HC Weekender 10/31-11/01/09

Goodmorning. Looks like a decent day here for the Trick or Treaters. Our town does not have any kind of kids "event" so the kids still go door to door. With all the crime here in the last year maybe there won;t be too many. We'll see...

Marti, I'm so glad you are feeling better. I bet you did have the H1N1. Around here it's seems to be mostly teens and children who get really sick from it. A 5 year old just died this week. I hope you can straighten out the medical billing mess. My dad also had the wrong secondary insurance earlier this year but I made copies of the correct insurance card and mailed it back to the doctor or hospital. I never heard about it again. I hope yours is fixed easily.

Have a good day and for thos of you that have Daylight Savings don't forget to set your clocks BACK tonight. Have a good weekend, Sue

Just a quick Hello this morning.

I'm busy with kids later.  I want to run to the store early.  I think I might make cupcakes for the kids and get a little something for Landen for his Halloween.

We don't get any Trick or Treaters except the grandkids. 

I hope you all have a nice SPOOK day and I'll try to get back sometime later.

Barb

Good Morning!   I’ve got my ginger squash soup simmering so I don’t have to worry about that later.   Ava wanted to make cupcakes with me this morning but the plans are for tomorrow.   She was upset, but soon got over it as she got to ride in Eric’s big truck to head over to his house to pick up a load.   Kim was following in her car.   I think I’ll be stuck with pink frosting if she is here with me making cupcakes.   Maybe I better forewarn Kim.   I almost forgot I’m going with Kim and Ava to a shopping plaza (Barnes and Noble, etc) today at 4 where they will be giving out candy.   Our soccer team is in the play-offs and Eric is manager of security (second job), so he will be gone at 1 and is getting home in time for trick or treating.   I think we are staying here for our treaters tonight since we’ve already seen the costumes.   It’s so funny here – it’s hit and miss whether we get a lot or not – with the larger properties, I think the kids realize more walking for less candy, so the small tracts all around us are loaded.

I told Kim I’ll save the 6 hills of potatoes for tomorrow so Ava can help me dig and find them.   I remember when the kids were younger how much they loved seeing all those potatoes.

I went back and read yesterday’s posts and there was Julie and Marti.

Julie, that sounded like a perfect ending to the season with the potluck, etc.

Have fun this evening.

Marti, I tell you, how do you seem to have so many problems?   Now it’s with the insurance, but I’m sure you’ll get it taken care of.   Whatever happened with the security system?   (think that’s what the issue was)   I’m glad you’re feeling better.

Sue, thanks for the reminder and I am so looking forward to changing the clocks back.   We get an extra hour – yippee!!!!!   We have better weather today too, at least the sun is out, although still chilly.

Barb, sounds like you’ve probably got a busy day planned.   This will be Landen’s second Halloween and he should know what’s going on this time.   How fun!

DH is making so much noise upstairs as he assembles a new exercise bike – the other one has to be 20 to 25 yrs old.   I can’t believe how smoothly this one rides.   That’s his main form of exercise and I like it too along with the treadmill.   Hope I can get outside to walk today and tomorrow, actually I have no excuse through Tuesday.

Talk more later.    

 Good morning,

Nice to be home and making breakfast for the family.

Marti the DH is doing well, but we will be adressing the 2nd surgery for hernia repair. We thought it would reopen and it did.

Off to  get groceries.

Hugs all

Just checking in for the day.  Sorry, I don't have time to read yesterday's posts yet or today's.  My DSIL's sister died suddenly and unexpectedly.  She was 76 years old and still working as a legal secretary for the Federal Reserve Bank in Cleveland. A very active person, never married,  did all of her yard work, which was beautiful, and involved in lots of volunteer work.    So, it was a shock to everyone that she suddenly died.  DH and I have been tied up with visitation and then today funeral.  It was in another town about an hour from here, but to go back and forth so many times, called for a lot of driving.  We didn't go back for the reception after the burial.  That would have been two more hours of driving and neither of us felt up to more time in the car.

Hope all the little ones have fun trick or treating tonight.  We don't get any, on this street.  The houses are too far apart to be worth if for the kids. 

Back a little later. God bless. Jo ann

Hi, I was on looking for a substitution for pumpkin pie spice and found such a good ingredient substitution list from Land O' Lakes.

http://www.landolakes.com/tips/Substitutions.cfm  

Maureen, that sub list is great...I just looked at it for something I want to make.  Thanks!

I started to say good morning but realized that it's afternoon.  Have had a little nagging headache all morning...think my room freshener is too strong so I closed it up.  Laundry day today.  Three loads...two were small but have the hanging up clothes to do and I really need to straighten my closet as I hang them.  Time to switch summer for winter.  Currently 67º, sunny and lite winds.  No rain...Hallelujah!  This has been one of the rainiest Octobers on record.  Should be nice for the kids tonight...I doubt we'll get any...my street is a cul-de-sac and very dark and the houses are farther apart with no connecting sidewalks.  I have one small bag of candy if I do get any.

Jo Ann, so sorry to hear of your loss.  Sounds like that's really kept you busy.  Do take care of yourself and don't get overtired.

Marti, it was good to see that you posted.  Hope y'all are feeling better now.  And I sure hope you got a pic with your uncolored hair.  I just can't begin to imagine it!  Mine's been white for a long time...it grows too fast to try to color it.

Laundry is called....guess I'd better go tend to it before I lose interest!  Not that I ever had much interest anyway!  LOL...

Hope Pat continues to improve.  And hope NursePat is getting rested up....isn't she on vacation this next week??

More later...

vammie

Back again.  L. isn't here yet so I have a minute.

I have been so busy.  I ran to the store and picked up a little something for L. because he needs something besides candy for his treat. I got him some age appropriate puzzles.

His Daddy will pick him up here after work and then they will take him and Heather Trick or Treating a few places and then come back here.

I baked and decorated cupcakes.  I'm  put them in those Christmas Tree shaped alum. pans with the plastic cover so they wouldn't get smashed.  That way, they get the pan to use later.

I made caramel corn and fixed bags with that and candy for the GKs and their friends who usually stop by.  Those are the only ones who ever come here.

While I had the oven on, I made a big apple pie for DH who will be home tomorrow.  I used  a combination of Galas, Goldens and Granny Smiths.  I love the smell of it cooking until it bubbles over and burns on my oven liner.  I need a new one of those next time I go to Bed Bath. 

Jo Ann, I'm so sorry about your Dsil.  What caused her death ?

One of  the gals my DH worked with died of colon cancer a couple days ago.  I just found out her funeral is today across the river.  I feel bad because I should have gone .  I know if DH was home we would have.  He got a call about her illness just last week. 

Maureen, I am going to try to do some workout this afternoon while L. sleeps.  I don't hurt today and almost hate to try anything because it seems to bother me everytime I do something. 

I think Mon. will be my last chiro visit.  I mean, I don't feel like he really does much .  He has changed his method so much since I first started going to him.  He doesn't really adjust anything.  He just uses that thing that kind of looks like a small nail gun only it just  pounds real fast in the areas he is working on.  I guess that's supposed to be better than cracking around on you .  Anyway, he says he sees improvement in my range of motion and I have to admit the pain isn't as bad or often but....I'm still going to keep pursuing this until I find out what is actually causing that groin pain.  IF they can figure it out. 

Verna, it is 65º here today and was yesterday.  I'm glad it will be warmer for the little ones tonight.  They may get some light sprinkle but it won't rain hard if they do.

I was wondering if any of you are reluctant to go to church or enclosed places while this flu stuff is so bad .  I kind of am thinking I don't really want to.  It seems like there is always someone coughing or sneezing around me .  And everyone sits so close.  I can listen to the sermon on the website but of course, I enjoy the music as much as the sermon. 

I want to rake leaves but they haven't all fallen.  Now, DH would be out there doing it anyway and then just have to do it again but I  always wait until the wind has blown them all off.   I asked L. if he wanted to help Papa rake leaves and he said he did.  He's getting so he has a lot of words now.  It's nice to have him be able to tell us what he wants.

Yesterday we were throwing the ball in the front room and evey time he would throw, he'd fall to the floor and start rolling around.  We couldn't figure out what he was doing and then we finally realized he's playing football.  He throws the ball instead of kicking it but then he rolls on the floor.  He is so fun to watch.  He keeps us in stitches. 

Julie, it sounds like thing are going well with you .   I'm glad you  have another job prospect lined up and glad your DH is doing well.

Well, the young lad has arrived so I must go. 

Happy Halloween everyone,   I bet we all have candy left over.  I didn't mind buying it when I worked, I could get rid of it, but now it's in the house and probably no shows.  Joe was in bed by 5:15 and out time changes tonight, He'll be up by 3 am.
Julie, I'm so sorry your dh will have to have more surgery, and I'm sure this one can't wait either.
I hope he does well with this one too.
Barb, what fun you have with L.  He is at such a cute age and so much fun to have around. Randi Jo is talking a lot too (on the phone) I'm wondering if we'll ever get straightened out so they can come for a weekend. 
Shirley, loved your Halloween cat.  One of these days I'm going to learn to do all those things.
Sue, I wish the card was all I had to deal with on this insurance, I've made over 500 copies and received more today.  What I can't understand, somewhere in mid year they had Joe's right and suddenly it changed again.  Mine has been wrong all year.  This will make me aware of checking when the insurance changes, which it does every year or so.  I think the problem originated when we both had BlueCross/BlueShield,  I'm sure it's going to be a nightmare to clear up and that is the reason I'm making copies of all this,  I keep copies of Medicare but was afaird I may have misplaced some.  The lady at Medicare was so kind and agreed to make the copies for me. Oh well, just another huddle to hop over
Verna, how did the interviews go?  Do any sound like they may be prospects?   If I had not colored my  hair for years, it would have been white 30 years ago,   I can handle it, Joe's having a problem getting accustomed to it.  I chickened out today and used another temporary, Hair just feels so much better without the color
JoAnn, I'm so sorry for the loss of your DSIL.  I hope you take care of yourself, this has been a busy couple days for you.
Maureen, what color is the icing on the cupcakes?  When you mentioned the bicycle, I have one about that old, I've noticed the peddle is spliting from rot.  I don't know if I'd use it enough if I replaced it.
With Joe in bed, I've turned on XM on the computer, listening to Elvis channel and now think I'll read a good book.  This will be a long night for me.  He says he doesn't feel good and that scares me to death.  I'm not handling things as well as I used too.  age, maybe....

Finally have some free time and wanted to check in on everyone.

Sue, your rain caught up with us over night and this morning. Luckily, it cleared up this afternoon and the kids have a nice, but chilly trick or treat night. DH;s department take our all of their trucks and cars patrolling the streets with the trick or treaters.  They have huge bags of candy and make stops on all of the streets handing it out and greeting all of the kids and parents. They can't cover all of the streets, but do the big developments, where all of the kids go, anyway. It sounds like they all have fun.

Maureen, what cute Halloween witches. lol  Your soup sounds so good. Have lots of fun with Ava tonight. What is her costume?  I'm not going to get to see the trips, so don't know what they are dressing up as.  Thanks for the really neat site.  I've bookmarked it for future use. It's great.

Julie, sorry to hear that your DH has to face another surgery.  He's been soing so well, I hope this will be behind him soon. 

Barb, it sounds like you've been busy making lots of goodies.  I've never made home made caramel popcorn, but I love it.  Is it very difficult to make?    My DSIL is waiting for the autopsy report on her sister's death.  They think it was a heart attack, but as I said, she wasn't on any medication at all and took very good care of herself. It was a shock to the whole family.  So sorry about the loss of your DHs coworker. It sounds like that was pretty sudden too. I'll keep her and her family in my prayers.  What fun you're having with L at this age.  He sounds so adorable.  I can just see him playing "football".  LOL

Shirley, that's a pretty scary cat you posted. LOL  I thought I saw another post by you and now, don't know where it its.  Did you vanish?  lol  Hope not.

Marti so glad to see that you're feeling better.  Take care and get completely well.  I've heard it takes quite a while with this new flu.  How is Joe doing?  I hope he's still improving too.

DH and I were freezing after the cemetery today. We had rain and wind gusts and dropping tempertures for the whole morning. I put some "cheater" chicken soup on in the crock pot before we left, knowing we weren't going back for the reception, and it was just what was needed to warm up after the windy, cold cemetery. Since I'm not getting any trick or treaters, I'm thinking of changing into something comfortable, covering with an afghan and just waiting for DH to get home. I feel a nap coming on. lol

Have a fun evening. Jo Ann

 Happy Halloween everyone! 

I was told once I moved here to make sure to get a lot of candy for Halloween because it gets nuts.  Yeah, they weren't kidding!  I bought about 8 big bags of candy (and some bubbles and playdoh for the toddlers) and I ran out after 45 minutes!  When I got the playdoh I was thinking of how the little kids really didn't need a ton of candy and you can only eat soo many suckers but the look on the parents faces when their little ones squealed "PLAYDOH!!" was Priceless!!!  lol   Some parents really were happy though when their little 1 year olds got bubbles and thanked me for that. :-)

So now I sit in a dark house with the light off waiting for Chris and Kenny to come back in.  I got pictures of all the kids and they scattered in 4 different directions.  Brenden is outside with his hockey gear in the driveway working on his moves and letting the kids know I'm out of candy too.  His 2 friends came as soon as I ran out so I went and grabbed 2 bags of chips for them.  

Kenny just got back and is tired after an hour.  I'm ok with that! lol

Hope everyone stays healthy or starts to feel better soon!

Back again.  The older GKs just came by with their friends.  Fortunately I plan for them to bring extras so I had something "Special" for them as well.  They seemed most happy with the cupcakes.  I even sent a couple extra for Ex DIL and the other mother who was driving them.   I just give regular candy if anyone else shows up besides my kids.

I took pictures.  One of the friends was Whoopee Goldberg.  My GD was Ghandi.  I'm not sure what the others were.  I'll have to send you pictures because that Whoopee was really good. 

Landen and Heather wont't be back for a couple hours.

How clever of Lynn to get  play doh and bubbles.   That's a terrific idea.  And, BTW, it's nice to have you posting again.  Love the stories of the kids and sure would like to see some new pictures.  I bet they are getting so big.

Jo Ann, the caramel corn recipe I use might be on our RTR ....if not, I'll post it.  I made vanilla popcorn last week.  I love real caramel popcorn balls where I just melt the caramels...It's so gooey and good.  And I like the peanut butter popcorn recipe too.  I guess I love it all. 

Marti, I know you are so worried about Joe.  I keep you in my prayers and I pray that soon you'll be able to see Randi Jo.   They grow so fast.  I can't remember when her birthday is but she's just a bit older than L. 

Well, I'm closing this down for tonight.  I probably will just watch some of the things I have recorded and maybe read my magazines.

I'll see you all tomorrow. 

Good evening all!    Just shut off my light since there's less than 1/2 hour left of trick or treating in our town.   Did not have 1 trick or treater tonight.    That has to be a first here.   We usually have a few but NOBODY?   Oh well, their loss is DH's gain.   The Snickers & Baby Ruths have already hit the freezer...

Glad to see so many of us here today.    Can't remember what everyone posted so I'll just say HI & Bye.    Prayers still going out for those who need them.    Will check in tomorrow sometime.

Till later!   Pat A

DH was so funny, when he got home tonight.  He said that there were  more kid than ever, but this year, there were also about 6 dogs dressed up in costume.  He said the dogs were so cute, but every single one of them looked  totally embarrassed. LOL  Poor puppies. 

 Lynn, what a good idea to hand out bubbles and/or playdough for the kids.  I'm going to suggest that to DH for next year for the fire department.  I used to do that for the trips when they were too small for the candy, but we don't ever get trick or treaters here, so never thought of it for other kids. I do love to hear about what your kids are all doing.  I wasn't here when you used to post the stories about Kenny, but have heard mention something about a chandalier????  That must have been a good one since everyone seems to remember it. LOL 

Barb, it sounds like you had a fun night.  You're so lucky to see your grandkids so often.  I can't wait to see your pictures.  Can't imagine what Landen and Heather were. 

I'll look for the popcorn recipe.  The only thing I ever did with it was to  mix it with some nuts and raisins, spread it on a cookie sheet and drizzle a little chocolate on it; red and green for Christmas.  That one's easy and good too.  The caramel and peanuts sounds like Poppycock. Yum. 

About going to church during this especially bad flu season, DH and I aren't going on Sundays for a while.  Forr a while we're going to the 8:30 AM Mass on a weekday.  When I had a car, I went to that Mass  every morning, then bible study on Wednesdays following the Mass.   It's really kind of nice and intimate going to the weekday Mass.  There were only about 20 of us at 8:30 and it was the same group every day.   Our Sunday Mass is filled to capacity, which is about 400,  and as you said, there is constant coughing and sneezing.  We have to do, what we have to do, to try to stay healthy.  We're trying to shop and do other things during the least busy times too, so we'll just hope for the best.   DH just got his H1N1 shot on Friday. 

That's it for tonight.  Hope we all get a good night's sleep and I'll see you in the morning. Jo Ann