Thoughts of the Month~March

[Marilyn]

Good morning everyone. We are both doing well although my back is giving me problems, that never changes, I went to the chiropractor last Wednesday and by Friday  it had slipped put again. I have to pay the 20% that Medicare doesn't pay every time I go. They don't do billing. so i can't afford to go  more than once a month therefore, I take my Meloxicam every few days. I don't like to take it every day.

Keith went to my Tai chi class with me on Tuesday, I hope I can get him to go with me every time he needs something to do and exercise too. On the comming Tuesday I hope more students show up. there was only one other person there and that was a good friend of mine.

This morning Freckles and I are going out to Charleston ( The Fishing community out by the ocean) with two other teams of human  and dog. we will be presenting a class to the Head Start kids on caring  for their pets and safety around loose dogs. How to approach a dog on a leash and what not do do around a loose dog. We even teach them how to pick up some fake poop using a bag.

The wind is really blowing here today with gust up to 40-50 mph, the temperature isn't too bad at 55? right now but rain is coming again.

[Ruth Ann Bice]

Hi, friends,

I've been working on a quick report to the new owners of our apartments. I have a 10:40 appt tomorrow morning to meet with them.

So, I'm thankful that the old computer is still working pretty well, and that I have Microsoft Office which works well, even though it is out of date now.

That's okay, they don't make old folks like me either, so an old computer and old software and I seem to work well together. 

Y'all have a good day

Ruth Ann

[Jacqueline]

Ruth Ann...
...you know what they say?..." they dont make them like they used to, the old things lasted longer.."   

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone.  It is another beautiful sunny day here and headed into the low 60's this afternoon.  I have an eleven am appointment this morning for my semi-annual pacemaker check.  It is a very quick check.  On my way I plan on stopping off at Costco to drop off the ink cartridge to have it filled and then will stop back by on the way home from my appointment to pick it up.  I will grab a bite to eat while there.  This is the day for the housekeeper so we might go out for our main meal sometime this afternoon. I did get a haircut yesterday and Pat is going this morning and the stylist she likes wasn't there yesterday but it today. 

I watched a lot of basketball yesterday afternoon late and last evening.  I plan on doing the same today.  This is the weekend for the Conference Playoffs.  I see our South Carolina University team lost their game.  It was a late game so I didn't watch it. I just fixed Pat her breakfast and used our new toaster oven for the first time to make a piece of toast.  Initially I couldn't understand why it wasn't heating and then realized I hadn't plugged it in.  We don't like to keep this type of appliance plugged in all the time so usually unplug it after use.   

Janet, that is great news that you will be planning a trip to my part of the country.  There are also many interesting things to see in Georgia such as the great aquarium in Atlanta, the Coca Cola provision and many other places to see.  I did have a good day yesterday and expect the same today. 

Jackie, I can't even imagine that folks did jump at the chance to get one of your cushions to sit on if the chairs are uncomfortable.  It seems storage space is always a problem in places where we can meet.  Glad to see they recognized your good deed.  Nice that you had a good program suggestion as coming up with good programs can be a real task.

Marilyn, you sound like Pat and what Stacey used to experience with the chiropractic treatments.  They provided great relief but it didn't last very long.  Look forward to reading your report on the visit to the Head Start group and I bet that was a lot of fun. 

Ruth Ann, hope your report for the new management goes well.  Glad your computer and printer are still working well.   

[Carol]

Larry:  The Kale was chopped and mixed with brown/red rice.  I added a little butter for taste and it was good. 

Ruth Ann:    nice to see you. 

I am waiting for a roof inspector concerning our leak over the bathroom.  It is a tile roof and  this is the roofing company that insurance recommended.  This bill will all be on us.  We have been ready since 7:30 AM as they gave us that early time until 1:30 PM.  I had them confirm - it just doesn't sound right. 

Janet: 

[Carol]

Back again - pardon the lapse.

Janet:  You have barely returned and rested and planning more trips.  Good for you.  Don and I find ourselves just "tuckered out" so many days and can't figure out why this happens.  visiting and driving takes us more than a day to recover anymore.  How do you do it?   

Larry:  I forgot to ask what make of phone Pat is using.  Mine is an iPhone that daughter used and we get the hand-me-downs.  Usually, it is great but this one accidentally dials or other strange things happen so I wouldn't mind going back to a usable flip top.

[Janet]

Carol, since we didn't cross the International Date Line on this trip, we didn't have jet lag.  And we have been home for two weeks now.  I'm just making wishful plans right now about the Carolinas/Georgia area, as I know we cannot go until probably next year,
since we already have two more trips coming up in 2018.  But before leaving on a road trip, I do want to try to find all /or most of the neat things and places to see.  Otherwise, we will only see white lines on black pavement!

Larry, so glad you are continuing to feel better!     Keep it up!   

I had two appointments today and had to wait for both gals, so I'm behind on things here!  Talk to you later!

[Janet]

Larry, it seems I have gotten in the door before you today!  Good morning, when you do pop in!

I'm up, have done my devotions and am ready to leave for my painting meeting.  However, it is still dark outside, so I guess I'd better wait a while.
I have to be in Lakin at 8:00, and that's 30 minutes, so I have a few yet.
Good time to stop in and say hello to you all.

Carol, I attribute a LOT of the reason Darrel and I are feeling better to our drinking a product called Zeal.  We have both experienced so much improvement in our overall health and well-being since we started on this product.  If you and Don would like to try it, I'd be happy to send you some free samples.  Most people can feel a real difference in as little as 20 minutes after drinking a sample.  And I'm noticing more and more things getting better as time goes by.  It's the only thing Darrel has been "sold" on enough to remember to take it without my having to remind or hand it to him!  You can google Zurvita--that's the name of the company, if you want more information.  I think it's a really wonderful product!

And speaking of Zeal, it's time for me to mix today's with water and drink it!!   

Gotta run!

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone. The morning is starting out very nicely with sunshine and the temperature in the 40's.  I expect we will get to 70 this afternoon but the forecast says mostly cloudy all day long.  The only thing I plan on doing today is attending a meeting this morning and then sometime this afternoon or early evening Pat are going to go out for our main meal.  We got a coupon yesterday for Ruby Tuesdays that if you bought one entree at regular price you could get a free burger.  That may be an offer too good to  pass off up we won't make that decision until it is time to go to eat.  I had a very busy morning yesterday as I stopped at Costco and dropped off the ink cartridge and then drove to the doctor's office and got there just at the time of my appointment.  However, the tech didn't call me back until about 11:30.  All was fine with my pacemaker/defibrillator.  The tech, a very pleasant young fellow, took the time to explain and show me on the monitor what they look for and what it means, which really was never done before in the 13 years I have had one of these devices.  It showed I still have 2.4 years of battery life before the device will have to be replaced.  When I left there I went back to Costco and picked up the ink cartridge and then went over to the food court and had lunch.  After resting I spent the rest of the day and early evening watching the college basketball games.  Today is the semi-finals of the tournaments so will be watching more this afternoon.

Yesterday Scott sent a text saying the house next to his was burning to the ground.  Other than getting some smoke in his house and losing part of his fence between the properties his property wasn't bothered.  I was sure glad the wind wasn't blowing yesterday. 

Carol, I know that Kale is a part of the cabbage family but it just didn't have a pleasing taste.  Pat used a recipe and we ate part of it but decided that was enough.  Glad yours was good.  I hope the roof inspector finally got there and the news wasn't too bad.  You and Don do more traveling than Pat and I have done in several years when our trips have been limited to 2 1/2 hours over to Atlanta, which we haven't done now for a long time, or trips halfway to meet friends for lunch.  We hope to do the halfway trip again in April sometime.  We just don't have the stamina we used to have.  Pat's new phone is a VOCA V530 model.  So far she really likes it but still trying to learn how to get to all the features.  It has a pretty loud ring but great voice quality.  I am surprised that your iPhone can call out while it is locked unless the lock is turned off and I am not sure that is even possible.  One of the really nice features is that you don't have to open the cover to answer an incoming call or end it as there are buttons on the cover for it. 

Janet, I felt really good yesterday and did a lot of things.  Last evening I was sitting in my easy chair and the weariness hit me but feel good again this morning.  I see I wasn't the only one who had a wait for a scheduled appointment.  I hope you have a great time at your painting class this today. 

[Janet]

Honey!!  I'm home!!!   

We had such a nice day today painting in watercolors.  Every one turned out nice, and no two looked alike!  I'm going to cut a mat for mine, then I will take a photo of it and post it, and you all can tell me what you think!

Larry, glad your weariness passed and you felt good again this morning.

Since I posted this morning, if I remember correctly, I haven't much to say this evening!

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone. The morning is started at in the mid-40's and will only get into the low 60's this afternoon and we have varying changes of rain until late this evening when as of now they are saying 100% chance of rain.  I did remember to reset the alarm clock last evening when I went to bed and then the clock on the stove and my wrist watch this morning.  I am ready for Sunday School and Church and think Pat will go with me today as she is up and eating her breakfast now. We will go out to eat afterward, probably back to Ruby Tuesday's as they had a good deal starting today and Monday.  Last evening we decided to go to Dairy Queen for our evening meal and it was good topped off with a mint Oreo Blizzard.  Then I was able to return the phone we had purchased there for Pat that didn't work well at all.  The Dairy Queen is on the outer property from the Walmart so it was very handy.  This afternoon I will rest and watch a little more basketball, which I watched quite a bit of yesterday. 

Janet, I am anxious to see your new painting and happy to see you enjoyed a nice day yesterday.  Were you all painting the same object or scene or did you get to pick your own design.  Can you enter it into the County fair this fall?

[Janet]

Larry, yes, I could enter the watercolor in the fair, if I don't have another by then that I like better.  We did all paint the same subject; no two looked alike!  And none of the other gals are from my county, thus, there wouldn't be two that are similar.  Our art department in adult painting has diminished so much in the past 10 years, the rules have been relaxed quite a bit.  It's either that, or eliminate it; and nobody wants that!

John forgot to set his clock up, so he missed church today.  Darrel had already done ours before I got home yesterday.  I need to set my watch up, or I'll be in trouble, for sure! 

I don't know what's in store for lunch, but Darrel has been busy in the kitchen since we got home from church!  I'm sure whatever he's making will be good!

We have a meeting tonight with Dr. Saxon and the lady I'm sharing a Zeal booth with next Saturday.  Meeting them tonight at Saxon Chiropractic clinic.

And on Tuesday I am meeting a pastor friend who also writes books. I'm hoping he can give me some useful information on self-publishing.  Tate Publishing, who published my other book is out of business.  The parents retired and turned it over to the son, and it didn't last long after that.  Sad, but that often happens with family businesses, it seems. 

Now I'm off to read more of my journals; combing for material for the book I'm writing.  I hope you all have a blessed afternoon!

[Carol]

Yesterday, I put 7 plastic bags of grapefruit out near the sidewalk - two were not picked up.  We will pick more - the little tree is loaded and Don cannot take grapefruit - these are Ruby Red and so sweet. 

I rode with our friend to the airport and just picked up her daughter who will visit for a week plus. 

Janet:  Thanks for the offer - I will check it out.  My tiredness is mostly from housework, etc.  At least I like to think so -

Larry:  Thank you for mentioning the phone - I will check that also. 

Yesterday, most of the morning was spent on fixing my old but dependable Viking sewing machine.  Almost giving up and one last attempt and suddenly everything worked perfectly.

Our oldest son and DIL are still coughing but they can now say they are on their way to recovery from colds.  our youngest son has a dreadful cold (he is never sick) and has been to a doctor twice.  There is something different about the colds this year - the colds last much too long and everyone is super weak. 

Listened early to a sermon - it isn't the same as being there.  Two Jehovah Witnesses, stopped by yesterday.  They were polite and we had a little chat about Isiah.  I don't know anything about their version of religion.  I remember the time Don was on the roof working on it and I saw a car full of them drive up - I was leaving and Don was stuck on the roof while they talked and talked - 

[Janet]

Ruby Red grapefruit???  Oh, Carol!  How I wish I had some!  I love them, and we never seem to find good ones in the stores around here!  Makes my mouth water, just thinking about them!

Hope all your loved ones recover from their sicknesses soon!!

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone. I slept in this morning until almost 8 am.  It is a dark, cool and rainy morning with a 50% chance of more rain throughout the day.  I plan to just stay inside and have a restful day.  When I finish my normal readings and writing on the discussions I think it may be a good day to recheck and perhaps finish up my income taxes for last year.  Pat didn't go to Sunday School with me but I came home and got her and she went back to Church with me.  We then did go to Ruby Tuesday's again and had a nice lunch utilizing the coupon for the free hamburger which made a very reasonable lunch tab for two as it saved $10. 

When we got home I laid down for a couple of hours but turned on the TV and watched the basketball games, which all seemed to be very close and very entertaining.  After those were over I turned on the golf and watched the conclusion of a good tournament.  Then I watched on Netflix a Barbra Streisand concert called Encore that she gave in Miami in 2016, which I really enjoyed.  I think that was the last touring concert she plans to ever do and she was 75 at the time. It was almost two hours long and while her voice isn't quite as good as it was 50 years ago it still is amazing and I really enjoyed it. Needless to say I didn't have any difficulty sleeping last night.

Janet, I guess the fact that all of you painting the same thing but ending up with painting where no two looked alike proves that we all see things differently as well as probably different skill levels.  Too bad your self-publishing company has gone out of business.  I hope your pastor friend can give you some good tips. 

Carol, I am like Don in that I am not suppose to eat them and it has been years since I have.  The ones you have sound so good.  Nice of you to ride to airport with your friend and glad you didn't have to do the driving.  Is the Tucson airport very big?  I am sure it is nothing compared to Phoenix, which I know from my experience is very large.  I agree with you that this cough many people can't seem to shake (including the month it put me down) it very strange. When the Jehovah Witnesses how come to our door I speak to them politely but tell them I have my own Church and take their literature and say goodbye. 

[Janet]

Larry, Tate Publishing wasn't a self-publishing company, but a "regular" one.  It cost me big bucks, and they didn't do the things they promised relative to getting the book out and helping with publicity.  I was very disappointed in them.  Warren (and Curtis) told me to check out CreateSpace on Amazon.  I did, but don't have all the necessary computer skills to do it alone.  Sigh......

It looks like it will be clear here today, which probably means warm, and I hope not windy, but it probably will be.  My weather bug says currently 18*
high to be 59.  Wind only 4 mph!  Wonderful!!

I just posted a photo of my painting on Facebook, if you would like to take a look! 

We have an appointment for the car in Garden today, and as usual, we have a list of things to do while there.  So I'm happy the weather is nice!

I hope more of you come in to post today! 

[Marilyn]

Hello Every Buddy. I hit the floor running this morning and have accomplished  some of what really needs doing. I do think the floors need doing but I would like to hire someone to come twice a month for 2 hours to do some of the cleaning for me. This is going to be hard to get Keith to do. I am feeling a little down today for good reason. Yesterday I told Keith to get his cup out of the microwave, he stood in front of it and said which one is the microwave,  It has been in the same place for probably 30 years. It is not on the counter but at eye level on it's own shelf that was built for it when the kitchen was remodeled all those years ago. He has also started doing a very high pitched whistle that drive me crazy it hurts my ears. I have repeatedly told him not to do that but he  does it anyway saying it is a habit says  it calls the cats, Freckles doen't like it either and it does not call the cats. He thinks he is OK and will not consent to doing the legal documents that are necessary.

[Carol]

I never mind chatting with anyone about God and have had some interesting conversations over the years.  It is hard to break away though.  I had two roommates when living in Washington D.C. and one was Catholic and the other Mormon.  We did get stuck listening to a flannel board discussion one night - and the Catholic girl and I were not interested.   

Gently and carefully, transplanted two little cactus into a clay shallow bowl.  I put solar lights around the edges and we shall see if they last over the hot summer.  Called a friend at home and I try to check in with others as well.  So grateful for the phone service we now get that doesn't cost extra for long-distance. 

Doorbell is ringing and Don says it is a neighbor.     

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone.  It was 32 degrees when I got up and suppose to go on down to 30 around 8 am and then up to about 60 this afternoon.  However, we do expect wind with the clear skies.  We will have to leave the house fairly early this morning as Pat has a 10:00 am appointment at the hospital for a bone density test.  After that we plan on eating our main meal out at noon before coming home.  I think we will go to either the Honey at the Rock or Texas Roadhouse as will be in the vicinity after being at the hospital.  Nothing else on the schedule for the rest of the day. 

Janet, I will definitely check out your Facebook page to see your new painting.  I did misunderstand about your previous book publisher.  As I read about your comments about publishing the book though the Amazon Create Space the thought occurred to me that perhaps you could locate a bright young high school student with computer skills who could help you and probably be glad to earn a few dollars.  I took a few minutes to looks through some of the basic information available on the CreateSpace website and it appears very doable.  Didn't you mention once that your sister had written a book?  If so how did she publish.  I realize I am getting into something that is really none of my business but just want to be helpful.

Marilyn, I feel for you with the concerns you have for Keith.  The tipping point that my dad had with my mother was the morning she stood at the sink with an egg in her hand to try to fix breakfast and threw it in the sink saying she didn't know what to do.  I think it was that day that my dad called me asking for help and we were on our way the next day and ended up staying for 9 months to help him out.  If you haven't done so please help yourself and contact the Alzheimer's Association in your area as they are so much help.  It sounds like you have a serious problem in terms of the legal aspects.  Does he not acknowledge that he is suffering from dementia or have any idea of what a burden he is placing on you and that it is get worse if you can't handle the business affairs. 

Carol, I never really thought about transplanting cactus plants but it does sound like a challenge.  Cell phones have brought us a long way from where we used to be limited as to the distance our local phone service covered before long distance charges applied or even with cell phones where you didn't have unlimited talk time.   

[Janet]

Carol and Larry, you have reminded me of how happy I was when our local phone company gave us free access to other towns in our area and no longer charged long distance for calling them.  I used to call my daughter in Moscow often and those charges really added up! (She lives in Hugoton now, but Curtis and Toni live in Moscow.)

Larry, I don't at all feel you are intruding; I always appreciate your suggestions!  And asking a bright kid may be the answer I need.  I will visit with my friend Warren this morning and hope I learn a lot from him as to the best options.  Shirley did self-publish, too, but I have forgotten what she told me.  She actually published four or five books!  I need to call her!

We had another very pleasant day yesterday, so appreciated!

Another lady and I are going to have a booth at the Health Fair on Saturday to tell people about Zeal.  It is helping Darrel and me so much, and we do need to help other people learn about the many benefits Zeal offers!  We only have to be there about four hours, so it won't be too much for us.  They close up everything and serve a nice dinner at noon (or lunch.) 

Marilyn, I agree with Larry!  Your situation sounds serious, in dealing with Keith's problems.  If you got the papers ready that you need, could you maybe just get him to sign them?  I'm so sorry you are having to deal with this.  I have a friend whose husband is a "brittle" diabetic.  He broke his foot somehow a while back and did not go to the doctor (I don't really know why.) Infection set in, and he wound up having to have the foot amputated halfway up to the knee!  Now he is getting really bad with dementia.  I think it must have been partly that reason that he failed to see a doctor when he broke the foot.  So anyway, I pray you can get help for Keith before his problem gets any worse.  I cannot imagine how hard this is for you to deal with, and hope you can find answers.

I need to write three notes of love and encouragement, think I will do that now!

[Marilyn]

Larry and Janet, last night I went on the Legal Zoom website and  filled out the application and paid for the Power of attorney that covers  EVERYTHING They will go over it an  mail it to me  for him to sing in front of a notary which we can do at our bank. I told him I was doinmg that and that I had to put it on my credit card. So to my thinking he better sign it since I went to the trouble of  getting it for him.  There is one part I don't really thing needs to be on the PIA and that is the part about  owning a business, that doesn't apply anymore. But i checked off everything on the form. Just pray that he signs it after it gets here so I can go file it with the county recorder.

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone.  We have a sunny and clear day ahead with it getting into the mid-50's.  We had freeze warnings out for our area last night but I don't think it got that cold.  Last evening Pat and I went back to iHop for our dinner meal.  I had a Belgian waffle with a scoop of ice cream on top rather than syrup (and it was delicious) along with two scrambled eggs and two sausage links.  The combination was very good and I will have that again.  Pat had a bowl of their chicken noodle soup and found it very good along with spicy chicken Quesadillas.  There is nothing on the schedule for today until this evening when we will be having our dinner at the Church and then Scott will be coming out.  Jennifer advised us yesterday that she was uncertain about being able to attend either the dinner or coming out later as she thinks she has another kidney stone. 

Janet, I bet you will enjoy talking with the people at the health fair and the time will go by quickly. 

Mariiyn, glad to see you got the legal process started and certainly hope Keith doesn't refuse to sign.  You are going to have challenges ahead and you need to be able to make the decisions he is not going to be able to make.  I expect the Legal Zoom is a lot less expensive than seeing a local attorney.   

[Carol]

We watched the movie of Cori Ten Boom last night.  She lived in Amsterdam - a Christian family - and the family took in German targeted people.  She and at least one sister were sent to concentration camp - the one for women only.  Her sister died in camp.  An amazing test of faith.  She lived to write books of courage and love and visited 60 countries.  I read her years ago and now want to search out the books again. 

The roof repair is scheduled and it will be a great relief to get that taken care of - the last week of March.  One cousin and wife are visiting us at the end of the month and our oldest son and DIL will meet us for dinner next Sunday.  they are preparing to move back to Colorado. 

[Janet]

Windy-very windy-here today with another warning of extreme fire danger.  It was pretty chilly early this morning.

Larry, we ate at I-Hop in Garden last Monday.  We rarely eat there, but that was my choice; unfortunately we were both disappointed.  We each had the Sr. 2x2x2 meal, and the pancakes weren't up to their usual standard, also they served about half the usual amount of butter.  Darrel asked for more, and by the time she brought more, his pancakes were cold.  So it will be a while before we go there again.  He likes to eat at what he calls "the chicken house"--Golden Corral.  I like to change things up sometimes! 

Carol, I've read Corrie Ten Boom's books several times.  Such a woman of faith and courage!  Her father was also arrested but didn't live very long under their brutal conditions.

Glad you will soon get your roof repaired.  I imagine it's really hard for Don to wait for others to do the things he has always done for himself.  Darrel finally decided to get the oil changed in the car, after many years of doing it himself.  He hates getting his hands that grimy, and said he guessed he's old enough now to let someone else do it!

I have been at the Main Artery today, painting.  Still working with watercolor and it's  beginning to get a little easier.  I cannot imagine how, but I have misplaced most of my watercolors, all the tubes and a few sets of pans.  How could I do that?? 

Marilyn, I hope Keith will sign the Power of Attorney and not give you a hard time about it.

Tonight our Wednesday night supper at church is potato bar!   

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone.  Today starts are as a very chilly 32 degrees but will be getting into the 50's later today.  We also have a fire warning as our humidity is to be between 15 and 20% today.  This morning I will pick up my friend from assisted living and we will go downtown for coffee.  Before I pick him up I will make a quick stop at Walmart to pick up some prescriptions for both Pat and I.  This afternoon I plan on attending the funeral service for the wife of one the men who is in our coffee group.  Then I will watch some of the basketball games as the big NCAA Tourney gets underway.

After dinner at the church last night we picked up our grocery order from Walmart and Scott came on out to the house.  Jennifer is sick and stayed home where she needed to be.  Scott was here for only an hour or so and he wasn't feeling up to par.  We had beef stew at dinner and beef often riles up his IBS as it did last evening.

Carol, glad to see you finally have the roof repair scheduled.  Is this a job move back to Colorado for your son and DIL? 

Janet, we also had a lot of wind yesterday and are to have it again today so we also have the fire alerts as I mentioned above.  Sorry your I-Hop experience wasn't a good one.  I sure hope the quality doesns't go down at our new I-Hop as so far it has been very good.  It has been several years since I have been to the Golden Corral.  Our men's luncheon group ate there numerous time where we lived in Georgia.  There is one of the Golden Corral's here but not close to us and I doubt we seek it out and Pat really needs to be served and not have to deal with a buffet, at least a large one.  I expect you will find your paints and supplies after you replace them or don't need them. I guess that is the danger of straightening things up at our age as we forget where we put things. 

[Janet]

Good morning! I have been coughing so much it's wearing me out, so after Darrel got up and brought me some Nyquil last night, that quieted my cough and knocked me out until 5 this morning.
I got up, but was still staggering around and needing sleep, so I went back to bed and stayed until 8.      That's really the middle of the morning to me!
But I think I'm somewhat better now.  I will take Zeal three times today, and take it easy, as I must be over this crud by Saturday!  Patsy is depending on me to help with the booth!!

Darrel took the car back to Garden City today to have a battery replaced in the parking brake.  Lots of miles for a tiny thing, but the warning light and buzzer were very annoying!  We told them about it the other day when we got the oil changed, and it took another hour before they came back and told us what it needed and of course, they didn't have the little battery, but called the next day to say it was in.  I like to go along with him, but just wasn't feeling up to it today.  (I know, TMI...sorry  )

Larry, it sounds as if your area and ours are having similar weather, except for all the nice rains you have had recently.  We are still hoping! 

Yeaaaa!!  I found my paints last night--exactly where I put them, which was where they belonged.  Imagine that!    Well, now at least I know where they live!    So I could paint with watercolors for many years now and not run out of paints!

I saw John last night at the church dinner.  He's just been staying home a lot, and doing pretty much nothing.  I reminded him to begin writing  what he wants included in the book; and suggested he go to "pet finder" on computer to look for a dog.  He needs something  that will encourage him to get out of that apartment into the fresh air!

I need to see what I can do around here.  Talk to you later.

[Carol]

I set 12 bags of grapefruit out on the curb and all have been taken.  Yea....  This is a very little tree and it as 3 X that amount left on it. 

Our good friend and her daughter came over last night - we are celebrating her big birthday almost all week.  We bought two pizzas for dinner and it was mild enough to sit outdoors. Reminiscing.  She knows a worker who could repair out indoor ceiling damage - the roofers only fix the outdoor spot. 

Larry:  Oldest son and wife have rented for 3 years - she has a job with an international bank and will continue working from Colorado where they have a cabin in the mountains.  Everyone who flys out usually stays at our house because it is more convenient to get to the airport.  The mountain drive can be clogged - not to mention rock slides and construction. 

Janet:  The colds this year are lasting a long time - sorry for your coughing spells.  They are exhausting.  I hope we can stay out of trouble.  If John is depressed, he  wouldn't make a very good caregiver for any animal.  Congrats on finding your paints! 

Marilyn:  Perhaps you could have one of Keith's sons talk to him.   

[Janet]

Carol, John doesn't appear to me to be depressed, but of course, I'm not a psychiatrist!  He has never shown much interest in doing anything since I've known him except spending time on computer.  You set my mouth to watering again, talking about those grapefruits!

I went back to bed, just got up again about 30 minutes ago.  Guess I will go shower and dress and see if that helps. 

[Jacqueline]

Didnt realise it has been so long sinse last time I posted, even though I often pop in to read up...

We are in for the return of " The Beast from the East " snow storm this weekend....this Is the name they have given it, by that, I am assuming our meteorological office...

Oh dear, not sure what I clicked on late yesterday evening, whatever is was I remember it wasn't anything that sent alarm bells ringing but, once clicked the screen jumped to a large red page complete with large filled writing and a male voiced warning repeating our computer was being attacked...Anyway we got through to our BT helpline who was calm and he got inside our computer and dealt with it, he said we had been mildly attacked, he has now cleared it out using " Malware " malicious software...then I ran the full Norton security scan just to satisfy me...

[Larry Hanna]

Hi Everyone.  We have a truly beautiful day ahead.  We will be getting up to 75 degrees this afternoon with sunny skies.  I had a great nights sleep last night and feel like a new person.  The night before I hadn't slept well and was very tired from the time I got up until I went to bed for the night.  I did go to coffee and then in the afternoon attended the funeral I mentioned yesterday.  I just plan on a nice quiet day at home today with some good basketball watching this afternoon and evening.  I need to finish up filing the taxes and need to work on Pat's laptop and update the spare I have here in my office, which I haven't had on for quite awhile. 

Last night Pat dropped her new phone on the floor and the back came off and she wasn't able to find it.  I got down on the floor and looked under her chair and all around only to find it right in front of my side table in plain site.  With this wood flooring you never know where things are going to land.

Janet, so sorry to read that you have come down with the terrible cough and leaves one feeling so tired.  I hope you are able to stop it quickly as know it is holding on for a long while for some people, like me, where it lasted for a month.  The idea of a battery in a parking brake is something I have never heard of before.  Glad you found your paints.  It sounds like John has the right idea about getting a dog and that would require him to get out of his apartment.

Carol, that sounds like a very prolific grapefruit tree.  Glad the fruit is being eaten rather than just going to waste.  It is better to get a reference from someone for a workman than just getting it from the Internet yellow pages.  Years ago we had a bathroom upstairs that was over one downstairs as the house had two identical master suites.  It had a water leak and we didn't realize it until part of the downstairs ceiling sagged and water came pouring out.  We were fortunate to find someone who did the popcorn type ceiling and was able to restore the ceiling back to as good as new.  Will your son and DIL be relocating to an area near to you or in some other part of the Denver area. 

Jackie, glad to see your posting.  Days seem to go by so quickly that I don't sometimes realize someone hasn't posted for a few days.  Glad your computer didn't get major damage and the problem could be corrected without a complete reinstall of the software.  Do you have your files backed up?  Gloria in the Seniors and Friends Soda Shoppe mentioned yesterday that the NE USA is now expected to get another nor'easter storm in the next few days.  Winter seems to be hanging on and there are only a few more days before Spring.