Kat817

Tracy---what are you drinking??? Smoking??? You crack me up!!!

It is COLD here this morning too. When Rick got up it was 13, about 20 minutes later when I got up it was down to 11, and just now when I looked it was down to 9. Winds are blowing and wind chill is well below zero---have not turned on the TV to get an exact wind chill factor. I talked to my SIL in Denver a few minutes ago, and it was actual temperature there of -16!!! Not counting any wind chill! They want us to go in together to buy for the parents, but we aren't. Usually the parents are here so they have us buy, and to get the money is an issue. They are willing and able to pay, but it gets forgotten---and I HATE asking them for it. Well this year the parents are going to be with them, and she thought maybe we wanted to go in on a gift, even mentioned the other sister---who is here---and I could send our $$$ together. I told her thanks but no thanks, we had already shopped for them. Which I have, I have several things already, but have one still to get----the skillet. Speaking of the skillet, I think the hinge is designed pretty well, it allows you to raise the lid and it goes to the left side, not to the back--and it allows the steam and liquid from the lid to roll back into the pan. It seemed fairly solid---all while being removable, and used as a loose lid as well if you chose. I found it in several locations online. Will look in the store today, and if there is not one, I will order it in.....and that finishes me up. From there on, it is little stuff, and stocking fillers--I have a few things for stockings, but need more---6 kids.......LOL I posted the grandkids pics on my Facebook--the studio pictures will be in on the 11th. I could not sleep last night. I was awake until almost 2---not sure why. Then I crashed HARD! I got up with Rick, with full intentions of going back to bed. Which I did, then he come back home to take his meds, and decided maybe he wanted to eat, because his stomach was feeling wierd again---he has had some sort of virus---so he was going to cook breakfast, and did I want some, and he yakked and yakked and yakked, and I did not get to sleep. I did not want breakfast thank you! I finally told him when he left---he better not plan on sleeping the evening away again, because I was not going to let him sleep any better than he did me this morning. Made him feel bad.....but me without sleep in the morning, makes me GROUCHY!!! I called and we made nice!!! LOL Tracy Thanks for the address update----I am getting ready to send cards, if I don't have your address PM me, or you will be without....and I just KNOW that makes you feel heartbroken!!! LOL I am off to feed the fire, and do something---or I will be back to sleep, and I have to get ready soon, I go get my teeth cleaned today----and have to premedicate in an hour. See y'all later!

Well our storm is giving us all the components they spoke of----wind and snow....but not so much together! We got snow yesterday, then last night it turned to rain and got warmer than it has been in over a week, into the upper 30's--almost 40 degrees over night! So it rained and melted all the snow away. Then about 3 AM I heard a noise---it was the snow shovel on the front porch being blown over, and the trash dumpster of our neighbors was blown over---ours have been since---no snow currently, but the wind is ferocious, and the temp has dropped back down to the low 20's. Grrrrrrr I would rather have snow than wind! Sorry about the cramps Tracy----I do not miss them. The reasons behind my hysterectomy were traumatic, but all in all, it was probably as much a blessing to my quality of life as my band was. I had severe endrometriosis, and it caused pain all the time, I was NEVER regular, it was a nightmare. There are people who say they feel like less of a woman after hyst. NOT me! I feel so much better---and More of a woman I would say! When you have the problems I did, there was months of bleeding, and hurting, and really who wants to do ANYTHING when you feel like that. Got rid of it all, and feel fantabulous!! Need to go to Targets website and see if they have the skillet I want for my MIL. The one I want is a small square one, and while the lid is removable, it has a piece that fits down over another piece, and allows the lid to be hinged. My MIL at 80+ years old, has pretty severe arthritis in her hands, along with some tendonitis disease, and has limited motion with her fingers. She has recently had to begin using 2 hands to lift her drink, one won't open wide enough to hold something. So I thought the hinged lid would be perfect for her. But they are out of stock at my local store.....of course! Actually I think it is Presto brand, I should just research it, I might find a better price! Gonna go do it while it is on my mind.....or my oldtimers disease will kick in! Let us know about BIL Suzanne--

Hey y'all! Rick is not going to TX until after Christmas, looks like he will be gone right after, and miss New Years. Which is not a huge deal to us---------I will fix him all his favorites, which is what we do for NY anyway when he gets back. He has an employee who wants to go now, does not want to miss a NYE party. So he is going to go now and let his wife get everything ready for Christmas by herself----Rick thinks the guy is ok, I think he is an alcoholic married to someone who deserves him, they are very dysfuntional. Now all that said, it would not surprise me for things to change at the last minute, but I am not worried about it. We went this weekend and pretty much finished up the shopping except for an electric skillet I want to get for his Mom at Target, and they are out of stock, so going to watch for it, or check on line---then we are done---so whenever he goes I will handle it. The guy keeps telling Rick he needs the $$$ for Christmas. Rick has told him, it WILL be great money but it won't come in on the paycheck until AFTER Christmas, the way time goes in.....so... we'll see! Snowed about 5 inches, and has stopped for the most part now, it is spitting slowly, but nothing to stack up. I took my Mom to look at sofas. She got rid of hers.....just got rid of her furniture! Now is wanting to just walk in and buy some, and most places have to order it, so she may be without furniture for 3 weeks! LOL leave it to my Mom! She did find a really nice leather set in the Oak Super Store place, so Dad is going to go look and see if he likes it -- and it is in stock, so maybe she will be ok! Met Rick for lunch, ate a piece of fish----fried, but fish!!! And nothing else. I smell my chile and my beans cooking, and they smell wonderful!! While we were in the mall we were coming out of Sears, and ran into an old neighbor. He and his former wife and 2 boys my kids age lived next door for years. Nicest guy--got great kids. Had a wild one for a wife! She is nice, but she is wild---she is teeny tiny, and thinks she is 7 foot tall in invincible! She has attitude to spare! They divorced not long after moving from here----she was messing around with one of their horse trainers. The son that is Manda's age told her about it. Anyway--we stopped and talked and caught up on the kids. He told me I looked "incredible". He said the younger son --the one Abbeys age had told him I lost a bunch of weight---but he was just shocked you could tell. Which was flattering, but yet embarrassing, to know he was thinking how fat I was.....hard to explain----I know he was being complimentary, but it is a fine line! I let it go, and took the compliment!!! LOL I have a nice fire going, dinner done.....think it is time to go change into some hang around the house comfy jammie pants!!!

Loved it Tracy!!! Frank makes one tough looking elf, with his hat covering one eye, he looks like a pirate/elf!!!! What fun!!!! You all look wonderful! Well the snow is falling, so far thank goodness, the wind is not blowing, but that is supposed to come. We are expecting anywhere from 6" to a foot of snow through tomorrow. SO glad Rick and I went to the store and bought up anything I might need. I am going to have to ask him to stop at the store tonight and buy himself some Diet Coke---we forgot it! Actually---WE did not forget it, I do not drink it, and he did not put it on the list, I went to get some to bring in the house to have handy and there sit the empty 12 pack! Grrrrrrr. So I really don't feel too bad telling him if he wants some he has to stop and get it! I seriously would not be surprised if I end up running to the store and taking either my Mom or my MIL tho----and I would much prefer taking them than them taking themselves! I can drop them at the door etc. They do not need to be rushing through slick parking lots, and driving on snow packed roads. My inlaws are going to Denver for Christmas. Ricks brother is driving down a few days before and picking them up, then taking them home with him for a week, then will bring them back. I guess it is only fair, we have them every other year----but the Denver bunch has no reason but they NEVER come here for any holidays. They wanted us to either agree to bring them or pick them up, and Rick refused! I was shocked and PROUD! Nope if you can't do it, we'll keep them here!!! LOL Amazingly they decided to do both ways! The brother that is doing it, is VERY conscientious with his parents, he is here often, even just overnight, with work, and he spends time with them while he is here, he talks to them and asks questions, is VERY interested in their lives. While I LOVE Rick's sister in Denver, she is not that way. When she comes, she is here for several days and has a MAJOR project----painting, building a porch, etc. everytime she is here, so the only time she is not working she is off running to town to buy materials to do the job----that my inlaws pay for, when they had no real desire for the project she is doing anyway! She means well, but they really would prefer her to sit down and talk to them. Waiting to send Christmas cards til the kids pics come in, so I can add them to some of my cards. I have my last batch of peanuts roasting!!! YAY!! We roast about 55 pounds each year, to give to the guys Rick works with. We get these Christmas goodie bags, that are zip top, but have a handle cut out in them, and fill them, then he distributes them at work. I have been going fast and furious with them---considering they take 5 hours per batch! Trying to get them done so he can take them before he leaves for TX. Moms on the phone----bbl

LOL Suzanne, everytime I add cabbage to something I always say I won't the next time! I like cabbage raw---as in cole slaw, or just a wedge of cabbage. And I even like the occasional sour kraut. We do a german new years dish of pork and sour kraut that is delicious. But I don't care for egg rolls or want cabbage cooked any other way! Nothing like being picky! LOL Rick and I watched football, and Desperate Housewives this evening, doing nothing! Snuggling in with the fire. The weather guy on TV is forecasting hurricane force winds and snow. Sounds lovely.....NOT! Putting on a crock pot of Beans, at Ricks request. Then tomorrow I will make a pot of homemade red chile to go with it. At the store today, I bought stuff to make a couple pots of soup, and some meat loaf, so if need be, I can hole up for a week or so, and eat way the hell too much!!! LOL Well I need to go turn off our lights---will check in tomorrow, if the hurricane winds allow it! It is cold out, but nice and calm, it makes me wonder whether it will really change that drastically, or if the guy is all washed up!!! Time will tell!

LOL me too Suzanne, I love evening strolls so I can see in peoples homes.....are we peeping Tomasina's???????

Good morning girls~ Cold here again, although warmer than yesterday, is 12 out right now at 9:30 ish. We have had snow this year, but not any recently....supposed to hit us pretty hard next week. Rick said we will get the truck over here (we usually leave it at the farm) while he is gone, and I will have any type of transportation I need available to me! LOL He leaves a week from tomorrow we think. He has to wait until after next Thurs. which is the day they do his biopsy. I HATE him going and getting results and all over the phone while we are apart. We do lights outside, not huge amounts, but we light up! We have the usual icicle lights outlining the roof eaves. Then we wrap the porch posts, and the wagon wheel on the porch. I have a couple of things for the yard, but the wind is difficult with them. I live in a small town, population is about 6700. We are only 10 miles from a much larger town of probably 100, 000---maybe much more than that, I have no idea! Anyway, our small town, is the county seat---and is one of the oldest towns in the state--several of the buildings on Main street are 2 story brick, and dates stamped into the building fronts of the late 1800's. The train run through here, and the law was based here---so the town goes back many years. Well now they try to recapture some of that feel. They have antique looking streetlights, that look like old gas lamps. In reality they are energy saving, imitations!! LOL Anyway---there are also medians full of trees, and trees lining the sidewalks, etc--a very pretty little town. This time of year, they COVER it in clear little lights. They wrap the lights, the trees, anything that is still! Most businesses have a cast iron bench in front of their stores that say the town name in them, and they attach red bows or wreaths to the ends. All the light posts have giant red bows. There is a banner across the South end of Main Street that says Happy Holidays.....there are 2 parks along the Main Street, and both are full of tall evergreens that are all lit up. Next week they will line all the roads with luminarias (brown paper bags --lunch size--half filled with sand and holding a small lit candle)--and have a live Nativity scene. The street looks like a winter wonderland. I love it! I love the small town we live in. They are corny, and have parades for everything, but the streets are lined for all of them! During the summer each of the lightposts has a HUGE---as in could not wrap your arms around it--hanging basket of live flowers and flowers bloom in pots, and around tree bases....they have managed to make it into a very pretty little place. I LOVE the winter lights tho. Well I am going to go help Rick-------he is changing the neighbors tire, and it is not even 15 degrees out! But he is afraid he might get out and try to do it himself, and his health is improving, but best not to push it. We are going to the movie today, think we will see Blind Side----or whatever the new Sandra Bullock movie is about the football player. Then tonight the college is having their luminaria display----they close the campus and kids from all the local elementary schools come and build luminarias----close to 50,000 of them!!! They light them all tonight, and you can walk or drive through them, it is impressive. We were going to take Kinsey and Connor, but Kinsey is going to her Dads Mothers birthday party, and DS wants to take Connor himself, so guess Rick and I will go alone! I don't mind, it is always a good time! See y'all later......Hang in there Suzie----all is well!

Happy Anniversary Suzanne!!! Hope you have a great time at the Outback tonight. YUMMMMMMM! We've got you in a giant Hug and we won't be letting go Suzie, just take a deep breath, hang on to Hubby, and you will get through whatever life throws your way. I know from experience, processing the news is the first battle.....and PLEASE remember I am always---24 hours a day --- reachable by phone. Tracy--we have not had snow yet, supposed to begin this weekend or so, but it is so freaking cold! It was a whopping 0 degrees this morning. It has not got above mid 20's all day long. I sat in the floor the entire morning wrapping Christmas gifts, and seemed like I got up only to feed the fire (and myself....ay yi yi) Went to lucn with my DIL, and grandsons. I tried to beg off, but Connor is so dang cute with his asking me please go to Pizza with him.....I caved! Ate a salad, and since it is a lunch buffet, I had several different things off of several different pieces of pizza! Some pepparoni, some Canadian bacon, some mushrooms.....lots of cheese.....I suck at this healthy eating stuff today!!! Then went in to the Dollar Store to get some Christmas bows, and tape...... Come home, give my Dad a hair cut, and changed out my laundry, and now I need to finish the wrapping and clean up my mess! I made a HUGE mess!!! Good Luck on your exam Jolly-------what type of licensing are you aiming for? Better get busy. Rick will be home soon, and he will try to help....him wrapping is NOT a help!!!LOL

Oh yeah Plain, he was HUGE to me, but overall pretty small for a tarantula. I would say from one of the front legs to one of the rear ones, he was 2.5"-3.0". Tarantulas, are kind of like crabs tho, they shed their exo-skeleton or some such thing, they don't just grow......and it usually lifts off as a whole piece----she said she would keep it and show me...I am so thrilled--NOT!

How terribly sad Tracy. Hard to say what happened, we had a woman here, who was a Dr. died when she was like 40----it was all kept quiet, but eventually her sister told my Mom that she had apparantly taken some muscle relaxants, then they had some friends drop by and she had some wine with them. She went to bed soon after, and never woke up! Scary! Not an overdose on the pills, and not tons of booze, but the combo killed her! Suzanne, I will get an email off to you, I am terribly concerned and want to know what is up with you. You are always in my prayers, as are all of you, but without question, special ones have already been said, and will continue. Would it be all right to add you to our church prayer chain, I can do it by first name only if you prefer.... Jenn, sorry work is kicking your butt!!! Is the work not what you were hoping? You just don't sound very thrilled. I mean I know you are glad to have the job, but...... Looks like Rick will be leaving on Sun the 13th, and going to Odessa to fill in the shop manager position through the 23rd. I am not happy about it, but it comes down to him or his co worker, and he has 4 young kids all under 10. So, he feels he should go and let him do the run in January, so he can be here to help out his wife prepare for Christmas. I see the logic, and I love that he has that concern for his friends, but I am sad for him to be gone through that time. Of course some of that will depend on what he finds out on the 10th. Got my tree up and decorated today, and most of the other decorations up---have a couple areas left to do-----I tend to seriously decorate for Christmas! I am worried about Rick being gone during the baking time, being alone here.....OMG I could gain 50 pounds! I need to get with the program and get some cards ready---I have already got a couple in the mail! I want to get them ready, then I can add some pics of the kids, and mail quickly. Kids pics will be ready the 11th. I got some of the ones I snapped printed, so I can send them too. Well girls......going to go check on DH---he is working on one of the bikes....of course!!! Not that there is anything wrong with it, but he fiddles with them non stop!!! He is wanting to start a new build, and knows he has to wait til after Christmas.

Hey y'all! Quiet morning here, been doing some sewing, and cleaning---I wanted to start decorating, but going to wait til tomorrow, so I can get Rick to take the antique trunk, and end table out so I have room for the tree. Oh how I wish my house was a bit bigger sometimes!!! I was going to have him do it last night, but his brother was passing through town, and always spends the night so we spent time with him and the family. Pictures actually went quite well. I was FURIOUS when I got there, and spoke to my DD. She ask "is this enough brown?" in regards to what Corvin was wearing. I had no clue what she was talking about, and she told me my DIL has said she was having the 4 kids wear tones of brown.....so here I have 5 grandkids in brown shades, and Kinsey in black as she had not bothered to mention this to DD or myself. About the time I was going to blow up, I noticed my grandson had on a brown tshirt and black pants----more to the story there----so in the end it pulled it all together. Story there, is former DIL did not comply with current DIL's dress requests, so they come grunged out from school---luckily DIL anticipated it, and brought some things from home. So anyway.......oldest grandson, Mason, did not want to smile, because his teeth are too big! LOL He is such a handsome kid---and he does have rather big teeth at this point in time in all honesty. However they are gleaming white, and PERFECT! When he grows on in to them, he is going to be a killer with that smile!!! So since he didn't want to smile neither did oldest DGD, Ally, because she had a loose tooth! And does anything she can to be like her brother! So they did the close mouthed thing--but eventually relaxed! Kinsey and Connor were psyched about all being together, and were looking EVERYWHERE but the camera! At the babies, and the big kids, at us....finally got through to them to look at the camera and smile and nothing else! Garrick, at 4 months could have cared less, was tired, and simply zoned out, staring ahead, did not even focus on the photographer, but he is precious anyway!!! Now Corvin who is 10 months, was in his element----he smiled, and grinned and posed, and every single shot she took, he was perfect! We finally settled on a couple of pictures, and they will be ready on the 10th. I am thrilled! And the photographer allowed me to snap a pic in a hurry with my camera. The angle I was at was not good, but all in all I am happy with it too. No one cried, no one pouted, no one fell off the table----so it was a success!! I will put my snapshot on my facebook page. I have made a decision not to make any candy this Christmas. How long that will last is yet to be decided!!! Until one of my kids asks for it I imagine! Rick goes for biopsy on the 10th. Suzanne, let us know as soon as you hear from your Dr. And I wish I had words of wisdom in regards to your nephew. It is so hard to deal with the disappointment. You want so badly for them to be the person you know they are capable of being, and for whatever reasons they simply don't care to be their best. It is hard to come to terms with, and extremely hard to know where and how to draw the line of what is acceptable and when it is too much. I will pray for you to have strength to deal with it---I am sorry it is coming to a head at this time of year....it really tests your resolve I am sure. Jenn--can you like eat in your car? That sounds silly, but maybe it would be better positioning? Or can you roll your desk chair to the kitchen area? We have a restaurant/bar here we love to eat at but if they do not have a booth available we just leave, the tables and chairs are horrid! They are like the old ice cream parlor chairs---metal, and round seats--hurts like hell to sit in them, so we don't! Well I am off to find something hopefully at least semi healthy for lunch!!! Talk to you girls later!

Fanny, I think la-probe is what men get at the Dr.'s office after the age of 50....... A lap robe is usually used by those wheelchair confined....or such. A small blanket to just cover the legs. Made me laugh!

Yeah Tracy.....uh huh.....sure.....we believe you...... No kids, husband home.......but if you wanna call it hibernating, I won't say anything!!! LOL Both new grandsons stockings are done, and now I am working on a wreath. I might not get it done for this year but that's ok. I have a huge---like 4.5 - 5 foot tall felt stitched Santa I made several years ago, he hangs on the back of my front door, he is big and puffy, and the kids love him, he is bigger than they are! Well the wreath has the same santa face, in a wreath full of holly leaves, and candy canes. I use the inside of the door leading out to display my Christmas cards, but want him to put on it, it goes along with the rest of the decor. Oddly enough they are the only Santas the rest of my stuff is snowmen. Today I am taking all 6 grandkids (Moms will be along to help---I am NOT crazy) to get pictures made. I am only going to Walmart, they are too hard to get to do well with the age differences. I am going to ask the woman if she will let me snap a pic with my camera while they are all sitting together. I plan on buying pictures---but they don't come in the size I need. The Christmas card things I got have a place for a 4X6 picture---going with the 6" across. None of the pictures in the package from the studio will be the right size.....I doubt she will allow it....but I am going to make her tell me no! LOL Then we will leave, find someplace nearby, and try to get them all to sit again! Wish me luck. We are ranging in age from 9 to 4 months! I have a headache from hell this morning. I think it is sinus pressure, because everytime I move it throbs. If I stay still it eases. I do not have an option to stay still, I am headed out to help my Dad put down carpet. I am a glutton for punishment. Glutton being the key word---it is good exercise, gets me away from snacking. Which is why I am sewing again---keeps my hands busy!!! Will check in later....everyone have a good day!

That is so good of you Michelle! I usually do some squares for the local senior center then they piece them together. But the arthritis in my index finger has curtailed my crocheting. I did a large double fleece tied blanket for my neighbor. They are having hard times, he has cancer, and she is crippled.....they both sit around with blankets. In fact he sleeps most of the time on the sofa, because his IV is set up in there. So she sleeps nearby in the recliner. When I would go over there the house was always cool, and she had this stiff itchy looking blanket on her chair. So I did the fleece thing. In their case I used full size fleece blankets, because I wanted more than a lap robe, I wanted them to be able to completely cover up. DH went and cut a load of wood for them on Sunday...he has been taking care of their yard all summer, he just feels so helpless, because the guy was the neighborhood "doer" he did things for everyone---us included, and now is fighting for his very life. He has throat cancer that has invaded his esophagus, his ear, all through the area, and cannot be cut out. He is showing signs of improvement, but the prognosis is still not good. Very sad. I know whoever gets the robes you make will be appreciative---that is a nice thing you are doing!!

Jenn, hope your day and this job in general are perfect! Can't wait to hear from you at the end of the day!!! Suzanne, I would gladly post pics of the stockings---I have made them for everyone---from Rick and I all the way down---and each is different, and some reflect the person. For instance on Ricks, Santa is kicked back in the recliner snoozing while football is on the TV---I even changed the football players on the TV to be wearing his teams colors! And our sons is Santa fishing, because he is an avid fisherman. The problem is....I cannot post pics, because I cannot size them! If nothing else, I will take a pic of the new one, and then of them all on the wall, and email it to you. Tracy sounds like you and DSD had a great time. That is so good for both of you. It is hard to just step into the roles you do when custody changes. I am so glad things are looking up with it. Is Macy still happy with having a sister full time? I am going to start getting Christmas in the house today. I need to get a letter written for some of my Christmas cards, and get my Moms and Ricks Moms addresses so I can get everyones labels made! Lots to do....just a lazy me trying to get it done is the challenge! No time like the present to start---see y'all later!

We filled the form out once probably 15-16 years ago---and it remains on file with our accountant. There has never been a question with the IRS until the child claimed herself when she went to work. However even her doing so was against the court order giving whoever provided the most support for her to claim her. Her Mother has NEVER worked since the divorce, and she did not make as much as we pay in CS, so even with her working, WE had the right to claim her. Which just kept us from having to repay the IRS. Since that time we have not claimed her. We have no idea if she has claimed herself or not, there is no contact....besides the checks that is. Kinsey had a great party. She behaved well! Thanked people, took time to look at cards, and did not make any tacky comments! All good for a 5 year old! LOL They played and jumped, and she made a stuffed zebra. This place is a combined Teddy Connection (like Build a Bear) and a place called The Big Bounce---which is a huge warehouse full of inflated bouncer things, and slides, and ball baths, and put put golf-----all kinds of stuff. Anyway, the kids all had a good time. Son was not on the phone earlier--but he did show up at the party. DH ended up speaking to him, and he went on acting like nothing happened. Personally I did not speak to him....when I do, he and I are having a talk! DIL looked so friggin' smug that DH caved first, I wanted to deck her, so I tried to avoid her too!! Of course my mood at the party was not great, with my ex being there. And he was trying to sell my DD on the idea of a large arm tattoo. Moron! I know lots people with large tattoos, but do not push them on other people! She has some now, but he thinks a big one....who gives a rats ass what he thinks???? Anyway, add to him being there....we stopped at Albertsons to get the cake--which was a large flower of cupcakes, with Tinkerbell in the center, hanging on a lighted piece--looking like she was flying. Anyway the petals on the flower were supposed to be lime green, like Tinks dress. They were dark forest green! Then the cashier dropped it as he rung it up, and tipped the center piece, messing up the writing, and several cupcakes. There was no time to allow them to fix it.....so I got to the party in a grump, then the ex being there, then DS (stands for Damn Son today), and the DIL was even worse with her smirk....grrrrrrrrrrr Thankfully, DH, and my best friend Becky, and my Mom were all there, and that helped. Tomorrow I am going to begin bringing in my Christmas items, so I can take my time and put things out. For now I am off to play a game or 2 then go to bed. I got Garricks stocking done except for the name, and I need daylight for that. I use the light from the storm door to see through the felt, and stencil in the name to stitch. So will get them done in the next few days. But for all intents and purposes it is done!!! See you all tomorrow!

Ahhh Tracy, I so feel your pain! With the ex wife in law I mean. How much support did he pay during that 6 months and 2 weeks in contrast to how much she paid during the last 5 months and 2 weeks? If his share is higher, I would tell her to expect to hear from an attorney if it comes down to it, and see if it scares her into backing off. What does the custodial agreement say? It could end up that she gets to claim her this year, but I would damn sure change it for next year, and I would be on her like white on rice over CS. I know he has another child that she still has so that is involved, but ANY expense above and beyond I would involve her in.....when she pushes, I would shove back until she tires of the games. Another option might be to get them to sit down and write out an agreement that whoever claims her, that amount be applied to the past due on her home, that is also affecting HIS credit. We used to provide over half the monthly income on the youngest (the one not Ricks)----meaning her Mother got less from SSI than she did us, so we got to claim her. Then a couple of years ago IRS contacted us, wanting their $$$ back, because the child claimed herself! We fought it and won, but no longer claim her on taxes even....our job with her is just to pay. No visitation, no contact, no rights----just pay. And pay..And pay...just a little bitter here. Today is Kinsey's birthday party. She is so excited! Poppy fixed her pancakes and she is even picking at them, and normally she gobbles them down!! She played for a little while at the computer, but she keeps talking about her party, and her new outfit---she looks like a birthday cake in it I told her! In the mall yesterday, a woman at the Hallmark store ask her if she was going to see Santa. She told her no she couldn't until after her birthday because Santa doesn't do birthdays, just Christmas! Made us laugh, the woman looked at us like we were nuts! I have jsut a few more gifts to buy---everything is for local people, so watching ads, for one item, and will wait to see if I get a good buy. Other than that, it is last minute pick up of fill in gifts for grandkids. Yesterday we bought Corvin a rocking pick up truck. It is wooden, and weighs a ton! 2 kids can sit in it, and it rocks. Kinsey loves it! She sat in it last night and played for hours! She pretended to gas it up, and wash it, she drove, and she ordered diet Dr. Pepper at the Sonic!!! LOL Smart girl! We cannot wrap it, the guy hand makes them, and it barely fit in the back seat of the car, was too tall to fit in my trunk! So we will just put a big bow on it. We figure it will be a few months before he figures it out completely, but they have room for it, and he will have it for years, and it can be put on their patio for summer. If he plays with it for a couple of years, it was worth the $$$ we spent on it. I have to go talk to the OM at my old work. The Superbill she give us on Rick's glasses (which they still claim have not arrived) did not qualify on our medical FSA. So they will not repay our money spent. So.....I have to have a computer generated billing statement. I bet my butt she drags it out, and I plan on calling VSP (our vision insurance provider) myself and getting a ship date on his glasses, that witch is playing games and I know it. Sounds like maybe DH is talking to DS. I did not hear his phone, so sounds like DH was the bridge builder. I will bide my time, but my son is gonna get it from me, and it is not gonna be pretty. Immature little snot is how he is acting, and it makes me madder than hell! Til then, he gets my coldest shoulder. Not kidding either! Something has to get through his thick skull. Kinsey is watching The Cat in the Hat, and has actually went 10 minutes without asking about her party. LOL Guess I will go pick out something to wear today. As petty as it sounds.....I wanna look decent, since I have to deal with my EX!!!!!!!!!!!

We had to finish off the leaves yesterday---did a final cleaning of the gutters, and blew them off the less sloped area of the roof over the patio, then cleaned the yard a final time for the year. While Rick was on the roof, we put our lights up. I won't turn them on for a few more days, but when you are up there, and the weather is warm and sunny---sure beats doing it in the freezing cold!!! We are expecting snow to start tonight. Well I feel better today than I did 28 years ago on this day. Much less excited, but I have not had a single contraction! Today is Manda's birthday. We are going to keep Kinsey tonight while she goes out with Joe. So I have to get some of the shopping we did put away! Rick and I are going to go to a craft fair, then he is wanting to work on his bike, so guess I will hang out here at home! We went to bed at 8:30 lastnight, and I was out in a hurry! I was so tired. Everytime I tried to take a nap yesterday my brother called. I am serious, 3 times I would just get to sleep and he would call. I scrolled back, and my post yesterday was just after noon, and he called and woke me up 3 times in the next hour and a half! Finally I give up, he was offering Rick help with the leaves, it finally clicked he was just wanting company and to do something, so we got up and did leaves and lights! Was more productive I suppose!!! Today I am making turkey/green chile enchiladas. We ate leftovers yesterday, as they were, now it is time to make some changes, enough Thanksgiving dinner for me!! So time to shake things up a bit! Today I am taking down all my Fall decorations, and will get my Christmas ones into the garage so I can get to a tote at a time, and distribute them throughout the house. I thought I was not going to get to decorate, but I am!! LOL I have sequins and beads left to add to Garricks stocking. Then I have to put names on his and Corvins, and add the backs and they are done. I should finish it this weekend. I sew while football is on, or when Rick is watching something I just glance at. By the time I am ready to put them on the wall, I should be finished. 2 new grandsons in one year, I should have been better prepared! I am gonna go get ready so I don't scare people at this craft show......see ya later.

We had an all pets welcome policy....they just had to pass one test. They had to be able to hold their breath under water for hours. Worked......

LOL Torky----believe me the thought of going where the spider was went against every fiber of my being. BUT.....I was on the outside, and he was on the inside. It was sheer stupidity, along with stubborness, that got me out there! I knew he had done something with the spices I wanted, he left them on the grill. Which is next to our backdoor, in a large very private BACK yard. So out I trek, wearing jammies, which in this case were tap pants and a cami----now that I can wear them, I do.....along with fuzzy socks----yes the socks added to the sexy look,(in comparison to the jiggly thighs, that is not an exageration!!!) Anyway......the only way back in, was then through the front yard, which is NOT private in any way.....and my front door was locked! So....either I froze in the yard.....and allowed that hairy beast to go to Lord knows where in my garage and hibernate.....or I catch it. I knew sooner or later I was going to have to deal with him. I unlike Fanny do not want anything to do with the 8 legged things. He now has a happy new home, and she says he is getting ready to molt.....lovely huh????

DH and I did hit the sales! We were up and at Sears at 4 AM!! LOL, we laugh at ourselves every year, but we always do it! In Sears we bought radar detectors for all the kids. Got them no problem. Then we headed to Walmart! In Walmart we got Kinsey a new personal DVD player & case, teh V tech smile pocket game and 3 games. Connor a truck, with a trailer pulling a tractor---John Deere of course! We have family who own several John Deere franchise stores in TX. Anyway....tub toys for Corvin, little radio controlled cars for our oldest grandson, Mason, and Manda's boyfriends son. Then we bought 8 pairs of pajamas, 8 sherpa lined hoodies, 8 track suits (pants & jackets) a total of 14 movies--some ours & some will be divided among the kids, a make up kit for Manda's boyfriends DD, candy canes for the tree, lessee, I think that was it. It took lots of bags, and cost us close to $200.00 but we got LOTS of stuff!!! Lots of practical things for the kids. All 6 of our grandkids, plus Manda's BF's kids, each got a track suit, pajamas, and a really nice jacket. Not to mention all the other electronics etc. We left there, and hit a couple of smaller local places, for some things, went to breakfast, figured out what all we still lacked. His parents and my brother. So this weekend, the goal is to get those done. We come home, and my brother stopped by....I yawned the entire time he was here. When he left, we laid down, and I was out like a light!!! Phone woke me up......might go back to bed tho!! We had a great day yesterday! Drama stayed away. Ricks folks stopped by and visited for an hour or so, then went to his sisters for dinner. My parents, and brother, were here as well as our daughters and their kids, and DH & BF. A couple of guys Rick works with come to dinner. Dinner was totally stress free, just kind of fell into place, everything was ready at the same time, the table looked great....and everyone ate way too much....me included! I ate everything! Took me forever, to eat....but I did it! LOL I didn't really overdo too badly, I had a bit of everything, and we all sat around eating and talking, and I just ate slowly, and had no problems.....it probably would have been better if I had not been able to, but it made for an excellent day! We did not see our son, he apparantly come by late last night, but we had left. We went to my parents house and watched the Denver game, it was on the NFL channel and we don't get it. I was glad he come by, and made that effort, but was just as glad we were not here.....he needs to seriously think about his attitude and not fly off the handle at his Dad---he is too old for that crap. Well, my nap is calling me back!! Glad everyone had a good Thanksgiving Day! I am so thankful for all of you here, old friends and new ones, the support, and help you provide is one of the biggest ways I have managed to be successful with the band I think.

Oh no Suzanne, what's going on??? Some drama here, but it has to do with DS's bi polar issues, not the holidays----and him throwing a temper tantrum. Which would likely go away if my DIL would just leave it be. Oh well. I refuse to be drawn in. MIL had her tests run, and she has gall stones. They will decide when to operate next week. I know she is hurting, but she is one of the original drama queens!!! She refuses to eat, and refuses to drink anything like a protein drink, then tells us she almost passed out in the store, and at the Dr.'s and how she hopes they get it out in time. Meanwhile, I think she is at least drinking and not saying anything, she is alone a lot of the time, while FIL is out and about on the farm. If she wasn't she would be dehydrated seriously, and she isn't. On second thought, I might be right there with ya Suzie----too much drama here too!!!

The toffee is my favorite Tracy....it is so rich, I love it!! The pumpkin one smells good, it looks ok. I cut it into squares, and put my whip cream in my decorating bag, and put stars of whip cream on each piece and sprinkled it with cinnamon. It looks really pretty---like these guys are going to care how it looks. When they see something homemade, they dive right in!!! Kinsey come over and helped me bake pies this morning. Manda wants a birthday pie on Thanksgiving, as opposed to a cake. Her birthday is on Saturday. So we as a family will celebrate on TD, and then Sat. morning she and Joe and Kinsey will go to breakfast, and then later in the day she is bringing Kinsey over here, and she and Joe are going out. When she was a kid, we always did a family birthday on Thanksgiving, then her friends on a close weekend. Abbey was born on both Grandpa's birthdays, so we always had a big family party----then her friends separate. Lenny, we have 6 family birthdays the week of his so we did the same. Well time to pull the casserole out and get going. Hugs everyone.....don't bake too hard!

Suzie, I could not open the link, and the dump cake is not the one.....I have to think about it, it has a yellow cake mix-or you can use spice cake mix, cream cheese, pumpkin, powdered sugar, eggs, butter....you make a base and press it in the pan, then mix the creamy ingredients on top---it is not a cake you frost, it is kind of like brownies. My favorite is the toffee gooey butter cake---pumpkin is a take it or leave it flavor for me, so I won't be so tempted!!! Friday---well I am glad they are getting it done and over with. Can't wait to get the news that it is all good. Rick has one of the electric blankets. I disliked it for the same reason I dislike the fleece throws---they are small---or short. 50"X 60". I can put my arms through this, and stand up and it drags the ground. I can sit in my recliner, and it tucks under my feet----which is what I want! I am so picky! Tracy----I am so sorry your DSD is dealing with that, and in turn all of you are. I can only say do not understimate how badly she is hurting. She is lashing out and reacting around all of you because she can, and knows you will love her in spite of it. I read a book in relation to the troubled teen when we had 3 under the roof at a time. It said to them, the break up of these relationships is as traumatic as marriage problems are to us. Being rejected at any age is hurtful. And teenagers feel EVERYTHING in extremes. They don't like the boy, they are head over heals in love.....they are truly feeling the emotions tho. When you add to the feeling of rejection, the issues of saving face at school----I am just totally thankful I am not in HS anymore. She probably feels like everyone is talking about it, everyone knows, and finds her falling short, just like the boy did....and what if he told them she kissed bad or something? Or told a secret she shared with him.... All those thoughts running through her head, and while coping with them, she is still having to deal with school. Sucky age for emotional trauma! With DS he would be VERY emotional---actually cry over it---and I wondered if that was normal---and it was. Youngest DD didn't date much in school, and was so self contained it was almost scary!!! Manda---a true drama queen if ever there was one! And she would mope and lash out, and get teased unmercifully by the other 2. With her we joked that she had the 'flavor of the day' because everyday there was a new boy she liked. Then she moved on to 'movie of the week'---and our troubles began. A week was more than enough it seemed for her heart to be involved. Finally one day somewhere in her freshman or sophmore year, Lenny was teasing her as usual over someone she was moping over---and he said to her "quit blubbering about it and show him what he's missing". Stopped her in her tracks. He told her that was the worst---when so and so dumped him, and he saw her laughing and being happy it was like being bitch slapped....his words. So that's where I stepped in, and agreed telling them both that the best revenge is a good life..... Anyway, they kind of ran interferance for one another from then on....and both went on with the lesson that they wanted to show the dumper what they were missing. I have watched them both through many years since, and through marital problems etc. and they still carry the attitude!! So.......all that said. Since there is no brother involved, maybe you should do it. Offer her a manicure or suggest something like "wear your blue shirt, it makes your eyes look great, and you want to show Joe Blow what he is gonna be missing". And one final bit of teenage wisdom for today---do not say anything bad about the moron boyfriend, because as soon as you do, he will apologize....and YOU will be the bad guy!! LOL Good Luck Tracy......and be glad she is not 3!!! We had 3 each one year apart!! It was hormone hell sometimes!