Good afternoon, ladies. It's only 32 degrees right now and we are supposed to get an inch of snow during the night but 40 degrees tomorrow so it won't last long.

Faye, be safe in your travels! I suppose Thomas is caring for Fortune.

Jean, sorry you have to go to SC for such a sad reason.

Maggie, I don't know what I want to do today, either. I went to the Y this morning after my doctor's appointment. Had water aerobics, weight machines, and treadmill. I feel so full of energy! You know Beanie had to work really hard to get onto the bed! Cupid wanted me up by 6 am and if I wasn't, he'd pat my face with his paw. He was such a creature of habit and if his meals weren't on time, he wouldn't eat them later.

Have a great day!

Good Evening, Flowers! It's been another long cold day in my corner of the world. Coming home tonight the car said it was -9. I think my weather bug died because he says it is 73 degrees! I worked in the church office this morning and had to be there at 7:30 to let the furnace repair guys in. They didn't show up until 7:45. GRR! I went to lunch bunch at noon, came home and did a load of laundry, then headed for Sioux City. We were early so stopped at KMart so I could use the restroom and Bob bought a bottle of water before heading to the funeral home. Took the kids out for supper and headed back home again. Tomorrow is all day at the church office and funeral #1. Friday is funeral #2 and I'm hoping we can close the office so I can go with Bob. Funeral #3 is Saturday and the kids will be here so we won't go to that one.

Maggie -- I wish you lived here so you could provide "take out meals" for us! Your menu ideas always sound good. Do you have enough room on your bed or two dogs?

Susan -- We are supposed to hit 40 degrees this weekend. That's hard to believe with so many days below 0 the last few days. The sun has been shining so that does help alot. We didn't spend a long time at the funeral home. The family is quite large -- 8 children and spouses, 16 grandchildren and most have spouses, and I don't know how many "greats." Grandma was more than ready to meet Grandpa once again and had lived a very full life for 89 years. Congrats on another day of exercise! Did you get a new instructor yet?

I need to pick up the newspapers and paper clutter then head for bed. Have a terrific Thursday tomorrow!

Jean -- from Iowa!

Good morning, ladies! A brisk 33 degrees this morning, but it'll be in the 60s by Sunday and all next week. We did get about an inch of snow yesterday but it was all gone by noon.

I haven't done anything exciting - just work.

Maggie, I'm in the water for more than an hour during water aerobics so my fingers do prune. I didn't go this morning because they have water zumba in our time slot and it just tires me so much and I have to be at work at 1 pm today. Thank goodness we'll have our regular classes back with a permanent teacher March 1. I guess they realized that they are a lot of upset seniors in our classes ... and we have more to donate than the younger ones.

Jean, I think you work as much now as when you had a paying job! I always tell my friends you are busier when you retire than when you were working. I hope things go well for your winter festival this weekend. Won't be long until we change those clocks ahead!

Have a great day!

Good afternoon, ladies. 50 degrees and sunshine. The geese work me up this morning. I think they were greeting some of their friends because there are more of them now. LOL

I went to WW - down just .2. This last little bit is taking forever but it is going down. I'm just about due for 2 pounds or so, I hope.

I'm making Faye's chili for dinner. I like having leftovers of that. Sometimes I use it to make chili mac or put some over a baked potato for lunch. I'm making Maggie's bean soup tomorrow. I was going to make it earlier this week but just never got around to it. I have my beans soaking now.

Jean, I agree with you on the day light savings time. It's just dumb. I say turn the clocks 30 minutes and leave them there permanently.

Maggie, I'd like the onion jam recipe. I love your recipes.

I have a load of laundry to get out of the dryer, and then I'm going to quilt.

Enjoy your day!

Evening ladies. Quick post to let everyone know we got home safe and sound about an hour ago. I perused the postings but will talk to you all tomorrow.

Manuel was cremated so they had a memorial then a service. It was done beautifully and I actually saw several people I haven't seen in years including her first husband's sister in law and niece.(My sister's first husband committed suicide when her kids were young teens.) She held up really well and her son in law put together a wonderful vid of Manuel from babyhood on.

My grandson is a real peach and so very funny. We had a delightful time visiting with them too even though the trip was short. We did extend it one day though. I had Amazon ship him his little books and sticker book for Valentine's Day then had Popcorn Factory send some goodies, which will be delivered on Monday. I had told him that he had another surprise coming from Nonny for Valentine's Day and when we showed up this morning to tell them goodbye, I barely got in the door before he said, "Nonny do you have my box?" I told him no that it would come after he got home from school on Monday. He is really growing tall and thinning out and talks a blue streak now and everything he gestures with his hands.

Jack went out to get us a bite to eat from Olive Garden as I have nothing to even make a sandwich out of tonight. He should be home in a second so I need to get off and set up some tray tables so we can eat.

Talk to you all in the morning. Faye

Good morning all! I am up to my ears in laundry and stuff to put away so got in here kind of late this morning. I also had to wash sheets since Kelly stayed with us and it was time for our bed sheets so lots and lots of laundry.

Jack has dr stuff going on next week. On Tuesday he has his cardiology appt, which is his semi yearly thing then on Thursday he has his esophogram to find out what is going on there. On Monday next he has an appt to do his colonoscopy, but it must be a consult first as they sent no info or prescription for elimination before the procedure so we shall see. I told him he better change the appt and get a referral for this dr so there are no problems. They have royally screwed up the meds so he isn't taking them right now. Our prescription won't allow this medication right away you have to start with a generic. If no generic, then the dr has to indicate this is a medical necessity. Jack is all irritated about it so is refusing to do anything until he sees her again, which is in 3 months so we shall see after his gi thingy what happens. Maybe she will want to see him sooner.

Jean: I can't even describe to you how much snow they had up there and dang if it didn't snow again while we were there, the day before we left actually. It was seriously cold too. Most days below zero wind chill and I was not equipped for that at all. I was thrilled to get out of town and into 50 degree weather again. Jay's street had so much snow that when two cars parked across from each other, you couldn't get down the street. Jack had to back up to the next cross street to get out. Ugh, it was just awful.

The funeral home where the service was held also does weddings and wedding receptions. Have you ever heard of such a thing? It was really a lovely place, but it is very expensive I hear. They have this huge beautiful kitchen just as you walk in and the bathrooms rival ones in high end hotels.

I am trying to find us a hotel for June. We plan on going to Indiana for Jackson's birthday. He was telling us all about his birthday party this year. He was first having a batman party, then avengers, then superheros. He told me at dinner he wanted us all to dress in a costume so he wants granddad in the green goblin, which is a bad guy, but I can't remember who he wanted me to come as. I do remember it was a woman and it was a "good guy." He was getting sick while we were there so I imagine it is in full swing by now. He was coughing and when we left he had a runny nose and a bit of a fever, but that didn't stop him from running all over the place. He is one wild child that is for sure.

My other grandson is being inducted into the beta club on Friday and I am looking forward to going to that. I am so very proud of him. It is basically like National Honor's Society, which is what we had in high school. He will be able to take this with him through middle school next year right into high school. He is also president of the student council this year. When we were in Indiana Kelly was telling us that at the moment, Thomas wants to be a pilot. She said one of the schools they were thinking about for college was Notre Dame and his granddad almost died. Jack absolutely, positively hates ND! He said he would have to win the lottery so he could pay for him to go somewhere, anywhere else! It was pretty funny.

Well gals, I need to get going. I have so much to do to get the house back in order today. Have a lovely day. Faye