What's New Friday May 16th 2008

annette-and connie--my mom got the cemetery flower duty from my grampa--i was honored to go with them together that first year that i found them and one more year and  then mom and i went a few years-last year was wonderful-we spent the weekend making flower saddles and taking them around--we were sposed to this year but gas and money woes have made it impossible--and she is having a horrid time of it since she feels so obligated to grampa's memory. it's over 100 miles for her ( and over 250 for me)to get to the cemeteries and i have tried to console her that it is allright.i wanted to go cuz i have found relations at two more cemeteries thru my genealogy stuff-and she doesn't know anything about these ppl....

Margo, I don't know who I will pass this along to. I am lucky that they are within 7 or 8 miles from here. Neither of my siblings have any interest in going there, nor do my daughters.   Mom was extra fussy about the flowers on my grandparents, great grandparents and a young cousin's grave. I try to do the same. Knowing Mom, she'd come back to haunt me if I did less.

Morning all! It's already warm here in Washington (state). I have my DH off to work and I have a couple o minutes to check the forums before I hit the shower.  Thanks to all who gave me such a lovely welcome to the OFF. I look forward to getting educated by those of you ahead of me and paying it forward to those who follow. Last time I checked gas prices here, we are still below the $4 mark, but not for long. This sure puts a halt to our travel plans. Last year we took an 8,000 mile road trip. This year, closer to home. Have a great weekend & again thanks for your welcome. We'll talk again soon!

Welcome Linda! I too am here is Washington but on the East side. Graduated from Yelm HS over near Olympia. This site is a great place and everyone here is lovely and special. Take Care! Cheryl

Hi Carla and all, Carla, you poor, tired, skinny lady! I too have a cover stealing, snorer husband guy. Lucky for him that's his only big fault and we have other beds in the house or he would have to sleep on the couch! Also, since it's  finally warmer his cover stealing has stopped for a bit. Not much new here. Had to go see daughter at college last night as she was having a little meltdown. Seems her summer camp counselor job starts 2 weeks before school is out and she is panicking about tests, orientation at new job and how to get back and forth (about 50 miles one way) So we had nice visit and will figure this out. It will only be crazy for a couple of weeks, but the oil companies are going to make an even bigger fortune on us those 2 weeks. Last day of National Nursing Home Week. Today is a BBQ. Had pulled pork yesterday. Was good! Just supplemented my lunch with extra protein and today saw 1/2 lb loss to a new # I haven't seen in almost 30 years! Well, off to get ready for work! Cheryl

Good Friday to all my OFF family. I hope that today is good to all.  They are suppose to be paving our street today. They were here a couple of days ago and stood around for almost 4 hours looking and talking and then decided it was wet and went home. I could have told them it was wet since it rained all night and there was big puddles but then again what do I know? lol Today there is no reason why it doesn't get done since the sun is shining and it is beautiful. It looks like a spring day. We have to park down the road today and tomorrow but that is a small price to pay for having a road that is paved again. Now there isn't going to big puddles in the road since they leveled all of that out last week.  I am just staying home today. I am still not feeling that great but better. My trip to the doctor yesterday told me that I was dehydrated. I am having problems getting all the water in. Last week my PA told me that I could forget the waiting a half hour before eating. She told me to wait 5 minutes. That way it is going to free up about an hour and a half for me to drink. I am still having problems with the water issue though. I am now sipping and sipping some more so I can get most if not all of my water in. I just can't seem to find room for it. I feel full most of the time.  This week end is going to be close to home. I am so tired and just want to stay put here in my cozy little home. I am looking forward to going out on my new swing that I got for Mother's Day and for my birthday. I haven't  been able to get out there since it has been raining so much. I was beginning to think that we were going to have to get gills and start swimming.  Gas here is just below $4. It is like if they don't go raise it any more than $3.99 which is what it is now, (even though some are above $4) we are stupid enough to think that we are getting a big bargain. I hate it when people think that we are that stupid. lol I better get going. I hope that everyone has a blessed and happy day today and always. I am keeping you all in my prayers and special ones going up for those who need them. I am sending love and big hugs to all. Bloom where you are planted and you will be a happy person. May you all bloom into the beautiful and different flowers that you all are.        

Good morning Carla and Friends! Another stormy day in New Orleans!  It's been raining off and on, here and there since Wed. evening.  Several areas north of the lake were really hit hard - power outages, possible tornadoes...  Yesterday afternoon we had clear skys, then this morning around 3:30, the house was shaking with the thunder, lightening, and torrential rain.  Luckily it slacked a bit  by drive time.  Now, as I look out the window, I can barely see the building across the street - it's that dark and rainy. Gas prices here range from $3.69 at two of the expensive stations, $3.59 at the midpriced ones, and good old WalMart is still the cheapest at $3.47.  The only thing that seems to have come down in price is eggs - 1 doz. large for $1.50 as advertised at the local grocery chain.  The cost of milk has skyrocketed along with meat and produce.  It's a good thing George's garden is producing.  He's picking green beans like crazy, and we've picked several tomatoes.  Soon we'll have eggplant, corn, and bell peppers!  Maybe we should raise a few chickens and cows!  Wouldn't the neighbors love that!  Our supply of fish is dwindling since he hesitates to go fishing because of the cost of the gas for the boat and truck to haul it, then there's the launch fee.  Everything is going up except the salaries. Margo, that's so sad about your boss's daughter.  Here at work, we deal with the worst cases imaginable.  Between that and working for Dr. Grumpy, it's a wonder I don't live in a constant state of depression. Yesterday the boss met with 9 attorneys and a court reporter for a deposition.  Usually they last less than an hour, but this one took 2 hours.  I knew Mrs. Doc would be concerned that he wasn't home for lunch on time, so I called to let her know - couldn't imagine he'd be upset about it.  He actually thanked me!  Today he's taking the afternoon off.  Before Mrs. Doc's health started to fail, she was very active working with the Symphony Book Fair.  She misses her volunteer work and the friends she made all the years she worked with the SBF, so this afternoon the boss is taking her to the book fair.  See, he can be nice.  I hope the weather doesn't make him change his mind. Debbie who is hoping she doesn't have to swim home from work or worse get stuck here until tomorrow morning!

Good Morning Carla and Friends,

Wow! It went from winter (almost anyway) to summer over night. Turned off the heat one day and turned on the air conditioner yesterday. Will turn it off and open windows this morning. I hate that! I'd love to have a month or two of no heat no air, but it usually doesn't happen here until fall. 

Busy, busy. I'm having a short and sweet garage sale in the morning. From 8 am to noon.  House is really moving along. I'm meeting with appliance person on Monday and finalizing kitchen plans soon. I'm sure it will really slow down when they start on the inside stuff.

I have so much to do between now and Tuesday. I leave then for Erin's for 3 days and then the INside Passage cruise for 7. Think I'll pack two bags; one short and sweet for Erin's and then my big suitcase for the cruise which I won't open til on board. Sounds like a good solution. We'll see how it works out.

House is now officially listed. No sign in the front yard yet, but that should go up today. Now we'll see if anyone is interested! No big rush, but I guess the first couple of weeks tell a lot about interest. Keep your fingers and toes crossed for us.

Mike's heading to Seattle for a Mariner's game with our son. A birthday present from son to father. Maggie and I have plenty to keep us busy here.

It's supposed to be in the 90's by tomorrow. Hope the new plants that I put in the ground yesterday don't cook before their roots get deeper.

Gotta run. You all have a great weekend and go do something fun!

Good Morning Carla and everyone....... Work as usual today. I am putting in extra hours this week so I can go to Iowa next week to be with Nic while he goes through another round of Chemo....poor kid!! I can't go down until Tuesday morning. I wish I could go before but I have a meeting I can't miss on Monday.I am leaving at 5:00AM Tuesday so I can be there by the time he is done with his treatment. I am planning on hitting a few garage sales later today. I love going through other peoples junk!! That is about it for now. Prayers to those in need. Love and hugs to all.......connie d

Hi Carla and Everyone! Been crazy busy at work this week.  I'm usually drained by the time I get home and going to sleep pretty early for me.  That does make the week go quickly.  Gas prices in Southern California seem to be $3.87 and I've seen $4.18.  I imagine that station will be keeping much of their gas for a while.  Yikes... Today I plan to clear of my desk a bit here at work.  I am hoping for a quiet Friday.  You never know.  Feast or famine on Fridays.  Have lots of errands to run this weekend.  My son asked for help to get new tires on one of the cars.  We have the Costco membership and they didn't keep their membership active.  Weather is going to be downright hot this weekend so I hope to get some laps in the pool, too.  Good exercise as I'm struggling this week to see any weightloss.  Here's hoping! Prayers to those who need it today.  Hugs, Kathi