Summer Chitter Chatter Thread -- 2009

[miss k_0836]

Originally Posted by grannyG

Colbyswifey: I know that money is tight for everyone, and not being able to afford the phone calls and visits. Have you thought of signing up for the e-mail program that is there at SRCI? I know the guys have to be at a certain level, and don't know if Colby qualifies for it now, or not. That might be worth checking into. Then, you would be able to have better communication with him. Don't lose faith with him just yet. Write to him and let him know how you are feeling, ask him to give feed back.
one luv & missK - We'll let you guys lead the pity party, just don't stay there too long. (All parties grow old after awhile). Hope you get to feeling better soon one luv.
I just returned from a nice vacation with another good friend. It was hot, lots of driving, had the two dogs along, but had a really nice time. I had a great time being a "lazy girl", playing in my Auntie's pool. I showed my dear friend (a city girl), a little of the "country girl" ways.
So, I keep asking, how is everyone else's summer going?
I would also like to take a moment and thank a couple of the CO's at SRCI. I pulled into the parking lot to wait to pick up someone that was there visiting. I had my two dogs in the truck and it was around 100 out. I got them out of the truck to sit under some shade and have a drink of water while we were waiting for a few minutes. The CO's came by, informed me I wasn't really supposed to be out of the vehicle with the dogs, but due to the temp., they understood, and just wanted me to know it was against the rules. Oh well, guess I'll always be breaking the rules there one way or another. But thanks goes out to the guys that understood the heat of the day and the need for the dogs to cool off some instead of making me keep them in the hot pickup while we were waiting.

I left the party, lol couldn't handle crying anymore! I was figuring out my fiances time and he has done 1/4 of his time which is really exciting. I just need to keep a postive outlook.

GrannyG sounds like you had fun. I think the gaurds out there at SRCI are some of the nicest I have came across. But, my brother said, "why do you think they are working here in the visiting?"

Okay, I have to get back to my homework, talk to you girls later.

[grannyG]

Oh Lordy, I have been doing nothing but catching up laundry and pulling weeds out of the garden since returning from vacation. I have almost got the weeding done in the garden, got enough of it done anyway, that I can see most of the plants that I planted. What I discovered with getting the weeds out of the way: the beets are ready to start canning, carrots aren't far behind, and now I can get water to the corn instead of having it get all caught up in the weeds. Weeding the garden just made more work for me. My corn is now shoulder high to this short-legged granny, and I picked a nice sized zucchini last night and cooked it up for my dinner.
How is everyone else's summer coming along?
So, if any of you are ever headed through Central Oregon, don't be afraid to give me a shout. We might could get together for a cup of coffee or something, maybe I'll send you on your way with some of that "dreaded" zucchini , or something.
And, coffee has been exceptional this morning. (Can any of you tell that my coffee means everything to me! Well, not quite everything, but I wouldn't want to start the day without it.

[dmmke08]

Hey all Im here in Oregon yayyyyyyyyyyy... Got to see my brother all was well with my visit... Now Im spending time with the grandkids... Met up with a truly good friend.. taking the grandkids to the movies this week. and doing a few things before i leave on sat morn on the red eye.......... HA HAgranny I know why your coffee is all good lol...

[miss k_0836]

Hey GrannyG and everyone else,

My summer has been busy with school. I have been trying to go for a walk every morning, before it gets too hot. I love it when no ones out, and the wind is blowing a little, the summer breeze. That is the only time besides when they are sleeping the kids are quite, I think they enjoy the peacful walks as much as I do. I am almost done painting my kitchen, it has turned out really nice. Hope everyone is enjoying their summer.

[colbyswifey]

Thanks everybody for the positive feed back...no it's not like him to go a month without writing, no it isn't a measure 11. I finally got a letter the other day but it wasn't about anything that I had voiced my concerns about...I have decided that I'm not giving up....

Better news, halfway through summer term...still going hard...

Last night I cut all my baby's hair off...it looks so cute and she loves it...Can't let Colby know, he's going to flip!

[grannyG]

Originally Posted by dmmke08

Hey all Im here in Oregon yayyyyyyyyyyy... Got to see my brother all was well with my visit... Now Im spending time with the grandkids... Met up with a truly good friend.. taking the grandkids to the movies this week. and doing a few things before i leave on sat morn on the red eye.......... HA HAgranny I know why your coffee is all good lol...

Hey there dmmke,
Welcome to our fine state. I sure hope you are having a good time. Wow, visit with the brother, I bet that made his month. Tell all the family hi for us. Be sure and give those grandkids lots of squeezes, you don't get to see them that often. The movies should be nice. At least we have been having great weather while you're here -- hot enough to fry eggs, but lovely (no snow or rain). Did you learn anything new on that nice road trip? (personal inside joke there).

______________
Good morning all. Remember to those of you passing through Central Oregon, you have a friend here. Any of you going through this area, especially headed to visit, give a shout. I am more than willing if time permitted, to take a few minutes and meet with you, show you the sights in my little area of the world. Many of you make that long trip to SRCI, and pass right by me on the way. Sometimes it is nice to have a little break on that long drive, to rejuvinate for a few minutes. With children, it is nice to let them out to run around and stretch their legs and get a little exercise. I am tried and tested, and proven to be child approved. My name isn't granny for no reason.

[grannyG]

I have been so busy getting the weeding caught up in the garden, I failed to notice I have beets the size of softballs. It is now time to start the canning. Before I'll even get a chance to get them caught up, the green beans will be ready, and so will the pickles. Coffee is good again this morning. Dang I am tired of the mosquito bites. I use stuff to prevent it, and still end up with hundreds of them. Then, I keep breaking out with hives for some reason. I know it is summer and everyone is busy with vacations, kids out of school, warm weather activities, etc., but I am missing several of you on here . Yep, off to the garden to take care of it, and get started with the yearly canning. Have a good day all.

[Fluer]

Summer is almost over!!! Can't belive it is almost the end of July. Have been so busy! Incredibly busy at work and with all the usual summer stuff. Grandgirl started swim lessons and we are finally finishing up her dental work. Dentist wants her to see an orthodontist but so far I haven't found one that takes the Oregon Health Plan. Guess I will call the plan office and find out for sure if they even cover orthodontics. Been getting ready for a weekend camping trip to Ft. Stevens next month and a weekend retreat the weekend after that. For anyone like me who is raising grandkids or a relative child, or if there is anyone who is a family caregiver for their parents or spouse, the last weekend in August there is a retreat called "A Gift of Time". IT is sooooo much fun! We have speakers, great food, sing around the campfire, massages, and just relax and chit chat with others in the same boat, all at a really lovely place in Salem. I've gone the last two years and had so much fun. Let me know if anyone is interested or if you know of anyone who might be interested. Trying to keep my garden growing but I can't seem to get my hubby on the track that veggies need watered more than every three days, especially in the heat we have had. Hope everyone else is having a great summer.

[Zelda50]

It's too hot to breathe... ugghhh! The first tomatoes in the garden are ripe though!!!

[Fluer]

I wish my tomatoes would get ripe. My cucumbers have gone nutso!!! I can't eat them as fast as they are ready to pick. I swear they are doubling every day. I'm sitting here dripping, wishing for a cool breeze that I know won't come. Temp says it is still 100 or 97 depending on which one I look at. Dang, this is nasty! Been getting up a little earlier than normal so I can water things early so they make it through the day. I've been drinking so much water I feel like a balloon! Hope everyone is taking care of themselves.

[*Precious*]

Good evening!

I hope everyone's enjoying their summer! Can't believe it's about half-way over. My girl starts Gr. 4 in September! Her and I have been busy at the ball field lots of evenings and many weekends. My dad coaches a men's fastball team. It's how we've spent most summers for as long as I can remember. Their team is the best in the league this season and it's been a real good time. Our team won their game tonight--7 to 4! We camped a couple of weekends ago on the mainland for the provincial's--sadly we didn't rock that tournament (won 1, lost 2). But we came in first place in their division for the tournament at the beginning of the month. We're also getting a lot of heat this summer--I sure wilt in the heat!! Saw a beautiful purple & pink sky the other night when we had thundershowers--we don't get a lot of thundershowers on the southern part of the island here.

Hoping to make it to Oregon before school starts--*fingers crossed*. Either I get to take our girl for a visit or I'll have to go on my own after school starts. Either way, it will be good to get another visit in before winter.

Sure wish I had a green thumb like some of you gals--sounds wonderful!

Just opened up the windows upstairs & down to cool the place down. Now I get to take it easy for the evening.

Have a great night!

Hugs,
D.

[grannyG]

Everyone, I agree, it is too dang hot to even breathe. My fan died this afternoon, and no a/c. Fluer, you have fun at that retreat. I sure wish I had an excuse to go. You can send some of those cucumbers my way. Mine are starting to get little cuc's on them, but haven't got to eat any yet. Need to pick the green beans tomorrow, that will be their first picking of the season. Then, in a couple more days, I need to get busy with more beats--love them pickled beats. My tomato plants are loaded, but none are ripening yet. I don't like fresh tomatoes anyway, I grow them to make salsa. I am getting zucchini now, though. I really like my zucchini, every way possible to eat it. Precious, are you planning to stop in and see any of us this next trip through?
Vector control is coming tomorrow, that will put an end to the mosquitos for awhile, thank God. I figured out most of my hives are related to my allergy to the mosquito bites. Also, I am allergic to several of the weeds that I have been pulling out of the garden. Today is my brother's B-day. I just got off the phone with him. He is ready to do bodily harm to me for the card I sent. No, he plans to get even, though. It had a picture of an old couple in their swim suits on the front and said something nasty about getting older. I am sure the mail room people had quite a laugh about it when they read it. They made sure it got delivered in front of everyone in his dorm. I can be so mean at times. hahahaha. Have a good evening everyone.

[*Precious*]

There's nothing I'd love more than to make it down to the Eugene area to see my sweetheart's family and some of our PTO friends--I would definitely pop in on you, G., on my way east... but I think if I can swing the trip at all, money will be tight as it is so it'd be a straight across roadtrip into Eastern WA then south into Oregon!!

G., I am sure your brother would've been getting plenty of ribbings for his birthday--what are sisters for anyway?!!! Be sure to send him lots of love & hugs from us here!

[miss k_0836]

Today is my sons 2nd birthday, wow time flies. These last 2 years have been crazy to say the least, but he made them a lot easier. We are having a big bbq tonight I am very excited. It will be both for Noah (2) and Gracelynne (1) Gracie turned 1 three weeks ago, so I thought I would just have a big bbq. I have been up slaving away!

I made cupcakes for Gracie and we got a moneky cake for Noey From Market of Choice, so yummy. Hopefully it won't be too hot at 6pm but most likely will.

I agree, I wish I had a green thumb, I cannot keep the easiest of house plants alive Oh well, maybe cooking is mine thing....lol

Goodnight girls!

[*Precious*]

Good morning!

Looks like there'll be no end in sight to the current heat wave!! There've also been more thundershowers in interior BC. With the dry conditions, the lightning is creating a mess of forest fires--this in turn creates an air pollution concern (and accompanying health issues). Plus, our water reservoirs may be in trouble--so we have to practice conservation. Can't wait 'til FALL! Like I said, I wilt in the heat!

Happy, happy birthday to Noah!! Like Gracie and Noah, my brother and I have birthdays only a few weeks apart... and for a few weeks, he gets to be the same age as me each year (yes, I am older than he is!). Have a wonderful evening, Kay!!

I'm sure craving delicious veggies these days--hmm, wonder why that is?!!

G., I was thinking... in order to make the trip through central Oregon and to Southwestern Oregon, it's really mostly just extra gas money & time I'd need so it may yet be a possibility--I'll let you know if/when my plans start coming together!!

Didn't get mail yesterday so hopefully today will be a good mail day! *fingers crossed* I guess I should get started on getting some mail out today, too! We do love to spoil each other.

Enjoy your day today... hope you all find ways to keep cool!!

Hugs,
D.

[Zelda50]

Precious - you know if you come through Eugene, we could get together. And if you planned to be here the first Thursday of the month, you could even come to a CURE support group meeting and meet lots of folks - some with family in the same prison as your guy.

Someone mentioned their cucs going crazy. When I mentioned the tomatoes, I was going to mention my GIANT cucumbers - now 14 inches long!!! But anytime one mentions cucumbers and length in the same sentence, we all know what follows.... hehe!! Z.

[*Precious*]

Twisted, Z.! haha!! (okay, so it'd probably take more than that to truly get me blushing!)

I am definitely keeping you in mind when I make my way to Eugene, Z!! And it would be great to attend a CURE meeting--you have no idea how bad I wish I lived in Oregon so I could be more involved--hands on and all that!!

And today was an incredible mail day!!! Not only did I get a sweet letter, I also got a wonderful gift that I had to sign for (no, the gift was not from my guy but from a friend of ours--I'm certain my sweetie knew exactly what was being sent to me!). The gift is something that is incredibly moving--I'm rather floored by the thoughtfulness behind the gesture!! *sigh*

Lately, there've been many wonderful gifts befalling me...

I pray you're all so blessed!!

[grannyG]

Just to file my complaint (where is that complaint form), the weather on the net shows the temp here in my home town at 92. My thermometer (in the shade), shows 102 -- 10 degrees hotter than what they are saying. And, to beat all of that, my fan died yesterday. Inside my house it is currently 94, so I know it is hotter than 92 outside.
Precious, glad you got wonderful mail.
Miss K, give them B-day kids big hugs from me. I want some cake.
Zelda, Keep it clean -- . My cucumber plants are loaded with little bitty cuc's. Next week I'll be over run.
Did I get my complaint filed yet over this darn heat? Would somebody please show me where the controls are to turn it off? Or, at least I would like to turn it down a couple of degrees! I should be in Boise this week at my Auntie's lovely pool.

[Fluer]

It is 105 here at the moment and supposed to be hotter tomorrow. I am melting! LOL It is really awful to sit in an air conditioned office all day long and then come home to a house that is only partially cooled. We only have a window air condition. Does all right in the living room, kitchen, dining room bu the bedrooms are ovens. Didn't get much sleep last night it was too too hot and sticky. I have already picked 12 good sized cucs and have about a zillion baby ones. I wish hubby would have planted at least 1 zucchini. We have pumpkins galore. Grandgirl will have loads of fun in October. A couple should be really huge by then. Hope everybody is drinking loads of water and gatorade.

[grannyG]

Did I mention my fan died Monday? Well, I finally got smart. I used to have a commercial greenhouse business. I still have one of the great big fans from that. I just remembered about having it this morning, and went looking to find it. Oh Praise God. I haven't been able to sleep, what with the heat and all, no air movement, no relief from the heat. Now, I have my fan on, and for the first time in days, am not dripping, and getting the house cooled down some. Now, I think I will get a nap today, and then might feel like working in my garden some this evening. I have lots more things ready to can, but haven't been able to feel like doing any of it for a couple days.

[miss k_0836]

Granny, I am glad you found a fan!

My ac wasnt working yesterday....it was sooo hot! Thankfully this morning I got up and the thermosat said 70

The party was good, my camcorder got over heated and wouldnt work! I was about to cry : ( No video for Daddy...but I just recorded on my digital camera so at least he will get to see that!

The cake was amazing and my melted cupcakes werent that bad either lol, I will add a few pictures! Hope everyone can stay cool!

[Zelda50]

My zucchini's burned up in the heat. But once it cools down, I'm sure there will be more - can't keep zuchini down for long!! Finally - it's ONLY 90 degrees! Maybe some sleep tonight. I hope! Dang deer came down from the hill and tried to eat my garden last night. Spent a half hour at 2 a.m. trying to get them to jump the fence and leave. Mama and youngun - they were pretty but they can't have my food!

[grannyG]

Yeh Zelda, something got in my corn last night and ate off 4 stalks. The deer routinely eat my strawberries out front right next to the house (front door). I picked almost a dozen zucchini's today out of my garden. I kept them watered good and they made it through the heat in good shape. However, the green beans were slowed down a little with the heat. And, I should be able to pick my first crook neck squash tomorrow. I also am getting some "pumpkinni's". They are a cross breed that has volunteered themselves into my garden. Oh, wait till fall. I have close to 100 little spaghetti squash growing. Can any of you tell what I have been spending my time doing?
Miss K, I'm still waiting on my cake. That looked very cute. I'm sure the little ones had alot of fun and enjoyed their party.

[grannyG]

Wow, quite a little thunderstorm just passed over this evening. Well, it isn't completely done yet, just gone enough that I can turn my computer back on. Parts of Central Oregon had power outages, some got down pours, I just got wind and lightening and 15" rain -- you know, the kind that leaves a drop every 15".

[grannyG]

Let me start by saying, hives are no fun. I am terribly allergic to mosquito bites, and if get enough, end up with hives as well as the bites. I tried being outside here at home yesterday and today, to work in the garden and yard, etc. I had on repel and deep woods off. Still, I got eaten alive by the darn mosquitos. Vector control is going to be hearing from me. I am so tired of living on benadryl. I can't even get near my green beans to pick them, and they are desperately in need of harvesting. Maybe I need a bee suit. Any other suggestions? Remember, it is 100 degrees out there!