Coffee and... For Friday, Dec 16, 2005

Here's the Daily...continued from:
http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/562624/
~julie~

Good Morning folks!! Bunch of schools are delayed or closed here - must be slicker out than it looks!! Glad I don't have to be out in it anymore.

Today is a going away luncheon for the 'girls' - One of them is going to Fla for a couple of months. She has a buldging (sp) disk that has given her fits, so I don't know how she will travel. When we visit her, we find her on the floor - it looks funny, but that is how she is most comfortable. We'll have a good time...

Brother called last night - they live high on the hog. Gorgeous house, huge boat, boat-a-minium, new cars, lavaish vacations etc Anyhow their jobs are in question. (both work for the same place) Yikes, job misery is going on all over Mich. Glad our house is paid for and we don't have high bills.

Hope all is well with everyone - no more talking sizes here...(but how can anyone be a 1??)

Got a new load of yogurt yesterday, so I'm all set!!

Good morning,

The storm has reached Ottawa. Snowed most of the night and is supposed to snow all day today. All school buses within the city are cancelled though the schools themselves stay open (but never do anything except babysit.).

I hope it keeps the shoppers home. Stopped by a local store en route to bell practice last evening for ONE item. (A curling iron with bristles - mine broke a week ago and a regular curling iron doesn't cut it. I've had difficulty finding a replacement that wasn't part of a set of attachments that I didn't want). I finally found one, but the store has no express lane and both check-outs had people with huge baskets of miscellaneous items. I didn't have time to wait behind them. Maybe I can slip out and have better luck today.

Food Cupboard is open this morning, but it will likely be less busy than we would normally expect because of the weather. Maybe that's good as my replacement joins us full-time today. Have to get him up to speed on the process of handing out the store vouchers for turkeys as he'll have to handle it on Monday. I have to play a concert at the time the FC is open then.

The smaller orchestra I play with has its second concert of the season Sunday afternoon and Monday evening. It's a fun program of light music - dream scene from Hansel and Gretel, excerpts from the Nutcracker, Anderson's Sleighride, and Peter and the Wolf with English narration on Sunday and French narration on Monday (that concert is across the river in Gatineau in Québec Province).

Have a good day everyone.

Ann

Well up at 7:00 this morning. Didn't have to have anyone check to see if I was dead. DH stayed in bed until. DS and DS's girlfriend spent the night, so it was homemade sausage, buttermilk biscuits and gravy for breakfast. I am going to finish wrapping gifts today, and get that out of the way. Other than that, don't have much else that has to be done. I have cleaned the kitchen floor, and am running the dishwasher, have a pork loin in the oven for this evening's meal. DS will be here then too. Have a good day, and I will check in about lunch.

2 hour delay here this AM. Thought they would cancel but they didn't. Now I got to figure out what is for breakfast LOL. Supposed to go to the Meth. Church this AM for a food basket (Thanks to MistyMeadows) gonna have to wake the grumpy bear up and see how he feels.... think he has a bit of the flu. I feel really bad for him, he feels crappy I can tell, but it gives me a great excuse not to go to my sisters tonight, and have to put up with my mom and Tike. Can't take the chance of passing the flu on to the twins can I?? I didn't think so.

Sorry I brought up sizes..... ya'll gonna let me stay? LOL I will agree about the gaining as you get older tho. When I started the dreaded change (actually the "pre" stages right now sigh) is when I started to gain. Went to bed as a size, well never mind, and woke up as an 8 LOL I "am" in my 'Normal" weight range, but I was way underweight before. Just a fast metabolism.

Defoecat, will keep MIL in my prayers. Hope all goes well.

Sarv, enjoy your lunch with the grils.... I need to plan something like that soon.

Ann, hope it is slower for you today, and I know what you mean about the stores.. DH has been stopping for us on his way home at night for little stuff (cold medicine, stuff like that) and he says they are just insane.

I'm not awake enough to even try to remember who all posted LOL

Elaine, you scanning your heart out? LOL

Well, I will admit, I am dressed today.... put on a pair of jeans and my socks are sitting here, so I'm doing better than yesterday, it was like 5 before I got dressed then LOL I do stay in my PJ's all day. I was comfy.I hate the cold.

Ok. got a couple thank you's to write.... (got a WalMart card UPS-ed to me last night too) and maybe actually get to go buy a couple presents now that it came :) *happy dance*

Talk to you all later!

Hugs,
Janis

Everything's closed around here. We have about 6 inches so far. it was pouring rain when I got up, now it's dark as night and snowing like the dickens again. Not a good day to try to go anywhere. Which is fine. I have to start cookies and I make Christmas lollipops to put in little bouquets all over, for color.

Ann I can just imagine all that beautiful music. The light music you describe would just hit the spot right now. I remeber painting the scenery for the hartford Ct. ballet of Hansel and Gretel...UV paint that glowed under blacklights, and candies...it was fun to paint!

sarv~ i'm hearing so many well-employed people anticipating job losses this year... I keep wondering , where will it end? It's scary for our country - not that we need all the high-on-the-hog conspicuous consumption, but it seems all the good jobs are leaving...will we just be a welfare nation?

I didn't get to check the thread yesterday, I'll go back on my next coffeebreak and see what y'all have been up to.

Poor Elaine....tiny feet. As the saying goes, walk a mile in someone shoes.....Well if you go to a 5 1/2 it would be too big for me. I am also cursed with small feet. I too have bought children shoes because there was nothing else. I have said for years that I am just going to paint my feet black and forget about shoes all together...LOL

Defoe, prayers are on the way. Holidays are not the time for grief, but when is a good time?

Viola, I hope you enjoy your retirement. I have retired twice. First time I lasted 6 months and then went back to work. Now it's 6 months again and I feel like I don't want to....that I really enjoy my garden and things around the house, so I think I'm OK this time.

Sarv, I feel for your brother...it's hard to go back down a hill.....

Off to the garden, folks. Still picking up from Wilma. I am still thunder-struck and I am having a hard time getting my act together for planning in the garden. I go out and pull a few weeks, get disgusted and then come back in.....I do this several times a day. UGH I'll never get it going at this rate....

Hap

Quiet here... where's everyone? (Started this before some new posts, LOL)

I didn't get enough sleep to feel rested but I'm up and need to get busy. Sis is at work and I need to find someone to cut my hair. I need to buy a router so I can have my computer online at the same time as hers, and I need to buy ingredients to make Christmas cookies. Some of that may have to wait until tomorrow when she's home so I know where to go.

Ann, I hope to go to the links you have posted now that I can also use my sister's computer. My Mac couldn't play the Windows music files. I miss good music, and was delighted to find a radio in the rental truck. I listened to the NPR classucal music stations as much as I could!

Checked back on yesterday's thread

defoe~prayers from here too.

Amazing how many people are not one size fits all! i'm surprised clothing companies stay in business. Who DOES fit into standard sizes?

darius~ Hey!! Good to see you again?
I was thinking router as in the woodworking tool - guess i need another shot of caffeine.

Darius, good to see you back and safe :)

Didn't even realize you were moving until you had left, but I wasn't really active fore a little bit (depression kicked in and just about kicked my butt) Mornin_Gayle Dragged my butt outta the corner, and got me posting and paying attention again LOL

Hope it all works out well!!!

Huggers
Janis

Morning dmc. any chance of some of those cookies and lollipops coming to Ohio? LOLOL I'm just kidding

Janis

dmc......what is standard? I don't think that there is a standard any more....In fact, I heard recently that the manufacturers have changed the size labels.....It's called Vanity Sizing. What was a size 12 is now a size 10. It's so people don't think they are getting or are fatter.

Daruis, good to see you here again. Also, if you have time, check out my plant on the ID form. You have a Lavender Cotton in the PF....does my pic look like your plant?

Thanks

Hap

Ha! Manufacturers changing sizes can't fool me. I am fat! LOL
Back to laundry!

Good Morning Everyone! Haven't posted in a couple of days, but have been trying to read some posts in between other things. I am ashamed of myself. Sounds like you have all been busy baking and I have only made 1 batch of that has since been eaten up.

I can't believe our crazy weather. Yesterday when I got up at 5:30 it was 2. This morning when I got up it was 48! No wonder my sinuses are going crazy. I have trouble with these swings in temp.

Time and memory (mine, not puter) will not allow me to comment on everything. Sending prayers to those with sick loved ones. Have a great day all.

I checked it out Hap, and posted a reply on your ID thread.

Glad to be back even if I'm "not all here" yet!

Darius, I think you misunderstood my suggestion about "two helpless, homeless women" etc. I would never use that term to describe you or Molly after the grit you each have demonstrated ....but bear in mind that most high level execs are older white males, and who do you think they would be more inclined to help? Anyway, Molly thanked me for the suggestion and is making a trip to town to try to resolve the no electricity/no service problem with someone other than an underling on the phone. I'm not too proud to plead for assistance when the problem is bigger than I can solve on my own.

Laundry Monster is attacking again, so I've got a load in the washer and one in the dryer, and am about to hit the road to the market. saw a recipe for biscotti that I thought sounded worth trying, with a little alteration. Calls for pistachios and dried cherries, but I thought cranberries would work too, and give lovely Christmas colors.

Who asked about raspberry chocolate cookies? I Googled and found one with white chocolate on Foodnetwork.com, but I don't see why you couldn't use regular semisweet chocolate for them. I'd dig out the link but I'm pressed for time.

Running out the door.....

Morning everyone ...
Y'all will be proud of me. I'm up, dress, and have laundry going. How can that monster be in so many places at one time? LOL
Darius, wish you were here. I have a router alround here from when I was working and typing in my home. don't use it anymore. Probably wouldn't work, though, but you never know.
Ann, went to WM yesterday and the lines were dreadful here, too. Took forever to get home. Know that's bad when you have time constraints. May I ask how long have you been playing the viola and bells, etc. You must have started young to be so accomplished.

Defoe, the breakfast sounded wonderful. When did you say your company was leaving? :)

M5, slow down!
Sarv, sounds like you bought enough yogurt for both of us. Do you have any black cherry? That's my fav. Hope you have a good time at the lunchon today. So sorry to hear about the job downsizing thing. That's rough on anyone. Will be praying for them.

Woofens, Blessings to you. :) Give the kids a hug.

Hi Julie ... where ever you are! LOL

Hap, sounds like you're cursed with tiny feet also? Poor thing. It's a *terrible* thing. I always say I'm going to just wear the box. LOL

To those I've missed ... sorry. You know how it is when you top that hill! LOL Hugs all way round.
... Elaine

Hi Darius, it is nice to hear from you and happy you have classical music , we both love it don't we? (((Darius))) Are you nice and warm?

Going to make some cookies, a new recipe called 'cocolate filled hazelnut cookies' , always like to try new things.

Suzie, weather here is the same, no snow lots of rain and temp is near 50'. Crazy, after yesterday's cold, cold temp of 7'.

Don't know what standard size is either, I thought I am pretty average, am 5'5 , weighing 115 lbs. and wear a size 8 and 7 1/2 shoe, have no problems fitting clothes, sounds average to me, yes?

All that wonderful music, Ann, right now I am listening to the Vienna Choir boys doing theit Christmas thing, love it but is also making me sort of home sick.

Defoe, that was quite a breakfast, ;-)

Sarv, enjoy your luncheon with friends, , tell us what you had???

Samson and I say hello to everyone else I missed

Well, Hi all,
Haven't posted here tho have read everyone's posts the past week. Had a paper to make comments on some people's posts but can't find it now, dang it!!!

Life is wayyyyyyyyyyy toooooooooooooo busy here!
Ended up going down to the coast for that wrestling meet for my younger son. Stopped at Territoral Seeds store on the way. Ended up spending $30 for some 50% pansies, flower and veg. seeds, got a package of sourdough starter mix (which has no instructions on how to use it, so if anyone here knows how to use it, just let me know please!), a kids size metal rake for using in small areas in the garden, a Hebe plant that has very pretty pink blooms, and can't remember what else.
The drive down to the coast was just gorgeous. Was very sunny tho cold. I have missed the trees, rivers, and the ocean. Need to get back to there at times. Been in the city too much lately.
Son took 3rd place in the tournament and wrestled the best I have ever seen so that made the weekend worth driving for. On Sunday, I ended up putting up Christmas lights, put up the real Christmas tree that my ex had cut down at our old house. Is a little large and very long branches and the kids laughed and laughed when they saw it but hey, it is free and smells wonderful. Plus on Sunday, had the neighbor rototil my veg. garden space too and then mulched it good. It was a beautiful day on Sunday tho very cold but sunny.
Work has been very busy due to some end of the year documents we must put out.
On Wed., my younger son picked up my older (the potential dental school kid) son at the airport since I had to work and have no more vacation time left due to using it for my father's stroke recup. So that was hard to not have picked him up.
But he is home now and am enjoying every min. of it. Tho my ex keeps wanting to drag him out to do things and he never was there all those other years and now wants to make up for it. It really irks me about this. Where was he when they needed their dad as a young child? Working, that is where!
Oh, by the way, he got accepted at Univ. of MD, Baltimore now. So he is not sure if he is going to go to the dental school in Portland, OR now. He is going to wait and see now. But today, we are going up to Portland to talk to the dental school and scope out living spaces there.
Also have been making quite a few double batches of cookies this week. Made some spritz, peanut blossoms, cherry macroons, and some choc. pinwheel cookies. So my baking is done except for some cinn. rolls for Christmas breakfast and maybe some yeast dinner rolls too.

Am so glad that Darius is safe and sound now. Am glad that Molly is still coming along tho I do feel for her not having any electricity.
As for sizes of shoes, I wear size 5 and it is impossible to find that size. I also have worn size 6 most of my life but now with dang meno. time, I have crept up to a size 8 and hate every min of it. But am working on trying to get back down to my 6 size but is hard with holiday time eatings as you all know.
M5, I do have a recipe for raspberry squares which uses rasp. jam and it is a very good, easy recipe to make and use.
Dcat, hope your mil gets some answers for her heart. Is very rough going thru all that at that age. I know.
dmc, let us know how the lollipops turn out. Someday I need to make some of those.
Nice to meet you, Woofens, have seen you posting on other forums here on DG.

Well, better get running here so later,
Carol (DR)(the even one)

Where did all y'all tall people come from anyway? LOL Maria ... I think you are definitely smaller than average. LOL

Good morning. Another kinda cold one, but I'm glad it isn't 20 degrees colder. Also glad the wind isn't blowing. We get a lot of wind so it is unusual that it has been calm for so many days. My daughter in law says it is -8 at her place in town. We have -2 out here in the banana belt.

Darius, thanks for checking in. Glad your trip was a safe one. Now Molly needs to get electricity so you can stay where you want to be. I hope she can talk to the right person who can get it done before Christmas.

I'm another one who has problems getting clothes that fit. My wide shoulders don't fit anything smaller than a size 16 but then the rest of it looks like maternity wear because the rest of me is a 12. Long waisted too, so a loose fitting style dress with a belt works well, but usually I wear 2 piece outfits. I have a few skirts and wear the denim one most, with a plaid or stripe shirt (mens medium) roll up the sleeves to 3/4 length and wear a vest. Or with jeans and the vest. I really dislike dressing up.

This afternoon is my hubby's office Christmas party. He said he would come home and get me so I don't have to take the diesel pickup to town again. The car runs more economically, is easier to park, and the biggie is that I won't have a windshield to scrape and it will be warm when I get into it! I have cinnamon rolls almost ready to go into the oven to take to it. They were going to have their usual big dinner but scaled it down to deserts. They'll have lots of cookies and fruitcake so cinnamon rolls will be something different. The party was scaled down this year because the hostess didn't get far enough along with the remodeling to accommodate the group for a dinner. It's being held at the office so was simplefied, that's great because it will be over sooner. They also have a picnic which I usually can gracefully avoid because of being gone to a ride that weekend.

Yesterday I did a little clothes shopping at the thrift store and came up with a long sleeved turtle neck t-shirt with Christmas designs, and a red vest with snowmen on it. About $7 for both. I think they look ok together, so if anybody else goes crosseyed looking at them they will have the weekend to recover before they have to use their eyes again for anything important. Also at the thrift store I got a few more books for my hubby, and a new dustpan for 18 cents. My old one has a broken handle that has been duct taped on for a couple of years. Every time I use it I think I need a new one but never think of it when I'm at the store. Look how much money I saved by procrastination!

Ok, I've sat here long enough drinking my tea, it's time to get myself some breakfast, get dressed, feed the horses, chop the ice out of the spring, etc. And see if I can figure out how to get a Christmas letter written and add decorations on the computer. Big deal for me.

Now, Elaine, I still think I am average, how could I possibly order clothes from a catalog or internet and fit perfectly. Just received a coat Iordered in size 10 because want it to go over heavy sweaters, fits wonderfully but a little to big over just a dress or blouse

See, I'm the right weight, I'm just too short....LOL

Mary, those cinnamon rolls sound to die for. Just put on fresh coffee. Got one to spare? Years ago, when my Grandma was able ... she use to bake homeade cinnamon rolls and coffee cakes. They were soooo good. She has Alzheimer's now, and it's very sad. That is a terrible disease.
Maria, you are lucky to be able to order clothes over the internet. I'm doing good to find them. LOL I'm 5'1 ... maybe 5'2. I weigh 122 but would like to weigh 118. Was a 6 and am an 8, but am working on it again. LOL The short part is the hard part.
Speaking of food ... it's time to go scan something for lunch. :)
... Elaine

oh, Elaine, you are a little one, my mother and mil where that heights also, so is my sister, my girls are my heights sons are 6 ft tall and not thin but slender, just had my lunch, a piece of toast with ginger jam and a cup of tea

Elaine, you tall girl, you.....I'm all of 5'. Same weight....see, still too short..

Woodspirit, read your Dmail, the recipe is about the 5th or 6th one as you scroll down.

Woodspirit, read your Dmail, the recipe is about the 5th or 6th one as you scroll down. Does this sound like you could use it?

Can't stop to post much more than
HI...everyone!

Bye...everyone!

~julie~

Thanks for stopping in.......

Hi everyone. Have been really busy today. Wrapped the remainder of my gifts, and made 7 batches of peanut brittle as gifts. Taking a break and enjoying my homemade Bloody Mary mix, without the Mary? you know the clear liquid. It sure is delicious. Next year I am going to make gallons of it. Just like V-8, but you can control how much "hot" it has.

The surgeon is supposed to call MIL today with a time for the catherization, haven't heard from her yet. DH's oldest sister called about 12:00 and invited him to his mother's for homemade potato soup. Do you think I was invited? I told DH that I just loved it when his family acted that way. He said, well I am inviting you, so when do you want to go? I was up to my elbows in candy making, and couldn't just drop it, so I am home.

DS and girl friend will spend the night again tonight, then tomorrow, my twin sister is coming to help me cook. My family is having their Christmas dinner on Sunday, so it is so nice that she is coming to help. She will spend the night Saturday night, and then after the dinner on Sunday will go back home. So my house will be buldging on Saturday night, with 3 extras, plus sister's Yorkie. Last time they were together, Samson (the Yorkie) and Mr. B. did not get along. So hope this time they will be on Mr. B's territory, and maybe it will be more hospitable.

DH just called from his mother's and her catherization is scheduled for Monday. He has to go to the hospital this afternoon, and sign some papers for her.

Well, going to get going, as break is over, don't know what is next, but there will be something.

I will comment on sizes later!! Geez, it sure has been interesting!!

Hey Hap , like you I'm not overweight, just undertall. Quit worrying about it long ago. Should drop 60 or 70 lbs. but it will never happen. They make bigger clothes.

Poor little Immy had to go to the Vet this morning for her "operation". I can call after 2:00 to see how she did, but can't bring her home till tomorrow. She isn't going to like being in that big collar for a week. Really cold and frosty in the mornings but nowhere near as bad as some of you are experiencing.

Happy to hear you made the trip OK Darius. Hope things level out for you now.

Big mess in the shop. Bought a 4 X 6 ft. HEAVY rubber stall mat, about 80# or so, for the carving bench after dropping tools on the cement floor. They always seem to land point first. Now have to move everything out of the way again, find some strong backs, move the mat out a foot and put it all back. I'm good at advance planning.LOL

Carol (even one) congratulations on your sons winnings. Do you think the elder one will be getting accepted at any other schools ? Hope your dad is recovering well.

Holy moly Mary. -2° f. in the 'banana belt' !!! Luckily we don't get that cold except in rare instances. Too bad we can't send some of our marine climate over the mountains to you. We are a bit damper over here than you though.

Time for a late breakfast, early lunch, or plain old brunch. 'Spose then I could go out in the glass shed and work on the Mackintosh piece. I keep a baseboard heater on out there to keep the chill off and maintain a warmer temp on all the glass. Not bad working conditions, 'cept fer all the little glass cuts and dripping blood here and there.(A little Windex helps a lot. lol)

D'cat, I beliueve that mix sans alcohol is rightfully called "Bloody Shame" LOL.

M5, I didn't take offense! Actually I suggested to Molly 2 days ago that when we start scrounging for used building materials, I will "scope" them out and send her with her long hair to negotiate prices, LOL. THat ploy has always worked for me but Molly is younger!

I have to go back to Molly's for a day trip asap. I left my monitor there because my sister has an extra one here. However, my Mac requires a special adaptor to use a PC monitor and it's still attached to my monitor at Molly's! (I need to go anyway to start emptying stuff from the extra storage unit I had to rent when we emptied the U-Haul truck and it's stuff that can be stored in my sister's garage.)

OK...still no time to answer anyone. Just finished up the last pan of cookies for today and got a tin packed up for DGD down in Greenville SC. (Her 'other' grandma is going down for Christmas and will deliver stuff to her.)

I've made a double batch of pizza dough (DS decided he wanted homemade pizza for supper but I'm the designated 'dough maker' LOL) , baked 5 doz cookies, got my morning chores done and finally got my clothes on! (Yippeeee! LOL)

Now I'm going to take a break and have a little 'me' time before I go finish decorating the tree and cleaning the kitchen. (BOY! can I ever make a mess when I'm cooking...I think I need a "wife" to clean up after me. hehehe I guess it doesn't help matters when my 17 y/o DGD and I were having a 'flour' fight in there last night, either. :-O :-D)

I suppose I should be *doing* instead of *talking*...so I'll see y'all later.

~julie~

Just got back, ran into town to pick up the twins birthday presents (cannot believe they are a year old ) found the most adorable sweatsuits at Family Dollar for them. I got them each 3, 2 18 months and 1 12 month each. Gonna give them the 12 months ones today and keep the 18 months for Christmas. My sister guilted me into going to the party. Jeff refuses to go, not sure if Tike the troll is gonna be there or not, but if he is...... Well, I'll try to keep my cool since its the twins b-day party. I may need bail money tho (just kidding I hope)

For those of you who don't know who Tike is or the troll is another of the nicer nicknames he has..... he is my mothers husband. He is 11 years younger than her, and only 9 years older than me. I try very hard not to judge people but in my hometown, if you mentioned his last name, the immediate thought was white trash. Junk cars in the yard, kids running all over, dirty just downright nasty. I do give him credit for helping my mom get out of an extremely abusive relationship, but other than that he is worthless. He doesn't work, he gets SSD for an "undiagnosed sleep disorder" and last but definitely not least, he can't keep his hands to himself. I have been rejectiong his advances for 16 years. He is such a creep. Well, to make a long story short, he knocked up his brother's wife. Yes you read that right. When he got caught, I told mom how he had acted towards me finally. I knew that she would have never believed it before then. When she confronted him, he left the house with his shotgun, and went to a private sportsmans club to "kill himself" There was an 8 hour stand off with police, and off to the funny farm he went. When he got out a week later, mom let him move back in. She caught him lying to her again, and booted him out, so he threatened suicide AGAIN, and she let him come home again, to a bedroom in the basement. Now he is sleeping in her room again and I am SO steamed. Not only did he put his hands on me, which in my opinion was MORE than enough for her to tell him to get lost, his baby with his brothers wife is due on the 28th of this month. I swear my mom is a nut case. Well, Jeff is livid, as you can imagine, and he would just LOVE to get his hands on Tike. He has refrained because of my mom. Tike still denies everything (except the baby can't deny that) and he and mom are fixing things. I wasn't going to go to this party tonight, but my sister was really upset so I told her I would come, but if he says or does anything that ticks me off...... I'm gonna let go.
That is the reason my mom and I are having trouble. I am cutting off our relationship as soon as all of my son's things are out of her house and back here. I am really sick and tired of taking second place in her life to such a creep, and I'm tired of being hurt by it.

Sorry to have gone on... I'm not at all looking forward to this at all.... I really want to stay home, but the babies are more important to me than that. I will not let him ruin my enjoyment of my nephew and niece. And if he looks at me crosseyed, I'm gonna tie his tongue in a knot around his neck LOLOL

Hope you all have a good evening

Sounds like everyone is being productive today :)

Hugs,
Janis

Gotta love these slow Friday afternoons at work. Wish I could be home getting other things done though. I've been spoiled this week. Had Wed. off and left early 2 other days. Need to stick it out today until 5:30 since I am the only one here.

Darius - Good to hear from you and glad you got to your desitation safely

l01 - You must be having a blast with your scanner.

DR - Congrats on your son taking 3rd place. I know what you mean about being too busy. I am lost without my lists.

Defoe - will keep MIL in my prayers.

MaryE - You sound like my kind of shopper. I've seen you mention a couple of times going to the thrift store. That's how I like to shop, but don't have any really good ones close to me.

Now what is all this talk about weight a week before Christmas! I'm a size 20W (DS says W is for wide, little brat) As long a I feel good I really don't care about the number. No matter what size you all are, you all have big hearts and that's what matters!

Oh my, Janis....that's quite a story....It must be terrible for you not to be close to your mother. Not sticking up for her, but as some people age, they fear of growing old alone. With your mother, already having been in a bad relationship, I imagine her self esteem is not too high. Then the old adage kicks in......A bird in the hand............It's a sad state of affairs..

Just keep on the other side of the room and don't make eye contact. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you. I would need the bail money...

Hap

Janis - I can definately feel for you. I have an uncle in a bad situation. I has been living with an older woman who basically uses him as a work horse to care for her 2 properties along with holding down a job and supporting her. They live a couple states away, so I very rarely see them. From what I've heard, their house is a pigsty. It's a shame.

Good luck with your party. Just keep your distance and we'll keep the 2X4 handy if you need it.

Back from the 'girly' party - we sat and talked and laughed for 4 1/2 hrs!!! When I went to leave, my car wouldn't start - drat.....After 15 min it did, I need a new one!! Then I left a big bowl at the house where we were and they are going to Fla next week. So I need to make a trip back out there next week to get it. Coming home the roads were terrible - slick. Maria, we had white chili, rolls, salad, and dessert - and I behaved myself eating!

We're going to the funeral home tonight - gosh I hate doing that. Never know what to say (other than to sob uncontrolably) DH is throwing a fit about going- I'm ignoring him - he hates things like that. Thank goodness we only have to go 3 miles to get to the place.

Tomorrow I'm watching DGS - we'll do the cookie thing- he'll love it. DIL is going shopping I guess (she talked to DH)

Woof- that's stinko about that guy your mom is hanging with. Hope she sees the light and kicks his fanny out the door. My FIL was a creep - never did anything other than call and want to discuss things that were weird or none of his business. He never once held his grandkids or would ask how you were doing- everything was about HIM. I don't miss him a bit.

Darius- you are on the road more than anyone I know!! I feel like such a homebody next to you.

Mary- it's not what clothes you wear- it's what's in your heart - and we all know you have a big one!! I visit the thrift store once in a while, but I have so many leftover clothes, that I seldom buy anything.

DR- I think you are the cookie queen. That's one load of cookies you've made. Glad your son did so well at wrestling!

Time to brush my teeth, pack some kleenex and get on the road.

This message was edited Dec 16, 2005 8:02 PM