Best/Worse & What did I learn today..visit with friends!

Pulling weeds and waiting on Scotty. I can't keep up with either one LOL. HUGS TO ALL BEV
Saw this poodle in the sky last evening.

Ahhh..Bev not sure about you but I know I used to lay on the lawn and look at cloud formation trying to see what I could find..

Laughing at you, the idea you can't keep up with either...the plant posted earlier - purple flowers, can't tell what it is???? love it! Might be room in my gardens for 1 more..

Purple Clustered Bellflower Betty.

ooops think I was wrong, was thinking of these and someone called these baloon flowers

Hello To All !

UGH! I patiently typed out replies to all above...then by the time I went to "Send" it was GONE!!!!

What I can remember... is Judy - DD Driving.... Betty - Getting the FL in the water... Bev - daylilies and clouds!

I'll try to answer again tomorrow....

ALL - It was a lovely weekend! DH & I arrived in Ft. Walton Beach Friday...got our room late (10pm?) and I got to watch the Beach from the balcony. We got up and ate at Waffle House.... Then back to room and walked the beach for shells. We were BLOWN away by the schools of Manta Rays in the water! I've never seen them before and I'm "from" there...so I have to believe it has something to do with the oil spill. By the time I was getting TOO much sun...a thundershower came down. We cleaned up and shopped and I actually found a couple swimsuits that FIT (which is about as elusive as the manta rays or maybe a rainbow) LOL! We had dinner at Pandora's Steakhouse with my sister's family.... (Prime RIb YUM). Saturday Night... Thunderstorms on the beach = a LIGHT show on the balcony with my glass of wine... LOVELY! Sunday.... Walking Beach, Shells, Thunderstorm (DH & I GOT CAUGHT in it! How much fun !), went to Back Porch and I got King Crab and Raw Oysters.... Visited Fishing Pier... Beach Restaurant, more Raw Oysters (may not be many in the near future!) back to room and walk on beach...beautiful sunset... finding shells with DH... DH found a SANDOLLAR! Therefore we could "go home!". LOL...


HUGS,
Mary

Sounds like a heavenly weekend for you both Mary. You sound so HAPPY and relaxed. I think you needed that more than you knew.

Betty-those are definitely balloon flowers. Make sure to keep an eye on the garage sales for me...if you find something good for the baby, JLMK what I owe ya....I have been trying to keep an eye out here, but a lot of them are on Sats and I usually work on the weekends. At least I still a lot of time left this summer:)

Barb, Ann & Mike I believe (if I remember correctly) are on their way to the city today for final assessment..did she manage to find time without Mike around to e-mail or call you? hope so..

How are you making out on your table runners? Still keeping up with your schedule?

Stacey, please tell me what kind of things you are looking for so I have an idea...I promised next Saturday to bring Cathy and a few girls to Barrie to do the town garage sale so might be a good chance to get some pretties...

When do you go to the doctors' next...

Mary sounds like you both had a wonderful time away together..you even made the best of the rain..bet you've already scheduled a second get-a-way? lol....photo's please..miss going down to Florida this past year..

Good morning!
Wow, What a great weekend Mary! I am so happy for you and even planning a second get away.
you going to share pics? LOL, did you lug all the shells home?

Betty, Sounds like you had a great weekend too...Lots of gardening and fun.
You look sooo tiny on that big wheel! it looks great, seat turned out wonderful too.

OMG, We were crazy busy at the house...Final stages on the inside. Steve did an amazing job on the new bathroom too.
So now that all that was done, we worked on the outside, weeded the tree line and in the woods, re-created old paths and made new paths. We have a little game plan and when we go up for the Fathers day, get some more plantings in. of course we had fun too. did some boating and relaxing.

Got home in time for second half of Hockey Game...Wooohooo! Go,go Blackhawks. I am just supporting their wins via cheerleading, not watching lol I'm not into hockey violence but they are a Chicago Team, so wishing them to continue winning!

So whats up today?

Not into hockey anymore either Judy, far too rough if you ask me...even watching my grandsons play I'm annoyed at the rules/regulations..teaches them brut force...

I'm sure after seeing some of the work Steve has done in Oprah's building that his workmanship on his own would be as good if not better...
Fathers' Day will soon be here, maybe now that most of the work has been done you'll be able to just rest, read and contemplate on life in general..lol..

I did have a great weekend, not much more to do in the yard until Bernie gets time to come and do a secondary deck off back bedroom, help me put the panels of my flower shed together and then I can plan more..don't want to get too ahead of the game...

Talked to mom last night, she's very weak and is discouraged...she asked me if I'd take her to USA just one more time..says it's her last..told her to stop talking that way.

Quite interesting, an assessment came in today, travelled 1 1/2 hrs to come ..she is a Holistic Pracitioner..we had a nice conversation and she spoke of various things she does with cancer patients..with Mike and Ann at the specialist as I type, I wonder if it's the Lords way of directing them on another trek during this hardship...she gave me a card to give to Ann so that they can speak..

Betty, I did talk with Ann last night. What a lovely lady. I just wish I could have been more of a comfort to her. It seems Mike's cancer is different than Norm's in that Mike's is very aggressive. Exceedingly so. Norm has been most fortunate in the type of cancer he has and the excellent treatment and care that he has received.
I did tell Ann to call if she needs someone to talk to and that they both would be in my prayers. Please keep me up to date with things and if it's okay with you I'd like to continue sending cards to her/them through you. I guess Mike is a bit sensitive and I wouldn't want to hurt his feelings in any way but I do feel a need to support Ann as well.
Thanks Betty

Barb, what a 'sweetie' you are and yes they are one of the nicest couples you could ever hope to meet, I'm sure you've gathered that...just thinking, don't think any of my friends (I call them earthly angels) are anything but..I've been truly blessed! I'm sure you helped much more than you can know just talking with her and yes, please send cards, I'll just be on the lookout so I don't open ...

Barb, that's the hardest thing is seeing Mike, seeing how postitive he is, how happy he is now moving up to God's country and not seeing illness..it is very aggressive..I'm full of unrest today, want to know the outcome and yet I don't...we were to get together for t.v. bingo tonight, we'll see if she's up to it or not..she might need a friend and want to give Mike some time alone...

Barb, meant to say also that Ann couldn't believe that someone she does not know would be willing to take the time to comfort her...maybe one day you'll visit and we can all meet..

I have a Drs appt on the 10th w/ the OB and on the 24th with the specialist which is when we'll find out the sex. As far as stuff we are looking for.....hmmm....I dunno really. I know that my mom bought us a crib and a pack and play, I got the rocking chair and the bouncy, but other than a few onesies we don't have anything else. I know that we will get a TON of blankets and I think someone is making me a diaper bag...

I know that I do not want a used bathtub or breast pump. Those are things that I HAVE to have brand new. I guess if you see something not here that babies use or we could use that is in good shape...

Seems as though Stacey you and the baby are well underway in having just everything you need...I'll keep an eye out just incase there's something that says buy me/buy me..lol..oooh so you will know at the reunion what sex the baby will be..drats, a few days earlier would have been so much better..lol..how's DH taking all this excitement...

Ann just called me, said with everything going on she had forgot that today was their Anniversary so she and Mike will go out for the evening and she wouldn't be able to come for bingo!

No chemo Barb, doctor said that because it's so progressive but that he is so healthy and strong that chemo would only make him ill and not give him better quality of life, that he has already. This specialist will contact the surgeon and find out if they couldn't try to do a biopsy to determine just what kind of cancer if different from that of his arm...

Both seem in good spirits, so praying that a miracle will happen..told her I'd give her the holistic caregiver's telephone number tomorrow, maybe she may be of help..

This is Mike and Ann along with daughters Melissa and LeeAnn...

Awe! Thank you Barb! I think you are right.... It's hard to believe after 8 years of marriage this was our first weekend without kids. (not even a honeymoon without kids!)

I don't think we'll be able to plan another soon...what with DH's work schedule...but maybe something will come up....

How beautiful for you to connect with Mike & Ann the way you have. Betty what a great looking bunch of folks.... I hope you have good news for us from them....

Hugs,
Mary

Thank you Judy & Betty !

I really wanted to get a pic of those manta rays for you guys but didn't get a chance to bring my camera to the beach....

Judy - the shells were few and far between...but the last few beach visits (this one and ones with kids) DH & I have a tradition of gathering them. Can be almost competitive at times LOL! We bring them back and put them in the path around the pool..... a little Florida in my back yard!

Judy - your work at the camp....do you do this every year? I can't remember last year if you worked this hard up there...

Stacey - do you and the family have a preference? (Boy or girl) I can't remember if you've mentioned that....

I didn't get a whole lot of pics but I'll look for one.... Since we didn't have kids with us...most of the time I was carrying the least amount of items necessary LOL

Hugs,
Mary

Good morning ladies. It's going to be a beautiful day here I think with a shower later in the afternoon. We will gladly take the shower if it stops any of these bad forest fires.
Have a lot of stuff to get ready for my daughter. She is having a yard sale and we can set up with her so I'll talk with you all later.
Card will be going out today for Ann and Mike......

Wow-Mike and Ann look so young!! But I guess the big C doesn't care about age:(

Mary-we would like a girl, and as far as the family is concerned other than my mom I don't think anyone really cares...

Betty-sorry-we would have found out on the 10th if I didn't have to see the specialist. The ultrasound I get there will look for heart and other major organ development as well as the sex...

Barb, think we're getting much the same weather...sunny right now but they say a storm front is moving in by mid-afternoon then rain for 2 or 3 days off/on...as you say, we sure need it for the fires..I keep adding to my firepit but don't want to burn incase some of the sparks fly into the bush..that would be a disaster...

Was nice to see the family come over to visit last night, all riding bikes, of course Greg was riding the green monster..lol..hadn't seen Melanie since last Friday, I'd already given her gift but last night remembered I had bought her a nice gold necklace so gave her that..excited she was...

when she says "GRANDMA" in long sylables I always know something is up, was right on target..her sister is getting married in Meaford a week Saturday, Greg and the family will go with her Friday morning, soooo would grandma like to have the grand-doggies for the weekend..yikes they are so big..Ned is only about 6 months old, somewhat trained..hmmm..maybe I'll leave them at their place, go over to walk them, enjoy the pool and hot-tub-keep them in their own surroundings..we'll see...Sailor sure does not like them visiting, she's on the old side and just wants to rest, the other 2 want to play...

Stacey, how right you are, the big 'c' doesn't care what age you are...when talking with mom the other day she said she hates to go for her daily treatment at the cancer hospital in Toronto, said she sits with such young ones that are on deaths door, says it's awful! Bet you are excited having a baby shower with all your DG friends this month...you will be one spoilt lady!

Mary, the manta rays, are they the ones that can sting you and you can die? always worry about what's on the beach when I walk it. Last time I was in Florida I also noticed there weren't many shells, mostly broken shells but not shells you could pick and save..imagine, 8 years married and never been on a vacation just the 2 of you..wow..I'd be scheduling more time in for sure..how's work going, got those big clients on your list yet? are the kids working this summer?

Stacey you nailed that one about the big C. It's very very sad.

Dang I just had lunch and I'm still hungry, trying to lose 20 more pounds here and it's not working! gggrrrrrr

not working here either Crissy, drats, because I took Suzanne to the car dealership 1 hr. early this am she bought me breakfast...then at lunch I took her to pick up her car and had lunch so much too much food..feel blahhhh, guess I'll skip tonight's meal..lol..

I had some sort of Lean Cuisine and it was not enough, but I'm going to wait until my 3pm snack time, I am I am I am!!

Popping in with a quick hello.

Betty, Paul and I have been married just over 20 years...never had a vacation together in all those years. We had two "family" ones....but was really a 2 day trip. The second was Make a Wish for Shannon.

Quite warm here....getting overcast.

Mary, your son looked awesome at Graduation.

My son Shane has his Prom next Friday, the 11th....just got his tux yesterday. No date....going to "please all the women" I am told. Black tux...black shirt....with cherry red vest & tie! OMG! AND....his sister is dropping him off...in her Charger. That was the bribe to get him to go.

So much going on....I am swimming. But I wanted to read up and say hello.....thinking of you all.

Debbie

LOL! Quite the bribe!

I'm so hungry and I have nothing to do to take my mind off of it! ARGH!

Debbie, know you are on a big adventure within the next few days, I'm so excited for you....hugs to you my friend....as for your son, bet he melts all those girls' hearts..he's a looker...do all the boys wear the same tuxedo's or is it individual preferance?

Debbie, know we are to get same weather, we've had torrential rains this past hour, yikes, can barely see the road from here..did ask for it didn't I...so just maybe it's heading your way! be careful

Crissy think 'thin' lol...Crissy you have to add a few words to Debbie to, need to con her into coming this side of the border at the end of the month..we had such a good time as a trio...of course this old gal had to watch you 2 young ones...

LOL Betty!! 1. You're not old, and 2. YOU have to watch US???? Who was trying to climb the fence??? LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL!!!!!!!

And WHO got lost traveling all over the place and we couldn't find you?? Seems someone was making eyes with a few men at the restuarant also.

Listen to her Crissy....we have pictures for proof.

All the boys get their choice of tux.....most have dates and coordinate with their gowns.

And yes, that rain has arrived!

Hello To All;

YAY! Judy called me! So nice to hear from a DG'er...my first time...but couldn't stay on long... Got home late tonight... and Having to keep up with DS....just now got a chance to relax and visit with ya'll ...and it's late...and I have to be at work early... 7am tomorrow....Judy - I'll call you back !!!

Stacey - a GIRL! I just had a few "girl" years... married DH when they were 8 & 9...but it's FUN!

Betty - the Manta Rays were swimming all around people and they are apparently harmless... the lifeguards didn't even have the purple flags out (dangerous marine life). So they were really cute.... The Stingrays are supposed to be dangerous ( remembering the Croc Hunter) but I do even remember seeing them 'back in the day' growing up out there with my Dad snorkeling on the sand bar....just swimming by.

It is sad to see what is going on with the shells... I wonder why there just aren't as much any more? When I was a pre-teen...we would find at least 12 Sand Dollars every time we visited the Beach.... now finding ONE is a HUGE Achievement !

Got to run for a minute... Helping DS get his checking account in order (hopefully) with Grad presents and new expenses (clothes, haircut) ...just getting him in the mindset of "he is on his own"... (well you know THAT"s not the case but HE doesn't! LOL)
Hugs
Mary

Can't say what the 'overwhelming and difficult place I am in' (not me but family member' that kept me up crying all night..without going into someone elses confidences I'll just ask for prayers please...stopped into Tim Horton's for coffee, seeing as I look like h*&l decided to go through drive through..ordered coffee and a bagel $2.73, got to the window and the young lady wouldn't take my money, said the car in front of me paid for it and said 'tell the lady to have a good day!' wonder if he say me wipping tears....highly likely..am trying to keep calm and not be so emotional but if anyone asks, know I'm going to break down...

It's dull outside, overcast and rain to fall shortly..so cool and damp in the office that I actually have the micro heater on..chilled to the bone, might be because I'm tired, very little sleep last night...

Rarely on a downer but can say today is the day I am!

Off to drink my coffee

Crissy-if you trying to loose weight make sure that your meals and snacks have a good amount of fiber and protein in them and you won't be so hungry. When I was trying to loose weight one time I found for example, if I had yogurt for a midmorning snakc I was hungry soon after. If I added some granola to it, it lasted a lot longer. Just some friendly help:)

HUGS my dear miss Betty...

I eat a banana at 10am, then a Lean Cuisine at noon, then some sort of fruit and cup of pudding at 3pm, then whatever Dave cooks for dinner at 6pm, which is always healthy, he's a health nut.

Betty big big hugs and lots and lots of prayers!!!

I'm having quite a morning also. Got up, in the shower, the 400* hair iron wouldn't iron the frizz out of my hair, Dave came in and got in the shower and messed up my routine, I feel like my insides are going to fall out, blah!!!! There's 4 people out of 12 here at work who shut their alarms off in their sleep, I don't feel so bad!

Betty I am praying for you dear lady. Know that I am here. HUGS BEV

Ohhh, Betty, Will keep you and person in prayers.
You will also be in my thoughts as I work today. I know how difficult it is to not sleep and have things on the mind.
I wish i could Hug you in person, that was so sweet of that person to extend a warm and kind gesture.
I know the weather has lots to do with being down, but I hope you feel a little better. Anything I could do to help, let me know.

Crissy, yikes, sounds like a crazy morning, hope the day goes better.

Hi Stacey, how ya doing?

Barb, you are such a caring person to give Ann a call and help support with Betty about Mike.

Mary, i loved chatting with you and look forward to chatting a longer time.

Yesterday i was so busy with household and doing some office stuff for Steve. This turned into an all day affair. but for now I'm done.
Today went to school and got excellent review on the kids. They both are in Sp. Ed. and both will only be in 1 & 2 classes next year!! All the rest will be in the regular class rooms. We & the teachers are so proud of both...Sabrina's Senior year looks to be exciting and Jacob's sophomore year is too, especially in athletics, they were thrilled that he has been invited more than once to step into Varsity fields in all the sports he's participated, especially for being a freshman, it's a real big thing.

Don't know if i mentioned, But Alissa has moved back home and her situation is much better with her family...I love that and support it very much, but i also have to admit, I really miss having her here. Her work have changed dramatically so we don't see her as much, but she is happy and well.

Julia is still doing great, finished school but will take her English class during the summer.

Me, I am just whirling around with end of year meetings, finishing things up and getting more adventurous with cooking.
Steve has added dinner to my routine, as he has been crazy busy and is exhausted. So, I am enjoying that he likes coming home to a meal all ready...last night I made Country ribs! He said they were better then his, so i was walking proud-big smile.

So today, I am in and out, just weeding
Ill be here checking on you Betty.

Big, big hugs my friend.

Sending love and arms to hold you close. My prayers are there always.
Been a busy morning. We went to look at a house to maybe buy and Norm went to WORK for the first time in 17 months!!!!!! It's only a temporary one but who knows????
Off to clean house....

Betty sending you lots of prayers, and big ((((((((((((((HUGS))))))))))))))

YYAAAAYYY for Norm!!! That's great to hear Barb!!

Crissy I'm sitting here all alone with the biggest grin I've had in a long time. Between the loss of his job and the cancer, I didn't know which end was up. If it wasn't for all my friends here - well who knows.... I'm just so grateful.

hurray for norm

BIG HUGS Betty..

I bet Barb, I can't even begin to imagine the stress you were under. I'm so happy for you both!!