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#16

Jean , 07-26-2016 08:52 PM

Good Evening! Another nice, not too hot, not too humid, no wind, kind of day in my neighborhood. I made the gift shop deposit first thing this morning, went for a pedicure, stopped at the library, made a quick grocery run for lunch, and then dropped checks off at the hospital. Cleaned out the "catch-all" drawer in the kitchen and sorted through some clothes in the basement this afternoon. I was going to wash them before giving them away but then decided not to thinking anyone getting them would wash them before wearing them.

"Gma," Jack's bones crunching loud enough to hear gives me the shivers. I hate having to jump through the hoops to get the results recommended in the first place. I am surprised at some people's nerve -- I wouldn't let the guy use my Wifi either. Sometimes, if I am upstairs, it takes a long time to connect. If I click on it, I get a list of everyone around who has it and all are padlocked secure. My password is on the bottom of the router, lots of letters and numbers.

Bob is fixing strawberries, ice cream, and chocolate sauce for supper. He puts nuts on top too but I will just have strawberries. Happy Wednesday tomorrow!

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#17

gma22 , 07-27-2016 11:28 AM

Good morning to you all. Even though it is in the 80's our heat index is 95 at the moment so it is hot and sticky here. I need to clean the deck off as we had a rain storm come through while we were in St Louis and it pulled a lot of tiny branches and leaves off the bushes and trees and they are all on the deck. It is too hot to even try to clean it up early in the morning for awhile. I took a bag of trash out that Jack missed at 6:15 this morning and wouldn't have worked outside even that early so it is just going to have to wait.

I am heading upstairs to clean the bathrooms and make the bed in just a bit. I should have gone up there earlier as it will be pretty hot and I don't imagine Jack left the AC units on when he came down. It has to be done so will just have to bite the bullet.

Jack went for his second therapy with a different person. He put a compression wrap on Jack's hand like you would for a person who sprains their wrist, but it didn't cover his thumb joint so what good does it do? He came home in pain yesterday holding his hand where the thumb is. I get more an more angry every time I see him in pain. It is ridiculous to fool around when he could get it fixed and not be in pain.

I am making marinated flank steak and scalloped potatoes for dinner. I am hoping my casserole dish for the potatoes fits in my little convection oven because I don't want to put them in a regular oven. I may hunt up a microwave recipe to see the cooking times and do that if all else fails because it makes the house too hot to turn on the stove oven.

Jean: I imagine you saw the video I posted of the kids beating up the ice cream guy here. It gives me chills to see that sort of thing so close to where we live. There were all these rumors about the driver hitting on little girls, etc, but IMO it was thugs that just wanted to have some fun. It worries me because it is butt up against my old vets office and he is near 80 and lives on the property. He is such a dear sweet man I sure wouldn't want anything to happen to him. I wondered why the guy keeps coming to us as there are neighbors that have wifi because like you, they show up on my wifi settings thing on my Ipad. They would be more likely to let him do it than we ever would. I figure he thinks we are easy because we are older and he sees the MKS so figures we have money. I am thinking of getting one of those video doorbells and just not answering the door if it is someone we don't know. Since we keep the gate locked they can't come into our back deck and up to the house so they have to go to the front door. It means the bone is rubbing on bone with his thumb and it is so stupid to keep up alternative methods. He schedules surgery on Tuesday or we will find someone else.

Everyone have a great middle of the week. Gotta go flip my flank steak then upstairs for me.

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#18

Jean , 07-27-2016 05:15 PM

Good Afternoon! We are losing our sunshine but it has been a little cooler today with higher humidity. We had a dozen raindrops fall as I was driving to the hospital this morning. Since most everything is boxed waiting for the big move, I spent the morning reading through and sorting magazines, and checking my card inventory. I need to place an order but will wait until we move. Bob came for lunch in the coffee shop and I have accomplished nothing this afternoon. I had one of those sleepless nights for some reason. I was tired, went to bed early to read and fell asleep. Woke up about two and couldn't get back to sleep. The last time I looked at the clock it was 4:30, and that was after a trip downstairs, a couple crackers to go with Tylenol, a glass of water and some time in the recliner.

"Gma," I always enjoy the different colors you use! What do you use to marinate your steak? I did see the video, how sad and how scary! We have the ice cream truck come to the cabin area; the kids hear his bell jingles before he is even on our road. Some local people have been getting the phone calls that their grandchild needs money because they are either in jail, stranded because of a missed the plane connection, etc. That one has been around for awhile. I feel so sorry for Jack! I can't imagine being in that much pain. If you switch surgeons I hope you don't have to start all over with the pt.

I need to think of something to go with sweet corn for supper. We've been eating later, and I don't like to do that. Maybe that's why I didn't sleep good last night. Hope you all have enjoyed a nice day!

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#19

gma22 , 07-28-2016 04:54 AM

Good early morning everyone. I got up and went to the bathroom and couldn't go back to sleep so just came downstairs and turned on the lights and such. Jack will be up in a couple hours.

I think I am going to go with him to pt today and then we can just go to lunch. We can skip dinner and just have a snack then for dinner. We do that on the weekends sometimes.

I will sure be glad when the hottest of this weather stops. I don't mind summer weather, but it has been pretty miserable this summer. We got rain again yesterday late afternoon and just as Jack came into the door a big lightening and thunder strike and scared us both have to death. He said he thought he was going to have to go change underwear! So, with that it keeps the heat index so high.

I had $30 in free rewards from Penneys so bought a couple pairs of shoes, a couple bras and a new wallet. Of course it cost more than the $30, but then that is what they want you to do. I did get all of it on sale on top of that and ended up saving about $130 total so that's not too bad. I needed the bras, but you know me when it comes to shoes. I sure didn't need them.

Jean: Very simple marinade, 2 garlic cloves (or tsp of the jarred minced garlic which is what I use,) Tbl minced onion, Tbl lemon juice, 1/2 c soy sauce, 2 Tbl brown sugar and Tbl of olive oil. Whisk it together to get the brown sugar dissolved and that's it. I cut the flank steak across the grain a couple times, put it in a Pyrex baking dish and poured the marinade over it and flipped it then covered it with foil and stuck it in the fridge. I would go in and flip it every hour or so. They recommend it be in the marinade in the fridge a couple days, but I just had a few hours. It isn't anything strong and Jack likes it so I use it for tough meats. I think if we would switch surgeons we will put our foot down about doing anything else. It is a big practice so I would imagine they have more than one hand surgeon.

Everyone have a good day today. Think I will read until Jack gets up then put away dishes in dishwasher, etc.

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#20

QuilterInVA , 07-28-2016 08:01 AM

Good morning, ladies. Another hot and humid day. It's nearly 100 every day. We had a thunderstorm last night so things are staying green but it just makes it hotter overall.

Today is Glory Bee and we are making more dresses for the little girls in Africa and then maybe we'll switch to the britches for boys that are made from t-shirts. We're brown-bagging lunch today so thankfully I don't have to think about a covered dish.

The pool filter broke at the Y so the pool was closed yesterday and today and hopefully they can get it back open tomorrow. I sure miss it. There aren't many repairmen for this type of filter and he has to come from Raleigh NC.

Donna, I hope Jack can get the surgery soon! I'm going to try your marinade. That was horrible with the ice cream man.

Jean, will the new gift shop be larger? I know I can't sleep on a too full stomach.

Hi, Maggie!

Have a wonderful day.

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#21

Jean , 07-28-2016 06:33 PM

Good Afternoon! Another beautiful day with doors and windows open. I vacuumed fur bunnies and dusted where I should have dusted last week. My goal is to have my whole house organized and squeaky clean at once . . . . someday! This afternoon I worked on bank statements and updated my church birthday list.

"Gma," does Jack see the same therapist each time? I hope it wasn't so painful for him today. I have a bunch of Penneys coupons I received in the mail. For once I put them in my purse hoping to maybe go to Sioux City tomorrow or next week sometime. When I see how much I "saved" I wonder how they can possibly make a profit. Merchandise must be way over priced to begin with. Thanks for the marinade recipe! It sounds delicious!

Susan, I can't picture t-shirts made into britches. That, and the dresses, are a great project! I hope your pool filter is fixed soon. I know how much you enjoy going there. I haven't seen the new gift shop, but it will be about the same amount of space shared with the coffee shop again. The main reason is that there aren't enough volunteers to staff both all day. There is a paid full time employee in the coffee shop, one volunteer in the gift shop and another in the coffee shop each morning. In the afternoons the coffee shop and gift shop aren't usually very busy so the employee covers both. Neither are open on the weekends nor holidays.

Bob had to go back to the office and straighten out some glitch so should be home soon. We ate lunch late so I'm not at all hungry right now. Maybe we can skip supper! Hope you all enjoy a nice evening!

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#22

gma22 , 07-29-2016 07:44 AM

Good morning ladies! Overcast, muggy and warm at the moment. It is so very sticky here. I went out the garage this morning to put some Scentsy discs in the car. Jack has taken the MKS 2-3 times this week since he left early to go to therapy and we got in yesterday morning and big UGH it smelled like the plant. It smelled so nasty I gagged. So, I took two cinnamon and clove discs and out this morning and wrapped them around the pull down handles in the back seat on each side. He is going to hate it, but I can't stand that sewage type smell. Bad enough he comes home with it on his clothing sometimes. I sure don't want it in my fairly new car. My car still has it's new leather smell and even that was overpowered.

Woke up at 3 with a slight sore throat so came downstairs and got into the recliner. It is a bit scratchy this morning but not too bad. Hopefully as the day goes on it will go away.

We went to WM yesterday around 1 PM and good grief what a zoo. I had Jack put my scooter together as it is much faster to get around in than the ones in the store and at that time of day you would be lucky to get one or get one charged up. My knee just won't take walking all around that store now even with a basket to hold onto. I am having some trouble in the house on and off. Part of it is all this darn rain.

Susan: I think charity knitting and sewing is a great thing. I want to make some hats and scarves to send to the soldiers overseas when I can hunt up stash that fits the bill. You have to stay with muted colors then can wear when they aren't on duty and you can use any pattern you want. I have to at least get farther along with the afghan first though. Haven't done much with it because my hands have been aching. I know you will be anxious to get back to the pool. Don't you find the humid weather hard for you? I don't have breathing problems and go out here and feel like someone put a pillow over my face.

Jean: Our gift shop and food areas are all open on Saturday, but it is a Catholic backed hospital so except for their vending machine room the other stuff is closed on Sunday. I have to say their vending room is pretty great. It has sandwiches, ice cream, assorted stuff like cookies, crackers, chips, candy and stuff like that, bottled water, soda, hot chocolate and coffee. There are several fast food and restaurants within a 1/4 mile or so but if you feel you can't leave the hospital, at least you can get something to eat when the cafeteria and the pizza hut (there is one of those in the attached medical building) are closed. He has seen the same gal twice and a guy once. I don't know how he does it, well yes I do thinking about it. He wears tshirts from cruises we have taken and usually a conversation starts up. He told me the gal who is working with his hand said she and her husband took a cruise on their honeymoon and loved it. They want to go next year when the boys are older. I asked him how old they were and he said 2 1/2 and 10 months. I said something about not wanting to take kids that young on a cruise and he said that her mom and mil were going to take the boys for the week and then he said she told me she is still breast feeding and that is why they have to wait until next year. He turned bright red and said that was information he didn't need. I laughed at him and told him what was the big deal that she wasn't pulling her breast out in front of him but he was still embarrassed. I just get tickled with some of the things that embarrass him after being in the Navy so long and you know what he would hear there.

You all have a great weekend. We have another trip to WM tomorrow for soda and coffee and coffee creamer tomorrow, then going to the mall to spend a $10 gift card thing I got from Charming Charlies. Sunday is commissary day.

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#23

Jean , 07-29-2016 09:13 PM

Good Evening! It's been another nice day in my neighborhood with windows and doors open. I spent the morning sorting through a box belonging to my mom and dad; it has been collecting dust in the basement for too many years. There was an assortment of kitchen utensils, a couple paperback books, receipts, odd serving bowls, etc. My mom kept a little notebook and recorded every penny she ever spent and there were several of those. It was interesting to see the prices of food and clothing. Gas was $.25 a gallon! This afternoon I balanced the gift shop money and paperwork for the week. We went out for supper so made that deposit on the way.

"Gma," I hope your car smells nice again! Sewer smell would be awful! I used essential oils to get the cigarette smell out of some fabric. I think my scratchy throat is gone, I hope. I finally broke down and took some OTC sinus/allergy pills. Our hospital has a very good cafeteria which has extended hours, but they don't have the fancy coffee drinks, etc., like the coffee shop. Outside people come there to eat, just like a restaurant. There are several card groups that come for a late lunch then will stay and play cards in the afternoon. You are brave to tackle WM on a weekend! What is Charming Charlie's? My imagination is picturing all sorts of things!

It's time to put the boys to bed. I confused them a little while ago when I went downstairs to put a load of clothes in the washer. They followed me down expecting treats. We are heading to the lake tomorrow even though it's not suppose to be real warm. Just Beth and Kolby will be there, Maddy is going to a slumber party tonight and a pool party tomorrow night. Will has been working Saturdays; a new pork packing plant is coming to Sioux City and they are hauling cement 24/7. Ian comes home from scout camp so not sure if they will be there or not, probably not. Bob and Jason are taking Jason's "toy" hauler to Sturgis on Sunday.

So, with all that said, enjoy the evening!

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#24

gma22 , 07-30-2016 04:44 PM

Good afternoon everyone. Hot and sticky today. We had a big thunderstorm move through this morning but it is sunny at the moment.

We got up and headed out to finish up WM we didn't do yesterday, brought it home and put it away and headed to the mall. I wanted to get stuff at Charming Charlies, Yankee Candle and Jack wanted another pair of slip on Vans. We struck out with the Vans and I just ordered him a pair online at the Vans store. It was half price day cheesecake at Cheesecake Factory so we went there for lunch.

We came home and I have done two loads of laundry, unloaded the DW and loaded a few cups, wrote out my menu and grocery list and put away all the jewelry I bought. I also put all the receipts in my book from the things I bought today.

Jean: Charming Charlie's has handbags, jewelry, shoes, some clothing and scarves. The store is neat because it has a whole bunch of kiosks in the store and it is all separated by colors. It is a cool store. I did promise Jack no handbags today and though tempted, I did just get jewelry. Jack hated the cinnamon and clove so I took it out and put in sugar cookie. He is such a baby! I bought 4 different kinds at Yankee Candle and he approved them all before I bought them. Sometimes that man is prissier than any girl. Our hospital cafeteria is not that great imo. Jack would eat there and I thought for what he got it sure was expensive.

Everyone have a good afternoon. Gonna go check on my last load of clothes.

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#25

Jean , 07-30-2016 11:34 PM

Good Evening! Spent a nice day at the cabin -- NO south wind for a nice change up there.

Got home to the party neighbor having a get together in their back yard including two mutts. One little dog is their's and a much bigger dog visiting. Momma cat and two kittens were on our deck; little mutt spots them and comes flying over! One kitten goes up the tree right by the deck, Momma cat takes off in the opposite direction, and I didn't see where the second kitten went. I fly out the door yelling at the da**ed dog and the woman comes across the yard calling him. He's circling the tree and I just about got to him before he took off. Dog goes home then Momma and one kitten come back again. I come back inside and Bob comes in from the garage only to see the bigger dog on the deck. Our own cats took off in a hissy fit just as I turned around to see the dog. Bob's yelling at the dog and the woman is back yelling at Bob. Her mealy mouth husband came over to apologize, Bob went outside to talk to him as his cigarette smoke was coming in through the screen. As it was getting dark the cat and kitten were still in the tree. Bob ended by telling her the city has a leash law and next time he will call the cops. They are white trash!

"Gma," I think you have mentioned Charming Charlie's before; I remember you said things being grouped by color. I bet sugar cookie would smell good, maybe not as strong as cinnamon. Yankee Candle had car fresheners the clipped on the air vent, kind of long and skinny. I bought the leather flavor for Will and haven't been able to find them. He likes them because they don't hang.

Bob is leaving at 5 am so I am going to unload the dishwasher and head for bed. I know I will be awake too, so will probably stay up, at least for awhile. Wishing you all a relaxing Sunday tomorrow!

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#26

gma22 , 07-31-2016 07:44 AM

Good morning everyone. I see someone won that whopping Powerball last night. Now the real trouble starts I imagine. Hot and sticky today again and looks like more rain is possible.

We have commissary day today so I will head upstairs and get a shower and put away laundry and strip the bed when I get done here. Jack took up the laundry last night, but I didn't feel like putting it all away. I was really tired and went to sleep really early. I lasted until midnight then had to come downstairs as my knees were killing me and I was afraid I would wake Jack up tossing and turning.

Jack has one more therapy appointment tomorrow at 10 AM then his ortho appointment on Tuesday at 8:30. I just hope this doctor goes ahead with the surgery or Jack is done with him.

Jean: I checked and if you want to get Will the leather clip ons, you can get them online at yankeecandle.com. I didn't even know they had the clip ons now. We have these pull down handles above each window and for the back seat they are to hang clothing. I just loop the string around and pass the disc through and then they stay. They don't hang down much at all because the looping takes up a lot of the string. Jack likes the cake frosting ones too. A little too sweet for me. I like spice scents or flowers. I have Japanese cherry blossom in my air freshner spritzers in the house and like them a lot. They are WM brand and a lot cheaper for one thing but I just like the smell. I don't buy candles anymore even though I love the scents because the soot gets on everything even though they say it is smokeless it isn't. We bought some newer smells yesterday that I had never seen. Surprisingly, we have very little trouble with dogs here. I think because we have so many renters and the landlords probably say no. We have a scroungy little yipper across the street, but he's a friendly little guy. We do have a beautiful cat that gets onto the deck every so often. He or she is this beautiful gray long hair but very skittish. I don't know who owns it, but temptation to keep it since it wanders around free is high.

I hope everyone has a lovely Sunday. Hi to Susan and Maggie.

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#27

QuilterInVA , 07-31-2016 10:34 AM

Good morning, ladies! Only 81 (feels like 85) right now. We've had bad thunderstorms the last 2 days. A house was stuck by lightening each day and caught fire (not the same house - LOL).

I have all my housework and laundry done so today is a play day. Friday, Saturday and Sunday are tax-free days here so I need to take a look at my winter wardrobe and see if I really need anything. If there is a sale on LED lightbulbs, I'll get enough for every light I have. I also need to find 2 swim suits to get me through until next year. I get short length (8 inches) bottoms and tankini tops.

Donna, I hope Jack gets his surgery soon. He's suffered far too long with this. I didn't buy a PowerBall ticket so I'm not the winner. I can't use scented stuff at all. It sets off my asthma.

Jean, we have a leash law for dogs and cats in York County. If they leave the owner's yard, they have to be on a leash. We have a couple of yappy minature poodles who live 2 doors down, but the owner is good about keeping them in the fenced yard. I was thinking about going to our pool today but my neighbor said the water is too hot for exercise.

Have a wonderful day!

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#28

Jean , 07-31-2016 01:05 PM

Good Morning! I have been up since 4:30; that is way too early to start the day! Bob wanted to leave by 5 and I knew I would be wide awake as soon as he got up. I went to church and, of course, different ones asked where Bob was. I sat in our usual "assigned" pew but it was pretty sparse this morning. It will be interesting to see if there are two services during August. It's cloudy and cool here, so far, but supposed to head up to the 90s by Wednesday. I have laundry to do, fur bunnies to vacuum, and gift shop checks to pay today. Neighbor's dogs came over again last night after dark. I guess she thought we were too dumb to notice; both dogs are white. Just the Momma and one kitten have been here today. I hope she finds the other one.

"Gma, " I didn't buy a Powerball ticket either, hope the winner really needs the money. I have bought the scented clips for a few years now. Our Hallmark shop carries them. I don't buy candles any more either. I have a candle warmer and several half melted candles that I rotate through. Speaking of which, a local second generation family owned business selling office supplies and furniture, gift items, a bridal registry, scrapbooking supplies, cake decorating items, etc., is closing. They also have a printing business which does the weekly advertising paper, personal stationery, business cards, etc. That store will be missed! That is where I get my yearly calendars; no one else in town carries them.

Susan, I like your idea of a play day! Our tax free days are next weekend. I do need clothes but sure hate to fight the crowd. Lately I bring things home to try on, but then it's a pain to return them if they don't fit or I don't like them. I just don't like to shop anymore! I hope you find everything you are looking for! Are you getting the light bulbs that look "normal?" I didn't like the swirly looking bulbs and especially after finding out how dangerous they are if they break.

I need to change clothes and accomplish something before I fall asleep. Maybe I will have a nap later. Hope you all enjoy a relaxing Sunday!

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#29

QuilterInVA , 08-01-2016 08:48 AM

Good morning, ladies! Already 80 degrees and rising. We had rain last night but the sun is bright this morning.

I'm off to Water Aerobics and Yoga this morning, then work this afternoon for one WW class.

Jean, I'm getting the normal looking LEDs. I hate to shop and so I only go when I need something. I wear an 8 or 10 petite so there isn't a lot of choice to begin with. I usually go to Kohls kfor they have a good selection of petites and good prices and I always have a coupon and Kohls cash to make them good deals. I've given up on dresses for I can't find any suitable for my age and shape.

Hi, Maggie and Donna.

Have a great day!

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#30

gma22 , 08-01-2016 02:09 PM

Good afternoon. Hot and sticky again. Seems the norm for at least another month or so.

Jack had his last therapy this morning and tomorrow is his ortho appointment so will see how that goes. I am not going. I don't want to blow my top at the doctor and he hedges and I just might.

I have an eye appointment on Friday for new contacts. I have been seeing this lady for over 10 years and really like her but the city changed their insurer and she is no longer in network. I am just going to pay for the exam and then get the $45 refund the plan gives me for out of network. I only get $150 towards contacts so that usually means one box for each eye since I get bifocals. I order the rest online as they are cheaper that way.

I need to get to housecleaning again, but Jack said I should relax as I didn't sleep well last night and woke with a headache that hasn't totally gone away. I took some Tylenol but hate taking more than one dose and I can't do the nsaids as they raise my bp and make my heart race. I have taken them in desperation when I really hurt but try not to. So, housework might wait until tomorrow.

Susan: I like Kohls stuff but rarely go there. Ours is hard to get into and out of because of where it was built so I think that is one reason. I have been buying stuff at Penneys. I have a credit card with them and get rewards so use them whenever I have them built up. I just bought 2 new bras, two pair of sandals I certainly didn't need and a new wallet. I told Jack at least is wasn't a handbag.

Jean: Our tx free was this last weekend too, but the only thing I saved taxes on was Jack's new Vans. I bought a cute maxi skirt and top and a couple fall sweaters on QVC and the stuff I bought at Penneys, but it was before the weekend. You have so much going on all the time I don't know how you'd find time for a play day. I think you and Susan vie for busiest lady. I would like to take Thomas to lunch before he starts school but don't think I am going to get it to happen with all of Jack's stuff going on. Jack will be on medical leave 3 months so we will have time to take him then. Jack will be in a hard cast for 6 weeks then move into a soft one for 5 weeks but won't get full function back for 6 months the doctor said. We shall see how it goes I guess.

You all have a nice Monday. Off to do a bit of reading.

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