Steel Magnolias -- #25

  • Good Morning, Flowers!
    I'm waiting for the coffee to be done so will check in with you. It's a nice sunny morning and no wind! I have a few errands to run and then it is back to the sorting and pitching. I got sidetracked yesterday so didn't get as much done as I would have liked.

    I'm off to take on the day. I hope you all have a terrific Tuesday!

    Jean -- from Iowa!
  • Good morning ladies! Hope all is well in your worlds!

    Our pool is closed until Saturday. Some little jerk went and threw the table top into the deep end of the pool so the health department has to come out and re-inspect etc. This happened a couple times last year. It could have been the little snot that bothered me a couple weeks ago as the vp of the association kicked his behind out of the pool area yesterday and I found out he doesn't even live here. I told her next time I see him I am going to call the cops and he heard us talking so he left but I would bet he came back and did it because he was mad. So, I had to go and walk in the heat and humidity today. Did about 1.3 or so miles. It was way too hot to walk any farther as all directions from the condo are uphill and there is no shade anywhere walking.

    Jean: My dgs is growing but not putting on lbs. He is a skinny little thing like his daddy and has the most translucent skin you have ever seen. Probably some of his Nonny's genes as I am pretty fair skinned. He got $50 from his uncle and aunt (my ds and ddil) and it was a check so he didn't exactly know what it was. When his mom told him it was money, he said, "Good, now I can buy things!" He is his grandmother's child that is for sure! When we hugged and kissed him at the theater when we left, he told his granddad, "You kiss too wet!" How old is Ian like 2 or 3?

    Maggie:Can't remember your last post except for food and drink. Like I said I don't like coffee at all so don't buy anything mocha or coffee flavored or what not. The only thing I ever liked that has coffee are cookies my grandmother made called coffee hermits. They were a spice cookie with walnuts in them and I loved them as a kid. Sure do miss them and don't have the recipe though I have one fairly close. Problem is, I don't even have a coffee pot let alone coffee to use!

    Well, I need to get a shower after walking.

    Faye
  • Good Evening, Flowers!
    I tried to get in here this afternoon and kept getting the "this page is not available" message.

    It was a beautiful day in my neighborhood -- 75°, sunny, and just a slight breeze. I ran errands, went to WW (NOT pretty which I already knew), and came home. I watered our flowers and the next door flowers, swatted those nasty little teeny gnats (?) that bite, and hurried back inside. Talked on the phone this evening and now it's time to head to bed. I never did get back to the sort and pitch project . . . that is the story of my life! I have to get at least one room done before DH gets home on Saturday or he will think I goofed off all week.

    "Gma" -- Sorry to hear about your pool vandalism. I'll bet you are right as to whom is responsible. Ian is only 19 months old -- he'll be 2 the end of November. He loves to jump in the pool (his other grandparents have a time share at the same lake where MIL lives) and now his parents are worrying that he might jump off the dock if no one is right there to catch him. I can't believe how much more he is talking when I hadn't seen him for 2 weeks. Madaline has taken her first steps -- they grow up much too fast. I think, no I'm sure, they are far more "grown up" that our kids were at the same age. What did Thomas pick out to buy with his check money? My kids always liked getting cash in the mail rather than a check -- I think having the money in hand made it more real or something.

    Hope you all have a wonderful Wednesday, Flowers!

    Jean -- from Iowa!
  • Good Afternoon, Flowers!
    I'm beginning to hear an echo in the flower patch! It has warmed up enough to turn the air on -- it's nice outside but feels sticky inside. I had my yearly eye exam this afternoon -- no changes, which is good. Have my physical next week and then I'm good for another year, I hope.

    I need to make a grocery list and head off for the store. I think I will keep the 4th "simple" -- grilled hamburgers and hot dogs with fresh fruit and a veggie tray. Hopefully everyone will bring different foods -- Beth requested home made ice cream so I need to dig out that recipe.

    Maggie -- Have you been working on your village? I've missed your posts!

    "Gma" -- I am wondering if you have left for "up north." Have a great time!

    Gloria -- Enjoy your holiday weekend away . . . I can't remember when you said you were leaving.

    Bubbles -- I hope you are having a nice vacation. Be sure to post when you get back!

    I need to keep moving! Have a fantastic Friday!

    Jean -- in Iowa!
  • Happy Fourth of July weekend!


    I don't know how much longer I can stay awake and it is only 8Pm here!!!!

    Been a very busy week. Yesterday was the reunion and it was spectacular!!!!! All the GKS told us it was AWESOME as they were leaving yesterday. That made it all worth while. DD #1 made up a "Millionaire" type quiz for all the married into's. In otherwords those that were not born into the family...questions were able to be answered if the couple were comunicative. It consisted of ancient family history ie.....What was Dad's father's middle name? Who was the person that had the most address changes since college? And funniest of all was what did every one wear on their heads at DD#3's wedding.....the answer was a napkin. I have no idea why this took place but it was very funny at the time and again yesterday we had another laugh.

    Food was aboundant and most is gone. They started coming about 10:30 AM and the last went home about 8:30PM. Today we joined the NC contingent (DS, DIL & 2 GKs, & DD#1 & her youngest son at the Cape Cod Canal for lunch and they we headed home to pack for our trip to the Cape tomorrow for 5 days. After packing we joined the group at DD#2's home and though she was still working at Mass Gen. Hospital SIL order in Pizzas from a locally renown, non chain, pizza joint. They have the best thin crust pizzas I have ever eaten. DS requested them as it has been four years since he was here for pizza.

    I think I will request that the next 2 days I be allowed to stay in bed til noon then not eat til 5PM then back to bed. Maybe by then I will be back to a normal human condition.

    Gloria in MA....my eyes are closing....so have a great weekend and enjoy!
    If your area is having fireworks I wish you clear skies.
  • Weigh Day
    GOOD EVENING MAGNOLIAS

    Well I got a good start for going down the road to thin today for the Iron Monster said I showed a loss of 1.2 pounds this first day of July. I am keeping my promise to myself not to squander the next 6 months of this year. Got to make every week count.

    Been working on my glass projects and haven't been on my computer much. It helps me to not eat in between meals also because I don't eat around glass or in my office/shop.

    FAYE how is that arm doing? Sure hope you are getting some comfort now and more easy sleep.

    GLORIA you sound like you certainly deserve some sleeping in time for sure. Sounds like you had a marvelous time which must be well worth it all.

    JEAN we are planning on keeping the 4th menu simple also. I might make my low point potato salad or at least through together some of that low point slaw.

    Friday is sneaking up on us ~ In fact I just looked at my clock and it is after Midnight thirty. I need to get some shut eye. I don't intend to stay up any longer than this post takes to finish.
  • Good Afternoon, Flowers!
    It is dark and dreary here as we got a much needed rain this afternoon. They are predicting rain showers and scattered thunderstorms throughout the weekend. I hope they happen at night after everyone is in bed so as not to spoil any celebrations.

    Gloria -- The quiz/game sounds like a fun one. I just watched a rerun of The Newlywed Game and just as I did the first time around years ago! It's always nice to have family get togethers when everyone has a good time. I can well imagine that your are tired though!

    Maggie -- Congrats on the loss! On my computer, your post says you were up at 2:39 AM -- you nightowl you!

    I need to keep moving. I've dragged everything out of a closet and I need to put it back together before DH gets home tomorrow!

    Have a relaxing weekend and enjoy!

    Jean -- from Iowa!
  • Friday
    GOOD AFTERNOON MAGNOLIAS

    I cut out a cute little house today and it is called a Mouse House. Lots of little details in it and I love doing glass. I don't have a favorite part either so I don't dread any of the sections I have to do. First I have to copy the pattern or draw my own and cut it out. Decide what glass to use and cut the glass. Then grind the edges and corners of all the little pieces so it doesn't cut the copper foil when I wrap the edges. Then comes the soldering and then using chemicals to make the copper either black or copper colered again and then the waxing and voilla it is done. Also I cut a little corner off the back of the building so I can insert a light and that leaves a place for the cord. I am planning on entering my village or part of it anyway in the fair this year which will be fun and interesting. I may be the only one in my category.

    JEAN my computer says my post was 12:39 which is the correct time I posted. Since I am on the left coast it shows me a different time than it does to those of you in the midwest or back east. Rain, wish we could have some. We are supposed to have beautiful weather over the weekend.

    Everyone be safe and have a wonderful time celebrating the 4th.
  • Good Evening, Flowers!
    I'm just popping in to say "hi" and check my email. I've been to the grocery store but realized I forgot a couple things so will go back into town to the "other" store. Usually I could send DH but he isn't home yet. He called from Sioux Falls which is 2 hours from here so he should be rolling in between 8:30 and 9:00.

    Maggie -- I would love to watch you make your glass buildings. Do you have a cat house to go with your mouse house? What makes it a mouse house anyway? Do my posts to you come through two hours earlier than I actually post? My computer says it is 6:11 right now.

    I need to keep moving -- have a salad to make and brownies to bake.

    Have a great 4th!

    Jean -- from Iowa!
  • Good Afternoon, Flowers!
    I'm waiting for DH to come home for lunch so will chat with you. It's a cool 63 degrees and windy today. The dark clouds rolled on through without leaving any rain drops this time.

    My kittens have disappeared. I'm not sure if the mother cats have moved them because of a critter in the night or maybe they are teaching them to hunt. I'm hoping the latter. They were the entertainment while they were here that's for sure.

    I've a date with the iron this afternoon since it is so cool. DH has a bunch of dress shirts that I've let go; he likes to wear the knit golf type shirts in the summer but every once in awhile has to do the shirt and tie routine. I don't mind ironing but prefer to do it when it is cool.

    Hope you are all having a good day. It's been too quiet here lately!

    Jean -- from Iowa!
  • Good Evening Magnolias

    Back from the Cape and although it rained on Monday, the rest of the time was great. The 4th was superb and so were the fireworks. Again, the barge was just off shore directly in front of our friends house. The throngs that crowded the beach were even bigger than previous years. There is a street leading to the beach to the right of the house and mobs of people were walking down it as, of course, there was no parking in the vacinity of the shore. After the local fireworks we watched the Boston Pops and the Boston fireworks on TV....I think I am fireworked out for the year. DH & I got to the water twice and it was quite warm. I usually take forever to get fully wet but it was great this year. Tried not to get too much sun...lots of sunscreen.

    My friend is still as active as ever but she has to have her bloods drawn everty other week and is taking a lot of meds. She is now on the fourth year since her cancer and it is looking good.

    Been doing laundry and getting the house back to some kind of order after the 9 GKs went through it last week.

    DS and family got back to NC safe and sound and are planing a Disneyworld vacation the week before Thanksgiving 2005. We may join them....it has been about 6 years since we were last there.

    Gloria in MA....answering the call of the dryer.
  • Good Evening, Flowers!
    It is a cool 59 degrees in my corner of the world tonight. The windchill is 55 -- that sounds so weird for July! I've been to the dentist in June, had my eyes checked last week, and went for my yearly physical this morning. Now to have a mammogram in a couple weeks and a blood panel in August and I will be good to go for another year.

    I had a loss of 4.4# at weigh in last night. I guess the physical motivated me to get in gear again. The doctor's scale was 2# heavier than the WW one so I was a bit bummed about that. DH and I walked tonight and I could tell it has been a long time.

    Gloria -- I'm glad you had a nice 4th and a good visit with your friend. It always seems to take me a few days to regroup after having company or being gone. Must be my age!

    Guess I will catch the weather on TV and see what to expect for the upcoming weekend.

    Have a terrific Thursday tomorrow!

    Jean -- from Iowa!
  • Weigh Day Report
    GOOD EVENING MAGNOLIAS

    Actually it is after 12 midnight 20 minutes and yes JEAN your posts do show up 2 hours before you actually post them. I showed a 0.4 gain this day and so I tweeked my program a bit. I went back to eating the number of points WW has set for my weight but using the Wendie plan and showed a loss two weeks and this tiny bit of a gain. I don't want to show any gains so have gone down a couple of notches. I am hoping I don't have to hit the bottom of the ranges this time to lose. It is getting very hard to do those 18 point days but if I have to I will.

    I got the results of my bloodwork back with EXCELLENT written across it by my doc. And when I did show up for my mam-gram they didn't have the films up here from my previous one down south and so haven't called me for a new appointment yet. I can't imagine why they don't have them for they sent the request in over a month ago. I don't care if they never call me. I HATE those things. I think they just have to be causing damage. My boobs were not ment to be flattened like pancakes. I find that method quite barbaric.

    Hope everyone is doing well. I am keeping quite busy building little houses. I am going to install lighting inside these and put them up for sale.
  • I am still here! We got back Monday evening and I have tried to get everything done since then and keep up my thread besides. I usually clean house, wash sheets etc before going and grocery shop and didn't do any of it so had all the mess from the trip and all that other stuff besides. WHEW! Finished it all up yesterday afternoon.

    As to my injuries. The arm aches on and off but will probably have to live with that and possible the knee thing too. Nothing from the lawyer so I am guessing the restaurant's insurer is dragging their feet. At this point, I just don't want to have to deal with it anymore.

    Sounds like everyone had an enjoyable time over the holiday as did we but we ate like pigs so the lbs are back on. I also only got in one day of exercise and that didn't help but I have been back at the pool the last two days (HAD to fit that in somewhere)

    It is scorching hot here and it is only going to get worse. The good thing is it warms up the pool nicely, bad thing is I don't go out in it hardly at all. It is too miserable to be out and about when you don't need to be.

    You ladies have a great day today!

    Faye
  • Good Morning, Flowers, and Happy Friday!
    It is pouring rain in my corner of the world this morning. We really don't need it right now -- many farmers have given up replanting their wet spots because it hasn't dried out enough from the last rains we've had.

    I'm online to check out DQ points from Dotti's -- we ate chicken salads there last night. I know the dressing will be high but they were so good and especially so since I didn't have to make them!

    Maggie -- You will have the .4 gain gone along with some friends by next weigh in! I don't think I could do 18 points unless I was sick ! I am hoping my glucose #s will be within the acceptable range as they have bounced around the last couple of years. The "powers-to-be" have lowered that # also and the doctor said the bp #s are being pushed down to reach 120/75 - 80 at the most, which will be a challenge for many people. Our hospital got a new mammogram machine last year and at the time it was the only one in Iowa. It is hooked to a computer and the images can be sent on to a specialist or new location. I really don't mind them but have heard others complain about them.

    "Gma" -- Glad to see that you are home once again. It always seems to take me a few days to regroup after being gone. We have a couple lawyers here that "go for the max" in personal injury cases. It is common knowledge that they fight dirty and they usually win their cases. It's too bad you don't have one working on your case; I can't imagine living with the pain and run-arounds that you have had to deal with since your fall.

    Not much is new or exciting from here. I need to get dressed and get busy. July will be gone and I will still be sorting and pitching!

    Have a good day!

    Jean -- from Iowa!