Good morning, Kath. It's good to see you!

Dang, I didn't realize it was already time for your vacation to Europe. It seems like it was just a few weeks ago that you started planning it.

It's pouring rain here right now, supposed to be this way off and on most of the day. I didn't get my garden in til Memorial day, actually DH and DS planted for me since I couldn't because of the surgery.

I think it's terrific that you lost 7.2 lbs in a month! I do understand wanting it to come off quicker but the important thing is ... it's gone! Good for you!

I'm finishing up some Thank You cards today, have folded & put away laundry ... and then I hope to get started on a headstone for my Woofman Jack, who died last October.

Sounds like you've got a nice day planned.

We woke up to thunder and rain. Supposed to be off and on all day, so my plans are to continue to sort out the mounds of junk, paper and magazines from the sun room that was the home office, then became the dumping ground for "stuff".

With two large parties here in August and Sept...there's a lot to be done...inside and in the garden.

Ohhh, a thunderstorm would be a real BLESSING for us! I love to sit in the Florida room (screened in patio) and listen to the rain pattering on the tin roof.

I started working in the jungle/yard at 6 am and just quit about 30 minutes ago - going back to do some more when the area is shady. It's a gorgeous day here - 75 and nice breeze coming off the gulf waters - I LOVE it here!

Good morning everyone. I'm going to go out in the garden today to pull some weeds since it rained last night. Not much happening in my life right now. Congratulations Kathleen for the weight loss.

Hi all. I just came up and got online. I am going to Amber's and taking lunch. She is inviting her neighbor gal and little girl too. I fixed Hoosier style chicken enchiladas, sweet corn casserole and peach pie. I have been busy in the kitchen this morning and am ready for a break. Weather is nice and it is 70 out. I also made Glenda's 6 weeks muffins and I plan on taking some of those to the lunch too. They turned out pretty good. I baked 12 this morning and of course I had to try them. I like them with butter when they are hot. Have a good day all.

Sue

Hi Kathleen, you are really moving along aren't you.
(in a nutshell) I've been to quite a few softball games, driving kids to camp and back. It's been raining here off and on, hailing at times.
I should be thinking about where everyone is going this month too. We will have district softball first, hope the sun shines! DD #2 is going to KSU (Kansas) for BB camp, the next day DS is going to California to a conference and DD#1 and I are taking some friends on a two day trip to Omaha. Will have to pick up DD # eventually in Kansas. We should do a road trip but I doubt I'm that organized or ambitious. I can see my car trashed out by countless kids partying in it this summer. I'm going to plan on the dealer doing a detailing about mid August. The do a great job for a decent price.

I'd like to hear more about your trip as it comes together. Toni

Good morning. I'm waiting on the maintenance man to come check out a problem with my dryer.

It is 89 here and sunny, but very pleasant in the house. We had two claps of thunder last night; the second one sounded like it split the whole world in half, but everything is still in place this morning!

While I'm waiting I'm going to work in the garage getting stuff ready for a yard sale on the 4th. I have some collectible things I want to sell but don't know how to price them. I've been looking on eBay, but that doesn't help much.

Kath, I can't imagine doing all the planning for the trip you are taking. I admire you for that and all your hard work at the hospital.

I'm off to the garage now.

Sue

7.2 weight loss is excellent for one month. I wish I could do that !! I am plugging along, but at a much slower rate... Sounds like you are in for a very exciting vacation in Europe. Enjoy !!

Helen

Good morning.

Kath, I think 7.2 lbs in a month is great! It won't take you long to get to your desired weight. I know you have to be so excited that your vacation is so near! I hope you can stop in some little internet cafés and touch base with us. I am soooo jealous! I wanna go too. I would love that plane trip. Could get lots of reading done. :o)

I've not done much this morning except several loads of laundry. I don't know where all these dirty clothes come from. It's just Chad and I here.
I called a friend to see if she wanted to have lunch today, but got her voice mail. Maybe I'll call someone else. I feel like going out.

Well, I'm back from lunch. The compost guys called and left a message, just called them back so they're on their way, soon I hope. It's pretty hot out there right now but it's clouding up and I hope it doesn't rain so soon.

Stoney, what are you making the headstone out of? I went by our cemetary on the way to lunch and saw two very large, wooden crosses up front on two graves. (Which I think are fairly new since I've never seen them before) All the others have headstones and I thought that was unusual, simple and nice. Even though they will eventually rot but stone wears away the inscriptions too, eventually.

Monica, what are you celebrating for your upcoming parties? Or are you just having them for the fun of it?

Kayjones, glad you're having nice weather right now and enjoying the yard work...or are you? lol. I like it myself.

Heather, thanks and "Hi!".

Sue, your lunch sounds so good!

Toni, enjoy your trip to NE and KS! Our trip is totally planned out and I did it months ago. Then I got tired of messing with it, so here I am less than 3 weeks away and having to write down all the phone #s and addresses at almost the last minute.

Sue VA, hope you get your dryer fixed.

Helen, thanks.

Mary Ann, I'll try and get on the internet during our trip and post here or on Facebook. Alex's friend might be bringing his laptop too, trying to discourage him, though...it's a lot to lug around. We're supposed to be going "light".

Toni,

I tried to e-mail this to you but apparently don't have your address, (sent it to the wrong person), so I'll post it here:

Hi Toni,

I thought I'd just e-mail you about our trip instead of posting at the KT. We're going to Germany first, flying into Frankfurt and then we are heading to the old base I used to be stationed at. It's an airport now. Then driving to the little town I used to live in and then down to the Mosel River. We're going to be spending the first few days down there, seeing castles, volksmarching and seeing the sights. Then on the 4th of July we're going on a cruise on the Rhine River, it's an annual event...well, it lasts through the end of the summer. They have fireworks all up and down the river and fests in the little towns.

We're then going to Rothenburg, which is an old walled city and then to Dachau concentration camp. After that we're heading to France and the D-day beaches and then Paris. Back to Germany and the Black Forest area, and spending a day at an amusement park. Then back to the Mosel River area and relax a little. Thought about renting bikes and riding up/down the Mosel river. There are bike paths all along the river. Don't really have anything planned the last week or so that we're there. We'll be driving so much from place to place before that so I thought we'd just take it easy.

I had thought about going to Berlin but that would be another long drive that I really think we will be burnt out on by the end of the trip. There's an Egyptian museum there that the kids would love but they're going to be closed for a move to another building during the time we'll be there. That made my mind up for me.

~Kath

Can I go too? If I were your kids I'd think, I have one cool mom! Since you know quite a bit of the area, or did at one time, this trip will be extra fun. Riding down the river, walking in a castle, sipping wine at the village festivals, it all sounds so exciting! And Paris, how many kids can say they visited Paris on their summer vacation? Your photo albums will be extra full this fall and I hope you will share some of your best ones for us.
I know I've told you before but it's worth repeating how much pleasure it gives me to see how much you have achieved in the last few years. You deserve this vacation and I hope every day is enjoyable and pleasant for you and your family.
(It would be fun if I could go along too but I guess I can understand if you don't ..take..waaa, me...sniff.) :) All kidding of course.
If there is anything you need for the trip let me know.
~Toni

Sure, you can come with us! The more the merrier.

Kath,i think 7.2# is great,that's almost 2# a week,and that's a good way to do it.I hope you have a wonderful trip.One thing i noticed is you sure stay busy,it brings back memories of when i was young.Back then i thought i could conquer the world,these days i'm thankful i can get out of bed.LOL
Kathi

I know you are getting so excited over your upcoming trip. Hope the kids are as well.

I'm leaving the 8th of August for Scotland/Ireland.

Glenda, I want to go to Scotland too. Can't wait to see your pictures. Where are you going in Scotland? A friend at work's parents just went to Ireland and found some of the relatives they left behind years ago.

I worked today and was very productive. Tonight I kind of puttered around.. I'm feeling kind of "mellow".

Kath, you are doing really great with your weight loss. You seem to be such a nice person and a great mom. Your kids are going to have wonderful memories when they're grown up.

Kathy, you BET I love my yard work! I moved from the midwest to Florida last fall, and I can grow nearly anything here, year around - it sure beats toting those big pots of plants in every fall! I have 1/3 acre to take care of, so I'd best enjoy it! My riding mower sure makes it lots easier.