Good Afternoon, Flowers! We had the graduates at the first service today and ran over time a half hour. The special music (Bob's bunch) was extra long, the children's sermon extra long, the prayers extra long, an extra hymn in the mix, the graduate introductions were extra long . . . wouldn't you think someone would have a clue?! I'm glad I didn't have to be somewhere else today. I took a nap this afternoon which I rarely do. It's a cool day in my neighborhood today; sunny and the usual wind.

Maggie -- I'll bet your Cowboy beans were delicious as always!

"Gma" -- I like the vertical freezers too. The store that is 30+ years old still has the old kind and it's hard to reach to the bottom if need be. I'm glad you like the commissary remodel job -- makes it easier to shop. It's hard to believe that Thomas will soon be 9 and Jackson turns 2. Time seems to fly by faster the older we get! Ernie's treats are in a cupboard with our food and he thinks he should have one every time that door opens.

Susan -- I would like to try yoga. Every once in awhile I see a class advertised but they seem to be held in the mornings. I've only taken prednisone once and that was the 6 day set. I'm sure you will be glad when you are done with it. Bob's doctor was in church this morning and has a son graduating. I asked Bob if he said anything about Bob coughing and Bob said no. Once he starts he can't seem to stop for quite a while. I was surprised he could sing. I can't let Jaimie move in here even though I want to help her. I'm too old to go back to sleepless nights waiting up for kids to come home. She needs professional help and until she is willing to admit she has a problem I don't see that happening.

My dryer is buzzing so need to fold towels. Have a nice rest of the day! The weatherman says 85 for tomorrow
. . . in his dreams maybe!

Jean -- from Iowa!

Good morning gals! Hope your week will start out well. I have cleaning to start on today upstairs. I did part of it yesterday, but decided to forgo the vacuuming and dusting until today. My downstairs is horrible, but I will tackle it tomorrow.

I ordered some great looking yarn for T's sweater for Christmas. I just hope I like it when it gets here. It is hard to choose as colors on screen are rarely that close to the real color. My current project is starting to get heavy so I need something else to take to the school. I have a sweater for Jackson almost done, but it has some tricky stuff you have to be aware of so I want to do it only at home. I actually started it before even the placemats so it has been sitting awhile waiting to be finished. I have to do things in order and I have to get the throw done for the wedding first as it is in Sept.

Jean: It is pretty cool here this morning, upper 50's. Jack even wore a light jacket to work this morning. Is this your last week of school? I seem to remember you guys are getting out earlier than the kids here. Fortune's treats are on a shelf in the coat closet and he gets one when he goes out and goes to the bathoom. You let him in and he follows you around if you don't go right to the closet! We were talking about him on the way to the commissary on Saturday and Jack called him neurotic! I said, "No, he is just co-dependent and sensitive." Jack just mumbled, "neurotic" under his breath. I know that Kelly said that he lays on top of you when you sleep. He does need to be close to you all the time. He sleeps right next to your body or in my case will get between my legs if I am sleeping on my stomach and sleep there. It is a real untangle if I have to get up and go to the bathroom!

Susan: I know you will have to be glad when this round of stuff is over. It is too bad that they haven't developed something else that will work as well. It has to be really frustrating to gain when you stay op. I gained a bit this week, but I imagine it will settle back in now to what I should lose each week. My body has caught up with not eating junk or high fat stuff. I often thought I might enjoy Tai Chi. It doesn't seem too hard on the body. I remember seeing it for the first time in the movie, "Calendar Girls." I did love that movie. It was kind of funny because it took me a long time to realize that Julie Waters, who played the character whose husband died was the same person who played Mrs Weasley in the Harry Potter movies.

Well gals, enough goofing off, I have lots to do, daily and weekly chores and breakfast. Have a good one!
Faye

Good Evening, Flowers! It is still 80 degrees as I type. The furnace was running this morning and the school building was chilly so I wore my jacket most of the morning. It's supposed to be in the 80s again tomorrow and then 4 days of rain. Talk about confused weather!

Not much going on here. Bob brought home his list of graduates so I addressed his cards tonight. He sends them all a new $10 bill along with his business card. Most are from surrounding small towns that held graduations last weekend; the local newspaper prints graduation pictures and Bob's secretary goes through the paper, picks out his clients' kids, and then runs the address info for me.

"Gma" -- Ernie likes to sleep "touching" at night too. I must toss and turn too much because he usually lays next to Bob. Once in awhile he will get over by me and I just scoop him up and put him on his blanket at the foot of the bed. During the day he will sleep on his blanket but not at night when we are in bed.

I need to pick up my cluttered kitchen table and head off to bed.

Have a terrific Tuesday tomorrow!

Jean -- from Iowa!

Good morning all! Looks like it is going to be a nice day though it is cool again this morning. I have to go out and get some ff milk as mine was turning yesterday so I tossed it out. I cook ff and use it, but Jack uses 2% for his cereal. He says ff is water!

Jean: I am anxious for temps to stabilize and stay warm all the time. I have been wearing sandals for quite awhile now though. I usually wear sandals from March through October. I prefer them to closed toed shoes. I wear my crocs a lot in cool weather. They have a great non skid grip though they aren't much to look at that's for sure. I just bought a pair of Tatami sandals in black from HSN and they should be here tomorrow. They have a Birkenstock footbed and my dil swears by Birkenstock. I also shamefully succumbed to a beautiful black leather handbag. I was looking for one for my dil for her birthday and it just jumped right into my shopping cart and I checked out before I knew it was there....... and if you believe that one, I have a bridge to sell to you! I found my dil a funky kind of tubular shaped bag in an olive, yellow and tan instead of the color posted. She is hard to buy for and I bought her gift cards last year so I thought I should buy her something this year. Looks like a bag for a younger woman I think.

I am progressing on the knitting but am sure tired of knitting the same thing. I see my yarn has been shipped for my redhead's birthday so I will be itching to get to it when it gets here. I think I will start it and take it to knit at the school on Friday if the yarn gets here on time.

My nephew is coming along though his mom says he is in a lot of pain. Her church and his are helping out a lot. They have 4 small children, the oldest a year older than Thomas so I am sure they could use the help. My sister had all 4 all day Sunday and said she was pooped when they went home. Think what it would be like to be the grandparents of the Duggars! I can't imagine buying birthday and Christmas gifts for 18 grandchildren and that doesn't count if they have grandchildren from other children they might have. I am happy with the two I have though I would like to make little girly outfits. I found these on the website I bought the yarn at, aren't they just precious? I ran a copy off even if I don't have anyone to knit them for. I also found a cute free pattern for a tooth fairy pillow and ran it off.

Well enough blabbing about my knitting. I need to hop to it and get to work. Have a great Tuesday!
Faye

Good afternoon, ladies. The sun is out and it's only 61 degrees. I wore a sweatshirt yesterday and had to put the heat on - only in the 40s. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday are supposed to have rain. Might know it's a holiday weekend.

If you ladies who pray would send some up for my friend's family. Her grandaughter has had diarreha and vomiting for 3-4 months. He daughter kept taking her to the pediatrition who did nothing. She finally insisted on being sent to a specialist. Last Tuesday she took her to the Children of the King's Daughters hospital. Samantha's pancreas and liver numbers are off the charts and she may have cancer. They are waiting for the test results. She is only 4 years old. Her mother had a doctor's appointment the same afternoon. Her GYN thinks she has uterine cancer and has taken biopsies. My friend's parents died with cancer and her nephew died of brain cancer when he was only 9 years old. Hopefully the test results will show something else.

Faye, I love that purse! I'm glad your nephew is progressing.

Jean, I feel for Bob's coughing. I have cough varient asthma which means I could more than I wheeze. I can cough for hours. And cough medicine makes it worse.

I had applique bee last night. Quite a lot of fun.

Much as I hate the Prednisone, it is helping. My lungs are clearer and the swelling has started going down in my feet and legs.

Well, have a great day!

Good Afternoon, Flowers! It's hot (92!) and so windy here today. Not much exciting from school -- teachers are switching rooms and I've been helping to sort and pitch. None of the switches make much sense and I personally think the principal is just doing it because she can.

I hope the wind goes down so I can water flowers later. I have two more thank you notes to write tonight as well as my own graduation cards. None of these kids will write thank yous and that really irritates me . . . "it's a culture thing, ya know!" I don't work with all of the special ed. senior so am only going to remember the ones that I have enjoyed working with over the past 4 years.

"Gma" -- I know you will enjoy your new sandals and handbag. Will Jack notice that you have a new one? Aren't the Duggars going to be grandparents? I thought I saw a blurp on TV where the whole family was together and the newly weds made the big announcement. I can't imagine that many children! I'm glad your nephew and family are getting some extra help. You will look good knitting girly things!

Susan -- Your weather sounds about as mixed up as ours! I will keep your friend and her daughter in my thoughts and prayers. How scary and sad for them. I think Bob's cough is finally slowing down. At least he doesn't cough during the night that I know of. He claims he sleeps good. I'm glad the Prednisone is working for you!

Bob is home so it must be getting close to supper time. Have a wonderful Wednesday tomorrow!

Jean -- from Iowa!

Good morning, ladies! Spring is returning - 70s and sun today. Woo-hoo!

Jean, I'm glad Bob is on the mend. The Duggard's are going to be grandparents. That is kind of scary if the children decided to let nature take its course. I do like to watch them. I also like John and Kate plus 8. I saw a blurb for a new season this summer. Wonder how that is going to work out. Supposedly they are having marital problems and he's running around with a school teacher. Just what you need to be doing with so many children involved.

Faye, I can't believe I got here before you today. I'll bet the new yarn came and you're busy knitting it up.

Maggie, I'm waving hello!

I have quilting bee tonight with dinner before hand. I was so tired when I got home from work last night, I didn't make dinner and I had stuff in the freezer I could have just heated up. Anyway, I look forward to having someone cook and serve my food tonight.

Have a great day!

Good afternoon gals! Gosh, I didn't realize I hadn't posted until I peeked in to see if any of you had posted and saw Susan say something about beating me! Sheesh!

Susan: I am anxiously waiting for the new yarn, but until then keep plowing on with my current projects. I don't really like projects like blankets and such that are monotonous knitting. I guess that is why I like sweaters. I am going to find a cute sexy pattern after I get the boys sweaters finished and knit up a smaller size for me. I thought I would enjoy it and keep going if I spent $$$ on yarn for a sweater for me. Now I just have to be willing to fork over the bucks for expensive yarn! I don't buy the cheap stuff like Coats and Clark, but I don't buy the really expensive stuff either. I think the most I spent on a skein is around $5. I bought some yarn for a sweater for kelly that is really soft and I may see if I can find a pattern that I could use that yarn. I did splurge though and buy this jacket and top in a size large. It is a Bob Mackie so I know I will stay with the program as it is too expensive not to! lol

Jean: Good gracious you do flip flop on your temperatures! We are supposed to be mid 80's all week. I feel for Kelly. She is in Britsh Columbia all last week and this week and I see it is in the 50's in Vancouver. I am not sure where she is at exactly. Tom said she will be home this weekend some time. I know you have to be chomping at the bit to finish the school year. I sure would be. Yeah, I saw there son's wife was expecting. I imagine she will put them out the same way. You know, they are self supporting, get no government help, which means we aren't paying for any of their kids so it isn't any of my business. I just think she is pretty fool hardy with her health. I worked for 6 years at an OB/GYN clinic and I know that with every pregnancy your uterus gets thinner and thinner and she has to be risking her health with every one she has. Problem is, she isn't near 50 yet so she could have quite a few more. The kids are clean, well dressed and moderately obedient, but I don't think I would ever want a brood of kids that big. Oh, yeah, Jack will notice I bought a new bag and shoes! lol I keep hoping the boxes get here before he gets home at 3:30! I can at least whisk them upstairs until I want to wear them. I feel for him if the day ever comes when I die before him and he has to clean out my shoes, bags and clothes. He might just set fire to the condo!

I bought a cute outfit for our trip to Cincinnati in August. I should be getting the sandals and handbag today then I bought black capris and a cute sleeveless top to go with them in a paisley pattern. I wasn't going to buy anymore clothes, but these are a size smaller and stretchy so they will fit either way. I have three other pants suits made from this material and they are soooooo comfortable, especially to travel in.

Well gals, I need to go. I need to get some knitting done before I have to start dinner in a few hours.

Have a good one all!
Faye

Good Evening, Flowers! It's been another hot and terribly windy day in my corner of the world. We have a wind advisory in effect until later tonight. My flowers are going to be petal-less. Today was our last day of classes and final exams begin tomorrow. We had our awards assembly this morning and they recognized the 5 of us who are retiring. The administration used to give gifts and the recipients had to tell how wonderful it was to work with the students as well as what their future plans were. We got certificates and didn't have to say anything which was fine with me. I spent a good part of the day helping another teacher sort and pitch.

Susan -- I always enjoy having someone else cook for me! It seems like it takes quite awhile to prepare a decent meal, then eat it in a few minutes, and have dirty dishes/kitchen to clean up afterwards. I know you will enjoy your evening. I've seen the rumors about John and Kate -- I hope it's not true, or if it is that they are able to work things out. I don't know how either one of them would have time to have an affair with 8 children to care for.

"Gma" -- After cleaning out MIL's apartment of one year, I'm determined to start pitching more around here. I am sentimental and tend to save cards/letters/drawings, etc., that the grandkids make. I have a lot of things that belonged to my mother and my grandmother which I just can't part with yet. The picture didn't get big when I clicked on it -- are you buying it or knitting it? I like what I see!

I need to pick up around here before I head off to bed. I am ready for a long weekend even if it is supposed to rain. Bob would like to go up to the lake, but I'd just as soon wait until school is out.

Have a terrific Thursday tomorrow. The week is flying by!

Jean -- from Iowa!

Good morning to you all! It is a bit cool this morning but supposed to warm into the 80's today, which is fine by me. I saw yesterday they have taken the tarp off the pool so they are getting it ready for swimming.

Jean: It was the best I could do with the picture. It would let me save the full size one. I bought this top and jacket. I will hunt for yarn and pattern for something to knit later on in the year. I have so much to finish as gifts first I don't want to be tempted. Jack said I should buy a two piece bathing suit in my goal size and hang it up to look at. AS IF! lol I told him no way was I wasting money on something I would never wear. I reminded him I have a frankenstein scar from navel to crotch and will have piles of skin. He said I could walk around in the house with it on for him to look at! That man is incorrigable. Are you done now or do you have to do policing during exams? Have you guys started planning your Hawaii trip? We have decided to wait and go next November on the cruise. Our anniversary is the 18th and if we go on the 6th, we will get away from cold weather here for a week. Also gives me extra time to get skinny and save more money up.

Today is knitting day and not much else. Jack is doing treadmill tonight when he gets home. He has lost tummy weight that you can see and he is actually excited about it. He says he isn't even getting hungry, which is a good thing too.

Well gals, looks like Jack slept through his alarm so I have to go rouse him.

Have a great day today!
Faye

Good Afternoon, Flowers! It's "cold" and windy in my neighborhood today, with a few raindrops every once in awhile. I think maybe I slept an hour last night; I just couldn't get comfortable and my mind wouldn't shut down for some reason. I finally went downstairs about 3 and back upstairs at 4:15 -- short night! At school I helped pack boxes, boxes, and more boxes today. I'm glad I'm not moving anywhere any time soon! This is how "dumb" the principal is . . . she is moving a special ed. teacher (BD now) down a level without advertising the position first. There are a couple other teachers in the district who want to make the move so now it has gone to the arbitrator to decide. Meanwhile the principal is moving another teacher into the BD teacher's room. It will be interesting if the decision is to let someone else move into the open position.

"Gma" -- No, I'm not done yet. We have final exams tomorrow and next Tuesday morning. Then there are two retirement get-togethers on Wednesday, and Thursday morning is the districtwide retirement breakfast with a high school pot luck at noon. I am ready for it all to be done so I can call my time my own for awhile! We have been pricing airline tickets but haven't decided on anything definite yet. One airline won't book that far in advance, another has a 6 hour layover in Mpls., and another one is an 18 hour day by way of Atlanta, GA! I know that both times we have gone we didn't book our reservations until sometime in the fall. We have our suites reserved so will get there somehow!

I need to make a grocery list and head for the store. Bob has a meeting so will be later getting home. Have a nice evening and a FANTASTIC Friday tomorrow!

Jean -- from Iowa!

Good morning to you all. I had one of those crazy nights where I would sleep a bit then wake up startled then sleep and wake up startled and this goes on all night. I gave up at 3 and came downstairs to sleep but wanted to check a baseball score and then do a couple chores so I just got back up. I have clinic today in the afternoon and have to take a box to UPS and get a couple skeins of yarn from someplace before heading to the school. I want to take a nap before then so I imagine I will get the downstairs chores done now then get back in the recliner for a bit.

Jean: Sounds like that principal is a piece of work. I got an announcement for my niece for graduation and things sure have changed since our days. Gone are the beautiful announcements, cards and such and everything is laid back and to my mind a bit tacky. Hers looks like something you would get as a greeting post card at Christmas. It is basically a lrge photo spread of her with the info on it and it looks just like a post card. Of course the class rings and all that are going away too. We had a choice of two styles when we graduated, now it's every man for themselves and I don't know if Jostens still visits schools or not.

Well gals, if I am going to get a nap, I better get the dishes out of the dishwasher and put away before Jack gets up in a bit.

Have a great Friday, weekend and holiday.
Faye

Good morning, ladies! A beautiful day here and all weekend, too, in the 80s.

I got some Fiber One Pancake Mix the last time I went grocery shopping so I made 2 for breakfast - with blueberries. That is the best mix I've ever had. Plain pancakes are 1 pt each.

I haven't anything special planned for the weekend - more quilting and I think I'll go to see Angels and Demons. I really liked the book.

Jean, you must be so thankful to get away from that principal. She needs supervision! I hope your weather gets better. Isn't it time to open up your summer house at the lake?

Faye, have fun with the kids.

Have a great day!

Good Evening, Flowers! I am typing with a cat on my lap and it's not working very well. He's never on my lap like this so don't know what's up with him. It's been an off and on rainy day in my corner of the world. There are two more final exams on Tuesday and then the kids are done for the year. Well, except for the ones who are retaking classes in summer school because they failed a required class. We went to a graduation reception tonight; the mom is a teacher, with me, and the dad is a farmer/client of Bob's. They have a picture perfect farm with each blade of grass cut the same length, no farm machinery sitting out, and even the dog was decked out with a bandana to greet people as they came up the driveway. They have remodeled and added on to their house and it is a "Better Homes and Garden" type of house now.

"Gma" -- I hate toss 'n turn nights like that! I hope you get caught up on your rest tonight. How was the clinic duty today? When is Thomas done with school for the summer? Jostens is still in business but our local jewelry stores and WM sell the class rings also -- much cheaper. Most of the kids have gone to the picture postcard invitations and thank yous. I'm pretty sure I won't get any thank yous from the special ed. students . . . a culture thing probably.

Susan -- The weather forecast on TV tonight is for through Tuesday. I hope it doesn't rain steady or we will have a wet basement again. Bob more or less opened the cabin the other day; he opens windows to air it out, wipes out the refrigerator and makes sure the electricity is on, and the hot water heater is working, vacuums cobwebs, etc. The dock and boat hoist are in so we can get the boat out of storage any time. He puts moth balls in it to keep the mice out so it has to sit in the sunshine for a couple days to get rid of the smell. We like to take it out on our lake for the first trip out to make sure all is working properly.

Maggie -- I don't like to sweat either! I'd like some nice spring days before the hot humid weather arrives. Iowa schools have dropped down the quality list big time. They can't keep dumbing down the required courses and expect students to do well on the standardized tests.

I am heading for bed. Have a nice evening and a great weekend!

Jean -- from Iowa!