Thanks, Amy, now I can go to work without a look of wonder on my face.  I'm off to WW.  As Callie says CUL8R!

Gloria and any others, the accident was on I-96 between Lansing and Detroit near Fowlerville.  Three people died and 11 were injured.  I never saw such a mess as some of the cars being jammed together between semis.  I think I-96 is open now but it was closed for some time.  I live near I-96 in Grand Rapids as it goes across the state.

Mary Ann

Good Morning everyone! I slept in this Morning used all the water in my breathing machine,woke up to a scorching smell in it the hot plate in it was getting dry and warm. have a great day everyone.

Lloyd

Mary Ann--Good morning.  I saw a small segment on the National news about that horrible accident.

Good morning, Lloyd.  Seems that apparatus should have some kind of warning sound when it goes dry.

Hi everyone.  We had a sunny and cold 30 degree morning here but now up in the mid-40's and will stay there today.  I just got back from getting a haircut this morning as was beginning to look like the shaggy dog.  Other than that I expect to stay home today and have no big projects to work on but several small things.  Yesterday was a pretty busy day as usual with Pat's monthly chiropractic appointment at 4 pm, which I had forgotten about but fortunately she hadn't.  I did watch the Kansas City Chiefs beat the Oakland Raiders last evening and then had a good 8 hours of sleep. 

Joan, my Blue Cross and Blue Shield health insurance pays for the Part B costs, except for my co-pay, which is 15% of the BC/BS allowed amount.  I try to be very careful to use Preferred providers.  If I had part B I probably wouldn't have any out-of-pocket co-pays but would have the monthly cost of Part B for both of us and we can cover a lot of small co-pays for what that premium would be. I am most hopeful that this next year our medical expenses will go down some as our CPAP machines are now paid for and it will only our share of the cost for our supplies for them .  However, we will take whatever comes as can't predict the future. 

Gloria, being in a handicapped equipped apartment I am surprised the cabinets are so high.  Stacey had the same problem and we got her a stool but I don't think she was able to use it, especially when she had to be in the wheelchair. 

Hal, sorry to read you have come down with a cold. 

Mary Ann, doing the postings in bold black and a larger font is just a matter of acquiring a new habit. I put the code into a word document that I keep open in the task bar and it saves the coding each day as I start to write.  I am glad this is helpful to you.

Joy, glad to see your Kindle problem was resolved.  Obviously you are not the only person to experience the problems you had. 

JaneS, I bet Kiran will love being able to help you decorate.   

Larry--I just stepped out on the porch to see what the temp was presently, and it's 55°.  For here that cold for midday.  Thanks for explaining how your insurance works.  One way or the other it seems we have some to pay.

Looks like I didn't get in to say goodnight to all of you, and I am sorry…I guess I was more tired than I thought.

Hal I'm sorry to read that you may have a full blown cold coming on. Don't treat it lightly like most of you males tend to do, seek medical help when needed, O.K. I tend to agree with LLoyd, if it is "just" a simple cold, the honey, lemon, and bourbon is good medicine, but I prefer to add it to a hot cup of tea, clears out the nasal pipes, and even if it doesn't help, you really don't care.

Jenny, with the cold weather you are getting, home is the place to be. Nice thing about freezing temps…it kills a lot of germs, right ?

Bis, I heartily agree with the thought of the day. Actually releasing ones Self to the One who created us……our Father…..we cease to be afraid or lonely or worried.

Gloria, when we were young, we didn't worry about the future at all…we were either too busy, having too much fun, or just didn't care about being old….now we are there, we are enjoying our memories, hoping for a tomorrow, and accepting what IS. Right

Since others find it easier to read the bold print, I will try to remember to follow suit, it is easy enough to do.

My housekeeper will be coming back to finish her weekly chores in my place, so I will depart soon. Have a happy day all……

June--I have a hard time getting rid of worries, but try to remember to put them in the trash.  Will you nap after the housekeeper leaves?

I'm home and it was super busy again.  I'm weary and my foot hurts.  And that's all the complaining I'm going to do.  However, I am going to answer the call of the couch and let the zzzs take over for a bit.  I woke up way to early this morning.  I had a cramp in my foot and I kept trying other positions to ease and finally I wondered aloud why I didn't just get up and forget about the stupid cramp.  So I got up...at about 5:15.  Boy, was I ready for work early! 

I don't remember if I reported that I made the peanuts last night.  No chocolate, just plain, homemade, oven roasted peanuts for all the guys in the family!  I put some of the leftovers in the hidey hole.  Have a snack if you've a mind to.  In the words of Gen. Douglas MacArthur, "I shall return!"

Janie--I can empathize with you about the cramps.  A few nights ago I woke up with terrible cramps in both feet and both legs.  I hobbled to the kitchen and got a glass of Gatorade.  That didn't help.  After about two hours the cramps ceased.  I am going to the "hidey hole" and get some peanuts.  Thank you.

Gene's solution to leg/foot cramps was to stand on a cold floor.  It helps - if you can find a cold floor to stand on.   

Jeanne Lee--My three bedrooms are carpeted but the rest of the house is tile with area carpet.  The kitchen where I was standing to drink the Gatorade is all tile--and it's cold--but that didn't seem to help me.

The hardest part when one has leg cramp in bed is getting that leg out and onto the floor but, it does work, even on carpet, just touching your toes, well if you can reach your foot lower is better....the flatter the better...and it works instantly...I have often done that without getting out of bed, even keeping my eyes shut then going back to sleep.....The art is, the quicker you do it, the quicker the cramp goes....well it has never failed me yet...touch wood...

Vanilla-Jackie--I am so very glad that works for you.

For years I have had severe leg cramps usually but not always right above the knee. I have  awakened out of a deep sleep with a cramp and I need to quickly shake my leg or I am frozen in pain for the duration of the cramp.

The quick movement or shake seems to work for me. I would never be able to move about with one of these cramps.

My other solution is to point my feet up, bending them up  from the ankle.  When the cramp is like a knotted muscle that seems to "untie" the knot.  These ideas all depend, of course, on what kind of cramp we're having.  Nothing works the same for everyone.     It's interesting to see all the different treatments.

Good Afternoon,

Sorry, no cookies in the hidey-hole.     Not sure what I did wrong - but they were a Total Disaster! I accidentally dropped one and I'd swear it bounced!
I was baking them for a neighborhood Christmas Home Tour tomorrow evening - so am substituting an equal amount of MW candy pieces.  Almost had enough made - have made more to be dipped in chocolate. after they've chilled or before bedtime - whichever Round Tuit I find first.   

I sometimes wake up with a very painful cramp in the calves of my legs.  Standing up and pushing my heels down on the floor really hard  gets rid of it.

Hope Everyfriend Everywhere is having an Enjoyable Day.

Callie, when I worked as a tour guide at the Great Alaska Bowl Co., we used to give out "round toits" to the tours. They were 7X7 paper birch rounds with around toit lasered in a circular pattern in black or red around the saw cut edges

Hello again, Everyfriend!  Thanks for all the input on cramps.  I'm a real fan of Gatorade for severe leg cramps.  it usually works for me.  In this case, all it took was some walking around on the foot.  I've used Gatorade since my 24 year old grandson was 12.  He's the one who got me started.  I had a leg cramp at their house bad enough to make me stand up from the table.  Without missing a bite he said "Give her some Gatorade".  I've kept Gatorade in the house ever since.

I did sleep...longer than I thought I would and then I got up, went down the hall and came back and let the doggies out, sat down in the recliner and napped a bit more.  I guess I was more tired than I thought. 

Before I went to sleep, I put some chicken noodle soup on to simmer.  The chicken and broth were already cooked and I added some veggies and some noodles and set it to simmer.  It's ready for supper and I'm going to go eat some now.  Enjoy your evening Everyfriend.

angelface--Guess different things work for cramps in various parts of the body.

Jeanne Lee--I've tried pointing my feet up but when the cramps are also in my whole leg, that doesn't work for me.

Callie--Sorry the cookies were such a disaster.  Your cramp relief doesn't work for me because they are in my entire legs and feet.

Janie--Unfortunately Gatorade didn't work for me this time.  It has helped on other occasions.  You needed that sleep.  Your chicken soup sounds good for a cold day.

Chicken Soup was delicious and so easy to do when the chicken and broth are already done.  We had a few snowflakes this evening...not enough to do anything except leave some ice on the car windshield.  I went out and put the car in for the night.  I hope it doesn't snow any more because I'm planning to finish my Christmas shopping tomorrow and I won't do it in snow. 

I have one small chore to do tonight before I go to bed.  I have Christmas Carols playing right now.  Sounds very peaceful. 

For some leg cramps can be eased by regularly  taking one tum 3 x  a week.. RX from my Mayo Clinic Dr in Rochester, MN

Mycheal

Just coming in to say Good Night, it is after 9. on a cold windy night.
It was a long day, first Homemakers, where we made potatoes pancakes, and had them with apple scauce  Then in the afternoon PT, the trainer said I could go for shots again, hip surgery, or come back there for more work outs.

Gloria I have dry eye, and the eye doctor told me to use drops 4 times a day. We may have snow snow Sunday. Monday I go to the heart doc.

I'm not sure I went back far enough to catch all the posts.... I also woke up with screaming leg cramps in both legs, that doesn't happen often for me.... the last couple nights.  I rubbed & patted & wiggled but the calves were hard as brick until I gave up & went to the kitchen to get something to eat.  Food is the cure for everything for me.  Time I start hitting the vitamins again, been depending on Tums to give me enough calcium but guess my body is wanting more. 

Mycheal, I've been taking 1,000 mg Tums every night but when I start getting the leg cramps I switch to my Puritan's Pride Bone meal + extra A & D... and Fergon iron & then the Pantothenic & B-1.  I can take that just a couple days & back to the Tums for months.  I am concerned about taking too much iron but the bone meal doesn't work without the iron & vice versa.  Pantothenic is an enzyme (B-5) & the B-1 fends off my allergies & shingles.  Works for me, I just wait until my body gives the signal & I do pay attention!

Linedancer, I'm dying to know what recipe you used for the potato pancakes.... my mother used to make them & I've never come up with anything that tastes quite like them. 

Sorry I have been so absent minded lately, have had tons of to-dos to get everything ready for the hard freeze that we are in right now.  My neighbor buddy had a shocking diagnosis last week and started radiation every day for the next 5 weeks.  I've been so worried about her, no appetite and you know how I love to feed people and critters, she comes in here to check up on everyone so please say a prayer for Sylvia and tell her she needs to eat!!!  Seriously, she is handling this like a trooper & is eating enough to nourish, just not my food. 

I also had a high school cheerleading friend tell me this week that the doctors discovered he has an aggressive type of dementia with a 6 month time limit.  Lots of tests & no prior warning.  He checked himself into a memory unit the day after I talked to him, asked me to call him again in a couple days when he got settled, that he would have his phone.  When I called, his daughter answered.... she said he changed almost over night & the phone was frustrating him so she took it with her (lives in another town).  She asked me to tell all of our friends because "he remembered the old days but not what he said or did a couple hours ago".  We have a lot of our class on an e-mail list but I also called some.  The daughter gave me the name & phone # of the lady in charge of his unit, so I called to ask her if it would upset or be okay to ask everyone to send him a Christmas card to let him know we cared.  She thought it was a good idea. 

So now I really have to get busy & put up all my Christmas decorations & tree, I'll post a photo when I get done.  I have bags & bags of "fun size" candy to hang on the tree.  The kids are impressed with all that candy (I get what I like since I know there will be lots of left overs.... I put more on as it is taken off).  I bought some beautiful ornaments for the great-grands & ordered from Amazon the white pens to put their names & date... & from Great Grammy, in hopes they will save until they are old.  The grands got gift cards & my kids & spouses got cash.  But I'm thinking about doing some more shopping to surprise them.  I know I'm lucky to have such a big family and never know if things will change tomorrow, so enjoy the day! 

And now I'd better go check on cats.  I think they are all inside but about time for their "midnight snack"... and mine.  Can't believe this is a week end again!  Sweet dreams to all.  Hal, take care of that cold, my daughter & a bunch of the family caught a bug during the Thanksgiving gathering.... daughter is still fighting after a couple rounds of antibiotics.  I'm a believer in hot salt water gargle but my mother used vinegar & honey, spoon full of each. 

I'm rambling so will say, "Good Night & God Bless".... Shirley

Leg Cramps.....I have been fascinated by the variety of how you have used various methods to help yourselves. Leg cramps for me are a way of life, but I know the reason for them. My legs do not get enough oxygen due to my clogged arteries. The blood carries oxygen to our bodies, hence the cramps. Massage helps me, walking the floor in the middle of the night, and when I want to groan and screech, I pray. God does hear, and He does help me. Some may say it is just coincidence, or I am imagining the lessening of pain. I'm not that strong minded, believe me. It is an answer to prayer.

It's been a busy day but I retired by late afternoon. I had forgotten we were to sing at the giving of bonus checks for the employees today, but it seems to have gone quite well, in spite of my forgetting to dress Christmassy, and forgot my song book at home. Fortunately I was far from being the only one...so we were given more song books, and I was not the only one not wearing something red or green.

I am sure most of you are already tucked in for the night, so I will say a quiet Good Night and God Bless you. June.

Good Saturday morning, Everyfriend.   There's your choice of hot or cold cereal and a fruit to accompany your coffee or tea. I wish everyone a good day!!





Good Vocabulary

Stressing the importance of a good vocabulary, the teacher told her young charges, "Use a word ten times, and it shall be yours for life."

From somewhere in the back of the room, came a small male voice chanting, "Amanda, Amanda, Amanda, Amanda, Amanda, Amanda, Amanda, Amanda, Amanda, Amanda."



The Challenge of a Little Boy's Lunch
(By Rev. Eric McGrath)


    This Sunday we are beginning a new feature during our morning services called Children's Corner. I will be sharing a children's story with a biblical truth tucked away in it.
    This Sunday we are hearing a 1st person account of the little lad who gave his lunch to the Saviour. His concluding remark is: "Just think - if he can make so much of my lunch, what will he do with my life?"
    Have you ever stopped to think about that? I have to confess it stopped me where I was to reflect on it's impact. What if I gave my life to the Saviour, what could He do with it?
    Maybe like me, your first thought is - but I am giving my whole life! But when we step back from that for a moment and evaluate it, are we really? Does God really have all of our life or just parts of it?
    Am I really sold out to God? Am I truly seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousnesses, and allowing Him to add all of the other things to my life?
    The challenge of a little boy's lunch - how will you and I respond?

Lovingly,
Pastor McGrath



"We believe that the time has come for doing more fully what He has commanded us; and by His grace we intend to do it. Not to try, for we see no Scriptural authority for trying. Try is a word constantly in the mouth of unbelievers, . . . far too often taken up by believers. In our experience, ‘to try’ has usually meant ‘to fail’. (The Lord’s) command is not ‘Do your best,’ but ‘DO IT’."

- James Hudson Taylor

Good morning everyone.

Weather guesser said snow today,Sun and Mon.......sure hope not Mon as we are off to the hospital in the city for hubby's PICC line.

Laundry day today, a trip to the dump and then later today we will go check out a craft show.

Joan, thank you for breakfast.

Enjoy your day everyone..

Good morning, Amy.  I sure hope you have no snow Monday when you have to go to have your husband's PICC put in.  You have a pretty busy day ahead.

I'm up and attem this morning!  Well, I'm up anyway!  I'll be getting attem soon.  I had a very interesting email this morning.  Kiran's mom told me that she had been expresing an interest in rocks, etc on some of their recent camping trips and that might be something to consider for Christmas.  I started looking and I was overwhelmed!  Then I had a thought and I googled the geology department at Bucknell and picked out one of the professors and sent her an email outlining my dilemma and asked if she had time to advise me on something that might help to pique the interest of a 10 year old.  Not only did she answer with a very good suggestion and a clickable where to look for it but she invited Kiran to visit the department and she would show her around!  My day began great! 

Cathy and I are going shopping and, hopefully, I'll finish my local shopping today.  Now I have to feed the doggies and get dressed.  Annie is telling me it's time in no uncertain terms.

Make today a good one.

Good morning, Janie.  Great that Kiran is interested in Rocks.  And what a nice professor to answer your email with suggestions and invite Kiran to her department to look around.  Yes, I would say you hit "gold" on this one.