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Larry, I pray our Father to get you through this day successfully and without overtiring.  He is able.  I pray also that all this expenditure of time and energy relative to Stacey will result in a time of peace and thanksgiving.

It's raining here, which is rather unusual for this time of year.  It rained yesterday also.  I thank our Lord for the refreshing, nourishing, and cleansing rain.  Well, today is Marbeth's quilting bunch, and I go over to the local coffee shop while she's doing that.

Ruth Ann - echoing the others, I too give thanks you're home now.  God grant that the procedure you had brings you renewed health and comfort.

I went to bed earlier last night but also got up earlier this morning.  But I do feel rested. 

Tony came last night and fixed a slow leak in a tire on the Craftsman lawn mower.  It was a new tire but it wasn't on good when he first put it on and it went flat the first time I mowed with it.  I drove it to the air compressor and got it filled with air again.  But every week I had to put air in it.  I think it has some grass or something around the rim.  Anyway, he thinks it is okay now.  He also put a new fitting on the air hose on the air compressor...it was leaking, too.  He is going to have me all fixed up by fall!

Well, I wasn't planning on mowing today but it looks like we are to have rain tomorrow and Saturday.  So maybe I ought to get out there and mow today! 

Nothing else planned....just pick up a few things here and there. 

After work today I am headed for Oregon, will be back on Sunday. Noting new here just like l said it was raining, Now it is heave fog with mist. I will have to be very careful driving up the coast.

I will check in tomorrow from Oregon.

Safe drive for you, Marilyn.

Etta Sue:  It is nice that Tony comes over to fix a flat - it is really wonderful to have someone nearby to help on ordinary things.

Don is taking his walk.  I went earlier and it is another day of loud noise.  Street workers are milling - which means tearing up and adding more asphalt. 

Larry:  We have five days of someone in and out here.  Painters will do ceilings & all so it will be all day today and coming in a little bit tomorrow unless they finish  faster.  The foreman tells me that the paint colors I chose are just like a village in Mexico - San Miguel.  He loves it - makes him think of home. 

We were up early this AM doing last minute cleaning. 

Janet:  You are coming through Denver or what?  I wish  that I could help you think of something for Beth.  All I can remember is that sheepskin has been used for infants in Australia.  The lanolin helps. 

Carol, when my mother was very ill before she passed away, I bought her a full sheep skin from a farm that had a store up near Thunder Bay, Ontario and she used to lie her poor tired and sore body on it and she said it helped.

I'm stopping by for a brief update.  Seems I'm still "stuck" in the notion that I need to let people know where I'm going when I leave home for a while.   

Marilyn ~ It's good that we will be keeping the population here even ... You are coming north and I'm heading south tomorrow!   

I leave in the morning to drive to Sacramento.  There, Joy and I will rent a car, and pick up Dot from the airport, on Saturday (she's coming in from Spokane) and the three of us will head for Arizona.  We will make a stop in Lancaster, CA to visit with Dot's oldest daughter and grandkids (That's Candice, for any who remember her).  Dot hasn't even seen them for a couple years and it has been almost 6 years since I've seen them.  Autumn Rose was not yet 2 yrs old, and now she will be 8 in November.  She has a little brother whom I have never seen.

Anyway, we are all to end up in Arizona on Monday where we will get together with my two sisters and brother (plus one brother-in-law) for a reunion.  This will be the first time all of us have been together in the same place at the same time since many, many years ago!  It should be interesting, to say the least.  We are the remnant of our family -- the "senior generation" and already missing our oldest brother.  We will be at Rancho Vistoso all week.  Or most of us will.  Dot will be returning to Spokane on Wednesday -- she has to go back to work -- and I think the others are leaving on Thursday.  Joy thought we needed an extra night to rest before the drive back to Sacramento. 

It will be a long trip -- pretty hot, too -- but I think everyone is looking forward to having a good time.  It will be a welcome respite from all the stresses and problems my girls are working through.  We have determined to leave all that behind us and focus on the trip and "vacation" and not even think of the financial or emotional strain.  Someone I knew once said "We'll worry about that later"  and, usually "later" was quite a bit later!   

Well, now that I've poured all that onto you, I need to go get my car gassed up and air in the tires, etc.  I already have my suitcase packed so I'm ready ................

Welcome home, Ruth Ann.

Jane, have a wonderful trip with your daughters.

I'm going to be busy taking down my living room today.  I have to pack up everything so that when the furniture is moved, all will be ready to put in the new floor.   I think my son will come and help me move the furniture.  He has to. lol  He wants to take up the carpet himself and save some for his place.

Carol, I'm having a new roof, new windows, and new floors in the living room and kitchen.  The thing I'm really dreading is the floors.  I'll have to kennel the dogs and be gone myself I guess.  I think mine will go faster than yours.

I need to get to town to get dogfood, so will check in later.  Nita

 New addition to the family! Click Here

Pat:  Thank you - I do think the cake needs more candles though.

Jane:  Sending wishes for a safe trip and a fun visit for all of you.  Thank you.

Nita:  A roof really takes a day if they are very quick.  We had one day here of painting and they will return tomorrow to put another coat on plus do the trim.  they really worked hard - all I had to give them was some soda.  We have so much stuff on our floors that I hope our son doesn't bring the dog tonight as it is slippery especially on the stairs. 

Scotty:  Awwwwwwwww - so sweet.

I had a really nice noodle bowl at a favorite Vietnamese place for lunch.  Don says I am a cheap date.  Then, we have been trying to find some barely used furniture for the basement room so stopped at consignment shops and thrift shops.  Either too pricey or too beat up. 

Hot today but this house just doesn't get as hot inside and we have been able to not run the air.  Saving $$$ plus we can sit on the deck and not be blinded by the sun to the west. #2 Son heard coyote last night but we didn't.  We have been sleeping like logs and up early for the workers this AM.  I had to take a little nap and missed a call from our #1 son who is catching a plane from east coast home tomorrow. Numbering the sons as there are three - sounds like the old Charllie Chan movies.   Daughter has been doing so much work in their rental house & she had to go to a physical therapist today with searing pain in her neck and it is a tiny bit better.

We have workers coming to do floor work on both Saturday and Sunday.  I wish not but it has to be done before our furniture is moved or we will end up  carrying stuff into the house and that isn't a good idea.  The floor workers are trying to make amends for their mistake in not ordering things right away. 

We were up at 5:30 this morning to get Beth to Amarillo.  It was a hard day.  Before we got a third of the way, she was already crying with pain, begging me to pray for her.  They had given her a pain pill before we left, so I gave her three tylenol, prayed for her, took her feet off the platform of the chair and propped them on a small cooler and some pillows.  This helped, and we made it to the Dr.'s office an hour early.  I went in and asked if they could possibly see her early, and they did!!  This was a real blessing, as always before when we have gone there, we have sat for 3 to 6 hours waiting!

Anyway, I think it was a lot of pain, expense and trouble for nothing, and that they could have just had me mail the MRI disc and report to them, because all he did was a few simple tests--reflexes and strength--and ask some questions.  He said they will look at the MRI and go over the reports we took, and then call us. 

Beth made the trip home much better, and we stopped to let her see Diane for a few minutes before coming on home.  She was beat, and so am I!

Larry, I hope Stacey gets to go home tomorrow, or did today.  It's been a long ordeal for her, too.  And please don't overdo it.  I sure know about loading and unloading a wheelchair!  I always took the leg rests off to make it lighter to lift.

Carol, we will be driving to Denver and flying from there.  Oh!  HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Jane, have a great trip, and a great visit with your siblings!

I'm going to take a shower and hit the sack.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CAROL!.....belated I think now 

   it's hot here today and the forecast predicts to be the same right through the weekend.
I am enjoying this weather because it cools down quick enough here.
I am going to take an easy day and go out to my favorite restuarant for supper.
Blessings to all today.

Good morning, friends,

I felt pretty good when my eyes opened today. So, I filled my daily pill minders for the next 2 weeks, cooked a good breakfast (egg, bacon, raisin bread toast, skim milk), and bought something online from SamsClub.

Now, it's time to do my exercises, and then get ready to see the surgeon. He'll be removing the staples today. And, I'm anxious to hear about the surgery itself, too.

The Occupational Therapist was here yesterday and after testing me, she commented that she'd love to find a reason to return, since we got along very well, but in actuality I am doing so well with cooking, daily chores, etc. that she sees no need to return! That brought a big smile to my face.

Then the rest of the day was tiring - shopping at Sam's Club, getting gasoline and stopping by the bank. So, nobody had to rock me to sleep last night! 

Poor Beth! I feel so sorry for her difficulties, and for Stacy too. And Wendy, and Michael, and so many of our loved ones.

Y'all have a good day.

Hi everyone.  It is about lunch time.  I have had a busy morning as after coffee at the senior center, I went by the Post Office, had my car washed at the car wash as had a $4 off coupon, got a haircut, went to the grocery store and then finally stopped at the bank to cash a check.  I am home for the rest of the day.  

We did get our daughter out of the hospital yesterday.  It was iffy for awhile as she had called us to come pick her up but when we got to her room with the wheelchair she was in tears talking to the social worker.  There was a problem in that the IV antibiotic she needs wouldn't be delivered until this afternoon.  She had 5 bags of it at her apartment but the doctor had written a lower dosage.  They were saying she could stay at the hospital and have her evening dosage a little early and then be released and miss the morning dosage.  It turns out the doctor changed the dosage back to what she had been taking so she was able to be discharged.  We stopped at her apartment and picked up more things she needed, including her insulin and the IV bags.  Unfortunately she didn't think about the tubing she needed so as soon as we got home and checked that we didn't have them out here so I immediately had to drive back to her apartment to get the tubing for the IVs.  Anyway, it all worked out.  Everyone is pretty warn out today so the rest of the day will be for rest.

Melody, hope you enjoy your evening out at the restaurant.

Carol, sorry I didn't see that yesterday was you birthday so I also have to send belated birthday greetings.  It sounds like things are progressing well with your preparations for your move.

Janet, glad you were able to return home from taking Beth to the doctor and not have to stay overnight with all that would have involved.  It does sound like a needless trip based on what you said.  I also take off the leg rests of the wheelchair and that helps a little bit.  If this continues very long I will invest in a less weighy wheelchair.  The walker they gave her at the hospital does not fold up and I couldn't get it in the trunk even if I hadn't had the wheelchair in there.  It about filled up the backseat of the car and Pat had little room sitting in the back seat.  However, we made it.

Jane, hope you have a wonderful time with your family.  It sounds like a great trip and you all have the right approach in terms of staying in the moment and leaving other things aside during the vacation.

Nita, sounds like you have a lot of work planned on your home.  Hope it all goes well.

Marilyn, drive carefully and enjoy your weekend.

Ruth Ann, filling my two pill boxes every two weeks is not among my favorite things to do and it seems to come around so often.  Glad to hear you are doing so well.

Hi Colin, Scotty and Pat.

Time for lunch and then a nice afternoon nap.

This is the 2nd day of listening to loud Spanish music on the radio being played by the painters.  We contracted with a well-known company and didn't know who would show.  They are singing & yakking away all day long - it wears Don down.  I brought doughnuts for their lunch today and sodas yesterday - so very appreciative for the little things.  My house must be like a mansion to them. 

Don has been painting his workroom area walls today and ran out of paint - I am the gopher.  Found a ready made Cobb salad at the store that we will split for dinner tonight. 

Janet:  Long days for you and Beth -

Colin:  Thanks - I think I will celebrate an extra day. 

Larry:  Sometimes things just barely work out but they do - am thinking of you wrestling the chair into your car. 

Jane is on the road today and I think Marilyn is off as well.  Driving in this youthful area is really frustrating for us and we MUST check our attitude towards the awful drivers.  Cell phones & cars - bah!  Just plain ditzy people - grrrrr.  OK, now I feel better now that I have vented.  If they only knew that we would all pay less for insurance if they would just calm down & pay attention. 

Hello, friends!

Ruth Ann, it really sounds like things are looking up for you, and I'm so glad!

Larry, sorry about the non-folding walker.  That would really be a pain.  They take up plenty of space when they do fold.  I hope you get to stay home for some days now and rest, or at least, do what you want to do.

Carol, you're so right!  We have neighbors a quarter mile away who play Mexican music so loud on Saturdays that it interferes with our hearing the TV inside the house!  How can their ears stand it?  I love the bumper sticker that says "Hang up and drive!"    It's a much less peaceful world these days, and we are drawn to the Peace Giver more and more.

Our great-grand-baby is visiting at Abby's house, so we are heading that way to help spoil her a bit!

Happy Birthday, Carol!!! 

Jane ~ I know you are on the road but just praying that you have a safe and happy trip!!

Marilyn ~ Stay alert on your trip.  I have been on that road and it is so beautiful...I can only imagine how you or others could become distracted. 

Larry ~ So glad that Stacey is out of the hospital and I am praying that she becomes better and better each hour.

Janet ~ What an ordeal with Beth.  Seems the doctors forget the condition some people are in when they ask you to bring a patient in.  I remember times with Mom and once she had to return in an ambulance!! Ridiculous sometimes.  Praying for peace for you, Beth and all the family! 

And everyone else...Jeannine, Melody, Scotty, Ruth Ann...yes, Ruth Ann...sounds like you are doing super well with your new knee.  Keep it working and you will be fine and enjoy your retirement!!  Colin, Pat, Nita, Al, JudyB....everyone!  Have a God Blessed Day! 

I mowed the yard this morning before the day got so hot.  There was little dew so it was fine to mow.  I mow around the perimeter 2 times and then go back the opposite direction.  About the fourth round around, I noticed my little redbed tree was gone!!!  I had asked a nephew to cut it down last year.  It was leaning and I couldn't drive under it anymore.  I had to go as far as I could, back up, go around it and go as far as I could go again.  I was afraid I would get penned under it and redbud wood is hard...it doesn't give.  But it is gone so no more fear of getting penned between it and the tractor seat. 

Also another discovery...my laptop has a slot for smart card readers.  My Sony camera has a Memory Pro Stick.  It works in the slot also!!!  Hurray.  No need to carry either reader when I take the laptop!!  Also my new Corel Paint Shop Photo X2 has HDR...High Dyamic Range.  You take three or more shots with different exposure settings and put it in the HDR imaging on PSPP X2 and it puts all three shots together to make a much better picture.  It didn't work to well for me this morning.  I think it was too overcast and not enough difference to use the different exposures.  I  will try again...practice!

It's going to be a long weekend.  I went to bed last night thinking today was Saturday!!!

That's it.  I did do something to my back/hips.  Never hurt there before so I think I will rest the rest of the day.

Hi I am here in Oregon,I have been so busy today, I baked a cake and a batch of Chocolate chip oatmeal cookies, cleaned the master bath and kitchen, anddid 4 loads of laundry.  I wouldn't have been dosmuch laundry if Ihadn't washed all the bedding.

Have a safe and wonderful trip Jane.

Janet I contin ue to pray for Beth almost everyday.

Hooray! Stitches are out and I'm allowed to drive. It's a good thing - I couldn't get anyone to take me to the surgeon's office so I drove myself. 

Then to the bank, then to WalMart. So, I'm OK for a while, and my son's going to fix something on the walker to make it easier to slide and I'll need to be here at the house for the next day while the glue dries.

Y'all have a good rest of the day.

It's good to hear from everyone.

Ruth Ann, a lot of people just cut an x in tennis balls, slip them onto the walker feet, and that makes them slide easier.  But your son likely has a better idea!  Good to read your cheery posts and know you are doing well.

Baby Alexis was so much fun yesterday.  She is such a happy baby.  She's really stocky and solid, when her mom handed her to me, I was shocked at how heavy she is!  She has just started walking, and that's always a fun time.  They will be back next month to celebrate Lexi's first birthday.

We still haven't heard from the Neurosurgeon in Amarillo.........

Hi everyone.  It is a misty day here in Georgia and rather damp.  I had a very enjoyable time at McDonald's for coffee this morning, one of those laid back unhurried mornings.  I have a meeting to attend this morning and then nothing else on the schedule for the day.  

The home health care nurse came here at 9 pm last night, which is the hour our daughter does her nightly IV.  She went off and left her bag here so guess she will be back sometime this weekend to pick it up.  Our daughter said she was able to rest on her right side for a little while last night for the first time since her surgery.  She gets tired very easily but appears to be doing well.

Ruth Ann, glad you are able to drive again.  Sure that is a good feeling to have your mobility back.

Marilyn, I'll have one of those cookies--sounds good!

Etta Sue, my new Lenovo laptop also has an SD Memory Card slot and the card is suppose to help speed up the computer as it adds extra RAM working memory.  I have a 2 gig card installed but don't know that I see any difference but really haven't taxed the computer with anything that I have done so it probably hasn't needed the extra memory yet.  Hope your back and hips feel better today.

Janet, I am going to see if I can get a folding walker as she will likely be using it for sometime.  My good friend Rod said he has one that he will loan to me.  

Carol, it will be a relief when the painters leave and the noise from the loud music ends.  The worst we have had from our Latino neighbors was the July 4th pool party they had last year with blaring music for about 12 hours.  However, there has been no repeat of that and they did turn it off my 10 pm do felt they were being reasonable.  Guess they wanted to share the festive mood with others in the neighborhood.

Hope everyone has a great day and weekend.

Good day Folks.
It's another hot day here today and I just want to soak it in.
We seem to be having a lot of tourist come our way this year a whole lot of folks from the U.S.
Ruth Ann Glad to see you making progress.
I have some pictures for the challenge but i have to figure out how to post them.
Have a Blessed Saturday all!!

A good night's rest helped my back and hip.  I don't hurt today....just sore.  I must have twisted when I should have jagged!! 

Not much planned for today.  But I do think I will re-arrange my living room, dust and sweep.

Tomorrow evening is a church picnic outside under the pavilion.  I am taking my Cornbread Salad...recipe is in the recipe section.  I have the cornbread made...just need to do the veggies now.  Cornbread smells so good baking, doesn't it? 

I am off to do something constructive today!

Greetings from the island.  Slightly overcast.  Hope the rain holds off as the roofers are due to come again today.  They are doing a good job and my daughter said it looks great. 

I have been stuck inside the past couple of days with a painful bladder infection.  Would have gone to the doctor yest. but did not want Wendy to drive all that distance.  She is in a lot of pain right now.  Physio and accupunture people are having holidays and that means her body hurts even more.  Must go on Monday tho' as things are getting worse!  Supposed to go back anyway, so will get this taken care of at the same time.  Slight glitch in my giddy-up these days

Poor Squeek (cat) is terrified with all the noise from the roof and hides down here with me.  I have been unable to do much lately, so put on headphones and watched the first season of Hill Street Blues that the kids bought.  Always liked that show, two more disks, so that should get me thro' today's noise......

My SIL got me a cell phone and put me on their family plan.  Seems they worry when I go out on my own, especially walking...so now can reach them if needed.  I am going to pay him monthly for it tho' as not one to take all the time.  May even get rid of my land phone and switch to voice mail on the little cell.  Save quite a bit of money that way.  Will need it when my granddaughter goes back to school and those gas bills come due.

Love your new kitten, Scotty.  Enjoy all the graphics and they sure make one smile.  Glad you are better Rae Ann.  Hang in there Carol.  Praying for Beth and Larry's family and others on the site.  Marilyn, you sure do work hard and watch that Keith doesn't get heavy with all that good cooking. 

Speaking of work, I must get a few things done, then go lie down for a while.  Daily Bread had a good word about that sort of thing:

If you have some work to do,
Start this very hour;
You supply the willingness,
God supplies the power. —Anon.

Sure need a little power at the moment..

Pleasant Day/Evening and God Bless.

Liz

Well, here we are on a foggy, overcast, cool day here on the lost coast in northern California.  It sure is good to have you in here, Ruth Ann, and it's great that you're getting along so well with the new parts!  Maybe that's what I need.  Maybe two  new legs and a new hip.  Y'think?  I should be thankful for what I have and what I can do.

A fellow that our church has been helping for some time is moving today.  He's moving out of what could only be described as bad slum housing and into a pretty nice apartment that's bigger and much, much better.  He'll be much closer in, also, so that we can much more easily give him rides, etc.  Several fellows from the church are helping him move.  I thank our Lord for this move!

Glad you're feeling better, Etta Sue, and you could send me some of that corn bread via cyber-speed-delivery.

Glad your infection's getting better, Liz.  Those are no fun at all.  Also glad the roofers are getting done.  You'll have peace and quiet one of these days.  By the way, Liz - in Victoria, way over on the  west side, there used to be  a  restaurant  and historic  house.  it included a replica  of Ann  Hathaway's  cottage, the old four-poster  beds, etc.  Do you remember the place I'm talking about?  It was one of our favorites, along with Beacon Hill Park and the provincial museum.

.....and if you're following Oregon weather, Al, you have sunshine by now. 
It's gorgeous here today with just a slight breeze.

Etta Sue's cornbread salad and Marilyn's cookies.  MMMmmmm...sounds good.  I wouldn't actually eat any. haha  I'm doing really good on cutting out most carbs but vegetables, and right now only berries for fruit.  I'll add more as I go.  This morning I hit the 13 lb loss mark.

I have little Miss Maycie today, so we are mostly playing.  Some days are meant for play.  She is trying to talk so I use my best gibberish to talk back to her.  We both laugh and smile and communicate in all the ways babies and grams do.

Have a blessed day.  Nita

Yes I do remember it Al.  Have not been for years and it is still a tourist attraction.  Remember thinking that people must have not been very tall in those days.....Here is a little blurb about it:

Anne Hathaways Cottage

It's a step back in time you won't want to miss. Guided tours of the full size replica of Anne Hathaway's Thatched Cottage are no longer available. You can, however, stroll the Authentic English Village, visit the Olde Curiosity Shop for gifts, partake of food and refreshment in the restaurant or pub, in the Olde England Inn, where the cottage is located. It's all set on 5 acres of beautiful gardens, just 10 minutes from downtown.
                                       
God Bless,

Liz

Ah Liz!  Thank you so much!  Olde English Inn.  I don't know why I couldn't remember that name, but maybe OA (old age) has something to do with it.  The restaurant there was quite good as I remember.  Victoria used to be one of the three top spots in the world for us when we lived in Oregon.  We had a fovorite B&B where we stayed when we came up.  Thanks again!