how about drinking?

Kathy, I just grabbed and hugged ya when ya bumped into me I hope the stain glass class goes well, can't wait to hear about it. Kathy, will Delta let you change the ticket without any penalties?

DorK, sorry ‘bout the termites, they can sure do some damage. I get them in my wisque barrel planters.  We get our insurance through AARP. I don't think you are old enough.  I know that Pratt dude is a pain, but please don't get rid of him too soon. And I am certain that Junie will find your Mocha and play with him. What kind of windows did you get? (brand) Life insurance policies, they are out there, even with pre-existing but you have to look and then do the math. My DH has found some for him, so I am taken care of, but some just weren't worth it. Such as, if it was going to cost him $15,000 for a $20,000 policy, he passed. A living will is a good thing to have and at least you only have your daughter to consider. You can put things down in writing and maybe have it notarized and hopefully that would help some? Just read about more problems with your windows and more rot and the insurance now saying they won't cover........DANG IT, I am so sorry.

Chrissy, I think ALL of us are getting excited for your trip and I sure hope you are able to post pictures.

Kymn, good luck with rads, I'm sure you will find it so much easier. But it too will make you tired, so rest when it's needed.

Stanzie, you are so right..........insurance WTF! As long as everything is good, they want you and are more than happy to take your $$$. But as soon as something goes wrong (car, home or health) they are no longer interested or you pay out the A$$.I too hope your little guy feels better soon. Ear aches hurt like the dickens. I can remember something about a hair dryer. Of course you would want to be VERY careful with that...........in fact, maybe just forget it! I think Junie wants us all to get an umbrella,since you had some unusual rain too, and of course it has to be one like hers!

Claire, so sorry for your rotten day and hoping all is ok with your MS, always something to worry about, but yes, testing to be sure is important, scary, but important..........hoping a few Junebugs will help. When the going gets tough, the tough get going. Go get it girl!

Oh Kathy, I laughed at your fresh foil..............are you kidding me? Of course that is a sign, Junie put that there, not your DH! And so glad you got moms pills figured out. That is one of the things that scares me the most. And who is going to watch out for that when she goes home?

Well Gail, I guess the secret is out. I knew it was you and kept meaning to send you a PM, but just kept forgetting, with all that was going on. Please tell us how it went. We love you and Happy Birthday my friend. (Junie said to tell you Happy Birthday too!)

Loading everyone on the bus so we can go somewhere and celebrate, both Kymn and Gail's birthdays.

I picked up some other people that like to party and would like to celebrate with us!

CHEerZ

Kathy, sorry about the lost post, and I sure do hope you can get things straight with mom and her pills. Is she really on that many? I'm slipping a few Junebugs into your pocket to have while at class.

Kymn, a shooting star? REALLY? This is just awesome. Our Junie is HERE, with ALL of us. And from now on, I am going to include her in our goings on.

Hey NM, at least you have a brain! I sure know what you are talking about. I think I have said this before, my DH calls me Scarecrow sometimes!

And glad that Junie is sending a good light show your way!

I was thinking Holy the Cow was a new mascot for the HTL lol.

Stopping in for another June Bug (slurp). Are you sure there is booze in there? So tasty. 

My crap is not as big as Claire's. Mine is just money related and not health related. Save the prayers for Claire's SO/MS. And yes, renting does have its perks. Did I mispell that...off to the percotini fountain.

Thanks NM for the suggestion on the drains. Sadly, I have run out of tape and my car is blocked in by my contracter who is still working. Looks like he got the back windows in. I am hiding in my shack as it has AC. The house is not too warm, he did a great job blocking out the air as he worked. Darn, looking at the opening of the double windows in the back, I should have picked a by window. Do people put them in in the back of their homes? It is a nice view to my swimming pool. Oh well, the windows are all custom ordered so no changing now. I have not yet spoken to Jim but he must have corrected the rot issue as I know he would not install the window without doing it right. I am so lucky in that I have a contractor who does the right thing by me and more.  When he fixed my gutter for my refi appraisal, he brought and edger and edged my entire property. When I thanked him, he told me that it was something he knew I would like and could not do myself. He has done all of my renovations and typically does not handle "handyman" type of jobs but will do so for me. He knows I am a loyal customer. I will put a shout out to him on facebook to see if I can get him more business. He is the nicest guy. He has his step son with him this week. I feel sorry for the boy, I bet he is not happy working. He is 18. I think my DD had her eyes on him as when she came home from work and dressed to go to the gym, she was looking better than usual for a work out.  Bad girl, she has a boyfriend. 

Ok, end of babble. For now lol. 

Peace ladies. Will catch up later. Waiting for DH to get home from a job in NYC. He is in the hear of NY. He has a nice job, he takes his bicycle and a change of clothes in the back of his limo and tours the city while he is getting paid.  I wish I had a job that I loved so much. Ok, rant over for real this time. CHeerZ my lady hearts ♥ 

I am off for a walk.  I just got a letter from the IRS questioning the major amount of securities I sold in 2009.  A couple of minor things too, but this one is the big one.

This is money I inherited from my mother in 2004, and thus I asssuning not taxable income.  At least I hope not, but what a pain.  Fortunately, I still have the statements.

What an awful day!!!  I am ready to go to bed with a glass of wine. - Claire

Wine has relaxed me...want more but think it will do me in......

Hi girls...so enjoying reading the Junie sightings. Didn't know her, but enjoyed her posts since I joined back in January.

Thought you'd like to see my new addition, finally. This is Gracie Lu, my new Yorkie puppy. So cute, but up most of the night last night. And then had to drive 90 minutes to rads and then back. Am exhuasted! Heading to bed now.

Claire - I worked from 8AM until past midnight yesterday (3 different clients) and then had to drive home (an hour) and this morning I had another 1 hour commute in another direction to get to a 7AM appointment. I only agreed to meet this client that early because I had to fit her into my schedule and it is an office manager I have worked with in several different offices over the years. When I got there she asked me if I ever do "pro bono" work... um, I'm thinking about it but for the purpose of getting some public accounting experience hours ( I would have to be working with a licensed CPA) and it would be for a NON PROFIT. She says they aren't making a profit. I laughed but I sensed that she was serious! So, about an hour into the consulting session when I figured out that the owner had stopped coming to the office altogether and his 20-something daughter was doing their contract negotiating for zero overhead & profit...  I was no longer interested in helping them, but ... I hung in there long enough to explain to the estimator the difference between overhead and profit. Overhead is a cost... it is the cost of operating the business - like keeping the lights on and paying rent and your salary and my fees. It is not "markup". Then the office manager interrupted and again asked if I would consider working for free. I laughed again and made a comment like, "when I win the lottery and don't have a kid in college" and then explained the difference between not earning a profit (i.e., you are bad at business) and being a "not for profit" organization. I wrapped it up pretty fast and went to breakfast. Funny the people who have no problem taking advantage of consultants would never consider giving their paycheck back to their employer! 

...  And I hate those letters from IRS. What a crappy day! You just sit here on this bar stool and let the boys bring you another round!

Karen - I'm on my 2^nd too... weird day today.

Dork - My first year expenses, which included surgery 3 times plus biopsy and lots of docs was well over 200k. We are lucky to have a $3k annual cap (per person)! I've had to pay the full $3000 every year for the past 3 years. I stopped looking at the insurance site - those bills are just crazy! Thanks for the bday wishes. I had a very nice day and we had friends over for dinner on Saturday.

NM - I have large handbags too but they are usually full of dog.

Stanzie - how is your son? Hope he is feeling better.

Kymn - happy belated birthday!

 I baked you a little cake.

Oh, Lori - thanks for the naughty birthday boys!

Kathy - that's scary about your mom's pills! I keep mine in organizers too but I think when I get older I'll rely on my daughter... told her that already! That's why I'm paying her tuition so she can be a nurse and take care of me. Glad you got them all straightened out!

Houses are money pits for sure! Lately we've been trying to DIY cuz we just don't have the extra funds to keep up with everything and I'd rather pay the doctor than the contractor.

Gracie Lu is the cutest!!!

Really, really enjoyed my wine tonight.  Reheated the pasta I made last night so no cooking.

Gorgeous sunset which I am taking to be an omen of better things to come.  This has been in the air here today.  My building staff had the foulest day in months, and one of my friends nearly lost her cat.

I will tackle the IRS in the morning, and go back to Amazon for more positions.

I am calmer now about Main Squeeze.  The good thing is that he has a medical team dedicated to getting to the bottom of everything. My friend with the sick cat was really helpful in calming me down. Wish her luck giving her cat meds!!!

Anyway......I am calmer now and ready for bed. Hoping all of us have a great one tomorrow.

Chears. - Claire

good morning ladies, wow I was so exhasted last night, not sure if it was radiation or not as I have only had one, doesnt really make sense that it would make me so tired I was in bed by 8 and sleeping by 830. I feel so guilty this summer ,I feel I have let my kids down as I have just not had the energy to do all the fun summer stuff  I have tried to do some things with them but between work and treatment and recovery sheeesh they are really getting the raw end of the deal. I hate BC!!!!

Someone asked if I had private insurance....sorry cant remember who....but no I dont. I do have medical/dental but even if I didnt all of my cancer related surgeries,medication,chemo,councelling,etc etc etc would be covered by the govt. Its good to know you are always covered here but I do believe we pay higher taxes than you do in the USA.

Anyhow better get some work done before I have to leave for rads.

Hugs all around

Kymn

Kymn, your body must have needed the rest, when you are tired, sleep is the only answer. I don't care what time it is. But then again I am a big sleeper when not working.  And I strongly agree with Claire - drop the guilt, it is not your fault you got BC and the fact that you realize you are missing time with your kids is enough. You are human and I am sure they will appreciate more when you are up to having lots of fun with them.  You are through the worst of it and it is uphill from here, girly!

So I heard from my adjuster today and turns out that they ARE covering the rot damage. I am really surprised. The adjuster I spoke with yesterday asked me if I wanted her to send me a denial and I suggested that my contractor speak with her. I was shocked to find out that they are paying the damage but not the new windows. I already paid for the windows so this is all great news.  Now I can buy a nicer fridge. Another plus is that my fridge is in need of a good cleaning.  Now I can just get a new one lol.  That's how I roll jk!!

Claire- congrats on the healing ankle. I know you would have been devastated if it did not fully heal. Good job! 

 I am getting quite bored here. I am surprised that my doc is keeping me out this long. The added time is because of the lat flap.  I was out of pain meds yesterday and for the first time, really felt the pain in my back. I was having sensations of being stabbed. So I refilled my final script and just popped one. I am taking vicodin now, trying to get off the percocet. 

Kathy, how are you feeling today? I hope you are able to relax, drink alot of water and stay cool for a change. Seems your body is telling you something. 

Well now that I know the insurance will pay to fix my broken wall, I am going to buy lunch and have it delivered.  I will treat my contracter since without him, my claim would have been denied.  Here is to Jim!

Pants, bring us some Junebug's, I have not gotten tired of them. Cheers to all my lovies.  Wishing you all a fab day :-)

Peace n love to all!

Good Wedensday morning....DorK...good news on the house....so what are you treating your contractor to for lunch....In regards to applicances, I don't like the stainless....we got a new frig last year...went with black...matches the black glass on the oven, but cook top and dishwasher was bisque.....cabinets are white and new counters are beige tones (granite)...hubby wants new nobs on cabinets as he says the red white checks don't go...but I like them with the cabinets...plus we have one red wall....so things don't match!!! 

Kymn...I echo what the others say about the guilt...but easier said than done...I forget how old your kiddos are....when I was going through Tx, my youngest was turning 8......5 years later its not an issue for her.....I think things bother us more than they do the kids....

Claire...good news on the ankle.....sure wish Trader Joe's would open up in Denver....

Going to do some baking....DD is at a sleepover and don't have anything on the calendar....plus its not quite as brutally hot as its been....opened the windows in the family room and turned off the room AC...tired of the noise!!!

Gail, Goldie, Stanzie, Kathy, Beans, Husker, Chrissy and all the other loungettes...have a good day and stay cool!!!  Hugs, Karen

Karen, we are having cheese steaks and a pizza. The pizza is pretty much for dinner too. Food is ordered, can't wait to eat. If any one else wants some, let me know and I will add to the order.

I did not originally like the stainless steel appliances but they have grown on me.  I used to think they looked too commerical but I view many appraisals at the job and have seen some beautiful kitchens with the stainless steel package. 

Does anyone know the names of the popular colors of appliances from the 60's and 70's other than avacado? There was a gold and a brown that were popular. I look back and say what where they thinking? I was of course too young to be involved in that decision but wonder if the people who had those colors where high or something lol. Funny how things change over the years. When I moved here, my kitchen was so ugly. I had dark wood cabinets and the ugliest paneling and wallpaper in the kitchen. We have redone the kitchen with wainscoating on one wall and more modern wall paper. I had recessed lighting put in and the obnoxiously fluorescent lights taken out. We did the cheap cabinet job, just painted the cabinets white and put new pulls on them. They turned out quite nice and I saved alot of money by not replacing them. Of course that is on my list of wants but will have to wait until prolly the 12th of never!

DH is at the VA today getting his PSA checked again. I am praying that it has come down. He is being closely monitored for prostate cancer.  I am hopeful that he will be alright. Okay, time to prep my table for lunch. Let me know if I need to set additional plates for my breast friends.  Thanks for hearing me. Gosh, did I say I was bored today? 

Oops, sorry I bumped you Claire. Not sure what H&H is?

Yes, I will start shopping for a new fridge right away. I want to look into getting a water line run, it would be great to have an ice maker other than me. That is one thing I have a hard time with after surgery, cracking freaking ice trays. My dishwasher is next to the fridge so I doubt it will cost much to run a water line. I was talking to a friend on the phone and her boyfriend works at Sears. He is going to take me over the weekend and get his employee discount. I guess I will stick with the bisque. My fridge now is almond which is just a shade darker. It will look nice and be nice to have a water and ice hookup!

Ok, enough fridge and contruction talk, I am boring my darnself with this chat...time for a pig fest (oink oink)! can't wait to eat fat food, yippy!

Cheerz! 

Claire - Yay for your ankle - good call! And good advice to me and to Kymn. Yes, I billed them and I didn't offer a discount as I sometimes do when I know clients are having cash flow issues. I figure that they either won't pay me at all or they will try to negotiate so I've left myself so wiggle room. I think the woman who booked the appointment knows that she won't be able to call me from the next office she works at if she doesn't get her employer to pay me. She literally tried to hug me when I walked in the door as she was so distressed with the mess and expected me to solve all her problems. I was only able to ease a little discomfort.

Kymn - you just stop that! You are so brave and setting an example for your kids which they won't see until they are older and face one of life's little challenges. Throughout my dx and treatment I kept my daughters in the loop because my mom pretended that nothing was wrong when she had bc (they did mx back then without any discussion) and I think now it would have been less scary for me to have a better understanding of what to expect through this wretched process. I probably could have supported her better too but she was one of those when who never slowed down and never complained. While I can appreciate her stoicism, I later I felt really guilty when I gained a better perspective on the reality of her experience. You did a brave thing going through chemo and I'm sure one of the greatest forces was your desire to be around for your kids as long as possible.

DorK - I got so bored after my bmx I went back to work on the 10^th day. I was a little sore but I just couldn't watch another movie and I like to be around people. I was a little slow - no 20 hour days or anything... I think the doc said to take off 6 to 8 weeks! If I did that every time I had surgery I would never work. Watch that fridge... my super-expensive commercial fridge seems to go on the blink when it is full of food. I had it "fixed" several times over the past couple of years, which cost more than a new "normal" fridge, and then discovered that there was an adjustment in the freezer which was set too low. Shhot, you'd think the tech would have checked that on any of the 3 visits but nope. I think it was called "Harvest Gold"... LOL... boy does that age me! my mom always went for white appliances...

 Hi Stanzie! Yes, this was the super early accommodating appointment. I think this office manager is a bit daffy. When we made the appointment she said she understood that I have a minimum appointment length or I charge for travel but asked if I could just meet with her for an hour as they were having cash flow problems. If the cash flow was caused by something other than the owner dumping his middle-aged wife to chase a younger skirt I might feel differently. Am I taking this too personal? Maybe. Still mad about the "widower" across the street. Have you heard the expression, "Women mourn; men replace."?

Had a rough day yesterday... After the 30+ hour work day I called my sister who decided to come to California to take care of an elderly man (she is a retired nurse and does home care) since her youngest just moved out and she is getting a divorce. The client died while she was driving out here and sis is staying with former MIL, about 4 hours from us. She thought she could do what I do ... how hard could it be? I gave her a referral for a family that is looking for child care in their home in San Francisco, just as a gap... she says she has to work "under the table" because she wasn't supposed to leave the state... I do NOT want to know! From there the conversation got worse... I learned more than I wanted to know about why she left her kids' fathers... finally got her off the phone and realized I had lost an earring that DH gave me for my birthday/ 20^th anniversary (which was yesterday). He gave me a beautiful necklace and earring set... the stones look like water drops with just the slightest hint of green. He said they are amethyst but I thought that was purple... anyway I was just heartbroken. Things have been so tense and he was really making a grand gesture. I frantically searched the entire house and the yard where I had been pacing while on the phone. I was certain I would never find it as it is virtually invisible... Then I heard DH come home all happy and bearing flowers. While searching for the earring, the lasagna I lovingly prepared for him (his favorite) had overcooked and the house reeked from it. I was just exhausted and had a melt-down. He kept saying it was ok and we could go out but I was so tired I just made some pasta and several glasses of wine with dinner, during which he reminded me about the anniversary when the girls were very young and I tried to make lasagna and knocked the dish off the counter just as it was ready to serve. Anyway, we are supposed to celebrate on Friday. Told him I wished he had not given me the earrings until Friday and confessed about losing one already. They are one-of-a-kind and cannot be replaced which makes it difficult for the man who feels a need to fix problems. After dinner he was putting away his clean laundry and asked if I checked the laundry room... of course, there it was! So he got to fix my problem afterall. Maybe next year I'll just lose the lasagna instead of ruining it so he can find it.

Yikes Gail.  What was going on yesterday????  So glad all is well with DH.  I am thinking "citrine" for the stones.  Sound gorgeous, and what a wonderful gesture.

On the nonprofit, you made your point.  That is the most important thing here.  (Money would be nice, but this one is the more important.)

I wouldn't want to know about your sister either.  I have/had? a friend who always called me for advice on how to extricate herself from the pickles she invariably gets herself into.  Anyway, she wanted me to side with her against her husband, and I just didn't want to be in the middle.  Suspect she has moved on to a more sympathetic ear.

I just got some work out the door, so feel good about that one.

I am still worried about Main Squeeze, but also ready to accept that this might not have a good outcome.  Still no real word.  I can only work on those things within my control.

On to the next one on my list, but think I will have lunch first. - Claire