chit chat

good morning girls firstly id like to thank those of you who sent me messages of welcome to your group you all seem such a happy friendly bunch . its a lovely sunny but chilly day here in the uk i think it was nearly a frost this morning wen i left for work time to dig out my electric blanket and winter weight quilt . i had to knock up a tray of choc chip muffins for my 10 yr old grand daughter  last night for school why do they leave it till last min they have a coffee morning today to raise money for school equipment so i was up to my eyes in choc chips and muffin mix at 9 o clock last night needless to say i made to many so one will go down nicely with my morning coffee , she only needed to take 4 and i had mix for 12 ...not good for the waist . has any one started xmas shopping yet i really need to start looking i have 9 grand kids to buy for saying that the 5 oldest only get a token gift now 3 are working so they earn more than me ha ha . hope you all have a good day . sue 

Good morning to UK Sue from the Ohio grannie.  It's a chilly 38* here! So nice to see you here again this morning. Hope you put those muffins on the table I'd like one with my morning coffee. I know it isn't morning for you but it's too early for me to do the time difference thing. It must be about time for your lunch break. What kind of work of work do you do? Will want to know all about you and your family. Not much Christmas shopping for me, my kids and grandkids are all grown up now. We stopped exchanging gifts a few yrs ago. We find something fun and inexpensive to exchange when we get together on Christmas day. time to refill my cup.

Good Morning Ladies --  Chilly start to the day here as well -  I turned the furnace on last night, as I was just cold!  I turned it off again this morning, hoping it will warm up today.   A chocolate chip muffin would be welcome here too, along with my super good coffee this morning --  Maybe, becuase of the chill, it tastes so good.  I'll pour a cup for anyone wanting one.  Glad you liked your first day with the Grannie's, Sue.  I still work too, however, I don't have any Grandkids, and it's not looking like I will.  Have a DD that never married, and a DS who's been married over 4 years, but they've been told it's unlikely they will get pregent.  Miracle's do happen, so maybe some day - - they would be so happy.  My shopping has been limited to mostly on line shopping the last couple of years, as my back problems make shopping difficult.  I usually try to find some things when I'm on vacation, but this time, there was no shopping.  I do have a couple of things I picked up earlier in the year - - I don't do as much as I use to - - Money always seems to b e a welcome gift, but to make it more fun, I get my bills in differnet amounts, and wrap them anyway.  Sometimes, if it's for something special, I may include a picture of it.  Well, I guess I should go get my yougurt and have breakfast --  Maybe I'll do oatmeal today, for a change.  I had lost a few more lbs. when I was weighed at the Dr. yesterday, so even though it's not coming off as fast as I'd like, I can see progress - - and She was pleased with the results.  The new pain med she put me on, let me lay on my back last nigh, and I do feel more rested now, but I can't tell a difference walking yet. 

Have a good day everyone.

Good Morning...

Looks like a nice sunny day ahead.  Cold start, but will warm up nicely.  I'm wearing long sleeves to school and it's red day....so have a red top on.

Don't have much time to talk this morning...I'm running a little behind.  Now with that extra cat in the house, it takes longer to get going around here.  I have to watch him like a hawk...he wants to eat the others food.

Wishing everyone a great day.....I'll check back later.

hi ohio grannie there is amuffin with yoyr name on ha ha . i dont know wat the time diff is but as im typing its 1.25 here i know florida is 5 hrs behind us but not sure on your part of the world .i do contract office cleaning for a living i have 4 very easy jobs i use to do more but im part time now it keeps me ticking over along with my state pension . i think fun and inexpensive gifts are a good idea after all christmas should be about family and getting together i dont agree with all this money that kids get spent on them it takes the magic away . i have 5 kids aged from 45 ...oldest daughter ...44 eldest son ...middle daughter 41 ...youngest son 32 ... youngest daughter 29 ...yes i spread them out well had my first at 17 and last at 34 . my youngest son had been in the british army for 14 yrs he has done stints in iraq and afghanistan he has 8 yrs left to do then he is out but he loves his army life .. then there is the 5 grand kids oldest grand son 23 then granddaughter 22 same 21 then grandson 16 grand daughter 14 grandson 11 grand daughter 10 grand daughter 4 then the new baby 7 weeks old the last 3 live with me so does their mother plus i have 2 step grabnd kids my sons wife was married before but he has been daddy since they were 4 and 6 and he is brilliant with them they are 18 and 15 . well ill let you digest all that for now please tell me a bit about your life . sue 

Good Morning everyone. Glad to see you back again Sue. I enjoy reading your terms that are different from ours maybe we will all learn a little of UK English LOL . Idid a double take on knock up a tray of muffins. Now my question is are these muffins like ours or more like our cookies? Ok now  think about it I think you call what we call cookies biscuits . We cannot send homemade treats to school anymore all treats have to be purchased. Too many people want to put harmful ingredients in treats which is really a crying shame. You must educate us. Do you know the time difference between us? I have no idea.  Well enough of that I am 67  retired and a widow for many years I have two grown DD's one lives in North Carolina and one lives at home with me here in Michigan.   Neither has children and like Jane no grandkids are in the future for me.  I have two Boston Terriers and a tuxedo cat who rule my life and my house and leave hair balls everywhere.  I find that retirement is busier than being employed so never seem to get bored or lonely. I retired in 1997 so have had plenty of time to get used to being home more.  I have a little Christmas shopping done but not much yet.

Good Morning Grammy sun is up and bright here. I guess I should stop worrying but the kids never called me last night I don't know if that is good or bad but they know I worry so wish they would get on the horn. I will call them later if I must. I think I would miss Christmas shopping it is my chance to give and not hold back. I always say I will cut back but I never do.  How are those new baby chicks doing? are the critters leaving them alone and not eating them?

  Well I messed up and now can't get back to the posts so will go by memory.  Jane glad you were able to sleep on your back if that is what is comfortable for you . I have always been a side sleeper and I must face the edge of the bed no matter what side I sleep on.  Glad the meds helped with that maybe they will help with the walking also.  I too have been losing a few pounds not quite sure what I changed but it seems to be working.   My Chicken in the crockpot turned out really well but we have a lot left for more meals. i did 8 thighs and we only ate two. Used the sauce to put on some whole wheat noodles. Today I may make some gravy from the sauce and have mashed potatoes with the chicken . sounds good to me Tossed salad may be in the works also.  Now I am getting hungry LOL .

Cjay-h I understand about greedy animals Vinney likes to steal the cats food. I caught him red handed this morning standing on his hind legs eating the food right out of the bowl that I have on a little table so he can't reach it . Well you see how well that worked LOL .  Well I hope my coffee is hot by now it is the second day for this pot and I need to get some breakfast.  Does your one son still do art? I think about him when they do Art Prize here in Grand Rapids. It just started yesterday and is getting to be quite the big thing growing every year. I don't go down there I just see what they show on TV. I will avoid the crowds.   I will be back I hope.

MJ        

Good morning, grannies.

Definitely a hot coffee and oatmeal morning. Temp was 34 degrees when we got up but with the sun out now we have 44 showing on the thermometer.

UK SUE, glad you're back again. And, yes, you are a bit over 5 hours ahead of us. So, you're up and we're still sleeping. Nice family you have and fun with big ones to little ones. I talk to another lady from Kent so I am used to some of your expressions like biscuit, bootfare, etc. I am a retired Kgn. teacher living in SE WI. My DH is bow hunting in northern WI for a week. Just two DDs for me, one married and one still at home. The one at home is a big help to us.

GRAMMY, not really thinking of Christmas yet. But, I do tell the kids to give me a hint list-----and that helps. With only two DGC not a big job to find several presents for them.

JANE, pounds lost and easier sleeping on your back is good news. Like MJ, I am a side sleeper, but it can be either side. My heater has been on for a couple of days-----don't like when the house is below 70 degrees.

CJAY, here we go again with the color of the day. That always brings my classroom days back to my thoughts. Aha, Biscuit is a stinker.

MJ, guess I'm like you with the Christmas gifts. I say only two or three and it ends up more. One has to be a new game for the family. Tell us how you made the chicken and what you added to the slow cooker.

Mercy me, nothing on my bumming around list today. The new store has a special each day of the week and today bananas are 19 cents a pound and pineapples are $2.00. So, I may stop there after I pick up my meds. Otherwise I will Swiiff and Swipe and get some old blouses ready for the Boston Store's Goodwill drive. We get 20% coupons for each piece and this time the coupons can be used on fragrances and cosmetics.                   BBL

Well I am back having talked to my Son in law DD is in the hospital. This is almost a year exactly since her last stint with the staph infection.  She has a massive infection in her little toe and may have to undergo a partial or a complete amputation . I am hoping the infection does not spread and cause a bigger problem. The blackness is confined to the tip of her toe there is a possibility that they may be able to save the toe. I would like that outcome but losing a little toe is minor in the scheme of life.  I would appreciate any prayers you can spare. Big change in that hospital she went in told them she was a diabetic and her toe had turned black they had her in triage before Jeremy could park the car and get back to the emergency room. I do wish I could make all of this just go away and she could have a normal life that she deserves. Mothers can't do everything however much we may want to.  Time will tell if I am to go down or not.

MJ

hi yes our muffins are the same as yours and cookies are biscuits but we do have what we call cookies they are big  and chewy biscuits usually are thiner and crisp  chips we call crisps and frys we call chips how confusing as i found out wen i asked for burger and chips wen we were out in florida the first time  but its all great fun i love it . yes its ashame you cant make treats for schools cos kids get great fun out of helping with the baking .haha on the different way of speaking although i have some lovely american face  book friends  they are use to me now they  have had great fun  trying to unravel my rather erratic language , if ever you need me to translate any thing just ask and ill do my best .along with my managere of kids and grandkids i have 2 cats who like your leave fur balls all over thats wen they are not presenting me with the odd baby bird or mouse im also dog sitting my oldest daughters 2 dogs next month while she is away in turkey for a weeks holiday that will be fun one is only a pup so i think my cats will be plagued by her ha ha .im not sure wat the time diff is as i dont know wat state you are in but florida is 5 hrs and texas about 7 , state ...your states are bigger than my tiny island you can travel the lenght tip to tip in about 12 hrs good run we are an island .its very pretty where i am in about 40 mins from london its very much country side here lots of trees and wood land im about 20 mins from windsor where the queen has her main residence and one of her sons has a house 10 mins from me in  a village . i look forward to another chat soon . sue 

hi yes our muffins are the same as yours and cookies are biscuits but we do have what we call cookies they are big  and chewy biscuits usually are thiner and crisp  chips we call crisps and frys we call chips how confusing as i found out wen i asked for burger and chips wen we were out in florida the first time  but its all great fun i love it . yes its ashame you cant make treats for schools cos kids get great fun out of helping with the baking .haha on the different way of speaking although i have some lovely american face  book friends  they are use to me now they  have had great fun  trying to unravel my rather erratic language , if ever you need me to translate any thing just ask and ill do my best .along with my managere of kids and grandkids i have 2 cats who like your leave fur balls all over thats wen they are not presenting me with the odd baby bird or mouse im also dog sitting my oldest daughters 2 dogs next month while she is away in turkey for a weeks holiday that will be fun one is only a pup so i think my cats will be plagued by her ha ha .im not sure wat the time diff is as i dont know wat state you are in but florida is 5 hrs and texas about 7 , state ...your states are bigger than my tiny island you can travel the lenght tip to tip in about 12 hrs good run we are an island .its very pretty where i am in about 40 mins from london its very much country side here lots of trees and wood land im about 20 mins from windsor where the queen has her main residence and one of her sons has a house 10 mins from me in  a village . i look forward to another chat soon . sue 

Hi All....

I'm home from school.  It was a good day.

MJ...prayers for your DD.  Now, why wouldn't they have called to let you know last night when they knew you were waiting.  Anyway...hope it can be taken care of with the least consequences.  My son went and looked around at that art fair in Gr. Rapids a couple years ago.  He really enjoyed it, but has never entered anything in it.  I saw on the news this morning that it is going on now.

Hi Sue...I live in Michigan, north west of Detroit, in a small town.  I'm married 34 yrs and have 3 grown kids. #1 son (31) married, no kids....#2 son (29) single and #3 daughter (25) single.   We have 3 cats and taking care of DD's cat for a while which makes 4.  I work in a preschool with 3, 4 & 5 year olds.  Lots of fun.  Yes, you are 5 hours ahead of us here.

Greenback...glad to hear you had a good dr. appt.  Hope the meds for your back keep working.

ATV...it has really warmed up now...feels really nice out there.  I will be on the swing soon.

Today is Tim Horton day.  We will now do it after school at 3:30.  We now have an afternoon pre-k class...so our gatherings will be after her class is done.

Tomorrow my DM and I are going to the casino.  Should be a fun day....just hope I come home ahead with my pockets jingling. 

Heading out to the swing now......with an apple. 

Nancy I posted the chicken recipe on another post.  

Well my DD did not get a room until 1 am so I think they thought it was a little late to be calling.  They really won't know much for a few hours yet anyway. I will try calling her around 5:00 she should be through with dialysis by then.

Sue I am in the Eastern time zone so the same as Florida. Both of my sisters have lived in Florida at one time or another. personally I do not like that state but glad you enjoyed it. Where did you visit there?  Part of the western tip of the upper peninsula of Michigan is in the Central time zone.  Both Cjay and I live in the lower Peninsula but on opposite sides of the state. I am on the western side and she is on the eastern side.

Since I have been procrastinating all morning and it is now heading for 2 PM I really need to get my self under motion .

MJ

Good afternoon.

 I've been trying but This site is hormonal again. I just can't get on here well lately. But I finally made it.

MJ, prayers for your DD. So sad that she has to go through any of this. Good to hear that the hospital is acting the way they should this time.

Sue, those muffins sound so good. Thanks, I'll have one for my afternoon break.

Jane, I agree, the coffee seems to taste better on these cooler mornings. It didn't get all that cold here last night, warmer then the night before and now we are at 70* with horrible wind. Congrats on the weight lost!!!!! Yes, it's not easy to do. Praying that the meds will work wonders for you.

CJ,  good to hear that school went well. Enjoy Tom's! 

This morning I worked on the tomatoes and got 10 quarts done. My back, thumb and hand are shot and I still would like to do some sewing. Not sure that will happen anymore today.

Tomorrow I have my volunteer job for Common Cup. We will be distributing food this time. I've talked to my BFF and she is going to go with since she is retiring. She has no hobbies so this will get her out fo the house at least.

I think it is popcorn time. The recliner is getting lonely I'm sure. I know Buddy will love the snack and snuggle time.

Take care everyone.

Hi  Just got back from quilting. It is nice to get out with friends even though I have to drive around the table to pin quilts together. It is nice we have a low table to work with.

MJ, Prayers for healing for Liz and prayers for peace for your and the rest of her family.

Mary, Praying that the cancer is gone and you will heal fast.

I got a message from Lily to pass onto the grannies.  

 Fran, please inform the Grannies that Liny is heading out to Indiana to see her brother. He appears to be in the final stages of life and is sleeping, no food, meds and doesn't appear to know his family is there. She is extremely distraught and needs everyone's prayers. Thank you.

I did pass the info for moderator Sue. But it sounded like she wasn't going to try as she had tried with 2 different people from TOH and it didn't do any good. I guess it is up to her.

DH wants to go and pick up corn for the squirrels. I am suppose to drive the Twister. Not sure how that will go with my left leg. Should be interesting. 

Fran, thank you for passing on the information on Liny. So good to hear you got to be with  the quilt group. I'm sure you really enjoyed that.  Around here we do not feed the squirrels, we try to get rid of them. Too many and so troublesome. So sorry that this site is a pain for Lily. At least she can get to other sites without any trouble. It's a pain for a few others too, but not quite as bad I guess.

Chicken breasts in the crock pot, baked potatoes and fresh acorn squash. Mmmm, my favorite squash.