how about drinking?

Oh Junie - reading about the dog worries me. My friend who I went on the cruise with over Christmas is coming to vist for a few days on the 4th. She is bringing her dog! I have met him and you all KNOW I love love love dogs but perhaps not this one. He is a poodle who barks this high pitched bark pretty much non-stop and is one of those right in your face kind of dogs. Liesl loved being petted but I could tell her no and she would leave the person alone and for as tiny as she was had a lovely deep bark so people thought I had this big ferioucious dog instead of a little wee loving one. Anyway, hummm.

Goodness so much to catch up and I thought I read everything, missed exactly how Clair fell and Kathy about your Mom! I'm so sorry I can only imagine how worried you must be. However that is fabulous you all can go to Ireland. My with her brain tumor went on a trip to Egypt in the spring of the year she died in the fall - pretty amazing when I think about it. Not that I'm saying anything will happen to your MOM of course - gosh hope I didn't make it sound like that but just saying it is amazing how even not in perfect health one can still love and enjoy traveling.

So..... finally got a bite! The location company called and they will come out at the end of July to shoot for one day in my "reading room" - well don't have one of those.... thinking they are talking about the little porch off my den and living room which used to be a small screen porch which I enclosed and my bathroom window. They are only shooting windows. It is for ... well I swear they said Rubbermaid but I don't think they do windows so ? Not much money but maybe it is a start. As I could so use the money. Also thinking now or really renting out my guest house for money but will need to figure out about installing washer/dryer somewhere. Then got an email from another company asking to do a drive by to see if the director wants to use my front yard in an ad. That would be nice as it would be totally non-invasive and pays the same. I like that Idea a lot. But who knows if I'll be chosen. 

 I obviously so need to read back about this widower/black widow thing totally missed it.... Thanks to all with help on my surgery stuff... no clue what to do yet but gosh if I could rent out apt then would have some money to actually do it even if insurance didn't cover it. Thinking I need a new PS anyway.... so hard to find someone here though. Whippitmom has been trying to help me which is so amazing.... 

Dorthy - where'd you get my photo?

Claire - hope your ankle is better soon. Little too early for tomatoes... mine are little green balls (and that's the Early Girl). Funny how the basil is going crazy but no tomatoes yet. Maybe I'll freeze some basil in olive oil for later. Congrats on your beauty bonus - nice when you find the right shade!

Spent my morning going through the returned graduation announcements. Between MIL's slurred speach and DH's bad spelling we have many doozies! LOL "Dave's Alley" is "Day Valley"...

I think I smell the second pot of coffee brewing...

Hiya  girlfriends! Took the "newlyweds" to a nice lunch, and gave them a fat check....hoping they can go off somewhere for a bit. As it was, they got married then she went to work. Not my idea of a wedding! Now I am "glistening" again, as came home...DH taking nap....and of course I went outside in this heat to paint some more. Just so want to get a lot done by the end of the month.

Smart of you Gail....to claim that pic b4 anyone else could..LOL. BTW, can you really freeze basil in olive oil? Clue me in, puleez.

Claire...."bread and breakfasts"???? J/K.... I know what you meant, but couldn't resist. We will be going to Dublin, Waterford, Killarney, and Galway. So also covering Ring of Kerry, Blarney Stone (but I definately will NOT kiss it!), Waterford factory, Cliffs of Moher, Bunratty Castle and tours of the areas.

Stanzie, I agree....great idea to rent out the carriage house. How perfect for a young working woman or young couple, etc. Maybe even charge a bit less if they did things like mow the yard, or anything else that would help you out. Glad the house will start bringing in some money with the ads,etc. So neat!!!! Hoping the dog will be okay...all that yapping would drive me crazy too, and I love dogs too. Loved how you put it "I love love love dogs, but maybe perhaps not this one"! So neat that your mom kept traveling while her health was declining. I know you miss her so much.

Ooops.....did I give the wrong idea that we had tornadoes yesterday? Sorry (oops again, not supposed to say that)! I meant to convey that we had horrid storms and everyone is a bit gun shy after the tornadoes the end of April (27 in that one day, touched down). AND that yesterday  I saw some of the really badly hit areas.

Great deal at Earth Fare...just $5 for one bone-in grain fed rib eye steak...just one cpn per email, but DH and I got one each, and each steak was over $16, for just $5. They have the best deals!!!

Well dilemna....Happy Hour, or go work at the condo....Happy Hour...work at condo....Happy Hour...Happy Hour....Happy Hour (looks like its winning out!).

Just got an email that my parents gated subdivision(part of our subdivision) won the Beautification Award for 2011, from the city, for their entrance. It really is pretty and volunteers maintain it. Neat! There is a big partay at our pool/clubhouse with a band today, BUT it is too darn hot to sit outside....much better to sweat more and get some work done....well unfortunately that is my viewpoint anyway....LOL.

Ciao for Niao!

Kathy

Good Morning from Toronto...I forget who asked....came to Toronto  with DD#2 to visit DD#1 and SIL....off to the airport in an hour for Boynton Beach to see my parents.....Wednesday, I leave for Israel.  Had a nice visit with DD and SIL.  DD#2 has had a good time.....today the kids are taking her downtown to the CNN Tower...tomorrow the girls are going to NIagra Falls for the day...then late tomorrow night, DD#2 is off to  camp on a bus with the Toronto girls...camp is in the Catskills....DD#2 is so excited she had trouble falling asleep...excited for camp....but was alllcuddly saying she was going to miss me.....this is her 3rd year at camp....but weird leaving before her and saying good-bye from Toronto instead of home.....but its good....I'll talk to her tonight and tomorrow before she leaves...and hopefully visiting day she can call me.....

I'm tired this morning....took couple hours to fall asleep and then of course I woke up a couple times...so maybe 4 hours sleep....good thing, I can sleep on the plane a bit....3 hour flight.....So going to wish everyone a good Sunday...and cheers....Karen

Oh gosh......I got lost in reading and forgot to open "Word" to make my replies! I don't know about anyone else, but for me, when I read here, whoever's post I am reading I just feel like I am sitting right there with them, whether in their home, mine or somewhere at The HTL! And this morning I just totally zoned!

Stanzie, such a cute story about Liesl and being the big fierce portector (as DorK would prob. say it). How interesting to have them come to shoot just your windows, you would think they would have "Sets" for such a thing. But hope you get that and the little extra cash that comes along with it. I also wish you luck in renting the guest house, just be careful that you don't get a renter like Kathy had. Maybe put in the lease that you will be checking on the home every 3 months or so? So glad you are getting some guidance from a BCO member.

DorK, you crack me up and I'm so glad you are my friend.....as I would not want to be your enemy! Hugs!

Kathy, what the heck are you painting, the whole neighborhood? Seems as though you have been at it for MONTHS. Ya, certainly not the way I would want to get married....and then go back to work? I was wondering about freezing the basil too. I have dried it. How nice at winning the beautification award. Might there be a picture online that you can share?

Karen, have a safe flight to FL and enjoy your folks.

Had a great time with our neighbors, they brought their son up, along with his caretaker. I love that kid so much. Well, he is not a kid anymore, 27 ...... but he has mentality of about a 10 year old, maybe a little more and is in a wheel chair as he has CP. But he is just so much fun. If my elevated garden thing grows well, I want to put him in one of the videos and ask him what he thinks of it and I want him to say "I really like it Lori, can I have a tomato now". He actually calls me Wori.

Wishing everyone a wonderful day! CHEERZ, CHAIRZ n CHORZ

Ooops, forgot. Thanks DorK for the toast, I hope your day goes well.

Kathy! - now wait you will lie down on glass waaaaaay up in the air but you will Not kiss the Blarney stone? Why do I think you already have? LOL!!! Joking! Hey if I can do it and I'm terryfried of heights - then I know just know you can do it. And anyway, what is the big deal about a 95 year old Irish man  who holds your ankles or is it your knees while you lean down and backwards to kiss the stone. Maybe if you have Irish coffee for breakfast? what do you think?

Oh Claire, that must have been a doozy of a fall. so sorry- what I'm wondering is how you got back home afterwards? 

DoRK - thanks for the catchup.... oh my gosh! Too awful!Well as my Mom used to say he will get his come uppence. 

Karen- I too adore Toronto - went to the best Wedding I have ever been to in Toronto. It was my college roomate's Wedding. Her Dad was Irish, Mom was Scottish - they met in Canadal and moved to Venezeula. So she was brought up Latino. So here was this 92 lb fair freckled girl who rattled away in Spanish - you just didn't expect it. She was totally brilliant and hilarious - ended up transferring to Ga. Tech and became an Civil Engineer and Toronto called and off she went. She ended up marrying a guy 20 years younger! And... AND  before they met he had been working to become a Catholic priest! Met her and change professions. Probably helped at 40 she still looked like she was about 12. Sorry off rambling again. Anyway, it was a noon Wedding and lasted including the pub party till 2:00am.I still remember her Mom leading a conga line down the street... And then somehow we all drove to Niagra Falls for a drive by and rushed back to catch our plane just so we could say we saw it! LOL! Slept all the way home. 

Well, I'm off to a church down the street when a couple one street over sing in the choir. The husband sings with the Symphony and sings and Carnegie Hall and such so going to their church as he is doing a solo. When my sweet lovely choir director has his forced retirement they want me to come sing with them so thought I'd see what it is like. Haven't been to a Methodist Church service in almost 30 years so will be interesting.

Kathy- funny they would have put the class on Sunday morning..SOOOO want to go to Ireland!!!!! Wonder how Waterford will be since they sold the glass factory - who was that again? Check the weather before you pack. One time I went in the summer and we totally froze to death then second time it was hot as Hades....

Astorm- I knew it was you right away in that photo - nice to see your face not covered with lampshades! 

Speaking of which.... Beanie?

Husker- glad you are back ! 

Lori- well pooh I forgot what I was going to say - I'm thinking I must need coffee..... 

oops, bumped you Stanzie. Sounds beautiful, enjoy the service. I would love to be there. And np on the catch up. There are times it is easier to ask.

Tidddy-UP!

Dorthy - excellent recap. DH and I went to a movie last night and when we came home dumb ass was getting out of his truck. I said to DH, ‘I cannot face those people so I'm going in the house.' I turned and made a beeline for our front door. DH seems to think he should be civil... sorry I don't get that at all! One of my male friends wants to come over and tell this guy to stay away from me because anything he has to say (even hello) is an insult to me. He thinks the fact that the widower continues to live in this neighborhood is an insult and DH should tell the guy to stay away from me and our family. This friend also suggested that the neighbors get together and write a letter asking him to move! We have heard their daughter is in some trouble (possibly drugs). She doesn't live in town but I sent a friend request to her on fb which she will probably ignore. I think widower should get in his car and go deal with his DD's issues whatever they are, instead of starting a new family.

Kathy - yes, I chop the basil in the food processor with a bit of olive oil and freeze it in ice cube trays, then put them in a zip lock and I have basil to drop in sauces during the off season - one cube is perfect for tomato sauce. I also make pesto but it is really best fresh unless you are going to put it in a complex recipe. Congrats to your parents - how nice!

Stanzie - I love dogs and cats but not all of them. We lived in a small house once where there was a dog in the yard behind us that barked all the time because he was lonely. We started taking him for walks with our dog and he was much more calm. The owner was a real putz. I seem to have a history of putzy neighbors! Yes, whippetmom is a dear soul and very knowledgeable. So glad we have her as a sounding board! And about that photo... I'm not sure who keeps putting lampshades on my head but there seems to be a 3^rd drink connection.

Karen - wow, you really get around! Have a fabulous time in your travels and hope you get some shut-eye on the flight. I ordered a drink for you for the flight:

ah, that is exactly the pespective I need, Claire. I'll just think of him as a client. I have been known to fire clients who are not ethical but I do not look into their personal lives. Doubt that my friend was serious - just shocked and a little protective of me. DH does go a little beyond civil though... he wants to invite the neighbors to a party we are planning to celebrate the end of my exams, birthday, and 20-year anniversary.

Hey! Today is my canceversary! It's #2 and I'm feeling like I have a new lease on life! So lucky. I will reflect on that today...

....and then there are days like today, where I get my paint in a cup, am at the top of the ladder, and a darn thunderstorm comes up out of nowhere! The wind came up so strong, that I thought a tall tree was going to break right near me....so many trees were almost bent over, but so far no probs there. Had to hang on for dear life! A couple of minutes later  the thunder/lightning started,so  I quit! Aaaarrrrggggghhhhhhhhhhhhh , so frustrating. Was planning to get this one side done (under cover) so I could bring the wood bench I finished painting yesterday,  back up on the deck....right now it is in the rain! Need to dwown my sowwows.....

After driving from Ft. Lauderdale airport to Boynton Beach with my mom, I'm quite nervous about her driving......she had trouble staying in her lane...kept veering into the lane one to the left and a couple times, it didn't feel like she was slowing down enough for the traffic till I said something...of course, I'll admit, I'm nervous nelly in the car....but the going into the other lane scares the sh** out of me....Mom also had to pee really bad and ended up peeing her pants...she said she didn't see anywhere to get off....not true!!!  lots of exits along the way...she told my dad that she couldn't get to the bathroom fast enough!!!  Now if I had to go to the bathroom as bad as she said she did when she picked me up, I would have stopped at the first exit....its a 45 min drive home....Mom moves so much slower than she used to and everything is a production for her....I know my Dad isn't doing well, but Mom thinks she is just fine.....maybe its just me having trouble seeing her age....but part of me wants to call her pcp and have a talk....but now nots the time.....gosh, I sure wish they lived closer to me, but Mom is not interested in leaving Florida...she likes the live she has here.....This is the 3rd time with my parents since the first of the year....I was here in February, they were in Denver for Passover late April and now.....My parents are young....Mom is only 76 and Dad 80...but they are not aging well.  Dad has a follow up visit at FAU for the neuro-psych testing done earlier this month...Mom is a nervous wreck worried about what they will tell her...Dad just sits and falls asleep in his chair....

Well,  I guess I best get off the computer for now...Mom is starting to cook dinner (its not even 5:30!!!)...I guess I'll be eating on the senior citizen schedule for the next few days....

Be back later tonight after my folks go to bed....Cheers.....Have a couple glassses of red wine for me!!!!  Karen

Kristy, I hope you do get a rads dr that you trust and feel comfortable with. NO, that is NOT too much to ask!!! Too bad it will be a long drive whichever way you choose, but worth it to have excellent care, and total trust in your dr. I didn't read your post on that other thread, but it must have been bad. Just know you should go with the best dr you can find, and no matter how long the drive, it will be worth it.

Oh Karen, your parents ARE young! My DH will be 70 in December, and I am so NOT ready for him to be elderly. Sounds like your mom does the driving for both of them? I know they would not like to lose their independence, but it is prolly good you rode home with her driving, so you saw how she is doing. I am sorta scared to ride with my mom and check out her driving, but prolly should. It is SO hard when they start to decline...not knowing what to do. I am glad you are there with them, but I know it is so sad to see them going downhill. I totally empathize, even though my parents are much older. How to start the "you don't need to be driving anymore" topic....no good way to tell them that. Hope you can enjoy being with them, before you leave for Israel.

Kymn,Sounds like you had fun at the pub! So, are things going a bit better with you and DH? AND is the boil healing? No, I have not heard of the dragon races, but glad you were able to go!

Well, did some work at the condo, then came home and painted a bit more, under the roof so won't get wet as it is STILL raining! Tomorrow I am taking DD for a belated birthday lunch and some shopping, while my DH watches the d'kids. Can't wait! She has not been to the tea room I am taking her to, and they have yummmy lunches! Took some wine with me while I was cleaning the wood floors at the condo, and having some more now.

ChEARS!

Kathy

Claire....my mother had cataract surgery many, many years ago...I don't think its vision....I think its stress, body awareness in space (well not exactly but seems to describe to me what I mean), and not sure what else....she doesn't drive highway unless she has to....and I think her memory isn't as good as she thinks.....She is very stressed about what they will tell her tomorrow about my father....I can't tell my mom not to drive...it would need to come from her pcp!!! But scares me when I think about her picking up DD#2 from the airport in August!!!!

I have the ceiling fan on in the bedroom and it is still way too HOT for me.....but its comfortable for my Dad...I know if I complained to them, mom would make it cooler, but I can't make it uncomfortable for my Dad...so for a few days, I'll have to grin and bear it!!!!

The girls went to the CN Tower and Toronto Island...spent all afternoon together...I think DD#1 had a great time showing her little sister around...it was just the two of them...forgot to ask about pics on the glass floor...I did that when I was there, but I was kind of chicken to face down!!!!  DD#2 wanted the pics they take and said it was $20 for one and $10 more for 3 and a frame so it was silly to get just one!!!! and she bought a souvenir coffee cup....

Kymn....is your last chemo this week?  How is the boil doing?  Are you feeling better?

Husker...how are you doing?  Don't think I've seen a post from you in a while...oh just scrolled up and saw your post.....(but need to go back and re-read it all the way)

Junie....have you recovered from your b'day week-end?

Kathy..,.my parents had kids young.....my mom had my brother 2 weeks before she turned 20 and was 21 when I was born...I told someone my parents were young and their ages and they seemed surprised that I said that was young....so I said, for me being 55, that is young parents!!!

Gail...congrats on 2 years!!!  wishing you many, many 2 year celebrations...happy anniversarty too!!!

Stanzie, Beans, Goldie....hope you are all doing well......Have a drink or two for me....no wine here and I really need a glass!!!!  don't know if I'll get to have any while here....my folks may take me out to dinner tomorrow night and I can't order a glass of wine in a restaurant!!!  they never do that.....if we eat at home, I'll consider getting a bottle....but what will mom say if I drink a couple glasses each night and finish it in 2 nights???  Maybe I can get mom to have a glass with me!!!  If not, I'll have to wait till the airport Wednesday....when I get to philly, before the flight to Israel.....

I am soooooo HOT....guess the computer on my lap doesn't help any!!!  Well, sweet dreams.....See everyone tomorrow....Karen

Mitch, loved your Toronto wedding story. And you might have forgot what you wanted to stay to me, but at least I know you were thinking of me. I just hope it was good! (j/k of course)

DorK, I,m sorry that you have to go through this again and yes, it is so very sad when you hear of such young ladies losing their life to BC. I know of several through my kids, nieces, etc.

Oh my Gail, to have a male friend come over and do something that your DH should? Wowsa! That is just such a sad sad sad situation. I do wonder how the son is handling it, since he lives there. And how very sweet of you to get Karen an in flight drink. Congrats on 2 years....YIPPEE!

Kathy, you are painting the house? I thought you were painting a fence. Don't know why tho! Glad you enjoyed your class and that wind didn't knock you off your ladder. Wow, that was scary! Wish I could take my DD to lunch, I miss her so much.

Husker, is there any place for you to stay, near either of the places you would rather have your treatments, then go home on the weekends? Maybe call a few near by hotels and see if you can't work a deal with them. No doubt the cost of gas to make those travels would cover at least half the cost, unless you have a car that gets 100 mpg.

Karen, sorry to hear about your worries, but the driving issue is def. one to be concerned about, but I do agree that now is not the time. You can make your decision when you get back home. I had to laugh at your comment about eating on senior citizen schedule....as we usually eat dinner around 4.

Kymn, I have not heard of Dragon Boat racing, but sounds neat. Wow, it's that time already? Sure glad you got to have some fun over the weekend, and after this LAST round, you will have many many more GOOD times. I hope it will be kind to you, but not so sure that will be the case. You have had a rough ride.

DorK.........NOOOOO, you can't be flagged!

NM, hope you had a great a weekend.

As for me, it is still very hot and will remain so all week, temps in the Valley are expected to reach 115, so it will be 100+ here. I got a lot of that cleaning done that you only do a couple times a year, at most. Fires are still burning, the BIG one is at 77% containment. The new one I mentioned just west of us is almost 100% I believe and a new one in NM now, I think near Albuequerque and monsoon season just around the corner, so that means lightening! Now get this.....fireworks are illegal in AZ but they just passed a law that allows the sales of them. Are you kidding me? Half of our state is on fire, and you allow the sales of fireworks. I would like to stop at these stands and tell these people off!

Lori- those fires are just soo scary. No I think that is totally nuts to sell fireworks! Who are these people who pass laws - I mean really.... so many stupid laws get passed. For most of my life here fireworks were illegal but a several years back they were passed to buy. Well I ready yesterday there are fires here too but much further south. My cousin lives out is Arizona too but he is in Phoenix and the heat sound brutal without the fires so cannot imagine. Hope you have a well for all your lovely plants and gardens.

Kathy - well heavens.... you are like a one person handyman but female. You are just amazing to say the least. Sorry for both you, Dork and Karen - lucky to have young parents but so early to be dealing with such huge issues that are so scary. Even though I miss my parents terribly and would give most anything for them to be back I do not miss the horrible worry for them and their health. Now I just worry about my kids and making it to adulthood.

Astorm - Happy Happy Happy 2nd canserversary! I'm sure I spelled that soooo wrong. 

Oh Karen- I can so relate to being hot at someone's home. My sisters keep their houses like ovens. When they came up to help me after the surgery they changed the thermostats and I about died - just horrible. I was walking on tiptoes anyway for them to be here so I didn't dare say anything. In the end they still didn't think I was grateful enough for there help which I never asked for and tried so hard to not have them come but oh well. It will always be ongoing with them. I think they only came cause it looked bad to their friends if they didn't come. I know that is a horrible thing to say but if you knew them..... 

Heard from my son at camp! So miss him. He is pretty good about writing and it was a decent length just didn't give enough details for me. Sounds like he is having fun though. 

Kymn - I hadn't heard of dragon boat races either- sounds very touching- glad you were able to go. Did your husband go as well? Wondering if that would help him to understand more to see such a thing. The petals for those lost is lovely but very sad. I'm sure it was terribly emotional. So thrilled you are almost done with this part!!! Hope everything else heals very quickly. Thinking of you a lot!