Good morning! It's definitely summer now! We had a tremendous storm yesterday afternoon and I have some trees down behind the barn. Luckily we did not lose power. A tornado touched down a few lakes over and a cottage is gone - fortunately it was empty.

This morning I've not much on the list so will make my four loaves of white bread into dressing for next Sunday's Church dinner. I'll pop it into the freezer ready to go then. It seems strange not to stuff the turkey (I cook that Friday) but health regulations are in effect for serving crowds.

This afternoon, I will be serving at the beef on a bun event at the Park and will definitely NOT be tempted by any of the food: beef in gravy, soft white buns, fried onions, sweet cole slaw, macaroni salad and donuts. Absolute food porn! And people wonder why I don't eat at Church suppers. I hope the weather holds as this is a fundraiser for the Village "beautification" committee and we want to put in a garden at one of the parks next year.

Right now it's time for another coffee and maybe a soak in the tub. One more sleep until Cottage is here. I have her job list ready.

Have a great Saturday.

Good Saturday morning to everybody!

I can tell by the humidity that it's going to be a hot, steamy day here. I anticipate our pool getting a workout this afternoon.
Lots to do today after breakfast. We have to go to the supermarket to make sure Jake has food for the week, a stop at Target for a new coffeepot and some other things, and Jake wants to go to Home Depot for some "man toys." Then I have to get all the laundry done and start packing my bags.

I'd better try to work a nap in sometime today and go to bed early so I'll have plenty of rest since Ruth plans to work me to death.

I'm making a list and checking it twice. Rest up!

You two are too cute! We hope to get full reports on all your trouble you create!!

Ruth- ew, the tornado thing is scary....glad no one was hurt. Your church suppers sound...B-A-D!!

Cottage - hmmmm....I trying to figure out how I can go visit some girlfriends without the DH. Gotta work on that .

Me - moving today and tomorrow!! Everyone else is still sleeping (of course) so I get a few minutes to myself before chaos starts . Work kicked my behind the past couple days, so I didn't get anything done at the new house.

My diet has been moderately bad this week. Weight has kept in check, probably because I have had no time for snacks, and barely any time for lunch! (not good, I know!) I look forward to having a kitchen back and cooking some good food! (my husband did mention we ate out a lot less than he thought we would...)

Have a great weekend chicks!

Good Morning, Ladies!

My sweet hubby let me sleep today! I got up at 7:01! The interesting part -- Auston is still asleep! That never happens.

Other than cleaning and chores, there is nothing on the agenda for the weekend. We have family on The Hill. One of Jeff's cousin's dad's died Friday. The wake and funeral are this weekend. I like having company on The Hill, especially when they are saying with Jeff's parents.

My very favorite artist is Janet Evanovich. Her newest book came out this week and I have it in my hot little hands. That's what I'm doing with free time this weekend. WooHoo!!!

Ruth and Cottage -- You guys are silly!

Cottage, Have you ever been to Ruth's before? I've never been to Canada.

Twynn -- Have you already vowed to never move again? When I was single, I moved more than my fare share. Not interested in doing it again!

Enjoy your weekend, everyone!

Good morning We actually managed to get another hour and a half of sleep after the kitty's 5 AM run-through-the-house-like-a-maniac incident. I never thought I'd see the day when sleeping until 6:30 seemed luxurious

Ruth - I'm glad the tornado stayed away from you. Didn't you just get that last tree out of there? What a crazy summer. Maybe Cottage could chop those up for you??

Cottage - Packing your chain saw for the trip ?

Twynn - Good luck with the moving!

Wow, the sun is actually peeking out. Scary. We are heading to Trader Joe's today for a few staples. Probably the only trip this summer so I'm making a list. This is our one weekend day together but the weather isn't outdoor activity weather so we are running errands.

Yesterday I picked and dried 12 lbs of strawberries (okay, I didn't dry all of them....) so I think we are set for the winter. I'm going to pick one more time to make leather but they are losing their early season sweetness now and I won't bother with more. I'm also planning more cooking and freezing dried beans into serving packages. DP has really become a SBD eater without realizing it and we go through a lot of beans now!

Thanks to Cat! I finally got a spiral vegetable slicer and used it last night for the first time. I made the perfect warm weather dinner - sauteed chard (fresh picked from my CSA) with beans, lots of garlic, a little lemon juice and a local tomato sliced on top at the end. I spiraled some zucchini, sprinkled a handful of lf cheese and spooned the chard mixture over the top. It was so good, probably the best dinner I've made in quite awhile I never would have thought of buying one of those slicers without Cat's recommendation. I know it will get lots of use over the summer!

Okay, time to get moving if we are going to make the TJ's drive.

ETA hi Chelby! Enjoy your new book weekend

Good morning -

Ruth - Tornado didn't make the news in this part of Ontario. I seldom go to church dinners but of course, Ukrainian church dinners are full of cabbage rolls and perogies. These are becoming less frequent because the younger women say that its too much work.

Cottage - Have a nice drive up tomorrow.

Tywnn - So glad you are finally moving. Hope everything goes smoothly.

Chelby - enjoy your new book. Do come to Canada, its a nice place to visit.

Cyndi - You are too busy. Are the strawberries plentiful this year. That spiral gadget sounds great. I will have to look for one too. Enjoy your drive to TJ.

me - my late MIL had a thing for crystal glasses. When she passed away we found boxes and boxes(about 25 with 6 to 8 glasses in each) of never used. So when my daughter got married I brought her quite a few. In decluttering the basement, I have found more boxes. When I talked to my daughter last night I told her about all these boxes and I head my SIL in the background - please no more glasses. I said - no problem I'll bring fabric.
I'm gearing up for a garage sale but I think I'll keep all those glasses and they might make nice presents in the future.
take care
Sophie

quick hello...
we got back from NC about one this morning..LONG trip.

got a call in the car when we were on the way back from my younger son (21). He sounded "funny" and started out by saying "Don't panic, Mom, I'm ok"...
he was in a wreck yesterday and the airbag knocked out his front tooth and cut up his finger. Stitches in the finger and dentist will see him on Monday morning. I'm heartbroken over his tooth...he had such a pretty smile! I am grateful because it could have been much worse...no one else was hurt either.

In memory/honor of Michael Jackson, DH has "Billy Jean" vibrating the walls of the house. MJ had some good dance songs. How about some aerobic exercise on a Saturday morning.

CAT -- I'm glad your son is fine! With veneers, your son will look like a movie star. Make sure to get a toothless pic, though.

Chelby, re the picture...he looks like a prize fighter...the one that LOST.
He has been teaching aiki jutsu for years and I always worried about his teeth..he had to have knee surgery from the aiki jutsu a couple of years ago and now his mouth is a mess. And he is the most gentle soul ever...looks like he got in a serious brawl. He just returned from visiting a seminary in New York on Thursday night..he is very seriously considering becoming a priest...

Good Morning

Ruth, enjoy your event today. I pondered on your comment for a moment about people not understanding why you don't eat at the big functions. Most folks do not understand the connection between what they eat and the state of their health. I've also noticed at the grocery that the biggest sales are more often on the products that aren't as good for us. The big sale on english muffins never includes whole wheat. I'm grateful for my ability to make choices. Hope you find a little time in your day to work on your "list."

Cottage, blessings for safe travels and for physical stamina while dealing with "the list".
Twynn, happy moving. It will be nice to see pictures some time.
Cyndi, have fun out and about today. Thanks for sharing all your food successes. And congrats on sleeping in..even though it's early by others' standards. I really enjoy my mornings.

Chelby, enjoy your weekend and your book!

Sophie, I'm amazed, your project just goes on..and on..and on....What an accomplishment!

Cat, welcome home! Sorry about your sons accident..ouch on the tooth...fortunately it sounds like it could have been much worse.

Me,I actually slept in today. Woke up at my usual early hour and somehow fell back into bliss! We're in ISpgs. Came over to deal with the lawn. Have a few chores, and are back to GWS later today. I had a food morning yesterday, but got back on track! Gotta get over to H Depot for a new timer!

Have a great weekend everyone! It would not be so easy to get back on track without your continued support!

I actually have had "Billie Jean" in my head since Michael Jackson died. I can't seem to kick it. So many good songs he had, and only one keeps running through my head.

Hello, everyone! I've been off plan and just plain miserable since Little Guy left, but am getting back on track now! Was offered (and accepted) a "dream job" here in Springfield yesterday. It's not Florida, but if I am going to work in Springfield, it's the job I want! Desk job, cubicle, jeans, telephone, computer, not a supervisory role, limited responsibility, 8-5 M-F, 1 hour mandatory lunch daily, just down the road from where I live. I am very thankful!

Little Guy will be home in 2 weeks, thank God! It's just not the same here without him. Tom and I don't really know what to do most of the time. I miss him so much. He's just so funny and full of life and energy. Halfway done.

Tom takes his boards on July 15. Everyone say a prayer! He's so very stressed out. I personally think he's going to do fine because he's always talking about the parasympathetic system and such-and-such muscle is connected to the diddly-hoo, with an insertion point at the whirly-ding, but he's still worried because another class (with a different teacher) had all but 1 fail.

He also has to have a business plan all put together in 2 weeks, and they apparently spent 30 minutes on the business portion of massage therapy, so even I am stumped as to what to do. His mom found him an outline for a BP for a spa, but it's quite overwhelming, and I'm a numbers person (he is not.) Fortunately, he has someone computer-savvy () that can type over 100 wpm. I helped him make a business card and brochure yesterday so at least we got that part out of the way.

Well, that's what's going on with me. I'm going to finish my green tea and see if Tom wants help studying. Hope everyone is having a blessed weekend and staying cool!

Lisa

I spent awhile on the phone this morning with Robert making sure I knew what Brian will need to pack for his monthlong visit with his dad that starts on the 6th. He gets back from summer camp on the 4th and has his birthday party on the 5th so I needed to plan now. Since he'll spend part of it in Missouri and part in Houston, he needs to have everything with him. I did get Brian to go with me to Kohls for new sleepware and underwear. I knew an almost 12 year old would want to pick his own stuff out. Robert is taking him to some patriotic music thing that Brian wanted to go to today but he's late picking him up and I want to get to the library.

Lisa - I'm not sure yet how I will do with Brian gone. I need to use it as an excuse to get back to the gym, I think.

Cat - I'm glad your son is okay.

Good morning. It's a RED LETTER DAY around here as Cottage is on her way right now. It's such a long drive - at least 7 hours - so she will probably be tired when she gets here. I'll "nanny" her for today but tomorrow I go into slave driver mode. Simon Legree ain't got nothin' on me!

Church this morning and then a realistic look at all the things I meant to get done before company arrives. I really don't think Cottage will care that the deck is not power-washed, the back room floor is just half stripped of wax and the front porch rug has wine stains. (I wonder how that happened?) We are going to have fun, despite all my job-list threats, and that's what it's all about.

First Church, pick up the very last asparagus and some strawberries at the farm, pick a bouquet of peonies for the guestroom and then wait. I'm sooo looking forward to this.

I hope your Sunday is full of similar anticipation.