Good morning to everyone. I had to go to the bathroom so just decided to come on downstairs. I was hot so I sat in the chair with my fan for a couple minutes, but decided to go ahead and post.

Gail: Hey it is great to see you!!! Since we last talked I have made a bazillion things. I knit all the time. I haven't since coming home from the hospital, but I imagine any day now I will pick up my project and get back to normal. I have started a sock, but put it aside for now. Oh and I had undiagnosed diverticulitis and in Oct of last year had an abcess that burst, had to have emergency surgery so had a temp colostomy too. They just went back in the 21st and re-connected me and sewed the stoma shut.

Maggie: Yep, Jackson is a keeper. He is the happiest little thing so much like his dad when his dad was a baby. He is at the stage where he stands in his crib and rattles the bars!

Nanna: Thomas, my older grandson was in a musical at school while I was in the hospital. I had to miss it and just laid and cried the night of the performance. At least Jack videotaped a bit for me and took some still shots. I hated missing it, but not much I could do.

Jean: Glad MIL is settling in. Oooh, I hate having a situation where I have to leave and come back knowing I am going to lose the parking spot and have to mark miles away.

Susan: Hope you can get your sleep routine figured out. Nothing worse than not being able to sleep. Everything seems to go downhill from there. I am feeling so much better since getting off the meds. Hopefully, whatever was causing the fever doesn't come back. Now, I am itching all the time from the dang tape. When we change out my dressing I wash the area with alcohol wipes to clean off tape residue, but new tape makes me itch again and we have tried every kind. It isn't the tape but adhesive and you have to have adhesive so.....

Hope everyone have a wonderful Thursday!

Faye

Good morning! Happy Thursday y'all. It's a beautiful in Delaware this morning. Hubby has this week off and he's now outside mowing the lawn before the next rain storm comes our way. He says the grass grows too fast right now!

Maggie, I believe I read somewhere in one of your posts that you weigh in on Thursdays. Good luck to you! I weigh in on Tuesday mornings. We've pm'd each other so we're up to date on our email addresses once again.

NannaX3 and Susan, it would be nice to meet one day--perhaps sometime this summer.

Susan, one of these days I'm going to learn how to quilt. I've always wanted to learn how but have never got started.

NannaX3, I heard about that tornado(es) that went through Suffolk a couple of weeks ago. You know the whole time growing up at the Beach I never heard of tornadoes except for those funnel clouds out over the ocean that never hit land. And of course, the hurricanes. I assume your home was safe?

Faye, bless your heart! I had to have a temp colostomy for different reasons but I sure do know what you put up with while having the "pleasure" of having one of those. I had problems with the tape also--I was told that I washed it too much because I changed the bag too often. I had a terrible rash all along my waist--that is where my stoma was located--right in the middle of my waist. I was soooo glad to get "hooked back up" again!! I had problems healing and I had to stay in the hospital for three weeks but that was during the days when insurance companies didn't fight you to stay in and didn't question your doctor. Now, because of the insurance companies the hospital just pushes people out the door as soon as possible. Take care--don't do a whole lot for awhile. Take up that knitting again. I still have not knitted a sweater! I did buy a book to show me how to knit a sweater all in one piece from the top down. I have not attempted that yet. I think I'm the reigning scarf queen. I also knit wraps and shawls in lace (if it's a simple enough pattern)...and of course the socks. I think I knit more for the process than what I knit. My next project is a baby blanket for a young woman at my church--her baby is due in October.

Hey Jean! I hate phoning the techs. The last time I had to call Dell (and Verizon) I was on the phone the whole morning. Wore me out! Well, it's true your paychecks do stop coming but thankfully I do receive a pension. Not as much as my paycheck mind you but it is something. I can't remember...but do you work in the summer also or do you get time off just like the kids?

Tonight, hubby is cooking dinner. Hamburgers on the grill. Tossed salad on the side.

Everyone have a lovely day!

Good morning to you all. We had rain here yesterday, but it seemed to have moved out so maybe we will have a nice day today. I am so looking forward to a bit of time away from home tomorrow. Jack is taking me to get my haircut and we are going to try and go out to lunch. I told him I must sit in a booth though as my back wouldn't be able to stand chair sitting yet. I had the same trouble with the first operation. I had backaches for quite awhile until everything "adjusted" itself I guess. I have been sleeping well now and eating properly and finally I am feeling I am really on the road to recovery.

Jean: Looks like maybe you got your computer thing sorted out. I know you have to be itching to get away from the school for the summer. How is your kitty doing? Did you name him Sam? I can't remember. I still have trouble seeing cat commercials when they use orange tabbies. Kind of still chokes me up.

Gail: I am mostly a sweater knitter. I am working on a lace patterned one for myself, which I have the back done and about half the front, I have yarn to make a deep purple one for my sister for her birthday in Dec and some gorgeous bright white, red and navy to make both my grandsons matching sweaters for Christmas. I think the older one will get a kick out of the baby having a matching sweater to his. I love making sweaters and purses. Like to do felted handbags. I had a convex stoma that was pretty deep and we had a horrible time in the beginning getting the bags to stay on. I had red raw skin for probably 4-5 weeks before we finally figured out what to do then it wasn't so bad. We took the humor approach with the thing.

Maggie: congrats on the loss. I am down another 2 lbs so I am happy about that. It came off the hard way, but I am trying to start eating well, but still stay within my eating program. I would love to be in twoterville by the end of summer. Believe it or not, we are using the paper tape. I just have to go with the flow on it and itch when I need to scratch!

Looks like they are finally getting off their duffs and doing something about the situation here at the condos. We got a letter from the management company and they are finally requiring registration of your vehicles and making people keep their garage doors closed at all times unless pulling in or out or when you are working on the car. We have scum that sit inside their empty garage and sell drugs out of it so they are trying to clamp down on that finally. Looks like we are getting residence passes for the pool this year so that will be interesting. I imagine my early morning swims may be going out the window, but that's ok. I will just have to walk like I always have.

Better skeddadle. Have a great weekend ladies.
Faye

Good morning, ladies! Another rainy day, but already 70 degrees so warm.

Faye -2
Maggie - 4.6



Good going, I know you can do it (me too).

Jean, the countdown is almost finished then a nice long vacation - hang in there. The little will be conquered at last!

Gail and Nannax3, good to hear from you.

I'm going to take Stan's wheelchair and leftover supplies to the dialysis center today. He wanted them to have the wheelchair. They have several needy patients who will be glad for the other stuff. Stopping by Curves on the way back. Then I'll do laundry and some housekeeping. Have to get my menu together for the next week to make sure I have everything I need. I do fine when I have a printed menu to follow, but go overboard when I'm planning as I go.

Have a good day!

Good afternoon everyone! It's been raining all day long and it looks like it will continue. I did go out this morning to do the weekly grocery shopping anyway.

Congratulations Maggie on that wonderful loss! WOW! I love eating at Applebee's as there is no stress involved in trying to stay on program--love that Weight Watcher's menu! I wish more restaurants had that. A few years ago Ruby Tuesday's used to list nutritional information for a lot of their menu but they stopped doing that. Your dinner sounds yummy. I thought of you this morning when I was on my way home from the grocery store--saw a Schwan's delivery truck. I remembered you ordered your food from them. Do you sell your glass houses at craft's show or have you tried selling them on ebay?

Jean, my fil (who is 83 yrs.) does not like any of his doctors. He has quite a few things ailing him (which does not slow him down)--chronic pancreatitis, heart problem, knees, etc. He says none of his doctors sympathize with him and he feels like they are talking down to him. The main problem is he's outlived all his doctors he used to have and the young doctors don't understand him. ...no air-conditioning at the high school?!

Faye, two pounds gone forever! Congratulations! I completely understand about using humor!! I chose that path also because I certainly didn't want to make myself anymore miserable! But was so glad to get rid of that bag!!! DO NOT SCRATCH!!! I'm glad you're getting out of the house. You'll probably come back tired but it's good for you to get out! I've thought my first sweater would be for a baby. I have the yarn...some light blue baby cashmerino (not really cashmere) by Debbie Bliss. I thought something simple. I knitted and felted a large tote bag a couple of years ago--it was fun. My oldest daughter is now in possession of it.

Susan, I do better on program when I have a menu planned. I also do better by not keeping a lot of snacks in the house. I thought when I retired and being home more I would eat a lot more. Thankfully, I do not. There is a Curves that opened up in town and I've thought about joining that. I love to walk but I know I need to do some exercises involving resistance machines. How long have you been going to Curves?

Hubby is calling my name--we need to go out and buy a few things for the aquarium (fresh water--nothing fancy) for him to clean it tonight.

Everyone have a great evening!

Good morning, ladies! Looks like a pretty day today. I woke up at 5 and couldn't get back to sleep.

I got a lot done yesterday. After I took the donations to the dialysis center, I took Stan's prosthesis and supplies and donated them to a group that remakes them for poor people. Then I went to Social Security Office and got that taken care of and still had a little time so I went to DMV and got his name taken off the car title.

Think I'll clean out the kitchen cabinets today and go to Lowes and get paint for the downstairs.

Time to go read the paper and have breakfast. More later.

Good morning to everyone. This is the big weekend here for the famous BBQ cookoff so downtown will be swamped all day and evening through Sunday. They used to not let you sample because of health laws, but I guess you can now buy food tickets to sample bbq. We don't go down there because of the crowds. We took the kids back when we were stationed here and had to park miles away and walk then not enough potties and such so I said never again.

Gail: I think baby or children's sweaters are a good start. They are faster and usually easier and that's how I started. Debbie Bliss has some beautiful yarn, though I have never bought any. Because I give so many gifts, for the grandkids I always buy yarn that is washable and dryable but have bought some beautiful silk yarn a couple times.

Susan: You are so thoughtful to give Stan's things to people who can use them. I know my bil's wheelchair cost them something like $10,000!!! He has ms and is now to the point where he has to have the tall ones that are electric.

Maggie: We have had way too much rain and are supposed to get a bit more some time this weekend then sunny skies for the whole week. It will be nice to be out in the sun today for awhile at least.

Jean: Hope Ernie is fitting well into your home. I know it has to be nice to have a cat in the house again. Fortune has been driving me nuts since I have been home, but I try to be patient with him.

Well I expect Jack will be down anytime to make some breakfast so I better go.

Faye

Good mornin' everyone! The sun is out! Everything is so green here--love it!

Maggie, I see you're still doing the Wendie plan. It's good to find something that works. A lot of days I just divide my points between three meals and if I don't eat them all then I have those left over for snacks...or a larger dinner. Most of the time that works for me. I don't get upset with gains at the scale anymore. I figure sooner or later the weight will come off. I'm just not giving up (stop going to WW) this time. I love my Tuesday morning meetings. I imagine making those glass houses do take up a lot of space. I'm glad you have a hobby though. Now...I have a LOT of yarn! But I am donating some of it to the cancer federation of de on Tuesday when they come for a pick-up. Love Subway! But then again there aren't too many restaurants I don't like!

Jean, we don't dare have expensive fish in our aquarium! Mostly, we have some different colored mollies and we have some catfish trolling the bottom. Wayne would love to have a salt water tank but he feels intimidated by the cost of the fish. I always fall asleep in the chair at night! Sometimes with knitting needles still in my hands.

Susan, I was up early this morning also--I was downstairs knitting and thought of going on-line. The next time you're up early post here and let us know...and I'll do the same--perhaps we'll be awake at the same time and we can "talk".

Faye, bbq! My hubby looooooves bbq! We can't find good bbq in DE. A lot of times when I've at my parents' house down in Va. Beach I buy some there and bring it back up to freeze. I bet that town smells great today! Yummo! I agree with you--baby clothes and blankets should be knitted in acrylic so it can be washed...and I do use the acrylic for baby blankets. That Debbie Bliss yarn is quite pricey...but I've had it for so long. The yarn shop I go to have huge sales on any month with a fifth Saturday so it makes buying yarn a little easier...plus, we don't pay sales tax in DE.

I need to go to the cleaner's and a few other places. Everyone have a great Saturday.