Good morning, halkel.  Thank you--I sure have been blessed with lots of children.  Still no rain here.

Good morning everyone. Woke to the beep beep of a truck backing up and then a thump. Wondered if it had snowed overnight but it was the trash truck. They sure get here early the day after a holiday to empty the trash bins. A gray day here, might have some light snow tonight. I had a call from HP last night asking if the flash drive worked. Told them I had not received it yet. Was told it was delivered Saturday. Seems like they sent it by post office and I did not check my mail Saturday. I told the woman who called I was told it would come by Fedex.  Will go down and check the mail later.

GLORIA de  we never had a dog as big as a Great Dane. Our biggest was a Collie/Shepherd mix.

JOAN  my CNA thinks she is a good cook but what she had cooked for me is not too good. When you can cook bacon and burn it that is not good. I have given her a recipe to make something and she looks at it and does it her way. Not good and even she couldn't eat it. How hard is it to make American chop suey? She used a pound of macaroni and it was too much. I told her about 1 cup of it. I have a Schwan order coming tomorrow with some dinners for 1. One I like they have is turkey with mixed veggies and even the gravy on the turkey almost tastes homemade. When it comes to put it in the microwave she will cook one of those too long. If she talked less and paid attention to what she is doing she might do better.

JANE  so sorry to read about Bethany. My prayers will be said for her.

JUNE  the governor here is not well liked. In her way of thinking only Democrats are any good. It is seldom a republican gets nominated but a couple have made it.

LLOYD  so sorry to read you are in the hospital again.  You work too much and too hard and neglect taking care of yourself. I pray you go home soon feeling much better. Past time for you to start taking life easy.

SHIRLEY  the eye doctor I had for years- I never had a problem with the glasses. Since he retired I had a problem with glasses till one day I compared the new ones with an old pair. I wear bifocals and I saw on the new ones -they check on machines now-the line was higher. I brought the old pair with me to the eye doctor I have now and showed them the difference. Since then I have had no problems.

JOAN  a Cinnabon will be so good with my coffee this morning. Like Chuckles and that last line. Thank you for all today's goodies.

PATRICIA  bing warm and comfy is a good thing to be in frigid temperatures.

AMY  hope you get home from the dentist before roads get icy.

SHIRLEY  I look forward to the day I no longer need pain pills to get me going and keep moving.

Good morning, Gloria.  Here the trash trucks always come very early.  Those HP people at least called--but apparently forgot which shipper they used.  How can you burn bacon?  I like mine so well done that it snaps apart.  Apparently nobody ever taught your CNA how to cook.

HI everyone.  It is an overcast morning but little chance of rain and we are to get into the mid-70's once again today so certainly no complaints.  Yesterday turned out to be a sort of wasted day and was feeling so tired by 11 am I went and laid down until after 2 pm.  I did go to the men's meeting since I had committed to be there.  The steak and salad were delicious and the vegetables were OK.  The program was information about the Project Warm that had been done by the men and women of the church last Friday and Saturday.  I came home and went to bed a little after 8:30.  Unfortunately I am feeling the same exhaustion again this morning.  However, I have to take Pat for the first appointment with the physical therapy group this morning and that will likely be it for today.

Phyllis, so sorry to read of the loss of your brother.  My condolences to you.

JaneS, I sure hope your grandniece is on the road to recovery by today.  A temperature of 105 is very serious.  I have said a prayer for Bethany this morning. 

June, sure hope today finds you feeling much better and that you can now leave your apartment if you want to do so. 

Lloyd, do all the nurses know you by first name now?  You are certainly keeping the hospital in business.  I hope this will only need to be a short stay for you. 

Patricia, I wish I had the energy to go anywhere and would be happy to make you some of the muffins.  It is a no failure recipe and the Teflon muffin pans make dealing with them very easy. However, my recipe book is limited to just a few recipes at this point. 

   

Good morning, Larry.  I hope you can rest and feel stronger after taking Pat to her PT appointment.  I think you are doing great with your cooking.

Back from the dentist and just in time! I had thought if weather was good we would head on into the city . When I came out of the dentist the rain had just started so needless to say we came right home. I saw on the  news where Toronto is having problems,roads are one sheet of ice!! I am sure other areas will follow but I am so happy to home tucked in safe.
Shirley ,thank you, always welcome others ideas and use them too!
Lloyd, ok enough is enough...we need you here and Nancy needs you home. Please take better care of yourself..you have a LOT of people that depend on you here and at home!

Gloria D that is one of the dogs I would love to have, that and a greyhound.

Better go see what mischief I can get into....

Good afternoon, it is lightly raining, and on the warm side for Jan. I am now waiting for my nurse. Slept about 3 hours last night

Joan, I am spending a lot of time here, also playing games, keeps me out of trouble.

Gloria, I am having trouble  with Yahoo. It keeps asking me to change my password, I have, but I try to print the new one in the box and nothing happens. I go to NEXT and the box comes in in  red saying I must type it in, but it will not except even one letter? Computers have a mind of there own.  So now I cannot get into Yahoo mail

Amy, glad you got home before ice storm. Ice is something you cannot drive on.

Lloyd, so sorry you are back in the hospital. Prays going your way.

June, hope you keep feeling better. My stomach is almost one big bruise, where they gave me shots in it every day.

Have to go nurse is at the door.

Amy--I sure am glad you were able to get home before the roads became a sheet of ice.

Linedancer--I wish you could get more than 3 hours sleep.  At least you can use your computer and spend time playing games.  Can the nurse give you some suggestions to help you sleep better?

Joan, the nurse just left. She said tell my doctor when I see him Friday.She was very hard to understand, and with my hearing that did not help also. the first few visits were a male nurse and I could understand him.  She tool me to day, he is supervisor.

Good Morning my beloved friends. I am FREE.....I walked all three floors of hallways this morning and feel GREAT ! (just found out the words free and great can all be typed with the left hand) I found there are 25 sick people in our building,so it is keeping the employees on the run for sure.

Had an email from Gary, his Dori has arrived safely in Colorado, where she will spend a week with her dear friend who is to be married at the end of the week. My Gary has a slight chest cold...darn...

Gloria de, I hope you will get a better sleep tonight,three hours is not enough. I too am spending more time on the computer. and even watching a little t.v. which I do not enjoy. I am glad you have your dear kitty to keep you company. Did neighbors take care of her while you were hospitalized ? Your poor tummy !!!!!!! Why do they give shots in the stomach ?

Larry, I am concerned about this exhaustion you are feeling. Your body must be telling you to slow down. You really do push yourself at times my friend, you must learn to think of yourself as well as you do of others.

Gloria, I am so glad you can have Schwan deliver food that you really like to your door. Your housekeeper doesn't do very well if she doesn't follow your personal recipe. Is she slow in mind, or just stubborn ?

Hal, YAY ! you got some rain of that low. We are to have another low come in over this weekend, so hopefully it will visit Texas as well. I am giggling over your "Texas sleet". Baseball sized hail could do a lot of damage, I sure wouldn't want to be struck by one of those.

I think I will take another stroll in the hallways. It feels SO good to be free to walk out my door.

Linedancer--Perhaps when you see your doctor on Friday,  he will tell you what you can do to get more sleep.   After I was in Rehab three or four years ago, I had to have a Visiting Nurse for a month.  The supervising nurse came a few times--it was a male.

June--I am so glad you are well enough now that you can be "sprung" from your apartment.  How nice that Dori can spend time in Colorado with her friend.

Good morning from the Interior! Well, the last time I looked at the clock, it was 2:37 and I didn't wake until after nine AM! And here everyone is into their afternoon already!

No change here, still minus 16.

Shirley, I emailed you at your yahoo address, another art tutor youtube video on how to draw a detailed eye. I hope she may find some use in these.

Larry, I'll be sorry to have missed you and will stick to my bimonthly cooking up a storm method and will just keep that freezer full! Now I certainly don't know why you couldn't have flown up here and back home a couple of times daily. It's not as if it was inconvenient or expensive or anything like that?    

Gloria, I learned a handful of this and a splash of that homestyle cooking from my parents. They were both veterans of large farm families and used what I call meat and potatoes cooking. Both of my sisters took classes in Italy and France, so they both measure exactly and follow their recipes. I'm always wanting to try something else or a little extra! However it worked, we were all three accounted for good cooks and only took different routes.

Good Afternoon Everyone,  from the cold,
but very pleasant,  rocky coast of Maine.   

I got a lot done today:
I got my INR checked at the Lab,  and picked up some groceries for the week,   and finally got in to see about
getting me some new dentures.   

Things went very swiftly ....
I told them that I had been sick,  but they all wore face masks and gloves and told me not to worry.  The good news I got through all of the exams, including Xrays,  and impressions....
By the end of this month my top teeth will be completed.

The bottoms are to be determined at a later date,  because of the possibility of surgery   and the fact that taking Warfaren makes surgery a very troubling option.     
So I may just do what I have planned on doing,  and that is only get the top dentures and wait to see how things are going for the bottom ones.

All in all I am very pleased with the facility that I chose to use
(Aspen Dental)  because they basically made me feel comfortable with no pressure,  and I really liked their service. 

I am also feeling better now and hopefully the cold or what ever it was is on its way out,  for good. 

Sandy   

I came home from work and took care of the doggies, had some lunch, checked up on Bethany, checked up on you all and now I'm going to take a nap.  I feel exhausted with all that is going on and all the worrying. 

Bethany is still in hospital and the drs. said today that the outer lining of her kidney is infected.  This seems to be what is causing her temp to spike in the morning.  This morning it 104+ and they are all concerned.  Please continue to pray for her.  We need all the prayers we can get.

Angelface--My mother was a terrible cook, and she knew it.  I taught myself to cook, and in my day, was a good cook, if I say so myself.

Sandy--Good you got started on the new dentures.  I know surgery is risky when one is on blood thinner.

Janie--Hope you can catch a few ZZZs. I certainly will continue praying for Bethany.

Sandy, our situations are not the same but about a year ago, I had a tooth removed.  I am on Eliquis, another blood thinner, and when I told the dentist about it, she called my cardiologist who told her with a tooth extraction it often was not necessary to discontinue the blood thinner but she did suggest I not take my Eliquis that morning, then resume taking it at night (I take two daily).  I had no bleeding problem.  Your surgery obviously will be different.

Mary Ann

I had an acquaintance over for a moment while I was taking care of some small jobs in the apartment. She remarked on what I was using and said it, i.e. natural cleaners, didn't do the job like commercial ones did. I didn't say anything back, but I have been using these since I was at my mother's knee and my dad had made himself scarce. I also recently saw similar ideas at a site I enjoy called Apartment Therapy.

First, as a finishing disinfectant and as a nightly closeout, I use peroxide and white vinegar to spray my kitchen and bathroom countertops, cell phones and anything else that might need it. You do not want to mix them together as they can make breathing hard but you put the vinegar in one spray bottle and with the peroxide, just exchange the cap for a spray top, leaving it in its original bottle.

Stronger peroxide, like 20% can be used to clean and lighten older plastics and disinfect kids toys. Or spray it on bathroom mold or mildew, wait ten minutes and wipe.

First, spray with the white vinegar, wait five minutes and wipe. Then spray with the peroxide, wait the five minutes and then wipe. You use only a small amount and this kills staph germs, cold and flu germs, E Coli and 99% of any bacteria as well as most stains. The only exception to this is marble surfaces because it may stain. This doesn't have to be nightly, it can be anytime you feel a need or feel a cold coming on. And it doesn't leave behind chemicals or harmful residues as commercial products do.

And if you don't mind your house smelling like a pickle, here are some ideas using apple cider vinegar.

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/13-ways-to-clean-your-whole-home-with-apple-cider-vinegar-235579


I'm sure you know and use all of these as they have been around, like baking soda for generations. But I was surprised at how many didn't know of them or spent inordinate amounts of money on commercial products loaded with chemicals and dangerous warnings.

And now back to your regularly scheduled program!

Angelface--Thanks for the tips.  Because of my breathing, I have to be VERY careful with sprays and cleaners I use or that my housekeepers use.

Mary Ann, 
Thank you for sharing that information.   

My new dentists have all of my prescription information and will contact my cardiologist when and if the time comes
that I would need to have work done.   

I am hoping that my new upper dentures will satisfy
my need to "smile" and show some teeth,  with out having
to go through the process to get lower dentures.   

If I were a younger woman  (40's/50's etc)  I would take on the challange   and extra cost of getting the lower dentures...
but I am very pragmatic and for me now at this age,  they are not high on my need to have list.   

Thanks for that information regarding "Eliquis"...

Sandy

Most commercial sprays and cleaners have the same warnings and cautions that prescription medications have. Rubbing alcohol will also clean and disinfect, and the higher percentages, 70% or more does even better.

Joan, I do not know anything about cleaners used around people with breathing problems or needing to use oxygen. You would know best.

You can also use just a drop of the old blue Dawn dishwashing liquid with 8 ounces water to clean ceramic tile and no-wax/linoleum floors.  I use it as a floorboard slash baseboard  cleaner as well. I have issues with skin allergies and stress such as psoriasis, so I try to stay far, far away from industrial chemicals!

Isolation continues in my building, now that I have had permission to walk the hallways, I noted 25 different signs denoting sick people. I don't know about the other complexes as I am not allowed to leave the building. Our meals and medications are brought to our door. They are keeping the ill folks on a BRAT diet. I am tired of it already. We have a clear broth, then comes the Banana, Rice, Applesauce and Toast. Plus we get a very tender slice of chicken or salmon. And sometimes mashed potatoes instead of rice, and a vegetable. plus jello, plain yogurt, or another canned fruit for dessert. I am over loaded with huge bananas, and turned down a can of Gatorade, as they push that for replacement of our electolytes. So though it is bland, it is tasty. The staff is really knocking themselves out for us. I will be so glad when this is over with and we get back to normal. I'm missing some good programs I wanted to attend, but so be it. Sounds here like I'm getting a bit crabby too. Shame on me.

I pray you have a peaceful, restful, healthful sleep my friends. Prayer to all, with Love and Hugs too. June

JUNEDRABEK....
....just keep telling yourself....." isolation  " feels bad, whereas " freedom " feels so good....you will get yourself back there....

JANE S....
....sorry to hear Bethany is still fighting her kidney infection.....

Good Wednesday morning, Everyfriend.  There’s waffles and sausage to accompany your coffee or tea. I wish everyone a great day!!



See the President

We were having a discussion around our supper table about getting to see the President.

Our 7 and 5 year old were suggesting that we do this on our next family night. We tried to tell them that he lives in District of Columbia which is about 4 hours away. But that didn't quiet them. They still wanted to go see him and since it is so far they now wanted it to be a family day.

Because we're short on funds we made another attempt to squelch the demands and said, "Listen, if he took the time to see everyone who wanted to see him then he would never get anything else done."

Our 7 year old slouched back in his chair and put his hands behind his head posing the way he imagined the President and said, "Well, Dad he just relaxes in his chair and the Congress does all the work for him â€" Right?”




The World We Live In
By Arie Leder
Scripture Reading: Esther 1:10-22

He sent dispatches to all parts of the kingdom . . . that every man should be ruler over his own household.
Esther 1:22
The advice of the king’s counselors is ironic. The search process would bring Esther, a Jewish woman who shows great integrity, into the most important house of the empire. She would wisely influence the two most important men in the kingdom, intervening to protect God’s people.
We like to believe that we’re competent managers of our world, especially if we find ourselves in leadership positions. Xerxes had total confidence in his counselors’ search for a new queen. They were surprisingly successful.
As the story develops, Esther impresses the king and becomes his favorite. But no one knows she is a Jew. As it turns out, following Mordecai’s advice not to reveal her nationality at first is wise (Esther 2:10, 20). Eventually Esther’s actions and words would bring triumph for the Jews. Good Persian leadership brought this woman to the right place at the right time. Or was it God’s intervention?
Laughable advice, corrupt search objectives, bad influence from inherited wealth, and threats against the faith are commonplace in our world. When we, as Christ’s disciples, stand before rulers and leaders, let us be “as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves” (Matthew 10:16). That’s good advice: “Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord” (Proverbs 16:20).
Help us gain wisdom, Lord, that in this world we may speak and behave with integrity in every aspect of our lives. Amen



“Contradiction and paradox are the essence of life.”

~ Deepak Chopra

good Morning everyone
6:22 AM  here in lovely hp room.
best night here this trip.
they brought a good BY pap machine so could breath better , got my oxy readings cumming up. surprising but they have very good food (that is bad for my waste line)I will try to keep up in S & F soda shop. have a great day see you all later,

Lloyd

Good morning, Lloyd.  I am happy to hear you are feeling better.

Good morning everyone.
I slept in again and had to hit the floor running. We were lucky enough to miss the brunt of the freezing rain but they are still calling for more rain today.
I have a few things to do before I can go sew.

Jane hope Bethany is feeling better today.

Lloyd, good to see you here.

Joan, thank you for breakfast.

Enjoy your day everyone.

Good morning, Amy.  Glad you missed the freezing rain yesterday.

Today is my errand day, so I'd better get myself ready.

Good sunny and dry afternoon....

.....Been ages since I got my Le Creuset crock - pot out, it is now full up with chopped leeks, cauliflower florets and carrots....and it is smelling good, well it will smell better once veg has softened and I add the sachet of ready made chicken stock to flavour it...as I dont tend to add meat....It might be a bit of a pot luck stew but when it is cooked, I shan't blitz it, I do prefer my veg on the chunky side but unlike R he prefers his soups smooth....Oh well, I shall make it to my preference... :

LLOYD HAMMOND....
...I would make the most of your hospital stay as it is giving you a well earned rest from your farm work....and not forgetting, keeping you out of harms way, and mischief, from those lethal to you, farm machines......

Hi everyone. We have another mid-70's day ahead of us with no rain.  Pat's physical therapy appointment yesterday went well and she will have 5 more once a week appointment.  It was after noon before she was finished so we decided to have our big meal of the day while we were out.  Today we are going to go to COSTCO about the time it opens so Pat can select new frames and get her new glasses made.  I will pick up a couple of items for our son while she is at the optical department.  That will be it until this evening when I will meet Scott and Jennifer at the church for the Wednesday night dinner and they will come out and visit for awhile.

Amy, glad you missed the brunt of the ice storm.  Enjoy your sewing today. 

June, glad you were able to get out and walk yesterday. Please don't worry about me as I have had these period of extreme tiredness for several years.  I also must expect more of them as my heart continues to weaken. Usually my mornings are my best as most often I sleep very well at night.  I can't imagine you ever being "crabby".  This too will pass.

Lloyd, glad you got a good nights sleep and hope you are doing better today.  A bit unusual to get good food in a hospital.  The last few times I have been in the hospital that wasn't the case.   

Patricia, I am afraid I can't help you out on the cooking front and you will have to fend for yourself.  Some of the stuff I see prepared on cooking shows I wouldn't want to put in my mouth.   

JaneS, I have never heard of a situation like Bethany is facing.  I hope they can get a handle on it.  She must really be miserable with such a high temp. 

Amy, last night I watched a program on our PBS (public TV) about winter places to visit in Michigan.  And one place they showed was Owen Sound in Ontario.  I had pictured your home in the area south of Owen Sound - until I finally looked at a map.  You are nowhere near where I thought you were. 

We had some rain yesterday, but our temperature was 33 degrees (F) and it is only 37 F now.  We have lost most of the snow we've had.  January thaw!

Mary Ann