Everyday Chatting & Waffling {2023} Let's get to know each other!

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Feeling a little weepy this morning, today would have been my Mom's 80th birthday and I can't believe it has already been 83 days that she went to be with Dad. Time marches on....going to the cemetary today to ease my ache.

(((BIG HUGS))) Karen. It never ceases to amaze me what brings up memories. An 80th BD, a smell, a song, the sight of a ring-necked pheasant standing along the side of the road (that was my dad). You can go for months or years without the really STRONG impulses tugging at your heartstrings and a wave crashes. Let it crash today. It's okay. As you say, Time marches on... Go say "hi" today and move on tomorrow. Love ya!
 
Hugs Karen. Your loss is still so fresh. My mom's b-day was last week and I thought about her off and on all day but now enough time has passed that I can think of her with a smile in my heart and no tears.

I'm feeling a bit antsy these last days, I have shingles but thankfully it is not a large area. The itch/pain is very uncomfortable and I hope there will be no nerve damage, like some get. I haven't been able to get into the clinic so hopefully this will heal on its own. Darrell and Jen will drive into Vancouver today (Jen has some banking stuff to do, close down some accounts) so I'll have the house to myself. The smoke quality is bad today so I'll mostly stay inside except for taking the dogs out in the yard. I might get a bit of scrapping done.

It'll be a quiet day.
 
Thanks everyone, it was a hard day but I appreciate all your support and kind words.

Rae, so sorry to hear of your shingles, hope it gets better soon! It is hot here but the smoke is dimishing alot.

I am on my retirement countdown, 30 days starting today and am on holidays! Whoot Whoot!!
 
Rae, my mom had shingles on one side of her face from her eye to her neck. I could only imagine the pain. Where do you have it?

The block party was a blast. Mostly stayed inside though because of the heat. We had about 20 people over. Would you believe two Theresa's and two Dave's... what are the chances.

The wrestling was fun. Too bad one guy in front of us had a large sign and stood up every time someone came into the ring.

Stay healthy and stay safe till next time.
 
Hi all! It feels like forever since I was able to come and check in! My summer meeting event went well. We had some really great speakers. My personal favorite was Mark Nutsch. He is a Green Beret and they made the movie "12 Strong" about his war mission where he and his until rode horses to fight against tanks. He was portrayed by Chris Hemsworth in the movie and you could tell he was just tickled by that fact. Mark is native to Kansas, so he had a lot of connections to our attendees, and had a lot of fun with our group. He and some of his buddies also have created their own bourbon called Union Soldier, and he donated an autographed bottle to our CEO. Our CEO then donated to our PAC and one of our members is an auctioneer. So we had a live auction for the bourbon. Well, my husband collects bourbon... so I waited until the bidding started to slow down... it was only going up by tiny increments and I knew it was worth a heck of a lot more than that. So then, when they thought they were done... BOOM... I upped the bid by a big jump! That woke everyone up!! Then I got in a bidding "war" with one of our system managers... it was so much fun. I knew my limit and I stopped bidding and let him have it at a certain point. After the auction, I went up to shake his hand... he told me I was supposed to keep bidding! HA! But now I need to find a bottle of that bourbon for my husband (at a price I'm willing to pay). My CEO texted me after the event and thanked me for raising the price and making the event so much fun. Yup... this girl likes her auctions! LOL!!!

So I got home late Monday night. I came to work yesterday, but I was a zombie. I went home mid afternoon and just took a nap. My CEO emailed me today and told me to take Friday off. I'm not going to argue. I had to miss my great-nephews 2nd birthday because of my event, and so I'm going to go see that part of the family and help celebrate that sweet little terror of a toddler and also hold his new baby sister.

The weather here has not been kind. It's either so incredibly hot (106-108 degrees actual temps), or violent storms. As I'm typing this, I hear the rumbles of thunder and I see a bright red "heat advisory" symbol where the weather icon is on my computer monitor.

I'm very far behind in all things scrapbook related, so I'm hoping to start getting caught up on that this week. Hope all is well with everyone! :)
 
Shana, that is an awesome story! Good on you for upping the bid. :)

It's been hot here too. It got up to 100 on one day, and that is absolute hell's front porch for here. We also had a few violent storms in July- crazy stuff! It's rained quite a bit today, which is nice because I didn't have to water the garden, LOL!

I've kind of got the midweek blahs today. I have things to do and don't particularly want to do them. Anyone else feeling this way? Maybe I'll try lunch and a little retail therapy- there are some fun new goodies in the shop!
 
Good morning ladies. I've not been online as much as I recover from shingles.

Lily Ann - mine is on the side of stomach. I can't wear any pants except for yoga pants b/c nothing can touch the area which ramps up the pain. I have been getting a bit of relief by applying lidocaine every hour or so to the area. The headache and fatigue are the worst for me. I can handle the pain sort of but its the other two symptoms that make it hard to get out of bed and function, makes it difficult to concentrate on anything.

Karen - you are so close in your countdown. I bet you can't wait.

Time to go lay down for a bit. HAGD everyone.
 
Shana! What a wonderful story! THANKS for upping that bid! What fun. I'm not an auction person. I wouldn't know what to do. My hubby is a bourbon drinker too, from WAY back. Takes after his mommy. Glad your boss recognized your skills... in more ways than one.

Rae
, so sorry about your bouts with shingles. Hope you heal quickly.

RETIREMENT COUNT DOWN?!? I can't even imagine. Let's see... mine is
1095 days, minimum, if I'm lucky! So happy for you Karen!
 
for the first time in 13 years, my dogs have somehow gotten fleas. i am at my wit's end, work is a nightmare, and i am trying to disinfect my whole house. the laundry has been running around the clock for the last 24h. i have cried three times, bathed them three times each, and sprayed them with the only thing they'll sell me without a vet appointment. there are still fleas. no amount of spray and combing gets every single one. they'll be getting baths again after work.
 
Rae... pants are overrated! Hope you get to feeling better soon.
Karen... so excited for your countdown. For me, retirement is still some magical, mystical unicorn. LOL.
Sylfie... oh no! I hope you get the flea situation under control soon. That sounds miserable for you and your pups.

Last night, hubby and I started a raku pottery course. The instructor was sweet but very, very unorganized. So most of our time was wasted as she fumbled through an orientation. But we finally got rolling. And then... and this shocked me... she gave each of us class members (seven adults in total) a KEY to her SHOP! We have complete access to her studio during the entire course. I was like... what!? So we will be making pottery during the month of August, and then raku firing them in early September. We will see how many pieces survive the kiln and how they turn out. Wish me luck, as I've never done this type of craft before.

Today, I'm heading to take one of the middle nephews to lunch for his 18th birthday!!! Then I get to see his older brother and his family (including the 2 year old and the new baby). My daughter is coming with me, and this will be her first time to meet the new baby. So it should be a fun day. Hopefully Mother Nature will be kind with temperatures and storms.

Hope you all have a marvelous Friday!
 
OH NO Sly! I'm so sorry. Our first beagle came home from the breeder WITH fleas! Fortunately, we took her straight to the vet on the way home. (planned) OMG... what a nightmare. I feel your pain. We also reported the breeder... long story. Hope you get some relief soon.

Shana, that sounds like so much fun, but having a key to her studio? She's a very trusting soul! Can't wait to see what you create.
 
Carla, so far, all I've managed to make was a tray-shaped thing and a blob that I threw back into the clay bin! LOL! The samples they were showing us did not inspire me... decorative birdhouses, decorative vases for dried/fake flowers, random things to hang on your wall, etc. (none of our projects will be water tight). I don't want "stuff" that I'll just have to dust. I like to make functional things.

While we were on our road trip yesterday, I did a search for easy/beginner clay projects so now I have some other ideas for inspiration. I know we're supposed to make a lot since not everything will survive the firing process. All of the pieces will be fired in mid-September, so I'm sure I'll have scrapbook pages on the experiences after that day to share.
 
Happy August to all. This summer is just flying by!
I'm mostly recovered from the pneumonia [compliments of ingesting water in my CPAP machine]. Feeling better but tire too easily still.
My hospital sleepover is on Aug. 9. Hopefully they figure out something, because this machine and I are not getting along so well. My nightly scores are all over the place. Nothing is consistent.

We had the g'kiddo's for a long weekend so their parents could get a small vacation away. It was fun. We called it their 'staycation' with us.
School starts next week here.

Sherri- I hope you are feeling better.
Shana- yikes on the mice!!!
m
 
Raku is such a fabulous ceramic firing. You never know what you're going to get. We used to have a camp out at the beach and raku fire all night back in my college days. I treasure those pieces to this day.

Rae, you make me glad I finally went and got the shingles Vax series. I had heard it was bad, so we went.

Fleas, oh dear. So hard to handle!!
 
OH NO Michelle! Glad you're feeling better now. They'd better figure something out. You have to get sleep and pneumonia is nothing to mess with.

Good luck finding your inspiration, Shana!
 
Hi everyone! Happy Monday! :)

I had a normal weekend for summertime. We went to the farmer's market, picked some peaches to make jam with, and went shopping. I even fit in some scrapping time, happily. On Sunday, we went to church and just chilled the rest of the day. I worked on some genealogy- a few years ago, my mom gave me all my dad's research and said, "it's your turn!" I had been putting it off until this year. I've been working on the Danish side, and now I'm up to cousins born in the '30s and '40s, who could be alive still. I scoured the web looking for ways I could determine death dates, but came up with nothing. I didn't try Googling the names though- it just feels embarrassing to do it that way.

I hope everyone has a great week! On Friday we're going to Indianapolis again to watch some drum corps action. Should be great! :)
 
Checking in...I am on holidays this week and then I have just 5 more weeks until I retire. WHOOT WHOOT!

Rae, I hope your shingles is not giving you too much trouble, hugs to you. I got my shot last year as my Grandmother & brother had it and it was a very difficult time. I was however really ill for a week with it but I am sure it is nothing compared to what you are experiencing.

Shana, you are always busy, hoping your projects work out, but still fun to work with clay.

Ane, I hope you keep up with your family history, sounds like your Dad gave you a great start. I am still working on mine, slow going unless you pay for it.

Going to the movies this afternoon, seeing Meg2...hoping it will be good, hubby's pick this time.

Have a great week.
 
It's raining, it's pouring... and thunder is crashing and lightning is flashing... it's quite the show out there there morning. It took me a bit longer to drive to work this morning, but (as usual)I have the office to myself for a good hour or so. I always find this to be the most productive time of the day!

Ane, good luck with the family history. We had a distant cousin who did a marvelous job researching and documenting our paternal line back before things like ancestery dot com and other sites even existed. I've referred to her research often for projects. I don't have near the resources on my maternal side. The most I've done was collect photos, scan them, and share the digital albums with all the relatives who were interested.

At lunch today, I'm meeting with the State FFA Officers. This is an annual tradition to teach these young student leaders about our organization. They are from across the state and they spend two days in our capitol city. Most of their meetings are very business professional... so I make sure to take them to a youth-friendly restaurant, tell them a bit about my co-ops, and then let them just be themselves. I learn a lot at these meetings that way, too! Today, I plan to ask them what is that current trending app among teens, and how should I promote my youth programs. :)

Tomorrow is our pottery class. I'm happy to report I now have six completed projects and ideas of what I want to create this week. On Friday, our community is reviving the India Festival (we haven't had once since the pandemic), so we are looking forward to that. Hope the weather cooperates as they've changed venues and its now mostly outside. On Saturday, we've been invited to join friends in the middle of the state at a fundraising event called "Boots and Bling." So that should be fun. The town we're going to also has the Cosmosphere (a space museum) and I think I'll take hubby to that as he's talked about going for years! So that means I'd better get all the laundry done tonight! LOL!

Have a great day, all!
 
Please pray for Maui. So much loss and heartbreak. Any one who has ever been or dreamed of going is heart broken. Those who live there are just broken. Fire fighters from all islands convening to help. Aid of all kinds needed. Sooooo sad. aloha and mahalo.
 
Please pray for Maui. So much loss and heartbreak. Any one who has ever been or dreamed of going is heart broken. Those who live there are just broken. Fire fighters from all islands convening to help. Aid of all kinds needed. Sooooo sad. aloha and mahalo.


Glee, my hubby and I went there a few months before our youngest was born (while hubby was stationed at Camp Smith). We had the best time--it is so beautiful and I am heartbroken.
 
Hi everyone. I'm so sad to hear about Maui, that is devastating. Our wildfires have been out of control. We didn't get evacuated but on the other side of the city, many did. Thankfully the fires didn't reach city limits.

I am feeling much better. I just finished the medication. Since I have had shingles, now I cannot get the vaccine for a year (even though I could potentially get it again within that time frame, which seems like such an idiotic regulation). We are now putting our house on the market to see if it sells within the next 5 wks and then we'll head to Calgary to look for a home. The lack of medical services here worries me a lot. Alberta is much better. But if our home doesn't sell within the 5 wks then we'll pull it off the market until March and try again. We are hoping to sell now b/c the market is slowing and not such high bidding wars for home there. It'll mean that we have to fly to Calgary and find a home within a week or so, before we leave on our 3 wk cruise. We'll also have to pack up almost everything before we go. It's going to be insanely busy if we sell now but hopefully it'll pay off.

I won't be around as much but I'll be in and out when I can. Wish us luck.
 
Glee, so devasting to see the horrible fires sweep through Maui, we were planning a December Hawaii family Christmas. So glad you are safe!! And I pray for those affected.

Rae, Wishing you much luck in your house selling, times are tough these days but on the bright side, you will be closer to me. I may actually get to Calgary in the new year once I am fully retired, my son is in Banff so I see some frequent airmiles racking up. LOL

Cloudy and looking like rain again today, was so wishing that I could go on a ride today. My bike misses me!

Have a great weekend everyone, hoping to get some layouts done this weekend, especially if the wet weather keeps up!
 
Glee, it's just heartbreaking. We have friends from Hawaii. Thankfully most of their family is on the Big Island and Oahu, but we heard that there are fires on the Big Island now too! It's got to be terrifying that there's nowhere to go. I've seen before and after pix and it's horrifying.

Good Luck selling your home, Rae.
 
So many fires everywhere this year, and other environmental disasters. Our MOM is trying to tell us something.... thanks to all for your love and support.

Rae, that is so odd about shingles. I don't get why you're not immune now that you've had it once. But I guess that's the same as even if we had chicken pox as a kid we can still get shingles, which they're saying is a similar virus (I think that's what they say anyway.) I can understand why you need to be closer to actual health care help. This aging is not the piece of cake we all imagined. That's a tough timeline. Best of luck, hope it all works out. At least you enjoyed your time in Kamloops while you were (and are) there.

Have a lovely weekend, all.
 
Rae - it can be hell to get health care basics like a family doc here. Calgary being the most urban May have more, but anything more rural is crying for docs.

‘’I go in for surgery on Friday. If Lynnie wants to arrange a zoom thing I’m up for it before then. I pm her that.

‘’the devastation to historical hawaii and the residents and business owners and wildlife makes me cry.
 
Rae, that is so odd about shingles. I don't get why you're not immune now that you've had it once. But I guess that's the same as even if we had chicken pox as a kid we can still get shingles, which they're saying is a similar virus (I think that's what they say anyway.)

Shingles and chickenpox are caused by the same virus. You usually get Chickenpox as a child and then the virus stays dormant in your nerves. If the virus is reactivated later then it causes shingles. You get shingles because you've had chickenpox in the past. The virus doesn't go away, some people are just lucky that it never reactivates. It's usually (but not always) older people that get shingles which is why the vaccine is targeted at over 50s. Most unpleasant. I've always been told that the quicker you get it treated the less likely you are to get severe symptoms or side-effects.
 
THIS IS REALLY SHORT NOTICE, SORRY! I HOPE EVERYONE SEES THIS, ESPECIALLY SHERRI!

I have been babysitting and did not have a computer with me. I babysit at my son's house Thursday, Friday, and Saturday without coming home. Last Thursday, Sherri suggested I schedule a Zoom between then and next Thursday, and I thought I could do it from my phone, but it was too hard. If you can't make it, I will try to schedule another one on Tuesday, but it will have to be in the evening, making it more difficult for some of you.

Lynnie is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.


Topic: GingerScraps Zoom Meeting
Time: Sunday, August 13, 2023 02:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83024364748

Meeting ID: 830 2436 4748

The meeting is at the following times :) I can't wait to see you all there.
[TABLE="class: grid, width: 550"]
[TR]
[TD]Sunday, Mar 26[/TD]
[TD]Time[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Honolulu, Hawaii[/TD]
[TD]Sun 11:00 am[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Lynnette (Southern California) (Pacific)[/TD]
[TD]Sun 2:00 pm[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Vancouver, Canada (Pacific)[/TD]
[TD]Sun 2:00 pm[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Banff, Alberta, Canada[/TD]
[TD]Sun 3:00 pm[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Albany, Minn (Central)[/TD]
[TD]Sun 4:00 pm[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Chicago, Illinois (Central)[/TD]
[TD]Sun 4:00 pm[/TD]
[/TR]
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[TD]Dodge City, Kansas (Central)[/TD]
[TD]Sun 4:00 pm[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]San Antonio, Tx (Central)[/TD]
[TD]Sun 4:00 pm[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Charleston, South Carolina (Eastern)[/TD]
[TD]Sun 5:00 pm[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]New York (Eastern)[/TD]
[TD]Sun 5:00 pm[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Aberdeen NSW, Australia[/TD]
[TD]Mon 7:00 am
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Auckland, New Zealand[/TD]
[TD]Mon 9:00 am
[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
 
Sorry, I have been so absent recently. I am getting used to babysitting two children four days a week, which has been difficult. I am worn out. I always intend to come on, but I am home so little, and that darn husband of mine wants a little attention now and then. When I babysit, I stay over. It is a 45-minute drive each way, which is not bad, but the timing is tricky. I have to be there by seven in the morning, and they are off work and home by eight at night.

I am so sorry about the timing of the Zoom. I couldn't do it on the thread from my phone, and I don't always take my computer. This was a particularly trying week as Bruce started back to pre-school. He begins at 8:45 am, which is very hard for him. He is used to sleeping in. It takes me half an hour just to get him to open his eyes. He won't go to bed at night until he sees Mum and Dad, and they are off work and home by 8 pm.

Baby Scarlett is getting more precious every day. She is a joy to watch, and Bruce is so bright and funny when he is not having a meltdown. I wish he could talk, but hopefully, therapy will help. He has been diagnosed with Apraxia along with autism. Anyway, even if a few join, that will be great, and if enough people request it, I will schedule one for Tuesday evening.
 
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