Good Evening Flowers!
I've spent most of the evening with the contractor trying to figure out the final details of tearing the bathroom apart and I think I am going to have a headache! Everything depends on the weather and when the items will be shipped. Since we are having the kids here this weekend, the tearing apart will begin next week. I hate making decisions even though we have talked about it and shopped, etc.

Bubbles -- I've thought about subbing but don't think I could do that on a regular basis any more. I think spring must be getting closer because our cats are starting to shed. I'm sure you will have the 3# gone in no time! They seem to sneak on when we're not careful, that's for sure!

Donna -- Like I said, I wish you could come help me decorate! You are brave to tear into projects like the wall paper border and fireplace. Do you ever watch that TV show "Trading Places" where neighbors will redo their friends' room? I'm not so sure I'd trust my friends to do that!

It is time to catch the news and head for bed. Have a terrific Thursday, Flowers!

Jean -- from Iowa!

JEAN so sorry to hear that your remodeling will cause you to have a headache. I love remodeling but that just shows there are different strokes for different folks. I wouldn't be a teacher where you are for double your pay either.

Have a wonderful Thursday folks. It is my weigh day and I haven't a clue what IRON MONSTER will say.

NIGHTERS MAGNOLIAS.

Jean: You will just be so happy when your bathroom is done so don't think about between then and now and relax about the decision making. I do watch Trading Spaces, the English version, Changing Rooms, While you Were Out, and even the BBC program Ground Force, which is Trading Spaces for your outdoors. I got the striped idea watching Changing Rooms. I really, really want to do this plaid paint job I saw, but I am not sure I am THAT brave yet.

Maggie: How are things going? I bet you come up great in your WI today! Looking forwrd to hearing about your loss.

Well, I have to run. It is errand and shopping day and I have to take dh to work this morning and we leave at 6 am. Yawn!

Donna

Happy Almost Friday to all,

Jean, I know exactly how you feel about your bathroom. As you know, I've been talking about redoing my kitchen for over a year, and still not past the talking stage. Did hear about a good contractor last night, and am going to see some of his work this morning.
Met our county head of Special Ed, which includes homebound kids, at dinner last night. We got talking and I think I may sign up to do that. It pays $20/hr, and is only about 8 hours a week.......that I think I can do. I just don't want all the damn principals calling me every morning at "O Dark Thirty". Might consider the high school too.........I know the teacher's and the kids, and I just would turn down the jobs for teachers with no classroom mgt. skills. They're on block scheduling, and 1.5 hours with a bunch of kids who are out of control just doesn't get it. I'm going to sleep on it over the weekend and see if I'm still interested on Monday:~}

Maggie, I know you'll do just fine with your WI..........you're the Focus Queen, remember?

Donna,
I watch all those HGTV shows too, but some how the transferance to my house doesn't happen I wish I had gobs of $$$$ and could hire someone to come in and fix up the place. I want to paint my bedroom, but that means removing wallpaper first, which is a daunting job, in my opinion.

I have a friend coming in from Western KY today to meet someone from the Outer Banks of NC to pick up a puppy..........ahh to be young and dumb again Anyway, the weather's supposed to go south again beginning tonight and be awful tomorrow, so she maybe here for the weekend She's allergic to cats, so she won't be staying here Much as I love her, I'm not too thrilled about putting up with a boxer/lab pup in the house........probably not housebroken Jimmy would love it, and the cats would be history for the duration.

Have to get myself to the underwater treadmill..........my knees are giving me fits. Have a good one and stay warm.
Bubs

GOOD AFTERNOON MAGNOLIAS

What a beautiful day in the neighborhood. The sun is out and the grass and trees look so green from being washed. We got quite a lot of rain the past couple of days now the sun is out and then we should see some more rain next week. After all this month is our rainey season ~ it was last year that we didn't see any rain and the summer was dry. Well folks the Iron Monster spoke and said I showed a MAINTAIN which always better than a gain and that is that. I am hoping for a loss next go round because I am determined to stay OP and lose this ie weight.

DONNA what an early time to have to get up! I was snoozing away when you got up. We ran some errands also today. I am getting ready to do another glass project and had some supplies to run down.

BUBBLES it is good that you will sleep on making the decision to work with the home bound kids. Is it because they are behavioral problems or because of disabilities? Sounds like a challenging position to take. When we live in a house again I am going to look for an Old English Sheep Dog puppy. Wouldn't it just look so cool riding shotgun in my Mustang!

JEAN hope your head is better today. Get that bathroom done before we come for a visit because I want to see it!

Have a wonderful afternoon folks.

Good Evening, Flowers!
It was such a beautiful day in my neighborhood! I ran a couple errands after school and didn't even have a coat on . . . 45 degrees it was! But the winter watch is out for tonight and tomorrow . . . rain turning to sleet turning to snow with 3 to 6" possible. According to the map we are right in the middle of it so it will be interesting to see what happens.

We have ordered the tub, vanity, sink, and stool. I'm dragging my feet on the cupboard in the hall which is to be a combination linen closet and "hide the vacuum" cubby hole. What I had pictured and what the contractor has available are two different things.

Maggie -- I know you were hoping for a loss but enjoy the maintain! Maybe your body is resting and getting ready for the next losing streak! The contractor has assured us that the bathroom could be done in a week if the weather cooperates and everything goes right. I told him it had to be done before school was out or he couldn't do it until fall. We are also having him do a new stair rail/bannister to replace the '60s iron one that we now have, a mantle for the fireplace, and new privacy windows by the front door. I anticipate lots of dust!

Donna -- How in the world could you paint plaid? I'm usually dressed and ready to go by 6 AM and that's when the "no school/late start" call comes. Did you get a catnap in this afternoon?

Bubbles -- I did some tutoring for homebound students several years ago. They were cases where they couldn't attend school but needed to keep up with their homework. We have a local home for severe and profound disabled children but we bus them to their age appropriate school buildings. In the elementary buildings they are taken right into the regular classrooms for most of the day. At the the high school, they go to PE and chorus to watch the other students; if they get too vocal the aides take them back to their room. When I quit subbing I had a list of teachers that I refused to sub for simply because their students were just plain wild. One principal would never tell me who he needed a sub for and I finally quit asking; I just told him I was already busy. He was a jerk! Our sub pay was $50 a day up until a couple of years ago. Now it is $80 which isn't too bad. I hope your water exercise made your knees feel better.

My bed should be preheated by now so guess I will head that direction. Have a fantastic Friday, Flowers!

Jean -- from Iowa!

Hey everyone!


HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY


Jean: I knew you would ask about the plaid. You use three shades of a color. You paint the surface the lightest color, then go back and grid what you are going to paint with tape and paint one square med, one dark. What I decided to do so as not to screw up is I have a plaid rag rug and I use it for reference as to what color to put in what area. I saw it done on a kids room on Changing Rooms and loved it. It is a job though.

I have lost another 7 lbs which makes 57 since Jan 6. WooHoo!
Some of it is probably hair...I got it ALLLL chopped off. It is great though. I can wet it, wax it, run my fingers through it and go.

I have to go. I have tons of stuff to do this am.

Donna

Happy Valentine's Day!
We are having "weather!" It was supposed to start raining around midnight and change to snow during the night. When I got up at 6 everything was dry and by 6:15 it was pouring rain and starting to freeze. The superintendent called off school around 6:30; you might know since I took the half day as a personal day! (I can cancel it and use it later if I choose.) Anyhow, I was planning on a trip to the grocery store but think I will wait and see what the weather is doing after lunch. I may even wait and go tomorrow morning early and beat the Saturday rush.

Donna -- I would love to watch you paint plaid! CONGRATULATIONS on the GREAT loss! That is just amazing! I know you will enjoy your shorter hair!

I need to get busy and do some surface cleaning as well as pack some more boxes. We have to move a cedar chest and dresser out of our bedroom so the tub can go "in" and then have that doorway enclosed. This was to be such a simple project!

Have a GREAT day!

Jean -- in Iowa!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY MAGNOLIAS

It proves to be a nice day today. It is an 18 point day for me and a 28 point day for Cowboy so we will see how it all plays out. He can have a doughnut. I have almost gathered all the items I will need to make my minature glass village. I like to have all the items for a project rounded up before starting.

JEAN remember that a remodeling job always costs more than exptected and takes longer than planned to complete. But in the end you can always hope it looks just like the picture you had in your mind of what you wanted. Hope your weather gives you a window in which to go shopping. Are you buying lots of duck tape and plastic?

DONNA I am a bit confused..... did you lose 57 pounds since January of this year CONGRATULATIONS for what ever it is for you are doing fantastic. Noting like a new hair cut to put a smile on a gal's face.

Have a nice day everyone.

Maggie: Yes, I know it seems unbelievable, but I lost 57 lbs in about 7 weeks. It has to be the terrible way I was eating and the drastic difference in cal and fat now. I am not going hungry. In fact, I eat three meals and a snack in between each for the most part. I do try and not eat before 8:30 am and I eat my last snack around 7:30 pm if I want one.

I sure wish it would stop raining. My joints are killing me and I have to get out and do the other walk. Boy, getting old is the pits! I just wished I had learned to eat better as a kid and passed it on. At least, my daughter has learned from my mistakes and doesn't make them with her son.

Anyone doing anything exciting tonight? We went out last night because I don't like fighting the crowds. I made him promise to only buy me a card as we are saving for our vacation and to do more home decorating, but knowing him he told a fib when he agreed. I got him just something little, a box of Lindor Chocolates. They are his favorite (mine too actually, but I won't touch a one!). I found the neatest card this year. I firmly believe because of how we met that God had his hand in getting us together and I found a card that said that. It was neat!

Well, gotta get the dreaded walk in.

Have fun tonight and a great weekend!
Donna

Good Morning, Flowers!
The sun is trying to peek out so I'm hoping for a sunny day! After yesterday's crazy weather I need it! It rained all day long with the temperature hovering around the freezing point. The streets were slop with frozen ruts. Bob took me to the grocery store later in the afternoon and while we were there it started sleeting. As it got dark it turned to that fine snow and the wind blew it into huge drifts. I don't think we got all that much snow but it sure did blow. It blew from the east so all of our windows on that side were covered. This morning, I can see out and the neighbor across the street has very little snow in his yard. . .it is all in our driveway!

Maggie -- I would love to see your village when you are done! You are one patient gal to be able to do that craft. Are you making it for someone else? Would you believe there is NO duct tape in this town? Of course, when you only have Wally World and a farm supply store to shop from . . . . . one of the teachers wanted to get red tape to have her class make roses for Valentine's Day and she even checked the two grocery stores in town. She had to come up with Plan B but I'm not sure what she did. I don't think we will go the plastic and duct tape route -- the newscaster, last night, said that wouldn't do any good in the long run. Reading Donna's "how we met" . . . how did an IA guy and a CA gal get together anyhow?

Donna -- I hope you enjoyed your early dinner out! Did you get the chocolates? Don't think I've ever heard of that kind. How did you and your DH meet? Inquiring minds (mine) want to know!

I need to get busy and bake a birthday cake -- angel food! I'm looking for a frosting recipe and so far haven't come up with one. Any suggestions?

Have a wonderful Saturday!

Jean -- from Iowa!

Happy Saturday,

We're under a winter storm warning beginning this afternoon and going through Monday............it could be a doozy. We had freezing rain, sleet and snow last night. THis morning it's been mostly light rain, but the snow on the ground is melting pretty fast.........not a good sign. The ground is not only pretty well saturated, but frozen as well, so that leaves nowhere to go but the river..........I always worry about flooding, having lived through two of the "hundred year" variety in 10 years. We had folks living in campers and tents in the middle of winter up until spring and early summer.

Donna, you make your painting sound so easy.........my first challenge would be getting the blue tape on straight.......and don't even go there with the levelers............I don't do straight lines very well. That's why I knit..........if you drop or add a stitch here and there it really doesn't make a big difference.

Maggie, the subbing would be with kids who have been suspended or who have a longterm illness,eg. Mono. The behavior kids meet you at the county library, so you don't have to go to their home, and there are other people around in case you have trouble. If they give you any grief you can say, Sayonara, and not have to do it again. I still haven't filled out the application, however. Jean, I subbed the first year I was here and loved it...........especially the high school kids. I did kindergarten and first grade a couple of times, and was a wreck by the time the day ended! Those kids have the attention span of a gnat, and are far too active for this old bird.

Went to the store for some flashlight batteries and lightbulbs. Brought up candles from the cellar, so we're ready to go.

Have a long distance phone call, gotta go.
Bubs

'Mornin' Bubbles!

I had to laugh at your description of kindergarteners! Way back when, that is what I taught -- late '60s and early '70s. I also did the Head Start Program when it was first started, during the summer months, and had some of the same kids that I saw coming in the door that fall. I loved them but I was also 35 years younger and didn't have kids of my own. I really enjoy the high school level simply because they are on their own for all practical purposes. Some are quite and ; one of the teachers made the comment that it is scary to think that they will be taking care of us when we go to the nursing homes! I don't think we will live here by then, I hope. Our BD teacher made visits to the jail to see one of her students; no sub would take him on. We always when she is called for jury duty because 9 out of 10 times she will either know the person or had them in her class!

Sounds like you will be getting our weather from yesterday. Good luck!

Have a nice afternoon . . . .

J.

GOOD MORNING MAGNOLIAS

We may get a smattering of rain this day but it won't amount to much. Just enough to keep the flowers pretty. My new plant has lots of gorgeous white flowers blooming now. I shudder to read the posts where you are in the deep freeze. Old memories surface. Well I had a couple of perfect OP days ~ got through that first 18 pointer of the week and when I can do that then it is easier to do the rest of the week.

DONNA are Lindor chocolates like Godiva chocolates? Godiva is to die for..... OH they are so goooooooood. Two and one half dollars a piece at Neimans a few years back. Wonder what they go fo now. I will have to go to Beverly Hills and check it out. My niece will go with me.

JEAN I will send you a picture of my glass village. I plan on taking a picture of each little building when it is finished and then one of them all in a group. I am making this set for myself but am really thinking that I will cut out two sets and have one to sell. There are about a dozen buildings I want to make in this set plus a gazebo and then an outhouse that goes with the cabin. I used to counsel those kids that ended up in prison and sentanced to do a few years.

BUBBLES I agree it is much easier to knit then paint plaid. I think I would opt for wallpaper. There are just some things that I don't want to do and that is why there are different strokes for different folks. It's one of those things that I could do if I wanted to but just how much do I want to do that.

Hey, guys!

Regarding the chocolates. You can buy them at Target under the name either Lindor or Lindt. They are balls of chocolate with a chocolate filling that honest to God feels cold in your mouth it is so smooth and creamy. Cracker Barrel used to sell them individually behind the checkout in jars. There are several different kinds.

Jean: I was a junior in high school and living with my grandparents (my grandma was a step-grandma only one I knew though), we went to visit her daughter in Arkansas every summer. That summer my step cousin that is my age asked me if I would write a family friend for her because her mom made her and her boyfriend didn't like it. I guess her brother (who I thought at the time was a dish) was stationed as a Marine in Memphis going through avionics school and had this friend from New Mexico that was in the Navy and in the same class as he. They would hitchhike to visit his mom together on the weekends and because he couldn't go home to see his family they kind of adopted him. I didn't want to write to him, so I wrote a letter telling him how I disapproved of smoking, drinking etc, that I went to church a lot etc to kind of keep him from writing back. I grew up in a tiny town that thought military men were "loose" so to speak so I wanted no part of being cast in the same light. I got home from vacation thinking that was that and here was a letter from him. That was in August, Sept I got the most beautiful roses when I came home from school one day with a card that said, "Just because I love you", he asked to come visit in November. In December he bought me a star sapphire ring for Christmas (and unknown to me had my engagement ring in his glove compartment). In February, the week after Valentine's day he drove 18 hours in a blinding snowstorm to come see me and after the Ice Capades, stopped in the dead middle of a state highway (the shoulders were too slippery), TURN OFF THE LIGHTS OF HIS CAR, and asked me to marry him. I guess I said yes because I was afraid we were going to get stranded or hit by another car!!!! That man put 77,000 miles on his new car in the year we dated. It had to be love as he would get off work at midnight and drive 18 hours to see me and 24 hours later drive back. He kept that up for a year. I just thank God this was the man he picked for me, otherwise he would have probably died at the wheel of his car falling asleep. We will be married 31 years in November and his is truly the love of my life.

Maggie: They are expensive, but not as bad as Godiva. You should be able to get Godiva's at the upscale department stores in your area. I don't remember what stores are in CA, but Macys, Dillards, Goldsmiths, Ayres, Nordstroms etc usually have them. I haven't lived in Ca since 1977 so this old brain can't remember.

Bubs: Hey, you don't think I did the lines, do you? Dh leveled them and taped them. We started with chalk and he got fed up with it so he would eye it and did a great job.

Just for you Maggie so you know I am not kidding about the weight loss. My avatar pic was at Christmas and I weighed 370 and the one below was taken yesterday at 313. I didn't start my program until Jan 6. Oh and by the way I am sporting my new haircut and color.