Best/Worse/What did I learn today? Chat with friends

Dianne, so glad o hear that your friend is showing signs of improvement! I will continue saying prayers for him.

Katie, glad to hear you broke through the Christmas blues. Sounds like your sorting things out and getting organized is coming along, as well as your gardening.

Betty, sounds like you will be gome tomorrow? Please drive careful on those snowy roads!

(((((((((everyone in need))))))))) and don't you believe anything other than, you ARE always in need. I love you all
LK - glad something's being done, but geeze it's scary....... re: your dad
Katie - I too am glad you made it through the season...
Betty - so glad Patti is such a good new friend!
Anyone I missed...... sorry - I love you all, y'know!!

Finished eating, was just about to doze off and Patti asked if I'd like chocolate. Lol

Debbie my heart goes out to you..you are great parents, Shane is trying to fly solo and one days soon if not today he will learn that following no greater support system than mom and dad...frustrating for sure !

LindaKay, prayers for your dad..kind of caught between a rock and a hard place. Doomed if you do and doomed if you don't..what is your dad wanting??

Katie , so glad we were able to give you support during Christmas..know what it is like to be overwhelmed..my (our) friends here have certainly made it easier to get through the hard days!

Janice, I will certainly join in the baby shower festivities..seems as though it was yesterday that we had the baby shower at Janice's

Debbie we sure miss Crissy..

Eyes are getting heavy, time to close my eyes..yet another busy day tomorrow. Atti will though bring me to Christmas tree store and Joann's, can't get any better than that! Lol

Forgot to tell you that last night I patted Max in the middle of the night (I was half-asleep). Two months ago this had him attacking my hand as if he was defending his life. Last night he tensed up and growled but did not try to bite me. Incredible progress. Too bad it's so much harder to teach kids.

hugs, kb

Oh Katie, I know and understand. Sometimes the bite of a child can be much worse than that of a dog. At least with a dog you
know what you did wrong!

I very much understand your feelings of Christmas depression. I have the same issues with the holiday. I always say "this year will be
different" but....I keep trying.

Sweet dreams and I hope you get some rest.....
Hugs,
Debbie

(HUGS) Debbie ... I'm still dealing with similar stuff and DS will be 21 in March... Once I think he is on track he falls off the track and it's back to square one. We are there now.

Dianne.. will definitely be needing a morning walk. VERY much so. I will not dress properly so you will need to let me borrow some winter clothes or I will get frostbite and will need your help ....
Sounds like your son's friend is definitely a fighter... (HUGS) a lot you are going through my friend.

this is the table mat I made for Katie, I did it "winter" in hopes that she could use it for longer, than if i did it Christmas.
sew glad you liked it Katie, sorry it got there late. When I sent it, the PO said it would get there for Christmas.

Thunder, that is beautiful!

thanks LK

Hello there,

Home, just about to bathe and then meds then on the couch to enjoy the evening..not a snowflake through our entire trip..enjoyed the ride with Patti, am sure we shall see more of each other!

Got to stop at Joann's in Buffalo, still had some $$ left, bought more fabric a template/ruler holder, Fons and Porter design wall, quick stop at Christmas Tree Store, Debbie did you see me wave and ask 'Debbie, where are you?'

Melanie met us in Orillia so that Patti did not have to go out of her way.

Kitties are thrilled I'm home, sure didn't starve, am sure they've put on a lot of weight..likely each of the 3 or 4 people dropping in to check on them thought they hadn't eaten and gave more..had left a list but guess they didn't sign in each day..

Did forget to water my plants..lost 2 ivies but that is nothing, will buy more on Monday.

Only put out a few totes of Christmas decorations out, tempted to take them down but decided tomorrow is another day.

Went got bread, milk and the mail..

Janice got your card..tks

Also got your photo Mary, what a gorgeous family photo, your son's girlfriend is lovely as are all of you.

Just opened a package..it was twisted patterns I had bought on-line..shaking my head and talking to myself..no I won't, no I won't go downstairs and start one of them. Lol. Might tomorrow though.

Thunder absolutely love the tree quilted piece..am sure Katie appreciated its beauty.

Well, bath is getting cold, off I go, be back in a bit

Glad you made it home safe and sound, Betty. Sounds like you and Patti had a good trip. I surely understand about the route. I wouldn't have asked her to change either!

Getting ready to start making an Amish Friendship Bread. I've been nursing the batter for 10 days and today is THE day! Have two of the three starts promised. Guess I'll throw the last one away, cause I surely don't need to do it again!

Thanks for understanding Joyce, sure wanted to give you a hug in person!

Now see, had I dropped in I could have taken that last batch..

Bath done, 2 loads of wash, kitties are giving me the cold shoulder, as though I'm not home. Lol. Too cut..

Went through the mail, thank goodness I paid everything on-line otherwise a few might have been late..

Now sitting with coffee, everything unpacked..looking at all the pretty patterns and seeing what can be made with the fabric I brought home. Passes the time and doesn't take much energy!

Are you all having a quiet weekend, missing the hustle and bustle of the holidays?

Thunder - that is a beautiful piece you made Katie!!
Katie - I also understand the Christmas season blues...... It wasn't until about 3 years ago that I started enjoying Christmas again, and it was previously to my Dad passing on Dec 12 that Christmas was my Favourite Time Of The Year. It took 27 years afterwards before I didn't feel "crushed" by the joyousness of the season. So, it's a recent development that I can be happy again.
Thanks in part to these ladies who are so steadfastly Sure we're all going to have something about the season we'll enjoy! The other part is due to my church - we have a Blue Christmas evening in the middle of Dec and acknowledging the hurt helps so much. This year it was on the anniversary of my dad's passing..... and I stood up at the front and told one of my favourite memories of him.

Bless you all, and I know we will see many joyous and sad things together, but the main thing is, We're Together!!

That's true Susan - well said.
Glad you are home safe and sound Betty. That was a long trip for you and to have so few things to keep you occupied meant a new machine. I just told Norm "I'm bored!!!".....Heehee.
Beautiful job Thunder. I really like that!!!
Prayers for your Dad Linda Kay....

((((((((((((Barb))))))))))))) See what I mean?! we all support, encourage, and enable each other to enjoy life AND each other.

Darlene just called, upset because her elder sister is playing games again, trying to say Dar's mom because of the drugs she is taking for pain is somewhat out of it..just know she is the type to try and take over her mom's affairs..the house closes next week. Seems she (sister) went and took anything of 'value' of which was suppose to go to Darlene and her sister Sue.

Then Darlene found out that just before leaving for Florida her sister dropped in to get a footstool for her mom, she asked Darlene to get something from the basement. Well Darlene found out that she has been in her house...guess the code was somewhere for the alarm..now Darlene has to call and have everything changed again..drats why is there always someone I n a family that has to act up?? I've rambled, you probably can't make out what I am saying..

Barb, maybe you being bored is telling you to go trade that sewing machine in...lol and yes Susan said it well..thank goodness for all of you!

Was talking to Pat, she asked if while Darlene is away if the could use my craft room could they use it for sewing??

I Said NO!

Lol, did you believe I said no?? Of course they can use it..

Drats, kitties still giving me the cold shoulder even though I'm giving them treats..

Here and there I'm taking balls off the tree..by early morning there will be no signs of Christmas except for a few bags not yet delivered.

Listened to all my messages, seems one of Roger's uncle died and funeral was Monday. Must call the family.

oh Betty - I understood you perfectly well...... Dar's sister is being Such a PAIN! Why do people feel they can help themselves to things that are not theirs? Just because they're family doesn't mean they are entitled......
Those kitties had better learn which side of the treat is buttered, and which side is not given to them! And you're the giving kind! lol Furries take you for granted.......they know you'll always "be" there for them.........

I used to have a cat who would pee on the bed (preferably between my legs) the first night after I came home from being away.

I've spent most of the day working on ollas to use in planters. Did a little more sorting/organizing and cooked and ground up the liver for the dogs. While doing the sorting I keep finding "pockets" of clean clothes (or dirty clothes) or other things that have gotten buried while other things took precedence. I'm almost caught up on washing the dishes. Next the two baskets of laundry.

Was remembering today someone's theory that, during adolesence, children go through all the developmental stages again. That led me to thinking about Dr. Spock and his "Common Sense" book about child raising. I recommend it highly. For those having problems with children who should be acting like adults I recommend keeping it simple. These things can be exhausting for the parent - much more so than for the kid.

Tony's oldest son is back home - with a wife and child to boot. I think it's causing all kinds of problems but Tony hasn't confided in me. I think when he's here working that is his time not to have to think or talk about family problems so unless he asks or seems to be very stressed out I wouldn't ask. It does make me wish I was rich as his younger son, who is very smart, is getting shafted by the situation (someone else told me this so I haven't said anything to Tony).

I've been reading "Every Day a Friday" by Joel Osteen. It's helpful for me for dealing with painful memories.

I'm very fortunate to have a lot of good friends. When I stay focused on that the rotten family stuff shrinks. And I'm very grateful for my niece who tells me regularly that I helped her to get away and make a happy life for herself.

hugs, katie

Betty, I probably passed you on the road!!! We left here and picked up DH's parents at 10:00 and headed to Erie PA to meet his sister.
I swear I looked in every car from Ontario for you!!! We got off at the Erie exit where the malls are...had lunch at Panara and turned around and
came back.

Morning all,

who ordered the snow to welcome me back..winter wonderland out there..

Greg and my brother are smilling this morning for sure..they were out for the day and said they needed more snow and here it is!

Trying to get things in order here, have to take a rest..just carried my machine downstairs and it about did me in..going to have a coffee and meds then will look for boots to make my way to the back shed for totes..will feel better once all is in order.

Pat is suppose to come today so will be resting when she does..

Prayers for Tony, Katie..know you will be there for him when he confides..all one can do right?

Love Joel Olsteen, if he were at my church I'd be there daily.

Debbie, I looked as well, yes we would have been there about same time.

Glad we came home when we did, are they not calling for snow in your neck of the woods?

Gab later when I'm on my next break

Posting a few photos of my stay in Florida

Love the picture of you sitting on the beach, toes in the sand, and quilting books in the tote bag!

Me too - I'm trying to picture quilts on the sand and it just isn't working!!! Heehee,

Couldn't sew but so could look at the pretties..

Yesterday I bought fabric for a morning glory quilt, in one of the latest issues..

Decided I'm away from my painting so it was a few strips of appliqué mornimg glories that I'm going to paint in the fabric rather than appliqué..put a bit of both craft interests together! Later today I shall sit and put design on fabric then it's something I can paint while at work..hope it shall work

Oooohhh missy here by my side licking me, guess she is welcoming me home

Better go play

Good Morning!

I am so far behind it redonculous!!

All I can really do and say is You are all in my Thoughts and prayers...
i sure hope that the variety of Situations will work work out, and yes I totally agree with all The support we receive here is absolutely key to getting us through some pretty rough waters and Celebrate the good things too..

Debbie, Oh sweet momma, I sure hope and pray whatever is troubling Shane can be resolved and You and Paul find strength and endurance to help him find His right path...

Betty, I am so glad you are home safe and sound. It sounds like you had a good travel home with Patti. I am so smiling at the photo of you sitting at the Beach, resting and enjoying your quilt book and watching Nature!! Wowwie, what a spectacular sun set/rise, sure makes my eyes water!
I think it was just fantastic that you have met such a great new friend. I hope that Darlene will be ok and all will settle down...I can relate to "being taken care of" Linda Kay and all of you did for me in Mi, I still talk about it and it still brings tears for the loves i have felt.

Waiving Hi Janice, Thanks for the invite for Stacey! Whew, I sure hope Baby holds on till its the right time. Your quilt is beautiful for your Granddaughter!!

Katie, you go girl!! You did great and if that was the final release to say to dad, then good for you! Awe so glad the pup is calming down, I hope that you hand is healed from that bite. Again, i am always glad to hear you and Tony take such good care and support of each other...Sounds like your having a touch of Winter?? lol not sure i knew Mexico could get so cold!
How cool you were able to get some crafting in.

Linda Kay, i am glad you mentioned about the chemical stress test for dad. I was having some serious wondering how they did this with the elders. I did a stress test once and i thought I was going to die from it, and i was only in my forties!! You know i am wondering how Dad is taking all of this too. I know he understands fully how's he doing? My thoughts and prayers will be with you and family.

Thunder!! OMG, you just always amaze me at your projects!! I love the snowman and really love the table top you've made for katie!! haha, love that you made it simple Winter.

Marion, if your reading, My thoughts and prayers have been with you and your sister.
I sure hope you all are having a good visit. How's the knee?

Mary, so glad you had a nice visit with Dad...hmmm, did you and DH get the model T finished, know there was some work being done.

Dianne, OMG, I am so glad your friend is doing so much better!! think that would have scared me to pieces seeing him rip things out! Awe, nothing like a visit from his little angels to help his recovery. God bless Children! LOL, Steve just re-discovered the Cook book, browsing through it, he is on a cooking binge!! I know i am certainly still enjoying my candies, i finally tried the brown ones and ohwah!! mouth watering delicious. Now, I know also( you had mentioned, eons ago) you were thinking of taking up quilting, well, you go for it!! With your excellent work in piecing stained glass, piecing material should be a walk in the park. Got to tell you how much i love talking about my Stained glass, so enjoy telling how the Morning glories were your own artwork using your own garden for inspiration, makes me smile just thinking about it! So I hope you are doing well and enjoying the walks and the fires keeping warm...I will be thinking of you as i replenish the wood in the Harport, got to reorganize the stack.

Barbara, wha??? your bored, lol well come on over my friend well have a sewing session and you can help organize my stuffs again!!! OMG, ever clean up things so well ya don't know what you did with some things, goodness, happened so many times I just am going crazy! Well i am so bored with cleaning and such, i am in search of a job, cant stand this any more!!

I fel like m missing someone, but don't know who...LOL, you know me, eventually i'll remember!! But the bottom line is Everyone in My DG family is thought of on a regular basis.
OMG, I smell food, lolol and i starving...yippy, Jake finally did breakfast im off to stuff my face.
Be back in a bit!

Betty, what you talkin about ?? couldn't sew !!?? I often bring a small piece of hand work with me to the beach !!! nothin in the world as peaceful, sitting with toes is sand, listening to the waves, stitchin' OH YEAH nothin like it ^_^

first glance at the little pictures, I thought the beach picture was snow!! and I thought now what on earth is she doing sitting in the snow without a coat!!??

there is a road we travel on when we go to my sisters, it has sand on both sides of the road, little way out in the country road, barely two lanes, the kids call it " the winter rd" looks a lot like snow, when you first turn in onto it....

♥♥♥ hugs to all

Glad to see you post Judy, as with others who are missing I often wonder how you are doing and hope things are good! All energized after your posts..lol

Plowman came, drats hated to give him $600 but there is a foot I'd snow at least out there and it's the heavy kind of snow..shoveled a passage way while he plowed ..heavy heavy, great to make snowmen but not for shovelling. Tired me right out.

Lordy, Andy was smiling ear to ear when he saw me..said he'd been doing the drive even though I hadn't called him, his brother mentioned a mrs Pauze had passed on and as he continued to do the drive and see no life, no footprints, car hadn't moved in weeks that just maybe it was I...laughed as I said I was in bad shape but still here!!


Called Greg and asked him while out on the snow machine could he drop in and pack down a path to the back shed..too much to try and wade through...looking at the clock and it says 3:50' though omg this day went quickly but battery just died..

Now I can get into something else..should do my hair before Pat gets here, was ok but now all wet as it was wet snow while I was shovelling, talk about the witch look..

Here is Missy again, needs a pet

Well you send those little ones my way, today they can make a snowman.

So love rides on those beach roads..think I was sewed out, did me good to relax..just finishing washing the floors, off to sweep the sewing room and just maybe get one of those twister patterns out. Am looking forward to doing the USA flag but don't have the materials for it..

What are you all up to today..see that Judy will be cleaning up after Steve who has taken over her kitchen

few more

Darlene brought along the quilt that I made her made with Mike's clothing

Kitties made themselves right at home

Darlene hard at work..enjoyed making a no sew blanket covering

Wouldn't do the bag using the plastic covering, took too much of the coloring from the bag

Ohhh look at the pattern book and patterns I have to play with..maybe I'll take out my machine lol

great ideas in the book, some throws, blankets and placemats

system not letting me post more than a couple of photo's today

Hard to type with Riley wants all the attention

both have been affectionate, guess it was my coming home yesterday to surprise them lol

Early morning temperatures in the high 40's will probably not garner me much sympathy, especially from those of you dealing with snow so I won't dwell on it.

I'm almost caught up on the dirty dishes crisis and the wringer washer is filling up so I can start on my mountain of laundry.

After dealing with the liver yesterday, I'm cooking and freezing twenty pounds of chicken legs today. It will make feeding the dogs easier for a few weeks.

Max went into serious attack mode in the middle of the night; I've learned this might happen and to prepare so I was able to get a thick quilt up between us. This morning he was super playful and less jumpy than usual. While in Ca. I got a jacket-type thing that is supposed to help calm him but I'm going to need Tony's help to get it on him and I keep forgetting while Tony is here.

The glue on my ollas is dry; time for the last application of silicone. When that's dry I can test to see if they leak. If not, I can start making planters. Meanwhile I need to get gourd and tomato plants either planted of given away (or both).

Hope everyone has a peaceful Sunday. I sure enjoy knowing I have company with the endless housework, child/dog problems, and attempts to get organized.

hugs, katie

Betty, you should not be shoveling that heavy snow with your neck problems!
Love those patterns!

Katie, what is an olla's please?

An olla is a clay container that gets filled with water which it then gradually releases to the plant(s) around it. At www.globalbuckets.org there is a lot of information about them and self-watering containers. Very low tech and interesting. The site was started by a couple of teenagers - inspiring for those of us who are challenged by young people.

Got several loads of wash done. The day has warmed up and, as usual, is very sunny.

hugs. katie

LindaKay was going to ask Katie same thing??

Katie, again I worry about Max doing you harm!

As for shovelling, I know but, how does it get done? Yes I could wait for Greg or the boys but the entire family left snowmobiling to northern regions but said they'd be back before nightfall to make a path to back shed and knowing Pat was coming to visit it needed to be done.

Had a lovely visit with Pat..although Riley wasn't very nice, wanted all my attention and did a bit of hissing. Managed to show Pat the twister technique by doing a placemat..used up odds ends so not the nicest but she now knows how to do them.

Trying to decide if I want to make a sandwich and have a nap or keep going??

The Supreme Court has decided to review the case of the Native American child who was taken from her adoptive parents after several years. I sure hope they consider the child and that no more damage is done to her. Sometimes I wish I had a license to kill - I promise I wouldn't abuse it.

I made a sweet potato pudding last night. Yum.

hugs, katie

Katie, you must have gotten Max a Thunder Jacket! They work great in relieving stress and such. Poor boy must have been abused in the past to be
so high strung and scared like that with anxiety.

Yummy..ok maybe I'll join you in cooking up a desert..how about bread pudding..easy to make in m icrowave..think I have everything I need.

Lol, so much for having a nap, see how easy I can change direction

With being on vacation Katie I did not hear much about this case..here is hoping as well that the child's best interest is taken into consideration.