Re: Mike

[Guest guest]

Hi, Brat, I didn't know that. Oh, that's horrible, she must be worried

sick. I'll put

him and her on our prayer lineup tonight. Love ya, MM

[Guest guest]

Donna, Thanks, honey. I hope yours is a good one, too. We leave this

weekend, and the

van is working fine, now. Thank the Lord and the last of my savings account.

LOL

Christmas will be lean, but safe, and that's what counts. Take care, Love, MM

[Guest guest]

Hi, Brat, Thanks for the info. Missed you a lot. Love, MM

[Guest guest]

Hi, Donna, Well...Where shall I begin? We had a good trip down to Wasco,

took about

six hours, stopping for breakfast and once for gas. Kids had fun for five

days, then

all six came down in the night with stomach flu...the night before

Thanksgiving! Boy

oh boy! What a night! My friend, and her hubby, and I spend the whole

night

hauling dirty laundry, buckets and wet rags. I got up early and cooked

dinner, but only

the three adults were able to eat it. All the kids were laying around the

living room

looking like dying gladiators with water bottle in one hand, and throw-up

bucket in

the other. We just checked them periodically to make sure they were still

breathing.

They were all recovered enough to eat leftovers on Friday, though, and we

came home

Friday night. Left there at 6 p.m. and got home by midnight. I spent

Saturday sleeping

and trying to recover from the trip. Luckily, and I didn't get sick,

and so far,

her hubby is still ok. Seems to be a 24-36 hour bug, strikes fast, leaves a

lingering

headache, and then goes on it's merry way. It seems to be the stomach flu

that we

get our shot for, along with the influenza (chest cold type) vaccine. So,

since I had

my shot, I'm hoping I don't come down with it, too. Not a pretty picture.

How was your holiday? Missed you, and everybody so much. I could have used

's

computer to email the gang, but she is on it so much, I hated to ask.

Besides, it was

kind of nice to have no obligations except cooking while I was gone. She

takes over

the kids, and I take over the kitchen. To me, it's a fair trade. She thinks

I get cheated. Hahahaha. Love, MM

[Guest guest]

Donna, We're all fine, for now. I'm pooped out, but that's just usual for

me. I am

correcting essays for my English professor friend, and that will help with

Christmas

expenses a bit. Will expect to hear from you about the MRI, and how you did.

Love, MM

[Guest guest]

Hi, Donna, Well, I'd probably take him. LOL I seem to have a marshmallow

where my

hard heart is supposed to be. LOL However, we all have kids who do that,

don't we?

I'm holding up ok. Wanted to start building that grapevine tree today, but

it's raining,

and I don't do rain...like some people don't do windows. Teehee. So I put

together my

gifts for my sisters, nieces, nephews, daughter and grandkids today. Made up

baskets

with homemade jams, teas, new mugs for the tea, my scone recipe, etc. and a

board

game for each family. Then wrapped up the basket in red cellophane and put a

big

gold bow on each one. That much is done, anyhow. I need to get at my cards,

too, but

the tree comes first. It's not supposed to rain tomorrow, so maybe I can

slog around

in the muck and cut enough vines to get started. Keep your fingers crossed.

I'm sorry about your pain meds, though. Have you tried learning how to

visualize and

meditate? It really helps me when I am having no luck with meds. I have

learned to

take myself away (without Calgon) and for a while, at least, have some

relief. If

there is a holistic healing center near you, or a reputable hypnotherapist,

try it. It

can really help. Well, gotta go and get dinner on the table...well, on the

sheet on the

living room rug, actually. I have the dinner table covered with wrapping

stuff, gifts,

ribbon, etc. So the boys are eating in front of the TV tonight. But, I make

them sit

on an old bedsheet to protect my oriental rug. They call me the " fuss-budget

Mama " .

Love, MM

[Guest guest]

HEY, HOW ABOUT SENDING ME ONE OF THOSE BASKETS,LOL HUGS, LINDA

[Guest guest]

, If I could do it, I would. I love making gifts for friends. Makes

me happy.

Love, MM

[Guest guest]

Hi, Brat, I won't be falling anywhere, since I spent all day trying to

arbitrate between my sons while they were supposed to be cleaning their

rooms. Yup, the old

Christmas Bah Humbugs have come to live at my house. They are " tired of

cleaning

EVERYTHING, tired of being Mama's slaves, and tired of this everlasting old

waiting

for Christmas. " LOL Mostly, they are tired of my telling them they are

selfish and

unfeeling wretches who haven't a clue what it means to need anything. So,

they are

going to the family shelter tomorrow and see it in person, and to give out

some

gifts with me, there. Seems like they have very short memories from last

year's

trip to do the same. The local armory is full of weekend warriors doing

their reserve

training, so the homeless have to fend for themselves and the temps are down

in the

30's at night, and it rained last night, too. Evidently, the armory will be

available

again on Monday, but in the meantime, they are suffering. So, maybe this

will give

the boys an idea what it is to be really poor. They just finished their

rooms, slammed

the back door on their way outside to get away from " Naggy Mama " , and are

stalking

down the street in high dudgeon. LOL I think they'll come down off their

high horses

soon, as it will be dinner time and they never miss a meal. Hahahaha.

Seems like all kids get antsy this time of year, and it takes some sobering

thing to

get them to come around. I know my boys are good boys, inside, but they sure

show

some 'tude sometimes. How are you? And, your family? I'm ok, and will work

on the

tree tomorrow when things are a bit calmer around here. Love, MM

[Guest guest]

Hi Mike

I sure do know what you mean. Tyler got an attitude Friday on the way home from school. It S***ed here on Thursday and he thought that he could walk in the s*** pile that was on the street--yes the street. I told him he could not walk in the street and to get on the side walk--well he was determined to walk in the piles of s*** so I had to take him by the wrist and hold him all the way home to keep him out of the street. Then when we got to the house he decided that he was not going to come in and I literally had to carry him up the steps one at a time. It was very hard because he was on his knees and there are 2 flights 1 outside and 1 inside--by the time I got to the top of the stairs and inside I really wanted to strangle him.

Then they had a program for the kids at school Friday at 6 so we had to eat early and then walk back up there. He decided to get really loud because he wanted another drink--mind you he had 2 cups of apple juice. I told him that he had enough to drink and he got really loud and was being disruptive to the people around us. I leaned over and told him if he did not stop being disrespectful to the people around us we would be leaving and I will not be taking him to another school program in the future. He tried me and only when I told him to get his coat on did he decide to stop his mess.

Saturday when I got up I fixed him a bowl of oatmeal and he decided that he wanted pumpkin pancakes and I told him that I did not run a restaurant that Oatmeal was his breakfast and to eat as I had other things to do and needed to get going. Well he kept mouthing off and I finally told him fine don't eat it but I will not allow you to have anything else until lunch time--he ate the oatmeal. Then he refused to get dressed and both and I had to literally undress him and dress him and as we are dressing him he is trying to take the clothes off that we had managed to get onto him. By Then I was already good and sore and I told him that I was tired of him pulling this crap all the time and having me hurt because he knows that when I life him or try to do anything like that I end up in pain.

Went to do laundry Wal-Mart had a Santa there and free pictures. Did that went to the store and came home--he actually asked for his lunch. Then I laid down to rest and not 45 minutes later here comes the rest of the gang. fixed the kids their dinner early as there was a Christmas event that she wanted to take her kids to and of course guess who wanted to go. I did not want to go because you have to walk the whole thing. Well he cried and pitched a fit and she said that she would not take him because of the way he acted in the morning. I told her that it was not fair that he always gets left out when she does something with and Kalab she will not take him along or even ask If I want to go along. So I hurried up and fixed him a cheese sandwich put it in a baggie and got his boots and coat on and then I did not have a winter hat as I do not wear hats so she let me borrow a hat/scarf combo one piece thing. It was a long long walk and a cold one at that--but I really enjoyed it. There was a couple places along the way that had a couple of chairs out on the sidewalk so I took advantage of that. You walk all along the main street here and different businesses have different things going on related to Christmas and there was plenty of activities for the kids. Then they were doing free horse and buggy rides and I told that I have always wanted to go on one and when I got to the point where the horses were I asked the lady about how long it took and where they were going and she told me that she had to end the rides because one of the harnesses broke on one of the horses--GO FIGURE just my luck.

Came home and had not argument about him going to bed.

He was good for the most part for almost a whole week. I know I sure will be glad when they finally figure out what is going on with him and get him on the right kind of medicine. What he is on is working fine-however, the psychiatrist does not want him on that for much longer--I see a difference and I sure can tell when it is wearing off.

Anyway hope all goes well in the homeless shelter--And please tell your boys that it is no fun being in a homeless shelter--been there done that. Plus the stigma that goes along with it.

Take care

LOLDorothy

-- Re: Mike

Hi, Brat, I won't be falling anywhere, since I spent all day trying to arbitrate between my sons while they were supposed to be cleaning their rooms. Yup, the oldChristmas Bah Humbugs have come to live at my house. They are "tired of cleaningEVERYTHING, tired of being Mama's slaves, and tired of this everlasting old waitingfor Christmas." LOL Mostly, they are tired of my telling them they are selfish andunfeeling wretches who haven't a clue what it means to need anything. So, they aregoing to the family shelter tomorrow and see it in person, and to give out somegifts with me, there. Seems like they have very short memories from last year'strip to do the same. The local armory is full of weekend warriors doing their reservetraining, so the homeless have to fend for themselves and the temps are down in the30's at night, and it rained last night, too. Evidently, the armory will be availableagain on Monday, but in the meantime, they are suffering. So, maybe this will givethe boys an idea what it is to be really poor. They just finished their rooms, slammedthe back door on their way outside to get away from "Naggy Mama", and are stalkingdown the street in high dudgeon. LOL I think they'll come down off their high horsessoon, as it will be dinner time and they never miss a meal. Hahahaha.Seems like all kids get antsy this time of year, and it takes some sobering thing toget them to come around. I know my boys are good boys, inside, but they sure showsome 'tude sometimes. How are you? And, your family? I'm ok, and will work on thetree tomorrow when things are a bit calmer around here. Love, MM"The LUPIES Store" Come check out our store...http://www.cafepress.com/thelupies"The LUPIES Web Page"http://www.itzarion.com/lupusgroup.html"The LUPIES online photo albums!" Check out what your fellow Lupies look like...http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?username=lupies

[Guest guest]

Hi, Dorothy, Well, they were very quiet after our little trip today. I got

the grapevine

tree built, now all it needs is decorating, and we need to rearrange the

living room

to put it up in the window. But, that's the small stuff. Building the damn

thing took

all day, and my hands hurt so bad, I suddently remember why I didn't build a

second

one some years ago when I sold the other one to that winery. LOL It's too

much work!

But, it will last for years, so it will be worth it once my pain meds kick

in. LOL

Sounds like you are being more consistent with Tyler, and that is what he

needs along

with the meds. What are they giving him right now? His pediatrician should

prescribe his meds if the psychiatrist will not. Just let the psych doc do

the experimenting until you find the one that works best, then take a copy of

the label

to your pediatrician and HE or SHE should go ahead and get it for you.

That's what my

boys' doc does. He's really good about trying new meds, too, if I find one

that is

not so invasive to their nervous systems. Keep up the good work, honey.

Love you,

MM

[Guest guest]

Well, one out of three ain't bad, Brat. LOL Anyway, the Lord will work it

out, either

from their hides, or motivate them to do better. I have faith. Teehee.

Love, MM

[Guest guest]

Donna, Well, let's see ... the answers to your questions in order of

appearance are:

1. The lab results are back. The Xrays did not show damage to the hip

socket itself,

but did come back with a diagnosis of " questionable sclerosing sacroiliac

joint " ,

whatever that means. Doc hasn't got back to me, yet, on that one. The blood

work is

showing some improvement, and the anemia is under control for now. That

means the

Plaquenil is working, but I cannot tolerate a higher dose than I am currently

taking,

so the progress is slow, but seems to be steady, and that's good. 2. The

shelter visit

left the boys very quiet when we came home. They did their Christmas

shopping at

the Dollar Tree Store, and found something nice for everyone on their lists

at $1.00

per gift. That way, they had change left over, and came home happy. I guess

I was an

anomaly as a teenager, because I took such delight in holding rummage sales,

and

such to earn the money to give Christmas to a family that the church set up

for me

each year. Most merchants, when they found out what I was doing, gave me

heavy

discounts or outright donations to help out. Made it possible to supply a

tree, food,

decorations, and the works. I used to get such a charge out of ringing their

doorbell

and running like Hell to get away before I got caught. Guess I'm just an

oddball.

and, 3. I am feeling a bit better...thank the Lord for Immodium! LOL Today

I will take

a snapshot of the grapevine tree " naked " so you can see how it is built, and

then I

will decorate it, light it, and take another snap so you can see the finished

thing.

Hope your day goes well, and that you get some more " puter " time later.

Love, MM

[Guest guest]

Donna, didn't your mama ever teach you about lining the seat with TP when

there are

no liners provided? I have to sit as my joints do not allowing squatting.

I'd fall down

if I tried it. LOL Or, else, my knees would lock in place and I'd have to

hobble out with my pants down and holler for help. Now, THAT'S a picture to

make you have bad

dreams. Hahahaha. Love, MM

[Guest guest]

Dorothy, Whine away, honey. Sometimes we just need to do that. If I were

you, I'd

talk with the psychiatrist about trying an ADHD med on Tyler, just for two to

three

weeks. That will tell if it is appropriate for him, and will provide a

proven leveler

for his lack of impulse control. I find that Adderol, given twice daily at a

low dose,

is more effective for my boys, and does not cause a major change in

personality or

behavior when it wears off. They do revert somewhat to the old behaviors,

but not

as assertively as with Ritalin. Just my experience, not only with my boys,

but that of

all the foster mothers of special needs kids in my acquaintance. Good luck.

Love, MM

[Guest guest]

Donna,

Be careful with squatting when you pee (not only for

the reasons you stated) researchers have found that it

causes damage to the muscles that you need for

controlling your urine and may cause you problems later

on. Just what ya need, more muscle problems.

Be well,

Jeanette

Well, Ms. Potty Princess, since Normi

the Queen of Potty has vacated her throne for the

moment, you are in line to

succeed her. We officially crown you Potty Princess.

This is a five day title.

Others made need the throne by then. You must be a good

potty princess and

always flush and thank god we don't have to aim like

our sons.

 

Although, if you are trying the half

squat over the pot when you are out in restaurants,

etc. You do have to aim

somewhat!!! I am a perfect example of a missed toilet.

I hate to sit on public

toilets so I half squat. Except, for some reason I

missed the pot altogether and

hit the back of my pants, the floor, and my shoes,

GROSS! By the time I realized

my urine was splattering the ladies foot in the next

cubicle, it was too

late!!! So Ms. Soggy Bottom Donna headed straight for

home, No need to try and

shop when all your clothes have a funny odor! And how

do you apologize for

creating a river of pee in the only restaurant bathroom!

 

I suffer much humiliation for being

me!!! LOL My parents should have named me " Haphazard "

or something like

that.

 

Have a good night. Love,

Donna

 

 

" The LUPIES Store " Come check out our store...

http://www.cafepress.com/thelupies

" The LUPIES Web Page "

http://www.itzarion.com/lupusgroup.html

" The LUPIES online photo albums! "

Check out what your fellow Lupies look like...

http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?username=lupies

[Guest guest]

Dorothy,,

I read your letter to Mike and it sounded like you were writing about my

son Karl. He is ten years old and has had behavior issues since we got him.

The sad part is that you can see him struggling with himself not to do these

things, he just cant seem to stop himself. I was totaly against adhd meds for

a year because I felt like most of what he does is just him misbehaving. but

I have to tell you, they talked me into putting him on ritalin and it has

made a HUGE improvement. I did not tell the teacher when we started him on it

because I wanted an unbiased opinion and the very first day he was on it she

called and said what a great day he had and since he started two weeks ago

he has not been in trouble at school one time and that's like a worlds

record for him. It makes it hard because he really is a smart boy and is

deffinately my baby so I hate to see him making these decisions that just

break my heart. Anyway, life has just been so much better already. So I just

thought I would give my two cents worth!

a

[Guest guest]

Hi Mike

Thanks for the encouragement. I have been sick as a dog since Monday. I picked up a flu virus and can't eat or drink anything without it coming up or coming out the other end. I did take Tyler to his counselors appointment yesterday, If he had not been the first patient of the day I would have rescheduled it. I stopped to a 's (A convenience store) on the way to get some ginger ale and they were out so I suffered and went to the grocery store before I dropped him off at school. When I picked him up yesterday his teacher told me that he needed to make better choices today. He acted up in school really bad yesterday and was down right rude to me yesterday. I told him to change his clothes after school which I make him do everyday and I finally after him ignoring me many times I told him I am telling you for the last time change your clothes. He turned around and told me I am telling you for the last time "I AM NOT CHANGING MY CLOTHES" heard him and told him that she was not going to allow him to talk that way to me and he got up and changed his clothes. She went to the store and took and Kalab with her only because I am sick, and when they came back Kalab kept his coat on while she finished their supper so I told him to take his coat off and he told me "NO A**HOLE" I was ready to strangle him and later on he told me to shut up when I was talking to --She got onto him for that. Then got an attitude because she told him to do his homework and he started stomping his feet and yelling at her and she told him he knows that he is not going to get away with the mess so he decides he is going to get really cocky with her and came within 2 inches of the Christmas tree and threatened to knock it over. She has over $500 tied up into this tree and most of the ornaments are blown glass. You know she was ticked. Well needless to say he did not get away with his actions.

Got to go for now. My head is killing me. I want to get some rest before 5 PM as Tyler and I are going to be on the local news. We are expecting a bad storm here and they closed the school early today and the news people were there interviewing the parents asking if it was an inconvenience etc and If I have regular child care etc if something were to happen should they not be able to get ahold of me. I called at work and told her. She wants me to record the news so that she can watch it later on tonight. I do not know how her VCR works so she told me the easy way to do it.

Take care and I will write when I get to feeling better.

Dorothy

-- Re: Mike

Dorothy, Good luck with that psych. appointment for Tyler...it will take perserveranceand bullheadedness to get what he needs, if my experience is any guideline, but it will be worth it in the end. Keep up the good work, honey. You have come a long way.I remember once when my son was acting out like that in a store. I just scooped upboth my older boys (who happened to be with me at the time) and took them to the car. Left my cart right where we were standing in the store, and as I hauled him outthe door, one old lady actually applauded. LOL She told me I was the first mother shehad seen in over fifty years who did exactly what she said she would when a childacted like that. Consistancy is the key to behavior modification. Takes a long time,but does happen eventually. Loving hugs, MM"The LUPIES Store" Come check out our store...http://www.cafepress.com/thelupies"The LUPIES Web Page"http://www.itzarion.com/lupusgroup.html"The LUPIES online photo albums!" Check out what your fellow Lupies look like...http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?username=lupies

[Guest guest]

Hi Mike,

Thanks for the email on what to do with my children!!

I am better today and have decided to let them live! LOL

They usually are a big help and my hubby is too. He can work a 10 or 12 hour day and come home, never complain, and do whatever needs to be done.

I just get frustrated occasionally. Only one child has left the nest which means 6 are still at home. I am very content with that, however we live in a small home with all of us and we are simply out of space. I thought as the kids got older they would need less stuff. NOT!!!

We have tried to de-clutter, but still every closet is filled to the brim because we have 3 people sharing each closet.

My children do help with housework alot but I am overtired (aren't we all) and just more stressed the last couple of days. I have done just like you do and go on strike, but usually when I get this upset, I can get alot accomplished with my house in a short amount of time. And I think the adrenaline running through my body, doesn't let me feel the pain until the next day, of course! LOL

I have also made friends with dust bunnies. I didn't think that could ever happen! My hubby says I expect the house to be too clean! Now, that just isn't so! If you could see the dust under my bed, I am not exactly Martha ! I know, I know, you don't like Martha, so I should be happy not to be her! LOL

Anyway, I can always count on you to help me through my frustrations! You are so good at that! Probably a job you would rather not have, but you are a good friend and I thank you.

Love, Donna who is more level-headed today

Re: Mike

Donna, Hi, and welcome to my world. LOL Yup. Kids and husbands are something,aren't they? I can't really speak to the husband part of it, though. The men in my lifewho might have made husband material are either dead (Viet Nam and afterward) oralready taken. However, kids I know about, in spades! What I have done when this happens with my kids is just go on strike. I swallow the words that would come tomind, go to the kitchen and make my favorite hot or cold drink (depending on weather)and retire with good books to my room. I inform the household that they are on theirown for the day, Mama is off limits. If they want a clean house to live in, THEY willhave to clean it... if they want to eat, they are expected to provide for and clean upafter themselves, and if they need something to wear, they can make sure it's cleanand ready to wear. The first time I did this, I think my kids were in shock for a week.But, it was very effective. The boys were very young, Randy in elementary school andReesey in preschool. My daughter was a teen at the time, but unschooled in taking care of herself, much less a household. I have learned to live with and make friends with dust bunnies and cobwebs. When Iexpect the kids to do something, I choose a time when I can either do it WITH them and SHOW them how it should be done, or a time when I can be in the room and, at least, supervise the work. They grumble, but it gets done right, and I don't get quiteso worn out.I have also learned to reward them after a job is done. We do our regular cleaningon Saturday mornings. This has been routine from the time the kids were very small.Even a two year old can wield a dust rag on chair legs, etc., and since their attentionspan is short, just reward for any effort made at all. The older ones, I do what mymother used to do, play rousing music to get them moving and laughing along with thework. It's no paradise by any stretch of the imagination, and fights do break out, butthe work does get done, too.We also instituted what I called the "Saturday Basket". I got so tired for finding toysand junk all over the house. So, after one warning, if it wasn't put away properly, Iwould confiscate it to a large basket and hold it hostage until the next Saturday whenit wold be returned as reward for getting the chores done. If nothing was in the basket on Saturday (never happened, but I had a plan just in case...) then the rewardwas a special snack or story, or, when they got older, a trip to the park. I never hadmuch money, so it had to be cheap but desirable. LOLHope that helps. Keep writing, too. Love, MM P.S. I'm mailing your card today, and Ienclosed my annual news bulletin, with pics, and pics of the grapevine tree. I couldn't get it to go on my email/scanner set up, so would you send it out to the groupfor me? If you cannot, please forward it to 's address from the Christmas CardList and ask her to post it. Thanks."The LUPIES Store" Come check out our store...http://www.cafepress.com/thelupies"The LUPIES Web Page"http://www.itzarion.com/lupusgroup.html"The LUPIES online photo albums!" Check out what your fellow Lupies look like...http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?username=lupies

[Guest guest]

Donna, Sorry? You're sorry? My God, Girl, you didn't have to go to all

that trouble.

LOL You could send them on to , and she knows how to put them in the

group's

album. If she's feeling up to it, she will do it for us. Thanks for all the

efforts, but

I didn't want to burden you with a big job. Tell your son thank you from the

bottom

of my pancreas...er, liver....er, well you know what I mean.

Busy, huh? Yup. I baked a persimmon cake yesterday, made pecan chewies and

penuche the day before, and am finishing up the gift wrapping today. Have to

meet

with my eldest son's mental health worker this morning to sign the committment

papers for him to be moved to the residential treatment center in Oakland.

That's

about 60 miles from here through horrendous freeway traffic, so I won't be

trying to

visit him there. He refuses visits anyway, except when we are bearing

Christmas

gifts. He saw us Sunday afternoon, but he was very careful to cut things off

at exactly one hour.

I had an emotional day, Sunday, anyway. Saw my daughter face to face for the

first

time in almost a year. My sisters arranged the annual

mother-daughter-shop-'til-

you-drop day, and we met for breakfast at 7 a.m. Karla looks good, and she

says the

kids are fine. I was glad to see her, and know she is making progress, even

if I can't

see the grandkids. But, it was tough on my emotions, and then to have to

have our last visit with the same day. Needless to say, I went to bed

when I got home.

Seemed to need a nap, and a good cry. Feel much better today.

Hope you aren't overdoing things with the holidays and all. Take care, my

friend.

Hugs, MM

[Guest guest]

MM~

Thank you. Going through the ceremony even pushes me harder to

obtain my bacholar degree. I hope you are having a pain-free day!!

Love,

****

[Guest guest]

Hiya, Brat. Sounds like a good time was had by all. Enjoy the family

doings, and have

a great Christmas, honey. Love, MM

[Guest guest]

Hi, Brat. Our white stuff all melted away from the heavy rains that followed

it. But,

yesterday was absolutely gorgeous. We took a drive out to the beach just to

see the

high surf, get some air, and generally " air out " . Waves thirty feet high,

and very rough

and unnavigable. No idiots trying to surf, and that's good. But, the

weather was just

beautiful. I wore gallons of sunscreen, long sleeves, gloves, and hat, but I

could still

feast my eyes. The boys and I stopped at our favorite old fashioned hotdog

and ice

cream place on Bodega Bay, and ate outside. It was cold, but clear, and not

windy.

Nice day, one to remember. So glad you had a good time, and are safely home

again.

Hugs, MM

[Guest guest]

P.S. I caught Reesey's cold, and am stuffy one minute and blowing my poor

nose the

next. No fever, though, so it's just a regular old cold. Merry Christmas to

me. LOL

[Guest guest]

Hi, Brat. It's not just early, here, it's the middle of the night. LOL I

got up to go

potty, and couldn't get back to sleep. It's in the low 30's tonight, so I

turned on the

furnace to warm up the place a bit before trying to sleep again. Got company

coming

to dinner later today, so need to rest up a bit before they get here. Got an

electrical

circuit out, and it is the one the dryer, water heater, and Christmas lights

are on.

Will have to wait for daylight to see what's up with that. No rain or s**w

expected

today, so should be able to get at the circuit box. I hate when things do

this at holiday time. Makes life such a challenge. LOL Love, MM