Goodness. May 18ths before Sue get to go home. That fall was worse then I thought it was. But she will get lots of Therapy while in there I hope. Along with having to go to it at home.

I stood on the toilet stool yesterday to fix a hanging plant. Then remembered. Stop climbing.
Thought of me falling in the Toilet.  Laughed a little but its not that funny. We all will learn from Sue now.  Wonder if her Step Daughter went up that ladder to clean the gutters

Like MaryPage, I wish we had had more time.  But it'll just have to wait until the next visit.  I forgot to mention that her blue pots and salmon geraniums are gorgeous! A lovely accent for her decks.  Thanks again for the great lunch and great company.

i don't know when I have ever met a family where I liked everyone so much.  I felt I wanted to tell you how charmed I was with Alison, who sat next to me and I had some real conversation with and was delighted when she picked up on everything I said and knew all my references right away.  Sharp lass.  So I was going to say, Mary, Alison was fantastic.  But then, Sue was just like that, sharp as a tack and so funny.  But then again, there was Margaret, straight as an arrow and loyal and devoted and friendly as though we had known one another forever.  Becky liked them all, too. 
One thing I am uncomfortable with and that makes me pretty much stay at home these days, whereas once I was always on the go, is my deafness.  It is particularly bad in groups, you see.  If I sit down one on one with someone, I can usually pick up most, if not all, of the conversation.  I have learned that I just hate, hate, hate constantly saying "excuse me" when I cannot be sure of what was just said.  So bottom line, I have to confess that I did not catch everything that was said, and I have to beg your pardon if I smiled when/if someone mentioned someone dying or some such.  Please put it down to the fact that mostly I just don't have a clue these days and hate to make a nuisance of myself asking people to repeat stuff.

MaryPage, it's a wonderful Mother's Day present to hear such praise for the offspring.  Of course, we know they're fantastic, 8^)  but it's nice to know that others do, too.  Your Becky is terrific, too, and I'm glad she got to talk to my girls who are all in the same generation.  Let's do it again - I'm looking forward to it already.

Happy Mother's Day to ALL the Buddies!

Thanks, Marilyn, for the update. I didn't get much info yesterday since our chat was so short. I'll ccall her again in a few days.  That is a long hospital stay for these days!

Mary and Mary Page, I'm so very glad you had such a wonderful visit.  I appreciated the photos, MP. So nice. I have had the opportunity to meet Mary (and her John) twice and enjoyed it both times.

Mary Page, I'm so sorry you are still struggling to hear.  I do wish you could find the $$ for hearing aids. They make such a difference.  Do your daughters know how hard it is for you in a group?  Mine really fussed at me till I got mine.  Mine are Seimans (sp?), but Phonak is another good brand. My 98 yo friend got hearing aids this year and it has made such a difference for her.

I hope you all are having nice Mother's Days.  We've been to SS & church and I've talked to my 2 girls. I'll probably hear from my son later today.  Hi to all,  Sharon

Sharon, I could manage to purchase the hearing aids if I really wanted them, but there are just a whole lot more reasons why I don't want them than there are reasons why I do.  By the way, you were a big help to me when you answered my questions about yours a couple of years or so ago.  I have a place in WORD where I am keeping a list of the name brands my friends have recommended along with their comments.  Also, my children have offered to buy them for me.  Truth is, I think I would find them more of a nuisance and distraction than a help.  And I think they are extremely overpriced for the simple reason the industry can get away with it.  Just think how complicated this computer is, and how many components go into it.  Now think how simple hearing aids are.  Yet hearing aids cost SIX TIMES as much as my computer cost me.  Something fishy in Denmark, as we used to say.  I balk big time at the thought of greasing those greedy palms.

Thank you for sending me Sue's phone number.  I will probably call her one day this week.  I have already sent her a card.  Thank you for the report, Marilyn.  Hey, what with those photos I just sent you, you now know what your matron of honor looks like!

Funny seeing myself as a Newbie     The weather was perfect for Mother's Day here in NE OH.  Ray and I visited our local Barnes and Noble. I bought an Adult Coloring Book and a Toaster Oven Cookbook. 

We went for Chinese food after church today, I had Cashew Chicken. then we looked at a couple of car places. I can't seem to find one that pleases Keith and since he is paying for it I think I have to concede to his wishes.

Mary Page: My hearing aids, purchased in April, 2010, are
Oticon-Agil, a very well known brand.  They were----- pricey, though---$5,000+. When first bought I only wore
part-time, but now I mostly wear all day everyday.
I would highly recommend them.
JOY

Good Evening to all Good Friends - I'm a bit late coming into the discussion, but just waved Bon Voyage to my son, David, who came to visit for a few hours earlier today.  I laughed when my phone rang and he said "Hi Mom, I'm about 5 minutes away and just turning onto your street.  See you in a few!"  I was really surprised that he had the time to drive up from his home in South Carolina, but he explained when he arrived that he and his wife will be up in our area again (Charlotte, NC) next week to help her Mom relocate from her house (which was jut sold a short time ago) to the other daughter's house until she can find a smaller home for herself.

David and I had a really good visit, spent a lot of time looking at family photos from years ago - as far back as his childhood and early child/teen years, and remembering all the wonderful experiences he had prior to his first tour of service in the Army as a young man.  He really smiled when he flipped through some of his teen and early adult photos and I recalled those times also.

Our weather has been really hot today in the 80's, so used my overhead fans for the first time.  AC is really too cold for me most of the time, but the fans work well.

We also had a chance to talk about David's forthcoming assignment in June to South KOREA as he steps into an assignment as an Army Chaplain for the American Army folks stationed there.  We talked a lot about that part of the World and I could tell that although he was a bit sad about leaving his family for the year, he was also encouraged RE helping the American soldiers are who are stationed there.

Before he left a few hours later, he called our neighbors next door and asked if he could come to thank them for being so helpful to me.  Then he spent about 30 minutes with them and also had a chance to visit with one of their son's, who has been a private duty officer on several tours abroad.  So it's been a great afternoon!

I'm planning to call my Dr. tomorrow to schedule an MRI to try and determine what is causing my continued INTENSE head pains and how they can be reduced or (hopefully) stopped.  I've always assumed that the head pains are the result of my full-body fall on the cement floor at church 2 years ago, but who knows.  David is also eager to have this check-up done before he heads to the Far East.

Hope everyone had a great day with family and friends!

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« Last Edit: Today at 08:01:49 PM by Molly »

GINNY ANN - I smiled when I read your post RE about being called a "Newbie."  So many of us have belonged to this wide group of friends for many years!  I recall the earlier events many years ago and
some of the meetings in Washington DC when I joined a bus tour around the City while a previous program was going on.  Good to see you posting!  Come in often as we miss you.

JOY - I haven't reached the stage where I need hearing aids yet, but am wondering why they are so expensive?  Does it depend on the brand or the level of lost hearing?  Thanks for the explanation.

MARYPGE - Not to worry about your interaction with folks and whether you should ask them to repeat what they say.  You're such a delightful Lady that anyone would be delighted to be at your side!

Hope everyone had a delightful day with loved ones and friends!

Thank you for the enormous compliment, Molly.  Made my day.

Thank you, Joy.  I did get that information from you previously and wrote it down as a reference for that brand.

Most people I know are paying more that six thousand dollars for hearing aids now.  I just cannot bear the thought of that kind of expenditure for those little things.  As I said:  compare the cost to say, a Smart Phone or an iPad or a computer.  Shoot, you can buy a good used car for that!

I had a great day with my family.  Have a lovely new yellow hibiscus plant which I just adore.  Got loads of other gifts, as well.  Spoiled, that's what I am;  and I love it!

And be sure to get a loss prevention policy at time of purchase.  They (the aids) have a way of getting lost
Joy

I suspect the hearing  aid people would tell you they are, in fact, like little computers.  Many have settings that can be adjusted when at a musical performance and that can do a variety of other functions...canceling out surrounding sounds, etc. 

I also know Ray had extensive tests at the U of IA and then at the place he decided to go for his.  He only needs it for the one ear, but, yes, the good ones are beyond pricey. 
Yes, on the insurance.  He lost one at the golf course, and replacement was still $400 and they only do that once, so we put it on our Homeowner's policy as a rider.

We've been told we'd have rain all day, but not much yet.  I'm in with this nasty cold Ray "shared" with me.  I want to be over it by Friday when we're off to Mpls for the weekend. 

Jane

Hi Gals, I agree with what Jane said re hearing aids being small computers, although I do think they are way overpriced.  Still, I'm glad I have them. It is easy to feel isolated when you can't hear those around you.

Molly, so glad you had some time with David. I know it's hard when they are so far away.

Jane, another cold!  I'm so sorry.  Have you ever considered taking 500 mg of Vit C daily? I do and I seldom have over 1 cold a year.

I went to the neurologist yesterday and was given an RX for Primidone.  I took the first dose last night and am feeling so sleepy and loggy this AM. The tremor is better though.  When I read the accompanying literature, I discovered its primary use is for those with epilepsy!!! I hope the drowsiness wears off by afternoon since I have a 3:00 appt for a dexa scan.

On talking to Brian on Sunday, I found out that he had ordered flowers for me. The company said they were delivered 5/5!  No flowers here!  I even sent out a mass email to those on our street, etc asking if they received surprise flowers not from their child. However, nada.  So Brian is going to call the company again and try to get them delivered.

Nothing else here.  Hi to all. Sharon

Hi Gals - we're currently at Jesse's in Elizabeth City, NC.  We spent Sunday night with friends in Bear, DE, then drove down the Demmarva Peninsula yesterday.  We'll head back home tomorrow - a long day's drive, but mostly interstate.  It's been a good trip but, as usual, always good to get back home.

Molly, glad you got to spend some time with your "chick" - always important.

Sharon, sorry about your missing flowers.

jane - cold - yuck!  I hope it's better soon.  Maybe when the weather quits changing abruptly.  LOL

Marilyn, what's your date again? 

MaryPage, the yellow hibiscus will be a nice accent with your blue pots and salmon geraniums.

Happy Tuesday to all the Buddies!

So good to hear you are having a great trip, Mary.  Has it been raining most of the time?  Ah well, it is the company that counts!  And the adventuring.

Mary the date is May 22nd. I was so busy yesterday I think I forgot to post here. However today or rather this afternoon I go my  yearly Mammogram than this evening I am participating in the Canine Good Citizen testing where Freckles will be the friendly dog passing by the new testers to check their socialization to other dogs.

Emily was absolutely firm in her insistence that she & Becky (who is her grandmother) could not go back to Missouri without her having seen that Holy Grail of Architecture:  Falling Water, built by Frank Lloyd Wright.  So the two of them set off early, early this morning, and Becky called me just a while ago to tell me they were at Kentuck Knob, another Frank Lloyd Wright home.  When MaryZ and I were discussing this the other day, I got mixed up as to which of many county sponsored Senior daytrips I had taken to see Kentuck Knob, but now I realize we did both this one and Falling Water in the same day, which is precisely what Becky and Emily are doing.  I can remember the two places quite distinctly, but nothing about the bus trip or what year it was, other than the late nineties.  I mean, you've taken ONE of those bus daytrips, and every other one ON THE BUS is just the same.
Well, both Becky and Emily are ecstatic over Kentuck Knob.  Becky says it is still owned by the same English Lord I remembered it having been owned by, and that the photo of him with Princess Diana is still there in the living room, accompanied by one I did not see back then of him with President Obama.  They are now on their way to, or have arrived at, Falling Water as I type.

MaryPage, I'm so glad they got to Falling Water and Kentuck Knob.  And that they loved KK as much as we did.  We loved the sculpture they had there also.  Be sure to post about the Falling Water part of the trip. 

MARYPAGE - I was just reading the current issue of
AARP and noticed information on Page 5 (ASK THE EXPERT) RE Hearing Implants.  If you subscribe to this publication, the information on that page may be of interest to you RE an opportunity to improve your hearing.  I'm not sure whether the advertisement appears in the on-line AARP, but you might check.

Thank you, Molly.  I do not belong to AARP, though goodness knows I get "your membership" cards from them constantly, which I just cut up and throw away.  So I do not get their magazine, but appreciate no end your interest.

Hi Gals, I began my new med for my tremor night before last. It knocked out the tremor, but also made me so sleepy all day, so I cut it to 1/2 tab last night and I'm less sleepy, but have a mild tremor. I will continue with the 1/2 tab the rest of the week and then will try the full tab again, as that was the doctor's instructions.  Still it is so much better!

I also had my dexa scan yesterday. No results yet.  I have my pain mgmt appt Friday, so please pray that they will be able to block that nerve for me.

Brian messaged me that the company finally discovered my flowers were delivered to Lancaster, about 15-20 miles from here!  Anyway they are supposed to deliver a new bouquet today.

I finally got all my winter/summer clothes switched, all the laundry folded and hung up & the bath cleaned, so not planning on doing a lot more.

Mary Page, I got a $300 discount through AARP and Hear USA on my hearing aids, but they were still nearly $3000.  Now the Hear USA in Charlotte has sold out to an audiologist couple. I've gone to them once. They seem okay, but doubt they give discounts.  I just go in for adjustments and batteries, so no charge to me.

I hope everyone is having a nice day. It is overcast or hazy here today. 40% chance of late afternoon rain.  Sharon

Today I had my blood work drawn and a bone scan procedure.  Since it was this morning and I haven't heard anything I'm assuming my results are 'normal'.    Our weather is cloudy with occasional rain.

On the way for the scan we we in a car accident. A young woman rear ended us.  So far just normal body aches, but I am keeping an 'eye' on them.

Got'a get supper going.

Sharon....glad to hear the tremour med is working.  Ray has Essential Tremor, and some days are bad.  It seems worse in his hands and head when he's tired or hurting.

GinnyAnn....glad you weren't hurt badly in your accident.  Did the car have a lot of damage?  What doesn't look like much can sure be expensive, though.  I assume the other person had insurance?

We had an early morning doc appt with a surgeon to look at the back of Ray's leg where he's scraped it.  At first doc though ok, then poked around at the ugly black scab, and changed his mind.  He had to clean it out, gave him packing stuff for it and he'll see the surgeon I use in 2 weeks...because this young man is moving to NC. 

Overcast, rain, drizzle and cold....and more for the weekend. I haven't bought flowers yet...too much time running to doc visits...and maybe a good thing since it'll be in low 30, possibly.

Jane

It POURED down rain for a great deal of yesterday, but Becky and Emily picked me up and we tootled off across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and onwards on Route 50 to Easton.  Melissa & Adam were both there to greet us, and I loved, loved, loved their house.  It has those wonderful wide, wide plank floors of pure wood.  There is a humongous Great Room full of windows and light, with the kitchen running across the far end as you enter from the main hallway.  Then, over on your left is a two couch and several chairs & tables living room area, while to your right is the oh so cheerful dining table and chairs.  So splendid, because you can keep an eye on your family while cooking, instead of having to remove to a separate kitchen and having to constantly pop out to check on them.  There are a library and two bedrooms on the first floor and two more bedrooms upstairs.  I have never before seen a floor plan quite like this one, and having seen it, I am enamoured.  So much light pouring in, even though it was a rainy day!  I could not visit the out of doors, but saw ducks and chickens from some of the windows.  Two cats and a dog live inside with the family.
Melissa fed us all lunch, and too soon we had to scurry out to the car and head back home.  It poured buckets all the way home, to the extent of making it a two hour trip back rather than the usual one.  There was an accident somewhere that slowed all traffic down, but We Made It!  And I had a lovely time.  My only complaint was that 7 year old Will speaks too softly, and I had a hard time hearing what he had to say, and he had a LOT to say!  Becky was enchanted with him. 
I have two great grandchildren with birthdays today:  one year old Solomon in St. Louis, Missouri and nine year old Kiersten in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.  As for me, my big adventure today is to be an early morning visit with my gastroenterologist.  Whoopee!  I shall be glad to be back home in my easy chair taking a lovely nap!
Have a splendid day!

MaryPage...it sounds as if you had a wonderful time, in spite of all the drippy weather!

I'm thinking about our Sue this morning.  I hope she can get a laptop or access to a computer at her rehab place and check in with us.  She shouldn't need anything more than she does at home...her username and password.  However, some of these places block access to some websites for reasons I can't understand, but it happens. 

We have sunshine today...and that's a wonderful change from the overcast gray days of this week.  I'm off for a hair appt at noon and then doing some laundry and packing for the weekend in Mpls.  It's a good thing I didn't pack sooner....now to have highs in the low 50s!  So, back to turtlenecks and cords as this part of the family likes their house VERY cool....as in the windows open when in the low 50s...so I have to pack accordingly.   

Ray and I were shaking our heads over docs and their advice.  When he had the front wound of his leg with all the stitches, the word was..NO bandage over it unless you're in a dusty place...leave it open to the air to heal.  This doc, for the sore on the back of the other leg...he thought all was good until he started "poking around" at the black scab and then changed everything...so...Ray says..."And leave it open to the air"?  NO, says the young surgeon..."keep it covered. I don't know where all this "leave it open" comes from!"  I think the docs must have had "care of wounds" on different days or from different professors!  "Cover it, don't cover it; use Neosporin, Never use neosporin for more than 1-2 days, etc."   

I won't be in, probably, much until we get back home Sunday night.

jane

Good Morning, Keith and I have both been to see the Vampires this morning as scheduled by pour respective doctors. Nothing to do with the wedding just the yearly stuff. then My doctors office called to change my appointment AGAIN, this time it was only to chant the time not the month., So thankful for that. My orginal appointment was in March. Frecklesand I have  a Hospital vist scheduled for the same day just ` hour before my dr. appointment, the hospital is right across the street from the clinic so I will just have to take her with me and park someplace where she is shaded and leave the windows open for her. I may check and see if I can take her in with me.

That is about all the news I have from  here.

I'm back home - after a great week.  We were on the road yesterday from 6 am until 5 pm.  Margaret did all the driving, but it's still hard.  I went to bed early, but woke up about the same time.  That was followed by a 2 hour nap this morning - so I'll probably survive.

Hope you have a good weekend, jane - with some nice weather.  Sorry Ray is still having problems with the injury.

Sharon, glad you're getting some relief from the tremor...and that the sleep issues settle out.

Marilyn, you're so good with your work with Freckles.

MaryPage, did Becky and Emily do their trip to Falling Water as a day trip? and come back to Annapolis that day?

Nothing scheduled for me today, but tomorrow will be a mani/pedi followed by a massage.  Just a pampering day.

Happy Thursday, Buddies!