We are home from church, stopped by the grange (farm store) since we were in the neighborhood to buy food for Freckles and the Bordatella vaccine as well. Now we have had our lunch and I will be taking freckles for a walk shortly., It is cold here today and no sun either, 56°. So I now have on my log sleeved undershirt and will put something warm on to take her for the walk.

Hi Buddies.  I picked up Tom at 9:30 for Sunday School, did that and church, then took him home.  He was looking a lot better after his fall last week, stitches had been removed and he left his cane at home.  After taking him home, I went back to eat with the BK bunch.  Ethel came to eat with us for the first time.  I was the last to arrive and she waited with me while I ate.  I was planning to go to visit Terri who is still recovering from the stroke, so Ethel went with me.  We delivered the card everyone at bridge signed for her and had a good visit with her.  She is doing more with her right hand and it looks as if it will be a full recovery.

When I came home, I changed into my usual at home clothing and finished reading Body Work by Sara Paretsky and was a V.I. Warshawski detective novel.  Lots of quirks, dead ends, etc.  It took me a couple of days to read it.  After I finished I laced up my sneakers and walked up to the cemetery, then around once and back home.  That took about 25 minutes, so was a good walk.  Since then I made scrambled eggs and toast for my supper, cleaned up the kitchen, and have been watching TV since about 7:00.  I just watched the last episode of Hallmark's When Calls the Heart.  Tomorrow morning the 2 young stars are going to be on an early morning talk show with some kind of announcement.  I'm going to try to remember to turn on the TV at 10:00.

It was cooler today than yesterday and windy.  My walk was chilly, but refreshing.  I got my trash collected and out on the curb for tomorrow's trash pick up.  I had planned to start digging up oak seedlings which have sprouted all over my front and back lawns, but didn't get around to it.  Ah, like Scarlett O'Hara said, "tomorrow is another day"!

Sleep well, Buddies.  I'll try to get back earlier tomorrow.  I think I might have GinnyAnn's e-mail address somewhere.  If I can find it, I'll send her a link to the new S&F.

Sue
Sue

Sue....is Terri the friend you walked with often?  I'm so sorry to hear of her stroke.  Stroke is something that scares me badly. 

It looks bright and sunny out, but still in the 30s, so wearing the soft cords MaryPage turned me onto from Appleseed's and a turtleneck for today's trip back to Dbq for the Med people to look at Ray's leg again.  We're hoping maybe the stitches will come out today. 

Then home for laundry and get ready for an early morning return to Dbq for allergy testing.  This week without my antihistime has me itching my eyes and nose and sneezing and using up kleenex like crazy.

Yesterday afternoon's piano concert was most enjoyable.  It's too bad more didn't attend, but I guess $30.00 a ticket put a lot of people off, though that's about the going price here...or higher oftentimes for better seats at larger theatres in the cities.  However, there's no bad seat in our 300 seat local new auditorium, and it's nice to have it 4 blocks from home, and not an hour's drive each way!

Good Morning I will be going  to my friend Leslie's house this morning, she is helping me to plan this event. I amt aking my dress over so she can see it. Savannah or Forest will be the photographer, it depends if Savannah can get the day off to come up here. They are both turning into wonderful photographers.

Keith has gone  over to his former office to see if he can get what plans are left in the garage, if they new owners haven't changed the lock and got rid of what was in there. the locks were all supposed to be changed on Friday afternoon.

Hi Gals, it's an overcast, chilly day here. John left early for Gatlinburg and I've just had a slow morning.

Marilyn, sounds like things are progressing. 

Sue, what did they announce this morning? I forgot to tape it and by the time I saw your post, it was after 10. I'm sorry also about your friend's stroke.

Jane, I hope your allergist is able to get you immunized.  I've been taking Zyrtek, but it does make me itchy.

I didn't get to see the GV program. I hope they will repeat it.

We talked to Brian Sat. night. He has been acting base commander for 2 weeks and covered up with work. All the service personnel who were evacuated from Turkey came through their port and had to be set up with transportation, accommodations, and other necessities. He was working 18 hr days till they got that all settled.  His boss got back Thurs, so hopefully things will slow down a little for him.  They have a new yellow lab puppy, so that is adding lots of activity to the household too.  He looks adorable and is only 8 weeks old.

Not much else going on with us.  Sharon

Leslie and I went Thrift store shopping this morning , I bouught a long lavender sundress and a floral jacket  to wear over dress that the colors are perfectly  matched to the dress. Two different stores, next is shoes.

time to take freckles for her walk before my Tai Chi class.

Jane, I dug through my old address cards, but didn't find GinnyAnn's address.  Tomorrow I'll tackle the old Christmas cards as we usually exchange one--I hope I can find it.  Tammy is my walking buddy, but she's been out of town so much--cruising, staying at the beach house and preparing for her daughter's wedding which I think will be late spring or maybe summer.

Terri is my friend who had the stroke.  She was impaired on the right side at first, but spent several weeks in the SNIF unit--I don't know what that stands for, but it is the rehab unit.  She is right handed and her right side was affected.  She is doing well and has begun to write cards and notes to her family who don't live here.  She was born in Saskatchawan, (spelling?) and has dual citizen ship.  She's been really healthy up until the stroke and has remained in good spirits. 

Marilyn, is the sundress/floral jacket for the honeymoon or the wedding.  Sounds like you and Leslie had fun today.  It sounds like you're on top of the wedding plans.  Remind me when the big day is?

Sharon, that base where Brian is stationed was originally where Blimps were tethered and launched.  It was the place I had to drive Bob to after we drove to Maine and found a house so Bill (10 months old) and I could live while he was gone.  On the way back on the NY turnpike going into NYC and up to New England, Bill squirmed out of the car seat (back then they were canvas and had big leg holes--I had to drive about 5 or 6 miles with him rolling around on the floor and screaming before I could get to the farthest right lane and stop.  I drove the rest of the way to Maine with my right arm holding him in the car seat.  The next day I called Sears and bought a harness that went around the back seat and he could stand up or sit down.  Back then car seats were just 2 pieces of canvas with metal handles!  He had been walking since 7 months. He was a handful!

I hope more of us get here to pick up where we left off.
Sue

The dress and  jacket is for the wedding, it is May 22. The dress is more me that what lesslie was chosing, I do not like huge puffed sleeve. I wanted something I could wear more than once.

Sounds lovely, Marilyn.

MaryZ, you have gotten me in Big Trouble!  In the way I have been spending my time the last several days.  I tried your Mexican Train site over and over again, but some sort of pop up could not be deleted from the right side of the screen, and I could not really get into a game.  I had to keep ending the game and trying again all over with a new one, but the pop up kept popping up.  So I got the madly brilliant idea to try to find an app on my iPad.  Long story short, I did.  And it is a Free app and is very pretty and very easy to play and simply too much fun.  I am badly in need of rehab.  Big Time Addiction.  All your fault.  I had not dreamed there would be Mexican Train on line!

Today started off very wet.  Apparently it rained a good deal last night, and it was still raining when Chip & I went to my last physical therapy session.  Still raining when that was over and we went by the grocery.  Cleared up by the time we drove home.  All sunshine and pretty now, albeit breezy.

Sue, loved your story about baby Bill.  I could so relate to that.

Y'all behave now.  Or not.

MaryPage - I should say "I'm sorry", but since I've been there.....   Sometimes, it's amazing what you can find on the computer.  And sometimes we're better off not knowing.

I've spent the day dealing with, or waiting on, car things.  I took my car to the body shop this morning, per appointment.  Turns out things had not quite been settled with the insurance company.  I talked to the company, and then headed home, planning to reschedule.  I'd gone only a couple of blocks, then the insurance company called back and okayed everything, and that they'd talked to Enterprise about a car.   Sighhhhhhhh   So I turned around and went back to the shop.  Eventually the guy came to pick me up.  BUT, turns out they didn't have a car ready, so they were just going to take me back home - to be picked up later. That was abut 9:30 this morning.  OK, it's now 4 pm, and still no car.  I called an hour ago, and they said it shouldn't be too much longer.  Yeah, right!  At least I didn't have anything major planned for today.  But we're almost into what passes for "rush hour" in Chattanooga.  Oh, well....

Maryz....so. Uch for the Enterprise ads on TV about how prompt they are delivering a car!

I had a good appt with the new allergy, guy...young, handsome, an athlete who talked triathelons with Ray and about where to buy organic things in Dbq, etc.   He said the people/company that owns Trader Joe's also owns Aldis...a chain around here who started out as a kind of buy from the cardboard cases and stark buildings ...but is now going upscale organic, etc.   Anyway, he wants me to change BP med and called my Nurse Practitioner to talk to her about it, and is changing my allergy meds by eliminating all three over a two week rotation so it's not all at once, and gave me two new samples to use instead....on the same rotation.  I was pleased.  I'll see him again in three weeks.

Jane

Gloria Vanderbilt Cooper and her son, Anderson Cooper, are to be interviewed by Charlie Rose on his PBS show tonight.  You will have to check your local schedule to see what time.  I believe they are to be the second of two interviews tonight.

You just will not believe how young she looks.  She is 91 years old, and looks younger than he does!

MaryPage, I saw them interviewed on Sunday Morning (or 60 Minutes).  She does look good - amazing what good plastic surgery money can buy.  LOL

jane, the Enterprise folks came about 4:30.  Two cars came, so I didn't have to take the delivery guy back to the place.   The 2015 Camry seems to be great.  I'm sure I'll get used to the back-up camera quickly, and will miss it when I have to give it back.  They did tell me to bring it back "empty" - unfortunately that also means that they brought it to me on "empty".  The first thing I did was take it to Walmart to put gas in it.  I can't stand to drive around with that yellow gas-pump flashing at me.  But now I'm set up for a few more days.

I knew Aldi was owned by Trader Joe's.  I loved shopping at Aldi - was doing more and more of my shopping there.  But since I don't do groceries any more, I haven't been there in ages.  They've started taking credit cards now.  I don't know how they've changed their stock.  Their produce has always been excellent - limited quantity, but excellent quality.

Sleep well,  Buddies!

Good Evening, Buddies.  I printed out the missing page I needed for my accountant and sent it to her via the US Post Office this morning.  I'd sent her the pertinent information via e-mail last night, so I hope she was able to finish everything this evening.  Only 3 more days to file!

We had our last Circle meeting for the year this morning.  Our hostess lives south of town, out in the country.  They've just recently remodeled an older farm house and put a modular home on their lot for her 90+ mother.  Lila loves horses and now has 3 at the farm.  She has lots of antiques, has been collecting for years and everything was lovely and her brunch was yummy--and a good Bible lesson led by Gail who does a really bang up job of presenting the topic.

Have any of you been following the Jackie Robinson special on PBS?  I loved major league baseball and was a Yankee fan, but I loved to watch Jackie R. hit those home runs except when the Dodgers were beating the Yankees.  I didn't realize that he was only 53 when he died of a heart attack.  There was a really good movie last year about him and his entry into major league baseball.

Jane, I didn't find GinnyAnn's address in my index cards, but will pull out the  last year's Christmas cards to see if she sent me one.  I think Doug was still living or had just died, so she may not have sent any.

I hope you've had a good day and evening.  Sleep well, Buddies.
Sue

Jane.  Now that surprises me on Aldi and Trader Joe's.  Aldi has been in UK for years and well known for being Owned by 2 German Brothers. Then when starting up here they still owned it. The own a large warehouse here in illinois and another State.  Lots of their stuff still comes in from Germany. I asked the Mgr about something he liked just a few months ago and he said that the Bakery in Germany only made then a Christmas time.  They have spread out to much now into other thing than food.  We are suppose to be getting a Trader Joe's here one day. Now I wasn't to impressed with the one I was in in Texas.
Jane
Going to send you a E mail if I find your EMAddress.  don't want to type it here.

Ladies--I saw the other day that Ginny Ann registered on April 9, but hasn't made any posts.

Jeanne, I am reading a book titled The Road To Little Dribbling written by Bill Bryson that I think you would like a lot.  He walks and motors and takes buses, trains and so forth all over Great Britain.  Lots and lots of information and a fun read.  Well, that is to say, he writes it in a fun way.  A lot of the information is no fun at all.  He spends a lot of time on the various coastal walks and goes into how much trash accumulates there from people and ships.  One thing really new to me is the fact that about ten thousand (10,000!) of those huge cargo containers fall OFF of cargo ships and into the oceans and other waterways EVERY YEAR!  They lie on the bottom of the water until something causes them to open up, and much of the stuff that was in them winds up killing a lot of water life or on the beaches.  Depressing.

Hi Gals, not much happening here, but thought  I would check in.  I knew that Trader Joes and Aldis were both owned by a German brothers duo. I've never been to TJ's although I know where one is. It's just quite a ways from here. I've been in Aldi's not too far from here. The prices are great, but I can't get everything I want there and I hate to go 2 places. With the problem I have walking, convenience is everything.

Mary, I'm glad you finally got your car. It sounds like it was quite a hassle. John has a Camry and likes it, although it doesn't ride as well as my Avalon.

MP, I think the garbage situation in the ocean is the most awful thing ever and nothing much seems to be done about it.

Your  dress sounds lovely, Marilyn. I like lavender.

All for now.  Sharon

Hope Ginny checks in soon. Marlyin excited for you on your upcoming wedding. I love lavender color. I did not sleep well last night. Anyone know of a vitamin, herb,etc that might help? Hate to have those nights...dragging the next day.  Later Darlene

Darlene, you might try Melatonin.  I take 10 mg every night, with the approval of my doctors.

MaryPage.  Now I just read that book by Bill Bryson. I do like to follow him around.  Mentioned a few areas in it that I knew quite well.

Now I have a few reasons for not eating Shell Fish.  But also when I heard that the main dumping place from Hospitals. Specially in the East of the US has only need to go 12 miles out to sea.  Human Parts, all things that suppose to not be touched in hospitals get dumped out there.  That became another good reason not to eat.  I will eat fish only from safe waters.
I am beginning to think that safer to eat Farm Raised long as they are a good company. Even then I soak in salt water. Rinse well. Soak in a little milk .

Was better years ago when we didn't have all these Cruise ships also out on the oceans. Thousands of them. Think of all that goes into the water from them.

Thanks, Joan.  I'm glad she was able to register.

Cards at Bridge too were lousy...hard to be excited about a hand when you have 3pts!!

I did get a nice walk in before I went to bridge...got 1.5 miles in and that's good for me, since I haven't walked much lately because it's been so cold.

Tomorrow we go to Dbq...again...to meet Texas friends who live in Davenport, IA.  We're looking forward to seeing them since they had to skip Tx this year because of heart problems.

jane

I've been playing Words with friends on facebook with ginnyann'

Gorgeous day dawning here on the bay.  The sun is coming up over the far horizon of Kent Island and pouring broad bands of glowing vermilion into my living quarters.  I love this time of year for many things, but the fact our life-giving star moves from the far right of my panoramic view over to the spans of the great Chesapeake Bay Bridges is one of the best aspects.  It will actually come up right on those spans in time for my May 24th birthday!  Right now, this very morning, it is just a speck more than half way there.

Today Chip will take me for what I hope will be my final visit with the surgeon who operated on my spine.  Tuesday I had what I expect was my last physical therapy.  In short, I am celebrating it all being Over!

We will do a quick run through Trader Joe's afterwards, where I will pick up a few bags of their heavenly cookies and come home to play Mexican Train on my iPad and take an ancient crone nap.

Marilyn...thanks for that info....so we know GA is online and it's not a computer problem. 

Beautiful day here, too.  It's amazing how it lifts the spirit when it's sunny and warm outside...at least it does for me!

Ray's off the what I call the "Geezers Coffee" at the soda fountain in the drugstore.  Yep, they put in a 1950s style "soda fountain" some years ago that's popular, and the "wise ones"....aka the "old geezers" gather there every morning.   

He's headed out to the driving range then...had wanted to go yesterday, but the high school male and female golf teams were there and no space left.  I'm going to eventually get dressed and try for another long, for me, walk and then get changed for our lunch with Texas friends in Dbq. 

Have a good Thursday in your part of the world.

Jane

Tough night last night.  A little after 3 am, I was awakened by a barrage of either fireworks or gunshots not too far away (there's a large apartment complex about half-mile from me).  There were no followup sirens, so the noise went unexplained.  But, of course, I didn't get back to sleep.  I got up after about 30 minutes and went to the chair.  Then about 4:15, there was another string of 8 sharp reports.  And again, no followup sirens.  Oh, well....  I dozed a bit in the chair, then went back to bed to sleep (with rolling dreams) until nearly 7:30.  Then to Silver Sneakers at 9:30.  No doubt there's a nap in my immediate future - at least I hope so.  LOL 

Bridge tonight - hope I get some good cards.
Happy Thursday, Buddies!

Good morning, Buddies.  I've had my breakfast and my walk (I didn't wake up until 8:30) and am now waiting for Tim to arrive for our lunch date about 11:00.  I only ate half an English muffin with peanut butter and some fresh strawberries, so will be able to enjoy the crabcake/avocado sandwich at the Amsterdam Café.  I don't know if I've mentioned that the restaurant has large paintings which are copies/or similar to Van Gogh's originals.  I suspect done by an Art Student or Professor at AU.

Thursday is an unusual time for us to eat lunch--he usually prefers Monday, but he had some business he needed to do on Monday.

I'm hoping my accountant got the final paper I mailed to her earlier in the week and has my income tax ready for me to sign.  I hope the increase in my charitable giving in 2015 will help my taxes to go down.  One problem I have is the funds I put into the Teacher Retirement System when I was working.  They are trying to pay me back according to their idea of my life expectancy and I guess they think I won't make it until 98, although I am pretty sure, barring catastrophe, I will live that long.  Longevity is pretty common in my family.

Have a nice day, Buddies.  It rained another inch here during the night and is cloudy now.  My rain barrel is full and running over.  We've sure had a lot of rain since January.

Sue

Sue....hope your accountant is fast.  It always takes ours 2-3 weeks, but it's an accounting firm, so lots of clients, I suppose.

Mary...yikes....what scary sounds in the middle of the night!

We had a great lunch and gab session with our Iowa-Tx friends, and will meet again next month in Iowa City.  It's a good half-way spot, too.

It's gotten to the high 60s, so a great day to be out and about.  I walked this morning, so have that "job" finished.  My supper tonight is the rest of the large salad I brought home from lunch!

We had wind ( a  lot) and rain most of the night. When I took freckles out to pee around 7 pm last night the win d frightened her  so she ran back in  the house. I put her Thundershirt on her. This mmornin g she was  hiding in the corner between my night stand and the dresser with her blanket still on her. The wind has calmed down now. thbe rainb comes and goes.

Keith went for his Dr. Appointment today, I went with but sat in the lobby and read my book. I am reading a memoir by nAbigail Thomas titled A Three dog Life.

Jane, my accountant used to work in a very large accounting firm in Montgomery.  She had helped Bob set up a program so he could do the taxes for the library (1099s for the librarians, I think and other stuff I didn't understand).  After he died, she left the big accounting firm and took a job in one of the state offices dealing with taxes which was not "doing" taxes.  So she now has a few customers who need an accountant and she does that work at home.  Fortunately I am one of them.  So far so good.  I hope she doesn't drop me because of my being late to get my stuff to her.

Marilyn, I hope Keith's appointment went well.  The book you are reading sounds pretty good.  I'm going to check my library to see if they have it.  What is a Thundershirt?

Mary, how scary to hear gunshots so plainly at night when everyone should be sleeping.  Could it have been firecrackers?  Did other residents also hear them?  At any rate, I hope it doesn't happen again and that someone will report it to the police if it does.  Too many people have guns who shouldn't!

MaryPage, I'm sorry to say that I have rarely seen a sunrise since we used to go tent camping when our boys were young and still loved to go with us.  I hope you got a good report from the spine doctor and are free to be you without further visits.

I'm off to bed shortly.  Sleep well, Buddies.
Sue