Good Friday Morning!

Well, this is my first GM post in a while, I'm usually too late to beat Terry or Mo!! But I know they're both busy today - Mo's going on vacay and Terry's such the social butterfly this weekend!!! Kind of a busy morning, the Colonel's here and there's a staff briefing going on, but once it breaks - look out! I got rid of six, yes, SIX, 30 gallon trash bags full of clothes last night!!! I was so glad to have them out of my bedroom - now, instead of looking like my closet barfed, it only looks like my closet had the foamies!!! HA!! I kill me!! I gave them to a girl I went to school with, who can definitely use them. There were such nice pieces in there that I wish I could've sold them, but I'd rather them go to someone who could use them. Now I can fill up the space with more clothes!!!! Busy weekend ahead - we have the kids, who need haircuts, so we're going to do that tomorrow and then go see "Open Season." Kaity wants to make her Daddy a cake, so I'm going to let her make a boxed cake all on her own. I mean, she's in GT Math, so she can handle measuring the ingredients. Brian, little monster, is only interested in cracking the eggs, so that'll be his job. Then I'll let them both ice the cake - THAT should be fun! Sunday, we're going to breakfast and then to the zoo. Monday's a holiday - WOO-HOO!!! Gary & I are going to our favorite Greek restaurant for lunch - it's always so mobbed on Friday & Saturday, usually a 1-2 hour wait, that we can never get in. So it'll be nice to spend some time with him. Not that I don't anyway, in fact, we decided that Thursday would be our dinner night out, since he doesn't have the kids, and places won't be mobbed like the weekend. Except Samos, it's ALWAYS mobbed. So that's it for me! Hope everyone has a great, fun weekend! Tia

Morning Tia. Icing that cake should be lots of fun, especially when it gets all over their fingers/hand and they can lick that off and lick the icing spreader! YUMMM! I be it felt great to get rid of those clothes. I have several bags and boxes that I hope to be rid of very soon. The boxes I am mailing to my girlfriend in NM. The bags are either goodwill, back to the people who gave them to me or to a gal at church that might be able to use some of them. If not, then to goodwill they'll go too. I don't like asking people if they can use the clothes cuz I am a terrible judge of sizes/weights so I am always afraid I'll offend someone. I am planning on going to the Darlington Apple Festival this weekend. I am tired of not getting out and seeing this state and all it has to offer. The girls are going to be busy and Art isn't into shopping so I am hoping that I'll enjoy going by myself. It's a good think I like me! I also have to do grocery shopping and sometime I need to get the house cleaned so I can get out my fall decorations. It's driving me crazy that I don't have them up yet. I completed another 2 mile walk yesterday. That's 5 workouts in 6 days. I am not sure if I'll get in a walk today with the rain. I'll at least do my conditioning and perhaps ride my bike. Gonna try to go to curves tomorrow. I am paying for it so I had better use it! Have a wonderful Friday and weekend. Hugs, Robin

Hi Robin - Yes, the cake project should be INTERESTING - B likes to crack the eggs and K will want to run the show and do the rest. This is the first time she's ever made anything by herself - of course, I'll be there to help if needed, and I thought, she can't go wrong with a boxed cake mix. I mean, she's in GT Math, so this will be good practice, measuring ingredients. I can't guarantee the ingredients won't be everywhere, but I think it's time she learned. I try to carry on the same traditions with them that my Mom did with us. Family and traditions are soooo important to us. In fact, my brother's last girlfriend totally did not get the concept of traditions, she had none for her daughter, which I thought was kind of sad, and actually made fun of my brother for his traditions - for a guy, he's unusually warm and fuzzy. It seems like everything we do as a family and for each other is steeped in tradition. Although K appreciates it already, B could care less, but hopefully, they'll remember. I know I get on B's nerves, because when I ask him to do something, he'll give me grief, and I say, "What are we?" he says, "Family," I say, "And what do we do?" and he says, grudgingly, "Help each other." That's kind of our mantra and we actually kind of ram it down their throats - with a lot of love, of course!!!! Yep, I was soooo glad to get rid of the clothes, I bet I've already given away about 10-15 30 gallon trash bags, with more to come. Gotta make room for those new clothes, right??? Oooh, the Apple Festival sounds delightful. I know there's also a big one in PA, but I'm not sure of the date/location. Have fun and enjoy some Robin-time!! Mom's started decorating our front porch for fall. She strung up leaf garland and intertwined orange lights around the porch roof. It looks nice, and I know she'll add some more things once the weather breaks. I like to decorate, too, but she is REALLY into it. In fact, we have a huge blue spruce out front that was decorated for EVERY, and I mean, EVERY, holiday, with coordinating lights and decorations. It was pretty cool, but now it's too big. You're doing so well on the walking - good for you, bad for Tia. Have a great weekend, and by all means, on whatever date we choose for November, bring the girls - we'd love to meet them!!! Tia

Tia, I think its so wonderful how close your family is. I don't have that with my brothers & sisters, neither does my husband. Part of the reason is because we have never lived near family, military. But part of the reason, at least on my side, is because I just don't really want to hang out with them. My brother and his wife are terribly disfunctional, believe me I could tell some stories. They feel that I am a goody twoshoes and BORING because I don't drink and do drugs. They are also terrible parents. Anyway, I am slowly getting closer to my sisters, but nothing like you and Gary. And my mom...well, she tried to pull another guilt trip through me to my daughter, yesterday. I talked to her on the phone and she said something about how Stephanie must really not like us or like it here at our house. (This all stems from the stunts my mom pulled while my girls were in FL over the summer.) I know how she is and I know she is hoping that I say something to Steph and "guilt" her into calling my mom. Well, I won't do it. I am not even going to mention it to Stephanie. Yep, my mom can really be a real piece of work. I love her but she refuses to accept responsibility for herself and the things she says and does, and she always trys to guilt us into loving her more. I don't know why that is, we all love her so very much. She is just very insecure I suppose. Still, I don't give in to her guilt trips anymore and I certainly won't pass it on to my kids. Okay, enough about my oh so wonderful family. I am glad that yours is so close. It's wonderful to see. Hugs, Robin

Hey Rob - Well, I have to say that sometimes my Mom is "sorry" (not really) that she raised us the way she did, to be loving and caring, because people tend to take advantage; although you can only be taken advantage of if you let yourself. And believe me, I have. I also see it with the women Gary has dated, they see this not bad looking guy who is a devoted father, works hard, puts his family above all else, etc., and they take advantage. He just picks these unsuitable women sometimes - I think he feels he has to settle because he's got a receding hairline, he could stand to lose some weight, his house is always a mess, and he works so much that he feels like no one worth their salt would deal with all that. I try to tell him that the right one will come along, but I'm not sure he's hearing me yet. He really does have a lot to offer someone, but man, has he picked some lu-lu's!!!! It's funny, because as much as I can't stand his ex-wife, I used to consider her my sister. I always thought (hoped) that whomever my brother married would be my sister since it was just me and Gary, but nope. Dawn moved in with us when she was 17 from a VERY dysfunctional home, and my parents remodeled their home so she would have her own space. I used my own money to buy her clothes, school supplies, medicines, necessities. Then they had this huge wedding that we paid for, we sent them on a week-long honeymoon to Disney, etc., and basically, just let her into our "circle of trust." She never appreciated a thing, it was always take, take, take, which just got worse as the kids were born. Then, toward the end of their marriage, she wanted to be a party girl - didn't want to take care of the house or cook, and just drove them into humongous debt. I think now I can't stand her because she is basically a waste as a mother. She contributes not one red penny to their care, yet claims one of them on her taxes. All in all, she's continued the dysfunctional cycle, which we try to fight daily. So, anyway, my long drawn out is just to say that we're not perfect, either! But it's a shame that your Mom can't just accept your love, she's ultimately the one missing out. It's just not right for her to subject you and your family to her insecurities. Just keep reiterating to your girls that eventually, they'll only have each other and they should take care of each other. It sounds like you're doing a great job!! So have a great weekend, Tia

Hey, I'm standing in the corner here, subtly waving my arms....I'm very available....hehehe

Hey G/M! I just popped back in at the house after going to the Dr. to get my allergy shots. I'm off in a few minutes to get the rest of the food/supplies for the party. I cooked 25lbs of pork last night and I'll be "pulling" it today to make Pork BBQ. I'll be cooking roast beast later today too. I had hoped to cook it on the grill, but that looks like it's a washout (literally). I'm going to make a pot of beans when I get home too. All I'll have to do tomorrow is heat stuff up (yeah!) Sounds like you've got a fun couple days planned. I hope the movie is good and I'm sure the cake making episode will be fun too. Have fun at the zoo, don't get too close to the primates...hehehe. Is that the Greek restaurant you were telling me about? We're gonna have to make plans to go there sometime. I've never had Greek food, but I'm game! That sounds cool about having a Thursday Dinner night. I know you and Gary are close and it's great that you both are making time to spend time together. Life is too busy/short not to have priorities in the right place and family is definitely a priority How's your Mom feeling? She seemed to be doing okay when we went to dinner last week. How's your Dad's knee, still coming along nicely? My Mom is still on pins and needles waiting for the surgeon's office to call with a date, but she's psyched and ready to go. She told the plastic surgeon (who's doing the reconstruction) that if they called her, she'd be ready to go the next day. Well, I guess I gotta hit the ground running now. I think maybe I should've placed an ad for an ark after being out in this rain earlier today...hehe. Have a Great Day! T

Hi honey - Wow, you're quite the cooking fool today! It's kind of a pork bbq kind of day, you know? Or grilled cheese and tomato soup....or beef stew or....God, I gotta stop this!!!! But you know what I mean!!! Yep, Samos is my all-time fave restaurant that I was telling you about. I'd love to take you there, their food is soooo fresh, and they know me, so they're very accommodating, like substituting veggies for rice, etc. Although I love their rice, I just can't do it. Actually, I don't care about the primates (2 or 4 legged), it's the prairie dogs that B & I can't wait to see - we're so excited to learn that they're back!!!! I always want to take one home, so the last time, Gary bought me a stuffed one for my office. I'm glad Gary and I decided to have dinner during the week - the weekends are so nuts, and depending upon what time he gets off on Saturdays, it's often too crowded to go out. He's just so overwhelmed at home that he feels guilty about going out when there's so much to be done, but he truly does need it. Yep, Mom's okay, Dad's okay, his knee is progressing well. Amazingly well, as a matter of fact. Tell McMom that I'm thinking about her, I know she wants to get this done. I'd be a basket case, but she just seems so together about it. Cool as a cute little cucumber!!! Let me know the date when you find out. Okay, put the 'brella up and don't melt! Have fun this weekend! Tia

Good morning gang I actually started writing a post probably an hour ago then got distracted by something or another and when I came back decided I should check if someone had beaten me to it and sure enough Tia had!!! I still really haven't done anything toward getting ready to leave tomorrow night. I hope this rain lets up tomorrow so I can run back and forth to the motorhome without getting myself and everything else wet. Mr Mo did turn the fridge on for me last night so by the time I start putting the necessary stuff in there it should be cold. He came back from turning the fridge on with the sheets that I thought had already been washed and put back on the bed. UHOH, so I was doing laundry I hadn't counted on last night. Of course, that probably means that instead of clean towels, there is probably a pile of towels out there that need be laundered too. I'll have to check that when I get home tonight. I have a 'busy' list of things I need to finish up before I leave today and of course, my motivation is all wound up in VACATION-mode so I'm not rushing on that list. I think I Tia, I know the 'relief' at getting rid of stuff. I had the back of the blazer crammed with stuff that I took to Partners in Care almost 2 years ago. I need to do another 'cleansing' of the stuff that I hung on to but haven't worn and probably NEVER will wear. Then maybe I could fit all my stuff in the closet???? We have had a crack in the tub in the master bath for years, and since there are just the two of us, we use the hall bath and I use the master bath shower rod as an additional hanging closet. (is that tacky or WHAT ???) Plus, I have the whole closet in the master bedroom. Even for a clothes horse like me, it's a little excessive. Enjoy your weekend. We will be getting to Charlotte sometime Sunday a.m. (usually mid morning) after we drive for a while tomorrow night and then finish up in the morning after an 'overnight-ish' stop. I'll have the laptop and the cell phone with me, so I'll try to check in, but it will be on the 'free' minutes .. the after 9 p.m. and before 6 a.m. type ... and I might not be much on the before 6 a.m. ones Of course, I will have my unlimited weekends also but yall lurk on weekends or have a life and don't post Ok, time for me to get with the list here and be able to leave at 4:30 with a clear conscience! Hugs, Mo

Mo - Yup, I came in, unloaded the donuts and bagels I brought in for the Colonel's bday, got my coffee, did some things, and discovered no one had done it yet, so I jumped on the board! You know, packing never seems like a chore to me - it's the unpacking I hate. Even though when we go to the beach, we have a washer/dryer, and I try to get everything done so I can come home with clean clothes, but it still seems like I bring more back than I took!!! What a pain!!! You clothes pony, you!!! I have a huge closet, and now that I got rid of some stuff - I also dejunked a little - I threw away some stuff that I was hanging onto for sentimental reasons, and I decided that I wasn't quite so sentimental after all!!!! Makes me feel like I accomplished something. Well, have a great time, I'll be busy with the kids, but maybe I'll try to hop on here on Sunday after the zoo. Have fun, and leave at 4:30, whether or not the conscience is clear - you give enough - now it's time for you!!!! Buy Poncho and Lefty t-shirts that say, My Mommy & Daddy took us to Charlotte and all we got were these lousy t-shirts!!!!" Tia