Good Sunday everyone! It is beautiful out today here and we are really enjoying it. After church we went to Subways for lunch and then to BestBuy. I gave dh the $10 Reward Certificate I had earned with my iPad purchase and he was hoping to get a $10 iTunes GC but they only had $15 ones so he paid the extra $5. I'm sure he'll have it a long time as he doesn't buy often, but he is more likely to use it than me plus he has a birthday coming up so thought it would be a nice gift too but he insisted on paying the extra bit with his own spending money.

Went shopping yesterday and bought 2 pairs Levis and 2 pairs shoes plus other things. Kind of a splurge for me! I wore my new jeans and shoes to church this am. I ended up wearing the smaller size even though they are a little lower rise than I'd like. They fit well otherwise. The other pair seems too big to me (waist, thighs and length) now but I do like the just below the waist rise better. Before I take them back though I'm going to check other stores to see what they have. I've been going through my drawers and closet and feel I need lots of things. All my t-shirts/tops are faded, shrunk, or too long. I prefer a shorter length but it's hard to get in X-Lg. If I can get my belly down so I could wear a Large that would be better. I have some nice more dressy tops but for jeans I need something more casual. I also have a nice dress (the one I wore to my gd's wedding...some may remember) but it is so long on me...thinking about getting it shortened. I'd get more wear our of it then. It is two pc. I can't fit regular dresses, but I sure wish I could. I'd like a couple light dresses for spring/summer. I haven't even been motivated to care about new clothes...when my dd comes to visit, and she has such cute clothes and great makeup, I think it kind of motivates me to shop! LOL

Slmnll - I hope you can get the doctor to check that soon. Hopefully not a problem but if not you will feel better.

SlimMe - Glad you found The Mirror and hope you enjoy it!

Changeforlife - I am so sorry for what you are going through. Perhaps it is better your son doesn't understand everything. There is much evil in this world and it is extra difficult when it touches us through our children. But your sig tells the truth...and no matter what happens in this life, He is is our solace, our strength, so I encourage you to lean deeply into him as you deal with this. He has gotten me through many things. And as Karen31 mentioned there is a prayer forum on this site too. I too will be praying for you and your son and also for the other boy.

I'm gone a couple of days and this place just runs away with posts. LOL

I'm suffering for eating a few cookies after supper. I have slight heartburn which I very seldom ever get. I'm afraid if I burp I'll have an awful burn on the throat. I've been trying to dilute everything with water.

I stripped my bed this morning and got all the sheets and blankets washed and hung out on the clothes line. This is the first "hanging" of the year and do the blankets ever smell nice. I was lying on the couch with a clean throw over me, pulled right up to my nose so I could sniff in the lovely aroma. DH thought I was freezing cold but I was just enjoying the smell. LOL This cleaning spree must have been triggered by Donna.


Donna2, I'm so sorry for what your boy and you and your family have to suffer. I will certainly keep you all in my prayers that this can be resolved with the least amount of trauma to all concerned and that healing will come. I know you are a woman of faith and that is what you will hold on to.

Just when I need Him, Jesus is strong,
Bearing my burdens all the day long;
For all my sorrow giving a song,
Just when I need Him most.

Good evening GG’s,

Karen FL ~ sorry for your rugged time at the post office. Your zucchini bread sounds delicious

Isabella ~ hope you don’t get heart burn too bad. Love the smell of the sheets and blankets dried out on the line. Your tomato soup cake looked yummy.

Bobbi~ I feel for you with the budget thing. We have always lived by one (DH was a business major/accountant ~ he can't help himself ~ LOL). Mostly it wasn’t too bad. Back along, the money was allowed to be spent more freely, but since DH retired, we are living now like we are both already retired ~ very frugally. I guess when it finally happens, then it won’t be such a shock ~ we’ll be used to it.

Marie ~ your next quilt project is going to be another beauty. How are you feeling? I am as excited as you for it to get warm enough for you to use your pool. I live vicariously through those of you with pools. Love the pic of you and your new little grandson

Rosey ~ like you, I missed the kids terribly when they weren’t at home. Well, I missed them, but I didn’t miss the drama and wild times we had during the teen years. I love when they come to visit, but now, like the alone time when they are back home too.

Rie ~ hope you can find some kind of camper you like that is affordable. Camping is so much fun.

Carol Sue~ hope you can get to the dr soon and find out what is going on and get some peace of mind about things

Freda ~ the amount of time it took for the physical therapy is what frustrated me too. I liked it, but it kind of used up my whole day off ~ getting ready, going, then after (not while doing it or right after ~ a while after) I hurt so badly, I didn’t feel like doing anything, or had to take more pain medicine than I usually do, which I didn’t like. But, like you, I did it and learned what they taught me and am continuing it at home.

Mary ~ your clothes shopping sounded like fun. Hope you can find the other things you are looking for when you go again.

CK ~ have those nasty storms left you alone? Hope all is well

Lynn ~ hope you are feeling better. Enjoy your trip to NYC

Donna ~ yes, I got the trims applied to the scrub tops ( there is a picture of the trims on this thread page 5, post #62). Imagine it in a V shape of the neckline and then around the sleeves. I still have to shorten the pants, then I will be ready. Great job on your cleaning spree. Ear rubs to SamCat

Zoe ~ did you have a nice weekend? Get to spend some time with the family? It sounds like you always have such a nice time together with them.

Brenda ~ like your new avatar pic. Glad you had a nice day the other day to get to sit out on your deck and enjoy the sun.

Debbie OBX ~ like Marie, I love where you live. We went to the Outerbanks several times when we lived in NC. One time we rented a place and had sort of a mini family reunion there. For my grandson Corbin (we celebrated his 7th birthday there) it is one of his best memories he says.

Donna (C4L) ~ thoughts and prayers for your family and son.

Deelee ~ safe travels to you and your DH and hoping for good news for him at his check up. Hope the things/people that were upsetting you are better and that you are feeling better now.

Webwoman ~ way to go on being down a few more pounds. Sounds like all things are working together for you.

Welcome Cindiem ~ you’ll fit right in here ~ a lot of us here share the love of our furbabies

Darcy ~ loved the pics of little Noah and your handsome son all dressed up for the honors band.

Hello to the ones I've missed ~ hope all is well. Like Donna ~ I'm old and my brain doesn't always cooperate with remembering everything I want it to.

Hello again,

I’ve tried something new here this evening. I ate my supper, then gathered up my laptop, and other stuff and went to my bedroom. After sitting all day at work with my legs hanging down, I want to sit with my legs up. I usually sit in the recliner after supper, but ~ I don’t know ~ the angle of it or what ~ aggravates that sciatic pain. I can come home and not be in to bad of pain, but after sitting in that chair ~ end up hurting quite a bit. So, I am sitting on my bed ~ all kinds of pillows and stuff tucked around me and my lap top ~ visiting you all. That hurt at first too, until I wiggled around and stuffed pillows into different places. If I should drop something, I am in trouble as it took some time to get everything placed just right. The other part of this experiment is that my bedroom is not near the kitchen. The family room where my recliner is and where I usually sit is right by the kitchen ~ access to food is too easy. So far, so good. I have stayed here ~ maybe the thought of getting comfy and then moving things is too daunting. So, I haven’t gotten into any food. Almost bed time now, so I think/hope that maybe I am home free as far as getting into food at this point. Grrr at that this is always such a struggle.

Two days down ~ one more to go.

The wheels are turning ~ I used this exercise machine at physical therapy and I loved it. I would dearly love to get one, but don’t hold out much hope that DH will let me. He has had a lifetime of watching me get one thing (or try one thing) after another to lose weight and all have met with failure. Dreaming…….

Well, guess I’d better haul all this stuff back out to the other room and then head off to bed.

Hope you all have had a good weekend and will have a good rest tonight.

Take care

ETA: well, maybe this is going to take some more experimenting ~ I stayed too long in one position, now am so stiff I can barely move ~ a work in progress I guess

Maryea - It seems that I have the same problem that you do when it comes to buying jeans. I have normal size hips, butt and thighs, but my waist is too big. If I buy jeans that fit my waist, they are baggy in the butt and thighs. If I buy them to fit my butt and thighs I can't button them. Now that I've had 2 abdominal surgeries I don't expect that to improve, unless I really work on losing the fat in my belly. They say you can't do that, you will lose fat all over, but most of my fat is in my belly. All this time after surgery I was wearing loose stretchy knit pants and finally decided to start wearing regular clothes again. I was looking for a new pair of jeans and I found some Riders that are made for a "straight" figure....waist the same or bigger than the hips. I love the fit of them! There is a little bit of stretch to them so that the waist is really comfortable while the butt is not baggy. I don't particularly care for Riders, but these fit so well that I think I will get another pair. I don't see any other company making jeans for my figure. I have always had to work around what they have to offer instead of them offering something that I can wear.

Hi Everyone,

Off to NYC. Will check in.

Lynn

Good morning GG's

Its a bright sunny day here today, warm with a lot of mosquitoes, hungry mosquitoes. I slipped a little last night when my daughter dropped off the KFC leftovers. Sadly without thought i ate mashed/gravy/chicken. Gosh all without thought. It kinda stuck in my tummy for a bit. SO much fat.

Gly i love it here, retired here almost 7 years ago. Im on Roanoke Island, and its very much a lovely town/community.

Rosie I remember you. lol Its your moose food.

Marie im going to try to find some endorphins. LOL

Donna2 sending love and prayers.

Everyone Thank you for your words, support, and friendship.

debbie

Hey Bobbi, I saw the Hungry girl post this morning. Kale? favorite>? no way ha.. ive tried it a few times and its not my favorite. Ive put it in soups and even brushed with olive oil and baked it in hot oven . it made kale crisp's not too bad. The Jicama ive also had and its good for like veggie trays to dip in lite dressing or dip. its not bad for something to munch on.

Have a good day everyone~ Bren

Carolanne, just saw your post (in my email) and wanted to say thank you for reminding of the Lees. I remember now I used to buy them some times. I did look at some at Kohls the other day but they were not straight leg which looks best on me. You are right, we are shaped a like. It's a struggle isn't it? Any way now that you've reminded me about Lee Riders I will search for them.

Hi golden chicks- on my I phone so please excuse. I just
Had to say to Donna 2 - so sorry about the pain you
And your DS are enduring. I hope everything gets
better quickly.
I hope to post more later. XOXO

Hi Everyone,

Beautiful day, but the wind is supposed to really kick it up later. They say around 40MPH. Thank God nothing like they are getting in some areas of the country. Nothing much going on here today, but the Grands are coming later, so we'll be busy.

Bobbi, I mentioned before how much I admired my cousin and her black cats eye glasses with rinestone. I was maybe around 5-6 at the time and she was my glamorous older cousin. Not a fashion statement I would make now. and the ramien noodle salad is my favorite too. Love it! And I love kale, it's my favorite green. A little spicyier than collards and mustard. cook it the same way. I'm a southern girl, love greens. Jicima, I do use it occasionally in salads. It kind of reminds me of a cross between raw potato and water chestnuts.

Lynn, Have a good time.

Mary, I was going to suggest mens jeans. And I think Wallmart carrys lee's.

Hi Brenda, Not a big fan of Kale? Everyones taste buds are different, aren't they?

Debbie, mosquitoes already? My most un-favorite part of summer. Or maybe it's the heat.

carol sue, when you find a brand of jeans that work, you stick with them! Jeans are the hardest to fit. along with bathing suits. I shudder to think of shopping for either. I wear Levi's. They just fit.

Gayle, it doesn't matter how or where I sit, too long and my back lets me know.

Isabella, My favorite scent is the smell of sheets and throws dried outside in the sun! If I could just bottle that smell! Like you, I just hold them up to my face and sniff. I'd love to see a picture of your kitchen if it's finished.

Chandgeforlife, I hope your son is doing well. I'm praying for both of you. When bad things happen to our kids/grands, it hurts our hearts.

Donna, Did you get over the cleaning spell? Mine ran out, but I got quite a bit done. Now I have to wait untill I get another.

Karen, Hope you didn't get any bad weather.

Marie, Did you see the quilt on my facebook page? I'm going to make one like that for my DGD. My sister made it for a cousins daughter. I think any little girl would love it.

Rosie, How are you? How is DD doing with her broken bone? Getting lots of mama care, I'm sure.

Freda

For a few years way back maybe in my 40s or 50s I did buy men's jeans but they didn't fit me quite right either and weren't so cute. But I'll keep looking. I'm in the mood to go through my closet and drawers and just toss everything I don't like or doesn't fit perfectly! Realistically I know I won't go that extreme but I'd at least like to have a few new well fitting pants and casual tops. I also would like another pair of dress pants that fit well as I keep wearing the same pair all the time. I have a lot of shoes but some are not comfortable. I'm tired of being uncomfortable! I have a pretty average foot but I have long great toes and a very narrow heels...so again not so easy to fit. I got some really really cute sneakers the other day and I got a 7 1/2...for a change they are very comfortable and I love them...but I'm amazed they fit...they are slip-on and usually I can't stay in a 7 1/2. They may stretch out in time but they didn't cost much and they fit fine now.

My phone is not working...going to have to call or go to AT&T I guess. Several months ago it got very wet from a coffee spill. I has never worked quite as well since then but today it is doing really weird things. I was hoping to keep it going until Dec when we are elgible for a discount on new phones.

Slim Me - I love the Ramen Noodle salad too! Never thought I would but I do. I don't care for Kale or jicima but perhaps I didn't prepare it right. Squash is another vegetable I don't care for however I do love zucchni. And I love spinach and most other vegetables. Bok choy is a favorite too. There are still some veggies I haven't tried and should. I've heard the more veggies you eat the more you can lose weight.

Today's a busy day so better close here and get started. We just got home from the gym and I've been sitting here resting with a mocha.

Thank you so much for your well wishes, thoughts and prayers. Went to a counselor today, and he was wonderful. He helped me in several ways. DCS will be doing an investigation, and that is a bit intimidating. I was told by a friend who works in the school system that they can come in at any moment and pull my son out of class and question him. Being that he has autism, I'm not sure how he would react to a stranger talking to him. However, I talked with him this morning, and assured him that he needed to tell the truth so that *A* could get the help he needs to get well. Jonathan seemed to understand how important it was.

DCS did not come today. I called a Child's Advocacy Center, and they are intervening. Instead of school, I will bring Jonathan there (it is a family friendly place to help children not be so nervous. It is set up more like a living room and play room. They will video tape him so that he never has to repeat an interview process again. They also offer counseling to him and to us as a family.

It helps that I feel I'm being pro-active, finding a better way for my son to have to endure all that is coming. My heart is still breaking, but I'm trying to focus on loving my son, and helping him realize that he is brave and strong for telling us. That he is precious and loved. Nothing can ever change that.