[Jean]

Happy Thursday, Flowers!
It's been another windy day in my corner of the world. My poor flowers are so dry and wind blown.

I started my day by going to the retirement breakfast. I don't know why but I could shed tears right along with the retirees as they talk. I'm not sure I will ever be able to do that; I'm thinking I will turn in my resignation a week after the retirement breakfast, when it is my turn. All of the past retired employees are also invited and it's always nice to see them again.

Then it's been a day of running errands a couple of different times. I needed to get groceries, go to the bank, pick up a couple of cards and a retirement gift for my "sister," and now need to decide on something for supper. Nothing ever sounds good after I've gone to the store. Wish I could get someone to cook for me and just deliver it! (. . . and NOT Meals on Wheels!)

"Gma" -- I had to chuckle at your comment about T's program! My dad always asked if he could leave the dance recital after he watched Beth dance. She was in several dances scattered throughout the recital so he would end up sitting through the whole thing which usually lasted 3 hours. At his funeral the minister was new to the church and visited with me and my stepmom regarding some of the special moments in my dad's life; she made reference to the dance recitals for Beth and warming the bleachers for Jason. The thing I remember most about my senior year in high school was that I spent part of the day working in the library as part of a work/study class. I was also dating a guy who graduated the year before and had gone away to school so I missed out on some of the social things like an idiot. I was no more prepared for college than anything and it was a shocker to say the least!

Maggie -- Has it been 6 years since you lived in Utah? Time does fly when you're having fun! I wish I knew more about the computer. I can type like a whiz but do well to get into my email and some of my favorite sites to visit.

Not much else is going on. I'm looking forward to a day at home tomorrow; I need to catch up on some ironing and mending.

Enjoy your evening and have a fantastic Friday tomorrow!

Jean -- from Iowa!

[Maggie]

GOOD AFTERNOON MAGNOLIAS

I can hardly keep my eyes open. I think it a combination of the heat and the ride down into the valley to Lowe's. It is now just about 5 pm and I haven't a clue what I am going to do for dinner. Got my teeth cleaned today and she said they looked great even before she started. I have been a good girl and practiced proper oral hygene. I only brush the teeth I want to keep.

JEAN now this is a direct quote from your post "I'm thinking I will turn in my resignation a week after the retirement breakfast" ~ is that really going to happen? Can I hold my breath? Nope it wasn't me that lived in Utah. Never have and it is one state that I don't have the desire to live in either. To visit it is great but not to live there. You may have been thinking of Idaho. I think we were in Idaho around that time ~ 6 or 8 years ago.

[gma22]

OH, BOY, THE POO HAS HIT THE FAN IN THIS STATE!
Watch your national news because I am SURE it will sooner or later be on tv!

Jack called yesterday morning and said to turn on the tv. Five state senators, a former state senator, and a business man from Memphis have been arrested by the FBI on a bribery sting! It has been ongoing since 2003 and the sting was called Tenn walz. Four of these people are from the Memphis district! One guy had been under investigation for a year on taking money for TennCare (Medicaid in TN) and had already been sensored and the FBI sting was BEFORE this Tenncare thingy. The woman from this area JUST got elected (just took office THIS WEEK) and believe it or not, the LAST THREE people elected from this particular district have been arrested for something and that is why the middle of the year elections! The third guy, WAS a senator and resigned to become the county mayor's lacky just a few months ago. The poor county mayor had NO CLUE and the poor guy has this shmuck now on his payroll (we saw on the late news last night that the county mayor wanted this guys resignation IMMEDIATELY!). Senator Ford (tenncare) took money and paid for his dd's WEDDING to the tune if about $15,000 and at his arraignment didn't have a lawyer because he said HE COULDN'T AFFORD ONE! They are hinting our mayor (Memphis City not the county mayor) is involved and may it only be true! Our mayor is the biggest crook you have ever seen! They were talking about this being the BIGGEST sting ever including the US Government! The Ford guy has been arrested for a $55,000 bribe and three counts of threatening or intimidating a witness, (he threatened to kill 2 FBI undercover guys if they were setting him up.) This guy is a real slime ball and Jack and I were pretty mad when the state government didn't indict him on the Tenncare business. Well, he is getting his come uppence now. I guess he was led out of the state house in cuffs and SHACKLES! This is going to ROCK the state and one of our US representative's Harold Ford, which you have probably seen on tv, announced just yesterday he is running for Senator Frist's (senate majority leader's) seat as Frist is not running again and his UNCLE is this state senator. I think his senate bid is going to go down in flames! I guess the east part of the state has been Republican since BEFORE the Civil War so now this is going to mess him up horribly. I don't like the man and wouldn't vote for him, but the poor guy should not be lumped with others. Harold Ford's dad was a senator and went to prison years ago for some kind of wrongdoing and the representative had to overcome that and now this. It is truly this state's Peyton Place!

Jean: Are you really considering retiring? Just what exciting things would you do after retirement? I bet organize all those, "piles" you are always complaining about! It would certainly be a change for you!

Maggie: I truly loved school as it was my refuge from a lousy home life. I got to do something my senior year that was pretty cool. For two hours a day, I went to the elementary school and taught reading to third graders. I had two study halls because of what I said before regarding having all my credits so because I wanted to become a teacher, they let me teach! The town I grew up in had all three schools together, the elementary through eighth in one building then a big long hall that connected it to the high school. The third grade teacher loved me so much, SHE LET ME DO IT ALONE! She got two extra hours to relax everyday and do planning and she loved it and so did I. The only glitch was my church youth pastor's son was in the class. Mrs Mangus was an elderly teacher probably late 60's and from truly the old school. This little boy stood up one day when I was there and told the whole class I was PREGNANT! I thought the teacher would fall off her chair in a faint! That was certainly the days before girls got pregnant willy nilly like they do now! He had mixed up pregnant with ENGAGED! I still get a chuckle thinking about it and years later when I would see Brian I always razzed him about it.

Thomas was so cute yesterday at soccer. He had been resting and then it was his turn to go onto the field. I called to him and he turned and looked at me and I said, "Make a goal for Nonny!" then gave him the thumbs up. I got the biggest shock when he nodded his head, grinned and then WINKED at me! I didn't even know he could wink!

Well, Jack will be getting up soon so I guess I should see what to fix him for breakfast. I will keep you posted on what happens with this mess here.

Faye

[Jean]

Good Morning, Flowers!
The sun is trying to shine and so far there is no wind. My "3 little kittens" are playing on the deck and they are so cute! I've got my house picked up and need to make a post office run after I finish here.

Then I need to start on laundry and keep working on my ironing today. Someday I will get caught up! I really should clean the laundry room. *groan* Maybe that's project for a rainy day since there are no windows!

Maggie -- I knew you lived out west somewhere! I even looked it up on the map at the time. Sometimes we will meet people not familiar with Iowa and they have us confused with Idaho . . . must be the "I"! My retirement comment was "when it is my turn." No, I'm not retiring this year. We only have to give 10 working days notice so I could be onery and wait until August 1st but I wouldn't do that.

"Gma" -- I didn't catch the national news last night nor this morning so will have to make it a point tonight. No, I'm not ready to retire yet . . . I do like being home and would love being part time. Since we are a special ed. teacher short and they are not going to replace him, we are definitely busy. More and more they are eliminating modified classes and having special ed. teachers team teach with regular ed. teachers. There are some kids who will not survive and that is sad because they would be fine in smaller classes with individualized attention. The algebra classes for next year look like they are going to have 30 kids in them . . . way too many!

I need to get busy. Have a nice day!

Jean -- in Iowa!

[Jean]

Happy Saturday/Long Weekend!
It's hard to believe that it is Memorial Day weekend as it seems like we were just wishing everyone a Happy New Year. Time does fly by, that's for sure! It doesn't feel like I am done with school but I am! Maybe the feeling will set in next week when I don't have to get up and get going so early.

The sun was out and and it was a nice day in my corner of the world. Today I'm did laundry and sorted magazines for the hospital and school next fall. I also made a casserole and baked bars to take to Jason and family tomorrow.

Amanda, Ian, and Zowie are here tonight and we will take them back home tomorrow. Her niece, who lives close by, had a birthday party so Amanda got a ride there and then to here from there. Jason has sheriff's reserve duty this afternoon and tonight. We'll get to see Beth, Maddy, and Kolby tomorrow too.

Not much else is newsy from my corner of the world. I hope you all enjoy the long weekend!

Jean -- from Iowa!

[gma22]

Good morning ladies!

It is pretty boring in my part of the world this weekend. We haven't done anything spectacular. I am going to go in about an hour and see how cold the pool is. They have started new rules this year that unless people volunteer to keep an eye on the pool, it will be locked inbetween. I talked on Saturday to the president of the association and told him I would volunteer for an hour when I was in the pool and he told me he would GIVE ME A KEY and I could go anytime I wanted. In exchange, I said I would walk over a couple times a day and check to see no one that didn't belong was in the pool.

Well, we picked the other show we are going to in Vegas. We were going to go to Penn and Teller, but someone told me it isn't very good anymore, less magic more spouting the mouth and we wanted to see magic. I found this dinner show that looks fun. It is called BA DA BING and is a mystery dinner show. It is about Mr Bigg, who is a Vegas mobster and gets "rubbed out" at his birthday party, to which we are invited. It is one where the audience participates in part of the show and guesses who the murder is, etc. You get a salad, lasagna, veal scallopini, chicken marsala or salmon, rolls, champagne, birthday cake, tiramasu and coffee. It sounded like a lot of fun so I booked it.

Well, Jack is starting breakfast and I have to make him some sausage gravy so gotta go

Faye

[Jean]

Good Afternoon, Flowers!
It doesn't seem like it is Monday much less a holiday. I've been trying to finish up laundry for the week and need to iron some of DH's shirts for work. I have a potato salad half made and realized I didn't have enough salad dressing so sent DH to the store. It's sunny and cool here today . . . and there is NO wind for a nice change of pace. I think we may be going for a boat ride later, to make sure everything is running right before taking it up to MIL's for the summer.

"Gma" -- I hope keeping an eye on the pool won't turn out to be a big hassle for you. In other words, if you find someone who shouldn't be there and they won't leave, etc. How do you pick the shows that you are going to see in LV? I wouldn't have a clue about some of them if they aren't big name stars, but yet the show would be a really good one.

I hear the dryer buzzing so better go fish the clothes out before they are all wrinkles. Hope you all are enjoying a nice day!

Jean -- from Iowa!

[gma22]

Morning girls! It was quiet here yesterday. I went to the pool and like I told Jack, it was "heart attack" cold! Once I got warmed up swimming laps, I was ok though. It was great being in the pool again. I can exercise so much better in the pool than on land.

Jean: As for the shows, I have a posting website about Vegas, where I get advice, then I go to the Las Vegas visitors and convention center site and look there and also at the individual casino/hotels websites and read about shows. The convention center site, lists every show in Vegas by the dates you search. A lot of them have video, you can load and watch to get an idea and the BA DA BING has a nice almost 5 minute one that gave you a really good idea. We are counting the days now. I told my sister on Sat when I called her I told Jack I should make those little construction paper chains like I used to with the kids when Jack would go to sea. We would make one link for each day he was going to be gone, then they would take turns cutting one off so they could see how close it was to him coming home without them driving me nuts asking all the time. So I thought I should do it for myself so I wouldn't drive Jack nuts! He keeps track of the hours even at this point!

Well, I guess I better scoot. I am cleaning the upstairs this morning before I go and swim. I cleaned the bathrooms last night and want to get the dusting done first thing this AM and then vacuum as soon as it gets late enough and I won't disturb the neighors.

Faye

[Jean]

Good Afternoon, Flowers!
Just peeking in on my way by . . . couldn't resist the temptation! I brought a load of towels upstairs and am gathering another pile of laundry to wash. I think it multiplies when I'm not looking! I've got a pile of magazines ready to go to the hospital and need to run a couple of errands.

DH should be visiting with the doctor about now. He has hacked and coughed all weekend but no sore throat, temp., etc. The doctor he is seeing isn't our family doctor, whom I'm afraid is on his way to retiring because he seems to be gone more than he is there, and I have a feeling he will tell DH to go home and tough it out. I finally made him take Nyquil so I could get some sleep!

"Gma" -- Use paperclips to make a chain! Several years ago one of my better WW leaders brought the large colored paperclips to the meeting. For every pound lost, we would get a large paperclip and for every half pound lost, we got a small one. It was kind of fun to watch the chains grow longer. If I ever get a chance to go to Vegas, I will definitely check out the website. I'm afraid that our "vacation" away is going to be tied up in the family cabin for the next few years since we now own 1/3 of it and are going to start buying another 1/3 from MIL. DH is afraid it's going to really be a mess when she dies since he has a brother in MT as well as a brother and a sister in AZ. MIL owns 2/3 of the cabin right now as well as a house on a golf course in AZ. Value wise they are probably pretty even . . . a 50' sandy beach lot, with a nonwinterized cabin, is now valued at $300,000+ . . . it was built for $5000, including the lot, back in the early 1940s by DH's grandfather. We'd like to be able to hang on to it so that our grandchildren will have memories of it as they grow up. We'll see, I guess.

It's been a rainy and cool day -- nice if you're a duck! Hope everyone's day is going smoothly.

Jean -- from Iowa!

[nanacas]

HAPPY 1ST DAY OF JUNE

Still cool here thought the sun is trying to come out. Maybe getting warmer by the end of the week...I hope

MAGGIE: A last word.....have a wonderful journey across this great country of ours and if you have a chance to 'hook up' to a 'puter, please check in.
I know you will only have sunny days and clear roads for that is what you deserve.

JEAN: YEAH VACATION!!! I know it probably hasn't sunk in yet but you are out of school. You are going to have a busy summer with the cottage at the lake and all those new babys....and the older ones too!

FAYE: WOW, you are certainly a brave one to swim in that cold water....I hope it warms up fast for you. You sound like the perfect person to be in charge of keeping the pool safe. I just hope it doesn't get to be to much of a job for you.

We got my container herb garden planted this weekend and as long as we do get some sun they will be growing. I just have containers because I am too lazy to start a big garden and since I am the only one who would work on it...why begin what I don't want to finish

We, also, have DD#2's dog Moshup for the next couple of weeks. They are having a new lawn put in and Moshsup likes to do 'devil runs' when she is let out. We will keep her til the grass gets really set. This is another reason I don't have a real garden....

Gloria in MA......looking forward to a better month.

[gma22]

Morning gals! It is cloudy this am, but I expect the sun will be coming out soon. It is already creeping into the mid 70's. I will go and open the pool and jump in at 9 am. I am so sore in my thighs. Must be from not getting enough exercise and hauling my big behind out of that swimming pool. The cement steps have no hand rail so I can't go up that way so I have to use the side ladders, which is ok, until my body is out of the water than gravity takes over and whoo is it hard to haul it up that last step!

Jean: I LOVE the paperclip idea. I have an eye dr appt tomorrow so I will get some then. I think I may start using them for weight loss too and post the idea on my thread since it is so great.

I hate anything having to deal with dividing up deceased relatives anything. My relatives were like pit vipers when my grandparents died. I lived with them for my last two years of high school and I will watch Antiques Roadshow and think about the beautiful things my grandma had that were auctioned off when grandpa died. She had this gorgeous antique breakfront that was a blond color and had huge curved glass doors. My cousin bought it, took it home and his six brats broke the front in 2 days! They said it would cost over $1000 to replace the glass and that was back in the late 80's. The only thing I got from her estate was a set of salt and pepper shakers. She collected them and they put the sets in paperbags and each dd and granddaughter and great grandddaughter got to pick a bag. I saw just the other day on the show some china that some lady had kept and hated and is worth a bazillion dollars now. I remember that exact set in one of my grandmother's china cabinets. Funny I can sit here and even smell the smells of her house (well, if I ignore grandpa's cigar smoke that permeated everything including our clothing!)

This vacation is our last hurrah for awhile. We have some expensive things that have to be done with the condo next year so we have to get going on that. Ahhh, money isn't it a pain!

I hope everyone has a good day. I imagine Maggie is or will be shutting off permanently either today or tomorrow so Maggie, HAPPY TRAILS TO YOU AND COWBOY!

Faye

[Jean]

Good Morning, Flowers!
It's a gloomy, rainy day in my corner of the world and misting again right now. I plan to get a walk in sometime between the rain showers that the weatherman says will taper off this afternoon. The kittens are playing in a puddle of water on the deck which the mother cat lays against the house where it is dry. They are such fun to watch.

I need to run some errands this morning and drop off my pile of magazines at the hospital. I'm making a grocery list for MIL so she will at least have oj, coffee and toast for her first morning back. DH is taking the boat up on Friday so will send the groceries with him.

Gloria -- How nice to see your post this morning! You and Faye were just a couple minutes apart . . . great minds think alike! We plant our flowers in pots because we had trouble with snakes (before stray cats!) that I refuse to put my hand anywhere that I can't see what is lurking underneath! I never thought about doing an herb garden . . . good idea! My stepmom is babysitting her daughter's dog, Barney, while they are on vacation. He's such a people dog that he follows her everywhere and I worry that she might trip over him . . . he is a long-haired "dashhound" -- however you spell it.

"Gma" -- Be sure to buy the pretty colored paperclips! I just found another box when I was looking for something else. I think I have over 1000 . . . I must have had BIG weightloss plans at the time or else I forgot that I already had some. My aunts were like vultures when my grandmother died and took all of the "junk" stuff leaving the TV, air conditioner, and furniture for my dad to contend with. Some we kept and the rest we sold so came out $$ ahead in the end. She didn't have anything of any value except maybe a cake plate that had been her mother's; now I have that only because my mom had borrowed it and still had it when grandma died.

Maggie -- I wish you safe and happy travels as you take off on your next journey! Please do check in if you get a chance. It will be lonely without you here!

Not much else is going on as far as I know. Hope you all have a nice day!

Jean -- from Iowa!

[Maggie]

GOOD EVENING MAGNOLIAS

It is a warm one here as I type it is 80 degrees after 8pm. We had our eyes checked yesterday and ordered new glasses. WOW they are sure expensive! I got two pair since I need to wear shades and Cowboy got a pair with the new magnetic sun shades this time so he wouldn't have to fool with two pair of glasses. My last pair of glasses had the clip on shades and sure made my glasses heavy. I think what made the trip so costly this time is the titanium frames. OH well it takes what it takes and they should be good for a couple of years now even though we are "supposed" to get them checked every year. I have to go back on Monday for some more extensive tests ~ the numbers were a bit high for the doctor so he wants longer tests. Hopefuly it isn't the start of Glaucoma and I do doubt it for there isn't any of that in my immediate family like they say is how one gets it. If it is then I will use the drops religiously and if it is in the advanced stages there is always lazer surgery. There are so many things they do now days to keep folks from going blind from that stuff.

Guess the plug will be pulled during the night on my internet connection so I will say a "good bye" for awhile. I will check in when I am able and will be back on line sometime next spring. I'll sure miss you folks and thank you for all your kind wishes for our adventure.

[gma22]

Morning gals! I am gonna kill dh! He fooled with my wireless mouse and now I am having all kinds of trouble with it scrolling and such! I told him to quit fooling with my computer as I don't fool with his laptop but am going to go in and put flowers etc everywhere on it if he doesn't behave himself and leave mine alone. One thing he did was make the pointer this intermittent rainbow that comes and goes and drives me NUTS!!! (remember I mentioned sounds, too. Well, me suspects he had something to do with that too, though I have no proof! )

Jean: Gracious you certainly seemed to be ready for a lot of weight loss! lol I do think it is a terrific idea for those of us who have more than a few lbs to lose!

I have an eye dr recheck this morning. They have the absolute screwiest receptionists there. I scheduled my recheck and wanted Wed but the dr wasn't going to be in so I took Thur and she called day before yesterday to tell me I had to move my appt as he wasn't going to be in on WED! I told her I never made it for WED but Thur because SHE told me he wouldn't be in so of course there are NO appts for today available and they are going to have to fit me in! GRRRRRR!

It is rainy here today so may not open the pool at all unless I want to venture out long enough to exercise. I am not sure I am going to have the time anyway so it is probably a moot pt. I am going to try something radical for 2 weeks and that is go on a Lean Cuisine diet for 2 weeks where lunch and dinner are lean cuisine meals plus an extra serving of fruit or veggies. I need to get myself jump started again. I have to quit messing around or my vacation clothes are NOT going to fit! We have 84 days, woohoo! lol

Well, I need to shower and get ready

Have a good day all

Faye

[Jean]

Happy Thursday to you!
I've been running errands this morning and should get busy and pick up the kitchen. This is way more fun!

We've added another baby to the "group." Amanda's sister had a 8# 9 oz., 21", boy last night and named him Gavin Troy. That gives her a girl and a boy also. She wasn't officially due until the 22nd so he would really been big if he had waited. Now there will be 6 under the age of 2 1/2 when we all get together this summer.

Maggie -- I hope you will be able to check in from time to time! It's going to be awfully quiet around here with you gone. Take good care of your new glasses!

"Gma" -- I finally ran DH off from using my computer because he was always "buggering" it up by mistake. I can do enough of that all by myself! He has a laptop at work that he uses for personal stuff and then the bigger one for security company stuff. I will have an eye appt. sometime this summer, I think. I usually do all of that after school is out; the dentist is next week, and my physical is in July. DH went in for his cough and the doctor said it is a bronchial virus and now DH has an inhaler which seems to be helping. He also scheduled his own physical and can't get in until the end of September.

I need to get busy and get something done before DH comes home and wants to know what I did all day! Have a good "rest of the day!"

Jean -- from Iowa!