It sounds like everyone had busy days yesterday.  I had book club last night, and although I went, it was almost more than I could do. I was hurting so bad and my legs were so weak. The discussion of "The Creed" was good though.

I had to take Bunny to the vet at 8 AM for the urinalysis and her bladder STILL wasn't full enough for them to do a clean draw, so they are keeping her there until it is.

A landscaper is coming at noon today to discuss some changes to our back garden. Some of the bushes are just not doing well and need replacing.

Jane, I hope your joints are better today (and mine too). Changeable spring weather is not good for those of us with arthritis problems.

Mary, sounds like a good duplicate game.  How are your bluebirds?  Do you know that you can open the box to check on them about once a week in the afternoon?  Just peck on the box first so they can fly out.  They should have eggs by now.

Marilyn, that is a wonderful Easter song.  I know you will do well.

Sue, I'm sorry for the loss of your neighbor but it sounds like it was a nice service. Glad your book club was good. What are you reading next?  We are reading Mitch Albom's "The First Phone Call from Heaven."  A lot lighter reading, but it should be interesting. I like his books.

I need to check my email and then write an article for the newspaper on church activities.
Sharon

Hello, Buddies.  My Molly Maids (bi-weekly cleaning crew) weren't here by 9:00 when I was picked up for Circle.  I left a note on the door and told them to come on in and find their check on my kitchen table.  Olyne picked me up after she picked up 2 other friends as I was closer to the hostess's neighborhood.  We had a nice lesson from our study book, only 2 more to go this year.  Our leader today was the President of all Circles and we studied the similarities and differences of the world's major religions.  Pretty interesting lesson.

When I came home I put the dirty sheets into the washer and started cleaning up pollen strings on my driveway.  While I was outside Tim must have called and then called again just before I'd finished with the pollen strings.  So I called back.  Kris's Dad has been in the hospital since last weekend and Tim came by to take me out there.  Dave was awake, but looking very frail with lots of things hooked up to him.  Tim told me his kidneys are failing.  Ard and Kris were both there and a family friend I don't know came by for a short visit.  We had a nice visit with him, but he was tiring very easily.  Ard and Kris went out to eat and will go back afterwards and Tim brought me home.

I had been washing the sheets off my bed and was able to get them into the dryer before Tim arrived.  He'd called me earlier while I was outside cleaning up pollen strings (and there are many more to clean up!).  Fortunately I saw his message and was able to leave the house when he got over here.

I'm going to fix a salad and sandwich for my supper and plan to read a favorite book and/or watch TV this evening.  I especially like to watch the PBS evening news and the following news analysts afterwards--except I miss Gwen (can't remember her last name, but the African American #1 reporter along with Judy--also forget her last name) who broadcasts daily except for weekends.  Fridays news casts from PBS are very comprehensive, IMO.

Have a nice evening, Buddies.
Sue

Sue Gwen Ifil and Judy Woodruff. I watch the PBS News hour too.

This morning I got busy after coming home from the gym and pruned the bush that is by the front door. I sure whacked the heck out of that bush. I carried 5 bundles of branches to the backyard and fell  taking the last one back. I didn't get hurt though. I little while ago I swept all the stuff left  into a pile for Keith to pick up and put in  the garbage. There is a light rain here today, I took Freckles out for 2 walks anyway.

I am going to have to call my Medigap insurance and see if I can get a prior authorization for my chiropractor. Medicare used to pay part of it  now, the Medigap doesn't cover chiropractors. That is the only way I can  manage  my back pain other than taking pain pills and I don't want to do that

Hi Buddies,  I am finished with the PT    My visit at the eye doc saw a bit of a change in my vision. So, of course, I need new lenses.  If it isn't one thing it is another.

GinnyAnn....Hurrah for finishing PT.  I hope you're able to move around better now without pain.

Marilyn...hope your medigap will give you some answers.  I've never been to a chiropractor, so I don't know if ours covers that or not.

Hi to Maryz, Sue, Sharon, Darlene, Joy (we miss hearing from you!),  Jeanne, Donna, MaryPage (we miss you!), JaneWalker (we miss you!), Diane Church (we miss you!), Angelface...and now my brain has gone blank....so hope I didn't miss someone!

SUNNY day here!! hurrah for that, too!  Still in the 50s, but  there's sunshine.  The old joints feel so much better. 

I'm off to play bridge today and enjoy the afternoon with "the girls"..youngest is probably 72 and oldest is 92! Yep, we're all sweet, young chickies!!! 

jane

Hi Buddies.  Ginny Ann, glad you finished PT. Hope it was a big help. New lenses are expensive, but aren't we grateful that they have them for us.  I couldn't read anything without my glasses. (I'm far sighted.)

The irrigation guy is here turning on our water, etc for the spring and also extending the block edging up the sidewalk edge. Our mulch was constantly getting washed out.

If he finishes and leaves early enough and it hasn't started raining, I think I will go up to the nursery to get my flowers for my big pots. 

Jane, hope you "young chickies" have a good game and lots of fun this afternoon. 

Marilyn, I'm glad you weren't hurt in your fall, but you need to have Keith do some of the heavy work.  I hope your insurance okays the chiropractic appts.  My used to but I haven't been to one in some time.  Usually anything Medicare covers, my supplementary covers as well.



Sharon

Happy Birthday, Jeanne!

jane, glad your joints are feeling better - and like Sharon said, I wish you good cards with your buddies.

Marilyn, glad you weren't hurt.  I hope you can get the treatment you need.

Ginny Ann, too bad about the new glasses.  I wear mine all the time, so it's never a question as to whether I get them or not..  They can be expensive, though.

Sue, John used to say that he loved our oak trees, except for spring (when the pollen strings were everywhere) and in the fall (when he had to deal with the leaves).  Those strings are terrible for allergies, too.  Yuck!

We've been getting a lot of this year's travel plans firmed up (that's the editorial "we" - Sue and Margaret are doing most of the work - and I'm happy to relinquish that duty to them).  Next month, we're going to spend a couple of days in Hendersonville, TN (where we lived when the girls were growing up) and a few days in central/western Kentucky.  Just doing some general area touring and seeing some of the bourbon distilleries.  We have a VRBO house rented for that trip.  Then Margaret and I are going on an Alaska cruise in August.  We're going with America Cruise Lines on one of the smaller ships.  And we're going to spend a couple of days in Juneau beforehand with Sue and Randy.  So it's going to be a busy travel year for us.   

 HAPPY BIRTHDAY..Jeanne....Mary your trips sound like fun...I'm about ready for one this summer...it is a little warm here today...just wonder if we will have a Easter spell.  Hi to all reading. Darlene

Good evening, Buddies.  Very busy day here.  Carolyn picked me up about 10:45 to ride out to the Kreher Forest Preserve in north Auburn for our Garden Club luncheon, program, and nature walk.  Chicken salad for lunch with a cupcake for dessert, talk about the facilities from the director and walk conducted by her.  One big surprise was that one of the personnel from Auburn was a friend/colleague of my oldest son, Bill. We had a nice conversation just as Carolyn and I were leaving for our bridge club.  AU manages the Forest Preserve and students work there as guides and in other volunteer assignments.

We then went to the Auburn University Club where we played bridge with our Wednesday Club.  I had pretty good cards and won First place--$1.  I was pooped when I got home.  So I've just been reading and listening to music since I ate a light supper.

GinnyAnn, I'm glad you've checked in and have finished your PT.  I hope you continue to do your exercises as it will help strengthen your body.

Marilyn, thanks for the info on Gwen Ifill and Judy Woodruff.  I am having a lot of problems with my recent short term memory--not a bit with my long term.  I can remember lots of stuff from way back!

Mary, your travel plans sound wonderful.  It's great that your girls love to travel with you, too!

Jane, I hope you had good cards and enjoyed the afternoon with the "girls".  Our oldest "girl" is 97!  She was the hostess today.  She is a lousy bridge player, but sweet and we all just know when we partner with her, we can look for surprise bids.

Happy Birthday, Jeanne!

Sleep well, Buddies.
Sue

Happy Birthday, Jeanne!  I hope YOUR day was a very good one.

Bridge was ok...ended up in middle of the 8.

Niece who had brain surgery had her first checkup at Mayo and they released her to all normal activity and have her on a med reduction schedule, so she was thrilled.

Jane

Yes. Another birthday gone bye. Will not count this one .
Day was nice and warm.  First thing this morning my Microwave stopped working  so had the pleasure on going out and buying myself a new one.  We just cant let a day go by without a MW it seems. I think I tried using the dead one twice before i put it outside.  Got a young man to take it someplace to get rid of it.  Garbage men can't take any electronics anymore..
Also got a promise from my Texas Grandson that will come up in about 2 weeks to redo one of my bathroom. It really need remodeling. Be nice to see him for a week.

Jeanne...how nice to have a g'son who can do some remodeling for you.

Almost afternoon greetings from a now-it's-sunny Iowa.

Forecast is dismal...t'storms Friday and Sat and all next week.  Maybe sunny on Sunday.

We'll be headed to Chicago area tomorrow and home late Sunday, so I won't be posting, probably.  Too much driving here and there and commotion, ya know?

Have a Blessed Easter, Bosom Babes & Friends!

jane

Happy Easter to you, Jane. Have a safe trip.

I just finished booking a trip to Chicago and on to Belvidere, IL for John to visit his sister and try to find some solutions to their problems.

I went to the grocery this morning and also stopped at the ATM. The machine flashed a security sign and said it was keeping my card and to call the bank for a new card, which I did. The gal didn't seem to know why it happened. No fraudulent charges or uses of it.  Kind of a shock.

I also have been trying to deal with Ms Frances and her problems. She doesn't want to be alone and needs care. I've been trying to get a hold of her doctor to see if he can order respite care or something for her until her **%#! daughter gets around to coming down and maybe doing something.  No one should be left alone on her own at 99 yrs old in a weakened state.  I went over and fixed her lunch today and Ellen her cleaning lady/care giver is with her now.  So sad.   

I had intended to go to the nursery to get my flowers but then this came up and I've been waiting on a call back, so we didn't go.

Enjoy your grandson, Jeanne.  Sharon

jane, have a safe trip.  Glad to hear the good news about your niece.

Sharon, I hope you and John can get his sister's problems resolved.  And I do feel for you and your Ms Frances.  I know you feel responsible for her - even though you have no real legal power to do anything. That's tough.

Not much going on today - just Silver Sneakers, bridge here at the Terrace, and fighting with the squirrel.  I did get him twice, though.  I managed to hit him with the water gun, although that didn't accomplish much.  But the maintenance guy here had hooked up my hose with the pistol-grip nozzle, so I was ready for Mr. Squirrel the next time he came.  And I really got him one time as he thought he was sneaking up on me.  He didn't come back after that.  But I bet he'll be back tomorrow. 

Have a good holiday weekend, Buddies!

Jane, that's great news about your niece!  I am happy for her and her family.  Have a safe trip and enjoy Easter with your family.

Jeanne,  How nice to have your Grandson to come and do some work for you.  Auburn City accepts small unwanted electric appliances one day each year.  We have to take them to the Recycle Park and hand them to attendants out of our car windows, so don't have to stand in line holding them.  I think this is a great way to dispose of this kind of thing.

Sharon, I am so sorry to hear about Ms. Frances's situation.  Her daughter ought to be charged with neglect.  Is she the only child?  That was strange about your ATM card.  You should receive an explanation, IMO.

Mary, Woo Hoo on zapping the squirrel with the hose.  I hope you can deter him soon.

I am on a restricted diet through Sunday because of my colonoscopy on Monday.  We are having Easter dinner at Ard's house on Saturday.  Dave has been moved to Hospice and may not last through the next few days.  I will make the sweet potato casserole Ard asked me to bring, but I won't be able to eat anything there--will have to take yogurt.  I can eat plain ice cream tomorrow, but not Saturday or Sunday. I just read my pre-op instructions today and very little is on my  list to eat before Monday.  I can eat cheerios tomorrow and Saturday, so will buy some tomorrow at Kroger.  This is the most restrictive diet I've had for a colonoscopy.  I hope this will be the last one!

Have a nice evening, Buddies.
Sue

Sharon...I hope Ms Frances' doctor called you back.    What on earth is her daughter thinking....maybe her physical and mental health is no better than Frances is?

Sue....whoa...that's a very strict diet!

Good morning, Babes!  We're slowly getting moving and will leave for Chicago area soon...back on Sunday.

Jane

Sue...good luck on your prep...do you have to drink the gallon stuff? That's hard to do Darlene

I misread the prep instructions, so I am allowed some regular food today and tomorrow, but the very restricted diet with the yucky prep on Sunday.  Tim will pick me up at 8:00 a.m. on Monday to take me to the hospital for the colonoscopy.  I have to be there by 8:30 to complete more paper work.  The colonoscopy will start at 9:00 (hopefully).

I went to Kroger this morning and bought what I need to eat for the beginning of next week.  I have enough here in the house for this evening, tomorrow evening--I'll eat mid-day dinner at Ard and Dave's house.  Dave has come home from the hospital with a Hospice nurse coming in daily (perhaps more than once) to check on him.  All their children are here and also some grandchildren and great-grands.  It will be a busy/crowded/luncheon.  I think the nice weather will hold and some of us will eat outside on their patio and perhaps some in the living room.   I've boiled sweet potatoes and have assembled my sweet potato casserole that Ard requested.  It's ready except for putting the brown sugar topping on and heating up in the morning.

Hi Darlene.  Yes, I have to drink a whole gallon of the yucky prep!  UGH!  I won't be able to attend SS and church because of that.

I hope all are well, having nice weather, and that you'll all have a Happy Easter!
Sue

Jane.  No I am not lucky that way.  I have 4 grandsons age 37 to 48.  All 1000 miles away. The Texas one never come to Illinois not more that 5 years since I saw them. Here for a funeral.  Always had a Handyman local. Lost without him so have to shop around for help now. He may not be able to get up here in the summer time.

Not been on the Internet for awhile other than to just check S and F.  Again my one doctor who gave the bad drug a month ago. Gave me another one and my legs and feel swelled up awful.  I think I have fired her. Quit taking and the swelling going down. I just do nt think my system likes any drugs.

Everyone have a great Easter weekend....Darlene

Hi Gals, I was busy most of yesterday between taking care of Frances and going to get my flowers at the nursery. Still not happy with my selection, but not too bad.  John helped me by removing all the old flowers and half the dirt in the pots so that I just had to plant them. I had overwintered a dwarf hibiscus on my sun porch and have it replanted in one of the pots. It even had 2 blooms on it.

The whole thing with Frances is a mess. The daughter yammers around and finds excuses not to put her in a facility where she can be taken care of. I talked to her at least twice yesterday and Ellen as well, so for the time being, either Ellen or I are running over to take her her meals and see if she needs anything, but after today, I will have almost no time for her, so I hope the home health care guy works out that Nancy has scheduled for Monday. Frances absolutely does not want one, but...

Jane, I hope you have a good trip and a happy Easter with your family.

Mary, your trips sound wonderful.  So nice the girls want to accompany you.  YOur squirrel war sounds hilarious!

Sue, good luck with your prep tomorrow.. I didn't think you had to start drinking it until afternoon or evening.  Enjoy your luncheon with Ard, et al.

Darlene, Happy Easter to you as well. I hope you will be with family.

Marilyn, good luck with your solo tomorrow.

Jeanne, nice that your grandson can help you out with your renovation.

To everyone checking in, I wish you all a blessed and happy Easter.
Sharon

Good afternoon we have made our weekly Walmart run this morning and gone for a walk . I now have a loaf of sour dough bread   in the oven. I just make the dough in  the machine anymore and do the rest by hand and bake it in the oven.

Singing practice went very well last night.  I will sing at the end of the service which I think is an appropriate time to sing "I know my redeemer lives. I wish I could remember how to sign the song as I sing. It has been too long since my college days when I learned to Sign language and not using it. We are having a  breakfast potluck at church before the service. I am making an egg, hash brown, tri color peppers, turkey sausage, pepper jack casserole  to take for the potluck.

Thanks for mentioning me, Jane.  I realize that I have been AWOL on here, but here is the reason------I now have Plantar Faciitis(sp) and have had
a whole lot of pain.  A LITTLE bit better, but friends tell me you don't ever
get competely over it  I can at least walk without the unbearable pain with
a "sleeve" that my daughter ordered for me.  I pray that it goes away soon, but not too hopeful.
HAPPY EASTER TO ALL!!!!!!!
Joy

We had a nice lunch at Ard and Dave's.  He felt well enough to come outside on their back porch to eat and visit with us--his grand children sat inside and came out in turns to visit with him.  His adult children tried to stay as near as possible.  He has lost so much weight and is obviously in a lot of pain.  The Hospice nurse is coming by during the week to check on him, give meds, etc.

Tim brought me home about 2:30.  He prepared my pre-colonoscopy meds, wrote out explicit instructions, etc. as he wanted to be sure I didn't forget a single step in what I have to do tomorrow to prepare for Monday's surgery.  He'll pick me up on Monday at 8:00 for my 8:30 check-in.  I've already pre-registered with a nurse on the phone. 

Jeanne, good luck on finding a new handy man. 

Darlene, I'll be happy it's Easter Sunday, but not happy about having to stay home from church to complete my pre-surgery Prep!   Are you having company this weekend?

Sharon, where does Ms. Frances's daughter live?  Can you report her neglect to some one who might be able to help out with getting her to live up to her responsibility?  I'm so glad my kids try to see to my health, etc.  Poor Tim and Kris have the most responsibility because they are close, but Bill and Jon and their wives talk to me every week at least.  Getting older and being alone is not for Sissies or for those who need help!

Jane, I hope you've had a safe trip and are enjoying your family Easter celebration.

Marilyn, I know your congregation will enjoy your solo.  I will miss church because of the colonoscopy prep--and I am pretty sure our choir will also sing "I know that my Redeemer Lives"--maybe the congregation, too.

Oh, Joy.  I am so sorry about the plantar fasciitis (sp?).  I had it for a while a few years ago but fortunately it finally went away.  I hope it leaves you soon.  Do you wear lace-up shoes?  That seemed to help me.

Have a wonderful Easter, Buddies.  I'll probably not be here tomorrow due to taking the meds which will keep me occupied most of the day.  I'm hoping my doctor won't find ANY more polyps!

Sue

After been such beautiful warm dry weather the past 5 days.  Starting last night the storms came. No sun yet but rain quit at noon today.  A few big Egg hunts that the city having will be a mess for the kids.
Remember years ago I use to love to go over in the part of town with some large African American churches on Easter time to see the people. How they dressed up . So colourful.  All the women in their hats.  and the children all dressed up.

Sue.  Good luck on the test tomorrow.  You have more nerve than me. I don't think I could take all the stuff you have to take prior to getting it done. I guess that the test itself now is much easier to  be done.  I just stick to the one your doctor has you done every year.(Done by Mail).

So sad on how the family are taking care of Ms. Francis. She does need to now be where nurses are there to check on her all the time.  They are just  leaving so much of it to you.  You have really taken more care than her daughter does.
My family are over a thousand miles away I would need to be where I could be watched . Even the friends I had for the 50 years living here are now gone. Would be the best for me to move closer to family which they have been saying but I have been so lucky health wise and still able to take care of house etc.  Will start thinking about what to do in the near future.

Marilyn, I hope your solo went well today.  Our music at church was wonderful. The bell choir accompanied the regular choir and we also had a man playing trumpet in some of the songs. Our butterflies survived and were released on the cross after service.

Joy, I'm so sorry you have plantar fasciitis. I have heard that that is very painful. I hope the device your daughter ordered helps.

Sue, it sounds like you had a nice time at Dave & Ard's yesterday. I'm sorry today is spoiled with all your prepping.  I hope the test goes well and no more polyps.  Lori had one done 2 weeks ago and it showed 3 polyps, so will need another test in 5 yrs.

We went to an Easter Buffet at the restaurant in the golf club house. It was very good and close to home.  In between church and the buffet I went in and fixed Ms Frances' lunch and took it to her.  Supposedly, her daughter is coming here soon.  She lives in CT.

Jeanne, I don't think we could cite her for elder abuse since she is not here and Frances is still in her right mind, at least for the most part.  However, I think it is abusive.  She is fortunate to have 4 good friends that watch out for her.  One couple is over there now cooking dinner for her.  Without us, Nancy would have had to do something a long time ago. She just wants to have caregivers come to the house and Frances doesn't want that, so we will see what we shall see.  I have committments most of next week and won't be able to do much of anything.

Ginny, I hope you had a happy Easter.  Mary, was Margaret staying with you this weekend? Can't remember.  Anyway, hope you had a good one.

Sharon

My solo went well today. However  yesterday  I got the call that my song would be the opening to the service, First before anything else. I was nervous but it did go well. I was surprised to see Keith's ex and her partner there. We had told them they should come to church. Our pastor had told us some time ago that they used to come for easter and christmas before we started going, when we started they stopped. So when they brough  a table and chairs here that belonged to Keith;s grandmorhter we told them they should go to church.

Sharon.  No  Sue was saying about calling Dept. of aging On Ms Francis. but as long as Daughter as arraigned people to keep a check on her they would not get involved. It is just that we think that Daughter does take advantage of her mothers friends. It most probably feels awful for her living In Connecticut and most probably still working.  So many have families that live so far away.  Mine are just Texas and Connecticut.
It is good that she has you all.  She sounds to be still active.  Still plays cards.
She would maybe settle in to a nice Nursing home that have things for her to do.

It doesnt sound like she has bad health. Has a good memory.

Glad everybody's had a good weekend.  Marilyn, glad your singing went well - even with the extra pressure of having Keith's ex in the audience.

My weekend was very quiet.  The foursome here decided to get in some bridge yesterday afternoon, and that's always nice (if not particularly challenging).  I got my laundry done this morning.  Margaret came over this afternoon for a little while.  She needed to return some unused flooring (she and Jesse have redone their family room and master bedroom with bamboo flooring).  She picked me up and we headed off.  The place she needed to get to was closed today, so that was a loser.  But we went on to a warehouse place here called Southeastern Salvage.  She got a couple of small area rugs, and I was looking for an umbrella for my deck (which I didn't find there).  Then we went to Big Lots and found an umbrella and base there.  When we got back here, she put that together for me and put up some more hooks for planters on my railing.  She had brought some hanging baskets of Mandeville and I'll get a few bedding plants for some other planters, and that'll do it for my "gardening".  We went to eat at a favorite Asian place, and now she's gone home.  She does take good care of me (as do all the girls). 

Hope your upcoming week is a good one.  And that Sue gets through her colonoscopy without incident.