HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARYZ..
Will the girls be over to celebrate with you? Hope the coming year will be a healthy one for you.

Thanks for all the birthday wishes, Buddies.

Our girls have gotten a VRBO rental here and are coming in tomorrow.  One grandson and spouse will be here, too.  On Saturday, we'll go to the rowing club dock and put the last of John's ashes in the river.  Probably a couple of other grandsons will come just for that.  And all will go home on Sunday.  It'll be a fun weekend for us and laid-back (as we usually are). The weather is supposed to be warm (mid to upper 60s), cloudy, with some scattered showers.

Today is bright and sunny, but cool.  I got out to  get gas for the car and to get a haircut, but that's about it for my actual birthday excitement.   

Goodness, lots of posts. I hope I can remember to respond to all of them.

First of all, HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MARY!!  I hope the weekend is a good one. I think it always is with family. Bittersweet for the scattering of the ashes, I'm sure.   Hugs!

Jane, WOW, 7 NT is a biggie!  Even if it wasn't bid.  Your hands must have really meshed.

Sue, it has been really cold here overnight, especially. About 20 last night but up to about 47 now. Yesterday, it barely hit 40!  No snow since Sunday though.

Marilyn, I hope Keith doesn't have glaucoma, but if so, hope it is the treatable kind. John has it and is having surgery next week to create a duct for the liquid to exit and relieve the pressure. If it works well, he won't have to use the eye drops which run well over $1000 a year with no insurance.  Keep us posted.

Tues was Jocelyne's 28th birthday. When we called to talk to her she told us that great grandbaby #3 is on the way, due about Halloween.  Another Oct. birthday!!  Harrison just turned 2 so she will be a busy mama. We're so happy for them. Can't wait to see them in July.

I just got back from lthe grocery. Groan.  My nerve stim procedure is tomorrow afternoon.

Mary, how are your knees doing? You just had one done, didn't you?  I'm afraid that that is next up for me. The past 2 weeks, the knee that I had partially replaced has been stiff and really hurting. I can hardly get up and down from a chair. The brace hasn't helped much either. The other knee hurts too but isn't stiff.  I've got to talk to some people who have had it done here and get some recommendations on who to see.  I really hate this on top of my back problems.

Had really bad news about the health of a couple from HH who have returned to Lima, Oh. I hadn't been able to reach them and finally did last night.  Both have serious back problems & she has had breast cancer to boot.  I feel so bad about them.

I haven't seen Ginny on FB or here. I hope she is okay.

Hi to Darlene & Jeanne.  Sharon

Sharon, good luck with your procedure.  I had one knee replaced in October.  Most of the time I don't even think about it - so that's a good thing.  Sometimes at Silver Sneakers, we'll do something that causes the "natural" knee to hurt, but not the new one.  So that's good, I guess.  The only advice I would give if you decide to have one (or both) done is to go to a rehab place when you leave the hospital.  Or, at the very least, have home health care and PT coming to your place every day.  I even had PT on Saturday and Sunday - PT and OT most days.  I think it would've been much harder otherwise.  My doctor wasn't much in favor of rehab, but I was sure it was what I wanted. 

I hope GinnyAnn checks in soon, too.  We miss any of our Buddies when they're gone.

Sue...I hope Tim will accept some help from you with his insurance.  He sure was there when you needed him! 

Mary....nice weekend planned with your girls and grands!

Darlene...hi to you!

Jeanne...stay warm!
Marilyn...did K pass the test for his license?  I hope he doesn't have glaucoma, too.

Sharon...not much here today, either...we both saw the dermatologist this morning.  He burned a couple places off Ray's head and we go back in a year.

The band got here about 1:00 am....8 of them. The two girls were upstairs...one in the bed, one on an air mattress in the front office room; the fellas in sleeping bags on first floor. They were up and out by 9:15 am so an easy visit.  I'm doing bed linens and towels now.

We stopped at store to get some samples to look at for counter tops. 

I think it's still cold out there...low 30s...and just chills to the bone with all the snow on the ground.

jane

Keith hasn't been back to take the driving tests yet. His eye Dr called today and he has to have lab work done and an MRI for what I don't know. He also has a growth of some kind started un til his left eye. It is big like a pimple and all red, he has been picking at it and I tell him don't do that. I don't know what they are looking for. He dxidn't do well at the glaucoma testing yesterday either.

Freckles and I had a hospital visit this afternoon.

Marilyn, sorry about Keith's eye problems.  I hope it's something fixable.  The "pimple" thing sounds like a sty or an infected plugged tear duct.  Good it's getting checked out, though.

That thing is under his eye but does look like it could be a sty.  I seem to be in a fog today, just not feeling like I usually do.  One side of my throat is still sore too, it wasn't sore yesterday  it had cleared up  in the morning yesterday but is back today.

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!


Nothing much new here...haircut ...and out with friends for supper tonight, as usual.

Good morning, Buddies.  It's pretty chilly here this morning--I don't know the temperature as my outdoor thermometer gave up the ghost recently, but I took my morning walk just a while ago and wore my heaviest jacket, mittens and hat and wasn't uncomfortably warm.  March is often our coldest month and then April brings the sunshine and some heat.  I noticed that my butterfly bush had a bit of frost damage this morning, but I'm sure it will perk up later.

Our Auburn Lady Tigers are playing in Texas this morning at 11:00 on ESPN--playing NC State or NC, can't recall.  I'm hoping for a win but I'm just happy they made it to the big dance.  I was surprised as we didn't have as many wins as I thought we'd get--but we played some tough teams.  I'm upset that South Carolina which was #2 in the nation has been sent clear out to Washington State for their match up.  Coach Dawn Staley gave her very negative opinion on the SEC network last week.  Carolina fans who are very loyal will have a tough time going all the way out there.  When they played Auburn here, there were more Carolina fans (plus me although I was cheering for AU) than Auburn women's fans.  Most basketball fans are very macho and fill up the Arena for the men's games which is irritating to me--and they aren't even going to a tournament!

Enough griping for today.  I'm going to spend the day watching basketball and reading.  I have to go to a luncheon meeting tomorrow and will miss some of the daytime matches.

Have a good day, Buddies.
Sue

Good luck to your lady Tigers, Sue.  My Lady Mocs will play Louisville in KY tomorrow, followed by the Lady Vols at the same location.  Should both win, they'll play each other on Monday. 

I hope Sharon has done well with her procedure today and have hopes for at least some pain relief for her.

And I hope Marilyn has "outrun" her cold, and that Keith is doing better with his eye problems.

I got out to swim and coffee this morning.  Margaret will pick me up in a few hours for our weekend get-together.  We talked last night, and we'll probably call out for pizza for dinner tonight.  I got bagels and some pastries at Panera for breakfasts.  And I think we'll do carry-out Chinese tomorrow.  It's so hard to get a bunch of people handled at a restaurant, even with a reservation.  Plus this will all those who care to watch some basketball.   

Happy Weekend, Buddies!

One of the younger cats chewed through the power cord for the router last week, I had another cord from the old router and he chewed through that today, so I am using my cell phone for a hot spot to be on Wi Fi .

Freckles and I are participating in a Circus with all the other Furry f?riend teams at on of the residential car Facilities today. We will have our dogs all dressed up for St. Patric ks day and have them do  the tricks that they know. The Care home usually makes  Organic  grain free treats for the dogs and cookies for their humans, We were there last at Halloween.

Yesterday we went to the Hospital to visit the patients and give them some doggy therapy. they are always so glad to see us., Especially if we have dressed up the dogs in their finery like hats, socks and  scarves. Freckles doesn't wear socks, her legs are too skinny for anyone other than babies socks and she will n ot let me pout anything on her feet or even mess with her feet. However she is very good at the groomer when the trim her toenails.

Well I have gone on enough about Freckles and my adventures for today.

Hi Gals. It is nearly 1:00 and I am wide awake so thought I would give you an update. I had the procedure this afternoon. It was quite involved. The put leads and wires into my back on both sides of the spine and all those are connected to a battery pack and the whole business wrapped in gauze and tape. I cannot take a shower till they are taken out next Wed  . I guess I will call my beautician and have her wash and do my hair tomorrow. Sponge baths will have to take care of the rest.  It seems that maybe it is helping, but the whole thing was rather tiring and traumatic, so didn't do much this evening to test it out.  I really wasn't supposed to either. They said it might take a couple days for me to get the full results.  If it all works, I will tell them Wed when they remove the trial and then they will set me up for the actual implant which will be at the hospital. One thing I was unaware of is that this is supposed to take care of all my pain below the implant, including my legs! Hopefully, it will ease my knee pain until I decide if I'm going to do that.

Marilyn, I'm so sorry about Keith's eyes. It sounds like he has multiple problems. I hope they can take care of them and get him seeing well again.  Fun about taking the dogs in costumes to the various places. I know people must enjoy them.

Mary, hope you're having fun with your family this weekend.  I appreciate the input on the rehab for knee replacement. I had pretty much decided on that too.  Did Medicare pay for it?

Sue, glad your gals are playing. Hope they do well.  Butler is still in the game too.

Jane, hope you had a good St Paddy's day meal out.  We had cornned beef and cabbage that I had cooked in the crock pot so that I didn't have to do anything tonight. It was so good. I had to eat breakfast at 7:30 and didn't have anything other than some peanut butter crackers at 5:00 that they gave me after the procedure.

Warmer weather is back here again, 60's this weekend.  Hi to all. Sharon

I hope you're asleep, Sharon.  I'm the only one up here now. 7:40. am, but lots of laughter last night. Just wanted to tell you that, so far, I haven't paid anything on my surgery and rehab. I have Medicare and a supplement. I'm sure some bills will come eventually , but none so far.

Mary, I finally got to sleep about 2:30 and slept till 10:30!!  Hope it doesn't mess me up tonight.

Glad you had lots of laughter last night. It's good for the soul!

Thanks for the info on MC & supp. I didn't think you would have to pay for rehab, but wasn't sure. It may be a while before I get it done. I have to be mobile in July for Brian's retirement party and family get together and also for my 60th reunion in Sept--provided my back is under control then.

I could tell a definite improvement on the pain today except for my side where the pain is worst. I have turned up the level a couple notches and talked to the clinician in charge. She said ok on that but no more without talking to her.  I haven't done too much since then, so don't know how much it has helped. Will see later.

Ohoh, just heard some thunder. Sharon

Sharon....I sure hope this is a great answer for your pain.

Ray cooked a corned beef and did cabbage today.  We delivered some to both couples we go out with on Friday night.  One couple...he's 88 and she's 85 had NEVER had corned beef! Our other friends...she loves it, Gary only likes Reuben sandwiches, so we made a "some assembly required" tray for him...some rye bread, some corned beef, a couple slices of swiss cheese, a bottle of 1000 Island dressing and a small can of sauerkraut!!

Watching basketball today...YEAH!!! Wisconsin just beat #1 Villanova!!  Hurrah for them!!

We got our taxes back...got some $$ back on state and applied extra on fed to next year's, so only one one small estimate to send in next Dec.  Yes!

jane

Sharon....how's the trial going for your pain?

GinnyAnn...we miss you.

Beautiful morning here.  Maybe we can get a walk in later this afternoon.

Jane

Hi Jane. How nice of you to bring some Irish food to the uninitiated!  We still have a little left over.  As to the trial, I'm still not sure. It seems as if the pain is better when I get up and am sitting around, but the severe pain in one spot seems to come back if I'm on my feet.  I'm going to try to take Bunny for a little walk this afternoon, but don't know how far I'll make it. I need to push it a little to see how it's doing.

I slept well last night but am skipping church this morning. Without being able to shower and with my back problems, we decided it wasn't a good idea.  Sharon

CONGRATULATIONS to the LSU Gymnastic team in their win last night!!!!!!
Joy

It's a beautiful day i8n the Neighborhood. Just for one day though it is supposed to rain for the rest of the week. We are expecting Keith's Ex and her partner to be bringing over Keith's grandmothers table and chairs that she took with her after the divorce. they was supposed to be ehre by now.

Marilyn, I hope your table and chairs have arrived by now.

Sharon, I hope results from your stimulator will continue to improve.   Give it some time.

Our weekend was almost perfect.  The house they rented worked quite well and was comfortable.  The "event" at the boathouse was great.  The weather was predicted to be perfect, but it turned out interesting. Just as the family went out on the dock to put the ashes in the river, a cold spitting rain started and the wind picked up.  We just did our thing, and when we got back on the apron of the boathouse, the sun came back out.  It was still cooler than we'd hoped, but nice.  We got to take pictures of the boat named for John (pictures are on facebook) and christen it with champagne.  The Rowing Club had put out some delicious snacks.  I made a few remarks about John and how he felt about rowing.  It was good to see some of the rowers I knew and meet some I only knew by name.  All in all, it was about an hour, which was about right. 

We got carry-out pizza for our dinner Friday night, and carry out Chinese for our dinner Saturday night, so not much work for anybody.  The only problem was about 2 a.m. this morning, when I woke up nauseated and started vomiting.  I spent most of the rest of the night sitting in the bathroom and occasionally throwing up.  Nobody else was sick, so I guess not food poisoning.  But if it's a bug, I undoubtedly will have passed it along to the rest of the family. 

Sue and Margaret got me back home first thing this morning, and I've slept on an off through the day.  I've only thrown up once since then, so we'll see how it goes.  I'm certainly going to be staying at home all day tomorrow, too.

I hope everybody had a good weekend.

We had Potluck after church today, there was so much food and  not that many people to eat all that food, I brought almost all of the dessert that I took. I made Cheesecake with blueberry stripes  over a huge sugar cookie in a 13 x 9 pan. I used Fat Free Cream Cheese and home made Blueberry jam for the decoration. Did I already tell you this:

I'm still in my PJ's at almost 8:00 p.m.   Yesterday I was all dressed to go to a luncheon/meeting at the country club and just waiting for Bonney to pick me up when I developed nausea--called her right away and canceled--had nausea all day yesterday and most of today--no vomiting, but I have been feeling pretty yucky.  I have not dressed all day.  Tim and Kris came over to take my old fridge down to the curb--it's the one left in my house when I bought it in 2004.  I've kept it in the utility room all this time, but it gave up the ghost during the summer and I didn't really use it for much except for storing beer and sodas, plus bird seed.  So I was glad to get it out for the trash tomorrow.  Auburn is having a pickup through April 28 for appliances without a fee.  They do this once a year.

I have the South Carolina/Duke game on TV, but am going to switch to Hallmark shortly to watch "When Calls the Heart" from 8-9.

I hope all Buddies have had a good day.  Sharon, I'm sorry about the pain following the back procedure.  I hope it leaves soon.

Sleep well, Buddies.
Sue

I slept 7 hours straight in my chair last night, and have had some yogurt, coffee, meds, and a shower this  morning.  I feel weak, but much better.

Happy Monday, Buddies!

Mary....it does sound like food poisoning...and maybe the food you got was the only tainted part. I hope you feel better soon, regardless of the cause.

Sue...sorry you were feeling yucky, too.  It does seem to just happen to us at various times, doesn't it.

The carpet cleaner guy is here and at work.  It sure does disrupt things here for a couple days, but it'll be nice to have it all done.  Luckily, I took our Fam room off the cleaning this year, since the carpet here is pretty new and so we have a place to "hang out" while the carpet is cleaned and dries.

Right now we have the News on...watching FBI Head Comey and Adm Rogers testify. What a mess.

Again I ask----Why do I have to sign w/my user name and password each time I want to get on???
Is it because I have a new computer w/Windows 10   (which I hate).
Joy

Apparently, Joy, your new computer isn't keeping cookies.  Your sign in here and other sites is a cookie that is kept on your computer.

When I clean out my computer and delete cookies, I, too, then have to sign in again to my sites. That's why I rarely clear my cookies.

jane

I've had a blah day.  I'm just not feeling well, perhaps it's my allergies but whatever I have no get up and go.  Except for a short visit from Tim (he came to check if the trash men picked up the Fridge he put out yesterday).  It was gone, but the plastic shelves were still here, so it may have been picked up by someone else before the trash truck came around.  I didn't get out of bed this morning until after 10:00. 

I don't clean cookies, either, so I'm good to go at this site at least.

I'm watching basketball (women's tonight).  Last night I couldn't believe my U. of South Carolina men's Gamecocks beat Duke handily!  It was quite a game.  Also didn't watch, but see that Gino Auriema's Connecticut women's team cleaned up in their game.  I forget the score, but it was overwhelmingly U. Conn.  He has no trouble getting the BEST of the BEST female players.  I'd like to see  them lose once in a while!

I've been reading again today, rereading some old favorites.  I especially like most of Susan Elizabeth Phillips early novels, and her later ones are pretty good, too.

Sleep well, Buddies.
Sue

Sue I am joining you in a Blah day. I have been is a funk all day long. Gilbert called last night with some disgusting news about his wife and now he is drinking  way too much and his spirit is so broken. It is so hard to deal with something you can do nothing about in regards to your children. All I can do is pray for him and advise him on what he NEEDS to do, whether or not he does  is on him. I just feel so bad listening to my son sobbing his heart out and not being nthere with him.

So sorry for your distress, Marilyn - and that of your son.  Hugs to you and yours.