Just a short blog to let you know I am still here--My mil passed away July 28, it seemed sudden though in retrospect we might have been more aware--we spent the past two weeks in Florida starting to get her things in order--we had planned on going there to help her every 2 or 3 months and it looks like we will be maintaining that schedule even though she is gone--she was a very orderly person and had everything neatly arranged but it is still very difficult to go thru her things and figure out who would want them or what to do with them--my own life has always been much more confused and I have piles of books to read, crafts projects to complete , recipes and photoes to compile--I don't know what my son would do with all this stuff--I really need to get it in order--I probably spend too much time reading these boards etc--but it is a respite for me--Keep us in your prayers

Well a month has gone by--I am spending more time on QMB1--it is just easier for me--I think I just got used to it over the years--I am adjusting to my new job--reading alot--right now I am finishing up Hide and Seek by Fern Michaels and then will go on to her Hocus Pocus--these books are additions to her Sisterhood Series--which I have found to be somewhat fantastical but fun to read--Before that I read Debbie Macombers Twenty Wishes--started my own list and am working on my wishes--MomCat I should have it in the mail to return to you soon--I am looking forward to seeing sme photos of you with your haircut.

My DH and I have been doing some armchair traveling--planning out vacations that we research on the internet or in travel books--He is most interested in cruises--I have been planning a trip to Great Britain--London--the Lake Country and Beatrix Potters home and farm--then the Wales -England border--Church Stretton-the Long Wynd-Hazler Hill-I am particularly interested in this area as my maiden name was Hazler and this is the only place I have found it--if any of you have ever been there I would love hearing from you-

Plan on working on my garden today--weather has cooled down to the 70's and it rained last night--I had some ambitious plans but have accomplished--getting my hydrangeas and hostas weeded and mulched--plus herbs-tomatoes and marigolds in the back--still have a bunch of weeding then will set out some pumpkins and birdhouse gourds.

I haven't blogged in a while and haven't checked QMB2 that much--I find myself gravitating back towards QMB--as long as it continues I think it will be my main place--there doesn't seem to be that much activity in my groups and I think I will again pare down on the number I belong too--I did join the RHS bookclub and ordered Girls in Trucks--I belong to both book groups on the QMB2 and if that is where a discussion takes place I will try to stick with that.

It has been very warm here and we have had a swarm of cicadas for the past 3 weeks--it finally seems to be slowing down--I am hoping to play around in the garden over the next few days--fertilize and mulch--my hostas are doing great and the hydrangeas are coming along--I will try to take some photos and figure out how to download them--

The grands are coming tomorrow--the twins birthday--they'll be 5--is Tuesday--I think we'll take them--and Kaila to the new Kung Fu Panda movie--well take care and have a great weekend--all of you.

Just wanted to say how much I enjoyed knowing Recipe Lady-Carolyn Hardimon--I enjoyed her e-mails and site--so much!! I did manage to download her Red Hat Recipe Exchange to my computer--quite a bit of work!!! And I have saved all her e-mails--had planned to print them all out and will do so--then collate them in a notebook--it makes me sad to lose her but God must have needed an excellent cook and hostess-

Reading Curiosity Killed The Cat Sitter--just finished Joan Medlicotts -Two Days After the Wedding and Fern Michaels-The Jury--looking forward to reading more by all of them--plus Debbie Macomber.

Celebrated my son's birthday this weekend--weather was beautiful--we managed to grill steaks outside--Mowing has begun and I am clearing out the flower beds --started some little seedlings and will buy more soon--grandchildren here--tried playing volley ball with a 7 yo and 2 4 yo's--challenging!!

Went to QMB this morning and read what ladies are saying about QMB2 recently--thought about how Red Hatting has effected me and recent changes--I am pretty much resigned to QMB2 though I prefer QMB--I felt closer to people on QMB--somehow I feel I just haven"t established how to use this new board--

In the past I had my computer set to Active Topics and went on a couple of times  each day--I could then see what ladies were thinking about and doing--I got alot of great ideas for my little chapter--my group would meet--I would tell them what you were all doing and we would adjust to something that worked for us--we learned of official conventions and local miniventions--we attended and met people--got more ideas--we made pill box hats from cereal boxes--poodle skirts--I read about Opie's beads and we started making necklaces and bracelets-this year I am making each lady a small decorated jewelery box and a bead necklace for her birthday--we went to a pottery shop and I painted a RedHat teapot--I joined card exchanges and learned to make cards--I have gotten hundreds of ideas, recipes and clipart from ladies on the QMB--I shared all this with my chapter--I guess I have enough to last the rest of my life--this is my last complaining blog--I will try to adjust--but if anyone can help or show me how to continue gathering knowlege the way I have been--I would appreciate it--I go to my site on QMB2 daily--but it doesn't seem like anything is going on--I feel so isolated--RSVP