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Morning Devotional...
TURNING POINT WITH DR. DAVID JEREMIAH

Love Through the Ages

Jesus replied, "You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind."
Matthew 22:37, NLT




Two wings of a bird; two halves of scissors; two sides of a coin. Sometimes two things go together so well that, alone, they are only part of the picture. That is true of the Old and New Testament revelations of God's love.

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word hesed—"loyal-love" or "lovingkindness"—illustrates the central theme of God's love. God's loyalty to, and compassion toward, Israel was demonstrated by His hesed toward them. But there were conditions to be met: the requirements of the Mosaic Covenant. By the time we get to the New Testament, Israel's failure to walk in God's covenant resulted in discipline. God's loyal love was then extended to all the world in an expanded way. Agape is the New Testament word that means unconditional, sacrificial love—love "in spite of." Even while we Gentiles were sinners, Paul wrote, God loved us unconditionally and sent Christ to die as payment for our sins. Loyal, unconditional, sacrificial love—that is the full expression of God's love for us.

Toward you, God is loyal and faithful and unconditional. Meditate on how life-changing His love is and what your respond should be to Him.


Recommended Reading
1 John 3:16-18



God's love for his people is infinite and unconditional.
John Blanchard

Jeanne:  Thank you for devotions.   Agape is a wonderful word.  I used to belong to a group with that name - it taught me so much about living in love.  Thanks for the reminder to always look with love.

Cannot believe it is already Ash Wednesday. 

Larry:  The speakers at Don's class are retired (sometimes) professors and the majority are very interesting.  No tests involved.  He likes to play cribbage and go to classes because it is fun and thought provoking material.  We usually go to the gym together but today a tendon in my leg is acting up probably from over-exercise.  Good excuse to catch up and do the laundry and plan Fridays meal with 3 neighbors coming over. 

Our friends and neighbors at home have the cold temperatures but the heavy snow is missing our neighborhood.  I am about to write a note back to a friend and will ask her why she was writing an email to me at 4:30 AM.   

Hi everyone on a much cooler morning.  We had a thunderstorm during the evening hours but it is sunny this morning and will get into the lower 60's this afternoon. The schedule is light today as only have coffee this morning with the men as the minister had to cancel our Wisdom group for today.  Late this afternoon Pat has an appointment for a haircut.  Beyond that I plan on just taking things easy. 

I did get my pacemaker checked yesterday and still have about 3 years of battery life left before it will have to be replaced.  The plans for dinner were changed as Scott filled in for someone last night who was having car trouble.  He came out around 12:30 and spent 90 minutes or so with us.  Then after his daughter had taken him to work we came out and spent the evening with us helping grandma get the enchiladas put together and made a nice lettuce salad.  We had a nice visit with her.  I did retire early last night as hadn't felt up to par yesterday and had to take nitro a couple of times, which always wipes me out. 

Carol, the classes Don is participating in sound like something I would really enjoy.  I also have loved to play cribbage since I was a young lad as my grandfather and father liked to play.  I have the cribbage board that my grandfather had that has ivory pegs in inlaid wood. 

Jeanne, thanks for getting us started with a new monthly devotional reading.  It is certainly a good one.   

Hi everyone.  It looks like this is going to be another very pleasant clear day and get into the 60's this afternoon.  We do have a potential for a freeze after midnight although our local TV station weather app shows it getting only to 34 degrees so perhaps it won't get to freezing.  Nothing much on the schedule for today and hope to stay home all day.  I do need to make another batch of sausage muffins for Pat's breakfast and change the furnace filter.  I also need to reconcile a couple of bank statements.  Yesterday Pat did get her hair cut and we came home for awhile and then went to Ruby Tuesday's for dinner.  I was so tired yesterday evening that I went to bed at 8 pm. 

Hi everyone.  It is a chilly but sunny, with the birds singing, South Carolina morning.  We were under a freeze warning last night but I do not believe we got that low, although close.  There is a large strawberry farm not far from here and I just read in the newspaper that they are already picking the strawberries.  They have a problem because their Mexican workers are not due here until mid-March.  There are no more nights in the 30's predicted for the next 15 days. 

I had a very quiet day yesterday although did have to take my car down to let my son use it as his had to be towed to a tire facility as he had a flat and in trying to get a stubborn lug nut off he had to apply so much pressure that it broke off the bolt.  He should get the car back today and bring our car back home.  Nothing on the schedule for today that requires us to leave the house so plan a very laid back day. 

Big washing today - how can two people have so much laundry? 

We had three neighbors over for a Swiss style meal last night - using a special toaster for Raclette cheese and that is carefully watched until it bubbles then scraped on veggies.  The vegetables in AZ are great being fresh daily.  Also, a baguette on the side for the melted cheese.  It is a lot of fussing and Don suggested it - always a hit and we have to really watch and help everyone get the hang of it so nothing but cheese melts. 

Just exhausted from yesterday - we are going out this afternoon and Don is working on taxes now. Humming birds have found their way back and we have three feeders out.  The quail have returned - the papas are so very proud and colorful.   We have lots of calls and emails of relatives and friends asking about open dates for visits.  Wishing they would come in the winter sometimes but everyone loves to sit outside and watch the stars in the spring.  Don't we all? 

Slowing and thoroughly reading a book about a former atheist becoming christian.  It is so comforting and keeps me from having a melt-down over some stuff. 

Congrats to Fotobirder!!!!  That is a wonderful picture of a Blue Jay - am I right? 

Good Sunday morning, just coming up to 8am here in UK...I shall be going to the church I joined last week in a couple of hours but this week it is not for Holy Communion, just the morning worship so may not last as long as the service last week, I will need to take my mobile and somehow slip outside to make that call for Richard to come collect me, although he says he will be there at a certain time waiting in the car park...We do stop for a cup of tea after the service but it is all done inside and near to the back of the church, not in a separate room, so most are drinking tea standing and chatting for a short while that was was how it worked last week, of course I would rather a backroom or a separate hall where we sat down, but whats to be, will be...

Our weather was forecasted as rain-winds and thunder, but now changed to light rain and winds, so I shall take my umbrella as even for that short walk down the slopey path, and at the slow speed I now walk, I could get myself a drenching, so best go prepared...
So whether this will be my every week church, maybe, but I shan't be ruling out sampling other churches before I find the right one to settle into, but a village church I guess is more what I am looking, and the friendliness of the smaller congregation...

Hi everyone.  It is another beautiful Sunday morning here in the South and we will get up to about 70º this afternoon.  Pat and I will go to Sunday School and Church and then eat out or pick up something to bring home for our big meal for the day.  Then we expect to spend a restful day.  I will watch the last day of the PGA Championship from Mexico City later this afternoon.  Our granddaughter brought our car back about 4:30 yesterday and stayed to have dinner with us, which was most enjoyable.  About 7 pm I took her back to where Scott works so she could get his car. 

Carol and Jackie, sure good to see your postings since I had been posting to myself for the last couple of days.

Carol, that sounds like a very interesting and tasty meal you fixed for your neighbors but not one you would want to make too often.  We use a lot of cheese in our household. Pat is talking about putting her Hummingbird feeder out but think it is still a bit early for this area. 

Jackie, hope you didn't need that umbrella this morning.  I bet if you asked someone they would get you a chair during your tea time fellowship following your church service. 

Larry Hanna...not sure too much space for a chair but there is always the pew bench if I need to sit down, although nowhere safe to place my cuppa really...

I am happy to read this time round your Pat was able to go to church with you, and what a good Idea is to stop off for a breakfast meal before returning home....I cant really do that myself as R is not a church goer...I do very much wish at times that I had a hubby or partner who shared my church passion...
I am so far happy with my choice of church, they are such a nice friendly, and welcoming small group of mostly parishioners of my age group or older...

Oh Larry, I am glad we have saved you from " posting to yourself..." almost as bad as talking to ones self, which is something I am very much used to inside this house, but thankfully as yet, I have not reached that stage of answering to myself...

Carol, now you are making me feel very hungry, re, your Swiss style meal....
I do enjoy sitting outside, weather permitting, watching and listening to the birds but, since moving here I have left most of my local garden visitors behind, just sadly, dont get anywhere as many birds here in this garden, just the odd few that stop off at my feeder...

Good Sunday to all,

Jackie:  We tend to choose a church with a good message - and we have worked at starting a church from scratch so that was most gratifying and humbling as well.  You will know when you find the right one.  Yes, you need a place to sit and enjoy tea and chat.

Time to vote on or latest photo challenge:  HERE

Jeanne you left out one photos the one of my dog Happy the border Collie on your list of photos

It snowed here again this morning, but was all melted on the street when we left for church. There were only about 10 people in attendacnce this morning, I think most were afraid to drive in the snow and it was so cold. The heater in my car was blowing nothing but  cold air.

It was Communion Sunday at our church.

I see on Facebook where Janet and Darrel have returned from their trip to Croatia.

Marilyn, somehow the title of your photo got changed in the poll to "march".  I have no idea how that happened, but it's been corrected now.  Thanks for bringing it to my attention. 

Marilyn, although I only joined my new church two weeks ago, I was told by one parishioner that two weeks previously whilst we were going through a very cold spell that the heating had broken down inside our church when she mentioned how warm and comfortable it was today in our church...
We have been pretty lucky this winter, again for probably the third year running, we never had any snow, well just the odd flutter, but nothing settled in our areas...

Hi everyone.  It is an overcast morning but we are headed up to 73º this afternoon so will be a nice day.  I have several things on my schedule for today including a quick trip to Aldi's to replenish several items including our vegetable supply.  Then I plan on attending my noon meeting unless I am feeling too weary.  I do have a couple of chores that need to be done in the kitchen like grating cheese.  I also need to go around the outside and inside of the house with my bug spray as we are getting some ants in the house.  Scott has today off, as far as I know, so we may see he and our granddaughter later today. 

Jackie, our church gets out at noon so it is the main meal of the day that we have afterwards.  We ate at a Mexican restaurant that we like and Pat was able to get a salad meal that kept her pretty well on her diet.  Glad you are liking your church.  Perhaps you could ask someone to hold your teacup while you take a seat to be more comfortable.  Not only do I talk to myself but often answer myself, if only in my mind.

Carol, around 1980 we had just moved to Georgia and hadn't found a Church yet when a neighbor, who is a Methodist minister, stopped to visit us and invited us to come to his new church that was just starting in a trailer out along a beautiful river.  We did join the Methodist church at that time and we helped get that church started.  We left Georgia after five years to move to D.C. The church grew and a plus $1 million dollar new church building was erected.  They had moved and repaired an old very small country church onto the grounds where we had the trailer and it was there that Stacey got married, which was the first marriage held there.  Unfortunately the marriage didn't last.

Marilyn, glad the snow had melted by the time you went to church.  That was a small turnout.  What is your average attendance? 

Hopefully Janet will say hi today.  I expect they will need a couple of days to rest from the travels back to Kansas. 

Well, it never rains but it pours. 

Saturday morning I changed the thermostat from night to day and.... nothing happened.  I was hoping, of course, that the problem was nothing more than that the recent high winds had blown out the pilot light.  Emergency call to repair company, found out I was only one of many, and help finally arrived a couple of minutes past noon. (boy was I cold & bundled up) Blower was dead.      replacement approximately $600 and not for several weeks.

He managed to get it going with a temporary fix but warned it would last only a couple of days at the most.  So my next call was to a friend from church to ask him to get me a couple of electric heaters.  He did pick up two ceramic heaters and installed them at opposite ends of the trailer, "just in case".  Good thing.  It quit again this morning with room temp only back up as far as 64^o

The Town has received a grant for home repairs and I'm quite sure I qualify for that - for a furnace, water heater and roof.  All are original with the 25 year old trailer.

Meanwhile, I'm being very grateful that the Lord brought me to this church with a "Helpiing Hands" program and wonderful, helpful members.

Jeanne Lee:  Sorry for your heating issues.  I hope everything gets fixed for you at a fair price.  $600 sounds like a lot for fixing - not replacement.    Maybe it will begin to warm up for you very soon ?  We can pray about it.  I am glad you have two heaters in the house so that will help for now. 

When you look for a lost something at least three times - it is time to come to the conclusion that it is really lost.  How can that happen?  Am stupefied. 

Don is back from a lecture - it did not go well.  The speaker had the microphone right next to his lips and almost all in the audience asked questions before the mike could be handed to them - despite instructions at first.  We have seen this happen too often and it is ruining the lectures for a lot of people who cannot hear the questions and the answers. 

Meanwhile, the hummingbirds are happy with three feeders outdoors and more quail is visiting daily.  All this action - it is so exciting! 

Larry we usually average about 30. We are a small congregation.

Hi everyone on a bright and sunny Tuesday morning and we are headed up to about 81º this afternoon.  My main activity for today is to shortly leave to see the podiatrist.  It is about a 25 minute drive to his office.  When I am finished there I will drive down to my son's home to switch cars with him and come back home in my PT Cruiser.  He needs to put his car in the garage and my granddaughter can't drive a shift stick car so they will use our Hyundai until his car is repaired, hopefully by tomorrow evening.  Scott did make the main dish for our dinner last evening and our granddaughter made the lettuce salad to so with it.  We had a nice visit with them. 

Jeanne, sure hope those heaters kept you warm last evening and will serve the purpose until you can get the furnace situation straightened out. 

Carol, too bad the lecture was spoiled in the manner you described. 

Marilyn, your church sounds very much like the one I grew up attending, which was a small country type church.  There were only two churches in our little town and they were Methodist and Christian (Disciples of Christ).  As far as I know the churches are still in holding services. 

Hi everyone.  We have an overcast morning but will again get into the low 70's this afternoon.  Pat is going to attend her Gifts group this morning at Church, something she hasn't done for most of this last year.  While she is doing that I will go to coffee with the men at the cafe.  She may want to get her main meal our after she is through with the Gifts group as I will be having the evening meal with Scott and Jennifer at the Wednesday night dinner at Church.  Then Scott and Jennifer will come out to the house for a little while.  It is nice to live so close and getting to be with them at least once a week.   

Hello!!  Yes, we are home again!  We got home last Tuesday afternoon, very weary.  And I had lots of laundry to wash and lots of mail to sort!  And no email notices from Cp.    While I was praying this morning, I thought about it, so stopped and made myself a note to find you today and catch up--which I just have done.  Good to hear all who are posting are doing well, but sure wish the others would come back and post!

Jeanne, hope you will get help with your trailer repairs!  And that you got the blower repaired, too.

We were awake for over 26 hours coming home  Part of that was because we had much too long a layover in Detroit--over five hours.  By the time we got to Oklahoma City, I felt like a walking Zombie!  We spent the night and drove home the next day.

Beth and John were all right when we got home, but she is always very happy to see her Mom!  It is getting almost impossible to understand anything she tries to say now.  So heart-breaking!

We had a very pleasant three weeks trip.  And on April 7th we will leave for another month!  Then I think we shall stay home for quite some time!  These next trips we booked back to back to save the airfare as well as the wear and tear on us!  We will be going to Italy, Spain and Portugal.    I'm so very thankful we are in good health and still able to travel!

Jackie, it's all right to talk to yourself; and its all right to answer yourself.  But when you start asking, "HUH?" then you have a problem!   

We are having terrible wildfires in our corner of Kansas, whipped by high winds.  So far, over 650,000 acres have burned!  Some towns had to be evacuated.  Over 30 homes have burned and five people have died.  Please pray that the winds cease and we get some much needed rain--or snow!  We will take anything WET!  On the news just now, they said, "This is far from over!"  Fires are so big they can be seen from space!

We had nice weather while in Croatia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Hertzegovina.  There was some rain two days, but we love rain! 

Have you heard from Pat?  I've been praying for her and wondering how she is doing.

So nice to read your postings again Janet

I went to the cancer center with freckles to visit today pone other team was with us. We had a good tim e, the folks are always so happy to see and pet the dogs. I even took her with me to the chiropractor this morning. Now we don't have any more visits until Tuesday next when  we go to Blossom Gulch School to teach the kids about safety and how to care for their own animals this will be with the K-2 grades. We went to the Coos bay head start yesterday.

Hi, friends,
Its so good to hear from all of you through your postings.

This has been a busy week, and yet another appointment tomorrow.

The temp is predicted to rise above 70 tomorrow, then possible rain changing to snow Saturday night. Brrrr!

Y'all have a good day.

Ruth Ann

Well I blinked, and then noticed, there were nine postings since I last made a post....

Larry Hanna....
.....I need to take more advantage of what my church offers, they have other services throughout the week...There is also a village hall a short distance away that does several things such as, ( I have the diary on the website, ) Lady's Friendship Circle - a Crafter group - Community Lunch - Coffee Morning and a Lunch Club...

Jeanne Lee....
....I hope by now your heating thermostat has been sorted, isn't that the thing that happens, if it is going to pack up, it will pack up in winter...

Carol....
....sorry to read the lecture did not go well, seems so many people got let down, and felt rather frustrated...

Marilyn....
.....we too are a small congregation, small, friendly and welcoming...

Larry Hanna....
.....I have gotten a tad lost along the way, who is Scott and Jennifer?....

Janet....
....enjoy your trip to Portugal, I have visited there, especially I enjoyed our river cruise on the Douro River, but not before visiting Oporto - Mateus Palace gardens - and historic Lamego, to name just a few...
That was quite some journeys you took on your recent trips, no wonder you are warn out with the back home travelling...take time for a little rest...
I need to catch up on, who Beth and John are...
Right or wrong, my first thought on wild fires is the survival of our wildlife, the innocent wild animals...Terrible to hear human lives being lost, and homes burnt to the ground, having to start over again...I hope and pray they can and will get the fires under control...

Marilyn....
.....is freckles what we call, a PAT dog, a therapy dog?

Ruth Ann...
....I dont know what your appointment is, but If it is medical, I wish all the best for you, re, your today visit..

Nothing on my today agenda....I am posting at 6.30am, been up a couple of hours already, these hours seem to now be my norm..

It is a beautiful but cooler morning but will warm up throughout the day into the 70's again this afternoon.  I will pick up my friend and we will go to coffee.  I had expected to have the Wisdom group after coffee at the Church but the minister has been called to attend another meeting so that has been cancelled.  I have no particular chores on the agenda for today so expect to have a very restful day.  We should get our car back from our son later this afternoon if they get his car repair finished.  Pat enjoyed her Gifts craft group yesterday but came home exhausted.  We had a nice meal at Church last night and a short visit with Scott and Jennifer.

Janet, glad to see you home safe and sound and glad you checked in.  I hope you and Darrel are getting rested up after that long, long trip home.  It sounds like you had a wonderful trip and now another one on the horizon.  Are you all safe from those terrible fires?  Sorry to hear that Beth continues to fail. It has been several days since I have seen a posting from Pat.

Marilyn, it sounds like you have had a busy schedule with Freckles with more on the way.

Ruth Ann, hope your appointment today goes well and that the snow will stay away from area. 

Jackie, it sounds like trying out some of the village hall activities would be another good way to make new friends and enrich your life to the extent you are able to participate. Scott is our son and Jennifer is our granddaughter, his daughter, who is currently living with him.  I liked your graphic and it is a good reminder of how I should live my life for this day and everyday. 

  Larry Hanna...
...thank you for putting me straight, I should have known the answer to my own question really but...for some  reason I was thinking Scott was the hubby of your darling, now departed Stacey, which only got me more confused when you mention Jennifer...

It seems to be a sunny, dry and glorious weather day here too...our sky is quite blue and clear apart from the odd white faded cloud, but it does look very much like Spring has been sprung early...

That is good to hear Pat enjoyed her craft group, from what a lady friend told me at church last week, it is not that important as to whether we know much about the subject matter of the class just the fact they are a friendly bunch that focus more on a friendly get together, a chat, and maybe having a bit of a laugh...Guess at the end of the day, if we get out to socialise, that must be a plus in our drab indoor existence...even though my top of right leg inside - and groin area has really been coming alive these last couple of days, the movements, the nerves, the involuntary contractions, it has a mind of its own..but no pain...just hard to maneuver that leg...

Larry Hanna....ah yes, now it is all flooding back...if I remember rightly, it was Scott who not long back lost his dear wife...apologies for bringing this all up again...it is good you both have a close bond...

Forever Friends

by Joni Eareckson Tada


"From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live."      Acts 17:26


 
Did you catch that? It's no mistake that you are living in this century, this decade, and this very year. It's no accident that you are residing in your town, living on the street you live, and with the neighbors you see every day. And is your circle of friends just coincidence? No way. God has determined it.
 
Just think. You could have easily been born in another time, another place. Or you could have been raised on the other side of the country
-- think how different your life would be growing up with a whole new set of childhood friends and neighbors.
 
Of all the billions of possibilities, of all the millions of people with whom you could have been best friends, God determined the exact time and place where you should live. When you consider this amazing fact, your friendships take on a new and profound significance. God has a special reason, a unique design in each friendship. He chose to surround your life with these certain and treasured dear ones for good reasons.
 
As Christians, these are the people with whom you will live for eternity, enjoying an even greater dimension of friendship. Because God has placed you together on earth at this time and in this place, you and your friends have a chance to get a head start on God's eternal plan.
 
Father, I stand in awe at Your wisdom and ways. You could have placed me anywhere on this earth, but You determined that I should live here and now. Teach me what this means. Show me Your special design for my friends and family. And thank You that each person You put in my life is precious in Your eyes.

Blessings,

Joni and Friends

Hi Everyone....

I'm so sorry that I've been unable to keep up.   I'm seeing so many doctors right now that I'm finding that difficult and confusing as well to know who I've seen, their news to me and then the next one!

Prednisone is a wonderful drug when needed but so difficult to get off it.  I'm in that situation right now.   I was at 60mg per day when the reduction started and I'm now at 12.5mg per day.  The worst is the weak spells I have so often when I nearly fall and I've had a few terrible falls--one needing stitches in the palm of my hand when I fell taking an empty glass into the kitchen and the glass smashed and my hand was filled with fragments.

I appreciate the prayers and I will try to keep you more informed.

Pat...

Jackie, freckles and I ame members of the Furry friends Therapy Dog Association. So yes she is a Certified Therapy dog. However she is also Certified as my Service Dog, There are a couple of things that she does to help me when I need the help. She has her Therapy dog Vest and her Service Dog Vest and identification
that she wears when we travel or when I take her into stores or restaurants. She goes on vacation with us even to the timeshare where pets are not allowed but Service dogs are. There is a difference betwee, being a Service Dog and a Therapy Dog. But a dog can be both is certified as such.A Service dog has been trained  to perform certain tasks for the owner and the owner has to have a doctor's letter stating that a service dog is needed, and then the dog is registered withe the Americans with Disabilities office.

Pat....it is good seeing a post from you, I have been wondering how you have been....
Oh I do empathise with you over falling when holding a glass, that has been the one thing I am very afraid of doing with my MS walking disability....I do my best to make sure I always have one hand free, and not carry an item in both hands...

Pat, it is very much sounding that you are running around like a headless chicken, so much going on you dont even know what time of day it is, let alone which day......

I will be holding you in my thoughts and prayers that the end of your hospital trips will soon be in sight, and all will soon settle itself...

Marilyn....thank you for the explanation of the differences...I am remembering back to when you brought your Freckles home after the loss of your dog, sorry the name has slipped my mind...but I can't recollect you mentioning that Freckles was your service dog.... was she already trained at the time, or did the training come later? I am aware these dogs do a marvellous job, if job is the correct word...
...............................................
Forever Friends....
..thank you for the reminder....

...yes so many times I have brought this subject up in my home, re, what if we had been born in one of these war torn and troubled countries we see and hear so much of on our tv news...how lucky we are to be born in the country of where we are....it could so much have been different...we are - were, truly blessed...someone up above is definitely watching over us and looking out for us...

Yes I would like God to teach me what this means, why was I born where I was? a safer country, what is my purpose in life? I have yet to find out, nor have I achieved it...so many questions...

Long day today!  Darrel had a 10:45 appointment in Hutchinson, which is 3 1/2 hours from us, this morning.  We left home at 6:30 and got there a bit after 10.  Checked in and only waited about three minutes before they called us back.  And we were walking out before the actual time for his appointment came!  We drove to Yoder (only six miles from Hutch) and ate at the big Amish restaurant, then headed back home.  And we got home at 3:30,  for which I was thankful, as our group of crafters was having a birthday party for one of our members--a surprise one!  I was glad not to miss it.  And as soon as I finish this post, I am taking myself off to bed! 

Jackie, Beth is my daughter who has NF and MS.  While we were on our way home, one of the nurses called and told me Beth isn't doing well, which I had already observed for myself.  She is losing weight, not wanting to eat, refusing to swallow her meds; yet she says she is okay.  I will go tomorrow and spend whatever time I need to try to find out what's wrong.  It is almost impossible  to understand her speech now, I have to use the alphabet board I made her and find the letters I think she is trying to say.  I cannot let it get me down, even though it is so heartbreaking.  But I must stay strong--for her, for Darrel and for John.  (her husband)

Pat!  So good to see a post from you!  I'm so sorry you have had and still are having such a rough time.  Wish I could come and stay with you a while, take care of you and cheer you up.  We could have a jolly good visit!  But, duty calls me to stay here.  Maybe before too long you will feel up to visiting Kansas.

The wildfires around are so tragic!  Many cattle were lost, pastures and hay burned, fences burned, along with houses and barns.  Three beautiful young people were lost while trying to rescue cattle.  Praise God, these past two or three days the winds haven't been blowing, so most of the fires are out now.  But over 1000 square miles of Kansas has burned!

Hello to all of you, and I will be back!  Good night!  Sweet dreams!!

Jackie Freckles wasn't my service Dog back when Happy Passed away in 20104, bShe was obedience trained when I got her and I have worked training her since then to be my Service Dog,  When  I am having one of those darn dizzy spe,lls she helps me get to a place to sit then gets on my lap and kkeep me focused  un til I can once again walk.

Janet...
...thank you so much in your explanation as to who Beth is....Firstly how sad I am to hear she too is dealing with this terrible debilitating disease - Illness of MS...I for one know only too well what it does to ones body.. I was only diagnosed with PPMS just coming up to two years now, at the age of 64...My heart goes out to you and Beth, I pray for her that she doesn't let this illness beat her, it is tough, that I am aware of, but with Gods help, both she, and I, will get by....I am more sorry to hear she is dealing with another illness, one I had to look up, as wasn't sure what it was...
Janet I pray for your strength whilst caring for Beth, this cant be easy for a dedicated mother...

Marilyn...
...what a wonderful companion dog you have in Freckles, oh yes, now I remember, Happy was your baby back then, back in the days I had my babies, Megan and Benji, sadly they have now both departed this world too...I still terribly miss them as they were my life...

Hi everyone. Good to see so many interesting postings since I posted yesterday.  We may get a little rain this morning and then partly cloudy the rest of the day but still getting into the lower 70's.  The housekeeper will be here this morning and Pat mentioned going over to the nursing home near by as she volunteered to check with them to see if they could use some of the care blankets the Gifts group has been making.  We will also visit a friend who is there that is 95 years old and usually sits at the same table we do on Wednesday night dinners.  We have also decided to go out to eat today as we often do on the day the housekeeper is here. 

Jackie, no apologies necessary as I know it gets difficult to keep all of the associations of names with people.  Scott and Stacey were siblings and Stacey had been married many years ago but the marriage only lasted for a couple of years. They had no children.  Scott did lose his wife a couple of years ago.   Jennifer is the mother of our four great grandchildren but does not live with them as they are with their father.  Families can become quite messy sometimes.  Wonderful friendships can be made by participating in small groups and hope you will find one or two that interest you as it helps get our minds off ourselves, at least I have found that to be true.  Also laughter is a very good medicine.

Thanks for the devotional thoughts you posted and your following posting.  Glad to see you are being able to get that dosage of Prednisone down.  It sounds like you are getting good medical care. 

Marilyn, I don't think you had really mentioned much about you training Freckles as your service dog.  Glad you have that assistance when needed. 

Janet, a bit unusual to get into a doctor's appointment early.  Was the meal good at the Amish restaurant?  So sorry that Beth is not doing well and hope you were able to communicate with her today. You certainly have been a tower of strength for her these many years.  Glad those wildfires in Kansas are or about out. 

Larry she assists me with more that the vertigo, getting older isn't fun as you know. Besides the Vertigo I have COPD, Complete Spinal Arthritis,  That is why I stay so active. If I were to not be so active, I think I would be way too stiff to even walk up the3 hill to the corner.

I forgot to say Hi PAT, sorry you have been having so much trouble and having to take Prednisone for so long. I know there can be  some pretty harsh side effects from lengthy use of that drug. My mom had to take it for years and her boned got so week she would break ribs just  coughing. Her skin so thin that her legs would weep fluid. I assume as will every drug that the effects are different for  anyone who has to take them.

Hi everyone on a beautiful and sunny Saturday morning.  It is chilly this morning and we expect to get to only 64 degrees today.  The forecast has changed drastically for the next several days with much cooler weather and even one night expected to get down to 28 degrees.  I hope that won't happen but only time will tell.  We did go out to eat late yesterday afternoon at Texas Roadhouse and had a great meal as usual.  I cam home and watched golf and then after the news I watched the Duke-North Carolina Basketball game which Duke ended up winning.  I plan on watching more of the same today as really have nothing on my schedule for today.  After several days I was finally able to talk with my best friend who broke his hip and is now is rehab.  The medicines were causing him to see bricks and stones on the wall of his room that were not there. 

Marilyn, it sounds like Freckles can be a big help to you.  You are wise to keep moving although I expect it is a challenge for you. 

Larry it is kind of a challenge for me, I also have to see the chiropractor a few times a month for a tune up when I start hurting so bad I can barely put one foot in  front of the other.

We did our weekly Walmart run this morning it started to rain just as we finished ht shopping. I now have a loaf of bread ready for the oven and will need to fix lunch shortly. I was so hoping to get Freckles out to walk with me  so the rain better stop pretty soon.

I didn't sleep we;ll last night. I went to Music practice for Sunday service and was really belting out the songs so much that my throat was burning by the time I got home. it bothered me all night so this morning I   ate a  spoonful of Raw Wild flower local honey and let that just kind of slide down my throat. It really helped to added with a cup of hot coffee. It is almost  all better now so I should be able to sing tomorrow. without belting it out, Pastor can just the sound for me. He brought a whole set of Gaither CD's that he wants me to chose songs from  to do specials. The CD's also have th lyrics that wil go up on the screen which is a big help.

Soon to be leaving for church, a tad longer service today as it will be Holy Communion...I wish you all a blessed day...

Hi everyone.  We have had rain throughout the night and it is to continue until about noon today.  This will be a chilly day for us only getting into the low 50's.  We are planning on going to Sunday School and Church and then will probably go to Ruby Tuesday's to take advantage of their two hamburgers for one price.  They have good hamburgers. Nothing else on the schedule for the rest of the day other than to rest and to watch more college basketball and the end of the Golf Tournament in Florida. Yesterday I was finally able to get the final information I needed for my income taxes and finished them up, filed them, and have gotten acceptance notices from both the Federal and State.  So that is done for another year.  I did watch a lot of basketball and a little of the golf yesterday afternoon. 

Marilyn, sure glad that Chiropractor is helpful to you.  That loaf of freshly baked bread sure sounds good.  I love fresh bread.  I hope your voice recovered overnight and you are able to sing at your Church service this morning. 

Jackie, nice to see you have gotten out to Church and been able to take Holy Communion.  Hope you have a good day health wise.

At some point the local Vicar will be popping round to my home to see me, I am assuming this is a usual courtesy - homecall for all new parishioners...This morning I did ask him a question after the service, and whilst they were serving out our teas..thankfully he is very easy to talk with, and has a warming sense of humour, he answered my question....As our service touched upon our spirit, I wanted to know the difference between our spirit and our soul as I am a firm believer in that our sole leaves our body when we pass, and life carries on, but not in the way that we know it......

Jackie It sound like you found a great church home.

The singing went will this morning we sag I'll Fly Away,. Debbie on Guitar singing and Pastor on his Baritone Ukulele. It was a fun song to do and the people loved it. Then we sang the Senior version of Jesus Loves Me.

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I still am not getting my email notifications.    But I can find you anyway!

I have been sitting here for two hours deleting emails! Ugh, how I dislike that chore.  I should be more diligent about doing it daily, I know.

Beth was really sick, well I don't know how else to describe it, though she denied feeling bad.  On Friday when I went in, her face was gray and bloated, her eyes were dull, and she couldn't close her mouth.  Her tongue would lift with each breath and she seemed to be laboring for breath, but when I asked her if she were having trouble breathing, she said no.  I was there most of the day; finished reading her and John a book, and her faithful friend Mindi (from Holcomb) came to see her, and Beth actually smiled when Mindi walked in!  By the time I went home around 4 PM, she was looking a lot better, and looked pretty good yesterday, too.  Today John is sick, so they didn't come to church, but a dear friend told me she was going up to sing to Beth this afternoon, so I met her there and we sang to her until Lou Ann's fingers got sore from playing her guitar.  When Beth was in the hospital all those times, she always wanted me to sing to her.  (She's the only one who ever asks me to sing!)    Then I fed Beth some homemade ice cream before I left, as that was all she wanted for supper.  Lou Ann and I prayed with her before Lou left, too.  And promised to come back often to sing for her.  Music soothes the spirit and speaks to the heart in special ways.

They are having a surprise 80th birthday party for my sister Shirley on April 1st, but we cannot go because we had already promised to go to Manhattan, where Abby is in college, with her parents, for Abby's end of term dance recital.  They already bought our tickets and reserved our room.  We will go visit Shirley later, at least that's my hope.  Another time I wish I could be in two places at one time!

Our wonderful chiropractor is returning to work after an absence of 12 weeks, and we are so happy!  We both need a tune-up so badly!  He was out for a major shoulder surgery.  He says it is still terribly painful but the surgeon released him to go back to work, and he really needs the money!  He is raising two kids by himself, and has staff to pay, plus rent and all that stuff.  I just hope he doesn't re-injure that shoulder!

Well, before you have to turn the page, I will stop and head to bed!  Good night!

Hi everyone.  It is another overcast and chilly day here in South Carolina with the prospect of rain throughout the day.  So far we have had no rain.  The only thing on my schedule for today is to attend my Monday noon meeting.  We did attend Sunday School and Church yesterday.  There were a lot of vacancies perhaps due to a cold and rainy morning as well as the change to day-light savings.  Last evening I watched a couple of the "Little Big Shots" program that features little or young children.  It is hosted by Steve Harvey and is an enjoyable and nice program.  He always talks with the little ones and some of their answers are precious. 

Jackie, glad you like your Vicar and find him easy to speak to.  Our minister stopped in and visited with us after we first visited our new church and it was an enjoyable visit.

Marilyn, I have never seen that version of "Jesus Loves Me".  I think we adults love this hymn as much as the children, at least I do.  Glad your voice was OK yesterday.

Janet, sorry to see that Beth wasn't doing well. There is nothing likes a mother's voice to brighten one's day and glad you could spend the hours with her on Friday and that she seemed better when you left.  I hope John will soon be feeling better.  I bet your chiropractor will be busy after such a long layoff.  Shoulder surgery for someone in that profession sounds really bad as he has to use his arms all day long.   

Marilyn...
...they are a great group at the church I now go to and we do have a good sense of humour as do some of our speakers so, your " Jesus Loves Me..." would certainly go down as a hit...

Janet...
...as one MS sufferer to another, ( your daughter, ) my heart goes out to Beth, as although I have many MS symptoms,( and of that, there are several,) I do not at present have speech nor swallowing problems, but in the past when I attended an MS Therapy Centre in the region of where I previously lived, I did on occasion sit at the round table with one or two who did, others like me, had other MS problems..This is it with MS, it is so so unpredictable and our symptoms can change in the flick of an eye....I think Beth maybe putting on a brave face, bless her, or could she be in denial? it is so easy to push this illness aside, I know I have tried it...You are a good mother and I know you must feel helpless at times as there is not much you can do, but just to be there for her, as and when her times become tough, and she admits it, to not only you, but to herself...

Oh Janet, if only we could split ourselves in two..be in two places at the same time...ha ha, maybe one day it will be possible, but not in our lifetime ehh...

Larry Hanna...
...I wonder if your programme is the same as a programme that has come on our tv, called.."Big Star's Little Star..." where they ask a set of questions about their parent, granddad who is in the studio while they are comfy backstage, and the family member has to guess what the children are-were referring to...

Well after enduring four months of gum infection and tooth abscess, re, my only remaining bottom left tooth which happens to be a molar, I was told today at my first dental appointment ( a private paying dentist  that comes highly recommended ) that the gum -tooth cant be saved and needs to come out...I am also back there again tomorrow to see their hygienist, then once the tooth is out I will also need a filling on the right side, oh joy...

Forgot to mention that last Sunday at church when we were having our teas, I got talking to the lady ( although when she told me her name, Pat, I didn't connect it was she ) who runs one of the activities that take place down the road at their village club, when all of a sudden she whispered to me " and sometimes we even play some bingo " she said it in humour as if to say, our God might not approve...I caught on and we both had a smile and a childish giggle...

This morning I have an early appointment back at the same dentist I went to yesterday, this time to see the hygienist, this is to take place before they take my molar tooth out..I have no clue as to how she is going to work around my gum disease and abscess...anyway I leave it in the hands of the experts, I trust them...

Hi everyone.  Our rain started mid-afternoon yesterday and continued throughout the night but does appear to be over now.  During the night they broadcast a freeze warning for us but pretty sure we did not get to freezing at our home as was in the 40's when I arose this morning.  It will stay chilly today.  This will be a fairly busy day as Pat has a doctor's appointment at 10:15 this morning, then we plan on getting out main meal of the day out and finally finishing up at COSTCO for some shopping.  It is time to restock our meat supply in the freezer as well as getting several other things.  That will be enough activity for one day.  I may watch the beginning of the NCAA Basketball Tournament this afternoon.

Jackie, so sorry that you are having all of those mouth problems and glad you have gotten to the dentist.  The meetings I go to our Al-Anon meetings.  These are support group meetings where we share our experience, strength and hope with others who are suffering with the effects of alcoholism or drug addition that our loved ones are or have gone through.  It is a wonderful program that I didn't find until I was 65 years old but have been very active in for the last 11 years.  It is a program similar to AA in terms of the 12 steps of the program but for family members or friends. 

I am back from my morning dental appointment, she was very pleasant and have to say, very thorough..She has asked me back in three months, I have made my next appointment with her...I go back in two weeks for my infected tooth to be taken out with the same dentist I saw yesteray, then next on the dentist agenda is a filling...

Sadly on the way there and whilst driving through our nearest small village we passed some people dressed in their finest black clothes so I knew they were walking and on there way to a funeral, I was right, as passing the church a few yards further the hearse car was sitting outside...On our journey back they were on there way out...which got me thinking that this is the same village that sadly last year a little boy was supposedly murdered by his step daddy, It made me wonder how the local community felt when it was his funeral, as it was only a short distance in a group of three homes next door to another smaller church where he lived, we actually do drive past the house...and this got me wondering and feeling so sad that neighbours within the tiny village were so close yet so far and unaware of what was happening and had they of known may have saved this little boy...It must weigh so heavy on so many villagers mind that, he as good as lived next door to a church, but sadly even God couldn't have save him.....

Larry Hanna....all the best on Pat's Dr Appointment..it is so much nicer when we manage to get an early appointment....

I have never been to any of those Al Anon meetings although in hindsight that has always been, was, and I am sure still is, one of my daughters problems, which started way back in her teens. She is now approaching 48, and is now a grandma herself...This of course is part of why the two of us are now estranged... Larry, I know AA, ( is there a difference, as I always assumed the two meant the same, just abbreviated? ) do marvellous help and support, I take it, it is  Scott and not you who is in need of it, I vaguely do remember a few years back you mentioning something like this once, but on our sister forum...

Today, we are most grateful and blessed - I spent over 7 hours in the nearest ER yesterday - everything is alright.  It was so cold with air conditioning overhead - thankful to be in my own bed last night.  There will be a lot of visitors here in the coming three weeks so there is a lot to do, just checking in here for reports  .

How is the weather - for those on the east coast?  We are unusually hotter now - summer is upon Arizona.  Still, the nights are cooling and windows are open.   We wake in the morning to check out what the pesky javelinas have moved overnight.  The large block of quail seed in always in a new place and there are three solar lights rolled around too.  I should leave a note for the javelinas - there is a jerky made out of critters like you!  Do you think they will care? 

 

Pat:  hope and prayers for your medical situation.  May all the physicians talk to each other so they design something best for YOU. 

Janet:  How sweet for you to sings to Beth. 

Hi everyone.  We have a beautiful sunny morning here in South Carolina although it was 36 degrees when I got up this morning and apparently some areas around here got below freezing as my weather app said it was 30 degrees.  We changed our plans yesterday as after the doctor's appointment and going to eat lunch at Tin Lizzy's we decided to call it a day and came home to rest.  So today we plan on doing our shopping at Costco this morning.  This evening is our usual Wednesday night dinner at Church and it will have a St. Patrick's theme with Irish stew, cooked cabbage, Irish soda bread, salad and dessert. Scott and Jennifer then will come out to the house for a little while as far as I know now. 

Jackie, glad your dental appointment went well and you like your dentist.  We try to make all of our appointments in the mornings as it works best for us.  I plan on sending you an email where I will try to provide clarification of the difference between AA and Al-Anon.

Carol, was glad to read that things were alright after your long visit to the ER.  Those long waits in the ER seem to be the norm anymore.  Sure hope all of those visitors are going to be too much for you two.  In regard to Pat, she is now in a holding period to see if our health insurance will allow an MRI on her back and if not she will have a CT Scan. 

Winter isn't over yet.     We got about 16 inches of snow from yesterday's storm.  And with temperatures in the mid- to upper-20's it's a wet heavy snow.  Great for "packing" snowballs    but not for snow blowing or shoveling and it looks like that will be the range of temperature until Sunday or maybe even Monday.  I sit here and thank the Lord that I don't have to do a thing except wait for someone else to shovel me out. 

And then I ask Him how should I pray for the homeless people who don't have a warm dry house and plenty of warm clothes and blankets.  And I hope they have all been able to get into the special shelters being provided by the local cities and towns for this kind of situation.

I got a card from my Medigap insurance that I need to attend an Orientation Meeting that is 90 minutes long next week. I just hope my rate doesn't go up with them bill that they are trying to pass in DC. I saw that the seniors may have to pay 750% more than they are now I do hope that doesn't happen. I like this plan that pays My chiropractor  and the Silver and Fit program too. I am not sure that this president is going to be a good thing for this country.

I am taking Keith to the eye Dr. today for Glaucoma testing, then he will need to get over to DMV to take those tests again.

Hi everyone.  We finally got down to 32 degrees last night and the mid-50's will be out high today.  We did get to Costco yesterday and did a lot of restocking of the refrigerator.  The meal at church last night was tasty and then we had a nice visit with Scott and Jennifer. 

This is coffee day with the men and I will drop off at the cafe the man I pick up on Thursday and go on to the hospital to have routine blood drawn.  My doctor's appointment was moved up from next Wednesday to tomorrow morning so must get the blood work done today.  After I return the man to his retirement home I will stop at Walmart to pick up prescriptions for Pat and get a couple of vegetable items we need although may make a very brief stop at Aldi's. 

We don't have the Wisdom Group at the Church this morning as the minister has once again been called away for a meeting.  I am looking forward to watching a lot of college basketball as the game start today a little before 1 pm. 

Marilyn, I find it hard to believe that your health care costs could increase by 750% in one year.  I do hope Keith's appointment yesterday resulted in the outcome desired.

Hi everyone on another sunny but chilly morning. Happy St. Patrick's Day.  My family line for the Hanna name comes for a man who migrated from Ireland.  I have a doctor's appointment this morning and then plan on watching a lot of the basketball games, as I did yesterday.  That will be my exciting day.

Good Friday afternoon Christian friends....not much happening in my corner of the world, so popped in to wish you a trouble-free, carefree and health-free day, now is that possible?
As long as our God is by our side, my faith says yes, so it must be so.....

Happy St. Patrick's Day to you all!  I've been told I have some Irish blood, but not sure of that, and haven't wanted to spend $100 for the test to find out, as what difference would it make, anyway? 

I am so tired of having to find new ways to get into this site!  WHY can't I just get the email notifications like I used to get?

I am needing to get a new computer, as this one is very old in computer years and won't accept updates anymore.  I don't want to lost the stuff I have on it.  Grandkids think I should get a Mac, so it will communicate with my iPhone and iPad.  So I guess I will grit my teeth, spend the money and get one.  Surely the learning curve on it won't be more than I can handle.  Maybe more than I want, though. 

The Care home was setting up for a nice St. Paddy's Day dinner for the residents, and had it all decorated so nicely with the green tablecloths and shamrocks.  And they were having corned beef, too. 

I met Grandson Curtis for lunch and had such a nice visit with him.  We don't often get a chance to visit when it's just us.  So that was special for me today.

Carol, sorry about that long visit at Emergency!  Do hope all is well now.  I do not like to be cold, either!

I need to write something for my sister Shirley's 80th birthday, and have Curtis help me make a video.  And here he is now!

One of the younger cats chewed through the power cord for the router last week, I had another cord from the old router and he chewed through that today, so I am using my cell phone for a hot spot to be on Wi Fi .

Freckles and I are participating in a Circus with all the other Furry f?riend teams at on of the residential car Facilities today. We will have our dogs all dressed up for St. Patric ks day and have them do  the tricks that they know. The Care home usually makes  Organic  grain free treats for the dogs and cookies for their humans, We were there last at Halloween.

Yesterday we went to the Hospital to visit the patients and give them some doggy therapy. they are always so glad to see us., Especially if we have dressed up the dogs in their finery like hats, socks and  scarves. Freckles doesn't wear socks, her legs are too skinny for anyone other than babies socks and she will n ot let me pout anything on her feet or even mess with her feet. However she is very good at the groomer when the trim her toenails.

Well I have gone on enough about Freckles and my adventures for today.

Hi everyone.  It is an overcast 55 degree morning but headed into the low 70's this afternoon.  The only thing on my calendar is to make a quick trip at Aldi's and then go on to Walmart to pick up the online order that Pat placed.  I will take it easy the rest of the day and watch some of the NCAA College basketball games.  There have been some really good games so far and some that were not competitive at all. 

Jackie, I liked your graphic and hope you also had a nice day yesterday and the same today.

Janet,  I agree with you on the DNA test. The way I get to CP each day is I have an icon (and a bookmark would work the same way) set to this setting:  http://www.christianphotographers.com/community/index.php?board=2.0  .  This brings you to the page for "Thoughts for the Month" and you should see a little "new" emblem.  Click on it and you will go to the message following your last posting.  You can copy the link and go to your desktop and right click in an empty space and then select new and and Shortcut and paste the link in the space for the URL and on the second link identify it as CP.  I hope this helps and if you need assistance just give me a call and I will walk you thought the process.  You can call me on FaceTime from your iPhone.  Nice you could spend some one on one time with Curtis.

Marilyn, it is frustrating when we find our cat has chewed through something.  I had that happen with a set of ear buds I had left on the bed.  Our cat also left teeth marks in our aluminum blinds in the lower slats.  I figured I would need to get them repaired when we sold but fortunately that was not requested.  I bet the dogs in the Circus were really cute.  Did you take pictures?

I didn't take pictures this year but some were taken. I did get a new power cord for the router at Radio Shack, which is  closing, the store was almost empty the only thins left were the various parts is cables, plugs etc.

Music practice was fun+ last night. We just kind of did what everr came to someones mind to sing in  addition to what will be sung on Sunday. We will be having our St Patrick's luncheon after church tomorrow.

Hi everyone.  The sun is coming up on a clear day after an overcast day yesterday.  We will only get into the mid-60's today.  Pat had a rough night trying to find a comfortable way to sleep and has decided to not go to Sunday School and Church with me this morning.  After church I will stop at Walmart and pick up the grocery order that was suppose to be ready yesterday but wasn't when I got there at our assigned time.  My guess is that the employee responsible for getting the orders together probably had not shown up for work Friday night.  I will get something to bring home for our main meal.  I enjoyed the basketball games I watched in the afternoon and early evening and look forward to some more good games today. 

I read all the posting late last evening so will limit my comments today. 

Happy Sunday!  This site would not take my log-in for several days and today - it works

One of my brothers came for a short visit yesterday - he drove an RV and pulled a vehicle from Washington - Chelan to be precise.  He is a volunteer fireman so will most likely be working this season but this year is more driving a truck with supplies, etc.

Speaking of fires, one son had to use a hose and help a neighbor with a field fire fairly close.  It is so dry, hot and windy - just south of Denver.  We have a ravine in the back of our house and so glad a fire department is about a  mile away. 

Still recuperating for all the visiting friends and relatives and more to come we will have to go home to rest.  Don has a long VA appointment tomorrow - it is about 20 degrees above normal temps here now so that is not what we are used to at home. 

Janet:  Take care of yourself.

Larry:  So sorry that Pat is having problems with sleeping comfortably.  She and I could be sewing or chatting at night time.  Maybe.   

Hi everyone.  The day has started out beautifully.  I slept in this morning until after 8 am, something I very seldom do.  I was so tired when I got home from Church yesterday that I put my sub in the refrigerator and had it later in the afternoon after resting for two hours plus.  Walmart did have our order ready for pickup yesterday.  I did watch some really good basketball games and now see that South Carolina beat Duke so will go on in the Tourney.  They played too late to stay up and watch them in the win.  Today I plan on attending my noon meeting and then at 4 pm Pat has an MRI if she can stand to lay on the table long enough.  Tonight is our monthly men's meeting at Church but I have decided to not attend.  We will likely eat out tonight after the MRI.

Carol, short visits are nice aren't they in comparison to long visits.  Glad you got to visit with your brother.  Having a fire close to a person's home would be very frightening.  Hope Don's appointment doesn't totally exhaust him today.  You all stay cool. 

It's spring today!  And for at least a couple of days it will feel like it with temperatures in the mid to upper 40's.  Then of course, as normal, it will be back to low 20's for a couple of days.  But at least this time of year it will continue to get warmer.  Until it gets to "hot" and I complain about that.   

My furnace has a new blower and my church is paying 2/3 of the cost.  One more blessing from a Heavenly Father who is looking out for me.   

Chatting with a friend today and she said so many came to her birthday party that she could not hear a word anyone said.  Full house - she is withing walking distance here and we were wise to skip her party.

Larry:  Best to Pat as she has an MRI today.  Don has a procedure at the VA (other end of town) later this afternoon.  Great that you were able to watch the games. 

Off to make more Lemon Bread and Banana Bread- lemons are so plentiful around here and they  are from a friend's tree. 


 

Hi everyone.  I am fine but am running late and I want to go and see if I can find a new easy chair.  If I wait I won't have the energy later today.  I will be back.

Just checking in - we sat and star-gazed last night.  What a wonder!

This was a nice morning to get out to shop and this afternoon it is going to get into the 80's again.  My shopping trip was successful and after sitting in probably 20 different recliners I found the one that fit my neck just right.  A week from tomorrow it will be delivered.  It is leather and has the motorized recline feature rather than the lever.  We are giving the chair I am replacing to our granddaughter's boyfriend who just purchased a home and has little furniture.  Our granddaughter is coming out this evening to fix dinner for us and it is much appreciated. 

Pat was able to tolerate the MRI yesterday afternoon but said she know has a good idea of what a sausage feels like being in that MRI tube with no room left over.  We did eat out afterwards and went to Pizza Hut and got a visit a few minutes with our son as they were not very busy.  Looking forward to a restful rest of the day.

Hello, Friends.  This has been a tough day.  Beth is not doing well, is losing weight rapidly, already down 35# and they wanted me to come in and discuss a feeding tube.  I went yesterday to talk to her about it.  I told her it needs to be her decision.  Not mine.  Not John's.  Hers.  And after reading the material they gave me, I don't really see a lot of advantage to having one, and several dangers.  She will try to decide by tomorrow.

In the meantime, John is very sick.  He's losing weight, and is so thin he doesn't have any to spare.  He has a lot of trouble with his stomach, and some other things besides.  I have been begging him to go to a doctor, but he won't.  He gets colds often, too, and his color is just awful.  What to do?  What to do?  In desperation, I wrote an email to his eldest sister this afternoon, so I hope she answers.

Since both of them are in very fragile state, we decided to cancel those two trips we had booked back to back, as we really are concerned about being gone for an entire month right now.  Thank God, we do have the trip insurance, so won't lose our money, except for the insurance part.

I'm sorry to be a gloomy Gussie tonight.  I'm beat, and headed to bed now.  Yes, at 7:21 PM.  Goodness.But it's necessary if I am to keep going--and I can't stop.  Too many depending on me.

Janet:  This time is so stressful for you and Darrel - just know that many others are praying for you and your family.  If anyone asks you "what can I do" - let them help as it will make them feel better and it may ease a moment in your lives. 

It is another beautiful morning but will only get into the low 70's this afternoon.  We had a severe thunderstorm last night but we needed the rain.  I was pretty useless yesterday and guess buying the recliner was as much excitement as I could take.  I spent most of the rest of the day laying down.  Our granddaughter did fix a delicious chicken dish for us along with a vegetable and salad.  Today Pat is going to attend her craft group at Church and while she is there I will go on down for coffee at the cafe.  She did get the report on her MRI and I could understand enough of it to know that her back is not in good shape. 

Janet, I am glad that Beth can make her own decision on the feeding tube.  Believe me I pretty much understand the difficult days ahead for you.  I found if I turned it over to God to help me through the day it really helped during those difficult times.  Sorry to learn that John is also very ill and have to wonder if he refuses to see the doctor because he wants to spend as much time as possible with Beth at this point.  I will be praying for you all.

Carol, your comment about letting others help is so sound. 

Janet, you are right that you need all the rest you can get.  It is much more draining when a loved one suffers than when it is one's self and you're no help to anyone if you get sick.  The advice to accept help from those who offer with "What can I do?" is indeed sound advice, as difficult as it is for someone as independent as you are. 

We know God is always in charge, although it is so difficult to "let go and let God".  I pray you will find the strength and peace to do just that.  Remember, God loves you and so do we.

Awww.... Janet, I'm so sorry that you are going through this with both Beth and John.  I hope that his sister writes back to you soon and that she'll be a good help. 

I will be praying for you all in this situation.  I'm so sorry.... 

Janet....my heart goes out to you, your Beth, and to John, so much issues all going on at the same time, if you are not careful Janet, this will make YOU ill yourself...As an MS sufferer myself I can fully understand what you are witnessing from your Beth, and how you can feel so helpless, but you are not helpless, you support her as and when, to the best possible way you can, and believe you me, that is all the assurance your Beth is needing...

I may have my medical issues but, on this gloriously sunny morning, ( even though I haven't ventured out into it ) I have to be truly thankful that I have managed to reach yet, another Birthday.....I just hope and pray this time next year I am here to witness the sun shining and the birds singing outside, like I am today....I have now outlived both my parents, my father by just six months...Our God surely must have a purpose for me, as I have yet to know what that purpose is...but hey, I am still here... but I am fully aware my type of PPMS will get worse...

Janet I am praying for our family situation. I know the heartache it bring  when it is one of your children who is suffering and there is nothing you can do to stop the suffering.  I too am going through a situation with Gilber and family.  It is heartbreaking. I am over 200 miles away and wish I could be there with my son.

Been glued to our breaking tv news for the last three hours, another suspected terrorist attack....

Marilyn....prayers go out to you also, I cant imagine what is must be like being separated of so many miles away, when all you really want is to be there with that person and giving them a hug...

Larry Hanna...so sorry to hear Pat's MRI scan report does not read well...

It's been a long day, but not as stressful as yesterday.  I had a follow-up appointment with the eye specialist who removed the little cancer from my eye, which meant a trip to Garden City.  They were swamped and we had to wait over two hours for a five minute appointment.

But while we were doing our shopping, the Care Home called to tell me that Beth is being taken over to the hospital to have a Doppler scan of her right leg/foot, as that foot is very swollen and painful, and they suspect blood clots.  AND---drum roll!!---she told me Beth had eaten 100% of her lunch, made up of pureed foods!  .  We had talked to her about that yesterday and she promised to try the pureed foods, after they told her they wouldn't give her the pre-made, frozen ones, but would puree the fresh homemade stuff for her!  What a relief that is!  I know she realized she was in danger of dying if she doesn't get the nutrition she needs, and the literature they gave us sounds like a tube can cause as many problems as it can help.  So if she continues to eat, she will not have to face that decision.  I stopped by when we got back to town and went in to see her.  She looked SO much better, so ....satisfied!  I said, "It feels good to have your tummy full, doesn't it?" and she agreed.  Poor girl, she has been HUNGRY!

In desperation, I wrote an email to John's sister and told her how sick he's been and how often, and that he hasn't seen a doctor since he moved her nearly two years ago!  His other sister called me today and I filled her in more.  She told me on FB that she had called John.  I asked if he agreed to see a doctor and she said she had begged and cried, so she hoped so!  There is more to his story, we are really afraid for him if he doesn't get help soon.  His sister said, "He's a stubborn man!"  No kidding!

Carol, thank you for the advice re accepting help--and I promise to do that!  I'm really thankful for the gal who cleans for us a couple hours a week.

Thank you all so much for your concern and your prayers.  This is a safe and caring place to talk, and I love and appreciate all of you so much.

Larry, I just now saw your offer of help to put something on my desktop to help me find this place easier.  Thanks so much!  I will wait and get you to help me put it on my new computer, which is supposed to arrive tomorrow!

Again, I'm beat, and heading to bed.  G'night all!

Janet.....quoting: she told me Beth had eaten 100% of her lunch..." that is music to my ears, good news indeed...and quoting:  I said, "It feels good to have your tummy full, doesn't it?" and she agreed.  Poor girl, she has been HUNGRY!.." again thank the Lord, she is now not in denial over her lack of eating...

Sorry to also hear you spent part of yesterday with your specialist removing " the little cancer from your eye.." I hope and pray all was successful...

Now if only we, or someone could break the stubbornness of John...

Hi everyone.  It looks like it is going to be another nice day but getting only into the low 60's.  I plan on picking up medicine this morning at Walmart on my way to get my friend to take to coffee.  After I take him home I plan on going back to the church for the Wisdom group meeting.  I have a couple of chores to do in the kitchen if I have any energy left after a full morning.

I have a neighbor across the street from me whose home is under contract and the neighbors on one side of me listed their home yesterday.  I think they will probably be moving back to Texas where they have a home.  At least that is what he told me sometime ago if he decided to retire from his job as a nuclear engineer at the Savannah River Project.  They have only been here a little over a year.  I will hate to see both families leave as they are good neighbors.

I almost forgot that the college basketball playoffs continue today so know what I will be doing this afternoon and this evening. 

Jeanne, you stated the situation very well in that I think most parents would gladly take on the ails of our children if we could and there comes a time when one should let others help us out over those tough times. 

Jackie, a belated Happy Birthday wish to you.  I don't keep an  eye on the calendar for such events so am often a little late with my good wishes but they are no less sincere.  I hope you enjoyed a wonderful day.  Of course God has a purposes for your life one of which is sharing a bit of your time with us.  Numerous folks in S&F's have been missing you and asking if you are OK.  I hope you will continue too post there as you have many friends.  I guess no country is now safe from the terrorist attacks.  How our world has changed since 9/11.

Marilyn, is Gilbert getting worse?  You haven't said much about him that I remember other than your visit to he and his family at Christmas time. 

Janet, glad yesterday wasn't as stressful for you as Tuesday had been and that Beth is getting some nutrition.  Sure hope she isn't suffering with blood clots.   Was the cancer in the eye or around it?  Hope that wasn't a painful procedure.  Glad you heard back for John's family but there is probably little they can do other than encourage him to seek medical assistance.  You can't help someone who won't help themselves. What kind of new computer are you getting? 

Larry Hanna....oh, I haven't left S & Fs, I am there every day, just post elsewhere,....I have to come check on news of Joan, I have been in and out so many times....I just cant comprehend how these last couple of weeks have panned out.....I know if Joan was shown a " penguin " yes a penguin, I know that would work its magic, she so loves anything penguin...Larry, you may have noticed I posted a card under  the " birthdays " heading, as we seem to have lost our "Tranquil Cove " which may have been a better place to have homed the card for Joan..

Sorry to hear of the possibility of losing two sets of neighbours...I thought our new neighbours across the way had moved in but the place is empty at the windows and so many vans have been outside fitting carpets and so forth, our new neighbours seem to be having a complete refitting, not sure why as this was-is the only parkhome I had set foot in and I personally thought the place was immaculate but, maybe it is now being adaptively personalised for the mother who is moving in with them, as I understand, it is the mother who has cancer not one of the couple who I had originally thought, not yet sure of her age....Although occasionally one can be spotted coming and spending time in the home, as and when the workers or delivery turns up, guess to supervise....still haven't seen the mother nor the dog...

Thank you for my belated Birthday wishes...

Oh yes, terrible of the innocent lives lost, re, yesterdays " terrorist " attack in London...

Checking in on everyone.

Hi everyone on a bright and sunny morning here in South Carolina.  We expect to get up to about 78 º today with zero chance or rain.  Other than the housekeeper coming today this should be a pretty quiet day as have nothing on the calendar.  We might go out to eat our main meal today but that has not yet been decided.  Yesterday was a very enjoyable day for me as I felt good and like doing things for the first time in several days.  I enjoyed the early evening basketball games but didn't stay up to watch the late games. 

Jackie, glad to see you are keeping an eye on S&F and I personally miss seeing your postings there but glad you are posting here in Christian Photographers.  I know we are all very concerned about our Joan and hope each day to see good news about her recovery.  The changing of neighbors is inevitable in this day and age.  We certainly have done our share of moving from State to State or going from a large home to a rental while our new retirement home was built to that new home and then conditions changed and we moved here to be near our son.  We never know what the future may hold for us. Hope you will like your new neighbors and I hope our new neighbors will be as nice as the old ones. 

Hi everyone.  We are suppose to have a cloudy day today but get up into the 70's without any rain.  Pat and I went to a Chinese Buffet yesterday evening for our large meal for the day.  It was OK and we will probably go back again although Pat ended up later in the evening with an upset stomach.  She thinks the food she ate may have been too greasy.  She seems fine this morning.  When I went to the kitchen this morning I got things ready for Pat's scrambled eggs but had to cut up a red and a yellow pepper so I could put some of it in the eggs.  I am trying to recover as that took quite awhile.  I think next time I will get out the little food chopper and see if that isn't easier.  After I rest awhile I want to fix up my frozen fruit as I haven't had any of it for quite awhile.  I think that will probably be it for today.  Pat said yesterday she was going to fix some vegetable soup for our main meal today.  I will likely watch some golf this afternoon and then watch the beginning of the Elite Eight basketball tourney.  Both North and South Carolina Universities won their games by a nice margin last night. 

I see no one has posted since I posted yesterday.  Janet, I did see the picture of Beth's foot that you posted on Facebook.  That is really something and don't think I have ever seen a foot so swollen. 

Just this minute back from church, on this Mothering Sunday...nothing else on my today agenda...wishing all an enjoyable Sunday..

Hi everyone.  It is another cloudy day with a 20% chance of rain but we will be in the 70's again this afternoon.  Pat will not be going to Sunday School and Church with me this morning as is in a lot of pain.  I had a very pleasant surprise yesterday afternoon.  I had tuned in to the golf channel and then thought it might be on CBS so turned there only to find the Division II National Basketball Championship being played and there was my Alma Mater playing and they won the National Championship for the first time ever.  The football team has won 4 of the last 8 National Championships.  This was a nice achievement for Northwest Missouri State University from which I graduated in 1962.  There were about 3,000 students there when I was attending and they now have 6,500 students.  Division II is for the smaller Universities. I did watch the two Division I basketball games played last night and will watch the last two that are on tonight.  This will establish the Final Four teams to play for the Division I National Championship.

Jackie, good to see you posting as I wondered if this was going to be three days in a row I would be writing to myself.  You are back from church and I have yet to attend this morning.

Larry Hanna...remember the saying...." third time lucky..." 
...sorry to read your Pat isnt up to joining you in church this morning, due to being in pain...I can surely sympathise as when I had to get out of the pew, I sit at the isle end, and with just a very short walk to take the bread and wine, my MS seemed to be playing up more, so a bit tough going with the odd swerves...Could be worse I suppose, there was one elderly lady, opposite pew isle who they had to bring the bread and wine to her...
...I should assume you are now on the verge of walking out of the door...
..........................................
I can see this forum was very active at one time, where did they all go?

For the last couple of years I've "gone to church" via my television screen.     Although I'm getting spiritual leading from three different pastors (and it's surprising how often the theme is the same for all three), and keeping in touch by way of my church's web site, I still miss the fellowship. 

Mother Nature is still trying to decide what season this should be.  We still have some of last week's 18 inches of snow, as well as some very large puddles and some bare ground.  And yesterday afternoon, with the temperature at about 40^oF, snowflakes almost as large as dimes were falling, leaving a dusting on all the bare surfaces.   

Jeanne Lee...my late Father would always say to me..." you dont have to go to church to pray.." ... I learnt that this came about when he was fighting on the frontline, Italy and Nth Africa ( then lost briefly whilst in action. )
...No fun traipsing to church in snow...Our today weather is dry, sunny and I guess I can say mild..

Hello Larry, Jeanne, and Jackie and whoever else may pop on to say hello. Today being Sunday I didn't even turn on m,y computer until after lunch. Now I am playing catch-up. Not much is new here, It is raining and the wind is blowing so n o walks for freckles unless I were to take her to the mall but we would get soaked  going from the car to the entrance.

Keith's Camaro is in the shop to be evaluated at to what repairs need doling, Starter, Battery Solenoid or what ever is the problem. Mine is still overheating and not one has  looked at it yet. My pastor is supposed to come and take out the thermostat and replace that.I drove the Camaro the other day to the library and when I came out it would not start. So he finally gave in and let me drive the car. I couldn't believe it when he handed me the keys it is the first time he has ever let me take the car. I drove it home from the shop once in the pouring rain when we had delivered my car to the shop.

Larry is it your heart that makes you so fatigued and in need of rest?

Hi, friends,

I didn't realize I had been away so long. I'm doing reasonably well.

I certainly miss going to church, too. But am very thankful for the ability to worship through tv.

So much news from each of you. I've been praying, and will continue to do so about the requests.

May God richly bless each person who comes here.

Ruth Ann

Good morning-good night Ruth Ann...It is 6.25 here in UK, I am up drinking my first cup of tea of the day....mid day today I will be saying goodbye to my last remaining " Molar " tooth, I have been living with recurring abscess and gum disease for a good five months, new dentist tells me it is probably longer, tooth cant be saved..."oh well, what is to be, will be..."

I had previously told dentist, after what I had been through last year with Gynaecologist and Urologist, I told him this will be the " lesser of three evils " he laughed and agreed...

Just got back indoors from dentists...minus one Molar or maybe it was Wisdom tooth, as he said it layed at an angle, and seeings it was the only tooth left, bottom left...I could really do with a cup of tea but I have to wait three hours...

Hi everyone on a bright and sunny South Carolina Monday morning.  It is already in the mid-60's and headed up into the low 80's this afternoon.  The only thing on my schedule today is my noon meeting.  I may stop on the way home to fill the car with gas and pick up an item or two at Costco.  I sure enjoyed the basketball games yesterday afternoon as both of the Carolina's won their games and are now in the Final Four next weekend. 

I have a couple of links to share with you this morning.  One of them will really make your day as it features dogs and the other is a short performance probably like nothing you have ever seen.  I hope you will enjoy them:
     Puppy Power:  https://www.youtube.com/embed/SJoE_lNQdHU
      Unique Brass Band:  http://www.wimp.com/brassband/

Jackie, nothing shameful about letting them serve you Communion seated if getting to the altar is difficult for you. Glad to see the molar has been extracted and the healing can now begin.  According to my clock you should now be enjoying another cup of tea. 

Jeanne, I think ministers often select their Scriptures for their sermons from the Lectionary.  I am glad that religious programming is still allowed on TV but have to wonder when that will be attacked and removed for political correctness.  Hope you have good weather this week. 

Marilyn, hope nothing too serious is wrong with Keith's Camaro.  One always holds their breath when a car is taken to the garage, at least I do.  Yes, it is my heart that makes me so fatigued and have to rest.  The ejection factor is now down to less than half of the normal and not pumping all the blood that the body requires when exerting. 

Ruth Ann, glad to see you are doing reasonably well and have been missing your postings.  I hope you have a good week.

Larry, we are blessed, so far, with several religious broadcasts on several different channels.  The sad thing, though, as I see it, is that every one begins and ends with the disclaimer about "not necessarily the views of the management of the station...." etc. 

Thank you Larry for sharing those videos.

Larry Hanna....our clocks went forwards over the weekend, so we have now caught up with you....

Thank you for the video clips...to see those big tough men go soft over those puppies was a real joy to see...

One tooth out, one filling to go...

Jeanne Lee, Ruth Ann, we have " Songs Of Praise..." on our Sunday tv, always a different place of worship, different location....

BBC One, Quoting: " Inspiring hymns and songs, together with uplifting stories of faith from around the UK and beyond...

Hi everyone on another nice morning.  Once again we are expecting to get into the low 80's this afternoon.  This morning Pat has a doctor's appointment to discuss the results of her MRI and what her next steps may be.  Following that I plan on going to the Church for our Adult Fellowship monthly meeting.  We have a lady coming to talk about butterflies.  That will be it for today. 

Jeanne, those disclaimers do seem unnecessary but have been going on for a long time.  At least they let the program run.

Jackie,  it is always a relief when we get the dental work all completed, at least for awhile. 

Hi everyone.  It is another clear and beautiful morning and we are once again headed up into the 80's this afternoon.  I am awaiting the delivery of my new recliner in an hour or so.  You can now follow the schedule of the delivery truck and there are pictures of the driver and helper, which I think is a very good idea.  Before I came into my office to eat my breakfast and work on these discussions I decided to get the sausage muffins made and into the oven so Pat will have them for subsequent breakfasts.  She alternates between the sausage muffins and strawberries and loaded scrambled eggs and strawberries.  This evening is our Wednesday night dinner and we are having grilled hamburgers and hot dogs and all the trimmings.  There will not be a Wednesday night dinner next week as it is Master's week and about everything seems to stop around until the golf tournament is over. The rest of today should be pretty laid back and restful.

We did get in to see the doctor yesterday and the news from the MRI was not very good.  Pat has spinal stenosis up and down her spine with some areas worse than others but about all of her spine involved.  He told us that steroid shots are probably the only treatment that might help as there is likely too much involved to try to fix with surgery.  So we will see the pain doctor at the Neurological Clinic as soon as she can get an appointment.  It was too late to get to the Church for the Adult Fellowship and luncheon so we stopped at Cracker Barrel, which was on our way home and had our main meal for the day. 

That's discouraging news about Pat's back, Larry.  I'll be praying she can get some pain relief from the pain doctor.

We're warming up, but nothing like 80^o yet.  Maybe 50^o.  And then back to 30^o with snow on Friday.

Hi Larry I can empathise with Pat on the spinal stenosis. I know her pain with that condition and it is not pleasant. Let her know that Judy and I are thinking of her and hope that the doctors can find some method of giving her some relief.

Larry  I understand about Pat's pain and the spinal stenosis diagnosis. I dont' have that but do have a lot of back pain at times.

Well Keith is no longer allowed to drive until he gets around to having a cyst removed. The MRI showed a cyst someplace behind his eyes. We will be getting the full report when the Eye dr. mails it to us. He told Keith yesterday he wants him to go to a specialist in Portland to have it checked out. geez that is a lot of driving back and forth for me. Portland is about 4.5 hrs driving each way I sure can't do that in one day. The only insurance he has is Medicare he wants to wait until next year so we can  apply for a Medicare advantage  inurance the next time for enrollment. He is so stubborn when it comes to spnding any $$.

Right now his Camaro is in the shop, and mine needs some work as well. Mine is overheating and i think it is the thermostat that needs replacing. I have to have at least one of the cars so I can do the Visiting with freckles.

Larry Hanna...you know my heart goes out to Pat as I hear anything to do with the " Spinal Cord " nerves, brain, numbness, paraesthesia, and loss of motor control, affecting walking, balance and sensations, as my MS illness does...I am very sorry to hear this upsetting news, and the pain that she is now in...more so, in now having to adapt to her new way of life, with an illness that will not go away...

Marilyn...not the best of news, re, your hubby's MRI scan report...hope they can deal with having his cyst safely removed...sounds like the sooner the better, if only so he can get back to driving again...

So sad that so many of us are dealing with some very serious illnesses...We sure are putting our God to the test...and keeping him busy in watching over us...

Hi everyone on an overcast morning with an 80% chance of rain later today.  However, we will get back up to the lower 80's as well.  The morning will be busy with picking up and returning my friend from Assisted Care so we can have coffee.  Then I will return back downtown to the Church for our Thursday Wisdom Group.  I did finally get my new recliner yesterday.  They were about 2 hour late from meeting their delivery window but I was home anyway.  It just delayed my afternoon rest period.  We had a nice dinner at the Church last night and then Scott and Jennifer came out for a couple of hours.  Scott took my old recliner back to his house and it will be given to Jennifer's boyfriend, who is in the process of buying a home and has no furniture. 

Thank you all for your concerns regarding Pat's back.  I know others of you are living with severe back pain and can relate.  Other than occasional twinges by turning wrong I have never had back problems and feel very fortunate. 

Marilyn, sorry to learn of the cyst behind Keith's eye as that sounds serious.  I expect he was disappointed that he still can't drive.  Your comments about his being frugal  brings to mind the old Jack Benney program where he went to his basement and had to open his vault, which he never liked to do as his character was a penny-pincher.   Going to Portland for medical treatment does sound like a long ways. 

Jeanne, John and Jackie it is nice to see your postings.  Sometimes this discussion gets pretty quiet.

Awaiting cousin Dennis and wife for a week-end visit.    We have epic sized discussions - love it!

Jackie:  You mentioned your father was in WWII in Africa and something about him being out of touch - or what did you mean?  Don had an uncle who fought all the way with General Patton.  It really wasn't that long ago. 

Larry:  Sorry to read about Pat's Spinal Stenosis diagnosis.  Perhaps special exercises can be of help.  It is very nice that you have Scott close both for his sake and your peace of mind. 

Desert flowers are blooming - achooo  and it is still cool enough at home to snow a little but moisture is always welcome.

Ruth Ann:  We need you to drop in more - are you reading anything good?  My cousin gave me another Lee Strobel book, "The Case for the Real Jesus" and after the next two batches of company, I hope to read a bit.   

Prayers for all health matters. 

I got lost again!  I must find time to call Larry for help in putting an icon on my screen so I can find my way here easier and not forget to post every day.  But might as well put it on the new computer, I think.

John is sick again already.  Sigh.  He said he thinks it's because of the quite chilly and wet weather the past couple of days.  And he STILL hasn't seen a doctor.  I wonder if he would go if I were to make the appointment for him?  But I sure wouldn't want to pay for a no-show!

Beth is already telling me she doesn't like the blended foods.  I asked her if she liked her lunch today--"No."  Did you eat it anyway?---"No".  The head nurse asked her when we had that meeting if she understands what will happen if she doesn't eat, and Beth said, "I will die."   They told her it is her right to refuse food, and if that's her choice they will still care for and love her the same as always, and keep her comfortable as possible until the end.  Of course, I prefer that to not be her choice, but I'm not the one lying there totally helpless and unable to even speak clearly.  If I were, I would be begging God to take me home! 

I'm fighting with the paperwork to get our money back for the trips we canceled.  It's supposed to be very simple---NOT! 

Larry, my new computer is a Mac All-in-one, 27" screen.  It's been setting here in the box for a week, as Curtis was in Tulsa for training.  He asked me to bring it by on Friday as we go to Manhattan for Abby's dance recital, so he can set it up for me.  I must call and ask if he needs this laptop as well.  I hope I haven't made a huge mistake in switching from a PC to a Mac, that I will be able to learn the differences somewhat easily, at least.  He thought that's what I should do because I do have a iPhone and and iPad already.

I have another meeting at 4:00, must get moving.  Best wishes to you all, and I will TRY to do better.

I want to add that we have had some wonderful rain!!  We are praising the Lord for it, it was so needed, especially after the devastating grass fires the past few weeks.

Oh my Janet what a decision to have to make, I think if I were in Beth's shoes, I would make that same decision. I will keep her in my prayers as always
I have an all in one Dell computer and I love it.  I'm sure you will love yours when you gedt it set up. Is yours a touch screen?

Carol when the desert is in bloom everything is so pretty.

Larry I used to listen to the Jack Benny program when I was a kit. I remember Fibber Mcgee and Molly too.

Hi, friends,

For some unknown reason I've been sleeping almost nonstop.

I'm thankful to be awake tonight.

It was good to catch up on the goings on here. May God  bless you with holy presence to comfort and guide you.

Love to all,
Ruth Ann

Janet....my heart goes out to you and Beth...I have seen it for myself what MS has done to some of my fellow MS sufferers and dread the day I get to that myself, (the not being able to eat food by myself,) if at all I do...I do also realise that your Beth has another medical ailment which I am not very familiar with....I hope that your darling Beth does realise that her life here is very much still needed and will try her best to not only like-enjoy, but want to eat some food.....it is very much sounding as if Beth has given up on her life...God bless her...
As for me, I would be lying if I said I wasn't frightened at what lays ahead for me, re, my own ( Primary Progressive MS )...

I dont know who John is, is this Beth's hubby?
My OH once had a friend who sounded just like him, never venturing outside his house to go anywhere, cutting himself off from friends and places he once enjoyed, letting his home get to a terrible state, not accepting any form of help, he was diabetic, even the wife of a male friend fixed up a Doctors appointment, a home visit, he never answered the door, he just didn't want help, help was available....To cut the story short, he was one day found dead in his bed...a stubborn and silly man who threw his life -his retirement years away, and the irony of it all was that he wasn't married, had no interest in meeting or dating women but had money at the back of him where he could have had a reasonable existence and a good quality of life, it was just wasted, he was in his late 60s...This all came about after his mother passed away, he had always lived with mother, in the same house he grew up in, and was the only child...
Janet I would just hate to see your John go the same way..

Ruth Ann....it is always good to see your post but, please pop in a little more...I have read back some pages and found you are dealing-have been dealing with Diabetes, I am not diabetic but my OH is...

Carol....my father was a Paratrooper who at some point went missing in action, think for a couple of months, he got separated from his comrades, and was by himself..I remember father told me during that time that he befriended an Alsatian dog where he shared what little food he had...

Hi everyone.  The sun is now shining after a rainy start for the day.  It looks like the rain is over for the day.  I didn't get up until 7:30 this morning.  Today is going to be a catch up on rest day as have nothing on my calendar that should require me to leave the house. 

Carol, Pat is doing the exercises that the physical therapist prescribed although some times the pain is too great for her to complete all of them.  She found out yesterday she can't get an appointment with the pain doctor until sometime in May.  Needless to say she was not happy as it means another 6 weeks or so of pain.  It sounds like you have a great time with your company.  There are some folks that are so easy to talk with and the time just flies.  Being close to Scott and now our granddaughter does give us peace of mind.  Our granddaughter is going to prepare the Easter dinner for us.  We will have that dinner a little early as Scott has to work Easter afternoon.  We will purchase the food but Jennifer will prepare it.   

Janet, I have had no experience using a MAC but just now did a Google Search on putting a shortcut on the desktop of a MAC and it sounds simple.  I am sure Curtis can demonstrate to you the process.  I looked at a short video tutorial from a Google Search on the subject and also see several other sites that describe the process.  I should think it would be John's responsibility to made a doctor's appointment for himself.  You have enough to worry about.  It sounds like Beth may have reached the point that I know Stacey got to when she didn't summons help when she became so sick.  This is really tough for parents.  Signing the Do Not Resuscitate order when I got the call and then visit from the Hospice Nurse was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do.  I just had to put her in God's hands, where she was already anyway, and pray that her suffering was over.  I feel the same way that when my time comes I just want to be let go.  Being there for Beth is about all you can do.  God loves her and will take care of her just as he will you and I.  Sorry you are having to fight to get your money back for the trips you have had to cancel. 

Marilyn, I have never had an all in one computer other than the laptops and the iPhone and iPad but certainly can see the advantages.  Pat has a touch screen on her laptop but never uses it except by accident and then it is a annoyance.  We had some great old radio and TV programs to listen to and watch as we were growing up. 

Ruth Ann, hope you are getting caught up on your sleep.  Perhaps a medication you are taking is responsible or you are just overly tired.  Good to see your posting.

Jackie, I hope you will keep your focus on today and live it to the fullest as not one of us knows what tomorrow may bring so worrying about it simply wastes precious time of today.  I have found that worry has done nothing but steal my happiness from today so I have made a decision to leave tomorrow for God to know and I don't worry about it.  I hope this isn't preachy or critical as don't mean to be and I haven't and don't walk in your shoes.  All I can do is share my own experience. I can see where you got your love for your dogs. 

Larry Hanna...I have sent you a PM, far too distressing to post the link on here....but that is the reality...

Larry, sorry to hear of the long wait that your Pat has to now endure, sounds very familiar to the lengthy waits we have to endure here in UK, with our failing NHS...

Our today weather is dry and sunny, and warming up a tad or two....rain was forecasted a few days ago for today....so I dont know where it has gone to...or who is getting it...

Jackie I am familiar with the MS diagnosis, My daughter in law has had it for about 13 years. She just keeps going in spite of the bsad days when she hurts and her muscles are numb.

Marilyn.....look in your pm box I shall send you a link...

Here is the latest on Beth.  Some of you probably saw the photo of her poor foot I posted on Facebook.  They finally told me yesterday that she has cellulitis in that foot and is on antibiotics for that.  She ate barely any lunch, so I went myself and fed her the supper they had for her, which was all sugary stuff.    Pancakes with syrup plus chocolate syrup, cherry jello, and peach fluff jello.  She ate it all but about 1/4 of the pancake.  All soft foods so by giving her small bites we didn't have any problem.  No breakfast today, she didn't want any.  She saw Dr. Saxon, who she loves, but didn't respond to him.  No John again today.(Yes, Jackie, John is her husband, they have been married for 15 months now.

Jackie what or who is your OH?  Your husband?  I've seen DH for Dear Husband, but not sure of your abbreviation.

Larry you are absolutely right about not borrowing tomorrow's sunshine by worrying.  And I do make a determined effort to always leave Beth in His hands, as we must, and not pick up the burden when I go.  It's just the constant responsibility that sometimes wearies me.  Of course it's John's responsibility to make his own Dr. appointments--he just will not do it!  Why?  I don't know!  Maybe he is scared of what may be found.

We will be leaving early in the morning for the Little Apple (Manhattan, Kansas, where KSU is) to watch Abby's dance recital.  On Sunday we will go to church with her, take her to lunch, then head home.  So I will be among the missing again for a couple of days at least

I have a lot to do to be ready to go, so I wish you all many blessings from our Lord, as always.

Janet...OH...my Other Half....man I share the home with, not hubby....not a person I would want to marry...

Happier to read Beth has eaten some food...

Hi everyone.  The sun is shining and there is a clear sky.  Once again we will be in the low 80's this afternoon.  As expected, yesterday was a quiet day.  I even fixed our evening meal, which was a nice salad with tuna on it, at lunch time so that when we were ready to eat last evening I just had to set it on the table.  We are having these salad type meals about once a week now as they are easy and we both like them. 

I did get my income tax refund check in the mail.  I thought I had set it up for direct deposit but must not have done so. 

Last evening I did watch the women's Final Four basketball game for the women and saw the South Carolina team beat Stanford and so will play for the National Championship on Sunday.  The South Carolina men play in the Final Four tonight and if they can win they would also play in the Championship game on Monday night.  One of my coffee drinking friends here went to Phoenix yesterday with his son and family to attend the Final Four for the men. 

I expect to have another quiet and restful day with no plans to leave the house.  Since it is the first of the month I will pay bills and then watch the basketball game around 6 pm. 

Jackie, those were very distressing photos in the article you sent as I mentioned in my response to you.  It sounds like you are having a nice day.

Marilyn, your DIL sounds like a real trooper.

Janet, I wonder why they waited to tell you about the cellulitis in Beth's foot.  What else is to befall that poor woman.  That did sounds like a very sugary dinner but at least she ate some of it.  Hope you enjoy the couple of days away and watching Abby's dance recital. 

Janet:   Peace be with you - truly, that is the message I want to send to you.

Marilyn:  Most of the blooming is after we leave for home so we will miss it but it has been fun to see the quail families visiting.

Ruth Ann: Prayers for your comfort and health.

Jackie:  Paratrooper - wow!  That time had to be so difficult.  Thanks to all who were there.

Cousin and wife just left after a late breakfast.  Don made biscuits and gravy for them.  Don drove Dennis to the air museum and they spent hours on the tarmac looking at everything.  I drove Carolyn to a private desert area where things were blooming and there is a gift shop.I bought a bottle of Prickly Pear syrup for a neighbor at home.  Then, we shared a sandwich at Kneaders.  It is just great and closed Sundays.  My cousins are so neat - we share devotions and many stories.  They are close friends, really. 

Good Sunday morning, how quick the days and weeks fly...

...I have church this morning but not for another three hours, next week they go to the Village Hall for a " Passover " meal straight after the church service, the two combined will take four hours...I will book today with my church friend to join them, but not sure if I will make the short village walk, I may of course get offered a lift..I find it hard committing to things in advance, as I have to go on the way my body is acting on the day...but the lady taking seat bookings will need to have some idea as to how many parishioners will be going...she did ask me last week but I wasn't sure..

This morning I have to bypass breakfast and limit my cup of tea to just the one, I can eat and drink as much as I want once I get home, just not before church, otherwise I will come unstuck with too many trips to the loo ( during the sermon, ) with my now constant bladder problems..

Larry Hanna, they were very distressing pictures, I never stayed long enough to read all the story, but I saw its headline...

Wishing all a blessed Sunday..             

Intended to add, this morning as usual I am suffering terrible MS stomach bloat-bowel related...guess this is more than you need to know...

Hi everyone on another beautiful sunny Sunday morning.  I am ready for Sunday School and Church but Pat is not going as just doesn't feel up to it.  I will have to think of something to bring home for our main meal for today.  I did fix Pat's scrambled eggs, strawberries and coffee for her breakfast.  Nothing else planned for today although may watch the women's National Championship Basketball game.  Unfortunately the South Carolina men's team lost yesterday. 

Carol, it is nice you have such a good relationship with your cousins.  Nice that the men could go to the museum while you ladies did what you wanted to do and saw some of the country. 

Jackie, I hope you are able to attend the Passover meal next week.  Let someone know you need a ride as folks can't read your mind and know of your needs.  Hope you can enjoy the services for today.  Sorry to see you really aren't feeling too well this morning. I did read the entire newspaper story and it was really sad.

The month of March has flown by so let's get Spring started HERE