Finally Friday

[Twins' Mom]

That's all I can say this week.

I'm using today and tomorrow to wrap up the week, and it's been a long one. Trying to make the most of it!

[Twins' Mom]

There's lots to do today and I need to prioritize. Some things on my li&t were more of the "nice to get done" category and they may not get done before I go. Some other things are popping up - realized I have a headlight out, and if we plan to take my car that will need a quick repair. Other stuff OMM of course.

We had painters here last night painting the door that was replaced yesterday. We finally had to tell them to come back this morning to finish, as we had a dinner reservation out. I hope they come back and at the right time. Set in stone is massage at 1 p.m. and the gal who will dog sit coming here at 2:45. I was going to try to get by dsis' house to meet xbil there to get some stuff from him, and see the progress, but I don't know if that will happen.

Dcleaning lady will be here in an hour so I need to get things pulled together. Ddogs are also pacing about wanting their walk. I'm trying to decide what to ask cleaning lady to do re: dd's room which is completely trashed. I need a place for dog sitter to sleep!

Going to get busy on a.m. routine and straightening up for cleaning lady, should also text the construction manager about the painters needing to come back today.

[DeeClutter]

I've a slow start to the day today, Twins. I'm s2slippers. Have had meds and now need to get on with breakfast.

We're trying something a little different with dh's meds today. Mornings he's been pretty good but by early afternoon it's like he hits a wall and can barely walk 5'. He's been wondering if it's his meds he takes in the a.m. The only real medicine he takes right now in the morning is his Lasix, so we're going to try it later in the day and see what happens. If that is what's making him feel cr appy, figures he might as well feel that way when he's in bed. Dr. had originally said mornings so he wouldn't be up all night in the bathroom. But he's awake anyway.

[Emptynester]

It is foggy, windy, 68* and 88% humidity. I'm coughing like an old Model T. My lungs do NOT like this weather. But it is only 8:30 and the fog should burn off soon.

I've been having a ball watching the boats launch. At one time we had 2 waiting and 2 launching. Then I get to watch all over again when they all come in. Most are just outboard motor boats, but I've seen some really BIG and expensive Bass boats and one pontoon boat.

They are really good about the no wake zone in the launch basin, but once beyond the buoy, they let it rip and just fly.

One small boat went out with 5 pretty large people and no life jackets. Most of the people wear jackets, especially if it is a single person in the boat.

The fish cleaning station is just across the parking lot so we can watch them stop and see if they caught any fish.

I'm going to make some caramel cinnamon rolls in the muffin tin in the toaster oven for breakfast, so I'd better get going.

[Kathryn-in-Canada]

Sitting here, looking at my list.

You can tell by the ink, which items were added. Originally, it had 13 items (2 per day, manageable, except the first 2 days I only did one thing.) Now it has 21. I have crossed off many, including another one this morning (inviting 13 people plus their families to lunch on September 8), but there are still 12 to do. Two of those are relatively small writing tasks. I think I'll leave the editing of a reading for September 1 to do on the plane or in the airport waiting area since I'll have my laptop with me.

Most important is to get prayers written. I have a complete stumbling block on those.

I've had breakfast. Skipped exercise (lots of physical labour at 4 p.m. today) but I still have to get dressed and tackle some of the weekly chores as well.

[helia]

I agree, Twins. SO glad it is Friday. *phew* What a week! I was in bed 11 hours last night, asleep most of them. I think I was a wee bit worn out?

Late comments: Thank you for your supportive comments re: the community college, Harriet. I am not surprised. I am sure there are many qualified instructors running around with more recent degrees and more experience than I have. I am actually wondering if I made a mistake in my decision to not be professionally active for so many years. . . . I could have worked very part-time much earlier; I would have had to cut back some of my church involvement, though. I am also very impressed you know the start times of all the schools represented on the board!! Yes, we start Sept. 3.

Elizabeth, yes, the pictures make the Guardian building look like a cathedral inside! In fact, it has been nicknamed "The Cathedral of Finance." I really want to see inside of the building some day. I believe it is an office building for various tenants, including Wayne County.

I'm sorry I'm not keeping up with all your happenings. I wonder how Lynlee's dbro is doing?

It looks like a beautiful day today. Nothing big on the schedule, which is SO nice! Ds is off to work. Dh is currently on the phone with his colleague. I think dd17's small group will be here later this afternoon. Dd15 may have a friend sleeping over tonight.

There are a lot of things that need attention around here.
- laundry
- clearing out built in bookshelf by fireplace to make room for dgirls' school books. This is where "books in current use" reside in our house. It tends to get clogged and cluttered. Dd15 has only 3 textbooks so far, but dd17 came home from registration with 12 books, all but 2 of them for her humanities class (2hours). It is one of the best classes this school offers! And the teachers they put on it are among the best in the school, including the main Latin teacher. They finally fill in some gaps in the literature they've been reading at this school with Beowulf, ancient Greek philosophers, Greek authors, like Sophocles and Homer, and others. B/c my kids take Latin, they've already read some Vergil. The course ends the year with a trip to Rome to see some of the history, architecture, sights, and art they have studied over the year. Maybe they also go to concerts b/c music history is another main component of this course. It is a lot of work, definitely not an easy course, but ds learned so much and really enjoyed it when he took it! I'm very excited dd17 is taking it!
- yardwork is still waiting
- I need to call the references for the woman who has applied to help in the childcare
- probably some moms group work; I know I need to respond to a couple emails
- I need to eat well and exercise. I gained 1 lb. since last Friday. Considering the fact that I ate out 6 times this past week and also had a huge yummy southern meal of ribs, etc. - with 4 desserts, I'd say that's not too bad, actually.

I think I'd eventually like to revamp my cards for the fall.

First, is the a.m. routine.

[Norma]

I was going to say Good Morning and then looked outside! We are covered in ash and smoke from the Yosemite fire south of us. When the wind began to blow late yesterday afternoon it brought it all into our valley. I am so glad we do not have a fire going here in our beautiful mountains. As usual, they keep a close eye on Lake Tahoe. That would be a major disaster as well. Bad enough for Yosemite. It has been declared a disaster area and now they say all the fire fighting funds are gone. WHAT!

Today is my GYN appointment. I'm not happy and I will be glad when that ordeal is over. I'm getting too old for this stuff.

Next Friday our kids from San Jose are coming . I love it when they come, even for a very short visit. We will be down there again in October for our last visit until next April. It is hard to go that long without seeing our babies.(great-grands). But, then our dd will come to AZ in February to visit.

This morning I will work in the frontroom - big cleaning - in preparation for the carpet cleaner to do his thing.

Happy weekend all. (Have a good time on your vacation Twins )

[Harriet]

I was up baking early this a.m. Wow, what a surprise, for Harriet's kitchen, hmmm?

Not only is it nearby dear uncle's 89th bday, my dear aunt97, his wife, got to come home from the rehab/nursing place yesterday!
Hurray! HAPPY PUPPY DANCE! I have my neighbor back and their household as close to normal as can be possible.

So I baked a white cake, but added chopped strawberries because I had them, with a touch of red food coloring just to be festive. The plain buttercream frosting looked especially plain, and I knew I had had only half the vanilla the recipe said, so I put the last few of the fondant blossoms over the top as decoration. HRH said do NOT add more fresh strawberries as part of decoration if the household might take a long time to eat the cake. (He is my kitchen police, you know.) But he says the homelier the frosting looks, the more likely it will taste good. LOL

I called before I went, because I realize I'm no longer sure of their routines, and things may not be easy. Dear uncle was already out of the house and accomplishing some chore, but I had a pleasant visit with dear aunt and her caregiver. Hadn't meant to leave my plate (cake was on a paper plate and I was just going to slide it off onto one of theirs) but I didn't remember until I left. Oh well, it's not that I need it, I just hate to leave them something to have to return.

We gotta buy a backpack. Sigh. Old ones are on their last legs.

TaDa from last evening was HOURS of work rearranging, organizing, decluttering further for dd15's room. Furniture moving. So far (over days) a tall kitchen garbage bag of donation out, plus a couple bags of trash. Fun smaller containers of items, including 2 clothing items, to be given to 4-year-niece. Labeling small drawers is continuing.

[OKay]

Good Morning!

The first 4.5 hours of my day went well. I followed scheduled time slots and am feeling good about it. Repetition is a good time saver. The more I work the cards, the less time they take.

Yesterday the new comforter for our bedroom arrived. I hope we can make the switch to it without too much discomfort. I really like sleeping with down filled duvet year round. It keeps us the perfect temp no matter how hot/cold the weather. I looked high & low without success for a camo duvet cover to replace our worn out one. The comforter was the only thing I could find in the Max-4 theme.

I took DMom a couple rain gauges for her to try. She is very particular about rain gauges. AND she is rather put out that her bank doesn't give free rain gauges away to their customers anymore. I ordered a couple rain gauges online that I hope will satisfy her.

My glass of tea is empty and my snack is gone. I need to get going again.

[Harriet]

OKay, show me a woman with a Max-4 comforter on her bed and I'll show you a good wife.

Norma, best wishes on your day!

Emptynester, you have the most interesting views sometimes.