Becca_Anne

Stay cool Miki!

Jeepers I agree if they give you any more grief get a lawyer. And if you can go stay in your other house instead of the hotel while they are working that might be good. There is a lot they can show you by video could you get updates from the contractors that way and just come back periodically to see it in person while they are working? I hate to see you end up having to spend any of your own money on hotels. 

Littlesister generally if you pick them really big roasting in the oven works best or shredding to make into bread. I've also been learning about dehydrating them and making flour from them! I like to pick squash for eating small and fry with butter and salt and pepper and let some grow really big to shred to put in the freezer for breads. But there are a lot of ways to cook them. I made zucchini and squash boats and stuffed with meat and sauce and they turned out pretty good too.

Today I worked on my newsletter for quilt guild and got those all mailed out, and vacuumed the downstairs. Still need to do the upstairs and also replace all the cat litter. Work went smoothly today and tomorrow is another focus day without a ton of meetings so I should get a lot done so that's nice. I haven't had 2 days in a row like that for awhile! My watermelon is getting close to ripe so I think I'll pick it this weekend. I have never grown them before how do I know when it's ready?

Hope you have a wonderful Birthday!! 

Jeepers that situation with your insurance is just terrible. I hope the contractor finishes soon so you can get your money to finish, and get out of there and back to a more normal life. 

Ambergris so glad you got your glasses back! Amazing puppy didn't crunch them.

Miki usually you can save images from texts to your phone, then select the photo and select share on the photo to email it to yourself.

Littlesister glad your GS is still staying sober from the pot. It sounds like things are going so much better for you both. 

Annarchy let us know how the new air fryer works! I have one but haven't tried using it yet.

Today I had a Dermatologist apt, then worked and then cooked up the half cooked meat and was able to package it for the freezer. Got 4 bags of brisket and 4 bags of pork shoulder put away for future meals. That was satisfying to save it. Also swept off the porch. Sometimes you have to take the small wins!

Ambergris so sorry about your glasses! I lost a pair to one of my dogs years ago. I woke up and she had gotten out of the crate sometime in the night and got them off my end table. After that they went in a drawer at night. I am totally blind without mine so it was a pain for 2 weeks while I waited for a new pair and using an old prescription that really didn't work well for me.

We had a big windstorm knock out the power over the weekend and it happened right in the middle of my huge freezer cooking session! I had a roast in the pressure cooker, a brisket in the crock pot and had just started making enchiladas. Thankfully my big freezer everything stayed frozen. DH got ice and 2 more coolers and we were able to put all the food I was making and the contents of the fridge in those and then also put ice in the fridge and freezer. I didn't lose too much just the top of my small freezer some things defrosted but we can still eat them just will plan meals tomorrow (mostly buns and bread) we can use for sandwiches. I was hot and miserable and very grateful the water was still running (found out we still have hot water without electricity) and was able to fill the bathtub with cold water and use that to soak my hot feet in. 

My power was out yesterday so wasn't able to post but hope you had a fantastic Birthday SueC! 

Great to know thanks for sharing! We are using Easy Peasy as well haven't decided on all our subjects yet but I want him to read more fiction this year we mostly read non-fiction last year and it wasn't really engaging for him so I want to mix up the Reading this year. We will start the last week of August I think

Littlesister I have squash coming out of my ears  I just cooked and froze 4 more. Lots of pumpkin and some watermelon too which is not ready to harvest yet. 

It's good you are able to help your GS so much I hope he loves his new place.

Momo I second freezing them whole my grandma taught me to do that and they are so easy to process that way when you're ready to use them

Miki glad you have help with your paperwork. I need to tackle mine!

Jeepers glad you were able to figure out the slides and see what was on them. 

Kappy great update sounds like your chickens are doing great! Mine are almost laying age now just a few more weeks and we may have our first egg

Today was a really great day at work and celebrating the shower is 100% done! Less than a week before it's needed so super grateful it worked out

I wish I had all the old slides from my grandparents Jeepers! I hope you find some gems in there when you go through them!

Mt Rider so glad you have A/C in! 

Jeepers glad the sump pump is helping hopefully once it dries out more the water will stay away

Miki nice score on the jars!

Littlesister glad your squash plants are starting to put on fruit for you. Mine have us overloaded getting sick of squash boats they grow so fast! If we get any more I'm going to blanch and freeze all of them.

Welcome home Annarchy!

The plumbers put up the new surround for the shower today, letting the adhesive stick overnight with braces to hold it in place and they'll be back tomorrow to put on the trim pieces and finish up. So glad that project is almost done! My friend arrives next week so just in time. 

It's going to be hot the rest of the week, so I'm just hibernating in the A/C. Just don't want to deal with the heat. I will go out on Saturday though to do a big grocery shop I am going to do a lot of freezer meals this weekend.

Wishing you a most special Birthday! Hope you have lots of cake! 

I'll have to look that up Dee. I read dystopian stories too, and watch disaster movies. Reminds me how good my life is I guess? 

Hope you have a lovely Birthday! 

Miki Sorry you didn't get a full nights sleep! My apt was just a routine apt to check on my Implanted Cardiac Defibrillator. Some setting needed re-programmed so it will work right. I caught this one myself and let them know the manufacturer recommendations for the change. I have an ICD for insurance purposes due to a funky heart condition I have that puts me at higher risk of sudden cardiac death. It was discovered incidentally when I went to the Emergency Dept about 6 yrs ago for abdominal pain (unrelated). It has never been needed and I'm at low risk of it actually being needed but when you're a mom and the sole breadwinner for your family you do what the experts tell you is best and get the "insurance" policy.

Mt Rider crazy weather hope you can get that A/C in soon. 

Littlesister you are getting close now! I need to follow your example all my closets are a mess and stuffed right now.

Jeepers glad the lady was helpful planning the kitchen. I really hope this project goes smoothly for you. White is always good when you want to sell.

I had a good day at work and found out I'm getting a small bonus which is really nice. One of my major projects was successfully concluded today which is a feather in the cap of the organization so can't go wrong with making them look good  Also the plumbers came today and roughed in the new plumbing, fixed a clog and replaced the shower diverter upstairs so that shower works better now. They will come back Tuesday to finish up the replacement of the walls (they are doing an overlay over the existing wallboard). So that project will be done. And right in time my friend arrives the beginning of August.

Hope you had a great Birthday!! 

Drove over to STL this morning for my cardiology apt. Huge downpour and we took DH's car. Came back to a  small tree branch having hit the top of my car door  Won't affect the function but sad my nice SUV is dented. Thankful it wasn't a bigger branch!

Miki sometimes I wake up super early like that always a pain when you can't fall back asleep.

Jeepers I know what you mean about living on tomato sandwiches in the summer I've had two this week with cheese and so tasty  Just a little mayo and lettuce, cheese and thick slices of tomato is perfect.

Ambergris hope the puppy picks up the housebreaking quickly. 

Littlesister I bet you'll be glad when the closets are done!

Mt Rider I've had bacon packs like that from time to time it's always such a disappointment.

Nice Dee! You have some good eating there 

Glad things are moving along on the house Jeepers!

Mt Rider hope you and your DH can get that air conditioner in without hurting yourselves. Glad you didn't get injured bad from your fall on the stairs. I tend to trip going up too for some reason. I'm getting paid a very small stipend for the extra work. It's real payback is in reminding them I am good for the organization. Job security.

Miki those muffins look yummy!

Safe travels Annarchy!

Littlesister keep making those baby steps you'll get there. I too have lots of shelving to re-organize. I am just taking it one shelf and one drawer at a time. Making slow progress is better than none!

The plumber is due back to come work on the shower on Friday. Really hoping almost all of it will get done and that darned tiny piece will arrive to complete the job soon. In the mean time the sink they repaired the drain on now is backing up every time anyone uses the sink upstairs and not draining. I think being dry for so long the drain pipe has had some junk collapse and clog it. Hopefully an easy fix and not a re-pipe for that drain but honestly all the drain pipes in this house probably need replaced. At least that one can be easily accessed from the basement. It would even be something I could attempt myself if I was brave and had time but alas I am not so will pay the professionals to tackle the job.

Garden tomatoes are in full swing now. Sure wish I had had time to put up a proper support for them as I'm losing some to rot due to the weight dragging them over. Next year. I still pulled about 10 lbs out of the garden tonight as well as about the same weight of yellow squash. I really prefer zucchini so next year only 2 yellow squash plants and 4 zucchini instead of the other way around. But I have enough shredded zucchini to last me all winter so it's all good. We'll have squash several ways this week! Love it sauteed with a bit of butter and pepper 

Miki so sorry for your loss of your FIL. 

Mt Rider glad you are seeing cognitive improvements that's wonderful stay safe in the heat!

Littlesister so glad your GS finally cleared that stone! I hope he goes easily to his new place in Aug and continues on his path towards sobriety from all substances.

Jeepers hope the A/C in your Jeep doesn't continue to decline at least until after summer!

Still focused on work but some light at the end of the tunnel almost done with the first bit of major project #3 and they are interviewing candidates for the extra job role I took on 6 moths ago so hoping that will be done for me soon. My friend moves in in just 2 wks and still no shower. The plumbers are supposed to come later this week to put in what they do have and then we wait for the last part to come in. It's getting old how long it takes to do anything.

Just finished reading this book by Shelby Van Pelt.  Narrated by Marcellus who is an octopus it is a really clever story. Great character development and plot.

I need to harvest my mint! I have a nice patch. I planted it right by where my hose bib attaches to the house since I didn't want to worry about trampling anything there or grass to grow so that the hose wouldn't get mowed. Has turned out to be a great place for it. Smells great every time I go to water the plants 

Ambergris I was thinking the same they are lighter and much easier to manage when full of water 

Kappy so good to hear your update! Hope the PT helps 

(((Miki)) So sorry about your FIL. 

Ambergris exciting to see your new puppy does it have a name yet?

MtRider glad your animals were ok

Jeepers I am glad that things are starting to move on the repairs for you. I'm sure it feels like this is taking forever but hopefully by this time next summer your house will be sold and you will be moved permanently and this will all be a bad memory.

Littlesister glad your GS seems to have passed the stone!

I worked an insane amount this week and my poor house is a mess. I got the main area tidied up this afternoon and re-organized some things making space for my friend in the laundry area and pantry. Got some other things put away in the entry area of my house so other than my art room "room of requirement" mess the dowstairs is in pretty decent shape now. DH fixed a broken roller shade and I fixed a valance rod that had fallen down so tiny wins upstairs today too. I got two more yellow squash, 2 zucchinis and some cherry tomatoes tonight from the garden. My nasturtiums are looking lovely. I may pick some for my salad for lunch tomorrow  I have kale, tomatoes, cucumber and nasturtiums I can use from my own garden 

Yay great news on the cognitive therapist MtRider!

Jeepers there is some new regulations to offer chaperones I haven't looked into the detail but I"m guessing they passed a new policy to ask. Most of what you said is standard rooming for our clinics. I hope you find a Dr you like in IN.

Littlesister I hope the kidney Dr calls soon so your GS can get proper follow up. 

Wow Annarchy that's a lot of files. I need to clean up my computer too.

Miki I hope you pass your stone soon too!

Today I worked 11 hrs...got recognized at work for my work and urgently finishing 2 projects this week with another due on the 24th. So looking forward to after Aug 23rd when that is turned in. So much going on! And just remembered it's my month to present to the Board of Directors...Highlight of my day was eating fresh cucumber on my salad from my garden 

Annarchy you are a saint, if my husband gave me a shovel for a gift I'd be digging him a big hole and watching him squirm 

Littlesister hope GS passes that stone soon. The meds can make them confused and not able to manage their meds alone good to keep him until he's off the narcotics just for safety I don't think anyone should be alone when they are on them.

MtRider it's hard to keep up with so many therapy apts glad the PT helped so much! 

Miki so sorry you are dealing with a kidney stone as well. Seems I hear more people get them in the summer hard to stay hydrated I guess and that can contribute to them.

I got out and planted some radishes and bush beans and watered everything real good tonight. Raspberries have a few ripe berries. I didn't expect anything this year so that is a treat. Have some watermelons and pumpkins taking shape too. Fun to see the work start to pay off. Mended a pillow and that was all I had time for this evening.

We are currently using Easy Peasy Curriculum. I print off the worksheets and it's working well for us. Previously I've used Robinson curriculum and also self created unit studies. We used Kahn academy for math before we used Easy Peasy but they changed the way it worked in a way that was frustrating to Ben. I've also used Spectrum math workbooks to reinforce concepts and that worked well for him to learn when we first started homeschooling. I had discovered he has a misunderstanding about the way subtraction worked and it helped show every step for him to fix that.