We had a bit of light rain sometime during the night but the sun is shining right now. So nice to see.  The cold is supposed to hit us this afternoon and Mon. will keep the temps. in the 20's.  Along with the cold will come wind and with all of our tall trees that concerns me more than cold temps.

I cooked up a big pot of Navy Bean soup yesterday.  I always like to have a BIG bowl of soup when the weather turns cold.  I didn't have any chopped ham, or ham hocks, in the freezer so used medium hot Italian sausage instead.  Delicious and it will clear your sinuses for sure!  Wish I could send some to Larry to help clear his sinuses.

I hope you are feeling better today, Larry.  I have had many sinus infections and they can just make you so tired and feel terrible.  I hope it is much better and will get even more so quickly.

Reading and maybe a little TV today and a warm woolen lap robe is my plan.

Take care in the snow and especially in the extreme cold, Everyone.  I checked the weather in Warrenton, VA, where my younger son and family live.  It looks as though they escaped ice and snow but are having very cold temps.

Quote from: Amy on January 20, 2019, 07:26:29 AMGood morning everyone..

Sandy, we have CNIB here for the blind and they help in getting aids for those that need eg phones. Do you have something like that you could go through for a phone with larger numbers on it? I believe we all should have a landline, when power goes out so do the portable phones, not sure about cell phones though.
 

I am very fortunate here in Portland to have
the Iris Network    https://www.theiris.org/
right down the street from me.  The rehab
specialists come right  into my home
when needed.   

So I can check with them to see what they
have available for low vision telephones.
(for future use,  in case I need one) ...

I feel so fortunate to live in the city
of Portland that is so convenient for those
of us  who need public transportation etc...

Years ago,  when I knew that I was going to
be living alone,  I choose "city living"
here in Portland,  because it helped
me to maintain my independence.   For
help with medical and physical future needs. 

I hope that it is a long run. 

Sandy
    

I got up about 2:30, just couldn't sleep. Had breakfast but fed cats first, then Tom & Callie wanted to check outside, one in front & other in back. Kept an eye on the doors because I knew it wouldn't take them long to get back in. I checked the ice on the driveway, even tried to dig the corner of the chipper into the ice to see if the "ice melt" had done any good overnight. It was as hard as before I put it on. Don't dare back the car out since the weight might let it slide right into the RV. The sun is shining but the worst of the ice never gets the sun, house faces north & garage wraps around the east end. Hopefully it will heat the concrete enough to warm that other part so I can dig off to get a little traction. Sure hate we are sending the whole mess east, along with the wind.

Phyll, got to tell you about using "ham shanks" instead of hocks... my young butcher talked me into trying & I can't believe the difference. None of that really fat-fat & skin, much more of the lean ham to eat & get the same flavors. I had never even noticed there were 2 kinds, same packaging & brand, but I certainly do check now! I add a chopped up clove of garlic to my beans now (thanks to a friend's recommendation). I don't know if my mother did or not, we didn't eat a lot of beans growing up. I do love that Italian sausage, your meal sounds delicious to me. Maybe a skillet of fried potatoes with it? I learned to like my beans on a plate like my MIL served, and she always made a big bowl of coleslaw to go with them, and her melt in your mouth biscuits. Yum, my mouth is watering.

Wonder where Lloyd & Nancy are this morning. I had a call from my crew that they were on the plane & ready to head home, that the TSA people were gracious about working without pay, no delays so far.

Callie, I love French fries, any & all, but my fav are from Spangles, if you have any of those places. They have some kind of coating, doesn't change the flavor, but they do have choices of other coatings. They are local but like with Braums, have spread out a little.

Guess I'd better get moving. If I can break that ice loose I'll go to church later. My church has a late Mass at 11:00am but the one I used to go to (about a mile south of the new one) has one at 1:00 pm. I'll work on it but like you, Janie, I believe God knows & understands.

Sandy, my brain does a flip when you mention Portland.. know you are back east but think it was you that spent time on the west coast in or near Portland? Between you & Bobbi I really enjoyed your ventures.

Hi Everyone.  Our morning starts out clear and sunny but it is suppose to be cloudy most of the day.  We are to get to the low 50's today, which I know sounds good to many of you dealing with very cold and unpleasant weather.  I had a rough day yesterday and spent a good part of it either in bed or laying back in my easy chair.  Around 8 pm last evening I suddenly realized I was feeling better than I have for several days and I was able to get a good nights sleep.  I have done a couple of things this morning that have pretty well used up my energy, at least for now.  I do appreciate your concern and welcome your prayers and kind thoughts.  I am still not up to trying to go to Church this morning.  I forgot to write yesterday that our ministers surgery was a success and I am sure he is now home and I know he has a meeting planned this afternoon with the new leadership of the Church for this coming year.

I can't think of anything to write to all of the comments that has not already pretty well be said by others.  So am just going to make this brief again this morning.  I may be late posting tomorrow as have someone coming to the house at 9 am to work with me for an hour or so.

Great to see you check in, Larry. God Bless & watch over you. Glad to read your minister's surgery went well. We will try to keep the ball rolling until you feel like talking more.

Now to hear from Lloyd, am concerned about them & hope they didn't try to drive home without stopping. Not traveling weather in MO!

Good morning everyone. Noisy night here between the maintenance man hand his plow and the plow for the parking lot and then moving the cars very early this morning. Finally got to get sleep about  4:30 this morning. Not too much snow about 2 or 3 inches but now it looks like rain. At 29° must be freezing rain. Watched a few cars going by and they look like they are going very slow. Supposed to have a flash freeze later and everything wet will freeze. Glad my younger son has the day off tomorrow because of MLK day. Looks like the whole area will be ice in the morning. So far it  does not loo‌k windy. Just heard on the news there was a tornado near Montgomery, Alabama. Showed a lot of destruction.

LARRY  good seeing your post from yesterday. Glad you went to get help. Take care of yourself, that is what is important to us.

BUBBLE  sorry it is so cold there this winter. Between the cold and the dampness I sure know what you mean about it getting into the old bones. I have turned the heat up and still do not feel warm enough. Time to get the geemagotchees on I guess.

JANE  snow was supposed to start at 4 yesterday but started at 6.

AMY  you said it all to Larry. Just a HI is enough.

CALLIE  glad you decided to stay home yesterday. Better that going out and suffering later.

JENNY  we do not know much more about what the weather will be now from all the weather guessers and all their expensive equipment than from the Old Farmer's Almanac or 100 years ago with just having to wait and see. The highest peak in New England states is Mount Washington in New Hampshire, I cannot remember ho high it is.

SHIRLEY  right now I do not count calories, just cannot get enough of them. Anyone know anything to give me an appetite?

GLORIA de  I would like to get into a market and look around for things that might tempt me. Of all things I used to enjoy was going food shopping, always wanted to feed my family healthy food and I used to do a lot of cooking and baking. 

SANDY  I still have an old Princess dial phone. When I moved here my grandson wanted to throw it away but I kept it. An antique now.

AMY  I was just looking outside and so far does not look windy, at least none of the trees are moving their branches, still calm, I am so glad I do not have to go out. Later it will be feeling like well below zero when the flash freeze the weather people are talking about.

PHYLLIS  I have a bag of 15 beans with a packet of seasoning in it for soup.. It is delicious, I would make it today but no room in the freezer for left overs. I  will take chicken stock out of the freezer and either make a stew or soup. Good day for it.

LARRY  so good you had a better sleep last night. a good sleep can do wonders for all of us. Continue to take it easy.

Have a good day and all in the storm path stay in and keep warm.

My goodness, there is no let up on the wind!!! Normally the wood stove heats this place ,sometimes too much but today the oil is kicking in the odd time.
Snow blowing is done and the trails I did for the dogs are partially drifted back in again.  Will do them tomorrow after we get back from the city.

Jane, David is having fun with the Instant Pot. he did 24 eggs in 8 min and peeled them all a job he is not too fond of when they are boiled.

Jessie, is asleep on my foot at the moment.

Sorry about the winter storms affecting so many of you - I hope you can stay indoors and not walk or travel. 

It is 75* F in Tucson today and there will be a lunar eclipse to watch/.  This odd high temperature is only one day then cools off soon.  So nice to air out the house.

Amy:  One son's dog is named Jesse too.  The poor little thing was not taken care of by the first owners and son and DIL had to spend a small fortunate getting her back to good health.  She is easy for us to dog-sit.  Enjoy.

Larry:  Nice news that you are recuperating from the hospital ordeal.  I think blood pressure goes up just looking at the white coats surrounding you. 

Hello!  I finished some of the financial stuff including some papers that I need for my taxes.  When I give the tax stuff to my son to do, I tell him I need the return in time to pay my property taxes this year.  He usually manages to get it done in time.  It doesn't take him long to do mine...it's the getting to them that takes time.  He still does taxes for some of his friends who have small, one person businesses and he never charges them.  But I'm always last...I think.  At least that's what I tell him.

I also have the pie in the oven.  It's a new recipe and I hope it's good because I'm planning to deliver one to my neighbor who cleans my driveway and my walks.  He's a good guy and he works hard.  That snow was heavy and he was shoveling in the rain today.  He didn't want the leftover slush to freeze when the temps go down.  My dogs are already walking on top of the frozen snow in the yard.

Guess I better go take the pies out of the oven and feed the doggies and scrounge up some supper for me.  If the freeze comes, I probably won't have TV tonight.  The satellite dish doesn't like any interference.  I'm glad I'm not addicted to any shows.

Keep warm.  Keep safe.  Stay in if you have a choice.

I keep checking in to see if Lloyd & Nancy have reported in. I'm starting to worry about them, for real.[/b]

Jane, my little antennas don't like this wind, either, will get "no signal" notices now & then. Kind of reminds me of the old days when all we had was an antenna on top of the house. I am going to shop for a DVD player, not recorder, to attach to the TV in my bedroom. My daughter sent me the 2 James Garner movies we talked about the other day. She had some I was going to borrow but instead she ordered more from Amazon & insisted that "I'd watch them over & over in the RV".... she is so right, but I have plenty others she's loaned me. I have a recorder but it's strange, will hold many-many shows but I don't know if it will just play a regular DVD. My son insisted it was what I needed when I dumped the cable TV. (what do I know?) I am dreading taxes. I'm rambling.............need to order more Friskies for cats, too bad they don't count as dependents. I honestly think I'm spending more on them than I did when the kids were little, for sure they weren't as spoiled.

Special hugs for all. Hang in, Every Friend, it gets better in the spring.

I saw daffodil tips barely peeking up in flower beds today!

Amy, this has been a better day than yesterday and yesterday was better than the day before, so I am very, very thankful to God....our Great Healer. What dod you name  your new four legged baby Amy

Gloria, I sure do remember Lillias and Mare. I miss them ! My Dr. will be here this week and we always get weighed and  have our vitals taken before we see her, so I will see if my loss of appetite had made any changes.

Larry, you are the only person I know besides myself that has a low sodium count. They recently canceled my second salt pill to one a day. I used to get four a day when this whole mess started out. Do post when you feel up to it my friend. Even a word or two is welcome. More prayers for you friend.

Bubbles, the States are having some bad weather too. Especially the No. East. We is So Ca. only worry about drying up, or earthquakes or fires...but that is enough.

I have read all your good messages and it is now past my supper time, so off I go to heat up my soup. See you all tomorrow, God Willing and the Creek don't rise. Hugs , Love, and Prayers.....always. June

JUNE, I have to tell you that you bring my MIL to mind often lately.  When she was planning some activity, she always ended with, "If the Lord's willing and the creeks don't rise>"  I miss her!  She was Italian, born here but her parents and her three oldest siblings were immigrants.  She could swear a blue streak in Italian and nobody knew what she was saying.  But one day she did that and her older sister was there.  Aunt Rosie threw up her hands and said, Jenny...followed by a string of Italian and you could tell by her tone it was a reprimand.  When we asked Aunt Rosie what she said her answer was "I can't repeat it and I don't think I could translate it either.     

The pies turned out very good.  I'll definitely make them again!  Leftovers in the Hidey Hole. 

I'm going to be off to bed soon.  It was pretty late last night and I need to be in working mode tomorrow.

Good Night Everyfriend!  Sleep well and wake refreshed and may God bless us, every one!

Good morning everyone, well it is morning. First time this winter we are -1° and wind chill feels like -17° below zero. The wind sure picked up overnight. I saw only 4 people go out here yesterday and that was to take their dogs out. They were walking very slow and careful. This is the first time the maintenance man did not spread ice melt on the walkways. That was a surprise. Hope he did not fall or hurt himself. All the New England yankees are happy that the Patriots won the game yesterday, just heard it on the news. Back to the stupid-oops-super bowl for them.

AMY  I hear my heat come on often and I hope we have enough oil to last us through this cold. Since today is a holiday I don't know if any business is working today. So Jessie kept one foot warm for you, I know cats are good at doing that.

CAROL  I sure will not even stick my nose out the door in this cold. 75° would feel wonderful right now.

JANE  what kind of pies did you bake? I sure would like to bake one but I would not be even able to take it out of the oven. The stove here is wide and I cannot reach over the door to pull a rack out.

SHIRLEY  when I pulled up the shades this morning I could see the bright moon. and it was almost like daylight .  Could feel the cold at the windows, too.

CALLIE  will be months before we see any daffodils peeking up here.

JUNE  Mare and I used to in touch but have not heard from her n years now. She did love talking on the phone and I never did. Call and say what I have to and hang up.

LARRY  hope you feel better today.

LLOYD  where are you now?

Good morning everyone.. 

Not a fit day for man nor beast out there!! High winds still prevail and the temp is -24°F. We are going to cancel the appointment in the city and remake it for a better day. Wind chill is -45° F.

Jane, do you put gasoline antifreeze in your gas tank? We do that every now and again in winter. Your pie was delicious,now what is It called?

June, each day is a blessing that we see. It might not be the day we wanted but it is a day. His name is Jesse, right now he is running in the livingroom.....stops to pounce on a squeaky toy and run again!! A lot of work but also a lot of joy and the joy wins out.


Gloria, I have heard of that soup and have been tempted to buy and try it. Everyone says it is delicious!!


Sandy, happy to read you have help close by.


Larry,  just take it easy till you see your Dr. Hope he comes up with answers to your problem.

I am also wondering about Lloyd and Nancy, maybe we will hear from him today?

Enjoy your day everyone..

ps. Good morning Gloria!!

 

Good early morning, Gloria. You are sure early this morning.

It is still very, very cold with the wind howling.  I have pushed the thermostat up, as the air duct is right over my head when I am on the computer.

Just a short message right now. I am waiting for it to get light out.  Tried to go back to sleep, but couldn't.  I will get something to eat and then, maybe will read for a while.  I will get my hair done early this afternoon.  Then, maybe get another load of laundry done. 

Hope all of you who are experiencing this terrible cold spell will just stay in and be warm.

Joy

Hi Everyone.  We had a sunny day all day yesterday which was enjoyable.  I had wanted to go out mid-afternoon for our main meal but didn't feel up to doing so when I got up from resting.  So Pat fixed us each a hamburger, fresh spinach salad and applesauce.  I did watch both of the pro football playoff games, which turned out to be super games both going into overtime.  I am up early as couldn't go back to sleep after Pat came to bed around 2:30.  I have nothing planned for today as not feeling perky. 

Once again I am going to be brief today and just check in.

Right now it is 18 deg. F. and it is cold!  At least the wind that blew all day yesterday seems to have stopped.  I wanted to view the Super Blood Wolf moon last night.  The sky was clear and the moon was shining brightly but I couldn't stay up long enough to see the eclipse at mid-night here in the East.  I just watched a video of it on the computer and it must have been beautiful but this old body decided sleep was more important.

Shirley, the soup was so good.  I think I'll use the Ital. sausage again but I want to try your ham shanks, too.  I made Johnnycake to go with it and for dessert we had small cheesecake squares that I had ordered from Schwan's.  Just right after filling up on hot soup.  BTW, I watched part of the game from KC.  My gosh, I can't believe how cold it was and was amazed that all of those thousands of people would sit in that cold stadium to watch a football game!  It was a good game, as Larry said.  Sorry the young KC quarterback couldn't quite pull it off.

Breakfast is calling. TTYL

Just a quick check-in this morning.  I have a couple small chores to do and then I have to get ready to greet my fans at Wally World.  I had a nice long phone chat with my sister last night.  We didn't settle all the woes of the world but we took care of a few close to home.  I miss being able to sit and chat with her face to face. 

We had 1º when I got up this morning.  The snow is frozen solid and the dogs walk on top.  And they don't stay out there very long.  It's only suppose to get up to 11 today.  I can't wait to get back home after work!

AMY, the pies were called "Buttermilk Pecan".  They were kind of custardy but not as much as custard pies are. 

I wish you all a nice warm, cozy day filled with love and lots of happies!

Good freezing cold morning Everyone!   
It is about 9 degrees with a wind chill
factor of - 11 ....  (that's minus eleven!!!)

Very cold  but I am handling it!!

I am very fortunate to have my two gals,
living and or working right here in  Portland
very close to where I live.   I also have
a son 5 miles away...

Wishing everyone a very good day!! 

Sandy
  
 

Just want to tell y'all my internet/phones & main computer are all having hic-cups this morning. I've restarted the computer 3 times, reset the modem twice & called Cox on my cell phone. The phones are now working but still can't get the new-er computer to connect. This poor old baby is so slow to move around, but slow is better than nothing. Got a number of projects started but not finding means to finish anything (brain power lacking).

Wind is terrific, absolutely puts me into the worst kind of mood, besides making TV flicker & my bones moaning when cats want to go in & out. Hope Lloyd & Nancy are hunkered down somewhere safe & not driving in this wind. Do hope they found a warm spot but am uneasy at not hearing at all. 

Larry, good to see your post & hope your doctor can fix you up fast. Maybe you need something fun to dangle under your nose to perk you up, you think?  ... Like a trip around the world or whatever makes you smile?  Over in the Missouri discussion"back in the day" of Senior Net, during slumps we would get on the fantastic bus that swooped all over to pick everyone up... & before it was over one of the group that could create, would post a picture of everyone crowded on the bus ... and our spirits would pick up. I'll bet Gloria would still have a photo of that bus (hint-hint).... Seriously, prayers for a good report from your doctor.

Amy, I'm interested in using the instant pot for eggs... hard boiled eggs that fast & do they peel good?  My daughter has one & is eating a lot of hard boiled eggs... I'll pass the word on.

Going back to see why the other computer won't connect to my Wi-fi... sure... duh..... Guess I'll have to bring it into this room that is right over the modem & router. I give up easy.

Shirley, peeling eggs is a job David hands off to his wife normally. Now with this new toy  he did the 24 in 8 min and peeled them all himself! He said they peel real easy!

well I am home now. earlier i was at the hospital in Clinton Mo. Nancy's leg was hurting her very Bad, so I drove her to the emergence Room there
and made her go in and get checked out. they done a ultra sound on her leg
 found no blood clots in it, she in the past has had them. also I posted about where and what we were doing, but it is not showing up now I cant fiend it, oh well i am not the first to loos one or the last. we are home and friend Dave helped me get the motor home emptied up and all the supply tanks all emptied up. we left the furnace running so to keep it all warm, and tomorrow we will put the antifreeze in all the line and tank's so they wont freeze up and burst. I think i will go take a nap.
See you all later.

Lloyd

Glad you are safe, Lloyd, and hope Nancy's leg is better with "stretching it out". That is why I nagged (YES, I DID) about driving too many hours without stopping to walk. We never did enough to keep the circulation going, & the veins in the legs still show "too much sitting". Give her a hug for me. Next time I go to that Corp of Engineer campground just east of Clinton on highway 7...between Warsaw, I'll let you know & maybe you & Nancy can drive your motorhome down & camp near so we can visit.

I am still having computer problems, can get this old one to work but the new one won't join my internet. The "troubleshooter" that is built in says it is connected but I get the pop up that won't let it work. Is this fair??? I brought the new one in this back bedroom right over the modem where the old laptop sits... new one still won't work. 

Thanks, Amy, I'm just going to call my daughter & chat, we've talked several times already today. She is a lot of fun since she retired. 

JaneS.......I noticed you used the popular phrase,  "If the Lord's willing and the creeks don't rise" 
I've heard it often and assumed it referred to rising water.
According to some historians, it actually refers to the CREEK Indians.

"Benjamin Hawkins of the late 18th century, was asked by the US president to go back to Washington. In his reply, he was said to have written, "God willing and the Creek don't rise". Because he capitalized Creek it's asserted that he was referring to the Creek Indian tribe and not a body of water."

TidBit to remember, Don!  I do love the old sayings, especially when we start figuring out where they come from & what they mean. 

Been shopping for another DVD player 'cause the one I have is too smart. It will record lots & lots of shows & I know how to watch them, but no clue how to just pop a DVD in to play. Besides, I want one where I can lay down & watch so need a simple one. Looks like Walmart is the place to go.

Thanks for the info, DONKLAN.  I remarked on it because JUNE used it a couple of times.  It isn't one of mine or even my family.  My ITALIAN Mother-in-law said I often and I was reminded when JUNE used it.  Interesting to learn where it actually came from.  The Italians in that family were not in the USA until the early 1900s and they all spoke Italian until they went to school.  The farthest west any of them got was Flint, Michigan. Mom must have picked it up from someone else. 

I have two whiny dogs underfoot telling me it's time for supper so I better go feed them....me too!

I talked to someone at Quaker Maid Cabinets today and she's sending me what she thinks I need to fix my "droopy drawers".  We had a nice chat on the phone and if they don't work when I get them I can return them for a full refund.  She sounded VERY Amish!  I wonder!  They are located in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch Country!

Later friends.  Temps got all the way up to 10 today.  BRRRRR!!!

Good Evening Everyone...

Glad to see that LLoyd has returned home
safely ... Hope his wife is feeling better
soon.

I had a funny thing happen tonight. 

I was sitting at my desk and heard a voice
coming from my Life Alert.    No bells or whistles
just a voice that sounded like a phone call. 

Come to find out the phone call was from
Florida...  The person calling and I got
laughing because my "phone call"  came
over my "Life Alert" box.   

I called "Life Alert"  and they immediately
reset  my "Life Alert"  box and checked and
made sure everything was working ok
and we had a nice chat and hopefully
everything is working OK,  and I will not
get any more "phone calls"  over my life
alert system.   


I have been with Life Alert now for many
years ....    Since I signed up with them
there has been many more "Alert Systems"
come  advertised...  Once in a while I
checked them out but always come to the
decision that my "Life Alert" is really
the best choice for me.  And there would be
no advantage for me switching to a system
that might be a bit cheaper. 

I guess for me it comes to I get
what I  pay for,  while all the other
businesses are competing for my business,
I need to remember how very good
my "Life Alert" system really is. 

(I hope that I do not get any more phone
calls over it !!) 

It very cold and windy here in Maine
tonight..    But I am prepared. 

Sandy

it is nigh on to supper time, but I had to pop in and read all your messages. I love you folks and I love being part of your lives.

Nothing new from my side of the States...still fussing over money to finish the wall/ fence...whatever. I remember back home in Mn. farmers put up simple barbed wire fences and electrified them to keep the cattle from breaking out. It worked.

We had a mild day today. I don't think I went out though.....can't remember. My Dr. is coming here on Wed. so I typed out all I wanted to tell her. She likes that, and it is the only way I can remember what I want to say. The x-ray guy was here today...wheels in this big portable machine. I guess the doctor wanted a current picture of my "engine". It will be an interesting visit...I was too sick to see her in Dec. and evidently she doesn't make "house calls", even a ride on the elevator and a few steps from the clinic to my rooms. Oh, well, nothing in writing says all will be done to please each of us.

Time for me to go sir up some cottage cheese, sliced peaches, and anything else that pops up. I had a huge lunch of potato salad, added with a can of tuna and a bunch of chopped olives. Still have 3 or 4 meals of it left. But not for tonight.

I pray you all have a Blessed night, and Larry, I pray you will wake tomorrow with the feeling that your body is stronger and free of illness. God can place His Hands on the sick part and do His healing. Believe it, my friend. Love to All.......June

Good morning everyone. well we went to bed early slept good through the night for the most part but also woke up early. Nancy was having trouble sleeping for a while. I guess when she got it woke me up so just got up and took my morning meds. thought just as well check in and let you all know we are still breathing. hope everyone has a great day. Nancy is going to supervise and I am going to catch up on the washing of the dirty clothes. see you all later.
oh yes Jane thanks for the phone call yesterday is great to know we such great Friends.

Lloyd and Nancy