Good morning, everyone!! White stuff is making it look beautiful here. Just a wee bit...my son and DIL sound as if they're getting pummeled with snow in the DC/VA area...

Hope Barb makes it okay, Jenn...thoughts for a safe drive going out...
Vonn, you are a peach...you've had so many challenges...and still keep dusting yourself off and getting up again. Kudos to you, girl:hug:

My DD25 drove down last night...she wanted to attend the extended family get together, since she hasn't seen her cousins since the wedding, and their babies for a long time. I let her make the cheesecake we're bringing so she knows how to do it...she loves baking. It's hard to sit and let someone do my thing, tho:eek: It's the control freak in me, I guess.

Slept all night with the CPAP mask on...didn't bother me, but the stupid spasms in my legs did...of course, did I remember to take the additional medication the doc told me to take? Noooo...:rolleyes: I'll remember from now on, tho, 'cause DH will make darn sure I do...

Hope everyone has a wonderful Saturday...stay safe!:winky:

surprises today ...

first - went to pick up mail - I ordered some Aunt Martha pattern's from off of ebay .. I got to the UPS store ... and I got this HUGE box ... from some friends in Green Bay!!!

second - got home .. and my ceiling is dripping ... so I had to move a bunch of boxes ...

in the meantime, mail came to the apartments - with another box from a friend in Green Bay ...

dripping solved: the lady above me had a dehumidifier - and it overflowed and there was this puddle of water that made it thru her carpet, flooring, my ceiling ... solution: just let it dry out ...

disappointing news: received my answer from the Wisconsin Arts Board for the quilts ... $8000 grant ... only 7 out of 177 .. and I wasn't one of them ..

now - working at really reorganizing ...

I did pick up a frozen pizza ... woo hoo!!

it'll all work out as long as I keep my cool ...

btw, I did check doggie beds ... and mine would look so much cooler to make cat 'bankies' ... like 2 ft x 2 ft ... that should work!! :D

Good morning all! I hope you all are having a great Sunday!:hug::grouphug: You all know how much I love Sundays.:p

For all of you in the path of the NE winter storm, stay safe and check in when you can.:hug:

Not doing much today at all. I know I posted this in the MS forum but I seem to have tendonitis, possibly from spasticity in my arm. So I will be chilling again today.

I helped my mom make cookies yesterday. Usually my girls go over and help her but they are big girls now (LOL) and are busy with their own lives. My mom and DDs have been doing this since they were about 3 and 4. It was their special time with Grandma. My mom makes so many cookies and I told her I would come help. She has more to make and I'll help her with those as well.

Trish, helping with cookies is always a good thing - especially since the old rule is that the bakers get to taste test everything. :)

Weave, totally understand the to do list yelling at ya. :hug:

Vonn, :hug::hug:

Everyone, :grouphug::grouphug:

~~~~~

Hoping for a better day today. Last one was a bit rough. Crossing fingers!

Morning all! Nothing big planned today except maybe cleaning the basement. We are supposed to get a storm on xmas eve which could dampen my party. I'll have to keep an eye on it and make a decision by Tuesday what to do. Ugh. I hate when that happens because if you cancel, the weather could change. If you don't it could be bad for your guests. My brother is driving in from OK Christmas day. It will be nice to have him here for a few days.

Mom is getting settled in. Jim and I are too. lol

:hug: to everyone for a good day and for healing if your feeling down or not up to par. :hug:

Barb, hope you had safe travels. :hug:

Good afternoon everyone! Hope all of you in that snowy east are safe and doing well...my son lives near Baltimore...got 2 ft. He and his wife took their dog for a 3 hr. walk...the dog was in heaven. They adopted her this summer, so it's their first winter with a pet.

DD just drove off for cheesehead home...she came down for the extended family holiday party. She thought it was so much fun to see the young ones...little ones add so much to a family gathering, she said. I am happy that they're my SIL's grandkids...I'm not ready yet.

Sandy, I just watched the forecast on the Weather Channel...now they're saying freezing rain for Thursday...you know it'll change. They seem to have difficulty predicting these things this year.

Well, hope all of you have a good Sunday afternoon/evening:)

Hey all,

safe travels Barb!

Sandy glad all are getting settled, and hope the snow is not too much for the eve...

TK yes the kids are having fun with the cookie baking...

We have done some cut outs, and peanut butter kiss ones, now today have more cut out dough ready. Also a kind I make, usually with peppermint flavor.. but did not have any... so sugar cookie type and you divide dough in three... do some green, red and leave one regular color, cool. then you make snakes.. take the three color snakes and twist a bit... cut and roll into ball, place on cookie sheet.. flatten with bottom of glass with sugar on it... that way each cookie has red, green and white... they are cute... lots of work!

I love baking...
I work tomorrow and Tuesday, also went in few hours today on day off...a manager got really sick.. but then off Wed, Thurs, and Friday. Back Sat to work... then off most of next week yeahhhhhhhhhhhh

That is about it here, a bit of that white stuff... trying to picture white carp falling... but over here it is snowflakes hehe

hugsss all, sarah

Hi all.....sorry i have been so busy.

Yesterday was the wake for my dear friends husband...just so difficult.
My friend is just not doing well. Im sure its the shock of it all, 51 is
so young to have a heart attack...just so sad.

This past friday I made a three
pound Mac and cheese for the family. My friend is a vegetarian so I
had to make something for all! I thought I was going to die stirring the
pot of white/cheese sauce, it took forever!lol

I also took them an uber platter of my cookies. I am proud to say I
have 22 varieties of cookies in my freezer and Im still standing!!!! I
cant believe I havent had any real lingering problems. Yay! I mean
I am dead and cant walk by 6:30 or so but can get up the next day
and be okay.:o:confused:

The funeral is at 10:30 so I gotta scoot!

I know this week is going to fly so I want you to all to know how much
you all mean to me. You are a wonderful bunch of folks! Happy hugs
to all of you!!!!!!!:hug::hug::hug:

Sox,
What a kind, caring person you are...bless you for what you did for your friend:hug:. It's hard at the time, but I know that after the funereal and all of the insurance papers, etc are filed, the reality of someone's loss really hits. That's when people need someone to pop in and spend some time. Not necessarily to just ask how they're doing...sometimes "Let's go for a walk..." or "Let's play cards..." to spend friend time.
How are you able to even function after making all of those cookies?:eek:

I have to take MIL to the neuro for a check up to see how her dementia's doing...which is not good. She gets so darned upset if he tests her. I feel like slinking into the waiting room, but the neuro needs to talk to me also about what I see, and also to discuss treatment. So I need to write another tattle letter this morning to let him know some of the changes we see in her. Ugh.

Well, hope all of you have a wonderful Monday!

Good Morning everybody! :)

:hug: Sox, it's so hard to watch friends go through such a painful thing. Especially when we know there's nothing we can say or do to make it better. You're a wonderful friend to make her food and be there for her during this time.

Sandy, it's good to hear that Mom is getting settled in.

Fin, I hope today is a better day for you. :hug:

Debbie, glad your holiday party was a success!

Tricia, save me a cookie, OK?!

Vonn and Sarah.....:hug:

Everyone else...:grouphug:

It's a beautiful, sunny day here today. Warming up a little bit. I think it will be around 50 degrees. Perfect weather for me!

I'm not planning on doing much today. I got the laundry done yesterday. DS22 took my car to work today as his truck is on flat empty. He played soccer all day yesterday....it was the end of the season playoff's and they won their division. He also came home with a huge strawberry on his leg. It looked like it hurt! He said it was worth it. :rolleyes:

Please remember my friend Dan in your prayers. He was laid off on Friday with no prospects of another job in sight. It was a total shock to him as he's been with the company 12 years. Others with less seniority were let go, too, but I think they thought they'd save money by eliminating his salary. This economy is just terrible.

Okay.....off to the shower and then maybe I'll make some Pecan Rolls. Everyone have a wonderful Monday. :grouphug:

Sox, prayers still going out. :hug::hug:

Kitty, prayers for your friend too. :hug::hug:

Everyone, :grouphug::grouphug:

~~~~

Morning all :) Been up and down with all the weather stuff, but I'll get there. Life is strange sometimes, but it would be boring otherwise. At least that's what I keep telling myself. :D

Take care everyone!

taking a quick shower ... then -> *dashing over to Kelly's for pecan rolls* :D

Morning all!! :grouphug:

Sox,

You're a good friend and such a sweetie. :hug:

Sandy,

I hope things are going ok with your mom and getting ready for Christmas. :hug:

Weave, Debbie, Sarah, Kitty, Fin, Tricia, Vonn, Barb, TKTC, Jackie, everybody else.... :grouphug: I hope you're all having a good Monday and for those of us who celebrate Christmas, have a blessed one.

My update: We had our family Christmas party at my sister's house yesterday. There was lots of good food and fun too. We played "Catch Phrase" for a long time and it was so much fun!! :) We all ate way too much so I need to cut down today a lot, lol.

This morning at 8am sharp I got a call about the sales job so the girl from HR will be calling me back in about an hour to get me into their system and set up for my drug tests, etc... The training is in the suburbs in Schaumburg so it will be quite a drive M-F during the training period. I'm actually looking forward to it. :)

If they call for the interview for the local government job, I'll get the details about that and make my decision about which one I want. I'd hate to accept this job and then tell them I have a better offer but if I have to I will. They're a big company and they'd get over it I'm sure.

I need to clean today and call the accountant about the tax return for the old company so I can get that all tied up. I have a haircut at 5pm too.

If I get a job you likely won't see too much of me but you know I'm thinking of all of you and I'll surely check in at least once a day if I can.

Have a wonderful Monday everybody!! :grouphug:

Morning all! We are getting ready to get up for the day. I'll probably take mom to the Dollar Store since she's been asking if we have one. Then maybe stop at the liquor store for my party supplies. That's about it. Mom's starting to feel the homesick stuff. I think it's the holidays. We talked about it and I told her once a year I can take her to TN and let her stay with her friends and family for a few months. That seemed to make her feel better. Shared custody. lol

Hope everyone is having a good day. :hug:

Sandy, I think Janie (AZJanie) does that with her Mom. She has family that splits up their Mom's time amongst themselves and her Mom gets to spend the winter months in warm AZ and the summer months in a warm climate, too. This way, nobody gets the whole financial burden and Mom gets to see all the family and stay comfortable in the process! Everybody wins! :)

Yep and I think those docs were whack. They said she couldn't live alone and I am telling you the woman is cleaning, washing dishes, able to take care of herself. All she needs help on is her bills and meds. So staying with her friends a few months will be ok as long as they help her with meds and balancing her checkbook.

Sandy, it's good that you're able to see first hand just how she's doing and what she specifically needs. It's so hard to try and make that assessment over the phone or based on what someone else is telling you. I'm sure she feels better now that her meds are balanced and she's getting what she needs when she needs it. And, being able to be a contributing member of the family probably makes her feel good, too. I know you're appreciating the help! :)

:hug:Well, I am back from the funeral...It was okay...my friend is destroyed. Ive been thinking that her daughter will go away to school next September
and she will be lost.:( Ive got to figure out a way to help.:confused:

The service was nice but he was such a laid back person that most
of it was a little stuffy. The best part was when 3 men with acoustic
guitars and three of his daughters friends played and sang "Ripple". Its
a Grateful Dead song and was perfect. It has lovely lyrics and her
husband was a huge Deadhead back in the day! If you dont know
the song you should check it out.:)

Anywho...Ive got to pick up my kids and two of their friends. We are
dipping chocolate this afternoon...pretzels, marshmellow, strawberries,
grahm crackers.......yum!

Talk to ya all soon.

Good afternoon everyone...
Sox, you're perceptive about your friend and how she'll be when DD goes to school...maybe once spring is here, and she's settled a bit into her life without her love, it would be great to see if she's ready to volunteer, etc to get her set up before that time when she'll be alone.

Sandy, can I borrow your mom's friends? My SIL in AZ barely "has enough time" to call once a week...:mad: let alone come here for a visit. And there's no way they will go out there. I did tell my DH that if he passes, I am going to move his parents out to his sister. There's no way I could deal with all that looking after them entails...and they don't even live in our house!

Went shopping and got a few things for DH...he always has loads of gifts for me, but they are usually cheaper than what I get him, so I have a paltry little pile:rolleyes:
My DH has a tendency to think to himself, "If one sweater/bra/blouse is good, 5 will be better." Every year, my MIL used to look forward to coming over to see what it was going to be that year. One year he couldn't decide which leather coat he liked, so he bought 2:confused:. And she laughed her head off another year when I showed her about 8 bras that he bought me...strange man, but I gotta love him!:rolleyes:;)

Well, I'm going to rest up before picking up the MIL for her neuro appt. Have a great evening all!

hey all you sparkling snowflakes ...

working on my Christmas letter .. etc ... to tell all my friends and family about the quilt program ...

I just updated the website with my latest mug shot from the HOG pics ... it's from 2009, anyways ... the other one was from June 2007!!

okay .. back to my letters!! :Writting:

Sox, that is a hard age to lose the spouse, well any age is hard of course. My bro in law had troubles at first quite a bit.. and they knew she was going to die for good amount of time with the cancer going south... but still he was age 50, three kids but grown and on own.... big big beautiful house they have built and furnished so together... etc just hard... he is doing well now that a year has gone by... but wow. Hugss for your friend.

yum chocolate party at Soxy house!!

hey all, just chilling, actually went to take a rest, and wham fell asleep for two hours... so now time to make more cookies...

hugsss all, sarah

Hi everyone! It's been a busy day yet a mellow one, if that makes sense. Woke up at 5:00 this morning and started working on some paintings, took a 1 hr nap this morning, did some work on the paintings, took a 2 hour nap, went to visit my parents, worked on the paintings, and am now settling down in my pjs ready for bed and it's only 6:45. LOL

I hope everyone had a good day! Hugs for everyone whether you need them or not.:hug::grouphug:

Bah humbug...
I hate nighttime! I can't sleep through the night...the CPAP machine bothers me, and the spasms in my legs wake me too...how can you be healthy if you can't sleep well?

Debbie, sorry to hear the CPAP is bothering you and you had a restless night. :hug::hug:

Sandy, glad to hear your mom is doing better than the docs said.

Sox, Prayers still going out for your friend.:hug::hug:

Everyone, :grouphug::grouphug:

hello and good morning!

I just want to thank you all for your prayers for my friends. Also thanks
for lending me your ears(eyes) and responding so kindly.

Its Christmas so its time to get merry!

Yesterday the kids had a blast dipping their chocolates. It was a whirlwind
that took all of one hour! whew!

Today I have my holiday food shopping to do. Also have to make
brownies, fill goodie bags, wrap teacher gifts and do up about 20 platters
of cookies which I have to deliver. So I better get crackin. wish me luck!

Tomorrow I am going to school to make graham cracker houses with
the fifth grade. Its tradition as I have done this with all my children when
they were in fifth grade...woohoo its going to be fun!:D

Love, hugs and blessing to all!!!!!:grouphug::grouphug: You all are the
best!

Hi ya kids! This momma is up to her ears in preparations for a trip to the backwoods. I am going to go spend a couple of days with my momma and momma-in-law.

:grouphug:

Good Morning everyone. I awoke with a terrible sinus headache this morning. Actually, it's just my left eye that really hurts....hurts to move or look from side to side. All I have in the house to take is Zyrtec and Motrin.

It's a beautiful, bright, sunny day here today. We're supposed to get rain on Christmas Eve and Christmas day. No snow....but I'd take a dusting for Christmas. We rarely ever have a white Christmas here.

I really should get dressed but I'm still in my nightgown and plan to stay in it for a while. :o I'm not going anywhere so there isn't much reason to get dressed. At least not until I go out to get the mail. Don't want to scare the neighbors! ;)

Think I'll go rest my eyes for a bit.....this computer is making me strain them. Ya'll have a good day! :grouphug:

hey Kelly ... send some sunshine back up nort!! LOL .. we have a white sky .. white on the ground, in the trees, on the rooftops ... on the lake ... and in the air ... it's snowing/raining freezing stuff ... and the hi will get to 29!

got all my letters printed last night ... WOW ... I have about 150 to mail out - 50 go to my tax clients (they'll get an extra letter) ... some will get a letter about the quilt program ... and some will get my life update .. blah blah blah!! I kept it VERY light ...

reorganized and moved some furniture around the last couple of days - not going to empty out many boxes .. planning on moving in Spring ... and start building the lighthouse ... will have to live in a shed - but, I've been in worse places!!

have a great day!!

the DAYS are getting longer!! :Dancing-Chilli:

Morning all! I will be up to my ears in goodies today. I am making peanut butter balls, mini pecan muffins and lime jello. I'll make my dip and clean tomorrow.

Hope everyone is having a good day. :hug:

Debbie, I do hope you get some rest soon. I don't know how much more one can take. Jim went through something similar for about a year. He was miserable too. No sleep can do that to someone. :hug:

Vonn, how in the heck do you send out 150 holiday letters? LOL I couldn't afford mine this year.

Yum.....Sandy, I'll be there in 15 minutes! I love pecans and Christmas time is the only time I have them.

No kiddin'! I had to limit my cards to the number of stamps in a book. Luckily I can pay my bills through my banks website and don't have to buy stamps each month. I never thought I'd see the day where a book of stamps could make or break my budget! :rolleyes:

Hi everyone! I put my tree up. I don't think I have ever waited this long to decorate. LOL I didn't put the whole tree up. I took the top, "packed" in a pot, and decorated it. It was really odd decorating without DDs. I didn't like it much.

DD18 went up to the mountains and is heading home. Keep her in your prayers for a safe trip home. Dust storms are heading our way, there was a 20 car pile up on the freeway with a few fatalities, then another accident on the freeway. All the traffic is being routed to the highway that DD is taking home. Lots of frantic people out there trying to get to where they need to be and being routed in a way that will take them an hour or more longer. OK, they just reported 2 more accidents on 2 more freeways and they have those closed as well. YIKES!!! Dust storms are nasty. Praying DD18 and her friends make it home just fine. :o

Working on X-mas presents (handmade cards for family in town) and a present for one of my brothers, his wife, and their little one. We pick names and the tradition is you have to make the gift. Also waiting for my C to get here. Should have been here a while ago.

Vonn - How the heck do you do that? Like Sandy, I can't afford to do them this year. However, my SIL was telling me her sister sends out over 400!!!:eek: Crazy.

Sox - Continuing to keep your friend and her family as well as you in my prayers.:hug:

Sandy - Hoping for good weather for your party.

Kelly - I am still in my pjs too. LOL With my luck, I'd get in the shower and the Fed-X guy will come with my Copaxone. :rolleyes:

Pam - Have fun with your family!:hug:

Debbie - Hoping you get some rest. :hug: I think I would have a hard time sleeping with the CPAP too. I am sure people get used to it.

Hi everyone else! Hope you all are having a good day!:hug::hug::grouphug:

you guys are too funny ... remember? I've been creative with having no income ... and I don't need to 'buy' anything but paper products, gas and stamps ... and I have to budget each month - and I have done this every year ... and I have been prepared - by buying stamps all year long ... so, I haven't had to buy stamps for my letters ..

and - for an update: talked with my lawyer today ... guess who's looking at a hearing in February??? he said it, I didn't ask ... and I have to still see a 'therapist' for depression ... for his defense for my case ...

hugggsss all

Debbie, I hear ya, they say get good rest, get good sleep...then spasms and such..sorry you are having troubles!! (I am always like rest, when??)

I use to send cards to bunches of people...sorry to say last year and this one.. I just keep cards near by with stamps and when a card comes in to me, I send one out to that person....

Tk, sounds like you got the Christmas Spirit bug yeahhhh

hey all, I was so touched today,
I was at work, with my santa hat on, it has a golden arches, and a few of my McDonald's Christmas pins.... anyhow... I usually chit chat with customers... service you know...

love chatting with kids... and this time of year especially...

so there was a boy.. had to be only about 3, he had a baby brother too... I walk up and say hi to the family... look his way... and say " hey, are you ready Christmas is almost here" and he says.. reminder he is only 3 "yes I am ready, baby Jesus is coming soon" WOW I got teary eyed... just touched such a young age and knows the true Christmas meaning...

So just had to share with my daily insights family! Cause you are ALL family to me, I love you all tremendously... and thank you for always putting up with my blah blah about pain...hehe I love how we chat about daily stuff going on.... Merry Christmas early to you all!! Hoping the holidays bring cheer, health, and wonderful moments for each of you! hugsss,sarah

Hi every one Sorry not been around much my TN is playing up again. :( Glad your all getting through your days ok. Debbie It takes a whle but you do get used to CPAP I have been on it for 8 years now.:hug: Vonn Have you seen a film caled the fog John Carpenter film Its scary but theres a pretty nice lighthouse in it but all the steps:eek: :hug: My love to you all. Jackie xxxxxxxxxxxx :hug::grouphug::grouphug::hug:

nope, Jackie .. haven't watched it .. and probably won't - I'm a scare-dy cat!!

oh - just to clarify ... the majority of the letters are for my tax business - and I've been doing this annual letter for about 15 years ... and they sorta 'expect' it ...

and ... uh, I don't buy ANY Christmas gifts ... so, really - that's all I spend for Christmas ... that's about $50 and I've covered everybody ...

to me - that's Christmas ...

Geez can I stop running now!!?? It has been a busy day... washing, packing, errands, ... our sons wanted to do "santa" gifts tonight. The oldest isn't going with us this time...he's got other fish to fry during the holidays. This way we don't have to cart all the wrapped gifts to grandma's house! They didn't even want them wrapped...just pull them out of the store bags they said! So we saved our paper wrappings for another year:p. They were happy with their three gifts each... both were more excited about the candy and "chocolate" coal they had in their stockings!:D We made some of Kelly's turtles...the recipe you left on the stumble inn. They were a hit and sooooo easy to do. It will be my contribution to the family feast at grandma's.

I'll be back in a few days... everyone stay safe this holiday season! No freezing buns, accidents, or humbugs allowed!! :D Enjoy your gatherings with family and friends. You will all be in my prayers this season :grouphug:

Off to make graham cracker houses with the wee ones.lol.:D
Then to be Mrs. Santa in the first grade!

Everyone who is traveling....may you be safe!:hug:

Bless you all!:grouphug:

Good morning everyone! Have my coffee in hand, paint is drying on a painting, and getting ready for a busy day. DD18 made it home safely. So glad I wasn't traveling anywhere yesterday.

DD18 and I will be heading over to my parents this afternoon to help package up the cookies and to help decorate gingerbread people. My mom makes them for my niece and nephews every year for their stockings. She used to do this for my girls when they were little. Now my girls help her. That should be an interesting chore. LOL

Hope you all have a good day, are staying warm, and enjoying the holiday preparations.:hug::grouphug: