Friday Focus

[Elizabeth]

Hi everyone! Got another payroll task done! I thought it would be tremendously hard and horrible, but it was not. The mayor has cancelled out of being the keynote speaker for our animal org annual meeting on Sunday. Fortunately, we had a backup lined up. The sister of my newest foster is being adopted. We were hoping they would take both. However, without my foster around, sister is outgoing and friendly rather than aloof. They have been together since they were baby cats (they are ~4), and I do feel bad about breaking up the set, but there are two reasons for it: (1) other cat is aloof when sister is around, and (2) when they are together, they fight with other cats. We are hoping that individually they will come into their own. Their previous foster refused to consider splitting them up even for a trial week, despite having to keep them in a separate room from her other cats. She had to stop fostering this month. She is so ill, she is selling her house and moving to where there is family to look after her. I don't intend to mention that they are split up unless she specifically asks.

I'm kind of at a loss as to what to do next. I thought the task was going to take all day, and maybe into Monday. However, I am sure there is useful work for me to do in the problem ticket queue or the product backlog list!

[lucylee]

Well, I was easily persuaded away from the ironing... dh and I went back to dmil's house, spent about 1.5 hours.
I brought home all her scarves. Seems there should be something neat to do with these on pinterest.
Dsil wants all the costume jewelry to make a cross wall hanging for dniece. I'm hoping there will be enough to do one for me or for ddil, also. But I'm thinking my crafty cousin could come up with some way to use the scarves in a decorative way. I'll be looking for ideas.

[Kathryn-in-Canada]

Home from movie and dinner. The boys are with their father.

Pick up went smoothly. We got the car washed, cancelled the monthly plan (will prepay some washes when we get back), picked up some cables dh had ordered. Only 3 of the 4 were there, we had requested them not to call until the whole order was in because this is the college computer store (dfs used to work there) and we both have to go or else pay for parking. Sigh. One more trip to make (the first time we went only 2 of the 6 items were in.)

We arrived at CM's house with 8 minutes to spare and then the older boys' bus was late so we had even more time. I picked up the youngest from his school so got a short walk in. Would never of found him, all little boys in snowsuits look the same, even half-Asian ones!

Everyone went pee, including the dog and we headed off. Got within a mile of the theatre and the road was closed in the opposite direction but backed up solid so we took a detour that may have saved time but it still took us over 30 minutes to go that mile and at the end, the police were closing access faster than we could get through the traffic.

We ended up having lots of popcorn with our movie and small dinners after.

Their dad called us just as we finished our dinner so we met him at the apartment and gave him back the boys.

The movie, Big Hero 6, was very good. And the little ones in the theatre were amusing with their vocal worries for the main characters (the boys were old enough that they just enjoyed it.) Dialog wasn't as clever as some of the other movies we've seen but the story was good.

It is only 9 but I'm ready for bed, except I just ate so my tummy is too fill. I've done enough steps on the treadmill that I can stop now and either putter, go to bed, or sit and do desk work but I won't mess up my monthly and weekly averages. I have no extra steps but I have enough for today.

[Harriet]

Congrats on the good WW report, helia.

Twins' Mom, a pm to you.

Hoping those with coughs and colds feel better.

Wow, Cathy, you really haven't been stashing much!

[helia]

We're back from dinner out at a favorite Thai place and then a movie. The Thai food wasn't as good as in the past. Dh says we'll give it another try in a month or so before we give up on it. Maybe they have a new chef? Or just a substitute chef? They have had excellent Thai food in the past that has won awards. Not tonight, though. Dd16's pad thai tasted mostly like noodles in oil.

Movie Ramblings: We decided to see The Imitation Game, which was a very good movie. B. Cumberbatch is a great actor. Dh knew a fair bit about Turing already, but the 3 of us pondered afterward which details might have been fictionalized. Ds was obsessed with the enigma machine and Turing's machine early in high school or maybe middle school. I wonder if he's seen the film? I think he'd enjoy it, though it wasn't as much about the actual machine and decoding as all the human drama around it. I was interested in the film Jupiter Ascending, but Rotten Tomatoes didn't think much of it -- not that I have to take their ratings as gospel, but the reviews might accurately hit on general trends. That might be a good one to eventually rent, although it sounds like its strength is its cinematography which would be best enjoyed on the big screen. . . And I did like The Matrix (first one) a lot, so maybe it's not all bad.

I think my day is done. Dh leaves tomorrow afternoon. I'll need to finish laundry for him tomorrow and get in a groc. run and make a gluten, dairy, and nut free dessert for small group tomorrow night.

[FelineFriend]

Good Evening, Ladies!

My Friday Focus was going to my Dr. appt. this morning, which was a very good visit, and I don't need to see him for 7.5 MONTHS!

It was grey here today, it drizzled on the car a bit, but then it was dry and grey again.

We went to Costco, to look at throws. DH thought they were fleece. He felt if the fleece throws were a good price, then I wouldn't need to purchase all of the fleece on sale, at Joann's, cut the corners off, cut fringes, tie the 2 sides together, for all of that work! They're not fleece throws, but they ARE 100% polyester, from a place in Canada, but are made it China. They were only $8.99 APIECE! We got 5 of them, for the oldest 3 DGS's because the little youngest 3 Grands, get crocheted afghans, at Christmas. The price was so good, I even got a throw for myself.... BUT I cannot keep it folded over the back of our sofa, because Kitty Cat keeps "eying" it, which means she can hardly wait to knead her claws into the fluffy soft luxurious fabric, and this means she'll snag it! I retire it to the linen cupboard, when I'm done with it.

This is just a quick C. I. Have a good night, Everyone!

[Harmony]

LadyM, I'm sorry you've had such a diagnosis about LO, though I guess it isn't such a surprise to you. I'm sure it means more on your plate. I honestly don't know how you keep up especially with another toddler in the mix most days...I am very impressed.

I got up early and managed to finally learn that DD was feeling well enough for the trip so they were coming and I ran off to the store and bought a heaping cart full. I made a tote of lunch for them to take on their way to the wedding because they were running short of time.

All day it has been run from one thing to another. We don't get to see these kids very often and somehow they got the idea years ago that when they come, everything stops and we give them our whole attention...which we try to do, but there are 3 of them and it's very hard. DGS15 wanted piano lessons, and while I was doing that the other 2 were pulling me in different directions. I did the best I could.

DH let DGS drive to a store with him and drive to the gas station. He was thrilled (he has learners' permit). This afternoon he took DGS12 to county office with him but I didn't hear them leave or know where he was so I was biking all over the neighborhood looking for him. All was well, but it was scary for a few minutes.

I'm trying not to stress about all the junk all over, everything in the kitchen rearranged and scattered about to leave the table free for the never-ending card games that happen here. Plus the electronics all over the place and cords, and chargers, etc. etc. I am trying not to look at it all and I pray DH does not trip over a cord someplace.

DGS15 has a cold. DH is only half well. I now have a cough. I hope I'm not doomed. It is still too cold for my liking. Try to find a blessing for today: I did get to spend time with this family who I love dearly and don't see nearly enough.

Going to try to find a spot to lay down under a couple blankets.

[Lynlee]

(((Harmony))) I hope you are feeling better soon, and you and DH get through the 'family time' with your health intact. Its nice they have time for you, but the realities of life might need to catch up with them (that you and Mr H are getting older) and also the not leaving trip hazards. etc.

The weather here seems to have moved off to sea. (Look out NZ) There was a tornado watch at one stage, and one water spout did come in over land north of here. My tv meter is at its limit so haven't cased further news.

I just woke up from a nap. I didn't sleep a few nights ago and finally tried for some catch up.
Earlier - I went to the markets. Few traders were there. I did buy some f &v. Then into town. The creek is still up its banks, not far under bridge height. so shopping center basement car parks - Wondering if the storm water gates worked this time. Otherwise they are silt collectors. Remembering the flood that had another 10' on that. Shudder.

Time to walk dog.