Good morning, ladies! 63 degrees right now and sunshine.

I have work this day and then my Ladies of the Evening Bee tonight.

Gail, you are sure up bright and early. I know the caterpillar quilts well. My friend has made both of them for her grandchildren. Those books are great for children. My vacation is my quilting retreats and going to PA to shop for quilting fabrics. That adds up to 2 weeks. LOL

Faye, I think we should vote for what our senators and representatives are paid. A small basic salary, then we vote how much more we think they are worth. Bet that would make a huge difference.

I need to get to work, so have a great day.

Good Morning, Flowers! Another cold, cloudy, breezy, with rain on the way day in my corner of the world. We now have the usual trickle of water running to the drain in the basement. I have WW later this morning and still working on my pile of ironing. When I get all of the long sleeved shirts done it will be time (I hope) to change over to short sleeves for summer.

Gail -- I have to have a grocery list for "special" dinners. I'm famous for having a list and then still forget something on the list! I hope you win the war with the weeds!

"Gma" -- I know you will enjoy your Easter get-together with Thomas and his parents. I am looking forward to next week when I have nothing planned except an hour or so at the church on Monday morning. Of course that could all change in a heartbeat. I get mad when I hear about all the money the U. S. is sending and spending everywhere else while people are w/o jobs, food, and shelter right here. I really do think the "powers-to-be" in Washington should take a cut in pay and benefits . . . as if that would ever happen!

Susan -- You posted while I was typing! Hope your day at work is a good one. I every time you mention your Ladies of the Evening group. You and I think alike regarding our congressmen's pay!

I need to get a move on -- do some laundry and clear off the kitchen island. Hope you all have a terrific Thursday!

Jean -- from Iowa!

Good morning ladies. It is going to be a warm one here today as it is already balmy outdoors.

I am coming along on the foot of my friend's sock, but I am going to have to step it up to get it done and shipped to her with her salt and pepper shakers. They came a couple days ago and are so cute. They aren't much use for salt and pepper though. Snoopy, who is pepper, is itty bitty. If you liked pepper you would be in trouble I think as you would get one good shake out of it.

Jack is going to try and get rugs done this weekend, but it is going to be hot so I don't know how much he will get done. His knees have been bothering him a lot the last few days so that may impact it too. I told him I would do them if he wanted me to, but he said no he would do them they won't take long.

Maggie: I am really impressed at what Schwanns has now. They even have a nice weight loss program I think and it is about what the other one's like Nutrisystem charge, but the food looks a heck of a lot better. I told Jack I want to get some of their items as they have some good looking entrees that are just for two people in the live smart section. If I remember right, you get 2 burgers in a box of WW and it is around $2 or a little more I think. The commissary sells them for much less so I am trying to remember what places like Walmart sells them for. I imagine it about matches the Schwann's price overall though.

Gail: You guys have fun with your day off today. I have never been much of a gardner. Our back deck area needs some serious work right now, but it has been so hot and I hate to ask Jack when his knees are bothering him. On top of that, not having someplace cool to come back into after working out in the hot weather isn't fun either. So I guess it will just have to wait. I heard that movie is good as is the book, but I haven't read it. I did read a synopsis at Kindle on it though.

Jean: Hopefully the weather will warm up soon in your area. I agree that Congress makes way too much money and will all their perks and such, it is no wonder we have trouble. I wish just once that someone in Congress would actually vote the way their constituents want instead of along party line. It would amaze me that they actually did something the "people" wanted and not to fulfill their own agenda. Everything is in such a mess they will never truly get out of it. Have fun with the kids this weekend.

Susan: One of the big issues is that Tennessee is a Republican state except our area around Memphis, which is stanch Democrat so of course there is always the bickering back and forth and now that these congress people have taken to leaving the state to keep from voting on bills like petulant children it has gotten even worse. I think if you are a congressman and leave the state during session you should be fined and big fined unless they can prove a family emergency. There should be no vacations and such when legislature is in session and if you pull the stunts some of them have you should be fined. Unfortunately, this all has to go in their rules and regulations of course. It is just stupid.

Well gals, not much news worthy in my part of the world. I talked to my oldest sister last night and poor thing is working 60 hours a week. She is 66 years old and has some health issues and I thought when her husband passed away she would ease off, but apparently not. They are demanding she work long hours or they are going to get rid of her and she needs to keep working for at least another year or so. I think it is sad that the best workers companies have they drive them into the ground working. Have a good weekend all! Faye

Good Morning, Flowers! It's yet another gloomy, windy, rainy day in my neighborhood, but it has warmed up a few degrees. I've been to the grocery store for the 3rd time this week; if I've forgotten anything I'm sending Bob next time!

Maggie -- I did get the pork loin chops from the Schwans man yesterday. I will have to look through the catalog for the Live Smart choices. Yesterday I noticed the baby eagles' feet have really gotten big . . . and ugly. It looked like they all had two different sets of fuzzy feathers and I couldn't decide if it was the rain or their feathers are changing as they get older.

Gail -- Enjoy Wayne's day off today! Bob's office is closing at noon but he will probably make the rounds of the farmer hangouts this afternoon. Is your mac and cheese a salad or hot dish? Beth requested the Snicker salad which is easy enough. Enjoy the movie and let us know how you like it! I haven't read the book either.

"Gma" -- I'm sure you will get the socks done in time, and if not your friend will enjoy them just as much when they do arrive. Does the change in weather affect Jack's knees? Every once in awhile Bob will mention there is a front moving in or it's going to rain; he hurt his knee 30+ years ago playing softball. The doctor told him his 35 year old body couldn't keep up with his 20 year old mind any longer. I feel sorry for people who have to keep working once they have reached retirement age. We feel very fortunate to have very good retirement plans in place, but if the government keeps it up we may not be in such good shape either.

I need to double check my recipes and food menus for the weekend. Hope you all are having a fantastic Friday and enjoy the day!

Jean -- in Iowa!

Maggie -- What Schwans Live Smart and Dinner for Two meals have you tried? The pictures in the catalog all look so good. I can't believe how many items they have added, but it has been many, many years since I ordered anything from Schwans. Thanks for the recipe suggestion -- sounds !

Gail -- You will have the tiny gain gone in no time. I know that when I journal I do much better. I get lax from time to time and pay for it at the scale. I just had a mac and cheese salad at a funeral luncheon. The 80+ year old ladies who make and serve the lunches are such good cooks! I tell them they should print their recipes!

Susan -- Hope you have had a good day today!

I am going to head for bed and read. See you all tomorrow.