June Jewels

[treegirl]

Evening, everyone. how great to hear how everyone is doing. Lav - I hear you on the dogs getting up early when they won't go out at night - goodness sakes, they just need to be a little braver and we all could sleep in! RE; L-glut, I agree, it can help sugar cravings so much. And it is a wonder amino (I think it's an amino acid...?). Anyway, I've read that it heals the gut track, and helps the immune system big time. How nice that it works on all those levels, right?

Dill - thanks for the short story of the twin calves - I had read a reference to it, but didn't know what had happened. You saved the wee thing! But so sorry about the chiggers - man, they're the worst. I remember them from my childhood in the midwest. No fun. Glad you escaped PI.

Star - sounds like you are the Grandma of the moment. I hope you are enjoying it, amid the tiredness, just think of all the things you are getting to experience with this little guy.

Pauly - good luck with everything. Our past leaves lots of scars, but our present can make everything good. Treat yourself well! There's a great book out there called 'What your Doctor won't tell you about Menopause' (or something like that. It was the first book I read that talked about nutrition and exercise having an effect on hormones - it has good information. Of course for some of us (Lav - you and me, at least!) even doing nutrition and exercise doesn't quite make it happen correctly, but at least there's no downside to eating well and exercising.

I've been up since 4:30 this morning, working a mile a minute to catch up, since we leave on a family trip tomorrow in Maine (SD is driving herself and meeting us - all the dogs will be coming so that should be a hoot). The timing of this is really not ideal, but I wasn't consulted! I'm too tired to do any more tonight - I hope I'll wake up again very early so that I can finish up packing and we can get on the road at the 8 AM designated departure time.

So I may not post until late tomorrow (I'm hoping the place we're staying has a reliable internet...). 6 hour drive (are we NUTS!?)

More tomorrow, and I hope all have a wonderful Saturday. Tomorrow is a major birthday for HB, so I'd better make a special effort in the morning to be sweet!

PS - Dill, remind me to tell you a great gooseberry story!

[SnoopyC]

Good morning...

The babysitting week is completed, it was fun and exhausting. Lots of memories and good pics. Today is the birthday party with people coming from all over, and lots of food to prepare. I have to bring lots of stuff, so up early and planning my morning.

Lav, we have been getting nailed with rain, several inches, storms, wow. It is over the top. Hope July is drier.

Dill, chigger bites hurt! Mine took over two weeks to go away. Hope yours get better quicker.

Pauly, the L-glutamine sounds like an idea...I feel lousy when I eat poorly too. It especially effects hot flashes and mood for me. But I like my junk food from time to time.

Cyn, glad you are back and had a wonderful time. Have fun on your next trip. Hoope you can relax a bit.

Have a happy Saturday.

[Lavande]

Good Saturday morning friends!

Rain again today - oh well. My biggest fear is the weeds getting way ahead of me, they are well on the way, haha!

Star, you will need a week off to rest up after this busy week. Glad you were able to spend the time & make the memories with the little one Enjoy the birthday party too!

Pauly, I know you ended up having a bad day yesterday. Please put the brakes on & don't allow one bad day totally derail you. We all want you to succeed :hug:

Dill, how are the babies doing? OK I hope!

Cyn, have fun don't exhaust yourself! You know the great effort it takes to maintain these aging bodies, ha ha!

Papmom, I know you have been a super busy bee! Have a good weekend!

OK, I guess I will start some cleanup inside today although the ITs are still here. They have been pretty good this week, everything considered.
Have a great AF day one & all!

Lav

[SnoopyC]

Good morning...

I am ready to get back to my normal routine. My guests are here till later in the day, so will have a busy evening.

Lav, it has really cooled off here, no rain till tomorrow. Your spinach dish sounds good.

Hello to Dill, Cyn and Pauly. Have a good one.

[Lavande]

Good Sunday morning friends!

Star, I hope the rest of your weekend goes well. You certainly have been a busy bee

My son & the boys arrived in time for dinner yesterday. My DIL flew off to a conference somewhere straight from vacation.

We are getting a break from drenching rain today & tomorrow but I hear it will return Tuesday, ho hum.
I'm not entirely sure what I am doing today, we shall see.

Greetings Dill, Cyn & Papmom.
Pauly, I hope we see you make an appearance today, we miss you :hug:

Have a wonderful AF day everyone!

Lav

[paulywogg]

Morning friends, just a quick flyby to say hi just ashamed at myself and forgot how SICK drinkin makes me I know you guys are way past this struggling phase, so its even more embarrassing to post,but I like you guys too much to keep away, hope everyone has a nice Sunday

[dill]

Hi pauly, I am so glad you are with us! Don't ever feel embarrassed to post. We know what a struggle it is and we have all been there! Many times.

Lav, Cyn, Star, papmom this is just a quick fly by. I've Busy with the grandkids this weekend, and I'm just kind of worn out. The twin calves are doing great! The gooseberry jam turned out great! And Cyn, don't forget to tell me your story!

[papmom3]

Hello everyone! What a busy week for all its been!!
PW-please don't feel ashamed! We have definitely all been there. Just let us know what we can do to help you. Have you identified the trigger? I have a couple of suggestions about the diet for you. Tracking is definitely important-keeps us honest! But, it is a pain and can me disheartening. Sort of like keeping a budget. You cut and cut and still can't get out of the red! Anyway, try to give yourself some goals like 5 servings of fruits and veggies a day plus 8 glasses of water. You'll be surprised and how much those 2 small things can cut the calories. Or, go with the 80/20 rule. Eat healthy 80% of the day and allow yourself a treat for 20%. You can use meals or calories as your measure. I found that when I ate within my sodium, cholesterol and sat fat guidelines, I couldn't even come close to my daily calorie allotment. When I'm not conscious of those limits, i go way over. Over time you will learn to substitute different foods to save calories. For example, I now use powdered peanut butter instead of regular. Its less convenient but at 3g of fat instead of 18, well worth it. Calories are super low too. Jif makes a totally natural product with ONLY peanuts in it. PB2G uses extra oil and sugar. hungrygirl.com also has great substitutions for favorite foods. Its a process and won't happen overnite. You'll have good days and bad days but you can't give up! Now having said that, I have noticed my sugar addiction is rearing its ugly head again. I think I'll invest in some L-glut. It certainly did help during my first quit year.

Cyn-so glad to see you home from Europe! Hoping to hear more about the trip. And then you had to turn around and leave again? Where in Maine did you go?

Dill-so happy to hear the baby calf is doing well thanks to your search and rescue effort! What are chiggers? I don't think we have them here in NE? Ticks for sure! Ick.

Star-so how did the birthday party go? Sounds like the planning that went into it was huge! Hope all went well!

Lav-I saw your post on FB about going out to dinner because of power loss. Those storms were so powerful! We had 2 touchdowns confirmed in the southern part of the state and one in RI. When I checked my phone on Tuesday morning, I saw the tornado warnings and literally jogged home at 11 to put the boys in the basement. The storm never materialized in my area but was pretty bad in the south. Glad you got your power back on fairly quickly. I don't like summer mostly because of these storms.

Besides being very busy at work, I had a travel weekend for my demo job. I went up to Scarborough ME yesterday to do a Dock Dogs event with my boss. I loved it but she confessed she hates these types of events. Funny because I'm in my element! She paid for a hotel room for me but as it turned out the weather was so bad this morning she sent me home (so I probably could have gone home last nite). Still, i was able to get the ocean for about an hour after checking into the hotel and having dinner (really just leftover Pad Thai from lunch). Got some nice pics and found a great ice cream stand on the way. See, I still treat myself!! But only if I do my cardio at some point! The drive home was looooong due to horrendous traffic-didn't get home until 3, left at 11. supposed to be a 2 hour trip!. I did treat myself to a new rain suit at Cabella's (there was one at the plaza we were at). It was on sale for almost 50% off (Frogg Toggs). A day late but I've needed one for a long time now as my slicker from about 15 years ago is no longer waterproof (as I found out this morning!!). i had actually bought a cheap frogg toggs suit a few years ago but it was an XL and I gave it away last October. This one is better quality and I can't wait to try it out!
Because I thought I would be getting home extremely late tonite, I took tomorrow off. Bonus!! No idea what I'll be doing. It will come to me!
Thank you dill and PW for the kind words. I have changed my life completely but it isn't as full as you think. I realized last nite that I am missing close friends and a companion. Not sure what to do about that at my age. Not into the online dating that's for sure. Too dangerous. Oh well, this too shall pass.

[Lavande]

Pauly, glad you checked in with us.
Whatever happened is history now, right. Let's all move forward together, it's better that way :hug:

Papmom, I enjoyed your pics of the coast & water
Glad the crazy storms didn't get in the way too much!
About the close friend thing - it's difficult to make new or even maintain old friendships after a certain age. Well, at least that's the way it has been for me. Everyone seems to be tied up handling their own lives. I make a big point to get some of us together for lunch once in a while but it takes a lot of effort, ha ha. Things just change as we get older I guess. I'm glad that we have maintained online friendships here

Dill, a weekend with the grandchildren = exhaustion. I totally get that! Glad your gooseberry jam turned out well, sounds good.

Have a good night all.

[SnoopyC]

Good morning...

Pauly, so relieved to hear your post regarding drinking making you feel SICK and tired. For me, it made me so sick and tired, it is freedom to let go of drinking. Drinking, the way we do it, equals misery. I get that you have many things going on in your life that are difficult, scarey and challenging. So come here, talk to us, get support, and get through those feelings. We are here for you and like you too.

Papmom, so great to hear from you. I love hearing that your job and interests keep you busy, interacting with lots of people. I understand wanting closer relationships with friends and a special someone. I am working on making a close friend in my new location, so far have not found anyone, but will keep looking.

Lav, we have rain again, all day. Mowed lawn yesterday while the sun was out, it is a rainy summer. I will miss my grandson today, but it feels good to get back to my regular routine. I cleaned up after my houseguests left, it is quiet here, everything put away, and peaceful. Now, time to get back to normal. It is a short week due to July 4th, and I am looking forward to a three day weekend. I think work should be slow as many people are taking this week off. You wil probably be getting our rain this week.

Dill, take care of yourself and enjoy your company. I know I did, and if I was not working would have more time to be with family.

Back to work, love a rainy Monday. Have a good one.

[Lavande]

Good morning friends, happy Monday to all!

I am expecting my grandsons to arrive around 9:30 to spend the day with me. My daughter & granddaughter have decided to come for a visit as well. It's going to be a busy day
Sunny & nice here for a change!

Star, we are being warned of heavy rain coming tomorrow, oh well. It was last Tuesday we had the big storm that knocked out power for a few days. I hope this isn't going to be a regular occurrence all summer.
Glad you got thru your weekend company & party OK. Have a good day at work in the rain

Hellos to Dill, Papmom, Cyn & Pauly!
Check in when you can everyone.

Wishing a great AF Monday for all!

Lav

[dill]

Hey Lav, another busy day in the life of a Grandma! Have your guests gone home yet? It's been rain, rain, rain all day here, so watch out, sister!

Papmom I googled Dock Dogs and saw a local news station reporting on the event in Scarborough. It looked like loads of fun! I looked for you in the news report but didn't see you.:happy2:

Star, will you be having any company over the July 4th weekend or will you be going anywhere? I think we will head to the boat and beach if the weather permits.

Hello Pauly, hope you are hanging in there and feeling loads better!

Hello Cyn, still waiting for the gooseberry tale!

It's interesting that the subject of longing for friends has come up on this thread. I have friends in my life but recently everyone has been busy and I have been on my own quite a bit. I had some issues come up that I really wanted to talk with someone about but I had to just let it go. On the plus side, I did finally have a get together with some old colleagues. We met for our annual "High Tea", a fundraiser put on by a community group as a fund raiser. It wasn't a venue for a heart-to-heart, but it was a place for some congeniality and good fun with friends. That did lift my spirits!

[Lavande]

Dill, they finally left at 10:15. Am I tired? YES!!!
We did have a lot of fun though & spent a good deal of the day outside - perfect weather
I know tomorrow is going to be a rain day, oh well.
I miss those heart to heart talks with old friends too but things do change. I just mentioned this topic to my daughter today. She says it's pretty much the same with her too. Old friends have moved on, new friends no so interested. We both agreed that we are more than capable of spending 'quality alone time with ourselves'
I do look forward to our daily chats here though. They have served me well for many years now!

Good night to all!

[SnoopyC]

Good morning...

Having a hard time waking up, working on my first cup of coffee. Whew!

Work was pretty good yesterday, much easier than chasing after a little one, but not as much fun.

Lav, sounds like you had a great day! It did not rain all day yesterday, just on and off, and sunny in the evening. More rain today, off and on. We have flood watches, and the ground is mushy. Yikes.

Dill, we are going to a concert on the 4th, it will be fun. I too long for friends, having moved, friendly with the people at work, but they all have friends, family, kids, and are very busy. My daughter has three really good friends, it is good for her, they all have kids and do things together as a big group. She never had that growing up, lots of weirdos where we used to live, so happy for her. I never had a big group of friends, just one or two good girlfriends, and continue to search for those friends here; someone to walk with, read books, shop from time to time, go to events. LIke Lav said, we have to get used to our alone time I guess.

Waking up a bit, more coffee needed. Have a lovely summer day!

[treegirl]

Good morning all -

Quick hop-on right now - the family may be up and at' em any minute now.

I can't remember when I last posted - but anyway, I got us all packed up (dogs, gear, cooking staples, etc) and on the road early Saturday. It was HB's big birthday day; too bad he had to drive all day! I brought a muffin up to him with a candle at 5:30 AM that morning, and had cards prepared to leave in the car for him everytime we stopped. We met SD and her dog in ME, and that evening took him out for a lovely meal. He got very sick on the previous trip, so he is tired and kind of miserable... I got sick as well, but not as bad, and I am finally getting a little energy back.

I hope all is well with everyone. I am ready to be back in my own home, doing my work. I have to accomplish some things while we're here, so I'm working when SD and HB and involved in something else; last year I worked through the whole vaca, this year they want me to participate a little more. Imagine! So I'm trying to be good.

Interesting thoughts about friendships. My closest friendships were in my 20s, 30s, and 40s. When I moved away from that home city, things have stayed, but faltered. I am sooooo lucky to have moved across the street from my dear neighbor who shares my world-view. We don't get a chance to connect very often - even living across the street! But when we do, it is a real gift. I am grateful.

We had a solid day of rain here on Sunday; interesting in a rental house with 3 dogs! Yesterday was drier and we saw a little sun. It is very cool here - looks like rain again tomorrow, but nice on Thursday. I know HB and SD would like to get out on the water.

OK, that's all for now, I hear wake-up rumblings. Dill - I won't forget to tell you the gooseberry story - Promise!

Have a great AF day all -