halkel--One never knows where love will bloom.

Jenny--I purposely get sheared, since I lost my hair with chemo and it only came back in spots.  Glad you enjoy the daily "stuff".

Janie--Hope after some ZZZs the dizzy feeling is gone. If not it'd be wise to call the doctor.

We are now having a driving rain, we do need the water but a gentle rain would be nice. I didn't get the lawn mowed but I did manage to strip the border off the bedroom wall. I will paint it on Sat I hope.

Thank you for thoughts and prayers, they are much needed and welcomed. Tomorrow is  the cardiologist, then over to get an exray before the MRI We don't know when the MRI is yet but surgery is Oct 7th and we have to be in at the hospital at 6:30 am....so on the road very early.

I went and put feed out for the deer, momma has twins and I sure she will enjoy it as well as the young ones now.

Jane,I hope your feeling better and yes go to the Dr to see if he can help you.

Enjoy your evening.

Amy--We sure could use some of that rain.  And now you are going to paint the bedroom?  You sure are a jack of all trades.

I must have done something right in raising my kids.  #1 son arrived Monday afternoon for a short visit.  Monday night we were watching my steadily failing TV (I don't remember what was on).  The first thing yesterday morning (well, he did have breakfast first) I found him measuring the TV and the TV stand, following which he took off to go shopping - in spite of the fact I tried to discourage it.  He returned after an hour or so with a brand new 32" flat screen and proceeded to install it.   

His excuse was that he liked to watch TV with me but couldn't stand it on the old set - claiming the new one was for his benefit.  Has the Lord blessed me with my children, or not!   

Congratulations Jeanne....
You are going to love it!

Jeanne.......    One great son, no doubt about it.

Congratulations, Jeanne Lee, you raised a good son.  I like his way of thinking, too.

This must have been "Be Kind to Your Parents Weekend" as our 6 kids (with in-laws and out-laws) showed up and replaced our rotting back porch with a new one with a railing all around and down the steps.  While that was going on, the non carpenters were trimming hedges, mowing and weed eating.  Then they surprised us with an early birthday party.  Jims birthday is 9-11 and for the past 15 years we have celebrated that day by helping a group prepare lunch for our policemen, firemen and Emergency Room staff as a small "Thank you". 

Bis, I no longer send snail cards anymore…only to those who don't have computers. Gary took over that little chore for me also and he encloses a check and greeting from me along with the ones that they send out. I think Dori does the cards, and Gary does the checks as he is on my account. I am doubly blessed by those two legged Angels.

Hal, Love does conquer all, even moving to France. My prayers go with her, for a very happy life. Thank you for explaining to this old lady.

Jenny, thank you for that special hug my dear one. It may cost you to play the slots, but it is an enjoyment to play them like nothing else. That whirring wheel can be addictive, but you are wise enough not let them rob you.

Janie Love, I am glad your work day has ended and you can be home and relaxed. You might give serious thought to the dangers in driving your car if this continues.I gave up my car when I had those mini TIA's, and was not sorry at all.

Jeanne Lee,Yes, the Lord has truly blessed you with that thoughtful son. I too have been so blessed so I know your feelings. I'm thankful for your good fortune, and mine too.

Andie, and Congratulations to you too…wow…a new deck and steps with railings too. Kind thought went into that job, as we need railings as time goes by.

I'm really slowed down..I forgot to tell you about the fall I took today. I spent too much time on the computer this morning and realized I had missed half of the program downstairs. A gentleman was telling us about the Quaker faith, and of course I wanted to hear him, so I rushed downstairs, out the door to the chapel and down I went on the cement. It does have a carpet out side the door, but no padding. I started to get up and one of the workers here took hold of my shouders and said, "NO, you lie down." He sat down beside me and insisted I stay there till the nurses arrived, which the did, within minutes. Our main disk is located on the other side of this entrance and I think she alerted half the staff. Two nurses must have run to assist. They too would not let me stand. They had me move my arms and legs and checked to see if my head was bleeding, fortunately not but the paramedics were called. In the meantime they realized I was lucid and not broken so with the help of the male worker and two nurses they insisted they would let me rise and sit in a chair. They took my blood pressure which was out of sight and pulse was racing......what else when a person falls for goodness sake. I said I did NOT want the paramedics, and I would NOT go to the hospital. House rules say paramedics shall be called. Four handsome young men appeared on the scene, all if uniform, spoke to me, got the vitals from the Nurses, said I did not have to go to the hospital, shook my hand, smiled and said goodbye. People eventually dispersed and the Nurses followed me safely home. I went back downstairs for lunch...I could never pass up fried chicken and it was scrumtious... then I came home, put on leisure clothing, and a nurse appeared to take my b.p. I laid me down on the bed and had a nice nap, till another nurse appeared to do the blood pressure thing again. She said she would be back later this evening for more checks. Whew...if anyone has to fall, I hope they are in a place like this. The last nurse that checked my out gave me a hug, and said I was loved. Wow.

Wow!  I'm sure glad God was watching over you today!  And i'm glad he sent that nice gentleman to make you stay still until you were checked.  My heart skipped a beat just reading about it!  Please be very careful!

June
So sorry to read about your fall, but good to,know you had help at hand.  The check up is necessary and results are good but get that BP Dow n.

Jeanne lee
I like to hear of children doing such things for parents. They know your worth and remember what you have done got them?
Thanks for posting photos. You are always ready to help.

Jane and Junee, thank you girls. I am still learning it seems. I must practice picking up my feet when I walk..not slouch and let feet shuffle, which seems to be habit as we age. I'm still feeling a bit "slow" tonight so a good nights sleep in on the docket and tomorrow is a new day. God is Good, and I am thankful.

Just had a nurse come it and do another blood pressure check. now I think it is time to shut off the computer and go read. Nurse said she would be back again about 9:30. I said, "if I am sleeping, just come in and help yourself to my arm." She said "thank you."

And so my wonderful friends, sleep peacefully, wake happy and thankful. We are so blessed.....all of us. June

Sleep well my friendsll

Ah, June and Lloyd.  What are we going to do with you.  Please take care and you to Lloyd.  We don't wan anything happening to either of you.

JUNEDRABEK....
...what a saga, being very precautious, guess its there responsibility that they have to cover themselves, they have been trained and prepared to act in this way,.... but what a great team you have in your new home....bravo to the care they gave you....
.....and yes I sure would be lucky and grateful if I was living in your home, as you remember the day I had my nasty fall at my old address and caught my head on the large terracotta flowerpot, when I fell sideways heavily on concrete, I called to R several times, each call getting louder, and with each call he heard, was purposely ignored as he stayed seated in his chair....Little did I realise that at the time, I was in the early throws of MS....
....I am happy and relieved to read, that your fall did not require another visit to a hospital bed....

....now tell me more bout those four handsome men....

Good Thursday morning, Everyfriend.  There's a full breakfast to accompany your coffee or tea. I wish everyone a good day!!




Business Signs

Bakery: "It's nice to be kneaded."
Car Dealership: "The best way to get back on your feet - miss a car payment."
Computer Store: "Out for a quick byte."
Operating Room Entrance: "May I Cut In?"
Photographer's Studio: "Out to Lunch: If not back by five, out for Dinner also."
Podiatrist's Office: "Time wounds all heels."
Proctologist's Door: "To expedite your visit, please back in."
Propane Filling Station: "Tank heaven for little grills."
Sanitarium Door: "Nobody leaves here mad."
Store Window: "Why go elsewhere and be cheated when you can come here?"
Undertaker's Window: "Drive carefully. We can wait."
Waterbed Shop: "Your vinyl resting place."


Keep Your Fork
(Author Unknown)

There was a woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and had been given three months to live. So as she was getting her things "in order," she contacted her pastor and had him come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes. She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she would like read and what outfit she wanted to be buried in. The woman also requested to be buried with her favorite Bible.

Everything was in order and the pastor was preparing to leave when the woman suddenly remembered something very important to her. "There's one more thing," she said excitedly. "What's that?" came the pastor's reply. "This is very important," the woman continued. "I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand."

The pastor stood looking at the woman, not knowing quite what to say. "That surprises you, doesn't it?" the woman asked. "Well, to be honest, I'm puzzled by the request," said the pastor.

The woman explained. "In all my years of attending church socials and potluck dinners, I always remember that when the dishes of the main course were being cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say, 'Keep your fork.' It was my favorite part because I knew that something better was coming . . . like velvety chocolate cake or deep-dish apple pie. Something wonderful, and with substance! So, I just want people to see me in that casket with a fork in my hand and I want them to wonder 'What's with the fork?' Then I want you to tell them: 'Keep your fork . . . the best is yet to come.'"

The pastor's eyes welled up with tears of joy as he hugged the woman goodbye. He knew this would be one of the last times he would see her before her death. But he also knew that the woman had a better grasp of heaven than he did. She KNEW without a doubt that something better was coming.

At the funeral people were walking by the woman's casket and they saw the pretty dress she was wearing and her favorite Bible and the fork placed in her right hand. Over and over, the pastor heard the question, "What's with the fork?" And over and over he smiled.

During his message, the pastor told the people of the conversation he had with the woman shortly before she died. He also told them about the fork and about what it symbolized to her. The pastor told the people how he could not stop thinking about the fork and told them that they probably would not be able to stop thinking about it either.

He was right!

So the next time you reach down for your fork, let it remind you, oh so gently, that the best is yet to come!

"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1


"I think about heaven a great deal, I think about the failures in my life in the past, but know that they have been covered by the blood of Christ, and that gives me a great sense of confidence...I have a certainty about eternity that is a wonderful thing, and I thank God for giving me that certainty. I do not fear death. I may fear a little bit about the process, but not death itself, because I think the moment that my spirit leaves this body, I will be in the presence of the Lord."

- Billy Graham

Good morning everyone.

My gosh, I think we should put June and Lloyd in a bubble to keep them safe!! I am glad you didn't break any bones in your fall June.

We are off to the city to hear what the cardiologist has to say then over to gt an xray done before the MRI...then home!!

Joan, thank you for breakfast..

Enjoy your day everyone..

Good Morning Everyfriend!  Today it looks like a typical Fall morning in the Northeast out there.  It's so foggy that it's going to be difficult to see if you are driving.  But then it all burns off by 10:30 or so.  It think it's because it rained last night and the ground was so warm and the rain was cool that we have the fog today but it really does look like Fall out there.

I know she's probably gone by now but I'm praying for good results for Amy's husband today.

I have some on line shopping to take care of this morning and then I'll be peeling and chopping tomatoes for salsa to give to the family for Christmas.  I hope I can get that job done before I pick up TLH after school.  And I guess I better get started or I won't finish. 

Joan, I've heard the fork story before and I always loved it but today I copied it to send to my doubting granddaughter.  I want her to know that I truly believe the best is yet to come.  I also want her to think about things that will help to sway her in the right direction.  Sometimes I think they teach too much science in college these days.  And since God is not allowed, they have no comparison to make.

I'm off to feed the doggies, get dressed and chop tomatoes, peppers, onions, cilantro etc.

Good morning, Amy.  You're probably on the road by now, but I am praying that all goes well for your husband.

Janie--Good morning.  I've heard the fork story before, too.  It's a good lesson for young and old, IMO.   Imagine you're about ready to start chop, chop, chop.

Good morning, Joan and all the early friends.

Joan, thanks for the good breakfast this morning.  I don't usually eat much for breakfast, but this sounded good this morning.  Even tho I don't eat a lot for breakfast at home, I especially like going out for breakfast.  I think I would rather go out for breakfast or brunch than for dinner.

Amy, good luck to your husband for all he has to good through today.

I especially liked all the "Chuckles" this morning.   I , too, have heard the "fork" story before.

Hope everyone will have a great day.

Joy

Good morning everyone. it is raining here and is called for most of the day for it. up date on my health. the saw bones yesterday took me off of oxygen (90 some points with out being hooked up) and no more shots in the stomach, said I
could go back to shop just do moderate. and you all praying for rain messed that up,HA HA HA. have a great day. i slept in late for skype talk too late for the time zones on either side of the big ponds and even Hall was on line but lazying off.

Lloyd

Hi everyone on a 73 degree morning with partly cloudy skies here in South Carolina.  This will be my typical Thursday morning with picking up my friend for coffee and taking him home and then back to the church for the Wisdom group.  Then this afternoon Pat will have her third chiropractic treatment for this week.  Initially she had scheduled it for tomorrow morning then realized she has a long standing appointment with her GP tomorrow morning.  I discovered when I went to take my morning medicine that the boxes were empty.  It seems like I just filled them for two weeks last week but I realize that time flies by.  So I had to put the medicine boxes together this morning. 

Yesterday was another very busy day.  Scott and I did enjoy the dinner at church last night.  We had wings with different sauces, mac and cheese, a  nice green salad, dinner rolls and a piece of pound cake with fresh peaches on it with a little whipped cream.  He then came out and spent several hours with us. 

Hal, your schedule next week sounds like ours has been this week.  Since Pat is not able to drive right now I have to take her to all of her appointments in addition to my own.

June, it is nice to see you are so satisfied with where you now reside and that you receive such wonderful care.  I am certainly happy to read you were not seriously hurt with your fall.  That is a frightening experience for all concerned.  Always better to be safe than sorry.  Here is an extra cyber hug from me.

Jenny, I skipped watching the live presentation about the new iPhone as am not in the market for one.  I have watched the Apple presentations for the last two or three years or more.  They really know how to create interest and hype a product.

JaneS, hope today finds that dizzy feeling gone.  It seems that God is being squeezed out of our schools and now homes.  It is sad. 

Amy, your poor husband has really gone through the mill with medical problems.  I am sure glad you are there to be such a good support for him and to get him where he needs to be. 

Andie, what a nice surprise your kids and inlaws and outlaws gave you and your husband.  What a wonderful way to remember 9/11 by serving others lunch that are there to serve us.  I bet your "thank you" is appreciated.

Junee, so many folks fight high blood pressure and I have just the opposite problem as mine is too low.  The cardiologist wants my lower number to be 65 or better and if it isn't there is one of the medicines I am not suppose to take.  She is also concerned about the amount of liquid I drink and has asked me to restrict it to between 32 and 64 ounces a day as I have stage 3 kidney disease. 

Joan, those Business Signs are funny.  Your Food for Thought and your Thought of the Day is going to be what I use for the Devotional I will give at Sunday School this Sunday.  I have been looking at several different things but this one strikes a chord with me as I know the best is yet to come.  Thanks. 

Lloyd, what great news and sure you won't miss that oxygen hose following you around.  Please pace yourself and don't overdo. 

Good morning, Joy.  Like you, if I have my choice to meals to eat out, it's breakfast.

Lloyd--Good morning.  Glad to hear your doctor discontinued the oxygen and shots.  That sure means you're doing better.  Do take it easy if you go to the shop.

Good morning, Lloyd.  I fill my pill boxes for 2 weeks like you do and in no time it seems it is time to refill.  I am glad you can use some of the stuff I post in your devotionals at church.

Good morning everyone, still no sun here. Well yesterday after my CNA left I turned on the TV and laid on the couch watching and dossing all day. Talked to my daughter and had something to eat and went to bed. Don't think I will be going out for more than going to doctor visits anymore. Maybe if we had dry weather it might not have got to me so much. Oh well life goes on.

HAL  I am glad my grands all live here in the US. Of course I have not seen the 2 in California in years now. My grandson who works on my PC will be going to France this month for his job. Third time going there because of work.

JUNE  like you the US is where I was born and where I want to stay. I did go over the border into Canada twice and once over the border into Tijuana and was glad to cross the bridge back into San Diego.

JOAN  about now I would like to turn the heat on to dry the air in here. Of course the heat is turned off and will not be turned on for another month.

AMY  wow you feed the deer? My son has some hunting permissions for a few hunters to hunt deer on his property. Only those he knows will he give then to. They have done a lot of damage in his orchard some years. Used to be seeing one here was very unusual. This state had a 5day deer hunting season but with bow and arrows only.

JEANNE LEE  wonderful, now you can think of your sone every time you turn on that TV. My older son did not want me to bring my old floor model TV here so he bought me a bigger flat screen one as a house warming gift when I moved here. Don't know the size but a lot bigger than the old one.

JUNE  glad you did not get hurt when you fell. They sure take care of you when you fall there. If anyone falls here they have to call the rescue. No one here is allowed to get anyone up.

JOAN  a full breakfast is just what I need this morning. Business Signs had me chuckling.  Keep your fork, wonder if that would work with cremation. Like the Billy Graham quotes. Thank you for all today's goodies.

AMY  I wish you and your DH the best today. Prayers for both of you.

JANE  no fog here but on local news they showed the thick fog along the southern part of the state. That is all along the shoreline.

JOY  like you I enjoy going out for breakfast best.

LLOYD  listen to your doctor and take it easy, no big machines yet.

LARRY  will the doctor ever find the med you should not be taking?

Last Sunday I attended a Hindu wedding at which my nephew wed his beautiful bride. It was an absolute extravaganza. The highlight was when the bride was carried in on a litter in a costume as beautiful as she.
There were three meals that day, all Indian food, and before the final meal I was asked to say the blessing. I did so with trepidation, fearful that the interjection of a Christian rite into a an all-Hindu ceremony might cause some offense. I need not have worried because I was assured that my blessing was not only expected, but welcome as well. And so I proceeded, probably less than minute, and sat down. Imagine my surprise when people, mostly Hindu, approached me with the highest praise for my comments. One man claimed I was "sent by God." another proclaimed I was a "holy man." And so it went. The next morning in the hotel dining room the praises continued as folks approached me with words of commendation. And all I had done was say a simple grace before the meal. It was warm but humbling experience.

Good morning, Gloria.  You can't turn the heat on and off yourself?  I think somehow "the fork" could work with cremation.

Radioman--Good morning.  Thanks for sharing your participation in the Hindu wedding and your being asked to give a blessing.  For sure that would be humbling.

I've always said that breakfast is my favorite meal to eat out. 

The salsa is cooking.  It has about a half hour to go and then I can can it.  The jars are sterilizing and I'm ready when the buzzer goes off. 

Radioman, that's a good feeling when your efforts are recognized.  I'm happy for you.  I don't know if I told you that I did the Bible reading at my granddaughter's wedding in May.  It was a very traditional one but several people that I didn't know (most of them young people in Ali and Dan's generation stopped me to tell me that they loved it and than I did a very good job reading it.  I also wondered how it would be received because so many young people are not tuned in to Bible reading these days.

I have a half hour to wait for the salsa to finish cooking so I think I'll go grab some lunch while I wait.  Get back to whatever you were doing before I interrupted your day and make this one a good one.

Good Morning dear friends and may God Bless your day with all that you may need. Once again, it is now noon in Florida while I am having my second cup of coffee in Calif. And evening is coming for our friends in England. And yet we are connected by this thread of electronic equipment. What a Blessing !Thank you God.

I had another visit for a b.p. check before I fell asleep last night. A nurse woke my at 5 a.m. to ask if I was O.K., then another Nurse stuck his head in and hour later and announced he was here to take my blood pressure, which was very good.I tucked myself back under the sheet and decided to stay in bed . At 8 o'clock my good Nurse came in..they always knock, then slip a thingy into the key hole and enter. She is a love. Said she wanted me down today to change the bandage she put on left shoulder blade that got damaged slightly in my fall. Told me to stay in bed as long as I liked, and take more rest for her too.

And now I sit, eager to read your messages.

Hal, Believe me, I am going to slow down. I have always been fast moving, as my Mother was before me, and my coordination no longer keeps up with my get-up and go. I am going to train my self to step UP and OVER door ways, rather than trip over them. Our big sliding doors must have a ridge in the medal for the door to slide on, that was my nemisis yesterday. And I am going to train myself to march rather than drag my feet. Never too old to learn.

Jackie, I well remember the fall you took, and how it was disregarded. Where I lived before I had a friend…a former Marine…and Harry bought sharp sounding whistles and gave them to many of us to keep on our person, in case we needed help of any kind. People may not hear a voice call but those whistles make a sharp enough sound to be heard many feet away, and to keep blowing when help is needed is easier that shouting. Now here we wear a button that is silent to us, but loud in the nurses station,so there is no need of a whistle. I still have one attached to my cart though, as the life alert only works within the buildings.

Amy, I pray all goes well in your visit to the cardiologist…always hopeful it will be Good News.

Larry, I wish all of you had access to the living style i reside in now. It is SO reassuring to me and to my children. I cannot ask for more. And your cyber hug is very welcome. thank You.

Gloria, In the good old days Tijuana was nothing to fear. It was a fun place to go. There were vary poor people wandering the streets, and you felt when you bought something you were really helping the poor famiies that sold their wares on the sidewalks, plus the food was extra delicious and safe to eat. Now it is dangerous to cross the border.

Don, how encouraging to be able to share your faith at the Hindu Wedding, and how good of the people to praise your prayers. It must have been a great honor to have been invited to speak.

It is now going on 10 o'clock, so I am going to leave you all for the time being..will make the  bed, prepare the body for going out, and get down to the nurses station for a bandage change…no charge for this service. God is Good.

Good morning from a sunny day in the Interior! Farrah has had her back scratched, and her head knuckled along with a brisk game of catch that feather on a stick, so she is napping for now.

While our trees started turning yellow a day or two after Amy's, I awoke this morning to frost on the rooftops, so we are having an early winter this year. It is probably due to all the rain we've had. Normally we have our first snow somewhere around Halloween, but I don't believe that's likely this year.

June and Lloyd, please be careful! I know how easy it is for a moment, to lose your way and fall!

To those of you, enjoying the gift of beautiful, helpful children, you are truly blessed, both to have them and also to recognize what a good and loving parent you have been!

I hope everyone is enjoying their day, of either sunshine or rain!

JUNEDRABEK....
...many years ago I vaguely remember a neighbour friend giving me a whistle...that was because I left very early in the morning, and often dark, to an office cleaning job, and where I had to walk from at the side of my high rise flats was an underpass tunnel leading into another non through traffic lane, with factories as I passed by, one factory having friendly security guards who always looked out for my safety....but the underpass was known for a couple of nasty attacks on women....Somewhere along the line I have now mislaid her whistle but thankfully I never needed the urge for using it, just remembered it gave out one almighty loud pierce....Now you mention a safety whistle, I think that is a good Idea....Although not much use to me at the moment as I am going through another bad MS period, been lasting I guess a week now...just hoping it soon fizzles out as I haven't ventured outside my front door since I guess the day we took our Benji to the vets.....I can just about walk but my body is slouching and my leg nerves are twitching, I am having to sway - drag my right leg along as I go, while touching onto furniture and doors as I move around, etc....this all builds up during the day then eases itself by late of day - night...This is an illness - disease that can change in seconds, minutes, hours, it really is that unpredictable...Oh and not forgetting body stiffness from the waist down, that is a usual occurrence, and that I am now used to...

Janie--Kudos to you for doing such a fine job on the reading at
your granddaughter's wedding.

June--They sure are vigilant about giving good care where you live.

angelface--Glad we don't get frost on our roofs--a  harbinger of snow and cold weather coming. 

Vanilla-Jackie--I enjoyed reading your whistle experience.

I am going to go see if I can find a few zzz's on the couch and take a little nap.