Coffee and...12-27-05 - Our First ANNIVERSARY :-)

Hard to believe, but this series of threads has been alive and well for one year today. Maybe today should be called a "Birthday" instead of an Anniversary.

Here's a link to the very first 'Coffee and...' thread:
http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/475344/

And here's a link to yesterday's Daily gab fest:
http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/564024/

Our party is a "Come as you are" "pot luck" affair. Feel free to come in and sit down in your P.J.s if you so chose.

The topic for today is to HAVE FUN!!

~julie~
(who is still mulling over the past year and finding it hard to believe the number of good friends she's found here.)

I just finally have taken the time to read through the threads you all were posting on yesterday. I've never understood what "coffee and...." meant. What does one do to join?

1gardengram...what does one do to "join"? :-)
You just did! Welcome to our table!

We'd love to have you tell us a little about yourself and stick around for a cuppa coffee and...whatever maybe on the counter. Someone's always offering 'cyber-goodies' that we guarantee are NO-cal. (Tho I can't say that if you try any of our recipes. :-D)

I'm glad you decided to come past the doorway, this time. Hope we'll see you again, soon!

~julie~

Goodness! It's one year you all been doing this? I pop in and read once in awhile and enjoy every minute of it.

Happy Birthday/Anniversary!!!

Good morning every one and happy birthday one year old!!! Julie what a gread thread you started, thank you. Wish I had been on that first one but perhaps is is just as well those were awful days for me but still much later you helped me get out of that black hole with out a light in view, all of you are just great, once again thanks for holding my hand and pulling me up.

Good AM everyone and Happy Whatever.

Just eating some cereal fast before I hit the airport. Won't get to Rochester before 3 something. I have a good book, so the time will pass gently. Now if I don't get a panic attack, it will REALLY be a great flight. I've had the urge at 35,000 feet to want to get off because I don't like being trapped in a closed cylinder anymore and I need a breath of fresh air. Not too good.

Three cheers for Julie......our guarding angel with the lantern, leading through the dark times and also the laughter. We have collected a wonderful family over the past year. May the next year be even better.

1gardenmom, welcome. We are the GOB's and GOBs-in-training. GOB are Glorious Old Broads and Boys, as I remember and the others are actually GOBettes. A crazy bunch and we have quite a time here. You can say anything about anything, good or bad and it will cause sympathy or laughter. Sometimes at the right time too.....hehehe

Gotta run....take care all.

Hap

So I finally think I may be the first one on in the morning (not the last to go to bed) only to find Maria and Hap beat me by hours! I haven't posted much lately, but have been sticking my head in the door. I can't seem to remember we are now on a daily thread, and I miss many threads. I'll try to do better! LOL

Hope you all had a good Christmas!

Jody

Have a good flight, Hap, get your fresh air as you come down into winter wonderland!!!

Welome 1gg, have some xmas cookies I have on the table with a cup of coffee

Happy Birthday to Kooger and "Coffee and...". Thanks to everyone for letting me "lurk along" from the very first thread.

It's a tradition in my family that my four children have a contest. Whoever's gift that makes mother (me) cry wins! In past years it has always been something sentimental.....usually something from my past that has been restored or refurbished. This year my son won. The others said he cheated because he gave it to me on Christmas Eve. Oh well, as he said, "Who snoozes, looses". LOL

I know you all have seen the commercial about the lady that has fallen and can't get up? Well, I now have my very own little help button to wear! Talk about a gift that keeps on giving....he will pay the monthly fee for as long as I want to keep it!

My tiny apartment is attached to his house, but he works out of town during the week and my DIL works all day so I basically live alone. My DD lives 6 blocks away, but she works also. This will also allow me to do my containers on my little patio and in my shade garden. What this amounts to is FREEDOM from worry about the knees situation, and soon I will be able to go to Home Depot and buy one of everything they have!

Look out world....I'm on the move again!!!
Pati

What a wonderful, gift pati, perhaps I should get one on those since I am alone and may fall too this might be the case if Samson knocks me over as he has done before ;-)

Morning everyone - just finished off the last 3 pigs in the blanket. They were the best ever. I'm gonna make another batch for New Years- I'll save a tray for you all!!

I went back and read and read and read from last year - talk about a trip down memory lane. It sure was fun. And I didn't remember seeing all those pics of everyone before!

Welcome to the lurkers who joined the table - no dues to pay, just throw a plate of eatables on the table and put up your feet and talk!

We went to DS/DIL house last night for our last hurrah party. DIL mother and significant other (another female LOL) who are deaf came. We had so much fun- ate, played cards and laughed like fools. DIL has the most wonderful family. They have adopted DH and myself like we are part of them. They go on camping trips, and always include us - plus we are always invited to family get togethers and they have a lot. It is just what I dreamed that a family should be. The so love each other and us too!!

I took all my cookies over to DIL and left them - was that an omen? Man, I would kill for a sugar cookie right now...I just may have to make a trip over there...

No big plans for today, just vegging around and doing general pick up. I really need to gut the frig - I have a ton of stuff to toss out!

Gotta go for now, just remembered that I have another bag of hanky pankies that I can eat!! Gotta get rid of them before January ya know...

Well I have been up for ages, Mr. B was fine, but Boots, our resident persian cat, heeded the call of nature by wanting out at 5:00 a.m. She is an inside/outside cat and perfers the outdoors instead of the litter box.

I brought the pointed party hats, some sparkling cider and noise makers. I had them stashed away for New Year's Eve, but since we don't have plans for then, lets use them today to celebrate the birthday/anniversary. I am still in my gown and robe, so I guess, I came as I am!!

Don't have any plans for today. Had considered going to major shopping mall about 50 miles away to exchange a pair of pants I had given to DGD. But my back is hurting, just like it did the other night, with the kidney stone, so think I will just lounge around today. DH has gone rabbit hunting this morning, I insisted that he take his cell phone with him as I may need him to come home. DGD is out riding her horse. It pretty cold here, but she insisted that she hadn't ridden him for several weeks, and they needed the exercise.

So after I clean the kitchen, it's the sofa for me for awhile anyway.

I will check in later.

Sarv - the things you eat for breakfast! This morning I had Landjagger! LOL

I started a computer folder with photos of DGers. It's nice to put a face to a name.

Going to pick up the new puppy today!

Jody

I feel like the grinch who stole Christmas. I have come down with 2nd horrible head cold for the months. Unable to go to work today and my poor long-suffering boss is all whiny.
I did have fun over the 23rd - 25th until I came down with it. We all went to my SIL's house. My husband has a relatively big family and there were about 50 of us in that small house. Thank goodness the weather cooperated and we were able to go outside off and on.
We only gave small gifts this year, because of all the costs in building the greenhouse even though we got a lot of building materials at a thrift shop (door, windows).
I'm sipping chicken soup and then going back to bed, lol.

jas - what is Landjagger? boy, I gotta agree with u on sarv's breakfast choices - sometimes I just burst out laughing - sarv, u ate what? You would never find a restaurant with all those choices on the menu -- party on!! (I'm going to have a peanut cluster BEFORE breakfast!) oh, and have fun with that new puppy, I'm jealous, I could play with a puppy all day long!

More thanks for the birthday wishes, and I'm headed to the shower for a lo-o-o-ong shampoo - see how much of this purple will wash out. LOL One of my sister's called last night and I told her what I did. I started out with the black nails, black tunic, etc., building up to the dying the hair black and she's telling her DH and some of her girls (she has 4) and they're all laughing in the background, so then I hit her with the "well, the dye didn't work, (pregnant pause) and my hair is now bright purple!!" Had to move the phone away a bit, the reaction was very loud! Boy, that was fun!!

I'll post pics of what the family got me in a bit, have to find a good place to 'stage' them first. :) I was VERY surprised!

Welcome to 1gardengram! Spill the beans, tell us about urself!

Hap, safe flight, and wonderful family visit...

pati - congrats on the 'button' - so happy for u!

dfc - a pox on the stone possibility - be gone stone...

sarv - I do understand the getting rid of them by Jan. syndrome! yup! been there!

oh, ws - u posted while i was rambling - bummer, hope the cold is a short-lived one! so sorry for u!

edit: Happy Birthday to Blooms!!! Where are u?? are u lurking?? come out, come out, where ever u are..... :)

This message was edited Dec 27, 2005 9:41 AM

Thanks for letting me in. I'm looking forward to chatting and sharing with ya'll.

This morning I am still in my red tartan plaid flannel nightgown and my hair is sticking out all over. Now isn't that a picture! I'm working my way through a bowl of raisin, date, walnut oatmeal and a cup of coffee.

I'm now 67 and am from Colorado originally, but grew up in So. California (back in the good ole' days), lived all over California, lived in Hawaii for twelve years and ran a commercial fishing boat there until my husband and I divorced), went back to California but couldn't breathe there from the smog, so moved to Ogden, Utah for five years until my son finished high school and then I moved here to No Carolina to be near my two daughters and their families. That was in 1987, and though I never wanted to live in the south I'm still here. This is an Army town (Ft. Bragg, the 82nd Airborne, the Special Forces and all sorts of covert operation people) and so I stay on my little beaten path away from the seedy parts. Six years ago I sold my big old wonderful "Grandma's house" and purchased together with my second daughter and her family. Their house was too small and too far from all the activities their two daughters were involved in. We have a nice tri-level. We converted the lower level to an in-law suite and I have really big living room and bedroom areas, a large bathroom with a very nice large corner shower specially built for me, and a large walk-in closet. I come and go as I please and still work full-time at the hospital, but they watch over me. I've had health problems over the years (heart and diabetes) and am on disability now due to having two recent back surgeries. I love working in the yard, so I've converted what was here before but neglected, and I've added, etc., until we now have ten tree/flower beds and something in bloom almost the entire year. For right now, I am resting a lot and trying to heal quickly. When I go back to work, it will be part-time. It's time to slow down. Besides my three children and their spouses, I have eleven grandchildren and step-grandchildren, and they are now producing babies. I have four great-grandchildren, two of each kind. Besides my family, I am involved in Bible studies, knitting booties and hats for the Crisis Pregnancy Center and the NICU at the hospital, gardening as my back allows, and I now spend a lot of time here on DG. This place becomes an addiction, but I've learned so much and have been involved in some swapping of plants, seeds and gifts.

So that's kind of me in a nutshell. I'm just getting back to where I can drive around and get out of the house for a while at a time, and today I am going to the P.O. to send off a box of candy, gum and Chex Mix to some soldiers and deliver a gift to a friend who was gone over Christmas.

Do you start a new thread every day? I didn't have any edibles to share today except a pretty Christmas can of shelled walnuts and pecans a friend gave me. Did all the work and I got the good parts. Anyway, you are welcome to share.

Diane

Edited to add that I've raised Guide Dogs for the Blind and have always had big dogs of my own and just can't keep up with their exercise requirements anymore, so I have a five year old Cocker named Maggie that I inherited when she was four months old. She's funny and she thinks I'm pretty cool.

This message was edited Dec 27, 2005 10:32 AM

Sounds like you have seen a few parts of the country, Diane. Hope that healing goes quickly so u can get right into the garden when it warms up!

Yes, julie originally just started new threads when they got to around 150 or so posts, because then it loads very slowly for dial-up users. Now we get a new thread every day - it works wonderful this way, I think, easier to find something u want to reread or find a recipe that u remember was posted x number of days ago.

And, (I'm whispering now - please put some spaces in your post when u have a long story to share - us GOBs appreciate it! I know, I know, I just offically became a GOB yesterday, but even as an 'ette', I've had to admit, I must get some bi-focals.....) Thanks so much, and the nuts are welcome - I love almost any kind of nuts!

Good morning everyone! Happy birthday/anniversary! I've only been a part of the group for a couple of months, but now I'm addicted and my day just isn't complete unless I drop by and stick my head in a minute to see what y'all are up to. I've had some of the best goodies around ... though they surely must have calories cause I've definitely gained some weight since I've been sittin at this computer so much chattin with y'all.
Hi to 1GG. It's always nice to have someone new join in.
Hap, don't know when you'll be popping back in ... but sure hope you're having a good flight today. Have a great time up there ... and *don't* freeze! LOL
Defoe, so sorry to hear you're having back troubles again. This is no day to be on that heating pad.
Well, I grabbed me a party hat and I'm ready to party. :) Y'all have a wonderful day. There's a fresh pot of coffee and part of a pumpkin pie. Help yourself.
Hugs&blessings ... Elaine

I'm popping back in to say hi to Pati and congrats on your button. LOL I'm so glad to hear you'll be back doing what you love to do. I've been rootin for you and sending prayers your way. :)

Also just wanted to say ... someone should have mentioned the spacing before. LOL Never thought about it. ;)

I'm still in my jammies too. Made breakfast for DH and BIL, (am I nice or what?) He's actually been pretty tolerable this viist, (i.e. sober) so it hasn't been stressful.

Went back over the past year, boy are we a bunch of chatters. Here's a very short recap, and if you are busy, read it later!!!

From the beginning, we had as regulars, MaryE, Darius, Okus, Kooger, BetsyBug, Meezersfive, Bloomswithaview, Sarv48, Woodspirit, Happy_1, MolyMc, Maria, Balvenie

Some who visit but only occasionally, Roadrunner, ecobioangie, justmelisa, scooterbug, marcia geiger, mcgardenaddict, patischell

And then there are the disappeareds:
Dravencat, gretagreta,araness, ponditis, langbr, georgiaredclay, crimsonsavo, kidneyguy, bluespiral, countygardens, sugarweed, nannybee...

January: Darius fell in the creek trying to retrieve her suet feeder.

In March, MaryE was delivering lambs at all hours of the night. Maria shared some of her lovely herb bread. Julie (!) snatched a big hunk out of the middle of my apple pie, and Kooger was wrestling with bureaucratic red tape with immigration.

Sarv had potting soil and cuttings all over her house thinking perhaps Spring might come, and Julie showed us her greenhouse.

Robert joined us in April, and shared many pictures of his beautiful flowers. Kooger had a flood in the basement and invited us to a pool party. That thread got pretty funny. all of us in mermaid costumes!!

We had a party for Memorial Day with all kinds of food. Julie had her eyes fixed, after seeing double for a while, she was fine. Diane baked a bunch of pies and set her oven on fire!!

By August we were all complaining about gas prices, to no avail. Dcat went to Dollywood, and got hr pockets emtied by the outgareous prices for hot dogs ($3) and good, went on the roller coaster, much to her regret. Maria posted a photo of her beautiful little GD, who is just darling. Then we had a long long discussion about Social Security and Kooger was still wading through her bureaucratic nightmare with the INS.

And that's just bits and pieces of the first half of our first year!!

Violann, (Ann) joined us and shortly after, Joyous, and we are still enjoying their company..

Fast forward to September, Molly was grumbling about her landlord, and look where she is now!! And Darius, too!! Who knew??!!! Then we all complained about getting shoes in an appropriate size for our too big/small/narrow/flat etc. problem feet and passed around the 2 X 4 quite a bit for use by those who needed it for an attitude adjustment with family members.

By the time I got to October, my eyes were getting glassy, so if you want to recap the last three months, you're on your own!!! There are a multitude of happenings that I didn't mention, but I have to say it's been a delightful year, I love my new friends, and if I didn't chat daily I would be soooo lonesome.

Elaine and Dcat shopped the day after Christmas, what brave souls!! I might venture out today, but right now it's so foggy you can't see across the street so it will be later.
DR made hot biscuits, sausage and gravy for us for breakfast, YUM! Isn't it wonderful that our treats have no calories. And Mr. B is doing a good job of watchdog keeping an eye on that wandering stray and protecting his humans.

As for today, I'm wishing away any aches or pains that have shown up to torment us...
I'll check back later and see who's shown up for the party. We ALL should describe our jammies....mine are hot pink bottoms, with a ratty old gray pajama top, and old /ugly but warm slippers.....!

m5- thanks for the reminder, I have to call the senator's office again. I STILL do not have my 'green card'. Can u believe it? In March, it will be three years that I have been attempting to get it renewed. Sooner or later, somebody's gonna kick me out of here!!!! HELP!

Happy, safe and wonderful trip for you. No bungi jumping from planes.

Gardengram, HI!!! Nice to meet you. Wow you sure have a large family. I am so happy for you and it is wonderful to hear that your children watch over you so well. I am moving to South Carolina in 2007 and can't wait.

Patti what a wonderful and thoughful gift. I agree that he wins with that one. Giving someone their freedom back deserves some tears of joy.

Sarv, I am so happy that your DIL family has adopted you and DH. You deserved to be wrapped up in all that family love.

Woodspirit, please take care of yourself and get rid of that nasty bug completely this time. I am sure your boss will be just fine once he decides to wipe the tears of desperation out of his eyes. Stay in bed and take care of you...

Defoe, gosh I never thought I would say this but I hope its your back and not another stone. Although at least with a stone you know the pain will end. I read another thread somewhere on here about a gentleman that is using a board on an incline to help dislodge the stones. Dont know if it would help you or not, but I will be thinking of you and hoping that you are feeling right again real soon. Oh yeah, thanks for the hat and noise maker. Hopefully it will keep me awake here at work. I really just wanted to pull those covers back over my head this morning.

A big YAHOO for Jasmerr. A new puppy.

Kooger, sorry I missed giving you birthday wishes on your day, the thoughts and wishes were there.

Well, finally the bulk of the holiday is over and life can resume back to some normality. I really fell into a deep hole for a few days there. I really tried to stay away from the computer when I was feeling that way but sometimes it gets away from me. They say that with each day it gets easier. I am waiting, although rather impatiently.

Julie, I also wanted to say thank you for beginning this thread for us to have a safe place to go when we just need a break from everything, to be able to put your feet on the furniture and sample some yummy treats without risk. Great party today, even if I had to get dressed to come to work.

Casey

Meezer, you popped in with a long one I see. Hopefully I will have the chance to read it all and its all great news with no 2X4 needing to be mailed express.

Hi, all. Happy Aniversary to all of you guys.
That is interesting, M5, to read what had happened in the past year. Thanks.
Well, I am still in my sweats so I will join the party and grab a hat to celebrate with you all.
I have enjoyed read and writing for this thread. Only been here a few months but have enjoyed it much.
All you guys are good cheerleaders and do appreciate.

Just wanted to also say thanks you all about your comments on the greenhouse. Am going to check out the place I had bought it at and see what they can do for me today. Maybe get some new parts or what? Shall see.

Kooger, I did love your picture with your "purple" hair! You are one brave lady to go out in public that that, lol!

Well, off to do errands and etc. Party on everyone.......

Carol (DR)(the even one)

Okay, Laura, you caught me lurking again. Mornin' all. Just enjoying a bit of peace and quiet before my family shows up to take me on my birthday hike. Yup, I'm 67 today... sshh. Oh Mi! Goodness! I don't check in here everyday, mostly the life that's right in front of me demands my attention. LOL

Julie, this was a great idea - proof is that we're all still dropping in on a more or less regular basis. I don't always remember that it's a daily thread so some days I forget to look in.

Just for the heck of it - here's a picture of what happens when you turn your back on the lemon pie filling for just a second.... in the pic I've got it about half cleaned up... In mere seconds it boiled up and out of the pan and all over the top of the stove. New stove, not used to working on it's own... old stove would never have let this happen. heeheehee ~/;-)~Blooms

Welcome Diane, good to 'see' you. This is a fun place, seldom having much to do with gardening and lots to do with sharing. Up and at 'em this morning after DW silently rose at 5:00 to ready for work and the kids (Imari and Tinkerbelle) began to whine. Actually I loafed for a time before getting up. Morning crossword was easy this time, Honey Nut Cheerios were delightful, though pigs-in-a-blanket would have been better. DW has left, the kids have eaten,pee'd and poo'd and I am soon to spend a couple hours in the shop working on the current carving. Then off to the Audiologist to have the ear-molds for my hearing aids replaced. That 20 mile trip is as far as I care to drive so it has to include stops at a couple places while I'm 'on the road'.

Hap, I certainly share your 'fear of flying'. Haven't flown anywhere for several many years and won't in the future. Keeping good thoughts for a wonderful flight for you.

Sarv, you are lucky, having DIL's family so compatible. Hope the day is a good veg-out one for you.

Defoe, the sofa sounds like a great way to plan the weeks activities and other serious business.

Jody, we need to know more about the new puppy!

WSpirit, sorry about the cold. It's a heckofa time to get one. Lots of chicken soup will help.

Kooger, you give new meaning to the 'blue haired ladies' term. Is the real color starting to come back? Good luck with the restoration.

And to one and all, a happy anniversary cum birthday, and my personal thanks for providing this wonderful outlet and a glimpse into the lives, loves and trials of so many wonderful people.
robert

edited: good grief. 8 posts in the time it took to write this. talk about slow!



This message was edited Dec 27, 2005 8:28 AM

Blooms, OPPS!!!!!

Hi there Robert. Good to see your name pop up there.

The mailman just brought in a huge canister of popcorn so its on my desk if you all want some. It taste pretty good. I added some extra salt and butter.

Casey

1GG, we sound like a lot alike when it comes to critters. I adopt unwanted birds, dogs, cats, etc. I use to breed dogs-all terrier breeds except for the poodle mixed. But that was many years ago and I have not had the chance to pick my own breed of dog since adopting. We now have 3 mixed breed dogs-a 13 yr. old neutered male Collie/Westie(?), a spayed 5-7 yr. old female Corgi/Blue Heeler(?)mix, and what is suppose to be a full blooded spayed female Beage. We have 5 farm cats who spend most of the time inside during the winter months, one 4 year old mini Rex male bunny rabbit who lives in the utility room during the winter so I don't have to deal with a frozen water bowl and he gets a lot more attention, 2 female degus, lots of banty chickens, 2 female geese, 7 duck hens, 1 male peafowl, 1 guinea bird hen, and dozens of pigeons. My hubby has put his foot down on more dogs, cats, etc. The last parakeet died a few weeks ago. The bird house is about as crowded as it can stand to be for health purposes.

Both hubby and I are disabled. He is more or less housebound and I still am able to be working a couple afternoon/evenings a week at a local family owned cafe'. I love my job and employers who are very good to me. We are more like family than employers/employee. I'm the prep cook and dishwasher. With the arthritis in my hands it is sometmes very nice to be in hot water for the afternoon. Tho I found that the caster oil treatments is working wonderfully. I haven't actually had that much pain and stiffness in my hands since starting it.

The weather is lovely here for this time of the year. I may get to work on the inclosed front porch today. When we first enclosed that porch a few years we had no idea we would be turning it into a finished room. It has happened gradually over time and we are pleased with the results. Most of the trim I'm using is something I had no idea even existed. It has been time consuming and shows my lack of carpentry knowledge but isn't that bad. The children(all grown with families of their own)are pleased with it too.

I need to get busy on the day's tasks. They won't get done with me sitting here at the computer. I also need to read the latest issue of FIRST magazine that I bought at the store last night. I love that magazine.

GOD bless and keep each of you.

extra salt is good Casey, just don't let anybody sprinkle brewer's yeast on the part I'm eating from.... LOL

Goodness, this thread is moving almost as fast as 'Chat" this morning. LOL

This message was edited Dec 27, 2005 9:50 AM

Good morning I hope your weather is nicer than mine, we have rain and wind. The snow is all gone except for the piles that slid off the roof and a few drifts. When I went back and read the posts on our first Coffee and.... thread I see that we had about the same weather a year ago. Moisture is moisture so I shouldn't complain, (dry climate here). I'm sure Carol (the even one) is getting rain too but she doesn't usually need any. I used to live about 40 miles from her, too bad we didn't have DG then or I might have met her by now. Maybe someday.

Woodspirit, I hope you feel better soon. Probably you aren't the only one in that crowded house that came home with some Christmas germs. Unfortunately, more people, more germs. Add the stress of so much activity and the results aren't so good. Drink lots of juice and get plenty of rest. I'm glad you didn't go to work. I can hardly wait to see that greenhouse with plants in it. You did real well to find so many windows you could salvage to build it economically.

Today is my hubby's birthday. He is 68 and the other day he said he is surprised he has lived this long. He shouldn't be, I take good care of him! I gave him his gift already with his breakfast, and he also opened one from our son and daughter in law. And then went off to work. He likes his job so working on his birthday is not bad. He got a 4 day weekend over Christmas and probably will get the same for New Years.

One of my neighbors gave me a bottle of wine as a gift, she said she had no idea what the wine would be like but she picked it out for the label. If she asks, I will tell her they should stick to making labels and leave the bottles empty. We all tasted it and it went down the drain. UCK!

My new kitten has gotten very frisky. She hasn't met the other house cat except an accidental meeting at a distance of about 5 feet with me standing in the middle, both puffed up but there was no growling, and one closer where I had the older cat in my lap and the kitten aproched, I held on to the older cat but she just stood up on my lap and looked down at the kitten who was on the floor near my feet, still no growling. The kitten found something else to do and then I took the older cat into the bedroom, petted her a lot until she purred, then closed the door. I do think this is gonna work but I think more time is better. Sooner or later that oops will come and then there will be no choice.

Gardengram, welcome. Yep, you've joined. I guess you looked us over for a while and decided we are harmless. I'm sitting here in my robe and slippers too, and my oatmeal is cooking on the wood heater. Nuts and a few craisins sound good in it this morning. What is your job at the hospital! We have one ER nurse here, she checks in about once a week on average, works a night shift. I emagine the holidays are a wild time in the ER.

JoanJ, it's nice to have you stop in too, come back whenever you can. As you have probably noticed, some of us post on these coffee threads several times a day, and some folks just come about once a week or once every few weeks. We seem to have quite a few lurkers and that's ok too. No secret society here, we probably couldn't keep the secret!

Dcat, I hope you don't have another stone. Drink lots and lots and lots of water and juice and maybe you can flush it out soon. They blast them apart with lasers now, way better than the fishing expedition they did when my hubby had his first one, shudder! That was bad. I asked him if he kept it and he said no, he thought the urologist was building a retaining wall. Nobody but my husband would think of that!

Hap, I hope you have a comfortable flight, no panic. I'm not overly comfortable in those things either and always glad to get my feet back on the ground.

I'll be back later, got to feed my horses, they are running around having fun and keeping warm this morning, then I'm going to town to do my Tuesday stuff and have lunch with my daughter in law. She starts classes next week and then will have no time for the whole term. I'm proud of her, she is getting almost all A's.

Oh, one more thing, I need to name the kitten. Any ideas. Meezer gets first choice since she also has or will have a kitten to name and she asked first.

Mary, ROFLOL,
{"picked it out for the label. If she asks, I will tell her they should stick to making labels and leave the bottles empty."}

that's harsh Mary, harsh... heehee, I have a bottle of 'Toad Hall' wine that I bought for the label.... never opened it, it's part of the decor.

Happy Birthday/Anniversary Ladies (and gents) I've never "spoken" a word, but I have followed most of your threads since they started.

I just wanted to pop in today to say thank you for sharing so much of yourselves with everyone--it's enjoyable and relaxing to read about what goes on in your lives. I've never felt right intruding on your conversations-- but I've enjoyed them a lot.

Thank you.

Mary, I have a neighbor that has this silly notion that the more you pay for a bottle of wine the better it will taste. Oh is he ever wrong. This years bottle was about 60.00 and I wouldn't even use it to clean the metal in the house. He really makes us laugh since he removes the price label from the front and replaces it on the bottom of the bottle.
This same neighbor dug and built his own small wading pool in the back yard. At first no one could figure out what the heck he was doing. Every couple of days we would see the back of his little truck full of dirt, then nothing for a couple of days and poof it was back. At first we thought he was bringing the dirt in because of how lousy our soil normally is in this neighborhood, and the soil in the truck was nice and dark. Finally a few of the more adventurous kids asked him if he was burying people in the backyard, and he took them back there to show them. After he was all finished he invited a few of us from the neighborhood in to see, it is absolutely gorgeous. He did a mosiac tile design troughout the whole thing. I will see if I can get a few pictures to post here. He pretty much stays to himself and doesn't come out during the winter months.

This week is proving to be the same as before Christmas at work. Boring. I am so caught up on my work that if I go any further it will cause me more work in the end. So here I sit.

Casey

Mary, DGD was standing by the computer as I read this thread. She wanted to give you some suggestions for the kitten's name. Is it male or female, you probably said,but I forgot?

Her suggestions are:
Socks, Patches, Zebra, Dirty Nose Princess?, Angel?

If it is a boy, then Prince, and Gabriel.

Okay, Just finished a bowl of chili. Mailed out some bills and sent some seed to a fellow DGer. Other than that still just sitting. Pain is still with me, although not as bad as the other night.

Gardengram, welcome to the coffee bunch. Always glad to have new perspective. Sounds like you have a very interesting life. Most all here are retired. I retired from government about 5 years ago. Now just garden, see to elderly mother and mother in law, and keep house. It is really a full time job. I don't know how I had time to work.!

Melissa, you are not intruding, come on in and tell us all about yourself.

Hap, hope you have a good flight.

Kooger, green card problems again?

Meezer, thanks for recapping the year for us. I am working on reading all the old threads, but there is not enough hours in the day.

And thanks Julie, for starting this whole clan.

Well didn't mean to ignore anyone, but have to take DGD to visit her best friend, and to play for awhile.

I will be back.

Must be nice to be so caught up on your work. ROFL

I am so behind on what I need to do that I can't decide what to do first so here *I* sit....

Susan
=^..^=

Oh Melissa, that's a nono! You can't get to use the 2 X 4 if you just lurk.....so you have to introduce yourself and share some of your life!! We are such a homogenous group, you will fit right in. I did make that long post this morning, but now I'm killing time before I head out to shop and maybe take in a movie....what I'm really doing is avoiding making lunch for DH and his brother, I made them breakfast, and I am not the maid! He's not my guest...LOL there's some history involved here, I'll just say, he isn't my favorite houseguest for many reasons.

Blooms, that's quite a mess to clean up! I'm training myself not to walk away when anything is starting to boil...I hate trying to get goo out of all those trays. Mine lift out, so I can put them in the dishwasher, but they don't always catch all of the boilover...yuck!

MaryE, I haven't gotten a name for the new kitten yet. Maybe when I see him this week something will pop into my head. Other than old songs that want to replay all day....your little guy is so cute! Looks like he's wearing a tux! Friend of mine has a neighbor cat called Groucho because he has a little black moustache, but he looks a lot like your new baby.

Said I was gonna keep it short. Get better, you sickies with colds and pains, can't party feeling poorly. Do you like my party hat? We were opening "crackers" that had toys and jokes in them, a tradition in the UK and Canada, GDIL brought them for our Christmas Eve gettogether. You can tell we laugh a lot!

Susan, email it all over, I cant stand to be idle for long. God help my bosses filing cabinet. I was just in her office and its a mess and not very organized. I think I have figured out what I am going to do tomorrow while she is out. LOL

Mary, I think that you should call the new kitten, Dazzle. Those markings just bring that word to my mind.

Casey

Happy Birthday Blooms - it seems several of us GOBs were Christmas presents for our parents!!!
Welcome to our Newest member and Happy Anniversary to the oldies!!

I was sent this today I thought it was so true that I'd like to share with my friends - you need to read it all!

"READ THIS VERY SLOWLY.... IT'S PRETTY PROFOUND.

Too many people put off something that brings them joy just because they

haven't thought about it, don't have it on their schedule, didn't know
it
was coming or are too rigid to depart from their routine.

I got to thinking one day about all those women on the Titanic who
passed up
dessert at dinner that fateful night in an effort to cut back. From then
on,
I've tried to be a little more flexible.

How many women out there will eat at home because their husband didn't
suggest going out to dinner until after something had been thawed? Does
the
word "refrigeration" mean nothing to you?

How often have your kids dropped in to talk and sat in silence while you

watched 'Jeopardy' on television?

I cannot count the times I called my sister and said, "How about going
to
lunch in a half hour?" She ! would gas up and stammer, "I can't. I have

clothes on the line. My hair is dirty. I wish I had known yesterday, I
had a
late breakfast, It looks like rain." And my personal favorite: "It's
Monday." ...She died a few years ago. We never did have lunch together.

Because we cram so much into our lives, we tend to schedule our
headaches..
We live on a sparse diet of promises we make to ourselves when all the
conditions are perfect!

We'll go back and visit the grandparents when we get Stevie
toilet-trained.
We'll entertain when we replace the living-room carpet. We'll go on a
second
honeymoon when we get two more kids out of college.

Life has a way of accelerating as we get older. The days get shorter,
and
the list of promises to ourselves gets longer. One morning, ! we awaken,
and
all we have to show for our lives is a litany of "I'm going to," "I plan

on," and "Someday, when things are settled down a bit."

When anyone calls my 'seize the moment' friend, she is open to
adventure
and available for trips. She keeps an open mind on new ideas. Her
enthusiasm
for life is contagious. You talk with her for five minutes, and you're
ready
to trade your bad feet for a pair of Rollerblades and skip an elevator
for a
bungee cord.

My lips have not touched ice cream in 10 years. I love ice cream. It's
just
that I might as well apply it directly to my stomach with a spatula and
eliminate the digestive process. The other day, I stopped the car and
bought
a triple-decker. If my car had hit an iceberg on the ! way home, I would

have died happy.

Now..go on and have a nice day. Do something you WANT to......not
something
on your SHOULD DO list. If you were going to die soon and had only one
phone
call you could make, who would you call and what would you say? And why
are
you waiting?(just might have to call or you could just show up)

Make sure you read this to the end; you will understand why I sent this
to
you.

Have you ever watched kids playing on a merry go round or listened to
the
rain lapping on the ground? Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight
or
gazed at the sun into the fading night? Do you run through each day on
the
fly? When you ask "How are you?" Do you hear the reply?

When the day is done, do you lie! in your bed with the next hundred
chores
running through your head? Ever told your child, "We'll do it tomorrow."
And
in your haste, not see his sorrow? Ever lost touch? Let a good
friendship
die? Just call to say "Hi"?

When you worry and hurry through your day, it is like an unopened
gift....Thrown away.... Life is not a race. Take it slower. Hear the
music
before the song is over.



Show your friends how much you care. Send this to everyone you consider
a
FRIEND. If it comes back to you, then you'll know you have a circle of

friends."

To those I have sent this to... I cherish our friendship



"Life may not be the party we hoped for... but while we are here we
might as
well dance!"

I 'used' my Christmas present from DH this morning - the Curves thing, so I suspect i will be stiff tomorrow. I just decided not to wait till Jan 2 to start the campaign to restore me to the size and shape I once was!!! Not saying what shape mind you!!!!!!!!!! LOL

Carol
The Odd One

hi guys. can't type long went to dr this am cause my shoulder has been on fire since fri. can't remember last time something hurt so bad. x-rays showed my shoulder blade is cracked. my left one of course... i'm left handed. owe lots of ppl thank yous but just can't right now. please understand i will asap.
if anyone wants to talk d mail me a phone number or ask for mine i have unlimited long distance..... hugs to all

janis

Janis, gosh girl. How did you manage to crack a shoulder blade? Please do be careful. I know that there is not alot they can do to help it heal other then time. I hope less pain for the recovery. I would love to talk but no possible here at work.

Casey