[Edit]

Replies:

• Oh Karen, I hope you can get the pain under control, and it starts feeling better and you can move around. Army Tough, that is just too funny. :-) Im thinking you need a little camo hospital gown. Take care, rest, and I hope you are up and around soon! (NT) -- M&M, 08:52:38 09/04/09 Fri
• Oh Karen, I too hope that you have a speedo recovery and start to feel much better soon. As for the typos I wouldnt recognize them anyway ;)))) (NT) -- Andrea *sending loads of healing vibes*, 09:33:49 09/04/09 Fri
• OMG what have you had done? Three days in the hospital is practically unheard of. Heal quick, enjoy your morphine and eat your bran. (NT) -- PD, 09:56:05 09/04/09 Fri
  • Don't panic PD, I just had a knee replacement, the first of 2 and that part is going extremely well. (NT) -- Aislinn, 10:03:49 09/04/09 Fri
• Hang in there Lass! You are having BOTH done??? Yer too young!!! Whatever did you DO to your knees??? Happy healing vibes headed your way! (NT) -- CarolE, 11:33:30 09/04/09 Fri
  • I expect it will be another year before I have the second knee done. They were both shite. :-) (NT) -- Aislinn, 15:31:58 09/04/09 Fri
• I was wondering how you were doing. Enjoy your button *G* and I hope your up and around soon (NT) -- Cherie, 15:46:31 09/04/09 Fri
• Good luck with the recovery and hooray for pain meds!! (NT) -- MaryC in KY, 16:49:40 09/04/09 Fri
• Glad to see you posting Karen and glad that the surgery went well. LIke I said on fb - you are goinjg to do just fine and will soooo enjoy your new knee - it will all be worth it. (and I like Michelles idea of getting you a camo hospital gown - she's so clever! *g*) (NT) -- Colleen , 18:46:36 09/04/09 Fri
• Aw, feel better Karen. I hope the recovery goes smoothly for you. Ya know, my knees are shite too, and may have knee replacement in my future too. It's not just old people with bad knees! (NT) -- Denise, 19:23:03 09/04/09 Fri
• I didn't realize you were having it done already - here's to a quick recovery and dancin' in the streets, soon. (NT) -- M.F., 23:04:24 09/04/09 Fri
• Big BIG hugs to you, Karen! Next thing you know, you'll be dancing! Or nearly. :-) (NT) -- Gayle, 00:13:04 09/05/09 Sat
• Best wishes for a speedy recovery, and fingers crossed for good news on the definitive answer. (((((Karen))))) (NT) -- Maria, 00:27:45 09/05/09 Sat
• Picturing the camo hospital gown now...*G*. {{{{{Aislinn}}}}} Hang in there. I didn't realize you had to have both of them done. That sucks...but in the end it'll be a good thing. Huge hugs and a wish for a speedy painless recovery. (NT) -- Tam, 09:29:06 09/05/09 Sat
• {{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{Karen}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}} Hope you're on the mend and healing fast woman!!!! (NT) -- Hedy, 19:06:05 09/08/09 Tue
• Hi Karen! Hope you're feeling better by now. Sorry I'm late to the well-wishing party, but it was a very busy weekend for me and I wasn't online. ((((((Karen)))))) Love ya! (NT) -- Shads, 13:23:23 09/09/09 Wed

[Edit]

Replies:

• How cool for your PD!! I think now can enjoy the cruise even better, eh? Alaskan cruis at this time of the year. Wouldnt it be considered cold there? (NT) -- Andrea, 12:35:18 09/04/09 Fri
• Wacko Bitch Boss........ I see a t-shirt in that or something. *G* Glad she is out of your hair and you are all settled someplace all ...... with the same routine. I dont handle change well, so I see the same routine as a very good thing. *G* Have a great time on your cruise. A sister went on an Alaska cruise and just loved it. If you see Sarah Palin......... drown her! :-) (NT) -- M&M, 13:42:32 09/04/09 Fri
• Congratulations on the new job and have a wonderful time on your cruise. It sounds amazing. (NT) -- Aislinn, 15:33:58 09/04/09 Fri
• Don't ya love it when a plan comes together!! Have fun on your trip. My Aunt & Uncle did one a couple years ago and loved it. So glad you get to go and not have to worry about things. (NT) -- Cherie, 15:45:41 09/04/09 Fri
• How perfect is that, get out of a rotten job and find a new one and take a cruise to celebrate! Have fun! (NT) -- Denise, 19:24:09 09/04/09 Fri
• Congrats on the job, Princess. Let us know how you like the cruise. We 'almost' got on the last Alaska cruise of the season - just missed it due to DH having to think about it just a few days too long!! Andrea, their season is May - end Sept.. We're going to try for a spring one now. (NT) -- M.F., 23:07:04 09/04/09 Fri
• When you're a Charmed Princess, all the right pieces just fall into place! I'm so happy for your good fortune, PD! (NT) -- Gayle, 00:14:06 09/05/09 Sat
  • And have a GREAT trip! (NT) -- G, 00:24:06 09/05/09 Sat
• So glad to hear everything is coming together!!!! Enjoy your trip with a peaceful mind, and take lots of pics! (NT) -- Maria, 00:25:01 09/05/09 Sat
• Congrats on the new position! Pat yourself on the back for the hard work and insight of planning that is landing you in a better place! What great news to enable you to relax and truely enjoy the cruise! Have fun! (NT) -- BetsyG, 08:08:38 09/05/09 Sat
• WooHoo...Great News!!! The trip sounds wonderful. The pictures I've seen from this type of cruise are always breath taking. I wish you great success in your new job and a boss that is not a pycho crazy bitch. lol (NT) -- Tam, 09:25:42 09/05/09 Sat
• Cruise well! Have fun! We watched 6 different cruise ships pass while we were in Parksville this weekend - awesome! And best wishes on the new job op! Hope it all goes welL! (NT) -- Hedy, 07:59:25 09/08/09 Tue

[Edit]

Replies:

• first ((((((((((((Tam)))))))))))))))and (((((((((((((((Matt)))))))))). The class, what classes does he need to do what he wants in life? Why are you guilty? Matt is away from home and experiencing a very new situation. There are lots of kids there in the same situation, who says he has to hang with his roommates? Get out and get some new friends, sit with someone alone in the food place. His weight is always going to be doggin him, addressing that will take fortitude and maybe counselling. I've got to dash for work now, but wanted to put in even a short reply. (NT) -- PD, 09:04:42 08/31/09 Mon
  • The guilty part comes from "IF ONLY I'd done this, or that..." He has always been torn between medicine for people or animals. Marine Bio is a big draw too. He started out a Biology-Pre Med major but has switched to Animal Science-Pre Vet. I know he'll like that field too. (NT) -- Tam, 22:35:11 08/31/09 Mon
• My mom told me that since she was paying for my school, I had to carry a full load every quarter. Matt is such a neat guy, and I have a feeling that once he really gets into his classes he will make some friends. After the first quarter, I didn't hang with my roommates at all. The eating, weight, exercise that's all on him now. He's only been there alone for a week, and he was a real Mama's boy before that, so the homesickness is probably overwhelming. And I can't imagine how much you miss him. I think the emotional stuff is entirely normal. Don't let him drop the class, tell him to watch what he eats. Tell to get out and walk around campus so he has a chance to meet some other people, cry into your pillow at night, and pray that it all works out. You are in my thoughts. (((Tam and Mtt))) (NT) -- TanyaB, 09:47:18 08/31/09 Mon
• I haven't been thru this and I didn't live in a dorm but I agree with Tanya that first year roommates don't usually become your BFFs (so I hear). Also agree that he needs to keep going to classes and he will find buddies to grab lunch with etc after class. Hugs to both of you, I know it's a terribly hard adjustment. Maybe your folks or Steve's Mom can take him out to dinner or something during the week, just to give him a little taste of home/family? You are both in my thoughts!! (NT) -- MaryC in KY, 10:56:48 08/31/09 Mon
• I would say all of this is NORMAL. And its not all due to his weight. Liesl went through the same issues ONLY being a girl she didn't eat! It will sort itself out...seeing you will help BUT I would give it time.>>>>went long>>>.. -- BetsyG, 11:25:04 08/31/09 Mon
  • Oh Boy. As an academic adviser at a University, I can tell you that this is perfectly normal, but that doesn't necessarily make it less distressing for the Mom! More inside -- Merc, 14:16:26 08/31/09 Mon
    • Oh, and I don't think he should be taking only 12 credits from the get-do. That is bare-minimum for full-time status. He should start out with 15 credits, and see how it goes. That would be better for a variety of reasons. (NT) -- Merc, 14:26:29 08/31/09 Mon
    • I mentioned intramurals to him. I doubt highly that he's looked into it but I'll keep my f ingers crossed. (NT) -- Tam, 22:50:58 08/31/09 Mon
• Awe Tam ((HUGS)) I have no real advise. I think the others above have covered it. He has to get out on his own and make friends. And I think that after a few weeks he will make friends in his classes. I also think he needs to take on a full load. Don't beat yourself up over this. (NT) -- Cherie, 11:47:38 08/31/09 Mon
• ( ( ( ( ( Tam & Matt ) ) ) ) ) I hope you'll be able to get rid of the guilt and let him even fall for a while. He needs to learn to be independent. Tough for a mother I believe :) (NT) -- Andrea, 12:12:36 08/31/09 Mon
• Hi Tam! Okay, so I'm not a mom, nor did I go away to school, but this sounds normal to me. Of course being away from home will be an adjustment and will have moments of lonliness---it's part of becoming an adult. You can't fix this for him, nor should you try. Be supportive, offer advice when asked, but Matt has to make his own choices now. Mistakes are as valuable as good choices. As a side note, I never carried more than 13 credit hours a semester, although I was in theatre and spent a lot of time working on or in productions. I was a 5-year grad as a result. It's not the end of the world to carry fewer hours. (NT) -- Shads, 13:51:19 08/31/09 Mon
  • P.S. Skip the letter. He's heard it all before and it will change nothing. (NT) -- Shads, 13:54:17 08/31/09 Mon
• Oh Tam I feel so bad for you. I didnt go through this either, Ian's roommate was a friend from HS his first year and about four of his friends went to Purdue so they all just hung out. I know he was lonely for home because I never talked to him so much. I think Betsy has great advice for you. Waiting for Merc to chime in since shes a college advisor. Hugs again, it has to be hard when they are so far away. Ian did change majors this year, I wonder whats the avg. for kids changing majors in college. (NT) -- M&M, 14:09:13 08/31/09 Mon
  • What's Ian's major now? Matt's gone from Pre-Med wanting to do Orthopedics, then he thought Radiologist. Then Marine Biologist, and now ANimal Science. Pre-Vet. i wanted to scream....just go to English Comp and stop filling out forms! lol (NT) -- Tam, 22:53:47 08/31/09 Mon
    • I will prolly go long, its kinda funny>>>>>>>>>>> -- M&M, 08:20:36 09/01/09 Tue
      • I keep telling the kids, do something you love and that you can support yourself while doing it. Every thing else is gravy! Good for him, although I agree...calculus, ICK! (NT) -- Tam, 15:20:02 09/01/09 Tue
• I have to preface this with the fact I graduated high school....took a 'year off'...went to community college and worked for a year...got married...worked ANOTHER year suporting us both as a preschool teacher THEN went to university. *confused yet?* And I had a REALLY hard time the first few weeks...I came home from 'school' every night for 3 WEEKS and cried for over an hour! I was always a good student but didn't enjoy high school, felt so much older than everyone else (I was 21!), and was VERY overwhelmed at first. My DH a severely learning disabled student really LOVED the uni experience from the get go---but not the classes. ;) Give him a few weeks..it is a LOT to take in. And I think he'd be better off keeping the class..I took 15-18 credits a semester (damn design labs!) but DH took 12 (or less--allowed as full time because of LD) and he ended up on the 6-year plan! 14 years out and we are STILL paying student loans! Good luck Mama! (NT) -- Ceilidh....I'll be back here in a few years for advice for Joey!, 14:44:49 08/31/09 Mon
  • The food thing is scary too...but something you guys have been dealing with for a long time. I am AMAZED at a meal plan that will allow him to eat all he wants...DH was always running out of money on his! Is there no way to limit the amounts?? Chris used to not eat breakfast for a week when he was having 'guests' (me and other friends) so he could feed us! (NT) -- Ceilidh, 14:47:07 08/31/09 Mon
    • The meal plan...this thing has had me worried since his Jr year of HS. We'd toured a few places and the dining halls were amazing. Once in...you can roam all over the place. Salad Bar, Taco Bar, Grill - burgers etc, Pizza, desserts. There is an omelet station, a waffle station. Frankly, it's rediculous. (NT) -- Tam, 22:58:38 08/31/09 Mon
  • I was the typical college Freshman, even a sorority girl. THEN, I STUPIDLY got married after my junior year and transferred. What an idiot. I lost 33 credit hours in the transfer nad had to pay the last 3 semesters and some summer school myself. Going to school as a married woman was really different even thought the age thing was the same. (NT) -- T, 22:56:30 08/31/09 Mon
• I think you need to put this in his hands. He knows about his weight problem, and nothing you say is going to make the light bulb suddenly come on. I'd also not let him drop the class - keeping busy, out and about, meeting people etc., has to be better than sitting in his room. I think once he gets settled in, he'll be fine - but I'd maybe make a call to his RA and apprise them (confidentially, of course) of his situation and ask them to keep you informed if there's anything worrisome going on. Have his grandparents drop in on him if they can, or invite him to dinner or something. He needs love and support, yes, but he also needs to start living his life as an adult. Not always easy (for either of you!) but necessary. ((((Tam)))) It'll all work out. (NT) -- Maria, 18:33:16 08/31/09 Mon
  • (((((((((((((((((Tam))))))))))))))))) I know its hard! We are getting used to being empty nesters with Amanda gone for her first full year away soon. I agree he should not drop the class - staying busy is key and staying busy as a student is his new "job" If you feel you must write a letter, do it. But don't give it to him. My mom used to do that and it often took be backwards instead of forwards. Maybe you can keep it to share with him when he graduates? If you want to mail him something - send a card every week or so. I was always impressed with how he jumped into HS when you guys moved from FL to VA. He's proven he can transition - this time he has to do it living with people he doens't know well or love. But he can do it. Hugs to you!! (NT) -- Debra Mc, 18:59:32 08/31/09 Mon
• Thanks y'all. I just needed to hear it from everyone. I talked briefly with him tonight and told him he had to keep the class, tthat this is his job. If it's a difficult professor then he may as well learn how to deal with one now. Also, he's using Steve's GI Bill. It pays by time not credit hour. If he cuts to 12 credits then it'll take that much longer. I told him that when the GI Bill runs out (36 months of education) that he had to pay the rest himself. We've talked about him joining clubs. He's going to join the Pre-Vet group and mentioned a few others. His RA is a girl that lives DIRECTLY across the hall from him. She's also an Animal Science major and they have a class together We plan to flly out there for THanksgiving and fly him home for Christmas. My parents home is always open to him. He'd have gone there this weekend, but they had company. He doesn't much care for Steve's mom (can't say I blame him). (NT) -- Teary Tam, 22:49:14 08/31/09 Mon
  • I'm a bit late but I'm sending you hugs. I haven't crossed this bridge yet, and not sure if I will...I don't see Ryan going away to school, at least not out of fown. However, Matt needs to make his own decisions...right or wrong, and learn from the consequences of those decisions. While I would encourage him to take the full class load, I would not let him keep you on the phone very much....start cutting back on your phone time. If he starts whining, change the subject, don't cave into the guilt trip, eh?! I'm sure it's pretty normal, but he's an adult and it's time to start pretending to be one! Hang in there. (NT) -- Colly, 10:19:01 09/01/09 Tue
  • Well the GIRL RA gives me the WRONG vibes! You should ask if a MALE RA is available for the whole meal thing....guys live different than girls and honestly even tho co-ed floors are fine...the whole living and eating stuff is different. She may be more understanding sympathetic to the situation...but I also think he needs some guys to bond with. I can't believe they declare majors as freshman???? Neither of my kids could declare freshman year I don't think. Merc can weigh in on this. (NT) -- BetsyG, 15:20:03 09/01/09 Tue
    • Some majors here can be declared as freshman, but most make you wait at least one, or even two years (this is the case for business majors). (NT) -- Merc, 07:51:43 09/02/09 Wed
    • There is also a male RA on his floor. He's just not technically Matt's RA. I probably should get their cell #'s just to have for an emergency. I don't think the declaring a major is a big thing. You can check "undecided" for the first 2 years, but Matt was taking a class that he wouldn't have needed for his new major, so that's good to know. No need to take Chemistry if it only counts as an elective. Much easier and more fun classes out there as electives. lol (NT) -- Tam, 09:58:23 09/03/09 Thu
• I was fortunate in that my ds lived at home while he went to university. All the advise sounds good - thinking of you both and hoping things improve soon (I'm sure they'll get better, it's early days yet) (NT) -- M.F., 01:45:05 09/01/09 Tue
• I think as moms, it's natural to feel the need to "make everything all better". This doesn't change just because they get older or move away from home. I am confident that, as he gets more involved in his classes, he will continue to meet more people with whom he has things in common. You are his safety net right now (the phone calls) as he moves outside of his comfort zone. You are obviously a great mom if he calls you for reassurance or just to vent. Lots of kids wouldn't. Hugs. (NT) -- Brenda, 02:10:05 09/01/09 Tue
• I'm late to the viewing as always. Sorry.....got lots on my mind these days. What everyone said is right on the money so I haven't anything new to add. Good luck to you all. It really does become easier, seriously. (((((((((Tam & Matt)))))))) (NT) -- Aislinn, 14:22:35 09/01/09 Tue
• Very late to respond, but this is in order (((Tam)))! (NT) -- Denise, 18:54:38 09/01/09 Tue
  • I'm late as well, but, no less sincere with my {{{{{{{{{{{{{{Love & Hugs to you and Matt}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}} (NT) -- Hedy, 08:02:00 09/02/09 Wed
• Sorry that I am also late to respond Tam - it's been a bitch of a summer and it takes a lot to get me out of my hidey hole once I get int here ya know? You've received lots of excellent feedback here - I don't have much to add to it aside from a big ((((((Tam)))))). I can tell you that my daughter's first year was very stressful for her - she had the worst time sleeping - and it affected her for almost all 4 years of her undergrad education. But she was motivated, and stuck with it. If Matt is motivated (and enjoys whatever major he decides on), he'll ultimately do ok. Try to just step back and breathe a bit. Offer the loving ear when he calls, but try to let him work things out on his own or with resources he has access to on campus. Well gee whiz look at that - I didn't think I had any advice to offer and it looks as though I did. Hang in there Tam, you all are in my thoughts! (NT) -- Colleen , 19:00:34 09/04/09 Fri
• A BIG THANK YOU to everyone for good advice and especially for all the shoulders I lean on so heavily!!! Mwah!! Y'all are the BEST!!! Update: So far so,..okay. ;) (NT) -- Tam, 09:35:17 09/05/09 Sat

[Edit]

Replies:

• Having a birthday luau tonight...apparently Calgary got our order for a nice summer because it's cold and rainy again! I'm nursing poor Duncan with 13 stitches in his butt cheek from a skate puncture at hockey yesterday. On the plus side....Happy Birthday to me because I managed to snag some great Kiss tickets this morning. Woo Hoo! (NT) -- Fiona, 10:49:24 08/28/09 Fri
  • Sorry for hoggin the sun, you need to put in your order for sacrifices a few weeks in advance. A luau party sounds fun!! Hope you have a great birthday with or without the sun. Poor Duncan's bum. He does know where those skates are supposed to go, right? *G* Have fun at KISS!!! (NT) -- Cherie, 11:47:11 08/28/09 Fri
    • It wasn't his skate, it was some other kid's skate he fell on top of which just missed all the protective pads in his pants and when through his hockey pants, underarmour, boxer and about an inch into his butt. Gross and ouchie but he's refusing to lay down and rest today. He already has the hawaiian shirt on as well as a hula skirt. ;-) (NT) -- Fiona, 12:28:11 08/28/09 Fri
      • Oooh, ouch! Have fun at your party tonight. Wish I was there!! (NT) -- Colly, 13:29:29 08/28/09 Fri
  • Have a wonderful time on your birthday luau. OUCH for poor Duncan!!! (NT) -- Tam, 14:06:25 08/28/09 Fri
  • Have a great time at your bd party - wish I could be there! Puir Duncan, that must have been quite ouchie. Sounds like he's already on the mend, though. *G* Congrats on the Kiss tickets! (NT) -- Maria, 14:34:24 08/28/09 Fri
  • Happiest of birthdays Fiona! Have a lovely evening and a great concert. (NT) -- Andrea, 01:34:56 08/29/09 Sat
  • Obviously I'm late to this particular party. Poor Duncan. Hope the Luau was a success and congrats on the Kiss tickets. (NT) -- Aislinn, 07:15:45 08/31/09 Mon
• Just got in last night with Kate. Tired and just sort of out of it. No real plans this weekend which is probably a good thing. (NT) -- Tam, 11:16:05 08/28/09 Fri
  • Bet your happy just to be home. Just wondering.... didn't you take Steve with you? Did you dump him out somewhere between Virginia & Arkansas? Do we need to move some padio blocks? (NT) -- Cherie, 11:49:12 08/28/09 Fri
    • Steve flew in on TH and out on Mon. Still thinking on those bricks. ;) (NT) -- T, 14:02:34 08/28/09 Fri
• Having DH's hockey team over for an end of summer party tonight. Tomorrow we'll be heading in to Vancouver for the AC/DC concert! Can't wait! (NT) -- Brenda, 11:54:30 08/28/09 Fri
• Continuing to recover from the AC/DC concert here the other night ...... we had the storm from hell move in during the middle of the concert, (60,000 soaking wet fans!), but they never stopped and it was an awesome show! (NT) -- Rachel M, 12:11:40 08/28/09 Fri
• We are going camping in the rain, in a friends back yard! Since we can't afford to go to a real campground we are making our own. Hopefully the rain will stop so we can at least have a bonfire, otherwise we will be hanging out in our campers playing cards and watching movies. (NT) -- Colly, 13:28:03 08/28/09 Fri
  • As far as summer, it's been a trial and one I hope we never have to repeat. Thank goodness for Fergus! Getting our camper has been fun and I'm looking forward to next summer...though if one of us doesn't get a job quick, we may be living in the camper full time! (NT) -- Colly, 13:31:12 08/28/09 Fri
• Summer - it's been cool and wet here all summer, so it's been more like an extended spring. I'm glad the kids will be back in school soon, but I'm annoyed I didn't get much done around the house. I bought paint and it's still sitting in the cans. *G* This weekend I'll be lazing. I worked overtime this week again, part time job my ass. I should be thankful, DH told me yesterday that his boss is making "close the doors " comments, so I may be the only one with a job after today. (NT) -- Maria, 14:44:58 08/28/09 Fri
• Weather wise we couldn't have had a better summer. 2 days of rain in 7 weeks on the island and now back in Calgary for a bit and it's nice and sunny. A very close friend of 30 years passed away Aug. 10. I still can't believe it. Ds came out to the island to participate in scattering the ashes in the ocean. I stayed and looked after Siena and Hielan because I don't think I could have watched it. They sat under a giant arbutus tree afterwards and had a farewell champaigne toast. (NT) -- M.F., 16:25:28 08/28/09 Fri
• We had and still have a wonderful (late) summer this year! And I am really glad it is not over yet :D. I know all about shitty Fridays Cherie, had one of them myself yesterday *GRRRR*. Today I have to go a couple of hours in the office. After that I'll go to the Mainland Games. Yep, Highland Games in Germany. Looking very much forward to this, the Celtic Maket and the music!!! This weekend we also have the Watersisde Museums Festival in Frankfurt. On both sides of the river Main are MANY museums located. There is lots to see in and out of the museums. I want to see an exhibition called "The Making of Art" tomorrow. It'll be the last day and then this exhibition will move. So, yes another eventful weekend. No sleep, no time for cleaning, but loads of fun :D (NT) -- Andrea, 01:34:09 08/29/09 Sat
• I hate that summer is over--lesson planning with a vegence now that I've met and got classes I can get a handle on what we will do and where we are going. Also watching the memorials for Senator Teddy Kennedy. His passing just makes me so sad...I am so worried about health care and now he won't be here to urge some passing...I had hoped this time he could bring about change. So sad and such a great man when you find out all the bills he authored and helped pass into law. (NT) -- BetsyG, 08:34:44 08/29/09 Sat
• This morning I am supposed to be working on a Huge slide show I'm putting together for my 30 year HS.reunion..... can you tell I'm shirking? Generally loafing? Slacking off? :-) Next weekend we're going to be on MY ISLAND for 5 days and we're hoping to ride for most of it - but - if the weather doesn't cooperate, there is always the SPaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! (NT) -- Hedy, 11:30:24 08/29/09 Sat
• OMG.......... my computer is fixed! Switched ISP on Wednesday and have been w/o internet and going nutso. Scotty found the magic solution today....... woo hoo! (NT) -- M&M, 20:49:50 08/29/09 Sat
  • WB woman! so glad Scotty was able to fix ya! (NT) -- BetsyG, 19:56:34 08/30/09 Sun

The Front Room
So the first room I did was the living room. It basically needed paint. The carpets need to be taken up and there is hardwoods underneath, but saving that for another day. We hit a warehouse furniture sale here and got some great stuff! He brought mostly tools/clothes from CA. and three other things. A mink throw, a iron Indian head a friend made, and a favorite quilt of Helens, who passed in Sept.

Scotty with Helen's quilt, also with a board in his hand he was putting in an a/c unit in his office.


We couldnt find a TV stand we liked, so we found this buffet hutch top by Brohill that retailed for 1100.00, on clearance for 97 bucks! It was perfect!

I dont know how many chairs Scotty sat in before we found this one that was just right! And the Indian head. Pillow I made with left over fabric from curtains and faux leather from Ian's headboard.



Found a leather loveseat and ottoman for 400, and the mink throw. Picture's were in Ian's room in Granger.



I found some little conchos on clearance at Hobby Lobby so I added them with some leather thread on his tab tops I made of maroon ultra suede.


Brian likes to call his bedroom the "Chick Magnet Room"

Here's the before picture.


When I stripped the wallpaper, I found mold, so we had some drywall repair work to do. It has cotton insulation from the 50's! Scotty replaced it, see all the mold on the right one. Ewwwwwwwww!


Found a great suede headboard bed for him at the warehouse sale! The paint is left over from our master bath. That chair Scotty had to have, he was going to use it in his office, till we went to that warehouse sale and found a office chair for 5 bucks!


The window boxes Scotty made, and the fabric is left over fabric from a slipcover I made. It's actually the first cushion I made that I screwed up. :-)


The pictures in the bedroom are so cute! I got them at the JC Penney outlet site for 39.90. I got six of these doggers! I have two left for home here. If I didnt like the pics I was just going to use the frames, they are beautiful! Click on these and see how cute they are!


The dressers are mine that I had in a closet, the mirror and lamps are also from storage here. My closets are empty! It's wonderful!



The Kitchen

The only "before" pic I have...


I'm not a country kitchen type person, but the house really lent itself to that, and Scotty liked hoe the old wallpaper border lookrf on the soffet, and asked if I could do something like that. The color, if you have been to my house, my whole house is this color and I had some left in a five gallon can. I first got the pictures, I saw some cute real samplers at Old Time Pottery...cheap! That whole wall of stuff cost 25 bucks, and bought wallpaper on clearance on the net. :-) The ceiling fan was there, and in decent shape I just replaced the globes.


We dont know what the old owners had as a back splash, but it was some type of fiber board, with contact paper and wallpaper over that, with large gaps. First I wanted to put that faux tin ceiling panels on it. But that turned out to be too expensive (very cool though!) and I used paintable wallpaper instead in a tin tile pattern and painted it high gloss. The stuff is cool! It hides large flaws, and is easy to paint, and is only 12 bucks a double roll at Menards.

Look at the range hood...... its not almond... its white! Its left over smoke residue on there I cant get off. It will be replaced later.... but people dinna smoke in your house... eeewwww!

He bought all new appliances. :-) If you look at the cabinets over the stove, thats the faux tin ceiling sample. I just cut it up and put some gold leaf on them to replace the Shakey's Pizza stained glass plastic that was in there...too cute!


The border didnt cover the whole soffet, so I wallpaper above it. The little pictures on the right.... they are tiles.... 69 cents a piece!


That's our spare microwave, its too big, and Scotty just ordered a countertop dishwasher, so I said... you need a Baker's Rack for the little corner and you can put a smaller microwave on there, I know just the one, its on clearance at Walmart for fifty bucks! And.... its now here! Next day I came back with it, and he had already put an outlet on the wall.

The pictures, wallpaper, back splash, trim for floor, curtains, trim paint, Baker's Rack, chairs, (he still needs a table).... I did the kitchen for LESS than 200 bucks! I have his new sink window curtain on my dining room table waiting to be hemmed, and it just needs a little something more, I dont know what though...... oh maybe a button trim along the bottom. *G*

What's cool is..... Scotty is a handy guy, if theres not an outlet on the wall and he needs one, there's one there the next day. He's a wood worker too, so if I need any little pieces of molding or anything... it's done the next day. The only difference is...in California he use to chop a tree down and mill the lumber, and here he has to go to Lowes!

So...... you can see why I haven't been blogging much because I usually have a paint brush in my hands. Everyone says... Oh youre so nice to do this or that, but when I have total control and can do what I want, its not me being nice, it's me having a blast! :-)

Next.......the outside deck and garage, nothing exciting there!

M

[Edit]

Replies:

• Gee, Michelle, maybe you can be the next HGTV DesignStar! It looks great! Welcome to Indiana, Scotty! (NT) -- Shads, 16:17:29 08/24/09 Mon
• Hmm, I have an entire house of white walls (except the bathroom, which needs new paint). You're more than welcome to come to ND for a visit and to have free reign over decorating! For those prices I'd even pay for the gas to get you here! Wonderful job, Michelle! (NT) -- TracyAnn, 17:35:16 08/24/09 Mon
• And after you hit ND, you can just mosey on over to Ontario cause I sorely need your help. Scotty your new digs are beautiful. Michelle, excellent job! (NT) -- Aislinn, 18:16:10 08/24/09 Mon
• I love seeing the place - your creativity is inspiring! Seeing Scotty smiling by that quilt is the best though! Can't wiat to see you both in October! (NT) -- Debra Mc, 19:36:38 08/24/09 Mon
• It looks like an amazing and SUNNY home! Lots of lovely light and I think it's just PERFECT for a bachelor pad! Wishing you years of joy, health & great memories in that home! (NT) -- Hedy, 08:09:00 08/25/09 Tue
• Nobody can sqeeze a dime like you can girl. Looks just wonderful. I'm thinking I should bring Scottie back with me from Surrey to help finish up our house. It's the woodworking, or rather the time to do the woodworking holding us up. And here's me putting up actual tin backsplash and I could have used wallpaper. Head smack! (NT) -- PD, 08:54:36 08/25/09 Tue
  • I would of LOVE to have put tin up but its just too pricie. I found some of those faux ceiling tiles on ebay so I would like to those in the bathroom. The bathroom needs a lot of drywalling and the ceiling is bad. (NT) -- M&M, 15:27:13 08/25/09 Tue
    • I wanted to put that tin ceiling stuff on my kitchen cabinets, but the pattern was off a bit. I'm going to look into the wallpaper idea now. Thanx Michelle!!! I have cheap crappy cabinets that I want to paint and add new hardware. I wanted the tin for that front inlay area. I'm also going to faux paint my ugly white counter tops. Honestly, you couldn't hurt them. Anything would be an improvement. Everything looks great btw. Scotty...great job on house and on your choice of decorators! ;) (NT) -- Tam, 07:49:46 08/28/09 Fri
      • tam, do a search on the net, for paintable wallpaper in the images search and a door should come up with it inside and it looks really neat. (NT) -- M&M, 19:32:26 08/28/09 Fri
• WOW!!! It looks great. Well done M. Nice to see you smiling Scotty I hope you enjoy your new home. (NT) -- Cherie, 10:41:56 08/25/09 Tue
• This looks amazing Michelle. If Scotty wants to stay single, I would suggest he not bring hisl ady friends over to his place because he'll never get rid of them! I am thinking you need to schedule in a visit out to my place when you come to Surrey this year....only 45 minutes away.....hmmmm? Need suggestions on the rec room. (NT) -- Brenda, 12:02:14 08/25/09 Tue
• Wow M! This is just so cool! And Scotty you have alovely house now. If i ever could get a house for that price I would not think twice. But it would only make sense if i had you 2 to help me :) (NT) -- Andrea, 13:10:12 08/25/09 Tue
• WOW! Michelle, your creativity and shopping savvy are amazing! I'd love to have you "do" my house over. *G* Scotty, what a nice place you have! I hope you're enjoying your new home! (NT) -- Maria, 16:24:24 08/25/09 Tue
• You are amazing, Michelle - not only for your shopping and decorating savvy, but your loyal friendship with Scotty! (NT) -- Denise, 17:47:01 08/25/09 Tue
• Geez, does this girl rock OR WHAT??!! 'Squeeze a penny' hahaha--I like that, PD! (NT) -- Gayle, 19:36:03 08/25/09 Tue
  • Hell, she could turn that penny into copper wire! (NT) -- Jeanie, 18:08:15 08/27/09 Thu
• Michelle it's beautiful and just perfect for him! I am so happy for both of you to have this project and connection! (NT) -- BetsyG, 20:16:55 08/25/09 Tue
• I can't thank Michelle enough for all the work she has put into this place. Elwood is a nice little town too.....only 9000 people live here. She did get it wrong about the garage though. It's going to be my favorite project. I was surprised how well my tools fit right into the existing workshop. I still can't believe I got this place for 22K.......can't wait to see you all in October
  
  (NT) -- Scotty, 23:08:15 08/25/09 Tue
  • And I can't wait to see you, too, and your happy grin! Who knew Elwood would be the right answer??!! ((((((MWAH!))))) (NT) -- Gayle, 23:18:36 08/25/09 Tue
  • I can see now another reason why you bought the house, Scotty! Super workshop, ya got there. Many hours of fun, eh? (NT) -- Merc, 07:35:13 08/26/09 Wed
• WOWOWOWOWOWOW!! What a total blast you two have been having! Scotty, the place looks just fantastic--very spiffy and coordinated, but with a man's look. PERFECT!! Michelle, I can feel your fun vibe all the way east to me!! *G* I'm so jazzed that you're happily settled in such a place, Scotty!! (NT) -- Merc, jazzed, 07:29:29 08/26/09 Wed
• Great job on the redo, Michelle! You couldn't have a better neighbor, Scotty (even if she is a half hour away)! Welcome to Indiana. (NT) -- BetsyE, 15:52:12 08/26/09 Wed
• Boy the place is shaping up wonderfully! The two of you are having too much fun with this home makeover Michelle and Scotty. Don't get it all done too quickly now (though seriously - I realize there's some serious work to do yet). I'm loving following the progress of your new home and life Scotty - it's good to see you smiling! Michelle - you are a terrific friend. (NT) -- Colleen , 16:14:52 08/26/09 Wed
• I love seeing all the work you've done and the end results are fantastic. You can tell you're having a great time, too. So happy for you Scotty. (NT) -- M.F., 01:13:33 08/27/09 Thu
• Congratulations Scotty on the new abode and the fancy decorator! I hope you're very happy in your new home. (PS...wonderful job, M!) (NT) -- Jeanie, 18:10:08 08/27/09 Thu
• Thanks everyone, I dont post for kudos, but you all wanted to see and they are nice to get. *G* I really do it forfun. (NT) -- M&M, 20:51:01 08/29/09 Sat

[Edit]

Replies:

• Ingersoll Harvest Festival so we're some of the entertainment and wouldn't you know, it's effing raining again! Not once have we played outside this year without rain or the threat of rain...although the winery at Fergus probably takes the prize for the most likely electrocution. One of my kids lost half his tap in the mud at the winery so we need to make repairs before he can dance. grrrr stupid crappy "summer" weather this year (NT) -- Fiona, 09:58:20 08/22/09 Sat
  • Well it only poured for the first 10 minutes of so of the show. We were under a gazebo which kept all and instruments etc. pretty dry, even though there were no sides. After the rain passed it got very hot and we were swarmed by wasps throughout the performance...so that's a new one. Jeez do you think the gods find our fiddling too painful or what??? (NT) -- Fiona, 09:38:19 08/23/09 Sun
    • Wow - floods, plagues......who did you piss off? *G* Glad you all got through it all right. It's freakin' cold here - August and I needed long sleeves the last couple of days, WTF? (NT) -- Maria, 03:13:54 08/24/09 Mon
• I'm panicing. We are going on a cruise in TWO WEEKS, I need to get my shit together. Will all my shit fit into the suitcase? I was supposed to have the day off before we left so I could CALMLY pack and ready the house but the BITCH BOSS has asked me to work. So I'd better go and get behind the sewing machine to finish up some stuff. At least we have sun, Ontario, not to rub it in or anything. *G* (NT) -- PD, 10:09:55 08/22/09 Sat
• Weelll....no camping this weekend as truck is down...DH is fixing and I'm avoiding the garage! It's raining so I'm going to be lazy. Have to go give mom her birthday present and sunday (hoping for good weather) going to a Deck warming party at a friends. (NT) -- Colly, 10:44:44 08/22/09 Sat
• No rain here, sunshine instead so I hope to spend time outside, gardening and maybe a bike ride today and fishing tomorrow. The nice weather won't last that long around here so one has to enjoy it! (NT) -- Denise, 11:39:55 08/22/09 Sat
• Company picnic on Sunday and I've been shamed into going even without any young'uns to tag along. (NT) -- Aislinn, 13:14:22 08/22/09 Sat
• hair done, pedicure fill lesson plans and just did some weed pulling in the garden (NT) -- BetsyG, 14:29:46 08/22/09 Sat
• I was trying to think of something clever to say. But couldn't, so I'm pretty much drinking this weekend enjoying the sun *G* (NT) -- Cherie, 17:08:27 08/22/09 Sat
• We have grandaughter Siena still with us on the island - she came Aug. 13 and we're trying to get lots of fun stuff in as well as do laundry, yard work, etc. and get packed up to fly back to Calgary on Monday. Today we went to the alpaca farm where dh and I fed them while Siena kept a wide berth. (NT) -- M.F., 02:22:49 08/23/09 Sun
  • AND you are NOT getting ready to go back to school! Lucky you! I bet it feels great Robbie! enjoy Sienna! (NT) -- BetsyG, 16:37:54 08/23/09 Sun
• I've beem to our regular UNO meeting yesterday, but for the first time we only talked and didn't play :D. Today I'm meeting with a women I haven't seen in almost 20 years! We used to live in the same house and were pretty close friends. Then I moved away and we lost touch. Now I found her and we meet. I'm really looking forward to that. AND I'm riding my bike to where we meet :) (NT) -- Andrea, 04:46:51 08/23/09 Sun
• Ian went back to school yesterday so most of the weekend was running around and packing. (NT) -- M&M, 12:11:32 08/23/09 Sun
• My former colleagues are going back to school in the morning and they're all in mourning! NOT ME!! Sorry Betsy;-) Does that mean Ian is going into his second year already!? (NT) -- M.F., 02:58:59 08/24/09 Mon
• My son turned 19 this weekend (how is that possible when I am only 29?) and we had family in to celebrate. (NT) -- Brenda, 12:04:11 08/25/09 Tue

• NO WAY................. Thats GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (NT) -- M&M, 08:06:38 08/19/09 Wed
• Excelent!!!! (NT) -- Cherie, 08:46:23 08/19/09 Wed
• WOO HOO Karen with an "E" !! (NT) -- karinp, 13:25:24 08/19/09 Wed
• Fun!! (NT) -- Debra Mc, 17:46:14 08/19/09 Wed
• Rockin'! (NT) -- Gayle, 18:15:08 08/19/09 Wed
  • 8648 peeps entered! The odds sure weren't in your favor, Karen, but Look What Happened! (NT) -- G, 18:17:10 08/19/09 Wed
• Hey, I'm totally shocked. I didn't even enter until the last week of July. Maybe they wanted to hit as many countries as they could. Thom thinks it's cause he spoke to her after taking her picture in Fergus. Bwahahah. (NT) -- Aislinn (), 18:19:59 08/19/09 Wed
• That's great Karen!! It seems whenever I loan out a copy of Outlander, it rarely returns - you get to hand out copies and not worry about getting them back, and possible hose 100 people at the same time!! (NT) -- BetsyE, 18:24:11 08/19/09 Wed
  • Oops, I was thinking that you got 100 books. Instead, 100 people got 24 books. 100 books would be a lot to give away! (NT) -- BetsyE, 06:20:21 08/20/09 Thu
    • I thought it was a 100 Outlanders too! Wow....... what lucky people are getting all the books! (NT) -- M&M, 14:36:29 08/20/09 Thu
      • I know!! I want one *G* (NT) -- Cherie, 16:08:43 08/20/09 Thu
• WOW how cool!!! Good for you! (NT) -- BetsyG, 19:49:15 08/19/09 Wed
• COOL!!!!! I'm glad one of "us" won a chance to Hose! *BG* (NT) -- Maria, 20:42:58 08/19/09 Wed
• Great SCOT! A gigundo hosing will be underway very soon, I'm thinking!!! You go, Karen! (NT) -- Merc, 07:51:15 08/20/09 Thu
• Congrats Karen, I'm sure it was the Thom thing that cynched it. bwaaaahhhhhh (NT) -- PD, 08:56:46 08/20/09 Thu
• WOOHOOO!!! Congrats, Karen! (NT) -- Shads, 12:42:17 08/20/09 Thu
• Herzlichen Glückwunsch Karen! Thats great! (NT) -- Andrea, 13:48:11 08/20/09 Thu
• Oh how cool Karen! Have fun handing them out!!!! (NT) -- Colleen , 15:03:58 08/20/09 Thu
• That's great Karen. Are you tempted to buy a lotto ticket - your luck is hot right now. (NT) -- M.F., 01:37:16 08/21/09 Fri
• How fun! (NT) -- Tam, 10:22:39 08/21/09 Fri
• Geez, don't check this board for a while, and look what I find! Congrats!! (NT) -- Colly, 10:42:45 08/22/09 Sat

[Edit]

Replies:

• (((Tam and Matt))) (NT) -- Fiona, 09:10:54 08/18/09 Tue
• Hope you have a safe and Uneventful trip. Enjoy your visit and tell Matt to be good *G* (NT) -- Cherie, 13:58:17 08/18/09 Tue
• I have been thinking about you too -- hugs to you! Heard someone on bob&sheri saying they were doing a "tequila intervention" as a group of 6 moms who were all leaving their first-born at college. Sounds like a plan to me! Glad your sorority sisters are doing the honors for ya :-) (NT) -- MaryC in KY, 20:49:31 08/18/09 Tue
• Hope all goes well and I know you will, but don't cry too much. :) You've done a good job and he'll be fine. (((((Tam)))) Matt - be safe, and call your mom! (NT) -- Maria, 02:46:17 08/19/09 Wed
  • ...for bail (d & r) Okay, sorry, I know the family ;-) Genetics will tell. (NT) -- Jeanie, 08:05:42 08/19/09 Wed
    • Hahahaha! (NT) -- Maria, 11:34:33 08/19/09 Wed
    • Don't you know I'm too smart to get caught. ;) (NT) -- Tam, 10:24:02 08/21/09 Fri
• Good luck to both, on Matt not missing home too much, and mom not missing Matt too much. Safe travels too! (NT) -- M&M (), 08:14:23 08/19/09 Wed
  • beautifully put, cyber aunite ;-) (NT) -- jeanie, 09:22:16 08/19/09 Wed
• My advice--keep his bedroom door closed for a month or so--it's too much of a bummer to see the room without crap all over! *G* Good vibes to both Mom and Matt in this transition! (NT) -- Merc, 07:52:56 08/20/09 Thu
• HEY GANG...so far so good I *THINK* We moved him in yesterday and he had a mandatory hall meeting last night so he stayed the night. Haven' heard from him since. Hmmmm....I'm sure he'll call laer wanting us to take him to lunch or something. You should SEE that freakin' room. Why would anyone want to leave there?!?! I posted the pix on FB, but I'll try to put them up later. OMG, it's HUGE and NICE. No tears yet, but I haven't really left him yet. Ask me again on Tuesday as I drive away. (NT) -- Tam, 10:22:12 08/21/09 Fri
  • mandatory hall meeting = enormous keg party (NT) -- Jeanie, 11:11:17 08/21/09 Fri

[Edit]

Replies:

• OK, some of those were seriously creepy. (NT) -- TanyaB, 20:13:35 08/18/09 Tue
• Yikes! (NT) -- Aislinn, 08:03:05 08/19/09 Wed
• Holy shit! Mike Terry, #3 in case you are interested, looks just like my great uncle bob in drag (NT) -- Jeanie, 08:10:08 08/19/09 Wed
• Tam those were funny, a lot of looked like Photoshops, but it was just the 60 and 70's. *G* (NT) -- M&M, 08:13:35 08/19/09 Wed
• Anyone going to admit to having any of them?? My brother had one...and I MAY have had another one! ;) (NT) -- Ceilidh, 13:07:05 08/19/09 Wed
  • It's sad but I know I've seen some of those before. Some are just down right scary!!! (NT) -- Cherie, 09:05:05 08/20/09 Thu
• OMG - I have never seen the likes - they were soooo frighteningly bad :-) it was like watching a train wreck unfold - I just couldnt' look away til I saw all eye-ball searing 70 of them! lolol (NT) -- Colleen , 15:16:12 08/20/09 Thu

[Edit]

Replies:

• Email it to me - I want all the stalking pics. *G* (NT) -- Maria, 19:22:41 08/12/09 Wed
• Me too.....hopefully you didn't get such a hideous shot of my ass, like Fiona's DD. LOL Loved the 89 though. (NT) -- Aislinn, 20:26:51 08/12/09 Wed
• Don't feel too bad about 318 pics, Tam. I came home from our last vacation with over 800 pics! Looks like you all had a great time though! (NT) -- BetsyE, 22:16:43 08/12/09 Wed
• LOVE THE PIX! (Also, love hosers!) Thanks, Tam! (NT) -- Gayle, 22:36:36 08/12/09 Wed
• You know what I really love? This is not longer a hoser get-together where hosers meet to meet hosers. This became a hoser family gathering! Sogreat to see that beside kids, parents attend to as well. Unbelievable what DG and we all created! (NT) -- Andrea, 05:48:27 08/13/09 Thu
• Great pics Tam! Bring Kleenex for the ride home, you will do okay at the dorm since there are tons of kids running around and you dont want to embarass him. Safe travels and hugs to you! (NT) -- M&M, 07:41:40 08/13/09 Thu
  • I have a few sorority sisters taking me out that night to our favorite "watering hole" from college. (NT) -- T, 08:06:07 08/13/09 Thu
    • Hugs to you Tam, its hard thing to go through esp. with your first. (NT) -- M&M, 16:47:12 08/13/09 Thu
      • SAfe travels Tam and definitely bring the tissues! Boy - I went thru it with my oldest 7 years ago and right now it feels like yesterday! (NT) -- Colleen, 05:39:43 08/18/09 Tue
• Great pictures!! Glad you had a safe trip with your tribe and everyone had a good time. Enjoy your trip "home" and tell Matt it's all about the fun!!! Well that and good grades but mostly fun*G* (NT) -- Cherie, 08:47:39 08/13/09 Thu
• Gawd, they both are so grown up!!!!!!!! (NT) -- Jeanie, 09:51:00 08/13/09 Thu
• email it to me too and if you still have the link for the "incriminating" New Orleans photos, I need that too, I lost it Link to my photos inside>>> -- Colly, 19:22:50 08/13/09 Thu
  • Colly your booth looked great - did you make money? was it worth having the booth? (NT) -- BetsyG, 08:17:24 08/14/09 Fri
    • Yes, the booth fee was very reasonable for the space. If it hadn't stormed in the middle of it all, I probably would have made more but I did alright as it was. I think it was worth it, even though I didn't get the booth I was supposed to have. (NT) -- Colly, 09:50:23 08/14/09 Fri
      • I just realized that maybe having a soap booth at an outdoor festival during the rain might not be such a good thing ;-) Glad you had some success! (NT) -- Jeanie, 11:20:13 08/14/09 Fri
        • Maybe we should call her "Bubbles"! :-) (NT) -- M&M, 15:56:22 08/14/09 Fri
• Love seeing all the pics. (NT) -- M.F., 03:55:32 08/14/09 Fri
• Great pics - I know you made memories to last a lifetime with Matt and his friends! Best wishes for safe travels to AK! It is EXTREMELY difficult to leave them so far away ...but you at least have family there..it will be harder for you than him and worse once you get home! Hugs and love for this transition! (NT) -- BetsyG, 08:11:01 08/14/09 Fri
• Great pics, Tam!! Another Fab Fergus fer shure! (NT) -- Merc, 07:59:14 08/18/09 Tue

[Edit]

Replies:

• Lily is certainly a charmer! This pic does NOT do her justice, she has the most beautiful blue eyes and a grin that made every adult in a 30 foot radius go "aww". *G* We got home safe around 10:20pm, unloaded the camper and unpacked and started laundry - holy crap, there was a pile of it thigh high on the floor of my laundry room! :-o Tomorrow I'll clean the camper so it will be ready for next time. I had a wonderful time with everyone as always and can't wait for next year! (NT) -- Maria, 03:04:39 08/11/09 Tue
• Too cute Karen! Would love to see the picture of Thom and DG too. Glad you all had a great weekend, sorry about the rain! (NT) -- M&M, 08:00:04 08/11/09 Tue
• someday maybe I'll get to meet this charmer in person --sweet Lilly I hope she's not 21 when I finally meet her! Lilly and Thom in kilts what a wonderful photo op! Would love to see your other pics Karen! Glad you are all arriving home safe and sound- when you all can get me rain free I might come back! (NT) -- BetsyG, 08:21:07 08/11/09 Tue
• What a cutey! Me too want to see more pics, please. Glad you had such a wonderful time. Like Betsy one fine we're going to make it to Fergus and get wet ;))) (NT) -- Andrea, 12:27:10 08/11/09 Tue
• Here's Some Pictures of our weekend taken by my DD. None of little Lily though. (NT) -- Fiona, 13:34:28 08/11/09 Tue
  • Bugger! Trying again Clicket Here (NT) -- Fiona, 13:36:13 08/11/09 Tue
    • Great pictures Fiona! Thanks for sharing. Oh, and I love your comments :D (NT) -- Andrea, 13:48:40 08/11/09 Tue
    • Great pics! I loved your comments as well. *G* (NT) -- Maria, 15:29:25 08/11/09 Tue
    • You told a terrific story with your photos and captions Fiona - thanks for sharing! (NT) -- Colleen , 20:50:06 08/11/09 Tue
    • Yeah, Teagan did a great job. I still think there is a future for Lily and Fraser. LOL (NT) -- Aislinn, 11:28:17 08/12/09 Wed
    • Hey, those were not MY socks!! (NT) -- Colly, 11:57:44 08/12/09 Wed
      • What??? I thought you left them there in last year's rain storm. *g* (NT) -- Fiona, 18:50:21 08/12/09 Wed
• Awwwwwwww! I wish I had been able to go. Glad you all had fun! (NT) -- Shads, 15:14:50 08/11/09 Tue
  • We missed you Shads, hope you can come again soon! (NT) -- Maria, 15:30:19 08/11/09 Tue
• I didn't take very many photo's for some reason and believe it or not, I only visited the beer tent once and only had one beer the whole weekend. I was finding it a bit difficult to get around thanks to my bum knees, but here's my photo's such as they are. Click Here (NT) -- Aislinn, 20:24:25 08/11/09 Tue
• Wow - sounds like a very interesting time! Loved the piccies Karen - Lily is gonna be a heartbreaker when she grows up - man she is just delicious! (NT) -- Colleen , 20:42:20 08/11/09 Tue
  • Isn't she sweet? Hey LeHoser, I wonder how long of a road trip you and I could stand each other for? Picturing a big sign on the back of my car that reads Fergus 2010 Or Bust!!!!!!! You get to choose...wanna be Thelma or Louise? (NT) -- Jeanie, 08:05:13 08/12/09 Wed
    • Hahaha - Oh golly Jeannie - can't we just fly? :-) (NT) -- Colleen , 16:31:12 08/12/09 Wed
      • Sigh. I remain DOOMED to respectability. (Yeah, right!) (NT) -- Jeanie, 19:41:51 08/12/09 Wed
• It looks like everyone had a good time despite the weather - and Miss Lily sure is a sweetie!! I hope to join you all at Fergus again someday :-) (NT) -- BetsyE, 10:53:56 08/12/09 Wed
• Great pictures!! Makes me miss you guys. Karen Lily is a honey (Josie (Josephine) was almost Lilly (Lillian) it's her middle name) As usual fun was to be had. Did Gwen make it? (NT) -- Cherie, 11:21:08 08/12/09 Wed
  • Yep, Gwen was there for the dinner on Saturday. I got to chat with her a wee bit but that was it. JP took a pretty good photo of the two of us. Funny about Josie's name. Lily was actually going to be Isobel for the longest time then Kel decided to name her after a family friend who'd passed away. I think Lily suits her best. :-) (NT) -- Aislinn, 11:26:04 08/12/09 Wed
• Oh my stars! What a total sweetcheeks she is!!! (NT) -- Merc, 15:44:25 08/12/09 Wed
• Soooo cute. I love the kiltie. (NT) -- Brenda, 18:33:17 08/14/09 Fri

[Edit]

Replies:

• I have two more!! :) Whe DHs dad passed away 8 years ago October he really went into a funk (understandably!) for a few months and seemed to get better after Christmas but didn't 'bounce back' like I was hoping. That summer I had taken the kids to my parents for a vacation and DH stayed home. He had a dream about his dad (not an uncommon occurance during this time) but his dad told him to "Smarten up or I'll kick your ass" *g* and DH FELT a kick in the ass and woke up!! When he came to get us he was SO much more like himself...and said he guessed he needed the validation that his dad was around. (he also felt guilty for not being at his funeral, a whole OTHER story!) (NT) -- Ceilidh, 13:21:43 08/12/09 Wed
  • #2 story (and then I'll shut up) was when my great-Grammie Bragg was dying. This was before I was born. I am not sure what was wrong with her (she wasn't that old) but she was definitely not coherant to her surroundings and kept asking for Bruce. Her husband's name was Bruce and he had passed away before her so they kept trying to calm her down over the week or so she kept asking. Then one day she looked at them and said plain and coherant as can be "Not my HUSBAND my GRANDSON"...my dad. Dad was 19 years old, in the army and stationed a province away (without a car) but he got leave and hitchhiked from Oromocto NB to Syndey NS and went right to the hospital SURE he wasn't going to make it. He did...he sat with her for several hours and she talked and talked and then said she was tired and sent dad back to his parents to eat and rest....and she passed away the evening. She had been waiting for 'her Bruce' but everyone (all the COHERANT PEOPLE!) had the wrong one! (NT) -- Ceilidh, 13:22:43 08/12/09 Wed
• I do have an experience like yours. How did you know Robbie? I'm prolly long so I go straight inside >>>>>>> -- Andrea, 15:45:11 08/12/09 Wed
• Boy Robbie, what a wonderful blessing for you! During my home invasion ten years ago, I could actually SMELL my dad...it's weird but I am firmly convinced that's why the idiot left me alive when I could identify him. Several years later I was having lunch with a friend who had a friend in town from NY...visiting friend was a psychic and apparently got bombarded by my dad and my aunt. I clearly come from annoying stock (NT) -- Jeanie...I DO believe in spooks *g*, 19:36:30 08/12/09 Wed
  • Me too, Jeanie even though I've never had a close encounter. Mind you when my grandpa(I mean my hero) died, I kept wishing for my best friend to call me from work (which she almost never did) and weirdly enough she did about 20 minutes later. (NT) -- Aislinn (), 20:29:03 08/12/09 Wed
    • I firmly believe they're around...maybe just not involved in our lives on a daily basis. Hmm...what's the quote about the first law of thermodynamics...nothing is lost, only changed? Gee, somebody should use that in a book sometime LOL (NT) -- Jeanie, 08:28:46 08/13/09 Thu
• Oh Yes! How WONDERFUL! And heck yeah - I've had several experiences like it! I am sooooooooooo glad that your friend found a way to give you that very loving message of hope for us all as to what comes next! (NT) -- Hedy, 08:08:32 08/13/09 Thu
  • I want to also say how sorry I am to for your and Gerry's loss of a dear and life long friend! {{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{MF, Gerry, DS}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}} Condolences to you all! (NT) -- Hedy, 08:17:28 08/13/09 Thu
• Robbie I am thankful you got this confirmation that he is ok! I believe they are around and looking out for us! I haven't ever heard voices (wish I could) but small things will happen or a thought will pop in my head... and I think its a loved one sending a message...I often wish for more concrete occurrences, like yours. (NT) -- BetsyG, 08:57:09 08/13/09 Thu
• Years back, my husband was on his first rescue call on a local mountain. Unknown to me, he had to repel down a gorge in the dark, with a limited amount of rope (they had to keep cutting it because of snags). I remember waking up that night and looking at the clock (12:07 a.m.) feeling that DH was not in a good situation. When he got home, I learned he and his partner were forced to spend the night on a small ledge. He looked over the ledge and found the body....at 12:07 a.m. They were longlined out the following morning. (NT) -- Brenda, 15:24:36 08/13/09 Thu

[Edit]

Replies:

• I think it was The Harlquin, and I liked it much better then the few before it. I haven't gotten to Bloor Noir yet but do plan on trying before the end of the year *G* That fan fic was so funny. (NT) -- Cherie, 14:06:26 08/11/09 Tue
• It is The Harlequin. The name refers to the organization of vampire enforcers and is a titalur plural, like The Board or The Joint Chiefs. I liked the book. I felt LKH started to get back on track after Cerulean Sins. (NIC and CS were both pretty horrible.) Granted, she is still not back to the quality of Obsidian Butterfly but I think she has improved steadily since CS. I liked both Blood Noir and Skin Trade very much. (NT) -- Shads, 15:12:53 08/11/09 Tue
• Oh man, you guys are going to get me reading these things again, aren't you? I kind of went off her stuff a couple of years back but now I'm thinking that maybe nathan might be missing me??????? (NT) -- Jeanie, 08:23:07 08/12/09 Wed
• We were just talking about this at Fergus. I *had* more chapters of Anna, but lost them in a computer crash. I haven't written in several years, but it is fairly finished in my head. hahaha (NT) -- Tam, 20:18:16 08/12/09 Wed
  • What a coincidence, eh? *vbg* (NT) -- Andrea, 02:16:33 08/13/09 Thu

• Awe Jeanie I hope you feel better. Broken leg & bum kidney, boy you have to take care of your self better *G* ((HUGS)) (NT) -- Cherie (), 21:54:41 08/06/09 Thu
• Oh, Jeanie, that sucks but you sound so optimistic that I'm going to feel optimistic for you. Hope you feel better soon. (NT) -- Aislinn (), 22:23:00 08/06/09 Thu
• It sucks, sucks, and then sucks even more! I think you might have a lawsuit there for your termination. Sounds very illegal if you ask me. Esp. if they said they were doing away with the position, and you have good reviews. I hope your leg is all nice and heeled, and your kidney too. How scary! Hugs to you! (NT) -- M&M, 22:35:16 08/06/09 Thu
• Oh Jeanie dear! How many bad luck were you hoarding? Sending you loads of healing & positive vibes! (NT) -- Andrea, 05:59:10 08/07/09 Fri
• God I love you guys!!!!!!!!!!! (NT) -- Jeanie, 08:52:55 08/07/09 Fri
• Wow, Jeanie. I've been thinking about you since you told me you were losing your job. Sorry to hear about all the other crap too. Hope things go up from here. I'd say it's gotta go up, but then I might jinx you even more. (NT) -- TanyaB, 15:40:10 08/07/09 Fri
• Holey Moley, that's a lot of crap to be happening. I hope your bones have healed - scary about the kidneys, glad they've smartened up. Sending lots of positive vibes out to you. (NT) -- M.F., 03:26:42 08/08/09 Sat
• Lets all put Jeanie in a group hug {{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{Jeanie}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}} (NT) -- Hedy, 08:08:10 08/08/09 Sat
• Guess who fell down the stairs last night? Come on, I'm sure none of you need a hint! When will I learn??????? I was going up the stairs to our condo and between trying to juggle purse, cane, water bottle, etc, yep, you guessed it. We are talking about a total ass over teakettle backward roll. I'm sure it was something to behold. No real injuries, just a couple of nice bruises and scrapes but holy crap! I'm starting to feel like Tam! (NT) -- Jeanie, 06:14:03 08/08 (NT) -- Jeanie, 08:17:51 08/08/09 Sat
• Gosh Jeannie that really SUCKS! I'm so sorry you have been experiencing life at it's very shittiest! (((((Jeannie)))) ...an Jaysus, Marie, and Joey stop falling down wouldja? We want you to hang around more often! (NT) -- Colleen , 09:49:04 08/08/09 Sat
• Having just taken a tumble myself this week I can really sympathize with you. Gentle healing hugs, and get a sling bag to haul your junk. (NT) -- PD, 11:23:49 08/08/09 Sat
• EGAD, Jeanie! Sending some chi-gathering vibes yer way, gal! (NT) -- Merc, 16:00:14 08/10/09 Mon
• TODAY FRIENDS I had to go get blood work...turns out kidney functions are fine, potassium levels are down enough to be alarming. New meds, more bloodwork on Wednesday. And believe me, these people who are taking blood from me are nowhere near the calibre of JC and crew. Had a nice pissy moment in the imaging center today when they refused to honor my voucher for leg exrays from the county health systerm. Going to have to pucker up and kiss some hiney next time I go, but until then it was verra cathatric, ye ken? This too shall pass! Love you guys ;-) (NT) -- Jeanie, 19:02:57 08/10/09 Mon
  • Aw Jeanie, I hope this all gets sorted out and you feel back to your old self soon! (NT) -- M&M, 08:00:57 08/11/09 Tue
  • I'm so sorry you're having such health issues! I'll be sending good healing and unclutzing vibes your way - although I'm pretty damn clutzy myself so I'm not sure how good those are. ;-) (NT) -- Maria, 13:22:01 08/11/09 Tue

[Edit]

Replies:

• Cherie that is soooooooo funny! Have a great weekend! Its gonna be a hot one here, so I think we are due for a movie. (NT) -- M&M, 16:49:57 08/07/09 Fri
• Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!! music and sun sacrifices for all! We saw Julie and Julia yesterday loved it! My vacuum is calling me now that all our visitors have departed and this is my last 7 days of summer vacation. (NT) -- BetsyG, 09:50:32 08/08/09 Sat
  • Wow that went fast! (NT) -- M&M, 20:20:52 08/08/09 Sat
• SO CHERIE???? you are no longer a VIRGIN for what bands???? Hope it was an EXCELLENT weekend! (NT) -- BetsyG, 14:44:21 08/10/09 Mon
• Hope you had a great time and heard some good bands! (NT) -- Maria, 13:19:37 08/11/09 Tue

Last edited by author: Tue August 04, 2009 12:51:18   Edited 1 time.
[Edit]

Replies:

• Im starting to feel bad for the legs left behind. Do they think these are all copycats or what? Safe travels to Jo! We had our storms today..... neighbor lost a tree. Im off to Scottys tomorrow to strip wallpaper..... fun huh! (NT) -- M&M, 22:14:33 08/04/09 Tue
• Our foot is just misplaced "medical waste" so they say..not nearly as exciting as the mysterious west coast feet. That was just terrible having that stage collapse in Canmore. I had a friend who was in Grade Two before she realized that line of O Canada was not "our homely naked man". *g* Off to Fergus this morning...we're supposed to get some rain on Saturday but hopefully not the biblical deluge that we got last year, which closed everything involved with the festival except the beer tent...thank God. ;-) (NT) -- Fiona, 08:24:44 08/06/09 Thu
• Virgin fest? Jeez Rie, there just aren't any words. Are you going to be the "after" exhibit??????????? (NT) -- Jeanie, 19:02:12 08/06/09 Thu
  • OMG!!! Jeanie I almost peed my pants!!! I am so using that line, all weekend (NT) -- Cherie, 21:52:06 08/06/09 Thu
    • Feel free, Boo Boo...I am sothere for you ;-) I hope your weekend is wonderful! (NT) -- Jeanie, 08:54:15 08/07/09 Fri
  • LOL Isnt odd that men are so infatuated with virgins, and women know they arent any good. *G* Might as well call them "told you so"s. (NT) -- M&M, 20:18:34 08/07/09 Fri
• What I don't get is, who would be pawing thru all that stinkin' garbage instead of just hauling the bags away?! (NT) -- PD, 11:26:22 08/08/09 Sat
  • Snort!!!!!!!!! Indeed, PD *g* (NT) -- Jeanie, 21:12:33 08/09/09 Sun

[Edit]

Replies:

• LOL Robbie. I just had a very vivid imagination of you in the garage and in the bathroom with the spider. HAHAHA (NT) -- Andrea, 00:51:15 08/01/09 Sat
• What a visual while sitting here drinking my coffee. hahaha Am I a horrible person if I hope your DH squished them ALL?! hahaha (NT) -- Tam, 08:53:25 08/01/09 Sat
• ooooh yuck! We get big brown spiders,esp in the basement--but since its finished we have sticky traps to catch them---I hate those gross sticky traps! I don't think I coulda finished my business with a spider staring at me! Good luck with the laundry Robbie! (NT) -- BetsyG, 09:42:22 08/01/09 Sat
• Oh MF, I dont know how you do it. I would have the dh kill them all! :-) I do a scan I think every time I walk into a room, its just automatic. Ever since I spray the foundation of the house twice a year weve almost got rid of them all. Besty you should try this for those big brown ones, it works. Its Ortho something or other and Bayer makes something too. I see some of the biggest flies in Indy I have ever seen in my life, they are just huge! For as much as I dont like winter, I like that it kills bugs. :-) (NT) -- M&M (), 10:03:06 08/01/09 Sat
• oh Robbie! I relate! On an unrealed, but, sort of related story, Leo got a new blow up for Halloween from Miss Pam in Memphis! ITS HUGE! If I possible can I will link a photo: -- Hedy, 10:56:49 08/02/09 Sun
• Oh good golly Robbie - that whole story is just freaky - I'd never be able to do laundry again - and there is no way in h*ll I'd be able to tinkle with a gasping spider sitting right in front of me! Ack! (NT) -- Colleen , 11:39:08 08/02/09 Sun
  • I thought they would be bad by you Colleen? (NT) -- M&M, 12:52:58 08/02/09 Sun
    • So far Michelle I've been lucky - occasional brown spider in the swimming pool - and I see the occasional big ass one in a web off int he bushes when i walk the dogs - but that's it so far. .... but it's the knowing that they are out there SOMEWHERE that gets me. (NT) -- Colleen , 09:53:09 08/08/09 Sat
• Does Florida have gigantic spiders with all that heat? What about Germany? (NT) -- M.F., 12:21:36 08/02/09 Sun
  • Define gigantic? (NT) -- Andrea with raised eybrows, 16:00:50 08/02/09 Sun
• I'm with Colleen - no tinkling with spiders present! I HATE spiders, they're my worst phobia. If I see them, they die. I can't stand the thought of them getting away and sneaking up on me later! (NT) -- Maria, 12:53:05 08/02/09 Sun
• Why is it that spiders like to hang out in the bathroom anyway? It seems that's where I see them the most at our house. (NT) -- BetsyE, 08:40:37 08/03/09 Mon
• LOL Robbie! Actually, I'm feeling rather brave, as I do believe I could easily pee in the presence of a spider. Now a snake? NO FREAKIN' WAY! (NT) -- Merc, 09:01:41 08/03/09 Mon
• I hate spiders, I kill them *G* (NT) -- Cherie, 21:53:02 08/03/09 Mon

[Edit]

Replies:

• OMG!! That thing is huge!!! (NT) -- Cherie, 12:06:22 08/04/09 Tue
• AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! (NT) -- Merc, 12:25:58 08/04/09 Tue
• Too funny! (NT) -- Aislinn, 12:32:39 08/04/09 Tue
• HAHA!! Andrea, that's gigantic;-) But so cute! Does Leo have a hard time killing the real thing? I can see where this would be spooky looking in the dark on Halloween. (NT) -- M.F., 12:55:27 08/04/09 Tue
  • Oh, I dunno. I have trouble finding balloons of any kind "spooky" whatever the lighting. *G* This arachnid is just too cute! Now, maybe if it looked more like Shelob from LOTR, that would change my mind. (It was a mondo creepy spider.) Love the purple booties! (NT) -- Shads, 13:26:59 08/04/09 Tue
    • I think she meant Leo! *G* (NT) -- M&M, 17:03:58 08/04/09 Tue
  • Taht was my very first thought "Now this is gigantic". And no, we do not have gigantic spiders in Germany :D (NT) -- Andrea, 06:07:28 08/05/09 Wed
• p.s. nice bike (NT) -- M.F., 12:56:26 08/04/09 Tue
• Oh, did you think I meant the spider!! (NT) -- M.F., 03:57:07 08/05/09 Wed
  • Well, yeah, that shirt is pretty frightening! *G* (NT) -- Shads, 11:58:21 08/05/09 Wed
    • You ain't seen nothing! He's got shirts that are brighter than the setting sun! :-) OY! (NT) -- Hedy, 08:08:50 08/08/09 Sat
• ...well - it used to be that I was afeared of spiders... NOW I'm scared of balloons too! lololol - how frigging cute is that! Thanks for sharing :-) (NT) -- Colleen , 09:51:08 08/08/09 Sat

Last edited by author: Fri July 31, 2009 11:06:39   Edited 1 time.
[Edit]

Replies:

• Great news! I didnt you mom cleaned teeth. *G* Thats nice to have in the family! :-) Have a great weekend with the kids. (NT) -- M&M, 22:22:48 07/30/09 Thu
  • Hahahaha...... I just read this, honestly Im surprised any of you let me play anywhere! *G* (NT) -- M&M, 08:54:06 07/31/09 Fri
    • Here's the wierd thing--I've "played" with you so long, that I didn't see anything wrong with that post! *G* (NT) -- Merc, automatically filling in the M&M blanks, 09:29:26 07/31/09 Fri
    • I don't notice half the time either. I'm the one who's spilling sucks *G* (NT) -- Cherie, 10:53:05 07/31/09 Fri
      • ok apparently it wasn't jus my orignal post with spilling grummer errors! (NT) -- BetsyG, 11:09:04 07/31/09 Fri
    • me either I just read what you think you wrote -hope you all do the same for me! esp with my rambles above! (NT) -- BetsyG, 11:10:00 07/31/09 Fri
• Have a wonderful time with your family. I know I sure miss my kids when we aren't all together. (NT) -- Aislinn, 22:44:06 07/30/09 Thu
• Have a great weekend with your kiddos, Betsy!! (NT) -- Merc, 07:29:15 07/31/09 Fri
  • And great news about Ross's job! (NT) -- Mercagain, 07:30:58 07/31/09 Fri
• Good news! Good news! Good times! Have a lovely weekend! (NT) -- Hedy, 08:01:53 07/31/09 Fri
• Great news !!! Have a wonderful weekend with your kiddies!! (NT) -- Cherie, 10:51:16 07/31/09 Fri
• Thanks everyone! and I tried to edit this better- thats what I get for posting late after celebrating our good news! and yeah my Mom is a dental hygenist still working at 72! The only person DD will let clean her teeth! (NT) -- BetsyG, 11:07:55 07/31/09 Fri
• So glad your dh is keeping his job. Great that you get to have your kids home together - which reminds me, my ds hasn't called me out here for weeks!! Out of sight, out of mind, I guess. (NT) -- M.F., 22:53:04 07/31/09 Fri
• I'm just so happy for you & you family Betsy! Enjoy your summer :) (NT) -- Andrea, 00:49:06 08/01/09 Sat
• Great news about Ross's job. Have a wonderful time with the "kids"!!! (NT) -- Tam, 08:54:59 08/01/09 Sat
• Good news all the way around, Betsy! I hope you had a great time with the kids this weekend!! (NT) -- BetsyE, 08:42:19 08/03/09 Mon