers and have it done!!

[DianaB]

I feel even worse this morning. Bummer! I haven't hardly gotten anything priced for the garage sale. I may just sit things out and tell them to make an offer. Hopefully I'll feel better by Saturday so I can be there. I've gone down to the basement every day and do a little but then give up because I just don't feel like working on it. I'm ready to just sit back and be sick.....not having to worry about a garage sale......but I'm committed to help.

I've been watching FOX news and the devistation from Sandy and what the people are dealing with. I hope that Gina's work is understanding and let her stay home. There is such a shortage of gas and such long lines to get any. Even to drive anywhere looks awful. Hugs Gina!!

[gja1000]

Diana, I'm so sorry you are sick. You just must feel terrible. I hope you feel better soon. I know you must really badly if you don't feel like getting ready for the garage sale. Sometimes we do just need to lay in bed and be sick.

I'm going to Oklahoma tomorrow. Gary's niece is having a baby and her baby shower is Saturday. I'm looking forward to seeing all his family. It's supposed to be cold up there, I gotta dig out my warm clothes! :eek:

[DianaB]

Drive carefully, Gayle!! Have fun with your family! Too bad that the shower is before the baby is here because you won't get to hold him or her. It will probably be a while before you'll get to see him or her otherwise.

I think that I feel a little better today. It would have been nice to have been able to just lay around but I haven't been able to this time. I hope it doesn't linger on because of it.

I finally felt well enough last night that I went to the basement and got some things priced and I'm heading back down there again in a little bit. We're taking it all into Dae Lynn's this evening and are getting it all put out on the tables in the garage so in the morning all we'll have to do it pull it out. Glen will be there to help with all of the lifting so things should go pretty good. We'll get tables from the church. I'll be so glad when this is over. I know that Dae Lynn will too. She's been so busy lately. But it will be nice to have all of that "stuff" out of the basement too!!!

I'm looking forward to that "extra" hour on Saturday night!! Don't forget to "FALL" back on Saturday evening!!!

[judy]

Thanks for reminding me Diana! So, we get a extra hour???

Hope your cold gets better!

Quite a few people fro downstate hage come up here since we have electricity, heat, etc. Ir's a mess down there!!

[Lindsey]

Gayle, I hope you had a safe trip today!

Diana, I am glad you are feeling better and got some things done.

Judy I'm glad you weren't affected too badly with the storm!

We had a snow day today. We had freezing rain last night and then overnight we got about 6 inches of snow - and even more in the city. The government's highway hotline said this morning that for all highways surrounding the city, "travel not recommended" and even though Scott was ready to go, I convinced him to just stay home for the morning. He said he can drive in bad weather and I told him he might be confident, but he can't control everyone else and it was ICY out there... what if another car or truck slid into his lane? So eventually he relented and stayed home. Just before noon, the advisory was lifted, so we drove into the city this afternoon and I picked up my laptop so I can make up today's hours over the weekend. Scott was just going to take a sick day. I don't have any sick days left! He gets double the sick time I do.

Tomorrow if the roads are any better (forecast is more freezing rain and snow) we are heading to a town a couple hours away to visit some friends! She was the MC at our wedding and her husband is big into cars and motorcycles so he gets along well with Scott. Hopefully we can have a good visit!

[Janet]

Today I finally gave the dogs and bath and got them all groomed. It had been awhile and they needed it so bad. I was checking their teeth and OMG....they look horrible. So many are lose too. I just can't afford to have them cleaned right now. By the time I do, they probably won't have any left. Joey only has eight teeth left after they pulled some the last time his were cleaned. He's also lost some weight and is down to 3.0 lbs now. I'm going to get some canned dog food and mix it with his dry. Hopefully I can put some weight on him.

It wore me out so I'm sitting doing nothing since I've had my bath.

[DianaB]

Lindsey, I can't imagine having the snow and ice like you do!! I love the snow but that's only because I don't have to get out and drive in it!! I hope you had a good time with your friends!

Janet, so sorry about your dogs teeth. I need to take Jazzi and Reuger in and have theirs cleaned too. I'm just horrible at not making appointments.

I AM finally feeling so much better! Wouldn't you know that the morning of the garage sale I was better!! At least I wasn't out in the cool weather being sick. I didn't get everything marked so I just told people that came that I had been sick and didn't get everything marked and to make an offer.......that our goal was to get rid of stuff. It ended up that Dae Lynn and I made over $500 and we were pretty evenly split on what we made. We were both really pleased. I was so very tired by the time we were done. Glen came and helped us pick everything up. Our church as a Mercy House where they help people in need and also a free garage sale on Thanksgiving weekend so we have places to take what we didn't sell. I kept a few things to sell at the flea market.

After I got done with the garage sale I went to the grocery store and picked up stuff to make a couple of dishes because our church had a church dinner on Sunday......so I had to get them made when I got home.......plus we had another hayrack ride with Feyn's church youth group. They had probably 50 kids and several adults. I went down by the fire to visit but my legs were hurting so badly that I just couldn't stay so I came back up to the house, curled up in a blanket, and watched tv.

I still have some congestion in my sinuses but I'm so much better than I have been. The weekend was just crazy!! It feels so good today to not have the garage sale hanging over my head. Today I have laundry and cleaning to do so I'm just sticking to that. I was going to get started painting Jaci's room but I've decided instead of getting that done I'm going to get the basement straightened up for the holidays. I still have a few things that I got out when I was doing garage sale things that I wanted to keep instead of sell and some things to sell other places....ebay and flea market......so they need to be put away until I can get to them. It's always something!!

I was so glad to see Gina post on FB. I've been worried about her. The conditions sound awful there and I wish that there was something I could do. Do you think that sending a jar of gasoline would help??? LOL I'd probably get arrested for something like that!!!!

[judy]

Send a can of dry fresh air Diana! Good that you are feeling better and that the flea market was a success, and that it's finally over! How is that beautiful baby?

We had a drop of snow Linds. I don't know how you do it! I guess you are a true Canadian, and used to the weather. I hope the weekend was fun. Have you gotten your wedding photos yet? I hope I didn't miss seeing them!

Janet, you put Day 4 on fb. What happened days 1, 2and 3? What are you counting for? I have to take my 3 in for their teeth, but one at a time. Little Miss Sophie is in heat again, so she will be spayed when she is finished. She is too small to be mated, and I really don't want her to go through a pregnancy. What if something happened to her? Annie lets her hump her all day! I keep telling her to get off though. Poor Annie! But, maybe I should just mind my own business. She wouldn't dare do it to Max!

I have been trying to find all of my music files, documents, pix, etc. on my computer to back them up on flash drives. I gave up! I am doing a free trial on an online storage system. Maybe they will make it easier for me to figure out where all the different files are, and I can back them up from there on flash drives. I want an online back up system also, so if this is good, I will keep it. I think it's about $5/month. My computer is on it's way out. Only one or two usb ports still work, but I am trying to stretch it out for another year.

Nothing much else is doing here. I have to make dinner - I try to make a few days worth at one time. I could do some laundry, have to brush the dogs to check for ticks, and write a story for a writing workshop on Thursday. I can't get through to Jessie today. Our phone company sometimes gets flaky. She did fb me, saying that they are all fine. She didn't call me back all weekend! She said they had a crazy, busy weekend. I think she does not realize that she ought to check in with me, seeing that I live alone! Just venting!

I hope everybody is good!

[DianaB]

I think that Janet's counting on FB goes along with the days of the month. I think that people are writing what they are thankful for for the month of November. I know several others that are doing the same thing.

Judy, you sound busy! I think that some of the things you do sound like so much fun!! You must live in a community that has a lot to offer as far as activities.

I forgot to mention that yesterday was my son, Feyn's, birthday. He turned 38!! It seems so strange to have a son that old!! I was only 17 when he was born. He is such a wonderful man.......someone who is a leader. He works hard and has never caused trouble. I'm a proud Mama!!

Today is election day so don't forget to vote!! I'll be going to town in just a little bit to do my part!

I am so much better than even yesterday!! My sinuses are almost cleared out!! Yay!!

Judy, I haven't seen the baby for more than a week because of not feeling well. I didn't want to spread any of what I have had to any of their family! I hate spreading germs and sickness and I'm always very cautious! I may stop and see the baby on the way home from town if they're home.

[gja1000]

I have been very remiss is posting here of late! So sorry. My life has been so hectic, and it doesn't show any signs of letting up! The end of the semester is a busy time. I can hardly believe that I only have 4 classes left (my class is on Thursday and of course, we don't have class on Thanksgiving). My students are finishing up various projects and then I have to grade them. I think I'm ready for break.

Alas, I'm still working on things related to Gary's death, it seems there is a never ending list of things that have to be done. I sure hope I'm nearing the end of them!

Emma's birthday is Saturday and mine is Sunday, so I am going to Houston Friday afternoon. I'm really tired and would love a weekend at home, but I would n't miss the joint birthday for anything. We are going to Galveston to Moody Gardens - it's more than a garden, there are lots of activities, aquarium, paddleboat rides, etc. The weather is supposed to be perfect - probably a little warm, but that's OK!

You know, I know we all were not on the same side of the election and some of us are happy and some sad this morning. What I love about all of you is that we can stay great friends through thick and thin. I don't know what I'd do without you all. You helped me so much through the loss of Gary. Love you all!

[Lindsey]

Judy, we got our wedding photos 6 weeks after the wedding :) I did put an album on Facebook with all of my favorites!! We just got all of the pictures on a disk and I haven't had the time or energy to figure out which one(s) we want up in our house to have them printed!

We had a great weekend visiting with our friends. They had SO much snow there!! The only downside was when we were leaving and Scott accidently locked the car while it was running and the keys were inside! And all of our stuff was inside except us and the dogs. We had to call someone from the nearest city to come out an unlock it for us - it was running for about 45 minutes before we could get in! So needless to say, we were home a little later than expected lol.

Gayle, I hope you have a great time this weekend in Houston!

Diana, I am so glad you are feeling better. I hope you are able to spend lots of time with the baby now to make up for the time you missed being sick!

[gja1000]

Lindsay, I've locked my keys in my car too with it running. Luckily, my new car won't lock from the outside when the car is running.

Another busy day, didn't get home till late - it was dark when I made it home. I just hate it when it's dark when I get home. I can't get outside and I feel so confined. I am READY for this semester to BE OVER. Too much drama with students and too many PROBLEMS. Ok, I'm done with my rant.

Hope everyone is having a good week!

[Janet]

I haven't posted much here either Gayle, not sure why though. Mostly nothing really to write about. I think FB has pretty much ruined posting on other sites, at least it has for me. There really hasn't been anything interesting to share.

An awful lot of my posts were ragging on my husband, but I've tried to be mindful of that. It doesn't make things better so why do it?

I do come here and read, but then can't think of anything to post. Nothing new is going on that I can think of. Hope all is well with all of you.

[2tiredmom]

Sorry I have been AOL too. Lots of things going on. Got our son Dustin and his new bride moved last night. They have alot to learn. I know they just want to be out on their own but they could have stayed at our house and saved money. But you know you can't tell them. So they are renting a 1/2 of a duplex. it's about 15 20 minutes from our house. The rent was in their price range. They were suppose to move in on November 1st. But landlord didn't have the carpet or tile laid. The place was a mess. It took all day Saturday to Clean the kitchen so much crap on the cabinets and such. The sunday I cleaned the Bathroom. UGH....It was nasty.
The landlord should have done the cleaning or given them a big break for us cleaning.
But of course not. Plus they were using the electric and water while they were painting and laying the carpet and tile. Did they pro rate that. NO!. They are learning the hard way. They both have horrible allergies. I was cleaning windows last night. Asked them what they were going to do this summer. It has baseboard electric heat. No Air. They had not thought of that. Another lesson learned.
Signed a 1 year lease. I hope they can find something better when that year is up.
Thanks for letting me vent. I am on my own again in this big house. Such is life.
Everyone have a great weekend.

[DianaB]

Linda, I'm sure that your kids are just ready to be out on their own. We know that financially it would be better for them to stay but they are proving they are adults. I'm sure you loved the company. I felt the same way when Dae Lynn and the kids lived here. It was hard when they left but now Glena and I are really enjoying the peace and quiet. It helps to have Dean during the day......I miss him terribly when he's gone. He's my little buddy!!

I did finally make it over to see the baby but he was being fed and wasn't too happy so I didn't get to hold him for long. He's not gaining weight. Jaci did the same thing after she was born. I always had trouble with breast feeding so I finally put her on the bottle and she did so much better after that. I don't know what's going on with him......because Tammy has always breast fed with no problems. I'm sure he'll start doing better soon. Jed's fine in every other way so I'm not too worried.

I've been working on laundry still. I'm about all caught up.....Yay!! I have a shelf that I had custom built in our last house that I brought with me. It's been in Jaci's room and I moved it out in a small hallway between the bedrooms yesterday. I'm going to get some pictures copied off, framed, and arranged. You'll be able to see them from the living room.

I'm sorry that I haven't been on for a while. I've been pretty upset over the election results. I know that we don't talk politics on here but I really don't see that Obama has done a good job or will in the future......Enough said.

I agree with Gayle, we know that we have different opinions.....especially on voting but it's nice that we can have our differences and remain friends. I love all of you!!

Well......I'm off to find picture frames.....lace doileys........and other what nots for my shelf!!

[Lindsey]

Linda, I'm sure they just want to be on their own too. It's an adventure for them, and no matter how bad the place might be to others, it's their first place together and it will be full of memories for them!

Diana, I have followed the US election pretty closely (and have for the past elections as well) and it always amazes me that for countries as close as we are, the whole political thing is completely different in our countries. It is so interesting to me to see what sort of basis presidents are elected on, and the issues that are important to the American public compared to the Canadian public.

We are snowed in today! All highways around the city are supposed to be awful and the government highways hotline is recommending no travel. We had an awful time getting home last night with the icy roads and no visibility. But we got here safely and I am happy to just be stuck inside and watching the snow out the windows :)

[DianaB]

Lindsey, I love to be home when it snows......all safe, sound, and warm!! I guess that we had a few flurries yesterday but that was all. The temperature sure dropped while we were at church. It was so nice that we didn't have evening church so Glen and I were just home in our pj's.....all nice and warm. It was such a relaxing day.

Saturday was our last hayrack ride. It was the youth group from our church and the one that is the hardest to do. Whenever we have the hayrack rides we let everyone come up and use the bathroom. I always stay in the house with this group because they are so bad. I had kids beating on the bathroom door......like 3 year olds yelling that they had to "pee"! I had hay EVERYWHERE......none of the other groups left hardly any hay. The toilet overflowed and nobody bothered to tell me.....until the man in charge came up to let me know. He saw the hay everywhere and sent a girl up to clean it up. She didn't do a very good job but it was better than it was. He also had them pick up their trash before they left.....which they don't usually do. Personally I hope that we don't have this group back again......and that's sad to say when it the kids from your own church.

I watched Dean all day on Saturday because Karlie and Dae Lynn had a JBQ meet. JBQ stands for Junior Bible Quiz. It's where the kids memorize questions about the Bible and are quizzed on them against other teams. Karlie and Madelyn, another little girl from our church, tied for first place in points....and with another little boy, they won first place!! I practiced with Karlie a little bit and, MAN....she is really good!! If they interrupt a question then they have to finish the question AND answer it too.

I just found out that Thanksgiving is NEXT week!! I didn't realize that it was THAT soon!! I guess I should look at a calendar more often!!

[Janet]

Diana...you're so funny!!! I knew it was coming up fast. We've been invited to Rick's cousin's house for Thanksgiving, but we are declining. I'm going to go ahead and fix a turkey, small ham, potatoes, crock pot stuffing, rolls, veggie tray and noodes.....oh...and let's not forget dessert! I'm not fixing a lot of anything since it will just be the three of us, but we've decided we would enjoy it more at home. That way the guys can get up and go hunting, come back to eat and rest and go back out again.

The both get Thanksgiving off, but then Rick is taking Friday and the whole next week off for vacation. SUCKS for me. I usually had the holidays to myself (and Ricky when he was in school) and now it's going to be totally different! I don't sound nice do I? He has more days to take before the end of the year or he'll lose them....it just better not screw up my Christmas time off. I'm trying to talk him to to going and seeing his brother in Kentucky, but I don't think it's working.

[DianaB]

Well.....I guess that we're celebrating Thanksgiving on Friday evening......THIS Friday evening. Jaci and Nate......and Dae Lynn and Damon were going to be gone so the kids decided that we wanted to have everyone together so Amy talked to all of them and got everything all worked out.

We're going to have chili.....either as soup or with baked potatoes so nothing will be traditional as far as the food. I have to bake the potatoes and make a dessert so that will be easy enough.......So I guess that Glen and I will be alone on Thanksgiving day. There's a restaurant in town that serves a traditional dinner so we may go and do that. We'll see.

I have a cousin, Ruth Ann, that I've invited with her son, Brandon. Our dad's were brothers. She's like me in the sense of only having one brother......and he's on drugs and in an institution. Her mother was an only child so she really doesn't have any family now besides us. We always have room at the table for a few more so I hope she comes.

Dean's been so cute today!! He watches Doc McStuffin on TV. She is a doctor for toys. Anyway we have some toy doctor things and he's been diagnosing me......I have "doc-osis"!! He checks my heart and says "Thump....thump!!" He even checked Glen over this morning!! He's really starting to use his imagination and it's so cute!!

[gja1000]

Mom and I are going to Houston to be with the kids for Thanksgiving. I hope mom does OK, she sometimes gets confused in a strange environment. Because she broke her leg last year, I didn't take her to Houston very much. I may sleep on the couch in her room just to be sure she doesn't get up and fall.

i've been really tired this week. The time change always bothers me, but it seems like it is worse this time, or something is causing me to be really tired.

Austin will be CRAZY this weekend. We are having a Formula One auto race here on Saturday or Sunday (I'm not sure which day. LOL!). They usually have Formula One races in Europe, and I think this is the first race in the U.S. in a long long time. So, we will have LOTS of Europeans here - they've already begun to arrive. There are lots of streets downtown that are blocked off, there are festivals and all sorts of things. Myself. I'm staying as far away from all the hoopla as possible!!!

[Lindsey]

Yesterday we hit a deer on our way to work. I knew it would happen sometime. There are sooooo many deer on our highway. Every morning there is at least one dead deer on the side of the road. Anyways, we are lucky it was just a small one. I was looking at my phone, reading the news, and Scott swore and hit the brakes and it was just a weird feeling. I looked up and just saw it bounce off the front of the car. I felt so bad for the deer I wanted to cry. We needed to make sure it was dead but I didn't want to get too close. I called the RCMP in the city and they said at our location, we'll have to call the local RCMP. So Scott called there and there was no answer - he left a message. I found out later the local RCMP is only staffed on Tuesday and Thursday from 1-4 pm. Great hours for the police!!! So Wednesday at 7:30 am wasn't going to do much good. The deer had gone across the highway and skidded into the ditch. It was laying there still and didn't look like it was breathing.... I really hope it died on impact and wasn't in pain. It was just an awful feeling. Normally we are supposed to call the RCMP and they come check it out or get a conservation officer out to kill the animal if it is not dead. It's illegal to let an animal suffer.

Anyways, so that was the unfortunate highlight of my day :(

On another topic, Scott and I might be taking on another job. We have been talking for months with a company that works with exchange students. A few months ago our local newsletter said they needed host famlies for some exchange students, and by the time we talked to them, they already had homes. It was okay with me, because I don't think we're ready to raise teenagers yet! Anyways, yesterday they contacted Scott and asked if we'd like to be the Area Reps for our town. Basically we conduct in-home interviews with potential host families, write reports about the people, their living conditions, take pictures of the home etc. and send it to the company for review. They make all the decisions, we are just the middle man. We would also meet new students at the airport, and do orientations with the students and their host families. We'd be required to follow up monthly and write and submit a progress report to the company. We also have to be available to the students and the host families to talk to about any concerns. Also, if there are local students interested in an exchange, we'd meet with them and interview them and their families and do an orientation if they go through with it. The pay is very little but I think it would be a cool thing to do, and we'd meet more people, and help out a lot of kids! It might be more fulfilling than my day job, without having to actually change careers! It really would only end up being maybe 2-3 hours of our time per month, per student.

We haven't answered yes or no yet, but we are meeting tonight with local families and three German exchange students that are attending the local high school. We are already basically signed up to be an "extra" - we're around to help out if needed and if an emergency comes up we are able to take a student for a few days if the host family is unable to. So it's just a good chance to meet everyone!

I'm kind of excited about it all :) I was really nervous when Scott wanted to BE a host family, but now that we are able to be in a different role I think it could be a good fit for us!

[DianaB]

That sounds like alot of fun. International students can be so interesting to visit with. It will be good for them because you'll be close to their age and be easy to talk to. Cool!! I would love to be able to do that!!

We have exchange students that come to high school in our community. Jaci was friends with a couple of them. They were really sweet kids!!

I don't have Dean today. Last night after The Alley, when I took Karlie home, she complained that her stomach hurt and she didn't fell good. I guess that she really didn't feel sick since they kept her home today. I hope that it's a short lived thing because tomorrow night is when the family is all coming over and I'd hate for her to miss out.

I finally stopped at Feyn's last night and held Baby Jed!! He is sooooo cute!!! He's finally starting to pick up a little weight. I guess the doctor was concerned about that. He makes so many faces while he sleeps and little noises too......just like I remember Feyn doing. I was able to hold him to my hearts content so I'm a happy grandma!!!

[Lindsey]

I'm so glad you got to spend some time with baby Jed!!! And I hope Karlie is feeling better soon!

We had a few exchange students when I grew up too, and I am still friends with one on Facebook :) I knew her when I was about 15. I actually was supposed to be an exchange student when I was in high school as well. I had the forms filled out and the medical done and everything. I just had to submit it and have a host family found in Scotland, where I hoped to go. HOWEVER, my boyfriend at the time basically said he would be so depressed and would stay in bed all day every day until I came home and he could talk to me again. We had been together for about two years. His mom also said she didn't know how a kid could go away for that long and be away from family. I decided not to go, to keep him happy. I didn't tell my parents it was because of him or his family though, I made up some other excuse. A year later, he broke up with me and I found out he had been cheating on me for a year! THEN who was depressed? That was my biggest regret from my teenage years. I am glad I finally got to see Scotland with Scott! If I had not gotten another opportunity I'd be kicking myself for the rest of my life!

[DianaB]

Instead of kicking yourself.....it sounds like you should be kicking the boyfriend!!! LOL

Today I'm trying to get cleaning done and some cooking. The girls pretty much have everything taken care of so I don't have a lot to cook. We're having chili....and a potato bar. I need to go to the grocery store too. Wish ya'll could be here.....it will be a fun evening!!

[Lindsey]

Oh Diana I wish I could be there too! Sounds delicious!!!!

We met the exchange students last night and they were great! They are three girls, and with the exception of one, you wouldn't even know they aren't from here. One has a slight accent, but the other two sound just like us and they all have great English skills! The host mothers are great as well, and it was a good gathering. Scott and I are going to fill out the papers this weekend to be reps. I guess the reasoning for it is that one of the girls had issues with her host family, so after an agreement, the area rep took her in to her own family. That's a conflict of interest, so this one girl needs a new area rep. But the woman who does it now told us that we are welcome to take over repping all three if we want to, because she is busy enough with hosting the student now, and working, and having two of her own little kids at home. So we'll have to decide on that!

We have a busy weekend ahead! Scott has a doctor appointment tomorrow about his heart, and we have to take the car in for the insurance stuff for hitting the deer. I also want to get Christmas decorations up outside our house because the weather is supposed to be nice - you know, Canada-nice lol! Below freezing, but not too much below freezing :D On top of that we have lots of shopping to do and I have a full weekend of job-work to do for a project I need to have done by Wednesday. I am so glad I set up a real home office last weekend so I don't have to take over the dining room table anymore!

Even though my office closes for a week and a half over Christmas, I am going to work through that break too if I am given permission from my boss. I need to save my banked and holiday time for our Africa trip. So basically I won't get a chance to rest until March! I'm sure it will be worth it though. I guess I have turned into a workaholic!

[Janet]

Hope your Thanksgiving was nice Diana. This morning I went to the grocery store to get what I'll be making for Thanksgiving Day. Pretty much the usual, just not as much. Not sure what else I'll do today.

[gja1000]

I went to the local craft show this morning. It's so fun to look at all the pretty things. I only bought things for Christmas gifts. Before the craft show, I took mom out for breakfast at Cracker Barrel. That's her favorite breakfast spot.

Like Janet, I need to go to the grocery store for some thanksgiving things. Brooke got almost everything already but Abi asked if I would make noodles so I need to get the things for that.

[DianaB]

I love Cracker Barrel!! Yummm.......

We had a nice Thanksgiving. It ended up that Dean was sick and Dae Lynn felt like he needed his Mom so they all ended up staying home.....except for Karlie. It ended up that they were all sick the next day so it was for the best that they didn't come. We've got something really contagious going around.

I got to hold little Jed for quite a while.....he's so adorable!! And my Mom got to hold him for a long time too. She really loves it when the kids are little and cuddly.

Feyn and Tammy got here late because they went and had pictures taken. I can't wait to see them. Since they got here late everyone was pretty tired and we mostly sat and visited.

Before we ate Glen said the prayer.......and during the prayer I was pestering Amy and we ended up in a pushing match by the time the prayer was over.....and was laughing at the end! We looked up and everyone was looking at us......and someone said "Did you catch that?".........and Amy was able to remember the last few words said......something about July. We were able to finally figure out that Jaci is expecting!! I was so excited!! I felt really bad that I wasn't listening to the prayer and spoiled it!! But I think that I recovered pretty good!! She's 7 weeks along and the sonogram shows a strong heartbeat so everything looks good!!! She's due July 3rd!! Yay!!!

I ended up keeping Karlie overnight and we went to an auction the next morning. I never had to worry about where Karlie was at.......because she was right beside the auctioneer handling everything that was being auctioned off!!! That child loves to be the center of attention!! If they were selling chairs......she was sitting on them!!! She loved going!! I bought a few things but not what I intended to buy. I bought a lawn mower, a diamond ring, an antique beaded purse, some antique jewelry, and an old drying rack. It was fun and a beautiful day out!

[gja1000]

Congratulations on being a new grandma! Your baby is having a baby! We will have our thanksgiving on Thursday. I finally got my grocery shopping done. I made noodles tonight and they are drying on the dining room table.

[Janet]

I already told you how happy I am for Jaci!!! Such wonderful news!!!

Today I'm getting things made for tomorrow. Have bread drying for the dressing since yesterday, eggs are boiled, veggies needed in recipes are cut, diced, etc., so all I have to do is ad them. Here in a bit I'll make the deviled eggs and I think I'm going to go ahead and fix the stuffed mushrooms today. We all love them heated up just as much so it will be one less thing to cook tomorrow. I may even make the noodles today. I will peel potatoes and put them in water in the fridge so I just won't have much to do tomorrow at all.

I'm feeling better about the holiday....I miss Mom terribly and try to stay busy so I can fight off depression. I know you understand Gayle, I'm sure it will be so sad for you to go through your first holiday without Gary. You're in my thoughts and prayers.

[gja1000]

Hi Janet. Yes, it's really hard without Gary but we talk about him a lot and talk about what he would be saying or doing or eating if he were here and that really helps. His birthday is next Thursday and I will be in Austin alone and I know that is going to be hard.

[Lindsey]

Diana, a new grandbaby! How exciting!!!

I have been working my butt off. It is only Wednesday and I have already worked 10.5 hours of overtime this week, and I am working more tonight. I am sooooo sleepy. I hope I can get everything done early and go to sleep at a normal time.

I don't think I can even tell you what else is new, because my brain is stuck on work! It's good though, I need the extra overtime knowing I now need an extra week off next year for my brother's wedding. I have to ask permission to work over the Christmas break as well. My friend who works in a different department at my company said they were told they could not work even if they have work to do. So if I DO have to use holiday or banked time while the office is closed, at least this overitme now can be used towards that. Such is the life of a workaholic!

[Janet]

Had a busy day getting ready for tomorrow. Deviled eggs are made, potatoes peeled, dressing is ready to mix up and put in the crockpot, mushrooms ready to be stuffed, turkey and ham ready to be cooked. Noodles ready, and rolls out to be warmed. I cheated this year....the band at school was selling pies for their fundraiser so I bought a pecan pie for me, strawberry rhubarb for Ricky and Rick bought himself a sugar creme. I think everything will be easy tomorrow, since basically it's just putting it in the oven or on the stove.

Enjoy the day everyone!

[Janet]

Not the same.

[judy]

What's "not the same," Janet?

Congrats Diana!!! What a wonderful surprise! I remember when Jaci was Homecoming Queen, and so cute in that school show. Now, she will be a Mama!
You are a very lucky woman! So many babies, so much love!

Linds, don't stress over work days. Life is short....enjoy! I feel for you about the deer. I hit one last year, but I only got it in the hip, and it ran off. There was NO damage to my car, so I figured I didn't hurt it much. Whew! I felt sick though.

I made Thanksgiving in my house! Jessie made the stuffing and the veggies, and I made the turkey, potatoes, cranberry sauce, etc. The kids and I were so excited, facebooking each other back and forth! Kass woke up yersterday morning, and ran into Jessie, asking her if she called me yet to make sure I got up to make the turkey!

The turkey came out perfect! That was s bit surprising since they so often are too dry. I found a food thermometer, and that did the trick I think. Well, maybe the ton of butter I used in the stock and basted it with helped too!

It was a wonderful day. At the end, of course, Steve took some off the pleasure out of it, but I refuse to dwell on it.

My dishwasher died two days ago, and then my sink was leaking from a pipe!
I got the good paper plates so I wouldn't have to wash dishes. We even used plastic forks and knives and cups! There weren't too many dishes at the end, and I washed them in the bathroom sink. Steve had rigged up the drainpipe in the kitchen so I could use the sink, but I really didn't want to take the chance of a flood.

I was soooo tired after I finished cleaning up! Jessie had put everything away already, and took tons of food home. It was a really good day! The kids were wonderful.

I am going into Oneonta to Sears to pick out a new dishwasher. On Black Friday! Help! I know what I want, but I would like to see what is on sale anyway, and see this Maytag I want. It got really good reviews.

Gayle, I know you must miss Gary so much. You are always in my thoughts.

[DianaB]

It sounds like everyone had a good Thanksgiving with sooo much food!! Glen and I were home alone......well, I was alone......he was out harvesting soybeans. The weather was nice and there was work to be done and since we'd already celebrated with the kids he worked. I ended up fixing a nice supper for us. I really missed not having turkey though!!

I started taking the wallpaper border down in Jaci's room. Dark purple with a star border just isn't for me anymore!! I picked out a medium taupe color. I'm excited to get the room painted and get the furniture in it. I want to have it done before Christmas gets here and I don't think that it will be a problem to have it done by then.

We took the Tahoe in to get repaired. A "service 4-wheel drive" warning has been on for some time. We had it repaired a while back but obviously it didn't help. We got it back this morning and the warning is still on. I guess it's going back again. We've also had problems with the AC and heater for some time. It's been in before on that but again, it's not fixed. If it can't be fixed this time then I'm going to try and talk Glen into trading it in. Not having an AC or heat is not fun.....oh, it works off and on......but on the off times it's running the opposite of what it's suppose to.

My brother, Delaine, came over yesterday. It was his birthday and he was in town to see his girlfriend and since they were fighting he came out to see me while he cooled down. I really don't enjoy my brother. All he wants to talk about is himself.....and a lot of that is bragging. He doesn't talk much about his kids.......just himself. He tells me how much he loves this girl that he's fighting with........but then he tells me how he's attracted to this other girl and he talks all about her. My brother is soooo much like my Dad......and I don't mean that in a good way. My Dad also liked to talk about himself. I was so relieved when he finally left.......after 2 or 3 HOURS!!!! It's so sad when you only have one sibling and you can't hardly stand to be around him!!! BTW......he's already been married 4 times and is working on his 5th and I can already tell that it's not going to work and I mentioned that. UGH!! Sorry but I could go on and on.......believe me, Glen's already had an ear full of my fustration!!!

On a better note.......I went over the other day and got to hold Little Jed!! He's so cute!! He's starting to fill out and was smiling a little. He makes a lot of expressions with his face and little noises all the time......so cute!!

[judy]

That's a shame, Diana! 4 marriages is a couple too many! You do have lots of family that you love though. I have no siblings, but I do have some cousins I love a lot.

I did nothing today, which was very nice. I just came from my friend's house, where we all got together for drinks and snacks. My friends are up for Thanksgiving. I really, really love them!

Tomorrow, I have a surprise birthday party to go to for a friend who is 80. Her daughter is making it. You would never think Alda is 80! She is like the energizer bunny. These friends are also so nice. What a good weekend!

[gja1000]

We had a great Thanksgiving day in Houston. And we had some wonderful black Friday shopping. Mom and I came home yesterday and I was so tired. I went to a Texas women't basketball game last night - they won - we have a better team this year! Today I've gone to the farmers market and to Big Lots and did some Christmas decorating. I still need to go to the grocery store.

I bought a little composter at the farmer market. I'm on a septic system so I don't have a garbage disposal. All my scraps go into the trash. I had a little electric composter a couple of years ago, but it didn't last very long. This one is not electric and it is anaerobic so you just put the scraps into the bin every day and sprinkle in some wheat bran stuff that will digest the scrape and turn them into compost. Then once a month or so you have enough for compost. I don't have a lot of scrapes so I'll be able to use all the compost I make in my little garden and that will be good.

I have 2 more weeks of school and then the semester will be over. I will have about another week of work to do so hopefully I'll get a little break before Christmas.

[DianaB]

Gayle, you do such interesting things!! I wish that I could go with you!! Your little composting thing sounds interesting!! What I don't put down the garbage disposal I throw out the back door......literally!!!! We don't have anything back there so I just throw it in the trees!! The chickens love it!! It's a good thing that I don't have any close neighbors!!!

Judy, your friends always sound like so much fun.....sitting by the pool.......going to their houses.....birthday parties!!! I think that you picked a great place to live!!

I didn't get as far painting on Jaci's room as I planned to do because on Saturday I had a stomach ache so I didn't do much. My step-dad was sick last Sunday while he was here and I was worried that I was getting it but it never got very bad......it just gave me an excuse to do nothing!!

Yesterday Jaci was at church. She's doing really well.....a lot of morning sickness but she's taking medicine that's helping some. Bad morning sickness seems to run in my family. It was so good to see her because I hadn't talked or seen her since I found out that she was pregnant. She was hungry so her Dad was happy to drive her 30 miles to eat Chinese!!! He still spoils her terribly but she's easy to spoil!! Nate was busy working so he wasn't with her today. We stopped at Wal-mart and we picked up a few things.

I have Dean back today!! I haven't had him since last Tuesday and I've missed him!! He's so much company and keeps me laughing so much!!

[Janet]

What's "not the same," Janet? Sorry Judy, I meant the holidays are not the same...in any way, shape, or form. My heart was aching so much.

Our Thanksgiving was very lonely. Don't think we'll participate next year. I think we'll just go out somewhere instead of sticking around home. It was just the three of us and it wasn't too bad until we sat down for the meal. I love the family chatter and with just the three of us, well...kind of lonely.

Did you get a new dishwasher yet Judy? Not sure I would want to be without since I've had one for so long. Kinda of gotten myself spoiled I guess.

Gayle, we're on a septic system, but we use our garbage disposal. I just don't put alot of stuff in it. Large quantities like potato skins, etc. I throw in the trash. Smaller type food items I'll run through the disposal.

You can paint my living room, family room and hall if you'd like Diana. It really needs it, but don't know if I care enough to do it. Maybe come spring. What did you say you were going to do with this room?

That was so nice of Glenn to keep spoiling Jaci. I love Chinese food and Ricky and I ate at a really nice Chinese Restaurant last weekend in Lafayette.

[judy]

I am sorry that your holiday was lonely, Janet! Do you know anyone who has no family nearby? You could always invite them to share your holiday with you. That might really cheer itn up.

I did get a dishwasher. I got a good deal at Sears. The only thing is I have to wait until Dec. 8th to have it installed, and my kitchen sink needs a pipe replaced. I am washing dishes in the bathroom sink! It's not too bad since I'm using paper plates and plastic forks and spoons. No cooking either! I was really busy yesterday and today woke up sick, so I didn't even think about it. I can ask the maintenance guy here to fix the pipe.

There is a whole story about the installation, which I will post tomorrow. I'm going back to bed!

[DianaB]

So sorry, Judy, that you're sick. It's really going around here. I found out that my Mom is sick today too. At least you both made it through the holiday.

Janet, our Thanksgiving was a bummer too. Since we celebrated ours early there wasn't anyone around on the actual day and Glen was working. I told Dae Lynn that I wouldn't cry over it and I didn't but it was hard. I really missed not having turkey and all the other special foods that we usually have. I did fix a nice supper for Glen and I but it wasn't turkey. I don't know that I'll do it early again because I really didn't like it.

I've got Jaci's room almost painted. It looks so nice. The color is a putty color......a medium color. We're going to make it into a sitting room. I have a hide-a-bed that we're going to put in there and I bought a new burgundy cover for it. Then I'm moving my roll top desk in there too. It's always a mess in Glen's office because he moves everything over to my desk so this will let him have the office all to himself. Then I bought a TV at a garage sale for a few dollars that has a dvd and vhs player in it. I'm not sure the vhs works but that's alright. Then the kids can watch movies in there. I have an old toybox that was mine when I was little. It's wooden and has wheels on the bottom so I think that I'll paint it and put it in there too. I bought a safety hinge so the lid won't slam on the kids. I'm so excited to get everything put in there!! I'm not sure what I'm putting on the walls or the windows. I've been looking for curtains and an antique shelf. With the couch in there we can still use it as a bedroom if we have company or as a sitting/play room when the kids or family are here. It will be a lot more usable this way than just a bedroom. I just have a little bit more to trim then I'm ready to start moving in the furniture!!

I'm so sentimental.......taking down Jaci's star wallpaper border was hard and then painting over her purple.....just made me want to cry. It's just another sign of my family growning up. Sigh.......

[judy]

It sounds like you have it all nicely plannd out Diana!

[DianaB]

I think so. I just hope that I have room for all of it!!

I got done painting all the trim now I just need to go around and make sure that it's all painted good and touch up any spots that are too thin. I'm going to start clearing everything out of it to get ready to move the furniture in. While I was painting I just moved everything into the center of the room.......all my "projects" that I'm getting ready to work on!! LOL Mostly it's stuff to decorate Karlie's room and a little chair that I bought to recover. I'll be working on getting Karlie's room ready after I finish Jaci's room.

I stopped by last night and held Little Jed!! Ahhhhhhh.......It just feels so good to hold the little guy!! He's so sweet!!

Jaci went to the doctor yesterday and they were able to see that the baby has grown and saw the little heart beat!! The doctor can tell that she's worried and told her to stop in and they would check her out any time that she gets worried about her pregnancy. I'm sure that's a big relief to Jaci. She has a really good doctor. I asked her if I could start telling people but she didn't think that she felt comfortable with that but last night at the Alley she was talking about it with about everyone that was there so I think she really is ready to tell.....it's just hard because in the back of your mind the thought is always there that I could lose this one too. I know.......I've been there.

I have a Christmas play practice with the Alley kids this afternoon after school and then I have a jewelry party later this evening. I really don't want to go to the jewelry party because I was just at one and bought some stuff and I don't need any more but the hostess is a good friend so I'll go. I really don't like days I have to get out......I'm just happy being at home!!

[judy]

I am happy to be home too Diana. In fact, I stayed home Tues, Thurs, and yesterday. I like having nothing to do and staying in my cozy house when winter sets in.

I am going to Jessie's today. I want to see the kids and her. We have been fighting for the past couple of weeks, but it is over now. I have to say, I was scared because she can keep an argument going forever! I still panic because she wouldn't talk to me for those 3 years. If Steve decides to get involved, then I am really in trouble.

I'm glad to say that she is not as passive aggressive as she used to be, and, although she takes a long time, she will get it off her chest. It was like normal people for a change! She yelled and carried on, I listen4ed. Then, I yelled back - don't make me the only bad guy! Then we forgot about it. It is a terrible feeling not to trust your own daughter. Maybe it is getting easier to trust her.

Whew! I sure hope so!

[Lindsey]

Snow day!!!! It snowed so much yesterday and overnight, the highway conditions are awful so we are staying home until they improve. I could really use some extra time off anyway :)

On Saturday, we took two German exchange students to the Festival of Trees at the museum. The museum is one of my favorite places to go, and I've been going since I was little! As you walk in, it is "main street" in "1910 Boomtown" all recreated inside the building. It shows exactly what a little prairie town would have been like. There are full buildings, houses, dentist office, doctor's office, lawyer, engine repair, saddle makers, dressmakers, school, church, everything! And you walk into the buildings and they have all original everything, and display cases of real things used in those places in 1910. They also have mannequins in some of the places and conversations or music, or other sound effects you'd hear in those places. I see something new every time I'm there :) But Christmas is the best, because the whole main street is full of trees up each side, decorated in themes by local businesses. You can buy the trees and whatever is under them (but they are very expensive - hundreds to thousands!!) The girls loved seeing them all though and took so many pictures. They said in Germany, they normally don't even put up trees until the 23rd of December. They celebrate Advent first, and then Christmas.

After that, we headed to the craft fair in the big arena. There are hundreds of vendors there and I go every year! This year we are done Christmas shopping already, so I just bought stuff for myself :) Every year I stock up on epsom salt bubble bath from what started as a small company in Alberta a few years ago. They have gotten huge now though! This Christmas they have kiosks in every mall here. But they are half price at this craft fair, so it's much cheaper for me to go there with the amount I buy, even after the $8 fee to get in.

Yesterday we stayed inside and got things done around the house. I made a roast chicken, mashed potatoes, corn, stuffing, and gravy. It was sooooo good! But so much food lol! As I was setting the table I asked Scott if I forgot anything, and he said "Yeah, about 6 people!" Hahaha

[DianaB]

Judy, I'm sorry to hear that you and your daughter are fighting. I remember how hard on you it was when she didn't have anything to do with you. I hope it's all blown over and you can both get on. I know that you'll do your best to keep the communication open! You're a good Mom!!

Lindsey, your museum sounds so interesting!! I'd love to go there!! In Nebraska there is a museum that has a lot of original buildings that have been moved onto a piece of ground and have original items in them.....behind glass. It sounds similiar to what you have except these are all set outside! Then inside of the main buildings are displays of antique things. It's very interesting too. I bet that it's so cool with all of the Christmas tree displays!!

The craft fair sounds like fun too. I think that you showed the girls a good time!! I'm sure that they loved going with you!!

Yesterday after church one of the groups in town had a tour of some local homes. We always have a group of ladies from church that meet and we all go together. We got to view three homes. One was a wonderful victorian home all decorated in such lovely victorian furniture and thngs! I really liked it.....except everything was teal and pink!! I just love the big homes with all of the special wood trims!! Another home we looked at the husband was an avid hunter and has been to Africa several times. The home was decorated in a jungle animal print theme and was just beautiful......not over done but was very tasteful. The husband had a new building in their back yard that had most of his mounted animals in it. It was one of the nicest displays of animals that I had ever seen. Usually I'm not fond of deer heads and such but he had so many different animals that it was very interesting!

Then last night our church had a Christmas banquet. It was very nice! They had the high school choir come in and sing. My granddaughter, Kera, was one of the singers! Then they had a magician and he was really good and very comical!! It was a really nice evening!!

Today it's me and Dean!! I still have a little bit of touch up in Jaci's room and then I need to get the furniture moved in! Yay!!

Jaci finally let me start telling people about her pregnancy. She's still a little worried about letting people know in case there should be any problems but the doctor assured her that everything is A plus!! It was exciting to be able to tell people during the home tour!!

[gja1000]

Lindsey, the museum trip, especially with the exchange students sounds like so much fun. I love museums too, especially the kind that show how life used to be. I know you had so much fun, it sounds so beautiful. And you all know i LOVE craft shows!

Judy, I'm so sorry things have not been smooth between you and Jessie. I bet it's hard to walk on eggshells. But I bet everything will be OK especially here at Christmas. At least I hope everything is OK.

Diana, the home tour sounds like so much fun. I like to do that sort of thing with friends. I hope to be able to start getting out and doing things with friends, it's hard when you are suddenly single and everyone else is married. But I'm working on it.

I met the kids on Saturday half way between Austin and Houston. Brooke and Bryan had to go to a funeral so I took the girls shopping while they were gone. It was a small town so we had to travel about 10 miles to find some little antique/craft shops. We had fun though. Then we went back to the little town and went to a few little stores there. Then we met Brooke and Bryan and all ate lunch together. It was a nice day (except for the funeral they had to attend). Bryan was a pall bearer and he wore Gary's suit that we bought when his best friend died and Gary was a pall bearer. The suit fit Bryan like it was made for him - it was a little spooky.

This is the last week of school, but I will be busy all through next week and part of the next. I hope to be finished up to take some time off by the 19th or 20th. I'm so fortunate to have a 2-3 weeks off at Christmas. I'm going to Houston this weekend. I have tickets to a basketball game on Saturday. Abi is going with me. We will have fun!

[DianaB]

Gayle, I know that you're busy with the ending of the semester but you'll be able to enjoy your time off with all of the Christmas things going on so much more without the stress of school!!

Your little trip with the girls sounds so nice! I love to go to little towns with their little antique shops. They're not as picked over and you feel like you can actually find a bargain. I'm sure the company you had made it even more fun!! I'm sure the girls are really growning!!

I know that it's hard on you with Gary gone but I think that you're doing a great job of getting out with friends and family. I'm sure that Christmas will be difficult but you'll have your family with you to help. Hugs.......

[gja1000]

Both of the girls and Brooke were sick yesterday with malaise and a low fever. Of course, I was with them all day on Saturday. I began to get a headache last night (I never have a headache!) and today I just felt "off". So I decided to work at home. I took a little nap and have gotten some things done. I feel al little better - don't really feel badly - just off and a little headachy!

[2tiredmom]

WOW. Alot going on with everyone. Congrats Diana on the Baby News. Hope you are feeling better today Gayle. I am off to work. Then on vacation so to speak the rest of the week. Cleaning and Christmas shopping. Have a great day Everyone.

[DianaB]

A little vacation with some shopping sounds so nice!! I'm not sure exactly what we're doing as far as gifts for Christmas so I haven't even given it a thought!

I haven't done much today because I've been online looking for curtains for Jaci's room. I found some I liked on e-Bay and someone bought some of them while I was deciding if I really liked them and now there's only one panel left. I just sent the seller a message to ask if she had any more. Bummer!!!

We have The Alley tonight so we'll be gone this evening for that. I get really tired of the kids acting up and my patience is gone as far as dealing with the ones acting up. There are other adults there but hardly anyone gets onto the kids. I've been sending them to the wall where there are chairs set up for those in trouble. A couple of weeks ago I had the whole back row over there!! The kids know that I mean what I say. I think that I'm very firm......but I'm also quick to give out hugs!

[Janet]

Nothing much has really been going on here except the same old stuff. I'm still missing my Mom, I really need her to talk to.

Ricky has been helping a guy work on a truck in the city where he works and last night he didn't come home. I didn't know until this morning when he texted me. I always go to bed early so don't always know if he comes home or not. I understand that he's older now and I don't mind, but what I do mind is he knows he has two dogs and two cats to take care of. So when he comes home this evening he will need to feed the cats and empty the litter box....neither has been done since Wednesday morning. I won't do it, they are not my responsibility and I refuse to have more dumped on me.

Also, since I go to bed early and Ricky wasn't home, Rick should have put the dogs in their crates for the night, but didn't. He left them in the kitchen and also left their mess for me to clean up this morning. It's not going to be a fun night...I'm telling him exactly what I think. I don't want a yelling match, but I'm sure it will end up that way.

Yesterday, he rec'd his bank statement in the mail. This afternoon, I was wondering what he does with his statements so I went looking for them. I found them hidden real good. After having to stretch to pay the bills, it seems he has over $2000 in his account. Such a f'n jerk!

I've sent out so many resumes. I have to keep my job for the insurance, but I've got to find a second job. I won't be able to support myself on a bus drivers salary. I do know I'm telling him to get himself on his own company insurance plan because I'm taking him off mine.

This is part of why I haven't been here. So negative all the time. It's not been easy....I feel dumped on and treated like crap...please keep me in your prayers.

[gja1000]

Janet is there any office work at your school or another school in town. My sister in law's husband left her suddenly many years ago. She didn't have any work experience at all and she was older but she was able to get work in the school office. She still works there. Do they use teacher aids in the schools? I know it's hard to find a job these days, but don't give up!

[DianaB]

So sorry, Janet. It sounds like they both need to be in trouble. Just make your point and don't get in a shouting match with Rick. It won't help your heath to get so upset at them.

We had play practice last night......just shoot me!!! Kids are so difficult to work with!! Most of them don't know their lines or their song and we're putting on the play the 16th!! The kids we have to work with are difficult kids that don't usually listen to anything. Last year we had a lot of older kids that were easy to work with but they are too old for children's church now.......and we really miss them!! Amy's family is taking a vacation to Branson this weekend so she'll be gone on Sunday for our next practice so I'll be doing it......UGH!!!!!! However.....I'm a little more strict than Amy is so maybe we'll get a good practice in.......I guess we'll see!!!

Today my goal is to move my roll top desk into Jaci's room from the office. I may have to take the top part off to get it in there because of the way that doors line up. I'm so fustrated at Glen with his attitude lately that I'm not asking for his help........so if you hear of my death.......you'll know that I died moving that stupid desk!!!! I'll be taking the drawers and everything I can off of it to make it lighter and I have some of those sliders to help move.......and I love them!! It will probably have to be turned up on end to get through the doorways!! If you're coming this way I could use some extra muscle!!!

[DianaB]

Ok......I'm still alive but the desk is still in the office!! I moved it somewhat out from the wall.....whew!! That thing is HEAVY!! I was taking the top off when Glen came home and he measured and it will barely fit through the door into Jaci's room so......we're not sure what to do with it!! Personally I think that we should sell it because it takes up soooo much room (I should mention that it's a roll top desk but it's not old) Glen's going to decided if he would rather use it than the desk that he has so I guess that it's going to sit right where it is until he decides......right smack dab in the middle of the office!!!

Now.....I have all the "stuff" that was in and on it to go through and figure out what to do with it all!!! UGH!!!

[gja1000]

I feel your pain Diana. I hate to move furniture, even to vacuum behind or under. I especially hate to move furniture from room to room. Since we moved a couple of years ago, I've had to get rid of so much stuff. That's good, but such a lot of work.

[gja1000]

I'm in Houston this weekend. The Texas women's (and men's) basketball teams are playing UCLA at Reliant stadium. That a football stadium where the NFL team the Texans play. It should be interesting to see how they reconfigure it for basketball. Abi is going with me. Thank goodness she is off crutches so I won't have to push her in a wheelchair. I'm excited to see the professional stadium. I've only been to one other NFL stadium and it was 37 years ago!!!!

[Janet]

I love moving furniture and making a room look different or just plain arranging furniture. I always wanted a roll top desk but it just wasn't mention to be. Now I'm using Mom's computer desk. I like it though so I'm not complaining.

Today I didn't do anything but sleep. I did do a load of laundry, but that's really about it. I was either sleeping on the couch since the guys were gone or dozing in the chair. Must've needed the rest. It's such a cold drizzly day....good for sleeping. Hope I can sleep some tonight.

[Blueyes]

Hi Everybody!! Sorry I haven't posted in a while, but I've been keeping up.

Mike and I are leaving tomorrow for Paris. We get to stay a little over 3 weeks, and come back Jan. 5th!! The kids are so excited, and so are we! For the last 2 years Mike and I have had Christmas dinner at a Chinese restaurant by ourselves, so it will be wonderful to be with Michael, Rachel, Mikey, Caleb and Raelyn. I just wish Dustin and Joy could go too, but that didn't work out.

We plan on going to Disneyland Paris one day. It's just 45 minutes from where they live. They were able to buy a van a few weeks ago, so we won't have to take a bus or train everywhere we go. I'm thrilled about that! Mike has always wanted to go to the beaches at Normandy, so he and Michael are going to spend 2 days there.

I can't believe we're having Christmas in Paris. My boys moving away has really forced me to broaden my horizons, lol! And packing is such a pain in the neck:rolleyes: I have 3 big suitcases, 2 carry on bags, and a full backpack. Of course they are full of Christmas presents and the things that they wanted me to bring. From Oatmeal Creme Pies to OTC medicines, lol! It will be a miracle if we get through customs with all this crap, lolol!!!

[Gina]

How exciting Betsi ! Have a safe trip and enjoy the time with your beautiful family . Merry Christmas and a Healthy and Happy New Year ! Take lots of pictures.

[DianaB]

Oh Betsi.....I'm soooo jealous!! That sounds like such a wonderful Christmas.......first with your family......and second......in PARIS!!! I know that you're going to have a wonderful time!! Take lots of pictures!!

I think that Glen's decided that he's going to see if the roll top desk will work for him. It takes up more room than what he has now so I guess we'll see. If it doesn't work then we'll probably sell it. It's just so big and takes up so much room.

I FINALLY found some curtains for our "new" room!! I'm so excited for them to come. I ended up going in a totally different direction with them than what I originally thought that I wanted. I now know what throw pillows I want and the direction that I'm decorating the rest of the room!! I'll get some pictures when I get everything together so I'm not telling details!!

How's everyone's Christmas decorating going? I haven't even started yet and I don't know when I'm going to even start!! Hopefully soon!!

Our school has a huge Christmas pageant every year with all of the grades involved over 2nd grade and it's tonight. Daya is an angel.....which is a priviledge to get! The twins are Readers.....where they read parts from the Bible. I forgot to mention that the pageant is based on Jesus' birth. And it's tonight so Glen and I will be going to that.

Tomorrow night we have a Christmas party at our Pastor's house with others from the church. Nothing on Friday unless it's keeping Karlie and Dean. Dae Lynn and Damon may go to Wichita to shop. Then on Saturday I have to go to play practice and then we have Kera's boyfriend, Jordan, spending the night after the Christmas dance at school. Whew!!! THEN on Sunday we're going to Feyn's church to watch his kids in their Christmas play......then on Sunday evening we put on the Christmas play with our kids!! So if I'm not on here much you'll know why!!! I'm looking forward to January!!!!

[gja1000]

Hi everyone, sorry I've been absent. Busy week finishing up at school for the semester.

Oh Betsi, I know you'll be so happy to see your kids! I may get to go to Paris this summer. A friend and I are talking about going to Europe this summer. It's not definite yet, but maybe!

Diana, SO MANY CHRISTMAS PLAYS!!! Lol! I know you'll have fun!

My two closest girlfriends and I went out to dinner tonight and exchanged our Christmas gifts. We always have a good time.

I'm almost done with shopping, just need a few more stocking stuffers and I'll b done. Yay!

[judy]

How wonderful Betsi! This sounds like a really fun vacation, and, of course, you will see the family! Good luck packing, and take lots of pix!!!! I want to see the grandkids!

Mine still don't know what they want for Christmas! At this point, they are getting money because I think that it is too late to buy them anything. There is no shopping here, and I doubt if I will get anything I order online in time. I do have to pick up small gifts for them, but that is pretty easy. Hair and nail stuff for the girls, candy for Brandon, and they are all available at the dollar store.

I made my own Christmas cards, and will print them out this weekend. I have a lot of cash gifts to give. I enjoy gifting the people who are so helpful all year, like the guy who collects the garbage, my hair dresser, the maintenance people here, etc.

Janet, I am sorry you are having such a difficult time. I always keep you in my prayers.

[Janet]

Appreciate the prayers Judy, more than you know. I'm okay...I'm one tough old lady for sure, until something like the tragedy in Conn. happens. I cried all morning for those babies and all affected.

[judy]

Sometimes there are no words....only tears.