Best/Worse &What did I learnt today/Chat with Friends #102

Betty-Cathy is a gem!!

I plan on doing the norm-looking for work, and writing. If the weather gets a little nicer, I would like to get out and clean out my beds.....

glad you are taking your writting seriously Stacey..Liz, my previous hair stylist travelled a lot by Harley Davidson, OMG all over the deadlands, Alaska etc and sold her articles to Harley Magazine and travel magazines...really helped supplement her income...Liz is extremely talented, plays instruments, writes songs..after her divorce maybe 8 years after she met a man from Quebec (province next to us i.e. as your different states) and ended up selling her home and moving in with him..they were skiing at Mont Tremblant and she had a fall..as it happened, it would save her life, the weakness in her leg was due to cancer..it was necessary to cut off her leg..boyfriend couldn't deal with this..Liz is now back living in a nearby town, still as beautiful and active as ever...I would imagine she's still able to drive her Harley..lordy, she's no bigger than a minute.. about 5' and about 100 lbs..how she holds the bike up is beyond me...must give her a call..and yes, you've met Cathy Stacey, she is very generous with her time...

Funny, I came home the other day and she had tea in hand, watching a movie..don't think she has much freedom living with her parents so I don't mind her being at the house, keeping the animals walked and fed..and let's not forget all the chores she does..lol

I understand there are about 6 garage sales tomorrow, maybe I'll call her and drive her to Midland for them..not driving limits where she can go..

Barb, I posted it on the story thread for you!
Betty, it is a mint julep, a Derby drink, and the KY Derby is tomorrow.

I can't bear to watch the derby anymore after the pain and injuries to the horses in the last few years. But I do like a mint julep just that one time of year.

You all have a good day. I have company tomorrow and my house looks like a whirlwind swept through. Gotta get busy.

Betty, that was exactly what I meant by the Bill Clinton remark....sorry about the coffee! LOL

I lived in VA/DC area for almost 3 years. I worked for the Dept. of Energy and wish so much I would have stayed longer. Met and married my "now Ex" and many of our dates were around those grounds. He was a Marine (I got a thing for men in uniform, God help me!) and stationed in VA, and also Quantico. I almost got arrested for picking flowers on a Marine Corp base! LOL I used to get into some very interesting situations with the entire troop....hysterical right now to think of it.

Just imagine me, at 19, probably all of 115 lbs, with long blonde hair....and my puppy dog...a basset hound...getting put into the pound. I went to the base...crying...and well, I had four Marines go to the pound and rescue her.

Unfortunately, when they got back to base....dog in hand...they got in trouble with their commanding officer...whom also knew me. He called the four of them up front, "what were you thinking? What made you do such a stupid thing, leaving the base, and to bring the dog on base?" So, my Ex said "Sir, we had to...no place else to take her, going to put her to sleep, Have you seen her eyes?" The commander, without missing a beat said "The dogs or the wifes?"

So, at that time, our dear Bridgette the Bassethound became the "mascott" for the day at the base. LOL

Here is a picture of my favorite tree...which is on the street around the corner from our house. It blooms, lasts only a few days, but is just breathtaking.

Debbie

OMG-that is a gorgeous tree-do you know what it is??

Cute story BTW:)

No I don't know what kind of tree it is....it reminds me of a weeping willow with pink flowers/leaves when it blooms.

Here is a close up.

I love the branches deep inside.

OMG Debbie, so beautiful...has a wispy look, almost ghostly..and yes, I can see you with the marines..con artist/flirt that you must have been..lol..those were the days right...I look back at photo's me being no more than 100 lbs...pretty little thing, shapely..now where did those figures go?

Shar, enjoy your company, am sure all is in place..if not, let them visit outside in the garden, have a tea party with Mint Julep...

Paul just dropped in, stopped by the desk to see what I was doing, of course, starting to do Caleb again...let's hope I get it right or I'll be doing him again..lol

Smile
They found a dead blond in a closet
She was the winner in last winters hide & seek..LOL

Tubby you are soooo BAD! How does that lovely wife of yours get through her days...

Girls were late going for lunch but should be back in a few minutes then my turn, so will make for a short afternoon...

Paul just left..asking me all about my graphite sketching here...telling me he knows who I'm sketching, at least that's a good sign..lol...

Turned sunny about 1/2 hr. ago and now I see it's clouding over...just realized tree directly in front of the door here is now completely green with leaves...oh happy days!

Betty - You know my answer to your question on where to take the boys! (WDW)

Debbie - what a great story!

Shar - I've never had a mint julep! Shame on me living in the south! I'll have to try one....

Hugs Tubby!

Hello To All.....

Mary

Mary 2 have been and 2 have not...although we'd have a place to stay at Mom's, it's still a long drive...

Guess we're all getting excited it's weekend time right?

Worked on Caleb's portrait, omg so much better taking into consideration teacher's guidance..worth re-doing..she might even talk me into doing it yet 1 more time..lol

I suppose that is quite a long drive....

I'm sure the 2 that have been would see new things though!

I'll check back in a bit....

Hugs,
Mary

Hello Folks....

RU in May cancelled due to swine flu.....darn! ....it was to be my first one...I had no idea what to expect.....

Now not sure what to do with all the invasive plants that I had planned to give away!

:)

Well headed to disboards...I'll check back in a bit....

HUGS,
Mary

Mary-sorry to hear your RU was canceled. Shame on you for only taking invasives!!LOL

How terrible Mary, especially when you were excited about attending...perhaps they will reschedule..

Hi to everyone..

Taking a well deserved break..all housework was done by 7am, then an hour of relaxation and off the church garage sale..spent $17.00 and came home with doz. cookies and some treasures..(just what I needed) lol .. oh well, monies were going to support youth trail outing..good cause..

Sunshine this am so thought why not take down the enclosure around back deck, start enjoying my coffee sitting in a chair, feet on stool watching the plants grow...of course Mother Nature has decided otherwise...

So far the entire enclosure is down, I sure didn't like to get up on the roof to dismantle but when you can't wait until next weekend Mother's Day 'to do' with the boys, then you have to pay...now to pull out the nails and rid myself of the plastic, wash and tidy up everything on the deck from winter dust and trying to keep out of the rain that will shortly be falling..

At least if I get this project done, I'll be content with my day..so I think..

Talked to Ann last night and yes the mass in Mike's arm is cancer..he has an appt. at the cancer clinic next Thursday so not sure if they'll admit him there or schedule at date for the operation...Melissa her daughter is waiting for her date for operation, I thought it was being done last Wedn. but they wanted another MRI just for precaution..she's beside herself..been a long time waiting to have the lump removed...Ann, well she says she's holding up, as with most of us, she'll hold up until it's all been looked after and then break down..she'll be dropping in today for a visit so that will be nice...

Back outside I go before I my energy level leaves..

Hope it's sunshine in your area..

Best of today...met the woman who organizes the plant sale at the church, told me it's the last Saturday of this month and to save my $$$...says she doesn't know where I'll plant all but there is always room for one more garden right..says she'll bring FREE a few hosta's for me that she knows I don't have because of all the $$$ I spend at the sale..shhhhh, not to tell anyone, they come from her garden and she doesn't want to separate too many..just for special people she says with a wink...

Talk later

Good Day!

Wow, what a splendid sunshiney day.
I am excited to be outdoors today...got lots to do among the gardens. LOL, still working on the weeding, should be easier after the rains.

Welll, I have been cleaning galore,it all started because i wanted to clean the screens, roflol since when did screens end up in drawers??
heheh, well trying to make room for Steves office clutter which has now found it's way to kitchen table, yikes, almost need to build an office...And, mostimportantly I have been on a serious search for my glasses! Weeks ago went for eye exam and since lost my frames the lenses were replacing, geesh what am I going to do? still have not located them, then lost my other pair, which i have now found,but not the pair I need! tsk,tsk shaking my head.

Today the kids are going to 6Flags Great America! They have been trying to go all month so today is the day...
Steve is at the cottage to rest, yeah right! Right after he lays the tile in up stairs bathroom and install the toilet, I told him that is all he should do, then he proceeds to tell me, he wants to get the pier in...I am telling you he can't stand still for 2 minutes...Tried calling him but he's either busy or still sleeping, I am hoping it's the latter, lol, I will be patient for him to call.

So I am keeping busy, got to sift the other front tree today...Then I can plant, Betty, you asked about the plantings, well hostas will do beautiful, Plus will shop around the yard! I have lots of shade tolerant plants...

Oh my gosh, I have been looking at all your gorgeous plants and trees...What beauty you have shared Thank you for bring joy to my eyes!

I am so excited!!! Yesterday I had BluesJays at the feeders! Haven't seen any around here in years. And so happy to report my baby Rose is growing most excellently...

Shar...Whats happening to the story? I have been watching for the next installment and not seeing...lol must find my glasses.

Oop[ got go for a few be back in a bit!

That's nice of her Betty:) If you get bored it is just a paltry 5.5 hr drove here and my house desperately needs you;)

Went Dr..You won't believe what he said...LOL

That was cute:)

Laughing Tubby, you ok..not saying much which leads me to worry..

AnnMarie, if you are reading, I'm praying for you needs and do miss you..

Ahh Judy, some of your start one project and end up in a complety other one has worn off on me...will say a prayer to St. Anthony Patron of lost objects...am sure those glasses will come up shortly..think Steve can unwind doing odds/ends at the cottage because he gets such satisfaction of it being yours..to him that's relaxing same as gardening is to you..know you wanted to have a bonfire tonight, I've got a pile 5' high but wind is strong today so I had better not start a fire and end up burning half the town...

Now that I'm dirty and dusty and it looks as though the sun might come in again, all of 20 drops we got, just enough for me to rush and put everything away I'm wondering is it shower time, more yard duty, sewing ....

Going to put all my weekend 'tasks' on a piece of paper like I usually do, pick one out and see what it shall be....



Dancing the jig, know it's spring when the back deck is open, cleaned and waiting for me to enjoy..now done..wasn't as bad as I though, just one snag, to get all the wood underneath the deck stored for summer, first has to come out all that's under there...will be patient, am sure someone will drop by who is willing to lend me a hand... (here's hoping)

Sounds wonderful Betty...we have a neighbor I want to talk to, I think her Hostas really do need to be divided (especially as I do not have any of the beautiful lime green one she has next to her front door!). ..

All of the weeds are now out of our beds and Laura and I want so much to get out in the garden....so of course the rains came in overnight and it is a typical wet gray day today:( Guess it is a good day to get out the planning book and the seeds and at least start deciding where everything is going.

Very jealous of Judy's sunshine...

Tubby, I like that one........how are things going???

~~~~Hi, Stacey.

Have SAge this morning so talk to you all later.

Trisha, can see those pesty weeds as well, however, I also can see just miniature forms of plant life trying to show themselves so best wait awhile longer...

I also had my seed journal out looking at what I have although the sun is trying to come back out...just had a bath, washed my hair, going to have a bowl of soup, in my nightie, now that's a bad thing, pull of the draw was sewing...

Bet Sage is wanting to do crafts right? adorable age...wish I had one of similar age..all my family today are at Paramount Canada's Wonderland if I'm right and it is this weekend they open...

I'll catch the 'what for' I'm sure when they come on the weekend..won't be first time..lol

Do you think there might be a movie on that just might tempt me to sit and watch t.v.? hmmm....just maybe

Same thought here.....maybe just a small fire in the fireplace to chase away the damp drearies and see if we can find something to watch (that is NOT Spongebob!!)

Sage loved the Polymer Clay Ballpoint Pen she and Laura made for my son for his birthday so she has gone into production.....she has been having a lot of fun covering pens.

Hi, taking a little break.
Got some plantings tranferred...Repotted the Sedum still three stalks, so maybe I can save them.

Betty, I am going to give the what for! My gosh, wish you would not be climbing on the roof, I am so sure there are so many other tasks you could do ON the Ground, lol...but since you've already done it it I am glad your back on ground level...save the rest of the nails for your boys to do...I know isn't that funny how one thing leads to another, thats why i never get cought up I guess...Always doing a thousand different things, but hey got to keep myself busy or I'll get myself into heaps of trouble.

Trisha, wow! Sage is becoming quite the little sculpture, how fun her pen covers are!

Mary, What a big Bummer your RU was cancelled. Maybe it get reschedualed...I think you would love it!

Oh Tubby, that was so funny!! I have read that before but never seen it in cartoon fashon, lolol.

OMG...Steve DID sleep late, till 12!! i am so proud of him. As we chatted he saw a baby Eagle, landed in the old willow tree by the lake, how cool...Said it's really windy so he won't be able to have a bon fire...goodness Betty, your burn is five feet tall. Maybe the winds will dye back and you can have a small fire and keep it going for a while...Can you burn during the day? We have to wait till night fall, i am not sure why that is but on rare occassions I will keep a fire going all afternoon.
So i am going to bake my first Ham! will slow cook it in the roaster, yummy

Oh Thanks for the prayers, They are probably hiding right in front of me.

Trisha, I hope your rains don't last for days, Yep...thats what I did was made a mentle list of all I wanted to do..slow but sure, it's looking good.

Well, best get the roaster out...
See you in a bit.
Betty, what are you sewing?

Oh wanted to show you my Baby!!
Isn't he wonderful? I beleive this is a Jacob's Ladder, only I am not sure, lost the tag years ago,
But Jacobs ladder just seems to be engrained, lol so that what I have called it all this time.
Some might remember, this is the one I transplanted last spring. Maybe I'll get some blooms!

and look who came to visit...lol was thinking of you Liz.
And i so smiled at remembering how you saw your first Chipmunk, lol tiptoeing to get closer look, wish I had a camera, but remenising is fun too.
heheh, he was playing peek a boo.

Hey Judy!!! Hope your still here.

This is an Eagle wall haning to quilt.

http://www.clotilde.com/detail.html?prod_id=9392&cat_id=13

Hi Cindy!! Thank you so much, I love that quilt!
And I am very impressed at the cost, going to have to order it.
...also I got to save the site and check out there other materials...

ok got the ham going, will be about 5 for dinner, The kids will be back late but they will be hungry too.
OMG, will have to make some ham pies too, yum getting hungry thinking about that!
They have decided to chip in their money and have their portrait done by one of those artists, this is to be a birthday gift to dad.
his birthday is the 13th!

Trisha-tell sage I love that pen, but I am wondering if it hurts the cat to have the pen so far up his tushie??

LOL.....I will leave that one for Laura.....!

tee hee hee

Stacey, when we were designing him we discussed that the cat could be on the pen or hugging the pen, that's about as far as I'm going. At least he is more part of the pen than sitting down on the pen like some of the ones in the book.

ROFL-I was just thinking that my tooshie would hurt if I was him;)

Hello To all!

LOL! Cat Pens are cute....

Judy - How did you cook the Ham? Got one in the freezer - it needs to come out this week...and what are Ham Pies? Sounds yummy.

Betty - that's so exciting- you are seeing things pop out every day!

Hey Trisha, Laura, Stacey and everyone I missed (I'm sorry!).....

We had a lazy yard day today....Yellow cannas are beginning to bloom...an orange canna stalk coming out.....Ginger popping up....speaking of Ginger...

Marion - I have an Uncle that lives in your city - I found out today when chatting with dad on the phone.....I have been to his property but thought it was in Havana.....it was a long time ago....talked to Dad about visiting Mem day Weekend

Anyway - looking like the Mother/son trip might actually happen so I'm headed off to plan.....

DD planning her "Sweet 16" bday for next week.....I can tell from her four page front-and-back "Planning packet" that she turned into DH that she has watched way too many of those Sweet 16 MTV shows..... :)

Hugs to all,

Mary

Nite All This is for a smile on your face's

Be the kind of woman that when your feet hit
the ground each morning the devil says,
"OH CRAP, SHE'S UP"! ..

Now grab a tissues...


Woman and a Fork

There was a young woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and had been given three months to live. So as she was getting her things 'in order,' she contacted her Pastor and had him come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes.

She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she would like read, and what outfit she wanted to be buried in.

Everything was in order and the Pastor was preparing to leave when the young woman suddenly remembered something very important to her.

'There's one more thing,' she said excitedly.

'What's that?' came the Pastor's reply.

'This is very important,' the young woman continued. 'I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand.'

The Pastor stood looking at the young woman, not knowing quite what to say.

That surprises you, doesn't it?' the young woman asked.

'Well, to be honest, I'm puzzled by the request,' said the Pastor.

The young woman explained. 'My grandmother once told me this story, and from that time on I have always tried to pass along its message to those I love and those who are in need of encouragement. In all my years of attending socials and dinners, I always remember that when the dishes of the main course were being cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say, 'Keep your fork.' It was my favorite part because I knew that something better was coming...like velvety chocolate cake or deep-dish apple pie. Something wonderful, and with substance!'

So, I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand and I want them to wonder 'What's with the fork?' Then I want you to tell them: 'Keep your fork, the best is yet to come.'

The Pastor's eyes welled up with tears of joy as he hugged the young woman good-bye. He knew this would be one of the last times he would see her before her death. But he also knew that the young woman had a better grasp of heaven than he did. She had a better grasp of what heaven would be like than many people twice her age, with twice as much experience and knowledge. She KNEW that something better was coming.

At the funeral people were walking by the young woman's casket and they saw the cloak she was wearing and the fork placed in her right hand. Over and over, the Pastor heard the question, 'What's with the fork?' And over and over he smiled.

During his message, the Pastor told the people of the conversation he had with the young woman shortly before she died. He also told them about the fork and about what it symbolized to her. He told the people how he could not stop thinking about the fork and told them that they probably would
not be able to stop thinking about it either.
He was right. So the next time you reach down for your fork let it remind you, ever so gently, that the best is yet to come.
Friends are a very rare jewel , indeed.
They make you smile and encourage you to succeed.
Cherish the time you have ,
and the memories you share .
being friends with someone is not an opportunity but a sweet responsibility.

And keep your fork.

Tubby that is one of my very favorites!!! (((Hugs)))

Me Too! Hugs,
Mary

Tubby, yep got the kleenex and so early in the morning to be crying..but am..

Trisha, that pen is adorable...yep, you are now a crafting trio..

Judy did the ham turn out ok..oh my who would have guessed last year a this time that you'd become a 'cook' and liking it..bet Liz is also shaking her head...

Sweet Sixteen...(never been kissed) oh those were the days or were they..would any of you like to be sixteen, or 20 or even 30 again, hey, some of you are.....Mary, it will be fun though won't it? When will this birthday get-together happen? Monumental time in ones life isn't it...

Not sure what my family is doing today, know they all went to the show on Friday night, think it was Wonderland yesterday so maybe the boys will drop in today on their bikes..about the only thing Noah is allowed to do right now!

Hello Cindy, thanks for the site...am sure Judy is on-line ordering as I type..

Trisha, on Friday I picked up for Cathy 2 hard top cases (she'll give 1 to her mom for Mothers' Day) for her bike..they are quite a size, have reflectors and locks up..should have bought another for my bike, my 10 minutes bike ride a year, BUT this year will be different...going to ride those beautiful trails they've made throughout our area..all along the lake much of the time..

Trisha, much like your day, the sun tried to come out but just couldn't manage, cold and damp, so once I took that bath and into my nightie and watched a movie, there I stayed all afternoon and evening..lordy, hope my drop in company didn't mind..lol..so nada did I do..when that happens it's either because I'm tired or I just don't push myself enough..

This morning I'm washing stained glass pieces from the hanging that fell, came to look into myd rawer, no reds..drats..oh well it's only for the back deck and I'll use what I can find..it will be my 'put a piece on glass on glass' break project..NOT that I'll do much today, maybe play in the garden if the sunshine stays, already have my sewing machine out, must finish my blocks for mailing in the 2009 quilt swap, shorten a pair of Suzanne's track pants, shorten curtains for the new dining room window and IF I manage to get that done I'll be happy with my day..

Just for you Judy, I'm going to go upstairs and take out a roast..

Shar, did you enjoy your day with your company?

Best get at it, before nothing is done..lol

Talk to you on a break