[QuilterInVA]

Good morning - only 52 here this morning so I am freezing. I'm always cold by nature.

Quilting tonight, so I'm excited to get out for 2 hours with my friends. I've got to get busy and finish my Christmas quilts that are gifts - wow time is running out!

We'll be having a quiet Thanksgiving at home...and I'm not cooking a huge feast just a little fancier than usual and I'll make Stan a pumpkin pie. I'm just so happy to be having 5 days off that's enough for me. You couldn't get me to go shopping on Black Friday for any amount of money. I hate crowds. Haven't been in a shopping mall for 2 years.

Have a great day!

[GailR]

Hi everyone!

DH had last night off from work and we went to dinner at Ruby Tuesday--got my usual and he got his usual which is Carolina Chicken Salad for myself and he ordered his All American Burger w/Fries. Afterwards we stopped over at my youngest daughter's house and visited with her and her husband and the grandkids for awhile. The kids were really wound up! It was a fun evening.

Today (are y'all ready for this?) I went to...WORK! Yes, I did. I'm not sure if I told y'all that even though I'm retired I can go into work (set my own hours) pretty much whenever I feel like helping them out (of course they are paying me). I had been in the house for the last two days (except for last night) because of foul weather so when I got a phone call asking me if I wanted to come in and do some ultra-nonstressful work, I said I'd be there (I also have a free parking permit). It was actually fun working today. Of course I don't have any stress at all--no deadlines at all and I could leave whenever I wanted to...and I did at 3:30pm. I may work one day next week--Tuesday again. I like going in whenever I feel like it and they do have a lot of work to do.

Maggie, thanks for the recipe card--I received that today. I'll give it a try and let you know what I think of it. DH and I used to have a Jeep Wrangler and we loved it. It can really pull in the snow!

Jean, so...you got called in to the "principal's office"?! Somehow I think I'm going to feel sorry for the asst. principal! Keep us posted! I won't be shopping at a mall on Black Friday either--I'll be with my Mom and we'll be doing our traditional thing--going to the annual holiday crafts show. This is something we do every year and we love it. We don't even drive and park there anymore--Dad and DH will take us, drop us off, and when we're ready we'll phone them on our cell phones and they'll be back to pick us up. It's great! And I run into people I know from childhood plus a few cousins and aunts.

Susan, I'm usually fighting insurance companies--it seems I always have to re-submit bills. Good luck in that. That's great your husband will be getting around. I loved that movie--The Lake House. Definitely a chick flick. I loved it so much I bought the movie. We're thinking about joining Netflix (or whatever it's called) especially for the winter months. Cars looks like it is a cute movie as well--I should think about buying that one for the grandkids.

Faye, I have been so out of the loop in the last six months--I've forgotten all about the knitting forums. And I can't even remember the name of it...is it the one that I steered you towards awhile back? Can you give me the URL for it--I can't remember anything and I didn't book mark it on my home computer. My eyes are feeling better--they're just sensitive at times and the computer doesn't help (but then I go in to work and what do I do? Sit in front of a computer!)...but that would scare me to death to have a swollen tongue! How is he tonight? When you were telling us all you did about cleaning off the deck for the winter reminded me how much my DH grumbled when he cleaned off our's a few weekends ago. He really hates cold weather and it upset him so much knowing that he was going to have to bring out the snow blower. I love reading the Christmas novels that come out in the bookstores this time of the year. I'm a sucker for romance novels as well--I love happily ever afters.

Well, I guess I need to do at least one load of laundry tonight. NCIS and The Unit come on as well so I need to get something done in 15 minutes before those shows start up.

Y'all have a nice evening! "See" y'all tomorrow!

[Jean]

Good Evening, Flowers! I guess my 5 AM morning caught up with me because I fell fast asleep in front of the TV this evening. I am SO HAPPY and EXCITED!!!!!!! My challenging student, and two others who are in the same category, stole a van last night! The van belonged to the Catholic school no less! We have been calling them the "three stooges" all day . . . one is in Omaha where his mother lives and the other two were caught and have been sent away. We are hoping until the end of the school year at least! I am doing a happy dance and then some! It's been a gloomy day weatherwise.

Maggie -- Believe it or not I've had NO behavior training classes. What I've learned is by trial and error. Those working with the two lower levels of special ed. do get some in-service training on different holds and how to escape getting hit or bitten. "What has happened to Iowa" is that our college grads are leaving the state as fast as they can while the Mexicans (mostly) have moved in. We also have quite a few Asians from the '70s and now are seeing more and more Sudanese refugees moving into the area. Sad, but true for sure. The Somalians have moved on to other places which is good!

"Gma" -- Do you think you will ever get the BBB to come around? I think I would be asking to talk to top management or a supervisor of some sort. What a deal! I saved the Fisher-Price Village that we bought for Jason 30+ years ago and Ian will play by the hour with it . . . I still have all the furniture, cars, and little people that aren't "safe" any more. He gets it all set up and then Zowie will take off with something. I am surprised at your winter temperatures! I/we probably discuss this every winter and I just forget from year to year.

Susan -- I know how much your friends will enjoy their quilted gifts from you. My 'sister' is a quilter and makes beautiful things too. I've been with her when she buys fabric and am always amazed at the combinations she will put together. I'd never pick them out in a million years, but they turn out great. We get out of school at 2:30 on Wed. and I am ready for the long weekend! We had pumpkin bread at school this morning and I had forgotten how yummy that is . . . it was warm with a choice of butter or cream cheese. Pumpkin pie does sound good!

Have a wonderful Wednesday tomorrow!

Jean -- from Iowa!

[healthytoad]

Hi Ladies,
Can I come back? I was part of the group ages ago, and now I am back on track. I would love to join in!

Beth

[Jean]

Hi Beth! Welcome back and we'd love to have you with us again! We have rolled over to SM #37 so join us there!

Jean -- glad to see Beth here today!