:(Good morning everybody! Marty needed to go out so we both got up and did our thing and I decided to just stay up. I am going to do my downstairs morning chores when I get done here than sit and work on socks. I got my yarn from the post office yesterday and it is way cool. I can't wait to finish the pair of socks with the one color. They are a gift again and I think she will love them. I have to finish my sister's footies too and then I am actually going to make myself a pair of pink footie socks!

You are not going to believe this, but we had to cancel and reschedule our Florida trip again! I got the email back from the PCB visitor and convention bureau and she told me where to look for any events occurring during the time we would be going down there. Well, the week we chose instead to avoid the motorcycle rally is a huge lobsterfest and sand sculpture weekend and they always have thousands of people in town. :(:no: Don't want to be in town that weekend. Well, the weekend between the first one we picked and the second we picked is blissfully quiet so we are going to go Sept 23. That is if Kelly and Tom can keep Fortune because we told her the first week in Oct. We don't want to go much later than that because it will cool off too much. I did hear from the captain of the pirate ship and because of that time of year, the boat isn't crowded at all, which will be nice.

I have seen some gorgeous pictures of St Peter's, Raphael paintings and food from Kelly, but since all but one of us has or had a cat, thought you might like to see a picture of T at a cat sanctuary they have there in Rome. I don't know overall how big the thing is but I was kind of surprised they had something like this and that Kelly would know about it somehow as they aren't with their tour group until they get to Egypt on Sunday. Pretty cat, huh?

Susan: Jack was able to get in to see his ortho doctor yesterday. We had to drive all the way downtown and of course pay to park in a parking lot and walk forever to get to it, but at least we found out that he only strained his knee and should be ok in a few days. He put him on an anti-inflammatory and told him to rest it over the long weekend. He said the xrays show no damage of any kind and the surgery area looks fine. We won't get to see any fireworks again this year. They have them in tons of places, but here the crowds come out in huge numbers everywhere and frankly I don't like to deal with the rudeness and you can sometimes walk over a mile from your car and I am not into that in this heat either so we will just stay home and maybe watch some on tv. Definitely not the same, but oh well.

Jean: I don't think your stylist ever cuts it the length you want. You always post she cut it way too short. With your little town I imagine you don't have much of a choice of stylists to change to, which is unfortunate. You shouldn't have to pay good money to someone that won't listen to you. I didn't see that about the cat. I have seen some animals that are paralyzed by being hit by a car or such where they make them a little rolling pair of back legs that they put them into so they can get around.

Maggie: Sounds like you had a great dinner. I agree, meatloaf makes great second day sandwiches. I just don't make leftovers. For the two of us I make WW pt sized portions, one for each of us using half pound of ground sirloin so we don't overeat. It sounds like your houseguest is working out just fine, which is nice.

Well gals, I am going to go. I am anxious to get the first of these socks done to see what they look like. Have a wonderful weekend. Faye

Good afternoon, ladies! Our last nice day for awhile in the low 80s. We're back in the 90s for the foreseeable future starting tomorrow and no rain on the horizon. Everything is so dry. Water restrictions start on Monday so no watering outside, washing cars, etc. If we use more than the amount of our average water usage for the last year, we pay big increase in the price. It's funny to think we are surrounded by water on 3 sides and have a water shortage.

I overslept this morning so didn't make it to WW. My scales shows I maintained and that is okay. First meeting I've missed since I went back last October.

This fabric sorting is taking a lot longer than I thought it would (too much fabric). I'm making an instant decision when I pick up a piece to keep it or donate it. If I want to keep it, what color pile does it go in? Some of it is too small to do anything but cut it into charm squares (5 inch squares), jelly rolls 2-1/2" x 40" strips) or layer cakes (10" squares). Anything left gets cut into 2-1/2 ", 3-1/2", or 6-1/2" squares. I use these to make scrap quilts or applique. The cutting is taking awhile, but I have to do it as I go or I'll end up with a laundry basked of fabric that needs cutting and it will be overwhelming and I won't do it. Organization is the key I keep telling myself. If I ever get this room done, I'll take pictures for you.

I went to Kroger's this morning. As I was checking out, I realized I am now only shopping the outside of the store. I had fresh and frozen vegetables, fresh fruit, lean meat, and 1% milk. I'd better be careful, next I'll be going organic. I'd really like to but I can't afford it. I got bing cherries, mangos, peaches, blueberries and strawberries for fruit. Love my fruit! They had the white/yellow corn for 17 cents an ear so got 3 and I'll have one every other day. Got a lovely fresh salmon portion for tomorrow. I also went to Trader Joe's for nuts - sliced almonds, pecans, and walnuts. I like to use them in cereal or on salad. I got a clamshell of heirloom cherry tomatoes as well. I've never tried them but everyone says they are so much better than the others. Supposedly they are the varieties that were grown years ago. Good eating next week.

Faye, I'm so glad Jack's knee isn't a big problem again. He'll be ready for your trip to see the Cubs! T is so lucky to see all those places. I'm sending you a link to fireworks from all the major cities. Enjoy!

Jean, I have the opposite problem, the hairdresser never wants to cut my hair short enough and I have to make her take more off. I love short, short hair. My hair was always braided until I was in high school and finally allowed to get it cut. I had it done in the pixie cut that was popular than and never looked back. My DH loved long hair and I did try to let it grow for him but the only way I could stand it was to keep it in a French twist so he let me get it cut again.

Hi, Maggie!

Have a great evening - type at you tomorrow!