Good morning, ladies. Up early to a beautiful sunrise here on the west coast. Perhaps will need another siesta in the afternoon to log enough sleep hours, but I'll take the beauty of this morning in exchange for another hour of beauty sleep!

Janet, little Caleb is indeed precious! Thanks for sharing his joy with birthday cake. The images make me smile and I can learn so much from how our little gems seem to thoroughly enjoy every bite of a special treat. They don't measure it's calories, feel anxious or guilty for the little indulgence. Simple little pleasure enjoyed with a big smile! Perhaps eating with cutlery is high overrated? By just digging in with joyful abandon to whatever is on my plate today will allow my 'inner child' to blossom too.

Bert, I second your feelings. It's great to go with the flow and a lot less tiring than paddling upstream in this brief time on earth.

Enjoy your flow today, everyone!
Hugs,
MaryLynn

Good afternoon all,

So much positive energy here, makes it a joy to sign on and stop in.

Karla, praying all went well for Glenn and support your hopes that you will not have to ever go thru this again.

Janet, thank you for sharing Caleb with us. What a wonderful way to celebrate a birthday and cake. He is such a cutie. I know he makes your heart soar.

Cindy, glad you got a reprieve from the rain, however brief it may be. You are making progress in every corner of your life.

Mary Lynn, I felt your beauty with your post. Saw the devastation from the fires on the news. Hope my friends from Team Rubicon can came to lend a hand. They are an amazing group of veterans who go where disasters strike, usually before anyone else can get there. They have been helping out in Houston after their flooding. Enjoy your sunshine and I know your work is producing a place you will enjoy long after the hard work is done.

Jeanette, can't wait to hear how Brian's new job is going. You are sounding so positive and happy these days.

Great time at Mom's. She was so proud of herself that she did not have any chores for me today. She has her new freezer half full and has a list to fill the rest. She has an appointment tomorrow to talk with a lawyer and paralegal about her will and get paperwork for advanced directives and power of attorney. She has been worrying about it for some time and will rest easier once it is all taken care of. Dinner is simmering in the crockpot and will be ready for when I get home from the gym. The first day back is always the hardest but I can do it.

Talk with you all later
Patti

Good morning, all!

Cindy, I swear that soon I am going to declare a "vacation day" and read the Loudon series back to back before "Ready to Soar" hits my world. You are pure energy!

Much to do today. I have several errands to run -- cable company sent a new modem which gives me faster internet but the setup was, as usual, not without a few burps (now settled). Time to get dressed and venture out, then home to keep trying things on and weeding out, piling donations into the car for tomorrow morning.

Late basketball game tonight and will do whatever it takes to stay awake this time -- my Warriors hope to close out the series tonight. They are just so much fun to watch and truly play as a team. (Suzi, you must've been thrilled with last night's outcome too -- Westbrook was unreal in the 4th).

Slipped and had candy yesterday. Oh well -- the road back has a few bumps. Onward.

Wishing everyone a stellar day!

My apologies to all of you. I will, in time, go back and read everything. I have been kidnapped and held hostage by an overprotective strawberry bed. I have a new respect for farmers!

Last year, I didn't get many berries. so, I didn't pull all of the "runners" that was a mistake, hehe. my back is cursing my inability to waste good food! I shall return when they stop producing. and..... I will have half as many strawberry plants next year, LOL.

I think of you wonderful people every day.
Myra

Happy Wednesday, ladies!
Hope your day brings you a smile as you move through the unique moments you are given.
One of our sons had some exciting news for us yesterday about an international fashion competition he entered. Adam has been selected as one of the 9 semi-finalists and we are very pleased for him. He's been designing and creating leather accessories for over 5 years and hopes that this is an opportunity for him to be recognized and perhaps even rewarded for his efforts and skills. If you'd like to check out the designers, their creations and vote for your favorite, here is the ABURY foundation link: http://adex.abury.net/2016-semi-finalists/

Will check back in later and hope to hear more about your adventures. Cindy, you ROCK!

Hugs,
MaryLynn

Good morning lovely ladies! I hope you are all doing well

Brian started his job yesterday. He was a bit frustrated because they seem to be very disorganized. He found out, though, that they seem to have recently done an overhaul of staff; quite a few newbies so that may account for the disorganization. He only worked half a day not doing much of anything yesterday and is hoping to do more of what he will be doing for his job today.

I have no confirmation that all will go through with the practicum but I have been proceeding as if it will all work out. I haven't heard back from either side whether the contract has been accepted, I'm suppose to have a face-to-face interview with the director, and go through a bunch of training as well. Class starts next week!

Janet – we have been playing with Snapchat and crack up every time we use the filters. I got it to play with with Alanna, but we all have been enjoying it. When hubby and I were waiting for my shots we were using it and cracking up so bad we were crying. Your grand nephew is adorable thanks for sharing the pics. I think a little candy once in a while is ok, as long as it doesn’t lead to more and more later!

MaryLynn – congratulations on such success! I’m sure it feels fantastic to be doing so well. Were you able to burn what you needed to? It is exciting news for your son and his business; I hope he does well in the contest (I voted for him )

Cindy – thanks, I love that picture of Alanna and I’ve become a little addicted to snapchat for the time being; I’m sure that will wear off eventually. Hope reading is going well and that you are getting close to being able to move on to the next step!

Karla – sorry to hear the frustration of the day for Glenn’s procedure but praying it will heal quickly and he won’t have to deal with anything like it again! Your yard is looking wonderfully inviting and enjoyable; hope you get lots of time with kids and grandkids in it this summer.

Patti – Glad to hear you are back safe and sound and back at it. I understand how you feel about your mom’s will. I have been harassing my parents into getting one done. They have not updated since the 70’s and the executor they have named is someone they don’t even associate with any more. I am feeling a bit better emotionally, thanks

Myra – hope you get those strawberry plants well tamed. On the plus side you have fresh fruit and whatever else you decide to do with them; do you make jam?

Well, I’m off to go about my day. I have been working on an afghan for Rena’s 25th birthday and only have a couple weeks to finish it up. I need to buckle down and get it done! Thankfully it is crocheted (not knit) so it will go fairly fast.

Hope you are all enjoying your day and week!
Grace and peace to you
Jeanette

Good Morning, Ladies. We were very lucky with the storms last night. Most of it hit north and south of us, so we just got showers with no wind or hail. The mulch is to be delivered this morning. I will put weed killer down in one bed prior to their arrival as I'm out of Preen.

We are heading to Chicago on Saturday morning to watch Dylan's soccer game and then Penny's dance recital Sunday morning. So much fun!

Karla: I hope Glen is doing better today.

Patti: It sounds like you got a great deal!

Cindy: I have one student this summer. She owns her own daycare and is working on her degree. I've never evaluated infants and toddlers, only experience them as a grandma! It will be tricky as she is the owner of the daycare.

Have a great day, everyone.

Bert

Hi -- Dropped things off at Dress for Success, ran errands, had screen door installed onto deck (he still needs to do latches). Tired (was up until after 2 watching my Warriors win in a nailbiter of a game). Going to declare myself off-duty soon, have something to eat and watch TV (hoops and DVR'd stuff -- will catch up on Grey's and Blacklist tomorrow).

Karla, glad Glenn is so much better today. My mom had a nursing instructor whose motto was (and I am NOT making this up == she was kind of an old prune) "To be happy is to have a BM every day." You are SO funny. A trip just for me? Ha. Going to Toledo for a dinner the 21st with people from my HS class -- should be interesting. Once the cataract surgeries are done, I hope to look into a better, more lasting fix for this foot and ankle. But at some point (early fall, maybe) I do hope to get away by myself. Might get to SC next month and desperately need to get back to Atlanta (been nearly two years) to see friends. There's a reception for my best friend's son and bride end of July, and Caleb will be in MI sometime in August. I honestly do not know what a real vacation is like anymore! But I do hope to reacquaint myself with the concept before the year is out, at least for a couple of days, somewhere cheap and under circumstances of my choosing -- nobody else's event, just time for myself away from the day-to-day.

Patti, glad the new TV is working. How did it go in your mom's place? Was she blown away by your thoughtfulness?

Hi Ladies-
It's finally Friday. When I woke up this morning I was SURE it was Saturday- can you tell I'm really ready for the weekend?
Karla- so glad Glenn is doing well. Apple cake- yummy
Patti- tomorrow will be great- how could it not. You gave this man a wonderful sister and that is a great gift.
Janet- How did you find time to ever work, young lady. You're always on the go! I didn't think your ankle could be repaired- have I missed something?
We'll be at camp cleaning inside tomorrow. Rick really wanted to go tonight but I didn't help Em sew this week as I was pushing through to finish Ready to Soar- got some fantastic pictures last night- just a little photo shop and I have a cover- I'll give you a hint- Em is on the cover- but just not her face- stunning picture.
I decided to track in MFP today- the points are so skewed on WW now- I am really not eating as I should. FF milk is now 3 pts instead of 2- making me give up dairy which is bad. As much I liked the old structure of WW it's making me a little nuts this time. So like Janet I'll do dual tracking. I paid for the 3 months so I will stay the course for now.
Waving to all I have missed- need to run
Until later dear friends.
Cindy

Cindy, so much excitement in your world....book getting closer to publication, cover shot done, teaching Em to sew and getting camp ready for the summer, all while working full time. Do you ever have down time?

Karla, blood work looks good and Glenn is getting better, a good way to start the weekend.

Had to skip the gym this morning, knees and shoulder are killing me. I know my limits and when things hurt like this I give them a break. Have a little shopping to do and will see if Mom needs me to pick up her prescriptions. She got a good report from the Dr yesterday. All labs are within normal limits and she feels great. Not bad for 86.
Patti

Mary Lynn, love Adam's designs. I cast my vote. Looks like he is leading so far. I tried to share the page on FB so I could get my friends to vote for him but so far have not been able to do it. When I get on my laptop I will share the link so they can vote for him. He is quite talented and handsome too. So excited for you to get to see your son. Hope Myron is able to join you.

Off to shop.
Patti

Quick stop as I added FF milk to my lunch and needed to record it-
Patti- I was just thinking this morning i have zero downtime. I would relish some alone time but I don't dwell on it.
Karla- glad the blood work looks good-
Janet- I have 13 years to go if I work till full retirement for me- 67. Unless I get a big break in the author world AND Hallmark picks up a series from me- then I am going to write, read, write, read, walk, garden and maybe get some ME time- I keep putting it out there I want to be a financially successful author of great books that move people. The dream of my life.
Anyway- need to go back to marketing world.
Until later.
Cindy

Good afternoon ladies!
Just taking a little break from activities - 90 min hiking and 90 min. raking up and piling branches and leaves - thoroughly enjoying just being outside and doing stuff!

Myron left at about 5:30 a.m. First he was cooking at a men's breakfast at our church and then he was driving to the ferry to head east on the mainland to Alberta.

Big thank you for all the wonderful comments about Adam's entry into the international fashion world! We are pretty biased, of course and I will pass on your words to him next time we speak. He continues to hold the voting lead, but two female fashion designers are pretty close, so perhaps he will get into the finals for the jury to decide (after May 25th).

Patti, I totally agree with you about solo meal planning! I do enjoy fish more than Myron does, so likely this coming week will include plenty of that. The challenge is to find combinations that include enough lean protein to fuel the furnace. Something to combine with quinoa or beans perhaps? We have plenty of salmon, tuna and snapper on hand and your walleye sounds so yummy!

Cindy, as you follow your dream of writing full time you continue to demonstrate such dedication to the art and I applaud you! Retirement may indeed be much closer than you think and the time really flies. I retired from investments and energy businesses over 12 years ago and sometimes wonder how I found the time to get it all done. You do need to take a break once in awhile for that "me" time and I hope you can carve out something in the near future.

Hoping to get creative myself this week and get down to my studio, or take the watercolors outside for some painting once more. Additionally, the keyboard sits patiently awaiting some of my attention. All my life I wanted to play piano and now that I have one, it sits idle way too long. Practice is just not that much fun, I guess. So, now I have some variety of options to select from this week and I should get going at it now.

Will comment more later when I come back inside.
Hugs,
MaryLynn