I saw we were climibing up there so thought I would start a new thread. It is chilly here this morning but not really cold. I am not looking forward to heading north. They are expecting another round of snow for the whole time we are up there and below zero temps. I just don't have clothing for that kind of weather and am not about to go out and buy an expensive coat just to wear once. I won't have to be outdoors and it is a quick trip. We are taking towels and blankets with us for emergency in the car. When we are driving in unknown weather conditions like this I always make sure the car is outfitted just in case to keep us warm and such.

Jean: I finally heard from my sister last night. Her husband is being cremated so no graveside service. We will leave here Wednesday morning very early and come back Friday morning. Yes, my sister and son live about 10 miles apart sort of across town from each other. Jay lives in South Bend and she lives in a suburb more out in the country. We just can't afford a hotel for 5-7 days to stay and Jay doesn't have a place for us since Jackson is past babyhood and my sister doesn't either since her son lives with her now. My friend moved into a tiny place after her divorce and my other friend's mother lives with them so we have to do a hotel. Nowadays, you can't get a decent hotel for under $80 it seems. Ahh well. I think my sister was disappointed we weren't coming up for a longer time, but we just can't do it. Besides, I want to ask Kelly if she would keep Fortune and it is last moment so I don't want to impose on them for long. I buy a chuck roast/pot roast is what it says and have always had excellent tenderness and flavor. When I make a roast, I brown each side of the roast, then add two cans of ff beef broth and enough water to cover the roast about 1/3 to half way up the dutch oven and add my veggies on top. I put a lid on it and I bake it for 3 hours minimum and it is aways very yummy.

Maggie: I am a bit scatter brained right now so thanks for the recipe. Jack won't eat bean soup except pinto beans and they have to made with sugar and I think they are disgusting that way. I love navy bean soup but with Jack not eating it, I never make it.

Susan: As I said to Maggie, I apologize for not acknowledging you link. I appreciate it and when I have time want to look it over.

Look at this article. I just couldn't believe this guy lived, poor man.

http://www.aolnews.com/2011/02/05/bu...1_lnk2%7C41806

Jack and I are going to try and get the whole house cleaned in the next couple days and get things ready to go. I feel so rushed and hate that. I am a big planner and organizer so feel stressed when I don't feel in control so to speak and I sure don't at the moment.

You all have a nice day! Faye

Good Afternoon, Flowers! It has finally stopped snowing! We went to early church, and then stayed for coffee and birthday cake to celebrate a 90 year old lady's birthday. She has 3 daughters, none married, and all with great personalities. I've made a potato salad, read the papers, and scooped out Ernie's potty box. I need to keep working on a livingroom cupboard. Tomorrow I begin my "work" week. Amanda's grandma died this morning so will have either a funeral or a visitation sometime this week.
"Gma" -- The guy buried in snow is one lucky guy! I'm sure your trip north will work out just fine. I hope Kelly is able to keep Fortune for you. I fixed the roast on top of the stove (because my mom always did), but sometimes I do put them in the crockpot. This was a chuck roast so I thought it would be more tender than it was.

Hope you all are enjoying a relaxing nice weather day.

Jean -- from Iowa!

Good evening, ladies! A nice day in the 50s.

A boring day - after church I did laundry and cleaned out the refrigerator. I have a pot roast in the oven with potatoes, parsnips, and carrots.

Jean, I make my pot roast like Faye and I use Bottom Round Roast. It has little fat. Chuck roast has too much for me. I can't stand fat in meat and it costs 5 points for 3 ounces where the bottom round is 3 for 3. I haven't had potato salad since last summer. I think I'll make some this week.

Faye, I am sorry you are so stressed right now. You are always organized so I can imagine this is very upsetting. It's too bad you can't stay with someone. Will you get to see Jackson?

Hi, Maggie!

Have a good evening.

Good morning everyone. I am in the midst of getting the house cleaned, the clothing cleaned and packed and stuff ready to leave early Wednesday morning. My sister called yesterday and wanted us to come by and have dinner with them when we got into town, but I told her I had no clue what time that would be. We have no idea what the roads are going to be like as they still are snow covered in places and there is a lot of snow between here and SB. On top of that, they are expecting another round of heavy snow before we leave and even we are supposed to get snow so I didn't want them sitting and waiting on us. She is very disapointed about it as we won't spend much time up there and hardly any with her, but it can't be helped. We just can't afford to stay for a week right now.

Susan: Yes, we will get to see Jackson, but not for very long. We plan on going up there again in June for his birthday and spend some more time up there. I will get to see my best friend for a few minutes as she is coming to the viewing/memorial service. I talked to her for almost 2 hours yesterday. We have been friends for 44 years now and are more like sisters. She was an only child and we met on our first day in jr high in music class and have been best friends since then. We don't get to see a lot of each other and don't even talk all the time, but it is one of those close bonds where it doesn't matter how much time has passed.

Maggie: Sounds like you have good dinner plans. We are having spaghetti tonight and probably just sandwiches tomorrow night since I don't want a big clean up and we have to take Fortune to Kelly's and pack the car so we can head out before the rooster crows on Wednesday.

Jean: I am so sorry about Amanda's grandma. I know my sister is going to go three rounds with nursing home over them not paying attention to her husband being in distress. She is plenty mad about it and I can't say as I blame her. I have cooked a roast on top of the stove, except to just brown it. I really like putting it in the oven for one thing, I don't have to mess with it for 3 hours!

Well gals, I need to get back to work. Jack watched the Super Bowl upstairs last night so I sat here a bit ago and watched the commericals that aired during the Super Bowl on Utube. Boy, they need some new ad execs. Usually there are at least a couple hilarious ones, but most of them I found to be just stupid and moronic. A couple were cute enough for a giggle, but not much else. TTFN!!! Faye

Good afternoon, ladies! 54 degrees and sunshine but they are calling for rain and snow on Thursday!

I went to the Y this morning for water aerobics and silversneakers. This evening is Bible study and tomorrow is work.

Faye, be careful on those roads! I'm glad you get to see Jackson, if only for a short time.

Maggie, I'd love to have those potato salad recipes. Thanks for offering. I have stopped buying snack bars, cereal bars, chewy bars, etc. I just don't care much for them and they are expensive for the small amount you get.

Hi, Jean!

Have a great day!

Good morning to you ladies. It is 30 right now and supposed to stay in the 30's the rest of the week. It snowed heavily here yesterday morning, but warmed up to near 40 so it all melted by evening. We are supposed to get more snow tomorrow. We have had more day snow then we usually do in a season.

Kelly is coming with us so she will be spending the night as we are going to leave around 5 am. I told her she could wear her jammies in the car if she wished! She thinks we drive too slow (we drive 5 over the speed limit and no more) and it takes us too long, but I told her we are old so have to stop to go more often on top of the fact I take a hb diuretic which makes me go all the time. So, she is going to have to put up with us old folks!

Susan: I have started my all important "lists" so I am back on track being organized. I look forward to seeing Jackson. He should get part of his Valentine's gift today. He is now all into Ironman so I bought him some Ironman books and a removable sticker book. I don't want Alicia killing me when he puts stickers on his bedroom wall.

Jean: Sounds like you had a busy day at the church. Jack had to work outside on the pit hog yesterday and was cold and bushed when he came home. He says he can't wear the thin gloves and do his work so he has to work barehanded and he gets really cold. He was still chilled when we went to Target last night to finish our trip shopping. We have dual heat controls in the car, but I cranked them both up to 80 and turned the fan on full blast to try and warm the poor man up. I like that Dart Vader commercial too and I liked the Cars.com where the cars are talking about how they are listed for sale and their attributes and a couple walk past a big SUV and the woman says, "It has a big rear end," and the SUV says, "EXCUSE ME?"

Maggie: Glad you went down in size. It is always a nice surprise when that happens. They put Jack on a med called Dexilant for acid reflux and like an idiot I took it over to Walgreens to fill. They were supposed to call the dr and get authorization to fill, but they somehow screwed it up because I called to find out the price for the prescription and it was $100 for 30 pills. I told them no way was I paying that so Jack is going to have to go back and get her to write another prescription and a non formulary form so we can fill it through Express Scripts and not pay that much.

I will talk to you gals when I get back. Here's hoping we have good road conditions to travel in and can get there and back safely. I am not looking forward to all that snow though! Faye