kath/ mckait 2012 ~ thread #4 ~

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

Reads for 2012 begin here.. ♥

1. Camptown Ladies by Mari SanGiovanni 4 stars
2. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer 2 stars
3. Come In and Cover Me by Gin Phillips 4 stars
4. The Truth of All Things: A Novel by Kieran Shields 2 stars
5. Mourning Gloria by Susan Wittig Albert 3 stars
6. Defending Jacob: A Novel By: William Landay 4 stars
7. Seriously . . . I' m Kidding by Ellen Degeneres 3 stars
8. Curse of the Narrows: The Halifax Explosion 1917 by Laura M. Mac Donald
9. Ashes to Dust by Yrsa Sigurðardóttir
10. A Heartbeat Away by Michael Palmer
11. A Place of Secrets by Rachel Hore
12. Gunn's Golden Rules Life's Little Lessons for Making it Work by Tim Gunn.
13. The Thirteenth Child by Patricia C. Wrede
14. The Harp of Imach Thyssel: A Lyra Novel by Patricia C. Wrede
15. Until Again: Prequel Novella to BLUE & Blue by Lou Aronica
16. The Magicians by Lev Grossman
17. Chosen by Paul A. Bradley
18. Graceling by Kristin Cashore

Currently reading Until Again: Prequel Novella to BLUE & BLUE by Lou Aronica

Ha cha cha! I'm numero uno! Walter doing ok? You doing ok?
Have a great day, Kath.

Morning Kath- Nice classy new thread! Are you enjoying any of this nice weather? It is supposed to ne nearly 60 today. Unbelievable.

Good morning Kath - hope you have a peaceful day.

Lynda, Mark and calm.....

You are all very speedy!!

Received 2 Vine books today.. Using iPad 2 (covers iOS 5) by Bud E. Smith, which I am pretty excited about, and Wrapped in Rain. My TBR pile teeters :P

Congrats on being the fourth to four Kath and the first lady!

First Lady Kath! No surprise there ;-)

Have a great day - and if the 60s reach you, please keep them in your town with my blessing - for the new baby.

Hi Ho! Call off the wreath purchase, the Resurrection Ship worked and I'm alive. I have to make a new thread, too. Ugh. Too much effort.

Hi Kath. Love the picture at the top of your thread. Hope all is good with Walter today.

*Waves and then plops down on the couch*

Hi Kath, love the pic up top and your star ratings are great, you have written down my thoughts exactly! Nice fresh new thread :)

I'd say I've got you starred--but the automatic continuation feature has already seen to that, so I'll just say hi and hope things have settled down.

Hi Paul!! Yay me?? lol

Hi Cee... Are you calling me a lady? What did I ever do to you?? :PP

rd glad to see you among the breathing..

Hi Pat! Glad to see you ... Walter is doing better, thanks for asking.
They stopped the oxygen, which is good. ( I think?) and let him sit up and eat
food that was not pureed. That alone perked him up considerably. So he
was very interested in his menu.

I was up there for about 4.5 hours I think?

Nice to see you Apekid.. make yourself comfortable :)

Hi Megan !, thanks ! :) They sort of evolved over time.
Hi roni

Well.. they think Walter has some sort of low grade infection .. due to his slightly off bloodwork.
They put him on IV abx so that should help.. and a steroid. They think he may have asperated a bit of food or something?

I bought him some fixodent so he can chew properly.. he is glad of it ...
now that he can eat real food. Baked fish and coleslaw for supper :)

The doctor told my sister to stay home.
She is still planning on going tomorrow. She sounds like she has bronchitis ..
or worse. No further comment. I will deal with that tomorrow..

I didn't eat this morning, so I was getting light headed. Had to come home and eat.
I did.... better now. Tomorrow I will take some crackers.

I will check out some threads later.. I need to just breathe for a bit~

*smooch* Glad to hear Walter is doing better!

Hang in there Kath!

I'm sorry I have been so MIA lately. Trying to get ahead on my class planning so I can have some time soon. Just found out we have an extra week before the seniors leave on their projects! That made me very happy!

Kath- Here's the Fantasy February Thread : http://www.librarything.com/topic/131420#t
I'm so glad you can join us.

here!

Hi! I've found your bright new thread.

hi kath

waving on my way through.

smooch back rd! Thanks for the link :)
I understand Brit.. glad to see that you are doing better... rough start to the new year for you...
it will get better from there though :)

Thanks Mark!

i kara.. are you ok?

Welcome Terrie, Ellen and Diane !

Well, I am awake and alive. I was awake during a large chunk of the middle of the night, too.. but managed to sleep again. I feel all wonky and head achy though. I woke dreaming of an earthquake..
The dream was that I woke to an earthquake, with Dan yelling .. are you awake.. and then seeing through the window... the house next door falling into it's own corner. All I could think of was my kids and furkids.. but couldn't wake. EW

Otherwise I am fine. I will have to spend some time at the hospital again today..
my sister is too sick.. the doctor heard her on the phone yesterday and told her to stay home.

Hope all is well with all of you !

Sorry to read your sister is sick and about Walter...

Not so well here. I went to the hospital this morning to get some blood drawn... but there were so many people, I got an anxiety attack and fainted... so back home and have to do this again somewhere next week or so :-(

Hi Kath!
You certainly have had your work cut out for you lately. You're gonna need a nice long vacation :)

Good job keeping the family sorted and sane.

Walter is very grumpy. He is angry that I am not my sister.
I was there for 3 hours or so and left.. Deb is going up .. she is still sick
I give up. They were going to transfer him to rehab today, then said no.. not till tomorrow.
He was none too pleased. sheesh! However, I took him some biscotti..and fresh cafe au lait
and when he got done being mad that I had taken it to him, he enjoyed.. lol
Saved one for tonight.

I have to go back tomorrow at 1ish?

Today, I am going to try to read.
After I cook.
:)

Nothing, but nothing, is worse than an unhappy older person in a hospital. Gah. Just the thought of it makes me cringe...

However.

Happy February!

Boy, you got a lot of reading done in January.

ah! reading..
I have 2 books as #15.. I only read the first one, which is a prequel for the second....
I have not been able to read for two days.. so, in january I only read 14 and 72 measly pages.
So...... Not so many...I think I am going to shower and put on jammies and read?
Maybe?

Gail.. believe me, I am cringing too. He called my sister to yell about graham crackers..
He said I bought them and he doesn't want them . I think they came on a meal try or maybe a nurse
gave him something in case he wanted a snack? He is livid and screaming at Debbie.. so she called to
ask me..

I hope that you and Cee do not have meanness to deal with too..
yeesh.

I know.. February already? It is nearly 60F here right now..
unbelievable.. I hope we have some good hard freezes before winters end ..
Fleas must die!

Death to the fleas!

Oh...fleas. We always had cats when I was growing up; it was a lot quieter then, and the kitties enjoyed the outdoors; then the fleas...the flea powder...the blasted welts and horrid itching...yuck. I'd completely forgotten that aspect of pet ownership...Overcome, of course, by the joys.

Heh. Sometimes the joys included little "presents" from our darlings: dead birds, assorted small mammals...so sweet of them to share, right on the doorstep.

Dreams of earthquakes? Yuck, I have them sometimes. Mine are really about earthquakes though, maybe yours symbolise something else? When Im stressed I dream of water in waves rising to get me somehow.
There is a horrible reality to dreams isnt there? I hope your sis and your Walter are doing well, and being nice to you today.

We've had a week of just lovely, sweatshirt weather. It all ends tomorrow. Three days of snow. The wind just started to blow. Here it comes...

rd... news said that the deer tick population has soared!
Great news, eh?

Gail.. My kitties stay in, but not Dunkers, of course.. for the first time in about 25 years we had
flea issues last summer.. I blame the vet clinic.. which isn't as clean as it used to be
back in the day :( but I am going to have to do some serious nematode treating on the lawn...
I am not interested in a redo :( it was dreadful!

megan.. we had an earthquake last spring.. I don't know if it was supposed to be a symbolic dream or not.. but it was a lucid dream. I knew that I was dreaming.. but it felt very real.. and then when I finally managed to wake myself.. I knew I was awake, but still felt like I was in the dream.. I have these lucid dreams fairly often.. montly I guess.. but this one was really really disturbing.. I could have sworn I felt the house shaking even when I was awake.... Stress? maybe.. Have your quakes settled down yet?Thanks for the good wishes .. I have a feeling tomorrow will be another rough day. Hopefully once he is settled into rehab it will be better.

Jen... I will take some cold winter weather! It is too creepy to have a year without winter.. :P

ok... I am out for the night I think. I have to head back to the hospital tomorrow morning.

rd... news said that the deer tick population has soared!
Great news, eh?

Oh yes, oh goody, let joy run rampant among the dog-owning public!

Today was indeed creepy. I ran some errands and didn't need to wear a coat...downright weird for Feb. 1

I hope Walter improves. When, oh when will the stress end?

Hope you have a peaceful night and...

>25 mckait:, 35 - Kath, Your earthquake dream reminded me of a dream I had a little bit ago. I dreamt I looked outside my bedroom window and watched a neighbor's house getting torn apart and swept away in a huge flash flood. It was all so very vivid and scary.

Best wishes for your day tomorrow! As Jenn mentioned above, our warm weather will end shortly with up to 12" of snow forecasted for tomorrow evening.

Hmmm, so you're saying the earth shook for you the other night? nough said

Good luck at hospital today. I'm impressed with healthcare now a days. Case workers don't hesitate (too often) about placing elderly folks in rehab facilities for a bit. I remember when my Grandmother had a kidney removed and lost her eyesight and had a leg amputated, my mom was on her own. No home health care, nothing. Yeah for living in the 21st century!

no dreams this morning.. because when I woke at 4:33 I never managed to go back to sleep.
great.

I fixed my post above .. explaining the double titles posted for #15.
I read 14 full books and a puny prequel. Hopefully I will read the other one today and tomorrow..
I was wanting to keep it for Fantasy February, but did not expect that I wouldn't be able to read for other reasons.. also.. it is a nook book.. and the text is way too small. It doesn't adjust. I actually wrote to the author who kindly sent me the book in epub.. so I will be better able to read it. I just meant to let him know the problem so that he could have it fixed. He did know, and it was supposed to have been fixed in October. I am liking the book pretty well btw.. I wish it had a touchstone. I can't find one.

rd.. yea. a vet said that she has seen more ticks in the last five months than in twenty years of practice in this area. scary stats.

Lina.. I know.. crazy to have it so warm.. it is supposed to get colder this week. I am both glad and not glad. It is so nice to see you here !

Thanks for the good wishes Cee. I did not sleep well ... I spoke to my cousin before bed
about Walter.. and I am concerned about his future..and to be honest.. my sister's. Things are not looking good.

Joanne.. you know.. I wouldn't mind a foot or three of snow.. after I get a chance to buy some groceries.

So far this morning I did my floors.. then spilled on the kitchen floor when I was cleaning out the fridge..
So I did it again. sigh. Friday is trash day and I always clean out the fridge on Thursday. I needed to get it sorted early.. I still have to vacuum...

I am not planning on going to the hospital too early. He is just too mad at the world. AND I am too mad at the place. Three days ago.. I told them that I thought he had aspirated some food into his sinuses.. due to what he was telling me. It is driving him crazy.. he told the nurse .. he told me..
the doctor allowed him to have giant long q tips to try to get it out himself. He insisted it would work. It did not. He spends a lot of time digging for it. I can't get anyone to give a darn. He will have a different doctor at the rehab.

Then yesterday.. ( mind you, he cannot walk on his own) he wanted rubber bands to put on his slippers so that he had traction. His feet are so swollen that it is impossible for him to wear regular socks without cutting them .. Deb got diabetic socks for him. Anyway.. they gave him 8 rubber bands which he had 4 per foot digging into his feet when Debbie got there. Can you imagine?

He is still refusing to eat any carbs or sugar .. he is not diabetic, and he is according to the dr
undernourished. Today, his transport will depend on a transport company and I can only hope that they have a slow day and get there early.. or at least on time. They told him 2. I will leave home at 1.

Wow, we had posted at the same time, kath. Mad is good, I think! He still has spunk in him.
Be strong sweetie!

oh yeah... ooops!

Good grief.. all of those health issues ... your mom had her hands full for sure.
I am VERY glad about this rehab.. it is such a nice place... and it is a mile or so away..
I hope he is happier there.

I feel so bad that he is so mad all of the time. It can't feel good. He is seriously furious all
of the time. This has been going on for a while, but has risen to fury pitch in the hospital..
fingers crossed that he will like rehab better!

Walter reminds me of my father. My dad was always an angry man but when he wasn't feeling well the last year of his life, the anger really got ramped up. It took me a while to realize it mostly came from how badly he felt rather than him really being mad at everyone (at least that's what I told myself). It made it hard to be around him and get him the help he needed. No one wanted to be around him.

I'll be eager to hear how things go in rehab. I'm so glad it's a nice place and it's close by. My heart goes out to you and your family. It's a very stressful time.

Big hug to you, Kath.

HooBoy! Another exciting day :PPPP~~~

Some of Walter's anger is probably due to fear. It's a tough place to be... for everyone. I'm sorry you have to deal with this. :{

Hoping for a bright spot in your day. xoxo

I am certain that it is fear
And I am sure it is just anger at the way things are and not at us..
I am not angry with him..I have to admit that it is hard to be "not Debbie" again..
like it was with my mom.

I feel badly about the whole thing because he used to be just a sweet man..
he would hate himself .. and it must make him feel worse.

I am really angry about the rubber bands though and I don't want to make him angrier
just because I am not Debbie

No point making him madder....

Debbie went up to see him off.. and will meet up with him at the Villa.
I am cooking for her and Bob.

works for me, and she is in charge.. so it works for her.

*smooch* to my favorite not-Debbie

rdear... ty... *smooch* back at ya

Bacon jam...oh yum...

I hope I did't reveal too much... did not mean to add up to you...
hugs

Anita.. huge hug.. so glad to see you here :)

rd.. I know.. right?

Walter installed in new place..
has people around to talk to.. couldn't talk..yay!
He is eating dinner with others. A good thing, I hope?

There are those of us who are grateful, very grateful, for you as "not Debbie". Isn't that a horrid feeling, when the parents do that? So heart-breaking...

Well. Hope that Walter likes the folks in the rehab. I know exactly what you're going through, dear Kath; my heart just aches for you...and it seems as though it happens over and over...

*weeps* for Kath

Love you, Dear. At least the books may help, no? And of course the cuddles with the furkids.

It's fine Gail.. really...
The books help.. the kids and furkids help...
My friends .. help..

just some "moments" you know?

love you back my friend!

hugs

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v311/mckait/?action=view&current=Pianista....

Hope this works.. it will make you smile..
if you have a dog.. call them first..

*waving* at Kath

ETA: That video is a hoot!

Kath - you certainly have your hands full at the moment - taking care of the domestic chores while life is chewing you up meanwhiles set in stark relief your comments regarding Walter and his travails at the hospital.

Wish you all the best and forward hugs of concern and admiration for having knocked off 15 books already with all that is going on at the moment.

Love that video...laughed aloud!

I often go to the Muppets youtube pages and just browse and laugh; their rendition of Ode to Joy is hysterical.

eta: corrected musical title

That was so adorable! Stella, of course, ignored it completely, the snob.

>54 mckait: LOL - cute

Loki came running in from the other room, listened with a worried expression on his face, and when the performing dog was finished - he barked!
Approval?
Encore request?
Get out of my house?
Wanna play?
Who knows what goes through those canine minds???

kath - there is no way for me to catch up, but I saw your comment in #28 above:

He is angry that I am not my sister.

I'm thinking this is a great first line for a novel.

Hello Kath! Sounds like you and I were up at the same time this morning - 4:30? Something wonky with the stars? Will woke up then and refused to go back down. Ugh! I'm working on an early bed time!

Sheesh Kath, tough asks for you these days. Sounds like you are keeping up on your end of the bargain, it's hard to remain kind and caring in the face of meanness. But you're doing great.

Morning Kath- 14 books, huh? Nice. I NEED more hours in the day. Have a good Friday!

Waveing back at stas!

Paul... all is well.. just venting. The latest book is kicking my butt due to its formatting. Downside of ebooks.

Gail.. that made me laugh too.. Dunkers did the head tipping this way and that, looking at my laptop.
Angus of course merely raised his head for a moment and lay back down.

rd.. oh dear.. glad the human liked it, if the k-9 did not.

Cee... That is so funny! He must have thought his home was being invaded!
or... as you say, thought he had a playmate :)

Ellen.. Now I am going to be writing the first paragraph of the novel
in my head all day, lol. I think you are right though.

Brit.. what is it about that time of day? I am pretty sure that the universe really does not think
we should be up at that time, and if it does, I disagree.

Megan.. it is upsetting in the moment.. I admit it. Especially when he goes to the
Debbie thing. I even understand that.. but it is one of the buttons I have leftover from
early in my life :P Most of those buttons are reserved for the kids, you know? They know all of my buttons...as they are the keepers of them.

It's okay. Walter is in good hands for now. They said it typtically takes a week per day they were in hospital to reverse the damage.. yikes!

errands today.

Hope Walter is settling into rehab and that you are getting some peace and time to read.

Take care {{{hugs}}}

Wishing you peace in your day, Kath :0)

Thanks calm and Lynda.

I was about to leave the house early this morning.. had not checked my email..
so 7:30 I did.. email from youngest needed to borrow money until tomorrow. before 8 am.
Then he told me he is coming home today to get his license renewed etc.. he still has a pa license and it needs updated to change it.. or something.
dunno.

So now I am making lasagna.

I have really bad shopping karma.
Yesterday I went to buy sandwich fixin's
When I opened the cheese it had grease? and metal shavings on it..
they had sharpened, but not cleaned, and I was the first deli customer.

I went back and blah blah blah. srsly.

Today, Walmart, cause I needed paper products and Walmart stuff..
and had coupons. So.. I got a big pile of heavy stuff.. got it almost all on the belt ..
the register froze.

I stopped at another store for one item, and the one person in front of me had some
issue. They needed a supervisor override... . other lines had big cart loads so.. wait.

Went to the bank.. needed some cash, including ones.. I always ask for ones..
Dan needs them for laundry.. I always like to have ten of them. The line was long, and lots of other people apparently needed ones.. they only had five unless I wanted to wait. srsly.

No wonder I hate leaving the house.

But I am home and done..

found that Amy called.

Did not leave message.

Did not call my cell

I am going to go and throw my cell in the river, cause no one ever calls it.

back after it sinks

What a morning! Now do you understand why I only go into town one day a week! Seriously!

Wait, it's Friday....Hellday for shopping or any other business....

Glad you're home safe

I don't know your cell number...don't know if I'd call if I had it....i'm rather boycotting phones/phone calls right now....silly reasons.

{{{Big Hug}}} and save me some lasagna....I made lentil soup today...but crave lasagna at least once a week

I really don't have a lot of minute on my cell, jude .. but srsly.. the kids can leave a VM or text..
sigh. I think weekends are worse.. Friday is Dan's payday.. so I try to get it done...
I try to never call anyone doctor, or anyone on Monday.. to try to avoid making their day
worse or mine.. lol

Sauce cooking for lasagna is better use of my pkt of gr beef than burgers.

I really dread leaving the house. I dread Walmart. sigh. Done for ..2 months maybe?
At least no Walmart. I need a job.

Well.. hopefully I can read this afternoon..

Cell phones are Satanic. Unless there's an emergency on the road.

Wal-Mart = Hell.

In fact, some days just blow, and this was one of them. Sit down and read.

*smooch* good advice :)

First I assemble lasagna.. then I will read

I was kidding about the cell!

Not kidding about shopping on Friday...but I know some folks have to...it being "pay day"and all

I never call a doctor on Friday or Monday....too hectic from their end...and there are no doctors offices open, here, on Saturday

Walmart? Gak!....i order from them online...my closest one is in WV (where i have to pay sales tax) and ordering online costs about the same....plus, I don't have to deal with the weirdwackocrazies)

I think you do need a job...wish I could help

Sauce is always a good use for grnd beef....and it freezes well

Have a good one, kiddo!

;-}

yay!!! Good news !

Dear World Book Night book giver,
Yes, you read that right: World Book Night book giver! Has a nice ring to it, yes? And you're one of them, or will be on April 23! Thank you!!!!!!!

Three things for you to do right now:
1) Smile, shout; whatever you like to do to celebrate. And accept our grateful thanks for your application. World Book Night is all about you and your passion for books and your community and fellow citizen.

2) TELL MORE OF YOUR FRIENDS! You're in, the deadline has been extended to Monday, Feb. 6 at midnight, and the more the merrier.

etc

http://www.us.worldbooknight.org/

>67 mckait: grease? metal shavings?
Doesnt that mean you get to sue them? Its the USA isnt it?! :)

Congratulations on being selected as a book giver, Kath!! That's very exciting. Which book did you choose?

I opened up the link in #24. I didn't have to call Copper in. She came running into the kitchen barking angrily, wondering where the interloper was. :D

Hope you are having a relaxing afternoon, enjoying a good book.

Here's some winter weather for you Kath. We've got about 22" of snow so far here in Denver. More coming.

I'm here.......finally *sigh*
congrats. on the WBN! which are you going to give out?

think of you often
just so you know :)

I think of you often...like curleysue...

Gad I hate Walmart. Only go there when there Are. No. Other. Options. Or I go at 7:00 a.m. and usually try to self-check, but then I often have odd things like beets with the greens attached, which I really need a clerk for...

I hate shopping as well...only enjoy it if my daughter is with me...which is, like, never, or hardly ever. Just don't like it, unless their are books involved. Which reminds me, I loved your comment somewhere else about our books getting bored and perhaps cranky if we don't bring them some new friends from time to time. How true.

Hope you get to read and get a bit of rest...hugs to you.

Hi Kath!
World Book Night book giver - that's a mouthful. Great idea... but how do you decide who to give them to?

Hope you had a restful night ;-)

Starting fresh now I'm back, Kath!

What a great idea WBNBG is ... so what book did you pick out?

Megan.. I know :) I guess we are known for our habit of suing whenever possible..
sadly, I missed my chance at fortune and possible fame. LOL

Joanne.. I am not sure which book I will get. They said I did not get my first choice..
I will find that out next week I think. I will let you know. As for the video.. that is what
happened with Duncan. He came running in from the dining room where he was hiding from
the fireplace.. :P He likes it a bit cooler... I did in fact finish my book, as you see. It was a good one, and I will look for more books by this author.

Jen.. that would do nicely. I think one big snow a year is great. One. That is followed by a slight warming trend to melt it off of the roads. lol I would love to be a weather goddess!

kara.. I think of you often too.. and I am glad you were able to stop by and leave some kara shiney-ness :) I will post when I find out which book I am getting .. I am pretty excited.

Gail.. and I think of you, too! I am so happy to have such wonderful friends here..
I like to go early too.. if I am not there by 8... most of the time I skip it. We don't have a self check at the closest Walmart to me, nor do we have one at the closest grocery store. I have used one two times and run into the same trouble you did. Also, I hate that a machine took that job away from someone.. so I
stubbornly use cashiers. Oh and thanks for liking my comment.. a way to justify getting more books.. lol

Good morning Cee.. I have no idea how I will decide. I do have some ideas though. We have the little boro library where I take books when I pay our water bill.. I will place one there and give one to the ladies who work in the building...the Post Office.. and I will take one to the library at the Villa.. I had decided that before knowing that Walter would be spending time there.. and I want to take one to each of a few small businesses...including the vet clinic.. where they can make the rounds. At least that is my plan for the moment. I actually mentioned those things when I applied, so hopefully they will not be against the rules..I will see when the time comes, I guess.

15. Blue by Lou Aronica and it's prequel Until Again 4.5 stars
A contemporary fantasy

read and reviewed. Rd said there is a touchstone for Blue, but I sure can't find it. Rd.. if you can would
you touchstone it for me ?

I loved it.

Hi caro! cross posted.. I would do the same.. and start fresh!

Blue sounds very interesting Kath. I got the touchstone by adding the work number 10684120 and :: before the title. So pleased that Tim reinstated forced touchstones:)

yay!!!! Thank you calm! I will try to store that information in my slippery brain..

You're the perfect weather goddess for me. So get busy on that warming trend OK?

*Opens Book..WEATHER GODDESSING FOR DUMMIES*

Not to be super demanding - I know you're just starting out - but it's still snowing here.

Chapter 1

Sending all Snow to Maine (to ensure warmth everywhere else...)
or
Making PA Subtropical!

Well, while yesterday may been a terrible, no good, very bad day, I hope today is much better!

Jenn... LOLing.. so sorry.. I will keep trying..
Cee.. no thank you! no sub tropics here.. moderate is good.. Like Ireland.
Brit.. Thanks.. me too.. fervently. Cause I only posted half the stuff....

Hoping the week-end is a good one, Kath; you need a break, Hon.

*nudging Kath over just a bit so I can also study Weather Goddessing for Dummies*

No snow over in MA either .... your studying is working, Kath! I thank you (and Cee) for keeping the snow away while I've been traveling .. or at least ensuring melting has taken place before my return so I didn't have to wade through an avalanche in order to get to my front door, or break my back shoveling just to get the car out

Want want want "Weather Goddessing for Dummies"!! WANT!

Accidentally touched broil instead of bake.. slipped skillet and lid into oven.
nearly burned down the house. Guess it is a good day, because I got there in
time, alerted by my ever vigilant microwave fan. Thanks fan!

Hands Gail cup of tea and plate of cookies .......

Glad there is no snow yet.. but srsly.. the Denver snow has to go somewhere ..
and I really don't want it here.. I guess Cee is the best choice.. run out for TP Cee!
Better buy coffee too and gas for the generator, just in case.

rd.. Amazonian Goddesses.com search WEATHER
Free Shipping for dummies

Kath...the Fire Goddess:



;-P

lol jude.. puleeze !
I can only be one goddess at a time, and I don't want to disappoint jenn :P

Sorry, Mom

;-}

Pixel of Ink has three really good freebies from among the six today. Just sayin'

I don't know. I'm thinking a fire goddess could do good work in the snow.

rd... which did you pick? I'm afraid to look.

Jen. LOL again.. you have a point!

Hi Kath, I'm caught up and must comment on Walter's hospital stay when you said

They said it typically takes a week per day they were in hospital to reverse the damage..

If that's not an indictment of the health cars system in this country nothing is. Really though, when my parents were near the end and landed in the hospital they turned into people I didn't know. Why does the hospital have this effect on the elderly?

Urban Venus

Yellow Medicine

Flirting With Death

Then I went back and got Moonlight Falls

The other two I wouldn't want even for free. But man-o-mighty, they smacked me hard today!

Hi Bonnie...
I know.. terrible. I called him to see if I could come over.. still not sure when he has therapy
or meals. He told me to stay home. So I did.. but hoping the Villa makes him feel better. He hates therapy
:P poor guy

rd.. still scared .. so many books so little etc... might look..

have to go to cranberry.. takes my breath away..
but Cory's car is being inspected so

Srsly what's the risk? Free...you no likee, you toss after ~1000 words! It's great for discovery of otherwise unknowable writers, which is what they're counting on. I use the FB "Books" app, but it doesn't seem to post even an excerpt of my reviews, though both LT and Goodreads will if I tell 'em to. ...?...

ok... I picked up Flirting With Death

Enjoy!

I'm butting my skinny butt here

I already had Yellow Medicine....considering Moonlight Falls

..i'm outta here

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/31/martha-boggs-stacey-campfield-restauran...

So if I ever go to Knoxville ... I will eat here and taker her a rose.

Ohhh I am so behind! I'm finally back on track -sort of - got my thread caught up.

Ohhh sounds like you've been having some rough days. I'm so sorry. Big hugs, Kath.

Deb.. me too.. behind. Sorry.. I am happy to see you though :)

It is good to be able to vent here.. there are few places I can do that :)

happy Sunday, kath! Wishing you a relaxing and peaceful day!

Hi Kath - hope you are having a good day.

Morning Kath- Just stopping by to say hi! I hope you are well and your books are treating you fine! Enjoy your day!

Happy Sunday from me too!

Og trogging thru looking for coffee *smooch*

Hi Kath!
What is Pixel of Ink? Is that for Nooks?
Not that any of those titles sound like my cuppa ;-\

Hope everyone's team wins today (hmm, perhaps not possible)
I'm rooting for the snacks and commercials! ;-)

Hi Claudia...Pixel of Ink is a website that aggregates offers of free or super-low cost ebooks in Kindle format. Sometimes the deals last a day, sometimes less...rarely more. Now that my netbook talks to the internet, I have the Kindle for PC app, and though reading an entire book on a backlit screen isn't my favorite thing, in doses it's perfectly fine. And free books that I'd otherwise never think to read because buying them would never crease my brain pan.

SPEAKING of which, Kath! Today's freebies include Ben Rehder's mystery Bone Dry is free today! I strongly suggest it...Ben's a funny guy, these mysteries are a hoot and a holler, and for free so what if you don't like it?

Thanks, Richard! New favorite for me ;-)
I see they have a wide range of offerings... cool!

>119 -Cee-: I feel like a crack merchant saying it, but their Facebook feed is a great way to get daily deals....

Yoohooo, Kath. Pixel of Ink sounds just dangerous! Ye Gods woman, what are you trying to do to my TBR Tower? Crumble it with a single catapult shot? *sigh ....... trudges off to look at Pixel of Ink with doomed heart*

>121 cameling: Don't go on Facebook today, Caro...just sayin'...some surprises might leap out at you....

Too late... I already did! Grrr....... I left you something on yours too, an image in your very likeness!

*evil Muttley laugh*

Wait a minute, you guys can keep up on LT, and you hang out on Facebook, and you still read 75+ books in a year????!!!!
Incredible.

103 posts behind on this thread alone. Yikes!

Sorry things are so rough with Walter. Just a thought . . . my Mom went through a spell where she felt angry and mean all the time, and managed to figure out that it was a medication she'd been put on that made her feel that way. Probably not the deal with Walter, but maybe worth checking??

Terri.. thanks for the thought.. I will look into that..
Ellen.. and Pinterest! lol. Are you on FB? Anyone with a kindle should check into
Pixel of Ink. They offer a wide variety of things.. some better than others..
but many FREE.. so that is a good thing.

Caro, Cee, Mark, Pat, Lynda & calm..thanks for the visits and good wishes..
I hope I didn't miss anyone... forgive me please, if I did..

Walter is much the same..

Yesterday was a very not good day.
A really not good one. Everyone is fine. but,
Long and ugly it was. I am going to
try to forget it happened..

so... moving on..

kath, I am on FB but I go weeks at a time without checking it. Then someone will get mad at me because I didn't know about something in their life: "I posted it on FB!" Yes, well,...... I don't have a kindle (yet) so I'm able to avoid some of the (even free) acquisition temptations.

*smooch* for very bad day relief. :_{

Hope today is better than yesterday!

Ellen.. sadly I check in a few times a day.. but I no longer play even one game.. so that helps

rdear.. thank you..

Chelle.... so far so good. Now If we get to Monday with no further insanity.. I will
be able to breathe and sleep and all of those fun things..

Walter .. I just got back from a visit.. he is doing well. Much better than I have seen him in a long time. The fury has abated... he is cozy and comfy and the people there are very nice. I took him a little
jar of cookies and he was very pleased. No yelling. No swearing.. He was very relaxed and
even had a bit of color instead of just looking ashen. Whew!

May i say..."i told you so"....once he's in care, and doesn't have to be afraid "whether he admits it or not"...his condition will improve

I hope that lessens your burden/stress, my friend

I miss you and love you
J

good news on Walter :)
rest of today is good right?
I hope

Well.. this is temporary rehab...
But it agrees with him a lot more than the hospital did.
I refuse to even think about what be next... maybe
next week, I can look at the future? But you are right.. he is happier.

Gotta get to monday.

I am enjoying and nearly finished with The Magicians

I have that one
mixed reviews tho
you like?

Like. yes..
LOVE! no..
I am thinking maybe 3.5?

that's a good rating :)
funk be gone!

Sorry yesterday was ugly. :(

Glad Walter is happier now. :)

Thanks kara... terri..

and I am out..

have fun without me..

good night..

Hope you have a good night's sleep, Kath. Glad to hear the good news about Walter.

Kath, I hope you can get a decent night's sleep; too little sleep makes one soooo unhappy.

Good news that Walter's doing better. I haven't experienced the rehab transition, really, since each of my parents were too far gone when they got to it, but it certainly is my experience that every day in hospital takes at least a week to correct at home. It's sad the recovery from that is so slow. Part of it, I'm sure, is those elders who can cope/hide/deceive us into thinking they're managing okay if just barely so at home, go into the completely foreign environment of the hospital and simply cannot cope mentally, and thus exhibit all sorts of strange behaviors as they perhaps try to protect themselves. Mother was much worse than Dad or DH, and she seemed almost normal before hospitalization. I mean, the nurses would talk to me as though I were a much-put-upon saint when I came into see her (daily and sometimes more, I might add). Just a hideous experience...anyway. Sorry, this is about you and yours, and I sympathize and hope that the rehab will go smoothly. Just want you to know that the behavior is really common and not aimed at you and yours. I forget how old Walter is? But pretty well up there, I'm sure.

Best wishes for a cheerful, sunny tomorrow.

Happy to hear Walter's doing better in rehab. I wish they could keep him there, but probably not. Will they be able to make some recommendations as to what would be best for him moving forward, Kath?

hope tomorrow's a calming day for you

Glad to hear that Walter is feeling better!

Good morning everyone!

Gail.. I have no experience with this either. My mom died at age 56.. Her final days went
fairly quickly. She had breast cancer. Debbie went to see him after me and was upset because
he was wearing the same sweatshirt as the day before and had refused to shower. She went to
try to get them to make shower, and change clothes daily. They said the patient is always right.
ye gods. I have to assume this will get worse before it will get better? I understand that Debbie
is upset about what comes after rehab. I am concerned, too.. but the fact is that it is going to
land in Debbie's lap.. He really does feel that she is his daughter and I am a sort of daughter ...
He only wants her and her husband to take care of him. I hope he can be there for a while..
Debbie won't even let me wash his clothes or .. anything. She takes it on then she cries about it..
so I don't know what to do.

Sadly, that is not what is going on to stress me out the last few days..
but all of my kids are well and all will be well eventually....

Caro... When he moves out.. I am pretty sure that he will not be able to live alone any more.
He does not have any money to speak of... I am not sure what will be next. I suspect it will mean
that he is living with my sister, which is why she is in a panic. I would be, too.

Hi Joane! Thank you to all for the good wishes..

16. The Magicians 3.5 stars. I liked it well enough, and I am glad I read it.
The story was of course a sort of alternate HP story. The students at the magic
school were older and the school was in upstate New York. It was not the refined
writing of JKR.

I think I would have liked the story a bit more if I had been able to just smack
Quentin once or twice. He was so annoying!!!

on to???? Not sure yet. Green Heart by Alice Hoffman maybe?
Or maybe another fantasy that I picked up for nook or kindle.
I will let you know :)

Hi Kath
I had to go back to November's thread to see what I thought of the Magician's. Guess it wasn't that memorable. Turns out I didn't like Quentin much either, whiney little bugger eh

SOOOO whiney! argh.

I loved Alice though..

Mornin' Kath,
Glad to hear things are settling down with your family. You know it won't last long ;-(
In the meantime, take a breather!

btw, how are the nephlets getting along?

No idea... haven't seen them for 2 weeks.
Deb was upset if I mentioned seeing them when
she was too sick to, so I didn't go. Kim is sick too..
and Oliver.. from the one trip Deb made there.. and
did not want help or need company so...I sent dinner down one day and
I hope to see them this week.

Hey Kath, you sound a bit more chipper this morning! Hope the day goes well for you.

Is Walter a veteran? The VA has a program that will supplement a vet who is homebound or needs to stay in a facility that can help him with his daily routines such as showers, meals, meds etc.

He is... and I did not know about the homebound care...
does it only help with Veterans facilities or supplement others..
Wow Lynda.. that is great info.. thank you!

*smooch*

So sorry this is a burden to you. It's fun being in the sandwich generation, isn't it?

Gee, Lynda is right about the Veterans' Admin. helping with this sort of thing...there are even Veterans's Homes. If Walter is enrolled in the VA, you could call them, or if he isn't--and this is trickier and time-consuming--try not only the VA but your local American Legion and VFW; ask if they have Service Officers who could help...the benefits are there, but it may be a bit of a hassle to get to them. He will need, if he's not enrolled, a DD214, which is available through the internet. That's a discharge paper, btw. I am soooo glad Lynda thought of this and wish I had remembered to ask, too. Even though this is a national program, it's administered state by state, with varying degrees of success.

Love to you, a hug for Walter, and sympathy to Debbie, who has many problems.

Cauliflower-crust pizza. Go know from this. I've never even imagined such a thing.

More good info Gail.. I have tucked it away for reference..
Thank you so much!

rd.. I know.. I think I am making it tomorrow.. have to do a run to the store..
need cauliflower and tomatoes.

Looking forward to hearing how it went.

Me too. Love cauliflower, love pizza; can't imagine the combination.

kath, you have got so much going on --- from here I can see you juggling balls made out of rubber, balls made out of glass, and a hand grenade or two..... Just remember to breathe!

I love that moment of finishing one book and thinking "what's next?" The possibilities are so infinite, especially for those of us with huge towers of TBR books all over the house!

rd..The part that looks the worst is "ricing" the cauliflower
I only have a small food processor.. but I want to try it.. it just looks so yummy!
Did you see the roasted tomato sauce recipe? I plan to try that, too.

Gail... I would never have thought about it.. but I think it will be good. I have already made the list..

Ellen.. I know, and believe me.. when you add in my current kid drama..
I feel like I am doing it while balancing on a giant red ball on one foot with
flip flops on.

As for the next book feeling.. :) I agree completely!
Still no decision.. it has been a ... busy morning :( alas

Margie wants me to go to Kelly's tonight..
I may do that... right now gallons of Guinness sound perfect.
And she will drive.

I finally found your thread!! I have skipped a lot so I hope you are good.

Hey Kath, hope you are having a better day today. Do something for yourself today! It is not selfish, it's self-care. I'll join you in that Guinness!

does the pizza crust taste like cauliflower? Intrigued...

Sandy K

Now that is a really sneaky way to get kids to eat cauliflower! I am not fond of it myself. Too stinky when cooked. Raw is ok.

I vote YAY! for going out tonight. Time to fill the depleted well of caregiving and compassion. You need to rejuvenate. You will be needed again and again ... no doubt about it! :(

Have some fun! Wish I were going with you!

Ahhh gallons of Guinness tonight, eh? Sorry for all of your family " challenges." My husband's dad is currently in hospital out of town, where he lives and we've been having our share of phone calls back and forth between the sibs and dad and Dave's step mom . It's a challenge keeping everyone semi - happy, but nothing like you are going through. At least Dave's parents opted to go into a care home about 7 years ago, but I think his dad may need more care than he is getting - he's had a number of strokes.

I hope you have an okay day today! Or - dare I say a good day!!! Hugs!

I'm with Cee!

hah! Thanks for the encouragement everyone :)
I am currently planning to go.. but .. we will see..
it is easier to plan to go than to actually go out the door..
The anxiety kicks in and next thing ya know I am in my jammies..
:)

I know the feeling kath...
A nice and uneventful evening can do wonders too :-)

exactly!

Have a couple Guinnesses before you succumb to jammies. Ya know, one for the door and one for the road... and so on.

Now, you know that won't work.
It will play out one way or t'other..
I did want to watch The River tonight, too..
so..

Either way it means an early shower and that is always good..

I went to see Oliver and Owen.. Fed Owen.. he has grown an inch and has regained and surpassed his
birth weight.. he is over 9 pounds.. he is an angel.

So.. I just had a call from my sister. Seems they asked Walter.. who is still confused..
if they could move him to a semi private room instead of his private one. He called Deb in a panic when they took him out of his room and put him in a day room. Deb was on her way there. I predict that they
will regret not asking her. Poor Walter.. being in a room with someone else is going to be bad for him, I think... always something.

I was having fun here until I got to the bit about cauliflower crust pizza! ick ptooi!

Fortunately I then go to the part about you visiting Oliver and Owen .... in happy bliss again.

Oh no .. and now poor Walter is confused?

This is a rollercoaster of a catch up today, Kath. Will he perhaps come to like his room mate?

Hi Kath- I think we felt very similar about The Magicians. I loved the beginning and liked the end, the middle was a muddle for me. I'm still going to try The Magician King. It has gotten such good reviews. If that was doesn't cut it, I'm through.

I'm thinking you will have an uneventful evening ONY if you go to Kelly's. Home is crazy! Hope you are there for a few quiet moments :)

Caro.... I love cauliflower... and think it sounds good....
yummers!

Walter has been confused all along.........poor Walt.....and no...
he will not, I have no doubt. I have no doubt...

Oh those babies... It was a good afternoon....
I loved holding and feeding Owen and playing with Oliver...

Mark, I agree with your synopsis of The Magicians...I will not be reading on...

Cee...nope..sigh. Did not go. Maybe another Tuesday....

Oh rats, poor Walter. It's just one thing after another and he's already confused.
I'm glad you got some good time with the wee ones.
And a gallon of Guinness sounds very nice (well, for me, maybe a bit less than a gallon). I like a black 'n tan, myself. Oh, but you say you didn't go. Maybe you can put on the jammies and settle in with a good book, whatever the next one is to be.

I never had a black and tan....
And I don't think I have ever actually had a gallon of Guinness..
Maybe one day :)
Jammies it is :)
I am happy to see you here, Ellen !

Sigh... carry on great auntie!

Tonight. Rest.

kath, i recommend trying a black n tan sometime. Pint glass: bottom half full of good British pale ale, top half full of Guinness.

Kath!!!!!! I had to stop by and give you a big HUG!! I miss you too!! I'm so sorry I have been gone so much! Once I get more on top of my class planning it will help too. Did you hear the good news from yesterday?

Morning Kath! Hope you had a great evening out, or in whatever worked best for you.

Sorry, I didn't have time to post a link yesterday but here's one that offers some helpful info about VA benefits. There are many different sites to check out but at least this is a starting point.

ETA: Duh, forgot the link http://www.veteranaid.org/improved_pension.php

Cee... I did actually sleep...
mentally exhausted lately.

Ellen, the very next time I go to Kelly's I will try one.. in your honor :)

Brit.. The prop 8 thing? Of course it's unconstitutional. Why did it take
these yahoos so long to figure that out? But it is great news, and I hope this
ridiculous battle comes to an end soon... srsly! People loving other people
becoming an issue anywhere is mind boggling to me.

Hi Lynda... cross posted.. :)
Thank you for the link.. I will do some research .. I so appreciate your help!
How are you doing? I have been very self absorbed lately.. just skipping through threads...
Hope all is well?

Kath - You're the best! :) I hope you have a good day!

You too Brit :)

Hi Kath!
Glad to hear you got some sleep :)
That usually helps the next day's energy and outlook.

Laundry piling up again :P
Food running out :P
Steinbeck beckoning :)
Sunny calm day w/ about 100 geese in the cove :)

Hope you find some help with the VA for Walter. It's a great resource.

making chili for Dan to take for lunches..
burgers for dinner today. I bought cauliflower..
and hope to make the pizza tomorrow ..
Dan needed more substantial food today..

Things are not calming down much here.
I feel like I am trying function while walking through a tar pit.
This is not fun.

On the other hand, I bought a triple chocolate cream cake for dessert.
Maybe death by chocolate ??

;-p~~~~~~

Hi, Kath--mental soothing from me to you...soothing...soothing...

Sorry for the trouble with your own children, or child. Nothing worse, or more apt to bring one's graying (okay, maybe your brown) head down in despair.

*more soothing...soothing...soothing...*

Please save me a tiny slice of the cake...

I've noted that reading fantasy, especially funny fantasy, can be a considerable help to one's mood. Just sayin'.

hugs and love

Whatever the problem, I have found that chocolate usually helps-
enjoy!

Ugh chocolate

xoxo

ETA found our t-shirt:

mmmm... chili.
mmmm... burgers
mmmm...triple choc cake
*ignoring all references to a certain icky vegetable*

So sorry you're wading through a tar pit, Kath... time for a big G&T?

hope tomorrow's a better day

Chosen by Paula Bradley

There is a mistake in this books details.
It comes up with Paul A Bradley... the author is Paula Bradley

Fantasy/ Sci Fi?/ paranormal? about a woman who suddenly finds herself
with some special psychic abilities// and I am not sure what is going to evolve in the story.
Despite some religious overtones I am liking it.

Jude, my cake wasn't that pretty!

Gail, cake and coffee waiting your arrival!
You are so sweet and kind....and soothing~ ~ ~

Megan I saved a piece for you, too! It didn't help as much as
I had hoped.

rdear... mmm bacon!

caro.. not sure about the G&T
Those don't have much kick..
I think something stronger would be lovely....
Thanks for the good wishes.. but with luck.. lots of it.. it will be
not sort until the weekend.. or longer.

Nothing else is in my brain...

nothing.

You too Cee.. remember the rice krispies..

Aww..... sweet puppy

My hubby started sprinkling Splenda on the bacon and then cooking it. Oh My Gawd it is soooo good.

sugar on bacon?

Puppy and chocolate cake - what a cozy thread today!

Hi Kath - I keep hoping for things to calm down for you...

glitter-graphics.com

{{{Hugs}}} Kath, hope things calm down for you and you get some peace

Reassuring that the Splenda didn't explode when put to direct heat.

ETA: Running in for chocolate cake

Morning Kath- I hope you have a better day today. That cake looks amazing. Did someone say they don't like chocolate? Are they alien mutants?

Caro... puppies are like babies, all puppies are sweet :)

Bonnie... dunno about that. It sort of makes me shudder... lol
But, if your husband is cooking bacon for you, I call that a gift!

Joanne, me too, fervently. But you are right, cozy thread yesterday :)

Terri and calm.. so cute :) more babies... thank you !

Lynda those dogs are so cute. I love their flying ears!

11/22/63 Nook Nook Nook Nook Nook Nook

Good morning, this is your resident mutant alien chocolate-disliker reporting to this MIB Local Thread for residency registration. *smooch*

Mornin' Sweet Kath.

I've got some coffee, have you a place for me to hide out?

Absolutley!

Pulls recliner near to firepace and fluffs the Irish wool throw
Sets coffee and cinnamon toast on the table nearby.

I love you, Kath. Srsly.

{{{Kath}}}

Love you back Gail :)

11/22/63 Nook Nook Nook Nook Nook

11/22/63 Nook Nook Nook Nook Nook

11/22/63 Nook Nook Nook Nook Nook

That one is too cute!

11/22/63 Nook Nook Nook Nook Nook

Having one of those way too anxious days..
dislike

Valium. Oh, and 11/22/63 on your Nook would ease a lot of anxiety. You'll be too engrossed to notice petty things like anxiety!

rdear...... you are the best brother I have ever had.

LOL

Then listen to me and get 11/22/63 on your Nook now! You won't be sorry.

I'm here for dinner!
you said tex mex right? :)

brought you an Irish car bomb ;)

LOL @ 211

listen to your brother!

nope

yep... chicken enchiladas...
car bomb will go nicely, thank you!

nope. Waiting till Bob is done.
Will not buy a book I will get if I just wait.

visited nephlets.
fed the baby..

Oliver made me a paper flower.

:)

Stopping by to say how very much I enjoyed our conversation!

You are a wonderful, kind, sensitive soul and I am blessed to know you!

I feel the same Linda.. very blessed to know you!
I hope we talk again before too long..

Owen and Oliver



Me holding Owen

Cutie pies!

adorable and such great stress relief simply to hold them and love them!

Kath.. you need a new camera.... or you need to stop doing the jitterbug while you take photos.

Aww..but the pics of you and little Owen are so sweet

deb took these .. except for the close up of Owen.. I was trying to take that
while I was holding him....

Cute brothers! Great expressions in #221 ;-)
And happy Aunt Kath holding a new life - how sweet it is :)

Gotta be a stress reliever - visit often!

>224 mckait: aaaawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

Sweeties!!

Owen is so cute!!!!!

So true... good stress reliever for sure, Cee
Owen clutching at my fingers while I feed him a bottle.. omg.

rd... lol

BB He is isn't he....? lol

Much of the time I was there I was holding Owen and Oliver was glued to my side
playing with my iTouch.. lol. I figure it will only be another few weeks before Owen wants it
as babies seem to emerge from the womb wanting electronics.

Owen is not quite 3 weeks old. He still fits into newborn size sleepers...but
only barely, as you can see... he is a big boy. He takes 4 oz per feeding ...or very
nearly ...

Not much reading time yesterday.. didn't feel well last night.

Adorable photos, Kath! Thanks for sharing them with us.

Good morning - I hope :}
Yesterday was a little too busy -
today, need rest.
I'm so spoiled now that I am retired.
Don't care for hectic days anymore.
I'm guessing you might like a day of rest too. Hope your visit w/Walter goes well and that he is recovering sufficiently.

hugs

Great photos, Kath. Owen and Oliver look like keepers. :-)

Hi Darryl...thanks.. those little ones are sweet for sure.. I adore them.
Owen already had my heart before he actually made it into the world.

Cee... they came to take Walter to PT early so I am back..
I am so done with hectic myownself.. I get it..
Walter.... there is some good.. his stomach is better and he can eat.
Nothing else is improving much...

Thanks Joe.. I hate to put up pics of me, but I figured that I could change threads ssoon and
I had to share that baby's face......:)

Beautiful pic of you and Owen, although all pics are good. But that one (the last) is how I like to think of you...relaxing, giving and getting love...

Have a good day, please?

a tiny kiss to tiny Owen.

Great pics it's obvious you are very smitten with the two little guys. I think I may have missed the decision for Owen's middle name.

Gail.. I could hold that boy all day long :)
And I don't think he would mind a bit.. he is magic!
Kim puts him in my arms and I feel better instantly!

Lynda.. I am I fear.. They settled on Andrew...

So, my sister is melting down.. ( don't blame her)
and two of my kids are at war. Seriously? As if acting
like civil adults is out of the question. And frankly, Son in Law is
making things worse on a daily basis. I have been planted firmly in the middle...
and I have haddit. They are both trying to convince me that each of them is
totally innocent. I have told them that is never the case, and I am pretty sure
this isn't the first time. I have told them I love them equally and I am not going
to stand against one for the other. If my hair were not grey already.............
So forgive me if I am out of sorts :(

It was easier when they were small...

Go down there and knock some heads. With a ball peen hammer. Enough of this crap already!

Debbie, Walter, Cory, Amy, and Tom need to leave you out of their mishegas. It is not fair to you to make you the middlewoman and give you no way to do anything constructive.

Maybe I'll go down there and knock some heads.

you look so HAPPY with the nephlet! he is good for you I can tell :)

I'll be backup for Richard! jeez kids

I am invited to Kim's for dinner.. I don't think I will go.. not sure.
It doesn't suit my plan to climb into a hole and drag it in after me..

On the other hand she wants me to bring her garlic. I think it's a ruse.
What to do?

rd.. the day has not gotten better.. I might be willing to send you and kara plane fare...

jeez kids for sure..

Owen does make me happy!

Tell you what... you go to dinner, hug the boys, and bring back some leftovers :)

just tell me when

That is just what I did... Cee
Dinner.. spaghetti and meatballs ..
Lemon cake and coffee

Fed Owen, played with Oliver
They insisted I ride home instead of walk..
and to keep the peace I said ok.. then, turned my ankle
when I was going to the car..

sigh

oh and Kim sent leftovers home for Dan..
:)

oops! missed inviting you kara!
sorry!

Hmmm... you said ok and turned your ankle? Your ankle didn't want to get into their car, Kath?

jude... that's beautiful.. thank you..
I didn't mean to miss you.. we cross posted :)

I guess not... it is still protesting by throbbing...

Sigh. What a bossy lot they are. I guess your ankle knows best, Dear.

Sending some arnica solution for the ankle and some love and peaceful solution for the heart and head.

oh.. good thinking Gail.. I have some arnica montana in my homeopathy kit..
Thank you my friend!

Bossy.. yeah... sigh.

Kath - trying desperately to catch up after my trip over to Thailand.
Give a thumbs up for black and tans although I'm surprised to see Deb (a teetotalor if I'm not mistaken) swimming in gallons of it!
Thumbs down for cauliflower -awful stuff.
Thumbs up for all the puppy photos - Lynda's especially is cuter than cute.
Thumbs down for bacon.
Thumbs up for your photos of you and Owen. If your personality is written in your features then your warm-heartedness is clear for all of us to see.
Thumbs down for warring families - I have my own problems with warring twin brother and extremely greedy father at present and sympathise with what you are coping so admirably with.

Ankle??? Ice!!!

I have one of those ice packs i keep in the freezer...but a big bag of frozen veg...wrapped in a towel...strapped on the appendage with rubber bands.....works for me

the HUG still holds

Joining Paul in the quick catch-up. the boys are truly adorable, kath! And I agree that your love for them shows all over your face. sorry the fam is being a bunch of (as my 8-year-old niece would say) poopheads.

Re: the ankle:

Rest
Ice
Compression (i usually skip this part, tho)
Elevation

Kath--Glad I got caught up before you start a new thread... I would have missed all the great pictures. Sorry life is so stressful right now. Obvioulsy, if you have to rest your ankle and ice it, you should be in a comfy chair reading a book! Big Hugs.

Love the photo of you holding Owen. You Nook (or do I mean look....Richard paid me good money to subliminally work on you) totally in love! If you squish him any harder he'll pop!

LOL Thank you all so much... I am terrible about injuries. I turn or sprain my ankle all
the time.. both of them have been badly sprained more than once so I am susceptible to
injury there. Typically I just take an ibuprofen, if I think if it, and whine a bit. Unless it is a
bad sprain, then I whine a lot. I just swept the snow.. it is a little achy, but meh!

Megan.. I ador him. He settles in so nicely when you hold him :)

Kim.. thanks :) I did sit in a comfy chair and finish a book yesterday evening.

I have one of those ice wraps too, jude.. no idea why.. I have only used it once or twice a zillion years ago when I had knee surgery.

Paul.. thumbs down for bacon? Are you a vegetarian?
Did you see the What Would You Do show last night when
a Vegan mom went to the ladies room and people were trying
to get her child to eat meat? They tape what people do in public
situations that could be harmful to someone.. who would react.
To be honest.. I would be right there doing something every time.
I have been.. lol, so I find it interesting to watch..

Snow.. not a lot.. less than 2 inches so far I think? Fluffy too.. easy to sweep.

Morning Kath- I am enjoying a rare Saturday at home. I could get used to this. Thanks for sharing the wonderful photos. You look quite content!

17. Chosen by Paul A. Bradley 4 stars...
read and reviewed.

I liked this book, it was a freebie for nook.

I am not sure that I would call this a fantasy novel, or a sci-fi novel
and it certainly is not a religious one. I have no idea how I would really categorize
it as it has a bit of many things worked into it.

Since it is Fantasy February, I think I will call it that for now :)

Hi Mark... sorry to miss you.. I was writing what turnout out to be a review.. sort of.
Stay out of the snow :)

The baby is a-freakin'-dorable! Will never fit into the newborn size and only fit into the 0-3 month size for 3 weeks. I'm very curious how big the next one will be. . . .

And I don't care what anyone says, Brit.. Owen smiles
when someone talks to him.. !!!
Your next one? I bet he will be just the perfect size!

Baby smiles are the best and most beautiful of smiles, IMO.

Wha'cha doin' today, Kath?

Kath - I'm certainly no veggie but I don't eat pork. I forgot also to mention a thumbs up for Jude's chocolate cake - definitely one vice I will always retain.

Well... it is the anniversary of my mothers death..
my sister is in full meltdown mode :(
My kids are still fighting... and tomorrow is going to be ugly...
I am pretty sure. ( Cory and Amy.. he moved out, but needs to move more of his stuff)
Tom is being a _______(insert vile word.. we all have our favorites )
So today I think I am going to hide under the bed and not come out til monday.

Oh! I do remember that now, Paul..
.bacon. over .chocolate .cake .any .day.

Poor old Kath - what a lot a crap to cope with.

Lol your choice of foodstuffs...each to their own I guess!

Feb 9, 1981 Irene Williams Winslow
Feb 10 2007 Elaine Shulick Tabinowski
Feb 11, 1990 Dolores Shulick McStay
Feb 14, 1987 Catherine Liptak Shulick

my two grandmothers, my favorite aunt/friend and my mother
and now my kids are trying to make a terrible tear in my family..

I loathe february

Hugs- Hope he dust bunnies under your bed are less threatening than the lions under mine. Hope it is better than you expect.

>264 mckait: The good part is, it's almost over. A wee bit over two weeks to go.

*smooch* for my downhearted friend.

Thumbs-upped your Chosen review!

Let me know when you need a snack!

Mornin' Kath. I mean, Afternoon, Kath.

Hope all settles down for you.

I'll be missing from LT until late Thursday, early Friday.

Much love to you.

thinking of you on this sad and difficult day (really, week, when you put those dates all together!), kath. I hope you're able to find some comfort in the things that usually bring you comfort. Bacon, perhaps? and a book, of course.
xo

Kath - so sorry to hear about the family troubles. Snuggle up with Owen, such a little cutie, (or your furkids) and I hope that things improve soon.

thank you Helen...hugs back

smooch back to you rd...

Cee.. Cheese popcorn?

Gail... Oh no! I will miss you.. Have loads of fun and peace, though!

Ellen...my mom and I did not get along... I feel more guilt than grief for her.. sad to say :(
But her sister Elaine and I were friends as well as relatives. Her mom, Catherine was kind and quiet and often unwell :( a good grandmother. Irene.. my dad's mom was the greatest treasure in my life
until I had kids of my own. She and my close friend Mary.. they lit up my life. Mary died less than two
months after Grandma Irene. Terrible year. What is making it worse right now is my two kids being hateful.. GAH! I wish it were Feb 29th. ( I think)

Okay rd... I will try to stop being a downer.. promise..
( notices no bootstraps on socks or jammie bottoms)

Drink?

Thanks.... join me?

You are no downer, everyone has the right to vent, certainly whith all this going on!
gentle hugs

Hey Kath! Hang in there! I loathe February as well, but for very different reasons . . .

I'm enjoying a very nice merlot right now and you should too! (Or whatever adult beverage of choice you prefer!)

Mmmmm. Merlot's my second favorite after Tuscans, especially Gabbiano Chianti Classico Riserva!

{{hug}}

Thanks. Cozy and crowded...



This is the damned cleanest floor under a bed I have ever seen!

Got any cheese popcorn left?

Thanks Anita hugs back...
Sorry to hear it Brit :P at least it is a short month.. cross you finger for me that tomorrow goes well?
Jim... always good to see you here!
{{{kara}}}
Trust me, I have Dunkerfluffs under my bed and shoe storers..
I wish it were clean!

I saved you some cheese popcorn though..

I cannot hate February, Kath--both of my parents and several of my favorite people were born in February. But I am very sorry to hear about the family rifts. Hang in there. {{{hugs}}}

Kath
I'm so sorry the war of the children is still going on. You must be exhausted from all this ________(fill in the word).

Love you lots

Sorry so much family troubles now, Kath. And I understand about the death anniversaries. My own mother died in early February over a dozen years ago, and I still think about her on the anniversary.

The photos are great -- especially liked the ones of you with Owen. He's such an adorable little fellow, and it's obvious how much you love him!

roni... oh I certainly don't expect others to hate February with me...
I hate it enough for all of us.. especially now.

Linda... I hope that once the movers are out that things can begin to settle down..
and heal.

Terri..it almost seems like a cursed month for me :P
Thanks.. I do love those ittle ones.. and Owen is magic!
He is loving and sweet and never even asks for my ipod or phone! lol..

Very cold.. and Cee... you may have all of my share of the snow...
brrrrrrrrr

Morning Kath- I'm so sorry to hear about all the family troubles. Don't envy you for that. I hope things work out soon. Try to enjoy your day. Hugs!

Kath: Collect petals of 7 kinds of flowers, fill a bath, add the petals and a little bit of bath oil, sit and soak for 2 hours. It may help change the rest of February for you and reduce if not remove the family troubles, or at least have it change for the better.

Ditto what Caroline says. Hugs.

How nice that Owen came along to help you through your February! :) Hold him often...and tight.

Hope your day brings some peace. Kids will be kids... no matter how old :P~~~

18. Graceling by Kristin Cashore 4.5 stars

I loved this book. I have already pre-ordered the sequel, BitterBlue which will arrive on my
nook ( hopefully) on May 1st. Kara, you were right.. I did love it.. I did not, read Fire, most likely
will not, but Bitterblue is a must read for me. Thank you.

Cee, Jenn, Caro and Mark...
Thank you for stopping by. I am grateful to my fiends here..
hugs back to all huggers and would be huggers...come back any time.. I accept all hugs...
Today is going as I expected.

Ah, she likes her "fiends"!!!

May I join the party?

{{{big hug}}}...and, i made crab cakes (i'll save you a couple...they're small)

;-}

Yay! Glad you loved Graceling, Kath. I did, too. Fire by her was good as well. I'm looking forward to Bitterblue!

Actually, someone was telling me about Kristin Cashore the other week....so, i appreciate your appreciation!

Another writer you might check out is Ellen Kushner.....Swordspoint and The Privilege of the Sword.....swashbuckling young woman.....in the latter title

> 291 - I got the Privelege of the Sword from SantaThing in 2010 - pretty good..

Well, for your sake, I'll hope 2/29 gets here quickly. I'd like the middle part of the month to go a bit slowly since that's when I'll be in Hawaii and I want to savor that warm, clean air, and the chance to just sit and read.
Keep taking good care, kath.

All parties involved in today's move have survived.
I am going to have a nice rum and coke and make popcorn ..
maybe.

fiends, friends.. love all y'all

I will look at the Sword book Jude
good to have your input on it as well, Helen!

Ellen.. no way.. I hope that the days of your vacation are long ...long and slow..
as well as perfect, of course.

I have begun The Awakened: A Wandering Stars Novel by Jason Tesar.

fiends can hug too ... just watch out for the knife they may stab you in the back with.

*opens candy dish*

...so, who is moving???

(I think I'm the only one to ask)

Candy!

LOL Caro....mind you .. attack cats do not scare me, but everyone needs chocolate now and then.. srsly

Jude.. Cory finished moving int his new apartment today.

Caro..that looks like my baby...and i can feel his teeth biting my ankle

Kath....i just asked...i'm sorry if it seemed i was being nosy...i just hate to see you stressed out by your kids...

***duh***

no worries... I hate being stressed out by my kids.. and the two youngest have
been trying to make it into an art form the last three months... since Cory moved
in with Amy. Thank the Goddess that is over.

nighty night all ♥

New thread tomorrow, okay dearest?

nighty night ♥

(Hey look at that! I did a Mac-thing with my laptop!)

Sleep tight my friend, Kath

*****

Woot woot, C did a Mac-thing!!!!

I'm outta here, before I get into trouble

sshhhh

I love the attack cat and the surprise cat. Nice, Caro. :-)

I hope that you are sleeping well even as I write this, kath.