Friday Koffee Klatch

[Molli526]

Am I really starting this? Wow

Not much going on here this weekend. Today is Ray's birthday We will go out to dinner to one of our favorites, then back home for dessert. I am making Mom's Old Fashioned Layer Cake with Fluffy Chocolate Frosting from the Cake Mix Doctor.

Tomorrow, not much going. I want to go to the Royal Oak Garage Sale. They shut down a big parking strutcture right downtown and let vendors set up. I've gotten some cool stuff there in the past. I also want to hit the RO Farmer's Market to get something to inspire me for Supper Club on Sunday.

Not much else going. I am on home study today - YIPPEE!!! so just a conference call for me today.

[SandyM]

Hi Molli!

Happy Birthday, Ray!!!

Molli - have fun at the Farmers Market and Garage Sale. There must be more than one Farmers Market in RO - my SIL and I went last year, and it was quite forgettable. Hardly a vegetable to be found. It was more like a flea market.

Jim and I are going out for our anniversary tonight (16 years - whew! ). Tomorrow we're going to a pool party at the house of friends who have sold their house and are building in Ft. Myers. (They were on us continuously until we bought our tickets to visit them for a week between Christmas and New Years ) It'll be tough to see them go - very close friends.

Nothing Sunday - perhaps I'll start packing for vacation. I always overpack, so getting a week's head start is probably a good idea!

Happy Friday, everyone!

[Molli526]

Happy Anniversary Sandy and Jim!


Sandy, I bet you went on Sunday. On Sunday it is more of a flea market, I don't know why they even call it the Farmer's Market, b/c the farmer's aren't even there

Have fun at your party this weekend.

[SandyM]

Originally posted by Molli526
Happy Anniversary Sandy and Jim!

Thanks!

Originally posted by Molli526
Sandy, I bet you went on Sunday. On Sunday it is more of a flea market, I don't know why they even call it the Farmer's Market, b/c the farmer's aren't even there [/B]

Ahhhh. This was indeed the case. People have raved to me about the ROFM, so I was surprised. I guess I'll head back on a Saturday some time.

I hear the Northville FM on Thursdays is really good.

By the way - that cake sounds awesome!

[Gracie]

Good morning! I am so unmotivated at work today. I have things to do to tie up loose ends before my business trip to Philly the end of next week and I just can't bring myself to get to them.

Happy Birthday Ray and Happy Anniversary Sandy!

My friend and I went to the Boston Farmer's Market (it's called Haymarket) last Saturday and got tons of fruit and veggies. We went together because if something is sold 10/$1, they make you buy all 10 so we split some stuff. All in all a great trip with awesome prices. Zucchini and summer squash were 0.33/pound, blackberries, raspberries and blueberries were $1/box, tomatoes were 0.50/pound, whole pineapples were 0.50, etc. We ended up with way more than we planned!

This weekend is less structured. DD has a birthday party Saturday night where they're all going into Boston for dinner and shopping. She's looking forward to it. That's all the plans we have.

A second and third contractor are looking at our kitchen expansion plans next week. Please cross your fingers for me that they will miraculously come in at least $20K less than the last quote!

Hi to anyone posting at the same time as me!

Loren

[Peggy C.]

Goodmorning ladies and lurkers!

Sandy I'll tell you that some of the "farmer's markets" around here are also more like a flea market. They sell very little produce and lots of Watkins, tupperware and junk! I forgot, where are you going for vaca? Napa? Italy was out last I recall. But my recall isn't very good. happy anniversary!

Molli have fun at dinner tonight. What kind of restaurant is it?

I'm light on plans this weekend, unless you consider the amount of cleaning I need to do. We are going to an Irish festival tomorrow to hear Gaelic Storm, they were the band in the movie Titanic. (I actually never saw the movie so this is all heresay)

And I'm babysitting my nieces on sunday.

[HRJ]

Morning!

There seem to be two klatches going this a.m., hope I'm posting on the right one!

What's going on this weekend -- well --

We're going to Guatemala to bring Victor home!!!

We're still waiting for the US embassy to issue his visa, but our agency is 99 percent sure that will happen early next week. We just couldn't see spending the weekend waiting up here without him, so we decided to fly down and finish the waiting in Guatemala, with him. So we fly out tomorrow!

We're scheduled to come home the end of next week, but if the paperwork is delayed, we'll have to re-schedule and come home a little later. (Thank goodness we're able to use our Marriott Rewards points to help cover some of the cost of the hotel stay. The Guatemala City Marriott, BTW, is really fabulous.)

We've been working frantically to get everything done at home that we need to before the trip. I'm sure my home will never be this clean again! Likewise, I'm trying to finish everything up at work, since today will be my last day until sometime in October.

And, all you moms out there, if you have any tips about flying with a 2-year-old, I'd be glad to hear them.

Happy Birthday to Molli's Ray, Happy Anniversary to Sandy and Jim, and hi to everyone who has posted while I'm typing.

Helene

[SandyM]

Loren - Yikes!! I hope these next quotes come in closer to your expectations! When do you hope to be done? I know - you haven't even started yet. I was just wondering if you have a "target" date.

Peggy - we're going to Northern CA for our vacation. Monterey for 5 days, and then just north of San Francisco (Bodega Bay) for the remainder. Very excited.

That Irish festival sounds like great fun. I love all things Irish.

[SueK]

Good morning!

Molli- Hope your DH has a nice bday. That cake sounds good!
Sandy- Happy Anniversary!
Loren - Good luck w/the kitchen quotes!

We won't be doing much this weekend except starting to clean. The offer we put in on the house we looked at was accepted, so now we have to get this one ready to put on the market. We'll be moving into the new one before school starts, so I guess we'll have to get this one ready by mid-August. At least I get out of the painting and lifting.

Peggy- Up until last week I was planning to come to Cleveland to visit my sister, and was going to PM you. But now I'm not going since DH and I have so much house work here. One of these days I'll finally make it out there!

[SueK]

Just posting again to say Congrats and good luck to Helene and DH! That is such exciting news!

As for flying, DD always liked to have brand news books or (little) toys to occupy her. Plus we took munchies for her since it doesn't seem like you get fed much on planes anymore. I'm sure he'll do fine!

[oskie]

Ok, so I'm actually in work on a Friday and not on the road - mind if I play?
(of course, this is the first weekend in a month that nothing is going on!)
Good morning all! DBF is coming by tonight for dinner. It's been a crazy week for the two of us, so I'm in the mood for something low-key. The rest of the weekend is pretty empty, just the usual laundry and housecleaning chores.

Loren, I was also at Haymarket last Saturday. DBF and I were up visiting my parents and he had never been to Boston before. I took him all over the place and wanted to swing by the market on the way home, but I guess we waited too long. Everything was closing down and it was just some sort of chaotic warzone with fruits and veggies spilled all over the place and people trying to break down and clean up. DBF called it Saving Private Ryan, but with produce!

-Jo

[lhall]

Happy Birthday Ray!

Happy Anniversary Sandy & Jim!

YEAH! Helene, DH, and DS Viktor!!!!

Helene,

That's such great news. I haven't flown with my kids, but I'd suggest you take several books and small toys. You can switch out toys to keep him interested. Also, take something he's familiar with like a favorite toy or blanket. Finally something to suck on. You have to be careful with hard candy, but maybe a sucker (if you watch closely) to help with take off and landing. Sucking can relieve the pressure on his ears.

Molli,
Enjoy your dinner out.

Sandy,
Have fun at your party, vacation, and have a great anniversary.

Peggy,
Have fun at the festival and spoiling your nieces.

Sue,
Great news on the house!

Loren,
Fingers are crossed for you remodelling quote.

Tomorrow is the slumber party. Ginger hasn't exploded yet, but she's close. She also has a school play this morning so I'll be leaving around 9:30 to go see that.

Oh, and no bosses here today.

Leigh

[Peggy C.]

Congratulations Helene! OMG you must be so excited! That is just the best news I've heard in ages. I'm so happy for all of you.

[HDgirl]

Good morning all!!

Sandy - Happy 16th Anniversary!!!

Helene - Congrats! I'm so happy for you.

Molli - Happy Bday to your hubby. Have a wonderful time tonight.

Peggy - so how was the BBQ?

Not much going on this weekend. DH= has been very motivated and started stripping our staircase. It's almost done. It's also apart. The banister and spindles are in the basement. He has finished those already. We are going with two different stains, a dark and a light one. Can't wait to FINALLY get the foyer done! Or at least make some progress!

Hi Oskie, Sue, Loren and anyone else I missed!!!

[Gracie]

Originally posted by HRJ
And, all you moms out there, if you have any tips about flying with a 2-year-old, I'd be glad to hear them.

Don't do it!!!!! Just kidding!! Congratulations Helene! I bet you're flying so high now you don't need the airplane! Do you dare bring him to lunch some day while you're off? Think he'd like the spice store in Inman Square????

Peggy - we love Irish festivals. There's usually a couple going on around here in the summer.

Sandy - originally we wanted the kitchen to be completed before the end of pool season. We have an i/g pool and were looking to expand, renovate and make a sliding glass door to a deck out to the pool. So now we're thinking we'd like to have Thanksgiving dinner in our new dining area. It'll probably be NEXT pool season! But we're still hopeful.

Sue - congratulations on the house!

Jo - how cool you were at Haymarket! Where do your parents live? Too bad DBF got such a lousy view of Haymarket. It's really a fun place. We also got pita bread at the bakery and I wanted to get fish but I ran out of money.

Leigh - is this Ginger's first sleepover? How exciting for her! Do you have games/activities lined up for them? The most I've ever done is 8 girls including DD.

Loren

[Molli526]

Yay Helene! Welcome home Victor!!


Loren,
Your farmers market sounds great. I am pretty sure our prices aren't as good as yours.

Peggy, the festival sounds fun

Sue, did you decide who will be doing the painting?

Leigh, is the slumber party at your house?

[lhall]

Molli,

Yes, it's at hour house. 4 screaming 5-year-olds with one 2-year-old tagging along. DH and I may not have any hair left by the time Sunday afternoon rolls around.

It should be fun.

Welcome Oskie,

Karen,
Any chance your DH= could some finish our front door. We got it installed and caulked, but still have to fix up the door, fill in the nail holes and paint. We're going to do the outside first, and finish the inside when we get the storm door installed.

Leigh

[SandyM]

Leigh - your quote "Ginger hasn't exploded yet" just made me giggle. I'm sorry - I know it wasn't meant to be funny.

Helene - awesome news!!! Congratulations, FINALLY!! Good luck on that flight. He'll probably be just so tired, he may sleep the entire way. Of course, that could quite possibly be wishful thinking.

Hi everyone else!

[SueK]

Originally posted by Molli526
Sue, did you decide who will be doing the painting?

Not yet. If DH doesn't have to travel, then he might do it himself. He'll find out his schedule next week probably. If he will be out of town, then we'll be calling T.P. for a quote.

Leigh - You're a brave soul! Wear earplugs!

[Molli526]

Wow Leigh, you guys are brave. I remember slumber parties at that age. One time, we decided to eat ALL the candy in our goodie bags before we ate dinner. We were SO sugared up. Well, at least you will have no problems putting your girls to bed on Sunday night


Sue, I hope it works out for whoever will get it done the best & fastest.

[Peggy C.]

Loren how was your DD's play? Also I'll keep my fingers crossed for a more reasonable quote on the kitchen.

I'm having some serious kitchen envy as of late. My sister just bought a new house with a beautiful (aesthetically and functionality wise) kitchen. Mine isn't bad, it just really needs a face lift and some fine tuning. Some day. sigh.

Sue to bad about your Cleveland trip. That would have been fun. That's ok, next time.

oskie that saving private ryan line is hysterical. I can just see it. Though I have to tell you those fruit markets can be violent. I was at one here with my sister once and she got hit with flying rotten strawberries. Ok it was only 1, but still. Evidently the farmer was picking through his stuff and lobbing (no really lobbing not loving) stuff over his shoulder and it just hit my sister on her neck/chest!

Leigh how many girls are you having for the sleep over? Do you have any activities planned for them or are they just going to entertain themselves?

Oh and by the way how is the progress ont he front door?

Karen Ihave to say the BBQ was a big disappointment. The weahter was yucky and the bbq was catered! Have you ever heard of such a thing? The band was good when they could play...wind rain lightening does not a good bbq make. The bikes we saw were awsome, but few and far between. Oh and they had yucky beer. BUT in all fairness it might have gotten better later when it cleared up, we only stayed for about an hour and a half and then left.

The foyer project sounds great. Can you see your bannister and steps as you come in the house?

[lhall]

Originally posted by SandyM
Leigh - your quote "Ginger hasn't exploded yet" just made me giggle. I'm sorry - I know it wasn't meant to be funny.

Actually,

I was meant to be funny. She's been counting days. Yesterday she woke up and began saying "two more days, two more days, two more days" Her best friend has been doing the samething. It took a few minutes for the friend's mom to figure out what she was talking about. Al and I were teasing Ginger this morning by telling her we thought her party was last weekend. Then Ginger came up to me and to make sure it was tomorrow.

Molli,
There's not that much candy in the house. We are making a Giant Cookie Pizza for dessert though. Chocolate chip cookie, covered with milk chocolate frosting, and topped with M&Ms, gum drops, and fruit rollups.

Leigh

[Peggy C.]

Leigh ignore all my questions in my last post, you already answered them!

Oh and that dessert should lock you in as the best mom ever!

[Gracie]

Originally posted by Peggy C.
Loren how was your DD's play?

DD's play was awesome! Thanks so much for asking! It was long (3 hours plus intermission) and warm, but thankfully not too hot. She was in 3 numbers/vignettes, one of which she had the lead as an elementary school teacher in a scene from "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown". The song was "A Book Report on Peter Rabbit". The other numbers she was in was "Heart" from D*mn Yankees (you know that one - you've gotta have heart.... miles and miles and miles of heart) and "I Love a Piano" from some play I'd never heard of and have already forgotten.

The kids had a wonderful time, as always. Afterwards, one of the boys hosted a pool party. It was her first party with boys that wasn't a boy's birthday. It was well supervised (the kids ranged in age from 10 - 14) and they had fun. I took the opportunity to give her "the talk" about parties and uncomfortable behavior, etc but it wasn't necessary this time.

Loren

[Molli526]

Originally posted by lhall

We are making a Giant Cookie Pizza for dessert though. Chocolate chip cookie, covered with milk chocolate frosting, and topped with M&Ms, gum drops, and fruit rollups.

Leigh

That is going to be SO much fun!

[KathrynY]

Good morning!

The weather forecast says we're going to have a beautiful weekend, so we plan to get out and enjoy it .

Our town has an annual Handcrafts Exposition (info under "Expo") that's held on the green every year, and it's this weekend so we'll probably stop in for a while. Lots of neat stuff - blown glass, pottery, weavings, paintings etc.

Tomorrow evening we're going to hear the CT Symphony at an outdoor concert at Harkness Memorial Park. It's a beautiful place - 180 degree views of Long Island Sound from the grounds of the park. Mr. Harkness was an investor in Standard Oil, and the park and mansion were his summer home, gifted to the state after his death. This time of year we're pretty certain to see a wedding reception at the mansion, and there are restored formal gardens on either side of the mansion that should be lovely right now too.

We'll be taking a picnic supper to the concert. I'm planning to try the Zesty Black Bean and Corn Salad from July '03 that's gotten such good reviews. Not sure what else to go with it yet.

Helene - Congratulations and have a wonderful trip!! I'm so excited for you!

Mollie - Have a wonderful dinner out, and Happy Birthday to Ray!

Sandy - Happy Anniversary to you and Jim!

Leigh - Yeah on no bosses at work today! Have fun with the slumber party - you sure are brave .

Peggy - Have a great time at the Irish Festival!

Sue - That's wonderful your offer was accepted on the house. Have fun with all of the planning and moving preparations.

Loren - Fingers crossed for good news on that estimate!

Hi Jo and Karen - your low-key weekends sound great .

[Molli526]

Leigh,

That sounds just awesome. Is it Ginger's birthday? I bet Mariel will love hanging with all the girls

[lhall]

I don't have much besides a Menu planned. I figure they will play inside and outside and maybe watch a movie after Mariel is in bed. We also got a Playstation2 last week and have Finding Nemo and Piglet's Big Game for the kids.
(DH and I have have LOTR: Two Towers and Grand Theft Auto: Vice City ) The store was out of Harry Potter. :frown:

We're having 3 girls over, but I only got an RSVP from one. I do hope the other girls can come. Yes, this is the first sleepover. I do have a menu.

We're doing
Snacks:

Fluffy Peanut Butter Dip with fruit (PC Kids in the Kitchen)
Popcorn

Dinner:
Homemade Pizza (Cheese, Ground Beef, and Turkey Pepperoni)
Giant Cookie Pizza (PC Kids in the Kitchen)

Breakfast:
Blueberry Muffins (with the berries picked last week)

Drinks:
Milk
Juice
Homemade Lemon-Lime Soda (Pretend Soup)

Loren,
Do tell us about the play! ...er, nevermind. I see your post. Glad everyone had a great time.

Oskie,
Enjoy your quiet weekend!

Peggy,
I'd already typed this so I posted anyway.

Leigh

[SandyM]

Originally posted by lhall
Actually,I was meant to be funny.

Whew. Then I'm relieved of the guilt of the giggles.

That dessert idea is awesome - the kids will love it!

Kathryn That Handcrafts Explosion sounds amazing! Have fun at the symphony!

[KathrynY]

Leigh - I love it! A menu for the sleepover .