[gma22]

Morning flowers! Sorry I have been absent but busy busy busy!

I won $550 at the casino over the weekend and promptly spent most of it on stuff to work on the house! I got four new light fixtures, weed killer, marble stones for the strip of flower bed I don't want to deal with (man those stones are expensive.) You think you are getting a good deal at $3 a bag, but we had to buy 30 bags for our skinny little strip of dirt.

I spray painted the bricks on the fireplace with a faux gray stone and they look spectacular. When we moved in here I had painted the mantel with a faux off-white stone and left the brick, but Jack fixed a hole in the living room ceiling and used that spray can texture on the ceiling and got it on the bricks and it dries in like 30 sec and WILL NOT come off. Looked like bird poo dripped on it so I had to do something and the gray looks great with the blue walls. I cleaned out the filing cabinet and threw away 4 bags of trash and old stuff and we hauled that upstairs. Jack has not been ready to tackle the cabinet yet as it is terribly heavy.

Hope you all had a lovely mother's day. DD took me to lunch and bought me a cute capri outfit that actually I picked out and ds and dil sent me an Ann Taylor scarf and pink and white breast cancer m and m's and a beautiful card and then they called Sunday. I went with dd to pick up T from school and I looked around the corner of his class room and yelled surprise at him as he was coming out. He ran out the door with his gift for his mom (a plant) and handed it to me, said, "Happy Mother's Day, I love you Nonny." I could just seemy dd flipping over that so I told him it was for his mommy not me.

Gotta hit the bricks as I want to get a lot done today again.

Faye

[Maggie]

GOOD AFTERNOON MAGNOLIAS

FAYE thanks for starting us off with a new thread. Your house is sounding like it will be picture perfect in a magazine. I love what you have said you have done ~ thanks for painting a mind picture for me! Aren't kids so precious. I had a child once try to give me a baby Cabbage Patch doll that her Nanna had given to her ~ I looked her mother in the eye and said, "Thank you so much, but lets leave it here to sleep with the rest of it's friends so it won't get lonely." I could see her mom sigh with relief that I didn't take it when offered. Come Christmas that year that dear little 5 year old presented me with a Cabbage Patch doll for my own that could live at my house. I still have that doll and will keep it forever as long as I am on this earth.

Not much happening in this berg today. We wen't out to Bubba's today to look at a tail-less kitten he has but it will be a long hair when grown and I want a short haired Manx for Turn to help train to play fetch.

[Jean]

Good Evening, Flowers!
It is so very windy in my corner of the world today. The sun disappeared for awhile and the clouds were moving in but now the clouds have blown on by and the sun is back out. It is a warm 82 degrees; I'm not ready to turn the air on but I sure hate the hot sticky feeling too. Tomorrow is our World Day in the park and I'm hoping it doesn't rain and the wind goes down. I will be at the high school with 50 some students and two other teachers. These kids are way behind in assignments and/or have not completed their detention/Saturday School obligations. They will be informed first thing in the morning and I know they are not going to be happy about it! "Oh well . . . . . . ."

I talked DH into rewrapping my foot last night. The guy who did it last week didn't have enough layers over the knob on the pin and it was rubbing on the next toe. Ouch! The last thing I need is a blister to contend with. I have an appt. Thursday morning to have the pin and stitches both taken out. I sure hope my doctor isn't sick this week!

"Gma" -- Thank you for starting the new thread. You have been one busy Flower that's for sure. Congratulations on your winnings and it sounds like you bought wisely. It's always a good feeling to do some house cleaning and tossing. I have got to do that this summer.

Maggie -- When my daughter was in 2nd grade, we room mothers collected money from the class and bought her teacher a cabbage patch doll. She is a single, now retired teacher and still has all of her stuffed animals and dolls sitting around her house. She had Jason when he was in his brace and still remembers both of the kids. I hope the little kitten will find a good home -- I just finished picking up a pile of "Mom's" fur. She just sits and picks, picks, picks. I'm wondering if she has an allergy of some sort but she doesn't scratch. I need to have DH hold her and cut some matted clumps out -- she really doesn't like that!

Hope you all have a wonderful Wednesday tomorrow. I am off to read the paper.

Jean -- from Iowa!

[Maggie]

JEAN no doubt that kitten will have a good home even if we didn't want it. It was the animal control person from the Sheriff's department that told us where it was. She keeps good tabs on all the animals around this county and knows who has what. In fact she has already had that mother cat and her babies in for a check up then sent them all back home with a good report. She is a real neat person for that job.

[gma22]

Jean: Sounds like your kitty may need prednizone as it does sound like she has allergy issues. I would definitely not want to be you this week with those kids.

Maggie: I am having so much fun working on the house. It doesn't seem like a chore to me at all, but then not having kids in the house nor a full time job outside the house, I have lots of time to spend on it. I will try and get some pics taken when we are through.

It is plain miserable here weather wise. It is hot and very very humid so you don't want to even go outside. Wonder if this is what summer will be like this year? If it is, I know I am going to be in that pool a lot! I want to go out and respray weeds and work on the dirt patch, but it is so awful out I am not sure I am going to do that. I may just start on the dining room doing some painting.

Have a great day girls!

Faye

[Jean]

Good Afternoon, Flowers!
The weather god blessed us with cooler weather and no rain for the park activities today. It was windy but not as bad as yesterday. I spent the morning with some real JERKS and I am so very thankful that I don't have to work with them on a daily basis . . . one of us would be MIA, I'm afraid. It makes me wonder what they're like at home or better yet, what their parents are like. Several of the nondesirables skipped so we didn't have the numbers that we anticipated. This afternoon I only had 3 students -- 2 were on in-school suspension and the other one just didn't want to go to the park. He just moved here and doesn't really know anyone yet. I felt kind of sorry for him. I did my best to convince him to go and that the groups would be mixed so there would be others who didn't know each other but I couldn't get him to go.

I start my day tomorrow by getting my stitches and pin out. I am so anxious to give my foot a bath which it needs badly.

"Gma" -- I was thinking maybe she might have allergies. I need to get her in for her shots and I hate that chore. Getting her there is not the problem -- stuffing her back in the carrier to come home is! When you get your house projects done, you could make a road trip to Iowa and do mine! You make me feel guilty . . . but not much!

Maggie -- DH keeps telling me we should move to an acreage and then I could have all the cats I wanted. I would have a hard time parting with kittens (that's how we got Leonard!) so everyone would have to be fixed asap!

I need to make a grocery list and head for the store. Hope you all have a terrific Thursday tomorrow!

Jean -- from Iowa!

[Maggie]

GOOD EVENING MAGNOLIAS

I am just about ready to head for bed. Been busy today doing this and that. Tomorrow is weigh day and that should be interesting.

FAYE it is good that you are enjoying doing all your remodeling. I enjoy doing that sort of thing myself.

JEAN I can just imagine how good that foot will feel with a good bath! Things get pretty ripe when locked up that long dont they. Hope all is well with your foot when they do unveil it.

All ya'all have a lovely night and I will type at you tomorrow.

[Maggie]

GOOD AFTERNOON MAGNOLIAS

It was weigh day this day and after being absent from WW I showed a gain but that has not botherd me for I am back with my FOCUS once again and am not going to look backward for there is nothing I can do about that now. Onward and forward I go and have some fresh fruits and veggies ready to be my snacks if need be.

Type at ya'all later. Hope you are all having a wonderful day.

[Jean]

Good Evening Flowers!
I am stitchless and pinless in Iowa tonight! My toe is a bit sore from being worked on but not nearly as sore as it was before. I should be able to wear shoes within the next two weeks. The doctor did say NO JOGGING -- as if I would ever jog anywhere anyway.

It is 30 degrees colder than a couple of days ago and the furnace has been humming away tonight. I wish our weather would settle down! We have a half day of school tomorrow and then I have a date with "Mom" and the vet. I am curious as to why she is pulling her fur out but know it will probably mean more $$.

Maggie -- I can tell you have your determination back and will be on your merry way down the road to thin in no time!

I am off to soak my foot in the tub before I head off to bed. I wonder how long it will take for it to look "normal" again . . . it's pretty grungy looking right now.

Have a fantastic Friday!

Jean -- in Iowa!

[Maggie]

GOOD MORNING MAGNOLIAS

What a beautiful 73 degree morning this is. I think it calls for a ride to the park with the top down. Got to see what time Cowboy has to be back for his meeting.

JEAN I can imagine what that foot looks like of yours. The pain will leave quickly now and you will be dancing a jig.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone.

[nanacas]

GOOD EVENING MAGNOLIAS

It has been an up and down week weatherwise....one day it was 82 and the next 60. However we have been enjoying some outdoor time and got part of the side yard raked and leaves disposed of. I will work on the rest next week and then it is the deck furniture to take out of the garage, wash down and put out. June 25th, when my DS & family will be here from NC is fast approaching and we want to be ready ahead of time so there is no last minute panic. The 30th is the BIG REUNION. It will be the first time in 4 years we have been altogether. Have found a small horseshoe game we can set up for the kids and are thinking about renting a jumping, trampoline type apparatus....it is the kind you blow up and is protected on all sides. Looks like a small castle. That should keep them busy. Also looking at meal planing. The reunion should not be too difficult...dogs and burgers for the kids and steaks on the barbie for the adults. The DDs will bring appetizers and desserts. I think a large salad and either corn on the cob or baked potatoes will complete the menu. My concern is I don't know how many other meals will be needed over the week. Going to the Science Museum one day and possible other places so...will we be eating here or out or at one of the DDs. Oh well, I guess we will figure it out sooner or later.

JEAN....So good to hear your toe is progressing nicely. I'll bet it feels good not to have it wrapped up with the warm weather around the corner.

FAYE...You must feel like your in a new home with all the work you have done. Wow! You were lucky to win so much at the casino and wise to use it on such useful items.

MAGGIE...Another top down ride....It must be a great feeling with the wind in your face and hair on such a beautiful sounding day.

Gloria in MA.....wishing you all a great weekend.

[Jean]

Good Evening, Flowers!
I'm waiting for the bed to preheat! Yes, it is that chilly tonight and it is supposed to get down to 30 degrees. The area has a frost warning out for people to cover their plants and gardens. The farmers have the corn plants peeking through and are hoping they won't have to replant.

We (I talked DH into helping) took two cats to the vet this afternoon. They got their shots and he took a skin scraping from "Mom" to see if anything grows and will give a clue as to why she is pulling her fur out. Maggie's hisser and growler are in good working order! When we got home "Mom" promptly sat down and started pulling out tufts of fur again.

Maggie -- I wish you'd send some of your top down weather our way. I don't want it to be hot until school is out but warmer would be nice!

Gloria -- I'm sure you will enjoy having your family all together for the holiday. Meals will take care of themselves -- grilling something is always easy. It will be fun to have all of the grandchildren together so they can get to know each other again.

I am so I am going to head to bed. Hope you all have a super Saturday and Sunday!

Jean -- in Iowa!

[Maggie]

GOOD MORNING MAGNOLIAS

It is fixin' to be a lovely day! I remember why I love this state ~ the weather. I grew up here and not a day went by that I didn't see my beloved Pacific Ocean. Now I am living in the mountains but there is a river I can see. I think if I had it all to do over again I would be an oceanogifer. But I guess I had better learn how to spell that first. I did surf as a teen and can spell that.

GLORIA steaks on the barbie! I'll be right over. I can smell them cooking ~ love that bbq smell. I'd say don't do bakers just make a potato salad some baked beans, tossed salad and grilled French bread. OH Yum. Don't you just love someone telling you what to fix.

JEAN that is strange to have to turn on your electric blanket. Your weather has been quite skrewery this year and I know what that hot classroom does for you. Just think ~ summer vacation will be here soon and you can not have to smell all those sweaty bodies for another year. How is your toe feeling this day?

Have a glorious weekend everyone.

[Jean]

Good Afternoon, Flowers! The rain clouds are moving in after a sunny morning. I thought the "nice weather" day was too good to be true! I don't know why but I feel so lazy and tired today. I just can't get moving for some reason. I have done a couple of loads of laundry and made a post office run because I missed getting a birthday card out in time for the mailman to pick it up. DH spent the morning at the farm and I just putzed from one thing to another and not accomplishing much at all. He is home again and cleaning out the garage . . . he has more energy than I do today.

Maggie -- My toe feels fine most of the time but every once in awhile I'll get a stinging type feeling. DH is wondering if all of the stitch threads got pulled out; I hope so because I don't want to go through that again. My foot is swollen so I am still wearing the "lovely" shoe. Your corner of the world sounds so pretty. I'd love to live where I could see the mountains.

I think I will go take a nap and maybe I will have some energy when I get up. Have a great "rest of the day," Flowers!

Jean -- and from Iowa!

[nanacas]

Maggie....Just stopped by to read and I love your suggestions for the BBQ! Most everything can be made ahead and that's a good thing!!!!

I'll be back another time but for now hope all you Magnolias are having a great Sunday.

Gloria in MA....Bye, Bye