ocotillo

Jessica, how exicitng! You are going to have so much fun. Take lots of suncreen. Linda, yes, we got your email. Thanks a lot, Charlene, I boiled a bunch of eggs too after I ready your post. Just got back from looking at trailers, pop-up and reg RV trailers. Interesting, but still not ready to buy anything. They are heavy and I wouldn't be able to tow it with my Jeep. Okay, now back to work. ee

Hello, Back from Phoenix...got home at midnight and I am really tired. I'll have to go do something physical to get rid of this lethargy. Had a good visit with my brother. As he admits, he's terrible about keeping in touch with the siblings so the fact he reached out was pretty cool. This brother is 18 months younger than me and has a master's degree in organizational development. He is talking about finishing up with his doctorate, but we'll see. I really enjoyed talking with him. My other friend that I was going to see yesterday called and said she was sick, so I ended up going to Scottsdale mall and shopping. Not much in my price range there, but the Borders across the street is closing the store and all their new books were on sale for 40-60% off. I bought 5 books for $25. Three of them by authors I heard at the book festival. I did a lot of walking and stairs so I did get some exercise yesterday. I also had 4 email from my part-time job so I need to get busy on that. Ug. Hello to everyone, sorry no individual posts, but my brains aren't working right now. Take care, Eva

Laura, the plumeria I've seen around here has been trimmed to bush size. So I think you can make it a bush if you trim it. Put it in a spot where a bush should go and that you can Water. I don't care for bushes next to the house because they block access but it could work next to your garage. Julie, you'll always be welcome here....you are a friend...remember? Take care and hope you start feeling better soon.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOYCE MAY YOUR DAY BE FILLED WITH GRACE AND LOVE

Laura, you may not have a green thumb, but you have the human touch and that is very special.

Morning! I'm out in the garden again....transplanting, cleaning, etc. All those spring things that need to be done. My plum tree is starting to bloom. I just planted this last year, so I'm excited. I may not get any fruit, but at least it's alive and doing what it should do. Laura, yes, I'm still writing. I have a final project due by April 20th. I'm also thinking of submitting another story to a contest at it's due March 25th. Glad DH is home and yes, you were good and didn't whine. I think you appreciate each other more when there are absences now and then. I'm going to Phoenix tomorrow and spending the night. One of my other brothers is in town and will have a few free moments on Friday so we (sister, brother that lives in Phoenix and his sister who is visiting her son) will be getting together Friday night for a little family time. Yes, the family is complicated, but what the heck, stuff happens and then you end up with a whole huge family. My poor DH didn't realize what he was getting into when we got back together. The first time around it was me and my very older brother who I never saw. This time, it's him, his kids, and all my siblings (six others) from my biological side. Sure makes life interesting. More gardening is calling.

Jodi, welcome back...I'll go find you on FB...I want to see those pictures. I'm so happy everything came off as planned and that she was happy with everything. Don't worry about not being here. You know, life happens. Charlene, I'm not going to plant much in the way of veggies this year (so I say now) because I might be gone for a chunk of the summer. I did pick up another little sage plant and a mint....meant to get oregano but lost my brain. I was very bad and bought a kumquat tree. I love kumquats and I sort of wanted a citrus. Okay, now I have one and don't know where to put it. Guess it will live in a pot for a while. Went out for lunch to my sushi spot. Had to find out if the sushi chef's family was all right. His brother is in Sendai but lives in the mountains so he is alright. Now I'm trying to find out about my nephew-in-law's family. Apples, keeping my fingers crossed for you and that insurance. Hope it warms up for you. It's in the 80's here again today. Just makes me want to be out there and digging around. Julie, sending you hugs and speedy recovery. Let someone know how you are doing. Later, Eva

LauraK...yes, it feels good to be out there. I'm hot and sweaty for a good reason...unlike exercise...lol. I just repotted the aloe and started 4 new ones in the old pot. I'm throwing away the huge old ones because they are so damaged from the freeze. I also started a bunch of the other ones that had good root and I'll give those away. I have to harden them though. They were growing in the middle of this huge mass of plants and didn't get great sun, so they're pale and a little spindly. I've got my new ones encase in shade cloth for a while. I should be able to uncover the first layer in a couple of weeks and they'll be good to go by summer. I moved the pot to a place where it gets full sun for most of the day until summer. It's going to have to take the heat. My glads are coming up too. These are the ones I potted a couple of weeks ago. Now I have to get the asparagus in the ground and repot the iris's. Their pot broke because there's too much in there and it was an old clay pot. Enough gardening...I need a shower. ee ps. the weeds are gone!!

Linda, you don't have time to polish any books at this point. With work and GD, your exercise time, family time, it would be very difficult. Thanks for the encouragement, I appreciate it. I'm starting another story for my final project. I was going to expand the one I'm handing in next Monday but decided to start something else....using some of the techniques I've learned in this class. Meredith, wow a 5K...good for you. Yes, you sound busy, but that's a good thing. Being active helps along with drinking Water. LOL. Sounds like you got some great deals for your Florida trip. The weather should be warmer then. The last couple times I've been in Florida, it was cold, but that was February. I just dumped a huge pot of golden aloe vera and I'm pulling it apart and will restart it. A lot of the plant froze and aloe vera doesn't freeze well. It turns into nasty black mush. There are many small plants tucked into the big frozen ones that aren't damaged, so I'll repot those and give away a bunch of starts. Most of the common aloe blooms red/orange but this one puts up yellow stalks and tends to bloom a little earlier than the red ones. I'm also finishing my weed pulling around the back walk. That is so hard on my backside...all that stretching. Squatting doesn't work so well for me nor does sitting. It all aggravates my back/hip stuff. It'll be done today however, and that's something. Janet, hope you are having fun. Eva

I can't believe no one has posted all afternoon. I got some weeds pulled, some dead plants pulled out and chopped up for the compost pile. I've done laundry and have been writing on a story I MIGHT submit to a contest at school. My butt is sore from pulling weeds. I don't like to poison them because the tortoises live in the same area, but these are Indian tobacco and the tortoises don't eat them because they are poisonous so they have to go. DH let one go to seed because he liked it. They grow to 10 plus feet tall and the one we had almost turned into a tree. They have pretty yellow flowers, they don't have thorns, but once they get started, they never stop. The book festival was wonderful...did I mention this already. They had many hour long presentations by various authors and other speakers. Yesterday we saw Scott Simon and Frank DeFord from NPR. They were talking about how they get their inspiration for their essays and the constraints they have along with many other things. I saw JA Jance, Diana Gabaldon, David Weber, Catherine Wells, Luis Alberto Urrea, T. Jefferson Parker, and several others. I want to go back and buy books and get them signed, but I didn't. I'm being fiscally responsible. Linda, the book you sent me was by Ann Hood and she was at the festival but I didn't get to see her. They had so many programs running concurrently that you couldn't go to all of them. dinner is started, so I guess I'll get back to writing. Later Eva

Good Monday Morning, Have a load of laundry started, DH just left-it's his birthday today-so I made him a special Breakfast. He still has to go to work. Had a great weekend with the Book Festival. They are rebroadcasting some of the sessions on C-SPAN2, which is really cool. And I'm on spring break from school. Cheri, it's nice that DH helps clean the house and truly amazing about your parents 60th anniversary. You know, I think my parents were approaching that too by now...we celebrated their 50th a while ago. I use Stevia in some stuff...but not my coffee...I use sweet-n-low in my coffee...it's the only thing that I've been able to adjust my taste buds to. I think all the artificial sweeteners taste like artificial sweeteners but they can be disguised. I just choose not to use too much of any of them because I don't trust their affect on our bodies over the long run. I also love asparagus, I think they are my favorite vegetable. Good thoughts for your DD, they will continue through out her ordeal. Kristi, sounds like you are right on track. Glad the tsunami didn't affect you too much. Charlene, Water is a big deal whether you are losing or not, you need at least 64oz to make everything work better. It's the one saving grace I've learned from all the dieting...getting enough water keeps everything working better. I like shopping early at Wal-Mart too. The seniors are somewhat easier to deal with than the 30 little kids running all over and screaming. Funny about the 5lbs....darn rug. Linda, glad you got through the MRI. They are just too close for me too. I really have keep a handle on the claustrophobia when I'm in there. Sorry you hurt so much this weekend after all that activity. I bet the bike pushing really did it. When do you get your MRI results? You GD is so sweet. It's a good thing you love each other so much. Lori, so sorry for the trouble with your scan...I'm sure no one in the medical profession wants to claim responsibility for any type of screw up because they are afraid of law suits. Everyone is looking for fault so they can sue and hit the cash cow. We've created a monster with some of that. Hope DD and MIL issue gets worked out because life is too hard to have that sort of conflict. Jessica, congrats on the run. I'm so proud of you. Don't let the stress of school get to you. Sit a breath a little and think relaxing thoughts. Sandy, cool you got so much for your old jewelry. I don't think I have enough gold to sell for scrap...too bad. You should indulge in yourself. You are worth it and as for pedicures, they are wonderful. I can never do my toes as well as they can and they stay nice for so long. Have fun on your trip...when are you leaving? Melissa, its good to see you posting so much. I think it means you are in touch with what's going on with you and looking for help. You might have to find that 2nd job, maybe one as a receptionist for a few hours a day? Not great pay, but everything helps. Joyce, hope you regain your fingers again soon. Isn't that cast coming off this week? Janet, you are not preachy... you are our rock, please stay that way. Have fun with the Lucky 7's. I really understand about the $$ and vacations. I'm really looking at alternatives for Chicago because I sure don't have the income I used to. Maybe next year...you all can come to AZ for gem show or the book festival, etc. Nice weather. Laura, happy late bandversary. Yep, we are on the train, one way or the other. It's good to be busy, it keeps the mind engaged. Phyl, have a great time with Janet and the girls. How neat to be able to take a vacation during your vacation. LOL. How's the knee feeling? Apples, miss you too and I'm sorry your weather sucks. It's beautiful here and in the 80's. Next year, you can stay longer maybe and enjoy the nicer weather. I bet you're busy, that's the way it always is when you are home and have businesses to run. So what's up with Tanker...did I miss something? LauraK, good job on the WL. Sorry you aren't feeling so well....allergies maybe? Glad you are having fun with this guy. You seem to be keeping everything in perspective. Hello to anyone I've missed. Gotta go pull weeds. Eva

Hi Gang, Another fly by...I'm on my way to the Tucson Book Festival. Plan on attending both Saturday and Sunday. They have some pretty big authors here and a bunch of hour long lectures (workshops?). FNSC went very well...more people than I thought showed up and DH loved his gift (a motor for a bicycle). I made pizzas, several types including vegetarian, white, gluten free, and meat (for DH). Don't have that much left over. I'm very tired because besides the cooking, I cleaned house and then entertained until 11. But all in all things are good. Missed Apples and her DH last night, but maybe next year she'll be able to hang out for the B-day FNSC. There were three B-days we celebrated. Okay....off to the book thing....lots of walking involved because its on the University of Arizona campus....huge campus covers maybe a mile square (4 miles around). Later Eva

Charlene, you can wait to get your eyes done when you can't see anymore....I'll be right there with you. I could use lifters now to get those eyelids up.....LOL. I'm probably going to be with the Sharpei crowd, at least for a while yet. My Spanish test is over and the tax appointment done. Now I have to get ready for FNSC at my house tomorrow. We are celebrating a couple of birthdays so it should be fun. I really hope Julie starts to feel better after this. It's so hard not to feel well all the time. Phyl, good going!! I feel like I'm in a vacuum. Need to get my backside in gear and clean house and starting cooking. Ug. Will talk to you all later. Take care ladies. Eva

Happy Birthday Arlene! Have a wonderful day!

Lori, getting a good night's sleep is a wonderful thing. Have a great time shopping...baby things are so cute!! Melissa, I'm lucky, my DH doesn't bring anything into the house except beer and I don't drink that. LOL. Just ask him not to do it and explain that even though you slip now and then, it doesn't help when he contributes. Good luck on getting that appointment. LauraK, how's it going with the new guy? Sounds like you've been busy. Good job with the fill and starting to lose again. Sandy, glad your neck surgery went alright. Too many people have trouble with that stuff. Apples, I don't think you would be happy if you couldn't cook for someone. You are an awesome cook. Janet, OMG it's the winter of visitors for you. I can't believe they're staying a week! How fun. Your house is so comfortable and you are a great hostess. You have plans to do stuff? You know, if you need more room, you could clean out that closet and put an extra bed in there....LOL, just kidding!! Linda, glad to hear your brother will be all right. Those infections can cause all sorts of weird things. Interesting about your neck. Do you have the appointment yet? They are developing so many new ways to deal with back/neck issues that someday, we might not have to be cut on and pinned or plated as before. I hope they can resolve your issues simply. By the way, the writing class has been invaluable. I'm learning a lot. Used your book a couple of times already. Phyl, Cabo? Wow your life is so tough! So what are you doing with Zoey while you're gone? Sorry your knee is bothering you. Hope you can get it taken care of between trips. That mobility thing is pretty important. Joyce, quick healing wishes for you. What a pain in the....elbow...huh? Nice that you have help coming in however. Laura, how's it going? Meredith, I'm coming to you to have my head shaved....no, not for cancer, but one day I'll stop coloring my hair, have it shaved off and let it grow back naturally. Of course, you'll probably be doing something else by then, but I'm keeping you in mind. I know I'm missing a bunch of people, CRS is settling in. I'm going to take a walk, then work on "the document" and study for my Spanish test. Later, Eva

Just a fly by....I'm been working on "the document" and ready to pull my hair out. This is the work thing. I'm learning new stuff and you know how frustrating things can get when you are trying to do something and it isn't working. Well, I finally got the photos input, complete with captions. This is just one of 5 sites that I have to do. I also have homework due tomorrow and a test Thursday. Guess things are heating up. Terribly windy today...didn't walk because of the wind, but it's supposed to be calm tomorrow and i'll be out there. Need to do my homework...it's due tomorrow. Later. Eva

Geeze I posted on the new thread....I guess we need to decide which thread to use. Maybe keep the other one around for other stuff... later Eva

It's weird not seeing page 852 or whatever. I like this thread too and it's close enough to the old one. I do understand the old one has some good info on it, but I think a lot of people won't go back and read 800 pages. Of course someone will tell me I'm wrong and that they have done that. Laura, glad your Dad is still optimistic. I think attitude is a big part of the battle. You know my parents never came to any of my functions except a parade or two (I was in marching band). I don't think our parents did that sort of thing because none of my friends' parents ever came to their functions either. So to any of you that think I'm really busy...it's generally not true....I just sound that way. Life is good, very good and I keep myself entertained...that's the secret. Janet, you a shop-a-holic? naw....you just like stuff and are in a position to enjoy it. I love to shop on vacation. It's one of my favorite things to do, just not usually for clothes. That may change one of these days. Okay, I have to change the font on my autocad drawings....no big deal. Have a great day!

Yipee a new thread!! Janet, I'm with you on the coupon thing. They rarely have coupons for stuff I buy. I do buy stuff on sale, like coffee, or canned chilies. Just depends on what the deal is. Glad we have a new thread. Charlene, I'm not getting cards made for people's B-days, so you may get a canned card....if you get a card....I'm not doing so well with that either. I'm happy for Lori and her new Grandbaby. Best wishes to her. Apples's son is having his 30th birthday party today. Happy birthday to him too. Hi everyone. Have a good weekend. Eva

Welcome home Apples, glad you had a safe trip. It's so much better to sleep in your own bed.

Hello everyone, Been busy with work (yes, I said work) and school. I had a lot of stuff sent to me to get done quickly, so I'm working every day right now and I've had these projects due at school. Amazing. Great, I think I picked 3-5...so maybe I'm not out of the running for the baby. Glad you got to visit with your GM...just amazing 102 and still going. Makes me sad to see people in their 70's whining about their age. Kelly, we have grass in the desert....it's not too happy right now, but they over plant a winter grass on top of the regular grass so it's green all year around (this is at commercial sites). We had snow the other day which was nice because it didn't stick here and melted off the mountains in a couple of days. It's nice to look at, don't want to drive in it. Cheri, hugs to you and your daughter. I hope she can find some peace and you two can find the closeness you both need during this ordeal. Sandy, I've been buying much better cuts of stuff because I don't buy the volume any more. I've been cleaning out my freezer and once it's empty, only good stuff is going in there. I don't do much packaged food but I do like a bargain so I buy in quantity. With the food saver (vacuum packer) I can divide stuff up and freeze smaller quantities. Meredith, you can come visit any time you want. The addiction monster is everywhere, but we do have the last say in it. I'm doing better with my food, but I still slip a little to regularly. So every day you can stick to your plan is a day ahead. Linda's and Janet's determination are truly inspiring and they are smart women. We can do it to. Julie, sorry you are still having trouble. Hope your DD starts to feeling better. She should enjoy this pregnancy because she is with a man she loves and visa versa. Wish them the best. Laura, glad you had so much fun on your vacation. Loved the pictures on FB....it's okay to post there...IMHO...because most of us look on FB anyway. So Nelson is getting a little more independent. That's pretty cool. Sorry to hear about your Dad, but I'm glad he's feeling well enough to travel still and can visit with you in your state. LauraK, good luck with the dates. It can be fun getting to know a new person. Hi Charlene, I'm here. I've been walking with my dog. She needs it as much as I do...she isn't overweight, but old and I think the extra movement helps her too. Okay, I need to get back to work. Hello to everyone I've missed. I'm doing this from memory so you know how that goes.....duh..... Take care, Eva

Morning everyone, DH and I had a completely worthless day yesterday. We watched TV from morning until midnight. We do this so rarely that I figure we make up for those weeks when we don't even turn the TV on. It rained here last night and snowed on the surrounding mountains. It's beautiful. The snow should melt fairly quickly so we have to enjoy the view while we can. It didn't freeze last night, but it's supposed to tonight. Back to covering everything again. UG! Cheri, glad you were able to resolve the one issue...it certainly didn't help to have that with everything else going on in your family. Janet, no oxtails huh? I'm not surprised...you can use very inexpensive cuts of beef and do the same thing. Get some with nice bones in it. Apples' DH gave us a huge bag of spinach that he picked up from somewhere. It's fresh home grown spinach, so I made a little spinach Soup with chicken broth, onions, and a couple of eggs broken in there. It was really good. I got my Iron in yesterday. I'm going to miss them too. It's been very nice having them around. Our DH's got along really well, but of course both of them are very nice people and find common ground no matter the situation. Hopefully next year they'll stay around a little longer. It just seems like the time flew by. I have to make up for not working yesterday. I have two autocad drawings to do and some more workbook entries. I also need to study Spanish and work on my power point presentation. Yes, I keep myself busy. It's a good thing. Hope everyone has a really nice Sunday. Eva

Cheri, hugs and prayers to you and your family. I don't know very good words of encouragement, but I feel them, so I'm sending you the love. Jodi, sounds like the party is coming along. I finally put some pictures on my computer of the wedding, I'll post them on facebook....masks and all. Charlene, glad your mother is getting settled. I'm afraid it that time in our lives and theirs that things start to slip. It is very hard to watch and live through. You have been a good daughter. LauraK...interesting about the new friend. Hope it continues and such a positive note. Julie, glad your meeting went so well. It's very hard counting on others to do stuff however, just keep that in mind. Not everyone is a dedicated as you. Lori, I bet you're tired of that snow. Keeping fingers crossed for your DD. Linda, so nice your company acknowledged you like they did. Wow, you got great stuff. My company used to give nice things at the "5" anniversary dates, 5 - 10 - 15, etc. but they got cheap after Qwest took over and we were lucky to get anything. Phyl, hope you are feeling better. Worried about you...you need to keep having fun, but slow down and get rid of that cold. Janet, shopping? That's a surprise. I'll do a little research on the shoot out and see if there was a bank robbery. That's pretty funny. Kristi, take care of your stomach. If you aren't sure what will work when you go out, you can usually find a soup that you can eat. Just chew any chunky stuff up really well. It's another beautiful day in the southwest. I understand tomorrow it's going to windy and cold with a chance of rain. So I was inspired and planted by gladiola bulbs, cleaned up a few things and repotted my chives. The pot broken when I picked it up (plastic rots here, so do clay pots. The chives were so root bound I cut the root ball in half and planted them in two pots. It's supposed to freeze again, but it shouldn't hurt the bulbs, they have sprouted yet. dinner went well last night. I had beef posole (it's usually made with pork) and made a Mexican flan. It was an easy dinner. Another couple came by and DH and I sat on the couch and laughed at Apples and her DH because our friends had a captive audience. They sure can talk. Love them both however, very good people. Apples is making dinner tonight (we kept trying to do this earlier in their visit, but it just didn't happen). So now that they are getting close to leaving we are finally having dinner at each others house. Glimmer is going to visit too. Okay, gotta take another shower since I got all sweaty today. Yeah, yeah, I know you are all jealous. Well when we are 110, you can make me jealous with your wonderful weather. Eva

Okay, I'm picking March 5th....I'm sure she'll have it before then, but hey, it's not a picked date....time 3am or something like that in the middle of the night. Had a good day with Apples and her DH. Drove to Tombstone and saw a shootout....hahaha....they tried to be funny, had lunch then went to Bisbee and visited the history and mineral museum. The Minnesotans got to see the Lavender pit, which is a bit hole in the ground, but not nearly as big as the active working open pit copper mines around here. They do have some beautiful mineral specimens in the museum. Copper, gold, silver, malachite, turquoise, galena, pyrite, azurite, gypsum, and a few others I can't remember....nice specimens that were pulled out of the local mines. Tomorrow is house cleaning since I'm having company for dinner. Need to get my butt in gear and get it done. I've been doing a little here and there, but now I have no excuses...have to get it all done. Hope everyone has a good night. EVa

Lori, keeping fingers crossed for your DD...sorry she's not feeling well, but geeze she's got that baby in there and it's got to be pushing on stuff everywhere. I wish her the best. Linda, I have a step son too and I do understand. DH does most of the stuff for him, but I still have to watch what I say on some stuff. Step son will turn 18 in May and then it doesn't matter because most of the problem was with his mother. She would keep Robbie away from DH and I wouldn't allow that. Robbie's Mom is bi-polar and is on and off her meds so you never know what's going on. The poor kid has some issues too but for now it's not drug or alcohol abuse. He's seen the negative sides of that and doesn't want any part of it. Yipee for that. Had a dentist appointment this morning...regular cleaning. Not my favorite thing, but necessary. We watched a cute movie in Spanish class called Valentin. I really enjoyed it, but needed the sub titles. Working at my job a little. They're finally send me stuff to do. Not much else exciting. Hope everyone is good! Eva