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#1

Jean , 10-04-2008 02:06 PM

Good Afternoon, Flowers! I just got home from the hospital an hour ago, and will head out shortly to make a grocery run plus make a MIL visit. Bob is farming again today. They had a major breakdown in the combine last night; the mechanic was going to meet them later this morning to see what parts were needed and to help put it back together again. Rain is predicted for tonight and into the next two or three days; they need to move all the equipment to the other side of the lake, so they are hoping they can finish where they are today. I also need to vacuum the dust/fur bunnies sometime today.

"Gma" -- I wish I could have sent my grocery list with you! The cookies sound delicious and I would also like the recipe. That can be a project for when Maddy and Zowie are big enough to help! I have a friend who gets together for a cookie/candy making weekend with her mother and sisters. She is our former principal's wife and anything she makes is outstanding. I usually use butter when I bake just because my mother always did, I guess.

Maggie -- I hope you find your chairs! I'm still waiting for an order that I placed online for Maddy's school fund raiser. It was to be delivered 9/26 and is still not here. I sent an email and was informed that it wouldn't be sent until the order was paid for. I have the credit card bill and fired off another email stating as such. The return email said the items would be here by 10/8. Sheesh! Thank you for the fudge recipe. I am assuming the milk is evaporated and not condensed, right?

I need to start a load of laundry and head to the grocery store. Have a nice afternoon!

Jean -- from Iowa!

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#2

gma22 , 10-05-2008 07:49 AM

Good morning to you all! Boy, I had a rough toss and turn night and stuck it out in bed. I have a feeling a nap will be in order sometime today.

Got all the shopping done except for one thing. Krogers didn't have it either so I am going to have to hunt for it sometime in the next couple weeks if I want it.

Jean and Maggie: I emailed the recipe to you. If anyone else wants it, let me know and I will email it to you.

Fortune got his phoo phooing so looks presentable again. I found the cutest argyle sweater for him at PetSmart. I may just have to go back and get it. He has a purple turtleneck he wears during the winter, but seems to get it off all the time so I thought this might stay on better.

Not much else going on here. Have a nice Sunday all.
Faye

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#3

Jean , 10-05-2008 03:18 PM

Good Afternoon, Flowers! Ernie and I are home alone again today. He is taking his afternoon nap after watching the squirrels and birds all morning. We've had hundreds of robins come through in the last few days. We have two bird baths and I've counted 9 on one and 7 on the other at one time. Silly birds are trying to take a bath 2 and 3 at a time. They are young birds judging from their still fuzzy feathers and coloring. I could easily refill them at least twice a day. We've also had a herd of sparrows in the flower patch. I don't know if they are eating the seeds or what. Anyhow, they all provide entertainment for Ernie.

It's cloudy and although the rain never came last night it is still in the forecast for the next couple of days. We've had some nice days, but I miss the sun.

"Gma" -- I hate it when I have to go to more than one grocery store to find what I need. I hope you are getting a nap in this afternoon. Thank you for sending the recipe! I'm going to try and talk Beth into making them with me. She is better at rolling out than I am. I noticed in the ads today that there are Halloween costumes for dogs. Does it get cold enough that Fortune needs a sweater or just because he's short haired?

Susan -- I was glad to see your post! I was beginning to wonder what happened to you. Our grocery stores haven't promoted coupons since Super WM came to town. I don't know why because WM certainly isn't cheaper on a lot of things. I don't buy FF or low fat either; first of all Bob doesn't like it and second in the few things I've tried to make using FF, it just doesn't taste the same. I'd rather have the real deal and count it! I don't mind the salad dressing, Cool Whip, etc., but the cheese is gross imo. Have fun quilting!

The dryer is buzzing so I'm off to do another load. Have a nice "rest of the day" and a marvelous Monday tomorrow! SMILE . . . .

Jean -- and in Iowa!

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#4

gma22 , 10-06-2008 07:27 AM

Good morning to you all! I am trying to get another hat finished and am the decreases so should be able to finish it up and get another one started today. I didn't work on it all weekend though so I need to get hopping with them.

Why do men not listen to their wives? lol A few weeks ago Jack took the car in for an oil change. I told him to buy a new battery as it looked like it was starting to get lower on the indicator in the car. He came home and said he had them check it and it was fine. Yesterday, I told Jack I thought we better get a new one as it seemed even lower and he looked and said, yes, the next time he went to get the oil changed he would buy a new one. He just called. He stopped at a convenience store to get a paper and came out and the battery is DEAD. Wouldn't even take a jump! lol He called his boss who is going to pick him up and take him to a parts store and get a new one. Sheesh, if they would only listen to you! We have had the car 6 1/2 years and it is the original battery and I just told him yesterday they don't go on forever! I am sure glad I wasn't the one that got stuck or their would be heck to pay! lol

Jack didn't know what to get me for my birthday so I told him not to buy anything and I would get something for myself. I found a gorgeous black leather handbag last night and bought it for myself. I am not into expensive bags as such, but I couldn't resist this one. On top of that, out of the 50 or so bags I have, I do not have one plain black bag. I have every color in the rainbow, reds, yellows, greens, blues, aqua, tans, brown, etc, etc, but no black bag.

Jean: They get the machinery going for the farming? There is farm land all around the Navy base and I noticed the cotton is about ready to be picked. I love it when they pick the cotton because there is white fluff all along the road from stuff that has fallen out of the wagon cages. Looks just like someone has pulled the stuffing out of a pillow and thrown it everywhere. Looks a lot like snow actually. Having a husband that grew up in the southwest and had a grandmother that had a house in the middle of a cotton field, I found out all about cotton growing. One of his uncles worked at a gin. Cotton, soy beans and corn are big around here. That seems to be what they rotate. I think Jack told me that cotton is especially hard on the soil. It gets cool enough for Fortune to wear a sweater and since we don't let him wear the "mop" look, he tends to get cold in winter. We usually have 30-40's here in the coldest part, sometimes a lot colder.

I bought an online download of Skipbo and have been enjoying playing it. I emailed Kelly and ask her if Thomas had the card game as I would get it for him for his stocking. She emailed me back and said, "Yes, you bought it for him!" lol Hey, I'm old and the memory is going! lol

I bought him a bunch of goofy Halloween candy so I will get a little bag and put it in for him. I got him his first Halloween bag from the Disnesy store so I need to head out to the mall and see if they have any so I can get one for Jackson and put some baby cookies and such in it and ship it to him when I ship Jay his birthday present. Guess I will try and do that this week.

I want to get chores done early today I best get at them. Everyone have a great day.
Faye

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#5

QuilterInVA , 10-06-2008 11:34 AM

Good morning, everyone. Rather nippy this morning, down in the 50s. Guess it's time to get the winter clothes out and switch the closets. Being a little slow on the uptake, it just occurred to me that I can move the summer stuff into Stan's closet instead of packing it up and putting it in the attic. I amage myself sometimes. I did break down and buy a pair of black shoes on Saturday. I hate to think about putting the sandals away but my feet are getting cold!

It was a gorgeous day at Fall Festival yesterday...sunny and high 70s. I am proud to say this is the first year I haven't given in to the funnel cakes. In fact, my 2 friends and I shared a SMALL bag of popcorn. Afterwards we went out to dinner and we all had a huge chef's salad - and ate way too many garlic knots.

Faye, I've been thinking I should get a new battery. I'll be there Friday to do that. I just don't want to take a chance on getting stuck somewhere. They told me it was still good when I had it inspected last month, but it is nearly 5 years old.

I'm passing out pretzels and raisins for Halloween again. Then if I have leftovers, it will be semi healthy at least. I love seeing the little kids all dressed up. We don't get that many in our neighborhood, maybe 30 max.

Jean, did you know they have dvds for cats and dogs that you can put in when you are going to be gone so they will be entertained? I was just reading an article in our newspaper that said people will cut out things for themselves before they will quit buying cute clothes and junk for their pets. Cupid has no clothese, dvds, or toys. He only likes to play with a piece of yard.

Well, I better get to work. Enjoy your day!

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#6

Jean , 10-06-2008 06:53 PM

Good Afternoon/Evening, Flowers! It has just started to mist here, but it has been dark and gloomy all day. Bob is at church for practice and I'm voting for supper "out" since I forgot and thought he would be home later if it didn't rain. The reading class was a pain today and tomorrow there will be a sub. He is meek and mild so I anticipate they will chew him up and spit out the pieces unless he lets me take over. We'll see . . . . . .

"Gma" -- Car batteries usually don't last more than 2 - 3 years up here if the car sits outside in the cold. Even just sitting outside at school Bob replaced the battery in my last car after 3 winters. According to the computer, we didn't have to change the oil yet, but I had them do it when they fixed the GPS thing. It still had 14% and we'd had the car a year. After the guys tore the innards out of the combine, a nut/bolt had fallen off and that was all that was wrong. They wasted hours taking it apart and then putting it back together again, but it was a whole lot cheaper than the thousands that the mechanic was reciting for this 'n that part. There was an ad in the paper for a Halloween bucket of goodies from the Popcorn Factory. I thought of you!

Susan -- I've never had funnel cake but congratulations for passing it up! It has been so warm here that it is hard to believe that it is October. We've often had the first snow by now. Pretzels and raisins are a good treat for kids. I usually buy mini M & Ms because we have some little bitty treaters. Any leftovers go to school! I've seen the bird dvd advertised. One time we were watching animal planet (I think) and they had a close up of a bird who was chirping. Leonard took a flying leap at the TV and clunked his head pretty hard. Ernie has the top of a computer paper box for his toys. He loves catnip and balls so has plenty of mice, a big yarn ball, and lots of plastic balls to chase around. He's not very good at putting his toys back however. He also has a plastic round thing with cardboard in the middle and a track around the outside which has a ball in it. He bats at it and the ball will spin around the track. He gets about half mad because he can't get the ball out.

I need to do another load of laundry and make a short grocery list. We are out of bread and milk which I didn't realize was low the last time I went. Have a terrific Tuesday tomorrow!

Jean -- from Iowa!

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#7

gma22 , 10-07-2008 04:54 AM

Good morning to you all! Boy I am steamed. I balance my bank/credit card accounts with Navy Federal every morning to make sure we aren't victims of identity theft. Well, I got ripped off by the car wash I used on Saturday. it is automated, but you pay through a machine. I used my bank card and after waiting it said it timed out and said try again, which I did. It did it again so I canceled and used cash. I see this morning it charged my card twice so my $10 car wash cost me $30!!! I contacted the corporate office by email, but if I don't get my money back, I am going to dispute it to the bank I guess.

Jean: Jack's boss picked him up on his way to work, took him to the plant, they picked up the company truck and tools and then went to a NAPA auto parts place that gives the city a discount so he got a 35% discount. They got it fixed up, he returned the old core and got back his $11 they charged then went on to work. Did you eat out last night? I just fixed a ham steak and a rice dish for dinner last night. Since my surgeries, I have a lot of lower back pain, again, the dr says it is trapped gas and I had one of those days so I wanted something quick and easy. I am fixing Jack lasagna tonight as he hasn't had it in a long time. I try and cut out as much of the fattier cheese as is possible and use more partially skimmed mozerella. I actually got the boys something from Lillian Vernon for Halloween. I wanted to buy Jackson a plush pumpkin carrier, but they were sold out so I bought him this cute spider. I bought Thomas more of a shopping tote with a picture on the front and it has a battery pack in it so the front lights up. I also bought him some cute Halloween bookmarks. I guess it is good I don't have 10 grandkids or I would put myself in the poor house! lol

Susan: Our original battery was a 60 month battery but it still lasted almost 2 years past that! We bought another 60 month battery. It will probably outlast the car. I think pretzels and raisins are a great idea. I loved getting raisins when I was a kid. I still love them. Make a lowfat trail mix out of them adding some nuts and cheerios, chex mix or whatever. I had a girlfriend when I worked at the law firm who belonged to a card club. She would bring in this mixture that she made that was leftover. It was popcorn and had nuts, pretzels, that candy corn and one other thing in it I can't remember. It was pretty darn good.

I ordered Jackson his "big" Christmas present yesterday. I just love it and it will last him for several years then become an heirloom to pass down. Hey, I didn't say I had given up on the CUBS did I?

Well gals, I am going to do some chores this morning then maybe nap in the chair for a bit. Have a good Tuesday! We are still in the mid 80's here so it gets quite warm by afternoon. Enjoy your fall weather.
Faye
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#8

QuilterInVA , 10-07-2008 10:38 AM

Good morning, ladies - only 63 degrees at 10:30 - nippy!

Faye, the rocking chair will certainly be an heirloom. Jackson will love it when he gets a little bigger and can appreciate who the Cubs are. I made ham last night, too, with a big bunch of broccoli on the side. Tonight will be a pork chop, cauliflower, and a few sweet potato baked fries.

Jean, Cupid is too lazy - or too old (he's 10) - to play. He just wants to sit on my lap 24 hours a day and be petted. I love popcorn. Wish we had the recipe for the mix you were describing.

Nothing much going on today, just work and a trip to the library later. I'll probably spend an hour or two quilting tonight, but I'll break for NCIS. I really like that show.

Have a good day!

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#9

Jean , 10-07-2008 10:57 PM

Good Evening! I fell asleep in front of the TV this evening, and missed the beginning of the debate. They'll have to get along without me tonight. We had some rain this morning and the sun came out this afternoon. The leaves are falling fast except for our trees which are the last ones to give up their leaves. I donated blood after school today and got a t-shirt for donating four times this year. I've given a total 21 pints which surprised me.

It was an interesting day in the reading class. The sub told me to run the class and he would kick kids out as needed. Class hadn't even officially started when a he walked the first one down to the office. The kid had walked in the room, saw the sub, and said, "oh boy, a sub!" He turned around and walked out of the room then back in again. I guess the sub didn't appreciate the comment. The next one out was a girl from Chicago with an attitude plus. She wouldn't shut up and I gave her the option of sitting down to follow along with the class or be escorted out. The sub stood up and told her to come along with him without giving her a chance to consider her options. The third kid lasted most of the class period when the sub kicked him out of the group that was reading aloud. All three ended up in the "naughty" room for the afternoon. They should get a Saturday School since a sub wrote them up, so I will be anxious to see if anything happens.

"Gma" -- I hope that you get your car wash refund without too much hassle. It shouldn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that $30 is a mistake. Your Halloween stuff sounds cute. It's always fun to buy for the grandkids; they're only little once. The rocker is darling! I'm sure Jackson will put many miles on it.

Susan -- Once in awhile Ernie will settle down on my lap. He is long and heavy so if he doesn't get situated just right my legs go to sleep fast. He tears up and town our stairs taking a leap to hit the middle step and skips the rest. When he hops up on the bed I know he is there. Hope your day at work was a good one.

I'm am heading to bed after I decide what I'm wearing tomorrow. It's still too warm for winter and too cool for summer clothes. Have a wonderful Wednesday tomorrow!

Jean -- from Iowa!

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#10

gma22 , 10-08-2008 09:30 AM

Good morning all. We had a biggy rain storm all day and evening yesterday. Jack texted me that the plant is flooded and they have BIG problems out there so he might be late coming home. It is messy here, but not flooded.

My new handbag gets here today so I am all excited. Some people like fabric...some glass...some cat stuff... me, I am a handbag and knitting yarn nut. I found these things that hang over the door like a shoe rack only they hold 16 bags so I am going to but about three of them and put two on the double doors in the closet in the spare room and the other on the back on the room's door. Should just about hold them all that way.

Jean: Sounds like a no nonsense kind of guy. Good for him. Our leaves are going to and my deck is beginning to look the worse for wear. I need to get the summer stuff hauled back into the garage I guess. Good for you! I always used to donate blood, but when my bp went up they discouraged it. Since they have it under control I guess I should go back in and try again. Problem is, they have only cuffs for normal arms not very large ones like I so they try to take my bp that way and if they can even do it, it is skyrocket high because the cuff doesn't fit.

Susan: I am trying to cancel the rocker. They aren't going to ship it for at least 8 weeks (it didn't say that anywhere in the info on it) and I don't want to ship it directly to them on the off chance case it comes while they are up here for the holiday. I am waiting for a reply from them. I may just order it after the first of the year for his birthday next year.

Well, I have vacuuming to get done and the dishwasher to unload and a bed to make so I better get to it. You all have a great day today!
Faye

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#11

QuilterInVA , 10-08-2008 11:17 AM

Good morning, ladies! A brisk 61 degrees at 11:15 am. I finally turned the heat on this morning - it was cold in the house.

I have PT after work and quilting bee tonight so a busy day. Two of the ladies are taking me to lunch today.

Jean, the school should hire that sub! We need more teachers like him.

Faye, sorry the rocker didn't work out for Christmas. It sure is cute. Jack has more than his share of problems with work!

Have a good day!

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#12

Jean , 10-08-2008 06:04 PM

Good Afternoon, Flowers! Bob just left for the farm so Ernie and I are home alone again. It's a beautiful day in my neighborhood although a bit on the cool side. The reading class yahoos spent the day in in-school suspension and have a Saturday School to do. It was pretty peaceful in class, and we got a lot done in a short amount of time. It's too bad that a couple of students can wreck the whole learning process.

"Gma" -- I had this same sub a couple of weeks ago in algebra and he tried to buffalo his way through the class pretending he knew more about the subject matter than he did. The kids saw through him and took advantage of the situation which led to the sub being a bit annoyed by the end of the day. If a sub doesn't know the subject I wish they would admit it and leave it alone. I personally think the principal and special ed. director are out to get the reading teacher fired. The principal gave her a list of stupid things to do and a time schedule to have them done by. The first one being to rearrange her seating charts and put all the problem students together so that they can't throw things across the room. I say that is just inviting more verbal and physical exchanges amongst them, but what do I know? Other teachers are having the same problems with this freshman class so it isn't just the reading teacher. We just found out that one of the yahoos has an 8 month old baby . . . now that is a really sad state of affairs! I hope Jack's problems at work didn't turn out to be as bad as they could have been. I wonder if the company had a lot of orders for the rocker and they are back logged for 8 weeks. That seems like a long time to wait. It will make a good birthday gift for Jackson. My left arm is bigger than my right arm for the bp cuff. For awhile the doctor's office was using a larger cuff, but this summer he was telling me they got new and improved cuffs which allow for larger or smaller arms. I don't think the gal at the bloodmobile was too accurate because my reading had never been as low as it was yesterday.

Susan -- I'll trade my 41 degrees for your 61 today! It was only 65 on my way home from school this afternoon. Gas is down to $3.02 which is nice for a change. Bob just filled my car the other evening at $3.17. Have fun at the quilting bee tonight!

I forgot to take the newspaper with me this morning so will make a quick stop at MIL's and then to WM for a few things. Hopefully it won't be busy and I can do a fast in and out. Have a terrific Thursday tomorrow. This week is flying by fast!

Jean -- from Iowa!

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#13

gma22 , 10-09-2008 10:22 AM

Good morning to you all! Isn't it nice to see gas prices come down significantly. Of course, we aren't traveling to take advantage of them at all! lol

Susan: We are still using the ac everyday here. It is cool in the morning, but warms up during the day and the condo heats up. Hope you had a good time with the quilting bee.

Jean: What a rotten thing to do to a teacher. I would imagine with the size of your town, teaching opportunities would be limited. Are you the only high school? I agree with you. If you sub for a class that is not in your expertise, don't try and fake it. If the teacher has homework, hand it out and have them start on it, let them quietly read, even talk if they keep it down if you have nothing for them to do. It happens so you just have to make the best of it.

I came downstairs around 11:00 PM with heartburn and just stuck it out on the chair all night. Every once it ahwile I have it bad and have to sit up with it.

Got my beautiful bag, but it is huge. I could carry the house in it I think. Jack says it is perfect for a doctor bag! lol I am keeping it anyway and I like the style and can always use it when we go away for a weekend or whatever to take a book, knitting and such besides my handbag stuff.

Nothing else happening here. I now have 4 hats done and starting on the fifth today. I did Jackson's hat yesterday. It was a pretty quick knit.

Have a good one everybody!
Faye

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#14

Jean , 10-09-2008 06:07 PM

Good Afternoon, Flowers! It's been another nice day in my neighborhood. Bob is farming so I'm not sure when I will see him. His message was that they hope to finish the beans on the south farm before the rain hits. Corn will begin next week. School was "good" in that several were in in-school suspension again/yet. One mouthy so and so was told by the principal if he didn't do any work today, he would spend the rest of the year sitting in there all day long. He was in there yesterday and refused to do any work. I wonder how long it takes for some of these kids to figure out their life would be a whole lot easier if they would just do what was asked of them.

"Gma" -- I'm sure you will enjoy your new handbag. I looked all over for a bigger one to take on the plane and ended up with one that is almost too big; my purse stuff almost got lost in it. I'm sorry you were up last night with heartburn. That happened the night I got sick and I rarely ever get heartburn. I still don't think it was the flu because I've never had the flu act like that before. Can you knit by feel or do you have to watch what you are doing? You've done so many hats you could probably do them in your sleep.

Susan -- HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
I hope your day was a special one and may you enjoy many, many more!

The kids are coming home this weekend. Bob won a free nights stay at the new waterpark plus 4 tickets to the park itself. To make it fair, we offered the same thing to both kids and they took us up on it. I'm not sure how much time they will spend here but need to have food on hand. I think we'll do the Sunday morning brunch with the bunch at the waterpark . . . 10 of us!

I'm off to work on the clutter so I can do some cleaning. Have a fantastic Friday!

Jean -- from Iowa!

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#15

QuilterInVA , 10-09-2008 08:52 PM

Good evening, ladies! Thank you for all the birthday wishes. I've had a very nice day, especially since I didn't have to work. Took myself to the bookstore and spent nearly 2 hours there, and only bought 2 books.

Tomorrow is quilt guild in the morning, out to lunch with friends afterwards, then I have to get ready for a quilting class on Saturday.

Faye, do you take anything for the heartburn? I know where you are coming from when you say you can't lay down with it. I have it all the time and it is miserable.

Jean, I see you've been having too much fun at school. Its scary to think these kids will someday be running the country.

I'm always looking for smaller purses. I hardly carry anything with me.

Have a good evening - almost time for Grey's Anatomy.

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