Good Morning All:

Being I am house bound for the next little while and all my friends are working during the day, I thought I would have a cup of coffee chat with you. It's something my gf and I do on the weekends and I welcome anyone here to give it a whirl. The rules are simple, just chat away on "What's new? What's wonderful?" as I always ask my gf when we phone each other.

Well, I am certifiably bored out my trees. My Dad has been taking me to his place every day for the past week so I won't be tempted to do housework and such while I am recovering. I guess he knows my weaknesses. The only reason I am home today is the kids have no school. Didn't school just open?!

My stitches are starting to dissolve so of course I have the burning, itching sensation happening. It wouldn't be so bad if I couldn't feel that inside my body .... very creepy LOL. I am so desperate to start working around the house and such but the kids, hubbie and dear ole Dad won't let me. I think I have read over 25 books so far. It would be alright if I could sit for hours on end and cross stitch or paint or some such but no go - I really start hurting if I sit too long. Hell, I've got blueberries just waiting to be converted into jam!

The fall rains have started here in the prairies. Two days and counting so far of chilly, wet weather. I'm not complaining mind you. We've had a very hot and dry summer and the water table needs replenishing. Still they are saying the weather will shift in a week or so back to hot and dry. With the wet weather the house has cooled off to the point of just slightly uncomfortable. I would like to turn the furnace on but then I have to to start paying for the gas and I guess we can wear sweaters for a while longer to avoid that expense.

My gf is one of the organizers for the upoming Giai-Gathering conference here in the city. I was truly honoured when she asked me to sublmit one of my recipes for every Sabbat. They are making a Pagan cookbook as one of their fundraisers and she wants 8 submissions from me. She has also asked that I whip up as many of my handmade crafts with an emphasis on my hand painted boxes and cross-stitched lavender sachets to donate for another fundraiser. When I asked if they needed help with anything she laughingly told me I "volunteered" to help her with the hospitality suites. Well, I'll be healed up by then so I guess I'll be doing that too.

I'm actually quite excited by this upcoming event. I suspect I'll be chatting more about it over coffee as we get closer to the date. You can check it out on the web at Giai-Gathering.ca

Well, my coffee's done so have a good day. Drop me a chat and we'll see what new and wonderful in your life.

Blessings from the North,

Kestrelwing64

Hi Kestrel,

I was bored too when I had my surgery...and sitting for more than an hour made me feel "swollen-on-the-inside" a weird feeling, it is.... I read alot, and also laid in bed with the laptop...I made the entire site of "Faery Magick" while recovering and also wrote my books....the house became a mess, (men just don't do it right) and the microwave was destroyed....my dear hubby, trying as he may, boiled eggs in it....

I asked him to boil me some eggs....because I could only go up and down stairs once or twice a day for the first 6 weeks....he did..he placed 4 eggs in a pyrex dish with water and paced plastic wrap over them...and then set the microwave for 15 minutes (can you tell who does all the cooking around here) well........needless to say...while they were "cooking" he decided to take a shower.....all I heard was "POP" "BANG" "PIP" "BOOM" I thought the cats were having war in the kitchen.....when my husband appeared after going to check...he was pale.....he said the microwave had exploded, and the smell was horrific! We laugh about it still....

But we did have to get a new microwave.....

It is raining here this morning....we are going to have a high of 80*F and storms are forcast all day....this morning at 5am a real "boomer" came over.....it woke me up and dropped about 2 inches of rain in an hour....awesome!! And a beautiful way to begin the day....

It's wonderful having some coffee with you!! Try not to be too bored...I know how you feel....beleive me!! I am just glad you are on the healing part of your journey and your life can begin anew!

Blessings Bright and Dark,

ROFLMAO! Oh Lady Elaine ... your poor microwave! I am still laughing! Yes, I understand completely - they don't clean the house the way we do and we'll just not talk about the cooking side.

Although I don't think my hubbie would melt a microwave down over eggs - he just tried to cook a Baron of Beef for several hours last night. Good thing the gravy I made covered the "experiment" up LOL. Tonight I'll make chili for the crew, listen to the twins whine about it and avoid the menfolk who will over indulge no doubt and suffer the predictable "gassy" effects. Hmmmm - maybe hubbie should sleep on the couch and the son should leave his bedroom door open tonight. LOL

Working on a fresh pot of coffee,

Kestrelwing64

Good Morining Dear Kestrel!

I hope that you don't get too restless today. Intellectually, I know about recovering from surgery. However, I don't yet have the first-hand experience. I sincerely hope that your healing goes well! Soon, I may be facing my first invasive procedures, as my knees are failing due to osteoarthritis. Today I see the orthopedic surgeon again and see what new recommendations there are since 5 years agao. I do understand to some degree the sense of being kept inside on a beautiful day due to illness/whatever.

The pagan event your friend is involved in sounds delightful! Tell us more about it if you can. About 2 weeks ago, there was a "pagan pride day" here in Albuquerque. Unfortunately, as I am a solitary, I did not learn of it until I was just finishing up my last nightshift of the week....thoroughly exhausted and seriously limping from my knees. However, now that I have learned about it, I plan to watch for further developments!

Have you any special projects you are working on during your recovery??? Reading can be a satisfying activity, but does nothing for the restless desire to be doing something. Art, Craft, craft, writing projects could help relieve the desire and need to be doing.

Are there any particular healing things you have learned about and are using?? Herbs, foods, spellwork??? My sister is having surgery this Friday and I want to help her with more than emotional and spiritual support if I can.

Have a fun day with your children home from school today.

Goddess' Blessings!
DragonRose

The next day is another story.....after the "microwave experiemnt" he decided to make cookies......now mind you, this is a man who religiously listens to Metallica, Linkin Park, A Perfect Circle, et al.

Ok.....I heard the stereo with a mix of music...including of all things Brittany Spears....it was playing rather loudly...and I went downstairs to join in the experience....and there he was....

In his shorts and a t-shirt...singing along....and making cookies...

I laughed so hard, I almost pee-d myself....and he was SO embarrassed!! LOL.....

The surgery borught out alot in our family....much caring, laughter, tears, and most of all joy in knowing how much you are loved....being a Hyster-princess is not something I would desire to do again, but the journey has been well worth it....

Your hubby sounds like he is more adept in the kitchen.....and yes, I would definitely think about running the fan tonight....just so if you light a match, the house doesn't blow up!! LOL

The chili sounds awesome tho.......I might have to do something like that here tonight.....I was going to make homemade pizza.....but I might change my mind.....

Blessings Bright and Dark,

LOL poor hubbies!!!

am putting a pot of stew on today and chili tomorrow. Guess fall must be near, lol.

Hope you get to feeling better soon Kestrel.

Ahh yes the lovely help of hubbys, I know!!

When I was down from galbladder surgrey the house went to hell fast!!! Steve (hubby) is a good cook when he wants to be, though for whatever reason he thinks that every pot and dish must be used!! A fresh dish towel every wipe, and the paper towels are just for looking at. He's set fire to pot holders, and towels all in the name of helping!! He's used the microwave for hotdogs yet thinks that leaving the pacageing on helps cook them....NOT!!!

His laundry skill are worse he thinks bleach can clean all!! Well he's got that right but bleach an colors mainly black are not good!!! An everything can go in together. He thinks it's a waste of time to seperate them. OMG!!!
I do not need to say more.

brb need coffee refill!!

Mmmm yummy!!

The last time I was down was when I had an auto accident, I couldn't walk, leg in a cast an I hurt like hell. My loveing family tried to help, but after 2 days of not knowing what my house looked like I came out cruches and all and HOLY SHIT!! A bomb went off!! The kitchen was piled high with dirty everything, the living room looked like a few closets tossed their cookies all over, How does undies end up on top of a light fixture?? An to top all that something smelled bad!!! The trash cans over flowing and the catbox untouch!! Poor cats!! I lost it!! I ate a pain killer an got busy, kids came home from school finding me crawling on the floor pushing things back in place, laundry all folded but undies still on fixture I just couldn't get them. Hubby comes home an is shocked to see all things cleaned up, and the kids get all the credit!! Until he finds out it was really Mom's doing. He felt so bad he cooked supper an brought it to me in bed, I was ready to kill thinking the kichen was right back to messville, but no kids and dad hed cleaned it up.

It is my nightmare to be sick or even unable to keep up the house.

I wish you Kesterel I wish you a speedy yet safe recovery.

Blessings,
Penny


{The life of a house wife/stay at home mom is not as easy as some think!}

Poor Kestrel

I sympathize, I truly do. I have too many first hand experiences with stitches myself; the worst is when I had them in my back, 68 stitches and when the burn itch healing sensation cam along little muscles would flex involuntarily. Your back is the center of your muscular nervous system and you take it for granted till it gets injured or goes out on you.

I made my famous pasta last night for me and a few friends; it took 3 hours to make!!! Lol, and I woke up today feeling like I'd been hit by a mack truck. Peter gave me a shoulder massage and helped nudge me out the door. I'm at work now, sneaking my posts on here in and feeling like taking a nap or two Tonight is steak night ...that's if the kitty doesn't managed to open the refrigerator door and get at it like that one time...

BB

Today was a normal Monday....I'm a nightowl so I hate getting up in the mornings. Picked up my step daughter took her to school and off to work. Super busy at my office so that was good...day goes by pretty fast. Made a phone call to a mechanic to see if he had the parts to my car since it was vandelized a few weeks back. He was just going to get them today (uh-huh). Good thing I reminded him. Had to make an appointment to a surgeon for furthur analysis on my right breast. Mammogram was fine but have a constant burning sensation under the nipple and I feel it is starting to pull it in so I will go furthur with that. My appt is Wednesday. Went to Brianna's soccer practice after work and that was great!! I love soccer for kids. Came home and was wonderfully surprised to have Lady E's books at my door!! I love them. Wow Lady Elaine...alot of work went into those books!! Thanks so much for sending them so quickly. So all in all it was a great day. I am a little nervous with my thoughts lately and I keep thinking if I have some sort of recovery do do...whom would help me? My fiance that I left in March says he loves me and will be there for me but not so sure but I'm pretty tough....had a wisdom tooth pulled once with no numbing and forgot to ask for drugs while having my son so I do pretty good with pain...LOL or I thought I did anyways.

Love you all,

Lunar

Morning All,

I had a bit of a scare last night, my husband got in a car accident in a really bad thunderstorm....did about 3-4 "360's" and landed in a ditch....luckily he did not roll the van he was in (it is a company vehicle). He hydroplaned and lost control....he did not hit anyone else, or damage anything other than his van....and he got a ticket!!! I do know he was looked and watched over tho....it culd have been ALOT worse! Another car skidded off the road at the same place and ended up in the ditch about 30 feet from him!!

He is a bit shaken still this moring, and they have already replaced his vehicle with a rental.....he is on call this week and I just hope he can "gat back on the horse" and go out there and be ok. He is a very gentle soul...and one that has had a rough time of it... so if ya can, keep him in your thoughts today.....

As for me, I am always a bit shaken when something happens to him......I don't know what else to say...I will be ok....just another "speed bump" in this life of mine...I am very, very grateful he wasn't hurt, and neither was nayone else!

Anyway, I'll be around today if ya need me, just PM me....

Blessings Bright and Dark,

Good Morning All:

It's Tuesday morning and I am now ensconsed at my Dad's place for the day. Lady Elaine I am so glad hubbie was not injured. I'll keep you both in my thoughts. I would be damned rattled as well! Why o earth would he be given a ticket tho? It sounds like it an accident due to bad weather!

Woke up to a cool morning today. It was sitting somewhere around -3C when we woke up. I don't think we had a frost tho as my Peacock Orchids are still upright and my Daturas are still trying to eat the BBQ. Still, while I was waiting for my Dad to pick me up this morning I sat on the front step watching the wild life on the street.

Seems a wee red squirrel has decided the bark and branches of my elm are suitable food so was busy stripping them off and chucking them on the lawn. I warned him I would hose him down if he did not cease and desist the destruction of my aged elm. Naturally, he scolded the crap outta me and asked me to do my worse ... I let the dog out. After being barked at for a good 15 minutes and generally harrassed he decided that there were better trees elsewhere.

The Black-Capped Chickadees ( one of my favourites) were calling out all over the street, flitting from tree to tree. A few decided my purse and cross-stitch bags were interesting and landed on them for an investigation. One of these wee ones became trapped in the cross-stitch bag and required a bit of help in escaping.

My cosmos are still flowering and I hope to harvest yet some more seeds from the dried flower heads. Say, if I get a good crop - does anyone want some? I can only use so many and don't mind sharing.

Say! I think I've mentioned that I have an Adenium (Desert Rose) from South Africa) Well thise year it produced flowers like I have never seen. I still want to post the pictures for everyone if I could only figure how to do this. Anyway, it looks like my plant has produced four seed pods. If they mature I want to keep one for myself but again, am willing to send the others to good homes. Anyone interested?

Right now my Dad has a fellow over trying to help sort out an electrical problem in the basement. Dad has spent the summer redoing his basement and reinsulating it. There's a new fireplace, lights, walls etc. Seems he shorted out the braker panel tho when he tried to move a light switch in a new bedroom he is building down here. His plan of course is to move into the basement with his huge flat screen TV, puter and fireplace. I call it the cave myself but hey, he wants to be a bat who am I to complain? LOL

Well, coffe is finished. Everyone have a good day. As I said Lady Elaine, I'll keep you in my thoughts.

Blessings from the North,

Kestrelwing

Hoping for only good things in your husbands' future Lady Elain! Sorry to hear about the accident...and the ticketed him! Some people...I swear. Well, I'll pray he doesn't have anymore such incidents for a long long time.

I myself am at work, and have a nic little gap to fill where all the work on my desk has finished and they haven't given me anymore yet I was running a tad late this morning and two Mormans actually were at my door. I opened the door and tried to explain that I was running late to work, but they kept trying to waylay me and pester me about their 'word' I hate conversionists-they're the preliterate minds of the modern world and I have less use for them than I do for birds that invade my lawn every spring.

I'm not entirely sure why they decided to pester me today of all days (I've scared so many of their bretheren off..I've opened the door and spoken Chinese, I've answered with a furious yell of 'Seamus! git me mah shotgun! It's another gotdanged religious fanatic!') And since that last time I've led a charmed life in that area and haven't bothered. These guys must not have gotten the memo lol.

Anyway, they we're blocking my way and I was contemplating justifiable homicide when I decided to crazy my way out. I began walking in that slow dance way with arms swinging...like they did in them old musicals and sang something that went like this 'I like to singa! About the sun and the moon and the springa...I like ta singa' Yes this worked...well that and trying to get one of them to dance with me lol. The cat doesn't run as fast as they did for his food hehehe...I is soo naughtay

BB

Good Afternoon Coyote:

As I said, the Desert Rose has just formed the seed pods but yep, if they mature I'll send ya one along with the care instructions. For a desert plant it is surprisingly pretty delicate.

Passion Flower and pomegranite huh? Well in my growing zone our temps range from +38C in the summer to -38C with wind chills added on in the winter. I do have other exotics like my hibiscus trees that I have to bring in during the winter but as I only have one usable south window to say it is stuffed is an understatement! LOL

How big do these plants grow? Could I possibly smuggle them into my house, grow them and NOT have hubbie notice he is sharing more of his dining room with greenery in the winter? I'lll probably have to exercise restraint and (sob! sob!) say no, it is best I try not to fool hubbie as he knows the jungle so well as it is. I'lll still send a pod tho when they mature.

I'm not sure but I think I still have some seed pods left over from my hibiscus trees! If I do, would you like one? Let me know and I'll rootle around the house when I get back.

Blessings from the rapidly cooling North,

Kestrelwing

Lady E. you and your hubby are in my thoughts an prayers.

Good Morning All!

It's Wednesday, I am coffeed out and not feeling all that well today. I think I have been overdoing it the past few days so today I vow to be a couch potato and read yet another book. I'll have to sit in Dad's basement for that as we have a diseased child here today.

Well okay, maybe diseased is a bit strong LOL. It's the typical "school just started so let the wild bug exchange begin". My youngest twin Raven, is here with a sore throat, headache and cough. I guess she isn't feeling well as she didn't protest at all when I fired some Buckley's cough syrup down her throat.

Lady Elaine, how are you and hubbie doing today? I hope you both are feeling a little more settled and secure after that bad scare. I fired up a candle last night to send calming energies to both you. I hope you don't mind.

We had scare ourselves yesterday. My hubbie was late picking me up at Dad's and when he arrived was more than a little pale. We both work for a company that manufacters exploration drill bits. His job is to take the raw materials that are assembled in molds and furnace them until the metal powders and steel blanks are fused. This process can take anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour depending on the size and temperatures required for each product. Temps can range from 1800 to well over 2000F!

Well, just before quitting time hubbie realized that the robotic arm for one of the furnaces had dropped a reaming shell while removing it from the furnace. He walked over and found the paint on the concrete floor burning and the white hot shell up against the robotic arm's platform. The platform then caught fire so he grabbed some tongs with the idea to remove the shell to a safe location so that he could put the fire out. As he bent to pick the shell up the concrete floor exploded in his face!

He was grazed by a piece of concrete on the head and had several hot pieces fall down his work shirt. Thank the Gods my hubbie does not have a furry chest or he'd have been burned. As it was - not a mark on him. I thanks the Gods They were watching out for him. I did comment to him though when we got home that he must have difficulty sitting given the amount of horse shoes up his backside.

Welcome to the coffee chat Freedom. Snowboarding huh? Well with my luck I'd probably break something important or wrap myself around something immoveable. Hubbie wants to try snowboarding but I keep reminding him that 46 year olds do not heal as fast as 14 year olds. Given his previous track recods of broken limbs and split heads, I think it best he stay off a waxed piece of plastic whipping down a hill. LOL

Fall is officially here in the prairies. The trees are starting to paint the city in golds and russet browns. The Canada Geese, pernicious pests that they are, are starting to make their rounds from the rivers to the farmers fields. Every morning while waiting for my Dad to pick me up I can count hundreds of them flying just over my roof from the river. The Crows are starting to form their gangs as well and were pretty chatty this morning in my elm. I swear I have never seen so many Yellow-Shafted Flickers as I have this year. My gf went on a retreat near Pine Falls and she said the Gray Jays were in previously unknown amounts as well as the various types of Warblers we have out here. I've seen a few Wablers in Dad's yard but spotted none in mine this year at all. Still the Juncos have not made their return yet so I know snow is still far off.

Well that's about all my chat for now. Oh CoytoteMoon, I pm'd you last night with info. I still haven't found my Dad's seed packets yet but I did find four Hibiscus seeds at my place. I know they generally are fertile as I had one man successfully grow the ones I gave him. Unfortunately, he left the seedlings outside for the winter and couldn't understand why they didn't survive.

Blessings From the North,

Kestrelwing