HI GALS ~

I finally have time to post here

Angie and I are having a pretty good week-end here.

Friday night, after school, she taught her every few months HappyHour yoga class at the studio. Then we went to our favorite place for Mexican food...hadn't been there since Mother's Day the week before What can I say...it's about 1.5 miles from the house, great food and a very fair price!

Saturday we walked the dogs down to Starbucks and back, getting in our 3.5 miles for the day. In the afternoon we headed out to a teaching credential graduation party for her student teacher. More Mexican food!! His family really made us fill welcomed....and he continued to give Angie waves of praise throughout the afternoon. We had a great time talking to 2 of his aunts that are teachers about my age, one in the public and one in the catholic system. Spent the rest of the evening at home watching shows we had dvr'd the last few weeks. We really love The Middle, Modern Family and Parenthood...shows that we tape since #1 I can't stay up for and #2 other shows Angie watches during that time.

This morning we went to church, my sister and ex-wife sat with us...so for me going up for communion with my wife on my left and sister and ex-wife on my right. On the way home we stopped off at the produce market for some goodies for the week. Then...we made the puppies mad We took them to the do-it-yourself dog wash....they hate-hate that They are napping now but the house is still full of the wet dog smell...they won't stick around to be put in the dog dryer!

Watching some baseball as I post here, a game between my Dodgers and the local Padres. Angie is upstairs doing some yoga right now...I can smell the incense I'm not much of an incense fan...usually she burns candles if she wants a smell...thank goodness...for me...the incense is rare....ahchoo!

We are going to New York this coming week-end for my step-d's graduation from college. One of my nieces is staying here to watch over the dogs for us so that makes it easy. Of course my brother lives across the street and my son/dil a little over a mile away but it's nice knowing someone is in the house.

A good feeling having all three kids done with college and the nephew in the NAVY...now we can start saving for retirement

I am going to post this then come back with some personals

ROSEBUD I hope that car comes back good as new and cheap! We have what we call May grey here...then we go to June gloom....a lot of clouds but reasonably warm weather in the mornings....then sun...then grey...but all in all almost perfect weather really.

BOOTSIE I hope things turn out ok for your brother. My brother's house needed to be condemned...it was really sad seeing him live in it...he had drug and alcohol issues. Killed us...my other brother and I when we had to clean it up after he passed away. We tried so many times to help...clean...ANYTHING...but it wasn't meant to be.

KAREN I hope you are all settled back in at "home"...since there is no more home to go to...wink!

MISSKOO good to see you dropping in every now and then.

STELLA and all the other MIA's....I hope all is well.

Hello everyone! Had a great weekend. My brothers birthday is today but we had a get together here yesterday for him. This is a picture of my hubby, Tim and me standing in the doorway between our kitchen and living room. We've got the cover off the pool but it has been raining most of this last week and the water is only like 64 degrees..... too cold for me to jump in! Hopefully, the weather is going to warm up and we should be able to go swimming by next week. It would have been nice to do yesterday but we will have many more get togethers!

The other picture is my sister and I taken at her house. This was taken back in March. Do you see any family resemblence there??

I hope everyone had a great weekend. And Yes, Gary, this really is "Home" now!! WHEW!! It is nice to be able to breathe again! No more house payment.

Take care

So happy for you Karen! Where is our Rosebud? I hope she is alright!
Gary it must be pretty bad he has lived by himself for years , but if they seen all the stuff I have piled up they may condemn me too! He was talking he had two piles of lumber neatly stacked and 1 canoe, and 4 antique bicycles in his back yard, gee that is nothing ought to see mine! I have goats & chickens etc... and wood and you name it. I could never live in the city and don't know why he would ever want to live there!
I guess I got to call the lawyer today and find out what is going on. His friend Tom called yesterday telling me all kinds of stuff, I call my brother and he sounds better than ever but the thing is his friend told the Social lady that is to come and make sure he gets nursing how bad his house is and now she won't even step in the door to see if he is alright. I am looking for a place for him down here and I told him if that lady decides to put him somewhere to check in a place by himself before she gets the chance till I can get him down here. So I am going to start looking for a nursing care today that he can afford. All he needs right now is someone to make sure he takes his medicine right ,he has 18 pills a day to take and to make sure he is eating right. I can't even imagine taking 18 pills a day.

HEY BOOTSIE ~ I'm OK, just been busy the last few days and my feet and legs were throbbing from doing too much (of course), so I went to bed early last night so didn't get in to post. We have had really hot weather the last 2 days in the 80's; actually with the sun, the thermometers aren't really reading correctly ... saying it's in the 100's and so forth. I am going to pick up a new one and try to find a place where the sun doesn't shine on it directly so we can get a more accurate reading.

We used to have a cow name BETSY and her baby was BLOSSOM; best milker you could ever have. We had six kids and she gave enuff milk to keep 3 fat chin rolls on her baby, and feed our whole family of eight ... AND still had some leftover for all the kitties and doggies too.

DH dug out my fans for me early this AM; still haven't got the A/C (air conditioner) set up yet but it looks and feels more like a hot July this week than a northern Canadian Spring ... One good thing is that it is cool in the early mornings and evenings, so that is when we'll be doing our stuff. Early morning, we went up town to pick up a few things and did some banking, then had lunch before tackling some gardening.

I managed to plant some more gladiola bulbs (about 35; multi-colored ones this time). Most of our flowers came up, but some are sooooo tiny and a few didn't come up so I will try to fill in with some more bulbs this fall. Think I may put some popsicle sticks in the spots where they missed so I know then where to put them. They are really nice with lots of different colors; I will try to take some pics of them too.

We will work on my salad drum garden after dinner, as things cool off better then; it got way too hot mid-afternoon, so we just came in and had a wee nap (well, sorta; didn't sleep really). We take afternoon siesta's here to rest our bodies and minds as it gets too hot to do anything else. Last evening, I cooked a roast of pork for our dinner today; having that with new potatoes and veggies (broccoli/cauli/carrots).

I went to the store today and they wanted $1.79 for 4 radishes; I told DH we have to get that salad garden in right away as I'm not paying those ridiculous prices for only 4 radishes.

GARY ~ Thanks for the good thoughts about the car: maybe some prayers would help too -- first the mechanic said it was only hoses and gas lines, then he said hoses, gas lines and gas tank. Thought OK, we can handle that, BUT when DH got home, the estimate added a $300+ dollar gas pump -- I was none too pleased and thought hey, why is this growing with time? Anywho, then I told DH that if he wants to change all that, he'll have to toss in some of his own savings ... I'm going broke keeping OLD BETSY on the road. She looks more like a LILY, but she smells like an OLD BETSY lately (really gassy foul; ) ...

I'm hoping and praying that this will keep her running long enuff to save up to buy a newer one next time. The mechanic says the motor runs well but he also tried to sell DH a truck whilst he was there ... oh no, a diesel 4x4 the price of a house ... no way, Jose ...

Sooo, this is our plan -- buy all the parts first and when we have them, then either pay the mechanic to put them in, or DH can put them in himself and save some moolah. It's his choice ... I was a bit stressed out about it at first as I couldn't understand why the mechanic kept changing the work details; don't know if there was a communication problem or what? Next time, will be different; I'll see to that ...

Gotta go right now and serve dinner; will drop by again soon ... Rosebud

... I'M BACK ...

KAREN ~ oh, that must be a relief not to have to pay mortgage payments anymore; you must be good with your finances -- congrats to you and TIM on being mortgage free! Yes, I can see the family resemblance; you and your sister look a lot alike. One lady here thinks that I am my younger sister; with glasses on, we really look similar too.


BOOTSIE ~ prayers going up for you that you can find an affordable place with home care help too for your brother near you. I bet that will make him so happy to be near family.


GARY ~ had to go back and read the thread until last Saturday. Congrats to Angela's daughter on her graduation from college. That's gonna be a big trip across the country for her graduation; going to the big apple ... have you been there before?


Now I am trying to get some cool air in the house using some fans to draw the cool air indoors. Will have to get DH to set up the A/C pretty soon if this kind of weather keeps up and it is only May ... eeks! Hope you all have a great week ... Rosebud

Not much going on here ladies. Just trying to remember to take everything I need and nothing more to NY,NY this week-end. We are trying to get along with a carry on and 1 check in bag. Should be pretty easy for us.

Took my sister and her grandson to the camp grounds today. We will be having a family get together out there in June. Should be way cool....ran my nephew around until we were all tired! My sister is doing well...thank you all for your prayers.

I will see you all Sunday night or Monday ~

Be safe ~ Gary

Please pray for my friend , he just learned today that he has colon cancer. His name is Denver.

Praying for Dever, Bargo, that is what my friend of 72 had and she beat the cancer.
Rosebud I have a goat named Blossom and so is my grandsons nickname for he was the start of a new beginning.
My brother fell twice and once in front of social worker. Been trying to get him to a doctor , ya know if his health is so important to the state of Texas why won't they find a way to get him to the doctor? I finely got the Doctors number last night from his friend and I am calling her this morning when she gets in her office and see if she can find time for him today for I feel he might have a blood clot in that one leg. Falling around is not good. Seems like that medicine that he is taking makes him drowsy. I feel that doctor will want to put him in the hospital and back in a rest-home. He belongs in one he just cannot make it unless he has help or a retirement home. For a while anyway. Then maybe if we can come to an agreement on that house in the mean time, but i want to talk to her and see if she thinks he will get any better, before I deal on the house. If not I will try to move him on down here to a nursing home, so he will be closer.

BARGOO ~ ^PRAYERS^ goin' up for your friend DENVER for peace & comfort, plus mercy & restoration of his health; and for his doctors for wisdom, knowledge, & insight as to how they can help him best ...


BOOTSIE ~ ^PRAYERS^ going up for your brother and you -- so that he gets the care he needs; and wisdom and help so that you will know what to do for him, esp concerning the best place for him to live near you where he can get good care too. You know there are homes where people can have little apartmentettes and care as well, but I don't know if you have those kind of places in Texas.

We have nursing homes for those who need long-term care, but we also have some nice senior homes (kinda like group homes) where they have more autonomy (freedom); with private roomettes, but they still can have some healthcare and meals if they want to as well. A group here is hoping build one in our town sometime soon; so we'll see what happens and how affordable they are then.


GARY ~ hope you and Angie have a great trip to NEW YORK!!!


PRAYER REQUEST PLEASE ~ can you all say a wee prayer for wisdom for me -- we have an appointment at our bank for next Tuesday morning (May 25) @ 11:00 am; and I am gonna see if we can get a loan to buy a new or newer car as I really hate to keep putting all this money into an old one that is just getting worse despite all the money we spend on it. This has really been on my mind lately, and this may be the prodding of the LORD; I am even dreaming about this issue at night ... so thanks in advance.


We had a scorcher yesterday, but it cooled down nicely during the night and it has been in the mid-high sixties all day. It was lovely to sit on our front porch today; no buggies to bother us either. A few black flies have started coming out, but they haven't noticed me on the porch yet. We managed to not only get the drum salad garden prepared and planted, but we also weeded and trimmed the side garden beds as well yesterday morning; it took us til just before 1 pm though.

I took some pics of the flowers that are out so far, and will have to edit them yet so I can show them to you. We have different styles of tulips and colors as well; some look like lilies, some like roses, and some regular tulip but in different vibrant colors. We also have yellow and white daffodils (the white ones are just blooming now); plus some other tiny flowers including minature daffodils which are all but gone now. I was surprised by the small flowers but I do remember that the seeds were much smaller too (so, that's probably why).

It is supposed to be hot again tomorrow, so maybe I better get DH to get that air conditioner in; I saw our neighbour putting his in their bedroom today and it's a good day to do it. DH is out right now; hope he gets back soon as he didn't have any lunch with him ... hmmm!

HOpe you all have a FABULOUS FRIDAY tomorrow and good weather too. Take good care ... Rosebud

Hi, my name is Angela. I just started reading this forum the last few days and I must say, you are a friendly bunch!

I'm married, 43yo, 2 boys 20 and 13, a very dear and loving hubby and I am morbidly overweight. I belong to a bible study group that focuses on The Word and weightloss. I told the girls about you and they think it is great that there is such a thing as this. I read in another thread about the Eden Diet and I have purchased the book and workbook and will be sharing that at bible study as well. I live in New Hampshire and love springtime. We went camping just a few weeks ago for a mini vacation and I broke my tailbone. Talk about an excersize program... I can't hardly sit down! lol

Congratulations Rosebud on hitting Twosieland! I want to get there myself soon. I have you all in my prayers and look forward to getting to know you all much better!

ANGELA ~ we've had a few Angelas on this thread over the while; glad you found us and it's nice that you told your friends about us. I love the term CHRISTIAN ENCOURAGERS as it is so biblical ... it caught my eye right away when I first came here.

The reason for that is that I was always lamenting to my DH how Paul (of the bible) said that we were to encourage each other in the Lord, and I have always thought that we could do that much better.

I hear folks say the opposite and so was quite glad to be a part of a group that would do what we are supposed to do and that is love one another in Christ no matter what denomination we belong to and despite any doctrinal differences.

We are to lift each other up in prayer also, and we have a PRAYERS WARRIOR's Thread in this forum to do that too; plus we pray for our friends here on this thread as well.

Come back and post often; and I will definitely send up some ^PRAYERS^for you that your tailbone will heal very quickly ... Rosebud

Welcome Angela and good luck !

Rosebud, Gary and all , I live 5 hours away from where my brother lives. He lives in Watauga Texas and he has had open heart surgery and a defibrillator put in as I have told ,before. His leg is swelling and I think he might have a blood clot. He had this before he left the rest home and he complained then that it was sore, sent him to the hospital they said he was retaining water. But both legs were swelling then ,now it is just the one. I have been trying to get him to the doctor, tried this last Thursday and he through a fit! I have got him to agree to go next Monday at 10:30 but can find no one to take him to the doctor. I am an old country girl you don't even want me driving in a big city I would be a danger on the road.
Around here everyone helps everyone who is in need and I can not find anyone to help me get my brother to the doctor. The man that has been going by to see him from some agency for the old will not help me , says its not their place to help out in that area, even if they are concerned about his health. Ha! If they were really concerned about his health they would help me instead of telling me to call a taxi for an old man who can barely walk. I called a shuttle service for the elderly and you have to be signed up with them for a week before they will help you. Why is this town so unfriendly . I am so thankful I live in this community and pray it never gets like that.
He got mad at his friend Tom and refused to go to the doctor yesterday, said he did not feel like it. Tom went on a cruise but my brother told him not to call or come back over there, for some reason. He said he did not want me coming up there and messing in his business either, I just planned to clean his house. Everyone is in a roar about how dirty his house is. Just trying to help him out. Our Cuz. just lost his Mother last week and just wanted to visit with him for he can't lift anything himself.
All I need is to get him to the doctor, I don't want him to die. It looks like I may have to get a taxi to pick him up but I don't know if they will accept a credit card.
Does anyone have any advice? It is so hard to take care of someone so far away especially if they are contrary.

bootsie, is there a church affiliation you could call ? Maybe the pastor would know someone who could help .