[gma22]

Good morning gals! Supposed to be warm weather coming our way now and staying. I am ready for it. Yesterday was darn chilly.

Boy what a day at the clinic. Besides teachers coming in wanting to know what I was knitting and talking about that, I didn't have very many kids until 5 minutes before I was to leave then 6 kids all came in at once and the 4 kids whose parents I had in sporatically earlier in the day and had tried to call and had to end up leaving messages all called back at once. I told a teacher that came in with one of her students to have his temp taken that this was worse than the law firm I had worked at. I told the little boy that was last and had to sit and wait, "Don't die on me, I'll get to you!" He had been talking to me because he too is in T's class and I got the, "Are you Thomas's grandmother?" speech. Anyway, he was so cute, he just said, "Naw, I am made of sterner stuff I come from a military family!" It was almost 1 before I got out of there and then I had errands. I didn't eat any lunch until near 2:30.

I think we are going to have lunch with the kids on Easter and I can give T his easter basket, which I have yet to put together. Anything that melts is in the fridge and the rest of the stuff is hanging on the arm of the treadmill to be put together. I have to get that all done, the packing, get Fortune's stuff together to take to Kelly's next week, and get the kids anniversary present finished and wrapped. I also have to get the upstairs cleaned today and possibly tomorrow. I have really got to kick in and get that other placemat done and get them both fringed.

Jean: Nsaids are not a brand but a group of pain relievers. Stuff like Advil, Aleve, Motrin, (I think) and even arthritis meds like Celebrex are nsaids. I prefer them over tylenol because they seem to work for my pain better. Like everything else, you have to be careful taking them. What I do is switch off taking them, tylenol and aspirin. I don't have to take daily pain meds though, just when I have a headache or stuff like that. Sounds like you had a royal screw up for practice. So did you end up practicing later or is it now on another day?

I hear Jack upstairs in the bathroom so we will be down directly for breakfast and will want to sit and play freecell like he does every morning. He does so hate to get up early and prefers not to converse much in the morning so I just let him go! He and I are on different patterns. I am a total morning person and get things done first thing usually and am more alert early and he is a night person and on his days off will stay up until 1 or 2 in the morning sometimes. We did both poop out on the ballgame at 9 last night. He goes to bed at 9 or so because he has to get up at 5 and I was just tired. Must have been the Cubbies biggest fans giving up on them that made them lose last night, but they did go through the 10th before losing.

Have a great day gals. I have to go and take out the trash as it is garbage day. ttfn! Faye

[QuilterInVA]

Good morning ladies, a lovely but cool day today.

I was sure I had posted yesterday - it must be floating in cyberspace. Didn't do anything but the usual boring things.

Jean, here's more than you want to know about Nsaids, they do include aspirin, Aleve, Motrin:

Non Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) are medications which, as well as having pain-relieving (analgesic) effects, have the effect of reducing inflammation when used over a period of time. These pharmaceutical agents constitute one of the most widely used class of drugs, with more than 70 million prescriptions and more than 30 billion over-the counter tablets sold annually in the United States alone. They suppress inflammation, meaning that they reduce swelling, pain, tenderness, and redness as well as improve motion, hence the term, anti-inflammatory. Their exact modes of action are not known, but they seem to inhibit parts of a chemical cycle in the body that causes inflammation.

The best known NSAID, is the original and oldest, aspirin, in use since the last century before the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was formed. For this reason aspirin has always been an over-the-counter drug. The other NSAIDs are prescription drugs except ibuprofen (Advil, Nuprin, and others), ketoprofen (Orudis KT, Actron), and naproxen (Aleve). Other NSAIDs must be approved by the FDA for use in people with arthritis. Acetaminophen (Tylenol and others) is considered a painkiller only and is also sold over the counter. The NSAID group includes aspirin, ibuprofen (marketed under the names Motrin and Advil) and naproxen (Aleve). It does not include acetaminophen (Tylenol), which is effective against pain and fever but not against inflammation — which is a major factor in certain types of pain, such as the ache of rheumatoid arthritis.

Faye, I know you'll get everything done. I'm glad you will see Thomas on Easter. Kids make the holiday! Sounds like you are up to your ears at Thomas' school.

I have quilting bee tonight. Looking forward to the fun. I'm teaching them a new block.

Have a great day!

[Maggie]

GOOD EARLY AFTERNOON MAGNOLIAS

Just ole me typing here sporadically now days. I got another house built and just have two more to build to get the sets done that the lady wanted before Thanksgiving. I love having my ducks in a row, so to speak. Got time to get some things made before Christmas then I will start on my assrtment of buildings for that shelf will is going to build. I have a roast in the crockpot smelling up the house, yummy smells. Any of you gals have any idea how to live without electricity? So much of what we do takes electricity so what happens when the grids go down? Our way of doing things would sure be different without electricity. Will bought me the cutest little tin with Altoids Smalls. Just little chips off the big ones and they sure make the mouth feel fresh.

DONNA You will have everything done in good time for your trip. Have a wonderful time while you are visiting. We are going to take a trip "somewhere" come September when all the kids are back in school after Labor Day. By then we will have decided just where we want to go.

SUSAN You are a good source of an encyclepedia of meds. We sure have coices of what to take nowdays. I bet springtime in your neighborhood is beautiful.

Well ladies I will bid you adoo and wish for you a lovely afternoon. Type at y'all later.

[Jean]

Good Afternoon, Flowers! It is a little bit warmer this afternoon, sunny, and a light breeze. Maybe spring is really here after all. It's cold in the mornings and frost on cars that sat out, so I wear my winter jacket to school yet. We had a pep rally to finish off the week so the kids were really this afternoon!

"Gma" -- I'd say you have a real "in" at the clinic since everyone seems to know Thomas! I know you will enjoy your Easter with Thomas and family, not to mention looking forward to your trip to IN.

Susan -- Thank you for the NSAIDS information! I have always gotten everything, except aspirin, mixed up as to what works for what pain. I know people who won't take anything but Motrin, Advil, MIL likes Tylenol, etc. I usually just take plain old aspirin. Enjoy your quilting bee tonight!

Maggie -- You have been a busy "bee" making your glass creations. I can smell your roast clear over here! Whenever our electricity goes off, I can think of a million things to do . . . all using electricity of course.

Bob is home to change clothes and head off to church to practice for tomorrow nights service. I have practice at 6 so don't know when supper will be.

I am looking forward to having 5 days off even though I can't really call them all my own. I have a perm appt. Friday afternoon and will cook and clean on Saturday to get ready for Sunday. Monday my "mom" is having surgery and I'm thinking we should go over there. She will be in the hospital overnight if all goes as planned.

Hope you all enjoy your evening; it is still pretty light here at 8:05. I find myself putzing around and it's bedtime before I know it. Have a terrific Thursday tomorrow!

Jean -- from Iowa!

[gma22]

Good morning ladies! Don't know why I am up so early as I stayed up until nearly 11 watching the Cubs game. Jack pooped out at 9 and went to bed. Thankfully they won by a big margin or I would have been really... One good thing is the Japanese player they aquired last year for big big bucks and at the half point bombed out for the rest of the year seems to be doing well. He had four hits, one of which, a home run last night. I bought Jay an authentic jersey and Jack too both for their birthdays' last year and paid over a $100 apiece for them. They had this guy's name on the back. Since both their birthdays are in October, their shirts are still brand new. I told them the first day of the season, I didn't care if he stunk they were wearing those shirts to the game next week!

Maggie: I am finally about 15 rows from being done with the last placemat and then I can fringe the last two and box and wrap them up. I never want to knit another placemat again. I have started a big project, but I am looking forward to doing it and I have two sweaters to finish for the boys.

Susan: I like to keep Thomas on his toes at Easter. I always try to do different things for his egg hunt. One year I did a treasure hunt kind of thing and that was fun. I don't know that we will do an egg hunt here this year. If we do, I may do a crossword puzzle where he has to fill it out to find out where all his eggs are hidden. It is fun and keeps my brain busy! lol

Jean: Hope your mom comes out of her operation ok. I know she has to hate being in the hospital as I am sure you mil is. I hated the hospital. It s so confining and they had rotten tv channels too! lol

Everyone have a great Thursday. I will talk at you later.
Faye

[GailR]

It has been such a gorgeous day here in Delaware! Our weather is crazy--one day it seems like winter and the next day could be a spring-like day.

This morning I went to a regular dental appointment--all is well and my teeth feel so clean! See? And then I did something I haven't done in such a long time--I went to the mall and...shopped! And I had fun. All by myself. I bought an outfit for each grandchild. And I didn't spend a fortune--there are a lot of good sales out there. Along with each outfit I bought them something to do. For example, for the oldest 8-year-old I bought a box about Origami--comes with a 64-page booklet and LOTS of different colored papers. Nothing expensive. After all, I am on a fixed income now.

I am knitting more and more these days. I still haven't found "the sweater" I want to knit yet but I will. I am knitting with some yarn I bought at Stitches East (knitters convention) in Baltimore back in November. My oldest daughter and I are planning to go to the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival the first weekend in May. Not only am I excited about seeing yarns I don't normally see in my local shop but we are taking the two-year-old (or soon will be on May 7) and see how he reacts to the sheep and llamas. We are going to take pictures. We're going to try and talk my youngest daughter into going with us so the other grandkids can go. I'd take them but right now they are at that age where they are constantly picking on each other and my nerves can't take the screaming, crying, and whining, but if their Mom comes then all will be okay. We'll see.

I have been eating healthy. I'm journaling. I'm not attending WW meetings...yet. I have noticed that my eating habits (for the good) have changed naturally without a whole lot of trying. I do officially weigh in on Fridays.

I will be back to do a personal post soon. I wanted to scoot in here so another two months didn't slip by without me posting... I will return!

[Jean]

Good Evening, Flowers! The thermometer says it is 52 degrees outside, but it has been a cloudy and breezy day . . . I wore a winter jacket again today! I've made a WM and grocery store run as well as a load of laundry. I need to take inventory and see what else I need for Easter dinner. I'm trying a new salad --frozen strawberries, cream cheese, bananas, and I forget what else all in the blender. It sounds good (easy) anyway.

"Gma" -- After 3 months of jumping through the hoops and meeting with several different specialists, my "mom" is finally having the aneurysm repaired. When they found my FIL's, they rushed him right into the OR. MIL rather enjoyed the hospital stay after the first day; she had student nurses at her beck and call as well as the CNAs, nurses, and all the others that she dealt with. Back in her apt. she doesn't see anyone except at meals (she claims that no one visits with each other), and when the nurses come to give her her meds. I told her to keep her door open and maybe someone would stop in to visit. She is the second apt. from the elevator/stairs so would have lots of people going by. She came home with a low dose morphine patch and they have increased the dosage so she is "loopy" and sleepy most of the day. She doesn't like that; she has a doctor's appt. next week. I hoping that Bob goes with her. I will probably get that job once school is out.

Gail -- I'm looking forward to some shopping time once school is out. I hate shopping on the weekends because everything is so busy, even in our small "burg." I just finished filling the Easter buckets which I hope everyone will take to the lake this summer. I included new beach towels as well. I made sure what little candy is in there is even for each because they will probably check out each other's. I'm not very original with bubbles, coloring books and crayons, clothes, etc., but it's fun to watch them dig through.

I have a dishwasher to unload so better get a move on. Have a nice evening and a fantastic Friday tomorrow!

Jean -- in Iowa!

[Jean]

Good Morning, Flowers! I'm waiting for a load of towels to finish washing and have another load ready to go. It seems like I could do a load of laundry every day and never be caught up, which includes the never ending pile of ironing. The sun is shining, but it is breezy and cool outside.

I have a perm appt. later this morning, Bob has a physical this afternoon, and then we are heading to Sioux City to deliver Easter buckets to Maddy and Kolby since we won't see them on Sunday. I hope you all have a GREAT day and enjoy your weekend.

Jean -- in Iowa

[gma22]

Friday went by with no posting from me. Guess my brain had a bubble! I did get out early and get a haircut (she kind of botched it not my same gal) and then went halfway across town to the post office that services our area and put a hold on the mail. I almost forgot that and it just came to mind on Thursday night.

Dh called last night and they have had one catastrophe after another with week it seems. Her car broke down then their washer went kaput. I guess T has some sort of invitational recital to do this weekend that came up so she called about changing Easter lunch to today sometime. She said we would be sort of in a holding pattern and have to go without a definite time, which is ok as long as I know a round about like afternoon or evening. Doesn't have to be close just so I know to be ready when she calls. I will give her a call later this morning to firm it all up.

Gail: Good to see you post. I finally finished knitting the placemats and now have to cut the last fringes and put on then box and wrap them. I decided not to mail it since we will be there next week. I just sent them both ecards for their anniversary and told them I was bringing their gift. I am taking Jackson's basket, well bucket too.

Jean: It was warm her yesterday, but really really windy again so it kept it a bit cool on the skin. I will be glad when temps even out. This yoyo stuff is for the birds. Gosh, you probably only have about 6 more weeks or so of school don't you? I know T gets out the end of May.

You all have a great Saturday!
Faye

[Jean]

Good Evening, Flowers! All I've done today is laundry, cook, wash dishes, make more food, and wash more dishes! I'm tired and I'm heading off to bed. I have to be at church by 7:30 in the morning so Bob is picking up his mom. Jason and Amanda plan to be there so it will be interesting with Zowie and Ian.

"Gma" -- Yup, 6 weeks left! It is getting harder and harder to go in the mornings simply because the daily schedules are so crazy with spring sports, assemblies, and students who are trying to coast out to the end of the year without putting any effort into studying. We have 3 seniors who are failing at least one required course and may not graduate. They don't seem concerned so I gave up nagging them since it doesn't do any good. I hope you enjoyed your Easter get together today!

I need to iron my slacks and top for tomorrow. We wear black which won't be very springy for Easter, but we have Easter scarves that will help. Have a Happy Easter!

Jean -- from Iowa!

[gma22]

to you all this morning. Hope you have a wonderful Lord's day and if you are with family have an enjoyable time.

We had lunch with the kids yesterday and as I said, Thomas had a piano competition he participated in. My little guy got a superb blue ribbon. I read the comment sheet and it was all very complimentary. She even made a notation that he could have done without the music (he had his piece memorized.) Kelly said she doesn't want him doing that just in case. He was so adorable in his little suit and tie. He played a piece called "The Clown" by Kabalevsky. This is what the piece sounds like (I found a utube where an adult played the piece)

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

Pretty cool, huh? The neat thing is he really likes to play the piano and compete and he never gets nervous. The good thing about him starting in competitions now is that when he is a teenager he will really be able to perform well on tough music. He was so cute when I gave him his basket at the restaurant. Anytime he gets a card from us, ie birthday, valentine's day, easter, etc I always put money in it and I forgot yesterday. He took the card out of the basket and opened it and NO MONEY! He then looked in the envelope. The look on his face was priceless and Jack leaned over and said "You forgot didn't you?" Well, he gave the card to his dad and Jack took it off the table and handed it to me and I slipped a $20 in it and handed it back and told him he missed something. He opened it again and just grinned. His mom said "this goes in your piggy bank." The kid is like J Paul Getty with his money. He always saves it and then spends it when he has a pile on something he wants! It is a good thing I only have 2 grandsons to spend my money on.

Jean: Hope you and your bells do well today. Did you say Bob was singing too? Does he do solo work or just with a quartet or something? I know you look forward to seeing the kids. I am anxious to see Jackson again and I always love spending time with Thomas. He is such a great kid. I sat next to him yesterday and we talked all about his cruise. I asked him who he talked into taking him to the midnight buffets and he said "I only ate my three meals but I ate a lot!" Must be nice to be a kid, skinny as a rail and be able to stuff your face!

I gave Fortchy a bath yesterday (heaven's that kills my knees) and trimmed above his eyes. That will have to do until we get back and I can get him groomed. We are dropping him off tomorrow night and I hope he behaves himself. He is just so clingy and I worry about him bothering them a lot wanting to sit on their laps or being in bed with them or whatever.

Today is finish up a bit of cleaning and packing day. We will load up the car tomorrow night as I am taking Jack to work on Tuesday and we will leave straight from his work.

You gals have a great day!
Faye

[Jean]

Good Evening, Flowers! It's been a cloudy, windy, cold day and it looks like it could rain any minute. We went to church with part of the family which was nice. MIL, Jason, Amanda, Ian, Zowie, and Bob sat 2 rows behind the "ringers." I could hear Zowie saying she wanted to come and sit with Grandma; we were up and down to play so Amanda wouldn't let her. The bells were awesome this morning if I do say so myself; one piece we played with the pipe organ and got a standing ovation which was a first.

"Gma" -- Bob sings with a double mixed quartet once a month. Our church puts on a play each year for a Maundy Thursday service. He sang in a men's quartet for that. I would love to see Thomas perform in person! It is such a pleasure to see a motivated young man. He will be a well rounded traveler, musician, orator, etc., by the time he is an adult.

I have dishes to put away and another load of laundry to get going. I hope you all have a nice evening and a marvelous Monday tomorrow.

Jean -- in Iowa!

[Jean]

Good Morning, Flowers! I'm still in my robe after watching the Today show, reading the papers, and enjoying my coffee. I came upstairs to get dressed and here I am! It's a cloudy cool day with a 50% chance of rain today. I need to find and sort through my spring clothes even though it doesn't look/feel much like spring. It seems like it is taking spring a long time to get here this year!

"Gma" -- Have a safe trip to IN! I hope you have an enjoyable time while you are there.

I hope all is well with the rest of the flowers in the garden!

I need to get dressed and get something accomplished today! Have a great day and a terrific Tuesday tomorrow!

Jean -- from Iowa!

[gma22]

Good morning all! Hope you all had a very nice holiday. Ours was quiet as we did lunch etc with T on Saturday and will give Jackson his basket when we get up to Indiana.

I finished the placemats and washed and dried them. I had to depill them, but with all cotton you usually do. They are boxed and wrapped and ready to give to the kids with the napkins.

Susan: Hope all things are well for you. Haven't seen you in here in almost a week. I didn't see anywhere that you were going to be traveling.

Jean: Sounds like you had a lovely day yesterday. I am sure the kids enjoyed their baskets. What will you do with the other kids things? I can't ever remember how far away they live.

We finished all the packing and I have all of Fortune's things rounded up to take to my dd's tonight. Hope the little bugger behaves himself. I did give him a bath on Saturday so he should at least smell better. I have this great banana oatmeal shampoo I bought for him over a year ago and it makes his coat so shiny and soft.

Other than that no news. I have some errands to do to get ready to leave tomorrow and we have to put the stuff in the suv tonight and take Fortune to dd's then I will take Jack to work in the morning so we can leave straight from his work tomorrow afternoon. Looking forward to seeing the kids and Jackson. I guess he did his first egg hunt down at his other grandma's a weekend ago then last week had one at his day care. Well, while all the other kids were standing around wondering what to do, my boy and his all his prior "experience" took off and grabbed up a whole bunch of eggs leaving the other kids in the dust. lol Jay said he came home loaded down! I am thinking maybe we will take him swimming at the pool at the hotel on Friday and to the park or something just to spend some bonding time with him.

You gals have a good start to the week. I have to get showered and out to do my errands.
Faye

[QuilterInVA]

Good morning, ladies! Another 50 degree day. What happened to Spring?

Last Wednesday night the we got struck by lightening at work. It took out the phone system and 7 computers, including the servers. Came in through the phone lines. I virtually was at work from the wee hours of Thursday morning until Saturday evening. I caught a few hours sleep on the sofa in my boss' office, but that was it. This is the third time this has happened in the 16 years I have been here so I knew what I had to do. I refused to work yesterday - and my boss has gone out of town for a week and left me with this - went to church and my friend had me for dinner and gave me enough leftovers I don't have to cook tonight. I just got the last computer finished so we are up and running again. Now I have to deal with the insurance company. 7 years ago it was $50,000 in damages and the paid it. It's going to be more this time. Fortunately there is an empty office so I put everything in there for the adjustor to look over. I've been living on coffee and fast food for days so I need to really buckle down on my WW this week.

I'll read everyone posts tonight. If everything goes okay the rest of the day and tomorrow, I'm taking the rest of the week off!