Thoughts for the Month - October 2017

[Jeanne Lee]

From Our Forums

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The True Love Story
Turning Point
with
Dr. David Jeremiah

BIBLE MEDITATION:

"Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all sins."
Proverbs 10:12

Recommended Reading
1 Peter 4:8


DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

The 1970 dramatic film Love Story introduced one of the most oft-quoted lines about love in the modern era: ?Love means never having to say you?re sorry.? One of the stars of that film, Ryan O?Neal?who had the words spoken to him by his dying girlfriend?was in a romantic-comedy movie two years later with Barbra Streisand (What?s Up, Doc?). In that movie, when Streisand says those same words to O?Neal, he responds, ?That?s the dumbest thing I ever heard.?

Most people would agree with the 1972 assessment from What?s Up Doc? of ?love means never having to say you?re sorry.? But there?s a kernel of truth there. After all, ?love covers all sins? (Proverbs 10:12, see also 1 Peter 4:8 ). Theoretically, that means one doesn?t have to say ?sorry? to be forgiven. But biblically, there is a problem; there is a price to pay for sin: death (Romans 6:23). And Jesus paid that price for us?unconditionally. Jesus introduced true unconditional love to the human experience, paying a horrific price for our sins. But that doesn?t mean we are exempt from saying ?sorry? when we sin (1 John 1:9).

Let unconditional love be the basis for all your relationships. But if you sin, always say ?sorry? to God and others.




"Repentance is being sorry enough to quit your sin."
Albert Martin

[Carol]

Jeanne:  Thank you for today's lesson.  We teach out children to say "sorry" and in our family, they would have to hug each other and say "sorry" as well.  Usually, that turned into a smile - not always. 

We are working on trying to fix an up and coming problem in that our health insurance has been "sold out" to a giant corporation and of course, it will cost more and do much less.  Most probably losing my favorite and very bright and practical doctor and I have gone to her for ten years. 

Thinking of hurricane refugees and other survivors this week  who have lost everything - my problem is very little. 

[Janet]

Today's update on Beth:  After sleeping almost the whole day yesterday, and with less pain, the pain returned full force and more today.  She needed the oral morphine more often than hourly; so they have once again doubled the Fentanyl patch--now up to 50.  I was just there and she was comfortable.

We attended the funeral of a dear doctor today.  He was a farmer, had gone to K-State and gotten a degree in animal science; but his dream was to be a doctor.  So he and his wife packed up their three children and went back to K-State, where he did his year of pre-med, then to Lawrence, where he obtained his M.D. from KS. Medical school.  Then they came to Ulysses, where they planted their roots. He was well respected and much loved, a dear man.

I was privileged to interview Dr. Tillotson and write a story of his life when I was doing those.  I really miss doing that, and want to resume it when my life returns to some sort of normalcy.

I had been noticing for some time that we were still in August.    No problem.  September had its share of problems, anyway.

I was so exhausted I couldn't go on this afternoon, came home and went to bed, immediately fell into a deep sleep--and someone (My younger sister) called to ask me a very trivial question.  Then I was never able to get back to sleep.  So it's early to bed tonight, for sure.

Wishing all of you many blessings.

[Jeanne Lee]

Janet, I'm so sorry to read that after a day of some comfort Beth was again suffering so much today.  My prayers continue. 

[Jacqueline]

Janet...
...With all the emotional worry over your Beth, I am also concerned over your health and your state of mind...it is so hard watching and waiting for a loved one to come to peace...I am hoping that the arms of our God are reaching around you all at this time of need...

[Carol]

It must have been a dream - I thought someone knocked on the front door then had to walk the house inside just to check everything. 

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone.  It is another clear and beautiful day but no rain in sight.  The housekeeper has arrived. I don't think we will go out to eat as we often do on the day she comes since we ate out yesterday.  I plan a quiet and very laid back day today as only got about 4-5 hours of sleep last night.  I was really tired after a very busy day but just couldn't go to sleep even though I wasn't in any pain.

Yesterday was one of those days that I don't want to repeat, at least not very often.  It got started when I came to my office and found my computer monitor had a blank screen.  I had to reboot it several times and it seemed that many things had changed.  I had a doctor's appointment at 9 am with my new GP.  It was just to get established and I liked him and his office is in North Augusta rather than about 30 minutes away.  I got right in and out so decided to stop at Publix for my flu shot as they were offering a $10 gift card when you got your flu shot there.  I had another appointment at 11:15 with my foot doctor and so came home and picked up Pat so she could drive home after the procedure.  I was in an out of the Podiatrists office in about 30 minutes.  He removed both of my big toe nails.  I couldn't believe it was so quick and painless.  My instructions were to come home and put my feet up as much as possible for the rest of the day.  He gave me a couple of prescriptions and so on the way we stopped at Diablo's Tex-Mex Restaurant and had our big meal of the day and then went on to Walmart and Pat went in and got the prescriptions.  I came home and laid down for a while. 

When I got up yesterday afternoon I went to use my Chromebook computer only to find I had apparently in getting the desktop working yesterday morning messed up the Chrome browser settings.  It took me about 4 hours trying to get everything back the way I wanted them but finally succeeded.  I did come back in my office and make the airline reservations for Pat's sister to come and visit with us later this month.  Then last evening she called Pat to tell her she had been broadsided in her car and thought she might have a broken ankle.  However, later she called to say it wasn't broken but just a bad sprain.  We haven't heard from her today but sure she must be pretty sore.  Fortunately she wasn't at fault and her nephew was able to drive her car away from the accident.  I purchased trip cancellation insurance with the plane ticket so if she isn't able to make the trip I hopefully can get my money back on the tickets.  My SIL insisted last evening she still plans to make the trip.

Jeanne, thanks for starting us off on a new week.  I liked your Devotional Thought.

Janet, so sorry to hear of Beth's resumption of severe pain yesterday.  It sounds like you are driving yourself to the point of exhaustion.  I know we each do what we feel is right for us to do.  Hope you were able to get a good nights sleep last evening.

[Ruth Ann Bice]

Thank you, friends, for the sweet, supportive atmosphere here in my wonderful online home.

Your loving prayers with Janet and for Beth have meant so much so me today.

Much love to all,
Ruth Ann

[Jacqueline]

Larry Hanna...
...no chance of repeating yesterday, yesterday has gone, it is now " past tense.." 
...............................................................................
Well went to my Church groups social evening last night, have to say left me with mixed feelings, oh I enjoyed it but it took me back to my childhood, I felt like a little child again at a party...I dont know whether in America - Canada you have such a group who go visits and call themselves...Holy Fools Entertainment..." These small groups, think there was around seven, ( although I asked and was told there are around 50 of them, ) all dressed up as clowns, all were Christians, and each gave themselves a ten minute slot to show off some clown-party tricks, in the middle another plain clothed elderly man, they were all elderly-middle aged, said, where we all joined in...The Lords Prayer...Our young couple from Taiwan ( found out they are older than they look as students, in their early-mid thirties, they both look in their twenties ) they both got pulled up to do a paper cutting trick, then he got pulled up earlier by one of the other " Fools, " she took photos of him dressed in a crazy coat, it was a night of pure childish fun...Although one of our senior ladies when outside said to me, she wasn't too impressed with tonight's performance....

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone.  It is a cloudy morning and a little bit ago we had a very brief rain.  There is a small chance of further rain today and a better chance of rain tomorrow.  I found out early this morning why my foot doctor prescribed some pain pills as one of my big toes started having very sharp and throbbing pains.  I was very slow getting started this morning but finally got my shower and medicated and put the dressings on my big toes.  It is going to be a quiet day as think the antibiotic I am taking for a week is leaving me more exhausted than normal.  Pat plans a quick trip to Aldi's this morning and I plan on resting and watching college football this afternoon and evening.  I am hopeful I will feel up to attending Church tomorrow as we are having a special guest organist.  He is the principle organist for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir but I won't make that decision until in the morning. 

Ruth Ann, glad to see your posting and hope you are doing OK.

Jackie, there may be entertainment groups like you described in the USA but I have never experienced one.  I am also not sure that would be something I would enjoy very much.  At least you were able to get out for a social occasion with other people. 

Janet, I am thinking of you and praying for you and Beth and your entire family. 

[Janet]

Saturday update:  When I arrived this morning, Beth was bright eyed and looking good.  But by the time she's had her bath and was dressed, she was tired.  She remained tired and lethargic the rest of the day, eating very little, and asking for morphine about every hour and a half.
They weighed her today; she is now down to 110 pounds, from her normal weight of 160.  (She's 5'8" and big boned, so she's now very thin.  I spent about 8 hours with her, coming home for a much needed 2 hour nap in the afternoon.  I am trying to take care of myself, but see that I forgot to take my pills three days this week.  Guess I need a keeper!  I only take three prescriptions, blood pressure med plus a water pill, and magnesium.  The rest are vitamins.

I don't expect her to have the energy to want to go to church again tomorrow!

I need to get some laundry started!  See you tomorrow---and thanks for the prayers and good thoughts for us.

[Carol]

We drove to Socorro, New Mexico today making very good time.  Roads were clear - only snow is in the mountains.  I am driving more than usual now but it is OK.  We checked into a motel and nothing worked for a while - even the key did not open the door.  However, everything is fixed and I can write a greeting to all.  Tomorrow, the plan is to arrive in Tucson, groceries are on order for pick-up at Wal-Mart as that is the easiest thing to do when arriving. 

Another hurricane is keeping everyone in the south busy.  Dreadful, I can imagine they are wishing the days of fall to pass quickly so the storms stop. 

Blessings to all - 

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone.  It is a cloudy Sunday morning and have a 90% chance of rain this afternoon.  We will be leaving for Sunday School and Church in just a few minutes so will be very brief this morning.  I had a good night and had no toe pain yesterday.  No shortness of breath this morning other than the usual.

Janet, nice to see the positive report on Beth.  If you are using your smart phone set an alarm for each day at the times you need to take your medication.  I am doing that with my noon antibiotic and it works very well.  Of course, I didn't set one for today as will be in Church and don't want the alarm to go off.    I hope you find Beth doing well today.

Carol, by the time you read this you will probably be back in your home in Tucson.  Great idea to have your grocery order waiting for you rather than having to immediately get to the store. 

[Janet]

Very quiet Sunday in here, with only two posts!  Thanks, Carol and Larry.

Another bad day for Beth yesterday.  She woke up tired, ate a little oatmeal and had a bit of juice, then slept most of the rest of the day.  I know she's going, and it's so painful watching her fade away.  The blessing in this is that hospice is controlling her terrible pain.  Of course the greatest of all blessings is to know she knows Jesus as Savior and we will be seeing her whole, pain free and joyous in heaven soon.

John is......John.  I know this is really hurting him, but I have no idea how to help him.  He's burying his feelings, staying on his computer and watching TV all day while she lies there right beside him.  More than I can understand.  When he goes away, to eat or nap or whatever, I ask her if she wants some music, she always says yes, and I put on soft Christian music for her.

I am dreading this day.  We must go pick out cemetery lots, finalize the plans with the funeral home,
go to the flower shop, etc, etc. etc.  The only other time I've had this responsibility was when my sister Kathy was killed in a vehicle accident, at which time my little family doubled, as we took her children to raise.  But God will give me the strength to get through this.

It would help if I weren't feeling a cold coming on.  I've been fighting it off with vitamin C and Zinc. I finally took some Tylenol PM and got some sleep last night, but am sure not feeling very peppy this morning.  (Sorry, TMI about me.  It's NOT about me!)

Larry, good to hear you aren't having much toe pain.  Darrel had one big toenail removed a few years ago, the same day I had carpal tunnel surgery.

Time for me to get with the program--cold is predicted and we have to go walk around in the cemetery looking at available lots.  Please pray for us, that God will continue to give us the strength we need.

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone.  We had some really good and soaking rain yesterday, low chance today and a much better chance tomorrow for more rain.  I think the antibiotic I am taking because of my toenail removals is really doing a number on me in terms of just wanting to sleep and feeling very tired.  It was 9 am before I got to the kitchen this morning, almost unheard of as I usually get up early.  Fortunately it is a stay at home day.  Pat already got out and went to the lab to have a blood draw in preparation for her appointment with the doctor on Thursday.  I will probably post late tomorrow as have a 9 am appointment with the eye doctor to start the cataract removal process. 

Janet, I know this is going to be a very hard day for you as you deal with the matter of funeral arrangements.  I am sure you will make wise decisions and it is better to deal with this now than after the fact. 

[Marilyn]

Hello everyone. Sorry, I haven't posted for a few days but I do come to read and pray.  We are going to Vancouver, WA. on Wednesday to stay at  Keith's on's home. Then on Thursday Keith youngest son, Corey is taking us back to Portland for Keith's eye appointment with the Neuro-Ophthalmologist. I sure don't look forward to the drive up there, it is supposed to rain or shower the whole time we are there and on Friday when we come back home as well. Thursday is supposed to have thunderstorms. We are taking Freckles along again so I will make sure I pack her thunder shirt and the Rescue Remedy. she hates the sound of thunder.

Janet, I continue to pray for beth and for your family. I  hope you can get some decent rest and get through to John about it not being good to internalize his feelings. He needs to talk to someone.

[JohnB]

Marilyn Some people do fine by internalising their feelings. Some are not  comfortable talking to someone about how they feel.I speak from experience. I'm one of those people. The reason being is I have been betrayed once to often. That causes more problems than keeping it to myself.

[Carol]

John B:  Hello - happy to see your again.  I agree, that every person has a million ways of dealing or not dealing with sad news.  So sorry that you were betrayed - your thoughts should have been private.  Are you getting ready for winter? 

Larry:  I could not make the Wal-Mart grocery order because they only set aside a one hour spot here and there was no way I could guarantee we could pick it up - not with the signs saying dust storm ahead.  We ducked the wicked dust storm - that is more alarming to me than any snow storm.  thankful to be here - lots of problems with getting our phone and internet set up - it took 3 days.  They had been notified - no excuse but we were dropped somehow.  Otherwise, not too dusty here in the house and I managed to get everything put away plus bought the groceries.  Don feels much better at this altitude -- he is still road weary though. 

Janet:  I barely know what to say - just that we are all supporting you.

We missed the first snow storm of winter - by a day.  It sure was windy and we were so glad the roads remained clear.  It is 900 miles here, and we spent a night in a motel - something that never happened years before now. 

Marilyn:  Safe trip for you - try to not let the drive be a bother.  I now drive much of the time and it is weary.
 

[Jacqueline]

Carol - John...
...happy to see a posting from you John...yes we act - upon, and learn from our own experiences...
...I agree with you both...everyone acts differently, no one can be forced into interacting in the way that many others would consider as normal...at the end of the day, " what is normal?..."
...Johns behaviour might not sound right, but he is acting in his way, which is the only way that he knows...and if that is the way that will get him through this sad process...

One thing I have learnt is..." no one said this process of living, or dying, would be easy, or straightforward..."

Janet...
...re, your cold...have you tried chamomile tea, honey and fresh lemon?....I remember the week leading up to my first, or was it my second? MRI Scan a couple of years back...I started coming down with my cold, I didn't want to be taking over the counter medication, think it must have been my second as I was to have Gadolinium which that thought alone simply terrified me, so didn't want any interactions but, thankfully my cold almost went by the time I was placed under that dreaded machine, I was so worried of coughing and sneezing and not keeping still inside it...

[Jacqueline]

  .....a reminder of how our life pans out...

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone.  It looks like we could be in for a stormy day later today.  This is finally the morning when I get to see the eye doctor.  The paperwork said to allow up to two hours for this appointment although find it hard to believe it will take that long.  I have my paperwork already filled out as they sent it to me.  That is all that is on the schedule for today.  I will have to be brief this morning as we must leave in about 30 minutes.

Marilyn, hope all goes well on your trip and with Keith's appointment. 

John, nice to see your posting.  Hope you and Judy are doing well.

Carol, too bad about the grocery order but sounds like you have things under control.  Here they have introduced a one day order to place a Walmart order by 11 am and be able to pick it up four hours later.  We haven't used that feature and don't expect to do so.  Glad you found your property in good shape.

Jackie, I liked the graphic and saying you posted. 

[Janet]

Good morning!  We had lost our internet connection last evening when I came to post, and I was too tired to deal with it, so just went to bed.  But this morning, I got it fixed!

Beth was more alert yesterday, and ate a very small amount.  New development was that she broke out in shingles around one side.    They said they would fax the doctor; I asked them to put pure apple cider vinegar on it, that vinegar couldn't hurt her, and I knew from Darrel's experience  that it would stop the pain; what could it hurt to do that while we wait for the doctor's response?  Thank God, they listened to me, and two RNs came in and  applied the vinegar and the pain left instantly!  (Yea, Mom!) 

I'm feeling a lot better this morning; had a good night's rest and am thanking God for it.  I need to get going as John said he was going to get a haircut this morning, and I need to see about Beth.

Thanks for the continuing prayers.  I love you all!

[Jacqueline]

Be leaving within the next few minutes for my monthly social MS meet-up...we dont know yet what our tonight's entertainment will be, last month they didn't know themselves...if nothing on their agenda it will probably be a quiz night...

[Carol]

Janet:  Mom knows best!  Good for you and how nice that the staff listened to you!  The main thing is that Beth be relieved of all her pain. 

Jackie:  A monthly meeting for MS survivors sounds like a good plan.  Medicine turns on a dime at times.  Just to meet and chat is a great idea.  The writing of "The Weaver" sounds familiar - something long ago.

Standing in the street and chatting with one of the neighbors - he told us that the javalinas are in a massive pack of about 40 so to be aware of walking, especially at night.  We see signs of their gathering on our patio in back - our lot is open.  The little devils like to uproot everything even pushing on a solar light on the pathway.  The desert is beautiful in a lot of ways - javalinas are not.

[Carol]

I forgot to mention the snow storm at home - tree limbs are down and there is a lot of noise from power saws.  One of the boys will drive over there today to check - we think everything is fine because a neighbor would call us most likely.  Glad we got out of there early. 

[Jacqueline]

Carol...
...had to look these up, as had no Idea what they were...
" a peccary (also javelina or skunk pig) is a medium-sized hoofed mammal..."

Yes last night we played bingo, just 3 card games of a 1 card call out so was over soon after it begun, and no, we weren't lucky, nor lucky in the raffle draw...just fun while it lasted...
   

[Janet]

Today is my wonderful husband's 80th birthday!  I am so thankful God brought us together!

Beth is still hanging tough--she just might surprise and amaze us yet again!  I'm sure not counting her out yet!  This, even though she's sleeping most of the time, eating and drinking very little.  How does she find the strength to keep fighting?  I came home for a while this afternoon as I feel the need of some rest today.

Carol, I surely wouldn't want to run into even one of those nasty pigs, much less a whole pack of them.
Yikes!   I understand they can run very fast, too!

It's windy here, but not nearly as chilly as yesterday.

Okay--nap time!

[Jacqueline]

....Sending best wishes for Janet's hubby Darrel's 80th Birthday today...

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone.  This morning is starting out to be foggy and muggy and we will once again get into the high 80's that afternoon.  We have to get around fairly early this morning as Pat has a doctor's appointment that is about 30 minutes drive from the house and we will need to leave a little after nine this morning.  That should pretty much be it for the day.  I won't be going to coffee nor to the Wisdom group, although it we get home early enough I might go downtown to the Wisdom group. 

We had a very delicious meal at church last evening as we had Southern Fried Chicken, coleslaw, baked beans, potato salad and a nice dessert.  After dinner Scott came out and spent the evening with us.  While here he put in a couple of light bulbs and changed the furnace filter and we had a lot of good visiting.

It looks like the posting I wrote yesterday didn't make it.  I won't try to recreate it.  I did read all of the postings as I always do. 
Janet, glad that Beth was able to have a pretty good day yesterday and you were able to get away and get some rest.  Happy Birthday wishes to Darrel as 80 is a significant birthday.  Our minister recently turned 60 and he seems to be struggling with the idea that he isn't as young as he used to be.  I hope you and Darrel were able to do something special to mark the occasion.

Carol, do those javealinas only come out and roam at night?  Hope your trees weren't hurt by the snow storm.  The snow seems to be getting an early start.

Jackie, that didn't sound like you played Bingo very long.  Better luck next time on winning a prize.   

[Janet]

Jackie, thanks for the lovely card for my sweetheart!  Very nice!

Larry, Hope your energy held up for your busy day today.  I am feeling the strain of all the stress, in aches, pains and a stiff neck.  I need to see my chiropractor, and also get back to the gym!  We do plan to go back next week.  We planned to this week, but it didn't happen.

Beth was barely responsive today.  I think she's taking so much meds for the pain she's nearly knocked out.  She ate barely a few bites today, but did better with the liquids.  I usually feed her at least two of her meals, and the girls feed her when I can't be there.  We aren't letting John feed her now because he just keeps giving her huge bites and she gets choked.    

The only thing we did for Darrel's birthday was go eat at church last night--chili and cinnamon rolls. I had so wanted to do something special for him for his 80th, but have been staying with Beth 10 to 12 hours a day, so that didn't happen.  I hope to make it up to him later. 

I'm wiped out, and heading to bed now.  Blessings to each of you!

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone.  It looks like we are in for a cloudy but cooler day with it only to get up to the low 80's this afternoon.  Yesterday was a pretty productive day for us.  Pat had her doctor's appointment.  Then on the way home she wanted to go to a particular department store called Roses for something and while she was shopping I went to the Bi-Lo grocery in the same shopping center and bought some groceries we needed.  It was around 1 pm before we got home and after a quick lunch I rested.  Then last evening at 6 pm we had a Homeowner's Association meeting for about an hour.  It was very informative and was glad I went.  We have an Association Management Company so our board of directors makes decisions but the lady who we hire to do the actual work does the rest.  We actually had several people volunteer to serve on the board.  Following the meeting I had to make a quick trip to Walmart to pick up some medications for Pat and also to get some fire ant killer as we have some in our back yard and I don't want them to spread.  I got home and ate supper and before long was in bed.  I had a very good nights sleep and now looking forward to a quiet day at home as we plan to stay home all day.  This evening I want to watch the Clemson/Syracuse football game and fortunately it starts at 7 am so should be able to stay awake to watch the entire game.

Janet, as you indicate there will be time later to do something a little special and celebrate Darrel's 80th.  You certainly have your plate full at this time.  I hope you get to see your Chiropractor soon as you need to be feeling as well as possible in the days ahead. 

[Jacqueline]

This evening once again we will both be attending my weekly church social meet-up....Our subject matter is going to be a two minute slot each, about " our favourite thing..." All week I have been fathoming my brain on what if anything I can call " my favourite thing? "....I know my three now departed dogs are-were my favourites, but they are-were, not " things..." ...Anyway not wanting to get myself upset talking about my fur babies, think I may have the correct subject, although I still might get a tad emotional and carried away with what I say but, I plan now to be talking about the figurine that is guarding over their ashes boxes...as far as I am aware we aren't expected to take our " thing " in but, I have printed a photo if anyone wants to see...my favourite " thing " is a figurine called " Vigil " from Willow Tree which stands ten inches tall...hope I can keep them interested for the two minutes...as for Richard, he might find me yawning, he is taking in a football trophy, and talking about how he got it, even I am not aware of his story but, he knows I have absolutely no interest in football, full-stop...lets hope the other ladies are....they sure outnumber the men...

[Larry Hanna]

Jackie, I hope you enjoy the social event and I bet you find the two minutes go by very quickly.  There is nothing wrong in getting emotional about something you really care about or that touches your heart. 

I had to come back in and post a second time today as just watched this video and it is very heart warming and nice.  I hope it touches you as it did me when I finished watching it my eyes were not dry.  https://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=n1Pbu2ZANGk

[Carol]

Jackie:  Yes, they are stinky pigs (peccary) .  Take care.

Larry:  thanks for the touching story of the little boy who is very generous. 

Janet:  Would a good massage help you?  Anything to take the tension away. 

We went to the rec room to exercise this morning.  It does feel so good - still staying indoors as much as possible because of my allergies (first time).  yes, I am taking local honey, allergy pills, and pain medicine and it sorta helping. 

Every day we are tackling one fix-it after another so that keeps us running. 

[Janet]

Larry, thanks for that video.  I had seen it before but was good to watch again--what a wonderful, caring boy!  I wonder what God's planning for Campbell's life later?  He's already such a blessing!

The hospice nurse told me today that I need to take some good self-care, that I'm in a marathon, not a sprint, and I'm wearing myself out.  She said I'll be needed more later than now, that this is a good time to go home and take care of me and Darrel, just to come in a couple times a day and check on Beth.  And I was just tired enough to do what she said.  So I'm home for a while.

I did feed Beth her few bites of breakfast; also cut and smoothed her fingernails, which were in terrible shape.  She was determined to go see Dr. Saxon again, so John took her, with nurse's approval.

Yes, Carol, I would love a massage!  But don't know where to get one.  With some rest, I'm sure I will rebound, but I was really running on fumes today.  Nap, here I come!

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone.  It is an overcast morning with just a very light mist falling.  We will get to the mid-80's today.  I plan on attending a meeting this morning and then spending the rest of the day quietly with some college football games on the TV.  I did watch Clemson lose their football game to Syracuse last night.

Yesterday evening I spoke to one of my first cousins that just this week moved to Oregon to go into an assisted living facility where she could be about 5 minutes from where her daughter lives.  She told me that her two sisters lived in the Napa Valley and both had evacuate their homes due to the fires but she didn't know whether they had lost their homes or not.  She still has her home that is not in the fire area and both of the sisters had gone to stay at her home.  I had not realized that they lived in the Napa Valley.  I also have a first cousin that lives in Oakland, who is the brother of these three sisters, and am going to call him as it has been a long time since I talked to him and perhaps he will have a current status of things out there.  I have quite a few first cousins on my mother's side of the family but we are not close and seldom communicate.  A number of years ago I put together a family reunion that was held in Denver and all of the first cousins and a number of their children and grandchildren attended.  That was a one and done event as no one else was interested in taking on the responsibility.  We had a great time and think everyone enjoyed it.  I hadn't seen most of my first cousins in 50 years or more at that time. 

Carol, I feel for you and your having to deal with allergies.  Both Pat and I seem to have been impacted more with allergies here than we have before.  When Pat saw the PA this week she said the ragweed is particularly bad and that she is seeing many people with the same complaints. I hope you are soon feeling better. 

Janet, I hope you will heed the sound advice given to you by the Hospice nurse.  It doesn't help Beth if you get yourself so tired and exhausted that you become ill.     

[Jeanne Lee]

I started to put together an order for Walmart pick up in another few days and it seemed that almost everything was "out of stock".  I started to wonder whether the store was getting ready to close, or to shut down the grocery department.  I began to wonder what I would do if either of those things happened.  Than I thought "It could very well be a shortage because so much is being sent for emergency  relief."  For that I would certainly be patient, expecially since most of what I would order is "want" not "need".  Or maybe God is just reminding me that He is in charge.   So I'll wait to see what comes next.

[Marilyn]

I have some unnerving news to tell all of you. We just got back from Portland, my husband had to see a neuro-ophthalmologist, we were informed that the vision part of his brain has atrophied. although he can see well straight ahead, he has no peripheral vision and no depth perception. The atrophy is caused from early on-set Alzheimer's dementia. He father has the same thing so it is a possibility that It is inherited. His long-term memory is pretty much intact however his short-term memory is terrible, He forgets things he has been told 10 minutes ago.  His son's want me to apply for guardianship also a Durable Power of Attorney I think both do just about the same things. I need to check up on the procedure for the state of Oregon

He has now been told by 5 doctors that there is no way he will ever be able to drive a car again. The Dr. up north has referred him to a neurologist here. Who may recommend that he also take a drug called Namenda on top of the Aricept he is already taking. Keith doesn't realize how bad he really is, he is in denial as far as his memory goes.

There it is, I have a rough road ahead of me and can use all the prayers I can get. They did give me a handout on what kinds of things I need to change in the house to protect him from hurting himself when the time comes that he gets worse. Also for me to make sure I have help so I  don't get stressed out.

[Jeanne Lee]

Oh, Marilyn!  To think I had the nerve to complain about shortages of groceries! 

I will most certainly have Keith and you on my prayer list! 

[Carol]

Janet:  Heed the wise words from that nurse. 

Larry:  the fires are really fearful - so little warning for folks to get out of the area.  We can smell that smoke here - unless it is something else on fire. 

Marilyn:  wishing you the strength to carry on.....

Here,  I visited with a neighbor I used to know in the Fort Collins days - she and I used to co-chair a yearly book sale at the mall - for university women's club.  It was a doozy to get through.  She is an expert quilter and putting two new ones in a show. 

I called and chatted with our neighbor at home for over an hour - her husband, dear friend, is now under hospice care.  She has several months to go, recuperating on her hand/arm/elbow surgeries - all from a fall on ice last year.  She cannot have her husband home as she cannot handle much. 

Peace be with everyone. 

[Janet]

Marilyn, I am so sorry to hear your distressing news.  I know a little of what you're facing, because my dad had alzheimers, and at that time, it was the first I'd even heard the name.  It's a terrible thing; as it steals away the loved one and leaves a stranger in their place.  I pray things go well for you in getting the legal stuff put in place, and good to know his sons are backing you.  Prayers and hugs to you.

Those California fires are so awful!

Beth was very lethargic today again.  Ate a bit of breakfast, only two bites of lunch, they said, and I left before they brought her anything for supper.  I was there longer than I intended to be today because her friend Mindi came, and she always wants to see me.  I took her out to eat before we both headed home.  (Fancy meal--Chicken sandwich at McDonalds!, her choice!)

Since Beth is getting so very little liquids, I'm concerned about her kidneys shutting down. 

I'm off to bed now.  TTYL

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone.  This morning is starting out foggy but it is to be sunny and in the mid-80's this afternoon.  I do plan on going to Sunday School and Church although am going to have to push to find the energy.  I think I overdid a bit yesterday morning as was exhausted by the time I got home and was tired the rest of the day.  Pat is not going with me this morning as the other side of her back, from the one that gave her so much grief, is now starting to do just what the other side did.  She said the thought of having to sit for two hours in the chairs in the Sunday School room and then in the pews isn't appealing to her this morning.

Jeanne, I haven't seen any indication of a food shortage in our Walmart stores.  If you mark to allow substitutions on the online order we have found they usually upgrade the item or provide a larger size. However, there are a few items that Pat will not allow a substitution. 

Marilyn, so sorry to read of the bad news regarding Keith.  You do and will have your hands full.  If you haven't done so, please contact your local Alzheimer's Association.  They were so helpful to us with my mother.  They also can connect you with support groups. You will certainly be in my prayers.  The advise you received about getting help and not stressing yourself out anymore than you have to is wise.  It sounds like you have the support of Keith's sons and that is helpful. 

Carol, I haven't heard anything about fires in Arizona.  Great you have reconnected with the lady you used to know who also loves to quilt.  It really is a pretty small world sometimes. 

Janet, you have mentioned Mindy several times before and she seems to have remained a good friend of Beth's.   

[Carol]

Good Sunday to everyone!  We often attend a Saturday night service because - Don has a hearing problem with music so we are grateful there is an option rather than only Sunday mornings.   I noticed that this church has a Wednesday night service as well so we shall look into that offering. 

Larry:  the smoke is from the California fires.  We encountered a lot of smoke last month when we were driving from Minnesota through South Dakota, Wyoming and into Colorado.  That was other fires.  This has been a such a painful weather pattern for so many people.  Sorry to read that Pat is having back problems - sitting in a pew isn't the most comfortable thing to do when your back hurts. 

One cousin from north of Seattle drove south today heading towards Yuma, Arizona.  He likes it warmer in the winter - we are very close cousins. 

[Janet]

I should be in bed already, but here I am, still.

After being barely conscious yesterday, Beth was wide awake this morning and wanted to go to church--and she did!  They say she can do anything she wants, eat anything she wants, etc.  Boy, she is surely keeping me off-balance!  Maybe she will amaze us yet again, recover some strength and live for quite a while!  I surely don't know!  But I am going to try and reclaim some semblance of normalcy in my life. It isn't fair to Darrel for me to be at the care home most of my waking hours.  He hasn't once complained, he's very sweet and very supportive.  But I was told by a woman I admire and respect,
this morning at church, "Janet, you just cannot keep this up--it will break your health!"  I don't want to do that, for sure!

So in view of all this, I have decided to check on Beth in the mornings and once in the afternoons,
but not spend so many hours there.  (Even though I know she wants me there.)  This has been going on for six long weeks already!  Who knows how much longer it may go on?  Only God.  I almost feel I am deserting her, but that's my emotions talking, I know. 

See you tomorrow!

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone.  It is predicted that we will have a cooler day, only in the lower 70's, and a possibility of some rain showers and it is overcast this morning.  My main activity for today will be seeing the Podiatrist for a followup on my toenail removal.  I am hopeful he will release me so I won't have to go back on this matter. 

The schedule for this week is light and I am thankful as have no energy.  I did start taking my Renexa medication for my heart again this morning as had the worst angina attack yesterday afternoon I can remember having in a long time.  I will contact my doctor's office this morning to advise that I have started taking it again.  She had simply asked me to suspend it for awhile to see if it would help me have more energy and less shortness of breath.  If anything things were worse without it. 

Carol, that smoke from the California fires really does carry a long ways if it is bothering you all there in Arizona.  Nice that you have some alternatives to the regular Sunday morning worship service. 

Janet, I saw the pictures of Beth attending Church yesterday.  She obviously has a strong determination and love of the Lord.  I am glad to read you are going to try to rebalance your life a bit and take better care of yourself.  I am sure Darrel understands and is happy to support you as you do what you think best.  Even though Beth likes having you there with her I bet she also wants you to take care of yourself and understands that you can't spend all of your time there.  You certainly are not deserting her as how could any mother be more supportive and attentive than you have been over these many years. 

[Carol]

Janet:  I saw the picture of Beth as well.  This has certainly been one big roller coaster ride for all of you. 

It is in the 90's here in Tucson and that is well above average.  We try to do things in the morning but today ran away from us so we were in the middle of the heat wave and thankful to have A/C in the house.  How did we do it years ago?  Notes are coming in from friends on what is a good time to visit and we told everyone that our daughter is coming for a week in March.  I wonder how I will get any sewing finished. 

Our world news is just devastatingly grim - all those being forced out of their countries and those sick and out of food - it is just unimaginable.  So many sad stories right here in the states.  Imagine losing every little thing in the house from a fire.   There is a long list of prayers.

Larry:  Keep on top with your doctor regarding your heart meds.  I hope she will find the right dosage for you - rest well dear friend. 

[Ruth Ann Bice]

Hi, friends,

I received good information from a computer repair shop. This quelled some fears I had.

Also, I've dealt with the Equifax issue today. And I'm now enrolled in their security.

I had a delightful chat today with a lady who lives very near my apartment. When young, we would meet up to walk to and from high school. 

I continue to pray for our participants. Much love to all.

Ruth Ann

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone.
We started off this morning with a cool 46 degrees and are to only get to the low 70's later this afternoon.  I guess Fall is finally coming to South Carolina.  My calendar is clear for today so plan on a slow and restful day.  The foot doctor said my toes are coming along fine but that it takes several weeks before they are totally healed.  When I went to Walmart they were sold out of the round Wilton cake cardboard plates but they had square ones.  So I called Pat and she said that would be OK.  However, when I got home and she saw them she realized they really wouldn't work for the fresh lemon pound cake she had made in a bundt pan so I went to our local Walmart and found what she wanted.  The cake is all ready to take to the Church bazaar bake sale tomorrow.  Jennifer is planning on coming out to help her grandmother get the items she has to contribute to the bazaar to the Church in the morning and I will not have to do that. 

Carol, are you sure you don't have a B&B there in Tucson with your friends lining up to visit.  I did notify my doctor yesterday that I had started back with the heart medication Renexa. 

Ruth Ann, always nice to get good news like your computer repair.  I think our minds automatically go to the worst case and often that is not the way it is.  For several years we have kept our credit records frozen at the three credit bureaus.  I know that it works as once I was going to buy something and decided to put it on credit (one of those pay off in "x" months and owe no interest deals) so filled out the company credit card application and it was immediately turned down.  I was happy to see that happen. 

[Carol]

is brewing.  Just knock on the door for a nice visit. 

It looks like hot days of well into the 90's are continuing.  I made two solar light containers yesterday and they really work well.  Otherwise, it is so dark here without street lights, etc. that I have been afraid we would walk right into a chair outdoors.  Sky gazing is special in this area with all the lighting laws.  We watched a movie on the origin of Australia and how that continent experienced global warming centuries before -- how the water rose and islands were formed.  Fascinating. 

None of the coupons worked for extra wide fabric at the store yesterday.  I bought a pattern fabric for the back - to be worked on - so this quilt can be flipped to either side.  Read my lips - this is the last large quilt I sew.   

Time for my coffee and devotions.  Thanks be!

[Janet]

Good evening!  I have good news--at least for now!  Beth seems to be getting a bit better each day; she's eating a little more, getting more fluids-a teaspoonful at a time--and it's looking to me like she will be staying for some time.  She's still on hospice, still needs a lot of medication for pain, so I don't really know.  But at least she's enough better that I can come home and spend some time, and not feel I should be there all day.  Her doctor comes again on Friday; we shall see what he says.  She is the toughest person I've ever known!  And she's a blessing.

It got up to 85* here this afternoon!  Was quite chilly in the morning. 

I'll be back!

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone.  It is really a beautiful day here in South Carolina.  It is about 56 degrees and headed only into the low or mid 70's and will be sunny.  It is the perfect day for the ladies to hold their Church bazaar and luncheon.  Jennifer will be here within the hour to help Pat get things into the car and then go with her to deliver the items for the bazaar and to see all that they have.  The affair ends after the Wednesday night dinner so I will get to see a lot of what they had to offer.  Of course they don't ever have anything that attracts men other than the food items but they will likely be gone by the time of our Wednesday night dinner. 

Speaking of food, Pat made the best Jambalaya dish yesterday.  Some of it was fixed in the crock pot all afternoon.  Then she poured off the juice and fixed the rice in the sauce and added the cooked shrimp to the mixture.  She did say the recipe called for a lot of different ingredients so it is not likely we will have this very often as she usually tries to stay with recipes with 5 ingredients or less. Fortunately there is another good meal of it remaining in the refrigerator, which I expect we will enjoy tomorrow night.  Going to the dinner tonight is the only thing on my schedule for today.  I do have to get a birthday card and check in the mail as our oldest great grandchild will be 15 on Friday.   

Carol, between the javalina's and the darkness at night in your city it sounds like staying in your home is a good idea.  Are you having your quilt quilted with a long arm quilting machine?  Pat has had several quilts quilted that way and they turned out very nicely. 

Janet, it is good to see that Beth is doing a little better and eating and drinking a little more.  I wonder who she got the strong person characteristics from?    Sure glad you are having a little more time for yourself.

[Carol]

Larry:  You are so reliable in getting into CP daily.  Nice!  Yes, she had a long-arm machine.  I just finished ironing the top and it is ready to go to the magic machine.  Her price is the most reasonable I have heard in years.     Pat's recipe sounds delicious. 

I was in the back yard checking things out and it appears the Javalinas are having a wonderful time in the retreat here.  They have made some dens in some evergreen bushes - the bushes are quite high and form a barrier to a side road - along with a stucco wall.  One side of the lot is all open and we are not even thinking of a fence.  My next defense is to spray ammonia or vinegar where they are gathering. there has been talk of removing them to another location.  good luck on that idea.

Janet:  Beth certainly is one for the books of life!   Hang in there!  I know you will. 

Hello Ruth Ann!  Nice to read your news of success with issues.  I hope you are feeling well and temperatures outdoors are reasonable in your territory. 


 

[Janet]

We actually ventured out of town today!  Went to Liberal, where we had a few things to do.  It was nice spending time with Darrel today!

Beth was feeling quite tired this morning.  I will check on her again when we go to the Wednesday night dinner in a little while.

I'm feeling a bit better each day myself.  I had no idea how very tired I really was!

Se you all tomorrow!

[Jacqueline]

Seems I have been AWOL for a few days, nothing has happened just nothing much of importance to post about...had a little MS setback, but as now almost everyone is aware, MS has many changes even throughout ones day....Oh and for once, and I guess I mean for once, I slept this morning to 8.30am...oh of course I got up through the night for a usual visit to the loo but, I cant even remember the last time, if there was a last time, I slept through till 8.30am...of course woke up to dismal and rain but that doesn't matter...I woke up... many dont have the pleasure of even doing that...

Janet...
...some people are made of tougher stuff, and your Beth is one of them.... like me, I too am a survivor...I learnt quickly how to be...I learnt that it is the only way, and one does whatever it takes......I shall say no more...      

[Jacqueline]

Edited to add to previous posting...
...what I meant by a slight MS setback was my left leg, my good leg was behaving not so good behind the knee...this must be the diagnoses that was given to me before my MS diagnoses of Osteoarthritis...well that is what is still on my medical record...so it seems now and again I may get a touch of that as well, maybe once a year so far...

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone.  It is another cool morning but we will be going into the high seventies late this afternoon.  I am going to pick up my friend for coffee and if I feel up to it will go back downtown to the Church for the Wisdom class.  I have missed doing either for the last two weeks.  That is all that is on the schedule for today.

Carol, glad you are ready to have your quilt finished.  I seem to remember that the cost was by the inch measured someway.  We are going to have our second meal of Jambalaya for our dinner this evening.  Are the Javalina's a protected species. 

Janet, nice to see you are letting yourself rejuvenate and are feeling better. 

Jackie, your absence for the few days was duly noted.    If we had to have something important to say in our postings I probably wouldn't post each day.  Glad you were able to sleep late and hope the MS flare is over for now.   

[Carol]

Important news!  Well, I have been on pins and needles ever since hearing this morning that there was a multiple shooting at or near the Colorado State campus.  It is a large campus - we have two grands at the school and know that it is possible they are no where near the incident.  Praying for everyone - too many of these news flashes. 

Jackie:  It always seems that when one diagnosis is dreadful there is another one announced.  Take a deep breath and try counting each and every good thing - this is a little exercise I try at times.  good wishes to you - hoping you will have a mild fall season in your part of the world.

Don could not get the car started for some time this morning but eventually, it did start.  This is a used Toyota and we do have a new battery.  It could be his key fob.  He went down to exercise - don't ask why we don't walk (it is hot hot hot now) and I am doing little organizing drawer stuff and writing to all of you - my peaceful getaway. 

Larry:  You mentioned Javalinas being protected species ----WHY?     The lady measured the quilt, it is about a queen size (never never again!!!). 

Enjoy your days!

[Janet]

Carol, I think Larry was asking you if the javelinas are a protected species.
Are they?  If so, I, too, wonder WHY?

I'm feeling tired and "down" this evening.  Not sure why, but probably just the past several weeks catching up to me.  I hope to learn more about Beth's condition tomorrow, as her doctor is coming,
also the hospice nurse will be there again.  Today she was tired, but was eating better, and as long as she's eating, she should be gaining strength.

Darrel got his T shirt and cap in the mail today for his Honor Flight!  I think he's getting pretty excited about it, and I'm so thrilled for him.

I should chat to each of you, but tonight, I just don't have it in me.  See you tomorrow.

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone.  It is a another beautiful day here with clear skies and as of now 57 degrees but headed into the low 80's this afternoon.  This morning I had an 8 am appointment with the eye doctor to do more measurements on my eyes and schedule the surgery.  I was home before 9 am.  The housekeeper is here this morning and around noon Pat and I will drop one of her new shoes off at the shoe store to have it stretched overnight and then go on down the street to the Honey on the Rock Restaurant to have our main meal of the day.  That will be plenty for us to do on one day. 

Carol, I can understand why you were nervous hearing about those shooting.  We have a couple in our Sunday School class whose son and DIL were in Las Vegas at that concert where all of those people were shot and killed.  They experienced the same concerns you have but their family was fine.  The reason for my question was that if the Javalinas are not protected they could be eradicated as they obviously are a predator type  animal and dangerous in your area. 

Janet, I doubt that it is unusual for a person to have a "down" time after all the stress you have been under.  I hope the doctor will be able to give you a favorable report today on Beth's condition.  When does Darrel go on his Honor Flight? 

[Marilyn]

Good Morning from Oregon. We had a lot of rain yesterday, thunder and heavy rain during the night. One of the cats was sleeping on our bed when the thunder hit and scared that cat so bad he ran off the bed and hid. We couldn't find him until. he came out from wherever he was this morning. Freckles doesn't like that either, I jumped up to put her Thundershirt on her and gave her a dose of Rescue Remedy to calm her.  Other than that adventure we are doing well. Just thought I better check in before I go to get my nails done

[Carol]

Weather person said we could see the planet Uranus last night but it didn't work for us.  This is a good place to contemplate the gift of our universe. 

Larry:  You are taking your Honey to the Honey Rock cafe.  Neat!  It must be so shocking for your friends to go through such an shooting event.  Thankfully, they are safe. 

Maybe the Javalinas are protected species - I could check that out someday.   

Every day I try to call one or two relatives or friends just to check in with everyone.  Love having a cell phone and not running up any more phone call costs.

Janet:  Congratulations to Darrel on his future Honor Flight.  The entire statue and wall  area is so sad - we drove there a few years ago.  I will check in later if you have written about your meeting with the doctor, etc.

I am sorting fabric today.  Maybe the sewing machine needs to be useful - slowly thinking of starting something else. 

[Janet]

I'm feeling better today, and very happy about that.  It only takes a few days of "being off my game" to start to get to me.  I know it's a real blessing for me that I am healthy and strong and very seldom sick.

I'll give you the report on Beth first.  I won't post this on Facebook, because you never know who is reading that or how they will construe what you say.  I don't think many people read our site here, other than our members, and I trust all of you.

Dr. Davis said Beth has lost more weight, that we can expect her to continue to lose more; this in spite of the fact that she's eating better.  He said the reason for her apparent improvement is because they now have her pain under control.  He says now it is a balancing act between controlling her pain and not knocking her out.  I have noticed she isn't as alert, and that I nor the CNAs can tell her yes from  her no with her eyes the past few days, and have to ask her two or three times.  He said if the nurses call and ask him about increasing the Fentanyl, he will say yes immediately, as there is just no reason for her to suffer.  He prayed for her again before leaving her room.

I followed him out into the hall to ask him if he feels she will get any better, and he said no, unless she has a good day or two right at the end.  He reminded me that he told me with MS they coast along a while, then take a drop; they never regain to where they were, only plateau, until the next big drop.
I asked if he thinks this is her last big drop; he said maybe, but if not, the next one will take her.This isn't good news, but at least I feel I know a little better what to expect.  Of course, what no one but God knows is the timing.  At least it is good to know my sweet daughter isn't in pain every moment!
Dr. Davis told her he's so sorry she got Shingles, that he knows those are so very painful!  But they seem to have that under control as well, which is a blessing.

Thank you for the kind thoughts and prayers for her, and for us.

Darrel leaves on his Honor Flight on Oct. 31 and returns on Nov. 3.  I hope he has a wonderful time.
There will be a huge welcome home for them in Wichita!  It's the last Honor Flight of the year, so they have bands, school groups, etc., besides all the families who can be there to welcome them when they land at Eisenhower Airport!  Diane is taking me, and I'm so thankful!  If I had to drive by myself,
I couldn't go.  I hope we get some great photos!  I've been told to bring balloons, signs--and LOTS of Kleenex!!  It should be wonderful to see them get the welcome home they didn't get when they came home from Viet Nam.

Carol, I love to be where I can see the stars and planets at night!  I miss that from my childhood on the farm when it got truly dark at night; before everybody got big yard lights!  So I know what you mean.  What kind of SMALLER sewing project might you start next?

Marilyn, what is a Thundershirt?  I know it's something to help calm the dog, but how does it work?Does she also have ear plugs?

So sweet that Larry took his Honey to the Honey on the Rock Restaurant to eat!    Good one, Carol.

I should stop before you need to print it out and bind it into a book!

[Marilyn]

Janet

https://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?id=OP.Efu52AC58EknCw300C300&w=150&h=150&rs=1&pid=21.1

A Thundershirt is a tight fitting wrap that comforts the dog or cat during the time of the thunder, fireworks or other loud noises.

Jeanne, I forgot how to do Click here

[Jeanne Lee]

Janet, it sounds as though Beth has a wonderful doctor who really cares.  I'm glad you've slowed down a little and are taking better care of yourself. 

Marilyn, to do a "click here", eliminate the spaces before url and /url that I needed to use for it to show here.

[ url=the url of the site you want to lead to]Click Here[ /url]

[Jacqueline]

Yes MS takes over your body bit by bit, I too am living proof of that...Oh and as for shingles, a Chinese site I found reckons there is a link between people who get shingles and getting MS...I caught shingles I guess around 4 years before my diagnoses of 2 years ago, the shingles never got treated as this happened over a Bank Holiday when my then GP surgery was closed, it had then gone over the 3 days for getting shingles treatment, which by then was too late...

As of yet, no one else has come any where near as to what causes MS...

" NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - People who get shingles are more likely to also develop multiple sclerosis, according to a study in Taiwan.

Researchers found that people who developed shingles had four times the risk of being diagnosed with MS within the following year, relative to people who had never experienced shingles..."

Janet...
...I am so saddened to hear of your Beth's prognoses, her future...it is so painful, the knowing of what is to come, and for you as a mother.....

I agree, the Doctor sounds as if he has pointed it out straight...he is being truthful with the positives and the negatives...

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone.  It is 57 degrees here this morning but a bright and sunny low 80's day. This should be a pretty quiet day.  I will go pick up Pat's shoe that we took to have stretched yesterday.  We did enjoy a delicious lunch at Honey from the Rock restaurant. 

Last evening my Chromebook stopped working.  I told Pat I knew what I wanted for Christmas and that is a new laptop but will likely get an early Christmas present.  I brought down her old laptop that she has in her sewing room and it spent all evening downloading and installing the latest Windows Updates.  This morning it is working reasonably well but think I am going to have to use the Explorer browser as the Chrome browser keeps locking the computer up.  So today I will be setting up the bookmarks I want to use in the Explorer.  It looks like there should be some good football games on this afternoon. 

Marilyn, my son's cat and dogs don't like the thunder either. Glad you checked in yesterday.

Carol, not having separate long distance charges is a nice feature of the cell phones although it isn't free as the costs are built into the monthly fees.  Do you save all of your scraps from your quilting?  Pat does and has a lot of scraps.  She keeps buying more material but always seems to be using the scraps.

Janet, glad you were there to talk with the doctor and that he was honest with you.  So glad they are keeping Beth's pain under control and will be giving her whatever she needs to control any increasing pain.  Thanks for the additional information on the Honor Flight.  It sounds like the welcome back will be quite a celebration.

Jeanne, guess I am being lazy but I usually will just post the link address as clicking on it will open whatever I want to share. 

Jackie, I didn't know about he link between shingles and MS. 

[Jeanne Lee]

Larry, no problem with just posting a link. I only gave the instructions for the clickable because Marilyn asked.  And of course, there are some URLs that are almost a full page  and it's easier to use a clickable.

[Janet]

Jackie, I'm quite doubtful the shingles had anything to do with Beth's getting MS, as the MS preceded the shingles by about 15 years!  I guess they do have theories about everything, though.

I do well during the day but am having a lot of pain at night, which keeps me from getting enough sleep. I'm hesitant about continuing to take OTC pain relievers, as read too much can poison you.  What's a body to do?

Beth seemed tired this morning.  She wanted to get up and get her shower, and then breakfast.  They forgot her juice, so I asked for it and fed her as much as she wanted.

I'm feeling the need of a sympathetic friend to talk to today.  I called my friend Dee, but she's not at home.  (She doesn't carry a cell phone with her.)  Maybe the Lord is nudging me to talk to Him rather than a mere human.

[Jacqueline]

Janet...
...you can talk to us...I know we cant replace a human voice face to face, nor an actual hug but, we are here readily available to offer you a listening ear...and yes, even from across the pond...

[Carol]

Larry:  Christmas comes soon enough - enjoy your new electronic present when Pat gives it to you. Are you going to act surprised???  I save scraps if they look large enough.  In fact, I have been looking at my stash of 6 1/4 X 3 1/4 rectangles I have cut for a few years.  Perhaps a small table runner or really it is enough for a twin quilt.  We use SKYPE over the computer for phone calls - it is easier for Don to hear via that service.  I like it as well. 

You will never guess what I ate for dinner last night.  A bowl of vanilla ice cream with chocolate chips thrown on the top - it was the only thing that sounded good and it was so soothing.  Back to normal today.  I went to exercise early this morning and Don had not slept well so he has been taking it easy. 

We had news that grandson made the hockey team a week before the end of tryouts so that was a good sign.  His grades are super too - busy guy.  All the grands are focused on their studies and work on the side. 

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone.  It is another mirror morning to what we have been having.  We should get into the low 80's this afternoon.  I plan on going to Sunday School and Church this morning but am doubtful that Pat will go as the chairs and pew are painful for her with her back.  I will pick up some lunch for us and have no other plans for today.  Yesterday for dinner Pat made a Greek Salad to go with our pot roast TV dinner, which was actually pretty good for a TV dinner. 

Jeanne, I agree that some of the links are too long and for those I will just go to the controls at the top of the page and put the URL into the brackets so the URL isn't seen, as you have described.  I hope you have gotten the correct grocery order now.

Janet, what does your doctor tell you regarding taking the OTC pain medications.  It is not good to be in pain and not get enough rest. I hope you were able to contact Dee and have someone you could talk with.  I have a feeling you talk to the Lord a lot. 

Jackie, being able to communicate with each other regardless of the distance is certainly a great thing about the Internet. 

Carol, I expect I may have my Christmas present before Christmas although I am doing fine using Pat's old computer so it will likely be closer to Christmas when I buy a new laptop.  However, I will keep my eyes open for any deals that may come along before that time.  We used Skype for a number of years to provide a telephone for Stacey.  She then got the free phone service that is provided to the low income folks and then we put her on the plan we use with our son.  I could do very well with a meal of ice cream and chocolate chips and often my Sunday evening meal will be something light and most enjoyable.  Congratulations to your grandson on making the hockey team and more importantly for being a good student.  . 

[Carol]

Good Sunday to all!  We are going to the service on Wednesday night - it is smaller and less music - that should be better for Don to tolerate with his hearing problem.  We will try it. 

There is a huge blockage of streets here with a roller blade series going on - there is always something with walks, runs or bicycles in this area and a maze to traverse - always Sunday morning too. 

Who is in random image today?  I mean the self-portrait of photographer?

[Ruth Ann Bice]

Hi, friends,

I'm slipping in here to our comfy place in the very middle of the night where I live.

I'll be staying put for a couple of days. My car overheated this weekend, and my son gave me strict instructions not to even start it until it's towed in for evaluation. I surely  hope it hasn't been ruined.

I was to have had some routine tests run this morning, but will call and explain the situation. So, will reschedule.

Y'all have a good rest of the day. Please know I pray regularly for those of us needing a touch from the Father.

Love to all,
Ruth Ann

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone.  It looks like we are finely going to get some rain today, at least the forecast says it is a 100% chance this afternoon and 90% chance for several other hours.  It will only get to around 75 this afternoon.  My calendar is clear today so will just take it easy and work on a project I want to start here in my office.

Carol, on Friday and Saturday this week our downtown area is all blocked off for a Halloween Festival that is held each year.  Last year Pat had an appointment at the eye doctor she was seeing whose office was right in the middle of this and we had a terrible time trying to find a way to get to the appointment.  There are no appointments scheduled for this year for this weekend.  Fortunately it is over before Church on Sunday. 

Ruth Ann, I hope you will find your car's situation isn't serious.  Glad your appointment was for routine tests. 

[Carol]

Ruth Ann:  I hope your car will be fixed easily and not too expensive.  We are scheduled in two weeks for a puzzling problem in that the key fob doesn't always start the car and it will finally catch sometimes right away.  We are concerned that it may be unusable anytime. 

Larry: I have never ever liked Halloween.  My children still do not want to be driving on that holiday because I put the fear of God in them saying the children are wild over getting candy and treats so they run right in front of cars, so my adult children still stay home those nights.  When we lived in Minnesota they had to put snow suits over their costumes anyway. 

Have you ever hugged your yard guys?  I do - they are a Christian father and son (he is training to be a fireman) and we talk religion - pray for issues too.  They came early this morning before it gets hot and come 6 X a year, checking water, trimming shrubs, found a spot where some critter is digging, all sorts of good stuff - all for about $100 each time.  They saved us a lot of water bill and put in a new system last year. 


Yesterday afternoon, we had our neighbors in back (first time) over for snacks before dinnertime.  Just delightful and with one couple at a time, Don can understand the conversation.   

Larry:  What is your office project?  I have a box of 3 1/2 inch by 6 1/2 inch fabrics all cut several years ago - all batik.  So, I am sewing something now and will decide later just what it will become. 

This is not my favorite time of the year.  My dad died on Halloween (in Seattle) and mom died the same year weeks later on Thanksgiving (in an Alzheimer's unit in Minnesota).  I quit a job as it was just overwhelming - we had just moved to a new town & new job for Don - and I had no friends in town.  It was a low time but only volunteering in church got me through that year. 

 

[Janet]

Hello Larry!  Hello Carol!  Hello Ruth Ann!
I'm happy today because I got a good night's sleep last night!   

Beth seemed about the same this morning.  Yesterday, she had a huge bruise on her chest, apparently from her arm squeezing against it so hard (Her arms are stiff and strictured) and a big neurofibroma in the bruised area was torn loose and bleeding.    She wasn't complaining of pain, as the patch and morphine are keeping her pain controlled.  But I was dismayed to see it, none-the-less.

I'm missing seeing my other kids and grandkids.  Maybe I will see some of the ones who live near, this week. I'm still coming home around 10 and staying a few hours, usually go back to check on Beth in the afternoon.  So I'm gradually getting over the deep tiredness.

Not much else to say today.  Later!

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone.  We finally had some rain yesterday afternoon although it didn't last too long.  Today is to be sunny all day and only get into the low 70's. 

Our big event today will be the arrival of Pat's sister to spend about 8 days with us.  It has been touch and go as to whether she would be able to make the trip as is still dealing with the impact of the car wreck she was in a couple of weeks ago.  However, she decided yesterday to make the trip and should be here a little after 5 pm.  She did come to visit  about this time of last year. Our granddaughter plans on coming out and going to the airport with me to pick her up and then we will go to dinner at Pizza Hut as this is their buffet night. 

Carol, I feel for you with the car problem and the uncertainty as to whether your car will start as it should.  We went through a similar situation with the last Saturn we had.  If it didn't start right away you had to wait 10 minutes as it locked the start mechanism.  I dreaded having to try to start it.  I am with you in not caring for Halloween and we don't plan to participate and won't turn our porch light on.  Our family room is at the back of our house and constantly getting up and getting to the door has become too burdensome.  Our Church is doing a Truck and Treat in their parking lot on Saturday.  I can't say I have ever hugged my yard guys.  Are you speaking of your yard in Colorado or Arizona?  My project is to record some music and put them on some CD's to send to a friend where we used to live.  I did this for her several years ago and she is apparently still playing them.  So I thought it was time to send her some more CD's. I can see why this is not your favorite time of the year.  My wife's mother passed away on Christmas Eve many years ago. 

Janet, glad you got some good rest finally.  How dreadful for poor Beth.  I hope you do get to see some of your grandchildren and great grans.

[Carol]

Janet:  I am so sorry to read about Beth's skin sores issues.  Such tender care she needs.  May Beth have the loving care she deserves each and every minute. 

[Carol]

Larry:  These are the lawn guys in Tucson.  A father and son - we have seen then go through medical crises and all sorts of problems - they are sweet men. It is so hot outside and we don't know how to care for desert plants - they only charge about $50 a month or extra when having to plant or remove something.  Once every two months they come here early.  We have prayed for medical issues with them too. ---- Wishing a wonderful visit for your sis-in-law and she will keep on recovering. 

Don counted over 23 grapefruit on the little tree - it is just bent over with the weight.  We put the fruit out in front for others to enjoy.  The lime tree never has a decent crop. 

I have started another quilt project with scraps of batik mostly southwest colored fabric.  Just can't stop myself from headaches, I guess.  Anyway, it keeps changing to different sizes and is growing larger but this time I am forcing myself to only make a twin size.  That will fit the trundle bed if nothing else - or, a comforter for the couch. 

[Janet]

Carol, I think you have been bitten (or would that be stung?) by the quilting bee!  Maybe there is no cure for it!    Those grapefruits sound wonderful!  I love grapefruits, but not canned juice.   

Larry, I hope your sis in law made the trip fine and that you all have a lovely visit.  Where does she live? I know you have said before, but I don't remember now.

When I got to the home this morning, I was told Beth had a bad night, with a lot of pain.  They had to give her morphine several times.  If that happens again tonight, they will likely increase the Fentanyl patch again tomorrow.  I asked her if she dreamed last night--yes.  Were they good dreams?--yes. Do you remember them?--yes.  Did you dream about heaven?--yes.  Oh, how I wish she could talk, I would love to hear about those dreams!  She wanted French toast for breakfast, but ate only a tiny amount of it, and a few slices of banana, along with a few spoonfuls of thickened juice.  The days are long, and yet they are flying past, when I think of them being the last ones I can spend with her. 

I did get to see Curtis today!  He and I had lunch and a nice visit.  He gave me good hugs and assured me of his love, which surely brightened my day!  Gotta love those grandsons!  And Granddaughters!
 
I did go to the gym today and walked about a mile, did some weight work and some other leg work. I needed that, for sure!

Have a great evening, folks!

[Marilyn]

janet I want you to know that I pray daily for beth and for you. When I am walking I often pray in the spirit as I walk. Other times I pray silently whenever I think of all y'all.

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone.  It is going to be another beautiful day with it getting only to 68 degrees.  Pat's sister did arrive on schedule and said this was the best plane ride she had ever had in coming to Georgia and South Carolina.  The plane actually arrived a few minutes early but she was one of the last to deplane.  She had arranged for a wheel chair and apparently when she got to Atlanta the second plane was ready to be boarded and the redcap wheeled her right into the plane.  We came home and picked up Pat and then went on to Pizza Hut for the Tuesday night buffet. As Pat went too pull up her chair at the table she did something and brought on a very sharp pain and now is left with another very sore leg.   

Today is our son's 54th birthday and he is starting a weeks vacation from his job.  In the middle of the afternoon we are going to go to the Outback Steakhouse for his birthday dinner. Afterwards I am sure they all will play some Farkle games as they all enjoy it. 

Carol, you are fortunate to have reliable yard folks.  Since many of the yards are becoming dormant here they lawn crews will be primarily working on the yards every two weeks rather than every week.  We do enjoy it when Pat's sister come to visit.  It has been two years since her last visit. Those grapefruit sound wonderful.  It has been so long since I could eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice, due to medications I take, that I have about forgotten what it tastes like. I think you might find this article of interest as it relates to quilting: 
Side by side, couple in 80s crafts quilts for children in need ? South Carolina United Methodist Advocate
http://www.advocatesc.org/2017/10/side-by-side-couple-in-80s-crafts-quilts-for-children-in-need/  .

Janet, we are looking forward to the next few days and my SIL's visit.  It was a relief to see her come out of the restricted area at the airport and know she was safely here.  She lives in Independence, Missouri.  I sure hope Beth had a better night last night than the one before.  I am sure the hugs from Curtis helped brighten your day.

Marilyn, I often find that when I have trouble getting to sleep at night I can pray and the next thing I know I am waking up as had fallen asleep while praying. 

[Janet]

Marilyn, thank you for praying!  I often use my walking time for praying, too.  Just knowing that others are praying for us lightens our load.  May God bless you!

Larry, glad the SIL's flight was a good one and she arrived safely.  Sorry to hear of Pat's new leg problem.  Doggone it!  She doesn't need any added problems.

Today, we were to have been flying home from Florida.  Life sometimes changes our best-laid plans, doesn't it?

Beth seems to have had a better night, but was very lethargic again today.  I just never know what to expect when I walk into her room.

I got a call as I was driving to town this morning, asking if I could come for a dental app't. at 11:10, instead of whenever it was to be.  It was to have a tiny cavity filled that he found last time I was there. I reluctantly said I would come, but if I'd had any idea how painful it would be, I wouldn't have! It was worse than the root canal I had the first time I saw him!    But at least, it's over with now!

I went by the church to talk to the secretary, as she's the one who does my nails and I needed to change my appointment.  When I got out of the car, I looked across the street and saw Curtis over at the funeral home, so I walked over to say hello, and we got to have lunch together again!  Two days in a row!  He told me it was "an unexpected blessing!"  Sweet, huh?

I need to rest a bit before we go back to town for a business app't. and then tonight is my night to help with the Wednesday night dinner at church.

Love you guys!  And gals!

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone.  It is to be another very pleasant, sunny and mild day.  We did have a fine time celebrating Scott's birthday yesterday.  We ate at Outback Steakhouse and we ended up with the largest dining bill I have ever paid but there were 5 of us and the food was good.  Today should be a calmer day.  I will pick up my friend and go to coffee and then stop at Walmart for a few items we need.  I don't plan on attending the Wisdom group at Church this morning.

Janet, you are right about life changing our best laid plans.  I expect the pain medications Beth is receiving is making her lethargic.  Glad your tooth repair is over but wonder why it was so painful.  Usually they get the mouth so numb one can't really feel much.  Two days in a row seeing Curtis was certainly a nice treat.

[Carol]

Laundry is started - here in Arizona, the washer and dryer is in the garage and I really like it being out of the house.  Kitchen floor is mopped.  Don is resting - he is having hip pain perhaps from exercise, we don't know.  We took my cousin out for pizza last night.  I need to call his daughter or his twin brother because Dean is fragile and should not be living alone.  He lost his wife to a leukemia less than a year ago and he fainted & fell in the shower all night long.  Police had to break the door down to rescue him.  I say that it is time to look into assisted living of some kind - close to their daughter who lives in San Francisco.  No one checks on him. 

Remembering the time I tried so hard to get my parents to live near us  - they hated the high altitude so would not listen. 

Janet:  sorry about your dentist pain.  that doesn't sound right.  Yes, having time with grands ranks at the top of our happy times. 

Our month of over the top heat should end today and the 90's will be over.  We hope. 

Praying for our divided nation. 

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone. We are going to have another beautiful day that will be sunny and in the low 70's.  Late this afternoon I will go to our son's home to get instructions on caring for his dog and cat until early next week.  He and his daughter are driving to New York to attend to some important matters.  After I get the instructions on caring for the animals I will drive out to the airport to rent a car for them to drive to New York.  Unfortunately, since the reservation was made with my Costco discount I will have to pay extra for me as a driver even though I won't be driving.  This is still a lot cheaper than buying airline tickets and them still having to rent a car when they got to Albany.  Other than go to coffee yesterday and make a quick trip to the garden center at Walmart I really didn't do anything else.   

Carol,  it does sound like it is time for your cousin Dean to get closer to his daughter. Does he wear a lifeline device to summons help if he falls again? Hope you get a break in the heat.   

[Carol]

Break from the heat is today - only 89* for the limit today - it is nice and cool at night. 

Larry:  Great idea for your son to save money by renting the car and driving.  Safe trip to all.  Yes, cousin wears a safety monitor. 

Enjoy every moment of the day. 

[Janet]

Lovely blessing of a former neighbor and her daughter coming to visit Beth yesterday.  They now live in Wichita.

It was 27* here this morning, but didn't feel bad, as there was no wind.  It did freeze my flowers.  I just didn't have the energy to care enough to bring them inside.     I'll just buy new from Diane come Spring!

Beth has had a couple of down days, appetite almost non-existent.  Also still needing Morphine several times a day and a few at night.  She wanted to go see our Chiropractor this morning, and she did.  I was so tired this morning I slept until 7:15!  I'm usually on my way to see Beth before then!  Guess my body needed the rest.

Darrel has his little bag packed for his Honor Flight!  I'm so excited for him! 

No further news at this time from SW Kansas.

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone.  We are to have another nice day getting up to around 75 by late afternoon.  Scott and Jennifer's plans hit a little snag last night that prevented them from getting on the road last evening.  In fact, they just stopped by here on their way to pick up something.  It is a 14 hour drive so it is going to be a long day for them.  I have nothing on the schedule for today although I may attend a meeting this morning.  I will also watch some football this afternoon. 

Carol, I hope you all have another nice weather day. 

Janet, is the Chiropractor able to give Beth an adjustment or does she just want to see him?  I hope Darrel has a wonderful weekend on his Honor Flight. 

[Carol]

First time in here on my $39. Kindle Fire.   It is so convenient.

Checking in on those I care for.  You!   

[Janet]

Wow, Carol!  You really got a deal on your Kindle Fire!  Mine cost a LOT more than that!  But I do most of my reading on it; I don't even know how to use it for anything else! 

Larry, that will be a long day for Scott and Jennifer!  We used to do trips like that, but not any more We get too tired and sleepy.  Yes, our Chiropractor does work on Beth's neck, and turns her head side to side, tilts it, etc., to stretch the muscles and improve blood flow to her brain, also to maintain what little movement she still has.  He uses the Activator on her a lot.  I give him a lot of credit for her being in as good shape as she is!

This morning, Beth was about the same, not quite as tired, maybe.  She had her bath, and then I fed her her breakfast.  She ate maybe a third of a pancake and 10 or 12 teaspoonfuls of thickened juice. They changed her Fentanyl patch this morning too.  So we are adjusting to her new normal and hoping she can stay with us longer.  It's really hard, the not knowing day to day, for so long already, and who knows how much longer?  Only God, and He hasn't told me.

Trying to decide what chore needs to be done the most. 

[Marilyn]

Freckles in her frog costume. We are performing at one of the Rehab/Residential facilities this afternoon with other Furry Friend teams. Our Halloween circus is going to be so much fun. Then we have another circus at another facility on Halloween.

[Carol]

Cute Frog hat! 

Taking a break from working on my sewing machine - it is humming so nice now.  I am putting aside at least a half hour per day just to sew - it is so difficult to get this time. 

We are meeting our oldest son and wife Sunday night for supper at the south end of town.  Unfortunately, there is so much road construction they will have to use their GPS to get to the restaurant.  It is a family run little place and food is very inexpensive and oh, so good.  Then, our youngest son is flying in a week later and will spend a night with us just to visit and he goes on to Phoenix for one of his meetings.  Super news for us.

I called a cousin in Minnesota who is coming here but not now as her mother (my 102 year old auntie) fell and is in hospice care.  So glad we spent an hour with her this year. 

Janet:  Darrel goes on the Honor Flight this weekend, is that not so?  Tell him thanks from us for his service.  Don had an uncle who was with General Patton all the way - we never got to hear the stories.  --When you have time, there is a lot you can put on the Kindle.  Look at the Search magnifying glass - type in Yahoo or whatever you use, then put in your code for your email. 

[Marilyn]

Carol that isn't just a hat it is the whole costume, legs and all. It straps to her under her belly.

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone.  I usually don't post in the evening but decided to change things a bit so I won't be rushed  in the morning as we plan on going to Sunday School and Church and then out to lunch.  Pat and her sister have been playing a lot of Farkle and Shanghai Rummy.  They both enjoy playing games.  We are staying in touch with Scott and Jennifer via texts and they are now in Pennsylvania maybe are three or four hours away from where they are going.  The weather is looking very unpleasant up in New York for tomorrow and Monday with high winds and a lot of rain.  They plan to head back home Monday afternoon unless something unexpected happens.  They got on the road a little after 9 am this morning rather than several hours earlier as there was a hitch in some of their plans.  I will be taking care of the dog and cat for a couple of days and tomorrow will be able to do that after Church. 

Carol, the tablets like the Kindle are very handy and easy to use.  Glad you are getting in some sewing and that you will be seeing some of your family in the next few days. 

Janet, glad the Chiropractor can give Beth some relief and certainly understand why she asks to go to see him often.  It is a long day for Scott and Jennifer and I expect Jennifer has done most of the driving as Scott has a problem staying awake. 

Marilyn, cute picture of Freckles in the costume.  Maybe you will be able to share another picture showing the full costume. 

[Janet]

Good morning!  Since I have a few minutes before leaving for church, I decided to come see what's new here in our corner.

We are both singing in the choir today, it is communion Sunday--and our pastor has been hospitalized with pancreatitis!  I don't know if he is out of the hospital or if he is, will feel like preaching, but we have a judge--a wonderful lady, who steps in and preaches occasionally.  I'm really hoping she will preach today, as her messages are always uplifting and wonderful!

Beth wasn't looking nor feeling good yesterday, but she said she wanted to come to church today. If she really doesn't feel up to it, I hope she will stay in out of the cold.

Yes, Carol, Darrel is leaving for his Honor Flight on Tuesday.  And Abby has it worked out so she can be in Wichita for the big Welcome Home! She had said she had a class she couldn't miss, but somehow worked it out!  Kerri (youngest daughter) is coming from Salina, Curtis and Toni, and Diane and I are going from here.  Should be a great day!

Marilyn, I hope you can post a photo showing the whole costume.  It looks really cute, and you should have a good time at the celebrations.

Larry, it's good that Jennifer doesn't also get very sleepy.  That's dangerous--just ask me!    I hope Pat feels better and can enjoy all the activities today.

Darrel just played his part (baritone) on the piano, so feels ready to sing!  I feel more like crying this morning than singing, but have prayed and know God will give me strength for today.

I wish you all a blessed Lord's Day!

[Marilyn]

My friend at the nursing home passed away Thursday. 6 years ago she was given 6 months to live with stage 4 lung cancer.

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone.  Just checking in tonight and will do a regular posting tomorrow morning.  All is well here and Scott and Jennifer made it safely to New York with a 16 hour drive. 

[Ruth Ann Bice]

Hi, friends,

It's going to be cold here in Nashville tonight, and most likely we'll have frost.

I'm thankful that, although the white supremacists announced they were to march in two nearby towns yesterday, there was so much resistance from the townspeople that both marches were cancelled. It's great to see that townspeople prevailed, as did law enforcement.

I've had problems staying awake. A blood pressure medication is making me very sleepy. Unfortunately, the doctor says we are out of options, and that this medication is doing its job. So, I'll be praying that the Lord will help me be less lethargic.

I'm still praying for all the needs we have expressed here in this forum.

Love to all,
Ruth Ann

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone.  We have a beautiful and crisp fall day here in South Carolina.  According to the weather report on my weather app it was 31 degrees at 8 am but will get into the mid to high 60's by late afternoon. 

Yesterday Pat's foot was so swollen she couldn't get her shoe on and her back was not feeling well so she passed on going to Sunday School and Church with us.  However, her sister and I attended and then went through the drive-thru at Wifesaver's and got great chicken dinners to bring home for our main meal of the day.  The only thing on my schedule for today is to see the foot doctor at 1:45 pm to have him check my toes.  I think they are doing well and appear to no longer be seeping.  I hope this will be the last time I need to be checked on this procedure.  We are awaiting word on how the court case our granddaughter went to New York to attend turns out.  If she wins custody of her daughter they may be delayed in leaving to come back home but if not they will head back right after court.  Fortunately they had all day yesterday to rest up after the 16 hour trip.  Our granddaughter drove the entire way as our son apparently has narcolepsy and falls asleep.  I expect she will also drive all the way back.

Janet, it sounds like your pastor is seriously ill as know that condition is nothing to fool with.  I hope Beth was able to attend church yesterday.  I expect Darrel is getting pretty excited about tomorrow.  Does he know of the welcome home family member who will welcome their flight back?  I hope you felt better yesterday after singing in the choir and being at Church. 

Marilyn, so sorry to learn of the passing of your friend.  She must have had a very strong will to live. 

Ruth Ann, even though we were pretty chilly here this morning I didn't see any frost but it may have been gone before I got up as slept until 8 am this morning.  Glad to hear those marches were cancelled.  Sleeping is a better choice than being awake and in pain or having your blood pressure too high.  Maybe your system will adjust to the medication.

[Carol]

We had a wonderful visit while meeting son and wife for a hamburger meal.  So nice to visit with them.  After the month of June, they will be using our home in Colorado a lot - so that is good to know it will be checked often.

Larry:  Prayers for your granddaughter to win custody of her child.  It has to be a tremendous load for you and Pat to be worried about - so extra prayers for you two. 

We just had a note from our good friend at home - she had a new furnace installed and Don was able to send her the instructions for an energy-saving rebate.  Her husband is still up and down - in full care now.  So many relatives and friends (including in CP) who have ongoing health issues - the prayer list is long.

We sat outdoors contemplating heaven last night.   

[Janet]

Carol, were you contemplating heaven as in our eternal home, or the heavenly bodies we can see at night?     Just wondering.  I get up very early and go outside to look at the stars--I love looking at them.  And didn't you mention it's really dark where you are, so you can see them lots better?

Beth seems to be doing about the same, losing strength and eating little, but she still wants to live, and of course we want her to live, especially if she isn't suffering.  Hospice is doing a good job controlling her pain.  So we go along day to day......

Larry, sorry to hear that Pat was't feeling up to attending church yesterday.  That Wifesaver's  place sounds like a great deal!  Our pastor was back and feeling fine Sunday!  So glad for him.  I hadn't any idea about pancreatitis, but someone told me it is as painful as a bad gall bladder attack.  He preached a thought-provoking message he called "Zombie?"  It was based on the story of people who woke in their tombs when Jesus was crucified, but didn't come out until He was resurrected!

Ruth Ann, I hope once you adjust to the new medication you will not feel as lethargic.  I dislike feeling that way, too.

What's happened to Jackie?  I haven't seen a post from her for days and days!

Darrel has his bag packed and I will take him to the other man's house who is also going on the Honor Flight, in the morning around 10:00.  They will drive to Garden City, from there, they will go on a church bus to Wichita, then catch their flight to Washington, D.C. early on Wednesday morning. And,
Larry, I don't know any of the other men going, nor their family members.

And I do hope Jennifer wins the custody case.  Those are so painful!

I need to go put the car in the garage.  I left it out as I planned to go back to see Beth, but it's too close to dark now, so will wait until tomorrow morning.

[Ruth Ann Bice]

Hi, friends,

I've been working on a data project, so am trying to absorb the changes that have been made in an update of the program I use for analyzing data.

It's still cool here in Nashville, with night time temps hovering near freezing, and day time highs in the 50s and 60s. We're to get very cold rains beginning after the trick or treaters make their rounds tomorrow night. Brrr. I'm more of a summertime gal, who prefers temps in the 70s and above.

Y'all have a good night.

Love to everyone,
Ruth Ann

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone.  We have another sunny and chilly morning but will go up to the mid-70's this afternoon.   Pat and Mary plan on going out to fill the Christmas Box for a child that the Church is collecting for the Franklin Graham Association. We plan on going out for our main meal today. My foot doctor was satisfied with the progress my toes are making in healing up but still have two or three weeks to go and will have to go back in two weeks for what should be the last time.

Scott and Jennifer will be remaining in New York until Sunday.  Nothing was resolved in her court appearance and her husband attended only by phone.  The judge ordered him to make the children available to her next Sunday so that is why they are having to wait.  For some reason it was necessary for her to be there in person but in the future these hearings will be held on the phone so they shouldn't have to make another trip to New York unless Jennifer gets custody of her daughter.   

Carol, it is always better to have a home used than to sit empty and also good to have someone keeping a close eye on it. Thanks for your prayers.  Nice of Don to help the good friend with her rebate on the furnace. 

Janet, nice to read that Beth still have a will to live and that her pain is being controlled by Hospice.  Glad to read your pastor was back and feeling fine on Sunday. I had to do some research on the people who woke in their tombs.  That fact had never caught my attention in reading the book of Matthew.  I hope Darrel has a wonderful trip and feels well while he is away.  As you can see from above nothing was resolved in the court hearing. 

Ruth Ann, it seems that about every computer program or site we have used in the past is changed from time to time.  I guess these are improvements but creates a new learning curve.  At least it keeps our minds active.  Hope those cold rains hold off until after the children are safely back home.  We will not put our porch light on tonight or participate in Halloween.     

[Carol]

Ruth Ann: Kudos to you for keeping up with technology.  I have a problem with my cell phone and will google that information or else go to Verizon.  70 degrees is about right for me - I like crisp and cool too. 

Janet:  There are strict lighting laws in Tucson put in place probably when the observatory was built.  We have not been there yet - I would want someone else to drive that tricky, winding road up the mountain in the dark plus you spend the middle of the night there then drive down that tricky road.  I think of heaven when I look up.

My 102 year old auntie died - she had fallen, spent six days in rehab.  She passed every test with flying colors - memory too then things turned sour and she just passed on.  We really are glad to have visited.  My cousin's son is a missionary in a mountainous muslim country.  (The Spell Checker wants me to capitalize the word muslim but I refuse).   Anyway, he is flying to Minnesota for the funeral  - it is a little Lutheran church painted white and sits alone on an acre off a road in farm country.  There is the grave of my uncle and a young cousin.  A sad little cemetery. To me, I remember going there for funerals and one wedding - hot as an oven inside because of no fans. 

Larry:  We have filled those boxes for Franklin Graham too.  We used to fill boxes for military --- then, when the former prez was in office, that was stopped because ---- we don't know.  Don always made pens and sent them and I tried to fill some for women military stationed overseas too.  The troops sent many thank you letters and especially liked drawings from children.  ---Good news on your toes healing - that is so important. 

[Janet]

On TV they are talking about a pickup truck in Manhattan driving into a crowd.  Terrorist?  Yes, very likely, since the driver yelled out "allahu akbar>"       Why oh why??

Darrel left this morning, so excited!  I'm so happy for him to have this honor. 

Beth is barely eating at all now.  A few bites a day is all.  I did feed her half a big glass of ice chips and water this morning, so at least she is getting a bit of fluids.  They weighed her again; she has lost another pound. 

Okay!  God's in His heaven, all's right with the world!  Maybe not with the world, from what we can see and hear, but He is still on His throne and in control of all things.

I'm going to get my nails done in a little while, hope to be back snug at home before dark!  The ghosties and goblins are out tonight.  I don't participate in Halloween, as I believe it's the devil's holiday.  I do enjoy seeing the little kids in their costumes--or did, when I saw them.  Since we live in the country, we never see any of them.

There's something nagging at my mind, and I can't seem to get hold of it!   ?

Talk to you later!

[Ruth Ann Bice]

Hi, friends,

Well, that data project is halfway finished. Now a new file of data makes up the second half. So, it's an absorbing project and working with data gives me a sense of accomplishment if the reports and graphs I produce make thousands of bits of data more comprehensible.

I'm ready to leave for a little while, so wanted to greet y'all before heading out.

Have a good evening.

Ruth Ann

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone on this first day of November.  It is another beautiful, clam and chilly morning but we will go into the mid-70's this afternoon with low humidity.  I think this will be a pretty quiet day at our household.  Pat and her sister went to Walmart and filled the Children's Christmas box and then to Aldi's.  They managed to make that about a three hour trip. Last evening we went to Diablo's for one of their great meals and Mary really enjoyed the food.  We went after dark as the ladies had eaten a very late lunch.  Yesterday afternoon Mary fixed this huge dish of cinnamon rolls from yeast dough and I am enjoying one of them with my breakfast this morning.  Over the years she has made many pans of these rolls. I do need to get a haircut so may do this later this morning.  This will be Mary's last full day with us as her plane leaves tomorrow at 1 pm.  We have enjoyed having her visit us.

Carol, I had a problem with my cell phone yesterday also as it didn't ring the calls or do the sound for text messages.  I rebooted it and hope that solves the problem but will have to keep a close eye on it today.  Like you I would not care to drive mountain roads in the dark as they are bad enough in the daylight.  We don't have any mountains nearby us although the we are not too far from the North Georgia mountains or those in North Carolina.  Sorry to hear that your auntie has died.  You all were able to visit her just in time and am sure that will remain a treasured memory. What a difficult job your cousin must have as a missionary in muslim country. Our choir in our old Church used to fill boxes to send to the military.  Yesterday the ladies were able to come home with the Christmas box stuffed to the top.  The little doll packaging was so big that they had to take it out of the packaging to get it to fit in the box. 

Janet, I guess there really is no way to prevent the kind of terror attack that occurred in Manhattan yesterday.  I am sure we will be hearing a lot more about the driver in the days to come.  Sorry to hear that Beth is eating so little and taking in such a small amount of liquids.  God's plan for Beth is being played out and he will be with you and your family each step.  These are the times our faith is tested and strengthen and as you said He is in control. 

Ruth Ann, it sounds like you have to deal with a lot of little pieces of data.  Sure glad you are enjoying the project.  Hope you had a good outing yesterday.

[Carol]

Good day from Arizona.  It will be in the 80's now and that is still hovering about 5 to 10 degrees above normal.  There was a thunderstorm and rain yesterday - so very welcome. 

Don is at the exercise building - I have been exercising the vacuum cleaner and mops.  Thankful for many things each and every day.  We have to take the car in for a new battery - the one installed at home is the wrong size and it has been moving at times hence, the car has been difficult to start.  I refuse to drive it and get stalled somewhere.  My concern will be over today.   

Cinnamon rolls - love them and have not baked that recipe for years. 

Super nice of Pat and Mary to fill a Christmas box. I have about 1/3 of a quilt on the floor of the guest/sewing room and it seems to be making sense to me now.  It is all batik fabric all cut in 6 inch strips - will send a picture when it gets sewn more.  Listening to a nice story on an old iPod.  It is harder and harder to work with old i - anythings because THEY stop supporting old electronics. 

Larry:  They call it a mountain and can get some snow - there are hills and more surrounding Tucson so that makes it more picturesque than Phoenix.  Both cities growing out-of-control. 

We plan to visit church tonight for the Wednesday night service.  I am hoping this works best for Don's hearing problems.     

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone.  Another beautiful fall day here in South Carolina.  The main activity for today will be taking Mary to the airport.  It is about a 30 minute easy drive and the airport is small.  I can park in the handicapped area at the curb and we will see she has wheelchair assistance.  The two hour in advance of the flight really seems extreme for this airport but that is what is indicated is needed.  Her flight is at 1:10 and she has a relatively short layover in Atlanta and a plane change and will get to Kansas City around 5:30.  She has arranged for a limo service to pick her up to get her back to her apartment. 

Carol, I know you will be relieved to get the right battery in your car and have it become reliable again.  I wonder why they put in the wrong size battery as they have computerized charts that tell them exactly which battery is needed. Hope you new quilt comes together quickly for you and that the Church service last night was one Don could enjoy and hear. 

[Carol]

Good Thursday to all.  I think they are making days much shorter than before - somehow, time just flys.  We were not able to attend the Wednesday night service because a door problem (it was getting stuck) problem took much longer than anticipated.  Next week. 

We went to the cafe this morning and ordered the little senior breakfast - it is enough and priced right.  I was awake for hours in the middle of the night - Don came out to the living room and could not see me in the dark but my eBook was lit up.  It is so dark around here without street lights that we could walk right into a wall.  I keep some automatic lights on in strategic spots and more so when we have company sleeping overnight. 

Working on the 8th row on the quilt that is laying on the floor - and I will quit when it begins to "look right". 

Larry:  We should have not OK'd the suggestion on the oversized battery - live and learn.  Now, there is a leak and we will take it in for repair then, that should be it for the time being.  Your visit with Mary went so fast - how wonderful for Pat's sister to visit. 

[Ruth Ann Bice]

Hi, friends,

My apartment doesn't have a night light or a wall plug in or near the bathroom. ConsequentlyII leave the light burning at all times in there.

I'm still working on that data project. How thankful I am that I can do the work at home.

I miss Jackie. Hope she's doing well and will return.

Lord bless all of us, I pray.

Ruth Ann

[Jacqueline]

Ruth Ann...
...bless you, you mentioned my name...
I haven't posted for some time as I have not " mentally " been in a good place...its a mixture of missing my three dogs, our Benji's one year since the day I lost him tomorrow, plus my home life is not good, and the mixture of my illness, my MS...two of these I cant do nothing about but the third one, I can, and this could be life changing and frightening once one has started the ball rolling....I wish I could get back to posting positives so this is part why I am keeping away, one lesson I have learnt over the years, is that no one wants to hear, or is interested on hearing negatives...I have to deal with this myself and I hope with the help of God, He will guide me.....

[Jacqueline]

Well once agin I am sitting at the computer in my dressing gown, time now is 8.50am and Richard is up and about when I heard him sobbing, he broke down, today is exactly the day our Benji didn't stop walking, ( his anal cancer ) he couldn't lay down he kept walking - pacing non stop from the time I got up 5.30am till the time we took him to rest, 5.40pm...this is going to be a hard day, and to make matters worse, neither of us has spoken inside this house for the past three days...no sense in me speaking as this is why we dont speak, he literally does not like me talking to him, whatever subject I talk about turns into an argument, and I come out the worst...he tends to think everything I say, or ask him, he is always on the defensive...you just cant talk to him or have a conversation is a definite no no..
I have been breaking down these last few days...the loss of not just one but three dogs I loved to bits, my MS and my unhappy homelife...

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone.
Another very pretty day and it is going to hot this afternoon getting into the low 80's.  My sister-in-law is safely back in her apartment in Missouri.  She had a long day yesterday but said she had a good flight and the ground transportation was waiting for her when she got to the Kansas City Airport.  We enjoyed her visit and the time went quickly.  Hopefully she will be up to visiting us again next year.  However, her health is not good. Today's big event is the housekeeper will be here shortly. We might go out to lunch and then stop at the company that supplies our CPAP machines for some new supplies.

Carol, sorry you had to miss the Wednesday Church services.  It sounds like night lights are in order in your home.  Hope your care is soon is in tip-top condition.  Those little problems can be very worrisome. 

Ruth Ann, I am surprised that you don't have a plug in in your bathroom.  A man using a plug in electric razor would be out of luck.  We keep a night light on at night in the bathroom and I keep the table lamp on that sits on Pat's night stand so she has plenty of light when she comes to bed.  The light doesn't bother me to sleep. 

Jackie, yesterday as I was posting I thought about you and glad to see your postings from yesterday.  You do have a full plate.  Most of us write about some negatives here from time to time so don't fret about it.  So sorry you are not getting the support in your home life that you need. Can you seek some outside help?     

[Jacqueline]

Larry Hanna...
...tried that...the man from the " Community Angels " from a nearby church, never got back to me when he said he would...I phoned to try to speak to my local Doctor last Monday, told she wasn't to be in till Thursday or Friday, cant remember which...I phoned what I believed to be the Local " Samaritans, " was on the phone for God knows how long, only to find out I was talking to a lady in Scotland, and this was a paying call, not a freephone call...I should have smelt a rat as she had a Scottish accent but the phone number was local, sure she said these calls get put through, shan't be doing that again in a hurry...someone is not going to be happy when his phone bill comes through...

[Janice]

Good morning, it's still morning here in New Mexico anyway. The time changes again this Sunday.  Just when we get used to Daylight Savings....how much more daylight did we actually save? 😃 
Went to Amarillo again yesterday to see a Retina specialist...wet Macular Degeneration diagnosis. My Glaucoma doctor referred me. It has been the dry type for several years. Said I will have to have an injection every month the rest of my life.  What?  It's about 110 miles from here.
Also dealing with bad neck pain, had an opioid injection over at Lubbock last week, will have to have more.  Another 100 miles from here.  Oh the joys of living in a small town! 😃Diagnosis Degenerative arthritis and bone spurs .  The injection has not helped any.  Oh well.  Enough moaning and groaning.  Does not change a thing. 
Janet, I don't have any update yet.  My relatives were here with me for 4 days, loved having them though. They have a permanent bed at my house!  I love when they visit.  They just bought a new home in Ruidoso, closed on it a week ago today.  Have to sell their current home in North Texas first, before they move. 
My Gr-dtr and fianc? were married at Ruidoso on Sept 3.  I wanted to go so bad!  But my neck pain was too bad to travel 150 miles.  They were already engaged, but when the Library shooting took place August 30th, they decided to tie the knot as she saw the shooter and the aftermath, her nerves or whatever,
So they decided to go to Ruidoso and have an outdoor wedding. No time to plan a Church wedding.

[Carol]

Janice:  Sending my prayers for you - neck pain is so difficult.  And, on top of that you need shots for macular degeneration.  Yes, a lot of my relatives live in a small town  in Minnesotaand
they have miles to go - for certain issues.  So sorry that the injection is not working.  I hope the next one or different kind will be the answer to at least that pain.  Where are you in New Mexico?    Also - best wishes to your granddaughter!

Ruth Ann:  I made some solar lights for outdoors and if you have a sunny window, they can be of great help sometimes.  Otherwise, I keep flashlights in the bedroom in case of power failure too.  One in the car and one in my purse.  Is that overkill?   

Jackie:  That out of country phone call sounds like it is too easy to make a mistake.  Wishing you a much better week starting right now.

We are expecting youngest son to visit Sunday night.  He flys into Phoenix, rents a car and drives here then Monday morning drives to a meeting in Phoenix and off on the plane again.  I just straightened this room - the trundle bed is ready.  There is my laptop and work in here plus my sewing & ironing so all but the laptop is stashed.  One quilt is ready for the final sewing and that is hanging in the closet. 

The following weekend, we have just been asked to dog sit and will do it so oldest son and wife can take a weekend drive.  Tomorrow night, a friend here and  her daughter are coming over for a little visit and that is about it for us this week - more work on the car - I have a genealogy class and we will try to get to that Wednesday night service at church. 

There is not Daylight Saving Time in Arizona - nice!  So confusing to call out of state.     

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone. It is going to be another warm 80's day here today with little chance of rain.  I plan on staying home today and just taking the day slow and easy.  I have some things to do here at my desk, including getting the Devotional ready for my Sunday School class in the morning.  Yesterday we did go to a new place for me called Antonio's Restaurant and we had baked spaghetti, although the only think baked was the cheese on top that had apparently been put under the broiler for a minute or two to melt it.  It was pretty good but will not order it again.  We had stopped at the business that supplies our CPAP needs and Pat and I both got what we needed. 

Jackie, so sorry to learn that you support group contacts were not available to you.  I have never understand why people say they are going to do something and then don't follow thru even if it is a call saying something has come up.  To bad about that scam telephone call.  I sure hope this coming week will be better for you.  Do you have any social activities on the calendar?

Janice, I certainly agree with you on the daylight savings time.  Sorry to hear of your medical conditions that require those long trips to get to the doctors.  I have a coffee buddy who also gets those shots in his eye. My wife is scheduled to get a shot in her back area in a few days and sure hope it works better than your shot did.  Maybe a second shot will give you some relief.  I had to look up Ruidoso to see what State it is in.  Congratulations to your granddaughter on her marriage.

Carol, how do the solar lights work that you made for outside and how did you make them.  Are you allowed to have them on at night?

[Jacqueline]

Larry Hanna...
...no, not a scam telephone call, she was genuine  enough, a " Samaritan " at the other end of the line...what was a scam was how and why the supposedly locally called phone number got transferred through to Scotland....

Just been watching a Christmas film on the tv, I do enjoy these type of films, usually they are American...I did miss the beginning and a film I havnt seen before..." 12 Gifts of Christmas " starring...

Anna Parisi - Law Katrina
Marc Rehnquist -  Aaron O'Connell
Marie -  Melanie Nelson
Joyce Rehnquist - Donna Mills
Yvonne Carlson - Alesandra Durham...

The film gave me a warm glow, a smile on my face, and a real feel good factor, just the perfect Christmas...and with a happy ending...well it sure took away all my troubles for a short while...

[Carol]

The Christmas decorations are already up at most stores.  Why not keep them up all year long? 

If anyone wants to make solar lights, go to Pinterest and check out the site.  Mine are all made with supplies from the dollar store and Walmart.  I use small size Mason jars, colored stones to fill the jars and I buy the garden solar stakes from Walmart.  These are now placed on a low table in the back yard  just enough light so we don't walk right into the table.  Truly withing lighting rules.  Also, everyone has to have a lighted address on the front of the house (for emergency).  They make nice little gifts and everyone seems to appreciate having that little solar light. 

An old friend and her daughter are coming over for a visit this evening.  I first met my friend, Pat, in Zurich where our husbands were on a business trip.  She usually stayed in the hotels all day long but I talked her into getting out.  We did get lost but found our way back - had a couple of hilarious situations.  We both ordered a coffee refill and it set the entire cafe into a tizzy.  Apparently, it was not ever done before - having a 2nd. cup of coffee.  The waitress slammed the new cup down and was so annoyed - we still laugh about it.
Imagine that waitress talking about crazy Americans for a long time. 

 

[Janet]

Happy Saturday, everybody!  I'm home again!  What a wonderful trip the Honor Flight was for Darrel!  He enjoyed it far more than he imagined he would, and said they took such excellent care of them every hour!  I am so grateful for the many wonderful people who make these trips possible for our Veterans, and it does take so many to pull it off.

Daughter Diane drove me to Wichita for the big Welcome Home at the airport, and we had nine family members there, too.  There were many school kids there, plus a band, a Bagpipe player--so many caring people!  We are still walking about two feet off the ground from all the excitement of it!  And Darrel received over FIFTY letters at Mail Call at their banquet on Wednesday night.  We so enjoyed reading them all this morning!  (He didn't have time to read them before, as it was a very busy time.) I have never seen Darrel so excited about anything in all the years I've known him!    For those on FB,
I did post a few photos there.

It's good to be home, and I have read each message.  Janice, I am so sorry to read of your pain and problems, and am praying for you, dear one!  ((((hugs)))))
Jackie, good to have you back with us, and good to read that a feel-good movie has restored your thoughts to a better place.  I love the Hallmark movies, because they always have a happy ending. Larry, It sounds like you and Pat had such a nice time with her sister's visit.  Good for all of you. Carol,
I love your posts--always informative and fun to read.  Vacation memories are more fun when shared,
for sure!
Ruth Ann, so nice having you in more often!  Glad you're still able to do the computer work, and from home, too!  Your brain cells are getting regular workouts!    Good for you!

I haven't done anything this day except sleep late (We got home at 1:00) then share Darrel's mail with him, then go see Beth, who is having much more pain today, requiring morphine every hour! And catching up with emails and posts in here.  I think I'd better go see what else I can do; and of course will have to go check on Beth again before dark.

Wishing sweet blessings on each of you, dear friends!

[Carol]

Janet:  I came in to let everyone know about your happy pictures of Darrel returning.  Nice turnout!

[Ruth Ann Bice]

Hi, friends,

Its so good to from y'all this evening.

I'm now finished with the data project.

I see there are several needing extra prayer. Thanks to God for His lovingkindness to each of us.

Love to all,
Ruth Ann

[Jacqueline]

Janet...
...welcome back..happy to read that you sound chirpier and refreshed after your recent trip which sounds as if all went well, or better than imagined for yourself and especially for Darrel...I will have to look up " Honour Flight " I am not familiar with it...as you mention for our " Veterans " it must have been in honour for all, and a great privilege to have been a pat of it......


I have not been in a good place lately, I know somewhere there is light at the end of my tunnel...if only I could find it...or know which path I should take to get me there...

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone.  It is an overcast morning here but it will be a nice day going only into the mid-70's. I didn't leave the house yesterday except to get the mail. I will go to Sunday School and Church this morning.  Pat hasn't told me yet whether she is going to go or not.  If she does we will eat out and if not I will stop and get something to bring home.  I have my devotional material ready for the Sunday School class. 

This is finally the day when Scott and Jennifer will get to see at least two of Jennifer's four children.  The meeting will be at a mall.  When that is over Scott and Jennifer will head back to South Carolina, driving throughout the night.  They expect to be home by noontime tomorrow.

Pat put the first drop in my eye this morning and I have two more to go today.  This is a compounded formula of eye drops and only deal with one bottle until it is gone and then will use a second bottle until it is gone. 

Jackie, I was happy to read that you had found something to put a smile on your face with the Christmas movie.  Pat is watching one of the Christmas movies this morning.  I hope you will find many more that can bring you some moments of forgetting about your troubles.  Glad that the Samaritan call was not a hoax.

Carol, here the Christmas decorations department at Walmart has almost eliminated the inside garden center and that doesn't include the toy isles.  Thanks for the info on the solar lights.  Fortunately, we don't need something like that as there is sufficient outdoor lighting and we have no restrictions on having outside lights on.  Nice you were able to renew an old acquaintance.  Funny story about the second cup of coffee.  That is so normal over here. 

Janet, so happy that Darrel had such a wonderful time.  I saw the first picture you posted on Facebook but didn't look for others.  I will have to go back and look again.  Sorry to hear of the increased pain that Beth is experiencing. 

Ruth Ann, from what you said I think you enjoy the data projects you do but expect you are also happy when that responsibility is completed.

[Carol]

We had friends over last night  and chatted until late.  Today, our youngest son arrives and we hope to take him out for pizza as he asks for a special place.  We hope to take him for a tour of the area and just relax outdoors later.  Last night, the moon was full and clouds parted so we could see it. 

Jackie:  The flights are to honor WWII veterans and it takes them to Washington, D.C. to view the memorial. 

Have a Good Sunday All!

[Janet]

Yes, Darrel had a great time on the Honor Flight.  There were 4 WW11 men; 11 from the Korean War, and 25 from the Viet Nam War on this flight.  (Darrel served in Viet Nam.)  He was there at the very start of it in late 1962 and 1963, as an 'advisor'.  He was a radio operator. Later, he was in Berlin, behind the Iron Curtain for 2 1/2 years, then was in Hawaii for a time, serving seven years in all.  The other fellow from here who went was also in Viet Nam, but is 10 years younger than Darrel, having been there at the very end of that mess.  For those 25 men who served in Nam, and were treated shamefully upon their return home, this was the welcome home they had waited over 50 years to receive, and so happy they finally got it!.

He said when they walked through the St. Louis airport, they were applauded every time they passed a group of people, and that was a real surprise and he felt very honored by it.  Not only him, but, I suspect, all 40 of the veterans on the flight.  He had first been told about it close to three years ago when were were at the VA Clinic in Wichita.  I had thought all the WW11 guys had gone, but there are still a few right here in our little town who haven't, for whatever reason.  One is a good friend of ours, and Darrel is going to try really hard to get hime to go this next Spring.  Willie is already nearing 94,
but still in good health.  Anyway, they visited the WW11, Korean and Viet Nam memorials, Arlington National Cemetery, Ft. McHenry, and a few more places.  Lots of walking, but he made it fine, and they had wheelchairs in case they got too tired.  There were 20 sponsors and guardians along who took excellent care of them.

At their banquet on Wednesday night, they had Mail Call, and Darrel received over 50 letters!  We had fun Saturday morning reading all of those!  I believe the flights were started to honor WW11 Veterans,
but they are continuing with them to honor the ones from later wars, as well.  Kansas has one of the very best groups of volunteers and donors of any of the states.  They started five years ago, and this was Flight #55, and they already have 11 flights paid for, for next year!  It's such a wonderful way to thank our veterans for their service.  They certainly weren't expecting the big welcome home party upon their arrival back in Wichita!!  Such fun! 

Carol, has Don gone on an Honor Flight yet?

John brought Beth to church again this morning.  I really wasn't expecting them, as she had been in such pain yesterday.  I know she'd had a lot of pain medication, as she slept most of the time.

I did post several pictures of the welcome home in Wichita on my Facebook page, if you would like to see those!

Since I've already chattered so long, I will stop now, but wish you all a pleasant evening.

[Marilyn]

Janet, I saw the pictures on Facebook.

They changed the Friday night music practice to Monday at 4:30 and I still can't go because it is dark by 5 pm. I asked someone for a ride to practice at church this morning, it was the husband of the worship leader who has given me ride in the past. I got the impression that it would be inconvenient when he said: I'll try to work it in. so I got home and texted that I don't need a ride.  I hate to feel like I am an inconvenience. So I won't be going to music practice. When the schedule was going to be changed I was told it would be so I could drive myself, however, it is still going to be dark by 5 pm so I won't be able to drive myself. Today it was announced that the change was because they want to be able to go to Open Mic night on Friday.

OK, I am through venting thanks for listening to me. I am not in a good place right now, feeling like the church "Family" has let me down. Keith an I sat in the last row this morning close to the door, as people came in not one stopped to say hello some kind of half waved as they went by.

[Jacqueline]

Marilyn...
...It makes me sad to read that your church has let you down, and they have not been acting in a friendly manner...Marilyn, trust in God to put matters right...

...as Isn't it a sad day when we feel either let down or we cant trust our church? I too left my church, the village church I thought would be my settled in church a few months ago because of an incident which occurred to me....I was bullied outside as I left the church and was heading back to my pickup car that was waiting for me, ( Richard saw them surrounding me, and asked what had gone on when I eventually reached his car )...when four or five came running out after me down the cobbled pathway, and shouting my name, one standing right in front of my walker with his both hands on my rollator preventing me from moving forwards when I was bullied into giving up my Bible reading I had been given the week before, which had also been confirmed again just five or ten minutes before I walked out the church door... to a young couple ( also part of the bullying crowd, ) who they said wanted to bible read but would only be in my church on that one day, my week, the week I was to read...I was given the following Sunday but I was never asked if I was ok to do that Sunday, the fresh piece of paper with that date and bible reading was just thrust into my hand...then they ran back inside the church leaving me bewildered...
...and not forgetting how many times the Vicar and lady wife ( who also is a lay preacher ) said they were coming to my home to see me, or follow us home in the car,  they never ever did...if you cant trust the word of a vicar, who can you trust?

[Jacqueline]

...continuation...I never went back to that church again, and to make matters worse, the Sunday Bible reading they had now given me, I wouldn't have been able to have gotten to the church that day anyway, as it was the Sunday of our annual " Iron Man Triathlon " running through our roads, that were all to be blocked off to traffic...the routes included the main road we could only take...which had now left me wondering if they had already new that, and that was there reason for the date switch-over, to accommodate the once only Sunday visiting young couple, and push out there regular church goer...me...

[Jacqueline]

Doctor appointment within the next couple of hours..and believe you me, what I have to say will fill that half hour slot....

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone.  We awoke to a very dense fog this morning but it is to burn off by 10 am this morning so it won't be a problem by the time we head to the eye surgeon later this morning.  Scott and Jennifer left New York about 4 pm yesterday and Jennifer drove all night until she had to pull over and now Scott is driving.  She had driven 14.5 hours and they were in Charlotte when she wrote and in the rush hour traffic.  So they should be home by mid-morning and will get the rental car turned back in.  I will be very glad to get the message they are safely home but after Charlotte the rest of the traffic shouldn't be a problem. It appears from a couple of pictures they sent that they were able to see all four of the children.

Carol, it sounds like you all will be ready for a couple of recoup days after the visiting friends and then having your son visit for a short while.  Hope the pizza was as good as he remembers it to be.

Janet, great description of the Honor Flights.  It was certainly a shameful time when our troops were so badly received back home.  It wasn't their fault that Viet Nam was such a disaster.  They did there job and our military is to honored. Hopefully the greetings from friends at the Church helped Beth's spirits yesterday even if she got little out of the service. 

Marilyn, sorry that you are not going to be able to participate in your Church choir practices.  Maybe you could ask another choir member to pick you up.  In my view being of help to someone isn't an inconvenience but we don't walk in the other person's shoes so don't know what may be back of their attitude.  It sounds like a review of priorities might be in order as going to an Open Mic night would seem to top singing praises to our Lord. 

Jackie, I am in shock at how you were bullied at your Church.  Can you attend another Church as surely the treatment you received is not normal for Church going people.  Hope your doctor appointment goes well for you today. 

[Carol]

I didn't even hear Matthew leave this morning.  He is a thoughtful man,  He left a thank note on the kitchen table.  As Don says, We are Blessed!  We sat outdoors and enjoyed our chat. 

Don was in during the Cuban Crisis - he used to go to Strategic Air Command headquarters often - I know nothing.  We drove to the D C area years ago and walked all around the area - it is beautiful and quiet. 

Such a sad story from Texas on another shooting.  One family lost 8 members.  How do they cope? 

Church should be the most kind place we enter -

[Jacqueline]

A waste of time, just as I expected, pill popping...hey, just pop a pill down your throat, and hey presto he will just disappear, and all your troubles will vanish....well I now have the packet in front of me but no, I will not be taking them...Effexor (Venlafaxine)...This was one of two, ( the other was the Duloxetine ) that MS consultant who doesn't want to see me again, not even on an annual basis prescribed a year ago, I declined then, I will decline now...
Link...to comparison charts...check out the side effects...." and possible suicidal thoughts.." at least the other one, the Duloxetine may have sorted out my nerve damage...

  http://www.iodine.com/compare/effexor-vs-cymbalta   

[Marilyn]

Larry, there are no choir members, Debbie plays the guitar and sings. Ray come just to practice and goes to another church. He and Debbie also sig and play at the Memory c|are center after church on Sundays, Now they want to take their music to the Open Mic place in the world. It is secular.

[Janet]

Happy Monday, everyone!! 
Some of us do not sound too happy today, though.  I am sad that church seems to be the reason for some of the angst.  It should not be that way, but since churches are filled with imperfect people, there are problems.  It's just sad that people get hurt in what should be the most loving, friendly and safe place there is on the earth.  I apologize to Marilyn and Jackie for those people, for they likely will not apologize for themselves.

On Thursday night, our church is hosting the big Thanksgiving dinner, the ladies' largest money making event of the year.  Much work is involved in pulling that together.  My small part is to make a big jello salad, go at 1:00 P.M. to cut salads and pies, and to help with the book sales.  I guess that's enough.
If everyone does their bit, then all the work gets done.

They had to give Beth extra morphine this morning because she was having "air hunger."  I would have said it another way, but that's how the nurse explained it to me.  I guess John had gone to take a nap, anyway he wasn't there at 10:00 when Darrel and I went to visit her after working out at the gym.  I will go see about her again later.

I have been asked to go talk to third, fourth and fifth graders on November 20 about Peru.  They are having an all day thing, asking people who have visited other countries to talk to the kids about it. They said I will be speaking to 16 different groups of kids!  Man!  I should have it memorized by then! Anyway, I need to get organized for that, as they want photos and stuff to show the kids.  November is ridiculously busy!!  Wow!

I asked Darrel to light the heater in my studio, so I can go in there and get the Peru stuff out and start thinking about what I want to say.  It's quite chilly here today, 41*, and very misty.

I need to keep moving, or I will fall asleep!

[Carol]

  Janet:  You wrote MINUS 41.....    Good luck with your talk.  That is just great for you  and the children to have this experience.  How on earth can you get everything finished?   Thank heaven for morphine for Beth. 

I am on the computer - doing laundry, ironing  too and trying to find the time and date of a meeting tomorrow.  I wrote it somewhere.   

[Janet]

  Carol, I meant to have a dash before and a dash after the temp of 41!  Boy!  That would really be frosty, huh?  Oh, well, first mistake of the day!  (Not likely!)

[Jacqueline]

Janet, Carol...
... boy, it even got me thinking..." dont think I would want to be living there..." it would freeze me solid...

...Well I am up and about, wouldn't have switched on the bedroom light, got out of my bed if I had known it had been just 4.am, too late now, my eyes are now acclimatised....I am now at the computer with my first cup of tea of the day...and its still only 4.40am...Well we do get up in the morning without a clue as to how the day is going to pan out, and today, I wonder if it will surprise me...   

[Carol]

We are having a modem installed and the girl from is doing the job!  good for her!  I have a class today in genealogy and am about to give up on it.  Just too much time in research and too many hiccups in the computer time too.  Temperatures here in Tucson are finally under the 80's.  They have been above normal for at least six weeks. 

Praying for the church in Texas.  Their lives have changed forever. 

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone on an overcast and humid morning here in South Carolina. We do have a potential for some rain showers today and a much better chance tomorrow, unless the forecast is changed again. 

My eye surgery followup went well yesterday.  Yesterday morning for the first time I realized what the yellow haze over the eye was all about as when I closed my yet to be operated on eye everything was nice and white and when I reversed that things had that yellow hazy look to them.  We did go out to dinner last evening and Pat still had to drive.  The doctor told me I could start driving tomorrow, although may do so when we go to the Church this evening as it will still be daylight.  As we were coming home last night after dark the headlights of the oncoming cars were like sparklers as my eye was still dilated.  Pat will probably have to drive home this evening.  Neither Scott nor Jennifer will be having dinner with us as Scott has to work and Jennifer has come down with a nasty cold. Fortunately, she made it back home before it hit her. Nothing else on the schedule for today than dinner at Church. 

Carol, hope the new modem works better for you.  I take it from what you said in another discussion that you are changing companies and saving a few dollars.  Genealogy is something that has really never interested me.  We do have several in the family that have done a lot of genealogy work.     

[Janet]

This day has flown by!  We went to the gym. came home, I changed and went back to town, did a couple of errands at PO and bank, then to see Beth.  Then I did a little grocery shopping as I needed ingredients for the salad for tomorrow night's big church Thanksgiving dinner. Went back to see Beth again, then home, got my salad put together and in the refrigerator.  Then I had a little nap, as I had only about two hours' sleep last night.

Beth seemed very tired today.  Tuesday is the day they weigh her, so I inquired about that, and learned she has lost another FOUR pounds!  That means she is down to 106# now.  She has lost nearly sixty pounds!    We are down to only three weeks now until time to go to Florida to see Mark and Tiffany (grandkids) and the nurses tell me we should just go.  That's really a hard decision for me. If we had gone October first when our tickets were, we'd have been fine, but that was when it looked as if she wouldn't live for more than a week or two.  So  it's still day to day, but I do have more peace about it now, and don't feel I have to be there all the time.

I had a wonderful, sweet surprise yesterday!  Our Jeanne Lee called me!  She wanted to tell me she is still praying for Beth and us, and since she has a lot of sleepless nights, she has a lot of time for praying.  She is in hospital herself!  What a wonderful Christian sister she is!  Friends we have never met can still be some of the truest friends we have!  God, please bless dear Jeanne!

Larry, seems you and I are all alone in here today!  Maybe that means everyone will be back tomorrow!  I hope so! 

We aren't having the church dinner tonight, as the big Thanksgiving dinner is tomorrow night.  The men were to go out and set up tables and chairs today.

[Ruth Ann Bice]

Puff, puff, pant, gasp, sigh ---- Ahhh, friends, how nice to be here again. It has been good to catch up with y'all again.

Larry, I was simply fascinated that everyone looked so much  healthier looking, after my first cataract surgery. It's amazing how having the "beam" removed from our eyes, that we can see so much better. And, I was working as a desktop publisher, so must have used pretty strong colors in my graphics.

Thanks to every one of you who post. Your messages really enrich my life. Janet, thanks for letting us know that Jeanne is hospitalized. I'll add her to my prayer list.

It is such a comfort to know we have our loving Father to Whom to bring our troubles.  Humans fail over and over and must go to Him for forgiveness, but I'm so grateful He is perfection itself, such a comforting thought to me.

Much love to all who come, whether or not you wish to participate in the conversation.

Ruth Ann

[Janice]

I felt ill most of the day, but feeling better now, 8:30 pm. Hope that is the end of that!  Tomorrow I have to go back to Amarillo to get my first injection for Wet Macular Degeneration.  The injection I had last week was for testing purposes.  I dread all those miles, though, a little more than 100 miles over there.  My daughter drives me, in my car.

[Jacqueline]

Strangely I was going to post last night that I hadn't heard from Jeanne Lee  in over a week, this is on both our forums, S & Fs...now of course I wish that I had of made my posting...I am sorry to hear of this news... Jeanne Lee  if you look in..I too send prayers and relay my get well wishes....

Ruth Ann...
...I so agree...quoting: " Humans fail over and over and must go to Him " " and He is perfection..."
...yes I too would never place my trust in humans, ( apart from medics who do procedures and operations ) ...I will place my trust in my maker, at the end of the day, He wont let me down, that is more than I can say for humans that have come and gone in my life...

Janet...
...what can I say? I am shocked and saddened to read that your Beth over a period of time has lost almost 60 lbs of weight...

Larry Hanna...
...good to read your recent eye surgery went well but, I wouldn't have expected it any other way...

Carol...
...yes, if one is not safe inside a church, where else can one be safe...my heart cry's out for those innocent " victims " who were just going about there day to day lives...

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone.   We are finally getting some rain this morning, fairly light but good prospects for the rest of the day.  This is going to be a busy morning as had to fix Pat's breakfast, coffee and take care of other morning kitchen chores.  I will be going to coffee in a little while after picking up my friend.  I need to stop at the credit union ATM to get some cash and pick up a prescription and a couple of other things at Walmart.  When I get downtown I will drop off my friend at the cafe and go on to the Medical Supply store to exchange the new headgear they gave my wife last Friday.  It is just a couple of blocks away and then I will return to have coffee.  We are not having the Wisdom Group today.  Yesterday the pastor announced in our weekly newsletter that we will have police protection at all of our Sunday services.

Last night I used the oxygen concentrator for the first time and what a loud machine.  In addition to the sound of the motor in it there is a huff and puff sound every few seconds.  I was afraid it would keep Pat from sleeping but she said this morning it hadn't bothered her. 

We had made plans to meet friends in Greensboro, Georgia, about an hour and 15 miinutes away on Saturday.  We are going to have to cancel that as Pat is in no condition to spend that long in the car.  She is experiencing a lot of spasm and other pain in her back and can hardly get around. 

Janet, I hope you got more than two hours of sleep last night so you could recharge your batteries.  Sorry to hear of the continued weight loss that Beth is experiencing.  It sounds like the nurses gave you good advice about your planned Florida trip.  I am so glad you mentioned talking with Jeanne Lee as she has been on my mind and met to post yesterday to see if anyone had heard from her.  I wondered if she wasn't in the hospital again and see that she is.  I hope you enjoy your Thanksgiving dinner at your Church today and that you don't work too hard to be able to enjoy it.

Ruth Ann, I drove to dinner at the Church last night as I was the only one to attend and then picked up the grocery order.  The lights and light rain didn't really bother me.  It is amazing what a difference in seeing it makes as didn't realize how bad it had become over time. 

Janice, sorry to hear you had a bad day yesterday not feeling well.  Hope that by today you are feeling much better. Glad your daughter is there to drive that long trip.

Jackie, it sounds like we both were worried about Jeanne Lee yesterday.  I even did a search here on the discussion and saw that her last posting was October 22 (I think that was the date).  I also expected my eye surgery to go well and it certainly did.   

[Jacqueline]

Larry Hanna...
...yes I did too yesterday...it only stopped me posting yesterday because I noticed she had looked - been in...great minds think, and act alike...

Poor Pat, I am one who is fully aware about spasm'ing...and just how horrible that is...

[Janet]

How nice to come in and find several posts today!  Ruth Ann, you are such a blessing!  I love reading your posts!

Larry, sorry you are having to cancel your plans to meet with friends.  It seems we must do things like that more often as the years keep rolling by.  Prayers for Par to feel better.  I did get a good night's sleep last night, for which I am very thankful.  That makes a big difference the next day!  Does the sound of the oxygen concentrator keep you awake?

Janice, I do hope you are feeling better.  So glad you have a daughter near to drive you to Amarillo. We are planning to go to Amarillo for Thanksgiving, to see Darrel's sister and her husband.  They are both in failing health and it's been about a year since we went to see them.  Since Diane, Jeff and Abby are going to Florida for Thanksgiving and Curtis and Toni to her parents' this is a good opportunity to go.  We have told her NOT to cook; we can just go eat at a restaurant this time.  Anyway, I hope the trip doesn't tire you out too much.

Jackie, interesting how both you and Larry were thinking about Jeanne.  I was really surprised to get a call from her-very pleasantly surprised!!  I do hope she's doing well and can soon go back home to her own little 'nest.'

I also had a very short chat with Pat Scott Halbach via text.  Jeanne had mentioned she had spoken to her.  We were interrupted by Pat's phone ringing, but a few words are welcome from a friend anytime!

Beth seemed rather distant today, and she was cold, so I put another warm blanket on her.  I told her I wish I could give her some of my "insulation."

Abby is supposed to call me right away to interview me for another paper she has to write for her gerontology class!!  Guess that must mean I'm getting old!!  YIKES!!    

[Marilyn]

How nice to see so many posts this morning. Not much new here, There is a big food give away at a church near here and the cars are lined up all the way up my street and on one cross street just above me.  I heard they have 34,000 lbs of frozen good to give. I think I will wait until there isn't any more traffic and then go see if there is anything left.

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone.  After a wonderful rainy day yesterday we now have bright sunshine and will be in the mid-60's this afternoon.  Yesterday I thought we would not be going to meet friends tomorrow but Pat decided she would be able to make the trip if she takes a pain pill early enough so it is back on. 

I had a really good day yesterday and got all of the errands I planned to do done.  Today I plan on staying home.  Pat has been having a problem with her computer trying to update to a newer version of Windows 10.  It was get to about 90% and go no further.  Yesterday I found a link to a direct download of the current Windows 10 and was able to get it installed last night. I just completed another tweak on it.  Hopefully this will eliminate another source of aggravation for her. 

Jackie, those muscle spasm's are terrible.  Fortunately I haven't experienced that very often but Pat has a lot over the years and especially this last year. 

Janet, as you can see above our plans for tomorrow changed after I posted here yesterday.  Glad to see you had a good night's sleep.  No the sound of the oxygen concentrator has not kept either of us awake.  I think our minds tune it out after a few minutes.  It located right next to my night stand.  They can be placed in another room using a long tube but our house configuration doesn't accommodate doing this.  I think it is going to be fine. The days go by so fast it sometimes takes me several days to realize we haven't seen a posting from one of our regular posters, such as Jeanne or Linedancer (deAngel). 

Marilyn, that is a lot of food that Church had to give away.  I remember several years ago one of the big Churches in our area was giving away turkey's for Thanksgiving and I happened to travel that way and the cars were backed up a long way on the highway.  Fortunately the right lane was kept open.   

[Marilyn]

Well, I go so much food that after I filled my freezer with pkgs of vegetables I gave some to a neighbor and donated 4 more cases to the Sober House around the corner from here. It was all packages of different kinds of vegetables.

[Jacqueline]

Marilyn...
...here in UK with have an old fashioned saying ( Idiom )  one that was used within our family as I was growing up...maybe not so much used nowadays....
"one good turn deserves another..."
​(said when you do a helpful or kind act for someone who has done something good for you )...

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone.  Our day started out at 39 degrees and we are to get into the mid-50's by late afternoon.  Our trip to Greensboro is definitely on today.  Yesterday evening as Pat got up to come to the dinner table she found the spasms had stopped. She had a good nights sleep and this morning wasn't crying out in pain as she got up.  So I am hopeful that with a pain pill before we start that this will be a good outing for her.  It is only about and hour and fifteen minutes from where we live to where we are going and often it took that long for us to get to to Atlanta when we made the many trips to see Stacey.  After we get home our son and granddaughter are coming out to spend the late afternoon and evening with us as he has today off from work.  So it should be an enjoyable day.  We had a very unexpected surprise yesterday when our great granddaughter, Shelby, called us for the first time ever.  We also got to speak briefly with our oldest great grandson, although he wasn't very in to talking very much.  It has been about 10 years since we last saw them. 

Marilyn, that sounds like quite a lot of vegetables you got.  Guess you will be having a lot of vegetable soups and other meals. 

Jackie, I am very familiar with that saying "one good turn deserves another..." as have heard it all my life. 

[Janet]

Good morning!
Larry, so good to hear that Pat is feeling better and you will get to go on your outing after all!

Marilyn, I was wondering if you got some of the frozen food.  Nice!  And even some to share with others.

We enjoyed the Veterans Breakfast and program at the high school yesterday, then in the afternoon, the assembly at the Middle School to honor the veterans.  Both were very nice, and it's good to see the youngsters being taught about the sacrifices of those who have served our country, and to appreciate them.

I went to see Beth this morning, found her in the dining room.  She had already had her shower and her breakfast.  I took her to her room, and the girls came in immediately and said they needed to put her in bed.  They discovered she has three places on her bottom that are just ready to break open.
(Pressure sores.)  They are trying all they can to prevent them breaking open, so said they need to keep her in bed today and tomorrow, as much as possible.  I really appreciate them keeping a close eye on that, as those sores can be terrible.  In over 11 years she's been there, she has never had one to actually break open.  She was very lethargic again today, but said she wasn't in pain.

We are going to a chili and cinnamon roll feed in a little while, another Veterans Day event; this one being done by the American Legion.

It is again overcast and quite cool here in our corner of Kansas.

I wish you all a pleasant day!

[Marilyn]

We just got home from a Veterans lunch and program that was held in the big room at the mall. It was a very nice program and catered lunch. We even got to bring home two plates of food.

Tomorrow at church I will be singing The Little church in the /wildwoods with the pastor accompanying me on on the piano. That song sure brought back some good memories for me. My mother and stepfather were married in a little brown church in Yosemite National Park village in 1952. I spent my summers there with my cousins.

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone.  We have another overcast morning and will only get up into the high 50's today.  We had a nice trip to Greensboro yesterday and met with 5 of our friends.  Greensboro is an old town and the Yesterday Restaurant where we ate was also in an old building but was clean and well maintained and the food was very good.  We had no problems on the drive over or back.  The only problems Pat encountered was getting from where we parked to where we entered the restaurant and back to the car.  However, we both really enjoyed the outing.  Pat will not be going to Church with me today as the pews are very uncomfortable with her back problems.  About 5 yesterday afternoon Scott and Jennifer came over and we had one of the Costco Lasagna's for our dinner.  We had a good visit and they shared about their trip to New York and getting to see our great grandchildren. 

Janet, I have been pleased to see that our school children here start the day with the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.  I just wonder how many schools are still doing this.  I sure hope Beth doesn't develop new pressure sores.  I have a good idea of what that is all about based on the experience my father had in the nursing home.  It sounds like the veterans are being treated very well in your community and well fed. 

Marilyn, hard to beat going to a nice lunch and then being able to bring home two other meals as well.  That will save you a meal preparation.  That hymn you are singing today at your Church brings back many memories of the times we sang it in our little Church as I was growing up. 

[Ruth Ann Bice]

 Good morning, friends,

I had an excellent night's sleep so, awakened and was happy to attend church via the internet. I really appreciate an opportunity to worship live with the church family. I was challenged by the minister's sermon today. My dad often said, "if the preacher shoots your limb out from underneath you, just reach up and grab the next limb in the tree. That sermon was meant for you." So, today, I reached up.

Y'all have a good rest of the day.

Love from Ruth Ann

[Carol]

We are back from dog watching & playing while son & wife drove to San Diego for the weekend.  It was also a good opportunity for us to meet with a good friend and we had a good mexican meal.  Then, Don and I like to check out an Asian supermarket and bought a couple of spices,etc.  Back today, and the computer is in a clean-up mood.  Unusually hot weather here - they don't know it is November. 

Extra prayer for Jeanne Lee - rest and recuperate. 

Janice:  Sorry about your long drive.  Safe travel and health to you.

Janet:  I saw the nice picture of Darrel on the net - thanks for posting.  In the Denver news, there is an article of a veteran and his daughter (also former military) being asked to appear at the Bronco game, they refused because of the anti- freedom flag and more power to them! Hopefully, a boycott of the games to make them understand - Freedom isn't Free!  .....  prayers for Beth, of course. 

Larry:  Not a bad idea to have some police on site during services.  We have gone to the  mega church in Colorado and I have often thought of the multitude of members at risk in pews.  Would it help Pat if she went to a pain clinic - or acupuncture?  That did help Don one year - he needs to find something again.  M

Marilyn:  One the news, police were giving out frozen turkeys to motorists being stopped for minor offenses - nice touch.

PS.  This laptop is not typing correctly anymore - it is not my fault 

[Janet]

 Happy Sunday, everyone!

Pastor Todd preached a really good message this morning on Kings Kids Part 11.  It was very encouraging.  He had a good friend from out of town visiting.  I wonder if that isn't the reason he canceled his class after service.  It's okay.  I needed to go see about Beth anyway.  She was again lethargic, barely responsive, seemed sleepy; so I just loved on her and assured her of my love and promised to come back soon.  They told me she had refused supper last night, and ate 25% of her breakfast.  Sigh......  I think God is trying to teach this Mom to trust in the dark; when I cannot see even the next step---just keep on trusting that He loves all of us, and He will bring His plan for Beth to His planned conclusion.  And I have come to a measure of peace in the midst of this trial and am very thankful for that.

Marilyn, good you got to sing and didn't need the other couple to help.  I assume you will feel better about your little church now?  We all like to feel needed--and we are all needed in the Body of Christ!

Carol, you do have an interesting life, with so many friends and family who love to visit you.

Ruth Ann, do you not attend church services there in your building any more?  So good to have many choices of services on TV now, isn't it?

Larry, so glad you and Pat got to make your little trip and that Pat fared so well.  Since the big Thanksgiving dinner is over (We served 825 people!) they will resume the Wednesday night suppers again this week.  We ran out of food last Thursday--I guess that was a good thing, in that nobody had to decide what to do with leftovers!

Darrel just noticed my pills out on the counter--guess I'd better go swallow them!

[Marilyn]

Janet, I will be going to music practice tomorrow, after all, The pastor is going to pick me up and bring me home. Our pastor is 84 but he sure doesn't let any grass grown under his feet. He is the go-to guy for funerals around here for anyone who doesn't have their own pastor.

Yesterday Keith's college roommate and good friend contacted us that he and his wife were traveling up the coast on their way back to their home north of us from their Arizona home. They planned to stay locally at the Red Lion for the night and would we meet them there for dinner at 7 pm.  I drove to and from very carefully on a different route than I normally drive. I decided it would be safer driving down the highway than on the blvd that has very few lights and is winding on the side of a hill. I did fine, but I will never be driving the upper road in the dark. the food was fantastic, I had a pasta dish with a creamy Asian sauce containing chicken and shitake mushrooms.  Yummy!!!

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone.  Our day starts out with a fog advisory until about 10 am this morning.  Yesterday was a quiet day.  I came home after church and we ate what we had on hand rather than me bringing something home.  We did have a police car prominently parked in our parking lot and a policeman standing guard at the doors of our Worship services.  I introduced myself to him, shook his hand and told him I was glad to see him there.

Today I have a 2 pm appointment with the podiatrist, hopefully the last I will need on my toenail removal as they are healing well and no problems.  I had this appointment mixed up with dentist appointments and they had called to remind me but I called to tell them to cancel the appointment.  I left a message on the recording as the office was closed when I called to cancel.  I just called back this morning my appointment had not been cancelled.  I will also stop at Costco to get some HP ink cartridges refilled and hope they will work.  I haven't tried this before but these are HP cartridges so I would think they will work. 

Ruth Ann, our minister yesterday also gave a very challenging sermon about our work as Christians is "out there" in the world and doesn't end with just attending church.

Carol, it sounds like you had an enjoyable weekend and a nice change of pace.  Pat has been seeing a pain doctor and will have a shot in her back on Thursday of this week.  It looks like your laptop did a pretty good job of typing. 

Janet, I am glad to see you have found a measure of peace in the midst of the trial.  God's plan for Beth will be carried out just as his plan for your life is being carried out.  What a crowd of people you served with the Thanksgiving dinner. That sure would take a lot of food and a lot of work on the part of the Church members preparing all of it. 

Marilyn, glad to see things are working out with the music practice.  It sounds like you have a very good pastor.  I remember staying in a Red Lion Inn on a business trip I had to Portland years ago.  Glad you were able to make the drive without problems.

[Janice]

Good morning to all.  I'm sitting here waiting for my lunch to arrive, and reading updates on Facebook.  I can keep in touch with my family in Arkansas this way.  I get noon meals on weekdays delivered from Senior Meals.  So nice for us handicapped members.  I can't go anywhere without my Walker.  My late husband was a volunteer at the meal site for 17 years after his retirement.  And then he got sick.

I have been doing laundry this AM, so glad to have a washer and dryer indoors!  It's really cold out there today.  Also, a trip to post office to mail a package.  Brrr.  Not planning to go outside again...uh oh, just remembered I have to go to mailbox out there by the street later on this afternoon, to see if I got any mail today. using my Walker of course. That wind is strong so I really need the Walker!

This Wednesday night will be our church annual Thanksgiving Dinner.  That is always a treat to enjoy along with fellow members. We don't have a separate dining hall, so the meal is held in the worship center.  It takes a lot of people helping set up the tables and chairs. The room is huge.

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone.  It is a beautiful sunny day that is starting out at 41 degrees but is suppose to get to 63 this afternoon.  The Podiatrist released me yesterday but requested I continue treating my toes as I have been the last 5 week until this weekend.  I did get the ink cartridges refilled at Costco yesterday.  It couldn't have been handier as the counter is right inside the store as you enter.  I put in the first one and it worked fine.  These are original HP cartridges so contain the chip to identify them as such.  They told me these can be refilled for up to 10 or more. It saves a few dollars that will add up over time.  Today my calendar is clear so will just take care of some small errands here at home and take it easy.  Since I started using the oxygen at night I seem to be feeling much better, at least I haven't gotten up tired as I often did in the past.  Of course it is still to soon to conclude that as a definite fact but am hopeful. 

Janice, I am happy to see you are able to participate in the Senior Meals, which is a wonderful program.  When we stayed with my folks we ate most noon weekday meals at the Senior Center and the food was good with a good variety.  I saw them pack many meals to send out each day.  However, the Senior Meals in the county we came from left a lot to be desired.  They were prepared in the county prison kitchen and often appeared very unappetizing, such as everything on the tray being white.  The Hospice Care program at our Church utilized them but the people working in the kitchen usually had something special to add to them to make them more appealing.  Your husband certainly did his part as that was a long time to delivery those meals but sure it always was a rewarding experience for him. Do you have the full Thanksgiving meal at your Wednesday night dinner at your Church.  We will also have one tomorrow night with special guests being from the VA center in Augusta.

[Marilyn]

Larry, you have addressed the wrong person that is not me.

[Carol]

I had to log in - it is usually automatic.  We are signed on with Century Link and it seems to have a daily hiccup or more. 

today is our youngest son's birthday.  He was just here for a one-night visit.  Such a quiet manner - he is not a braggart for sure. 

Taking a break from mopping floors etc.  There is a tree in the front yard that is so interesting - however, it drops junk all the time and I end up vacuuming the garage or sweeping too daily.  Good thing that is easy but it is time consuming. 

Have you heard about the hyperloop that will be built in Denver?   they can get high at high speed - no, that is not funny.  It will be at a 200 mph speed to commute.  Thank you - never mind. 

Don is taking a walk.  He cut his face shaving this morning and we could barely get it stopped until ice cubes seemed to help best.  Every day is interesting.  The lady who has my latest quilt on her huge rack should be calling soon - I want to start sewing the binding (the edge). 

Janice:  Enjoy your Thanksgiving meal! 

Jackie:  Do you have a Thanksgiving or other name for it meal?  I know Canada has a different date. 

[Janet]

Hello everyone!

I had a really busy morning today.  Up early to read the Word and Pray, then went to the gym and worked out; had Darrel take me over to see Beth.  I found the CNA trying to feed her breakfast, but she wasn't eating well.  I looked at the food in the bowl and asked what it was.  She said it was ground sausage mixed with an egg.  It looked awful, like the egg was raw!  I told her Beth likes eggs over easy and sausage, and if they wanted to grind the sausage that was okay, but not to mix the egg into it. So she asked Beth if she wanted her to make her a new breakfast--yes.  So she did, and Beth ate all of it for me.  Also in the room was a gal with the optometrist who comes periodically to check their eyes. She said Beth was on their schedule, and asked me if I thought her eyes needed checked. I said yes, as it had been some time since they had been checked, back before the eye surgery she had for Angle Closure Glaucoma.  So they checked her eyes (I stayed to help them understand Beth) and she is getting a new pair of glasses.

We went back to her room, and I had a call from the Hospice nurse, who said she was just coming into the edge of town; so I stayed while she checked her.  They also weighed her while in the PT room where they checked her eyes; and she has lost another pound, so now she is at 105.     Her vitals were about the same except her pulse is more elevated, not a good sign.  By that time, Darrel was back to go to lunch with me, so that was a very full morning.  Beth's doctor comes tomorrow, will see if he has anything to tell us then.

In Jesus Calling this morning I read about a "peaceful fog" that sometimes settles in to obscure the path ahead of us, only allowing us to see a few steps ahead.  It said this fog is a protection for us, calling us back into the present moment, as we can only communicate with Him in the here and now.

This fits with what I feel God is trying to teach me through this time with Beth.  I say He is teaching me to trust in the dark.  So trusting in the fog is similar.  I am thankful for the lessons.

I did read all of your posts, and just don't want to make this too long by commenting on all of them. Carol, I will say it sounds as if your son must be a lot like you, peaceful and not a braggart.  And I agree about the 200 mile per hour loop--yikes!  No thank you!  Sounds crazy to me!

Janice, I hope you have a wonderful time at the church dinner!

[Carol]

Janet:  I will look for that piece on a peaceful fog in "Jesus Calling". 

It is nearly Thanksgiving.  There are times when it is pretty difficult to think of something thankful and other times, our bounty of peace is so great.  Look for that hidden gift. 

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone.  We have a beautiful, sunny but cool morning here in South Carolina.  It will not get much above 60 degrees here today.  I have a light schedule for today.  The main thing will be having the Thanksgiving dinner at Church this evening and then for Scott and Jennifer to visit with us for awhile.  Pat isn't up to attending the dinner tonight and this one time they are not allowing take outs so she will have a chicken pot pie or something else in the refrigerator.  I also have to refill my medicine boxes a little later this morning. 

On Monday Pat's sister, who was just here to visit, suffered a stroke, her second.  She is still hospitalized and they are running more tests this morning.

Marilyn, you have confused me (which isn't hard to do anymore).  I looked back to my last posting to you and what you had written above it talking about singing at church and the Red Lion Inn.  What were you referring to that I had addressed the wrong person (it wouldn't be the first time I had done it so maybe that refers to something earlier I said.)

Carol, I take it you don't plan on riding the hyperloop?  How many years do they think it will take to build it. 

Janet, what they were trying to feed Beth sounds terrible.  I certainly don't blame her for not wanting to eat something like that.  Glad that she ate all of the new breakfast.  I liked your fog analogy.  We do need to stay in the moment, forget the past and not worry about the future since we can't know what God's plan for us in the future may be.   

[Ruth]

Good morning: I have been away for a long time but when I come back it good to see Larry, Janet, Marilyn and others still posting. 
In the past while if not years things have been very stressful but you just keep on keeping on.
Janet you are a wonderful and committed mother.
Larry I also enjoy your words of encouragement and what your daily life is all about.

Hubby is off the phone  so will go for now.

[Janet]

Ruth!  How good to "see" you today!  Please come back and chat more.
Carol, I believe the "fog" devotional is November 16 in Jesus Calling.

Larry, sorry to hear Pat's sister has had a stroke.  I hope she will be able to recover quickly.  We plan to go to the church dinner tonight, it will be chili. 

I am feeling sad today.  Beth's doctor was there this morning, and he said she cannot continue to lose weight at this rate and live.  He talked to John about Beth's home going being soon, as he wants John not to be taken by surprise.  I assured the doctor that I have been talking to John about it, too. (We talked to the doctor apart from John) He does understand that she is very frail, but he tries to convince himself that his love is enough to hold her here.  The doctor told Darrel and me that he really doesn't expect Beth to live beyond the end of the year.  Of course, he was quick to say that God can do all things!  And I know he can.  She has lost over 10 pounds in the month since the doctor was there last. 

I have so much on my calendar for tomorrow, and I don't want to do any of it.  I guess I will have to 'yank myself up by the bootstraps" and "suck it up" and "Just do it!"  Sigh.......

[Jacqueline]

Janet...
...so hard to take in what is the reality...guessing it, thinking it, knowing it, then hearing it, is hard to digest and take in...I-we have all been part of Beth's long journey, some members more than others...I know peace is not too far away...our God will see her safely when He determines the time right...

...well today we have been on a business based trip back within the location of our previous home, well about 20 miles further, which made a round trip of 340 miles, a 7 - 8 hour round trip, including the part where we kindof got lost, and not forgetting the loo stop-offs at motorway services...which took in four motorways...We left 9.am, and only got back home 6.30pm, in pitch blackness, after including five or six loo stop-offs...We both agree we are lucky in having a resident on-site parkhome manager who will step in and check on our dog-dogs...When we got home we let him know we were back, albeit and hour later than we had told him, he said he gave Toby an hour and a half long walk around lunchtime...we are both grateful for that...

...is Jeanne Lee out of hospital yet?

[Marilyn]

Larry what you addressed to Janice I thought was addressed to me. It looks like I was the one who was wrong.

[Jacqueline]

How a long car journey can drain a person, even if that person wasn't the one driving....I slept through till 7.45am this morning, time now is 8.15, and in two hours time we have an invite to go across the road for a coffee with " new " neighbours....I say new neighbours but they have been here since the start of this year, having so much done to their home, work both inside and many works done outside, we think the man has gone over the top, having so many structural works done...The lady who came over to give me the invite, her partner I saw one morning outside in pyjama gown and walking as in trouble, I briefly called to him " are you ok " he replied he had just come out of hospital, so I mentioned to female that I had spoken to him, she briefly told me that he had had his 13th stomach operation, I said 13th, as in shock of hearing that amount.  Guess this morning they will elaborate a tad more about why so many...

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone. It is a beautiful, sunny and chilly Thursday morning.  This is the day we have been waiting for that Pat will get the shot at the pain clinic to try to help her back pains.  After I get her home I plan on going over to Walmart to pick up a prescription for her and to get a few other things.  That will likely pretty much be it for the day.

We had big crowd and a nice program in honor of our veterans from the spinal center and the veterans in attendance at the special Thanksgiving Dinner last evening at Church.  There were 7 disabled veterans and a nurse or aid for each one in at the dinner.  The ladies with the special comfort dogs were also in attendance and the dogs were a big hit with the kids and the adults alike.  The cooks had prepared a beautiful and delicious Thanksgiving meal of turkey and dressing with gravy, green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole, cheese and broccoli and dinner rolls.  Finally the meal was ended with a little slice of pumpkin pie.

Ruth, what a pleasant surprise to see your posting and I hope you will post often. 

Janet, Pat's sister is still in the hospital unless they let her go home last evening.  They did a test going down her throat that she was suppose to be out for but the anesthetic didn't work after the maximum does they could give her so she was awake throughout the procedure.  Apparently the test didn't show what they had thought it might. As far as I know the stroke didn't leave any lasting impairment but the doctors told her she will have more strokes, which is not encouraging.  Sorry that the news from the doctor wasn't better but I know this was not something you hadn't expected.  I hope the doctor talking with John will help prepare him.  I hope you do what absolutely has to be done today and leave the rest for another day rather than exhausting yourself.  I worry about you pushing yourself too hard.

Jackie, well written comments on Beth's long journey.  You sure had a long and I expect difficult day for you on your journey back to the area you moved from.  It sounds like you have a kind and caring park manager.  I haven't heard that Jeanne Lee is yet out of the hospital.
Thirteen operations on a stomach sounds incredible.  I hope you enjoy your visit with your new neighbors.

Marilyn, give no thought to being wrong.  We all get confused here occasionally.  I was just confused as to what I might have said. 

[Carol]

Our internet is working again - after 4 days of in and out and totally off yesterday. 

Larry:  I would be very much against riding any hyper loop - they still have too many problems with the train just getting to the airport. Prayers for Pat - I hope she finds comfort soon.

Janet: I wrote yesterday but the internet was down, so lost my post.  It sounds like you have a doctor who tells you the facts and he said a prayer too.  I had one son in a Catholic hospital and several nuns came and prayed with me when there was a critical time.  It meant so much to me. 

[Janet]

Regarding dear Jeanne Lee:  She is out of the hospital and now in a rehab facility, taking breathing treatments, and doing better.  I spoke to her yesterday, and it seems her pain is decreased quite a lot, so we can be thankful for that.

Larry, the things I have to do today aren't really optional.  BUT I do plan to do as little as possible tomorrow!  I didn't get much sleep last night, and was up and cooking (yes, literally!) at 5:30 this morning.  I spent about two hours with Beth, fed her breakfast and as much liquid as she would accept. She is getting cold a lot, because she is so very thin now, so I always ask her if she's warm enough, and get her as many blankets as she needs.

Then I had a dermatology appointment; then home to pick up food, back to a church meeting; home to finish the cooking I started early.  I"m going to rest for an hour now before I go to the party for which I was making the birthday cakes.  (If I had known about the church meeting,I wouldn't have agreed to the cakes!   

Jackie, I had been wondering where you were these past few days!

Talk to you all later!

[Jacqueline]

Janet...
...I was a tad baffled about a post you posted a few days ago...you had mentioned that your Beth had gotten up, had breakfast, and showered, but was made to go back to her bed when they discovered Beth had bed sores....Why I am baffled is that it is bed that causes bed sores in the first place, the not being turned over regularly...why would she be made to go back to bed when she was up and about? surely being up and about is a good sign? being made to go back in her bed would only cause more problem...maybe it was the shower - water, that caused the sores to start breaking open...

...quoting..." and the girls came in immediately and said they needed to put her in bed.  They discovered she has three places on her bottom that are just ready to break open..."

[Carol]

Great news about Jeanne Lee - thank you, Janet for the update. 

We have been hanging around for our internet keeps going in and out - working right now.  the techie who is checking on us drives a  big truck.  A lady driving a golf car ran right into the back of his parked truck - she said that she didn't see it. 

[Jacqueline]

Jeanne Lee...
..we'll have you back home very soon... ....thank you Janet for the update...

[Ruth Ann Bice]

Hello, friends,

It has been good to catch up with y'all tonight. Thank you for being here.

I pray for those of us who mention problems with health or other circumstances. May our Lord be with us to strengthen and guide us through our lives.

Much love to all,
Ruth Ann

[Jacqueline]

Good morning Ruth Ann, it is morning over here in UK, 6.48 am to be precise..our postings are 15 minutes apart...It must be night-time-bedtime for you...if so, have a good nights sleep..and may some of your troubles be lesser when you awake in our brand new day...

[Jacqueline]

It is 10.am, got the home to myself and just finished watching another recorded tv Christmas film...." Angels and ornaments..." such a lovely film and happy ending, mixed with a tinge of sadness as the angel met up with his beloved...It was a piece of unfinished music that got the younger couple together, while the angel had the scarf wrapped round him with the embroidered message from her grandmother or great-grandmother...they were destined to be together and-or be reunited again...guess I am a right softy for these type of films...

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone. Again we have a beautiful morning and will be seeing the mid-60's today.  The housekeeper called last night and said it would be around noon before she could get here today rather than around 10 am as normal.  So I will have an unhurried morning and then plan on making a short trip to Aldi's for some vegetables and eggs and then make the circle from downtown over to Augusta and up the Riverwatch Parkway and make a brief stop at Costco for two or three items.  I will probably get one of their inexpensive lunches while there unless Pat feels up to going out to eat later this afternoon. 

Yesterday she had two shots in her back, not the spine but in nerves connected to the spine.  She seems to be feeling pretty good this morning.  However, I prepared her breakfast as would like for her to stay feeling better and not overdo so she gives the shots time to work.  I have nothing else on the schedule for today. 

Carol, we become so dependent on the Internet that when it isn't working we are sort of at a loss.  When I saw the Urologist here a couple of years ago as he was leaving the room he asked if he could pray for me and obviously the answer was yes.  That was the first time I had ever experienced that with a doctor. 

Janet, thanks for the information on Jeanne Lee.  It is great to read she is doing better.  Do they have a blanket warmer where Beth lives?  I used to get those warmed blankets in the cath lab as it was always very cold and the other day the same was true while waiting for the eye surgery and it sure felt good.  Do you make your cakes a work of art with the frosting?

Jackie, hope this has been a good day for you.  You are several hours ahead of us so it is probably mid-afternoon there as I write this morning around 9:30.  My wife is watching a lot of those Christmas movies and enjoys them.  For me they are just starting too soon.

[Janice]

Good morning, I hope everyone is having a good day so far.  I went to Lubbock yesterday...Elaine drive me (dtr).  It is back to square 1 for my neck pain situation.  Had to go get X-rays done again.  They will call Elaine with a new appt date for a different injection.  The first one did not help. These trips are wearing me down, last week had to go get eye injection at Amarillo.  Both cities are 100 miles away. 

Everyone ready for Thanksgiving?  I am hosting family again, but they will do the work.  As long as there is turkey dressing on the table I am happy!  I always loved my Moms chicken and dressing.  I usually make that for our dinner.  Gotta make sure it tastes like my Mom's!  💕  We never do stuffing. T-Day is my favorite holiday...I was born on that day.  85 years ago...sure never thought I would live this long. 

[Janet]

Janice, bless your sweet and giving heart!  I received the box yesterday, and took it to the home and opened it for Beth.  She loves it!  (And so do I!)  Will send you an email later, but wanted you to know it arrived safely.  (((((((hugs))))))))

Larry, I hope the shots are a big pain reliever for Pat.  They can do so much now that couldn't be done only a few years ago.  It's really nice to have an unhurried morning sometimes, isn't it?

Jackie, apparently you don't understand my Beth's condition.  She is totally paralyzed, so when I say they got her up and showered, etc, everything is done for her, without her help.  And the reason she had to be put back in bed is that it has an air mattress that airs up, lets air out, etc. constantly, thus lessening the pressure on her body.  They come in often and turn her.  But she couldn't be up in her recliner chair, because that puts more weight and pressure on her bottom, in spite of being turned often.  Not as efficient as being in bed.

When I arrived this morning, there were six nurses in her room, checking those places again, and they found them improved after two days of being in bed.  They put some kind of cream on them and said two more days should make enough difference that she can start sitting in her chair more.  I am so grateful for the kind and loving care she is given there.  She has never had a pressure sore break open in all the 11+ years she has lived there.  And they are not open sores now, either.

We are having a beautiful, warm day here today, but they predict cold again tomorrow.

I need to take some warm pajama pants to Beth, as I notice her legs are cold a lot of the time since she has gotten so thin.  And it's nearly dark, so will need for Darrel to drive me.  Where has the daylight gone?  I spent several hours in town today, fed Beth both breakfast and lunch.  She eats better for me than she does for anyone else.  Guess I'd better wait until after the news to ask him to take me!

[Ruth]

Good evening.  I have come here a couple of times today only to get side stepped. Our son came and helped his dad cover the boat for the winter, now they are waiting for the ice to freeze so they can go ice fishing.
 
Larry I to am unhappy when this machine is not working.
 
John several posts ago you mentioned keeping things to yourself ( it is easier that way) I to am that way I have had to many well meaning folk give unwanted advise.

Janet  God will take you home when the time is right,  I so very much know how you feel.

We have rain in the forecast for this evening and much of tomorrow. I was going to go to a bake sale but I just might stay home. 

[Jacqueline]

Janet...
...no maybe not but I do understand MS....

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone. Once again it is a beautiful fall day here in South Carolina and we will get into the 70's this afternoon.  There is not a cloud in the sky.  I did get to Costco and then on to Aldi's as planned yesterday.  The housekeeper didn't get here until after 1 pm but now we have a nice clean house.  The only think I plan on doing today is to go to a meeting this morning as haven't gone for a couple of weeks. We may go out to eat later today as Pat seems to be feeling better today.  I am hopeful the shots are helping.  She didn't need to use the walker to get from the bedroom to the family room this morning.  I did go ahead and fix her breakfast as want her to stay feeling as good as possible for as long as possible today. 

Janice, so sorry that your neck injection did not do the job.  Those long trips would wear anyone down especially when not feeling well to start with.  We are fortunate in that we have great medical facilities and doctors within a 10 mile radius and four hospitals in that same range.  The Georgia University Medical College is located here.  I think we have all the groceries we need for our Thanksgiving dinner, including a small turkey.  Our son and granddaughter will be doing the cooking this year.  An early Happy Birthday to you. 

Janet, so far the signs are favorable that the shots are going to help ease some of the pain for Pat.  Yes, it is nice to have an unhurried morning and almost every afternoon fits into that category.  My father had one of those pressure changing mattresses.  We had to buy it but was worth every penny of the $4,000 it cost as it prevented anymore bedsores.  The motor that made it work was also very quiet and hung on the end of the bed.  I am glad Beth will eat better when you feed her.  It must be that tender loving touch and approach to the job. 

Ruth, my nephew that lives in Spirit Lake, Iowa loves to ice fish, or at least he did.  I had never seen jeans that were flannel lined until I visited there years ago.  I think we all get upset when your computers don't work as expected.  One of the things we learn in Al-Anon is not to give advice since we cannot know what the other person needs.  We can speak of what has worked for us and leave it at that. It is easy for us to think we know what someone else should or should not do but we haven't walked in their shoes. If you went to the bake sale I hope you found some goodies to bring home. 

Jackie, hope you are having a good day today.  Is the sun shining over there?

[JudyB]

Good snowy afternoon everyone.  It has been a long time since I have posted.  Health issues have plagued me.  3 labels so far and non of them is considered a final diagnosis.  Hypoglycemia, (Rapidly dropping blood sugar) Colitis, and a problem with the liver (6-7 different diagnosis on this one, seems no one knows what is going on).  OK that is the health issues

HOWEVER

We are instructed to praise God in everything.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (KJV)   In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Also Paul and Silas were in prison when Paul wrote the letter to the Philippians, and in Acts we find out that they (Paul and Silas)  were in chains and stocks and they started praising God.  AFTER they start praising, THE CHAINS FELL OFF. 

OK so we are to praise God in and for all things. The physical chains may or may not fall off, however the spiritual chains will! 

Let us enter the Christmas season praising God and let Him deal with the physical ailments.

[Marilyn]

Yes, Judy exactly "Praise God in everything. Hallelujah!!!!

I made a batch of Strawberry Jelly this afternoon and cooked a big pot of food for Freckles, she only gets ? cup of commercial grain free dog food per meal, I think I finally have a handle on her allergies. She gets nothing with wheat, corn or soy products and limited additives. When this bag is gone she will not get any Commercial dog food at all.

Keith seems to think he is  OK but I notice the little things are increasing. i.e. he tried to get in the back seat of the car or in on the driver's side, I have to tell him where he is supposed to get in the car and where to sit down at church. Most of the time he seems OK then something happens that is not OK. I am still trying to get him to help me complete the living will and power of attorney paperwork. It gets frustrating and stressful for me to keep asking him to do this. I tell him it HAS to be done while he can still make the decisions so that the legal things are in place when the time comes that we need to use them.

[Janet]

We are coming to the end of another Saturday.  Boy, it gets dark so early! Today there were two bazaars in town and I went and browsed both of them.  At the Christian church one, I bought two bags of their homemade noodles and a couple other items; at the other one, I got the great=granddaughters some pretty hair bows, and got a few pieces of jewelry for my older girls. And I won a nice door prize, too!

I was in town early to feed Beth her breakfast, and she ate an egg and a sausage patty!  So glad to get some protein into her!  She was trying to tell me something when John came in, and apparently she didn't want to tell him, because she stopped trying then.  From what I did get, I think she was trying to say that she will be leaving soon.  She knows he wants her to hang on and stay for him, but she's getting so weary and so weak. 

Jackie, I hope I didn't offend you, that certainly wasn't my intention.  I was just trying to answer your question.  And MS is rather like NF in that no two cases are the same.  The MS is what has robbed Beth of ALL mobility.  It's a terrible disease, as you know so well.

Jimmy Stewart is one of my favorite actors, and Rear Window is starting, so I think I will watch it with Darrel.  More tomorrow!

[Jacqueline]

Janet...
...oh yes, that we can both definitely agree on....quoting..." The MS is what has robbed Beth of ALL mobility.  It's a terrible disease, as you know so well..."

...Janet, people dont realise how horrible MS is until they actually have it themselves, one only has to go onto an MS forum to read how many members will make a posting stating the same...It takes away more than ones mobility...it attacks the central nervous system, brain, spinal cord and optic nerves...MS is chronic, unpredictable, disabling, and progressive... Sending prayers for your Beth...and for you as a mother who cannot do any more than you are already doing in trying to help her...you are a devoted and wonderful mother..   


http://positivelivingwithms.com/an-illustrated-view-of-multiple-sclerosis/
   

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone. Today we will only be in the low 60's and partly cloudy.  However, the morning is starting off nice and clear.  I think Pat is feeling up to going to Sunday School and Church with me this morning.  This is the second day she hasn't needed to use her walker in the morning.  I believe the shots are definitely helping.  We will probably go out to eat after Church, hopefully with a couple of friends from Sunday School.  That will be out activities for the day.  Yesterday I did attend my meeting and then came home and rested for a couple of hours.  About 3:30 we went to Ruby Tuesday's and had a good meal. 

Judy, what a pleasant surprise to see your posting this morning.  Sorry to learn you have had to deal with several different health issues.  You are right that we are to praise God in bad times as well as good times.

Marilyn, nice of you to prepare the special dog food for Freckles.  Does she like what you fix?  The paperwork you speak of is very important and I hope you all get it done soon. 

Janet, it sounds like you enjoyed browsing the bazaars and found some nice items that will help with your Christmas shopping and your cooking. 

Jackie, I certainly agree with your comments about all that Janet does and has done over the years for Beth.  Maybe someday they will find a cure for MS and many of the other terrible things that happen to humans. 

[Jacqueline]

Larry Hanna...
...yes perhaps one day but it certainly will not be in our lifetime...

...as Judy correctly states and Identifies, is to " Praise God, " ... at the end of the day, when all others forsake or give up on us, the only true and genuine person's is God and Jesus for His words and His promises... 

[Janet]

For the first time in I don't know how long, I didn't go to church this morning.  I was up and dressed, fully intending to go, and was to sing in the choir.  But Diane was coming to see Beth, as they are leaving in the wee hours of tomorrow morning for Florida, and she wanted to see Beth before they go.  She was running late, and wanted to see me, too.  Well, it all turned out good, because John called Beth to say he wasn't feeling well, so he isn't there today.  I fed Beth her breakfast, turned off the TV and put on some good Christian music, sang to her, etc. until Diane got there.  She visited as long as she could, then left.  I fed Beth her lunch, and by then she was in pain, so they brought her morphine and then moved her back to her bed, and before Darrel came to get me, she was sleeping.  So I was where I was most needed today, and God knows my heart.

Yes, the Word does tell us to give thanks IN everything, but nowhere does it say to give thanks FOR everything!  There is a vast difference!  I do try to stay thankful, but for the many evils in the world, I do not thank God, for they are not His doing.

Judy!  So good to see you posting again!  Sorry about your physical problems, and I pray they will be resolved, even if you never get the correct diagnosis.  God knows so much more than earthly doctors, even the best of them.  I'm very thankful for doctors, but far more thankful for our loving Heavenly Father.  He will never leave us not fail us in any circumstance.  But oh, how often we fail and disappoint Him!  Thank You, Father for your forgiveness!

I am wondering if I'm typing gibberish, as I had a wakeful night and am not thinking clearly.  So I think it's best if I just stop for now!

Love to you all!

[Jacqueline]

Judy...
...I know the importance of hearing those words when given a correct diagnoses...I know it was a relief the day I was told I had PPMS...Of course not what I wanted to hear but, hey, for once my medical issues were given a name....I didn't have to try describing the strange things that were happening to my body anymore...I hope and pray your medics will give yours a name, at least if only to put your mind more at rest, allowing you to move on with your future...making changes and adapting...

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone. We finally had a freezing temperature last night.  When I looked at the weather app this morning it said it was 28 degrees.  We are to get up to about 60 degrees this afternoon. Nothing on the schedule for today so will just take things slow and easy.  After Church yesterday we decided to come home and have lunch here rather than eating out.  I think Pat was pretty warn out from Sunday School and Church.  She really gave me a scare as we will going up the hallway from Sunday School yesterday her leg gave way and she started to fall.  She was able to prevent the fall by placing her hand on the wall and I grabbed her other arm.  I am so thankful that she didn't fall but she said she has had the same thing happen here in the house but so far has been able to grab on to something and steady herself.

Jackie, I liked that little illustration you posted.  So much depends on how we view life and that is a good example. 

Janet, you were God's hands for Beth yesterday.  What better way to show God's love than to let him use your hands and voice to help another.  Your thinking as you expressed it in your posting yesterday seemed perfectly clear to me. 

[Jacqueline]

Larry Hanna...
...trouble is, I am not so sure I believe in it, if I am being true to myself, I dont want to be hypocritical...I would like to believe " MS doesn't have me, "...but it certainly has taken over me, does now control me, my body, that is for sure....but it wont stop me fighting back, fighting against this unwelcome and unwanted monster...

Larry, praise be to God, that with your help and quick thinking you prevented your Pat from taking what might have been a nasty fall... 

[Jeanne Lee]

November 1 - Hospital

November 10 - Rehab

November 20 - HOME!

[Carol]

Jeanne Lee:  Wonderful news.  Will you continue with rehab from home?  Take good care of yourself and let friends and family help.   

I did a careful walk in this cool morning in the desert.  It is so quiet and peaceful.  Whatever was hurting in my left leg previously did not bother today so that is thankful news.  Tomorrow, I will pre-cook and bake everything I promised for Thanksgiving day - as we will drive to Phoenix area and back before dark on Thursday. Looking forward to grandson who has flown down for this week. 

I know Canada has an earlier Thanksgiving.  Do you fix turkeys most often too?  We talk about the Pilgrims first Thanksgiving - what is your basis for giving Thanks?  I should have researched it before asking but thought I would go right to the source.  Really, ours is much too close to Christmas - maybe we could make it earlier too?

Larry:  Good that you were following Pat.  I wonder - would some strengthening exercises help in any way? 

The Humming Bird feeder had to be taken down as bees were surrounding the area.  This year, we have seen a lot more bees.     

[Jacqueline]

Jeanne Lee...
...about time, what kept you? welcome home...

Carol...
...we seem to be losing our bees over here, we so need them for making our honey...

[Janet]

Monday again!  John is still sick; I called and asked him what's wrong, he said he has a cold.  We don't dare expose Beth to a cold, with her already much compromised situation, that would take her quickly.  So I hope he doesn't go see her until he's sure danger of spreading it is past!

I went in early, she had just had morphine for pain (in her feet this time) and they were waiting for it to take effect before taking her to the shower.  After her breakfast, I came home, picked up Darrel and we went to the gym for a good workout.

Not too long after we got home, the Hospice nurse called, so I drove back to town to talk to her. She said she thinks I should call the airline and see if we can get some vouchers or something, as we do not want to be 1000 miles away when Beth needs us so much; and we have no assurance we could get tickets to get back home quickly.  So I have prayed for favor with AA and will call as soon as I finish here.

Larry, I'm so glad Pat didn't fall!

Jeanne:  WELCOME HOME!!!  You have been missed here!  But I had the great privilege of speaking to you, and I'm thankful for that!

Carol, where in Arizona are you?  It sounds lovely.  I hope you have a great Thanksgiving.  I think Canada's is only a week or so before ours; will have to Google that!

Jackie, do you also have a special day in which to give thanks to God for his goodness?  I am so glad we have it, even though so many only think of it as another long weekend to get off work, etc.
We have had mysterious losses in the bee population in our country too, and bees are such valuable creatures in our world.

Much as I dread it, I must get to that phone call.  Sigh........

[Janet]

I just Googled it, and learned that Canada celebrates Thanksgiving on the second Monday of October, since 1957.  (FYI)   

[Jacqueline]

Janet...
...no, we in UK do not celebrate Thanksgiving but we do have and celebrate Harvest Festival during church service, which is traditionally held on or near the Sunday of the harvest moon that occurs closest to the autumnal equinox...Harvest Thanksgiving in Britain is marked by churches and schools in late September - early October (same as Canada) with singing, praying and decorating with baskets of food and fruit to celebrate a successful harvest and to give thanks...Collections of food are usually held which are then given to local charities which help the homeless and those in need...

Wikepedia.org

[Marilyn]

Welcome, Home Jeanne.

Larry, you asked if Freckles like the food I prepare for her.  Well, I think all dogs like people food.  what I prepare is ground turkey, vegetable of various kinds, brown rice, all mixed together, cook it then add dried cranberries and dried blueberries, this time I added ? cup of gluten-free oatmeal as well.

I went grocery shopping for a friend who can't get out right now because her heart is out of sync. I also went to a Hospice class on Neurological diseases for continuing education.Now I have a pot of soup going and will go to music practice at 4:30 when the Pastor picks me up.

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone. We have an overcast but warmer morning with a low percentage of having some rain today.  This is another day with nothing on the calendar.  I may make a trip over to Costco to look at the Chromebook computers.  I have pretty well decided that I will go that route again but upgrade.  This will be Pat's Christmas present to me and I might just get it a little early.  I stayed home all day yesterday and it was just a quiet day.  I almost finished another audiobook, which I will finish up today and select another.

Jackie, does MS take your mind as well as your body.  I know this is very difficult for you and my heart goes out to you as you continue to battle with it everyday.  I think bees are disappearing in this country as well as they are needed for more than honey as they do a lot of pollinating. 

Jeanne, so good to see you are now home.  I am sure that was a very long 19 days of hospitalization and rehab.  We missed you and were praying for your being able to return home. 

Carol, nice to read your left leg didn't bother you on your walk yesterday.  It sounds like you will have a nice Thanksgiving and that you don't have to do all of the cooking.  Pat does do strengthening exercises.  She is stronger in her walking in the morning than later in the day.  She isn't having to use the walker this morning, which is encouraging.  Pat has cleaned up her hummingbird feeder and we have it stored away for the winter.  We don't see too many bees at our feeder.


Janet, it does sound wise to postpone your travel.  Perhaps the Hospice nurse could help with documentation as to why you can't travel now.

Marilyn, that sounds like a feast you prepare for Freckles.  You are wise to learn as much as you can about Neurological diseases.  Based on my own experience I highly recommend contacting your local Alzheimer's Association.  They were very helpful to us and they also usually have support groups available.  I hope you enjoyed your music practice last evening.   

[Jacqueline]

Larry Hanna...
...as far as I am aware MS hasn't affected my mind, I am still the same old me, MS might be brain related but I feel my mind is still very much on the ball, unless someone tells me different...

[Janet]

man!  I am exhausted!  What a log, tiring day this has been!  I did go see Beth this morning before going to the Civic Center to do the talks on Peru  Let me tell you, 18 talks in one day is TOO much!!  By the time the last three groups came, they didn't care, and I didn't care much, either!  That's just too much information to dump on kids in one day.  If they remember anything, they won't remember what country it was about--that's my opinion, anyway.

I went back to see about Beth again after leaving out there.  John didn't make it again today.  She was moaning in pain when I came in, it was her back, she said.  They repositioned her and the nurse brought more morphine, I stayed with her until it took effect before I came home.  I wish there were more I could do for her.

I was on my feet all day, so could hardly wait to take off my compression socks and the shoes I wore. I will be surprised if I don't fall asleep before bedtime.  I could have sat down, but the kids were sitting on the floor and they couldn't all see me if I sat down, and I'm more comfortable speaking on my feet,
so I stood.  Remind me to "just say NO" if (when) they call me to do that next year!

I'm just checking in, now I'm headed to my faithful recliner!

[Carol]

Janet:  Just say NO next year - I have reminded you. 

Janet:  Bless you and all the family.  I don't know what to say except try to keep up your strength.  can you get someone to help you with chores around your house - just to help you have some recuperation time? 

Don is making a sandwich for supper.  We are all worn out over stuff - I had so much telephone chat with the new health insurance.  They wanted me to take their prescription plan too and I asked Don - he immediately knew to not drop the good and less expensive plan I have.  Good to have someone knowledgeable on health insurance. 

Jeanne:  Keep taking care - 

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone. I got up early and started working on Pat's computer to restore some bookmarks on her Chrome Browser. It was not a big job. Today I have work to do on her computer that I have been using that I will put back up in her sewing room. Jennifer will be coming to share supper with us tonight and then she and Pat plan on playing some Farkle.  Scott has to work tonight.

Yesterday I did go to Costco and came home with a new Acer Chromebook that has a 14 inch HD screen.  They had them on sale for $90 off the regular price. It also came with a new wireless mouse.  This one has access to the full Android Play Store, which is literally millions of applications for Android tablets and phones.  I had a bit of a time getting that feature set up but I finally found all the steps to take.  The first Chromebook computer I had didn't have this feature and had only a few apps available to run on it.  It also came with a hundred gigabytes of online cloud storage for two years, which is a big plus. So Pat has her Christmas shopping done for me and these computers don't break the bank.   

Jackie, I agree that your mind is very sharp. 

Janet, no wonder you were so tired.  Repeating anything 18 times plus everything else you did is way too much for one day.  I have learned that "NO" is a full sentence and no justification is required.  Sorry to read of how uncomfortable you found Beth.  I sure hope John recovers soon.  It seems he is sick pretty often.  I hope you were not so tired you didn't get a good nights rest.

Carol, we had a letter on the Blue Cross and Blue Shield health insurance Federal Plan which I thought said we have to use Walgreen's rather than the CVS mail order service for our more expensive prescriptions but in reading further and checking I found it applied only to Specialty and formulated drugs.  Fortunately neither Pat nor I have any of these so don't think we will see any change.  Glad that Don knew what to advise you on your health insurance. 

[Janet]

Larry, I have often recalled your advice that "NO" is a complete sentence and requires no justification! Unfortunately, I had a momentary lapse in judgement! 
Carol, thanks.  I told Darrel to tell me that, too!

We do have a wonderful gal who comes to clean house for us once a week for two hours, and she gets so much done in that time!  It really does help me, because if everything around me is a mess, I cannot rest, it bothers me a lot.  Thanks for the kind thoughts, Carol.

Larry, I did get a good night's rest, even after a good nap in my recliner!  The two gals who gave Beth her shower both had kids in the group yesterday, and both said their kids came home so exhausted they sat down and fell asleep.  I told them I know how they felt!

Time to head to Amarillo!  Darrel is pacing around with his coat on!

Happy thanksgiving, everybody!

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone.I had to come back and post the following as it seems to be a good Thanksgiving eve reminder of what is really important in this life.  I hope you enjoy it:

Whether we wear a $300 or $30 watch - - - they both tell the same time.

Whether we carry a $300 or $30 wallet/handbag - - - the amount of money inside is the same.

Whether we drink a bottle of $300 or $30 or $3 wine - - - the hangover is the same.

Whether the house we live in is 300 or 3,000 or 30,000 sq. ft. - - - the loneliness is the same.

And we realize our true inner happiness does not come from the material things of this world.

Whether we fly first or economy class, if the plane goes down - - - we go down with it.

Whether we fly first or economy class, if the plane reaches its destination - - - everyone arrives at the same time.

Therefore . . . we should realize that when we have mates, buddies and old friends, brothers and sisters, with whom we can chat, laugh, talk, sing, talk about north-south-east-west or heaven and earth -- that is true happiness!

Six Undeniable Facts of Life:
1. Don't educate your children to be rich. Educate them to be happy, so when they grow up they will know the value of things, not the price.
2. Best wise words: "Eat your food as your medicines. Otherwise you have to eat medicines as your food."
3. The one who loves you will never leave you because, even if there are 100 reasons to give up, he or she will find one reason to hold on.
4. There is a big difference between a human being and being human. Only a few folks really understand that.
5. You are loved when you are born. You will be loved when you die. In between, you have to manage!
6. If you just want to walk fast, walk alone; but, if you want to walk far, walk together!

Six Best Doctors in the World:
1. Sunlight
2. Rest
3. Exercise
4. Diet
5. Self Confidence
6. Friends

And, finally:

The nicest place to be is in someone's thoughts,
the safest place to be is in someone's prayers.

Janet, I hope you and Darrel had a good trip to Amarillo.

[Jacqueline]

Larry Hanna...
...such a good reminder, even if we are learning it late in life...As the old saying goes..." it is never too late to learn..." or to change...I have copied, pasted and posted on a UK forum, where our founder Mary would also appreciate it on her site.... 

[Carol]

Larry:  Thanks for the wonderful Thanksgiving reminder.  Have a wonderful holiday - the best wishes to you and Pat!

Janet:  You asked - we now seem to be in Tucson much of the winter.  However, it is way above normal heat these last two months and not easy to get out during the day except the mornings.  We work around the heat record settings. 

The dressing and a sweet potato dish is cooked and now cooling and I will put it in a crock pot to warm early in the morning - then we drive to Chandler, AZ for a noon or so dinner with oldest son, his wife and a grandson visiting from college.  We are thrilled to be with anyone this year. Am always thankful for any Thanksgiving - some sad memories of two other years.  Once, I was sent to work in Detroit, Michigan and watched a movie and ate popcorn on Thanksgiving Day.  Also, my mom died on Thanksgiving one year.  We drove through an ice storm to get to Minnesota and it wasn't easy as ice covered the roads for several days. Each holiday I am so grateful for my family and my cousins too. 

so, we feel so blessed with family and friends!  Wishing everyone a peaceful and safe Thanksgiving. 

   

[Carol]

It is still dark outside.  I have the dressing (cooked yesterday) on low in the crock pot.  We are having an early meal because the desert drive is a wary one in the dark.  Am humming "Over the desert and  past the cacti, to oldest son's condo we go".... this is a major change and they move back to Colorado in June. 

I called our dear friend at home yesterday and her husband is out of rehab home for Thanksgiving for just a few days.  He will be so sad when he learns that he will have to go back to assisted living.   He needs to people to move him and that is even difficult.  We are hoping to be back in mid-December and want to be of some help.  It is what it is...  Happy Thankful Day to all!

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone and Happy Thanksgiving for those of us in the USA. Of course, everyday should be a day of Thanksgiving.  We will be having our Thanksgiving dinner probably in the late afternoon.  Pat decided this morning to bake the turkey rather than fix it in the crock pot. Jennifer is a football fan so I will have someone who enjoys watching the games with me this afternoon.  A few days ago I read the following about Thanksgiving and wanted to share it with you all today.  It contains some beautiful pictures and wise words:   http://www.ba-bamail.com/content.aspx?emailid=13127 

Jackie, glad you liked that piece.  Sometimes friends send me some very nice things that cause me to reflect and that was one of them as is the material in the link above.

Carol, I hope you will soon be having some more seasonable weather.  Do I remember correctly that Chandler is a bit South of Phoenix?  I hope you all have a wonderful day with your family.

[Marilyn]

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

Freckles and I and another team will be going to the hospital to visit the patients that didn't get to go home for the holiday. We will be with another team and will visit all the floors, after that I will come home and cook our little 3lb turkey breast for Keith and me.

[Janet]

Happy Thanksgiving Day to all!  There are so very many things for which to give thanks, yet we often find ourselves complaining instead.  It is a good discipline for us all to work on, isn't it?

Our little holiday trip surely did not turn out as planned!  We drove to Amarillo yesterday, went out to Sam's just to look around a bit, then went by Darrel's Sister Dolores' house.  I rang the doorbell; no response.  We thought they might have gone out to eat lunch; so we went and ate lunch; then I called again (her cell phone gave me the answer that this person was not receiving calls now.)  Norman, her husband, answered, and told us Dolores was in the hospital!  She had fallen about noon, in her house,
and had broken her left leg in two places! She was in the hospital, so we went there and visited with her/them until they came and took her to surgery to insert a rod from just below the knee to the ankle. We really didn't know what would be the best thing to do; certainly didn't want to be a bother, so we talked with Norm for a while and then headed for home.  We stopped in Dumas and spent the night, as Darrel was tired and we didn't want to get into an accident!  Got up and came on home this morning.

Grandson Curtis' wife asked her mom if we could come eat with them, she said yes.  But we don't feel that comfortable with them, and by that time Darrel was feeling sick.  He stayed here, I went to see Beth and ate with them there.  They had the whole traditional meal, and gave me much more than I wanted or could eat!  It was good.  Beth ate a little bit, but was having significant pain today.  The nurse told me she'd had morphine almost hourly, and it still didn't seem they could get ahead of the pain.  She was really uncommunicative today.  They put her back in her bed just before I came home,
so I hope she was able to take a good nap.  John was there with her.

Anyway, it felt really strange not cooking anything, not eating at home or at any relative's house, just not having the kids/grandkids around.  But I'm thankful, nevertheless, for health and strength, for having loving family who can travel and enjoy each other, for food, clothes and shelter, for friends near and far.  And innumerable other things besides!

Larry, I looked at both the things you posted links to, and really enjoyed them.  Thanks!

I called Norm about noon and he said Dolores' surgery lasted 2 hours, the Dr. said it took longer because her bones are soft.  He was there until 1 AM, and was just getting ready to go back to the hospital.

My goodness!  We are having a summer day today!  It's glorious out there!  I really should take advantage of it and go for a long walk instead of sitting here in the house!

Love to you all!

[Carol]

Thankful for a very nice meal with oldest son, his wife and their son (on school vacation now).  We had a great time and now are waiting to chat with other two sons and our daughter.  I feel so sleepy.  We had a safe drive through the desert, yes, Larry - Chandler is at the south side of Phoenix.  What a massive city all spread out.  They do have super wide freeways but you need to know where you are going ahead of time.  A couple of years ago, we found ourselves headed straight to the airport parking lot and had to pay to get out - the signs were totally wrong.  Anyway, that is our story. 

A red hot day here breaking records and more to come - they don't even bother to put up the 10 day outlook because every time the temp has not gone down.  Really able to live with this with A/C plus the fact that mornings are cool as well as early evenings.  Enough about weather  - we cannot change it. 

Janet:  So sorry for Darrel's sister's health problem - surgery and all.  Try to keep up your health both of you - heavy heart days ahead. 

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone. It is another beautiful and clear morning here in South Carolina.  So all of those shoppers looking for all of those bargains around here will have a nice day to be out.  I won't be among them.  I do have to make a quick trip to the grocery store for some bread and hot dog buns but that will be it as far as being out today. 

We had a nice afternoon and early evening with Scott and Jennifer.  Jennifer's first efforts at making pumpkin and pecan pies turned out very well and the turkey and all of the side dishes were good.  There were not many left overs and most of those we sent home with Scott and Jennifer.  Now that Thanksgiving is over I will start playing some of the many Christmas songs I have in my Spotify playlist. 

Marilyn, I bet the hospital patients really enjoyed seeing the dogs yesterday as that was a wonderful gesture from the rescue dog volunteers.  Our turkey was only about 2 lbs bigger than yours for four of us and we still have a little bit left over.  Pat saved the bones to make some good broth.  I hope you and Keith enjoyed the turkey and fixings you prepared. 

Janet, I guess it is just human nature for us to complain a bit.  Yet when we think of how blessed we are our complaints seem small to what the poor people living in refugee camps and temporary housing have to deal with.  I can't even imagine what that type of life must be.  So sorry to hear of your SIL breaking her leg.  You used good sense to stop traveling when you were tired.  Glad that John was able to be with Beth and that you were able to share the meal with both of them at the home. 

Carol, everyone was sleepy here after having the turkey dinner late in the afternoon.  Glad you had such a nice meal and visit with your son, DIL and grandson.  I believe your airport story as a few years ago I went to pick up Pat's sister and construction was underway at the airport and they had removed some of the signs and I ended up at the International Terminal.  Fortunately, I was able to speak with a police lady who told me how to get to the main terminal.  I don't handle this type of thing very well anymore as get very nervous.  At least you get a couple periods of coolness each day.   

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone.How about a little senior humor for today.

1. I changed my car horn to gunshot sounds. People get out of the way much faster now.

2. Gone are the days when girls used to cook like their mothers.  Now they drink like their fathers.

3. You know that ?thingy? little feeling you get when you really like someone? That?s common sense leaving your body.

4. I decided to stop calling the bathroom the?John? and renamed it the ?Jim.? 
I feel so much better saying I went to the Jim this morning.

5. Old age is coming at a really bad time. When I was a child I thought ?nap time? was a punishment.
Now, as a grownup, it feels like a small vacation.

6. The biggest lie I tell myself is...?I don?t need to write that down, I?ll remember it.?

7. I don?t have gray hair; I have ?wisdom highlights.? I?m just very wise.

8. Teach your daughter how to shoot, because a restraining order is just a piece of paper.

9. If God wanted me to touch my toes, He would have placed them on my knees

10. Why do I have to press one for English when you?re just going to transfer me to someone I can?t understand anyway?

11. Of course I talk to myself; sometimes I need expert advice.

12. At my age ?getting lucky? means walking into a room and actually remembering what I came in there for.

13. I am what is called a ?Seenager?(senior teenager) I have everything that I wanted as a teenager, only 60 years
later. I don?t have to go to school or work. I get an allowance every month. I have my own pad. I don?t have a  curfew.
I have a driver?s license and my own car. I have an ID that gets me into bars and the whiskey store. The people I hang
around with are not scared of getting pregnant.

14. Life is great. I have more friends who I should send this to, but right now I can?t remember their names.

[Marilyn]

Larry Furry Friends is not a rescue dog group. We are The "Furry Friends Therapy Dogs of Coos Bay  Group." The members and their dogs have passed the AKC Canine Good Citizen testing plus been evaluated and certified as AKC Therapy dogs. The dogs and owners are evaluated together as a team. The dogs must be people friendly, obedient,  non-aggressive to the other dogs or people. Have all their inoculations, above all be very clean. They are not allowed to jump on the people or the beds, they must allow themselves to be petted, they are not to be given any kind of food or treats by anyone but the owner nor are they allowed to pick anything up from the floor. The dogs are very well trained. When we go into the schools or they are around children there will be no reactions to the kids petting, pulling the ears or any of the normal children behavior.  Although, some of the dogs are rescued, some are also from breeders and are pedigreed. Two are show dogs that have been sold to our members.

[Ruth Ann Bice]

Hi, friends,

I rested in bed yesterday to nurse a bad migraine. Today, it's beginning to go away.

Therefore, my post will be minimal today.

I've certainly been sending "love vibes" to everyone as I read to catch up.

Y'all have a good rest of the day with our Lord.

Ruth Ann

[Carol]

Ruth Ann:  Caught your 'vibes".  Same back to you and wishing you a full recovery from the migraine. 

I spent an hour working and oiling my sewing machine and it did perk up - it is a model that isn't supported by the corporation anymore so I keep on babying it. 

We had to pull down the humming bird feeders because bees were clogging them.  Maybe next month.

Our daughter lost their oldest dog this week and today our youngest son had to have Cochise (a beautiful German Shepherd) put to sleep.  Cochise was a rescue dog and he scared me so much when meeting the first few times and became so attached that he liked to sit next to me and put his huge head on my lap.  Will miss both of them and there is another "family dog" that is facing facts too.  We have some wonderful stories.   

[Ruth]

Hello from my little corner in Ontario, Canada

It was a long day for me I had to go south stopping at Walmart and a health store for some supplies then continued to the west to have lunch with a friend then continued north and west to check on some ones home of which I will not say any more until a soon to be later date.

But on the bright side I will be sitting down to put the last seam in a sweater that I have been knitting and then it will be ready to model. 

The Black Friday sales I do not get involved as the crowds are crazy.
 

Ruth   

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone. I awoke to a 32 degree morning but it is now sunny and clear and the temperatures are to go up to the mid=60's this afternoon.  I hope to go to a meeting this morning and then spend the rest of the day resting and watching college football as this is the last regular Saturday of the football schedule and many schools play instate rivals.  Clemson and South Carolina play as do Georgia and Georgia Tech.

Yesterday we did finish up all of the Thanksgiving left-overs for our dinner last evening.  Pat didn't go out to shop but did participate in Black Friday from her easy chair.  She has become quite a proficient shopper from that location.  She ordered several Christmas gifts including her own from me as she found what she wanted, one of those special  cooking pots that does a variety of things. So the majority of the Christmas shopping is now done other than to write some checks. 

Marilyn, thanks for the explanation of "Furry Friends".  Those are indeed special dogs as are the therapy dogs that are trained to do so much to help someone who needs help. 

Ruth Ann, I sure hope today finds you feeling much better and over that migraine headache. 

Carol, Pat also spends time cleaning her sewing machines on occasion.  She hasn't been doing much sewing lately as just hasn't felt up to doing it.  It is bad when corporations stop supporting their products with parts but guess that is just reality.  Too bad the bees won on the humming bird feeder matter.  Sad that both your daughter and your youngest son lost their beloved dogs within a week. 

Ruth, it sounds like you were quite the traveler with your journey yesterday.  Now you have created a mystery as to what you will tell us at a later date.  Do you do a lot of knitting? 

[Carol]

Back from a walk with Don and I stayed outdoors and cleaned the little rocks that had moved to the edge of the sidewalk.  Job done.  I sprayed bug killer on the post of the bird feeder - not touching anywhere the humming bird nectar once stood.  Hoping the bees will move on as they are too close for us on the patio.  No, I did not kill any bees - just wanted to put a scent in the air for them to move on. 

We ran into a neighbor who has two rescue greyhounds and one is in a baby stroller.  Why, because that dog has a heart problem. 

Enough of a  break.  It is still too hot outdoors.  Every day is record setting --- 90* tomorrow. 

Larry:  Very smart for Pat to get a start on Christmas gifts.  Are you allowed to play with your new laptop before Christmas? 

[Jacqueline]

Carol...
...your heat would play havoc with my - our MS...heat affects many of us badly...it can cause our symptoms to worsen...I am glad our UK Summers rarely hit the 80's or 90's, and if they do, it is never for long...
...I have found yet another new word..."  Uhthoff's Phenomenon...."

[Ruth]

Larry:  I had to say something about the mystery as it was my way in letting off some anger about the situation.  You trust people because it is required but then they cross the line.

This morning Mel left early to meet with our son as they had plans view items going up for auction, then when he gets back home we will be leaving to go to a cousins for some beef for the freezer, the cost is much less than the store plus we will also have a visit.

We had rain last evening but today is dry but cloudy.

Ruth

[Jacqueline]

[Janet]

Jackie, may I just say "amen" to your lovely words to Janice?  I'm sorry to have missed her birthday!

The forecast said it was to turn cold here again today, but it's really nice!  Sunny, still, and 59*  If it were windy, it wouldn't feel nearly so good! 

I have been on my computer doing some looking but not much buying.  I did find a cookware set Abby said she wanted, and after checking three places, got a good price on it.  Maybe I'll look more on Cyber Monday, after I find out what some of the others want.  I had already ordered Darrel a heated mattress cover as he said he wanted one.

And that reminds me that I failed to answer Larry's question about using a heated blanket (electric)
on Beth.  That isn't allowed on elderly or paralyzed people, as they cannot control the heat and could easily get burned.  I had a heated blanket put on me when I had eye surgery, too, and my!  How great it felt!  But they do not have a blanket heater in the Home where Beth lives.

This morning, she was not feeling well, but hadn't asked for pain meds all night, and still didn't want any.  She is eating only about 20% of her meals now.  I should say 20% of each meal.  And sometimes she won't eat anything at all.    John had bought a magazine of Chicken Soup for the Soul stories about Christmas, and I read to them from that for about an hour.  They both really enjoy my reading to them.

Janice, I haven't forgotten about you, I promise!!

Ruth Ann, thanks for the love vibes!  Hope that old migraine has gone away for good!

Carol  hello to you, and hugs!

Time to go fold more clothes!  Getting laundry done again.

[Marilyn]

Larry Therapy dogs are not Service dogs the difference is that Service dogs have been trained to do specific tasks for their owner, no one can pet them unless it is by the owner's permission. they are not to be distracted because they are always working.

[Carol]

Our daughter's dog could easily be a therapy dog - she is so well behaved and loves everyone. Some animals are just born to be sympathetic  and oh, so friendly. 

A friend's son in another state had 17 Golden Retriever puppies all of a sudden.  Only two moms and that is a huge litter.  I wish we could drive to Missouri and pick a puppy. 

Larry:  It is so hard for us to pick out Christmas or birthday gifts for the grandchildren.  All three are in university - so, we send money for birthdays and I am trying to figure out something more personal for Christmas. 

We just returned from the produce store - it is known for the fresh products and health food but if it is so-called healthy, the price goes way up.  today, sweet potatoes and green apples were my aim and I fix them weekly. 

One of my friends at home called and we chatted for an hour.  We 5 gals will try hard to get together when Don and I return for a two week stay over Christmas.  There is a To Bake list and other jobs already started.

Ruth:  You need a   

[Janice]

Thank you Jackie and Janet for birthday greetings.  My dtr and Gr-dtr took me to breakfast, about mid- morning, the restaurant was full of people. We had to wait.   Dtr said they had probably been to Black Friday sales!  I don't go to crowded Walmart, etc, for such occasions!  In fact, I don't go shopping anywhere anymore.
I have begun a Raggy quilt for my new GrSonInLaw for his Christmas present.   Awhile back he admired my Raggy quilt I was making for myself.  Those are fun!  I like to use flannel squares for them.  One 10 inch stacker is perfect for size.
   The opiod injection I received awhile back for neck pain did no good at all. Will be going to Lubbock again soon to find out what the doctor wants to do next.  Oh joy!  200 more miles.  Sure hope they are worth it this time.
   I am watching Judge Jeanine, her show just came on.  I like her views on politics, etc.
I  will sign off for now.  Getting ready to go to bed, so tired I hope to sleep well. 
Hasty Manana for now.

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone. It is a beautiful, clear and chilly Sunday morning here in South Carolina. I have my kitchen work done and just made Pat's breakfast.  She is going to go to Church this but not Sunday School so I will come back and get her before Church.  We will go out to eat.  I am taking my Chromebook back today to Costco as the Chrome browser keeps crashing.  I will try to get another one as think the one I have is just a lemon.  I will rest this afternoon and then watch some football and that will be my day. 

Carol, a greyhound in a stroller must be quite a site.  We both agree that we are allowed to start using our Christmas gifts before Christmas.  That is how I knew I had a lemon with the Chromebook.  Pat said she had been reading about the new cooking pot for sometime and she they had it on a one day Black Friday deal and she saved quite a few dollars as the price was back to its normal yesterday.  Of course the savings went into some other things she wanted to have with the cooking pot like a glass lid and a special cookbook. We send money to our great grandchildren as we have no clue as to what they already have or want.  We will probably put a little cash in the small Christmas gifts for Scott and Jennifer as they can always use the money.

OK Jackie, we need an explanation of your new word.  I don't have a clue.  I know what a Phenomenon is but not the other part.  Glad your weather stays cooler over your way. Do you have air conditioning in your new home or do you depend on the sea to keep the temperatures down?

Ruth, sorry that the mystery involves anger as I had expected it was something exciting and nice.  I hope things work out well in whatever the situation is.  Nice you have a source of beef and you know how it was raised.

Janet, I agree with your comments on the lovely card Jackie made for Janice.  Isn't it a bit strange for you not to have the wind?  I had a heated mattress cover that I used in our old house but don't need it over here as the heat pump keeps the temperature so even.  Of course, I do use flannel sheets and that helps.  Too bad they don't have a blanket heater where Beth lives as expect a number of the patients would really appreciate them.  I don't think we ever get too old to enjoy listening to someone read.  I have now listened to many audiobooks and enjoyed them very much. 

Marilyn, service dogs are very special as are the therapy dogs.  You do valuable work with Freckles. 

Janice, I think Pat made one of those Raggy quilts for our son several years ago and he has about worn it out.  So sorry to read that your shot did no good.  Fortunately, the shots Pat received have helped with the pain.   

[Jacqueline]

Uhthoff's phenomenon (also known as Uhthoff's syndrome, Uhthoff's sign, and Uhthoff's symptom) is the worsening of neurologic symptoms in multiple sclerosis (MS) and other neurological, demyelinating conditions when the body gets overheated from hot weather....It is possibly due to the effect of increased temperature on nerve conduction....With an increased body temperature, nerve impulses are either blocked or slowed down in a damaged nerve but once the body temperature is normalized, signs and symptoms may disappear or improve....

Wikipedia.org

[Carol]

Good Sunday to all - good night to Jackie. 

We watched "The Case for Christ" last night as Don had not seen it - I had and cannot figure out why he had not seen the movie. 

Early Sunday morning and it is cool but the record will record up to 90 degrees F today.  Unreal. 

Janice:  I made 3 ragged flannel quilts years ago and the grandchildren still use them.  I even have the special scissors to cut the edges - it really helped at that part.  Sorry for your having to drive so far for medical care. 

Jackie:  It has to be a sobering thought for you to face the reality of your MS.  I pray that you will have the best medical care and tender loving care every day. 

Don is up - we had a drop-in friend with her dog last night.  She left as soon as it was getting dark and just walks a couple of blocks.  A friend dropped in.....she wasn't a drop-in friend.    

 

[JudyB]

1 Thessalonians 5:18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

I remember Jack, before he passed away, telling me he praised God for his illness.  In doing so he led many to Christ.  He said that when people looked at themselves and how much they were suffering they were taking their eyes of Christ.  Lord help me to keep my eyes on you in the good times and the bad.

We have had a mountain of snow, it has now melted, and has started to snow again.  I hope we have snow for our family Christmas on the 16th. after that it can melt till next family Christmas!  We have heard the Great Lakes are warmer than normal so we will get a lot of lake effect snow this winter.  At least neither of us are running the snow plow this year!

I have 1 1/2 sleeves left to knit on a child's sweater, and the yolk and my knitting is done, gifts bought, and they need to be wrapped.  I am about done, then comes decorating, my favourite thing.

Have a great day folks, and remember to praise God in sickness and health like Jack did!

[Jeanne Lee]

Marilyn, appaently not  all therapy dogs are as well trained as Freckles.

I do not enjoy petting or fussing over dogs - or other pets for that matter.  So I was not happy when a therapy dog dashed into my room in the rehab facility, took a flying leap onto my bed. and settled down on my feet.  The owner followed, saying "OH my!  she's not supposed to do that."

[Marilyn]

Our therapy dogs are not allowed off leash, so they would never dash into a room and leap on a bed. Jeanne that was sure not a well behaved or Certified Therapy dog.

[Jacqueline]

Judy's post...
...well I am not " thanking - nor praising " God for MY illness, nor am I blaming Him for it, but what is meant to be, will be...MS is hard not to focus on it, it is, and will be with me every day, and is to get worse without a doubt...We are given our bodies to last our lifetime, it is up to us how we treat it, what we put into it, only time will tell what damages if any happen to our bodies further down the line...or what damage has been passed onto us from previous family generation, although MS is not one of them...None of us can go through life untouched of illness of some sort, we are meant to suffer before, and on, our last day...Jesus did... 

[Jacqueline]

Directions To Heaven

To get to your destination
you have to go the right way
So open up your bible to John 3:16
and hear what it has to say

God loved the world so much
he sent his only son to be the light
So people who are in darkness
might find the way that's right

The bible says we are sinners
and sin must be paid for
So God sent his son Jesus
And on the cross our sins he bore

Just put your faith in Jesus alone
No one else can save
That is God's only way to Heaven
Through the sacrifice of his son he gave

Turn your eyes upon Jesus
You only have to look and live
He has already paid your sin debt
When on the cross his life he did give

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone.  Once again we have truly beautiful clear and crisp morning.  We will get to the mid-60's again this afternoon.  This will likely be a fairly busy day as need to take my Hyundai in for an oil change and then will go with Pat over to the nearby shopping center.  While she gets her hair cut at Great Clips I will pop in to Walmart to get a few travel size toiletry to take as a donation tomorrow when we go to our Senior Monthly Luncheon.  These are being collected for a charity project.  This evening is our monthly Men's meeting at 6:30.  A friend is picking me up.  I told him by the next meeting, which I think will be in January, my eyes will have been fixed and I will be able to pick him up. 

Yesterday after Church we went out to eat and then on the way home we stopped at Costco (and so did a lot of other people) and returned the Chromebook and then purchased another one.  I am keeping my fingers crossed that this one will be fine.  It didn't take very long to set it up as I remembered the process for the setting from doing it a few days ago. 

Jackie, thanks for the explanation on Uhthoffi's phenomenon.  Other than what you have told us I really know very little about MS.  Are you experiencing this phenomenon?  I liked your "Directions to Heaven".  John 3:16 is my favorite Bible verse.

Carol, it is nice to have friends drop in even if not expected.

Judy, sometimes we need others to help us remember to keep our focus on Jesus when we are suffering so much.  Glad you and John will not have to get out and plow snow this year.  I don't envy you all that snow and hope we have none this winter. 

Jeanne, that must have really been a shock when the dog jumped up on your bed.  The other night at the Veteran's evening at our Church Wednesday night dinner one of the owners of the dogs went to each Vet and asked if they liked dogs and would mind them being brought over to their table.  They were all on leases and got a lot of attention from not only the Vets but from the many folks in attendance.

Jackie, I liked your "Directions to Heaven".  John 3:16 is my favorite Bible verse.   

[Janet]

Another Monday already!  At church yesterday we had a short video clip of our pastor and his family, greetings from "Down Under" as they are visiting their son and his wife in Australia.  Son just graduated from Hillsong School of Worship!  They will be returning to Kansas to live in the Wichita area, so I really hope we will get to have Cody come and lead worship here sometime.

After church, we drove over to Moscow to visit our grandson Curtis and family.  After lunch, the girls wanted  me to play in the back yard with them.  It was a gorgeous day, and we had so much fun!  It was just what I needed; a respite from the constant stress about Beth.  We played frisbee, and soccer, and this great-grandma found she's not good at either of those!    But the fresh air, sunshine and exercise made me feel so much better, and hearing the girls giggle, sing and play was like tonic to my hurting heart.  The two younger ones were swinging and singing Jingle Bells, so sweet.  They excitedly told their parents, "Grandma can run, and catch, and even get up off the ground by herself!  Our other grandma can't do that!"   

The Lord knew yesterday that today I would need the memory of such an afternoon.  When I went to see about Beth, she was in the shower.  When they brought her back, she told them she didn't want breakfast.  I asked if she'd like some chocolate milk and she agreed to that, so I managed to get her to drink a whole glass of that.  Then the pain hit with a vengeance!  Oh, my!  Her face turned bright red,
she was almost crying, saying, "My back!  My butt!  My arms!  My feet!  then My whole body!"  She was really suffering, and it took about 45 minutes before the nurse finally brought her some morphine. It was just a busy time, and I understand that, but when your loved one is suffering so, it is hard to be patient.  They did finally bring morphine, along with a fresh Fentanyl patch, and she got a little relief;
then when I came back in an hour they had just given her another dose of morphine.

I'm not a big fan of suffering!  And I think the "benefits" of it are much overrated!  I believe we do all go through things in life; there are all kinds of problems--physical, mental, relational and spiritual,
but I never thank God for any kind of suffering.  I DO, however, give Him thanks and praise for the lessons I learn through those tough times.  I may be wrong in my thinking here; if so, God will correct me.  In the meantime, I pray for my sweet daughter's pain to be taken away and that she be given peace instead.

We have another gorgeous day, mild and NO wind!  Hallelujah!  I love it!  So I went out and walked for half an hour, pretty fast, and it does help me with the stress.  Thank you, Lord!

Love and best wishes to each of you.   

[Marilyn]

My now ex DIL has had MS for about 20 years or more,  However, she is still getting around very well and doesn't complain only when her legs go number and she doesns;t have any feeling in them. She is on meds, of course, has some pretty bad days.  but she doesn't say much as far as I know. However, since she divorced my son, I don 't know what is going on except that she is now on Meth and has lost at least 170 lbs.

[Jacqueline]

There are four forms of MS...

Relapsing-Remitting...
Primary-Progressive...
Secondary-Progressive...
Progressive-Relapsing...

Link...

https://www.healthline.com/health/multiple-sclerosis/types-of-ms#YourType1

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone. Another ditto day of the last few and we will see the 60's again this afternoon.  In about 90 minutes we will have to leave and go to the dentists office as Pat has a scheduled cleaning appointment.  Then we will come back by our Church for our Senior's Luncheon.  Today the senior member of the choir and our wonderful choir director and pianist will provide the entertainment with some Christmas music and leading the attendees in singing a few Christmas carols. 

Yesterday didn't turn out anywhere as I had expected.  I took my car to the garage for an oil change and ended up being their for three hours and I had two new front tires, a brake light and the oil change done.  That is why I always dread taking my car in for service but it should provide us good transportation for the coming year. 

Last night my friend picked me up and we went to our Men's meeting at the Church.  It was the best steak dinner I have ever had there.  The cook had prepared her Uncle Jack's mac and cheese and it was fresh out of the oven and very moist and good.  Our program was interesting as it was a 30 minute film made about the 7,000 person town of Ellington that had been taken by the Federal Government in 1950 so the Savannah River Site could be built for bomb making and other defense related work.  One of the men who was about 15 or 16 at the time was at the dinner and shared some information about the whole experience.  It was really quite interesting. 

Janet, so glad you were able to have a day away from the stress and enjoy it with the great grand kids and your grandson. You are so fortunate that your health allows you to go out and play with them.  So sorry to see you found Beth in such pain.

Marilyn, it sounds like your ex DIL is destroying herself with the meth. 

Jackie, that is an quite an array of types of MS.   

[Carol]

Hooray!  Tucson is NOT having a record-breaking hot day today.  It is almost normal and a person can actually sit outdoors.  I hope my allergies (new this year) don't act up.  We did our exercise this morning and went to a breakfast place that had a good coupon.  I had cinnamon waffles with walnuts.  It was a bit sweet but good with the coffee. 

I have one cousin with MS - he was adopted - not that it runs in a family, I really don't know.  So many viscous diseases - too many to count..  My heart goes out to all who contact any of the miserable diagnosis. 

Laundry is going and I have been sewing little things to give away - hope to have enough Kleenex holders to the church fair.  My Kindle Fire is not charging unless it is plugged into the laptop - so, Don has ordered new cords.  It is so hard to tell just what is wrong but the Fire itself is charging nicely on the laptop so thank goodness it isn't that problem.  Don just received his med from the VA via home delivery.  How super is that? 

Janet:  Loving prayers for Beth especially now. 

[Janet]

First off:  I need some help!  For days, I have been getting a message that I have new personal messages, and would I like to open a new window to see them?  When I click on ok,
the message disappears, but I have no idea where to find the messages.  Someone please tell me!

I found Beth feeling a lot better today.  They have doubled the dosage of her morphine, and hospice nurse said if she has significant pain the next couple of days, they will increase her Fentanyl patch to 100.  I fed her a 6 ounce container of yogurt for breakfast.  After skipping lunch and supper, she should have been hungry.  We will go back soon to check on her again.

Our summer weather is gone now, and has been replaced with quite cool and windy weather.  But cool it should be--it's almost December!

Larry, getting your oil changed sounds as if it gave you a hard pinch in the pocketbook!  Car repairs are quite costly. The meal and program at your church sounds very interesting.

Carol, glad you're getting some relief from the heat so you can enjoy the outdoors.  I saw some of those little Kleenex holders at our local bazaar recently.  Cute!  And would be so much handier than the plastic they come wrapped in.  Darrel gets his VA meds via home delivery USPS too.  Very handy!

I called my painting buddy Dee and she met us at the Senior Center for lunch.  It was good to have a visit with her.  We had chili and cinnamon rolls.  I brought my roll home and ate it mid-afternoon. We also got two extras for in the morning!

I need to go get the sheets into the dryer.  Later, Peeps! 

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone. We are headed up to 70 or above for today so should be a very nice day.  I will leave in a few minutes as have an early appointment with the eye doctor for the last check on my first cataract surgery.  Pat said she would like to go to JoAnns Fabric store to check out some foam to put at her back in her easy chair.  So we may do that today as this is the last day they have it on sale for 40% off.  This evening we will be having dinner at the Church, my third meal in three days there.  Then I expect Scott and Jennifer to come out for a little while.

Yesterday Pat had her dental cleaning (no cavitites except in the wallet as that seems to go up in price about every time we have an appointment). As we came back it was time to stop at the Church for our Senior Adult Meeting.  Our program was great and presented by the senior members of the choir and our very talented choir director/pianist.  It really put us all in the Christmas spirit.  This was followed by a very hearty ham and bean soup, salad and dessert. 

Carol, those cinnamon waffles sound delicious.  I very seldom eat waffles.  Pat made a dozen of the little Kleenex holders that sold at our Church bazaar in October.  Nice that Don can get the home delivery of his meds. 

Janet, it is possible these personal messages are here on this website.  Check at the top of the page under the time and it say "My Messages".  Click on it and you may see new messages and you can go from there.  I hope this solves the problem.  Sure glad you found Beth feeling better yesterday.  Perhaps they had cut back on her pain medication.  Wow, cinnamon waffles and cinnamon rolls--you ladies are doing well.  Glad you could visit with your painting friend. 

[Jacqueline]

Janet...
...I am saddened that the only way to make your Beth seem better is to keep upping the doses of her morphine and - or, increasing her fentanyl patch...It is just masking her pain for a short duration, sadly not taking her pain away...

...Our opposite neighbour who invited us over for tea-coffee a week or so ago, he done us a fantastic favour when I mentioned our outside parkhome lights were old and rather dim, and those were the ones that worked..This was causing us to shine a torch into the outside at night when Toby went out to do his business, which never covered the length of the garden...I - we wasn't dropping hints on purpose even though he had mentioned he was an electrician by trade due to his training while in the navy...anyway he said he will take a look at our lights, which consists of two outside the front door, opposite sides, and two out the back, with two round shape lights to the side, the road - lane leading uphill and out side, and lo and behold within a day he was over and testing them, giving us info on what to buy and installing them all for us, he done a fantastic and thorough job, spent quite some time, at times just leaving as it was getting dark, 4.30 ish...Both myself and Richard have just walked the few yards ( me with my rollator purposely holding a large biscuit - cake - tin, filled with Betty's speciality tea and coffee neatly packed inside, oh and not forgetting a speciality tin of Lily's Kitchen dogs treats and biscuits for their two small dogs, done as a thank you gesture...It was the 90 plus year old mother who came to the door, took the thank - you tins from us, invited us in, we polite-fully declined..briefly had a friendly chat and walked back home to our Toby looking out the front window watching our every move...

Oh dear I may have dropped another hint today that she will pass onto our neighbour...I had mentioned the two side lights leave a blind spot on the set of concrete steps that lead to the car door, ( this is what I now use with my new metal handrail bar,) and that I would like a kind of stick - on light maybe half way, if their is such a thing that will stick to brick wall...she said she will pass this onto him...

[Carol]

Very thankful this morning because I stepped on a cactus sticker that was on the kitchen floor (this is Arizona) and it went right through my sock.  Don had to use the bright flashlight and  tweezers to pull it out much to my relief.  Oh, the desert can be cruel - cannot ever imagine how the ancestors lived in this sometimes harsh environment. 

Larry:  The syrup was cinnamon flavored.  Very nice.  I had not sewn the Kleenex pocket container for a long time so it took a little thought.  The modern heart pattern quilt that is being top quilted at an experts house is taking a long time. 

PAT:  How are you faring?  We would all love to hear a bit more from you.  Blessings!

[Carol]

Miserable here - we did such a little job in the yard and now both of us have tiny cacti stickers on hands and arms.  Showering was a relief that didn't last long.  We were so careful but I think because it has been so very dry here that the stickers just jump at a person.    (That it my belief) 

Call came in from a neighbor at home and our good friend is on his way to heaven in a matter of days.  He is raising his hand and pointing the way - too weak to talk.  We love him so.  Our plane trip isn't for another three weeks and rationally, we know we can be of more help after their relatives leave.

[Ruth Ann Bice]

Hi, friends,

I think my name should be Calamity Jane. It seems one thing after another have come my way recently . Last night's trial was a fall in my bedroom. Finally, a group of strong firemen came trooping in and helped me back to my feet. I have felt the need to take some aspirin and other pain relievers to help all those sore places that are showing up. I was so thankful that nothing was broken. God was so good to me - isn't He always!

Well, this computer seems to have a mind of its own tonight.
Y'all have a great rest of the day.

Love, Ruth Ann

[Jacqueline]

Ruth Ann...
...oh how we so dream of a strong fireman to come to our rescue...and there you are, with not just one but, a whole group of them...

...ok, joking aside...taking a fall is no laughing matter...Do you have some " witch hazel " to hand, that was-is an old remedy for bringing out bruises...

Oh, dont all computers have a mind of their own?

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone.  It is going to be another beautiful day getting up to 71 degrees this afternoon.  Pat has to go back to the pain clinic this morning for a followup on her shots.  She is feeling up to driving herself.  I will pick up my friend at assisted and we will go downtown to have coffee with other friends.  I will take him home and then go back downtown to the Church for the Wisdom group.  I haven't been able to attend that for a few weeks so am looking forward to it.  That will be it for today.

The eye doctor told me yesterday that my eye was healing very well and that I shouldn't need prescription glasses but will be able to use OTC glasses for close work.  I signed all the papers for my second eye surgery on Monday. 

Jackie, that was a very nice act by your neighbor and then a kindness on your part to show your appreciation as you did. 

Carol, I have wondered about how our ancestors were able to live in so many of the places in this country. They were certainly hardy souls.  Do you pay by the inch of quilting done?  I think that is the way Pat paid for the last two she made.  The lady did a very good job on them.  Sorry you are experiencing so much problem with the cacti stickers.  Do you have lots of cacti in your yard?

Ruth Ann, glad you didn't break anything in your fall.  Hopefully in a few days those pains will go away.  Are you using a walker for support in your home and when you go out.  My wife almost fell in the hallway at the Church a few weeks ago and really scared me.  She now is using the walker around the house and always takes a cane when she leaves the house.  I have been having computer problems this morning and have had to reboot three or four times.  It seems to be OK now. 

[Carol]

I wish I had a better memory - I did not write down the issues everyone is facing. 

Ruth Ann:  You are NOT a Calamity Jane!  Far from it.  You are methodical and very organized - I am in awe of your talents.  No matter the circumstances, you are strong in faith. 

Our dear friend and neighbor is in heaven.  I called his wife and she is doing well after a somber time spent with her husband. She is my inspiration - he has always been so strong in faith.  I really feel that we were meant to buy that house in that neighborhood and meet this gracious couple. Lots of fun and they gave us a wake-up call to mind our faith each and every day.  We cannot get to the funeral but she may send relatives in town over to our house to stay there - waiting for her call and our son will set the house up with more heat and hot water. 

Today (Ruth Ann, you will like this note) I attended the cellular phone class and it was a great help.  I did have one thing to contribute and that is I download free books from the library - never paying for a book  onto my iPod.  No one else in the room full of better brains had ever heard of getting "free" books. 

The cacti pain/itching is much better today. Now, it only shows red spots of irritation.   

Larry:  How on earth could people live here?  Natives lived and thrived in this harsh climate - they had to be so intelligent to survive.  No, we do not have a lot of cacti- there is a full grapefruit tree, a key lime (that is wimpy) a huge evergreen that shelters lots of birds and some smooth skin cactus with very sharp ends. Good news that Pat feels up to driving and very good news that you shouldn't need prescription glasses. The quilt artist measured this quilt and set a price of very reasonable cost.  My next quilt is going to be twin or full size and I can handle that but nothing larger.  Meanwhile, 9 X 9 potholders are just fine. 


Jackie:  What a nice neighbor and nice of you to return the gesture. 

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone. We are going to have another 70 degree day on this 1st day of December.  Our housekeeper should be here in a little while and the house is ready for her.  I don't have anything on the schedule that will require me to leave the house today.  I did get up yesterday afternoon with a scratchy throat and feared I might be coming down with a cold.  I used some cold ease type lozenges and seem to be better this morning.

Yesterday afternoon I reinstalled Windows 10 on my desktop computer as it had become unusable.  When you do this your applications and a few other things have to be reinstalled.  I have decided to give the new Edge browser a try and have my favorites set up.  Later today I will install the printers  and a few other things and I will be fully back in business.

Pat will be having another shot in her back as soon as the insurance company approves and then it can get on the schedule.  There is another area of her back that is giving her a lot of pain in her back and leg. 

Carol, was this the husband of the lady who has had so many problems and needs a lot of help?  Nice of you to share your home with her relatives attending the funeral.  Many of those folks must not use the library facilities very much.  Pat has downloaded library books for years and before downloading them she borrowed many books on CD.  Why do you have such a problem with the cacti needles?  Do they come from neighbors cacti and are blown onto your property? I don't think Pat would try to machine quilt another quilt unless she gets to feeling much better than now. 

[Janet]

Good afternoon!  I think I did not post in here yesterday, and maybe not the day before.  Sorry!  I have been taken with extreme excitement and hope regarding Beth!!  Dr. Saxon, our wonderful chiropractor, invited Darrel and me to a meeting last Tuesday evening to hear about a product he has recently learned about, called ZEAL.  He said it has turned his life around in only four weeks.  Anyway, while speaking to him later, he asked if I thought there were any way we could get this product into Beth, and I said I would try. (she has been having trouble drinking even water) He gave me some samples for her.  (It comes in powdered form, just a little in a small six ounce bottle.  You mix it with 6 oz. of cold water and drink it!  So early the next morning I took the samples, talked to her about what it was and that Dr. Saxon highly recommended it, mixed one up for her and ----  drum roll!! ---she drank every drop through a straw!  I was so excited!  I had an app't with him at 9:15, and when I told him, he was so excited and thrilled he cried!  AND---she felt so much better she wanted to, and did, go play Bingo!  She hadn't done that in months!  AND---she hasn't had to have a single dose of morphine since that first dose!!  Can you even imagine how excited we are?  Of course we ordered the product immediately, and last night I signed up as a consultant.  Maybe this is the miracle we have prayed and believed for all these many years!! 

This product is made up of 26 botanicals, all kinds of healthy things like rice bran, goji berry powder, Noni juice powder, Acai Berry powder, and many others, plus 12 vitamins, 5) amino acids, 55 ingredients in all, loaded with the nutrition our bodies need.  The company was founded five years ago by Christians who want to honor God, first of all, and serve people.

This is day 3 for Beth on it; and our order should arrive on Monday, so we won't have to miss days for her.  Once her body adjusts to it a little, we will start giving it to her twice a day.  I told the Hospice nurse about it yesterday; I could tell she thinks I'm grasping at straws, or she didn't want to encourage me because she thinks it won't work; but I'm still walking about two feet off the ground!  John has said he wants to take it, too, which will be really good!  Darrel and I are going to be on it as well, because it benefits those who feel good as well as those who do not.

You may think I'm nuts too, but I am a believer, and pray I won't be let down.

Anyway, that's what's happening in my world this week!  Hallelujah!!!!!!

[Jacqueline]

Janet...
...just been looking it up as I hadn't heard of it before but...I cant see anything in the ingredients that would cause Beth any harm, as long as the vitamins and minerals dont go over the recommended daily requirements, ( if it goes over, may cause toxicity. )...Otherwise It all sounds pretty healthy to me, unless anyone knows differently...Beth needs to get food down her and if this is giving her fuel, so be it...

[Janet]

I should add that it may not have any big (or any) effect on the two huge problems Beth has, but it IS helping tremendously with the pain!  And if we can start stepping the Fentanyl down, that will be a relief, as that stuff is very addictive.  And, while it may not extend her life to a normal life expectancy, if it helps her enjoy the time she has left, it's still well worth the money!

No, for sure it will not hurt her!  Dr. Saxon would NEVER recommend anything that would cause her harm!

Our order didn't arrive today, so probably Monday.  I'll have to borrow two more samples from Dr. Saxon to get her by until it arrives, as I don't want her to skip a day!

I wanted to add that it isn't meant as food, but to add good nutrition she needs.  She is still eating,
some days pretty well, some days hardly at all.

[Jacqueline]

Janet...
...not saying this foodstuff is a miracle but...keep baring in mind..." miracles do happen..." and I so know what you mean by..." walking about two feet off the ground..." I too once experienced that happening to me, it is real, and a truly wonderful experience...

[Carol]

End of the day here and it is totally dark outdoors.  No star gazing tonight. 

Larry:  This is our neighbor & fellow church member at home who fell on ice and injured her elbow and hand so severely that it really wont' work well  for her now. She has been caregiver for almost 7 years.  A great family but the two boys live a long ways away.  Everyone is there now.  We have a few cactus in our yard but with think this is stuff that just blows all over - very minute in size.  Don is watching our favorite team play hockey - saw the boy make an assist right away. 

Janet:  Wonderful that Beth can take this new drink- she needs the moisture for sure.

I just finished knitting a long scarf and I don't even like knitting.  It will be a donation - I guess the label shouldn't say "Knit for you with Love".       

[Jacqueline]

Not long back from my journey from " h**l....Set off with both Richard and Toby and rollator on our parkhome downhill slope, turned left towards what I call a pebbled alleyway with wooden boulders at both side running the full length of it, then alley widens with pebbled uneven footpath with grass to the sides, we then carry on till the wooden gated end that signifies the end of our private parkhome site...Then if you turn left it is a pebbled uphill private type lane - road, rarely ever seeing a car, and somewhere further up I am told will be the odd houses, although I will never ever get to reach that far...Then the glory of this is, if you look to the right as you are approaching uphill you will see the sea in the distance through the bush gaps..I pushed my body to go further than I knew I should but, the journey back down and home became a pure nightmare for me and my now messed up MS body...My head - vision was now getting messed up, my lower stomach became bent and heavy, both feet were feeling numb and on their sides...All I could muster up was continually relying on the rollator holding my weight, putting the brakes on, taking one step, one foot first, then bringing the other foot in to meet it...As you rightly can guess, this walk back took so long and at times I never thought I would ever get there but, get there I must and I did, well I told Richard I will push my messed up body to reach the alley, then he can walk the uphill to our home to collect the car, while I managed to rest my backside on the lengthy boulders which was safer than putting the brakes on my rollator when on uneven ground, then trying to sit on that... Even then getting myself down the tiny slope from alley to the now open and waiting for me, car door was another struggle in itself, nor did it come easy lifting my bad heavy right leg into the car, but it was pure heaven once I sat sideways on that seat, I didn't care how long it would take to swing that right leg in...Oh and of course my bladder function caused me to stop twice, It had to come out, just as well these places are quite isolated...Anyway the gist of this tale is that I shan't be repeating this again, ever...
I pushed myself this morning as I am sick of seeing four walls..

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone.  It looks like we will have a cloudy day today and only get into the mid-60's.  I did stay home all day yesterday so nothing much to write about.  Today my throat feels almost back to normal.  I am not sure yet whether I will attend a meeting this morning or not as will have to decide when the time comes.

Today is a big college football game as this afternoon it is the Championship game in the Southeastern Conference and Georgia plays Auburn.  This evening Clemson plays Miami in the Atlanta Coast Conference Championship game.  So I plan on watching quite a bit of football this afternoon and evening.  This is the last week of the regular season and then Bowl bids will go out and it will be decided what four teams will play for the National Championship in college football. 

Janet, I hope this product will greatly benefit Beth and John as well as you and Darrel.  I will be interested in your further reporting on it in the days ahead. 

Jackie, I agree with you that miracles do happen.  I guess we have too push ourselves to learn what our limits are.  It sure sounds like you found yours today. The trip you made sounds like a nightmare.  Have you ever thought about getting an electric scooter or electric wheelchair so you could get outside more?  Our daughter used a scooter and then an electric wheelchair for several years and it provided her the ability to get around all over Atlanta.  I can also see that Pat may need such assistance in the future as sometimes her legs don't want to cooperate with her.

Carol, was that assist in the hockey game made by your grandson?  That would be a nice logo on your knitted scarf.  Knitting is something Pat has never acquired the skills for.  She used to croquet but hasn't done that for many years now. 

[Jacqueline]

Larry...
...you dont know how good it feels to be back home back in ones own familiar surroundings...I dont care if my body is still slightly messed up, my legs are still not coordinating but I can sit and watch tv, go to the loo as and when I like, go make something to eat or another cup of tea...
Yes I have thought of an electric mobility aid-scooter but I will avoid that final stage as much as possible and continue walking on my feet and legs until I cant do that any more, and if I have another bout of what I call my top of right leg coming alive with electric shock type movements, ( the nerves are always there, It just doesn't always become active, ) I will rely on my " Active " rollator to get me from room to room...

That is it, our legs become heavy, yet jelly like, they just dont cooperate well with each other and the rest of our body...there is nothing we can do to correct this, it just happens, our body just changes in the blink of an eye...or at least mine does...

Please pass onto Pat that we understand each other, re, our walking disabilities, that it is out of our control...

[Janet]

Good Saturday morning!!  It's to be another wonderful day, weather-wise here, and I think Darrel and I are going to go to Garden City.  He needs to get out of this house!  Too much sitting, watching TV and reading!  I cannot stand to sit that many hours myself.  And there is no reason for him to, except he says he doesn't know of anything else to do!  I want both of us to stay active for as long as possible!

I went to the care home and gave beth another little bottle of Zeal, then fed her her breakfast, a small waffle and some oatmeal, along with some thickened cranberry juice.  She still hasn't needed any morphine, since the very first Zeal!!  Woo-hoo!!

Jackie, maybe next time have Richard drive you closer to the sea where you might walk a short distance to enjoy the sight  Would that be a possibility?  And while you can, you should continue to walk as much as you can around your house, but for longer distances which you can't manage well,
an electric wheelchair would be a Godsend.  Beth loved hers! 

Darrel is ready to go, so---see you later!

[Jacqueline]

Janet...
...it wasnt the sea that I was trying to reach, I was just trying to attempt a short walk outside from our parkhome site....I did do this walk once before although I think this time I may have got a tad further as I kept looking for the gap to see the sea....I just wanted to reach the same point I reached once before where I could glimpse the sight of the sea...The problem is the body changes the longer and further we walk, and not only that, we have to remember that we have to make a return journey...

Janet...
...this liquid food may not be a miracle cure but if it is keeping the morphine at a distance, I think we can all be contented with that...

[Marilyn]

Janet,  Darrel sounds like Keith, only your Darrel goes to the gym where Keith has no interest in any kind of exercise at all.  he says he exercises when he mows the lawn or chops up a few pieces of kindling to make a small fire in the fireplace. We never have a big roaring fire it is always a kindling fire. I can get him to go for a walk with me when we are on vacation at Sunriver but at home, it is only about 3 times a year. Me, well I am another story altogether, Gym 5 days a week and out walking the dog a mile at a time 3-4 times a day when the weather permits, twice a day when it is a wet but not raining.Good news that the ZEAL  is working as a pain reliever for Beth.

[Jacqueline]

Our neighbour electrician is back and installing a sensor light to our outside wall that will light up the blind spot in the centre,
( its the widest part ) of our concrete steps leading to our car...

Its done, but of course he says he will come back tonight when its dark and make adjustments... as I need it to focus at my feet...

[Larry Hanna]

Hi everyone. We are having Internet problems this morning so this will be a brief message for today. Will plan on going to church and I will go to Sunday school and then we will
likely go out to lunch look forward to having a quiet afternoon and evening.

I?ve read the messages since yesterday and with this problem with the Internet I will not post any individual messages this morning as posting from my phone isn?t very easy with the browser I am using. Hope everyone has a nice day.

[Carol]

Just on the computer to search for the obituary of our friend.  We learned that his first name was Ira - and we only knew him by his middle name.  Something is wrong because two different sites were mentioned for the memorial service at the same time on the same day.  Gene would have a good laugh at that mistake. 

We just had mail delivered today - Sunday - it was a gift card for Don as his birthday is approaching. 

Larry:  That was an assist to a team buddy.  It was so fast a person could barely see it.  Grandson is a very unselfish player - we see that over and over again.  We think he will be a coach someday - at least a volunteer coach, knowing him. 

[Ruth]

hello.
Larry:  sorry to hear about your internet issues, I still enjoy to read what you have on your mind
Carol: Every thing on the net is supposed to be perfect but yes errors do happen.

This afternoon I went to a Community Christmas Memorial Service that is hosted by the local funeral home I have often thought about attending so this year is a first it was a simple but a very enjoyable service.  It seems that I have a busy week ahead a community dinner given by the local Lions tomorrow for the sr's in town a few of the not so seniors also get an invite, then Tuesday is a gathering of some retired bus drivers for breakfast then on Thursday we made plans to go to a  restaurant in the next town for their Christmas dinner.

Will I be able to sit down for 

Ruth

[Jacqueline]

Ruth...
...I notice we have two Ruth's....Ruth and Ruth Ann, must remember not to get the two of you mixed up with my postings...
Sounds like you do have a busy week ahead of you, and sounds very enjoyable...The only function we have is this coming Saturday, my annual Multiple Sclerosis dinner, held at the same venue as last year, my first year of attending this grand hotel since we moved to this location... I have even chose the same course menu as last year, as I really enjoyed all of its chosen courses...

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone.  We are to have a mixed day of sun and partly cloudy with it getting up into the high 60's.  This is the morning I have been looking forward to as by noon I should have clear vision again, although my eye will be dilated for a couple of days.  My son is going to go with me this morning.  My appointment is for 9:25 so won't have to wait all morning.  I will spend the rest of the day after I get home taking it easy.

We so enjoyed watching the 50th anniversary Carol Burnett show last evening.  It was two hours long so I watched the second hour from the comfort of my bed.  That show and Frazier and Cheers are probably the top three shows that I have enjoyed.  Of course, I realize I probably have forgotten about some other great shows I have watched over the years.   

Carol, I think the Postal Service now has a tough job of not only delivering the mail but now delivering a lot of packages from online merchants.  Interesting that the funeral home would make a mistake like you indicated showing two different memorial services.  Thanks for the information on the hockey game. 

Ruth, I found out that it was apparently a problem with my desk top having the Ethernet connection not working properly as my wife continued to work on her computer.  Once I rebooted my computer it has worked well.  So Comcast got blamed for something that wasn't their fault.  I had forgotten that you were a retired bus driver.  Your mention of the bus brought back a recall.  I hope you enjoy your week special events. 

Jackie,  It sound like you have a nice event to look forward to on Saturday and that it is held in a very nice location.  You sound like me in that when I find something on a menu that I like I will often order it on subsequent visits to the place.   

[Carol]

My Kindle Fire did not charge last night and I put it into another charging spot and still it was not working ---so I tried the third spot and it seems to be working.  Do not understand this at all 

Ruth:  I am brewing  - come and share. You were a bus driver - cannot imagine the stress of handling a crowd while driving. It was enough to drive our four children around and once I pulled over (on a 100 mile drive to grandparent's cottage) and laid down the law.  Even the dog stopped barking.

Jackie:  What did you choose for dinner at the annual meeting?

Larry:  Glad you figured out the problem.   The Kindle is so handy and will travel on our trip back home for Christmas.  It charges every night so regular - this just mystifies me.  A new and stronger charging port arrives today. The charging wire - one long one and one short one for the laptop are new and have been working fine. 

Last night while looking out the front window, a large Javelina moseyed down the middle of the street.  They look like pigs but are from South America having migrated to the Arizona area. They like to eat flowers and anything - just make trouble and travel in packs. Mean too!

[Jacqueline]

Carol...
...same as last year, I have chosen Honeydew & Cantaloupe Melon cocktail as starter...Pan seared Sea Bass Fillet main course, followed by Chocolate Daim Bar Torte...tea or coffee to finish...There was - is a choice of three different mix and match menus, including our basic Christmas dinner of Turkey and stuffing, and Christmas Pudding with vanilla & brandy cream...some very tough choices...

[Carol]

The Sea Bass sounds like a good idea. 

[Janice]

Carol, there used to be javelina in Southern New Mexico.  Hubby had relatives at Truth or Consequences, NM and they saw them occasionally. I never got to see them when we would go to visit. 

[Ruth]

Good evening .

It was in 1970 that I had started driving as it was necessary to pay a couple of bills and also having a son that seemed to be ill a lot of time and only one car, thus it was the better choice but some how it continued for 30 years. Now with all the changes it is not something that I would desire to do.

Soon we will be headed out the door for dinner.

Ruth

[Ruth Ann Bice]

Hi friends,

I'm here and thankful that y'all have been here while I was away.  I'm much better from the fall - can now see out of both eyes. I don't want to be out much, since my  forehead is still swollen and has red patches where the carved drawer pull hit as I fell forward.

Oh, well, I don't usually have much vanity. Some of the folks who attended the Senior Net bash in Georgia will remember I looked as if I had been beaten up.  Well, with that fall, "the road rose up to greet me." 

You be glad with me for the love of our Lord.

Love to all,
Ruth Ann

[Jacqueline]

Ahh the two Ruth's together, now I know which one is which, just look at the avatar photo Jackie?

Ruth Ann, sorry to hear you came closer to the floor than you would have liked to...well at least you will be remembered by your Senior Net bash, ok, maybe not in the way you would have liked to have been remembered, but I am sure any one of them would have realised that this could have happened to any one of them...as sadly we are now all prone to taking falls...guess just your timing wasn't good...And putting dignity aside, at least you did turn up for it...

[Jacqueline]

Ahh the two Ruth's together, now I know which one is which, just look at the avatar photo Jackie?

Ruth Ann, sorry to hear you came closer to the floor than you would have liked to...well at least you will be remembered by your Senior Net bash, ok, maybe not in the way you would have liked to have been remembered, but I am sure any one of them would have realised that this could have happened to any one of them...as sadly we are now all prone to taking falls...guess just your timing wasn't good...And putting dignity aside, at least you did turn up for it...

Time is now 8.am and I am awaiting my Riverford organic delivery box man to deliver my box which he leaves outside my front door and always starts our Toby off barking..he should be here any minute now...think he is here now...better go..

[Larry Hanna]

  Hi Everyone.  We have an overcast morning but will get into the mid-70's this afternoon.  My main activity today will be to go for the second day checkup on the cataract surgery at 1:20 this afternoon.  I was to remove the eye guard when I awoke this morning.  On my way home I plan on stopping at Costco to return this second Chromebook.  It had worked fine for 3 or 4 days but last evening it froze about 7 times and I decided I didn't need that hassle in my life.  So I guess it will be back to a regular laptop rather than a Chromebook.  Yesterday everything went well and there has been no pain or problem.   

Carol, it sounds like the third try did the trick on charging your Kindle Fire.  I can't imagine what driving with four children must have been like as our two were plenty for us and we didn't have a dog in the car. 

Jackie, it sounds like whatever your chose for your special dinner would be good.  What you selected sounds very tasty.  It sounds like Toby is better than a doorbell in letting you know something has been delivered.  We sometimes find packages that have been delivered on our front porch and the person delivering them doesn't even bother to ring the door bell. Sometimes they are on the porch overnight.  Fortunately with this house they are in an alcove and protected from the weather. 

Janice, from what Carol describes you didn't miss anything by not seeing the Javelinas. 

Ruth, while I enjoyed most of the work I did when employed I am certainly glad I am no longer working as things have changed so much in the Federal Government Agency when I spent most of my career.  Constant reorganizations and changes of responsibilities are such that I no longer recognize the organization and have been retired so long that very few of the names mean anything.  I enjoy being able to do what I want to do most of the time and not having to spend 8 hours a day or more in an office. 

Ruth Ann, glad you are much better from your fall.  Sure glad you didn't damage your eyes in your fall.  I have decided that most people don't really care how I look and I have no control over what they think at any given moments so don't worry about appearances anymore.  I just want to be clean and neat. 

[Jeanne Lee]

These last couple of weeks since I got home from rehab have been frustrating, to the point that yesterday I declared a "non-day" and even stayed away from computer.  I tseems everything I tried to do and every question I asked online lead only to another place to ask the same question and get the same answer that didn't apply at all to what I was asking.   GRRRR!

Such a mix of good news and bad news here the last few days.  With Beth's seeming improvement, Jackie's plans for a great dinner, Jackie's at first pleasant walk and difficult return, Ruth Ann's fall and recovery, Larry's disappointment with the Chromebook....  life sure does have it's ups and downs.   

[Jacqueline]

Jeanne Lee...
..one can say anything about life they like but, one thing we can all agree on is...life has its ups and downs, and life can be full of surprises...ok two things...

[Jacqueline]

Jeanne Lee...
...you must give me your recipe on " how to stay away from our computer "    I haven't quite mastered the art of that yet...

[Janice]

Good morning!  Winter happened here overnight!  Brrrr.  Some people think New Mexico is a desert.....maybe parts of it...but not on the Eastern side!  I had intentions to take my car for an oil change today, and then go to MVD to get the registration and driver's license renewed. The latter will have to wait until a warmer day.  I'm not stepping outside into that freezing cold wind!
I can stay in my car at the oil change place. Drivers license in NM are free for citizens over 75 yr old.  But you do have to pass a vision test...sure hope my eye ailments don't cause me to not get a renewal.  Glaucoma, cataracts, wet Macular Degeneration. Surprisingly I can read really well.
    Went with Elaine (daughter) to our church for the Children's Christmas program Sunday evening.  Those precious kids!  It was a good evening. There
must have been at least 45-50 kids on the stage, and well behaved! Elaine is the organist at our church, but instruments were not used for the children's program.
   
   

[Carol]

Janice:  We drive on I 25 going both north and south and like to stay at Socorro when going south and Santa Fe when going north. That puts us just over the middle part of our drive to SW of  Denver.  There are some very nice towns along the way - Albuquerque is really expanding much like it is at home. We don't have any youngsters in SS anymore so no programs to attend. The children are really darling, as you say. 

Ruth Ann:  If you are like most of us, it take such a long time for healing. 

It is so nice to be reading notes from Janice and Ruth Ann - hugs to both of you.


Otherwise, I am on the phone directing our middle son to set up our house for our neighbor's relatives coming to their dad's  funeral.  I think they are staying two days beginning tomorrow.  Phil will handle everything  - and tomorrow, he has an interview.

Larry:  We took our children everywhere possible and they were good travelers.  So many stories - once I had them at the church railing with communion for me and a blessing for them. I heard a little laughter and turned to find they had brought their tiny cars and were racing them on the railing, Pastor had to laugh and blessed them anyway. It was so embarrassing. There are a million stories we can stay up late talking about it anytime. 

A young couple here have invited us over tonight for a meatloaf dinner - they have to leave right after as they are in a dancing group.  We will have to talk fast.   

[Janet]

I'm still having a problem choosing green for my posts!  And if that's my biggest problem, praise God!   

So many nice posts to read here today!  I did stay away from computer all day yesterday, as Beth had taken a turn for the worse and I spent the whole day with her!  BUT...God is good, all the time!  And by evening she was better; went in early today and found her better; and will go back after my eye appointment at 3:00 and expect even more improvement!  And I attribute all these improvements to the Zeal she is drinking!  Yesterday, she drank another one of their products, a protein, which she really needs!  I expect it will keep me hopping to get two Zeals and one protein into her every day, so I know my job description!!  Today is her and John's second anniversary!!

Carol, those memories are so sweet, even if embarrassing at the time!  My little grandson Justin, when he was four, memorized the 23rd Psalm for his Christian school program.  The teacher stood him up on a stool so everyone could see him, and then asked him what his mother told him to do tonight?
He answered loud and clear, "Don't pick your nose!"    Poor Kerri was mortified!

Jeanne, sorry things have been tough for you.  Seems we used to have days like that, but now sometimes it feels like weeks instead.

Ruth Ann, since I've been so busy taking extra care of Beth, I haven't been using much makeup lately,
either.  Seems to take too much time when I'm trying to hurry!  Glad you're healing from the fall,
and hope you do not fall again  I have been a klutz today!  I bumped one ankle on the dishwasher door this morning, then later reached for something and busted a fingernail on the microwave, then bumped the other ankle on the dishwasher door (One while loading, the other while unloading it!) and last (I hope!) cracked my arm above the elbow--again on the microwave!!  Maybe I need to stay out of the kitchen!!

Jackie, enjoy your MS party!  And eat all you want--but not too much!   

Janice, I hope you don't get chilled today!  Glad you won't have to get out of your car!  It's colder here,
but still pleasant, as the wind isn't blowing!!  YEA!!  They keep telling us every day that the cold and wind are coming. 

The housekeeping gal is here, and how thankful I am for her help!!

Larry, sorry your ChromeBooks didn't work out for you.  I sort of regret buying this huge Mac.  There is still so much I don't know how to do on it, plus it doesn't have a DVD player or a touch screen.  But I'm stuck with it now.  Macs are more stable than PCs, at least that's what I'm told.

I need to get off here now!

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone. Our day starts with an overcast sky and our high today is suppose to be 62. The only thing on the calendar for today is our Wednesday night dinner at Church and then Scott and Jennifer will be coming out.  We should get to speak to our great grandchildren this evening.

Yesterday turned out to be a very busy and stressful day.  The morning was busy paying bills, calling a couple of places about the billings and doing other office work.  At 12:50 I left to go for the second day visit to the eye doctor only to find I-20 traffic basically at a standstill and then moving a couple of car lengths and stopping again.  I got very stressed as knew I was going to be late for my appointment.  I called and told them and they said they allow a 15 to 30 minute leeway.  The Georgia Department of Transportation is installing some new signage on the Interstate and they had taken the traffic down to one lane from a four lane road.  This caused the big backup as the cars had to merge to get by the blocked area.  My eye appointment went very well and was told the eye is doing great.  The vision has cleared a lot this morning and hopefully will continue to clear in the next few days.  As I came back from the eye doctors office I stopped and Costco and returned the Chromebook.  I then found a relatively inexpensive HP laptop.  It doesn't have the greatest display but it will work very nicely for what I use it for.  I spend a couple of hours getting it basically set up with only a few more things to do on it. 

Jeanne, my problems with the Chromebook were easily fixed by returning it as had a 90 day window to return to Costco.  I decided to just go back to a laptop and the one I got weighs only 4.5 pounds so isn't much heavier than the Chromebook.  Sorry to see your days have been so frustrating.  I sure hope you are feeling better.  I think using the oxygen at night has been a big help to me as am no longer feeling tired when I get up in the morning and seem to have a little more energy during the day.  I guess if we didn't have a few downs we wouldn't appreciate the ups. 

Jackie, I don't want a recipe to stay away from the computer as it is an integral part of each of my days and for the most part is very enjoyable. 

Janice, I didn't know any state had free drivers licenses for those over 75.  You are fortunate to be able to read very well with the eye problems you have.  The little children are so much fun to watch and they wiggle around.  We often have the little ones sing a song as a part of our Church services.  Our little ones and young people are an integral part of our Church. 

Carol, when we used to drive back to Kansas City from Atlanta we always stayed in Paducah, Kentucky as it was half way on the 16 hour trip.  One of those trips we visited the National Quilting Museum that is located there and it was quite impressive.  Have you ever visited it?  Hope Phil's interview goes well today and a job offer will be coming his way.  Cute story of your children at the altar and playing with their little cars. 

Janet, the green you are using is very easy to read.  Glad that is your biggest problem at the moment.  So sorry that Beth has taken a turn for the worse.  Congratulations to Beth and John on their second anniversary.  Justin was just being honest and obviously remembered his mother's admonition.  Cute story!  It sounds like you need a break from the kitchen.  I know from experience that it really hurts to hit your leg on the dishwasher door.  The new laptop I bought yesterday has neither a DVD player or a touch screen, which I wouldn't have used anyway.  Pat's laptop has a touch screen and she really doesn't use it.   

[Jacqueline]

Larry Hanna...
...you are the same as me...gotten too attached to our lifeline of a computer, well I would be totally lost without my connection and interaction to our forum....

Isn't that just the way? getting caught and held up in traffic when we have a time-scaled appointment...nothing worse in getting our blood pressure sky high...Like you Larry, I just hate being late for an appointment, I like to get there, signed in and registered with at least ten minutes to spare...

[Carol]

We had such a nice meatloaf dinner with younger friends last night - they asked Don to lead in prayer. Later, we visited with our friend until late.  She lost her husband several years ago - we have known them for years.  She also owns an old family cabin in northern Minnesota - so has a lot of upkeep every season of the year.  It is worth it! 

Larry: Sorry that you were stressed - there seems to be nothing we can do with the herd being so much larger in our cities.  We dread going back to Denver but thankful to live in the suburbs.  You had so much trouble with the Chrome brand - I don't even know the difference.  Glad that you fixed that problem.  No, have never seen Padukah.  The grandchildren are so special - enjoy your visit.

I am fixated on trying to bring one item each on our flight - American - then a change in Phoenix back to Denver.  It has to fit and I have to bring our readers plus chargers - Don has his meds and the laptop.  No choice on seating.  Looking forward to a lovely trip ----NOT.  It will be alright because we will make do. I just finished reading the story of a woman in France having to house Germans during WWII and if she could do that - a person can do a lot of things without complaining. 

Janet: Remember the show - if I have it right?  "Kids say the darndest things? 

Jeanne:  Sorry to read that you are having any "down" time. You have a lot of friends who want you to feel wonderful again.

[Marilyn]

Hello everyone, Sorry I've been AWOL for a few days. It is a very busy week for me with 3 Therapy dog visits, Furry friends Christmas party on Saturday, the church and singing on Sunday. I will be having my nails done and a pedicure tomorrow before going on the visit to the hospital. Next week it is my annual review at Hospice and Christmas party for hospice on Friday. The following week is my eye appointment, two visits and leaving for California. whew!! BUSY!!!.

[Janet]

I'm so glad this green is easy for Larry to read!  And really, I do not mind changing.   

Marilyn, you sound as busy as me!  Only most of your events sound like more fun than mine.  And that's a good thing!  So many Christmas events so early in December!  Goodness!  Are you a Hospice volunteer?  And if so, what do you do?  I'm interested in this because of Beth being on Hospice now.

Carol, nice to hear of your being the guests instead of the hosts this time!  You certainly do cook lots of meals for others, and I know you must love doing it; still it's nice to be the invitee for a change.  (Is that a word?)    Yes, I remember "Kids say the darndest things" with Art Linkletter.  Fun show!

Beth was about the same this morning--better than Monday, but not as good as last week.  She was able to drink the protein drink plus the Zeal, now it's time for her afternoon Zeal.  So as soon as I finish this, I will head up there again.

I need to find a way to cut down on the emails I get!  I delete and delete, unsubscribe, and still they require too much time trying to keep them from building up into the thousands!  Always afraid to delete them all for fear there's something I need to read, or a personal message. Ah, computers!!

I must go give Beth her Zeal before time to go to church for Wednesday night dinner and choir practice!  Manana!

[Marilyn]

Janet, Yes I am a Hospice volunteer. I took the classes a year ago to become a Hospice Volunteer. However, I visit the clients that like dogs or have had dogs. I take Freckles to visit the clients, and they love on her while I talk with them and listen to their stories about their life. I usually stay for at least 30 minutes. I have met families. One gentleman, was celebrating his 90th birthday and there were 4 generations visiting that day, I was asked to come at a time when the family would be there. He was ambulatory up until the end. He passed the day after that birthday celebration. I have visited some that were non-responsive and just sit with them for a bit talking to them. They do hear you even if they are non-responsive. When I am given a referral, it is a detailed description of their family, likes dislike, hobbies etc that the family has provided to hospice, so I know what to talk about. I have to fill out a report and turn it in after each visit. There are other things that the volunteer does but that is what I do.

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone.  It is a rainy morning here and will continue with rain throughout the day and evening.  It is welcome.  We will be staying in the 40's all day.  I plan on going to coffee, after picking up my friend, and then after bringing him home will go back to the Church for our Thursday Wisdom group with the Pastor. 

We enjoyed a nice dinner last night at Church and then at 7 am we got to talk with our 4 great grandchildren.  This included talking with the little 6 year old who we have never seen, except in pictures, and had never heard speak before.  Last week he was too shy to talk but this week joined right in.   Yesterday while at Walmart to pick up prescriptions for Pat I bought a pair of reading glasses.  I am only going to need them for close reading. Today my left eye is seeing almost as well as the right one.

Jackie, the computer filled what would have been many empty hours when I had to retire at the age of 54.  I really don't do much more on it anymore except posting here and in Seniors and Friends, keeping track of things like our medical expenses, and then in the afternoon just doing the puzzles and playing some games.  I would rather have to sit and wait for the appointment than to be late.  Fortunately, when I took the nitro it eased the chest and arm discomfort from the stress of the trip. 

Carol, it sounds like you have some nice younger friends.  I am glad I have only one place to keep up and really have never desired to have a second home or place in the mountains.  Even though we lived about 30 miles from downtown Atlanta we had terrible traffic where we lived and the Interstates were terrible.  I understand from friends that the area where we lived continues to build and there are more and more cars.  Chromebooks run on only the Google Chrome operating system and everything is done from the cloud.  There is no problem with virus, etc, as Google keeps all of that up-to-date.  There is a very small solid state hard drive and you can't run any programs other than what they have.  I just think I got into a bunch of production that had parts not up to speed.  I do enjoy having the new HP laptop and won't try the Chromebook again. At least your trip is a matter of hours and not days as you fly back and forth. 

Marilyn, it sounds like you have plenty on your schedule and two Christmas parties to attend.  We are not attending any Christmas parties and our Senior luncheon at Church last week is as close to a party as we will have this year.  It sounds like the information you are provided as a Hospice volunteer is very helpful in talking with the patient. 

Janet, any color is fine but I have always liked green.  I try to keep my emails down to a manageable size.  I find Gmail filters out so much of the spam and trash and have never seen anything in that folder that I really needed to see.  I hope you find Beth feeling better today. 

[Carol]

The furnace is running.  We have been in exceptionally hotter than usual weather for two months and now it is cold enough that the house got down to 68* and started the furnace.  Winds are strong today. Watching videos of LA and Ventura county in California and it could happen here and even in Colorado as well.  Not enough rain.  There is no snow in the mountains where it should be - at the headwaters.  Grim looking right now. 

My latest quilt is ready to pick up - it is too big for me to handle here and a lady has a business in her garage so she has the huge set-up to top stitch it.  Then, I will finish it with the binding, the very last thing.  It won't be going home with us next week - we have cheap cheap airline tickets and can only carry one personal item. Not the nice experience of years ago travel.  Measuring our little bags and determined not to pay a penny more.   

Larry: How super is that --- talking to your great grandchildren! Our grands are still in college (and work too) so it will be a quite some time before great grands come along (Lord willing).  Chrome must have proprietary features - I am so glad that you are so techie knowledgeable to handle the issues. 

This is the anniversary of Pearl Harbor. Today is our dear friend's memorial.  He is to be buried at the fort just east of the city.  Our middle son got our house ready for a family of four - and that is some help for them.  Neighbors are bringing food for all today.  We love our community there-it just seemed like the perfect fit.

Praying for Jerusalem!  Praying for the fire victims.  ..... and more.   

[Janet]

Howdy!  I came and read yesterday, just didn't feel like posting.  But I should have done, for today, I have been very weepy and crying most of the day.  Nothing specific--just felt like everything crashed in and overwhelmed me.  I think crying is good sometimes, it sort of opens the valve and releases some of the pressure.  But it isn't a beauty treatment, that's for sure. 

I see that the Zeal is helping me get better, more solid sleep, and am so thankful for that.  When I toss and turn, then get up as tired as when I went to bed that's not good.  I need to really think about it, as I know there are other benefits as well, I'm just so distracted I haven't taken note of them.

Marilyn, thanks for the explanation of what Hospice volunteers do.  They told me there are some here that we can call on if needed, and I wanted to know what their place is.

The hospice chaplain's wife brought their puppy to see Beth again today.  When she set her on the bed, the puppy ran to lick Beth's face, and her whole face lit up!  She loves dogs so much.  Wish you were around so you could bring Freckles to visit her.

Beth has had a stye forming on her right eye for about three weeks, getting worse and worse.  I took a picture of it yesterday, and arranged for our optometrist to go last evening to open it and drain the pus; but during the day, the pockets popped open and drained.  There were three close together; now two more are forming closer to the outside edge of her eyelid.  I had never seen a stye like that!  I googled it and learned for sure that styes are only pimples on the eyelid.  But why did she get them?  I don't know.

John bought her another Christmas tree (He's bought a new one every year) also a Nativity set. He nearly crowds her bed out with all the stuff he brings into her room.  Sigh. 

I'm really glad to be here in SW Kansas, with 10* weather, and not in California with those devastating fires and 80 to 100 mile winds!  Horrible!

Larry, so happy to read that you got to speak to your great-grandchildren!  Sweet!

I was thrilled to have a nice conversation with our sweet Ruth Ann yesterday!  God is good!

I'm really weary--yes again!- so I believe I'll just go to bed!

Sweet dreams, everybody!

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone.  We have a rainy morning and last evening they were saying on the local weather that we might see some snow today.  However, the forecast this morning shows we will continue to have rain but the temperatures will stay in the 40's so not likely we will see any snow and if it falls it will melt right away.

I plan on staying home today and inside where it is nice and warm.  I have several small projects to do after I finish reading and posting this morning.  I did go to coffee yesterday and then to the Wisdom group and finally stopped at Aldi's for a few items, including eggs which had gone up to $0.99 a dozen whereas they had been less than $0.40 a dozen. 

Carol, I sure hope those terrible fires don't strike your area in Arizona or in Colorado.  The news from California is really terrible regarding those fires.  It is going to be a very sad Christmas season for many folks who have lost their homes and businesses.  Is the one personal item you are allowed to carry in addition to your purse?  When my sister-in-law came recently she could have one carry on plus her purse. It is quite a pleasure to talk with our great grandchildren.  Eventually we hope to get to talk with them on Skype.  Right now they don't have a web cam and it is up to our granddaughter to provide it per the court order.  It does sounds like you have a wonderful community in your Colorado home. 

Janet, sometimes the pressures overwhelm us and I think God has provided tears as one one to relieve it.  I do hope you will feel refreshed this morning.  You have been on a roller-coaster for a long time and our bodies can handle just so much.  Glad you are seeing benefits for the Zeal.  I have been somewhat amazed at how the oxygen at night has helped me feel better during the day and haven't arisen tired since I started using it.  So sorry to read about the new problem Beth is having with the sty on her eyelid. I am sure the things John brings for Beth is a way he is trying to show her how much he loves her. 

[Carol]

Rise and shine here.  It is somewhat cooler in the desert now but we will feel the shock when we arrive home. 

Larry:  We read it as one personal item each and not a purse plus the little carry-on that fits under the seat.  I will double check that again.  We can do this as we have clothes at home, etc. 

There is no fire danger here in so far.  The hills surrounding are super dry though and it could happen with people starting camp fires, etc. Pictures from the California areas are so shocking.

Today is Don's birthday.  He did not feel well yesterday and hasn't for some time.  New medication.  He hasn't gone to play cribbage twice. We drove to  check out the parking area for our car when we come back, it will be very late at night.

Janet: Peace be with you.   

[Ruth Ann Bice]

Good afternoon, friends,

I'm working on recovering from shingles on the forehead, in my hair, and on one eyelid.

I'll say this, if you agree with inoculations, plan on taking the new shingles vaccine. My doctor told me it's 90% effective. I had asked him about it - and now have the problem before the vaccine came to my pharmacy.

Love to each of you,

Ruth Ann

[Janet]

Today Beth has Thrush in her mouth--again!!  I was the one to discover it this time, as she felt pain every time I put anything in her mouth; couldn't even stand to have a straw in it.  I have been giving her the Zeal and the Protein one spoonful at a time, as I can pour it into her mouth without the spoon touching her.  Dr. has ordered some lozenges that melt on the tongue, to kill it.

I did a little bit of Christmas shopping here in our little town today.  I think when we get something for Curtis and for Jeff, I'll call it good.

Going to town for an hour for a reception for a friend who is a great photographer. She was in Beth's class in high school.  Darrel will drive me.


See you tomorrow!

[Ruth]

good evening folks. I met a friend for lunch which I have done for several months, this has been a great help given the stress at the present.
According to weather we are to get snow over the course of 3 days at least. I truly it is not a lot as I have a business appointment on Monday and Mel will be taking our veh's in for the rust control on Wednesday.
We have curling on TV all week so I had best go and watch.
Have a great evening. Ruth g

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone.  It is still very dark here as it is early for me.  However, I woke up about 3:30 and wasn't able to go back to sleep so got up early.  We had rain here all day yesterday but didn't see any snow. We have a 50% chance of more rain today and it will stay in the 40's.

My kitchen chores are done until Pat gets up.    I may go to a meeting later this morning and need to stop by the Post Office.  A neighbor brought over a slip from the Post Office with our address on it that had been placed in her box.  We have no idea what this might be but hope to find out today.  I started reading an ebook yesterday and hope to continue reading it today.  It has been a long while since I have read a book but look forward to doing so in the future.

Carol, are you flying on SW Airlines.  Different airlines may have different rules.  Are you flying from the Tucson Airport or do you have to go to the big Phoenix airport?  I do hope Don was feeling better for his birthday. 

Ruth Ann, so sorry to hear you have been dealing with shingles.  I sure hope they don't get into your eye.  Is there a new shingles vaccine.  I had the shingles shot several years ago.  My sister-in-law has had shingles several times as have some friends and know they must be dreadful to deal with. 

Janet, what else is going to attack poor Beth.  Glad there is something that can kill it and hope it works quickly.  I hope you enjoyed the reception. 

Ruth, it is nice you can lunch with a good friend.  I have never watched a curling match and have no idea about it.  I have seen pictures so I have a general idea about it.  Glad you enjoy it.  We are starting the football bowl games here this weekend and they will continue until after New Years. 

[Ruth Ann Bice]

Good evening, friends,

Yes, Larry, there is a new shingles vaccine coming out very soon.  It's supposed to be 90 percent effective. I, too, took the first vaccine that came out.

At any rate, it's beginning to recede, thanks be to God.

How wonderful to see our folks speaking "aloud" while often they're quiet.

Y'all have a good evening..

Love, Ruth Ann

[Jacqueline]

I caught shingles a few years ago, this happened over a Bank Holiday period when the GP surgery's were shut, so by the time I was seen it had gone over the three day limit for treatment, too late, nor had I have the vaccination...I have read up that shingles might be a cause, or contribute for MS, ( conflicting evidence ) as shingles ( Herpes Zoster virus ) lays dormant....

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone.  It was a very chilly 26 degrees when I got up about 6 am this morning.  However, we are have a sunny day and it will get up to the higher 40's by afternoon.  The only plans we have for today are to go to Church and then hope to go out to lunch with friends if Pat feels up to attending Church this morning.  Yesterday was a rainy, misty type of day and the sun came out only around 5 pm. 

Ruth Ann, thanks for the info on the new shingles vaccine.  Glad your shingles are receding. 

Jackie, I think I remember when you had the shingles and had to suffer through it.  Sure hope it doesn't strike you again. 

[Jacqueline]

See what you think of this song, the lyrics...Link...Sam Baker - Go In Peace...( just one minute 20 seconds long )


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcZYYygCX5o

[Marilyn]

G'd afternoon folks, Happy Lord's day to you.  I've been singing at church every Sunday lately., I mean up front on the Microphone, not just sitting in my seat. I love to sing the Christmas carols. One of the songs today was little Drummer boy and we added some percussion with some Maracas, a tambourine and a drum it was so much fun. Next week is the Christmas potluck. There is always so much food that I am not taking anything this time. Last month I brought back what I took Keith and I were the only ones who ate some of the Boysenberry cobbler.

[Janet]

Good evening!  I started to go to bed then remembered I hadn't posted in here yet.  So here I am, probably the last one today!

It was good to have our Pastor home from "down under" today.  They had a good visit and a good time.
He had some funny stories to share.  They were gone about three weeks.

Beth was really having a rough day today, lots of pain, not eating.  The only nourishment she had was the products I am giving her: the Zeal and Zeal Protein.  Oh!  She did eat a small container of strawberry yogurt; no lunch and no supper.  Poor girl; I so wish there were more I could do for her.  But God knows and understands, and he holds all her days in His loving hands.

Darrel and I went to Hugoton, had a hamburger with Diane and Jeff; then we went on their Parade of Homes.  There were only three houses on it in Hugoton, and Curtis and Toni's home in Moscow.  The two towns are only 12 miles apart.  It was nice to get away from thinking about Beth's problems for a few hours, and we got home in time to give her the Zeal for the evening.  She was groaning in pain constantly, so hard to hear.    I did have some good news for her; her good friend Becki is coming to see her!  All the way from Fargo, N. Dakota!  They plan to try to make that whole long drive in one day on Friday of this week, stay two days and go back.  Becki is working part time and wants to keep her job.  Her friend Mindi also likes Becki, so she will come while she's here.  I am so in hopes Beth feels good enough to enjoy their visit.

And I told Beth I will stay and read to them tomorrow for a while, they both enjoy that. (She and John.)

Jackie, that was a nice song. And Ruth Ann, did the shingles treatment help you?  It surely cured Darrel's shingles in short order!  I had the shingles shot a year or more ago; sure hope I don't need the new one, too! 

Goodnight!

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone.  This morning I am having to work from my laptop as our furnace stopped working sometime Saturday night or early Sunday morning and my office is fairly chilly. It is 36 degrees outside this morning but will be getting into the high 50's this afternoon.   Fortunately we do have a small electric heater that is keeping our family area reasonably warm.  I have talked to the AC/Heating and they will be able to come out today and fix it.  We are also scheduled to have our annual termite inspection at 10 am this morning.

Scott has today off and wrote me early this morning saying they would like to come out and make our dinner tonight.  I am sure we will take him up on his offer.  Nothing else is on our schedule for today. 

Pat did go to Sunday School and church with me yesterday.  Then we decided to come home and go out to eat yesterday evening, which we did.  It was a beautiful day yesterday and it looks like today will be the same. 

Jackie, thanks for the link.

Marilyn, glad you are being able to sing in your Church services.  Yesterday at Sunday School no one would offer to get up and lead the singing so I did.  I enjoyed doing it as we sang 2 Carols.  By the time we got to the second song my voice had gotten pretty weak but I made it.  It seems that there is always plenty to eat at a potluck. I don't think I have ever eaten a Boysenberry cobbler.

Janet, spending 3 weeks in Australia would be a wonderful experience.  So sorry that Beth had such a bad day.  I am sure you are doing everything you can for her.  Hope she feels better today.  Glad you were able to have some fun time with the Tour of Homes and then having a meal with Diane and Jeff. I do hope Beth will be able to enjoy the special visit with her longtime friends that are coming to visit her.

[Carol]

Ruth Ann:  So very sorry you contacted Shingles.  I was diagnosed twice last year with Shingles by one of those Doc in the Box places - they were totally wrong.  I did have the preventive shot years ago when a friend said "If you have to mortgage your house, get the Shingles shot".  My problem was allergies.  This year, allergies are different and I don't know why.

Ruth:  I don't know the game of curling but have seen it a little bit.  Enjoy!  Have a wonderful Christmas.

Larry:  This is American lines, they go from Tucson to Phoenix, change planes and go to Denver.  Coming back, it changes in Salt Lake and it will be late at night.

[Janet]

This has been one long, hard day.  When I got to the care home this morning, Beth wasn't doing well, but she drank the protein and Zeal for me.  A little later, the hospice nurse came, listened to her lungs and said she has aspiration pneumonia, and that we needed to decide whether to take her to the hospital or keep her in the home.  Beth is adamant that she does not want to go to a hospital--she would have to go to one of two nearby towns, each 20-30 miles away.  She wants to stay there where it feels like home to her, where she knows all her caregivers, etc.  Well....John threw a royal fit!  He wanted to force her to go to the hospital, and I said she has the right to make that decision for herself.  He doesn't want her to leave him, and I get that.  I don't want her to go, either, but for us to keep her here in her condition, suffering longer, would be cruel and selfish.  The hospice nurse took him and tried to talk to him; he blew up and slammed out of there and went home.  For four hours!!  Sigh.  He finally came back but then got mad at me for wanting him to take a box of his junk home, to make room for her oxygen stuff they brought in, so he grabbed his coat and was gone like a flash.  My heart breaks for him, but he must come to the realization that it isn't all about him! 

Her doctor is to come on Wednesday, we will see what he has to say.  I know only God knows the answers we seek, and He will tell us (or show us) when the time is right.  But the waiting is so very hard, and heartbreaking.

Sorry, I know this is a downer, but it's just what I'm facing tonight.

Love you all.

[Carol]

Janet:  Thinking of you tonight. 

[Jacqueline]

Janet...
...it is hard for me to know what to say, just wished that John and yourself was on the same page and in agreement over Beth but, hard to say which of the two of you are right or wrong...so for that I must stay neutral in my posting and just offer my prayers that whatever decisions are made are the right decisions...at the end of the day, both party's only want whats best-right for Beth...and of course Beth still has the right in making her own choices-decisions...This is the crucial part where God comes in... 

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone. We are to have a nice sunny 55 degree day today.  Scott called me yesterday afternoon to say that the battery in his car was dead.  So I went down and picked them up so they could come out for dinner and spend the evening and then they took the PT Cruiser back to use until he gets a new battery.  The only thing on the agenda today is for Pat to get an eye exam at Costco. I am confident she will have to get new glasses.  She wants to go a little early before her appointment so she can look around.  I just hope she can get an electric cart to use.  I will do a little shopping there as well. 

The termite inspectors came pretty much on time and all was well as they found no signs of termites.  This company uses the Centracon treatment system.  A short time after they left the door bell rang again and it was the heating repair man.  All he found was that the breaker had tripped and when he reset that the furnace came back on.  He checked everything out and could find nothing wrong and said sometimes a spike on the electrical line can cause the 220 circuit to trip.  I had checked the breaker box but my experience was that a break would throw the switch over to the off position and all seemed to be fine.  So if this happens again I will know what to do.  The house quickly warmed up and all seems to be OK. 

Carol, too bad you have to change planes in Phoenix but maybe the gates will be in the same terminal.  I remember what a large airport that is and having to take a train to and from the arrival and departure terminals.  It is quite an airport.  Of course, the same thing is true of the Denver airport. 

Janet, my heart goes out to you and your family and to John.  We faced the same situation with my Mother in terms of saying we could send her to the hospital where they could put her on a machine and keep her alive a few more days.  We knew her wishes, as you know Beth's, and that was to not use the artificial machines and we said not to send her to the hospital.  God will see you all through this.   

[Janet]

My precious Beth went home to the arms of Jesus last night.  Now she is free!  No more pain or suffering; only joy and gladness, and happy reunions with loved ones on the other side.  I'm crying because I will miss her dearly, but rejoicing for the beauty and glory she has entered into in her heavenly home.

[Carol]

Janet:  Peace be with you and all your family.  The story of Beth has and will inspire many. 

[Jacqueline]

Janet...
...dear heart... Beth was-is, where she wanted to be, she made her choice, her choice was granted...

R. I. P. sweet child of God...

[Jacqueline]

[Ruth]

JANET:

My sympathy to you, John and all of the family at this time and in the weeks and months to come.
Beth is in the arms of Jesus and free of all the struggles.

May Gods Blessings be with you all.

Ruth G

[Marilyn]

Janet, you have my utmost respect and heartfelt condolences. You stood your ground to John sticking up for Beth's right to make her own decisions. I am praying for the family.

[Janice]

Dear Janet, the moment has come, your dear daughter is now whole again.  God bless you, dear friend, and keep you in his strength these next several days.  Sometimes when a loved one is called home to Glory, we come to realize they are in a better place than they have ever been before, and we can be happy for them. I pray for you, and I pray for John. I hope he is willing to accept the situation as is, and not fall apart on you and the rest of the family. He is to be pitied, for his recent actions. May God be his strength as well.

[Janet]

This day has such a feeling of unreality about it!  I am numb, I feel like it is all my imagination.  Yet the tears readily flow when I meet a friend and they give me a hug.  We have the service all planned, so glad we did most of it in advance!  Flowers are ordered, and we are incorporating her wedding bouquet into the casket piece.  Dear Diane came up and helped with things, she's such a wonderful support!

John is hurting so much.  Poor guy, I hurt for him.  He's just feeling so lost without her!  But he's holding it together and trying to be brave.  He knows we love him and will help him all we can. Thank you all for your kind words.

Our Jeanne Lee is in the hospital again!  She called me a bit ago and said she'd called the ambulance at three this morning to take her.  She was having a terribly hard time breathing.  She asks for your prayers.  I texted Pat, because I hadn't been able to get online, asked her to tell you about Jeanne; then  did get internet back!

I'm hoping for a good night's sleep tonight, as I'm really getting tired.  I was up late, then up early, so not enough rest.  I'll do better tonight.

Sending hugs and love to each of you!

[Jane Walker]

This day has such a feeling of unreality about it!  I am numb, I feel like it is all my imagination.  Yet the tears readily flow when I meet a friend and they give me a hug. 

Janet, I can totally understand!     I left a comment on facebook and I continue to hold you in my heart with much prayer.  Please know this and that you (ALL) are loved.

[Janet]

Jane, when you say you understand, I know you truly do!  For you have seen not one,
but two precious daughters move from earth to heaven.  Thank you so much for your kind words and prayers.

[Nita]

Janet, Jane just let me know that Beth went home. I am so very sorry for your loss.  Rejoicing on the other side, but sadness here for you.  My deepest condolences.

[Larry Hanna]

Janet, the others here have pretty well expressed my thoughts.  Pat and I certainly want to convey our condolences.  Like others we also have memories of going through what you are now experiencing.  You have been a wonderful mother throughout these 50 plus years.  Your faith will help you through the grieving, the anger and the guilt that most of us go through as we rejoice at the end of pain for our loved ones.  If I could be there I would put my arms around you, John and your other family members and gives you all a hug.  It is the hugs I most remember. 

[Carol]

Janet:  Know that you are love just by reading the posts of all your friends in here.  So many have gone through similar trials and they know exactly how you feel.  Try not to over-do and take time to rest - read the good news we turn to in stress.  Accept all the kind offers of help and keep on communicating.
Blessings to all Beth's family and friends. 

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone.  It is going to be another nice day here in South Carolina with clear skies and getting up into the low 60's this afternoon.  I won't be picking up my friend at the assisted living facility to take to coffee this morning as he has a dental appointment.  However, I will go downtown for coffee and then to the Church for the Wisdom Class.  Then later this afternoon plan on going over to Joann's to pick up something Pat ordered this morning that we can pick up in the store.  Unfortunately it is across the street from the Augusta Mall so traffic may be a problem.  That will be it for today.  Pat wasn't feeling up to going to the Church dinner last night so I brought her home one of the meals.  Scott and Jennifer came out after the meal and they played Farkle again. 

[Carol]

We watched a few shooting stars last night that were early in the evening.  It was spectacular (after several nights of cloudy weather).  The big shower was at 2 AM but this was worth the viewing even early. 

Don is up - not feeling up to par.  We have non-refundable plane tickets  - on Saturday morning for Denver destination - home. 

Nita: How are you faring?  Nice to see you posting. 

[Tisie]

Janet, I lost my link for here but thanks to one of your loving members, she brought me back.  I am so sorry that this date will forever bring sadness to your family, but hopefully the Christmas Season will help you find happiness that Beth is in the best place of all, God's arms.  So much of your life has been spent taking care and caring for Beth and no question your nerves will have trouble relaxing, it takes time.  When we've had to be tough for so long it takes about as long to unwind.  Let the tears flow (and now I will be silly, but that's the way I am).... be sure to drink plenty of water.  Did you smile?   

What ever you need to do that helps the pain, just do it.  God understands even if family & friends don't.  I just took some holly & tinsel, a small gold wreath & put a solar Santa in the middle to my parents vase where they are buried in MO.  In MY world our loved ones are always with us.  I will take something for Cas closer to Christmas, the mausoleum where his ashes are only allow live flowers & I want him to have fresh ones then.  God Bless & give you strength for the days ahead.

So good to see familiar names, I think of y'all often but life stays busy.  Ruth Ann, my brother in law is still going strong, can you believe it? We talked this week.  My e-mail is still the same if you get a chance...  Shirley/Tisie

[Jacqueline]

Tisie ( Shirley )...
... good to see you hopping over from the other side...

Jeanne Lee...
...happy to see a ( welcome ) posting from you, does that mean you are now away from that big building with people wearing hospital gowns? I sure hope and pray so...

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone. We are to have cloudy day today with a high of 57.  The housekeeper will be here later this morning.  I plan on staying home all day.  I put our Christmas check in the mail this morning for our great grandchildren and their Dad. 

Yesterday mailed the Christmas package to Pat's sister.  I had expected there to be a line at the Post Office but there was only one person ahead of me in line.  I did go to coffee with the fellows and then attended the Wisdom group.  Then later in the afternoon I went over to Joann's Fabric to pick up an artificial poinsettia that Pat had ordered to put in the container we have on the front porch.  They had it on sale for 70% off and it is quite a nice looking flower and puts some color on our porch.  All I had to do was show the cashier the order number and the item was sacked up and available in the cashiers area.  I didn't even have to sign anything so was in and out in probably 5 minutes or less.   

Carol, they said the best time to see the meteor shower in our area was between 1 and 3 am.  That was not going to happen.  So sorry to hear that Don is not feeling up to par and you all having to travel tomorrow.  I hope he is feeling better today and will be feeling OK by tomorrow.  Traveling is hard enough when one feels good much less doing so when not feeling well.

Shirley, nice to see you joining here in this discussion. 

Jackie, I seem to have missed the posting from Jeanne Lee.  Where did you see it? 

[Jacqueline]

Larry Hanna...Link...

http://www.christianphotographers.com/community/index.php?topic=13695.msg195039#msg195039

[Janice]

Janet, I am still praying for you and your family during this sad time.  you were wise to prepare for the service in advance, the hard part of choices that have to be made, etc  I had no way of knowing my son was going to die, it was a shock, but God provided.  Van was almost 50, was married but no children, and they lived in Lubbock. The autopsy showed that he had a stroke. We had a long wait, about 6 months, before the autopsy report came. Then my dear hubby passed 11 months later.  His was expected though, so much heart disease and diabetes.
Praying for strength for you and peaceful heart.  I hope you can get enough rest. 

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone.  It is a bright and sunny but cool morning here in South Carolina.  It is suppose to get into the mid 50's this afternoon.  I plan on attending a meeting this morning and then stopping at Aldi's to replenish our fruits and vegetables and get a couple of other things.  After resting this afternoon I will probably watch one of the bowl football games.  Yesterday was a day to stay home and take things easy. 

Jackie,  thanks for the link.  I may be mistaken but I think this message from Jeanne may be an automatic one when someone joins the Christian Photographers site and not something she has done recently. 

Janice, you know the pain of losing a child.  When we lost our daughter it was not unexpected but still a shock as it came only a few days after we had celebrated her birthday.  I knew she would be cremated so didn't have to make any big decisions at the time and we had the memorial service three or four weeks later.  I also hope that Janet will now be able to rest. 

[Jacqueline]

Larry Hanna...
...never considered that..." automatic..."

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone. It is going to be another nice day getting up to 60 degrees this afternoon.  Pat and I are going to Sunday School and Church and then go out to eat.  So it will be pretty much our typical Sunday as far as we know now. 

Jackie, hope you and all who visit here today will have a pleasant and restful day. 

[Janet]

I am "running on fumes" so this may be short.  Beth's memorial service was so beautiful--so many loving tributes to a life lived with courage, integrity, forgiveness and love in the face of great struggles and pain.  Our wonderful, caring chiropractor spoke, and was eloquent, even though fighting tears. There were a lot of floral tributes, and the monetary donations for the organizations we chose are still coming in.  She looked so beautiful--no more pain wrinkles, brow perfectly smooth, and so peaceful looking.  We are blessed by so much love, so many prayers upholding us.  Like Larry, the many hugs are so special and will be long remembered.

Becki, one of Beth's two best friends, and her friend who came with her from Fargo, North Dakota, to help her drive, left tonight to go back home.  They were the last guests to go.  We went to the care home this afternoon and let Becki take any of Beth's clothes she wanted, also a few other items.  John was with us, and also wanted her to have them.  That much less for us to deal with tomorrow when we will try to empty her room.  It's going to be very hard for me, I think.  But we need to do it quickly--we have until Friday night,  but Darrel's sister who broke her leg at Thanksgiving is not doing well at all.  Her husband called me today to tell us she has bowel blockage and the doctor told her she must choose immediate surgery or hospice care.  She chose surgery, and he said IF she survives the surgery she will likely have a colostomy.  So it appears we may have to go to Amarillo again soon. I was hoping for a day or two when I could just relax and not HAVE to do anything.  Sigh.....

All four of our grandsons made it home to serve as pallbearers for Beth.  It wasn't easy, as one is in the Air Force, and Mark is in Florida.  The other two were a cousin and a friend.  We have a wonderful, loving family,
even though one sister and Beth's only brother chose not to come.  That's their problem and I am not going to grieve over their choices.

Janice, I wanted to tell you that when the call came and we went to the home, when I opened her door, they had put the pretty quilt you made for her over her, and had the lights down, and had soft, beautiful piano music playing on her little stereo.  It made a really hard few moments of shock much easier to bear.  Thank you again for your loving gift of sewing!!

And I have other sad news for all of us.  Our dear Pat Scott Halbach sent me a text from their hospital.  She said she was lying on a stretcher, had just had a cast put on her right arm after falling in her kitchen and breaking her arm, from the wrist upward.  But she was praying for ME!  What a beautiful Christian friend!  And I'm sure our Jeanne is still hospitalized.  I need to call and check on her again.  So much to do; so little time!  Shirley/Tisie, so good to see you message--thank you so much!

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone.  We have an overcast day but it really isn't cold as the morning started out in the 50's and we are to get to 66 this afternoon. There is a low percentage that we will get some rain today.  We had a wonderful Church service yesterday as our choir, with the assistance of several readers, the the Lessons and Carols service.  There was some beautiful Christmas music I had not heard before and the soloists were very good, as was the bell choir. 

Following Church we went to the Dairy Queen as we hadn't been there is quite awhile and they serve quickly.  They were having a customer appreciation day with a special area marked off for the children with the big balloon type play toys and the most realistic small railroad train that took the kids on rides around the roped off area.  They were also doing some really nice face painting for the children. They had a couple of employees out front greeting people in costumes like a big ice cream cone and another as a duck, which must be their mascot.   As I purchased our food  they asked if I would like to enter their drawing.  I said sure and put my name and telephone number on the ticket and put it in a box.  I was shocked that while we were eating I heard my name called and I had won the drawing.  The price was a certificate for an 8 inch Ice Cream Cake.  We will save the certificate for a special occasion.

Today should be a very quiet one as nothing on the calendar.  I do need to write a brief Christmas email and get it sent. 

Janet, thanks for letting us share a bit in your experience and the service.  It sounds like it was a beautiful service and seeing her without the pain expressed in her face would have been helpful.  I have never understand how family members and good friends could stand and speak during a memorial service and not break down with emotion.  I guess I am just too emotional. When my mother passed away they asked us to leave the room for a few minutes.  When they asked back into the room the bed had been made with a Bible opened and a rose laying on it.  The Chaplin for the nursing home spoke for a few minutes and it was very nice and some of the nursing staff came in to support us.  It was very touching and very comforting.  May God give you a sense of peace during these next days and weeks. 

Thanks for telling us about Pat's fall and broken arm.  That poor lady sure didn't need more pain in her life.  She is a wonderful Christian lady and a wonderful friend to us all.  I am also praying for Jeanne and Joan as they struggle to breath.  So sorry that Darrel's sister is not doing well and hope she can survive the surgery. 

[Janice]

Good afternoon friends.  I thought I would post a hello before I go get a haircut.  My hair grows so fast, it begins to look like a bush on my head!  I need it to look better than a bush by tomorrow as I have to go to the church and get my picture made.  The church is putting together a new directory and wanted new pictures made of the members. 
I have to go to Amarillo again this Thursday to get another injection in my right eye.  My checkup last week showed a little improvement from my last injection, so that was good news.
Janet, thanks for the report on Beth's service, glad to hear how special it was.  Wish I lived closer so I could attend.
Better go now!  Bye.

[Marilyn]

I went for my eye Dr. appt this morning here are the results.  Vision hasn't changed much at all. However, There is a piece of vitreous gel that is still attached to the macula pulling it upward, that hasn't changed from my visit 6 months ago. So far everything is looking either the same as last time of just a bit better. He had me get a hot pack to put on my eyes 1-2 times a day. The tears are forms as a mixture of oil. and water. The oil is produced by glands on the eyelid. As we age the oil begins to dry up. that is why I need to put the hot packs on. then wipe the eyelashes with a warm clean cloth or some pads he had me get. The cataract has grown some but not enough yet to have it removed. removing the cataract will not change the macular degeneration one way or another.

Janet, it sounds like a very nice service. Still praying for all y'all. I did read about Pat and saw her in the hospital bed on Facebook.

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone. We are in for another very nice day with it getting up to about 70 degrees.  I had a very good nights sleep and the schedule is clear for today.  About the only thing I did yesterday was to make a quick trip to the post office to mail off a small package to a dear friend.  Of course, one never knows what the day may bring.

Janice, our Church here had just finished a directory when we arrived three years ago and we bought one to help us identify people and names.  I don't know how often they have one made but perhaps in another couple of years.  Pat dislikes having her picture taken so doubt we would appear in it anyway although we did have our picture in the last one that was made at our old Church.  I expect you are not looking forward to Thursday with the long trip and then the shot in the eye.  Sure glad there is some improvement noted.

Marilyn, it sounds like your eye appointment went well and sure glad there wasn't a change in the macular degeneration.

[Janet]

I forgot to put in the link so you can read Beth's obituary, if you want.  It is:  www.garnandfuneralhomes.com/obituaries-and-commerations.  I tried four times; it doesn't turn blue, but I'm sure you can find it if you want.

I had a nice half day with my sweet Abby today; we went and got manicures and pedicures.  Then I went with Darrel and we got chiropractor adjustments, so I hope to feel better tomorrow.

I'm still feeling weary and teary.  We both woke up at 1:00 and couldn't get back to sleep, so got up at 3:00.
That makes for a long day.

Talk to you tomorrow.

Hmm.....maybe the reason it didn't turn blue is because I was using green!   

[Ruth]

Janet; I have been seeing a chiropractor almost every week for some time and it is caused by STRESS BIG TIME, Like you I am trusting that things will start to smooth out. 

As the year is coming to a close I try to have one large calendar so off we went to find one, then took time to have a bite to eat before arriving home for the evening.

I went for foot care and while there I bought a new pair of winter boots a lot of money but the old ones are one there way to the garbage.

Ruth G

[Marilyn]

janet that was a very nice obituary for Beth.

Hi Ruth , Good to see you here again.

[Jacqueline]

Janet...
...found it, this really hit home for me...complications of, including MS, I am aware of what I have to come, being " progressive "...Such a young age for ones life to be over, she was so young, too young to be taken so early...
Janet, anyone who loved-loves animals, whether pets or wildlife, and particularly dogs, has a special place in my heart...for that alone, your Beth is sure to be rewarded...   


http://www.garnandfuneralhomes.com/book-of-memories/3371570/Brandt-Hamelin-Beth/obituary.php       

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone.  It was 60 degrees at 7:30 this morning and will be close to 70 this afternoon.  Yesterday was just a beautiful weather day.  It was so nice that we decided to go out for our dinner last night so we went to the Pizza Hut for the buffet.  The only thing special on the agenda for today will be dinner this evening with Jennifer and Scott.  As there is no dinner at Church tonight we will likely go out to eat and then come back here for some visiting. 

Janet, I just read the obituary for Beth.  Nice that you could spend time with Abby and do hope you feel better today after the chiropractor adjustment yesterday. 

Ruth, I also hope your stress will be lessened soon.  I hope things will smooth out for you before long.  I keep a calendar on my desk page holder where I see it often and keep track of appointments.  I also keep appointment schedules on my smart phone, which is handy to refer to when making appointments at the doctor's offices.

Jackie, I see you posted the direct link to Beth's obituary.  Since I write as I read I hadn't seen it and put in the same link as searching the funeral homes website but went back and removed it as you had already put in the link. 

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone.  After a lot of rain yesterday we have a bright and sunny morning.  We expect to get to about 60 degrees this afternoon.  We did have an enjoyable time with Scott and Jennifer last evening.  The main item on the agenda for today is that Pat will get the third shot in her back this morning.  I may make a quick trip to Walmart for a couple of things later today and that will likely be it. 

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone. It is to be another partly cloudy day and get into the high 60's.  I plan on staying home today as about wore myself out yesterday.  I made a trip to Walmart and there were no electric carts available so I had to walk.  I had to go from the pharmacy area to the auto section and then to the grocery isles, where I had to walk several of the isles to get the items we needed.  By the time I got home I was beat.  I even slept in a bit this morning.  Pat did get the shot in her back yesterday and seems to be feeling better this morning.  However, she couldn't sleep last night and after about 2 hours in bed she got up for the rest of the night.  She had taken a nice nap before dinner last evening. 

Jackie, are you OK?  This seems to be the third day with only me posting and that doesn't make very interesting reading. 

[Larry Hanna]

I just read this and it touched my heart and I want to share it with anyone who cares to read it. 

Two Babes in a Manger--In 1994, two Americans answered an invitation from the Russian Department of Education to teach morals and ethics (based on biblical principles) in the Russian public schools. They were invited to teach at prisons, businesses, the fire and police departments and a large orphanage. About 100 boys and girls who had been abandoned, abused, and left in the care of a government-run program were in the orphanage. They relate the following story in their own words:

It was nearing the holiday season, 1994, time for our orphans to hear, for the first time, the traditional story of Christmas. We told them about Mary and Joseph arriving in Bethlehem. Finding no room in the inn, the couple went to a stable, where the baby Jesus was born and placed in a manger. Throughout the story, the children and orphanage staff sat in amazement as they listened. Some sat on the edges of their stools, trying to grasp every word.

Completing the story, we gave the children three small pieces of cardboard to make a crude manger. Each child was given a small paper square, cut from yellow napkins I had brought with me. No colored paper was available in the city. Following instructions, the children tore the paper and carefully laid strips in the manger for straw. Small squares of flannel (cut from a worn-out nightgown an American lady was throwing away as she left Russia), were used for the baby's blanket. A doll-like baby was cut from tan felt we had brought from the United States.

The orphans were busy assembling their manger as I walked among them to see if they needed any help. All went well until I got to one table where little Misha sat. He looked to be about 6-years-old and had finished his project. As I looked at the little boy's manger, I was startled to see not one, but two babies in the manger.

Quickly,  I  called  for  the  translator  to  ask  the  lad  why  there  were  two  babies  in  the manger. Crossing his arms in front of him and looking at this completed manger scene, the child began to repeat the story very seriously.

For  such  a  young  boy,  who  had  only heard  the  Christmas  story  once,  he  related the happenings accurately - until he came to  the  part  where  Mary  put  the  baby  Jesus in the manger. Then Misha started to ad-lib.

He made up his own ending to the story as he  said,  "And  when  Mary  laid  the  baby  in the  manger,  Jesus  looked  at  me  and  asked me if I had a place to stay. I told him I have no  mamma  and  I  have  no  papa,  so  I  don't have any place to stay. Then Jesus told me I could stay with him. But I told him I couldn't,  because I didn't have a gift to give him like everybody else did. But I wanted to stay with Jesus so much, so I thought about what I had that maybe I could use for a gift. I thought maybe if I kept him warm, that would be a good
gift." So I asked Jesus, 'If I keep you warm, will that be a good enough gift?' And Jesus told me, 'If you keep me warm, that will be the best gift anybody ever gave me.' So I got into the manger, and then Jesus looked at me and he told me I could stay with him' - for always."

As little Misha finished his story, his eyes brimmed full of tears that splashed down his little cheeks. Putting his hand over his face, his head dropped to the table and his shoulders shook as he sobbed and sobbed. The little orphan had found someone who would never abandon nor abuse him, someone who would stay with him - for always.  And the Americans? They had learned the lesson they had come there to teach - that it is not what you have in your life, but who you have in your life that really counts. We should all give thanks for the people that "keep us" - in life - and for all of God's many blessings to us: freedom from want, life, love, togetherness.


Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!
-Author unknown

[Jacqueline]

Little Misha, for once in his life he felt loved, wanted and had a use for someone...and that use was nothing compared to the life he once had to endure....It gave him the hope that he so long craved for....Very touching and I am assuming a true story Larry Hanna...I do hope he finds his forever loving home with a couple he can truly regard as parents...

I guess in some ways I can or should associate my start of life in a similar way to him as I wasn't wanted by my birth mother and believe I was placed in an orphanage for the first couple of years of my life while the adoption procedure took place by my birth father and his childless wife who I will always associate as my mother...

[Jacqueline]

....this is one Christmas present we are allowed to exchange without upsetting the person who gave it......

[Marilyn]

Larry that story is so touching, it brought tears to these eyes. We are leaving for California tomorrow so I won't be around for a few days. Plan to return on Tuesday. So in the meantime, I want you to wish you all a very Merry Christmas.

[attachimg=1]

[Janet]

Larry, sorry there wasn't an electric cart available for you to use.  Thank you for the story of little Misha.  Could you email it to me?  I'd like to make some copies to include with my Christmas cards,
and not sure how to print from here and get only what I want.  Thanks.

Another sad day for us.  Darrel's only remaining sibling, his sister Dolores, passed away this morning in Amarillo,
Texas.  It was she who fell and broke her leg at Thanksgiving time when we went down to see them.

And more bad news for me.  My eye doctor called to tell me the macular degeneration is accelerating in my left eye, and has gone from dry to wet or vice versa, anyway to the worse kind.  I'm to see a retina specialist in Wichita on Dec. 29 for a consultation and possible for the first injection in my eye.  Sigh......BUT God is greater,
and I know He still has good plans for me.  This very tough month/year will soon be past, and I know I'll be able to smile again.  I am smiling now, but through tears.

Marilyn, have a good trip and a wonderful Christmas.  Stay safe!  Very pretty card!

Jackie, what are your plans for Christmas?

[Carol]

Thank you for showing Beth's obituary.  Janet, many hugs to you!   

Our DIL  JUST left after staying several days, working all the time via phone and visiting her former nearby company.  She is picking up our son at the airport now and they are driving  to their cabin until return g here for Christmas.  Everyone is  coming on
Friday.  We dog sat for two days and I did get baking finished  even with a snow day.  We were all going to the cabin but it is too high elevation for Don this year.  All is good for him in Denver though as that is a blessing.  All the children live i n the area.

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone.  It is another overcast morning but not very cold.  This is going to be a pretty busy morning as will attend a meeting this morning and then stop once again at the grocery store for a few more items.  I thought I got everything on my trip to Walmart but that was not to be.  Our simple Christmas dinner has now turned into quite a production.  However, I am sure I will enjoy it.  Pat isn't having to do all the work as our granddaughter likes to cook and our son makes his green bean casserole and I make the 5 cup salad.  Pat will fix the ham in the Instant Pot as it takes only a few minutes as it is already cooked.  Jennifer is make the dessert and not sure what else. 

Jackie, I assume that is a true story on Misha.  That was a very nice graphic and so true.

Maryilyn, I hope your trip to California is without incident and you and Keith have a good time.  Thanks for the Christmas wishes.

Janet, I will send you the story via email.  Sorry to hear of the additional sadness in your lives now.  So sorry about Darrel's sister.  That is bad news about your eye.  Hopefully the shots will greatly slow or stop the degeneration of the eye.  I am also hoping that this next year will be a much better one for you and for my wife.

Carol, glad to read that Don is doing OK in Denver.  It sounds like you have some nice family time ahead.

[Jacqueline]

Not long back from I guess my final ( second ) carols by candlelight church services in over a week..both started same time 6.30pm, this time I went to a church I haven't been to before, thought maybe a smaller church, a traditional church building but the place was absolutely filled with people...I did enjoy it very much...

[Janice]

Janet, I'm sorry to hear of your Sisterinlaw passing.  It must have been a shock for you and Darrel.  I was in Amarillo on the 21st, getting my second shot in right eye, wet MG, yes, wet is the worst of the two types.
I have appt to see the neurosurgeon in Lubbock on the 28th, concerning my neck pain.  I have had Opioid injections twice, and still have pain in neck as bad as ever.  I think my aspirin and Aleve help better.  They are limited of course, but the Opioid has done nothingConsidering going to a chiropractor even! 😃

[Janice]

Correction to my post...should be "wet MD" instead of MG.

[Janet]

Janice, I am an ardent believer in chiropractic!  My chiropractor is the only doctor I see, except for the occasional prescription refill or some such.  I do see eye doc, of course.  Thanks for clarifying about "wet" being the worse of the two.  Ugh.  This is scary!

Larry, thanks so much for emailing "Two Babies in a Manger".  I appreciate that so much.  Maybe I will get a Christmas letter and a few cards out, eventually.  No promises, but there is always next year, or we think there will be, anyway.

Merry Christmas, everyone!

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone. It was 55 degrees here this morning when I got up and we are headed to 65 degrees this afternoon.  Yesterday we got to 75 degrees and a very beautiful day.  We did get some rain last evening and perhaps during the night as I see the streets are still damp. 

Yesterday after my meeting I stopped at the grocery store as planned.  I was so relieved to see that three electric carts were available as it is a large store and I wasn't feeling up to par.  We expect Scott and Jennifer over later today.  Jennifer is planning on spending the night so she can get an early start on the Christmas dinner.  This will be the first time in about 34 years that she has spend a night with us.  She and her folks lived with us from the time she was about 6 months old until she was a year old when her mother left to visit her mother in Kansas City and never came back.  I expect to have a quiet, unhurried and restful day today.  I will probably watch some football this afternoon. 

Jackie, that sounds like a delightful carols by candlelight service.  Glad you were up to attending.  We have decided to not try to attend the Church services today as the parking is a problem.  Our Sunday School class elected not to meet this morning or I probably would have gone.  I have never understood people only attending Church on Christmas and Easter but better that than never attending. 

Janice, over the years my wife has used a chiropractor a lot and had a lot of relief.  They were also very helpful to our daughter as she could get some relief from the pain.  Pat's current chiropractor treated her three times a week for three months and then advised her he felt he had done all the good he could do.  Fortunately the shots she has received recently have helped her and that is a big relief. 

Janet, I bet your family and friends will understand why you didn't get Christmas cards done this year. 

[Jacqueline]

We are not all Blessed in sharing Christmas the way we wish to be sharing it, many of us have issues, whether personal or family...and not forgetting dealings with our own medical issues, so in reality not everyone will be entertaining our festive season but...we are all in this together, our hopes, our wishes, our future...We are here to listen, to pray, and give hope when we reach our next year and give blessings that our next year will be just that little bit kinder to us, I think we all deserve a little bit of that..

[Jacqueline]

I just wanted to add...we cant make, demand, or force our maker to make our life any easier, we can't nor don't expect miracles but, we can ask and pray that he lightens our load...

[Ruth Ann Bice]

Hello, friends,

I've enjoyed spending time here today.  I enjoyed attending church by computer. It was a loving, family-type worship service. And the music was very good.

The shingles have begun to leave, so life feels better now.

May God's presence be real to each of us as we celebrate our Lord's birth.

Merry Christmas.

Ruth Ann

[Janet]

I'm here.  I am feeling so tired, so teary, and just not feeling like doing anything.
But I keep moving as best I can, knowing that in time, my joy will return.

Church was very nice this morning, and I'm looking forward to the Christmas Eve Candlelight service tonight.
Tomorrow we will go over to Diane's, and I know being with the kids, grands and great-grands will make me feel better.

Merry Christmas to you all.  May we experience the REAL reason to celebrate!

Jeanne, Janice, and Pat--if you peek in, know that I love you and wish you every joy and peace!

[Jacqueline]

...Janet, yes, lets...

[Carol]

Ruth Ann:  Blessings to you - it is so good to hear that your shingles episode is drawing to an end. 

Janet:  Hugs and blessings

Any problems I have are very small compared to so many of you.  My prayers to everyone for all the health and other issues in your lives. 

We have another week here and the children plus grands will be here off and on and everyone on Friday night.  Youngest son and DIL are about a 15 minute drive and they are bringing an entire meal to us tonight - we will enjoy the visit and thoughtfulness.   We have snow and it is cold outdoors.  Problems with the garage door not staying open - so, one person has to hold it when driving in or out.  It is an issue only when it is cold.  I visited with our good friend and neighbor who lost her husband last month.  She talked for over two hours - I knew she needed to talk and just set aside an afternoon for our friendship.  She is doing very well. She is such a sounding board for me. 

Take care -

[Liz]

Merry Christmas from the island.  I justl lost my post....
Will try again!

I am so sorry Janet.  So many years and so many prayers.  She is home now!

My life is very quiet as at 85 things certainly change.  Wendy is doing Brunch and Dinner and I will go upstairs from my suite and enjoy all her hard work.  Amanda and her boyfriend will be coming and we will eat Brunch and undeck the tree.
Then they will come back for dinner....turkey!

We have a lot of snow and more to come.  Not the best as rain is the usual thing on the island. Lots of side roads get blocked.

I do not get to church anymore but watched a lovely service on tv from The Marble Church in New York.  Learned that they have an app so will go back on the computer.

We are all having health problems but chug along and try to keep smiling.
For those of you who remember Squeek, she is still will us and over 21ys.now.
No longer hides under the Xmas tree and pretty sure this will be her last Xmas before Rainbow Bridge.  We love her dearly and do our best to keep her happy.

Let?s all trust in God for 2018, pray for the world and each other.

God Bless,
Liz

[Liz]

Please excuse the couple of typing errors.  I am doing this on an iPad and it has a small keyboard.

I meant to mention that I did not get a hearing aid as not comfortable and sooo expensive.  Have bought a Pocket Talker from Amazon and found this quite helpful. Was pleasantly surprised at the clarity of sound.
Liz

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone. Merry Christmas to each of you. 

We have a beautiful bright and sunny Christmas morning.  It is 38 degrees when I got up and is only to get to the low 50's this afternoon.  Scott ended up having to work yesterday so they didn't get here until about 6:30 last evening and he was exhausted.  Pat had put together a simple chicken enchilada soup in the crock pot for our dinner.  After dinner he told a nap and the ladies played Farkle while the peanut clusters were being prepared in the crock pot.  Jennifer spent the night so she is here to start the Christmas dinner preparations to help her grandmother.  Later this afternoon we will have our Christmas dinner and after the dishes are finished and the food put away we will have our traditional gift exchange.  There are no big presents under the tree this year as Christmas came early for all of us but of course there are some small packages.  So we should have a very nice Christmas.

Jackie, I have found that seldom is life what I would have wanted it to be but have found peace with the blessings I do have. I am still around to enjoy it with the family I have remaining. Like you I am hoping that this next year will be better than this one has been especially for my family.  I liked your Christmas graphics. We certainly need to remember the message on the second graphic. Those were good comments you shared yesterday. 

Ruth Ann, glad that the shingles are beginning to leave and that you feel better now.  Our Church doesn't broadcast our services by computer although podcasts   the earlier contemporary services.

Janet, glad you are not having to deal with preparing the Christmas meal.  I hope you and Darrel enjoyed the Candlelight service last night.  I will be surprised if being around the little greatgrands and the rest of your family today doesn't brighten your spirit. 

Carol, it sounds like you are having a full schedule and getting to spend a lot of time with the family.  I expect this week will go by quickly and it will be time to return to the warmer weather.  Nice of you to give your neighbor two hours of your time.  Sometimes a person just needs someone to listen to them as a burden shared is a burden halved (I think that is the saying.  Glad your neighbor is doing well. 

Liz, good to see your posting and nice to get a Christmas greeting from the island.  What does the meaning undeck the tree mean?  I am not familiar with that term.  It sounds like you will be enjoying a lot of good eating today.  You are sure fortunate to have had Squeek for so long. 

[Carol]

Merry Christmas!!!

Liz, so nice to see your posting this Christmas mornong.  Yes, I remember your Squeek. 

Wishing you a wonderful year.

So much family visiting every day and so !ugh help plus they all bring food too.  One son is bringing a mid day bbq to fix today.  Daughter and g daughter arrive tomorrow and oldest son and wife stay over the next night. Saturday around 6 pm we take off from the airport on first plane to Salt Lake then a very quick transfer to Tucson 

We get to Tucson near midnight and praying all cordonates.  Saving money this way and it is no pleasure. Don has felt fine at Denver altitiude and I am so grateful.   


Excuse typos from this kindle. 

[Janice]

Good Christmas Day to all. It seems like most all of the Christmas festivites happen before the real day.  Church events, family here with me, opened our gifts last night, etc.  I am blessed, my daughter (who lives just down the street from me) her 2 daughters and their husbands, and top it off with my one great grandson, age 11.  The last family mentioned are a military family, living at El Paso.  He has orders to Ft Sill, Oklahoma in fairly early January.  I hate that GrGrSon has to change schools, his current middle school in El Paso has an orchestra, and he plays the cello.  In OK, the school Sidney will attend only has band.  Maybe he will come to love a different instrument too.         I am sitting here nibbling leftover goodies!  Shame on me.  But somebody has to do it.  My Mom taught us not to waste food, so that's my excuse and I'm sticking with it. 😃                         

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone on this day after Christmas.  It is a beautiful clear cool morning here in South Carolina and we will be in the low 50's again this afternoon.  We had a very nice and enjoyable day yesterday.  Our granddaughter did nice job on the Christmas dinner, which was delicious.  We had a nice small gift exchange.  Pat's sister gave us one of those Ring video doorbells that is motion activated so that anyone approaching the porch will be recorded and I will receive a notification and the video on my phone.  It also works as an intercom.  She also gave me a nice new sweater.  Everyone was tired last night after a great day.  I plan on a very laid back day today and have no plans of leaving the house.  I did fix Pat's breakfast this morning as her back was hurting as she was probably on her feet too much yesterday and did not use her walker, which was a first for sometime.  She is using it today.

Carol, It sounds like you will have to eat a lot so that you don't have left over food when you leave on Saturday.  Pat and I were both glad when Scott and Jennifer decided to go home about 4:30 yesterday and we could settle back into our own routines.  Sure hope all of your travel plans are not impacted by weather conditions. 

Janice, eating those left overs is rough job but as you say someone has to do it.    I think we have enough food left for our dinner tonight as sent half or more of the leftovers home with the Scott and Jennifer.  We do have a lot of candy left over.  I expect your 11 year old great grandson will adjust well to his new school and that is probably something he will experience again with being a military family.   

[Jacqueline]

Very grey, dark, miserable and pouring with rain...I would of course rather see flutterings of snowflakes but that rarely happens here in UK over the Christmas period of C - Eve, C - Day, or Boxing Day...which I would have loved to have seen...If UK does get any white stuff, it usually happens during January or February but some years we dont get any snow at all, or nothing that settles long enough before the wet stuff washes it away...Then when it does come, UK is never prepared for it...

[Carol]

We had a quiet Christmas day and needed that peace.  Thankful for so many things and most of all, our family.

Janice, your grandson will adjust to new ideas.  There is always a loss and a gain.  Hug

[Janice]

Sidney, my GGrSon, got his start in education in South Korea.  His Dad was assigned there for 3 years when Sidney was quite young. No American school nearby. The family was approved to go there too, but for previous assignments overseas, family had to stay home.  My GrandDaughter Patty home schooled him while in Korea. 

It sure is quiet in my house today, I loved having family here over the weekend.  It's just me and my little Boston Terrior named Jackie, now, and she sleeps a lot.

[Janet]

Today feels like Monday!  Guess I'd better get the days straight, because we have to go to Amarillo tomorrow for Darrel's sister's funeral, then get a day at home; then on Friday have to go to Wichita so I can see the Retina Specialist.

This was a really tough Christmas, being the first one in 55 years without my Beth.  But I also know there will be many more "firsts" to come, and God will love me through them.  And as you said, Larry, the grand and great-grandkids did lift my spirits.  They are all so sweet!

Liz!!  Wonderful to "hear" from you up there on the island!  I do remember your Squeek, and how good to have her for so long!

Janice, it's so hard to have our loved ones move farther away from us, but I hope Sidney will enjoy his new school, and find new interests and challenges there.  And how are your eyes doing?  I'm just beginning that journey, one I had no desire to go on, for sure!  I just pray they can help me to keep my eyesight until the Lord calls me home.  I hope you and Jackie are all snuggled in safe and warm!

Carol, I pray you will have a safe and good trip back to Tucson, even on the redeye.  Sounds like you have had a lovely family Christmas!

Has anyone heard from Pat or Jeanne?

John is sick; he had stomach problems, chills and fever yesterday, so didn't go to Diane's with us.  I called him last night, he hadn't eaten anything all day (but did drink his Zeal!) and this morning I called again, as he said if he felt better he would go eat with us.  He didn't, so we took him the plate of Christmas dinner Diane sent home with us for him, and then I picked up a dinner from the senior center for him, too, so he has lunch and dinner. I also took over his Christmas gifts, didn't want to be any later with that.  They had been sitting here under the tree.  I sure hope he feels better tomorrow!

Little Chelsea ran to hug me yesterday and said, "I'm sorry Beth died.  I miss her!"  She is the sweetest child!

Okay, I really need to try to make me write some thank you notes.  Get going, Janet!

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone on a rainy and chilly morning.  The rain is suppose to continue all morning and then stop after noon. It will stay in the 40's all day.  I had planned to go for a haircut and run a couple of errands this morning but will wait until this afternoon when the rain has stopped.  We expect Scott and Jennifer to be over for dinner with us this evening.  Yesterday was just a quiet and restful day.

Jackie, it sounds like you sent your rain over this way.  Fortunately it is pouring just a light rain but it is chilly. 

Carol, nice to see you had a peaceful and quiet Christmas day. 

Janice, does your GGrSon remember much about his years in Korea? It is nice to have family visit and nice when the house is quiet again. 

Janet, you do have a busy week with all that travel.  At least you have a day between your travels to rest.  The first Christmas without our loved one is something we just get through and next year it will be better.  I have found that I tend to put out of my mind the negative things about Stacey's life like her illness and remember the good times like how much she loved Christmas.  For me I think this is the healing process that we always hear about.  We don't forget but the positives override the negatives.  God does see us through these times.  Glad you could be with your great grandkids as they certainly help us take our mind off of other things for a little bit as we see the joy of the children.  So sorry to hear that John is once again ill.  Nice of you to be sure he had food. 

[Janice]

Janet, the Retina specialist that I see, is in Amarillo.  I have had 2 injections so far, and they are very easy to tolerate. The nurse puts something in my eye to make it numb. When the doctor comes in, a quick needle that I don't feel, and then he is gone again! Piece of cake!  The worst part is the 100 miles to get there. 😃  This will be done about every 4 weeks. Next appt is January 22.
Good luck with your treatment, I hope it is as easy as mine has been.

I have to go to Lubbock tomorrow, to have a checkup on my last pain reliever injection for my neck.  This was my second one, and neither one helped.  I dread another 100 miles travel time.  Honestly, I would like to just quit going.  I have to use Aleve or aspirins anyway.  One of my Gr dtr's sees a chiropractor and suggests that I give him a try. I think I will, after this next checkup.

My iPad weather site this morning said 15*, feels like 11*...it was right on!  When I put Jackie out to do her business, that air was terribly cold.  She didn't hesitate to rush back inside!
y'all keep warm, if possible. I don't think I will even go out to get the mail today! My mailbox is beside the street.

[Janice]

Larry, sorry, I meant to add this onto my previous post....No, Sidney does not mention living in S Korea.  One thing that he experienced was this...they attended a little church there, and Sidney made a profession of faith there.  They did not have a baptistry, so he has not been baptized yet.

[Marilyn]

We left the 23rd for California, The drive down was so nice, overcast no rain. The motel we stayed in gave us a room with 2 beds so Freckles had her very own bed. Gilbert and Sonja came to the motel to hang out with us until it was time for our reservation at the place we were to eat. We went to the Teppanyaki table where the Japanese cook prepared our meal right in front of us. Freckles went there too. The cook tosses broccoli at the customers who are to catch it in their mouths. He missed mine 3 times and I caught one with my hand.

On Sunday the 24th, Keith and I went to services at my old church in McKinleyville. Late that afternoon we all went to Savannah's house, Gilbert cooked pizza and we took over two bottles of champagne. We opened gifts there. Went back to the motel about 8 and went to bed.

Christmas day, we went to Sonja's mother's house about 10 am and was there all day until about 7:30, more presents there. We had Prime Rib roast and all the goodies to go with it. I took cheesecake bars, 2 loaves of San Francisco Sour Dough bread, and a veggie plate. Jeannie (Sonja's mother), gave Freckles a new raincoat for Christmas, She makes them and sells them at craft fairs along with a lot of fleece vests, jackets, and pajama bottoms, kitty and dog beds etc. She sews at work and comes home and sews more. She sells a lot on eBay too.

Freckles and I had a visit at the cancer center today and we also stopped by to see my hospice patient.

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone.  This is a first for me to be posting here in the middle of the night.  After sleeping for about 3 hours I woke up and can't seem to go back to sleep so decided I might as well accomplish something and am decided to get up for awhile.  Hopefully I will be able to go back to bed and sleep in a little while. 

Mid-afternoon yesterday I went to Great Clips for a haircut.  Wednesdays are senior days and the haircuts are $10 rather than the normal senior rate of $12.  While there I got notice that a prescription I had called in to Walmart yesterday morning was ready and the Walmart is in the same shopping center as the barber shop so I went over and picked up the prescription, which saves me a trip there today.  I needed power steering fluid for my Cruiser and there was one electric cart available so I was able to use it to get to the automotive section in the back of the store and check that item out at the pharmacy counter with the medicine.  While there I learned that they are starting and express prescription service where you can go online with the Walmart app on the phone and I suppose the site on the computer and order your prescription and pay for it and then just call for it at the express line.  I will try that service next time.  I came home and rested an hour and then headed back out to drop off an Amazon return at the UPS store and then went on to Firehouse Subs and picked up a couple of subs for our dinner last night.  Each of us had a half sub along with the chips and dip.  Pat has fixed a cheese and cheese dip in the crock pot.  That made a full meal. 

After Scott got here yesterday afternoon he put the power steering fluid in the car and then set up the headphone adapter in our bedroom so our headphones will work with either TV.  After dinner he started the set up of the Ring doorbell and we charged it up over night as it charges with the same cable as any android device.  He will have to install it in the day light so maybe next Wednesday he can do that if he get here before dark. 

This morning I see the eye doctor for the third and last appointment for the second eye surgery.  Then I plan on stopping at Costco for gas and to pick up a few items.  Then if I still have enough energy I will go on downtown and go to coffee late and then to the Wisdom group at the Church.  That will be a full day. 

Janice, sure sorry to read that the pain shots for your neck haven't helped your situation.  The shots Pat has had this last two months do seem to have been helpful to her in relieving the severe pain although she still has back pain when standing.  It is never too late to be Baptized. 

Marilyn, nice to read of your great Christmas trip.  You all sure were kept busy and it sounds like your drive down and back was good.  Yesterday I saw a neighbor out walking his dog in the rain and the dog had a raincoat on. 

[Janet]

Hello everyone.  I am just stopping by for a few words before I go to bed, as I'm exhausted again.  I hope one of these days I will get rested up again and feel like my old self.  (Maybe new self?)
I have been ransacking this house, looking for my Medicare card, to no avail.     I have a paper copy from my eye doctor, and they sent a copy of it along with my records to the retina specialist, so that will just have to suffice.  I will take my drivers license for photo ID.  Diane is going along again to drive for us, bless her sweet heart!

It was so bitterly cold yesterday in Amarillo that it made the funeral more depressing.  Some relatives we hadn't seen for a long time were there, it was good to see them.

I must get to bed, have to leave early in the morning, go to Hugoton, pick up Diane and head for Wichita!

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone. The day started out in the mid-30's and will only get to the upper 40's today but no rain in sight.  Just two things on the agenda for today.  The housekeeper will be here around 10 am this morning and then Pat and I plan on going out at noon for our main meal for today.  She has been in the house all the week so needs to get out for a little while. I do want to get started on my year end cleanup and setup for next years records.

My eye doctor appointment went very well yesterday.  I need to use the eye drops for only another week.  I have 20-20 vision in my right eye and 20-40 in my left and it is still adjusting.  No need for prescription glasses.  Since my shirts always have a pocket in them there is no problem of keeping a pair of OTC reading glasses in them for close up reading.  I then stopped at the Credit Union to cash a couple of savings bonds that had matured.  Finally I stopped at Costco for gas and buying a few things that we needed from the grocery department.  I felt very fortunate that I was able to get one of the electric riding carts to get around in the store.  It was noon before I got home so too late to go downtown to the Church for the Wisdom group.  I had gotten one of the rotisserie chicken and when I got home we decided to have our main meal then while the chicken was hot and fresh. 

Janet, my thoughts and prayers are with you today as you check on your eyes.  I never carry my Medicaid card as it is just my Social Security Number with a letter after it.  Since we don't have Part B or D  it just says A after the number. 

[Janice]

G'Morning ...only a few minutes until I have to say Good afternoon!  Went to Lubbock yesterday and like Janet said....a bitter cold day!  Dr gave me an order for physical therapy, and I have to get out in the cold air to get registered so I can begin Monday.  No, wait...that is New Years Day...will begin on Tuesday. 
On the way, we saw where a bad wreck had happened, and the ambulance crew was taking a woman on a stretcher.  This was near the town of Muleshoe, TX...How many of you ever heard of that town? 😃  It's 35 miles from here. I hope that that dear soul was not seriously injured.  I said a quick prayer for her.

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone. It is a clear, cool and sunny morning here.  My weather app a few minutes ago said it was 26 but the outdoor thermometer on my front porch said 37 but it is up high on my front porch so I expect it isn't quite that warm here.  I just have two things on my schedule for today.  I plan on attending a meeting this morning and then will stop at Aldi's for a few items.  We decided to have our main meal of the day at noon.  Yesterday at noon we went to the Texas Roadhouse and had a delicious meal as always.  We had stopped at Costco as needed to get the ink cartridges for my Epson printer refilled only to find that they don't refill the ones I need and they also don't stock them in the store.  So I will have to order them.  Fortunately I don't use this printer very often as usually use my laser printer that prints only black. 

Janice, I sure hope the physical therapy will be a big help to you. 

[Janet]

We made the long 4 hour trip to Wichita safely; also the 4 hours back home.  And I got good news from the retina specialist!  I do have MD, but it is not the wet kind, at least, not yet!  She gave me a grid to check my vision weekly, and if there are any changes, get in immediately!  (4 hours isn't exactly immediately, though.  )  That's the only thing we did while in Wichita, except for eating lunch.  Diane did most of the driving, for that we are so thankful.  I can't see to drive in those conditions (it was grey and overcast all day,
a ghostly looking world!) and Darrel wasn't feeling well.

I am SO glad I don't even have to leave the house today!  I wish it were a week instead of a day, but a day is nice.

I still haven't been able to face the task of writing thank-you notes, but plan to make myself get started on them today.  Maybe an hour a day will get them done before long.  It's hard to see to write when the tears are pouring.

I have two dear friends in one of the Wichita hospitals now, fighting for their lives.   

I'm sorry, folks!  I really don't want to be a "Debbie Downer.)  I'll' be back when I can post happy talk!

[Jacqueline]

Janet...
...go ahead, you can be who you want...no one said our lives have to consist of " happy talk " 

[Marilyn]

A beautiful sunny day here on the Oregon Coast. Yesterday was sort of overcast but I did get in 3 walks with Freckles. I posted a cute picture of Freckles on Facebook of her on her very own bed at the Moted sound asleep.

Keith seems to be doing well,  I think the Aricept is finally taking effect on him. He goes back to the dr. on Thursday. I got a letter from my insurance stating that she had left the clinic on Nov. 30, I called the clinic and she is still there and they had not heard anything about her leaving. So I will ask her when we go on Thursday.

I have been writing and signing the checks for just over a month now. Yesterday he put me on the savings account. Now, I  need to have him find out if he has a beneficiary on the stock account IRA, I have talked to them when he got a small payout of the interest this year, but he had to be right there to answer the questions and give the OK to send him a check.

[Janet]

It's been cold here all day.  I only went out to the mailbox once; otherwise have stayed inside.

And I did get started on the thank yous, even though it's hard to see while crying.  I worked on them for over an hour and got ten of them done.  I thought I had done more, until I counted them.  I had to do a lot of sorting before and during the working on them.  Was also doing laundry, so going to switch loads and fold, etc.  But it's a start, anyway.

Marilyn, glad things are going well for you.  And you wouldn't spoil Freckles, would you?   

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone.  This morning started out for me at 33 degrees and will only get into the 40's this afternoon.  This will be a good morning to wear my new Christmas sweater to church in lieu of a suit jacket as will need my leather coat.  Other than going to Sunday School and Church this morning this will be a quiet day for us and a normal evening.  I have no intention of staying up to see the new year start as it can do that whether I am awake or asleep.  It amazes me that up to 2 million people will stand out in the cold in Times Square in New York City for hours just to watch that big globe fall at midnight. 

Janet, it sounds like you got as good news as you could from the eye doctor.  I am glad Diane was able to do the driving for you and Darrel as that is a long trip back and forth.  I know you will be glad to get the thank you notes written and you have now made a good start.  Maybe you can pencil in two or three days of Janet time and do things you really enjoy.  When we schedule doctor's or other appointments we set aside those days so why not schedule time for yourself.  You know we are here for you whether you are happy or sad and certainly understand why this is not a good time for you but a burden shared is a burden halved.  I think Jackie said it very well in the post following yours. 

Marilyn, nice to read that Keith seems to be doing well.  I hope the Aricept continues to keep him stable.  Strange situation with you clinic.  Glad the doctor is still there.  It is a very good idea to attend to the various business affairs now while he can help.

[Carol]

Good Sunday to all,  Unfortunately, we are not making it to any morning service today  Don is still sleeping. We had too much of an eventful trip from the Denver airport to Tucson.  We were scheduled on a stopover in Salt Lake.  The plane from DEN was delayed 3 hours - too late for catching the connection.  One airline person told me that we would just have to spend the night at the SLC airport.  No Way.  I found a real person to handle us and she (so very thankful) put us on a non-stop United flight (my old stomping ground) and it even arrived earlier than the other plan.  Thanks for the prayer answered. 

We had to run to catch the flight - really truly exhausting run --- then, found we had been given the wrong gate number.  Instead of 95, it was 55. Good grief.  My legs still hurt because I had to run faster than Don.  He is still sleeping. Giving thanks that we came out so fortunate and now I just have to go and buy fresh groceries. 

Janice:  Yes, I have heard of Muleshoe.  Love the name - so very Texan.

Marilyn:  Glad that you had such a nice Christmas.

Larry:  It is so nice for you to be close to your son - he is a good son too. 

Janet:  Blessings to you - you made it through the hardest holiday. 

While we were home, we had lots of company and sleep-overs and a few days of taking care of a dog. I spent hours the day we were leaving to get the house ready once more for those who would be using it while we are here, in Tucson.  We have a closing list but did not shut everything down- the internet stays on for those who need it and so forth. Don helped our neighbor and I found an old appliance that melts paraffin for hand dips - to help ease pain.  Our dear neighbor has a lot of pain from her fall on ice with broken bones in her right hand so she is going to try that warm treatment. 

So very grateful.  Forgot to mention - the three boys installed an entire new garage door opener for us and they bought it as all.  We are truly blessed.   

[Janice]

Woke up to see some snow on the ground, not very much, but it is snowing again now.  I didn't go to church, too cold for me to get out.
Carol, there are a few more West Texas towns with funny local names...Roundup, Shallowater, Plainview, Canyon, Hereford (they have a sign at the edge of town that claims to be the beef capital of the world.). I rather doubt that...I see a lot more cattle near other little towns on the way to Amarillo. And our own town has a pretty large cattle business (there is a huge cattle auction business here, and even a horse auction).  Maybe Texans just like to brag! 😃  Ya think?

[Janet]

Janice, I forgot to mention that yes, I've heard of Muleshoe, and the others mentioned, as well, but of course, having grown up in far Southeastern Colorado, then living for 14 years in Boise City, Oklahoma, it isn't all that far from you.  I always have to wonder, "How did this town get its name?"  Sometimes,
it's obvious, other times, one needs to hear the backstory.  Glad you stayed in where it's warm today.

Carol, sorry about your sprint, hope your legs are better now.  Whew!  And then to get to the wrong gate?  Not good!  But glad you are safely back in Tucson.  Very nice of your boys to buy and install a new garage door opener!

Marilyn, good to know that you and Keith are taking care of financial matters bit by bit while he can still feel in charge.  Too often, that doesn't get done.

Jackie, I forgot to thank you for your kind words.  Thank you, belatedly.  (((hugs)))

Larry, we did go to church today, even though it was 6* when we left home.  And I was glad we dressed warmly,
as it was chilly in the sanctuary today.  Thank you for the kindness and understanding.  I'm just now being hit with the heaviness of grief.  I cried all morning, from the time I got up until after lunch.  Even as I sang at church, the tears were flowing.  I think it's a necessary thing, in order to get through the awful pain of loss. I was with Beth her whole life, except for those few years she was able to be out on her own, working and living in other places.  So I spent more time with her than a mom usually has with a daughter, and she was always kind and loving; we never had a serious disagreement.  Consequently, her absence leaves a huge hole in my life and my heart.  Yes, I know she's healed, happy, not suffering any more and free from all physical restrictions. But that doesn't mean my pain isn't real.  I think your idea of a few days for myself is an excellent one.  I just need some time that I don't have to try to hide my deep pain, that I can cry for her unashamedly until the tears are spent, that I don't HAVE to do anything.  At least that's what I think I need.  At least I had yesterday, this afternoon and will have tomorrow.

I threw out the last of the flowers this morning when we got home, they were past keeping any longer.  And I did a little straightening and putting away.  Did a huge laundry yesterday, between writing notes.  I just need to tackle things at my own pace.  And there's no reason why not; nobody is pushing me.  Darrel seems oblivious that I'm crying most of the time, and if he notices, he doesn't say anything.  He's been so loving and supportive.
I'm so thankful for his quiet support.

Our Abby is in Denver at a Christian Youth Conference.  I hope she doesn't get snowed in up there!

Now that I've exhausted you (if you didn't give up and quit reading) I will wish you all a Happy New Year, an may we all be blessed with a peaceful 2018!

[Marilyn]

Janet, I know you've had so many things on your mind these last few months. I didn't know if you were aware that Keith is getting dementia and has atrophy on his visual cortex that is consistent with Alzheimer's.

You have had a rough year Janet, and I do pray for you. Take that time for yourself, go into your prayer closet and just be. You don't have to be anything just being there in the quiet with the Lord, you don't even have to say anything, He knows and will give you comfort. So sit there in  His lap and hold on to Him, cry on  His shoulder. When I pray for someone who is hurting I put that person into God's lap, ask Him to wrap His loving arms around them and hold them close. That is what I am asking God to do for you. Lord send the Comforter to Janet to comfort her grieving heart. In Jesus name. Amen

[Jacqueline]

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone and Happy New Year. We are below freezing here this morning but just barely as it was 31 degrees when I got up.  It will stay in the 30's today but above freezing and then we will be in the 20's tonight.  I know this sounds pretty warm to those of you having such cold weather.  Neither Pat nor I have any appointments this week so am looking forward to a pretty quiet week and getting things summarized from last year in preparation for tax time and new schedules set up for this year and updating various things like a summary of our bills and financial information in case it is needed this year, but I don't expect to happen but one never knows.    I plan on watching Georgia play Oklahoma in the Rose Bowl this afternoon and then perhaps will watch Clemson play Alabama  this evening but probably won't last the whole game as it doesn't get underway until 8:45 this evening and that is getting pretty late for this old man.  There are a couple of earlier games I will probably tune into. 

Carol, happy to see that you and Don are safely back in your home in Tucson.  It sounds like you had another of those adventures in air travel.  Sometimes things that seem bad can turn out well.  I hope you give yourself time to recoup before taking on too much as know that had to be emotionally as well as physically tiring.  I think my son and I are closer than we may have ever been and it is a joy.  I discovered the other day that we had moved the hand dipping appliance and even the three pounds of unused wax.  It has been a number of years since Pat has used it but is available if needed.  That was a nice gift from your boys to give you and install the new garage door opener.  That is a device I sure don't want to have to live without as can still remember the early days before we had a garage door opener other than me and the old wooden garage doors were so heavy. 

Janice, we didn't have many in either Sunday School or Church yesterday.  I am sure some people were still away from home but some didn't want to deal with it being colder than normal here.  I noticed it was mainly the older people that were in Church.  We had a town around where I grew up called Pumpkin Center and around Kansas City is a town called Peculiar.  The history of town naming is interesting.

Janet, one never needs to be ashamed of those tears we shed.  I have become pretty emotional and more so as I get older.  A few weeks ago I was sharing one of Jack Scott's "Walking the Old Paths" writing as the devotional in our Sunday School class and for some reason became so emotional I couldn't continue and asked Pat to come to the podium and finish the reading.  It took our son many months before he could speak of his wife without breaking down.  Words weren't necessary and my shoulder was and still is always available for him as are my arms.  I am glad you were up to going to Church yesterday.  I went the Sunday following Stacey's passing but it took Pat several weeks before she was ready to do so.

Marilyn, one of our Al-Anon daily readings speaks of visualizing being wrapped in a warm blanket and held in God's arms.  Your comments reminded me of that reading.

Jackie, thanks for the Happy New Year graphic.   

[Carol]

Happy New Year - Healthy New Year to all.

I am online just to fill in appointments on the calendar.  We were warned of poor air in Tucson coming from a fire at a recycle plant.  It doesn't look like it is affecting this area but to be sure, we are not stepping outdoors until the all clear. 

Larry:  Both of us are feeling better.  The entire two weeks of family and friends was over-the-top and it just overwhelmed us so much.  Love them all. Enjoy the game.

We have been watching a bit of the Rose Bowl parade.  I have been at the parade when a grandmother (from upper Sweden) had a house in Pasadena.  She loved the flowers and that quiet little area. Been to the Rose Bowl game too - I bought a ticket for my dad and he really enjoyed the game - years ago. 

Janet:  Wondering where Abby is staying in Denver.  We live in Highlands Ranch - a southern suburb. 

[Janet]

Marilyn, thank you so much.  In God's loving arms is where I long to be.  I had read of Keith's problems, but didn't catch that his visual problem was related to Alzheimer's.  Interesting!  Thank you ever so much for the prayers.  I know it's going to take some time to get through this, at least for me.

Larry, we watched most of the Rose Parade this morning, and Darrel is still watching re-runs of parts of it.  It used to be so much more enjoyable before they put in so many commercials.  That takes away at least 50% of the enjoyment, for me, anyway.  I'm sure Darrel will watch the Rose Bowl game, too, but may be rooting for Oklahoma, and I assume you will root for Georgia!   

I just had a phone call through Messenger from a childhood friend!  I didn't know you could call through Messenger!!  Learn something new every day- well, maybe not, I didn't learn how to do it, just that it can be done!

I got almost all the thank you notes done yesterday, so I feel better about that.

Jackie, nice New Years card!

Carol, the conference is at the Convention Center, and I think Abby said she's staying across the street in whatever Motel is there, but stored her car somewhere else where it's safe and rode the "rail" to where she's staying.  She's not afraid of new adventures!

[Janice]

Larry, I love the idea of being wrapped in a warm blanket and safely held in God's arms!  I am feeling rather blue today.  Pain in the neck still tormenting me, also, just had a bout (online) with a huge charge on my credit card, which is not my charge at all. It's hard to convince people that I did not make that charge.  Oh well, truth will "out" I hope sooner than later. 
Holidays mess me up, I keep forgetting what day of the week it is! Anyone else have that problem?  None of my family has come around yet today.  Since my husband passed away (6 years ago in February) it's just me and Jackie my little Boston Terrier, for a lot of the time. Oh well. Life is good, regardless of aches and pains! Y'all enjoy your New Year, and favorite Bowl games!  I forgot to watch the Rose Bowl parade, and that is one of my fave TV shows!

[Janet]

Janice, Happy New Year to you, and may those doggone aches and pains go away!  I have been having a lot of pain in my neck, too; I'm pretty sure it's from all the stress I've been under for several months.  Yes, it does sound wonderful to be wrapped in a soft, warm blanket and held in God's mighty and loving arms!  I probably would have forgotten to watch the Rose parade if Darrel hadn't reminded me. 

Larry, Georgia wound up winning over Oklahoma, but it surely was a close game, huh?  I don't remember ever watching one where they tied it up so many times!  I'm not getting involved in the Clemson vs Alabama game, as I want to get to bed soon.

And now the first day of 2018 is history!

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone. I am overwhelmed by the generosity of you all having the very cold temperatures to share them so generously with us here in the South.  It was 17 degrees when I got up this morning and will stay in the high 30's this afternoon.  At least we will be above freezing.  For some reason I doubt I am going to get any sympathy. 

I didn't leave the house yesterday and watched a lot of college football.  Both South Carolina and Georgia won but Clemson did not.  The Georgia/Oklahoma game was a nail biter and went to two overtimes.  Georgia now advances to play for the National Championship against Alabama.  I have nothing particular on the schedule for today so will continue my first of the year work here in my office and just take it easy again today.  The schools resume tomorrow so things should get back to normal operation around the community. 

We forgot to watch any of the Rose Bowl Parade and I did know about the HGTV broadcasting it without commercials.  I only watched a little of the Clemson/Alabama game as it was getting too late.

Janet, nice of your childhood friend to call you.  You can usually find any instructions for doing most things on the Internet by doing a Google search. 

Janice, so sorry to read that you were feeling blue yesterday and sure hope you feel in the pink today.  These holidays really mess up the week in terms of remembering what day it is. 
Carol, as if the forest fires didn't create enough smoke having to deal with a fire at a recycle plant is too much.  Glad you are both feeling better.   

[Carol]

I have been listening on ALEXA to a favorite Denver morning station - it is all regarding the shooting of a well-loved policeman.  He said he was there to help before being fatally wounded. 

This morning, the To Do list includes cutting fabric to finish a quilt.  I stopped to ease my back for a while.  Dentist and grocery this afternoon.  Don is dusting. 

A good friend called and we had a wonderful chat.  She is a dear person - she is also an agnostic.  I do my best but never "push" anyone - anyway, she keeps in touch over the years.  She now lives in North Carolina close to her daughter (who is a Veterinarian and keeps horses). 

Larry:  That sounds cold for your area of the country.  Still not enough snow in the mountains - that means severe water shortage - that is because of very old water rights taken away by mid-west lawyers years ago.  You have my sympathy.... always.  ... There is work on the recycle fire and it seems better today. 

If they had checked inside my very little bag on the airplane, they would have found two yards of fabric.  Yep, that was more important to me than clothing. 

             

[Janet]

Carol, do you have to be computer savvy to hook up Alexa?  I have thought about getting one; then I heard or read that that's like having a spy in your house all the time, listening to everything, I surely don't know!  I enjoy radio, but can't get much reception inside our metal house.

Larry, wow!  That's really cold for your part of the country!  I apologize, but don't think I sent it, as we are still in the deep freeze here in SW Kansas.  It might manage to get up to 31* here today.

Neither Darrel nor I ever got out of our pajamas nor did we even stick our noses out yesterday!  It was so good NOT to have to leave the house.  We watched the Rose Parade, but like you, forgot that HGTV has it commercial-free.  Drat!  That Georgia-Oklahoma game was really a good one!  (Except that Georgia won, of course. 

Now I have news about our dear Jeanne.  She called me this morning to say she's still praying for me, and when she can get CP (Wi-fi is sketchy in the hospital) she also prays for the needs here.  Yes, she is still in hospital, and doesn't expect to get to go back to her trailer, but will be going to rehab, assisted living or a care home, she doesn't know which or where yet.  Larry, she asked me to ask you to share this on Seniors and Friends as well.  And she said to tell you all that she needs all the prayers she can get!

I still have those 14 notes to write; I've already had a nap, so guess it's time to get those done.  The housekeeper was here, that always helps me feel better, to have things looking nice.

Hello to Ruth Ann, Ruth, Marilyn, Janice, Marilyn, and the rest of you we are missing.  It's better when you're here, and we do miss you!

Has anyone heard from our dear Pat?  I have tried calling, can't get through.  Might be my phone.  I shall try texting.

[Jacqueline]

Janet...
...bless you for getting in touch with Jeanne Lee, I had been checking each day to see if she was back with us... So sad to hear she is still in hospital and will be requiring after care, re, moving from her home... We really dont know what next is going to hit us do we?

It was only this morning a friend who lived a few doors down the street from my old address managed to get hold of my new address from another near neighbour, and sent a return Christmas card with a lengthy message written inside, that not only did she lose her elderly mother recently to Dementia but also soon after we left for our move here the year before, her hubby took ill and passed away six days later in hospital...I now feel so bad as last year unknowing to me I had sent a card with both names on, same as this Christmas...

As I type our wind has really gotten up, very gusty and strong, can also hear rain...I am sure we are on red-or amber weather alert...

Edited: just said on our weather news, gusts up to 70 mph...

[Jacqueline]

I meant to have added, I also partly knew my friends mother as she too lived just at the other end of our long road....my friend was the local home visiting chiropodist who was always seen popping into her mothers home and keeping a check on her...

[Jacqueline]

Storm Eleanor is still very much around....The only things on Richards agenda is taking Toby for his grooming appointment mid day, and his dog walk before he goes....I should imagine Richard could come across fallen trees whilst out driving his 20 minute one way car journey, which he has to do twice...Link...


http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/storm-eleanor-live-updates-wind-11788679

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone. Not quite as cold her this morning as it is around 28 degrees and will only get into the mid-30's this afternoon.  They are having icy conditions in Florida and winter type weather is going up the East Coast but will not be getting to us.  I plan on staying in again today until late this afternoon when we are meeting Scott and Jennifer at the BBQ Barn for our dinner meal today.  They will then come on out to the house.   

Carol, I have a friend who has had the ALEXA for a couple of years and really likes it and just bought a DOT companion device too use in his office.  Since I have the same type of service on my phone I have not had a desire to get that device.  To bad about that shooting of the policeman in your area of Denver.  Haven't there been several incidents like that in that same area such as Columbine High School?  I went up to Pat's sewing studio yesterday to fix something on her laptop and the room looked like a fabric explosion had occurred as she had piles of  fabric spread out everywhere.

Janet, have you ever considered listening to the radio on your computer.  Just do a search for your local radio station and see if they have a streaming service and if so you can listen live to it.  You can get very inexpensive and very small speakers to use with the laptop.  You can also use your iPhone to listen with an app called Tune In and the iPhone has pretty good speakers built in.  I will take our weather in preference to what you all are having in the Midwest and other parts of the country.  Thanks for the news about Jeanne.  It sounds like she is going to be where she can get the help she needs now with her health situation.  I will share her information in Senior & Friends and also in Norm's Bait and Tackle discussion.  I haven't heard from Pat. 

Jackie, sounds like you had a day yesterday to stay inside out of the bad weather.  A 70 MPH wind gust is pretty strong.  When we move away it is difficult to stay up with what is happening to former neighbors.  Does Toby like to be groomed.  Hope Richard find the roads clear this morning as he makes the drive to the groomers. 

[Jacqueline]

larry Hanna...
...our weather died down by afternoon...Richard never saw any tree or flood damage on his mid day travels to the groomers, I was so sure he would...

Just finished putting a letter together on " Microsoft Word  "...Managed eventually to figure out how to minimise the letters so it all fitted on one page rather than two pages and a bit, after I had typed the whole lot out and found it took up too much space-pages, its easy when you know how...

Well letter is sealed and stamped ready for posting tomorrow by Richard, and on its way to my friend back home...It really does hit home when one moves away then hears of someone who you knew well from your old address is not here anymore, or the wife of, or hubby of...I am smiling and remembering fondly the first time I ever got to speak to my friend...I was as usual walking my dogs-or just Megan, can't remember how many, when all of a sudden Megan got a tad nosy and jumped her front paws onto my friends low brick wall while I was telling her to get down...She heard me tell Megan no, my friend then came over and asked me her name, I said Megan, she said her dog was also a Megan, well that was the day we became friends who would chat as I walked past her house and she would often be flitting from her car to just down the road starting her neighbouring rounds of home chiropody, then we would bump into each other again maybe when her car was pulling into her mothers drive, she would always stop, come over and make a fuss of my then three dogs...anytime she saw me out and about with the dogs she would always stop her car for a short chat, or ask me how I am....I guess I am starting to get " home sick "...it is strange that no matter where one moves to, or no matter how many times one moves, there is always one place that we will always call our home, home is where we made our friendships, home is where our many friends are still, or people I would once chat with when out and about on my then regular dogs walk....
Sad to say now we have both lost our Megans...

[Marilyn]

Hi everyone, Janet thank you for the update on Jeanne. I will be praying for her.

This morning I took a friend's Staffordshire terrier (Pit Bull type) On a Therapy dog visit to one of the residential/Rehab facilities. He must weigh 85 lbs. the only problem was the way he pulled at the leash. He has had 6 months off of his therapy dog visits and we are re-evaluating him with me on the other end of the leash. I have to go to the pet store and buy one of those shorter leashes so he can't pull. My back is so sore from his pulling. We will do another evaluation a week from Friday at a different facility. My friend can't do the visits anymore because she has a-fib so bad and her heart goes out of sync so often.

[Janet]

I was here earlier but couldn't get myself to post.  I was too upset, but have calmed myself down now and can talk about it.  It seems there is just no limit to greed and cruelty!  A few days after Beth's service, I called the care home and asked if all her bills were paid for December.  I was told yes, that all was clear.  Last week I got a call from them saying they needed a copy of Beth's bank statement for Oct. and that she would owe $5000 for that month, as she had too much money in her account that month. That was because I had not been spending any of the $62.00 a month they let her keep from her Social Security check.  She hadn't felt like asking for anything, and I was so focused on her I didn't watch the account, so it went slightly over the amount "allowed."  This caused her to be disqualified for Medicaid, and threw her into self-pay.  I asked them where that $5000 was to come from?  She hasn't been my dependent since she was 18 years old!  And today I received two more bills from them, totaling almost $12,000.00!!  WHAT??? 

I asked them where they thought that money would come from, and they admitted that the family cannot be held responsible for paying it.  So why harass me?  I barely slept last night, and this morning I called a lawyer, a long-time family friend who has known Beth since we moved here when she was in 7th grade.  He asked if I had ever signed anything guaranteeing I would pay--I have not!  And I was her Power of Attorney, but he assured me, that died with her.  He said he doesn't think there is any way they can make me pay those bills,
especially when they told me she didn't owe anything!!  He said, "Do not fill out any forms they give you, and DO NOT SIGN ANYTHING!!  They are just sniffing around for money, and from what you're telling me, you don't owe them anything!"  He did advise me to consult a lawyer specializing in Elder Law, so I will look on computer for one in our area.

So that has been my not-so-good, very bad day.  Sigh......

[Ruth Ann Bice]

Hi, friends,

I'm so sorry I've been away for a while. I sure do love each one of you and am so thankful to hear from you.

Except for shingles left-over pain in my forehead and in my eyebrow, I'm doing pretty well.

Today was in the 30's, so I was out all afternoon running errands. It felt so good to get things done!

Y'all have a blessed rest of the day.


Love, Ruth Ann

[Jacqueline]

Janet...
...to say I am disgusted is an understatement...how dare anyone play on peoples grief...what is this world coming to? this is just adding more stress when that is the last thing you are needing...I am not a lawyer but it sounds right, you are NOT responsible for this so called payment...if indeed there is any outstanding payment at all...just extra hassle you really dont need...

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone.  It is a beautiful and sunny winter day here in South Carolina.  It is still a bit under freezing and will only get up to about 36 today.  I will be getting out and about today as plan on going to coffee and then to the Church for the Wisdom group and finally will stop at Walmart to pick up the online grocery order that will be waiting before I come home.  I don't need to pick up the old fellow I take to coffee with me as he has an appointment and can't go.  Yesterday afternoon we did meet Scott and Jennifer at the BBQ Barn for our evening meal.  While the food was good the restaurant was very cold.  We were glad to get back to the house where it was warm and enjoy a pleasant evening.  We were able to talk awhile with our great granddaughter and the youngest great grandson.  The two older boys chose not to talk. 

Jackie, it is a good feeling when we figure out something on the computer like you did with your Microsoft document.  Nice of you to write to your friend.  Distance may separate us but friends remain friends although time weakens the bonds, at least that has been my experience. 

Marilyn, it sounds like the therapy dog has forgotten some of its training it is was pulling on the leash.  If the owner is no longer physically able to handle the dog to do the visits why does she want it to be recertified as a therapy dog?

Janet, let me assure you that you are not responsible for those bills relating to Beth's living at the home.  I had somewhat the same situation with some outstanding bills for medical matters from Stacey.  I simply called the billing departments of the hospital and other offices and told them she was deceased and that I was not responsible.  They have this situation all the time.  We spent a lot of money helping Stacey over the years but the one thing I never did was sign for any medical treatment for her.  Perhaps the home has had success in getting others to pay such bills because they didn't know they were not responsible.  I hope you used the few dollars she had in her bank account to help with her final expenses.  You got good advice from your attorney friend and wonder why he even suggested you contact another attorney unless it is to advise you and Darrel on your matters.  I wouldn't let this matter ruin one more second of your day. 

Ruth Ann, glad to see you are doing pretty well.  Glad you felt like getting out yesterday. 

[Carol]

Ruth Ann:  Happy and Healthy New Year to you!  Your Shingles is really hanging on too long. 

Janet:  You have to have wi-fi in the house to use an ALEXA.  I really like it for listening to a radio show from Denver and we also use it to listen to music.  At first, it would not recognize "Christian" music but I kept on demanding (it is a programmed item from tech corporation) and finally, it will play church music.  It won't answer political questions I ask either.....   -- Take a deep breath and get that eldercare lawyer or someone knowledgeable in the law.  Maybe, even the newspaper would like to see that story but not until you talk to a lawyer. 

Jackie  Glad that Storm Eleanor is lessening for you. 

Yes, Columbine high is somewhat in the area.  I used to drive by it going to work - it was close to the church.  I walked over to look at the mementos left behind and there were reporters walking towards anyone - I just waved them away and they were respectful. 

A "fabric explosion" sounds wonderful to me.

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone.  It is another beautiful morning here in South Carolina although we will stay in the mid-30's today.  I did enjoy my morning out yesterday having coffee with a couple of friends and the hour at the Wisdom group.  I had to wait a few minutes to pick up my grocery order as there were two cars ahead of me.  I have no particular plans for today.  Pat said she planned to go to Walmart to pick up prescriptions and then to the Dollar Store to get more birthday and anniversary cards for the Sunday School card ministry.  This is the third and probably last year she will do this.  If she wants I may help her with some of these errands. 

Carol, when I am talking to my friend in Georgia who has the Alexia device it will often pipe up and say "I didn't understand" even when he hasn't mentioned Alexia, which is to activate it.  He likes to use it to play particular music or songs.  I expect they will willingly play Rap and other music of that type but don't have a category called Christian Music considering it is a big industry. 

[Larry Hanna]

I have set up a new discussion as we leave 2017 behind.  Here is the link:  http://www.christianphotographers.com/community/index.php?topic=13701.0