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

Spring is a good time for housecleaning Barb..easier to keep ontop of it then let it go..yikes to the fridge and stove..they are not my favorites to clean..when they do need cleaning I have someone come in to do them..usually have science projects within..lol...my favorite thing to do Barb is this...t.v. is on all the time, more for company than to watch..always doing something and glance at it..anyway, whenever a commercial comes on I get up and do something, regardless of how small, amazes me just how long commercials are and how many there are..in no time at all, house is spic and span..once a month I go around the house and mark what needs to be done, if large project, I break it into components then all the little papers with the to do's go into a jar..then on weekends I pick one, regardless of what it is I DO IT! find if I make a game of it, it works well for me...crazy huh?

Norm is feeling better now though is he not?

Does Sean get P.T. days as well?

My hands smell of Mr.Kleen this morning..got here and put in 1 1/2 hrs. didn't get a whole lot done, managed to get the outside windows washed and in the girls office there are 4 long blinds, omg talk about dusty and dirty..managed to get 2 done, tomorrow morning will finish their room..keep this up I'll be able to ask for another day..lol

Had a bit of a mishap yesterday..got home and here I had set the large stained glass window that I hand on side of back deck against the railing and we had high winds...smashed..loved it, guess I'll have to make another..how careless of me...

Linda Kay, already the trees are budding..can't wait to be in full leaves, hides the neighbors..aren't I bad this morning!

Oh B etty, all that work you put into the stained glass. Must have felt bad, when it broke?
Sounds like you have your own honey do list for cleaning?
By the time the week is over, sounds like you will have the office all cleaned too!
We wait for the trees to bud also, to hide the neighbors! Kind of like a privacy fence built in.

Betty that's a great way to get things done! Poo Betty bummer about the stained glass, you put so much work into that stuff I hate to hear of mishaps.

Barb hope Norm is feeling better. UG cleaning fridge, stove, and microwave. The three most difficult things to clean, other than blinds.

I had a rough morning, woke up at 5:30 to Tiga 'sharpening her claws' on the bedspread and she knows better than that, so she got in all kinds of trouble. I made her lay down beside me before she got herself into more trouble, but she was purring so loud I couldn't go back to sleep! So I dozed off and on until 6:40 when the alarm went off. Shower and all went smooth like normal, put my mascara on and couldn't find my eyelash comb. Frantically searching before the mascara dried, finally found it next to Dave's spot on the couch, he used it to clean his nails!!! ICK!!! I was all mad about that, made my coffee, fed Tiga, ironed my hair, Tiga had the runs all over the bedroom carpet. UG!! Got that cleaned up, now I'm running late, so still mad about my eyelash comb I threw clothes on, emptied the clean dishes from the dishwasher, grabbed my Lean Cuisine and a banana and threw them in a bag, threw my purse over my shoulder, grabbed my coffee, and ran out to the garage. Opened the garage door and spilled coffee all over me. GGGRRRRRRRR Cleaned that mess up, now running really late and not caring at this point in time, got in my car and noticed that it was 5 mins til 8, if there isn't any traffic I can still make it on time. NOPE! There was a bad wreck on I-30 in Benton and the freeway was closed, apparently this happened around 6:30am, so I cut through the middle of Benton figuring it's better than sitting in traffic. Finally got to work 15 mins late. Not Bad!!

Oh Crissy, is it Monday? I hate it when I have days like that!
Hope you have a good day at work.

LOL (only because I can visually see your frustration Crissy) omg what a morning, let's hope your day improves..he used what for his toe nails??
you must have been fuming..

LindaKay, you got to love it don't you when you work/work to make your yard/home look nice and you've neighbors that don't care..I just keep planting trees...of course on one side of me are cedars and they hide the little plaza-no can see...but up from there where the secret garden is a gentleman has a woodworking shop and keeps putting wood/branches etc next to the property line..his land of course, he'll set it on fire as he does every year although it's soooo close to his gardening shed/house and workshop..once of these days he'll burn them all down..then on the back of the yard quite a distance is a body shop for vehicles, when trees in bloom, no can see, the other side of me, well that's another story, although they did clean up somewhat this weekend..last year I lost a large tree that hid their yard, planted about 6 but it will take an eternity to grow the size I need to hide them..have to think of something..perhaps a wooden fence????

I'm not anti-social, just like feeling as though I live in the country..clean fresh air and Mother Nature at her best...

Have another frame I bought at same time..guess I'll figure out if I want to do it same way or foil and sodder each and every piece...able to salvage the glass pieces and globs..shaking my head..should have hung it, heavy so decided I'd wait until someone was around to help me lift it as not to break it...doomed either way...

Betty, so all is not lost, you can put it back together.

I'll drop into the stained glass studio on my way home one night this week and purchase some larger pieces and create it on a larger inset scale..too many small pieces - I'll rid myself of all the small pieces...

Did you ever have a day that if you had to put up with your hair one more hour you'd cut it off...today was that day for me..rather than having lunch I went and had it chopped off!

Barb I meant to mention, bet it was all oooohhhss and ahhhhsss when you gave daughter the afghan..was it in her colors? not that it matters when you receive a gift of love such as you gave.

I've 4 more rows to do and I've another finished..called 9 block afghan..way to use up leftovers but as always, seems as though I've enough left over yet for another....saw that Braedon, grandson wore a toque all weekend, don't even know if he took it off for bed..was done in rows of 4 then changing color..something I could easily do for the boys using the knitting machine..will have to go in search of pattern...

Damp this aft. - temp dropped 6 degrees since 11:00 a.m. - hard to know how to dress, one minute it's summer weather and hours later cold and damp spring day...

What are you all up to today????

Debbie, did Paul get to see the eye doctor today?

What is a toque Betty?

guess you might call them caps..if you look above at my posting of the army gun where we are looking for the 'cache' you'll see Braedon wearing one....

So sorry about the stained glass. That was beautiful....But knowing you, the next will be just as gorgeous.
Got most of what I wanted done today. Haven't got to the microwave and I'm running out of steam. I did get the overhead lights and the windows washed in the kitchen though. Oh well - one job for another. Tomorrow is another day.
Glad to hear you cleaning jobs are going along as well.
A toque is like a cap isn't it? Does it wrap around? I vaguely remember the term.

OK, I scrolled up and saw it. Thanks!

Betty, he is at the doctors now....had 3:15 appt....and they wait forever there! Drops, dilate, wait, exam.....etc. Haven't heard anything from him...but will update when I do.

ooooh Betty - I just saw the post about your stained glass......... yikers!

A toque is a French-Canadian term (Metis), for a small wool stocking cap - you pull it on your head.
hahaha makes me think of mukluks....... another Canadian word! I wore a pair in Mississippi one January, and you should have Seen The Looks! They had no idea what I had on my feet, and they were snickering! LOL

♫♪~§usan~♪♫

Betty - My DS18 wears a cap like that a lot...

Susan - What were you doing in Mississippi! That's just 'down the road' from here... LOL

I've never heard it called a toque...so I learned something new today....

Crissy - What a crazy morning ...you should have won an award for making it in only 15 mins late with all you had to deal with ! LOL!

Hugs,
Mary

Betty, boo hoo for the glass...but the next one will be even Better!!... we call those hats "beanies" around here.....knit, crochet,or sewn together from fleece...still a beanie !!

Susan hit what the term 'toque' is..guess my french shows..great way to use up old wool..have to tell me which of your kids wear them and size and I'll get my machine out...

Took 8 blinds home last night and washed them, omg you don't realize just how dirty things are until you start to clean..then on to the garbage containers..got another 3 hrs. added to my 'make work project so I can go play in Buffalo' lol

Almost ready for work, I'll get another hour in, lordy if I continue in the fashion that I'm doing I'll have another day banked..

Boo hoo is right about the glass hanging, wearing my sad face...

Raining here again but oh what wonders Mother Nature is doing..some trees are just ready to open and show me their leave..one tree had no signs of green yesterday morning, last night I just couldn't believe what had happened just throughout the day..the wonders of Mother Nature!

Debbie, how did Paul make out..so hope you will post good news! Do you think you will get to Hamburg Craft show in 2 weeks? Would love to meet you there...

Well if I want to bank another hour I'd best get a move on, Suzanne just called said she'd get there about same time, going to clean and dust her desk..told them all that was their responsibility..2 nieces didn't look pleased..oh well...lol...

Betty my heart cried for you when I saw that picture of your beautiful stained glass. I hope you can rebuild it. Sounds like your cleaning projects are going to really pay off. Is anyone noticing the differences?
Today I'm concentrating on the kitchen. All the little things I keep putting off like straightening cabinets and cleaning out drawers. We have collected so much stuff and half of it can be tossed or recycled or put where it really belongs!! I best get at it.
Have a great day all.....

Funny, how the drawers collect so much junk! I think we are all guilty of that sometimes!
Morning everyone!
Hope you all had a good nights sleep?

Tubby, hope your feeling better?

Anyone heard from Judy? She must be having a great time in Italy!

Only that Liz, Linda Kay got a text message to say they've arrived..I'm sure she's beaming from ear to ear..lordy, I'd best win the big lottery so we can all take a trip to Europe...but first, I'd have to purchase an rv and do a roadtrip to pick you all up...dreams..isn't it wonderful?

I have a junk drawer, not sure how it gets so full..clean it every couple of months and can hardly close it again..I was ever so pleased when the family were doing a Geo Cache box and needed trinkets..did I have trinkets..lol guess what happens is when we're in a hurry the closest place to put things is that junk drawer!

Barb, how's the quilting of table runners going..with this cleaning are you still able to keep up with your quota???

lol Betty,

have to text Jake today to see i he has heard anything
have a great day all

Thanks Liz, look forward to the update...how's grannie doing?

Ohhh not in my mom's good books..she called me because she was having a terrible day and think just maybe I made it worse...yikes..

Nothing is agreeing with her today..first of all over the weekend she fell, can barely walk so can't do much..guess she wanted to put her vehicle in the garage and hit her other leg on a saw..Jim got the what for when he got home..she says he's 72 and why does he think he needs all these tools...lol...sooo I went on to say everyone needs something in their life to make them feel warm and toasty..for her it's her dolls, decorating, crafts and the likes...I don't see anything manly in either her home, cottage or place in Florida so she should accept that he needs to place to call his own...she says I always stick up for Jim...told her not the case, this didn't go well so she moved on to her weekend at the cottage, they have neighbors who in the winter time put the heat up on Fridays' so that it's warm when they arrive, this Friday the neighbor meets them in the yard to say not to be alarmed that there is a different bottle of liquor in the cupboards, they ran out and borrowed theirs, then the wife says, 'terrible stuff, had to have 3 oz. to make up for the 1 oz. of our liquor..hellloooo there..my thoughts, 'then you shouldn't have borrowed it!' then it was so nice mom said she had over the day 2 wine coolers...the neighbor dropped in on Sunday and said to mom ' you were drinking all weekend' so mom said that she had enjoyed 2 cooler, and the neighbor said, 'think I'm going to go count the bottles, I know you had more..(they have binoculars) sooo mom wasn't happy about this...then Jim wants to move to Washago (cottage) and sell the place in Bramalea as the housing market $$$ are up..mom says she has no friends there, I tell her she'll have to join things and get to meet people, nope, she's not a mixer she says...drats..wasn't anything positive out of that conversation..think I'd best call tonight to try and chear her up, how, who knows...

Oh Betty, sometimes there is no pleasing someone!
I left the house last night, when hubby got home to run to the store for bread and milk. Dad saw that I left the house with out him, and he pouted all night. I told him, I had to run quickly, and he would have had to stay in the truck, but that made no difference. Sometimes I can't please him, no matter what!
Hope you can cheer her up later tonight?

LindaKay, guess we all have some of those lonesome days...a friend just sent me this, am sure you've all read it but it's worth posting again...





A young man learns what's most important in life from the guy next door.



It had been some time since Jack had seen the old man. College, girls, career, and life itself got in the way. In fact, Jack moved clear across the country in pursuit of his dreams. There, in the rush of his busy life, Jack had little time to think about the past and often no time to spend with his wife and son. He was working on his future, and nothing could stop him.



Over the phone, his mother told him, "Mr. Belser died last night. The funeral is Wednesday." Memories flashed through his mind like an old newsreel as he sat quietly remembering his childhood days.



"Jack, did you hear me?"



"Oh, sorry, Mom. Yes, I heard you. It's been so long since I thought of him. I'm sorry, but I honestly thought he died years ago," Jack said.



"Well, he didn't forget you. Every time I saw him he'd ask how you were doing. He'd reminisce about the many days you spent over 'his side of the fence' as he put it," Mom told him.



"I loved that old house he lived in," Jack said.





"You know, Jack, after your father died, Mr Belser stepped in to make sure you had a man's influence in your life," she said



"He's the one who taught me carpentry," he said. "I wouldn't be in this business if it weren't for him.. He spent a lot of time teaching me things he thought were important...Mom, I'll be there for the funeral," Jack said.



As busy as he was, he kept his word. Jack caught the next flight to his hometown. Mr. Belser's funeral was small and uneventful. He had no children of his own, and most of his relatives had passed away.



The night before he had to return home, Jack and his Mom stopped by to see the old house next door one more time.

Standing in the doorway, Jack paused for a moment. It was like crossing over into another dimension, a leap through space and time The house was exactly as he remembered. Every step held memories. Every picture, every piece of furniture....Jack stopped suddenly.



"What's wrong, Jack?" his Mom asked.



"The box is gone," he said



"What box?" Mom asked.



"There was a small gold box that he kept locked on top of his desk. I must have asked him a thousand times what was inside. All he'd ever tell me was 'the thing I value most,'" Jack said.



It was gone... Everything about the house was exactly how Jack remembered it, except for the box. He figured someone from the Belser family had taken it.

"Now I'll never know what was so valuable to him," Jack said.. "I better get some sleep. I have an early flight home, Mom."

It had been about two weeks since Mr. Belser died Returning home from work one day Jack discovered a note in his mailbox. "Signature required on a package.. No one at home. Please stop by the main post office within the next three days," the note read.

Early the next day Jack retrieved the package. The small box was old and looked like it had been mailed a hundred years ago. The handwriting was difficult to read, but the return address caught his attention.. "Mr Harold Belser" it read. Jack took the box out to his car and ripped open the package. There inside was the gold box and an envelope. Jack's hands shook as he read the note inside.



"Upon my death, please forward this box and its contents to Jack Bennett. It's the thing I valued most in my life." A small key was taped to the letter. His heart racing, as tears filling his eyes, Jack carefully unlocked the box. There inside he found a beautiful gold pocket watch.



Running his fingers slowly over the finely etched casing, he unlatched the cover. Inside he found these words engraved:



"Jack, Thanks for your time! -Harold Belser."





"The thing he valued most was....my time"



Jack held the watch for a few minutes, then called his office and cleared his appointments for the next two days. "Why?" Janet, his assistant asked.



"I need some time to spend with my son," he said.



"Oh, by the way, Janet, thanks for your time!"



"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the moments that take our breath away,"

Think about this. You may not realize it, but it's 100% true.
1. At least 2 people in this world love you so much they would die for you.



2. At least 15 people in this world love you in some way.

3. A smile from you can bring happiness to anyone, even if they don't like you..



4. Every night, SOMEONE thinks about you before they go to sleep.



5. You mean the world to someone.



6. If not for you, someone may not be living.
7. You are special and unique.


8.. When you make the biggest mistake ever, something good can still come from it.

9. When you think the world has turned its back on you, take a look: you most likely turned your back on the world.

10. Always remember the compliments you received. Forget about the rude remarks.

11. If you have a great friend, take the time to let them know that they are great.



Have I told you all how very much you mean to me??? If I didn't please know you are the best!

TRUE
TRUE
TRUE
TRUE
TRUE
TRUE



Tubby

There you are Tubby! Nice to se you posting. Hope your sleeping better, and getting a small garden ready for the summer? At least getting outside, to gather some sunshine.

Betty, that is a wonderful story, thanks for posting it.

Thanks Betty. Sometimes I think we all need a gentle reminder.
Tubby good to see you post.
Well, the kitchen is done!!! It looks better than it has in a long while. I must get off my butt more often!!!

And the dining area - just have things for my daughter and a pile of "stuff" for Norm to look through from the junk drawer on the table.

So so so very true!!

Tubby, Hiya!

Betty Dave cleaned his fingernails with my eyelash comb. I think I'm just going to go back to using the metal nail file with pointed tip, those seem to work better for me anyway.

Got a bunch of stuff to do yesterday, can only work on one at a time and now I'm stuck and waiting for the gal at the other end to call me back with more information. Waiting game so I'll play! LOL

I'm not going to elaborate, but Betty welcome to my world!!

Barb...love your home...now how can I tell a quilter lives at your house???lol looks so warm and cozy..love the quilts and tell Norm love his quilt ladders... I especially love your kitchen table...too adorable..nice to see photo's of friends homes, now I can imagine you having your coffee at the kitchen table in a spotless kitchen..I should be cleaning mine house instead of this office...mine's more furry friends shed hair or sand they bring in...gets all over..yuk...

Crissy you are too cute, now why did I think of you and Liz when I was posting about mom...

Tubby, was looking through posts of last summer and saw your birdhouses..hope you kept some to look at for this summer...how's Shirley...

Debbie any news on Paul?

evening all,

Jake said there in Venice now and having a good time, but that's all the info i got lol he was on his way to history class oooppps.

Betty, granny is good, but omg were now finding out she wasn't a very good business woman in property, so my mom said that the house could go up to to 2000.00 rent and with that we will have to move were not going to do that only to have to worry about it may have to be sold at a later date.
so I'm just uncluttering a little at a time so there wont be a ton of stuff to move when that day hits.

found a antique dealer through one of my customers so i have to down load some stuff and email the owner i just might as well invite them over and be done with it seems like a lot of work to me lol.

so we just take it a week at a time what can you do, it doesnt bother me anymore actually it makes me kind of grin now would be a good time to get out of Calif like we eventually wanted to just a little sooner than we planed.

sending a bunch of hugs and prayers to all that need it
will be back soon.

Betty - Thank you for posting that... I have seen it before but must have needed to see it again... it made me tear up... (a "good" Tear)

Crissy - DH sent me a pic of an iris 'supposedly' in our backyard....it was dark and rainy when I got home...

Have to run do something real quick...

back in a bit...

Mary

Betty so sorry about the stained glass....
loved the story!

It has been a crazy tiring week around here....but after all the ups and downs we finally have a vehicle again....back in the land of car payments and higher insurance rates....but at least, in a couple of years, it will be mine. It is a Honda Odessy....I think we are going to like it....I am so happy to have a Van again....i have missed having all that space.

Has been cold and wet now they say we may get a dusting of snow...a house around the corner has put up lights and have a lit Christmas tree in their window...mom and I had joked about doing that but these people actually did it!

This is the new toy...

Love the car Trisha - I think you will be really happy with this one. Just think of all the yarn and plants it will hold!!!

Love the vehicle Trisha..miss having a van as well, thank goodness my seats fold down and boy can I load it!!! I was just thinking now that you have a vehicle of your very own sitting in the yard do you find yourself with nowhere to go? lol...how's the family doing, get the ok for the house? One thing about having a new vehicle is you'll be able to visit Sage any time you wish...

OMG, bet the neighbors are having a field day watching passerby's seeing Christmas tree and lights..they are also calling for snow here tomorrow, doubt it will be much and doubt it will stay...ooohhh those lilac trees are opening their leaves..not enough to hide my neighbor or the secret garden but that will come..

Barb, what do you have planned for today? more cleaning or sewing..toss up I bet now that you are on a clean-up roll...

I got here again at 8a.m. - have my 6 hours that I needed for April 23rd. to go to Buffalo and now mom tells me Jim doesn't want to go..knew that when he said he'd love to that when it got closer he'd change his mind..especially now that mom thinks he's got toooo many tools..lordy can anyone have too many tools? Tubby, what do you think???

Call her last night, said I saw the shed at Cosco that she wanted to get him, said how nice it was, how organized his tools could be...by the time we finished MY 'up' conversation she was enthused and excited about taking him over to see it..guess we're still talking..often when she hears something she doesn't want to hear you are on her bad books..must be doing something right because it hasn't been me for an eternity..but then, I go see her, make her things, take her to Buffalo at least once every 6 weeks so she'd better NOT include me on that list..too funny!

Time to drink my coffee and breakfast I brought in, can hear tummy saying 'feed me/feed me'..


We get off at 3pm tomorrow but I'll stay and vacuum rugs and wash them with my cleaner then ta/da my commitment is over with a few extra hours added for my next trip...maybe now that it's cleaned I can talk him into my going over it once a month or every 2 months for a Friday here and there...want to save those holiday days for major trips..in fact the boys all asked when we were doing our 'grandma and boys' vacation time together? have to get busy on that before camp starts in July..Braedon is going on a 21 day canoe trip in Algonquin Park..lots of portages, some even 5 or 6 miles between each other..yikes hope those canoes aren't heavy..even the food has to be air delivered by helicopter..he says what fun is finding other troops and try and scavenge their food rations..imagine! fun until another group takes theirs I'm sure...Caleb, he's at the same camp for 1 month but won't be on major outings, still too young, think he goes on a 7 day canoe/hiking trip-no portaging..then Noah and Kyle are all over the place so hard to pin down a date...must do so shortly before all their free time is taken up...

Won't eat much for lunch because I'm going out with not 1 but 2 good looking men for supper...Kyle and Noah called and wanted to go out with me for the evening so I've made a list of things I'd like done, take them out and hopefully be back by 10:00 pm...

Gab later...

Betty, I hope you have a wonderful night out with the boys!

Have a great night Betty!!

Trish love it! Someone here just bought a Honda Odessy, 97,000 miles, beige inside and out, and boy was it taken care of! I'd be driving all over 10 buck 2! I drive all over 10 buck 2 anyway! LOL

Been a busy day and now I'm playing the waiting game. I just love that game, as I'm sure you all are aware LOL

Sorry for the delay in posting.

Was one of those good news bad news issues, but not as bad as it could have been.

Last week the pressure reading in his eye was 34 or so. It is supposed to be between 10 & 15. The doctor was pretty sure it was due to the steroid eye drops. Yesterday the reading was 9. He was happy it came down, with the change of the drops. He has another drop he has to use now, 1 X day for 10 weeks.

Restrictions are still in place for lifting and climbing. Tomorrow (Friday) he has an appointment to get a new lense prescription. His eye sight is much worse and he is not sure it will get better now.

They had to inject some fluid...much like that they use in an MRI, behind his eye, during the surgery....and it has to stay there. He is worried if he removes it (ouch) that it may detach again....and wants it to stay until he is seen again in 10 weeks. Will make a decision then as to what next.

Betty, I am really hoping to be at that show on the 22nd. I have the girls excited to go also. Only thing that will stop me....is I have a friend in Boston, and she is heading this way to meet me for lunch 1/2 way one day. (ROAD TRIP!) and if it is the weekend she chooses....I will go visit her. She will be moving to Florida soon if her plans come through and it will be my only chance to see her. HOWEVER, it is looking like May for that...but will see.

I am definately going to work on that extended drivers license so I get to see you this summer. Not going to give up my new "get away" freedom. LOL

Debbie

Today was a half and half day. In the morning I scrubbed the fridge inside and out and in the afternoon I made two more table mats. I love it when a day is productive.
Tubby I planted half of the seeds you sent directly in the soil and the other half are in starter cups. Now the fun begins..Grow seeds grow!!!
We went to Sean's first baseball practice last night. He is truly amazing and not just because he is my grandson. They were trying all positions last night - pitching, catching infield and outfield and he did well in all of them.. I was especially pleased with his pitching. He has great control which I think is great for a boy his age. He will be 10 this summer and this is his first year with the kids pitching. Norm and I do try to get to all his games and a lot of the practices. We so enjoy watching all of the boys.
well, I'm tired tonight so I'm off to play a mindless computer game. That should put me to sleep early!!!!

I miss my machine! Not that I feel like sewing!