A Gardeners Forum Forums General Discussion The Banter Hall COFFEEHOUSE 2306 Let's Liven Up The Mix!

meatloaf sounds good Cheryl. I will have to put it on the menu for next week.

I have never eaten salmon. I have no desire to. I used to eat a lot of tuna but I do not even do that so much any more.
and because of that I am taking fish oil supplements. They are helping a lot. my BP is well within normal range now---

Good morning, everybody!

We are very fond of eating fish here. Carol, you may be pleasantly surprised to know there is a huge difference between canned and fresh fish. There is no comparison, really.

I don't think there is much of anything that is better than a salmon steak thrown on the grill. Canned salmon, on the other hand, I can take it or leave it.

We are deep cleaning Maxi's room today to get it ready for his return and to prepare it for moving. My kid can surely be messy!

I'm startled by the contraband I've found.... snack wrappers! He knows he is not allowed to eat in his room!

Tam these are exciting days. I hope you can relax enough to enjoy them & not let the small stuff she does from immaturity get under your skin. It's hard, I know, when you are thinking very soon she needs to be and act like a mother & you are still seeing her act like a pesky kid. But I think you can have a little faith in how you raised her. Those lessons go deep & when she needs to, she'll be able to pull up what she knows OR ask you again!

The only fish I've ever eaten from a can is tuna. Everything else just seems wrong. I only like fresh salmon, grilled, baked, but not smoked. I've never liked smoked salmon. I had halibut earlier this week so I'm doing good on eating my fish. I found a crock pot recipe for pork chops and sweet potatoes that I'm going to try next week. Starting next week I'm really going to buckle down and try and lose some of this excess weight. I need to lose 25 pounds to get back down to a healthy weight. I've already got 3 full days of meals planned for next week, still working on what else to cook myself for dinner besides pork chops.

The kids are allowed to eat in their rooms but they are expected to be clean about it. Joey had wrappers all over his desk, empty juice containers on the floor, and the girls forget to bring their dishes back up for days sometimes. They have to scrub them though, so it's to their own detriment.

Teenagers, I'm finding out, are just plain lazy. I don't think that goes away until sometime in the early 20's. They don't do anything around the house without being asked, even though they can see the trash is overflowing but try to cram more in it anyway. I think after the baby is born your daughter will grow up a bit more in a hurry. Right now she still has that teen mindset of not wanting to do anything that isn't absolutely necessary. Once she has that little life in her hands though, everything will change. Being a mom isn't quite real to her yet but have faith. You raised her well and I think you'll be surprised by what she is capable of.

Cheryl, I agree wi th you. I have told my girls for years that a female goes into teh hospital a normal perosn & comes out a "mom".
now waht I meant but that is oncvve yo are responsible for another little human being your priorities change & you have a different mind set.

I think tamara's DD will do just fine. After all Tamara raised her....

Cheryl. Did you ever get in touch with my mom about the recipes???
I know she has all sorts of sites she goes to for her recipes & such.

and as far a meat goes she eats pretty much what she wants, she is just careful how she prepares it. She also has a few mail order sites for her flour & such.
Now a days I have also seen gluten free prepackaged thigns sucvh as cake mixes.

The grocery store that my mom goes to carries them for her--she asked them to.

I did get in touch with her and go to many of the sites she had recommended. I'mjust sifting through recipes trying to come up with something new. I get bored easily eating the same supper over and over. She gave me a bread recipe but I couldn't make it due to the dairy but a grocery store by my house sells the most awesome gluten free bread so I buy that. Most of the grocery stores around here carry gluten free items. Betty Crocker even started selling some gluten free mixes that my grocery store sells. In fact, I have a box of chocolate cookie mix waiting for me at home. In the baking aisle I noticed they had a bag of gluten free all purpose flour. Right along with the regular flour instead of in the organic section. Gluten free is really catching on out here, which is great for people like me who truly have a problem with it but I can't understand why this has become a fad diet.

that is good to hear----I know that she drinks, among other stuff, Lactaid milk.
isn't that non dairy???

I am glad to hear that you are finding more items to eat that are gluten free

And good morning again. I went out first thing and made another pile of raked up leaves, pulling weeds as I go all the time. I took Ted to school then came home and went to work clearing off the cliff side above the pool. More weed pulling and more piles. I planted 6 lantana plants along the top to hopefully drape down as they grow. I began to get a headache from the sun so no more sun for me today. Except the drive to pick Ted up again in a couple hours.
I'm thinking of going up and replacing sprinklers in the shade next.

Hello again..it's so hot here..I don't have my conversion chart but it's 39*C.

Cooking up some chili..should have picked a better day

Thanks all for the kind words of encouragement

I would not want chili on a hot day. I hope your DD appreciates what you are doing for her.

yes I hope she appreciates her momma too.
I like chili--soup--anything like that in hot or cold weather.

we are getting closer every day to this babies time to shoe herself in the world!! I am excited about this.

As it turned out, I had many errands to run today.

The school supply list came for Maxi and because I was near Staples & was planning on getting a printer, off we went to Staples.

The school said that along w/ the regular school supplies & books he must buy, he needs a 1 inch notebook for each class in different colors. They must have a matching file folder w/ pockets. And he must have 5 dividers for each!

Fortunately, Staples had the 1 inch 3 ring binders in black, blue, green, yellow, orange, red and purple. So, I got what he needed. Pricey, though!

He loves taking soup to school & I found him a cool soup bowl thermos w/ a spoon in the lid. He'll be delighted. I also got all the little doodads he needs except for a lanyard to carry his keys & memory sticks. I've been shopping for a new lanyard for him all summer w/out any luck.

I like chili any time of the year.

My pal Angel came over & replaced the hard drive in Maxi's laptop. And then we set up the new printer. At last, a printer I can actually use and one that doesn't cost a fortune to run! YAY!

Good night all. I'm getting the hang of this back to school schedule.

Goodnight Tina--sweet dreams. I'm glad ou are getting back in the swing of things so easily.

Merme--about the lanyard. I am thinking iot very likley that teh schol will sell them with either the school name or the name of their mascout on it.
The girls school classes used to sell them as one of their fun raisers. Either way it would not hurt to call & ask.

I am now going to bed myself.
not be around tomorrow, as I have much to do.
so everyone have a great Friday---

All that paperwork made me miss everyone. Oh well, it needed to be done.
Tomorrow is the girls sports physical and they're going to a new doctors office so I had to fill out all the paperwork from the doctor plus find the paperwork from the school for the doctor to fill out so the girls can play sports. Whew! Luckily the clinic is just down the street. I'm devouring a pint of mango sorbet. Wasn't planning on eating the whole thing but it was hot and humid today and it tastes so good I just can't stop. I made meatloaf for Aros and the kids tonight and Aros thinks this is the best meatloaf I've ever made. I think it's just been a while since he's had it and had forgotten that he likes it so much. Tomorrow morning I'm planning on going for an 8 mile run. I bought some energy gels to try, hope they work and keep me going. It's going to be significantly cooler tomorrow so that'll be perfect. I finished one book and started another while the meatloaf was cooking. Outside had a nice breeze and our little patio area is mostly shaded so it was a nice place to sit and get out of the kitchen for a little while. I think I'm going to go read a little and then call it a night.

Good morning, everybody!

Cheryl you have my sympathy regarding paperwork for school sports! I understand all too well! But I only had to do it for one child! sigh.

Carol I think you must be right about the lanyard. I haven't been in the school bookstore yet and who knows what all they might have? The mascot is a Stag & the school colors are purple & gold. I already know they sell all kinds of athletic wear & other clothing items along w/ backpacks, etc.

I really like my new printer. It is very smart. The scary thing is.... it might be smarter than I am!

Yesterday it got so hot and humid as the storm approached, it was disgusting outside. Then the rain came & it got even MORE humid rather than bringing any relief. Later though, the wind changed a bit and it did improve. But it was weird to be out in the rain feeling how warm the rain itself was and feeling all that mugginess as well.

Cheryl I hope your 8 mile run goes well today & the energy gels work.

Good morning all..wow it stormed last night. So humid out yuck.

DD has a doctor appointment today...getting closer she is due in 3 days

Merme, the skateboard shops sell some nice lanyards..here all the kids wear them.

Can't wait to hit that big dollar store(I know it doesn't take much to excite me) ...I'll have baby's room all decorated tomorrow then I'll share pics with you all. Just wish they'd pick a name(they changed their mind on the name they had picked last week) so I can get those wooden letters to put up(they sell them at the dollar store)

Today will be my first time to ever get on and travel a city bus.

Hope everyone has a great day..I'll try get back on to chat later

Good morning. I am very glad it is Friday. Also glad it is cooler.
Don't get lost on the big city buses, Tamara. Have bunches of fun.

I, for one, am excited to see pictures of the baby's room, Tamara. I bet you did an amazing job.

Tina, it's cooler here today for us to. They were saying something on the radio yesterday about a la nina coming in which is supposed to increase our storms, rain, make it colder, and give us higher chance of snow this year. Ugh, is all I can say. We had more than enough snow to last us a lifetime 2 winters ago, I don't want to see any more. No offense to you snow people but I hate the stuff. It just causes havoc around here. Anyway, vent over and maybe they'll be wrong about the snow. I haven't seen a good windstorm in a few years, I could go for that.

I'm munching down some oat bran so that I'm not starved when I go for my run in a little bit. Got coffee brewing if anyone is interested. I have to take the girls for their sports physicals today and then after that my friend is coming over to let me pick out colors of clay for a hair clip I want her to make for me. She is also just getting started with her own business as a makeup artist and asked if she could do mine and the girls makeup for practice. The girls are super excited, I don't how I feel. I've never had my makeup done for me before and I'm usually such a simpleton when it does come to wearing makeup. I'll let her have her fun though, if I don't like it I can always take it off.

Yes, I am looking forward to baby room and baby pictures as well.
Your face is washable, Cheryl. If you don't like it you can wash it off. And that should be the end of it unless you are allergic to something she uses. I haven't worn makeup for many years. I just let my wrinkles shine away.
It has been a busy day so far. Much cooler is much better for working.

Popping in for a second.

Yep me 3---I am looking forward to seeing pictures of the babies room also...

Cheryl--having your make-up applied by someone else should be relaxing. just close your eyes & rest while she is working on your face.

I see Tamara on the side bar---

I ran 8 miles today! I even did better running 8 today than I did running 7 last weekend. I feel awesome right now! Just wanted to share my excitement, my half marathon is a month from today and I'm gaining confidence that I'll be able to do it. Gotta take the girls to their appointment now, see you all later!

o.k. Tina jinxed me..I got lost Took the wrong bus with DD and had to ride 50 minutes to get back where I started from to get a transfer to another. She never went to the big dollar store so wasn't sure which bus to take..

The new dollar store didn't impress me much..same stuff as our regular stores..just double the amount. I hit every store I could think of down here and not any owl things to be found. So I bought lots of scrap book paper and plan to cut and paste.

Couldn't even find shelves at a decent price..thats the city for you. Everything costs over double than what it does home.

The doc appointment went good, her pressure is back down again to normal.

Got many things left to do..check back with you later.

Cheryl---happy to hear about the tood run!! yea for you!!!!


sorry about the bad luck with the bus and the dollar store. I guess sometimes bigger is not better.
But I know the room will look fantastic anyway. I have faith in you.

That is good news about your DD.

Going to jump into the shower now & then I can finish up cleaning in that Bathroom. Just about done & just about to the deadline.

see ya all later--

Meeting your goals and deadlines is nice, Carol. Way to go!
I am sorry I jinxed you Tamara and even more sorry that there wasn't much of what you wanted out in your big city.
I got a lot done today so far but I feel a nap creeping up on me.

sitting here waiting for my oldest & her boy friend & for my nephew & his family to get here-so we can go eat. DD will be here in say 10 minutes---Nephew will not be here until say 7. DH is sure gonna be hungry.

Give him a snack, Carol. Don't need grumpy around.

LOL great minds---He just ate a LOT of brownie. I just looked at him--so he says "dont worry, I'll still be hungry."

Guess I'll go sit in there with him & keep him company.
catch ya all later---bye

Chocolate always helps what ails you.

Carol a brownie probably helped him a great deal! I'm glad you are all going out together.

Tam ~ I know you want every thing in the baby's room to be utterly perfect to the last detail, but. I'm sure what you've accomplished so far will make it a lovely, healthy space for the little one; a place to be cherished. Does she have a rocker in there? I found a rocker in the baby's room was a big help during difficult nights with the little one.

I'm surprised you never rode a city bus before. Some areas have great bus systems, others have smaller ones which are less handy, but bussing can be a great deal of fun!

When I first was learning to ride the Cincinnati bus system -- it is a massive fleet -- I went to their headquarters and got a schedule for every single bus route they have. I put them all in a large manila envelope & stuck that in my bag. So if I ever got on the wrong bus & got myself lost, I would have all the schedules with me & be able to find my way home!

Maine has a very scant system.... it isn't really possible to get truly lost on it!

Maxi is home and he is on the phone with HP getting assistance putting his laptop back together after changing the hard drive last night. They sent him discs which arrived today & told us to call for assistance w/ the process. So he is absorbed in doing that while dinner is cooking.

We are eating late tonight.

I have to go back to dialysis at 6:30 in the morning and do an extra treatment this week. I got a couple of kilos heavy this week with them giving me so much extra saline to stabilize my blood pressure. We weren't able to get it all back off during regular treatment & it isn't safe for my heart to carry it around for long, so I'll go back tomorrow. It is tough to go 4 days a week. I've done it before, but man!

I am heading off to bed. I hope all sleep well.

Morning all, it is so hard to get to use the computer in the day time..DD and her BF are computer addicts

Merme, the baby's other grandparents are buying the rocking chair when they get here in two weeks.

I haven't been sleeping well..I feel so tired. Oh well, soon I'll be too busy to even notice.

Well DH called to tell me he picked 3 gallons of bean pods from my garden and has no clue what to do with them..so I told him just to wash and freeze them..I'll deal with things later. I asked him about the other things and he has no clue so I'll have to call my mother to go check things out. Apparently LOTS is in bloom but he doesn't know what any of them are.

Hoping everyone is o.k....I'm gonna try catch up on all I missed this past week here.

Good morning.
Tamara, it was nice of him to not let the beans go to seed and pick them at least. Freezing until you get there to deal is good.
I hope you take care of yourself in amongst 'mothering' everyone else.

Tina, don't worry he picked them because he was warned too.

Thanks..I am doing o.k.

So how's the outside work going?

My outside work is going wonderfully. My inside not so fabulous. I may get to that this winter......

Now after

well I am glad he listened to your warning, Tamara. and I am gladder still (Is gladder even a word??) thaT you are able to have your mom go over & check your yard. Now yoiu will be able to know what is going on & what needs to be taken care of.

I agree with what Tina said, remember to takwe care of yourself. When you are in good shape you can better take care of others.

Tina good news about the outside. THis winter when you have no real work to do outside, then you can do the work that needs to be done inside.
That is my philosophy anyway

Hmm, in California there is no such thing as 'no outside' work even in winter, Carol. It just means a different set of weeds are sprouting. Our winters are much like your springs. Firewood must be brought in.
But The weather should keep me indoors a little more. Of course that is what I said about the heat of summer. And it has been glorious. I do spend time indoors but by the time the sun drives me in, I have spent my allotment of energy for the day, sort of.
Today I am raking and such. Getting some of the fallen leaves and branches from the edge of the national forest land. Just a few inches of space between me and the next forest fire. At least that is my hope.

oops, I knew that I guess I was thinking of Illinois weather.....

I must say though you surely do much more in any given day that I do in 2.

Hello again..in for a a few.

I still have a few things to pick up for the baby's room such as shelves(couldn't find any small ones)and her name for the wall(if they can ever decide on one)but other than that the room is done. Going to take pics in a few..DD said I can use my camera card in this lap top..never even thought of that

I have been washing and folding baby things non stop and at $2.50 a load to wash and dry..it sure takes a lot of $ but all baby's things are washed, sorted and ready..I feel so relieved.

So I am going to grab a shower...and get things ready for supper. Hoping to get back on here tonight..if not, pics in the morning.

Tamara, sounds like everything is progressing well. I can't imagine paying that much for laundry.

Tina, I get worn out thinking of all the work you do there. I understand why you do it but if I were you I wouldn't worry about the inside either.

Aros is going to take the girls out on a photo trip today. He doesn't like the poor quality, crooked photos they have of themselves on facebook so he wants to take them out for some decent shots of themselves. They don't understand what's wrong with their pics but with their dad being a photographer he sees plenty wrong and feels sorry for them. It'll be a fun father/daughter day regardless. I'm just doing laundry and relaxing today. Will probably read my book after I get bored of the internet, lol. I'm having a hard time getting into this book but it's supposed to get loads better as it goes on so hopefully I'll get to the good parts soon. Have a great day everyone!