Just taking a few minutes to ask for your continued prayers for my daughter's boyfriend~ZAC's dad, Dennis. He has taken a major turn for the worse, it seems that it is one of two things~ one, being his body is attacking his brain, the other, well, I don't really remember, but it's not good. Both are irreverseable. A couple of days ago he had just come back from his fishing trip with his buddies and son, was at work~~~although a little confused and suffering the effects of the stroke with speech and movement...now, his speech has stopped, all movement of his arms, etc. He is on depressants...like I said, I really don't quite understand the medical problems...some of it is the cancer though, and the other they won't know until results from tests. Anyway, a hard thing for a 24 year old to watch his dad die like this. I remember my dad dying at age 54 with cancer, 17 years ago, but I was 34....a little older than Zac.
Hi Gary, continued prayers for Dennis. That is tough.
I need to ask for continued prayers for Denise as well. They went to do surgery tuesday and she is full of cancer. Prognosis does not look well. She has many family issues on top of this, it's very sad. I've started knitting a prayer shawl for her. It's helping me to deal with it maybe and i hope to give it to her and i hope she'll find some comfort in it. While I knit it i think and pray for her. I have some prayers written down that i pray for her too.
Have had a lot going on lately. I made pork with green chili tonight. I'm enjoying cooking for the family.
E.Z. - Prayers for Dennis it is tough watching someone slowly, painfully fade away, prayers for Zac to, tough situation.
Good luck in vegas that sounds like fun, I just put my 1st deposit down so not a problem. Love chinese food and the they make the best General Tsaos chicken. Our girls are doing great kaylee is starting to walk short distances between people so she'll be running soon. Gee how Sad I just heard on the news two Southern California girls are missing they went to ride horses and haven't been seen, prayers for their safety as well. This is an awfull world we live in.
Mitchy- prayers for Denise- that is nice a prayer shawl what a thoughtful gift.
I am doing well I got to work today, then fri/Sat days then home for a couple days always fun to go home and see everyone. Weather has been in the 60's during the day, wow unusually warm. Well off to bowling hope I do well . Hi to everyone else, and all MIAS catch ya later.
It's 3:50 p.m. and I don't want to think at work anymore.
I will be praying for everyone. Remember...we grow strong due to the tougher times.
Michele...You can cook for me babes!
EZ...Nikki's on her way. Sunny CA sounds nice to me.
Jewelry making tonight from 6 - 10 p.m. My sister gets married (2nd) this Sunday at her house. We were not invited to the house but to a nice dinner following.
It's unseasonably warm today. Lord, please let this warm weather go through March.
Well...just dropped in to ck up on what's happenin.
It's a good thing I've still got plenty of weight on me or maybe I'd blow away today! It's SO WINDY here! Wind gusts over 30 MPH - Did any of you see Al Roker reporting from FL during Wilma? He did a nosedive into the concrete - wasn't hurt, but one of the photographers asked him if he wished he still had the weight! NO WAY he said.
Was down another pound today for a grand total of 20.6!!! Check my ticker! AND (drum roll please) I'm UNDER 300 now!!!
MKAY: What kind of jewelry do you make? My mom and I got into making costume jewelry wayyyyyyyyyyy back in the late 60's - early 70's - I had forgotten all about it until I read your post - it was quite fun actually.
SUE: How did the bowling go? I'm going to do that one of these days as the knee keeps improving.
MICHELE: I'll continue to pray for Denise. What is a prayer shawl? I've been thinking about taking up knitting or crocheting - which is easier? What would be good for a beginner like me?
GARY: I'll be praying for Dennis also - only our Lord can comfort the ill and the loved ones - so sorry you lost your dad so young - that is one thing I never take for granted is my mom and dad being here in their 80's - I am so blessed by that. My uncle died at age 52 and he and my aunt had 10 kids. That was the saddest thing seeing all that heartbreak. We just don't know God's reasons.
Hi Lori,
A prayer shawl is a shawl that is made for someone and whoever makes it usually prays and/or thinks of that person while knitting or crocheting. There are ministry's of people making shawls for new mom's, people healing from disease or illness, for our troops, for anyone. This one i am praying for her while i knit and i'm going to include a prayer for comfort. My hope is that it will comfort her. As far as what is easier? Hard to say? I do both, knitters would say knitting, crocheter's crocheting. But it isn't difficult. I'd suggest going to a local yarn store and talking to someone about it, see what you like best, i like the look of knit best, and then ask if they'll show you. Some places will help you learn as you go or suggest a beginning class.
I went to a textile show today at an art library and it was so cool. Our friend Barbara, it's her daughter's mom in law who's in the group and she had 2 purses that were voted best in show last year and showcased this year in the exhibit. Then there were other art forms, all hand dyed, sewed, quilted, beaded, knit...it was so cool. Sorry, off topic but my creative juices are flowing now.
I've had a headache all day, almost a migraine. It's time for Aunt Flo so i'm sure it's that.
Angie is off to a play,( her daughter is working behind the scenes), at my step-d's high school, my brother and sister in law went with her. Have a few minutes before Survivor and CSI.
Amanda told me tonight that Zac e-mailed her at work~ Dennis still cannot speak very well and cries everytime someone calls to see how he is doing (he has a lot of church and work friends calling) because he can't speak to them so they understand~~ this gets Zac's mom crying and causes mucho stress on Zac to watch....all understandable. Which upsets my kiddo, again understandable. Thank God that everyone involved is saved through CHRIST!! Most importantly at this time ~ Dennis! Please continue your prayers for the Markham family.
I am taking most of the day off tomorrow to take Amanda back up to USC, the professor wants to meet with her about the PHD~Doctorate program~ I am not sure it is for her...so much stress!!!!!! But praying some guidence will come from it for her.
MICHELE~ Continued prayers for Denise, she will surely love the shawl this winter. Praying your headache goes away when Aunt Flo decides to visit another friend
LORI~ Great job on the weight loss!!!!!! Must be from chasing those knuckleheads around
AUNT SUE~ I heard a news flash that the 2 girls were found, however there were no details, not sure yet what happened to them. So the little one can walk already! Wow! and she has only been in America a couple of months ~~~SHE is soooooooooooooooo Gifted!! But of course you and I already KNEW that! Hope you shot 3~ 200 games!
MKAY~ California IS nice...why do you think we keep coming back!! Even with all the traffic!!! Although each day it is less pleasurable!
Well off to the showers!!!!!!!!!!!! Then the recliner and CBS!
It's windy today here too. I LOVE the wind. Although my sister in FL didn't like it last week when Wilma went through her town (Stuart, East Coast). She tucked herself and her pups in the bathroom and stuck it out. She has damage but it could have been worse.
EZ...I'm sure this will be the last weekend for the nicer weather. MI usually is cold and dreary about right now but the Lord is good...it's not too bad. I haven't read all the posts and don't know about the Dennis story. Obviously, it does not sound real upbeat. I'm sorry for that and the chain reaction from people close is something. I will pray for them and mentally put one of those prayer shawls over them as well.
Michele...What a neat thing...the prayer shawl. Gosh, I hope the headache goes away. Yeah, EZ wishing Aunt Flo on another friend...probably me.
Mom of five...I've been making beaded necklaces, bracelets, and crystal mother's bracelets, etc., for almost 5 years now. I'd like to expand my horizons and go into another direction but with jewelry. Any ideas?
Last night, my friend Sharon, who I taught to make jewelry along with Judy, another friend, packed up and brought her "stuff" home to play jewelry. I feel like I birthed 2 churches or something. I remember the first time she came to have me teach her, she came with a tiny tin box with a few beads and findings. NOW...when she left last night, she had to borrow a huge duffle bag on wheels and I also gave her a huge bag with more stuff in it. I created a monster.
Well, it's Friday, not a real busy week but still glad to see the work-week come to an end. Looking forward to a 'quiet' weekend, or as quiet at they get. DD has ballet, preparing for 'The Nutcracker' for 6 hours tomorrow and then I'm playing piano at the historical museum Sunday, (Christmas music, can you believe that!), anyway for about two hours during their open house. I guess still quieter than last weekend, the normal Nutcracker practice last Saturday for DD and then last Sunday we cooked a turkey and served all day 11a to about 5p the school's annual turkey dinner, about 1200 dinners served + carry-out. It's a lot of work but so much fun and so absolutely exhausted when it's all over!
mkay - sounds like you had a fun evening last night - it's so good to get together with friends.
Where's SUNNYD????
PooMom - I know what you mean about the pups being overindulged, ours thinks she has to 'go' everytime we leave the house, otherwise she does pretty good. I did look for the pumpkin spice coffeemate at Kroger last night, didn't find it but did see a commercial where they also have egg nog, now that sounds good to me! I loved your puppy pics, especially the Trick or Treaters!!! Cute!
Mom2Five - CONGRATULATIONS. I can't believe you've lost all that weight and all those inches!!! I too believe you are just going to disappear! You are doing a wonderful job. I also saw Al get blown away on the Today Show, - funny but glad no one was hurt. I also loved your puppy pics. Keep up the great work and I hope you NEVER see 300 again!!!
Sue - The play sounds really interesting, kind of a different perspective which may stir some interest rather than the 'usual' Christmas story (not that it's not great enough just by itself!) but you know what I mean, may attract some newcomers. I can't believe Kaylee is walking already - how was the visit? Bet your parents enjoyed it too!
Michele - continued many, many prayers for Denise, so sad. Enjoyed hearing about your prayer shawl, never heard of such before, I'm sure it will give both of you much comfort. The textile show sounded real interesting, we don't have anything like that around here. Hope you're feeling better real soon!
Where's JONATHAN??? EZ did you scare him off?? Play nice boys. . .
Angie - Thanks for the posole recipe, do you usually serve that alone or with something, a sandwich, salad, piece of chicken? I see it has chicken in it, just wondering if it was 'filling' enough. How was the play? What play did the kids do? Hey, just 2 weeks now until Potter!!
EZ - DD has a tennis game on Monday then just one more this season. We have practice Saturday, really need it, most of the kids haven't been showing up for practice, and then a final practice/party next Saturday (perhaps the pizza will get them there??) Continued prayers also for Dennis and family, such a difficult time. We'll keep Amanda in our prayers also as she goes through this process with schooling/working/decisions plus issues with Dennis also on her mind.
Wilma - Congrats to you also dear, a size 10!!!! WOW!!!! I'm gonna get there, just gonna take a little time but I'm back to walking on the treadmill and I 'make' myself walk AT LEAST one mile every night whether I feel like it or not, just keep on movin'. . . I can't believe you have snow already. We used to get snow during football season, of course (high school) football season was a little later than they play now and I remember in the marching band, doing the half-time show in the snow, really fun but really cold! We've had 70's yesterday, today and tomorrow and then I think it drops a little into the 60's, about normal for this time of year. Continued prayers for your son too and the allergy/respiratory issues.
I enjoy reading everyone's posts and think of you guys often, usually when I'm exercising and hoping you're doing the same!!! Have a great weekend and see ya'all back here next week! Hugs & prayers - Margie
November walked = 3 miles
Total walked since 4.4.5 = 269.57
Well, summer is peeking it's head out here in southwestern Illinois. Reached nearly 80 degrees yesterday and today. We are moving the boys back upstairs and I had to take all my clothes out of the room they are going to use. What a job! The kids were off school and Abbi was my runner. I sorted piles for church charity, ebay and my closet. Now we have to get extra furniture out of there and try to sell it. The boys were upstairs when they first got here, but the first week they were here they had all the wallpaper torn off their wall, all their toys thrown out the 2nd floor window and nearly jumped out themselves! We promptly moved them on the first floor - this way if they jumped out the window it wasn't very far to jump! We think they have calmed down a little bit in the five years they've been here - we shall see!
The room they are in on the first floor has library doors that open on the living room area. So it will be really nice to have that space for living again - the room upstairs is so much bigger and nicer for them - hopefully they'll be able to handle it!
We won't be able to move all the furniture and stuff until Thanksgiving weekend, but I just want to get as much as I can done before Bob and Mike do the heavy work.
MARGIE: Thanks for the kind words! The turkey dinner sounds great! I love this time of year when everyone is doing all sorts of stuff for others - it's really cool, isn't it?
MKAY: The jewelry sounds nice - when we made it years ago, we made a lot of rings. They were pretty popular then, but I don't think the big, gaudy rings are very popular now.
GARY: Yep, chasing these knuckleheads around sure can wear one out! They are 7, 8, 9 and 9 and man do they have energy! Not to mention the oldest wanting this, that and the other thing all the time too! I'll keep Amanda in prayer about the school thing - regular college stressed me out enough - I can't imagine!
MICHELE: The prayer shawl sounds really nice and what an awesome idea! I need to go to a craft store and figure out which I would like to do as far as knitting or crocheting or whatever. Hope your headache is better. I swear by a hot wash cloth!
It's Saturday!! Not too much on the agenda except some cooking. I may get going on the quilt too. We've been invited out for dinner on sunday so not much preparation for me to do. Sure feels nice for a change.
Today's paper had a headline: "Mexican Vacation with Wilma a nightmare" I'll try not to take it personally. It's been wierd having a hurricane with my name. I almost seem to be blamed for it happening. It's not a fun thing to have named after you. What's even worse is that DS's friend's name is Katrina so we've both been getting razzed about the trouble we've been causing.
Lori: SOund like you've been really busy. You'll love that extra living space. When DS got married and moved out we finally got our basement back. Now we have space down there.
I wish summer was still peeking out here. The snow we got in October is gone and it's been raining a lot. Soon it will be snow though. The temp. keeps hovering around that freezing point!
Way to go on making that weight loss milestone.
Margie: YOu're doing really well with the walking. I know I need to do that more. I find it so hard to make time when I work full time. It's a good thing that I'm moving around most of the day at work. I'm actually physically tired when I get home.
mkay: Isn't fun to have a hobby and make money at it too? It's neat that you shared it with a friend. I find my quilting so relaxing that I miss it when I don't have something to work on.
Gary: Dennis and his family are in my prayers. May God give them the comfort and hope they need at this time. Also, still praying for Amanda. What a wonderful opportunity for her.
Michele: I sure hope your headache is gone. I get those during that wonderful time of the month too and I know mine can last for 3 days. Take care of yourself. I like the idea of the prayer shawl. It'll remind me that I need pray for people as I work on my quilt.
DH is finally ready to go grocery shopping so I'll sign off for now. Have a wonderful weekend.
Happy Saturday! I'm so glad it's finally here! This has been a long week of work and meetings, classes and rehearsals. Whew... I'm tired. I'm sitting here with my second cuppa and contemplating my house in disarray and overflowing laundry basket. I finally bought a new digital camera and it was delivered yesterday, so this weekend I'll also be reading the manual and experimenting.
All this talk about jewelry making is getting me itchin' to create. I have several beading magazines, and a http://www.firemountaingems.com/ catalog. Has anyone ever purchased beads from them? I bought 14K findings from them years ago and was very happy with the product and prices, so I assume their beads and supplies will be nice.
Wilma, don't take the hurricane thing personally. I figure there will never be a Hurricane Jill... it just doesn't have the right ring to it.
Lori, when you're all organized you want to come and help me? I have closets to go through, and one entire bay of my garage is stacked with boxes. I moved alot of stuff home when my Mom passed 3 years ago, and just haven't been able to go through it yet.
Margie, the pumpkin spice creamer wasn't as wonderful as I thought it would be. I had to use too much of it to really get a pumpkin flavor.
MKay, glad your Sis is ok after the hurricane.
Gary, how did the meeting at USC go? Continued prayers for Dennis.
Sometime during this post I sat on the sofa with the puppy and watched 2 cooking shows, so now I really do need to get my day started! Gosh, I didn't realize how many days since I've posted... too much to catch up on. Know that you are all being prayed for.
Angie and I just got home from the street fair in the town next to us, I think I have mentioned it before, they have it twice a year, May and November. They always draw right at 100,000 people! We get there an hour before they start selling and have breakfast at Hennessey's Tavern then "run" through it...when you go as often as us you know pretty much what is there. W usually get out after a couple of hours right before the huge wave of people come. All we bought was some tea for Angie and treats for the mutts, however, Angie fell in love with a framed photograph of an archway, in Mexico I think, that will go really well on our entryway wall~~We may be going back to pick it up this afternoon, she is still thinking about it.
Last night Angie and I went to the Norweigan club with my ex wife and her boyfriend, my brother and his wife, for the Viking Feast...always fun and entertaining. My son and his buddies usually go but last night they had their own fish feast and brew for about 10 guys and gals. They didn't want to miss the USC game~~~which was over in the first few minutes of the game! USC WINS!! I guess they did a great job of cooking their shrimp, cod, orange roughy, veggies, potatoes and bread because there were no leftovers for me to snack on The girls that were here were quite impressed with their cooking~~~ which means my son had NOTHING to do with it His idea of cooking is driving to the nearest hamburger/taco place OR a Lean Cuisine or rice bowl in the microwave. I think Angie chased them all out around 3am My step-d got home from Homecoming dance at 1am and said the boys had just gone for tacos and burgers for a midnight snack
There cleaned up a little, but there were still quite a few beer bottles and stuff around when Angie and I left at 6:30...was expecting a mess when we got back~~but the kids that were left here got it all cleaned up before they left this morning.
Thanks for the continued prayers for Dennis, he seems to be doing the same. amanda said a friend of his brought him an apple fritter the other day, he had never had one before, now that is all he wants to eat
I took Amanda up to USC on friday for the meeting with the professor, it went well, she got a lot of information to help her with her decision. We shall see what happens as she continues to seek and search. It would be really tough, maybe IMPOSSIBLE for her to get into his PHD program this coming year, he can only accept 1 student this time, many apply. I am not so sure that this is the program for her~~So much work!! She is a very hard worker, but this program would require much lab work~~ she is a PEOPLE person, she needs to be helping people face to face not in a lab.
POOMOM~ Ever been to the Carlsbad street fair? I see your saturday went like mine usually do if I am not working~~ only it's football games not cooking shows
WILMA~ Isn't that strange? about the association with the name and hurricane for you. I know that with Katrina, everytime I heard the word I would think of my best friends daughter! Hope you had fun shopping!
LORI~ OH MY GOODNESS LORI~ You have the THE ROTTEN~EST BOYS! I am sending my nephew over to your house to live That way all the rotten~est kids are in the same place My knucklehead nephew was up cleaning his room when I got back from the street fair~~ I asked "WHY?"~~ he said Uncle Gary it was BAD! I told him I knew because I looked in on it yesterday~~He said it got way worse after I went to bed (I let him stay up with my son's friends as long as he behaved)~~then Angie tells me he was outside with the older boys~23 to 26~ while they smoked cigars~~ now keep in mind NONE of them smoke...just a cigar about 1 time a year at a party. Not so sure I am setting a good example for the boy by allowing him to "hang out" with the older kids (at my house of course)...but then it is so hard to tell him to go to his room and be the only one not having fun.
MARGIE~ Wow! that's a lot of turkey! (Yes, I know that's a chicken )I know from dealing with kids that pizza parties always bring the kids in~~ just so hard to swing those raquets with a full belly! I really don't like it when kids don't make practice (w/o a good excuse of course)...unless it's optional you should always be there or forget joining. I know my daughter would have never played college tennis if she skipped practice! When she was young, she was never forced to play, always her choice...however, my kids were allowed to join anything they wanted, I would pay $$$ and get them there, but they could not quit or skip practice. I am pretty sure that they are where they are today because they see the results of hard work and dedication to their sport or job. Have fun
MKAY~ Enjoy your windy weather You could sell tons of jewlery at the street fair we were at today! come out in May for the next one Nikki, Reba and Rylee can hang out at dog park while you sell!
Well Angie and I have "OFFICALLY" closed escrow on our house in Washington and our time share here! Bittersweet on the house....but on the timeshare, we just don't need it with the kids grown up...received a nice check for that yesterday (although overall it was a loss in $$$) but it was paid off. It cost us a few $$$ on the transaction of the house with taxes since we only owned it for a few months...but now that debt is lifted! Now maybe Angie will buy me that HARLEY
GARY: You better believe it my boys are rotten! You would think I'd weigh 100 pounds just keeping up with them~ Send the newphew over! What he doesn't learn from your son's friends he can learn from my son and HIS friends! They are 19, 20 and 21! I'd much rather them here than anywhere else also!
POOMOM: Worked a lot on Friday and everything sort of fizzled the rest of the weekend - sigh - but at least we did get a lot accomplished on Friday! I'm just attacking the house like I do the weight - baby steps - if I look at the whole picture, it's way too overwhelming!
WILMA: That newspaper headline would give you pause! I don't recall there ever being a Hurricane Lori, but my family wouldn't be a bit surprised! I AM looking forward to the extra living space! We had our basement finished around 10 years ago and it was so nice for awhile - now it's just a space for extra "stuff" - sigh - one day we'll get this house in order - my DH is a packrat though and you can't truly clean up without "pitching stuff" you know?
Not too much is happening around here. I got through Monday. It's always the busiest day of the week with the exception of Friday. This coming weekend is a long weekend for us. (Remembrance Day) so Thursday will be a busy day for us. Oh well, the day goes quickly then.
I'm getting things done on my quilt. I have the top all pieced together and the pattern that I'll be quilting is on now too. Tonight, (hopefully) I'll get the backing put on and then I get to the fun part for me-the stitching. See how exciting my life is?
Poomom: I would love a digital camera. I think that might be one of my christmas wishes!
Gary: Still praying for Dennis. And for Amanda. You men! As soon as there's extra money lying around you think of Harleys. DH would be the same. That's why I keep him broke!
Lori: I agree with you about keeping the kids close to home. I never minded if the boys had their friends over. I could keep an eye on what they were into then.
Asking For Prayers
NO WAY he said.
Check my ticker! 
AND (drum roll please) I'm UNDER 300 now!!! 
Hi Gang. . .
now that sounds good to me! I loved your puppy pics, especially the Trick or Treaters!!! Cute!
I can't believe you've lost all that weight and all those inches!!! 
will get them there??) Continued prayers also for Dennis and family, such a difficult time. We'll keep Amanda in our prayers also as she goes through this process with schooling/working/decisions plus issues with Dennis also on her mind.
and I 'make' myself walk AT LEAST one mile every night whether I feel like it or not, just keep on movin'. . . I can't believe you have snow already. We used to get snow during football season, of course (high school) football season was a little later than they play now and I remember in the marching band, doing the half-time show in the snow, really fun but really cold! We've had 70's yesterday, today and tomorrow and then I think it drops a little into the 60's, about normal for this time of year. Continued prayers for your son too and the allergy/respiratory issues.
We promptly moved them on the first floor - this way if they jumped out the window it wasn't very far to jump! 
I finally bought a new digital camera and it was delivered yesterday, so this weekend I'll also be reading the manual and experimenting. 
Sunday Morning
about it.
hamburger/taco place OR a Lean Cuisine or rice bowl in the microwave. I think Angie chased them all out around 3am 
(Yes, I know that's a chicken 
