I just have not been able to get use to the new glasses I got in March. Prescription had not changed that much. It seemed that on eye would ache after reading or on Computer for a hour and when I took them off would feel funny for a minute. I paid almost $400 for them and they are just reading glasses. So I moved my appt up to today . Was for next Feb. as I was there in March. They did another test and Dr. came in and did all kinds of things. Took longer than usual.  Checked out testing the glasses and says right to prescription.  Can't find a thing wrong. Told him about me getting the knock on the Head and them doing the Scan last week so I know thing wrong there.  He say to just try harder go get use to them. They are a lot smaller than my ones going back 5 years. The new are sort of like Granny glasses where the old ones are a nice size round pair. I have no problem if I put them on.

I didn't get home until around 5 and saw a call on my answer machine from my Family in England. Worrying about Julie and Family in Texas.
It was after 11pm for them so will have to call them back early in the Morning. They will be glad to hear that all is well wth them. At least was that way yesterday. Rain seems to have stopped in Houston area.

I just wrote a long post and lost it when I went back to the previous page to remind myself of your posts yesterday.  I'm sorry I can't remember what I wrote.

Mary, I do want to tell you I'm thinking of you and know this must be a sad time for you.  However, you have so many happy memories, 4 wonderful daughters--and I forget how many super grand children, but I know they are so very supportive of you--and also miss John.  Big Hugs from Auburn to you today.

Jeanne, I hope you hear from your daughter today.  It's so scary when these big hurricanes hit, especially when your family is there.  Keep us posted.

Sharon, I'm still appalled at Miss Frances's daughters lack of concern.  You have been such a good friend to Miss Frances and I don't think she'd have made it this far if you hadn't been such a good neighbor. 

Jane, and every Buddy east of Texas, are you expecting heavy rain?  We had a terrible downpour last night about 1:30 a.m.  It rained hard for over an hour and I was afraid my house would roll down the hill.  It's still standing today, but is raining slowly still. 

I'm off to fix lunch now.  Have a nice day and hang in there if you are in the path of the storm.

Sue

Sue, I was worrying about you when I saw the weather forecast last night. It looked like you were going to get a lot of the spinoff.  We will get some and have had a light drizzle this AM. I'm sure Mary will get more.  I wish we would hear from Joy and whether she and her family were affected. They were hit so badly last year.

Jeanne, I hope Julie stays safe and that you are able to connect with your family in England.  It's too bad about your glasses. It doesn't sound like your dr. is being very helpful.

Mary, sending more cyber hugs. I know it must be very hard for you.

I went to the ortho PA this AM and he said pretty much what I expected--that I needed to schedule the Knee replacement.  I explained about the gall bladder, so he gave me a card for the scheduling nurse and said he would fill out all the paper work so that when I call her, we can get it scheduled without any delay.

Nancy is coming in this afternoon and will meet with hospice. Ms Frances to be discharged tomorrow, I think. Ellen talked to John while I was gone.  I've been told that hospice immediately begins morphine injections, even if there is no pain. That of course brings on immediate death.  They didn't used to do that and I hate to think about it.

I went to the grocery after my dr's appt, so that is out of the way.  I have another appt tomorrow with the rep for my back stimulator. That is at 8:45!!!  Ugh.

Can't think of anything else right now.  Sharon

All seems to be O.K with Texas Family. Not spoken to them today but my UK Family just called me saying that they have been trying Julie Telephone and it saying "This number no longer used".  The may have her Business number which was cancelled awhile back.  So now they are going to call me back at 4pm out time today. That is 10pm for them.  I was ready to call them early this morning but the beat me to it.
They just hate Emails and also Facebook.  I am just now back to letter writing to them  Like it though as they do write long letters.  Say the bought a new desktop and lap top but still don't care to be on them.

My Ipad acting up in the WiFi part of it.  At the moment I am not happy with Comcast so will be heading over there soon.  Now they are pushing their new Telephone service which is to replace a home line. They were on again today. Sales trying to get me on it. If I could get a good service I like I would take my home line out (40 years). Just hate to lose the number but paying $33 just to get people soliciting. Have had 3 already today. Now do it 7 days a week.

No. My eye doctor is so patient with me. Had him for years. He is the one who did my cataracts years ago and does great checkups.  its me. I don't have patience. Think body should be just like when 20 years old.  Nothing should wear out. I know he would like me to wear all the time with a little for distance. I just can't go bifocals.I seem to see things past 3 ft. fine. But he says just reading a lot and on Computer and jumping up quick taking glassed off is part of my problem.Just sit for a second or take eyes off screen. I may try again on next check up to do the bifocals   

Hi everyone...Texas area is finally drying out some..But saw on the news today..people still being rescued from house roofs....and there's supposed to be another hurricane brewing..Sharon..sorry to hear about your neighbor..hope she gets the care she needs..From reading I know you helped her a lot..and God will bless you for that..Jeanne..I still have my landline phone...and my cell....Hi to Sue and Jane and others reading..my brother invited me to go to a football game tonight...so thinking I might go....take care all...Darlene

Sherry a lot of people have misconceptions about what Hospice does and how they do it. I would take what someone else has said with a grain of salt.  I am a hospice volunteer and have been through the 11 weeks of classes, rules, regs etc. the only time our hospice administers morphine is when there is pain and then the only give enough to reduce the pain. They never give enough to cause the heart to stop or the patient to stop breathing. I hope I have put your mind at ease regarding Miss Francis, you can always call hospice and ask questions.

Joy....we're all worried about you...hope Sue's grandson there at LSU is safe, too.

We're not to get any rain from Harvey...all well south of us.  We are getting the smoke from Marilyn's area and Canada fires and to have high temps this weekend and then fall to 60s by Monday.  Tonight in the 50s.  Weird weather.

Jane

Marilyn, JOhn was a hospice volunteer when we were in HH and it wasn't like that then. I hope the woman who told me that doesn't know what she's talking about.  I would be glad to have her under the care of hospice if they take good care of her 24/7.  She needs that and Nancy hasn't accepted that or wanted to or something. She is in Stage 5 of kidney failure and her ankles and feet are swollen beyond recognition. She ccan barely totter to the bathroom with her walker.  When I visit, she usually will come out to the living room, but I help get her situated.  When I am ready to leave, I get her back in her room in her lift chair that she sleeps in and make sure that she has her supper trayl and anything else she needs.  It's so sad to see how much she has gone down hill in the past year or so.

We had rain all afternoon and it's supposed to rain and storm most of tomorrow. Not looking forward to driving to the dr through it at 7:30.  Especially since it is 1:30 now and I'm still awake.  Jane, glad you aren't in the path.
We also have a hurricane Irma coming to the Caribbean and possibly up the Carolina coast.  Just what we need. We are about 150 miles inland, but Hurricane Hugo struck Charlotte pretty hard back in 89. Glad we weren't here then.

Darlene, I have helped Frances a lot because I love her and because it is the right thing to do. I will surely miss her when she passes.

Jeanne, glad you're in contact with your family, but can't understand people not wanting to use computers..  Be patient with your glasses. They really do help.   Sharon

JOY....are you and your family OK?

GinnyAnn...we miss hearing from you.

Fall is in the air here...leaves are changing and it was down into the 50s last night.  It's just now crawled above the 60 degree mark....and yet to be in high 80s this weekend, and then back down to high in the 60s!! Roller coaster temps, for sure.

Smoke from NW still hanging in the air, too.

We have a quiet weekend planned here. Ray needs to spray the foundation again for ants and other "bugs" and I need to get to the bank for some first of the month business.

Otherwise, easy peasy, here.

I've walked and cleaned up some paper work.  Just showered and dressed for my lunch date with Tim at 11:00.  We will go to Kroger for my weekly shopping after lunch and I'm hoping he'll take me to my nearby bank first as I have a CD I need to renew or put into another investment. 

It's sunny and very humid here this morning--no more rain in the forecast for this afternoon--I haven't looked at the Weather Channel for a more complete forecast.  We had a LOT of rain last night--came down in buckets and I thought my house might be washed down the hill!  However, we were safe and I was able to talk to Jon and Stacie in N.O. area and they haven't had any damage to their place--they live up past the freeway now and are farther away from the Gulf.  As of yesterday, LSU hadn't canceled classes.  I talked to Nick who is a freshman there.

Sharon, I'm so sorry about Ms. Frances.  You've been such a good friend to her and I hope her pain is controlled.  I'm very annoyed at her daughter!!!!

Jane, Alabama is full of bugs, but my bug guy who comes once a month to spray inside and outside March through October is fantastic, self employed, and only charges $22/month.  He tells me in October that I don't need him again until the end of Feb. or middle of March depending on the weather. 

Joy, I'm worried about you and your family, too.  I hope you haven't had to move to a shelter.  Please check in as soon as you can and let us know how you are.

Marilyn, thanks for the information about Hospice.  I think it relieves all our minds to know the facts.

Darlene, I'm guessing you didn't have flooding from the hurricane since you didn't mention it.  I hope you and your brother had fun at the football game and that your team won!

Jeanne, I hope your family in Texas is OK and that you hear from them today.  Keep us posted.

Mary, are you having lots of rain, too.  We're bright and sunny today with no more rain expected today, but you never know!  I hope your day with the girls was a good one.  Big hugs to all of you.  How is the tree you planted at John's gravesite doing?

Have a nice day, Every Buddy.
Sue

Sue, as far as I know, the tree we planted for John is doing well - at least it was the last time I was there.  Jean will be coming for a couple of days next week, so we'll probably get out to the Sculpture Fields then.

So far there's been 1.5" of rain in my gauge from the Harvey left-overs.  It's been cloudy with gusty winds/breezes today, but not much rain - so far.

My friends in Houston tell me they have rented a car and are looking for an apartment to rent while their house is being repaired.  They've had water in their yard before, but not in their house - so they do have the specific flood insurance.  My heart goes out to them - I would certainly hate to be going through this at our age.

I'd heard rumors, but we got an official letter today.  The Terrace has new owners.  I don't know what this means in the long term.  The Residents' Council meets next Wednesday afternoon, so I guess we'll get more information.  I did notice another multi-passenger vehicle outside this morning.  And one of the cleaning gals said that they were now getting time-and-a-half for working on the weekends.  And rumor has it that they are going to spend some big money on improvements.  Time will tell.  The new company is Discovery Senior Living, Bonita Springs, FL.  Always something fun going on.

Happy weekend, Buddies.  I hope all your football teams win and you have a good Labor Day Holiday.

Good morning, Buddies.  It's almost 11:00 here and football games will soon start.  I've had my breakfast and morning walk as well as read the paper--although the paper was late today.  I saw the truck delivering papers over on Green St. when I was talking to a friend there before coming back to my street.  It was after 9:30, and that's late for us.  It usually arrives before 7:00.

Mary, I hope your new building owners have a good management team and that there will be few changes other than positive ones.  Azalea Place where I play bridge once monthly has changed management and the food is not good now and the service is disgraceful.  Glenda, the dining room manager has quit because of the paltry pay and bad management.  I hope she can find another job.

My MOAA military officers magazine this month has a lengthy review of assisted living facilities that cater to military retirees.  My sister Anne lives in one near Jacksonville, FL.  She doesn't like it much as she thinks military families are bossy (she likes to be in charge herself) and also clannish--which I'm sure they are.  Army families sit with other Army retirees, Navy with Navy, etc. and civilians sit where they can in the dining room.  She and Richard should probably not have sold their beachfront condo and moved in there.

I am perfectly happy in my neighborhood.  We have a couple of retirees, several families with teens and early 20s still at home, and a few young couples with pre-school and elementary school children.  It makes for a nice mixture.

Have a good day, Buddies.  I hope you're not having remnants of Hurricane Harvey with rain which is overly heavy.

Sue

We had lots of rain yesterday afternoon and early evening, but it is sunny and about 80 now.

Ellen called me early evening and said Nancy was out and if I wanted to come over to do so. She said Frances was mostly out of the Ativan fog they put her in.  So I ran over. She apparently realizes it is near the end and was talking about the funeral home, cemetery, etc and looking forward to seeing Woody, the husband she lost 35 yrs ago. She even made a couple jokes, but I think she could pass any day.  I gave her a kiss goodbye and told her I would come over today. That made her happy. I saw Nancy as I was leaving and sugar wouldn't have melted in her mouth!  It is so hard for me to be friendly to her.

I slept well last night in spite of my 3 hr. nap yesterday afternoon!  Actually, I'm still sleepy and it's past noon. I have no plans for today or tomorrow other than SS & church tomorrow and visiting Frances tonight.

I'm glad that all the family and friends of the Buddies from Tx are safe. I feel bad for Mary's friends though.

Sue, your leg must be getting stronger with all your walks.

I hope we hear from JOy and Ginny too. 

Hi to Darlene and Marilyn and Jane.  I do hope the forest fires get contained soon.  Our daughter has been out in Seattle and area for a wedding but the wind must be blowing the other way. They haven't mentioned it.  Sharon

Beautiful Saturday here...sunny now and in the mid 60s. 

I have laundry going and enjoying football.  Iowa beating WY at the moment. I'm looking forward to the Alabama game tonight.  (Is it too much to hope they get BEAT?)

Ray's gone to the grocery on his scooter and I hear him now coming back in.  We should be set now for a day or two.

The smoke from NW seems to have blown east, so it's so nice to breathe clear, cool air.

jane

SharonE  Now does Ms Frances have a person who stays there all night. Now from what the daughter sounds like I would have thought she would have suggested they kept her in the hospital with the condition she is in. So sad watching the people we care about pass.  She seems to have stayed alert in her mind into old age though. Just hope she passes without pain.

Family in Texas must be out helping someone as I can't reach them. I know they are all O.K. as my Connecticut GD spoke with them last night.  Her husbands mother had just moved from California to Houston last month and he was checking up on her. She had moved into a Beautiful Condo but all is O.K in her area also. Most of the Friends of Julies live in areas without problems. New homes and buildings are in higher growns and over the years then have put in underground drainage systems. Sewers etc. Things they never did years ago.


Meant to go over to the mall to look at some drapes. I Don't like to go on A weekend so will wait until monday.
Goofed up a little last night as I decided to make a couple of small loaves of Bread in the small pans I got at the trift show. Sort of the size they give at the restaurants. Each last me 2 or 3 days and one I freeze. Well I put the dough into my oven that just has pilot light on and then forgot it was in there. Got up at 8:30 to find it had over risen and sort of dried on the top. Anyway I just went ahead and baked. Its O.K but shape not good. Also had some overripe banana so made a couple of small banana bread loaves. Put in a few walnuts. Trying to stop buying my favourite cookies or any sweet stuff. This banana bread not much sugar. Have to have something after I eat dinner but not the candy bars or cookies I was eating.

Watching  the TV at the moment Public Television. Have a one skillet dinner show on. Couple seemed pretty good. I like casserole type things when in a hurry. Had a Potato/reubin sandwich type one made in a skillet. No bread. I love Ruebin Sandwiches. Will get the makings next time store and try it.

 

SharonE.

I was having problems sleeping through the night for a few weeks. Put it down to the hot weather and having to sleep with the A/C on. Was finding had to take a nap in the afternoons.   Now the nights are getting down to the low 50s and window opened.

Seems like now though  when I try reading in bed that I now last about 10 min.
I am drinking a new tea I have that is supposed to be  good to keep Blood Pressure steady.
thing is sure put you to sleep. Sleep about 9 hours. Maybe make a trip to the Loo at 4am and back off right after. So it could be the tea and not the weather.

Jeanne..what's the name of the tea...? Darlene

Good morning!  It's about 10:30 here this morning and I have skipped church.  Olyne's company will be leaving after lunch, so she will pick me up for the 3:00 reception for our 100 y.o. birthday girl.  Alice is a member of our SS class and a longtime church member.  Her late husband was a long time Presbyterian minister.  One of her sons who is a widower with 2 grown daughters lives with her.  His wife died of cancer when the girls were very young and he moved here so that Alice could help with them  He is a retired Neuro-surgeon. 

It's hot and muggy here this morning.  I am still sweaty after my walk, but will shower and then dress later for the reception.  I had planned to go to church with Ethel, but she called last night to tell me that she is having an allergy episode (we have lots of blooming things here that are causing problems.  I've been taking an OTC allergy tablet from Kroger and although my nose is dripping, I'm not coughing or having any other problems, thank goodness!).

I am delighted with our AU Tigers big win last night--although next week will be a different story.  We will be playing Clemson and they are a VERY TOUGH team.  I'm expecting them to play hard and our guys will, too, but they have more talent than we do.  I just hope Clemson can beat Alabama when it comes down to the national championship as I think both those teams will prevail.

I've just about cooled down enough to shower and get into something presentable for this afternoon's reception.  I hope all are well and having a good day.

Sharon, my prayer for Ms. Frances is that she will have a peaceful transition at the end.  I know you will miss her.

Sue

Morning, Buddies!

It's warming up here today...so Ray and I walked earlier and stopped on the way back for breakfast at our downtown cafe and then on home.  No mess to clean up in the kitchen!!

Not a lot going on today...hoping to get the spraying of the foundation for ants taken care of. 

Good football games yesterday and some tonight, too, so I am back to watching TV. 

jane

We got home from church to see a hearse in Ms Frances' driveway!  I had 2 messages on my phone telling me she passed this morning.  I'm so glad Nancy was here and also that it didn't happen when I was out of town.  I think she passed peacefully.  I will surely miss her as we have been friends since she moved in 10 yrs ago.  It's so hard to lose a close friend, even when you know it is what is best for them. Sharon

Sharon...sorry for your loss....it is hard to lose friends..as well as loved ones....We are having gas shortages here...lot of places out of gas and don't know when they will have any....Hi to all..Darlene

Darlene

Triple Leaf Tea.Inc.  A Chinese company that has been just one family for generations they say. I found it in Meijers Grocery store. Seems to have helped me getting up during the night . Says it is also helps kidneys and liver. I take a low dose Blood Pressure pill that I would like to get off. This tea does provide a Natural Diuretic. Watching it as  that is why I take the BP med But that is what is making my Sodium show low. 

Sharon, I'm so sorry to hear about Miss Frances - even though I know she was ready to go.  You'll miss her terribly.  Hugs!

jane, isn't it great to have these cool, low-humidity mornings.  Ours was here, too - unusual for here.  I was going to sit out on the deck to read the paper, but it was too cool.  I did keep the door open, though, after I put the feeders out.

Sue, glad you're still getting your walking in.  I do my time at the Y three days a week, and Silver Sneakers twice a week, but am a slug most of the rest of the time.

Jeanne, that's good the tea seems to be working for you.  I know the red yeast rice works to help my cholesterol down, and am glad for that.

I got an e-mail from my Houston friend this afternoon.  They're in the process of emptying their house.  They have an apartment and a car rented.  Both their cars were totaled and they've already gotten the insurance money for that.  They have flood insurance, and those papers have been filed - so rebuilding their lives is underway for them.  My heart goes out to them.  I would hate to go through what they are - and they're my age.

Margaret and Jesse came by this morning and we went to "brunch" at the Waffle House this morning.  They were on their way to Atlanta, to Matt's house.  They're going to the Tennessee ballgame tomorrow- plus the visiting.  After they left, I was sitting here, and watched a small (about 2 feet long) black snake go right past my door...twice.  I was surprised, but not upset.  I just with it was big enough to challenge the squirrels.   

Hi to Darlene, Ginny Ann, Marilyn, Joy, and all the Buddies.

Sharon...maybe Ms Frances was waiting for Nancy to come to let things go.  May she rest now in peace.

Darlene...we seem to have gasoline...the price has jumped 30 cents a gallon to $3.54 for Ethanol which is subsidized by the state to promote ethanol...and about $3.74 for regular unleaded.

Mary...warmed up into the 80s today...then to drop again.  I guess we're getting the heat from the NW today.

jane

the smoke is very thick here today. We went to church and every time someone opened the door you could smell the smoke. Lots of coughing going on. We are keeping all the cats and Freckles in today so no getting out for walks. The smoke isn't good for their lungs either and theirs are so small. I can't imagine the damage the smoke does to animals.

So sorry to hear about Miss Francis, Sherry.

Sharon, I'm sorry to hear about Ms. Frances, too, but am glad that she is no longer suffering.  You will miss her.  Hugs to you--will there be a service in your community?

To all my dear friends ----
Thank for your concern about the floods and Louisiana-----
The extreme west La. (Lake Charles, etc.) did have water that migrated from Houston, but Baton Rouge was spared-----Not much of any really.  Many thanks
for asking.
Joy in Baton Rouge.

WONDERFUL to hear from you, Joy, and know you and Family are OK.  You've had enough flood and storm damage to last a lifetime.

Thanks for checking in.  We worry about our Buddies when we haven't heard from them and know they're in a possible bad storm.

jane

I second Jane's comments to you JOy. We have all been worried about BR.

Jane, I think you are right that Frances was waiting for Nancy to come before passing.  I've thought that for the past 2 or 3 weeks when she took such an abrupt turn downward but still hung on.  Ever once in a while she would say, I sure wish Nancy was closer or I'd really like to see my "little girl".  They are having a memorial service at a nearby funeral home.  Unfortunately, not until next Tues or Wed due to legalities, Labor Day, and family from afar.  I leave Monday for Chicago, so won't be able to be there. I feel so bad about that, but there's nothing to be done.

Mary, you're lucky the snake didn't come by when you had the door open!!  I am extremely "snake-o-phobic"!!! It sounds like you're getting a reasonable amount of exercise between the Y and SS. I'm glad your Houston friends were prepared with all the necessary insurance. So many weren't.  It must be awful to go through anyway.

Marilyn, I'm so sorry you're having such fires. I do hope they are able to contain them soon. They have been on our news a lot too.

Jeanne, they don't have a Meiers near here.  Don't know if they even have one in N or SC.  They had them in IN.
Sharon

Thanks everyone for your condolences.  I know she is better off now, but it's hard to lose a friend.

Sharon, I know you hate having to miss the memorial service for Miss Frances.  But she knows you were there for her when she was able to appreciate it - and that's what is important.

The granddaughter of my friends in Houston posted this message on Facebook this morning:
Not really sure how to put it, but I could use some help. Both my parents and grandparents flooded from Harvey and while my parents take care of their house, I'm taking care of my grandparents house. Their house was deemed unsafe to live and it needs to get completely packed up or thrown away. I'm going to be over here the next couple of days getting it done, but if anyone is willing to lend a hand or know someone that is, will you please message me? I appreciate any help I can get. Thanks!
She's gotten lots of offers from friends to come help her - showing the power of "social media" today.  I just wish we could help, too.

I sat on the deck this morning to read the paper, enjoying the cooler, less humid weather.  These days are rare in this part of the world.

Happy Labor Day, Buddies!