Post Chemo Spa & Shape Up

acgw

Hi ladies.

I am glad that Puppy has made it successfully through surgery.  I expected nothing less from her as she is an amazing woman.  Mizsissy, please send her my regards.

Mary,

It's almost Mexico time! I am so excited for you.  I finally mailed off my passport application.  Barry and I are looking into flying to Peru in late September or early October.  It seems a fabulous country with the Nazca lines, Machu Pichu (sp?), the Amazon and so much more.  

Yes Raye,

You are the running Goddess.  I tried running two nights ago. Started at 6 mph, decreased to 5.8, then 5.6 then 5.3 and finally said #($&&@ and walked for 30 minutes.  I figure something is better than nothing.

Tina,

I have finally figured our the alcohol thing.  Damn that stuff tastes good but too many calories.  About three weeks ago my body just decided it didn't want alcohol every day and since then I have only had a drink one or two nights a week. I find that I can eat a lot more Ben and Jerry's since I stopped drinking.

I just had my first experience making fimo beads. They were nothing to be proud of but they were great fun to make. I think fimo buttons is a great idea!

Have a great day ladies, off to get ready for work.   

Raye99

Miz, Thanks so much for keeping us updated on Puppy's situation. She and Ed are in my thoughts and prayers. Love you Puppy!!

Mary - yes, almost Mexico time for you! My sister in law is leaving this morning for the Riviera Maya.

Casey - good to hear from you. I am so jealous! I've always wanted to go to either Central or South America - such beautiful country from what I've seen in pics or read about. The running: You are doing great. I laid off the running for a couple of weeks, went into the gym on Monday and ran 3.6 miles no problem. The next day, ran 1 mile outside and thought I was going to die it was so difficult. ugh. Well, I went again yesterday on the treadmill (much easier) and did 3.45. Casey, 6.0!!! That is sprinting!! I start out at 5.0, keep it there for at least a mile, maybe go up to 5.4 - and sometimes slow it down to 4.5 - slow and easy girl, almost turtlelike. That's my secret.

You crafty ladies - I know nothing about these fimo beads, tell me more.

Raye

MaryGLA

MizS- Thanks for the updates on Puppy.  Give her my best when you talk to her.

Casey- I would love to go to Peru.  You will have to post some pictures. 

Raye- Maybe I'll pass your sister-in-law on the beach!

About the treadmill- I keep it between 5.0 and 5.4 when I am running, but I have to slow it down to about 4.0 to go a full three miles. 

We leave for Mexico in 8 days.  We still need to reserve a car and set up our dives and child care for while we are diving. 

Those five pounds are still hanging around.  I swear, I eat less and exercise more now than before BC, and I still weigh more.  I'm getting frustrated.  Plus my hair is very thin, so I am going to ask my doctor to check my thyroid when I see him next month.

Happy trails and treadmills!

Mary

Anonymous

Hey gals...so nice to see you checkin in...almost as nice as hearing about Puppy's great recovery from brain surgery.  You know, she & I have worried about this for months.  It is very unusual to have such a good outcome from a craniotomy; most people experience symptoms like a small stroke and significant memory loss. Talked to Ed this afternoon and he said she knows who everybody is and she even knew what day it was May 14 (off by one day only which is pretty darn good).  She may go home tomorrow or Saturday.  She has about 40 stitches in her head that start behind her hairline at the top of her head and go behind her right ear.  These will all be covered when her hair grows back.

I had a nice day outside painting lilacs plein air this am with a friend.  We may go tomorrow morning as well.  Had a great time except for a few technical difficulties...an old red tube of paint breaking & leaking all over everything!!!  But the mess is cleaned up, I've got my kit in top working shape & ready to go tomorrow!!!

Casey...you are right on the button about that alcohol problem...oh, it sure does taste & feel good but it adds a lot of calories.  

I haven't been doing much exercising because I've been so drained---literally & figuratively--from the endless diarrhea that keeps making my life a joke.  Apparently I lost all the good biota during 6 months of antibiotics, and even though I've been eating all the probiotics I can find things are just not getting back to normal.  That's my first priority right now.

Casey...you're trip to Peru sounds so exciting.  When I was in graduate school, one of my best friends was Peruvian.  She was very smart & a wonderful teacher. She pronounced the word Paaroooo....like some sort of elfin creature.   Mary, have fun in Mexico.

I'm just stayin close to Michigan, enjoying the lilacs & dogwoods.  We may go to France & Germany later this year.  I've always thought it would be fun to experience a traditional German Christmas with Erik's relatives. They live in a very traditional small town, where families and buildings go back 800-1000 years.  The church is over 1000 years old, and they think it quite odd the way American families split up to move all over the country.

Running is easy to do as long as you start with doable goals...don't clock yourself by mph, just run for ten minutes, 12 minutes, or fifteen minutes.  Don't worry how fast.  As long as you keep it up for a regular period of time 3 or 4 times a week your heart & body will feel the conditioning effects of the exercise and fresh air and your soul will benefit from being outdoors.

Miz 

Anonymous

Good morning gals...a pretty spring day out here in Michigan.  Waiting around to have some trees cut in my front yard.  Not happy about it but they're diseased & have to go!!!

Puppy is home, and we have not spoken yet. She sleeps most of the time. The swelling around her face has become extensive and it is difficult for her to talk.  However, her mind is fine, she can walk and she can even go up and down stairs with help.  I am so anxious to talk to her and to hear her voice again and to know all is well.

Casey...you are so right about the drinking.  I've had a very stressful month and dh & I have been getting into a regular five o'clock routine.  Last night we skipped our usual Friday night tete a tete in front of the fire and instead went for a bike ride.  We slept so well and feel so darn healthy!!!  I bet the scale will show a loss too.  From what I've been reading we all enjoy our cocktails (espec. those summer margueritas!!)...I think we need to party less & exercise more!!!

I'm all for accepting ourselves...but I had a hard time last week when I saw the photos of myself with Habib...I looked so much heavier than normal that I had to cut myself off the picture!!!  Don't want to feel that way any more!!  It's just a few pounds & I want to  do it!!!

I'd like to go back to the weight chart & regular sign in if anyone would care to join me.  I think the charts help you to make solid progress.

Miz 

Carol1220

Miz, Thanks so much for keeping us updated on Puppy.  She has really been through quite an ordeal.  Still have her in my prayers. Carol

thomcat

Hi spa ladies!

I've been kind of slack about posting because not much is happening.  I did go back to the gym this week since it's getting so HOT here in SWFL.  I feel like this is my "winter" time to stay in the house because it's so hot....but I love it.   First day back at the gym I was going to just walk on the treadmill.  Ran into a friend and she asked if I was there to do kickboxing.  I told her "no way" since I was just back after having pneumonia.  Well, she and the girl working the front desk kept saying it was so easy, therefore, I decided to try it.  I was able to keep up but was wondering if I was going to collapse after it all.  Went to a GREAT yoga class on Wednesday.  That was about the extent of my workouts last week.  I'm trying to eat better and have been making "green smoothies".   I will admit that I've been eating cookie dough ice cream at night before bed.  Just can't resist!

Puppy - glad to hear you are recuperating.  I've been thinking of you and sending positive vibes.

Mizsissy - love the photos you've been posting, particularly the ones of springtime in MI.

Casey - a trip to Peru?  Wow, would like to see pix when you return.  How does your garden grow these days?

Hope everyone is a having a great weekend!

Cathy

Anonymous

Good morning girls...what a crazy spring this is turning out to be, lots of sunshine & flowers but it is soooooooo cold.  Had a frost alert last night.  I came to Michigan in 1980 and I remember walking to classes every morning during the spring term (May-June) and we never have had a spring this cold.  Usually people are wearing shorts by this time...but yaknow...it's even too cold to go outside & paint!!!!  So I've been painting the view from from studio window...

Puppy's news is generally good.  She's at home sleeping a lot; her face has been very swollen but this is normal and will dissipate.  Her jaw has been too swollen for talking on the phone, but we did manage a few words on Saturday.  She knew who I was and sends her love to all of you.  Ed tells me that after all these years he's become a pretty good nurse, and I think he's enjoying taking care of her (who wouldn't!!!!)...she's such a sweetie.  For a few weeks now she'll be sleeping most of the time while everything mends.

I'm going to focus myself for the next few weeks, eating right, getting exercise every day, and limiting drinking to 1-2 nights a week.  I am thinking of setting up a new exercise weight chart for all of us...that includes hours of exercise & strength training, and number of drinks per week.  And of course....the best statistic...weight loss!!!  So Carol, Casey, Cathy, Tina, Wink, Raye, Dottie (where are you?)  How about it?  All we have to lose is a few pounds!!!

Cathy, glad to see ou're back to working out,  but take it easy...long walks are fine too, fresh oxygen is good for your lungs. Mary, you must be in Mexico now...have fun!!!!

Miz 

MaryGLA

I'm still here- don't leave until Saturday!

Miz- thanks for the updates on Puppy.  Glad she is coming through so well!

OK.  I think I have finally had a running breakthrough.  I had a great run Friday night in the neighborhood ( maybe 2.5 miles) and then did some trail running Saturday and Sunday at a Nature Conservancy plot of land where we camped over the weekend.  I did four miles Saturday and two on Sunday, and I actually enjoyed all three runs.  I really envy you all who get to do trail runs regularly.  I was not planning to bring my running shoes to Mexico, but now I think I will!  I haven't checked the scale in a few days, so I'm not sure how bikini boot camp is coming. 

Hope you all have a good week.

Mary

Anonymous

Hey Gals....

This cartoon has nothing to do with anything right now but sometimes we need a laugh... 

Very, very good Mary...I got some running in too. And not missing cocktail hour at all, but Mary, save me a few Margueritas!!!  Tomorrow maybe I'll get up to courage to weigh in!

Hey Tina...how's the button project?!!!

Miz 

acgw

MizSissy,

I am so glad to hear that Puppy is doing so well.  Your pictures are so great. I had to laugh at the cartoon; my business partner was talking about changing health insurances and I found myself automatically going into nervous mode- it's good to have someone remind you of perspective.

Raye,

Fimo is a low fire temperature clay.  It comes in a huge array of colors and is great fun for an afternoon rainy day or to make some pretty sophisticated art.

I have given up on the running thing for now.  I went for a bike ride this weekend with my sister-in-law and cousin-in-law; a short 15 mile ride around Charlottesville where we had gathered for a family get together. It was good fun and the horse country is so beautiful.

Cathy,

Good to hear from you. I would love the opportunity to complain about the heat and brag about my garden but it is still in the 40s at night, won't stop raining and so I am cold and my seedlings are very leggy and in dire need of planting.  Argh.

Mary,

If I forget to check in before you leave...

Adios and have a great time!  

abbadoodles

Miz, the button project is still in the think stage.  I am coping with dyeing a ton of fabric for another project, but have not forgotten my interest. 

An acquaintance's husband is a potter locally.  I will ask her tonight if I see her if he ever rents "time" in his kiln.  That would make it so easy.  I would just have to buy and learn how to use the clay and glazes. LOL  Just.  Maybe I should stick with Fimo.  Here is the blog addy for a polymer clay artist I know.  Just look at her work! So sophisticated. http://www.durable-goods.com/blog/  She has written lots and lots about doing art, motivation, strategies for marketing, etc.  A great blog.  This is her website. http://www.luannudell.com/

Yesterday I met a bc.org gal for the first time at a local-ish mall and we had a great time not just comparing notes but getting to know each other and shopping, too!

I'm so glad to hear that Puppy is progressing well in her recovery.  We can all exhale now, right?

Stay well, ladies.

Anonymous

Good Morning Tina, Casey, Spa gals...what a wonderful morning!!!  I am here to tell you that I just got off the phone with Puppy and that she sounds terrific!!! I was torn between wanting to call her and not wanting to disturb her rest. She's at home, sleeping a lot (she really needs to sleep), but we laughed and had a great conversation and that brain of hers is fully intact.  She remembers everyone and asked me to tell you that she loves you all!  

Both Ed & Puppy tells me that she looks terrible.  She ended up with a much larger incision than planned because the surgeon had to work on both of her frontal lobes, but scars will be hidden behind her hair line.  The swelling should go away quickly as the wounds heal.   It's what's inside that counts!!!!

It will probably be a while before she's ready to go on line or talk to a lot of people, what she needs most right now is peace and quiet. 

Well, that makes my day...I think I'll just float through the rest of the week!!!  Happy Memorial Day weekend everybody!!!

Love you {{{{PUPS}}}}.....

XXXXOOOOOXXXXXXOOOXXXXOOOOOXXXXOOOOO Miz 

Raye99

Mary - Have a wonderful time down in Mexico. when I go on vacation I typically take my running shoes, shorts and sports bras, but never make it out the door in the am to run - my husband teases me "how was that run today?" My sister in law just got back this week and said the weather was beautiful on the Mayan Riviera, very hot but with a nice breeze to make it comfortable.

Casey - our weather is miserable as well - woke up today, put on a sleeveless turtleneck and skirt for work - and had to go put a cardigan on as well - 47 degrees and damp. Maybe some grass will grow in the areas of the yard that I am trying to patch up with seed. The seeded areas are getting plenty of rain - misty, so hopefully the seeds won't wash away.

tina - how cool you met a bc.org girl at the mall! Fun.

Miz - again, thanks for sharing the news regarding Puppy. I think of her all of the time and hope she is getting a bit better every day.

I haven't done any exercise this week-  except the 12oz curls tuesday night- my last run was Friday - 3.70 on the treadmill and some girl pushups in the ams this week. Working a lot and went to the Stone Temple Pilots concert in Cleveland Tuesday night. Had a great time.

Everyone ready for the long weekend? I hope the weather is warm and sunny.

Raye

Carol1220

Hi all, 

I am so glad you are all doing so well.  Just popping in to say have a great Memorial Day weekend. Our weather is supposed to be warm and sunny - hotter as the days progress.  I am so ready as it has been raining the last 5 days. Raye, Love the avatar - is that an extension? Fabulous!  Miz, Tina,  Casey sounds like you are all doing great.  Mary, have fun in Mexico - I can't wait to go.  Cathy - hope all is well with you - I think of you often these days and hope you are getting stronger each day.  Carol

Anonymous

Good morning all...hope everyone is enjoying the weekend. It's FREEZING here, brrrrrrr.   We keep getting weather reports saying it's going to warm up but it doesn't.  Went bike riding last night wearing jackets--it's been too cold all week!!!

Tina...get going on those buttons...I love your avatar.  If your buttons look anything like it they're gonna be great.  I bet your buttons could inspire some interesting dress designs.  Wanna collaborate?

Raye...love your new avatar.  Are you wearing a fall? 

Carol...sounds like your weather is much better than what we're getting!  We're getting sunshine though, it's just COLD. 

Mary  have fun in Mexico and send pix.  I've never gone there myself but always wanted to.

Cathy...what is your weather like?  How's your recovery & energy level? 

Casey, Dottie, whatcha upto this weekend?

Have a great weekend all!!! 

Miz 

MaryGLA

Hi All!

We leave first thing in the morning.  We are pretty excited.  Here's a photo of a cabana in Tulum we have rented for four nights.

Raye- I think STP is playing at Voodoo Fest in New Orleans around Halloween.  REM will be there, too.  We plan to go whichever day REM plays.

Nice to hear from everybody.  Enjoy the long weekend.

Mary

Raye99

Mary - Whoa!! That cabana is fabulous!! When I was in Cancun a few years ago, two guys on the bus with us on the way back to the airport stayed in Tulum. They said it was spectacular.

Try to see STP at the Voodoo Fest - they put on a great show; maybe they will play on the same day as REM, although they are both pretty big names and might not play the same day.  

Have a wonderful time on your vacation.

Raye

Anonymous

Hey Mary, can we come?  That bed looks big enough!  NS...you gotta tell us the name of this resort.  Think I'd like to check it out.

abbadoodles

Mary, gorgeous cabana.  Nothing can crawl in through the cracks, can it???  Be safe.

Miz, the avatar is just some Illustrator art I cooked up.  (Oh, and you can watch Ugly Betty online the day after the broadcast.)

Still pretty cold here, too.  The heat's been on the past several nights. $$$ in oil heat and here it is almost Memorial Day!  Have a great one, everyone!

Anonymous

Wow Tina...you designed that avatar???!!!  It is really cool...very, very cool.  Can't wait to see the buttons! 

abbadoodles

Well, thanks, Miz.  Coming from a real artist, I am flattered, but cannot take too much credit as I was just doing things in a play around way, make this, move that, color it now, without any forethought.

It's nice to be cool for a while, though.  <---me

Now I'm off to the nursery to see if I can buy me another couple of dwarf rhodies for the front of the house.  All the talk here has whet my appetite to garden.  I also pointed out to dh this morning that the parish is looking for more parishioners to "adopt a plot" on the side of the church to plant flowers and keep weeded.  Of course, I was hinting that HE should do it. LOL

Please remember me to Puppy if you have the opportunity to speak to her.

Enjoy your Memorial Day weekend, girls!  Love you.

Anonymous

Hey Tina...I think everybody has an Inner Artist to some degree...it's just a matter of whether or not you have the time to devote to it and develop your  talent...you've got it...love to see how things develop.

It's finally warmed up here...my husband is actually wearing shorts!  Hope everybody's having a nice weekend!!! 

Miz 

Anonymous

Good Morning Spa Ladies!!!

Hope everybody *survived* the weekend!  I did...I made a major change in my life, and am doing quite nicely, but more about that later..  first, I'll update you on Puppy.

Talked to her yesterday...she sounds just great.  Told her the story about the unknown person who unwittingly smuggled 5 ounces of top quality marijuana from the Tokyo airport yesterday and she howled!!! (The Tokyo airport security were breaking in a new drug sniffer dog, and one of 'em planted the pot in a random suitcase, but the dog didn't  find it!!).

Her head and face are still very swollen, and she still has 40 stitches from ear to ear...no hair anymore except for what remains at the back of her head which is going to be cut off.  She's on very heavy pain meds and still sleeps a lot, but she is very, very happy & relieved...she and I both worried terribly about this surgery for months.  It is a very risky surgery and the fact that she survived with her personality intact is nothing short of a miracle.  She told me that she is going to go for rehabilitation because she is having some memory problems, but as far as I can tell, she's not missing a thing.  She remembers everybody, she remembers conversations we had before the surgery, and she's been a bit foggy since the surgery because of all the sleep and pain meds.  It will probably be some time before she can go back on line.

In the meantime I'm sending her a little care package containing some turbans and wigs...  She knows all of you are praying for her and thinking about her and she sends her love to you.

So there...!!!

Back to me, after our usual Friday night celebration at the beginning of the weekend I didn't sleep very well.  I didn't sleep well because I had had two full drinks, two full shots of whiskey...which I know--according to the books isn't much--but it was too much for me.  I had a terrible day on Saturday, tired, angry with myself, and I just decided...no more!  So we didn't drink the rest of the weekend.  By Sunday I was feeling great.  By Monday I had gotten back into watercolors and was making headway & I'd also lost two pounds without dieting...

I realized that I've been drinking a lot more since the cancer dx than I would like, and it's become an unpleasant habit that is having a negative impact on my daily life...so we have decided to cut drinking down or out altogether.  Haven't decided which yet, but I can report that after five days of not drinking, I haven't felt so good in years!!!   And now that I'm missing those extra calories, I am finally making some progress on the weight loss thing.    And I've been hearing some of the same from Tina & Casey...

Mary...your vacation idea looks so totally inviting!!!  My husband & I are now thinking of planning a similar vacation sometime next fall, and I'm thinking of it as a reward for losing about 10-12 extra pounds!!!  Whoopee!!!  

Carol, Casey, Tina, Raye Cathy....Dottie...time to report in!!!  When is Mary coming back?

XXXOOOO Miz 

acgw

Miz,

I am so very glad to hear that Puppy remains Puppy and, although tired and in pain and swollen, is on the way to a full recovery.  I started my career treating folks with brain injuries and I know that sometimes those surgeries don't go as planned although, come to think about it, that was 22 years ago and surgical techniques have come a long way.

I am also glad to hear that the not drinking is going well.  I am back on the sauce.  Not excessively although I got a buzz tonight due to dehydration.  The thing is, I am ambivalent about the alcohol, if it is around I drink it and I made the mistake of buying a couple of bottles of wine when visiting my brother a couple of weekends ago.

Raye,

I think I must have missed an avatar although I like the current one.

I haven't been to a concert in years.... makes me think I am getting old.

Carol,

I hope you had a great weekend and enjoying some warmer weather.

Me, I can't seem to get my northern garden into the ground.  It won't stop raining.  The lettuce, arugala, spinach and mescalen mix I planted in North Carolina is doing well and then some.  I planted it two weeks after my northern crop and it is already ready for harvest.  This weekend I am planting my garden no matter what.

Barry and I had a good weekend.  I ended up mating for him when his mate didn't show up for his first ever charter trip.  I channeled a mate named Happy as best I could and I think I made a fairly good showing although I am a rank amateur.  I also managed to get a good bike ride on Monday.  Today I went for a slog and had to be satisfied with that.  We have a new rails to trails and it is a nice place for an evening jog and it is getting a great deal of use.  It is nice to see our more than pleasently plump citizens out for a stroll.

Time for bed.  Sweet dreams or good morning to all.

abbadoodles

Casey, I'm glad at least YOU are off your butt.  I am being a slug since my last surgery.  It's been two months so I guess it's time to get out the old jump rope.  What is the best, absolute best, exercise for triceps? 

Lenore, thanks for sharing your news about Puppy.  She is frequently on my mind and if wishes and hopes have any power, she will be well soon.

For the rest of you, our leader is henceforth Lenore to me as it is much more romantic than Miz and suits her better.  Just wanted to not confuse you.

Raye99

Tina - Thanks for clarifying - me: Lenore, who in blazes is that?? oh Miz! I was searching through the posts looking for one from Lenore. Not very quick today obviously.

Yes, Miz/Lenore or Miz Lenore or Miss Lenore (sounds very Southern), thanks for the update. Glad to hear Puppy is laughing heartily and in good spirits.

Casey - SLOG, now that is a term I can relate too. I've not been doing well on my exercising either, Tina and Casy. Lazy. Last run was Saturday, no, I walked - that's right. Tina, for me - pushups work my triceps the best - or lying back on a chair and pushing up. Casey probably has some great ideas.

Miz - good for you on the drinking front. Great job. I've been doing pretty well - it's really not an urge for me, unless I am at a bar or some social function where there is drinking involved.  Now my problem is something else - cigarettes, nasty gross cigarettes - I've been sneaking them here and there. Not cool. Not cool at all. Especially since I had radiation. I've got to stop doing this.

Hey mary, carol, cathy - hope you are all doing well. Mary, you are probably basking in the sun at this very moment.

Raye

Anonymous

Good Morning ladies...and what a nice morning to get in here & see your posts.  I'd had almost no time since yesterday.

Casey, so nice to hear from you and hear about your experience with brain surgery patients...it's great to have your expertise here!!  I went back to sauce last night...a "scheduled" drinking night since we had decided to get it down to twice a week.  Bought a the smallest bottle of whiskey we could find...200 ml, and got a pretty good buzz which was nice for about 20 minutes.  But I don't like the way it affected me or my sleep and I think in the future we're going to stay away from the hard stuff.  Maybe a couple of beers a couple of times a week.

I've got a garden going too...though it's mostly shrubs & perennials.  My rhodos & irises are blooming and this week we're getting eight new white pines planted to replace scotch pines that have died.  I do have herbs tucked in secret places here & there.  I just bought two arugula plants yesterday and I am not sure where to plant them...I know they like it cold, but don't they also need sun? 

Tina...you get out that jumprope & get going...you need to get that heart rate elevated.  What's it like outside?  I personally think getting outside and getting fresh air is just as important as the exercise...it's a great mood elevator too.

Raye...what happened, I thought you quit!   You definitely have to get rid of those nasty cigarettes.  You can do it.  A lot of people quit by stages.  I did.  Puppy still smokes, but only 4 a week.  But I am really amazed at your running ability.  Here you are a smoker but you're outrunning the rest of us by miles!!!

I think it's really cool that we recognizing that we have some bad habits to get rid of...it's great to have a support group like this.

Heck I don't need to drink..I have yall & I have...

It works for hot flashes too...

Miz Lenora 

Carol1220

Miz,
I am so happy to hear about Puppy’s progress.  She has been through so much.  Prayers still coming her way.
Tina, I love the avatar – I do not have an artistic bone in my body so I appreciate your talent.  Miz, you too, I have seen some of your art.
I know the weight does come off with no alcohol, problem for me is that I love my wine. I only drink on the weekends but I really look forward to it on Fridays. 
Casey, I am impressed – you mating for Barry.  Wow, not a rank amateur anymore!
Raye, stop with the smoking.  You know better!! It is so hard to stop – I stopped in 1983 with my husband and over the years he has gone back to it several times.  I am happy to say I never have.
Mary, I am jealous of you – your picture is so inviting.  Hope you are having a great vacation and happy diving.  Have a great weekend, everyone.  Carol

abbadoodles

Well, where the heck is everyone?  Outside having fun?

Lenore, you will be glad to know that I am moving forward on my button-making urge, but I have decided to use poly clay, not earth clays.  I just have to order in a few more supplies before I can start.  Also have to visit a local lumberyard to ask for a sink-cutout of Formica, if they have it.  I read that's an ideal work surface.

All you fitness types have me feeling very inadequate, especially after my rowdy weekend.  We got together with and old friend we haven't seen in over 30 years and you can guess the rest!

Let's have more updates!