Good morning, Phyllis.  About supper time last night it thundered and lightning for about half an hour and then rained for five minutes.  Not enough to even wet the pavement.  Yes, when we own a home we have to keep things repaired.  Right now it's your steps and for me it's the garbage disposal.  It just QUIT.  I help keep the medical providers in business.  This morning it's the lab and next week a doctor visit.

Good Morning Everyfriend!  I hit the deck running this morning.  I forgot that I had to make dog food this morning so that was my first order of business.  Then I but a beef roast in the crock pot to have some for supper and the rest for the freezer for the veggie soup.

Phyllis, if the vet counts, I'm keeping the dr. busy.  I took Annie in yesterday and she is still on the bland diet and they gave her some pills.  As I said before going to bed, she is much improved but not well yet. 

I have to keep moving so I can get behind my counter by 9.  I hope you all have a wonderful day! 

Good morning, Janie.  I'm glad Annie is somewhat better and hope the pills chase the bug away.  You'll be seeing smiling faces in your WM line today I am sure.

Hi everyone.  I got up a lot earlier this morning than usual so have most of the household chores done.  I have even replanted the Mums plant I got at Aldi's the other day into one of our two porch planters.  It is loaded with buds so am hopeful of a lot of nice flowers shortly.  I am about ready to eliminate all of my back patio planting as they have about had it with many dead stems.  The pepper plant has a couple of small peppers so may try to keep it to see if we can get anymore peppers from it.  Pat is now up but I needed to rest a few minutes after doing the above before trying to get her breakfast fixed.  Today should be a quiet day until Pat's 4 pm appointment and then dinner at the church at 5:30 and later Scott coming to the house.  Pat did get a new type pillow mask for her CPAP machine but will have to work with it to get it at the right strap placement to keep the air from leaking out around it as it did last night.

I saw yesterday in the paper that our Ryan's Steakhouse was permanently closed on Monday.  So we have one less place to eat here in our little town.  However, there are some other restaurants soon to open.

Joan, I need to stop at Publix and get a couple of the apple fritters as they are probably my favorite sweet roll, with the exception of a nice gooey cinnamon roll. 

Phyllis, we had to have our brick front porch redone on the last big house we had in Norcross, Georgia.  We also found that termites had eaten up the thresh hold and some of the outside wood surrounding the front door.  It was not an inexpensive project as I recall.  Pat also has never adapted from cooking for 4 when our children were at home and so we benefit from leftovers.  I am looking forward to fixing some chili before too long, one of my favorites.

Jenny, I hope you have a wonderful trip to Chicago and get acquainted with the new puppy. 

June, I have my pill boxes sitting here in my office to refill later this morning and it is not one of my favorite chores. 

Shirley, unless you lives in a very dusty part of a town why would a person need to wash their windows every week.  Little ones just don't have very far to fall and are usually well padded.  Nice honor for your son to be asked teach the classes. Some young folks just don't take learning seriously and that is a shame.  Sorry about your sadness of the upcoming loss of a friend from your growing up years.  Pat has been prescribed PT by the Chiropractor and is doing the exercises that she can without pain.  She also receives some PT with each appointment.  Our health insurance pays on only 12 treatments a year and so from here on it is up to us to pay the bill.  Just thankful that we can do so and it is sure worth it if Pat can recover.  I think Pat uses only cotton fabric in her quilts. 

JaneS, loved the idea of "Planned Overs". 

Amy, your husband certainly has a double whammy with the arthritis.   

Good morning all, Has anyone had any news about Lloyd please ?, we have not had any contact with him since last Saturday and he is not answering our calls.  most unusual !, many thanks for any info.   Roley.

Good morning, Joan and all the other early friends.

Looks like the sun is trying to break through.  Yesterday, it had rained early, and stopped but the sun never showed up till almost time for it to go down.

I did play cards (Hand and Foot) last night.  It is a fun game.  I am only a substitute on Tues. nights.  And, that is enough. I do play dominoes a couple times during the week, but that is in the afternoon.  My card playing partner is not real pleasant to be around.  I get along ok with her, but she is very loud and has a tendency to put down one of the other ladies.  It kind of makes me nervous, but since I do like to play the game, I just have been biting my tongue.  I just will never understand why people just can't be "kind".   So much easier than having a nasty disposition all the time.  I always feel like those kind of people must not have a very happy life.

On Sat. my oldest son has a big family/friends party.  This is like the "30 something" year they have had it.  They have a big horse farm and lots of room.  Each year it seems to get bigger and bigger.   Some of their boarders help with letting the kids have horseback rides, and there is always a couple hay rides and lots and lots of good food.   

I have a doctor's apt tomorrow afternoon  and my DIL will take me to the store afterwards. I  am planning on taking sweet and sour meatballs and a corn casserole to the party.  Our local grocery store has meatballs on sale this week, so that will help.  I made the same thing last year and they go very fast.  I  cook them in chili sauce and grape jelly.  So far, they are calling for a sunny day.  I was a little worried about the storm "Julia" that Phyllis mentioned would make it's appearance up this way, but  the weather person hasn't mentioned that as a possibility.   Supposed to rain late on Sat. night and last into Sunday.  Sure hope they are right.

Need to get on with my day.  I had a note on my door that  the exterminator would be around today and  my apartment was on the list.  Since I have never had any problems, I am assuming this is just a routine thing.  As long as I have lived here, almost 9 years, I have not even seen an exterminator around.  So, I was up early and got everything straightened up.

Joan, I especially enjoyed the Egg McMuffin this morning.  That is one of my favorite McDonalds breakfast.  When I have to go for blood work early, sometimes we stop there.   Thank you for all your continuing good care of us.

Have a wonderful Wednesday.

Joy

Good morning everyone, Finally got here this morning. Have to keep windows closed even if it is cooler. They are repaving the parking lot. Did one half yesterday and now they are doing the other half. In plain English the air stinks and the breeze picks it up and comes into the windows. Did you ever follow a tar truck? You smell hot tar?  No going outside for a couple of days.

LARRY  I found the best tasting applesauce is from mixing a variety of apples. I used to use one kind till I started helping my son at his orchard and bringing home come rejects-marks on the skin or bruised- but the apples were still good. They would be a mix of the ones that were ready for picking. Works good for making pies, too. The ones my other son brought me from the farm I like I found some the would not have been put in the bags I filled.

JOAN  I had help with all those apples Monday. She peeled and I sliced on the mandolin. Today will make the crisp. I cannot take the 9x12 dish out of the oven and too big for my toaster oven.

PHYLLIS  I did keep some apples for eating. I had some apples I had bought when #1 son took me to the orchard in Ct. so I had a blend of 4 different kind. #2 son brought me a bag of Galas and one of Paula Reds. I am not fond of Galas but their sweetness balances the tart Paula Reds. I still like the taste of Macs best when first picked, they get soft fast. They make a tasty pie but cooked down to almost like applesauce. Mixed with a hard apples  it cannot be beat for flavor. I always said learning to cook for 1 was the hardest I ever did. I would freeze a lot of what I cooked and that was great for the nights I got home from work too tired to think of cooking.

JOAN  I wish the freezer in this fridge was as big and as good as the one I had.

JENNY  would love to get to a beauty parlor to get a good haircut. The lady who comes here for cuts or perms is fast, takes her 5 minutes to cut my hair but she does it her way and will not listen to what I want. I comb my hair back acd she cuts ie where I would have a part on the right side, never wore it that way. The right side she cuts where it is flat and the left side is puffy. If I could still use a cryer and a curling iron I could make it look better. Have a safe trip and enjoy the Windy City.

JUNE  my pill box is has 7 compartments, 1 for each day. I have a small pill box that holds what I need for the day. I empty the daily big one into that every morning. Only way I know what day it is at times.

SHIRLEY  my Mom was a clean window curtain fiend. Once a month shw would get the inside windows washed and my Dad would do the outside. Up would go clean starched curtains.

My CNA is here so that means I get busy for the next 2 hours. Will be back later.

Good Morning Everyone!

Roley, the last I saw Lloyd was going to be working on his water line.  He wanted to get it finished.  Last time he posted was on the 19th.

Janie, happy to hear Annie is better.  Hope she continues to improve.

Larry, hopefully Pat continues in her improvement.  I know she must be fed up with all the pain and treatments.

Gloria, what can you do with apples they stay in the fridge too long and start to get all wrinkly?

Joanie, I know you aren't looking forward to more blood work.  Hope the test comes back okay.  And they use a sharp needle.

Amy, as usual you seemed to have your w--k  cut out for you.  Do you ever slow down?

Got to get a fill up.

I went to bed about a half hour early and slept good, except when the cat came in to check on me.  He doesn't stay long and fortunately last night I was able to go back to sleep.  Tom said while I was gone, the cat was very vocal; he usually is not.

I probably told this long ago, but one time I was up north visiting, I went to a woman to have my hair cut.  When she was finished cutting, she parted my hair on the right side, saying all women parted it there because men parted theirs on the left.  I don't know where she got her information because I have always parted my hair on the left.  Another time I was on a trip and had my hair done; the stylist sprayed hair spray on my hair, another thing I have never done.  I had more hair at the time and it had a lot of "body".  I couldn't get a comb in my hair for a week until I got home so I could wash it.

We had a good storm this morning with heavy rain.  All has gone past (maybe heading to Amy's) but we may get more rain, no storm, this afternoon.

Mary Ann

I had to wait a long time for my turn at the lab this morning.  Then I went and did my errands.  And finally I met a friend, and we had a nice breakfast and good long chat.  I sure hadn't planned to be gone so long.

JOAN....
...your long awaited catch - up chat with your friend is more important than your " duties " in here, they can wait, we can wait...just have fun...and grab every opportunity....

Good evening, just taken a 15 minute downhill walk with R and our Benji...that's as much as I can manage...

Vanilla-Jackie--Every once in awhile I need some "me" time.  GREAT that you and "R" could take Benji for a walk.

I think I hear the couch calling my name wanting me to take a little rest.

When out with R I mentioned blackberries, as to picking wild blackberries, so after we got back, R took Toby out for a short walk, then when he came back he passed me a small dangling plastic bag, one of the supermarket plastic bags he picks up to take with him for doggy poos, so that was what I though R was handing me...only to find out he had brought me back a present of wild blackberries, think the relief was shown on my face....I have now washed them in the colander sieve, put them in a sealed plastic container, now they are safely in the freezer....I shall make my speciality, blackberry and apple crumble....

I'm home from work and Annie had NO accidents while I was gone and she was ready for a snack.  She hasn't even been interested in "goodies" lately.  I think she's on the mend.

Since no one likes my red and there are no unique colors left to use, I'll just go on being my usual "plain Jane" with no color added.  (I like red)

My couch is also calling and I'm very tired so I think I'll go check for zzzzs.  Enjoy the rest of your afternoon. 

(I'm worrying about Lloyd also)

JANE S....
....I like your red.... 

JaneS, I like your red.  I remember I posted a message that I appreciated the bold messages.  Actually BOLD does it, but the colors are an added bonus.  I could read your black so if you prefer that, I'll accept it, but I'll repeat:  I like your red.  And I'll continue to use blue.

Mary Ann

SHIRLEY  always enjoy your babbling.

JACKIE  one reason I have a fear of falling is knowing I would not be able to pull myself up.

HAL  your wife is NOT a Merry Widow, you are still alive, thank God.

JANE  like your Planned Overs. That is what I used to do. Could not cook for 1 so made up containers of what I cooked and froze for another time.

PATRICIA  nothing more playful that a cat at times. Those who do not like animals much will never understand. Hope you feel better soon.

AMY  got my crisp made this morning, too many apples so had 2 small ones, too. Already had one of those and boy it tasted so good.

MARY ANN  no matter where we go it is always good to get home.

JOAN  will enjoy an egg McMuffin any time of day or night. Good joke, bank tellers are not always smart. I think many of us have been Body Slammed at some point in our lives.

LARRY  if the combined an apple fritter with a gooey cinnamon roll I would think I was in heaven. One of that combination and then a lemon filled DD I would be very happy. When I make chili there is always a lot left for the freezer. Easy to make, too.

ROLEY  this is when we start worrying about Lloyd, when he posts every day and then misses a couple something happened.

HAL  with apples getting soft and not nice to eat, if you can peel them make a pie , crisp or cobbler. If you have a food mill and a slow cooker wash them, cut them and get the seeds out, no peeling. I start mine on the lowest setting before I go to bed and by morning they are cooked. I never add any water either. I do spray a little Pan on a piece of paper towel and rub it around the inside of the cooker. With a fool mill you get a smooth sauce and the peels or any stems left on stay inside the mill. The redder the apple peels you get a nice color to the sauce.

MARY ANN  like you when I was younger I parted my hair on the left but for years now I just comb it back, no part. The lady that comes here leaves much to be desired but not being able to get to a salon I am stuck.

JOAN  glad you had a good breakfast after your vampire visit. You should take more time for yourself. Every one else does.

JACKIE  I never mixed blackberries and apples together, must be tasty.

JANE  with your red font I just hi-light it to read it. Something about the red is too bright for my eyes. Pink and yellow do not show up enough.  I do like red but not reading red.

I am like Gloria in that I highlighted the red to read. It is similar to the teal I had used before others told me it was hard to see. There is black, navy and blue that others can easily read when bolded.

Vanilla-Jackie--How nice of "R" to bring you some blackberries.

Janie--GREAT that Annie had no accidents while you were working.  I already had a few ZZZs.  Red is fine with me.  Did some not like it?

Gloria--I find I do have to take time occasionally for myself.

Angelface--As I continued reading, I see some object to the red font color.

I am really worried about Lloyd.

June has not been here today either.

I still like red and I don't find it hard to read but every time I use it, someone comments on the "glare".  Sorry, but I don't see the glare.  If it bothers someone enough to comment, maybe it bothers others who don't comment.  I don't want to do that to anyone so I'll just be plain.  (I really don't like black.  I find it depressing!)  Actually, blue is my favorite color!  I think of blue skies, blue ocean, a lake in summer, blue eyes, blue spruce trees, my dad's 1939 dodge.....

Gloria and Hal, when I make applesauce, I throw in a handful of red hot cinnamon candies.  Not a lot but enough to make it pink and soften the tang a bit.  My family loves it that way.  So do I!

I'll put a bit of the pot roast in the hidey hole in a little while.  I'm going out and take it out of the crock pot and have supper in a few minutes.

Have a good evening Everyfriend.

Janie--If blue is what pleases you, then use it.  I'll check the "hidey hole" for the pot roast.  Thanks so much.

Bis, I have finally arrived. Sorry I am so late.

Good Afternoon everyone. It is going on three o'clock in the afternoon, and I am just now having my second cup of coffee. I woke late, did my usual prayers and massage and exercises, got down in time to listen to a young Quaker talk to us about that particular faith. It was a wonderful meeting. He even had us sit quietly for a time in prayer, and that was very rewarding. It was a lovely experience and I am eager to have him return in October.

I had a good lunch downstairs, came home and fell asleep. An hour or so later a knock came on my door. She is doing a survey for Rowntree, from people who have fallen once or more times, and what we felt was the cause of the fall. I will fill it out and return it on Friday. I'm glad she gave me a full day, as I am too tired today. I just yearn to go back to sleep. So if you excuse me, I'll go lie back down and see what happens.

Gosh we are going to eat well with all the food in the hidey hole!! I just put some butter tarts,apple pie and some apple sauce in there . I managed to get all my baking done,darn pie dribbled over so now I have a date with my oven,but not tonight. I think if I get my applesauce put away that will be it for me. I did manage to sew a binding on so I can take it with me tomorrow and hand sew it on the back.

I too am worried about Lloyd...

Pot roast in the hidey hole!  I already took my butter tart to go with my supper.  I'm not sure I've ever had a butter tart so I'm looking forward to it.  Thanks Amy!

Amy, I googled the butter tarts and found that they are a Canadian delicacy.  I also printed out the recipe.  I might have to try them.  Do you make them with raisins?  And have you ever tried them with anything else...like dried cranberries?

Jane, I am enjoying your pot roast!!
Not cranberries but pecans or walnuts are really good.  Sometimes when I want to stretch the batter I will put a tsp of jam in the shell  and mix the butter tart mixture with some coconut and make coconut jam tarts...  they are good too.

I like the jam/coconut idea.  I love coconut and the jam sounds like a good idea.  Thanks Amy!

Okay ladies you have tempted an old man enough.  When anyone else checks the hidey hole they are going to find a big dent in it.

June, I hope you get rested so the walker can take you dancing.  Sounds like you had a good meeting with the Quaker.  I'll bet it was interesting.

I am off to bed.  Got bible study in the morning.

Nite, nite, God Bless and Sweetdreams

hello everyone. I have not den ignoring you all on purpose. My internet has been down for several day's.Just a few Min. ago came on. good night  My bed time. I got the water line in and covered proper. I will have to drag it often to keep it level and keep the chuck holes out.

Lloyd

yay! I'm glad I checked.  Lloyd's back! We missed you!

I'm also off to Dreamland!  Good Night Everyfriend!