Fashion

[Bird mama]

Good Morning,

We had some nice weather here yesterday.  It was mostly sunny, stayed under 80 degrees and was breezy enough to give one a chill.  In other words, my kind of weather, he he he.

Yesterday was my youngest great niece's first birthday party (held a week early and at a Metro Park).  You couldn't have asked for better weather.

My middle sister came over to my house and I did the driving.  We stopped for breakfast on the way.  My middle sister has been working lots of overtime at work the past couple of weeks to accommodate a process change in a departmental workflow.  She's been doing anywhere from 10-12 hour days.  We figured we'd stay a couple of hours and then mosey on back to our respective homes.  I have today and tomorrow off - she does not :-)

All of the kids at the party seemed to favor the swingsets and slide at the park so that's primarily where I hung out.  There was a whole lotta "push my higher" going on, lol.  

I was smart - I avoided the 'my side of the family' adults and stayed around the little people.

I recognize this year has been challenging for my eldest sister and her children.  There is my sister's illness and one of my niece's is going through a divorce.

There is a lack of respect in the way my nieces speak to me and middle sister this year. Personally, I can take 'em or leave 'em so it doesn't bother me.  When my sister and her children get smart mouthed and short with my middle sister though, now you're getting next to me.  My middle sister did more for my eldest sister than her own children when my eldest sister was in hospital and rehab and when she first came home.

Well, we almost made it 2 hours, lol.  My nephew by marriage has family members that I adore.  They were disappointed when I said I've had a lovely time but it's time for me to go, and since I drove, she (my middle sister) has to go with me.  They said, you have to leave already?  I make a joke - hi ho, hi ho, it's off to mow my lawn I go.  I said one day, when I am a retired I won't need to be on the clock like this.    

I don't think I've ever felt more like my Mom than I did yesterday.  She was a clip  in the bud kind of person too.  She had the ability to clip  it in the bud without causing a scene ;-)

Looks like we are in for another 'open window' beautiful day here.  I need to get the grocery shopping done and the yard work.  I really do need to cut the grass, lol.

[KonaKat]

Bernie--Thank you for starting the thread. I didn't see one so I composed a start; it is good that I double checked again before posting. I will say that some families seem to be able to get together without much tension; that has been an issue with my family in past years. Now, we don't see each other that much after the elders passed and get togethers ceased other than two or three at a time.

It is a beautiful sunny day, one that was started at 4:45am with a text message that schools were closed in our district. There is a major water line break affecting supply to two of the three schools. I would have considered going back to sleep but my favorite mouser decided he wanted me to get up, feed him and play with him.

I am off to the orthopedic appointment in the city. I don't see myself doing any shopping other than grocery needs at WalMart. I am like Bernie; I keep focusing upon the money available to pay off the car, something that won't happen soon but will happen sooner than the loan calls for provided I behave myself and watch too much "want' spending. I will be meeting my cousin and niece for lunch 

I do continue to watch some of the fashion shows but right now I have far more clothes than is actually needed. I actually think I could go a year without buying with the exception of undies, etc. Today, I am wearing black QF crop pants with a print SG top and Clarks sandals.

Have a great day. If you shop, shop wisely.

[spix]

Morning, Thanx @Bird mama for the start, hope you're enjoying your day off even doing the chores.  Families can be a challenge, I see it in mine, sets me nuts but I've learned to keep quiet even when my youngest seems to think I know nothing about raising kids (I had 4) even with the world changing they're still kids, but I do still spoil them, that's my job.

@KonaKat enjoy your lunch out, sounds like a good day for you.  I also have way more clothes than I need, especially now being retired, but have gotten much better, I really think twice when I see something that interests me, it's beginning to work cause I do much less buying than before.

Weather here is much like Bernie's, perfect! hope this is a sign of things to come, might get a few windows washed today, & the kitchen ceiling fan is looking pretty nasty, that's a job I really do not like, up on the ladder, etc should get at it before it becomes a major project

Waves to all

Essie

[qualitygal]

@Bird mama, it was gorgeous here in MI yesterday wasn't it!! Today too, more sun they said. You did good on that family visit!

[Snicks1]

Good morning all and thanks @Bird mama for the start. You did good at the b-day party, lol. Families can indeed be a PITA at times. I actually find in mine, that other than the obvious, I honestly don't feel that I have anything much in common with them anymore, sad to say. Still love them, but a couple hours and I'm ready to go..., no tension or anything, so it's probably me, lol. Oh well.

Have a good day with your chores. Glad you are having good weather for getting that yard work done.

@KonaKat, good luck at the doctor's office today, hope they can find a solution. Enjoy lunch. I had thought I would watch the new show this morning (Kim Gravel?, I think), but I forgot since I so seldom watch anymore. I do plan to watch Linea this afternoon, unless I forget that one too. 

@spix, we are having great weather too. It's 72 degrees, and sunny,wow, loving it! I still have those bedroom windows and curtains to wash, but it's not happening today, need to get the laundry caught up first and vacuuming, etc. Maybe tomorrow, lol. My ceiling fans need a touch up too, ugh, hate having to get out a step ladder and get up there for that job.

@qualitygal, hi there, glad you're having great weather too. Nice to see you here.

After getting the tree down and everything cleaned and raked up after that, we did make the trip to walmart, didn't get any ice cream after all, don't have it often and I'm ok with that, lol. Today my back is very sore, which doesn't surprise me at all. Will try to take a short walk and minor house chores and hope it feels better tomorrow.

Hope everyone is having a good day along with some great weather. Waves....

[butterfly123]

Good morning lovely ladies,

The weather is beautiful here today also.

@Bird mama Good for you with the family members. I understand what you are talking about. For me, I have learned that sometimes silence is golden at family gatherings. I come and leave with a smile on my face. 

The bedding is calling my name! 

Have a blessed Monday everyone and take care.

[cerb]

Hello everyone - it's a little overcast which is a relief from the unrelenting sun and heat.  Snicks - glad to hear the tree removal went well.  In most places of CA it's illegal to burn brush of any kind, due to air quality and chance of wildfires.  Sometimes I forget that it's okay to do it in other parts of the country, lol.  Kathleen - I hope that you enjoy your new chickens!   Essie and Jean - I love taking photos too.  One of these days I'd like to invest in a really nice camera.  Jean - I have to keep reminding myself that I've got lots of clothes too. LindaL - I am not a minimalist yet, but I need to at least level off.  I don't want to acquire more.  It's a work in progress.  I admire the path you're on, and continue to pray for you and your DH.  Spix - hope all of your cleaning chores go well today.  butterfly123 - now that you mention it, today might be a good day to wash bedding...

Bernie - ahh...the dreaded family get-togethers.  I've been disappointed that ever since my Dad passed away, my sisters and their children are making alcohol a bigger part of every gathering.  My DH was abused and neglected as a child by alcoholics and doesn't want to be around it.  We don't drink.  I'm not going to demand that the rest of them not drink at all, but the marked escalation is making me feel uncomfortable. (Why is it that I'm considerate of them and what they want, but the reverse isn't true?)   And my in-laws?  Ugh.

My DH told me last night that his father, my FIL. is hinting that he wants to move in with one of his children and be taken care of.  What the heck?  My FIL had 7 kids by 3 women.  The first 6 kids he treated badly, no child support or anything.  He spoiled child #7 rotten, with new cars and everything.  He's also bad with his money, and ran quickly through his retirement savings.  I guess my DH's full sisters told him that he should move in with child #7, but FIL says that she works and he doesn't want to be a burden to her.  Geesh.  My DH has had very little to do with his father the past 20 years.  (It's a challenge to show kindness to someone, even though they don't deserve it, while not having it destroy your own life in the process...)  Well, we'll see how it plays out.  

I will be running errands with my DH later to purchase the new dishwasher and to pick up some landscaping bark for the yard.  I might even get around to watching some of the equestrian events from the Olympics that I recorded, lol.  

Well ladies - I hope we all have wisdom in our lives, whether it has to do with dealing with our families, or in making good shopping decisions.  Hope you all have a good day.  ~  Charlene

[LindaLatte]

Good Morning/Afternoon!  Thanks for getting us started, Bernie.  Sounds like you handled that family gathering very well.  The older members of my family and my brother have passed, and I have not seen my remaining cousins in many, many years.  My SIL was an only child as was DD, and we get along very well indeed.  My late brother and I were on and off, and his wife was always off.  However, since his passing, she and I have become very close.  I know she appreciates my financial help, which was and still is needed.  And, my nephews have been very nice as well -- I think they appreciate my helping their Mom.

Glad your weather is so nice as it is for others on our thread.  It was cooler here this morning, which is a good thing.  And, I think we are "only" expecting temperatures in the low 90's today. Not bad for summertime.

Hi Jean -- sorry for that early morning awakening.  Hope the doctor can help, and you enjoy your lunch.  My left knee keeps hurting -- not a strong pain or anything, but it is one of the things that keeps me up at night.  Exercise does not seem to help, and I don't want to use painkillers all the time.  I have tried using a pillow between or under my legs, and it seems to help a little.  

I have no need for new clothes either, but I do look at the "offerings" as DH would put it.  One thing that really holds me back from impulse shopping here is the prices.  I just don't think spending $50 for a top or pants is any big bargain.  I guess it doesn't help that my other shopping is done at discount stores, JCP (with sales), etc.  Perhaps if I were shopping more "medium"/high end shops I would think that was indeed a bargain.

Be careful up on that ladder, Essie.  I am not sure how I got them, but I have bruises on my thighs -- probably due to all my furniture moving, etc. 

Welcome to "our" thread QualityGal! Please feel free to post anytime.

Sorry but not surprised about your sore back, snicks.  Sounds like a good day to take it easier than usual.

I agree about the "silence is golden" idea, butterfly.  Hope you get that bedding done.  That is part of my Saturday morning routine.

Waves to Kathleen, Arlene, twinny, Susan, meallen, Marijane, Barbara, Charlene, Rosa, Gayle, Karen, pinky ann, LindaR, 3swuv (?), and all of our posters and readers.

After my walk this morning, I cleaned out the refrigerator.  That was a long overdue project.  Happy that I got it done, and the food has a little more breathing room.  I kept some things -- like key lime juice (rarely used for pie), olives DH liked but not me, etc. that needed to go.  I have a huge amount of food -- way too much for one person. So, I'm trying to use up the stuff I have, and only buy fresh fruit, vegetables, fish, etc.  Fingers crossed that I carry through on this project.

I went through DH's closet yesterday evening, and I have quite a few more things to donate.  I also made room for some of the storage containers that were in our storage unit.  There are still three more containers, but this is a great improvement.  I am trying not to beat myself up about not accomplishing all that I want to as quickly as I want to.  Not sure if that makes sense.

Have a nice day everyone!

Hugs,

Linda

ETA -- sorry for your challenging family situation, Charlene.  Thanks for your prayers.  Just to clarify -- I am not a minimalist or even close.  But I am trying to head more in that direction.  DH used to always talk about making a "small footprint", and I know he was correct.  Just putting that into practice is not easy at all.

[Bird mama]

Thanks for the kind comments.  Honestly, that twig of the family tree has always been on the muscle in one way shape or form.  Since I didn't give birth to the girls (mid 30's),  I feel no obligation to tolerate the B.S.  I don't argue or quarrel, I just smile and excuse myself, rofl.   

I went grocery shopping and could've shot a cannon through the place without hitting anyone.  I was all over that store and was in and out in no time.

I came home, puttered around online and then cut the front yard.  I'm taking a break before I do the back yard as there will be much bending and picking up of pinecones, walnuts and twiglets off the trees.

The weather is fabulous - windows are open.

[Bird mama]

@cerb

At the risk of sounding unkind - you do not want your FIL living with you.