phyllser

Our oldest son always does his preliminary research online. Probably does some test driving first. But... doesn't go and do his serious shopping until he has settled on exactly what vehicle and what options he wants. And, he finds out what the invoice price is. Some credit unions will do the negotiating for you. But, our son has been known to do the negotiating via email, too. Eliminates a lot of frustration. OH, MY!! Throwing their goodies away!!! Too Funny! You are one gutsy chick!! HAHAHA! Funny you mentioned Red Robin because that's where we had lunch today on our break from training! But... I always order the same thing... have studied the menu extensively. Our oldest GD lives in CA but goes to U of WA.. in fact, just emailed DIL to tell her we'd take her to lunch on her birthday again this year... her favorite restaurant.... RED ROBIN!! So... they have this "Ensenada Plate".. it comes with either 1 or 2 chicken breasts. With one, it's 629 calories. You get salad, chicken breast, salsa and another white, spicy sauce. It's very good, and not too bad calorie wise. So that's what I had for lunch. I just hate to do it so I procrastinate. But, yes, it is a big relief now that it's all done. Here is a BIG frustration, though. Nothing changed.... our income, deductions almost exactly what they were last year. But last year we got back over $1500, this year.... $289!! Don't spend it all in one place! I will restrain myself from making a political statement here, but I sure am ticked! HAHA HAHA... Scary typo!! Sorry you are hurting again. My back is much better today even though I spent 4 hours sitting in class last night and 8 hours today!! Community Emergency Response Training. I will upload a couple of pictures. We practiced with fire extinguishers. I was embarrassed.. I didn't have the strength to pull the trigger!! But when I switched hands... held it in my left hand and aimed the hose with my right... then I could squeeze it hard enough! We also put slings on each other, and head wraps for head wounds. Tomorrow... I think he said we're going to practice splinting. It's very interesting and informative. Besides being a retired RN, I also have a HAM radio license, so once a few folks here in the RV park got wind of that... I got recruited for the park C.E.R.T. team!! And I recruited DH!! So sorry you're having that trouble AGAIN!! Hope you are feeling much better soon!!

Here are a few photos from our C.E.R.T. training today. In our C.E.R.T. gear, practicing with fire extinguishers, head wraps and slings.

Well, I'm going to be on the communications team because I have a HAM radio license. I've bugged him for years to get one, too, but so far he hasn't. So... it's not that I want him on another team... he just has to get his HAM license if he wants to do that. But his electrical expertise and his strong "handyman" skills might be more useful anyway! He learned how to "jury rig" in the AF... "brogan maintenance"!! HAHA! He can usually figure out how to fix ANYTHING! Which can sometimes be annoying!! LOL... something breaks and I'm thinking... "oh, goody!! I get to buy a new one". But, NO... he fixes it!

Congrats!! You're doing GREAT!!

Good Morning!! Earl and I are "in training" ALL weekend... 4 hours last night, 8 hrs today and tomorrow... I joined the Community Emergency Response Team here at our RV park... they say if there is a BIG earthquake we could be cut off for 3 weeks or more... so we're preparing. I have a HAM radio license, so I joined as part of the communications team, we'll see about medical later. I will persuade Earl to be part of another team. Anyway... we're taking the Riverside County training course. Very interesting and informative!! This morning we get to play with fire extinguishers!! And we each got a green backpack full of supplies.. so I now have my ver own green hard hat and green emergency vest and crow bar!! LOL I will be scarce this weekend!! We're off in a few minutes! Won't even be back in time for happy hour!! LOL!

I'm choosing to ignore the snow discussion because if we get home next month and it snows, I'm going to be really depressed!! Either last year or the year before.. Aprl 18... big snow storm! Anyway, we have a Honda CR-V that I love. Duaghter has one too, and her DH wants one!! But... won't hold a lot of people. But I had a ride in a HOnda PIlot a couple of weeks ago..when I went to see Menopause the Musical with a bunch of ladies, and I reall liked that and she had 7 of us in there with no problem... 2 in front, 3 in the middle and 2 in te back. It rode really nice. I'm really short and I had no problem getting in the front seat. I loved it!!

Now you hit the nail on the head!!

And she NEVER will!! NO WAY, JOSE! LOL I used to do them for our youngest son when he was living with us, and when he was in the area. That was probably the only time he even filed!! HAHAHA!!

Gotta keep this short because it's midnight and I need to go to bed! Our little friend is dong SO much better. They got her up in a chair today and were planning to walk her tonight. She was complaining that they were STARVING her to death and she hasn't had anything to eat since Sunday, so a good indicator that she is better!!! Complaining, and hungry!! LOL! Wait until she realizes that she's missing all the basketball games!!! She is a BASKETBALL FANATIC!! She's going to be really mad... and she has a little TV right there next to her bed on a big telescoping arm tat she could pull right over in front of her! It never dawned on me until we were back home that she's missing her tournament games!! Back was hurting some today and I had to really back off on the water exercises. I kept moving for the whole hour, but quite a few of the exercises were hurting so I went easy!

Somewhere there in the software is an option to import your address book.... from whatever email program you are using... Outlook, Outlook Express, etc. See if you can find it because when it imports your address book it scans for anyone in it who already has SKype. I am still figuring things out... like I was trying to build a "group" that I wanted to name "LBT". So I started by creating the group... but I couldn't see any option to put a name on it. Then I added Karla and Janet and then I couldn't find it again! Linda is on, too, and she and I had a nice chat yesterday. So then I tried t find my group again so I could add her and I can't find any group!! So, I'm certainly no expert... still learning how to use it!

NO, NO, NO!! Just download the software, Chick!! It'll walk you through it! Then import your address book... wherever it is!! I just had a great video chat with Linda A!! Figure it out!! It's NOT hard!! LOL! Good Grief!! Are you drinking??? LOL! I had to correct all your spelling!! HAHAHA!! Peter and Earl have got to be made from the same mold!! I told him today that he is a "penny pincher" and it is so ridiculous!! We're doing FINE!! WE don't need to short waitresses on their tips like all the other OLD people!! We don't have to buy the cheapest brand of EVERYTHING! Give me a BREAK!!! We had this discussion TODAY!! I threaten divorce quite frequently!! :cursing::biggrin: Our SIL has prepared him... COOK ISLANDS... 2 years from now... SAVE your money. He says a $15,000 trip of a lifetime! Hell... we have half that much saved in a separate account right now! If he says NO... I'll go with them by myself!! All you have to do is import your address book. Then you don't have to individually enter each person! This is NOT hard!! You can figure it out! C'mon, Chickie!! P.S. I still love you! Sometimes I have little patience with my cyber challenged friends!! LOL! Sorry!

I'm going to go backwards...... yes, calcium can cause constipation... like cheese, milk, too. Apples did the research. She might not be a nurse, but she knows how to get the "straight skinny" on stuff. Good work, Karen! I love the note in the sandwich story. Think that's so cute that Laura puts a note in Nels lunch everyday... and so sweet that he saves them all! Reminds me of a ladies' retreat we had once about 20 years or so ago. We were at a couple of condos on the beach on the OR coast... which is totally irrelevant to the story... but it was such a nice place, special weekend. I was doing piano for some worship sessions we had and we carried an electric piano up two flights of steps... but to get back to my story, what turned out to be the highlight of the weekend for me... One of the gals who was hosting.. brought paper bags and note paper, index cards or something like that. We each were to put our names on a bag.... paper lunch bags... and we hung them on a clothes line that was strung across the living room of one of the condos. Then we each were to write a note to each lady who was there relating some special memory or thought that you had about that person and then put it in their paper bag. At the end of the weekend, we each got our bag of notes. I don't remember if we took any time to share any of them out loud, but... each one was so special to me and all these years later... I still have them... somewhere!!?? But over the years, I have gotten them out every now and then and reread them all. Writing little uplifting notes to others is something that can have a lasting impact on someone's life. I hope Nels keeps those notes FOREVER!! Can you imagine what those will mean to him as an adult... the thought his Mom put in to writing those every day??? Priceless! Hope you are feeling better, Lori! And hope the MIL issue turns out to be nothing! We went back to the hospital to see our friend today. She was awake and alert and looking better than I expected. She is so tiny and frail.. probably not 100 lb soaking wet. She had O2 on and I.V., but no more NG tube. She is very stressed...worried.. I'm sure what is on her mind is that she has to recover enough to get back in the RV and head home to Okalahoma. I think they were supposed to head home next Tuesday. Obviously, that's not going to happen. He's going to have to persuade the Thousand Trails folks to let him stay past Tuesday, or find another RV park to move to as his reservation is up on Tuesday. Earl prayed for her and I told her I have put her on our park prayer chain as well as asked for prayer on FB. They were both touched by his prayer and her husband stepped in to the corner to dry his eyes afterward! And I have to give a little testimony as to the power of prayer. As I said, many, many people praying for these people! Chet told us his daughter (RN) was flying in last night at 7pm. So Earl said we'd go pick her up at Palm Springs airport and bring her to the hospital. At first he said okay, then he said... she is probably going to need a rental car anyway, so I'll just tell her to get a rental car. Earl argued a little.. but finally agreed. Well, today he tells us that his daughter met this Navy Lt./Dr. on the plane who was going to the same hospital because his mother was in ICU. So he suggests they share a cab to the hospital. She thought that was a good idea. He told her to go get her luggage and he'd go find a cab. So he was waiting at the curb with a cab when she came out with her bags. Very little conversation on the way as he was texting on his cell phone. They get to the hospital, he jumps out throwing $40 at the cab driver and disappears before she can give him any money! A big blessing from God in my book! His provision.. taking care of her! God is GOOD, ALL THE TIME! Watching out for his kids! Okay you guys... we are going to pray Lori and Jessica through these traumatic moves!!! One more note on Calcium Citrate vs. Calcium Carbonate... it's very hard, if not impossible, to find Calcium Citrate chewables any more. RiteAid and Albertson's used to sell a brand that looks like what Costco sells, but they were citrate and not carbonate. Both stores discontinued those and I haven't found them anywhere since and now I've forgotten the brand name anyway!! If Lori is not having trouble swallowing the small ones, I will try them again. But when they started to make smaller ones, WHY did they make them SQUARE!!!! What is up with that???? I guess I'll try them again! But, as I said, WHY are they SQUARE!!?????? Yeah.. it's the absorption. I even read somewhere that if you're taking Calcium Carbonate, you may as well not bother!! But that's what I"m taking now... 4 a day of the Costco Kirkland brand. I think I'll try the stupid square ones again since I am taking this discussion to heart! Julie, Julie, Julie... enjoy all your posts! Hair... I'm "saving" mine for my GS's girlfriend to give me a good hair cut and highlights when I get home next month. This is going to be a big challenge for me because I like my hair short and get it cut about every 6 weeks. It's probably been almost that now and I won't be home for a little over a month and I AM going to wait so she can give me a new "DO"! Her sister just opened a new salon last fall in a touristy area of Snohomish WA... where all the antique stores, etc. are, and they serve WINE while you get your hair done! I'm looking forward to being pampered! I want some subtle blond highlights. I really don't mind the gray/salt and pepper stuff, but I'd like to mix it with a little blond!! I was very blond as a toddler and I want to be there again!! LOL I don't know if I"d enjoy a massage or not! I don't like anyone to see my naked body!! LOL! I WILL finish the earring SOON!! I promise!! I have so many unfinished projects that it's overwhelming.. sort of like the taxes! I do my best work under pressure!! LOL The necklace/pendant has to be fixed because it doesn't hang very straight. I know how to fix it and it will only take a minute. But right now the taxes are a priority!!! Yuck! But, they are almost done. I should have them finished and transferred electronically by tonight! Jodi... very funny story!! Forgetting where your car was!! LOL!! My granddaughter did that once, but she'd been drinking!! LOL!! So did you hit the sauce anywhere while you were out and about???? HAHAHAHA!! I think that is really sweet that your GS noticed your weight loss! What a sweetie!! Our youngest son has typically been our "problem child", even though he's now almost 38 yrs old, that's still the case. But... .he is always the one to notice things like that! And last week when I was having all that back pain.. he kept texting me, calling me, etc. And he was the one who expressed the most concern. He has a very tender heart, as does you grandson apparently. That's very special. This is my favorite time of the day... a little wine, few tiny cubes of cheese, a few pretzels, a few "Judge Judy"s!! Quiet time with DH. Ooops... he left!! LOL We actually had to put the air conditioning on today.. HOT! But, now it's off and the windows and door open again! I love it! It's a beautiful day!! DH went out to the desert to fly his RC airplane! And I just finished having a video call with one of my LBT buddies. Life is GOOD!!

Hang in there, Kiddo! Good advice from the gals...! You can do this! It will be worth it to be in your own place again! Ugh! I sometimes have shoulder pain at night, and of course, now I'm dealing with this side/back/hip pain! Keeps me turning from side to side frequently some nights trying to get comfortable. I find that sleeping on the side that hurts keeps the pain to a minimum. Thankfully... shoulder and back... both left side pain, so I sleep mostly on my left side. Yes... up until midnight and worked on the taxes about 6 hours, but now they're just about done. After I review those American Express statements, which should be posted today, I should be ready to roll. Hope to get that done today, but also planning a trip back to the hospital to see how our friend is doing. She/they are the same age as my mother, so I keep thinking about that. They are troopers to be still RVing at their age. They are out here for about 3 months each winter, but I wonder if they'll continue now that she's had this major health issue so far from home and family. Plus she was having lung problems last week and had to go to the urgent care center, and I think enroute here in January she had some health problems in AZ. And he had surgery for an abdominal aneurysm before they left home!! Maybe it's time to quit! If they WERE my parents, I'd probably insist that they stay home for the winter or at least not go so far! Like south Texas is a whole lot closer to OK than Palm Springs CA!!! Hugs, GF! Hope things are better for you now! Thanks for the prayers for our friend, Irene. I think they are too old to continue being SNOWBIRDS!!

Turned out to be an unusual day. Our "old" friends from OK.. the ones who are here for the winter in their RV... we knew them from Winnebago club when we lived in OK.. we get together with them several times over the winter for lunch. They don't get here until well into January, and they usually leave about mid-March... so we were to meet them Thursday for lunch as they head home next Tuesday. Well, this afternoon we had a phone call from him to tell us his wife was in emergency surgery. He sounded very scared and near tears, so we just dropped everything and headed to the hospital. They are both 87 years old!! She is extremely frail and has asthma and other lung issues. She's a tiny little thing... doctor said her bowel was twisted and he thought he was going to have to do a colostomy. But, he was able to repair the problem without taking that drastic of a measure. Their daughter was flying in this evening from OK, so then he won't be alone. So that took several hours of our aftenroon. When we got home, I started working on the taxes again! I'd just started them when we left So, it's about midnight and I have them almost done. Just have to wait for AmEx to post a couple of last year's statements for me so I can see what we spent on dental and eyeglasses.. we may meet the 7.5% for last year! We both got glasses and had some pricey dental work done. But as soon as those lsat few things are entered,, I'll be done! Got NO beading done today at all. I went up intending to stay for an hour or so, but apparently she had a small turnout today. So the last lady was leaving and teacher was packing up her stuff! And that was my day!

I just downloaded it yesterday but haven't tried it yet. Someone told me you can conference call on Skype. And... you don't HAVE to have a webcam... without it you just get audio.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Joyce!!! :scared2::party::thumbup: Good job on the birthday dinner! I'm not far behind you!! I'll be 67 in November~~!! But I feel about 32!! LOL

I completely agree. Here's a little tidbit... last week when my back was hurting so bad I was in tears, ... I was praying for the Lord to take the pain away... I felt I had an answer when a "still small voice" spoke to my heart.... "PAIN IS FOR A REASON"! Pain that is that intense is indicating that something is NOT RIGHT!! So, YES, you need to contact your doctor. It may just be adhesions, it might be a port issue, but you must make sure it's not something more serious.

Hardest move for me was in 1991 when we moved from WA back to OK with Boeing. DH had an offer for a management job, so we went. Our two oldest were living in WA at the time and our three oldest grandchildren were toddlers. It was a heartbreaker! DH said 5-7 years and it turned in to more than 15 yrs before we moved back! So I can relate to your pain in this upcoming move! The earring is close to done! But I'm fighting the urge to go to beading again today to force myself to work on my unfinished projects, including the earring. Conflict is.. I really need to start the taxes!! Have I mentioned that before??? :wub::biggrin::tongue2: Software is now installed on DH's laptop, and I located last years' backup on a jump drive, so I have no more road blocks and need to just do it! Then I can relax and enjoy my other projects!! Hope you are feeling better soon... and the flooding issues get resolved quickly!! I wish that site would send a message when someone has played a game! I never know! I did go look for the one that you won! Excellent! I sure enjoy that game! I always add DH to every game... so I play my turns and then play his and try to beat my score! You see why it's so hard to get my "projects" finished!!!

Hope you have a GREAT time in Philly, etc.! Sounds like good fun. I've never been to Philadelphia, and I grew up about a day's drive away. HAHA... short and sweet and to the point! Back was a little aggravated by water aerobics this morning, but doing better overall and made it through about 4 hours of beading today!! Sorry about your work mess! Trying to convince Earl that you said to cook the catfish TWELVE minutes!! He wants to cook it 20!! NOT MINE!! It won't stay down if he cooks it that long! He wanted me to call you to verify!! Phyl is quiet today... water aerobics, hot tub, shower, free lunch at the clubhouse, beading!! Left the RV at 8:45 a.m. and returned about 7 hours later!! Appreciation lunch for everyone... just have to turn in survey/questionnaire critiquing park programs, procedures, etc. Nice lunch... chili dogs, potato salad, sauerkraut, onions, and ice cream. I skipped the roll, the ice cream and the dill pickle!!

I know what I forgot... moving "traditions".... I've probably moved more than most of you, if not all... almost 22 years in the AF, several moves with Boeing and a couple others thrown in for good measure... I think I counted close to 15 last time I counted... in 45 years of marriage. I don't know if this would be considered a "tradition", but it is my ONE BIG RULE!!! Setting up the bed is a PRIORITY!! And knowing exactly where the bedding is! And don't let movers, husbands, or anyone helping you move put ANYTHING on the bed! The bed gets set up and linens put on!! Because you might stay up until all hours unpacking, arranging furniture, etc., but you DON'T want to be scrounging around for the linens, taking a bunch of crap off the bed, and making the bed at midnight!

Well, my "multi-quote" didn't work this time so I'm going to have to rely on my memory!!! HAHAHA!! Seems you aren't the only one having wake up problems today Julie!! Laura, that was a close one!! LOL! I have felt like a slug for two days now. I wish we could just stay on DST!! I like to get up about 7 a.m. but have dragged myself out of bed 15-30 minutes later than that the past two days. I didn't think it'd take this long to get back on schedule! Jodi... glad your storm is over! Saw some of the aftermath on the Today show this morning. Janet... I do love the new avatar, and you look "SMASHING" in that new outfit! Forgot to tell you gals I almost lost her that day!! She was in the fitting room at Karen Kane and I thought she must have slipped by me and went outside! Thought I'd find her on a bench having a ciggie. But she wasn't out there... and I looked in a couple more stores and walked a ways down the sidewalk and didn't find her. So I sat down on a bench and started reading email or texting on my Blackberry. Still no Janet, so I went back in Karen Kane to find her at the cash register buying that lovely outfit and another top. Crossed my mind that she might be in the fitting room, but then I dismissed that idea and went outside. Okay... I give up! I can't remember anymore!! OH.. loved the freezer story and I can relate because we live in an RV for 6 mos. a year... with a very small fridge/freezer! Next door neighbors have a chest type freezer out on their patio which they've told us we can put things in, but for some silly reason, DH doesn't like to do that. But.. funny thing.. he can always find room for steaks, but when I want to buy some fish of some kind... there's no room in the freezer!! :smile2::thumbup::thumbup: Here is today's beading project! I am going to make matching earrings. Four hours in the chair making this pendant was enough.. OH... the last hour or so I was working on the 2nd earring from last week's project. No photos of that yet because it's STILL not done! Almost, though! How do you like my tan??? :biggrin::w00t: We leave here in 4 weeks and I can tell you that it won't last long in the PNW!! Might change to rust when we get home!

Well, I am usually the one taking all the pictures! But I've never minded anyone taking photos of me, even when I was well over 300 lb! Just never minded. I might try to hide halfway behind someone, though! But, I just figure I am what I am!

Well... probably more than 2 hrs! LOL! And your rig is a lot less stressful to drive than ours. We are usually on the road by 8 a.m. and like to quit around 2 p.m. And Earl stays between 55 and 60 mph because of the weight of the rig, etc. You can probably drive somewhat faster than that, too! Okay... mutilating our digestive system??? That's a little extreme! We are actually just making a minor adjustment in order to assist us in portion control! But nothing gets cut or "mutilated". That would be BYPASS surgery! Right? And that's probably why most of us opted for the band instead!

Great blog, Sandi! Congrats on your success!

I LOVE looking at everyone's pictures! And helps us get to know each other to see the photos of your life!