JANE S....
.....after your long day and the end of your busy shift, when and how do you get the time and energy to take your two dogs for their walk?...and do you take them, or do they take you?... 

Gosh the day went by fast!!!

I managed to do some baking after we got back from town.Put some in the hidey hole for you.. cherry cheese cake, pineapple squares and some raisin bran muffins. Clipped 3 dogs nails for them two are so easy to do.ours and our neighbours and one I had to give a pill to and even then she gave me a  rough time to get them done

Going to finish sewing the binding on a quilt and watch tv tonight..

Enjoy your evening..

Jackie, my dogs only get a REAL walk about once a week.  My yard is fenced and they go out by themselves whenever they want to. 

As you can see, I'm back.  I did have a nice nap and I'm ready to face some smallchallenges.  The doggies are out right now and when they come in, we'll have supper and then I'll get to work.  I do find that the more clothes I have to wear (sweat shirts etc. the less I feel like doing anything.  That must be why I get more done in the summer.

Janie--I think that was a good plan.  It sure would be nice if we could all really get together for lunch.

Callie--Are you going to put samples of the candy and cookies in the hidey hole?

June--After they draw the blood early tomorrow morning, I do hope they find something that will heal that leg.

Mary Ann--Sometimes speakers are such parties are too long winded, IMO.

Hi Vanilla-Jackie.

Amy--Thanks for the goodies in the hidey hole.  You sure do have lots of ambition.

A lot of folks use canned chicken or purchase  chicken parts such as only thighs or breasts or even purchase a meal with chicken parts or a TV dinner. It is something to think about when we just grab and go at times.

You might want to check your food labels before relying on one of your tried-and-true chicken recipes for dinner tonight. National Steak and Poultry just issued a recall on nearly 2 million pounds of ready-to-eat chicken that have the potential to be undercooked. The recall originally included 17,439 pounds of chicken per its initial release on Nov. 23, 2016, but the most recent update expanded that total to include an additional 1.9 million pounds of product.

This recall includes a variety of ready-made meat products, from boneless, skinless chicken strips and breasts to diced and cubed chicken goods from popular brands like Hormel. Any of these items that were produced between Aug. 20 and Nov. 30, 2016, should be immediately thrown away. It has officially been labeled as a Class-1 recall, meaning that it is "a health hazard situation where there is a reasonable probability that the use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death."

Check out the full list of affected products on the USDA website, and be sure to chuck your ready-made chicken in the garbage if there's a chance it is part of the recall.

http://www.popsugar.com/food/Ready--Eat-Chicken-Recall-December-2016-42811236

JeanneP, Medicare Part B premiums will go up only $3.50 a month next year for most seniors, and will actually go down for high-income people and those who were new to Medicare in 2010 or 2011, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services said Thursday.
Thus with your increase in benefits as well increase in Medicare it's rather going to balance out.
Mycheal

June, I do hope tomorrow is better than today for you and your leg gets to the mend and soon :O)

As well I will have my people, check with your people and see if there isn't a raise right around the bend for you

Mycheal

I could use one of those raises around my bend, too.  But I'm resigned to the fact that if they give me a raise, it will be based on what I've been paying in.  And then they'll reduce my survivor benefits again.

Good Night Everyfriend!  May God bless us, every one!

GLORIA....
...good morning, or do I say, good night....I see you looking in...it must be half past midnight in Rhode Island, it is 5.30am here in Dorset UK, been up an hour already.....are you having trouble sleeping? have you been to bed, or just going?...I first awoke 1.30am, a trip to the loo, then 4.30am, another trip to the loo, this time I got up, dont think I would have gotten back to sleep, even if I tried...
Gloria, I could say I'll put the kettle back on and keep you company, tea or coffee?

Edited....to say, it is now 6.30am my time, 1.30am your time, looks like it is just me and you in S & F..I am going to put that kettle back on, I am due a second cup of tea....

My turn to have my leg bothering me tonight. Got up and walked around in here trying to be quiet so I don't wake the woman under me. Been a busy 2 days. Tuesday the doctor visit, have to make 2 more appointments, one for more X Rays and the ultrasound on a kidney. Then later in the day I had an order of groceries  that I had to put away.  Today was CNA and the nurse from that company was here.  Had a different CNA, the regular one was out sick. She emailed me later and said she had the flu and that she would be here
Friday. If she has the flu it will take her longer than 2 days to get over it.

Then the man from Schwan's was here. I forgot he was due and I never made out an order so got some things he had on the truck. I did get some of those cherries, I think it was Joy who said they were so good. Never did get a chance to rest in the afternoon for 2 days and it sure feels like I have been on the go for a week. Too many things different 2 days in a row and I am not used to that anymore.. This old lady feels worn out and now my leg is keeping me awake.


JOY  you sound like me. I have to be ready to make phone calls and I have to do that later today.

MARY ANN  how was that Stouffer's lasagna? I never tried that one. Most of the lasagna I ever had is what I made with the sauce I made. One thing about Schwan's is if you have food stamps they accept them. From what I understand that is unusual.

JOAN  I knew that CVS here in town delivered meds as I know some here get them. Mine were delivered about 9:30 this  (yesterday?)morning.

HAL  I can take the cold much better than the damp air we have been having this week. Today the sun showed up for a whole 5 minutes. I had to fast last week before visiting the vampire. Now remember we did not need a SS increase for 2016 because the price of oil was down. Never mind with the drought in so many places that the price of produce and meat went up.  Somehow those who figure those things out must have fat wallets, not like most of us with our thin ones.

JANE  I would not want your job at this time of year and being the first of the month those with food stamps shopping, too, it must be very busy in stores. We can dream of all of us getting together once a month and it would be very “loverly”

CALLIE  the last few weeks it seems like I am getting more email than ever or I am getting slo reading them. What is in that Martha Washington filling? I used to make the peanut butter and then the coconut balls for 3 families for Christmas. Then when the grands either got married or went out on their own I snt them some too, along with a lot of different cookies. I would come home from work and have a fast supper and start either candy or cookies. I miss doing that.

JUNE  yesterday when I got weighed I had lost another 2 pounds. I think I should ask her on my next visit about something to give me an appetite. I remember when Lillias in the Nest was taking something and it worked for her and the time Mare was in the hospital she lost her appetite and asked her doctor for it and she got her appetite back. I asked the doctor I had about that and he said he did not want to prescribe it for me. This new one had already done more in a month and 2 visits than 2 others did in 20 years. My left leg started throbbing when I went to bed and I finally got up.

AMY  oh yummy cherry cheesecake, love cherries and love cheesecake, any kind. Earlier I watched Donovan's Reef with John 'Wayne, an old one and I enjoyed seeing it again.

PATRICIA  one thing I have never bought is ready cooked chicken. I only like it fresh cooked and I cook just enough for 1 meal.

JACKIE  now it is 1:38 am on Thursday morning. Right you are, had trouble getting to sleep so what better thing to do than come to the SS and catch up. A cup of coffee sounds good to me. I never acquired a taste for tea and about the only time I will have some is if I am not feeling good.

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




A Lot Of Good That Did!

I spent more than two hours in the beauty shop getting my hair permed, cut and styled.

Relieved to be done, I went up to the receptionist to pay. "Good afternoon!"
she said cheerfully. "And who's your appointment with today?"


Encouragement to Keep Going Each Day

By Sergei Sosedkin,
Scripture Reading: Hebrews 12:1-3

Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us . . . run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus. . .
Hebrews 12:1-2
Our month of reflections on thanksgiving and gratitude is coming to a close.
For what are you thankful today? You may have asked this question of others at times. Or maybe you’ll pose it to yourself in the quiet of your reflective prayer.
May I tell you what I’m thankful forâ€"today and every day? Among many other things, I’m grateful for you supporters of ReFrame Media and Back to God Ministries International. Your prayers and generosity make our outreach possible, whether at home or abroad.
Over the years I have met hundreds of our friends and ministry partners. You have inspired me with your kind comments and personal stories. Thank you!
The Bible mentions “a great cloud of witnesses”â€"heroes of faithâ€"who encourage us with their examples. We are also cheered by many “living saints” in our local churches, extended families, and circles of friends.
The race of faith is different from any other race we might run. Instead of competing with others, we are fighting against our own sinful nature. The only hope we have in order to finish is to fix our eyes on “Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.”
Father, we praise you for the examples of faith ¬heroes who have run this race before us. Give us strength and perseverance, and help us to focus on Jesus, in whose name we pray. Amen.


“The more you try to be interested in other people, the more you find out about yourself.”

~ Thea Astley

Gloria, to me the Stouffer’s lasagna is good.  I’m not a great lasagna fan, but I can eat it.  I think it is available with meat or meatless although I have not bought any myself in some time (Tom does our grocery shopping).

We are in for the start of a winter storm this afternoon, but I understand areas south of us will be hit harder.  We should get around three inches.  What we got last weeks is just about gone, so I guess it is time for more snow!

Occasionally, Tom will buy a chicken freshly rotisseried and we have it for supper that night but I am not sure that would be included in what Patricia warned about.  We’re still here, anyway.

Gloria, my leg bothers me at times, too.  I bear with it until I want to get up.  I got up this morning about 5 am, but it wasn't my leg that got me up; I was wide awake.

Mary Ann

Good morning, Mary Ann.  I'm glad I don't have to contend with snow anymore.  Once in a while I buy those rotisserie chicken's, too.  I have a couple suppers from one and use the rest for lunches--chicken sandwiches.

Good morning everyone....

On the fly here this morning .slept in a bit and now have a date with the shovel ...not sure how much snow we got over night  just know it has to be moved.

Joan ,thank you for breakfast.

Enjoy your day everyone.

Good morning, Amy.  I don't imagine your early morning date of choice would be with a shovel.  Don't overdo!!

good morning everyone. gloria must be having problems sleeping she is a regular early person lately. me i am a hit and miss one. this AM my regular on line wont connectit says no internet cognition.. but here i am with my T V laptop?have a great day.yesterday we had about 1/4 " off snow,,did not cover the grass hardly at all.

Lloyd

Good morning everyone!

It was always busy when the food stamps, government, and military checks, plus Native Allotments all came out at the same time and I'm sure it still is. I once looked into food stamps when I moved here, but I don't qualify. I'm in that in-between area where you just have to grit your teeth and persevere.

However, judging from the paperwork I've helped others on, it isn't that helpful to seniors at $19.00 a month. Meals on Wheels, you have to be incapacitated and food boxes and Federal commodities are very light the past two years but the paperwork keeps coming, more and more stipulated. I feel so helpless when filling out paperwork for people and they either don't have the forms needed or don't understand why the form needs that paperwork. I also see why this committee has trouble keeping positions filled.

Hi everyone.  We have the promise of some sunshine today, which will be very much  welcomed.  Our predicted high is 57 for this afternoon.  Today will be my normal pretty busy Thursday with coffee and the Wisdom group and then a quick trip to Aldi's on my way home as need some fresh vegetables and a few other items.  I hope that will be it for the day.  We plan on a nice salad with some of the rotisserie chicken on it for our evening meal. 

Yesterday I finished up the cookbook project for Pat preparing an index by recipe of the special 174 page cookbook we printed and then adding another 70+ pages of additional recipes she had found over a several year period and making a separate index of these by page number and then alphabetical by recipe name.  Yesterday afternoon I did get her kitchen chair assembled and I think it will serve the purpose well.  The island we have in the kitchen has the top extending out from the base on one side where she can pull the chair under and get close to the working surface.  We will just have to see how it works out.  Scott came over for dinner last evening and then set up Pat's Christmas village and a few other decorations.  We plan on leaving the village up year round as we had done in our other house so we can enjoy it all year long.  It is atop the entertainment center so is not in the way at all. 

Gloria, at least your ultrasound and xrays will be non-invasive procedures so it will just be making the trip and the probable waiting to be called that will be the tiring elements.  Glad you are so pleased with your new doctor.  I guess we are suppose to believe that there is no inflation.  I have come to the point of really not believing anything we are told by our government and I realize that is very sad. Glad you can get your medicines delivered and not have to depend your son to get them for you.

Joy, since you have a previous Kindle model I strongly suspect you know what I am going to say.  When we turn off the screen on these tablets it really doesn't shut them down.  It is necessary to hold the start button in until on the screen appears the prompt to totally shut it down.  On some devices you have to hold down the start button and another button but I have forgotten on the Kindle as we no longer use it. 

Joan, don't I wish my health insurance premium as only $21 but that is the amount of the increase. In 2017 my premium will be $521.67 for Self Plus One.  The only Medicare we have is the part A for which as we know there is no additional premium paid after a person reaches 65. 

JaneS, I am sure it is a relief to clerks and cashiers everywhere when Christmas is over and the January returns have been taken care of.  I know at least at Walmart you do not have to deal with the returns. It sounds like you have a good plan worked out for your days.

June, so sorry to read that you are not getting relief from the leg pain and it is disturbing your rest.

Jackie, it looks like several of us had short nights or trouble sleeping.  I awoke around 4:30 this morning, getting only 5 hours of sleep and couldn't go back to sleep.   

Good Morning from another early riser. I woke about 4:30, quick trip to the bathroom before the tech. arrived to draw blood. She was a gem...hit the vein the first time.

We are all suffering leg pain today. Mine is right alongside the wound, and that vein is raised a bit more so I will be glad to have the Doppler test and learn a bit more about what is happening under my skin.

I have had my first pill of the day...this one is for an under active thyroid. Must be taken first in early morning. I am more than ready for some coffee and toast now. Then prepare for the day. May God grant us all that is necessary for us to do our part to make this a Good day. I love you all.....

Good morning, Lloyd.  I get up about the same time everyday.  I sure am glad we don't get any snow.

angelface--Good morning.  I am glad I don't have to figure out all those rules and regs.

Good morning, Larry.  Sorry I misunderstood about your medical insurance premium.  You don't have the Part B or is that covered by some other insurance you have.  I sure hope that stool works out for Pat. 

June--Good morning.  I pray the tests tell the medical people what can be done so your wound will heal and you will be free of that pain.

Good morning Everyfriend!  Dogs are at groomers and I didn't make it to the "people groomer".  I did a bunch of errands instead and now I'm going to finish packing the candy and, hopefully, the boxes to mail.  Have a good day everyfriend!

Good morning everyone, well I did finally get to sleep and might still be sleeping but the phone woke me. Another gloomy day here. This will be a day I will be on the phone making appointments.

JOAN  I will enjoy  an egg McMuffin.  Food for Thought is one to keep.  Thank you for today's goodies.

MARY ANN  I used to like the Stouffer's French bread pizza but have not bought any in a long time. Last night was the first time  my leg bothered me like that.

AMY  sure glad I no longer have to clear snow away.

LLOYD  if you go back you will see I posted before Joan this morning.

PATRICIA  here we have a resident helper. He did get those commodity boxed delivered here for those who qualified for them. I have seen what is in those boxes and glad I did not need them. Mostly canned vegetables and I do not eat canned foods. I like fresh or frozen veggies.

LARRY  the counters here are high and no place for the legs as they do not over hang. I did get a stool for the kitchen but I cannot use it. No place for my legs and sitting on the rollator would not help because the counters would be just below chin level and this is a handicap apartment. My older son has been trying to get me to transfer my meds here  and I kept  the pharmacist I had. Now I am glad I have finally changed.

JUNE  my first pill in the morning is for GERD.  Since I have started taking that I have not been bothered with acid reflux and I am happy with that.

Good Morning Everyone!

Well a cold started yesterday with scratchie throat and runny nose and general "I am getting a cold" feelings.  And of course it kept me awake most of the night, so I didn't go to bible study this morning.  I didn't want to pass it along to my group.

I have to call the doctors office and see if they want to proceed with the shot to the back tomorrow.  I don't have a temp, so I am not sure. I just soon have it and get it over with.  I have already stopped my blood thinner.

I am sorry to hear of all the leg pain you all are suffering.  At our age we need all the rest we can get at night and old mother nature does her thing at night and many of us have to tend to her bidding which messes things up and then have something else bothering us really upsets to apple cart.

Our weather is doing the Texas thing.  Getting colder and Tisie, Callie and Lloyd left the gates open and we are getting the cold air coming in at 35 miles an hour.  And suppose to freeze here tonight.

Yesterday was a bad day here in San Antonio.  Two teenagers, a boy and girl, were killed in separate accidents, the girl hit a cement truck and the boy was walking down the railroad tracks with his headset one and didn't hear a train and got hit.  Bad, loosing children and to make it worst, during the holiday season.

I have to go make a phone call, everyone have a great day.

http://www.expressnews.com/news/local/article/2-local-teens-die-within-hours-of-each-other-10780972.php

Gloria, I'm glad you mentioned the Stoffer's French Bread pizzas because I had been trying to remember the brand I had bought.  Tom has been buying a Papa Murphy vegetarian pizza ready to bake and they are good.  Tom is not a vegetarian, but he likes that kind and I go along with him.  I saw where we could get a couple of sides for $8 (for two, I think) and we could make a regular meal of the pizza and sides.

Hal, you have to be a subscriber to your newspaper to read the story about the teenagers.  It was a terrible tragedy to have two go the same day.

My leg was quiet last night so I slept well.  I usually have no trouble sleeping even with the pain.  It is a dull pain but constant.

Take a look at Grand Haven with lots of whitecaps. 

I thanked Larry in another folder for his bold black posts and I want to thank others who make their posts bold.  It is so much easier for me, and I am sure others, to read.  That's the problem with having old eyes.

Mary Ann

Good morning, Janie.  You're coming right along with the candy making and mailing.  Maybe you can skip the hairdresser and braid your hair.

Gloria--Good morning.  Your mention of Stouffer's French Bread Pizza reminded me of a boyfriend Linda had in high school.  He was a twin.  His mother didn't know how to cook ANYTHING!!  When she went grocery shopping, she bought enough of the pizzas for the boys to have for supper the entire week.  I, too, take a pill for GERD and one for my thyroid the first thing each day.

Good morning, halkel.  Sorry you are getting a cold.  I hope you can still get the shot and get it over with.  Your link won't let me in .

Mary Ann--Good morning.  I never heard of Papa Murphy products.  Maybe it's a regional thing?

Good morning, Joan and all the friends.  Thanks for the Egg McMuffins this ,morning  One of my favorite breakfasts.

Larry and Joan,  I have been on the phone for over 45 min. talking to a "Kindle Specialist" in the Phillipines.   The first gal I talked to was in Jamaica.   She asked me what the weather was where I am.  I told her we were having a few snow flurries and she just laughed. She said it was nice and warm where she was.

Anyway, after over 45 min. my Kindle finally got straightened out.   She had me doing all kinds of things.  Pushing the on and off button, tapping here and there.  She finally said to stay with her, it would eventually get straightened out, and IT DID !   After several tries at doing something,   a MAYDAY message came up and we got past that and then she (the gal in the Phillipines) was able to read everything that was on my screen.  That is just mind boggling to me.   It eventually got back to the HOME page and she assured me that it all should be ok.  Very nice gal, very patient and pleasant and even tho I had a little bit of trouble understanding her , I stayed with her and we worked through it.  She also gave me some other tips on how to get to the HELP page and that is a very interesting page.  Tells you just about how to do everything.  So,  today has started out good so far and I am "back in business" and learned some new things, also.

Mary Ann, or whoever had mentioned the Stouffer's Lasagna, I have used that a lot.  I prefer the vegetarian one, myself.  I find they are very good.  There are times when I do make my own, but I use the No-Cook noodles and the recipe on the package and it goes together pretty quick. I do use more of the mozzarella cheese than what it calls for, and I use a small can of tomato sauce, along with a jar of pasta sauce. But, in a pinch,  the Stouffer's is very good.  I have never tried the Stouffer's  French Bread pizzas.  Will have to look for them.  I usually will order from Domino's . I like them best from all the other Pizza carry-outs.  If I order a large one, I can get a couple meals from one. 

We did have some snow  flurries this morning, but the sun is trying to come out now.

And, I did receive my letter from SS, and with the additional increase in the Medicare,  my monthly payment will remain the same as it has been for the past couple years.

Hope everyone will have a good day.

Joy

Good morning, Joy.  Oh happy day--you got good customer service and your Kindle is now operating properly.

I am back, all showered and dressed and down for leg check and pick-up of new anti-biotic. Now it is a matter of waiting for Gary at 9:30.

Hal, I'm sorry you are catching a cold. We don't need any more miseries than we already have, but as my son says, "there is a reason for everything." It is heartbreaking to hear of the two teens being killed. I can't imagine where the boy's brain was when he was walking a R.R. track with his ears plugged into what ever. And the kids now have to have the sound just blasting. Very sad for those two families.

Bis, I have too little thyroid whatever. Had a parathyroid removed years back, and I guess the many blood tests told them I needed a pill again. At 92, this body has done me very well through the years. It hurts me when I read of others your age that have graver problems, that you so valiantly live with. God does hear our prayers, and that is the greatest Blessing of all. How are things going with Joe ?

June--I pray the new antibiotic does the job.  I had a super hyper active thyroid in my twenties and they killed it with a radioactive iodine treatment.  Then several years later my thyroid function was super low so I take medication to keep it regulated.  Joe is doing good as long as he takes his medications.  Thanks for asking.

Gloria I wasn't saying whom was here first. I was just commenting on the fact that you are lately here early like a earlier bird.. I just got on line with my laptop. It is a contankouis female. it kept telling something about wi-fi no I P address.  sure was aggravating.

Lloyd