Best/Worse/What did I learn today? Visit with friends...

It was a long day but we had a great time....lots of food and drink and friends....about thirty for the ride...around 45 for food as we invite non cycling family members also.

The weather was miserably wet, windy and chilly....everyone was glad to get back to warm food, drinks and a warm fire.

Have most of the cleanup done...Bill always finishes up the dishes and cleanup after for me....

This is part of the riding group, waiting for the others to get ready to leave....Porter is supervising the send off...

...This is part of the group taken from my hallway, living room to the right, dining area to the left...spilling into the shop straight ahead...

...they eat ...they drink ...and they talk bicycles!


Happy New Year Everyone....it was fun, but glad this day is over!

Happy New Years girls.

Morning,

Trisha, am sure when you saw the smiles on their faces it was well worth the work..today you'll be resting, feet up right? Was that Sage sipping on orange juice?

Although I've enjoyed my week off and the puttering around it will be nice to get back into a routine..didn't accomplish what I wanted but hey, there is always next week!!

Waving Dawn..did you have a quiet New Years as well?

Got to go try and make myself presentable, want to be first in line at Home Depot when they open, you know when they say 'while quantities last' that most likely they've 2 or 3 in stock...most likely it will take me most of the day to put the cupboard together and more if I buy 2..that ought to keep me out of mischief this weekend...

Off and running..

BRRRR below zero...mega cold...

Ohhhh you are all still sleeping..lucky you...lol

Bundle UP...brrrr...just got back in from town..-36 ..windows of the car wouldn't go down, had to get out at Timmy's to place my order..lol..hand are frozen...

Managed to get 2 cupboards..laughed, there were about 5 cars in parking lot, when the man and lady got out car over from me I said, talk about being anxious..he laughed and said, hope you are not going in for what I'm going in for...yep, cupboards..regular $119. for $59.99 he wanted 6 and I wanted 2..I was in first, asked for directions..omg there had to be 30..won't be there long as everyone else who came in after us were in for same thing...

Then quick trip to Walmart, needed wool, wallet and jeans..probably 2 people in the entire store other than staff..home by 8am..not bad ...

It's starting to snow and blow so if I can find someone to help bring the cabinet boxes inside I can start to assemble and enjoy not being outside...

For those of you in cold weather...do keep warm
For those of you having bad weather...stay safe..

Morning Betty, It's snowing here too. 4" of flurries last night and between 8-12" expected tonight into tomorrow. We are snuggled in nice and warm!!!
Sounds like you really caught a bargain. I bought one of the base cabinets for a kitchen sink and covered the top with a 1" thick melamine. This is now my cutting table and is just the right height. No more leaning over a folding table and killing my back. And so much storage underneath. I love it.
Cleaning my office area today and then hope to get to my machine. We shall see what the day brings.....

Glad you are enjoying a cozy day at home...cutting table sounds wonderful..I've the 6 tables in the craft room so having my sewing room downstairs will be a plus...don't particularly like my knitting machine set up in craft room but it's far too dusty from cuttings in the workshop so here it must stay unless I can re-organize..

Just know Barb I had all kinds of square rulers, thought I'd have found them but not..might bring in the pattern tote, perhaps they are in there...I couldn't believe the price of them last time I was at fabricland...so a search will be on...now what will you be working on in your sewing room?

brrr...just can't warm up..had my coffee, called Greg to see if he could drop by and help take the boxes out of the car...he's 1/2 into a project and will when he finishes...

I can almost bet I'll have them in here before he arrives, I'm not a wait for someone type of person..personality flaw for sure...

Where are you all..lonely this morning, looking for someone to gab with..better still, help me with simple 1-2-3 directions....lol

I got one box in, put a sheet on the ground and pulled/pulled..Greg got here for the 2nd one, could hardly lift it, guess who got a speach, then the question of the day was 'can you tell me why you needed 2 and where are you putting these things' ... told him I spent half his Home Depot Christmas card and would spend the balance before the end of the weekend..he said it would have been much easier to purchase a gift card from a clothing store.....

Oh well, off he goes snowmobiling, my youngest brother Mike was leaving Wasaga Beach and they were meeting up for the day but Mike is having trouble..Greg thinks it's old gas so he's off to check on Mike and then said he'd be back to check on me...wonder why he thinks I need checking in on????

You who cannot wait wonder why he checks on you????? Because he loves his Mom dearly!!! You are fortunate to have him nearby.
I'm still working on cleaning out last years files and getting rid of all kinds of stuff. Who needs five boxes of staples?:??? And three staple removers??? Etc. The box of stuff will be offered to our kids if they want and if not, will go to our local swap shop at the transfer station (dump). Whatever gets dropped off there if offered free to whomever wants it. Our dear Sean loves to go to the dump with Dad and see what is in there!! I think all kids would love to do that too.
Just had a bit of lunch so back to work I go. Hope to at least get this room done today but I'm not promising anyone....
Talk later, Barb

Think we're on the same shift Barb..lol..you sound as though you are in a cleaning/purging mood as well..you best get it done because your package with afghan and thread/scrap catcher will be at your door shortly ...

I know, my kids must know me by now, if I ask for something I look at the clock and Greg is only 5 minutes away..I give him 20 if not here in the given time I try myself...

He did add 'you'd better not say you've a sore back MOTHER!' so if by any change I do have a few aches/pains I'll keep it to myself..

I'm making quite the mess here...but I'm anxious to fill this cupboard...

Barb, does it mean if I've room for it but don't use it I still get to keep it????

I'm sure someone will love your box of treasure...

So it's 1:30, there was a few things I needed to do in town but because I was up and home by 8 most of the stores were still closed...

Got the 1st cabinet done (hinges need to be properly balanced, I promise I'll leave that for someone else...sooo if I run into town which won't take me more than 1 hr. I can also hit the $$$ store and pick up plastic containers to set on the shelves..am sure they'd make things more organized and be back and have 2nd cupboard put together before supper....

Seems you get one thing done and there are 5 others to go with it...
but, organized I'll be..

Good Day all....yes Betty, that was Sage....this her third year at our New Years Party.....the Dog does not do well with large crowds of people....Sage stays over and when the crowd starts to arrive she gets her food and drink and takes the dog back to her room and spends the remainder of the party there. She has her TV and her play station, toys and clay...so everyone is happy and I don't have to worry about the dog getting nippy.

I have my coffee, watching the Junco's and Chickadee's having their lunch. Brought out the basket of needle felting wool...may make a few little birds.....or may just take a nap, I am quite tired today. Day after the party is always a bit of a let down after the Highs of Party Day. Now maybe we can all get back into a normal routine...there are many things I would like to get done in the coming weeks.

The weather does not help much... it is gray out...the wind had died down for now. It is upper forties and the rain is due to return by mid afternoon. May just sit here with my coffee and watch the Luge Run TV. Very interesting to watch, not something I would want to do myself however.

What I had stored in totes fits perfectly, room for more treasures even...

Need a break..off I go

Can you see by the top shelf I got carried away with purchasing 'flameless' candles..who could resist for $2.50 each...always great having tidbits should you need them for gifts...bargoons..lol

I love the flameless candles! One of the local Stove and Fireplace Stores had a window display with the fireplace full of extremely realistic looking flameless candles. The local Lighting Center had beautiful wall sconces that were big pillar candles...so realistic that you had to put your hand over the "flame" to discover they were not real candles....it is great idea as I love candles, and this eliminates the fire danger !

Lookin' good Betty - lookin' good!!! What a great feeling. I just got done shredding eight years worth of tax returns that we had stored for relatives. IRS says we only need to keep three years now. I had them going back to 1997!!! Still kept five years though. I'm a bit anal about taxes!!!
Got all the bills sorted and put away and some of these office supplies. I have a huge drawer full of them and that is next. Right now, it's a warm cup of cocoa and relax for a bit. Sometimes this mental stuff wears me out more than physical stuff.
Trisha, you sure have earned some time off to just relax. Looks like you had a wonderful party - everyone looks really happy. Sage is growing so tall isn't she?
Tomorrow and Monday are going to be my days downstairs. Norm has appointments to take care of as well as lab work for an upcoming physical so the days will be mine..I'm looking forward to it.
Going to have the two boys overnight Monday and Tuesday next week. Mom and Dad are going on a snowmobile trek up north just to get away. They hosted Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years so they sure earned the time away. We love having the guys here - just have to make sure they get to school and back to here okay.
Well, I'm going to check out the sewing threads - talk later
Hugs to all``Barb

BRRRR, wow, can't believe the temps are dropping even more..best about that is ice is getting thicker for snowmobilers..saw the trail wardens out, cold day but mega snowmobilers enjoying the day..am sure Greg is enjoying his dickie front lined with deer hyde so the cold can't penetrate (?) almost time to make the younger ones new ones...

Got my shopping done, don't think you all have Zellers do you? anyway needed off white wool to complete my afghan, think tonight I'll sit and enjoy and do 2nd cabinet when I get up in the a.m. ... anyway, I was just talking with a friend, told her how I missed those phentex knitted slippers..you know the ones that you keep crossing the wool and when you walk they are soooo soft??? had said they no longer made phentex..to my surprise Zellers had it..bought 2 skeins not sure if that's enough now trying to think who might have the patterns...

Do any of You???? please say yes, I need slippers...

Barb, it's a nice tired isn't it...didn't do what I had planned this week but got organized so that's almost as good..have a call in to Diane's son Mark who does flooring..he's away in Hawaii, thought he'd be back yesterday sooo maybe by Monday he'll call..was going to attempt it and could but wrists still giving me the dickens so better not do more to injure them..

As for the washroom, Bernie said he'd come and do it in the next few weeks so that makes me feel better...

Won't you have fun with those grandchildren..mine are either skiing or at hockey games .. getting older and involved in so much don't get to see them as much as I do in the summer...

If you do have the slipper pattern, please/please could you post it for me...

The phentex came with a slipper pattern but not the criss-cross type..who knows, until I find it I might just make them..now that I'm organized know I must have the correct needles...

Gab later

http://www.yarns-and.com/fabrics/Phentex/PHEslipperptn.htm

Hey Betty, Happy New year. Is this the pattern your looking for?
Love how your getting things organized! Lots of work for sure.

Well,enough is enough....I think I have told you my dog does NOT like dogs... A doctor friend of ours stopped by to pick up some items he left here yesterday...I opened the door for him just as some guy visiting down the street came by with is Unleashed Pit Bull...and of course being in the house Porter was off leash, (we never let her out the door without a lead on) and the two of them went at each other... I grabbed for Porter as she charged out the door and managed to fall in the process. The other dog owner managed to grab her collar and keep them apart until one of us could get her. The dogs came out just fine...I have a scraped left knee and hand...the right side not so good... Doctor Dave says it it just a sprain or pull but my right elbow and shoulder definitely do not feel well and I imagine it will be worse tomorrow. I wanted a bit of a rest but this is not what I had in mind....sort of puts off the projects I had in mind...May have to see if I can operate a crochet hook or my felting needles without too much pain....definitely will not be bike riding tomorrow. Guess we will see how things progress...:(

Oh Trisha, I'm so sorry to hear this. It seems like you can't catch a break this winter. Please baby yourself as much as you can and let the others take care of you for a change. Sure hope you feel better fast. Sending warm cocoa and gentle hugs...

Hello To All;

Just popping in for now....I tried to catch up on the old thread and remember I had made notes on a lot of comments to make...but ended up falling asleep....

Happy Bday to Greg ! Happy Bday Crissy !

Trisha - bless you for trying to save the dog...glad you didn't get hurt too bad...it could have been worse ....

Betty...trust you to find the bargains! Hugs to all for New Years Eve!

Well - Betty I took your advice ....and it was the BEST EVER!!! Off I went to my sisters....and it was a very short but VERY wonderful visit....JUST what I needed !

DH and DS weren't going with me initially...but I guilt tripped DH (".....but I ALWAYS go visit YOUR family with YOU!")...so it was just him & I. And while he was a bit of a downer for the trip...it was a GOOD chance for us to talk and be together and for him to play nice with my family for a change...

DD's came home 12/28....they've been nice so far....we had our Christmas that night...and going to MIL's tomorrow for "Christmas" over there.

DH got me a new computer for Christmas so both old & new in "shop" to transfer files ....so I am making do with my work computer...which I am not quite 'used' to...so that's one reason I haven't been on lately... I'm waiting for DH to get my old stuff transferred to the new one...which I'll set up (I think) in my bedroom...and then I'll catch up with you all..

Miss you all...and will try to pop back on very soon....

Hugs,
Mary

A Merry Christmas (Mary Christmas?) and A Wonderful New Year to you Mary.

Thank you Trisha!

Saw all the pics and fun with the Bicycling Christmas Party ! It seems like a wonderful tradition!

We had a really Different New Years Eve....DH & I went OUT for the first time in Forever...

My favorite Italian Restaurant....Comedy Club...front row seats.... Dancing...Then home.......

We had a fabulous time....it was the first time we've been out in YEARs! All this living for the Teens...now finally getting out just to have a good time ourselves....

Back in a bit....
Hugs,
Mary

Morning everyone.
Betty, where are you at? Are you sleeping in, or out shopping already?

Good Morning!! I don't have time to catch up right now, but here's why I didn't come on yesterday:

Dave's cousin Alice from Dallas was here for the Holiday so we went out to her house (her and her husband have a small house here on I think 10 acres and 80 acres in Daingerfield, TX) and had a ball. She served us a Mexican lunch then we had a Dirty Santa and Right Left Right and came home with a blue Snuggie, another blue blanket with snowflakes, reindeer, and "Peace" and "Joy" and "Merry" on it, a little tool set, and a Christmas candle set. We had a great time, here's some pics!

http://picasaweb.google.com/christinepix/20100103#

Loved the photo's Crissy...

Ohhhh no Trisha, lucky you weren't bitten..not a good thing to get between or trying to separate doggies...wouldn't you know, and you were so very careful letting Sage doggie sit the day of the party..

Hope you are able to do something while recouperating..

Trisha, too cute, Mary Christmas...lol

Will get settled in and look at the pattern site you've got listed..

Mary I'm so glad that the Christmas you were dreading turned out to be one of the loveliest...thing work out for the best...

Linda Kay - no shopping...story behind that one..

Barb, think I'll have a cup of that hot chocolate as well...

ok..sending you photo's

Friday I had been experiencing chest pain, thought maybe it was something I ate not agreeing with me..stubborn as I am when it continued yesterday I fought it until it became severe..talked with Darlene and she said I ought to go to emergency..but with all the flu and the hospital being closed to all except dire emergencies I agreed to call Telecare...well that's when my troubles began...Nurse Judy informed me she was calling an ambulance..nope, no way..stuborn/stuborn...said I'd get a neighbor to drive me in asap..(I know, I lied) Nurse Judy said she's send my contact info to the hospital and they'd be waiting for me...ok, now I have to go..

Got there, went into triage, sent me into a room full of ill looking people..within 5 minutes (guess because of my blood pressure) I was called in, doctor checked me over, monitor in ICU and chest xrays...nitro and blood thinnerss at 3am they move me into a room, they are short of staff because a good amount of their nurses/doctors are all off with flu, that's why hospital was closed...

Waited until 11 this morning until MY doctor arrived, he said he was anxious to see me because He can count up to 20 times in maybe 30 years I've needed his services... plus (not sure I mentioned this) last fall I had a bit of heart trouble so he wanted to check me out further......

I'm to make an appt. to see him next week, he's making appt. for a heart specialist and I got to come home..just got in, getting my jammies out of a hot dryer..omg there was frost on the inside widow frames and my bed was about 2' from it, I'm frozen...

Jeff and Greg wanted to come to the hospital but nobody is allowed in so told them to go enjoy themselves, if I needed anything I'd call...

Bet you are going to ask me if I got a lecture...yes, went in one ear and out the other...told the doctor how active I've been, what I've been doing and he said it keep my mind alert and good for me, obviously because I don't need meds, rarely ill (except for falls) but that it wouldn't hurt from time to time to baby myself and rest...diplomatic or what...

As promised it's off to lay on the chesterfield and enjoy the afternoon...1st...lunch...

Agreed that if I came home, took some meds,

Betty take care, you are as stubborn as I am!

Sending gentle hugs for you, and lots of prayers Betty! Please take it easy, and make sure you go see your Doc!

afternoon all,

crissy nice photos

betty, for petes sake take care of yourself
yaaaaay judy home lol
well back to taking down xmas

trisha, glad nothing broken omg

This message was edited Jan 3, 2010 3:57 PM

Boy it is cold in this bedroom for some reason, about a 5 degree temp drop between the hallway and living room, and another 3 degrees from the hallway into this bedroom. I just took a hot shower so that helped.

Betty you better take care of yourself, I'm stubborn too but going to the dr is better than the alternative. I'm going to have to do something about my foot, it's still bothering me.

Took down Christmas today myself, took almost all day! Cold and overcast here, the high was supposed to be 31*, don't know what it actually ended up being.

Well I'm going to get something else to eat (just had a bowl of stew but for some reason it just wasn't enough, I want a grilled cheese sandwich...

Happy New Year Mary!! It's not my birthday though hun, I had mine Nov 3rd, but thank you for the happy wishes! I'm so glad your holiday ended up being good!

Trisha take care girl, between you and Betty I'll never fall again! LOL

Love ya'll!

Morning everyone! Betty, where you at today? Hope your not in the hopsital? Sending prayers your way!

LindaKay, laying on the couch, did do a bit of crochet..had 3 calls from Greg this morning making sure that's all I've been doing..lol.. Mom/Bernie/Sharon/Darlene called so certainly not lonesome..

Any of you receive an envelope yet?

Not yet Betty but I'm watching. It's getting to the point that when we don't see you post we know something!! is going on. My dear friend, please do take it easy and see your doctor. Most times there is some little thing we do that can be done differently or changed that makes all the difference in how we feel. We all love you so much and need to know you are taking care of YOU. Sending gentle hugs..... Barb

How sweet Barb, no, taking it easy today..the clinic re testing this old 'ticker' called today, quick appt. - January 20th so that's good news..doctor said it was good to keep busy because knowing me it would be difficult not to..lol..he's been my Dr. for 40 years so he should know me and my quirks...

Not laying down completely, sitting watching t.v. and doing some crochet..best I can do to relax...need bread and dog food so I'll just walk over to the variety store next door rather than going to town..see am being good...

I know how you feel Betty....Think I am going to JoAnn's to look at yarn in a bit. It is driving me crazy sitting here with nothing to do but watch TV (Have been through the Four Man Bobsled runs and we are into the Long Jump Skiing now). I love watching Winter Sports, but need something to keep my twitchy hands busy.

Lots of tender spots today, but most are getting better except a bad bruise on my lower back and my right elbow...guess I jammed it quite well and most movement quickly reminds me of that.

Forties, gray and raining today...looks like whatever I do I may need a row boat to get there!

Zhinu needs to crochet or quilt, sow, knit or something like that so you feel productive watching sports. lol

I have been pursuing the job hunt all day today, and am getting overload myself at this point so I will probably slow it down for a little and warm up in another room since this one is freezing.

I can sit and do more research in a better place. I am trying to find companies that are in this zone that I have a certificate in, so if companies hire me, in this zone, they get huge tax credits, but the papers do not tell you hardly any of the companies in the zone. I will probably just have to hoof my way around the valley to see if they let me in the door, to give a resume and copy of the certificate.

Did you find something to fill in your day Trisha? Wouldn't you know, ran out of 2 colors to be able to finish my afghan but the good news is that as far as I got is large enough to cover myself and get cozy..

Ohh the pattern for the slippers is exactly the one I was looking for, thank you, thank you...bringing needles and phentex to work tomorrow...

Dawn, you certainly are putting an effort into getting your name around..surely you'll soon reap the benefits..sure hoping, saying an extra prayer just for that purpose..

Shirley / Tubby how are things going..know you are in my thoughts often...

Well, just came down to put load of laundry into dryer, time to head back upstairs, Greg dropping in any minute so I best be resting..lol..

Kyle called about 4:30 wanting to know if there was anything he could help me with..nope, all under control..told me all about his weekend snowmobiling in Meaford...they only got home at noon today because most of the highways from Meaford to here were closed..better be a day late than venture out in those conditions...

Did my weigh in..lordy thought for sure I'd have put on lbs. over Christmas but lost another 3...doing it nice and slow..figure by June I'll be at my goal...not easy though having goodies/chocolates, baked goods in the house and not eat them...

Tomorrow is garbage day so tempted to put all that fatening food in a bag and toss it..better there than in my tummy right?

Found a pattern and yarn for a very cute scarf....

and of course if you have a scarf, one must have a hat to go with it...so found this pattern and got the yarn for it also...

Now, can I complete the projects while it is cold enough to wear them??

Funny Trish, that sounded like something I would say. Cute hat though, I must say.