I made crispy chicken,mashed potatoes and brocoli and cheese. YUM!!! I ate way too much as usual and am regretting it now.

We are supposed to get 1-4 inches of snow tomorrow and more snow showers on Saturday and then they said an arctic blast for Monday. GEESH!!! I am ready to move south again. haha

Julie, I really cant remember potty training. It has been so long. I do remember we started Brit when the twins were born so she wasnt yet 2. Her first time on the potty was the day we brought them home. haha I think she trained so quickly because of all the extra attention she got when she would pee on it. Since the twins were consuming all the attention at that point. The twins I really cant remember. Sorry, I am not any help.

Hello everyone,

I am busy with school. I've been attending some workshops and seminars, and teaching when I have time.

We have a Fall Fest tomorrow evening, I have meetings ever night next week except Thursday which is Veteran's Day, and I tutor 4 7th graders on Monday afternoons. Ashley is loving her class. Every night she draws a picture for her teacher. I am so glad she is happy with her teacher.

The weather here has been great. It's cold in the morning, about 50 (I know, I know; here it's cold in Angie's part of the world that is swimming weather. ) The days are in the upper 70's and lower 80's. I haven't used the air conditioner in at least 2 weeks and the heater is only turned on in the morning because it's the only way I can get Ashley out of bed. She's also been introduced to flannel sheets and now she won't sleep with anything except her "warm sheets".

Kempy: I loved your pics. You are so pretty and you really looked like you were having fun. Congrats on getting your license.

Noelle: Ashley dressed up for Halloween in her Cinderella dress. She loves wearing that dress and acting like a princess. She even has the princess attitude. We took her to my brother's church for a "trunk or treat" and my brother made "worm sandwiches". Ashley got more candy there than if we'd gone out in the neighborhood. It was really fun and we know that what she got was safe. Glad to hear that Michael had a good time.

Hello to everyone else.

Cal

Good Morning everyone! I am back at work today. I took yesterday off for Hannah's birthday. I cannot believe she is 7 years old already. My sweet little baby is growing up too fast on me.

Julie.. about potty training, it's hard, but here is what I did. I was buying the pull ups for Megan and one day at the store, I had them in my cart, and looked at them, and looked at her and said, NO, I am NOT buying any more. (Money was and is tight, and I just couldn't justify buying them anymore). So, I took her home and immediately put her into panties. That first time she peed in her panties.. she DIDN'T like it AT ALL. Just make sure you talk to your daughter, tell her if she feels like she needs to go to the bathroom to tell you and GO. She will have a few accidents at first.. but I think the feeling of peeing all over herself will catch her attention. Those pullups are just like diapers, and that is what she is used to. Megan was trained pretty quickly after that.

Hannah had a good birthday. I took her to school, brought her some cookies to share with the class, and I took her McDonald's for lunch and spent lunch with her. After I picked her up from school, I too her and Megan to their dad's to spend the night, and I went back to her school for parent teacher conferences. I have one daugther that is at the top of her class, Hannah. She only got lower marks on "Self Control" and "Using her time Wisely". Teacher says she is so smart, she can sit there do her work, have five different conversations, and be doing something else all at the same time. My little multitasker. But when she is finished, instead of going to read a book, or working at one of the other centers, she goes and goofs off, or goes and start talking. She has a talking problem. However, the teacher said if that is the worst thing she is doing, well... then not to worry. Megan on the other hand needs a LOT of help. She is very mentally immature for her age. She is writing her letters upside down and backwards, she won't give relevant answers to questions, and she needs to learn to control her social interactions ie not throw fits when things don't go her way. So I have to start really working on her alphabet with her.

I've still been using my treadmill.... I only did 6.25 miles last night... so tonight, I am going to try for 10. That is what I've been trying to do... thinking the more I exercise the more weight will come off, but that isn't happening. So I took it a little easy last night.

Angie.... I don't know how you do it... homemade fresh doughnuts.. YUM. They brought in some doughnuts today, and of course I had to have one.

Kempy... your pictures were great! You are so beautiful! And congratulations on your booth and your license!

Noelle.. 10 pounds of chocolate..... I would kill. That is my weakness. My sweetie is in Las Vegas now. I think he knows better than to do that to me. We both love chocolate, but he knows how hard I am trying right now to lose this weight.

Angie... I saw on the weather channel last night where you were going to be getting some snow dumped on you. Sorry..... I was just so happy to see sunshine this morning. I don't want the snow, unless I can go skiing!

Cal.. you have been busy!! Hope you can find some time for yourself in there!

OK.. well, I need to get back to work. I've got lots to do and lots to catch up on! Talk to you guys later!

Cherie

Oh and Julie.... Her name is Cyndi. I don't like her either. She says she is intelligent, but they haven't shown us that side. And why would a beautiful woman like that be so insecure with herself????? Geeze... don't be insecure about the ex-wife.. worry about the other three women he is going on dates with!!!! And what about that dress????? Wow. She is such the barbie doll/darryl Hannah type. I was sorry to see Charisse go, I liked her... I wonder if her not offering the fantasy night card to him was the cause. I still think he had the best time with Mary.. So.. next week is visits with FRIENDS???? Not family? I guess these girls are old enough, you don't need permission from their dad's to ask them to marry him.

OK.. til next week... wonder how it will turn out!

Good Morning girls!!! Well, It started to snow last night but we wouldnt have known it if we hadnt turned on the deck light before bed. It turned to rain in the middle of the night and the snow is gone. Mickey got to see snow for the first time though. He didnt like it until I made a snowball and threw it across the deck. He was hooked after that. It is deer hunting time so I am sure my dad is pissed that the snow didnt stay to make it easier to track the deer.

Maine tried to ban bear baiting and trapping this year in the elections and it didnt happen. I dont think they should be able to do it. It is cruel and not really hunting if you are feeding the animal for a month before you shoot it!!!! I wanted it to pass too because I am so sick of the people bugging us for day old donuts for baiting every fall. It is so annoying. End rant!!!

Not much happening here today. same old same old. Since I am feeling better we are taking the kids out for a seafood dinner tomorrow since we didnt get to do it for Britt's birthday. I cant wait to get some fried oysters and whole clams!!! YUM!!!

Cherie, I am glad that Hannah had a great birthday. They do grow up fast. Enjoy it now because when they hit the teens it is miserable.

Kempy, What are you going to be doing? Are you renting your spot but working for yourself? Or do you work for the salon? Either way I am so proud of you....You wanted a change and you did it.

Julie, I agree with Noelle and Cherie. Maybe if she gets to feel the wetness a few times she will not like it enough to pee in the potty. Kids can be so stubborn sometimes huh? I wished I had their will power. hehe

Noelle, I was too sick when you posted your pics to tell you but I wanted to let you know that you are so pretty. Rick is a very good looking guy too. You guys are just the cutest little family.

Can you guys believe that there are only 3 weeks until Thanksgiving???? Where did this year go?

Hey girls, Happy Friday It's raining cats and dogs right now but I love the sound of the rain, it's so soothing. About a week or so ago there was a flash flood near the local University and it caused major damage to the library over there. All sorts of documents were lost--one prof. had over 30+ years of his research damaged in the flood. The dept. hardest hit was the one which successfully cloned some mice a few years ago. Now if that isn't God telling you to just stop it, then I don't know what is.

Angie, that is a cruel thing to do to bears, or any animal. Do people actually eat bear meat? Or do they just take the skins? Do I sound like a hick? Hey, thanks for the compliments on the pics . I do need another vacation already. Have a good dinner tonight.

Cherie, glad you got to spend the day with your girl. Hannah sounds like a doll. And hey, 6+ miles is still awesome . Is Megan in Kindergarten like my son Michael? I'm still working with him on his handwriting too, but for him it's more a matter of being careful and deliberate--he always wants to rush through things and be sloppy.

Cal, worm sandwiches? Can you PM me your email address? I couldn't find it. That way I can email you some pics. My mom just developed her pics and there is a good one of us when we first met on Main Street. I'll scan that one in too. Don't work too hard. BTW I'd love to have your weather here right now.

Summer, you busy gal. Hope all is well with you.

Julie, don't let your family get you down about your daughter not being potty trained yet. It's easy to criticize someone when you're not directly responsible for the task at hand. If they b*tch you out about it again, how about suggesting to them to hand over your daughter to them for a few days and see how successful they are at it? Kids will go at their own pace .

Kempy, yeah, what Angie asked. Are you renting space? I'm proud of you too, going for what you wanted. Do you guys realize that's it's been 2 years since we started chatting here? Happy belated Anniversary of sorts

Well, gotta go and do some work. See you all later.

Noelle, You should have seen the commercials....They showed a bear stuck by his back leg in a trap and the hunter walks up and shoots it in the stomach and lets it die. Cant shoot it anywhere else or the fur cant be used as a rug I guess. It makes me sick to even think about it. As you can tell I am not much into hunting. It is strange because my Dad is a huge hunter but I wouldnt even eat the deer meat when I was growing up. I would just eat the veggies that night. I wont even cook it for Jay when someone gives him some. He has to cook it himself.

My cat Fat Cow got caught in a trap once when she was young. We lived way in the woods and she went missing so I thought a fox ate her and about 2 weeks later she showed up on our doorstep with her paw all swollen. We took her to the vets and he said she had been caught in a trap and he didnt think there was any permanent damage. I am so glad that the hunter let her go instead of just killing her. Her leg is fine by the way. She is about 9 now and huge.

Hi Girls
Sorry getting on here so late again. I am so tired today. I feel like a got hit by a truck. TGIF all the way. I can't wait to sleep in tomorrow . We are not going out for our Friday night fish fry....thank god, I need to stop eating so much. Thanks for all the potty advice girls. Noelle I do agree they are ready when they are ready but hus and I may try the undies thing this weekend. See how she likes that? Better get supper going....Julie

Cherie I was thinking the same thing....she looks just like Darryl Hannah! I am still hoping for Mary too! I was glad to see her let loose on her date. I would never be able to do that stunt they did! Have a great weekend everyone. And hope to chat with everyone. Hello all to other ladies. Bye for now....Julie

Hey girls I got a horrible call this morning. My black lab who stays at my Mil's and Fil's house since we moved into our brand new house and he retired was hit by a car and killed today. I am just devasted. I have been crying all day. She loved to hunt and died what she loved to do the most, I guess. She was a once in a lifetime kind of dog, the kids could crawl all over her, when I had morning sickness she would throw up too! She was literally like a human, she could always tell what kind of mood I was in and if I was sad or depressed she would put her cold black nose on me or jump on the couch and sit and cuddle. I will miss her and always love her. Julie

Forgot to say Hi everyone. I hope you are all having a nice weekend. Julie

Julie, I am so sorry to hear that. Poor baby.I know how you feel. You can at leat be happy knowing that she had a great life and was loved by everyone. {{{HUGS}}}

Julie, I'm so sorry for your loss. If you need to talk, you can PM me. Thinking of you!

Good morning girls. Yesterday Rick went to pick up some building material that he bought from an old warehouse. He was loading up a stack of shower pans and he said he was lifting each one carefully looking out for centipedes or rats or other creepy crawly creatures...underneath the last one he found a litter of 5 kittens. There were 2 gray striped tabbies, 1 smoky gray, 1 black and one black with white tipped paws. There were still young, the eyes have been open but are still blue. They were so precious! I forgot how fun having little kittens can be. I was out at an appointment when Rick brought them home so by the time I got home, Michael and his cousin had named them all. (Socks, Greystoke, Midnight, Mr. Incredible and Elastigirl--can you tell we saw the Incredibles movie last night? ) Of course, we already have 5 cats so I had to take them all to the pound . I asked him why he didn't just leave them there in case their mama came back, he said he took their 'house' away and they would've been left out in the open. I felt sick dropping them off at the pound but they were really healthy looking and not afraid so I'm hoping they will be put up for adoption.

Hope everyone is have a wonderful Sunday.

Good Morning everyone!!!

Noelle, I wouldnt have been able to resist the kittens. I know I am a freak!!!! I fell in love with a homeless cat this weekend into Pet Quarters. He looked like a stray I had a few years ago. He was old when someone dumped him at our house. I know he was dumped becuase we didnt have any neighbors at the time. He kept curling up in the kitty condo. He liked Corey the best.

We went out to dinner at Weathervane. The food was SO good!!! I had the half and half which consisted of fried whole clams and oysters with fries,slaw and bread. I had so much food that I ate the second half for supper and still had some for lunch the next day. I finally got my Big Brown Moose drink!!! YUM!!! It is chocolate ice cream with Kalhua,Baileys Irish cream and coffee with whipped cream on top. It was so good that we went and bought ice cream and Irish cream and made them at home.

Brit got to go shopping for tons of new clothes so she was happy as well.

I hope everyone had a fun weekend.