~~ Chatting Over the Fence w/COF ~~ July 1 - 15 ~~

Good Morning COF and the Lady's of Grandma's Place..

I have been MIA for awhile here...Sorry about that, but things have been hectic for me...Ron had the cataract surgery and is doing fine...His next surgery is July 19th....His eye sight is getting better day by day and after this next surgery, he won't need to wear glasses....We had our weekend family reunion last weekend and that was another busy, fun time for us....My knee is giving me a lot of grief and I had to go to the doctor on Monday for that.. This is one of the worst flair ups, I have ever experienced....I have to rest for a week and not do too much of anything, so the fluid comes out of my knee.....It is hard to rest when you have a mother to wait on hand and foot and a hubby who needs some help too, but I am letting things go a little so I can avoid the "needle tune up".....I never experienced such pain in my knee as I did on Sunday and this week..I couldn't even lift my foot and it hurt like heck to even drive....I am some what better and figure when I feel better, I can clean till my heart is content....And there is always home care to come and help out too...You know I am hurting when I gave up my shopping trip to Altoona on Saturday...I have been looking so forward to going there and now, I have to put that on hold too....Geesh....

Eloise, how is your hubby doing? I haven't seen a post from you, but I know it is hard to post when so many things are happening...Just know I am thinking of you...

Marian, you and my husband share the same birthday!!! Any special plans for your day????

PatE, how are things with you?? I hope you are feeling better too....

Nancy, how are you coming along???? Is recovery from the knee surgery that difficult?????

Gabby stayed with us overnight on Monday...She is such a sweetheart...She showed us how to use the remote control for the dish network....LOL We have so many channels now, but can't seem to find programs to watch, so now we know how to find a lot of different things....

We cooled off a little, but I think the humidity is coming back later in the week....My little patio tomato plant is starting to produce tomato's....The first ripe tomato is mine...LOL

Everyone take care and enjoy your day... Hugs and prayers to all...

Mary

Afternoon everyone! 

It's cloudy here this afternoon! I am hoping, well actually I'm praying we get some rain out of these clouds! We desperately need it. Just not sure these clouds will produce much of anything other than some temporary relief from the the searing sun and heat! I know it won't make a huge difference in the heat! Let's face it, it's summer and when it's hot, it's hot no matter clouds or not! But I am sooooooo done with summer! We've had 19 days of upper 90's this year which is twice what we have in any given year! We've also had 4 days over 100 and where we are, that is really NOT at all close to normal ANY time! Add the fact we had several 90 degree days back in March and it just seems like this is the summer that never ends. I know many of you like this! But I'm definitely not one of them! We had such a warm, mild snowless winter, I honestly almost feel like we've had summer for over 12 months! I need my winter break just to break the monotony!! lol Anyway.........

Mary - Not to worry about being scarce around here! Look around! You're not the only one! Though my intentions have been to try and pop in daily, the craziness of life around here the past couple months hasn't allowed me to be able to do that! It would seem MANY of the gals are busier than usual! Even over on FB, there are days where there is very little activity! We just do the best we can and pop in when the opportunity presents itself, right? {{hugs}}

This must be a bad year for knees! First Nancy. Now Mary is having troubles. And so am I. I did something when I was working in one of my flower beds way back in May. It's still not right but I have no idea what's really happening! I admit it was acting up before that day but it was just a twinge and easily ignored. But that day I felt something pop. I know I need to get in to see my ortho Doc. I had an appt. a few weeks ago. But it got cancelled and a new appt. has yet to be scheduled. Seems it's the same thing I had happen when I was trying to get in to see the ENT guy! Took forever, but finally got in and fixed the problem. I'm afraid this knee thing isn't gonna fix quite as easily! I fear it's affecting my hip as well and I really don't need the 'good' hip to go bad just yet!!  lol  I hear so many folks around here also having more and more knee issues. Anyway, enough complaining!

Does anyone here ever watch the summer program on FOX, "So You Think You Can Dance"? I've been a fan for years! 2 weeks ago they announced the top 20 dancers and that show was awesome! They took a break last week because of the 4th and now last night were back with the first show! Holy cow! Every year I am amazed at the talent of these young men and women and every year I think they just can't get any better. I was wrong! Last night's show was mesmerizing! There were some really wonderful dances that just took my breath away! I didn't want it to end! The caliber of these dancers is just outstanding! If you've never watched and love to watch dancing, you should check in out! It's on Wed. Nites at 7CST!!!

Well, I really need to wrap this up and head on out. Hope all are enjoying vacations, summer camps, whatever it is you're doing to keep yourselves busy! I would LOVE to take a vacation somewhere to just get away! But that ain't gonna happen any time soon! So .............

Posted this in FB and thought I'd do the same here. I do not come here as often any longer. But will make a point to checking in more regularly. I like the quick responses on FB and you can get posts on phone to respond to right away. But this seems like a good place for longer posts. I guess I am not the only one not checking it as often.

I am glad we are on FB.

I have been overwhelmed the past few weeks. I started the last term (and a shortened term at that) for my students’ program. Then they take a national test. I really had no clue as how to review a year in 6 weeks.
The students took a test and I saw the results and a prescription for learning – but I couldn’t believe the things they missed. So, I prodded and nudged my boss until he set it up that I could take the test and see the questions – now I have a good idea of where to lead this. Nothing like having the tools to do your job.

That being said, I have not done anything enjoyable for a while. Just can’t get in to it with all this on my mind. I want and need these students to do well. And I have to get a fire lit under their our know whats.

Be back soon!

Andrea

Andrea - Sure do wish I  could relieve a bit of your pressure for you!! When so many things get a preson stressed, life kind of sucks! You're doing the best you can in checking in and that is all we ask of you, Sweetie! {{Hugs}}

Well the heat wave and high humidities continue! Starting to sound like a broken record, I know!  So yesterday I decided it was time to start sorting through some old patterns and do a bit of downsizing! I came across a folder I started 6 years ago for quilt projects! I'd completely forgotten about it! I immediately had to check out my fabric stash to see what I could find and get started on! Hmmm! A quilt top maybe? Or a table runner? Hmmm! As I type, fabric is swishing around in the wash machine and as soon as it's run through the dryer, I'm gonna get started on BOTH projects!! lol 

Enjoy the weekend ladies! I'll be playing with material and my sewing machine! And for me? That's one of the BEST ways to beat the heat! :O)

later...........

Good Evening! Hey Kay, you know it's not just checking in - you all are a huge support system for me! Around here, it's Karen and me - for me. Just the way life has worked out. I know all my neighbors, etc., but I never was able to get into a card club, game night, book club, etc. I would have loved that - but it always seemed like something had to open up - wrong place wrong time - was never invited. And you know what - I do play nice in the sandbox. But you are all so much more. Sure, I can go borrow eggs or vanilla from Nancy across the street - and we keep saying we are going to get together for a glass of wine......

But anyway - I wanted to have a fun girls night like that but I think during the formative adults years (20's) when I had my kids and was establishing my life, we had a small family business and I just didn't have the opportunity to meet lots of people and connect. I did the JR Woman's Club for a number of years - but never connected with anyone for a long period. So, you all mean a great deal to me!

Not to go on and on - but, you are right - life was not too much fun - and I need to check in regularly to hang out and have some fun!

Andrea

Andrea...your fun is about to began.  Karen will be home soon and she will be having a party for two but with the spirit of 5.  Marian, Charney and myself will be there in spirit.  So get the wine glasses out and a couple of appeptizers.  You'll see, we really missed you.

Mary...yes my knee still hurts and I am becoming impatient.  I see the doctor on Monday so can give you a better report than.  The problem is that I had no choice but to have it done.  I was just hoping the pressure wasn't lasting so long.  I want a miracle cure.  lol

nancy

Good morning!  Gosh, it seems that many of us are having problems with our joints and such!  Every time I bend down I hear lots of crunching and popping and it seems to take 5 times as long as it used to for me to get back up!  What's that  all about?  Kay, I hope that you get your knee problems taken care of soon.  Between that and the heat I know you've had a rough summer for sure!  It has finally cooled down some here so going outside isn't quite like stepping into an oven.  Its 70 right now (8:30 am) and I hope it stays relatively cool today.

Andrea, I've never been one to be part of a group like card clubs and such.  I pretty much hang out with family and a few friends from work.   One of my friends says that I'm not fun to go to a party with because I am ready to leave before I get there good.  And that is true.  I guess why I have so much fun hanging with my neighbors here.

Well, I need to get some floors vacuumed and scrubbed this morning so I guess I'll hop off for now. 

Take care all!

Paula - that sounds like me - ready to go before I get there! Have you ever been to a party where you didn't know anyone but the hosts and yet other people all know each other - at least more than you do and you don't feel invited into conversations? I hate that. But I don't think it is me - I think it is them. I always try to include people in conversations at those types of things.

Nancy - I can't wait for the fun to begin!

Well, back over to FB!

Andrea

Good morning to everyone in Circle of Friends. Marian, I hope you had a wonderful birthday.  Cindi, how is Steve doing?  We had a thunderstorm go through here earlier tonight so had to shut the computer off for awhile.  I try to come over here at least twice a week and I think it is sad that not everyone posts over here.  In my opinion, everyone should post at least two times a week here.  Facebook is good but posts get lost in the shuffle over there and especially the important ones. JMHO.  Anyway, I hope that everyone has a wonderful day.

We had a st

Just dropping by to say good morning.  Rain is expected again today so I expect a number of people will call into PT to cancel.  It happens all the time.  People just do not want to drive in the rain so they put off their therapy.  I came from an "old school" type of rearing...if you have an appointment, you get there and you get there on time.  I am hoping the PT trips will be over by the end of this month.  Which means that my physical condition will have improved.  One man told me that he felt real good 3 months after the surgery.  So, I am watching that date as a goal even though my sister said she climbed a mountain in Puerto Rico a month after hers.  I've passed that deadline and steps is as much as I can do, so I'll try a little more patience and go for the 3 month goal.  

Mary, I'll have to drop you an email with more details.  But, for the next couple of days, I'm sure you will have Ron on you mind.  I'm wishing him well on his next surgery.

Andrea, so glad to see you back and glad you were entertained with the gifts.  Paula, I'll be dropping by in a few days with a little something for you too. 

So what's next for me???  I've "studied" my quilting project and am about ready to get it out and do some pinning, basting and sewing.  I continue to be amazed at how much effort Kay put into it!!!

nancy 

Hello, Everyone!

I just posted a long-winded message on fb complaining about the heat, so I won't repeat that here! I think we're all ready for a reprieve, no matter how much we enjoy summer heat and humidity!

Nancy, I'm so glad you've decided to set a new goal for "normalcy" related to your knee rehab! I am truly impressed with your progress and the fact that you are walking without a walker or even a cane. I have a friend who had a knee replacement a year ago and still is not back to normal activity (She's 52). Much of that is her own fault for not adhering to her therapy from the very beginning. You have been a therapy champion and I hope you'll ease up on yourself a bit. I just wish that you were totally pain free at this point. I really think that is coming, though!

I've had a very busy summer, much more so than I had planned, and more travel than I had anticipated. However, it is all good, as I have a hard time sitting still! I took on a few more hours working at the Community College in the next few weeks, then I'm off to Boston with my mom to visit my daughters. Not much time to take a relaxing breath, but that's how I like it! An update on my daughter's new job in Boston: "My job rocks! I was sent out to buy raspberries for a photo shoot!" Hopefully, she will get to eat the raspberries when they're finished with them!

Hope everyone has a great week!

Just dropping by to say hello. The heat is horrible today. I went to a Master Gardener meeting today and I helped with the refreshments and the food was delicious. We had date-nut muffins, croissants with pimento cheese, pecan shortbread cookies, watermelon, cantelope. and some moist banana bread. We had canned drinks, tea, coffee, sparkling grape juice with sprite.

The best of all was the-----BLT's.  Yummy.

Have a nice day everyone.

Kat

I am finally where I have access to a computer and phone. I had no phone service when I was in the mountains in Georgia and none at my brother's in South Carolina. Also no computer! I'm at my DD's in Mississippi right now, my phone works and I have a computer to use, yeah!

I have missed everyone. Mary, Hope Ron's surgery went well today.

I have done a lot of walking the past 2 weeks. Also have not eaten properly and maybe drank a little more wine and beer than I should have, but then again, what is a vacation for? LOL.
Can't wait to get home and check out the quilting kit from Kay. Thank you so much for getting it all together and mailing it out.

It seems I have missed a few birthdays. So to Rene and Lynn, a Very Happy Belated Birthday. Also a Belated Happy Anniversary to Rene!

Mary Ann, Hope no smoke is reaching you. Sure is scary having the fires near. 

Nancy, Well your PT will be over soon and you will be on your own. Then you can go climb that mountain I will check out the Almost Homemade Cookbook too.

Paula, Glad to hear you have your power back. It is miserable in the heat without power. 

Karen, I'm jealous that you got to meet Nancy and Charney. I'm sure Y'all had a lot of fun. 

Well I put a roast in the crockpot, I used the Louie's Italian Seasoning. My DD is working until late tonight so I though her and my DS would like to try it. Still have to get the rolls for the sandwiches though. WM is not far, It is the only grocery store around here. 

Will check in later. Hope everyone is not too hot. Temp here is 73 and raining right now.