WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR AUGUST 2024

margaretturk

Thank you Barbies for the new month!

barbiecat

Snowflake1968

We had pets growing up, usually 2 cats and 1 dog. Not always though. DH always had cats and dogs in his house growing up. When we were younger, we rented places that didn’t allow pets and with him driving truck, me working full time plus the girls I never wanted anything else to look after. When we moved to AB we thought about a dog once or twice but we decided it wasn’t fair to leave an animal all day while we were at work and the girls at school.
When Kaitlyn and Brodey got Ember we thought about getting her sibling, but I decided no. I would have been the one to have to take care of it, DH and I wouldn’t agree on it’s training and my biggest fear is what if something happened and I couldn’t afford the vet costs. I like that we have a couple of dogs we can look after and visit without all of the responsibilities of pet ownership.

Debbie - I think I would not allow them in my room if it affected my sleep.
When we keep Jeb he likes to prowl at night and he drives me crazy. I struggle with sleep so much that it’s not something I’m ready to risk.

Michele - Micromanaging is terrible. As a having been a manager I don’t know how people have time for it.

Rebecca - what lovely pictures! Did your son and DIL find childcare?

Lisa - I have actually applied for a few other jobs. I have been reading a lot of posts on LinkedIn, it seems that the job market for job searchers is a pain everywhere. Several posts about “ghost jobs” companies keep posting ads to hire staff to make them look more successful/busy than they are.
That carport looks nice! I like doing things for us too.

Lanette - I truly believe that people come into our lives when we need them.
I miss having close female friendships, I have my BFF but we only see each other every couple of years if we are very lucky.
I really would like a friend that says, hey I’m in the neighborhood put your kettle on. I find people don’t do that anymore. It all has to be planned and a production.

If I had no one to answer to but myself, I would probably be more like Terri, something scheduled most days that got me out with people of like minds.
I don’t feel I can do that right now because DH doesn’t seem to like it when I’m not home when he is. I wouldn’t mind if I was doing stuff with him, but that doesn’t seem to be the case either.

Allie - I hope your friend tries to understand it’s your health that is keeping you out of those situations.
Are you having to take Sean to other places too?

Rita - I love Subway. I eat it a couple of times a month.

Barbie - I have been reading of a few people that have unplugged from the internet. I can see how it would be freeing for a lot of people. I also don’t understand how some business is done without it these days.
I hope you continue to build a friendship.

We don’t have a garage but I think if I did have one I would be willing to store some things out there provided it was climate control. We would have freezing in the winter here.

Rori - What a wonderful trip and visit. Have you planned the next one yet?

Heather - I’m here! I read along yesterday and made notes but didn’t finish off the day.
I am anxiously (literally) waiting to hear about the job. I managed to kill some time yesterday afternoon by helping the lady at the ceramics shop organize some paints, then I went to ceramics in the evening.
She is talking about selling her shop. I pray she doesn’t for a long while yet. I will miss the atmosphere and people there. I think it would be a wonderful business, but I don’t have the funds to purchase it.
Sorry John’s plans fell through. Always disappointing. I hope you and John both feel better fast.

Barbara - I hope the meeting with Moose goes the way you want it to. I couldn’t tell if it was something you really wanted or not.
Appliance repair is such a pain.

Annie - happy to read the party was a success.
I bet if you and your sister keep mentioning selling the car before long it will be his idea to sell it.

Carol - your grandchildren are growing fast. I see your GD is in a boot now, is that without crutches?

Barbie - thank you for the new month! I can’t believe how fast this year has been going.

Tracey in Edmonton
Really hoping to hear something today from the job.

kevrit

SophieRosieMom wrote: »

Barbie - thank you so much for moving us into August. Time is whizzing by!

And I wanted to mention how neat it is you have a walking partner with a dog, and you've found some common ground with her. I'm sure you're a valuable resource for any new person in the neighborhood.

Kim - it would be great if your mom could prepay her cremation expenses and get that all taken care of. I need to do that, too.

Rita - I forgot to mention earlier, I'm also vegetable-challenged it seems. You are doing much better than I am with the "half of your plate with vegetables" plan. I bought some baby carrots and try to have cooked broccoli in the fridge now I can add to breakfast and lunch. It's not half the plate but it's a vegetable at least. Suppertime I seem to do better with a big salad. I think every little bit helps. I love seeing your meals - your DH is a good cook and it's nice he loves creating foods to help you on your diabetes prevention plan.

Sue - I'm not looking forward to the heat again but it won't be like we had a month ago, plus the shorter days help make it more bearable. At least that's what I'm telling myself.

Beverley - welcome! Lots of gals in this thread having success with different methods. You've come to the right place. As Barbie said, join in any conversation that interests you and ask questions if you wish.

About Pantry Storage - when we moved into this house, part of the garage already had a large wardrobe-type area with sliding doors. DH installed some very sturdy shelves in there which is a good place for canned goods, foods in glass jars, cleaning and canning supplies. I keep some mouse traps baited and ready and generally catch one or two each year. We also have sturdy pantry shelving in and alcove in the laundry room where I keep items that need to be eaten soon, and cereals such as oatmeal that the mice can't get to.

My trip to town this morning - I looked at the little Bay Laurel trees, and they were very nice and a good value. But I didn't make a purchase. Think I'll prune old Bessie way, way back this fall and see if I can get another year or two out of her. Plus go ahead and pick and dry some leaves. If they crumble, they crumble. Organic (crumbly) bay leaves are terribly expensive at the health food store.

I also stopped at one of the little produce/fresh food stores to get some nitrate-free bacon. It's the best, love when I can buy just a few slices.

Some bad news/good news about another purchase there. They had ripe looking cantaloupe, so I grabbed one. When I got it home and cut it open, I discovered it was honeydew! Wonder if it was cross-fertilized in a farmer's field. I'm not a fan of honeydew, BUT the hens are. So it won't be going to waste and will help keep them cool in the coming hot days. Gotta keep the girls happy.

Lanette
SW WA State

@Lanette and everyone, if I was cooking for myself, I would prep or buy pre-cut/shredded veggies to add to everything, especially carrots, celery, and onion. You can buy the frozen onion/peppers chopped but also there are fresh. I would try to buy more organic however, and pre-cut/prepare them for the week. I would also try to plan my meals for the week. But as things are, I plan my own breakfast and have ideas for supper for the week. DH plans dinner and doesn’t share until he cooks it or I ask as he does it! Most of the time he says “I don’t know” and call it a ‘Kevin Special’ and it usually is good-hard to log though, so I log ingredients when I ask him.

Non-mayo dressing for potato or macaroni salad includes: veggies cut according to texture of salad, such as grated carrots, celery, onion, or others as you like. I’ve seen him use pieces of greens in it too. Seasoning: garlic powder, basil or oregano (DH says don’t mix them) black pepper, sprinkle of bullion (depending on inclusion of beef, chicken, or veggie only, just a bit) either/or or both olive oil and avocado oil. EVO is best. Nut oils would be good too but a bit more expensive. Vinegar added only if you want or like it but use either red wine vinegar, or balsamic vinegar sprinkled on top at the end. He cooks by taste and smell! Let me know if you try this and how it came out!

RVRita in Roswell

1948CWB

GodMomKim

Hi Gals,

Tracey -I was almost in exactly your situation, between jobs, doing what ever side jobs I could find to make money and needing more, when I heard about the embroidery business that was being sold. I had no history of running a business, no down payment but figured if I didn’t look into what ever opportunity came my way I would always wonder. So I talked to the owner spent some time learning about the business side and then had a heart to heart with her and her husband about the financial side of things. They took a few days to think about it and talk about it and sold it to me for $25 up front and then they carried the loan, charging a crazy low rate, being understanding when I could not make a full months payment a couple of times in the early years and that was January of 2010. Within 4.5 years I had paid for the business, and that means that in January of 2024 I had worked at this one job for the longest time in my entire life. (I was in high tech before and changed jobs every 2-5 years because that is the culture of startups and high tech in Silicon valley). If you are at all interested in the ceramics business, talk to the owner find out a bit more about the situation. It might be more amazing than you imagine.

And while business in Canada is different than in the US from a government regulations side of things if you want to talk small business ups and downs with me just reach out.

Thinking of you all,
Kim in N. California

kevrit

@ Matcha We miss you! Hope all is ok and you are just super busy with the move and all!

Slept badly last night. My YDD and I talked yesterday and she always tries to tell me how to live my life and what I’m doing wrong at the end of the call. She ends up crying and I end up very upset. I love and miss her dearly, but wish she would forget the past and move on with her life letting me live my life the way I want, not the way she wants. “SIGH”

Went to town yesterday by myself and stopped at over 7 places! Forgot to get mail, but did Dollar Tree for dish soap, Walmart for new Kindle cover, Sonic for a drink, UPS to mail Amazon return, Albertsons for a few groceries, then car wash. I did one more but forget which!

Dinner yesterday was chicken sausage and pan roasted veggies: potatoes, zucchini, onions, celery, shredded carrots with a plum for dessert to finish off my plate! Breakfast was muesli, almond milk 1/2 banana, almond butter and T of butter. Supper was grilled cheese with tomato, and 1 guava. Snack 1/2 large apple.



RVRita in Roswell

kevrit

Today is Girlfriends Day! I love you women! Enjoy the day! Lots more, see pics.
Ps.. I will post my July goals later. Today is also planner day, a day to begin thinking about next year already!







RVRita in Roswell

kymarai

SophieRosieMom

Warning - this is long! Got my sunrise walk in, picked blueberries at Roger's, have 2 loads of laundry on the line. Now have time to kill.

Rori - thank you for sharing your vacation with N with us. I'm so happy that you and N have found each other and enjoy each other's company so much. Your phone calls and occasional meet-ups with him have a way of keeping romance alive, and we get to live vicariously through your adventures, lol.

Carol - amazing to think your "little" grands are getting so big. When does the boot come off for your DGD? Hope your knee is doing better!

Heather - sorry you are having some pain, hope more rest solves the problem. And also sorry about John's SI pain. I keep talking up the cat/camel and bridging PT exercises I ran across several weeks ago which have really diminished my SI pain. That and some calf and quad stretches first off after morning coffee have me moving pretty pain-free. I need to turn my mattress which would probably help a lot with morning backache/stiffness.

Allie - good job on losing another pound. You are such a sweetie to help Doris like you do. I agree, friends need to back off when you say "no" and not get their feelings hurt. Your health is paramount. I refuse to do anything that involves extended sitting in hot sun or temps above 80. Even in the shade! Nope. Did my time.

Barbara - Hope Moose (or whatever he'll be called) works out. Poodle mixes are so smart. What a shame about your Speed Queen! They aren't supposed to do that. (I wonder if that stupid lock thing can just be turned off! Mrs. Roger has an older Speed Queen washer that doesn't have that, hers is a couple years older than mine. I just hate that I can't throw in another article of clothing while the thing is chugging away. What a pain! I guess they did that so kids don't fall in and drown or something. Or maybe kids were sticking the cat in there during mid cycle. Who knows. What next? A thought - maybe someone on YouTube has a solution ) I think the small appliance store where I got mine does the service on them. Hope it's still that way. I called them earlier this year to have someone come out and do the "5 year tune up" like the manual says - make sure the sludge is cleaned out of the washer, get stray fuzz out of the dryer, check belts, etc. The guy that answered the phone said they don't do that, no need. Hmmm. One of these days I'll stop in and see how they are faring.

Mo - you are such a caring nurse. Thank you for sharing the progress of the little ones you lovingly care for. They are lucky to have you. I"m glad you can come here and tell us about your day, debrief a little. How are the families of the kids doing?

Lisa - I've gotten to the point that I have put any of my FB friends who post political memes on 30 day time-outs, subject to repeat. And I've let other online and personal friends know I'm not interested so don't send me that stuff. A lot of the crap both sides is putting out is not accurate and it's meant to elicit support/anger/offense/who knows what. Don't need it, I value my low blood pressure. I do my own research and vote based on the issues. I run into folks who get hyped up about candidates, I let them jabber for a few minutes then tell them I avoid the news because I have other things that interest me more than politics. Like what's a good cure for toenail fungus and do they have any ideas to get the mildew smell out of my garbage disposal? Things that really matter!! That generally stops them cold.

Kylia - your beautiful kitties sure are growing, so happy they are lap-cats. Just what you need. That garage addition will be terrific. These days I size up buildings like that for potential as a "tiny home"... where would I stick a bathroom/shower/plumbing, where's the best place for the kitchen and bedroom, etc. Someone on the next street down from me did just that. Against the covenants and they kind of fudged around the county code, but back then things were pretty lax. It raised their property tax a little but they didn't have to yank anything out.

Blueberries

- A lot of low-carb plans say if we're going to eat fruit, stick to berries and cut back on tropical fruit like pineapple, bananas, etc. I wondered about that. I follow a guy on YouTube who wears a continuous glucose monitor and eats different foods to see how they impact his blood sugar. Yesterday, he ate a cup of blueberries. Not only did his blood sugar hardly spike at all, after several hours, his blood sugar was actually lower than when he started. Of course, that's him and how his (younger!) pancreas pumps out insulin and all that. Might not be the same for everyone, but I started digging.

Turns out that blueberries, and most of the berries, have a glycemic load (GL) in the "low" category, despite having plenty of calories and "moderate" rating in the glycemic index (GI). I'm relieved that my after supper snack of nuts and blueberries might not be doing any damage.

More about blueberries: https://yourdiabetesdietitian.com/glycemic-index-of-blueberries/

If anyone is interested, the GL of most foods is easy to find online these days. A good website: https://www.doctorshealthpress.com/glycemic-index-and-load/ It's not real comprehensive, but has some good tools.

About friends and the 5...

I appreciate hearing your views about friendship, ladies. I've been mentally categorizing people in my life lately.... who's a REAL friend and why, who's an acquaintance and why, etc. I have one BFF, T, who I know will be here for me no matter what and I try very hard not to abuse that. Give her space, cheer her up if she needs it, give her support. Number one, to me, is "don't be needy." There may come a time I'll really need her, so don't want to wear her out. She has her own parents and family who will need her too. I refuse to use guilt as a way to manipulate others, that's the way I was raised and still cringe when I think of all of the "you should's" and "what will other people think?" that came blasting at me. No wonder I was rebellious for a while and refused to buckle.

Thinking about my walking neighbor, when she told me last year I was her "best friend", that shocked me. I put it through my own filters of what a "best friend" is and to me, it can be a huge responsibility. I certainly don't put her in that category. Perhaps that's why she hasn't been shy about asking for favors.

My DH was my best friend, and I interpret that as giving over a piece of my heart and looking past hurts. I react to people who read more into a relationship similar to how I reacted to the guys (or gals) in high school or college who I was casual friends with and they wanted it to be more. They got dropped quickly. I felt a little guilty, but I realize it's also the trademark of an introvert. We need to conserve our energy, and most people are just energy drainers for me.

Consequently, I don't let many people into my inner circle as Heather mentioned, and my criteria are similar to hers. I'm not desperate for companionship. I'm not lonely without DH here anymore. I enjoy lunches with work friends/acquaintances. I don't know everything about their lives, nor do I care to. I find them enjoyable and entertaining for an hour or two each month and that gives me a lift.

So my 5 is often more than 5. You ladies inspire me, support me, help me to grow and think about things differently. You let me babble and that makes me feel good, lol. Otherwise, I'm so lucky I get to choose who I hang around with and when, and tend to avoid the downers and complainers. I had to put up with them when I worked and I'm retired and choose to be away from those people if I can help it.

OK I've rambled too much. I see many of you have posted since I started this but need to get this posted. MFP has been acting funny this morning. Back later.

Lanette
SW WA State

kevrit

My goals and accomplishments for July were at 88% Not too bad!

Words of the year: simplify, empowered, and authentic.

SIMPLIFY—make (something) simpler or easier to do or understand.
EMPOWERED—give (someone) the authority or power to do something.
AUTHENTIC—.
of undisputed origin; genuine.

I will be authentic and empowered while working to simplify my life.

1. Do 12 different crafts this year: color, origami, draw, sew, candles, crochet, loop looms, paint with water, macrame, photography. Beading knit, make cards, scrapbook, 11/12 -100%
2. Walk average of 7250 steps a month 3/12 100%, 61%, 100%,100%,76%,100%,83%,
3. 30 minutes activity 30/30 days a month 100%, 100%,100%,100%,100%,100%, 100%
4. Journal /23 days a month 100, 74%, 60%, 52%, 70%,39%,65%
5. Meditate 30/30 days a month 100%, 96%,100%, 77%, 100%,100%,100%
6. Family phone calls 33/12 monthly. 100%,100%,100%,100%, 100%,100%,100%
7. Save $1000 for emergencies by depositing $50 a month into savings and not touching it. 7/12 0, 100% up to $425 in savings as of July
8. Research and apply for senior independent living in Roswell, one a month. 7/12. 100%, 100%, 100%, 100%, 100%,100%,100% Spreadsheet started for comparison

Peachtree village 866-882-3746. Peach tree contacted me back wanting to know if I still wanted to be on their callback list. I said yes but I wasn’t ready to move yet. This was the most expensive place I’ve investigated so far. 2. Sunny Acres Senior center 855-430-2394. 3. Sunset Villa 866-956-0235 3. Rio Vista senior housing 877-843-7557 4. Roswell summit apts. 877-853-5446. 5. Sunset 1600 apartments 877-867-8105 . 6. Cielo de Oro senior 877-874-4734 6. Wildwood apartments 877-876-4096. 7. Willow Trace 877-881-2933 Local senior housing advisor 877-304-7152 Rental houses $800-3,000 for 1-2 bedrooms Luxe independent living 575-232-4298 Pennsylvania Ave, Roswell — cost of getting new camper. 40-50k——I possible buy a house? —- rent a house?—-[\spoiler] June-rental requirements, 2 bedroom min, dog friendly, $500-$1000 rent found house in Cookeville Tn, apartments in Roswell, nothing in CT
9. Drink 8 days a month or less. 0/8 100%, 100%, 100%, 100%,0,100%, 100%,100% months sober, and started drinking wine. 2.5 month sober as of 6/2 start
10. Read 35/24 Books this year. 100%
11. Weigh less at end of month than at beginning. Jan,2024 weighed 176 august down to 154–5/12 100%, 0,100%, 0, 100%,100%,100%,100%
12. Complete at minimum to week 5, the 9 week squat as challenge starting 1/23/24. weeks 26/27 weeks 3 sets a week for 9 weeks. 100%, 100%
13. Do a silver sneaker workout 3 times a week starting 5/12/23. 100%, 100%, 0%
14. Work on getting rid of credit cards, all except 2 starting 8/2024 pay off lowest amount first.

January Completed — 92%,
February Completed —-58%
March completed—— 95% with being sick!!!
April Completed——95%
May Completed——-90%
June Completed——-95%
July Completed———95%
August Completed—-88%

RVRita in Roswell


“I’m learning to treat myself as if I am valuable. I find that when I practice long enough, I begin to believe it.” In All Our Affairs

pipcd34

Stats for the day-

Walk w/kids- *lucy in buggy after 3.5mi, Chispa after 4.5*, 2hrs 31sec, 67elev, 2.95ap, 87ahr, 108mhr, 6.01mi= 540c
Strava app = 736c
Walk home to gym- 11.10min, 2.84ap, .52mi= 48c
Strava app= 64c
Stairclimber- 30.34min, lvl 5, 111ahr, 125mhr, 1603steps, 100floors, .7mi= 210c
Elliptical machine- 30min, 5incl, 5resist, 100ahr, 116mhr, 2.27mi= 225c
Walk gym to home- 11.25min, .53mi= 66c
Strava app= 66c

Total cal 1089

584584

Got a case of saddle sores, no fun

Vickil57

Monique--I admire you for your work with the little ones. Prayers for you and your co-workers.
Barbie--Thanks for keeping us going on the new month.
Rori--Hope the fires are out soon and stay away from your place. Thanks for sharing the pictures and your relaxing trip. So happy for you.
Blessings, Vicki GRAND ISLAND, NE

OregonMother

Thanks for August, Barbie.

Going to be 100 today, so trying to get my running around done early then sit inside and declutter while watching the Olympics. I used to do triathlons, so I am particularly interested in those events. Exciting ending in the men's race.

Flea
Willamette Valley OR

LisaInArkansas

Woo, my chickens, how are you? Back again, after a quick trip into town to pick up an odd thing or two,

After I yakked with y'all this morning, I finished a couple seams on the never-ending quilt from heck, Egg and I waved Cor off to work, and I piled my happy behind up in the bed and slept for three solid hours. It was blinking wonderful, and badly needed.

The steroid crash had to happen sooner or later, glad I was home when it did! 👀😲😁

This morning was the last of that week-long bump into the stratosphere, thank goodness. Back to something resembling sanity tomorrow, and hopefully it did its job. It certainly seems to have done so far, but it has in the past and I've not been able to sustain the change in my gut after a few weeks. Nearly a week with nothing but a few stray gut cramps has been eye-opening. Hard to remember what normal looks like... It's been a long, strange trip.

Talked with my best friend on the way into town, kept her laughing over my last week's adventures, and listened to her moans about visiting her daughter next week, and her son visiting her the week after that, and taking care of her own medical appointments, her husband's medical appointments, her dad's medical appointments and her mother-in-law's yard (and yes, medical appointments), and basically completely stretched with her hand out helping other people.

I miss my mother, sometimes so much I ache of it, but I'm not sure I would have been able to care for her in that same way. I have so much respect and admiration for those of you who do, and am perfectly happy to live a life that does not involve that level of care of anyone except me and my husband. (Who is allergic to doctors, won't go on a bet, which is both terribly frustrating and oddly enough, leaves me quite grateful at the same time.)

Tracey - I thought something similar to Kim, but without the excellent experience levels she has. Might be worth exploring options? Couldn't hurt, for sure. You can always reject it as a possibility even after talking to the lady.

My quick trip into town was for something to add to the fibers of the fringe on this thing that I made yesterday. I but was reacting so badly to the loose fibers that I could barely breathe by last night, and was sneezing my fool head off. I love the way it looks but can't be the same room with the buggerty thing at this point. I'll need to get a respiratory mask (seriously) to even try to fix it... Unexpected consequences of design decisions...

Later y'all,
Love,
Lisa in AR

OregonMother

Lanette,

Here's what I use to keep my disposal not smelling SO bad. It's still not good. The brand is "sink fresh" and I think they are optimistic. 😆



Flea
Willamette Valley OR

1948CWB

barbiecat

I don't talk politics with anyone, not even with people who share my views. It's an easy line for me to draw. I have a lot of strong beliefs about a lot of things and I make an effort to not talk about them although my actions often demonstrate them.

Rori what a great photo of you with your new friend. I am happy for you

Lisa I told Jake how you put your "organ recital" into a spoiler and as a person with a long list of health challenges, he knew exactly what that meant

Allie We have eliminated a lot of people from our life because they weren't respectful of our health concerns. You have some great friends who care about you. Let go of those who don't

Barbie in NW WA 💖

cityjaneLondon

Crossing fingers that the nerve pain continues to improve. I blasted it with painkillers, had a nap, and it decided to play ball. I'm keeping on top of the pain tonight, so I'm hopeful. It did cause me a bit of a panic, as I could hardly drag my leg behind me! Excruciating.

We are waiting for the long postponed rain. Grey and sticky-hot. My window is open and I'm longing for the pitter-patter on the tree outside. Strangely, I still have to wear socks at night. It has to be jungle heat for me to sleep comfortably without them. I have inherited my father's cold feet.

Machka ???

Love Heather UK xxxxxxxx

exermom

Worked then went in the pool. Had the appt with the sleep MD. Really, this is more for Medicare than anything else. He just looked, said “everything looks good”.

Jess is going to be here this weekend. She’s said that she wants to go swimming. I’m going to ask them at the soup kitchen tomorrow if I can take a cake home. I’m sure I will especially since I can’t use the oven yet. I’m running out of ideas for desserts that you can make on the stovetop.

Made an appt for NOV. for my annual physical. Need to go a week before for the fasting blood work. Do you know that all of the early am appts for blood work have ALREADY been taken. So my appt is for 9. I figure if I go to BK at 5:30, I’ll probably get out of there by 8:30 – 8:45 and I can just go to the lab from there.

Annie – so glad you had such a good time sailing and that the party went well. When we go to Denise’s the first stop with the GPS is the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. Then we tell the GPS to go to Denise’s.

Lisa – are you going to have some sort of “door” to the pantry? If so, what kind?

Kim – my in-laws kept paper goods in their garage, too. Well, there isn’t much storage room in FL. That’s also where they kept soda. There was a small pantry (just very deep) in the kitchen where they kept the canned goods

Beth – when they pulled our stove out to see what the problem was, I cleaned the floor back there. What I didn’t find!

Monique – you are an angel

Question – why does summer go by so fast and winter just seems to drag and drag and drag on????

Rori – so good to see you. Both you and your guy look so happy. Love the smiles on your faces

Barbara – good luck with the washer repair

I can’t say that I have a deep, deep friendship with someone (other than Vince). But I do have many acquaintances, especially since I’m involved in so much. The one friend of mine that I would talk to about almost anything lived in Switzerland so it’s not like I could just drop in

Love having all the kitties on me and by me, but sometimes it’s just so hard to do any reading...lol or for that matter, even looking at pictures. But I wouldn’t trade it for the world

Allie – you go girl!!!

Rita – Subway is one of the few fast food places that I will eat at. Most of the others, Vince will eat but I take my own food with me

Tracey – talk to the lady who runs the ceramics shop. Tell her that you’d love to run it, but you don’t have the money to buy it. Maybe she’d keep it but let you manage it.

Heather – get better fast

Michele NC