Good morning everyone, it's raining and the predicted snow. Just 32 so must be close to freezing rain. Glad I do not have to go out. It was 42 years ago today we were hit with the blizzard that made the interstate highways look like parking lots the way cars and trucks were stranded. There was snow drifts up to the tops of doors and windows. I left work at noon and it usually took me 15 minutes to get home but that day it took an hour.

LLOYD  I would like to see snow falling instead of rain. That at least is pretty to look at.

AMY  thought it was just me that was worn out every time I had to go someplace. I know when my son took me shopping it took 3 days before I felt rested. Ahh those golden years we always heard about are not true.

JANE  getting something that has been bothering you a long time it is best to get it checked.

CALLIE  I have not made a meatloaf in a long time. The left overs sure make a good sandwich.

BUBBLE  nice to know you keep an eye on us in here even if you don't say anything.

AMY  thankd fo putting in the link. With that name I will have to send it to my daughter. She always said she was born in the wrong century, would have been a good pioneer.

JENNY  prayers continue for Michele. I hope Friday's news is good for a change.

SHIRLEY  when I go outside  I bundle up with a Totes vest under my jacket and a scarf and hat and geemagotchees on, too. It is a wonder I can move. I also have woolsocks to keep my feet warm.

JANE  I used to make appointments early in the morning but now try making all of them at 1pm. Never know how long it takes me to get ready anymore. OH I could have posted before you this morning but I "talked" too much.

AMY  another cute morning greeting, thanks. No snow here, raining AGAIN.

Have a good day.

Ugly day here.  Lots of rain with the promise of "severe" weather later on.  But, no snow so I won't complain.

Not a lot to write about since I haven't been out and about very much.  Today is grocery shopping day but don't think that will get done as long as the weather is like it is.  We'll just tighten the belt a little bit.  I made a very good soup yesterday and there is plenty left for "seconds".  Bacon-Potato-Corn Chowder.  Added some carrots for color (and extra vitamins) and we enjoyed it very much for dinner last night.

Hoping Mary Ann will be back home soon where things are more comfortable and convenient.  As Dorothy said, "There's no place like home."

Take care, All.

Good mooring everyone, it is 22º and mostly cloudy heading for 36º and sunny today. I went to bed @ 10:30 and woke uo and got up at 7;00 AM. have a appointment at VA at 10:30 AM with eye doctor. most likely stop at Sams club and get a few grocery's then get hot dog and drink combo. then home to the couch after putting the grocery's up for a relaxing afternoon. hope you all have a great day just like you like it.

Lloyd

Good Morning Everyone from the
Snowy Rocky Coast of Maine. 

I was very surprised when I
woke up today to snow on the ground.

It is predicted that we will
be getting rain this afternoon,
and hopefully that will help to
clear up the streets...

Unless, of course,  the rain
just makes things worse with
ice and it becoming slippery
underneath.

Good day to stay home and play
with my newly purchased  house
plants.

Have a good day,  Everyone. 

Sandy

well  we are home from VA and Sam's club, on our way up there we saw a picture of a creation of God's. it was two bald Eagle's setting side by side. Black in color with white heads. neither of us know how to work the camera on our cell phone. so we never got a picture of them. we did up the road see a phone  man he said he knew how to he said he would go see if they were still there and if they were he would take pictures and call me tonight and see how to get them to me by email or what ever. hope he did and it works.

Lloyd

Hello my dear friends!  It's been kind of a strange day.  I was out early and did what needed done and around 10:30 was just driving into my driveway when my cell phone rang.  It was my PCP's office calling to say that they had received the report from the specialist that I saw on Monday and that they were concerned about the blood pressure reading.  They wanted me to come in to have my blood pressure read there and asked me to bring my home monitor along to compare.  Since I was already dressed for being out, I went in the house and got the monitor and went there.  The readings are down from Monday but, she thought, still a little high.  So I'm monitoring and then going back next week for another check up.  I hope it doesn't mean pills.  I'm terrible at remembering pills and I detest taking any meds internally!  I'm really going to work on getting it down naturally this week.  Wish me luck!  I really think it was mostly stress!

And then, as I was exercising this evening, my phone rang.  It was my Texas daughter and she told me that she and her daughter are semi-planning to take the cruise to Alaska sometime this summer and would I like to go along!  Now what kind of question is that?  Who wouldn't like to do that?  Just the company would make it worth the trip but the fact that I've wanted to do that trip ever since I knew Alaska was there makes it even more attractive.  What I'm wondering is...Is it too late for me?  That's a lot of travelling for an old lady!

Now I'm off to bed.  I wish you all a peaceful night's sleep and a healthy and happy day tomorrow.  And may God bless us, every one.

 JaneS I just came it to bid you all good night and sweet dreams' an there was your post about the cruse. My advice is by all means go for it. god is not going to take you home until he wants you there. and my bet he wants you to enjoy your time here for quite a while yet. If I could get Nancy to go on that cruse with you all if you would let us,and we have enough $$$$$$ in the savings I would go in a heart Beat. she has not ever Ben on a cruse. I have when I was married to Ruthie her bos sent us on a seven day cruse Hawain Islands. I would Love to take her on such trip. I am pretty sure that cruse is a round trip up and back same way,point A to B and back to A. you Have me drooling. Good night and sweet dreams.

Lloyd

I only have 8% of power left on my iPad.....so I have to post quickly.

PHYLLIS, after reading about your Bacon-Potato-Corn Chowder, I am not sure I can post tonight.....I hope it was delicious and I just wish I had a bowl of it RIGHT NOW!

JANE, of course you have to go on that cruise with your family!  This will be a wonderful trip for you that yo7 will enjoy SO MUCH.  I am sorry that the blood pressure is causing concern, but I agree it is probably cause by stress and I hope as you monitor it that you will see an improvement. 

Today is Son Mark's 46th Birthday and Baby Jonah's 14 month Birth day!  He had the day off spend time with his family. 

Can't wait to hear the results of Michele's scan tomorrow.  She goes for a MRI on Monday......thank you all for the continued prayers! 

Laptop is going to die.....good night and,pleasant dreams to all.

Jenny

Jenny prayers for good results for Michele tomorrow. Happy birthday to Mark and Jonah!

Jane, YES,what a chance of a life time. Just think of the scenery and the awesome friends you will meet.

Looks like a dance is in order in the morning ,we have about 2 inches and it is still coming down. Light fluffy snow which is easy to move..

Had my glass of milk,now back to see if I can catch more zzz/s

Another that can't sleep, thinking of the appointment with the doctor to do cataracts, worrying whether I can get enough info to him in this short visit that he will believe me about the meds problem.

Jane, I do hope you get to take that cruise and take us all with you in posts! I knew we were alike, I've also dreamed of that trip ever since knowing there was an Alaska. Had a brother that worked on the aspect of the impact of the "pipeline" and a cousin that had a trucking line to deliver goods when Alcan first constructed. I always wanted to have a camper to just "mosey" from one end to another for one whole summer. We may be too old for that kind of trip but NOT too old for the cruise! Go for it! Hope you can get the BP under control, I have had the meds & did not work for me.

Happy Birthday to Mark, Jenny, and another to baby Jonah. Love to see a recent photo of him, he looks much older than his actual months (last photo).

Amy, I'm loving your snow but ready for spring. I will have to get my hose out to water flowers & small trees soon if we don't get rain or snow soon. I woke up & listened to the 3:00 am news & now too late to go back to bed. My appointment is 9:50 & will take that long to get all fed & taken care of. My best sleep seems to be when I go back to bed but would sleep right through the morning. Bet I will get a nap this afternoon!

Sandy, what kind of house plants did you get? My mother had gorgeous ones but one was so special her Garden Club friends talked her into entering it in the MO State Fair and she won the tri-color ribbon (best of show overall). Don't know what happened to it, she probably gave it to someone else to love, it had outgrown the window where she had it. Good luck with yours. I have one that my son gave me year before last for Christmas. Must be one that doesn't need a lot of direct sun because it has survived my dark tinted storm windows. I will have to put it in a larger pot this summer, totally out of proportion, but healthy.

Lloyd, my youngest son loves cruises and goes on one every year. I had my fill just traveling from New York to England & back in the '50s, to join my husband in the Air Force. He didn't have enough rank for the government to pay a wife to join him but they couldn't stop me going as a tourist and coming back 3 years later on a troop ship when time for his discharge. Both trips were a nightmare of storms & rocking ships, largest luxury liner afloat going, but at the time it was the last trip "on the northern route". Tiny little troop ship hauling wives packed in rooms (3 women & 4 babies in my room) with men below "in the hole". The cruise to Alaska shouldn't be that rough since not crossing, but skirting the coast, right?

Good morning to all that follow. Jenny, will be checking back for Michele's report. Do you know what time she will find out?  Sincere prayers for a miracle.

Good morning everyone..

Sleep was elusive for us both Shirley. Nap and or early bed time for me later today.
We have about 4 inches of new snow to play with this morning. A job for the snow blower....I will just waltz behind it.  Will have my tea and get out there as the birds will be looking for their breakfast.

Will make this short and bbl.

Enjoy your day everyone..

Good Morning Everyfriend!  I think I know where all your lost zzzzs went last night.  They gathered on my bed and I slept better than I have in months!  Thank you all for sharing!

AMY, all that snow you got has been rain here!  We have puddles everywhere and I'm sure the creeks have risen.  And today "they" are predicting snow for about 6 hours.  I'm thinking it might be too wet and too warm to really lay.  But I do like to watch it coming down....especially since I don't have to go to work!

Like everyone else, JENNY, I'm waiting to hear Michele's news and I also wish your boys a Happy Birthday! 

Thank you to everyone who wished me well from my blood pressure dilemma.  According to the readings since I came home from the drs. office, it's down a bit but not enough.  I have a week to work on it.  Lots of singing to do.  I read that singing and humming help lower one's blood pressure.  I can do that!  Just hope no one hears me because I can't carry a tune in a bucket!

I think I'm going to work on the back room today!  I have so much stuff to toss.  And some of it will be hard to part with!  And I'm sure some it should have been chucked years ago!

You all made me lean toward cruising Alaska and I forgot who said it but it is a round trip.  And Cindy assured me that Courtney will be my company from the Baltimore airport to Seattle where we would meet up with Cindy for the rest of the trip.  And Cathy or Philip will make sure I get safely to Christy's in Maryland where Courtney will meet me to go to the airport.  Seems like they thought of all my arguments!

It's almost time for the boinger so....

I wish you all a lovely day!
Make it your own in every way!

Snow is all cleaned up and forgiveness of pup leaving out a stick of wood. Not one but two shear pins broke but I have replaced them now,ready for the next snow.

Jane, if your family doesn't want it ,do you have a Salvation Army or a Habitat for Humanity that will take it?

Have to think of something for lunch...grilled cheese and tomato soup? A nice salad? Will see what the boss wants. Dr office phoned yesterday and said some of his markers in the blood work were off.........just a wait and see with the next blood work.

Better get some work done..

Good morning everyone, I sure woke late late this morning-10:30. I was shocked when I looked at the clock. Don't have much time before my CNA gets here. Just about enough for 1 cup of coffee and my breakfast and get dressed.
Still raining here and this dampness has penetrated. to my bones.
Oops I had the time wrong-Cna is here already at 11.

Will try geting here later no promises.

Have a good day

Good Morning from the
Rocky Coast of Maine which
is suffering from a "wintry Mix"
and rain...  sounds slippery
something to stay out of ... 

Shirley.. 

I bought a number of
low lighe indoor plants that I
hope to bring along to be bigger
and better in the future.

These include Jade, Ivy, Syngonium,
Peace Lily, Golden Pathos, Big Shot
Ivy  etc. 

I understand that Goldern Pathos is suppose
to be good for the air....   but that is
disputed,  I guess..   

We shall see how I fair
with all these new plants. 

I plan on getting more.

Sandy

Good Morning from a messy-melting-snow central Oklahoma,

Cox is replacing all the t.v. boxes and a tech came yesterday to do mine.  I can now change channels by voice command. Whoopee! ??    Haven't figured out how to do anything else, yet.  Of course, instructions are now all on-line....no printed manual to consult. Grrrrr

Jane,  I also encourage you to seriously consider the Alaskan cruise.  A friend and I went on a combination cruise/land tour...goodness, can't believe it was 16 years ago.  We cruised from Seattle up the Inland Passage and then went by Coach (bus with a bathroom  ) on an inland tour.  So we didn't see as much of the coastline as I suspect you will but loved everything we did see.

I take 3 meds for high blood pressure (thank you, Mother, for passing along that tendency!) and my "normal" is still 20 points above what "the experts" say it should be.  Doctor who replaced the one who retired is trying to get it lower because of possible kidney problems (never have had issues with that) but I'm not sure I agree with doubling the dosage of one med, as he did a couple of weeks ago. I'm still taking the old prescription and trying to convince myself to try the new one.

Sandy, I know you're enjoying your house plants.  I'm like my Aunt Esther who used to say she didn't have a green thumb; hers was just dirty. 

Shirley,  hope you can get your med problem sorted out so you can have the cataract surgery.  You'll be amazed at the difference in your vision.

Gloria,  I'd prefer having someone show up at my convenience - which would be "after lunch".  I tell my "early to bed/early to rise" friends I get the same amount of things done they do during the day - I just start and end later.

Amy,  I start humming  "The Skater's Waltz" every time you mention dancing with outdoor tools. 

Off to see if I can learn more about this new t.v. remote.  May have to take that new b/p pill today.

Wishing Everyfriend Everywhere an Enjoyable Day. 

I was just getting ready to post and every thing I typed disappeared, even doing the undo the notepad was blank.

CALLIE  I hope the update and new Cox box does not give you trouble.. I have had nothing but trouble since it was installed here 3 months ago. They do an update every week during the night and at times  I have had no email comin‌g in or going out at times. I called and they want me to disconnect this ot that and I keep telling them I cannot do it. I cannot move the TV table from the wall and I cannot pull the cord out. Same with the computer desk, cannot move that either. I do not like having to change the volumn when I change channel. I used to have it set on ome nuber on the remote and never changed it, now have to channge it every time I changs channel. Keep forgetting contour will change the channel.

JANE go on that cruise and enjoy. While the ship is sailing you do not have to do much.

Have a good rest of the day.

Jane:  Let me know if the ship docks in Sitka, Alaska. We took a month off from work (month of July) and volunteered while house-sitting and greeting travelers years ago.

Yesterday,at dusk, a herd of about 20 javelinas roamed the back yard here and it was dangerous because people were walking in the area.  Enough excitement. They are protected - humans are not!

Jenny:  Thinking of you and the family.

Janet:  Happy to see the Chief's (Kansas) win the Super Bowl.

We have had so much company this year, I took several naps after a few days of running around.  Everyone likes to come to Tucson in the winter.  It is so much fun and the last friends came from the Portland, OR area just to see us-they are special. More cousins are waiting for their annual visit and they want it warm enough to sit on the patio. That is the reason they travel from north of Seattle. 

Gloria:  I hope you find someone to help with the service - Cox  needs to know about your predicament.

Callie: Forcing myself to walk daily keeps my BP down.  It doesn't take much time - even 15 or 20 minutes seems to help. Doing housework doesn't seem to do enough - drats!

Carol,  the first diagnosis of  my high blood pressure was "it's the safety valve on your pressure cooker" (this was in 1959 - a year after I married. Hmmm?  )  Since then, it's always been about 20 points higher than is "recommended" and I've never had any issues. Former doctor just accepted that but he retired and the younger one who's replaced him has yet to be convinced. We shall see.

Your time in Tucson sounds like our life in Leadville. One summer, we had 85 guests between Memorial Day and Labor Day.  Fortunately, not all of them spent the night but I finally got brochures from the Chamber of Commerce and told youngest son not to fuss when I said he needed a nap and company would have to sight-see on their own.  Also taught both boys not to say "Are we having that AGAIN?" when the same dinner was served more often than they liked. 
Loved seeing them all but it was tiring.

Friends in Denver said that, the first year they lived there, they would come home from work almost every Friday and find someone parked in their driveway.

Guess that goes with living in a favorite spot to visit.

Gloria,  new box is just for my t.v.  Nothing new on computer.  Cox does mess things up more often than I'd like but, so far, I've only needed to be patient.
I did find and print out directions for watching programs I'd already recorded and also how to get Netflix with Contour 2 (new for t.v.).  Haven't tried either, yet, but am liking the voice thing.  Hold down the blue button and when the word "Listening" shows on screen, say the network or channel you want....and Voila!...there it is.

Need to get Miss Ellen's birthday card in the mail so it will go out tomorrow.  Can't believe she'll be 27 "already"!! 



 

Friday once again.....and it is a cold, dreary and very snowy day. 

I do not know any details, as Dave just texted, "Back to chemo starting next week. 😢. I'll call later." 😢

We are heartbroken......  I know Dave will call when he can, but he has so much on his plate, and we just have to be patient😩😩

The children are home today as school was canceled.  It is really bad out.  The last I heard Dave had over a foot of snow and that was hours ago.  We have nearly 10inches and it is still coming down. 

I thank you ALL for your continued support..... I am just so very sad that a good report was not what Michele had.  She has a MRI this coming Monday and we can only hope and pray that she might get a good report on that🙏🙏🙏

AMY, I agree with your graphic today for sure.....SO HAPPY to be able to stay inside!  I am sorry there is concern over Kyle's markers on his blood work.  I do hope it means nothing, but I know it is concerning for you. 

JANE, I am a hummer and a singer and I am the first to admit I do not know what I would do without music......it is definitely a calmer downer for me....so keep on singing to the top of your lungs and get that blood pressure down! 

I wish you all a good rest of your day.

Jenny

Phyliss, did you put the Bacon,Potato, Corn Chowder recipe in the recipe forum? Sounds awesome.

I'm so sorry about Michele's report (or Dave's)... Not what we prayed for, but maybe better days ahead, I'll keep praying. Been checking Monarch Pass cam & it's been nearly a white-out all day.

Not thrilled with my first discussion with the eye people, kept getting driven down the slaughter house in speed mode with nobody wanting to listen to MY concerns about what meds they will be using. I signed all the papers put in front of me but may walk out if they don't listen when the day comes (Feb.25) for the first surgery. How many ways can you ask "what do you use, what will be going INTO my body???" My eyes are just now getting better after the drops they put in to dilate, nearly 6 hours to come out of it.

Been giggling about all you singers.... I've got old music ('40s-'50s) on & go dancing through the house, lots of the time. I could carry a tune in grade school but never in any choir (drums in band). When the members sing in church, I mouth the words unless someone is near that has a strong alto voice I can latch onto. I can get off key very easy. One old Priest we had wanted everyone to sing, even off tune. He said "if anyone gives you a dirty look, just look them in the eye and say, "GOD GAVE ME THIS VOICE!" When Andy was in high school the music teacher told me that he had "perfect pitch", even though he didn't have time for music classes. he was asked to play the lead in a couple of the musicals. That's where MY voice went!   

Happy Birthday to Miss Ellen, Callie. Got all cloudy while ago & thought we had a freak storm moving in, cleared off & sun shine again.

Fitbit tells me I had less than 4 hours sleep last night, must have looked at it wrong this morning. I am so sleepy I can't keep my eyes open. Tom & Tiger came in to eat but Callie stayed out. I offered them ground roast been like I use for making spread along with some of the canned white meat chicken. All 3 turned up their noses! They have bowls of dry "INdoor Delights" all around the house and will get their cans of Friskies yet tonight. I'm not going to offer them something different Got to have a nap.

Hugs to all..........Shirley

AMY I to also love your post of the outdoors make you enjoy the indoors.
thanks for the post of it. it is 24º and clear now and predicting a high of 43º and sunny today. I could enjoy a week or two of that and then turn off pretty. until spring weather. have a great day as you like it.

Lloyd

Good morning everyone, hope I have better luck typing here today.

CAROL  when my in-laws had a summer home on the ocean in Maine they were like you with company coming to stay. They went there to enjoy the coolness of being at the ocean. I have called Cox a couple of times, still the same. They need to send someone here to do what they want and I am not paying $50 for that.

CALLIE  TV, computer and phone are on Cox. This building it wired for Cox and we cannot change. We would all like to kick Cox out but company does what it wants. I use contour when I think about it.

JENNY  would love to be there with the snow, I am so tired of rain and the dampness. Sorrt to read the news about Michele, prayers will continue.

SHIRLEY  it takes hours to see right after a eye exam and the drops, every thing is blurry after  for several hours.

Gosh no one else here yet, guess I woke early again, better than the 10:30 yesterday.

LLLOYD  hope you are feeling great today.

Havea good day.

Good morning everyone..

Not going to do a lot out side today tis -28°F at the moment...but it is sunny

Laundry  and chase dust bunnies and make a pot of soup..Still need to purge but it will happen...sometime. Om my can hear the house/ground cracking.

Callie, we use to go to the arena to skate and that is one of the songs they play. Most of the time we skated on the neighbourhood rink with no music..Happy birthday to Miss Ellie

Gloria, I will send you some snow.this is the first weekend in a month that we haven't had to deal with snow. Maybe I should be careful as it could change!

Lloyd, I used to love winter.....now I love hugging the cookstove. I do think it is beautiful after a fresh snow has graced the trees..

Jane, did you get done what you wanted to do yesterday?

Sandy what colour is your Peace Lily? I think they are such a beautiful flower.

Joy and Phyliss, hope you are both having a better day.

Carol, are you allowed to shoot one if it attacks you?

I slept in and need to put an egg in my boot and beat it.

Enjoy your day everyone..

Good Morning Everyfriend!  We got the snow they predicted but only in the air.  It didn't lay on the ground at all.  Today is to be a bit cloudy and then later in the week they are predicting 2 days of snow.  We shall see.  The temp right now is 27 heading for a high of 39.

LLOYD, you said the same thing my dad used to say.  We would get a nice day in January or February and he'd say, "I wouldn't mind if it would just stay like this until Spring!"  I think of him every time we get one of those days in winter.

I have an errand to do today and it's supposed to be cloudy.  That's my kind of driving day! 

GLORIA, if I lived closer to you, I'd come over and crawl around on the floor and check out your wires.  I can still do that...thanks to having little dogs, I think. 

Yesterday was a total loss as far as getting anything done.  I just couldn't get started.  I guess that's OK once in a while but I'd sure not like it be permanent!

Mickie and I are waiting for the boinger for breakfast and then we'll take our first walk of the day. 

I wish you all a lovely day!
Make it your own in every way!

And hop in here to share it with all of us!

I REALLY NEED A NEW KEYBOARD!

P.S.  AMY, see my note regarding yesterday's progress!  Zilch!  Maybe I needed an egg in my boot!

Jane, you are allowed more of these days....you work too hard so enjoy a day off....maybe more 

Got my geemogotchies on and taking Kyle out for coffee. Laundry has started and I am not sure if it will be hung on line, will see when we get back.

Tome, I didn't put the chowder recipe into the S&F Recipe section but here is a link to the Taste of Home Recipe that I used.  I only changed it in that I added some chopped carrots for color and extra nutrition, substituted frozen corn for canned, and cooked it in the Instant Pot.  Top of the stove would be just as easy, I think.  We finished it off for lunch yesterday and like most soups it only gets better when reheated.

https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/bacon-potato-corn-chowder/

We had terrible storms here on Thursday.  We had one medium size limb hit the deck during very high winds.  It didn't do any damage but it made me jump a mile!  Trees are down all over the area and many homes are damaged.  Lots of clean-up from wind damage and flooding.  But, thank goodness, today the sun is shining brightly.  However, it is cold again.  Brrrrr!

Jenny, I'm so sorry about Michelle.  My heart is heavy.

Jane, the Alaska trip must be your decision but I think if you don't go you will regret it.  Your family will be with you to help you if things get a little difficult along the way.  And, they say it is a beautiful trip.

Take care, All.

Phyllis, thank you have printed this off to try. I have also used this one with great results.

https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/cheesy-ham-chowder/