I'm the first one to visit the palace for this month!

[font=Comic Sans MS]Yay![/font]

Yes, vickie, I would be most interested in crock pot recipes. There has to be more to make other than pot roast with veggies in this thing ... LOL. Do you have any with pork or chicken. Heck, I'll even take recipes with tofu! ANYTHING to fix first thing in the a.m. and have it ready by 4 or 5 p.m.!

Meanwhile, I don't know if I overdid the wall cleaning, but I've been having problems with vertigo ever since. I may have to ask for some low-dose valium to help. Antivert makes it worse, for some odd reason.

My schedule for this week is VERY busy. It will be my last week of babysitting my one client's children, as this is finals week for her. However, I just got called by a friend who needs me to watch her son Tuesday, Wednesday and part of the day Thursday. I will also be watching his older siblings after 3 p.m. Talk about trying to get from one job to another--I may actually meet my self coming and going!

So, saying that, I wont be able to be online week until Thursday evening. That is, if I survive it!

ttyl... I have to get things ready for tomorrow. Takes longer to do things one handed!

Gosh Everyone it seems like forever since I made it to the Castle. I went back and read the last part of QM/FT May to see how everyone was doing.

All is fine here-just working-working-and the weather is terrible. It has rained so much I really am going to build an Ark and this whole week has rain figured in plus storms. Rommy is afraid of storms so it's always interesting when the thunder starts.

Vicki-sorry to read you are having to stay up at night to watch FT. How is he doing? and how is QM.

Riley-Hon I was hoping I would read you were feeling so much better and things were going good for you and quiet for mom. Just going to send you a huge hug.

Denise-I swear I am not sending this lousy weather your way but it seems that it just wants to head South once it comes to MO. I will float the Ark your way and you and the "kids" can jump aboard.

Deb-Take care and try to slow down a little. I remember on the other site Denise send some really neat crockpot meals. I could probably find them if you want them.

Joyce-hope all is going good for you & Bill up north.

And hugs to everyone.

Pat

Happy June Everyone!!!!!!

AAAAAKKKKKK It's Monday. I guess the only good thing is I don't actually
have to go into to work, however I have a full day of catching up to do.

On my last day off (Thurs.), I was actually going to try to get out and mow
my yard. Got everything ready and decided to check the mail before I started
the yard and got stung by a red wasp, that landed me in the ER for 3 hours and
that pretty much did me in for the rest of the day. I am starting to feel a little better
and the swelling in my hand and arm finally went down yesterday. I still hurt on
the whole right side of my body but it seems to be getting better too.

Deb: to answer your question about BF having to travel so much lately. His travel
was suppose to slow down, but that was before his company bought out another
company in San Jose CA and then decided to move a portion of the departments
to the Memphis area. It caused a major abandon ship (with the company that
was bought out) and now the Department that BF works for is having to scramble around
and gain as much insite into their product and their customer service as possible
before the end of June (when the full take over is complete). Hopefully this week
will be the last trip he will have to make up there, but then who knows these days.
We are just thankful that we both have jobs since the face of the economy has gotten
so bad.

Karen: believe me when I tell you that it is really hard to find a part time job that will
provide benefits. that is one of the reasons I went back to FedEx. That is one of the few places
here anyway that has such great benefits for part time employees and it's near impossible
to find a part time job any place where you can make over $11 per hour (starting out) also.

As for you being weak and dizzy, well Hon, you being anemic and having your electrolites off
will cause you to feel that way. Since it has been so hot and humid here lately I am having a lot of
trouble keeping my electrolites where they need to be. I try to keep my self hydrated and with
enough nutrients to keep myself from feeling all dizzy or getting that hot headache, but it's darn
near impossible to do that when I am sweating out 10 gallons more than I put in.. ha ha Of course
me having my own personal "heat waves" isn't helping things at all. Ha Ha

I hate to hear that Mom is going through a rough patch right now. Bless her heart. This disease is
so cruel, onm everyone! I know that we went through the same things with BFM any time she had
to go to the SNF. There were a couple of times we weren't sure we were going to be able to bring her
home so we tried to never tell her that she was coming home. Of course even when she was home
she still went through times when she would ask to go home.. no let me rephrase that she would DEMAND
that she be taken home. We just did the best we could and let me tell you fiblets did come in real handy
during those times. As far as the skin breakdown, that one is really tough, because it is painful to them.
Once we got the air mattress thing for BFM it reallyhelped a lot, and I made sure that BFM was never sitting
or laying in the same position for very long at a time. Of course it was harder to control those things when
she was in SNF. I just basically had to be a squeaky wheel, when she was having break down while in there.
Hospice should be able to help with that some. BFM was always cold too. POA needs to get Mom's warm
if it is fit to wear out of storage so that she always has a warm robe to wear or a sweater and long sleeves
to wear.

I am glad that you have stepped back and allowed the others to play a more active roll, though. You have
done good.

Vicki: Hope FT sleeps at night some time soon, cause you have to take care of yourself so that you can
take care of them (QM and FT).

Pat: Just pull the ARK up to the boat dock that my neighbor behind me is going to have to build in his back yard.. ha ha
Our yard and the neighbors on either side of me all sit up high on a hill and our yards drain into his back yard..
So needless to say with all the rain we have had lately he now had a river running through his back yard.
I actually saw ducks and geese playing back there the other day.

Joyce: I hope you and Bill are having a GREAT time up north. We miss you though.

Chris: How are things in the world of beauty? Pop on when you can and let us know how things are
going in the Nut House!!!!!!!!

Hugs to Everyone!!!!!!!!! Guess I had better try to get a few things done so i can actually mow today
before the rain and storms get here this afternoon.

I will try to get back when I can!!!!!!!!!!

YaY!!!!!!! I finally got my yard mowed.. ha ha Actually I spent several hours out working
in the yard. It's been raining or so wet that it's been very hard to get any yard work
done. I do think that the rain has drown my grass in the front.. ha ha Seems like the only
thing that survived was the weeds.. ha ha Well except in my flowr gardens that is.. plenty of
grass in there!!! LOL

Got a call from daughter and they might be making a trip down here this weekend..
Oh I can feel a Grandbaby spoiling coming on!!!! LOL Since they are not really sure yet
if they are going to be able to make it down or not, I can't really ask for a day off. The
only day I could really ask for is Sunday and we are usually pretty short handed on Sunday
so I don't know if I would get it or not. I might run it by my boss this afternoon just to see what
he says.

Pat: Did you get another round of storms last night (late yesterday afternoon?). The wind picked
up and I could hear thunder off in the distance, but thankfully it didn't hit here.

Deb: I have been trying everything I can to send this rain your way.. but by the time it gets this far south
it's to tired to go back up your way.. ha ha I did hear that in Detroint it was 80 degrees yesterday.. that is
pretty warm for you guys for this time of the year right? I was watching the hockey game (that I thought was
going to last for ever!!! ha ha) and they were talking about how warm and humid it was there.

Karen, Joyce, Chris, Vicki and Everyone Else.. I do hope that you all have WONDERFUL days!!!!!

Now I guess I had better get in the shower and get ready for work.. Don't know why I feel like I
have to get clean just to go out and sweat my tail off, but I do.. ha ha

HUGS AROUND THE ROYAL PALACE!!!!!!

Hi All,

Honestly, I do live...and I think of you all often...but seldom have a free moment. My life is one big blur now.

The world of beauty is progressing. I am up to 2 recruits (anybody else out there want to do MK on my team w/ me???) so my "unit" is picking up speed. I can finally wear makeup without having that aweful "Ronald MacDonald Mask" that I used to have w/ Rosecia. Yeah... Talk about a hot lookin babe now!!!

I am still chugging along, and the profits have yet to be seen, but I have faith that they WILL be seen. Since I started from nothing, and don't have any product to sell myself, yet...I think I have done pretty good. I am seldom bored now. Course, I am running here and there often. My family chides me about all the time spent away, and I keep reminding them that apples don't grow overnight on seeds planted. It takes awhile to grow the tree first. While I think in theory they understand it, in practicality, I think they want INSTANT results.

Life is still tough though. The garnishment has been lifted finally *YAHOO!!!* but the mega-hole we are in still needs filling. The sheriff cannot "find" the extra money sent so $350 is just floating in cyberspace somewhere. We are supposed to go to Seattle in July, and I have faith that we will get there...somehow... Actually, I have no choice...my kids are in the wedding, so we better show up!!! not sure if we will fly or drive...or send the kids ahead by carrier pidgeon, but we gotta get there. Pray that the fine details iron out, eh?

Hubby's been working for a friend for awhile moving his business. Then the guy moved in w/ his folks after his wife died, so hubby had the pick of some of the stuff he didn't want. Namely....we got the washer. And not a moment too soon. Ours crapped out and Maytag refused to honor their product. I paid $1100 for a washer 3 years ago, and have had to call the repair man 3 times. Now they say they won't subsidize the repairs, but they will give me a $150 Loyalty Rebate (ie: shut up bribe) toward a new product. BITE ME! Why would I want to shell out money for another lemon??!!! No, I will take a no-frills 2nd hand washer. I am sure it would be more reliable!

I spent yesterday doing 8 loads of wash. I didn't think we had that much clothing. Deb??? Did you say you LIKE doing laundry??? Come on down. You are the next contestant on the block....

The kids are doing good. Ethan escaped from the children's church on Sunday, and his teacher asked me if he was autistic. (No.) Because he doesnt' talk much, he's shy, and he bolts quickly. Well, actually, he chatters up a storm, he loves to play with trucks and his Elmo's. He sees children's church as one big playground, and because he has been in several different classrooms because they often combine classes, I am sure he thought that was another playground to enjoy.

My oldest son is now being home-schooled. Because he missed so much time this semester (due to hubby's heart surgery, and then the ensuing baby-duty while hubby was working) we decided to just have him finish out the semester at home. Next year, we are enrolling him in a computer-based home-school curriculum. I like the change in attitude I have seen since he has not been immersed in the bad attitude of his peers. He's less lippy when he doesn't like something, and he is not carrying the chip on his shoulder as much. So, since his class this year had 36 students in it, and much of the homework involved coloring pictures, I think it is a better use of his time to do his studying at his pace...and if he WANTS to color, fine. But he's not being graded on whether he can color a graph for math.

Hubby may be getting a job in Seattle area. There's a friend who wants to open a location in Seattle, and thought hubby may be good for the position. Nothing in stone yet, but looks pretty good. I find it ironic---my kids are in seattle (the ones getting married), my MK Elite director is in Renton, and hubby now is looking for work there. Hmmmm....coincidence? I don't think so.

We'll see... When God closes a door, somewhere he opens a window... (Julie Andrews...Sound of Music.)

Nothing said from either of the evil sibs now. I guess no news is good news. Course, I don't know what is simmering under the surface....but for now, there's no smoke on the horizon.

Denise, Pat, Vicki, Karen, and anyone else I missed, I will try to catch up w/ you later. I think my ride is here. Blessings.

It's great to hear from you Chris!!!! Glad things
with MK is picking up!!!! Maybe it wont be to long
before you can see the fruits of your labor!

I hope that you can make the trip to Seattle in July.
Ya know if it is meant for you guys to relocate to Washington
State then God will provide what you need. Turn it over
to him and he will let you know if that is where he wants you to be.

I guess in the case of the SILs no news is good news (right?). Maybe
they have come to their sense and relized that Mom didn't have
anything to share.

Not much new here going on! We did manage to make it for 3 full days without it storming
or raining.. but boy oh boy it sure got hot at work!!!!!!!
After being hot a sweaty all day I don't feel like doing much when I get home. The one
benefit is that since I am hot and sweaty I don't want to eat and the pounds are falling
off. Not healthy but at least I will be skinny as they haul me to the ER from heat stroke.. LOL

BF comes home tomorrow and hopefully this is the last trip he will have to make for a few
months. Of course we have thought that before so we will be expecting the unexpected.

Since I have been pretty slugish in the afternoons and evenings I have a ton of things
I have to play catch up on today, since I am off.

I hope everyone has a wonderful day..

Hugs to EVERYONE!!!!!!!!

Just stopping by the Castle to send hugs flying around the palace-so HUGS-HUGS-AND MORE HUGS-

Nothing different here other than I started a short new job on Weds-I now bath dogs for the lady who grooms Paige & Rommy-so that means I am now working six days a week-not full days but still days- 4 hrs mon-8 hrs Tues & Thur-5-6 hrs Weds-3-4 hrs Fri-8 hrs Sat- I have refused to work on Sundays-that day is for me and the kids.

Denise-we did not send the last round of storms your way-I sent them North to Deb & Maebee-they skirted MO and headed North through Il and Ind-so they should be getting to MI soon.

Chris-so glad to hear that the MK world is picking up for you. And who knows maybe a move up the Coast is just what is needed for your family.

Vicki-sending hugs to you and FT & QM. Riley-hope things are going good for you & mom. Should the Ladies be out of school soon-or are they already out & I forgot.

Pat

Good Morning Everyone!!!!

Pat: The latest round of bad weather is coming from the
South West. The winds are very hot and humid but at least
the rain has missed us the past couple of days!!!!! Could it
be that we might be drying out for a few days!!!!

I wanted to Send hugs to everyone and wish you a GREAT
weekend!!!!!! I will try to get back in and check on everyone
on Monday, if not sooner!!!!!

Hey Pat: LOL. The bad weather missed us in SE MI. I hope I am not jinxing us in MI!!! I do send prayers to those in the central areas, with all those tornadoes, and such. I think I should change my avatar now, as it doesn't feel like Spring any more!

Hello fellow Royal Inhabitants
I've been trying to keep up, best I can. You are ALL in my thoughts. "The Big One" is graduating tonight! Oh, how I wish MIL could see it!!!
Trying to secure a caterer for party. Hubby wonders why I have tension headaches everyday!
Between track, singing, Boy Scouts, end of school year stuff(for "The Little One"); and this party, new job(just started training for Home Depot), prepping for college, etc.,(for "Big One") I have little breathing time.
As a matter of fact, I now need to go press THE gown for tonight!

Will check back later

Hello to the palace dwellers from the dungeons of Michigan!

Well, Denise and Pat, I can say that we finally got SOME rain, but the majority of it goes either North or South of us in Jackson. However, what rain we have gotten has caused the weeds to expand much more than my poor flowering plants, so today I have been pulling weeds and moving some of my plants around for more space.

The heat has come upon us big time. Here it is, noon, and the temps are already in the high 80's! At least the humidity here has dropped a little since yesterday...It's too muggy to even sweat!

DH and I have learned that the National Prison Ministry workshop is being held in Michigan this year, and they were going to present Old Navy with a plaque for his service in starting congregations behind the walls in the State prisons here in Jackson. So far, we still have 2 congregations behind the walls here.

They were saddened to learn of ON's death, so they asked us to come as his closest kin to accept the award and be their guests for the meals, etc. I know of at least 10 men who were converted while serving time that are still dedicated Christians in their home congregations... and 5 of them attend services at our congregation.

Me, I was running on empty sleep-wise Wednesday, as the parents I was babysitting for didn't return home until 1 a.m. Tuesday night from their Republican Party function in Detroit. Wednesday I was supposed to babysit twice as well as pick up a friend from work and take her to her parole officer meeting. When I get this tired, my migraines start popping out of the woodwork... so I had to cancel one of my sitting jobs that evening. I got home at 6 p.m., and slept straight through to 6 a.m. Thursday.

I feel much better now.

As for my thumb, I guess it's progressing. I tried taking it off at night, but my hand hurt so bad without the support, I ended up putting it back on. SIGH... I just hope I don't lose all function in that thumb once the brace can be removed. Not looking forward to any surgery, as that will lay me up for at least 6 weeks from doing any sort of work.

Well, if it cools down after 6 tonight, I'm going to work on pulling some more weeds on the side hill and see if I can't get some flowering plants put in there to make it look nicer. Anything has got to be better than rocks and weeds!

Vicki, hope all is well at the palace. Have you talked with hospice about having someone come in to sit with FT at least part of the night so you can get some rest? Or possibly giving him a temp medication that would work on resetting his internal time clock?

Denise, you actually found your yard? No need for a boat or waders? Great news! Even better that the rains eased up a little in your area. Too bad the humidity is so darned high there. Think they can dehumidify the river some?

Joyce, I'm missing you a lot! Hope you're enjoying the cabin time.

Merimac Pat, you have a lot on your plate, too. Hope your eldest has a great graduation and that you don't end up too exhausted by all the prep time and food for the party. Just serve burgers and hotdogs with cake and ice cream and maybe some fresh fruit....!

Chris, keep chugging along with MK. and if your hubby actually does find a job in Seattle, go for it! The kids are young enough to be able to bounce back from the move and will make many new friends there.

Karen, hope you're feeling better, and that your DH gets it through his head that you need to fully recouperate from both the surgeries and from caring for your Mom... emotional stress is soo easily poo-pooed by others, unless they've been walking in your shoes. Do what you're able and let the rest be up to the sibs and with God. Thinking a lot about you, dear!

If I have missed anyone, sorry. My time is so limited for pc time that I visit when I can but don't necessarily post. But I here, and I read every single post on this site!

TTYL, with all my love and prayers!

chris: Just think if you move to Seattle you won't be seeing much in the way of "blue skies!!!" all we have lately is rain & more rain.....sos complained of the heat....told her to shut up--I wouldn't mind sweating at this point--I think with everything going on with me that I am just freezing all the time--of course our weather hasn't helped much...today possible high is 50 --- it is pouring out there. Feel for the ladies that they have to walk in the rain and never really dry out! I would just like to know if spring was just those three little days or what...hope that summer isn't like this. They are even going to get snow in the passes as well...
I am also curious about that online school thingy---I know I'm really not impressed here with the public school system---on teacher constantly tells his class that they are worthless and dumb and uses wonderful colorful language at that---one would think that english teachers could be more creative than using the same old words that....there are other things thathave been just as frustrating as well---

Well we have a new addition to the house! we got given a pug! The lades were thrilled to see her! One in particular has missed our old pug Sam since he died---thus far Mabel hasn't showen the evil side of herself to Zoey....but one never knows....the ladies are thrilled with her but for some reason don't like standing outside with her while she goes potty...hmmmmmmm like I enjoy it! Good thing is that last day of school is next friday and from tuesday on half days so they can bond more with the go outside part!

As for mom...haven't heard anything from the place and I'm still in this mode that I'm just plain tired---sos is now calling either hospice person or snf...POA doesn't like the idea cause she feels takes away from "power"----but poa is another long story....still amazed that she hasn't listed her house yet..I mean how long does it take to put it on the market???? been years of prep and still isn't---don't think she fully understands that the house is only half hers and she can't make mortgage paymetns on her salary alone and that ex can stop making payments anytime---but not my problem!

well need to get a few quickie things done like a shower...guess I could just step outside??????

Denise: If I can ever get a job it will more than likely be full time because I realize that benefits usually come with full time rather than parttime.....but trying to get over the sugery and all that fun! did you know you were allergic to bees???? that sounds so very painful!

I'm going to come back later---hope all is well with everyone! been some really weird weather out there lately....hugs to all in the meantime and sending you all prayers for a good weekend!

xxoo karen

It is 1:41 in the AM and I am on night watch again. At least I am able to watch from the kitchen monitor so I am able to check in.

I tried to post some crock pot recipes the other day but the posting demon would not let me in. I did email them to Deb though.

It is good to see all of the Royal Subjects have been able to drop by for a visit. Sounds like everyone is keeping out of trouble and keeping busy. I have been keeping busy at night doing FT's laundry. During the day I have been trying to spend a little quality time with QM and help her with her puzzles.

My computer guy/geek was able to save some of my stuff from the old computer but I just dumped it into one big folder till I am able to sort it all out. It is most of my graphics stuff and my font collection but I lost all of the font groups so now I am sorting out over 2000 fonts. This is not fun but will be great once they are all added to the new font manager program by groups.

As far as the question about asking hospice for someone to sit up with FT....That is a big laugh. I am not able to even get one person to stay with the Royals long enough for me to go to my Monday apointment or shopping. I have canceled my trip up north to the doc twice now. He is refusing to fill my meds without a face to face visit. This trip takes at leat three hours and all hospice will do is offer to schedule the CNA for during the time that I will be gone. He is here all of a half hour. Lot of good that will do.

The SW was here Thursday and I asked her to suggest some other resources that I might try for getting some help. Her ideas were to hire a sitter from a day care place or call the fire department to see if they had someone that would be willing to help out. The hospice volunteer person just tells me that all of the volunteers have jobs too so they are only available for about an hour in the evening. Since we live so far from town they do not have anyone that is willing to come out this far on a regular schedule. They also suggested that I ask the cleaning lady. She is already busting her buns helping us and I refuse to ask her to cancel a paying job just to sit with QM. (she would do it but refuses to let us pay her) I do try to do my shopping while she is here cleaning though.

Pat
How would you like to schedule us in for Sunday. You can even bring the pups along. QM would love having them visit.

Denise
You keep your hot sticky weather down there. I am melting here already. We had some thunder storms about daylight yesterday and all they did was make it muggy here.

Deb
I dumped ribs in the crock yesterday along with a bottle of JD bbq sauce. Left them on high for 2 hours and then low for about 5 hours. FT ate almost a whole rib so they must have tasted good to him. That and some pork and beans was the biggest meal we have seen him eat since his birthday. Most of the time I am taking him something about every 2 hours just to get a few calories in him. I also keep a baggie of teddie grams in by his bed to offer him a snack if he drinks something in the middle of the night.

Karen
Congrats on the new pug. I know you have been wanting one for a long time. Is this a puppy? We need Pictures!!!!!!

Maebee
Good to see some of the cute graphics. If you happen to run accross any King and Queens or crowns I would love to see them. I would love to make a QM & FT header with a queen on one side and a king on the other. I had a King on a throne but have never found a matching Queen.

Well I am going to say good night to all and leave you with this.

Good Morning Everyone-I just came by the Castle to send hugs around the Royal home.

Vicki-If I lived closer I would take Sundays for you-heck I would even give you the time to go to the dr so you can get your meds. I never tried to use Hospice as a back up while I went out-I just knew they would not be there when I needed them. I had a Home Health Company that I was using right after dad passed so I could still work & I just had them come in once a week for a while then I used them on a As Need Be I would line up my appts a couple of weeks ahead and then call & get someone to come in for mom then. Made for a crazy day trying to jam everything I needed to get done in that day and some times I did not get all done but it sure helped with Dr appts for me. Now I don't even have time to get to the dr or dentist-my dr ordered a walking stress test for me and blood work up and I have not figured out when in the heck I am going to get it done. Hubby said just do it-make time & I just looked at him.

Denise-the last round of our storms went North/East but I saw where there are more coming in from the South. It's hot & muggy here-I just can't figure out where the Spring went.

Deb & Maebee-from the sounds of it you both are going to get some rain-just watch out for the storms- Deb-when you get done pulling weeds you can come here-I so wanted a flower bed this year but looks like that is not going to happen-I need to just hire a land scape group to come in and plant the flowers I want out front but that would cost money I just don't have.

Riley-Good to hear from you and know that you are doing a little better-and doing good at letting sib deal with mom-that the best thing you could do for yourself. Tell the Ladies I said have a great summer-if there is any summer in WA. Congras on the new "addition" to your family-now we need to see pictures of the pug-love those dogs.

I am off today to feed my DD birds-her & her hubby are still out in CA on vacation (what the heck is that) and I am in charge of the hummingbird feeders and the other feeders. Love the birds just hate the sticky sugar water I have to deal with. And the feeders hate me I swear-I have the worse time getting them taken apart cleaned and back together without having the water all over me-her porch-chairs-you name it. Should have told her to leave me the keys to her car-I would have taken the babies for a ride-LOL.

Hope everyone has a great rest of the weekend and a cooler week next week.

HUGS To Everyone
Pat

Good Afternoon.. I wanted to pop in and send hugs galore!!!!
I am short on time since I have been doing the MiMi thing all day..

I will try to get back tomorrow morning before work
and catch up and maybe even post some new Alayia pictures..

Gosh she is growing so fast..

HUGS HUGS HUGS!!!!!!!