Coffee and...For Wednesday, March 29, 2006 =^..^=

Here's the daily continued from
http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/586753/
♫ ☼ Have a great day! ♫ ☼

Susan
=^..^=

This message was edited Mar 28, 2006 11:45 PM

Everybody, go back to yesterday's thread and look at the picture of the flower I just posted. It is so cute, is it a miniature tulip or what?

Okay, I said I was going to bed ... but here's a couple of pics of some of my azaleas.

Here's a different one.

101, I am about 3 weeks from blooming azaleas. Mine are usually so pretty, hope that I can share some pics when they are in bloom. How tall are yours? Mine are not nearly as tall as they can sometimes be, which is allright with me. I have them planted in front of the front porch, and don't want to see them huge.

Okay, here's another one cause I didn't mean to post those. I had already posted them earlier. LOL My mistake!

101 so pretty, mine are not as nearly that large. As I said, that is okay by me. Twin sister is always jealous of mine, as she hasn't had any luck with hers.

Okay, I'm on a roll now. Here's a couple of my tomato plants. Now these are some of my babies. I have a total of 25 in varing stages. Will try to get a pick of all them together. LOL

Defoe, I think my Azalias are probably 5 ft. tall. They are down the side of our driveway. I have boxwoods across the front, but hate them. If I had my way I'd yank them up and put in minniture azalias so you could see my front porch ... such as it is. Would like one of those little benches or something on it ... a firm perhaps. Anyway, here's my tomato pic.

And would you just look at these babies! Oh I feel like a proud Mommy.

101 Great pics. Have some sprouting on top of the fridge as I s[eak. Yeah, a mommy protective tood.

Yes, they sat out in the sun about 2-1/2 hours today and waved their little trunks and leaves in the nice soft breeze. They were very happy. Now they are safely under the carport for a good nights rest. Tomorrow will be another hard day at work learning how to be a proper tomato. LOL
I am not showing my impatience ... I am not showing my impatience ... I am not showing my impatience ...

How long before we'll actually have tomatoes??
... Elaine

Morning Everyone. Thank you all for such a warm welcome. Maria has been trying to get me to post here for ages and now I am so glad that I did.
For all of you early risers or just can't sleepers like me there is the first pot of coffee ready and a freshly baked blueberry pie on the counter
101 your maters look wonderful - exactly when do you plan to get them into the soil? Everyone's pics of pretty flowers are so appreciated - I have absolutely no colours other than shades of brown, tan and green in my flower gardens. I truly have Zone Envy!!
Well I had better get started on my day's chores - have to get my MIL's income tax done today. I swear they change the forms each year just to tax our patience, might as well tax that as the government taxes everything else.
Hope your bankbook turns up VAnn. Anything concerning the bank puts a fear into me that is so overwhelming I just about cry. Remember when we used to go into the teller and they knew us by name, helped us fill in the slip if necessary..... technology is great but I sure miss the friendly smile and assistance. Unfortunately a couple of years ago I was a victim of the ole clean out the bank account trick. The bank told me I had been careless with my PIN....lol.... I had only used it 3 times all before 7am in the morning at the local village Bank of Montreal. Somehow, someone got ahold of my PIN fleeced my account and I was left with an account that was thousands of dollars overdrawn.Turned out it was MY responsibility to prove to the bank I had not done this myself..... that's good for a laugh when you are sitting there terror struck wondering if that certain someone had accessed any creditcards assigned to the account too. Turns out it was a team of real pros who hit the area and blitzed certain accounts. The only thing that all of the people victimized had in common was that in the last 3 months we had all set up a Telebank account. Think my Welsh Granddad was right - he kept all of his money under the bed!
All of the accounts were business accounts that weren't used on a daily basis and when they were had cash deposits put in through the IBM. The pros realized they could deposit empty envelopes claiming they was a certain amount of money in the envelope then go to another location and withdraw the money. They started at small increments and moved their way up.To this day I have no idea if they were caught all I know is I no longer have an account at that particular bank.
After I finish my paper work I want to get outside and get some raking and burning done. We have a Fire Ban for almost all of the summer so want to get things done before it comes into effect.
Have a fantastic day everyone. I will look forward to reading your posts.
Now as for some pics - Maria will attest to this - I hate taking pics especially of myself. I have also been very hesitant of posting pics of my SG work as almost all of the pieces I have done are my own design. Once the pics get out "there" I have no control over anyone copying them and laying claim to my designs. Since I am winding down my business maybe I can be a little more relaxed about posting pics - will try to as I would like to share some with you all.
The sun is going to shine and it will be warm here(at least for us) 11*C.Hurrah!
Dianne

Morning all, Well it is 2:53 a.m. here and once again I am up and on here...LOL. Yummm Blueberry pie, my favorite. Thanks Dianne. Cute little maters, Elaine. It seems like years before we get fresh tomatos again...Here is a picture of 1 of the 5 coldframes I have and that is not counting the 70plus seedlings I have in the spare bedroom....Well off to water............Lauri

oh pishawwww, I typed a response to Mary's deep question and it went poof....is that telling me something????

I was looking at lauri's cold frame when it happened. Trying to decide whether I need one of those or not.

Defo - I have tulips like that - can't remember their name,but the foliage is eye catching and they are faithful returners here in Michigan.

My task for today was to start knitting on a scarf a friend had asked me to make. Well, I started on it last night and finished it last night!! Now I am FREE today to play with what I want!! Yahoo.. Weather gal said to get out the shorts for this afternoon,but her record of being right is pretty dismal.. think I'll keep on my jeans.

KG- yow on having someone sneak into your accounts. Hope they were caught and hung out to dry. I can't abide stealing... My sister has had someone use her credit cards twice to the tune of several thousand dollars- she lost her card when she was shopping (she's out to lunch often in the real sense of the word...LOL) She ended up getting all her $$ back, but it was a hassle to straighten things out.

I'll reply to Mary's question in a bit, pass the blueberry pie please....dessert first...

Good morning,

Yes, definitely tulips. Those ones with the striped leaves are usually very early in blooming. The red one which Susan posted might be a Red Riding Hood. I used to have some of them and they lasted forever, but disappeared when the front landscaping was done. I've also had a few which had the bloom on a very short stem such as defoe posted. If you bought the bulbs out of bins, maybe someone mixed them up before you got there.

Should we always put on a happy face? - I agree with Robert - it depends. On the circumstances, on who else is around. I try to stay as positive and optimistic as possible, but if it's going to have a negative affecton those around me, maybe to show my true feelings, I'll sometimes try harder not to.

Dianne - still wondering if you've done any church windows here in Ottawa.

Re banks, you do have to be careful these days. But, I'm not particularly worried about the missing book - it's mostly the job of recreating whose dues were depositied that's time consuming. As far as account transactions such as service fees, I'm sure they'll be able to access those for me and give me a current balance against which I can check our records. It just happened that because of a lot of memberships coming in at this time of year, both normal membership renewals and people joining the society to attend the Congress, that I had the deposit records for a lot of people. But not a lot of things people could do with only the name of the society and the account number. They would have to have my name and signature to try to draw money out and I never use the machine for this account. I'm beginning to think it's not going to show up - at least not right away.

Better get breakfast and get ready for aquafit. It's my volunteer day at the Food Cupboard after aquafit and this evening we have the first meeting of the committee to decide how to use the bequest the church received. We'll be opening the suggestion box which I had been looking forward to until one of my bell choir members told me they've been putting in suggestions that I should get paid something for directing the bell choir. I might have to go hide.

Have a good day.

Ann

oy vey - I should NOT type before my fingers wake up in the morning. Edited to fix lots of typos.

This message was edited Mar 29, 2006 10:58 AM

Yum, blueberry pie for breakfast, thanks Dianne, that's right up there with Elaine's chocolate concoction from yesterday as being a real treat! I went to get a biscotti yesterday morning and the jar was empty, so I need to get busy.

Yes, where is Maria? She was a bit down the other day so I hope she's just busy and not feeling bad.

Had to think for a bit about the happy face question. I don't think putting on a false front does anything for anyone else, in fact, if someone does that to me, I find it annoying. I think what you show other people to help them is understanding and empathy. There are times that you can do it for yourself though. If you are feeling down, taking a moment to stop and think about all the good things in your life can put what is making you unhappy in perspective. That is not to say you need to inflict your unhappiness on everyone else by moping around and looking dismal.

People were shocked when I divorced my first husband, because in public he always made it look like we had a happy marriage, often bragging and even lying, about the things he did for me. Only a few close friends knew about his alcohol addiction and drug use, his verbal abuse, or his irresponsible financial decisions that I ended up paying for. I never felt it was constructive to tell other people our personal business, it was my problem, and I eventually dealt with it.

The exception to the above would be for children, or those who would be adversely affected by knowing about your unhappiness, in those situations, I think you must protect them from your "dark side" as it would be a burden for them to know. JMHO.

On to more frivolous topics. I am consumed by zone envy, although it was warm enough yesterday for me to get out and prune three more climbers. I hope I haven't gone too far because they look pretty pathetic after my assault. Did notice that the hen and chicks that are spread through the rock walls are thriving, I saw some chives coming up, and lots of tulips and mums are breaking through. Lots of crab grass getting started in the flower beds. It's foggy out this morning and there was a heavy frost, so it got pretty cold last night.

Dcat, we had spaghetti last night too. By the time I put in another couple of hours outside, the best I could do was rummage in the freezer for meatballs and sauce (which is why I make big batches of sauce when I cook) and then hit McD's for a couple of $1 salads and warm up some garlic bread! Your plan to let the guys do the painting sounds like a good decision. Although, I do think it would be fun to play with a spraygun....that might also involve a major clean up! That does look like a miniature tulip, pretty thing. Must have been a packing slip up. Sometimes when I buy a flat, there will be an odd surprise from a wayward seed!

I have to tell you, I love this new dishwasher. You can hardly hear it, but that 's not the best part. Everything comes out spotless! With the Kenmore, there were some things that needed to be run through again, even though I rinse everything before I put it in. ( I think food particles swooshing around with the detergent is disgusting). And it doesn't use additional heat to dry the dishes, they call it condensation drying. The manual states that the combination of the hot water, the stainless tub and the rinse agent result in them drying spot free. And they do. Amazing something that actually does what they say it will.

Elaine, your tomato plants look happy and healthy! When you plant them do you bury the stems kind of horizontal? They say that they develop more, and deeper, roots that way, but I've never tried it. I usually get more tomatos than we can eat. I do grind up some with my Victorio that separates the seeds and skin from the puree, but there's only so much room in the freezer. That's another job that's best done out on the deck, messy. Like if I freeze chopped Vidalias, I cut them outside so the wind blows the eyewatering fumes away!

Sammi's being a pest, wants to be on the keyboard, tried distracting him with a catnip toy but he's insisting that I want to play with him. Here's a brief moment of quiet... it didn't last long, he was thinking of his next move....

~~~ to all, going to try being industrious today...and need to go grocery shopping, so I'm gettin' outa here.

Hugs to all, have a great day...

ok, now for Mary's question. I think it depends too (how's that!!) I always try to be a postive, uplifting person, but as all of you can attest, I sometimes am a gloomy gus- but that's ME!! I think it is important to be positive - Ieven thinks it affects your health! I try to be always supportive of others, but am not against admitting that I am down. I try to never tell my mom about any bad woes that I have- she has gone thru enough in her life. I do complain to her, but would never tell her about any problems DH and I are having. - nor would I ever tell my kids. They can sense when things aren't just right. I just try to be the best that I can be and if I fall off the wagon, I get up and hop back on it. Life is a
ride - enjoy it.!

VI - have fun in the pool- today is my day off from the h/puff. I think it is great that your bell ringers think you deserve some pay!!

I have always wanted a stained glass panel to go in the top of one of my windows. Meant to take a class to learn how to do it, but haven't gotten around to it yet. I love having things made by people I know. My step father has made me several things- a wooden recipe box and a small stool that I treasure. My mom has crocheted several pillowcases for me- love them.

We had a pair of bluebirds checking out our boxes...but wouldn't you know it, some sparrows keep chasing them away...wish I was a better shot!

Castor beans and mollys white morning glories have sprouted!! Gonna plant some more today..the fun never ends!!

I'm on the run today since it's a nice day - but read all yesterdays comments and was interested in Mary's question.

As someone who has battled depression my whole life, I don't think we have to be fake, but I know I myself have a responsibility to keep battling my own demons, not give up, not inflict on others to the extent I can help it...and I have to work to keep myself up (that's why I'm off to my jumping lesson, talk about an upper!!)

I believe God gave us lots of gifts and expects us to use and enjoy them. A bitter miserable person (which I have been at points) makes the world a worse place.

A loving person makes the world a better place. There are things to cheerful about most of the time, and people on this thread are great at finding them...like sunshine and flowers and friendship (and electricity to run our computers) .

Good Morning, Every one
I don't think I need to tell you how glad I am Dianne is here to post her very interesting messages, now if only one of my other friend would post at least once in a while here on this thread it would make me happy.

Ann, I could not have said it better about showing a happy face, my family always has told me they know exactly how I feel without saying a word by my facial expression, guess I just can't hide it, LOL. As far as others are concerned I will always try not to be unkind or saying things that might hurt them always try to show interest what they have to tell me about themselves even though I might not like their comments.
To rude strangers, I do let them know how I feel with a sharp response.

Tonight is family dinner again, every Wednesday it is. going to make chicken stew with biscuits, the recipe is for 6 so you are welcome to join us tonight at 6 PM thwere also will be a salad and for desert a bread pudding made with croisants. For an appetizer I just bought a pate to be put on crackers.

I better get going with all the work ahead of me

Maria - who is your other friend you want here= let me know - I'll bug the day lights out of her - I twisted KG 's arm and she pulled up a chair. I'll be there for dinner too - love pate... yum

I FOUND THE DEPOSIT BOOK! It was sitting on my washing machine. Go figure! Don't even remember going into the laundry room with it, but I must have set it down when looking for stuff - or maybe putting something into the freezer.....

Gotta go. Will be late for Aquafit!

Ann

Good Morning everybody. I have been up for about an hour and a half. One of the furkids, DH's rat terrier, wanted out!! So I have had coffee, read the paper, made me some toast, welcomed DH home from his mom's and am trying to get enough ambition together to go make the bed and get showered and dressed. Back is still sore/aching, always better in the morning, so don't know how the day will turn out.

To answer Mary's profound question ( I had to think about this awhile) I think that we need to provide a cheery attitude, some may say front. I know that you can't all the time, but who wants to be around a frowning face, pessimistic attitude and a plain old grouch. So if I can, just smile and speak, even though there are things that are not well, I may have made someone else's day by doing that.

I am having lunch today, with 2 neighbors. We are going to a mexican restaurant, as DH doesn't care for mexican, I seldom get to eat it out. One neighbor's birthday was Sunday, and I have made her a terra cotta bird bath.

After I get home, (if the back allows) I may get out and do some more cleaning of the flower beds, put down some pre-emergent and generally get some things ready to be able to plant, when the real warm weather gets here.

Sarv, I would hold off on the shorts, don't want to see frost bitten knees!! They say that by Saturday, our temps will be in the 70's. Sure hope that is right.

Well off to get the day started. Hope it is a good one for everybody.

hi everyone and a happy goodmorning smile to all,hope all Had a good day yesterday ,today i am finally going to do some garden work the sun finally came out the birds are out and singing,spring is finally here woo,hoo..........hope to talk to everyone later,to all have a great day and remember to live,laugh and love.
cindilynn

Hi everyone
Don't have but just a sec today but just had to pop in and say ...
Happy birthday to Defoe
Happy birthday to Defoe
Happy Birthday to Defoe
Happy birthday to you!!!!

~~~~ to the rest of y'all

Will be back later.
... Elaine

Okay, now I'm back.

I've jumped the gun on the birthday wish. *rolling eyes* I can just tell ... it's gonna be *one* of those days!!
Bye again
... Elaine

LOL LOL at IO1!! Don't ya just love starting the day like that!!

Back from Aquafit and from stopping by the home of one of the ladies for coffee and to look at the stuff she is getting rid of. Downsizing from a large house which is jam packed to a large condo, but still just two bedrooms and in a hi-rise; so no basement for storage. She is gonna need help and lots of it! The things she had for help yourself on her table were just the start. She moves in less than a month.

Happy birthday to defoe. Have a really good day.

Sheila, glad you are enjoying the new dishwasher.

Elaine, I enjoyed the pictures you posted.

Now - on to the Food Cupboard for my volunteer stint.

TTYL.

Ann

Ann, how's the new guy at FC doing now ? any better ? Good news about the deposit book.

Foggy morning, but no rain yet. Happy Happy Birthday Defoe.

Slow morning, better make some b'fast and think about the days activities.

Happy days everyone.

Wiping the sweat from my brow. Been out in the greenhouse pulling weeds - how do those stinkin things grow inside with no water!! Then decided to bring a load of flowers out- sink or swim....It was toasty in there...

Now I'm in for awhile and making reservations for a wedding in Pennsylvania for May. Our problem is that 7 of us are going and no one wants to use their vehicle for driving there. So we are trying to rent a van to go - what fun!!

VI - glad you found the book you were looking for. Bet you feel relieved...

Just came on the radio that a local school was evacuating - smoke in the building!! Oh glory it isn't quite spring yet and the kids are pulling pranks. Spring was a great time for bomb threats when I was working - day off then! Administration got smart and quit sending the kids home. They shipped them to other schools and they had to sit in their gyms. Of course that upset the school that they were coming to, but it seemed to put a damper on the day off senerio.

Almost time for lunch - meat loaf sandwich - anybody want one?

Hi, All... Had an early morning start (easy when you fall asleep on the couch at 8 pm!) and have transplanted Molly's order from Bluestone Perennials into 4" pots, plus a scad of plants for her from the Lakeland FL Roundup last Saturday. And a few coleus for my sister.

Took the few ripe tomatoes off the plants that froze in the front yard ... some cherry size that Molly likes (I forget the name), and have them fermenting so I can save the seeds and start some new ones for her.

Picked up some cheap 3 gallon fringe trees for my ex-DG Virginia friend yesterday. Giving them a good watering before I send them semi bare root. All the ones she found last week on her buying trip were too expensive but I knew where to get some.
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/1654/index.html

Looks like another warm day (80's) and no rain forecast for the next 10 days. Pooh, I'm tired of lugging the cart with 5 gallon buckets of water 350 feet down the driveway to water new plants there. But, can't let the plants die either!

Well I can be the other view of the being positive all the time. I am a very negative person and I am somewhat untrustful. Not totally paranoid but not far from it. I have known discrimination in my life and a few other rejects and it kind of makes you what you are. I do not have a strong religious bearing either. I am a creature of my enviorment. I got some good friends and I got a good family. But I cannot change my outlook about others and I have no desire to do so.

Hi Everyone! Thanks to those of you who posted the pretty flower pictures. We have been getting very nice weather here. In the upper 50's and supposed to be around 70 on Friday. I have been working in our office conference room today which has a window. Very hard to concentrate cause I keep looking out at the sunshine and blue sky.

Welcome to all the newbies. This is a great group of people.

As to the attitude questions. It depends on who I'm with. With my family it is very hard to hide what i'm feeling. I can try to hide a bad mood with a smile, but my eyes always give me away. With others I always try to put on a smile no matter what. I find if you give a smile you usually get one back. Smiling is contaigous. I also think laughter truly is the best medicine. I try to cheer people up with humor. (Not that everyone gets my warped sense of humor) My coworker has thanked me several times for making her laugh during her ordeal with DH's cancer.

Hope there's still a piece of Bluebery pie to have after lunch.

V Ann - there is a lesson in there somewhere. Like, don't do ALL the laundry at one time because the laundry monster will get hungry and attack anything within reach - like deposit books!

sarv - rent the van! It saves a lot of wear and tear on personal cars, and puts the maintenance on the rental company. All in all, fewer problems for about the same overall price.

I prefer to be upbeat and cheerful, not so much for others, as for myself. I just feel better if I'm smiling and anyone who wants to join in is welcome. If someone else is having a bad time I am sympathetic, but not downbeat. I know that there are times when a "Pollyanna" is the last thing you need, but I don't think wallowing in sorrow is the best way to deal with sadness. Just understand that sorrow happens, and build your life around the knowledge that ultimately, life will go on, and it's up to the individual to make the most of what is on the "table".

I'm quite sure I had other things to say, but the sunny, warm, beautiful day is calling me to come out and play - so off I go!
ginni

I like what you have to say about a happy face, OZ, it is so very honest

oz - I don't find you negative at all!! You are right tho - we are what we are!!

Just watched the noon weather news and you guessed it. Sun decided not to shine -put away those shorts and haul out the jackets. Never fails. Alas, I did move a wad out to the greenhouse and it is staying there come H or high water... I do have a small heater there- just in case..

Niece just called me and her 4 yr old just decided to be baby again - wetting and pooing. Niece is just about at her wits end. This morning the little one got some food out of the pantry and locked herself in a room proceeded to smoosh the crackers into the rug. Time for a little whack on the bottom, I do believe!! LOL glad it is her and not me...

Darius, I am so envious of you with your weather...80's...ahhh just the number sounds good. Bet Molly will be thankful to have you taking care of her plants for her. Are you lonely all by yourself? Myself, I like being alone for awhile, but it grows tiresome after several days. I like people around, but just want to be able to leave them when I want.

Genni
You are so good with words. You think the way I do but express yourself better. :) Man has been discriminated against for one reason or another since the beginning of time due to race, religion, disability or other such nonsense. That's why laws were put into place to protect people. Of course a law cannot dictate how a person is treated. That's where Mary's question comes into play. To me, it's not putting on a front, but like you said ...

Quoted

"build your life around the knowledge that
ultimately, life will go on, and it's up to the individual to make the most of what is on the "table"." :)

Hello, everyone!! I'm back. It's been a while since I've been on so I know I'll never be able to catch up on what I missed, but it's sure nice to see everybody again. We got a new computer and my DH took over for awhile, but he seems to be starting to get bored with it already, so I'm taking it back!

It's been so long I can't even remember what I need to tell you to catch everyone up, so the only thing I'll post about right now is Samoa. To remind everybody, Samoa was the stray kitten I brought in awhile back that was terrified of everyone. He has adjusted now and doesn't hide from me anymore. Instead, he comes running when he hears my voice and is the most lovable of all the cats. He does still hide from the kids, but I can't blame him for that. I'd hide too if I could get away with it sometimes.

I'll check in later to catch up on more info from everyone. It's great to be back!

Flowerchild it's great to have you back. Hurray for the new fur kid. Adjusting sometime takes a long time.

Well, shortly after I posted this morning, my day took a 180 degree turn. Went to make the bed, and the back completely screamed. So called the Dr office, and got in as an emergency patient. Diagnosis, muscle spasms, and boy do they hurt. Just now back, he gave me muscle relaxers, anti inflamatory and pain pills. Told me to eat, go home and take the meds, and my DH should see me wide awake sometime about supper time. I asked him, if he thought that he could give me an excuse to have supper brought in, and wonder of wonders, he wrote me a prescription that says "no cooking until 3-31-06 am. What a hoot. But hey, I will use it. My Dr has a great sense of humor, and knows my DH so, it it sort of a private joke. I am sure that DH will see through it as clearly a pane of glass.

Well, I am going to go to my recliner, with the heating pad, and try to do as Doc says. Want to be in shape for planting season.

BBL.

First trial hanging. Wall color is more 'mocha-coffee & cream'. The black and gold cord goes OK with the black metal frames that are my norm. Narrow crown molding next, and mahogany trim around the doorway. It's finally taking shape.

Defoe, from the sounds of it Pleasureville doesn't seem to be living up to its name. Hope the pills work for you. My twice-daily dose of Naproxin really does make a noticeable difference. That's a pretty cool Doc you got there.

Sarv, that niece's 4 year old is a real pill. Hope mom gets her straightened out. Kids between birth and 21 should be institutionalized and allowed out to inflict their chaos on humanity only under strict supervision. LOL

Lunch break!! Except when I came in from horseback riding there was a bad bad smell, and I traced it to the living room rug, where the dog had evidently been sleeping when she had an attack of the runs. It was so bad, and all over, that I rolled the rug up, duct taped it together, and put it out with the trash. DH will probably not be happy, but the rug had stains and I don't think I could have cleaned it. It was a wool oriental though, so I guess I'll have bare floors for awhile.

Took my appetite away, so that's the good news!
I even put my maters out in the sun!! Way up here! I have moved my perennials onto the deck, where they'll be okay this week.

Oz-I gotta tell you, I love a good curmudgeon. I can deal with almost anyone who has a sense of humor. The rest, whether they're Pollyannas or Little Mary Sunshines or Grumps, I can't take. If you can laugh at yourself, you're okay.

defoecat-sorry to hear about your back, those muscle spasms are agonizing. Glad you got the muscle relaxants, you'll probably be snoozing.

FlowerChild-great to see you again. I'm glad Samoa is settled in! I know what you mean about about hiding from the kids, when mine were little sometimes I wished I had a trapdoor I could just disappear into for a break now and then.

Elaine-About putting on fronts, I remember that shortly after my mother died and I had moved from SanFrancisco to NJ with my 10 month old, and was settling the estate, with a workaholic husband in NYC and having complications in my pregnancy,no friends yet and no relatives, and I got very depressed, my new neighbors in play group suggested I "put on some makeup and put on a happy face"....even now it is horrifying to me that they could not imagine what I was dealing with and offer friendship. So if I see someone who is suffering, (in fact today I was talking with a very lonely person who just lost his mother and is in hiding so no one will see him cry) I tell them it's okay, I can stand to see them cry, and I'll listen. That was what I was thinking about, I guess, not just whining.....

sarv-I love your attitude, you make me laugh almost every day!!

tgif-I hope you're having a great day playing in the sun!

suzieq-Love your sense of humor! Too bad you're stuck inside!

darius-OMG give us a few weeks and we'll be complaining about lugging the water too! Take it easy before you do your back in.

Ann-I missed the bankbook story yesterday, I would've suggested looking in the freezer or microwave LOL That's how I think, but yes I could see setting it down while dealing with the constant laundry. Glad you found it!

Dianne-nice meeting you, did you already explain where "kidneyguy " comes from? Do you mind if I ask?

Maria-you must be having a beautiful day too. Thanks for sharing your friends!

Back outside, enjoy your day everyone!!