Good morning, Buddies.  I've spent the last itchy hour in the back yard, cutting out volunteer shrubs that are trying to crowd out my azaleas.  I still have another 2 or 3 hours worth of work out there, so am hoping I can get Alex and Jon helping out on Saturday.  I've been asked to sub in a bridge club this afternoon, so am knocking off ship's work to shower and relax until time to eat a light lunch.  This hostess always has a humongous amount of snack food to nibble on, so probably won't have to fix any supper!

Sharon, I'm glad you got rain, but hope I don't have any more until next week.  We usually have fairly dry summers and this summer has had at least 2 or 3 big rains a week!  Our rain is more likely to appear in November, December, and January.  The rain causes all my shrubs and flowers to grow like weeds!

Jane, hurray for the normal Sed rate.  How long will you be on the prednisone?  I hope Ray does well with the Prolia.  Tough to have muscle and joint pain, though.  Will the doctor prescribe something to deal with that?

Hello to other Buddies looking in.  I hope this is a good day for Every Buddy.
Sue

Really enjoying the weather we have had for the past 4 days. Now they say back to 90s tomorrow and some more rain.

After the hot summer we have had this year. I am sort of looking forward to the cooler weather. Just hoping we have a decent winter. Just one good snow and that will be it.
The only thing is that we do miss all the colours of the summer gardens. Gets a little bleak here in Winter.


Today it is perfect.
I still need to find someone to fix the damage that the heavy storm caused to my porch covering. Not really to bad . Just 2 of the metal strips came apart making it that the rain can come through. Many trees were damaged and some limbs from the tree next door still on my roof. So hard to find people for small jobs. Fact for any labour anymore....
I will say that the lawn has really stayed green this year. He came and did it yesterday. Looks like a golf green.

Sue. You really have spent a lot of hours on your yard it seems. I have just let the back part of mine go wild. I know lots of weeds back there and see poison Ivy and so it will wait and I will get someone in to just take care of the whole thing in fall. Will get the bushes that are  in the front  trimmed in the next few weeks. Really gotten high.

Now how do you manage to get down to pull weeds with your leg. Did you say you had a brace on? Looks like you should then be able to drive you? car a little now if can bend leg. It has been awhile since you did drive. You are so lucky to have people that can take you places. The few weeks I couldn't use mine.( Part being did not get license renewed in time.) Drove me crazy. Only have one friend in town anymore. I do sort of live on the county line but
it has the best public transportation which I should start using a little for future. Also we have free bus pass and 50% taxi discount so would not be hard to use.

I need to shower and go and fine some new sheets. I bought 2 sets of the Micro type 5 months ago. Hate them. So shiny that they slide off the bed. and pillow cases slide off. Notice that the stores have mostly that type now.  I want  just Indian cotton. Will give these Micro  to the girl at the Laundry.

I  am on my 2nd month of Alendonate, Once weekly and no side  effects.  Well  leadies here is the good news. We are getting a new roof,  molded gutters and fascia on the entire 4000dwq ft of house.  I am so glad that i made the appt for the bid and Keith told him Just  do it. Yay!!! I thought the price was going to be a problem for Kieth but he didn't even balk.

Not a whole lot of news to report. I got kicked out of the Tai Chi class that I attend, (Not my class) because I had a sort of melt down and  the instructor took offense thinking I was criticizing him and he yelled at me in front of the whole class.. Later  his wife  who is the  facilitator of the non profit called and told me I wasn't welcome at any other constructors class other than my own.  Oh well  I have enough things to do missing two hours a week of Tai Chi .

Evening, Babes!

Marilyn...sorry the meltdown caused such a stir.  Hurrah for the outside repairs.

Jeanne....weather so nice but heat starting up here, too.

Sue....not on prednisone now, but I think I will need to be.  Muscle pain returning to neck and shoulders, so will call rheumatology dept tomorrow.  Ray’s not on prolia yet...doc won’t say how much insurance will cover....could cost us $1500-$2000 per shot every 6 months.  He wants a better answer than “maybe.”

Sharon....you were busy today.

Hi to Mary and Darlene and Joy!

I need to make appt for bone scan myself, too.

Today was a much needed haircut...and highlights. 

Jane

Friday morning wet greetings!  It looks to be a rainy day here in the heartland.

Nothing exciting here today...so a good day to sit back and read the day away. 

jane

Good morning, Jane,  No rain here this morning, but some is expected this afternoon.  This has been the wettest summer since I moved here in 2004.  We usually have very little rain until after September. 

I'm again a sweaty mess.  I've been out back cutting back azaleas and digging out dying ones.  Still many more which will bloom in the spring, but I hate ugly weeds and dying plants so will continue until I'm satisfied.  Jon and Alex will get here late this afternoon.  I'll take them to Shakey's for pizza, but will cook a nice dinner tomorrow evening.  Jon will take Alex up to Birmingham for his last year up there on Sunday morning.  I think he'll probably try to go to graduate school somewhere--but time will tell.

I need to go shower and dress for lunch, library, and Kroger shopping with Tim.  Have a nice day, Every Buddy.

Sue

Hard to believe Alex is a senior.  It seems as if we were just sending him off for his freshman year!!

Hi Gals.  I've been hurting a lot the past few days. Turned my nerve stimulator down. Not sure if it's any better today.  I've a load of laundry in and have poured bleach in the bird bath to thoroughly clean it. (I have it covered up so the birds can't drink it.) Need to go out and use the scrub brush and get rid of the bleach and rinse it out well and fill it.  I hurt just thinking about it.  The guy yesterday said they could do what needs to be done, but it will be the end of September!  I'm going to call the nurseries to see if that is too late to put in the 2 new bushes. I am definitely going to wait on the Lantana until spring and just move a couple of my pots into the middle for the winter.

Liam took his first steps this past weekend--just 10 months old!

Jeanne, I hope you can find someone to help you with the yard work.  Have you checked out Next Door Neighbor.com  YOu put in your zip and connect with others in the area. Lots of recommendations for various workmen, things for sale, local news, etc.

Sue, you make me tired just hearing all you do in your yard.  I can't believe Alex is a Sr. either except that Braeden is a sophomore!  Enjoy their visit.

Jane, we have a gorgeous day today, low 80's, low humidity, but it all changes tomorrow and we go back up and may have rain too.  I hope you are feeling better and don't have to go on the prednisone for a while.  Bunny just came off of it.

Marilyn, Hurray for the roof repairs!!!  I'm sorry for the meltdown and its consequences.  Sounds like they don't handle people very well.

I'm getting my hair cut this afternoon.  Take care, everyone.  Sharon

Congrats, Marilyn, for getting on with your house repairs.  Those things don't get any cheaper when left undone.  And sorry about the tai chi thing - sometimes those things just happen.
I know you'll keep on with the class you teach, though.

jane, sorry the achies have started up again.  I hope they're able to find a effective treatment for you soon.

Sharon, you've got the achies, too.  Maybe it's this weather change.  My bridge partner and I have both been doing better - until today.  Oh, well.  Glad you got your yard design approved by the 'yard police'.

Sue, we've had a lot of rain this summer, too - but I'm glad to have it.  It's been somewhat cooler the last few days, with low humidity.  But it's supposed to be turning back into regular Southern August tomorrow and into next week.

Jeanne, I agree with Sharon.  Surely there some organization you can find to help with your hard clean-up.  Home ownership is always just "patch, patch, patch", isn't it.

Darlene, have you gotten some of this cooler, dryer weather?  I don't know what part of Texas you're in, and I know different parts vary widely.

Nothing exciting at bridge this afternoon - we finished in the middle with no points earned.  Seems it was one of those days when if one of us had a few points, the other had nothing.  But that's the way it goes.  A good friend who has moved away is back in town for a few days.  Several of us are meeting for lunch tomorrow, but that's my excitement for the weekend. 

Happy weekend, Buddies!

Hi buddies.....Mary...no cooler weather..still almost 100 every day...it is usually Oct before we cool down much...I'm dealing with insurance increases on my home....always had replacement cost insurance...but thinking of just insuring for certain amount...I would not rebuild if it burned....I would buy a small trailer and live in it....so praying for wisdom....have a great weekend Darlene

Jane, I, too, am amazed that Alex is in his final year of college.  It seems like yesterday that I was down to New Orleans for his H.S. graduation.  And his brother Nic is a Sophomore at LSU and is already attending classes.  Time sure gets away from grannies when their Grands have become adults!

Sharon, you've already had a full days work today.  Jon, Alex, and I have been outside and finished the pruning of the azaleas, so I'm happy about that.  Alex is in the shower now and I think Jon is already taking a nap!  I hope he doesn't sleep too long as I want him to take me to Great Clips for a much needed haircut. 

Mary, I had the same kind of bridge hands you must have had yesterday.  I was subbing at a friend's house and didn't know all the players, but had so so cards, so didn't win any money.  I knew some of the gals and all of the players were friendly.  One who is in the AU book club with me was there and she brought me home.

Darlene, I hope you can get your insurance costs worked out.  Living alone and having to make those kinds of decisions is NOT easy!  I want to stay in my home as long as possible and my sons are agreeable about that.  I had to put on a new roof in the spring and hope that's the last big repair I'll need.  However, Jon thinks I need to replace my deck.  I 'll talk to Tim about it and then decide what to do. 

I hope Jon gets up soon as I'd like to get my hair cut before I fix lunch.

Have a nice day, Every Buddy.
Sue

Going to heat up here today, so windows are closed and AC is on.  I have the bed changed and sheets washed and dried and I've been to the grocery for a few things we didn't get yesterday.

Apparently they're doing some sort of test at the hospital....helicopters have been coming and going for over an hour.  The ambulance screamed down the street, and I thought, at first, some horrific accident had happened.  But, now I'm thinking all part of some emergency test thing.  They also have downtown block closed with huge cement trucks and I don't know what that's about either.   

Time to read for a bit.

I am back on the prednisone for 2 weeks.  I hope it clears everything up.

jane

Sue, glad you're having such a good visit with your "boys".  And getting lots of extrs work done.   

jane, I hope, too, that all the commotion was just a practice exercise.  Let us know what you find out. I hope this course of prednisone works longer term for you.

I thought this was going to be a "knitting weekend", but have just had lunch and some sit-and-talk time with some friends.  Missy was in town for a few days, and met up with me and another friend from swimming at McAlister's Deli for lunch.  Then we came back here to my place for just some more talking.  Such fun and always good to be with old friends.

Happy Saturday, Buddies!

Sounds like a great way to spend a Saturday, Mary.

Our Friday night group is going out tonight, instead.  Our 90yr old Friday night guy attends ALL the high school football and basketball games played at home, and first game was last night. 

Jane

Hot and humid and maybe stormy Sunday greetings.

Nothing on the agenda for the rest of the day.  Time to do some "maintenance"...my toes and fingernails need redoing, etc.

Then time to watch some football preseason and read.

jane

Hi Gals. Sounds like everyone is busy with one thing or the other.  Mary's afternoon with friends sounds great, as does Sue's time with Jon and Alex.

Yesterday, I emptied everything out of a bookcase in the laundry room that I could put elsewhere and got John to help me take it next door for our neighbor to sand for me. (He volunteered!)  I fixed a marinated flank steak, fresh corn on the cob and mashed potatoes for dinner last night.  So good.

John and I team taught SS today and had a guest minister for church service.

I have a 2nd load of laundry in and one more to go.  I also want to check out flights to Indy for TG.

Not much else going on here.  Darlene, check with an Insurance agent that represents several companies in order to get the best deal.  Also, if you have both car & home ins with the same company, it's cheaper. You may know all that, but I hope you find something affordable.

Jane, I hope the prednisone helps.  I'm glad Bunny has finished hers. She gets so ravenous when she's on it. Does it bother your sleep?  When I had chemo, it did for me.  Sharon

Good morning, Buddies.  I have one load of wash in and will put another in when it is done.  I did get the guest room bed linens washed and back on the bed yesterday after church, but have the "little" bed (an antique trundle bed from my great-grandmother's home) which I slept on when I was young and small  enough to do that.  Alex always sleeps on it when he's here.  I think he likes it because it's far from my other bedrooms and I won't know how late he stays up!

My yard is in pretty good shape now thanks to Jon and Alex.  I'm hoping the yard men will pick up everything we piled at the curb this weekend.

Other than doing laundry I don't have much else planned for today.  My cleaning ladies will be here tomorrow about 8:00.  As soon as they come, I'll walk down to my polling station and vote.  If they finish before I get back, they'll lock the door for me.

Have a nice day, Every Buddy.
Sue

Sharon...yes, the prednisone messes with my sleep and makes me hungry.  Docs warned me of those two side effects.  But, if it gets all this inflammation out of my body, I'll take it. 

Sue...so glad Jon and Alex could help you with all the yard work and maybe get you caught up for a day or two.

Darlene...our house insurance went up, too.  I think all the flooding in the east and fires in the west have caused us all to pay for the damages.

I need to throw a load in the washer sometime today...or maybe tomorrow...

We're getting thunderstorms and we're both old "arthritic" people this morning.  Ray's having it in his knees and feet, and mine is all over, as always.  He scared me when I woke up and asked him how he was.  He said "I told you at 2:00 am I can hardly walk."  He didn't...that I recall....and he scared me.  I thought he'd had a stroke or something...finally got out of him that it's his knees and feet that are hurting.  I told him "Welcome to arthritis" and got him some 8 hr tylenol with a tramadol.
He's back asleep so that's good.  Good thing we have no where we have to be today, so can be twin slugs.



jane

Hi Gals.  Yes, Jane, I'd take the side effects over the all-over pain too!  I do hope it helps.  Sorry Ray is hurting too.

Sue, sounds like you have things all organized and shipshape after your visitors!  Have a relaxing afternoon.  Your grandmother's trundle sounds like a treasure to keep in the family.

I did 3 loads of laundry yesterday, made our plane reservations, and got our mileage points from our credit card credited. I also have Bunny scheduled at the kennel.  Today, I have to make motel reservations.  Even though Melanie has 5 bedrooms and lots of floor space, the family is so big now, we also have to use the motel for overflow. We'll let the young ones stay at Mel's.  We're flying in on Tuesday so that I can help her make pies before the others arrive. We'll leave early Friday evening.  I would prefer Sat, but John doesn't want to stay any longer.

I'm going to go over to the FC shortly.  I missed out completely last week between my car and other stuff.

Hope you're all having a good day. Supposed to be 92 here today with high humidity. Bah Humbug!  Sharon

Storms passed through and the temps went way up...as did the humidity.  I went out to get fresh green beans and corn on the cob for supper with some ham...and glad to be back inside the AC.

jane

We had 98 deg today with the humidity making it feel worse. I have not been outside. Meant to go to library but thought later when the sun goes down. Its down but still mid 80s. Same for tomorrow.
First time I have seen this happen.. Got a message from power company. Saying that if people can cut down on the usage tomorrow of Electricity will see some kind of a Cr. on next bill. Then a hour ago a message on my phone asking same thing. Says from3pm to 5pm. If possible . no washmachines. turn A/C down to what you can stand it to be.
Today all Schools started and over 42 Thousand Univ. of Illinois students now here. Suppose all put their A/C on and all the student housing will be running along with the Collage. It is amazing how the Power can supply when it gets as hot as this summer has been. Now will be double the demand.Makes up realize just how spoiled we are. Gas for Cars is up also which means pay more to run A/C in car. I don't see people with windows open.

Same here, Jeanne, weather wise.  Too humid to breathe outside.

Ray wants to go to the pool at a nearby town to just water walk.  I may go with him and see if they’ll let me buy a one day pass.  He’s very unsteady on his walking with the knee and foot pains. 

Hoping for better pain control today...arthritis Tylenol and tramadol seem to be helping both of us.

Jane

jane, I hope you can get the one-day pass - and maybe go for more.  One can do SO much more in the water than on land.  Good for Ray for wanting to "water walk".  There are always folks in our shallower (therapy) pool walking.

It's been back to normal August weather here (hot, humid, chance of afternoon thunderstorms), after a few days of slightly lower temps and lower humidity.  We are supposed to get some rain before the end of the week.  My flowers will appreciate it.

Nothing exciting at bridge last night.  I really screwed up the bidding on one hand - and had a low board to pay for it.  I wound up making a grand slam, after bidding only game.  I should at least have bid a small slam.     We still had a 50% finish - even if no MP.

My bridge partner and I both seem to be getting some good results from the CBD oil (hemp oil). I've not had nearly as many episodes of horrendous back pain.  I'm taking a dropper of the oil three times a day, and it took about 4-5 weeks before I noticed any effects.  I hesitate to say it has done all this good, but things have been better lately.  I guess I would say, check with your doctor, and maybe give it a try.

Stay cool, Buddies!

Mary, what brand is your CBD oil and where do you get it.  From what I hear, since it isn't FDA approved, there are lots of different strengths and ingredients, so if you've found a good one, stay with it. I plan to ask my doctor about it. I'm glad you're seeing some improvement.

Jane, I know water walking is recommended for those of us with leg problems. Good idea for you to go with Ray though.

Jeanne, I think the whole eastern half of the country is experiencing high temps and humidity. You're wise to stay in. Our temp isn't as high as yours though--only 92 which is still too hot!

John and I are going down to the DMV to renew our driver's license with the new REAL ID kind.  John still has a viable passport, but mine is expired and I need it to fly.

I got our hotel reserved for TG and washed the blanket from our bed + the throws we keep on the couch, and then went to the FC, so I accomplished quite a bit yesterday.

Hi to all and have a nice day, even if it is inside.  Sharon

Sharon (and anybody else who is interested), I've gotten what is called "Hemp Oil", and the brand is "Nature Driven".  I ordered it from Amazon.  I understand what you've said about uniformity, strength, dosage, etc.  My friend, who got hers from Nutrition World, said she was told she would have to experiment to find out what worked for her.  I started out with two doses a day, but increased that to three/day, which I take after each meal.  I take up a "dropper-full" (actually about half-a-dropper tube), and squirt that under my tongue.  No real taste - just sort of oily.

I drove Ray over to the Wellness Center 15 miles from here and offered to pay for a one day pass for myself. She said I could go in as a guest on his membership, which I thought was very nice of them.  I did walk...do my variation of water aerobics for about 20 minutes.  That's about all the pool time my system seems to tolerate before my stomach starts to get queazy(sp?) So, I got out and waited for Ray to finish.

We're both feeling much better today, but his knee is swollen again, so he has a call in to orthopedic doc who drained it 3 or so years ago.

Storms are predicted, so we headed home, stopped by grocery to grab a few produce items for salads, and came home and got the car in the garage.  They talk of hail, and I don't want to go through that again with this car.

Laundry in and that's it for today!!

Thanks for the info on the Hemp Oil, Mary. I've been reading a lot about it and am just waiting for my Sept. appt with my internist to get his approval based on my meds, etc.

I did get my REAL ID today, but John didn't because he didn't listen to me and took his Medicare card instead of his SS card.  Men!  He listens to about half of what I say and then blames me for his not knowing!!

Since then, I've just been playing on the computer and Words with Friends with the girls.

Jane, glad you got a little water walking in. Sorry Ray's knee is swollen. Can he put Voltaren Gel on it? It really is helpful, but if he's on other NSAIDS, they probably won't write an RX for it.  My primary wouldn't, but tne NP at the ortho office suggested it and I took her up on it. I don't use it very often and usually cut back on my oral Voltaren if I do. So far, no problem with my stomach.  Glad you got home before the hail!! I've never been out in it and don't want to be!  Hope you don't have any damage.  Sharon

Another suggestion on the "hemp stuff".  There is also ointment made with the hemp oil.  My friend's son (a physician) used some on his arthritic knees and has had wonderful results with it.  Might be worth doing some research on.

Boy, after all the storms and the heat and humidity of yesterday, it's a cool, fall-like day here.  Leaves are falling from the walnut trees....always the first to go ....and some leaves are changing in the neighborhood.

Bridge today and I'm looking forward to it, as always.  I got caught up with laundry yesterday.  Ray's knee is still swollen, and he's still waiting for a call back from the orthopedic nurse.  He does see his regular internal med guy at same clinic on Friday, so maybe Dr. S can motivate them if we've not heard back.

Have a good last Wed. of August!  Where does the time go?


jane

Good morning, Jane and Every Buddy looking in.  I'm moving but just barely.  I probably read too late last night and I don't do well if I don't have 7 1/2 hours at least.  My problem is that I get caught up in a book and find it hard to put down.  I am going outside shortly to trim my butterfly bush and maybe one large shrub that's getting out of hand.

Other than that, I'll stay inside and read.  I hope every buddy is feeling well and will have a nice day.  Can you believe it's almost September?!!!

Sue