Coffee and...Part 43...! :-D

Session #43 (Started Oct. 22, 2005)

Good Morning again!!!

Maria so glad you are feeling better just getting started today and on first cup of coffee.
Will be checking in rainy and cold here ick.
Anne

YEAH for Maria!!!

Does anyone here have any suggestions about WHO I would contact to get a new forum into the 'suggestion box"?

I was looking to see if there were Zone specific forums or a Mid-West gardening forum in the works already. I found the Cool Climates and one for Michigan. The Cool Climates makes sense for Wisconsinites in the winter...but after this summer! Well...I don't consider us 'cool' at all. LOL

~julie~

rainy hare too, probably will all weekend, yuk is right
Maria

Good morning everyone,

Just a quick note about the potatoes - yes, they freeze well. I just pop a couple into the microwave to defrost and warm up. Serve with salsa and/or light sour cream. Oh and I usually put some canned tuna or salmon in them but completely forgot it last night.

We still have sun here, but not for long. Gotta get into the garden even though it's pretty chilly.

Ann

This message was edited Oct 22, 2005 7:09 PM

Morning Everyone!

We won the game last night 24 to 10, whoo hoo! Nathan is all excited about going to the Homecoming Dance, not taking a date, but meeting up with a "pack". My baby!

I love Kohl's, we just got one built here last year right before Christmas. They have fabulous clearance racks. Speaking of clearance racks, last night we stopped at K-mart to pick up Jenna's witch costume (at last, truth in advertising!). While we were there I hit the girls clearance, I got her: 3 shirts, 2 skirts and 2 pairs of pants for $27! I got Nathan to hit the boys and he found 3 tee shirts for $6.

Now that witch costume was a pain. I could have made a much cuter one that would have lasted much longer, but nooooo. She had to have the one she saw when Daddy took her to look for one for him. She thinks it makes her look like a teenager because it has a section of spider web lace across her belly. She is 6! And she will have a cold belly come Halloween night too, lol. It really galls me to pay $22 for a costume I could have made at home for less than $10. Dh is a kid's bowling coach on Saturday mornings, and every year they have a Halloween party. The kids and the coaches all dress up and try to bowl in their costumes. Last year I made him a Fred Flintstone costume. Orange and black fake fur, lol, what a sight. But he doesn't like to wear the same costume back to back, soooooo...... And trying to get him to make a decision will take forever, so I'm going over to the fabric store this afternoon.

Oy, I have alot to do today! Why did I sit down and get absorbed in DG?

mg

Happy! Enjoy your cruise and Bon Voyage and all that, lol.

I respectfully request a full report of details and pictures when you return.

I'll keep sending protective vibes to dh and pup.

mg

Marie and M5, am glad that someone else has that Betty Crocker cookbook, lol. My grandmother's book isn't in the best shape either but it still smells like her kitchen.
Sarv, yes, that tomato recipe is much better than Campbells. Am glad you have such nice dreams, hehe.
Hap, do have a good trip cruising. Hope your baby survives. They usually do, the owner suffers more, hehe.
M5, love your living room. Will be nice with the new furn. I have never heard of the ice cube thing so must try it on a spot I need it.
Mg, interesting that you have K-Mart back there. It must be all over the US then. I just got a pair of nice cotton shorts that my son will use for wrestling for $2! Now that is a good deal.
Well, off to keep doing my retaining wall since when the fog lifts, it will be a nice sunny day they say.
Later, Carol (DR)

Back again- just taking a short break from Sat house pick up.

M5- beautiful living room - especially like the stone fireplace - I'll have one in my NEXT house LOL We have 4 fireplaces in this house- too many. One we boarded over and put a closet in front of it. It was in a bedroom and I'd never want a fire there anyhow. Stuck a wood stove in the lower level one and we use it daily in cold weather - nothing better than a warm cozy wood fire. I wonder about how much junk I am breathin in tho...

Interesting tidbit about Kohls. That store along with Target and I am in hog heaven. I do like wandering around Bed,Bath and Beyond too - always use their 20% off coupons!! Give me a home improvement store too...

DIL called early this morning and asked if I could come over to pick up DGS- she was running behind. Going to an all day class in belly dancing and then a performance tonight - not my cup of tea, but she is skinner than a rail with all that shaking about! DGS and I just played a zillion games of 'mancala' - I often win, but have no idea how I do it - luck I guess. Right now he's outside helping DH bring up wood for the winter.

Sun is out, but clouds will roll in later. They keep saying rain, but we haven't seen any for weeks. Maria, I saw on the news that they are going to blast that dam out and put in stones/rocks. Keep your boat handy!!

Was it Hap that was going on a cruise?? Yikes - in this weather!!

I'm dressed, but no 'foundations' on, so I need to get busy before the day is over. Hair needs a good washing too - has so much goo in it, that it is plastered to my head with roosters in places.

Good Morning to all the GOBs and GOBettes in DG Land today. I have a full agenda today, I'm going to Mum's house to wash her windows inside and out, mow her yards and put slow-release weed and feed down for the winter. This all has a two-fold purpose besides, allows me to check up on Mum and see how she's doing. I was there two days ago and y'day fixing up her medications for the week and prefilling the syringes. Me being over there three days in a row will cause her to wonder what's going on.

FYI, my Mum was 95 back in July. She still lives in her own home with myself and a company called *Comfort Keepers* who come to her home 4 days a week to do chore work and take care of her personal needs. Mum is insulin-dependent diabetic (for more than 40 years now) and still has all her appendages. Her sight is poor but her memory is reasonably good, just a tad forgetful with short term memory. I keep a HUGE calendar on her refrigerator that she checks daily for whatever may be coming up, dr's appointments, birthdays, etc. She also participates in *Meals on Wheels* so she get one good meal a day and the rest are mostly snacks and fresh fruits.

Two years ago, in anticipation of her needs, I had her home modified. The two bathrooms were combined into one and made elderly/handicapped accessible, walk-in shower, handheld shower head, pull down seat and still be able to put a wheelchair or walker in there. I had two decks built onto the front and rear exits of her home with ramps access. The decks butt up to the threshhold of the entrances so there is nothing to step across. There is also a ramp from the kitchen into the garage where her chest freezer is kept.

My Mum is an amazing lady. She NEVER complains and just keeps going. Even when she had an MI last February, she kept telling the doctor, "don't look so worried laddie, I'm as tough as I need to be for the situation." When she was put into CCU and my co-workers met her and cared for her, they all fell in love with her and wanted to take her home. The docs and my nurse friends said they never saw anyone smile and giggle as much as my Mum and they looked forward to seeing her each day. Even when she was receiving units of blood, she'd say, "Just tank me up lassie, I've got things to do at home!"

Hope everyone has a wonderful day and enjoys whatever they are into. Many blessings on all.

P.S. My Mum is a twin, with her brother. They are the only ones left of their family and they were the middle children of 6. Mum is 4'8" and has snow white hair. Here's a picture of her from three years ago. Forgive the sentiment, but I love my Mum and I admire her tenacity.

~Babs~

Aww Babs, your "Mum" IS amazing. What a great attitude. If my MIL had a tenth of her's......nevermind, lol.

Your need anticipation was perfect. It is wonderful that she is able to stay fairly independent in her own home. I really believe that is important.

Give your "Mum" a gentle {{{Mum}}} from me, ok?

mg

Babs she looks like a sweetheart! What a wonderful attitude she has, I'm sure if I reach 90 I'll be such a crochety old crab, people will volunteer to smother me. That's why I'm "donating" to my kids now, there'll be no profit waiting after I croak. LOL

Made breakfast for DH and his buddy, who are installing the drop-down stairs in the new garage today. Then I informed him that I am taking the rest of the day off!

I think the living room will be pretty full after the new stuff goes in. Buddy asked how I was going to keep the cats off it, and I said fur doesn't stick to leather!!! They can walk all over it and I won't care.

My Betty Crocker cookbook is spotless and unmarked. I gave my original to one of the kids after I found a brand new one in an antique/junque store. The binding was faded on the side that would face out, but the rest of it was perfect! Besides, my DS ate the baking powder biscuit page, and one of the three scribbled in crayon on several pages and crumpled some others....not to mention all the food stains that accumulated on it over the years.
This one has a different indexing system, as it was published in 1950 and mine was a 1956 edition. It's a first edition too,so might be worth something to a collector.

M5...Even a "lurker" has to come out and admire those lovely arched windows and your fireplace!

Babs, I love your Mum too! My mother was 94 when she passed away. She had so many medical problems, but also was as "tough as she had to be". *smile* I will always be grateful that her mind stayed as sharp as a young girls.....even good short term memory.
Pati

HEADS UP - UPPER MIDWEST GARDENERS

I've just started a thread
http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/552464/
asking if there's any interest in having Dave create a set of REGIONAL gardening forums. Of course, I'm mainly interested in getting something going for my *own* benefit. LOL But I really *do* think that having regional forums would be a great idea for ALL of us!

Please click on the link and leave your thoughts on the subject over there where they will be noticed.

Thanks,
~julie~

Well...the RU Gathering I tried to get together this weekend flopped with a big SMACK! Unfortunatly, those who had planned to come had last minute circumstances and had to cancel. So, I'm going to the Farmer's Market in Madison. There is an Heirloom apple grower that sells there, and I want to check out the apples.

I don't want 10 bedrooms/10.5 baths for a house, but maybe for a B & B. I have seven bedrooms now (very small, old farmhouse type rooms) and not enough people to fill them, but that doesn't mean they aren't filled! LOL

Babs, now I understand why you have such a great spirit. Hugs to your mum!

The quote of the day is:

Don't be fooled by the calendar. There are only as many days in the year as you make use of. ~Charles Richards (hope I haven't used that one before!)

Have a great weekend!
Jody

jasmerr, I love that saying. My favorite is:

Life shouldn't be measured by the breaths you take, but by the ones that take your breath away.

Wow, you all have been so busy while I have been snoozing away. Didn't realize I was that tired. I ate dinner last night, fell asleep watching the rest of Ghost Whisperer, DH woke me and we went to bed, didn't wake up till 9:30.

Well I need to get my mums in the ground, and the pool needs a scrubbing so you all have a wonderful day.

Casey

Hi all....

Jasmerr - I COULD live in the 10 bedroom house - especially if it was a money making B&B.....to me that would be heaven. To DH - sheer HE**! How the two of us got together I don't know. But - since I don't have that kind of change - I'll just live in my 2500 sqft house.

Babs- your Mum is a beautiful lady and how lucky you are to still have her. I bet you take after her a lot.

No other real news. DH got to his brother's in Colorado Springs just fine last night. They were to have a sunny and mild day today - so I bet they were out for a hike early. On the other hand- I slept in this morning. I got up and fed/walked/medicated animals, got online and then went back to bed at 9:30 - got up at 12:30.....I'm at least sort of dressed. I think it's gonna be a lazy day.....yawn.

Later all!

marcia

Isn't that just the best, bb? When DH used to travel for business (alas, no more because he hated it) there were days when I didn't have to go anywhere, and could do just what you did....snooze, not get dressed, eat whenever, not have to pick up after anyone....like a mini vacation. Always glad to see him come home but it was a nice little break in the routine.

Going back to not doing anything for the rest of the day now.

Well have been out and about. This morning was rainy and cool, but the sun has come out and is a beautiful day. Carat, your mom is "cute as a button" My own mom is 86, lives close and I drop in every day. We are lucky to still have them around.

Went to a yard sale today, and got 2 brand new, tags still on them, Ultra suede jackets, for $10 each. They are so pretty. One is beige and the other a burgundy. Great to wear with jeans. Matter of fact, a friend is taking us to dinner tonight, and I will wear one the burgundy one with grey slacks. Just love a bargain.

Well off to get a shower and get dressed. I will check in later to tell you how the dinner went.

It is awful out of doors, rain, rain and again rain.. it can get very depressing, we have had so much of it. Daughter and husband stopped by, he took my refuse to the dump(it is not a dump any more but is still called that ) I do need some help once in a while.
I remember those days to, M5, mostly that I did not have to cook anything, of course that was after all the children left.

What a buy Defoe and to think they fit you! have a good tim, all of you before the evening gets too late'
Maria

Hiya, Gobs! NOT a good day for me and I HOPE this will be the last day of my complaining here.

Sister has severed relations ONCE AGAIN! You'd think I wouldn't have trusted her after the fiasco last May... Fool I am, though.

Anyway, now I will be homeless after Jan 1 (gave notice to my landlord yesterday after the rent increase notice) and have no money even to move my stuff to a storage unit. Paying storage is no problem as I won't have rent, telephone nor internet service to pay after Jan. 1... better cash flow.

Aww Darius, what a cruddy thing for her to do! I wasn't here for the May bit, but I know how family feuds go.

We could do a DG Darius Round Robin! Want to spend a couple of weeks in Iowa? The only thing we might fight over is the computer tho.

In all seriousness, I'm so sorry. If there is anything I can do, please let me know.

mg

Darius, what is this with your sister? Just do not understand how she can be so irresponsible towards her sibling? What kind of money do you need to put your things into storage? Wish some of us could help you, you do need help badly, can you at least find a room some where ? tell us what is on your mind and how will be able to handle all these problems, you do have till Jan. 1 to solve them, I am so sorry you do not deserve to have all this on your plate.
Maria

Maria, my plans (today anyway) are to pay a guy to help me dig up several (25-30?) garden plants I want to keep, and put them in pots. I'm hoping he will over-winter them for free for me. Then, find a home for 25-30 indoor plants that I had planned to take to my sister's in FL. These are mostly scarce epies I'm nurturing although 3 are huge.

After that, pack up everything and put it in storage about the time of my next CT Scan on my lung Dec. 27. Doctor's appt is Jan 4 for the results. Have to be out of here by Jan. 14.

My "fantasy" is to take months and go around the country and visit all my DG friends! In Reality, that's a problem because I have an old cat that I have had for 12 years or more. I will not abandon her... and she cannot sleep in the truck bed (camper top) if it's below freezing.

I'm so blown away by this revelation today that I'm not sure I can really plan past the moment... for now anyway.

I was hoping my sister would be there for me if I needed chemo, but that's not going to happen.

darius,

I'm very sorry you are going through all of this; how can I help? I have been looking for places in Boone for you. Are you looking to rent or buy?

Jody

Oh man Darius - why did your sis severe relations now?? Can it be repaired? You cannot be homeless....is there any low income housing near you? Wow, that is really a problem for ya - and on top of everything thing else! If there is anything I can do to help out, please let me know. I don't have a lot of $$, but I will gladly help you out with anything that I can.

DGS spent the day with us - he is such a treasure -helped DH or myself all day with no complaints. We let him drive the little John Deere and he is in hog heaven doing it. I dug up several more dahlias and the rest of my geraniums. Whew- good job almost done. I still have 20 some brugs - some of which haven't bloomed all summer and are now full of buds, but I noticed they are dropping.

Planted the last of the day lilies and two clemetis that I picked up for $2.74 each - how could I pass that by? I may go back tomorrow and pick up some more - the ones left were unnamed, and I would like to know what I am getting, but for that price maybe I could leave them unknowns.

defoe - don't ya just love a bargain!! And ultra suade to boot! Bet you look like a hot chick!!

Maria- MORE rain!! Oh woe is me. Aren't you glad your house is on a hill!

jas- that's the pits the the RU went bust. I'd probably have the same luck!!

Babs- your mom looks like a treasure. Aren't we lucky to still have them with us. Mine is 81 and an absolute gift. In all my years we have never had words (other than when I was a snotty teen) She has always been so supportive in life - and she had a life for several years. I can't imagine my life without her. She's my inspiration to be a good person - she is so thoughtful of others. makes me teary eyed just typing this.

My arm is giving me fits tonight, but I spent the afternoon digging and hauling water. Think I'll take an aleve and see if that helps.

Darius - my thoughts are still with you...

Darius, there must be some apartment s in Boone? or just some 2 or 3 room rentals, wish was near I would .help you looking for some and drive you. I feel so helpless
Maria

Thanks Everyone for your concerns. I'm sure things will work out... just NOT with my sister,

This makes me glad, Darius, that you have friends near by, just remember I would like to help you any way I can
Maria

daisyruffles - which BC cookbook are you talking about. Mine dates from mid-50's and every time I really need to know how to do something I can usually find it there.

BabsERNurse - sounds like your Mom is doing well. And lucky to have you nearby. Enjoy her while you can and it's so nice that she's in reasonably good health. My mother's last five years in a nursing home with dementia were awful.

meezersfive - just read your account of the cookbooks. Sounds like the one you gave away was like mine - and full of cooking stains too. If you ever see another, buy it for me. Mine isn't TOO bad inside, but the binder is shot from the time I threw it across the room in 1974 when I was trying to make piecrust. (I had a week-old baby. Does that excuse me?) Canadian flour is different and it wasn't working. The binder has never been the same since.

defoecat - what a great buy on the jackets. wow!.

aria - what a bummer with the rain. Hope it stops soon.

darius - how awful with your sister. I wasn't here in May either, but I find it hard to imagine how she could be like that. Do keep us informed of your needs that we may be able to help with.

We were fortunate to have a good day here in Ottawa. Spent about 7 hours in the garden and boy does my back know it.. Got a lot of clean-up done and got that pile of dirt (remember that) down to a more workable size. Cut down a lot of plants that I might normally have left in order to top dress the gardens from the dirt pile. And when we ran out of gardens we turned the pile of dirt over to the next-door neighbour who needed some.

With the tomatoes and beans out of the back garden (we had frost the last two nights - though my plants under trees which still have leaves are still doing well), I have another pile of dirt there that I will spread throughout the veggie garden.

Ann







This message was edited Oct 22, 2005 7:48 PM

M5 and ViolaAnn - I heard a story once about a woman hired to babysit for a family. Before the mom got home from work the sitter sometimes started supper. Mom couldn't figure out how the sitter always managed to make one of their favorites. She finally asked and the sitter told her she looked in the cookbook for the most stained pages.
ViolaAnn, I don't think "week-old baby" is actually an ingredient in pie crust! ;-)

Jody

Darius, I am so sorry. I know siblings are hard to deal with at time's and at others we want to smack them. I wish I was already in SC so I could come help you out. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Babs, your mom looks like a sweet lady. I can tell she is really special from the way you talk about her.

Maria, more rain. I hope it clears up soon for you.

Defoe, those are my favorite kind of finds. Something you can use right then. Congrats, your going to look awesome.

Sarv, I can't wait to have grand kids to spoil. Actually I can wait, DD is only 18. I just had so much fun when my kids were younger. Now I have teenagers and they are just so yucky at times. I hope your arm feels better after you take the aleve.

Casey

jasmerr - LOL Post edited for syntax.

In my cookbook. the most stained pages were in the cookie section because that's what I made when I was in high school. I got the book while taking Grade 8 cooking class.

Ann

PS forgot to mention that I spent so much time in the garden today because OUR rain (and maybe snow mixed in) starts tomorrow. It will feel nice to have the most pressing things done.

Alright Darius, enough of the nonsense. I have an extra bedroom in the trailer. Bring your cat, all the plants you can carry and stay as long as you like. No rent, but I will pick your brain until there is nothing left, you can bet on that!!!! :^))))) Oh yes, and....

My favoritest and last cookbook I owned got left at my sisters house in 1996. It was Pillsbury. The reason I liked it so much was, they had the long forms of recipes and they had the short cut recipes. I liked the short cuts at lot. But then yall know me, I don't cook.

Molly
:^)))

Darius, I don't even know your sister and I'm so mad at her I could slap her! Her life must be one mess after another if she handles the rest of her affairs the way she interacts with you. If it were me, I'm not sure I would even want to talk to her. Don't fall for it again. And count your blessings that you didn't actually move in with her and then have this kind of trouble. Is there a possibility that you could "house sit" anywhere? It doesn't pay well, but it's shelter and heat, and the residents are gone. And I'm sure some would allow a single pet.

Sarv and Dcat had a bargain day! My DIL found one of those ultrasuede suit at the Goodwill for $10 and it fit, she's so happy. Once I found a Chanel suit there, waaaay back when I was a size 8, rust and gray houndtooth check, believe me it was my ONLY piece of good attire. We were so poor, at the end of the month we were scrounging soda bottles and linty pockets for cash to buy smokes.
I think every day how fortunate I am, considering my early years.

I might just as well have tried the midwest RU. Aside from the lunch with the girls yesterday, this birthday was kind of dismal. DH didn't even offer to take me out for dinner, so he got a reheated leftover frozen enchilada with spicy green sauce for dinner, (not his favorite) and the cold shoulder from me.

Ann, I gave that cookbook to the daughter I knew would either lose it or leave it behind in one of her many sporadic relocations. The replacement I found was only $10! I'm sure the store owner didn't know the value of it, it's not only a first edition but a first printing. I had to go check "Betty Crocker Picture Cookbook", after my last post) and some are going for quite a bit of money. Maybe you can find a Canadian seller on Ebay. The ones that are ring-binder type seem to go for less than the hardcovers. I'll keep an eye out for one for you but I don't browse used books often, except on the 'net, and you could do that yourself and save double shipping.

Still waiting for my furniture. They said 3:00pm to 5:00 pm. I called customer service at 6:00. They didn't know where the truck was and the phone in the truck wasn't answering. Then someone called me a few minutes later and said they had one more job, so it would be another half hour. It's now an additional hour. Good thing I wasn't planning any big doings ....I hope they enjoy trying to find us out here in the boonies where there are no street lights and it's pitch dark! It's probably not the guys fault, I just feel like venting. Rained all day too so I couldn't do anything outside.

So who's in a bad mood? Darius and Meezers. And maybe Maria 'cuz she's sitting in a rain again. Ok, let's all push out our lower lips and have a good pout and get it over with. :-(

Nahh forget it, it didn't work. But I hear a truck!!!!! There's hope.

Molly, LOL, i JUST might do that, at least for winter!!!

(and, we'd eat well because I DO cook!)

Darius, the more I think about your sis, the madder I get. People like her I call "Psychic Vampires". All they do is suck the joy and happiness out of everyone unlucky enough to have to deal with them.

I hope Karma smacks her where it will hurt her most....

MG and M5, I have learned to detest her and yet I cannot wish bad luck nor ill will upon her. It's really MY fault for believing her a second time.

Okay, I just had to go and dig out moms cookbooks. She has a Betty Crocker 1956 and then the one that she used to learn how to cook. The Better Homes and Garden Junior Cookbook. My mother was an orphan and alone when she came to the states from Yugoslavia. She had lived in camps most of her teen years and had no idea of how to cook. Its a 1953, and boy does it have some stains on it. But it also still has the 1.30 price tag on the inside cover. LOL

Darius, do you need it to be furnished or no? And I already have it noted, gardening space is a must.

Casey