Judicious January

[dill]

Good morning all,

Star, living with boxes again? You poor thing. I hope the time passes quickly for you. I take it the house is basically move in ready? You aren't buying a house that needs any painting/decorating/renovating before you move in? Do you have any items currently in a storage facility since you had to down size to an apartment? At the new house do you have a one or two car garage?

Greetings Lav, Cyn and Papmom.

I have to go to my son's today and stay with the kids while he goes to an appointment. I will be bringing gdaughter home with me for the night, so I know I am going to be too busy to post later today! I hope you all have a good AF Tuesday. New Moon tonight.

[Lavande]

Good morning friends!

Happy Tuesday to all! I had a nice day with my girls yesterday, I am grateful

Star, box living is a bore, ha ha been there & done that. It will all be over very soon!
Keep thinking about Spring in your brand new backyard.

Dill, sounds like you have a busy day ahead, good luck!

Greetings cyn & papmom! Good luck with your new job today papmom

I'm waiting to hear from two friends, hoping we can meet for lunch today or tomorrow.
Tomorrow afternoon/evening brings a couple inches of snow.

Wishing everyone a good AF Tuesday!

Lav

[treegirl]

Afternoon all -

I got up to my appt and back (3 hours drive for 15 minute test, oh well). At least it's covered by insurance this way. I drove through the town where mr tree and I met and were married, so that was a perk. I would have taken some time and poked around, but I had to get right home, as guys were coming to pick up a mattress that we tried and then returned. Good thing I went right home - the delivery guys were there practically as I drove in the drive.

Good job, Star! At least you can see that you are making good progress. Just keep clicking your heels together and saying 'There's no place like home, there's no place like home.'

Pap - hope your first day at work is great.

Lav - wow, to deliver your daughter during a bad storm, that must have been exciting! Glad you had a good day with your girls.

Dill - thanks, that detergent recipe is one that I glanced at on a website. Good to know that it's working for you - I'm going to try it! Good luck with GD today - I hope it doesn't wear you out totally --

Hope all have a good evening - the sun is shining here - doesn't it feel strong and warm?!

[papmom3]

Hellllloooooo!!
Busy mini break for me. Just read through everyones posts so will try to remember the hightlights:

Niger seed is sterile so no worries about a crop sprouting up in the spring!!
Hope the sickies are feeling better! I'll have to remember the ginger tea trick!
Sorry to hear of the settlement woes (we call it "closings" here in New England). It will all work out just fine-it pretty much always does.

Sunday turned out to be very busy. Got a text message late Sat nite from a Maine friend letting me know she was here in MA for a dog show and would I like to come up and cheer them on. So I did. Lucked out on the weather-it never got icy in my area or the dog show area. Spent longer than I thought at the show as her dog did better than expected and was able to compete in Puppy Toy Group. It ended there tho. Rushed home to let the dogs out and pick up my dad as we had been invited to my sister's to watch the Pat's game. Some friends of hers were also there so a mini AFC championship party! Great food, conversation and company. I got my prayer shawl started again for the 4th time but I think I'm on a roll now. Fun nite.
Cleaned house sort of, shopped and got ready for my first day on the job.
Today went very well. I'm sharing a cubicle with 2 others. Oh well. Everyone seems nice and so far so does my boss. They've all been working for her for years so that is a good sign. I'm looking forward to tomorrow. Oh and the commute was pretty damn good too!! I even went home for lunch-we get an hour!! Whoo hoo! My hours will be 8:30 - 4:30 instead of 9 to 5 which is fine with me.
I'll more to report tomorrow-gotta feed the kids and get to bed!!

[SnoopyC]

Good morning...

Still trying to wake up, drinking my first cup of coffee.

Pap, great that your first day went well...I agree it is a good sign with longtime employees, your hours sound heavenly, and the commute is perfect too!!!! Love how you never give up. Me either! Just walking back and forth to work is your exercise, how cool. I still need to work on that, after I move.

Cyn, yes, living with boxes, but the closing is Friday, move the following Friday, with lots of visits in between, dropping off stuff that is easily tranported to make the actual move easier. I am so excited. Interesting about the mattress. We need a new one, didn't know you could return them if they are just not a good fit and feel.

Dill, the new house is empty and was repainted and refloored, new appliances, and move in ready!!!! Whohoo! High ceilings, open floor concept, just perfect for the two of us. We will have room and sunlight, our current place is small and dark. I have to be patient, but I would love to move this weekend. We planned it for next weekend though, so I am just keeping with the plan. To hard to change days off, movers, etc. Sounds like you will have a lovely day with your granddaughter, have fun.

Lav, great you had fun with your daughter and granddaughter, did the weather improve? It was so beautiful yesterday, 40s and sunny, did not even feel like winter. I could get used to this! Just read you are expecting snow, hope they are wrong. Have fun with your friends for lunch.

Just wanted to say being AF assists in getting a good night's sleep, something we take for granted after a time. Important to remember and be grateful for the daily gifts we give ourselves...have a great hump day.

[Lavande]

Good morning all & Happy Hump day!

Yep, snow to arrive this afternoon so I need to get out & get some stuff done first including a trip to Curves. Yesterday's lunch with friends had to be postponed, one girl wasn't available after all. I ended up getting a text message from my grandson's regular babysitter. She was feeling a bit overwhelmed, both boys are getting sick with something. I ended up over there at 3 pm much to her relief, ha ha! both kids coughing badly & one throwing up ~ swell.

My daughter's settlement is today but apparently the bank's errors in the paperwork are still a problem. Will have to wait to see what happens. Kind of disappointing really.

Star, sounds like your settlement & move-in is right on schedule, good for you

Cyn, hope your test results come back soon for you!

Papmom, I see a happy future shaping up for you, that's just great!!! Glad your first day was good

Dill, is the snow going to stretch over to your area too? I'm not sure.

OK, going to get myself together & out to Curves, Have a great AF Wednesday everyone!

Lav

[Lavande]

The bad news is it's snowing BUT the good news is my daughter's settlement went thru as originally planned today - yay!
They are in there right now tearing out stinky old carpeting & beginning the process of scraping off dusty, painted over wall paper. That sucks, I've been there & done all that many times but they are young

[SnoopyC]

Good morning...

Lav, how exciting for your daughter! I received the final info yesterday and had to wire money after work, so the closing is Friday!!!! It is a crazy time with packing, working, talking to realtors, brokers, bankers. I can barely wait to get settled. Luckily the house we are moving to is in good condition. I just wanted to say how kind of your to babysit sick grandkids. Colds are one thing, the stomach flu is a different story.

Just had a regular day yesterday at work, weather is pretty good, 30s and no rain/snow. Hope everyone is doing well. Have a great day.

[dill]

So much exciting news! Papmom, I'm glad you had a good first day and are able to actually go home for lunch! I bet your dogs are gonna love this new arrangement.

Star, wow! Closing tomorrow and the house is move in ready! I'm really excited for you! How many bedrooms does the new house have and does it have an attached garage?

Cyn, the DIY laundry detergent does a fine job and it is so amazingly inexpensive. It tends to be a bit gloppy, and you have to give it a shake before use, but that's no big deal. I never add any scent to mine but that is an option.

Lav, that is so exciting about your daughter and SIL. They have their work cut out for them for sure! Been there, done that. Next time I move, I want it to be into a move in ready house, just like Star.

I'm meeting some friends for lunch today at their work and bringing in a banana cake for a birthday treat for one of them. Banana cake is her favorite and her mom used to make it for her on her birthday. Her mom passed away last summer so I'm carrying on the tradition.

Star, thanks for the reminder about the af gift of a good night's sleep. Priceless.

[Lavande]

Good morning friends!

It's heading up to 42 this afternoon so this snow should mostly disappear & that's OK with me

Star, good luck with your settlement Friday!
Glad your house is in move-in condition!!!!

Dill, enjoy your lunch out with friends today, sounds nice!
I'm sure the birthday girl will appreciate her special cake too.

I'm heading out to Curves in a bit, nothing else planned for the day.
I'll find something to do, no doubt. I asked my DIL how the boys were doing last evening & her response was DRIVING ME CRAZY! Ha ha - I totally believe that!!!

Greetings Papmom & Cyn, hope you both have a good day!

[treegirl]

Hello all -

What exciting news - 2015 is shaping up to be a year of good changes! I had a super-busy day yesterday, culminating in a dinner party, which always takes waaaay more time than I think that it will. And it saps me completely...by the time the dishes are done at 10:30 pm, I fall into bed, and I'm dragging this morning. I think I'm going to stick to just cooking for the dogs and maybe a seed wreath or two for awhile.

Congrats Star! I knew it would all turn out well. Of course you are ready to move in! Your house sounds wonderful - I'm very excited for you.

Lav - great news about your kids. Yep, been there and done that (carpeting, old wallpaper, even hand-refinished a wood floor once, uuugh); good for the kids, they will be tired but proud when they see what they've accomplished. Ditto Star re: the grandkids...lucky parents! Glad that the snow will be melting. We had to hire someone to come and sand and salt our entire driveway - it was a skating rink, I feared for the dogs and for me, we had some near-accidents yesterday. Not sure when/if it will melt, so at least we can get our footing now.

Pap - congrats on the good vibes at work - keep it going! Thanks for the info on the nyjer seed - now I can stop obsessing about that.

Dill - you are so kind to make that special cake for your friend...what a gift to her.

Test results were negative on any growths on the thyroid, so I'm not sure what my doc was feeling when she thought it should be scanned, oh well. Cross that of the list. RE: night's sleep - yes, grateful. I thought about that the morning I set out at 6:30 to drive to have this test. I watched the sun rise, enjoyed the journey. In other years I might not have felt like (or been able to) make a trip like that, or enjoy it so much. Lots to be thankful for.

Wishing all a good day -

[papmom3]

Evening all! One more day to this work week. My thighs and hips are so sore from all the uphill walking!! I'm sure they will get used to it by the end of next week.

Star-I am sooooo happy for you! the house sounds perfect!! My house is so dark but doesn't make sense to move now. I might think about refinancing tho so I'll have some extra to put back into it and maybe by the time I retire it will be updated and sell well. Good luck tomorrow!!!

Lav-Grandma to the rescue!! Guess 2 sick kids weren't in her job description LOL! Hope they are feeling better! Sorry your lunch date didn't pan out. I know how much you look forward to those outings. Loved your pic on FB of the deck and birdfeeder. Still haven't put mine out-I guess because I no longer reside in a room that looks out onto it. Still, I bought new seed in December so I really need to use it. Hmmmm.

Dill-how nice of you to carry on the birthday cake tradition for your friend! I'm sure she is thrilled!!

Cyn-a dinner party! Wow, how you get so much done is beyond me!! Good to hear you got your driveway deiced. My yard has nini skating rinks where I've never seen them before!!! Are you ready for the snow this weekend???

The week has gone well. I'm enjoying my walks back and forth for sure. I'm picking up the new system quickly and should be ready for real projects next week. One thing I'm very disappointed about is that it turns out I will NOT be supervising anyone directly. Sort of a bait and switch I think as it was clearing stated I would be supervising staff in the job posting. I even went to training today to learn how to approve time and attendance but it turns up I am just the backup. I guess I should count my blessings as most people do not look forward to supervising others but I was ready to try out those rusty wings. Things could change I suppose but for now I am a "manager without authority". Again. I just hope these next 5-8 years go by fast.
Lav-are you getting this snow storm too?

[SnoopyC]

Good morning...

Pap, sorry you don't get to supervise anyone right now. I agree, things could change. Already in the job I have, second in command has changed jobs, someone else left, another having a baby, so things are constantly in flux. Is your office a big one with lots of people? How great you can figure out their computer systems, that is huge. Being able to walk to work, wonderful! How are your doggies liking you home more? More time for you!

Dill, the new house is a ranch, three bedrooms and attached garage, in a neighborhood. We have a bonus room above the garage, I plan on making it into my yoga room! It is empty, and we will spend the next week moving in what we can, then the movers next Friday. I have to be there at 7:30 am to wait for the utilities people for 5 hours. I am not happy about that. They would not commit to a specific time, so there I sit, no furniture for five hours. I'm bringing a good book, my phone, and doing my best. No computer, as no internet till next week. That should be the worst of it, I hope. I am very excited and enjoying the anticipation...thanks for asking.

Cyn, I bet you are exhausted after hosting a dinner party. Hope you were able to relax.

Lav, the snow is melting? Good. This winter has been better than last. And, January is almost over. Thank goodness.

Have a good Friday.

[Lavande]

Good morning friends, happy Friday

27 degrees & sunny at the moment, ha ha! Things go downhill from here though. The dreaded nor'easter is on the way up the coast, due to arrive later this evening & end some time tomorrow! I think/hope it will be more rain than snow.
I'm going to pick up my granddaughter later, she will be spending the weekend here. I will be BUSY, Lol.

Papmom, enjoy the new job as it is right now. You never know how the future will unfold
Walking uphill to work sounds pretty good to get those legs muscles toned!!!

Cyn, I find I can put up with almost anything as long as I have my phone to keep me occupied, ha ha! I sound more like a child these days. I hate waiting for utility workers, repair people, doctors, dentists, etc. but at least the phone keeps me occupied. Good luck with all of your chores.

cyn, glad your thyroid scan was clear. Now what? Tracking down the exact cause of what is making us feel crappy is endless. I still think it's our food & environment! Are you familiar with Dr Amy Myers? She is doing great work in autoimmune research & discovery. http://www.amymyersmd.com/

Greetings Dill, what's on your game plan this weekend?

OK, time to get going. Wishing everyone a great AF Friday!

Lav

[treegirl]

Morning all -

Pap, glad to hear the walk to work is good! Sorry about the management of others, but as Star said, something could change in that regard. Especially when they see how brilliant you are! I hope the workplace is filled with great vibes.

Star - gosh, did you take a camp chair with you to sit on at the new house while you wait? Hope all the hookups work well. That's better than when I moved into our rental (totally strung out, as my story demonstrated), woke up the first morning in the cold, tried to shower - no hot water! I had totally forgotten to arrange for that utility hookup, duh. So - you are doing great!

Lav - going to check out your bird feeder pics. My birds are happy with the suet feeders, though I'm not getting the finches or pine siskins anymore...maybe I'll try another feeder. The 'sock' just spilled the seed all over. What are you cooking these days (besides that great black bean spaghetti - I can't seem to find it in a store - did you mail order it?)

Dill - how are you doing with GD? How is Mr Dill feeling? Hope you are doing OK today.

Yesterday evening was a little rocky. Just before 5, we heard a piercing alarm sound. I finally traced it to the garage. It was a pump alarm - nothing that I had even noticed before - it was hooked up to all the electrical boxes. Hmmmm, what could it be? Called our go-to guy for that kind of question. Septic pump. Septic pump? (I am a new septic owner...and I thought they all worked on gravity systems, but I guess not.) Septic pump. Grab the yellow pages, start dialing. Fourth call: a gentleman picked up and walked me through deducing if it was the pump switch gone bad - no, nothing so simple. He's coming this morning, thank goodness. Not using water is a little bit of a pain - I feel like when the power is out! Then about an hour later, girl dog had another episode of coughing/trembling/terrible discomfort, but this time her temp was under, not over. So I nursed her through the night as best I could. She's better today, but breathing is still shallow and a little fast. So, after the septic man gets here, I guess we might make a vet trip.

I'm hoping to get some work done today as well! Sending everyone best Friday wishes ---