What's New Wednesday, July 23!

Good Morning Laureen and friends from Philipsburg, MT population about 2,000. They claim that many, but I think that includes the inhabiitants on "the hill." (the old cemetery!) We rolled into town with a thunderstorm, checked into the Broadway Hotel, an old restored hotel right on Main Street. Tracked down Mike's younger brother who was thankfully working so therefor was still SOBER. We took him to dinner and had a nice visit. Mike was really nervous as many times that meeting is not a good one due to brother in law's excessive alcohol use. This little town has as many churches as bars and it seems that the town folk do one or the other. . . . Went to the cemetery and took flowers to Mike's parents' graves. A beautiful 150 year old cemetery on a hill overlooking the Flint Creek Valley and the snowcapped mountains. I believe Philipsburg, MT, where we are now has web page. you might enjoy checking it out. It has become quite the trendy little "liveliest ghost town in the west." Locals don't like all the new people but hey, they are bringing their dollars and the area sorely needs that. Mining and lumber are no longer viable industries so something has to keep the town going. We're sitting at 5000 ft. My father in law used to say they had "July, August, and winter!" We've had snow here on the 4th of July before. Meeting friends for breakfast at 9am. Then I plan a long walk and exploring some of the little shops here in town. I 'll look up Eileen's friends, the Neitz' who own the paper in Anaconda, MT where she used to work. I brought an "after" picture along of Eileen to show them. That should be fun. We brought a big bag of Walla Walla Sweet Onions with us to share. I know Vidalias are good but we're partial to Walla Wallas! I'm glad we chose this old hotel. We never know what the situation will be at Mike's brothers. His dad left the house to him when he died otherwise "He would have no place to live." That is true. However, the house is a mess. He's doing nothing to keep it up and hasn't paid taxes in two years. He's a heavy smoker and drinker. We're afraid that one of these days he'll burn the place down with him in it. The house was built about 1880 and at one time was adorable. Mike's parents kept it up and it has a beautiful view. Such a shame and it makes Mike sad to see it and his brother that way. His brother would give you the shirt off his back, but of course he never saves a cent for a rainy day and has nothing when he needs it. Enough of that for now. You all have a good one. I'm getting out for a walk. SORRY! Can't figure out this apple as for as paragraphing and editing. You'll just have to cope!

Karen,

I loved reading your post, it painted pictures in my mind and one day I hope to visit Montana and much of the states mid-west and west that I've always wanted to go to, matter of fact a friend of mine and I have spoken of taking a road trip in the summer of 2010, she actually is a school teacher and has seen much of the US of A, but there are some states out west that she has yet to see and she said there are some she'd love to see again, so one of these days we will make the trip, God willing. . .

Sorry that your BIL has a drinking problem, it's so sad when someone we care for has that issue, believe me I've been on both sides of the fence now and most alcoholics/drug addicts are generally good hearted people, it's just they don't have real good life coping skills, but as someone who has been down that road, I know, thanks to AA, I now have a blueprint for living that has taught me how to navigate living, and it's best done one day at a time. . .

Hugs, enjoy your trip, Laureen

Wish I could be with you in Philipsburg ... I miss Montana! I think I was born there in my heart. My heart is in the mountains. When I die, I want my ashes scattered in the Pintlar mountains near Anaconda. Truly! I was only there five years, but my heart yearns to be there again.

Good Morning Laureen and all,
Jan, sounds like we had the same weather last night. Down in the 60s and we were wearing sweats to eat dinner on the porch. Looked like a thunder storm but never really produced, just blew over.

Well, I am finally back down to what my ticker says again! Yay! I kept going up 2 down 2 for well over a month. I think cuttng out the crackers and peanut butter and steping up my walking and adding weights has helped. When I am ready to maintain I think peanut butter will be in order. I have also been very conscious of grazing...and drinking more water, Still not all I should but way more than I was...Even with this tool, it is hard to break the old habits!

Nothing too exciting going on here...have lots of work at work and my anxiety prob has reared it's ugly head...so have to fight that all day. I take many trips to the bathroom for a little prayer time. Really, it seems to help and I know I can have some privacy there to take a few minutes and give some thanks and ask for some help. So today, again, I will also be offering prayers up for all of those who are hurting, healing and needing them...

Have a massage today. I am now double covered with Group Health so no co-payments for the massage, meds or for anything...very lucky right now. Hopefully, my job or hubbies will keep their same coverage.

Take Care all, I really am so glad you are here!
Cheryl

Cheryl,

Hope your anxiety problem gets better, sounds like you are armed with a plan that works for you and then there is that massage you have to look forward to, so that hopefully will relax you some. 

Hope you have a good day, Laureen

Good morning Laureen.....it is an absolutely gorgeous morning here and promises to be a beautiful day. I hope to get out and get a little sun today, as I have to go to a wedding on Saturday and you know me, I want to have some tan....and since I am so low on Vitamin D...30 minutes in the sun a day helps that also. I just usually sit and read a magazine on the patio.....nice to take a break in my busy work day. I am lucky that I am able to be home when I can. I am at the office and at my home office, where I get lots more work done and less interruptions. I only live five minutes from my office.

Jan---can you imagine you 2 years ago climbing a ladder to fix gutters and walking 30 minutes a day for the pleasure of it. I love summer mornings.....nothing better than the early morning sights and sounds. It is so great to be able to run out in my shorts and a t-shirt, no bundling up.

I am going to run to the office now to get a sold sign to hang up at one of my listings..yeah! and then I will go work out. It is a water day today. I alternate between weights and water....and wash my hair on water days...it is finally getting longer and it is down to my collar now, even with all it's curls, but I still have to set it. It has taken 8 months to get to my collar....not like the old days.

I made a pasta salad last night for my husband. It is from the Barefoot Contessa and that fussy old Italian husband of mine really loved it. It is very easy and very flavorful, which is unusual for pasta salad I think. They are frequently filled with mayo and a little boring, this is great. It is on FoodTV.com and is called Pasta with Sun Dried Tomatoes. I even went over to the Italian store and got the fresh mozzarella [it is really cheaper than the grocery], but the Sun Dried Tomatoes in oil are cheaper at the grocery store. It is especially good now that tomatoes are coming into season...it also calls for a pound of ripe tomatoes.

Have a great day...Love, Marti

Marti,

Don't know that I ever mentioned this before, but I can actually tell you that I've been to Madison before, about 6 years ago, I was there to see the reunion of the reformed Grateful Dead band, The Dead, at Alpine Valley, I remember the day we arrived, there was some sort of festival going on and it was a very nice area. . .

Well I hope you get some sun, the weather certainly sounds nicer than what we are experiencing here, but perhaps that nice weather of yours will arrive here by the weekend ;)

Have a wonderful day, Laureen

Good morning Laureen and Friends

I'll be a little scarce here for a while.  We got word here yesterday that the Dean's office is cracking down on computer use other than for WORK.  You know the ones who abuse the priviledge are the ones who will never get caught.  With my luck or lack of, I need to be careful.  By the time I get home and do what needs to be done, I'm usually too tired to play on the computer at night.

I read in the morning paper that Rachel's baby, Leah was laid to rest in a private burial yesterday.  Still no word on the autopsy report.  We did hear from one of the girls who works in the lab with Rachel that they are having a very difficult time dealing with Leah's death and trying to explain it to their 3 year old Cianna.

After work we're going to Ethan's baseball game, then out for Mexican to celebrate his actual birthday!  Ethan is 5 today!  It seems like yesterday we were gathered at the hospital awaiting his arrival.

Our daughter, SIL, and Gabe will be moving back to LA this weekend!!! 

Our older son, GIII has a decision to make.  Please send prayers and good thoughts that he makes the right one.  He's thinking of leaving the security of his current job for the unknown of opening his own place inside a neighborhood bar.

It's almost 8:00, so back to work I go!
Debbie

Debbie,

Very sad about your co-workers baby, my prayers for her and her family as they deal with this tragedy.

Prayers and positive thoughts for your older son in his decision making process, as well as your daughter moving back to LA, which I'm sure you are happy about.

Hugs, Laureen

Today,

I'm going to finish cleaning the house and try to get our books re-organized before the fall semester begins.  I'm also getting my class plans for next semester and trying to come up with interesting assignments that will keep the students interested.  Later today, I'm having a dinner party and have invited eight or so of my colleagues.  It will be chicks only; hubby will be at work and they are leaving their guys at home.  I'm sure there will be much discussion over literary theory and some discussion on the disparity of funds from our department and the atheletic, and much wine and then it will get loud and we will all try to out do each other in our oral story telling. I, though, usually win and by the end of the night will have to put my hands up and say, no more. LOL 

I wish you all could join us.