HI everyone,

Anne, that had to be really scary. I'm glad everyone was ok.
I've stepped on the cats more times than I can say, they eventually learn to watch your feet, because they know people are clumsy creatures . A bell might help, but he will really be ok without one. They are pretty quick to learn how to avoid a painful situation. I know how you feel, I was in tears myself a few times when I've accidentally hurt the cats. Either DH or myself (or a visitor) ran over Tony the cats tail a few years ago. He never did fear cars and we thought we kept a good eye out for him. But apparently, someone ran over his tail. It was broken for a good 6 months and just dragged behind him, collecting leaves and cobwebs. I was going to have it amputated, as it was getting so disgusting. Then one day, he started to hold it up a little and now he can hold it all the way up, it just has a minor bend in it. Poor guy, he's sure used all of his 9 lives and then some.
Maybe you should talk to the vet about a different kind of vitamin. Possibly something like a powder that you can mix in with his food.
DH will be off till the 16th I think. He has to work one more night.

Kate, when you type out your post, before you send it, copy it and then if you lose it, you still have it to recopy. Glad your still with us

Ali, I would be really nervous about red ants too. I was pulling those weeds and also knocked out an old tree stump that was rotten. It was full of wood ants and boy, did that cause a major scattering of ants. Everybody was carrying eggs and going as fast as they could.

Lucyee, how's your DH doing? I hope your taking care of yourself too, getting enough rest and all. I know it's hard, but you sure don't need to come down with that too. Hope things have improved. Sending best wishes your way

Barb, hope your doing ok too. Think about you alot and I know your going through a really rough time. Will continue to keep you and your family and mom in my prayers.

Got to run, DD is on her way over. Take care everyone, Nikki

Good morning

Anne, you must've been really scared when that accident happened. All those people are so fortunate that they survived. It must be noisy living so close to the airport. I had a friend growing up, who had relatives that lived in a flight path for Logan Airport in Boston. We used to visit them and the noise was awful. Another thing you have to be careful with Toby is that you don't trip over him and fall. There are times when I'm distracted, like when I'm cooking, and don't know that Lacee, who weights 15 lbs., is under my feet. There are many times I could've easily tripped over her, but DH was there and told me what I was about to do. I've stepped on Lacee a number of times, then picked her up and cuddled her.

Nikki, poor Tony, I'm glad that his tail got better. Many..many years ago, DH & I were out splitting wood for our wood stove and the same thing happened when we split into one log. We have this red ant powder that Dh puts on the ant hills when we find them. When we first moved here, as a housewarming gift the previous owners made up a kit of things we knew nothing about, and the powder was in the kit. He said that his dogs would not go near the stuff, so it was safe. Well, not so for Lacee, she goes right to it. So, we have to keep her out of wherever DH spreads it.

Kate, glad to hear from you. Sorry that your internet still isn't working right. Hope you get it fixed soon. We miss you.

Barb, hope things are looking up a bit for you. I am still thinking about you and your family and you're all in my prayers. I'm sending some good your way.

Lucy, how are things going with you? You must be getting excited now that your trip is drawing near. You must have a lot to do before you leave. I know it takes me about a week to get the house ready, clothes washed and packed before we go anywhere. Is your DH going with you, or will this be girl time?

Have a wonderful day.
Ali

Hi Everyone:
Ali, funny you should mention the noise. When we first lived in that house
all we could hear was the highway and the planes. Do you know now
we don't notice it anymore. I think you "tune it out"over time.
I was happy when I got home last night. Toby was running about like
nothing had happend You are right though. We also could take a terrible
fall over Toby. I told my DH while cooking is going on we should put Toby
safely behind the little pressure gate we use to use when our kids were tiny.
That way Toby is protected and we don't have an accident.

Nikki, I bet your DH is happy today!! Off unitl the 16th, I bet he'll be happy.
I hope you both enjoy the time off together and get lots done

Hi Kate, I can reallyl understand those internet problems. My computer has
been on the blink a few times and it drives me nuts

Hi Lucyee, hope your DH is feeling better. Bet you're looking forward to that
trip.

Hi Barb, Hope all is going ok for you.

Talk to you all later.
Anne.

My sister and I took my Mom to her Internist today (who is also our internists too) and she had a long talk with all of us and told us that it was not curable and basically that chemo wasn't much of a choice either. It was rough to hear, but Mom has been dirving us crazy wanting to drive and we knew we wouldn't be able to keep her from it much long because she had decided that nothing was wrong with her!!! It's going to be a long few months!!!

Thanks for your concern.

Barb

Another post bit the dust last night DS is supposed to be over this weekend to put a ground on something. He works for the local phone company who I get the service from. He's SURE that will take care of it!

Anyway, we're on our way to PA this weekend for Abby's field trials. At least it's cooling down a bit. I'll be outside for 2 days.

Barb: The doctor's visit must have been very difficult. All of you are in my prayers. Take care.

Talk to all of you next week

Kate

Hi everyone,

DH and I have been working on the house the past 2 days. We put on the underlayment insulation (it's like a very thin piece of styrofoam and we put up 1/2 the siding today. I'm so beat, I feel like I'm vibrating DH took his truck out to get the ac fixed. On the way home, I was driving the car, as I'd taken him out there. Anne, we live on a highway too, probably not as busy as yours, but there is always someone passing by. A truck came up behind me as I was trying to pull into the driveway. I had my signal on and there were 2 cars coming down the hill, so I couldn't turn. That truck almost plowed into my rear end. He kept honking and waving his arms, like I was not suppose to be there or should move. That sure happens alot, people just don't want to let a person get into their own place around here. I am still ticked off about it.
Speaking of getting use to the noise, when we first moved here, I was thinking, how can we ever live in this place, you can't even have a conversation in the yard, now we don't even notice it either.

Ali, I saw on the weather map it is suppose to be hot and humid down there today. We got really lucky and it's only in the upper 70's and the humidity is 37%. Perfect for being outside in. It sure helps us get things done.

Barb, that had to be a hard meeting for everyone. Hugs to you and your mom and family.

Kate, good luck with the computer. I guess we all have problems with them on occasion. I find it very frustrating to spend so much money on something and then it doesn't act right. Good luck to you and Abby.

Lucyee, hope things are going ok with you and your DH is feeling better.

I am going to take a long shower and relax the rest of the night. Take care everyone, Nikki

Saturday!!

DH got the ok for his 2 week vacation in Sept. So, we're heading home for a couple of weeks. Home to me is New England. We'll be staying with my ILs for a few days. DH wants to go to a truck race in Loudon, NH while we're there and I've got to make plans with my girlfriend to do something while he's gone. I don't want to sit around my ILs house while he's gone. .

Nikki, you are coming along great on your house. Once it is finished, you'll have a lot of satisfaction knowing that you did it yourselves. There are a lot of crazy drivers out there, especially the one's with road rage. I hate driving down here and go out as little as possible. The favorite thing down here is running red lights. One afternoon when my girlfriend was here we were driving down the highway when some idiot in a truck practically drove us off the road. He was in the middle lane, I was passing on the right and he started to pull over. I drove into the breakdown lane, and thankfully he finally saw me, then pulled back into his lane.

Anne, that's a great idea putting Toby behind a gate. How big will Toby get? Lacee was tiny when she was a puppy and grew to be about 15-17 lbs.

Kate, sorry you're still having problems with your internet service. Hopefully your DS can get things straightened out. Good luck to Abby in her field tries. Let us know how she did.

Barb, your mother's Dr. appt. must have been very difficult for all of you. I'm still thinking of you.

Lucyee, hope your DH is feeling better. Have a safe trip and a wonderful visit with your sister.

Hope you all have a great weekend.
Ali

HI Everyone, Just wanted to come by and say hello to everyone, before I leave to go Upstate NY, to my Sister's. I haven been so busy all week, getting ready, that I haven't been able to post much.
I will be gone about three weeks. Hope everything goes well for all of you.
Barb, You and your Mom and family are in my prayers.
ALi, Katey, Nikki and Anne have a wonderful rest of the Summer. It will be the end of August, by the time I get back, so there goes Summer. Dh is better and has been able to sleep, at night. The meds finally kicked in and his coughing has let up. I will be heading up alone, as he just wants to take care of himself and get better.
Well, be good and I'll be back to share, soon. Lucyee

Today was going to be a really good day. The two item I had up on ebay sold for more than double what I thoght they might sell for. One sold for $133.00 and the other for 206.00. I was going to the business to package them for shipping and then run a few errands and then take my mom to look for a wig. Great plans. I got to the business and got the boxes packed, watered my plants, then went to the computer to make some lables Dh needed. When I did, I completely lost it and couldn't quit crying. I guess all the weeks of stress finally caught up with me. Finally I pulled myself together and finished my errand and went to my moms, and she had company and didn't want to go. So I went home, decided to put some highlights in my hair and they turned out orange, so then I thought maybe if I "trimmed" it a bit it would blend in, but I goofed and cut one spot of it too short, so I ended up having to go get it all cut. It is so short!!! with orange streaks in it!!! and the pictures I took to put more stuff on ebay are still in the camera and I can't figure out how to load them into the computer even though I've done it many times...

So I decided to scratch this day from my memory...

Hope all of you had a good one!!!

Barbg

HI Everyone
Barb, wow, you had a really crappy day. I hope yesterday and today was a bit better. I've had that problem with orange hair too, but for me, it was my entire head. Maybe your hair colorist can put some ash on it and get it toned down some. It is really hard to deal with so many things all at once, wish there was something I could do for you.

Lucyee, bet your on your way now, but have a good trip and safe return

Ali, while your DH is at the races, is it the same girlfriend that came to visit you that you will be making plans with? It will be nice to just have some girlfriend time I bet.

Hi Anne and Kate. Is it hot where you are? We had some nice weather for a few days and today, it's a really hot and humid one.

DH and I have gotten most of the house sided on the side we were working on. We will finish it tomorrow morning. Then there will be caulking, painting, staining and varnishing, but those are not as pressing as getting the siding on. DH says he will help me with the painting, but I'd rather do it myself, he's not a very good painter.

I need to run to Walmart and do a bit of shopping. The sprint car fans are in town for the next week and have been here for a good week now. I can't wait till the Nationals are over and they all go home.

Talk to you later, Nikki

Good morning everyone,

We had some awful thunder storms come through yesterday afternoon. The first one came around 3:00 pm and the lightning was a little too close for comfort. That storm made me a little nervous, and it lasted at least 45 min. or longer. Then the next one arrived around supper time. The lightning was still close, but not like the first storm. In both storms, the heavens opened up. DH was at work and he didn't get anything where he was.

Barb, sorry you had such a stressful day the other day. Have you gone to a hair stylist to have it fixed? I have a friend who has red hair, mostly gray now. One time my friend asked her daughter to dye hair red, to cover the gray. Well, my friend's hair turned this eggplant color. She did go to a stylist the next day and had it fixed. Hope things are looking up for you.

Nikki, was Walmart crowded with all the race fans in town? In the winter Walmart is so crowded, we have to go early in the morning, around 6:30 am or 7:00 am so we don't have to deal with the crowds. This time of year isn't too bad. A Super Walmart is being built in our city, not very far from my house, this summer. It should help with the other crowded Walmart stores. You should do some serious celebrating when you finish siding today. Yes, that is the very same girlfriend that visits me a lot.

Anne, how are things going with you? I'm sure you're having such a wonderful time with Toby. Has it started to cool down for you? Fall is just around the corner. My favorite season.

Kate, how are things going with your internet problem? Hope Abby did well in the field trials.

Lucy, hope you're having a good time visiting your sister.

Have a great day everyone.
Ali

HI Everyone,

Well, we finished the siding and none too soon. We got a huge amount of rain last night. Ali, I thought about you when the lightening and thunder was getting pretty intense. Our lights went off for a brief time and that always scares me, because I'm afraid they will stay off for days and we will be without any fans or ac. But, they came right back on this time.

Ali, you can't even get into a grocery store in town now. If you wait until the races start, at 7pm, you can ususally get in then, but by that time, they are out of a lot of things. I try to get most of my groceries before the racefans get into town. I've even driven to the next town to shop rather than try to shop here, even though it's 30 minutes away, it's faster than going here. But if I just need milk or bread, we just go to the gas station up the road, which is always packed too, but it's easier than trying to drive in town. We have a smaller super Walmart in our town. When it first opened, I didn't know if I would ever be able to walk all the way around the store. Now, I know where everything is and it doesn't seem so big anymore.

Anne, how's Toby doing? My youngest DD just adopted a cat from the local vet. They have a no kill shelter there. The cat had been there since March. He seems like such a nice boy, but he's a little weird, from being in a small cage for months. I have thought about getting one too from there, but DH is really against it. He thinks we have enough. Here's a picture of the boy I want
http://www.petfinder.org/pet.cgi?act...w=0&tmpl=&stat=
Barb, hope things are going better for you. How's your hair looking? Everyday, mine is starting to look just a bit better, since I had it cut a month ago, I've still not gotten use to seeing it like this.

Hi Kate, hope your computer gets fixed soon.

Lucyee, enjoy your trip

Talk to you all later, Nikki

Hi all,
DS fixed my internet problem at home, but I've been too tired to even get on in the evening what with all the watering that needs to be done plus I haven't felt well. Had another bladder infection last week. They tell me it's cleared up, but I still don't feel TERRIFIC.....maybe that's too much to ask for at my age

Barb: Wow, you did have a stressful day! How is your hair? I've colored mine for years. I was due to do it a few weeks back, but haven't felt like it. I see now that it's VERY gray. At first it looked highlighted which wasn't bad. I'm not sure that I'm ready for all gray yet which is what it's looking like it will be. I have a wedding to go to in Sept. so I may break down and do it before that. How are your ebay items going? I wish I knew how to do that. Hope you're feeling more in control. You, your mother, and family are in my prayers. Take care.

Ali: How nice that you'll be able to come north to spend some time! You must be looking forward to that. You've had so many storms down there and we're in need of rain so badly. Maybe you could arrange to bring some with you when you come up Abby didn't get a ribbon this time in the field trials, but we still love her! It was a tough test and the judges were hard. More than half the class didn't make it to the 2nd day. DH was disappointed because that hasn't happened to him before. We're going to try again at the end of Sept. Are you using the hot tub a lot?

Nikki: Are you finished with the siding? Hope that you've had good weather to do it. It's been so hot here again. I hate to say it, but I'm ready for fall. Are you getting any veggies from your garden? I'm going to the farmers market on Saturday to pick up veggies and fruit. The peaches have been so good. Yum!

Lucyee: Hope that you're enjoying the visit with your sister. You're going to be gone quite a while.

Hi Anne Hope that things are going well for you. You must be too busy with Toby to post! Either that or and work have been keeping you busy. Are you ready for some cool weather????

Take care,
Kate

TGIF!!

We haven't had rain for 2 days now. Last night we had some vivid lightning and quite a few rumbles of thunder, but no rain.

Nikki, congratulations on finishing the siding. You must be so happy it's done. Do you have a generator for backup in case your electricity is off for any length of time? We went out and bought one a few months back so we'd have it in case we get any hurricanes this summer. Those intense thunder storms can really make you a little nervous. We had a power spike during that intense storm we had the other day. Glad your power stayed on. I hate it when stores are crowded like that. Hopefully with the new Super Walmart they're putting in our city will help with the crowds at the other 2 Walmarts near us.

Kate, it's great hearing from you again. Glad that your internet is up and running again. Sorry about your bladder infection. Those aren't any fun. I hope you're feeling more yourself soon. I am excited about heading north next month. How about I bring the rain with me, but let it loose on my way home? That's too bad about Abby's field trials. But, she's #1 with you and that's all that counts. We haven't been using the hot tub all that much. Some nights we're just too tired, and some nights there is either thunder & lightning or just lightning and we don't want to use it. I think we'll probably get more use out of it in the fall & winter months.

Barb, how are things going with you? Did you get your hair fixed? Like Kate, I need to have some coloring done. It is more expensive down here to have it done than what I paid up north. So, I am tempted to call the girl who used to do my hair up there and make an appt. to have it done. Hope things are going well with your mother.

Anne, haven't heard from you in a while. Hope everything is ok and that you're just busy with Toby and/or work.

Lucyee, hope you're having a good time with your sister and that it's cooler there for you.

Have a great day!
Ali

Hi Guys:
Sorry I haven't posted in a while. This place is a zoo. Some weeks it enough
to drive you to drink!!!

My 37 year old sister has just found out she needs to have an ovary removed.
She has a large cyst, endometriosis and fibroids. The fibroids are fine at the
moment, it is the cyst they want to remove.
She is so nervous. She is getting blood work done today and has an appt.
this afternoon with the surgeon. She will be having her surgery done at the
hospital I work at which is good for both her and my mom.

Toby is doing well. He is having a little bit of a problem with constipation
though. I was reading on line that canned pumpkin helps the problem so
we are giving that a shot. Poor little guy he is so furry that sometimes we
need to bathe him in order to keep him clean and he just crys and crys. It
bothers me so much to see him like that. He really sounds upset in the water.
I am going to take him for a haircut next Saturday. I hope it will help the poor
little guy.

Kate, am I ready for cool weather? You bet!!!
I have had enough of this stuff. The term "wind chill" is begining to sound
good to me at this point.

Nikki, I took a look at Java. So adorable!!! I just love animals Bet
you are happy you got the siding done!

Lucyee, I hope you have a great visit with your sister. Have a wonderful
holiday!!Aleka, we are going to have a rainy weekend. I'm not going to complain though, boy do we need it. This has been the hottest summer, and the closest thing to a draught I have ever experienced. I know what you mean about thunder storms they make me very nervous.

Barb, when I was a young lady I once coloured my hair and it turned out
with blood red streaks. Boy was my dad angry You could really notice
it when I was standing in the sun light.

Talk to you all later.
Anne.