Hi all!!

Sorry I haven't been posting lately....just so much going on, I haven't enen had time to check my email.

Had the big "60" on Friday...my was that a trauma. If the next 10 years go by a quickly as the last 10...oh dear. I guess though it is only a number and really depends on ones state of mind.

The weather here has been really dreary and windy, windy, windy. So much for the first day of spring. I am so envious of anyone that has flowers already. Relatives in Seattle called bragged about all the blooming flowers....must be nice.
Our winter was very unusual not all that cold, but long and it seems that many of the pine trees and cedars have really suffered. We have 3 or 4 in our yard that are looking pretty grim. I certainly hope they can come back only time will tell.

Sheila I envy your weather and flowers !!
I am also on HB meds and hope I can get off of them when this darn weight comes off. I just can't seem to get motivated enough.

Bluet I understand the problems you have to deal with at work, DH has the same difficulties. There are too many bosses is positions they shouldn't be in!
Good luck with your cleanup. I have been trying to get to closets and drawers for the past few months without much success. I guess I will have to resort to my working days and prepare an action plan the get things done. I want to downsize and get rid of everything we don't really use or need. The day will come when we want a smaller home or apt. and it will mean a much easier transition.
Good luck with your cleaning.

Puss I so relate to your DM woes as my MIL constantly weeps and wails about all her aches and pains. She is 87, sharp as a tack but thinks she should have the body of a 30 year old. She runs to the dr. continuously, exists on pills and won't move to assisted living, but complains how lonely she is....oh the joys.

Charlotte try your best to keep your stress level down....I understand what it can do to RA. Trust that everything will work out fine with your son and his problems and I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

SunnyD, I was watching a program on the health channel this morning and according to them you definitely lost fat weight and gained muscle weight when you lost inches...
way to go. I have an apt. at Curves on Tuesday morning so as they say ...that will be "The first day of the rest of my life!!"

Well guess I had better get going....sounds like the washing machine has finished it last cycle.

Have a good day!!

Jacquie

Thank you all for your words of encouragement, & prayers. Our son is still drug-free. The settlement IS enough to get us going again....& we have to get it started. For son to have daughters here, the house has to be livable & a room of their own.

Sheila...it was HIS idea to quit before even moving in with us. If not, we would have made it a condition. He just had enough of the mess around his little girls. Only thing, they are so young (2 & 5) that their mother may get custody & will still be around drugs. He is really fighting it, though. It keeps me nervous, I'm afraid something terrible will happen. I had a 23 yr old nephew to be beat to death a few years ago....so, I have this to think about. This bunch her brother hangs around likes to shoot guns too much. I know I'm making this sound awful..but, it IS! We aren't used to this kind of thing....& don't know what to expect from day to day.
Spring came in beautiful here too. Only now it's cold again!

Jacquie...thanks for your thoughts & prayers. I'm trying to keep stress down...but, as you just read, it's not easy. We also have two daughters with medical problems. Last week our daughter in South Alabama (5 hr drive) told us about a mole on her breast that is growing rapidly & turning colors. She's having the mole removed April the 6th & sent off. Our daughter in Oklahoma (her husband was the one in Iraq) had a pap smear to come back high grade positive. This is the 4th time in 4 yrs. Last year they did a procedure that was very painful (she passed out) & said it was 99% cure. But, it's back & the Dr is very concerned. She is trying to get him to do a hysterectomy to hopefully take care of it. She is 12 hrs away. I'm going to try to be with both daughters. Gotta work around my Remicade treatments.

Sunny...You're doing a great job of losing weight! YOU GO GIRL!!

Fatpuss....remember all the names of the future Drs in your house. For future reference! I'm sure they'll be fine. Probably are more competent than some of the quacks I've been to in the past.
Poor thing with your mother following you by phone! At least it was short & sweet.....THIS TIME! Take care of yourself.

Bluet...I miss the happiness in the post, too. I miss being happy....period. I will be again, I'm sure. As far as why we're in Iraq....my son-in-law says there's a lot the news media isn't allowed to tell...or maybe doesn't even know. If it was just for the Iraqie people, we may come home. But, Al Quada hates us. If our soldiers weren't over THERE...they would be coming over HERE. There would be more terrorist attacks, such as the towers.There's still a lot to be settled. It must be a terrible life to live with such hate.

Well....long day....short time to prepare. Everyone take care. I'll be back when I can. Again, thanks for the prayers.

Jacquie, happy birthday! It's good to see you post. I hope your birthday wasn't too big a trauma. Remember, you're not getting older, you're getting better like fine wine and good cheese. (Hhmm, I'd like some fine wine right about now!) Remind your Seattle relatives what it looks like here in November when they get to talking about how gorgeous it is now! The rain really does keep things green, though. And, yes, it's absolutely wonderful here right now. I'm looking out at my forsythia, magnolia, phlox, heather, daffodils and other stuff all blooming away. It really does lift the spirits. I hope spring comes soon for you.

Charlotte, I'm so glad your son is getting his act together, and I hope he can get custody of the girls. I know I'm praying that everything will work out for him. And I'm so glad that you get to start working on your house now. Be sure and make some time just for you to relax and thing stress-free thoughts.

Well, my daughter and her fiance have set a date--they're getting married on November 13, which is 7 months sooner than originally planned. I quickly booked the place for the ceremony and reception, and I hope they'll like it. They still haven't gotten the information on it yet. I have to go in and order her dress on Saturday. Would somebody please tell me how you choose a florist and a photographer and someone to print invitations? I have no idea where to start! Also, I have to figure out a way to get my son and granddaughter here. I wish the airlines would let them fly, but my GD needs oxygen and it's a problem. My granddaughter will be the flowergirl, although we have to figure out a way to have the petals released from the stroller since she doesn't walk and can't throw the petals. But, that's just one of many things that we need to figure out!

My DH and I were roaming around looking at houses on Sunday morning after taking the dog to the vet for a recheck (has to go back on antibiotics--her kidney function levels are up only slightly). One house was up a steep little road, and I told my DH not to go up, but he wanted to anyway. Then when we started back down, I said please don't fall off the hill (sometimes I sound like Hyacinth Bucket). He started to get smart and said, I won't fall off the hill, and I won't hit the side, and I won't hit this car. . .and, bam, he backed into the bannister of some steps up to the property. Made a nice dent in the middle of the trunk of our new car. Ah, well, I guess it had to happen sometime. Boy, was he upset with himself, though. My son looked at the car and said it was probably going to be about $500, which is our deductible. So that was an expensive little trip.

Hope everyone had a pleasant Monday! It was alternately rainy and sunny here.

Happy birthday Jacquie, Sheila is right, a fine wine is what you are becoming. Age is just a number anyway, some kids are older and more staid in their heads at 30 than some 80 year olds. I have an idea, lets lock your MIL and my DM in a house together for a month........ She rang me at work yesterday, mad as **** at the doctor's receptionists, droned on about all the ailments again and ended up about some dog which came into her garden!!
Angel - fantastic news that your DS has made such a good start. Let's hope that when the temptations start he remembers the violence in his wife's family. You have your hands full with worry right now, with DDs health issues too. It's difficult trying to be with two people at one period but the US is so vast it must be harder. Please try to look after yourself during this time.
Sheila - Yaay, you got a date to work to! Just don't make the same mistake we did 30 years ago with invitations, we ordered one for every guest forgetting majority were married couples and ended up with a box of 30 left over! It's a shame the airlines can't take little cutie with her oxygen but able to scatter petals or not, she will be a scene stealer for sure, gorgeous little doll. The dent in the car is a drag but we have all done it - me with a brand new BMW when kids were little and not a drain on my wages. DH was abroad so I got the garage to do it quickly and paid cash so it wasn't traceable. Not that DH would have been mad, I couldn't bear the taunts and laughs of winging a week old car on a gatepost. Talking of cars, we had an expensive weekend. We were to view a red Honda on Sunday for DD but ended up buying a silver Honda for DD (she loves silver like her old one) then buying the red one for DS. Both cars are only 3 years old and have more gadgets than mine. Kids thrilled to bits and very guilty but like I told them, it's only a little on account of what they will inherit when we pop our clogs and they sell the house etc. DD coming down at the weekend to collect hers and DSs will be ready the Easter weekend. Neighbours will think we have a dealership with 4 Hondas in the family. Thing is, it has been more expensive trying to maintain their old wrecks with garage repairs and they need transport with travelling to different hospitals for training etc.
I had another nice card from aerobics urging me to return to classes....zzzzzzzz hope when DH goes away (Holland Thursday, Middle East for 12 days on Friday) that I can get back on track.
Bluet and SUnnyD and Willow, hope you are all well.

Yayyyyy Sunny!! You're breaking through those barriers!! Sooo happy for you!

Sheila....glad you had a date, now....but, need to really get to work. You've got a lot of it done. The invitations....go through the yellow pages, & look for bridal accessories. Check around for the best deals. Also, with the florists. You have to be really careful about the photographer. Make sure you check them out, or you could get taken. All of my friends & aquantances use people outside of photo shops that take photos often. There are a lot of talented people who don't do it professionally....that are great! They take the pics, & you buy the album & fix it. Saves money! Just pay the photo person what they require. If you go professional....could cost a bundle!
About your granddaughter with the pedals. What about something like a bubble blowing machine? In fact, I was at a wedding where bubbles were used instead of pedals. It was beautiful!! You can get a small generator for the chair. Or, if you want pedals....a small fan in back of the basket of pedals. You can get fans run by battery.

Fatpuss....so kind of you to help the kids out with cars! I just hope you don't "pop your clogs" any way soon!! I've got a crack in my windshield now. Have no idea when it happened. But, we hate it like that. So, soon as we can....it's fixed.

Hello Jacquie & Bluet & Willow....WILLOW....where are you??????

Hello,

This computer is acting up again, so I hope it doesn't time out on me again. Friday evening, I started a message and stayed later at work to finish, just as I was sending it to you one of the Engineers in the Engineering Department shut down the internet and I lost entire message. Saturday at home grandson came in and started banging on keys and I lost another message to you. Too many men in my life, I am guessing.

Well, ladies I spent 12 hours on Saturday organizing and throwing away and now have the dreaded storage room in pretty good shape. Sunday afternoon I finished up with a few odds and ends and then vacuumed the whole upstairs. What a relief. Now my living room is full of things to put on a garage sale, or as they say in England a Boot Sale, I got that from The Life's Laundry program on BBC America. I just hope the kids never come back and ask where this or that is, because it is going to be gone.

Happy Birthday Jacquie, I hope the weather is as nice in Canada today as it is here. There is hardly any wind and the sun is out a really gorgeous day.

Sunny, congratulations!!!!!! What an accomplishment to get to onederland. Keep on trucking girl. After all your hard work you deserve only the best!

Charlotte, good to see you posting again. Have you been able to get to the radio station, you know how you love being there. That should cheer you up some. I am so glad that you are finally able to make some progress on your home repairs. I know exactly what it is like living in a home while you are trying to remodel or repair. I have done it enough times with our house. Disorganization and clutter and plaster dust make me vey cranky, not that your house is like that, but I have lived through many remodels enough to know that it is not one of my favorite times.

Shiela, Well, you have the biggy behind you, picking the date and getting the wedding site lined up. Everything else should fall in line for you now. Charlotte gave you very good advice, I must say. I did that very thing to DH's new truck. His truck has a chrome bumper on the back and he had just had it replaced. We were staying at a motel in Stevens Point getting ready for 3rd DD's wedding. I decided I was going to go over to DD's house to see how she was doing the day before the wedding and I backed DH's truck into the bumper of a little red Grand Am. I didn't hurt the Grand Am, but put a nice dent in DH's new chrome bumper. I felt so bad,and DH was standing in the parking lot to boot, he had just started to walk away when he heard a loud bump. So we have all done something like that a time or two.

Puss, I was afraid we wouldn't be able to talk to you for a few days, with all those lads staying at your house throwing compliments your way and turning your head. But you seemed to handle it o.k. Two cars in one weekend what some major money spending and decision making for you and DH. Gosh, I don't miss those days, well sometimes I do, the having the kids around all the time part, but not the money spending part. So what are you saying, you still don't like excercise? Don't blame you, it is a little like ironing for me. This morning I could feel I was getting a little depressed again and feeling over-whelmed, hopefully if I recognize it when it starts I can do something about it. I think it has a lot to do with work, The extra work I have taken on never allows me to get caught up and I continue to feel overwhelmed with the extra burden. Oh well, we will see how things go.

Take care everyone, enjoy your day!

Bluet

SunnyD, congratulations!! How wonderful! That's such exciting news to have broken that 200 barrier. I'm just so thrilled for you. And I'm so glad your Dad made it through the heart cath okay. That must have been very scary. My GD had one done when she was 18 mos. old--quite frightening for everyone.

Bluet, sounds like you had quite the weekend. Now you can make the big bucks!

Charlotte, thanks for the advice about the photographer. I'm definitely going to use my BIL at the reception. I'll have to get recommendations for quality, yet budget conscious, photographers. I've been looking online and, man, photographs can run a bundle. Good idea about the bubbles, too.

Puss, wow, did you have quite the expensive weekend! You must be big Honda fans. We used to have one, and bought my DD one that my DS now has. Great cars.

I'm so bummed--my best friend has already made reservations for six weeks in Hawaii (where she is right now!) from Oct. 19 to Dec. 1 so she won't be coming to my daughter's wedding. I can't believe I have to do this without her. She said she feels guilty--I say GOOD!

Hope everyone had a good Tuesday!

SunnyD - well done, brilliant news about your loss and puts you into a different zone now! That must give you good incentive, eh? We are all very proud of you. Glad all went well with your DDs angiogram, my DH has had a few and they are scarey.
Angel - that was good advice re the photographer - I saw one on Judge Judy getting sued ha ha. Do you have to have yearly roadworthy tests once a car gets to 3 years old in the US? We do here and one of the things you get failed on (and you need the cert to get insurance and road tax) is a crack (or big bubble) in the windscreen. That was yet another thing wrong with DSs old wreck which would have needed doing.
Bluet - Have you seen Flog It or Cash in the Attic from the UK? It's another get rid of your old stuff and make space and cash programme. Flog it is good because they go to auction rooms. I like Life Laundry too. If work situation starts pulling you down with a little depression try to remember you can only do so much and if you broke a leg (heaven forbid) it will probably be still there waiting when you get back to it and no great catastrophe occurred whilst it was unattended or done much much later by someone else. Life is too short to worry about the dross in life - your God put you on earth for better things, eh?
Speaking of which, thank you so much for your prayers for my dear friend who had the biopsy - she has been told the growth in her lung is 99% certain it's sarcoidosis (or something like that). This is a virus thing usually attacking skin and her brother had it years ago and it can be treated as it is nothing malignant. She still has to see what is on her overies at another hospital but hopefully that will be a cyst or something minor. I hope so because she is a lovely person. She is waiting for the final 1& of tests to come back but I am sure the doctor would not tell her at this stage 99% if there was a chance it was not.
Off to work now, my line manager is leaving on a transfer up north and we in her team are having lunch at a posh river side resaurant near our office (our office backs onto the river Thames). She comes from my home town so I am a little jealous she is leaving the south, ha ha. We did the same at Xmas and she had the mussels for starters, had to force myself not to gag watching someone eat those, ug! She is still half on the Atkins diet and so is another one of the girls in the group so I will have to have some squishy creamy carb-laden goo for dessert just to remind them of how good life can be off the Atkins, ha ha.

Sheila - how could I forget you!!!! The bit about the photographer was meant for you, so sorry. I was thinking of your little beauty and wondered if she could be a ring bearer if the petals/bubbles are not an option. Do you have that in the US? She and the bride will steal the show whatever she does, the little cutie. How is the marvellous mutt doing? I really feel for you and was thinking of you as I got out of the car in the drive yesterday evening. I swore I could hear Alfie miowing on the other side of the front door waiting for me to come in. Whether it was a distant cat or a bird I don't know but it was just like him for a couple of seconds and I thought of what you have to come (again). This even though he was put to sleep mid November, I am wondering how long it goes on these little things that trick the mind.

Hi everyone...

Fatpuss....I don't think the tricks of the mind ever stop. They die, but our love for them doesn't....so, they're constantly in our mind. May be afar some days, but there. Sorry you're still missing Alfie, so much. I've thought of mentioning sometimes, but didn't want to hurt you.
Cracked windshield here only means you have a very ugly windshield! I supposed it should be against the law, especially if it hinders sight. Mine doesn't....but, is getting ugly.
So glad to hear of your friend's results. I'm sure all will be ok. I know how the scare can be. I'll be so glad when we have our daughter's taken care of, & the Drs say they're ok.

Sheila....hope I was able to help you with the wedding ideas. You know, if it's outside those bubbles would float into the air, etc., & be beautiful! That's what my friend's wedding was suppose to be like,but it rained. But, she had it at the tv station, & the bubbles came down the staircase ahead & behind her....beautiful! They make good pics, also. Oh, don't forget to have a friend, or relative videotape the wedding & reception. Sorry about your friend. If I could be there, I'd love to help!

Bluet....I know what you mean about the post disappearing....bless your heart. I've had it to happen here. I'd hit the submit button....& all would just disappear! I'd go pout for a day or two, then try again. Don't know why it only happens on long posts!
Oh...believe me, there is clutter, & plaster dust, & DUST dust!!!! Remember, we had a fire....had to gut it out....saws going continually. I'm having a hard time keeping clothes covered & clean...also, food. We really shouldn't be living in it right now...but can't pay for two places.

Hope all have a good day.....

Hello,

Shiela, yeah, what money, I know you are kidding. All that work and have to charge so little for items on the garage sale. I would take it all to Goodwill, Salvation Army or St Vincent DePaul, but it is still some pretty nice stuff. Pictures and shelves and sconces that I ordered from the Interior Decorating parties that were all the rage for awhile. Now home decorating is so plain, no clutter. I like that style I hope it lasts for awhile. I keep looking out the windows at home in the morning at the flower gardens. I am not sure what I am looking for. Perhaps that first tulip, daffodile or perennial, but it is too soon here. Tomorrow we are suppose to get some rain, not snow, rain is nice it washes away all that winter dirt. Charlotte's right, too bad we don't all live near you, you would have so much help with DD's wedding you would probably run the other way. I did all of 3rd DD's decorations for her wedding, I worked on it for a year. It had an arch done in flowers and shear white material and white lights and lots of angels with flower arrangements and ivy and white lights and square terra cotta pots whitewashed white with clear blue stones inside and ivy flowing over the sides with a candle for centerpieces. I fashioned her reception after an English Garden Tea Party. Well, after the wedding, I thought, now what am I going to do with all this stuff? I ended up selling it to two girls who were having their weddings this last year. I used to eat way too much sugar, I am thinking.

Charlotte, everytime we think of remodeling again, we have second thoughts. We are older and more experienced now and we weigh the choices, do we want to deal with the mess or do we want our peace of mind. I really feel for you, you have no choice. But, think how nice it will be when it is all done. I hope you get answers from your daughters soon. I know how that can weigh on your mind. All during the day, it keeps coming back to you and you think about it again. It would be good to get it over with, with positive results, I might add.

Puss, I can really tell you were very close to Alfie, I am sorry those feelings keep coming back to you. Did I ever tell you about DH's farm cats? The cats are always odd ball looking things that either have been born here or just show up at the barn door looking for something to eat. DH always gives them some sort of silly name to go along with their characters. For instance, one cat has long shaggy hair, well the poor thing can't seem to do a thing with it, it sticks out all over him. His name is Fuzzwagon. Another of his favorite cats a lovely orange and white boy got into the silo elevator last summer and lost a paw, his name is Stubby. Anyway Stubby went missing about a month ago and DH must really like him because he mentioned it to me. The other morning Stubby showed up in the barn again, and Dh was most happy. He especially likes the ones that are good mouse patrolers. Well, enough of that nonesense. I don't believe the two programs you mentioned are on BBC America, I have not seen them, and I watch a lot of stuff on BBC America.

Willow, if you are out there somewhere, we miss your posts. Hope all is well with you and your family.

SunnyD and Jacquie, have an ultra great Wednesday!

Survivor is on tonigh!

Bluet

Hi all!

Just a quick note to let you know I am still here....just very busy.
I don't even have time to read all of your posts but will do so tomorrow morning.
DS and his wife went away for a couple days and we are looking after the GD's at their house. The oldest is in school during the day but the 1 year old sure is busy!!!

Be back soon!
Have a great day!

Jacquie

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