Best/Worse/What did I learn today?chat with friends new and old..

Betty - glad to hear you're feeling more like yourself. Naughty Ziggy!
LK - how are you feeling?
Sharon, good for you on your outlook on life. 81 isn't old, for goodness sakes - people are getting into their high 90's I'll be 70 in March and I'm looking forward to my next milestone :)

I got a wasp sting the other day, and now I know where the wasps are. They're in the step in front of my shed. I think the wood is rotting, and I saw them going under the top to the underside. I contacted a friend whose husband is in construction. They only live 5 blocks or so from me, on a farm. She's going to ask him if he could help me out & replace the step. It's about 5' wide by 3 feet front to back. I stepped on another part of the step to avoid the "up & down" movement that I think brings the wasps out and it was more solid (until I stepped on a "wrong" spot & the wood was giving way).
I was in the shed taking all the camping stuff I need for this next weekend when I go tenting with the Camping With New Friends group Dianne & I belong to. This time I'll be tenting. I have a BYOB that gets inflated - it's huge - 80" long by 42" wide. It's meant for house use, but hey - it'll be comfy! Says it will take up to 500 lbs lol
A friend of mine gave me a pant suit she's lost too much weight to wear. It's a 3 piece with a top & light jacket, and straight leg pants. When I tried it on, then saw the size, I told her "you just made my day". It's a medium, and before I started to lose weight I was going into a 2x I know, I know....... different manufacturers size differently, but still........... :)

This message was edited Jul 19, 2023 9:43 AM

Therapy went OK, woman was kind. I have to make a change though because the cost is too much for us when I can get it through our hospital at no cost to me. I stoppen in and got the paper work going and now wait for the call. Kind therapist did give me some exercises to try and I will start on them ....well later today. I have no idea why I am up at this hour and wide awake.

Morning, sunshine day here, will be a high of 75, that i can take.

Karen, it’s a shame when seniors can’t get reasonable services..hope hospital can fit you in.

Susan, those bites hurt..is it the entire frame that needs replacing or just top boards. i need to get the front landing top wood steps done and a few on back bedroom steps done before someone falls.so hope the weather cooperates for you on the weekend. Am sure you will be comfy.

I was up most of the night calling for Ziggy, when i went to the door at 5:10 there he was.. grrr. Back to bed i went set the alarm for 8, couldn’t fall back to sleep so got up, who wanted to sleep, you got it so i shushed him off made the bed and he is right back on it dozing.

I vacuumed the decks, watered planters.Evan will be here at 9, once he leaves I will spend the morning deadheading and cutting down limbs in the back gardens then spend afternoon relaxing.

Sharon leaves for NY for 5 days, gave her $$$, looked at ad, think she can get me some good deals.

Karen, I am sorry you have to change therapists but at least you have an alternative AND some exercises to practice until the hospital picks up your care.

Betty, I am so glad Stanley is STRICTLY an indoor cat. He is not always happy about my decision, but I can't take the worry! I wish I had a burn pit & could use it. I do pay for 3 LARGE garbage cans and our local dump will allow for 6 trips in the year without charge. I have a pickup truck so nothing to complain about!

I am hoping Deb posts some puppy pics again soon!

Susan, I have some outside work here to do that I am concerned I might run into some wasps. That is one of the reasons I do not have bird feeders. The wasps take over before the birds move in. I want to replace the steps into my oldest son's storage shed. Frankly I am the only one who uses the shed and I am 4 hours away! My son & wife are simply NOT DIYers, even a little.

Sharon is coming over this morning & we will work outside again.

I am doing a bit better. Thanks for asking.
My sister called this afternoon. Told me she just found out she has colon cancer that has spread to her liver. She will have colon surgery Monday. After those test results come back, we will know more. Too close to home to hear of another family member dealing with cancer.
Please say a prayer for her.

Oh Linda, I am so sorry to hear that about your sister, you both will remain in my prayers.

I definitely will include your sister in my prayers, LK. You have always been in my prayers.
Betty - I don't know the extent of the wasp infestation, but the bites sure are itchy. The one on my palm wasn't this itchy, but my arms......... makes me want to tear the skin off! Makes me think about people with casts, trying to scratch even though they shouldn't! I have to find Something that will deter the itching. I thought After Bite would, but it's not.

Morning, overcast, rain is suppose to move in around noon, my pretties sure would like a light soaking. I am so sorry to hear about your sister Lindakay, certainly add her in my prayers. Is she your sister who lives in Michigan? Seems with all money spent on cancer research they should be much more advanced, all we hear is a loved one going through this..hugs

Ouch Susan, you must have an allergy to the bees… pollination is a great concern.

I noticed this year there are no monarch butterflies and next to no bees..

Been a long time since I planned a trip for the girls…doing a 1 day Saturday at Niagara-on-the-Lake, it’s a start, booked Prince of Wales Hotel for High tea at11. Might have mentioned it on an earlier post.

Best I finish my coffee as Lilyand Adele will be here at 9:30pm

Thanks for the prayers. Yes, Kathy lives in Grand Rapids.
Betty, so glad to hear you are traveling again. Shopping is good for the soul. Enjoy.

Goodness Susan, how many stings did you get?? Arms, hands...

"Retail therapy, best therapy money can buy!" When someone can afford their purchases, a little spending can be a huge pick-me-up!

I had discovered that the window air conditioning had not been installed correctly and there was a big gap! I had not noticed because the gap was up high behind the header of the blinds. Yesterday Sharon & I fixed that installation. We are joking about putting together a calendar, "Women with tools". Two fat old women posing while working with our power tools, wouldn't that be funny for Christmas gifts for family?? I would definitely need one with my table saw, chain saw and new cordless staple gun, maybe the miter saw. Sharon would need one with her combination blower & shredder. She travels everywhere with that thing!! She does her mother's lawn care, her own of course AND her church lawn care as a free service offering. Humm... her band saw, weed eater, her big scroll saw for sure. Maybe posing next to that 6 foot Sasquatch she made?? I like to pull some kind of prank or gag gift for at least ONE person each Christmas, THIS has potential!

I started sewing pockets on the inside of Sharon's shorts. She got a new glucose meter that attaches to the skin but the phone has to be within 20 feet of it for it to broadcast the info. She was given 4 pair of shorts with no pockets. We'll do one pair of shorts at a time and test out which design & location for the pocket works the best. I am excited for her, potentially no more poking of her finger!

LOL Pat on the calendar!!

A week ago I got a wasp sting on my left palm, on Tues evening I got one on each arm. My neighbour (Carol) used to be an exterminator & she now is allergic to bee & wasp stings or she'd help me. She said to use foam on the wasps & they'll take it back to the next & it will kill them. Bea said her mother used vinegar on her when she was a child, for wasp stings. It works better than the baking soda past I used before. I may have a small allergy to them, but I'm breathing well, etc, so it's not serious.

There are many brands of wasp spray that is a foam. It shoots 20 feet. Kills on contact.

Pat, I love your calendar idea.

This message was edited Jul 21, 2023 12:12 AM

Morning, been up since 6, high if 73°F
Bad storm last night but did not lose power, thank goodness

Pat, that is a wonderful idea about the calendar, do you mind if I use it? Could be a Christmas gift but how many of younger generation does calendars..still a great idea.

Yes Susan you must as you’ve aged come up with an allergy, perhaps you should have something on hand now that you are camping… is it this weekend you are off, are they calling for nice weather??

I will have to buy some spray Lindakay, luckily i had a can of spray, not foam that i was able to rid the bee cone a few weeks ago, mom noticed it, i don’t sit out back on the closed in porch but she loves it there, i always leave the door open so Ziggy can come in and out, guess so can the bees.

Although I did little yesterday I kept myself busy..

Had class for Adele and Lily, they are such grown up women at 11 years old lol
Did an hour of quilting on the Christmas throw which will be a Xmas gift, think if I do another hour I can make my binding and hand sew.
I had been given a bag of wool, so i sat and and made balls of wool instead of leaving them in the skein, works better when using on a knitting machine, especially if some of the girls want to make scarves for the needle. I have a wool winder but this way it entertained me for a few hours, I’m 1/2 way done.

Just cleaned out my refrigerator, Lordy it looks empty now, so much jam, salad dressing, pickles etc that were taking up space… wouldn’t you know that was the task I picked!

Decided I would run into town, would like to get my hair cut, do a bit of shopping.
When I get back I’d like to go over a sewing machine that I will give to Maddy.

Marie just dropped in, back in awhile

My niece Alicia used to make a family calendar. She collected family photos throughout the year used them. We had a stuffed flamingo that we used to "gift" to people. One of the photos showed the flamingo sitting on a toilet. It was hilarious when our Mom realized that someone had snuck it into their motorhome & it was sitting on their toilet. The flamingo used to show up LOTS of funny places. The roof of my brother Mark's, Ross's van seat. The idea was to sneak it in somewhere.

We have journals for all our years up north. Most would write in them just before going home. Then one time someone found a rubber 6" alligator with a torn jaw. First thing you knew he had a back ground story about he was shy and when folks came around he would hide. The next ones to come visit would search until they found him and story was added on to and whoever found him got to hide him before they left. This went on for years and one year no one could find him no matter how hard they searched. This went on for months, we knew who had hidden him and he wasn't talking. One time my son even called me and said "alright, tell Nick to tell us where he's hidden". Finally Nick told he had dropped him down the leg of a pair of snowpants hanging on the coat hooks. The story continued thar he had hitched a ride into town and found a girlfriend and brought her back. Eventually there were a bunch of tiny lizards showed up. This was carried on for many years until we sold and left there. BTW biggest mistake I've ever made.

Makes for great conversations and family traditions.

My sister just called to tell me she will be going home next week, to be placed on hospice care.
Doctors told her that her colon cancer is large, at least stage 4, her liver cancer is probably stage 3. With all her other health problems, kidney failure and afib, she would not make it through surgery. She said she will be in the hospital till at least Monday or Tuesday, making all the arrangements.
I told her I would give her time to get home and settled in, and I would fly up to be with her.
Please keep us all in your prayers.

Lindakay, so sorry to hear about your sister, can’t even imagine how a person would deal with getting such news. Hugs my friend, that is a lot for you to deal with. Does she have family living with her….i am sure you will be a comfort for her.

palatine care and hospice scares the dickens out of me.

Karen, how much fun that was, those are great family memories. Think the move took a lot out of you both.

Remember the elf, 10-15 years ago DG friends enjoyed sending an elf (keep wanting to say from) around and each individual that had him would take him all over our home town. i had him for Christmas, my kids thought I’d lost it mentally, i made him a Santa suit, he went for a scoot ride, did family gatherings, kids were actually sad when he had to pack up and leave priority post.. don’t know whatever happened to him. Wouldn’t it be nice if each of us could do same?

Did get to town, told hairdresser to cut hair on short side, did she ever cut it short..will grow.didn’t want to aggravate my shoulders quilting so cut a Xmas binding ad added it to the throw, sat and enjoyed hand sewing 2 sides. Will post a photo before adding the binding.

Sharon Kunik, Inuk spelled backwards won 2 best in show yesterday and again today. Sage got 25 points, can’t recall what else. She will do the show s tomorrow, figures she will leave for home after the shows 5 hr drive..hope she changes her mind.

I was happy to hear she got me white tone on ton for 2.99 a yard, bought me 10 yards, thread was buy 3 and get 3 free ones and 1/2 yds of 3 different blues..didn’t spend all $$$ i gave her, told her to go back in the morning and buy more lol

I forgot to tell you, a man in early 70’s was at the marina Wednesday, somehow and nobody knows his car went from mainland parking area into Georgian Bay..although many attempts were made to get him out he didn’t make it.

Thank you Betty. It's not easy.
Congratulations on Kunik getting best of show.
I love that quilt. Very pretty.

I can’t even imagine Lindakay.

Bought 2 panels as did Sharon, not sure if she she did her 2, know she did one.we bought so many panels, why did we do such a thing lol

Said goodnight to Suzanne and Linda, you would almost think we are going on one of our roadtrips, so many questions, now i am wide awake lol

Hopefully they can get you more fabric.

And panels are hard to find here.

Linda, that is a lot to take on. I will continue to remember your family in my prayers.

Betty, sounds like your sister did a good job spending your money on fabric! Sounds like Kunik is well on his way to becoming the show dog his father was. That would be a great comfort to Sharon.

Karen, LOVELY family tradition.

Karen, that was a fabulous family tradition. The only tradition we had was getting all together and climb the mountains and cut down Christmas trees. When I moved to Las Vegas, many friends asked for trees, so we had many to bring back. Did that for many years but it eventually just faded away.

Betty, so pleased your sister had good luck/skill at the dog show. And the bargains at the stores made your day. If I got my hair cut that short I would be in trouble because my hair is fine and thin.

Linda, I am so sorry to hear the tragic news about your sister. Vern was in hospice but did not know about it. I knew it would alarm him and I did not want that. They took over his medications and they goal was to make him comfortable. They sent a young lady twice a month and she played the ukulele and sang songs from the 60s. He loved it. He was scratching him self with one of his toe nails so they send a traveling podiatrist to the house to trim his nails. They supplied briefs, bathing supplies and bed pads and anything else you thought you needed. Once you go into hospice, you cannot be admitted to a hospital.

Betty, that is an adorable quilt. What is a panel. So happy you did not lose power during your big storm.

Susan, hope you had a great time on your camping trip.

Looks like we have all been super busy!! no posts today

I had to go back and check if I gave you a critique of my day yesterday. I cleaned the middle section of my back patio. My patio cover the total length of the house and wraps around the East side. Over kill when building. Especially now that I am 80. I used car washing liquid and stripped all of the 4 chairs and foot stools (2). They were covered with pool plaster and green dust. They are made from resin and a smooth design. The car washing soap did a wonderful job. And I turned them upside down and cleaned underneath. Couldn't believe how dirty the water got and the dirt that ended up on the patio. I had been working, in the shade of the patio cover, for over 4 hours when I got a reminder that I had a HOA board work shop at 2pm. Stopped me in my tracks. And when I got off the zoom call, I went back outside the sun was blazing right on the spot I was working. This morning, right after I walked Emma, I hit the tomatoes and picked two colanders full. Took close to 45 minutes and I was soaked with sweat by the time I got done. Good think we do not have mosquitoes. Came in the house, took about a 10 minute break, cleaned ice machine, gave Emma a bath, did a load of wash, fed Emma, back washed Koi pond, transplanted a dying geranium. I removed it from the pot and the soil was moist but hot. It was actually steaming the poor plant. Then did some watering of plant containers. By this time it was 1:30, I made myself a tuna wrap and spent the rest of the day in my bedroom, sitting in my overstuffed chair, chilling. I promised myself i would not be working outside in the hottest part of the day and I made it. We broke a record today of 115 that was set in 1937. In my first home, 1960, it was 988sq feet and had a swamp cooler. July and August was miserable. Currently I am rotating window blinds during the day by where the sun is. Seems to be keeping my bedroom cooler and the ac off. I get cold if the AC is on because one register blows right on my chair and if I keep it to hot, 83, Emma gets to hot. Sorry for all of the jabber. Hugs to all of you.

So sorry to hear about your sister LindaKay. I can't imagine getting that kind of news.

Congratulations to Sharon on Kunik's wins!

QOV presentation was very nice today. Everyone was there to honor Albert on his 100th birthday. He was very pleased with his quilt and the large crowd was impressed and thought it beautiful

We then went to our youngest daughters and was so surprised to see all three of her boys there. Will and his family are local. Nick lives in Texas and Troy and Moriah live in Denver. We just got home as I hated missing any time with the boys.

Sharon, I can't imagine a scenario where I could have the AC off if it was 115 out!! I have always wanted a front porch. Your porch does sound HUGE! THAT was a lot of cleaning! I did have a small, covered porch added to the back of my house a few years ago.

Karen, if i remember right. you did label, paperwork and presentation but did not make this quilt? I would love to see a picture of it.

I worked until late last night and got the curtains hemmed and hung in 2 bedrooms. The freshly painted black wooden TV trays in place for nightstands, some of the "new art" hung in the bedrooms. The pink & black quilt still needs quilting, but I wanted a feel for how it will look.(Cringe at those purple shams but I wanted to check out the size). I have magenta pillow shams being delivered Tuesday. Both bedrooms will have some wall hangings made & hung eventually but this is probably as done as it will be before company Thursday. Family is coming for dinner. Ben's granddaughter Alina (15 YO) is visiting WA rigfht now, she is spending most of the summer with her aunts. She just finished the CA part of her summer.

The boxes in the black bookcase will be covered in coordinating fabric. It's easier and cheaper than trying to find the right size baskets. I am considering swapping out the small white nightstand for a larger black one. It might balance out the black bookcase better. My DIL prefers to unpack into bookcases so bookcases & boxes will remain empty to make it easier for them when they visit.

Not sure if the black nightstands will stay in the Pink & black room or be swapped out for skinny white nightstands. I've made a conscious effort to keep the bedroom furniture & curtains black or white so it can be changed from one room to another. So far that is an idea that has worked well. I guess that is the one benefit of starting from scratch and painting a lot of used furniture! The only non-B/W headboard is that teal one that I made from an old door that was already teal. Since it went OK with the bedspread, I left it teal.

Shower & prepare Sunday school lesson & start all over again on the to-do list. Hopefully that small computer chair gets its makeover today!

Sharon, I can't believe all the work you do in that heat.
Pat, I love those bedrooms. They are beautiful.

Thank you Linda, they are still works in progress, but I am liking the transition. My co-workers used to tease me because I was so cheap! After what it costs to refinish those floors, thank goodness nothing else was expensive!

Afternoon, sunshine day, just on the brink of being too hot.

Karen, what a feeling you must get when you present these vets with their quilt.

Lindakay love the bright colours in your rooms, wish I could go with bold.

I kept busy outside today Sharon but Lordy there is no way I could keep up with you.
115, don’t think he’ll is much hotter.what is the name of your car soap you use?? I have resting chairs to clean,often use Javex but it’s quite strong.

Wonder if weather is good for Susan’s camping.

Started posting this morning then Jeff and Braedon dropped in, i went downstairs came back upstairs and there was Greg…so somewhere in between showing them pictures I lost my post. They had gone golfing yesterday morning, afternoon, this morning and were off for another game..I offered to go golfing with them but got turned down lol bad shoulders, no golfing.

Greg and Mel bought a paddle boat so they could take Grayson out on Georgian Bay, I said maybeBraedon and I could use canoe, Jeff kayak, Greg paddle boat and go spend a morning out on the lake.

We had such a beautiful day yesterday in Niagara On The Lake, high tea was wonderful, the waitress must have taken a liking to us because she kept bringing on different plates for us to taste, we were all so full. The teas we each picked came in the biggest tea pots, think Linda said she had 5 cups.

I would have to say there was over 1,000 walking the streets..hardly a place that wasn’t flowers.

When i got home I noticed Bernie had dropped off my obelisk this morning i was up early, by 8am I had stained it white then out to dig up the front garden, it’s sooo root bound that it is extremely hard to dig up what is there, I want to take all the flowers out and start fresh. I managed to get a tracking plant set in and obelisk put over it..think once that area is finished I will work on the garden under front window…just to Pom overgrown as well.i came in for 2 baths to cool myself down, keep looking at the clock, think getting comfy in bed isn’t
that far away

Do you recall all the prayers we said for Ann’s grandchildren who were born early in her daughters pregnancy?At deaths door for almost a year, heart surgery’s etc.??

Well look at them now

Lindakay, prayers are with you..

It is another hot one and on Sunday's the only gardening I do is watering. I am having dinner at My daughter's home and then I have been invited to meet my new great grandson Theodore, Theo.. I will be the 5th person that has gotten to see him. New parents and I told my daughter I would wait until I was invited.

Pat, I really like your teal room. Good job on coordinating. You get used to the heat and it is a dry heat. Very low humidity. My covered patio is on the back side of the whole house. I would love a front porch but would never win approval from the design committee. I went in with roof gables and had to switch to a lower peak. Too Victorian for the neighborhood. My roof is more French Country.

Betty, that looks like the way I would like to eat. A little bit of everything. Your sons are looking out for mom.

Linda, when do you leave for your sister's.

Karen, that was a wonderful surprise all your family was there. Did you know they were coming. Quite an honor to make it to 100. That is not one of my goals. I will let you know what my goal is when I reach 90. That is my goal now.

Must get ready to go to daughter's.

Pat, this is the QOV I presented to Mr. Bury. I had my pick of four and chose this one.

Beautiful quilt Karen, I can see why you chose this one!

Betty, the paddle boat looks like fun & your obelisk if beautiful!

Sharon we have dry heat here as well, but I don't care how dry it is, 115 is 115!!! LOL

Morning,say it will rain but I’m not trusting it so will go out and water for the hou…moving slower soi lost an hour for watering..drats

Have a couple of girls coming this morning and am free this afternoon..i decided I would paint front decks white so need the pain..estimating for what I need like $100 a gallon, so hoping I am wrong.

Sharon, I bet Theodore is as cute as can be..sure wouldn’t like to live where everything you want to do has to be passed by HOA. What did you get for supper eats.

Lordy Karen, that is one heck of a Quilt, probably my favourite..much larger than a regular throw..you are wonderful for doing such things.

Pat,what is on your agenda for today, hope it’s rest.

Deb, saw photo of your puppies, i still can’t get around that they will look like their mom/dad, talk about cute.
Best i go water before 9am chimes

LindaKay - you & your sister are in my prayers as she makes her final arrangements
Pat - those quilts are beautiful - lots of work ahead of you, but I know that you're enjoying working on YOUR place :)
Deb - puppies are so sweet.
Betty - how are you doing on the painting of your deck? Take care!
I do remember the gnome we sent around. Also the doll we sent around (what was her name?). She had a boyfriend too, naughty girl lol I know that the gnome disappeared on one of the trips, not sure what happened to the doll. Maybe it got too expensive to send?
Weather was hot for camping. Nice campground, only 1 hour from me. I may go back to the area to watch live theatre (Sound of Music - it was the first I sw in a movie theatre & I watched about 12 times before they went on to another movie - very popular).
I didn't have a fly for my tent, but one of the other campers had one. It sprinkled one night but it wasn't much & I didn't get soaked. All the other campers in the group seem to be world travellers. Not me, but I enjoyed hearing about their trips.

Susan, I am glad you are enjoying your trip and hearing about your new friends' traveling adventures as well.
Not a lot of resting planned. I have company coming Thursday night I hope to have most of the work done by then. My favorite part, hanging the art, is coming up soon! Some of it has been packed away for over 2 years. Painting the old baseboard will be the worse of all the jobs that still need to be done. After my experiences lately with painter's tape pulling off even CURED paint, you can bet only the laminate flooring will get any taping, not my new hardwood or ANY walls.

Susan, just got home from town with paint, i won’t overdo, little at a time..wondered if I might have energy to do a few rungs to see if I like it. Problem with painting is you can’t go back..big sigh
If i remember correctly is a fly is what covers the tent incase it rains or morning dew? Always nice to hear people recount their travels. When is your next camping trip?

Pat, looked as though those rooms had art hanging?? How long will your company be staying? I think they are shortchanging the adhesive part of the tape because like you it bleeds through
Lindakay, is your sister at home? Guess you are anxious to go be with her..prayers being said and big armwraps for you.

Dianne, are you getting a storm?

yes, Betty - that's exactly what a fly does, for a tent.
on Aug 5th I'll join the group for their Potluck. They're camping in the town next to me. I was invited to join, but it's a campground INSIDE the town, and that doesn't impress me, so I'll bring ice cream for the potluck & join them (It's actually called a Recreational Park). The Campground is outside of town, with a golf course (I'm not a golfer) next to it, and That I would go to, but not by myself........ and I want power anyway. That would be on a gravel pad. Not that that is a problem. I have a tarp I put under the tent - folded 6x lol and the bed is raised, too.