New Friends Chat!

[chefette]

P.S. Cactus, AMC channel running Its a Mad Mad Mad Mad World all week.....

[Catherine]

Hiya Texas,

Wow I just poured my heart out on that other thread. Knowing me for not having the highest IQ I came off sounding lame, but I sure said what I felt. How are you today? Ready to celebrate? My brain is fried. Break time for sitting here. Have a really nice Saturday!! That goes for each of you!! Catherine

[pjd123]

Catherine, good morning!

Looks like Texas is out playin' shoot'em up! How are you this morning? Haven't chatted in awhile. How is the job and the fam? Hope things are going better for you.

We've decided that rather than try and take a cruise or fly somewhere, we're going to rent a condo on the beach in Carlsbad. Did I already tell you that? Anyway, we're going the last week in July. How great would it be to meet for a coffee or something on our way down there? I will have my family with me but I would really love to try.

Texas, hope your *** and your foot survive the range today

Cactus, its SO great to see you back with humor in place. How's your mama?

Paula

[Catherine]

PAULLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLA hello how are you?

The vacation plans sound great. I would LOVE, LOVE to meet you and your family. First words would be directed to your son Hey kid are you the one that does BA's around strangers? JK! My family is fine, thank you for asking and yours? Work? Hopefully better if I was actually heard when I said stop putting a negative spin on working hard.
Bri may be going to upper Washington State for a couple months in a couple weeks. There is a three year job in Illinois coming soon. If my job doesn't change I may join him if he chooses to take it. I don't know what is best anymore. I let all those nagging questions out on the new thread. Makes a person bit tired after your done. I really hope Texas is having fun while made to feel has special as we know she is. I have missed hearing from you. How is body treating you these days? I hope your able to feel way better. You have seen me through some dark days with such kind understanding I HOPE too we meet in July. I will be giving the biggest bear hug ever, Catherine

[pjd123]

Oh Catherine, I would love it too! Wouldn't it be great to actually meet our real friends here? My son would just crack up if you said that to him... then he'd probably run through the parking lot in his tuxedo thong.... did I ever tell you about that one? Oh boy.

The body is ....well..... old and out of shape. I'm really trying to do something about it before the vaca. The 'M' thing is better with all the natural stuff I'm taking, but still have those days, you know? Today is one of those that looking in the mirror all I can say is "wow, you look older than 49". Oh well, working on it.

Wow, the job situation for you guys at least sounds hopeful, ya? Maybe you'd have a whole new life adventure in front of you? You'll know what to do, I can tell while you're having some of the toughest days of your life lately, you have your head on straight, priorities in place and thats what matters. Are you going to see your little one on Easter? Not sure what we'll be doing here. Easter was always at my house....

And I'd give you a bear hug right back!

Paula

[Catherine]

Okay Paula give up the thong story please.

Hon I meant how was the "M" word treating you by the way your hormones running through your body are acting. Glad to read better. I know about looking in the mirror feeling old and out of shape asking what happened to my youth. I can't even fake it anymore.
Then I think about the people I have formed friendships with like you and our other cohorts here. You may see a million things that need work feeling down on yourself, but the rest of us couldn't care less. I would love to put a face with the names to feel even closer, but fact is it the heart of the people here that are beautiful even on their outside worst days. Who knows maybe that is one blessing to getting older. We choose our friends by what is in their hearts. Next time you look in the mirror say Catherine thinks your drop dead beautiful That goes for the rest of you too, Catherine



I have an Easter basket I filled months ago, however each time she comes for a sleepover there is less and less. No candy though only small toys. Yes, I will be wherever our little one is that day

I have no idea how the job situation will work out even if that one becomes a real offer. Leaving my children to be with my husband is the right thing to do, but it won't be easy if that choice has to made. Your right maybe a new adventure is what we need to survive this.

[chefette]

Goooooooood Morning everyone!
Well hot damn girls, seems thars been some rootin' tootin' and shootin' goin' on 'round here while I was at the firing range! (ironic ,isn't it?) Catherine, I read your post on other thread and its psst hot on fire. You know, you just might be the new face for America's hope for the "dream" that has been squashed. Hell I was so impressed with your speech, it made me feel like a total weakling. You scared the s**t out of me, I think we need to send you to Washington. Nope, I am not mocking you, I am serious. You have been a pilar of strength in defending your home where most of us would have just run for the hills. At the very least, I hope you copy that post and send it off to everyone that has anything to do with running this country. Bravo girlfriend. And so sweet for you to think of me while I was out and about.

I wouldn't worry about the job in Ill. just yet, you have time and it is not a sure thing, deal with it when it comes, because THAT is a lot to think about right now and you do not need it. However that being said, I totally agree with Paula (hey Paula!) in that a change like that could be a new adventure and maybe just what the doctor ordered in terms of moving on with a new life.

You guys, I am sooooo very happy that you might get to meet up this summer!! How exciting!

Looking in the mirror these days is a no no. I don't exactly know how that cruel joke works, but boy I am looking bad. I am with you both, its time to do something so that the quality of my life going forward is good. The stress has taken it toll on my face and that is new to me, I don't care for that look at all.

Paula friend, you are sounding pretty good! I am glad to know that some of the things you are taking makes some difference. I hope you find the right combination of things to fix up the rest. I KNOW how hard it is, but you are trying and that counts. Vacation plans sound good and its so nice to have something to look forward to, good for you!

Need more coffee.............Texas.

[Catherine]

You are such a Love Texas!!

From my heart to yours thank you that my post wasn't out of line. I had no idea how it would come out or gee how damn long winded I can get Guess you call that one a chatty Cathy I hope you know how many times I have drawn strength for you all. Your not a weakling. That is the last word that could ever come to mind. I love you outlooks.

How was your yesterday? Hubby come through?

Ya know IF I am still in this house in July hmmmm I have a really nice spare bedroom. I would love to split the cost to get you here and beg Karen for a day trip. Bring the kids the whole family I don't care. I can just see us sitting in front of Starbucks on a nice summer day chatting away. I am serious please consider this. I will take you wine tasting AND a pedicure

Hey check out the post Irish Gal did over there. I got all fired up. Much better wording than mine on this issue. Had I read it first I would have kept my mouth shut

[chefette]

I have to hit the shower to get to an early mass for Palm Sunday. At least my son is coming with me even if his motives are not all that holy. While he does want some new palms, he also wants to drive. Jingle them keys!! lol Catherine, it works.!!! Talk with you later on.......... Texas

[chefette]

I read that post. It was very good. I think its a good outline for a plan, I hope your attorney bites. Gotta run.....talk later about my day out. C.

[Catherine]

No worries Look forward to later. Crack me up when I think back to jingle the car keys. Having them look at me like I was talking to hear myself knowing full well whatever I said fell on deaf ears while they walked away rolling their eyes to (never to my face) Mommy your the best. I love you so much, can't wait to spend time with you or hear anything you want to say..........................can I drive? Whatever it took to see they did have manners and knew how to show respect. Those car keys sure made for easier less fighting and drama for six whole months. Being my last two children are only 14 months apart I milked those keys The next cool part is any lame errands you need to run. Milk, pizza, the bank, post office they are right there to take care of that for you being so loving for wanting to pitch in and help YOU I seem to recall letting them play off like it was all about me thanking them for being such helpful good kids. If the fighting started I made up errands while rolling my own eyes when walking away. Teens think they are soooooooooooo smart

[chefette]

LOL Good stuff. Turn about is fair play, eh? Well I have a minute or two to write while I am working on dinner, hubby is out at the cigar shop, his new hang out, son is on video game and daughter is sulking. Sound about right?

The gun range was a hoot and thank heavens for ear plugs and headsets 'cause I got caught just once without them and my bloody ear is ringing still. Got my target, got the gun, uh.....oh yea a Smith and Wesson 40 caliber something or other, its fashioned after a Glock. lol Can't keep all of that crap straight. Don't Mess With Texas honey 'cause I killed the target! Even one dead center, x marked the spot and I hit it! Woo Hoo. My husband was very impressed, being that I was such a novice. Ha! I am a natural. Who woulda thought?

Sushi was FABULOUS, some of the best fish I ever had. This was the first time we visited this sushi bar, only ten seats, reservations only. Besides the great fish, and sake, there was one more little thing that went on that I have to share. OK, so we were there early and there were only 2 other guys at the sushi bar. Close to us leaving, other reservations were starting to arrive. So the door opens, I turn and check out couple number 3 walk in. One was female, of that I was sure. The other was a toss up, only on a count of he was wearing an upper thigh high hippy type wrap skirt. Sooooo, in order for me to firgure out the gender I decide to take a look at the legs, yep all hairy, next the shoes...............THERE WERE NO SHOES. Yes, barefoot like Fred and Barney and it was all I could do to not yell out...."Hey this guys(?) got no shoes on, are you really going to serve him????? Now may I state something before somebody takes offense that I might be showing a hateful side to certain people that decide to dress certain ways. I could care less, besides I enjoyed the look. But as a Chef, uh, no. No shirt, no shoes, no service. Now it seems that hubby and I (who were chattering away in French about this whole scene, as not to offend) were the only 2 that caught the barefoot wonder. So as we paid up our check and walked out, all I could think of was that perhaps the person that would be lucky enough to sit next to him(?) would maybe drop their napkin on the floor, and as they bend to pick it up, thus discover that they are eating with barefooted people and perhaps give the sushi master the sign in Japanese that there might be a health code issue happening right under his nose. LOL. That made night for me!!!!

There you have it, a plus, plus day and night! Doesn't happen often..........can't recall any right now, but it was all good my friends. Hope you enjoyed my recant. God Bless.................Texas

[Catherine]

Loved your story. The best part? How happy you sound!! Speaking to each other in French. That must be so romantic. Good to know if we go to battle against the big banks I will be right behind you cheering you on and reloading I am off now. Late breakfast to fetching the grandbaby.

[pjd123]

Texas, that's hysterical! Not offended and always enjoy reading whatever you have to say! lol Oh my, sounds like California. Just kidding, thought I'd throw that in because people seem to think that everything is weirder and more extreme here, when its really just like any other part of the county....OK, not any other part, but like most of the country. And yes, I'm doing pretty good this week, thank you for asking I'm prayerful and hopeful that if I keep up all this stuff, it will continue to help. It really seems to be.

I LOVE Catherine's idea about all of us getting together in July. I will be passing her way on July 25th and told my husband this morning that I REALLY want to try and fit that into the day. You know, there are some good airfare deals out there.... just a thought! You could always tell the hubby that airline tickets are what you wanted for your birthday! Oh wait! Hey, Mothers Day is coming! Now we just have to figure out how to be in real contact.....maybe *** can help with that?

Catherine, thanks for your kind words. As always, you and everyone else here is always so thoughtful of how each other is feeling. I love it here.

Karen, hows the packing? Care to join Catherine and I for a coffee in July? Hmmmm.... maybe margarita's, it will statistically be the hottest week of the year, after all. And I will have a DD! 3 of them actually!

Well, off to make my mother-in-law's Easter bread. A long standing, German thing. At least for this German family. Happy Sunday all,

Paula

[pjd123]

PS: I'll be right back to give up the thong story.... (said with eyes rolling) heheheh

[pjd123]

OK, thong story, nutshell version: Son is chased by a security guy driving a golf cart through an upscale shopping center called The Fountains, wearing only a a red plaid trapper hat, red tennis shoes with tall stripped socks, and oh yes, a tuxedo thong. Of course it was on a saturday evening, with hundreds of people strolling through the lovely shops and fountains, Christmas music, etc. Yep - thats my boy! God bless em'! How can a mother be mad when she can't stop laughing? I've seen the photos, pretty hysterical.

[KT in CA]

OMG. The thong story is KILLING me. Kids.

I may be able to swing an overnighter to your neck of the woods Catherine. July is pretty open. Let me know if you guys come up with a date and I'll see what I can do. It's a little too far for a day trip I think, at least for me.

Not too much packing yet. I know we should get moving, be we still have a month before we move. Friday my boss came to me and said he was temporarily cutting the hours of the people who work in the office. We all will work 4 days a week, which I think I can work out to be 4 day weekends every other week. His daughter and I work in the office every day, and then his wife comes in and works a few hours a couple of days a week. So his daughter and I are going to juggle our schedules so we can have 4 day weekends. We have a couple of jobs that total quite a bit, but they aren't starting until the end of May. Those will keep us going through the summer, and the fall and winter work isn't bidding yet. He anticipates things will pick up, but right now the late spring is dead. Money wise it works out okay. I told him it would have been terrible if we were still making a house payment. I'm a little nervous about my husband's job. He works for a general contractor who does commercial interior remodeling. Actually he has stayed pretty busy. He has one job that is finishing up at the end of April, and another one starts after that. I told him that before we sign that lease for the new place he needs to talk to his boss and find out if he has more work. He's not too nervous about it, but I'm a worry wart. So that's what I've been working on worrying about this weekend.

Now I'm watching Taylor Swift on the Country Music Awards and trying to think of other stuff.

Talk to you guys tomorrow.

Karen

[pjd123]

Karen, so good to hear from you! I hope the thong story was a least a bit of a deversion for ya! lol

I'm going to be passing through on hwy 5 on July 25th. I know its still almost 4 months away. If that dates good for you and Catherine then I'm in! Sorry to hear about the stress you're going through. I'm the same way so I know how you feel. If you're hubby's job isn't secure then of course you're going to worry, its what we do best right? Its nice that you will be able to have those 4 day week-ends every other week. And I don't blame you on the packing thing. You know I waited til the last minute myself to do most of it. The good thing will be that you will have time to do it over a couple of months.

Chat soon,

Paula

[chefette]

Gooood Morning all,
Wow, it may be that you can meet up in July! Honestly for me, that is a bit too far in advance to make a commitment. Its just that there is so much to do in the rental, and I do not even have a nod yet. I am not sure what is going to happen. The bank has been very nice to me, I did not tell them yet that I was going to forgo the short sale, I should probably tell them. It really doesn't matter anyway, I truly believe the first will get the money they need to cover the loan in a foreclosure. The second is a problem and I worry sick over the whole thing.

Paula, loved the thong story, now how old was he when he pulled that one?!

Karen, I think you have a built in survivor mode and it kicks in just when you think you can't take anymore. I say good for you, to worry to much is so bad and to be proactive as you have been, gets you to where you know what is coming down the road. I hope hubbys jobs will pour in so that you do not have to think about anything else.

Catherine, thank you soo very much for wanting me to come. I would love to do it, but I just can't say yes, ....yet. We shall see. All of you have been so great to talk to, it would be nice to see faces of those we have shared so much with. Texas

[Catherine]

GOOD morning??


Party at my house Karen? I got room I can stay up all the way to 9pm. What a hard core party girl, I know If we can somehow talk Texas into coming knowing she would be safe at my house. I am fairly normal, but would understand anyone having reservations. Oh my gosh Paula has your son provided you memories to bring a smile or what? Too funny! Karen I am sorry your feeling the stress of income being provided. I am with you girlfriend. The Attorney I contacted a month or so ago is supposed to call me today with the hope he will let me retain him, but he is so busy these days I fear he won't have the time to put up a good fight. So I auh blew my birthday money and then some this weekend. New work boots, 1200TC sheets thank you e-bay fifty bucks including shipping and a new comforter. Mine was so old and dead coming apart at the seams it should have been trashed a long time ago. Karen since you and I agree on warm spicy colors after my long search only one kept saying pick me. Croscill's Galleria that I found for half thanks to the web. I know I should be saving every penny, but I used a certain "F" it word and did it anyway Chat soon, miss you, hugs, C

[Catherine]

Sweet can't say yes yet? I can do a maybe Do you have any idea how good I am at nagging, pleading , begging, whining, sweet talking? Actually just the fact you are considering it means so much. You and yours would be so welcome in my home. After we have seen each other before make up to share a cup of coffee that bond is solid for life Have you been to California? Thank you so much for even thinking of adding that to your plate. I know it would be asking a lot. SMILE, your so welcome! Catherine

[chefette]

Good morning Catherine,
I am sorry if I am sounding like a whimp about visit, it is just a little more complex at the moment. If I get this job, that will be a plus, then I have to get in line with the rest of the family for the summer. Hubby works as a private chef and we never know what to plan for as the family he works for always makes last minute plans and changes. I would love to send my kids somewhere for a couple of weeks at least, but not sure who would want 'em, I have only been to Cali once, and that was Disney, so it really doesn't count. We have plenty of time, lets see what happens ok? Texas

[Catherine]

Texas you sweetheart you do not sound like a wimp. The mere fact you would even consider trying to come blesses my socks off I am not afraid of your children Bring them on. They are at that age when you only want to look at another Mother and say I swear I have raised them better than this while the Mom that has already smiles a very understanding smile. Yeah, Disneyland doesn't really count Don't stress over it. If it is meant to that door will be swung wide open. My door too Catherine

[chefette]

Thanks Catherine, I will work on it, just feeling too buried under a pile of crap and too many variables at the moment. Hope you have a good day today. Guess I'll do some more packing today. c.

[Catherine]

On this one dear friend don't work on it. Pray and leave it there. IF that is the plan you will know Catherine