Hello Klatchers and Lurkers!

[Lauren]

Happy Friday!!!! :D

I'm up early ...have already had the first cup of coffee. I'm just about ready to start frying plaintains for Alex's Carribean Day at school. With 30 plantains, I have my work cut out for me. :eek: I went to an Hispanic market where the plantains were 5 for $1, so I got carried away.

I'm helping set up the food until noon and then I'm meeting two friends for lunch. Busy Friday! :D

What's everyone up to this weekend? Fun stuff I hope!

[eas11]

Hi Lauren:) I love fried plantains! Wish I was at that Carribean day.... Does your area have alot of Island transplants and the school is hoping to share the culture, or is the Carriibean choice more random? I'm sure Alex will have fun, my Adam loved cultural share days at school. Boy- that seems like a lifetime ago!!!!

Last day of school before vacation, WOO HOO! I'm heading to FL to visit the folks next week, but before then a quiet weekend at home- no plans except reading and knitting by the fire :D

What are you all up to vacation week? Time for me to hit the road!

[Lauren]

I came up for air ... and another cup of coffee. :p

Ellyn - Have a great trip to FL! Escaping from this cold and ice sounds pretty nice.

Our town isn't very diverse :confused: , but fortunately some of the surrounding areas are. Anyway, it's great that they have cultural exchange days like this. Alex wore his Bob Marley t-shirt, which he wears almost weekly anyway. :rolleyes:

[Robyn1007]

Hi ladies,

Well, I'm excited, I have a weekend with no coaching and will get to free ski Saturday and Sunday and still have Monday off. :D I definitely need the break. I'll be staying in Vail tomorrow night so that reducing my driving as well which is always good and I may be skiing with my aunt and uncle tomorrow, we haven't skied together all season and aunt couldn't ski last year due to treatment.

For the last two days and through today my favorite radio station here has been doing a telethon for Childrens Hospital Denver. Their major push is for $15 a month "miracle makers". The stories have been so touching so I finally called and donated yesterday. They are building a new state-of-the-art hospital that is due to open October 1st and in that they are buying a whole new Gait Analysis system from my company. It is such a wonderful resource for the kids and families in the region.

Lauren, good luck with those plaintains, I don't think I'd be safe with hot oil this early in the morning. :p

Ellyn, enjoy your vacation! Where in FL are you headed?

Happy Friday!

[Laura]

Hi Lauren and Ellyn,

I am up here early in the Moutain West as well as I took SO to the airport for a 6:30 flight.

That is okay though, I can leave early today.

DS and I may go skiing this weekend, but that is not definite. Other than that we are finally supposed to have some decent weather so I will likely wash the cars and clean the garage floor of all the rocks, salt, and ice melting junk that has accumulated over the past six weeks.

I know... my life is way exciting! :p

Lauren, I must admit I have never eaten plantains.

Ellyn, enjoy Flordia and the knitting thereafter!

Robyn, that is great of you to donate. Enjoy your weekend not coaching. :)

[lhall]

Good Morning Everyone!

Thankfully everyone is healthy this week. I must say Tamiflu is wonderful. Except for a low grade fever you never would have known that Ginger had the flu. Mariel was sicker, but her symptoms were gone after only 1 day on Tamiflu. Even better, Al and I didn't catch it!

The only bad news is I have some of the bad peanut butter, and the kids have already had some of it. Oh well, I guess I'll be buying a new jar of peanut butter today.

This weekend is more softball practice, and Ginger will have Odyssey of the Mind practice on Monday or Tuesday. Their competition is March 10th. It's getting close. The girls have off Monday and Tuesday of next week. Al's taking off Monday and I get Tuesday. I'm sure they will enjoy their long weekend. Otherwise not much is going on. I need to get the house cleaned, with lots and lots of help....since most of the mess belongs to the girls.

It's cold here, but no snow, ice or rain. Just cold wind. Ginger wore 4 layers to softball practice last night! At least she was warm.

Lauren,
Enjoy Carribean day, It sounds like fun!

Ellyn,
Have a safe trip and enjoy the warm(er) weather!

Leigh

[TalkaboutFood]

Good Morning Everyone!


This weekend is more softball practice, and Ginger will have Odyssey of the Mind practice on Monday or Tuesday. Their competition is March 10th. It's getting close.
Leigh

I was thinking about Odyssey of the Mind the other day when I was (trying to do some *decrapifying* as suggested in another thread) going through old pictures of my son's team at the world finals in Arizona & my daughter's team in Colorado (DH coached)--many years ago! Since my kids are long done with school I hadn't heard of OM in years & was wondering if it is still going strong...is Sam (forget his last name) still involved or has he passed the reigns to someone younger?

Friday morning memories for me! Hope Ginger's team does well...where are World Finals this year?

Back to the klatch (sorry to interrupt off-topic :o --but I do enjoy the read)...

[lhall]

Talkaboutfood,

This is our first experience with OM. Ginger is 9, and her school has 4 teams. She is one of only 5 third graders who made a team. It's not available until 3rd. In any case. Worlds this year are in Lansing Michigan. I don't know the names of the leaders. My husband has done more research into OM.

Robyn,
Good for you on making a donation. Gee, you schedule makes mine seem empty!

Lauren,
ICK! I'd opt for skiing instead of cleaning out the garage! :D

Leigh

[cniles]

Good morning everyone!!! We have another 2 hour delay this morning after having off 2 snow days! Guess 1/2 day on Friday is better than making up 3 days!!!

DH and I are celebrating Vday this weekend - tonight we're headed out with some neighbors to a "Sweetheart Dance" - and tomorrow my mom is coming to stay with the boys as we head out, see a movie, go out to dinner and stay at a hotel. Need to reconnect!:)

Leigh - I've never heard of Odessy of the Mind - Was Ginger picked from the school/classroom - did you sign up for it? Sounds interesting. Glad to hear the girls are better. We've been so lucky - no one has been sick this season (knock knock knock!!)

Robyn - enjoy your days off!! I've never been to Vail - heard it's wonderful. I was in Breckinridge a Long long time ago - very pretty.

Laura - have fun cleaning off the all salt and junk!!!;)

Lauren - the Carribean day sounds like fun!!! The kids are lucky getting to try plantains!!

Ellyn- Where in Florida are you headed to? My in-laws live in Venice and we're thinking of visiting them for spring break this year. Happy knitting!!:)

Gotta go - the bus comes in a few minutes and the boys are dragging their heels!! Have a great weekend everyone!!!:)

[Robyn1007]

Robyn,
Good for you on making a donation. Gee, you schedule makes mine seem empty!

Leigh

And I look at you guys with kids and wonder how I'll do it. :eek: I may run all over the place and drive somewhere around 600 miles a week but at least I only need to make sure that I'm fed and clothed (well, except the cat but he's a self feeder so I only need to fill every couple of weeks). My life is crazy right now and that is why I'm continually exhausted yawning to and from work and ready for bed by 8pm but most is by choice.

Laura, where are you thinking of skiing?

Cniles, have fun with DH this weekend.

[lhall]

And I look at you guys with kids and wonder how I'll do it. :eek:

But it's so worth it!!! All the hassle & crazyness melts way with each hug, kiss, laugh, or simle! Yes, I think my girls are just amazing! and, I got lots of hugs this morning. :D

Charisse,
Ginger had to sign up. They had auditions open to any 3rd, 4th, or 5th grader. Each child trying out had to write, make props, and perform a skit in 3 minutes. Parents could ask questions, but not give advice or help with the script or props. Ginger's audition had to have an animal as the main character, and the animal had to interact with a human. They had 28 spots (4 teams of 7) with 58 kids who turned in forms to tryout. I do know some kids dropped out & didn't actually tryout. There ware 4 kids from Gingers class who did tryouts, and 3 of them made the team. You can visit http://www.odysseyofthemind.org for more information. They also have links to State groups.

Leigh

[Gracie]

Good morning everyone!

This board error problem is a pain in the butt. Every time I click on something I keep having to refresh a couple of times. Doesn't seem to matter if I'm replying or reading.

This weekend I'd like to get a lot of little things done. We are going skiiing to the North Conway, NH area next weekend from Thurs - Sun. Erin has just figured out that she can't find her ski gloves - better now than Wednesday night I guess! :rolleyes: I am planning on bringing my workout clothes and shopping at all the outlets/stores and chauffering Andy and Erin to the ski slopes except for the day when we're at Bretton Woods - it's too far from NC to go back and forth.

I tried to get into the Bretton Woods/Mount Washington hotel Sports Center to work out that day but they only allow people who are staying at the MWH. :rolleyes: I was more than willing to pay a fee, it sounds like such a nice place.

I had my once-monthly one-on-one session with my personal trainer this morning. I have asked to work on my legs and last month I couldn't walk for 2 days after our session. Today we did way more than last time (using machines instead of exercises) and he told me I'm going to be sore! That means it'll be really bad. Usually I can't unfold myself out of the car.:)

Lauren - I've never had plantains either. If you've ever been to a Naked Fish restaurant, they serve them as a side but I've never tried them.

Ellyn - how are you? I'm looking forward to our klatch in a couple of weeks. I have to get my swap present soon. March sure came up quickly.

Robyn - have fun skiing on your own! Do you get to ski for free as well as do free skiing? ;)

Laura - we have our first accumulation of salt and ice from our recent storm. I needed more ice melt and it was completely not available anywhere last night.

Leigh - our schools did OM before Erin went through. I was always sad that she missed out on that opportunity.

Charisse - we had a snow day Wednesday and a late start yesterday. Erin was pleased because the late start doesn't affect the days they have to make up at the end, unlike snow days. Plus, with each class lasting 20 minutes, they didn't do anything or have any homework!

Loren

[Robyn1007]

Gracie, I have two season passes (which the team gives me as part of my compensation) That include Keystone, Breckenridge, Arapahoe Basin, Copper and 10 days at either Vail or Beaver Creek. Unfortunately this weekend are blackout dates at Vail and Beaver Creek so I'm guessing I'll end up at Keystone or Copper. I really dislike Breck because it's too flat so I don't want to go there and A-Basin is small and boring.

Have fun up in NH!

Leigh, I understand those smiles and hugs from the little ones. When I take my kids through a challenge on the slopes and then they excitedly tell their parents about what we did that day it is so rewarding.

[tbb113]

Good morning all
I'm awaiting the windshield car repair guy to come this morning and fill the chip I got the other day in my windshield. If they can fix it, it is at no charge to me...if they have to replace it (which I can't see happening) it costs $250.00.

I tried to interest Alex in Odysessy of the Mind when he was in elementary and middle school. He had absolutely no interest in doing it.

Not much happening here (we have a 4 day weekend). I need to go to a storage closet and photograph the contents for a client. So, at somepoint, Michael and I will go there. Working at Target tomorrow in the jewelry section. Can't decide if they are setting me up to fail or if they just believe I'm very capable. I've received no training other than the 6 hour shift on the front lines. Hopefully President Day sales aren't a 'jewelry buying event' ;)

Going out to dinner with friends Saturday night and then for dim sum for Chinese New Year on Sunday.

I hope all of you are enjoying your winter weather. We are supposed to be in the low 70's today (unusually warm for this early). Its really starting to look like spring...trees in flower, daffiolds coming up :)

[Gracie]

I hope all of you are enjoying your winter weather. We are supposed to be in the low 70's today (unusually warm for this early). Its really starting to look like spring...trees in flower, daffiolds coming up :)

We have what the newspapers are calling "tundra" right now. We had a small, 4-inch snow storm Wednesday but it was the super heavy, wet snow immediately followed by plunging temperatures so everything froze right where it was.

On my drive home that day the radio news station was telling everyone to shovel what you could as soon as possible since by 6 pm the temperature would drop so much you wouldn't be able to shovel. Erin and I shoveled the driveway after work and I've never shoveled so much water with the snow. It was super heavy.

Parking lots are a mess - huge ridges of snow and ice - you feel like you're offroading driving over them.

And I'd way rather be going somewhere warm next weekend instead of New Hampshire! :o So enjoy your almost-spring! I wish I was there! :)

Loren

[Robyn1007]

Parking lots are a mess - huge ridges of snow and ice - you feel like you're offroading driving over them.

Loren

Ugh, I hate that. We STILL have some streets that have monsterous ice ridges and driving over them is worse than some of the back roads I get on to go camping. :rolleyes: We are supposed to have a stretch of above freezing days so hopefully that will get some more of it melted. My poor car needs an alignment so bad but between ridges and potholes there's no point until spring. Of course we are expecting wind gust of 65 mph in the city today and 100 mph in the foothills. :eek: Hold on to your steering wheel folks!

[lhall]

Ok, I must say....

YouTube is so much fun! :D I've been 'working' very hard this morning. :D

Well, it's off to the grocery store. I'll try to check in from home.

Stay warm!

Leigh

[suebear37]

And the sun is out!!! I think we've had about a foot & a half since yesterday morning. Schools are all closed again today. I'd estimate that I've got about 4 feet of snow in the backyard. Piles at the end of the driveway are over 6 feet!

Pretty much packed for our cruise, we fly out tomorrow & sail on Sunday. Hoping the flights don't get canceled... if we were going today we'd be in trouble. Our flight to Chicago is delayed by a couple of hours & we'd miss our connection. Got all the options printed out for tomorrow in case we have to reschedule...:eek:

OK, the snowplow just came down the street so it's time to fire up the old snowblower!!

Everybody have a great weekend & stay warm!

[Lauren]

The Carribean Day was so cute! The room was all decorated with inflatable palm trees, birds, titki hut decorations, etc. They even had a couple of Moms braiding hair. A lot of the kids had on shorts, flip flops, tank tops, etc. And there was plenty of food! :D I learned this week that there are several different kinds of plantains. I bought yellow ones which taste very much like sweet bananas.

Robyn - Have fun skiing with your Aunt and Uncle. You must be an awesome skiier!

Laura - I would choose skiing with my son over cleaning the garage. :p

Leigh - Glad to hear the girls are feeling better. I make sure we all get flu shots yearly. I know it doesn't protect against all strains, but I think of it as a little bit of insurance.

cniles - An overnight with DH and no kids? Enjoy yourself! ;)

Loren - Have fun in NH. I keep thinking we should take the boys skiing during vacation. My brother and SIL have a place in NH. I just hate being out in the cold. :o

Tyra - Dim Sum sounds so good! Do you think there will be special dishes for the New Year?

Sue - Have an awesome time on the cruise! You're smart to fly down a day early just in case.

[LakeMartinGal]

Hi, Ladies!

I'm a little late to the klatch... had a mammogram appointment, this morning. This is my 5-year checkup, so please keep your fingers crossed. I had a different tech, today, and she wouldn't tell me anything... not even if the image was of the surgery side! grr! To my uneducated eye, everything looked ok, but I'll wait for the letter!

Met DH for lunch, and worked at the fire department for a couple of hours, trying to catch up on phone calls, and get the files organized! It's so hard to organize someone else's files... some are by topic, and some are by date! double grr!

It's pretty chilly here, for Alabama! I've had to put a coat on! :eek: Really, it's in the high 20's at night, and 30's to 40's during the day. But there's no precipitation, though some thought they saw a few flakes of snow yesterday... they call them flurries, here :rolleyes: , but they don't know from nothin' about flurries!

Tonight is pizza night, and I'm going to knit, and DH and I will watch tivo'd programs -- our usual Friday. Tomorrow is date night! Out to dinner! Laundry, cooking, straightening... nothing else fun, just the ordinary stuff!:rolleyes:

Everyone enjoy their weekends!

I'm just about ready to start frying plaintains for Alex's Carribean Day at school. With 30 plantains, I have my work cut out for me. I went to an Hispanic market where the plantains were 5 for $1, so I got carried away. Ah, plantains! I've made them 3 times, and once, they were wonderful! I guess I can't tell when the 'perfect' ripeness hits!:o


Last day of school before vacation, WOO HOO! I'm heading to FL to visit the folks next week, but before then a quiet weekend at home- no plans except reading and knitting by the fire That sounds great! Hopefully, it will be nice and warm in Florida! And reading/knitting sounds so cozy! Enjoy!

I may be skiing with my aunt and uncle tomorrow, we haven't skied together all season and aunt couldn't ski last year due to treatment.

For the last two days and through today my favorite radio station here has been doing a telethon for Childrens Hospital Denver. Their major push is for $15 a month "miracle makers". The stories have been so touching so I finally called and donated yesterday. They are building a new state-of-the-art hospital that is due to open October 1st and in that they are buying a whole new Gait Analysis system from my company. It is such a wonderful resource for the kids and families in the region.Well, it sounds like you have a fun weekend planned! And bless you for being a contributor -- that sounds like a really worthwhile cause!

DS and I may go skiing this weekend, but that is not definite. Other than that we are finally supposed to have some decent weather so I will likely wash the cars and clean the garage floor of all the rocks, salt, and ice melting junk that has accumulated over the past six weeks. Maybe not that boring... you never know what you'll find under all the sludge. :p Hope you get to go skiing, though...

Thankfully everyone is healthy this week. I must say Tamiflu is wonderful. The only bad news is I have some of the bad peanut butter, and the kids have already had some of it. Oh well, I guess I'll be buying a new jar of peanut butter today.

Ginger will have Odyssey of the Mind practice on Monday or Tuesday. I'm glad to hear a testimonial for Tamiflu... I've never used it, but I think I'll keep it on hand, since flu is such a miserable thing! Thanks!

Hopefully, no ill effects will show up from the peanut butter...

You must be so proud of your girls. OM is a wonderful thing!


DH and I are celebrating Vday this weekend - tonight we're headed out with some neighbors to a "Sweetheart Dance" - and tomorrow my mom is coming to stay with the boys as we head out, see a movie, go out to dinner and stay at a hotel. Need to reconnect!
That sounds like fun! Enjoy!

This board error problem is a pain in the butt.

I am planning on bringing my workout clothes and shopping at all the outlets/stores .
I had my once-monthly one-on-one session with my personal trainer this morning. I have asked to work on my legs and last month I couldn't walk for 2 days after our session. Today we did way more than last time (using machines instead of exercises) and he told me I'm going to be sore! That means it'll be really bad. Usually I can't unfold myself out of the car.:)
Oh, I'm sore just thinking about all that exercise! But the shopping sounds good! I love outlet shopping! I finally gave up on the board, yesterday -- kept refreshing, but nothing worked! Glad it's fixed today.

I'm awaiting the windshield car repair guy to come this morning and fill the chip I got the other day in my windshield. If they can fix it, it is at no charge to me...if they have to replace it (which I can't see happening) it costs $250.00.

Working at Target tomorrow in the jewelry section. Can't decide if they are setting me up to fail or if they just believe I'm very capable. I've received no training other than the 6 hour shift on the front lines. Hopefully President Day sales aren't a 'jewelry buying event' Hope your windshield can be fixed free!

I'm sure Target thinks you're capable, but it's really not fair to plop you into a department with no training! I'm sure you'll "swim" though!:D

We have what the newspapers are calling "tundra" right now. I remember this kind of weather from my days in Buffalo, NY! That's why I moved to Alabama! :p Hope you survive ok!

Pretty much packed for our cruise, we fly out tomorrow & sail on Sunday. Hoping the flights don't get canceled... if we were going today we'd be in trouble. Our flight to Chicago is delayed by a couple of hours & we'd miss our connection. Got all the options printed out for tomorrow in case we have to reschedule...:eek: Oh, Enjoy your cruise! Sounds like you're pretty well organized for flight delays... are you an Amazing Race fan?;)

[Robyn1007]

Hi, Ladies!

I'm a little late to the klatch... had a mammogram appointment, this morning. This is my 5-year checkup, so please keep your fingers crossed. I had a different tech, today, and she wouldn't tell me anything... not even if the image was of the surgery side! grr! To my uneducated eye, everything looked ok, but I'll wait for the letter!



I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you! I owe you a response as well and the doctor cleared me until my next annual exam with promises from me to monitor closely. (((Kay)))

[tbb113]

Lauren - it is a pretty authentic tea house so they just might have special food for the New Year. The girl that is arranging the lunch is a native of Taipei (or is it Taiwan) so at least we will eat well :)

Windshield was repaired for free...and he gave me a patch to put on any new dings until they can be repaired.

Everybody enjoy their weekend.

[eas11]

YAY, school is out for vacation:D Sweats are on, soup is cooking, life is good.

Tyra, I gotta agree with Loren- warm weather sounds heavenly right about now. The ice is so bad... Walking in to the office today, our secretary fell and her knee slammed right down on the ice. I passed 2 accidents on the way home- it's dangerous and ugly out here right now :eek:

Lauren, sounds like the kids had a great time. I didn't know there were 3 kinds of plantains. A co-worker made them for us frequently and thety were not sweet, and served with salt and pepper.

Laura, my garage is SCREAMING to be cleaned, but it's too cold- with the real reason being that I keep avoiding the task.

Leigh, gotta love you tube.

I'll be posting this weekend for opinions on some antique furniture I'll be selling, so if any of you have experience or opinions I need the help!

Have a great weekend everyone.

[tbb113]

Ellyn - it is just so nice to have it be warm enough to have the windows open. I know it will cool down again...but I'm enjoying right now (it is a beautiful 74 degrees outside) :D But it is only staying this way today and tomorrow. By Monday the forecast high is back in the high 50's, low 60's which I know is still warm compared to you

[Robyn1007]

I'll be posting this weekend for opinions on some antique furniture I'll be selling, so if any of you have experience or opinions I need the help!

Have a great weekend everyone.

If she doesn't pop in you might want to PM Peweh, she has an antique shop herself. :)

[Lauren]

If she doesn't pop in you might want to PM Peweh, she has an antique shop herself. :)

Ellyn - I have 6 chairs (maple and ash, from PA, 19th century) on consignment at Skinners in Bolton. Funny, my Mom always told me the chairs were very rare and valuable. I inherited them. But after being in 2 auctions at Skinner's, I've learned not to count the $$$ until the chairs are sold. :rolleyes:

Tyra - Glad you got your windshield fixed .... and for free!

[Robyn1007]

Just thought I'd share, the radio station just finished the 36 Hours for Kids telethon. Their goal was $1 million and they raised $1.3 million! :D :D

[Lauren]

Just thought I'd share, the radio station just finished the 36 Hours for Kids telethon. Their goal was $1 million and they raised $1.3 million! :D :D

Wonderful!!!! Children's Hospital is a great resource.

[eas11]

Ellyn - I have 6 chairs (maple and ash, from PA, 19th century) on consignment at Skinners in Bolton. Funny, my Mom always told me the chairs were very rare and valuable. I inherited them. But after being in 2 auctions at Skinner's, I've learned not to count the $$$ until the chairs are sold. :rolleyes:

Tyra - Glad you got your windshield fixed .... and for free!

I have a federal style dining table, chairs and buffet. Not sure the age, and I've yet to inspect for the maker. The person I bought it from 5 years ago had it for 32 years, not sure if it was then new or not. Anyway, its in great condition and beautiful for someone who loves the style- not so much in my small Cape! I plan on selling on Craigslist or out to a consignment shop in Needham.

We have lots of stuff my MIL "clains" is rare and valuable. I've done some research and beg to differ :confused: We did just help her sell a painting for 40,000.00 though!

LMG, good luck with the mammo- you are reminding me that, yikes, I'm quite overdue for mine.

[Laura]

Laura, my garage is SCREAMING to be cleaned, but it's too cold- with the real reason being that I keep avoiding the task.



Well considering it is snowing outside right now (weather person said it would be 50 today), this may be put off for another weekend.

[Lauren]

I have a federal style dining table, chairs and buffet. Not sure the age, and I've yet to inspect for the maker. The person I bought it from 5 years ago had it for 32 years, not sure if it was then new or not. Anyway, its in great condition and beautiful for someone who loves the style- not so much in my small Cape! I plan on selling on Craigslist or out to a consignment shop in Needham.

We have lots of stuff my MIL "clains" is rare and valuable. I've done some research and beg to differ :confused: We did just help her sell a painting for 40,000.00 though!


Ellyn - you can take pictures of any items and email them to Skinners, at nc, for an rough appraisal. I did well, or I should say my in-laws did well, selling stuff on CraigsList.

That must have been some special painting you sold for $40,000!!! :D

[eas11]

E

That must have been some special painting you sold for $40,000!!! :D

She does have some beautiful art that we adore, and is not worth near as much :p This one that she sold (needed for for living expenses) we HATED and would never have put on our wall! The initial appraisal was actually 55-60,000 but it needed extensive restoration.