I knew it was bad when it was happening but I had no idea how bad.  a house just a couple of miles from us took a direct hit.  check out

http://www.ksby.com/Global/story.asp?S=7008733

they said on the news there were over 5000 hits in a 6 hour period!

here are some view pictures

http://www.ksby.com/Global/category.asp?C=110151

in the midwest, they get this kind of thing all the time but it was very unusual for Paso Robles. We normally get 12" of rain per year but this year we have only received 3" ALL YEAR!  strange, strange weather.

no sign of the rattlesnake - that's a good thing.

well, gotta go to work now.  hope you gals are all doing well.

k

Ladies, Whew! did we have a heck of a thunder storm last night.  Thunder rumbling the house from 1:30 on thru this morning  with the exceptional light show to go with it. 

I woke up when our 70 lb. Rottwieller tried to get in bed with me.  then Janice remembered that since it "NEVER" rains in August here, she didn't unload the hay.  Just left it on the back of her flatbed.  She jumped up, pulled on her overalls and headed out.  when she went out the front door, she REALLY started to swear.  She screamed at the dogs to come back in. 

I said "was that a rattlesnake???!!!"  and she yelled,  "F___ ME!!!"   he had curled up on our front porch to get out of the rain!  Janice had to go out our back door and completely around the house to go down and back the truck into the barn.

It was another hour before we calmed down enough to go back to sleep. Wouldn't be so bad if Janice didn't have to work a double shift today.  BUMMER!

 I know that you gals on the east coast are a little more used to the idea of rain in August but it is a foreign concept here.  Even took a rattlesnake by surprise!

Good to hear, Laidies.  That's the theme that seems to be running from almost every angle when people hear I bought a Subaru - good, reliable, easy to maintain. . . and nicer than ever with all the new bells, whistles and luxuries.   It is helping me to feel good about my purchase decision.  Now I just need to find the least expensive way to get a good hitch put on it because the dealership wants almost $500, which is way crazy.  Got to get one to pull my kayaks though!

Meanwhile, I sure do wish I could go on another cruise before the January Caribbean Dreams cruise. . . it seems like WAY too long since I've been in Olivialand!

Brewmax,

My very good friend, (who is not even a lesbian) has an Outback.  She LOVES it.  I drove it in a snowstorm once and it was great!  (I know that you still occasionally need to know about these winter things).

I believe hers is similar colors to yours.  You will love it.

We are enjoying the end of the "summer " here, although the cool weather is a long way off (if at all - ha ha)

Sorry to hear about Mary's aunt...

Jo

Umpire 18,

Yes m'am,  we are mowing here...some kind of fun....went out very early in the am to do and still thought I was going to have a heart attack by the time I was done.  The humidity got to me I guess....and as you know, our yard is just not that big.   Usually I find mowing to be just a nice walk in the park...but not this time....hmmmm, that must be why CIndy wanted ME to mow this time........ 

I would LOVE to see that radio...you know me & wood antiques.  BTW, I expected to see a piece or two missing when you two were here, but you had great restraint.  (send me a photo of it if you can).

Stay cool

Jo,

My friends tell me I became a "card carrying" lesbian last week when I bought a Subaru!  I got a champagne colored Outback station wagon with ivory leather interior and lots of bells and whistles. . . even has a windshield wiper de-icer (something you hope you won't need in your new location!) to go with the heated seats and side mirrors.  Drives really nicely, is extremely quiet and has a great sound system.  I'm enjoying it so far and hope it serves me well for several years.

The weather is finally in the 80's and this holiday weekend approaching promises to be a spectacularly beautiful one.  We hope to get our kayaks wet again and see all the girls at happy hour and on the beaches, too.  Hope you two have a great weekend planned and are enjoying the end of the "official" season (our favorite time for the beaches here is just AFTER the tourists go home - the whole month of Sept. into October!).

Mary's aunt (95 next month) broke her hip and arm last week so we've got numerous trips to Va. and decisions to make regarding her (and her 90 year old sister's) care.  Not pleasant but . . . . you know how that goes.

Glad PBJ found you!

Barbara

Hi Brewmax,

I did hear from her, but thank you for telling me that she was looking for me.  ( I always say that I would rather hear about something, twice then not at all - ha ha)

What kind of car did you buy?  I have just racked up my 7th year on my Camary and I still love it !

I think that you actuallly may have had more hot days then we did.    AS we were new this year to this area, I did keep an eye on what was happening elsewhere as a comparison.

Jo

JoCindy, PBJFIEND is looking for you and just found her way to this new site. . . send her a note if you see this message and have not heard from her yet - they are both doing well, by the way, and say they will be on the Caribbeans Dream cruise, too.

I know what you mean about the grass growing fast. . . seems we are having to cut ours every 3-4 days lately.  Looking forward to cooler FALL temperatures soon!

Ciao.

Barbara

Hello Evevyone (too numerous to make sure that I have everyone listed.......besides my 53 year old brain is just too overloaded right now, reading all of the good stuff that is happening. :) )

I am glad to be able to make it here every so often to just keep up.

Not much new here to tell of other than that the grass & the garden sure grows MUCH faster here in South Carolina than it did in New York State !  We are still enjoying to see the diferent flowers that come out here.  Even I (ol' black thumb' herself) am able to grow many a successfful plant !

We are anxiously awaiting the arrival of PGHJEAN in October and also hope that we may see Evergreen here also??????

We're here.  With Janice in this new program, we hardly get to see each other.  She's pulling 60 hour weeks between school and work.  But we are healthy and happy.  Who knew that working in a mental institution would be less stressful than landscaping!

 I'm keeping down the fort.  She spends what time she does have off either cleaning stalls or studying.  I am doing most of the cooking (a  scary thought!), keeping the house up and her scrubs ironed.

Oldest boy, Josh, just make Lance Corporal.  He is being assigned to a navy ship!  He is not a happy camper but the middle of the ocean is infinitely safer than the middle of the desert so it works for me.

Younger brother, Travis spent the summer working at the local water park.  Imagine, tall, blond, blue eyed, 17 and working at the water park all summer.  Yes, life is good!

 Our Olivia plans are pretty far off at this point.  Janice will be in school till next June and then we need about a year to pay off the debt we have accumulated while she is in school.  We would like to plan on doing the Mexican Riviera cruise again in '09.  that would be our 15th anniversary.  We then have our sights set on the Alaska cruise for our 20 year anniversary.

Am I the only one who plans out that far in advance?  It makes Janice a little crazy but I believe if you don't dream it, then it can't happen, right?

 Well, I have to fix Janice's lunch and dinner before she goes to work at 2 then I must iron my little fingers to the bone.  (oh, poor me....ahhhhh)

Lots going on up here. Super summer. Weather great.

Two Members of parliament were married to their same-sex partners (One is deputy prime Minister). Life is good!

Now awaiting arrival of relatives from England & Australia who are staying here for 2 weeks. One of the many great things about relatives visiting is that we get to do the "spring" cleaning! Now we can relax next spring!! Yes, we are busy.........

I hear that Mary prade is taking her 75th Olivia cruise this calendar year. Well it seems that way! Good for you Mary. What a great time you are having.

 Wish more of the old forum members would post on here. They are missed.

Hey..... Jo, Susan, Joyce, Mefan, NAF, Braaty1, there's not room to name you all, come on & join us.

I bought a new car. Does that count as something new? 

And we're back to Va. again caring for the elderly aunts. . . that situation has been exacerbated since the 95 year old just broke her hip and arm. . . . we went over to see her in the hospital today.

It's been a very bizarre summer for us. . . .

Hope everyone else is well and happy!