kath/ mckait 2012 ~ Still Summer #18 ~

Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany

5 * star - loved it, breathtaking, keeper, will re-read. Possibly life changing!
4.5 * star - very good, possible keeper
4 * star liked a lot
3.5 * star - very satisfying
3 * star a solid read, nothing extraordinary, worth 1 read
2.5 * star- failed potential but somewhat engaging
2 * star A mixed bag not worth reading unless desperate
1.5 * star It was a book
1 * star Fail ! A bunch of words cobbled together







You have your way, I have my way. As for the right way, the correct way, and the only way, it does not exist. - Friedrich Nietzsche

Please find first 75 reads on my profile.

76. THE NIGHT STRANGERS by Christopher A. Bohjalian 4 stars
77. When The Storm Passes by Jett, Julie 2.5 stars /kindle
78. Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury 5 stars
79. The Witch's Grave by Phillip DePoy 3.5 stars
80. The Celtic Conspiracy by Thore D. Hansen, Anne Adams (translator) 4 stars
81. A Minister's Ghost: A Fever Devilin Mystery by Phillip DePoy 3.5 stars
82. A Widow's Curse by Phillip DePoy 3.5 stars
83. The Drifters Wheel by Phillip 4 stars
84. Force of Habit by Alice Loweecey 3.5 stars
85. Nearly Departed by Max Patrick Schlienger 2.stars
86. Jasmine and Fire: A Bittersweet Year in Beirut by Salma Abdelnour 4stars
87. The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman 4 stars LTER
88. Bill The Vampire by Rick Gualtieri 4 stars kindle read and reviewed
89. A Violent Act by Alison Joseph 4.5 stars kindle
90. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith 4.5
91. Me, Who Dove into the Heart of the World: A Novel by Sabina Berman 4 stars
92. The Pigeon Pie Mystery: A Novel by Julia Stuart 3 stars
93. Scary Dead Things: The Tome of Bill: Part 2 by Rick Gualtieri 3.5 stars
94. The Midwife of Hope River: A Novel of an American Midwife by Patricia Harman 5 stars
95.Ninth Key by Meg Cabot kindle 3 stars
96 The Mediator Reunion by Meg Cabot kindle 3 stars
97. Darkest Hour by Meg Cabot kindle 3 stars
98. Twilight by Meg Cabot Kindle 3 stars

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First?? Yay to me. :)
Hopefully I waited long enough and you don't need any more reserved messages.
Gorgeous picture, Kath! Where is that from?

Sorry, I forgot to add that! it's Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany

Oh and WELCOME !

That's on my bucket list....visit Europe! :)

Love the picture up top. Happy new thread, Kath! Lovely #18!!

One trip to Europe is never enough; I need to start amassing large bags of money so I can go back and stay for a while.

If you buy that castle, I'll come visit you!

Dra-Ma-Tic castle shot!
Wow, who do I have to marry to get to live there? Ill do it, yes I will.

Wow! Great opening photo!

Valerie... I doubt I will ever get there... but even if I do, Germany isn't on the top of my list. My daughter visited that castle last October when she was there.

Mame... thank you :) Oh! Im going to make your Go To chicken tomorrow...

Karen.. I would like to see Great Britain, maybe Croatia? Or the Netherlands.

Megan, I snagged it off of my daughter's Pinterest...

Darryl... thanks :)

Weird day. My landline stopped working, but it wasn't Comcast.. I think it was something to do with Morgan sitting on the base unit. All of my phones deregistered ... ugh!

Got some reading in.. a bit more to come, I think?

Hi Kath- Just stopped by to say hi! Love the picture at the top.

I forgot about Mr. Crabby Pants, leader of the COPS. He's quite a legend around here.

I'm really enjoying Graceling.

Hi Kath! Cool looking castle!

Kath, Germany is a fabulous place to visit. I lived there for five years in my youth, but have not been to that particular castle. I think I'd like it better in the summertime!

It's so funny... First thing I saw was trees, then I saw castle.
I thought it would fit my tree theme and make my thread feel cool in the summer heat.. lol
Then, I thought... cool castle!

Hi Mark, I am glad you are liking Graceling :)

Thanks Chelle!

Donna... really? Lived in Germany? How cool, where ?

Cee.. did I miss your comment? So sorry! I blame Bill the Vampire..
If I bought that castle, I would want you to visit me :)

One day... midway... Salem Ma for book festival?

so, Kath, I thought of you...

Where do I complain about spam being posted to my profile page? Anyone know to whom I should mention this reprehensible behavior? Any one else getting something offering free ipad or something..

here... I copied it... Posted 6X

"Get $100 Starbucks giftcard, only for library thing users! :D http://j.mp/NoSYj6
posted by ipadwinwin at 8:05 pm (EST) on Aug 11, 2012 | reply | archive | delete"

You go to their profile.. scroll down to the bottom right of the page.. there will be a place to report spam..
I did it already.. I got that message too.

Salem meetup for book festival - yes! YES!! YES!!!
When is it?

Well.. they aren't having it this year. I asked Bru Barry... It should be back next September.
Wanna give it a try? I think we can get Caro too!She lives in the neighborhood, sort of.

Oh, I was going to ask you the same thing that Karen did - so thanks!

Welcome Mamie :)

spammer has been suspended per his/her profile page

thank goodness and the quick work of our fine LT folks

yay!

14: I lived in Bad Kissingen near Nurnberg from ages 5-8, and then again when I got married, turned 21, and had first baby in Baumholder near Frankfurt. Both times were with the military.

23: Good job to Karen and others. That was my first spam on my profile page.

Donna, I lived in Germany between ages 18 mo. and 4.5 years... some in Bad Kissingen I think but you know I was too young to pay much attention. Now French people hearing me speak French think I am German because that is how I roll them there "r"s. Funny, that. I speak no German, at all. Too bad, that.

I do hold my knife and fork as I was taught at that time, though. Funny how some things just stick.

Wow.. two of you! Very interesting :)

My friend Karola was born in germany...she came here when she was 5...her dad was American military. She speaks very beautiful German.. Although I don't typically think of it as a beautiful language, when she speaks it, I find it quite sexy sounding.

Beautiful castle. Nice new thread!

I love the picture up top, Kath! Beautiful!

Beautiful picture - lovely opening to your new thread. Hope you weekend id going well.

Thank you Ellen, Stas and calm.. Welcome to you :) Oh calm! I seem to have misplaced your thread.
It comes of using the iPad in bed at night.. I tap wrong things. I have to hunt you down...

Kath I'm here now - http://www.librarything.com/topic/140400

Hope you find me:)

Thanks for the help calm :)

93. Scary Dead Things: The Tome of Bill: Part 2 by Rick Gualtieri 3.5 stars kindle read and reviewed

Next up? The Midwife of Hope River my LTER from July.

*smooch*

ETA ummmm I can't see ANY reviews on the book page, still less your review....

Try here Richard http://www.librarything.com/work/12862641

I think the books need combining:(

Fabulous opening to your new thread Kath - they don't make property like that anymore thats for sure.

Mornin' Kath! (hopefully I will get this posted while it still is...)

Did the bills this morning (always a dreary chore and reality check)- and now I'm thinking I might have to start paying attention to my "budget"... or get a job. Where does all the money go? After the taxes, mortgage, and insurance - not much left, eh? Just enough for gas and food :PPP Well, I'm happy I can swing that. Many can't.

As I get a little further into Light between Oceans it's getting better. Conflict and tension building. But I'm still not halfway thru it yet.

Have a good day chatting with kids!

5* photo at top.

I'm in on the Europe trip if you'll kindly include Bohemia.

Oh, and mornin', Kath! I'm in the middle of making potato salad--letting taters cool so that I don't burn mah fingers--ribs, chicken on grill done by Dh; salad, tomatoes done by me. Easy as pie. And why is that a phrase, please? My mum, a marvelous cook, who could and did frequently make her own cream puffs filled with either custard or (drool) real whipped cream, couldn't manage pie crust to save her life and finally resorted to a recipe using oil, which came out pretty good.

Wanders off to kitchen...

Just checking in! Happy Sunday!

Just saw the Twitter pics of the furkids:) Nice - what is it about boxes!

Ozalj Castle, Croatia

rd, smooch bat atcha :)

calm.. thanks for the link.. ... hmmm I am baffled by the whole thing and I have no idea how to combine.
I will leave it be. If you follow the link to Amazon there re more reviews anyway.

Paul.. Thank you :) It is beautiful :) I am so glad my daughter was able to see it in RL :)

Cee.... I feel your pain re: bills. I'm glad you are liking the book a little more. I found that to be the case, too.
Talked to2 of the kids.. Craig has a Birthday on Tuesday, so I will talk to him agani then.

GAil, Bohemia it is! Just never gat it a though. Okay.. we will skype to work out the details of the trp. Is it ok if we wait until I win the lottery? I am with you on the Pie thing. I have no gift for making pie crust. I no longer even try. Maybe again someday, but .. not any time in foreseeable future. I am not a baker. Bread is one thing, or rolls.. those things make themselves . Your dinner sounds perfect! But Now I am craving cream puffs.

TLo! Always nice to see you :) My son is peeved, he siad there is cloud cover for the first time in months out your way.. and he can't see the meteor shower :P LOL. So how is life treating you?

calm.. I know.. funny critters, cats. I love them to bits!

rd, that's just beautiful! Thanks for posting it here :)

Nice day again here.. will be posting update on dnner... GoTo chicken :)

OMGosh, Kath! just found your new thread. What an awesome pic to open with. Enjoy the nice weather :0)

Cruising through to wish you a happy end-of-the-weekend, Kath. I hope you've gotten the laid back day for which you were hoping. I still think that picture at the top of your thread is amazing!

eta: funny critters, cats. I love them to bits! Well...., yeah!

Thanks Ellen, you too! Speaking of kitties

I bought the kitties a new tent.. I had the box ( closed) sitting here... so I could find an add on that I wanted. Angus OPENED THE BOX ...I kid you not.. and hey laid down is it.. Emmie joined him.

The pictures will not resize.. I will try later to add the pics

Just like kids...they like the Boxes more than the Toys!!

{{{hug}}}

Wow! That castle up top is gorgeous!

A tent sounds adorable. Our kitty spent the morning playing in a box. She was delighted with one that had newspaper in it for her to shread and hide under. Our son is packing for school so there are boxes about.

I wonder what it is about kitties and boxes?
It never fails - no matter the size - gotta get IN it!
A while back, Woolly had a fav box that she barely fit in but spent a lot of time in it.
And I say to myself - self, why can't you be happy with an empty box????

Children and boxes go hand in hand as well. :) Mine always manages to find the smallest box to squeeze into but usually it's only his head that will fit. Either that or he tries to wear his dads shoes which are a tad large on his feet and he clops around the kitchen with them. It's cute, but the washing the floor afterwards isn't so cute!

Closing ceremonies were loud, even when we turned them down. Liked the Eric Idle moment.

See you tomorrow, goddesses willin' an' the crick don't rise.

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Good morning, young lady. I see your entertainment has begun!

Beautiful Kath:) Hope you are having a good day.

I don't know why that happens. Sometimes when I resize the image at photobucket, I need to wait a bit for it to take. So this is the evidence of boxed kitty :)

Lynda.. sorry.. I missed you up there ! I will be more careful :P
Thank you , I think it's beautiful, too...

Jude, you are so right!

Joanne.. this one is Sport Pet Designes. It's really the nicest I have ever seen. I bought the hideaway part with the bells... and they love it. you can add on and build it into all sors of variations. They love it, too :)

Cee.. and baskets :) You should see Morgan. Amy gave me a basket on Christmas.. it is big enough to put two quart jars into. ( that is what was in it. ) It's lined with felt. Morgan just fits nicely into it. She is my smallest kitty.. very petite... I also have a larger basket.. I keep them both under the china cupboard for them. Two can fit in the larger basket with a handle..

Valerie.. oh, I do remember those days with my kids. I even remember being 3-4 and loving to sit behind the end table with ribbon. I used to lace it through the cut outs on the table.. and then unlace it, and do it again. Small spaces...

rd, I fell asleep right after Idle ...good timing :) Did I miss McCartney? I will look for the rest of it on Demand.

Good morning Karen and calm! Good day to you!

Well, I just got back from Walters house. I haven't been there much since my mom died.. since Walter was always at my sister's house. I always saw hime there.. or almost always. Never went past the Living room when I did go, or maybe the kitchen. I am going to take the dining set and the upstairs bedroom set ... my sister doesn't want them. I am also going to take a few odds and ends.. my moms china.. Anyway..
....................the hardest part was that in every single room, including the kitchen, there were pictures of my sister's family. Not a single picture of my kids anywhere. Not one. Not anywhere. I wasnt angry, but hurt .. far more than I should be, because I knew that my kids were not ...favored. But.. not a single picture of them anywhere. I saw some photo albums, I imagine that there might be a few in there? I gave them pictures... for years. I shouldn't feel this bad. I loved Walter.. and I miss him. It was just a hard thing to do.
It was a hard thing ...

On the plus side, we saw the steam engine that has been running the neighborhood tracs for the last few days. I will post a pic...

#51 Awwwww - cute! Who's the one on the right with his butt in the box?
And they always look so serious. Like... don't worry about this box. We've got it covered!

Sorry - double entry. I swear I only clicked once! Bah!

It's Angus in the box in both photos... weird, the lighting.. taken seconds apart from different angles.

Thought so - he's a beauty and a serious worker-boy!

Maybe tight spaces remind us of the womb. We spend the rest of our lives trying to find that place of safety and peace again. :)
Sending some cheer your way. And *Hugs* for the sadness.

I'm so sorry. That is always a slap. *smooch*

Whoa, great picture up top. How did I get so far behind in such a short amount of time? Sorry about the sad experience at Walter's. It should have been better than that. Hard to understand what goes on in people's minds sometimes. Hope it helps that you have an s---load of friends here.

You've inspired me, Kath. I was going to mess around on my MacBook at home and try to post a few pictures. Now I'll include one or two of Edgar and/or Abby in a box! Cats and boxes. Like peanut butter and jelly.

*hugs* Kath

The vagaries of family affections: sigh!

Cee.. yep, he is :)

Valerie.. rdear, Joe & karen... thank you :) it's fine.. I knew .. but ya know.. it was just seeing it when I was emotional anyway... blah blah.. over reaction, I guess. All is well. I do appreciate my pals here.. a lot!

Ellen!! great :) I will look for them :)

I went to my sister's house to swim for 2 hours.. tired, and weirdly, freezing.

1. I'm so sorry about the Walter experience, Kath. I deeply sympathize.

2. Wait...you went swimming? Not dizzy, I hope?

3. It is soooo relaxing looking at the kitty pictures. Love them.

Feel better, Kath. We love ya.

Hi Gail.. thanks.. I am fine. I just posted too soon after coming home, is all.
Swimming, yes. I was sick for about 2 hours, which is about the amount of time I was in the pool.. I kept my eyes closed as much as possible, and did the backstroke mostly, in order to keep from having to turn my head. So? I was less sick than I have been in the past. I took some ginger ( I forgot to before I left due to ... other issues.. so? dunno. Thanks :) I find my kitties soothing, too. Wish you could have a pair :)

I just got back from Kims.. baby fix ( they were not at Deb's today ) and Keith printed something for me.. that wouldn't print for me, because I have a hate / hate relationship with adobe. So... it was a fairly busy day.. also, I did catch a look at the steam engine that has been bopping back and forth around here, for the celebration of Norfolk Southern's 30 anniversary. (NICKEL PLATE ROAD LOCAMOTIVE 765) Dan raced it to a pull of on RT 65, and I took this



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56cy2jhCwo0

is not mine, it is from YouTube

I don't think it's overreacting about the photos. It IS hurtful - how could it not be? Sorry that you had to deal with that.

Love the pictures of your kitties and the box - too cute!

Sorry about the pictures - I know how that feels. Not gonna go into that though. Just gets my BP up.

Then, otoh, you have the tragedy of my Mom who took pictures of everyone and everything - put together very complete albums - but can't identify anyone anymore. Even the ones that are clearly labeled she does not recognize. She just throws them all out (or I give them to appropriate family if I know). They mean nothing to her anymore. So sad.

Choo choo! Choo choo!!

Hi Kath! Just stopping by to say hi and thanks for stopping by my thread! I love the picture at the top of your thread! Gorgeous!

Hope all is well!

Hi Mamie... No worries... it's just one of those things... oh my kitties.. endless entertainment :)

Cee... That is sad :( Very sad. I'm sorry ...

rd.. I was ridiculously excited about it :) The whole experience, the sound, the smell... seeing it, started all sorts of good feelings. It was like a quick trip back in time :) I must have liked these things in a previous life!

I think any true romantic loves steam trains, they are just...I don't know...gifts designed for our inner child. There was a steam train trip about 10mi from my old house in Austin that went on a loop through some pretty Hill Country scenery, and I loved it despite the fact that it was unairconditioned and often crowded.

There used to be a steam train ride in Bryson City, NC, too. If it's still there, I'd love to do that again, through the Nantahala Gorge.

I would love a chance to ride on one :) I enjoy plain old every day trains... loved taking the train to Boston.. Glouchester, etc. PGH stinks . We have train tracks everywhere and can't take a damn train anywhere anymore.

Good morning Kath! I had one of those I don't want to get up but would rather lounge around in bed all day kind of morning. But having a wee one gets me up in the morning whether I feel like it or not!
I hope you are having a relaxing day so far. :)

Hi Valerie... I remember those days! In fact, they have stayed with me.. as I think I am just not capable of having a lounge in bed day, but I sure do manage a jammie day now and then.. just running around the house, when I do :)

94. The Midwife of Hope River: A Novel of an American Midwife by Patricia Harman 5 stars

read and reviewed. Fantastic book. Keeper.

I can't stay in bed all day either, but I sure can sit on the sofa all day, as long as I've got at least one good book

>77 Good review, sweetness. Too bad you can't post it on Ammy yet. Please don't forget to, though!

Kath - I too am a sucker for steam locomotives. Favourite mode of transport is definitely the train - a comfortable seat next to the window, an excellent buffet bar, plenty of chapters rattled off as the countryside whizzes past. There is a train museum in York that I used to go to regularly as a boy - I took my lot there when I was in England a few years ago and they hated every minute of it - Philistines!

Hello Kath - bit of a drive-by here, but wanted to say that I sypathise about the clearing out of houses thing. I will have to start on my parent's home soon...not a happy thought.

>77 FIVE freaking stars! That's something for you :-)
Will have to check it out for sure...

Did you have a good day?

ETA: Yup. Looks like a good one... you made a good choice.

Hi Kath, a lot to catch up on Im afraid to say :)
Love the steam engine, Wilbur would too, although he likes trams better he tells me lately. I think he got a fright from the loud whistle on the steam engine once, and the little bell on the tram holds no surprises for him.

Awful to hear about your experience at Walter's house. I would be crushed by that. There's no telling why some family members are favoured and others not, but it must feel like a slap in the face to see none of your photos up.

I always do a ceremonious photo count at my mums house. It has become a family joke. My sister and me love playing the favourite so gloat (only ever in front of mum) that we are the favourite daughter, sign cards that way, and generally play the fool. Mum maintains that she has no favourite, but I secretly know (exactly as my sister would say about herself) that I am the favourite :) I can only joke about it because we are equally loved, and equally treated.

Hi Karen... me too!

Thanks rd... Hopefully I will remember. I have to make a habit of going through my books read now and then and making sure that the LTERs are on Ammy. Most of the time, the ones I read from author/publishers are ready for review by the time I get them.

Paul, I can't explain my interest.. lol. The first time I heard it last week, I got chills.. I had no idea what I was hearing at first. I went out to look, but although I can see much of the river from where I live, I really can't see the railroad. I could see the smoke, and smell it. I seriously must have some past life connection. I heard it several times, and it was pure luck that we were on the road and able to race it to a spot to see it.
Silly, but it was enjoyable to see it :)

Prue... Then I thank you and give the sympathy back to you. No... not an easy thing.

Cee.. LOL yes. Five. I liked it that much. I liked her other book too. it was N. Maybe I should have given it 5 stars too, instead of 4.5

MEGAN ....Little boys are funny. Your little one sounds like a real "GUY" with his go carts and trams etc. Oliver is afraid of everything right now. Those little horses and cars that you put coins in and they rock back and forth? He is afraid of them. He is terrified of the pool, and is wrapped up in anti sinking suits and rings. Hopefully all of this fear will pass. Owen, on the other hand, is too new to fear a thing. Anything goes for him. It makes me laugh... He is a big baby, too. I wonder how they will be in a few years? How wonderful that you and your sister can joke that way, and feel secure in your moms love. I hope mine feel the same. My sister always was my moms favorite. Then, her kids. That carried over with Walter. He was much more comfortable with my sister and her family than with me. It;s different here.. more casual.. furkids all over, and my kids are opinionated and .. different from their cousins. They always were. They were, however aware of their status as second class grandkids. It was clear ..I was sure that there would be a few photos.. as I had given him plenty. There were boxes with cards and pictures Kim and Bobby had drawn for them. Their names were on them. There were envelopes with Kim and Bobbies names on them... you know.. just one more reminder... not a surprise and I will never tell my kids. They already know how differently they were treated, no need to tell them anything.

Today, I am planning a clean out upstairs... book purging and getting rid of an old old dresser. There is plenty of room up there, and I am going to bring home the upstairs bedroom set from Walters house. NO one else wants it, and I have never owned one :P Always just odds and ends... Sadly, it is too big to fit in my room. Still, it will make a nice guest room.

"it was N" ???

Good morning, Kath! Sounds like you have a very productive day planned. I hope you get all the stuff on your list done and hopefully a few moments to relax and enjoy the day. :)

We're trying to purge our attic, and at the same time get our 22 year old young man to make decisions on his multitude of stuff before he moves to Seattle (what to send there, what to give away, and hopefully very little for us to hang on to for him). Amazing how much work goes into this kind of thing! We've got a lot of books up there, and I got exhausted yesterday just sorting through them and getting the keepers re-shelved (still not done!)

Sorry Cee NF ( non - fiction)

Valerie.. and I got it all done and more! yay me!
Then we went o out for a late lunch. On The Border, Mexican food. Yummy.. but I am stuffed to the gills.
And after all the swimming I have been doing this year, I think I do have gills!

Joe.. I feel your pain! My kids have been out for years and I just sent another email to them about their stuff.

I am really beat, I moved furniture down from the second floor to the back curb.. 2 sets of steps... and up a hill. Dan helped with some of the big things, like the dresser. I took all of the drawers and the trash and parts of the entertainment center. I scrubbed the floor and purged some shelves and ran the vac.. and whew! Then I cleaned downstairs...

Lots of laundry, but it will be for tomorrow. I think I am done except for cat litter...
yay!

I'm exhausted just reading about it. Yes, the laundry will wait. But your lunch sounds delicious - and you didn't have to make it, so yay for that.

Missed you - thanks for looking after my thread for me!

Anytime my friend, any time !! I hate it when threads sink away and get all lonely and cold :P

I just remembered that we have a http://www.bridgewaterbookfest.com/ coming up... I wonder if I can go.. ?

Aha! NF! Sounds even better :-)

Moving furniture and doing stairs burns LOTS of calories - maybe even as many as you ate for lunch! lol (or not lol)

Supper delayed again :PPPPPPPPPPPPP
All day no one had an emergency. NOW they have to have one???? Smoke was smelled... duh, someone burning dinner?
I would make a truly lousy firefighter... with attitude :}

Well, I added my work to my app, and I still have hundred of calories I can still eat.
I am too full.... lol! I will have a snack, or something. Sorry about the delay... that stinks...

Whoa, Kath; sounds like a day and a half of work for you there! Hope your muscles don't give you fits tomorrow.

Quiet and peaceful at our place. We had some scallops for dinner with assorted veg. I seem to be tired all the time; not sure why.

Oh, and a Nothing Day tomorrow. Going out for b'fast and that's about it.

oh goody! come home and put jammies back on!

I have yard work in the morning.. Dan off again, but wil be out for a while.
Just burgers for dinner tomorrow.. I am too tired to read. Crazy.. and my muscles are thanking me for the ibuprofen tonight. :)

o boy! You'll be in trouble tomorrow if muscles are complaining now :{
But think of the great shape you're gonna be in by the end of summer.
Did you get a cold front moving through? Lots of energy being expended over there!

It did cool off.. it was about 80 and the same tomorrow..
I have a lot to do.. need to get more boxes to empty the china cupboard...
Getting things done is good :) I get started early... that helps heat wise :)

another one of my famous drive-bys.
I'm glad it's cooling off in your neck of the woods. We are headed for "the hottest two days of the year" --- tomorrow and Friday, highs in the mid-to-upper 90s. For this area, that is *hot*.

Stopping by to say hi! Like Ellen above me - we too are about to experience our hottest days! Oh sigh! I love the 70's, thanks ever so much!

Morning Kath- Just swinging by to say hi. Been gone a few days and I'm swamped with thread posts. Trying to get caught up. Hope all is well. High 70s today. Nice.

Twenty after eight and no sign of you? Hm. The sniffer dogs will be out in force if nothing shows up in the next half hour....

Drive bys work Ellen... at least I know that you're thinking of me :)

Hi Mark..so you're home then?

rd... busy morning again.. packed up much of what was in my china cupboard. I need another box..

I expect it will be a busy time for me coming up.. so we shall see, attendance might be spotty for a bit.
I have to figure out what to do with some stuff...lots of stuff. It's that time of year :) And I need to do something about carpeting for that bedroom.

I think

Anyway.. good morning to everyone... and I will be back as I can...gotta go measure something

Mighty busy over here, Kath. I'm exhausted just thinking about you cleaning the upstairs. I'm like you, I like to get an early start and do it when I'm fresh. To look at my house you might think that Lynda hasn't been too fresh lately. I'll get back to a good clean up when school starts next week.

We're a steam train family and keep our eyes open for any excursions when we're traveling. Have you thought about framing your pic? It's a nice one.

Morning Kath - don't work too hard today! Water heater is on the fritz again. Oh well, at least it worked fine while I was feeling poorly and yesterday I got all of the laundry caught up, so that's a plus.

Oh boy! Measuring means new stuff!! Cool, have fun, see ya later

Sending extra cleaning energy - you go woman!
Maybe I'll be inspired sometime in Sept/Oct?

Good morning, Kath. I'll echo what Mamie said - don't work too hard. It's important to take breaks, and you can use that time to, for example, goof off on LT.

good morning, all. Pac NW is bracing itself for some of that hot weather you all had earlier this summer. Mid to high 90s. Unheard of! Well, at least we don't have this often.

One kid is in baseball camp all day today, and I sure hope the coaches know how to let the kids cool off. Could be pretty hard day to be playing baseball.

Other kids and I will hunker down inside a cool house, with fans going!

I get to go to a basketball game tonight! First one of the women's games after the Olympics. We will be cheering two gold metal winners! fun will be had

All in all, a busy hot day. Whew.

Remember to take your breaks, Kath! Sending you lots of good cleaning/sorting/organizing vibes so you have the energy to power through everything. :)

Hi Kath. I hope your Thursday is going well.

Karen, enjoy the game tonight! I'm off to a Mariners' game tomorrow (now why couldn't I have attended yesterday to see Felix pitch his perfect game?).

Kath, what were you measuring?

Kath?

You must be horridly busy, I bet. Don't overdo it, Sweetie.

Anyway. Very quiet here today. Did some sorting and culling of paperwork, started a new thread---brilliantly managed to start it with the same name as the old one---looked at the yard and realized how much work there is to do.

Read a tiny bit, too.

Take care of yourself with all that furniture moving.....for god's sake don't hurt yourself

{{hug}}

Lynda.. mighty busy indeed! scrubbing, packing, and moving all sorts of things. I have never heard of a steam train excursion. We are a never take a trip family.. so I miss stuff.

Mamie.. OH NO! I hope that it's fixed again by now. What a PIA. Terrible.

rd.. new carpet. I fund an off white remnant that will be wall to wall there. Cory's old room. So... I bought it. Cheap. Then, I rolled up the area rug that was in the dining room, shook it out ( ouch), scrubbed the floor and and put the much bigger area rug from upstairs, (Dan shook it out ) in the dining room. Then I scrubbed upstairs. There has been much moving of furniture and scrubbing. I still have one bookshelf to empty, just for rug putting down purposes.. and the new furniture might allow me enough storage space for photo albums etc to eliminate it. I have purged the remaining book shelf within an inch of its life.

Cee.. I am woman!! I am usually much more inspired in cooler weather.. but I have no choice of time.. next weekend )( Hopefully) will see the bedroom set from my mom's room in my guest room up there..
I have some prints I want to frame... That way, when Dan is in Canada, I can work on recovering the seats of the dining room ugly chairs.

Joe.. Once ya get going, it just goes, you know? I just remembered a big weed that sneaked into my rose bush. I has to wait till tomorrow.

Karen, I heard about the weather.. sorry to hear it, but to be truthful, glad it isn't us again :P
It will pass... hang in there :)

Valerie, Thanks for the boost. I needed it about 6 pm. whew! I couldn't have done it without you :)

Ellen... today went very well thank you! Hope yours did, too. (Dan has the tv blaring with a Simon and Garfunkle bio. We have seen it 3 times. I love them. It is too loud. My head feels like it will explode. Other than that.. it was a good day. )

Gail.. I know, it has been crazy busy. I should get a break tomorrow afternoon..
I hope. I am going to try to visit threads tonight. I have had to step away form the computer 4 times just while typing this. Grr Things were going much better while he was out.

Jude.. Thanks! :) No worries.. I learned long ago to use my legs to move things.. :)

Your "new" house is gonna look so good!
My Mom always maintained that rearranging the house was a good substitute for going on vacation. She could never afford one and many times we would come home to a completely different setup. It was kinda fun!

Never a dull moment for moss to grow over there ;-)

I love my "new " bedroom... I switched it out a few months ago. It feels much beter.

The new upstairs bedroom will be very nice. The furniture is old enough that it is all wood, and
it is in perfect condition... Sadly, my room is too small to hold it, but still. I like the upstairs rug down here. When dan is away I will do some rug cleaning... and I will be a happy camper. I also pulled some old lace kitchen curtains out of the attic and hung them back in the kitchen.. Still not painted, but I will get there.

Hope today will be a bit calmer.. I am thinking that I might take the day off from moving things. I can get the bookshelf out of that bedroom tomorrow morning. Dan won't be putting the rug down today, I'm pretty sure. With luck, once the new furniture is in that room, I can store the photo albums in the nightstands, and get the books that are in there.. out. They are almost all either classics which I think I will box.. or books that I should be able to fit in elsewhere. I hope. Then I'll have one more shelf for the basement. and more room upstairs.

Morning Kath- It sounds like you've had a very busy week. You NEED a couple days off. Hopefully, you've been squeezing in a little reading. Relax and enjoy your day.

Morning Kath - Are you taking it easy today?

When I first joined LT I wondered where the heck everyone put all their books. Now I understand. Everywhere. Tucked in where ever they fit. I've accumulated a lot of books since I joined - so many great recs - and even with reading and weeding, my book "garden" grows!

Have fun re-decorating!

Many stumbling blocks, and it isn't even noon.. stress in the red zone. Crap.

*Hugs* to you Kath! Whatever it is that is giving you stress, I hope it can be resolved sooner than later or at least you can walk away from it for a bit!

Good for you getting all that house rearranging/cleaning done. I still have a room of "unpacked" boxes from when we first moved into this house... I doubt they will ever get unpacked and then we will probably move again and accumulate more boxes. What fun! :)

Hi there! Sorry about the lack of pictures at Walter's. And the dizziness. And the stumbling blocks this morning. Yay for the new furniture and rearranging! Hope you find some happiness today. Big Hug.

Oh boo hiss on stress in the red zone. Is it the tile people?

I love the whirlwind activity's end result! You'll be a lot happier with the way the house looks. Getting there, well, isn't that always the rough bit?

Yes, children, it is hot here. Most of us do not have air conditioning as it hot here only rarely. We keep the houses kind of "closed" up during the day and preserve some of the evening cool. Not too bad. Littlest one is outside running through the sprinkler, oldest one is watch Star Wars on TV, and I'm in the dining room with my Macbook Air.

I am thinking my next purchase will be an Apple TV. Any comments?

Karen - I have Apple TV and I love it, so if you have any questions...

cool! I'll come over after work, if that is ok....

Valerie... thank you! Oh dear, unpacked boxs? If you havn'e missed anything in the time thy have been there,, toss 'em!

Hi Kim.. No worries.. all is working out just fine.... I will be very happy when it's all sorted.

rd... well .. partly them.. they finally brought the carpeting, and were flummoxed about how to get it in. I had to show them.. yikes and yikes. I will be hapy with the house, I know :)

Karen, yikes! that does make it tough... no a/c Apple tv? I do not have, I have roku.
Mamie will be great help to you !

Hi Mamie.. hoping your day went well.. and the water heater is fixed?

Well, about 5 minutes after the rug arrived and the people left...
I got very ill. I had several bad hours. I guess I shouldn't have eaten spinach salad.
It seems that it set off an IBS attack, and it was not ... I thought I had food poisoning , but
Dan wasn't sick, so that can't have been it. So I spent some time flat out on the sofa, and
had toast and diet coke
Back tomorrow? I am ging to try to visit a few threads before I give up for the night..

Still waiting on the plumber, if you can believe that!

Oh dear - just read the part about the sickness. SO sorry, Kath! Glad you are feeling at least a bit better though - take it easy

Spinach salad set off IBS. Oh yuck! Sleep a lot. Feel better!

You have been working too hard!
Rest - recoup
feel better

Hope you have a peaceful night ;-)

Oh, erg...maybe some chicken broth? Ginger tea? Please feel better soon, Kath.

So sorry to hear about the IBS attack--hope you are feeling better now.

Sit down, Kath - a cool beer and your favourite bacon as a savoury or dessert - a take things easy for the whole weekend. x

So Mamie.. what is the deal with the plumber? Did he show last night? Is he coming today?
What the heck!

rd, I have less trouble eating the bacon and beer that Paul suggests than some healthy food...sigh

Cee... My kitties wanted to play very early!

Toast, Gail. I went with toast.. comfort food :)

Hi roni! I haven't seen your thread in a while.. I am shamefully behind, but so busy ! Thanks for stopping by

Good idea Paul!

When my stomach needs settling I go for mint tea. Does that ever work for you? I like Ginger Tea when I have a cold. Never tried it for digestive upset; should remember that for next time.

Good morning, and I hope your Saturday has many opportunities for sitting and reading. Seems like a good thing to do! (-:

An upset stomach does not begin to cover it. It really felt more like food poisoning, but Dan was fine..

Peppermint is good for upsets, as is ginger. Ginger is also good for motion sickness, and it's a hot herb, therefore it works as a catalyst for many other herbs. For instance ginger and evening primrose are good for arthritis and evening primrose is generally a good herb for women, as it aids in many things including keeping skin smooth.

Cayenne is itself a good hot herb, ( good for arthritis) and it too, works as a catalyst to other herbs, as does cinnamon. They both help with metabolism, as well.

Red clover is a very mild system cleanser and is also useful for skin eruptions, including cysts.
Red raspberry leaf is good for relieving cramps... but should be avoided if you are pregnant, There are quite a few herbs that need to be avoided when there is a pregnancy, including the cohash's and Goldenseal.
Goldenseal and garlic are good antibiotics. Feverfew and catnip help reduce fever and feverfew is also good for migraine, but as a supplement daily, not to make one go away. Dandelion and Yarrow... good natural stimulants for urination.. and so also somehat cleansing.

I have several certificates in herbal and homeopathic healing for people and for animals, as well as the Usui and Japanese Reiki of course, and healing touch,tellington touch, therapeutic touch, and acupressure, Lightwork, and a few other odds and ends, like the ordained minister thing from the Universal Life Church. ( a few online clicks for protecting myself legally to do Reiki.. or so I was told) I spent more than ten years in these studies.. forgive my spouting off.. it just sort of started this train of thought when Karen posted. Also.. I just took my binders with these certificates, my notes and books off of the shelf in the bedroom upstairs. Brought a lot of memories tumbling back of those good days when I was studying and practicing.

edited for weirdness in text and spelling a few times :)

forgive my spouting off.. Kath, friend, no forgiveness is needed, it is your thread, and I'm glad to read of your learnings and good days. May you have one of those today!

FOUND ON TWITTER ~ morning chuckle

So the cops just left. Misery called 911 after we deletes apps from his iPad. Yeah, that was fun.

Fortunately, when asked, he told the police of our "horrible" crimes. 3 squad cars...all laughing.

ok.. salsa made √
pasta salad done √
box springs out √
bedframe out √
Lunch packed √
Lunch for us √

Now just vacuuming and kitchen floor again..
Reading time slotted in for this afternoon.
Good morning here :)

I've started my day much more lazily: dogs fed, birthday card written and put in mail box, bath taken, put on clothes, eaten two breakfasts and two cups of latte (big ones), read, listened to music, unwrapped my new disc drive, read some more, petted dogs. That's it so far and I've been up for hours!

May not do anything officiall productive today. I have a feeling it is one of my "do what I feel like doing" days. I need them every so often...

I strongly approve of do nothing days, and have some planned for the near future :)

Hope you are fully recovered, Kath. That was weird, huh?

Another rainy day today - NOT that I want to see the sun while it's humid... but... a little more brightness and dryness would be good for awhile.
I've been waiting for a good drying day to clean the rugs for a looooong time. Need good crisp autumn air!

You're so busy Kath! I hope you get to enjoy some down time this weekend.

Love the train photo. I like trains. My grandfather was a conducter on the Erie-Lackawanna so I say they're in my blood.

Mornin' Kath. Cloudy and cool here...73 as I type.

Up early-ish today; read Sunday paper, such as it is; b'fast by Dh; now hereabouts. Not much time this a.m. though, as still must clean up from b'fast, work in front yard, maybe a bit of shopping and out to lunch.

Have a calm week-end.

Morning, Kath! Ahhh - cool here too! I think below 70 F - as you know I am a Celsius temp person, so early this am it is 15 C. The day before was about 84 F , which is just ( IMO) dreadfully hot! We ( like most people here ) don't have a/c, so oh boy, it was hot!

Happy Sunday!

Swinging by to say hi. Hi!

*waving wildly* ... it's a nice cool day today here in MA .... sitting out on the deck having done loads of laundry after our very last guest for the week left this morning. *bliss*

Hope you're doing better today, kiddo!

The one thing I know, for sure, about IBS (and I've never been diagnosed, but know the symptoms well) is that Anxiety & Stress are major triggers...so, it's no wonder you were ill after the Invasion of the Carpet People.....IBS symptoms can feel like Food Poisoning and even a Heart Attack.....be well, and please try to chill...a little..

{{{{hug}}}}

Hi Cee... I can't beleive I haven't been to my own thread since yesterday ::perplexed::
I have been reading when I can and busy... at times. And I made a fab dinner today..

Joanne .. yeah, busy but it seems the harder I work the more needs to be done. Paint! I want paint!
Still.. other things are happening .. sort of .

Hi Gail... nice to have pleasant weather for a change isn't it It helps to get you though the day if you can get from here to there without melting. Did you go out to lunch? Was it good? What did you have? Calm weekend? yeah.. it was pretty calm. I just got back from holding a sleeping Owen in my arms. Keith made me wake him after 10 minutes, since it is so close to bedtime :) but still..

Deb :) It's so good to see you ! 84... there were plenty of places here that would have paid to have it only 84 this summer :P But if you aren't used to it.. it can be rough. Who can get used to 105F day after day though? Not me :PPP

Hi rd.... Yes, a good day.. hope it was for you, too ?

Lynda and Caro :) thank you both for stopping by. Sorry to have been neglectful of my own thread. I have been sending emails that needed sending and popping in and out.. I guess I wasn't poppin here as much as I thought

okay today I made

6 chicken breasts, bone and skin removed chicken, quartered
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 small yellow pepper
1 small red pepper al three chopped.
2 small cans diced tomatoes
1 bunch of celery
2 tbsp fresh parsley
salt
and some yummy special hot sauce from Amy..

browned chicken & added garlic, celery and onion
tossed that all around a bit and chucked in tomatoes and peppers
simmered

Served it over Mini Farfalle With Tomatoes and Carrots instead of rice, because Dan doesn't like rice and I love it, so I would have eaten too much. This was delicious.

Then I read, and talked to most of my kids.. still waiting for Cory..

That sounds really good! I want some, too, but I want RICE!! *smooch*

Sigh, Me too.

Yah, I'm a rice kind of gal as well. More often that not, I prefer it over potatoes, but oiy, all that carb has to go somewhere!
Glad to hear you are feeling better and I'm super, super impressed with your knowledge of natural and herbal remedies! Anything you know for sore muscles??

I think I need to make that - sounds absolutely delicious!

Well I don't know where I've been but I have caught up on your thread Kath and I must say I love the pic at the top; just beautiful. That chicken dish sounds very good so I might have to give that recipe a whirl although my hubby does most of the cooking and I don't want to ruin a good (really good) thing. Your story of the missing pictures at Walter's reminded me that my sister never puts up any of the pics I have given her over the years of my kids but she puts up tons of pics of her best friend's kids. Very hurtful so I understand where you're coming from completely.

Valerie, arnica montana in homeopathic pellets and or topical cream, or a comfrey poultice or bath. I prefer arnica .The poultice is good for bruised areas.

Mamie, it really was...and there are leftovers!

Thanks Bonnie...and maybe give him the recipe? Thank you for understanding about the pictures. I knew where we stood of course, in the scheme of things, it just brought it home again.

Ye gods, it's brutal typing on nook! Out of practice!

More tomorrow :)

95.Ninth Key by Meg Cabot kindle 3 stars
96 Reunion by Meg Cabot kindle 3 stars
97. Darkest Hour by Meg Cabot kindle 3 stars
98. Twilight by Meg Cabot Kindle 3 stars

So... who was it encouraged me to read the Meg Cabot Mediator series? Fess up please?
I grabbed as many as I could from the library, which meant I missed 1 & 5. I know this drives some folks crazy, but I am dealing with it. This has been a totally fun and series. So thank you! How many are there?

Hope to read Military Fly Moms today...

Store run this morning :( whatcha up to?

Morning Kath-Well, at least you've been knocking out some books. That's always a plus. I'm off to work, so you have a good one!

Have a great week, Kath

We're going to the zoo today and then I hope to get some more reading done

Morning Kath! No sign of the plumber yet - I have a feeling that if he doesn't show I might have actual steam coming out of my ears today, and that hardly ever happens.

Look at you rocking through the books! My daughter (Abby) loves Meg Cabot.

I went to the grocery yesterday, so I don't have to go today. Whoopie! Individual meat loves, steamed broccoli, and something else for dinner. No idea what the something else is.

:) These were fun reads.. I wanted to wallow in not working or thinking this weekend.

This was an odds and ends trip. We are just having hot dogs for lunch and we will both have leftovers from yesterday for supper ...Dan at work and me at home. yummy.

I want to wallow in that, too. Sign me up for no working and no thinking.

*hands Mamie pen with magical bright green ink*

Hi, Kath. I had no idea you had so much background in herbs! I passed on your thoughts up in >134 to my much better half, who is very much into alternative medicine.

Kath - thanks for the heads up on herbs to fight off stomach problems. I was down at the chinese herbal store earlier looking for concoctions of ginger and peppermint and found them both in a drink I have just taken. Seems to be working thus far.
I will increase my cinnamon intake shortly too if it improves the metabolic rate.

Kath, what can I give Stella for itching? She's going wild, there are no fleas, she isn't due for a bath, help.

might be dry skin, richard? My vet like me to give my dry skinned schnauzers canine omega three oils, but Kath may have some additional ideas.

Joe.. I had quite the library on growing and using herbs at one time. I have culled it over the last years, and just kept a few old faves.

Paul.. I am also a believer that the herbs that come from closer to you are the most effective for you. This is a philosophy that was passed to me by a teacher, and it makes sense to me. Just like if you find stinging nettle, there is usually mugwort close by and it will help to relieve the sting. Mother Nature is a canny old soul! I have had ginger help me with the worst of stomach ailments.. even nausea due to anesthesia.. I almost always have it on hand.. but I use it often for a variety of things so it sometimes runs out.

rd....Try some nettle drops in her water? It tastes like mud, though.. so you might have to start slowly.. also I would say goldenseal. Karen is right about the oils, fish oil, or i try to remember to add some olive oil or fish oil to Dunkers food.. kitties too. Dry skin is a cause of itching, but be careful.. I didn't think it was fleas last year either.. I didn't see any in the usual places. Be aware that Frontline is not as strong as it used to be and some are claiming it doesn't work as well. When they made it over the counter they cut its ingredients. IF you comb out any black specks with your flea comb.. put them on a white paper, and add water. If they look reddish after the water is added ( a drop) it is flea dirt...

You are definitely liking your Meg Cabot at the moment and that's great!
I wish I could confess to steering you in that direction, but since I haven't read any of her books, it couldn't have been me. :)

Good morning, Kath!

99. I finished reading Military Fly Moms . ( okay, I have 4 stories left) It's a quick and easy read that I began last night. There are pictures.. good sized print :) I will post a review soon.. I am trying to finish it, and make lunch and be online and wash clothes.. you know.. lack of organization, trying to do too much at once :P

eta / poi

There were 17 5 star reviews on Amazon. This make me wonder if any besides my own were by anyone besides friend, family etc. I am getting cynical in my old age. . . my 3.5 from here is a 4 there, as I almost always boost them .5 instead of lowering them .5. Don't get me wrong, it is a good book.. but it isn't a great one..

Hi Kath. It sounds like you got sucked into the Cabot series big time. I love when that happens.

I know "eta" but what is "poi"?

Hi Kath. Well, you have my utmost sympathy. Actually empathy. I was down and out for most of yesterday. After all my surgeries for ulcerative colitis, things are a little kinked due to scar tissue. I got something stuck in what's left of my intestines and everything got backed up and hurt like the dickens. I really should remember to chew my steaks a little more! Hope you rally quickly. I am up and about but eating soft things like yogurt. ; )

Ellen, those Meg Cabot books are like potato chips!
Point
Of
Information :)

Hi Kim, that sounds much worse! yikes!

I am currently recovering from making myself swim for about 90 minutes. I look like a drunk when I get out of the pool, I'm so dizzy and queasy. Trying to get some exercise when I can. I do too much sitting around :PPP I hate walking the hills around here so I am trying to swim when I can. I got to see my nephlets... and their daddy :) so it was all worth it. I just took another dose of ginger and will try to close my eyes for a few minutes . The whole time I was trying to stay afloat, and breathing, I kept thinking of Diana Nyad. I sure hope she makes it this time so she wills top :P She must be exhausted... craziness. Anyone know if she is still at it?

I have to start using the recumbent bike, instead. srsly.

stopping by to say how very much I appreciate you!

As of 7:00 pm Diane Nyad was still at it Kath. I hope she makes it too; talk about determination.

Hi Kath!
We had a really good day - spent with a good group.
The sea was so calm, the air was so clear, the temp was a bit warm (but, I know, it's still August).
We climbed up the lighthouse and the view was so dramatic. I'm not real crazy about heights (anything over 2 feet) - but that sucker felt VERY stable. Somehow I managed to enjoy the vantage point at the top.

We had a lovely picnic lunch and decided to circumnavigate Georgetown. Such a beautiful cruise - so much water and landscape that is void of the human touch. We made it easily through Hell's Gate! (hehehe) The tide was perfect.

Anywho - I'm pooped. May have a picture or two tomorrow.

Sleep well tonight - and for pity sake, stay out of the pool! :PPPPP

Hi, Kath! I'm trying to catch up now that I'm home. The castle picture at the top is fantastic; ditto the train photo and the video you gave the link for. I love steam trains, too! There is a steam train excursion that runs out of Cumberland, Maryland, which we have been on a number of times through the years. When my son was younger, he had a membership in their "little engineers club" which helped with the ticket price. It's not all steam trains -- mainly the weekends, some days are diesel. They even do "mystery trains."

http://www.wmsr.com/home.php

Hi Kath,
zooming by just to get the "unread" messages tally to an acceptable number. Once it gets too big it becomes imposing!

90 minutes is a long swim! Are you doing laps for that long? I can usually force myself to do 30 minutes, that = about 1km. I feel so proud of myself for doing that, I jump out as soon as Ive done it.

Wow, Kath, that's a lot of pool time. Still trying the back stroke? It helps with dizziness and the water/ear thing. Also, for me, it's the easiest and most natural of all swimming strokes.

Never did get to lunch as Dh had trouble with legs, but went shopping and got a few more-or-less acceptable things.

Dr. appt. today. Here was today's interesting part:

He: What if you come to a mountain you can't climb? What would you do?

Me: Go around it.

He: But you can't go around; you are surrounded by mountains. What would you do?

Longish pause. Just as I was getting ready to say, "make the best of it," he said, "Beautify the bottom of the mountain."

I liked that.

Kathleen's Reading Nook:

thanks for the mini education. :-)

Potato chips. Yum.

90 minutes sounds like a lot in the pool... I hope you feel better!

oh Linda! you are always so sweet :) and so is that little mouse ! hugs to you!

Cee... so glad that you had a good day :) I sure hope you took pictures of Hell's Gate. Did you see anyone you know there? Was there a temperature change? A Lighthouse! Lots of those showing up lately :) I look forward to seeing some pics, and in the meantime, I am just happy that you had a wonderful day!
( yeah.. blasted pool )

Terri.. nice to see you! Your photos are fantastic! IT sounds like a good time, even the leaving early to come home sounded good! The train excursions also sound fun :) I had never heard of such a thing....

Megan.. it's a small pool.. 18 feet I think. And yes.. I just swim back and forth and back and forth. I wonder if I would be less likely to to have the motion sickness if it were an actual big pool. I am just trying to move...you know? So I swim back and forth and walk back and forth and just try to make sure that 60 minutes of 90 are in motion. It isn't for fun, it is simple grim determination :(

Gail.. yes.. did the backstroke the whole time. It is the easiest, and it helped a little. I wasn't as badly affected this time by the nausea, and I tried to breathe instead of holding my breath from one side to the other.. What a lovely thing for the doctor to say :) And he is right. But I would add, that if you are carrying a burden, pass some of it to someone willing to take it on. Then step under the crystal waterfall and cleanse yourself of any negative feelings ...you know the ones. hugs

OMG rd.... I love that! I can feel it around me! I can smell the toast and tea and lilacs. Thank you so much! I will retreat there from time to time :)

Let me make this clear Ellen, I am not the least bit athletic. My goal is to simply move and burn calories...
I spent part of the extra 20 minutes holding my Owen.. and playing with him. Poor sweetie. The plucked him from the crib, and plunked him into the water. IT wasn't a hot day, and the water was very cold :P
He was much happier when they took him out. Like I said, grim determination. I do not have a good relationship with exercise, and when I say grim determination, I mean grim. :( Walking the hills around my home ( which is at the top of a hill in a town that is all hills ) is not pleasant in any way for me. It seems that no matter how many times I walk up the hill, it doesn't get any easier :( Grim I tell you.. :P

OFf to Walters in a bit.... with some boxes.

Mornin', Kath.

Love your description of exercise. I personally have nothing against exercise and will lie down happily right next to it. I did enjoy walking very much when I was younger, but not so much now, what with lots of loose dogs, some quite large and of dubious manners.

And you're right...as time goes on, it's going to be necessary to get some help, even if just to sit with him while I do something else. Not quite necessary yet, though. We did plan for this financially (and when we built the house with 3'0" doors everywhere, higher toilet seats, etc.) so that he can stay at home, which I think is better for the patient in almost all spousal cases, as well as being better for my conscience. Of course every person's case is unique; if he didn't know me, for example, that might be a different story. But we planned way ahead, as I said, so that we could afford a couple of shifts of help every day if need be. Hoping it doesn't go there, but ready if it does.

Great thing yesterday: I was pruning some stuff and saw this large-ish, rather unusual spider. So I studied him/her/it for a bit and noticed that most of the web seemed formless, but on one edge was a perfect line of X's going from top to bottom. Weird; never saw anything like that before.

Later, saw a squirrel in my then-dry birdbath, sitting up and quite daintily eating a wild mushroom. Wonder if he had a trippy night?

Good morning, Kath!

Very commendable that you squeeze in some workout with swimming even though it makes you dizzy! I remember doing a lot of swimming when I was younger, but I can't remember the last night I actually went for myself. Just seems like so much work with the prepping beforehand and the cleaning afterwards..haha! I imagine I will probably do it a lot it in the near future as my little guy needs to find some way to expend all his restless energy!

*smooch*

I'm pleased you liked the nook as much as I thought you would.

Gail... I'm glad that you have a plan. It's good to have a plan. Even if you never use it, a plan is a good thing :) I like to have plans, myownself. I am glad that your plan includes taking care of you. That makes yours a very good plan. Spider webs have always fascinated me. So delicate and so deadly! Also so beautiful! Yours sounds pretty special... maybe it's code? I keep thinking that there was a scene in one of the Louise Penny books that involved a spider web with a message in it? Oh, and I love squirrels :)

Valerie.. Like Gail said, exercise is like a necessary evil. And I am not sure how necessary, since it doesn't seem to be getting me anywhere. :( I can't decide if I am just being a dotty old loon to keep at it or?
Anyway. I am skipping it today, because I have more moving and cleaning to do here. That's what I did at Walter's house this morning. Cleared out the dining room furniture and packed the dishes for my niece. I am not taking them. Oh and I pissed off my sister by trying to be helpful and do as she said she wanted done..
oh well...

xo rd.... I wish I could transport myself there right now... A month should do it..

I do not have a good relationship with exercise, and when I say grim determination, I mean grim. :( Walking the hills around my home ( which is at the top of a hill in a town that is all hills ) is not pleasant in any way for me. It seems that no matter how many times I walk up the hill, it doesn't get any easier

Kath, I don't have a good relationship with exercise, either; I also live at the top of a hill in a hilly town. I still try to walk to and from work most days, but that hill just seems to get steeper every time I walk home.

I did enjoy walking very much when I was younger, but not so much now, what with lots of loose dogs, some quite large and of dubious manners.

I'm with Gail on this. We've had a large dog "of dubious manners" move in at a house nearby, and there are a number of others who are occasionally loose on the routes I try to walk. It doesn't help that I read Cujo this summer! Love the story of the spider web. Makes me think of Charlotte's Web.

Exercise is not my friend either, but if I can do something like watch TV or listen to music while I'm doing it, then I don't mind it so much. I think all the work and effort you've put into organizing and cleaning your house counts towards the total workout time as well!
Sucks for me that sitting here typing on LT doesn't count for much. :)

Kath, you're cracking me up. I do understand the grimness of your relationship with exercise. It's a grim necessity and clearly no pleasure.

It seems that no matter how many times I walk up the hill, it doesn't get any easier

This is how I feel about climbing the stairs at work. The elevator makes scary noises and has a well-earned reputation for breaking down, but I still usually ride it. When I do make myself climb the stairs to my office on the fourth floor, I am always dismayed by how out of breath I get! One of our interns once suggested that I "start breathing" with the very first step rather than waiting until I feel the need to breathe (with depth and rhythm, he meant). I still get out of breath climbing those three flights of stairs, but it does help!!

As a runner, I can say that loose dogs of dubious manners (large or not, really!) are one of my least favorite things. And, as a rule, I adore dogs!

Loose dog of dubious manners......

Hills should be flattened for those over 50. Just sayin' That poor old man "Johnny" walks the hill to shop at the convenience store. I try to keep an eye out for him, but, they sleep late, and I go out early.. still..
He looks like death to the Nth degree when he gets to the top. He refuses to ask me.. I don't know if he just doesn't remember or if he is afraid ( I don't think he's afraid anymore.. ) he lugs everything up. He even walks to McD's which is way too far. I have to try to remember to see if they want anything from there tomorrow. They are McD fiends. It makes me sad. I will .. I promise.. eat grass or starve before I walt to McD's in 90F heat when I'm 88. Or use my master plan, . I see the difficulty people here go through with elderly parents and so on.. I don't want to end up that way.

Valerie... I agree, my housework does count.. especially lately! I have been doing so much heavy lifting sort of stuff. I guess today will be moderate... but I rarely put my exercise into my app.. maybe only once a week or so . It seems like regular days work is questionable. Today I hate my app, my scale and I am not feeling very friendly toward certain family members..

Ellen... PffT says the woman who runs a gazillion miles a week. I can't imagine running. I would beat myself to death with things jiggling all over the place. This hill is the devil, and it is the easiest one in town. I wish I felt better knowing that steps give you problems, too.. but I don't. I now feel like it's hopeless.. :P

Duners and I have encountered loose dogs of dubious manners.. and I no longer walk him around town, as it's so much of an issue. I don't mind walking alone. Aside from the fact that for one thing.. I have to walk uphill to get home. If I walk uphill to start, so I wan walk downhill to get home, the whole place is hilly and dubious dog ridden. Woe .

That is a very cute dog..

I have been moving a few things and packing up a few things to prepare for the ridding of the old furniture I have here. I hope it leaves with Rocky on friday. Fingers crossed. Otherwise, it is up on the alley for the trash. I tape an envelope on the big things that says "Gentleman" and stick $$ in it when I put up stuff that is over and beyond the call of any of their duty. It seems only right that if they are going to work harder for me, that I should tip them.

Goddess, I'm beat.

ok. Toast, olives and pickle slices for supper.

No cheese?

Just stopping by to say Hi! Shopping day tomorrow, and I have to get some flea meds for Kitteh...

;-}

I came to my senses and added some to spread on the toast.

Wise move!

Good luck tomorrow.. !

Thank You...i'll try not to hurt any one!!

;-)

>190 I would beat myself to death with things jiggling all over the place
LOL! I feel the same way Kath! My body was not designed for moving fast. I feel like an alien when I run.

In using up the leftover spice paste I had to buy cream for the last nights curry, and now I have left over cream to use. Any ideas for dinner involving cream? Or shall I just whip it and plonk it on something sweet and call it dessert?

I vote for dessert!

Well, Ive just made some citrus slice. Im not sure adding cream would help though as its pretty good on its own. uh oh now the keyboard is all sticky with lemon icing
*mental note, dont eat and type*

And .. I am done for the night. Cleaned out cabinet, did cat litter, took dunkers out did a few dishes and ran the vacuum. Now I am having a popsicle

eta

lime

and listening to the wind blow like mad.

Lynda you are lost again... help!

Long hard day, Kath. Now do something just for you.

Here you go, darling:

Lynda's thread

I did... I got myself a new sister :)

Thank you for the link :)

Hey! Guess what? I blew up my vacuum cleaner today :D
With all the best intentions, I dragged out the sucker and went at the living room rug. I was almost finished and the dang thing made a lot of squealing noise and smoke started pouring out.
So, that was the end of my housecleaning adventures for the day :PPP
Ron confirmed it is totally dead. How'd I do???

I was thinking of getting new carpeting. Now I'm thinking wood floors. They are easier to keep clean... It's all kinda moot as I have no $$ for this right now.

Sleep tight - new day tomorrow!

Claudia, I am *mightily* impressed that you blew up your vacuum cleaner. May I just say how completely that fits my picture of a Maine sitcom moment?

"Vacuum's smokin'."

"Yeup. Blew up on Granny's rug."

"Never did hold with laziness, did she."

"Nope."

Well, I don't want to risk my vacuum cleaner today. I think I will leave it in the closet. Maybe tomorrow too. I don't feel lucky.

Konichiwa Kath ... safe but hot in Tokyo. I should have taken your advice and brought an umbrella to keep the scorching rays off my head.... and use it to potentially jab commuters on the subway when they plaster themselves against me

WoW! Well done Cee!!! I am very impressed :) I have worn a few out, and even had them sort of fall apart, but never ever have I had one blow up. Not even when I had 6 cats and a dog. Seriously cool. Now you get to buy a fancy new one with bells and whistles and a built in mp3 player or something.

rd- good show... I like it..who stars in it?

Kim.. unlike some other things around here, my vacuum cleaner spends very little time in the closet some days...

Konichiwa Caro... no parasol available? Actually, when I said it, commuter poking was one of the reasons.. lol
Hope you are having some fun times and not just working so hard. We should have a thread in this group .. kinda like Where's Waldo... but it can be Where's Caro ?

Great job, blowing up your vacuum! Bravo! Now maybe you can get a " Dyson" the one with the rolling ball so you don't have to drag it around so much. I would like one too, but like you I don't have the $$!

As for exercise, here I am wishing that we had SOME hills , for more exercise when I am out walking. However, where I live is completely flat - though I only need to cross a bridge to head into the mountains. But yeah, flat can be good...

I would love flat. I would walk everywhere. The hill to my house stops me from that quite often.
I shouldn't let it, but hill + summer kicks my butt.

Morning Kath- Fell behind a little, but I'm here! Hope you have a great day. The weather has been fantastic here. It starts warming up again tomorrow. Hopefully the humidity stays low.

If you want flat, move to Chicago, Kath. We've got lots of it.

I've been taking notes on how to blow up a vacuum cleaner, although I don't have any real basis to complain. I've just always disliked the sound of them.

It is warming up here again too, Mark, just in time for moving all that furniture. Bah!

Joe, I'm too tired to move. Just moving two rooms is giving me heebeejeebees

I just trimmed up my Dunkers.. a bath is in his near future. Next week, I think. I just don't have time this week. Poor Dunkers.. his mommy is not a good doggy barber.

I'm waiting for dan so we can go over and take apart some furniture and get things started for friday. Pls not waiting. I was up before six, he got up at 10, and he is now on the phone. I am not best pleased. I like to be done at 11 not start then.

oh.. and I am about to read a Vine book by Laura Lippman, and when she was good

And by about to, I mean that I have to do this thing first.

Poor Lipmann, coming second to this thing. Must hurt her terribly.

Glad you liked the documentary...isn't that cave incredible?!

Don't want to do any damn thing today, like return books overdue and pay fines or get the dog more Milk Bones. Want to lie here and soak up conditioned air.

Hi Kath!
Getting a late start today - furnace guy came to do annual cleaning this morning and I finished a Dr Siri book to return to library today.

See? I just knew I'd get great admiration for blowing up the vacuum cleaner. It's a most satisfying event! Never thought I would "mightily" impress you, Richard, about anything. LOL

I have no book in progress right now - need to pick TWO new ones. Very cool...

Hope your day picks up. You need to learn to sleep a little later in the AM, but I fear you are hopeless :}
I just don't understand morning people!

"Poor Dunkers" is probably very happy to skip a bath :-)

Any cleaning in the cards for you this morning, Kath?

I wish my vacuum would blow up too then I would have a valid excuse to ignore it for a bit. But with the monkey constantly going around and picking scraps off the floor and shoving it into his mouth at lightning speed, it's probably not such a great idea to ignore that particular chore for too long. Will be looking into a Dyson when we head down to the States at the end of the month! :)

Mornin', Kath! Sorry you're getting a late start. I hate that, too.

Way to go, Cee, on blowing up the vaccuum. That happened here earlier this year. Most satisfying, as I hated the blasted thing.

rd.. second ... poor Lippman is still unopened. Haven't made it there yet.

Cee, it's a very impressive thing to do, after all. I hardly every blow things up. I break them or burn them but blowing up is commendable. So did you pick books? I will look at your thread if I can just sit here for a while. Bathesa are good! surely he realizes that once it's over?

Valerie.. plenty of cleaning, cooking and dishes. yikes !Neverending story lately.

Gail, you blew one up too! wow! We have an impressive group here. Blowing things up willy nilly. I love my vacuum. It picks things up for me and it cleans my furniture. I hate having to do those things, but since I do, I love having an appliance that makes it easier. This has a fur sucker upper doo hickey. That is a good thing.

so.. we went to Walter's and took apart the hutch, the bed, and brought home a lamp and the glass from the hutch.. the shelves are glass and it has a light. I also brought home the bedclothes and wil wash them.
Also my sister gave me a queen sized bedding set. Its a little on the hideous side, but might do. With off white carpet and brown drapes this has maroon and brown pattern. I need to wash it tomorrow.

Then I came home swept the new carpet free of fuzzys from cutting it ... Moved a book case and once again.. moved books. I am now officially down to 1 book case upstairs. Yay!This frees up a fair amount of space.

I ran to the stores and picked up a few things and made :

http://joelens.blogspot.com/2010/05/cilantro-lime-chicken-tacos.html

which is very yummy

I also cooked for dunkers.

Marty stopped by.

I just sat down and hope I can stay here for a while.

Such a busy Wednesday, Kath. I hope you have some good relaxation at hand!

I am creeping up on making a resolution to go to the YMCA pool once a week and put on flippers, and get a small float board and just do laps... one way on my tummy, and then back on my back. The kids did so well with swimming lessons that their Mom and I want them to continue with lessons and I said I would help schlep them from dressing rooms to pool, and back. The back and forthing by me would be during their lessons. Mom will bring them over, do her exercise class, and drive them home

Sounds like a four way win! I know what you mean about exercise, though.. a class A drag. Much rather be reading!

Kath - just a fly past to say hi and thanks for the herbal heads-up which was a comfort to me at a time when my tummy thought I had done it a great disservice.

Hi, Kath! Just stopping by to catch up.

Imagine, Cee blowing up her vacuum cleaner! I need to be using mine, too . . . I don't suppose it will blow up, though the power switch quit working quite a while ago. I have to turn it on and off by plugging it in and unplugging it.

Cee blew up the vacuum cleaner, and I missed it?!! Oh man!

Kath - Your thread is making me tired; you are working too hard. Is the end in sight? Do you get to take it easy soon?

Just wanted to say hi!

I'll be interested in how you like the Lippman book. I like some of her stand-alones.

>189 Awwww!

Kath, I do feel badly that my running adds a sour taste to your walking. I will say that I have empathy for the hills issue and that I frequently walk them around here (and trust me, in Seattle we do have hills!). And, if it helps (which I suspect it won't) the running is less out of natural instinct (I was a very sedentary child) than out of a need for anxiety management. My running is my sanity. If I didn't need it to ease my anxiety, I'm not sure I would ever put on the shoes and get out the door. It truly just keeps the overwhelming and amorphous terror at bay.....

Meanwhile, you had a very busy Wednesday!! The work and chores you are doing at Walter's are amazing. I do hope it all gives some sense of satisfaction and a sliver of feeling of progress.....

xo

Mamie.. see what happens when you are too busy to check in? Cee blows things up. Gotta watch her.. Glad to see you !

Joanne .. I have read one or two of hers before, and enjoyed them. Truth told, I sort of requested this one by accident, but it isn't a bad thing.. since I expect it will be a good read.

Oh no no no.. Ellen.. nothing against you at all.. I think of my daughter too.. a runner. She currently has an ankle injury so is walking instead. Then there is my friend Karola's 78 ish year old father who runs in marathons .. full ones. He has 2 more this year. le sigh. I am seriously afraid that he will die during a run :(

Cory is due home today to help. Hope that all works out. making chicken again today since it is his fave. I will make Mamie's Goto Chicken for him. Roasted cauliflower and potatoes..

Tomorrow's the big day... finally. Hopefully by saturday my "stuff" will be done.

Wow! What I wouldn't do for a cozy nook like the one Richard set up for you. As I look at my waiting to be remodeled kitchen, I could do it, but I'd need to change and delete things a bit. Food for thought.

Glad Mamie pointed you in the right direction. My thread seems to sink faster than Facebook stock!

Just dropping by to say hello and hope that today goes smoothly and all this danged work will be over soon for you, and you can sit and bask in the results.

Quick break under the fan :P Well...closet and drawers cleaned out clothes packed and sent off to Salvation Army.. Also sent some new throw rugs... well not new but never used. I am a bit of a throw rug whore. I have to finish cleaning up my room. Turns out I have about 8 pairs of black dress pants... in various sizes. Who knew? I kept them until I figure out which fit.

Doing laundry which will be never ending for the next few days.. and then some stuff needs moved. Dan is none too pleased. I sent him out with the clothes .. he can smoke and drive and get over it.

ok... break over.. time to get back at it..

Hi Lynda... me too.. I lose a thread or two a week when using iPad... and have to hunt them down, sometimes it works, other times not so much.

Oh Gail... I hope it is over soon, too. I am really getting worn to a nub.

Hope you're having a good one today, Kath.

Reminds me of cleaning out my Mom's house in FL...ugh!
So. much. stuff. Good Will was a huge recipient - as was the dump. (wish I could be so heartless about my own stuff!) We were lucky that the people who bought the house agreed to keep some of the furniture.

Glad Cory is helping - you get a visit as well!
Go slow and be careful, pls... rejoice when you get to rest!

Oh - Cory is coming today! Yea! That will be good - and he'll help you?

About Dan: "he can smoke and drive and get over it. " So true. Stick to your guns, Kath!

Still think you're working too hard. Be sure to take lots of breaks.

Kid visit! Kid visit! W00t! Have fun with this, loveycuddles, it's always great fun to *have* new stuff...just the *getting* is a pain.

Suffice to say that Dan does not intend to get over it. He got angry when I asked for help moving a bookcase. He got angry when I asked him to trade out an end table in his room for a small shelving unit from Ikea. ( probably because it's hard to walk in his room, due to piles of stuff on the floor.. tools, blankets, clothing, etc. )

Cory left late because Angus got sick and Dunkers isn't feeling well today. I am rapidly approaching Haddit.

Joe.. thanks for the good wishes..

Cee.. Most of what I am doing so far is moving things around in my house, in order to have room for the stuff coming in. It has been a slog, and the book thing has been difficult. But the upstairs is ready, and the downstairs .. the dining room has corner piled with stuff that will, hopefully , disappear into the furniture that is coming. No idea what else to do with stuff. I am ruthless with tossing my own stuff, trust me. Dan is not so much.

Mamie.. hes coming, yes. I am currently out of enthusiasm for him or anything :-/

rd see above. And true, it will be worth it when it's over and Dan is in the wiles of Ontario. Meantime, goddess give me strength not to strangle him. Now to go and dress his damned bed. He is fooling with his fishing stuff.... which is all he wants to be doing.

Sorry, Kath. I would let him dress his own damned bed. And don't strangle him before he leaves for vacation - don't you read murder mysteries? You have to do it after everybody has seen him leave. This will require some stealth on your part. Start planning now.

good thinkin' Mamie.

*high fives Mamie* You GO girl with your wicked plans!

Why no officer, she *couldn't* have done it since she's been here in my guest room since, errmmm, the day before it happened?

What do you mean, how do I know when it happened?

Posting from twitter:

TheDargerFamily ‏@TheDargerFamily
RT@KehoeFromReno People need to relax about @MittRomney being Mormon. The important thing is that he is a man of God &Faith #RomneyRyan2012
Retweeted by Kody Brown

My reply

kath ‏mckait
@TheDargerFamily@KehoeFromReno@MittRomney Are you on crack?IF Christians are lying,greedy,bastards who #CareNOthingForOthers you're right.

*considers staying off of social media when in a bad mood*

Good response.

On my way home from the store.. a very old lab was wandering in the street. Again.. stayed just out of my reach. He was going back and forth across the main street. I have had words with his owner before, it turns out. The police never showed, a bike rider stopped to help me wrangle him. I am afraid for him.

Some people do suck. Poor old guy...

What an incredibly stressful process you're in, Kath. I would be so afraid for the old lab, too. I really hate it when people neglect their animals or just think they can fend for themselves. :-(

Meanwhile, I hope the next couple of days go as smoothly as can be hoped, Kath. And that Duncan feels better, poor guy. My colleague's dog, Molly, who is an assistance dog and comes to work every day, had a very upset tummy for a few days. Now she (the human) feeds her (Molly, the dog) pumpkin every day. It seems to have made a tremendous difference!

Noted. I know about pumpkin for dogs, but never thought to try it for this. Currently, the problem is he is not wanting to eat again. ARGH! But it's a thought and I will add it to his mix. Thanks for mentioning it Ellen.

I am so angry about the dog. He looked so pitiful, and awful :( I did call the police back to tell them the dog was home. I also asked that they speak with her about how dangerous it is for the dog to run, and then I burst out crying... which ticked Dan off...he was listening from the next room. sigh. Now he has the Hunger Cames on TV blasting at some horrific decibel level. Oh well.. whatever. I will turn on mi ignore switch........

Sorry to be grumpy. I guess I reached critical mass at some point this afternoon.

This made me think of you.

::like::

*reaches over and helps Kath turn on her ignore switch*

I'm angry right along with you, Kath. Nothing makes me more angry than poor care or treatment of animals. Weird for a psychologist, eh?

I think it is just right for a psychologist. Animals depend on us, and we have to be worthy of the trust... especially since they give unfailing love....

*Hugs* for you Kath. Sorry to hear about the off day! Turning on the ignore switch sounds like a good idea. Do what you need to do to de-stress, my friend.

xo

Yay! It's friday :) Dan and Cory are off buying breakfast for rucky...our 73 yr old driver who is helpind by bringing his truck. Then they meet Keith...and willhopefully proceed without incident. Fingers crossed!

On the down side, the brand new power cord for my macbook fell apart yesterday evening. I just bought it through Amazon, one week ago. So i am using iPad for the minute. Bah! I love my ipad, but I love it for things that are not typing things out.

No worries Valerie, once this is over and I don't have to ask Dan for anything, things will quiet down. He is nicer when he is being done for, than when he is doing things for me. It cuts into his time being the job saving Union Hero for others.

Ellen xoxo back at you. Nice to wake to a hug for a change.
So, back when I can. I will catch up with all y'all when I can.

Morning Kath! I have my fingers crossed for you for incident free furniture moving. Oh no about the power cord - we NEED our power! Everytime I use my iPad for LT, I end up losing threads somehow. Not sure what happens.

Sending positive mojo - and hugs! Hang in there.

Mornin', Sweetie. Hope today is much, much better than yesterday.

Ya know, there used to be a saying:
"A woman should be a lady in the street, an angel at the window, and a devil in bed."

This was obviously made up by a man, so many of whom (not all) believe in being "hail fellow, well met" in public and perfectly beastly at home. Well, they say the times are changing...mine cooks, helps with stuff, but will do no housework inside the house. He will cheerfully sweep and wash porch floors and furniture, though, and keeps the garage immaculate. Oh yeah, he always pays the housekeeper as well. How very fortunate I am, really.

I'm with Mamie on this one. We need to plan...

And love, love the cartoon from Rdear.

*GASP* What?! You...you mean...an *Apple* product has been less than perfect and sub-user friendly?! NO! Say it isn't SO! And for the first time ever!

Oh wait...no...this is the fifth power cord to fail spectacularly...huh, he typed on his three-year-old netbook with the ORIGINAL power cord supplying the juice....

>244 Love it!

Dan's a lucky man, Kath. I'd probably be six feet under if I tried it his way - Walklover would not go for that at all. I'm sure he's got redeeming qualities though. That's where I come up short.

BTW, her new iPad has stopped working. It won't let her get to anything and powers off at a whim. RDs of the world can rejoice.

Break time for me!
Dan is at work ( I do feel sorry for him .. they all worked hard this morning, me too!)
Cory is asleep. I cleaned the furniture, and put a few things into the cabinet. But I think I will wash and put in the rest of the glassware when Cory leaves. ( tomorrow morning, I think ) I am hurty

Mamie.. I know.. Not best pleased, now I have to deal with it, but I think I will wait until tomorrow. Weary.
Yeah.. iPad and lots of typing is hard. I have a bluetooth keyboard, I have to find it and use it. Or something.

Gail.. If I worked outside the house, still.. I would feel less guilty. He cuts the grass, and I do the house. But whenever there is "extra" to do ...he gets very unpleasant if I ask for help. So I do as much as I can before I ask.

RD yep. Bad cord.. not sure if it is a knock off or not. Must investigate and see. A couple of the cords that have gone bad for me have been knock offs not Apple products. It was presented as an apple product, but not sure. It looks different and is made differently.. Too tired to investigate today.

Joe. I'm sure he does have redeeming qualities. He has always worked hard at his job for instance.
I just have to get past the hard part this week. He doesn't like doing things in/for the house.

I am off to watch the last haf of the Hunger Games and see what I have to do next :-/

*smooch* for tired puddy tat

OOh, I might be watching The Hunger Games with the hubby later tonight when the kid is asleep and we have the rest of the night to ourselves. Oh, how I love the weekends! :)

Stopping by to drop off a big {{{{HUG}}}

Too bad about the erstwhile "Apple" cord...hope the issue gets sorted

Too much moving of Furniture...making me dizzy....

;-}

Hi Kath- Just swinging by to say hi! Sorry to hear about the Dan & cord problems! Both bummers! Another HUG!

Well it does sound like encouraging hugs are in order, so I'm sending another!

I hope the weekend gives you some rest.

Sounds like a successful day, albeit exhausting all around.
Details later and everything will eventually fall into place.
Hopefully you are pleased with the results?

Pat yourself on the back, have a nice cold drink, feet up, and relax a bit.
That's a good girl ;-)

Rest and refresh, Kath.

{{{{Kath}}}}

Hi jude.. thanks.. it will get sorted .. and hugs back at ya !

Hi Mark, I know I've been neglecting you but, you are in good company.. I have missed a lot of threads lately.

Joanne.. hugs back and thank you :) and peace and hugs back at you .

Hi ((Cee)).... so far so good ... it will get done, if there is anything I have learned, it is that. Unless it is Dan's project, then it most likely to get done. And I am sure that I will be mostly pleased. I would like to have painted, but no time and really no need, still.. And thanks for the pampering

Cory brought in Pizza for dinner... and I ate some! It was Franks. It was delish. I don't to have pizza often these days.. So I didn't have to cook.. just shower, eat and then he took me out to B&N to buy me books :)

{{{{{{{{Gail}}}}}}}You too, my friend!

These are the books Cory bought me tonight.. and he bought me a Harry Potter wand/Pen/ Bookmark.

Cloud Atlas: A Novel by David Mitchell

The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey

Fever Dream by Douglas Preston

Crystal Moon - World of Grayham (Book 1) (Worlds of the Crystal Moon) by Phillip E. Jones

I feel like a little kid :)

No wonder you are up so late! Just giddy!

Great choices - what will you read first?

What a good kid ;-) Hugs to you for bringing him up right!
Sweet dreams ...

yeah ... that :) and I have one of those weird headaches I've been getting since the accident.. like someone hit me on the back of the head with a bat...ouchie

ETA

good night my friends.

Stopping by to say hi! I hope your headache is better in the morning. Hugs to you! Loved Richards cartoon!:)

Thanks Deb :) it did go away in the night.
Nice and cool this morning.. and some coolish weather coming in the next week so I will be able to finish up the upstairs. I'm trying to figure if there is room up there for the rocking chair. Not looking good.

Cory is leaving in a few hours, so I need to get a load of laundry done so he has clean clothes to take back. He has bee very helpful. Now if I can get him to set up the tv and take the computer to the basement, I will be one happy woman!

Love to Cory for his thoughtfulness to Mum. {{{Cory}}}

So, nice books. I've only read Clouod Atlas, which I loved, but the jury on that is kind of mixed. People either love it or hate it. I'll be looking up the others in just a minute.

A quiet Saturday for us. Didn't get up till 8:30 (What is wrong with us?), so a late start. But--no errands, a bit of laundry, put away the new clothes, read, and goodness gracious, if I don't do some dusting today, Dh will be leaving me messages in the light gray layers...it only takes me about an hour with those fluffy duster things to do most of the house, so no problem there; I'll probably put the iPod in my pocket to amuse me while I toil away.

I hope today goes smoothly and that you have a nice time with Cory, and that he gets home safely.

...why is the computer going to the basement...?

Gail, he was so wonderful I could just cry. In fact, I might just go ahead and do it.. cry.
Well, there is a movie coming out based on Cloud Atlas. I will try to read it before then. I have wanted to read The Snow child.. and he was so determined to buy me something, and as much of it as I could carry..
I had to let him. He felt so good being able to. He kept trying to get me to take more ..

When Cory bought pizza to take home, he bought 2 ( unbaked ) To take home with him. It is a local and family favorite.. and I slipped it into a keep cold bag and snapped it. Then I got him sorted with an ice chest etc. While we were packing his car, Dan came in to get his coke and the pizza. No one had asked him to. That was going to be the last thing into the car. he carried the pizza out sidewise ... by the freaking handle .. like a brief case .. you know. I wanted to strangle him. Cory was good. He stopped along the road and checked it.. He said its alright. No, it isn't a tragedy, but for the love of god...........how many pizza's has this man carried over the years? How many times has he heard me tell the story of my dad doing that when I want to visit him? He has been angry for a week.. more.. since I have asked for help occasionally. As little as possible. But when he actually does something.. ........................................*weeps* ............................

The computer is going to the basement rd, because it is a refurbished desk top that I have had for a while and not used. I am giving it to the nephlets. Keith isn't ready to take it yet ( of course ) and I am trying to open up the upstairs and make it roomier. So far so good. So.. that is why. I have it on a chest of drawers with an old tablecloth over it :P

I have washed all the glassware and will put it into the hutch soon. I am fighting with my washer which is refusing to spin, because it is the devil. I have emptied the box I packed of "stuff and things " and a bit of farb from the old hutch and it is dealt with. I found places for my tablecloths, none of which fit this table and one that is 102 inches long ( WTH was I thinking?) and the decorative flags. I am impressed because Angus, has figured out that he can somehow open the little buffet and lie in there on the flags. I made a new bed for the kitties and vacuumed half the basement. The rest will get done when dan is away and I sort out his stuff. That will fix him. I have asked him to do it for years.

Nothing else going on really.. same old same old. And back to it !

OIC re: computer

Passive aggressive behavior makes me madder than outright snottiness. I say kill him in his sleep.

A brave man died today. Neil Armstrong died of complications from a heart operation this afternoon."That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind" He was 82. Gentle Journey Neil.

They always find the body. You told me that yourself.

Crystal looks nice in hutch. I will take a picture When I figure out what to put on the bottom shelf.

*eagerly awaiting picture of crystal*

Hey Kath, thanks for the thumb. I was reading one another thread that you are not a fan of Margaret Atwood's . So nice to meet you, kindred friend! I finally read The Handmaids Tale last year under some duress from fellow Canadian's here on LT. I loathed it so much I gave it 2.5 stars. I understand that many people love her books, but I am assuredly not one of them!!!! :)

I was sad to hear of Armstrong's passing. 82. Where did all those years go?

I have Cloud Atlas on my TBR shelf and I really, really want to read The Snow Child. I had it from the library a few months ago but it had to go back before I got to it. A couple of LTers said "get it back!"

Sorry about the tough times with the packing and cleaning and such. This too shall pass, but it's challenging to be in the middle of it.

Take care, Kath.

LOL Don't get excited Karen :P There is only a shelf full of glasses. I am not a crystal kinda gal. They belonged to my mom, and I have had them for a zillion years. They are from when she married my dad and wanted rid of them when she married Walter. They are wine glasses. I never, ever use them. I just wash them every couple of years. But they do look shiny with the light in the cabinet.

Deb. True. I tried reading that book a few times and disliked it. A lot. So I quit. Never tried another of hers, too bad a taste from that one. I'm glad to know that I'm not alone :PPP

I know.. The night he stepped onto the moon, I was getting off of a bus from Pittsburgh. I had gone to a symphony on the barge off of Point Park with a friend. At the bus stop, one of the stores in Ambridge, where I lived at the time, had left a TV on in the front window. Don and I stood and watched. It was amazing. Don passed about 1.5 yrs ago. I am anxious to read these books, too. But I have a few Vine books that need to be read first. I have to go and make up some beds in a few.. before it gets hot upstairs. Then I will be pretty much finished. yay~ Well, aside from the basement, but that is for another day.

Morning Kath- I'm nearly finished with the Sandcastle Girls. I know you are a big fan of his and you might like this historical piece.
Have you have a relaxing day planned.

I stopped reading Margaret Atwood after reading The Handmaid's Tale, too. Never went back there.

All caught up here, Kath! Sounds like you have been working too hard - glad Cory came through for you, and good for him to treat you to some books! I have Cloud Atlas sitting in my TBR.

About RD's message to strangle Dan in his sleep - do you still have that power cord that wasn't working because I am thinking that I know a way to put it to good use...

Thinking of you and sending good thoughts your way even though I am only sporadically on LT at the moment. Hang in there. Hugs!

And the powercord finally does a job that needs doing! Oh brilliant, Mamie!! Kudos!

When you're being grilled by the cops, demand a parseltongue translator. It'll keep 'em busy for a while.

Mamie, I have worked myself to a nib. Which is smaller than a nub. I am trying to take a break today. And I will... soon. I did a few little things today that I might undo tomorrow.. who knows. Thanks for stopping by :) wishing you good searching and some fun, too!

Rd... parseltongue is rapidly becoming my go to language.....

Just breezing through to say hello, Sweetie.

My computer is wonkie. I can get the internet, but my usual homepage, yahoo, won't pull up. Weird.

Medical test tomorrow.

rest is good, Kath.... I think you do far too much everyday as it is. So join me on the couch for a lazy afternoon. I have a frozen martini glass that's currently containing a nice vodka martini. Want to share?

Just swinging by to say hi. Don't let LT feel like pressure; you have enough going on right now.
Take care and remember that, like Caro said, rest is good.

Always a pleasure to feel you "Breezing" by Gail... Wonky computer = badness. Test= no fun, I hope it is painless and quick! And turns out well..

Caro.. There is just far too much to do. I just remembered a box ai packed and stuck in my closet which means that there will be some rearranging to be done. I will be finished before long. I have a lamp that needs to be disassembled and cleaned, too.

Hi Ellen.. no worries, LT itself isn't pressuring me. I think of my LT friends often through the day..but I know that there is only one mof me, I tried to remedy that when the kids were small, to no avail. They still outnumbered me 4/1 ...

Store run done. Bought more than I planned to, forgot my phone, thus my list. But I think I'm covered for at least the week :) or month. Freezer is full and Dan leaves friday. So, I have a whole different agenda for myownself.... as little cooking as possible!

okay.. spell check thinks planeed is a word... anyone else?

Hi Kath - mine says planeed is not a word.

Not long until Friday, freezer full of food and time for yourself sounds like a very good idea.

Leaving for test in 15 minutes. It's the ear one...

Holy crap! I have been reading and reading and reading!
I could NOT put down Matterhorn. I just blew through 3 days of my life (slow reader - but hey, it was 600 pages).
I know you don't want to read it. So, I won't try to convince you... it was to my surprise a very thoughtful take on Vietnam, life/death, good/evil, racism, extremes, ambitions, psychological impact - so many issues. Written by a Vietnam Marine vet. It must have been as hard to write this book as it was to live through it all.

Anyway - it won't be long now and you should be able to get a nice quiet, restful vacation at home!

I get nothing for planeed, Kath. It keeps wanting to convert it to planned, although planed is a word, too.

Planeed? My browser's spellcheck isn't happy about it. Still using Firefox, loveycuddles?

Nope. chrome

How weird! Chrome tells me planeed isn't a word!

BTW I can't thank you enough for turning me into a Chrome user. So so so much better than IE.

Hi Calm.. always nice to see you visiting the thread for the non reading.

Crossing crossables for you Gail...

Isn't it great to have a book like that Cee? One that draws you in and just won't let you go
I'm glad you had such a good experience. I suspect it will be hard to move on to the next one? I am pretty sure we have it in the house.. in Dan's Den somewhere.. but I really won't be reading it. My Dad was involved in that war, I have three sons. War is one of my biggest fears.

Joe.. weird huh?

Actually.. I did start my Vine book, but didn't get much read yesterday. I was busy, and it was kid call day..
and stuff kept popping up. I hope to finish it today. So far I am underwhelmed by and when she was good.. and I don't see that changing...

Dan is out the door, last of the laundry is in the dryer, and will be for a while as my (*&^%&%&ing washer is refusing to spin properly. again. sigh.

Always pleased to help :) rd. Weird things happen for me inside text boxes...

(: lǝuunʇ ǝɥʇ ɟo puǝ ǝɥʇ ʇɐ ʇɥƃıl ǝɥʇ ƃuıǝǝs ʎllɐuıɟ ɯɐ ı ʇnq ¡ ǝɹoɯʎuɐ dn sı puǝ ɥɔıɥʍ ʍouʞ ʇ,uop ı 'ʎsnq os uǝǝq ǝʌɐɥ ı

Talk about weird! I didn't even know post 295 was possible!