Everyday Chatting & Waffling {2022} Let's get to know each other!

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Torrential rains causing flooding in our area of Australia. Our town is cut off. If the rain does not ease our river will come over into the front street and the back waters will possibly eventually come into our yard. Our house is on stumps with about 6 steps so if water comes into our house there would be a lot of homes a lot worse off than us.
Hopefully the rain will soon stop!
 
Oh that's scary, Anne Marie! I hope you are able to stay dry.

Where we live, we get tornadoes often, so most homes have basements. We also have a creek that runs through our town, and we've been in danger of flooding twice in the past 10 years. Never good. The last time the creek flooded, the high school athletes all met in the school's parking lot to fill sandbags and help people load the bags in their cars in hopes of keeping their homes dry.
 
Well the weather is finally broken some after 3 blizzard and we have no room to put snow anymore. Just when the temps are feeling a little more tolerable, our roof starts leaking from the heavy accumulation of snow. I had to have my son go up on the roof to shovel it off. What horrible job and now we have mounds of snow to clear off the sidewalks and get the roofers out to look at it. I can not wait for winter to be over!

We are also having some peace in our city now that the trucker's Freedom Convoy protests have broken up, this went too far.

I have a personal sadness in my heart for the war in Ukraine as my paternal grand-father immigrated to Canada from the Ukraine and most likely have extended family there. I send all my prayers to Ukraine at this time and hope for peace around the world.

I wish everyone a very happy Sunday!
 
@karen sorry about those Alberta clippers we went your way, we keep getting the precipitation as rain, and therefore lots of ice. I’m glad the truckers ended peacefully, without a violent ending
@anne-marie sorry your getting inundated with water, it didn’t make our news here. Stay dry. We have a river through our entire city. In the last 15 years we have had not one but two floods of a century. I live up high, but my workplace was right along the river. Sandbagging and moving stuff was getting routine.
@Shana I live in Albertas tornado alley, been in a few and close to a few so not fun.
 
Popping in to say "HELLO!!!!" I am so sorry Lynnie, for your loss. I just saw in one of the posts that your Momma died. I know the feeling, and I am praying a special prayer for you.
 
Hi Susie- Happy you popped over.
Ane Marie- yikes on the rain. We need it
Shana- No basements here but great job on the de-clutter. Come visit me!
Joy- Oh dear on covid! I'm saddened for Carla, but something will come. Good that Teddy is enjoying his school.
Ane- Hope your stomach pain is better soon. I've worn glasses since age 6...

And my updates:
A lot of crochet/knitting we donated to St. Joseph's children's hospital. Baseball with grandson and watching the princess.

My brother has been very ill. In and out of the hospital and rehab since December 20. His latest is viral pneumonia but not covid.

AND... the newest:
We have family in Ukraine. The girls are my Son in Law's twin nieces who live there as missionaries. They work as counselors for a Women's Crisis Center offering guidance/assistance on unplanned pregnancies due to various situations/[offering alternative options plus have contact with an orphanage. They and their 6 car entourage [20 people with one 8 months pregnant /complications. Her husband and 2 young children with them] have vacated where they live for an undisclosed near a border. Staying in private homes of a church group. At least where they are can get to medical assistance. Planning on assisting refugees tomorrow. Most of the time they have had internet.

Prayers are appreciated.
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Breoni that is such a cool story! I would love to visit his game cafe! And great job decluttering! I think I've seen that show but I can't recall the name of it. Do you follow Clutterbug on Youtube? She is FANTASTIC. I took her expert class and we have a standard chat on Wednesday nights with her. Unfortunately, that's also the board game weekly meeting! So I've missed her last two chats, but she loves board games too, so she'd get it! Sounds like you are a 'cricket' or a 'ladybug' if you don't like cluttered surfaces, and your hubby is a 'bee' or a 'butterfly' if he wants to see all his stuff out. You can take her little quiz on her website, Clutterbug.com and find out. I always test as a ladybug, but honestly I lean towards cricket for some things and bee for some things. I have to be able to find something easily and put it away easily too or I won't put it away at all. I've learned SO much from her.

Sherri I wonder if your migraine was caused by the weather changes? Barometric pressure and all. I sure hope it didn't last too long.

Joy, sorry to hear about your Covid experience. I hope y'all are not so fatigued by now. Sorry Carla didn't get the job but I'm sure the interview was great experience at least. We asked at the local grocery store about their openings, but they have absolutely NO accommodations for any special needs or medical issues, so that didn't pan out for my daughter. Glad Teddy is happily settling into his new home.

Congrats on the sandals win, Karen! Gosh I hope your snow melts quickly and you can get the roof looked at and call your insurance. We got a new 50-year roof in January. The company was awesome and we only had to pay $1275 deductible b/c there was some storm damage up there. The house is over 20 years old and it was due. The most amazing part is they started at 7 in the morning that day and were done by 1 pm. Every single tiny piece of debris they'd dropped in the yard (and it was falling in chunks and bits for about an hour when they started) they cleaned up from the yard. We were SO impressed.

Oh wow, Anne-Marie - sorry about your daughter's struggles and all that rain too! I sure hope things improve quickly on both fronts; this is a lot to be dealing with. Keep us posted on the water level when you can.

Michi I hope your brother improves very soon.

My new Mixed Bag (free word art) challenge is up - and this month it has a bonus because there were so many phrases I could use, and it just got huge! So DON'T buy the word art if you see it in the store - go do the challenge instead and get it free. Thanks to those who participated in February!
 
Ha... I will have to check that out. Not sure what "clutter bug" I would be, but you're right... I like to have lots of clean space around me and everything needs to have a home. My husband, on the other hand, sees every clean surface as a challenge to fill immediately! LOL!!!

I will check out that site! :)

Elizabeth Weaver said:
Breoni that is such a cool story! I would love to visit his game cafe! And great job decluttering! I think I've seen that show but I can't recall the name of it. Do you follow Clutterbug on Youtube? She is FANTASTIC. I took her expert class and we have a standard chat on Wednesday nights with her. Unfortunately, that's also the board game weekly meeting! So I've missed her last two chats, but she loves board games too, so she'd get it! Sounds like you are a 'cricket' or a 'ladybug' if you don't like cluttered surfaces, and your hubby is a 'bee' or a 'butterfly' if he wants to see all his stuff out. You can take her little quiz on her website, Clutterbug.com and find out. I always test as a ladybug, but honestly I lean towards cricket for some things and bee for some things. I have to be able to find something easily and put it away easily too or I won't put it away at all. I've learned SO much from her.
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Oh my goodness, all the disasters happening in this world! Prayers for everyone!

Anne-Marie, how's it going? You still dry?

Karen, what bad news about the blizzards! I'm glad you were able to get your roof repaired so quickly!

Elizabeth, I will have to try out that quiz. I could sure use less clutter around here!

I am doing ok, I guess. Slowly getting used to the fact that my baby will be leaving us in a few short months. I've been feeling a little more depressed than usual; I'm sure it has to do with that, what's happening in Ukraine, and all the disasters going on around the world. It's been a crazy few months and I didn't think it was getting to me, but I was wrong. I'll be ok, I have a good support network. :)
 
Hi Everyone,

I won't even try to catch up commenting on everyone's lives. Suffice it to say that I have caught up on all the posts to date and wishing you all the best with weddings, missed vacations, decluttering and the weather to name a few.

Since my mum died I have been at sixes and sevens. There has been a lot to take care of and the inevitable feelings of disbelief. She was here one day and then gone. The end came so suddenly.

We had a lovely memorial service for her. The video had almost 800 pictures and ran for an hour in the background while people were eating. I scrapped all 800 of the video slides. Some I had done for her 90th birthday, but I had almost 200 pictures between then and now. She had three new great-grandchildren and some amazing family pictures. I also did programs and posters. We had a British tea and sandwiches catered. There were over 110 people there (and not one case of COVID, thank heavens!). It turned out wonderfully and it was worth the effort.

I also had to deal with bank accounts, paperwork, etc., but I think it is all done now.

Today was my two-years-overdue retirement party. It was scheduled the day after they closed the office because of COVID concerns. Our folks all worked from home and we were set up to do so. They didn't forget, and rescheduled the party and gave me a great bonus. It was lovely seeing everyone again.

I have also been getting ready for a trip to England. We were so worried about mum when we were gone. We had a friend who was going to stay. She will still take care of the pets, but I don't have to worry about mum.

We also redecorated mum's room and I moved in there. My husband and I now have separate rooms - he likes to stay up really late and play his guitar and I like to sleep early. Now I have a place to get a good night's sleep at long last. LOL. This is the first time in our 41 years of marriage we have been alone. It will take some getting used to, although it is quite lovely. He is the best husband in the world.

Anyway, I am back, busy as ever, but I'm back and ready to scrap!!
 
Good to hear from you Lynnie! Thanks for the update.
Freddy and I have been sleeping apart for years, ever since he started driving a truck and getting up at all sorts of terrible hours and then sleeping at strange hours! SO much better for our loving relationship!
Sorry I don't comment on everyone's post, but I've been reading them all. Been in a real funk myself. Trying to pull myself out of it, but it's taking some doing. I've been hurt by some "so-called" friends and I'm figuring my way out of the pain. NO WORRIES... I'll get there. It's just a tough road. Lots of tears along the way. Could use some prayers if you have extra.
Love you girls.
 
@Ane-Marie, Hope the rains stops soon. We don't seem to be able to be at a happy middle with the weather either, our snow melt might turn into a flood situation.

@Breoni, We are at the end of the Tornado Alley in central Canada but thankfully a couple that we had in the city did not affect us much however, my aunt and uncle were caretakers at a large high rise apartment and they had the roof blow off, so scary!

@Lynnie, I know I have said it already, but deepest condolences to you, the funeral sounded like a beautiful tribute and I am sure your Mum was smiling down on you all.

@Sheri, yes those truckers, love/hate relationship.

@Susan, thanks for popping in, Hi to you!

@Michi, so sorry to hear of your family in Ukraine, I pray for their safety and quick end to this madness!

@Elizabeth, Can't wait to check out your new challenge. March looks like a fun and busy month, hoping to be able to play along.

@Carla, Prayers to you! Hope everything works out, friendships shouldn't be so hard!

Have been so busy with Mom, day hospital visits, physio and home care, at least things are finally starting to roll for some help with her. She still makes me smile even through all her medical issues! Take care everyone, life is busy!
 
Happy Friday Shana!

Thanks Karen. It's so sweet that you say your mom still makes you smile through her all her medical issues. What a wonderful mom you must have. I have one of those too. Those are the memories we'll treasure forever.

Unfortunately these friends things won't be working out. They've chosen to sever the relationship in a way that I can forget. I can forgive because that's how I was raised, but beyond that, I won't be seeing them again. Still making me sad, but I have work through it. Thanks for your thoughts.
 
Happy Saturday. We are planning on going to the Renaissance Festival. It's going to be hot.
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Carla, sending you hugs. I've also found myself in a situation where I've had to sever relationships with people I considered to be good friends. I've found, that in the long run, having solid boundaries about how you allow people to treat you, is so important for one's well-being. I had to take time to mourn the loss of those "friendships" but after that, I realized how much better off I was... that those relationships were way more toxic that I allowed myself to realize at the time. I then had more free time to work on myself and to open myself up to other relationships. Hoping you are able to get through this and find new friends who more align with your values and needs.

Karen, oooh... I love a good Ren Fest! We have one not far from here that is open every weekend in October. Do you dress up or do anything specific when you go?
 
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Like others, I've read everyone's posts. I just don't have the time to comment on them all.

I guess everything is status quo over here for me with the exception that I was out of commission for 5 days last week. I pulled a muscle in my back while doing some stretching exercises at my desk at work. I couldn't stand or sit and couldn't get comfortable no matter what I did. I laid in my recliner from Wednesday until Sunday and was finally able to get out and walk for a little. Had to cancel my evaluation at PT on Wednesday because of this. As of today I've been to PT twice for rotator cuff tear but the script for PT said bursitis. I have a follow up with doc on Marc. 15. We'll take it from there.

No new progress on the house. It's just moving things around (mostly in the kitchen) to where they make most sense like pot holders and utensils and things like that. We bought a futon for the basement and are looking for two comfy chairs to watch TV on. My bedroom is still full with boxes. Don't have the room in there for everything I used to have in my bedroom upstairs. I still need to put together my computer desk. That would help a lot.

Lastly, and most importantly, husband and I (Without Children) will be taking a cruise out of New Orleans on April 1st. Cruising with Norwegian on a Western Caribbean cruise. I am so excited and so desperately need a vacation. I will be MIA here for almost 2 weeks. You know how WiFi is on planes and cruises. I'm not even taking my laptop.

Hope all stays well. The mask mandate is over in the schools and not many places are enforcing it now. Hopefully the cruise will be mask-less as well. I know we still have to test 3 days prior as of now.
 
Ending a long time friendship is tough....

The renaissance festival was interesting. We did not dress up, but saw some very interesting people watching... Now to locate kit , for the photos I took.

Lily Ann-I sure hope your back feels better soon. No fun with a backpain. YaY for a cruise!!! We never pay for the internet, but usually take the lap top in case I want to scrap or download photos off the camera card. Last cruise- we didn't take it. I hope you get to enjoy a little bit of New Orleans too. Hubby grew up there.
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Hey everyone! Happy Saturday!

Lynnie, welcome back! I'm glad you finally got to have your retirement party. :)

Carla, I'm sure you are well shod of those "friends." Still, I'm sorry you had to go through that.

Lily Ann, you can't catch a break, can you? (((HUGS))) Do have plenty of fun on your cruise though! :)

I'm doing the same as always, so-so. I got to go out and go shopping with hubby today. It's nice to go with someone, even though I am more efficient by myself. I've been scrapping a lot for the Scrap-a-Thon and it feels good to get stuff done! Looking forward to a slower day tomorrow.
 
Happy Monday, Ladies.

I have been having a rough time with work and packing up for the move. It has tensions very high here in the house, and I am at a point where I am not sure if my relationship is going to make it or not. I'm not sure how many times someone can pack up everything and be ready to walk out the door, and walk back from it. It has me pretty blue.

I've been trying to get challenges out this weekend, to try and get through some of my Austria stockpile that doesn't "match" any of my CT templates. It's so funny, with a CT and a guest CT, I am getting a lot more pages scrapped overall, but it's not necessarily what I would have done because I am cherry-picking my to-scrap list to death to get the right number of pictures and the right tone for the templates. It did push me to go through and finish numbering everything in the Austria files so I would have the "final" files for the book numbered correctly. I was initially naming the files with a C and an absurdly high number in order, but it bothered me so much I counted through everything I have drafted and stuck a file number on it so I could rename the 125th file correctly. 33 layouts to go until I finish the book.
 
Wow... Sylfie, it sounds like you have quite the organization system for your layouts. I tend to name CT work by the designer name and kit/template name. For my personal files, I name them chronologically by date.

Hope all works out in your personal life.
 
Good morning ladies. I've been busy packing and purging to get ready for the big move in three weeks. After almost 25 years here we have accumulated way too much stuff and have been purging like crazy. We sold a lot of furniture b/c we know we'll want some new pieces once we move that will better suit the home. Everything is going well. Hubs has a magic touch with FB marketplace and has sold everything he listed except for a desk and a bedroom set. I still want to list a few photography things so I should take photos of the backdrops and stands today. Good thing I retired early b/c I couldn't imagine working during this process. It's been so busy.

I've been binging shows in the evening as I rest my back (which is holding up pretty well, considering all the bending/lifting I'm doing but am being somewhat careful of my arthritis and letting hubs lift the heavier stuff). We finished the new season of Dexter and Inventing Anna. Now I'm trying to finish off some PVR stuff. We'll be bringing out the PVR to hook up at the new address but will keep a list of the shows in case something goes wrong. Every time it rains here (a fair amount b/c I'm on the BC west coast) I think about how nice it will be to only get a fraction of the rain in the new city.

I've slowly been getting back into scrapping after taking a long break following Bailey's passing and still struggle with scrapping her photos but it's getting easier. Leaving this city is such a good thing for us, getting a fresh start at life.

I'll be around more once we get settled in April. Then I can finally enjoy being retired. Right now I'm too emotionally drained and busy to appreciate that yet.

So that's my update. Hope everyone is well.
 
I have been busy with a program called "Uncluttered." It helps you pare down your possessions to create a more peaceful world. I am feeling the benefits. It is much more peaceful in my home with less stuff.

I feel for you, Rae, all that packing and so soon after a loss. It is a lot to cope with.

Carla, so sorry about your severed friendships. I have been working planning our 50th reunion and we have seen friendships that were in place since Kindergarten destroyed over politics of all things. Why people can't just allow each other to believe different things and stay friends, I will never understand. Part of our class is holding their own reunion because of politics. I just don't understand it. My heart breaks over the hurt I see in these broken friendships and the unkind comments I have seen.

Michi, blessing and prayers for your Ukraine family.

Sylfie, you always have so much on your plate!!

Lily Ann, I hope your back is feeling better soon.

Everyone else big hugs.
 
Happy Monday to all. Our weekend was nice. The renaissance on Saturday. Church and baseball [just a wonderful learning scrimmage] on Sunday.
Rae- I hear you on 'stuff'. We are 40 years in this house. I still have a huge amount of 'stuff' from when my daughter was little, now age 38 married with 2 kids.
Sylfie- way to go on organizing. I place my pages where they need to be for me. I have a folder of the CT stuff for that month.

Now I will say- when a $2 Tuesday or a bake sale comes up, there is no way, I'm going to remember what page I did for that designer ....way back when.

Today I made a "princess palette" for the baseball little sisters to play Barbie's or whatever they are doing during the games. the backing is vinyl, so moisture resistant and hopefully they do not get as dirty. Got stuck with pins and bled.... yikes....I will be fine.

Prayers are so appreciated regarding the girls in Ukraine. Still there. Samantha posted photos of the Vinnitsa area that was bombed. The airport and other places. That was their home. So So sad.... they are still near the border and currently safe. Have US citizenship is supposed to help, but bombs don't discriminate.

That said - if y'all haven't seen it yet. Ilonka Designs has a kit here to support Ukraine. The Strenght of Freedom- Charity kit.
Colors are beautiful. I'm making my granddaughter a shirt and will scrap it.

Always grateful for the blessings I have.
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Thanks everyone. Still working through the feelings, but getting better.

Ane, you made me howl! "well shod of those "friends."" Never heard that expression, but it sure made me smile.
Lynnie, how SAD that your class is split over politics that some are having their own reunion! My gosh, that's awful that they can't get past politics to even sit together and talk about high school! For heaven's sake, GROW UP PEOPLE! Of course, who am I to talk? My "people" can't grow up either.
What is this "uncluttered" program that you're talking about? I'd love to check it out.
Sly, I'm so sorry you're dealing with "stuff" again on top of having to move. Wish there was something I could do to knock some sense into that boy!
Rae, good to hear from you again. Glad you're getting set to move. Wish I had the stamina, knees and back to purge what needs to be gone from this house, even though we're not moving!
 
I agree... I'm interested in the Uncluttered program. I did a search on the streaming services, but came up with nothing. I wonder if it's available in the states.

Wish me luck today... I will be leaving as soon as the sun is up to head to Manhattan, KS. Kansas State University is the host location for the "KidWind Challenge".... a program for 4th-12th graders to build model wind turbines. They work in teams and have to demonstrate their knowledge of the project, then they test their models in a wind tunnel to see how much energy they can produce. My organization has been a sponsor for several years, and last year I served as a judge for the virtual presentations. No... I don't know anything about the mechanics and engineering, but I can judge a basic presentation. Ha. This is my first time judging in person, so we'll see how that goes. We should be done in time for me to get home before the winter storm hits us. But it will be close. I'm sort of hoping for a snow day tomorrow so I can stay home and scrap! LOL!!
 
Happy Saturday!

Sylfie, I'm sorry you're going through so much. (((HUGS)))

Rae, moving is hard work, especially after that long! I can only imagine the purging we'll have when we eventually leave this house/ I hope your back keeps holding up.

Lynnie, I'm interested in that "Uncluttered" program too. Is it something you found online?

Michi, glad to see you are well. I bought that charity kit for Ukraine. It's so gorgeous, how could I not?

Carla, I'm glad I could make you laugh. I like helping people that way. :)

Shana, I'm glad to know your name now! :) How did your judging gig go?

Me, I'm doing pretty good. Hubby and I had a night to ourselves last night, which was nice. And Eren has heard from and gotten accepted to all the colleges they applied to, so that is pretty nice. I had a busy week with doctor appointments. I'm OK! No worries. My new PCM is determined to figure out what my abdominal pain is. It's nice to be listened to. Today we did some shopping and some cleaning and it'll just be church tomorrow. Nice, calm weekend.
 
Hi all. A weather nightmare today/ tomorrow! But we are safe and fine.
I never attended a high school reunion - I just figured … since no contact in
n + 50 years … and I live in the same town ( except for 2)..I couldn’t justify spending $$$ to see people who :
a- never had much to do with me in HS ( I was quiet)
b- could care less since 1970 to stay in touch
c - a lot of money for …

now I will say a few are FB friends are from HS.
m
 
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