What happened with the bank thing, Sue??

I went to have lab work done this morning , there was a woman waiting  , my husband I were the only other people in the waiting room . The woman was there for a drug test , she threw a fit when she was handed a urine specimen bottle !  She stated it was not sterile & she was going to talk with their supervisor ! She said she did not want to sign the sign in sheet , her name would be there for others to see .  When I was called to a room I told the tech she missed the drama & told her what had happened . Apparently this happens often .

Alpiner...Good Heavens.  It sounds as if she does have a drug problem. Why else would she object to her name on a sign in sheet at a lab. 

Mary...Cardboard boat races were fun...water pretty low so one or more got hung up a time or two and had to work around that.  Cute names for the boats...."Duck, duck, goose" was 2 women in duck costumes and a fellow in a goose costume...and "Moby Duck" and one that looked like a hot dog, etc.  It was so hot...near 90, that we didn't stay long.

We needed a day "out"so we went to Iowa City. I wanted to see some shoes Dillard's had in their ad...but, alas, they are too wide for my dumb feet.  Disappointing, but I'm used to it.  I used to wear a AAAA which was very difficult to find, but feet was "flattened out" or "fatted out"  and now a AA often works.

jane

Mary, yep, we're in the doctor era of our lives it seems.  Too bad your ortho is retiring. It's always a hassle to find a new doctor that you like and trust.  Good that your Annapolis family is safe.

Sue, I presume the bank told you the letter was a hoax and Tim cleared out the email?  Good that you have Tim to do that and also to take care of the heavier maintenance like sawing off limbs.  Enjoy making your cookies. I haven't baked cookies in forever. I used to do dozens at Christmas and from time to time when the kids were home, but we don't need those extra calories and I don't need to be on my feet any more than necessary.

Jane, 90 degree weather is too hot to be out watching boats.  Hope you find your shoes. Shoe shopping is something I hate because I can seldom find any to fit me.  I used to wear (in HS) a 9.5AAA with a quad heel.  They don't even make such a thing anymore.  I have 2 pair of old Ecco slip-ons that fit and with an orthotic work, but they're not very pretty. I wear them all winter for "dress".  In the summer I can usually find some pretty sandals to wear although it's hard to find a heel strap that I can tighten enough.  My size now is 10.5 AA, but usually have to get an 11 because few manufacturers make a 10.5.  My arches are flat and my toes splay out from arthritis, but my feet still work more or less.  I would love to get a new pair of winter shoes. Oh well, I have to get this old body fixed before I worry about shoes.

My ortho appt is at 1:40, so I have time to grab some lunch before I go.  Sharon

Tomorrow I go for MRI of both breasts , not sure why both .  Today I opted out of going to town with my husband , I just want to stay home & rest . He has been great !   

Hang in there, alpiner!  And get those "ME" days whenever you can.   

Mary, all is well with the bank.  Tim was right about it being a scam.  What I'd like to know is how those crooks get one's e-mail, bank name, etc?  I spent a lot of time this morning trying to get someone at my bank to talk with me.  Their line was VERY busy!

Alpiner, good luck tomorrow.  Staying home to rest today is a great idea.  My thoughts and prayers are with you.  Be sure to come back tomorrow or as soon afterward as possible and let us know what's up.  Big Hugs to you and hubby.

Sharon, the bank had no knowledge of the e-mails and all is OK with my bank account, thank goodness.  Just a lot of nerve wracking here for a couple of days!

Jane, I loved the description of the boat race participants.  Especially the women in the "Duck, Duck, Goose boat".  When I was teaching elementary school that was a favorite recess game for my second and third graders.  How close are you to the river?

BTW, I used to wear a AA shoe and now am in an A.   Things tend to spread out in our feet as we become "more mature"!

I'm wringing wet--before getting out card tables and setting up for tomorrow's bridge, I walked outside for about 20 minutes up hill and down and now I need another shower and dry clothing!  I did get the tables up and the cards, etc. out, so I've finished that.  Now I'm trying to get a sub for tomorrow.  I've called 3 people already!

Have a good day, Every Buddy.
Sue

Hi everyone...Alpiner..prayers your way...Not much going on with me...still very warm here...sad to read about the earthquake in Mexico..so many tragic things going on now it seems...Sue..glad you are safe with your bank info...I went in to see my attorney..it's been almost 5 years since my husband died...wanted to make sure everything was up to date...I was in such a fog the first year...so have peace of mind about that...I walked this morning...really humid though...Hi to Jane...Sharon..MaryZ and all others....Darlene

Darlene, glad all is good with you. I can understand the lack of clarity after your husband's death, even though, fortunately, I haven't had to go through that. I agree on all the tragedies going on everywhere. I guess prayer is all we can do for them at our ages, but I certainly feel bad for them.

Alpiner, I agree with the others, rest when you can.  The worst side effect of most of the tx I had was fatigue. I became the Queen of Procrastination!    Don't let it worry you and just accept it as something that will pass if it happens to you.  I'm so glad you got immediate consultation, biopsy, etc.  You don't put off anything dealing with cancer.

Now to me:  The GI office called with the results of my test yesterday and said they were NORMAL!!  So no surgery, but if that's the case, why did I have such an attack.  I guess I will just continue to be careful with what I eat and hope for the best.  I had only had a Lean Cuisine dinner that night!

Today, I saw the ortho Dr and had more xrays.  He said that it had really changed in 6 months and looked a lot worse on both knees.  However, he doesn't want me to do 2 at once because of my heart problem. He says there is a higher risk of clots.  Anyway, I am now scheduled to have the knee that I have already had surgery on replaced on Oct 31. I stay in the hospital 3 days and then go to rehab. I'm glad to have a plan in place, but not looking forward to it. I should be home for Thanksgiving, but will probably order in.

Sue, glad your bank situation is all straightened out without any problems.  Good luck on finding a sub. Wish I were closer. I'd love to do it.  Need to let the kids know what's going on.  Sharon

Darlene, I remember how hot Texas can be in September.  It is here, too, temps in the high 80s for last week and another week to come.

Sharon, I'm sorry that they didn't come up with a cause for your pain - sure sounded like gallbladder to me.  Glad you have a schedule for your knee surgery.  I'm sure you'll do fine, and I'm glad you're going to a rehab facility when you leave the hospital.  I know it was a great decision for me.  Mine will be a year on 20 October.

The glass blower called this afternoon, and the balls I had made with the last of John's ashes are ready.  I'm going to try to pick them up tomorrow.  Will send pictures to jane and maybe she can put them somewhere for a link for y'all to see.

Mary....I'll probably have to put them up in the Photos section and then announce to the gals here. Will that be ok?  I haven't had time to find a third party place that's free to post photos, etc.

Ray and I tackled cleaning everything out of the fridge, taking out all the shelves, doors and side pockets and getting everything washed, and things that needed to go have gone.

I also rearranged the shelves so I don't have to reach to the top for my milk and latte mix, etc.  The old arms/shoulders don't work like they used to.  This afternoon we're tacking the freezer under the fridge and when it's cooler, we'll do the freezer in the garage.  Too hot...near 90 today through Sunday to work out there now.

jane

Maryz's globes she had made with some of John's ashes.

[attachimg=1]

Those globes are nice.  I do like the pendents made to go on a chain.  I think you can get stones to go into a ring also.  Now that many people are going to cremation. Soon you will see so many things coming out for families to have done.

Can't believe it. First day of Fall and it is 94 deg here in Illinois.  I cancelled a appointment today as no way am I going out in it.  Not going to be below 84 way up to the end of next week. Not like us at all. Makes wonder what Winter is going to be like.

Mary, the balls are lovely. Are you keeping them all or giving one to each of the girls?  Yes, I think the rehab decision is the best thing to do. I really was not comfortable coming home after my partial replacement and John isn't the best of caretakers.  Because he is like a bear with a sore tooth that wants to be left alone when he is ill, he assumes everyone else is the same.

Jane, thanks for posting the pics.  You must feel so good having your fridge & freezer all done. Mine needs it too.

My cleaning girl was here today & then I went to the grocery.  John had just picked up a few things for himself last week and we had a pretty empty fridge.

Melanie & Sangmin are on their way to Citrus Groves near Tampa to stay for 3 weeks. I hope they are able to get gas and food, etc.  They were supposed to go last Thurs. when Irma hit.  Supposedly, no damage in their area. They are house hunting for a place to spend the winters.  FL has never attracted me as a residence.

Hot here too, Jeanne.

Have to go.  Sharon

jane, thanks so much!  I (we) appreciate all you do for the rest of us.  Getting the fridge and freezers cleared out is such a pain, but always good to have it done.

Sharon, the one with reddish glass is for me.  Sue had taken some of the ashes earlier and had beads made for herself and her girls.  The others are for the other three girls.  Jean helped me pick out the colors when she was here a couple of weeks ago.  They're about 3" in diameter, and the whitish bands are the ashes.

Jeanne, sorry for your hot weather.  I understand.  It's been in the upper 80s here since we had the remnants of Irma, and will be for about another week.  It's not too unusual for us in September, though.

The folks at the glass place were so nice.  It's in the middle of downtown and parking is always an issue.  It's only about a 10 minute drive for me, but I wouldn't be able to find a place to park and then walk a block or more.  I asked them if they would bring the package out if I just pulled up in front, double-parked, and called to let them know I was there.  They said, of course, so my trip to pick them up took less than half an hour, and I didn't have to even turn the motor off.

My heart goes out to all the folks in Mexico City and Puerto Rico (and the rest of the affected Caribbean islands) - to say nothing about the folks in Houston and Florida who are still in recovery mode. 

Mary...the balls are beautiful....not sure there's a glass co close to me that does that....very nice..Darlene

Good afternoon from the west coast. Mary the balls are very beautiful. Sharon, I am glad you will be getting your knee fixed.

Freckles and I went visiting at the hospital today. We took the 4th floor with another team. Yesterday we went to the nursing/residential home around the corner and then in the afternoon I visited a friend from church who is in the rehab place not far from here.

Our weather has been on again off again ran for this past week, I am hoping for some better walking weather as I miss my walking with Freckles several times per day. I have started cooking for freckles, that way she is not getting all the preservatives or fillers that are added to commercial dog food. I am trying to keep her healthy and give her a long life. I also give her Fish oil, Vitamin E and Glucosamine/Chondroitin daily. She gets Blueberries in her breakfast meal and Dried cranberries in her evening meal. Well, enough about Freckles.

We are doing well and will be making another trip up to Portland to the Eye Institute for Keith to see the neuro-ophthalmologist in October. The Aricept seems to be helping him too with his memory. I still say it is the little things that I notice on a daily basis that are not right.

I went for the MRI this morning . I was very tense .  The attendant had a difficult time  injecting the contrasting dye . I had a hard time getting up on the MRI table with my bad back .  With my asthma & COPD I had breathing difficulties , 2/3 of the way through the MRI I pushed the panic button , there was very little air to breathe !  I felt like a failure but was reassured many people have problems with it . Both legs cramped & my toes could barely move . I sat on the edge of the table for a few minutes before I was helped down . I was shaking & unstable & had assistance back to a room to change into my clothes . While in there I felt nauseous & was asked if I wanted my husband to come there , I said yes . My husband held my still shaking arm & helped me walk to the car . Home was 50 miles away & I fell asleep on the way . They said the got enough of the MRI , so that is good ! Now I need to drink 8 glasses of water & or mild fruit juice to flush the contrasting dye from my body .

Alpiner, I know you are glad to get the test behind you.  MRI's certainly can be scary, but they are necessary for the doctors to see what they need to see.  I hope you are able to rest well this evening and will feel like yourself when you wake up in the morning.  When will you see the results?

Mary, your globes are beautiful--and what a lovely remembrance for you and the girls of your beloved John.  Bob was 6 feet 4 inches tall and we had a 3 gallon bucket of his ashes.  We kept a small vase of his ashes to blend with mine when I die.  The boys will take them down to the same place at Gulf Shores to distribute them where we put his.  I didn't realize that his ashes would be hard like bones.

I'm off to watch another episode of The Vietnam War on PBS.  Bob was out there 2 years as Ordnance Officer on The USS Ticonderoga (which has since been decommissioned).  He had to fly into Saigon a number of times to pick up parts and/or mail which hadn't been delivered to the carrier.  He was able to get 2 weeks leave when the Tico had to go into the shipyard in the Philippines. I flew out there with his C.O.'s wife and we had a great time in Manila for about a week and a half and then 5 days in Hong Kong as the ship sailed there to give the sailors liberty.  An Army Wife friend from church, whose husband was on the ground in Viet Nam, stayed with the boys for those 2 weeks.

Have a nice evening, Every Buddy.
Sue

Sue, I've been watching the Ken Burns series on Vietnam, too - just not at broadcast time.  I'm recording it and watching it later.  Lots of history I didn't know.

alpiner, I hate having to have an MRI.  When the ordering doc asks if I want sedation (tranquilizers), I take them gladly - and did fairly well the last time.  Sorry you had such a tough time.

Marilyn, always good to hear from you. Glad to hear the Aricept seems to e helping.  I know what you mean about "the little things" - stuff others wouldn't even notice.  Hope the trip to Portland goes well.  Are all your fires out by now? 

SCFSue
I'm sure the dr. will be calling me soon to set the date for surgery . Not looking forward to it either.   My life is on hold until then . But it has to be done .

maryz
I wasn't offered a sedation , if I had I wouldn't have been aware I was having difficulty breathing . My back & right arm were hurting so bad , my back is it hurting this evening .  I have scoliosis .

alpiner, I have back problems, including scoliosis, so I understand.  If you ever have to have another MRI, ask (or insist) for a sedative or tranquilizer, and be sure they know about your back issues.  I hope you can get your surgery over with soon, and get on with your life.  I know it's just "on hold" for now - that's how it is.  Hugs from here!

Hi Buddies.  Tim came over about 11:00.  We went to Amsterdam Café for lunch.  I had green tomato/bacon sandwich and sweet potato chips--all yummy.  Then we went to Kroger where we had to wait for my flu shot, but not for long and I had a short grocery list, so we were home by 1:00 and I've put everything away.

I walked this morning about 9:00, so that is finished for the day and I'm planning a restful afternoon on my bed with a book.  I am reading a series of books about a small fictional village in northern Ireland about 2 doctors, their patients, and the community activities.  The author is Patrick Taylor who is Irish, but now a resident most of the year in Canada.  The books belonged to Dave, Kris's father, who recently died.  Pretty good yarns, especially if you have a love for the Irish country side.

Have a nice weekend, Buddies.  I'm off to lie down with a book!  And may your football teams win, unless you're pulling for Missouri!

Sue

Mary...those globes are beautiful!

Marilyn....I was thinking you and K are to go to Eye place end of Sept. but I see it's Oct.

Darlene...probably very hot there in Texas, too.

Sharon...hope you have no more pain and can get that knee fixed.

Sue....I'll be watching football, too, to orrow and Sunday.  Too hot to be outside.

As Jeanne said, VERY hot and humid here.  95 with heat index to 100.  Schools are closing 2 hours early.

I'm washing rugs and putting them outside to dry.  With the heat and wind, it isn't taking long.  I made a quick trip to grocery but gave up the WalMart stop until it cools down net week. 

Jane

It's in the mid to high 80's here with high humidity, but like Mary, we can expect it.

Alpiner, I'm so sorry you had such a hard time with the MRI. I have had so many of them, they don't bother me, as long as they give me earplugs.  However, I don't have breathing problems like you do. I do have the back problems though and was very uncomfortable when I had the gall bladder scan.  I did not find the surgery that bad, but I have had a lot of them.  The first 2 or 3 days are the worst.

Marilyn, I'm glad K seems better. I know you are dreading the drive.  I'm wondering about the fires too.  You are so ambitious cooking all of Freckles dogfood.  Since Bunny needs special food, I don't have to feel guilty.

Mary, the balls are lovely and so nice that each of the girls have a memento of their father.  Nice they brought them to the car too!

Sue, I saw that PBS had The Vietnam War on, but war depresses me so and I have no special connection. John got his service in before the war.

Jane, you are a lot hotter than we are.  Sharon

Hot morning greetings, Buddies!  Near record highs again....today and not a drop of rain in sight.  So, it'll be an inside day for the most part...reading, some knitting on a purple baby hat for the hospital's Nov. Shaken Baby Awareness Month.  With the arthritis in my hands, it's becoming a much harder task than it used to be.

There's a craft show up at a buildng north to of me that used to be a grocery store.  They went out of business when WalMart put in food, so they finally converted it to an "event center" for wedding receptions, parties, craft shows, etc.  Kathy and I'll go for a brief time.

She's been sick since the Columbia River cruise....diagnosed with asthmatic bronchitis from all the smoke inhalation from the fires up there.  They keep saying it was a wonderful trip, but both came home sick, couldn't see the shores several days for the smoke, etc.  Not my idea of a wonderful time.  He came home wih mch added pounds...said food and wine were unlimited...not what he needed.

Good morning, Buddies.  I've been up since 7:00, had breakfast, walked about 8:00, and have been working on Garden Club stuff since.  I am the new president and have to serve 2 terms.  I need to have a board meeting to plan programs for the year--and should have done this earlier this summer, but the past president and other board members didn't tell me about the responsibility--so I'm already behind!  I wish I'd had the intestinal fortitude to say NO!

I also am the Wednesday bridge hostess and need to make phone calls for bridge here on Wednesday, so more phoning is needed.

However, I'm going to knock off "ship's work" at 11:30 and start watching football games.  If you are watching your favorite teams, I hope they win unless they are playing Auburn (playing at Missouri) and I don't see a listing for a South Carolina game.

Have a nice day, Buddies, and stay cool.  It's supposed to be in mid-upper 90's here today.  It was shady in my neighborhood this morning, so I was able to have a pleasant walk.

Sue

Back from the Crafts Show....lots and lots of people and vendors, so hope they'll do more of this sort of thing.  I bought nothing, but that's usual for me. I don't need to add to stuff here, and nothing special caught my eye.

jane