ATKINS' ANGELS~LET THE "BROCTOBER" BIRTHDAYS BEGIN!

[Rebecca130]

I am going to get my check in a little while, cash it and then pick the girls up and go over to Mom's so she can visit with them for a little bit. Going to stop by Penn Station (do any of you guys have those there? It's called Penn Station East Coast Subs). Then we'll come back here and then have our birthday sleepover. John said this morning "wonder if someday she'll want US to go to HER house for HER birthday sleepovers". LOL.

This check I'm getting today will have 6 extra hours on it if Kelly didn't mess it up! I am going to go get flannel and patterns and make flannel jammies for the girls for Christmas. Kim said that was one of the neatest things that she remembers about Christmas at my Mom and Dad's. Mom would have brand new jammies for Tracy, Nick and Kim that she'd made, new bathrobes and also new slippers that she'd knitted. We had our Christmas at their house towards late afternoon and after dinner, the grandkids would all go and get their new jammies and robes on and grab a big sitting pillow and gather around to receive their presents. So, she wants me to make the girls new jammies for Christmas each year. The bad thing is.... Mom made them to save money... NOW it's much cheaper to go to WalMart and get flannel jammies.... the buttons and thread alone would be the same price as a pair of jammies at WalMart... then you have the flannel and the pattern (OMG... patterns are OUTRAGIOUS now)... but I know what she means about carrying on traditions. There's things that I miss that each of my Grandmother's use to do and some of them I carry on (like the chicken and pot pie, which is actually flat dumplings, that my Mom's mother use to make for Christmas dinner... started that tradition about 4 Christmas' ago when Mom had her hip surgery and my brother jumped at the chance to not do the Dillon Christmas on Christmas Day any longer), and i make cabbage rolls on New Years Eve like my Grandma Dillon always did. I use to just hover over the phone for her to call and say "Becky, send your Daddy over with a biiiig pan for cabbage rolls". And you gotta know my Dad, he took the BIGGEST pan that we owned! LOL. She just lived 1 street over (you can see her house from Mom's kitchen window) and I would ride with him to get the cabbage rolls, we would have a cup of tea with her and a cabbage roll... couldn't wait to get home to eat our HUGE pan of cabbage rolls...lol. She never, ever drank coffee after she had her gall bladder removed, she only drank tea. She made the best tea too, don't know why, probably cuz it was "grandma's tea".

Well... gotta get moving here, gotta go get my check so I have money for Penn Station. I will check in later.

p.s. I am NOT a b-a-b-y Claire. lol. But compared to you, I am. hahahahahahaha. See ya all later. hugs to my Angels!!!

[cl2gas_1]

Becky, are you still crying..? Hey you going to be 52.. I am 70.. Who is the baby... ? Not I.. Buy those cabbage rolls sound great.. Emile is picking Mandy up tomorrow to go to work with me at the store.. She will be able to help clean up the store.. Pick empty hangers off the racks.. Hang up things.. It will help her get some community service in for her CCD classes. They have to get 6 hour in each 6 mos. this year.. So that will be 12 in all.. Hoping you all have a great weekend. I hope I get to sleep right through tonight. Oh I did get my flu shot this morning.. Only had to wait 10 min. Not bad.. Better than waiting 1hour and 10 min and leaving without it.. Love you all.. Claire Rebecca....

[Msevon2]

Good evening. I am going to do another quickie. I have to get to bed because got to get up and go get Madison and then pick up Pam and then we will go yard sailing. Then to the auction and then out to eat. My birthday is on Wednesday. I will be 60. So I have been a little depressed. It has been so hot here today and humid. We got up to 83 today. I took some rice, and meatballs with celery soup for dinner for bea and I. Jazzy came and brought us some tea from mcdonalds and we had an apple for desert. It is snowing in seattle. How about that. I dread the cold coming. Hope it takes its sweet times. I did have long pants on on wed and yesterday. So we are cooling off too quick. Tomorrow should be about 80 and then it will cool a little again. Well just wanted to say hi. And I will talk when I can. Jan, I only work one saturday every 7 weeks, so usally have my weekends off. Claire, watch them tootsies. Bev had to go to doc with hers today. Becky, only 30 minutes to go. Hope Lynn checks in soon and is having a ball with her baby. Bye.

[lynnjp]

Hey there my friends

Read through the posts quickly and it sounds like all is well with our Angel family-which is good news!!! We had a really wonderful time-the weather was really pretty darn good-only rained a portion of one day and the temps really were mild-leaves were pretty and Quebec was just gorgeous, a truly beautiful city, I loved all the places we went but I think that stood out among all of them. Of course the food was amazing and I know I put on at least ten pounds in just ten days-so freakin easy to gain and so hard to get rid of it!!! Spoke with my parents and my Dad is doing a bit better thank God for that!!! I am headed there Monday- I pick up the dogs tomorrow and need to stay with them for the first day back. Not sure if I told you girls but I am going to see Amber and Dawn at the end of this month-Bruce has to take some more vacation time before the year ends so we are going to see Dawn for her birthday and figure we can spend Halloween with the baby too!! Only a quick five days a visit nonetheless!!

Jan-Hope you and Ron enjoyed your time away and did something fun-you so rarely get a break that when you do you best take full advantage of it-hope Brock's birthday was wonderful-it is amazing to see our babies having children of their own isn't it!!

Claire-Becky is definitely the baby among us I am closing in on 59 and that number sure does sound scary to me!!! How nice that Mandy got to spend some time with you at the store-hope your day was profitable and fun!

Evon-I know your special day is right around the corner too-I do believe it is the same day as My little miss Amber's which is Tuesday is that yours also? Hope you do not need to give up your internet-you would be missed!!!

Becky-I do hope this is the start of a wonderful year for you and your family and that you spent your special day surrounded by those that you love!!!!


OK gals off to read emails and other not such fun stuff

[Rebecca130]

I like Claire's age for me better... I am 53 today. Had a wonderful day... Kim brought me a "grandma and me" book, pictures of Alyssa and I, a read-a-long type. Alyssa and I will read it tomorrow. She also brought me a lemon cake with lemon frosting. John and I just had a piece. Mmmm, it's so moist, she makes excellent cakes. She makes a lemonade cake that is awesome... she's going to make one this week for me to take to work. She also gave me 3 boxes of Gevalia (it's a mail order coffee) Pumpkin Spice coffee. She kept a box at her house for me to drink there when I'm watching the girls.

John took me to Applebees (I wanted a sirloin with 2 salads, I'm craving salads) and invited Kim and the girls to go. Brad closed last night and opened this morning, and he had already started watching a football game, so we told her not to bother him, and we got him a steak and salad to take home to him.

My day started off by Alyssa calling and saying "happy birthday, Mammaw" and trying to sign happy birthday but she got it half way through and then ended with ABC's. lol. Then AJ called, Mom called and sang happy birthday (a tradition for Kim and I) and we talked a bit. Then Lisa, my bff (and maid of honor, she lives in Sacramento, California now) called and we talked about an hour. She came in for Kim's wedding, it was so nice to have her with me... I met her in Art class in 7th grade, we've known each other for 40 years now, we were 13 when we met. Pretty awesome! I got some e-cards too!!! PLUS Kim bought my lunch last week when Red Hats went out to Applebees.

Glad you had a wonderful trip, Lynn and that your dad was fine when you got back. Halloween with Amber will be so fun for you...and for her!!! She will have so much fun with you there! Alyssa and Gracie are going to be "the Princess and the Pod." Alyssa has been playing with Grace this week, Kim puts her in Alyssa's baby stroller and she wheels her around the house, pretends to feed her cuz she's hungry. Kim said Grace is a good sport about it and smiles and grins the whole time. lol. I pray they grow up to be close.

going to check a few more threads and then knit on Gracelynn's new afghan.

love you guys.... The Baby. LOL

[Msevon2]

Happy Birthday REbecca. Hope it was wonderful. Blessings on you for today and the next 364.

I had a great but very strange day. As I said, I had Madison today. I had told Amy I would pick her up around 10. But I woke at 7:15 and could not go back to sleep, so I got ready to face the day. Then went and got money to buy gas. Then headed on toward 4 oaks. Called Pam and told her I was on the way to get Maddy and would come back for her. She said to call when I was on the way back and she would meet me in Big Lots parking lot. So I called Amys and James answered. Let him know I was coming. Got there, and Madison was about ready to go. So we took off. Then called Pam. She said she was not ready yet and could I pick her up at the house. Then found out Madison had not eaten breakfast, so stopped at mickey d's and got her a sausage mcgriddle. they had sausage and egg biscuit 2 for $2 for got 2 of them. and a large tea. Madison and I split the tea. I had one biscuit for me and one for Pam. And started towards her house. The road was closed. So we turned around at the church and went back by mickey d's and hit the bypass. Headed towards Micro to get gas, but when we got there, it had gone up from 2.28 to 2.40. so kept on going to pick up pam. Then we took off towards Barbaras. We saw several very large yard sales, but I knew Barbara was waiting for us because I called her while we were waiting for the food. Finally got there, and she was next door talking to the neighbor. Bonnie and Clyde were in the outside fenced in area. Went in the house. And to the bathroom. And then off yard sailing. The 1st one was right across the road. They got lots of stuff but nothing caught my fancy. Then another and another. Finally we were at one sale, and Barbara and Pam were both trying on shorts to find something cooler. It was another hot day. And then we were on the way to the auction. But Barbara had to stop at Lois's to pick up her ups. We talked her into going with us to the auction. One more yard sale on the way. Then we were in Garner. Where the auction was to be. I was thinking she had something wrong because I did not see any cars. But when we drove around to the back, there were a number of cars. Nothing like i would have thought though. So we go in. Barbara goes towards the right and i head stright for the door in front of us. And when I open the door, something is wrong. The 1st thing I see is Sandra Simmons sitting there. And I wonder, why is she at the auction. Then I see Heather, and everybody starts saying Happy Birthday. I looked around, and there is Rose, Amanda, Beverly, Eddy, my brother and Terry his wife. Then there is Janie and Ms Vause, and Karen and John, and Brenda and aLice and Shawn who works with Heather. Then Chris my adopted son and his daughter Alyssa come in. They had surprised me. I have never had a surprise party before and it was so great with all my best friends there. I told them that many were invited, as I had been told, but only the cream of the crop will really show up. And I meant it. We had bbq, and fried chicken and ham and baked beans, and potatoe salad and slaw and green beans and bbq meatballs and corn bread and devil eggs and fresh veggies and dip, and chips and lots more. I was surrounded by the old and the young with my children, and grand children and my brother and my adopted family and my friends. What more could I ask. Karen said something about being 60 and I said well, we have younger and we have older and we are right in the middle. Her birthday is 9 days after mine. We had such a good time. Eddy worked last night, so he had not been to sleep since lunchtime yesterday. I was so humbled to be honored in such a way. And Bert had even sent me a birthday present. I got such nice stuff. I will never forget this day. Cant wait til Wednesday. I think I told you I was going to sing at church on the 25th. Now Pam is singing with me. She wanted me to go to Homecoming with her at her Granny and Papa's church tomorrow, but both of us are give out tonight. We left Heathers at 7:30 and went shopping. and decided we dont want to have to get up and out by 8 am in the morning. So we will go to our own churches. With my friends. Have a good night.

[Janice30]

I just woke up. I've been sleeping on the couch all night. Shannon went to the Autumnfest so I was waiting up for her. She just called and told me to go to bed she is staying with her friend Jenna. She also went to school with Shannon. She has MS too. She has a 10 year old daughter and is single. Her husband left her after she was diagnosed with MS. Nice guy!!!!!
Anyway she just woke me up so now I have to get to bed before I wake up too much.

Lynn so happy you got home safely and had a great time.

Becky, once again . I hope you enjoyed your special day!

Evon and Claire, I will talk to both of you in the morning. Have a great night.
Love to all. Sleep tight!

[Rebecca130]

nite Jan... going to bed now too. Gotta get up early and go to JoAnn Fabrics... going to get patterns and flannel for nighties for Alyssa and Gracelynn. Gotta keep the tradition going....

nite Evon, Lynn (glad you got home safe and had a good time) and Claire. Hope you all have a nice day tomorrow.

love you guys... thank you for helping to make my birthday special.

[cl2gas_1]

I am at my mini laptop.. My desktop died I believe.. It will not boot up.. I just wrote out this long post and it is lost in space.. So I will just say hi to all',,, Welcome back Lynn.. and wish you all a great day.. I don't like working on this laptop.. But I guess I will have to get used to it.. Love you all.. Claire

[Rebecca130]

Claire, I love the laptop john got me for Christmas almost 3 years ago. Its a Dell, our old one was tiny, hated it! This one is very nice, not quite as large as a regular keyboard but most definitely bigger than our old one!!!

Getting ready to run to JoAnn fabrics to get that flannel for the girls nighties. John asked me if I remember how to sew something from scratch as its been about 25 yeard dince I've sewn. I made Kims little Easter dress when she was 2 and I think that's the last time I've sewn, mostly due to no time. Now I have even LESS time, gonna be pulling some late nighters, that's for sure!

Toodles girls, will check back in with y'all later!

[Janice30]

Good morning everyone,

First of all:

Lynn I'm so glad your dad is doing better. That was nice news for you to come home to. You'll have to send pictures of your trip.
I think it's wonderful that you and Bruce will be able to go and visit with Dawn and Amber for Halloween. That will be such a Halloween "treat" for you.
I'm sure Dawn will be so happy to have you there too.

Shannon just called and she's on her way home. She sounds all happy and chipper. It does her good to go out with her friends. This girls she stayed with last night has had MS for just about as many years as Shannon. She is doing well too on her therapy but she wants to try to get on what Shannon did back in May. She has a little girl so it's hard on her when she isn't doing well.

Becky glad you had a nice birthday yesterday. Next in line will be Evon, then me at the end of the year and then we can start all over in 2010.
You will remember how to sew. That's like riding a bike you never forget.
I made Shannon first Easter outfit too. I made the dress, the little coat and a bonnet. She looked like a little doll.
I used to make all my clothes at one point in my life. I made my own pretty Christmas party dresses and jackets and almost anything.
I even used to make little doggie jackets for my little dogs to keep them nice and warm.
It was fun and back then you did save money by sewing, but not anymore.
The fabric and patters are so expensive.
Have fun making them. I'm sure they will be adorable and the girls will love them.

Evon, What a beautiful surprise you had yesterday. I am so happy all your family and friends had that beautiful party for you. 60 years old is a milestone so it was nice of them to give you such a nice surprise.
We did that for my mom when she turned 80 and I'm so glad we did. She had a wonderful time.
You are catching up to me. I'm just 4 years older than you are. I'll be 64 in just a couple of months. Time is zooming by!!!!! I don't like it!! My babies are growing up so fast and my brothers, my cousins and me are all getting old.
We have so many ailments between all of us. We joke about all falling apart at the same time, but it's not so funny.

Claire, sorry about your computer. I know those mini laptops are not fun to work on. Shannon's company just gave her a new laptop and it's so small.
She can hardly read the writing on that tiny screen.
She has so many lists of schools and students that her eyes are killing her by the time the day is done.
She'll be working from home two days a week now so she is going to buy a large flat screen monitor to connect to it so she doesn't have those awful headaches by the end of the work day.

Well Ron is begging for his breakfast so I will see you all later.
Have a great day.

[lynnjp]

hey gals

what a gorgeous day-started out by going to LoneTree and boarding up the summer house for the winter-than it was off to my parents for a visit-my Dad really looked well and that was great to see-thin but at least he is happy and talking! Than it was time to pick up the dogs-they also looked good -they are always happy when they come home from that kennel and that makes me feel good. I took them out for a nice walk and they came home and crashed. Than we went out for a ride-it was too pretty of a day to stay in the house!! tomorrow we are off to see Bruce's mom and than back to real life for a while.

Becky-so glad you had such a wonderful birthday!! Such a nice tradition to make the girls their nighties but my guess is that the material and time put in will cost you a fortune but they still will be made by MeeMaw and that is terrific and you can't put a price on that!!

Evon-how terrific of your friends to put a surprise party on for you-sounds like the perfect way to start out your 60th year!! The menu sounds yummy!!

Claire-it took me awhile to get used to typing on my laptop but now I love it-however it is not a mini-hope that your big one is fixed SOON!!!

Jan-it sounds like Shannon is really enjoyinng herself these days and that is GREAT news-her new drug seems to be working -what wonderful news for you all!

well gals off to make some supper-talk to you tomorrow

[cl2gas_1]

I'm my big bPC.. All fixed for now.. I just x'ed out my long post.. So here is a shorter version..
Lynn, welcome back.. Glad ytou are home safely.. I guess it is the mother hen in me.. I get nercvous when the chicks are away from the roost..
Enjoy the rest of the weekend Girls..
Becky will be busy sewing.. Evon will be sitting back thinki8ng about the great surprise she had.. Jan, will be busy with her deeds .. And I will be doing crafts with Mandy tomorrow.. Have a great day all.. love, Claire

[Janice30]

Hello everyone for the second time. I lost my last post before I had a chance to finish it. I was so mad anyway.

Lynn, I am so glad your dad looked so much better to you today. That is great news. The dogs must be in 7th heaven having mama home again. Glad you got a chance to take them for a walk.
How nice is it that you and Bruce are taking another trip to Dallas to see Dawn and Amber for Halloween. I'm sure they are so excited about your trip.
Isn't retirement wonderful???????????? I am SO happy for you!!!!!

Claire, Glad you got your regular PC up and running again. It's good to have the mini as a spare though. I wish I had a laptop?
What are you and Emile doing tomorrow? We don't have any definite plans but seeing that Shannon will be home we'll probably go out for a while.
I have a lot of house cleaning to do too though so maybe I'll do that instead.

Becky, I hope you had a nice day today. Did you get the fabric and everything you need to make those pajamas for the girls. You'll have to take pictures of them on Christmas morning so we can see them.

Evon, I know you couldn't have had a better day than yesterday, but I hope it was still a great day for you today!
Are you working tomorrow?

[Msevon2]

Hello Ladies, and welcome home Lynn. I am a little confused. Where did you sail from? Did you get to see Dawn and Amber? Looks like you went north instead of south. But glad you had a good time. I was also under the impression, you were going to see the kids and might stay a little extra time. Where did I get that idea? But then again, I do have an over active imagination.

Madison spent the night with me. We got up , had breakfast, and got ready and went to sunday school and church. Then we came home to change clothes. I set the computer up for her to play games in the bedroom while I was checking my email in the living room. Then she came in here. She said, "Granny, did you know you talk in your sleep?" I said no, what did I say. She said,"you were praying. You must have prayed for 20 people." I thought that was cute. I knew I sang, but not prayed. I asked what she wanted to do. She did not want to go to Raleigh, she did not want to go to the movies. She finally said she wanted to go to the park. But she wanted to go to the one where she goes to school. I told her if I took her that far, I would not bring her back so she had to take her stuff with her. And we took off to 4 oaks. About the time we got there, I needed to go the the br and about that time Amy called. She wanted to know what we were doing. Told her I was on the way to her house and did she want to go to the park. She said yes. When I got there, found out Dylan had spent the night off too, and just gotten home. So off to the park all 4 of us went. Then when they decided they had behaved as much as they could, I took all of them home and left them. Also left the rest of the birthday cake with them. Came home and had dinner and called Karen. We talked til time to go to church.

Claire, glad you got your computer running again. They are a job to keep running arent they?

Jan, glad Shannon is feeling good again. Better enjoy before it gets so cold. We were cool all day, but not bad. Glad you and Ron got to get out the other day. And got the pool covered. Are you Christmas shopping yet? Dylan has a birthday in a couple of weeks. On Halloween. The girl that kept him last ngiht said he was no trouble. He liked her husband. Said he came up to him and pointed his finger and said, you are my friend. Then crawled up in the recliner with him and both of them went to sleep. He is talking a little better too. But still got a mind of his own.

Becky, what you been up to today? Did you get the flannel? Did you get red? Madison got a gown from bev that she paid someone to make for her granddaughter. Reminded me of the one that the girl on peter pan wore. Hannah hated it. And would not wear it. I left it one day when Madison was not home. The next time I was over there, she had it on. She said, why didnt Hannah like this gown. Is she crazy. I love it and have worn it 7 times. Hope she can still wear it this year. If not, I will buy her another. But my sewing days are over. I used to make a lot of clothes, but not got the eyes to keep threading those needles any more.

Going to watch tv. Have a good night.

[Rebecca130]

Got fabric to make Alyssa 2 nightgowns and Gracie 2 as well. Gracie's isn't flannel, couldn't find any patterns at all for her that used flannel. One is a yellow eyelet lace dress type with a matching coverup that ties. The other is another dress type with stretchy knit fabric, those are monkey-princesses. lol. Got a few patterns for dresses and tops/capri's for Alyssa for summer. and a pattern for muslim bunnies (Kim is chomping at the bit because her muslim bunny that I made her one year for Christmas is missing, she wanted to hand it down to Alyssa and we can't find it anywhere). Her's had a dress and apron and I'm not sure how I'm going to make a dress for it... I went ahead and bought it cuz Simplicity patterns at Joann Fabric's are .99 through tomorrow. I am going to make them for the girls for Easter. Maybe by then I will find a pattern like Kim's old bunny. I never threw it out but John goes nuts when he's cleaning and throws things away like he's in a frenzy. Kim gets so irritated with him cuz he always always ALWAYS throws something of value away cuz of his cleaning frenzy.

going to bed girls, tired. AND, it took me about 2 hours at Joann's today... I don't like the Superstores... I loved the smaller ones, but they've closed most of the small stores and built a Superstore close to the Dayton Mall... HATE the layout of it, makes no sense! And the fabrics have changed so much over the years... the pretty floral flannels that Mom use to get are replaced with Disney, cuties, etc (which is okay, but I didn't want to get Alyssa all the picture kind) and it took forever to not only look for the patterns, but find where each type of fabric was located and decide on it.

nite, going to call it a day, have an all day training tomorrow. They close all the KinderCares in the area on Columbus Day and President's Day for an area-wide training and we all meet at a central location. THIS time it's about 40 minutes away and we're all taking the KinderCare van. I wanted to drive myself but due to parking, the area director is saying we all have to take the van. grrrr. I hate buses and vans!!!

See ya all later tomorrow.

[Msevon2]

Have a good day Becky. I know what you mean about the fabrics. If you find something you like in a good fabric it is a terrible pattern or if you like the style, it is made in a terrible fabric. I like soft or silky fabrics. I cant stand those patterns that they are using in JMS right now. with the leaf type thing printed on the t shirt type fabric. I dont really like tee shirts to start with. I found some jeans and stuff Saturday night, but left my money in the car so would not get them. But I may go back over and get them. I have 2 hours before my story comes on. See yall later.

[Janice30]

Hi Everyone,

Check out my cute video of Jilly giving her daddy 18 kisses on FB today. She is such a sweet and happy baby. Brock and Janine's favorite thing to do is spend time just loving up that little chicken and it shows.

What a gorgeous day it is today!!! The Autumnfest finally got a break and had a full weekend of gorgeous weather. The Autumnfest committee works so hard all year to raise money to bring wonderful talent to our city and bring bands from all over to march in our parade.
I feel so bad when they get a cold or rainy weekend. But the weather this year couldn't have been better.

Evon, it's so nice that you got to spend time with both Maddy and Dylan yesterday. They must have been so happy to be with you.

Becky, I hope you are having a nice time at your training classes. I'm glad you found everything you need and more to get sewing on those night Christmas gifts for the girls.
You should make a matching gown for Kim. Wouldn't that make a nice Christmas picture for them?
I can't believe John may have thrown out Kim's bunny! Leave it to men!!!!!!!!!!

Lynn, Have a nice day with Bruce's mom today. She must be very happy that you are both home. Are you taking her out to eat or just visiting.

Claire, I saw the band with the bagpipers go by in the parade. They were so good. Have a nice day today with Emile. Are you doing anything special today?

Well I have to get dressed. I'm been watching the parade on TV. I wish I was there, but in order to get a good spot to watch the parade you have to be out there with your folding chair at 8:00 in the morning an the parade doesn't even start till 10:00.
The people are about 10 deep all along the whole parade route.
When my kids were young and in the parades Ron used to go out at 7:30 in the morning and put our chairs out and keep places for us. I used to go a little later with my mom and dad so it wasn't such a long wait for them.
I have such fond memories of those days.

See you all later. Have a great day everyone.

[Msevon2]

So, is school out up there today? It is not a holiday here today. I have to go to work but the state workers do too. Karen went back to the doctor today and still no surgery in the works. She still has an eye infection. Sometimes I just wonder if they are trying to pacify her. Today her doctor was telling her he had a heart attack in Feb and since then has lost a lot of weight watching the carbs and fat. He also runs 5 miles a day.

Jan, wish I had high speed internet so I could watch the videos everybody keeps sending me. Bert called this morning and said he will call me Wednesday and sing happy birthday to me. We will see. Said he put my card in the mail yesterday. Did not want to mail it til after the party. Did not want the surprise to get out. I would never have even imagined they would do that for me. None of them. Still got another present at church yesterday and lots of bday wishes. I used to love to go to parades also. Still would if it was the same as when I was growing up. I lived in town and could and did walk all over town. Now I have to have a car just to get to real civilization. I live way out in the country.

well, better get busy. That was a cute idea about becky making a gown for Kim. I think I will put in my 2 cents worth. Why dont she just find matching gowns for all of them including her mom and all of them get their picture together. Wouldn't that make a great memorial for Ally and Grace? I think so. I would have to have a picture of my mom and me and my girls. I do have one of me and my girls and tyler and madison taken on mothers day after Maddy was born.

have a great day.

[Janice30]

Evon, go to FB and click on my video of Jillian. It's different from Internet videos. You may be able to see my sweet little chicken giving her daddy lots of love and kisses.
Happy you had another nice day yesterday. Everyone kept your birthday secret pretty well.
Don't work too hard today.

[cl2gas_1]

Hey, It is so grey today in CF.. My friend is coming up from Florida tomorrow. She will be here for about 10 days. I don't know when we will be getting together.. We had Mandy yesterday.. I slow cooked a fresh pork shoulder.. Mandy said "not for me".. I fixed her plate.. She left her potatoes and ate a second helping of meat.. So I guess I did good.. We did some Christmas squares.. Some with trees , candles and bells.. I can run a ribb=on through them and it will make a cool door hanger.. I made one for Halloween.. It is a pumpkin and a ghost.. connected by a ribbon.. It is hanging on my door in the kitchen.
We are off to Whole Foods this morning.. Emile needs some GF supplies. I just hope they are stocked up.. I hate getting there and they are out of what he needs. We had oicked up a box of GF chicken tenders (frozen foods). the last time we were there. We had them Sat. dinner. They were great.. Bell and Evans is the brand. They were so good.. We really didn't expect them to be so tasty.. Hope they have them again..
Becky, I took sewing lessons when the girls were younger.. Made them Easter outfits one year.. Pants suits with braid on the bottom of the pants.. Well when they got older they through that up to me that they had to wear pants with braid at the bottom.. But that was the style then.. All I sew now is seat covers.. or pillow covers.. I used to make curtains for the camper.. It has been a while..
Well will get my dishes done and get raedy to get my shopping done.. Have a great day all.. Lovge, Claire

[Janice30]

Good morning everyone,

Claire, glad you and Maddy had fun making Christmas decorations yesterday. It is so darn cold this morning. I started putting the heat on already. It is cold even with the heat on. We have to take out all the ACs and weatherproof the house for drafts.
I think everyone from our generation learned to sew. I learned to sew in school in my home economics class. I learned the basics in school and I taught myself the rest.
Well I have to get downstairs. I hate to wake up my poor mom from her deep sleep but the girls will be coming shortly and she need to eat and have her medication before they get her.
She's like a little burrito all wrapped up in her down comforter and I just hate having to disturb her.

Well have a great day girls I'll be back.
PS Don't forget to check out Jilly's video on FB. It's really cute!!!!!

[Janice30]

Hi Girls,

Don't bother going to FB to see Jilly. My video is gone. I don't know where it went but it's no longer there. Sorry!!!!!!!!!!

[lynnjp]

hey my friends

checked in with a very long post yesterday which has disappeared I have no clue what happened to it??? Jan I had said that I did not see the video on Facebook-I saw your post about it but there was no link to click on to see your adorable little girl. Today I had a dentist appointment this morning and than had to hit the post office, will do some cleaning when I finish here and than get to workout. No plans for tomorrow so I will do some more decluttering and packing things for the Big Sisters-my front room is almost full of boxes, bags and furniture.


Claire-thanks for the heads up on the chicken at Whole Foods-I am always on the lookout for stuff to cook when Janet (Bruce's daughter) is here adn that sounds like something I could pick up for one of her visits. Will have to get to Cranston and pick some up for her.

Becky-I do wish I had your sewing skills-would love to make something for Amber like you are doing for your girls-nothing better than traditions!!! hOPE TH training went well


Evon-Dawn had to work yesterday in Texas also-she said the schools were closed but all the public offices were open and that included her-so it probably was the same where you were. LOVE the story about you praying at night-what a nice thing for Maddie to be able to say to her friends about her grandma!!!


jAN-what a bummer about that video -I was looking forward to seeing it-it sounds adorable=it is evident that all your kids adore their babies AND that their grandma feels EXACTLY the same way


OK gals off to clean -have a good one!!

[Janice30]

Lynn, I found out where my video went. Brock deleted it. He didn't know Janine had posted it. He had just gotten up and his hair was all messy and he thought he looked sloppy and messy so he took it off. Well at least I got to see it.
She gave him 18 kisses and when she was finished she ran up to the camera with a huge smile and said "Eighteen". She is such a fantastic talker. She can say anything.
I cleaned the kitchen this morning. I was downstairs with my mom all weekend because I don't get aides on the weekends during the day so I get nothing done up here. So when the weekend is over my house is a mess.
Don't work too hard cleaning!

[Rebecca130]

Jan, I cleaned my kitchen, bedroom and dining room last weekend and I'm trying hard to keep it clean. My house was such a disaster, can't find enough time between working, Mom and the girls to get it clean. Did it last weekend, going to try for the living room and 2 bathrooms this weekend. WUD love to have a Pampered Chef party but not with the way my house looks!!!

[cl2gas_1]

We went to Whole Foods on N. Main st today.. They had no chicken tenders at all.. They did had chicken chuncks but not GF.. So Emile was upset.. He did get his english miffins and bagels.. So he was happy about that.. Well I am getting myself ready to watch the Biggest Loser..I hope I don't fall asleep before it comes on like last week.. Have a great night all.. Love you.. Claire

[Rebecca130]

The gorls just left and I'm watching BL too, Claire!

[cl2gas_1]

The sun is shining ...Oh happy day..
It sure is cold out there though.. I will have to take in my 4 Hibiscus plants today.. Emile wants to leave them out.. He said they are way to old.. I best watch out or he may want to leave me out...LOL..Mandy became a big girl yesterday.. I almost cried.. No more baby.. She is now a young lady..
We went to Benny yesterday to pick up a Plastic drawer to put at the bottom of my closet.. I will take my sweaters off hangers and put them in that drawer.. More room for the tops I got this Fall.. I could get rid of the smaller sizes I was in a couple of years ago.. But that would mean I have given up.. And I have not.. I am working real hard NOT to get any larger..
I am working on Christmas cards that will actually be able to be hung on the tree.. for my special friends this year.. Hope they work out ..
Becky, did you cut out the kids Jammies yet.. ? My kids are to big for that now.. But I would have had to start in Feb. to get them done by Dec. We know that would not happen..
Evon, Is it still warm in NC? It is cool up here.. My friend is coming up from Florida today.. Hope she brought her coat.. She will be spending lots of time in Worcester.. Even colder then here.. Santa is on the Today show this morning.
Jan, hope your Mom is nice and warm.. I bet she is a snug as a bug in a rug..
Lynn, just make sure you read the boxes of "Bell and Evans products.. They are not all GF.. The one we bought had 5 reg size tenders. for $%.99 A bit pricy but that is the price for all GF things. Emile said they were good but he would go with our own reg tenders . Cheaper..
Well ladies, Emile has gone for his walk.. So I will get my dishes done.. Then see what is on the list for today.. Love to all.. Claire

[Janice30]

to you, to you, dear Evon, to you.....and many more!!!!!!!!!!!!
I hope you have a great day today and maybe a few more surprises you weren't expecting.
This is your third wish for you today from me. I think I got it covered pretty well!!!! Love ya!!!

Claire, I remember when Shannon started. She cried all day. She said her life was ruined. She was such a little drama queen. How old is Mandy?
My mom's body was like toast when I uncovered her to roll her over this morning. She is like a little burrito all nice and wrapped up in her down comforter. She is doing pretty well. Thank God!

Becky, glad you got the house cleaned. I never got to the bathroom yesterday. I will have to tackle that today.
Ron has a doctor's appointment this afternoon so I'd better get started or it will be another day that is wasted.
Glad you enjoyed Kim's Chili.

Lynn, I bet you can't wait to get to Texas to get a little heat. That new picture of Amber is so cute. All little girls love the princess thing, don't they.
My little princess got her first skinned knee yesterday. Her neighbor was coming out of his house and she was running to say "Hi" to him and she fell.
He felt so bad!!! So did Janine. She said she was almost crying too.
It's a good thing she had long pants on or she would have really gotten a bad abrasion.

See you all later dudes!