Hello all you ladies!

Today is another busy one - we're going out of town for a surprise retirement party for Neal's brother. That should be so much fun! I'm trying to finish up the laudry before we take off. Shoulda finished it yesterday, but I got distracted, lol.

Have a great day, ladies!

OH! Tomorrow is a surprise birthday party for a sister-in-law, Sarah, after church, so I'll just check in when I can. At least the internet is being agreeable today.

<---- from me to you gals.

Quicky for me here too.....

James & I are off to do some shopping for the dogs. They're needing some food and then there is a town celebration of some sort so we may check that out.


Have a great weekend and I'll check in soon.

hello ladies....how are you all doing? We decided to change Logan's birthday party to the first Saturday in November instead of the second weekend in October. It gives us more time to plan, AND more time for Logan to decide what he likes! He has already picked out five themes, so far. (Elmo, Monster Trucks, Happy Feet, Cars (the movie), and John Deere!) Now, if I can get him to pick one and stick with it......it would be so much easier!

We went to a local town on Saturday for their Arts & Apples Festival. We got the kids children identification kits done. It is really great! We have a print out with their finger prints, picture, information, and then it also came with a disc with the information on and a video sample if they were old enough. Along with all that, they did a cheek swab to get a DNA sample, and then they also gave us these things to get their teeth imprints on. It is well worth it....AND the best part.....it is good for 4 years! So, we will definitely be keeping up with this one! Brandon is 2'11", Logan is 2'5" (roughly), and Marissa is about 2'0". (which reminds me....I have to call and reschedule her doctor's appointment since Tommy's hours changed!) We ended up walking around for a good two hours, up hills and down hills on winding trails and every thing!

We left the festival and I wanted Tommy to go by the cemetary where my brothers and grandpa's partial ashes are buried. We get there and I got out and walked over to the grave sites. I looked at my grandpa's head stone and noticed that it was engraved with a passing date. I cleaned off the head stone, and then walked over to the other family plots and cleaned those off as well. At that point, Tommy got out of the van and walked over to my grandpa's plot. He goes "honey, did you check out the day that they have on here?" I said "yeah...what about it?" He said "uh, they have the wrong year on here." I said "are you serious?" He said "yeah, come check it out." So, I walked over there, and sure enough they have his passing date as May 4, 2005. He passed away a week to the day and time, to our wedding, in 2002! So, I called my mom to let her know and left her a couple of messages. Called a couple of my sisters and got nobody until I finally was able to get a hold of my oldest sister's husband....then a little later, my two sisters that I called earlier had returned my calls. Then I was able to get a hold of my mom, and she said "are you kidding?" I said "no" and she said that she was going to have to call my grandma because she had her half of my grandpa's ashes buried.

Tommy told me on Thursday, when he was at our friend's house using their shower, that he had to talk to me about his work. I said "what happened now?" He said "I will fill you in when I get home in a couple minutes, I am leaving here now." He gets home, and says "well, do you want the good news or the bad news?" I said "give me the bad news first." He said "well, I was almost let go of today." I said "ok...if that is the bad news, what is the good news then?" He said "well, I still have my job. I am just going to be doing welding instead of CNC. So, that means that I will be on the swing shift, meaning starting at noon, and ending at 9pm." I said "well, that isn't what I thought it was going to be." He then talked to his boss on Friday, and the GM for the plant wanted to let Tommy go along with the rest of the people working on his line, but his supervisor refused to let Tommy go....so that is why they switched him to a different machine and different shift.

Jules~ I ended up getting three sports bras for $8.88 and then a dressiet bra for our date nights and special occasions. (It is pink lacey with a little diamond jewel in between the girls) And that one was $9.94. My next bra that I want to get is a strapless one. They had one at Wal-mart that you could convert four or so different ways. The next thing I get as well, will be a pedometer!

Cristina~ The concept of the mini-honeymoons came from money being tight and not being able to take the big honeymoon that we wanted to take. And then at the time we were pit crew and help for my sister and her family....so we just decided to go along with them! How was the open house at V's work?

Jane~ How did those parties go? I love surprise parties!

Marti~ Have fun!

Sassy~ That sounds like our "few things" trips! We went to Bowling Green in Kentucky. Actually, that trip, we got to see Bowling Green, Ohio AND Bowling Green, Kentucky! My BIL was towing a trailer with his 2000 (I think) Ford Lightning truck that he races, and we were driving down the freeway and all of a sudden we heard this loud noise. We pull off the freeway and onto the off ramp to pull over, and we get out to find out that two of the tires on the trailer (on the SAME side of the trailer) had FALLEN OFF! Then a car pulls up behind us and a guy gets out. He then tells my hubby and my BIL that he had been following us since just about Toledo I think, and that is where the FIRST tire fell off! So, we had been driving from there to the Bowling Green exit on just three tires on the trailer!

PJ~ Have a safe trip! Can't wait to hear all about it when you get home!

Hello ladies,

Cristina - what are you planning to organize? I love organizing closets, kitchens, file cabinets, etc. Did you have a good time at V's job site? I like the idea of you going there, it will give you even more to talk about with your sweetie.

Marti - what kind of a city celebration was going on? Vincennes has had Civil War Days but we didn't go to it since it's been so darn humid, for one thing, and also because we didn't have time, anyway. Too many parties, lol.

Sassy - glad your back is better.

PJ - I know you aren't reading this. You're having fun at Magic Kingdom WITHOUT ME! Oh boo hoo!

Mindee - the monument company who did Neal's dad's headstone messed it up, too. It was supposed to say "Beloved husband and father" and they left the word husband out. His mom said that made it seem like he wasn't a good one. They corrected it, though.

Jules - my favorite bras are Playtex Secrets from Penneys. They're a little spendy - about $28.00 each, but I get mine when they're buy 1, get one 1/2 price. They don't have wires, but have a band underneath that hoists the girls up where they oughta be, lol. Trust me, it takes a good bra to do that dirty deed, lol. I also buy bras in all colors at plus-size shops, and panties to match.

I've partied all weekend, and although I didn't pig out or anything, I have eaten too much. Plus. I need more water.

Tomorrow I'm planning on not going to town at all. I just want to stay home and do some things that need done around here.

See you manana, chickas!

Sassy~ We were really shocked that we somehow didn’t feel any difference when the first tire fell off. But, boy did we ever, when the second one fell off! We ended up pulling off the freeway, onto the off ramp, right in line with the Bowling Green State University Stadium bleachers!

I had actually finally gotten a hold of my mom and she told me that she would let my grandma know. So, I am not sure if it was an error on the company’s end or on my grandma’s when she had gotten the ashes buried.

Jane~ When I was looking at the head stone, I noticed that the five was bigger then the two 0’s that were in front of it. So, I was trying to figure out if they had put the year on and then just left the last number open because they didn’t know it or they forgot it. Either way, I am hoping that it gets fixed soon! Tommy said “if I get the number to the company I am going to call them up and read them the riot act! How dare they disrespect my grandfather-in-law!”

Hello ladies...

PINKJANE...hope you guys are having a blast!

SASSY...I agree with hubby...I am all for trying new and different places instead of going to the same place all the time. Although, Branson is one of my favorite places to go. There's so much to see there that it seems like a different place every time, lol. But like you said...all that matters is that you guys are together. Keep us posted though. Glad your back is better. Really, you would be amazed at what a difference just exercising 3 days a week would make. Like I've always said, you can start slow and even 15 mns. is a good start. Then you could work your way up. I know it's hard after working long hours...the last thing you want to do is exercise...but if you think of it as getting healthy rather than to lose weight it might help. But what do I know, lol...I'm definitely no expert. I just want to be as healthy as I can be when I get older and that is what keeps me going. I know one day I will slack off and not do as much but for now I will keep on truckin'!

MINDEE...they (the company) did that with my grandmas too. It was the companys mistake so they are supposed to fix it. Glad Tommy didn't lose his job!

JANE...trying to get the office and my little scrapbook table/corner organized. Actually, the table isn't so little, just a mess. I have a picture I found in a magazine that I am going to do...it will look cute and be organized to boot! And speaking of getting organized...

QUESTION: do any of you ladies recycle? If so, any tips would be appreciated. I am getting some bins to start that as well. I've been watching Living With Ed and it really got me to thinking...I need to do my part. We are changing all the light bulbs and who knows what next. Anywho...

Nothing much on the agenda for today. I did get my 3 miles and 2 mile WATP in. Boy, it was chilly this morning. I love the cooler temps but...gonna have to change my time that I walk soon I think. doing some more organizing in the basement and getting laundry done.

HI to everyone else

Take care ladies, and have good day!

Good Morning gals--

Not a lot of time to chat but today is WI day and I managed to lose 2lbs from my last WI. I haven't weighed in for a couple weeks but hey.....it's still a loss.

Cristina--We recycle. I recycle as much as I can. We even switched out light bulbs to the energy saving bulbs. (I can't remember what they're called) Supposed to last for years. We've had these bulbs for 2 years so far and still going strong. I've been able to recycle enough that last time it was garbage day....I didn't have any trash to take out, didn't have enough!

Mindee--Sorry to hear about the headstone! My grandpa made my grandma's headstone. He was able to add little things he thought of that reminded him of her. It's a really nice one too. Hope they fix your grandpa's soon.

Jane--We didn't go to the celebration. James was sick all weekend so we pretty much stuck around the house. Which was ok with me....I enjoy lazy weekends! As for the evaluation....she had to put it on hold again. We're so short on people that she's having to go out to the floor herself and work. No news is good news right?

PJ--Have fun at WDW!! Wish I was with you!

Sassy--Sorry to hear about your back. Maybe do some core exercises to help strengthen it. That's what I've been telling my hubby and he tells me the same. If only I do it.

Jules-- It's amazing how time flys when someone is pregnant!! We have 5 girls at work who are pregnant. Seems like we just heard about them and now...one is due this month. Looking forward to see photos when he arrives.

I know there are more of you out there and I apologize for missin' ya. Hello to you and hope you have a good Monday.

Ok....now to rush to finish getting ready.

Have a great day.

Hi ladies,

Mindee - just a thought, but you might want to tell Tommy that if you approach the company with a request rather than an irate demand, they'll probably fix the problem sooner and better. How's Logan doing with squirting the Cheerios?

Cristina - we take some items to the recycle center in town. Neal burns papers because he found out that's what they do with them anyway around here, so why haul them? And Neal takes apart old appliances and recycles the metal and such. My Katie has gone green. She's all about conservation, and I'm proud of her for it. OIC about the organizing. I bet it will be very nice when you get it done. Have you been able to do any scrapbooking? I imagine you've been much too busy. Thank you for the birthday card! It was so sweet.

Marti - YAY for the loss! I'm sure that when they do get around to your evaluation, it will be a good one. You've been such a team player, and are always there to help in a pinch! Hope James is feeling better.

Hello to Sassy, Sue, Jules, and all others reading this.

I'm waiting on Gina to bring Macy over. She's spending the night, then going out for lunch with my niece and me tomorrow. She'll be in school next year, and these mid-week sleepovers with her will be a thing of the past.

I've done better with the eating again today. How about you?

Jane- I have done better with the eating today also...after a few days of throwing caution to the wind. Also rode 5 miles again after laying off of that. I have had some family *junk* and upheaval the past few days and the stress is what gets me EVERY time. I am not even weighing in since I go to the Dr. tomorrow..his scales suck, but at least I will know.

Marti- Way to go on the loss. How is James feeling? Better I hope.

Cristina- We have the light bulbs you mentioned in some of our lamps. I need to stop procrastinating and get them all re-placed. The builder put regular bulbs in all the overhead fixtures and we just haven't changed them. Quite an expense to do the whole house. I like the "good" ones in my reading lamps however. We got a shock today....in that our power bill was about half what we expected after the heat and all the A/C. We have an energy star system, but didn't know it would be that great.

Sassy- Take care of that back...don't get in the shape my Mom is in. She is hurting....mostly from pinched nerves and then throw in arthritis.

Mindee- Glad Tommy found out his job is safe. Wow...that headstone co. better learn to check their numbers.

PJ- I know you can't see this. Hope your trip is going well.

I have had some stress the last few days...trying to overcome that. Dr. appt. and also mammogram tomorrow. Mom has a full body bone scan Thurs. Eating has been out of whack...but today was better. I ate lots of tomatoes though as our neighbor keeps giving us bags full. LOL I had salad and cheese crackers for dinner.

Okay, off to shower and get ready for the dreaded Dr. exam tomorrow. Ugh.

Hello ladies...

Back again. Can't sleep but it seems I get on here and all of a sudden I am sleepy, lol.

SUE...lots of hugs. Hoping your mom is well and you get back on track. You reminded me that I completely forgot to WI this morning, argh. Going to tomorrow for sure.

MARTI...WTG on the 2 pounds!

JANE...I've not done any scrapbooking in ages...been too busy with other things. It has taken the back burner for sure. Hoping once I get things organized it may be better. Right now the table is still covered with things that need to be put away. By the way...HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Anywho...guess I am going to head to bed. Not getting up early so that is good. Since I have errands to run and it is going to be cool thought I would go to the park and walk there a little later. Will be close to there anyway so...

Have a good Tuesday!

hello ladies! how are you all doing? the lady came out on Monday and we made the zucchini casserole! It was interesting to say.....Logan liked it until he saw that Brandon wasn't liking it. Then he didn't want anything more to do with it. Brandon looked at it, thought the zucchini was a cucumber, and then when he realized that it wasn't a cucumber, he looked at me and said "I don't like it. I'm done." and got done off his chair.

Jane~ HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! Thanks for that thought, so far I haven't heard any thing from my mom after she called my grandma. So, I will send her an email and see what is going on with it. Brandon is doing great with the peeing in the potty! He knows that if he at least tries, he gets a sticker and if he goes pee or poop that he gets two stickers. He hasn't pooped on the potty yet, but he has peed numerous times!

Cristina~ I am going to make sure that we make it out there again before winter to see if they had fixed it or not. I know in the spring time that I want to go and plant some flowers in the plant holders. My grandpa used to do it when he was alive, but when he passed away, no body else would do it.

Marti~ That sounds like an interesting head stone! It must have taken him a long time to get it done the way he wanted it to look.

Sue~ How did your doctor's appointment go?

we are trying to prepare ourselves for a possible funeral here in the coming weeks. Tommy's aunt/godmother, has been in the hospital for a little bit now. they were trying to finish off her dialysis but her body just wasn't letting it happen, and then they couldn't wake her from being unconscious. her son, who is in the service, had left and was headed to Wisconsin, was actually getting called back to Michigan because they were thinking of pulling the plug. we haven't heard anything more from his mom since Tommy talked to him last on Sunday evening. so, I am hoping that for Tommy's sake, and if something does happen, that his mom will call me first so that I can tell him at least here at home instead of getting a call while he is at work.

Hello new here and struggling with weight ,I am sooo glad I found this site it is a great place to be. more of this and less of thisI'm on a see food diet I see food and eat it. Thanks for the wonderful encourgement