Christian Photographers Community

Hi Everyone. Finally we are to have a cooler day only getting up to in the low 70's this afternoon.  This morning it is a pleasant 64 degrees outside.  This is a good morning for a sweater or a light jacket when going out.  I will be picking up my friend and we will go downtown to coffee this morning and after I return him home I will stop at the pickup point and get the grocery order at Walmart that Pat placed a couple of days ago. That is my schedule for today.  Yesterday we did have a pretty busy morning as went down to the Church Bazaar for an hour or so and left a few dollars in the cash box.  We then went to the barber shop where we each got a needed haircut and finally to Walmart Pharmacy where Pat got a flu shot and a Shingles Shot.  I checked my records and found I did have the pneumonia shot a couple of years ago and had forgotten and that I was in error thinking I had to have a second flu shot.  So am down to only needing one more shingles shot and I will be all caught up on shots. I went to the Wednesday night dinner at the Church and Scott joined me and then came out to the house.  I bought a take out meal to bring home to Pat as she was too tired to go back downtown.     

Jackie, while I know the test you have or had today is not a pleasant one from what Pat has told me I know it is an important one.  Actually men sometimes do have that test as they can also get breast cancer. 

Rebot, I hope you are enjoying some nice fall weather. 

Ruth Ann, it is frustrating to lose a post that we have spent time preparing and sort of takes the "wind out of the sails". 

Jackie, your comment on reincarnation reminds me of what my kids said.  My husband is such a dog lover they said, "If there is such a thing as reincarnation, I want to come back as one of Darrel's dogs!" (Just in case you wonder--NO, we do NOT believe in reincarnation!)  They knew that Darrel's dogs always got great care, plenty of love, and good food! Of course, they did, too! 

We are off to Garden City soon as I have an appointment with eye specialist for the five months checkup on the Macular Degeneration.  I'm praying if there is any change, it's for the better!

Ruth Ann, sorry you lost your post--come back and try again, please.

Praying for Pat Scott Halbach today, with much love.

We have quite a long list of things we need to get while in a larger town today.  And I'd like to be back in town by 4:30 to attend a friend's birthday party; then there is church council meeting tonight, where they will be voting on some of the sanctuary remodel things, including the focal point, which I'm on the committee to choose some designs for them to consider.

I must pack this evening or in the morning, as this is the weekend of Comfort Zone, the bereavement camp which Hospice does at Camp Lakeside near Scott City.  John and I are going, I have heard really good things about what a positive time this is.  I've really been missing Beth as I'm finishing up the book (hope I'm done now) but of course that empty place in my heart will remain until we are reunited in heaven.  I don't dwell on it, I am doing well, but as you all know, the missing them is a constant.

I will be back!!

Larry, it appears we were typing at the same time, so I came back to tell you "hello"-- Hello, Larry!     Yes, men can and do get breast cancer!  My Dad had it!  They actually took the lymph nodes from his upper arm (inner side) and he had really bad scarring from that, but they got it all and there was never any recurrence, thank God.

Did you say a second shingles shot?  I had one, and was told wouldn't ever need another one!  We got flu shots for the first time in years, and neither of us had any adverse reaction to them, so that's good.

Well--color me gone again!

Early appointment for my mammogram this morning...only one downside, this was done inside a mobile unit outside in a car-park but the unit was so high up and with two sets of high riggety old outside steps with rail bars but, although at the top where the rail bars ended, I could get myself inside, this was a different story when on leaving, the heavy door that was open seemed too far away for me to take that gamble on reaching, the steps rail bars my near side didn't start until you reached the steps, so I found myself hesitating when on stepping back out...On arrival I got Richard to follow up carrying my rollator only to have to take it back down with him, leaving me upstairs inside the mobile unit without it, as they said he was a man, and the men were not allowed inside the unit, nor was there much room for me to maneuver it around, so back down it went without me...Oh and I have to now wait three weeks for my mammogram results, yet if I had travelled to Poole Hospital, some 23 miles away to have it done, I was told by reception desk girl I would have gotten my results today...and now for the wait...

Larry Hanna...
...and so they should 
...quoting " Actually men sometimes do have that test as they can also get breast cancer.."

So far, I have had mammograms yearly with no problems.  We pay for insurance and this is a yearly test and check-up scheduled.  We can get results immediately unless there would be a blip on the screen. 

Ruth Ann:     Welcome Home!!!  And, it is great that you have a fresh apartment - I hope the hotel was good to you. 

Carol...
... as far as I am aware, ours are done every three years from age 50 to 70...I will be 70 & a half when my next one is due so might not get called up...

I took Keith to both of the pre op appointments yesterday. The Urologist is going to do the surgery robotically and said that if he  can't get  by the hernia that the surgery will be aborted and a new date set for Laser surgery. If all goes as planned he will get to come home the next day if he can FART. If he can't then when he does fart he can come home. Then we can removed the catheter a week later. He will probably have to wear Depends for awhile until he  is able to hold his urine long enough to reach the bathroom.  That shouldn't take long just until everything is properly healed. We opted for not fixing the hernia, the screen has slipped to one side and probably haas adhesion's surrounding it.

So we need prayer that  the Robotic surgery goes as planned without any difficulty regarding the hernia.

Hi Everyone. It is a beautiful but cool morning here in South Carolina with a clear sky and bright sunshine.  How could it be any better.  Our housekeeper will be here soon as another two weeks have flown by.  We had a brief visit from our son this morning which was an unexpected surprise.  There is nothing else on the schedule for today and just hoping for a pretty restful day. 

Janet, I hope you were able to accomplish all you had on your schedule yesterday.  That was a lot for one day.  I hope you and John find comfort from the bereavement camp.  Our Church offers a bereavement class and I have heard good things about it.  I hope your ideas for your Church focal point were accepted at your meeting last evening. I don't know if you remember Oscar from Florida, who was a Mensa member, who died from the breast cancer.  I had the opportunity to met he and his wife at the Atlanta Bash many years ago.  Yes, I did say a second shingles shot.  I even got something from Walmart in the mail about it.  The vaccine is called Shingrix and it says the second (final) dose can be given 2 to 6months after the first shot, which will be next month for me and then my shots will all be caught up until the next flu season. 

Jackie, glad that test is over for you but it sounds like the next time a trip further would be indicated.  Sorry you have to wait for the results. 

Carol, Pat also has the mammogram yearly and has had problems in the past and they watch a spot but it apparently is not a problem and she is back on a yearly test rather than every six months. 

Marilyn, I will be praying for you and Keith in the days ahead and certainly hope the robotic surgery goes well and that is requires only an overnight stay in the hospital. 

Larry Hanna...
...a further trip would be tough on me...re, my now constant MS bladder problems...

Larry, I used up my energy before the day ended yesterday, so didn't attend the church council meeting.  I had already given my best, considered opinion, and it will not change anything for me if they do something different.  After all, the building is NOT the church, the PEOPLE are the church.  I got everything else on my list done, so that's okay.

I'm packed and waiting for John to come pick me up to go to the camp.  I really expect it to be a blessing to both of us, and I've already prayed that the Lord will use me to bless others there.

Marilyn, I'll be remembering you and Keith in my prayers; also you, Jackie.
Out here, a trip of 23 miles is only next door.  Have you asked your doctor to prescribe  the drug Myrbetriq for the bladder issues?  It's literally been a life changer for me.  Wouldn't hurt to inquire!

Time to go to Morocco is approaching so quickly!  We got a phone call yesterday from our trip leader there.  Guess what his name is?  Yep, it is Mohamed Menai.  (I hope we can just call him "MOE".  Ha ha  He sent his picture with the email, also.

I just received the corrected cover photo for the cover of my book.  I didn't like the font they used at first, so had them change it.  I'm trying to be assured I have done all I can on it before we leave for two weeks, as I don't want any unnecessary delays in the production.

Talk to you when I get home from the Comfort Zone.

Greetings Larry  Kept buy at home with hubby, since he trapped his finger in the car door.   As I have to do most for him.  He never complains dear man.

Even when I get him to do his exercises, which must be completed daily.  That's when my training kicks in!

Greetings Janet   When you visit Morocco, try and visit one of the Souks.

Their Bazaars and Market places (souks),  I found very interesting.

Hi Everyone. Today's forecast shows that we will be having a lot warmer and day today than yesterday as we will get up to around 80 degrees and have wind and a possibility of rain. It is to be cloudy all day.  My schedule is light for today as just plan on going to a meeting and then stopping to get the air pressure checked in my tires as have had a low pressure light on the dash for several days.   I look forward to watching some college football this afternoon and early evening. 

Yesterday was a pretty quiet day with just the housekeeper here and then at noon we went out to eat our main meal of the day.  I was laying down resting and my Ring doorbell rang and it was the man I had called about giving me an estimate on the cost of pressure washing my house and fixing my gate.  He has to get back to me on the costs. 

Jackie, sorry you have to endure such problems.  I often fall back on the saying that "it is what it is" and we have to adjust our lives accordingly. 

Janet, I am proud of you listening to your body that you had done all you could do yesterday and so missed the evening meeting and didn't push yourself further to attend.  You are right that the People are the Church.  By the time you read this you will likely be back from the camp and I hope it was a very positive and helpful experience for both of you. 

Rebot, I printed out some instructions on exercises that senior can do and must get started doing them.  I know you are a big help to your hubby and that he appreciates what you do for him.  Are the souks the small outside market places one sees in pictures from Morocco?

Greetings Larry  Splendid to hear you are looking to do some exercises today.  Exercise is vital to our everyday lives, whether we are young or old, abled bodied or like hubby with a disability and other conditions.   I could have advised you with an exercise program.

Not all souks are outside the town, some are in the town square.  One thing they are not is quiet!  From our own experience, they can be very busy!

The sellers can be very persuasive and if they continue to ask you to buy, just say no. 

And don't pay what they ask, barter, haggle with them.  always go lower than they ask.   

Rebot I am guessing that you live in the UK? Where do you live? I always like to hear about the places people live. I live in Oregon USA. On the coast so the weather is quite nice here, we do get a lot of rain in some years, others not so much, It has snowed here maybe 3 times in the last 10 years around lat November one year and over Christmas another year. this morning there is Fog.

I also have a wonderful Certified Therapy, ( Queensland Blue Heeler, named Freckles) dog that I take on visits to the patients at the hospital and local care facilities and assisted living places. In the spring we go to the schools to teach the K-2 children  how to be safe around dogs and how to be responsible pet owners. We belong to a group called Furry Friend Therapy Dogs of Coos Bay Oregon. At home she  doubles as my Service Dog.  We also have 5 cats, my hubby is the cat person, actually one of cats is mine that I brought home from where i worked, to save his life, they we going to put him to sleep because he tested positive for Leukemia, that was 5 years ago. We think is is just a carrier because none of the other cats have  contracted it from him.

My Hubby has Alzheimers, and I am his caregiver. I am almst 79 and he is 72. However I am, very active, je is not and has never been very active.

Yes, I am home, Larry, and not a bit happy about it.  We were asked to leave the camp because John had been vomiting for 24 hours straight!  They wanted me to take him to Garden City Hospital's Emergency room.  I told them there wasn't a ghost of a chance he would let me do that, and he didn't.  He started to climb back into his bunk, but the camp director told him, "John, you cannot stay here.  For your safety and the safety of all the other campers, you have to leave."  They had one of the fellows pack up his stuff, one of the ladies helped me with mine, loaded it into John's car, and he started to get behind the wheel.  I said, John, I will drive, you aren't in any shape to drive.  He didn't object.  I was very uncomfortable because he had projectile vomited in the car before we got to the camp, made no attempt to cover his mouth, and it splattered all over the wheel, the dash, everywhere.  Ugh.  And he didn't clean it up!  So here I was driving and thinking about how nasty that steering wheel was, it nearly made me want to throw up too!  So I stopped at a convenience store, went into the restroom and wet several paper towels, put soap on them, took some dry towels, too; and went and cleaned the wheel and dash.  Then I used hand sanitizer on the wheel.  He continued to vomit all the way home!
He was throwing up blood, but telling me it was only Pepto Bismol.  I know it wasn't, he never takes any kind of medicine except Alka Seltzer.  He felt so bad I took him directly to his apartment, parked and let him go inside, then called Darrel to come get me.  John is supposed to call me in the morning to let me know how he is feeling.

I was getting so much from the camp, I cried because I wasn't ready to leave, but since I rode with John, I had no choice.  They all felt bad for me and told me I'm welcome to come back next year.  They gave me a number and asked me to call and let them know I got home safely, which I did.
Sorry, I know, TMI.   

Now I need to go unpack my bedding and things.  I packed it all in one big suitcase.  Easier than keeping track of several smaller bags.

Yes, Rebot, visiting the souks is on the agenda!

Hi, friends,

Again I'm losing part of my post. May God richly bless all who come this way. It will be nice when I have a place to put my computer.

Much love to all.

Ruth Ann

Janet...
...oh what a nightmare situation for the pair of you...I would of taken John ( John is-was your Beths hubby, wasn't he? ) straight to the hospital...Men ( not all men ) can be so so stubborn when it comes to medical issues, cant they? but bringing up blood sounds like a serious medical issue that cant, nor shouldn't be ignored...

Hi Everyone. It is a cool and crisp but sunny 55 degree morning here and we are headed only to the low 60's this afternoon.  I just finished fixing Pat's breakfast and finishing up the kitchen chores and have only a few minutes before I will need to leave for Sunday School.  I think Pat will want me to come and get her for Church this morning and then we will go out to eat afterwards.  I did get to my meeting and then went to Costco, along with a lot of other people it seemed.  I am looking forward to watching some football this afternoon and that will be it for today.

Rebot, I did walk over 1700 steps yesterday. 

Marilyn, glad you have Freckles as know he will bring a lot of comfort and help to you in the days ahead as you care for Keith.

Janet, so sorry to read how ill John was and you terrible experience of getting him home.  I am glad you found a little benefit from the short time you had at the camp and hopefully next year you will be able to stay for the whole time.  I do hope John is feeling better today and if not will go to the emergency room.  That sounded like a nightmare drive home.

Ruth Ann, I hope you are soon able to get your computer setup so it is more convenient for you.

Hi Jackie.  I certainly agree with your comments. 

Jackie, you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink.  That's a very old saying, and applies about John.  I could have taken him to the hospital, but I couldn't carry him inside, nor could I make him stay.  I asked him why he's so scared of doctors, and wouldn't he rather find out what his problem is and get it fixed, so he could have a better quality of life?  But nothing I say makes a difference.  Several of the men on staff tried to talk to him, and got the same response, "I'm NOT going to the hospital!  I'm NOT going to a doctor!"  So there's really nothing I can do.

Larry, it was a nightmare trip home, and I was so glad when Darrel picked me up and it was over.  John called this morning, said he was better but still "not feeling well" and wasn't coming to church.

Well, it is time to be getting started packing for Morocco!  We will go vote in the morning (early voting) and tomorrow evening we have a meeting with our financial advisor.  There will be plenty to fill the other days this week, as well, I'm sure.

But right now, I am going to attempt to take a little nap! 

Janet...
...you took the words right out of my mouth...I was going to post that well-known saying earlier, you beat me too it..." you can lead a horse to water, but you cant make it drink...that is well-known in UK also...

Greetings Larry  Well done with 1700 steps, that is about eight tenths of a mile.

Greetings Marilyn  Good to hear you have a certified therapy dog.

Greetings Janet   Sorry to hear John is so unwell.  It sounds like Norovirus.

Hi Everyone. Hi everyone.  For the first time this season we have our heat on in the house as it was 68 in here when we got up and we like it about 72 or 73.  It has been a busy morning and I am late coming here to read and write.  I did the kitchen chores and got Pat's breakfast.  She needed a few things to make the stew and chili she plans to make as well as some apple butter.  I needed more breakfast drink and had to replace my sunglasses as the stem broke on Saturday.  It was in the 40's outside so a jacket felt good and Walmart always seems to be cold.  When I got home I packaged up three pounds of stew meat in pound bags and also about 4 lbs of hamburger that comes from Costco in half pound pieces but each one needed to be wrapped in shrink wrap and stored in freezer bags.  Those items are now in the freezer and the mess cleaned up.  I told Pat not to expect much more out of me today as think I used up my day's supply of energy.  I may need to fix lettuce salads for us to go with the stew. which I am pretty sure she plans for our dinner tonight. 

Janet, John's behavior makes me wonder a bit if he is trying to see his life end so he can be with Beth again.  You are right that you have done all you can do.  I hope you don't exhaust yourself this week so you will be full of energy for your trip to Morocoo. 

Jackie, it sounds like you all use a lot of the same sayings we do here and who knows they may have come from you all since your country is so much older than ours. 

Rebot, when I told my cardiologist that I had set a goal of walking at least a 1,000 steps each day he said it would be better if I could do 2,500.  I told him that just wasn't going to happen and he didn't argue with me.  I do try to get more than the 1,000 but that doesn't always happen.  Fortunately our house is laid out in a fashion that makes walking pretty easy and if I haven't been out and about I will walk in the house as it is nice and flat. 

Hi, friends,

I'm taking a break from paper work to check my computer.

Janet, have a good trip. Larry, I, too, am counting steps. Rebot, it's nice you joined the group while I was away. Jackie, it's so good to see your posts. Marilyn, I think of you and Keith often. Carol, thanks for the nice welcome.

If I didn't speak to you individually, I'm sorry.

Love to all,
Ruth Ann

Good for you, Larry!  I walked a mile on the treadmill at a pace of 3/1/2 MPH and an incline of 3 1/2 %; then did some leg exercises on some of the machines.  NOT suggesting you try to do more, just telling you we are trying to have plenty of strength for our upcoming journey. I was wondering recently if you were doing a bit of walking lately.  You have had a busy morning!  Get some rest this afternoon. 

Jackie, I often wonder where some of those old "true-isms" came from.  They still prove right today, after so many years.  The other day a group of us were talking about Ben Franklin's saying "Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise."  One of the ladies said it isn't true, because she and husband have done that, and are neither very healthy, nor wealthy nor wise.  We told her they are very wealthy, compared to 90% of the people in the world--she agreed.

Rebot, John doesn't have a virus.  Darrel thinks it's likely bleeding ulcers.
Whatever it is is not contagious, and he has been suffering with it for at least five years that I'm aware of, and never once has he gone to see a doctor.  Maybe he is just waiting to be with Beth again, but he doesn't say so.  Just "I'll be all right."  I need to call and check on him again.

Darrel cleaned the hot tub good, refilled it and it's now up to temp again, so we enjoyed it for a few minutes when we got home from the gym.

And......this isn't getting my packing done.  We leave a week f rom tomorrow!

Just popped back to say HI to Ruth Ann.  "Hi, Ruth Ann!!"   

Janet:  I hope you don't "catch that bug". 

Ruth Ann:  I hope you find the perfect spot for your computer -

Yesterday, I made a crock pot with vegetable soup and today a bit of pasta will be cooked with the leftovers.  Don has a medical appointment this afternoon - thankful for the crock pot being invented.  It was a gift when I returned to the work force and the children were all in school.  Since, I have two sizes and they have more settings.  My mother would have appreciated it when we were young - she did have a Deep Well in the stove and we had what was considered a built in crock pot but we didn't know it at the time.  Chicken and Dumplings or Fish Chowder - and I would start it for oatmeal in the mornings when I was a grade school girl.  Always a nice smell to the kitchen. 

Don has an afternoon appointment today - we did get a walk in this morning.  My sewing machine needs some tender care.

Thanks, Carol.  But John doesn't have a bug, this is a recurring problem he's had for at least five years that I know of.  And still he refuses to see a doctor!