Good morning everybody! It has creeped back up warm here in the south. It wasn't too bad yesterday while we were out, but it was still pretty humid. It did rain though so we got some moisture for the plants and grass and such. I imagine the leaves will be falling soon so Jack and I will have to tackle that deck.

We went out for a ride yesterday and got caught smack dab in a town festival in one of the suburbs. What a mess! We turned down a residential street and got stuck because people had parked on both sides of the street and the moving cars could only go one way. We had to sit until those cars coming towards us all cleared out so we could proceed down the street and get out of there.

I am happy to say after posting on the clothing website again telling people my experience, she contacted my by email and my clothing, all of it is being shipped out on Monday. First off, this company does their own appliques and such on t-shirts and makes a lot of the clothing they sell. So to be far, it does take longer, but it has been three weeks getting the run around. Come to find out, she was out of a couple of the colors I wanted the screening on and instead of emailing me and telling me what was going on, she ignored me. If she had just told me the t-shirts were "back ordered" and explained she would have gotten no complaints of out me as long as I had them in my hands before vacation. On top of that, she buys several different brands and they all have different chest, hip and length sizes. The ones I sent back actually were a couple different brands so they fit differently. She finally emailed me yesterday, in fact, three times and we got it all straightened out about which brand I wanted in what color that was offered so the shirts fit. She is sending them priority tomorrow and I decided rather than fool with getting my money back as I don't have any clue how long that would take, I just took the refund in a couple more t-shirts and a pant set all of which will go out tomorrow. I should have them Wed or Thur at the latest. It is cutting it pretty close, but I will have enough time to launder and such before the trip.

Maggie: Thomas uses the flossers that are sort of slingshot shaped with the floss running between a U shape and the end coming to a sharp point. He is an electric toothbrush boy and uses Rembrandt toothpaste. Glad you are doing better with WW. You will show another loss next week. I have really enjoyed the two pair of flip flops I bought at LL Bean. They are high quality and easy to walk in. Oh and when we were talking about shoe brands, for sandals I really like the shoes Land's End puts out and I buy Clark sandals too. I have a pair of Clarks that are probably near to 10 years old. Being totally flatfooted my whole life there are shoes I just don't wear even though I would love to. I can't wear Mary Jane types or those little ballet flat style shoes. They look awful on me. I like loafers, but for the most part don't wear them because of how my feet look in them. I used to have a pair when I was in high school that I wore everyday. They were the "blood" color leather they used to call it, it was kind of a deep maroon and the shoe over the instep was shaped weirdly so they fit my foot perfectly. Of course, back then I weighed about 200 lbs less and was nearly 40 years younger so my feet hadn't been through the wringer. Nowadays, I wear Keds plain white sneakers, New Balance walking shoes for exercise and I wear my Crocs a lot. Those things might be plastic and ugly but they sure do treat my feet well.

Jean: Wow you went all out on sales yesterday, one balloon! Did you ever find your list? I bet it was still in your purse somewhere hiding. I do that sometimes and tear it apart and still can't find it then go back later and voila there it is. I take it the tea kettles you were looking at were electric? I have a big one that sits on the stove I have had for a long long time. I had this adorable little one that I got as a wedding present and it lasted me probably 25 years before it finally gave out. I don't use them much though with the microwave being available. Yes, Jack has some aches and pains sometimes with the knee, but right now he is contending with that hand. He has to have work done on it, but wants to hold out until after the first of the year so he has plenty of sick time as the doctor told him about 6 weeks off for surgery with it. His anniversary date for his job is August so he went from earning 8 hours to 12 hours per month for sick time, which will give him several more days between now and the first of the year. He is thinking about waiting until the end of May and that way we can go to Indiana for Jackson's birthday next year and not have to use vacation time. I just may have to drive the whole way, but that's ok we will drive half, spend the night then drive in the next day.

Well, Fortune is whining behind me and will keep it up until I get into the recliner so he can sit with me. I finished another of the books I bought for vacation, they just call to me, so I ordered 4 more in paperback which should be here Tuesday. I still have one hardback I am going to try and keep my hands off of. Maybe I will try finishing up Kelly's sock and start the blue and pink ones for me. Have a wonderful Lord's Day today! Faye

Good evening, ladies! It's been raining since last night, just a nice slow soaking rain that we needed. Its supposed to last until around noon tomorrow.

I just got back from my strength training at the Y. I made a Walmart run this morning after church so that's over until next month.

Jean, I have an Proctor Silex electric tea kettle I just love. It's quicker than the stove and nearly as fast as a microwave. It was less than $20.

Faye, I hope the clothes are actually in the mail tomorrow. She sure doesn't know how to run a business.

Hi, Maggie!

Good morning to you all! I am sitting here watching that Janice Dickenson Modeling Agency program and she is talking to one of the models who is eating cake all day long and is saying she just has a very high metabolism. She had empty carrot cake boxes under her bed and throat spray, which Janice says indicates an eating disorder. They have cameras all over that house and she would see her eating cake at 2 in the morning. She talked to the girl, who of course denies it, but I mean even with a high metabolism you can't pork out on cake all day long and remain model thin. Sad, really because she was quite adamant about not having a problem.

I am a bit peeved with Jack. I have been trying for 2-3 days to get him to talk to me about an alternative to Florida if the storm that is on the south side of the Caribbean moves into the gulf. He does his best to ignore me when I ask him where he would want to go instead. We have had a couple arguments about this and he is being extremely stubborn. I warned him that if we go to Florida and it rains the whole time we are there I am going to make his life miserable! Everything and I mean everything we want to do there is outside and because it is basically a beach resort there isn't much to do inside. They have a mall but that's about it. I am not trying to change his mind, I am trying to have a backup plan but he is being obstinate about the whole thing. I think it is because this was his idea from the get go and not mine. We are not beach people because I get sunburned extremely easily and I wear 50 sunblock protection. I love to swim, but Jack will get in the pool and spend maybe 15 minutes. I told him straight out I am not going and spending hundreds of dollars to sit in our room and he play games on his laptop. I just hope we have great weather because if we don't I imagine we are going to have a bit of an ugly scene.

Maggie: When we attended the church in Indiana and went out to lunch every Sunday with our group, they would pick this one restaurant that Jack and I hated. We usually would beg off that Sunday because I just couldn't abide it. One of our friends from that group just passed away a couple months ago. I miss them all but don't get to see them when we go to Indiana.

Jean: Wow, you were almost a parade entry! lol You could have gotten on the hood of the car and rode and waved right through! I got a giggle out of the "grand poobah" comment. Everytime the church would have their anniversary it was like that. Past pastors would come and speak, etc and you ended up being at church forever because unfortunately I have found most pastors with a bit of an ego and can't seem to stand before a congregation and talk for just a few minutes. On top of that, our church would have the current pastor get up and preach a whole sermon so you would be there like 3 hours or more. I am sure the music was wonderful though. Does Bob group do current gospel stuff, more Gaither kind of stuff or the old stuff? I cannot believe a plain ole kettle is that much money. That is highway robbery.

Susan: The only good thing about the whole clothing issue is I owed her a difference between the swimsuit refund and the two t-shirts and the pantset and for shipping back to me and she called it even. Personally, I think it was the least she could do considering it has been three weeks since she received my stuff and she does all the shipping and whatnot. I know one thing, there is no way I am buying anything else from her. I do find it amusing that everytime I would go to facebook and post a comment she would email me that same day.

I have scads of work to get done today. I did laundry and sheets yesterday and put all that away and made the guest bedroom back up and our bed. I need to get to housework this morning and get some stuff accomplished. It is very cool here this morning so the house isn't hot.

You gals have a good beginning to your week. I am going to go and check out PCB's weather for the next 10 days and see where that storm is headed if I can. faye

Hello all...just passing thru and saw the note about Florida weather...and just had to stop and answer. We live here on the West Coast of Fl above Tampa. The weather for the next ten days is hi in 90's and some afternoon showers(normal sea breeze wall showers) and The 3 storms....Igor is heading for Bermuda, Julia too, and not named 92 is heading to Cancun. twelve is just off African and won't be a factor for 2+ weeks....So come on down!

Moved to Florida from the Eastern Shore of Md and check in here to find out whats happening with the lovely Yorktown chick. (dh was stationed at naval mines depot many many yrs ago)

Guess better explain sea breeze wall storms. There is imaginary line right down the middle of the state. Rt 75 kind of...where the Atlantic Ocean breezes meet the Gulf of Mexico breezes and hugh thunderstorms flare up alot of afternoons. Some days they go East to the ocean other times they head into the gulf. Which why Tampa is sometimes know as the lightening capitol. Immediately after the storms the sun comes back out and everything steams dry. Doesn't interfer with much but do get off the beach when they are coming....

Karen3

ps thats a drawing, but our dog Dash looks exactly like that

Good morning to you ladies! I hope to get upstairs and get some work done first thing this morning. I see a few things that need some attention so I will go up later and get things done.

Karen: Thanks for the info. Our plans are across the state, Panama City Beach, but as of right now the storm that was crossing the Caribbean isn't any kind of threat at all and the weather channel is showing sunny skies.

Funny, Jack called yesterday morning to talk about the weather and I guess because he was more of a captive audience without a tv he could zone out with I was finally able to get through to him about a plan B so I worked it up, showed it to him last night and all things are set one way or another. He is even thinking of changing his mind since I found us something he would like to do. Men sure can be stubborn creatures and mine especially. He hears what he wants to hear. I don't know why men are like that but they are. They hear what they want to hear and tune everything else out. Don't be surprised if he changes his mind completely now. I told him I wash my hands of the whole thing that was we do is up to him. I found the hotels, the restaurants, the things to do and laid them all out on spreadsheets and he picks and then he can't say he didn't do what he wanted! I think that is the best way to go since I don't care one way or another.

I got an email at 1 AM that my clothes have been shipped so I am hoping they will get here Friday at the very latest. She shipped them priority mail and it took two days last time to get them so hopefully she got them out in time for them to be here early again. It is sure cutting it close! lol

Jean: I am not much of a cake eater. I am just not much on frosting. It is too sweet and usually upsets my stomach. I will take a chocolate piece of cake occasionally and put strawberries over it and make it into shortcake! lol I am a pie lover for sure but then my grandma always had pie available. She made a mean custard pie and I loved any of her fruit pies. I like my chocolate cream pie better than what she made though. Of course, my cream pies are made with sweet German baking chocolate and heavy cream! lol I am glad they take a lot of time so then we don't have them in the house except on holidays. It is the same basic recipe for coconut or cream pie or chocolate, banana etc you just change up the flavorings. I kind of go in spurts with sweets, but I am a sucker for donuts and breakfast pastries. Give me a danish and you have me hooked! With that being said, I stay away from the donut shops and the bakery section of the grocery stores!

I am bound and determined to get in some good exercise swimming and walking while on vacation. I am coming back and hitting the treadmill now that the temp is down. Even if I have to start with teeny tiny amounts, I am getting on the thing everyday to build up my stamina and get things going. One of the good things is we have no trips of any kind until next summer after this one so no restaurants and such to be tempted by. It is one of my failings. If I stay home and eat I will not veer from the WW, but I have a hard time going into a restaurant and picking healthy food to eat. My mind tells me you are paying for this so eat what you want and then the other side is saying you need to stick to the plan!

I get back from vacation and I am going to have to get into the doctor. It is time for my annual physical, but also want to get a handle on this female thing. Maybe a new doctor will have new insight. I did read a long article about menopause and such yesterday and basically this could be just that, but criminy I hope it rounds up soon!

I need to go gals. I want to get morning chores down here done and in an hour or so get some breakfast in me. Have a wonderful Tuesday all! Faye

Good morning, ladies! A lovely day- 78 degrees.

Yesterday I went to Applique Bee at Bella Fabrics, then to the Y for an hour on the treadmill and elliptical, home to shower and get clean clothes and a quick supper, then Bible study. Needless to say, I got nothing done at home. I know what I'm doing this weekend - cleaning! Tonight is Guild meeting. I'm taking my camera so hopefully I can take a picture of my entries in the challenge and post them for you to see.

Jean, the tea kettle I have is 12 cups. Of course, they count 6 oz. as a cup like the coffee pot people do. I love mine. I'm like you, I have to get started on my housework in the morning or it is a play day.

Faye, I hope Jack decides before you get on the road! LOL. Men, they only hear what they want to - all of them. I hope the new doc can get you fixed up. Enough is enough on this stuff. Ask the doc about bioidentical hormones. There is a lady in the building at work that ended up going this route and it has helped her a lot. Basically, the hormones are compounded to your body's requirements at a compounding pharmacy. I hope your clothes get to you quickly. USPS bills Priority Mail as 2 days but they don't count the day they pick it up or deliver it so who knows. You'd love the water aerobics at the Y and the open swimming. Surprisingly, I'm enjoying the weight training and try to do a little more each time. I'm starting to see some results in my arms and belly areas. I've had to figure how to eat in restaurants and still be on program because I'm eating out a lot more.

Enjoy your day!

Good morning gals! My puppy dog got into something the squirrel dragged into the yard yesterday and though I got to him in time and got a piece out of his mouth, I think he was able to eat some of it (some kind of meat) and back we went with the diahrrea again. I noticed it right away yesterday and gave him one of his little pills and a half scant tsp of Pepto and he is right as rain this morning. I did hold back his regular food and made him some scrambled eggs and rice to eat today so it would sit lighter on his tummy. He went out this morning and came back in for his treat and I gave him one of his favorites, these little tbone looking things. He plays with his treats and so was throwing it all over and then licking it and throwing it and licking it, etc for about 10 minutes so I know he is feeling better. Being the doggy mama that I am, I slept in the recliner with him in my lap all night so he would feel better. I know, I am pathetic, but he is my baby now! I got up at 1 am to let him out and then couldn't go back to sleep so we watched a John Wayne movie together and then I went out and fixed him some food, and then we went back to sleep. The next thing I knew Jack was coming down the stairs with the light shining in my eyes from the hall. I couldn't go back to sleep while he was home so when he left I decided I would read the online paper, balance my checkbook and post then back to sleep I go for a couple hours.

Jean: My grandma used to take her leftover dough, roll it out put melted butter and cinnamon suger and make tiny pinwheels. They were as good as the pie! Oh, and thanks for the bar recipe. I did get it. I thought I had told you. DUH! Jack was telling me one of the electricians flew to Maui today I think. They were originally supposed to fly out yesterday but got bumped. They are using frequent flyer miles I guess. I was telling Jack how you and Bob have to go to get to Hawaii. His friend and his wife are flying straight to LA and then to Maui.

Susan: I keep forgetting to tell you the story about one of my water aerobics classes. It was when we lived in Indiana and my sister from California lived in Indiana at the same time and my older sister lives there of course. Well, the three of us decided to take a water aerobics class together. I had done it before and knew what it was like. My older sister is as round as she is tall (barely 5 foot) and my younger sister is quite tall and only about 25 lbs overweight. So we were three troublemakers for the woman. We cut up like nobody's business. We weren't trying to be a pain, we were just having incredible fun like jogging in a circle we would try to outrun each other and stuff like that. I have been to three different classes and loved everyone of them. I did dislocate my knee in one of them one time from an exercise, but thankfully I popped it back in. I really do love the water, which is unusual for someone my size. They usually shy away from swimsuits. I on the other hand just care about getting into a pool and swimming. I noticed they closed up the condo pool johnny quick this year. I imagine Kelly and Tom will close theirs in the next few weeks, but it is still really warm here during the day and we have gotten little rain. Eating out for me is one of those habit things I have to change like eating while reading or watching tv and that kind of thing. I have to learn to make good choices when I go out to eat. My problem is more finding restaurants where I don't always have to have the same thing or that there is nothing on the menu that is in anyway weight loss friendly and boy do we have those kind of restaurants here. I do try to get online with chain restaurants and see if I can find a meal ahead of time to eat.

Maggie: Looks like Bob and Will had the same idea. We were watching House Hunters the other day and Jack was talking about if he had a lot of money having a big yard, etc. I said no way unless we are rich and can hire someone. I told him if he remembered right every house we ever rented or military housing we lived in either Jay or I cut the grass and not him. I no longer have a teenager so that is OUT! lololol We can buy the 97% lean stuff at the commissary. It comes in those rolls either 1 or 3 lbs. I usually buy the 1 lb and come home and cut them in half and freeze them in ziplocs. It is perfect to make a couple burgers or whatever. Truth is, if you put it in prepared stuff like Hamburger Helper or with something like Manwich, it really doesn't take away from the food except for the calories. We don't really use the HH but I do like the Manwich. The sauce is very lowfat and WW friendly and when you use half the meat and ground sirloin with a wheat bun, a sloppy jo sandwich isn't too bad on pts. It doesn't lend itself to regular burgers all that much, but then Jack is a cheeseburger man so I use ff slices and it gives it a bit more richness.

I am not a reality show watcher, but I do listen to videos online and such sometimes. I saw that little 10 year old on America's Got Talent that sings opera and boy how amazing is that. Then there was the guy who dresses in like Louis the 14th stuff and sings opera and he is pretty amazing too. I don't think anyone will beat that little girl though he and the girl are pretty close in points from what I heard.

I saw a piece of an Oprah show online this morning with Naomi and Wynonna Judd on it. That mother is a piece of work. She lauds Ashley and how smart she is, how humanitarian, how proud she is then sits there and does her little southern belle act and viper tongue to trash Wynonna. The first time I saw her do that is when Wynonna went on with the three of them and discussed trying to lose weight. Her mother was all sugar and spice and butter couldn't melt in her mouth and then took jabs at her the whole show. She puts Ashley up on a pedestal and Wynonna in a garbage can. It is disgraceful and she is driving a wedge between the two sisters. I can see it plain as day. If it were me, I think I would say byebye to mama or stand up to her and tell her off. Maybe not on camera, but I sure would afterward. She does try, but Naomi acts like she doesn't even hear her. It was really sad.

Well girls, time for me to go. I hope you all have a great hump day! Faye

Good grief you are not going to believe this. I received my clothing today and what a mess. They shorted me one shirt, sent another one in the wrong color and sent a third on in the wrong color with the wrong picture on it! I even got an email from this woman the day after she shipped it stating what she had just mailed out to me and the list was correct. She must have packed it with her eyes closed or absolutely pays no attention to her staff and what they do. I am so fed up there is no way I will send the wrong shirts back. I will just have to wear them as is, but I want the other shirt. Unfortunately, this dingbat won't get it to me for weeks so now I have no shirt to wear with the turquoise capris I bought especially to go with the shirt! GRRRRRR!