Fritosmom

2018 IS HERE- 12 April (Thurs): Well Spring is trying to arrive here in Ga. Today's pollen count over 5000+ I am still going to the Pool and am waiting for my Inversion Table to arrive. Orthopedic (after 3 months of x-rays, MRIs, shots and a two week try of meds(made me sick) sez they cannot fix my back( combination of arthritis aggravated by fibromylgia in spine with 3 compressed vertebrae in neck and spinal stenosis. It is official-I am OLD! Taking One Day at a Time. (Celebrating 29 years Sobriety in May) Not even getting old is worth getting drunk.....

30 Jan (Tues): Update-still going to the Pool- back has started hurting again-may need another shot!! Contemplating back surgery:-(
The last two weekends my neighbor/handyman installed permanent wood shelves in the Garage. Little by little, I am getting things re-organized. Most of my craft supplies have been crammed in there for a year. I would really like to get back to ATCs and Card making. Weather temps keep going up/down here in GA but nothing serious. I am truly blessed with livable conditions and wonderful friends/neighbors. Hugs & Prayers to you that are struggling.

9 Jan (Tues) Happy New Year to you all. The freeze has passed-went down to 18 here in my backyard:-( Back up to 58 today. I have been sticking to my Resolution to water aerobics 3times a week-Mon/Wed/Fri. Yesterday went for MRI on neck-3 vertebrae are compressed-may need "the shot" Also stopped by the Grand Opening of the New Hobby Lobby-used 40% off coupon on Sharpie Pens.

2017 IS DONE- Thurs 21 Dec: Got the shot last week-did not hurt as bad as anticipated-more anxiety than anything. Two days later-was feeling better and started Water Aerobics 3x a week. I love being in the Pool. Got 95% cards out and have started wrapping gifts. Merry Christmas and God Bless All.

1 Dec FRI nite: MRI results --Bulging/degenerating disc and Arthritis. I am on a mild pain med until 13 Dec when I get a shot in my back.

27 Nov Mon Morn: Tried to get the tree up this weekend but my back is not cooperating. I will get the MRI results on Wed. Between the Orthopedic and Podiatrist hope they can fix whatever is causing the pain My daughter just got back from Maryland and brought me my Thanksgiving CrabCake....Yummm:-)

19 Nov Sun nite: Just had the greatest visit from my older brother (he is 75). He and his wife stopped by on their way to Tampa, FL for the winter. Thanksgiving is almost here. Fixing a duck, cornbread and vegies.

28 Oct Sat nite: The weather has finally starting to cool down & the Leaves are falling. Got new glasses this month. Now maybe I can start reading again.

13 Sept Wed: What a week!! Sat, computer got HIJACKED!! Could not get out until Hurricane Irma passed. Got it to Office Max yesterday, fixed and picked up this morning....Yeah. In the meantime --no electric or TV!!! for two days. Really not complaining- we were blessed with just one tree limb coming down. I had had 4 dead trees removed last month-just a coincidence. Everyone is safe and healthy.

2 Sept Sat: It is with a sad heart that I say good bye to Bonnie (Frito & Brownie's daughter) today. She passed quietly in her sleep. She is now with her Momma and Daddy at the Rainbow Bridge. She was 14 years old.

16 Aug Wed: Today is my Birthday. Taking it easy and enjoying life. My little Brother arrived last night from VA--it has been two years since I left VA. Daughter & Granddaughter coming over tonite for cake and ice cream.....Yeah Me:-)

7 July Fri : Not so quiet 4th of July-they do celebrate here in GA:-) Last week a kitten showed up on the back patio. He was starving and when I fed him, made the cutest little Nommy Nommy noise. Thus, Nommy has came to join the zoo! Vet sez he is about 7 weeks old and weighed in at 1 lb. 9 oz. That brings my total up to 4 dawgs and 6 cats and one roommate....LOL!

8 Jun Thurs: Things are starting to settle down here. Roommate no longer on oxygen and slowly regaining energy. The garden is producing squash, cucumbers and tomatoes I am starting to adjust to my new routine and hopefully will pick up on my Swaps.

13 May Sat: Roommate is home with meds and oxygen tank. Determined that he had a heart attack sometime in the last month. Resting comfortably now.

9 May Tues: Roommate admitted to hospital with pneumonia and congestive heart problem.

7 May Sun: My roommate has been sick for two weeks. I had to take him to Urgent Care. Now I am sick but not as sick as he is:-(

15 April-Sat: Wed tripped over a Speed Bump. Nothing broken but seriously bruised left hand/arm/boob:-)))

1 April Sat: Life is wonderful here in GA. Spring has sprung. The raised garden is "done" Only have the Dwarf Peach Tree to plant. GA clay makes it difficult to dig a hole-takes about 3 days.... Bonnie & Prince got baths/haircuts etc. All got Flea/Tick Meds. Only got one scratch:-( from Pudge.

11 Feb TGIF: Feeling better. Swaps sent. This week one cat & one dog got into a fight. Dog lost-trip to the vet to get meds for eye inflammation. Today NO HEAT. This is the 3rd time it has broken down. Thank God I am in GA where the weather is mildly cold. They are on their way to fix!

9 Jan 2017: Bonnie is recuperating from well from her surgery and is doing well. Only time will tell if they got it all. She gets her stitches out 19 Jan.

4 Jan 2017: Bonnie -12 years old - is Frito & Brownie's daughter. I have had her since birth-she weighed 2 ounces when she was born. I held her in the palm of my hand. She is now 9 pounds of fur and love. Bonnie has a lump on her side and is going for surgery tomorrow morning.

16 Dec : I will be seriously slowing down on Swap-bot. Due to the unexpected arrival of a Family member, I had to re-arrange my house. I have not even sent my Christmas Cards/Gifts out:-( Seriously down sized this year.

15 Oct: Back home from my yearly trip to Whittier, NC, Pigeon Forge and this year Dollywood:-) to celebrate my Big Brother's 74th Birthday!

10 Oct :Going to Dollywood - be back Sat 15 October:-)

13 May 2016: It is with a sad heart, I share that my sweet Frito has crossed the Rainbow Bridge.

BUTTONS: I love all kinds of buttons. Would love to get more Dogs, Cats and Novelty type.

POSTCARDS:. I like mine with a note/quote/recipe please and postmarked unless the swap sez differently. I love TOURISTY PC the best. Not really into the Vintage.

MY FAVORITE CHRISTMAS RECIPE: Try it once and let me know what you think!

EVER-SO-EASY FRUITCAKE 2-1/2 Cups Unsifted Flour 1 teaspoon Baking Soda 2 Eggs, slightly beaten 1 (28-oz) jar Non Such Ready-to-Use Mincemeat 1 (14-oz) can Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk (NOT evaporated milk) 2 Cups (1-lb) Mixed Candied Fruit 1 Cup coarsely chopped Nuts

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Generously grease a 9 inch Tube pan (here is where I coat with Sugar not flour) Sift together flour & Baking Soda; set aside. In large bowl, combine remaining ingredients; blend in dry ingredients. Pour into prepared pan. Bake 1 hour-15 minutes. Cool 15 minutes. Turn out pan. Garnish as desired-I sprinkle with Powdered Sugar. TIP: When cooled thoroughly; wrapped in aluminum foil; refrigerate or freeze. *I have a 6-part individual fluted pan that I use which is great for Gift giving.

June (Tues) 2012: WHOOP! WHOOP! Just mailed out my 1000th Swap:-)

Hey, checkout the following: www.paperbackswap.com or just let me know if you want a list of what I got available. 250 BOOKS listed-Will Swap for other books or craft supplies.

THANK YOU to ALL Swap-botters who follow through with sending and rating. I try to rate as soon as I receive but since I am in as many as 10 Swaps at one time and Host a couple, when the reminders come in after the two week deadline, if I have not heard from you, I rate a 1 with a note that I will change when received. If you get a 1 and you did send - Please let me know. I will fix ASAP.

Now for all you wonderful Swap-botters who read the Profiles and still don't know what to make or give- Just PM and I will give you more info relevant to that particular Swap.

ABOUT ME: I am now RETIRED as an Administrative Assistant/DATA Technican-fancy TITLE for Secretary) at the Marine Corps Base, Quantico, Va-18 years. Before 19 years, I was with the Dept of the Army at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md; Ft. Monmouth, NJ; and Ft. Belvoir, Va.

FAVORITE JEWELRY: Anything w/August Birthstone (Peridot), Hearts, Crosses, especially Holiday themed Earrings. Not to big, OK. I like to make Earrings, Pins and Altered Bottle Caps.

FAVORITE COLORS: Green and Pink

CRICUT: I have a Cricut and I love it. I have made Christmas Cards, Valentines Cards, Bookmarks and Tags.

FAVORITE MUSIC: I love both kinds of music - country and western!! Ha!Ha! for those who remember the Blues Brothers. Garth Brooks is my favorite Male Singer and Reba McIntyre is my favorite Female Singer. Heavenly Singers are ELVIS and Patsy Cline.

FOR BOOK SWAPS-IF YOU CAN SEND HARDBACK OR LARGE PRINT, I WOULD APPRECIATE IT. I AM HAVING A HARD TIME READING THE SMALL PRINT.

FAVORITE BOOKS: I read/collect ALL Nora Roberts and J.D. ROBB books. Finally got to meet Nora Roberts 13 Sept 2014 in Boonsboro, MD at Turn the Page Bookstore. I love Clive Cussler - think Dirk Pitt is my "dream date"/James Patterson-Women's Murder Mystery Club/David Baldacci/Brad Meltzer. I collect Christmas love stories/ Titanic fiction/Loch Ness fiction. Went to the Titanic exhibition in Atlanta and again near Dollywood and actually touched the Titanic! Although I am 67 years old, I enjoy reading Young Adult books - Harry Potter series/Percy Jackson series/Shiver/Grimm Sisters. Currently reading Every Breath She Takes by Suzanne Forster.. Also, Suggest everyone read DEWEY-The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World by Vicki Myron based on a true story. A funny, informative, awesome story- you will laugh and you will cry. www.deweyreadmorebooks.com. Always reading:-)

FAVORITE MOVIES: Elvis Presley in Blue Hawaii, anything with Arnold S- got to love a man with muscles & attitude. I really enjoy action films with John Travolta, Nicholas Cage, Sylvester Stallone, Chuck Norris, Jason Stratham, Jack Hughman and ARNOLD!!

FAVORITE TV: Dancing with the Stars-I have never missed an episode. CSI, NCIS, Criminal Minds, The Big Bang Theory, Once Upon a Time, Sleepy Hollow, Blacklist, Blindspot, This is Us. I am a TV addict.

FAVORITE CRAFTS: Crochet, jewelry making, I love Bling and Glitter is my Friend:-

GREETING CARDS: If there is a choice - I would like handmade (I keep a Scrapbook for ideas) but if you cannot make one than the store bought will be just fine,of course, it will probably get recycled into a another card, postcard or ATC... LOL!

RECIPES: Anything with Jello:-) gelatin or pudding. Also Love my Crockpot.

TEAS: Any kind of Decaf and/or Fruit flavored or Citrus. No more mint-got to much.

After reading one of the forums, I decided to add: LIST OF THINGS I DO NOT WANT/NEED: Alcohol related items, wedding items, baby items, Yarn, Kawaii, dark things as in depressing/goth, Santa Claus, Disney, Hello Kitty, Asian, Plastic beads and NO more Paper lists, Sticky notes. Hope this helps:)

SPECIFIC WISH: I would like your PLAYING CARD-Jokers.

LIST OF THINGS I WOULD LIKE/WISH LIST: Although I love being SURPRISED. It was suggested I add a few items. Anything Snowman/Snowflakes, anything Chihuahua or Dachshund,(Siamese) cat or regular cat , Keys, Earth Day(recycling related), any color (material, paper, ribbons, buttons, Bling) Specialty/Handmade paper.

SOMETHING ELSE: I am an avid recycler since the first Earth Day! I believe Reuse, Reduce, Recycle and REGIFT:-) and now Re-purpose.

PET/CHILD INFO: A Chihauha Triscuit the Bisquit (6 lbs). One very annoying Siamese Cat named Pudge (10+ yrs) and Cletuis (7+ yrs) orange tabby & Minniekins the Cat, 14+ domestic shorthair, tortoise colored. And now Oscar Mayer the Weiner (2 year) Looks like Prince the Pekingnese 9 years old has joined the family. Also, roommate brought two cats Anne & Scratchy! 2018 Newest addition-Nommy, a kitten showed up in the backyard and made himself at home. Goes in/out the doggy door!