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.

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!

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!!!!

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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:

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!

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.

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):

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!!!

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!!!!

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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???? :)

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.

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!!!!!

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.

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!!

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.

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.

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!

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.

Keep on going Sandy! You are wonderful!

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!!!

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

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??????

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

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!

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!

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.