Geriatric MM Warriors June 13, 2010

[Wisteria1956]

Kathy: It was good to see you! Do you have Craigslist where you are? I bet you can find a highchair, etc. on there. Once I sold some items and I had the lady meet me at a mall parking lot. I don't like the bit about meeting up with strangers, but it's a good resource. I bought J-P a gorgeous futon from a married couple of architects that lived in a gorgeous loft in Portland. The guy even packed it for us and put it on the car! Good experience.

Tom and I are pretty good. It was easier to stay in the right mind while we had the distraction of the family and the road trip, however, we had a lovely day in the yard yesterday. It's hard not to be happy in the Spring.

 

[Diane W.]

Hi everyone!

Kathy - I hope you find all the equipment you need at good prices. It's so much fun shopping for baby stuff!
You're lucky to have a relative who can help fix your cars! My friend is an attorney and his brother is a doctor- his mom always says 'I have 2 sons and neither one can change the oil in my car'. I think that is so funny (and true). I would love to know someone who could fix my car & not worry that I'm getting royally ripped off. I am going to have to get brakes on the back soon. I heard a that noise the other day. I had just replaced the front ones not too long ago. I only have 4 more months on my car loan - so it should be falling apart soon.

Lisa - I love the Amazing Race. We dvr it and watch it together. I wanted the cowboys to win. Oh well.
The kids were really cute and happy on Saturday. Not too many meltdowns. We were all together on Easter, then Saturday and this coming weekend is another family get-together for 1st Holy Communions for the two 7 yr. old girls. They're having a combined party, because this side of the family is large and we could only go to one. If they had it only for their other side there would be around 6 people. So it's better to have it all together. I think it's nice that the cousins share their special day.
Then, on the 21st is my niece's bridal shower.

What is everyone doing on Mother's Day? I will,once again, guilt Owen into a hiking with me.

 

[Wisteria1956]

Diane: J-P and his cousin, Caleb, are only 15 months apart. They are probably closer than brothers. It's wonderful when cousins are close together, especially when one happens to be an only child. My sister's kids have agreed to have their kids call him, Uncle John-Paul. Cool!

I love your hiking idea. We'll do that when J-P comes home. For Mother's Day Tom is taking me to a nursery to get a small weeping cherry tree and I am taking my Mom out on Sunday for brunch and puttering around the town where I met Jocelyn last year. It's our favorite drive into what we call the Gold Country. Love those little Gold Rush towns! We'll have crab cakes and maybe a bite of apple bread pudding. Shhhhh! Then we'll drive one mile up to a huge winery and see what kinds of plants they have in their wine barrels this year. It's always full of tulips, etc. in the spring.

Had to have a thyroid blood test this am so took advantage of being out of the house early and went to Home Depot and a nursery. I have a lovely selection of dark purple (almost black) and yellow plants to go together in some tall pots, along with bright green trailing plants and strawberries for the holes in the back. These pots are tall, square on the top, gradually getting wider as they go up. The really special thing is that they have holes all over the ceramic in rows up all of the sides. I have a golden yellow/bright green groundcover in the holes you see from the front and in the back where they face the wetlands and get the most sun, I am planting strawberries. Fun, I hope! I'll try posting a picture later.

Listing a new house tomorrow so lots of work to do today. I'd rather be gardening. Guess that will be my reward once I get my work done.

 

[Wisteria1956]

http://s830.photobucket.com/albums/zz222/wisteria1956/Pot/

This is my pot when I planted it last year. Here's my green thumb.

 

[gettinhealthy]

Kathy: It was good to see you! Do you have Craigslist where you are? I bet you can find a highchair, etc. on there. Once I sold some items and I had the lady meet me at a mall parking lot. I don't like the bit about meeting up with strangers, but it's a good resource. I bought J-P a gorgeous futon from a married couple of architects that lived in a gorgeous loft in Portland. The guy even packed it for us and put it on the car! Good experience.

I had thought of checking there. Most of the listings are for Pittsburgh and surrounding communities. So the closest would be about an hour away. At $4/ gallon for gas, it would have to be a good deal or a bit closer. I will check it out though this morning.

Tom and I are pretty good. It was easier to stay in the right mind while we had the distraction of the family and the road trip, however, we had a lovely day in the yard yesterday. It's hard not to be happy in the Spring.

I'm so glad you and Tom are doing ok. I can imagine that just taking the road trip and seeing family helped too. Nothing like nature to make you feel at peace with the world

 

[gettinhealthy]

Hi everyone!

Kathy - I hope you find all the equipment you need at good prices. It's so much fun shopping for baby stuff!
You're lucky to have a relative who can help fix your cars! My friend is an attorney and his brother is a doctor- his mom always says 'I have 2 sons and neither one can change the oil in my car'. I think that is so funny (and true). I would love to know someone who could fix my car & not worry that I'm getting royally ripped off. I am going to have to get brakes on the back soon. I heard a that noise the other day. I had just replaced the front ones not too long ago. I only have 4 more months on my car loan - so it should be falling apart soon.
I have been trying to buy clothes as well as "furniture" type things. But Tris doesn't want to know the sex, so makes it a bit difficult. There aren't many outfits even in the stores that would be unisex. I did get some onesies that she/he can wear at Grandma's house. I don't think it really matters if the onesie under the clothes are gender correct or not. Who's going to see it? LOL. I did buy a Winnie the Pooh at Kmart yesterday. It was an Easter one that was 75% off. I paid 3 something for it. Normally was 12.99! Every baby needs a Winnie the Pooh I think LOL.
We really are grateful for his cousin fixing our vehicles. I can't imagine how much more expensive it would have been! He is always good with us when we need a tow as well. Not many people around anymore like that.

Lisa - I love the Amazing Race. We dvr it and watch it together. I wanted the cowboys to win. Oh well.
The kids were really cute and happy on Saturday. Not too many meltdowns. We were all together on Easter, then Saturday and this coming weekend is another family get-together for 1st Holy Communions for the two 7 yr. old girls. They're having a combined party, because this side of the family is large and we could only go to one. If they had it only for their other side there would be around 6 people. So it's better to have it all together. I think it's nice that the cousins share their special day.
Then, on the 21st is my niece's bridal shower.
Sounds as though you're going to have an extremely busy May!!

What is everyone doing on Mother's Day? I will,once again, guilt Owen into a hiking with me.

I think that sounds like a good plan! LOL I mentioned to Mike about perhaps going out for a late lunch or something. Not too sure what we'll do other than visit mom and dad. I'll have to see if they want to go to lunch with us. The place I want to go has an awesome buffet! We have gone there a couple times. It is usually very busy though. They don't take reservations either.

 

[gettinhealthy]

Just wanted to pop in quickly this morning. It is still raining off and on. I can't believe how wet this spring has been! Thankfully our basement has remained pretty dry. We have 2-3 fans running down there. They work better than a dehumidifier did.

Lisa, your potted plant looks so nice! I am going to get Mom and Tris a hanging basket for mother's day. I know Tris isn't a mom yet, but she is pregnant, so that's close enough for me LOL. I bought a beautiful one for mom last year, so I am getting her the same one this year. She said it lasted clear into Nov until it finally died off. I believe it was a purple vineing petunia. I'll see if I can get a different color this year. The hummingbirds loved it too. It was so big, I could barely pick it up!! And if memory serves me right, it was only $15! We go to the same greenhouse every year as they do such a great job with all their flowers. They are so healthy and pretty!!

I am doing step 1 yet. I may not be following it to a T, but working on it. I think I just realized something last night. I love my jello with fresh whipped cream. I haven't been counting the whipped cream as a 5x5! So I am going to do without it for a bit and see how it goes. I know I can't have just a little. It is all or nothing LOL. I actually settles my sweet tooth a bit when I eat my jello and whipped cream. It's like a special treat just for me
I did weigh myself, as this is week 4 on step 1, and it is showing about a 10# loss. But I don't think my belly is shrinking like it did before. So I am going to re-examine what I'm doing wrong. I know I'm not eating enough veges to fill me the way I did before.
And I am drinking diet cola (the splenda one) instead of water. I bought some of the Mio and it's not too bad. But it has aspertame in it as well as splenda. Why would they have to put aspertame in it if it has splenda?
Ok, got to get ready to take the pups to the vet at 10:30. Have to clean up a bit first, and put Carrie's clothes in the dryer. I will be going to work late, after the vet appt.
Later everyone!

 

[Wisteria1956]

Kathy: I bet those were Wave Petunias. Ask for them again. That's a wonderful gift! I put wave petunias in my big blue pots.

10 pounds down is awesome! I'm holding my own, but not really losing I don't think. I'll watch more closely and see if I can catch up with you.

Gotta run to a busy work day! Hope everyone has a great day.

 

[Diane W.]

Hi everyone!
I just got back from my interview at the church. All I can say is - eewwww.
I left there and felt like I needed a shower. The priest is so dry, with absolutely no personality. He's been there almost 2 years and it seems like he's not happy that everyone isn't bowing down at his feet. Eewww. I came home and was telling my son about it. I hope they don't offer it to me - isn't that terrible?! My son says I shouldn't take it, if they do. But I really need a job and it won't be forever - BUT, eeewww!

I also had applied to another private school in Connecticut last week and got a nice email from them this morning. It said, "Thank you for your resume. We are just beginning the process and will be in contact with you by the end of this month." Hopefully that means they want to interview me.

It's so beautiful outside today. I have to go for a walk to stop feeling crummy.

 

[Wisteria1956]

Diane: I hope you're feeling better after your walk You should listen to your inner voice; Owen might be right. I hope CT calls before you have to decide! J-P is freelancing for the company he was working for and perhaps going to take another position because the owner of the company didn't respect his needs to have any time to himself. Boundaries are important. I'm still praying for you!

 

[Diane W.]

Hey! Where is everyone?

I had a nice Mother's day. Owen and I went hiking on a trail I've never been on. It was an easy 2 miles - no big hills or anything. Then we went for Chinese food. He bought me an Andy Griffith show 50th anniversary DVD and an I-tunes giftcard (?). He said I could download books for when I commute on the train. (Wishful thinking.)

I haven't heard anything from the church. No news is good news, I'm hoping.

Today would have been my mother's 82nd birthday. I was looking at a job ad and I googled where it located. It is in the same complex that my mother worked in right before she died. I applied for the job and hope that I get it. This is the second time that I found a job near where she had worked.

I've been dreaming about my car getting stolen for the last 3 nights. I looked it up online & it says that it represents losing a part of identity, such as a job loss. Isn't that funny?

I hope everyone is well. Check in and say hi or else I'll come and find you!

Hugs to all!

 

[Wisteria1956]

Diane: I'm so glad you had a nice Mother's Day with Owen. I took my Mom to brunch and out for a drive. Later that evening, we had our first FaceTime chat with J-P on Tom's new ipad. First, J-P took over my computer screen and fixed our internet and my ipod. He really gave us a tune up! It was wonderful to see his cute face. I could even hold my phone up to the screen and he did trouble shooting for me - the picture is that good! It felt like he was right there with us.

I've been working like crazy since last week. I got a house ready to sell and when it hit the market I got multiple offers over the weekend, even on Mother's Day. We went into contract yesterday with a couple that has quite a story. They are active military with 3 little kids. They have just returned from being stationed in Japan. All of their possessions were in a crate at the dock when the tsunami hit. They believe they have lost everything. Their agent works in my office so I gave her some tips that they would need to better their offer in order to win over the others. My client cried when she read their story and their offer was the best. This will be their first home.

I did manage to plant some flowers on Saturday as a bit of a Mother's Day gift to myself. Tom bought me a weeping cherry tree and was going to plant it on Saturday, but he got called to work so it's still in the pot.

I talked with the nurse at his doctor's office at UCSF yesterday. Lining up the scans and appointments for next month. Her advice was pretty scary. She explained what will happen if the report isn't favorable. I've had a pretty bad day today mentally. Trying to shake it.

We're going to get another round of rain over the weekend just when we all thought it was over and we could really dig into the garden. Bummer. I'll have to think up a project to take the place of gardening. That's all I really want to do.

Keep us posted on the job search. Sounds like your Mom is right there guiding you.

 

[Seabreezes]

Hi
We are back in CA. Only have I phone at moment. Will try computer later.
Hugs to ALL. Have a lot of reading to catch up with everyone.

 

[Diane W.]

Hi Jocelyn! Welcome back! I want to hear all about your travels. When do you go back to Hawaii? - oh, the drudgery of going home to a tropical paradise!

I didn't get the job at the church - phew!! I got the letter today and it's a sorry state that I am thrilled I didn't get it.

This weekend I am going shopping with my sister to look for her mother-of- the-bride dress. She's not looking forward to it, because she has gained weight. The wedding is June 10 and I don't know what I am going to wear either. I want to look in Dress Barn for something for me.

Lisa - The FaceTime chats sound perfect! How great to be able to spend time like that with JP. I hope the rain doesn't linger this weekend and you get to spend some time in the garden.

 

[Wisteria1956]

Diane: God is looking out for you and he doesn't want to be your boss, lol! You'll find someplace where you are more comfortable soon.

I slept in and planted flowers this morning. I planted Cosmos and Wave petunias in the same exact color ranges with purple and white alyssum. They are gorgeous Then got a pedicure. I've been working 12 hour days for a week and needed a break! We won't have rain until Sunday so I have a couple of other projects outside I think I'll get to finish. J-P might be coming home and bringing a friend from Oregon next week.

My young clients sent the nicest letter to my broker about me. He sent it to me today. He plans to read it at the meeting this week. How embarrassing! I blush easily. But they are so sweet to say all of those nice things. I got a little teary eyed. It's really nice to be appreciated.

I'm still working on getting Tom into a PT place that specializes in lymphedema that takes our insurance. I have a request before Blue Cross to make an exception and I may have found another place today. The therapist we love is too booked up at the times he can go so he's going too long without help. His poor leg is like a tree trunk and his knee doesn't bend well. He's actually fallen a couple of times.

Less than 3 weeks until we go to our anniversary trip down the coast. I can't wait to start the car, the music and just forget everything for a few days. We'll likely go wine tasting and hiking a bit too. Did I tell you I found a place that's full on ocean with a fireplace, a king feather bed and a hot tub on the balcony? They are greeting us with strawberries and champagne. It was cheaper to get the anniversary package than not to have it. Funny.

I got my first tiny strawberry from my plants yesterday. Tom said it was tasty.

Hope Jocelyn gets here soon and Kate and Kathy, too.

 

[gettinhealthy]

I posted a nice long post this morning. Where the heck is it?! I'll be back when I get home.

 

[Wisteria1956]

Seems like no body has anything to say lately. I'll be available via email.

 

[Diane W.]

Happy Anniversary to Tom & Lisa!

 

[Wisteria1956]

Awww, Thanks, Diane! We just got home from the central coast, which is a rich agricultural area as well as a big wine-growing area. We had too much great food, including lots of clam chowder. Several nice walks on the beach and some great time distracting ourselves from the appointments coming up this week. To whomever is out there, pray for Tom tomorrow morning as he has another CT scan at 9:00. We go to San Francisco on Thursday for the results.

Diane, how is the job search going? I've been thinking about you so often.

Our weather is 20 degrees below normal and crazy! It is unheard of for us to have rain in the summer months and one could always plan an outdoor party, wedding, etc. this time of year without fear of being rained out. We are sick to death of it! I have an area that needs to be planted with new plants but it will have to wait another few days. Thursday will be our best day this week so far, but we'll be busy.

Check in when you can and love to all.

 

[Diane W.]

Hi Lisa - I'm glad you enjoyed your trip. It sounds wonderful!
I will be praying for Tom today. Keep us posted on the results - which I'm sure will be fine.

Thanks for thinking about me. I have an interview with an agency on Wednesday - she has nothing available right now, but she may have some temp work in the future. I hate driving to these agencies and then hearing nothing back. They are like ghost towns - no phones ringing, nobody else is there. Scary.

I hope everyone is well and enjoying the last days of spring. Drop in and say 'hi'. Hugs to all.