INDY I am glad you had a good day, and have some $$ to spend, same here, I usually buy what I want and when I want LOL makes it hard for them to shop for me.

DEVONNE so sorry your neck is still not good, rest is probably the best, good decision making on the floor,  that is a hard one to do.

HOLLY I am guessing you finished all the gifts you wanted to make, I still have a few tings to do, not much though, most of the food shopping is done!

CHERYL good idea to have the kids stay with you - it's a bit easier on both them and dad. Having the boys so close in distance makes it easy for us, so easy for pick up or drop off LOL They can always walk from here if they need to.

SANDRA yippee!!! on the winning, every little helps, I need to get the sweet things made for us, so hot here though I will wait till the day before, have to make the jelly then too.

I made a "note" on my phone and shared with Megan, of all the food items I have, she added to it for her to get. 

Today we went to the big mall, got there just after 8am, and was home at 11am, most of the shopping is done, she has to get some more things extra on the weekend, and I might go with her.

I am meeting Sarah & Julie in a bit, they also went to the mall, they will come back via the pub and we'll meet them (coffee for us lunch for them, ) it's just after 1pm, and it's HOT. over 100 now, and I know it will be hot at the pub, hope we can be inside in the A/C and not the covered outdoor area

I had to go, they messaged so we dropped everything and drove to the pub, now it's thundering, and the internet is slow. Still hot, and now it will be humid as well LOL Fun times, apparently our hottest December day since 1957 LOL I didn't think so, seemed just as hot all week!!

Last edited by tricia-anne (12/18/2025 10:37 pm)

Devonne, we put in the LVF too and I love it.  We went with the 4" I think, and wish we had gone with the 6 inch or wider.  My son, Anthony, put the wider in his home and I like it a lot more than mine.  We still have carpet in the living room because I wanted to keep it since Amelia was crawling around at that time.  Now I wish we had put it all over since I like the look of one flooring all over the house.  Dean and Anthony installed it and they did a good job.  We are thinking of re-doing with the wider plank and taking out the last bit of carpeting this spring.

It is extremely windy and cold today, we have a single digit wind chill.  The kids were hoping to have school called off, but it was not.

I need to go to the store to get the final ingredients to make my candies.  I am going to try homemade soft caramels this year.  I have never done them and saw a recipe on Youtube that looked easy enough.  I also will make peanut butter fudge and Christmas Crack.  I divide among the three families, so it is not too bad for us.  

Judy, I agree with paying for painting.  We usually do most of the repairs or upkeep on the house, but painting takes us too long.  It was well worth it to have painters come in.  They are so quick about it.  It is just about time to do it again as I think it has been 7 years now. 

Trish, nice that you had a successful mall shopping trip.  I have not been to the mall in a long time.

Have a great day all!!

Good Morning to everyone!!  It is pouring rain outside, no breeze.  I really don't have any plans for the day.  Believe Tracy will be here this evening, so we'll go some place tomorrow, maybe even get an ice cream.  That would be nice!!

Well, I don't have anything else to say, so will sign off, wishing you all well, BJ.

Howard is off for lunch with Dave, who called last night.  It's bright sunny and cold here.  Most of the snow melted the last few days.  There's my unsolicited weather report.

Andrew came home from Chicago on the South Shore train last evening, so he's here for the next 2 weeks, then starts busy season--Jan. thru April 15th--which means many more hours each day...the life of a CPA.  Well, that's what he wanted and yapped about (his career) since he was 11 or 12 and nearly drove his mother nuts because he always let her know he wanted to live in a big city, maybe in another country!  

It was Janet who hired the painters.   After the first go-around when the house was built, we always did it ourselves, room by room.  Howard was a much better painter than I was.  Initually, we chose a light cream with white woodwork, except in the living room which was an antique white.  While out of style, now, I'm still content enough with those choices and we're both beyond being able to paint, now, so it's a good thing.  Over the 29 yrs. we've live here, I've changed some room colors, one at a time, so the whole house isn't the same palette...   ie, "toasted cashew" (a pale apricot.) in our bedroom and very pale gray in the on-suite bath. 

Howard  just ran by ML's and got the mini muffins pans I need.  I'm making  tiny squares of puff pastry pressed into the pan with a tiny amount  pumpkin pie type-filling added to the center.   Danny's family likes anything pumpkin.  I've never ever used puff pastry before.  Hope I don't mess them up. 

I love our back and forth here at holiday time.  All your industriousness spurs me on when I'd rather be reading.  It's like we all share our days and tasks and fun, as we do many other times of the year.  One of the things I'm  thankful for.  

Devonne, sounds lovely and it will make your cleaning so much easier.   Will you get an area rug for the living room?  Necks, any aches and pains, take awhile to ease up.  Take  your time. Congrats on the good report from your doctor visit.    

I never do jigsaw puzzles.  Other than the subject coming up here, I never even think of them.  I think it's because in school we were to bring a gender-neutral gift to exchange and I most always got a jigsaw puzzle and it never got put together.  Mom worked all the time and grandma and grandpa were farmers with little down time and I was an "only", so...  However, when you girls talk about them, they're much more appealing, now...and amazing when finished. 

Must go.  Have several things to do that have dragged on for a few days.  So, I need to take care of them while he's gone for a few hours.   Have a good day whether  you're in the heat or the cold.
Indy

 
 

Holly, you did a lot of sewing for Christmas. I would love to make some pillowcases and use some embroidery designs on my emb. machine. As for holiday prep, I got one Christmas present wrapped, lol. Off to do a few more. I don't have as many this year as I never felt like shopping.

Cheryl, I went with the 6" because it says it looks more traditional and I'm all about traditional, lol. It was also $3,800 less. Greg got the 9"x72" and he loves it. With my open floor plan, I didn't think I would like the wide planks but it is definitely the more preferred width.

I got to talk to Shelby today. I asked her if she was going home for Christmas. She said "it depends on what Donnie wants to do." Of course, Donnie has been gone for over 10 years. She thought I meant our childhood home in Kentucky. I meant going to her house with Melena. I used to correct her, but now I just agree. It's easier and less confusing for her.

I'm watching a movie on Prime Video called "Washed Away." I would recommend it. Will do a little bit more housework after the Tylenol kicks in, lol. 

Last edited by DownSouth (12/19/2025 3:37 pm)

READER'S DIGEST......ALL IN A DAY'S WORK.....
1.  EMPLOYER:  YOU KNOW YOU WERE AUTOMATICALLY SIGNED UP FOR THE 401(K) WHEN YOU STARTED WORKING HERE?
ME:  I ABSOLUTELY CAN NOT RUN THAT FAR.

ITS SUNNY AND BRITE AFTER SOME REALLY COLD DAYS.

ITS SATURDAY AND I HAVE ONLY A FEW CHORES TO DO INCLUDING SORTING MY PILLS FOR THE WEEK.
WE LOST OUR POWER FOR 6 HRS YESTERDAY DUE TO HIGH WINDS BUT SO DID SEVERAL OTHER TOWNS.  THANK GOODNESS I HAD JUST FINISHED BAKING A CHICKEN BREAST SO I COULD MAKE A CHICKEN SANDWICH FOR MY SUPPER LAST NITE.
TODAY IS VEGGIE BEEF SOUP DAY.  A NICE DISH FOR COLD WINTER DAYS.
TOMORROW MY SON SHOPS THE LAST TIME BEFORE XMAS.  I DON'T NEED ANYTHING SPECIAL, JUST A FEW USUAL ITEMS LIKE MILK AND BREAD, ETC.  THE GOODIES ARE MADE FOR THE SEASON EXCEPT FOR THE SNOWBALL COOKIES.  I KEEP PUTTING THOSE OFF.  MAYBE BY NEXT WEEK SINCE MY KIDS WILL BE VISITING ME XMAS EVE AND XMAS DAY, ONE FAMILY EACH DAY. 
I PLAN TO ROAST A SMALL PORK LOIN WITH VEGGIES AND GRAVY FOR MY XMAS DINNER.  I AM TURKIED OUT THIS MONTH HAVING MADE 2 TURKEYS ALREADY.  

JUDY......HOW NICE THAT ANDREW MADE IT HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS.  YES, AS A CPA HE WILL BE BUSY, BUSY TIL TAX DAY APRIL 15TH FOR SURE. 

HAVE A NICE DAY MY FRIENDS.  HUGS FOR YOU ALL. QB S  

Devonne, when I worked neuro, we used to call it “pleasantly confused.” 

I just finished the last of Nora Roberts Lost Bride Trilogy, The Seven Rings. If I had to pick a single favorite author, it would be her. So well written, and such a perfect ending to the story. 

It’s sunny and 40 out. Tonight’s dinner is soup from the freezer, the rest of the salad from Applebee’s, and maybe some chicken salad. 

Devonne, I like making pillowcases. It uses up some of the ton of fabric from Joann’s mostly bought on sale or on clearance. I really miss Joann’s. 

Good afternoon friends!

I just got back from my (hopefully) last shopping trip for Christmas.  I had to buy a gift for Abby to open.  I picked out a pretty pink sweater.   If she does not like it, she can return it to Kohl's.  I still need to get a couple of gift cards, but other than that, I am done.  I also got the presents wrapped.  It was an easy job because I only had a few.  It feels so strange not to have loads of gifts for the kids, but they all asked for cash instead.   I also got the ingredients needed to make the Christmas candies.  Amelia and I will do most of them on Monday.  I think I may do a couple tomorrow with out her.  The stores were packed with people today!!

Devonne, Anthony may have that 9" flooring width.  I know his is dark
in color and wide and I really like it.  I have off white walls and oak trim.  I just cannot make myself paint the oak white like many people have done.  I know most of the newer built homes have white woodwork. Most of my house is off white, even the bedrooms.  My three bathrooms are the only rooms with any sort of color. (light green gold and the third is turquoise).  The downstairs is a half bath and it is the turquoise and white one.    Oh, the office is a gold like the bathroom.  I don't venture much in colors 

I also got Trish’s card today, thanks. I haven’t sent out cards in a few years. Maybe next year. 

I haven’t sent lots of color in my house! Kitchen is ice blue, living room and dining room are old gold, as is hall. Family/computer room is pale green, bedroom is ocean blue, guest room and sewing room are light gray, master bath is coral, hall bath is light gray. 

I’m done shopping, just have to put cash into envelopes and gifts in gift bags. I do have to brave Aldi Monday morning, early, for fresh spinach for salad, and milk and eggs. No snow predicted between now and Christmas, which I’m happy about. 

Devonne, I’ve had a cleaning lady for probably 20 years, and nothing ever got broken. 

Tomorrow is the solstice and the longest night- shortest for Trish!