What Did You Do Today?

[Janet]

I love having more daylight of an evening too and wish it would just stay this way too. Today I picked up our taxes...just have to have Rick sign them and take them back tomorrow. We get a bit of a refund so I hope it's enough to pay the property taxes...lol. One of these days.....when I hit the lottery of course......I'm going to pay everything off and then rent us a place to have a great get-together...lol.

I also went and had the pre-op done for my carpal tunnel surgery on Monday the 21st. I'm glad it's finally here...so tired of having numb hands. I'm only having the left hand done this time so I won't be completely helpless.. :) I'll have the other one done when school is out if not sooner.

[paula1961]

Janet..hope your surgery goes well! Good thinking only having it done on one hand at a time. My sister had it done on both and she couldn't do anything for herself!

[DianaB]

I just know that you're going to like having your surgery done so you won't have numbness anymore!! I'm sorry that you have to have surgery though!


I had Dean today!!! He's such a cutie!! He's shrugging his shoulders so now when you ask him a question he'll give you a shrug!!! He also has learned to nod his head up and down.....but it takes a lot of thought on his part to do it!!! I just love watching him learn new things!!! It's so hard to believe that he's one already!!!

[paula1961]

I just know that you're going to like having your surgery done so you won't have numbness anymore!! I'm sorry that you have to have surgery though!


I had Dean today!!! He's such a cutie!! He's shrugging his shoulders so now when you ask him a question he'll give you a shrug!!! He also has learned to nod his head up and down.....but it takes a lot of thought on his part to do it!!! I just love watching him learn new things!!! It's so hard to believe that he's one already!!!

I know what you mean Diana! Ryan will be one tomorrow! Seems like he was born such a short time ago. Birthday party on Saturday! Can't wait!!

[gja1000]

I took Abi to Forever 21 this afternoon. We shopped till we dropped. She tried on so many things and she got some really cute things. It's fun to shop with her.

[Janet]

Mom decided to driver herself to her house....so I spoke with Diana on the phone, went to an auction, but they didn't have anything I was interested in, went to a place to look at mattresses...way to high in price and then went to Subway for lunch. Called my friend of over 35 years and cried like a baby....just had a mental breakdown I guess, but I knew I would once I heard her voice. Then came home and rearranged the living room furniture, did some laundry, swept the floor and then relaxed the rest of the evening.

Today is gonna suck I can tell already....Mom is having loose stools again...time for the diaper. She has been doing wonderful for the last 3 days and getting so much stronger. I had really hoped she would be able to go home...she was hoping so too. She was off the Vancomycin for a couple days and most likely the C-diff isn't completely gone yet. This happens everytime they take her off the medicine. They even taper it off and it just comes back. Looks like another med she'll be on the rest of her life.....that and the diapers.

So...off to start my 'fun' day.

[gja1000]

I had several calls to make today so after I took Abi to school I came home to do my calling. I had to make the boys an appointment to get them groomed. I bathe them, but don't clip them. Then I had to call the lawn people, our lawn is in pretty bad shape and I need to have it aerated and compost put down. I just don't feel like doing that because it is a tremendous amount of raking to get the compost spread all over the yard. Then I had to call the security system people. We've never had a security system, but we got a really good deal on one and since we are gone for several weeks in the summer, we thought it might be a good idea to have one. Well, I had the garage door replaced week before last and the sensor on that door was reading open - when the door was closed. I called the security company and they solved the problem over the phone, pretty nifty! Last, I had to call for a doctors appointment for Gary. WHEW! I'm ready to go to work and get some rest. LOL!

[Lindsey]

I had several calls to make today so after I took Abi to school I came home to do my calling. I had to make the boys an appointment to get them groomed. I bathe them, but don't clip them. Then I had to call the lawn people, our lawn is in pretty bad shape and I need to have it aerated and compost put down. I just don't feel like doing that because it is a tremendous amount of raking to get the compost spread all over the yard. Then I had to call the security system people. We've never had a security system, but we got a really good deal on one and since we are gone for several weeks in the summer, we thought it might be a good idea to have one. Well, I had the garage door replaced week before last and the sensor on that door was reading open - when the door was closed. I called the security company and they solved the problem over the phone, pretty nifty! Last, I had to call for a doctors appointment for Gary. WHEW! I'm ready to go to work and get some rest. LOL!

Lol, I wish I could say that! I would rather be running around all day I think. I worked until midnight last night at home. Scott and Layla were already fast asleep and I knew I wouldn't wake up easily this morning so I jumped into the shower, half-dried my hair and put it in buns for waves this morning, got ready for bed and fell asleep around 12:45. My alarm went off at 5:45 but I let myself sleep until 6:20. I got up and came to work only to find out I didn't actually FINISH the job last night, there is way more work this morning that needs to be done before this afternoon's meeting :( Right now I'm working through my lunch break and I feel like a stress bomb. I have gotten emails about other jobs too, and since they're already a few days late (and I haven't even started) I will be working all night again to have them done for tomorrow morning.

I am just so sick of work. Ugh.

But on a positive note, Layla's rehab vet just called me to ask a favor. We haven't taken Layla to rehab in a long time because we can't afford to buy a new package with our upcoming trip. But right now, her vet has a group of students to teach and there aren't any good "back" dogs in the hospital right now. She asked if Layla can come play with them for a day :D The vet med students get to learn, we get a free rehab session, and Layla gets a day away from the office. Win, win, win!

[DianaB]

Lindsey, you definitely sound overworked!!!

How cool that Layla gets to go back for another session!! I'm sure the students will just fall in love with her!!!


I had Dean and Karlie this morning while Dae Lynn went and cleaned at the church. Dean is sooo grouchy....especially when Dae Lynn is here. I keep blaming it on teeth!! He hasn't handled getting any of his teeth well so it's a good guess.

I'm also trying to get my bedroom rearranged.....it hasn't been done for so long and it's so dirty under everything. Yuck!!! I'm excited to get it done though!!!

[gja1000]

I came back to the lake on Friday where Gary is staying, to spend the weekend with him. We went to the county fair yesterday and had a fun time. We watched the pig judging and we looked at all the livestock, sheep, cattle, chickens, rabbits, etc. Then we looked at all the crafts and arts building. We ate a corn dog, and then walked down the midway of the fair.

Then we left and went into town to get some tomato plants. I've got to get mine in the ground!

Now it's Sunday and Gary is still in bed and I'm enjoying some quiet time surfing the net.

[Janet]

I slept a little later this morning and then headed over to see Mom in the hospital. She still doesn't look like I think she should look, but they are considering releasing her tomorrow. Not a good thing because I didn't know this and hadn't talked with any of the nursing homes yet. So first thing I do tomorrow after the route is make some phone calls.

Came home for a bit...did some odds and ends and then the 3 of us went to look for mattress sets. I told my husband I just can't stand the snoring and wasn't going to. So I found a wonderful full size mattress for me and I will be moving the old queen size bed and him into the other room..FINALLY!!! I'll have to move the dogs and their crates out of that room and into the living room until it gets warmer at night....then 3 of them are going to the garage. Two in the house will be enough. I'll also have to clean the carpet, but I know Ricky will help me move things because of my wrist.

Tomorrow....back to the bus route.

[Lindsey]

I had a pretty good weekend! On Saturday, we headed to another town with a lingerie/underwear store that Scott had bought me a Groupon for. It was unlike any bra shopping I'd every done before. I had to first go to the front and fill out a card and get measured, and then go into a room with an assistant who gave me things to try on. I didn't actually shop, I told her what I wanted and she went out and got it for me. It was definitely different! It also turns out I've been wearing the wrong bra size for years :eek: And just my luck, I have a specialty size that isn't sold in normal stores :rolleyes: But now that I have the right size, it's amazing the difference it makes!

After that adventure, we went grocery shopping and drove home on icy roads :( Scott decided not to go back in to visit his friends that evening, so we relaxed at home. We turned off our lights at 8:30 for earth hour, lit a couple of candles in the living room, and laid down on the couch together. I woke up at 11:00. Oops! So I went straight up to bed.

Sunday morning we went to church for the first time in a couple of months, and found out that the old lady who lives in the home across the street, has been in the hospital for a month. She had one of her legs amputated :( She is diabetic and circulation got bad and some infection set in on her lower leg. I don't think she will be returning to that home, and will probably be at a nursing home now with constant care. Scott and I will find out where she is exactly, and send her some flowers. I feel bad for not knowing before this :(

Anyways, when we got home from church, I started making some home made soup from a leftover pork roast, and Scott worked on his own project :rolleyes: He wanted to just replace the caulking around the bottom of the shower because it looked bad, but when I went up a couple of hours later, the whole shower was taken apart and laying in pieces in the hallway, because he found a leak. After about 6 hours he had it all put back together. This morning, it is leaking from the other side.

[DianaB]

Janet, you've always talked about moving Rick into his own room......I can't believe that you're actually getting it done!!! Did you have any trouble convincing him to do it?

Have you found a nursing home yet? What has your Mom said about that? I'm not surprised that she needs care because of the problems she's been having.


Lindsey, I've heard of others who have found out that they've been wearing the wrong bra size. I probably should go and be fitted some day too.

I sure that your neighbor would love some flowers and a visit!!! Especially if you keep coming once in a while to visit her.

:sidesplit: The bathroom repairs sound just like what we go through here!!!! Glen is not the best when it comes to home repairs..........but mechanical stuff.......he's great at!!!!

This moring I had Dean. He's been so whiny lately. Dae Lynn says that it's about to drive her crazy. We've tried to excuse it for some time.....saying that it's his teeth but I think that it turning into the fact that he's just whiny!!!! He did take a good nap for me....which is always nice!! Dae came and got him at noon. I haven't done much else since then.

We went to Wichita yesterday for Mom's heart cath but I'll post about that on another thread.

[Janet]

I'm finally done getting everything rearranged. I slept last night on my new mattress and slept like a baby. I'm looking forward to going to sleep tonight too....LOL Didn't have to convince him....just did it! We did talk about it later last night and both know that if this doesn't help at least let us be more civil then we've agreed to divorce. We both know at this time we can't afford to live on our own so this will arrangement will have to do for now.

Today I've been cleaning some, but needed to rest my wrist. I get the stitches out on Friday, but it still aches if I do too much. So I'm trying to do as instructed by the Dr.

[DianaB]

You need to take care of your wrist!! Don't over do!!

It sounds like everything went pretty well with Rick. I know that you have your problems but I just hate to hear you talk about divorce. :(

[Janet]

I know Sweetie and thanks for caring. Not all things are meant to be forever...except for God's love.

[gja1000]

Janet, where's your mom? I'm glad to hear that the sleeping arrangement is working out well.

[gja1000]

I just watched Tangled, the new Disney movie about Rampunzel. It's really a sweet movie, I really enjoyed it. Emma never stopped talking though. LOL! She had already watched it and she was telling me everything before it happened.

[DianaB]

Our church is showing Tangled tomorrow night at the youth center and I'm suppose to go and help. It looks like a really cute movie. How nice that you had "personal narration"!!!!!

I have Dean this morning. I don't know if I stepped on him or what he was playing with......but I fell FLAT. I hurt all over so I'm just going to lick my wounds for awhile. Dean didn't cry much so I really don't think that I stepped on him. It scared me that I had hurt him.......but instead I hurt myself.

It's been rainy here for days.......I'm ready for some warm, sun-shiney weather for a change!!!!

[Janet]

That movie's commercial looks so cute...I would love to see it too.

[gja1000]

We got home from the lake about 1:30 today. I am so glad to be home. Gary was ready to come home too, he is really tired. Abigail helped me unload the trailer but I still need to sweep and clean up a bit. But the major stuff is done. We will be leaving next month to go to Akansas so I will leave the trailer partially stocked.

[Janet]

You are quite the traveler Gayle! Your life sounds so much more interesting than mine.

Today I bahedq and groomed 5 dogs, my mother and myself, so it's been a wet day...lol. I did take some time to myself and had a nice relaxing bath and shaped my nails, and then my younger brother , his wife and daughter came over. Sure wish he'd leave his wife at home. So, I guess I'll try and put some polish on tomorrow. Ala in all, it was a good day...now I'm settled in my OWN bed and watching Real Housewives of Orange County.

[gja1000]

LOL Janet, I wish my life would slow DOWN! Thankfully, I'll be home this coming weekend, then I may have to go to Dallas with my daughter for a volleyball tourney, but hopefully, her hubby will be able to go and I won't have to. Then we are going to Houston, probably the first weekend in May. Other than that, I'm staying HOME till we leave to go to Arkansas.

[DianaB]

I got to see Tangled on Friday night and it is soooo cute!! Of course, the music was fantastic as all Disney movies are!!! I always love the songs and how they're sung!!!

Saturday I swept and mopped my floors which is saying quite a lot!!! They had gotten so dirty that I was ashamed to have Dean on the floor.....even if he is walking!! It looks so much better!!!

Today we went out to eat with some friends after church then we went to Glen's cousin's house out on the lake. She and her husband both passed away fairly recently and we had talked to her daughter, Glen's cousin, about getting some old family pictures. While we were there we checked out the house, shop, and yard to make sure that everything was alright. Glen's cousin is trying to sell it all but I think that she's had it priced too high for the shape it's in.

Then we came home and hurried around for Care Group. We joined a group on marriage so it's been pretty interesting and tonight we had some great discussion.

We got home a while ago and lightening was everywhere!!! We're in a severe storm watch with the possibility of hail. We had a little bit but not much.....Thank goodness!!!

[Janet]

Can you all tell in my last post that I was using my IPad? LOL. Takes some getting use to.

[gja1000]

Can you all tell in my last post that I was using my IPad? LOL. Takes some getting use to.

Yes, I knew that cuz the auto correct makes me say some silly things sometimes! :p

[DianaB]

I wondered why you had this word in your post......"bahedq"!!! :sidesplit:

[gja1000]

I came home from school early today. We had someone mow the yard, aerate it and spread compost. Of course, they didn't order enough compost so they have to get some more and spread it tomorrow (hopefully). I needed to water the yard, and help Gary with a couple of projects that he is working on - so I just came home early. That is a perk of working at a University - you can do your work at home or school, so if you need to be home during the day, you can be.

Brooke and Emma came in today from Houston. Abi has been here with me since Sunday. This is her last week in school here and then she is going to transfer to Houston starting next week. I'm ready for my house to be quiet in back in order - but I sure will miss having them all here.

[Lindsey]

Yes, I knew that cuz the auto correct makes me say some silly things sometimes! :p

Lol have you ever read the website, damnyouautocorrect.com? Sometimes when I'm bored I read through it and I can't stop giggling. I love this one: http://damnyouautocorrect.com/1120/the-big-d/ Hahaha the poor kid. Some of the conversations are a little out there :rolleyes: but I still can't stop laughing.

[Janet]

Today I came home from my bus route to find my son a little upset. The male dogs...Joey and Ozzie sleep with him in his room. Well....Joey had diarrhea. Not a lot in one spot mind you, but dots of poo every where. So I had to shampoo his bedroom carpet. It wasn't in my plans and I was upset too. I told him no more.....the dogs sleep in their crates.

Sure wish I could afford to build a small kennel out back like Lynne has. Hers is really nice. I'd have the dogs out there most of the time and just bring in a couple at a time and definitely not overnight.

Then I got on the computer for a bit, but not for very long. I think tonight I'm going to go to bed early....towards the end of my route I'm getting so sleepy...not sure what is going on with that. I feel like I'm getting a restful sleep and feel wide awake with I leave on my route. Someone told be to be checked for diabetes. I thought I did once, they took some blood and said it was fine, but my friend said I needed to fast and then have another blood draw a couple hours later. I guess I really wasn't tested. Hopefully I'll have time to get that done.

[Janet]

Lol have you ever read the website, damnyouautocorrect.com? Sometimes when I'm bored I read through it and I can't stop giggling. I love this one: http://damnyouautocorrect.com/1120/the-big-d/ Hahaha the poor kid. Some of the conversations are a little out there :rolleyes: but I still can't stop laughing.

Wow....they have websites for darn near anything don't they???? LOLOL I read through some of them....some were really funny others I just didn't get.....lol

[DianaB]

Lindsey, it took me a little while before I got it!!! Very funny!!!!


Gayle, that's nice that you have the option to work at school or home. That way you can get a lot more done!!

I know that you're really probably having mixed feelings about the kids leaving. The quiet house will be nice for awhile then you'll be ready to have them back!! We just can't seem to decide if we want things quiet and picked up........or have the kids home and deal with the mess......I think that we like a little of both!!!

[gja1000]

Well, my kids left for Houston on Friday so it has been mighty quiet around the old homestead this weekend. Gary is not feeling very well, so that is good for him. I miss them, but not all the hustle and bustle.

Gary is having trouble with his blood pressure, it's running way too low so he is dizzy and weak. I guess I'll call his heart doctor tomorrow for an appointment.

I developed a sore throat and body aches yesterday. I didn't feel very good at all (and still don't). But some Coriciden cold medicine and Advil seemed to perk me up.

Yesterday Gary and I took the boat to the shop. It runs fine but the engine wants to die when it idles. He and his uncle worked on it at the lake, and it ran better, but not completely fixed, so it went to the shop. Hope it doesn't cost too much! :(

Then we went to the garden center and I got some compost tea. This is like compost, except it is liquid and sprayed on the yard. Our yard at the new house is in pretty bad shape so we had compost spread over most of the yard - but not all as some areas are in better shape and my yard is big now and compost/spreading is a little pricey. It had to be done though. I thought I'd use the liquid compost tea for the areas that didn't get any compost. It will have to be applied again in a month, but that is OK, it's not expensive and pretty easy to apply with a hose end sprayer.

Our new John Deere lawn tractor was delivered yesterday afternoon, so I had to play with it a little bit. We didn't do any mowing but we hooked up the little trailer and hauled some things to the shed at the back of the yard that Gary brought home from the lake and were still in the back of his pickup. It is really going to be nice for hauling heavy items back to the shop or shed. We can drive back there, but I really don't like to be driving on the grass, especially in summer. Gary is just not able to carry heavy things all the way back there. I could carry some things, but not the heavy things. So we are really going to enjoy the little trailer, I think. We buy bird seed by the 40 lb. bag and we can use the trailer to haul it around to the back of the house. I forgot to have Gary take a picture of me on my John Deere, but I have to spread some fertilizer tomorrow and I'll try to remember.

I was sitting outside yesterday watching the birds and two male cardinals were fighting. They would sit on the ground and have a "stare off" and then fly at each other in a flurry about 2 feet off the ground, then land and do it over again. It was pretty funny to watch.

Well, mom and I are going over to our old house in Austin to go through some of her summer clothes. She doesn't have as much closet space as she used to have so we will have to weed out some things. We need to get going on the Austin house to get it rented or put on the market to sell. We've just had too many irons in the fire this winter/spring. With the kids gone now, maybe we can get some things done. If only Gary and I could get well, LOL, we'll be fine in a few days, hopefully! :)

[Janet]

I put a text out last night to my brothers to see if one of them would be interested in taking Mom for a drive or out to eat. My younger brother texted that he had a fever and a headache....hmmmm...maybe. I didn't hear from my older brother till this morning. They went out to eat and thought they'd come get Mom on Tuesday. That's fine....but I would like a weekend too.

So Rick and I, Ricky and Mom went to Pepe's. It was so good and the beer was so cold. Wish I could have drank more than the two I had...but I was full. It was just before 8 when we got home.

Today I raked the yard and Ricky picked up the piles while Rick burned the debris. Ricky also rolled the yard and it looks so nice. I did mow half the yard, but it doesn't really look like the other side needs it yet. Our willow tree has it's leaves out now and it's such a pretty color green. The other trees have the buds pretty much broken, so I expect by next week...we'll see some leaves there too.

It's such a beautiful day and the temps in the 80"s....so wonderful!

[lynne b]

Well Sundays is usually my day to take mom shopping and out to lunch, but she really didn't need anything since my daughter had taken her on Thursday after a Dr app.
I did go in and picked mom up and i also took Nik with me, he will be leaving in 2 weeks to go to my breeder who is going to attempt to show him for me. I needed to get Nik out and use to strange noise's and people and different situations, so we went to Home Depot (I am still looking for tile for my back splash) and Rural King and then we stopped at the park to eat some lunch and then after i dropped mom off i took him to another park and of course no dogs were allowed but i walked him alittle bit anyways, he had already pooped in Rural King so no worries there LOL. Then i asked a few people to come up and pet him and he did very well. This is one reason i am having someone else show him, I just do not have the time to do what is nessasary for it, for the past 2 months it's all i have gotten done is working with him just to get him ready to go, on top of working OT.
Tomorrow if the weather permits i will take him to a 4-H obedience class just to let him be around other dogs. This is suppose to be a fun hobby but right now it is feeling like a second job, but i am hopeing the pay off is a good one, that Nik makes it in the ring and becomes my first show dog, if not i will retire for a few more years till i can devote more time to it myself. Now Nik and i are both pooped LOL

[gja1000]

Hey Lynne, I'm going to be picking out some tile for the backsplash in my kitchen too. What kind are you looking for? I need some suggestions.

[lynne b]

Hey Lynne, I'm going to be picking out some tile for the backsplash in my kitchen too. What kind are you looking for? I need some suggestions.

I am looking for something simple, I matched my paint (just a slightly off white) to the tile i want to use, and i just want a little color scattered in the tile. They have the little medallion colors that you can buy but i just am not sure thats the way i want to go.

I have looked on line at like decals you can put on tile, something kitcheny, the also have full portriats you can buy and on your back splash but they are very pricey. I am also just not sure how the decals would hold up to cleaning, weather they would scratch off or pucker up after getting them wet over time. Though i have thought of spraying a laucgher (sp) on them to seal it.

I am in no hurry, it's painted right now in a flat paint where as the rest is semi gloss, had to use flat so the mortar stuff would stick better but it's not that notciable. I will know it when i find what i am looking for.

Have had some sales people tell us we would have to put up new backer board in order for the wall to handel the weight of the tiles, and mortar stuff that holds the tiles in place.
Let me know what you find out about that, it's not a very big area i am doing, why can't anything just be simple.

[gja1000]

Let me know what you find out about that, it's not a very big area i am doing, why can't anything just be simple.

My daughter put this tile in her kitchen backsplash and I really liked it so I may go with something like this. http://www.flooranddecoroutlets.com/s32100177.html I have A LOT of backsplash to do and right now there is formica all the way up to the cabinets, so I'm sure I will have to have something built there to hold the tile - LOL - not sure what though. I like that this tile is cheap - I think there is some for like twenty cents a tile - now THAT'S my price! LOL! I too would like a different color every now and then - but not sure what color!

[Lindsey]

Yesterday was exactly one year since we moved into our house! Instead of the blizzard we had last year on moving day, we had a beautiful, warm, sunshiney day! Both Saturday and Sunday we shovelled the snow drifts in the yard to be out in the sunny areas to melt faster. Yesterday I took our patio furniture out of the shed and put it back on the deck. I even put my laundry outside to dry :) We opened the windows for the first time since last year and let the fresh air flow through the house! It was great! Tomorrow is supposed to get cold again, just barely above freezing :( At least we had spring for a little while.

Last night Scott and I were talking about how a year ago, we would have been setting up a mattress to sleep on in the spare room, and how we were so excited to wake up in the morning to see that Layla had made her way downstairs overnight to pee on her pad. We didn't know that two weeks later our lives and her life would change so drastically :( But we have made it through a year now. We were worried about house payments to begin with, but we've managed to get through it, put our dog through spinal surgery and rehab, and save enough to go to Europe. We don't have to worry anymore. And if we could make it through this past year together, I think we can make it through our whole lives together :)

[DianaB]

Our women's group at church planned a shopping trip to KC on Saturday. It ended up that only 4 of us went but we had a great time. We went to a shopping center that was set up like a small down town area instead of a mall. It was a lot of walking and lots of people but we had fun!! I got some new clothes for myself and some clothes for Dean and Little Karlie. It's so hard to break the habit of buying for someone else and I love to get for the kids!! We ate at a Cajun restaurant for lunch and had dessert at an Italian place!!! Yummmm...... The other three girls that went are good friends so we had a good time!!

[lynne b]

My daughter put this tile in her kitchen backsplash and I really liked it so I may go with something like this. http://www.flooranddecoroutlets.com/s32100177.html I have A LOT of backsplash to do and right now there is formica all the way up to the cabinets, so I'm sure I will have to have something built there to hold the tile - LOL - not sure what though. I like that this tile is cheap - I think there is some for like twenty cents a tile - now THAT'S my price! LOL! I too would like a different color every now and then - but not sure what color!

is the travertine hard to clean? i will be putting it up behind my stove and i was afraid that would be hard to clean if grease popped on to it. and my hubby is such a slob with his coffee, he gets it everywhere on the counter and wall, i have to be able to clean it off, thats why i was more interested in the ceramic.

[gja1000]

I don't think so, cuz my daughter had it up on the backsplash and it did not get dirty.

[gja1000]

OMG! My kitchen looks like a war zone. :eek:

First I was going to fix pork chops for dinner - then we found the waffle iron when we were rearranging the garage, so we decided to make waffles. Well, the flour in the pantry IN A PLASTIC BAG, had weevils, so I got the flour out of the trailer which was weevil free. Homemade waffles (the recipe that I use) require beaten egg whites, so that means more dirty pans. Then I heat the waffle iron, grease it and cook a waffle. OMG! the waffle stuck to both the top and the bottom of the iron - I have stuck on waffle on BOTH SIDES!

Oh, before the waffles, I cooked some bacon in a bacon fryer skillet with a heavy glass square that sits on the bacon to keep it flat, that Brooke gave me. On the second batch of bacon, the grease started bubbling out all over the stove!!!

OK, now we are having pancakes since the waffle iron is a mess and I can't get it cleaned up till it cools off. So I heat up the pan for the pancakes, but it gets too hot and the house is full of smoke. The first pancake is kinda burned, but I like it that way, so OK, I'll eat it. Now, I'm being real careful to not get the second pancake too brown, so when I turn it over, the top is still goopy and it slings all over the stove.

I QUIT! :D

[lynne b]

I don't think so, cuz my daughter had it up on the backsplash and it did not get dirty.

it just seemed more porace(sp), like it would soak in the grease, not that i am a sloppy cook or anything but sometimes things just pop and splatter like bacon.
I did find a border on that sight that i liked, but would rather have the picture on a full tile and not as a border.

[lynne b]

OMG! My kitchen looks like a war zone. :eek:

First I was going to fix pork chops for dinner - then we found the waffle iron when we were rearranging the garage, so we decided to make waffles. Well, the flour in the pantry IN A PLASTIC BAG, had weevils, so I got the flour out of the trailer which was weevil free. Homemade waffles (the recipe that I use) require beaten egg whites, so that means more dirty pans. Then I heat the waffle iron, grease it and cook a waffle. OMG! the waffle stuck to both the top and the bottom of the iron - I have stuck on waffle on BOTH SIDES!

Oh, before the waffles, I cooked some bacon in a bacon fryer skillet with a heavy glass square that sits on the bacon to keep it flat, that Brooke gave me. On the second batch of bacon, the grease started bubbling out all over the stove!!!

OK, now we are having pancakes since the waffle iron is a mess and I can't get it cleaned up till it cools off. So I heat up the pan for the pancakes, but it gets too hot and the house is full of smoke. The first pancake is kinda burned, but I like it that way, so OK, I'll eat it. Now, I'm being real careful to not get the second pancake too brown, so when I turn it over, the top is still goopy and it slings all over the stove.

I QUIT! :D

yeah thats what i'm talkin bout!!!! a sloppy cook LOL!!!!! I hope you do enjoy your meal, I love breakfast for supper, had bacon and eggs just last night.

[gja1000]

is the travertine hard to clean? i will be putting it up behind my stove and i was afraid that would be hard to clean if grease popped on to it. and my hubby is such a slob with his coffee, he gets it everywhere on the counter and wall, i have to be able to clean it off, thats why i was more interested in the ceramic.


WHOOPS! I was wrong, it is tumbled limestone! I just talked to my daughter who was laughing hysterically about my kitchen mis-adventures this evening. She said it was eighteen cents a 4 inch tile. It does have holes and uneven areas that even out some when they grout it. They sealed it really well and she cooks every day, and it looked great.

[Janet]

So far...haven't done much except for laundry and cleaned the kitchen. I'm trying to update my IPad, but it's not letting me for some reason. I have version 4.3 and it wants to update to 4.3.1 and it says something about being 'timed out'. So I guess I'll have to figure out what to do next. I did talk to the guy at the phone company who I have my DSL with, but his suggestion didn't work out.

Mom is going to my older brothers house for supper and won't be home until 7 or so. By the time she gets home it will be time to get ready to hook up for her dialysis.

[gja1000]

I'm glad you had a little time away from mom today!

Well, I made baked pork chops, buttered corn, and rolls for dinner without one bit of smoke or slopping anything across the kitchen. :D That's progress!

[Janet]

I really wish I liked cooking instead of feeling like it's a chore. Maybe if I could just get someone else to clean up the mess.....what am I thinking...must be dreaming again...lol

[gja1000]

I really wish I liked cooking instead of feeling like it's a chore. Maybe if I could just get someone else to clean up the mess.....what am I thinking...must be dreaming again...lol

Janet, I would enjoy cooking more if I didn't have to clean up the mess too. I hate cleaning up the kitchen. Gary would do it, but I just don't want to ask him and he doesn't offer, so I do it. It's not so much though, with just the two of us. We go out to eat or just have sandwiches or pancakes sometimes too. I'm tired when I come home and really don't feel like cooking. I'm lucky though, Gary is not picky at all, if I don't feel like cooking, it's OK, if I want to go out, it's OK with him too. Couldn't ask for much more - except maybe cleaning up the dishes after I DO decide to cook. LOL! :p

[judy]

I'm starting my diet today. I'm having my coffee with 1/2 and equal and a tsp of half and half. Not terrible. Then I have their scrambled eggs. I hear that frying them up makes them taste better, but I want to try them microwaved first. Morning snack is a shake, lunch is soup, afternoon snack is a bar, (no, not going to a bar...), dinner will be turkey burgers, spinach, asparagus and mushrooms, and PM snack is a shake I think.

I have to add some fats, so I am opting for 5 black olives today. I'm not too sure what else needs to be done. I'll learn as I go along.

So...wish me luck! I weigh in at 150.5 lbs this morning.

[DianaB]

OMG! My kitchen looks like a war zone. :eek:

First I was going to fix pork chops for dinner - then we found the waffle iron when we were rearranging the garage, so we decided to make waffles. Well, the flour in the pantry IN A PLASTIC BAG, had weevils, so I got the flour out of the trailer which was weevil free. Homemade waffles (the recipe that I use) require beaten egg whites, so that means more dirty pans. Then I heat the waffle iron, grease it and cook a waffle. OMG! the waffle stuck to both the top and the bottom of the iron - I have stuck on waffle on BOTH SIDES!

Oh, before the waffles, I cooked some bacon in a bacon fryer skillet with a heavy glass square that sits on the bacon to keep it flat, that Brooke gave me. On the second batch of bacon, the grease started bubbling out all over the stove!!!

OK, now we are having pancakes since the waffle iron is a mess and I can't get it cleaned up till it cools off. So I heat up the pan for the pancakes, but it gets too hot and the house is full of smoke. The first pancake is kinda burned, but I like it that way, so OK, I'll eat it. Now, I'm being real careful to not get the second pancake too brown, so when I turn it over, the top is still goopy and it slings all over the stove.

I QUIT! :D

:sidesplit: And I thought that I was the only one who had days like this!!!!!


Good luck, Judy, on your new diet!! What you have to eat sounds pretty good!! You'll have to keep us posted on how it's going!!

[Janet]

Good luck Judy on your diet Judy. Sure wish I weighed 150 lbs....

[Lindsey]

Let us know how your new diet works out Judy! I want to lose some weight too but I just don't think I could cut down my food :( I really need to exercise more!

Last night after work, Scott and I drove to a sketchy neighborhood to pick up a sewing machine I found in online classifieds for $25 :) I made Scott come to the door with me, and a tall, skinny lady with missing front teeth answered. The overpowering smell of marijuana hit us as soon as we walked in the door :rolleyes: Luckily, she had the sewing machine right there, and I handed her the $25 and we left! She said it worked fine, just didn't have a needle. He neice lived with her and her parents had given her the machine but she never got into it and she didn't live there anymore. We tested when we got home and it seemed to work well! I just need to buy a needle for it. Not too bad for $25!

I've been trying to go to bed early because I'm always so tired in the mornings, and halfway through the day. Last night I got into bed around 9:30, and fell asleep before Scott came in at 10:10. I woke up this morning, wondering how much longer until the alarm was going off. Then I saw it was only 3:00. I wasn't tired at all! I did fall asleep though, and at 4:30 woke up again and thought I'd just lay there until the alarm went off. Well, when the alarm went off at 5:45 I had fallen asleep again, and it was so hard to get out of bed! Maybe I should have just gotten up at 4:30 when I woke up naturally. Now it's mid-afternoon and I could go for a nap again! I always get super tired when 3:00 hits.

[Lindsey]

Tonight, our friends are coming to stay with us :) We just found out last night so I was doing some last minute cleaning, and will do more when I get home from work! I'm pretty excited to see them though :) After they leave tomorrow, we don't have many plans for the rest of the weekend. Hopefully we can relax!

[gja1000]

I picked mom up on my way home or on my way to take her to do errands, I should say. LOL! She got a certified letter at my house and of course, she wasn't here to sign for it, so I had to take her to the post office. It was a check so I had to take her to the bank to deposit in and then she wanted it wired to her Oklahoma account and of course, they worked for 20 minutes and then decided something was wrong with the system, so I have to go back in the morning. GRRRRR!

Then we came to my house and I had put pinto beans and ham in the crockpot this morning. We fixed cornbread and fried potatoes. YUM! Mom really enjoyed it.

After dinner she was ready to go home, so I took her home and then I came home and sat in the back yard and watched and listened to the birds for a while and then I came in and collapsed in front of the TV. I had some emails to answer so I did that and now, here I am!

[Janet]

Let's see....took Mom to the bank...she closed her account in Florida and rec'd the check in the mail so wanted to get it deposited in her account here. Stopped by her house to get her mail and then to the kidney Dr.,that was pretty much it. Today we are expecting bad storms, so will stick a little closer to home. I do get my hair cut first thing this morning and it needs it so bad.

[Lindsey]

We have not been doing much and it's nice :) It has been snowing on and off, but it looks like it's warming up more now (how many times have I said that?) so I'm just waiting for spring still. We're still trying to sell our dang motorcycles, haven't gotten any replies on them yet except for one scammer.

I have been so tired and lazy and my mind is just never where I am lol. Thank goodness it's a short work week! :)

[gja1000]

I've been really busy at work this week. The students are enrolling for this summer and next fall and I am responsible for scheduling all the graduate courses. We have almost 300 students, and there are always interesting problems you never anticipated!

I got mom an Easter lilly today and took it to her on the way home. A lady sitting outside the assisted living facility said, "Oh, I wish I had one of those". :( Made me feel sad I didn't have one to give her!

Mom and I made plans for her to come over here for Easter dinner on Sunday. She has lost a skirt in the move, so I need to see if I can find it for her. I think it must be at my Austin house. I've bagged up a lot of her clothes that she didn't want. I hope it is not already in a bag! :(

[Janet]

When I got home from the bus route this morning I had to shampoo the hallway carpet. Mom had an accident and couldn't get to the bathroom in time. When I came in she was sitting in the recliner crying. She said she tried to clean it up but couldn't do a very good job. I felt so bad for her. We had weaned her off the Vancomycin and for two days everything has been fine...now it looks like she's going to have problems again. Her BP was low when she first got up, but seems to be fine right now. When she stands it goes down again so she has got to remember to make fists as she gets up.

I'm sitting on the couch with my laptop listening to the thunder. We are suppose to get some bad storms this afternoon and tonight with hail, strong winds and possible tornadoes. Indiana had 20 tornadoes on Tuesday. I say enough already.

Think I'm just going to take it easy today.

[gja1000]

Stay safe Janet!

Gary has the same problem with his blood pressure going real low when he stands up but he is strong enough to balance himself and grab on to something to keep from falling.

Sorry you have to deal with the carpet. Sounds like she might have to go back on the Vancomycin. I have a friend who is dealing with an elderly father in Florida who has chronic diarrhea from C-Diff, is extremely weak, and is on Vancomycin. The problem is that her mom is NUTS and won't care for him at home and just leaves him sitting on the porta potty for hours becasue he too, has accidents and she won't clean it up. He ended up back in the hospital and was discharged today. My friend called the social worker the first of the week and they got him into rehab, because clearly he can't go home. I don't know what is going to happen when his rehab days are up. It's a bad situation.

[Janet]

That is so sad Gayle. I have Mom wear the adult diapers. She doesn't mind when she has the diarrhea, but when it's back to normal so are the panties...lol. That poor man....things like that break my heart.

Mom has her walker right next to her wherever she is in the house. When she stands...she wobbles really bad. We're also dealing with her ankles being swollen...very badly. We are using a higher concentrate of dialysis fluid to help get it off, but we can't do it for very long because of her blood pressure. I've already started her on the Vancomycin so hopefully it will kick in quickly.

I hope I'm wrong, but if this keeps up she'll be back in the hospital before the weekend is over.

[gja1000]

This is not what I did, but what I am going to do. About 4:00PM yesterday, one of Gary's cousins and his wife (they're just a few years younger than us) called to say they were on their way to Austin from Oklahoma City. It was a completely spontaneous trip (sort of). They are leaving from Galveston on Sunday for a cruise, and since Austin is not too far out of the way from Oklahoma City to Galveston, and since they had never been to Austin, on the spur of the moment, they decided to spend Friday and Saturday nights in Austin. Okaaaaaaaay! Now, we are entertaining relatives all day today and this evening. I must be fair, they said if we were busy, it was fine since this was completely unexpected by them and us. In reality, Gary and I didn't have any plans this weekend that couldn't be changed, and we are happy to see them and show them our favorite city - Austin! It's a good thing my housekeep came this week so the house is at least presentable. :eek:

[judy]

I had a grandkid couple of days. I had the 2 younger ones Thursday night. They were just so good! It is really easy to have only 2 here instead of 3. I bought them three On Demand movies, and it was well worth the $12.00. They were so happy! Such cuteness and sweetness is amazing! I love them and just want to eat them up with kisses!

Mackenzie came over yesterday, and slept over until late today. I love her so much! We also had a very nice, quiet time together, chatting, playing a game on my ipad, making Easter eggs, and watching the same movies as the little ones. She is more demanding of attention than the little ones, but they have each other. It fascinates me to watch an almost 14 year old's antics!!! I taught that age for years, and I love it!!!

Now, I am doing absolutely nothing but relaxing, which I definitely deserve!

[Janet]

Well, today has been a day from hell! Got up early because the darn dogs started barking. Tonight they are sleeping in the garage, they have been barking all day and I'm so ready to get rid of at least 3 of them, but don't know if I could actually go through with it. Grrrrrr!

I did get my fridge cleaned out....WOW...it was worse than I thought. I'm so glad I did it today..needed the help to work off some aggravating stress. After that I showered and decided to take a nap. When I woke up I started playing a few games on my IPad. Well, it hurt her feelings saying I left her alone all day like I didn't want to be with her. Guess I lost it a bit, but I told her there are times I need ME time and today was one of those days. So sick of explaining myself, but I asked for it and I got it. No one to blame but me.

Tomorrow she is going to my older brother's house for Easter. When they get here I'm going to tell them that Rick,Ricky and I will be gone for the day so they will need to call before bringing her home and that we probably won't be home until at least 7:00 pm. Not totally true but mostly. I need ALL day! I can't wait!

[gja1000]

We had such a busy weekend. We spent all day Saturday (day and evening) showing Gary's cousin and his wife around Austin. We had loads of fun, but my, it was exhausting!

Then yesterday (Easter), I fixed a late lunch for mom Gary and I which took all morning. I picked mom up after church and we had a really nice visit and lunch.

Then I took her to Walmart for some things and that took a really long time with lots of walking around to find everything. By the time I got home, I was exhausted again! LOL!

[judy]

I spent Easter at Jessie's yesterday. We had an Easter egg contest, which was lots of fun, until Brandon's favorite egg broke. We also had an egg hunt, then Steve made a delicious dinner, and I found stuff I could eat.

My ex was there, and the kids were so happy. He is losing his hearing, and it's annoying to talk to him!

Jessie then bathed 5 dogs which are going home today and, hopefully tomorrow. They are so cute! They're malamutes, about 35 pounds each, but really are babies. I just loved them up!

Today...I'm not sure yet.

[Lindsey]

It sounds like everyone had a good Easter! Janet, I'm glad you got some time to yourself!

Good Friday is a stat holiday here, so we went into the city to see a classic car show, then did some shopping for groceries. Scott's parents were supposed to be at our place around 6-7 that evening and I was making homemade burgers to barbeque. We were in Walmart at 3:15 and Scott got a text from his mom saying they were about 20 minutes from the city. :( We RUSHED home and they were about 15 minutes behind us. I didn't have time to get much done before they walked in, and apparently having a few dirty dishes in the sink is a big deal. They were supposed to leave at 4:00 Saturday, so we decided to just stay home for the weekend instead of visiting my family at the lake (they invited us out for Easter), because we wouldn't get there until late. WELL, Scott's parents left around noon :( We could have gone to the lake, but I already had a turkey thawing so it was too late to change our plans.

The rest of the weekend we went through our WHOLE house and filled boxes and boxes and boxes of things to put in a garage sale, and then donate whatever doesn't sell. It really felt good to sort through things. I hang on to so much useless stuff. In my town, they have one weekend with a town garage sale. You can pay $2 to have your address listed in the town newsletter with a map, or you can also rent a table in the school gym. They put a big ad in the city newspaper too so a lot of people come out for it. It's the weekend before we leave on our vacation, so it will be a little bit hectic for us! But I've never had a garage sale before so I'm excited for it!

[DianaB]

I love garage sales, Lindsey......wish I lived close enough to come!!!! I think that Jaci's having a garage sale next weekend!!

I spent last week cleaning my house and getting ready for Easter. My Mom has just realized that her house is just not big enough to host family things so pretty much everything will be here, I think, from now on. But she still brought plenty of food.....potato salad, chocolate and lemon pie.....my favorite!!! I made grilled hamburgers and the girls all brought salads and stuff to go with it. A meal that's simple and not too much work. I've decided that we don't have a have a HUGE meal every time we get together.

My brother was planning on going somewhere but I heard about an incident at his home with my neice so I let Mom know that he wasn't invited. I'm tired of all the drama that always goes with him. He's back on drugs.......because he's got a new girlfriend with the same problem. Not a good combination!!!

I did have on of my brother's daughter's come with her little son. Natasha is expecting another baby and has been so very sick but she decided to come. I've become much better friends with her since we've both been on FB. She's had a really hard life and she lived with us for a while when she was just a couple of years old. We also tried to get custody of her when my brother divorced his nice wife (who wasn't Natasha's mother) because we knew that my brother wasn't a good parent (nor was her real mother) to raise her.

Anyway, after we ate my daughters and daughter-in-law went out and hid the Easter candy then the kids all went out and found it. The little ones got to go first to make it more fair and the oldest girls were thrilled to be able to still be able to find the candy!!!

They also played volleyball in the front yard and Amy brought her Wii and we played with a dance studio game. It's where you follow the dance moves. I even did it.....as well as my Mom and Glen!!!! It was fun but was a work out!!!!

After that everyone pretty much went home. It was a great day but I was so tired.

On Saturday we had a Easter Picnic with Glen's family. I don't usually go but this one was planned at Glen's brother's house right close to us. We usually go out in the country somewhere but we had a 80% chance of rain.....which we didn't get. I find that I just really struggle with Glen's aunts that are Althea's sisters. I think it's because they all think just like she did. Anyway it was nice to visit with some of the cousins and see the grandkids!! And the weather was beautiful!!!!

[Janet]

Diana, your family functions always seem like so much fun. I know you're not thrilled with some on the 'other side' but you know Glenn has to appreciate it.

Sorry that your brother has gone back to drugs, not a good thing. You were right not to have him and possible drama at your place. I do hope he gets it together before it's too late.

[Janet]

Forgot to add... Today I ran my route of course, then went to town to run some errands. It was raining so Mom decided to stay. I took my cherished ;) laptop in to be checked out. The updates were failing to update and as hard as I tried ( with help from MS online ) I just couldn't figure it out. Hopefully they will and all will be right in my world again...lolol

[DianaB]

I have Dean today!! He's taking a nap at the moment!!! He's learning sooo much!!! He's been learning to talk!!! I just love it!!!!

[judy]

I went to a class on how to make some fancy kind of collage today. It was fun, and the artist who taught it pulled me on the side, and told me that mine were the best. I felt like teacher's pet, and I liked it!!!

It's not really anything I would want to do much, but it was a very nice technique.

[Janet]

Okay....let us see.....please.

[gja1000]

Judy, that sounds fun! I'm not crafty at all, but I love to look at crafts!

I took my computer to the genius bar at that Apple store today. It has been freezing up 1-2 times per day. Also, I couldn't update my calendar on my iPad becasue I couldn't sync my iPad becasue my computer operating system was too old.

They couldn't find anything wrong with it to cause it to freeze, so they just installed a new operating system, thinking that might be why it was freezing up. So far, so good, everything seems to be working fine except my school email. I need the domain name which I will have to get at school on Monday. Then I should be able to download all my email stuff from school. I have email on my iPad and phone so it is fine.

It always makes me so nervous to do a computer upgrade, I always think something terrible is going to happen. LOL! I do love Apple though, I spent 2 hours at the store today with my computer and it only cost $29.00 for the new operating system. They installed it for me and didn't charge me anything.

[Janet]

I got my laptop back yesterday and spent most of the morning putting it back to the way I had it.
It wasn't letting all the updates update...lol and was running slow. Could not figure it out so it was restored to original condition. All updates loaded and working great. Lost some of my favorites links, but I probably didn't need them anyway....I hope.

Still need to download Skype again so will have to do that some time.

[gja1000]

We have had such a busy weekend, but we got lots of things accomplished. So far my computer is running great after the trip to the genius bar and the operating system upgrade. Keep your fingers crossed. LOL!

Today I watered the yard. It is a BIG chore, dragging the hoses all over the yard. I like to be outside, so I don't mind and it is good exercise.

Then we met a couple who want to rent our house in Austin and they want to buy it if they can get approved for a loan. They are from Mexico and don't have any credit - they don't have bad credit, just none. So, they are working with the bank to establish some credit so they can buy the house. I sure hope after they live in it, they'll still want to buy it!

The husband works for a moving company so he unloaded the attic for us. He was so very very nice and wouldn't take a penny, although it was hot as the devil up there! Now, Gary and I have to go through everything and bring it over here (NOT MUCH), take it to Goodwill or to the dump. They want to move in July 1 and we'll be gone pretty much till then, so we have to get the house cleared out before we leave May 25th. WHEW! Lot's to do!

[DianaB]

That's great, Gayle!!! Too bad that you have to hurry and get things out but, knowing you, you'll have everything gone through and put away or given away before you know it!!! That was really nice of the man to help you clean out the attic!!!

[Janet]

Wonderful Gayle! it' always nice to have a renter and even nicer if they want to buy. We have a rental in town and sometimes it's a pain trying to take care of two places. I sure wish I had your energy! :)

[gja1000]

LOL! Janet! I have NO energy today. I'm so tired I had to come home at 3:30 and take a nap. I know I'll be up all night, but I just couldn't go any longer!

[DianaB]

Gayle, have you ever thought about getting one of those little tractors that water your lawn? I have an old one and they work great!! You just hook them up to the hose and lay the rest of the hose where you want the tractor to water and it will follow the hose then you don't have to move your sprinkler all the time. I love mine!!!

Glen went and got me some dirt for a new flower bed that I'm making. I had to dig up some plants that I already had planted there. I can't wait to get things moved and growning......it's going to take a few years to get it the way I want it!! I love hostas and that's what I'm mostly planting!!

[Janet]

I love host as too. Lynne has some big beautiful ones.

[judy]

$29 for a new operating system is so inexpensive! Toshiba wants you to promise them your home and 2 grandchildren for a new hard drive!

Last night I lost my internet service on my laptop, ad thought, "Here we go again!" I really don't want to do what you are having to do, Janet. Restoring all my stuff is so much work! Then I went on my i Pad, and had the same problem!

It wasn't my router, so I figure it was my cable company. I have our town's phone company providing phone, cable tv, and internet. I have to say I was glad because service would come back, and I had nothing to worry about.

I haven't transferred anything to my iPad from my PC. I don't know yet what I want to transfer. Actually, I have in mind to take my pic, music, and I don't know what else yet off of my hard drive and onto back up devices. I don't need them on my laptop, and am always afraid it will crash and I will just lose them. I have to decide what to put them on. I have had very bad luck with external hard drives, flash drives (my favorite) don't hold enough, and neither do sd cards. Someone told me to use dvd discs. I really have to check it out.

Today, I am going to Jessie's to help Brandon with math. It's raining out and I'm happy to stay home until then!

[Lindsey]

Judy, DVDs will hold about 7x more information than a CD. We use them at work quite often if we're burning a copy of a large project for a client, including photos and drawings.

I agree, that's really cheap for a new operating system!!! So far we haven't dealt with any Apple products, but I might switch over someday. Our cellular provider just got iPhones this week, and we did look at them, but we might go with Android instead when it's time to switch!

We had quite a day yesterday! First of all, we were driving to work in the morning and got stuck behing some traffic. I was watching in the side mirror as the car behind us tried to change lanes, and changed lanes right into the side of a city bus that was coming up quite quickly beside us! The bumper exploded and flew forward, hitting our car. Scott stopped and checked, but luckily there was no damage to us.

Last night, Scott had overtime work to do at home, and he thought it would take until about 2 a.m. to have it finished. I fell asleep on the couch downstairs and went up to bed around 9:30. Since he couldn't WATCH the hockey game (his team, Vancouver, is in the playoffs), he had it turned up loud on the stereo upstairs. I couldn't sleep through that anyway, so I flipped through a magazine in bed. All of a sudden I heard what sounded like power surges.. loud electrical buzzing. My lamp started flickering and going out. The sound kept happening. Scott yelled at me to come look, so I found my way up to the top floor (in the pitch black, even the streetlights were out!) and we saw huge sparks on top of a power pole at the end of the street. It was surging too, on and off, and it was so bright! Sparks were flying about 10 feet in the air and there was fire at the base. It was really crazy to see! I called my dad (he's a lineman for the provincial power company) and he said it was probably a substation blown from faulty or old wiring, and they'd probably be sending a crew to fix it and we'd have power back in the morning. Well, we had power back in the morning! But Scott didn't get his work done. Oh well! His company is a bit more lenient than mine with those issues!

[judy]

Okay....let us see.....please.

It was fun to do this, but not really something I would want to pursue. I can see combining mediums, like picture #2, which is pottery, and some stones and rocks I glued on.

[Janet]

Yesterday, other than the disappointing Hospice visit, most everything else went okay considering...lol. This year really isn't starting out the best but hey...it can only get better right? Outside of the fact that we are having a bit of a financial crunch and taking care of Mom....I bought my IPad 2, I thought I deserved it...but couldn't afford it so I charged it. Then I bought a new mattress and boxsprings...remember? Finally got Rick out of the bedroom, but had to move Mom in......I had to charge it. With everything going on....I called the Vet so I could send Ricky after some Flea/heartworm meds for the dogs. Well, two of them needed their annual and they won't give heartworm without a heartworm test. So...I had to take Penny and Emilee for their annual and then Brenna for her heartworm test. Then I was allowed to buy the Sentinel,final cost....$400, of course I had to charge that too. So now I have credit card debt of over $1500. TOTALLY SUCKS!!

I guess I know now why I've been such a nervous wreck ...LOL. I'm not complaining at the moment, but seeing this in writing....I probably should be. Oh well...I know there are others worse off....way worse off....the flood victims, tornado victims...so many others.

[gja1000]

Janet, I know you are worried about $1500 of CC debt, but you are so responsible, and you will pay it off, it's just the way it is right now. Of course, there are so many people worse off, but the debit worries you and I can understand, but it will be OK, it's a small amount comparatively speaking!

[Janet]

So true and just by writing it out makes it seem so small. I'll get it paid off....just hope my husband doesn't find out.

[judy]

It is not a good feeling to owe money, but I agree with Gayle. You will pay it off, and your hubby will be none the wiser!

It's time you got things you have been wanting anyway, and $1500 is not a huge debt.

[gja1000]

YUK! :mad: I have to go to a hoity toity dinner tonight! I just hate these kinds of events. Our advisory counsel is here for a meeting tomorrow and there is a reception/dinner for them tonight at the Longhorn Village, a hoity toity retirement center and golf club WAAAAAY out by the lake. Most of the counsel members are very well to do, that is their duty as counsel members, to find money for the school of nursing. It makes me feel so uncomfortable. Also, the drive out there will be a nightmare. The reception starts at 6:00, so that means I have to leave my house at 5:45 to get there and I'll be driving with the thousands of other people who live out that direction as they make their way home from work. Damn! I just hate this sort of thing.

[judy]

Yuck!!! I hope the food is good at least!

[gja1000]

Food was GREAT! :p Company, not so much :thumbdwn: But I survived and got home about 9:30. Now, to finish packing for Houston tomorrow (going to see the kids! YAY!), off to work by 8:00 tomorrow, class tomorrow afternoon, THEN I get to drive to Houston (4 hour drive - fun NOT!).

But I'll get to see my kids, so it will all be worth it! :D

[judy]

Oooh! Nice! Have a safe trip!

[judy]

Yesterday, I went to Cobbleskill to Walmart's. I love Walmart's! Bought some craft supplies, some hardware, and computer ink, all at excellent prices.

Say what you will about their corporate policies, the store is well stocked, clean, great prices, and has great variety. For people on a budget, it cannot be beat!

With the money I had saved, I went across the road and got a mani/pedi, with french tips! Fancy me;)! Then I ordered a pair of sunglasses from an eyeglass store and came home. Nice day!

Today I'm going to the skin doctor. I want to have my eyeliner tattoo redone. It has faded out, and I seem to be on a beautification quest these days. I think the eyebrow thread got me thinking!

Then, I better stop shopping for a while. The girls' birthdays are in June and Brandon's is in July. I think money is the best for all three. Kass wants horseback riding lessons again. Mackenzie wants clothes, and Brandon likes to have his own money so he can choose what he likes.

[Janet]

Today was so pretty out and didn!'t feel too bad out either. Left Mom here and I went to down to run a few errands and get some groceries. It was getting to be slim pickins on food choices. That was about it.

Oh my husband fixed the dryer today also. The heating element went out so the dryer would run, but not heat up. He checked on line to see what to check and waalaa it's fixed. He did good.

[judy]

I went to Mackenzie's softball game at 11:00, then Kassidy's soccer game at 1:00.

Mackenzie is a sub at this point, but on her turn at bat, she got a hit! She brought home a home run because another girl was on third! Her coach told her she was very pleased with her progress. She loves softball!

I have no idea what Kass did, although I saw her kicking the ball, and plunging into the group when a ball came their way. I really don't understand soccer, but she loves it! She looked so cute with her pink socks/knee guards!

Brandon hung out with us. He is just not into sports at all! I hope he finds his niche in something to feel successful at in school.

It was freezing this morning, raining on and off. Then the sun came out and it was beautiful! Then, freezing again, with more rain. We were glad when the game was over.

Then, I found 2 yard sales, and bought a crystal lamp, with a nice shade, and a set of beautiful, hand made pillow shams. Great prices too!

It was a really fun day.

[Janet]

Yesterday I spent the day cleaning. Changing bed sheets, dusting, sweeping and mopping, all is done and feels good to have it so. Took most of the day, but that's okay. Had pizza for supper...always love pizza even if it is frozen..lol.

Not sure what is going to happen today, I've learned not to expect anything for Mother's Day, because I don't usually get anything. Mom will be going to my brother's house for supper. She's been wanting steak so they are going to fix steak on the grill. That will give me some time to do whatever I want for myself. I may run to Wal Mart...just to shop.

[gja1000]

We are in Houston with the kids. We didn't do anything special today but we have had a good day. My left ribs/shoulder is killing me from sleeping in a different bed so we went to the mall and I had a chair massage. It felt good. Now we are fixing roast, potatoes and carrots for supper. My sil is fixing my fave chocolate pie and I fixed a lemon icebox pie for Gary as he doesn't like chocolate (I know, he's crazy).

[Janet]

Today was nice....my son wished my a Happy Mother's Day first thing this morning, that's a first. Then a little later he came in and brought with him a hanging swing to put on the A frame we have. Our other one finally fell apart so this is a wonderful gift as I love to sit in an outdoor swing.

Mom went to my brother's house around 2:00, they ate at 5:00 and was ready to come back at 5:30. She was so tired and crying...saying she didn't feel good. She places a lot of sentiment on holidays (wonder where I got that from..lol) and didn't want to feel as bad as she was feeling on Mother's Day. I felt so sorry for her.

My husband then fixed biscuits and gravy for supper...I love it. There are even enough for breakfast in the morning. I sure hope Mom feels better tomorrow.

[gja1000]

YAY! Janet! Now we can swing together in the yard (vicariously).

I'm glad you had such a nice Mothers Day. I'm sorry your mom is not feeling good.

[Lindsey]

I had a busy weekend! Our travel documents finally came on Friday so we spent a lot of time going through them :)

On Saturday we went shopping for last minute things for the trip, and Scott bought me a beautiful bouquet of pink lilies, and I didn't know why, but he said it's an early Mother's Day gift, because I'm Layla's mommy :) So that was really sweet! Later that night we went to this awards show thing that his friends put on, and I thought it would be stupid but it was better than I expected. There were about 200 people there, they collected donations for the food bank, and I saw friends from all walks of my life: a girl who used to be a secretary here at my office, a girl I knew in my first year of university, and even a girl I knew through some friends at my other college! (She kind of stole my boyfriend, but we're over that now lol!)

On Sunday, we priced all of our stuff for our garage sale, and it took most of the day! I also found out a BIG SECRET that I can't let anyone know until my parents find out on Friday :rolleyes: I am terrible at keeping secrets from my mom. I am one of two people who know, and I talked to my mom 3 more times yesterday after I found out and it was so hard not to mention it! But I'm sworn to secrecy... I'll let you guys know after Friday too ;)

Other than that, I'm getting caught up in a situation on another forum, and it's breaking my heart that I can't seem to talk sense into someone whose dog has the same disease as Layla :( She wants advice but won't TAKE advice, and it's frustrating to no end. Nobody will back me up either. I think there is sometimes a double standard based on who is posting. :( I think about it every day but I think I need to stop dwelling and push it out of my head.

[gja1000]

We had a good weekend in Houston. It was so good to see my kids, and especially Emma and Abigail! It is hard traveling with my mom and Gary, they both require lots of attention and help. I'm glad to be home!

We went to Galveston Bay - not the island - we started to go to the island, but were just too tired. Brooke, Abi and I went shopping and had a good time together! The guys, Emma and Abi went fishing in the ponds next to the house and they caught some catfish and had a good time. There are 3 ponds close to their house and someone let a pet alligator go into one pond - just for a swim - and then couldn't catch him. Everyone in the neighborhood came out to look at the gator. We didn't realize till the next day that it was a pet.

It is 97 DEGREES here today and windy windy windy. It's just awful!

[Lindsey]

It sounds like a nice weekend Gayle! I could not imagine having a PET alligator!! :eek:

I am getting really really stressed. We are leaving in 2 weeks and last night wrote out a list of things we need to get done before we leave. The biggest stress is that Scott has said he will talk to the guy next door to ask if he can watch our house while we're gone... we need someone to cut the grass, water the gardens, and be the main contact for the house alarm. But he hasn't even asked yet. He hasn't mentioned it. He doesn't want to phone them. He knows the guy better than I know his wife so I feel weird being the one to ask. I wish he would just do it! Otherwise we have 2 weeks to make other plans.

We bought backpacks for this trip months ago. We researched and got the best ones we could get. Last night we realized they are too big to be carry-on for three of our flights in the UK :( Apparently sometimes they check and sometimes they don't. They fit in every dimension except height. Mine is 3 cm too tall and Scott's is 10 cm too tall... they have rigid backs for support, so they can't really be squished down. We ddin't want to check bags because that's extra time waiting in the airport when we could be doing other things. Ugh.

[gja1000]

I know you are stressed Lindsay - I always get crazy when we get ready for a long trip. We've been taking a multi-week trip every summer for many many years nows. For some reason, it doesn't get much better. Right now, I'm stressing about our multi-week trip to Arkansas. Plus, I have jury duty next week and if I get picked, I just don't see how I will get it all done. I'm thinking we may have to delay our trip a few days. We are lucky, we can leave at any time.

I am also stressing about our yard and alarm system too. We don't know our neighbors very well either and we need to ask them to watch our house. I just can't ask them to water our yard, we have too much to water - and I know my grass is going to be fried when I get back and that really upsets me. I guess all I can do is hope for rain, but I don't think that will happen. I would like to shorten our trip, but Gary will be upset. Sigh. I can't win.

[Lindsey]

For my next vacation I want to just go lay on a beach. But I know that won't happen with me. I always want to be seeing or doing something, and then I need a vacation when I get home from vacation. It doesn't help when you let me know it doesn't get better after years of planning these trips :p :rolleyes:

I just remembered we had planned to seed some of our lawn too, where we have bare spots in the back yard. I don't think that will get done until maybe fall now. At least if it doesn't rain here, the grass won't grow, but our gardens need to grow. I guess the neighbors will either have to cut grass or water the gardens. Watering the lawn wouldn't be too bad since we have underground sprinklers and they just need to turn them on! I feel so weird about asking them, I'm considering just asking my brother to come out on weekends to check on the place. But, that's kind of an unnecessary drive if our neighbors are home and can do it. It just feels awkward to ask!

My friend from London called my office today (she used to work here too) to talk to me about the trip. She said we shouldn't risk taking our new backpacks on the plane because they are so strict. But I don't know, we might anyway. Worst case is we'll have to pay 50 GBP (about $80) to put one bag in cargo. I think mine will probably pass as carry-on. It's a lot of money, but if we get through it saves us waiting at the airport for our luggage later. If it doesn't pass on the first flight, we'll check baggage early on the other flights (for 15 GBP).

We have so much other stuff going on too... we both need blood tests done for a doctors appointment when we get back, we need to get our garage sale set up this weekend, and hopefully sell most of our stuff! We need to plant the gardens (Scott told me not to plant one this year, but I really want to), we need to get hair cuts (mostly Scott, his head looks like a cotton ball haha), and we are leaving next weekend! How did this sneak up on us???

[judy]

I can't believe your vacations are here already Gayle and Lindsay! Wasn't it just winter? Time flies so fast!

So, we are going to know your secret on Friday Linds? I'll be waiting!

I went to watch Mackenzie's softball game today, but left before Kassidy's soccer game. I really didn't want to sit there for 4 hours again. I brought Annie and Max with me, and they had so much fun. The kids immediately took them and played with them, so all the smaller beings had fun. Annie wanted to play, but Kass wanted to carry her because she is so petite and feminine. She finally put her down, and she decided to bark at a big dog. She stopped right away though, thank goodness.

I was going to finish setting up the deck, but will do that tomorrow. I have to wash it all down, and then bring whatever I want up from the basement. It's not a big deal. I find that if I split big jobs like that over a few days they are pretty easy.

I put out 2 plants. The coleus is not happy, but it's time they got some sun. We don't really plant here until Memorial Day. I'm only doing my two long planters, lots of coleus, mint plants, and maybe a hanging plant. I hate to plant things and then have them just die over the winter. The coleus and mint can come inside.

[Janet]

Had a bit of a scare this morning. Mom was sleeping a bit later this morning and I usually leave on the route at 6:45. At 6:30 I went in to unhook her from the dialysis machine and she wasn't feeling well. Mom just wanted to stay in bed for awhile. She had pain in her abdomen and I just knew it had to be peritonities again.

I always have her coffee cup, sweet n low, creamer and meds sitting on the table waiting for her. I left on my route and when I got home at 8:30 everything was the same as I left it on the kitchen table. I looked down the hall and saw that Mom was still in bed...lying in the same position as when I left. I really thought when I got to her that she would have passed.

She opened her eyes and said she didn't feel well at all. So after a phone call to the dialysis center...we were on our way. She indeed has the infection again. They gave her antibiotics and I brought 4 bags of antibiotics home to use for the next four days. We'll have to do a manual exchange around 1:30 so it can be in for at least 6 hours before the nighttime dialysis.

Mom is dozing and crying alot now.....it is really sad. She can't eat very well anymore, so it's a struggle getting healthy foods in her. She says things like she wished she felt better and I explain that she really isn't going to get better, that her heart is failing and so are her kidneys. I've explained it to her a few time the past couple weeks.

Spoke with Hospice again today. Explained to the older man on the phone that the young man they sent was a very nice young man, but we needed an older more experienced person to come. I told him that the young man told us she didn't qualify for Hospice because of the dialysis.....BUT...when I told him she has congestive heart failure....he said if she is diagnosed for Hospice with heart failure, she could still do the dialysis. So confusing, but someone with more experience and knowledge is suppose to call tomorrow morning and set up another appt. to come speak with us.

Keep your fingers crossed that we can get some help.

[Lindsey]

I feel like I am going to throw up. Scott called to confirm our hotel reservations tonight. We booked a hotel in Dublin for FEBRUARY instead of JUNE. We are out hundreds of dollars and there's nothing we can do about it. I can't believe we overlooked that for months. Now it's a week and a half before we leave and we need to scramble to find a new place to stay. I have been crying all night and I don't think I can sleep. This is so sickening. We are such idiots.

[gja1000]

No, you are not idiots! Once I booked my plane ticket like that - instead of in the future, I booked it for the current time, but THOUGHT I booked it in the future so when I got read to take my trip, I had no ticket and had to rebook. It happens and it will be OK.

It would stress me out to the max too and I would feel like throwing up too, but in the grand scheme of things, it will be OK!!!

TAKE A DEEP BREATH!

[JJJ]

I feel like I am going to throw up. Scott called to confirm our hotel reservations tonight. We booked a hotel in Dublin for FEBRUARY instead of JUNE. We are out hundreds of dollars and there's nothing we can do about it. I can't believe we overlooked that for months. Now it's a week and a half before we leave and we need to scramble to find a new place to stay. I have been crying all night and I don't think I can sleep. This is so sickening. We are such idiots.

It's a human mistake. Don't dwell on it just get another place and enjoy your vacation. Money comes and goes but this vacation is just a one time event you need to enjoy.

You need to sink into a hot tub and relax your muscles and especially your mind.

[Lindsey]

We might be able to get a good deal on Priceline... I got one last night that was $30 more than we wanted to spend (still, double what we spent originally!) so I let it go, thinking I could find something at a lower star rating, but I couldn't. I have to wait 24 hours to try bidding again. I am not paying full price lol.

Worst case scenario, my friend in London has a friend just outside Dublin we could stay with for free, as long as my friend goes with us. I don't want to impose so I will try to get the hotel tonight, but we'll see what happens. If it does happen that we need to stay with a friend of a friend, I will pay for her flight and everything for doing that for us.

I didn't sleep more than a couple of hours last night and my eyes are so puffy today :( I just want to crawl back into bed until 11:00 when I can try getting a hotel again. I think when we have accomodations in place, I will be better.

Thank goodness we called to confirm. Could you imagine if we showed up at the hotel and found out then that our booking was wrong?

[DianaB]

It will all work out, Lindsey. Thank goodness you checked on your room!! You're going to have so much fun so don't get so stressed out that you make yourself sick or don't enjoy your trip.

Janet, I'm so sorry that your Mom's not well. I wish that I could be there to help you out but right now I'm dealing with so much here that it's not possible!! I've thought about calling you but it's just been too hectic.....maybe this week things will be better.

On Tuesday Dae Lynn, Dean, Jaci, and I went to a greenhouse that has such wonderful plants. It's probably about 45 minutes or so away but definitely worth the drive. We had such a good time but the heat and humidity was about to get to all of us!! It's so nice that we have this that we all share together and talk about. Jaci is getting so grown up but is yet enough of a kid that she still plays in the creek.........oh well, I guess that my other two girls are still a kid too because they all still play in the creek!!!!!

We had a storm come through last night that really cooled things off. We needed the rain because we've been pretty dry for it just being spring. I worked in my hosta beds yesterday afternoon after watching Dean all morning.

I've ordered a lot of different hostas (I've decided that I'm addicted to the little plants!!!!) and I need to move some of my older plants to a new bed and plant the new ones closer to the house where I can baby them. I so wish that I had a greenhouse but this just isn't the year to even ask for one with us helping Dae Lynn so much.

Last night we had church where I help in the nursery. I had four kids under 3. One wasn't used to being in there and cried.....then I had one that was a sympathy crier......and one that wanted to throw the toys!!! I was more than ready to come home!!

Dean had eaten some strawberries so I got a frantic call from Dae Lynn because he was broke out with hives!! I told her to give him Benedryl and by the time I got there after church he was all cleared up.

This morning I have Dean again and probably will until the afternoon because Dae Lynn is cleaning at the church and going to Damon's court appointment.

Busy.....busy......busy!!!!

[Lindsey]

Oh no, Diana, strawberry allergies aren't fun! One of my best friends growing up was allergic to strawberries, or anything strawberry flavored or scented (real AND artificial!) Not a lot of people knew about it so she didn't get to enjoy a lot of desserts and cakes and things when she was visiting other people. But it could be worse!

The hotel thing all worked out :) We got a great price on a better hotel that's about 8 blocks closer to where we need to be! It's still a loss of $300, but oh well. We did look up hostels in the same area as this new hotel, and they were going to cost us about $60 per night for a bed, each. So that's $120 a night together, in a shared room. We used Priceline again, and bid $140 and got a 5-star hotel right across from St Stephen's Green :eek: I was so excited I almost cried! Instead of not getting sleep because of stress, we didn't get sleep because of excitement last night! :rolleyes:

So do you guys want to know the big secret? My parents are finding out tonight but I guess it's close enough that I can let it slip here... My brother and his girlfriend are having a baby in January! Only myself and her mom know. Well, and Scott because I can't keep a secret from him :rolleyes: Even the two little girls don't know yet! They got them shirts made last weekend that say "Biggest sister again" and "Big sister finally", and they made my mom one that says "#1 Grandma, 2012" lol! They are all getting their shirts tonight and figuring it out :) I am excited for them but I'm not sure how my mom or grandma will react! We'll see tonight.

[Lindsey]

Oh no, Diana, strawberry allergies aren't fun! One of my best friends growing up was allergic to strawberries, or anything strawberry flavored or scented (real AND artificial!) Not a lot of people knew about it so she didn't get to enjoy a lot of desserts and cakes and things when she was visiting other people. But it could be worse!

The hotel thing all worked out :) We got a great price on a better hotel that's about 8 blocks closer to where we need to be! It's still a loss of $300, but oh well. We did look up hostels in the same area as this new hotel, and they were going to cost us about $60 per night for a bed, each. So that's $120 a night together, in a shared room. We used Priceline again, and bid $140 and got a 5-star hotel right across from St Stephen's Green :eek: I was so excited I almost cried! Instead of not getting sleep because of stress, we didn't get sleep because of excitement last night! :rolleyes:

So do you guys want to know the big secret? My parents are finding out tonight but I guess it's close enough that I can let it slip here... My brother and his girlfriend are having a baby in January! Only myself and her mom know. Well, and Scott because I can't keep a secret from him :rolleyes: Even the two little girls don't know yet! They got them shirts made last weekend that say "Biggest sister again" and "Big sister finally", and they made my mom one that says "#1 Grandma, 2012" lol! They are all getting their shirts tonight and figuring it out :) I am excited for them but I'm not sure how my mom or grandma will react! We'll see tonight.

I just want to say, I know $140 per night is still pretty expensive... but as we usually do we went to the website of the hotel and tried to book through them as well, and it was quoting about $340 per night for the most standard room. So a savings of $200 per night is not too shabby :D We are staying in budget hotels for the whole bus tour, and this will be the last three nights of the trip... it's something to look forward to the whole time!

[DianaB]

I'm glad that you got your hotel situation figured out!!!! It sounds like you got a really good deal!!! I'm envious of your trip......I would love to travel but being married to a farm boy that likes to stay home kinda' cuts my chances of much travel!!! I hope you take lots of pictures so I can enjoy your vacation with you!!!

As far as Dean's hives......Dae Lynn mentioned before she gave them to him that it's not recommended to give strawberries to a child under two years old!!! So....no more strawberries for Dean until next year!!!! Hopefully it's something that he'll outgrow!!

How exciting.......a new baby!!! Your Mom's going to be thrilled with the surprise!!! One time when Amy was pregnant she made fortune cookies for us to announce her news......sadly she miscarried but I loved the way we were told!!!

We had a cold front come through last night and it's a little too cool to work in the yard for me. However, I have a very messy bedroom from Kera and I cleaning out the closet!!! So I'm going to work on that and get some groceries later. First.....I have to get OFF of the computer!!!

[Lindsey]

I hope Dean grows out of it! I didn't know you shouldn't give strawberries to children under two years old!

I am not sure if my mom will be thrilled, but we'll see! I'm sure she was hoping they'd be married first. My brother's girlfriend is still in college and they were talking about getting engaged and married when she graduates school because she'd have a good job (in social work) and they could actually afford it then. Right now they're living on just one salary, with the two little girls there too. So this baby is throwing a wrench in their plans for sure! My mom has had some reservations about her before too, and I think all of us have. But I hope things will change now that they will be having a baby together. I hope she doesn't threaten to leave him again.

Now Scott and I know we will have the youngest grandchildren on both sides :rolleyes: His sisters are having their families already, and now my brother is too! Our kids are going to be spoiled lol! Either that, or there will be so many grandchildren by then, ours will just be nothing new!

[DianaB]

Well, it sounds like this baby probably wasn't planned and changing plans will be difficult. I hope the family takes this well because the girlfriend could be very sensitive to the family's reaction. Pregnancy makes you very emotional!! This is something that your brother and his girlfriend will have to figure out......Just plan on being happy about it.......after all it is a new neice or nephew!!!

I'm sure that when you have babies that they'll get a lot of attention no matter when they're born!!! And everyone will be thrilled for you!!!

[Lindsey]

Well, it sounds like this baby probably wasn't planned and changing plans will be difficult. I hope the family takes this well because the girlfriend could be very sensitive to the family's reaction. Pregnancy makes you very emotional!! This is something that your brother and his girlfriend will have to figure out......Just plan on being happy about it.......after all it is a new neice or nephew!!!

I'm sure that when you have babies that they'll get a lot of attention no matter when they're born!!! And everyone will be thrilled for you!!!

You're right, and I think my mom will be more shocked than anything! It has been so hard for me to keep this from her, because I know that she's going to be either really happy or upset about it and I've talked to her almost every night. It's so hard for me not to warn her that something big is coming up! Yeah, I can't plan surprise parties or anything like that either :rolleyes: It's too hard to keep a secret like this!

I am very happy for my brother because he seems so excited for it! He was so excited to tell me too. He asked if I could keep a secret, and I couldn't even tell Scott. I said probably not, I tell Scott everything, so he might as well just wait and tell me later lol! So he said "Okay, you can tell Scott, but nobody else" and then he said "You are going to be an auntie!" :) I like that, because it feels like I'm a REAL aunt now. Scott's sisters and his mom always call me "Auntie Lindsey" around the kids, and little Tare actually went looking for me and calling "Auntie Lindsey!" the last time we were there and it warmed my heart! But Scott and I aren't married, and it's his side of the family, so it just doesn't feel the same to me I guess! The girls don't call me auntie either, even though I consider them my neices.

[DianaB]

I know how you feel. I've been an aunt almost as long as I've been married from Glen's side of the family but it was so different when my brother had his first daughter!!! I was so excited and actually "felt" like an aunt then......plus she was named after me......Natasha Diane.

[Janet]

I've been an aunt since I was 16 months old. My nephew Bob is my sister's son.

[judy]

Congratulations Aunt Lindsay! That's great news!

It's also good news about the hotel room!

[Lindsey]

Diana, that's so great that she was named after you! That must make you feel very special.

Janet, wow that must have been a big age gap! My dad is just a few years younger than his uncle and they are more like brothers.

Thanks Judy! Well, we just made $327 in our garage sale today, so it recoups the cost of that hotel we booked in the first place! The sting doesn't feel so bad now lol. We didn't even sell half our stuff, but everything big sold.. snowboard, golf clubs, wireless router, diamond necklace. Those are where we made the most money!

[gja1000]

We have had a BUSY weekend!!! We worked at our Austin house for several hours both Sat. and Sun. On Saturday, we worked on the inside of the house and got everything sorted out - stuff that is to be donated and stuff that we will bring over to our house. Mostly the stuff coming to our house is mom's pictures and family memorabilia. I have a couple of chests of drawers in the garage that I plan to put most of her stuff in. It will make our garage a bit messy for a while, but eventually I'll get it unpacked and sorted out.

We put up a "moving sale" sign out by the road and were able to sell most of the furniture. We have a couch, coffee table and old painted dresser left and we will just send them to the salvation army, if no one buys them. Everything is listed in craigstlist too, so maybe someone will want them. LOL! The Craiglist Killer movie was on TV last night, so I made Gary go with me every time someone wanted to look at something. LOL!

Today we worked on the yard and garage, doing the same thing, sorting out what comes over here and what goes to goodwill. I'll be calling a local moving company called "Two Men and a Truck" to move the stuff over here. I'm calling the Salvation Army to come by and get the stuff to be donated. A woman who takes care of mentally ill men came by today and took about half the donation stuff. I'm glad that someone who really needs it, came by and took it.

[Lindsey]

That's great you were able to sell most of your stuff Gayle!

On Saturday while Scott was holding down the fort at our garage sale, I went to a few others with my family. I found a mandolin vegetable slicer for $1! I've been wanting to buy one for a long time. I took it home and made a salad with it that night. Well, I put carrots in the salad and you can't really use the guard with them until they're short, so I held them with my hand until they were short enough for the guard. Just my luck, I slipped, and sliced my thumb pretty badly :( It bled so much I almost got sick! I did have my cell phone on the counter beside me so I called Scott while I ran my thumb under cold water, and he came home immediately (he had just left to recycle cardboard boxes). We wrapped it up, and it stopped bleeding by yesterday morning. Yesterday afternoon, I put in a garden, and somehow managed to rip it open again :( I'm being very careful with it now. It really flipping hurts! :(

[gja1000]

I'm sitting here in the district court lobby waiting for jury selection. Dang I hope I don't get picked.

But on the bright side, I found a 5 hour parking spot - most are a 3 hour limit and I don't know how long I'll be here. It only cost $4.00. I feel pretty lucky, hope my luck holds!

[gja1000]

Well good news maybe. The last time I was picked for jury duty, my assigned number was 5. When I wasn't picked, my number was 48. Both times they selected the jury from people with numbers 1-15. My number today is 60. Keep your fingers crossed.

[gja1000]

Ugh! Almost 3:00. Been here over an hour and now we are waiting for 4jurors who you KNOW are not going to show up. They were supposed to be here by 2:00. Get real judge, they are not going to come. The lawyers have at least 60+ people to choose 12. I think that is realistic. Geesh! Come on!

[Janet]

Today I went and visited with mom in between routes. Then came home and mostly loafed....lol. Now I need to get started on some laundry....again.

[gja1000]

We are on break and they didn't ask me any questions so hopefully I am safe. The lawyers are behind closed doors choosing the jury. I am ready to go home.

[gja1000]

Come on! It is 5:30! It's time to get this over with. My butt is sore from sitting on this bench. I'm going to be in bad traffic all the way home now and that does not make me happy! Please choose a jury and let us go home!

[gja1000]

Today I went and visited with mom in between routes. Then came home and mostly loafed....lol. Now I need to get started on some laundry....again.

How is your mom feeling today?

[lynne b]

Come on! It is 5:30! It's time to get this over with. My butt is sore from sitting on this bench. I'm going to be in bad traffic all the way home now and that does not make me happy! Please choose a jury and let us go home!

Doesn't the court system suck!! They have no regard for any ones time. I hope you don't get picked and you get to go home soon.

[lynne b]

How is your mom feeling today?

Hope your mom is doing better and you are able to get some rest.

[Janet]

Mom is still in the hospital and feeling a bit better. When we took her to the hospital, didn't know if she would make it out of the ambulance, she was so bad. Her potassium was dangerously low. They were able to get it back to normal but this morning it dropped down to critical. As of this afternoon..she is feeling better. Not sure when she'll be released. It's pretty rough going right now....trying to call as many home health aides as I can to gather as much info as I can, so its all pretty time consuming. Thanks for asking and for the prayers. Need to get to bed now and get some rest. Love ya all!

[gja1000]

Janet, I'm so sorry to hear your mom is having so much trouble. It is very very hard, I know.

YAY! I didn't get picked for the jury! I'm soooo happy BECAUSE it was a child sexual abuse case with the father as the abuser. Man O Man! I did NOT want to hear all that evidence. We got out at 5:45 and I was so glad to be out of that courtroom!

[Janet]

That one would have been horrible to have to listen to.glad you didn't get picked.

[judy]

Janet, I'm so glad Mom is doing better!

Gayle, I was on a jury where the daughter was accusing the dad of sexual abuse and the dad was accusing the daughter of lying. I had worked in the middle school this child went to, years before. I was so glad when one of the witnesses turned out to be a teacher I had worked with. I was excused from the jury and the extra juror took my place. I was sick to my stomach thinking about how I would vote on the jury.

There was no real way to tell who was innocent and who was guilty in this case. I knew the population of kids in that area, and knew the daughter could easily have been lying. When I worked there, a girl ripped her own shirt, and ran out of the library crying, claiming that the library teacher had molested her. He did no such thing, but had to be moved to another school for "safety issues." The girl did it just to be cruel. These kids were horribly brought up!

I am so glad you got off this case! It is terrible to hear these things, true or not.

[judy]

I am sitting here listening to water dripping into a pot from the gap around the sky light on my roof! It has been raining very heavily for the past few days, and I noticed the leak yesterday. It was small, but has gotten more consistent today. I called the office, but it will be raining through the weekend, so I can't see how it can be fixed.

The homeowners' association probably will tell me that they are not responsible and I will have to pay for repairs. It seems that whenever anything happens, they are not responsible! We are all so annoyed at them!

Then Jessie called me this morning to "remind" me of Mackenzie's chorus tonight. Her memory is not good. I think it is a combination of the meds she takes and the MS. It could just be the meds, but I never argue with her about what she thinks she told me, or thinks she did. It breaks my heart, but I don't want her to kinow any of this. She does very well with the kids, with her life, and so on. Sometimes, a little delusion can be better. I know Mackenzie works around it, and I'm sure Steve does. We never discuss it either, although Mackenzie is a little bit open with me about how she manages her Mom.

So, I guess I'm going to a concert tonight. I said to Jessie that I would be there unless there is too much of a downpour. Her answer was something about, why, can't your car go through the rain? Yes, my car can drive through rain, but the roads are dark and dangerous, there is flooding in my area, etc. Sometimes it gets disheartening to be overlooked, no matter what the reason.

[Lindsey]

Janet, I'm so glad Mom is doing better!

Gayle, I was on a jury where the daughter was accusing the dad of sexual abuse and the dad was accusing the daughter of lying. I had worked in the middle school this child went to, years before. I was so glad when one of the witnesses turned out to be a teacher I had worked with. I was excused from the jury and the extra juror took my place. I was sick to my stomach thinking about how I would vote on the jury.

There was no real way to tell who was innocent and who was guilty in this case. I knew the population of kids in that area, and knew the daughter could easily have been lying. When I worked there, a girl ripped her own shirt, and ran out of the library crying, claiming that the library teacher had molested her. He did no such thing, but had to be moved to another school for "safety issues." The girl did it just to be cruel. These kids were horribly brought up!

I am so glad you got off this case! It is terrible to hear these things, true or not.

Oh my gosh that is terrible! I remember when I was in school, there were a couple of girls that were two years younger than me, in Grade 6, and they accused their teacher of molesting them. There was a huge uproar and they were going to go to court, he was close to losing his job, and eventually they finally admitted they lied. They were just angry about grades or something. :eek:

[Lindsey]

I am sitting here listening to water dripping into a pot from the gap around the sky light on my roof! It has been raining very heavily for the past few days, and I noticed the leak yesterday. It was small, but has gotten more consistent today. I called the office, but it will be raining through the weekend, so I can't see how it can be fixed.

The homeowners' association probably will tell me that they are not responsible and I will have to pay for repairs. It seems that whenever anything happens, they are not responsible! We are all so annoyed at them!

Then Jessie called me this morning to "remind" me of Mackenzie's chorus tonight. Her memory is not good. I think it is a combination of the meds she takes and the MS. It could just be the meds, but I never argue with her about what she thinks she told me, or thinks she did. It breaks my heart, but I don't want her to kinow any of this. She does very well with the kids, with her life, and so on. Sometimes, a little delusion can be better. I know Mackenzie works around it, and I'm sure Steve does. We never discuss it either, although Mackenzie is a little bit open with me about how she manages her Mom.

So, I guess I'm going to a concert tonight. I said to Jessie that I would be there unless there is too much of a downpour. Her answer was something about, why, can't your car go through the rain? Yes, my car can drive through rain, but the roads are dark and dangerous, there is flooding in my area, etc. Sometimes it gets disheartening to be overlooked, no matter what the reason.

Do you have anything outlining what the homeowners' association IS responsible for?? If not, you should demand it. When I lived in my condo they would cover anything structural, roofing, piping outside the unit, heat, etc. When I paid my monthly fees I knew exactly where that money would be going!

I'm sorry you're having problems dealing with Jessie's memory loss. It probably is best to just not let her know. I hope it stops raining and you can make it to the concert!

[Lindsey]

We are pushing through our list of things to do before we leave! We gave Layla a bath and haircut last night to get her ready for her vacation too :D

Today is rainy, which is nice! It has been so hot and windy and dusty! On Sunday I was only outside for maybe 2 hours and I got a sunburn!

[gja1000]

Fun day! Went shopping with two girlfriends in a little town about 50 miles from Austin, Marble Falls. We browsed little shops, thrift stores and antique shops. We didn't buy a thing, but we had a great time. We ate breakfast at a little local restaurant in Austin, then we ate lunch at the Bluebonnet Cafe in Marble Falls. Doesn't that sound like the best little joint? Well, it is famous for pie, and we had banana cream, coconut cream and peanut butter. MMMMMM!

Gary sold the rest of the furniture in the house, plus his tools. We have only one lonely coffee table left and I guess it will go to the Salvation Army.

[judy]

Sounds like fun Gayle!

I went to the concert, and had a wonderful time. The chorus teacher sang a tribute song to the graduating seniors. She wrote it, and sang about each of the seniors. Mackenzie and I had tears in our eyes, as did several of the seniors. I love a small school!!!

Then Kass told me that she had a soccer game today, Mackenzie wants to sleep over on the weekend, and Brandon and Kass wanted me to come home with them. It is great to feel loved!!! I have a very strong need to have my own life, apart from anyone in particular. I need to keep boundaries, or I feel so claustrophobic. I think I was just born this way, needing tons of freedom.

I realized last night that they all get it, and love me so much anyway. Isn't that wonderful? I think to be loved for just who you are, faults and strengths is the greatest gift!

Then, Richie, the head of maintenance here, came over to see my leak. He'll re-tar around the skylight for me. It will probably have to be replaced in a year or two, and I have to pay for that. He is also making a window fitting for Wendy's air conditioner (she is the manager), so he's going to make one for me, and fix the window that is broken. We have casement windows and can only use portable air conditioners. When I asked him how much he wants for the work, he just waved his hand. I only have to pay him back for the Plexiglas. So, I still don't know what exactly is covered, but, at the moment I am happy. Word around here is that some people get lots of things done for them, and some people get nothing extra done. Good that I'm in the first group! I did write a letter to the Board re my steps and the snow and ice situation. I did, however, add in that I was not complaining about Wendy or our maintenance staff, who have been nothing but helpful whenever I asked. I do want to know about liability with the steps, and that might kick the Board's butt into some action!

[Blueyes]

Fun day! Went shopping with two girlfriends in a little town about 50 miles from Austin, Marble Falls. We browsed little shops, thrift stores and antique shops. We didn't buy a thing, but we had a great time. We ate breakfast at a little local restaurant in Austin, then we ate lunch at the Bluebonnet Cafe in Marble Falls. Doesn't that sound like the best little joint? Well, it is famous for pie, and we had banana cream, coconut cream and peanut butter. MMMMMM!

Gary sold the rest of the furniture in the house, plus his tools. We have only one lonely coffee table left and I guess it will go to the Salvation Army.

Marble Falls is our "go to" town when we are at our friends ranch! It's about 30 minutes away. We have eaten at the Bluebonnet so many times:p

[gja1000]

Marble Falls is our "go to" town when we are at our friends ranch! It's about 30 minutes away. We have eaten at the Bluebonnet so many times:p

Betsi, isn't it just a great little town. And the Bluebonnet Cafe is just the BEST!

[gja1000]

We moved the rest of our things over to the new house today. Darn! Now I have more boxes to unpack. Actually, not very many and I've already unloaded several of them.

I also went to the doctor with Gary - his asthma is acting up so he had to get some prednisone. I hope it helps him breathe better. It should

[Lindsey]

Now you're really all moved, Gayle!!

Last night we went to see Bridesmaids because we had a couple of coupons for free movie snacks that expire at the end of the month :) It was a funny movie, but very very raunchy! We were excited to see it because we're big fans of a British tv show called The IT Crowd, and one of the guys from that show plays the policeman in this movie :)

When we got home I still had lots of work to do but I was SO tired. I tried 3 times on the computer to open my program, but everytime it froze. The computer needed a restart. I was so frustrated I just went to bed instead. It was 11:00 and my earliest night this week!

Today I am swamped and stressed but I keep remembering it's my last day! I called a meeting this afternoon to explain my projects and hand them all off. I am counting down to 5:00!

[Janet]

After I got home from the route, I started laundry and then started in cleaning, dusting and running the sweeper.I was able to get it all done before the Physical Therapist came for her evaluation of Mom. She was 2 hours late, her GPS wouldn't accept our address for some reason. I've sold puppies from all over and this was a first for me.

I wasn't as thrilled with her as I am about the nurse. I think she's Chinese and she was a bit hard to understand, especially for Mom. She is also 6 mos. pregnant and couldn't help Mom get up. I helped and don't mind but I just can't figure why they would send someone who isn't physically able to do her job at this time. Oh well...we'll see. Sometime next week we have an OT coming and and a speech therapist.

It feels good to have the house cleaned up before the weekend. I was wanting to go with Lynne or to some garage sales but as usual, everyone is busy so I'm stuck at home again. Haven't had time to myself but once since December, and I'm getting really sick of it.

Tonight I have time to play on the computer for awhile.

[gja1000]

Not having time for yourself is definitely a bummer. You really need some alone time. I had my mom for 6 years, and she didn't have any physical problems, just couldn't drive so I had to take her everywhere she needed to go. BUT, she wanted to talk and visit with me when I got home from work and all I wanted to do was collapse, vegetate, or get some work done. Sometimes I just wanted to scream! I understood that she was home alone all day (or with Gary) and she needed to talk to someone, so I tried, but there were days I just couldn't do it. So, I do know how you feel.

[DianaB]

Lindsey, does this mean that you're ready to leave on your Europe trip? I hope so....you've been working so hard!! I hope it's relaxing and a lot of fun!!!

Janet, you'd think that whoever that was sent over would be able to do all the work. Maybe you should talk to the nurse about it and maybe they can send someone else. While they're there maybe you could run to town and just spend some time alone!!

I've had Dae Lynn's kids, Karlie's out of school now, all week. Yesterday and today I've finally had time to get some cleaning done. My bedrooms finally getting finished after cleaning out the closet!!!!! Kera's planning on coming over after lunch and helping me clean. She doesn't do the greatest but at least the floors are clean and things are somewhat dusted!!!!

Also, I've bought a LOT of hostas and I've been trying to get them all planted. We made another flower bed on the corner where you turn into the house and I moved my larger hostas there......so I'm not only planting new hostas....I'm moving the old ones!!! I'm always switching things around to hopefully make things look better. I've decided that I'm addicted to hostas!!!! I just love them and they look so nice when they're grown!!!

Some of my aunts and uncles are at my Mom's house this weekend so Glen and I are gong over there this evening for a fish fry!! I just love being around my aunts and uncles so this will be a real treat!!!!

[Janet]

I would like some hostas too. We've gotten
the area I want planted tilled finally...now I just have to find some that I can afford ....they are so pretty.
Your family sounds like so much fun Diana and the ones I've met are nice and funny. Maybe I should think about Kansas when it's time to retire. :)

[judy]

I took myself shopping today. I've been needing a table lamp for one of the nigh tables in the bedroom, and a brown summer quilt for the living room.l I love to stretch out and watch TV on the couch, and I need a blankie.

Walmart didn't have the quilt I want, so I'll order it online. I also need a floor lamp that has a swing-away light for doing things and reading on the couch. Home Depot has one that's okay, but I think they have free shipping this weekend. I didn't want to carry it home, I did find just the perfect bedside lamp at Homegoods. It is perfect!

The ride is about 35 miles each way, and I hate to go just to browse because gas is so high. I had a list today, so it was fun.

[gja1000]

Your shopping trip sounds like fun! I know what you mean about gas being so high - I just hate to drive! But I think you did great on your trip.

[judy]

It was a very good shopping trip! I ordered the quilt and the lamp online. I saved $5 with a promo code, and got free shipping from Home Depot. Walmart doesn't have good promo codes, but their shipping fees are very low.

Today I went to see Mackenzie audition. There is a venue nearby that has great shows in the summer, and they audition teens to be the opening acts for their artists. It's a great program for teens. Mackenzie performed there last summer.

She was very upset because today's performance was not as good as she wanted. Then, the girl after her was terrific! She is used to being the star!

I feel bad for her. These young teen years can be difficult. She isn't part of the popular crowd outside of school, although she is friends with them in school. I don't think she has the know how to negotiate herself into a tight crowd. There is a lot of phoniness and sucking up involved until you are accepted, and then there is the back stabbing once you are in. I don't think she even wants to do all of that. Then, she has liked 2 different boys who live on her block, and they are not interested in her.

I know she will find her niche, but it still hurts my heart to see her struggling. Kassidy has no such problems, and is on her second boyfriend. This only makes matters worse for Mackenzie, although she is happy for Kass. She just doesn't understand how Kassidy does it.

Brandon, on the other hand, cares about wrestling. He is so cute!

[gja1000]

WE DID IT!! WHOOO HOOOO!!!

We got the entire Austin house emptied out and ready to be rented!!! I'm soooo happpy. And the family who will be renting the house came over this afternoon and they are so thrilled with it. It was just heartwarming to see their joy. They want to buy it but do not know if they can qualify for the loan - I hope they can, not only because I want to sell the house, but because this will be their first home purchase and they really seem to love it.

I am so tired and so happy to be done over there. I still have some boxes to empty here and some things to hoist up in the attic, but it is nearly DONE!

WHOOOO HOOOOO!!!!!

[judy]

Congratulations Gayle!!! Finally all moved in! How nice that the new tenants love your house.

[gja1000]

Hi All! Well Gary and I cancelled our fishing trip to Arkansas. There was a confluence of events that converged to make it unfeasible to go. We are both fine about it, a little disappointed of course, but just fine.

First, Gary is not feeling well. He is having trouble breathing and we saw both his pulmonary and heart doc last week and we changed his medicince a little bit and started him on prednisone for his asthma. It's been a week now and he still isn't feeling much better. So, I'm not sure what is wrong. I was getting very nervous about getting on the road, going out to timbucktoo with him not feeling well.

Second, we have a new Dean at school and we are in a pretty significant budget crunch. I'm as assistant dean and although my contract is only for 9 months (September-May), she told me a couple of weeks ago that she was going to pay me for 5 weeks this summer. I am supposed to get a couple of weeks of summer pay each year for the administrative things I do - but I haven't gotten paid the past two summers. When she discovered this, she wanted to make up for it - which is great! She needs me to do several things by the fall semester, and since I will be teaching from July 11-Aug. 10, it was going to be very difficult to get everything done this summer. She knew I had planned this time in Arkansas and she was fine with that, but of course, since she was paying me, I feel obligated to be here and help with all the things going on at school. "Being here" only means 20 hours a week, so it's not bad at all. I had told Gary that I needed to come home a couple of weeks early to work on some of the things she needs me to do. He immediately said that we probably shouldn't go since we had to come back early and more importantly (although he didn't say it outright), he wasn't feeling well.

Third, our campground is closed until JULY 1ST due to all the rain and some flooding. By the time we found this out we had already decided not to go, so #1 and #2 really are moot points! LOL! We couldn't have gone even if we'd wanted to!

I'm feeling much calmer now about everything. We are both exhausted from getting all the things done at the Austin house so our renters can move in. We could not have gotten ready to go by tomorrow - the day we had set to leave for Arkansas. We are just too tired. I was also stressing out about leaving my yard - not being able to water it for 5 weeks. I have spent a lot of money, time, effort, and sweat getting it looking halfway decent and I was not looking forward to letting things die while we are gone. It was 99 degrees today and without water my yard would have been horrible by the time we returned the first of July. I'm so happy that I will be able to be here now and take care of it through the summer.

We will be going to Oklahoma for Memorial weekend, and then we will travel on to Oklahoma City (yeah I know, tornado alley), so Gary can see his sons and grandsons a couple of days. We'll be back in Austin by June 6th or before.

[judy]

It's funny how things work out. isn't it? I hope Gary gets to feeling better very soon. That's the most important thing, of course.

Sometimes it is a good idea to sit back and recoup. You two have been so busy. Now you can take a break, enjoy your new home, and not worry about Gary's health on the road, do the garden, etc.

This new dean sounds good! She knows when she has a good thing! Paying you for your administrative work is very smart on her part. You should be paid, of course, but I understand why you would do it anyway. You love your school.

[Janet]

I'm so glad Gayle that things really worked out for the best. It wouldn't have been good to be on the road or off the beaten track if Gary wasn't feeling well. I would think you your stress level would have been on high the whole time.

It's also great to be able to stay home....and just relax. I hope your renters are as good as the ones we have.

Yesterday was such a busy day. The nurse came...I really really like her. Also a different PT and we really like her too. Mom also got a bath from the HHA and Mom just loves her. They just happened to be here at the same time or nearly the same time so it got a little hectic, but they have sorted out their schedules so it should be better now. Today the OT came. He's really nice, but Mom was being a real butthead again. I had the talk with her just a little while ago....AGAIN....that if she didn't start building up her strength I wasn't going to be able to help her anymore....that if she became wheelchair bound....it would be too hard for me to move her in and out of the chair. I don't know if she gets it or not, but when I made her do the exercises again....she did them without complaining. Maybe there's hope out there after all.... :)

[judy]

She wouldn't be Mom if she didn't give you a little bit of a hard time!!! It sounds like things are working out well with the assistance you are getting. I hope they come at all different times., Keeps Mom busy!

[judy]

I got my lips plumped yesterday! I seem to be on a "new Judy" quest. I am losing weight, got my permanent eyeliner redone, and now my lips plumped. It's expensive, but I don't travel or buy a lot of clothes.

Jessie thinks I'm nuts, and vain. That stung, since vanity is considered to be a sin. I looked up vanity, and it is considered to be associated with pride. This is said to deny God in that way. I'm not sure if I fall into that category 100%. I feel that God made me, and that I look the way he wanted me to look. On the other hand, not wanting to just roll into aging gracefully, accepting life the way God made it, does seem wrong as far as faith goes.

So, I am guilty of vanity to a point. I'm not going to try and rationalize this, and try to make it okay. I think I'll just pray about it.

[gja1000]

Judy, you are using the brains God gave you to keep yourself looking good and feeling good. There is probably a certain amount of vanity involved, but I think that is OK.

[judy]

Thanks Gayle! I needed that!

[gja1000]

We are at Garys aunt and uncle's cabin at the lake in southern Oklahoma. We went driving around his morning to some small towns in the area. I'm from a really small town (350 people) and I really love to visit small towns. It feels so comfortable.

We have lots of family here today for a BBQ cookout. It will be lots of fun. I sure miss my kids in Houston. They are on Galveston Island today at the beach. I bet Abigail and Emma are having a lot of fun.

[Janet]

Judy....how does one go about getting their lips plumped? Is it like what the actresses do on TV? I'm such a dork when it comes to this stuff. Did it hurt? If I looked like you I'd want to keep my looks nice too, but I don't have anything worth saving so I'll just grow old....and look it.. :D

Today I cleaned the bedroom area where Mom sleeps. She seems to accumulated stuff to just lie around and I can't stand that. She likes things to look like a curio shop or something and I like the more bare clean look. We are so different I can't believe we haven't killed each other yet...lol. Then I got all the laundry caught up. Yay!!!! Seems like it's never ending, but it's done.

I was going to wash and clean out my van, but I think I'll do that tomorrow, maybe. I always plan to do something but end up changing my mind, mostly because my days just don't start off well. Before my feet even touch the ground I hear..."Janet, I need to go potty". Just not what I want to hear before my morning coffee or anytime at all. I should be use to it my now.

That's all I've done today...oh....I forgot...I did take a nap. My sister-in-law also came out. She had a cold and was coughing her fool head off. Said she was on antibiotics so she wasn't contagious. I don't care....if you're sick....stay home! I don't want to catch anything and I sure don't want Mom sick on top of everything else.

[DianaB]

Janet, that was rude of your SIL to come over when she's not well!!! Your Mom certainly doesn't need to catch whatever she has!!!

Judy, I don't think that plumping your lips is much different than getting a perm....or a new hair cut. Vanity is a condition of the heart.....not trying to just look nice.

I'm so sorry that Mackenzie wasn't happy with her tryout. She is so talented and I'm sure if she was in last year that they remember how talented she is!!! As far as school friends.....girls can be so difficult!!! Tell her she just needs to find some friends that she likes and gets along well with and forget about the "popular" girls.......After all who remembers that they were the "popular" girls after they graduate? Good friends you keep forever!!!!!

Gayle, I'm so sorry that your trip didn't work out but it was probably for the best to stay home. Gary's health is more important. At least you got to go to OK to see his family. I'm sure that Gary enjoyed seeing his family!!

Your new Dean sounds really nice!!! I hope that things continue to work this well with her!!!

[gja1000]

Gary and his sisters and niece went fishing on the river today. They only caught 7 fish but they had a great time. I stayed in the hotel with the dogs, but I did sneak out for a bit to do a little shopping. I found a linen pants and shirt outfit. It was nice to have some down time from all the hubbub of family all around.

[gja1000]

We were just lazy today and didn't do much except lay around and sleep. We are still in Oklahoma and I thought we were going home tomorrow, but we will be staying one more day. Gary is going fishing again with his sisters and sons tomorrow. They will have lots of fun, I know. I'll probably try to go to a museum or something like that.

[Janet]

Cleaned house yesterday...did it quickly...dusting, sweeping, changing bed sheets...etc. Even with the air on I was soaked when I got done. Had to shower before going to pick the kids up..no way would I want to get on a hot bus, the kids could've passed out or something.....lolol.

Today I'm taking it a little easier. The OT came today and will come two times next week and he'll be done. The PT comes two more weeks and then she'll be done. Not sure yet about the nurse. I think the HHA is done when Mom quits paying her...lol. She probably doesn't even remember it's out of pocket.

Need to help my son balance his checkbook today and it will be the last time. Hasn't been balanced for 4 months and will be a pain. He doesn't write anything down. His solution....close out the checking account and start a new one somewhere else. I told him he would still mess it up if he didn't record his transactions. Don't know what it's going to take to get through to him.

My older brother and his wife came out on Tues. evening for a little bit. I reminded them that Mom also likes to get out of the house once in awhile and I would like her out once in awhile. If they could just take her for a drive or some ice cream...maybe a quick trip to Wal Mart or her house. Then my younger brother and his daughter came out last night and I told them the same thing. We'll see......

Looks like it could rain, but I don't think it's suppose to. It just feels like a really nice day....maybe I just have a better attitude today....who knows......I like it.

[judy]

Judy....how does one go about getting their lips plumped? Is it like what the actresses do on TV?

It's injections of fillers in the lips. He gave me Novocaine, so it did not hurt, although the Novocaine shots hurt a bit. Supposedly, the fillers stimulate your own collagen to fill in your lips. I don't know about that part. I am sure that the actresses have more expensive work done, but basically that's what it is.
By the way, I think you are very pretty, Janet!

Diana, I really appreciate what you said about vanity being a condition of the heart. I consider you to be a true Christian, and I trust that you understand what faith is.

Gayle, it sounds like you had a great time! Gary had his fishing and his family, and you went shopping!

Two of Jessie and Steve's Malamutes got out on Monday. They are so careful, have electric fences, a double gate, etc., etc., but accidents just wait to happen! To make a long story short, their dogs killed a neighbor's dachshund. He is also the Mayor of the town. He and his wife took the dog to Cornell for surgery, which cost about $6,000! Sadly, the dog didn't make it. Their son also got bit (nothing bad at all).

Jessie is freaking out! She wants the dogs all gone! She is so afraid of confrontation, and this neighbor can be quite a force to contend with! (Although, last year, she ran over her own dog!) Jessie is so worried about having to pay for all of this damage, and the repercussions in her small town. I had the kids Monday and yesterday, which was a lot of fun for us.

She sounds terrible! Her illness and the stress are getting to her, and she really cannot deal with all of this. I feel so bad for her. I did tell her that she can probably have her homeowner's insurance pay for the damages, according to the internet. I am very different from her, so I can't really fully empathize, but I certainly know her well, and just feel terrible for her.

Steve also is able to make a living with the dog breeding, so I'm thinking that he is not 100% on board with closing down the business.

Oh, dear!

[gja1000]

Janet, your son needs to get an account at a bank where he can access his account online. My kids won't keep a check register either so they just check their balance online to keep track of how much money they have. They used to live paycheck to paycheck and I worried about them so much, but it was just their way, and it worked fine.

Judy, I would be just like Jessie, I would be out of my mind with worry. I agree with Jessie that the malmutes should go. Steve can make a living breeding some other type of dog, one that is not so dangerous. I hope their homeowners insurance will cover the costs because they will surely be liable. I would be so upset if something happened to one of our dogs.

Gary is still out fishing. I hope he won't be sick when he gets home. I know they will have a great time. I went shopping at Kohls and spent way too much money but I had a good time. I did make it to one museum to look at some Native American art. It was really beautiful.

[DianaB]

Oh Judy.....I'm so sorry about what the dogs did. I'm sure that Jessie's worried so about it. She needs to check her insurance to see if it will pay....I sure hope it does.

It does sound like they need to get a different breed of dog. What a worry they will be from now on.

Gayle, I'm glad that Gary's having a good time with his family.....and that you were able to find something interesting for you!!!

Glen has a neice getting married on Saturday in Nebraska so we're leaving in the morning. I've been trying to get all the outside plants watered and the laundry done.....all while watching the kids!!! Daya's been out of school and bored.....so she's been coming over and helping me.......I think that it helps that Dean is VERY attached to her!!!! We're taking Feyn and Tammy's twin girls....Karley and Kiley with us because they are going to be servers!! Personally I think that 14 years old is a little young to be servers but I know the girls will do a good job!! It should be a fun trip because the girls are a lot of fun to be with!!! Anyway....I'll be home Sunday evening some time.....maybe late!! If you need me.....my cell phone battery is dying so I won't be taking it......Bummer!!!! But if you have our house number then Glen's cell phone number is just one added to our home phone number!!! So....everyone stay safe and have lots of news for me when I get home!!!! Love ya'll!!!!!

[gja1000]

Diana, have a fun and safe trip! I bet you will have a good time with the girls. Abigail is 14 and she is both lots of fun to be with and she can be lots of help (when you keep her pointed in the right direction) LOL! I'm glad Daya has been helping with the kids. I don't know how you get anything done with Dean, I know I wouldn't be able to.

We are finally going home today. I'm ready. Staying on the third floor of a hotel with two dogs is a chore. They are really good, but getting them down the hall, on the elevator, off the elevator, out the door, to the potty grass and then the reverse, many times a day is getting old. We have a six hour drive and I am not looking forward to that. It is monstrously hot in Austin, 99-100 everyday. It's only been in the high 80's or low 90's here in Oklahoma so not too bad.

[gja1000]

We got home about 2:30 this afternoon. Whew! Long drive. It's only about a 6 hour drive, but we had to stop three times, so it took us a little longer.

It is so good to be home. My yard needs to be watered, so that will be my project for tomorrow. I had a timer on the garden so it looks good. I'm just so glad to be home where I can relax for a while!!! I would have loved to have gone fishing for a month, but it would have been a lot of work for me, and with the new place, this is where I really want to be right now.

My okra did not come up the way it should, I think the soil is not very good where I planted it. So, I'm going to dig out the bad soil and get some new garden soil tomorrow or Sunday and replant the okra.

[Janet]

Oh Judy....how awful the dogs killed the dachshund. I don't blame Jessie for wanting to get rid of them....they sound so dangerous to another animals. Is this the first person that they've bit? I would be worried all the time about a lawsuit or something. Jessie doesn't need this kind of worry stress. I hope Steve can see that this could be a real liability for his family.

Gayle....he does have access to his account online. I have been trying to teach him how to balance his checkbook for 3 years now. He would do fine if he would just write down his transactions. We did check online yesterday and hope we have the correct balance. It's just so frustrating for me because he should be able to do this....he's 20 years old now.

Glad you're home safe and sound. Now you can relax and enjoy your new home. I've been here at mine sooooo much the last few months, but when I have a chance to go somewhere....never sure where to go...lol. I'm a homebody for the most part.

Took Mom to town today and it really wore her out. We went after I got home at 4:00. We stopped by her house so I could pick up her mail and then went to Wal Mart. Her prescriptions were ready and so was mine. We did do a little necessity shopping and then went home. She was exhausted.

I'm tired too so came to bed. Thought I'd check here and FB before closing my eyes for the night.

[gja1000]

Janet, your son needs to get an account at a bank where he can access his account online. My kids won't keep a check register either so they just check their balance online to keep track of how much money they have. They used to live paycheck to paycheck and I worried about them so much, but it was just their way, and it worked fine.

Janet, you probably just need to give it up. My son-in-law develops and manages a multi-million dollar budget at his work, but he won't keep a check register for his personal account and neither will my daughter. They just checks the balance online. Go figure. :rolleyes:

[gja1000]

I just have to tell you all about one of the evenings in Oklahoma. Gary has two sons, Beau and Keith. Beau has one son (Kaleb) and Keith has two sons (Hunter & Ashton).

Beau's son Kaleb (6 years old) was playing T-ball Wednesday evening, so we went to the game. I just have to tell you who all came to the game, it's worse than a soap opera.

First Beau was there. Well that makes sense, his son Kaleb was playing T-ball. Next Beau's ex-girlfriend (can't remember her name???) who is Kaleb's mom was there (OK - she IS Kaleb's mom). She was there with a 6 month old baby (Tyler) who is Kaleb's half brother - yep, he has a different dad. Nope, none of them have ever gotten married. Beau has full custody of Kaleb and is raising him on his own. I didn't know that his mom ever came to see him, but I guess she does.

Next, there was Keith, Gary's oldest son, and his ex-wife Raegan - well not really ex-wife but they have lived apart for 5 years. Nope, haven't bothered to get a divorce. Fortunately, she only had their two sons (Hunter and Ashton) with her and she doesn't have any more kids.

Last, there was Gary's ex-wife - grandma to the 3 boys (not Tyler of course, since he has a different dad).

OH MY! :eek:

[Janet]

Wow...it would be hard to keep all that straight, but I bet there's never a dull moment. Sounds like everyone must get along really well and that's great!

I have decided to give it up as far as Ricky's account. I have too much other stuff to think about.

Also....I'm thinking of getting Mom's account online....she hasn't balanced hers in years...lol. She use to, but one time it got off by a few cents and she was never able to find it. So she just quit. May have to do that Monday.

[judy]

I haven't balanced my checkbook in about 35 years! I was sick of doing it so, after my first husband and I split up, I started keeping an extra $25 dollars in there to cover my checks. That amount went up over the years, until online baking came around. You can check your balance very easily online by looking at the "activity." Then. overdraft covered me. Now, overdraft wants $12 for each time they cover a check, so that's not useful anymore. Now, I use a credit card, and pay it off at the end of every month.

I also have my transfers and monthly checks on repeating payments, so I don't have to think about them.

I will be angry though, if I find out they are still being paid after I die!!!

[gja1000]

I'm just plumb tired today! We ran errands this morning, and then I did a few things in the backyard, but after that, I had to take a little nap. I still feel like I could go to bed, but I won't because I'd be up at 2:00AM. I'm washing a few clothes and need to do some other things, but they might just have to wait till tomorrow.

[Janet]

Didn't do much today at all. Checked a few things online, but mostly stayed in my room until summoned. Needed alone time, it was nice. It was so nice and the temp was good that I should have been outside. Would really like to plant some flowers, but starting tomorrow the high 80's and 90's are coming back.

Wish I could just check our account online, but I'm too much of a nut case...I have to balance it every month and it better be right....right down to the last penny....lol

This week is the last week of school...yay. We had to go a week later because we started a week later due to construction projects. I am so anxious for it to be over for a few months.

[judy]

Yay summer vacation Janet! Then you can make your yearly summer to do list. I think you are one of very few people I know who actually gets through the list!

My mother was like you. Her checkbook was balanced to the penny, or she was on the phone with the bank to figure it out. Do you remember those days, when you could call the bank and they would patiently go through your balance with you, check by check, until it balanced? They didn't charge a fee either! I had forgotten about that until you mentioned balancing the checkbook, Janet.

There were people answering the phone, not a menu, and everybody was so polite!

What a different world we live in now. The Internet has really changed us!

[DianaB]

Gayle, I bet you are so tired after your trip!!! You'll need a vacation from your vacation!!!

Janet, I'm glad that school's almost out for you.....You work so hard and deserve a rest for the summer!!!

Judy, I think that our bank will still help you balance your checkbook if you go in. There are some advantages to living in a small town, I guess!!!

We're home!!! The wedding was beautiful!!! My neice's dress was just beautiful and she was a lovely bride!!! A lot of Glen's family was there so that was really nice!!! Karley and Kiley were servers at the reception....one served coffee and the other one punch. They are such beautiful girls!!!

We went out to Brenda's house for awhile before we came home yesterday. She has such a beautiful yard!! I think that she's going to bring me a couple of starts from some of her outside plants. We ended up leaving late so we were late getting home. Besides the twins....we brought home another neice that had to go to work today and a great neice that just wanted to ride with the other girls!!! So we had a car load coming home!! They were so good and mostly watched dvd's.....which was a good thing because I don't travel well with a lot of noise and acting up!!!

It's so good to be home!!! I'm not usually like this but for some reason I was ready to be back home!!!!

[gja1000]

We went to the farmers market in my little town, Pflugerville - isn't that a FUNNY name for a town. Or maybe I should say it is the perfect name for a HICK town. LOL!

Anyway, I bought tomatoes, summer squash, cucumbers and onions. I had a tomato, squash, and my new red potatoes for dinner tonight, along with some watermelon. Oh My Goodness! The tomato was the BEST BEST BEST. It tastes like it has sugar poured over it. YUM YUM, so good! The squash was great and the potatoes are really good too. What a delish dinner!!! Good for my diet too - I'm still 350 calories under my daily allowance. I'll have some more watermelon later.

I made something my mom called Dutch Mess - it is diced up tomatoes, cucumbers, onions and green peppers, covered in half apple cider vinegar and half water with some sugar to cut the sharpness of the vinegar. Of course, I use splenda instead of sugar. It is not nearly as good until it has soaked for about 24 hours. It will keep in the fridge for days and days. I just love to eat it in the summer when it is hot - such a cold tasty treat. It's good for my diet too! I used fresh vegetables from the farmers market, except for the green peppers - didn't find any of them.

[gja1000]

Our neighbor works for a home repair company so we asked him if he would install some new outdoor lights for us. The bulb on the porch light (flush mount to the ceiling) burned out and I swear to you that neither Gary nor I could figure out how to get the glass cover off to replace the bulb so we had to break out a piece of the glass to get the bulb. It was very old and needed to be replaced anyway. We have a spotlight way up on our chimney in the back of the house that was supposed to (I assume) illuminate the back yard, but it did NOT! Gary had a spot light like the one we had used at the camp house at the deer lease so we knew it put out a lot of light. Also, it is dark on the east side of the house and there is no light over there, so we got a solar light to put there.

Gary can install lights, of course, BUT, he has a pacemaker with an internal defibrillator in it so if he gets shocked, it could cause his defibrillator to fire - not the thing you want to have happen while standing on a ladder! :D Also, it is DAMNED HOT here, another reason Gary doesn't need to be outdoors installing lights. Lastly, the spot light is at the TOP of the chimney - waaaaaay up there.

Anyway, the neighbor came over yesterday after work and installed them for us and YAY - all of them work GREAT! The porch light is a motion light so it is great to have the light come on when you step out on to the porch. The spotlight illuminates the whole backyard - it is GREAT! It also illuminates the shop too so if we have to go out there after dark, we can see where we are walking and see to unlock the door.

We also talked to him about replacing the kitchen counter tops and putting tile in the backsplash. We are going to do that in July and he seems to be able to do the job. YAY again!

[judy]

So you are all lit up now!!! It is so great to find someone competent to do work around the house, isn't it? Another load off your shoulders, Gayle! I agree that Gary should not be doing these things!

I'm going to the pool today. We are having a mini heat wave. It's supposed to be in the 90's, and I think being in the water is the best solution of all!

Jess is really upset about her neighbor whose dog was killed by Jessie's malamutes. The neighbor isn't talking to them, is bringing them up on criminal charges, and has told people that Jess and Steve have a million dollar umbrella insurance policy for the dogs, so she is doing this through legal channels so as not to have Jessie and Steve pay out of pocket. They do not have this! Jess and Steve emailed her several times offering to pay full vet and medical bills, to replace her dog, and to give them one of their Japanese Chins. The legal system up here is really awful too. They will put you in jail for a bad check. I am used to NYC where the cops do not get involved in these issues because they are too busy.

[Janet]

Farmers Markets are so fun Gayle....the one we have in town also has crafts. The market is up on our town square every Saturday morning. It's also nice to see people I haven't seen for awhile. Haven't been up there yet this year.

Not sure what kind of lights you're describing, but I was wanting some of those solar lights to put along walkways. Everyone told me though that they don't put off much light and I'd be better off with electric ones. Haven't bought any yet....not sure now I want them....lol. We do have one of those spot light things you're speaking of only here we call them Mercury Lights. The one we have lights up the whole side yard. We also have a motion detector light in the doggie area, that way when they go out they have light. Only thing is...if a leaf or something moves in that area....the light comes on...LOL. One time a rabbit got back there, I was here by myself, saw the light on and it scared me to death wandering who or what was back there....lol

I feel so bad for your daughter Judy....that would be enough to make anyone worry. I hope something can be worked out and I also hope they either get rid of them or make it escape proof.

[gja1000]

Judy, I too, really feel badly for your daughter. It will probably be OK though, when they find out there is no BIG insurance policy. I imagine though, they are going to have to pay for all the bills and for the replacement dog. I definitely would be insisting that the dogs GO - but that's just me. I couldn't take the stress of worrying about if they might get out again. Also, after my daughter's lab killed her pug, the vet said that once a dog kills it will do it again, given the chance. They had a 2 year old, so they got rid of the dog.

[Blueyes]

Hi everybody! I'm just getting a chance to catch up with you all, and I have so enjoyed it! Sounds like everybody is busy as usual.

I am enjoying having my son Michael and his family here this summer. It's been an adjustment for them, since they have been living in the Philippines for the last year. Caleb, my 8 year old grandson, was so excited because he can drink water out of the tap! He also loves that nobody stares at him here. Blue eyed blondes attract a lot of attention over there, lol! Mikey will be 12 this month:eek: He's such a sweet kid, and we have always been especially close. Raelyn has decided she loves me, too:p It's so different for me to have a little girl around. I LOVE it! Michael and Rachel are a joy to have in the house. Thank you God for giving me such sweet wives for my sons:D

Mike has been healthy lately, thank goodness! He has been relocated to the bedroom with a full size bed, but he doesn't mind too much, lol!

My house is a wreck. I have already spent a fortune...groceries, etc. But let me tell you, I don't mind if they live here forever:thumbup::thumbup:

[gja1000]

Oh Betsi, I know you love having your kids there. You are such a wonderful person with such a great family. Enjoy it, as I know you will!

I'm glad to hear that Mike has been doing well - that is such a relief!

[Janet]

Your post was so exciting that I got excited reading it. Sounds like you are truly enjoying your blessings and I'm thrilled for you.

[judy]

What a wonderful summer, Betsi! What could be better than having the kids home? I bet they are loving being with Grandma and Grandpa too. Great that Mike is feeling good!

Gayle, this is for you (and all of us who love summer veggies):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BoDVEIUR4xs

[DianaB]

Betsi, if I know you.....you're going to make up for that year they were gone and out of your reach!!!! I know that you're going to love every minute!!! As far as the grocery budget......serve hot dogs and chips once in a while!!!! The kids will love it!!!

[DianaB]

Dae Lynn's birthday was on Monday and she wanted to go to Wichita for a shopping trip. It was suppose to work out that Kera took care of the kids but she has driver's ed so......we ended up taking Karlie and Dean with us. Whew!!!!!! It was quite a day!!!! We soon found out that if we each took a kid and separated to shop that the kids were a lot better. Dean fusses at Dae Lynn all the time but once we walked away he was really good. When we got to the mall I shopped in Penney's a little and then I took the kids to a little play area that's set up in the mall. The kids were able to run off some of their energy and not have to be confined to a stroller or car seat. Dean was so cute.....he found a little girl about his age and they tried to kiss each other......many of us had a good laugh at that!!! He's mister lover boy!!!! As usual, Dae Lynn found more for the kids than she did for herself but she did look. She said that she really enjoyed being able to shop without the kids and I enjoyed watching them play!!

After we left we ate an early supper at Abuelo's.....I think that it's becoming my favorite restaurant!!!! It's mexican food.....but I had shrimp stuffed with cheese and jalapenos and wrapped with bacon......Yummm!!!!!

We thought that the kids would both sleep on the way home......because it's an hour and a half home.....but noooooo....Karlie fell asleep for a little while but Dean decided to scream most of the way home......I think that he was trying to keep himself awake!!!! The kids for the most part were really good......but I was sure glad to get back home!!!!!!

I think that today Reuger's getting a hair cut!!! He looks so shaggy and I'm sure he's hot!!! He loves the attention he gets when I do it but I'm not very fast!!!!

[gja1000]

Diana, your trip sounds fun and stressful all at the same time. I hope Dae Lynn was able to find something for herself! That is so cute about Dean and the little girl kissing! I bet that was adorable. I know that Emma would cry, scream, sing or whatever to keep herself awake. LOL!

I LOVE to eat at Abuelos - if it is the same one we have and I bet it is because they have things like stuffed shrimp! If so, it is a VERY GOOD Mexican restaurant.

[Janet]

Today was a nice day. The therapists and nurse came to work with Mom. Of course she wasn't thrilled, but they just take her in stride. The OT is done now. He was so nice and I really liked him, but Mom sure gave him fits at times. So embarassing....but he liked her anyway and was always so sweet to her.

I woke up about 3:20 a.m. this morning to the sound of thunder and bright lightning. Just lying here in bed....I remembered I left a few bus windows down so it would stay cool and the vent on top was open. I get to the bus get the windows up, vent down and then the wind picks up and huge....I MEAN HUGE ..lol drops of water came down. I made it inside just in the nick of time. When I got in bed the time was 3:27 a.m. Of course I couldn't go back to sleep right away. Up till about 4:15 I think. The storm blew some more limbs down, but no one else in the house heard a thing. I usually don't, but I was being watched I guess...because of my windows... :)

Right now my younger brother Brad is in playing Yahtzee with Mom so I'm in my bedroom. He usually leaves after 3 or 4 games and then says he'll see her soon so it won't be until after the weekend......AGAIN!

Enough of that......tomorrow is the LAST day of school....yay oh yay oh yay!!!!!!! I have so many things I want to get done and so many things I want to get rid of. I need to have my carpets cleaned professionally. I'd like to get the carpet up, but will have to start saving again. I just got the IPad paid off and a $400 vet bill. So...now on to new flooring....hopefully. Dreaming right now....but ya never know.

[gja1000]

Janet, Diana's last post in the Aw Oh! thread. I think it is the perfect solution.

[gja1000]

Gary and I had a FULL shopping day. We started with breakfast at Denny's - not my favorite place to eat, but it was convenient this morning. Then we went to Academy sporting goods. Gary picked up a couple of fishing rods for his uncle. Next, we went to Cabela's - the real reason for the trip. Gary got 2 pairs of shoes - he wears Cabela's brand loafers, pretty nice shoes for $29 each and sometimes (not today though) you can get them on sale for $19.99. The real reason for the trip to Cabela's was to get a depth finder for the boat. They were on sale for $69 from $99. Finally, we went to Camping World because we need a tarp cover for the trailer. We've had it in covered storage since we've had it, but now that it is here at the house, it is not covered. We talked about building a shed for it - but just don't want to spend the money now. So, we got a nice tarp cover. Now I have to wash it and then we can put the cover on it.

Before we left for the day, I got up early and worked out in the yard for a couple of hours - so I am really pooped out right now! I think I may go to bed............zzzzzzzzzzzz

[judy]

Sounds fun, Gayle. When I was younger, my first husband and I went camping a lot. Don't you love camping good stores? I remember being so excited once when I found a hard plastic egg container for the cooler! I'm really pretty easy to please.

I used to set up the tent. I would pretend we were on an expedition to Mars, and were setting up camp. Waking up in the morning to camp coffee was also one of my favs. Sitting outside and drinking my coffee was so nice!!!

I stopped camping when Jessie was an infant. Tenting with an infant is too hard, and we didn't have a camper.

[Janet]

Sounds like you had a great time Gayle. I haven't been to a camping store in quite some time. I use to love all the new gadgets that would come out....like the plastic egg thingy Judy wrote about. I still have most everything from our pop-out in plastic tubs overhead in the garage. Who knows maybe some day we'll try camping again. I loved my coffee out by the fire first thing of a morning and chatting with other people as they walked by our site. Would love to have a hard shell camper someday, but it's just not in the finances now.

So far today I've had a nice cup of coffee on the front porch. It's so beautiful this morning. Not sure what my plans are today. My good sister-in-law called yesterday and said something about coming out to visit Mom and give me a rest. I told her she would have to co-ordinate with her brother-in-law because he said something about getting with Mom, but since we had the blow-up I didn't know what he'd be doing ......if anything. So who knows what will happen. My older brother Jerry doesn't like dealing with Brad either so it's anyone's guess. Aren't we a loving family???? :)

[gja1000]

Oh. My. Goodness. We went to our friend's farmers market today and he had some fresh pinto beans - not dried like at the store. I just cooked them and they are ready so of course, I had to sample them while the potatoes and cornbread are cooking.

:eek: Best. Beans. Ever.

[Janet]

Today was just so beautiful. I drank my coffee out on the front porch....it was so good. I love the peacefulness of sitting out there so early in the morning. After breakfast I told Mom we needed to get dressed. I then told her we were going for a walk. She said she can't walk far and I said that I was gonna walk and she could ride in the wheelchair.

The temps were perfect for me, but Mom had on a lightweight cotton L/S top, a hooded jacket and her winter coat....LOLOL. We did look the pair. When we got back we sat outside for awhile in the sun and she really enjoyed being out. We may have to make a habit of this.

After lunch, my brother Jerry and his wife came out to visit Mom. They were here for a couple hours and it was a good visit. My brother isn't doing very well. My SIL told me last year that Jerry quit taking all his meds. He was taking something for his heart (he's had two heart attacks) and high blood pressure and something else. He just decided he didn't want to take all the pills anymore so quit. He started coughing twice while at my house that I really thought he was going to have a heart attack. He got so red faced and couldn't catch his breath. My husband said that while my brother was outside...he smoked 4 cigarettes in about 25 minutes. It doesn't sound real good. She also told me that twice he has wet himself. He would just go nuts if he knew that I knew this. I hate the thought that not only is Mom in failing health but it sounds like Jerry isn't doing much better. I wish he'd go to the Dr. and get back on track....AND quit that darn smoking!

I'm up late and not worrying about having to get up early in the morning....yay!!!!!

[gja1000]

I'm not surprised at all that your brother is not doing well - since he stopped taking his meds. If he's had a heart attack and has high blood pressure, and not taking his meds, he will likely have another heart attack or a stroke. He's got chronic bronchitis (or worse - COPD) from smoking. There's not much to do about that except stop smoking and it doesn't sound like that is going to happen.

But he's made a choice to stop his meds, so he will have to suffer the consequences. It's sorta sad that he doesn't want to take care of himself.

[judy]

That is a shame about your brother, Janet. Sounds like my mother, who had heart failure, and kept smoking until she died of emphysema. I have never forgiven her for that!

I will pray for him to come to his senses.

[DianaB]

I'm glad that Jerry and his wife came over and spent some time with your Mom. I bet you did look like a pair.....with your Mom in her coat!!!! Should have taken a picture!!!

I'm sorry that Jerry's health isn't good. What is he thinking by quitting his meds without talking to a doctor? I hope he comes to his senses and decides to take better care of himself.

[Janet]

I'm not surprised at all that your brother is not doing well - since he stopped taking his meds. If he's had a heart attack and has high blood pressure, and not taking his meds, he will likely have another heart attack or a stroke. He's got chronic bronchitis (or worse - COPD) from smoking. There's not much to do about that except stop smoking and it doesn't sound like that is going to happen.

But he's made a choice to stop his meds, so he will have to suffer the consequences. It's sorta sad that he doesn't want to take care of himself.

That is a shame about your brother, Janet. Sounds like my mother, who had heart failure, and kept smoking until she died of emphysema. I have never forgiven her for that!

I will pray for him to come to his senses.

I'm glad that Jerry and his wife came over and spent some time with your Mom. I bet you did look like a pair.....with your Mom in her coat!!!! Should have taken a picture!!!

I'm sorry that Jerry's health isn't good. What is he thinking by quitting his meds without talking to a doctor? I hope he comes to his senses and decides to take better care of himself.


My whole family is nuts...:rolleyes: Not sure why Jerry quit taking his meds...not the smartest thing to do, but it's his life I guess. Pretty selfish and thoughtless if ya ask me. Oh well. At this rate and the way his health is he won't be here long either. I just don't understand him.

[DianaB]

Getting old is just hard!!! I'm sure that he's tired of taking meds.....and paying for them. Plus it's easy to tell ourselves that we just don't need them. The mind can play tricks on us!!!! I hope someone talks some sense into him......especially about the smoking!!

[Tiramisu]

Sometimes I think about not taking meds, then I do out of habit.

Today, I got up on time (I've been dragging), drove to work without road rage, worked my desk top, my girls were behaved, so it was a good day.

[Janet]

I've been wanting to 'downsize' my meds too but only if it's okay with my Dr. Jerry is 8 years older than me so that makes him somewhere around 64 ? He has really bad knees and won't have anything done with them, won't quit smoking, overweight, and eats all the wrong things. He just got tired of taking them I guess.

Great you had no road rage Sandy....I can usually find a driver that I'd like to bump into...lol I'm glad you're here and that you had a good day.

[gja1000]

Sometimes I think about not taking meds, then I do out of habit.

Today, I got up on time (I've been dragging), drove to work without road rage, worked my desk top, my girls were behaved, so it was a good day.

You've been through a lot lately, Sandy! I think that you can say, "it was a good day" is wonderful! I've been dragging too, lately and haven't been though anything like you have. You must have a TON of strength and fortitude!

[Tiramisu]

Not sure what made me this way except the good fortune of a great family.

[gja1000]

Not sure what made me this way except the good fortune of a great family.

Families can be great! You are lucky to have such a wonderful one! And I'm sure you reciprocate for them too.

[judy]

Keep on going Sandy! You are wonderful!

[judy]

Yesterday was a rainy day, which I love. I get things done in the house, and just relax. I spent about an hour and 1/2 listening to a book on the computer. Heaven!

So here I am, at about 8:30, waiting for my coffeemaker to beep, planning my lovely, lazy day. I love my morning coffee. The phone rings, and Steve (SIL) called to tell me about a job app he just filled in online, in which they asked for his ethnic group. He was amazed to see that there were many different, very explicit choices like Philipine Asian, etc. Then he saw "white" as a choice. I thought it was odd. Usually that choice is "Caucasian." He saw it as a prejudice to whites. I saw it as many people do not know what caucasian means, so white is used. I also thought it a bit racist towards other groups. This is not anything I want to get into at any time of the day. Steve is also an "angry young man," so he goes on and on about so many injustices. Thank goodness he got another phone call, and I was able to have my coffee in peace!

But, no! The phone rang about two minutes later, and it was Jessie on her cell phone. She was on a school trip with the third graders. There was a lot of noise in the background. Sixty or so third graders can quite a ruckus! She was chatting away, and I was trying to hear her, ignore the yelling, laughing, and so on, and have a nice conversation with her. I still had not had my coffee. I was quietly wondering why she chose this time and place to call anyone to chat. Finally, they got to Lake George, and she had to go.

As I sat here, after reheating my precious cup of coffee in the microwave, I had to laugh at myself. I love them both so much, and am so grateful that they love me and call me so often. But, not before my morning coffee please!!!

[Janet]

I could actually feel your pain Judy....LOL. I don't have much problem with my morning coffee, but it seems that during the day....during the hour from 1-2 either the phone rings or that's when the therapists come for Mom. I don't watch TV much at all during the day except during this one hour...Days of Our Lives. I'm just gonna start telling them they have to come before noon or after 2 PM....I just want that one hour of peace during the day. LOL

[DianaB]

My peace starts when Dean and Karlie leave!!!! Dean is learning to scream as soon as Karlie gets close to him or when he wants something......Grandma's been popping him on the mouth or the bottom when he screams!!! Karlie thinks that she has to talk non-stop unless the tv is on!!!! When they leave I take a deep breath and enjoy the peace and quiet!!!!

Tonight's "The Alley" at church.......I have to put on a messy wig and run through the kids singing "O where is my hairbush"!!! And the kids are putting make up on Dae Lynn and I while standing behind us!!! Should be a fun night!!!! Wanna' trade me places this evening??????

[Tiramisu]

Another good day. Good lunch with my departing boss. He's been a pleasure.

[gja1000]

Sandy, I'm so glad you had a good day today. It's nice to have co-workers that you admire and respect! I'm hoping your days just get better and better!

[Janet]

You're braver than I am Diana....LOL....I'm sure you'll have a great time.

Sandy...it's always a little sad to see a co-worker leave especially if we really enjoyed working with them. I'm so glad you're back!

[judy]

That does sound like fun, Diana! I am always so pleasantly surprised when children do something as a group, like a play. They always surpass my expectations. Have a ball!

Dean's screaming, and Karlie's non-stop talking do not sound like fun! Hang in there, you know they both will grow out of it. Of course, they will then grow into new, who knows what, strange behaviors! Love just doesn't come for free!

Today is Mackenzie's 14th birthday!!! My little angel is really growing up! She is so special, and I love her soooooo much!

I am going over there at about 1:00. Talk about a crazy house!!! I just smile and say"that's wonderful" to most of what the adults say.

[DianaB]

Tell Mackenzie "Happy Birthday" from me!!! She is such a talented young girl!!!!

"The Alley" was interesting last night!!! I ran through the kids in a bathrobe and slippers and a gray messy wig on my head......while singing to a song called "Where is my hairbrush"!!! I had kids get up out of their seat like I was looking for my hair brush and had everyone laughing!!! Even the adults!!! When I couldn't find my hair brush I licked my fingers and tried to smooth down my hair!!!! One woman was about to split her side!!!

Then one of the games was for 4 kids to put makeup on Dae Lynn and I while they were blind-folded!! My team didn't even try to put it on correctly!!! I had my neck powdered on both sides........eye shadow on one side of my neck.......blush on the other side of my neck and one cheek.......then the lipstick.........I had scribbles on my forehead with dots....then down to my chin......later he came back and started with lipstick at my jawbone and went up to the top of my head through my hair!!! I was really worried about the red staining my hair because I just had the highlights redone last week but it did wash out!!! WHEW!!!!

I love working with the kids and I love being goofy for them!!! You'd probably be shocked at the things I do with the kids!!! However I do expect them to behave and I did have some problems that I had to address.

Today.....no kids and the house is pretty clean.......so I'm just chillin"!!!!!!!!

[Janet]

Tell MacKenzie Happy Birthay from me too! She's such a beautiful young lady.

Diana....sounds like you all had a great time. I could see it all in my imagination and you were a sight....lolol. I'm glad you have so much fun with them.


This morning I got a haircut at 9:00 and Mom felt good enough to get a manicure at the same time. It was her very first one professionally. She picked a beautiful color and it looks really nice. She is so proud of it. Then we went to town around 11:30. A friend of hers called to tell her there was a campers meeting at Ponderosa Steak House at noon. My parents joined a campers club many many years ago and Mom had continued to go. There are not many of them left and most have their adult children pull and park the camper for them now.

When we arrived we saw a very dear friend and Mom and her hugged and Mom started crying. We spoke for a bit and then I needed to get Mom in to where the meeting was being held. She hadn't been for a few months and when everyone started coming up to her she started crying again. She was so glad to see everyone.

I didn't really feel like driving to town and I don't care for the restaurant, but I kept feeling this urging.....I know it was God.....so I took Mom to see her friends and so glad that I did. It really warmed my heart.

Now we are back home...lounging around like a couple overstuffed pigs....LOLOL. We had a good time and Mom's nails look great!

[gja1000]

Diana - I know you had such a good time! And the kids loved it too, I am sure. I'm pretty shy at doing things like that, I have a really hard time, so I really admire what you can do with the kids.

Janet, what a wonderful story!!! I know your mom just loved seeing her friends, I'm sure it gave her a boost. My mom gets her nails done every 3 weeks, like clockwork. Her nails are beautiful - mine on the other hand are NOT! I dig in the garden too much to have a pretty manicure!

I have to drive 500 miles for my mom to see her friends - and I'm going to do it in September. Her old school (which has been turned into a museum) is having a reunion in September and I told her I would take her. It's a long drive - but we can make it. We could fly, but we'd have to change planes once, then rent a car and drive 130 miles after we arrived, so it's not hardly worth it. It takes as long to fly/drive as it does to drive it all. I need to take a couple of pieces of furniture up to my cousin who lives along the way, so it will work out well.

I'm going to Houston tomorrow to see the kids, so my day has been filled with a little bit of work, some washing, and now I'm trying to get packed and organized.

[Tiramisu]

Gayle If you're close to greens point on i45 north, honk at me,

I had a regular day and worked in a couple of margaritas in this evening. Don't get out much any more.

[DianaB]

Gayle, I'm surprised!! I figured that you didn't mind getting in front of people since you teach!!!

[gja1000]

Gayle If you're close to greens point on i45 north, honk at me,

I had a regular day and worked in a couple of margaritas in this evening. Don't get out much any more.

Okie Dokie! I won't go by today because I'm taking the Sam Houston toll (beltway) all the way around the city to the east. I'll be hitting Houston about 5:30 and the beltway is much better if I go east at 290 AAALLLLLLLL the way around Houston to the east and then south and then hitting I45 south of Houston. The evening traffic is wayyyyy better with that route - as I'm sure you know.

[judy]

Have a safe trip, Gayle and enjoy being with the kids!

Diana, that sounds like so much fun! No wonder the kids love you so much!

Janet, what a wonderful thing you did for Mom! It's good that you followed your instincts! She must be so cute showing off her nails too!

[Janet]

Have a great trip Gayle.

Just thought I'd post a couple pictures of Mom's first manicure......



6672 6673

[Tiramisu]

Gayle, my apt is on beltway, between 59 and i10.

Janet, love the nails.

[gja1000]

You are right Sandy, I drove right past it! When you get settled in your new digs, we'll have to have a meet up!

It's so good to see the kids. Everyone looks happy and healthy. They are adapting to Houston. My 14 year old granddaughter is already involved in many activities and she has made lots of friends. She says she loves it here but misses her old friends. With cell phones and computers, she stays in touch with them though.

The 4 year old Emma, did not stop talking till she went to bed. LOL! She looks like she has grown in just a month. She is so happy to see me!

[judy]

Where are the pictures, Gayle? How wonderful that they are happy!

Janet, Mom's nails are really pretty!

[judy]

I have been so tired lately. I think it is allergies and the humidity. I was so used to a/c in NYC. I do have the portable a/c. Maybe I should start using the dehumidifier function more. I really do not want to pay for the extra electricity.

Maybe I should stop worrying about the extra money, and more about my health.

On the up side, I went to the pool yesterday. I was all by myself, laid out on a lounge chair, listening to an audiobook. It's very sunny up there, and the pool was delightful for cooling off in.

Today, I am going to Oneonta to get my eyeliner tattoo checked. You have to go back after a few weeks when you first have it done. There are actual stores there! I am excited!!! They are building a TJ Maxx, and I am hoping it is open!!!

[DianaB]

Gayle, it sounds like the kids are doing very well with their move and making new friends!!! I'm sure that they were glad to see Grandma!!!

Janet, your Mom's nails look great!!! I love the color!!! I've never had my nails done professionally either.

Judy, laying out in the sun by a pool sounds heavenly!!!! It's starting to get so hot here that I'm afraid that laying in the sun won't be too much fun......but it is time to check the pond and see if it's warm enough to swim!!!!

[Janet]

As hot as it has been, the pond should feel so refreshing.

[Tiramisu]

I went to my plastic surgeon appt at 11 and didn't go back to work. Ate Chinese buffet, came home and crashed. Feeling like going out for a margarita now.

Unfortunately, I missed the bank mortgage guy's phone call while driving. I left him a phone message but he didn't call me back. Applied for a loan to get the little house. I can't make an offer until I have proof of funds.

[judy]

Good luck Sandy!

I went to Oneonta yesterday. Got the eyeliner touch-up. She does a very good job! I am so glad I decided to do this in a doctor's office. It is so clean, and I feel safe there. It may have cost more, but I am not sure about that.

Shopping was boring. The JC Penney's is very small, the mall is not very exciting, and I really did not buy anything. I did save money though.

Old Oneonta is very interesting. It is a college town, and the shops near the college are fun, and have interesting stuff. There are nice bookstores and cafes. I just don't shop like that anymore. Boutiques are nice, but stores like TJ Maxx, Homegoods, etc., are so much better for prices. Cafes are okay, but only with company, and a cup of coffee just is not worth $3.50.

I am getting old, I think! Wiser, but old.

I did buy the dog potty with the fake grass. Max has decided that he can go anywhere he wants in the house. He also marks in certain spots, although he is neutered. I do have him trained to go pee on the pads when I ask him to, which is great. I am waiting for belly bands for the marking. The poop is a problem. If I let him out, or on the deck, he will poop out there, but he will not go out in the rain. I also leave them home alone for long periods of time, relying on the pads so they don't go all over the house.

I called a trainer in, and she laid out a plan, which I am trying to avoid like crazy! She suggested putting him in an ex pen when he usually poops, twice a day. I tried it, but he has no idea what I want him to do in there. He pooped as soon as I took him out! I am supposed to leave him in there for as long as it takes for him to poop, and them to give him treats, do the dance and songs of joy, and so on. I do not want to do this, and I am also not home all day now that the weather is nice. I can't always be around the catch him and give him positive reinforcement. Anyway, I am hoping this potty thing might work. Wish me, and Max, luck!

[DianaB]

Good luck to you and Max!!!

Jazzi and Reuger are pretty good about not going in the house, but the marking is another thing. Everybody has dogs and when another dog comes around he starts marking again but after a while it gets better. I have a little hallway next to the living room that goes to two bedrooms and a bathroom......very small but out of site.....and I have problems with them peeing in there and the bedrooms so I bought one of those things that you usually use with babies that block off rooms. I just keep it propped up there and the dogs don't bother it. If I put it in the doorway then it's hard for the kids to get to the bathroom.

I hope you find something that helps because having them go in the house is very fustrating.

Oh, and Reuger and Jazzi either go outside or into their kennel when I leave so they are peeing in the house while I'm gone.


Your shopping trip sounded like fun......but another person would have made it much better. I'd love to sit in a coffee shop and visit with you!!! Next time go in and buy a coffee then give me a call!!!!

[Janet]

Good luck Sandy on the loan approval. I hope you get the house you want.

Judy....I would like to go shop with you...but I like cheap....LOL Real cheap!!! I still have problems with my 5 at times going in the house. I hope it gets better for you. Emilee will always pee on the pad...but poos in the kitchen or outside. Joey...poos anywhere he can, don't have to worry about marking...he wears a belly band. Gidget..poos in the kitchen or pad and pees on pad or right beside it....grrrrr, Ozzie...wears a belly band too, and poos wherever. Brenna....she always does both on the pad. She's such a good girl. And Penny, our Golden...both...always outside. When we sleep or are gone...they are in their crates. I get so tired of picking up poo it's ridiculous. I can have them outside for 45 minutes or longer and they will come in to poo. I guess we both just need to be on them more, but I (like you) have other things to do besides watch these dogs. When it's not too hot.....I just leave them all outside.

[gja1000]

Sandy, I sure hope you get good news from the mortgage co!

Judy, I have a marker and he will never stop. Fortunately his fave spots are on the tile. But he does mark in places on the wood floor but it doesn't seem to cause any harm. I go round to the usual spots every couple of days and wipe them up. I watch when walking through the house and I can often see the little drops when they are still wet. We have a doggie door in the sliding glas door so they can go out even when we are not here. I've wondered if he would use an indoor grass potty, or not, or use it and then mark his usual territory :confused:

[judy]

After seeing that all of you have the same problems, maybe I will just relax and leave it be. Max will pee on the pad if I tell him to, and a belly band should take care of the marking. He only poos twice a day. I was telling Jessie I can really live with that. I just don't want Max to be smelly from the belly band. Maybe I should not have gotten yorkies! Never! I wouldn't want any other dogs

I'll let you know about the fancy potty thing.

Thanks!!!

[Janet]

I think that all the time....as much as I love them (most of the time), I sure wish I would have picked a more quiet and easier to potty break breed.

[gja1000]

What is it about Yorkies??? After I got mine (sigh) I learned that almost everyone has problems with them pottying in the house. Oh well, I wouldn't trade my boys for anything, but it is annoying to have to put up with the marking.

To be fair, my daughter had a male boston terrier and he marked inside too. But my mom's doxy NEVER went in the house. :rolleyes:

[Janet]

I've had quite a few different breeds throughout my life and the Yorkies have been the only ones that I couldn't get house trained. I do have a couple that I could part with, but won't because they are my son's favorite.

[judy]

Annie is trained so well! I don't even remember how I trained her, but she always goes on the pad. Maybe she doesn't know that she is a yorkie!

The trainer told me that Max is not fully trained. I have tried to "retrain" him so many times! I had him tethered for a good 4 months after he was neutered and still marking. It worked....for a while. Then I retethered him. I don't remember what came of that. When I got Gracie, I just gave up. The smell was in the carpet.
I think she used the pad more than he did. Anarchy!!!

When I moved here, I took out the carpeting, and thought that would help, and it did. I'm just thinking, how many hours have I spent trying to get Max to go where he is supposed to? Don't I know when to give up?

He did poop on the potty thing this morning though! I'm not sure it wasn't a fleeting moment though.

[judy]

I have the kids today, and overnight. We spent the day at the pool, and they all got too sunburnt. I packed up my suntan oil and sent it home with them last time by mistake, and only had a little stick of oil for today. I hope they feel okay tonight!

The 2 little ones were quite a handful today. Kass is 9 and Brandon is 10. They have a lot of energy! I sent them outside to play. Mackenzie is so good! She went out to watch them.

They are bouning a ball on my newly painted house. I better go outside and stop them!

[Tiramisu]

I tried really hard to have a good positive day, but my problem girl at work blew it for me. I am lead admin in my group, over 5 girls. They are great and we've done after work drinks several times. My problem girl happens to be the one who trained me when I hired in with exxon over seven years ago. Then gave me a job she thought she was getting. Now, seven years later, I'm her lead and she hates me. She brings out the worst in me. And, she doesn't get along with the other girls, so I'm constantly listening to complaints and fixing messes. No, I can't fire or transfer her.

I got several loan offers ... Until I told them the divorce isn't final. Texas is a community state blah blah blah. I'll wait for the better house that should come, if I don't get this one.

[gja1000]

I got several loan offers ... Until I told them the divorce isn't final. Texas is a community state blah blah blah. I'll wait for the better house that should come, if I don't get this one.

Do you know when it will be final? Hopefully soon!

[Tiramisu]

No, he's controlling me as long as he can. He's been served, got a lawyer and filed an answer. Shouldn't be much longer.

[gja1000]

I had one of THOSE days! It started out OK, but then I took my iPad to the Apple store cause I was having an issue with my apps when I started to upgrade it. I knew when I went that I would probably get a new iPhone - I've had my iPhone for a couple of years and the battery life is bad and it is very very slow now. Apps won't open or suddenly close for no reason. So yes, I went ahead and got the new iPhone. Now let me tell you NOTHING ever goes easily for me with the iPhone, EVER!

So, I bring it home, plug it into the computer and get ready to download all my stuff from the old phone onto the new phone and the computer says I haven't synced my (old) phone since 2009 - NOT TRUE! NOT TRUE! I synced it last night. Sigh.

So, I called tech support and guess what - THEY COULDN'T GET MY STUFF TO DOWNLOAD EITHER AFTER 1 AND 1/2 HOURS!!! This is completely typical for me, I must say. Usually though, Bryan fixes everything but he is in Houston........

We manually transferred everything over to the new phone except I couldn't get my school email set up right, but I will tomorrow. No problem. However, the manual transfer of my apps, didn't bring my information within the app with it, so I lost 2 weeks worth of "Lose It" data, lost my note pad data, etc etc. The good news is that my contact list got transferred YAY! My calendar didn't make it but I think when I get my school email set up tomorrow it will all be there (the calendar is part of the email program). If it isn't, it's no biggie, since I don't have too much on the calendar this summer. The good news is that the old phone still works (not the phone calling/receiving part) through wifi here in the house, so I can get my school email on it and retype my notes, and other things.

My eyes feel like they are about to fall out of my head since I've been staring at a computer or the iPhone all day!!! I've got almost everything updated and entered the data I want into the apps. I'm sure I'll find things that I used to have but don't, but I guess it's nothing I can't fix or live without. The contact list that WAS transferred was definitely the most important!!!

[Tiramisu]

Ha ... We share the luck. Did you get the iPad fixed?