Joan, that is what I was told my brother was paying when his wife was in Memory Care" (Alzheimers), plus he was paying about the same for home health care because he wrecked his health trying to care for her at home, ended up in the hospital 3 times that year with COPD & then lung cancer before he committed her. She would try to run away to go home day & night and other times she was totally lucid. Terrible disease. Do hope you can get out soon & just enjoy your money yourself!   

Don't know why I keep banging my head on the floor trying to figure how to do something "I know nothing" about... but I ordered some children's walkie talkies for a gr-grandson, to be delivered to him this week. Was okay until a day later when I ordered a double back pack hammock for my son & as I clicked to order even though it didn't give me the option where to send or how to pay (I have money in my "gift card" account)... & a glance showed it was going to be shipped to same address as the walkie Talkies (Seattle, NOT Wichita).    I couldn't find a place to go back & adjust so quickly canceled.  The Amazon web page was totally messed up so I called for Help because the site was now showing that the walkie talkies, NOT the hammock, were coming to MY house.  A girl called from Amazon & I tried to explain, we didn't speak the same language .. she suggested I cancel that order of walkie talkies & re-order them, too late to reroute them (matter of minutes). When I looked again the walkie talkies were now coming to MY house & nothing to the gr-grand.  So I called Amazon again & again a girl could not get the facts straight.... suggested I just allow the walkie talkies come to my house & order some to be sent to Seattle. Oops!  Sold out so would be a few days before being shipped!  I told her to just leave the other pair alone, I would pay for & give to another kid. 

The first set was delivered to my house yesterday... I am SO disappointed because one has a scuff mark on the face & the other one is already running.... I do think I've been sent a used pair.  One of the reviews was from someone that had that happen to them.  Not only am I stuck with a used pair, I can't figure how to open the face to set or try out, but now wonder if the other set being delivered to my gr-grandson tomorrow will be new or used!  I'm going to post the link so if anyone can look at & maybe explain how that face opens, (no instructions at all in the box) I would be very grateful. The other screw up with this day was the hammock I tried to order to be sent to me & had to cancel with it automatically was heading to Seattle... was no longer available (one of those "lightning" deals & was 100% sold out). 
https://www.amazon.com/Talkies-Two-way-Rechargeable-Children-Camouflage/dp/B071VNW11F/ref=zg_bs_166208011_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=1Y8JCJQW0VFBRPB6YRNE   

Hope someone can look at the photo & know how to open that face to set & see if these work... I hate to send back, have not had to do that before with all my Amazon Prime orders!  

Sorry for all your problems SHIRLEY, but you're preaching to the choir here.  I detest Amazon.  The only thing I buy there antmore are two gift certificates for my grandson in Montreal....one for his birthday and one for Christmas.

The fruitcake is cooling in the kitchen and will be in the crock before I go to bed tonight!  HALLELUJAH!!!

Fruitcake is aging and I'm off to bed.

Good night Everyfriend!  Sleep peacefully and may God bless us every one!

Nancy is watching the depressing news and I am going to bed wishing you all sweet Dreams. Goodnight .

Lloyd

I had a blah day, mostly waiting on the necessary repairs on my A/C that was spewing out "stuff". Finally it got repaired.

Bis, is there a chance you will be able to leave that expensive medical place you are now living in ? Are they actually healing you ? I loved the picture of you and Finlay, and you looked quite healthy. Of course having your beloved Grandson nearby would do great things for you.

Tomorrow Dan and Nancy and Tank (the wee dog) will be here for the day. They are spending this night  with Gary and Dori, then here on Wed., and will get a motel close to me, then they will pop in on Thursday as they will be driving back home that day.

No other news from here..I pray you all have a peaceful night and a happy, healthful tomorrow. I love you all heaps and bunches.
June

I only have 6% of battery power left so can not comment too much tonight.

LARRY, so good to read that your eye surgery went well.  I hope your vision continues to improve. 

We learned today that Mark and Megan have set a wedding date for the 28th of January, 2018, so the family is scrambling to get their plans made to head to California to be there for their big day.

Pleasant dreams to all.

Jenny

Mesmerizing act!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRiTCIRaLhU

so_P_bubble Thanks very good

Lloyd

Good morning everyone...

Taking hubby's vehicle in to get the snow tires on today, then home to tidy and clean up .May even get some sewing in later.

Jane, I bet that is a relief to get all those cakes made .

Bubble, thank you, she is one talented lady!

Lloyd, good morning.

Enjoy your day everyone.

Good morning Everyfriend!  /the rain is over and we are supposed to have sunshine today but much colder temps.  I fear winter is on the way. 

AMY, you are correct,  Once the fruitcake is baked and aging, I heave a sigh of relief,

Now I have to get started on the candy,  My niece orders some to give to her friends and to keep for her family and I get Starbucks Christmas blend for myself and my family.  We worked out that deal last night so now I start the candy.  I have to have hers ready when Bridget's college Christmas holiday begins.  We make the exchange that day,  i'm off to work 10 to 2 today so wish me smiles and short registers. 

Have a wonderful day whatever it brings your way!

Good Morning Everyone!

Bubble nice video, talented lady.l

Amy I thought you got the snow tires all on the other day.  I am happy we don't have that problem to contend with.  Do you have block heaters on your car?  When I lived in Canada I had a garage so I never had one installed.  But those who lived in same apartment building and didn't had them and I can remember them going out to check them.

I have an early morning appointment with my PC to see if he can do anything about this shortness of breath.  At least it let me sleep until 4 this morning.

a cold front blew through late yesterday afternoon, so there is a chill in the house and we are suppose to get some lite rain today.  We need the rain.  We will start warming back up in a couple of days.

Lloyd, hope you are feeling better.

June, happy that you got a/c all fixed up.  Sounds like it was low on freon.  It will make a/c start to make snow.

I hope everyone has a great day.

Good morning everyone, coldest one of the season so far, 27° and windy and rain again. Seems like we have had terrible weather since we turned the clocks back. Oh well, Mother Nature will do what wants and not what we would like.

JANE  I now have plenty of time to make cookies and candy but am unable to do it. Way back I spent a few weeks after Thanksgiving doing at least one batch after work and week ends making more. Had to get a box out to California early to make sure it would get there on time. Never had a fruit cake recipe and if I did I would have made one for my oldest son. He is the only one who likes them.

LLOYD  how was that motor home you looked at?  Getting a used one I hope you checked it all out good.

JOAN  could the remote need new batteries?  Remember the days before remotes and how we would have to go to the TV to change channels?

LARRY  it is not often a CNA is out. They do ret tired I know. The ones I have on Tueday and Friday are very dependable and good workers. The one for Monday and Wednesday I do keep busy because if I didn't she would sit and do nothing. I do not believe in getting paid to do nothing. The woman driving her car on the train tracks has a DUI charge against her. There are from Mass. and not familiar with the area they were in. Serves thm right IMO.

MARY ANN  I get the sun on my PC late afternoon about the time I Skype with my daughter so just pull down the shade.

SHIRLEY  not all senior housing is unfortunnate to have a manager like the witch here. She had to get a new hot water tank almost 2 years ago, got the cheapest one she could find. The last moth we have had no hot water than having it. The company that works on those things has never seen one like this and is doing their best when she keeps interferring. A few days ago he told her that if she lets him do the work the way he can and leave him alone he might get it fixed. She went back to her office. We have hot water again so when I finigh here I will get into the shower. Too old for cold water shocking me. I have not received the latest AARP mag yet but got the hewsletter yesterday.

CAROL  I have a niece who is into our family history. Her latest was of a man on my Father's side he was sent to New France and was taken prisoner of Indians and survived.

JOAN  there are a few places around I would love to check into but way too expensive for me.

SHIRLEY  I never ordered anything from Amazon so no help from me.

JUNE  enjoy the visit from Dan and Nancy.

BUBBLE  wow that took a steady hand to balance every thing like that. Thanks.

 Gloria Like most all of my life at least a day and $$$$ short it was sold just before we cold see it. But just after the first of the year we are selling out reserving the right's for life. and on line we are looking at all sorts of class A motor homes. we intend to travel seeing lot of places and people. who knows we may even show up on your door step. are thinking about getting passports
and crash AMY. we are talking about becoming snow birds and spending winters in warmer claimants and summers in Idaho at grandsons and such. Have a great day.

Lloyd

Good Wednesday morning Everyfriend.  Joe has already been here.  He had ordered a new keyboard for my iPad and it arrived.  The other one had a broken hinge on it, if you remember.  Hope yo all have a nice day.

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

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

The tech was just here and delivered and set up the oxygen concentrater to go with my CPAP machine. I visualized it to be a small machine but it is about the size of a suitcase.  They had sent a backup tank of oxygen in case of a power outage  but I declined it as we seldom have a power outage and I am not dependent on oxygen.  My monthly costs have just gone up again for this device.

Mary Ann, I am finding that often I think of one thing and say or write another.  My mother never made fruit cakes either.  I thought the bread, butter and sugar sandwiches were a real treat growing up. 

Shirley, I didn't realize that my folks were probably pretty poor as we never went hungry since we lived on a farm and we had our own meat and canned and later frozen fruits and veggies.  You make me glad that I never have had nor would have a swimming pool.  They sounds like a lot of expense and work for a short season.  Our one-time neighbor had an in ground pool put in and after a couple of years it was seldom used. I didn't worry about the eye surgery as have friends who have had great experiences at this eye practice.  I can't wait until the other eye can be fixed.  The worst part is not being able to drive for a couple of days.  Shirley, go to your orders for your Amazon account and over to the right is a drop down menu where you can request a return if the item is damaged.  They send you an email with a bar code to return the item at their expense via Fed Ex or UPS.  It is simple and easy to do and as soon as they get notice the package has been mailed they refund your payment via your credit card.  We have done this several times and it works beautifully. 

Jane, we purchase a lot of things from Amazon and have found their customer service to be excellent. 

June, glad you got your A/C fixed. Hope you have a great day with Dan and Nancy and Tank.

Jenny, your family is certainly keeping you traveling from coast to coast. 

Joan, are you having to pay the $9,000 a month for the apartment you are not using at the moment.  I sure hope they are not that expensive around here but haven't checked.   

Hal, when I lived in Alaska I had to use a bloc heater on my car as it ws always outside, there were not garages.  Sorry to hear of your continued shortness of breath.  I am hopeful that having the oxygen with my CPAP machine will keep me from getting so tired and experiencing the shortness of breath. 

Gloria, that is a pretty chilly morning.  Glad you don't have to get out in it everyday.  Too bad that you have to keep after the CNA to keep her busy.  Our housekeeper works like a busy bee when she is hear.  Pat gives her any specific instructions on areas she wants to have special attention and Janet does these plus her regular routine.  If your manager knew so much about fixing the hot water heater then why didn't she fix it.  Good for the repairman in telling her to leave him alone to do his job. 

Lloyd, if you come to the South I hope you and Nancy will stop in to see us.  We are easy to find as we live off of a frontage road for I-20.

Joan, you should be all set with that new keyboard.  Sure glad you have that iPad to use.

Larry--i had to give up the apartment since it was Independent Living, and I will be going to Assisted Living.  This rehab place is 9 thousand a month, which I have to pay.  The dollar sign will not work.

Oh Joan,  I thought one of the nicer places in my area was expensive at almost $5,000.   I can't imagine having to pay that amount.   Hope that you will be able to get to the Asst. Living place soon.  However, it probably won't be a whole lot less.  My thoughts continue for you to continue feeling better.   It is always just so nice to see you being able to be with us all again. 

Joy

Larry,  I am sorry that I haven't commented on your cataract surgery.  I am so happy that you are doing so well and I can imagine how anxious you are to have the second one. 

I hadn't read anything about the Cracker Barrel restaurants having the take-out Thanksgiving dinner.  I don't think there are any of those places around my area.  I know there is one up in Shrewsbury, Pa. but that is a little too far to go to pick it up.  As it stands now, I think my grandson has offered to make the dinner and I will just contribute something towards that. Either monetary or make a couple things.  My 2 other grandchildren have decided they won't be able to make Thanksgiving, but are going to try and make plans to come down sometime during the Christmas holidays.   I am kind of disappointed, but I will "go with the flow".  I am pretty flexible with anything these days.

I, too, have not had any problems with returning things to Amazon.  And,  it is great that when I do order something, it is just so easy to have the item sent to whoever I want it to go to. They have all the addresses saved in my account of addresses that I have used in the past.  When I have things sent to my granddaughter, since she lives in an apartment complex, they just leave a note in her mailbox and she picks it up the post office. No problem at all.

I need to get on with my day and get some things accomplished.  LOL  Spend way too  much time on the computer, but it is my lifeline to so many things. 

Joy

Whizzing through again, just had a shower & washed my hair, trim will be needed next time.  Gloria, glad you mentioned it was the newsletter that came (AARP) & NOT THE MAGAZINE.  I cleaned off the table & you are right, I also got the newsletter & that was where all the info about checking on our next "home away from home" is.  Sorry, everyone, seems life is slightly stirred up around here.

Larry, I think I know what happened when ordering from Amazon, I must have caught the site in the middle of an update or something since none of the normal options of how to pay or where to send (I have at least a dozen names & addresses I ship to), & the computers just did a "ship to" the last place an order went.  I am okay with paying for both but not okay with being "used" instead of "new"... for gifts! I went ahead last night and posted a negative review, after leaving a request for the seller to contact me 24 hours before.  I would have done it privately but hopefully will get the seller's attention this way.  I don't blame Amazon for the mix up except it would be nice to explain what is wrong and be understood.  I can't believe in less than 10 minutes the order could not be returned back to the original/intended destination!  That was nobody's fault but the girl that couldn't understand English! Thanks for the advice.

Time for me to stop the gift giving, all but one in college makes more a year than I do & maybe one nice donation to St.Jude's would mean more than to family & I can take that off my income taxes.  Bah, humbug......

Joy, I offered to do a Thanksgiving dinner between Christmas & New Year since that's when my daughter can travel (after another hernia operation).  I have a large enough table to seat everyone with a card table & bar stools for the 4 youngest.  I like to serve on dishes & use silverware & not paper plates & plastic forks & knives.  I don't ask for any help but they are free to bring side dishes or dessert if they want.  I fix a turkey & gravy, turkey breast & noodles, mashed potatoes, rolls, cranberry sauce, candied sweet potatoes & candied carrots, usually a fresh fruit salad with real whipping cream. Immediately my kids that have grands suggested having it an a different house because I don't have a "play room" for the kids.  My response was, "can't they come in & sit down and eat?  Do their parents let them run when they go out to eat?"  I know they take them out to eat.... and think it's time they learn some manners and rules. Not sure how this will come out but for once I am NOT going to haul food to another house.  I need an attitude adjustment.

More clothes heading to the utility room.... sunny day but cold, lots of outside work to take care of & all I want to do is run away from home.  I need to quit stopping by this computer to see what y'all are up to, and whining about my life. 

Another lovely day!!!

Hal, this time it was the snow tires on hubby's vehicle, it was mine last week.

Managed to get a few things done ,wood in and lawn tidied and then I sewed! I have to admit this is a fun quilt, I am making dogs (just the heads) of red dogs, blue dogs, checkered dogs , and swirly dogs .Once I get them made I have to put eyes and a nose on them and that may be a problem,for me but I will try .

Gloria, are you all going together for a Christmas gift for the "witch" may I suggest a broom!

Larry, good to hear your follow up went well. You would have to hog tie me to work on my eyes .

Shirley, a friend of mine worked in a restaurant where a family with unruly children came in. She remarked to them when they were leaving ..."it sure must be nice when the kids behave when you take them out"
I have been in restaurants where children are let lose and I feel so sorry for the waitresses trying to get hot food or drinks to a table.

Joan, if it means you are getting top notch care then it is worth it. We are not happy when your not here...(we worry too!! )

Good afternoon, EVERYFRIEND. 

THE SUN IS SHINING, so I am in much better spirits today.  It has warmed up a bit, so that also helps. 

SHIRLEY, I want to go on record to say, I do NOT think YOU need the attitude adjustment..... me thinks the younger geration does!  I think you need to be appreciated more for your willingness to host a meal, being you have to do everything on your own to get the meal prepared.  Not many are willing or able to take on that task! 

So many in my life are struggling right now....my dad is having urology issues, and I think the doc is being much too aggressive to want to do the treatments that he wants to do on a 93 year old man.  One neighbor is in the hospital after having a terrible reaction to her blood pressure medicine, and has been on a ventilator or several days.  Her throat swelled up terrible and it was so bad by the time the paramedics arrived that they were not able to even get the tube down her throat.  The other neighbor that had to have both legs amputated the end of July came home today as she has used up the time that Medicare will pay for living assistance.  How is she ever going to be able to alone in her home?  One prosthesis is on order, but the other stump is not healed enough to even get ready for a prosthesis. Today my cousin called from Wyoming asking me if I knew where her husband is?  She said he has been missing for two days....that certainly had me going trying to figure out what was going on.  I have since talked to her DIL, and found out that her husband is in the hospital, but my cousins short memory recall is such that she can not remember......  oh my! 

LARRY, it sounds like you are doing very well after your eye surgery.  I am glad that Pat is able to do the driving when necessary.  I hope Jennifer feels better soon. 

All the baking you ladies do is pretty impressive.....I used to do a lot as well, but those days seem to be in my past.  We do not need any sweets around here.  I remember well making my fruit cakes and remembering to pour some rum over them ever so often,  they sure were tasty. 

JOAN, I am sorry to hear that you had to give up your apartment, but when you need more care that is what one has to do.  The price of assisted care is outrageous..... I do hope you will be able to move back to your place soon. 

I hope you all have a good rest of your day. 

Jenny

Hi my sweet friends. Dan and Nancy arrived about 9 a.m and it is a slice of Heaven to have them touchable and hugable. They look SO well and happy, and little Tank, 3 pounds, is so lovable. I was thinking they had 6 dogs now, but it is only 5, so 4 of them are staying with a "care-giver" this week. All five dogs together come to the grand weight of 25 pounds, so Nancy can easily share a section of their couch with all of them. They are off checking out their motel room right now, so they gave Mom a chance for her afternoon nap.

Dan checked out my Lynx vacuum which is not working and got on to Amazon, and I will have a new Lynx in a couple of days. YAY. It is a neat little vacuum that is easy for an old lady..no cord. My cleaning lady comes in every other week to vacuum but there always seems to be a need for a vacuum in the meantime.Dan also worked on my lap top and showed me how to enlarge the font. I hope I remember !

If I don't get back today...you will know I am enjoying my kids. Hugs every one. June

I'm about to head off to bed also so I will bid you all...

Good night Everyfriend.  Sleep peacefully and wake refreshed to a new day. 

Well it has been a day.  I went to doctor this morning and got right in.  He came in and he examined me and gave me a breathing treatment with the nebulator listen to my lugs and of course ask a hundred questions and said he thought I had pneumonia so he sent me over to lab for blood work, two different drugs and for a chest xray.  How in the world I got pneumonia I don't have a clue.  I had to good fortune to get the assistance of one of the hospital staff to show me to the xray department and even put me in a wheel chair a roll me all the way there.  But it took me a good 30 minutes to walk back to where I parked the car.  I cratered when I got back home.

At any rate the doctored called me mid-afternoon and told me the xray confirmed I had pneumonia and some fluid on my lung and he was calling in another script for water pills, wife went down and got them and I will start those in the morning.

I will check in with you all in the monring.

God Bless, sweet dreams and nite, nite.

Should be in bed but always do a "bed check" on y'all before I turn out the lights.

Jenny, I do feel your sadness with so many friends & family in "dire need" because of health issues.  Seriously, it really does give me a "heart ache" because I can't help make everyone feel better.  Sorry about your neighbors, friends & family... hugs to you.  Congratulations to the bride & groom, know it will be such fun for all of you to be together.

Hal, pneumonia is nothing to mess around with, that heavy feeling you've been having was probably the first symptoms.  As your mother probably used to say, "put on your warm vest and don't take it off until spring".  I found that BenGay works better to rub on me than Vicks... and sure helps to break up the congestion better than anything else... hope you got a good antibiotic to heal fast!  I had a long ago friend telling about her episode of getting worse & worse until one day she complained to the doctor that she "didn't know why it kept getting worse, she put Vicks on every time she went out....".... He had the ah ha moment & yelled at her "that is the reason it is worse, NEVER go outside with Vicks or BenGay on, it opens the pores!"  We were in high school at the time & sure made an impression on me, I passed it on.  My daughter just told me tonight that she reminded HER daughter to be sure & wash the Vicks or BenGay off her little boy before letting him out.  My daughter was sounding off because her daughter does everything by "what the app says".... no common sense at all.   

June, so nice to see your happiness to have "the kids" visiting.  Tell Dan when I think of beautiful photos I think of some of his you shared with us.  Hope he is still at it.  Are you going to have a chance to have both boys & wives with you for a photo before they go back? .... to share with us?

Need to get to bed.  Sweet dreams to all and God Bless.  Love ya, Shirley

Hi Everyone... 

I know that some of you are saying, "It's about time!"  Well, hopefully I'll try to make that change.  It was, on November 1, 2017, the second anniversary of being ill!  Then on March 15, 2016, the second part of this illness!   Hospital visits to the ER are just not for me.    

I'm so happy to see Joan posting.  I'm sure it's because of the many prayers and good thoughts going heavenward on your behalf Joan  by our wonderful membership. 

Personally, I'm so thankful for all who have stepped forward to help with things around the site while these illnesses have hit so many of us. 

I'm now having to tell you that once again, our wonder woman, Jeanne is residing in the hospital.  She hopes to be back though, in a couple days (but I'm sure no one will complain if she takes a few days for herself in her cosy home before coming back to the Soda Shop and the rest of the site.

Well, since it's 2 am here and sleep just wouldn't come, I'll close for now and hopefully be back soon!

Love to you all,

Pat...

I'mreporting in this morning.   I seem to have missed reporting OUT last night...or did I?  My mind is full of holes this morning. 

I'm so sorry to hear about our beloved Jeanne Lee.  I hope she recovers quickly and is able to at least say "HI" now and then.

I gathered everything I need to make chocolate candy and today it is my intention to get a good start on that job so I can spend the weekend at it.  I'll let you know how that goes.  My plan includes throwing a couple loads of laundry in to slosh around while I'm otherwise involved.

Kiran and I are having supper together today so that will be a pleasant interval.  Hot dogs and french fries have been ordered.

Good Morning Everyone!

Sorry to hear Jeanne is in the hospital.  Never much fund to spend any time there.  I always felt like I was in prison and they certainly don't let you rest.

Tisie, thanks for the advice.  You know I hadn't thought of Ben Gay or Vicks in years, my Mom used to keep a good supply on hand and used it on me all the time.

I had a restless night and was up and down, finally about six I gave up and got up and put the coffee on.  Thought I would check in to see what had or is going on while it brewed.

We finally got some rain here late yesterday afternoon and hopefully more during the night hours.  It is so dry around here.  The VP (Pence) was in the area and went down to where they had the shooting and met with the folks there in the football stadium.  On the news it looked like it stayed dry but cold, don't think it got out of the 40's yesterday, and all he had on was a suit jacket.  Hope he had on his long johns.

Hope everyone has a great day.

Hal, I hope your meds are working and you're feeling better.  Pneumonia is nothing to fool with at our age. 

Janie alert.  Duck, here it comes.

12:20 PM | *Late week Arctic blast may not be the last of the month…”high-latitude blocking” pattern likely to form by Thanksgiving Day*

https://www.vencoreweather.com/blog/2017/11/7/1220-pm-late-week-arctic-blast-may-not-be-the-last-of-the-monthhigh-latitude-blocking-pattern-likely-to-form-by-thanksgiving