Thread Drift

[Bikingmomof3]

Hello, I am feeling sad because Jennifer forgot me.
I am glad that you are feeling better, and I'm not that sad
because I know I am just someone far away typing things
that you read occasionally.

Oh Mimi, I never forget you! Well, I did in my long rambling post , and for that I am so unbelievably sorry.

You are not someone very far away who occassionally types thing, not to me anyway. Yoou are one of my sisters.

I always worry when I write long posts that I will accidently leave out important people and events, and this time it was you.

Honestly it was not done on purpose. I am so very, very sorry. Please forgive me. You give me such wonderful support and are so thoughtful, I am a dolt for forgetting you in my post.

For the record, X's poem was far superiour to the one I came up with.

[Bikingmomof3]

BMo3!!!!! YOU'RE BAAAAAAACK!!!!!

Oh, I'm so happy! Welcome back, dear! We were all so worried and scared for you! Phone calls and PMs flashing up and down and across the continent with concern for you!

Glad you are back!

Edit: SKnot plays bassoon, and I used to play oboe.

Knot I am glad to be back. I overdid it last night and kinda got sick, but I am okay today.

I think it very cool that Sknot plays the bassoon and you played the oboe.

[KnottedYet]

I am glad to be back. I overdid it last night and kinda got sick, but I am okay today.

Next time Snap and X and half the rest of TD are telling you to rest, we're all gonna stop posting until you DO go rest!

Don't overdo! We care about you too much!

[mimitabby]

now, Jen, you know you don't need to apologize OR feel bad.
HEY you wrote a poem about me too? sheesh, all this attention is too much!

i have to share this with you guys;
meet my plumber!

We got to know her through a friend. I ran into her the other day which is what made me think of her. And then i found her website.

[salsabike]

Rant away, Mimi and X. I have a soapbox I carry with me (metaphorically speaking, anyway) for a long, grumpy speech about how schools emphasize verbal, seat skills over visual-spatial, movement skills that are valued just as much in society, and how it's a sin that active boys don't have the opportunity to see that their skills are really valuable, and how that attitude "creates" disabilities when there really aren't any....see what I mean? I'll stop now. It does, however, drive me crazy in my profession.

Knot, it'll be nice to get that app done before you go, only in the sense that it's a pain in the *** AND you'll have a much better time knowing most of it's behind you.

BMof3, the heating/plumbing/electrical work is supposed to be done this week and inspected. Then they can do insulation and dry wall. After that there's lots of bits and pieces left---putting in hard wood floors, building various shelves, installing all the bathroom stuff, etc. I am not sure when they'll finish because I think I will be killing the contractor first, possibly even this afternoon. Please consider visiting me in jail and maybe getting Snap's recipe for cinnamon buttons so you could bring me some if you're feeling kindly.

The contractor is coming over this afternoon to discuss the bill and the totally unexpected $15,000 overrun. We are expecting a call from an architect friend in Paris whom we've used as a sort of consultant on contractor stuff. Mr. Salsa leaves tomorrow for a 12-day boat trip (work) and I leave a week from today for another week in Albany to help my mother move to assisted living. We are still definitely in la vida loca territory. But after we went to the Bellevue Botanical Garden D'Lights show, we went to the local Ethiopian restaurant, which was great. We'll go for a tandem ride sometime today, although maybe only 30 miles. So things could be worse...

CC, congrats on the 12-hour! I'd be bonkers, I expect. How fun to finally see pics of you and Ian--now I know who I'm talking to when I babble about football and Lake Taupo.

Fine limerick, X. Team Addled. I think I'll add it to my profile with Mimi's permission.

Any future business I do with contractors will have to include a materials clause that provides steady valium. Or something like that. Or, maybe just the flamethrower. I may like the latter better, come to think of it.

[mimitabby]

X your family history is interesting. My husband was considered a "bad" boy
and was always in trouble in school. It was obvious to me where my kids got THAT from. No wonder to this day he has enough energy to think riding a bike 140 miles in one day is fun! These guys are descended from farmers who worked hard to stay alive. They're not made to sit in cubicles!!

and you're right, If Jo wasn't being a brat on the stage that day, it wouldn't stand out in my memory.

[Bikingmomof3]

I am going to attempt another long post and I hope I do not leave anyone out. Without getting too mushy, I think of all of you as sisters and cannot imagine life without all of you! ((((((((everyone))))))))))

Snap-I do hope you find the ingredients! I was hoping to make cookies today, but last night I learned I am not quite up to full strength. Apparently I am human. *sigh*

Nanci-my boys would love to come anytime. They are animal lovers and they could even bring their bikes. I am 16 hours from Ft. Myer's , which direction are you from there?.
The sausages look very interesting. You could feel Choco's heart??

Mimi-Again, I am sorry. It saddens me as well to hear the older man thinks he has been forgotten. Having your husband's travelogue translated and printed sounds beautiful! What a splendid gift from him and for both of you to treasure forever. Maybe a wee care package sent his way for Christmas will lift his spirits? My box made it to Norway in 3 days , a new record.

In 37 years I have never been to a cookie party. I have been telling anyone who will listen, even in the hospital about your biscotti. I have heard it is difficult to make properly. I inquired yesterday about it, my SIL works in a café, and she confirmed my suspicions, it takes a special person to properly make biscotti. I imagine your cookies were the hit of the party!

Your children sound quite accomplished, you should be proud and never apologize for talking about them. Proud mommy moments are meant to be shared.

Fredwina-Tutti lived a very long, happy life.

(((((X)))))) Thank You for helping cheer our Mimi up. The hitch is being installed today? Whooo Hooo! I overdid it last night and had to take medicine, ick! Thank you for helping me and forgiving me for leaving in the middle of a chat.

(((((((CWR)))))))-enjoy, be safe, and the offer still stands.

Salsa-$15,000 over??? Is this there way of a holiday gift? Does it mean they are cleaned up and finally out of your home and you can come up from the basement? The light display is spectacular. The turtle scene reminds me on Nanci.

KG-maybe there is a connection and music helps them get the focus needed to be excellent musicians? Obviously I am guessing here. Again, your son looked quite angelic.

CC-you and Ian look so adorable! I am impressed with your stamina. I could not ride 12 hours. You do look tired inn the second picture, yet you made it and I bow to you.

Kit-have you been working on your inner slug?

Knot-what on earth is the fried chicken thing about? *slaps hand to forehead" it is from Queen. I kept reading it as you were a fried chicken queen. *sigh* You application will wow the entire grad school and you will be greeted with open arms. I agree about the feeding kiddos everyday thing.

Deb-wow your evening sounded wonderful! I was allowed to play a little on TE/TD and then watched A White Christmas. I luuuuve Danny Kaye, but I digress. I have always wanted to learn Tae Kwon Do. Maybe there is a remedial class of older people??

[Kitsune06]

BMo3- My inner slug is coming along quite well, thank you.

You and X... geez. If I tried to post a little note to *absolutely everyone* I'd be here hours. My inner slug will just not allow for that.

spending this morning reading about how to make a bike light for super-cheap because mine isn't quite enough...

http://www.instructables.com/id/E6A06CCIGMEP286N92/

...and a little tired. Gotta rest up for tomorrow... another commute in, but after not having done it for a week, I'm probably back out of the groove. =P

[mimitabby]

me too, Kit. it's hard enough to remember one thread, not 20!
eeek!

Did you guys follow my link to Zan the Rad **** Plumber's website? Do you think i would promise you a good time and not mean it?

Jennifer, we are afraid to send anything (other than small flat envelopes like letters and cards) to our Italian friends and families via the mail because we hear that over there they are having to pay FEES to receive our packages!

[kelownagirl]

Mimi's plumber

[Bikingmomof3]

Did you guys follow my link to Zan the Rad **** Plumber's website? Do you think i would promise you a good time and not mean it?

I love the site.

Jennifer, we are afraid to send anything (other than small flat envelopes like letters and cards) to our Italian friends and families via the mail because we hear that over there they are having to pay FEES to receive our packages!

It is the same when I send to other European countries. Ask your family. Usually if you declare under a certain $ amount, they are not taxed. Each country is different on the $ amount they allow in without fees. The US is very tolerant. Norway not as tolerant as Germany. Britian is fairly cool and much more tolerant than Spain. Norway is by far the strictest I have come across in Europe. I cannot speak about Italy. Good Luck!

[Bikingmomof3]

BMof3, the heating/plumbing/electrical work is supposed to be done this week and inspected. Then they can do insulation and dry wall. After that there's lots of bits and pieces left---putting in hard wood floors, building various shelves, installing all the bathroom stuff, etc. I am not sure when they'll finish because I think I will be killing the contractor first, possibly even this afternoon.

We could probably post bail.

Please consider visiting me in jail and maybe getting Snap's recipe for cinnamon buttons so you could bring me some if you're feeling kindly.

If we failed to bail you out I would visit, maybe even stay with you.

The contractor is coming over this afternoon to discuss the bill and the totally unexpected $15,000 overrun.

Do nothurt him too badly.

Mr. Salsa leaves tomorrow for a 12-day boat trip (work) and I leave a week from today for another week in Albany to help my mother move to assisted living.

I am sorry to hear Mr. Salsa will be away so long.
I am however thrilled you found an assisted living facility for your mom.

Any future business I do with contractors will have to include a materials clause that provides steady valium. Or something like that. Or, maybe just the flamethrower. I may like the latter better, come to think of it.

Why not both?

[Bikingmomof3]

BMo3- My inner slug is coming along quite well, thank you.

That is a relief.

[mimitabby]

We could probably post bail.



If we failed to bail you out I would visit, maybe even stay with you.



Do nothurt him too badly.



I am sorry to hear Mr. Salsa will be away so long.
I am however thrilled you found an assisted living facility for your mom.



Why not both?

this is hilarious! Salsa, I really feel for you. Because of your and other experiences we are strongly NOT considering adding on to our dorky little house.
our housepayments are just right. if we add on to the house, we'll have more room for gracious living and less $$$ for BICYCLING.. and we're just not that gracious.

[salsabike]

Yeah, we're not that gracious either. This all started because I wanted a front porch in memory of my dad. Then I needed a weaving studio. And then we thought it would be good to have the living room bigger because we really can't get many people in there. And then. Arghh.

Mimi, our contractor is a pretty good one, too. The work quality is very good. His communication skills and planning are not so good. I think our experience is quite typical, and frighteningly enough, better than many. I will miss our very low house payments when we refinance, but we really did need more space to be comfortable here, just ourselves. And we do love the neighborhood/neighbors and the double corner wooded lot, so...from all the other stories from friends going through this, it could be going much worse. I'm sure we'll love it when it's done. Hahahahahahaha. That's what all our friends keep telling us who've been through it.

My guess is we'll be in the basement at least 5 or 6 more weeks.

I think having both valium and flamethrower is the best idea, really.

The assisted living place for my mom is very, very good---full of cultural activities, beautiful, best rep in town. I'd go there myself. Maybe tomorrow.