Will you tell me something great that happened today, Part XVII?

(Sorry for taking so long on this, guys. My life has been an emotional roller coaster of late.)

My nephew, his wife and my darling great-niece are coming down for a barbecue today. I need the lift of some family time.

GREAT @janbb
Profuse thank yous to you!
Have a great day with the family!

It has to be “great”?

@woodcutter Well, positive at least but it can be only so-so positive if you prefer.

Had a very nice breakfast out on my deck with the wife on this gorgeous day. Kids are at a sleepover with the GP’s, doesn’t get much better.

My dog told me she luvs me and I, her.

Yes, a gorgeous morning here too, fall is in the air and I am dodging acorns. The sky is falling!
@woodcutter You did it, you found a positive to share! lol

Well I just woke up, but I’m currently experiencing a three day weekend, so that’s a good thing by default.

It didn’t happen yesterday, but I got a new job on Friday. Lots more $ and a ton less stress.

@tinyfaery Perfect!!

Look at my kitty Myles GREAT wide eyed face! He was bird watching a bit ago. I bet that lazy Milo is still sleeping. haha

It’s not today, but it’s still great. I started my new job on Monday and really like it thus far. Especially since I got to be productive right away. I was afraid that I would be spending the whole week observing.

Also, we bought a new car yesterday. My husband did all of the research online, got some price quotes, emailed the one with the best deal for what we wanted, called and said we would be there shortly. Drove the car, financed it, drove home. Seriously, if you want to buy a car, this is the way to do it.

Congratulations, @tedibear and @tinyfaery on the new jobs! Fantastic news from you both. I’m happy you are having some family time, @janbb. @Cruiser, as we can all tell you, nothing is as important as quality time with your spouse! Enjoy, friend. Nice pets and a nice long weekend. Life is good.

We tried a new restaurant last night with a friend. We will be going again. It was very islandie and laid-back with a view of the lake. I stuck to my diet too! We shared our sourdough starter today with another friend. She’s coming back later with homemade salsa made with veggies from her garden. I’m really beginning to find my center and my peace again. I’m blessed.

I stayed home on a Sunday!

My vacation cruise line reduced our trip by a couple hundred dollars to equal what they offer as special rates to new bookings. The amount was enough to afford us to book a private poolside cabana and some spa treatments. Woo Hoo!

@Coloma: MIlo here; Watch your language, please. I am only resting lightly in preparation for the post-prandial nap.

My friend and not I has the huge green tomato horn worm in her garden.

An immature Cooper’s hawk flew in front of my car, I think. It moved fast and I got only a glimpse of it.

@tinyfaery * * * Y A Y * * *

My Mother In Law, who I love very much, by the way, flew in late due to three airline delays. We went out to dinner right away, since the whole family was very hungry. My son, his wife, and the two preschoolers are sleeping over while she is here – in a tent in the back yard. They are having great fun, in spite of the usual tenting issues.

This morning, everyone sat around and talked and had a very enjoyable time, then the rest of the family went to the zoo. I am home because I am too tired to go, and I have a ton of laundry to do.

We bought several packages of Tony Roma Barbecue Ribs, so I am going to have a large meal tonight, with basil/garlic potatoes, corn, cole slaw, Boston baked beans and fruit cocktail for dessert.

I was home alone today so I got to play really loud music and dance around the living room on my own (Is that weird?)
Had fun after a long time :D

I’ve been on a team-building type camp with some friends this weekend and today I went orienteering and abseiling. I’m now utterly exhausted but it was a fantastic day.

@MilkyWay I too just LOVE it when I am the only one home and can turn my guitar amp up to 11 and let ‘r rip.

@Cruiser you get a GA just for having an amp that goes up to 11.

Finally am getting my equilibrium back after a trip out west for a week. Yesterday morning we took a drive through the country, ate breakfast at an inn, and stopped at a farm market. It was wonderful, and it was cloudy and not too hot so we could take the dogs.

Not sure if this is good practice or not, but as it’s a new thread on the same day I posted this on the last, I hope you won’t forgive me for re-posting it here afresh…

I got to tell my folks this weekend that I’m 8 weeks pregnant!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :-D (I know it’s early days, but I just couldn’t wait anymore!)

Dominos pizza has just opened in my town today! There goes my waistline!!

Oh, wonderful news @harple. Cherish every moment. Have you been having morning sickness?

@YARNLADY, enjoy the visit! I think the tent sleeping arrangements are what life is all about. What wonderful memories.

@bkcunningham thank you! Nausea, and extreme exhaustion, which I’m struggling with…

Thank you to the lovely comments on the old thread too! :-)

You are more than welcome. It is early, but I have to say that being sick means that your hormones are working the way they are suppose to work. Nausea is a good thing in this circumstance.

Great news @harple Congratulations!!

Super congratulations @harple! Wonderful news!

We finally started to get our yard under control. This gnarly beach grass was getting close to choking out my berry bushes, so this morning was spent weed-whacking, weed-pulling, and building some trellises for the vines to grow up. Not done yet, but much improved.

I also harvested my first tomatoes of the season (was a little late planting this year). They have been turned into salsa.

Congratulations @harple !! :D
@Cruiser Yikes, that is loud :D

@harple thats great news, congratulations!

I made it through another day of my pregnancy! I’ve been celebrating each day at this point because this is the furthest I’ve made it in any of my pregnancies so far (this is #3). I’m at the point now that I’m ready for my little girl to be born though.

@Seaofclouds, how far along are you? I feel like I should whisper so I don’t disturb the little one.

@nikipedia, what is it about tackling yard work that feels like such a major accomplishment? I suppose it feels like a major accomplishment to me because I always let it go for way too long. One of my girlfriends made us some salsa she made from her garden. Very nice. I’m glad you know how it feels to grow your own tomatoes. It is a big deal.

Finished helping my parents move, all weekend. Soooooooooo tired now! But it’s done, woohoo!

So happy for you @harple and also @Seaofclouds!!

I’ve just returned from our first actual vacation in over a decade. Most of all I enjoyed making it fun for the kids – and we packed a lot of fun things into a short amount of time.
Today is our 12th wedding anniversary. While the traditional gift would be something made of silk.. we took the kids to the fair and got corn dogs & shaved ice instead to celebrate. :)

Congratulations on the new jobs and new-and-nearly-finished pregnancies!

We had a lovely evening with my husband’s adult sons and a friend of theirs. Much alcohol was consumed.

Thank you all, really kind responses :-)

@Seaofclouds Keeping everything crossed for you. x

My car passed it’s MOT!!! This is the first year in many years that I haven’t had to spend a butt load of money to get it to an acceptable standard to pass. I had saved a fair amount in anticipation so now I have a little extra money for my holiday :)

@Leanne1986 Woo! Where you off to?? :D

@MilkyWay America and now that the worry about my MOT is gone I can finally look forward to it!

@bkcunningham I am almost 38 weeks. I’ll reach 38 weeks on Thursday. Both of my previous pregnancies ended when I was in my 36th week with inductions due to complications, so it’s kind of nice to have made it this far this time around and not had complications thus far.

Aahhh. I see @Seaofclouds. Two weeks is a very long time under these circumstances. I can understand your excitement about the extra time growing your new one. I hope the absolute best for you and your little one. God bless you.

I love hearing about-to-have-a-baby news.

Milo finally wandered in tonight about 11:30, having snuck out at dusk when I was trying to bring him in. I tried a new approach; instead of having a mini-nervous breakdown, I reminded myself that he is agile, swift, armed with sharp teeth and claws, a very good climber and smart enough to know where his next meal is coming from.

However, in spite of my zen approach (which almost worked), I was very relieved to hear that annoyed meow on G# behind me fifteen minutes ago.

So I can face the plumber and the painters tomorrow with equanimity.

It is a work Monday on a Tuesday. WHOOHOOOO for short work weeks!

I got to video chat on Skype with my college girl for the first time. It was fun! Loved seeing her in her dorm room. She has a painting I did for her (of her old Fluther avatar) hanging on the wall, and it made me feel like a little piece of me is there with her.

@augustlan A big piece of you is there with her, in her heart. It’s your heart.

Jessie (my dog) was out chasing lightening bugs tonight. It was fun watching her have fun.
She didn’t catch any.

It’s my oldest son’s birthday today!

I had my first day at college today. It went really well :D
I woke up and got ready on time, I was there early, I made a couple new friends, and really enjoyed the lessons… It’s GREAT!! :D

Today is my great grandmother’s 101st birthday and my dad, who is staying with her for a few days to help her celebrate (and she does love a good celebration) sent me a lovely picture of her sitting on a bench looking out to sea at Dover. She looked very happy.

I’m all packed and ready to go. Japan here I come! My flight leaves in 6 hours.

Yay @ I love Asia! Have a blast!

I have the most delicious spaghetti sauce simmering away, loaded with everything and am only about an hour from an amazing dinner. I can’t wait!

@shego: お楽しみに!
Hope your trip is wonderful!

We have had this really shitty fridge ever since I moved into my house. The temperature fluctuates wildly, alternately freezing (and ruining) food, and melting and causing a huge puddle to form in the middle of the kitchen. We’ve been managing it, mostly by not keeping produce on the shelf most likely to freeze, and amassing a pile of towels used to sop up the water on the floor. The past week has been especially bad; I’ve had to throw out a lot of produce because it froze and was ruined.

Today… we got a brand new fridge! My wonderful housemate cleaned out the old one and got all the important stuff transferred over. There is no mold in the fridge, no puddle on the floor, no ruined food. I am so happy with it.

I’m going to see Lady Gaga tonight!

@Leanne1986 I’m going to see Kylie!

I did not find a warm but dead fledgling female ruby-throated hummingbird on the floor outside my bedroom this morning.

@gailcalled Bummer! Bad Milo, bad! No tuna for you young man!

The boys followed their new bedtime rules with minimal fuss. Now that they are both in school, they have to go to bed at 10 pm, no sippy cups, and no grandma/grandpa laying down with them. They have to stay in their own bed the entire night.

A new video game store opened up in my area two months ago…just saw it today. The guy in there deals with old and rare games…and he had a copy of Megaman X Collection for PS2, which I’ve been looking for, for like five years…so that kicked ass. :D

I got my new space heater from amazon yesterday and I love it! It is a faux woodstove and looks really cool and blows out some mean heat. I was also awake at 1:30 am when I heard a huge tree fall close by. A giant oak just snapped off at the trunk about 10 feet off the ground and fell over my neighbors pipe corral next to their arena. Amazing bit of physics in that the trunk arches just perfectly right over the top of the fence and did not crush the whole corral.

Bountiful fire wood cometh!

^^^ Marwyn can, I assume, use a chain saw?

You were lucky that the oak didn’t fall on your roof or patio or antique wrought iron.

Three weeks ago I paid a guy to regrade and regravel my drive because of gullies the size of the MarianasTrench. They are back this morning, albeit not quite so deep.

@gailcalled Yes, whew!

i went to a French conversational dinner meetup group last night and was the worst speaker there and survived it.

^^^ Chapeaux bas!

@gailcalled Hat low?

I’m finally feeling a little better, so I’m washing all my bedding and disinfecting the things I’ve been touching, like phones, remotes, etc… yay for de-germing!

@WillWorkForChocolate Yay for feeling better. Get rid of the toothbrush too.

@harple How was Kylie? Gaga was amazing.

Today I enjoyed the beautiful sunshine in London’s Battersea Park where Battersea Dogs Home held their annual fun day. I never get bored of being surrounded by lots of dogs and it was all formy favourite cause!

The girls and I saw the most beautiful sunset yesterday evening. Haven’t seen a better one in ages, and it was awe inspiring.

I am now typing on my brand new laptop. So far the only drawback is the keyboard is 6 inches wider than I am used to, and I have to push the whole thing over to the side of my typing surface. I feel like I am sitting sideways so I keep moving it further and further to the right.

@janbb Hats off! Think of the courtiers at the court of Louis XVI doffing their hats (and possibly their wigs).and bowing to you. It’s an idiom

@gailcalled Zoot! Alors! Je le comprends maintenant! Merci!

Zut! Just sayin.’

@Leanne1986 She was great!!

I got my appointment for my first scan, 25th Sep :-)

This is still my favorite thread—no matter how many of them there are!

I’ve only been at my new place for 2 months, and was just asked to join the school board of a small charter school. I’m still in shock.

@linguaphile Congratulations!

My neighbors are gone for the week and I have this entire mountain to myself, not a soul around, sooo awesome, even if I never see my neighbors anyway. haha
Last night a friend dropped over with dark beer, deli sandwiches and chinese chicken salad, a great little spontaneous hangout in the middle of my nowhere. lol

I was asked to be an Assistant Organizer of my meet-up walking group.

We welcomed our little girl into the world this morning. She’s doing great and everything went well with her delivery.

@Seaofclouds A hearty Mazel Tov to you!

Many congratulations, @Seaofclouds!

Happy, happy congratulations, @Seaofclouds!!!! That’s not a GA—it’s a thoroughly awesome answer!!

@Seaofclouds Awwww…what’s her name? More stats please!
.Weight, length, hair color, bald, chubby or skinny, fingers, toes intact? lol

I want to be a grandma SO badly!

Congratulations, @Seaofclouds and family. Wonderful news!! Don’t forget to save a newspaper for the little one to admire one day to see the day she was born.

@Seaofclouds: Such happy news. How are your other children handling this new little bundle of joy?

When my sister was born, my mother sewed little jingle bells on my baby brother’s (2½ at the time) shoes and slippers so that we could be on red alert if he approached the baby. He had evil intentions.

Sent some pictures when you have recovered and have a minute. (Just how pregnant were you, finally? 40 weeks?)

Thanks everyone! I was 39 weeks and 1 day. Her name is Hazel Maeve and she was 6 lbs 10 oz and 20 inches long. She has a little bit of dark hair.

Welcome to the world, Hazel Maeve!

Lovely name! I second the request for pictures :)

Congratulations, @Seaofclouds! We are thrilled for you. :D

Happy Birthday sweet baby Hazel Maeve! God bless you. Get some rest, @Seaofclouds. That is an absolutely beautiful name.

I am glad to be a part of your something great that happened today. The world is singing.

CONGRATULATIONS @Seaofclouds That’s wonderful news!!! And for the record, Hazel is my favorite sister’s name and Maeve is my favorite author’s name. I hope that her name brings her much good luck. Oh wait, she’s already lucky, she got you for her mama!

I like Hazel too, it was my grandmothers name! :-)

@Coloma – Geez! I forgot to mention that my sister was named for our grandma. Sorry Grandma, just in case you’re paying attention from up there!

@Coloma I believe I may have passed by your neck of the woods today on my road trip!

Congratulations @Seaofclouds!!! Absolutely love the beautiful name Hazel Maeve, too.
So happy for you that all went well with the delivery – wishing you all great happiness as you enjoy getting to know your new daughter.

@Leanne1986 :-D…where you be little vagabond? Waving, waving….Hiiii Leanne!
It’s a warm day in theses hills!

@Coloma I was passing through the Sierra Nevada Mountains on the way to Lake Tahoe! I’m so jealous of your surroundings, what a beautiful area!

—@Leanne1986 Have a blast in Tahoe….yes, it is a beautiful place, don’t forget the star gazing! Are you going to go to Vikingsholm?
www.vikingsholm.org

@Seaofclouds Huge congratulations to you! What a beautiful name, and what a beautiful experience. :-)

Many congratulations and hugs to you, @Seaofclouds! Kiss that darling baby for us.

@Coloma Sadly we didn’t go there, I would have if I’d have known. Heading for Salt Lake City at the mo!

@Leanne1986 Have a great time you little gypsy! :-)

Well….11:38 p.m. on the west coast and I just rescued my neigh-bor “Hilary” the monster Thoroughbred Mule who had gotten her leg stuck in the field fencing below my deck. The grass is always greener you know. ;-)
Got lucky and prevented a potentially very bad situation when I heard a strange noise on my way to bed. Called her owners up the hill and between the three of us we got her to lift her leg back over the fence and she only ended up with a few minor scrapes

Horses tangled in fences can result in serious injuries but luckily old Hil is a smart and sensible mule. She patiently waited with me munching some baby carrots until the village came to her rescue. Hee Haw!

Oh, I bet that was a sight, @Coloma. Hip, hip HORRAY, @Coloma saved the day!

All my socks came out of the dryer in pairs.

My 3 year old granddaughter spent the night with us last night. It was a night full of hugs, kisses, giggles, funny faces, lots of stories and sweet dreams.

@bkcunningham Awww…will you rent her out to me for a night? ;-)

I started week three of my new job. I still like it and still like my boss!

My little one (six yrs old) was informed today that she is reading so well, that she is being bumped up to second grade chapter books. Yay for my Gracie!

@tedibear, good for you. I am glad you like your job. That is important in life. You spend so much time there, it reflects on everything else in your life if you aren’t happy at work.

@WillWorkForChocolate, chapter books! Wow. I love first graders. You should be very proud of your big girl.

@Coloma, she told me that I’m her favorite Ganny. Now, truth be told, I’m her only Ganny. But it sure made me feel good. She was taking her bath and I sat in the floor telling her stories. The loves Goldilocks and the Three Bears. I would stop and say, “What did Momma Bear say?” Her eyes would get huge and she’d exaggerate the next line exactly like I was doing. It was the best.

I’m sorry, but she’s Ganny’s girl. You will have to get your own granddaughter.

^ Pffft…..no fair! lol

I delegated everything at work today and left early!

I had the most amazing order of onion rings!
I never eat onion rings, but I figure I might as well indulge before the government takes them away from me lol

This was technically yesterday, but I saw my doctor and it was a good visit. I had been on an immunosuppressant all summer trying to heal up a fistula, and it did nothing for me. Towards the end of the summer I started antibiotics and immediately became way less symptomatic. At the visit yesterday, given this information, he agreed getting off the immunosuppressant seemed prudent. So I’m back to not being on any scary medication, and my problem is actually being addressed. Best of both worlds.

As for other news in the life of Mariah (I’m not finding much time to come on here and post updates) I got my first paycheck for my calculus tutoring job, which is, in fact, my first paycheck ever. Was too sick to care about finding work in high school. It’s awesome to finally have something for my resume (was starting to freak out about that a bit), it’s awesome to receive money I earned, and to receive money for doing something I’m truly enjoying and would honestly do for free.

Also, I may have discovered my drawing niche. I’ve been trying to get good at drawing for years, and feel I’ve remained mediocre despite my efforts. Since I’ve gotten so into birdwatching lately, I decided to try drawing some birds. I’ve found I love it, am pretty decent at it, and can whip them out quite fast. Due to this new hobby, my collection of finished drawings from 2012 is now larger than that from 2011 and 2010 combined! That feels good.

I’m going to be applying for a program in which I would get to do a bit of travelling this summer for a school project.

My boyfriend and I have been together 6 months today and we are talking about taking things up a notch. He understands that my health problems create an extra layer of concern, but he’s been such a patient boy, and my doctor said yesterday that it’s okay to try. I’m nervous, but at the same time…it’s just another way in which my life is becoming more normal than it has ever been before.

If you haven’t gathered already, I’m really happy. Thanks for reading my long gloating spiel.

@Mariah I’m thrilled for you, girlie! Let the good times roll. :)

Got my first statistically significant result out of my final thesis project today. It’s kind of fun and quirky and completely unexpected, so I am hoping it holds up but not counting on it.

Even if it doesn’t, I finally got some help with some analyses that were a good validity check—I know now that everything is technically correct, even if it doesn’t go the way I want. I can sleep a little easier.

@Mariah, it makes me smile to read your news. Sometimes I take so much for granted in my life. I’m so, so happy for you.

@nikipedia, I’m glad your final thesis project is coming along for you and you can start to relax a little.

@Mariah It couldn’t happen to a nicer or more deserving person!

I have a few days of awesome stuff to report! Two days ago I fed baby bears in Idaho, yesterday I spent the day in Yellowstone and saw wild Bison and today I sat in an outdoor hot tub under the Rocky Mountains! I love you America!!!

What are you doing, @Leanne1986? Are you on a road trip? It sounds like you are having a dream vacation. Lovely.

@bkcunningham yep, driving around a few states, stopping whenever we feel like it, we’ve done just over 2000 miles in week one and still have another week to go! It’s amazing! I’m trying to work out how I can get a job and move out here :)

Where are you from, @Leanne1986?

@bkcunningham @Leanne1986 is a fellow Brit :) (And I’ll wager she’d miss Scotland too much if she lived in the US!)

Thank you for the information, @harple. America is beautiful and it makes me proud to see her say she loves my country. It is vast and has something to offer every taste. But like you say, there is no place like home.

Heading to the beach in Delaware for a weekend with good, old friends! Beautiful day!

@Leanne1986 Oooh, what a grand adventure! Yes, America the beautiful! :-)

A great morning, cool and just beautiful!
I am completely flat lined after a 48 hour micro-farm marathon of fall cleaning.
My house is immaculate, so is the barn, plants pruned and staked for fall, yard raked, garage cleaned, and the last leg of the journey is scrubbing and refilling the hot tub today. Oh, I’m gonna need a long, hot soak and a happy brownie tonight.

Lord, look out when Coloma is in hyper tornado mode. lol

My date was cancelled, and I get to stay home, enjoy the beautiful weather, catch uo on my chores and have a few nectarines (the last of the season) for lunch.

@gailcalled Feel free to catch up on my chores too. lol

@Coloma: Move here and we can share. I can set you up on 10 of my twenty acres with no trouble.

Milo says to tell you that he would love Marywn as a neighbor (preferably en croût..)

I might just take you up on that one of these days. A friend-in-laws quarters?
I can be resident soup maker too, the “Marlo” commune. haha

Just made it back home. I missed being home and in my bed but I so much fun in Japan. I saw so much and did so much more than I expected. I had new food (which was amazing by the way), and I learned some basic phrases, and did a lot of sightseeing. Though I was there for business, the conference was a success, and my presentation was excellent. I got to wear a yukata at a shrine festival. (I know I’m all over the place but I had soooo much fun)

I had a fabulous time with one of my bff’s today. We had a tasty lunch and went shopping. Then I heard nothing but fabulous, “your child is advanced” things at my 6 year old’s parent/teacher conference this afternoon. Great day!

@harple I would miss Scotland!

Today I spent some time in the Rockies. I need more mountains in my life, good ole England can’t help me there sadly!

Am spending the weekend at Bethany Beach DE with friends in a condo. The weather is fabulous as is the company. Good food and lots of laughter!

A compilation of the last few days:
@Fly became an SGA senator at her university.
@mangeons wrote an article for the local fair’s newsletter, and it was chosen for the front page.
@laineybug’s marching band won first place in a competition.
So proud of all of them!

I’m getting a trial run as a copy editor. I’ll be paid to edit an article, to see if I have what it takes. I’m excited, and a little scared to be honest!

@augustlan Such a fantastic week for you and the family! Good luck with the job!

Horse and house sitting for my neigh-bors. Last night there was an uprising as she who brings the hay was under siege by the thundering herd. I can’t push that hay cart down the barn row without 12 pairs of gleaming equine eyes following my every move. Oh the joys of being a horse when every night the hay is JUST as exciting as it was that morning, and the day before, and the day before that, and….. lol

@augustlan, you will be a great editor. Congratulations on the family news. You must be proud.

@Coloma, you are a good writer. I smile whenever I read what you have to say. It is like I’m there with you rolling in the hay.

@Leanne1986 You’re always welcome in the Lake District for some mountain action ;)

I’ve spent a lovely day with my sister, which is a rare treat. After a funny year last year, we’re definitely becoming closer again, and I’m so glad. I really missed her.

@harple I do love the lake district too!

Today I saw petrified rock! Before today I had never heard of it but I had a little history lesson at the Petrified Forest in Arizona today!

I found out a couple days ago and confirmed today that a lot of you old geezers friends are still here after so many years.

Hi @Fred931! Welcome back.

@Fred931 Honk!

@Coloma Honk? Uhh… Beep!

Nice to see you, @Fred931!

I bought myself an awesome pair of cowgirl boots today!

I edited the test article and submitted it. They also asked to see samples of my writing, which I sent. Fingers crossed!

I had my 12 week scan! I’ve shared it in the Fluther Photobucket account :-)

@harple Hello little person! When is your due date?

I was asked on a dinner date last night…....

@janbb 12th April :-) Did you go/Are you going on the date?!

Yes, it is a neighbor’s ex and she thought we might get along. We chatted for a bit. Haven’t set the actual date yet but he asked if I want to go to dinner and will call to firm it up next week.

@janbb Yeah! BTW, though, can you imagine fixing up your ex?

@marinelife No – I really can’t. Kind of strange. He seemed a little dull, does that mean she thinks I am?? But he wasn’t hard to talk to.

@janbb I want details after the date! Woo Hoo!

@harple Awww! I am so happy for you!
@janbb You go, penguin!

After editing the sample article, I’ve just accepted an offer to work as a freelance editor! This all came about because a jelly offered me a chance, and I am over the moon about it. So. Damn. Excited!

Also, @Fly received the National AP Scholar award. One of only 3 students from her school to get it, and the other two are her good friends. Awfully proud of all of them!

My kiddos started back to gymnastics today after taking the summer off. I had missed watching them more than I thought; it was fabulous to see them back in action!

@harple 12th April is my Grandmother’s birthday :)

@Leanne1986 ooh, what’s her name?...

Such good news from so many—I’ve not visited in a while, so I’m late with the congrats. Harple, I am so excited for you—is that a little harp floating above sweet Little Harple’s head?

Janbb, we always want the juicy details!

Auggie, such good news all around—congrats to you!

And a jelly-high-five to everyone here!

Hi Picante, welcome back!

A great day yesterday, a friend and I went on a river walk and found a secret trail that took us to an amazing secluded spot where we had a little picnic and skipped stones and went wading along a little stretch of rifflely white water.
Then back to my place where I sent her home with some of my killer spaghetti sauce and then took a big bowl up the hill to my neighbors for dinner tonight. By then it was happy brownie hour so I enjoyed one delicious dark beer and a wee bit o’ the brownie and spent the next hour admiring the cool leaf patterns my giant bamboo casts on the barn late in the day and enjoyed a remarkable sunset.
Doesn’t get any better than that! :-)

@picante thank you – have missed you :-)

Super high-five to @picante!

Whew…. Just had the best, best weekend I’ve had in the longest time! Fishing and hiking all day Friday, hot air balloon ride on Saturday and a Broncos game on Sunday. I’m going to have fun-withdrawal symptoms tomorrow!

Glad to see you @picante!

My sister’s pregnant! :D (Not LezboPirate)
AND my brothers fiance is going to have Mckenna any time now!

I got a new computer! JohnPowell helped me out, and is an awesome friend.

Fall is finally really, really here! Cool and partly cloudy this morning with temps in the low 80’s to high 70’s from here on out. Yay….no more heat! Time to make soup and bake some brownies. lol

Welcoming Mckenna Rae into the world, today.
Pictures to follow, shortly.

I hope mother and baby are doing great, @AshLeigh. Congratulations!

Banner week all around!!

I got a Sinvisc shot in my knee and thought the doc. was still numbing it when he said,“That’s done.” Now to see whether it works…I won’t know for two to three weeks.

In spite of my usual tricks, I had worked myself into a state of high anxiety beforehand. What a silly waste of energy. You’d think I’d know better by now.

Mckenna Rae is healthy, and beautiful. :)
She has the cutest chubby cheeks!

She is adorable!

@gailcalled, I pray the Sinvisc is helpful to you.

@janbb, I’m glad you had a good week. Life is short. Enjoy.

@gailcalled I had a series of those shots when my knee was so bad a few years ago. The pain went away and has not recurred since.

Good news: Yesterday, I received my first official editing assignment. I was so nervous before starting in on the article, but once I got going I felt very much in my element. Submitted my work last night, and this morning received an email telling me it was accepted. Money! So excited! And relieved.

Best news: @Fly is home from school for the weekend! Haven’t seen her since she left in August, and I can’t wait to hug her! Her sisters and I are so happy she’ll be spending the weekend with us, at my house. Leaving to pick them up right now. :) The bad news is that the reason she came home isn’t a good one. She’s having some health problems and needed to see our doctor and get some tests done. Fingers crossed that it’s nothing too serious.

In my comfy clothes. Got a pizza in the oven. Gonna watch a movie.
Life has been kind to me, today. :)
Gonna go meet Mckenna in person, tonight. I can’t wait to hold my niece for the first time!

@AshLeigh Good for you! I second that motion, only no pizza here.
You are Auntie AshLeigh now!

Magnificent afternoon here, the heat is GONE! Blissful 72–3 degrees, breezy, clouds going by and I am slightly high standing on my deck tossing baby carrots and plums and the mules and sheep. haha
What a great way to spend a Friday afternoon, wouldn’t you agree?
I just rolled a plum right under one of the sheep and she ate it in one bite, life is good when fruit falls from the sky. lol

Aww, life is indeed good, @Coloma. God bless you and your wonderful world. Peace friend. Did you hear that @AshLeigh has a new baby in her life? A little girl who is beautiful.

@bkcunningham Yes! Auntie AshLeigh!

If all goes to plan, today I will mostly be doing nothing! The only commitment I have is to go and give a customer’s elderly dog his insulin this evening as they will be out but other than that this cold October day will be dedicated to my duvet, the tv and maybe some indulgent food (I bought a lot of sweets back from the States!).

@Leanne1986 Sounds great! What kind of goodies did you bring home with you?

The first really nippy morning here and I turned on my new space heater that looks like a woodstove with flickering flames and burning logs. It works great and I love it but, the cats are terrified of it. lol
Oh well, they’ll come around when they discover how warm it is to lie near it. haha
I am going to see how long I can go without turning on the real heat. *(^&$%^ cost of natural gas the last few years. Pffft!

@Leanne1986 I’m having a quiet day at home too after a stressful but successful week. Need some serious “alone” time.

i survived a night of food poisoning, where I got to know the small details of the inside of my toilet very well. Milo spent a lot of time happily investigating…but, ingrate that he is, no cold cloths for my forehead and no back rubs.

@janbb; I too am having a blow-away day. I may plant two little day liliesI have grown from seed, if I can be sure the deer won’t eat them.

@gailcalled Oooh, so sorry about your night of bowing to the toilet god.
What was the culprit? You weren’t sharing mouse tartar with Milo were you?

@gailcalled Feel better soon and do take it easy.

@gailcalled So sorry to hear that. There is nothing worse!

@gailcalled Hope you’re feeling better today.

@all; I am fine, thank you. I think the culprit was organic apple sauce, just slightly off. It tasted buzzy.

And just did 45 minutes on the treadmill, which deserves a brass band. While trying to do floor yoga, I had to fend off Milo, who found that my feet, in their white socks and waving in the air, put him into attack mode. Leather boots, perhaps?

@gailcalled This bowl of Pistachio ice cream is for you. :-)

Milo here; Thanks. It was truly delicious and really hit the spot. Attacking feet is sweaty business.

(I got there first. Dopey Gail is sitting on the sofa, swilling water with Emergen-c in it. Her glasses are steaming so much she can see nothing.)

After a slight delay, I finally got to hold her.
She’s even cuter in person. :)
It made me laugh so hard, my brother looked at his fiance, pointed at Mckenna, and said “I love that baby.”
They are such a beautiful family!

@Coloma Boxes of Nerds and Sugar Babies! Favourites that we don’t find often over here and when we do they’re expensive. I loved Walmart!

I ran a successful tracking workshop for dogs and their owners this morning, now I can relax!

@Leanne1986 Sugar Babies are vintage American candy. I was eating them 45 years ago. They have been around for-e-v-e-r! If you need a supplier pm me, I will keep you in the candy. :-)

Yay! Not only is this cool weather just magnificent, but….it also means that the all the Rattlesnakes are going into hibernation. May they all freeze their little rattles off! lol

I just bought a knock-out dress for two weddings I am attending; one of which will be with my husband and his family. Very chuffed!

@janbb: Please show us rather than tell. Link?

Learning the meaning of “chuffed” made my day.

@gailcalled I tried to take a picture with my iPhone but my hands blocked the best part and the print didn’t show. If I can get a good one, I will e-mail it. And yes, chuffed is a fine word.

Strut your stuff, @janbb. Knock ‘em dead.

@bkcunningham I plan to!

I found a link ! (Model is taller and thinner but my boobs are bigger.)

You are going to be one hawt penguin! Have a great time and report back!

@chyna Think I might melt??

Also, I talked on the phone today to the two best men in the world.

@janbb Way to go, keep the two best men in the world all to yourself. lol
You need a picture against the backdrop of my metallic bronze R.L. walls. ;-)

@Coloma Oh – I haven’t kept them to myself. One is married to my DIL and the other has a hot girlfriend. :-)

@Coloma I may just have to hold you to that. You can be my dealer!!!

@Leanne1986 My pleasure, do you want some rattlesnakes with your candy too? lol
Seriously, just let me know if you’re running low and candy shopping I shall go. :-p

Funniest thing ever happened today. Rat face is a girl who looks like a rat, and tells me how pretty she things she is all the time.
My brother, Justin: How’s your day going?
Me: Rat face is annoying me.
Justin: Master Splinter? He’s probably there to battle the evil doings of Shredder, Ash-Leigh, that’s all.

Love my brother. Haha.

Through clenched teeth and with a look of disappointment on his face, this morning my dentist said, “Everything looks fine.”

^There goes that addition he was planning for his house,

@Coloma I definitely will let you know :) I am also happy to send you anything that is more common in the UK in return. Except the Queen. We’re keeping her!

@Leanne1986 That’s fine, how ‘bout a Foxhound puppy of a Cleveland Bay horse? 2 tons of candy for two tons of horseflesh. lol

I just walked up a hill – only a very small one, and not a long walk, but some exercise non the less on a crisp autumnal sunny afternoon – have been feeling so rough with “morning” sickness this is the first time in months I’ve felt like doing something like this. Feeling good :-)

After many interviews with candidates, I finally had an interviewee, accept the offer letter to backfill my job. I have been doing double duty since March! Phew!!

I have been creating water/candle gardens lately using interesting ceramic and glass bowls.
Today I found the greatest vintage ceramic bowl in a thrift store. It is in the shape of a large green lily pad like flower with brown glazed edges. I filled it with natural river pebbles and added a small asian ceramic cup to hold freshly cut bamboo stalks/leaves and flowers and set it in the bowl.

I filled it with water and added 3 floating tea candles, some blooming pomegranite and some bamboo leaves from my plants.
I just lit the candles.
The effect is charming! :-)

Oh, @Coloma, you just gave me the best idea for my lanai. Thank you. You should post a photo of your water gardens with floating candles. It sounds lovely.

@blueiiznh, I hope it works out and you have the assistance you need.

@harple, that is a good accomplishment. Good thoughts coming your way.

@bkcunningham They are so easy to make and look really pretty. I will have to take a picture, yes. I have been terrible lately, I have a ton of pics on my camera I need to download.

It sounds pretty and peaceful. I need some peace.

I downloaded the new Muse CD and took my mother to lunch, where I went far, far, far outside my comfort zone and had artichoke hearts and feta cheese. Now I’m about to do some office paperwork for my hubby that he hates, but I like paperwork. It’s going to be fun! I’m weird. Today has been a pretty good day.

Ooooh….the greatest day!
Cloudy, sprinkles, maybe T-storms later and I am in bliss land. I have a big pot of chili simmering, corn muffins just went on the oven and…..my local bakery had fresh, out of the oven, 4 berry pies this morning!
Blackberry, blueberry, raspberry and cranberry with a crumble topping. OMG!
Of course there will be ice cream too. lol

Waiting on company at 6 and then, let the first fall meal of the season begin! :-D

I get to add TWO new species of woodpeckers to my bird list today!! The backyard has been full of activity. A great first afternoon home on break.

Flicker, sapsucker, piliated and red bellied, hairy and downy are the local guys. The piliated, when digging a nest, leaves pieces of wood the size of cedar shakes on the ground and leaves the impression that he has been reroofing your garage.

Funny, you just listed my complete woodpecker list. The two I added today were red bellied and yellow bellied sapsucker. Was thrilled! I’m obsessed with pileateds and have have only seen one, and it was before I knew enough of them to know how to determine the gender, so I’m pretty fixated on them, hoping to see another soon!

I remember seeing my 1st Pileated, I was so excited I ran after it into the woods and got a bad case of poison oak. Birders are nuts. lol

And don’t forget wading around in bogs with your head lifted up, which guarantees that your jaws drop and allow the mosquitoes to fly in.

@Mariah; I didn’t know that the yellow-bellied and red-bellied overlap in the NE. The flicker is systematically destroying my cedar house. He hears the rustle of larvae inside the siding and pecks holes in the wood to extract the insects.

@gailcalled Haha..I JUST read a confucius quote…” Man who stand on hill with mouth open will wait long time for roast duck to fall in.” I wonder if Confucius was a birder?;-p

I’m so pleased/relieved that less than 48 hours after discovering that the house we had lined up to move in to in January fell through, we have sorted a new house to move into, for only a fraction more cost, but with double the number bedrooms! Phew!

@harple Congrats!

Oh lord, some great new opportunities are zinging in my window at warp speed the last few days. I am excited but also exhausted just thinking about all the activity.
My life, from zero to 60 in a nano second, tis the way I fly.
I am either breaking the sound barrier or cruisin’ like a tugboat. haha

I give up on balance. I am either overworked and underweight or underworked and overweight. I must have been a race horse in my last life. Either running as fast as I can or out to pasture. lol

I am heading off to the Shenandoah Valley for a weekend of leaf peeping tomorrow with husband and dogs. Can’t wait!

@marinelife You little leaf peeper you!
Californias Shenandoah Valley is a premiere wine zone over here, the vineyards are golden right now and the grapes runneth over. I was just driving down my road mesmerized by the glowing golden vines backlit by the western sun at 4:15 pm. Just beautiful!

@marinelife Have a great time!

@Coloma There are wineries in this area where we are going too.

@janbb Thanks!

@marinelife Shenandoah Valley this time of year will be gorgeous! Have a great time!

The grapes of October, unsurpassed! :-)

Five teeth out today. Vicodin. Ice cream. Am being taken care of by someone who loves me. The truly great thing about today—am not at work.

We found out today that my sister-in-law is having a boy. I’m crying and doing the happy dance at the same time. Depresses me, LOL, but it’s fabulous news for her since she really wanted a boy.

I took today (and most of yesterday and the day before) off to spend with my kids as they are out of school on fall break (aka: MEA as it’s known in these parts). We had a lot of fun, the kids have perma-smiles and are all tired out and will sleep well tonight. Today I did a good job of being “mom” ...and that’ll take the edge off the guilt of being away for nearly 2 solid weeks of work travel starting early next week.

I got my Ukulele two days ago, and went right to work at learning to play it. I can now say that I know how to play Mr. Brightside on the Ukulele. :)
Also, I finally got my new phone last night. Yay for smart phones!

I became an Auntie this morning! My sister gave birth to a baby boy a month early but at 5.9 pounds he is healthy. His name is Dylan :)

@Leanne1986 Yay, have a cigar, or maybe a bag of Sugar Babies. lol

Storms a’comin’ over here and while it is GREAT, the first fairly significant weather of the season, I am left with a shitload of farmy chores and winterizing with no help today. I am contemplating running an ad in “gigs” on Craigslist, but I dunno…what’s worse, battening down the hatches on my own or dealing with potential lunatics. Choices, choices. Hmmm.
If I disappear you will all know that I have been buried somewhere in the woods.

It’s been fun fluther! lol

@Leanne1986: Always wonderful news. He would have been a whopper had he hung around for another four weeks. Have you seen Dylan yet?

By a fluke, I caught MIlo at the perfect stage of REM sleep and managed to snip four nails. I tried again later for the other paw and got badly raked for my troubles. Timing is clearly everything.

@Coloma; It is moments like those that make me think (briefly) about Assisted Living. Finding reliable help is more difficult than it was. I pay more than fair wage and still have people not show up…

@gailcalled I know! Bah! Well, I have a plan, of sorts, to just get the most critical few things done. I think I can drag my patio furniture off the deck, with “drag” being the operative word. haha I have a redwood table that weights about a ton, that just might have to be tarped and weighted down. I am still vacillating on going into town and trying to wrangle up a man. ;-p

Great walk along the ocean this morning with my walking group. Great talks with old friends and new, beautiful weather and an easy 4 mile walk. It’s been a while since I’ve enjoyed one of our walks so much for various reasons.

Yesterday: My husband made marinara as part of dinner. He never makes it the same way twice, but it’s always excellent. Accompanied by spaghetti, venison meatballs and homemade bread.

Today: We got the wood pile moved out of the driveway, stacked in the backyard and covered. Bring on winter! Enchiladas for dinner – yum!

@tedibear Yes! Same here, my sauce is never the same twice, but always seems to outdo itself each time. Chili for dinner over here and waiting on a storm. Yippee!

This afternoon did a 5 mile walk with my brother around the reservoir. It was gorgeous there too. Nine mile total for the day! I am chuffed!

I bought footsie pajamas today. :)

@Leanne1986 Congrats on becoming an auntie! :-) Lovely name too.

@janbb, woot woot! I“m glad you were chuffed and not chaffed.

Yay!
My jury duty group was cancelled and I do not have to go out in the storm this morning.
I am so hap, hap, happy!

@gailcalled I haven’t seen Dylan yet :( They are both still in hospital as she is struggling to feed him at the moment, we are hoping that they will be home sometime on Tuesday though. Fingers crossed.

@Leanne1986: I hope that she and Dylan figure it out. No fun struggling to nurse.

@Coloma; How bad did the storm turn out to be?

I was able to cut two more of Milo’s nails now that I have the technique figured out. Give him a large meal, watch him sleep, pick up a paw and work very quickly before he figures it out.

@gailcalled Just started around 3 a.m. light rain so far but going to ramp up and stay through Weds. It is 7:27 a.m. and the geese are happily swimming while raindrops keep falling on theit heads. The cats are disgruntled, sitting at the very edge of the garage under the door looking annoyed. lol

I haven’t been around much since the baby was born (he’s 9 months old now)... so my update is just that it’s nice to be back.

My teenager has a school music performance tonight. It’s always a pleasure to listen to and watch him play.

Nice to see you, @Cupcake!

Thanks Auggie

Wore heels to school, and didn’t fall down. :)

Still no power but managing ok. Lots of emotions. Had a great phone conversation with my son this morning.

“Don’t it always seem to go that you don’t know what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone…..”

But you are okay and able to get out and about, @janbb? I didn’t realize you were without power. Do you know how much longer until your power is restored? I wish you the very best. I’m happy you had a great conversation with your son. Stay warm and dry, friend.

A lovely day unfolding in my hills and after 2 weeks of allergy issues and feeling under the weather I am treating myself to an afternoon massage at home with my massage therapist. I am heading out to grocery shop and get set up for the weekend, all the hardcore stuff is done around the micro-farm. House clean, yards clean, goose barn clean, acorns raked, trees trimmed, bills paid. I am DONE and I am going to indulge myself in a bit of the herbal essence and an hour massage at 3 o’ clock. Then, a soak in the hot tub and an early bedtime. By god, I deserve it! lol

@bkcunningham My ex has been sleeping at the house at night and I am in our insurance agency now getting into contact with the world. Trees and traffic lights are out all over. Not sure when we will have power again.

@janbb Hang in there lady…life is always an adventure, for better or for worse. Take care of you! ;-)

@janbb, can you make it to California for a 3 pm massage with @Coloma and a weekend of… um-hum… indulgence in the hot tub? It sounds exactly like what you may need.

@bkcunningham That sounds like a plan!

@bkcunningham You’ll be coming too won’t you?
Magnificent day here, hurry up and I’ll book you guys a massage alongside mine at 3 o’ clock. Hot tubs sparkling clean and ready to bubble your troubles away.
I have salmon and baked butternut squash for dinner and blueberry tarts. :-D

Yes, ma’am.

Saw Skyfall. It’s great!

Was having a bad day, until my friends Dolton and Kaiden decided I needed “K and D Counceling”... It was hilarious. I almost peed from laughing so hard.

Heard the baby’s heartbeat for the first time :D Magic!

My Grandmother (who passed away this week) left me some lovely cushions for my sofa and one of them has hot air balloons on it and hot air balloons always seem to make me smile. I didn’t know about it so it was lovely surprise.

Annual tradition of tagging the Christmas Tree with Daughter and Dog.

Field Dressed:
http://i1185.photobucket.com/albums/z350/blueiiznh/IMG-20121103-00104.jpg

That’s a beauty, @blueiiznh!

@blueiiznh Nice tree, whew..I thought “field dressed” might involve a deer carcass or something. lol

Humor of the day.

Sooo, last night I heard this very loud crinkling sound coming from an extra trash bag I had wadded up and stashed behind the little trash can I keep next to my dryer in the garage.
The bag was wiggling about and I was convinced there was something large in it, maybe a rat?
Being the brave woman that I am I grabbed a flashlight so as not to scare whatever it was away by turning on the overhead lights.
Lo and behold, the “rat” turned out to be a giant Toad that was flinging itself against the wadded up bag in an attempt to break through to the other side behind the trash can. lolol

At a friend’s who has power for this night. “Sleeping around” is getting a whole new meaning.

When you tag the tree, @blueiiznh, is that a sign to others that the tree is taken? I haven’t heard of tagging a tree. That tree is perfect.

LOL, @janbb. You have a good sense of humor. I hope things get back to normal for you soon.

@Coloma, I’d rather have a toad in my laundry room any day as opposed to a rat. Eeekks!

I’ve been drawing birds lately and posting them to Facebook, and some of my friends have started making requests, which I’ve been trying to fulfill. I drew a chickadee for a friend last night and she liked it so much that she is considering getting it as a tattoo! What an honor that would be to me. :)

@Mariah Feel free to draw me a goose.
I actually commissioned an artist to draw my goose a few years ago. He has an awesome graphite portrait with bamboo leaves and the chinese characters for “goose.” He is a chinese goose after all, so… I had to frame him in black laquer and rattan matting. lol

Maybe someone will pay you paint their Parakeet. ;-)

@Coloma Ooh, I’ve never drawn an nonpasserine. Thanks for the idea!

I actually did draw a parakeet for a friend but didn’t charge. Right now I consider it an opportunity to practice and make someone happy at the same time. Maybe someday down the road I could make money off this hobby!

@Leanne1986 I’m sorry for your loss, girlie. It’s so nice that you have a reminder of her that makes you smile!

@janbb Feel free to come sleep with me. ;)

@Mariah You drew the bird in your avatar? Really nice!

I am recovering from a very busy weekend with my girls.

@Mariah Love your avatar. Mine is a golden oriole.

Had a great time running errands and hanging out with my best guy friend. He gives me a real lift.

Someone new in your life, @janbb?

Nope – he’s been a good friend since the split. We’re not dating but he is a dear person.

It is nice to have good friends.

@bkcunningham For sure!

Today I plucked up the courage to talk to my boyfriend about an issue between us that has been bothering me for the past couple of days. I feel better having brought it out in the open rather than being the elephant in the room and I am hoping we will be able to draw a line under it now and get back to our usual selves.

Gorgeous few days over here before a little storm hits us west coasters Thursday.
I blew and raked about 150 lbs. of leaves and acorns off my yard yesterday afternoon. It was like driving Lemmings to the sea. The rolling, blowing masses of acorns took on an almost alive quality, like millions of giant beetles swarming over the cliff in my front yard.
Go forth little acorns and disperse into the wilderness. lol

Today I am going to a friends to help her design a walkway pattern with brick and flagstone.
Us mountain mamas, we git ‘er done, when all the menfolk are scarce. ;-P

There I was… Riding the bus… And this sub driver kept stopping to tell at kids.
So I looked at her… And I said… “Can we go, please? I don’t want to miss Bay Watch!”
She was so mad…

The sun was shining, birds were chirping and the temperature was perfect Fall weather. The boys and I went to tag a Christmas tree today. It was so refreshing to feel the warm sun on my face! The tagging of the Christmas tree was a new tradition that I decided to start for special memories.

I won £10 on the lottery :)

Yay @Leanne1986! What will you do with it all? :-)

@chyna She will buy Sugar Babies! @Leanne1986 ;-)

Ffffrrrrreeeezzzing here this morning, but was so beautiful at 7 a.m. with frost everywhere looking like snow and the horses frisking around snorting out huge clouds of steam.
I am on day 3 of major body pampering after over working myself last week.
The old blonde mare ain’t what she used to be. lol

@chyna I hate to say it because, at 26 years old i shouldn’t still be excited by little sweets, but @Coloma is right!!!

@Coloma Haha…hey, I am way older than you and I still get excited about sweets. I like my Whoppers. lol

Got my new class schedule today.
Had to argue about it, but I persuaded my advisor to let me only take one hour (instead of two) of Advance Path (silent computer Apex hell in cubicles) so I could be a Teachers Aide for one of my favorite teachers. :)

I’m going to London today to see Andrea Bocelli in concert.

I ordered 10 pocket diapers (new version of cloth) on ebay. They get delivered today.

I currently have 3 pocket diapers… which don’t go far. So now I think we’ll be able to mostly cloth diaper. You have NO idea how excited I am about this. They’re so soft and in cute animal prints… I just want the little guy to crawl around without clothes on so I can oogle at his animal-print-minky-cloth-diapered butt. I am unbelievably excited at the prospect of mostly cloth diapering.

Now I just have to figure out the logistics of cloth diapering at daycare and at grandma’s. Oh… and trust them for travel. And get thicker liners for overnight.

Baby steps.

Am trying to convince my mother that I need a kitten.
Wish me luck!

I found out that my husband’s credit score has shot up over 100 points in the last month, so we are able to qualify for a home loan, WOOOOOOOOOT!!! Now we just have to beg, borrow, and steal to come up with the down payment, closing costs, earnest money, etc…

Sooo… who’s rich and wants to send me 5k? :D

Yay @WillWorkForChocolate I did play the lottery for tonight. If I win, I’ll send you 5k!

Ooh! <crosses fingers for Chyna>

Celebrating my daughters 25th birthday here tonight. I can’t believe she is 25!!!
Bring on the dinner, cake and presents! Oh man, the holiday gluttony has arrived! :-)

Getting a maybe for the kitten:)
Better than a no!

Yes – I got over a funk. Have gotten a lot of home projects – including garage repairs, masonry work and a new driveway started moving again after the storm. My house is going to be overflowing with workmen tomorrow!

Let’s hear it for workmen!

@bkcunningham yeah!

I have just got home after a lovely weekend travelling around Cornwall. I was able to visit the farm my Great Grandmother used to own near Falmouth, where my dad used to play as a child! Port Isaac was my favourite place though!

Just ordered my prom dress:)

Cooking therapy worked; baked two kinds of cookies and chicken soup for my son – and my soul.

Enjoyed beautiful weather in New England while watching daughters soccer team take first place (3–0-1) in a weekend tournament in Massachusetts.

@Leanne1986; Port Isaac was used fir the filming of the Masterpiece Theater “Poldark” back in the 1970’s and more recently, all the Doc Martin .series. I really enjoyed the life in what is called “Port Wenn.”

@gailcalled I love both Poldark and Doc Martin! We saw the Doctor’s little surgery and the restaurant on the edge of the cliff. It was a lovely place.

@Leanne1986They are real and not built on a sound stage? How wonderful.

How lucky you are to be able to visit that spectacular part of the country. While I was watching Doc. Martin, I always thought about the aerobic exercise necessary to take even ten steps outside your front door. Imagine how fit you would be, trotting up and down those hills every time you needed a loaf, a rasher and a pint of milk.

i spent time in Cornwall with Graham when we were first going together. There was a town called Polperro that I loved.

@gailcalled Yes, they are real! It is very hilly and the building that is his surgery is near the very top (there isn’t much else past that from what we could see). The parts of the town that you don’t see much on screen are equally as lovely. Lots of tiny, wiggly little streets with trinkety shops and cafes that sell homemade soups of strange flavours (curried parsnip caught my eye!). @janbb I haven’t been to Cornwall much before, only Newquay, and I didn’t realise just how pretty it is. I will definitely be going back at the nearest opportunity.

@Leanne1986: Curried parsnip is just another version of curried carrots or squash… I bet that it’s delicious.

@gailcalled I’ve never heard of it but it sounded wonderful. I will be keeping my eyes peeled for it in the future!

Saute onions in a little oil, cube root veggie into small pieces, add to sauteed veggies, cover with vegetable or chicken broth, simmer until veggies are tender, season to taste with curry powder.

Here’s a recipe with a little yogurt and chopped apples.

and one with carrots also

@gailcalled Thank you :)

I’m getting ready to go pick up @Fly at college, to bring her home for Thanksgiving break. Can’t wait to see her!

Mom fixed the heater. So excited that it was warm when I got home!

I’m 20 weeks today! That’s 20 weeks done, and 20ish weeks to go, eek! :D

I am very happy for you @harple! So exciting!!! Have you felt the baby move yet? It is simply so amazing thinking about a little baby growing inside of you….isn’t it?? Take lots of pictures of yourself and anytime you have a thought you want to remember….write it down. I kept a journal with me all the time. Best of luck and again, I am super happy for you! Keep us posted on your progress! What a wonderful thing to be thankful for this year!!

Having my son home for a few days.

Does catching my third mouse in a Havahart under the sink in 18 hours while Milo snoozed in the sun count?

@gailcalled Whatever turns you on.

Poked my sisters pregnant belly, and went Geocaching. :)

I love to read all of the great things that have happened to people. I can be such a mean person sometimes. I blame it on hormones, but it is meanness just the same. It is nice to read the easy banter between friends like @janbb to @gailcalled or to see the enjoyment some of you are getting from a new life growing inside a mother. Thanks for the reminders of happiness and the fun that comes from Fluthering. I have to look for my balance again and this helps. Peace.

@bkcunningham: Milo here; Forget Gail…she is wishy-washy and boring in the best of circumstances. Let me be your friend, my pretty…no one has better balance than I do, either.

Exhibit A

Milo, you are certainly well balanced and such a handsome fellow sitting pretty on your perch high above your world. I am not very wise but I’m wise enough to know I’d rather be your friend than your foe. @gailcalled is lucky to have you in her life. I’m sure she’d flounder lost without you in her life. – stroke, stroke, stroke

@gailcalled Love the picture. Milo certainly looks regal and wise high above everyone on his perch.

I had a great week! Spending Thanksgiving with my relatives and watching all the kids play together was wonderful. It was terrific to catch up with Aunts, Uncles and cousins. I also had a couple unexpected calls from friends from my past and it was nice to catch up. It was nice to hear how much I’ve been missed. :-) Planning some possible get togethers soon.

I had a great afternoon! My boys and I went to the Christmas tree farm where we tagged our tree a few weeks ago and I cut it down! I wasn’t sure if I would be able to cut it down with a hand saw, but proved to myself that I could do it! The air was cold and felt like snow was coming. I definitely want to keep this memory as a tradition. It was a lot of fun!

@Daisygurl Something else you might want to do is to keep a couple inches of the trunk you cut off and date it with a magic marker. It is just another keepsake of your memories.

I went to a Military tattoo today. I love events like that, I find good marching bands very comforting and mass bagpipes and drums would be in the top five of my most favourite things EVER.

Went to a wolf preserve and frolicked with wolf-dog rescues.

@chyna what a great idea! thanks. I already put the tree in the stand, so I’ll have to try and remember to do that afterwards or maybe I could cut off one of the stumpy branches at the bottom and save it. I could put a tag of some sort on it with a date. @janbb That sounds like a wonderful place. I love to hear about rescues like that. I’m such an animal lover. There is something magical when you look in a wolf’s eyes, even though you know they are dangerous.

Today, my husband acknowledged the truthfulness of my issues with his sister, and said he will be the one to say something to her next time there’s a problem, so that I do not have to be the one to risk causing a rift in the family. Am I dreaming?

No, you aren’t dreaming. Is he getting laid tonight?

For the first time in a long time… I’m in that rare mood where I can stand to clean my room. :)
Also… My drink tastes like a plant…

@bkcunningham Most definitely, lol.

That’s my girl.

I try.

This was actually last night, but I was in a deep-sleep coma til just an hour or so ago…
@Fly came over, and we baked together, just the two of us. It was really nice to spend some quality time with her before she went back to school. We made pumpkin snickerdoodles (added extra pumpkin and spices), which we both agree are less like cookies and more like muffin tops. They’re really good with some cream cheese spread on them. And we made pecan pie, which we ate warm from the oven topped with vanilla ice cream. Yummy! Got in some good snuggle time on the couch, too. Already miss her.

^^^ Sounds delicious!
Ironically, I just tossed out the last half of a pecan pie for the raccoons, but, not until I picked off most of the pecans off and put them on the last of the butter pecan ice cream. haha Oh man….I don’t even want to step on the scale after this weeks indulgences. Tis the season. :-)

Last night also but got home way too late:
Location: Boston Garden
Opening act: Patti Smith
Concert: Neil Young and Crazy Horse

Patti was great.
Neil Played current to Buffalo Springfield.
The man can still rock!!!!

@blueiiznh You are so lucky! Wish I could have heard him.

Two legends. Good to hear that Shakey’s still got it, @blueiiznh.

@blueiiznh What a great show, I’m so jealous!

Well…I am sick as a dog over here with a nasty sinus infection, fever and zero energy.
However…what’s great is that I forced myself to go to the doctor and get a prescription filled and picked up some groceries and now I am all cozied up and have nothing to do but wait on the big storms that are hitting the west coast over the next 5 days. 3 hours of torture and misery driving all over town but I’ll be feeling better soon and am glad I didn’t wait another day since I was on the verge of an ear infection too.

A is for effort and it’s all over now. haha

Oh, @Coloma. Poor girl. I hope you feel better soon. Lots of liquids and plenty of rest my dear friend. (((Coloma)))

I have a project in the works that I’m really excited about.

The organization I do copyediting for offered to fly me out to Texas to attend their holiday party. They will even pay for my hotel room! I can’t wait to meet these good folks in person, and a couple of jellies, too!

I’m getting a kitten for Christmas! :D
If any of them are boys, that is. They were born today. :)

Got my 20 week scan today!!! This is the one where they check everything’s okay and if s/he’s lying the right way we get to find out gender… So excited! :D

This morning I woke up and felt very happy. I’m not sure why, but I feel at peace today. Like one of my favorite songs says….I can see clearly now the rain is gone. @harple I’m excited for you! What fun. I loved doing the ultrasound to see what sex the baby was. Hope the little peanut will cooperate for you! Let us know what you were able to find out!

I did not find a mouse in the Havahart under the kitchen sink this morning.

He’s a boy!!! :D So excited! All checked and all well, and can now start to imagine him, so it all feels even more real. Can’t stop grinning!!

@harple How exciting!

@harple Wonderful! A baby boy!

I got through physical therapy today. Even though it is grueling, I felt a sense of accomplishment when I came out.

@harple Woo Hoo…..you just finish baking that baby boy to perfection!
Any name ideas?

Not sure, but his middle name is going to be the same as my Dad’s, so only one name to come up with :)

“Ash-Leigh has been my TA all year, and she is GREAT. Branden, she’ll show you what to do. You are her slave for this hour.” -Heath.
I have a Slave. XD

@harple, congratulations! Harper would be a fitting name for the lad ;-) Keep us posted on your progress, and I’m happy to see that all the parts checked out fine. I was with my daughter during most of her sonograms this year, and it’s such fun to see all the details of that precious baby!

Aw, he’s a blessed little fellow, @harple. All the best to you.

Thank you!

@harple That is so exciting. A little boy. I found out I was having a boy, both times. They weren’t shy with their body parts! I just loved seeing all of their body and what they were doing. My one son was sucking his thumb and the other looked like he was waving. Such a cool technology the ultrasound is. So very happy for you!

Tonight I am hanging those pretty little white twinkle lights on the Christmas tree. I just love the tiny twinkle lights on trees. Always loved walking outside in a town or village where the trees were light up with the white twinkle lights. How romantic.

Aw, a baby boy jelly! Congrats, @harple!

Wow, this “new” thread is pretty old. I haven’t been around much lately.

I turned 40 yesterday and I was interviewed by our local news station today with my kids. They did a story on the Food Bank while we were there volunteering. Unfortunately, I was a tad hung over and very sleep deprived for the interview but my youngest son did a great job with his interview.

My kitten is Orange, and his name is going to be Cyanide. :)

@tranquilsea, belated happy birthday to you.

@AshLeigh, have fun with the new kitty.

@AshLeigh Awwww….kitten!

I caught a small mouse in the kitchen both last night and again this morning in the Havahart. (Sorry, @LuckyGuy).

It didn’t look like the same mouse. (Next time I may fingerprint them to be sure.)

Milo complimented me on my industry.

Got an Email this morning that said my prom dress has been shipped out, and is on the way :)

Yesterday I recieved my assignment back from my tutor with an 85% mark :) I also got two new tyres for my car so that I don’t skid all over the place when breaking in frosty conditions and I booked a trip to Scotland for next year to coincide with the Military Tattoo and Edinburgh Castle!

Thanks @bkcunningham

I started working on my master’s thesis and found a job that I would like to apply for!

@tranquilsea Great to see you around again!

Thanks @janbb! It’s good to be back :)

Today I helped in my son’s classroom. We carved a face into an apple to make a shrunken apple head. Today was the last day for my son’s class to study about the pilgrims, so his teacher invited all the parents to come in and help. The pilgrim’s children made toys out of the shrunken apple heads because they didn’t have any money to buy toys. It was fun! I also got out some more Christmas stuff that I had forgotten about and decorated the house. It looks so festive!

My hair looks good today. A small victory I know but there’s nothing quite like feeling physically attractive to give you a confidence boost.

I stood up for myself at Physical Therapy questioning the pain that I was having after every session.

@marinelife What was the outcome or do you not want to share that here?

@Leanne1986 I had a good hair day yesterday too. I am growing my bangs out and wearing them swept to the side and received a compliment on how nice I looked wearing my hair like this. Yay for great hair days!

Also having a good hair day:)
But it’s windy… This won’t last. >.<

@marinelife: Details, please. Good for you. A very difficult lesson for many of us is when to assert ourselves with our “people.”

We batted a double with mus musculus this morning. While i was dealing with the live kitchen mouse in the Havahart, Milo was finally doing his job. I found the dead trophy in the family room near the wood pile.

Additionally, today the mechanic tries to find the mice condo under the hood of my car.

@gailcalled I’m picturing a Farmer Grey cartoon at your house. Do you remember them?

No. Do tell. Or not. I may have to buy a new car if the damage is rampant. My bro-in-law left a car on blocks outside in central rural MA. over one winter. The rodents did such severe gnawing and gnashing that he had to replace it.

The Florida squirrels damaged two of my snowbird neighbors’ vehicles, @gailcalled. One neighbor went back to New Hampshire for the summer and came home to Florida to discover the squirrels had chewed through the insulation barrier around their fuel tank in their vehicle.

My next door neighbor had to pay to have the entire electrical system replaced on their vehicle because the squirrels had chewed up the wiring. They also managed to chew through all of her lanai cushions. Rodents. I don’t havahart when it comes to the little…creatures.

@bkcunningham Funny the don’t look Chewish.

They chewed through her sofer! It was a sight to behold.

My daughter just told me about her experience in the mts. of Telluride. She and bf parked the car and went for a 3-hour day hike.

When they came back, they discovered that in that short period, the marmots had chewed through the bottom of the car, removed a spark plug, poked a hole in the gas line and almost destroyed the brakes.

Marmots love rubber.

@janbb and @gailcalled I originally went in for back pain and my hip from sciatica. The back pain was gone and I can now sleep on my side, but I was in misery for two days after going with pain in my left quadricep.

When I found myself thinking about not going, I knew it was time to do something about it so i called and talked to the guy. He said to come in and they would evaluate it. So today I went in and instead of 90 minutes of exercises, we had an hour of him working on my spine (he says the nerves in the back are what control pain in the quadriceps) Frankly, it was not much better, but there is no new pain in my leg.

Oy! What a lot you are going through with this!

Tonight I received an email about another Soccer session starting up for my son in Jan 2013. think I will sign him up for the 8 wks again. He loved it so much! On top of that, coaches are needed. I got thinking about it and since I have time to kill until I get a job….I’m going to coach soccer! I have a course to take and a background check to go through (which won’t be a problem). I’ve always loved soccer, so why not! It will keep me busy and meet new people. I have trouble meeting people because I tend to be shy and reserved. Now I won’t have any excuse not to talk with people because there will be the similar interests there in Soccer and their kids! I’m excited about it!! @marinelife I don’t know what you are going through, but i used to get sciatica a lot and know what the pain is. I hope it clears up for you soon. Hang in there! HUGS coming your way!

Last night as I lay in bed I properly felt the baby wriggling around inside of me for a good 20 minutes… Previously it’s always been “was that him???” but no question last night. I was telling his dad on the phone this morning (he’s working away) and suggested he have a word, so I put the earpiece to my belly. Within seconds of hearing his father’s voice he kicked right where the sound was, and made the phone bounce! I haven’t stopped giggling about it since! :D

^^That made me giggle, Harple! So happy for you three!

It made me well up and nearly cry. The image is beautiful, @harple. That made my morning special. Thanks.

@harple When my sister was in the early stages of her pregnancy she could never decide whether the baby was moving or if she just had a bit of wind gurgling around in side of her!!!

Today I made a dent in my Christmas shopping and found out that work is cancelled on Sunday which means I will get my first lie in, in weeks. I can’t wait!

@harple I remember when I first felt my son’s quickening. It was a definite “that’s not me” sensation.

@harple How exciting! Just a little side note, but…when I was 8 mos. along I realized I had not felt my daughter move for about 24 hours and flipped out! Went to the hospital and had a monitoring, she was fine, just losing wiggle room. If this happens to you, don’t panic, the little muffin has risen to the top of the muffin cup. lol

Thank you all, love the muffin analogy! :) @Leanne1986 I’m 22 weeks now! Only 18 to go, eek!

@harple: Lie on your back in bed; put an open newspaper over your belly. Watch him kick it hard enough to rustle.

Try a plate of grapes also. As the baby gets bigger and stronger, he will be able to move larger items. It’s magical.

Milo had a very good visit at the vet’s, other than throwing up in his carrier, being declared a mature guy and being warned that he is getting…how shall I put this…a tad chubby. Vet did offer that Milo being large, well-muscled and long-legged did not make this an emergency…yet. His teeth are in better shape than last year due to $$$ prescription food, however.

The mouse has gone to happier hunting grounds.

Put that kitty on a diet STAT!

Got a call that my dress is here!
Just have to wait util I get home to try it on! Hope it fits right!