Hi Everyone

Thank you for the nice comments about the progress pics. I hadn't realized I needed new clothes until seeing the pics. I think I need to shop in the closet again.

Battle - sounds like a wonderful walk - isn't it amazing how much more you can do now. Have things settled down for you any? I hadn't thought of Vietnamese as an option - we have a great restaurant close - we'll have to give it a try.

Xena - is there some personal or personalized momento you could give in addition to the $$$. You didn't mention male or female - maybe pearls or a camera to help keep track of the new life.

Debbie - hope you get your seedlings in the ground soon so they can really take root. We worked all day outside - everything is done by one 50 x 4 bed that still needs to be planted. I moved rose bushes, coneflowers and brown eyed susans in addition to all the other planting we did. Come on sun!!!

Rat - that's funny - we think Gypsy looks so unhappy. She is such a goofy thing the curls become her. I do hate her wet beard though. Hope you feel better soon. I can think of many more fun things to do than nyquil shots - maybe like ride your bike or mow the yard.

Cyn - your friend sounds a lot like Luan's recently. Go and enjoy yourself. I actually like going by myself - because it is FOR myself. To use Xena's recent motto - BECAUSE I DESERVE THIS.

Angie - that's a lot of mulch - are you sore from moving it all? i bet it looks great!

Annie - wow - an XL - that is awesome. Did you ever go speak to the senior group? Doors are opening for you all over the place.

Sharon - HI!

Catherine - YAY to back to the pool. Are you feeling like yourself yet?

Walrus - sounds like an absolutely wonderful vacation. Can I put in a request for pics please.

Today I pulled out a pair of jean shorts I couldn't wear last year - this year they are too big although I did wear them all day since we were working in the back yard. I just keep getting all these signals that I need to go shopping. I need to try on my capris - I thought I had enough to get me to fall but I'm beginning to wonder.

I'm at that point where I'd like to bottle the ease and energy I have in this journey for future use when I need it. Things seem to be very smoothe for me right now. Maybe this is just sinking in that this is my new way of living.

Hugs to everyone,
Carol

xena - is she going away to college? a nice set of luggage might be the ticket. i got a REALLY cute set for 75.00 on ebay, and its hot pink, and its american traveler, which is a good brand. just a thought. i cant remember what i wanted when i went off to college the first time. now, i will be thankful for any money i get to start paying off student loans. lol

I know when I asked all my college kids and their friends what was the MOST appriciated gift they received for college....what one thing they couldn't live without....is a shower caddy.....Made of mesh that they can tote all their toiletries to the hallway bathrooms......they usually hang from the shower curtain. the girls specially loved this! As well as a bucket of cleaning stuff....like mirror wipes, small bottle of dish soap, deoderizers, pinesol or something to clean up their floors if there is a spill....small broom & dustpan.....all cleaning things in a cute bucket to be stowed away in their closet.....another great idea is a first aid kit (I've made these in a pencil box) with bandaids all sizes, ointment for cuts/burns, tylenol/motrin, benadryl, cough drops, thermometer, tweezers etc....or same type of thing but sewing kit....scissors, threads in different colors, needles, pins, safety pins, etc

hope these ideas help! the mesh shower tote you can get a Bed Bath & Beyond for less than $10 & I would throw in a pair of flipflops for the shower ONLY (most community showers at college are NASTY LOL)

I think my daughter loves her tool set( purple) best of any gift she got for college. Someone had taken time to add the sticky hangy things for pictures and hooks to hang towels on. Also a big roll of colored duct tape.

Xena-of all the graduation presents I've received over the years, the one that I still have and cherish, and use on special occasions is a gold pen. My brother gave it to me. It's engraved, and designed especially for a woman. It made me feel grown up, and frilly in a way. I used to when I signed the roll of attorneys, when I signed my mortgage documents, and when I signed the church register at our wedding. It's also very easy to mail.