Kat817

Well Plain, in my case, you nailed it---antiquated says it all!!! Now at our place in TX we do use the round bales, and when we farmed it, we baled them as well. But here in NM, we have space issues. And like I say everything is old!!! It does however work! The barn is not space adaptive to the change, and the baler works wonderfully!!! To replace the equipment to modernize would cost us minimally 50K----and that just is not gonna happen!!!! We have 3 fields all broke into different areas of the property, and rentals spread amongst it as well, with them using pasture land. My tractors are all old as well!!! My Old John Deere just won a ribbon at the county fair, for the condition she is in though!! One of the old Poppin' Johnnies---love the tractor to plow in---hate it for anything else----it pops wheelies seriously---it has a hand clutch so I am always grasping at air, and comin' up with nothing!!! Someday, I hope to build a home in the middle of the side field, and quit haying, and just grow old myself!!!!! Kat

I am all for the change in direction---cost looks doable to me! And Laura we really are not meeting up for excitement, we provide that ourselves!!!! There is water, and a kitchen for mixing a drink or 2 (or 40!) And we can ALWAYS find something to entertain ourselves with!! Great find on the house Terry!!! Things ok with you and your son? We went and got the truck, I am taking my Dad to haul a load of wood tomorrow, will be leaving about 5:30 AM----now there is some excitement for ya Laura!!!! Quitting smoking is good! And what better reason could you ever have? And Russel quitting too is even better!! And a good sign as to the kind of Dad he will be as well! Please extend my CONGRATS to him as well---------he is gonna be a DADDY!!! Pamela, any less boring today???? Love the bracelet Suzanne!! Jenn-feel better, and good luck on the wedding date thing. Hope things are settling down for you at home TracyKS-----that tonight was not as bad as you were worrying about! TracyK---did any of you ever find the additional jumpers for Macy? Well I am going to go hit the shower, if I don't I am going to raid the freezer for ice cream, and I am full, I do NOT need ice cream!!! Kat

I have now got about 5 pounds to get to goal, and I had 2 fills--and one total unfill. I was banded over 2 years ago, was a semi slow loser, but did it healthy I believe, was always able to eat, but just slower and less---and MUCH better food choices!!! You might check with your band Dr. and see if they want to see you anyway. I have seen my Dr, over a dozen times, but like I say only 3 times have we done anything with my band. I got my first fill 7 weeks after being banded, another 4 weeks later, then nothing for 2 years!!! Then I had a TT, and had a total unfill, and have never refilled. I am still slowly losing towards my goal----and feel like I have really used my band in a healthy, wise manner. I have learned GREAT lessons about food, and portions. As has been said, if you are eating sensible meals, and remaining full for long periods of time, and not getting sick---PB's----then you do not need a fill!!! Work the one you have! Feel lucky---I did! Keep up the good work! Kat

What a wonderful bit of news to brighten the evening!!! Tell us everything when you get a chance Laura!!!! Haydee, I had not really seriously looked at the site, we just see the place when we go to the hot springs everytime, and it looks so serene and peaceful, but there have been big BQ's going on on the lawn at times, and big croquet games, it looked like a fun place! But like I said before, airport would be a major issue! Good thing someone reads the fine print though!! LOL Maybe we need to re-evaluate and head towards Laura so we can have a Violet baby shower!!!! Better late than never!! Gotta finish dinner! Kat

Oh green I have missed you and your special brand of humor soooo much!! You doing ok? I have hated to pry----but thrilled to see you here again!!! Kat

We too have 3 separate fields, but we did one this weekend, so 2 to go. Normally in years past we ran cattle (still do on our place in central TX) but this year rather than sell off calves, we sold them ALL!!! And are just growing and selling hay. Making more $$$ too!!! LOL It is impressive that you are doing it alone. I can cut and bale without issue----the tractor and the swather and I get along fine...but to get to the back field takes some more careful manuevering through gates with the swather---not my specialty!!! Rick gets it in the field, and I cut, while he removes irrigation pipe from the front field!!! I guess if I were in your situation I would learn!!! Our place in TX we simply graze it, no cutting. We go down between 3-4 times a year. We have a cousin who owns the adjoining property and he runs cattle as well, so he keeps an eye on ours, and checks our fence lines once a week or so. We go down and sell off calves, and also once a year in the late fall, because we also have a pecan grove on the place, so we go to harvest once the cold snap hits. There is ALWAYS something to do!!! Kat

Betty----I will be thinking of you and sending my prayers and best wishes your way tomorrow. You will do fine, and look awesome, I just know it!!!!!! We had a busy weekend----thanks for the birthday wishes by the way!! Was a working weekend, except for Sunday---and we played!!! We cut, and hauled, and stacked a couple cords of wood, and took out a tree in our yard, and transplanted a bunch of flowers. We are having a shop put in on Friday, so had to clear the area for it. Hopefully my flowers survive! I am thrilled he is getting this put in, he is seriously outgrowing the garage, and putting anything of mine out there is out of the question right now---so when he gets it up and the bikes out of the garage, I am moving all the exercise equipment out to the garage---attached, and heated----so I can still use them this winter. Then I might actually be able to make the grandkids play in the playroom, and my sewing machine might see the light of day again!!! I am still spitting some stitches from my incision. My PS said that is not unusual, and he can pull them for me, or I can do it myself as they work their way out. It is kind of uncomfortable though, they like fester up, and then the fishing line stuff pops through the skin. Ideally they eventually absorb into the body, but there is just not enough moisture in the muscle area for them to dissolve so they are working their way out--thebody sees them as a foreign matter. I am easily in a size 10, have a couple of 8's I wear without a problem----right after surgery, I could not get them on, and when I finally did, breathing was not optional, but now they are fine. I weighed this afternoon, fully clothed at 170 even. I wish I could just say I want to lose 10 more pounds and I want 4 of it off of my arms, and 5 of it off of my upper stomach, and the last pound that little pocket of fat on my inner thighs. Unfortunately, as i continue to drop a pound here and there, it seems it is coming from somewhere else, as those areas remain!!! And I do not need any more butt gone, I have none now as it is!!! So.....I have 5 pounds to go to my original goal, but unsure what or where I will really get to. I think this next pound I lose will actually drop my BMI into a normal range. Pretty amazing, I began this in the Morbidly Obese category! So far I am still totally unfilled. Betty do you have to unfill for your surgery? Some require it, others do not. Mine did, but only because if I were to have a problem with nausea, my band Dr. is 6 hours away! So he felt better with it unfilled. I was super scared to unfill it too!!! Welcome to all you new girls, give me some time to learn names, like I mentioned, I got old over the weekend, so my brain is in slow motion now!!! I better go get dinner started. Going to take a ride tonight----Rick just doesn't know it yet!!! Hugs~ Kat

OMG Laura!!!!!! I am SOOOOOOO happy for you!!! I am gonna be a Violet Auntie!!! Yay You!!!!! ((((((HUGS)))))))) Kat

Even with over 100 pounds gone, the hay is not a breeze---it is ALWAYS work!!!! But I move a lot better, can climb up and down on the trailer, and lift the bales much easier than I used to! We have 2 fields that will be ready this week---makes me cringe to think about it!!! LOL As for the beer, I have had some, but I can no longer tip back a can and just take a few swallows no matter how hot or how thirsty I am, the carbonation in beer is just tooooooo much for me! Instead, if I have beer, I usually have it draft at a local mexican food restaurant, and even then end up giving the last half to DH before it gets warm, it is just too bubbly!! Margaritas go down just fine though!!! Kat

My DIL has gained a lot of weight and is constantly telling me how bad she needs to lose weight, and how she wishes they could afford for her to have band surgery. I leep telling her the same thing---start eating like a bandster and see if that helps, and save money. My catch phrase for my kids when they whine about the same things over and over through the years has always been...... "Then CHANGE something, because nothing will change if you don't" It didn't matter if it was an algebra problem, or this weight loss. If you are not willing to make changes, then nothing will change. Those changes relate to diet as well as exercise. We get people in and out all the time with different issues in regards to those 2 issues------food and exercise. Heck I have issues with them!!! I have a tumor in my leg bone, and high impact is not an option for me-------I cannot run like so many of our successful bandsters do, it is that simple, I cannot do that, so I better figure out what I CAN do! We have a farm, and I can ride, and I buck bales of hay, and I haul wood, and I pour cement---------none of these do I do EVERY single day----but I do them, and I do them much more comfortably now than I did in the beginning! I used to drive the truck when we bucked bales, now I take it as an opportunity to get exercise in. Same with the cement, I used to be indoors, making the sandwiches, and keeping the beer cold----now I see exercise!!! Those are changes I could make and did. And in the end it changed lots of things, it worked muscles that toned up nicely for me, and it give me time with my DH I was missing out on! I too had a birthday this last weekend, and I celebrated it! I do not count calories, or fat, or anything, I just seriously try to eat in a healthy manner. Relying totally on restriction with your food intake is a false security, and if you do not work to learn about what foods nutritional make up is, then I personally think you are setting yourself up for failure! The band and the restriction is supplied, and the hunger control issues it helped with, allowed me to feel for myself, exactly how my body reacts to the sugar high, and the carb cravings----and for me knowing what to expect, makes dealing with them easier when it happens. Just like you referred to in your earlier (maybe original, not sure!!) post to thinking you could fit in another small portion, and instead getting up and moving away from the food. I find doing that is like a double edged sword, while it is REALLY hard to do-----when I do it, I feel empowered and so damn proud that I CAN do that!! But if you don't do it, you never know the pride that comes with it! I live in a rural area, and there are not support groups available to me, nor is there a nutritionist available. But information on proper nutrition is as easy to locate as this website, if you can log on here, you can log on to many a site to learn about healthy options in eating. I had a total unfill 4 months ago in preparation for my TT, and have continued to slowly drop on down in weight, getting very close to my goal. As for now, I have no plans to make the drive to get filled again, it is a 6 hour drive one way, and I am doing fine without it. But I am glad to know it is there if I should need the help! I think people cringe at the thought of exercise, for some it is like the idea of going to church, the organized faction of each is a turn off. But you can exercise without hitting a gym, same as you can worship your God without going into a church building. You just have to set your mind to do it, and DO IT!!! And while some people may be able to lose weight without working out, you have to figure, they may be losing weight, but they are also likely losing their health. It is worth doing for yourself. Kat

Tall Spruce House -- Luxury Vacation Retreat -- Durango, CO. This is pretty local to me......I am on the laptop out in the yard, hope this works, I do not like this thing!!! Kat

The Southern part of Colorado would be the same Judy, there is plenty to entertain, plus lots of "porch" time could be had, but the lack of a large hub airport being close is an issue. Rick keeps saying 'You could do this or you could do that'---------but like I tell him, we don't want to take up all our time driving to and from an airport. And it is the little legs of a trip like that that end up costing the most. Terry's suggestion near Colorado Springs would be feasible with flying.....the Springs has it's own airport, but most would likely connect through DIA. But there we would be renting cars on top of other expenses. The Houston area is the only one we have enough locals to take advantage of their transporting us!!! In Southern Colorado, I could do some of it, maybe even get another bandster for back up, but that doesn't fit us all....none of that would be an issue with a cruise, but the cost seemed high for those so far....when all the add ons kick in. There was the one all inclusive resort in AZ where we would likely not need transportation....and I am sure there are other all inclusive resorts---if the heat in AZ is an issue. Maybe we should all think about it. I amnot against a repeat visit to TX---I am fine with the same place or even a new venue in the area----but I like that we are deciding early!!! Gives me a chance to prepare! It is not a cheap undertaking, so having time is of the essence!! Gonna go watch the girlie play in the water!! BBL~~ Kat

I agree with both Plain and Karey, it is not all the Dr.'s fault....but I still think he has a degree of fault here. Keep in mind that Brandy is not just your average first time surgical patient, he should be quite concerned over her at this point.....as in covering his ass! My PS has 2 days a week he operates, and of course has assorted emergencies that disrupt regular appointments, and occasionally prescheduled surgeries. But for things like she is having done, it is usually on a scheduled surgery day. I know when I saw my Dr. at my pre op appointment, he at least knew what day we were operating, he referred to it in conversation, and talked with me about diet before surgery etc. I know the hospital or surgical center has screwed up when they called to pre register me before, and a quick call to my Dr. then my ENT---and it was straightened out. Sounds to me as though Brandy's hospital and Dr. have not only zero communication with the patient but also with one another. And I damn sure would write the letter, and consider sending it not only to the risk management team, but everyone I could locate an address or email for from the Chief of Staff on down---and maybe even a letter to the editor of the local paper. Before you write the letter or make the phone calls though you need to have it firmly in mind what you want them to do about it--like absorbing the costs involved to you in the screw up----have a resolution handy that is good for you, rather than a simple "we're sorry". Good Luck to you tomorrow! Kat

Yep Tracy, I can get in now too!! Oh well, emailing you is fun anyway!!! Laundry is started, beds are changed, water is on in the yard, dishwasher is running, hamburger out to thaw for dinner, Kinsey has had breakfast, ---I had a list a mile long of to do things today, and 90% are here at home!!! I do have to run out and pick up Rick's Rx......I forgot it yesterday! I also learned that even 100+ pounds down, I do NOT jump rope well!!! Kinsey wants to learn to jump rope sooooo badly! Just trying to show her the basic idea about killed me!!! She has not figured it out, and is enough like her Mommie to make me crazy. She is a little miss perfectionist! She not only wants to jump, she wants to do it WELL! But her Mommie is going to have to jump with her, Granny is give out! I am still not hungry this morning, but massively thirsty!! I made myself eat a peice of sausage, and half a biscuit with some cheese on it---but all I could think of is "I want water!" Wierd! So are we still entertaining the idea of meeting in someplace new? Someplace cooler for that time of year maybe? I see the positives in both-------so I am likely of little help!!! LOL Pamela, hope your day is not so boring.....think of the $$$ you are making being bored!! I was bored last night and didn't make a single cent!! Terry--------hope things are looking up with your son. You are truly a member of the sandwich generation. Caring for parents and kids, is not easy! Hugs to you!!! TracyKS--you do not "depress" me. You make me worry for you, and pray for you--which I would anyway! But knowing you have a place to go, whether it be here or in email, to say what you need to let out, is comforting in it's own way---as I know bottling it up inside is not doing you or the situation any good at all! I would think that getting the thoughts out would be easier on you than them building. I mean if you can make beard jokes to us, then you can let them slide off when around Fuzzy Wuzzy!!! My Ex has always been into the Wild West Shooting thing. And he fancies himself the next Wyatt Earp. He went gray headed very young, as did most of his family, and by the time he was 35 the gray had turned silver white. In a normal mens style or on a woman with his coloring it would be quite striking. His however is long---we are talking lower back, and he has this straggly beard, also white that is down to his chest. Not a full white Santa beard by any means, it is thin, and silver white--not powder white. So due to the straggly nature of it, I began calling him Chia Chin. From the annoying commercials of Chia Pets. As I say his coloring combined with the silver nature of his hair could be really attractive, he has a very natural tan--not olive, but he is never pale, and he has light blue eyes. But his desire to be Wyatt Earp makes him ridiculous! I will try to remember to bring pictures so you can see what I mean when we meet up. Meanwhile Tracy----sing the Chi-Chi-Chi Chia song in your head when your very own Chia Chin makes smart ass remarks about his beard!!! And take heart I just heard on the TV on one of the Entertainment Shows that beards are going to be VERY 'in' this winter!!! Well time to change the laundry. BBL!! Kat

You know Plain, that is really sad, on so many levels!! Lack of the obvious co-morbidities is leading her to believe she is healthy! I have a neighbor who borrows my blood pressure machine once every couple of weeks or so, because I have the big cuff on mine, from when I began monitoring mine at near 300 pounds. She weighs well over 400----and her BP is always very normal, 120/65 range, her pulse in the high 60's. My machine stores the last 50 readings, and mine is normal now, but you can scroll through the readings and not tell Annes from mine. And she MUST be harming herself at that weight!! I had obvious issues, the high blood pressure, high blood sugar, high cholesterol, joint pain, shortness of breath upon any exertion----and Anne says she has none of those! Other than knee pain when she climbs stairs. This woman is several inches shorter than I am, and weighs more than I ever did, and has 7 years on me as well! Is it all genetic???? Does she come from better stock than I do??? I know she does not eat healthy, that much is obvious, plus we have eaten together!! I know not everything shows from the outside, and that big people can be as healthy as thin people can be unhealthy---but HOW can you have some issues like that womans ulcerated legs, and not have a diabetic issue somewhere???? Or something?? No flak from me, I agree. But maybe I also inherited a bad attitude!!! Kat

Suzanne, I emailed you what info I have for the Violets! Was a wierd day for me, I shopped, bought very little, mostly house stuff---shampoo, trash bags, that kind of thing. Dinner was just fine, but the smell of it had my stomach going in circles! I cooked shrimp, but it didn't get me, it was the smell of the squash----and I LOVE squash, but I did not eat a bite of dinner, but was SOOOOOO thirsty I drank like 3 glasses of ice water. I feel fine now.....go figure! For lunch I ate a Taco and a few of Kinsey's nachos. For breakfast I had some cereal. Later today I snacked on a handfull of cashews and macadamia nuts----thinking this is what might have upset my stomach. How is the vinegar going Haydee??? And how are the ones of you doing that are reading the book?? Back awhile I read a book about emotional eating that my friend recommended, because she said it had the same attitude about dieting that I do. So I spent $20 and bought it, and it was ok, but I didn't really LEARN anything. The author---Geneen Roth, has the same anti diet outlook I do, and she was just outlining that, and I already agreed so didn't get much from it!! TracyKS, sorry Charles is so against counselling, he likely thinks that the therapist will blame everything on him! Sounds kinda like his ex did a number on him, and YOU get the aftershocks and all the crap that rolls down hill. BUT you are doing the right thing in my book-----climbing to higher ground---avoid the crap!! He is the one who needs to deal with it. Sad to say....those of us in secondary (or more!) relationships, have baggage, and we judge those closest to us by the things we have lived, and yet we HATE it to be done to us! Seems like early on, Rick and I tested each other frequently!!! And for us it was long distance! I STILL find it amazing sometimes that I could/can be enough for Rick---I never was good enough, or whatever for anyone before! Now I don't believe I wasn't good enough, but in their minds I wasn't enough....in one way or another, so to feel as though I am all he needs is still wierd after all these years! Hard to put those feelings into words! Especially since they are feelings I don't often take out and examine!!! So we were going to take the van out to the farm and leave it to bring in the truck to haul wood this weekend. But when we went to leave it had a flat front passenger side tire. So Rick aired it up, and we drove it out there, hauled wood Fri. & Sat. then went out yesterday to drop off the truck and get the van to go to dinner with the family (so we could drive son---he cannot climb into his truck yet following surgery)---and the tire was flat again! So again we aired it up, and this time we see the nail. So today I take it in to get fixed. They pulled the nail, and plugged the hole. Then they take a die grinder and "file" off the excess plug---well he got carried away and took it down to the steel belt. So the tire shop replaced my tire with a new one. But Rick now wants me to go get another just like it put on the other side, so they wear even----so it is going to end up costing me $90 anyway---irritates the you know what out of me!! My new saddle is nice, but I am sore from it!!! It is sueded---so my thighs are sore, from rubbing......not something I had ever considered. Well I am off to bed. Will remember all of you in my prayers tonight.....hugs! Kat

Sounds to me as though it is both Dr. and hospital. I mean yes the port not being there, but for her Dr. to know surgery was to be at a certain time, and then not even see her for hours after??? And to expect her to just continue to go without food? And why didn't he call a nurse to get the IV out ASAP? I agree the hospital is partly at fault but I could not excuse the Dr. in it all either. Sorry things did not work out Brandy! Good Luck Wednesday! Kat

Never sure how long Mom and I will end up on the phone!!! TracyKS, I hate to hear that you might not make the Violet reunion--but as you say, there is still time between now and then. Planning in advance, and having an idea early how much it will be, will help in budgetting for it. I love the idea of having a house with a porch, and places to gather, but if push come to shove, I would do Motel 6 and gather at the pool with you guys if everyone could come! I am not picky about the where so much!!! Terry---is it problems with bipolar issues with your son? I am sooo sorry things are bad with him, our kids going through issues is one of the hardest things we face. Big giant hugs to you. My kids are somewhat crosswise right now and even that is bothering me! My son and DIL will do nothing but sing my DD's ex's praises. They invite him over, talk about what all they do together, and talk about it in front of her "husband"........it is so ridiculous. Back when Manda and Ryan were together, my DS was mad as hell at Ryan because he was not pulling his weight at work, and he was brown nosing, etc., etc., etc. Well as soon as Manda broke the relationship off, Ryan has velcro'd himself to my son, and they are now best buds again---------and DS is just male enough not to see that he is being used to keep tabs and stir the pot. When Rick tried to point it out, and point blank told Ryan that something was none of his business, when he ask a personal question concerning Manda---our son got pissy. I want to scream at them to GROW UP!! Someday each other will be all you have----but......compared to crap we have been through with DS before, this is nothing. Beginning to feel a bit like a possible stalking situation to be 100% honest though. And if I was thrilled with the situation Manda is in, I would feel better about it all, but I'm not. The birthday party yesterday afternoon was lots of fun. The group of us that all ride together, and get together for things, 3 of us had birthdays in the week, and 2 of them had kids with birthdays this week. So we had a party! Lots of food, and drinks. I did REALLLLLLLLLLY good though!!! I ate brisket (I made it---I knew it was tender and good!), and a rib, and a spoon full of baked beans (made them too!!!--------ok technically Rick made them!) But avoided the potato salad, and all!!! Then one of the guys GF's made this big decadent looking chocolate cake, it looked SOOOOO good, so I saved room for it----got a piece and GAG!! It was dark chocolate bourbon cake, and you could taste the bourbon---------it was not good, so I said to myself----why eat this????? The woman was majorly pissed off at me anyway already, so it wasn't like it was going to matter! She was drinking HEAVY! And she is like late 50's---so it was not lack of knowing better! Her name is Tyco (t-eye-co), well I mistakenly referred to her, while trying to be polite and include her in conversation as Teeco----simple mispronunciation of an uncommon name, I was sober as a judge, then and the entire day----it was an honest and simple mistake, and she refused to answer me nor speak to me the rest of the day!!! I was fine with that, she was the GF of one of the guys------I knew everyone else there pretty much, and had a great time in spite of her. She ended up mad at most of us for one infraction or another. Chana caught hell from her for ladeling out her own Green Chile, Tyco was in charge of the chile and the tortillas-----uuuuuuh ok, nevermind!!! LOL--------Strange woman with a strange name!!! Point being, I did not eat her nasty calorie laden cake!!!! BUT.....I am off to eat calorie laden lunch with my DH!! ANd have to get ready!!! So will check in later. Huggzzzz Kat

Good Morning girls! I slept in laaaaate this morning!! Was a long, busy weekend, and I guess like Amelia I was tired!!! Had a great birthday---thanks for all the kind thoughts!!! Went to a great lunch with the family. My DD give me a picture of my jelly bean!!! AKA my grandson to be....she give me one of the ultrasound pics in my card!! Moms on the phone---finish posting in a few minutes! Kat

Morning all~~ Thanks for the birthday wishes, looks like it will be a fun day! We are off for a ride before meeting family for lunch, then a friend and I are celebrating our birthdays with a big BBQ bash----should be lotsa fun!!! Will check in later tonight. I love either one of the houses, or where we were before is fine. Remind me, how far is it to drive from Gruene in to SA......would it be feasable to just remain in one place the entire time or not? I loved Janes and my Judges Chambers----but man if my drunk butt had fallen off the bed, I would have been seriously injured, I have never seen a bed so high that was not part of bunk beds!!! Poor Jane would have had to have been catapaulted into it!!! LOL We never did get a picture of the door with Laura and I on either side of it----with the door knob at our knee caps!!! I am already thinking of the luggage issue----we are all going to be carrying on this time I imagine since they want to charge us so much for needing clean clothes! So as we plan surprises for one another, remember space issues in luggage! Maybe if we have clothes for another clothes swap, we can ship them to one of you locals first. Well we are off.....see y'all in awhile! Pamela enjoy your day---but don't stress, this is going to be a wonderful year!!! Things are already better---when something was brought up that did not set well with you---it as changed, sounds like you got the power!! LOL TracyK & Judy thanks so much for the birthday cards!!! Love you All!!! Getting older isn't so bad with good friends to share it! Kat

TY for the birthday wishes girls!! But in NM I am technically still 47 for 11 more minutes!!! Rick is swapping the truck out of the drive way and putting my car away so I only have a second to check in. We stopped at the casino after the John Connelly concert, and we ALL won....some piddly amounts---but Becky won $200.00!!! I won $40.00 and the guys won enough to cover their beer!!! LOL Not sure what all Rick has planned for tomorrow, but likely won't be back on til tomorrow night. I got 2 awesome birthday gifts already! My DD had an ultrasound, and the baby looks great---it is a BOY!!! They actually moved her due date up to 12/31. I am sooooooo relieved!! And Rick bought me a new saddle! Gotta go-----see y'all tomorrow! Hugs~ Kat

Hey girls, stopping in while I wait for Rick to be ready for bed. We just got home from the fair, we had a great time, danced a lot! Which was sooooooooo amazing!!! I would not have done it, even a year ago---too many people around. Now we used to go dancing, but it was always in a bar setting, whether we drank or not----but most of the people were dancing, or were drinking, and impaired!!! But this is families, and no alcohol-----and people watching you!!! And I did it with no qualms, was amazing! Judy, Kinsey is MUCH, MUCH more verbal than either Connor or Ray (Becky's grandson who is 2 months younger than Kinsey). But Ray rode his bike before she did, and has a different way of doing things. If they both wanted a cookie on the counter, she would come in, and very plainly ask for it, and would remember to say please, and would know to beg if you said no, before ever considering throwing a fit! Ray on the other hand would figure out how to get the chair from the dining room into the kitchen, and how to climb up on it, and get his own cookie! And if he got in trouble for it, it would be an immediate temper tantrum. And he is not a spoiled, crybaby kind of kid--they just think in totally different ways. Her fine motor skills outdo his by miles, but his gross motor skills probably are further advanced than his. She is already coloring in the lines, and is concerned whether it looks good, he would prefer to scribble bits and pieces on every page in the book!! But when we go to the pool, he jumps in, and makes friends with all the other kids, and she hangs back.....go figure!!! Jane, I hope you and Suzanne have a great visit!!! I did ok with food until tonight, and the danged chocolate dipped cheesecake won again!!! LOL I am not gonna hit the 160's at this rate! Not sure yet what tomorrow holds, think Becky and I are going for pedicures at some point. Well Rick is finally ready to go to bed----he promised to rub my back....gonna hold him to it too!!!! Talk to ya tomorrow!!! Kat

Hey girls--------- I am exhausted, and heading in to take a nap so I can go to the fair tonight. We cut, hauled and stacked a cord of wood---and then went and bucked about a hundred bales of hay, and moved irrigation pipe. I ache in places I forgot I had!!! And to top it all off, I stepped on a board with a nail in it at my inlaws----so my foot hurts as well! But I had the 2 surgeries recently so know my tetanus is up to date--I just wanted to whine about it!!! LOL Hugs to you all---I'll check back in tomorrow I imagine. Kat

Ghost---as least your MIL asks about what she should give them, mine got me a couple of times before I wised up! She would ask me point blank what we were gettting for the kids. I thought she ask so she could buy along the same lines. For instance the first time she ask, I told her we were buying my DD a play kitchen, and suggested that she could do pots & pans, or toy food or something. The next morning, she called to tell me about the kitchen she found on sale, so she just bought it! I let it slide that time, thinking, she did find it on sale, and give her the benefit of the doubt. When we ask her if she would let us store bikes for the kids for Christmas at her house----she said she had already planned to buy them so it would not be an issue, and she DID buy them. The next time she ask, I was BLUNT! I told her "nope you are not taking my gift ideas this time"....and laughed. Made me furious!!!!! As for the tubs/totes----they really are a good idea! But instead of just getting one, get 2----and fill them up, and then rotate them, keeps the kids interested in the toys, and gives you an opportunity to clean up the broken ones or the happy meal junk toys more frequently. And when you change out the totes, they are all excited to see the new toys! My kids b-days run in Sept,. Oct. & Nov. then follows Christmas! So we did a winter box and a summer box, and I changed them out about April or May. Good Luck as you manuever around the mounds of toys!!! We have even quit giving our grown kids 'things' we now buy them concert tickets, or a weekend retreat....once we rented them a houseboat for the weekend as a couple gift. If we had bought them another shirt or something, they never would have remembered it---these things they remember. When the grandkids are old enough, I will definitely try to do something besides the 'things' for them too. Would love to hear ideas any of you have for that!!! Kat

Dr term for pubic mound!! Kat