Winter Fireside

[Cota]

Thanks everyone for your info on the yarn.  I think I will go back to the yarn store and see what else I can find.
I'm not a great knitter but I promised my little guy I would make him a sweater, so I am committed.
It's a beautiful day still cool but nice, so I'm off to get some errands done.

Pat

[janquiltz]

Pat, I'm sure your little guy will love whatever you end up knitting for him.  My DM made several vests for DS over the years, and he loved wearing them.

I was feeling better yesterday, and am starting to do so again now, but wow the first few hours this morning I was coughing my head off.   Just desserts.   DH is a cougher, the least little thing and he will cough.   All the kids also.  There were times I felt like I lived in a TB ward, lying in bed at night listening to the chorus of coughs.    I never did, much.   Now of late I do, and it's even less fun to be the cougher than the listener!

DH is out getting the car inspected.    When he was home earlier he was helpfully suggesting cough drops.   A tiny cough drop could not have touched that cough I had!

Meanwhile I did go to the dinner with friends last night, and was fine.   Nary a cough or sniff.   Had a great time.

Tomorrow DH will have to go to work in the afternoon to meet with a young friend who will instruct him how to use a certain computer program.   Kind of funny, this is a department where DH worked for many years, he essentially trained this young man.   But things change quickly, and now things are done differently.  DH starts there on Monday for literally a 3 day job on a special project.   The person he spoke to about it said that after the 3 days 'we'll see'.  Didn't say what they would see, but as the project is way bigger than 3 days, we presume they will see if they want him to continue longer.    If this pans out, no retirement button pushed yet.    DH is quite happy about it.   So, as they say, we shall see!   Meanwhile tomorrow is the only time this young man is available,   Things are very busy now and he will be working for a while tomorrow afternoon to try to catch up.   Even worse during the week, no free time then at all.

I just cleaned off my sewing table/desk and might actually start working on my quilt again.   Been a while, have been knitting and just knocking around with other things of late.   I do tend to binge.  Time for a quilting binge, knitting binge is fading, LOL.

That's after I go through a pile of papers looking for a letter regarding the quilting retreat in April.   Got to find that!   Or call my friend for the info.   Much nicer to find it and be responsible and all of that, sigh...

[ljh]

Laurie,  that's great that DD can get her car fixed for way less.  Sadly, no one here has that kind of knowledge or skill.  Anyway, it turns out that the fuel pump was in its last throes.  So it should be fixed Monday.  No problem as we aren't both going to need a car at the same time for a few days anyway.  I'm still going think about cars we might want, because if DH's car continues to have things go wrong, then we'll want to replace it.  A car doesn't need to be glamorous, but it does need to be reliable.

Jan, I knew you'd see the upside of your cold. 

I didn't get quite as much done as I would have liked yesterday, but we stuffed 'goody bags' for the conference, I got DH where he needed to be, and avoided going to the grocery store.  I guess I'll have to do that today.  Then we went to Cirque du Soleil-a Xmas gift from DB and DSisIL.  Lots of fun, although they could have turned the volume down just a bit     Cirque is amazing for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is that they do it in a tent and all this stuff gets taken apart and stuffed into trucks to be moved from city to city-including the seating, restrooms, generators, etc., etc.  Watching the amazing performances I kept thinking "repetitive stress injury".  I think I'm getting old!
Anyway, as much fun as it was, I'm really not used to going out as much as I have been the last couple weeks and I'll be perfectly happy to settle down.  DS and his girlfriend are coming for dinner and (in DGF's case) sewing tomorrow.   That works for me.

Linda

[Laurie H]

Linda, looking a different vehicles is always a good idea.  You'll see what's available, the prices and any incentives, just in case.  It's always good to be prepared.

DD's vehicle is fixed.  The dealership wanted to take off her back bumper in order to fix a broken light to her rear license plate.  DH simply changed the bulb without touching her bumper.  Now it works.  Go figure!  Now, he did reach up and behind the bumper just to check the wiring and it said one connection was loose, but anyone could have found that.  No reason in the world to take off the bumper.  Everything else was done and in budget fashion.  DD can't wait to go back to the dealership to get the inspection and also can't wait to see the mechanic's face when he sees everything done.

We surprised her cousins, aunts and DGM today at her cousin's baby shower.  I didn't tell any of them that she would be there.  I walked and announced that I brought a surprise.  One of the grandnieces came running to DD, completely bypassing me!  Gee, and I thought I was one of her favorites??  She said she gets to see me alot more than she sees DD, so she has to hug her first.  Fair enough. 

My quilt was a bit hit because I happened to pick the exact colors she's using in the baby's room.  I had no idea what colors she was picking.  I just knew as soon as I saw those fabrics that they were perfect.  Fabrics seem to call to me when I'm searching for certain people.  The little girls took the quilt and acted like they were on a runway modeling it.  They were so funny.  They both have their baby quilts and their bigger girl quilts I made for them  and they still use them.

My grandnephew, who is two, is a quiet boy.  Not really shy, but just quiet.  He goes about playing, once in a while saying something to someone, but basically, not making much noise at all.  That is, until my niece puts his dinosaur sweater on him.  DMIL (his great-grandmother) made it for him and he loves it.  It's like his personality changes as soon as he puts it on.  The little bugger immediately went around roaring at everyone, putting up his hands like they were claws.  He was so funny.  To see that quiet little boy turn into a roaring dinosaur was hilarious.  I was laughing too hard to turn on my camera and snap a photo of him.  DD did get him on video, though.

We came home and got supper and I made banana bread (which smells so good) and DH, DD and DS are watching a really terrible movie.  I couldn't stand to watch it, so I came in here to the computer.  I don't understand their taste in movies at all.  Maybe the next one will be better?

[Laurie H]

It's quiet in the house right now.  The guys are outside and DD has gone home.  I have the laundry done and the housework is finally finished.  It's been a slow day for me, just catching up on things and to be indelicate....I've been doing my colonoscopy prep.  It's not as bad as I thought it would be, but the drink mixture is awful and every so often, my stomach growls.  This not eating business is terrible.

The hospital was supposed to call on Friday to tell me what time to show up.  They didn't.  At least, there was no message on my machine, DS didn't get a message here and they didn't call my work.  I called the hospital, but no one is in at the scheduling office.  I left a message, but I'll have to call again at 7 am when they open. 

It's been a beautiful spring day here.  Too bad it's supposed to be winter.  We have almost no snow in my yard, but we do have mud.  I washed the livingroom floor, but I'm not sure why, other than I like it to look good.  It won't for long.  I'll have to wash it almost daily now.  Might as well get used to that.

[judic]

Mud season isn't just outside at your house, is it?  Sorry to hear that.  Hope you get an early call for the test. Not eating till way late is more than they should ask.  Glad to hear that DD's car was fixed so easily and so much less expensive than at the dealer's. I find that's the case most of the time.

I got some more garden planted. Snow peas and 2 kinds of lettuce.  Interesting find while I was deciding where to put these in my 'raised square foot garden. One end doesn't seem to get any sun this time of year - due to the neighbors fence and the low position of the sun. The dirt in those 4 squares was so cold compared to the block next to them. I decided to put the peas in the blocks that will get most of the sun so far, and the lettuce where it gets a bit less.  Of course, since I really don't have much experience at this, it's a shot in the dark. We'll see what happens.   

I have to appear for jury duty tomorrow. I was hoping that I'd call the 'jurors line' and get a message that my panel was canceled. Nope - just changed from 'be there at 8' to 'be there at 12'.  At least I can sleep a bit later.

[ljh]

Laurie, I hope your colonoscopy is over and done with by now. 
Fortunately we don't have as much mud at our house as you do, but DH does drive me a bit nuts tracking in leaves and what-not...

Judi, at least with putting the jury duty call off until noon its better than having to to go in, even if it is a nuisance to have to wait longer.  I hope you won't have to go in at all in the end.  Yeah, our civic duty and all that, but its better to not be needed.

Yesterday was busy, but good.  I had some morning errands and then DS and his girlfriend came over.  DD and DSIL came over a bit later and joined us for dinner.  So, there wasn't as much sewing accomplished as there might have been, but we all had a good time.

I just wish I had slept better last night.  I have no clue why I didn't , but I just had a hard time falling asleep and then kept waking up at intervals through the night. 

Linda

[judic]

   We all showed up, had the 'orientation,' roll call, and then were told that the judge just told the jury commissioner that we would not be needed.  Just showing up though fills my obligation for a year. 

I stopped by Walmart for canned tomatoes and sauce, and was home before 2 pm. 

[janquiltz]

Good Judi!  Yes civic duty and all, but I echo Linda's comment, it's better not to be needed!

Laurie, I too hope all went well with the colonoscopy.

Mud season, wow, if we had that one or the other of us would go ballistic, maybe both.  I know one thing, I'd not want carpet!    DH does not wipe his feet as it is, he considered that walking across the water hog mat in our enclosed porch on his way into the house does it.   Uh, not quite!    I am always on his case for spots on the rug.  Real heavy duty mud would be impossible...

Quiet here today.  I went to BJ's for a few things, DH said we needed tissues, getting very low.   I bought some and went to put them away in the basement, uh, we had 8 boxes down there.   I would  not call that very low, LOL... I hate having too much to store...but, we are good for some time to come now!

Warm today, in the low 60's.   Very unseasonable, while winter is generally letting go a bit by now, it's not usually that warm!      A week ago we were dealing with heaps of snow.  Weird weather!

Du told me he was walking to his barber on Saturday, hasn't had a haircut in 3 months!    Asked him today if he had gone and he said no, he had a phone call instead.   OK, I guess...I said something and he said no, the phone call was quite short.   Reason he didn't go out?   The call gave him a lot to think about.    Now I am different, as we all know , but I think I could think a bit while walking, I can even think when someone cuts my hair, I can think all over the place if I need to, but I'm a mother, after all...we learn to think whenever we have time for a connected thought     But it just struck me funny, that he couldn't get a haircut because he had to think.   Told DH and he shook his head, said 'that is the problem, he thinks...'     Obviously there are times to think about something very seriously, but...!  Frankly the man thinks too much, and acts too little.  He's been thinking about cleaning up his house for years, it'll never happen.  But he thinks about it, and I guess that is to be a comfort to me when someday when I'm shoveling junk out of the house...I can think of how he thought about it!!    How many times did I say think in this paragraph?  Too many!

DU is hoping that the doc will tell him this week that he can drive.   I think  he can, well, as well as before anyway.   We shall see.

Laurie, glad DD's car was fixed so easily.    And cheaply.   

[SuziQz]

I was feeling a bit under the weather today, not serious, just sniffles and a few coughs, but I really wanted to stay in bed.  Alas!  I needed groceries, so I made myself get up and go.  Only to find that one of the springs on my garage door had broken.  Bother!  The hardest thing about changing a spring is opening the door with a broken spring.  Fortunately, my two car garage has two separate doors made of aluminum, not wood, so they aren't too heavy.  More fortunately, I had an extra spring, so I didn't have wrestle the door open, close the door, go to Home Depot to get a spring, wrestle the door open again, then change the spring.  I guess I planned ahead the last time I had a broken spring.     And, yes, I did get my groceries.

Laurie -  What you need is a house you can just hose down inside, at least during mud season.

I hope Gus enjoyed his birthday.  Pets can get expensive, but I hope some day you will be able to get him a pal.

I'm glad your DD's car didn't really need any expensive fixes. 

I hope the colonoscopy is over and done.

Judi - Good for you! 

Linda - I have too many nights like that.  May you have a restful night tonight.

Jan - Gee, it was as warm at your house today as at mine.  That is strange.

I must say, your DU is a character. 

[Laurie H]

It's over.  It was a very long day for me though.  My scheduled time was 11:30, so we left the house at 10:15 and got there close to 11:00 or so.  They didn't bring me back until after 11:30 and I didn't go in for the procedure until  about 12:45.  Because I hadn't eaten in so long, I had a monster migraine and I told them so.  I didn't think they'd let me take my Treximet because of course, I wasn't supposed to drink anything and I would have had to drink water in order to take it.  I didn't bring my purse with me, I left it in the car with DH.  The nurse, however, told me that we were so close to the procedure, she would have let me take the pill! 

Now, the other issue is that Treximet contains Aleve, which is an aspirin-like substance and my directions clearly said I couldn't take anything with aspirin or an aspirin-like substance.  I told the nurse that and she just said "oh".  They did dim the lights for me and gave me fluids sooner than normal to try to help.  It didn't, but it was nice of them to try.  I asked if they would use a little extra pain med and maybe put me to sleep a little early to take away the pain, but they waited until I was in the proper room. 

Good news (surprising to both the dr and me)...no polyps.  TMI, I know.  I'll have to wait for the rest of the results.  I have a family history of problems in this area, including colon cancer.  This wasn't just a screening and the dr was a bit concerned that even though I'll turn 50 in June and close to screening age, I'm in her words "a young 'un".  I just hope she finds a cause for the issues I've been having and fixes them.

I know it's only temporary, but I lost 4 lbs over the past 2 days.  Couldn't eat anything, even when I got home.  I tried, but I had to nap first and even then, I managed a piece of banana bread.  Then I napped again and I ate a handful of Wheat Thins.  Wasn't able to drink a lot either, but I was able to nap just by blinking.  I'd forget to open my eyes.

Jan, most of the time, I take inventory  before I shop to make sure I don't get more of what we already have, but occasionally, I'll do what you did with the tissues and we'll wind up with enough of something to last a year.  Definitely not my intention, but it happens.  I think the last time was with hot cereal and peanutbutter.  I try to keep a list on the fridge and write down what we use up as we use it.  Then go through the shelves just before I plan to shop.  Doesn't mean I won't forget or buy something we don't need, but I do better.

Suzi, I'm not if Gus was happy with us or not, but DD and I literally sat on him and trimmed up the matted spots from where he got into burdocks.  DH had cut down most of the bushes, but he did miss a couple.  Gus didn't.  I combed out tons of them as he got into them, but I also missed a couple of spots and they became matted.  Neither DH or DS would hold him while I trimmed the spots.  DD and I had to do it, but Gus is stronger than both of us.  I had to sit on him and DD used her knee.  We were both covered in fur and mud and felt like we had had a workout when we finished, but Gus looks better and he was ready to play.  Guess he thought we owed him.

It's not looking good for winter to come back.  It was 48F yesterday and it's supposed to be in the 40s all week.  Near the end of the week, it will rain and stay in the 40s.  This is not good.  Mud is everywhere.  Where we went yesterday, there is almost no snow.  DD says she has no snow.  My front yard, the grass is so soggy and wet that when Gus walks on it, his feet make prints all over.  When I went out this morning, the yard was hard, but his foot prints stayed and they're deep.  What a mess!

Judi, good for you.  Glad you don't have to do jury duty.  I know, sounds terrible, but I didn't enjoy my time on those 2 juries and I'm not anxious to repeat it.

[janquiltz]

Laurie, glad that the test didn't show any problems, that's good news!  The migraine not so good, but bad as it was, it's temporary in comparison to bad things they could have found!   Do hope that they find the source of your troubles.

As to inventory and shopping, I'm pretty good at that as well.  But this time I didn't check the old tissues, DH said I needed them and I figure he knew...ah well, at least it's not something perishable.   DH loves to shop for me now and then which I should greatly appreciate, and i do, to a point.  But he does have a tendency to over shop.   I asked for 4 of something last week, he bought 8.   Now I emphasized, I want no more than 4, thank you very much.  But it was on sale you see.   Now I also do stock up when things are on sale, I also know that certain things are on sale quite frequently.  If I miss this sale, there will be another in no time.   Worst he ever did was buy about 8 multipacks of White Cloud toilet paper, way back when we were newlyweds, living in an apartment.  We had a huge cabinet in our huge bathroom, so storage was OK I suppose.   But I told him we needed toilet paper, he went out and got this, maybe 48 rolls in all.   It was a new product at that time I think.  Whatever, I always bought and still do buy Scott or something like it.  Bare bone basics.  No extra puff, and most importantly, no scent.   White Cloud was scented.   Dh was the one with the scent problems back then, I hadn't problems with it yet.   But he moaned and groaned that I had put something perfumey in the bathroom.  I sweetly pointed out that it was the tp he had bought.    No, he would never do that...went in and stuck him nose in a roll and near choked       Now one might think that would have cured him.  It did, in terms of checking for scent, LOL, but not in terms of buying way more than I needed.    He will hit the Korean green grocers at times when he's in that area, and come home with piles of fresh veggies   Good, but, there are only two of us.  He buys enough for 10 of us.   we can eat them morning noon and night and still take days to go through it.   Sigh...

Well the slight headache I woke up with has about gone, thankfully.  I 'think' I'll go to Trader Joes today.   Everyone raves about it, all  I hear is 'you've got to go to Trader Joes'.  I've been, once, and wasn't too impressed, but I was also rather rushed that day.  So, i go.    They'd better impress me (!), after all the hype I've heard.   I have had some of their products when I've visited DD2 and DSIL, they live near one and shop there all the time.    We shall see!     There's a Michael's near there as well, and I have a couple of things I want to look for there.

Then I 'think' I'll come home and clean a few kitchen cabinets/drawers.   Talking to DU has made me wary of saying I think, LOL...as he just highlights for me how thinking just isn't enough      

[ljh]

Laurie, I'm glad there were no polyps-and I hope your migraine is history by now.
Cleaning up Gus sounds like a workout for everyone involved.

Judi, hooray for being done with the jury duty. 

Jan, Men.  How would they ever survive without us? 
Trader Joe's has good stuff and 'meh' stuff out here.  Prices are generally good, and they have some things its difficult to find elsewhere.  And a nice wine and beer selection.  I have found that their cheeses may not keep as long as what I get elsewhere.   Your experience may differ...

Suzi, I hope you are feeling better today.  I slept well last night, thank you.

Linda

[Lisa]

I 'think' I'll go to Trader Joes today.   Everyone raves about it, all  I hear is 'you've got to go to Trader Joes'.  I've been, once, and wasn't too impressed, but I was also rather rushed that day.  So, i go.    They'd better impress me (!), after all the hype I've heard.   I have had some of their products when I've visited DD2 and DSIL, they live near one and shop there all the time.    We shall see!  

Hi Jan,

When I first moved to an area with Trader Joe's, I wasn't impressed either.  Over time, I've learned that it helps to review their "Fearless Flyer" before going.  They don't carry national brands of anything, so it helps to familarized yourself with their goods before you go.  I get mine in the mail, but you can find your local flyer at "this page."

HTH,

Lisa

edited to clean-up link (that's what I get for being in a hurry... )

[janquiltz]

Glad you slept better Linda,  I know all too well the wake up every hour or two kind of night.   Not fun!

Thanks for the tip Lisa.   I did go, flyer-less, and had lots of time to explore.  Bought a few things that looked interesting.    It is an interesting place.   Not quite on my beaten trail, but I will go back every now and again I think.   Part of my problem I think the last time was that it was so very crowded, and the parking lot was a madhouse.   That's a turn off for me no matter where I'm going.   Today was better.  I can well imagine a weekend must be a good time to stay away!

Linda, as to your comment about cheese, interesting, we shall see.  I bought some Brie.  I'll have to keep an eye on it when I open it!

[SuziQz]

It was very windy and chilly here today.  I had to wear a turtleneck under my sweatshirt. 

Laurie - I'm glad the ordeal is over.  I do wish there were a way to banish your headaches forever.

I have long-haired cats, so I do have some experience dealing with matted fur.  It's not bad if they are in the mood, but when they aren't, it can be a problem.  Sure, the cats aren't stronger than I am, but they have sharp teeth and claws which they are not afraid to use.   

Jan - Trader Joe's started in Southern California.  I've been shopping there for 40 years.   I've always thought their product line was a bit strange, if intriguing - part healthy food, part sinfully rich.  I do enjoy going there, though.  They usually have a great selection of breads and other baked goods, cheeses, and nuts.  If you like ginger, try their Gingeroo cookies.  Their canned soups (which are in paper cartons) are good, too.   And they are the only store I've ever been in that has a grammatically correct sign over their quick check lane - it reads "10 items or fewer."  Sometimes I just notice silly things like that.

Linda -  Thanks for your concern.  I made chicken soup last night.  Eating that really did seem to help. 

I'm delighted to hear you slept better.  Being rested is a real gift.

[Laurie H]

Suzi, I'm glad your chicken soup made you feel better.  It's always so nice to have some around when you don't feel well.

Linda, I hope you slept well again.  Last night wasn't one of my better nights, but I think that was because I went to sleep so early.  I just couldn't stay awake.

Jan, I've heard of Trader Joe's but I'm not sure there is even one in New England.  We don't get a lot up here, so we stick to our old tried and true.  Then again, you don't get some of what we have.  I thought Hannaford was everywhere, but when I checked, it appears that it's basically in the New England area and maybe a little beyond.

Well, I think I might have scared DS a bit.  I didn't mean to, but I hadn't told either one of the kids about the colonoscopy ahead of time, because I didn't want to worry them.  I thought I'd wait until I had the test results back, then I could tell them what I knew.  If everything was negative, they would never have to worry about a thing at all.  Well, DS was home and took a call from the nurse I had on Monday who was calling to see how I was doing.  He told her I must be okay since I was working.  He called me at work to tell me about the call and I thanked him.  That's it. 

Well, shortly after I got home, he got up.  He had worked the overnight shift again, and when he got up, he asked if I had had some sort of biopsy or something.  So I told him yes, in a way and told him what I had done, the good news and that I was waiting for more results.  I told him I had planned to wait until I had the results before I shared with him and he seemed okay with that, but then he told me to expect a call from his ex-GF.  He shared his concerns with her and said she was worried and wanted to ask me about it all.  So much for sparing them worry!

[janquiltz]

Laurie, I worried way more about the DILs when they didn't tell us things than when they did.   They thought they were sneaky, LOL, but it was usually pretty obvious when something was afoot     But I'd be with you too most likely, in terms of not saying anything til you had results.  I usually don't either, unless they have to know for some reason (like the time DDIL took me for the colonoscopy way back when because there was no one else around to do it).   She was just the GF then.   But very willing to help, even to the point that she suggested her DF do it, the test that is, he's a gastro enterologist.    I sweetly (I hope!) pointed out to her that that was not how I wanted to meet him (at that point we hadn't met her parents).   She did appreciate it when I put it that way!

Hannaford.  I know I've seen one, maybe in Conway NH area?   And I think there's one not too far from Burlington in VT that we've seen.   Not sure.  VT Martha would know.    But not down here.  There are a bunch of Trader Joes in MA and in CT, but apparently not in the other New England states.  DD2 and DSIL love Trader Joes.

[vtmartha]

Hannaford.  I know I've seen one, maybe in Conway NH area?   And I think there's one not too far from Burlington in VT that we've seen.   Not sure.  VT Martha would know.    But not down here.  There are a bunch of Trader Joes in MA and in CT, but apparently not in the other New England states.  DD2 and DSIL love Trader Joes.

You are right on that count!  There are numerous Hannafords around here and I generally shop at one.  When I first moved here in the 70's, there was a store named Martins which multiplied and then eventually became Hannafords.  I would love to have a Trader Joes but no such luck.  There are plans underway to construct a Whole Foods but it will be fairly near our locally owned natural foods store so I hope they can survive together.  In my small town, there has always been a convenience type market and the present one carries a variety of nice goods.  They are moving this summer to a nearby location which will allow them to expand.  We will soon have our very own 'supermarket'. 

I, too, have a colonoscopy on my calendar.  The prep for the first one was so dreadful I'm a bit nervous about it although I understand the 'fluids' have been changed.

[Cathyici]

  There used to be a Hannaford in Plattsburg NY & could still be there. I have been going to Price Chopper instead.   Martha, indeed the pre test ' cocktail' has changed for the better!  My DH had one a couple of weeks ago & reported this.  It is a beautiful day here in Que. & the sap is running like crazy! I think it is taffy time!

[Laurie H]

My DD lives in NH and for the longest time, she avoided Hannaford.  She shopped at Shaw's.  That is, until I pointed out to her that unless Shaw's is having a sale on certain items, she's spending a whole more than she's going to at Hannaford.  She started to pay attention to all the little items and found out I was right. 

We have very few options here and our Hannafords are locally owned, so we still call them by the owner names.  I can shop for groceries at small Mom & Pop type stores which are more expensive and have fewer options (great for after hour runs, though), Hannaford, Shaw's (I have to go to another town) or Walmart (again, another town further away).  I check Shaw's flyer and go there only when the items I want are really on sale, like 10-for-$10.  I know the regular prices at all the stores, so I'll stock up when Shaw's has a good sale on certain items and shop Hannafords most of the time.  Then when I want to buy my other bulk-type items, I drive to Bangor to go to Sam's. 

I talked to DD this morning.  Her vehicle passed inspection with no problem at all.  She's very happy.  I told her about my "adventure" on Monday.  She's aware I've been having problems, but didn't know they were still going on from earlier this fall.  Now she's not sure she wants the dr. to find a problem or not.  Finding something wrong might help find a solution, but she figures it's bad to wish that something bad be found.  Oh well, I'll let her figure it out.

[ljh]

Laurie, lets just all wish that those 'problems' will disappear and you will be in radiant health.  

I've been more than busy the last couple days-we're only 4 weeks out from the weaving conference and the work is heating up-especially the "oh %*&^, no one is assigned to do that.  Will you take care of it?" kind of work.  I find that as registrar, I'm often the most conveniently placed person for that...  So if I miss posting here, forgive me.  

Linda

[judic]

Linda, no matter how it all goes, you will know you did all that you could possibly do. I hope you are able to attend some of the classes during the conference.

We have 4 rather large groceries within 3 miles.  One is Walmart, and the others are various chains. I do check the sale flyers weekly and plan menus accordingly. Only one has sales on the boneless skinless chicken breasts I like though. The rest of them offer 'plumped' meat - with salt and broth in it.  I sure need those right now. Maybe next week I'll get lucky.

It's been such a nice day here today. Did have Dr. appt for DH, and then haircut for me. Otherwise, just a lovely day to do whatever we wanted to do. 

[Laurie H]

I'm back to my after work exercise routine.  I've exercised the past two days.  Makes me happy.

It was another  beautiful day here.  Tomorrow is supposed to be even better.  It's a workshop day, so no students, but everyone else will be busy with things.  I have filing to do at each school, so I'm going to get a chance to get out and about.  That's going to be fantastic for a change.  Promises to be a fun day.

Our nephew had laproscopic surgery on his back this week to repair a couple of compressed or herniated disks.  Not sure which.  He's only 24, but he said he was at the point where one leg was almost useless and he was in constant pain.  'Course, he's in pain now, but we'll have to wait to see how it all turns out.  DS visited with him today.  It's going to be a while before he can go back to work at the dairy farm.

[janquiltz]

Laurie, your nephew sounds young to have such problems.  Hope he is up and about soon, without pain!

Glad you are up and running again.

Did a lot of running today and did accomplish a few things, but I still need to get out tomorrow.   It's DDIL's birthday, we won't see her til Sunday, but I want to have my shopping done tomorrow!   Finally got some inspiration from DS and from DDIL's DSis.   So now I am armed with specific ideas.

I also found an orthopedist, and have an appointment for Monday.   It's definitely time.   My PCP gave me the name of one to see, but he doesn't take our insurance.  I called the PCP yesterday for more names, got one more.   Same story.   So I started looking at names of orthopedists in the area where my PCP is, thinking I'd call him with a list and ask if he knew any of them to recommend.   Well didn't have to do that, I saw one name that rang a bell...I'd taken DDs to see him about 8 or 9 years ago, to be screened for scoliosis (which they both had mildly, not anything to worry about).   I liked him then, and figured he's my man, LOL    He came highly recommended at the time by their pediatrician.  Of course I had forgotten his name, til it popped out at me on the list    

Also made an appointment with the retinologist for my annual eye exam, 3 months late, but it could have been worse!    Hate that exam, eyes dilated and all, but it's a necessary evil.   So, appointments two days next week.   Next I have to take my Pfaff to the dealer for a tune up.   Important stuff

Talked to DH's DA tonight, wow, poor woman, since DU died she's not been well...why am I not surprised?  How common is it for someone to hold together when they are needed, then fall apart when that need is gone.    Nothing major I don't think, just lots of little things that hold her back.   She is happy that she can still cook dinner, that's the most important thing (probably is, doubt if DH's cousins are much at cooking!)  Has someone come in and clean the house, one of DH's cousins does the laundry, and the other works full time, does the grocery shopping, and, the part that always gets me going...cleans his own room.     If he couldn't manage that I don't know what I'd do!

[Laurie H]

I'm a little bummed.  I was supposed to have an app't with my regular dr. on Monday afternoon, but the office called, saying I needed to reschedule my app't.  I returned the call and now my app't isn't until April 22.  Okay, so I wasn't completely looking forward to it because it's a "Well Woman" visit with a not so fun exam, but I was hoping to get an update, if available, about last Monday's procedure.  I was also hoping to talk options and things like that.  Now I have to wait another 5 weeks for that talk. 

The good thing is that I'll have those 5 weeks to continue to work out and lose more weight.  I would love to have that noticed.  My dr. has been trying to lose weight and she's been working out more.  I'll be interested to see how she's doing as well.

Jan, you've reminded me that I need to make an app't to see my eye dr.  Just a regular checkup, but I think my prescription needs to be changed.  I'm thinking of asking about contacts, but with the double visiion lenses, I still wonder how good they will be.  Can't hurt to ask.  These glasses are getting so expensive, especially since I'm always getting the anti-glare glass and last time I also got the transition.  Sure, it helps, but it takes so long to go back to normal that I don't really like it.  Besides, I still need sunglasses because they just aren't dark enough on a bright day.

[janquiltz]

Laurie, I wear no line bifocals, and do fine with them.  But for very fine stitching I peek over them, to see better!   DSis wears contacts, in one eye she wears one for far vision, in the other she wears one for near vision.  They say (and it works for her(!) that the brain adapts to that, but I think mine would get tied in a knot, not sure!   I also have dry eyes, so contacts are probably not a good thing anymore.  I did wear them for single vision years back, and loved how well I saw with them.   No frame around the world!

I get the glasses at Costco, on average every two years  I'm sure it's as cheap as buying contacts all the time.  

DH is sick, oh dear.   Started sniffling and sneezing up a storm   Big time.   Said he was awake every 2 hours last  night, I did hear him but not that often.   He's out like a light now, naturally, because I need to be baking and preparing for tomorrow.   I'll wait a bit longer, then shut the door to where he is and start...he says such things don't bother him, but if I were sleeping and someone starting using the Kitchenaid and a food processor and what not in the next room I'd be awake.

Meanwhile I've been knitting, after shopping for groceries.  It's something like a monsoon out there.  Steady rain.  I had hoped the stores would be less crowded, but not so.  Everyone was out.   Good day to curl up and snooze like DH is doing.

Spoke to the kids and they still want to come tomorrow for DDIL's birthday.   So going to start the cake soon.  

Glad we have nothing else planned for today.   DH isn't up to much  He has a terrible headache but of course won't take anything, said one has to just wait it out.  I pointed out that he was quick to take a painkiller when his shoulder hurt a few weeks ago, and he did concede that this was no different.  But, he's sleeping it off anyway, or trying to  Must say I am a major wimp with a headache.   I don't wait to take something.   I'm sure it's his sinuses, he's so stuffed up

Didn't stop him from making his usual poached eggs this morning, his Saturday breakfast.   Funny how when we were younger he used to scorn older folks who did things on a schedule...and now he does it.   Oatmeal M-F, poached eggs on Saturday, and Wheatina on Sunday.   Without fail    I am still willy nilly with such things, I eat what I feel like when I feel like it  Guess I'm not as old as him, LOL, well, I'm not..

[Laurie H]

Jan, we've had a beautiful day here and only a 30% chance of rain for tomorrow.  All week they've predicted a lot of rain for the entire weekend, but now it's barely anything.  We could use the water from it, but we really, really need to dry out more.

I've been busy and I did take time out to wash my car.  It was so dusty and dirty.  Of course, this probably means it will rain now that I bothered to wash the car.  I have almost all the laundry done, but I still haven't done the dishes.  Too lazy for that. 

DS says he's leaving on Wednesday.  He's not ready to leave of course, as he's been working long weeks right up until yesterday.  That was his last day.  His plan is for Wednesday, spend the night with DD and DSIL in NH, then travel down to Florida.  Really, I have no answers at all for why he feels he needs to go so far away, but that's where ex-GF is.  He'll says he'll stay there a while, just long enough to build up a little more money, then head further west to Texas.  Why there??  Again, I have no idea.  He hasn't given us a good answer.  Guess he just needs to spread his wings a bit further and see what's out there.  I honestly don't know.  I'm not that adventurous, I guess. 

DH got back a little while ago with a bunch of friends from his kind of "annual" snowmobile trip to White Cap Mountain.  They have trailer the snowmobiles there, then use them up to the top.  They can't go earlier in the year because they'd never make it up, the snow is too deep.  They wait until most of the snow has melted here, then head up.  They left a little after 5:00 this morning and got back here sometime after 2:00.  I assume they had fun.  DH took a nap and only woke because his brother called.  Haven't had time to chat with him.

[janquiltz]

Well it's a Nor'easter, wow, late this afternoon we went from steady but 'just' rain to wind and rain.   All of a sudden I heard garbage cans flopping all over, our car alarm went off when one bumped it.   Our storm door in the front got blown open and the chain broke, so the door hit the edge of the steps and the glass broke.   Just sitting out there now, I'm not about to try to find all the glass in the dark, with puddles complicating things.   Some of the glass is in the driveway, so I can't get the car out tomorrow wil that's picked up.  Hopefully in the daylgiht it will be easy.

Seems like the wind has died down already, but for a few hours, wow, it was like a hurricane.   Heard sirens every 15 minutes or so it seemed, so something was happening somewhere, car accidents, trees down, whatever, I don't know.

Well made a sunflower cake, not as sunflowery as I'd hoped, but it worked.   Frosting the cake does take away from the shape of the flower   But I did the best I can, and the center looks awesome, used mini chocolate chips.   DDIL will love it, I'm sure of that.   It's a carrot cake, will taste yummy no matter what.

[ljh]

Laurie, I hope your nephew is recovering well.
Congrats on getting back to exercising.  I need to do that, but I've had a lot of "desk work" to do for the weaving conference and I end up spending the day sitting...  I'm seeing the light at the end of that particular tunnel, though I'm sure something else will come up.

Jan, I don't think your DH needed another virus.  Nor you a sick DH.  And a Nor'easter to boot?  I think not.  Those things are no fun.  I take it your power stayed on?

I spent much of yesterday at a meeting (weaving conference) and the rest of the day working on the registration envelopes.  I can probably get the 'tickets' for everyone's classes, banquet entree and fashion show into the envelopes by tomorrow.  There is more stuff to go in, but I decided that I needed absolute calm and quiet to get the right classes and meal choices into the right envelopes.  I can double triple check each envelope and know its been done.  Then I can have help for the less complicated items.

So there's that, and housework, and its a beautiful day so I will go for a walk.

Linda

[janquiltz]

Well the power did stay on, we rarely lose it in a storm, most of the cables are underground here.   But the phone is out.  Didn't know it til late this afternoon, hadn't used it.   Both DD1 and DS called my cellphone this afternoon, and said that they tried the house phone and it was busy a loong time.   Well neither of us were on it, checked, and there's no dial tone.  At least one other neighbor has the same problem, might be fixed by Thursday according to the company.   Not the worst thing, but I should call DU tomorrow and tell him if he needs me, call my cell.    The kids would automatically do that, as they did today...

So DH is a lot better, after sleeping most of yesterday and all of last night.   I cleaned the glass up, he took care of the door and put a new chain on.  Again.  Those things are SO flimsy.  DD1 and DSIL, DS and DDIL came today for DDIL's birthday.   She loved her sunflower cake, and a good time was had by all.   DH did fine, but did crawl in for a nap during the afternoon.

One of our neighbors works for the City, and told me this morning that much of the southern part of NYC got really hammered with this storm.  The wind was pretty bad here, but it was hurricane force at some points, I guess nearer the water.  DDIL and DS were with her family yesterday, and she said the wind there was way worse than here.   Here was bad enough! 

I got another lesson on how to get music on ipod, and after the kids left I put some more on just to keep in practice.   I could get used to this   I've used it in the car, not the biggest deal and I don't truly need it, but it is nice.   Haven't walked around 'plugged in' yet )

Tomorrow is my appointment with the orthopedist.   Shoulder is better in some ways and worse in others.  So we shall see what he says.

[SuziQz]

I wasn't feeling very well most of last week, so I spent most of the weekend sleeping.  That made a big difference.  Tomorrow summer arrives, at least for a few days - it's going to be in the 80's. 

Laurie - I wish your DN a speedy recovery.  Youth should help with that, I hope.

Several years ago, I ordered glasses on line from Zenni Optical.  They have glasses starting at $8, so you might want to consider doing that.

Jan - Wow!  That was a monster of a storm.  Good thing you have a cell phone.  Actually, the only reason I got one is because my home phone was out and couldn't be fixed for days.  It has come in handy.

Linda - If only we could develop a way to get an aerobic workout while doing desk work!  We'd be rich; people would be fit.   

[Laurie H]

Dd said she was getting the same Nor'easter Jan was.  I guess the southern 1/2 of Maine was as well, but we only had clouds and our temps were a bit lower than they had been.  It wasn't a bad day at all and no rain.  I figured we would have rain since I washed the car on Saturday.  The wind has picked up today and it's still cloudy, but we probably won't get any of the rain.  Once again, it stayed below my area.

DH saw our nephew yesterday.  He was up and about and was at the farm.  He said the first 3 days he could barely get out of bed and he was wondering if he had done the right thing by having the surgery.  Now when he rolls out of bed in the morning, he feels a difference.  He still hurts, but each day is better than the one before and he's able to do more.  It's going to be slow going for a while, but he's better.  He's in good shape generally, not overweight in the least and he has good muscle tone, having been working on a dairy farm and in the woods, so all that's in his favor. 

Suzi, I hope you're feeling better now.  We've had a rash of teachers not feeling well.  One day we had more adults out than students and considering how small this school is and how few adults we have, that's really not good. 

Considering how much time I'm expected to be tied to this desk each day, I sure wish I could get some aerobic exercise done.  I see articles for how to exercise at the desk, but honestly.....just how much (except for some stretching) can I realistically expect to do while I'm working or answering the phone?  Instead, I do my best to leave the desk and deliver messages to teachers instead.  I used to be efficient and deliver them all at once.  Now I deliver them as I get them and then put the mail away and then do something else, so I have to walk more often.  There just aren't enough reasons to leave the desk and the school is really physically so small that I just don't get to walk that far no matter how many times I leave the desk.

I've thought about ordering glasses on line, but I wonder how that works with progressive lens/no line bifocals?  The girls always measure my eyes to see where to make each area start.  Even if I don't get the progressive lens, I still need to know where one "line" starts and the new one stops.  How would I know that?  Anything that has to do with my eyes makes me nervous.  If my eyes hurt or something is wrong, it can trigger a migraine.  I would love to save money, but I guess I'm just not comfortable doing it yet.

[janquiltz]

Saw the ortho doc today and he said that the problem with my shoulder is tendonitis.   Put me on an anti-inflammatory, and prescribed physical therapy...3x a week for 4 weeks!    Got home too late to call anyone, but did look at the list of physical therapists he gave me, and found two near me who take my insurance.  So will call in the morning.   May as well get the ball rolling.  I am sure this won't tickle.  It was bad enough trying out the maneuvers he asked me to do.  

DD2 is getting the nor'easter today.  She said it was positively pouring rain, and of course her car would not start, in a very rough area of town where she was for her job.  Four more days on this job.   I won't miss thinking about her in the places she goes to!   Someone gave her a jump start and she got home.   But she has to get to the bottom of this car thing.  It's a new battery.   She didn't say she'd left lights on or anything, though that is a distinct possibility

They might be here on Saturday, overnight.   They will be with DSIL's folks for his little sister's birthday, then come down here, stay over, and head down to DC and VA for a week's vacation...between jobs for her.

[P.Wilson]

Aloha to all,

Jan sent me an e-mail the other day and let me know that a lot of people from Sewing World were posting at this site.  It's been sooooooooo long since I've heard from any of you and when I checked out this thread, Jan's right!!!!  It's so good to see names I recognize.  I haven't had time to read many of the posts here, but a big kiss and hug to Laurie and Linda and Suzy and Judi, I might have seen Martha's name up there somewhere, I'll have to check it out later.  Are Diane and Margaret posting at this site as well?  I've already forgotten what Jan's e-mail said, but she did mention she has heard from them in one form or another.  And Marianne, is she here?  We met her and her husband a couple of years ago when they were on a cruise that stopped in Kona.  Wow, it's like going to a reunion of sorts.  I have a time issue right this minute, but I'll be back and catch up a bit with everyone.  I'm so glad to find everyone again.

Paula