Annie - I hope the specialist can fix your foot/ankle.

Laura - I hope your bladder issue gets better soon.

Ceejay - Have a wonderful vacation! As for what your neighbors think about your visitors...who cares! It's wonderful that your friends are coming over to visit!

Shad - Good luck on the new assignment. Sounds like it's out of control and needs your special talents to get it sorted.

Happy - I can't believe you have snow already! Yikes! And I heard from a friend that the temps in the Milwaukee area are getting into the 20s at night. Good weather for making soups. And that pork tenderloin photo you shared on FB looked really good too.

It was so nice of D to surprise me on Friday. He came over yesterday and I helped him type up some documents for a bridge class he's teaching, and he made me a delicious lunch. Then we ran a couple errands before he had to go to work.

Santa is doing a little better, but still coughes/wheezes when he gets too excited or barks too much. It just breaks my heart to hear him like that. Today, my step-mom and step-brother are watching him. My step-mother said she can watch him tomorrow. And hopefully he'll be well enough for Day Care on Wednesday.

Gotta run, sorry for the very brief personals.

Much love to all,

Morning all,

Had a long rambling e-mail from Jen this morning. I won't reproduce it all since it is the story of someone almost beyond grief.

Jen's message - ..Mom got the picture frame..it was lovely have it by her bed...yes still holdoing the "KEY'S TO THE KINGDOM" lol...that will stop next weekend...they are "supposed " to take over her chack Nov 1st...they moved her on Oct 1st, for the 30 day short-term care, then Long-term care takes over cause they can't send a paralizzed-blind women in a wheel-chair home with no help...Richard is gone too many hours (14-16 hrs.) at work (no money---but plenty of work--cheap fur's coming in...no mink yet). Tell the girls I got all their cards...took a stack to her last week...someone sent a walmart card can't temember who...but got her some things she needed...once they take her check, she has NO spending money...so I'm trying to get hat I can for her now while we "have" money...though she won't really need too much..just some favorite "things", I just wish she could eat more, been almost 9 weeks since she had a full meal. can't hold anything down.
lol I'm going later haven't been there since tues...I was sick & hurt my foot AGAIN..I'm going today bearing gifts..m&m's...trader joe's mineral water...fleece blankets. Please tell everyone/forward this if you want... THNAK YOU--To everyone "Yes" she does know she is "loved"...plenty cards & gifts from you "GIRLS"...NOTHING-----NOTHING----From the office---Town Hall---family(not tht they ever gave a ****) sorry---but i'll be sending the "Guilt E-Mails" out this week to my cousin's.

So that's where Jen is at. I will keep emailing her. I would give you all her email addy, but she is in such a place at the moment that I think all of us would sending love and support would have her over the top. I'll send on any messages you want to send, but keep them short and unemotional (if you can) Jen is running on tears, anger and despair at the moment. I could almost see the tear drops on the e-mail and she did admit to being in tears when typing it.

Laura - Was too exhausted to celebrate the end of the ABs challenge, but I will admit it was tough at the end. Think I might keep up the routine a couple of times a week but it won't be doing 125 situps, 200 crunches, and 120sec planks in one go anytime soon. Sounds like you had a good day in the garden - always nice to see it so tidy and weed free even if it doesn't last long.

Annie - glad the birthday party went off okay. Seems no time since he was born and look at him now. Lovely looking little boy.
Nice of you to go out with C and deliver the goods. $$$$ are good especially when they are unexpected. Until the tax office gets its mitts on it.
We are all getting old and grumpy. And pain doesn't help. Nice of you to bake a pie for the birthday friend.

Michelle - so nice of your special friend to come cook for you. Men seem to be doing a lot more cooking at home these days. Perhaps it is the only part of housework that they like to do?? I do hope that Santa gets better very soon.

I'm out there today to weed the rose garden, dig over the vege patch and put it to bed for the summer - not planting anything before I go away. My friend is coming in twice a week to water and check the house and DS2 will take the cat and come in to sort the mail etc. I've got that one sorted - today will also be to get a flight over to NZ. Since the only airline that flies from Brisbane to Wellington these days is Virgin, I guess I will be off to Sydney or Melbourne to get a flight out. I refuse to travel Virgin unless there is no other choice.
It seems I will be in Wellington in time for my nieces new baby. So I will get to see another one in the next generation of the family tree. Branches seem to be growing all over the place.

Anyway, that's about it for now. I know I have forgotten someone, but hey.... I'm getting old. Wonder if Susie is coming back or have we frightened her off?

Hi Ladies! You didn't scare me off. My world gets really busy after Thursday and sometimes I don't make it back online until Monday--I try to get online on Sunday and catch up but didn't make it yesterday as I ran around with my nephews all day Saturday.

They are adopted by my brother and his partner and they are now almost 4 and the other is 2. The got the 4 yr old when he was 9 months and she was expecting when she went to prison and she asked them if they wanted the baby when he came.

We all went to a Children's Museum in Dayton, OH. It was a really cool place and they wore themselves and us out. Sunday I had to clean house and get ready to go back to work today.

I am happy to report a loss of 1 lb at TOPS on Thursday night weigh-in.

Michelle: Thank you for sending me the drop box photos. How do I get a photo of me into it so you can add me?

I'm sorry to hear your dog is dealing with some health issues. What does your vet say about the coughing?

Laura: Sometimes uti's take more than one round of meds. It's good for you to go the gyno and see if there is anything else going on. As I told you I have a ongoing bladder issue but with meds and diet, I do pretty well with it now. I've delt with it since I was 38.

Shad: Congratulations on your new assignment

Ceejay: Have a wonderful vacation. Make it all about you!

That's all from me for now. I'll try to pop in everyday. If I don't, I get way behind..you all are a whirlwind! I wish I could bottle your energy.

I need to do some work from home for the next hours or so...so bye bye until tomorrow.

Shad - Thanks so much for sharing Jen's message. Poor Jen. I think we all know too well the overwhelmed feelings of grief, sadness, despair, anger, and helplessness that Jen is feeling. And she also has to deal with her own health issues, governmental agencies and no doubt the badgering of the office. So does Richie not get paid for working...but rather gets fur coats? I was a bit confused by that. Anyway, it's bloody awful that Mel hasn't gotten so much as a card from her family and those who claim to be her friends. Whoever sent the WalMart card, that was good thinking. I'm sure it helps a lot getting Mel the extras she needs, especially since starting next month, she'll get no money...which is awful. I think you're right in filtering the emails through you...we don't want to overwhelm her anymore than she already is.

So nice that you get to go to NZ for work, and you'll get to be there in time to meet your niece's new baby. As for D enjoying cooking...yes, I'm sure it's his favorite part of housework. He actually has two degrees...one in Business and the other in Hotel/Resort Management, which includes a culinary degree. He's an excellent chef and really enjoys cooking.

One quick favor, Shad....next time you write to Jen...could you ask her for her apartment number, please? That way we can send her some money or gift cards.

Susie - I just sent you a PM with my email address. If you send me your photo in an email, I'll put it on DropBox.

Tuesday Woosday....

Was a splendid evening at home. Had left over ham beans and cornbread for dinner that I made on Sunday. Made the pecan pie, cleaned up the kitchen, did a load of laundry, dry and hung/folded. Was in be by 7:30 pm. Stayed up til 1:45 am on Sunday night babysitting while the kids went to the Colts game. So last night sleep came fast and actually only woke up one time and stayed in my own bed. No living room for me last night. Feel kind of good this morning.

SHADDIE...thank you for the email from Jen. Please just send my love and prayers to all of them. Well there is some good of this next job, you will be in town to see the new baby. How exciting.

SUSIE...sounds like your weekends are busy. Two little nephews under the age of 4 can be quite a handful. Congrats on the 1 lb down. Slow but sure wins the race.

CHELLE...did you get my check? Did you get enough $$ for everything, the frame, shipping, your time? Let me know if you run short. Hugs and puppy smootches to Santa, is he any better today?

LAURA...how was class last night or did you go to the new gym with BF? I get confused from one day to the next. Heck one minute to the next is more like it.

HAPPY...top of the morning to you sister...come out, come out whereever you are? Hugs

Everyone make it a terrific Tuesday/nite.

Loves and Hugs...

CEEG...gearing up for a little bit of travel...be safe. And enjoy yourself.

HAPPY...

Oh and SHAD...a good friend of mine that used to work with me just got back from Australia on Saturday..she and her hubby could not believe all the fire destroyed parts. They had a good time but it saddened them to see so much damage.

As I suspected friend text and cancelled her part of the trip, but I had decided last night that I needed to stay home anyway. It's almost to cool to enjoy it and I would be catering to her whims. This is my vacation. I was relieved this morning when she text and said she was sick. Then she asked if we could go later and I said no. If she calls Thursday to go eat at lunch I'm saying no. I'm still having intestinal issues and I need to stick with my diet. Two can play at this game.
The guys have been here to deal with the yellow jackets again. This time they burned them out. There were a few still flying. I wish that they could burn that area for about an hour.Just checked on them and it looks like the yellow jackets have called for back up.
The cold front came through last night but it's not as cold as I thought it would be. Still need a light jacket.
Think I'll go to Blytheville today to the super Walmart or to Radio Shack to see about getting a monitor for my regular computer. The lap top is okay and would love to keep this for traveling purposes. That's why I bought the tablet but I dislike that thing. It's like a big phone. But I need to get wirelss internet for it.
More later.

Morning all.

Ceejay - Sorry you won't be going on your road trip. Enjoy your time at home, stay warm and cozy and do activities you enjoy.

Annie - Glad you got a good night's sleep last night. So important!! I went to the last Pilates class of the session last night. The clock in the studio it's held in is about 5 min. fast, so I was a wee bit late. I was annoyed that the instructor started right on the dot when she must know the !@#$% clock is fast. I've no idea why I let that get to me last night. But class was good, more challenging, so that's good. Need to remember the moves so I can do them on my own at home. I won't be starting the gym trial until later this week.

Susie - Sounds like a busy weekend with your nephews! Are they getting excited about Halloween??

Michelle - Maybe Richie gets paid more for working on certain types of furs vs. others? Ah, nice to be dating a chef.

Shad - Thanks for passing along Jen's message. Poor thing, so sad for her to be going through this. And it's such a shame that Mel's checks will be taken over for her care and leave nothing for the miscellany she may need. Sounds like the Walmart card was useful, I'll keep that in mind. Re the abs - yeh, I'd like to keep doing some of the ab/core stuff, but not all and definitely not the situps!! Planks I should definitely keep doing. I didn't realize your assignment was in NZ - how nice you'll be there for the baby arrival!!

Hi Happy!!
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Going to see the movie "Captain Phillips" tonight. That's about all I have to report. Gonna get this posted, just got an alert to restart the computer - IT is pushing some updates out to our computers. TTFN!!

Hi guys,

Sorry for no post yesterday. This is going to be a particularly busy week for me so I'll be buzzing in and out. I stopped at the thrift shop to visit a friend Sunday only to find that they had a bit of a disaster on Saturday when the hot water heater in the upstairs apartment sprang a leak. They finished the repairs on Sunday and I would up helping them clean up. Then it started snowing so I opted out of my grocery shopping which was the original plan after a short visit. Monday did the laundry and grocery shopping as well as giving some thought to going for an extended visit to my Mom's next month. Talked to my sister - there's a lot to arrange and I need to make a decision quick. This week I am working an extra day at the thrift shop to cover for a friend, have a dentist appointment, a hair appointment and I probably should make a doctor's appointment because my back and neck and really hurting bad - waking me up at night and nothing seems to relieve it.

Laura - let us know how the movie is - I wanted to see that but DH did not and we'd have to go to the next town an hour's drive from here to see it. That is frustrating that the instructor started the class early as none of the students would be running by that clock. Hope you remember your Pilates moves - there's usually a basic set of them.

Ceejay - sorry for your buddy changing plans but as you say, probably for the best. Ugh on the bee situation - hope they get that under control.

Annie - good to hear you finally got a good night's sleep. Hope you don't have to stay up till 2 am running around with children every other day to get that sleep in! Sorry to hear about your foot continuing to give you problems. I hope they can find something more than "just learn to live with it".

Michelle - hope Santa gets better as each day passes - I'm sure it's hard to send him back to daycare again, hope he does not catch something else. We are having the pork tenderloin tonight - will report back tomorrow. It does smell good marinating.

Busy Lady Susie - glad you had a nice time with the kids. How nice of your brother to adopt.

Shad - thanks for the update on Mel. Poor Jen - it does sound like she's got the world's problems on her shoulders. Don't know how they will make it without Mel's checks. Glad Mel is getting cards and letters - hope that makes her feel better. Interesting that Jen mentioned the fleece blanket - when I spoke with Patty she mentioned that a soft, cuddly blanket was much appreciated as a gift to someone in Mel's situation. In other news, it's nice that you will be going back to NZ and have a chance to spend some time with the family in between pulling your hair out on the work front. You nabbed a new contract quickly - word is getting around about the miracle worker - they need more people like you especially when they muck up things big time and don't want to spend a lot of time or manpower to fix it. Good luck with that.

Gotta run - DH has a bee in his bonnet for some reason and I'm just not up to dealing with it. Later chicks.

Good morning ladies -

My step-mom and stepbrother said that Santa was good yesterday and didn't cough much at all, at least not until I got home. He was very excited and happy to see me, plus it had been 12 hours since his last cough suppresant pill (and he can get them every 8 hours). I gave him his antibiotic and cough suppresant and he didn't cough much at all after that. I can't remember who asked, but Santa has "kennel cough", which is as contagious as a human cold, but thankfully not contagious to humans (unless they have a weakened immune system). Dogs get it from other dogs, usually in a day care or boarding situation. Santa has been vaccinated against it his entire life, but apparently the vaccine isn't 100% effective. It's a combination of a viral and bacterial infection, so the antibiotics should knock out the bacterial infection and prevent him from getting pneumonia, and the viral infection will just have to run its course (hopefully he'll be better by Thursday, as I need to take him to day care on Friday).

I got the money for the frame from everybody...and yes, I did get enough. Thank you! I will likely send another USB drive in the next week or two. I want to take all 300 images and add captions (based on the file names) to them in Photoshop. It shouldn't take more than a few hours, so I'll do a little each evening.

If any of you want to add more pictures to the drop box, please feel free to do so. Heck, even if they aren't pictures of us but ones you find on the internet, it sounds like Mel is enjoying them. I think it's really nice that Jen got Mel has fleece blanket...soft and cozy are important.

Tonight, I have to review a potential freelance client's website and determine if I know the technology well enough to bid on the project or if I should just pass on it.


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Happy - So sorry to hear about the leak at the thrift shop. You certainly have had a busy week. I hope you get a chance to visit your mom...how long are you thinking about going for? I hope you can get in to see the doctor soon. I hate it when pain wakes you up at night. I hope your DH gets the bee out of his bonnet soon.

Ceejay - Bummer that your road trip got cancelled. But if it's chilly and you'd be catering to her, who needs it? You need to take care of YOU. If you change your mind and want to go out on Thursday, do it. But listen to what YOU want to do. How awful about all the bees! I don't know if you remember a couple years ago, when I had hundreds in my house. They'd built a nest under the Bay window and came in through the where the window connected to the house (can't remember what that's called). My ex-DH and I sprayed poison on them and then using leather work gloves I smashed as many as I could. Then the exterminator came and sprayed the nest. Luckily, they didn't come back. Have a good time in Blytheville. Question about your wireless internet...does your laptop connect to the internet without being plugged into the network? If so, then you have a wireless internet router, and you should be able to change the settings on your tablet so it can connect to the internet wirelessly.

Laura - Have a great time at the movie. I've heard it was very good. I want to see that movie, and also Gravity, but with Santa not feeling well, it may be next week before I get to the theater. Yes, it is nice to be dating a chef. And he always manages to make really delicious, and healthy, meals when he cooks for me.

Annie - I love relaxing evenings at home! So nice that Sam and Chris were able to go to the Colts game and see Peyton Manning's return. I thought it was REALLY nice and classy the way they played the film honoring him, and the fans were so nice. You could tell watching it on TV that he came close to tearing up. He was very moved by all the fans' love for him!


Hi Shad and Susie!

Much love and many hugs to all,

Well I finally got my referral to an orthopedic foot specialist. My appt is next Tuesday at 1:30 pm. I just hope there is something they can do beside me chopping my foot off at the ankle. I could barely walk on Sunday.

CHELLE...yes, I was going to sleep until the kids got home, but the game was so good that I watched the entire thing. We all love Peyton Manning here. Did you know that he started a Peyton Manning Children's Hospital here in Indy that is connected to Riley Hospital for children. He visits there quite often. He still has a lot of connection to Indy. Almost wish I were a kid and could go there for my foot. LOL. Bella had kennel cough one time also, she had had the vaccination for it too, but got it anyway. It was a horrid cough and I just held her and cried.

CEEG...sorry your trip got cancelled. Everything happens for a reason. Maybe God thought you needed the rest more than a trip. Enjoy your quiet time at home.

LAURA...you made me laugh about getting ticked about the clock and start time. I, too, sometimes let the tiniest things pee me off and send me over the top. I laughed because I do the same thing. lol.

HAPPY...sounds like you have been the busy lil beaver lately. Has your on-line class started? DH must have some of CEEGs yellow jackets in his bonnet. lol. Bummer about the water heater at the thrift shop. Not fun.

Hey all...later chickies.

Annie - So glad you finally got a referral and appointment with a foot specialist. So cool that Peyton is still so involved in Indy. When he said he really dreamed of spending his whole career with the Colts, I felt really bad for him. Santa's cough is getting a little better. When he first had the coughing fits (last Thursday and Friday), it broke my heart to hear him suffering. And of course, with a pet, they don't understand what's going on...kind of like with a baby/young child. Today though, I was worried when I left Santa because the poor little guy was shivering. Granted, it was probably only 63 or so in the house. I wonder if he had a fever, but his nose was cool and wet. I'll check in with my step-mom later. She's so sweet to watch him. She always tells me what a good boy he is...and how he's so easy to watch/take care of because he just likes hanging out where the people are. So whether she's in the kitchen ironing or on her computer or watching tv, he'll just lay down near her. He just likes to be near people.

Interesting article about giving gift cards to people on SSI or gov't assistance.

http://www.specialneedsanswers.com/r...e.asp?id=19273

Annie
Glad you got the appointment with the foot specialist. And you're right it may have been in God's plan for me to stay home to rest. I'm glad I did stay home. I didn't have to drive the 3 hour trip. Plus cater to her.

Michelle
Glad Santa is doing so well staying with your step mom and that he's doing better.

Happy
Saw the video of the snow on FB. It's nice to watch but please don't send any our way. However, the weather men have been predicting the possiblity of it. ugh.

Shad
Thanks for sharing the new's from Jen. I know this is hard on her. I admit that I sent them the Walmart card inside of a card.

Laura
No my laptop is plugged into the ISP server device. I really don't like my phone that well either because it's so sensitive but I like that it has a camera.
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I'm not upset at all about the trip being cancelled. Infact I almost cancelled it myself last night. She text me while I was in Walmart and asked if we could go tomorrrow and I told her NO that I had other things to do.
My trip to Blytheville was good but Walmart didn't have any monitor's. They had computers with monitors. Even went to Lowe's. They didn't have a Radio Shack. That's in Paragould I think. Question? Can I buy a t.v. monitor and use it as a computer monitor?????!!!!! I know they have smart t.v.'s but really don't know what that is.
Also stopped by Verizon to have the Tablet disconnected. I asked the lady who was helpjng me if they bought them back. The woman who was helping me said that she would buy it back from me. I'm to meet her Friday back in Blytheville.
I saw some Zingers from Hostess today while at Walmart and one box ended up in the basket. And I've had my fill. I will probably pay for it tomorrow. But they were yummy.