Lillian,

Yes! Oops, I mean we were in Bradenton yesterday, then Weeki, then Bradenton agin. mm will be in Weeki a few days then head up to Live Oak. Keep up, gal. LOL

Loretta, what a wonderful idea for you to invite Lillian to visit. I'm tired of her trying to mess with Mother Nature! Air fare to PA can be found for around $50 one way. It's 6° there tonite. Go fer it, Lillian. haha

We crossed the skyway bridge yesterday in our travels. Water on one side of the bridge is a bit more sheltered than the other side and it's interesting to see the difference. The bigger side may have some wimpy waves gently kissing the shore at times. Remember, we're on the Gulf and don't have the wild surf like the Atlantic side does.

Well, Miss Lillian, yesterday the calm side was chock full of big whitecaps and the wild side had white waves breaking all over, even in the shipping channel. When I saw those huge white areas I told Richard they must be icebergs--dang, it was cold and windy!

I was a bit surprised that the bridge was even open in spite of the high surf warnings they were predicting throughout the evening before. Not a boat or ship was to be seen.

Sure 'nuff, when we returned there was a huge, strange ship headed in. It had a weird pointed bow, the pilot house was almost impossible to find--it had only one row of extremely small windows which reminded me of the lookout slots on the army tanks in the movies. I told Richard surely it must be the icebreaker they called for this morning. LOL

It wasn't a freighter, tanker or cruise ship like we usually see--or a work barge. Behind the pilot tower was a cylinder the full width of the ship and it looked like it could be paddlewheels on the Lulu Belle. Behind that were 2 cranes and something that looked like an old drawbridge mechanism. I thought it may be one of the ships that lays cables or something underwater. Richard didn't venture a guess. There were no frills. It was definately a sea worthy vessel and a serious one.

Thanks for the suggestion of using a grabber. I've had one for years in addition to a step stool/seat and a Rubbermaid step which I use frequently. I can bend and get up and down now after I loosen up a bit in the morning and before I wear out. No problem.

My concern is that I won't be able to independently put on my shoes after the surgery since the doc guaranteed I wouldn't be able to bend with the rods and screws in my back. I have a hard time now with the paralyzed foot. My toes curl under when I try to put them into a shoe and I often have to try 5-6 times before I can get them straightened out enough to slide on the shoe.

Sometimes a sock is enough support to keep them straight enough to slip into my moccasins and sometimes I have to use a spatula to get them straight. Remember TGIF? Toes Go In First! They have to slide over the brace and there's not much wiggle room. Sneaks are almost impossible to get into, boots even worse. I can't imagine anyone else being able to do any better with them. They simply curl under because of the previous nerve damage.

Yeh, you and yer wishes fer cold weather had many of us weather barometers activated yesterday. I think my muscles were just shy of gelling. LOL

Actually, it was refreshing today but yesterday was simply raw with the wind and moisture in the air. mm was shivering and shaking and he was wearing long johns. He's a happy little camper here in FL with the canal for a backyard and the Gulf 5 minutes away.

Did you see that a young bear was killed on 19 recently? They said it was only the size of a dog. Poor thang! Ppl don't believe me when I give them directions to our house and say, "turn left after the second bear crossing sign." Two big hawgs were killed between us and 19 and several ppl have seen a family of hawgs in the woods across the street from us. Lee hasn't seen any manatees, which is highly unusual, especially during the cold weather. They live in the canal year round but may have sought out the deeper springs on the river.

Best wishes to all.
 ~m

Hey, BOOTZ, Are you satisfied now? Are you SATISFIED now? And if I knew how to change the font size on here, I'd make 'satisfied' in even BIGGER print.

Gift from Canada, my Aunt Fanny! If that's the only gift they can send, they can keep it. Least they could send Maple Syrup or Canadian Bacon, instead. If the strawberry crop fails and we don't have a Strawberry Festival in Plant City, or strawberry's to eat, I'm blamin' it on you. You 'orter' be 'shamed' messin' with the economy like that.

That's it, go run for your slacks. SOME ppl can't get long pants ON, and continue to wear shorts. Of course, SOME ppl continue to wear short sleeve Polo shirts, too. AND, SOME ppl stay in the house all day,too.

I 'swanee' iffen I knew how to pull it off, I'd find an ice plant to deliver a BIG dump truck load of shaved ice in your driveway some night, so Bill would have to call in work and tell them he couldn't make it, because there was a pile of 'snow' in the driveway. Then I'd record your telephone conversation, trying to convince them Bill was NOT kidding. Then I'd call the newspaper and have them run a story about how ONE - and ONLY one - driveway in the area got snow. THAT story might hit National news.

In the meantime, I'd deny ANY culpability! I'd simply say, "We'll you know, she DOES wear a boot, and you know how those ppl are." Of course I'd take mine off for the interview.

When it warms up this summer, and the COOL breezes from the Gulf 'waft' across my front porch, I shall sit there sipping a 'lemonade' - Yeh, right, sure it'll be lemonade - I'll remind you how pleasant it is.

In the meantime, Happy Earmuffs

Loretta,

How good to hear from you again! Your holidays sound terrific with lots of family visiting. I know how great it must have been to have Joni home for two whole weeks. Nothing like family! Your new neice sounds precious. I love the little ones. Watching a baby sleep or smile just melts me.

Dale is one special Dad to drive the kids home during a snowstorm. When I was young and working as a telephone operator in the city of Pittsburgh, I was home for Christmas day and Dad drove me to the streetcar stop to go back to work on the midnight shift. We drove down the hill (I lived in western PA where hills and mountains are the norm) and I wondered why he was gripping the wheel so hard. Only after we had reached the streetcar stop, did he tell me that the car had no brakes. It was snowing and there was ice on the roads and he had to get back home. I was so relieved to learn that he had no problem getting home, but that wasn't until I had reached my own apartment in the city, about an hour trip on the streetcar. No cell phones then and it was a tense ride. I've made many a trip during snowstorms and they are so uncomfortable to me.

We have had a nice gift from Canada in the form of a cold front. Yep, the cold came directly from our Canadian neighbors. It was a welcome treat and eased up on the warm, muggy weather that we have been having. It will go back up to the 70's tomorrow, though. We had a hard freeze warning last night and all of the farmers were up all night trying to save crops. Strawberries are in and more on the plants. Tender Hibiscus plants and nursery plants were in danger. The citrus and strawberries are watered by large sprinklers and ice forms on the plant, giving it insulation. It seems strange to think that ice will save a plant or a tree, but it does. Nursery plants were moved into hot houses, wherever possible. I remember when smudge pots were used so much, but not many use those anymore. Our Strawberry Festival will be next month and so much depends upon these crops.

It is tempting to join you for a day in the snow. My sisters have told me,too, to come up to PA and join them. Not too many years ago, I went sledding with my nephew and a friend. We also built a snowman, made snow angels and played games, such as Cut the Pie. What fun! My sister sent my BIL out to get us to come in for dinner. She said that all "Kids" had to come in now. LOL!

Thanks for the offer and for the update on family. Has your business picked up yet? I do hope so. I know how important added income is.

Come back on when you can and have a happy new year.

Lillian

Happy New Year!! Hope you have a great 2008!!!

Lillian, if you want some snow and cold weather, come on over here, we have so much snow we don't know what to do with it all!!! To bad I couldn't send you some. lol
Christmas went well here, lots of visiting with family and lots of snuggling with my new niece, Lila. She is 1 month old now and just gorgeous!!! Joni was home for 2 weeks but had to go back on New Year's Day so Dale took her and her boyfriend up during a snowstorm. She had to go back to school on Jan 2 so they had no choice. Dale and David made it up and back safe and sound. I stayed home where it was nice and warm. David goes back to school on the 7th so he has time to play in the snowbanks, they are high enough for skateboarding on.
Hugs
Loretta
 


 Have a Nice Day!

       
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Boy! It is so windy here today. I heard something in the garage and thought that someone was opening the door. Bill is at work and so I went out to check it out. The wind was hitting the door so hard it was rattling. Then it was whistling through windows in the living room and FL room. It sounds like winter in Montana or Texas! By the way, it is crisp and cold here today. Tonight will be 29 in Tampa so we will vary by a degree or two. We had freeze warnings for last night and have hard freeze warnings for tonight. Winter, at last! It will only last through tomorrow night, though, and it is back to upper 70's for highs. Sigh!

Oh, well, now that I know what is going on, it is back to work. I am moving so slowly, but I'll get it all done.

Lillian

Edited by author 01-02-2008 10:35 AM
Maxine,

I can't keep up with you three anymore! Where are you now? B'town, Weekie, or Live Oak? With Lee hunting, I'd guess Live Oak.

I am taking a quick break from cleaning up the house and putting Christmas away. I did very little in trimming this year....but look out for next year!!!!! I plan to be healthy as a horse, mobile as a jack rabbit and quick as a bunny this year and will decorate 'till my heart's content.

I am glad to know that you are being careful of that back. My sister had fusions and could not bend down and she did fine. She knew her limitations and stayed with that. She had to be careful how she sat, but I think that that was due to another problem. She had a couple of back surgeries and one or two on the neck. She was the origional "Steel Magnolia" but from a colder climate. From the "Steel City" so that suited her even more.

My back is really killing me. I don't think that it is healing as yet and the other side is now hurting like the left side. I'll see the doctor on Friday and see what he says.

Is Lee going back to PA for more belongings or to do more hunting? Is the season closed? It would be for deer but what about ducks and such? It has been bad up there with snow and ice and maybe he'd be better to stay here and do his hunting/fishing.

If you have the surgery done, you can buy an "grabber" or a "Deluxe Gopher" ( the best one of the two), a reaching tool. Bill, Susan and I all have one and they are so handy. I can't bend well and neither can Susan. Bill's back, an injury from the service days, is not good and we all have learned to bend with the legs. Not lady-like, but it works. Anyway, the Gopher is sold at Home Depot and I think at Wal-Mart. It is about $10.00. Heck, it's handy even if you can bend down ok. You can also reach things from shelves with it and, between that and my step stool, I can do most anything. Height is no drawback.

We are looking forward to seeing the three of you when you are in our neck of the woods. Gee, we could have lunch or dinner, or both. We are never at a loss for words, either. LOL!

Take care of yourselves and let us know of your decision about your back. Also let us know what we can do for you and when. You will need help in unpacking the things that you brought down and the things that Lee brought down this last trip. We can have an "unpacking and find a place to put it all" party.

Lillian

Hello, friends.

Wishing all you wonderful folks a prosperous, healthy and peaceful 2008.

Please understand I've been out of touch so long for a multitude of reasons--mostly due to my frustrations with using dial-up while we were in PA. ARGH!

I've become an even more pampered princess during that time! Actually, I saw an orthopedic surgeon who will fuse 2 discs to the previously fused 3 anytime I give him 6 weeks notice. He was amazed I could touch my toes after that surgery--and if I have this surgery, I won't be able to tie my own shoes, etc. Worst of all, that also means I'll never be able to bend and pick up another seashell either. Hmmmm. I've already figured out a pooper scooper should do the job quite nicely. Whatcha think?

I have no fear of the surgery, but I am quite fearful of the limited lifestyle I'd be living. Sooooooo, I've been very good about trying not to over do things and get myself all jimmied up. I can stand for about 5 min. and walking is very limited, but I'm getting out and going--just not living life in the fast lane.

Richard has been excellent company for me at his house and has everyone convinced that I'm looking after him during his recuperation from that broken anlke of his--a nasty dislocation, 3 broken bones, a stretched tendon and surgery to implant a plate and six screws to keep the blasted thang in place til it heals.

He's blown thru 2 casts now and is finally sporting a "ski" boot up to his knee. Hopefully, the doc will cut him loose from that in 2 weeks. Lee rigged up a couch on concrete blocks for him while we were in PA so he could get up and down easier from the raised seat.

In spite of both of us gimping around, we've been at our house in north FL two times for a stay, the house on the canal in central FL and at Richard's the rest of the time. Whew! Lee was here to share Christmas at the nursing home with HI. Before that, Richard and I played with the pups all day in north FL while mm played Great White Hunter in the back yard. LOL

Since then the three of us have been exploring and found a castle, Indian mounds, some unique villiages and, of course, great places to chow down. Tomorrow Richard and I are picking up friends at Tampa airport and taking them back to central FL (next door neighbors). I'll be delighted to see my puppies again! OH, and Lee too. LOL

Today he phoned from his canoe on the river! What a great signal too! Two of the beasties were going bonkers from all the fireworks banging last night. He took the worst one out into his truck and ran the A/C to cool her down, gave her some Benedryl (at the vet's advice) but nothing eased her anxiety. Isn't he a good Papa? They finally went to sleep around 2.

Richard has made a table full of munchies for us during game day today but mm decided to stay home because of all the rookie drunks on the road and we'll catch him tomorrow up there. I think he plans on going back into his hunter mode in a few days again. We certainly are a mobile bunch!

Blessings to everyone!
~m

Donna,

HappyNew Year to you, too!

We did stay up to see the ball drop and announce the arrival of 2008. I had to wake Bill at 11:59, though, as he had drifted off in his recliner. He was ready to call it an evening before 11:00 and I was in agreement, but decided to see the "new" ball. In my opinion, it wasn't nearly as beautiful as the "old" one. The new one had colors and they lit up to show patterns in the crystal. It just wasn't as elegant as that old crystal.

Today has been quiet, but last evening and into the late hours, there were fireworks everywhere and a few loud parties. One, on the next street over was so loud, I thought that people were partying in our driveway or yard. I'm just glad that we are not their next door neighbors.

Our cool down began today and yes, Richard, I am anxiously awaiting it. I did tell Bill that I will have to be dressed for the day tomorrow when he goes to work, though. I have to have his help to get into long slacks. I don't know if the old mu-mus or shorts will quite do the trick. I do have some nice lap robes, if it gets too chilly. And there is always the heating system. We keep it on fairly low to help with my breathing. So many with Asthma prefer warm weather, but it is the opposite for me.

Donna, you are right about getting Richard and Maxine on here more often. Maybe I should scoot on down to Bradenton and crack the whip. Is he afraid of me? Nope. He'd just sit back and laugh his head off and tell me to behave myself. I'll figure out a way, though, to rattle him.

Looking back at 2007, it had been a good year, overall. Health problems for me and a heart scare with Bill have been handled and we are able to get around, we have a wonderful family and the Lord walks with us. Can't ask for more than that, can we? I am so thankful for eyesight and hearing, even though neither are good; I am thankful that I can walk and that I can do my artsy things. I am thankful for friends and family all over the world. I pray that 2008 will treat all of us kindly. I pray for peace and the end of the hatred that is sweeping the world like a disease.

To all, a healthy, prosperous and peaceful new year.

Lillian

Happy New Year to everyone!!!!

It seems like just a few days ago and we were ushering in 2007. This year has really zoomed by and both of us have been relatively healthy and we are thankful for that. James had his bout with the kidney stone and I had to add a diabetic oral medication, but when you are pushing 70, we can't complain.

James ushered in the New Year by himself since I retired at around 11:00. I thought sure I was going to make it until midnight, but just couldn't hold my eyes open. James said it was remarkedly quiet in our neighborhood which is a good thing.

There's a big game in Dallas at the Cotton Bowl and James is watching that and then he will have games to watch the rest of the afternoon and evening. I watch what I want and don't let it bother me. I have a ham in the oven and have the required blackeyed peas cooking. Need to get up from here and see what else I can fix to go with the ham.

Weather here is nice. We had lows in the 20's last night and it is 46 now. Heard that it was in the lower teens in the panhandle of Texas so we are expecting colder temps tonight, but the sun is shining so it doesn't feel cold.

Richard, just think about all of us young chicks that have adopted you. We put up with your jokes?????...enjoy your recipe submissions..and your usual chatter. Hey, I'm about ready for the travelogue you promised and tell our good friend, Maxine, that it is time for us to hear from her. You two make a good pair and have such a way with words.

Here's to 2008!!!!!

Donna

Donna

Hi, All,

The girls are on their way for a short visit. We'll have an late lunch/early dinner with them here. So nice to end the year with loved ones and I just wish that we could welcome in the new year with them. Best to stay home tonight and off the roads.

Richard,

Gee, your invitation to come on down tomorrow is tempting, but we will pass this time. I'm afraid that I'd pass on the shrimp, too. It is a real YUK food to me. I don't what is going with me, but so many things are making me really nauseated lately. I love tuna, but it turned me yesterday when I made a tuna salad. On Friday, I made chicken breasts in a cream sauce, served it with some stuffing and green beans. I could not eat the chicken; after two small bites, I gave it to Bill. This is happening to me so often and yet my weight stays the same. If I make a sandwich, I only make a half of one for me and can't always eat that. Soup stays down and I'm thankful for that since I really love soup. This has been going on for several months and I can't figure it out. Oh, well, maybe one day I will get up and pounds will have disappeared from all of the picky eating. Dreams are still free, aren't they?

Donna, I am with Richard in thanking you for the beautiful things that you send. I keep them, marked, in my e-mails so that I don't delete them by accident. Many thanks for wonderful viewing.

Richard, again,

I know that your children don't keep in touch with you, but don't give up. Sometimes it takes some special happening in their lives to make them realize that there is another member of the family out there. We will keep that hope in our hearts for you. They really are missing out on a great dad.

Stay home, stay safe and enjoy your delicious repast while you watch game after game after game......

Happy New Year!

Lillian

Hey, Boots I, That 1st Footer tradition is a new one on me. AND, I'm Scot, Irish and Welsh by heritage. Sounds neat.

Robyn, you tickle me. I LIKE your attitude. ENJOY the family - you can clean the house any ol' time. After all, It's just going to get messed up again. What's the big hurry? A friend of mine, as a young Mother, told me - Clean? Clean? I haven't had a CLEAN house since the baby was born. ALL I can do is "pick up!" I agree w/ Boots ! - family is MORE important. You already KNOW all you want to about cleaning. Jessica and your 'kids' give you a whole new outlook and SO much fun. After all, how long has it been since you've sat down and read the same picture book to a child for the 47th time?? LOL

Boots I - Sale on ready to eat shrimp - 2 fer one at W/D. That's for starters. Then, because I'm a reconstructed "Suthrener" we gotta have black eyed peas w/ ham hocks as an appetizer, or to 'nosh' on during the day. Then the Piece de Resistance will be Boneless 'Poke' chops in an Apricot Sauce, Saurkraut, and 'smashed taters.' Wanna drive down?

Robyn, NY Day is FOOTBALL DAY in the States. Football games from 10 am till midnight, one right after the other. The menue sounds like enough for 75 ppl, but you have to recognise, that at my house, on NY Day, we don't eat a meal, we just 'graze' all day.

Donna, some of the pps pgms you sent me were SO beautiful and meaningful. Sorry I'm so late thanking you for them. I'm so glad for y'all that your son is close enough to visit. It took me 23 hrs of driving to visit my Mom, and I didn't visit near enough. I like your steak tradition, since I'm a confessed carnivor.

For reasons unknown to me, I haven't seen my kids for 27 yrs. My ex didn't like me divorcing her and yet I thought the kids had a mind of their own. Time sure has proven me wrong. Lord knows I've tried contacting them, but no response.

That's why I like so VERY much, the stories of all of your kids anmd Grands. I appreciate you sharing.

Best wishes to ALL of you and your families for the happiest of New Years, improved health, and good health for the coming yr. God's blessings on all your families and homes.

Today, I was thinking of New Year's while growing up. We always kept the Christmas tree up until New Year's day and we had several people in and out on New Year's Eve. At midnight, a "First Footer" came into the house and brought things that were set outside by Mother. These things were: a Bible, so that God was with us and in our home all year; money in the Bible so that we would have money enough to buy the necessities; a loaf of bread and a jar of home canned food or, later on, a can of it. That was to insure that we had food all year long. A "First Footer" had to be a man with black or dark hair and no one entered the house before him at midnight. Dad had jet black hair and so he was the one who performed these duties for many of the family and neighbors. He did it until Mother passed away.

After Bill and I were married, he became the "First Footer" for us. This old tradition was from England; my ancestry is English, Scottish, Welsh. I miss having that tradition now. I don't know how many still welcome in the new year in this fashion, but it was such a part of our family that I hope that it is carried on.

The traditional meal for New Year's Day was Pork, sauerkraut and mashed potatoes and Mother's home made bread and rolls, of course. Our girls turned up their noses at this meal and still don't like it. Now, with just Bill and I here, I just fix whatever suits our fancy. He can't eat sauerkraut much, anyway, since the colon cancer. We have just started our own tradition of dinner from the "whatever menu".

Tomorrow's dinner? I don't know yet. A lot will depend on how long I can stand and how I feel. If like today, it may be a sandwich and soup. LOL! I have had a bad day today and look forward to a weather change to see if that will help. YES, RICHARD, I am still waiting for the cold snap.

I'll be back tomorrow to send wishes to all for 2008. I wonder how long it will take me to remember to write that date and not 2007 on checks and letters?

Lillian

Robyn,

Being so much closer to your family is certainly making you happy. We are always happiest when family is near by or we are all together. Christmas was like that. Everyone was there and we shared so much laughter and love....and food. Too much of food, believe me.

I was thinking that the boot would come off tomorrow, but I don't see the doctor until the 28th, so he'll look at it then. I don't know if he will need another MRI to see if healing is taking place or not. I will be very glad to get rid of this thing, that I do know.

We aren't planning anything for New Year's Eve. We have always stayed at home, and we do welcome the New Year with the dropping of the ball in Times Square, NY. Years ago, we watched Guy Lombardo and his orchestra at the Waldorf Astoria (I think) and we so enjoyed his music. The old black and white TV saw many years welcomed in by that orchestra. Watching the dancing was very entertaining. Now, some "celebraties" are on a roof top studio and chatter for an hour before the ball drops there in NY.

You will be the first in the world to welcome 2008! That is always shown on TV, too. Beautiful NZ. Happy New Year!

Lillian

Hi all,

Lillian and Richard - take care of your boots and the bodies that go with them, not the best things to have with you at any time of the year. Malcolm and I have been spending lots of time with the kids and Jessica in fact all day yesterday they were all at our new place. I have been trying to do some cleaning but it's difficult with visitors all the time - I love visitors and the cleaning can wait. Tomorrow we're going again to stay for New Year's Eve and at this stage we're going to have the company of Dayle, Tracy & Jessica not sure about the other kids yet, and I'll bring Mum to spend some time with us too. Lillian, I'm going to send you some pics from Christmas day.

Happy New Year to you all and may the New Year bring bootless days for 2 dear Americans I know :-).

Robyn from warm and sunny New Zealand xx

Hey, Richard,

Actually, our A/C is on now, at a comfortable 74º. I just like to open the door or window and not have steam come in.

One of the times when I was in PA, helping to take care of my late sister, it was snowing like crazy, several inches on the ground, and I WAS wearing shorts and a sleeveless blouse. I even walked to her mailbox, down a LONG driveway, and she thought that I was nuts. I stopped along the way a few times to get snow from the evergreens lining the drive and it was neat.

About putting on long pants over the boot....Bill helps me to put on slacks to go out to the store or wherever. I undo all of the velcro and buckles, keep my foot firmly back against the brace and Bill just lifts the foot (keeping it still) and we put it into one of the pant legs of my slacks. Then we just re-do the brace and boot. When we come back home, it is the same thing but in reverse. So far, so good using this method. I'll need his help when the temp drops on Tues. thru Friday.

Hey, the tourists have been happy as clams these past weeks. Our "cold front" is nothing like what goes on up north and there is no snow to shovel, so no one minds. You know that by mid-Feb., we will start the warming up season again. Our winter is only a few weeks (of off and on) and we heat up.

Pity? What is that? Just do what you have to do, do it carefully, and VIOLA! you can manage with that clunky boot. It is rather like dragging a tree stump around or maybe a chunk of cement tied to the leg, but we can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Looks like my next chance to get rid of this thing is on Jan. 28, next app't with the doc. I know that my right leg is going to be very muscular!

Take care and know that I am teasing you. The advise about putting long pants on is true, though. Try it! Keep that injured foot straight, though, no bending at all.


Lillian

Donna and Boots I,

What a couple of party poopers. At least I'm going to watch Dick Clark or Regis Philbin , or whoever, drop the ball in Times Square!!!

I'm like you 2, altho I prefer to think the further I go, the "schmarter" I get, instead of using age as a measure of having moe sense than I did 50 yrs ago.

Donna, your son sounds like a joy to be around. I loved the quote you shared w/ us when you asked "WHY" we do this. Sure is fun, huh?

Boots I - what IS it you DON'T understand about FL losing it tourist license if the weather turns cold. I swear, NEXT year, I'm buying you a plane ticket to PA for Dec, Jan, Feb and March, and ONLY allowing you to pack FL clothes - shorts and sleeveless blouses, plus flip flops. I KNOW you have had some SERIOUS physical problems the last 3 years, but I AM beginning to wonder if you should seek professional help for these abberant thoughts you are having about FL weather. FL is the SUNSHINE STATE -- NOT the frozen Tundra. Lordy, you have worked for an A/C company. Did they not TEACH you how to turn the A/C to 40 degrees in your house.
WHY do you INSIST on inflicting mental and physical anguish on the rest of us?? Besides how the H*** do I get long pants on over MY size LARGE boot???? You just ain't got NO pity on the rest of us!!

EVERYBODY - have the HAPPIEST of NEW YEARS. Watch the Ball drop or sleep though it - your choice. Just ENJOY!

Donna,

We bring in the new year in the same way. I love being home on the night, particularly. Our traffic here is on the wild side already; add partying and drinking to it and it is more horrible. We have always stayed at home and our girls do the same.

Your son sounds like someone who enjoys life to the fullest and he loves to shower you with gifts. Treasure all of it! So many families are fractured and have no communication and I find that so sad. Your son has a huge heart and loves family. Wonderful!

Susan may be coming down for a short visit tomorrow in the late afternoon. That will be a great treat for us. She will also be bringing some dishes that were left there on Christmas...pie plates, cake taker, cookie containers, etc.

It has been very warm here, 81º today. A cold front is coming through starting tomorrow afternoon and by Wed., our day time high will be around 57. Low on Thursday....drum roll, please....a brisk 32º. Call me happy! Of course, by next weekend, we'll start heading upwards again. We need to have a cool front come and stay instead of this up and down temp thing.

This boot person is doing ok. Still lots of back pain and some in the leg, but that will remedy itself. When I get this boot off, I think that my back will start feeling better because I won't be limping and pulling to the side. Next thing, after these things are taken care of, will be to have two trigger fingers looked after. I've already had surgery on both hands for that along with carpel tunnel, but two fingers on the right hand are curling again and very painful. Painful up through the hand and into the wrist and arm. Oh, well, the doctor did tell me that my "warranty is up". Heck, I'm just plain falling apart.

Thank you for the prayers for my friends. They are such wonderful women and so full of life and so strong. They have always been helping others and now we can all return the favor.

Happy new year and may the new year be filled with the Lord's blessings.

Lillian