~~~Watering Hole - July 5 thru July 11, 2010~~~

[HarvestMoon]

Welcome to a new week in the Watering Hole! :wave:I was so inspired by my short trip to Sedona last week, that I want to paint like never before! Nothing like a chance of scenery for inspiration! I ended up cutting paper and hubby cut a board to fit in my little Guerrilla Thumb box and I took that (picture in Joan's Traveling with WC thread). It would have worked wonderfully had I brought an easel to set it on, or a tripod.

We fired off 4th of July fireworks at our neighbors- and hubby handed me a bundle of 6 sparklers- all lit, so my thumb got kind of burned! :eek: What is it about boys and men in particular and things that light and explode? But the fireworks and especially the company was wonderful! Our dogs were all in the house- they hate fireworks so much!

Lets all try to post one painting this week- even if it is a little bitty one! And :grouphug: to all who need it - including the kitty cats and other pets!

[robertsloan2]

That sounds like so much fun. I could go for things that light and explode, guess I'm just like all the rest of the guys. Dogs don't get into it.

My cat doesn't mind though, he got used to the sounds. We didn't get a lot of loud firecrackers in my neighborhood and nothing was visible from my window, so it was quiet and I wound up with my cat snoozing in my lap. Not a bad way to spend a holiday.

Great idea, everyone try to post at least one painting this week. I've got new watercolors on their way but don't know if they'll arrive this week. I'm still thoroughly enjoying my watercolor pencils though and other watercolors, so I know I'll be posting something again tomorrow. Maybe I'll even do something that gets its own thread.

[Brenda Y]

I hope everyone had a fun, but safe, 4th celebration.
From our driveway we were able to see two different public fireworks displays (that were at a distance, so just saw the bigger/higher ones) and then we had some of the "safe and sane" ones that we lit. There were plenty of illegal bottle rockets launched in our neighborhood and nearby neighborhoods and the "black and white" sherrif units were out in force driving around with only their parking lights on and stopping to issue citations. Our next door neighbors set off an illegal and this black and white comes creeping around the corner and while the deputy was writing up the neighbor another neighbor set off a large bottle rocket so the deputy just sauntered over to his house and got him too! The second neighbor is ALWAYS setting off illegals and the reason they are illegal is because of the fire hazard-- (first citation is $500, second $1000 and third $2000). I bet we got some money in the city coffers last night!!
Austin had a blast with sparklers! Our dog hid under the bed and would not come out, poor thing!

The goal to paint SOMETHING this week is a good one, but this is the start of my baking for conference so I doubt I'll have time. But you never know - I just may fool you (and myself!)
Today is grocery shopping and baking 4 - 3 layer Germ Choc cakes and getting them wrapped and in the freezer.

A friend of mine (former co-worker who has fibro) emailed me some information yesterday about a chiropractor in town who treats fibro. He does a complete medical history and does the treatment. She has it really bad and has been on cymbalta for a couple of years. This lady has tried EVERYTHING! Anyway, she is off all medication except Tramadol, which is only as needed now, and she feels better than she has in 5 years!! One thing that was HUGE in her treatment was they determined that she is allergic to gluten, lactose and soy. She said eliminating them from her diet made a HUGE difference and then the weekly treatments are a big benefit too. The DC is having a free seminar this Thurs night, so I'm going to go. I know I'm going to be tired that night after baking, but I think it's important! I emailed another friend with the info and she's going to go with me.

[Faafil]

Happy Monday morning all! :wave:

Good idea Linda - paint "something" :p I need to get back into it; haven't touched a brush in almost 2 weeks! So happy you are now inspired - Sedona & the Grand Canyon especially are definitely inspiration to paint. Too bad your allergies are flaring up again - hopefully DH will want to move once the girls are finished with school. Sedona IS pricey though, but there are plenty of towns nearby that are much less expensive.

Brenda, our poor dog Zippy (RIP) was so terrified of fireworks that we had to sedate her! I found her in the clothes dryer one 4th of July. And she was a big dog - about 65 lbs! Hope the chiro can help with your fibro.

Robert, our cats don't seem to mind the noise either, although we didn't have much around here. They go hide under the beds, but don't totally freak out.

Yesterday morning I went out and pulled some weeds, did a couple loads of laundry, and then came in to watch the Yankees game. DS & GF & kids were at Yankee Stadium yesterday. But, I fell asleep for 3 hours! :eek: Guess I needed the sleep. DH even commented "you never do that". So, needless to say, we didn't go watch fireworks last night.

I do feel a little better this morning, just tired. I really hate being sick. One of the gel nose pads on my glasses fell off, so today I'm wearing an older pair of glasses until I can get them fixed. Kinda weird, because the RX is a tad different. It's always something :rolleyes: (in my best Rosanne Rosannadanna voice).

Think I'll go shower, maybe that will help....waving to Azure, Shirl, Carey, Roger and all to follow! Have a creative day!

[HarvestMoon]

Good morning Robert! My basset would not even go out last night to pee once all the fireworks stopped!

Brenda- you should go to that chiro guy...that sounds amazing....I sure hope he can sort you out- so many people are allergic to wheat, etc. You do have a baking marathon this week, you are exempt from painting! Our neighbors are going to move to Calif. (the husband is from there) in about a year, and I don't know how their son will survive if he can't shoot off large explosive firercrackers!! This is the first year in ages we could do it, due to the burn hazard, so EVERYONE shot them off...we have no restrictions either! quite loud last night!

Mary Lou- oh, hope you enjoy this baseball season- who is your favorite team? I used to go to the occasional Texas Ranger game when I lived 'up north' in the Dallas area! I think the trip just exhausted you- there is always some stress involved in a trip, and change in time zones, then your cold to top it off, so take care and rest up and take vit. C!!

[aszurblue]

Good Monday Morning,

I didn't go out to watch fireworks this year. Just so darn hot(106 at my place) yesterday. Thought I'd stay home an watch the Macy's Day Fireworks on TV. I only got to see about two minutes of it before my Direct TV went down... Guess it's out side, the dish needs to be repositioned:mad: Personally I think they are full of beans, cause it had been working just fine right up till then... But guess we will find out on Thursday..Yep, gonna take Directv 4 days to make it to my place.. Man, I didn't know I lived in such a remote area...I was gonna ask if they were coming by stagecoach, but thought it best to keep my smart mouth to myself, less it they decided to make that a two weeks arrival time:lol:

Robert could have used a little of your "quiet" at my place. For about 3 hours after dark, you'd thought you were in a war zone... I went out to check on the feral's at one point and the smoke haze was so bad I thought fog had move in:lol:

Brenda, know what you mean about the illegal fireworks, we have plenty here in the park. You'd think those numb-nuts would get the fire hazard thing, but Noooo, as long as its not their house burning down, what do they care!...
...Try not to work so hard this week and remember to take some quality down time just for you!

Esther, what a save you made with Scooter:eek: poor baby....I too find my fixed feral's disappear allot after being fixed, especially if its me trapping and taking them to the vets. But if I let someone else take them, they are better at staying around...You know a spray bottle that shoots water(add a little white vinegar) will go along way to stopping dominant food aggression at the "dinner table" with both indoor or out door kitty's:D

Linda, did you know that FUP can be detected with a blood test. I tell all my adopter's to get a full panel plus a FUP blood analysis when kitten's are 3 to 6 months old. This is a real nasty disease and really hard to detect in small kitten's, and then it may not show up for months:crying: This is why it is so important to know just where the kitten has came from. Allot of non-kill shelters will take kittens from the city shelters that are slated to be put to sleep.....
.....99% of shelters do not run blood tests. They just spay, neuter, de-worm and give them their shots. The reason being that the test cost is anywhere between $100 to $170.(in my area)dollars:mad: ... FUP can be quite common when you house a large number of kittens and cats together, all sharing the same litter boxes and food dishes like the city shelters and some of the larger non-kill shelters do; And it only takes one sick cat to give it to hundred's...
...egads..I'm on my soap box again...sorry:o

Well now that I've bored y'all to death with my cat talk, I'll go and give some thought to the "Paint and Post" thing....Take care all and have a super day... Azure

[Faafil]

Got out of the shower and it's raining!! :eek: It NEVER rains in July... weird weather we're having... temps have been below normal for quite some time...

I'm a San Diego Padres fan (due to DH being from SD), but thought I'd watch the Yankees yesterday since DS was actually there. I missed almost the entire game tho (3-hour nap). :rolleyes: Today is day 7 of this cold, so I think about 3 more days and it should be done. If not, then I'll go to the dr. I've been taking my Vitamins, and cold tablets.

Have to make a grocery list, our cupboards are bare (well, at least the freezer is)! So will probably hit Costco tomorrow. Yech. Definitely don't need green beans though - DH has planted bush beans everywhere! They are producing much more than he thought - we're giving them away. The tomatoes on the other hand, aren't doing so well this year. :( Go figure, after that bumper crop last year.

Off to get breakfast - ttfn

[robertsloan2]

Azure, thanks for making me appreciate my quiet neighborhood. I can just imagine how the ferals were taking the noise bombardment. What is FUP and can it be treated once it's diagnosed? It sounds nasty.

Brenda, I've had a lot of luck with chiropractors, but didn't know they could treat fibro. They do great things for my back though. It's congenital, so they never actually cured it, but they can set me right and give me better function for a week or two if I get to go to one. The food intolerances seem to be part of the disease. I can't have milk unless it's cooked or treated. Cheese seems to be fine and so is cooked pudding or milk as an ingredient, but milk or ice cream makes me sick.

I woke up at seven this morning, but that was a mistake. I went to bed again two hours later and woke up again around one or two. Seems like I'm back on my night owl schedule and only sleep well during the day. It's summer so I've still got plenty of hours of daylight left, maybe that's why I'm drifting back to the night owl thing.

Haven't decided what to paint today, did that demo yesterday and have packages coming in two days but they're not here yet. Maybe fool with my watercolor pencils again, that's always fast and powerful.

[aszurblue]

Robert. I'm so sorry, my dyslexia seams to be real active today... but its FIP, not FUP... Feline Infectious Peritonitis..it is rare fatal viral disease that has no known cure. It has two forms Wet or Dry. It happens mostly in cats up to 2 years old. Older cats don't seam to get it hardly at all... and as I said before, it can from shelters, cattery's, and large rescue originations who house large amounts of kittens and cats together that share a common food or litter box sorce. It could even happen with my feral's(same food dish)

PLEAS NOTE... This dose not mean that a kitten or cat "will" have it if you get a kitty from them!!!! It is rare, but just that the risk is a little higher.

My little Samantha died of the Wet form at 6 months old. I had adopted her from a small rescue at a pet store, yes she had been at the city shelter before them and I wasn't aware of this disease then, and not sure if it would have made a difference had I known...Once she was in my arms, it was instant love, she was mine and I was hers.... its rare, but it dose happen...Azure

[HarvestMoon]

Shirl- WHERE ARE YOU???

Mary Lou- oh, I love green beans, esp. fresh ones! so very sad about the tomatoes! those are the best thing ever....I snagged some from Pat today! My little plant has one that is getting red, but one branch broke down- I am hoping it can stay alive....I think a certain tabby cat was involved...this one is a 'house pet' I mean 'house plant' since the goats have not gotten into the house- lately! I love TheraFlu for colds and flu!

Robert- I always feel like my watercolor pencils are so slow! Pretty funny....Pat is 1/2 way through her first watercolor pencil painting, and was asking me how much she can sell it for! :eek: It is really nice, but there are so many factors- how it is framed, and esp. if you are 'known' in the art world (ie. winning shows) - not just 'is it a good picture'....sigh.

Azure- oh, I forgot that it was FIP, not FUP....sorry...thanks for correcting that! It was so horrible...I got these 2 kittens to try to perk up the kids and my husband after my husband's parents were killed....instead of helping with the grief, as only kittens can seem to do, it make everything even worse to loose those two (Sonny and Cher).

[robertsloan2]

Azure, thank you for telling me about it. That's so sad about little Samantha. I know if you'd known you probably still would have taken her home, it might have helped to know. I'm relieved to know Ari's not at risk, but that's still something terrible. This tells me those shelters need more donations, to be able to afford to screen for it.

Linda, that's sad about your kittens. I can only imagine how hard it was when they went too.

[Shirl Parker]

Shirl- WHERE ARE YOU???....

Shhh, I'm snoozin'.

[Brenda Y]

Just a quick "pop in." I'm in trouble trouble trouble! I only got 2 German Choc cakes baked today and was so exhausted I had to come home. Of course, I shopped at Sam's and at WalMart first, took all the groceries out to the campus, found a three shelf cart to use to haul all the groceries from my trunk to the 3rd floor cooking lab. Put the freezer and refrig items away and then started on the baking. I left the house at 10:30 and returned home just before 4. I took my afternoon drugs and went to bed for 2 hours! Aside from that being quite a lot to get done, I didn't even think about letting anyone know I'd need the A/C on in the lab!! Egads, it was hot! It was 102 when I left (outside, not inside!). The controls for the A/C are computerized from a main CPU, so I couldn't turn it on myself.
I took Celebrex this morning and still was not feeling so great. I am not planning on baking tomorrow--I need to do some stuff at home, plus have a wedding shower to go to tomorrow night and I haven't bought the gift yet. My neighbor brought over 2 large bags of plums from their tree and I've GOT to get them "put up" somehow some way. I think I'll just freeze them. I don't really have time to can them this week.
My next baking days will be Wed and Thurs. A friend is going to help me on Wed - yea!!! I hope my fibro feels better :crying:

Mary Lou,
Glad you are feeling a bit better, maybe tomorrow will be even better! My DS went to a Dodgers game today. We have always been Giants fans and it's taken us 17 years of living in southern CA to TOLERATE the Dodgers :lol: The only Dodger games we've been to is when they are playing the Giants.
You had rain?!! It is the season for the AZ desert monsoons, must've been a little overflow from there.

Linda,
Our town allows "safe and sane" fireworks and the neighboring town does not allow ANY fireworks. We had a Doberman who would get so upset with fireworks that he would vomit. Poor boy! I would lay on the floor with him and hold him and he'd still just shake and pant and then upchuck. The dog we have now just stays under the bed.

Azure,
You don't bore me with your cat talk. Just makes me miss being able to have them. I still miss my big Smokey Bear -- gotta find a pic of him to post!

[HarvestMoon]

Brenda- oh my gosh....you poor thing! I was worried that you might be taking on way too much! Wish I was close enough to pop over and help you!

Azure- I love your cat stories too- I think most of us are real cat lovers! Keep them coming!

It is my painting day out by the lake....and once again changing up what I take out there, which usually means I forget half of what I need, and take a lot of what I don't! I plan to tackle one of the easier Grand Canyon scenes.

[aszurblue]

Happy Tuesday Everyone,

Mary Lou, RAIN at your place on the 4th of July!! My, but that must have been nice... I hope your cold is getting better...There is a product I take when I even "think" I'm coming down with one. It's called Emergen-C. Just mix it with a small amount of water... It has 1,000mg of Vitamin C, plus 32 minerals complexes, the B vitamins, zinc and good source of potassium plus other goodies in one little packet... You can take it 2-4 times a day...I started taking it as a energy booster at work about 3 years ago. Comes is lots of yummy flavors too! One little note here...don't take it late in the evening or you'll be up at all hours...Unless you want to be up at one or two in the morning, then thats a good thing;) ...

Brenda, ya gotta slow down girl!, or get yourself a good helper. At least someone to help with all that shopping, toting and lifting...Good that you'll be taking a small rest today... Not good for your Fibro, all this stress...
...I gave away all of my canning stuff a few years ago, after all my Peach and Cherry trees died from some weird California tree disease:mad: ...
...My flair that started a few weeks ago has now move to include just about all of the back part of my left leg from ankle to very top of the thigh joint...This is going to be a long one...sigh...

Robert, YES! donations are GOOD! One thing I tell people who want to help but can't foster. Start a "Goody" box and when you are out shopping just pick up one small thing a trip, a squeaky toy, little mice toys, a cat teaser, small food dishes, small pet bed, small can of kitten milk replacer ... or at the thrift store, baby blankets, small stuffed baby toys..ect... Just one little thing at a time and the next thing you know, you'll have a super goody box for a donation:heart: ...

Linda, hope your painting day by the lake is fun, and you remember to take what you'll need. If it were me, I'd probably end up at the lake shore playing in the water, finding cool rocks and chasing fish:o

Shirl, you need to stop with the napping and snoozing and come out and play with us!!:clap:

Roger, Where have you gotten off to this time? You need to come out and play too!:grouphug:

My little Snicker's is still eating and drinking pretty good, but he just doesn't seam as perky today. While the other three are running around bouncing off walls and playing leap-frog, he is just quietly watching, more off to his self..
Not good :(

Well gotta go for now..Waving at all our MIA's, lurkers and ones yet to come. Have a great day everyone! :wave: ... Azure

[Shirl Parker]

Azure, the truth is I just don't have anything to talk about right now, and when that happens, I can get pretty boring when I talk anyway.

Today is my last day of cat house duty and it's house cleaning day at my own house. Zzzzzz

[robertsloan2]

Brenda, that's so rough that you can't keep a cat any more. If it was me I'd give up the baking and get a cat. You're running yourself ragged, but one cat doesn't take that much work.

Azure, that does make a big difference donating treats and toys and blankets for shelter cats. They never get enough of those things and that's some of what helps socialize them to people. Thrift shop items seem like a really good idea, they get a second life for the cats and kittens.

I got my packages today in reverse order. My Blick package that was scheduled to arrive today is still in Memphis and just left Memphis after a day's mysterious delay there. Yet my Daniel Smith package arrived lickety split when I thought it wasn't going to be here for another five or six days -- so I now have a beautiful huge palette of 20 new watercolors to play with plus half a dozen samples I've already painted out and tested.

[HarvestMoon]

Robert and Shirl- HELLO!!! I don't know how I missed your earlier posts! I really MUST get to the eye Dr. again I suppose! Everything is blurred and I just plain miss some things!

Azure- great idea for the goody box for kitties.... I just paint NEAR the lake...I turn into a neighborhood just before the large dam. It is a community center that we all paint at!

I worked on my Grand Canyon #1 scene today, and it looks like I got almost nothing done despite hours of work! I may need to use a bigger brush to slap on paint faster, since it all ended up about the same color! I was going for a base color, then to enhance it with other colors on top.

Hubby is in 'coma-mode Tour de France' :rolleyes: Gosh, this would be a GREAT time for art supplies to arrive- he would never notice if the Tour was on! :lol: But I won't do that!

[robertsloan2]

Well, why not? If he's immersed in his sports interest, you could be enjoying yourself with new art supplies and you've both got something cool to get into. Gives you more time to paint if you're not into watching races.

[Granola Girl]

Just popping in to say a quick hello! Had to fast all day for another medical procedure tomorrow (will be back Thursday), so I've been trying to keep my hands busy to keep them from reaching for munchies (sitting here reading and typing always makes me hungry). Sounds like you had a fun day too, Shirl... :D

Good night all... :wave:

[robertsloan2]

Good luck on that, Esther. That sounds miserable. I've had to fast for medical procedures too and it was hard. Hopefully the procedure isn't that bad.

[Brenda Y]

It was a good day today (drugs are nice) and I didn't overdo. My friend is meeting me at the lab at 9 in the morning and I'm hopeful we can knock some baking out in no time! I emailed my schedule to the person who can set the A/C for the lab, so we're all set there!
I've been doing this annual baking project for 10 years and 4 years ago got another person on our "team" to help me. This years' menu is hard for me for the Mon dinner, but I have nothing to fix for Tues and only the apple pies for Wed. So once I have Monday behind me, it'll be a breeze! Monday I have Creamy Chicken Vegetable Soup, frozen rolls, Germ Choc Cake, Vanilla Mousse Cheesecake and ice cream. The soup and the GC cake frosting is the only thing I have to "cook" on Monday. So the method to my madness is to get all the baking done this week, except for the pies. The pies I plan on getting assembled and frozen and then I'll bake them on Wed.

Robert,
I can't have a cat because of all the coyotes and large owls that live in our area. We've had cats, and even tried to have ones that were inside only. The indoor cats would slip out when a dog was being let in or out, really whenever a door was opened! I refuse to feed the coyotes/owls any more, so no cats. I really love all animals, but am probably more of a dog person.
My neighbor who is going to take that free class with DS got her supplies in about 2 days - she was shocked! But then we live closer to Seattle than you do. My orders from Jetpens gets here in one day -- they are REALLY fast!

GG,
Your post reminded me that I MUST set up my appts for two different procedures that will require the fasting - yuck!! I have to have an gastro esophagael endoscopy and a colonoscopy. I just keep forgetting to set them up!!!

Linda,
I think ordering supplies on the sly is a grand idea :lol: Or did you get a good load at Jerry's 4th of July sale?

Shirl,
I doubt anything you have to say would be boring. You are always so full of useful and fun information!

Azure,
I hope Snickers is doing better :(

Mary Lou,
I hope YOU are doing better :(

[HarvestMoon]

Robert- well, having bought new camera equip. for our vacation that I must figure out how to pay for, I think I will pass on the grand temptation to order yet more! And I did over do it at Jerry's 4th of July sale! I want to save for some more caran d'ache Luminance pencils, and use them with heat....

Mary Lou- trying to figure out which 3 pics to enter in the Sedona photo contest you sent me....thanks so much for that!

Esther- oh, I am so bad at fasting too! Hope you are feeling much better soon! If it makes you feel better, then fasting is SO much better than the 'colon cleaning' stuff you do for a colon scan!

Brenda- I have forgotten what the entire week of dinners was FOR in the first place....what a lot of work!! That is just a LOT to have to tackle for anyone! Too bad Julia Child's could not be there to help- sounds like you need a powerhouse to help you out!

[aszurblue]

Mornin' Everyone,

Wheeee Robert, 20 new paint colors, you must be having a great time with them! I hope you are feeling much better and can get out side to paint some soon.

Linda, I am such a person that you can't get me "NEAR" a body of water, any body of water...the ocean, a river, a lake, even a creek bed and not expect me not to go play in it. You know that old saying...."You can dress her up, but you can't take her anyplace"...Well, that would be me:evil: ....Now the nearest body of water would be the pool up by the club house...:(...
.... I would love to get a art group together here in the park, but getting these people out of their houses is like moving boulders with tooth-picks:rolleyes: ..

Esther, I hope your tests went well and you are OK. I don't care much for fasting either...Never mind the fact I can and do go all day and not eat, but just let them tell me I can't!:eek:

Mary Lou, how ya feeling? Getting better? I really do hope so..

Brenda, good that you have some help now...I see why you can't have kitties, I wouldn't be wanting to be feeding the wildlife that way either:(

Shirl, its OK not to say much, I'm sorry if you feel that I put you on the spot. ..Sorry:o

Hi Robert, hope your day is going well and no brooms flying around you...

Well need to go out and work around the house before it gets too hot, so y'all take care and talk at-cha later.....Azure

[Faafil]

Happy Hump Day kids!

Gheesh, I just realized I never checked in with y’all yesterday… Went to Costco and filled the freezer, and drained my checking account. :rolleyes:

Robert, I think I’m in night-owl mode lately too – I’ve been staying up much later, and not waking until 6:30 or so, instead of my usual 5:30. Oooo, new art supplies from DS?? Color me jealous! But, I’m sure you’re using yours – I haven’t painted anything since before my trip!

Poor DH is suffering with my cold too – apparently I wake him with my coughing, and he gets up and goes into the guest room – poor baby. Neither of us is getting enough rest. But, on the plus side, I think my cold is on its way out. I feel better, just not 100%.

GG - :crossfingers: that your procedures go well, and that it is nothing serious. Reminds me that I need to make an appt. for DH in that regard.

Linda – new camera?? What kind did you get?? I’ve been coveting a new camera for years, but I just can’t justify a new one yet. Way cool you’re entering the Sedona photo contest.

Brenda, slow down woman!! :lol: at your comment re: “drugs are nice”. Have you tried the chiro for your fibro yet? I’ll be making another appointment too – my hip is bothering me and I know it’s my back. So sorry you can’t have kitties, but totally agree about the coyote thing. I worry about when we move to AZ – my poor cats will have to learn to be indoor cats, and Scaredy Cat especially will NOT be happy. I’ll have to put her on a leash and be with her when she’s outside.

Azure, you’ve got the heat and we have no sun! We have what they call “marine layer”, and lately it’s been lasting until 4pm, when the sun finally peeks out. It’s been more like San Francisco weather than SoCal weather. It’s depressing. But just wait, when it finally gets hot, I’ll complain about that too. :rolleyes:

Carey – been to the zoo lately? What’s happening on your side of the world?

Shirl – you’re never boring.

Rog – you keeping the witch at bay?

Well, I’m at the sweatshop, waiting for DH to look over a report I’m working on. Annual report – usually takes me days/weeks to complete – but I’ve got a head start on it this time, so won’t be totally draining. My deadline is July 25th, so I’m in good shape.

Waving to those I missed, the MIAs and lurkers – have a creative day! :wave:

[Faafil]

OMIGOSH, I almost forgot!

Linda - this is for you: :D

Goats Return to Bunker Hill (http://www.nbclosangeles.com/station/as-seen-on/Goats_Return_to_Bunker_Hill_for_Snack_Attack_Los_Angeles.html?__source=Facebook)

sorry, you have to watch a 10sec ad first....

[Shirl Parker]

Shirl, its OK not to say much, I'm sorry if you feel that I put you on the spot. ..Sorry:o

You didn't put me on the spot, no worries.

I went to art studio this morning, but I only took my iPad with me, with intention to just visit. Good thing, cause this fellow was there assembling frames and stretching canvas, and boy what a racket he was making. So I just talked and fiddled on my iPad, and then left a bit early to go fill up my water bottles.

The water in Brownsville is awful, thus the bottles. I could get a reverse osmosis filter system (don't ask) but they cost several hundred dollars to purchase and $26 a month to rent. I just can't justify the expense. Today I took 5 2-gallon bottles and 9 1-gallon bottles and filled them. That's 19 tokens, and I buy $20 worth of tokens at once, about 6 tokens per dollar, and they last several months.

Filling them is the drag. I take my granny basket full of bottles out to the car, drive about 3 miles to the water station, fill all the bottles and drag them back home. Right now it is raining, so I have to wait to bring them in, plus the mosquitos are so heavy, I get eaten alive loading the basket with bottles and rolling them in. I can carry all the bottles out in one trip, but coming back, I have to make two trips, because they are sooooo heavy.

While I was at art studio, I had occasion to look for something on Facebook. I rarely go there, and evidently I am missing messages. There was so much crap there from people playing with Farmville, and some other stuff, that I decided to delete those people, except the ones who are family. I don't think I'm Facebook friends with any of you, except Robert.

There is a weather advisory for a Tropical Wave in the Gulf, heading for Deep South Texas. We are getting rain, but I'm told we are too far inland for the wave to be a problem. I hope "they" are right.

[robertsloan2]

Sounds like getting water is a real pain, Shirl. Good luck on the weather advisory.

Mary Lou, 6:30 in the morning is still early bird. I got up at noon today. Haven't done much yet though because the fibro's flaring pretty bad today. Very annoying, the weather's beautiful outside.

Azure, I don't know if I'll be getting outside, but I'll probably at least get some sort of sketch done today if not something serious. Hopefully more. With the new paints I want to do some color explorations with them -- not just charts with swatches, but something done in each of the colors in pen and wash in my Water Folio.

I'm just trying to figure out what kind of palette to use with them. I've got a new 20 well palette coming in the Blick box that's on the truck for delivery, so I keep procrastinating hoping the box will get here so that I don't go wasting them spreading them out in something temporary.

[HarvestMoon]

Azure- my oldest is like you- a real water baby! When she was really little, she used to follow an older woman in the pool, and do what she was doing- the lady did different stroked for different laps...so we put her on the swim team until it dissolved.

Mary Lou- I love the adorable goat video....I went to get a telephoto lens and polarizing filters, for the Grand Canyon in particular...and really should have bought a wide angle lens! But found that the telephoto alone for my big old Nikon was around $650 or the better ones for $1500 or $2500! So I went for their '18 month free financing' and got the Canon Rebel T2i....it was on sale and came with a telephoto that was stabilizing, and is lighter weight than my old one, and has 2x the pixel resolution (18mp). BUT the pictures are really big- photoshop cannot automatically convert them for the web- they take up tons of space, so better resolution is not automatically 'all good'. Still, I knew we would likely not be back to that part of the world for a long time, and wanted the best pics possible to paint from for several years. I love the camera though in every way. I used to have cannons for film before the digital revolution.

Shirl, I think you should move up near me! You would probably enjoy the Tues. group of painters, and it is very hilly here. Just as hot, it was 100 when I looked earlier today, but usually not bad mosquitoes. We have well water, and ours is full of sulpher....SO we haul bottled water too...hubby fills up 5 gallon jugs, which are too heavy for me. Why not have Ozarka or someone like that deliver the water? We have a dispenser in the house and the jug goes on top, then it can come out hot or cold.

Robert- can't wait to see what all you got from DS! I really need some paint now- I just squeezed the last drop of 'buff titanium' and 'sedona red'....so ya'll holler when there is a sale again at DS! I can't live without buff tit. for limestone rocks and goats!

Forgot to mention- got a 'goat commission' to do! I worked on it today...the only photo of the goat has such a stiff formal pose (it was in a 4H show with an adorable little girl), then they sold it at the auction (which means it became cabrito)! So if I left out the little girl just the goat would have been too plain...and since it was a side shot, no way to put it in a different 'fun' pose since I have no idea what the markings are like on the other side of the face! I told her she can pay me if she likes it, if not, that is ok too!

[Shirl Parker]

...Shirl, I think you should move up near me! You would probably enjoy the Tues. group of painters, and it is very hilly here. Just as hot, it was 100 when I looked earlier today, but usually not bad mosquitoes. We have well water, and ours is full of sulpher....SO we haul bottled water too...hubby fills up 5 gallon jugs, which are too heavy for me. Why not have Ozarka or someone like that deliver the water? We have a dispenser in the house and the jug goes on top, then it can come out hot or cold....

I'm sure I would enjoy living closer to you, but...one of the things I like best about this area is that it is flat, flat, flat. I checked out Ozarka delivery once and it was way expensive. About $10 for 5 gallons, I think. Me filling it - 20 cents-ish.

I used to fill my bottles at St. Joseph water company, but it turns out I am allergic to their water. I don't know what's in it, but it makes me cough. I even did a test by going off their water, drinking another one, and then back on theirs. It was cough on, cough off, cough on. So I switched permanently to the cough-free water.

[Brenda Y]

WooHoo! I had a VERY productive baking day today. I got 2 Germ Choc Cakes baked and in the freezer, 2 Vanilla Mousse Cheesecakes baked and in freezer, and 8 (yes, eight!!) apple pies assembled and in the freezer. All I have left to do is 2 more vanilla mousse cheesecakes which I'll do tomorrow. And then on Monday, I'll do my soup and cook the Germ Choc frosting. I have nothing on Tues and on Wed I'll bake the 8 apple pies.
Here's the week's menu for those who are interested, if you don't want to know, don't continue reading :) You'll see that I do NOT do EVERYTHING!
Each night is for 125 dinners
Monday
Fruit bowls, taco salad, chinese chicken salad, vegetable soup, creamy chicken vegetable soup, frozen dinner rolls, prime rib, vegetable medley, mashed red potatoes w/sour cream, germ choc cake, vanilla mousse cheesecake, ice cream, cream puffs
Tuesday
Fruit bowls, cheeseball and crackers, caesar salad, crop salad, potato soup, vegetable soup, parmesan knots, grilled chicken, cheesy rice and broccoli, peas with pearl onions, carrot cake, key lime mousse cheesecake
Wednesday
Fruit bowls, 7 layer salad, broccoli cheddar soup, enchilada soup, sour dough rolls, grilled tri tip steaks, cheesy mashed potatoes, green beans, choc peanut butter pie, apple pie, ice cream, cream puffs

[Brenda Y]

Linda,
Your new camera sounds AWESOME!! I'm a "point and shoot" photographer so the little canon powershot is my cup of tea. I LOVE my little camera and dread the day I have to replace it.
Oooh - a goat commission!! How cool!!!

Robert,
So sorry to hear your flare is getting worse! I hope you are better real soon.

Mary Lou,
I guess I forgot to tell y'all that I got an email from a former co-worker who has fibro pretty bad and she is going to a DC in town who specializes in fibro. She said she is off all drugs (she was on Cymbalta and pain meds) and feels better than she has in 5 years! She said he does a complete history and physical and she found out she is allergic to gluten and lactose. A big part of her treatment is diet elimination. I've wondered if I have gluten sensitivities, but I don't think I'm lactose intolerant at all. I feel better when I don't eat much gluten foods. The DC is giving a free dinner seminar tomorrow night and I signed up to go. The office is supposed to call me to confirm, but I haven't heard from them yet, I hope I get to go! Another friend is going to go with me, when I get done here on WetCanvas I need to email or call her to see if she's gotten a confirmation call yet. I'm very curious whether my insurance will pay for this.

GG,
I forgot to tell you, but I got an email last week saying my quilting book has shipped! I can't wait to get it and will let you know when I do.

Shirl,
You can disable all the garbage (games) on facebook. I have ALL applications like Farmville disabled -- drove me nuts seeing all those posts!!
I LOVE FB, have reconnected with so many old classmates, neighbors, co-workers, and even little league friends from when my son was 5! He's 29 now!!
Most of my online art friends who were FB friends have probably disabled me :lol: I'm politically conservative and post a lot of links. One friend and I decided that we love to talk art, but we just agree to disagree with politics. :)
I hope you don't get too drenched from the next storm.

[Brenda Y]

We just had a little "earthroll" -- it wasn't a shaker. I'll have to check the news to see where the epicenter was.

[HarvestMoon]

Shirl- yipes! allergic to water! wonder what trace chemical was in there? how horrible! I like it here because there are hills, hills, hills!

Brenda- wow, I would LOVE to be able to EAT there every night! Of course, I would gain 100 pounds in a week! I have to have a camera that I can look through the viewfinder.....those that only show you a screen are really tough in the daylight!

[Faafil]

You can disable all the garbage (games) on facebook. I have ALL applications like Farmville disabled -- drove me nuts seeing all those posts!!
You CAN ?? I didn't know that... gotta check that out!

:lol: I just realized today that I can block all the garbage channels on DirecTv - like the shopping, infomercials, other language stations - did that this afternoon. :D

[Brenda Y]

Linda,
My little canon has a viewfinder. I agree, it's a MUST HAVE when shooting in the sunshine!!!

Mary Lou,
Did you feel the quake? I guess it was a 5.4 and the epicenter was about 30 mi south of Palm Springs.

[HarvestMoon]

Morning Mary Lou and Brenda! I am making a long trek today to Joan Hunter's miracle healing service....should be back around midnight I hope! Something needs to give with the eyes...

Another earthquake? I don't see how your houses are not all cracked to bits! Does anyone know how to turn OFF McAfee anti-virus software for awhile, to then turn it back on after a software update runs?

I have half-an eye open this morning! Worked yesterday on the great goat commission and the Grand Canyon....not thrilled at this point with either!

[Shirl Parker]

...Shirl,
You can disable all the garbage (games) on facebook. I have ALL applications like Farmville disabled...

Brenda, could you give us directions on how to do that?

[HarvestMoon]

Good Morning Shirl!! I am trying to type while petting a lap kitty....

Still have not dragged myself into the shower- but the turtles had their 2nd breakfast- such beggars they are! My oldest called to say she had discovered a litter of calico kittens where she babysits...they already have a litter of 2 month old kittens....I have only had one calico in my life, and I do adore them...I would love one, but we are so very over-populated...I have to keep thinking 'vet bills' and 'no vacation' when I see or hear of cute fur-balls!

[Shirl Parker]

Good morning Linda and those to come. Looks like the northeasterners will have higher temps than us today. High predicted at 87, heavy rain. The mosquitos are huge, plentiful and super aggressive. We are supposed to be sprayed in our neighborhood tomorrow, but the rain could muck up that plan. I have to open the door just a crack so Pearl can get out, but I don't go with her. Thanks to my foresight in fencing the yard, I can do that.

Screen capture from my iPad.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/08-Jul-2010/113427-stormwave.jpg

[HarvestMoon]

Shirl- wow those are huge clouds! Glad your temps are lower! We only have a few small mosquitoes....since we don't get rain all that often- but it rained all last week when we were gone. That weather map is beautiful...I love looking at maps of all kinds!

[Brenda Y]

This is quick -- gotta get out the door to walk. . .

Shirl,
Here's how to remove FB applications:
From your Home page, go to the upper right task bar and click on "Privacy"
At the bottom of the page click on Applications and Websites
At the top of that page is "what you are using" and in smaller print "remove unwanted . . . " click there and then you just click off the boxes of what you want removed.

Also, whenever there's a post on your FB about any application or game, if you run the cursor over the area to the right of that application, a "hide" button will show. Click there and then you can either hide the application (forever!) or hide the person ;)

[Faafil]

Also, whenever there's a post on your FB about any application or game, if you run the cursor over the area to the right of that application, a "hide" button will show. Click there and then you can either hide the application (forever!) or hide the person ;)

That's what I used - since I do use the countdown application, I couldn't just block all apps. And it works! Thanks Brenda!! :thumbsup: Oooo, I need to get back to walking - got on the scale and have put on 2 pounds!! :rolleyes:

Didn't feel the earthquake, but I happened to be watching the news when the announcer said "we're having an earthquake". I looked at the hanging lamp in the foyer and it was ever so slightly swaying back & forth.

Good Lordy Shirl, those are some massive storms off your coast. Be safe!! One thing I'm grateful for around here - very few mosquitoes. But our weather has been below normal; I'm sick of cloudy days.

Linda, hope the healing room helps with your eyes! I have the Canon G2 Powershot, and it has a viewfinder too, although I do seem to take better photos with the LCD screen.

I'm going to see my chiro today; my back is out of whack again. Then have to go to the sweatshop for a couple of hours.

And, I've been trying to get some kind of help from Sharp - our LCD tv seems to be losing the volume over the past few weeks. It's 17 mos old, just out of the 15 mo. warranty. :mad: I may have to call, because email isn't getting my point across. They actually suggested we buy a surround sound system because Sharp Aquos is concentrating on picture quality, not sound!! What the heck!! :confused: :eek: (like I could get DH to buy surround sound). :rolleyes: Actually, I'd love one, but I'm pretty sure that isn't going to happen. DH is lacking the "gotta have the toys" gene.

Well, gotta get started on my day; hope yours is creative! :wave:

[HarvestMoon]

:confused: :eek: (like I could get DH to buy surround sound). :rolleyes: Actually, I'd love one, but I'm pretty sure that isn't going to happen. DH is lacking the "gotta have the toys" gene.

:lol::lol::lol:Mary Lou- my DH is totally lacking that gene too! in fact he got some speakers for a gift from where he works (20 years or something and he gets speakers for the tv) and it has been 2 years now- he has not gotten them out of the box!! But LUCKY ME, I have 3 of those genes! :rolleyes: Best of luck with the customer service people- that is so totally annoying- and best of luck with your chiropractor too!

well my travel companion canceled....looks like I will have to go alone, so leaving sooner so I am not in a rush. lots of windy back-roads....and misting rain!

see ya'll tomorrow afternoon! :wave::wave:

[Brenda Y]

Mary Lou,
When you go to the "privacy" settings to delete applications, you choose which ones to delete. You can keep the ones you want. But if you are accustomed to getting rid of them as they pop up, that's good too!
I'm going to call the DC that is offering that dinner seminar because his office hasn't called me yet to confirm that I can get in tonight. I REALLY want to check this guy and his fibro treatment plan out!
I was sitting at my computer (upstairs) and felt the quake ever so slightly. If I'd of been walking I probably wouldn't have felt it.

Linda,
LOL - no cracks in my house. Our house is retrofitted for quakes and even during the Northridge quake we didn't get any cracks. The walls were MOVING and lots of water splashed out of the pool. We didn't have the hutch on top of our dresser bolted to the wall yet and I jumped out of bed to try to hold it to the wall and DH just stood in the middle of the bedroom watching the walls move. I was thinking, "if this starts to go over there's no way I can hold it -- why is he just standing there, doesn't he realize I need help here!" LOL!! DS hid under his covers because he was afraid his ceiling fan was going to come down on top of him.
Hey, what's ONE more kitten?! LOL!!

Shirl,
Looks like you are in for RAIN! One thing I really like about the desert -- we have no mosquitos (no fleas either!). Mosquitos really effect me -- I swell up pretty good and sometimes the area will get red and hot and ooze. Whenever we've gone to Houston or SE Oklahoma to see family, I always slather on the repellant.
Linda is right, that map is beautiful! When she said that I thought maps would make gorgeous Yupo paintings. Maybe when I have time to paint again I'll remember this!

[CareyG]

Hi everyone! :)

I've been missing in action a bit, as we took the long weekend to go to Prague. I had hoped to do a lot of plein air sketching, since I knew we would not be up for as much walking as usual, but with all the walking we had to do, and the heat, my energy was draiiiiined. I did sit down to one sketch and figured if it's this bad :eek: I might as well just sketch from photos! But it was a nice time.

But here you can see that we had a rather unusual encounter in Prague (http://iron-man-does-prague.blogspot.com/). :p :p

~!Carey

[Granola Girl]

Esther- oh, I am so bad at fasting too! Hope you are feeling much better soon! If it makes you feel better, then fasting is SO much better than the 'colon cleaning' stuff you do for a colon scan!

:lol: Linda, it WAS a colonoscopy... and the day before was definitely the worst of it. Alida was quite sympathetic toward her starving and rapidly draining mama, but try fasting in a house with a giggling 5-year-old chasing you with food or saying "mama, you could just trick your doctor and sneak a treat". :heart: :lol: And I'm so sick of jello!
Congrats on the goat commission:thumbsup: ... can't wait to see it!

Azure, I forget to eat when I'm busy too (though eventually I get light-headed and wobbly so I know it's time to fill the tank), but when I'm making stuff for the girls (who eat 5 or 6 times a day), I'm so used to popping a carrot in my mouth or licking the yoghurt off the spoon, it was a seriously conscious effort to remember to keep my mouth CLOSED! :D

Robert, fear of the unknown and listening to my stomach grumble was the worst part, but once they rolled me into the OR, the sleepy doc did her thing, and then I woke up in recovery, which was pretty cool and a big relief. (I haven't checked your journal since I got back... I have so much to catch up on, but that's one of my favourite threads. Must go peek!)

Tests like this are pretty icky, but to all of you who said they "should"... yes, you SHOULD. Either they catch something early or you get to breathe easy that nothing serious is wrong with you. My big fear is always cancer because of my dad, but I'm happy to report it's just IBS. Not fun, but not life-threatening either. Phew.

Though since, unless I eat more food, I couldn't possibly eat more fibre, I'll have to look at some other options for relief... maybe try avoiding gluten (we're already a soy milk family)... would that help, Brenda?
(You were productive yesterday:clap:, and those menus sound amazing!)

So is fibro affected by gluten and lactose, or are some cases misdiagnosed food sensitivities? I ask because Coco was diagnosed as colicky when she was little, but it turned out she was sensitive to the lactose in my milk, so when I eliminated milk products from my diet, the crying stopped (and I found out my tummy felt tonnes better too). But boy did she :music:holler:music: when I got sucked in by a piece of cheesecake! :lol:

BTW, hurray that your book is coming!:) Yours too Linda? Our copies just arrived on Tuesday, so exciting!!!!!:D I can't wait to start getting some feedback... what people think of the technique, the projects, etc.. I've had people emailing me from all over too via the website asking where they can get the book, but I have no idea aside from online shopping, so I asked this morning. Hopefully they can get me some info to post on the site. Maybe part of the confusion is that Amazon had it listed as out of stock, and they thought that meant they couldn't order it, but it just means they'll ship when it gets there.

Carey, Prague! I've never been there, but I've seen pics of some beautiful architecture. I can relate to the heat thing and walking. Spring is my favourite time to travel... everything blooming and not too hot. Today is perfect here though, a nice 25C with a breeze and not too humid. Last week was full of 30's... yuck.

Anyway, having had four meals again, I think I'm replenished enough to go for a bike ride with the girls this afternoon.
:wave: :wave: :wave:

[Faafil]

GG, so glad that your procedure is done and it's nothing serious. Trust me, I know all about colonoscopies - my mother & younger sister both had colon cancer, successfully treated. Sis now has a colonoscopy every year, even though her doc says she could do it every other. I have them every 3, and so far so good. And you're right - the prep is so much worse than the procedure. Of course, with Demerol, they can do just about anything and you don't feel it. :o :lol: Like Brenda said earlier "drugs are good" :lol:

Carey, your trip to Prague sounds wonderful - love the encounters with Iron Man! :lol:

Well, I've had an interesting day! Went to the chiro, feel much better. Came back home, decided to *call* Sharp instead of dealing with email. Long story short, after numerous steps of trouble shooting, it turns out that the problem is not the TV, but the coaxial cable from DirecTV. It had a little crimp in the cable. Oh, and I had to run to the sweatshop to do a download for DH in between all this. So, called a friend, he came over, fixed the cable and VIOLA!! Perfect sound again! :D

Just after he left, I noticed a small sapphire stone in my ring had fallen out! :eek: I noticed the setting was wearing down the other day, and thought - I need to go to the jeweler and have my rings tightened, buffed, etc. Wouldn't you know, the stone was gone! It's a small stone, not the main one, but gheesh, who wants to buy a new stone too!?! So, after swiffering the floors, and a little prayer - I found it!! I cannot believe it, since it's so small, but I actually found it!! :angel: :heart: :D Tomorrow I'm going straight to the jeweler.

So that's been my day...

Hey Azure - where are you today??

[Brenda Y]

Carey,
CUTE encounter!! Quite an accomplished photographer to get all those great shots, too :clap:

GG,
Gluten and/or lactose sensitivities absolutely have an effect on IBS, and any of the other gastroentestinal disorders and diseases (Crohn's for sure!). They don't think food allergies/sensitivities cause fibro, but definitely exacerbate it. They mostly think it's caused from a childhood virus and/or extreme emotional stress--neither of which pertain to me. It's pretty much like a lot of the auto immune disorders, they just don't know what causes them. My MIL had multiple sclerosis and the thinking for that disease is that it's caused from a childhood virus. I almost think they blame viruses when they don't know what the cause is. With many of the auto immunes, weather has an adverse effect. So the food sensitivities aren't the only exacerbators!! I would just like a treatment that prevents or at least minimizes the effect of flares. I dislike treating the symptoms with drugs -- no matter how much they help, they just can't be good in the long term.
I got my book!!! I've just looked at the first few pages, but WOW I'm going to love trying some of these!!!

Mary Lou,
Wow - that's great that you found the missing stone!!! At least you noticed it right away and it was in the house -- it could've fallen out while you were out and about!!!

I got the two cheesecakes finished today and had taken some art along to work on while they baked. I thought I'd taken more than enough, but as it turned out, I had time to do LOTS more! I'm working on an idea for the July "bug" challenge, so I'm not going to say exactly WHAT it was that I could work on in the cooking lab - :lol:
I feel halfway decent, but think I might go take a nap. I can't wait to see/hear what the DC says at that seminar tonight!!!

[Shirl Parker]

A visitor in my yard.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/08-Jul-2010/113427-P1010037.JPG

[Faafil]

Shirl - how very cool! :thumbsup:

[Brenda Y]

Shirl,
Is is wild or a domestic that got away? Very pretty parrot!!

[rcollege]

Hi all,

I've been off from work for the last week- paid company summer shutdown. I have gone in once and will go in tomorrow...but I've had a busy week.

I drew my sister the tatoo she's been asking for for 2yrs. now. unfortunately it has to be redone as she wants changes...no big deal.

I painted a guardian to help protect an owner in her house fastest 1.5hr watercolor I've ever done.

I also built another easel- heavier and more solid than the one I had.

Made another aquarium filter I designed for my smaller aquarium...no more surface film!

While I was at my moms for the 4th My son wife and I were able to collect a good amount of apricot sap...though it may not perform or be the best binder, it truly is my favorite to make paints with.

So things are ready for more paintings- I'll even be using reference materials, and got permission from a few models on deviant art to use them as references- not that they would know...I don't copy very closely, and my paintings are done without using any key elements making the photo's unique or artistic. I just use the pose...which I don't belive you can copyright. I get the permission just in case and to let the model know her work and photographer's work inspired me or has helped in the creation of a painting.

Its a good thing I got everything lined up...I've got some cranking to do- because I can't find my portfolio! I separated some of my favorite works in a smaller portfolio...but I lost the large one. Some how I don't feel that bad...more concerned with what someone might do with the paintings. Some of my good works were in there...but amazingly I have my favorites...so now I have reasons to get on the ball...I think I have less than 20 paintings...and I've been drawing/ painting the woman's form for 23yrs! while drawing for a total of 32yrs.!

anyway...I hope y'all are doing ok and I'll have to catch up. Gotta get to work by 6am tomorrow

[Faafil]

TGIF!! :wave:

Another "marine layer" is covering the SoCal area, so it's cool and gloomy this morning. :( Yesterday the sun came out at about 3pm, so maybe it will be a little earlier today. Forecast is for about 70F, but approaching mid 70's to 80 by the weekend. I hope so, I need sunshine!!!

Gosh Rog, I'd be devastated if I lost/misplaced some of my paintings. At least you have your favorites, but still. Hopefully they'll turn up. Sounds as if you've had a busy week - and on the plus side, no interaction with the wicked witch! :D

Linda, how'd the healing room go? I'll bet you're exhausted!

Brenda, was the seminar worthwhile? I got to thinking about what you said on food allergies/intolerance. While I'm not lactose intolerant, I have noticed that lately I feel icky when I eat certain foods, namely chocolate and ice cream! :eek: The horror. Things I could do without, but not totally!

Well, I'm off to the sweatshop (and the jeweler sometime today). Other than that, no real plans. I need to get the usual housekeeping stuff out of the way, and figure out what to paint! I've got the itch, just no inspiration.

Waving to all that follow - Azure, Shirl, GG, Carey, Robert, etc. I haven't given up on the MIAs, but I'm forgetting names. Stop in and let us know how you are!

Hope your day is creative! :wave:

[Brenda Y]

Morning all!!

The seminar was very informative and I liked what this doctor is promoting, get at the source and treat with minerals and supplements when possible. I think I'll go to him for a spine adjustment soon and they do massage therapy too. But for now, I'm just going to eliminate gluten for a while and see what happens. The BIG drawback is that when I asked the question if they billed insurances, he was kind of vague and started talking about "medical necessity" and how insurances don't like to pay lab fees and how doctor's offices had to write off so much . . . yada yada yada. He didn't know, and still doesn't, that I dealt with all that for 10 years as an accountant for medical offices. They send a LOT of lab work in -- spit in a tube, stool samples every month, complete blood panels every 3 months (which I already do with my endocrinologist). So it sounds as if I COULD be out of pocket several thousand. My insurance (Blue Cross PPO) pays for chiropractor visits/adjustments, so I'll just do that pretty soon with him and see how it goes.

Time to go walk -- and we'll have Austin here soon!

[HarvestMoon]

I am home! Got up super early- and arrived home to pouring down rain, which I also drove in all yesterday afternoon!!

Brenda- One Free Kitten = $1500. + 21 years commitment! (but I am still thinking about it)! If you have a spare cheesecake, or German chocolate cake, I will give it a good home!

Carey- your Iron Man does Prague post was hysterical! Did you do all that with a little action figure? amazing how perfect the photos were!

Esther- I got more notices awhile back to re-commit to ordering your book, but have not gotten a shipping notice from amazon yet! I am sure it will be on the way soon- can't wait to see it! Oh, happy you can EAT again...I just had one of those a couple of months ago- ick!

Brenda- we cross posted- but I have had those billing issues with the chiro before....one guy kept saying- oh, we need to do this, then that...and a lot of it was just then $$$$....$$$$ and more $$$$.
Mary Lou- YEA for getting your TV sorted out!! Well done!!! So VERY happy you found your missing stone! Sounds like good things are starting to come your way! Mary Lou- every obstacle you can think of was plopped in my way yesterday, but I found inspiration and peace in the Healing Room. I got some CD's to listen to on the drive home, which were quite good. But I stayed in a really cheap icky hotel, and did not sleep very well. I got up at 5:30 (which is really early for me), but had nice weather and nicer roads on the way home!

Well, the goat and child painting was looking pretty horrible yesterday- I asked her what color her child's hair and eyes were- good thing too, they looked brown in the little photo! but no, blond hair and blue eyes! Good thing I asked!

Shirl- I can't tell the size of that bird, but it looks a lot like my daughter's conure! Did you try to get it to fly to your hand? Try giving it some sunflower seeds (unsalted)!

Roger- I am thrilled you have some downtime, and were able to collect more apricot syrup for your wonderful paints! And also that you have been able to have some time to paint again! Although your children are at the age where you almost HAVE to put everything on hold for awhile! I lose things I painted all the time, then sometimes I find them and say 'wow, did I do this??' And it is a happy surprise!

[Shirl Parker]

Shirl- I can't tell the size of that bird, but it looks a lot like my daughter's conure! Did you try to get it to fly to your hand? Try giving it some sunflower seeds (unsalted)!

ROFL, Linda, that gave me a really good laugh! That tree the bird was in is taller than my house. We have a flock of parrots, but they are a bit smaller than pigeons. This was closer to the size of a hawk.

I just saw some Lorikeets in the Images post for the WDE. It was at least twice, maybe three times larger than those.

Speaking of awol's, anyone heard from Jen?

[HarvestMoon]

Shirl- oh, then it might be an Amazon parrot of some sort! I bet in Florida you have tons of wild parrots that were former pets! A great climate for them! I heard very briefly from Jen after emailing her, and she has been having a difficult time lately!

hubby gave ALL the dogs a bath- and used the good white towels...bathroom is a wreck....oh well, at least we have clean dogs! we are flea-treating ALL 4 dogs and 7 cats!

[Faafil]

hubby gave ALL the dogs a bath- and used the good white towels
Well of course he did - it's a guy thing... :p

Happy Saturday all! :wave:

Gee, I must have slept through the night for a change, because I woke before the alarm today! I think this cold is finally *almost* gone. :D

Gosh Brenda, your insurance pays for chiro? You have great insurance - I've never had insurance that covers chiropractic care. But, my DC gives us a cash break - $25 for an adjustment.

Not much on my agenda today - the usual - and then perhaps get into the studio!

Shirl, we haven't seen hide nor hair of Jen recently. I know she's all caught up in fiber arts, so perhaps that's where she's hanging her hat.

Waving to all that follow - hope your day is creative! :wave:

[Shirl Parker]

Good morning all.

My insurance, BCBS basic fed employee, covers Chiropractic visits, up to 20 visits per year including treatments, plus another 50 or so visits of treatments only. $25 copay, which is enough to break my bank.

But I wish they would cover acupuncture, and that we had a good one here in Brownsville.

Sleep through the night? Only with an Ambien and a diaper. And then Who's going to let the dog out for her break?

And by the way, she could use a bath about now also.

[Faafil]

Good morning all.

My insurance, BCBS basic fed employee, covers Chiropractic visits, up to 20 visits per year including treatments, plus another 50 or so visits of treatments only. $25 copay, which is enough to break my bank.

But I wish they would cover acupuncture, and that we had a good one here in Brownsville.

Sleep through the night? Only with an Ambien and a diaper. And then Who's going to let the dog out for her break?

And by the way, she could use a bath about now also.

$25 breaks my bank too; that's why I don't go regularly. :rolleyes:
:lol: @ Ambien & diaper (sorry). I'm sure my time is coming... :o
I had acupuncture in the past - it works! I'm sold on it. Just glad I don't need it right now....

[Brenda Y]

Good morning!
I've got housework and laundry to do today - Oh yipee! NOT!!
With all the baking this week, I didn't get anything done at home. My DD and her family will be here on Monday and I must get this pigsty in some semblance of clean. Austin said he'd help me :lol:

Our insurance (retired CA State Corrections Dept) is good and I know we are SOOO blessed to have it. It is for both of us, for the rest of our lives (if the govt doesn't succeed with Social Medicine) and is health, dental and eye. I just checked and we have chiropractor/15 visits per year/$20 copay and the same for acupuncture. If the chiropractor care falls under "rehabilitation" then it has no limit per year.

Esther,
I put a review on Amazon for your book and I posted it on my Facebook wall! It's wonderful and I'm really getting excited about going out to buy some fabric :clap:

I'd rather be painting or sewing today --- maybe if I REALLY get "with it" and get off the computer now I'll have time later. Work must come before play!!
Sometimes I wish that wasn't so drilled into my psyche.

[HarvestMoon]

Shirl, oh, I hear you- and what WOULD I do if I slept through the night? We have an exceptionally loud, elderly, whinny Burmese cat who screams at the bedroom door- if he is a) hungry for tuna b) wants out c) wants in with us d) wants some attention or e) wants to be annoying! And we really can't toss the poor old thing- he would be raccoon and coyote bait for sure!

Mary Lou- well we flea bombed the house this morning to go with the baths, etc. and the flea meds from the vet for all the dogs and cats. My lungs are burning- I am so sensitive to that stuff. And I forgot to put away the hanging pots, utensils, etc. in the kitchen! Lots to wash...

Brenda- I am starting to see why your daughters all live out of town! :lol: Because you surely could use all the baking and cleaning help, esp. not feeling well! Don't over do it, remember, nobody on their death bed (with the possible exception of ME since I am so lax) will say 'I should have kept the house cleaner'. :eek:

Esther- wonder why they have not sent my quilting book??? I even looked at it in B&N earlier today to get a peek at it and did not see it there either darn it! I guess I will dig into the amazon stuff and see...

the new Claudia Nice book looks good- 'How to See, How to Draw'...was looking at it on amazon...the B&N art 'how to' section has shrunk to almost nothing except Manga with some fantasy to boot!

[Brenda Y]

It's 3:00 and I've finished the housework, but only gotten 2 loads of laundry done (still 3 more to go). I've also repotted a plant that has needed repotting for MONTHS; it's a Christmas Cactus that blooms about 4 times a year, with the most profuse blooms at Christmastime. Now that I've put it into a larger pot, it'll probably go into shock and not bloom at all for a year! I put my swimsuit on before playing in the potting soil on the patio, so as soon as I finished it -- into the pool I went. Wow, did it feel good. I feel SO MUCH BETTER whenever I get in for at least 30 min. Austin and DS went in too and we had a good time. Austin is REALLY getting better at swimming, we need to work with him on breathing though. He relies on ONE breath for too long and needs to learn how to turn his head to get another breath. One breath doesn't work too well when he wants to swim from one of us in the deep end to the other one of us in the shallow end! Little bugger made me swim to grab him more than a few times today. Doesn't panic him one iota, but sure does make Mimi move!! At this age and point in his swimming lessons, if he were to get strangled badly it could set him back a whole lot! That happened to my DD when she was 2 and she was tense in the pool the rest of that year. Her teacher had to really work with her the next year to get her back to the relaxed state -- so important when teaching them to swim.

Linda,
I'd be wondering about my book order from Amazon too! They show online that it is available. Ooooh, I haven't seen Claudia Nice's new book yet -- and I have a gift card for B&N. I might have time to go check it out at the end of the week.
I only have one daughter, and she called yesterday from their teen camp. She actually did say she would help me clean when she gets here on Monday. Since she invited a friend and her two kids to come over and swim on Tuesday and that's MOSTLY the reason why I want to get the place halfway clean, I've saved some stuff for her to do!! She wants to entertain in MY house, she's going to do some of the cleaning :lol:

I'm off to start working on my "bugs" challenge. I have an idea and want to try it on some scrap canvas first. I'm doing a set of 6 and have 3 of them drawn out on watercolor canvas, but since I'm not sure how my idea will work, decided to sacrifice one piece for experments. ;)

[robertsloan2]

Linda, your whiny elderly Burmese sounds like quite a character. Give him some snuggles for me. I'm sure someday Ari will be that old and I'll still want him in my lap all the time.

[Faafil]

Happy Sunday morning!

Just a quick breeze through - woke up late and I need to get in the shower. Our landlord is coming over this morning; he's having an estimate for a new garage door, and the appointment is between 8-10am! :eek: I hate when I wake up late!

Azure, :music: where are you!!?? :music: Hope everything is okay...

Waving to the rest - will be back later.... have a creative day! :wave:

[Shirl Parker]

Good morning Mary Lou, and you sleepyheads to come :wave:

[HarvestMoon]

Brenda- so happy that Austin is enjoying swimming! I bet that helps your fibro doesn't it?

Robert- I will give the Burmese a hug from you!

Mary Lou I hate to wake up late too! But yea for a new garage door!

Esther- my amazon book, after much digging in OLD orders, says "
Not yet shipped We'll notify you via e-mail when we have an estimated delivery date for this item. It will ship separately. You can cancel at any time."

however, I noticed I ordered it when I had the old visa, that had to be replaced, so that may be the real issue!




I have to whine about my night...it was miserable....the flea bombs apparently just made the scorpions MAD...we washed all the sheets, made up the bed- and somehow in the middle of the night I was stung in 4 very different places all in the space of a few seconds by 2 scorpions in bed with me! That is NOT the first time, but it is the first time I had 2 at once and had them stick to me and keep stinging when I leaped out of bed! So my ankle, butt, finger, and shoulder are still stinging, then I did not go back to sleep until the dawn! Kept my eyes open as if I could see them without my glasses!

Youngest is off to the airport- to visit her aunt- first time she has flown by herself and has to switch airplanes.....this is the child who tends to be in her own world and panic, so crossing my fingers for her safe arrival and return!

[Faafil]

I have to whine about my night...it was miserable....the flea bombs apparently just made the scorpions MAD...we washed all the sheets, made up the bed- and somehow in the middle of the night I was stung in 4 very different places all in the space of a few seconds by 2 scorpions in bed with me! That is NOT the first time, but it is the first time I had 2 at once and had them stick to me and keep stinging when I leaped out of bed! So my ankle, butt, finger, and shoulder are still stinging, then I did not go back to sleep until the dawn! Kept my eyes open as if I could see them without my glasses!

Scorpions??? :eek: Are you serious?? OMG, I'd never be able to sleep again!! :eek: :eek: :eek:

Hope your daughter has uneventful flights and keeps her cool! She'll be fine I'm sure...

Hiya Shirl! :wave:

OMG, Scorpions - I'm still shuddering....

[aszurblue]

Hi Everybody, I was right in the middle of posting on Thursday morning when my DSL went out:crying: ... Just now got it fixed.. Another long turn around time on customer service. Took him 2 minutes to find a broken wire at the phone box out side and 10 seconds to fix it....He did set up wireless for me tho. My Son and Granddaughter will love him forever..

Linda, scorpions,:eek: :eek: shudder, shudder, shudder...!! I had a black widow spider in bed with me once...Bit me three times and I ended up at the ER. Really made me sick... I wasn't quite right(not that I am now)for two weeks.

Shirl, what a cute birdie. Have you set out any food for him?

I can't stay and play today...Have a supper day all!!

Hi Robert, Mary Lou, Brenda, Esther, Roger.....Azure

[CareyG]

Oh my gosh! Scorpions!! Egads, I would never ever ever be comfortable, ever again.

Just a quick pop in today to say hi and I will be scarce (not that I haven't already been :lol:) for a few weeks--vacation time. :) Wish me lots of luck on my 24 hours of travel time. :rolleyes: Ugg. (Think snowcones and my new Nook on the other end....)

~!Carey

[HarvestMoon]

Mary Lou- I know, right? That's what I thought about the scorpions....I always thought they were only in NEW houses...but this one has always had them....

Azure- THERE YOU ARE! I was worried about you as I lay awake last night! So happy you are up and running again! Are all your kittens now released? If so, it must be lonely there with just the older cats instead of all the 'live wires'!

Carey- thanks for letting us know you will be off! and have a fabulous trip!!

yeah, it is no wonder my daughter has anxiety and panic attack issues- she is terrified of scorpions....but yesterday was brave enough after screaming about one to stomp on it instead of waiting for us to do it and letting it get away! honestly, they can fit in the smallest crack you can imagine...our wooden floor and walls are covered with the darker knotholes, so with my blurred vision, this morning, guess what they ALL looked like to me!

[Brenda Y]

Linda,
I wouldn't be able to sleep at all if there were scorpions anywhere NEAR my bed!! When I was a kid, I loved bugs of all kinds and one time caught a rather large whip scorpion and put it in a jar. I put a cricket in the jar to feed to the whip scorpion and when I saw how viciously it attacked and ate that cricket, I had a new respect and fear of them. That was pretty much the end of my love affair with bugs. I still like beetles, though.

Mary Lou,
Oh I hate it, too, when I wake up late. I need a certain amount of "wake up" time (usually spent drinking coffee and browsing/reading on the computer) and when I don't get that, it seems as if my whole day is "off." A new garage door will be wonderful!!

Azure,
Glad you got the DSL issue fixed and, yes, your grands ARE going to love you even more for getting wireless!!

Carey,
Have a fabulous vacation. Since it's such a long flight I figure you are "coming home" to see family. Do they always shower you with gifts when you visit? A new Nook, how cool!! I've resisted the e readers and now that ipad is out I'm KIND of thinking about it. . but I just bought a netbook a few months ago. . .I'd not have bought the netbook if I knew about the ipad back then.

[HarvestMoon]

Azure- a black widow- yowie....the scorpions hurt, but at least I am not allergic to them, thank heavens, so they don't make me sick or put me in the hospital!

Brenda- I did not sleep well again....I should NOT have done the 'bug challenge'! be careful what you think I suppose!

got a Dr. appt. today....just a check up- my regular guy moved to the state of Washington this summer....tired of Texas heat! so I have never met the replacement. I do hope we get along!

[Brenda Y]

Good morning.

We had a GREAT day in church yesterday! It was our church's 24th anniversary and the kick off to the Leadership Conference. I met a couple from TX (they sat behind me during the morning service). They are from a little town north of DFW and had 8 people from their church attending the conference. When I worked in the book store last night I met two couples from WA, a couple from New Zealand and a young man from Australia. During the next few days I'll be working in the background and will not have as much opportunity to meet people. There is a 30% increase in pre-registered delegates this year, putting our facilities beyond max! The 3000 seat auditorium was FILLED last night and tonight will overflow into three other buildings where they've set up large monitors for the livestream -- taking the capacity up to 6000. AMAZING, especially in today's economy!!

DD called at 6:15 to say they were leaving LV -- so they'll be here around noon (they'll have to stop to feed Bella-- they can't make it as fast as I can :lol: ) I was shocked, figured they'd not be leaving until 9 or even 10!!

Today I cook the Germ choc cake frosting and the creamy chicken vegie soup.

After painting my first "bug" painting, I'm SO anxious to be painting the rest of my series (5 more to do)!! I wonder if I'll have time later. . .

[Faafil]

The new week starts here (http://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/showthread.php?p=8881732#post8881732)