Saturday Successes

[Twins' Mom]

Still going here....the bread is in the oven. Dh has gone to the grocery for me, now that it's half time. I didn't have candles that would work on the centerpiece so using an art deco small pitcher w sunflowers. The pitcher came out of dsis' house and I cleaned layers and layers of smoke, dust and grime off it. It's not worth anything but some sentimental value.

As soon as the bread is out of the oven, or when dh walks back in, I'm heading out to walk ddogs, and then s2s.

[DeeClutter]

"Honey, I'm home......" Seems like ages since I was here -actually the last was when I opened on Monday morning. We've been back home about 95 minutes and I've slowly been putting things away. Emptied the suitcases completely & dh has put those away. (I did NOT say I'd put everything AWAY however.) I'm slowly hanging things or putting them in the drawers. Want to find our passports soon and put them away.

I was starting to text DSs onboard ship (in port) but we were called to go to our disembarkment loacation -about 10:30. Seemed like we really made fast time getting to our shuttle, through customs, etc -but we had a porter -worth every penny! Took us about 4 1/2 hours to drive home. Let dd drive out of Ft. Lauderdale -it was crazy!!

Now trying to catch up on news (hoping it's all good). DD texted with ddil #2 (ds-A). News from their corner was not so good. They have guests from Canada. Seems someone broke into all their vehicles last night (and DS has a LOT). DDIL's car was ransacked but she couldn't find anything right off that she's missing. DS-A was missing a few things including his firemen's gloves. Sure he'll have those replaced before the day is out. Not sure what other vehicles got hit. BUT their guests had things stolen from their car including their passports. So now they're stuck at DS's until they can straighten things out with immigration. Why no one heard them is beyond me -at least DS-A & ddil. Police say 12 other places that they know of so far were also hit. Their house is situated between 3 towns and sort of in the country.

Now that we're back I'm freezing. We had a nice trip overall. Had very strong winds Thanksgiving -we were in Cozumel and rough seas Thursday night -Friday night. I ended up sea sick for most of the day Friday and spent a good deal of it in bed. Couldn't wait to get off that boat at that point. Quieted down Friday night. We formed a friendship with the couple & his grandfather at our table. He took a great liking to one band onboard and chatted a lot with the drummer. He introduced us and this guy ended up 'hitting' on dd whenever we ran into him onboard. DD was polite but in no way encouraged him and made sure one of us was always with her. True, we were on the "Love Boat" but ye gads!

Looking forward to catching up on here but may take me a few days. Hope you all had a good Thanksgiving.

[Twins' Mom]

Waving madly to Dee!

[lucylee]

(((HUGS))) (((Dee))) AND for ds and family... and guests... oh my goodness. That is terrible!!!
LOL @ dd's "suitor" on the ship. Glad except for some seasickness you seem to have made it fine! And so glad to have you back home again!

WOW. It took FOREVER to get all those pictures done. DH may not like the one I did of dgs to include in our Christmas cards. He's looking through the glass of a (kids' ride) helicopter at the fair, but it looks clear to me on the computer screen. It's not ON our Christmas card, just a print I'll include with cards, so if it turns out terrible, for about $5 I can do another.

While doing the cards, I talked a long long long long long long time w/dmom on the phone, and I dusted the den and dining room, and I over-dried a pair of pants.

Twins, I did remember that your dh is a Florida State grad. I guess I pull for them, too. I must admit, Mr. Winston has not done a lot to help himself, reputation-wise, but ooohhh... I hope y'all keep winning just so certain Other People (not talking about YOU, RR) talking about certain Other People IRL here, who will make such ... you know whats of themselves... if they win another National Championship. Maybe we can take care of that today, though. Probably not. RR's son is probably saying it's not a shoo-in just to be polite. It probably IS a shoo-in. Our team has been sorta "snake-bit" of late.

[x] s2s, exercise, Bible
[/] change sheets (sheets piled in disarray on the bed now, second load of laundry hanging to dry)
[x] download pictures
[x] dust
[ ] put up tree and candles in windows
-- I want to have the lights on at least when dh/ds return. No matter how the game goes, that will make them smile a little bit.
[ ] go to CVS

[Kathryn-in-Canada]

Posting from dinner (just chili.)

Crossed two more items off my list. Have added one. Had a good visit with my senior friend.


1. Done! Christmas lights properly up in the windows (at least the living room) and the timer programmed and installed so that they'll be on when I get home tonight
2. General tidy (it is awfully messy here)
3. At least one zone chore done. Ideally, scrubbing the kitchen floor
4. Done! Print off the bulletin for tomorrow night, pick up the music CDs for the hymns tomorrow at the seniors' home since dh isn't with me to play them on the guitar
5. Done! Finish decorating the sanctuary
6. Done! Choir practice
7. Done! An overdue visit with my senior friend
8. Buy more suction cups (there's a store in the market village I can try - the city has too many people chasing too little stock)
9. Buy a gift for the church musician
10. Done! Call someone to see if the poinsettias have been bought for the sanctuary
11. Update quicken and pay bills'
12. Finish the service for tomorrow.
13. Bake/buy dessert for the concert tomorrow

Now I need to go back out in the cold. I'm hopine to accomplish #s 8, 9 and 13 on may way home. I'm just going to stop at one store, though, so if I don't have luck, I'm not going to prolong things by driving from store to store.

[lucylee]

Editing to make this 7 x 6:45 (That's kickoff time.)
[x] s2s, exercise, Bible
[/] change sheets (sheets piled in disarray on the bed now, second load of laundry hanging to dry)
[x] download pictures
[x] dust
[ ] put up tree and candles in windows
-- I want to have the lights on at least when dh/ds return. No matter how the game goes, that will make them smile a little bit.
[x] go to CVS
[ ] go out again and pick up pizza at service station just down the road from me (I like the service station pizza better than P izza H ut, actually.)

And y'all... talk about a MESS. I just found out that Stretch Armstrong, age 35+, has LEAKED all over ds's high school graduation gown & honor society stole (sp? Is that what you call those things?), two t-shirts from elementary school camps (autographed by all his classmates), and his middle school scholars' bowl shirt.
* sigh *
It all looks like it's dried up and no more leakage, and it's safe to say he'll never wear any of these items again... but * sheesh *
Anyway. Can't think about that now... got a tree to put up.

[FelineFriend]

LucyLee , "Who" is Stretch Armstrong? Honestly, as I read it, it sounded like a pet dog, or something, peed over all those things, from DS's memories of his past. Am I right? I cannot figure it out. I'm confused.

Kathryn , Big WTG! You've done a LOT today!

Dee , Car robberies are terrible! They're senseless and maddening! It's nice to "see" you home safely, too.

Twins' Mom , It's nice you cleaned up the sentimental vase. ♥

Sunny , My headache came back after I submitted a short story. I don't know why.

I got a March story in by the 12-12-14 deadline, which makes 2 March stories now. I'm trying to only do 2 stories a month, so I can do other things, but April is a 3-story month, because there are 2 for April Fool's Day and 1 for Arbor Day. It can't be helped. I'll concentrate on 1 April Fool's story first and the Arbor Day one, and then take it from there. They're not due until sometime in January, but I'd love getting them done before the office closes on 12-12-14 for the Holidays Break.

I need to get some more steps on my pedometer tonight, I'm rather low, but I did 1 LOL, light housework, and the 1 story. Sitting to write isn't activity, on the feet. Too bad it isn't.

DH is still watching college football. Right now, the Oregon Beavers are v. s. the Oregon Ducks. DH was born and raised in OR. Then, later tonight is the Apple Cup with the U of W Huskies v. s. the WA State Cougars. Kick-off is in Eastern WA, where it's a lot colder, this time of year, the forecast yesterday said it'll be 25* in their outdoor stadium there.

Have a great night, Everybody! Have a Happy Sunday, too! Waving at you all! ♥

[Kathryn-in-Canada]

I took a while off from working because I needed to veg for a bit. Spent too long shopping (did end up trying two stores) but got some good bargains. It was no-tax day at the second store and that saved me 13% on a large number of staples (like chocolate) that were on sale as well. Plus I got the gift for the musician at that store.

I couldn't spend $10 on a tiny fruit tray. I tried. But I can't do it. So I'm off to make up some squares now. I have a craving for chocolate so I'll satisfy that at the same time. They are supposed to be quick to make. They took a while last time but maybe I've learned some tricks.

The Christmas lights illuminate the whole living room (I'm guessing that outside lights are brighter than inside ones) so I won't be using any lights in here for month of December. And I checked on my way home and they are visible from the road.

1. Done! Christmas lights properly up in the windows (at least the living room) and the timer programmed and installed so that they'll be on when I get home tonight
2. General tidy (it is awfully messy here)
3. At least one zone chore done. Ideally, scrubbing the kitchen floor
4. Done! Print off the bulletin for tomorrow night, pick up the music CDs for the hymns tomorrow at the seniors' home since dh isn't with me to play them on the guitar
5. Done! Finish decorating the sanctuary
6. Done! Choir practice
7. Done! An overdue visit with my senior friend
8. Tried! Buy more suction cups (there's a store in the market village I can try - the city has too many people chasing too little stock)
9. Done! Buy a gift for the church musician
10. Done! Call someone to see if the poinsettias have been bought for the sanctuary
11. Update quicken and pay bills'
12. Finish the service for tomorrow.
13. Bake/buy dessert for the concert tomorrow

[Nancy]

I would like to know who wins the Ore. & Wa. Games. Got dinner heated up the gravy was skippable hens got mine and half of my sandwich bread with the meal rations. It is cold and freezing out I had to bring in one water bucket that was icing up.

H is finishing up the last of the stuffing tonight.

I started knitting some of my handspun.

[Harriet]

Yes, you all seem very productive. Lots of pats on the back are due.

Stretch Armstrong was an action figure toy of a superhero whose superpower was the ability to stretch arms and legs a great distance. I guess that toy had some kind of moisture in it to allow it to do that, and after time, leaks? Something to think about with some other toys, too. Little Mermaid Barbie, for instance - I believe a lot of them have glitter-water in the tail.

Welcome home, Dee - so very sorry to hear of the robberies around ds' community, especially the friends for whom he must feel so badly.

Meant to say to Elizabeth how great to hear her say, thankful for the job. Also glad she found a way to post from work if she thinks of bright things to tell us.

Music looks do-able for tomorrow. Dd knows the unfamiliar one well, and the only change otherwise is a key change that affects musicians more than us. Of course, my job is usually to practice just in case and then graciously bow out.