SS Support Week of 10/190-10/25

milkdud_2007

14 years ago

Good morning from chilly SE Texas! I've been up since 7 to get my oldest DGD off to school. Back later to catch up with everyone!

Comments (18)

aka_raeanne
14 years ago
Quiet here today!

Hi Milkdud, chilly here too, but very pretty.

Hope everyone had a fun weekend.

I am still busy with work, meetings, painting, life. Next week I have a meeting for next years Adirondack Chair auction - IS THAT POSSIBLE???

I will check in during the week.
maddie_in_ky
14 years ago
Hi all!

Yep, chilly and pretty here, too. It's supposed to be 70 tomorrow, though.

Nothing much going on here, same ol, same ol.

Working on Christmas cards, and updating to-buy lists. I've already started shopping, and have finished 2 people so far. It's not going to be a great season for us; we're already missing FIL.

I asked this in a prior post, but maybe folks didn't read it (it was the last post of the week 10/11-well, BJ did)--does anyone want to do a Christmas exchange this year? (I'm so sorry I missed last year's-)

Hope all is well!

Hugs,

Maddie
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HI RAEANNE! Gad, you said this place is dead enough already and then you start talkin' 'bout lilies! LOL! I have been really disorganized lately and keep thinking I'm going to get it together and write something profound here....no chance. I took the trip to Kentucky (more later!) and then my parents stopped off here for a week---and ever since, I have been list-less---so I can't get organized. Yesterday, I started making lists again and now I'm getting back on track. ---------------------------------------------- QOD!!!!!! Favorite flower? Hmmmm: To grow---easy!---Poppies (Orientals are my fav) and Cosmos (they are so rewarding and easy!) To smell: probably old variety roses. I just visited the zoo rose garden with my mom and found a wonderful, sprawling rose called a Gertrude Jeckyl that smelled heavenly! I used to walk through my Grandma's rose garden and smell roses for half the day and the fragrance just brings it all back! To look at: Peonies. They are so beautiful and ruffle-y. Plus, they hold wonderfully good vibes! Every Feng Shui book calls for them! And to give: I like to give the big, double petaled Gerbera Daisies. They are so colorful, and cheerful and just look HAPPY! To receive: I think I like Liatris combined with Eucalyptus. The clean fragrance of the Eucalypyus and the brilliance of the purple stocky Liatris thrills my heart. For a funeral: I like giving potted plants or a tree. They hold a memory of the person well and last a long time. That's my answer! Thanks for the QOD, Raeanne. -------------------------------------------------- Back to the laundry machine for me!!!!!! Oh, weight wise, I am at a stall---for the 4th week in a row. I weighed in at WW Thursday and am holding. They say it is good to go slowly and I am happy I haven't gained. I have 7 more pounds to go to make my doc get off my back---C'MON SEVEN! DeeMarie and Maddie: Have fun! We'll wait for you to return! Love and kisses!
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SS Daily Support, Aug 10 - Aug 16, 2009
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Good early morning. BJ, I meant to tell you that I also hope everthing works out for the best with Baby V and he ends up in the most qualified and caring hands, although he couldn't ask for better ones than yours. Talk about heroes - you and your family are definitely role models for sharing your home and love. I love coming here. I've gotten to the point where I don't want to read the news or gossip columns online or on tv, or see where the latest tropical wave is off of Africa (I'll prepare soon enough, I know the drill.) I know that none of our lives are perfect here, but it's such a great place to come and share our celebrations and sadness. Hope I'm not being too corny - blame it on the early hour - ha. Milkdud, what is a rebounder - is it like a trampoline? I need to find something that will firm up my middle section - legs and my upper body are improving, but the jelly belly and thighs could definitely use some extra toning. (lovely description, huh.) Going to walk in a few minutes and then having lunch with new neighbors I have met since starting my exercise routine. Just an added perk. I couldn't find my Weight Watchers one point chocolate cakes, so I bought some No Pudge chocolate brownie mix, where you just add the no-fat vanilla yogurt. All I could find was the plain, so I added some vanilla extract, per the instructions. OMG, were they good. I had one brownie for two points (my husband ate 3!) I didn't tell him until afterwards that the secret ingredient was yogurt, or he never would have come near them. I've never cooked with yogurt before, but I still have large container of it, so if y'all have any recipes to share, please let me know. Enjoy your day. I hope it's a good one for everyone. Jan
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SS Support - Mon. 10/31 thru Sun. 11/6
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Comments (42)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, NHSuzanne! YAY! It's your birthday! I hope that your family finds a way to make it very, very special for you! We love you here and are glad to hear your stories, detailing your outings on your baby, Sweet Pea. Hope you have some time today to spend doing something for YOURSELF, since your recent time has been so devoted to your DH. Cheers to you, sis! Have a great b-day! It's been quite a year! Marci~ Thanks for the cool picture! Very appropriate! Brekky: 1/2 bagel (but I'm going hunting for Marci's brand Monday!) 16 oz latte, n/f milk, s/f vanilla Snack:: Bag of pretzels: 220 cals Coffee w/ cream Late lunch at 3:30 (service went long): Lots of roasted veggies and a tiny piece of roast pork left over from the other night Dinner: (went to a housewarming party) About 6 rice crackers with homemade hummus - delish! Small square of phyllo-covered spinach something 3 sausages (small cocktail type - "Danger!") Lots of cucumber slices Dessert: The icing off of a 2" serving of chocolate cake Some red grapes Water, water, water, water! (Lots of wine flowing at this party, but I did not go there-stuck with spending my calories on food instead of wine and this morning, I'm glad I did that!) Going out to brekky with my family, then I hope to finish laundry and scoop my house into order! Also, my teen kids babysat twin boys all night for the house-warming couple and I hear them stirring, so before brekky, I have to return the boys to their parents! So fun having boys in the house tho'! Maddie~ (((((LOVE AND HUGS!))))))) Special thoughts going out to you and your kitty today---and every day. And tell Rog to GO SUCK A LEMON! Raeanne: I resorted to printing a cute photo I had of the housewarming couple and framing it, then wrapped it in a ribbon and DH brought along a bottle of Berritage wine for them. I love your idea of a Feng Shui basket, but you're right, it takes a certain kind of person! That would be a great idea for the holiday exchange HERE though---something with a Feng Shui twist! DeeMarie~ Miss you, love you, can't wait till you're back! And I'm never giving up---! Tikanas~Hope your finger is healing nicely. Be careful out there! Everyone have a RELAXING Sunday! Mind your menus!
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SS Support - Mon. 10/3 thru Sun. 10/9
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Comments (30)
First off.... WHERE ARE YOU, MADDIE??????? YOU MISSED YOUR PARTY!!!!! HOPE YOU HAD A GREAT BIRTHDAY --- good or bad.... CHECK IN, GIRLFRIEND! Marci! Loved, loved, loved the gif! How cute and appropriate! Then... I have to thank everyone for answering my plea for help. There are such great ideas here when everyone puts their heads together. Besh, to answer your question, there are no funeral homes on the island, although there IS a cemetery. The off-island funeral homes handle everything and they're FAMILY run (their emphasis, not mine). After the suggestions here though, I got my guts up and called one and asked to them about some p/t employment when I move. The manager hasn't called back, but the woman who took my call was very nice and thought maybe something could be worked out. Meanwhile, ever busy, I took John's suggestion, and brainstormed. I think, maybe, I can work for my DH, promoting him (good for the both of us, no doubt!) and run a sort of store front, will/estate/funeral event planning biz. Many people on the island have life celebrations and I could get into that. I know a caterer from when we had the restaurant there, and a few musicians. My DH's mom does video production, so she has connections to making DVDs. And, I could work a little flying into it by renting a plane and offering to spread ashes. And I could fly to a mainland job on weekends, since the funeral home isn't too far from the airport. Anyway, like Besh & Raeanne said, I think I will continue my path and get the license. And, as taking NHSuzanne's advice, I will accept and enjoy the freedom of possibly being unemployed for a while. Kayaking, here I come? Maybe a job at one of the MANY kayaking tour places! So, thank you everyone, once again. Combining everyone's ideas has made me look at the move in a totally different way. It'll all be okay in the end...if it's not okay, it's not the end! :) Raeanne~ My in-lawas will visit at the end of the month. So company is coming here too! QOD for everyone: HOW DO YOU DECLUTTER YOUR ROOMS? John~ 1. Can you face your desk so it's facing OUT of your cubicle---so she can't see your screen --- and so you can see her coming? 2. If that's not possible, perhaps you have room to hang a large mirror above your monitor or on the wall next to it, even propped on an easel, so you can see behind you always (good feng shui). Then she can't sneak up! 3. Next, get a couple of corn plants (tall and straight) or potted bamboo and stick them on each side of your cube - that'll give her less room to stand behind you and kind of close off your office to intruders. 4. Then, with double sided tape, attach an small octaganal mirror on the back of your office chair. Good conversation piece and it'll reflect HER big, fat nose getting into YOUR business. 5. Then, every time she asks a questions, say either, "Why do you ask?" or "Pardon?" or "Say that again please?" In a VERY nice voice. When people are asking insulting or nosey things, asking them to repeat the question forces them to rethink, over and over again, what they're saying. 5. As well, if she gets excited over things outside in the parking lot or elsewhere in the building, just tell her, "Hey, if it concerns you that much, maybe you should call the police, security, or the FBI." 6. Go to an antique store and get some old pictures i frames and velcro them to your cubicle, then make up family stories about them. If you need pics of your SS sisters, just email us and we'll send the raciest ones we can find, right, girls? When Miss Buttinski asks about a phone call, tell her it was one of your 'relatives' calling, and if she has any ideas on how to stop the chafing marks Depends-brand diapers cause. 7. Then make up more huge lies about your family pictures. Keep changing the pictures until you have such an extended 'family' that absolutely no one, not even you, can keep track of them all. 8. Then start hanging pictures of babies up. Tell her these are your illegitmate children from your WILD daytime romps and you're working nights just to keep up with the bills. This should give the office 40 yr olds something to talk about for some time. 8. Then, if she still bugs you, ask if she would like to sit with for breaks, since you can't possible socialize as much as she likes on company time. It sounds like she's clueless and you're mysterious and they just want to get to know you. Girls bond by sharing secrets and talking endlessly. So she probably just wants to get to know you. Don't forget to hang a sign up that says, "I'm free to gossip at 10pm; I'll be awake and able to pay FULL attention then!" And good luck, brother! I'm thinking of you! DeeMarie~ I would say "UmmmmmmHmmmmmmm" loudly over and over again and NOT ask any questions about anything she says. If you keep doing that, she'll think about it afterwards and maybe get the message! Maybe!
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nhsuzanne
14 years ago
Good Wednesday all,

I am back from a fabulous time in Woodstock. It was truly glorious.

Maddie, I am up for the Christmas exchange.

Where is everyone?
milkdud_2007
Original Author
14 years ago
Good Wednesday morning!

Suzanne, glad you had a good time at Woodstock. Can't wait to hear more about it.

Raeanne, it's already time to plan next year's Adirondack chair auction? Yikes! That must mean it's soon to be time for my next summer's stuff to start then. It does take a lot of planning to pull off a successful benefit, doesn't it?

Maddie! It's nice seeing you posting. To answer your question about a Christmas exchange: I could participate in something like an ornament exchange. Our medical bills from hubby's hospitalizations are slowly coming in. While our insurance pays pretty well, we do have to pay for transfusions and the other 20%. Since he was in ICU for 5 days, we'll be responsible for more than we like, I'm sure.

I've been eating pretty well while babysitting. I brought all the foods that I'd be eating, so that has really helped a lot. Also, since I'm missing my TOPS meeting today, I have to have something to show at next week's meeting! I have to decorate a styrofoam ball as some kind of cutesy octopus for a competition. It has to have 8 legs for the 8 week competition. If you gain, you have to cut off one leg that week. The person with the most legs left at the end wins $20 that the members have donated. Any ideas?

We've had warm weather Tuesday and today, but a cold front is coming in later today along with rain. The mosquitoes had fun with us yesterday when we were out on the driveway after school so that the girls could draw on it with chalk. I don't know why I have to be so attractive to mosquitoes!!! LOL

Wishing everyone a wonderful Wednesday!
aka_raeanne
14 years ago
Milkdud - i posted a link below for a handmade cute octupus and you won't want to cut it's legs off, so you will probably be good. It is for kids so it looks simple haha. The mosquitos find me most attractive as well.

Maddie - I am up for a Christmas exchange too. I like Milkdud's idea of an ornament.

Suzanne - can't wait to hear or see photos of Woodstock, one of my all time favorite VT spots to visit.

Have a wonderful day.

Here is a link that might be useful: octupus
maddie_in_ky
14 years ago
Good morning!

Well then, an ornament exchnge it will be! :) I've collected ornaments for years, so I'm always very glad to get more! (Particularly with 5 trees to decorate!)

I just washed sheets and towels and hung them out to dry--yum! I love that smell--and I think this may be about the last time to do it for the season.

Anyone reading anything good? (Bad, or otherwise? LOL) I'm looking for smoething to read between classes, and if anyone has any suggestions, I's love to hear them.

Also, I was wondering if anyone has heard from Jen, Amy, Gretchen or John? I went back to page 30 here, and was reading old posts from 2004, and they were there, and I got to wondering about them. Patti, do you ever hear anything from Happyto?

Gotta go--algebra homework is hanging over my head.

Hugs,

Maddie
deemarie5500
14 years ago
Happy THURSDAY!

It's been a busy week for me, and I'll be happy to see the weekend.

Maddie, I'm up for the ornament exchange. I will need to be reminded more than once, because I think I forgot my part in the birthday card exchange. Cannot remember who I was supposed to send to (maybe you? or Jen?). Gosh, my mind is absolute mush lately, so apologies all around.

Well, it's almost vacation time for me again. We leave on Oct 31 to head down south again. Truth be told, DH and I (along with my sister and DBIL) are building a vacation house in NC! We close in early November and are very excited about it. It's a nice sized home with 2 master suites, so it will work for us over the next few years. Once we all start thinking about retiring, we may sell it or someone will move into it permanently...anything can happen. I'm just not sure I want to stay in NJ with this horrible government. But.......we have family up here and work, so I may downsize my current home and become a snowbird eventually. Once we get the NC house furnished, I'll take some photos and try to post them.

Big [[[HUGS]]] and hellos to everyone!
Make today count!
Dee
milkdud_2007
Original Author
14 years ago
Good morning! It's pouring here this morning. I did get oldest DGD to school and the dog walked before it set in though.

Maddie, so glad that you like the ornament exchange idea. I take a stroll down Memory Lane every year when decorating my tree, remembering who all gave me what ornament.

Dee, how nice for y'all that you'll have a vacation pad! Sounds like a great idea.

Raeanne, I've decided to buy purple yarn and a little red hat and make my styrofoam octopus into a Red Hatter. I'll buy baby hair squishes with little 'jewels' on them to tie off each leg for the 'bling' that is so necessary for a Red Hatter. LOL

If it's not rained out, oldest DGD has soccer practice after school, then I'm heading back home when her parents get here. It's been an interesting week. I've accomplished very little, but Aubrie and I had a lot of fun playing together during the day. Nothing like a 3-yr. old to remind you of how important 'just being' is.
nhsuzanne
14 years ago
Good Thursday,

I too am looking for Friday to come.

I like the ornament idea the best too. It keeps it much simpler and more enjoyable for me.

Maddie, Amy checks in sometimes as does Gretchen. Jen has not checked in for a long time and either has John. Perhaps you can get them to come out and say hi!!

Dee, if you add a barn then I could come down and visit you with the horses! We love NC!! LOL

We are having Indian Summer here this week which makes me wish I'd stayed in Woodstock. Here are some photos of the great time we had. The pictures just don't do the scenery justice but it is gorgeous!

Along the Morgan mile which is a mile long stretch of dirt road that we do a trotting race on:

Friend Karen and Casey at the Top of the World - Mount Ascutney is in the background:

Some curious and beautiful Jersey's came running over to check us out:

After the cows:

Among the gray birches:
milkdud_2007
Original Author
14 years ago
Suzanne, I'm SOOO glad that I came back in to check the posts because your photos are beautiful!!! You 3 women are so brightly attired, then you have the Autumn colors in the background. Did the horses love their ride, too? You always cheer me up with your pics, so thanks for posting them.
aka_raeanne
14 years ago
Maddie - I just finished reading Dan Brown's "The Lost Symbol" and enjoyed it. Angels and Demons is still my favorite, but this was entertaining.

Milkdud - great idea for the octupus.

Suzanne - you didn't disappoint me with those photos, how beautiful and it looks like everyone was enjoying themselves too. What a great trail.

Dee - Congrats on your house project - how exciting! I am very happy for you.

I need ideas for a Halloween costume for DH and myself. I would like to do a couples thing, but would like to keep it simple and cheap. I am not into renting or buying outfits. I was thinking of John Lennon and Yoko. I have always wanted to be Tippi Hendrin in Hitchcock's "Birds" but I can't think of anything for DH to be with that - maybe a bird watcher hahaha.

I'm counting on you BJ to come up with an idea haha.

Enjoy your day!
maddie_in_ky
14 years ago
Hi all!

Suzanne--what gorgeous pics! And the cows, how cute! (I love cows). Thanks for posting them!

Dee--congrats on the NC house! A friend lived in NC and just loved it; she said she was 2 hours away from the mountains, and 2 hours away from the ocene--ahhh... :) I'd love to live the Raleigh/Durham area.

Raeanne--Melanie/Tippi, huh? Can your DH go as Mitch Brenner? With a stuffed black bird on his shoulder? And have you semi-covered in matching feathers? Or, you could dress like her after she was attacked, and have DH go as the man who got his eyes pecked out. (Well- you know--gory!) This will give me something to think about in English class tonight! LOL!!

Hugs,

Maddie
donna_southnj
14 years ago
Hi Everyone!

Fast check in....life has been very busy but still no construction. Suzanne asked for a remodel update and right now we are now waiting for the township's permit and THEN we can get going...oh boy. As excited as I am I will be so very glad when this is done and I'm enjoying my new kitchen and dining room and then moving to my new family room and sitting in front of my fireplace sipping a very, very much needed cocktail.

Dee, how exciting!!!

Suzanne, great pictures as usual.

Maddie, nice to see you.

An ornament exchange sounds great to me, count me in.

Will check back over the weekend (another rainy Saturday) and will address everyone. This week has been absolutely gorgeous, a true Indian summer.

Love and hugs to all!!

Donna
nhsuzanne
14 years ago
Good Friday all,

Donna, the waiting is the hardest part! I hope you get going soon.

I was thinking about MIA's this morning and Jan came up! Where are you girl? Check in. It's not like you to stay away so long. Did I miss something? Are you on vacation? What's up.

BJ, I need my weekly dose.....check in.

All you others........please stop in before the weekend is over.
nhsuzanne
14 years ago
Okay, now I am getting worried. The last time Jan (Wodka) posted was on October 2nd. Her DH was having test, upper GI, etc. Jan, please check in and let us know how things are going.
wodka
14 years ago
Here I am. Thanks for asking about me.

Things have been hectic but are calming down. While not the best news, husband's health could have been worse. He met with the doctor on Wednesday - test results confirmed severe gastritis and two ulcers. They gave him more medications and will do another scope in approximately 3 months. He's finally feeling better, so something is working. Thanks for your concern.

I have been battling the blahs lately. Weight loss and all are still going good, (52 pounds) and now that I know my husband's health, hopefully, is manageable, I should be okay. It's just small stuff that I should know by now not to sweat, and I'm working on it, but some days (and people) get the better of me.

So, I will try to come around more and catch up. I'm loving the cooler weather and football. (New Orleans Saints are still undefeated - yea!)

Hope everyone has a good weekend.

Jan
milkdud_2007
Original Author
14 years ago
Yea, Jan's back!!! It's so nice to see you posting today. I'm glad to read that your hubby's health is manageable. As for the blahs, why is it so much easier to get those than to get the happies??? I fall into that trap too often, and it really takes its toll on me, too. (((Wodka)))

Well, back from the babysitting of the DGDs and into my real life which is crazy as of today. I met with my co-chair at the church early today to set up the "Sweet Shoppe" for our Harvest Moon Festival tomorrow. What was I thinking working around all that great looking food???? These women are obviously fabulous bakers as everything looks and smells heavenly! I wanted to buy everything that came in the door, and we've only received about half of the donations. The rest will come in early tomorrow morning. I MUST eat healthy breakfast before leaving home at 7:30 tomorrow!

Just came from our community center's monthly salad and spud luncheon. Going for a great haircut in a few minutes, then off to get prices on shirts for our service sorority. Home to finish unpacking, then we're meeting our friends for dinner at Peso's, then canasta at one of the couples' home.

We have cool temps today and it looks as much like Fall as SE Texas can look here. Wishing everyone a wonderful Friday!
wodka
14 years ago
This is too funny not to share....

My husband came home early from work today and realized he forgot to deposit an expense check. So I said, "let's run to the bank, I'll go with you, it's a gorgeous afternoon, blah, blah, blah." So we pull into the nearest bank (definitely post-Katrina built - basically double-wide trailer with very skimpy parking lot.) He goes in, does his business, and comes out. In backing up he notices a pickup truck that has parked crookedly in two spaces. In his attempt to miss hitting him, he grazes the car on the opposite side. That owner has left her car running, because she's had car trouble, and her son in the backseat. My husband gets out, with his insurance papers, and looks up, and this older gentleman in a Volkswagen Beetle is backing up and hits this woman's same car! The son gets out, and the doors automatically lock, with her car still running, keys in ignition.

It takes forever for Barny and Andy to show up and file a report. I stay in our car while my husband handles the rest. As things are winding down, I feel this "bump" and darn if someone hasn't hit US! Some jerk in a rental car with an earphone on the size of Dallas! Well, he doesn't even stop, so I jump out and alert everyone that we now have been hit. They stop this guy and read him the riot act (no real damage done to our car, so my husband says let him go.) I came home and quickly chilled a bottle of wine - to heck with Weight Watchers.

My husband is determined to find out if the parking lot was built to code. He had his camera and took lots of pictures, including one of the truck that took up two spaces.

Glad it was his car and not mine - ha!

SS Support Week of 10/190-10/25

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