STELLAR SATURDAY

[helia]

Aw, you ladies are always so supportive.

Jog was good - I have gotten faster and I went a little extra today, so got in nearly 2.5 miles.

Yeah, we thought about Norway or Sweden for this summer, but the girls wanted to go somewhere warm, so we nixed that idea before we even started looking at cost. I think we've gotten a very warm location. Dh says average highs for that time are around 95.

Yes, when we went camping in Canada, we went prepared for mosquitoes. We have them too, but I think they're worse up north. Definitely worse in MI's UP than here.

Dh leaves for Hawaii June 9th. I leave June 12th. I'll get there right at the end of his conference. If you remember, we did this 2 years ago also, except, then I flew with dh, and I was there during the whole conference. And he booked his room so late that time he couldn't stay at the hotel where the conference was. This year, dh says he'll be more busy at the conference with more papers to give, etc. so I'll join him at the end of the conference and we'll go to Kuaia together again. There is more hiking we'd like to do there! This conference alternates between Hawaii and Japan. I will just be getting over jetlag in Hawaii when we'll return. . .

He is now doing a "learn to walk in flipflops" 15 minute focus.

LOL! You sound like such a wonderful mom, OK! I need to get out the timer.

Glad you're finally having nice weather, Dee.

OK, I'm off to get the a.m. routine going. I just had a bowl of cereal, which I never do. Dd15 is gone and no one knows if she fed the canines before she left. I also have no idea when/where I'm picking her up; she might go home with a friend (oboist first chair, one year older) after the car wash. I think I'll text her.

[Nancy]

I have watered glad to be able to check that off my list. Breakfast is done gathered some eggs. More coffee. It is cool out this morning here. Time to check on the laundr last load is in the dryer now the other load is folded.

[DeeClutter]

Sounds like a 'plan', Helia! LO learning to walk in flip-flops. Sounds really cute! Know dgs22months hated it last year when he had to switch from them to regular shoes and dgs9 loves the ease of summer wear as well.

Have the RV in pretty good shape and I really need to go out to get a walk in. I've been so bad about exercise! And it's showing on the scales!

Been texting with dd. They still don't have a date for gd15 for the group home, but dd says on the positive side, that will just mean the later she'll be there before release. Isn't that a terrible way for us to think? Not really, not if you knew gd.

[CathyS]

Hi everybody!

A suggestion for something to do in Naples... besides going to Pompeii. Go to Herculaneum. They also have ruins and it's a bit less crowded. Mike and I went to the very top of Mt. Vezuvius. It was extremely hot and no shade. A regular bus takes you to the base, a "4x4" type bus takes you part way up and then you have to go up the trail to get to the top. No trees up there, no shade, no seats to sit and rest. But totally worth it to get up to the top. IF you can actually arrange it. Have a great time on your trip!

We have just had breakfast. Today we are going to Niagara Falls, the lilac garden beside the floral clock and then Niagara on the Lake to see a friend at his store. We will stop at Greaves to get some pickled beets, salsa and maybe a jam or 2 or 6. There is also a bakery with amazing scones. Maybe a stop in Jordon Village for fudge.

What I am not doing this weekend is going to clear out my dads basement. My sister said that I have done more than my share, and I agree.

[Kathryn-in-Canada]

I have a moment to rest since I caught up to dh who is vacuuming.

Upstairs is all cleaned but waiting for floors to dry to put back bathroom mats. Then I'll turn on the lights and declare that area ready.

Upper main has been vacuumed, tidied (except for the kitchen which is only 2/3 done) and the floor washed. I'm waiting for that to dry and then I'll tackle the kitchen.

First load of laundry is on the line, second is in the washer. Dishwasher will be started at noon so its done before the open house. Hope the septic holds! (All three are low water use items and today wasn't a shower day.)

Lawn looks fabulous due to the dandelions all being mowed down. That will last no more that two days!

Still have to dust the whole main floor which I'll start after I get the foyer floor mopped.

Basement needs extra attention this week because we were working hard down there and made a mess. Some boxes may get packed before the open house rather than try and tuck them away and pack later. No real need to put off packing at this point.

[helia]

Thanks for the recommendations, Cathy. I think we're not sure about Vesuvius - I've read both good and bad reviews. In theory, I'd liek to go, and it is good to hear that you found it worth the effort. . . Herculaneum is also on my radar screen. I'm not sure we have time to do Pompeii and Herculaneum. Then, we've heard about Walk of the Gods which I'm sure we'll want to do at least a part. . . . And we've heard of some beautiful gardens in Ravello?? Lots to do in that general area.

[Twins' Mom]

Good morning! I'm feeling a sense of relief since Macs and I got to the vet this a.m. and got his staples out very easily. He has become much more comfortable at the vet since working with the PT lady weekly and is so much easier to handle.

The vet visit was the last "have to do" appt for me before we head to the beach tomorrow. There is a pool party today at the neighborhood pool and I'll go up there for a while but I'm not going to spend the entire afternoon up there.

I don't know what time dh is going to want to head out tomorrow morning. I'd like to go for a civilized time - perhaps 8 a.m. but we'll see.

I need to do quite a few things today. Also need to follow up on Tuesday re: delivery of meals for dmom next Thursday. And need to update to-do lists. I've been running so much this week I haven't even updated for things I know I need to do later. If my brain goes completely on vacation I may never remember.

Helia, you are getting in some cool trips this summer! There will be years when your kids can't go as they get jobs and other interests so it's nice they can travel now.

I have more to comment on, but dh/dd are needing things from me. Aaaaargh!

[Twins' Mom]

Sadly, I went from relaxed about today to stressed in nothing flat. Dd reminded me about picking up scripts at the drugstore. Dh came in and is nattering away about me helping him get stuff off his old computer. He's put off dealing with it and now it's supposed to go with dd and the computer is acting stupid. And I realized that I forgot to get meds for dMacs at the vet this morning so I called and apologized for the short notice and now need to pick up meds by 1 p.m. And dd announced that she had to laundry, so I can't start anything yet. Of course, she's been home since Wednesday.

And I still don't feel "organized" for the day.

-start lists
---to do for today
---things to remember to take
---things to follow up on or do later
-start the dishwasher
-change shoes and take ddogs for short walks

[Dove]

Good morning!

I'm working in the attic again today after several days of decluttering in the basement this month. It has been rainy & cool so the temperature up there is perfect. Yesterday I cleared off the table & some bags of misc stuff on the floor, then got inspired to (finally!) clean out a closet up there. It's only been 20+ years .

I decided to see what I could get done in an hour. I emptied it completely & decluttered so much! Ended up with a full garbage bag of stuff to toss & lots of cardboard broken down for recycling. It took much longer than an hour, but I was so motivated to get it done I just kept working. Dh came up to chat & I told him I wished I had some shelving in there so I could store things without having to stack boxes on top of each other, since many of the boxes have odd sized things in them & don't close. He grabbed a measuring tape & measured the inside, then went to the basement & cut some wood he had down there & built me a shelf. What a sweetie. He is always so thoughtful & helpful that way when he sees me working on a project. I'm headed up there after this tea break to finish going through the last two boxes & to get my table cleared off again.

Harmony, I thought of you the other day while I was cooking dinner. Remember your grapefruit juice spill in the fridge? I had pork chops in a pan on the stove, asparagus in the oven, & was melting butter & milk in the microwave for mashed potatos. As I removed the butter & milk mixture, I tipped the cup over & the contents went flying & spattered everywhere -- the stove, the floor, the counter, the cabinets, & me from neck to feet. So glad I was wearing long pants & shoes! Dh jumped in to help me clean it up & we kept warning each other not to fall as it was soooo slippery. I've been making mashed potatos for years & never did that before. Dh says I can't say that anymore!

The wild birds are no longer stopping by since we stopped feeding a few weeks ago. I always miss seeing them this time of year, although a few stop by to drink from the birdbath. We recently saw a beautiful little bird we've never seen here before -- an Indigo Bunting. We hope he becomes a regular here. So tiny, pretty & blue. Here's a picture:
http://birds.audubon.org/birds/indigo-bunting

Tea time is over. Hope you all have a wonderful day!

[Ivy]

Good Morning, Everyone!

I accidentally woke up later, about 9:50 a.m. I wanted to "pop" in to say hello though.

Naples sounds exciting, Helia!

Dove, That's such a pretty bird!

It's sunny here, I'm getting a late start to the weekend, but am happy because I've lost weight this week & seem to have gotten a lot done this week.

Have a GR8 Memorial Day Weekend!