WEEK'S END

[Nasoosie]

GOOD MORNING ALL!

I was up late last night working on my taxes, seeing how much I have to pay this year. That incentive money I received really put me over the edge again, even though I increased my withholding, and they did take fed tax from that lump sum. Without that incentive, I think I would have broken even this year, or owed much less. As it is, I still owe over a thousand bucks, which make me have to pay a 14 dollar penalty, too, for still not having enough withheld. ACK! Nothing like sticking it to someone who is already down, eh.

So, I rechecked my own figures using Turbo Tax online, and, unfortunately, they agree. I'm not sure if I have to pay Turbo, if I file my own stuff on paper via regular mail, or not. If so, I will owe another 35 dollars for the use of Turbo, too.

I am waiting for a call from a friend I used to take care of when she was a newborn and for about the first five years of her life. She is a drug addict, recovering, alcoholic, recovering, and now has two young boys with a guy who deals drugs. They are separated, (never married) but he still demands partial custody of the kids. Her best male friend who has looked out for her and taken care of her and her kids for several years now, wants to build her a house, take care of her and her kids, whom he loves and vice versa, if she will be his live-in girlfriend. The problem---she has no sexual feelings for the guy at all, and she's afraid she will feel like a prostitute if she tries that arrangement, as he is begging her to do. He knows she feels only a Platonic relationship for him, but he loves her dearly and just wants to try it out. She truly loves him as a friend, shares many good things with him, respects him, trusts him, and now wants my advice on what she should do. I only hope I can ask enough questions when she calls this morning to help her to get her thoughts clear and analyze her feelings enough to make the wisest choice for herself and for her kids. It is a daunting responsibility for me. This girl had one of the most expensive weddings years ago in Lake Placid, married one of the richest guys from an extremely wealthy family who lives there, spent about two years jetting around the world with him and gradually fell into drug abuse with him as he could well afford any way to get high known to man. The relationship grew thin, and along came the father of her kids, handsome, dashing, daring, and with all the drugs she could want. So off she fled with him to the FL keys. This girl has had a life usually only described in novels, and now she wants to talk to me. Sigh.

Guess it's time for another cup of coffee and for me to make some mental notes. May your day be a good one, and may you find something to allow you to laugh and dance. Send me some sagaciaty, please. (Is that a word??) Wisdom will do!

[Colliemom]

Good Morning Soos and everyone else,

You certainly have your work cut out for you Soos, but you will do fine. You have a way with words and you really do have a good insight into things. I think as the covnersation flows if she calls you, that you will find those words of wisdom as you talk. She has been through so much as you said, that she doesn't know which way to turn now and is probably very leery of forming a relatinship with another man, much less fall in love with one. And I'm sure she doesn't want her kids to follow that same path she was on.

Ah, the wicked taxes. I'm glad I have mine done. Now I wam waiting my refund so I can get a new stove in the kitchen here. My 24 year old one is starting to finally wear out.

Winter weather advisory for us here today. Snow/sleet and what have you all mixed in. No accumulations for this area, but are for up near Mackinac where I was the other day. Our schools are closed today today. Probably due to icing on the side roads. This area is the highest elevation n th lower peninsula and there are lots of hilly roads. But it's typical March weather for us.

So this morning in just a bit, I am going to make a quck run to Gaylord and then home and cozy in for the rest of the day and tomorrow as well. We haven't been going for any doggie walks due to Sassy developing a limp. She was almost refusing to put weight on her paw yesteray, but cause she was fine the day before, I am thinking that she may have sprained it. I've checked her all over and can't find anything. She's always hearing things from the woods out back here as well as things along the road here and it's not uncommon for he to go jumping off my deck, right over top of the single step and off across the yard. Plus there is still snow piled up where the blower threw it. So she probably stepped the wrong way somewhere along the line. Was going to call the vet this morning, but she seems to be a tad bit better, so I am going to give it the weekend and see what happens. Rest is better than anything. She's been very quiet, sleeping and not moving around much. They say give it 48 hours.

Otherwise pretty much same old around here. Working on my little sign and gonna clean house.
Might stop by the park and see what's going on, if the head ranger is there alone. If I see another car or truck there, then I don't stop as sometimes it's the district supervisor or somebody else on business, so I stay away.

[khenrie]

Oh my Lord I can't even say good morning! I think I slept between 9:30pm-midnight and not again until about 4am and then up at 6am. M-I-S-E-R-A-B-L-E. I get a little break between 9 and noon today - I'm scheduling a NAP!

I generally sleep hard anywhere, anytime. Put me in front of a movie - out like a light. Read in bed, 10 mins then OUT. Not sure what last night was about, but can't let that happen again. ugh!

Nasoosie - Your thoughts this morning felt so familiar. Not that my kids are/or have been addicts of any kind. But between them as young adults struggling with all kinds of life-altering questions and seeking advice and my clients here at the health club spilling their life stories and troubles to my willing ear.... I know how it is to watch someone struggling with choices like these. Praying for your strength and peace while you comfort and listen to your young friend.

Sue - strange that our little Stan had similar issue a couple of days ago after taking of for a 10 minute sprint through the wilderness around our home. Came home and was fine, but a few hours later wouldn't walk on one of his front paws. Resolved itself within 24 hours, thank goodness.

While making the bed this morning, I started dreaming of what bedding to buy for the RV. Right now I'm thinking a white spread with brightly colored throw and pillows. Am I crazy?

[dayspring39]

Good Morning it is so beautiful this morning 63 now heading for 79... I talked to my son last night about the water heater he said as long as the man is certified he will be able to figure out what is wrong with the water heater... he does own this large park so he has a lot of experience on different aspects of the MH's... as long as he pressure tests the liner before he orders another one I should be ok... now it is almost like real camping as I have to heat my water to do the dishes... and I have used cold water to wash... will go to the shower house to bathe...
Well Soos if that isn't a soap opera in action... I think I would ask questions and talk to her and let her come to her own conclusion... that way it is hers not yours... that is one thing we tried to do in the support group that I was the director of... it is easy to give someone advice that we would do but it is much harder to listen and listen and listen talking along the way until they figure out what is best and own it... then hold her accountable to her decision... even that does not always work when there is drugs and alcohol abuse involved... oh well that is my 2 cents...
My friend Molly comes today... I am so excited but mad at her because she has a shaded site... na I could not be mad at her... Shadow will be very happy as he loves her to death...
I need to get my sewing machine out as I have pushed the sewing of the lace panels to the back of my mind...
Does anyone know how to make the kitchen sink drains not put a smell out when I put the tops on the sink? I put a small amount of pine-sol in the drain yesterday before I put the wood tops on have the toaster oven on so have not smelled the odor yet today...
Sue I am sorry about the poor fur baby's foot... it is so painful to walk on a sore foot... hope today shows more improvement... Kim I know how it is to not sleep... a nap is in order!
May each of you have a day just made for you...
Kathleen

[mtngal]

Good morning travel pals, it's another beautiful spring day in CA. I'm home from two days in Napa. Met a friend from N CA there for a quick visit. It's almost exactly half way for us, 2 1/2 hrs each. The town has grown so much since my last time 30+ years ago. Great town for walking (not to mention the beautiful wineries), we will surly plan rendezvous for there in the future.

My auntie (96) is in the hospital. We are all sad, she is not sick, just getting very, very weak. Such a special woman, and the last of that generation.

Soos, what an honor to you that your friend so trusts you with this kind of very difficult decision. Trust your instincts, you will find the right words.

Have a fun day everyone out there!

[Irmi]

Good morning everyone!

Soos, enjoy sharing your words of widsom with your friend.

Sue, I hope everything is ok with Sassy's foot and that you are able to take walks later this weekend.

Kim, hopefully you are able to sneak a nap in later today.

Kathleen, what are you making with your lace panels?

Mtngal, enjoy your visit with your friend.

It's a sunny day on the eastern shore of MD and temperatures will be around the 50 degree mark today and closer to 60 tomorrow.

I have yet to get into the motorhome to start my cleaning for the upcoming season, so hopefully that will be part of the agenda for this weekend. It will be mild enough to work in there without being cold.

I wish everyone a good day.

[Liz]

Taking a break....busy pulling out "stuff" for the yard/moving sale tomorrow & Sun. Kids are coming to get what they want. Hope to have the house empty by next week and begin my full-timing life for real.

Birdie left this morning on her sad/quick journey home. She has called and reported that she's making good progress. What a great help she has been while here. I think she spent 2 whole days sitting over the shredder for me, as well as cleaning up my desktop computer to donate to the church, and hook up the all-in-one printer she donated. I delivered those to the church this morning to get them out of the house.

Most everything is sorted...just have the laundry room & shed to go through...might make it in time.

I may have to rethink how much of this "stuff" I can cram in my RV. Soon I'll have to start moving it the other direction...out. It's all "stuff."

Safe travels to those on the road...all others have some fun today. Just had a rain storm/wind blow through. Hope it's over with before morning.

[BarbaraRose]

Good morning all! (barely! )
I am so thrilled about finally having my wayward kitty home with me! She is so sweet and affectionate! I think she is really enjoying the indoor lifestyle already!

I have the day off, so will hang around here most of the day to spend time with Lola. Need to go out tho, to get some flea and earmite meds for her. Also gotta do laundry, pay bills, etc today. No day trips this week but don't have the money for gas right now anyways. Maybe next week...

It is 66 going up to 73 today, and sunny, so a beautiful day outside here in southern California!

Have a great day, whatever you are doing and where ever you are going!

[Echo]

GOOD MORNING SISTAHS!! (said, tongue in cheek)

As I sit here playing on the laptop and reading the goings on, I have the door to the TT wide open. I's so nice outside. The wind is a tiny bit nippy but oh goodness that sunshine is fabulous!!!

Soos I to believe you will find the wisdom and words to use. My foremost thought is, if she does try this with the friend? If it doesn't work out after while, then what? Will she and the kids be without a home again??? Is very possible that she could fall in love with him but if not it could become very painful for all involved if the arrangement becomes unbearable.

Kathleen, is there anyway at all that you could get a second opinion on the water heater problem?? I like to accept people at face value but that situation just bothers the heck right out of me. Didn't you post before that you had called for a repair service and when they got there he wouldn't let them in and had a fit??? I just don't like the 'attitude' of his, "if I ain't fixing it?" "No one else is coming in to fix it".... Sorry, I might becoming a suspicious old bat!

Sue, sure hope the puppers foot gets better on it's own and doesn't require a vet visit and bill......

Barbie!!! WooHoo! Great news on Lola!!! How are the 2 kitties getting along??? You are now a family of 3.

Ok, off to do some more reading to finish catching up. Hope everyone has a super great day with no worries.

Love to all