Yes Mary I did google it...several forms....wasn't sure the correct one.....I will ask around....thanks Darlene

Good luck, Darlene!

I had awful news at the dentist today.     Dentures!  Since we do not have dental insurance    Of course once its done I probably won't need as many dental appointments.
We had a great time at ours friends summer place in Canada. 

I wasn't here yesterday because my computer was compromised by someone on Tuesday (posing as Microsoft) and I had to shut down until my Computer expert could get here yesterday afternoon to clean it up.  Everything is in order and hunky dory now, but I had bridge starting at 12:30 today and had to get a load of wash done, my walk in, and a call to a friend who recently had the same heart surgery I had and has holed up at home being depressed.  I'm not sure it helped her, but I'm doing so well with my pace maker and wanted her to cheer up.

I had fun at bridge today, but pretty poor hands, so didn't win anything, but I enjoy this group a lot.  It's nice to be playing with them.  I'll have to entertain them here in 2 weeks.  So I'll have to think about what to serve after the second round of play.  We usually have some kind of dessert then.

Marilyn, could one or both of Keith's sons come down and go with you two to see a lawyer about making some plans for the future?  It might help him to have the 3 of you to support him and help him understand how important it is.

GinnyAnn, I'm sorry about the need for dentures, but hope you get a good fit and are able to adjust to them quickly.  How are you feeling otherwise?  Keep us posted.

Darlene, I'm glad you found a form that would be helpful.  Those kinds of decisions are tough.  I hope you're able to work it out to your satisfaction and are able to satisfy your kids, too.  It's hard if any of the children feel one of the others gets more.  Although sometimes it might be necessary, for example, if one is nearby and helping you out more than the others.

Jane, I had to turn the page to see who else posted and I know you were concerned about your Yard man(?).  I'm afraid to turn back to check because when I do I lose my post.

Sharon, same with your post.  I hope you're feeling better and all is well with you.

I'm off to bed now.  Tim is taking me to lunch tomorrow and then to Kroger, so I need to get up early to get my walk in and a shower before he gets here.

Sleep well, Every Buddy.
Sue

Here I am at 9:30 with my walk finished, kitchen cleaned up, showered and dressed with nothing more to do (except read) until Tim shows up.  Friday mornings are the days of garage and estate sales here in our communities (Opelika and Auburn) and he trolls the good ones to see if he can find things he likes to accumulate for one big sale annually.  Some things he sells quickly online.

It's quite warm here today, already up past 80 and expected to be in the high 90's after lunch.  We'll eat lunch, shop at Kroger, and then after that he'll probably check my meds and some mail he needs to see.  Or perhaps he'll do that before we go to lunch.

I'm planning on a quiet afternoon of reading after our trip to Kroger.  I hope Every Buddy has a good day.

Sue

Hi Gals.  Jane, I'm so sorry to hear of your yard man's brain tumor. How awful for him and the family right after he retired.  I hope you can find another one who is as good.

Ginny, I'm so glad to hear ofyour great vacation in Canada. That should have raised your spirits.  Not so glad to hear of your dentures, but if they get a good fit, it may mean a lot less trouble for you.  I know a woman who had dentures from the time she was 20 yrs old!  They looked totally natural too.  Just be sure you have a good dentist!

Mary, I'm sorry about the loss of bridge partner. That is disappointing.  I hope you can continue with your other bridge sessions though.

Sue, I got conned by one of those Microsoft guys too.  Don't let them call you back and try to give you a refund. That is a scam too.  By the way, instead of going back to see a post, just scroll down under the reply box.

I went to the PN this morning.  She said that because of an enzyme spike in my liver, found at the hospital, they wanted to do another blood test this morning and then probably schedule another test at the hospital where they stimulate the gall bladder and see if it is functioning correctly. They feel that that is probably the cause of it all. She said to avoid all fat for now as that goes through the gall bladder and is processed there.  Otherwise, I can eat normally.  If the gall bladder is the problem, then another surgery is in the offing. How wonderful!
Sharon

Ginny Ann, sorry to hear about the dentures, but as the others said, I hope you get a good fit.  Ouch on the cost, though.  Glad your Canada trip went well.

Sharon, Gallbladder pain can be the worst - I made two middle-of-the-night ER visits before they figured out that's what the problem was.  My pain was atypical - across my back about shoulder-blade high - but excruciating.  I couldn't get that thing out fast enough.  It's an easy surgery if done laproscopically, with a quick recovery.  I had some digestive side effects for about 6 months after, but nothing since then (about 20+ years ago).

Sue, glad Tim is helping you take care of your meds and your paperwork. 

Nothing going on around here this weekend.  I finally got back to swimming this morning, and the water surely did feel good.  Good to spend sometime with my buddies, too. 

Have a good weekend, Buddies!

GinnyAnn....perhaps you can get some estimates on the cost of the removal of all your teeth and dentures.  And, I hope you can check with someone who's happy with theirs for names of dentists/oral surgeons to do that work.

Sue...I awoke literally sick to my stomach thinking of Mike and his brain tumor. It brought back all the bad memories of our Melanie.  We were able to get another fellow who used to do some work with Mike and who does our neighbors, so he did ours today and will charge the same amount and bill us monthly as Mike did.
Big relief!  Neither of us is able to do the mowing...and we got rid of all our mowers, anyway.

Sharon...if it's your gall bladder, get it out.  I had mine out a few years ago...4 little band aid incisions and no more pain. 

Mary...happy swimming!

jane

Mary and Jane, thanks for the encouragement on the gall bladder.  If they say it needs to come out, then it will, but I also have the knee replacement and my reunion coming up. I hope I can put it off till after the reunion.  Since I leave the 11th, that shouldn't be a problem, but then which comes first?  The knee or the GB?  Such fun things to look forward to.  Sharon

I'd go for the gallbladder first, Sharon.  I wouldn't want to have another attack while recuperating from knee surgery. 

Sharon...I agree with Mary...I also had my gall bladder out...laser..short recovery time...I have decided to visit my attorney to recommend what I need updated and the correct POA form...I also plan to do my pre burial ....Im going to be creamated and my ashes buried by my husband......Ginny good luck with your dental work...I have some dental implants...which really help stableize my partials...wishing everyone a good..healthy weekend...it is still very hot and dry here...Darlene

Darlene...excellent idea to visit your attorney.  You want to make sure everything is legal and correct by Tx laws. 

I got a walk in early this morning..well, early for me!

We had a fun evening last night.  We met our other two couples for supper and then one of the couples went with us to the Amer. Legion where 3 people we all know were performing...mostly country music..and very enjoyable.  The place was packed when we got there at 6:30. They performed from 6:00 - 9:00 as an Anniversary Party for a couple who own a nearby cafe where we often go for breakfast.  The couple paid for the entertainment and the Legion got the bar receipts.  WIN for all of us. 

Nothing much going on here.  We have to fix our shower curtain bar.  And, it'll probably take both of us to do it.  It seems to take both of us to do most everything anymore.   

Good morning, although it's almost 11:00.  I've been busy all morning.  Jon and Alex are on their way--Alex called about 30 minutes ago to say they are in Mississippi.  I'll take them to the nearby pizza place for an early supper.  I picked up downed pears, lots of them with bad spots that had to go into my garbage can.  Some still nicely sized but green.  I'll have to peel them and poach them, but when finished and chilled they make a nice salad with cottage cheese.

Darlene, I did visit an attorney (perhaps I've mentioned this before).  I revised my will after Bob died and left everything to the 3 sons, but Tim and Bill had considerations in case they pre-deceased their wives.  So I visited a local lawyer last summer and made a new will with more stipulations. --Jon's is to go to Alex and Nick if he pre-deceases me and I left that as it was as they are both adults and I know they will share with Stacie if needed.  Neither Tim nor Bill have children, although Bill has raised Andy, Dawn's son, since he was 2.  He is now 25 and I'm sure Dawn will share hers with him if Bill dies first.  Tim's share will go to Kris and Bill's to Dawn.

Mary, Sharon, and Jane--good advice on the gall bladder surgery.  I hope you get it done soon, Sharon.  It sounds like it won't take much recovery time--and just imagine what relief you'll have!

I'm going to have a PBJ sandwich and fruit for lunch in a few minutes.  Jon and Alex are probably just snacking in the car and will be ready to go out for pizza when they get here.

Have a great day, Buddies.
Sue

Thanks for the advice on having the GB surgery first. Hadn't really thought about having an attack while recovering from the knee surgery.  However, it isn't definite yet that I need GB surgery.  I have to go into the hospital for a special test where they stimulate the GB and then see if it functions the way it is supposed to. Until I have that, I won't know for sure.  Apparently, it is a difficult diagnosis unless you have stones, which I don't.

I have done very little this AM except read the paper and my SS lesson, get dressed, sorted clothes, and got Bunny's old and new food mixed half and half.  I have really had a hard time staying awake even though I had a good night's sleep.

Darlene, good decision on the lawyer, for peace of mind if nothing else.

Jane, sounds like you had a good time last night.

We are still having 90+ degree temps + high humidity but the storms are down to 10% for the next 4 or 5 days.

Nothing else going on here.  Sharon

Sharon...I didn't have gall stones, either, and so they fuss and dither as if this has never happened to anyone before.  However, then they sent me for the special test....tech injected me with a substance that mimics a high fat diet...and he said..."Oh, yeah"...seems whatever they look at when up, up, up and so that confirmed that.  I did have an abdominal scan, too, as the surgeon said he didn't want any surprises when he went in.

It turned out it was what they call "sludge" in the GB or tubes that go into the intestine.  Never had the problem or pain since they yanked that sucker out.  All I could eat for a while there before the surgery was small portions of very bland food.  I lost 20 pounds that month...but unfortunately, they all came back when the gb was out!

I have a meat loaf out for supper and went out to a local farm for sweet corn to go with it.

jane

Jane, I had a similar spell when I was visiting down in HH about 8 yrs ago. They did a # of tests and said it was sludge and dismissed me.  I'm glad they are going to do the special test this time.  I remember when you were having so many digestive problems and then the  surgery. Didn't remember the test though.  I will certainly be glad to know if that is what it is and to get it taken care of.

Your dinner sounds great!  I fixed a chicken rice casserole last night and have enough left over for dinner tonight. Corn sounds great but I'm afraid to try it. I have diverticulosis too.  Is there anything I don't have?!!!

We've been to church and SS, eaten lunch, put in a load of towels, and now I'm done except for putting in another load of laundry.

Hotter than hades out there.   Hi to all.  Sharon

Sharon...hope the test shows what mine did and you can get it done laproscopically (sp?)

Overcast day here. Not doing much...watching Meet the Press.

SharonE. Even if they dont find Stones I would  see if they won't just take you GB out. Seems to be such a simple Op. now.  I have seen people with stones and sure looks like in pain. You don't need it along with all your other problems.
You really have had them this year.

SharonE. You seem to do so much laundry. Specially towels.  I really enjoy being able to just bag it all. Take to the Laundry and it comes back so nice. Most clothing on Hangers. Sheet and towels folded like new. I just take it once a week. Now things that I don't want in a wash machine I just hand wash as I remover them such as silk UWear and blouses. Only takes a second.

We went to the nearby Shakey's for pizza about 6:00 yesterday afternoon.  Both guys were hungry and we bought 2 large pizzas--and only a few slices were left.  Alex took the remaining slices back to Birmingham this morning when they left about 8:00 a.m.  I've been hoping I'd hear that Jon had made it back home already but from here to BSU and then down to New Orleans is a long way.  They were both moving pretty slowly this morning--and they had lots of stuff to unload at Alex's dorm room when they arrived in Birmingham.

I went to church with Olyne about 11:45. My young friend, Patrick, who was the student leader here when in college, preached this morning.  He has some kind of executive job with our Presbytery Office in Birmingham now.  Nick and Kathy, our co-pastors are out of town.  I was glad to see Patrick as it's been several years.  He was a pastor at a church in southern Ohio for several years before taking this job.

I spent most of the afternoon, reading and resting.  I'm pretty tired from yesterday's activities and up late last night, too.

Have a nice evening, Buddies.
Sue

Jeanne, I won't have the GB out unless the doctor says I should. That, counting the upcoming knee replacement, will be 4 surgeries this year! That's a lot of anesthesia!  However, I will get it done right away if they say I need to.  I will be gone 9/11-18, so whatever will be after that.  As to laundry, there are 2 of us and John plays bridge nearly every day and wears clean shirts daily + my clothes.  Laundry is not something I would pay for except for maybe dress shirts that need to be starched and ironed.  I hardly ever iron anymore. Most of our things are wash and wear.

Sue, hard to believe Alex, too, is off to college.  I don't remember his major?  I hope he had a good year both academically and socially.  It will be a big change for Jon & his wife to be empty nesters.  Brian still has Sean at home for 3 years.

My cleaning girl is here and is also washing the interior windows.  So nice.

I'm feeling a little more energetic today which is good, but I'm not ready to run races yet.

A friend of Ms Frances called and said that she is in such dire shape that she really needs Hospice continuing care. I fully agree and so does her housekeeper/caregiver of 25 years.  Unfortunately, Nancy, the daughter and her husband are at Jackson Hole for the eclipse and out of touch. Therefore, nothing can be done till she is reachable.  I just don't understand her apparent lack of concern.

I hope all of you who want to get to see the eclipse or partial eclipse.  I taped it on TV since I never got around to getting glasses.  It's amazing the number of people who don't realize the danger of looking at it without the glasses or a pin box.  They even say it will damage your cell phone or digital camera if you don't have glasses over the lens!

Take care and have a good day.  Sharon

We're not taking a chance at the Eclipse, either, Sharon. They say so many glasses out there aren't approved and can damage the retina.  Neither of us needs that.  I'll watch it on TV. 

I've been for my walk and it's warming up and humidity rising out there.

I like do my own laundry, whenever the mood --or the growing pile--strikes me.  That's why we insist on a washer and dryer in the unit at whatever condo we rent in S. Texas.  I don't even know if there's a place anywhere near me to take laundry to be done.  We're lucky to have a laundromat locally, but that's a do it yourself place, too. Starched shirts for Ray always went to the dry cleaner, but he has only a few of those anymore for funerals and weddings. 

I have the weather channel on right now--and totality is approaching Carbondale, Ill. right now.  According to the weather channel, Carbondale is the point of longest totality of the eclipse.  We're expecting it here in about and hour and a half, I think.  I'm not even going to look out of my windows, will stick with the weather channel.  OK, totally black there now.

I've done one load of wash, walked 3 blocks and then did some paperwork and Tim came by for the usual Monday a.m. check on me.  We took another walk of just one block down the hill and back. He's still having lots of pain with his right arm and is trying to avoid taking too many of the pain pills.  He was a plumber for about 10 years and the repetitive motion has caused this pain.  He's been out of the business for more than 10 years now, but the damage is not really remediable.  Arthritis is a tough thing to have at 57!  (or any age, for that matter!)

Have a good day, Buddies, and don't look at the eclipse unless you are well protected!

Sue

Saw some of the eclipse on TV. Ray stepped outside and noticed it was darker than normal for that time and current weather. I got my B12 shot today. Need it once a month.

Margaret and Jesse picked me up about 12:30 ET.  We drove north and west, and stopped in a grassy area next to a McDonald's in Pikeville,  TN (look it up on Google maps).  We were not alone - there were about a dozen other cars there, and groups in every church and school parking lot we passed. It was fabulous! The glasses worked like a charm, and the totality lasted about 2.25 minutes.  It didn't get as dark as I had expected, but definitely dark and cooler.  We left when it was about half-way "off", and got in the only traffic we had seen thus far. Definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I'm SO glad Margaret made that happen for me.  (jane, I'll e-mail you a picture.  I don't know if you can post it or not any more.)

On another front, they left to take my Nissan back to Margaret's for Jesse to look at and to evaluate it for his possibly fixing it.  They left me with Margaret's Ford Escape, so I have a neat car to drive.  We're all open to all possibilities now - keeping it, buying something else, my buying Margaret's Escape and her buying something else.  Who knows where all this will go.

I've been thinking about Marilyn.  I hope she and Keith had a safe trip to the wedding, and got to see the eclipse while they were there.

Mary....I have no way to post pics since photobucket shut down the sharing.  I haven't had time to look for another site.

Eclipse was a non event here...lots of overcast and it just got a bit darker...like a storm coming, but not all black, etc.

Jane

Thanks anyway, jane! 

Morning, Buddies. 

It's a cool one here...upper 60s and I should get out and walk, but joints are aching this morning, so it may take a bit.  Sitting with a heating pad and reading the paper with a cup of tea sounds far more desirable!

jane

I didn't get excited about the eclipse....stayed in during that time...we are supposed to get heavy rain this weekend...sure hope that's right....Darlene

Jane and I are on the same page re: eclipse and laundry.

Ginny, glad you got your shot. That should help.

Mary, how nice that Margaret took you to a place to see the eclipse.  Fun excursion.

Sue, I'm glad Tim keeps good tabs on you and helps with what he can.  Suggest to him to take vitamin B6.  It is very helpful for carpal tunnel, etc.  I take it for mine and can tell when I haven't for a while.  John was the one to tell me to take it.

I saw a pic of Marilyn's stepson and bride at the wedding, so guess everything went well.

I've been worthless today.  I get to play bridge and have lunch tomorrow, so looking forward to that.
Sharon

Hooray..got my oven fixed today...a friend put the part on and would not let me pay him....its sooo true that God ..among other things..takes care of widows...thank you God....Darlene