Good morning ladies. You have not heard from me because of:

Daughters needing me.
Grandchildren needing me.
Elderly fathers needing me and particularly one FIL driving us nuts.
Earthquake.
Hurricaine.
Trying to find a 2012 vehicle to replace my car with a dying transmission.
Hubby going to doctor/surgeon/scheduling outpatient surgery with tests leading up to it.
Trips to Va. Beach.

I will say this that it was crazy when that earthquake made itself known. Daughters, grandkids, and I were on the beach while it happened and we (among everyone else around us) did not know it was happening. We felt nothing. I received a call on my cell phone while sunning from Wayne asking if we were okay! I phoned my Dad who lives approximately 5 blocks from the beach and he thought it was the "big one" and he was soon going to meet Momma in Heaven. Bless his heart. No damage.

We received no damage from Hurricaine Irene thankfully. We kept our electricity--it did not go out. My daughters and their families were fine--no damage and no electricity outage. However, surrounding us was some damage done and electricity outage. Tornado hit down outside of Lewes (beach area) of Delaware and damaged/destroyed approximately 17 houses. Flooding throughout the state but not in my immediate area. School was supposed to open today but did not. My father and brother in Va. Beach did evacuate but when Dad came back to his home he said he experienced higher winds on the other side of Emporia, VA (going west in the state where they spent two nights) than there was at home. Crazy. My FIL who also lives in Va. Beach but in the Chesapeake Bay area, had electricity outage and fallen limbs from trees. No flooding. The crazy/annoying thing about my FIL does not always hear the phone ringing so does not pick up when we call him to check on him. (More to this story than I care to type about.)

I have not been on-line much. Just quick log-ins to check accounts and such. I've been in Va. Beach on and off....and will continue through September inbetween Wayne getting a tumor taken off his upper right arm. It is not cancerous but growing and his doctor says it has to come out because of the surrounding blood vessels/veins. That takes place on 9/8.

I'm sorry I haven't been around to give support.

Susan, how did you do with the earthquake and hurricaine? My family and I lived for about 9 months in Mineral, VA back in the 70's. So to hear "Mineral, VA" in the news really took us back to thinking about a simpler time in our lives.

Jean, I love meatloaf. Wayne hates it. Its "funny" that you mention meatloaf because I have been looking at WW recipes for that and intend making it and freezing individual portions soon.

Donna, you'll just "love" this...when Wayne was young and dumb (teenage years) he would love to get out in that ocean right before the hurricaine would hit...and yes, surf. Of course, now he says he was crazy for doing that.

Maggie, yep dogs know when a major storm is brewing. My youngest daughter's dog was not happy before and during the hurricaine.

And now it's sunny outside. The weather is beautiful. It feels wonderful outside. The ac is off this morning. A slight breeze. Nice.

Y'all take care.

Good Morning, Flowers! I've been to church and am home again. I need to get some church birthday cards ready to mail for Sept. birthdays. It doesn't seem possible Labor Day is next week! Time does fly by.

Gail -- I'm so glad to see you today! Most of all I'm glad you and your family are safe in spite of Irene. You have been busy with family obligations for sure. I hope Wayne's surgery goes ok; how long will he have to be off work to recuperate?

"Gma" -- Enjoy your squeaky clean house today! I'm sure both of you are more than ready for Jack's surgery to be over and done with. At least Jackson's visit will be a bright spot for you. The slippers turned out cute. I'm always surprised at how the color pattern turns out after you felt them.

Susan -- I hope your electricity is back on soon and you are safe. I'm assuming that's why you haven't been here the last couple days.

Maggie -- What are you up to today?

I need to call the doctor's office and make an appointment for my "fat" feet! Hope you all are having a marvelous Monday and enjoy!

Well...here I am again! Twice in one day!

Jean, Wayne has had this tumor for a looooong time. It began about 15 years ago. It started out as big as an eraser on a pencil. And it stayed that way for a loooong time. The doctor said it was just a fatty tumor and not to worry about it; however, if Wayne wanted it removed he could anytime. It didn't bother him until the last 12-18 months. It started growing about three years ago. Finally, Wayne went to see our family doctor and he said because the color changed (it now looked purple and sometimes it stung) the doctor referred him to a surgeon. Immediately the surgeon said he didn't like the color of it and before he would cut into it, Wayne had to get a CT scan and some blood work done. The surgeon was worried that the blood vessels and veins were running into the tumor. From what he can tell by the scan nothing is attached but he did say he wouldn't know until he went in but now he has better idea of what he's going to encounter so he's prepared. It is not cancerous. This will be an outpatient kind of thing at the Surgicenter attached to our hospital. He'll come home that evening. Because it's scheduled on a Thursday, the doctor thinks he'll go back to work the following Tuesday or Wednesday at the latest. Wayne and I will be relieved when the thing is gone!

Donna, I'm sorry to hear that Jack is in so much pain! He sounds like Wayne in that he will take over a certain household chore if he thinks he can do it a better job of it...which I allow him to do! I love the color of the slippers. I am finally through with the lacey scarf. Well, the knitting of it. I have to block it now. This is not my favorite part of knitting. The grandkids were over earlier and they have gone through my yarn and have picked out the colorway they liked for some winter gloves I'm supposed to be starting on next. I had better get started because if I don't it will be Winter 2013 before they get them!!

Later...

Maggie, I was thinking the same thing--I have got to make a good showing for the year of 2011 in weight loss. I tend to look at this journey in seasons or quarters also.

Sooooo...since my car is running a little "iffy" I'm going to go tomorrow morning in town (at the local senior center about a 3-minute drive from my house) instead of driving 30-40 minutes to the WW center. I'm starting out "fresh" tomorrow and going on from there. It would be a shame for me to gain back what I've lost. As it stands now I've gained back about 8-9 lbs. And THAT is killin' me...literally. How many times will I have to give myself this same pep talk? Probably (being realistic) for the rest of my life but hopefully I'll catch myelf in time before I do real damage. I find as I get older this little bit of weight gained hurts my knees especially my left one. When I began (again) in July 2010, I immediately felt the benefit of losing the first 5 pounds. That five pounds took a lot of pressure off my knee. And even though I have no where near regained the weight back that I have lost since then regaining the 8 lbs. that I have is making me feel it. So I guess my body gets used to the weight I've lost and when I regain a certain amount it doesn't like it! Not one bit. So...at 7:45am tomorrow I will be sitting in a chair at WW. I would like to lose 25 pounds by the end of the year. THAT is my goal.

Donna...I went back to do some back-reading of posts and I read that Jack is due to go into the hospital for surgery any day now the way I figure it. What day exactly? No matter--I'm prayin' for him that his recovery will be quick...and I also read that he's lost 43 lbs.?! My goodness! I know you are proud of him! I also read that you got a better deal at a hotel for your vacation. That is wonderful! I'm so thrilled for you both--Jack will be feeling good and will be going on your vacation soon! You both deserve the vacation!

Maggie, if I stay focused (and I can do that because I've done it before) I'll get to my goal on time. Add in a few days of walking and since I looooove the Fall, walking will be a wonderful time of the year for it. Hmmmm...we have been discussing our options for a new vehicle. Right now, the 2012's are just coming onto the lots. Since we don't know if we will be trading in Wayne's truck....we're thinking about doing a "clean sweep" of vehicles...I'm either going to get a Mustang or a Jeep Cherokee. It would make more sense to buy a Jeep Cherokee because Wayne will get a discount. We've been looking at a Camaro but I'm not crazy about that. Right now there is only a black Camaro on the lot and I don't want that color. I just think people think I'm a cop or a drug dealer with that black car!! LOL All I know is I need a new vehicle because I will be driving back and forth to Va. Beach a lot during the Fall.

Okay...gotta go. The washing machine is playing it's sweet little tune...

Electric finally came back on. We still have thousands in the area without so I'm not complaining.

God blessed us because Hurricane Irene made that little sweve to the NNE so we got plenty of rain, flooding, trees down, etc. but not as bad as it could have been - Isabel was worse. Storm surge was 7.5 so .4 less.

I feel like I'm coming down with something - achy in my joints, headache and my ears are hurting. I'll read all the posts and reply tomorrow.

Good Morning, Flowers! It is raining here, but no thunder nor lightning. This is the first morning I haven't had to get dressed and leave the house first thing in the morning for a week. That reminds me of another good reason to retire. I have a dentist appointment this afternoon and should make a grocery list for my least favorite chore afterwards.

Gail -- I hope that Wayne's surgery is a simple one; I'll be thinking of you both on the 8th! I hated shopping for a new car! Bob wanted something that sits higher than a car and I wanted something that would be "good" in snow. We both like the one I have, a Buick Enclave. His pickup has bigger tires and I feel like I fall in and out every time I go with him. Staying focused is the key to this weight loss game; I wish it wasn't so darned hard to stay on track!

Maggie -- I hope they can find the problem with your Jeep. That is a mystery for sure. I couldn't get in to see the doctor until Wednesday and do think the swelling was down yesterday. I've really tried to watch the salt intake this past week.

Susan -- I am glad to see you are back with us! I watch the videos on tv and just can't imagine the force of the flooding water and wind. I hope you are feeling better today!

"Gma" -- How long will Jack have to wear the cooling machine on his knee? I will be thinking of you both tomorrow! It's a good thing you have comfortable recliners! Wouldn't the city be responsible for fixing your streets if they are public streets? It's sad about the mismanagement of your condos. It almost makes you wonder if someone has taken off with the money rather than make necessary repairs. I hope you got a good haircut so you look spiffy first thing tomorrow morning! I didn't realize that Ford is no longer making Mercury products.

I need to get my day going. I can see the fur bunnies even w/o the sun shining in so need to do some vacuuming. Have a terrific Tuesday and enjoy!