jmg44
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Post by jmg44 on Aug 28, 2019 17:19:04 GMT
How nice to meet a neighbor—be helpful—and have such a positive response. People just appreciate people caring any more—well, they always have, but in today’s world we tend to stay in our houses too much and not be out front meeting people who live right nearby. In Vegas I blame some of that on block wall fences and garage door openers—people don’t spend any time out front unless they do their own front yard. If you had a walking friend you would find it really easy to get your walks in.
DH and I took a walk to coffee after having breakfast this morning—it was pretty warm—about 85 but we did it. However, I never walk on a full stomach—oh, that was not easy—all I had for breakfast was fruit but I was miserable! So glad we did tho—now I will get all my steps in easily today. Hoping to go to the studio and throw two pots on my own. Tonight we go to an art show opening—son of my late secretary’s best friend—he’s really good—from Chicago—the show opens at the gallery at Community College—I think he teaches art at U of Chicago. Not completely sure that is accurate.
Got up at 5:30 today to have a 6 am breakfast with cruise BF’s who left cross country today. Their car was full to the max. About the time they get home the hurricane will be right over their town if it goes as predicted! Neither of us think they like Florida very much—too many bugs, very humid, their neighborhood is always having disputes—if her mother were not right across the street and 80 and his daughter not just 30 min away I think they would never have moved there. We played the Marble Pursuit game last night—taught them—they liked it so much they are going to buy a board. They are game players but after they got into their apt two years ago we seldom saw them at night—only had breakfast with them so we didn’t play games anymore with them.
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Post by nov21987 on Aug 28, 2019 22:19:42 GMT
Hi!
Heatwave is finally out of here. But I'm hearing that the Farmer's Armanac is predicting a horrible winter. If we go through with our cruise, we'll at least miss Jan, Feb and part of March!
Joan, OMG, how scary for your DS!
Wow, your friend Valerie sounds amazing
On our cruises there are some very active tours. For the most part when we get to a new town or city we spend hours walking. The tours have ratings for how active it is because most passengers are older.
Jojo, I'm definitely not a baker. I can do it, and I'm good at it...but I don't enjoy it because of all the measuring. Glad you enjoyed the all class reunion So what was the cause of the smoke/fire?
Holly, no SO no longer eating Caeser salad once a week. Ever since he retired, he tends to eat most during the day, and he likes to just graze all day. How is your first week of school so far?
Last Thurs we went out to one of the best restaurants here (chef won James Beard's best mid-atlantic chef award last year). Impossible to get reservations at a decent hour but I made this one awhile ago. It was really good! One of my favorite dishes there that I have to get everytime is a sea urchin with scrambled egg and whipped creme fraiche - so so good. SO hates sea urchin but I love it.
Did my usual volunteering, also cardiologist appointment, BP lowest ever at the Dr office since I started going to him.
Busy weekend coming up, going to restaurants both Fri and Sat night with couple friends, each night a different ex colleague.
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Post by holly2007 on Sept 1, 2019 21:26:51 GMT
Hi all,
Hard to believe the weekend’s almost over. It looks like the hurricane’s going to hit Florida pretty hard. It is expected to affect the Outer Banks as well.
We’re back in the swing of things. It’s going to be a busy semester.
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jmg44
Transcendent Member
Posts: 938
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Post by jmg44 on Sept 1, 2019 22:59:45 GMT
So Holly, I thought it was scheduled to hit Bahamas and miss FL—or is it the rains that you are referring to—have not been listening to the news so have no idea. I really don’t care for July and August here but honestly I could not take the stress of hurricane or tornado threats!
Had planned to go to studio and work on clay all day and then found out it’s closed for two days! Darn! So I cleaned out all the kitchen drawers thoroughly. And One cupboard! It was time I spend some time on my kitchen again. DH and I agreed to order out tonight—from separate places—he wants meat and I want Vegan—but bottom line is I don’t have to cook. I just ate some chips and salsa—don’t usually but I bought some new fresh made salsa that was so good I over did it!
Yesterday we went and saw Where’d You Go Bernadette and we really thought it was good! I want to see The Farewell next—maybe tomorrow since studio and gym are both closed!
I spent quite a few hours working on underglazing (which is basically like painting) my kitty box I made out of clay and then glazing it after the underglaze dried—I hope it turns out well—it’s pretty cute I think—the lid is a cat lying down in a cat bed—the bottom of the container is the cat bed.
I wanted to throw some more pots on the wheel today—guess I will go in on Tuesday afternoon for a while and again on Wednesday. Thursday they have classes so working independently is not so easy then.
I’m hoping in another week we get some cooler mornings and evenings so I can clean out my garden space and plant some greens for fall/winter. My flower beds are so in need of attention but it’s just too hot and I don’t feel motivated to be out there. Tomorrow will get up and walk at 6 before it gets so bad.
DD in CA told me they will probably not come for Christmas so after last year having the best Christmas Eve ever, this year will probably be pretty quiet — we might see if the rest of the family would come up to CA if we got a VRBO for a few days after the 25 and just have a late Christmas together there. This divorce decree stuff really messes up holidays for whole families as DD here cannot leave if she wants to have her kids.
Today is DGD19’s 19th birthday—she of course is in NYC celebrating tonight after 10 since she could not get anyone to work her shift—at work all day. She has two friends staying at her apt for a few days until theirs are open to move in so at least she will have someone to share her birthday cake with tonight—her mom ordered one from Magnolia—she knows she likes that place and the friends went and picked it up for her.
I should be reading—book club starts up again on the 12th and I am only about 2/3 through The Overstory—just have not been in a reading mode since early June—too much travel and clay!
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jmg44
Transcendent Member
Posts: 938
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Post by jmg44 on Sept 6, 2019 3:19:11 GMT
Holly, is the hurricane hitting near you? I hope all is well. Seeing the Bahamas is so depressing it is nearly impossible to watch!
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Post by holly2007 on Sept 6, 2019 16:41:50 GMT
Nothing here, but there’s some major flooding in Ocracoke where my brother lives.
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Post by nov21987 on Sept 7, 2019 1:37:50 GMT
Hi!
Holly, I hope your brother evacuated, watching it on the news, it looks terrible!
I can't even think of the 4 storms coming after this one.
Joan, sounds like you have done a ton of pottery pieces. I just realized that you have not talked a lot about your garden as you have in the past, you're so into pottery. Wow, I can't believe your DGD is 19 already. Is she still with a dance troupe?
I did the usual Tues/Thurs volunteering this week. Watched a lot of US Open tennis.
We had 2 great dinners out last weekend. They are both in the just completed Comcast tower, highest in the city. Friday we went to the more casual one on the ground floor, it is the same chef/owner as the one we went to last Thurs, but this one is seafood focused. Really good, we ordered a bunch of small plates and shared everything. Went with an ex partner and his wife who also worked in our office for a few years. He's still there and she has her own small office. Great to see them. She has a 1 1/2 year old boy and she's crazy busy.
On Saturday we went to Jean Georges on the 59 floor of the building. You get into a glass elevator and ride it all the way up to the 60th, which is the lobby of the new Four Season's Hotel and then you have to walk down a flight of stairs to the restaurant. Jean Georges is a famous restaurant in NYC with outposts all over the world...I've been to the one in Hong Kong. The wife of the other couple and I got the tasting menu, but SO ordered 3 small plates for himself, and the other guy ordered an appetizer and main course. I was surprised they let us do that because most restaurants require everyone at the table to either order the tasting menu or everyone get a la carte. IT WAS SO GOOD!! Not too much food because each course was very small. Service was impeccable. I think they really wanted to make a good impression because they just opened the first week of August, and everyone is excited.
I made the reservations more than a month prior knowing that they will be booked quickly on weekends at desirable times. I do that occasionally, and then figure out who to ask to come with us, or if we even want to go that evening at all, if something else comes up.
This is a quiet weekend here for us. Sunday we are going to a memorial service for SO's ex boss, he was the one who hired SO. There will be many people that we know there, most of them we haven't seen in years. He was 87 and lived a very full and active life. He and his wife visited us last year and we had an early dinner. He was slower, but mentally and physically well. It was cancer and happened quickly.
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Post by holly2007 on Sept 7, 2019 14:20:14 GMT
No, he didn’t evacuate. The place where he lives flooded with about 15 inches of water. He didn’t have much and was able to save the valuable stuff. It was really a “perfect storm.” Water was pulled from the Sound by the eye wall.
So big news. I bought a house within walking distance of work! Someone I know is looking at my condo today before I list it. I have to sell it first, which shouldn’t be a problem.
I am going to have to do some work on the kitchen and paint, but it has a huge yard and lots of space.
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jmg44
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Posts: 938
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Post by jmg44 on Sept 7, 2019 20:22:10 GMT
Oh my gosh, Holly, that is big news! Congratulations! Walking to work—will give you some more levels of independence! And Charlotte will be in seventh heaven with a big yard! How big is the house? Your condo is so cute I think it would show really well!
I just made two loaves of jack fruit bread from my frozen fruit from Christmas—but it didn’t get fully done in the hour of baking—didn’t know it wasn’t as the skewer came out clean—so I cut the ends off to start cutting it up and found unbaked portions—just left both on the wire rack and put them back in the oven for 20 minutes—will be interesting to see whether it finishes baking or just gets tough. Wanted to take them over to the nail salon as it is my friend, Binh’s birthday today and he has to work. Sorta bummed if it doesn’t turn out—just wasted time and money and have no surprise to take!
Went to early cardio class today. Finishing laundry and no other plans. BF’s are out of town for two weekends going to soccer games for their grands—we are out of town the third week. Might go see a movie this afternoon eventually.
Sue, I grew mostly beets—have had fresh beets most of the summer and have another bag full to roast this weekend—then that’s it. Wanted to do a winter planting but it’s just been to freaking hot to go out there and work for long. Supposed to be in the 90’s this week so if so, I will finally get to it. DH will not help with the Garden—guess he refuses out of principle cause he certainly has lots of time. I think he feels I wanted it so I can take care of it. Guess in a way that’s justified but a little help would be nice.
Sounds as tho you’ve had some nice dinners out—so sorry about your colleague who passed away—nice tho when people have the privilege of aging well until near their last months or so.
JoAnne, what has happened with your son’s issues in CA?
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jmg44
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Posts: 938
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Post by jmg44 on Sept 9, 2019 2:39:02 GMT
Holly, sorry to hear about your brother’s place flooding—what a mess that must be—I cannot imagine. Does he rent?
Spent five hrs at studio today—prepped some food before going so we were able to have a nice dinner within 45 min of my getting home. I threw four pots today—two small ones and two a little larger. I left them a little thicker except on the rim as I intend to carve texture into them sides on Tuesday when I go back to trim the bottoms and create the foot. Also started working on two little fat round animals again—want to make cows for DD here for Christmas.
We went to see The Farewell—OMG, it is an excellent movie—-I loved it.
Sue do your relatives live on mainland China or in Hong Kong? Hong Kong is really struggling against the party rule—I just hope it doesn’t turn into another Tennimmen Square (spelled that wrong but guess you will figure out what I mean)! I just was thinking about your relatives and wondering if they were there?
Hope all is well with JoAnne.
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jmg44
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Posts: 938
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Post by jmg44 on Sept 11, 2019 18:02:08 GMT
The weather broke—it was 66º this morning at 6:25 when I was waiting for my blood test! We walked afterwards and it was already almost 8 and was in the very low 70’s—awesome! This will be our first day of double digit weather since August hit!
Hope all is well with everyone!
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jojowo
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SHORT AND SWEET GODDESSES
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Post by jojowo on Sept 12, 2019 3:31:54 GMT
Hi everyone! I am always amazed at how much time has passed since my last post. But please know I will always be back.
Such a busy time! I am now planning a remodel for our finished basement. We have a sitting area, bedroom, bath,utility/my office, DDH’s office- all down there. We will refloor, redo ceiling and lighting. Build in desks, bookshelves, and cabinets, and paint. Will start in November. We have been cleaning out and sending furniture to thrift store. What a mess!
Thinking of you Holly with your house purchase! ! How exciting! But the moving is a b-t—h!! You might as ell day we are moving with the downstairs remodeling! Wishing you have a no stress move!
Congratulations Sue on your good health report. Maybe it is some reflection of your “retirement “ and leisure trips.
Joan you have full time career now with the pottery- how wonderful to find something that you can enjoy so much! Are you making Christmas gifts?
I have had 1-2 appts each day this week with contractors getting estimates. I am supply materials and have a lot to do before we go to the beach in two weeks. Will only be home 1 week then to California for two weeks ( DGD has some holidays and Grandparents ‘ Day).
DS has not had symptoms to return as far as I know. Recovering well from lipoma surgery- has neurologist appt. around the 20th
Sue- the smoke we saw coming from the neighbors was a smoker (barbecuing).
Tomorrow is grass cutting day! Dreading it in the heat. Isn’t it crazy that we are still having such hot weather!!?
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jojowo
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SHORT AND SWEET GODDESSES
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Post by jojowo on Sept 12, 2019 3:34:37 GMT
BTW have finished two tops this summer- one knitted and one crocheted- am still working on another knitted one. Will startChisas gifts after that.
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Post by holly2007 on Sept 13, 2019 2:23:23 GMT
I’m so over the hot weather. Today it was 98 degrees.
My condo sold. It is definitely a seller’s market right now. I will move in early October. I need to paint and redo the kitchen.
Working on a scarf now for the art sale.
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jmg44
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Posts: 938
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Post by jmg44 on Sept 13, 2019 21:53:46 GMT
Wow, Holly, that was a fast sale. Did you come out ahead a bit? 98 in humidity would be awful!
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