September 29

[Lavande]

Greetings everyone,

Warm & sunny here, feels like summer wants to stick around a while longer. We just haven’t had enough rain to make my perennials happy so I am still outside watering most days. We took a ride to the market to pick up a few things & found a TRump rally going on in the parking lot complete with the big pickup trucks waving F_CK BIDEN flags. I guess no one told these these wankers Biden is no longer running, Lol. I really feel sorry for people with very young kids who are seeing all this deplorable behavior. It was reported that a guy in a minivan, wearing a Michael Myers mask was tearing around the parking lot, trying to run over people while waving a gun, geez. I CANNOT WAIT until this election cycle is over

PQ, I have found that people who are very versed in ‘technical stuff’ cannot handle the simple stuff, no kidding. YB is that way too, annoying haha!
I hope your day went well at the community garden.

Slo, that’s great the 3 grandkids are living closer to you now. Take advantage & visit often.
I did eventually become good friends with my younger brother but it took a while. He’s 4 years younger & just seemed like a different generation. He’s on the west coast so we don’t see each other often.

Mick, sounds like you broke free from the restraints & overworked yourself today. Hope you’re not hurting tomorrow. I’m not really sure what I would choose to grow if I had the greenhouse to myself. It’s a year-round environment in there so I’m guessing lots of fresh greens to eat & my fav flowers. I hope Julie enjoys her turn.

Hello to everyone else & wishing a nice night for all!
Lav

[Mick]

hiya all how are we doing today?hope everyone is doing ok ...Nice and sunny over here ,but definitely tell the season has changed ...there is no warmth in the sun. Washed the van down this morning ...I had to wash the salt off the spray when we were up at Old Hartley..I got carried away and washed both the cars too...then cut the grass at the back of the house ..thats the first cut its had ..and now its time for a rest ...didnt sleep that well last night ..

hiya Slo how are you doing today? hope you are feeling better ...We all do "I wish and what if "the thing is to ..as in frozen ....let it go let it go... are you doing anything over the weekend?I take it now the grandkids are closer you will be spending more time there?

hiya ppqp ...yep its phone off time ..tis the weekend .Are you at the garden? good for you in respect of the boss..every way you can increase your spending power is a winner ..take care and have a good weekend .

hiya Lav how are you doing? all good over there?What is Applebees? I remember seeing it but not sure if I have ever been in one ...going to weed the garden tomorrow ,and clean the greenhouse out .I told Julie she can have the greenhouse next year....she has some ideas ..We are off on Friday again ...but just local.its steam weekend with the East Lancs Railway .Are you doing anything over the weekend? hope its a good one

hiya teegee how are you doing? hope all is good with you ..

take care all.

[Slo]

Hi there!

After my medical appointment, I went up and visited the three grandkids; enjoy them while they’re young -and they are growing fast! They have moved 35 minutes closer to me, so it only takes just over an hour to get there now! The kids & their parents like their new house: nice layout, big yard, wide driveway for riding cars & scooters on, more room. And the neighbors let the kids use their trampoline & sandbox whenever they want (which is daily!).

Thank you for all of your wise, kind, & practical perspectives as I still fumble & grieve some over the changes in my life. I appreciate your encouragement.

Lav, my niece is the third in a series of four kids also. After two older brothers, she really wanted a sister; but she really likes her younger brother now (he’s 6), and I think she’s made peace with it. Oh, I’m so glad you had a grandmother living with you while growing up!
Sounds like a nice birthday for YB. We are dry & sunny here, seemingly endlessly.
My daughter was making homemade pizzas for her family tonight.

Despite the dry weather, maybe I’ll just let my yard “go fallow” and skip any watering, since it is October.
I was thinking the same thing, PQ; that the boss should have an even deeper appreciation & respect now for what you can do, and the time & difficulties involved!

Good night, Friends.

[porqoui]

MAE ALL...YAY It's the weekend! YAY Finished the extra work for childcare as it was a very quiet day. I actually left 1/2hr early for a change. LOL It was at freezing this morning but did get warmer around 20C/68F. It's supposed be nice again tomorrow which is a good thing as I'll be at the garden helping to do the fall cleanup.

Slo...good to hear you're back to feeling you did the right thing, because you did. LOL I haven't felt or thought about the marriage for a long time. This is my life now and I'm quite happy with the way things all turned out. That was a long medical appointment, I'm glad it helped. At least the boss has a better understanding of the work I put into calculating hours for our Summer Camp. Every little bit helps when deciding on a bonus for me. LOL

Lav...we're supposed to get some warm temps next week so I'll send the cool weather down to you. I can almost feel the humidity when you said a few quick showers. I wish we had Applebees here, I really enjoyed them in the states. I think the boss gets too technical, some of his spreadsheets just leaves me shaking my head.

Waves to the rest of the gang. Have a good night all...PPQP

[Lavande]

Hello friends,

Cloudy with a few quick showers here again today leaving it feeling way too humid for walking around Longwood Gardens comfortably. We went (for YB’s birthday) but didn’t stay too long. Had a late lunch at Applebees. Will be baking a small pizza later when hunger returns, haha!!
IF anyone is interested, this recipe for the hamburger buns is very easy & straight forward. Can’t copy the link for some reason. Look up thetearyonion.com

PQ, nice the boss even volunteered to help, haha! Sounds like he needs to learn a few things.
You know how chickens walk around - thinking they are invincible, but we know better Lol. Waiting for some of your cooler air - please!!!

Slo, my daughter did OK having only one, younger brother to deal with. I think my being the 3rd in a series of 4 kids was the bigger part of the problem. The boys were bigger & louder & always got the attention. My saving grace was having a grandmother living with us. She was the closest thing to a sister I had & a 2nd mother too. I feel for little girls who don’t have plenty of women in their lives. We are all proud of you for hanging in & waiting out those confusing feelings. Keep being true to yourself, hugs.

Mick, Cyn & everyone else - hello & hope you are all well.

Have a nice night all!
Lav

[Slo]

That was the full name, Mick: Newcastle Brown Ale! I liked it. I’m glad that you & JC stay in touch. She dropped a lot of the Army people.
Welcome home to you and the rabbits.

I am awfully lucky to have a sister, Lav. My niece (now 11) was so distraught when she found out that the new baby was a third brother. The same with a neighbor girl across the street from my family home. Ginger on the other thread is lucky, as she is often going on a “sisters” weekend with her sisters.

Yeah, the nostalgia just comes in waves sometimes. It sounds like you experienced that too for awhile, PQ.
I’m back to realizing that I’m lucky to be out, and yes; I’m more nostalgic for how it could have been rather than how it was.

I’m lucky to have found a good handyman, but his prices can be high. Like his wife wanted to charge me $50 per picture for him to help me hang some small pictures, and $75 per picture for larger pieces. No thanks! That’s nuts.

I have never made bread or buns before, Lav. That sounds hard. I do order fresh bread & buns & tortillas from a family company that makes their own, and I have it delivered.

That’s too bad that Boss wasn’t able to actually lighten your workload, PQ. At least Friday is coming.

Today, after an extensive 2 1/2 hour medical appointment that helped; I drove an hour plus to watch my high school (already?!) -aged nephews play soccer. They are a freshman and a sophomore, and the brothers are on the same team. It was nice to see family for a bit! The boys play well too.

I fell back to sleep last night after waking up at 4 am! Finally feel well-rested.

[porqoui]

MAE ALL...I'm feeling weary today, looking forward to the weekend. Boss took one of my jobs off my plate, said he'd do it, and failed miserably. At least he admitted it. I started working on it yesterday and have spent all day today on it. Just a bit more to do in the morning to finish it off.

Slo...good for you dealing with feeling lonely & restless by getting together with your sister. In the past I know what I'd have done, but I don't drink anymore. LOL Sorry you're feeling nostalgic about what was/could have been. It's strange how it just pops up every now and then. It took me a long time to finally get over that. I just kept telling myself to be honest with myself. (@admin we need a hug emoji please.)

Mick...glad you're home safe and sound and the rabbits are good. Geeze, thanks a lot for reminding me about the clocks! It wasn't even on my radar. The underground irrigation system was shut down today and garden club members are meeting on Saturday to do the fall clean up. All garden plots have to be "put to bed" by Oct 15th.

Lav...glad to hear you haven't lost another chicken. I love the picture that formed in my mind when you said "I go out the door & find her walking down the driveway like a boss" LOL It was a sunny but cool day here 11C/51F. The news showed pictures of this day in 2018 when we had 50cm/2ft of snow! I remember that, yet again grateful to work 2 blocks away from home.

Hoping all our online family is doing ok. Have a good night all...PPQP

[Lavande]

Hey friends,
Yes, we had sun today but it looks like the clouds are returning again tomorrow, oh well.
The hamburger buns turned out great, very tasty & no bitterness like you get from regular whole wheat. I will make a few more batches for the freezer so we can have them anytime. If anyone wants the recipe, let me know. I ended up trimming my new crepe myrtles after finding powdery mildew on them, ugh.

PQ, I talk to myself more. Than you think, Lol
good to hear your new program is working & everyone is happy. I haven’t lost another chicken yet but this one keeps escaping the enclosure. She has no clue how many predators we have around here looking for an easy lunch, I go out the door & find her walking down the driveway like a boss haha!

Slo, I’m glad you have a sister to turn to when you’re feeling down or lonely. I always wished I had one instead of 3 brothers. IF my husband was expecting me to work like a slave I’d leave too, that’s complete BS. You don’t miss that, you miss the way it could have/should have been. Keep focusing on your daughters & grandkids. You’ll get plenty of love from them & they will appreciate you much more than you know. Great that you found a good handyman, they’re priceless & hard to find. Hang in there.

Mick, glad you’re home. Had a successful trip. Rest up now, one week until your next adventure.

Hello to Cyn & Pie & everyone.

Have a nice night all!
Lav

[Mick]

hiya all how are you doing ? hope everyone is doing good ..thats us home now ....just been to pick the rabbits up ...van emptied the lot ..decent run down next Friday we are away again..just local up to Burrs near Bury ..and I guess that will be pretty much coming to the end of the season .

hiya Slo ...how are you doing ? sounds like you are into missing the past mode ..its ok to look into that but dont live in it ...you miss the present . yes ..Newcastle brown Ale ...or Newkie Broon as it was called .Im still in touch with Jacs...remember stay pos .


hiya ppqp how are you today ...got into Newcastle really enjoyed it.I would have gone to Edinburgh but madam wasnt keen ..Weve done it .today was a lovely braw day ..sun was shining everything ,but yes you are right the seasons are definitely changing ...Our clocks go back at the end of this month .

hiya Lav ...those burger buns looked pretty good!!did it turn out sunny ?it should have ...it was here.,drove home today and knee twinged a couple of times but thats it ...definitely on the mend ...hope you have a good day .

right folks tea time ...and Im a tad hungry ...so speak later .

[Slo]

Evening,

Wow, Lav; caring for chickens is tough! Especially sad about the fox who burrowed under the fence and got seven of them!
Homemade hamburger buns sound delicious.

I was lonely & restless, so invited my sister out for a nice dinner together at Bonefish Grill. Then we drove and reminisced and watched the sun set.

PQ, how satisfying that the effort you put in to install the new program for the childcare department has resulted in a real success!
We were down to 45 degrees F this morning, so getting colder.

I am missing my husband (who didn’t love me though), and I am missing my old house, and my old life. I wish my health hadn’t been failing, and I could have kept up with it all. Besides the three surgeries on top of each other and the alcoholism, I was slipping into peripheral neuropathy without knowing what was wrong. He kept insisting that I had to clean the whole big house, all the levels, by myself; plus the whole lake house if we went there; and I was hurting and couldn’t keep up with everything anymore and just wanted out. Now, I don’t know. I’m lonely. But oh well.

I had a handyman come and got a few things taken care of. The screen door works great now, another door handle is fixed, the dehumidifier works right, the ventilation fan is cleaned out, etc.

I’m still thankful that I live where I do instead of in North Carolina or any of the East Coast. So sad how much damage was done by that hurricane.

Mick, I always think of Jackie Claire when I hear of Newcastle! I miss her presence here. Well, and also Newcastle beer. But I don’t think about the different types of beers much anymore.

Take care, all!

[porqoui]

MAE ALL...we've definitely got the fall weather now. Close to freezing overnight, cool & crisp in the mornings but at least we have the sun. All the colours have come out on the trees. All clear from the dermatologist so that was good news.

Lav...sorry you had to talk to yourself today. LOL I went in early yesterday morning just to make sure everything went off without a hitch with the new program. It was a huge success. Everyone had no problem doing attendance and they all loved the ease of using it. When I got home I saw your light was going to wait until you posted but after having something to eat it was time for bed & book. Did you loose another chicken? I must have missed something. Hope your sunshine arrives soon.

Slo...best laid plans eh. Glad Huxley didn't make a fuss through all that. We've been getting lots of winds these day too. Actually had some warnings on Monday. Glad to hear you're keeping the cold symptoms at bay.

Mick...bummer about your weather. Were you able to get to Newcastle toady? Any more thoughts on Edinburgh? I hope you're enjoying your time away in spite of the weather.

I was at my computer all day today and my eyes are telling me enough! Have a good night all...PPQP

[Lavande]

Good Wednesday evening everyone,

We’re still existing in the gloom here but tomorrow is promised to be sunny, that will be nice.
Found a new recipe for white whole wheat hamburger buns so I made a batch, they look awesome. Definitely having chicken or turkey burgers for dinner tomorrow.
That’s all from me, hope everyone is OK.

Have a nice night all!
Lav

[Lavande]

Good evening everyone,

The sun is really trying to make a comeback, maybe it will actually get here in another day or two. It’s been 9 days of gloom here, haha.
Not much going on with me.

Slo, sorry about that traffic delay with the little one on board. Sounds like you did a good job getting through it OK.
About the chickens - I’ve lost so many to predators over the years, lost count a long time ago. Once the predators get a taste of fresh chicken they always come back for more, they’re not stupid. Those 3 trees in the fenced yard provided good cover from the hawks & owls. We reinforced the fence along the bottom to keep the foxes from digging underneath & stealing chickens (they got 7 of my birds a few years ago). I also have an electronic device that sends out some unappealing noise only the fox can hear that also keeps them away. And, we clip one wing on each chicken to prevent them from flying over the fence but somehow that one manages anyway Lol

Mick, your weather sounds a lot like ours but you’re seeing some nice scenery. Enjoy the rest of your trip!

PQ, hope you had a decent day.

Hello to all & wishing a good night for everyone.
Lav

[Mick]

Mae all how are we doing today? Hope everyone is well.weather over here is pretty brutal...it seems to be country wide with a lot of flooding..its hammering down here..so a day in the van with a little walk if it clears up.Brought my camera with me but the weather is too bad even to take it out. Had a decent walk yesterday so today is a day of rest anyway. Tomorrow we are going ito Newcastle. Ive been before but a long time ago.we are actually only 120 miles from Edinburgh. And yes the thought did cross my mind hope you are all ok

[Slo]

Good morning,

Picking Huxley up early from daycare and getting him home before rush hour hit didn’t work out: there was a big fresh car crash on the freeway, plus some minor crashes; and we were gridlocked on the freeway for an hour and a half plus. I picked him up at 4:15, and didn’t get him home until after 6:00 pm. Thankfully he had a fresh diaper on for that long car ride, and Grandma brought him a nice-sized cookie, so he wasn’t starving.

Lav, that chicken may have a shortened life span. But she’ll experience more freedom!
I like to cook once and freeze some for later too. Currently I’m enjoying chicken broth and chicken from when I cooked a whole chicken the other week.

Nice that you could finally catch up on the backlog, PQ.
We’re still having 70s F weather, so I probably can’t turn my water off yet. It’s back to quite windy today.
I’m doing well at keeping most of the cold symptoms at bay and minimal!

Happy travels to Mick.