Joanie, include me among those offering prayers for your well-being!  I don't say much...I just do it!  I care...for all my friends here...but we all know how special you have become to us.

Hall you seam to have forgot I have batched off and on a few years in my life
also I make a good meal for Nancy every now and then also. I bet I can eat very well with out going and visiting a neighbor at meal time. HA HA HA
have a great rest of the day.

Lloyd

Hal, my son Gary is using the book of Daniel in his lessons to us every other week. I find it fascinating…way back then we had warnings of what life is like now.

My day wasn't a complete waste. I typed up a three page letter to a friend back in Hemet. Didn't get it mailed though. After lunch I had to scoot over to Choir practice, and from there to Balance and Mobility. On to the library and then dragged myself home, where I decided I would stay for the rest of the day. I had hoped to go down for a Prayer meeting tonight, but no way......I am in my p.j.'s and at home for the rest of this day and night. Had a big lunch, so for supper at home I ate a handful of cheese crackers and had a vanilla Ensure. Now I am going back to bed and book.

Bis, more prayers are being said. You know better than anyone what you need to do, and God will be near you all the way. Just hold His hand my dear one.

Have a good night everyone. Hugs, Love and more prayers for all.

Good night Everyfriend and may God bless us, every one.

Hal, I used to make cheese enchiladas with green & red chili, a recipe for the green chili from a good friend that was raised by her Mexican gr-mother.  Everyone loved them but was a full 2 day job of cooking both chilies & then hot sauce & next day cutting up the lettuce, onions  & tomatoes to go over the top (little sour cream on top), filling the corn tortillas (have to heat them so they roll & not break) with cheese, topping with both chilies & baking .  I love 'em but not enough to make them anymore.  Wish we had a good place to find them here.  I got my refund (taxes) from the state already & the Feds cashed the check I sent them (twice more than the refund). 

Linedancer, I'm glad to hear your gr-son is doing so well, one special kid & his mother that didn't give up hope!  I have a feeling he got some of your "get up & go" genes!

Thank you for the good wishes, Amy, if I didn't get in to tell you how relieved I was that your pup did good.... I am still giggling at your "picture it" out with your umbrella & nightgown that night.... I did thank God for watching over all of you. 

Did I tell y'all that the man that "restored" my Yamaha Chappy brought her home this week.... so today #1 son stopped by to check it out because I complained it was smoking.  I had to get it up to 30mph to heat up enough (okay, don't really know why), but it quit smoking.  We discussed how to haul it on the back of the RV, he doesn't think the carrier I'm looking at online has a long enough ramp for ME to be able to load & unload.  I called & no way to add length & have not found another type that will work.  Since both sons will be on the trip to CO they can load & unload, but I want one I can handle for when I go alone.  Be nice to have one that has push button to lower like for scooters but haven't found one that works for an RV.  No guarantee how many times or how long I can ride it so was thinking in terms of one that would work for a scooter behind a car, when I can't ride the cycle & drive the RV. 

Joan, so sorry you are dealing with health problems, especially with so many different germs being shared.  I've been overly careful about wiping my hands & carts at the store & again when I get back to the car, I know my immune system is way down after a month of the flu.  I know you do your best to keep going but we will all say extra prayers IF WE KNOW.  Okay?  Hugs to you.

Joy, hope those trees don't fall, we had a tall old pine when we lived in the Kansas City area of Leawood... that had to come out because of a storm just 23 days after we moved in.  Had over an acre of land in the heart of KC with lots of trees that broke off or fell, looked like a war zone.  Lucky for us no house damage.  BUT, a branch broke off a tall sycamore tree 3 houses west of us one year, fell on the power lines & we had no electricity for 8 days, ice storm.  Stay safe, wind has been bad here still today & know it all moves east.  I've been watching for a quiet day to water the yard, so windy the water flies off into the air.

Larry, my cardiologist never told me pain wasn't good for the heart, got an idea he figured I wouldn't listen.  Had a 1:00 pm appointment with him Tuesday & went to the office several times to see why they hadn't called my name since I had the first appointment for the day... and knew for a fact they took the lady I sat next to in that had the 2:00 appointment before me..... I finally got in about 3:00 something & told the Dr that "I was about to order pizza for everyone & send the bill to him".  He is a good guy, liked my husband & just gives me a hug & trusts that I will do what is necessary... thinks I'm the healthiest old lady he sees.  He still comments about doing the heart cath without anything for pain.... but I said okay for BP med when the BP went off the chart after it was over.  So far my feet & hands don't swell so no restrictions about liquids.  Cas measured every ounce of liquid & poured into a huge bottle the same amount of water so he would know if he was drinking too much. 

Better stop & give the eyes a rest.  Allergies are so bad so will be a long summer since mine go the full season.  I cut off some BLOOMING forsythia today, can't believe it.  Another neighbor has the most gorgeous big patch of narcissus blooming, and when driving down the street the trees have that green haze all over, just ready to leaf out.  The Bradford & Cleveland pear trees are showing buds with a pinkish white.  Sure hope we don't get a heavy snow or they will all lose branches. 

Sweet dreams to all, hope tomorrow will be happy for all of you. Shirley

Tesie you need to buy or rent a little farm buy a few cattle and will get all back.
but not sure it will balance out. or maybe a bulldozer? HA HA HA .
also out of pocket medical helps. but you never have any jingle in your pockets'
I bet you do have.

Lloyd> back to bed for me as soon as i get another swallow of water.

sweet dreams.
\
Lloyd

Good Friday morning, Everyfriend.   There's assorted mini muffins to accompany your coffee or tea. Make it a good day!!





Soccer Refereeing

One of the AYSO soccer coaches didn't care much for my refereeing and had no problem letting me know it. Fed up, I politely threatened him with a send-off if he didn't can it. He calmed down, but an older woman took up where he'd left off. "You'd better control your sideline," I warned the coach.

The coach turned to the woman and barked, "Knock it off, Mom!"


Dinner With Sinners...Guard Your Heart
(by John Coody)


"And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to His disciples, 'Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?' When Jesus heard that, He said to them, 'Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick do. But go and learn what this means: I desire mercy and not sacrifice. For I did not come to call the righteous to repentance, but sinners, to repentance.'" (Matthew 9:11-14)

we are to demonstrate to those trapped in sin that we care for them, that Jesus loves them and that He has something much better in store for them than what they are getting. [At the same time], we also must not engage in sinful activity with them and we must guard our own hearts and minds so that we will not fall ourselves.

One Saturday night, Tom [a friend] wanted to go and watch a movie. I did too, but I wanted to see something that he felt that we had no business seeing. The College handbook stated that students were not to view R-rated movies. I thought the movie would be funny. He felt that it could cause the whole group to stumble by watching it. Tom never refused to be a friend. He did refuse to join me in sin or to sit idly by and watch me destroy my mind with sin.

Some of you are probably saying, "Hold on buddy, big deal, you wanted to watch a questionable movie." Tom knew a basic fact that I have since learned. Just as a blazing fire begins with a small spark, sin begins with a simple thought. As one professor often said, "sin always takes you further than you ever wanted to go, keeps you longer than you wanted to stay, and costs you more than you could ever afford to pay."

I encourage each of you to show Christ's love to everyone. Love those who are in sin enough to demonstrate what authentic Christianity is with your life. At the same time, guard your own heart as well.


Most sins are habit forming.

--Author Unknown

Good Morning Everyfriend!  I slept better last night than I have in a long time.  When the alarm went off, I was suprised to find that the sun was beginning to peep over the horizon.

I did something yesterday that I never thought I ever do.  I called my car insurance guys office to try to find out why my insurance was going up a significant amount without any word from the company.  I didn't like what the agent told me so I asked my son who he uses and I called them for a quote.  She gave me the quote over the phone and it's significantly less than what I was paying.  She's sending me the paper work to look at and if I like that, I'm switching.  My current agent is one I trusted for many years because he is the only one who would give me reasonable insurance when I found myself "suddenly single" some years ago.  But I think I'll be leaving him.  And her quote didn't include the discount for "55 Alive" because I couldn't find the certificate.  I'm going to go ahead and renew on line and that will give me that discount.

Joanie, I hope today finds you feeling better.  If it doesn't, you know what to do!  Don't hesitate!

Good morning everyone.
Another chilly day here -20 C at the moment. 

Jane, that is what happened with the insurance company that we had dealt with for many years...each year it would go up with no explanation so I called them and got voice mail. They didn't bother calling back so we went looking, found one here in town and cheaper!! The original company emailed to find out why we switched and I said you didn't return a call.that was all you had to do.

Shirley, yes you did and thank you. She is coming along fine and must be healing as she is trying to scratch it.I won't put her through another operation for it so I hope the vet got it all.

Going to dance to day with the mop and wash floors ,get that job out of the way. Started another quilt last night ,so I may work on that too.

Lloyd, you take it easy and don't over do it.

Joan, I do hope you feel a lot better today but..if not.....then as much as we would miss you I think a trip to the hospital to get everything back in order might be the right call. Thank you for breakfast too!!!

Hal, what we won't do for our furkids!! They gives us so much love for the short time they are here.

Jenny, have fun with the pup.bet he is a ball of energy!!

June, you are amazing in all you do.A great roll model for others to follow!!

Mary Ann, I could share some snow with you.

Junee, so nice to see you....please push some warm weather this way.


Larry, son will be going through your State today I think, he is hauling a rock truck. Glad your pacemaker is working proper,my friend is on her 4th and I met a lady that is on her 10th one!!!

Gloria, I sure hope you don't get snow. Now is the time we want good weather with heat from the sun and seeing green grass.

Joy, we also had that wind yesterday and I glad when it died down. I did hear where some folks lost their power, likely a tree on the line.

Enjoy your day everyone.

Good Friday afternoon...

JOAN...
..dont think you need me to remind you...when it comes to our health, best not to take chances...

JANE S...
...that is what they always advise us to do...see what other car insurances are available that give us the same requirements as the one we have been using but offer it far cheaper...the only downsides to watch out for is...what they offer for the first year is not necessarily what they will offer when you come to renew your policy next year, it is usually higher...so you may need once more to shop around..although they will do their best not to lose you...

Good morning, Janie.  I, too, slept longer than usual.  Maybe it''s the medicine I am taking?  I never understand why, with no accidents or violations and the car getting older, my insurance goes up.

Amy--Good morning.  Guess I should call around and get quotes from other companies.  Glad to hear your sweet dog is doing well.

Vanilla-Jackie--Good morning (afternoon there).  I'm feeling a tiny bit better today--it's slow going.

I'm off to Wally World this morning.  Wish me smiles!

Jackie, if I understood her correctly (we'll see when the paper work comes) I'm locked in at this price for 2 years.  And at 82 now, I might not be driving by then...heck, I might not even be here by then. 

JANE S...

...you are not daft, you have safeguarded yourself for the next couple of years then...

Joan, I'm happy that you are a "tiny bit better" today.  As others have said, take care of yourself.

Jane, when I was 73, my car insurance went up $200.  I called to ask if it was because of my age and the agent said no, that was the usual rate for my car and coverage.  I told Norm about it and he suggested checking with his next door neighbor who sold insurance.  I did and was able to get more coverage for $200 less than what I had been paying.  My dad had had the first company and after he died, I continued with that company.  It was comical that after I changed to the new company, I got a postcard from the original company congratulating me on being with them for 50 years. 

Amy, we weren't quite as cold as you this morning, but it was and is cold.  At 6 am it was 17 degrees.  Even now at 9:30 am, it is only 20 degrees.  The sun is shining and I think the sky was clear last night.  Tom left his car outside last night and there is a dusting of snow on it, so we don't have much snow to send your way.  You can dance with the broom.

Mary Ann

Good morning everyone, well the wind finally stopped in the middle of the night and I finally fell asleep. Weatherman said we had gusts up to 65mph. No wonder it felt like it was ready to glow me away on my very short walk yesterday.  Lot of trees fell in parts of the state.

CAROL  I have known some who held a grudge and they led miserable lonely lives.

JUNE  at times I think My Pillow is over advertized.  Last night I could not sleep with the wind so got up and turned on TV, watched a couple of movies, one was an old Jerry Lewis one, Family Jewels. I saw some crazy ads and wondered if any of those things worked. All kinds of pills for this and that. Even one that restores short term memory on people. Now if that was good one would think a doctor would tell people about it.

JOAN  you have always been that way. We never know you have been sick till you are better. Like when S&F first started and you had the fight for life. In all the years I have known you I never heard you whine about anything.

LLOYD I do the degree sign with alt 0176 °.

JENNY  even when I went to San Diego at Christmas I brought some warm clothes with me. Even there it can get cold at times. Enjoy your time in Texas.

HAL  so far so good from the last shots in my back. I have been trying to walk without my walker in here, actually walked across the room without holding anything. Would be great to get around with just the cane again.

JANE  Joan has been special for me since I first met her in her Busy Nest about 15 years ago.

SHIRLEY  I can just see you speeding around on your Yamaha up in the mountains. Please be careful.

JOAN  a couple of mini muffins will be good this morning. Like the Chuckle. Food for Thought is a keeper. Thank you for all today's goodies.

JANE  like you one time I changed car insurance because the sudden jump in cost and no explanation. I never even had a ticket for anything.

AMY  after a warmer than normal February now we are in for very cold temperatures. Sure started with March winds. The snow forecast for Saturday is not for much but we never know what Mother Nature will drop on us.

Hi everyone.  It looks like this is going to be another very pleasant clear day and get into the 60's this afternoon.  We do have a potential for a freeze after midnight although our local TV station weather app shows it getting only to 34 degrees so perhaps it won't get to freezing.  Nothing much on the schedule for today and hope to stay home all day.  I do need to make another batch of sausage muffins for Pat's breakfast and change the furnace filter.  I also need to reconcile a couple of bank statements.  Yesterday Pat did get her hair cut and we came home for awhile and then went to Ruby Tuesday's for dinner.  I was so tired yesterday evening that I went to bed at 8 pm. 

Joan, please put yourself first and don't push yourself on our behalf.  I will pray for you that you will soon be feeling much better. I agree with Jackie that you are not whining when you simply state the facts of how you are feeling.  You pray for others and there are those of us that want to pray for you.  Sure glad you have a nurse checking on you daily. 

Hal, I did a home study of the book of Daniel quite a few years ago and found it most interesting.  I have a friend who bought a Mercedes or BMW and I could hardly get in or out as it was so low.  He had a hip replacement and think he also found it difficult. 

Gloria, good news on the back pain and getting rid of the stiff neck.  My wife told me this morning she is getting out of bed with so much pain that she has pretty much decided to spend the nights in her easy chair in which she can be comfortable. 

Carol, thanks for the hugs for Pat and I as they are always welcome.  That is a very reasonable price to have the air ducts cleaned.  Glad you are enjoying the Alexa and it is probably no more than it would cost to attend a couple of movies and sure you will enjoy it more than a movie.

June, I have heard that My Pillow ad so many times that I try to immediately mute it.  They need to create a new ad.   

Lloyd, I did a Google search on your problem with the degree sign in Windows 10 and found the following, which I tried and it works.  Typing the ° Degree Symbol. If you would like to make the ° symbol when typing, you can use these methods: On PCs - hold down the Alt key and on the numeric keypad on the right of the keyboard, type 0176, or Alt+ 248 When you release the Alt Key, a ° should be there.

Shirley, it sounds like your cardiologist knows he would be wasting his breath to suggest the pain pills.  At this point if the pain gets bad enough that I would need the narcotic one I probably will be calling 911.  My daughter refused to let them give her any narcotic medicines when she had her first heart surgery.  I don't know how she handled it. Cas was doing what my cardiologist suggested for me but not ready to do that yet.  Spring has sprung here with the flowering trees in full bloom and many of the sleazes are now in bloom.  Just hope they don't get frozen tonight. 

Amy, fortunately my pacemaker/defibrillator has never fired so the batteries last longer.   

I've been "lost" for a couple of days.  Wednesday morning at about 6:30 I got the phone call we've all been dreading.  My daughter-in-law in Phoenix passed away about 1/2 hour before that - 4:00 a.m. Arizona time. 

Meanwhile, I've been juggling appointments for food shopping, property tax paying, Star tax exemption, and the audiologist who provided my original hearing aids.  Whew! 

I was immensely relieved to get the quote for both hearing aids (after an explanation about why I really need both) and found it's only about 1/3 the cost of one aid in some areas.  After testing he found the amount of hearing loss in each ear was somewhat higher than 10 years ago (surprise?) but that by correcting for both ears the percentage of hearing was considerably higher and clarity would be much improved.  I also found he was offering a better deal than that from the local Miracle Ear, including an extra year of warranty.  So I expect to have both aids fitted and adjusted on Wednesday.   

Food shopping has been put off for another couple of days.  The temps are below freezing and the wind chill, from a harsh biting wind, brings them down near zero.  My driver for groceries has a heart condition and a pacemaker and hasn't been feeling great for a couple of days.  So I told her stay home and out of the wind  - I sure won't starve for a couple more days and this weather is not good for her - or for me.   

Condolences and prayers for you and your family Jeanne Lee, in this difficult time.

Good Morning Everyone!

Jeanne Lee, I join with Amy in offering condolences on the death in your family.   May God comfort all of you in this terrible time.

It is downright cold here this morning, not like some of you, but for us here in central Texas it is wintertime. And I have the heat on and it feels good.

Shirley, your enchiladas made my mouth water.  Sometimes I just gotta have my Mexican fix.  I do like "good" Mexican food.  And getting it in Mexico does not guarantee it will be good.  We go to a restaurant here in San Antonio that their food is never good to me, it is always cold, but the wife likes the looks of the place.  I think they prepare the food earlier in day and then just "nuke" it when someone orders.   I always tell them be sure the food is hot, but it does little good.  Mexican food has to be fresh and hot (heat) to be good.  I add salsa to my taste for spice.

Joanie, hope you are feeling better.  And get back to your old self in short order.

Janie, I stayed with on insurance company for more years that I want to admit, and like you I got an increase in premiums that my agent couldn't really explain, just kept saying he was sorry, I had all my insurance with him, I moved every bit of it, not only once but three times until I finally got with AAA and so far they have been consistent in their rates and reasonable.

Any old how, I hope all you have a great day.

Good Morning Everyone from the getting colder,  and windier,  rocky coast of Maine. 

So Winter has not left us,  (Yet!)

Yesterday I went out to catch the bus to the grocery store,   and when I got on it,  I couldn't find  my purse,  so I had to get off  at the next stop and walk home....    Of course, the minute I got off,  I found my purse, so I stopped and picked up some stuff on the way home at CVS and RENE's   (a Maine department store). 

This morning I decided to catch the bus again and went out and the bus drove right by me while I was looking at my smart phone....   

I was soooooooooooo  mad at myself.     So I went home and waited a few minutes in the warm and went out a caught the next bus...    This time I made it to the Store.   

I do just fine when I am home  in my "safe zone"...  but when I go out,  if I am not careful  I screw things up...  which just makes me mad and anxious,  so the screwing up continues.   

Usually these days I am with my daughter Kelly,  so she calms me down and keeps me on the right path,  so to speak.       

But I do like to go out on my own...  I just need to keep myself calm  and  pay thorough attention to what  I am doing.   

I guess that I am not along at this age,  feeling going out a lone is complecated,  and I do need to pay attention and not let  myself get "shook up"..

All is well now,  and I have everything that I need. 

Sandy

JoanFl ...

I hope that you are feeling better soon. 

Sandy

 I'm up, I'm breathing, I'm dressed. My housekeeper has been here and changed my bed and put clean linens in the bathroom. She will return soon to clean the bathroom, and then be on her way till next week, when she will do what she calls "deep" cleaning..which means vacuuming, dusting, scrubbing, linens, etc.

I am having a bottle choc. Ensure, then will go down for lunch in a couple of hours, then home to claim the rest of the day as "mine". I do not plan to do anything more active than read, nap,shower and shampoo eat supper at home and just enjoy my life.

Bis, I am praying that as the day goes on you will continue to feel a bit better with each passing hour.

Good afternoon on another cold blustery day yesterday we had wind gust to 50. Today I have a doctors appointment at 4, first time I have had one so late.  Of course they are saying snow later.

JeanneLee, I add my condolences also to you and your family

Joan, I am glad to see you are feeling better, but please do not take any chances, We love you

Larry, you mention playing cribbage, when I first got married my mother gave us a cribbage board.  this is before tv, we would listen to the radio and play cribbage. Now how romantic was that?  Yesterday 25 of us Red Hats had our luncheon in and Irish Pub.  I thought of you  when a group of 5 men, took a table near us. The waitress seem to know them I pictured it was like a group you belong too.  One of the men, I suppose the joker with them got up and came over and tried one of the ladies hat on. By the way I have enough cornbeef left over for another two days.  The desert was a large piece of Irish Cream Mouse cake. the cut was so large most of us ended up taking half home, I have never ask for a doggie bag for dessert before.

I've done almost nothing today but be a couch potato or lie in my bed.  A few times I've gotten up and read your post.

Jeanne Lee--Please accept my sympathy in your family's loss.

Bis, can I join you in being a couch potato today ? My get up and go has gone up and left. I am going to drag myself down for some lunch, then home to undress and get comfy and go nowhere the rest of the day. I could order lunch sent up to my room for a cost of 11 dollars, but it goes against my grain to use that method when I'm not sick...just weary. I hope and pray the rest you are getting will start you on the getting well portion of our prayers. You are a fragile dear lady, and we need you so badly.

I've heard so many talking about the "My Pillow" that I went to Consumer Reports to see their review before reading today's posts.

http://www.consumerreports.org/mattresses/should-my-pillow-become-your-pillow/

Consumer Reports bought three My Pillows to test. Although we weren’t able to test that REM sleep claim, we did examine them inside and out. My Pillow describes itself as having “3-piece interlocking fill,” but it actually has thousands of torn polyurethane foam pieces in three sizes. We were able to shift the foam pieces around to different positions, and they did seem to stay put under pressure. The case is 100 percent cotton, and it didn’t have any noticeable off smells like some new pillows can.

How does it feel? Our tester described My Pillow as “kind of lumpy, but comfortable.” We also polled staffers who bought My Pillow on their own. Most said they bought it to help alleviate a sleep problem such as insomnia, neck pain, or snoring. Half of the 18 staffers said it helped a lot, 17 percent said it helped a little, and 33 percent said it didn’t help at all. Only one-third of the group said they would buy My Pillow again. (Use these exercises to help stop snoring.)

The 60-day money-back guarantee means that you can return My Pillow; you’ll have to pay for shipping and handling on both the original purchase and the return. Exchanges are free, however, including shipping.

Edit:

Jeanne Lee, I am sorry for your loss and send my condolences to you and your family.

I also have been exhausted lately, that sinuses infection I had is hard to recover from, I'm not sick, just still very drained.

June--Why of course, I would be delighted to have you join me.

angelface--Some might say I wasted my money purchasing those pillows, but I was looking for comfort, and that I got.

May God Bless Everyone.

Joan, we are all different and that is how it should be. I buy the Sealy Posturepedic for side sleepers because it doesn't go flat like so many cheaper ones do. Doctors say if you sleep on your back, or side, buy a pillow that does support your neck and if you sleep on your stomach buy a flatter pillow which just makes sense.

Someone said they sleep in several positions yesterday. So do I but each and every time I awaken, I am on my side and facing left. Instead of thinking about all the positions you sleep, think about the ones you wake up in. That position is what they are talking about.

Bis, I didn't want to crowd you so I took my nap after lunch in the recliner. I slept nearly two hours. Now waiting for my afternoon pills, then I will do my shower and shampoo.

Patricia, you are so correct about our taking time to recuperate from any illness. I went through a terrible sinus infection as a youngster and the memories can help me understand how you feel. And some of this stuff we older folks get does not heal..so we live with it.

My meds are delivered, so off I go to clean myself up.

Patricia, I sat here for a full 2 minutes, trying to figure out how I would know if I were "facing left" if I was lying on my side.  I've come to the conclusion that I'd be either looking straight up or down into the pillow depending on which side I was lying.  I'm very confused!

I'm also going to bed so I bid you all a very peaceful good night and my God bless us, every one.