Can't Wait?

Did I hear someone ask "How long 'til Christmas?"


34 Days
16 Hours
26 Minutes
...But who's counting?








HAPPY SUNDAY/MONDAY CHICKS

THE PARTY WAS FUN FOR THE NEIGHBORS.
ONLY TWO CALLS & NOTHING SERIOUS.
SOMEHOW WE RAN OUT OF HOT WATER BUT IT RIGHTED ITSELF.
GUESS THEY USED A LOT GETTING READY FOR THE PARTY
THAT WOULD CERTAINLY BE A FIRST!!!
"SENIORS BATHING" IS AN OXYMORON.
JEN AND I HAD A WEE CHAT....ALMOST 4 HRS WORTH.
SHE IS HAPPY & SAD ABOUT THE KIDS BEING HERE FOR THE HOLS.
AFTER ALL THEY JUST LEFT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I AM OFF TO FIND SOME BREAKFAST.
HOPE YOU ALL HAVE A GREAT DAY






SHAD.....THE GARDEN SOUNDS LIKE A ROADSIDE PRODUCE STAND! WOW!!
WANT A SALAD? JUST GO OUT TO SHAD'S YARD AND PICK IT!!
HAVE SALAD DRESSING WILL TRAVEL FOR FOOD!
HAVE A GOOD WEEK MY FRIEND AND HOPE YOU GOT RESTED UP TOO.





CEEJAY.....YOU CERTAINLY WERE A BUSY GAL THIS WEEKEND.
SORRY THE SLEEP WASN'T A GOOD ONE.
WE'RE ALSO HAVING A LOWER CARB THANKSGIVING.
NO TINY MARSHMALLOWS ON THE SWEET POTATOES. LOL
I HOPE THE RX WORKS AND YOU FEEL BETTER.
LIKE YOU SAID, AT LEAST YOU KNOW WHAT EVERYTHING IS NOW.






HAPPY........ THERE'S LOVELY SNOW AND A WHITE WEEKEND??
I WOULD BE IN MY GLORY BY A PICTURE WINDOW.
THIS MORNING I WOKE UP IN A FESTIVE MOOD!!!
I THINK IT COMES NATURALLY WITH ME. MUST BE IN MY GENES!!
I LOVE THAT THE ANIMALS ARE FEEDING SO CLOSE BY.
WE'LL HAVE TO SEND YOU SOME MOOSE PJ'S TOO!
STAY WARM & MOISTURIZED MY NEW NORTHERN FRIEND!!
MAKE SURE YOU DRINK WATER!!!






ANNIE....I AM JUMPING FOR JOY OVER JAKE'S IMPENDING COMING HOME PARTY
I HOPE TODAY WILL REALLY BE THE DAY AND SISSY CAN BREATHE HERSELF NOW!!!
GIVE HIM A SQUEEZE AND A HUG FROM ALL HIS WORLDLY AUNTIES
TELLING YOU RIGHT NOW I AM NOT DOING CHIT IN DECEMBER





MICHELLE...SO SORRY TO HEAR THE STORE HAS HIGH PRICES.
WOULD HAVE BEEN A GREAT PLACE TO SHOP.
WHEN AT WALMARTS.....SOME OF THE PRICES WERE RIDICULOUS.
I FOUND A LOT OF THINGS CHEAPER IN THE SHOPRITE CIRCULAR

Good Sunday morning all,

It's a white wonderland out there. 5 inches of fluffy stuff out there. Looks so pretty on the pine trees. It's 21 degrees (f) out there. Dress up warm! DH just went out to plow (he's SO excited) - came in and said it looks like we had a herd of buffalo out in the yard. He took his camera so maybe I will have pictures to post later. There are deer all night long - they seem to be more fond of hanging out behind the garage in what will one day be my garden - can't see them from inside the house.

Ceejay - we do have a fireplace of sorts - it's a propane gas one but is not a decorative fireplace but an actual room heater with a thermostat on the wall. We had it on this morning and I told DH I am grabbing the wooden rocking chair and living in front of it! We were going to replace it with a wood or pellet stove but everyone who came here to inspect or work on it said at the time this was a top of the line heater and they would not take it out. It needs a few parts which we should get in 2 weeks. We are thinking of putting a (wood) pellet stove downstairs in the basement to replace the expensive electric baseboard heaters down there - not sure why they didn't run ductwork from the furnace to heat down there.

Mel - I have a feeling that the holidays are going to come around way too quickly. You could pull your chair up by the fireplace, I'd open the window shades for you and you could get heat and snow at the same time. You could decorate the lower part of the tree too! Not that I am even thinking of where I'm going to put that sucker. And no worries about the water consumption - between the tickle in my throat and dry skin, water is a regular thing - it's darn near freezing coming from the tap.

Shad - it sounds like you have quite the garden going this year. Like Mel said - lots of lovely salads and sandwiches at the Shad house. What is this watering system you talk of? Water the garden? Do you still have the water tank you put in years ago?

Ceejay - it seemed like there were lots more leaves than usual this year. And they were all crunchy - but probably not with the rains you've gotten the last few days. I think dry and crunchy was much easier to work with than wet and heavy - although the wet probably cuts down on the allergy pollens. I agree - Thanksgiving is best served with lots of friends and family. We will have a quiet one this year - just DH and I but we are used to that. My sister invited us to Chicago but it's just too much travelling after all we have been through. DH agreed we will try to go for Christmas if the weather holds up.

Well he is half done with the plowing so I'd better hop in the shower and get ready. We are taking an hour's trip into the next big town - actually one where years ago my friend from work had a cabin on the lake she let us use several years in a row. It was my Mom's favorite place to vacation as we took her there each summer for 3 years. Anyway apparently the town has grown some and there is a home improvement place as well as some shopping. We are going to pick some things up and see what is out that way. I'd better be ready before we waste the afternoon away.

Have a good rest of the Sunday chicks.

I'm hoping baby Jake gets his marching orders today and is home where he belongs

Morning all.

Ceejay – No problems with exercising w/ the asthma, the symptoms are rather mild and mostly just annoying. Well, at least you know what’s going on w/ your hip/back. Sorry the shot kept you up most of the night. But you must have felt good enough to work on those leaves! You do a lot of yard work - I should think this would be a landlord duty, or is this part of your tenant responsibilities? Or do you just like getting outdoors? Scary stuff w/ the electrical problems – I hope it’s all up to code and working now! Is your sis coming to TG at your place or at your uncles? Agree w/ Happy – low carb and TG don’t seem compatible...maybe just enjoy small portions of the carby stuff. I just read an article to fill your plate w/ mostly good stuff – salad and turkey.

Mel – You’re right about those leaves. Maybe I should have worn a mask while I bagged leaves yesterday. Will be using the inhaler until the symptoms ease up. Glad the party was mostly uneventful. Odd about the hot water getting all used up!!

Michelle – The new store sounds like a place to go only when they have good sales. So what kind of make-ahead meals are you cooking??

Annie – So excited to hear Jake may come home today!! Your weekend sounds busier than heck!! Take it easy and enjoy having your family around for lunch. Great deal on the baby stuff!!

Happy – The snow sounds pretty. I hope your body adjusts to the cold and dryness. Like Mel said - drink your water! I’m sure you’ll become a connoisseur of body lotion & hand cream this winter!! As for the dark, do you have one of those lights you wear on your head yet, lol? Bf wears ours when he’s under the sink doing plumbing stuff and the like. I sometimes think I might need it on my walks home from the train station – it’s awfully dark on some blocks where houses don’t have much outdoor lighting (and there are only street lights at the corners). So nice you took the time to write up those helpful instructions for the new homeowners in TN. It must really make them feel good that they bought from someone who cared for their home. You might need to plant a garden just for the deer – where you can see it from the house. Your garden will need to be stuff that the deer don’t like, and/or totally enclosed w/ mesh fencing!

Shad – Nice you’ve got the garden on its way. I might get some cilantro seeds going and see how that does indoors for me.

--
Breakfast yesterday morning was nice. I had an egg white omelet w/ veggies and cheese served w/ fresh fruit, and I skipped the pankcakes and had a slice of rye toast w/ whipped butter. It was tasty, but the omelet seemed to have been cooked in a bit more oil than seemed necessary, and that had a minor digestive repercussion shortly after breakfast... and I only ate half of it, thank goodness. A bit reluctant to eat the half I took home. Have to remember to request they use as little oil as possible when they cook it, otherwise I didn’t feel deprived at all with my healthier choice.

After the breakfast I went home and bagged leaves. Very little raking because the wind blew all the leaves to the north and south fences of the yard and piled them for me!! Ended up w/ four bags filled. Rest of the day was lunch, picking up my rx for the bp med, a dog walk, and some tv. Funny how I complain about retailers starting their holiday push so early, yet I don’t mind watching those holiday movies on the Hallmark channel, LOL. Oh, and now that I'm walking more during my commute, I replaced the battery on my pedometer and reset it. Ready to go! I also submitted the receipts for one of my flex spending reimbursements.

This morning I made a batch of oatmeal to eat this week, and I steeped my chai spices in some milk and had a mug of chai. I have enough milk for more tea...but I'm wondering how it would taste added to the oatmeal...

I’m hoping the market isn’t too busy today w/ people shopping for their TG meals – I need to do some grocery shopping. I don’t think I have much laundry to do, but I might wash some old pillows we have hanging around so I can use the filling to replace the stuff we tossed from doggy’s bed (after the skunk incident). Still might not be enough - it takes a lot to fill up those bolsters! Later will be the football game.

No exercise class today, I’ve decided, so my yardwork and dog walking will be it for the weekend. Watching my eating and logging it. Scale is being nice. Maybe I’ll try for three classes this week, have to check my schedule.

Well, time's a-wasting, so I better get this posted and get busy. Have a wonderful rest of the weekend everyone!!

Evening All.....sadly lil monkey made it to 4 1/2 days, then had a brady (oxygen and heart rate drops) this morning. We are back at square one and counting. Day 5 will be Thanksgiving he if can do it, before he comes home. Sissy was a little upset but not as bad as I thought she would be.

Lunch was a success, Curtis's youngest 18 and BF got to meet Sissy and Chris. It was all good...homemade pizza, breadsticks with cheese, and salad kept the troops happy. Sent some of the pizza with sissy to take back to the hosp with them.

Happy....Lots of lotion for the cracked hands..it is an awful feeling. Cerve lotion is good for that as is Aquaphor. I don't mind S if I don't have to get out in it. Enjoy your new joint!!

MELLIE...here's to a big bunch of nuttin' goin on in December...including the seniors.

SHADDIE...your garden sounds lovely. All yummy stuff and love the freshness of it all.

CEEJAY...I refuse to rake my leaves, with any luck they will all be gone once the final S melts. Leaves are like God's way of delivering natural mulch for the yard...lol

CHELLE....you busy lil beaver remember to breathe and take time for you. Did you get the latest batch of books??

LAURA.......let me know of any of the good recipes for the BP as I am now fighting that too. I think the BP meds are making me restless and lose sleep at night. I am going to google my med.

Hello to Amarantha.

Gotta get busy...so much to do..so little time to do it in...would like to get up to the hosp to see my lil man. I love him so very much...my heart swells.

Loves and hugs,

Annie
I don't mind the yard work. And leaves are a good fertalizer.
Hope the lil man improves enough to go home Thanksgiving day.

Laura
I'm responsible for the upkeep of the lawn. I really don't mind it at all as I lvoe to be outside. Now if the winde had been as good to me as it was to you it would have made my work a lot easier. I bagged 5 things of mulch. I asked my uncle if he wanted the mulch and he said yes. so I'm delivering it TG.
I'm not particularly fond of milk on my oatmeal unless it very dry and needs some extra moisture.
Sis is coming for TG at my uncles but will be staying with me.

Happy
Can't wait to see all the pictures. Do you have four wheel drive? Must be brave to go an hour away in 5 inches of snow.

Mel
I'm glad that you are already in the mood for the Christmas season. I'm not there yet.

-----
Got up this morning and drove to Paragould to go to church with my uncles then back home with a quick stop at Walmart.
Back to work tomorrow and not really excited about going. May take a day of vacation again very soon.

Morning all,

Annie - please don't do that to me ever again. I read the first line that said 'Sadly lil monkey made it to............ and I am thinking OH NO, not that.
However all is well. Read on before you begin to think Shad.

Mel - certainly wasn't me asking how long till (the C Word) You will never get me asking that.

Happy - I am sure you don't mean 21C out there - that would make it as hot as it was here this morning. And we have some mean humidity. Yes we still have the rain tank and I emptied it yesterday on the veges. The watering system is a series of pipes and sprinklers that DS2 put in years ago to water lawns and gardens. I have poked holes in it over the years with the fork (and he is not yet speaking to me about that) and last year I ripped up one of the pipes and it split from the other (main) pipe. So Sunday morning I was face down in the garden trying to reattach one with the other. I got them more or less sorted and then realised I hadn't put the holder things on. Good one Shad, take 'em all back apart and redo. Face down in the garden again. Ants and worms abound out there. Finally got it all together and went to test it out, but the taps in the yard wouldn't turn on. DS2 came home to fetch the ski and fixed that, but couldn't turn it off again. Then we got it working, my repairs are doing great, but there are some other problems there due to the long drought when I wasn't able to use it. So I can see further face down, *** up in the garden coming up in my future. And I somehow need to get the water to issue from the tank before taking it from the mains. More thinking to do.

Laura - given up on coriander (cilantro) - too hot for it here and it goes straight from seedling to seed. Pain in butt.

Ceejay - I'm not inspired either. Both my sidekicks are off at a Maintenance Conference. I might just go home early.

I've about finished updating all the doco. I still don't like much of it, but it can't be helped. Now I have to decide what to do with some of the stuff which is not going to be used. And I have to wait for Scotty and the BigT to update the system with the required changes and then I will need to do some more updating. Meantime, since they aren't here, I might just go home early.

Momma and baby deer feeding in our yard this morning - it was 14 degrees (F) - good catch Shad! It's 7 degrees right now and the deer were not around tonight. Hunting season started on Saturday. I tried to explain to the deer that my property was a kill free zone but I don't think they are buying it.

MORNING CHICKLETTES OF THE WORLD.

SOMEDAY I WILL LEARN HOW TO MAKE IMAGES SMALLER BUT COULDN'T RESIST PUTTING THIS HERE. TOO CUTE & FUNNY.

NOTHING NEW HERE AT ALL.
QUIET DAY AND ALL IS WELL IN MY CORNER OF THE WORLD.
NOT A GREAT NIGHT BUT I THINK IT WAS THE MAC 'N' CHEESE.
SOMETIMES CERTAIN BRANDS HAVE THE "WRONG" INGFREDIENTS IN THERE FOR ME.
MAYBE I'LL SLEEP FOR THE NEXT 3 DAYS....RAIN IS COMING
ANYWAY....GOING DOWN AND REPORTING & QUICKLY RETURNING.
HOPE YOU ALL HAVE A GREAT DAY.





HAPPY......HOPE YOU BOUGHT A LOT OF CANNED GOODS AND STOCKED UP FOR THE WINTER. THE PICTURE IS BEAUTIFUL. I CANNOT IMAGINE WHAT IT'S LIKE TO WAKE UP & GO TO SLEEP IN THOSE SURROUNDINGS.
I FEEL RELAXED JUST THINKING ABOUT IT! LOL
AS FOR WHERE THE GARDEN IS GOING.....WONDER WHO WILL BE EATING THE PRODUCE.....YOU ARE THE DEER!!!!! GOOD LUCK!!
I'LL BRING MY CHAIR THAT RECLINES AND SIT BY THE FIREPLACE WITH YOU




LAURA.....SOMETIMES THE OFFICE WOULD ORDER OUT....I LOVE THE FOOD AND THE RESTAURANT-DELI WAS A GOOD ONE...BUT OH!! THE HEARTBURN LATER ON. NOW I READ YOUR POST AND MAYBE IT WAS THE FATS. THANKS FOR THE TIP. HERE I WAS THINKING I JUST CAN'T EAT OUT AT ALL. HOPE YOU HAVE ENOUGH STUFFING FOR COAL'S BED. TELL SANTA HE NEEDS A NEW ONE





ANNIE..... GLAD YOUR DD TOOK THE NEWS BETTER THIS TIME.
THAT'S GOITTA BE TOUGH WITH TG SO NEAR TOO. MAYBE HE WILL BE HER TGD PRESENT PRAYING HARD AND SENDING THE THOUGHTS OUT TO THE UNIVERSE SO GLAD THE MEAL AND EVERYTHING WENT SO WELL. ONE BIG HAPPY FAMILY FOR THE HOLS.





CEEJAY.....DIDN'T REALIZE THE SISTER WAS STAYING WITH YOU. THOUGHT YOU WERE ALL SLEEPING IN PARAGOPULD. LOL
GLAD THE FAMILY CAN BE TOGHETHER FOR THE DAY.
5 BAGS OF LEAVES MUST HVE KEPT YOU RATHER BUSY!!





SHAD.....SO THE WEEKEND WAS SPENT WITH THE FACE IN THE GARDEN DIRT???
WE'LL HAVE TO DEMAND A MORE PROPER WEEKEND FOR YOU THIS TIME. WORMS & ANTS?!?!
DOES IT EVER GET COLD ENOUGH TO FREEZE THE PIPES IN WINTER. JUST WONDERING. HOPE THE work PROJECT GOES OK WHEN THEY GET THEIR END FINISHED.

Rain rain go away--And it is almost out of here for the time being. More on the way.

Happy
What a beautiful sight to wake up to! At least you don't have to get up and go to work on day's like this.

Mel
Cute picture. I'll have to show this to my co-worker. She loves cats.

Shad
You deserve the time off.

----
Had a bad day yesterday. Went to Walmart to get some things with my aunt but got sick. Spent most of my time in the bathroom in walmart. I couldn't contact my aunt via cell phone. so I called my uncle at home and he came to my rescue. He had my aunt paged twice but she claims she didn't hear it. And of all things had her cell phone on but it was on vibrate in her purse. I'm much better today. She had found some one to talk to and she loves to talk.

Morning all.

Annie - Sorry the little guy didn't make it the full 5 days. Soon though!! Keeping him in my prayers. Glad the lunch was a success. I just got to the section of the bp book that has recipes, so I'll let you know if I see any that look good.

Ceejay - So you'll be hauling mulched leaves to your uncle's place on TG, LOL. But it's nice someone wants to use them. It'll be nice to have your sister staying with you so you get more visiting time together.

Shad - Sprinkler systems sound so convenient - until you've got repairs to make! Sounds like you'll be making friends with the ants and worms by the time all the repairs are done, LOL. Yeh, my cilantro did the same thing outdoors this past summer, but I'm hoping it'll flourish indoors w/o going to seed before I can use it. Heck, I just like inhaling the scent of it!

Happy - What a lovely picture - so pretty and peaceful.

Mel - Very cute photo!! Yeh, it's funny that I don't think I eat that healthily - and I admit to McDonald's lunches - yet I rarely get sick from food. But here's this healthy egg white omelet causing me problems and so now I wonder if my body was in shock, LOL. And of course I chose to go ahead and eat the other half of it for an early lunch yesterday and ended up w/ the same reaction!! Duh. I've eaten at this restaurant several times before and never had any issues. Bizarre. Hope you're feeling better today.

Hellos to Michelle & Amarantha.
---
I gathered all the stray pillows yesterday and put a couple in the washer, but this doesn't seem like an ideal project for home. Just two bed pillows seem to overfill the washer, and when that cycle was done, they were still sopping wet. Both went back in individually for a repeat spin cycle, and then into the dryer. The rest may have to go to the laundromat unless I want to make this my life's work.

Out for lunch (Wendy's salad and baked potato) and then grocery shopping at two stores. Home to watch the football game, which bf had recorded. Good game, Bears won, but turns out our qb Cutler broke his thumb on one of the last plays of the game and will be out for pretty much the rest of the season. Aaaargh!

Nothing much else to report. Still tracking my eating. Gonna change my ticker!! May try to get to the beginner step class tonight.

Cheers!

Ceejay - You snuck in on me! Glad you're feeling better today! Quite a coincidence - I happened to be at Walmart when the minor effects of my omelet struck, and I couldn't be further away if I tried from the only restroom I was aware of. When I got there, of course the women's room was closed for cleaning! Thankfully, another woman directed me to another restroom and all was well.

Good morning ladies,

Happy Monday (or so they tell me). It's bright and sunny here although still cold - woke up it was 18 out but warming fast. I think it should get warm enough to melt some of the snow today which will be good. The main roads are plowed and salted so they are clean to the pavement but the side roads are just plowed to about a 2 inch base which freezes quickly. You just go slow - glad we have 4 wheel drive on the 4Runner. Today is boxes, boxes - gotta get rid of some of those boxes. DH is hunting for the charger part of his cordless drill - he doesn't want to spend $80 to get another one yet needs the drill to do alot of chores around here. I am missing both my Ipod and Itouch. I had them in a bag together and thought I packed them into the car for the trip. Looked all over but can't find them. I know I packed some boxes in the kitchen but don't see them all - will have to go hunting in the other storage areas for them.

I have to remember this is Thanksgiving week. I need a few more things from the store and for a town with 2200 people it sure is busy here - of course they come from all the surrounding small towns too. But the grocery store is always bustling. Hard to believe the holidays are right on our doorstep.

I also have a mountain of coupons to finish cutting and organizing - that sure takes alot of time.

Sorry to hear your tummy is upset Mel. Who would think that Mac and Cheese could have irritating stuff in it? Hope you feel better. I'm saving you a clear spot by the fireplace and windows. Even better if your chair reclines. I LOVED the kitty pic! I'm saving that one.

Shad - I didn't realize that DS put in a total irrigation system there in the yard. I was thinking it was just a tank with a spigot that you could fill a watering can with. Don't be doing too much laying face down in dirt - I know they say worms are good protein but yuck yuck yuck. I can see you though digging around fixing piping So are you at least home working your half days now? Would be a pistol to sit at the mines with lots of time to kill.

Ceejay - I'm with you - just a splash of milk in the oats and I have at times added a pat of butter and a sprinkle of sugar and done just fine with that. 5 bags of mulch is alot to haul to the uncles. Good that you are "recycling" - leaves make a great bed for the plants in the winter.

Annie - thank you for the hand lotion suggestions. I will pick up some of that - using good stuff like Aquafor with the paraffin wax dip really helps to prevent the dryness and cracking in the fingers. I will add it to my shopping list. I'm sorry that Jake was not able to come home yet but I suppose it's best that he not come home before all is ready. My cousin's grandson had breathing issues like that and while Mom took it in stride, it would have scared the bejezzus out of me. I'd have walked around with the baby strapped to me constantly. But if he made it four and a half days it seems like his lungs are getting stronger. that he can come home for Thanksgiving!

Laura - I did have one of those headlamp type things that we used to use when we were star gazing but I haven't had it since we lived in Arl Hgts so no telling what has become of it. It's so dark here that I need a lantern to get around. I was thinking about a "deer garden" except they are such voractious feeders that they would eat it all in one day no doubt. My cousin put up a trail cam and they were feeding from 6pm to 9 am the next day - every hour! We also have a bunny who has made a home under the boat shed but I haven't seen him yet. I'll bet he stays clear of the fox! It's so quiet out here - all you hear is the wind and an occasional train whistle in the distance. But that's a nice sound. All my life I have lived near trains. I am happy to trade out the loud blast at the crossings in TN back to the quieter sound far off - it's lulling to me. Be careful walking home at night from the train, especially in the winter when there are people who don't shovel and your foot might slide on the frozen ruts you can't see too well. Good thinking on the breakfast selection - seems odd that they use so much oil when you are obviously ordering something healthy. But I guess the cook just cooks sometimes - that's the way I always do it Yummm hot chai sounds delicious. Let me know if you decide to put it in the oatmeal. I saw a recipe for baked oatmeal that looked interesting - something along the lines of doing a twist on the traditional like with eggs by making a quiche or a strata.

Michelle - is today the day DMIL comes to town? I hope you didn't have to spend all weekend working! And yay for you - Packers have a perfect season so far. Even I will give kudos to a pretty impressive achievement.

Amarantha

Well I'd better finish this up. So many things to do I don't know what to start with. I am not a neat freak by any means but all this mess and chaos is getting to me. I'm trying when I open a box to find a place to put things away whereas DH just opens boxes and whatever he pulls out goes on any available flat surface. It is making me CRAZY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! but I am trying not to get my knickers twisted in a knot over it.

Anyway he went out to buy deer corn with my cousin so maybe I can make some headway. But first another coffee

Cheers chicks...

Catching up -

Ceejay - how awful to be stuck in the bathroom. But very creative of you to call your Uncle to hunt down his wife I've had episodes like that too - thank goodness for store bathrooms. I always carry Immodium and Rolaids with me for just that reason.

Laura - I did the same thing with pillows and almost wrecked my washer so now it's off to the laundromat with things like that - their heavy duty washers can handle it much better. And the ones here in town have not only single loads but giant washers that handle something like 8 times a normal load so they would be perfect for the pillows - and the cost of the laundromat has to be much less than a service call on a broken washer

Ok... back to work for me too.

Hi ladies -

Had a long morning meeting today...so I'm already behind. We got all the "major"/"important" cleaning done for DMIL's arrival tonight. Is there more decluttering that could be done? Sure. But it's good enough. I can't take much credit for the cleaning. DH did the majority of it because I literally could barely walk Saturday night and Sunday. Anyway, it's clean...that's the main thing. We still need to do the gutters, but we can do that on Wednesday before our procedures.

I took Doppler and Mischief to the vet on Friday - Doppler was for a checkup and heartworm test and shot, and Mischief was for a blood test. Doppler is doing fantastic, especially for a diabetic 10 year old doggie. Most of the time, he acts like a puppy. Mischief's blood test was REALLY bad. Her red blood cell count was the highest it's ever been. The doctor said it was amazing she could move. I'm waiting for a call from the vet cardiologist to see if we need to put her on new meds or increase the ones she's on or what.

I'm going to go get my lunch now. I'll be back later for personals.

Love to all,

Hello Ladies.....

Lil Monkey is up to 5 lbs 6.2 oz...the bigger he gets the more mature his central nervous system gets, which means his breathing episodes should be non-existant before long...back to day 1 of 5 required to come home as he had another episode this morning at 4 am. Little turd....strangely enough...when I walk into his NICU (pronounced NIC U) room and say, "Nanna is here to see you lil monkey man" he opens his eyes and tries to follow the sound...we are convinced he knows my voice now....heart swelling!! Won't get to come home on TG but probably a good thing as too many elderly,...and little tykes around that he could catch something....probably a blessing in disguise!.

Lately the past few weeks...like 5, since the babe was born and all this stress..a glass of wine is required each evening to calm the nerves...not to mention this is the worst time of year at work...meeting all the deadlines for insurance....here comes Jan 1 for all the newly contracted companies....sheese....I am dreading going to work every day any more....thank God I am off Wed-Sun...and enjoying it with fam and freinds.

Shaddie...ummmm, sorry to scare you like that about the babe....however stay in a positive frame of mind and those negative scarey thoughts won't concern you...I know how this babe thing is scarey, cause when I am visiting him, I just freak out when the numbers on the monitor start heading down..then miraculously they head back up....geez...my head is spinning.

CHELLE...Yeah for Doppler...um...get your act together for Mischief...it is no different than with kids...grandkids...hope Mischief gets his levels worked out and all is good. Glad that MIL is arriving and enjoying time with you and DH....I really think she wants to be with you all full time....hope she sees it as well.

HAPPY...even tho you have a Godbillion things that need accomplished with the new house and figuring out the area of living...take it slow and easy...I mean really....you have the rest of your lives to figure it out...don't be so gunho....just take one day at a time....it will all work out...it always does.

LAURA...I will wait patiently for the BP recipes..however I will admit...I have not been doing very good with the BP watch....I am counting on the meds to do the work...that is pathetic...but just do not feel like complying with the rules...I suck!

CEEJAY....sorry about your bad day...do you think it had something to do with your eating or stress? Sister...take good care of yourself...hugs!!

MELLIE...so glad things are quiet on the home front...thank you SOOOO much for the prayers...God knows we need them. Thanksgiving is NOT a go for babe coming home...right now he is on day 1 of 5, which means the earliest is Friday after TG......he is such a sweetie..

Meeting Curtis's buddy from the Army tonight...we are having dinner with him and his wife....this is the first "friend" I have met of Curtis'. Have met all his family, but not friends, altho I don't think he has all that many friends....at least not as many as I do......they have kept in touch since discharge...MANY years ago.

I hate not contacting throughout the day as I have many ignorant thoughts I would like to share, but cannot access....probably doing all the Worldlies a favor...lol.

I need to get my bunz busy to get ready for dinner....have a marvelous night/morning all....

love and hugs.