@MusicCandy @SadMe70 New place to communicate

Hello my rainy day today friend,

Seems like more rain that usual for May, but the older I get I'm sure there have been plenty of them that went either way. It should be a bonus for your new plants .I planted just 3 tomato plants which is enough for the 2 of us that eat them, not Rachael's fav. The thai basil and parsley are steeling in nicely - they were in the "Charlie Brown" section of the nursery. I love picking up whatever i think will survive from that bench and they always do OK. I spent 9 dollars on those 3 plants and the herbs, I hope your berries do too. I had one blackberry plant last year and this year there are 4 more voluntaries - we will see how they do. Of course, there are the figs coming in from my gi-normous fig tree. I adore the thought of laying out some strawberries for the babies to pick! So cute. I wonder if they tasted strawberries before. 

I ate OK this week and glad to hear that you did too. The 2 lbs I was up went back to my usual, but now its "Hospital Week" so more snacks here again. At least there is a bag of apples and some granola too. I'll have some of that. Exercise was a little better, we got in 3 walks in the morning before her Day support pickup. It helps that its light outside by 730  and fairly warm so I managed to drag myself out of bed to the coffee pot. Still a struggle, I'd rather sleep until 930.

I get it about the mess. So sorry we are both going through it. Right - most of the prized possessions are never used and just keep getting moved around. I pray that nothing happens and you have a wonderful visit. We have to live for those happy times, as few as they might be,  I organized my living room and "office/ spare room" this week and that was satisfying. I keep seeing the piles and piles in the basement and I think I can't wait to start hauling it out. but it helps my state of mind to have the living room looking more like a room again. 

We probably have another church funeral/reception next week, and the new interim rector starts with us for the summer. There is supposed to be a Newcomers dinner, but the absent minded professor Vestry member is in charge and it takes him forever to get anything going. I put the pans of leftover wedding entrees in the church freezer for that purpose and I said I'll do the food, and that's all.  Last week, he finally e-mailed an agenda and e-mailed it to the wrong person. My head is about to explode. So there are constant events with church, but not any one single big thing coming up now, which is good with summer coming.

I'm glad you got your chai this week and I hope your me-time was fun, even running errands. I have church in the morning after my 16 here but its not too bad so far. Excited for you looking forward!

Hello my friend!  School ended Thursday, but we are headed back to school today for our PTA's second Touch a Truck event.  We had a lot of fun last year, so I am looking forward to it again.  My food was only so-so this week, with various treats at school and a lunch (pasta in white sauce and cookies) on the last day after the kids left.  I did exercise each day but had to be gentle because my lower right back was hurting a lot.  I got it dry needled at PT yesterday morning so that should improve it more.

Yesterday I also got the car seats put into my car.  Our rescue squad helps you do it correctly.  They were really great.  You send them your car and carseat models beforehand and they check for recalls, show you how to put the seat in, and then you do it.  It was actually pretty easy. 

I am praying daily that there will be no fights, that the babies will get comfortable with us quickly, and that my daughter-in-law will go along with things and not cause trouble.  I asked them over a week ago what size diapers they need and what food they want me to stock for their house and they did not answer.  My husband asked again yesterday and my son (surely directed by her) said "looks like we will be good on food and diapers." Obviously they can't be bringing two weeks of provisions on an airplane, so to me this seems like a rejection of my offer to help.  So, they will show up at a house with no food in it.  I also got 6 chicks yesterday and sent them a 10 second video of chirpy cuteness, saying I had babies for the babies to see, and there was no acknowledgement at all. They have not said which days they are going to Richmond, whether they are going to go down there when my mom is here, or acknowledged that I told them the one and only day my other sister and aunt can be here.  I want to spend this time in joyful anticipation, not resentment and anxious worry, sigh.

How are your plants doing?  My husband has planted more stuff - some okra, tomatoes, and started a new asparagus bed (our last one didn't ever do much). Our blackberry bushes are running rampant and currently have lots of blossoms.  My husband is trying to tend the fig trees more this year in the hopes of getting some actual figs from them!  I do have fig envy of you!

How were your eating and exercise this week?  I hope you were able to take some nice walks! I'm glad you got to clean up your living room and spare room!  I know that felt good!  I think this week is when I am dragging the boxes from the living room to the basement and having to find a place to put them.  I hate the thought, but I will be glad to have the living room looking decent again.  I also hope to put together the curio cabinet I bought online as part of my project to get a lot of stuff in my bedroom behind doors and therefore less dusty.

Did you meet your interim rector?  I hope he/she works out.  When is the newcomers dinner?  Did the person in charge get anything organized?  I hope you didn't end up having to do more work because he didn't do it.  I'm glad you are able to use the leftover wedding food!

I'm not sure we will have time for the chai this morning, but I am up a little earlier than planned so maybe.  I took away the chick food last night, and plan to go hand feed them a little bit before I put it back in.  They are in a box in the living room until they get bigger, and it's nice to hear the chirping!  (The dog is fascinated so we are having a job keeping her away!)

I hope you had a good week, and will have a good weekend!  

Happy Memorial Day . Monday . I'm working 7 a to 7 p, different from nights but I hope it will be OK. I wasn't planning anything anyway and Rachael will be with her Dad; Mark and Abi are at the Piankatank river with friends. He has terrible mouth sores from the chemo, but he cant get to the doctor until Tuesday. Abi said she brought protein shakes for him. 2 more chemo treatments. At least they have a little get away. Im trying to replenish my savings after the wedding of the century and there is a bonus working holidays. 

Last week, food was, I don't remember really, but i think I need to get back on more fiber and water. Abi did come over Thursday, late Mother's Day, and we ate key lime pie and wine. That's all. I tried to nap after that and before work, but it wasnt a good sleep after the half bottle of wine. Last two mornings after work and before sleep, i switched to sleepy time tea and rested a lot better. 

I know the chicks are so cute! Like kittens , they grow up fast. I didn't plant anything else yet  my straggly plants are growing up just fine. Tomatoes are tall already with the rain. I Love pinching off a thai basil sprig.  I hope I can get some more herbs when i get time. I know your vegetables will be good when you can pick them and eat right away. Rachael's Dad made strawberry sauce, more like that than jam, but I  paid for the berries and he gave me some. He has more time for that than me. 

I hope you het your living room done and your cabinet assembled. It will be easier on your mind with extra family there. I don't really understand your son AND dil's ATTITUDE. It isn't right the way they treat you . Going out of your way to make things comfortable and ready and they don't even respond. I know it doesn't help to dwell on the negative, but i'm on your side , just so you know. I will ask for extra grace for the visit.

We have a transitional rector until the end of August. That's his main job, helping us adjust. after that we get an interim rector and the search committee starts assessing for a permanent rector. He is very approachable and I think everyone will feel more hopeful. but about that Newcomer's dinner.. the guy in charge sent his planning email the wrong person and as far as I know he hasn't sent it to the right person yet. I'm not doing anything other than the food which is cooked- just has to be put in the oven. I'm over it and I am not doing the whole thing.  I did take communion to a parishioner who doesn't get out and that was very nice. I plan to do more of that since it is part of Pastoral Care.

Work phone ringing, so I'll take care of that, whatever it is. Happy Weekend and catch u later, my friend.

Hello my friend! I've had a pretty good week with food and exercise.  I actually lost two pounds, though yesterday we went out for a belated birthday lunch (I turned 54 last week).  I ate fried oysters, fried catfish, and french fries, and brought home a slice of peanut butter pie.  Every bite was delicious!! My stomach was a bit queasy by last night, but I feel fine this morning.  If I have time today, I hope to go try one of my favorite secluded walks that has two very steep hills.  My rear end muscles have been definitely improving with the PT.  My lower back on that side is still iffy.

I have been going through the motions of getting baby stuff ready to try and feel as much excitement as I can, to cover up the anxiety.  We now have two borrowed kitchen booster seats, two gates, and one portacrib.  We ordered a second portacrib.  I got toys, puzzles, and a wagon out of the attic and cleaned them up, I bought bath and beach toys.  The house is now full of baby stuff.  

I found out the answer to my son's strange message about not needing food or diapers.  He told my husband privately that my DIL is, in fact, bringing a suitcase full of diapers and baby foods, and he has decided not to fight her on it.  Why on earth anyone would waste suitcase space on two weeks of diapers is beyond me.  My husband messaged her directly about food and she asked for two things (bread and eggs I think), so that is all the food that will be in the house for four people except for what she brings in her suitcases.  They did finally request (through my son) for a couple of items like a bottle drying rack and nonslip bath mat, which we bought, and a rice cooker which we will borrow from my other son (but no request for rice).  This morning I woke up to find that she left our family group FB messenger chat.  I don't even know what that means. So, anxiety and some anger are the prevalent feelings, and not joy.  I so appreciate having you on my side. I will need the extra grace to be nice to her.  I am worried that she is ramping up and being extra awful to my son.

How did your day shift go?  I'm sure it's hard to switch your body back and forth like that!  I hope the shift went ok too.  Is it busier in daytime?

I am sorry to hear about Mark's mouth sores!  I hope that his doctor was able to get him some relief.  What can they do for that?  I am glad he only has 2 more treatments left.  I pray that it has been effective.  I hope he will be able to eat normally as well, once the sores heal up. 

I hear you about the big outlay of cash!  I just paid the balance for the beach house for my son's family.  That was quite a chunk, but nowhere near the cost of a wedding!  

I always sleep badly after alcohol as well, but last night I was up every few hours and didn't even have anything to drink last night (which is rare!).  I haven't taken anything to help me sleep all week, trying to give my body a break from the various sleep aids, since I don't have to be up as early.  When I wake at 5, I put my audiobook back on again and try to doze a little.

The chicks are very cute.  They are getting stinky already but it's still a bit chilly at night to put them outside, plus I like hearing them chirping away.  I had planned to get a few more this week if Tractor Supply had tiny ones, but I have enough going on and I think I will skip that.

We got the living room cleaned up and even restained the floor with the help of a friend.  I dreaded that so much but it went well with her there.  Also got the cabinet mostly assembled.  That was a big pain in the butt, but it looks nice.  I just have to put the shelves in and load it with my stuff. 

Did the newcomer dinner happen yet?  Did the guy manage to get his act together?  I am glad you are able to do more pastoral care activities now instead.  You have a lot of compassion, so I think you will be great at taking communion to shut-ins.  

How is everything else going for you this week?  Are things all worked out with SS?  I have a friend who works at another school who had planned to retire last month at the end of this school year, but she got so muddled up about the SS piece that she has decided to work another year to have more time to try to get everything set up right.

I hope you have had a good week, and I hope that next weekend I will have some happy news about hugging babies! I'm off to make some chai!

Hello my friend!  I lost track of days last week and forgot to write!  Just a quick note midweek to let you know I am so loving getting to visit with my grandchildren.  Our grandson warmed to us right away. My granddaughter is in a mommy-only phase, and I think she was feeling bad - snotty nose probably from pollen, plus jet lag - so she is taking longer.  They both are way off their schedules and not sleeping well at night, and having lots of cranky time, so we are just taking our time together as we can. 

I've spent two nights there out of the 5 they have been here, and this morning they got up at 3.  I got up at 5:30 and from 7-8:30 watched them all by myself so my son and DIL could nap.  I think my granddaughter got her first good sleep because she was absolutely lovely this morning.  Neither one threw any fits or screamed.

My DIL has been sleeping a lot during the day too, but has been pleasant while awake.  She rejoined our family chat group and has been posting pictures again. 

We have walked to the river three times for about an hour each time and they have loved standing at the edge of the water and playing in the sand.  I took toys and books over to the rental house and they have had a great time with those too.  

This coming Saturday we are going to my older son's house so I am not sure I will write, but I will write again when I can!

I am feeling actually HAPPY right now! (I won't go into diet and exercise so as not to ruin the mood!!)

I hope you are well!

Hello my friend! My son and his family flew out yesterday morning. I am sad of course, but so much to do to put away all the things I took over to the vacation house, kitchen to clean up, borrowed stuff to return, etc. that hopefully keeping busy will help soften it.

There were some annoying moments of course, all related to DIL, but I am not going into that today because I want to tell you all the wonderful parts!  There were lots, so this is long!  

We knew that our grandson was much more outgoing than our granddaughter, and as soon as they came off the plane, he went right to my husband.  I am so glad about that.  It made his day.  My grandson loved pushing the buttons on the mobility scooter and flipping the switch that makes a beeping noise.  All week, he would go to my husband, and even fussed a few times when he had to be taken away to go eat or nap.  My husband loved that he wanted to be with him.

My granddaughter is very reserved anyway, and is going through a phase where she doesn't want to go to men, so she only let my husband hold her very briefly a few times toward the end of the week.  After the first few days, when she was cranky and jet lagged, she warmed up to me quite a lot.  She would sit and let me read most of a board book to her, and I sat on the floor and played with toys with both of them a lot.  We played a lot of peek-a-boo around various corners and they loved that.  A couple of times they ran around the kitchen island chasing each other and laughing their heads off and it was so joyful!

They came over to our house only for two short visits, and I did not get a chance to sit them in the wooden high chair that my mom bought and restored for me when my older son was born, and also completely forgot about a wooden toddler rocking chair I have that my grandfather gave me for my first birthday.  But, they loved seeing the chickens and goats, and picking blueberries from one of our bushes.  I spent most of the nights at the rental house so I could see them in the early morning when they got up and before they napped.  I didn't come home at all for the entire last week.

Our rental house was 4 blocks from a small beach at the river, and we went there 6 or 7 times.  They could only last about an hour, but they loved it! My granddaughter loved the waves even when they were a little rough.  She would sit right where they would break on her and laugh every time.  My grandson only liked it calmer, and both loved playing with the buckets and shovels I got.  I have a big wooden wagon that I got down from my attic with all the toys, intending to use it to take chairs and a tent to the beach.  We turned out to not need any of that stuff because we didn't stay at the beach long enough to bother with it, so the babies rode in it and that was adorable.

We also came to Richmond so they could visit VCU and take pictures there.  We got lunch at a pie shop that they liked, and my son had taken me there before.  It's far from healthy but definitely delicious!  Next stop was Belle Isle and I had never been there before.  It was gorgeous! There were calm spots amid the big rocks where we could let the babies get in the water there too.

My mom and one sister stayed most of a week at the rental house, and the babies liked them too.  We saw my other sister, her husband, my aunt, my cousin, and my husband's sister and her husband one Saturday at my other son's new house (his poor wife, hosting that horde a month after moving into a new house!), so all of my close family has now met the babies.

I gained five pounds eating lots of bad food and ice cream, and my exercise was nil, but it's ok.  I have about 5 weeks before I got back to work and hope to take that back off again.  If it weren't for the heat, I would go on a nice long, hilly hike today. 

I think that covers all the highlights!

I am sorry to hear about the apathy for the upcoming dinner.  It sounds like you have a good backup plan to get the saved food to those who need it.  I'm glad you were able to have a talk with the temporary rector.  Maybe he can cajole people more during his sermon for the July event.  I know you don't want to be on the interview committee, but it does seem like someone like you who is so involved should have some say in choosing the candidate.  I hope it does not turn out to be too awful a process.

I hope work is going well.  I'm sure it is keeping you busy, along with your pastoral care duties. I'm glad you are getting your exercise in.  Good luck to us both with keeping the sweets under better control!  

Have a good week my friend! I am coasting on my happiness!

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Hello my tired friend!

It sounds like you packed quite a lot into that visit. I am so very happy for you that things in general went well. Happy babies are hard to beat, especially your own grandchildren. It had to be such a high point after all the pain and disappointment  that you have been through . Pulling off getting the whole family together is a feat in itself. I know you did the most for putting it all together and I'm glad it was worth the work and worry. I can imagine time at the river was a real treat for all of them. Babies don't usually manage the beach for a long time, so you did good spacing it out. 

Belle Island is a top spot for summer cooling and fun for everyone around here. They are still renovating parts of it and returning the plantings to native where possible. Rachael was off Wednesday for Juneteenth so we went to the Capitol Trail at Dock street, they are redoing the park with some nice wide trails and river access. It was fun to just get away from southside for a few hours and enjoy the water view and trails.  The rest of the week was ho hum. We did get a few late afternoons at the outdoor pool with Rachael and she had a good time sitting in the low end and kicking her legs and tossing a ball. It is pretty hot today, like you said, and I warned Fiance to not try to keep working outside any more than a few minutes at a time.  I'm at work but I managed a walk around the block and then back into the AC which I'm grateful for. I was thinking about that hurricane year when no power for almost a month and it was so hot. 

You know you can just take your time getting things put back away. Its hard coming back to earth after the high points. We went through that after the mega-wedding. Mark has 3 more chemo sessions. They came to the pool a little while yesterday before my work which was nice. The main side effect for him is mouth thrush and sores, he can't eat much of what he likes. And fatigue. Praying for better days for them.   Not a lot of church work next week so that's a little break. 3 of us have a zoom interview for the presumed interim rector which I think will be a pretty smooth process.     

My meals are up and down as usual, but I'm making an effort to get back to protein shakes which I actually do like on hot days. One fills me up and doesn't leave as much room for the bad snacks.. like the big cupcakes at work when I got here. I wish they would brink us healthy treats, but o well. 

Stay cool and carry on .

Hello my friend,

A much duller week for me than the last two! I have gotten my eating under control. I was able to take one longish walk with a couple of steep hills, and did ok with that.  I did exercise videos on three days.  I had my annual gyn checkup, which is the last of my medical appointments for the summer except physical therapy.

One of my friends from high school and his wife were passing through here on Tuesday and we had dinner near my house.  It was nice to catch up, but I was done visiting almost an hour before it was over.  Even with people I like and haven't seen for a while, it seems my social tolerance is pretty low.  The exception seems to be my immediate family, both my kids and my sisters, and my mom.  I'd like to spend more time with all of them.

I really did love Belle Isle and hope to get back there again someday.  I am not familiar with Capitol Trail, but it sounds beautiful too!  I'm glad you got to go there and enjoy some beauty!  I remember a year with a hurricane in August.  It was my older son's freshman year in college, the week before classes started when everyone was moving in and doing orientation stuff.  They were not allowed to leave the dorm building for about three days.

I hope your week was quiet overall.  I feel like even this week I was running around a lot.  I need more days of sitting and not doing much.  I have a hard time with that because I feel guilty, especially if my husband is outside doing stuff on his scooter.  Also, he has hired a neighbor lady to help him with outside stuff three days a week (to replace some homeschool teenager brothers that used to help him in the past), and she busts her butt.  I don't really want to be out there doing any of the stuff they are doing.  I just want to feed my animals and come back inside, or if I'm going to be outside, I want to be out walking!

How did the zoom interview go?  How were meals this week?  Are you doing the protein shakes more?  When we went to Dulles, we stopped at H Mart in Fairfax and I got a six pack of champagne mangoes.  Mom brought me some raw milk, I made yogurt, and turned some into mango lassi.  Soooo yummy!  I hope you were able to resist the cupcakes!  It sounds so much like my school, so many unhealthy and tempting treats everywhere.  I am glad to have a break from that.

Nothing else from this end.  My upcoming week is similar, I think.  Hopefully I can do another hilly walk! Have a good week, my friend!

Hello, my friend,

It is always nice to pull up the app and se that YOU were HERE! and just for me.  I also had a sort of ho hum week. I am trying to have a protein shake every day. your mango yogurt sounds so good. I'm looking for White Mountain Bulgarian yogurt, for me and also for Mark. It is about the best probiotic one you can buy OTC. It is unfiltered and the taste is very tart, low sugar. I saw Fresh Market has it listed so i hope to get a bottle next week for Mark. I have some left and its good mixed in my shakes too.  Otherwise, i just don't pay much attention to meals for me, but I do for fiance and Rachael. Its just too much to worry over sometimes. We did get walks in early morning most days and late afternoon pool a couple of days too.  At least no cupcakes at work tonight, and i brought salad, tuna, broccoli, soup. I did eat most of that so i pat myself on the back. A big pat for you too eating better, and exercising.. I'm happy you are able to do it. 

The ZOOM call with the prospective interim went so very well - she is perfect so I hope she can come on for what we can offer her in compensation. We all loved her experience, her attitude and her calming prayer at the end. I hope the members can start getting over our priest leaving and sick and so on. She has a lecture for her next book coming up so she has good things in her life for now. The pity party should be over.

I am working July 4, just because its going to be hot and not enjoyable outside anyway and Rachael can be with her Dad, and Abi/Mark are going over too. I get that after an hour with even folks that you half-way like- that is enough. I also wish i had more time with my family, but that's about it. We are peas in a pod that way. 

Not much other news. My piano students are on Vacay, so i'll have some Wednesday afternoons free. Late afternoons at the pool are actually very relaxing and Rachael just has the best time. I hope you stay cool and don't have to get involved in outside work if you don't have to. summer will go by too quick anyway. till next time my friend.