Best/ worse/ ? did you learn today #66 visit with friends...

gillibean-How cute Ella is:)

We about fell over last year-our neighbors had warned us so we got enough stuff for like 300, and RAN OUT!!! We were giving out Andes mints, old easter candy, packages of cookies, little debbies-anything that was wrapped!!LOL I think one kid got some popcorn-it was an issue...

Betty-LOVE the faces-hey-so you wanna come back for a visit and help me get my house all decorated???PPUULLEEAASSEEE;)

Gillian, OMG you really do it up in the North Country..that's got to be every child in the community and adult right?

What an event...costumes are terrific...think it was Wiggles that my niece took her son to the skydome last Friday..I'll have to check that out? maybe she has photo's I can post for Ella...

Now look at Ella as a ballerina...just toooo cute..
Yep now it's Christmas...

Stacey, yep if it weren't for snow/blizzards that could happen I'd be there in a flash...had thought of taking a few things out but still in jammies, never even made it to town and I've got this mess..already 15 kits are cut, ready to sew then this mess....

Hunter green/blue and maroon...the large maroon piece on the table is probably about 15 yards...going to fold it so it doesn't get rinkled and not cut anymore until I find out how much I need for the Mrs. Santa Claus...

You would all be proud of me, guess who just called...yep, was my mom...said a neighbor of hers just fell of the room and ambulance took him away, he's 73...a few months ago wasn't it Jim my Step Father...best these old guys stay on the ground...

She asked me if I'd spoken to Sharon, said yes, yesterday and would call her again tonight when I'm settled...

I was nice, you'd not know I was angry...

She said they were leaving in 3 hrs. to go see Rita McNeil the singer at Casino Rama tonight, I said whose looking after the pooch, said her next door neighbor Cathy...ahhhh says I...you are only going for 3 hrs. couldn't he have stayed alone..dogs name is Rocky...nope, gets lonely...

Still I'm as pleasant as pie or so you'd think over the telephone...

Said she'd already been to Rama this morning and won 4 jackpots, total of $2,300. still kept my cool WANTED to say, maybe that will help Aunt Muriel with the dog operation...kept my MOUTH SHUT!....

She said how nice it would be for Sharon to put all this behind her..I said yes, I can't believe how CRUEL people ARE to be bothering her with arguing, calls and whatever...SHE just can't take much more...so she says, Oh I spoke to her several time yesterday and she seemed up...so I I I Say, probably the morphine, once it wears down it hits her...

Said although Sharon is wealthy she'll have to stop catering to everyones whims (I'm sure she thought I meant her children) said with this operation one never knows if she'll be in a wheelchair or on her back needing continual care...better watch her pennies just incase...NOT a word, seemed as though it went right over her head OR she was being as cagy with her replies as I was in my conversation....

She says, she'll (meaning Sharon) will just have to go in a home the same as she (meaning mom) will have to do because not of the kids will help her...mom said she's (meaning herself) has already been told that...oh says I, I don't remember the conversation where I said you'd have to go into a home.....

I could tell my voice was starting to get higher and at that time I guess Sailor heard someone next door and barked so I said I must run mom, a friend is waiting for me to go to town....bye/bye...

Wow, now I hope somehow she'll think about my conversation and think about her calls to Sharon..please/please let's hope...

This time I truly have to get dressed and take a quick trip into town...I remember that the stores in the Mall don't open till noon...see...doesn't take me much to remember..waiting in town 2 hrs. last week did it..

Gillian..great to see the kids all dressed up.
Your Greeter is Ghoulish..LOL

Betty..applause applause...
you kept your cool and ended the conversation before things were said that couldn't be taken back.

Well I wen to the big shopping cnetre in Oshawa this morning..bought a fancy Lagostina Chef's pan that was on sale..reg $65.00 for $15.00 at Sears..great deal.
Wandered around looking at all the clothes and coats on sale ..but nothing jumped out at me.
Bought a new chair mat for my computer chair..mine has all cracked..got that at Staples....
a few things at the dollar store..and that is it. The ladies at the dollar store were putting away the Halloween things and bring out the Christmas goodies.

Annoying thing..no one delivered the newspaper today..I just get the Saturday Toronto Star..it has the TV guide in it too and a puzzles section I give to my neighbour...and lots of good reading...life section, home section, ideas section etc..
When I called they just said they will credit my account..I would rather the person who missed delivering it to me would bring it to me today. I don't feel like going in to town and buying it at the variety store.
...........and that is my rant for today LOL.

Just back from town..I AM tired...won't be late and it will be off to bed...will take what I need from the velvet, cut the rest and goodnight..

OMG sex and Mrs. Claus.can you believe that they had this costume for Mrs. Claus that she should be in a 'bunny club' somewhere...then Simplicity had one but it's 3/4 length with pantaloons. Bought that pattern but will have to make some serious changes...imagine..where's the traditional old fashion Mrs. Claus..no wonder we are in trouble...can't believe the price of patterns..and...good thread...(no $$$ store thread for me or YOU!)

Got Lenny's gift certificate..wanted to pick up a few pkgs of 3 scissors and they are taking down names because they cannot find the shipment...

Back up I go, hope I've enough strength to finish what I've got to do...

Carol, when Alex brought me the Santa heads today he was going over to get the paper..he said it was something like $3.50 for Saturday paper...wow...I thought it was about $1.10...

You really did get some good deals..as I mentioned, that Oshawa Mall opened while I lived in Oshawa on Grenfell St. haven't been back since I've moved!

Night/night everyone..

Sleep tight Betty

Night Betty-you are tuirning in early-I will chat with ya in the am B4 everyone else gets up:)

Travels with Cedric and Bailey Thread is finally up http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/919181/

thanks for the link Laura..

Wow turned on the furnace a little higher even the fireplace upstairs..chilly...I must NOT keep playing with that thermostat..

Almost got up in the middle of the night and started to sew, just couldn't get to sleep, then dozed off..thank goodness...

Stacey as you know with our gabbing early morning, I'm up and at it and never stop so come early evening its off too bed for me...

I've much to accomplish today...so I'm off to the races..

See you all on my 1st break..oops you'll probably all be still sleeping...

Not sleeping here. Good morning, Betty. Yes, you do have a busy day. That's a lot of santa robes! Hope you will share photos of the army of santas when they are done.

Off to bake youngest step-son's birthday cake. He is coming for lunch with his girlfriend and DH is picking up DFIL. Must dig out the dining room table from underneath that stack of fabric.

I'm up..goood morning all
I was early to bed too..all the clocks are turned back... laundry on..
I just had a look at my Hibiscus plants downstairs.
All three are in bloom.
The yellow one didn't bloom all season when it was outside..now it decides to put on a bloom!!!
Will go take a pic..

Ok..I'm trying something new here with my photos in Picasa..
let's see if it works

My blooming Hibiscus on Nov. 2 08

So here is the original pic of the plants in the basement

MORNING!!! I slept in a bit, DH got home from work late last night and woke me up wanting to talk, thenI woke up with a HUGE sinus headache, so I went back to sleep for a bit which didn't help....

Carol, OMG those are beautiful..I really should download that program and as I've loads of time at work I could play with it couldn't I...aren't they beauties...

My garden is completely finished...sad..but look what we have to look forward come spring...


Fleurs...cake sounds yummy..nice to have company for lunch..too busy today to cook but I can smell yours from here..share a slice will you?

Stacey, wonder if you'll get that virus that we all seemed to get on our trip to Frankenmuth..Suzanne said it hit her like a ton of bricks and mostly just in her head..ear ache, headache, can't breath..sure do hope not...

5 1/2 done, vacuumed, making breakfast then back to it..need a ladder for my gazebo so just waiting a tad longer before I call Greg's house..it's either too early or they are up and gone..can't win...lol

Off I go, can't spend too much time or I'll never accomplish my 'to do' list for today!

Enjoy everyone...

Everyone must be taking advantage of the weekend and nice weather...

I've got about 12 maroon victorian santa outfits sewn, outside in the pond..yuk...1/4" of ice on it...won't clean it this year, I'll refill, just want the big pump that does the water spray and waterfall inside...probably another hour and I'll have almost everything done..

I look pretty cute...ears stuffed with batting lol....still earaches and its windy out there so not taking any chances...the zipper in the gazebo top that I did because I had no help last year worked like a charm...top is a bit ripe, might get one more year out of it...I have a new one but won't use it till I have to..so came in for scissors to cut some tie backs on the gazebo screens, in a box they go and that is done...just took out a pail of water and cleaner, good was to muskoka set (adirondak to many of you) wash them down and they are ready for storage...got my screwdrivers in hand...don't want to leave out that beautiful metal mirror sunflower and door frame to rot outside, lets hope I've strength left to unscrew it...

Sitting on the table I think are a dozen or so Victorian Santa maroon outfits..so gaining ground there...Anne dropped in for a visit, gave me a shopping list to pick up things at ganz this Friday for her...LOVE shopping with other peoples money...lol

So cannot stay, must continue my 'to do's...hope you are enjoying your day, perhaps a little less work in yours than in mine...

Looking forward to my work week...lol

Where oh where are you all? Came in for a well deserved break..no friends dropping in at home this aft. or here in the garden..

Boxing up the tarps..

Thank goodness for $$$ store gloves..was into the pond and it's yuk..so gloves in firepit..another new pair on..lol

There were lovely fishies and don't think Riley and Missy didn't see them...they were sitting on the ledge of the rocks just trying to figure how to get at them..so pump is now in the house, refilling the pond in hopes that the fish survive the winter, they did last year but there weren't as many of them...

Took the metal mirror starburst off the big window/door piece..thought about leaving it, but no...it's now stored away for winter...

The blue heron metal pieces and the sunflower metal piece is staying..the vendor that I purchase them from said it wouldn't harm them and it give the birds a place to land and look pretty in the snow..they will stay...

In the far background you can see someones workshop..hate it when the leaves are all gone, usually one cannot see beyond my property line..oh well, the snow will soon take care of that...high banks/drifts..

Ooops someones here

Just getting things done is all Betty-I have got dinner going, bread rising, laundry washing, some packages packed, now I am going to get some trades I am behind in taken care of, the supplies list compiled for our Xmas baking and divided, and my recipes sorted through to gt into my new box, have some crafts to do and some cleaning to do:)

I've been puttering in the kitchen making soups..

Pumpkin/squash/pea soup..and chicken rice soup.

I used a pie pumpkin, and a striped squash that I had used for display..along with dried split peas and chicken stock soup base.

I portion them out and put them in the freezer for the coming week...after I have had a bowl of each of course..LOL

Cleaned out my pots and pans cupboard..don't you just hate that cupboard....things get lost in there. LOL

I have been reading about steel cut oats versus the quick oats for healthy eating. I think I will buy some..I have been using the Quaker quick oats..1 minute cooking time. One of the ladies at the swimming complex told me she cooks several portions of oatmeal ahead of time..and keeps it in the fridge and just microwaves it. I tried it..and it works well.

Apparently steel cut oats take a long time to cook..and it has been suggested to make a big pot of it in the crockpot overnight and then keep the rest in the fridge.

The reason for all this is to bring my cholesterol level down. I am trying to eat a low fat diet too.

Fairy..wow..you sound busy..your sinus headache must be gone..

I would say both of you are as busy as I...

Lenny dropped in with his jeans in hand..was just dropping them off but I said while the machine was out, why not shorten them right away..didn't take long..

Then June dropped in with photo's of her great grandchildren ..omg the 2 1/2 year old (who talks a wildstreak) was dressed as Santa..he's very theatrical..
He says to each place he stopped...Ho/Ho/Ho wrong season, but if you give me good goodies, I'll be back with presents in 2 months...imagine that!!!! we had a good laugh...

Turned the furnace on again, don't know about in your area Carol, but temps are quickly dropping...

Liz in Ireland sent me some jokes as I'm always saying I'm old...thought I'd share...

Just before the funeral services, the undertaker came up to the very elderly widow and asked,
'How old was your husband?' '98,' she replied.
'Two years older than me'
'So you're 96,' the undertaker commented.
She responded, 'Hardly worth going home, is it?


Reporters interviewing a 104-year-old woman:
'And what do you think is the best thing
About being 104?' the reporter asked.
She simply replied, 'No peer pressure.'


The nice thing about being senile is
You can hide your own Easter eggs.

I've sure gotten old!
I've had two bypass surgeries, a hip replacement,
New knees, fought prostate cancer and diabetes
I'm half blind,
Can't hear anything quieter than a jet engine,
Take 40 different medications that
Make me dizzy, winded, and subject to blackouts.
Have bouts with dementia .
Have poor circulation;
Hardly feel my hands and feet anymore.
Can't remember if I'm 85 or 92.
Have lost all my friends. But, thank God,
I still have my driver's license.

I feel like my body has gotten totally out of shape,
So I got my doctor's permission to
Join a fitness club and start exercising.
I decided to take an aerobics class for seniors.
I bent, twisted, gyrated, jumped up and down, and perspired for an hour. But,
By the time I got my leotards on,
The class was over.

My memory's not as sharp as it used to be.
Also, my memory's not as sharp as it used to be.


Know how to prevent sagging?
Just eat till the wrinkles fill out.


It's scary when you start making the same noises
As your coffee maker.

These days about half the stuff
In my shopping cart says,
' For fast relief.'


THE SENILITY PRAYER :
Grant me the senility to forget the people
I never liked anyway,
The good fortune to run into the ones I do, and
The eyesight to tell the difference.


Always Remember This:
You don't stop laughing because you grow old,
You grow old because you stop laughing!!

Hope you had a laugh, know I did...

It's hot bath time, then supper and back to sewing....lol...think I'll have accomplished all I set out to do this weekend...

Know I'm smilling.

DAWN posted on the other thread..will have to send her the link...

My computer won't take that link or something so I'm posting here until I can move over, too lazy to look it up on the General Forum. lol

So it is surprising to see how slow dg seems lately. Maybe this economy and job losses etc. seem to have taken ahold of so many people's lives. Have you noticed that. It effects every town and every state. I am so glad that we all have eachother to talk to and to focus on something other than our crazy world we live in.

Betty did they determine that your problem was indeed scar tissue? Did they do anything about it?

Liz the Cannas are still blooming. Thanks again. They are like weeds. lol

Betty-didn't get all I wanted done this weekend-when you only get 1 day off, time is short and today seems to be FLYING by!! LOVED the jokes!!

Starzz-some ibuprofen and nose spray and was good as new about an hour after I posted about my headache:)

Hello everyone,

Wow had lots to read since yesterday...

You are very busy and sure sounds as though you enjoyed it all.
Gillian, My goodness your kids were adorable on Halloween, you too!
Bettty, I did get a good chuckle on the oldster replies, LOL my favorite was the the the one with the excercise,giggling!!

Carol, nice you prepairing your soups for future. They sound reall good too, Hey that is rel good to know on the oatmeal, Never would have thought it, LOL it's one of my favorite breakfast, lunch or snack...I like to add bannanas and other fruits on ocassion.
Stacey, glad you are getting your lists down.

Laura, thanks for the Cedrick and Bailey thread...Your outfit were wonderful too.

Was busy all day yesterday, but don't think I've accomplished a whole lot, mind just isn't in it.
Talked with BIL...He gave me a phone number as sister can receive calls...Man, I have been trying to call numerous times and they have been busy signals...whew it's a hit or miss chance because its a community phone. So just keep trying..

I was giggling to at your rendition of whats out there as far as Santa costumes, sad but true. Got me thinking, now if I were Betty what would I have done with my original pattern...scratching head, when was that last time you had it? maybe you've packed with last years Christmas decorations...

tonight, I am just doing laundry and enjoying another fire...another splendid evening.

Hope you are all enjoying it too.

One last post before I call it a weekend...

Judy hope you get to talk to your sister before the night is out...just called mine...

OMG DIPLOMACY doesn't work with my MOTHER!!!

Didn't she go visit Sharon, asked her (after Sharon told her a zillion times her money was tied up and not going to give it to her) when she thought she'd be able to get the money...

Sharon said 'mom, I told you NO money, it's tied up-you'll have to find another way'...so mom starts with the guilt trip, 'you don't trust me, I can't believe you don't trust me..' so Sharon said, 'Mom, you know that's not true, I've loaned you money many times and always got it back (because mom's money is tied up..lol) so that's not good enough for her, nope, says to Sharon, 'well I look forward to going to Florida every year, not getting any younger but guess I'll not go this year, dog needs this operation' but Sharon held her ground, said 'sorry'...knowing that mom won at Rama (because I told her) she asked mom about the concert she went to, asked mom if she gambled any, mom said she had earlier and won quite a few jackpots, so Sharon, feeling brave said 'mom, that would be a good start toward the operation'..OMG she said mom left in a huff, said Sharon didn't trust her and off she went...

I JUST CANNOT believe after I tried so diplomatically to get it across to her that this was cruel, putting stress on an already stressed out person...

Sharon is being transfered tomorrow aft. to the other hospital, not sure what time the operation is on Tuesday..Sharon must be feeling a little stronger, said that most likely mom would visit while she' under and get her to sign a cheque..lol...

Then Sharon proceeds to tell me she called Brian about 10 times asking him to come to the hospital (less than 10 minutes away-he who has her car) and he's not come to pick up all her things that she cannot transport to the other hospital..

this is so overwhelming, how pleased that I'm in my corner of the world...

we ended our conversation with Sharon telling me to call mom and ask her for $$$ to help pay for my phone bill because I've been calling at least once if not twice a day to talk to her...unless I bark I'm doubtful she's give me any...(we're just kidding of course)..

Very tired tonight, know it's early but I'm off to bed...

Will respond to all of your posts tomorrow once I'm at the office AND can think clearly...

Did manage to sew this many Santa outfits..

Hi Betty, Well wishing you a good night sleep.

I am very happy to say, I finally was able to talk with my sister.
...right now the fight is to get her back on HER meds. They have new doctors and they have her on other kinds of meds.
Geesh, i am sure they her files...But my goodness, I am glad I got through because she was getting more upset that her family wasn't calling. We chatted about things for a little bit...I am a bit perturbed about what she told me, But I do completely understand her too...
The hard part is trying to get others to understand. Oh and My brother went and visited her and that is a real big thing for the GOOD, he is not one for hospitals of any kind...I am so pleased he did that for her...Didn't think they would but They allowed him to see her!! That is so encouraging.


I guess our sisters just need to know someone is on there side.

Oh my gosh, I certainly feel your frustration...so srry to hear the on going plight of mom. Don't know what to say Betty about something like that, so I will just pray that you have continued streangth on the matter.

Good Night.

Glad you got to speak with her Judy..she needs to feel wanted..

Vicki have you been speaking with your sister..is she anxious re the operation this week? Only a few more days of rest for you right..

Raining hard here, much to clean up, painters need a little space on each of the tables I've filled up..imagine..6 large tables downstairs and I've taken over the living room one as well...

Off I go...

RUBY posted the following on the last thread....

Greetings All - As always, very good to see everyone posting. I had fallen a bit behind in reading again. I had no energy last week and finally found out that I have been fighting a Urinary Tract Infection. Whenever I have them, my first symptom is tiredness. Hope the meds will kick in soon and that I will have some energy to do a few things that have been put off for a while.

Betty, you asked if I was able to shop on vacation. That is a big ten four good buddy. Yep, during last years vacation I was introduced to The Christmas Tree Shoppes stores. My niece who we visited for a couple of nights lives nearby one and I literally had an overflowing cart. I didn't even get through the whole store this time. I was too tired by the time that we got to kitchen wares and to ys, so I only skimmed those areas.

I have not even opened my shopping bags yet. I want to sit aside a day to get gifts organized by person for Christmas. I just remembered while walking around the yard yesterday that I bought several bags of bulbs that need to be planted. Today looks like a good day to start doing that. I didn't do any chores to the house yesterday and so am behind on dish washing and clothes washing. Need to start those things first before venturing outside to do anything.

Oh yeah, add vacuuming to that. Two of my dogs got a bit close and atttacked each other yesterday in a corner where I have some houseplants sitting in front of a door. About three or four of the pots got turned over and the soil in them was damp. I just left it overnight so that the soil will dry out and be easier to get up. I need to hit a few high spots with a dust rag too. So, if I get outside to do anything, I will be lucky. The weather looks lovely again for the third day in a row. I hope that it lasts for while so that I will be able to work in the yard some this upcoming week.

So, that is enough of my boring life to share for now. Same old, same old...but I truly prefer boring to having a crisis going on. I hope that each of you will enjoy the rest of today and have a great week coming up. Take care ladies.

Ruby

Betty-good for your sis-does your mom not realize that going to FL every year is a "luxuery" not a necessity?? I mean for the sweet love of god-she wants your sick sis to give her money for her dog because hers is "tied up"-in just the time you have been telling us about this if she wanted to she could "untie" it or the dog can wait-and the fact that she had game winnings-geesh!! Burns my hide I tell ya!!

Judy-so glad you got to talk to your sis-I am sure that helped her a bit to know she wasn't taken away and forgotten about...

Judy, so glad you got to talk to your sister. Contact from loved ones must go a long way in encouraging her.

Betty, your poor sister. It's hard to imagine a mother behaving that way - but, then again, I know some people like that so can imagine it.

Vicki, anxious to hear from you and how your sister is doing.

Happy Monday - I hope that this will be a good week for everyone.

Ruby

Morning, 1/2 hr. late..yuk - rain and fog and heavy traffic..sure won't miss it when we move..

Ruby, IF I do go to Florida this year I want to take time and stop at a Christmas Tree Shop..smilling to myself, know sometimes you shop in a hurry for specific people in mind, bags stored and when opened it's such a surprise..then, most times I've forgotten what was for who..lol..almost need a magic marker in your pocket to mark the boxes..
Did you get the bulbs put in? Having a urinary infection is so very painful..do you have more medication to take or will it be a trip to the Doctors' office again.. How's the grandaughter, Miss Emily??? Has she been visiting, did you get to see her dressed in her Halloween garb? and Ruby, amen to the boring unstressful life..I like it that way as well...although sometimes trouble just follows us doesn't it..

Stacey, not going to Florida was simply a 'guilt trip' on Sharon..mom/Jim have a place in Clearwater, she'll be going for sure...she just called, thank goodness the office telephone rang or I might have gotten myself disowned..lol

Debra, we her children have come to realize that she cares more for her furries than children and grandchildren..sad but true!

Ruby, to quote Garfield “I hate Mondays” I so want to go back to bed!

And Betty… I think a good curse would be “May your life be interesting!”

Zhinu - Do you know that Garfield is the cartoon character that I can most identify with? I just love the things he comes up with and have always wished I had the nerve to say some of what he thinks.

Betty, at some point when you have the time give me a general idea of how you drive to and from Florida, which routes and states. I want to see how close you will come to my neck of the woods. If not too far off course, I would to have us meet for lunch somewhere or have you stop in to visit our little hillside cottage. Thanks.

Ruby

Laura...have to remember those 2 quotes...
Few accidents along the way this morning...news was saying how many more accidents there are because of the time change..peoples bodies/minds don't adapt that quickly..odd to think that has an impact..