Girls:
I feel really guilty listening to all the temps you are having.  Here in Baton Rouge was
64 this A. M. and 84 now at 8 P.M. However you get the bad w/the good------The
mighty Mississippi River  is going to flood here  if all goes as said.  If you do not know'
Baton Rouge is right on the Mississippi River.

I typed this before but hit the wrong button and wiped it out, but-------I checked out
James Lee Burke's new book, The Jealous Kind.  He is a born-and-bred Louisiana. 

writer. However,this book takes place in Houston, TX-----The library comes here to
Williamsburg  every 2 weeks----a real convenience
JOY

Good Evening, Buddies.  I've been reading and watching a couple of TV shows I like, plus now listening to music.  We had a nice Palm Sunday service with the children bringing palm branches down the aisle before the choir came into the Sanctuary. 

We had a lovely sunny day, temps up to 70 at least, maybe more.  I put my trash out for tomorrow's pick up and am now ready for bed.  Sleep well,  Buddies.

Sue

Doc appt today for Ray in Dbq and I need to return an item to Best Buy. 

That’s all our excitement, I hope, for thr day!

Calm and quiet is what I like.

Jane

Good morning, Jane and Every Buddy looking in now.  I've been piddling around for more than an hour--just can't get myself in gear this morning.  Tim usually comes by to see if I've survived the weekend, but he's not here yet.  I have a busy week lined up.  Bridge tomorrow with lunch out and my cleaning ladies will be here early, another bridge on Wednesday, probably a lengthy phone call with sister Anne on Thursday, and Friday Stacie and Alex will pick me up for a trip to Savannah for the weekend.  It's nice to have something to do, but I would prefer something special once a week so that each week has something to do.

So Jane, I guess I'm going to have a calm and quiet Monday and the rest of the week will be busy!

Have a nice day, Every Buddy.  GINNYANN!  Please check in!
Sue

Joy....good to see your posts!

GinnyAnn...we miss you.

Home from Ray’s kidney specialist,  and good report...everything stable, so no return until Oct.

Just had a call our taxes are do e, so we’ll go out to pay them, and sign papers so they can be electronically filed tonight.

Always glad to have the over and finished for another year.

Jane. Hope you don't have to live on beans now for awhile after paying taxes.
I am glad now that I just come under the line. One good thing about retiring . Not in the Stock market anymore. Income way down and the only thing is turned all in cash and only one IRA Annuity is making good interest. Rest is .00l.  However now some banks are offering CD at 2% for a year may at least get some of them. That is a little better.
I was at the Attorneys the other day as I have to get things all finished with Estate etc. She just told me. Jeanne you have to spend some money and she may be right. I think will look into a trip on the Cunard Queen Mary to go UK this year again. Can't talk myself into hustling around Airports. Travel in luxury instead. I went back 6 times by ship and love that way. Just have to set my mind on doing it. 

Queen Mary is the way to do it. Service is great and the staff most helpful and friendly. And you can just enjoy all the entertainment and meet new people.
Everyone should do a cruise like that at least once in a lifetime!

I don't think I posted yesterday - sorry. 

Jeanne and Bubble, I've done only one Mediterranean cruise (about 300 passengers) - and that seemed awfully big to me.  I don't think I'd like one of those monster ships.  But I've gone on many of the small ship river/coastal cruises and absolutely loved them! The focus of the trip is not on what's happening on the ship, but on what you see along the shorelines and at the ports - although there is nighttime entertainment.  Another wonderful part is going different places, but not having to pack and repack. Jeanne, I hope you get to do your cross-Atlantic trip, though.

Sue, I know you'll love being in Savannah again.  Isn't it great to have caring kids who will take you places.

Sharon, glad you had such a good trip and are recovering nicely.  I've had one bluebird sitting on the house (which Jesse put up for me about a week ago). He/she just sits there from time to time - I guess he's waiting for a mate to show up before getting into any nest-building.

Jane, glad Ray got good results from the doctor visits.  It's always good to hear that.

Hi Marilyn, Darlene, Joy,  Ginny Ann, and other Buddies!

I finally got out to play bridge last night.  We came in last (out of 6 couples).  I don't know that this Monday night session will continue as it is.  That's really not enough participation to cover the costs of having it.  No telling what the organization will do.  They talked before about making it an open night (right now, it's only for players who are not life masters).  Oh, well -it's not my decision.

Happy Tuesday, Buddies!

Tuesday morning greetings!

Easy day on tap here.  I need to get our household finances in order....quicken updated and our medical miles log started.  I don’t know if those are deductible on new tax laws, but it’s easier to keep track of all our outof town trips for doc appts if I do it as it happens. 

Jane

Good morning, Buddies.  My cleaning ladies have been here early and my house is cleaned and will hopefully stay that way for the next 2 weeks.  I always feel better when everything is tidy and seemingly dust free!  I try to keep things picked up, but I'm afraid I tend to have lots of books sitting around so that I always have something to read.

I'm going to Savannah for the weekend.  Stacie is coming to take me there--Alex will be with her as he has been home for 5 weeks--on spring break.  I think he's going to Savannah with us and she will take him back to Birmingham on the way home.  We'll be staying on the waterfront and probably eating some seafood--at least I'm hoping for that.

I have bridge at Azalea Place today and at Sara's house tomorrow.  I am the hostess for the next first Thursday bridge, so will have to start calling before Stacie and Alex arrive on Friday.  My turn will be April 5th. 

Have a nice day, Every Buddy.
Sue

Hi Gals.  I played bridge as a sub yesterday and came in 3rd, just out of the money. Made 6 on one hand but had only bid game.      This morning, I haven't accomplished much.  I had to go to the Lake House to vote on the incorporation of the general area we live in.  I voted NO as I don't think the estimates of costs an Id taxes were accurate and once done, can't be undone. There are some advantages to incorporating into a town as in having more of a say on zoning and commerce and receiving the hospitality taxes collected here. However, by the time you add in extra expenses for fire and police, etc., it's a no win situation IMHOs. We'll see how the area votes.  There have been some really hard feelings between the groups. I hope those go away after it is decided. 

While I was at the Lake House I picked up a couple more books but won't try to read them till after the cataracts are out.  Even reading the newspaper and my Bible are difficult.  The latter especially. I have to use a big magnifying glass for it.  If I weren't going to have surgery immediately, I would go buy a large print one, but hope I'll be fine afterwards.

Jane, great that Ray's report was good.  I wonder too if medical miles will be deductible next year. I'm sure you have a lot more than I do, but I put all the Dr's appts on the calendar and then at tax time figure out how many miles it was.  Your accountant was fast.  Ours asked us one question but we haven't heard anything further.  However, it is a big firm in Indianapolis.

Sue, I know you will have a wonderful time in Savannah.  It is such a beautiful city and it won't be too hot now.  They did have flooding last fall. I hope it didn't damage anything.  I'm sure you will love spending time with Alex too.  It would be nice if we could spread out our special events, but it doesn't seem to happen to me either.

Mary, that would be too bad if they close your bridge group, but maybe they could open it up to the LIfe Masters and put them in different groups.  That's what they do at some of the bridge centers here.  Lucky you if you get a bluebird to nest.  There are so many boxes in our neighborhood, they are ignoring ours. However, they still come to eat and take baths, so I can enjoy them then.

Where's Marilyn?  She hasn't posted for quite a while.  Needless to say, we're all worried about Ginny Ann. Do hope they'll both post soon.

I've got to go bake a batch of brownies to take to bridge tomorrow, as I am hostess this month.  Sharon

Bubble.  Now the Queen Mary was the First Vessel that I came over on back in the early 50s. She now sits in California or did. I then took the Britannica, Scythia and later the 2 new Princess boats from Montreal. All  good as they are  Cunard Lines. It would be such fun to just take the New Queen Mary on one of her 3 month sailings. I think I could live full time on Her. You do meet people who do that when on them. One lady told me it cost her $30000 for 9 months. Lives In NY for 3 months. Can't live in a Condo or Senior living for that here.
If I go I think I may look into this new queen  Victoria. 
But now I hate the Cruise lines that pack them on here in the States.  Have taken 2 and would not take a free one. Awful. Specially Carnival line.  No class living on those at all.
Are there Cruise ships that come into Israel ? Never see them advertised. See lots going from UK into the Suez Canal area
Do you remember your trip on ship from Africa was it?. Lots of my family years back took ships from UK to such a India.

Cunard around the world cruise does stop in two ports in Israel. My Bro-in-law was on one and we visited while it was in Haifa. What a ship, what a meal we had on it!

Mammogram this morning - done for another year (I hope).

Good morning, Buddies.  I've been out for a walk--lovely sunny day here and is supposed to be warm all day.  I am playing bridge again this afternoon at 1:00.  Terri will pick me up about 12:45.  I'm having left overs for lunch, so will shower and dress before that. 

Regarding ship tours, last week TCM had one of my favorite Cary Grant/Deborah Kerr movies about the Atlantic Crossing, falling in love, and planning to meet at the Empire State Building.  Do you recall that she was rushing to get there and was hit by a car and he waited so very long?  It's a real tear jerker, but with a happy ending.  Just the kind of sentimental movie that I enjoy!

Mary, good luck with the mammo!  I hope the results are EXCELLENT.  How are your feet doing now?

Sharon, I'm sure we'll have fun in Savannah.  The weather report there this morning is temps in the 70's and sunny, although showers today which is OK as we won't be there until Friday afternoon.  Bob and I enjoyed going to Savannah for a weekend every now and then.  So much to see and plenty of good walking in downtown area.  One of my college suitemates has been living there for years--her husband died a couple of years ago, but I don't know if I can find her phone number.  We hung out a couple of times we were all at Carolina homecoming reunions after Bob died.

Jane, I hope your paper work has gone well.  I hate the tax stuff, but between Tim and my accountant they have me on the right track except my investments have been doing well and I owe the IRS more this year.  Yuck!

Jeanne, Jon and Stacie like to go on those cruises out of New Orleans, but it's mostly eating/drinking and very little sight seeing.  That doesn't appeal to me at all.  I have wanted to visit Cuba now that it's open to U.S. citizens, but my days of traveling alone are curtailed by my sons.

I need to get in the shower and also do a load of laundry before Terri gets here.  Have a nice day, Every Buddy!

Sue 

Sue. Now I have mostly traveled alone for most trips last 50 years.not yet take group tours other than daily ones. It's amazing just how many single travelers are out there. Always met some great people . Only thing now is for me the luggage. The lugging it . I will stick with putting it on at home base and then same coming back. Not jumping country to country .works fine when going to England.will cut down on how much I take.

I'm not a fan of sea cruises because of my motion sickness, but have taken 3. The Mediterranean cruise sailed from Greece to Alexandria to whatever the port is near Cairo, then went to Ashodod and bused up to Jerusalem then to Kusadasi & Ephesus, Turkey.  It was a Greek cruise ship, not too big, and mostly we were stopping at various destinations. Wonderful trip!

I am back from bridge. Didn't do well at all, but no booby prize. I called the surgery center and I am to be there at 6:15!!  I've arranged for the neighbors to feed Bunny at noon, just in case we aren't home.  After the surgery, I am dismissed for 2 hrs after which I have a recheck with the doctor. Then I am discharged.

I just made up some h  ummer food but I can't figure out how to put the new feeders together, so will have to wait on John.  The hummers should arrive soon.

Not much new here. Hi to all.  Sharon

Sharon I was here on Saturday. Just been busy and  next week will be even busier. I have two school visits on Monday and Tuesday that last all day. then on Wednesday and Thursday we have facility visits with residents one place and patients the other. We were at the Cancer Center today. Plus I have the two Tai Chi classes that I teach next week. So  my days are pretty filled up.

Keith wandered  off in the Walmart parking lot on Monday after he put the cart in the rack, he went the wrong direction and ended up sever carsx on down the line by the time I located him. He said he was following some guy who knew where he was going then got in a car and left. Keith was just standing there looking around. Darn It isn't going to get any better and he still doesn't want to sign the POA unless I sign one too. That ain't gonna happen , Gilbert will be taking care of mine not Keith, he won't be able to do any of that.

Sue...same story here...investments mean pay more to IRS and higher tax estimates. 

Marilyn...maybe you need to look at guardianship and what’s involved if K won’t sign the POA, but can’t find his way in a parking lot.

Nice trip to Iowa City today.  We stopped at Trader Joe’s for some items we only find there,

Jane

Good morning, Buddies.  I was up early this morning and have managed to finish some of my mail I've been neglecting.  I'm expecting Tim about 11:00.  We're going to lunch today rather than tomorrow as Stacy will be picking me up for our trip to Savannah.  I also have a meeting at the high school at 5:30 which will have a medal of honor speaker and military veterans, wives, and widows will be acknowledged.  The history teacher in charge of the department has contacted us and Bonnie and I are going together.

I've started packing for my trip to Savannah.  I'm hoping for some nice sunny weather, but rain is predicted tomorrow--both here and in Savannah.  I'm taking my rain jacket and an umbrella just in case.

I'd love to travel more, but until I am more able to do that alone, I'll be spending my time here in town!

Jeanne, I've learned how to pack lightly and only carry one lightweight suitcase which will fit in the overhead bin if I turn it sideways.  I have a very large Better Back handbag which will carry my meds and other essentials and can be opened for inspection at check in.  I put it on the floor by my feet.  It doesn't matter much now until the boys let me fly once again!

Sharon, you're hopefully finished with your procedure and will be home soon.  Thoughts and prayers from here for your speedy recovery.  Keep us posted.

Marilyn, can you talk to Keith's sons and get them to help you get a POA or at least let them get one which you can use?  You really need some help with that!  Otherwise, you might suggest to them one of them must take care of Keith.  That might get some action going!

Jane, I've missed Trader Joe's ever since we moved back to Alabama.  If they are here in the state, they haven't made it to Auburn!

I've been catching up on mail this morning and other paper work.  I hate doing that and let it pile up too long!

Have a good day, Every Buddy.
Sue

Sue...enjoy the trip to Savannah!

Nice day here, though still in the 40s, but I walked to the bank and took care of that. 

I need to do some laundry and get a bag packed for our weekend trip to Chicago for a visit with Ray's 94 yr old sister and Easter brunch at a niece's on Sunday.  We'll come on home from there.

jane

Hi Gals, I think the surgery went well, although I feel like I have a load of grit in my eye.  They said everything was fine at the recheck.  Certainly was a quick, painless procedure. Just wish the grit would go away.  I had to leave at 5:30 this morning. John wasn't happy with the time change and neither was I We got home about 11:30 and I went to bed for a nap of about 3hrs.  John took one too.  He's going to go get the groceries in a bit. I made out the list yesterday.

Marilyn, I'm so sorry about Keith.  I agree with what Jane & Sue said.  Do you have any fears about leaving him alone at home when you are doing your therapy visits?  My neighbor's husband also has alzheimers and she feels she has to have someone come in and sit with him anytime she goes out. He may be farther along though...

Sue, have a wonderful time in Savannah. I know you will.

Jane, have a very happy Easter with Ray's sister and niece.  We will go to church of course,  and have a nice dinner, but that's all.

My eye is bothering me, so will stop now.  Sharon

Sharon if I remember they gave me some thing to either wipe or drops so I don't remember grit
Did you get a nice zip bag that had this in along with a pair of dark glasses to use for when going out or watching T.V. Some other thing in there. Use for a few days
I did sleeps a lot for 24 hours.  It doesn't take ong does it? When the next one?

Sharon, I forgot about your cataract surgery.  Generally eyes heal very quickly - I hope that's the case for you and your "grit" goes away.  Glad it's done, in any case.

Jeanne, it's been cloudy all this week, but didn't rain until late this afternoon.  We've had about an inch so far, but it's supposed to rain all night.  At least it's been in the 60s.

Have a great trip to Savannah, Sue!

Marilyn, I'm so sorry.  I hope you can get the help you need. Glad you're keeping so busy with your Furry Friends.

I saw the rheumatologist this morning - he gave me a cortisone injection in my "good" knee.  It's been bothering me more since the foot surgery (wearing the shoes of different heights for a while).  I told him that I just want to  hold off on replacing that knee as long as I can.  I'm sure he'll give me the injections occasionally as long as they help.

I hope everybody has a great weekend.

I've been out with Bonney and a younger couple at our church this evening.  The history teacher at the high school had a program this evening honoring our military veterans--one was a medal of honor winner for Vietnam who gave a talk.  He didn't receive his medal until the Obama administration.  Several other well known veterans also spoke about experiences in Vietnam and many veterans attended.  The largest group seemed to be Air Force personnel.  When the program was over, it had started raining very steadily and although Bonney and I had our umbrellas, we still got wet!

I'm off to finish packing and to read a bit before light's out.  Good night, all!  I won't be home until late Monday or perhaps early Tuesday.

Sue

Hi Gals.  My eye is a little better today--less grit.  I was able to take off the shield.  I still have to put in 2 
drops 4x a day. I'm wearing my regular glasses and can see okay, but it may strain my eye.  I slept till 9:30 this AM, so still in recovery mode.  John got my new hummer feeders up--one on the breakfast room window and one on my den window.   He got them for me for Christmas because the old one broke.  Right now, he is at the grocery.  I hope he can find everything.

Mary, we are supposed to have had rain last night, but I haven't seen any sign of it. My rain gauge broke, so I don't know if or how much we got.

Sue, have a good trip. Your program sounded nice. Our next door neighbor was a med evac during the Vietnam War, but he was one of the lucky ones to arrive home safely.

Jeanne, yes, I got the little zipper bag with the glasses and drops.  I hope my eye is grit-free by tomorrow.
Sharon

Sharon, re reading with your old glasses.  Simple solution:  take the lens out on the operated side.  It's easily done, and works on a short-term basis.  I don't know why the doctors don't tell patients this!

I slept well last night, until about 4 a.m. - not much after that.  That's been getting to be more usual - and I really hate it!  I went out for a couple of errands this morning - to get a haircut and to go to the post office.  Maybe nap this afternoon.

so far I don't have to worry about l;eaving Keith home alone when I go places, he has not progressed that far yet. This morning he did tell me that he gets confused sometimes and doesn't remember thing. that a first for him to admit he has a problem.

I had one person at my Tai Chi class this morning, but I.m sure there will be more when my new class starts, I have flyers out and will be making some smaller ones leaving them around for people to pick up and take with. I need more ink for my printer before I can m ake a bunch of them.

Marilyn, I'm sure your class will fill up soon.  Where are you able to have the class?

My wonderful tax preparer brought my tax forms (and payment instructions) to my door this afternoon.  She doesn't live far away and drives by the place often, but still....   Everything's all filled out and just ready for checks on appropriate dates and getting to the post office. I'm so lucky to have her do this for me - and for what I think is a very reasonable fee.