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Hi all; looks like it's been very quiet in here this weekend! Dh, Dad and I just got back from the hill country (north of San Antonio) last night; had a relaxing weekend, got to swim a bit and walk. Probably had too many points, but will go light this week!

How was everyone else's weekend? Carol, are you almost all packed? Texaslady, how are you feeling? JOYce, is the bruising on your face starting to fade? Is dh off on his fishing trip yet?

Hi to Linda and Janet!

Gotta get back to work!
Jan

purple face is gone. I saw the surgeon today and he took out the remaining sutures and is pleased with my healing progress.
DH is gone, Had a message from son last nite saying they were catching lots of fish. He was pleased.
I had a fabulous Mothers day, starting with a e-mail from future grandson in law who is in the middle east. so nice of him to remember me ....very special.
After church, My dd and her kids came by and 10 yr old dgd wanted to have a teaparty, since she saw all the teaparty props laying around from the day before. So I threw one together with my nicest dishes and teacups, and toasted some english muffins and spread them with strawberry cream cheese. We told her mom and cousins that tea was being served on the veranda,aka the deck, they all wore silly hats and curled our pinkies and had a great time. 12 yr old dgs was the official photographer.

Last night was surely not OP! I went to a Chinese Banquet for my friend's surprise birthday party. I ate things that I never dreamt of eating! Jelly fish, sea cucumbers with shitake mushrooms, cold red bean soup (for prosperity) peach buns for longevity, 13 different courses in all, including peking duck, lobster, shark fin soup, scallops with asparagus, chicken, fish pork, noodles, walnut prawns. Quite an experience!!!I'm so flattered to have been invited. She has 4 grown sons who did it for her, she was very surprised. The sons gave a long stemmed red rose to each of the ladys present.
Truly a Mother's Day to remember.
I was really glad that I only had a little bit of English muffin for lunch!!! we ate for over 3 hours at the banquet!
I've got some California roll for tonight. almost no points there.

I'm going to go play bunco tonight...gotta scoot.

Hi girls! I cannot tell you how much better & stronger I am feeling these days! Guess I will actually make it through this, afterall. I can get up and down out of my recliner pretty good now and I have some strength to putter around a bit. I even managed to water the yard the other day! Baby steps, but steps none the same.

I drove for the first time yesterday. While putting cream on my incision late last week, I noticed something "shiny" - sure nuff,
was a staple he "forgot" to remove last Monday. So I drove my-
self there yesterday and even stopped for groceries on the way home. Mom's Big ADventure - as my dd called it! But the weather was so gorgeous - hot spell finally broken - and it was just wonderful. I opened the sun roof on the car and just enjoyed!

Jan, I am sure it is even nicer at your location with all that open space around you! Course, we didn't get but a drop of rain, but at least the humidity dropped. Was only about 58 this am - compared with 80 for the last several weeks. When it's 80 degrees with 90% humidity at 6 in the morning, the day is bound to go downhill! Hope you had a good time in the Hill County. Where did your Dad go to school - UT? Southwestern? Must be mind boggling for him to see the changes since he was a student - especially if was UT. That place is so huge now. The date in October is fine with me - only small problem I can foresee is that Homecoming will be sometime around there. But I feel pretty sure I can work around it for a few days of escape. Course, I have the shortest way to go so if the date has to change, that's OK with me. By the way, dd brought me the CD you sent - it came to her house a few days ago. Thanks so much for thinking about me - your know, he sure is homely, but he sure can sing!

Carol - I know you and I would bet my last dollar that you are lifting and packing to prepare for the move and doing numerous other things you should NOT be doing! I am hoping that your sil and dh are going to be able to shoulder a lot of this! Any news on the job front yet? I know this whole move from your dd and sweet babies is tearing at your heart, but I also know that you want to be able to be on your own again. Just take it easy and follow your advice to me - DON"T OVERDO IT! So sorry to hear about your cousin and will definitely add him to my prayers.

Joyce - Well, sounds like you are recovering too! I loved your purple smiley face! Probably just like you - bruised but smiling! Your home tea party sounds like so much fun - I can just picture you all there together in your finery and raised pinkeys! Hope you can post one of the pictures for us to enjoy. I am looking forward to meeting you at Jan's later this year! Now all we have to do is talk Carol, Janet & Linda into coming.

I was thinking about Saara the other day, too. Guess it is time for her to return home. All the colleges are out here now - probably hers is too. Perhaps we will connect with her again when she gets back home. Sure wish we could have gotten together while she was here. Guess Utah is as far from us as Finland!

Well, gotta go girls. Think I will venture to Target today - Mom's Big Adventure - Part II. Have a great day!

texaslady, BE careful with those 'big adventures'! Don't overdo, thinking you are as strong as you feel momentarily! Our Taget here has those electric wheelchairs, I used them when I had my broken leg, pretty cool. Use em! You can shop longer.

I too, am looking forward to meeting you and the others in October! When is Homecoming? After dgd got to packing her things to move, I asked where the mum is, she had it all packed already. I thought maybe it would end up on the wall in my compute/craft room, but guess not. It will go to OK with her. she leaves Saturday, it will be pretty strange around here with only one teen left!
I had the same thoughts about Carol this morning, she must be busy getting ready for her move, and sounds like there is some nasty weather on the East coast, hope it doesn't effect her move.

They are re-doing our streets this week, so need to get going and get out of here while I can, before they block it off.
They took up all the asphalt yesterday, so is a muddy mess!

Janet, check in! how are things??

Texaslady, wow, sounds like you are recovering fast! But like JOYce said, take it very easy. Last summer, I went to a mall (fortunately not alone) when I felt better, and found myself having to sit down on a bench, very soon, totally exhausted. Give yourself some time to rebuild your stamina! I'm so glad you liked the CD; it's one of my favorite titles. I didn't even discover Lyle Lovett until a few years ago, but I really like his stuff, even tho' I'm not a big C&W fan. Anyway, thought you might enjoy listening to some music while you recup. So glad to hear that you can make the Oct. reunion! Sure hope we can get the whole gang together! Re: Dad, he graduated from Texas A&M, but spent his first two years at Schreiner in Kerrville. It really has changed! Even UT-Austin, my alma mater, has sprawled out past recognition, just since the sixties. (hah, just since a third of a century ago ... who am I kidding? But it seems like yesterday!)

JOYce, that's great that your bruising has disappeared, and that you are feeling so much better. The tea party sounded lovely; your grandchildren must be so thrilled to have such a sweet and imaginative grandmother! The Chinese Banquet sounds heavenly; wow, who could possibly pass up delicacies like that! I know I wouldn't. What a lovely thing for your friends' sons to do, and how nice of them to invite you too.

Hope everyone's week is going well so far. Carol, no heavy lifting, now! We will all fuss at you if you do!
Hi Janet & Linda!
Regards,
Jan

Hi all! Sorry to be so scarce lately, but there never seems to be enough hours in the day. I am trying to keep my work caught up, train 2 other people to do parts of my job, and cover for a nurse who's still out. I can't believe in 2 days I'll join the ranks of the unemployed (very temporary, believe me!!!)
In my "spare time" I'm packing- what a job! No real help from anyone but I haven't asked- dd and sil have enough to do. Exdh is here, and he helps if I ask for a designated lifter, but there's really not much anyone can do anyway.

I've also been going out more than usual- a friend here and there treating me to goodbye dinners, etc. Really nice and much appreciated, but lousy on the points! Oh well- I'll get it back together when I move. Tomorrow is another dinner out with my former next door neighbor at the apartment complex.

Yesterday my coworkers had a surprise luncheon for me- catered courtesy of the doctors. I got lots of cards and some gifts, including a very nice Penney's gift certificate that they all chipped in for. The doctors gave me a large bonus check which immediately made me cry, and a part time doctor who works with us also gave me a very nice check. The doctors also wrote come very nice things on their card to me- words that will touch and warm my heart for as long as I live. I am so blessed to have worked almost 10 years with these wonderful people, and it is almost as hard to leave them as it is to leave my grandchildren (especially my little 2 year old sweetie!!!). This has been a hard and bittersweet week.

Sunday is Marissa's Baptism- you should see the beautiful little christening dress dd and the godmother bought her! Then after the christening there is a party here at the house, and the next day (possibly 3 AM Tuesday) I say goodbye to Maryland. Exdh and I are convoying down. I'm going to try to drive it in one day, with several stops, but if it gets to be too much I'll stop overnight.

No job yet, although I've faxed a couple resumes. I'm going to give myself 2 or 3 weeks to settle in and relax before I start seriously looking. Thanks to the generosity of my employers, I can now do that instead of immediately pounding the pavements!

Texaslady, I'm glad you are recovering so well! I think about you often. But how about taking it a little easy, my friend??? You had major surgery there!!! Don't overdo! Also remember to watch out for your back since you are probably walking and moving a little differently due to the discomfort from the surgery!
Joyce, I'm glad you are no longer black and blue! It sounds like you are feeling more like your old self!
Jan, your weekend sounds like it was fun! I sure hope we can get together when you all visit your ds. I'll let you know about the October reunion as soon as I can- obviously until I have a job and know my schedule I can't plan anything!
Linda and Janet, how are you girls doing?

Friends, I've got to run. I'm tired, and tomorrow will be another 12 hour day. Take care. I'll try to post again a couple times before I get moved.
Carol

My goodness Carol, they are working you hard, right up to the end! At least they are showing their appreciation! Monetary appreciation is good!!!
I hope you will post baptism pix of your newest little darling in her dress! Sounds like it will surely be beautiful!

I guess I have been eating too much fast food while dh has been gone, I am feeling very puffy, must knock that off!!

Carol, what a lovely thing for your co-workers and the doctors to do; I'm sure you *greatly* deserved every gift and every kind word! I know you will be greatly missed there. But I'm so happy for you, getting to move to sunny Florida and get settled into your own house! That's such a great area, too, with lots of fun stuff to do. And I second JOYce's request; if it's at all possible, please do post a pic of her in her christening dress!

JOyce, I know what you mean about the fast food; whenever I have something like that now, it makes me feel bad too. I guess our bodies have just gotten so used to healthy food, that the other kind throws 'em for a loop! Thank goodness for Subway, though. Have you heard anything from DH, or is he too far out at sea to call?

Dh took Dad to SA early this morning; he had another carcinoma, on his forehead, so the doctor is doing surgery on him today at his office. It's an all-day thing, where they take a little, test it, and repeat until the test comes back all clear. (Luckily, Dad goes frequently for checkups, and usually they don't have to go too far.) It was so sweet of dh to take him; he insisted, knowing I'm prepping my students for final exams next week. I'll have to fix my guys an extra-special dinner tonight!

Hope everyone is having a good week! Hi to Janet, Linda, and Texaslady; remember now, Texaslady, take it easy for a while!
Regards,
Jan

Jan,DH is up in the mountains for this jaunt, but too remote for cel phones to work. He called Tuesday nite to talk while they were near a payphone getting more gas for their boat. they have been catching lots of croppie. Sounds like they are having a great time.
I hope and trust that your dad's procedure will go like clockwork today!

Hi girls -

Wow, I was really glad I was able to stay home today! We had some good and muchly needed rain this morning & it has continued off and on through most of the day - and it absolutely would have been a horrible commute. Instead, I got to sleep til I woke up (7 am) and watch all the mess on TV instead. We only got about an inch and a half here but the south side of Houston got 5-6 inches which, of course, caused flooding again. This city is so flat - it doesn't take much.

Carol - Glad to hear from you but I am sorry you are having to work so hard - and pack, too. Again, I know how hard it is to leave your family and friends and I admire you so much for moving on and getting yourself settled in a new place. How wonderful of the doctors to give you that extra bonus money - now you will have a chance to take a little while and get yourself settled - and REST!!!! Will you have to downsize much? I know a lot of your stuff has been stored since you moved out of your apartment. Will you have room for everything or will you have to store or pitch a lot of stuff. Amazing how it accumulates, isn't it? Also glad your dh is helping so much and will follow you there. The baptism festivities sound lovely - I know it will be beautiful.

Jan- How's your Dad doing? Hope it wasn't too severe and he is re-grouping by now. He has wonderful spirit - I think it would be hard to keep him down! Also, once again, your sweet dh comes to the rescue. As I have said before, you are a lucky girl.

Joyce - Sounds like you are going to have a LOT of fish in your freezer pretty soon. You know I stopped & got a hamburger today and a small order of french fries. I ate the burger but was so full I thew most of the fries away. I was so full I was miserable most of the afternoon. Hopefully I will remember that the next time I get a craving for a burger.

Still doing OK here. I did go out a bit today - went to Lowe's and bought a couple things for the house. This darn incision still really hurts sometimes - seems the top third is not healing nearly as well as the bottem 2/3 - if that makes any sense. Oh well, I still have another week to recouperate and I will take yet one more if I have to. Right now I hope to return to work the day after Memorial Day holiday but if I don't feel up to it, I will wait one more week and go back June 3.

Carol - I am getting my Select Comfort mattress tomorrow! I can't wait!

Everyone have a good week-end. Supposed to get cool here again. That and the rain have been a nice reprieve from the heat.

Good morning, everyone. Maryland is very rainy right at the moment, but it's supposed to clear up later this morning and be a nice weekend. We got up to water coming in one room- great way to start the day!
Texaslady, I'm glad you are doing so well, BUT pain is nature's way of telling you you need to slow down!!!! Please don't overdo! You will love your Select Comfort- especially with your back problems! Re my stuff: I had given dd and dsil my furniture when I moved in here, except for some pieces (curios, my grandfather's desk) that I have already taken to Florida. So, now it's mostly smaller things, the largest being my computer. It will still be interesting getting everything in my car and the space left in the back of exdh's small pickup(which has a cover , not a cap so it can only take low stuff).
Jan, how did things go with your dad's skin cancer surgery? Please give him my best and a hug from me!

The last 2 days at work were so hard as I worked with various coworkers for the last time. Many tears flowed, even some by the doctor. I will miss them all so much. I was so blessed to be able to work 10 years at that wonderful place! I brought home about 3 hours of work which I will send back with a friend- I don't think I could go through any more farewells. I am emotionally drained.
When I got home I had some good news- my Florida nursing license was in the mail. That was a relief, because it should simplify my job search down there.
This will be a hectic weekend between packing, the work I brought home and the festivities surrounding Marissa'a Baptism. There will be a celebration here at the house afterwards with about 25 people. I am not a party person, so I'm not overly enthused about this part, but I'll survive! It does make it hard to pack, because it limits where I can put my packed boxes so they won't be in an area that can be seen.

Well, gotta go. Hi to everyone, and have a good weekend.
Carol

Carol, JOYce and Texaslady, thanks for asking about Dad; y'all are so sweet! He's doing just fine. They got it all, and he's getting his stitches out Wednesday. He's in good spirits and is looking forward to our little weekend trip to Rockport on Saturday. (We're going to the Festival of Wines; guess I'd better start banking points *now*!

Texaslady, this weather has been beautiful, hasn't it? A record cold for this date, over our way. DH and I have had to wear jackets on our morning walks, even! I hope you are taking Carol's advice, and taking it *really* easy! Projects around the house can wait!

Carol, I know it must have been hard leaving those wonderful folks you worked with! It's a tribute to you, too, that they are finding it difficult to part with you. Some doctor(s) in Florida will be *extremely* fortunate this summer, I can see that! I hope the drive goes well; let us hear from you as soon as you can get back online! I hope the christening all went well; would love to see a picture!

JOYce, I hope you're getting some time to relax and do stuff just for you, while dh is away fishing! (They *do* bring all those fish back already cleaned, don't they?! ;-) )

This is our last week of school, and the seniors are more than ready for graduation. Those that aren't walking around in a daze are in more of a "manic" mode right now. I don't know where this school year went! Dh works two weeks longer, and then Dad goes to Florida to visit my sister for a few weeks while we take our vacation. We're going back to Paris and hope to rent a car and drive around in Provence; have never been there. I think I'd better try to lose a few pounds before we go, so maybe I won't have to pay a mtg fee when we get back!! ;-)

Hi to Linda and Janet! Hope everyone is having a good week!
Regards,
Jan

Yesterday, I got sunburned arms from sitting in the haze at a soccer tournament. Today I could barely see where to drive on the freeway thru the downpour of rain! but was lovely this afternoon, as we sat at the Country Club at a Scholar Athlete Awards banquet. We ahd a lovely view of the clean green of the golf course, with fluffy clouds in the background. dgd got a new patch to sew on her letterman's jacket!! along with all the 180 or so, athletes that carried at least a 3.0 gpa.

Her team took second place in the weekend tournament. This was not a school tournament, but what they call Club Soccer.

Yes Jan, the fish will be all cleaned and frozen by the time they get to my house! Although, I don't expect to get a lot of them. He will most likely leave most of them with our boys.
Your vacation sounds "DE"lightful!! Do you and dh speak French? I thought it would have been very helpful when we were there.
although we were on an organized tour, so had some assistance from the tour guide, except when we took off on our own, both in Nice and Paris.

Good morning, girls!

Ooooohhh, Jan! PARIS! I had no idea you guys had such a wonderful & exotic vacation planned for this summer! When are you leaving & coming back? Our schools are about out also. The kids are all taking finals this week. I agree that this year has gone so fast - even with my stay at home time, it's hard to believe June is so near. Have a great time in Rockport - I just have to get there one of these days. I have heard such nice things about it.

Carol - Thinking about you this morning. I guess you are in the midst of your move - probably halfway between Maryland & Florida. Just think of the wonderful mild winters you are going to have now! I don't think you are going to need that heavy coat you wore last year! Congrats on getting your Florida nursing papers - I know that takes a load off your mind. How did the christening party go at your dd's this week-end? Be sure to give us your new address & phone # once you get yourself unpacked and back on line again.

Joyce - Is the Fisherman home yet? Your weather is beginning to sound like Texas - always changing from one minute to the next. But we have had 2 gorgeous weeks of cool nights and mild days - a wonderful time to be at home playing "hooky". Of course, we will remember these days fondly when we are suffering around here in 100 plus degrees in just a couple months.

I have been using this week to get estimates for some siding for my house. Got another person coming in about an hour so guess I will get myself together. My house is 16 years old now and in need of a facelift (on the back of the house and all the facia & soffets - rest is brick). I am leaning toward vinyl siding because it is pretty maintenance free once it's up. That sounds good to me - even if it costs a little more up front - at least I won't have to have the place painted anymore!

Everyone have a wonderful day.

Hi Ladies! I am now a Floridian! We left in convooy (exdh followed by me) about 3:30 A.M. Monday and arrived here about 6 P.M. Monday evening. We stopped to eat a few times, and to stretch- it wasn't a bad trip at all. Driving it was really no worse than riding it was.
I am now in the middle of unpacking and chores. Got my Florida tags for my car today- couldn't get my license because their computer that does the photos was down. Had a computer crisis which turned out to be that my keyboard had died, so that was a 10 minute repair.
I'll post more another day- just wanted to let you all know I got here safe and sound!
Carol